DAILY UPDATE<\/u><\/p>\n
<\/u><\/p>\n
Latest News:<\/p>\n
WWE’s Jimmy Uso out 6-to-9 months with knee injury
\nAJ Styles reportedly returning to WWE Raw this Monday
\nSmackDown Tag Team title match added to WWE Money in the Bank
\nWWE SmackDown falls below two million viewers in overnight ratings
\nWWE SmackDown video highlights: Otis, Carmella qualify for MITB
\nDrew McIntyre vs. Murphy set for Monday’s WWE Raw
\nWWE announces lineup for next week’s SmackDown
\nUFC reveals full cards for two May ESPN events
\nUpdated MITB participants, ladder matches taking place at same time<\/p>\n
Latest Audio:<\/p>\n
WOL: SmackDown ratings, Dark Side of the Ring, TNA nostalgia 5\/2<\/p>\n
WON NEWSLETTER:\u00a0May 4, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Florida and UFC\/WWE\/AEW, more news<\/p>\n
A look at how the major companies are looking at either running or not running is the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.\u00a0We also have a major feature on the characters from ABC’s 20\/20, from David Schultz, John Stossell, Jim Wilson and Eddy Mansfield, as well as a feature on Gerald Brisco and how Vince McMahon got control of the TBS time slot for one year.<\/p>\n
The issue also covers:<\/p>\n
The schedule for UFC, WWE and AEW.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The time frame Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida talked about for live events, the hypocrisy sanctioning these events,\u00a0why UFC isn’t running Las Vegas, ESPN’s change of policy, another state open to bring in wrestling, boxing and MMA, UFC’s first show back, update on Fight Island, Bellator plans and Scott Coker talks his ideas.<\/p>\n
Another feature on WWE financials with Vince McMahon’s quotes on all facets of business going forward and what is and isn’t honest about them.\u00a0 We also look at why you can’t compare live attendance, what category does look good and what doesn’t, empty arena shows, costs of taping now and why Vince says the WWE Network should grow.<\/p>\n
The firings of Cain Velasquez and Curtis Axel and the departure, at least for now, of Gerald Brisco.<\/p>\n
How close Brisco and Vince McMahon have been, the 1984 purchase of GCW by McMahon and how it went down, how McMahon lost the time slot after one year, the WWE signing and usage of Velasquez, and what major WWE decision-maker thought Axel would be one of the company’s signature stars.<\/p>\n
The latest episode of Dark Side of the Ring on David Schultz.\u00a0We look at the start of Schultz’s career, his feud with Hulk Hogan, slapping John Stossel, Eddy Mansfield, Jim Wilson, Jim Barnett, how Schultz got fired by WWE, Jim Cornette on the show, the Lou Thesz-Eddy Mansfield confrontation, the deregulation of wrestling, and how the story on Jimmy Snuka and the 20\/20 story on wrestling intertwine.<\/p>\n
New Monday night competition to Raw, 2K plans or 2020, How WWE stars get paid, wrestler who pulled out of tapings this past week, U.K. and Canada TV ratings, Taynara Conti and Mike Bennett talk being released, Jerry Lawler talks his remark bout Tozawa, Heath Slater talks his departure, David Starr talks current conditions and the most-watched bouts for the past week on WWE Network.<\/p>\n
A harrowing story on Ilima lei-Macfarlane and her childhood going to the famed Punahou Schoolin Hawaii and the dirty secret the school covered up for decades that has just come to light.<\/p>\n
Full coverage of the Impact Rebellion show with so many champions not there, as well as match-by-match coverage.<\/p>\n
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.<\/p>\n
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.<\/p>\n
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.\u00a0<\/p>\n
ORDERING INFO:\u00a0Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered\u00a0via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to\u00a0dave@wrestlingobserver.com\u00a0or by going to\u00a0www.paypal.com\u00a0directing funds to\u00a0dave@wrestlingobserver.com.<\/p>\n
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.<\/p>\n
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.<\/p>\n
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.<\/p>\n
If you order by\u00a0mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA\u00a095009-1228, you can get $1\u00a0off in every price range.<\/p>\n
SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE<\/u><\/p>\n
\n
WWE
\nBecky Lynch spoke to TMZ about the advice she\u2019s gotten from Dwayne \u201cThe Rock\u201d Johnson and John Cena regarding acting: \u201c[The Rock has] actually he’s been very helpful in guiding me and actually put me in contact with who my agent is right now. He’s just being very giving and I think they all are because they’ve all been there and they’re all ready to look after the next generation. Cena’s also been so great to me and so generous with his time and his advice, checks up on me\u00a0and what I’m doing now. I think everybody wants to see the next generation move to where they’ve been, ya know?\u201d
\nLynch also said she has no plans to stop wrestling: “Look, I just love performing. I love being able to get it out there, but I also love a crowd. So, as long as I can wrestle, then I’m going to be doing that.”
\nLynch is appearing on The Ringer’s “Billions” post-show podcast with show creators David Levien and Brian Koppelman after tomorrow night’s season five premiere.
\nKris Tapley of Netflix\u2019s The Call Sheet podcast tweeted that Lynch is \u201cin a certain upcoming Marvel movie.\u201d What the movie is and the extent of her role haven\u2019t been revealed.
\nThe Rock turns 48 years old today. WWE uploaded a Playlist video featuring his funniest moments.
\nIn a message posted on his Twitter account, Vince McMahon wished The Rock a happy birthday: \u201cLiving proof that through hard work, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Happy Birthday to eight-time WWE Champion and The Most Electrifying Man in All of Entertainment, @TheRock\u201d
\nTriple H also sent a happy birthday tweet to The Rock: \u201cTo the most-electrifying of all time…a great adversary, great inspiration and great friend. Happy birthday to @TheRock!\u201d
\nMick Foley wrote a Facebook post remembering Nancy Benoit and calling for her to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
\nAleister Black has been announced as a guest for Tuesday\u2019s episode of WWE Backstage.
\nTotal Bellas averaged 600,000 viewers on E! on Thursday night, up from last week\u2019s 527,000 viewers. The rating in the 18-49 demo was unchanged at a 0.24.
\nWWE\u2019s YouTube channel added Triple H vs. John Cena from Night of Champions 2008, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a last man standing match from Money in the Bank 2018, and Shawn Michaels vs. Shelton Benjamin from the May 2, 2005 episode of Raw.
\nOther Wrestling
\nBig Japan Pro Wrestling has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help the promotion survive the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
\nIn an interview with Sports Illustrated, Tama Tonga spoke about the differences between how NJPW and WWE and AEW have approached the pandemic: \u201cThere is a different sense of unity in Japan. Here in America, the show must go on. Money needs to come in, so the wrestlers are still wrestling. New Japan stopped holding shows. That\u2019s not just for the safety of the fans, but it\u2019s also for the health of the wrestlers. It\u2019s a different culture in Japan, a lot different from \u2018the show must go on\u2019 mindset. The majority of our income comes from live shows, which has been cut out, but the company has held onto the staff and reassured us that no one will be let go. The company is more of a family in Japan.\u201d
\nColt Cabana is launching a two-week podcast series where he\u2019ll speak to non-contracted full-time independent wrestlers who have been affected by the pandemic. Episodes will be released daily from Monday to Friday.
\nChris Van Vliet has an interview with Britt Baker.
\nDr. Luther appeared on the latest episode of Thank You For Being A Friend with Justin Roberts.
\nThe Highspots Wrestling Network\u2019s YouTube channel uploaded Dave Meltzer and Chris Hero\u2019s appearance on Hitting the Highspots with Rob Naylor from 2015.<\/p>\n
MMA<\/p>\n
The Association of Ringside Physicians released a revised statement\u00a0on combat sports happening during the coronavirus pandemic: \u201cThe Association of Ringside Physicians recognizes that the circumstances regarding the COVID-19 pandemic are continually changing and evolving. As stay-at-home orders are relaxed, athletic commissions and combat sports governing bodies are looking to restart operations. Although it is impossible to eliminate all risk associated with COVID-19, precautions can be made to reduce the risk of viral transmission. Many athletic commissions, organizations and [promoters] are developing new guidelines to limit exposure to all involved at events, including athletes, their teams, commission personnel and support staff. Combat sports event procedures regarding COVID-19 precautions should be actively developed, regularly reviewed and modified based on the evolving knowledge and scientific evidence put forth by public health authorities. These guidelines should also involve local and regional public health officials as well as infectious disease experts and epidemiologists. Our thoughts continue to be with those who have been and will be affected by this disease. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve, protect and educate all involved in combat sports. If any combat sports organization would like help in developing its guidelines, the Association of Ringside Physicians can provide assistance and guidance.\u201d
\nUSADA issued a statement on drug testing for UFC 249 and future events: \u201cAs we\u2019ve stated, testing at UFC events is an essential part of a fair fight. We will have doping control officers at UFC 249, and will do everything in our power to conduct testing at future events, of course taking appropriate precautions to protect the health and safety of everyone involved.\u201d
\nDana White said facing Kamaru Usman isn\u2019t the only option the UFC is considering for Jorge Masvidal: \u201cWe\u2019re talking about a few different things. We have something else interesting for Masvidal, too, that we were just talking about (Thursday). We\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daily Pro Wrestling History:\u00a0Curt Hennig wins AWA World title<\/p>\n
CONTACT INFORMATION<\/p>\n
Poll opinions:\u00a0dave@wrestlingobserver.com DAILY UPDATE Latest News: WWE’s Jimmy Uso out 6-to-9 months with knee injury AJ Styles reportedly returning to WWE Raw this Monday SmackDown Tag Team title match added to WWE Money in the Bank WWE SmackDown falls below two million viewers in overnight ratings WWE SmackDown video highlights: Otis, Carmella qualify for MITB Drew McIntyre…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5855","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5855"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5855\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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