DAILY UPDATE
Latest News
WWE San Antonio live results: Kurt Angle makes surprise appearance
UFC on ESPN+ 1 live results: Henry Cejudo vs. TJ Dillashaw
Mysterio-Andrade two-out-of-three falls, Joe-Ali set for SmackDown
Rousey & Natalya vs. Banks & Bayley announced for WWE Raw
PWG Hand of Doom results: Trevor Lee says farewell
MLW Fusion results: Rush vs. Shane Strickland
Impact Wrestling results: LAX vs. oVe, Brian Cage vs. Moose
NXT Tampa, FL, live results: Tag Team title match
Latest Audio
Left My Wallet: Nova/Simon Dean 1/18
F4D: Lance Storm on Raw, Mandy Rose and the WON Awards 1/18
WOL: Dr. Lucha talks RRRRRRRUSH to ROH 1/18
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: AEW roster starts to take shape
Plans for All Elite Wrestling started to come into focus at a rally in Jacksonville, Florida last Tuesday. A surprise appearance by Chris Jericho closed the event, with Jericho instantly becoming the highest profile signing AEW has made in its brief history. “I’m Chris Jericho, and I am all in with All Elite Wrestling,” Jericho said to begin his speech. “Surprise — I think we just took things to a different level, didn’t we?” Jericho said he’s not here with AEW for the money — he’s here because he believes in doing something new and different.
WON NEWSLETTER: January 21, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Ring of Honor signs Rush, more
The business year in review issue of the Wrestling Observer is out with looks at both the biggest drawing cards and best big match wrestlers of the modern era.
This issue looks at combat sports including the biggest crowds of 2018, what main eventers headlined the most successful house shows, PPV numbers for 2018, big crowds broken down by major promotion, and UFC PPV comparisons over the last 12 years.
Also have a detailed look at the new signings and negotiations over the past week. Look in depth at the battle to sign Rush, including what MLW and RHO offered, how CMLL played a role, and when Rush will be a free agent.
Read the update on the Royal Rumble show, the story behind why Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman was pulled from the show a long time before it got out, the real reasons why the match isn’t happening and why it continued to be pushed even though it wasn’t happening.
Read a complete rundown of the NXT UK show, with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Examine the success of WWE stock, the new U.K. training center, WWE women’s’ tag team titles, the reasons behind some of the debuts of new characters on television, Vince McMahon’s new XFL update, WWE changing hosts for WWE Network, new contracts signed, injury updates, who wants out, and the Nigel McGuinness documentary.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to [email protected]. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
In an Instagram post on Friday, Maria Kanellis denied that she has requested to be released by WWE: “I was not going to address this but I am getting phone calls and emails about it. I DID NOT ask for my release. Speculation and rumors are running rampant. Someone is playing all the wrestling news sites. It’s a game. I’ve been in professional wrestling for 15 years and what I do in front of the camera will only be a small part of the full story. I have relationships with fans, talent, producers, and their families. I have been in the hospital when people have been injured and backstage to hug someone that just had a great match. I don’t need to stir up sh*t. I don’t need to put others down. I am an imperfect human that has learned from past mistakes. Whoever is leaking rumors I pity you. And your desperate attempt for attention while disparaging my husband and I. I’m gonna take the weekend off of social media to hang out with my beautiful family and I suggest whoever it is does the same. Social media is not fact. It is fantasy, a nightmare, or a place for bullies. I want to use this for motivation to be positive everyday. I am still learning how to be a mom. I still fight postpartum depression. And I still try and become a better person everyday. I don’t need this made up extra stress. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and thank you for your support!!”
Pro Wrestling Sheet, who first reported that Maria and Mike Kanellis have requested to be released, noted that they’ve had multiple sources confirm the story. Pro Wrestling Sheet also stated that they reached out to Maria and Mike before publishing their report and were told that there’d be no comment from them.
Starting at noon Eastern time tomorrow, WWE will be revealing a new entrant for the women’s Royal Rumble every 30 minutes via Twitter. WWE didn’t reveal how many entrants will be announced.
A new edition of WWE 24 will be premiering after the Royal Rumble on January 27. Here’s the brief description for the special, which will focus on last year’s WrestleMania: “Get an all-access pass to WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans, featuring rare behind-the-curtain footage and revealing Superstar interviews.”
WWE Network News has details on the 34 episodes of WWF Superstars from 1992 that are being added to the Network on Monday.
The Revival were in action at last night’s WWE house show in San Antonio, losing to Raw Tag Team Champions Bobby Roode & Chad Gable in a match that has gotten strong reviews. Scott Dawson responded to a tweet from Sasha Banks praising the match: “Don’t matter where we go, we’re stealing the show. #FTR” Dave Meltzer noted on Thursday that The Revival were scheduled for this weekend’s house shows.
WWE stock closed the week at $83.43 per share yesterday, which was up 2.18 percent on the day.
Velveteen Dream tweeted: “One day The DREAM will wrestle John Cena & everyone will rejoice. REMEMBER THIS TWEET.” The tweet is in the same format as ones made by Dash Wilder and Matt Jackson last month about The Revival and The Young Bucks facing each other one day.
Vince McMahon’s Twitter account wished Pat Patterson a happy 78th birthday: “Happy Birthday to Pat Patterson, the creator of the Royal Rumble, our first Intercontinental Champion, and one of the greatest minds in sports-entertainment history.”
Today is also R-Truth’s 47th birthday and Tyler Breeze’s 31st birthday.
WWE uploaded a video of Kofi Kingston’s Royal Rumble match saves.
Pro Wrestling
This week’s MLW Fusion episode features The Hart Foundation vs. The Dirty Blondes, Gringo Loco vs. Ricky Martinez, Ace Romero vs. Ariel Dominguez, and Rush vs. Shane Strickland.
MLW announced that Ace Austin will be a regular with them starting with MLW Superfight in Philadelphia on February 2.
Bea Priestley won the World of Sport Women’s Championship at today’s WOS show. Viper had won the title from Kay Lee Ray in a triple threat match on Friday that also included Priestley.
Dan Severn has been announced for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, which is taking place in Jersey City, New Jersey on Thursday, April 4 during WrestleMania week.
Defiant Wrestling uploaded PAC vs. David Starr from Newcastle to their YouTube account.
UFC/MMA
Dana White said Conor McGregor wants a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov but is willing to fight anyone. McGregor tweeted “Ok I’m back” in response to the UFC unveiling the new design for their title belts.
After the UFC revealed their new title belt design, Scott Coker tweeted a picture of the belt that Bellator’s Heavyweight Grand Prix winner will receive and wrote “Some things are better left alone.”
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Ric Flair wins WWF title in 1992 Royal Rumble
Ed in San Antonio presents the WON/F4W Empire Events for WRESTLEMANIA Weekend (more to be added):
Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Empire lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Poll opinions: [email protected]
Feedback: [email protected]
Show results and news tips: [email protected]
Wrestling Observer Radio questions: [email protected]
Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!