May 21, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: USA potentially paying big money for Raw
A look at how the new WWE television contract situation will change the game once again is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. Look at why the stock price is up, what analysts thought WWE would get with its deal, what kind of level we’re talking about now, interest level, where Smackdown may end up, the value of an episode of Raw and how that relates to PPV and where the key events should take place, and the long-term value of both UFC and WWE.
This issue also has a big feature on the All In show and weekend, with notes on the business, what questions were answered and what weren’t, who is on the show, ticket breakdown, secondary market numbers, how it compares with big WWE shows, as well as the largest crowds other non-WWE companies have done and other groups in the last 32 years to have drawn 10,000 for a live show. Also look at how unique this really is and the business of the Starrcast event.
Look at the new President of New Japan, Harold Meij, what his hiring means, what he brings to the table, one of his ideas that has already been used, just how much of a success he was in the toy business and his goals for New Japan’s future.
Also, look at NXT business numbers for the first three months of the year and compare it with last year at the same time.
There is an update on Money in the Bank, matches announced, other directions and look at the Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax direction.
Read about the lawsuit against C.M. Punk that is coming to the wire, thoughts on the John Cena/Nikki Bella storyline, NXT Takeover Chicago news, WWE wrestler media appearances, a list of new WWE signees from the U.K. and details of the contracts.
This issue has more on Amy “Lita” Dumas breaking ranks on Greatest Royal rumble, update on movies with big WWE names, a unique world class athlete WWE has just signed, why Cass is in trouble, who hasn’t won in 2018, and new matches and new injury updates.
Look at the WWE market value, as well as ten most watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network and reports from all the European WWE arena events this week, the next five weeks of NXT television and some unique news making NXT show, plus business notes on all the WWE shows from this past week.
Find out about Saturday’s head-to-head battle with UFC vs. Bellator, how to evaluate the ratings, questions coming out of the UFC show, a belief I have regarding people who miss weight by several pounds, ratings for both MMA and boxing as well as interest levels for both and match-by-match rundowns of the UFC and Bellator show.
As always, this issue contains the weekly coverage of all the ratings of the major shows, detailed notes on who is watching all the WWE shows, results from the major league events held around the world, and the major TV show rundowns. Plus, read the results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
Also in this issue:
Notes on week two of the Gran Alternative tournament
Next week at Arena Mexico
Those returning to CMLL
Title bouts in CMLL
Update on AAA’s version of SummerSlam in a few weeks and the worldwide superstar challenging for their title on top
Note on a wrestler who was about to jump from CMLL but decided against it
An incredible match featuring largely unknown wrestlers and their backgrounds
What star is working New Japan, AAA and Crash at the same time which would have previously been unheard of
King of Gate tournament matches
All Japan tours Okinawa
NOAH runs Korakuen Hall to set up big show
Update on Dominion
How Dominion has done every year since moving to Osaka Castle Hall
Update on English announcing on New Japan World
Hot T-shirt only seen on one New Japan show
Notes on Best of the Super Junior matches this week
Update on New Japna in France
Veteran female star may have her career in Japan ended due to an arrest
Why charges on Enzo Amore were never filed
Longtime indie name retires
Big discussion of the pros and cons of Fabulous Moolah
Third generation of legend about to start career
Note on some upcoming wrestling documentaries
Pro wrestling superstar opening a restaurant
MLW signs two top indie names
Bryan Alvarez returns to wrestle
New promotion taping for local market television using big names
Notes on a biography of Gene Kiniski
AAW updates
Evolve updates
New promotion reunites former WWE pairing
Lots of notes on the ITV tapings in Norwich
What the battle plan is for the series
What two international stars had a big match
How this taping was different from the first one
Changes in what WWE U.K. wrestlers are allowed to do and how that affects one of the country’s biggest promotions
Rundown of the Revolution Pro major show of the pat week
A look at OTT’s big show with New Japan and American stars
Fairly well known model debuts in pro wrestling
A look at the ROH War of the Worlds show
Details on every show on the tour
Business notes on every show
MMA star being set up to debut in ROH
Next ROH PPV main event
Notes on ROH shows in the U.K.
Notes on Impact’s big TV angle this week
What isn’t expected to happen in Impact
What ex-WWE star is starting soon in Impact
Something going on behind-the-scenes that could have a huge affect on both UFC and WWE stars
Two UFC fighters go at it and police come to take statements
Nate Diaz talks why he doesn’t want to fight GSP
Diaz talks about other people he’s not interested in fighting
Lots of ne UFC fights
A look back at Shogun vs. Dan Henderson’s Hall of Fame fight
C.M.Punk’s UFC return garnering controversy
Behind the UFC hiring of Yair Rodriguez and where he should wind up
Notes on this week’s UFC show
Notes on World MMA awards
Robbery of UFC employees on location
More on the MMA debut of Jack Swagger
A media rights deal that could change boxing and its value
More on Liddell vs. Ortiz III
Rizin doing a unique tournament
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