DAILY UPDATE<\/u><\/p>\n
<\/u><\/p>\n
Latest News:<\/p>\n
WWE SmackDown ratings up slightly from last week
\nNWA, ROH no longer in a working relationship
\nUpdated WWE Network design debuting this week
\nAEW TV to air on Wednesdays, premiere set for October 2
\nTrish Stratus to face Charlotte Flair at WWE SummerSlam
\nMaverick vs. Kanellis ‘unsanctioned’ match set for WWE 205 Live
\nNJPW G1 Climax 29 night 8 results: Naito vs. Ishii, Moxley vs. Shingo
\nWWE SmackDown video highlights: Owens & Reigns lay out Shane<\/p>\n
Latest Audio:<\/p>\n
WOL: AEW TV announcement, Smackdown, Colt Cabana interview! 7\/24
\nB&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 7\/23<\/p>\n
F4W NEWSLETTER:\u00a0Figure Four Weekly: Smackville, EVOLVE & the WWE Network<\/p>\n
Joseph Currier looks at two Network specials and what they could mean for the future of the service.<\/p>\n
EVOLVE’s 10th Anniversary Celebration streamed on the Network opposite AEW Fight for the Fallen on July 13. Another in-ring special has also been added to the Network schedule for this month, with “Smackville” set to air this Saturday (July 27).<\/p>\n
Smackville is similar to past specials like The Shield’s Final Chapter and WWE Starrcade. The WWE Network broadcast of Smackville will be an hour long. Kofi Kingston will defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe and Dolph Ziggler in a triple threat match, Finn Balor will face Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in a rematch from Extreme Rules, and there will be a musical performance segment with Elias.<\/p>\n
The Smackville name is playing off the show taking place in Nashville, Tennessee and the city’s Bridgestone Arena, which is the home of the Nashville Predators. The event was just a house show prior to the special being announced, and it will still feature some untelevised matches.<\/p>\n
Televised house shows have been something WWE has surveyed subscribers about for a long time. Smackville feels very much like a by-the-numbers house show card. After already having defeated them in his most recent pay-per-view title defenses, Kingston is facing Joe and Ziggler again. Balor has already moved on to a storyline with Bray Wyatt and is set to take some time off from WWE after SummerSlam, so it seems unlikely that he’ll be regaining the Intercontinental title. The Smackville theme should play into the Elias segment, but it’s unlikely that it will have much meaning to the larger audience.<\/p>\n
WON NEWSLETTER:\u00a0July 22, 2019 Observer Newsletter: SummerSlam takes shape, Fight for the Fallen review, more<\/p>\n
The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter runs down one of the biggest weekends of the year when it comes to big shows, with lots of behind the scenes talks regarding WWE to FOX and the strategy, updates on Eric Bischoff’s role with WWE, an idea WWE has to strike back at AEW, the Turner reaction to AEW thus far and plans for SummerSlam.
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\nWe’ve got full coverage of Extreme Rules, AEW Fight for the Fallen, the first week in Japan of G-1 Evolve and UFC’s show in Sacramento.\u00a0 We’ve got results, business notes, background of the shows, star ratings for the matches and poll results.<\/p>\n
A look at the SummerSlam card including bouts not yet announced and more details on the show, what wrestler is taking time off, who came up with the Raw Reunion concept and why it has been overdone, live and PPV business for Extreme rules and more notes on the show.<\/p>\n
We also update PPV figures for every promotion.<\/p>\n
There’s also an update on Harley Race, who is currently hospitalized<\/p>\n
What did and didn’t work at Fight for the Fallen, how the streaming did, what lessons are learned, update on television card for All Out, and the WWE’s reaction. There’s also a\u00a0look at the G-1 Climax, Will Ospreay, business so far last week’s shows and this week’s shows<\/p>\n
An update FOX plans for Smackdown, other programming on FS 1,the Bayley interview with Kristine Leahy and what is says about Fox Sports and a UFC story, the WWE audience and who watches Raw, Smackdown and both.\u00a0We also update Jeff Hardy’s arrest, Hardy’s past, what to look for this week in the WWE’s Investors call and business notes, excuses coming home to roost and more.<\/p>\n
Eric Bischoff’s arrival in WWE and his actual job and why it’s so much different than was announced and what people think..\u00a0 We also look at new WWE angles and directions, changes for television being pitched, WWE injury notes, one of the best wrestlers in the world at a recent tryout, current value of WWE, most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network, plus a look at all the arena live events from WWE and NXT with results, highlights and business notes.<\/p>\n
We look back at Saturday’s UFC show, the return of Urijah Faber, the early stoppage in the main event and the business notes on the show.<\/p>\n
Also, a look at the Evolve show, the idea of such a show on he WWE network, the good and bad of the show, what one of the results shows and the surprise. We also look at DDT’s recent big show with match-by-match coverage and star ratings.<\/p>\n
There’s also a run down the ratings of all the major TV shows, along with detailed demo info for the WWE shows and 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
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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
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE<\/u><\/p>\n
<\/u><\/p>\n
WWE
\nThe Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas noted that Brock Lesnar has been added to next Monday\u2019s (July 29) episode of Raw.
\nMatt Riddle has been announced for EVOLVE 133 in Livonia, Michigan on August 24 and EVOLVE 134 in Chicago, Illinois on August 25. Riddle will be in action at the shows and taking part in meet and greets. WWE.com will announce his matches this week.
\nAhead of tomorrow\u2019s second quarter earnings report, WWE stock closed today at $68.73 per share. That\u2019s up under one percent from yesterday.
\nJohnny Gargano and Candice LeRae surprised a couple with a video message at their wedding reception. The couple entered the reception to Gargano\u2019s theme music.
\nEve Torres was interviewed by WWE\u2019s Josiah Williams at Raw Reunion.
\nWWE posted a video with WrestlePro and Create A Pro\u2019s Pat Buck talking about guest coaching at the Performance Center this week. The Monster Factory\u2019s Danny Cage is also guest coaching.
\nWWE\u2019s YouTube channel uploaded the extreme rules match between Aleister Black and Adam Cole from NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.
\nPro Wrestling
\nAEW\u2019s Tony Khan, The Young Bucks, Cody & Brandi Rhodes, Kenny Omega, Kia Stevens (Awesome Kong), Nyla Rose, Jungle Boy, and Michael Nakazawa were in attendance and promoted AEW\u2019s weekly TV show at the Television Critics Association press tour event today. It was noted that the name for AEW\u2019s TV show will likely be announced in the next week or so. Wednesday Night Dynamite has been expected to be the name.
\nFlip Gordon is out of his scheduled match against Trey Miguel at Friday\u2019s PWG Sixteen event due to injury. Miguel will instead face Andy Brown.
\nThis year\u2019s ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view will take place at Sam\u2019s Town Live in Las Vegas on September 27. ROH will also hold TV tapings at Sam\u2019s Town the next night.
\nRiho will be wrestling in Stardom and will start at their Korakuen Hall show on August 10.
\nThe Spirit Squad (Kenn Doane & Mike Mondo) have joined MLW and will hold an \u201copen workout\u201d at MLW\u2019s TV tapings in Queens, New York tomorrow night.
\nImpact Wrestling will hold TV tapings in Mexico City on August 15 and 16.
\nScott Steiner, Jordynne Grace & Petey Williams will team together at Impact\u2019s Unbreakable show on August 2. The event will air live on Impact Plus.
\nUFC\/MMA
\nThe UFC uploaded episode three of Embedded for Saturday\u2019s PPV.
\nCris Cyborg responded to Dana White’s comments about her being afraid to lose to Amanda Nunes again: \u201cYou think I\u2019m surprised when Dana says things like this? I\u2019m not. I\u2019m gonna be surprised if Dana White says something nice for me. It\u2019s not new for me. And just challenge, I go over there and do my best. Dana White\u2019s never stepped in the cage. He never fight before, he doesn\u2019t know the fighter life because he\u2019s the promoter.\u201d
\nAriel Helwani tweeted that the UFC is discussing booking Ben Askren vs. Demian Maia after Askren\u2019s medical suspension expires in September.
\nAnderson Silva was sworn in as an American citizen on Tuesday.
\nJames Vick announced that he\u2019s moving up to welterweight.
\nNick Newell has signed a one-fight deal with Bellator and will face Corey Browning at Bellator 225 in Bridgeport, Connecticut on August 24. Newell vs. Browning will be part of the prelims.
\nRamsey Nijem, Carlao Silva, and Gadzhi Rabadanov missed weight and have been removed from tomorrow\u2019s PFL 5 card.<\/p>\n
Daily Pro Wrestling History:\u00a0Sherri Martel wins WWF Women’s title<\/p>\n
CONTACT INFORMATION<\/p>\n
Poll opinions:\u00a0dave@wrestlingobserver.com DAILY UPDATE Latest News: WWE SmackDown ratings up slightly from last week NWA, ROH no longer in a working relationship Updated WWE Network design debuting this week AEW TV to air on Wednesdays, premiere set for October 2 Trish Stratus to face Charlotte Flair at WWE SummerSlam Maverick vs. Kanellis ‘unsanctioned’ match set for WWE … <\/p>\n
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