DAILY UPDATE
Latest News
WWE SmackDown ratings up slightly for Superstar Shake-up
Shane Strickland, Garza Jr. join WWE Performance Center
NXT UK results: Pete Dunne addresses his loss to WALTER
Kenny Omega vs. CIMA announced for AEW Fight for the Fallen
AEW notes: Brandi Rhodes vs. Allie in July, battle royal entrants
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Superstar Shake-up night two
Full list of WWE Superstar Shake-up night two roster changes
WWE 205 Live results: Cedric Alexander’s farewell
Roman Reigns joins WWE SmackDown via Superstar Shake-up
Kairi Sane called up to WWE SmackDown, teaming with Asuka
Finn Balor joins WWE SmackDown in Superstar Shake-up
Latest Audio
WOL: Superstar Shake-up part two, SNME’s Jason Agnew, calls, more 4/17
F4D: Bryan Alvarez on Smackdown Superstar Shakeup! 4/17
WOR: Smackdown recap, Superstar Shakeup, WWE & UFC news 4/17
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Ronda Rousey confirms hiatus from WWE
Part one of Ronda Rousey’s professional wrestling career officially came to an end at WrestleMania.
Nearly three months after Dave Meltzer first reported that Rousey was likely finishing up with WWE at WrestleMania 35, Rousey made things official this week. She wrote on Instagram that she was going on an “impregnation vacation” with her husband Travis Browne. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, who Rousey is friendly with, then reported that Rousey is taking a hiatus from WWE to start a family.
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WON NEWSLETTER: April 15, 2019 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WrestleMania 35 weekend review
When it comes to news, the biggest issue of the year is out, covering WrestleMania, all the behind-the-scenes stuff at WrestleMania, Hall of Fame, NXT and Supercard of Honor, as well as the top indie shows. This issue has more backstage news than any issue of the year.
This issue leads off with coverage of WrestleMania, with the main event finish, what was supposed to happen, who got the blame, why it was brought up on the broadcast, and the future of Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar in WWE.
Next get the update with AEW television talk, what is and isn’t accurate about what has come out, what the current plans are and more.
Also look at the Supercard of Honor in Madison Square Garden. Look back to 1960 when the last time a non-McMahon card took place at the arena and who was on top.
Also look at the idiot who attacked Bret Hart at the Hall of Fame ceremony, what actually happened, comments from the Hart family, the firing of writer R.D. Evans and the comments after by HHH and the rest of DX making fun of it, plus the comments on AEW.
This issue has full details of AAA and its debut in Madison Square Garden. Look at the press conference, the goals, and the story behind the business idea of why it will work. Also look at the AAA relationship with Cain Velasquez.
Also look at the WrestleCon super show, one of the biggest indie events of the year, with appearances by Ric Flair, Animal, Will Ospreay, Bandido, SCU, Jushin Liger, X-Pac and Dragon Lee.
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Variety reported that John Cena is in talks to join the sequel to the movie “Suicide Squad.” The film is being directed by James Gunn and is currently scheduled to be released on August 6, 2021. Variety’s Justin Kroll tweeted: “This was the role originally intended by for Bautista but due to his massive work schedule, he had to pass. Also I couldn’t confirm but believe Cena would be playing Peacemaker in the film”
WWE stock was down two percent today, closing at $96.11 per share.
Coming out of the Superstar Shake-up, Nikki Cross has yet to be assigned to a brand. Heavy Machinery were announced as members of the SmackDown roster after last night’s show. Liv Morgan, Chad Gable, Apollo Crews, and Mickie James joining SmackDown was also announced on WWE.com.
Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, and Sarah Logan wrote about Morgan being drafted to SmackDown and reflected on The Riott Squad.
Io Shirai tweeted after Kairi Sane was called up to SmackDown last night: “Kairi, Congratulations on your new adventure! Best of luck on your journey!! You will remain my best friend forever. I’ll continue my own voyage, too! I can’t wait to reunite the Sky Pirates one day!” Sane is teaming with Asuka and Paige is managing them.
WWE posted a video of the 205 Live roster, Roman Reigns, and Mustafa Ali greeting Cedric Alexander after his match against Oney Lorcan on last night’s 205 Live. Alexander was drafted to Raw in the Shake-up.
Humberto Carrillo vs. Drew Gulak is set for next week’s 205 Live.
Ricochet started a GoFundMe campaign to help his mother rebuild her life after a house fire.
Today would have been Roddy Piper’s 65th birthday.
Time named Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson one of their 100 most influential people of 2019. Johnson is included in the artists section and is on one of the covers for the magazine.
Johnson wrote about the honor: “I’m boundlessly humbled and honored to grace the cover of @TIME. I’ve been quite the lucky man over the decades to have such a successful career, but it’s only due to the deep connection I have with the fans, the audience – the people. To have success at something is one thing, but to have global positive influence on people’s lives is the greatest and most powerful strength one could ever have. Thank you TIME Magazine for this exceptional honor. And most importantly, thank you to my one and only boss – the people. Our connection will always remind me that it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
A story on Roman Reigns and his leukemia being in remission is part of this week’s edition of Sports Illustrated.
The New Day and The Bellas will appear on Nickelodeon’s Double Dare next week as part of WWE Superstars Week.
The AAF, which was going to be a competitor to the XFL, officially filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy today.
Former New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride was announced as the head coach and general manager of the XFL’s New York/New Jersey team yesterday.
Pro Wrestling
Kid Lykos, who has dealt with numerous injuries, announced that he’s retiring from in-ring competition.
Gursinder Singh posted a statement announcing that he’s requested his release from Impact Wrestling.
ROH and Figures Toy Company are again partnering together for a new assortment of ROH action figures.
NWA referee Tommy Young will be doing the honorary referee instructions for Nick Aldis’ NWA title defense against Marty Scurll at the Crockett Cup on April 27.
Matt Farmer has joined MLW as a senior coordinator for the promotion.
Cody Rhodes and Conrad Thompson appeared on this week’s episode of the Jim Ross Report.
Stevie Ray is the guest on the latest episode of Talk is Jericho.
UFC/MMA
Former UFC fighter Angela Magana, who is in a coma due to complications from emergency surgery, is moving her hands and toes and blinking her eyes.
Frankie Edgar said everyone knows he should get the next shot at Max Holloway’s featherweight title.
Luke Rockhold thinks he has the skills to defeat Jon Jones.
Jorge Masvidal said he genuinely doesn’t like Ben Askren and wants to torture him for 14 minutes and 50 seconds in their fight at UFC 239.
Former UFC staff member Burt Watson is starting a promotion called “We Rollnnn MMA.”
Daily Pro Wrestling History: WCW Spring Stampede 1994
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