THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
WWE SmackDown posts second-lowest ratings since brand split
Kazuchika Okada vs. Marty Scurll set for All In
Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin official for WWE Extreme Rules
UFC 226 card gets reshuffled following Holloway-Ortega cancellation
Daniels, Kazarian & Scorpio Sky announced for All In
Black vs. Ciampa NXT title match set for later this month
WWE NXT results: Johnny Gargano vs. EC3
Max Holloway off UFC 226 due to concussion-like symptoms
Lucha Underground results: King Cuerno vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.
THE LATEST AUDIO
WOL: Sempervive interviews Dave Meltzer, Allie Kat 7/5
WOR: Massive weekend of shows, UFC and WWE injuries, Smackdown, 205 Live, more! 7/5
F4D: Smackdown, Choppin Block, Rock and Rolls, more! 7/4
Wrestling Weekly: Les Thatcher celebrates his 58th anniversary in wrestling 7/4
For this weekend, we’ll be doing two polls, one for Saturday’s NJPW show at the Cow Palace and one for Saturday’s UFC 226 in Las Vegas.
IMPACT TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. EASTERN ON POP TV
Fenix vs. Rich Swann
Brian Cage vs. Kongo Kong
PFL TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. EASTERN ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK
John Howard vs. Gasan Umalatov
Eddie Gordon vs. Shamil Gamzatov
Rick Story vs. Yuri Villefort
Akubaker Nurmagomedov vs. Pavel Kusch
Jake Shields vs. Ray Cooper III
UFC HALL OF FAME AT 10 P.M. EASTERN TIME ON UFC FIGHT PASS
UFC ON FS1 TOMORROW NIGHT FROM THE PEARL IN LAS VEGAS
Fight Pass at 7 p.m. Eastern
Bryce Mitchell vs. Tyler Diamond
Oskar Piechota vs. Gerald Meerschaert
FS1 at 8 p.m. Eastern
Matt Bessette vs. Steven Peterson
John Gunther vs. Allan Zuniga
Richie Smullen vs. Luis Pena
Rachael Ostovich vs. Montana de la Rose
Julian Marquez vs. Alessio Di Chirico
Roxanne Modafferi vs. Barb Honchak
Martin Bravo vs. Alex Caceres
Jay Cucciniello vs. Brad Katona for the TUF featherweight tournament final
Joe Giannetti vs. Mike Triazano for the TUF lightweight tournament finale
Brad Tavares vs. Israel Adesanya
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking at WWE’s Universal title picture
Three months removed from the crowd rejecting the main event of WrestleMania, the Universal Championship picture is still a bit of a mess. It seemed like things were finally starting to fall into place with the announcement of a multi-man number one contender’s match for Extreme Rules. But, without all that much of a real explanation, the match was canceled the next week.
WON NEWSLETTER: (July 9, 2018): Death of Matt Cappotelli
A look at the life and brief wrestling career of Matt Cappotelli is the lead item in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Learn in this story why Cappotelli, who only had 37 matches in the WWE in his career, was so well liked by the people who knew him best. Find out about his battles with cancer, how fate got in the way of three different WWE startups and the plan for him to win a championship immediately after his call-up.
Look at the back story behind his interview after he learned he had cancer, his second battle with cancer, the Bob Holly situation and what could have been with the angle, his grudge match with Holly in OVW, plans for him in WWE and more.
Read more on Oscar De La Hoya and his MMA plans for Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell and the money deal and business involved.
Find out about Max Holloway being pulled from this week’s UFC show.
This issue has full coverage of the ROH Best in the World PPV as well as Jay Lethal’s ROH title win, including star ratings and poll results.
WWE’s Extreme Rules is updated.
Read more about the Leslie Smith case and how this could affect pro wrestling and MMA going forward and which companies it likely will and won’t affect.
Coverage of WWE’s return to Japan this past week is in this issue.
There are notes on a Daniel Bryan interview, a show during SummerSlam week, as well as a list of talent at the recent WWE tryouts and their backgrounds. Look at a new WWE Network special, next week’s TV, and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week. Also, Seth Rollins talks the Shield reunion that never seems to happen.
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.
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
We are going to have a ton of new stuff on the site over the next few days, including new shows daily from Friday through Monday and an interview with Hiroshi Tanahashi which will be his most in-depth English language interview to date.
WWE will be announcing its second quarter business results on 7/26. Among the key items will be the value of the WWE Saudi Arabian deal, and how well network subscriptions held up after WrestleMania.
WWE has sent members of its social media team to Las Vegas tonight for Ronda Rousey’s UFC Hall of Fame induction.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Volkan Oezdemir was officially added to the 8/4 UFC 227 show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The match had been reported for several days.
Tonight’s Impact show has the Rich Swann vs. Fenix match that was raved about by people who were in Windsor, ONT the night it was taped.
The two New Japan shows from the U.K. from the weekend are now up on both the Revolution Pro and New Japan World streaming sites.
Some guy was drunk and belligerent last night and Matt Serra, in Las Vegas for his Hall of Fame induction, took him down and held him until authorities came.
WWE
Oney Lorcan had surgery to repair his broken orbital bone and will be out of action about three months.
WWE changed Saturday’s announced Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor match in Madison Square Garden to just Ziggler vs.Rollins. Balor is still listed on the show. It could be changed again. Things like that are constantly happening.
WWE has offered a buy one ticket, get one free promotion for its 7/16 house show in Reading, PA. This is only good for today.
Bill Goldberg talks working WrestleMania and his comeback.
UFC
Nick Diaz did an interview and claimed he was framed in his recent domestic violence charge.
Added to the 7/22 show in Hamburg, Germany is Manny Bermudez vs. Davey Grant and Nad Narimani vs. Khalid Taha.
MISCELLANEOUS
In a follow-up of my MMA Fighting article on Tuesday and notes in the new Observer, the Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Alejandra Lara main event hit 800,000 viewers at its peak including DVR +3 viewing and was up 17 percent in Males 18-49 compared to the prior non-major show.
Woman wrestler Alex Gracia, who makes her Shine debut on 7/20, said she will send a free autographed photo to anyone who shows proof of purchase of that iPPV show.
River City Wrestling tomorrow night in San Antonio at the Turner Club with Nick Aldis vs. Lance Hoyt for the NWA world title and Abyss vs. Joey Spector in Monster’s Ball match for the River City title, and Rebel Tanea Brooks vs. Paige Turner.
AAW on 7/21 in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street has ACH & Davey Vega & Mat Fichett vs. David Starr & Eddie Kingston & Trevor Lee, Kimber Lee vs. Su Yung, Dave & Jake Crist vs. Brody King & Jimmy Jacobs, MJF vs. Ace Romero in a street fight and Rey Fenix vs. Dezmond Xavier.
Deonna Purrazzo faces Kylie Rae at the Rise TV tapings on Sunday in Naperville, IL.
Stardom announced there will be a Stardom & Rise tournament on 7/14 in Tokyo at Shinkiba First Ring. Two matches announced are Tam Nakano vs. Kikyo and Nasuko Tora vs. Britt Baker.
Dr. Wagner Jr and his son will be rare male wrestlers on the 7/16 Stardom show in Tokyo at Korakuen Hall. Wagner Jr., called Rey Wagner, will team with Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima against El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. & Kagetsu & Natsu Sumire. Viper vs. Tam Nakano, Momo Watanabe vs. Hazuki and The Jungle Assault Nation vs. Team Rise have also been announced.
Rise champion Delilah Doom is out of action with a fractured ankle. Rise will be doing a Shotzi Blackheart vs. Mercedes Martinez 30 minute Iron man match on Saturday on Twitch for the vacant title.
Shine announced it will be filling its vacant title, as LuFisto, the champion, is undergoing surgery, in an eight-woman tournament on 9/8 in Queens, NY. (thanks to Jake Koch)
The Bakersfield Dome, which has housed pro wrestling for decades, is being demolished and replaced with an immigration detention center.
Port Erie Fight Club on 7/28 at the Fort Erie, ONT Native Friendship Center.
PWE on 7/15 in Oshawa, ONT at the Legion.
Fighting Back 8: Wrestling with Cancer on 8/24 in Ottawa, ONT at St. Anthony’s Hall.
Great North Wrestling on 8/26 in Hawkesbury, ONT with Lady Yasmine vs. Jordynne Grace for the women’s title and Wes Brisco vs. Nathan Banner for the TV title.
Impact will have a Twitch live show on 7/29 in Greensboro, NC working with the AML promotion. It will be a series of Impact vs. AML bouts.
Luke Thomas & Miesha Tate will be doing a live show on 7/7 from 3-5 p.m. prior to the UFC PPV at Beerhaus at the Park in Las Vegas airing on SiriusXMRush Ch. 93.
Jake Hager vs. Fred Yehi has been added to the 7/12 MLW TV taping in Orlando.
A story on the PFL show tonight can be read here.
Read an article in The Independent in New York on a local indie show.
Pura Raza Produccciones on 8/4 will be presenting a show with both CMLL and ROH talent in Mexico.
Daily Professional Wrestling History: Williams & Gordy win WCW tag titles
12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention
Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!
This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events.
This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Gladys Gibson Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Shotzi Blackheart & ???, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also appearing will be Kris Wolf along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.
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!