DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
VIDEO: Being The Elite – Another FTR tease
Becky Lynch making ‘major announcement’ on WWE Raw
Su Yung signs new multi-year deal with Impact Wrestling
Colt Cabana added to Casino Ladder Match at AEW Double or Nothing
Alberto Del Rio arrested, accused of sexual assault
Asuka, Otis win WWE Money in the Bank ladder matches
WWE Backlash announced for June 14
WWE Money in the Bank live results: Ladder matches at Titan Towers
Former Moolah stable wrestler Winona Littleheart passes away
Latest Audio:
WOL: Money in the Bank fallout with destruction cost analysis and more! 5/11
WOR: Alberto El Patron, Money in the Bank, RAW, UFC, more~! 5/11
B&V: Bryan & Vinny review WWE Money in the Bank 2020! 5/10
WON NEWSLETTER: May 11, 2020 Observer Newsletter: UFC 249 and WWE MITB previews, more
The return of major shows in the U.S. and how the different companies are dong them is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at UFC’s plans, how the PBR handled their first event which was the first sports event back, what UFC’s plans are for May 23, lineups for the UFC shows, Dana White, doctors and others talk about UFC going back, the shows AEW and WWE is putting on, how the fighters are preparing differently, how UFC is handling backstage, how all three companies are handling testing, plus comments from other promoters.
The new issue also covers:
Preview Money in the bank, AEW Double or Nothing II, and update New Japan’s plans and cancellations. We also look at the AEW PPV scene, Big Japan needing crowd funding and going through all of the WWE released talent and look at their future prospects.
How COVID-19 has affected the ratings of every show, the variations and what lessons can be learned by the ratings drops.
Risks involving Roman Reigns, FOX airing a special head-to-head with UFC PPV, update on how WWE financials look with new information and stock value, Becky Lynch acting, New WWE TV show, WWE injury updates, wrestler who left the promotion apologizes for behavior, U.K. ratings, Matt Riddle talks heat and his meeting with Vince McMahon, Mike Bennett talks leaving WWE, When WWE tried to work with CMLL, Orlando Colon talks leaving and certain naievete, most watched sports on television, Paul Levesque selling stock, Next week’s TV, and most watched shows of the past week on WWE Network.
Supreme, the Southern California indie star who was one of the top stars of XPW, including looking back at his career, his FMW tag title run, and the famous ECW/XPW brawl at a PPV show.
Maryland commission ruling regarding the Kenny Omega match with Jon Moxley in Baltimore.
What happened to Hiroshi Hase.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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 [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight with all the news from Raw. You can also send questions for tonight’s show to [email protected]. We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 249 and WWE Money in the Bank, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Becky Lynch’s announcement on Raw tonight will include vacating the women’s title and Asuka will be announced as the new champion based on her winning Money in the bank last night. Or that is at least what was being talked about earlier today. PWInsider had this earlier and we’ve gotten that as well.
TMZ had additional details on the Alberto Rodriguez arrest and sexual assault charge against a woman he was in a relationship with. The woman claimed the beating and sexual assault lasted 4 1/2 hours from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. late Sunday and early Monday of last week. She alleged he beat and choked her and she was left feeling woozy and dizzy and police had photographed evidence of bruising on her face, arms, legs and neck.
The rating is expected to be way up tonight between an expected bump from the PPV, the curiosity over Lynch and the return to Raw of both Edge and Randy Orton.
FOX announced its fall television season with Smackdown renewed for a second season. Smackdown is under contract in that Friday at 8 p.m. slot through late 2024 so this was expected.
Post Wrestling reported earlier today that a limited amount of crossover between Raw and Smackdown (wild card rule) will be back and announced on tonight’s show. It was a lock a move that was significant would be announced after the drop in both the Raw and Smackdown ratings of a week ago. They also announced a decision would be made regarding the IC title. Sami Zayn is the champion and due to the pandemic had made the decision not to wrestle. While the story is that nobody would lose standing if they didn’t come, it looks like the decision has been made to change the title.
WWE
Raw and Smackdown for this week are both being taped today at the Performance Center. Next week’s Raw and next week’s Smackdown will be taped tomorrow. NXT will go live-to-tape Wednesday and also tape the 5/20 show on Wednesday.
Money in the Bank was the sixth most searched term on Google yesterday with 200,000 searches, the exact figure we predicted yesterday and what would be considered normal level for such a show. UFC 249 was at 2.65 million.
The Denver Post has a story on Otis winning MITB.
The janitor mopping the floor in the MITB presentation last night was Kane Prichard, Bruce’s son, who in fact, was named after Glenn Jacobs.
WrestleMania III airs from 8-11 p.m. tomorrow night on FS1.
UFC
Conor McGregor was all over Twitter, name-calling Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov. He indicated he expects to face Gaethje next.
Kelvin Gastelum had accepted a nine month suspension which was shortened to five months after a positive test for marijuana taken on the 11/1 show in New York. he suspension, announced today, would already be over. The sentence was reduced after he completed a drug treatment program. It was his second marijuana positive. USADA tests for significant quantities only as the threshold is high and also only tests at fight time as marijuana is not tested for out of competition.
AEW
Wednesday’s Dynamite currently has Brodie Lee vs. Christopher Daniels, MJF vs. ?, Chris Jericho vs. Suge D, Penelope Ford vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker vs. Kris Statlander with the winner likely facing Nyla Rose for the title at Double or Nothing II, Best Friends vs. Jurassic Express and Lance Archer appears. AEW, UFC and NXT go head-to-head Wednesday night.
MISCELLANEOUS
Impact will start its No. 1 contenders tournament on tomorrow night’s show on AXS TV.
Prestige Wrestling has announced it will be shutting down for the rest of the year and into early 2021.
Mick Foley announced dates for his speaking tours for May and June. The dates are:
10/14 in Springfield, MO
10/15 in Little Rock, AR
10/16 in Cape Girardeau,. MO
11/8 in Tampa, FL
An article on Bronson Rechsteiner, the son of Rick Steiner, who has signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He has talked about getting into pro wrestling down the line.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Kenta Kobashi’s retirement match
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