DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
WWE issues statement on ‘abhorrent’ virtual fan videos
AEW Dynamite ratings hold up well for Saturday episode
WWE Raw video highlights: SummerSlam fallout, Payback build
Keith Lee to face Randy Orton at WWE Payback
Card announced for this week’s NJPW Strong
Women’s Tag Team title match set for WWE Payback
Pat McAfee has no further NXT commitments, open to return
Triple threat Universal title match added to WWE Payback
WWE Raw live results: SummerSlam fallout, Keith Lee debuts
Latest Audio:
Left My Wallet free show: How former WCW star Ice Train beat COVID-19 8/25
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: From the pages of the Observer – Boris Malenko & Art Barr 8/25
WOR: SummerSlam fallout, Payback, RAW, tons more! 8/25
F4D: Smackdown in the THUNDERDOME, NJPW Strong, more! 8/24
WON NEWSLETTER: August 24, 2020 Observer Newsletter: UFC 252 review, Sonya Deville stalker incident, more
A big week of changes in the industry is looked at in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, including the first look at what AEW television fans would do regarding NXT if there was no AEW and which fan base is more likely to watch and which fan base passed on the show.
Our lead story looks at Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic and UFC 252. We look at the key moments of the fight, the scoring, Jon Jones, the greatest heavyweight of all-time, PPV numbers, television ratings, Sean O’Malley, match-by-match coverage with poll results and more.
Also in this issue:
Click Here: NRL Telstra Premiership
The history of Phillip Thomas and his attempt to kidnap Daria Berenato (Sonya Deville), his obsession, and full details as to what happened in a scary story.
Multiple shows benig canceled due to COVID, as well as updating the situation in Japan and Mexico and how each country has handled it differently.
WWE moving into the Amway Center, renaming it the Thunderdome for all television, how the idea happened and comments regarding the new location.
The reality of numbers, as well as a look at this week’s major WWE shows.
Renee Young leaving WWE, how she first got into wrestling, her past and hat looks to be her future.
AEW selling tickets for its television tapings, the current schedule, live vs. tape on ratings and what shows Tony Khan studied for ideas on hwo to open.
Next round of New Japan major shows including the King of Pro Wrestling champinoship tournament.
WWE talks, Goldberg and Mysterio contracts, a discussion of the Patrick Clark situation, why NXT isn’t at the Amway Center, why WWE removed a number of documentaries off the WWE Network, update on WWE creative, international TV ratings, WWE star places in fitness competition, how a new law could affect classificiation ofWWE employees and what it means, WWE star looking to at doing a new TV show, most-watched shows on the WWE Network and market value of the WWE right now.
A feature on the life of John “Xavier” Bedoya, the second ROH champion, including the early days of ROH, his comebacks wth the group, post ROH career and his attempts to get into MMA.
CMLL’s opening in September and plans for its anniversary show including what seven championshps wil be on the line.
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.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE gave a storyline status update on Drew McIntyre after the angles where he was punted by Randy Orton three times on last night’s Raw: “As reported by Charly Caruso on Raw, medical staff were fearful of a skull fracture and potential brain bleeding to Drew McIntyre after Randy Orton delivered three vicious kicks to the skull to the WWE Champion earlier in the night. The medical officials did also express concern the injuries could potentially be career-threatening. McIntyre was eventually loaded into an ambulance and transported to a local medical facility for further testing. Stay locked in to WWE digital and social platforms for the latest updates on McIntyre’s condition.” Orton will face Keith Lee at Payback this Sunday.
Triple H posted a tweet thanking Renee Young following her departure from WWE: “I will never be able to say enough good things about how great working with Renee has been. She is an amazing talent and will succeed in whatever is ‘next’ for her. We will certainly miss you but…as you know, it’s never a goodbye, it’s see you down the road. #ThankYouRenee”
Charlotte Flair wrote about Young being part of the women’s evolution in WWE: “The women’s evolution was not only in the ring. Renee blazed trails that little girls will follow for generations. Sad to see you leave, but excited to see what’s next! @ReneePaquette”
While appearing on the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast, Paul Ellering said there were plans for him to return as AOP’s manager prior to the COVID-19 pandemic: “Well, the idea was to bring me back in to manage them full time on Raw and go on the road with the Authors of Pain, but the pandemic happened. So with Covid going on, I’m not sure what happens next.” AOP’s Rezar is out of action now with a torn biceps.
Dakota Kai’s gear at NXT TakeOver XXX was a tribute to Hana Kimura.
Mustafa Ali will be on this week’s episode of Main Event: “Not performing on #WWERAW tonight, but taking an opportunity on #WWEMainEvent this week to show everyone I’m way too good. Like waayyyy too good.”
Nikki Bella’s fiance Artem Chigvintsev is returning to Dancing with the Stars this season.
NXT’s Bronson Reed turns 32 years old today. The WWE Performance Center uploaded a video on Reed paying tribute to Bam Bam Bigelow with his TakeOver XXX gear.
WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar for the Undisputed Championship from SummerSlam 2002, The New Day vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd in a two-out-of-three falls match for the WWE Tag Team titles from Payback 2015, and Jinder Mahal vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship from the November 7, 2017 episode of SmackDown.
Other Wrestling
Chris Jericho will be part of the commentary team for this week’s episode of Dynamite. Due to the NBA playoffs, the show is airing on Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
NJPW is introducing a remote cheering system for attendees at this week’s Summer Struggle shows at Korakuen Hall and Saturday’s Summer Struggle in Jingu:
At present, in compliance with our Coronavirus guidelines and in a bid to promote a safe viewing environment, fans in attendance at NJPW events are currently being asked to refrain from using loud voices and chanting. We thank all of our fans for adhering to these requests. As we continue to look for new ways to encourage our fans to express themselves at live events, we’re excited to adopt Yamaha’s ‘Remote Cheerer Powered by Sound UD’ system for the following events.
Wednesday August 26 Korakuen Hall (test)
Thursday August 27 Korakuen Hall (test)
Saturday August 29 Jingu Stadium
Yamaha’s technology is currently in use in pro baseball and soccer events in Japan, and will offer fans bleeding edge technology to allow their voices to be heard, without having to raise their voice!
(System is only for use by attendees. Attendees will be instructed on the system’s use on arrival in the venue)
Impact Wrestling uploaded the opening video for tonight’s Emergence night two broadcast.
Deonna Purrazzo spoke to Sports Illustrated about her 30-minute Iron Man match for the Knockouts Championship against Jordynne Grace on tonight’s show: “We painted a masterpiece of a match at Slammiversary, and the goal is to do that again at Emergence. We set the bar really high for ourselves, and we’re headlining, we’re the main event. This is next level, so we need to out-do what we did the first time. I’ve waited long enough to be in the spotlight, so I want it to be special. When someone turns you down or puts you through the ringer, there is definitely a desire to show people where they want wrong. I felt frustrated over the past few years, but now I’m in a place that is giving me the opportunity to showcase myself in a brand-new way. I’m getting the time to develop my character and the time needed to show my technical ability. I am showcasing a new version of myself, bringing that edge every week to Impact, and I’m going to show the world what I have to offer.”
Chris Dickinson has been announced for the United Wrestling Network’s Prime Time Live weekly PPV series. It will debut on September 15 and is in partnership with the NWA and Thunder Studios.
Joey Janela appeared in a commercial for Cluck-U Chicken in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Actress Mary McCormack will have a lead role in Starz’s “Heels” pro wrestling drama series. The series stars Stephen Amell.
MMA
In an interview with ESPN, Stipe Miocic was asked if he thinks Francis Ngannou should be next in line for a heavyweight title shot instead of Jon Jones: “I think so. Ngannou has definitely shown a lot better stuff since the first fight. He’s knocking everyone out in the first round. He’s just on a tear.”
Pedro Munhoz wants an immediate rematch against Frankie Edgar: “I’ve always done my talking in the octagon but this needs to be said. I work too hard to get screwed by poor judges who have no training and even less accountability. Look at the stats and the damage. Look at the 17 of 20 media sites who agreed I won, 7 of which had it 49-46. Tell me how the deciding judge gave round 3 to Frankie. He’s a legend, but I won that fight and want a rematch now @danawhite”
Fabricio Werdum wants another fight against Fedor Emelianenko: “I respected Fedor for a long time. I never said bad things about him, never in my life. I respect him a lot. But I believe the rematch with him, it’s history for the sport. When I beat him in 2010, I shocked the world, and maybe I shock the world again. I believe I finish him in the first round again. I’ll finish him quickly again, cause I’m very confident. When I have the training and my mind is OK, I go in there and this is my life. I love fighting. I love to fight every time. Respect first, but I believe I beat him in the first round again.”
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Brock Lesnar defeats The Rock at SummerSlam 2002
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