Daily Update: Andrade, WWE notes, ROH Road to G1 Supercard
DAILY UPDATE
Latest News
WWE SmackDown ratings up slightly this week
NXT UK results: Aichner & Barthel vs. Andrews & Webster
Updated list of confirmed WWE Royal Rumble entrants
Next MLW Fusion Live special set for February
Triple threat match announced for next week’s WWE 205 Live
ROH TV results: PCO & Brody King debut, ZSJ vs. Tracy Williams
NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania results: Family tag tournament begins
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade
Latest Audio
WOL: Smackdown, Andrade vs. Rey, Mandy Rose, ratings, more! 1/16
Left My Wallet: Duke ‘The Dumpster’ Droese 1/16
B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 1/15
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: AEW roster starts to take shape
Plans for All Elite Wrestling started to come into focus at a rally in Jacksonville, Florida last Tuesday. A surprise appearance by Chris Jericho closed the event, with Jericho instantly becoming the highest profile signing AEW has made in its brief history. “I’m Chris Jericho, and I am all in with All Elite Wrestling,” Jericho said to begin his speech. “Surprise — I think we just took things to a different level, didn’t we?” Jericho said he’s not here with AEW for the money — he’s here because he believes in doing something new and different.
WON NEWSLETTER: January 14, 2018 Observer Newsletter: All Elite Wrestling details, Tokyo Dome, more
The most detailed coverage of All Elite Wrestling heads up the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Take an extensive look at the promotion, from its beginnings, background on its owners, its front office structure, senior management, contracts with the top guys, different concessions, other stars being talked with, details behind the Chris Jericho signing, an update on Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, and more on proposed television deals.
Look at the New Japan WrestleKingdom show. Read about the top matches, changing of talent, MSG show, Bullet Club changes, business surrounding WrestleKingdom big shows of 2019 and early 2020 as well as full coverage of the Dome show with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.
Read about the life of “mean” Gene Okerlund, his background before wrestling, his death and his wrestling career.
Look at the NXT UK Takeover show, update on several injured WWE stars, most watched WWE videos of 2018, new executive hire, and an injured wrestler may become an announcer.
Go in-depth on the Jon Jones situation covering the test results, how the story changed, what the experts said, what is misleading as well as the world of drug testing and PED usage.
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.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE has modified the former Andrade “Cien” Almas’ name a bit. He’s now just going by Andrade. He was solely referred to as Andrade on last night’s SmackDown, with the change also being reflected on WWE.com.
Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reported today on The Revival’s status with WWE: “Fightful.com learned today that several within WWE were fearful that Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder were finishing up with the company. I’m careful to make sure not to say they outright asked for their releases, as I wasn’t told explicitly that’s what happened. Instead, I was told ‘has reason to be very fearful that The Revival are done or finishing up with the company’ after a situation unfolded at WWE Raw.”
Humberto Carrillo is again listed for the Worlds Collide tournament that’s taking place at Royal Rumble Axxess. Carrillo is listed as representing 205 Live, and he made his debut on the show last night. Carrillo lost a non-title open challenge against Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy in his 205 Live debut.
PWInsider reported that The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper & Rowan) have been cleared to return and will be back on the road soon. UPDATE: Dave Meltzer notes that Luke Harper has yet to be cleared.
Despite not originally being listed on the WWE Network schedule, a new episode of NXT UK did air today. The show featured three matches that were taped before UK TakeOver: Blackpool last Saturday, with Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster teaming against Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner, Jinny facing Isla Dawn, and Ligero taking on Saxon Huxley.
Sasha Banks and Finn Balor have been removed from WWE.com’s list of advertised entrants for the Royal Rumble. Both were announced for their respective Rumble matches before it was announced that they would be challenging for titles at the pay-per-view. Banks is challenging for Ronda Rousey’s Raw Women’s Championship, while Balor is facing Brock Lesnar for the Universal title. Whether or not they’ll still be Royal Rumble entrants as well remains to be seen.
Brock Lesnar stopped by the University of Minnesota to train with wrestler Gable Steveson.
Johnny Gargano spoke to WWE.com about wrestling for EVOLVE at this weekend’s shows in New York.
Stephanie McMahon will be one of the guests on Facebook’s first United States podcast series. The show is called “Three and a Half Degrees” and focuses on entrepreneurship. Stephanie’s episode is scheduled to air on February 11.
Pro Wrestling
On the latest episode of his podcast, Chris Jericho broke down his decision to sign with All Elite Wrestling and how it came together.
Villain Enterprises (PCO & Brody King) vs. The Kingdom (Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan) and Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham vs. Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams in first round matches for ROH’s Tag Wars tournament are set for Road to G1 Supercard in Dallas on January 24.
Bandido vs. Silas Young is now official for the Road to G1 Supercard event in Dallas. Bandido facing Flip Gordon had originally been announced before Gordon suffered a knee injury.
Dalton Castle & The Boys vs. The Briscoes & Shane Taylor, Madison Rayne vs. Holidead, Rocky Romero vs. Matt Taven, and Marty Scurll vs. Rhett Titus have also been announced for Road to G1 Supercard: Dallas.
ROH uploaded video of their Lifeblood stable forming at last Saturday’s television tapings. Juice Robinson, Tenille Dashwood, Bandido, Mark Haskins, Tracy Williams, and David Finlay are in the group.
Defiant Wrestling announced that, due to circumstances beyond their control, Ilja Dragunov is no longer able to compete at his scheduled dates for them in February.
Due to his contractual commitments with MLW, Tom Lawlor is off Black Label Pro’s show in Jersey City, New Jersey on April 5 during WrestleMania week.
Bar Wrestling tweeted the thinking face emoji after The Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, and Hangman Page sent out tweets saying “See ya’ in Los Angeles.” Bar Wrestling has a show in LA tonight with Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky appearing.
Raymond Leppan (formerly Adam Rose in WWE) wrote that he’s been sober for 415 days: “Have never really spoken about this. But the picture on the left is me at the height of my drug usage, 170 lbs. The picture on the right is me now after 415 days sober 223 lbs. I will be talking openly from here on about the disease named addiction that almost cost me life. God has given me a second chance. I don’t plan to waste it. I want thank the @wwe for their help. They went above and beyond for me when I know I didn’t deserve it. They helped save my life. Stay posted as I plan to share my story and this journey with you all.”
Billy Corgan and Nick Aldis appeared on Good Day Charlotte and discussed the Crockett Cup taking place in Concord, North Carolina on April 27.
EVOLVE uploaded a video of their best moments from 2018.
UFC/MMA
Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal will main event the UFC’s ESPN+ show in London on March 16.
Justin Gaethje and Edson Barboza have agreed to face each other at the UFC’s ESPN show in Philadelphia on March 30.
Jose Aldo wants to fight in Brazil three times this year and then retire.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: AJ Styles wins X Division title
Ed in San Antonio presents the WON/F4W Empire Events for WRESTLEMANIA Weekend (more to be added):
Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Empire lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!
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