Daily Update: Pre-Raw notes, AJ Styles injury, New Japan Cup
THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
Briscoes vs. Tanahashi & Lethal set for ROH Supercard of Honor XII
Edge & Christian to induct The Dudleyz into WWE Hall of Fame
WCW Thunder episodes now available on the WWE Network
Mark Henry confirmed for 2018 WWE Hall of Fame class
WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble to feature seven title matches
All Japan Pro Wrestling launches streaming service
Daniel Bryan gives interesting answer about a possible WM return
WWE Main Event results: Hawkins loses to Goldust yet again
New Japan Cup night 8 results: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. SANADA
THE LATEST AUDIO
WOL: Daniel Bryan, Daniel Bryan and Daniel Bryan 3/19
I Left My Wallet In Greg Polanco: Ariel Helwani 3/19
B&V: NWA World Championship Wrestling from 1987! 3/18
We’re looking for reports on today’s WWE Raw show in Dallas with the Main Event matches, dark matches and any notes that are not on the live TV show, as well as reports from tonight’s Smackdown house show in Cedar Park TX at [email protected].
We’re also looking for reports from yesterday’s Raw show in Oklahoma City, and today’s World Series Wrestling show in Sydney, Australia.
Smackdown will be on Tuesday, also in Dallas. The mixed match challenge match is The Miz & Asuka vs. Braun Strowman & Alexa Bliss. The 205 Live main event is Mustafa Ali vs. Drew Gulak, with the winner to face Cedric Alexander for the title at WrestleMania.
NEW JAPAN FROM NAGAOKA AT 2 A.M. LATE TUESDAY NIGHT EASTERN TIME ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Tetsuhiro Yagi vs. Shota Umino
Tomoyuki Oka vs. Taichi
Togi Makabe & Michael Elgin & Toa Henare vs. Tanga Loa & Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale
Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi
Tetsuya Naito & Seiya Sanada & Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado
Kazuchika Okada & Chucky T vs. Kota Ibushi & Chase Owens
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. New Japan Cup final
WON NEWSLETTER: March 19, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2017 Observer Newsletter Awards
One of the biggest issues of the year is out this week: The 2017 Observer Awards, with not just the top place winners in every category but also a list of every award winner in the categories dating back to 1980.
A WrestleMania update with this past week’s changes to the card, the most complete lineup, thoughts surrounding the use of the Moolah name in the women’s Battle Royal, how things evolved on the card, changes in recent weeks, more on the Reigns vs. Lesnar plans, and more on the year’s biggest show.
Also, full review of Fast Lane, with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.
In addition, an update on Ronda Rousey missing Raw, John Cena’s next movie, Dwayne Johnson’s contract for an upcoming movie, ticket sales for New Orleans, update on the NXT Takeover show, WWE injury updates, WWE cuts, WWE returns, and the most-watched shows on WWE Network. This issue provides complete rundowns on all of this past week’s WWE and NXT arena events, with highlights and business notes on every show.
Coverage continues, taking a look at New Japan plans for its next show after March, the situation with Jeff Hardy following his recent arrest and when he was scheduled to return to TV, a look at the first week of the New Japan Cup tournament and coverage of the ROH Anniversary Show. Also, preview the NCAA Wrestling Championships, and take a look at the biggest weekend of the year for pro wrestling in Germany with the 16 Carat Gold Tournament.
This issue also delivers the weekly coverage of every major show’s ratings, with detailed notes on who is watching all the WWE shows, results from the major league events held around the world, and the major TV show rundowns.
As always, this past week’s results for every major pro wrestling event around the world are covered as well.
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.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw, WrestleMania, New Japan Cup and taking your e-mail questions that you can send to [email protected].
Regarding A.J. Styles, we know very little past he was injured, probably last week. He went to Madison Square Garden and they did an injury angle to take him out of the match. He missed the weekend house shows and the cards were all rearranged to go with Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn on top. Styles was considered important enough that WWE made the announcement he wasn’t there, blaming it on an injury in MSG. For what it’s worth, the injury they worked was a knee injury. Styles is in Dallas today being evaluated. Everyone involved has tried to keep information past the fact the injury was legit quiet, as WWE did not respond to any questions about the nature of the injury, perhaps because they won’t know details until today.
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are both in Dallas for Raw. While Roman Reigns was announced on TV as being suspended, he worked all the house shows. It’s not known if they’ll use the suspension to have Lesnar and Heyman on the show and keep Reigns away from him. John Cena and Ronda Rousey are also there and scheduled to do promos. Braun Strowman will announce his tag team partner against Sheamus & Cesaro at WrestleMania, so it won’t be a handicap match. Another interesting name at the show is Samoa Joe.
Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt in the taped Ultimate Deletion match from the Hardy Compound in Cameron, NC and Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss in a non-title match are the announced Raw matches for tonight. Jeff Hardy appeared in the Ultimate Deletion match so unless he is edited out, his return will also be tonight.
The New Japan Cup finals takes place very late Tuesday night, 2 a.m. Eastern start and 11 p.m. Pacific in Nagaoka, with Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Sabre Jr. is on fire in the tournament on a murderers row run submitting Tetsuya Naito, Kota Ibushi and Seiya Sanada in a row. The complete card for what is a Wednesday Japanese time show is listed in the schedule section above. Expect a lot of angles at the show because they have to set up matches both for Long Beach on Sunday and for Sumo Hall on 4/1 with almost no lead time. Really, it’s amazing they cut it this close, but evidently there are things that have to happen Wednesday in the stories they are telling before the two big cards can be announced.
WWE
Daniel Bryan returns to Smackdown tomorrow night. Exactly how this will be handled regarding Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Shane McMahon will depend on how the medical goes down.
Computer World has a story on Ric Flair. (thanks to Jeff Cohen)
MISCELLANEOUS
Impact and Big Time Wrestling have joint shows this weekend. On 3/23 in Newark, CA at the Pavilion features Alberto El Patron, LAX, Trevor Lee, Allie, Eli Drake, Moose, Taya Valkyrie, Eddie Edwards and James Ellsworth. 3/23 in Salinas, CA at the PAL features all the names mentioned for Newark plus Impact champion Austin Aries.
World Series Wrestling from yesterday in Adelaide, Australia: Concrete Davidson & Joey Ryan b Basso Brothers, Deonna Purrazzo b Savannah Summers, Brian Cage retained the Ringmaster title from Wrestle Circus in a four-way over Big Brodie Marshall, Slex and Mick Moretti, Nick Armstrong b Rocky Menero, Matt Riddle b A.J. Istria, Young Bucks & Marty Scurll b Austin Aries & Mark & Jay Briscoe. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Matt Sydal vs. Low Ki has been added to the MLW show on 4/12 in Orlando at Gilt Nightclub.
Tommy Dreamer talks injuries and House of Hardcore to the Wrestling Estate and John Corrigan.
Northeast Wrestling on Sunday in Bethany CT before 300 fans: Adrenaline Rush (Daniel Evans & Keith Youngblood) b Mike Gamble & Dexter Loux, Brian Milonas b Brett Domino, Christian Casanova b Chris Battle, Darby Allin b JT Dunn, Josh Briggs b Wrecking Ball Legursky, Penelope Ford b Deimi Xo, Brad Hollister b Tommy & JP Grayson in a handicap match, Robbie E & Cam Zagami b RJ Rude & Zane Bernardo to keep the tag team titles, Flip Gordon b Joey Mercury to keep the NEW title via crossface submission in a hot main event rematch off a January bout. The next show is 4/20 in Waterbury, CT a the PAL Building called Lucha Mania with Flip Gordon vs. Penta 0M, Rey Fenix vs. Darby Allin, Tenille Dashwood vs. Mandy Leon plus Joey Mercury and Super Crazy wrestling and an appearance by Ron Simmons.
Rich Franklin’s One Warrior series will have its first event on 3/31 in Kallang, Singapore. These matches are part of a tournament where the winner gets a $100,000 One contract. It’s basically the idea of the original Ultimate Fighter show back in 2005.
LuFisto defends the Shine title against Holidead on the 4/6 WWN Super show at 8 p.m. on 4/6 in New Orleans. Also announced is Darby Allin & DJZ & Trey Miguel vs. Austin Theory & Travis Banks & Zachary Wentz. Wentz & Miguel will also be on the 5/19 and 5/20 Evolve shows in the Chicago and Detroit area respectively. Shane Strickland also returns to Evolve on the latter two shows. Walter & Timothy Thatcher will be working 6/23 in Queens, NY and 6/24 in Melrose, MA.
Pro Wrestling Mid South from Saturday night in Dyresburg, TN: Doug Gilbert b Jakob Edwinn, Jerry Lawler b Matt Riviera, Simon Reed b Cassanova, Amigo Loco b Sharknado, Matt Riviera b Kid Wrestling, Mike Holley won three-way over Morgan Williams and Dale Wylde, Greg Anthony b MC B-Side, Tim Storm b Black Hand Rider. Jake Roberts was there as a guest.
PCW on 5/4 announced Shane Strickland, Penta 0M, Chelsea Green, Hammerstone, Warbeast, Kevin Sullivan, Brody King, ACH and an appearance by Ricky Steamboat.
Rise announced only 43 tickets left for their 4/13 show in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club with Kris Wolf & Dynamite Didi & Kikyo, managed by Bull Nakano, against Cheerleader Melissa & Shotzi Blackheart & ?, managed by Madusa in an elimination match, plus Delilah Doom vs. Deonna Purrazzo for the Rise title, Mercedes Martinez vs. Taya Valkyrie, Chelsea Green & Britt Baker vs. Charli Evans & Jessica Troy, Joey Ryan vs. Saraya Knight and Nicole Savoy & Aeriral Monroe vs Karen Q & Ray Lyn. Also Tessa Blanchard, Shazza McKenzie, Thunder Rosa and more. (thanks to Jake Koch)
In yesterday’s Big Time Wrestling results from Daly City, CA, we were told one match that we weren’t told about is that Tenille Dashwood beat Nicole Savoy. (thanks to Matt Mann)
Larry Hennig, Bob Holly Bob Orton Jr. and John Cena Sr. will be at the Boston Wrestling boot at WreslteCon in New Orleans.
Alpha One Wrestling on 4/29 in Oshawa, ONT at 219 Olive Avenue
Innovative Wrestling has the Smoky Mountain Cup on 4/7 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium.
Bruce Prichard and Pat Patterson are doing an interview tape together, which may be a first for Patterson, talking old days WWE.
MCW on 3/24 in Joppa, MD at the MCW Arena has Bruiser vs. Joey Mercury for the MCW title in a cage match.
Pro Wrestling Revolver puts tickets on sale tonight for a 5/5 show in West Des Moines, IA at the ValAir Ballroom with Penta 0M vs. Jimmy Jacobs plus Tommy Dreamer, OVE and Shane Strickland.
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