Daily Update: Trump appoints Linda, Cena on SNL, Dana talks Liddell & Hughes
THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
Donald Trump picks Linda McMahon for a cabinet-level position
WWE SmackDown video highlights: The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose
WWE 205 Live results: Brian Kendrick gets a rematch for the title
WWE SmackDown live results: AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth
Raw ratings drop a bit for this week’s episode
UFC TUF finale cracks 1 million viewers; Bellator MMA holds its own despite competition
WWE removes Jerry Lawler & Lita from regular TV duties
Sasha Banks to face Charlotte in an Iron Man match at WWE Roadblock
AUDIO
B&V&C: DX plays strip poker, Vince vs. Austin, Starrcade build 12/6
WOL: RAW Monday, Roadblock END OF THE LINE, WWE Network, more! 12/6
Big Audio Nightmare: Amazing AJPW; NOAH’s new look, DDT, more 12/6
WOR: RAW report, AJ Styles injury update, New Japan and NOAH notes, more! 12/6
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 11/28/2016 Buddy Rose investigated by CSAC for getting too much heat
When we last left you, “Playboy” Buddy Rose, real name Paul Perschmann, was in the middle of a mess with the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC). While he had already been able to get out from under a case where he got in trouble over a match that had a referee bump, the latest issue in that went on from late 1978 through 1979 was a bit more complicated…
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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: December 5, 2016 Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame with 4 inductees
What is traditionally the most talked about issue of the year, the 2016 Hall of Fame Observer issue is now out with the full balloting, stories on both the people now in as well as notes on many not in, plus how candidates did when broken down by reports, historians, active wrestler and former wrestlers. Also, look at who is on next year’s ballot who is being dropped from next year’s ballot and others in danger of being dropped.
Take a look at what UFC is expecting with its next television deal, notes on the timing of the deal, why the deal is so important, the landscape of television in general, how cutting the cord affects revenues and what stations can afford, and who has expressed interest in UFC.
There are some very interesting things going on behind the scenes in wrestling regarding contract offers, moves being made by television and streaming services. Find out how this will affect the pro wrestling business over the next year and for time to come.
Read about the announcement of the new Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association, what they are looking for, what is and isn’t accurate, and how they are looking to get the concessions from UFC.
Finally, get an update on the situation with Daniel Cormier and how his injury led to Conor McGregor being stripped of the featherweight title, updates on UFC 206 and predictions on it, plus the injuries at AKA…
Subscribers click here to continue.
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.
WON BACK ISSUE: November 15, 1999: ECW November to Remember review, Dynamite Kid book, more – The most publicized story ever in North American pro wrestling, the tragic death of Owen Hart on 5/23, is brought vividly back to life with the documentary “The life and death of Owen Hart.” The one-hour piece, debuted in Ontario on TVO on 11/3, in the rest of Canada on 11/6 on the A Channel and will be part of A&E’s bio week on pro wrestling, with an 11/16 showing… click here to continue.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
You can’t see… LIVE from New York it’s Saturday night!
Saturday Night Live released a promo video featuring John Cena for his upcoming hosting appearance this Saturday. Cena did an interview talking about hosting the show and why he isn’t afraid to make fun of himself.
Linda McMahon tweeted about being appointed as head of the Small Business Administration by President-elect Donald Trump: “Honored to be appointed by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as head of @SBAgov advocating for our small businesses & entrepreneurs!”
Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon, and Triple H also posted about the news.
Last night’s scheduled SmackDown main event didn’t happen with AJ Styles unable to defend his title against James Ellsworth because of the ankle injury he suffered at TLC. The Miz defending the Intercontinental Championship against Dean Ambrose was the new main event, with the storyline between Ambrose and Ellsworth continuing as Ellsworth inadvertently cost Ambrose the match.
There was an angle with Heath Slater and Rhyno on last night’s Talking Smack with Rhyno walking out on Slater after blaming him for their recent losses.
Shinsuke Nakamura’s title win against Samoa Joe from last Saturday in Osaka airs on tonight’s episode of NXT.
USA Network is advertising next week as “WWE Week” with Raw, SmackDown, and Tribute to the Troops airing on successive nights.
Today is Dean Ambrose’s 31st birthday.
A video on WWE’s YouTube account looks at the history of the List of Jericho.
WWE is eyeing an expansion into China.
WWE is scouting Canadian Freestyle wrestling Olympic gold medalist Erica Wiebe.
PRO WRESTLING
Matt Riddle will no longer wrestle for AIW. The promotion posted the news on Twitter today: “We regret to inform you Matt Riddle will no longer be appearing on 12/30 or any dates going forward as he did not like how he was booked.” Riddle then tweeted: “Just wanna apologize to all of my @aiwrestling fans after texting with @JohnThorneAIW we decided my future with #aiw is over #kingofbros”
Colt Cabana reacted to Linda McMahon’s appointment as head of the Small Business Administration.
On Saturday, March 4th, Ring of Honor’s MANHATTAN MAYHEM returns to the Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom. ROH also returns to Milwaukee on Friday April 28th at the Turner Hall Ballroom.
Hardcore legend The Sandman is still living the dream.
Here is an article looking at what TNA can do in 2017 to get back on the right track and why 2016 was such a whirlwind.
UFC
Dana White commented on the UFC firing Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes: “The Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes thing, during the ZUFFA era, those were my guys. I wanted them to retire, I respected these guys. They helped build this company when I was growing it and I told them both, I said, ‘Unless I drop dead or it comes to a position sometime where I’m not controlling how much money is being spent and all that stuff, you guys will get a paycheck until that day.’ And that day came. The thing with Matt and Chuck, it was a loyalty thing for me. It was my gift to them or being the guys that they were when me, Frank and Lorenzo, when it was our money.”
Donald Cerrone spoke about his involvement in the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association: “As far as the Association goes man, Georges and Tim called me and asked me to be part of it. I didn’t know I was sitting on a board. That kind of took me by surprise, sitting there like, oh wow. I spoke to Dana today on the phone. He’s coming to town, and we’re going to go out to dinner and talk. There’s a lot of things I think this sport needs, you know, retirement pension, health care, things I think we need.”
TJ Dillashaw said he has mixed emotions about Urijah Faber retiring.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Julianna Pena will headline UFC’s January 28th show in Denver.
Ariel Helwani reports that Nick Diaz has reached an agreement with the Nevada Athletic Commission to participate in all fight-related activities again.
VARIETY
Combat Zone Wrestling’s largest event of the year, “Cage of Death”, takes place Saturday, December 10 at Flyers Skate Zone, 601 Laurel Oak RD in Voorhees, NJ! Help us in our annual collection for #ToysForTots! Make this the best year EVER!
FIST Combat on Friday night, 12/9 in Watsonville at Appleton Grill 730p doors.
FIST Combat on Saturday night, 12/10 in Santa Cruz at Garfield Park CC 8p doors.
You can still purchase tickets for this weekend’s EVOLVE 74 in Queens, NY and EVOLVE 75 in Melrose, MA at TicketFly.com. You have the option to print the tickets at home with TicketFly.
Barrie Wrestling: SuperBowl Bash Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 5 PM – 7:30 PM, 49 Ferris Ln, Barrie, ON L4M 2Y1, Canada.
We would like to wish a happy belated B-day week to the F4W Empire’s co-executive vice-president partial-coordinator of events sometimes, Eddie “from San Antonio” Loredo. It’s a very prestigious role.
Today in Professional Wrestling History (12/7): WWF In Your House: D-Generation X
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