Daily Update: Saudi Arabia, Raw, Will Ospreay

DAILY UPDATE

The Latest News

Tetsuya Naito set for next month’s ROH Global Wars tour
‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor may return to action on Liddell-Ortiz III undercard
Rush to make MLW debut against Sammy Guevara
VIDEO: ‘Last Week Tonight’ covers WWE-Saudi Arabia relationship
ROH TV taping spoilers: Dalton Castle returns, Sandman appears
Title change at tonight’s ROH television tapings
Impact Wrestling announces Homecoming PPV for January
NXT UK TV taping spoilers: NXT UK Women’s title match
Impact Wrestling Bound for Glory live results: Aries vs. Johnny Impact

The Latest Audio

WOL: Crown Jewel, Impact Bound for Glory, tons of feedback 10/15
Left My Wallet: Johnny Jeter on WWE, OVW, Cena and Brock stories 10/15
WOR: Crown Jewel, Don Leo Jonathan, Bound for Glory, tons more! 10/15

We’re looking for your thoughts on Bound for Glory, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected].

We’re also looking for reports on these weekend shows to [email protected]:

ROH from Friday in Baltimore, MD
WWE Raw from Saturday night in Binghamton, NY
WWE Smackdown from Sunday in Charlottesville, VA

We’re also looking for reports on tonight’s Raw in Philadelphia with any dark matches or Main Event matches or anything not evident from the live show, as well as the Smackdown house show in Richmond, VA and the Impact TV tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in New York.

Raw is in Philadelphia and a Smackdown house show is in Richmond, VA. They’ve announced World Cup tournament matches with Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre. Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey are scheduled for the show. 

The 1,000th episode of Smackdown takes place on Tuesday in Washington, DC. Announced matches at the show are Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rey Mysterio, plus Mixed Match Challenge with Miz & Asuka vs. Rusev & Lana and Bobby Lashley & Mickie James vs. Bobby Roode & Natalya. Edge, Evolution will reuinite with HHH, Randy Orton, Ric Flair and Dave Bautista, Booker T, Vickie Guerrero, Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool, Teddy Long, James Ellsworth and Kane are also scheduled. Locally they are advertising A.J. Styles & Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz & Samoa Joe and Charlotte Flair & Asuka & Naomi vs. Becky Lynch & Billie Kay & Peyton Royce.

NEW JAPAN SUPER JUNIOR TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT STARTS TUESDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

Toa Henare & Shota Umino & Ren Narita vs. Ayato Yoshida & Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano & Baretta & Chuckie T vs. Jay White & Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Taiji Ishimori & Robbie Eagles vs. Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask
Ryusuke Taguchi &ACH vs. Volador Jr. & Soberano Jr.
Kushida & Chris Sabin vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado
Bushi & Shingo Takagi vs. Sho & Yoh

NEW JAPAN SUPER JUNIOR TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT ON WEDNESDAY AT 5:30 A.M. FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino & Ren Narita vs. Ayato Yoshida & Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano & Baretta & Chuckie T vs. Jay White & Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Volador Jr. & Soberano Jr.
Ryusuke Taguchi & ACH vs. Taiji Ishimori & Robbie Eagles
Bushi & Shingo Takagi vs. Kushida & Chris Sabin
Sho & Yoh vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado


F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Super Show-Down

Going into Super Show-Down in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday, it wasn’t entirely clear whether it would be more of a major stadium show or a glorified live event. There were elements of both on display at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Without even factoring in entrances or the post-match angle, Triple H vs. The Undertaker was nearly 30 minutes long. It was obvious that they were attempting to deliver on the epic “last-time ever” main event that had been promised.


WON NEWSLETTER: October 15, 2018 Observer Newsletter: Highs and lows of UFC 229, plus tons of news

The biggest show in UFC history took place this past week. Look at the economics, the lessons, what it says about the fan base, the promotion and the regulators in how things escalated into the brawl that took place. Examine how Conor McGregor benefited from the brawl, likelihood of a rematch, as well as all the changes in upcoming cards and the making jokes out of the various championships.

There is also the regular coverage of UFC 229 with a look at the matches and poll results.

This issue addresses the next two major WWE shows, Evolution and Crown Jewel. Look at the issues facing WWE and Saudi Arabia, why the issues are so much deeper than women not being allowed to perform, and the return of Shawn Michaels.

Look at the unrest in New Japan and why morale has done a 180 since the G-1, the Tokyo Dome main event, the Power Struggle show, Chris Jericho in New Japan, and Tanahashi vs. Omega,

Read more on Rey Mysterio’s return to WWE, Smackdown 1,000, who is coming to Smackdown 1,000, Kevin Owens injury update, why WWE stock declined so much this past week, notes on potential of ratings on FOX and how that compares to FOX’s usual Friday numbers. 

This issue has more on the life and career of Hiroshi Wajima, a former All Japan headliner who was one of the greatest sumos of all-time. 


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

We’ll be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio talking WWE in Saudi Arabia, Raw and the rest of the news. You can also send your e-mail questions that can be sent to [email protected].

There has been a lot of Saudi Arabia news that relates to WWE and to a lesser degree UFC. CNN reported that Saudi Arabia is preparing to acknowledge that Jamal Khashoggi’s death was the result of an interrogation process that went wrong. They were apparently intending to abduct him from the embassy in Turkey and that it was done without governmental clearance.

Endeavor, the parent company of the UFC, pulled out of its $400 million deal with the Saudi government. The government had made a deal to invest $400 million for a stake in the company. The Hollywood Reporter had a story that said paperwork is being drawn up for Endeavor to terminate that deal. (thanks to Adam Abdalla)

There are quite a few stories on the topic. I was interviewed in this story, and Yahoo had a critical story. (thanks to Daniel Thomason)

Raw tonight is going to be very interesting regarding both how the Crown Jewel show will be addressed and promoted as well as the crowd reaction to references to the show or Saudi Arabia, especially with two main event caliber matches directly part of the tournament.

Competition tonight includes both the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers in the baseball playoffs and the San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football on ESPN. Last week’s show, due to both baseball and football competition, would have almost surely done record low numbers if it wasn’t for the post-PPV bump.

Will Ospreay is okay. There was fear he was hurt seriously with a rib injury yesterday but X-rays came up with no breaks. Ospreay just said that he just needs to rest up.

Lanny Poffo will be getting a tryout as New Japan announcer as talked about in the current Observer. Poffo on his podcast said that he attended All In and met Michael Craven of New Japan, who asked him if he’d be interested in being a color commentator and he said he thought that would be great. He said he would be in Japan from 10/23 to 11/4, which means he will be doing the announcing of the Power Struggle show in Osaka.

WWE
John Cena is in final negotiations to star in the movie “Playing with Fire” by Paramount Pictures. It will be a family comedy about a group of fire fighters who have to rescue rambunctious children. 
Nikki Bella with be on Access Live on Friday.
MISCELLANEOUS
Trevor Lee vs. Ethan Page and Allie (who may be possessed now) vs. Alisha Edwards has been added to tonights’ TV tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in New York for Thursday’s Impact show.
ROH announced that P.J. Black and Colin Delaney would debut for the promotion as part of the Survival of the Fittest show on 11/4 in Columbus, OH. 
Hip hop artist Open Mike Eagle worked this past Wednesday at the 1,000th episode of OVW tapings in Louisville. He did an angle with wrestler Shiloh Jonze. Adult Swim got interested in it and started a mini-documentary of the whole thing that will air at a later date. It became one of the biggest angles on the show, where they got Mic Foley and Ken Anderson involved as well. The match took place last Wednesday and got a lot of mainstream coverage from Vice, Pitchfork, Noisy, and Uproxx.
Cody vs. Brian Cage has been announced for World Series Wrestling in November in Sydney.
Border Town Pro Wrestling on 10/27 at 6 p.m. in Fort Erie, ONT at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre.
Millenials Wrestling Organzation on 11/3 in Port Colborne, ONT at 100 McRae Ave.
Canusa Classic on 10/27 at 5 p.m. in London, ONT at the West Fair Agriplex with Su Yung, Jordynne Grace, Veda Scott, Lufisto, Cat Power and Nicole Matthews.
Sendai Girls from yesterday in Sendai: Mio Momano & Mikoto Shindo b Ami Sato & Mei Suruga, Riho & Kaoru & Hikaru Shida b Alex Lee & Aiger & Sakura Hirota, Dash Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto b Millie McKenzie & Rhia O’Reilly, Ayame Sasamura b Manami to win the jr. title, Aja Kong & Meiko Satomura b Hana Kimura & Mika Iwata, Chihiro Hashimoto b Cassandra Miyagi to keep the title. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
There are two new TV deals in France for New Japan and AAA. J-One is airing two hours of New Japan every Saturday afternoon. This is not the AXS show but full unedited PPV matches. They are planning on keeping the show at least through the Tokyo Dome show. Game One is airing AAA in a one hour format every Thursday in prime time with weekend replays. Both shows are months behind, as the Omega vs. Okada Dominion match will be airing in France this coming weekend. AAA will be airing the main event from the 2017 TripleMania show this week. Both are small cable channels so visibility is very limited. (thanks to Tony Bouin)
Combate Americas top fights from Saturday night in Tucson were Amanda Serrano over Erendira Orodonez via first round choke and Anthony Birchak over Adam Martinez via first round TKO. The show aired on Univision. Alberto El Patron is their ambassador and we’re told he was great in his role. (thanks to Robert Murillo)
Ken Shamrock will be wrestling on 11/30 for BCW in Melbourne, Australia and doing a Q&A event the night before.
Action Wrestling from 10/11 in Tyrone, GA before 200 fans: Cabana Man Dan b David Ali, Leon & Ruff & Dani J & Tommy Maserati b James Ryan & Michael Spencer & Chance Ryzer, O’Shay Edwards b AJ Gray, James Bandy b MJF, Marko Stunt b Alan Angels, Matt & Joey Lynch b The Gymnasty Boys, AC Mack b Gangrel.
Championship Wrestling from Hollywood at last night’s tapings stripped Willie Mack of the Heritage title. Mack appeared last night on the Impact PPV show. Royce Isaacs, who held their TV title, beat Andy Brown to win the vacant title. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
IPW Hardcore Wrestling no 1/12 in Tampa at the Cuban Civic Club with The Shane Twins, Steve Madison, Lex Lovett, Billy Fives, Francisco Ciatso and more.
Defy Wrestling on 10/27 in Seattle at Washington Hall with Shane Strickland vs. Schaff and Mike Santiago & Ethan HD defending the tag titles against Flamita & Bandido, plus Jeff Cobb vs. Brody King and Rey Fenix vs. Artemis Spencer, plus Randy Myers vs. MJF. You must be 21 or older to attend. They also run 11/24 in Portland, OR at the Hawthorne Theater.
Pure Wrestling Association on 10/20 in Kitchener, ONT at the Alpine Club.
Sears, filing for bankruptcy, wants to keep its name on the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates, IL, the site of All In. (thanks to Eric Krol)

Daily Professional Wrestling History: ROH Global Wars 2017


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