DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
WWE Raw viewership down against DNC, 18-49 up two percent
WWE’s Sonya Deville gets temporary injunction, new details emerge
WWE reportedly interested in relaunching Talking Smack
Goldberg says WWE deal runs through 2023, two matches per year
Live English commentary returning for NJPW Summer Struggle in Jingu
WWE Raw video highlights: Randy Orton attacks Shawn Michaels
Latest Audio:
WOL: RAW, SummerSlam, Velveteen Dream, tons more! 8/18
DragonKingKarl Greatest Kayfabe Tournament: The Rock vs. Dick the Bruiser 8/18
WOR: Xavier death, Lawler history, Sonya, Velveteen, RAW, more! 8/18
WON NEWSLETTER: August 17, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Life and career of James ‘Kamala’ Harris, more
A look at the life of James “Kamala” Harris, one of pro wrestling’s biggest stars of the 80s, and Daniel Cormier, one of the biggest MMA stars of all-time, are the lead stories in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The Kamala story goes through how he got the Kamala gimmick, who came up with the idea, the story around the video that instantly made him a star, how Kamala worked in that time but wouldn’t now, how he was as a draw against Hulk Hogan, his late life health issues, his original meeting with Bobo Brazil, how he started watching wrestling, his pre-Kamala career, going to Europe, how J.J. Dillon was a key in getting him over and a look weekly at the first Memphis run that made him a big star.
His rivalry with Andre the Giant and how it was ugly early on, the feud with Bruiser Brody and every WWF run. We look at his career peak in 1986-87 and the gates and payoffs he got, his working Mexico, his last big WWF run, and the declines of his health.
Daniel Cormier’s quest for the storybook ending, others who tried to have that ending, the greatest heavyweight of all-time, his tragic upbringing, growing up as a wrestler, competing with Cael Sanderson, his Olympic dream crushed, his MMA beginnings, his word title wins, and more building the fight with Stipe Miocic.
Also in this issue:
Return of ROH to action, what the new TV will be about, the creative involved, testing and more.
How Kevin Reilly is one of the key people who fell into place and without him there would be no AEW. We look at the changes in TNT management including a unique note about Reilly’s successor.
A scary scene at NXT tapings, Dwayne Johnson’s earnings for the year, New contracts signed in WWE, Sports ratings, U.K. ratings and Canadian ratings, Lawler 50th anniversary sow, WWE market value, and most-watched shows on WWE Network.
WWE moving TV into the Amway Center, Takeover and SummerSlam news updates and creative.
COVID updates from Japan, with many shows canceled this past week, why they were, and what this says about Japan in comparison with the U.S.
New Japan’s Jingu Stadium show for the end of the month.
WWE Network featuring independents.
Saturday’s UFC show with a complete rundown and match-by-match coverage.
Kenny Omega and Michael Nakazawa doing a lecture for students at Tokai University on sports entertainment during the COVID era, with notes on AEW profitability, ad spending, how COVID has changed the world, how the AEW audience has changed, A.J. Styles, personal goals and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
New Japan, All Japan and NOAH have their biggest tournaments of the year at the same time.
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CMLL’s planned return.
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
Seth Rollins spoke to Bleacher Report about his friendship with Jon Moxley: “We still talk from time to time. I would love to see what he’s doing or how he’s doing or whatever. When his wife [Renee Young] got sick, obviously I checked in on him to make sure he was doing OK and the dogs were good and all that good stuff.”
Rollins spoke to People about Becky Lynch’s pregnancy: “It’s her first pregnancy, so she’s just figuring it all out. For her… most women, when they get pregnant, they can continue to do their job. They can work up until eight, nine months. So they have a routine throughout the day that they do. With this, it was just like, she’s going 100 miles an hour, had the busiest year of her life, and then ‘Bam!’ shut down. Done. You can’t do your work anymore. And ‘Bam!’ Hollywood is shut down. No meetings because of the pandemic, because of COVID. So that’s all out the window, too. So now you’re trying to figure out what to do with your time, and she’s just not a lazy person. She’s the hardest working person I’ve ever met, so she wants to always be productive. That’s what gives her purpose on a day-to-day basis. So it’s been crazy for her, but she found some cool things that hopefully she’ll be able to share in the future.”
Shotzi Blackheart revealed that Triple H had a new helmet made for her after her car and helmet were stolen: “I didnt get to wear this but it came with a really awesome story so I wanted to share. As soon as @TripleH found out about my car and helmet he made sure that I had help and had the crew put this together for me in time for my match filmed only 1 day after it was stolen!” Blackheart’s car and helmet were found last week.
WWE uploaded a Playlist video on Dominik Mysterio through the years.
WWE’s YouTube channel also uploaded Naomi vs. Natalya for the SmackDown Women’s Championship from SummerSlam 2017, D-Generation X vs. Vince & Shane McMahon from SummerSlam 2006, and Candice LeRae vs. Io Shirai from NXT TakeOver: Toronto 2019.
Other Wrestling
Madusa will present AEW’s Women’s Tag Team Cup to the winners of the tournament. The Nightmare Sisters (Brandi Rhodes & Allie) are facing Ivelisse & Diamante in the tournament finals on Saturday’s episode of Dynamite.
Former NXT wrestler Dan Matha was arrested yesterday after failing to appear in court in June for driving with an expired registration.
Federal authorities are trying to seize the home of Ted DiBiase Jr. after his brother was indicted in “one of the largest public corruption cases in Mississippi’s history” earlier this year.
A GoFundMe has been launched to cover burial costs for John “Xavier” Bedoya and to help with his son’s college education.
MMA
Saturday’s UFC 252 prelims averaged 831,000 viewers on ESPN. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.29, which was first on cable.
Daniel Cormier posted a statement yesterday after his loss to Stipe Miocic at UFC 252: “Thank you all for the love and support. Not what I wanted or expected but it is what it is. Congrats to @stipemiocic on a fantastic fight, was an honor and pleasure to share the octagon with you for 50 minutes. Boy did we give ‘em a show everytime. To my team: I love you all to death, you’ve made so many sacrifices. I hope I made you guys proud. Salina and the kids: thank you for being my motivation. To all the fans: I love you so much. You guys push me to try and be great. To @danawhite and the @ufc: I have loved every minute. Thank you for giving me the opportunity. Been a helluva ride, huh?”
Ariel Helwani tweeted an update on Sean O’Malley: “Update on Sean O’Malley from a source close to him: ‘X-ray on his ankle/lower leg came back OK. No fractures but MRI is needed (once swelling goes down) to look for ligament & tendon tears. They will scan knee too. Can’t have a MRI until swelling subsided.’ No timetable yet.
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is re-entering the UFC’s drug testing program and plans to return at light heavyweight.
Johnson discussed coming out of retirement: “Honestly, I missed the sport. I missed competing. So I know at one point I was against guys coming back from retirement. You usually see them getting mopped up. BJ Penn came back, got mopped. I’ve seen everybody that came out of retirement get mopped up. I just don’t want to be one of those guys to get mopped up but I still feel good. I have no injuries. While I was in the UFC, I didn’t get hit much unless I lost and that wasn’t often.”
Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis will main event the UFC’s Fight Night show on November 28.
Diego Sanchez vs. Jake Matthews has been added to UFC 253 on September 26.
A rematch between Shogun Rua and Paul Craig is set for UFC 255 on November 21.
Paige VanZant discussed signing a multi-million dollar deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship: “I had no idea they’d be such a big player in the game. Once I heard, talking with my husband, I was like I think I want to sign with them. We were still in that negotiation process, I really hadn’t heard their final offer. It was more than just what I feel like they were offering me financially. It was the opportunity I was excited about. I’ve been a fan of their sport and it’s something that I’m really going to be able to show off my striking. If you look at my MMA career, my biggest downfall has been my jiu-jitsu and my striking has been my passion. I’m so excited to show that off.”
Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE SummerSlam 2013
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