THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
NXT TakeOver Philadelphia live results: Almas vs. Gargano
NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo night one results: Tanahashi-Suzuki
UFC on FOX 27 live results: Jacare Souza vs. Derek Brunson 2
NXT Toms River, NJ, live results: Final stop before TakeOver
WWE Main Event results: Metalik & Kalisto vs. TJP & Gallagher
THE LATEST AUDIO
WOL: WWE Royal Rumble added matches, odds, NXT Takeover, tons more! 1/26
Wrestling Weekly: Men’s and women’s Rumbles, Jerry Jarrett, Blassie 1/26
We’re looking for reports on the Raw house show in Baltimore and Smackdown in Richmond, VA to [email protected].
UFC FROM CHARLOTTE ON SATURDAY
Fight Pass at 4 p.m. Eastern
Austin Arnett vs. Cory Sandhagen
Niko Price vs. George Sullivan
FS1 at 5 p.m. at 5 p.m. Eastern
Vinc Pichel vs. Joaquim Silva
Justine Kish vs. Ji Yeon Kim
Juliana Lima vs. Randa Markos
Maria Romero Borella vs. Kaitlyn Chookagian
Mirsad Bektic vs. Godofredo Pepey
Bobby Green vs. Erik Koch
FOX AT 8 p.m. Eastern
Frank Camacho vs. Drew Dober
Gregor Gillespie vs. Jordan Rinaldi
Andre Fili vs. Dennis Bermudez
Ronaldo Jacare Souza vs. Derek Brunson
NXT TAKEOVER FROM THE WELLS FARGO CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA ON WWE NETWORK AT 8 P.M. SATURDAY NIGHT
Nikki Cross vs. Lacey Evans (for TV on Wednesday)
Roderick Strong vs. Tyler Bate (for TV on Wednesday)
Kassius Ohno vs. Velveteen Dream
Aleister Black vs. Adam Cole in an Extreme rules match
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Authors of Pain for the tag titles
Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler for the women’s title
Andrade Cien Almas vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT title
NEW JAPAN NEW BEGINNINGS IN SAPPORO AT 1 A.M. EASTERN LATE SATURDAY NIGHT ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Katsuya Kitamura vs. Juice Robinson
Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Shota Umino vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi & Desperado & Taka Michinoku
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Hikuleo (Leo Tonga)
Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Manabu Nakanishi & Toa Henare vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Chase Owens
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka
Kota Ibushi & David Finlay & Kushida vs. Cody & Marty Scurll & Hangman Page
Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Will Ospreay & Gedo vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Bushi & Seiya Sanada & Hiromu Takahashi
Young Bucks vs. Sho & Yoh for IWGP jr. tag titles
Kenny Omega vs. Jay White for U.S. title
WWE ROYAL RUMBLE PPV AT 5:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME SUNDAY ON WWE NETWORK
30 Man Royal Rumble
30 Women Royal Rumble
Brock Lesnar vs. Kane vs. Braun Strowman for Universal title
A.J. Styles vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn in a handicap match for WWE title
Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan vs. Sheamus & Cesaro for Raw tag titles
Usos vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin in a 2/3 fall match for Smackdown tag titles
Bobby Roode defends the U.S. title in an open challenge (pre-show match)
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. The Revival (pre-show match)
Kalisto & Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado vs. Drew Gulak & Jack Gallagher & TJP (pre-show match)
On Monday will be Raw from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia and a Smackdown house show in Newark, DE.
Smackdown, 205 Live and Mixed Match Challenge will be Tuesday in Philadelphia. The mixed match challenge match is Braun Strowman & Alexa Bliss vs. Sami Zayn & Becky Lynch.
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly 1/22/2018: Recapping WWE Raw 25
With a rare opportunity to present an episode that reached a bit beyond WWE’s usual audience, Raw’s 25th anniversary show took place in New York City on Monday night. It was the most-anticipated Raw of the year, with WWE putting their full promotional force behind the event and inviting seemingly every available name from the past. With a rare opportunity to present an episode that reached a bit beyond WWE’s usual audience, Raw’s 25th anniversary show took place in New York City on Monday night.
WON NEWSLETTER: January 29, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Enzo Amore rape allegations, WWE Raw 25, plus tons of news
The most detailed coverage of the Enzo Amore allegations and firing is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Look at all sides of the story, from the allegations by Philomena Sheahan, details of who was in the room, why WWE was so quick to fire him, her claims, claims of people who know her, what is in the text message, the problem with the police investigation, what is next for 205 Live and plans that have been scrapped.
Also have a look at the WWE this week, including Raw 25, angles on the show, WrestleMania current plans, future of Brock Lesnar, Royal Rumble, the Takeover special, what audience flocked to Raw that usually doesn’t, how Raw viewer patterns have changed since the last similar special, what age group nearly doubled from last week, and how the gender split changed.
Read about the history of Raw, why it was moved quickly from the Manhattan Center, the move to two hours, how close the show came to being canceled and why it wasn’t, when the show started making the company significant money, how Raw and Vince McMahon in 2005 were responsible for the start of a major sports franchise, the story of Raw going to Spike and back to USA, and what are really the longest lasting wrestling shows in U.S. television history.
Full coverage of Raw 25 inside this issue.
Check out the Podcastone situation and why people are leaving, more on the 2019 Royal Rumble plans, more on WWE stock and the move being made for a cheap WWE Network sub and the reason, George Barrios says strange things about WWE talent contracts, Hogan talks Bullet Club and the smoke to that fire, Cena movie gets Academy Award nomination, Cena up for lead for another movie, success of Dwayne Johnson’s current movie, funny quotes from Michaels & HHH about Goldberg being a Hall of Famer from a few years ago, and more WWE injuries.
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: January 8, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Paul Heyman considering selling ECW, more on Wrestler of the Year, more
Citing a number of factors, including the enormous pressure he’s been under over the past year, the large company debt and what he sees as the future landscape of the business, Paul Heyman said he was in serious negotiations to sell either a majority share or all of Extreme Championship Wrestling.
SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
The results of this year’s NXT year-end awards were announced on the TakeOver: Philadelphia pre-show, with Aleister Black and Asuka winning big. All of the awards were voted on by fans:
Overall competitor of the year: Asuka
Male competitor of the year: Aleister Black
Female competitor of the year: Asuka
Breakout star of the year: Aleister Black
Match of the year: Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne (with both appearing on the pre-show) from TakeOver: Chicago
Rivalry of the year: Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream
Tag team of the year: SAnitY
TakeOver of the year: War Games
Future star of NXT: Cezar Bononi
Johnny Gargano wrote about being in the main event of TakeOver: “From local VFW halls to a preshow dark match at the ECW Arena to the Main Event at the Wells Fargo Center. Over 13 years has lead to this moment. Difficult roads often lead to some pretty cool destinations. Tonight’s the night, Philadelphia.”
Almas also tweeted about tonight being a dream of his: “When I signed on WWE, I always had dreams, today is one of all these dreams here in philadelphia being in the main event.”
WWE showed Gargano and Candice LeRae arriving for TakeOver together in a brief video where Cathy Kelley previewed the main event.
WWE noted that Nigel McGuinness isn’t calling TakeOver tonight due to being under the weather.
The Wells Fargo Center posted a time lapse video of the ring and stage being set up for TakeOver.
Ronda Rousey has made two more Instagram posts from Colombia, which is where she’s filming the movie “Mile 22.” The latest post is from late this afternoon.
PWInsider reported that The Undertaker, Michelle McCool, and EC3 are among those in Philadelphia this weekend. With all of the people who are in town for “Big Four” PPVs, it remains to be seen if that means much.
Ricochet spoke to ESPN about his time at the Performance Center since reporting and called it one of the coolest experiences of his career.
The Daily Beast has an article on a 2006 sexual assault allegation against Vince McMahon. The alleged incident was covered at the time and charges weren’t filed by prosecutors.
In an advertisement for Raw’s Elimination Chamber PPV, the T-Mobile Arena asked fans which 12 wrestlers they want to see in the Chamber matches. That would indicate that there are going to be two of them.
Andre the Giant passed away on this date 25 years ago.
The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, and JJ Dillon) reunited at the Icons of Wrestling convention in Philly today. Flair also posted a photo with Sting from the convention.
Randy Orton, who won the match, and other wrestlers rewatched and commented on last year’s Royal Rumble.
In a post-Raw 25 video, Finn Balor and Shawn Michaels talked about what their potential dream match would have looked like. Michaels reiterated that there’s no chance the match happens now.
WWE Shop is selling a Rusev Day calendar.
Pro Wrestling
Impact ratings were up very slightly this week, with the episode averaging 310,000 viewers after doing 309,000 last Thursday. The trend has been positive since the end of football season, and next week will be the first episode from the most recent set of tapings.
Impact tweeted about next week’s show: “Next week is the beginning of a new era but one thing will remain constant. Every single week we’re looking to present the very best wrestling show we can and our crew and our immensely talented roster give you everything. Thanks for watching and we’ll see you next week. #Genesis”
Kenny Omega mentioned Rey Mysterio as someone from outside of NJPW that he wants to face.
OTT will be presenting a show with all women’s matches in Dublin on April 1st.
Brian Pillman Jr. cut his first promo in front of a live crowd last night.
Kotoka, who wrestles for Dragon Gate, announced that he’s retiring on March 6th at Korakuen Hall due to the injuries that he’s suffered and surgeries that he’s undergone over the last couple of years.
UFC/MMA
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department clarified that neither Dana White nor his family had any involvement in an alleged attempted sexual assault that is being investigated. The incident is alleged to have occured at a “party involving juveniles” at White’s home.
Ariel Helwani noted that Michael Bisping vs. Rashad Evans is on the table for the main event of UFC Fight Night in London and that a decision will be made soon.
Stipe Miocic has opened as a favorite over Daniel Cormier in their champion vs. champion fight.
Cain Velasquez wrote about Cormier challenging Miocic: “Like always, I’m gonna be in the gym everyday to help my brother @dc_mma become the next heavyweight champ at #UFC226. Once he wins, things could get interesting. #AndNew #WeAreAKA #GonnaGetMyBeltBack”
Today in Professional Wrestling History: The Rock defeats CM Punk to win WWE title
WRESTLING OBSERVER / F4W – WRESTLEMANIA 34 in NEW ORLEANS
Here we go again! It’s back to New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 and a huge weekend of spectacular professional wrestling related fun and wackiness. EdinSanAntonio Productions along with the Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Empire~! is proud to present the annual Wrestlemania weekend trip details. This huge weekend includes a number of website “members only” events. Below are the two events currently scheduled. Click here for full event details.
WOR Podcast Taping: Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE MAILBAG~!
WHAT: Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE Podcast Recording with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez
WHEN: Friday, April 6th, 2018 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m. for VIP ticket holders and at 9:15 a.m. for general admission)
WHERE: The Bourbon Room, Royal St. Charles Hotel in downtown New Orleans; 135 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130
WO/F4W Brunch: Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Oberver BRUNCH~!
WHAT: All you care to eat brunch buffet on the morning of Wrestlemania
WHEN: Sunday, April 8th, 2018 – T11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Court of Two Sisters restaurant in downtown New Orleans; 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130
CONTACT INFORMATION
Poll opinions: [email protected]
Feedback: [email protected]
Show results and news tips: [email protected]
Wrestling Observer Radio questions: [email protected]
Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!
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