DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
Captain’s Challenge match announced for WWE 205 Live
Rock ‘n’ Roll Express challenging for ROH Tag titles at Honor for All
WWE SmackDown ratings up four percent for SummerSlam fallout
WWE announces newest class of Performance Center signees
NXT UK results: Ilja Dragunov vs. Kassius Ohno
World title defense set for week three of AEW TV
Four matches added to Impact TV tapings in Mexico City
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Reigns vs. Murphy
WWE 205 Live results: SummerSlam rematch
WWE SmackDown live results: Roman Reigns vs. Buddy Murphy
Latest Audio:
WOL: Smackdown, Roman vs. Buddy, AEW title, tons more! 8/14
Pacific Rim: Jim and Fumi recap the G1 finals 8/14
B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 8/13
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Seth Rollins wins Universal title at SummerSlam
Joseph Currier gives his thoughts on SummerSlam 2019. Plus, Bryan Rose’s Japan notes, and Vinny’s TV reviews.
This year’s SummerSlam main event was a pivotal moment in the career of Seth Rollins.
If that wasn’t made clear going into the pay-per-view, it certainly felt true in the moment. As much as headlining a Big Four PPV is a huge spot for anyone, Rollins’ match against Brock Lesnar came at a time when Rollins was at a tipping point. He could either win and regain his momentum — or his character would probably have to go in a different direction.
With how WWE built to their match, Rollins winning was the right outcome. He had been viciously beaten down by Lesnar in angles on Raw each of the last two weeks. After the second attack, a subdued Rollins vowed to be at SummerSlam and guaranteed that he would defeat Lesnar.
Rollins came through on his guarantee. After hitting his third curb stomp of the match, Rollins pinned Lesnar to regain the Universal title. The match delivered on a much higher level than Rollins’ previous bouts against Lesnar. Rollins was put over strongly and positioned as the current top babyface in the company.
WON NEWSLETTER: August 12, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Life and death of Harley Race
The early career of Harley Race, his road to the world title and his battles with Hulk Hogan is the lead story of a special double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We examine why Race made such a convincing champion, the story behind his seventh world title win over Ric Flair and how Vince McMahon attempted to sabotage what at the time was the biggest pro wrestling event in history. We look at how the Flair vs. Race storyline at the first Starrcade went down, how Flair first became NWA champion, McMahon’s big move right before Starrcade, how many modern wrestlers copied him, what he was known for in Japan, the incident with Hogan and the story behind why there was so much of a delay in the Hogan vs. Race program in WWF and why it didn’t draw well.
We look at how Race first got involved in pro wrestling, the auto accident that killed his wife and nearly ended his career, his early career, how he got his first major career break at the age of 21, the legend of Bruiser & Crusher vs. The Dolly Sisters tag team, Race the street fighter, the creation of the world tag team championships in Australia, and his rise in the NWA. We look at the unique situation that led to his first world title reign, why it was never planned and how his work in seven weeks as champion changed his entire career. We also look at the road to his second world title.
We also update the G-1 Climax tournament with coverage of all the shows this past week with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.
We cover the biggest event of the year in Mexico, TripleMania, with business notes, lots on the debut of Cain Velasquez, the story behind his moves, the return of L.A. Park, The Elite, with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.
We also explore how the creative changes impacted the SummerSlam show, with notes on the different changes, the Takeover card, and the ticket demand going into the big weekend.
We look at yet another new WWE television show being proposed, Dwayne Johnson retiring as a wrestler, notes on Hobbs & Shaw, NXT business, WWE rules regarding U.K. talent, Goldberg pay, WWE looking at a major acquisition, WWE thinking about house show changes and why, WrestleMania 2021 news, an update on WWE show in Saudi Arabia, and an update on WWE touring schedule.
We have notes on how TV will be routed come October, Fox talks abut Smackdown, lots of WWE injury updates, intergender matches, WWE ticket sales, Mae Young Classic 2019, a new WWE producer, Reigns talks Dean Ambrose, Lio Rush update, a surprise return to WWE in two weeks, complaints at NXT live events about fans, Evolve news, WWE market value, most-watched shows on WWE Network, as well as a rundown on all WWE live events held over the past week with results, highlights and business notes.
We’ve got full coverage of the UFC event in Newark headlined by Colby Covington’s win over Robbie Lawler.
We also look back at the PWG 16th anniversary show, the rise of PWG, and the Battle of Los Angeles participants.
We also have full coverage of all the WWE television shows from the past week.
As always, we have in-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows,the key demos for the WWE shows and what can be learned from them.
We also have the results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
At the end of last night’s SmackDown, it was teased that Daniel Bryan & Rowan will reveal Roman Reigns’ real mystery attacker next week. Bryan & Rowan told Reigns that they’ve been conducting their own investigation and will reveal the culprit.
Reigns tweeted after his match against Buddy Murphy last night: “Meant every word I said about @WWE_Murphy in the ring. He said he wanted a fight and he got one. Tonight was my night, but I’m sure it won’t be the last time I’ll stand across from you. #SDLive #SecretsOut”
In addition to announcing the newest Performance Center signees, WWE revealed that Kendo Kashin has been hired as a coach at the Performance Center. Kashin had a stint as a guest coach this February.
After undergoing neck surgery today, Paige thanked the team that did the operation: “Thank you for everything!! We got treated like royalty!! My fave dr and team ever!” Paige tweeted last week that she would be back managing Asuka & Kairi Sane in no time.
Madison Square Garden confirmed that the semifinals of King of the Ring will take place at the venue on the September 9 episode of Raw and September 10 episode of SmackDown. As Dave Meltzer reported yesterday, the finals will be held at Clash of Champions on September 15.
Today is WWE Champion Kofi Kingston’s 38th birthday. Johnny Gargano also turns 32 today.
WWE uploaded a 20-minute Milestones video looking at all of Kingston’s championship victories.
Pro Wrestling
The champions vs. all-stars elimination tag match at ROH’s TV tapings in Atlanta on August 24 will be Matt Taven, Shane Taylor & The Briscoes vs. Jay Lethal, Jeff Cobb, Rush & Kenny King. Sumie Sakai vs. Angelina Love has also been announced for the tapings.
Tessa Blanchard, RVD, Tommy Dreamer & Rhino vs. oVe (Sami Callihan, Madman Fulton, Jake Crist & Dave Crist) and LAX vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack are set for Friday’s Impact tapings in Mexico City.
Ikuhisa Minowa has been added to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport II in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 14.
Tyler Bate, Trent Seven & Travis Banks will team against Rey Horus, Bestia 666 & Mecha Wolf at The Crash’s event with Fight Club: PRO in Tijuana on September 7.
Rocky Romero broke down the bracket for the Super J-Cup.
UFC/MMA
Cat Zingano has been released by the UFC. Zingano issued a statement to ESPN about the news: “I didn’t want to take the ultimatum this time. So I guess you can say it was mutual. I had a project that was very, very important to me, and to the MMA community and fans, and I needed to put me, my son, my training and that first before I had anything to give to the UFC. It’s sh*tty timing, but it happens, and I’m still a fighter and ready to f*ck sh*t up.”
Alistair Overeem vs. Walt Harris will be the main event of the UFC’s Fight Night show in Washington, D.C. on December 7. The event will air on ESPN.
Episode three of Embedded for UFC 241 has been uploaded. The PPV is taking place this Saturday and is being headlined by Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title and Nate Diaz vs. Anthony Pettis.
ESPN’s Marc Raimondi spent the day with Miocic as he worked a 24-hour shift at a firehouse in the suburbs of Cleveland.
ESPN has an interview with Diaz ahead of his fight against Pettis.
Dana White said what’s next for Conor McGregor depends on the results of Diaz vs. Pettis and Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier.
Anthony Smith will be out of action until 2020 after undergoing another surgery on his broken hand. Smith said he’s looking at January or February for his return.
Paige VanZant hopes to get cleared to return to training this week and wants to fight by the end of the year.
Francis Ngannou will have a role in Fast & Furious 9.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE SummerSlam 2011
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