DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
Japanese pro wrestling reps attend government coronavirus meeting
WWE furloughs nine producers as part of company changes
WWE announces talent releases: Anderson, Gallows, EC3, Lio Rush, more
Vince McMahon, WWE announce layoffs, furloughs, financial changes
VIDEO: Final build to Being The Elite 200
Tag title match set for NXT, Matt Riddle to have temporary partner
Updated AEW top-five roster rankings
Dana White: UFC events returning to Las Vegas APEX facility in May
Impact Wrestling results: Rebellion go-home show
Vince McMahon, Dana White part of Trump economic revival group
Latest Audio:
JNPO free show: Spectrum News 13’s Jon Alba on the Florida/WWE situation 4/15
B&V: The second episode of WCW Thunder! 4/14
WON NEWSLETTER: April 13, 2020 Observer Newsletter: UFC postpones all future shows, WrestleMania 36 review
The battle to keep UFC 249 alive is the lead story in our annual WrestleMania double issue, which shows how big a story that became.
We look at how a U.S Senator, government agencies, doctors and Dana White all chimed in and what killed plans for the show next week. We look at the fighters who dropped out of the top two bouts, the reaction locally, the commission, how the association of commissions didn’t back the California commission, how UFC was to be regulated, what happens next, what the doctors said, the business reasons behind why UFC pushed so hard for the show, and what the show originally had.
The new issue also covers:
The wrestling industry going forward after WrestleMania, with a look at WWE, AEW, Impact, MLW and New Japan and what has and hasn’t been taped, who returns to WWE this week, Money in the Bank, Double or Nothing, AEW California crew wrestling, and more.
WrestleMania with a look at the good and the bad of the show, business numbers, the stories of the different unique matches, Roman Reigns update, television ratings for the prelims, and media criticism. We also have match-by-match coverage of both nights with poll results.
President Trump’s meeting with the key players in the sports world including Vince McMahon and Dana White as well as others talking about when or if spectator sports can return.
The key numbers to look for at the next WWE investors call, new WWE TV deals, Paul Levesque talks Wednesday night ratings, Michael Cole’s new role, WWE new documentaries including thoughts on the Edge documentary, new angles, Drew McIntyre talks about a number of subjects, new WWE movie, NXT booking, Kurt Angle talks Brock Lesnar, C.M. Punk talks Vince McMahon, FS 1 TV block, TV sports ratings, Charlotte Flair talks WrestleMania, WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.
A story on one of the strangest lawsuits you’ll ever see against Dana White.
A story on the break-in of the home of Anthony Smith.
A huge back-of-the-book story on the life of Danno O’Mahoney, one of the biggest short-term drawing cards in pro wrestling history. We go back to the 1930s, the politics that led to the creation of O’Mahoney, how Paul Bowser put the plan in place, the story of Jim Londos, the biggest drawing card in U.S. history and his role in this, some of the biggest matches in wrestling history and why the O’Mahoney vs. Shikat match changed the industry for a dozen years after and some historians call it the most important match in history. It’s all here, creation of world titles, promotions not getting along, in-ring double-crossess, stadium shows and the tragic story about how happy ever after end up lasting five weeks.
Coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the 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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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Today’s episode of The Bump featured Otis and Mandy Rose, Big Show, Christian, Io Shirai, William Regal and IRS.
A number of talent have released statements on Twitter regarding their releases (or, for producers, furloughs), including Lio Rush, Drake Maverick, Curt Hawkins, EC3, Deonna Purazzo, Fit Finlay, Heath Slater, Shane Helms, No Way Jose, Kurt Angle, Maria Kanellis, Rusev, Zack Ryder, Mike Kanellis, Lance Storm and Pat Buck
Andrea Listenberger, a writer for WWE who wrote the Otis/Mandy Rose storyline, wrote on Twitter that she had been released today: “Lots of people getting let go at #WWE today and regrettably, I am one of them. But I’m proud of the work I’ve been able to do since starting in Dec., and glad that the storyline I worked on resonated with so many people. That’s what writing is about for me. #OtisandMandyForever”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dismissed the idea during a coronavirus briefing that a super PAC connected to President Trump’s re-election campaign, which is headed by Linda McMahon and contributied millions of dollars to the state just a day prior to WWE announcing they were running live shows again, played a part in his executive order deeming WWE and other sports as an essential business.
WWE Backstage scored 161,000 viewers last night, up from last week’s 140,000.
The first three episodes of WWE’s Ruthless Aggression documentary scored 302,000 (9 p.m.), 224,000 (10:00 p.m.) and 226,000 (8 p.m.) viewers respectively.
Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti told CNN this afternoon that large gatherings, such as concerts or sporting events, may not come back until 2021. Next year’s WrestleMania is currently planned to take place in the Los Angeles area on March 28, 2021.
Full matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include Eddie Guerrero vs. The Big Show from the April 15, 2004 edition of SmackDown and Paige vs. Naomi for the WWE Divas title from Money in the Bank 2014.
Alexa Bliss spoke to CBS Sports on the ‘Fight Like a Girl” series on Quibi as well as Ronda Rousey’s recent comments.
The Daily Show covered WWE being deemed an essential business.
Other Wrestling
The first night of Impact’s Rebellion event, which will take place on April 21 on AXS, will have Sami Callihan vs. Ken Shamrock, Ace Austin vs. Willie Mack for the X-Division title, Rhino & Tommy Dreamer vs. OVE and Kiera Hogan vs. Kylie Rae.
Last night’s Dark Side of the Ring, which focused on Jimmy Snuka and the death of Nancy Argentino, scored 209,000 viewers, down from last week’s 226,000 viewers.
Vice has released a trailer for next week’s episode of Dark Side of the Ring, which will cover the death of Dino Bravo.
Jim Cornette is in the process of trademarking his own name for use in pro wrestling.
Chris Jericho will co-host the season premiere of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs on April 24.
MMA
Anthony Smith didn’t like the comments Jon Jones had regarding his recent home invasion.
Tatiana Suarez talked to The Score about her neck injury and return date.
Sean O’Malley is setting his sights on a July return.
The UFC has added the Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir fight from UFC 100.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Team 3D wins TNA Tag Team Titles
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