THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

Deonna Purrazzo off All In card
WWE Raw ratings almost identical to last week, third hour tops first
WWE reveals Ruby Riott suffered sprained MCL
Ricky Steamboat undergoes hip replacement surgery
US title open challenge, more matches set for WWE SmackDown
WWE Raw video highlights: Strowman sends Owens off the stage
Extreme Rules stipulation added to Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax
Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley official for WWE Extreme Rules
Ruby Riott out of action with a knee injury
WWE Raw live results: Extreme Rules build continues

THE LATEST AUDIO

WOL: Raw fallout, Extreme Rules, Sasha and Bayley, Roman Reigns, ROH, more! 7/3
WOR: RAW, Ronda Rousey, Wyatt and Riott injuries, Being the Elite, more! 7/3

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Remembering Leon ‘Vader’ White

The professional wrestling world lost a truly one-of-a-kind figure last week. Leon “Vader” White, the best big man that the industry has ever seen, died on Monday, June 18 after years of heart problems and complications from a recent bout with pneumonia. Vader’s son and former WWE developmental wrestler, Jesse, shared the news on Twitter: “It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that my father, Leon White, passed away on Monday night (6/18/18) at approximately 7:25pm. Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. 

WON NEWSLETTER: (July 2, 2018): WWE announces new TV deals, more 

The official announcement of the WWE’s new television deals for the 2019-2024 television seasons is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. 

Find out about the financial figures for each year, what those numbers mean, what it means to WWE profitability, how much the company is now worth and how that valuation as compared to profits compares to other media stocks. Look at how much money Vince McMahon could have made if he didn’t sell so much in December.

Look at a very interesting part of the WWE/Fox deal that hasn’t been talked about. There are also notes from WWE Co-Presidents Michelle Wilson and George Barrios on the deal, what led to the deal, and how things have changed both regarding the perception of wrestling, its fans and other content ideas WWE has for television and streaming.

Read about the new Bellator deal with the money figures involved, how this changes the game for them, and how the entire game for all wrestling and MMA companies are no different due to these latest deals. 

Find out about the situation with Brock Lesnar and WWE, what the goals are for the latest storyline change, plans for the Extreme Rules PPV show and matches announced, matches told to the arena and matches seemingly being built.

Read the update on Rey Mysterio and WWE, Shinsuke Nakamura’s injury, Jeff Hardy’s injuries and lots of other WWE injury updates, Big Cass, Sami Zayn, Ronda Rousey as well as the amazing contract Oliver Luck got with Vince McMahon and what it says about the XFL. 

Look at Minoru Suzuki’s 30th anniversary show and match with Kazuchika Okada, the retirement of Rashad Evans, coverage of UFC from Singapore, a look at the PWG Battle of Los Angeles, and the WWE U.K.show.

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.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE
WWE hasn’t issued an update on Bray Wyatt since they announced yesterday that he was treated and released from the hospital after suffering “multiple injuries” during a head-on collision last Friday where he totaled his car while traveling to the airport for the weekend house shows. But they continued to push Wyatt & Hardy vs. Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas for Extreme Rules on Raw last night, with Wyatt tweeting that he was going to come to Hardy’s rescue after Hardy lost to Axel. Wyatt also told TMZ that he’s in good spirits and “moving around.”
A 26-minute interview that Daniel Bryan did with Gorilla Position back in May that was released then has gotten some attention over the past couple of days after being uploaded to YouTube. Responding to a question about whether his feud with The Miz would lead to a match at WrestleMania 35, Bryan asked the interviewer if he trusted WWE to tell a story from now until then. He then asked what in the last several years has shown that’s possible in WWE. After international trips where he missed mother’s day and his daughter’s birthday, Bryan said he’d like to be away from home less and said he’d like to work 50-100 matches a year (both for his health and to be home more). Bryan said he expected to wrestle a schedule like that when returning but has worked more regularly since. When asked about his dream opponent, Bryan said he’d want to face Brock Lesnar in a title match at a WrestleMania in Seattle. Bryan’s contract expires at the beginning of September, but he’s advertised for WWE’s PPV in Melbourne, Australia on October 6.
Mustafa Ali vs. Buddy Murphy in a no DQ match and TJP vs. “an opponent of Drake Maverick’s choosing” are set for tonight’s 205 Live.
Dr. Shelby (Michael Aspinwall), who previously appeared as Daniel Bryan and Kane’s therapist, returned to WWE TV as Bayley and Sasha Banks’ counselor on Raw last night. It appears that the segment will continue next week.
Jinder Mahal wrestled on last night’s Main Event tapings and defeated Zack Ryder. The Ascension also defeated Heath Slater & Rhyno.
NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler was backstage at Raw in her hometown of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A local commercial during Raw continued to advertise AJ Styles defending the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe for the September 16 Hell in a Cell PPV at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The arena’s website lists that match and Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens (without a title mentioned), but the card is obviously subject to change and we aren’t even through SummerSlam yet.
A clip of Triple H informing Peyton Royce and Billie Kay that they were coming up to SmackDown and them getting emotional when hearing the news was shown on this week’s episode of Ride Along.
Elias posted on Instagram that he’s now “officially sponsored” by Fender guitars.
Sasha Banks spoke to Sports Illustrated about being involved with WWE’s partnership with the Special Olympics.
Sports Illustrated also has a story on “Million Dollar Arm” pitcher Rinku Singh and his transition to WWE.
Dave Meltzer was quoted in a story for the Miami New Times about Richard Rodriguez and Wellness Fitness Nutrition’s steroid bust. In March, Rodriguez and documentary filmmaker Jon Bravo failed to produce any evidence that they had teased of Roman Reigns being a client of WFN. Reigns also issued a statement in January where he said he’s never heard of Rodriguez or WFN.
WWE parodied the press release where LeBron James announced that he was signing with the Los Angeles Lakers by tweeting one about Braun Strowman tackling Kevin Owens off the stage in a porta potty last night.
Pro Wrestling
WALTER vs. Tomohiro Ishii is set for Revolution Pro Wrestling’s Summer Sizzler show at York Hall in London on August 17. WALTER booted Ishii after Ishii’s match with Minoru Suzuki on Sunday, then had a staredown with Suzuki.
In episode two of “All Us,” Cody Rhodes said they’ll probably start rolling out matches week by week for All In any day now. He mentioned that he doesn’t think they’ll ever reveal a full card prior to the show.
After announcing Jimmy Havoc as the first participant yesterday, ROH added Joe Hendry to their United States vs. United Kingdom International Cup tournament. The first round will take place on August 16 in Edinburgh, the semifinals and finals will be on August 18 in Doncaster, and the winner will challenge for the ROH World Championship on August 19 in London.
TMZ published an article on former NFL running back DeAngelo Williams’ upcoming appearance on the July 12 episode of Impact and has some video of his segment, which was to build up Austin Aries vs. Moose at Slammiversary. Williams teamed with Moose to defeat Eli Drake & Chris Adonis at last year’s Slammiversary PPV.
MLW World Champion Shane Strickland will defend his title against Sami Callihan at MLW’s July 19 Battle Riot event in Queens, New York.
The Ringer interviewed Kia Stevens (Awesome Kong/Kharma) about her role on GLOW and her character being the spotlight of an episode this season.
Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, and Konnan will be doing a live podcast discussing their memories of Eddie Guerrero on Jericho’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise this October.
Lucha Underground’s Marty the Moth (Martin Casaus) shared a vlog on a day in his life as a pro wrestler.
UFC/MMA
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported that Alexander Gustafsson vs. Volkan Oezdemir is being finalized for UFC 227 on August 4.
The first and second episodes of Embedded for UFC 226 have been released.
Tito Ortiz appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show yesterday to talk about his fight with Chuck Liddell being made official for Oscar De La Hoya’s new promotion.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: AJ Styles & Jerry Lynn win vacant NWA tag titles

12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention

Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!

This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events. 

This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Gladys Gibson Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Shotzi Blackheart & ???, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also appearing will be Kris Wolf along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.

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!