THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
Police comment on Shinsuke Nakamura dog-bite injury
WWE SmackDown once again posts lowest ratings of 2018
ROH TV results: Best in the World go-home show
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Team Hell No reunites
WWE 205 Live results: Lio Rush makes his debut
Two more title matches added to WWE Extreme Rules card
Asuka vs. James Ellsworth set for WWE SmackDown next week
WWE SmackDown live results: United States title open challenge
THE LATEST AUDIO
F4D: Smackdown, Choppin Block, PCO, more! 6/27
WOL: PCO and more! 6/27
Wrestling Weekly: Fixing bad finishes, LA Park vs. Rush, more 6/27
B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 6/26
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: WON Preview (June 25, 2018): Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The death of Vader
A detailed look at the career of Leon “Vader” White is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Look at his career highlights, his recent health issues and his death, his football days and how he got started in wrestling.
Also look at the program that first put him on the map as a star, his feud with Otto Wanz. Check out the debut of Big Van Vader, and how he was not the original person chosen for the spot. Find out about Vader’s first match including the celebrity involved and the riot.
Go through his WCW career, his feud with Mick Foley, the development of the moonsault, his UWFI deal and the WCW champion vs. UWFI champion before 46,000 fans with Takada.
This issue has an update of what happened behind-the-scenes that led to ROH having a date in Madison Square Garden and having it taken away, and the issues between the two companies.
Read full coverage of the Money in the Bank show with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results, as well as coverage of NXT Takeover Chicago.
Look at where WWE is going for Extreme Rules and SummerSlam.
There is an update on the Cow Palace show and the G-1 Climax tournament.
We’ve got a story on what happened with Big Cass and his being fired.
Look at WWE’s plans to run a show in Melbourne at MCG Stadium and the huge ticket prices for the event.
Also have a look at the WWE shows in London at Royal Albert Hall and the beginning of the U.K. division and what has and hasn’t been said.
Read a postscript on the C.M. Punk lawsuit.
Find out about the honor John Cena is nominated for, the TV commercial for the WWE video game, WWE injury updates, a WWE survey, Cena lawsuit settlement, who put together key matches at Money in the Bank, Undercover Boss, note on a new signee and gimmick idea.
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.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Following the official announcement of the new TV deals for Raw and SmackDown, WWE stock reached another record-high number today. It closed at $70.85 per share after peaking at over $74. That’s up 6.35 percent from yesterday.
WWE co-presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson held a conference call this morning to discuss the deals with the USA Network and Fox. WWE noted that the digital rights to Raw and SmackDown are essentially part of the deals, with episodes still being uploaded to the Network 30 days after airing on TV.
Kevin Owens, who had been tweeting about the concert and wanting her to play the song “When,” appeared on stage with Shania Twain in Montreal last night. She didn’t play Owens’ favorite song but said she would when she returns to Montreal if Owens is able to defeat Braun Strowman.
Owens tweeted about the concert: “My wife is incredible! I’m so lucky to have her. She got us tickets because she knows how much I like @ShaniaTwain’s music and I had never been able to see her in concert before and somehow, this happened. We had a great night! Oh, Shania…I’ll see you #When I beat Strowman.”
Owens spoke to the Argus Leader to promote next Monday’s Raw in Sioux Falls.
Mustafa Ali vs. Buddy Murphy in a no DQ match is set for next week’s episode of 205 Live.
Finn Balor posted a photo of bruising on his lower back/butt that he suffered on Raw this week.
Kane, who returned to WWE television last night and will team with Daniel Bryan in a SmackDown Tag Team title match against The Bludgeon Brothers at Extreme Rules on July 15, will be near the final stretch of his campaign to become mayor of Knox County, Tennessee at the time of the PPV. The general election is taking place on August 2, and he’s expected to easily defeat his democratic opponent.
Maryse Mizanin officially became a United States citizen today.
Alison Brie thanked WWE for letting her and other cast members from GLOW appear on SmackDown last night: “Thanks @wwe for letting us @glownetflix gals come hang with some real steel!! So fun getting to meet @thelanawwe & @trinity_fatu – I do hope those two can work it out! #glownetflix #wwesmackdown”
WWE uploaded video of actress Danielle Fishel (Topanga from “Boy Meets World”) reconnecting with Lio Rush backstage at SmackDown/205 Live. Fishel bought one of Rush’s T-shirts at the first PWG show she attended.
Becky Lynch vs. Peyton Royce was originally advertised for SmackDown last night before being changed to Lynch vs. Sonya Deville.
Wrestling DVD Network posted the full content listing for the Shawn Michaels unreleased matches DVD that will hit stores this October.
While doing media in Australia, Carmella was asked about John Cena and Nikki Bella’s breakup potentially being faked for Total Bellas. Carmella dismissed the question by saying she had no idea and that if you read something on the internet it must be true.
Pro Wrestling
Though Will Ospreay set up a match with Jimmy Havoc for PROGRESS Wrestling’s show at Wembley Arena on September 30, he won’t be able to work the event. PROGRESS put out an interview with Ospreay today where he said NJPW has booked a show in Los Angeles on or around that date that he’ll be wrestling on. NJPW hasn’t officially announced the show.
NJPW is releasing an English version of their mobile game on iOS and Android this summer.
Impact Wrestling held a media teleconference with Rich Swann today ahead of Swann’s debut with the company airing on Thursday.
MLW added Kotto Brazil to the lineup for their 40-man Battle Riot match that will take place in Queens next month.
UFC/MMA
On the heels of Rashad Evan’s retirement from MMA, Johny Hendricks also announced that he’s retiring. Hendricks said that he wants to start coaching wrestling at a high school in Fort Worth, Texas.
Evans issued a statement on his retirement and thanked everyone who helped his career.
Antonina Shevchenko defeated Jaimelene Nievera by TKO in the second round of their fight on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series and was given a UFC contract. Antonina is the sister of UFC fighter Valentina Shevchenko.
Stipe Miocic vowed to become the only person other than Jon Jones to defeat Daniel Cormier.
John Kavanagh said he’d bet almost anything that Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov happens before the end of the year, but he’d prefer that McGregor face Nate Diaz again next.
Daily Professional Wrestling History: CM Punk’s ‘pipebomb’ promo
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 and Xia Brookside 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!