THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
SmackDown ratings down slightly for this week’s episode
WWE SmackDown video highlights: John Cena takes on Baron Corbin
Rich Swann vs. Neville set for the Royal Rumble
Mark Hunt files lawsuit against the UFC, Brock Lesnar & Dana White
WWE 205 Live results: Swann vs. Nese; Alexander vs. Dar
WWE SmackDown live results: John Cena vs. Baron Corbin
Raw ratings drop only slightly against national title game
How WWE helped a big boxing fight get booked at MSG
Okada vs. Suzuki headlines NJPW’s New Beginning lineup
AUDIO
B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 1/10
WOL: Raw fallout, Rusev is awesome, WWE Hall of Fame, more! 1/10
WOR: RAW report, Royal Rumble, Kenny Omega, UFC fights, more! 1/10
WOL: Raw, Smackdown, Kenny Omega, WrestleMania 2018, more! 1/9
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 1/9/2017 Chris Hero’s unlikely road back to WWE
Chris Hero returned to NXT as Kassius Ohno last week after a little over three years away from WWE developmental. All that happened in between is that he became arguably the best professional wrestler in the world. It’s not that Hero didn’t enter developmental in 2012 as an excellent performer. He was a genuine independent wrestling star even then, having worked for Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and seemingly everywhere else across the globe… Subscribers click here to continue.
WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: January 9, 2017 – Ronda Rousey loses potential final fight, NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 review
Coverage of Wrestle Kingdom at the Tokyo Dome and the legacy of Ronda Rousey are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. There are updates on the WWE WrestleMania situation, coverage of the Japanese New Year’s Eve Rizin show and its mix of fighting and pro wrestling theatrics.
The lead story talks about Amanda Nunes’ win over Rousey, the lack of promotion by Rousey, how the show did on PPV and television numbers, what happened in the fight, the coaching of Rousey, the Rousey fan base, Rousey in WWE, Rousey’s legacy in MMA, how the history of MMA could have changed greatly by different matchmaking, the myths of Rousey’s career and the reality.
Check out the plans for the 2018 WrestleMania and the big announcement coming, new inductee into WWE Hall of Fame, notes on WrestleMania activities, strange WWE injury story, notes on upcoming Raw episodes, some comedy regarding top WWE stars, WWE value, most watched shows on WWE Network, plus notes from all the holiday week house shows and business notes.
Finally, this issue contains full coverage of the Rizin weekend shows, as well as the business notes on the show and the different storylines, including who they are pushing as stars for the future as well as what they are looking at doing next.
Click her for full preview.
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: December 19, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF Armageddon review, more – The one thing I can say for WWF Armageddon is, it was a weird show. When it was over, I couldn’t say that I liked or disliked it, and based on the response here, a lot of people has similar reactions. Some of the undercard wrestling was decent. Nothing was particularly good. A few matches were pretty bad. But that’s to be expected both from the line-up, which didn’t promise on paper one good match, and from the WWF PPV undercards in general… Subscribers click here to continue.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Goldberg is officially being advertised by the Bradley Center in Milwaukee for Fastlane on March 5th. Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Goldberg was scheduled to wrestle on the show.
There are now 13 entrants announced for the Royal Rumble match after the additions of Dean Ambrose, The Miz, and Dolph Ziggler last night.
Alexa Bliss will defend her Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch in a steel cage match on next week’s SmackDown. The stipulation comes as a result of La Luchadora’s involvement in their storyline over the past few weeks.
Tonight’s episode of NXT will feature DIY defending their tag titles against The Revival. The winning team defends against the Authors of Pain at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio.
Jack Gallagher and Ariya Daivari participated in their parley on last night’s 205 Live, which resulted in them agreeing to wrestle in an “I Forfeit” match down the road.
Timothy Smith, who wrestled as Rex King and Timothy Well of the tag team Well Dunn in WWF, passed away on Monday at 55 years old. Chris Jericho donated the entire initial goal of $2,500 to a GoFundMe that had been set up by his family.
John Cena again seemed to reference Kenny Omega on Instagram today. Cena first posted a picture of an O and then posted another one of Mega Man.
WWE posted full video of the United Kingdom Championship tournament preview show that aired after Raw on Monday night.
Pro Wrestling
Jim Ross tweeted that he’s finished voicing over six episodes of NJPW on AXS with Josh Barnett. Wrestle Kingdom 11 will begin airing this Friday on AXS with the Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega main event.
An interesting note from the New Beginning cards that were released by NJPW yesterday is that Katsuyori Shibata will defend his Revolution Pro Wrestling British Heavyweight Championship (as long as he’s still champion or else it will be a special singles match) against Will Ospreay in Osaka on February 11th. Shibata will defend the title against Matt Riddle at RevPro’s show at York Hall in London on January 21st.
ROH posted an interview with Christopher Daniels where he discusses his desire to be ROH World Champion.
UFC/MMA
Floyd Mayweather appeared on First Take on ESPN today, where he countered Conor McGregor’s demand of $100 million to fight him in a boxing match by offering $15 million and a cut of the pay-per-view. Mayweather said that McGregor is the only opponent that he’s interested in fighting.
For the seventh time in a row, Tyron Woodley has opened as an underdog in his next fight. Woodley is set to defend his title against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 209.
Woodley tweeted to Demian Maia that he thought Maia should’ve gotten the next shot at his title.
Brad Pickett will have the final fight of his career against Henry Briones at UFC London on March 18th. Pickett was Urijah Faber’s opponent in Faber’s retirement fight last month.
Bas Rutten and Mauro Ranallo appeared on today’s episode of the Joe Rogan Experience.
Spike TV will air a one-hour countdown special on Friday night at 11:15 p.m. ET that looks ahead to the Chael Sonnen vs. Tito Ortiz fight at Bellator 170.
Today in Professional Wrestling History (1/11): Ric Flair defeats Sting to win NWA title
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