DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
Dave Lagana resigns from NWA due to sexual assault allegation
WWE issues no tolerance statement, Riddle, Ligero & Devlin deny claims
Jake Atlas making WWE 205 Live debut
PROGRESS Wrestling announces talent departures and suspensions
Matt Riddle accused of sexual abuse, WWE releases statement
WWE looking into abuse allegations made against Jordan Devlin
Women’s title match announced for WWE Raw
AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT ratings both up this week
OTT, RevPro & TNT Extreme sever ties with David Starr
Latest Audio:
WOL: #SpeakingOut 6/19
Wrestling Weekly: WWE mask situation, COVID and indie wrestling 6/19
B&V: Bryan and Vinny review AEW and NXT head-to-head! 6/18
Big Audio Nightmare: New Japan Cup, Suzuki-Nagata MOTYC, more 6/18
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WON NEWSLETTER: June 22, 2020 Observer Newsletter: #SpeakingOut and the David Starr allegations, more
Coverage of an incredibly newsworthy week is the focus of this week’s double-issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at what could be the end of the career of David Starr, his significance in wrestling, the charges made about him by an ex-girlfriend, his response, the response fro companies he was headlining for and a discussion of the bigger picture story and business history on the subject.
The new issue also has:
Most recent COVID-19 case in the WWE, how plans changed for WWE taping, the schedule going forward, the company’s policies on the subject of testing and fans how WWE’s reaction compares to other companies, the politicizing of the COVID story in Orange County and how things could change this week. We also look at how every other company is handling the situation, Kevin Owens not wrestling at next week’s taping, a UFC fighter who just tested positive and a training partner pulled from this week’s who had problems at the Orlando Airport that all the wrestlers that don’t live in the area have to fly into.
More on the departure of Paul Heyman as the head of Raw. We look at Heyman’s goals, USA Network’s reaction, the previous difference between Raw and Smackdown, how Raw has already changed, how the booking this year on Raw had changed, how NXT looked different, as well as a look at how all the wrestling shows have done over the past month and actual drops both from late last year and from early this year in the COVID era.
Talent that was being featured that wasn’t this week and why.
A feature on New Japan Pro Wrestling opening up, talking about the first shows, plus New Japan Cup coverage with match-by-match and star ratings, and where the tournament goes this week.
One of the most significant issues in MMA, weight cutting,and how another sport handles the situation.
A feature on the stockholders lawsuit against WWE regarding Saudi Arabia including two secret witnesses and what they have said about the television negotiations and what really happened after the October show when talent couldn’t get out of the country.
Full coverage of Backlash, noting the Randy Orton vs. Edge match, match-by-match coverage with star ratings as well as poll results on the show.
More on the XFL’s demise, a huge story regarding TV rights and how it relates to WWE & AEW when their deals are up, Evolve not running new shows, WWE and new touring shows, new TV series based on the life of a wrestling star, Sports ratings for the past week, Canadian ratings for the past week, most-watched shows on WWE Network and WWE’s current market value.
Mustafa Ali talking the behavior of the police, replacement feud on Smackdown and why, Drew McIntyre talks current scene, the stalker returns to Performance Center, Randy Orton talks Tommaso Ciampa, Wade Barrett talks booking idea he was given, plus next week’s TV stuff.
Coverage of this past week’s UFC show.
A back of the book feature on Johnny “Mr. Wrestling II” Walker. We’ve got his unbelievably long career title history, a look back at Georgia Wrestling in the 70s and 80s, his early days as Johnny Walker, how far masked wrestlers went to keep their identities secret, Jim Cornette talks the one time he saw him without his mask and working with him in Mid South, Les Thatcher talks their friendship clothes, the kneelift, the birth of the gimmick and it taking off, his famous match with Junkyard Dog in New Orleans, and his period as the No. 2 babyface in the 60s in an opposition promotion in New York. We also look at his criminal record updated.
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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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
There has been a lot of news to digest over the past 48 hours. We have an article on the situation in the current issue and no doubt there will be a lot more to come:
David Lagana was announced as having resigned as Vice President of the NWA effective immediately. The NWA also announced that all production of NWA content is being temporarily halted pending a restructuring of executive management positions. Wrestler Liz Savage made claims of inappropriate behavior by Lagana at a time the two were living together in a platonic situation in Southern California.
WWE has released Jack Gallagher. Gallagher was accused today of getting a woman drunk at a 2014 New Year’s Eve Party, making advances and when she pushed him off, he held on which led to her skirt ripping and then she left the party.
AEW announced Jimmy Havoc would be going into treatment and counseling regarding mental health and substance abuse issues and the company is evaluating his status and will make a decision regarding him after completion of the program.
Alex Shane is no longer with WrestleTalk after allegations came out that he took Polaroids of encounters with a 15-year-old and other girls and showed those photos around. The 15-year-old later committed suicide and her sister said it was not exclusively due to what Shane did but thinks it was part of her ordeal. Shane released a statement denying the allegations, but resigned.
Former referee Kris Levin claimed that Anthem has been investigating allegations against Impact executives. This is based on a claim of sexual harassment of a former talent.
Vicky Haskins (wife of ROH’s Mark) has alleged that legendary British wrestling promoter Brian Dixon got a photographer to take upskirt photos of her, unbeknown to her, at a show in 2011, back when she was pregnant. She claims she was told the photos were for Brian’s ‘collection’.
The Me Too wrestling story was covered by the BBC. The story is at the 16 minute mark.
UFC weigh-ins for tomorrow’s show. The entire show is on ESPN starting at 5 p.m. Eastern:
Austin Hubbard (156) vs. Max Rohskopf (155)
Roxanne Modafreri (125.5) vs. Lauren Murphy (125.5)
Frank Camacho (158) vs. Justin Jaynes (156)
Cortney Casey (123.5) vs. Gillian Robertson (125.5)
Marc-Andre Barriault (185.5) vs Oskar Piechota (185.5)
Tecia Torres (116) vs. Brianna Van Buren (115)
Bobby Green (155.5) vs. Clay Guida (154.5)
Jim Miller (159.5) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (160)
Belal Muhammad (170.5) vs. Lyman Good (170.5)
Raquel Pennington (136) vs. Marion Reneau (136)
Josh Emmett (146) vs,. Shane Burgos (146)
Curtis Blaydes (261) vs. Alexander Volkov (247)
Camacho missed weight by two pounds. Miller and Roberts agreed to fight at 160 so neither missed weight. The current issue has a preview of the key stuff on the card. Curtis Blaydes is a -400 favorite in the main event according to the William Hill Agency with Volkov at +320. Marc-Andre Barriault has had the most money bet on anyone.
Smackdown tonight has an A.J. Styles celebration for winning the IC title, Miz TV with Mandy Rose, and the return of Bray Wyatt. Most interesting will be if the debut of Matt Riddle, which was taped on Monday, will be airing or be edited out.
ROH has a PPV show featuring taped matches with new commentary and comments including Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly, Kevin Steen vs. Matt Hardy, Jay Briscoe vs. Jay Lethal, Mark Briscoe vs. Roderick Strong, Kushida vs. Marty Scurll, Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Young Bucks and Villain Enterprises vs. LifeBlood.
WWE
Florida reported a record 3,822 new COVID cases, breaking the record of 3,204 yesterday. NBA players are due in Orlando in three weeks. Orange County has put in new restrictions requiring masks at all times except when eating or drinking, exercising or in one’s home. Whether this applies to fans and non-in-ring personnel at the WWE tapings right now is unknown.
A Glenn Jacobs interview about politics.
UFC
A story on the failed attempt to get MMA as a sport in the Olympics.
Mara Romero Borella vs. Miranda Maverick has been added to the 6/27 show.
Andrew Sanchez vs. Wellington Turman has been added to the 8/8 show.
Christian Aguilera vs. Sean Brody has been added to the 8/29 show.
AEW
SlamWrestling.net has an interview with Dustin Rhodes talking about acting, including his role in the just-released horror movie “Scare Package” where he plays the villain, Devil’s Lake Impaler.
MISCELLANEOUS
The MCW Pro Wrestling Training Center will be opening back up on 6/23 and the next beginners class will start 7/14. They will follow all Maryland and CDC guidelines.
Rick Bassman will be producing a streaming event at 8 p.m. Eastern tomorrow night at www.talking-tough.com that will feature Sting, Bas Rutten, Butterbean, Benny Urquidez, Lou Ferrigno, Mike O’Hearn, The Mountain and more.
Kevin Eck’s weekly ROH news.
Dory Funk Jr. will be doing a Fight Camp from 8/2 to 8/9 with personal instruction, five training sessions, $750 which includes a hotel, TV taping and more. It’s open to wrestlers, referees, managers, valets, announcers, production staff and camera crew. For ore info go to [email protected]
MLW Pulp Fusion this week has Low Ki addressing King Mo and Dan Lambert, Kevin Von Erich working with his sons on grip strength for the claw, L.A. Park and his family hit the gym (LA. Park,no way), plus Richard Holiday, Mance Warner, Konnan, Alex Hammerstone, Logan Creed, Myron Reed and Salina de la Renta.
Wrestle Pro Alaska on 9/19 in Anchorage at the Dena Ina Civic Center with DDP, Gangrel, Colt Cabana, Orange Cassidy, Joey Janela, Marku Stunt and more.
LFA will be back on Fight Pass with shows on 7/10, 7/17, 7/24 and 7/31 all at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. 7/10 has Justin Gonzales vs. Jake Childers for the featherweight title. 7/17 has Sam Hughes vs. Vanessa Demopoulos for the women’s strawweight title, Greg Fischer vs. Jimmy Flick for the flyweight title, and Bryce Logan vs Jacob Rosales for the lightweight title.
Game Changer Wrestling has a live streaming show at 5 p.m. Eastern tomorrow featuring Nick Gage vs. Nate Webb and Mance Warner & Matt Justice vs. Rickey Shane Page & Attcus Coger as well as Jimmy Lloyd vs. Alex Zayne.
OVW’s TV special on Jessie Godderz airs tonight at midnight on YouToo America.
IWTV is streaming tonight Yuki Ishikawa’s 15th Anniversary show, ICW The Next Generation, Rekka vs. Shinjiro Otani from Taiwan and Big Japa’s 2019 Death Match Survive Night One.
Former wrestler April Mendez (A.J. Lee) is doing a Dungeons & Dragons comic book.
An article on Chick Knight, who is believed to have had the first pro wrestling match on U.K. television in 1938 with Earl McCready.
Bill Apter interviews Stu Bennett about his days as Wade Barrett in WWE.
Arez (@AeArez) & his strange group of friends/enemies have started a series called #LuchaStrange where every week they battle in different locations Mortal Kombat style with a Lucha Libre twist in order to take possession of the priceless Arez de Oro! New episodes drop on Thursdays over on this channel.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Owen Hart wins 1994 King of the Ring
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