DAILY UPDATE
Latest News
Two names added to Double or Nothing Over Budget Battle Royale
Nia Jax to undergo surgery to repair both ACLs
Dana White: Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Cormier may not happen
Darby Allin joins AEW, will face Cody at Fyter Fest
NJPW returning to Australia for Southern Showdown
Watch UFC’s big seasonal press conference at noon Eastern
Robert Evans quits WWE creative during Hall of Fame
Latest Audio
WOL: Open Line Friday, Sasha Banks, Darby Allin, Gronk, more 4/12
Wrestling Weekly: The night of a million angles, Road Dogg, Sasha 4/12
Pacific Rim: A wrap on WrestleMania weekend 4/12
F4D: Bryan from Hawaii on news, NXT, WWF Superstars from 1992 4/12
Our only poll this week will be on tomorrow’s UFC show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst fight to [email protected].
We’re looking for reports on NXT tonight in Largo, FL to [email protected].
NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING ON AXS TV AT 8 P.M. EASTERN (three hours)
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for British title
Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi for IC title
Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada for IWGP title
Kazuchika Okada vs. Sanada in finals of New Japan Cup
CMLL FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN
Robin & Principe Diamante vs. Akuma & Espanto
Hechicero & Polvora & Vangellys vs. Stuka Jr. & Rey Cometa & Blue Panther
Dragon Lee & Niebla Roja & Valiente vs. Negro Casas & El Terrible & Gran Guerrero
One-night A block Parejas incredibles tournament: Euforia & Guerrero Maya, Flyer & Forastero, Blue Panther & Mascara Ano 2000, Rey Bucanero & Triton, Cavernario & Titan, Angel de Oro & Bestia del Ring, Caristico & Mephisto, Soberano Jr. & Sanson
Volador Jr. vs. Gilbert el Boricua (Mil Muertes)
We’re looking for reports on the ROH TV tapings Saturday night in Columbus, OH (and for NXT Saturday night in Sanford, FL to [email protected].
COMBATE AMERICAS TONIGHT IN MONTERREY, NUEVO LEON AT MIDNIGHT EASTERN ON UNIVISION AT 10 P.M. ON DAZN
Dulce Maria Garcia (117.5) vs. Mariana Ruiz Avila (117.1)
Joey Ruqet (1335.6) vs. Alan Cantu (135.8)
John Castaneda (138.5) vs. Marcela Rojo (136)
Alejandro Flores (146) vs. Levy Marroquin (145.8)
NEW JAPAN FROM ON SATURDAY AT 5 A.M. EASTERN ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
Toa Henare vs. Ren Narita
Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima & Shota Umino vs. Minoru Suzuki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado
Togi Makabe & Toru Yano & Tomoaki Honma vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Taiji Ishimori
Hirooki Goto & Juice Robinson & Mikey Nicholls & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jay White & Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens & Hikuleo
Kota Ibushi & Yoshi-Hashi & Jushin Liger vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi & Taka Michinoku
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero & Sho & Yoh vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Sanada & Bushi & Shingo Takagi
MLW FUSION ON BEINSPORTS SATURDAY NIGHT
EVOLVE ON SATURDAY NIGHT IN YBOR CITY, FL
Austin Theory vs. Raul Mendoza for the Evolve title
JD Drake vs. Shane Strickland for the WWN title
Angelo Dawkins vs. Eddie Kingston falls count anywhere
Shane Thorne vs. Curt Stallion
Adrian Jaoude vs. Anthony Henry
Lacey Lane vs. Brandi Lauren
AR Fox vs. Adrian Alanis vs. Leon Buff
Plus Eric Bugenhagen appears
ALL JAPAN CHAMPION CARNIVAL ON SATURDAY IN OSAKA
Ryoji Sai vs. Gianni Valletta
Zeus vs. Dylan James
Shuji Ishikawa vs. Yuma Aoyagi
Naoya Nomura vs. Joel Redman
Suwama vs. Takashi Yoshida
UFC SATURDAY NIGHT FROM THE STATE FARM ARENA IN ATLANTA WITH A PPV EXCLUSIVELY ON ESPN+
ESPN+ and Fight Pass at 6:15 p.m. Eastern
Randy Costa (135) vs. Brandon Davis (136)
Lauren Mueller (126) vs. Poliana Botelho (125)
Montel Jackson (136) vs. Andre Soukhanthath (136)
Curtis Millender (170.5) vs. Belal Muhammad (171)
ESPN AT 8 P.M. Eastern
Boston Salmon (135.5) vs. Khalid Taha (136)
Max Griffin (170.5) vs. Zelim Imadaev (171)
Alexandre Pantoja (125.5) vs. Wilson Reis (126)
Matt Frevola (156) vs. Jalin Turner (156)
PPV ON ESPN+ AT 10 P.M. Eastern
Nikita Krylov (205) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (206)
Dwight Grant (171) vs. Alan Jouban (171)
Eryk Anders (205) vs. Khalil Rountree (206)
Kelvin Gastelum (184) vs. Israel Adesanya (183) for interim middleweight title
Max Holloway (155) vs. Dustin Poirier (154.6) for interim lightweight title
NEW JAPAN FROM TAKASAKI ON SUNDAY AT 2 A.M. EASTERN ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
Yoshi-Hashi vs. Shota Umino
Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima & Ren Narita vs. Minoru Suzuki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado
Juice Robinson & Mikey Nicholls & Toa Henare vs. Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens & Taiji Ishimori
Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe & Toru Yano & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jay White & Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Hikuleo
Kota Ibushi & Tomoaki Honma & Jushin Liger vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi & Taka Michinoku
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero & Sho & Yoh vs Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Sanada & Bushi & Shingo Takagi
ALL JAPAN CHAMPION CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY IN OSAKA
Zeus vs. Ryoji Sai
Kento Miyahara vs. Shuji Ishikawa
Joe Doering vs. Sam Adonis
Joel Redman vs. Takashi Yoshida
ROH ON SUNDAY AT EXPRESS LIVE IN COLUMBUS, OH AT 7 P.M. EASTERN ON HONOR CLUB
Holidead vs. Jenny Rose
Caristico vs. Bandido vs. Flip Gordon vs. P.J. Black
Rush vs. Soberano Jr.
Mark & Jay Briscoe & Shane Taylor & Silas Young vs. Beer City Bruiser & Brawler Milonas & LSG & Shaheem Ali
Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham vs. Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams in a 30 minute iron man match
Marty Scurll & PCO & Brody King vs. Matt Taven & Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan for the ROH six man titles
NEW JAPAN FROM KOFU ON MONDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
Toa Henare vs. Shota Umino
Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima & Ren Narita vs. Minoru Suzuki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado
Togi Makabe & Toru Yano & Tomoaki Honma & Dragon Lee vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Taiji Ishimori & Jado
Hirooki Goto & Juice Robinson & Mikey Nicholls & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jay White & Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens & Hikuleo
Kota Ibushi & Yoshi-Hashi & Jushin Liger vs. Zack Sabre Jr.& Taichi & Taka Michinoku
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero & Sho & Yoh vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Sanada & Bushi & Shingo Takagi
ALL JAPAN CHAMPION CARNIVAL ON MONDAY FROM KANAZAWA
Yuma Aoyagi vs. Dylan James
Zeus vs. Kengo Mashimo
Naoya Nomura vs. Yoshitatsu
Sam Adonis vs. Takashi Yoshida
Raw takes place Monday in Montreal at the Bell Centre with the first day of the “Superstar Shakeup.”
ALL JAPAN CHAMPION CARNIVAL ON TUESDAY FROM HAMAMATSU
Yuji Okabayashi vs. Gianni Valletta
Yuma Aoyagi vs. Kengo Mashimo
Suwama vs. Daichi Hashimoto
Joe Doering vs. Takashi Yoshida
Smackdown and 205 Live also take place in Montreal with more of the “Superstar Shakeup.”
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking at the WWE HOF and the 2019 class
While interest has inevitably decreased over the years, the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony feels like less of an essential part of WrestleMania weekend than ever.
There are a few major reasons why the Hall of Fame ceremony has lost some of its luster. As WrestleMania week has become a destination for promotions from the United States and abroad, fans have to make difficult decisions on how they’re going to spend their time and money.
WON NEWSLETTER: April 15, 2019 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WrestleMania 35 weekend review
When it comes to news, the biggest issue of the year is out, covering WrestleMania, all the behind-the-scenes stuff at WrestleMania, Hall of Fame, NXT and Supercard of Honor, as well as the top indie shows. This issue has more backstage news than any issue of the year.
This issue leads off with coverage of WrestleMania, with the main event finish, what was supposed to happen, who got the blame, why it was brought up on the broadcast, and the future of Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar in WWE.
Next get the update with AEW television talk, what is and isn’t accurate about what has come out, what the current plans are and more.
Also look at the Supercard of Honor in Madison Square Garden. Look back to 1960 when the last time a non-McMahon card took place at the arena and who was on top.
Also look at the idiot who attacked Bret Hart at the Hall of Fame ceremony, what actually happened, comments from the Hart family, the firing of writer R.D. Evans and the comments after by HHH and the rest of DX making fun of it, plus the comments on AEW.
This issue has full details of AAA and its debut in Madison Square Garden. Look at the press conference, the goals, and the story behind the business idea of why it will work. Also look at the AAA relationship with Cain Velasquez.
Also look at the WrestleCon super show, one of the biggest indie events of the year, with appearances by Ric Flair, Animal, Will Ospreay, Bandido, SCU, Jushin Liger, X-Pac and Dragon Lee.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
A.J. Styles said that his injury is a sprained SI joint which has led to pinched nerve endings and a lot of pain. He said that hopefully he won’t take too long to heal and will be back in action.
Dulce Maria Garcia, better known a Sexy Star in lucha libre and Lucha Underground, makes her MMA debut tonight on DAZN and Univision in a 118 pound fight against Marian Ruiz Avila. Both women are making their MMA debuts. Garcia has also done boxing matches in recent years.
Dave Bautista has signed on to star in an action movie “Killer’s Game” for STXFilms. It’s based on the book “The Killer’s Game” by Jay Bonansinga. It’s about a star hit man who finds out he only has a few months to live, so he puts out a contract on his own life, only to find out the lab made a mistake and he’s in perfect health.
Tonight will be Dragon Lee’s last match at Arena Mexico for a few months as he’s working regularly for New Japan as the new IWGP jr. heavyweight champion. Lee holds so many belts right now it’s impossible to keep track of them all.
The big notes at the UFC press conference held today were that Anthony Smith seems to badly want to fight Luke Rockhold, and that Ben Askren is perhaps the most entertaining talker in UFC since Conor McGregor went off the rails.
WWE
Part two of WWE Chronicle: Roman Reigns, will be released Sunday on the WWE Network.
Due to the NHL playoffs, Smackdown will be moved in Canada to OLNHD from its normal home on Sportsnet 360.
The Andre the Giant documentary that was on HBO will be released soon on the WWE Network.
Undertaker will be signing at the Niagara Falls Comic Con on 6/9 from Noon to 2 p.m. as part of the Legends of Wrestling Reunion with Sgt. Slaughter, Paul Orndorff, Road Warrior Animal, Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell.
MISCELLANEOUS
The top three matches from last Saturday’s Supercard of Honor in Madison Square Garden air from 8-10 p.m. tonight on AXS TV.
Regarding the New Japan tour of Australia in June, there will be a major live New Japan World show in Melbourne on 6/29 and there will also be a show in Sydney that week.
ROH announced that its Best in the World PPV show will take place on 6/28 in Baltimore at the UMBC Center. They also announced the return to the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia for a TV taping on 6/29.
Evolve’s 10th anniversary show will be 7/13 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena. Adam Cole and Kassius Ohno will be returning to Evolve soon.
Kelly Klein threw out the first pitch at the Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins game in Cincinnati yesterday.
Canadian Wrestling Elite along with Kenny Omega and Don Callis are working together tomorrow for a celebrity tug-of-war competition to help Hull’s Haven Border Collie Rescue. It will take place at the Beach Volleyball Centre in Winnipeg. Callis will be announcing and Omega will be on hand as well.
ROH has announced a recruitment combine on 5/4 and 5/5 in Baltimore at the ROH Dojo. They are limiting it to 20 spots, all for women. Scouts and instructors will be Delirious, Will Ferrara, Jonathan Gresham, Ian Riccaboni and Todd Sinclair.
MCW Spring Fever tomorrow night in Hampstead, MD at North Carroll High School with appearances by Mick Foley, Jimmy Hart and Swoggle.
Jeff Cobb and Rich Swann have been announced for the WSW Australian tour on 6/21 and 6/22 in Melbourne and 6/23 in Sydney.
Melbourne City Wrestling no 4/27 has Slex vs. Robbie Eagles for the MCW and Intercommonwealth titles. (thank to Kevin Chiat)
KSW announced a battle of celebrities for its 5/18 show in Gdansk, Poland. Erko Jun (2-0) faces Akop Szostak (3-2). The show is headlined by Michael Materla (27-6) vs. Scott Askham (17-4).
St Louis Anarchy has announced an all-women’s show called Ladies Night on 4/26 in Alton, IL at the Spaulding Hall Club.
AAW tonight at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL with Jessicka Havok & Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett vs. Eddie Kingston & Jake Something & Curt Stallion, LAX vs. Penta 0M & Rey Fenix, DJZ vs. MJF, Sammy Guevera vs. Darby Allin, Fatu vs. Larry D, Shazza McKenzie vs. Kris Stalander and David Starr vs Adam Brooks. Fatu is being managed by Armando Estrada.
wXw on 6/1 has Bobby Gunns vs. Joey Janela for the wXw title plus Ken Shamrock, Brian Cage and Walter appear. (thanks to Markus Gronemann)
Ladies Night out on 4/27 in Texas City, TX at World Gym Arena with Kylie Rae, Jordynne Grace, Penelope Ford, Su Yung, Kiera Hogan, AQA, Janna Lynn, Rock-C, Allie Recks, Christi Jaynes and others. This will be Rae’s last show with the promotion. The show airs live on the Title Match Network.
Defy Wrestling tomorrow night in Portland, OR at the Hawthorne Theater with Artemis Spencer defending the Defy title against Jake Atlas, plus Amerikan Gunz vs. Reno Scum, Hammerstone vs. Schaff in a chain match plus Jimmy Havoc appears.
Femme Fatales 22 on 5/4 in Quebec City, Quebec at the Centre Horizon with Mercedes Martinez vs. Kris Statlander for the interim champion, Cheerleader Melissa vs. Lufisto plus Priscilla Kelly, Kimber Lee, Veda Scott, and a Battle Royal.
Combate Americas will have the first all-women’s show airing live on broadcast television on 4/26 from the Galen Center in Los Angeles. They will also be doing a red carpet ceremony before the event with Mexican celebrity Kate Del Castillo and Alberto Del Rio.
Shimmer, Rise, Smash Wrestling and Femme Fatales are doing a joint show on 8/10 in Toronto at The Met at Noon.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix from last night in Peru, NE: Tim Boston won Battle Royal, Preston Maxwell b Jack Darling, Daniels Brothers b El Bigote & Logan James, Moonshine Russell b Pat Powers-DQ, Branden Juarez b Seta Kobara in a street fight, Duke Cornell b Tim Boston. Next show is 4/24 at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha.
NFC will have Jiu Jitsu matches on 4/27 at Center Stage in Atlanta.
Superkick’d tonight in Toronto at The Great Hall is almost sold out with 40 tickets left as of this morning.
Revolution Pro Wrestling on 4/20 in Harrisburg, PA at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center.
CWE on 4/17 in Assinibola, Saskatchewan with Psicosis & Jimmy Jacobs & Michael Elgin vs. Killer Kross & A.J. Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle plus TK O’Ryan vs. Jacob Creed and Vinny Marseglia appears. They run tonight in Golden BC at the Golden Civic Centre with Psicosis & Sean Gaston vs. Robin Lekime & Marn Pain.
Kendo Nagasaki on BBC. (thanks to Han Hwee Yeo)
Video of Jungle Boy Jack Perry teaching his sister Sophie Perry what looks to be a satellite armbar submission. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Sting & Ric Steiner win UWF Tag Team titles
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