DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
UFC 253 live results: Adesanya vs. Costa, Reyes vs. Blachowicz
Cezar Bononi & Alex Gracia’s AEW debuts part of nine-match Dark
WWE SmackDown back over two million viewers in overnight ratings
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Reigns & Uso face-to-face
NJPW Strong results: Lion’s Break Crown tournament begins
WWE 205 Live results: Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott vs. Ariya Daivari
WWE SmackDown live results: Final build to Clash of Champions
Latest Audio:
WOR: COVID-19 problems, G1, UFC 253 9/25
F4D: Lance Storm talks Animal, Sasha’s promo, Retribution, more! 9/25
WON NEWSLETTER: September 28, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Death of Road Warrior Animal
A look at the Road Warriors, the biggest drawing tag team in pro wrestling history, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We talk about the birth of the team, the background of Joe Laurinaitis, the early days of Hawk, Animal and Rick Rude in pro wrestling, the role of Ole Anderson and Eddy Sharkey in the story, why the Road Warriors did and didn’t work certain territories, why they rarely worked with Bruiser Brody, why they ended up in AWA, JCP, and how they wound up with WWE. We also look at their departure from WWE, Animal leaving wrestling, and their return.
Also in this issue:
COVID in WWE, AEW and CMLL, changes that were made, why AEW and WWE had a breakout in the same week, how AEW is changing its procedures, the belief of how this all started and much more.
G-1 Climax tournament, with an overview of the first shows, this week’s lineups, standings, poll results, star ratings and more covering all the first week shows.
Sports news that affects WWE’s next television deal as well as shakeups at NBCU that also do. We look at a new WWE marketing idea, Stephanie McMahon’s stock sale, why WWE stock fell, Undertaker talks the end of his documentary, changes at NXT UK, What NXT UK talent were told at meeting this week, NXT UK Heritage Cup tournament, former WWE star talked about returning, more on the Retribution storyline, who is doing the rules and the story behind the finish of the Raw match. We also have international ratings notes, WWE up for awards, new WWE marketing ventures, Roman Reigns talks changes in his presentation, Dwayne Johnson talks, why Kane is in the news again, WWE market value as well as a look at the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.
Saturday’s UFC show and more thoughts on Colby Covington and the line between playing bad guy wrestler and being offensive is.
WWE’s next two major shows with the cards and backgrounds.
Dragon Gate Dangerous Gate show from this past week.
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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SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
PWInsider reported that Billy Kidman returned to his job as a producer at last night’s SmackDown. Kidman had been furloughed in April.
Inside the Ropes reported that Adam Maxted has signed with NXT UK and Sha Samuels, Aleah James, Molly Spartan, and Tony Gill are close to signing. The report also stated that referee Rich Swift has signed with NXT UK.
T-Bar (Dominik Dijakovic) tweeted an explanation for why RETRIBUTION were offered contracts by WWE in storyline: “WWE offered us contracts because it was financially cheaper than all of the security guards we kept injuring. We signed the contracts to pay for our hired guns to do our dirty work. Our goal is still to destroy our current employer, WWE.”
Jey Uso told Talksport’s Alex McCarthy that Jimmy Uso is on course to return from his torn ACL in January or February 2021: “Jimmy knows this is a big moment and he doesn’t want to take the light away from me, but he just wishes he could be in my corner. He just wants to walk with me, be in my corner, have the best seat in the house. He wants to bang on the apron, feel the intensity, the sweat dripping, all of that! But he’s loving it, uce. He’s rehabbing that knee and by January/February we’re going to get back Uso crazy. And a PSA to all the tag teams, uce. The party don’t stop with the Universal title. I’m going to try and win that thing, but my number one goal is still to be the best tag team in wrestling, doing it all. So every tag team, get ready, bro. Next year is going to be the year of the Usos.”
Talksport also has an interview with Cedric Alexander.
Ahead of him challenging for Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship at Sunday’s Clash of Champions PPV, a new WWE Chronicle episode on Jey Uso premiered on the WWE Network today. Episode two of wXw Shotgun 2020 season two, ICW Fight Club 97, PROGRESS Wrestling Chapter 103, and EVOLVE 128 were also uploaded to the WWE Network today.
In a clip from the Chronicle episode, Jey Uso’s sons predicted who will win the Roman Reigns vs. Uso title match.
Keith Lee, Dominik Mysterio, Xavier Woods, Rhea Ripley, Natalya, Santino Marella, and more will take part in tomorrow’s Clash of Champions edition of WWE Watch Along.
Dolph Ziggler appeared on the latest episode of the Yang Speaks podcast with former presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
A new apparent Carmella vignette aired on SmackDown last night.
Adam Cole tweeted about Kyle O’Reilly challenging Finn Balor for the NXT Championship at TakeOver 31: “I know @KORcombat better than anyone. As an opponent, a partner, & a friend. Kyle O’Reilly is, without question, one of the best wrestlers in the world. I believe in you brother…this is your moment.”
Today is Raw Women’s Champion Asuka’s 39th birthday.
WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded John Cena vs. Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship from the March 2, 2009 episode of Raw, Cesaro vs. Sheamus in their best-of-seven series final from Clash of Champions 2016, and Nikki Bella vs. Charlotte Flair for the Divas Championship from Night of Champions 2015.
Other Wrestling
As a precaution, Ethan Page announced yesterday that he’s pulling himself off of today’s Warrior Wrestling show so that no one else is put in danger or at risk. Page said his wife has a fever and lost a little bit of her smell and taste. He said they’re safe and healthy, but he thought it was best if he doesn’t come to the show while they wait for results.
Tessa Blanchard wrote a post on Instagram about taking back control of her narrative.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Triple H wins vacant WWF World title
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