THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
Lawler to appear on SmackDown, Almas vs. Sin Cara removed
WWE Raw ratings up for Money in the Bank go-home show
John Cena to star alongside Jackie Chan in ‘Project X’
Dave Meltzer live Q&A show coming to San Francisco
Jeff Hardy pleads guilty to DWI charge from March
ROH planning to run Madison Square Garden in 2019
WWE Raw video highlights: Ronda Rousey armbars Nia Jax
Two more matches set for WWE SmackDown
WWE Raw live results: Money in the Bank go-home show
THE LATEST AUDIO
WOL: RAW, ROH to MSG, Money in the Bank, streaming services, more! 6/12
Left My Wallet: Robbie E and Lenny Melnick 6/12
WOR: RAW, Dusty Rhodes, LOD, New Japan lineups, more! 6/12
WOL: Raw, Dominion, UFC 225, MITB, NXT Takeover, tons more! 6/11
Smackdown and 205 Live are in Memphis with Andrade Cien Almas vs. Sin Cara and Jack Gallagher & Drew Gulak & Brian Kendrick vs. Gran Metalik & Kalisto & Lince Dorado announced. There is also an NXT show in Antwerp, Belgium.
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: CM Punk stepping back into the octagon
With Dr. Chris Amann’s defamation lawsuit against him and Colt Cabana still being tried at the start of fight week, CM Punk’s return to the UFC has almost become an afterthought. But in his hometown of Chicago on Saturday night, Punk will be stepping back into the Octagon just a few months short of the two-year anniversary of his loss to Mickey Gall. His opponent, Mike Jackson, is a 33-year-old photographer and combat sports personality with more fighting experience than Punk but just as many professional MMA bouts.
WON NEWSLETTER: WON Preview (June 11, 2018) CM Punk and Colt Cabana win lawsuit, more
The most in-depth look at the Dr. Christopher Amann vs. C.M. Punk and Colt Cabana trial is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer.
Look at the background of the case, the real reasons it happened, key moments that tipped the jury in the direction, testimony that came out that made WWE look bad and the lack of reaction to it.
Find out the effect on Punk’s fight preparation, Punk’s feelings on the timing, the moral victory aspect, the goal, and why it went to trial. Look at the major mistakes made by Amann’s attorney, and holes in WWE medical practices that are likely to be closed that current talent may not like.
This issue goes into detail on Punk’s last pro wrestling match, the 2014 Royal Rumble, what was planned what went wrong, how it went wrong, and how everyone reacted.
Look at the Dominion show, the card, the build, the storylines, who should win and how the decisions should take place, as well as looking at the Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori match, Chris Jericho’s return to WWE, and full details of the last two nights of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
Find out about UFC weigh-ins after Dana White wants them moved back to the afternoon, with a look at the direct statistics saying what has changed over the past two years and comments from White about why he thinks it’s not working.
Look at the Shawn Michaels comeback talks, a rundown of Money in the Bank, value of WWE stock and why it rose this past week, Cena storyline, WWE pushing for an Emmy nomination, and new wrestlers that are signed and others who are getting tryouts.
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.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
After a slow start when changing nights for season three, Total Bellas ratings were up again on Sunday night. The episode averaged 734,000 viewers, up from 654,000 last week, and posted a 0.33 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s the second-best viewership number in show history.
In a tweet yesterday, Rusev accused a hotel employee of stealing from him and Lana: “Thank you @sheratonhotels Memphis for ‘cleaning’ the room and stealing my wife camera and my money from my wallet”
Mustafa Ali gave his light-up mask to a fan who’s suffering chronic pain, severe asthma, and other medical issues and has to wear a mask to reduce their exposure to pollen.
Samoa Joe talked Memphis wrestling history as he appeared on Action News 5 to promote tonight’s SmackDown. Joe also did a video teaching radio/podcast host Chris Vernon how to be tough.
ESPN.com looked back on Money in the Bank 2011 and CM Punk winning the WWE Championship from John Cena.
WWE.com acknowledged Brock Lesnar passing CM Punk’s 434 days as Universal/World Champion.
WWE posted a two-minute sneak peek of Friday’s Celebrity Undercover Boss episode with Stephanie McMahon.
The trailer for Sunday’s WWE: 24 on The Hardys has also been released. It will premiere after Money in the Bank.
Mojo Rawley defeated Chad Gable and Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews defeated The Ascension on last night’s Main Event tapings.
WWE uploaded video of Baron Corbin getting his head shaved prior to last night’s Raw.
Daniel Bryan said he could beat Mike Jackson on the ground in an MMA fight.
Xavier Woods will be a playable character in the Super Bomberman R video game.
Pro Wrestling
With Kevin Kelly doing commentary, NJPW’s Strong Style Evolved UK shows on June 30th and July 1st will be uploaded to Revolution Pro Wrestling’s streaming service within 48 hours of taking place. RevPro noted that they’ll be posted on New Japan World shortly after.
ROH confirmed that KUSHIDA will be facing Jay Lethal at their Best in the World pay-per-view in Baltimore on June 29th.
Matt Riddle vs. Tomohiro Ishii, KUSHIDA vs. Shane Strickland, and Timothy Thatcher vs. David Starr are set for OTT’s WrestleRama 2 at The Arena in Dublin on August 18th.
MLW announced Johnny Mundo, ACH, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Kevin Sullivan as the first four wrestlers for their Battle Riot match, which will be taking place at their TV tapings in Queens, New York on July 19th. It’s a no DQ, 40-person match with someone entering every 60 seconds, with eliminations occurring via pinfall, submission, or being thrown over the top rope.
Stardom has sold over 1,200 tickets for Io Shirai’s farewell show at Korakuen Hall on June 17th.
UFC/MMA
The UFC 225 prelims averaged 667,000 viewers on Saturday night, which is the second lowest prelim total of the year and wouldn’t seem to indicate that the show did a big number on PPV.
Dana White reiterated that he thinks Brock Lesnar’s WWE contract expires at the end of the summer. He also said both Lesnar and Jon Jones are still interested in facing each other.
Mike Jackson told TMZ that he thinks CM Punk should retire from MMA for his own health.
Robert Whittaker spoke to the Daily Telegraph about how tough of an opponent Yoel Romero was.
Romero’s agent says they plan on suing the Illinois State Athletic Commission for cutting Romero’s weight-cut short.
Rafael dos Anjos released a statement on his loss to Colby Covington, saying that bad guys sometimes win in real life but the good guys will win in the end.
Tyron Woodley called Covington a disgrace to the sport and the welterweight division.
Paige VanZant will be undergoing a second surgery after the first one for her broken arm failed.
Daniel Cormier appeared on Conan to promote his fight against Stipe Miocic, joking about fighters always losing after being on the show and talking about the emotions he experiences right before walking into the Octagon.
Daily Professional Wrestling History: ECW One Night Stand
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, Hudson Envy & Shotzi Blackheart, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Kris Wolf will also be appearing 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
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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!