THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
WWE Raw video highlights: Goldberg makes an announcement
Brian Kendrick vs. Rich Swann set for next week’s 205 Live premiere
Two title matches booked for next week’s Raw
Goldberg: I’m entering the 2017 Royal Rumble match
WWE Raw live results: What’s next for Goldberg?
AUDIO
WOR: Survivor Series fallout, RAW report, Goldberg upcoming matches, more! 11/22
WOL: Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg fallout, Survivor Series, more! 11/21
WOR: Why Goldberg beat Brock Lesnar, Survivor Series PPV recap, more! 11/21
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 11/16/2016: Buddy Rose and the California State Athletic Commission
Buddy Rose was always a troublemaker wherever he went, and northern California was no exception. Brought in as the new top heel while still headlining in the Portland territory, it wasn’t long before he started getting in trouble with the California State Athletic Commission. His first infraction was brought up at the commission’s August 13, 1978 meeting, stemming from a show a couple weeks earlier… click here to continue.
WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: November 21, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: UFC 205 reviewed, Vader given 2 years to live, more
Conor McGregor and the records set on Saturday night is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We have a full report live from UFC 205, including the unique situation McGregor is in regarding his power from his box office, from the realities of the UFC sale, and his demands of getting a stake in the company. We look at the profit margin of McGregor’s three fights as well as the total revenue he generates. We look at what he means compared to a normal headliner. We look at the situation with him holding two titles, a look at the contenders in three weight classes on hold until McGregor makes his next pick for a fight. We look at the biggest live gates in combat sports history and where Saturday ranks, the retirement of Miesha Tate, and how UFC’s biggest enemy ended up leading to its most successful live gate ever. We also have early PPV buyrate trends and full match coverage.
We have a story on the life of Leon “Vader” White, the creation of Big Van Vader and how it got over, his WCW and UWFI runs, his brawl with Paul Orndorff, why he never won WWF title, and his recent serious health issues.
We look at Bill Goldberg and his first match in 12 years, and the business of WWE in Toronto this week.
Also in this issue, Paul Levesque talks Conor McGregor, new WWE signings, WWE WrestleMania weekend business comparisons, Sin Cara punishments, Hulk Hogan talks rumors of a return, Shawn Michaels at the Performance Center and the basic idea for who will do what, latest WWE injuries, a new WWE network show that was taped, Rhyno talks about his failed election, LeBron James/Undertaker story, XFL documentary, Paige update, and the McMahons/Foley/Bryan network special, Linda McMahon being considered for a major position in the Trump administration and even Dwayne Johnson talking about running for president in the future and his positives and negatives.
We have a WWE Network feature examining the different gimmicks the company is using to try to get new subscribers and maintain existing ones. We look at why they are done, the timing, the battle plan, why it could work, where they may be sacrificing money and how UFC is doing something similar.
This is just a taste of what is in the new 35,000 word weekly Wrestling Observer Newsletter for subscribers… click here to continue.
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].
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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: November 1, 1999: Mick Foley’s autobiography becomes best seller, WCW Halloween Havoc review, more – The autobiography of Mankind wasn’t supposed to be anything special. The idea was that Regan Books would take advantage of the WWF’s popularity to mass market quickie autobiographies on the company three most popular wrestlers. Mankind barely made the cut, but they probably figured because his more than dozens… click here to continue.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Congrautul….RKO out of nowwhere….ations!
They will be taping one hour of NXT before SmackDown in Ottawa tonight.
Randy Orton and his wife Kim welcomed their new daughter into the world on Tuesday.
American Alpha, The Usos, The Hype Bros, Breezango, The Ascension, and The Vaudevillains will face off in a six-team number one contenders match on tonight’s SmackDown with the winners getting a shot at Heath Slater and Rhyno’s tag team titles.
After Chris Jericho got involved in last night’s no DQ Universal Championship match between Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins while wearing a Sin Cara mask, Lance Storm and Big E tweeted about the irony of it given Jericho and Sin Cara’s altercation earlier this month.
There will be three title matches on TV next week with Charlotte Flair defending the Raw Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks and The New Day defending their tag titles against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on next week’s Raw. The premiere of 205 Live will also have a Cruiserweight Championship match between Brian Kendrick and Rich Swann.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch detailed ESPN’s upcoming 30 for 30 documentary on Ric Flair and spoke to the project’s director Rory Karpf. In addition to Flair and his three children, Sting, Triple H, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, Ricky Steamboat, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard, Jim Ross, Eric Bischoff, and Flair’s first wife, Leslie were all interviewed for the documentary.
Alexa Bliss says what she’s thinking, and isn’t afraid to say it on the microphone.
PRO WRESTLING
Kota Ibushi talked about wanting to return to New Japan Pro Wrestling and challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, wanting to wrestle Shinsuke Nakamura in NXT, and being interested in what Kenny Omega is doing.
Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion will broadcast three live events on FloSlam in December.
Michael Elgin posted a video about the launch of his Glory Pro Wrestling promotion next year.
Jake the Snake found his WWE Hall of Fame ring. He tweeted about it: “#thankYOU #Grateful #bestfansintheworld #trustme.”
Jim Ross will be doing a show on January 29 in San Antonio.
UFC / MMA
BJ Penn will face Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Phoenix, AZ on January 15th.
Tim Kennedy was asked if he would’ve fought Cowboy Cerrone in New York if given the chance: “No. 1st he is a friend. 2nd I weigh 40 lbs more than him. 3rd I do not want another loss on my record.”
The New York State Athletic Commission administratively suspended Kelvin Gastelum for six months after he failed to appear at the UFC 205 weigh-ins. It isn’t known yet if it will affect his status for UFC 206 if he’s chosen to face Tim Kennedy.
After a classic fight with Tyron Woodley at UFC 205, Stephen Thompson returned to Submission Radio. With discussion about a possible fight between McGregor/Woodley, Stephen explained to Submission Radio why 170 wasn’t the right weight class for Conor: “To be honest with you, I think the UFC knows that I deserve that title shot, that I deserve that rematch. And you know what, I think that Conor McGregor’s gotta defend the 145 and the 155 title and I just think he’s too small for the 170 division. I mean, he’s walking around right at 170, maybe a little bit less. I don’t think it would be a good division for him to step up to.”
VARIETY
2K today announced the WWE 2K17 Legends Pack is now available as downloadable content on the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 systems, as well as Xbox Live online entertainment network from Microsoft for Xbox One and Xbox 360, enabling access to playable WWE Legends Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Eddie Guerrero, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Sycho Sid and Tatanka. The Legends Pack is available for $8.99.
Today The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling welcome to podcast episode #219 former WCW and WWF Ring Announcer, Gary Michael Cappetta. GMC’s backstory is something that every wrestling fan needs to hear. From his early days in the WWWF and working for Vince McMahon Sr. all the way through being the voice of WCW in the early 90s, GMC made a name for himself as being a true “pitchman” for the business of professional wrestling.
On the most special edition of Mat Madness Unsanctioned yet, the ultimate Ultimate Warrior fan, Paul Carboni, tells of his quarter-century fascination of Warrior, from his first exposure as a child to the impact Warrior continues to have on his adulthood. Hear an incredible story that culminates with Paul’s trip to see his childhood hero for the first time at WrestleMania XXX weekend, including sneaking backstage (and onto the red carpet) at the Hall of Fame ceremony, hearing Warrior’s speech live the night of Mania XXX. Hear which WWE Hall of Famer almost spoiled the moment when Warrior was introduced to the crowd at the Superdome. Finally, Paul discusses how Warrior’s message lives on in the annals of pro wrestling and in public education, as the impact of Warrior’s sudden passing inspired a three-wall mural inside his high school classroom, assuredly the coolest classroom in America. Links for youtube and iTunes.
Today in Professional Wrestling History (11/21): Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes at Starrcade 1984
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