THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
Raw ratings down for Fastlane go-home show
Shaq: WrestleMania match against Big Show ‘probably’ isn’t happening
WWE Raw video highlights: Seth Rollins vows to be at WrestleMania
Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn set for WWE Fastlane
NJPW reveals 2017 New Japan Cup brackets
VIDEO: Tom Lawlor talks USADA and his future on The MMA Hour
WWE Raw live results: Fastlane go-home show
The Hardys done with TNA barring drastic changes
AUDIO
WOL: Raw, Fast Lane, Goldberg vs. Lesnar, Big Show vs. Shaq, more! 2/28
WOR: Hardyz update, RAW report, Honor Rising, New Japan Cup, more! 2/28
DR. KEITH PRESENTS: Just Keep on Truckin’ Babay!!! 2/27
WOL: Hardyz update, WWE Fast Lane preview, more! 2/27
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 2/27/2017: Looking ahead to WWE Fast Lane
With WWE’s final pay-per-view before WrestleMania under a week away, the build to Fastlane has been aided by a few of the company’s best television segments of at least the past several months. The Festival of Friendship was perfect. From the timing of it coming before the audience knew for sure that the full turn was happening, the performances of Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho, and even the parts played by the bit characters, everything delivered… Subscribers click here to continue.
WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: February 27, 2017, Massive Ivan Koloff bio, death of George “The Animal” Steele, tons more
A huge feature on the life and career of Ivan Koloff is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which is available right now. Plus, there are also features on George Steele, Nicole Bass, Johnny K-9, Diamond Dallas Page and Teddy Long.
The Koloff story talks about the most famous match of the 1970s in the U.S., his win over Bruno Sammartino, as well as his loss to Pedro Morales in WWWF title matches, the birth of Ivan Koloff, his days as Red McNulty, his first match with Sammartino, how he got the Koloff gimmick and who he was named after. This issue also looks at his title run with Sammartino the first time in Pittsburgh and then the WWWF, the most one-sided trade in sports history, the return of Koloff for his title win, the angle done to cover Sammartino, and the two big nights in Madison Square Garden.
Have a look at the creation of Ivan Koloff in Quebec and how he first made his name as a major drawing card, and look at his run in Australia where Gary Hart managed him. Plus look at his days in the AWA, Hawaii, St. Louis, Georgia, Florida, the second WWWF run, the role as top heel for the opposition, the tag team with Ole Anderson, his feud with Dusty Rhodes, and the emergence of Nikita Koloff and the other Russians in the 80s.
Examine the career of George Steele, the life and times of Johnny K-9, the strange world of Nicole Bass, and the WWE Hall of Fame inductions of DDP and Teddy Long.
Plus, details about the filming of “Fighting with My Family” after Raw and Smackdown this past week, notes on the movie, the phone calls to C.M. Punk in front of the fans, the Naomi injury, an update on Fast Lane, return of Finn Balor notes, a look at plans for a show after WrestleMania, the busy Raw brand schedule, WWE working with Indies on WWE Network update, WWE market value, most watched shows on WWE Network, plus details of all the WWE & NXT house shows over the past week along with business notes.
Click Here: Cheap QLD Maroons Jersey
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.
WON BACK ISSUE: February 7, 2000, Radicalz debut in WWF, The Rock autobiography review, more
Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Perry Saturn and Eddy Guerrero debuted as The Radicals on the 1/31 Raw show from Pittsburgh in what was considered a big push but it all fell apart the next night in their in-ring debut when Guerrero suffered what appeared to be a serious elbow injury on the 2/1 Smackdown tapings in Detroit. Smackdown, live Raw the previous night, was to be built around the newcomers with the stipulations that they would have a best-of-three series between DX and the Radicals, and if the Radicals won, then Hunter Hearst Helmsley would have to agree to sign them to a WWF contract… Subscribers click here to continue.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
In addition to the AJ Styles vs. Luke Harper match to supposedly determine a new number one contender for Bray Wyatt’s WWE Championship and John Cena appearing on Miz TV with Miz and Maryse, tonight’s SmackDown will feature two stipulation matches. Becky Lynch will face Mickie James in a two-out-of-three falls match and Apollo Crews will take on Dolph Ziggler in a chairs match.
Neville delivering a “State of 205 Live” address is advertised for tonight’s 205 Live.
John Cena spoke to Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso and reflected on previously being critical of The Rock’s pursuits outside of pro wrestling.
Our Dave Meltzer tweeted that Finn Balor is due back any day now.
ESPN’s Brian Campbell interviewed JBL for a profile on his career.
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman appeared after Raw went off the air last night in a segment where Lesnar laid out Big Show.
Pro Wrestling
Reby Hardy spoke to SiriusXM’s Busted Open radio show about The Hardys’ situation with TNA. She confirmed that they’re leaving the company and said that Matt Hardy won’t be giving up his Broken character any time soon.
Jeff Jarrett posted on Twitter about The Hardys and Drew Galloway leaving TNA (formatting has been added for readability): “For the record, it’s @IMPACTWRESTLING ‘s corporate policy not to make any comments on talent contractual matters. I personally wish nothing but continued success for @JEFFHARDYBRAND @MATTHARDYBRAND @GallowaySpeaks. All three of them are fantastic talent and wherever they land they will obviously do very well. Wrestling business can be tough at times, but one thing is for sure the business is ALWAYS changing! Ready for @UniversalORL and can’t wait for Thursday! #MIGA”
Matt Hardy tweeted about departing TNA: “My stint with @IMPACTWRESTLING was DELIGHTFUL. EXCEPTIONAL talent & locker room. A great, respectful team that worked hard in tough times. I wish @IMPACTWRESTLING all the best going forward, especially the INDUSTRIOUS talent. I hope they’re all treated with respect & fairness.”
VICE has an article about Christopher Daniels’ pursuit of the ROH title.
Joey Janela vs. Marty Jannetty has been announced for Janela’s Spring Break show over WrestleMania weekend.
Will Ospreay will face Rey Fenix at Revolution Pro Wrestling’s show in Orlando on March 31st.
UFC/MMA
The New York State Athletic Commission has denied Holly Holm’s appeal of her UFC 208 loss against Germaine de Randamie. Holm had filed the appeal asking the commission to review referee Todd Anderson’s decision not to deduct points from de Randamie after she had landed blows following the horn sounding to end multiple rounds.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Glover Teixeira will officially main event the UFC’s show in Stockholm on May 28th.
The UFC has released the first and second episodes of Embedded for UFC 209.
MMA Junkie reported that Demian Maia vs. Jorge Masvidal will take place at UFC 211 in Dallas.
Chuck Mindenhall of MMA Fighting wrote a feature on the Blackzilians MMA team.
F4W / WO EMPIRE WRESTLEMANIA GROUP INFO
BUS INFO:
The Empire bus to WrestleMania will cost $50.00 and will be round trip from Rosen Inn at 9000 International Drive 32819 (a few blocks away from Wrestlcon). THERE ARE ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT!
The bus will leave at 3:30pm (time subject to change) for WrestleMania and will leave WrestleMania no later then one hour after the show. If you would like a seat email Ed at [email protected] or message him on the BOARD~! for Paypal payment instructions.
DINNER INFO:
WHAT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil
WHEN: Friday March 31st
WHERE: 5259 International Dr Ste F1, Orlando, FL 32819 at 5 p.m. (they may open at 4:30 for us)
WHO: All your best empire buddies, including BIG DAVE MELTZER
DETAILS: The cost of the dinner will be $68.00 which includes the dinner, salad bar, soft drinks and tea, and dessert, tax and tip. This is a pre pay dinner and you can send payment to paypal at [email protected] (please send as a gift to a friend). Payments must be made by March 24th (if you wait until after that, Ed will charge an extra $5.00 for being a pain).
Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!
Today in professional wrestling history (2/28): Anderson & Hansen win NWA tag titles
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