THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
Strong third hour helps WWE Raw ratings hold steady
Triple H unveils NXT North American title ahead of TakeOver
Will Ospreay working WrestleMania week despite injury
Three matches, Shane McMahon’s return set for WWE SmackDown
WWE Raw video highlights: Stephanie puts Rousey through a table
Three matches confirmed for WWE WrestleMania 34 pre-show
WWE Raw live results: The WrestleMania 34 go-home show
THE LATEST AUDIO
WOL: Raw, Smackdown, WrestleMania, plus FLIP GORDON! 4/3
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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Another chapter in Daniel Bryan’s unbelievable journey
When Daniel Bryan chronicled his “improbable journey” to the main event of WrestleMania in his first book in 2015, there’s no way that he could have known how unbelievable the story of his career would end up being. A day that, not long ago, seemed like it was never going to come arrived last Tuesday as WWE announced that Bryan has been medically cleared to wrestle for the company. “Following more than two years of extensive evaluations, four-time World Champion Daniel Bryan has been medically cleared to return to in-ring competition by leading neurosurgeons, neurologists and concussion experts, including Dr. Robert Cantu, Dr. Javier Cárdenas and Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher,” WWE’s statement said.
WON NEWSLETTER: April 2, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Changes to Wrestlemania card, more
An update on WrestleMania, with changes in he show, rumors about the show, ticket sales for all the major events of the week and what shows have the most and least interest is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
This issue has full coverage of New Japan going to the Cow Palace, the background of how that happened, notes on the Long Beach show with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results. Also look at a Friday night show that week, the situation with Rey Mysterio Jr., thoughts on the main event, this week’s biggest shows and future booking.
Read the updated WWE/Hulk Hogan situation.
Examine the notes on PWG leaving its home base in Reseda and full coverage of the weekend show, the PWG business, and match-by-match coverage with star ratings.
Also inside is a full events calendar for WrestleMania week with the non-WWE and ROH shows, how the rules for independent shows will differ from those of WWE shows, and where the big stars and key matches will be taking place.
We also look at two lawsuits against WWE that were thrown out and why, and thoughts on both why they were and what questions they bring up. There is also more on the Greatest Royal Rumble show and the big ethical question everyone is avoiding.
Look at Vince McMahon’s competition for a spring football league and moves that they are making. Plus, get the update on Bryan Danielson, Charlotte Flair, changes in commercial content on Raw coming soon, as well as the latest plans for after WrestleMania.
There is a ton of WWE Hall of Fame news, non-wrestling news involving Paul Heyman, Ronda Rousey media, former WWE star to host a television show, key live dates for the next year, future of Jim Ross, and lots of women wrestlers defend Moolah and others who don’t.
Find out more on John Cena’s acting gigs, Ric Flair starting a new company, new DVD releases for 2018, update on Dean Ambrose, UK TV ratings, most-watched shows on the WWE Network as well as a rundown of all the WWE live evens over the past week with highlights and business notes.
Check out the weekly coverage of all the ratings of the major shows, detailed notes on who is watching all the WWE shows, results from the major league events held around the world, and the major TV show rundowns.
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
Last night’s go-home edition of Raw ended with John Cena vs. The Undertaker still not having been announced for WrestleMania, but that hasn’t stopped WWE from hyping it ahead of Sunday. They posted an article on their website questioning if the match could still happen, and Cena again taunted Undertaker on his Instagram account.
Michelle McCool responded to someone on Twitter who asked where The Undertaker is: “We’re actually eating breakfast!”
Jeff Jarrett posted a photo from backstage at tonight’s SmackDown tapings in Nashville, and WWE has video of him at the arena and reuniting with AJ Styles and some people at the show.
The Mixed Match Challenge finals are taking place on Facebook Watch after SmackDown tonight. Charlotte Flair and Asuka will be sharing the ring just five days before their title match at WrestleMania, with Charlotte & Bobby Roode teaming against Asuka & The Miz. The winning team’s charity will receive $100,000. Charlotte and Roode are supporting Girl Up, while Asuka and Miz are representing Rescue Dogs Rock.
Though Drew Gulak vs. Mark Andrews was announced for 205 Live tonight, it’s been pushed back a week. Drake Maverick said that Gulak lobbied for Andrews to get one more week to recover after his match from last Tuesday, but Andrews thinks he’s 100 percent. Buddy Murphy vs. Kalisto is instead set for tonight’s show.
With AJ Styles defending the WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura this Sunday, NJPW uploaded Styles vs. Nakamura from Wrestle Kingdom 10 as this week’s free match. It’s their only other singles match and finished fourth in that year’s Match of the Year voting in the Observer awards.
The New York Post has an interview with Nakamura, with him telling them that he finally feels comfortable with WWE’s style of wrestling and that he had to learn to work within the company’s time restrictions for matches.
WWE Shop released a “Balor Club is for Everyone” shirt where 20 percent of proceeds through June 30th of this year will be donated to GLAAD.
Edge’s last match took place on this day seven years ago as he defeated Alberto Del Rio at WrestleMania 27. WWE also uploaded his WrestleMania 24 match with The Undertaker on YouTube today.
Paul Heyman told NBC Sports that The Usos could end up being the greatest tag team of all time. He also compared Cody Rhodes finding himself outside of WWE to Steve Austin’s experience in ECW.
Adam Cole spoke to the Sporting News about his NXT debut from last year and working twice at TakeOver on Saturday.
Mark Henry said his salmon-colored suit from his fake retirement angle might make an appearance at his Hall of Fame induction since so many people want to see it.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune ran a story on Johnny Gargano and his unsanctioned match with Tommaso Ciampa at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.
ESPN has a profile piece on Mustafa Ali’s past as a police officer and wrestling in the Cruiserweight Championship match at WrestleMania.
John Cena appeared on Desus & Mero on Vice to promote his movie “Blockers.” Cena also “did his best Lance Russell” by answering pro wrestling questions for Wired.
Rolling Stone has a feature on Corey Graves’ journey to getting to where he is in WWE and last year’s WrestleMania being the biggest moment of his career.
Alexa Bliss took part in a “five questions with” article for NHL.com.
Shawn Michaels opened a merchandise store with Pro Wrestling Tees.
Pro Wrestling
The Bullet Club’s April Fools prank, Cody Rhodes trying to force through a new “American Nightmare” logo for the group, and The Young Bucks coming to the realization that Cody has been trying to get both of them to become singles wrestlers are featured on this week’s episode of Being the Elite.
ROH announced Cody vs. Punishment Martinez and Jay Lethal vs. Scorpio Sky for their show in West Palm Beach, Florida on April 27th.
The Sporting News interviewed Lethal ahead of Supercard of Honor XII, with Lethal telling him that wrestling Daniel Bryan was his dream match. Lethal said that he doesn’t think it will happen now that Bryan has been cleared by WWE.
Tenille Dashwood spoke to Screen Rant about Saturday’s Women of Honor Championship tournament semifinals and finals.
Impact Wrestling is allowing co-streaming of their Impact vs. Lucha Underground show on Friday and want streamers to do their own commentary.
Jason Agnew is debuting a new radio show called “Sunday Night’s Main Event” on TSN 1150. Its first episode will begin right after WrestleMania.
EVOLVE’s latest mini-documentary looks at Zack Sabre Jr.’s 400-plus days as champion.
UFC/MMA
Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin’s May 5th rematch has officially been canceled after Alvarez failed two tests for trace amounts of clenbuterol in February, which Alvarez blamed on contaminated meat. Golovkin plans to fight a replacement opponent, and Alvarez wants their rematch to still happen when he’s reinstated.
MMA Fighting reported that Rafael dos Anjos will face Colby Covington in an interim welterweight title fight at UFC 224 in Brazil.
Matt Brown’s scheduled match with Carlos Condit at UFC on Fox 29 later this month is off after Brown tore his ACL.
Tony Ferguson responded to Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz’s insults, telling McGregor that you can’t pull out if you don’t fight and saying Diaz has ducked the entire roster.
The UFC released the first and second episodes of Embedded for Saturday’s PPV.
Dave Meltzer wrote a piece for MMA Fighting about Kazushi Sakuraba and Josh Barnett’s new grappling promotion.
MMA Junkie first reported that Aaron Pico vs. Lee Morrison is set for Bellator 199 in San Jose.
Daily Professional Wrestling History: Angle vs. Michaels at WrestleMania 21
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