Daily Update: Goldust's surgery, MLW War Games, MMA notes

Author:
Joseph Currier
Publish date:
Jul 10, 2018

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking at WWE's Universal title picture

Three months removed from the crowd rejecting the main event of WrestleMania, the Universal Championship picture is still a bit of a mess. It seemed like things were finally starting to fall into place with the announcement of a multi-man number one contender's match for Extreme Rules. But, without all that much of a real explanation, the match was canceled the next week.

WON NEWSLETTER: (July 9, 2018): Death of Matt Cappotelli

A look at the life and brief wrestling career of Matt Cappotelli is the lead item in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Learn in this story why Cappotelli, who only had 37 matches in the WWE in his career, was so well liked by the people who knew him best. Find out about his battles with cancer, how fate got in the way of three different WWE startups and the plan for him to win a championship immediately after his call-up.

Look at the back story behind his interview after he learned he had cancer, his second battle with cancer, the Bob Holly situation and what could have been with the angle, his grudge match with Holly in OVW, plans for him in WWE and more.

Read more on Oscar De La Hoya and his MMA plans for Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell and the money deal and business involved.

Find out about Max Holloway being pulled from this week's UFC show.

This issue has full coverage of the ROH Best in the World PPV as well as Jay Lethal's ROH title win, including star ratings and poll results.

WWE's Extreme Rules is updated.

Read more about the Leslie Smith case and how this could affect pro wrestling and MMA going forward and which companies it likely will and won't affect.

Coverage of WWE's return to Japan this past week is in this issue.

There are notes on a Daniel Bryan interview, a show during SummerSlam week, as well as a list of talent at the recent WWE tryouts and their backgrounds. Look at a new WWE Network special, next week's TV, and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week. Also, Seth Rollins talks the Shield reunion that never seems to happen.

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 Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

Though they posted an article about his appearance at UFC 226 on Saturday, WWE didn’t mention Brock Lesnar by name on Raw last night. Roman Reigns did say he was going to beat Bobby Lashley and move on to “bigger and better things” but didn't say Lesnar’s name.
Dustin Rhodes (Goldust) tweeted a photo before undergoing surgery in Birmingham, Alabama. He wrote that his “knees needed it” but didn’t indicate what the surgery was for or how long he’ll be out of action. He also wrote: "I regret not a thing as I have done it all. My family on the road at work has been incredible and are exceeding their talents daily. They all are true superstars and family with a bright future. Remember, be patient and humble. Your time will come! #OutlastThemAll #Keepsreppin”
UPDATE: Rhodes tweeted that both of his knee surgeries went well.
Fandango was also scheduled to undergo surgery for the torn left labrum in his shoulder today.
Cedric Alexander defends his Cruiserweight title against Hideo Itami on tonight's 205 Live.
Sasha Banks and Bayley reporting back to Kurt Angle from their counseling sessions is advertised for Raw next week. They don’t have a match scheduled for Extreme Rules on Sunday.
Total Bellas averaged 719,000 total viewers on Sunday night and a 0.32 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up from 666,000 and a 0.30 for the previous episode.
Chad Gable defeated Curt Hawkins and The Authors of Pain defeated Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews on last night’s Main Event tapings. Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins defeated Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler in a dark match after Raw.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson discussed his daughter, Simone, wanting to be a pro wrestler during an appearance on Good Morning America this morning. Ata Johnson also appeared during the interview.
Sami Zayn announced that he’ll be doing improv comedy during this year’s Just for Laughs festival in Montreal.
WWE uploaded video of The Undertaker’s entrance from last Saturday’s house show at Madison Square Garden.
WWE 2K19 is officially not being released for the Nintendo Switch.
WWE announced a deal with FOX Networks Group Asia for Raw to air live on FOX+ in the Philippines.

Pro Wrestling

MLW announced that they’ll be doing a two-ring War Games match at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on September 6. Court Bauer noted that the promotion has the intellectual property and can do the match. MLW previously had a War Games at the War Memorial Auditorium in 2003.
PCO vs. Homicide is set for MLW’s Battle Riot show in Queens, New York on July 19.
Viper (Piper Niven in WWE’s first Mae Young Classic) will make her Women of Honor debut at ROH’s Honor Re-United show in Edinburgh on August 16. She’ll be wrestling in her home country of Scotland.
The Young Bucks will face Jonny Storm & Jody Fleisch for ROH in London on August 19, and ROH Tag Team Champions The Briscoes vs. Fleisch & Storm in a non-title match is set for Doncaster on August 18.
Jonathan Gresham has been added to ROH’s International Cup tournament for the Honor Re-United tour. Jimmy Havoc, Joe Hendry, Mark Haskins, and Kip Sabian had previously been announced for the eight-man tournament, and the winner will challenge for the ROH World Championship in London on August 19.
Glory By Honor 2018 will take place at the UMBC Event Center in Baltimore, Maryland, where ROH’s Best in the World PPV was just held. Glory By Honor will stream live for HonorClub members.
NJPW’s G1 Special at the Cow Palace, a bit of fallout from the show, and Chris Jericho putting Marty Scurll on his List are featured on this week’s episode of Being the Elite.
New Japan World has a 40-minute documentary with English subtitles on Minoru Suzuki and his trip to the UK for NJPW’s Strong Style Evolved shows.
Suzuki’s match with Kazuchika Okada from his 30th anniversary event, which took place outside and in the rain, has also been uploaded to New Japan World.
Okada will be doing a meet and greet at Pro Wrestling Tees’ store in Chicago on September 2, which is the day after All In.
Jericho appeared on Busted Open Radio yesterday and spoke about Hiromu Takahashi’s neck injury. He talked about how wrestling should be stiff but not dangerous.
Uproxx interviewed Tama Tonga the night before the Cow Palace show.
PROGRESS Wrestling announced that Pete Dunne. Tyler Bate & Trent Seven will face Bandido, Rey Horus & Flamita at their show in Seattle on August 9.
Gene Okerlund is being inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame on July 29.

UFC/MMA

Dave Meltzer has an article for MMA Fighting where he reports that the early numbers for UFC 226 appear to be disappointing. The prelims averaged basically the same amount of viewers as UFC 225’s did, and very early preliminary estimates have UFC 226 doing a little under 400,000 buys on PPV.
Daniel Cormier won’t require surgery for a break at the tip of a finger on his right hand.
Ronda Rousey told TMZ that she thinks Cormier is the best fighter in MMA right now. She said she probably won’t watch Brock Lesnar vs. Cormier because she hates watching two friends of hers fight.
Cormier will be appearing on tonight’s episode of Conan on TBS. He was also on the show before UFC 226 and joked about how he didn’t want to go on because every fighter who appears on the show loses.
Cormier has opened as a -225 favorite over Lesnar in their matchup.
Stipe Miocic sent a tweet to Cormier asking for a rematch: “Congrats to DC. Didn’t get the chance to say it in the cage, but lets dance again and get a rematch before you call it a career. Thx to my coaches and team. Being the greatest heavyweight in UFC history is a career-long journey and doesnt end here. I’m more motivated than ever!” Cormier then responded: “My brother it was an honor to share the cage with you. I know you’ll be back better than ever champ. Head up and good luck with baby. #father #husband #hero #champ #cle”
Michael Chiesa said he thought he was going to die during his weight-cut for UFC 226.
Francis Ngannou apologized for his performance on Saturday, writing that he carried the fear from his last fight over to this one.
Yoel Romero wants to move up to light heavyweight and challenge for Cormier’s title.
Alexander Gustafsson said Cormier can either fight him or let the light heavyweight title go.
Jon Jones’ manager said he’s very confident that they’ll have a decision on Jones’ situation with USADA by the end of the month.
Bellator announced that Matt Mitrione vs. Ryan Bader in the semifinals of their Heavyweight Grand Prix will take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut on October 12.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Great American Bash 1988

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, Shotzi Blackheart & ???, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also appearing will be Kris Wolf 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