Daily Update: Shad Gaspard, Hana Kimura, Double or Nothing

By Joseph Currier
Published: 23 May 2020, 15:12

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: May 25, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Death of Shad Gaspard

A story on the life of Shad Gaspard is the lead in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We cover the circumstances of his tragic death, notes from his family and friends, his acting career, his childhood, his thoughts about MMA, what world champion MMA fighter did he tell to pursue MMA before pro wrestling, and look at his wrestling career.

Whether Vince McMahon is doing an end-around to get out of paying people money owed and then restarting the league. We look at why the people he owes money to believe that is the case.

The new issue also covers:

A preview for Double or Nothing II.

Update SummerSlam, more on Ric Flair’s new deal, more on Drew Gulak leaving WWE, brand-to-brand changes, IC title tournament, key person in directing television shows leaving, Backlash update, In Your House update, Jim Cornette’s comments on Becky Lynch and Dana Brooke, Seth Rollins and Dana Brooke respond, Glenn Jacobs talks shutting down businesses, WWE star nominated for major sorts award, Lio Rush talks leaving WWE, Nikki Bella talks her back, sports ratings for the past week, Canadian ratings for recent weeks, top amateur star talks going to WWE, WWE market value right now and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

Complete coverage of this past week’s UFC show.

A feature on the career of Kevin Randleman, the newest UFC Hall of Fame inductee, nothing his amateur wrestling days, his fighting days and his pro wrestling days. We look at his most famous fights and biggest pro wrestling matches.

A lot more looking back 21 years ago to the tragic death of Owe Hart. We look at comments by Martha Hart and Jerry McDevitt and go back through the legal proceedings.

The highest television rating for any pro wrestling match in history and the legend of Kim Il, a forgotten South Korean sports legend.

The movie “My Dad is a Heel Wrestler,” starring Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.

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 [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

More than 500 people attended a memorial for Shad Gaspard on Venice Beach last night.
The GoFundMe campaign to help support Gaspard’s family has reached its $100,000 goal after a $40,000 donation was made by “CTC RIP.” That may be referencing Cryme Tyme and John Cena being called Cryme Tyme Cenation while teaming together. Tony Khan ($10,000) and Chris Jericho ($5,000) are also among the top donors.
Pro Wrestling Tees, Gaspard’s wife Siliana, and the Gaspard family have partnered together to release a T-shirt honoring Gaspard. All of the profits from it will go to Gaspard’s family.
Triple H shared his memories of Gaspard in an interview with TMZ.
The Undertaker and Michelle McCool spoke about Gaspard’s passing and his heroism.
In an interview with Wrestling Inc, Ric Flair discussed his new contract with WWE and his friendship with AEW’s Tony Khan: “Well it’s not for life but I hope they keep renewing me [laughs]. You never know but I’m obviously not gonna go anywhere else if they didn’t renew me. Tony [Khan] told me that he wouldn’t even ask me to come to work there because he knows how tight I am with [WWE]. Our friendship is one thing but he respects my loyalty to the company. That’s how much respect [Khan] has for me and my relationship with the company which speaks volumes to what kind of guy Tony is. The same would apply to my daughter and WWE.”
Today is Bray Wyatt’s 33rd birthday.
WWE released a “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” promo video for Edge vs. Randy Orton at Backlash.
WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded Orton and Wyatt’s House of Horrors match from Payback 2017 and Cena and Miz’s I Quit match from Over the Limit 2011.

Other Wrestling

Bushiroad posted a statement on the death of Hana Kimura: “Hana Kimura from Stardom passed away today on May 23. We pray for Hana Kimura. Live distribution projects on the Stardom YouTube channel will be temporarily suspended. We will strive to mentally care for other athletes, and Stardom will announce future developments as soon as they are decided.”
NJPW, AEW, ROH, and the NWA were among the promotions who paid tribute to Kimura.
Ronda Rousey also wrote about Kimura’s passing: “To Hana Kimura and her family, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. .. There are no words that could possibly heal this wound… Rest In Peace Hana Kimura… If anyone reading this is suffering, know there are resources available to help. If you need someone to talk to on the phone call this number 1-800-273-8255 if you would prefer texting, Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor. Cyber Bullying is a very real and growing threat to us all as a society. Succumbing isn’t weakness, it’s human. We have evolved to feel as if our lives depend on social acceptance because the majority of human history our survival has depended on our social groups and standing within them. I know the trolls that spend their days harassing others online are battling their own mental demons, but please find a way to release your venom in a way that won’t poison others. Even a straw’s weight can be the one to break a camel’s back. Just the tiniest push could be what sends someone over the edge. Be the kindness you wish you received instead of malice and neglect you’re trying to pay back. Don’t pass it on, protect the world from what you’ve had to endure instead of spreading it”
ROH uploaded Kimura’s match from G1 Supercard to their YouTube channel. She teamed with Sumie Sakai & Stella Grey against Kagetsu, Hazuki & Jenny Rose.
Chris Jericho hyped tonight’s Stadium Stampede match at Double or Nothing: “The #StadiumStampede is one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of in my 30 years in the wrestling business. No joke…don’t miss it LIVE on PPV TONIGHT! @AEWrestling”
Dave Meltzer notes that the Stadium Stampede match was taped last night and everyone is raving about it.
AEW uploaded segments from their Countdown to Double or Nothing special focusing on the Stadium Stampede match, Cody vs. Lance Archer, Jon Moxley vs. Brodie Lee, and Nyla Rose vs. Hikaru Shida.
TV Insider interviewed Lee about his match tonight.
AEW posted videos with celebrities Alison Brie, Stephen Amell, Dominique Wilkins, Dan Soder, Kelly AuCoin, Jack Whitehall, Brad Williams, Paul Walter Hauser, and Daniel Platzman making their predictions for Cody vs. Archer in the TNT Championship tournament finals.
Bodyslam.net reported that the team formerly known as The Revival were sent a cease and desist letter by WWE for selling a T-shirt that used a concept art image of the comedy gimmick WWE had planned for them.
Sarah Logan is training in hopes of doing an MMA fight.
Vice uploaded a Dark Side of the Ring bonus clip about Owen Hart’s pranks.
Lance Archer was the guest on the latest episode of Talk is Jericho.
Game Changer Wrestling has launched a Patreon that will feature exclusive content.

MMA

Dana White spoke about the UFC’s plans for Fight Island: “Right now, we’re looking at June and we’re literally going to knock out three or four fights there in a month. I’m going to stay on the island for a month. I’m going to go stay there. I’ll probably be there the whole month of July.”
The UFC revealed the full card for their May 30 Fight Night show.
Conor McGregor explained where he thinks he stands in the greatest MMA fighter of all time debate.
MMA Fighting has an interview with Stipe Miocic.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Owen Hart passes away

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Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.