DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

MLW Anthology results & video: Satoshi Kojima  
UFC’s Conor McGregor retires for third time, ‘not excited’ about MMA   
WWE Main Event results: Ricochet vs. Thorne, Benjamin vs. Alexander   
UFC 250 live results: Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer  

Latest Audio:

DragonKing Dark: Roald Dahl’s ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ 6/7
WOR: UFC 250, Conor retires again, Smackdown, ratings, more! 6/7

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JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

Experience with OnLamp(Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
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While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

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Send all inquiries to [email protected] with title WEB DEVELOPER.

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WON NEWSLETTER: June 8, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Black Lives Matter

We have a feature on systemic prejudice in the U.S. as the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Also in this issue:

The Dana White/Jon Jones story, explaning the economic realities, the economic fallacies and where things stand with both men’s arguments. We look at what does and doesn’t make sense economically, why Jones and Conor McGregor and all the top draws have lost value to UFC, plus exactly what both men have said about each other and where things stand.

The economics of what Jones has drawn in the past, and the numbers of recent UFC show.

The unwritten WWE rule about not criticizing other talent in a public forum outside of storyline-related reasons, why it was broken this past week, what was said, as well as looking at the ties beween the ownerships of the different wrestling companies with Donald Trump, statements released, and the key things no talent can say.

New WWE Network updates.

Upcoming guidelines for WWE shows, Paul Levesque talks COVID testing, notes on more WWE cuts, Vince McMahon sends out memo, original Gronkowski plans and why they changed and why now.

Upcoming Backlash and Takeover shows, an update on the XFL bankruptcy, how WWE is involved and more.

Update the Kairi Sane injury, Vince McMahon bio, Drake Maverick angle, people talked about for main roster, WWE hires new man t head the Middle East business, Kurt Angle talks why he’s not returning at this point to WWE, plus we look at the current market value of WWE and poll results, as well as WWE’s own track record.

Coverage of Saturday’s UFC show with the storylines and the business news, plus match-by-match coverage.

A large feature on the retirement of Stu Saks and the westling magazine era, the life and times and the glory years of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, the death of the magazine business, how VinceMcMahon tried to kill it early, and the different stages of the magazine era.

A feature on the wrestling career, and life of Danny Havoc from many of the people who knew him best in the industry.

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. 

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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].

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering a number of subjects including NXT Takeover. We also have a show up on the site covering last night’s UFC show and the rest of the news already up on the site.

NXT Takeover In Your House is tonight on the WWE Network with this lineup:

Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream for the NXT title – This match was taped last week in a parking lot. Since it was taped for a long period of time, with retakes and such, there is no reason it shouldn’t be a great match. In theory, since Cole has passed one year as champion, it would seem like he would lose. Dream was really over but he’s been hurt since the pandemic but most of their stuff is planned out in advance at this level.
Charlotte Flair vs. Io Shirai vs.Rhea Ripley for the NXT women’s title. On paper this should be very good, if not great. Flair vs  Ripley was one of the best matches over Mania week and Shirai is better in-ring than either of them, so it should enhance the match. Ripley should pin Flair.  That’s not a prediction, but that’s what should happen.
Keith Lee vs. Johnny Gargano for the North American title. On paper a strong match although the small heel/giant babyface is harder to work. That’s why I figure heavy involvement by Candice LeRae, or later Mia Yim, depending on the six-person match earlier.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Karrion Kross – It’s Kross’ debut so he’d be the favorite here. As noted, because of how good Ciampa’s Takeover matches have been, the pressure is on Kross because with anything but a great match people will start blaming him. But this is the biggest match of Kross’ career.
Finn Balor vs. Damien Priest – Similar, in the sense Balor’s job here is to make Priest look like a superstar no matter what the end result is. 
Candice LeRae & Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez vs. Tegan Nox & Mia Yim & Shotzi Blackheart – Given that Takeovers are usually five bouts, and this was kind of thrown in late, there is probably a storyline reason for the match.

Mikaela Mayer, who was scheduled for Tuesday’s Top Rank boxing show in Las Vegas, the first boxing show in months, tested positive for COVID-19. The show will proceed as scheduled with her being pulled from the event.  She had not shown any symptoms. Mayer was in the semi against Helen Jacobs. She wrote:

I am heartbroken to report that I will no longer be fighting on Tuesday’s Top Rank card due to a positive result in my COVID-19 test yesterday. it came as a complete surprise. I am currently asymptomatic and am quarantining at an off-site location per recommended guidelines. The rest of my team tested negative and they are all in good health. I was really looking forward to bringing back boxing for all of you and I’m disappointed for myself, my team, my supporters and for my opponent, Helen Joseph, who worked just as hard to be here this week and put on a show for everyone. 

After two hard back-to-back camps, not being able to step into the ring both times, you can imagine how disappointed I am. However, these protocols were put into place for a reason and it’s more important to care about the health and well being of my team and the people at this event. So I am complying with the rules set forth by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Top Rank to keep everyone safe.

UFC 250 did 1.5 million Google searches yesterday and it was No. 1 even on a heavy news day. Because UFC 250, also cracking the top 20 were Conor McGregor at No. 3 for his latest retirement, Sean O’Malley at No. 5 because he’s legitimately becoming a superstar, Cody Stamann at No. 8 because of the story of him fighting and winning a week after the death of his brother and Chase Hooper was No. 13. And Hooper lost but evidently he has a following.

Bruce Lee was No. 8 earlier today for the ESPN 30 for 30 on Lee that will be airing tonight and was pushed like crazy on the UFC show yesterday.

New Japan Pro Wrestling has a press conference at 11 p.m. Eastern tomorrow right after Raw. This will be to announce its return schedule. The belief is that they will be starting very soon, first with empty arena matches and then moving to half capacity matches. 

WWE
The WWE will be taping tomorrow’s Raw tomorrow afternoon, followed by the 6/12 Smackdown show, along with Main Event and 205 Live. On Tuesday they’ll tape those same shows for 6/15 to 6/19. Wednesday will be the next two weeks of NXT being taped. 
Rhea Ripley talks tonight’s show.
UFC
A better in Nevada put up $1 million on Amanda Nunes to beat Felicia Spencer.  He risked it to win $166,666.70. This was the largest bet ever taken for an MMA fight by the William Hill Agency.
MISCELLANEOUS
Steph De Lander is donating her proceeds from WrestlerMerch this month to Black Rainbow, an Australian charity supporting gay Aboriginal people. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
EPW in Perth had its first day back of full contact training on 6/6.
Tuesday’s Impact show will have Michael Elgin vs. Ken Shamrock vs. Sami Callihan, Jordynne Grace vs. Taya Valkyrie for the Knockouts title, and Johnny Swinger & Chris Bey vs. Cousin Jake & Willie Mack. The show will also announce the future of the Impact title after Tessa Blanchard missed the tapings due to not being able to get out of Mexico.  
Impact 60 after Impact will be a show airing  X Division highlights.
Superstar Billy Graham turned 77 today. 
An interview with Road Warrior Animal.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: CM Punk wins World title at Extreme Rules 2009

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