THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's Impact PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

We're also looking for reports on today's WWE Raw show in Pikeville, KY and Smackdown in Springfield, IL, as well a last night's ROH tapings in Atlanta to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

IMPACT PPV FROM THE REBEL COMPLEX IN TORONTO AT 8 P.M. ON SUNDAY

Tessa Blanchard vs. Allie

Johnny Impact vs. Rich Swann vs. Fenix vs. Taiji Ishimori

Tommy Dreamer vs. Eddie Edwards House of Hardcore rules

Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr. hair vs. mask

LAX vs. Homicide & Hernandez in a street fight for tag titles

Su Yung vs. Madison Rayne for Knockouts title

Matt Sydal vs. Brian Cage for X title

Austin Aries vs. Moose for Impact title

Raw is Monday from Cincinnati. Stephanie McMahon will return for a major announcement. Also Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley, winner faces Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, and Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel vs. Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt for the Raw tag team titles. They are also advertising Lashley & Reigns & Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman vs. Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler & Kevin Owens & Elias, but odds are that match will never happen. There is also a Monday night Smackdown house show in Carbondale, IL.

Smackdown and 205 Live take place on Tuesday in Evansville, IN. Announced so far is Carmella vs. Becky Lynch in a non-title match and Hideo Itami vs. Drew Gulak vs. Mustafa Ali vs. TJP for a shot at Cedric Alexander's cruiserweight title.

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Hogan takes first step towards WWE return

Nearly three years after being fired from the company, Hulk Hogan's return to WWE took a major step forward on Sunday. After Hogan was spotted flying into Cleveland -- which was apparently a failed attempt to avoid him being seen coming to Pittsburgh, where WWE's Extreme Rules pay-per-view was being held -- WWE announced on Sunday afternoon that Hogan had been reinstated into their Hall of Fame.

WON NEWSLETTER: (July 23, 2018): ROH/NJPW to run MSG, Hogan reinstated into WWE HOF, more

A look at the ROH/NJPW planned show in Madison Square Garden and the huge ramifications this show could have on the industry is the lead story of a big double-issue of the Observer.

The lead story goes into how ROH/NJPW got the date back after WWE blocked it, why those at Sinclair were always confident they would be able to run the date and their big ace on why they have leverage on WWE.

Find out who was announced, who wasn't and why, as well as ticket prices, and what significant milestone this show can reach that no non-WWE show in history ever has.

Read what happened backstage with Hulk Hogan, talent reactions to Kofi Kingston and Titus O'Neil, what the problems were in how this was handled and the real issues involved. .

Look at the hilarious irony of the new UFC business deal in Russia.

This issue has full coverage of the Extreme Rules show, a look at the upcoming SummerSlam show, a look at the issues with the crowd, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Read more on the G-1 Climax tournament with business notes, standings, schedule for the next week, plus match-by-match coverage and star ratings

Also look at yet another rise in WWE stock and why, predictions on WWE future profits, Daniel Bryan talks his future and contract situation, Bryan talks about his in-ring style change, update on Vince McMahon, Dwayne Johnson's latest movie, Bret Hart and Martha Hart argue over Owen Hart, Owen Hart honored this week, and Rousey TV appearance.

Read how a recent FCC ruling affects the growth of ROH.

Also look at the upcoming Bellator welterweight tournament, a look at the participants, schedule and championship plans.

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about a ton of things including this coming week in WWE, G-1, today's UFC, today's Impact PPV and a lot more. You can send questions to the show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

John Morgan on Twitter just reported that Alexander Gustafsson is injured and is off the UFC 227 PPV show.

Masa Saito's funeral took place today in Tokyo. The pall bearers, all wrestlers, were Riki Choshu, Tiger Hattori, Kensuke Sasaki, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Masa Kitamiya, Great Kabuki, Killer Khan, Motoyuki Kitazawa (who faced Saito in his first pro match in 1965), Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono and Akira Maeda.

U.S. District Court Judge Vanessa L. Bryant ruled today to uphold the sanctions of attorney Konstantine Kyros ordered by Judge Robert Richardson regarding the lawsuit by Russ McCullough, Vito LoGrasso and Evan Singleton against WWE. Richardson recommended that Kyros and his law offices also pay all the legal fees WWE reasonably incurred in connection to WWE's motion for Kyros to be sanctioned.

A Go Fund Me account has been established in the name of Virgil Flynn III, who passed away earlier this week.

Impact officially announced 8/12 and 8/13 tapings at the Rebel Complex in Toronto after the tapings this week there.

Dwayne Johnson's Skyscraper, without a strong buzz coming out of week one fell to No. 7 in its second week with an estimated $10.96 million this weekend.

WWE

Ronda Rousey is on The Discovery Channel's Shark Week specials, a show tonight at 10 p.m. called "Ronda Rousey Uncaged" where she goes swimming head-to-head with a shark.

The Bella Twins will be on The Tonight show on Wednesday night.

UFC

MISCELLANEOUS

The movie "350 Days" that had a one-day release on 7/12, will have one-day releases on 7/25 in Rockville, MD at the Regal Rockville Center 13, 7/26 in Summerville, SC at the Regal Azalea Square Stadium 16 and 7/26 in Las Vegas at the Century 16 Santa Fe Station.

Impact in trying to boost attendance for the TV tapings on Monday and Tuesday is selling tickets for $25 each day, but for $30 you can get tickets to both shows.

Defy Wrestling from Friday night in Portland, OR: Priscilla Kelly b Danika Dalla Rouge, Drexl & Dr. Kliever b Cook Brothers, King Khash b Marcus Malone, Joey Ryan & Ravenous Randy b Mike Santiago & Ethan HD, Schaff b Darby Allin, Rey Fenix b Rey Hours, Shane Strickland b Austin Aries to win the Defy title. Fans threw money in after Fenix vs. Hours, Walter vs. Schaff was announced for an 8/10 show in Seattle.

Melbourne Championship Wrestling from last night before 500 fans: Will Ospreay b Lochie Hendricks, Tome Filip b Alan Payne-DQ, Kelly-Anne b Bea Priestley, Mike Burr b Vance Adams, Mitch Waterman & Nick Bury b Syd Parker & Caveman Ugg to win tag titles, Will Ospreay b Stevie Fliip, Tenille Dashwood b Indi Hartwell, Gino Gambino b JXT to keep MCW title. Ospreay vs. Filip was said by a number of people to be off the charts, getting a standing ovation, said to be same level as the Ospreay vs. Adam Brooks match. Dashwood vs. Hartwell was said to be below average. The match wasn't even supposed to happen as Ospreay's bout was with Hendricks with the idea that Hendricks has been claiming he slept with Ospreay's girlfriend to set up the feud. But with Slex injured, Ospreay subbed for him in the match with Filip. Ospreay vs. Slex takes place at the company's next show on 8/18 which is the biggest show in company history with Ospreay and Tetsuya Naito. Ospreay is going for their IC title and Ospreay vowed to win that title and walk to the ring with that belt at the Tokyo Dome in January. (thanks to David Roughton, Max Loughton and Kevin Chiat)

EPW from last night in Perth Western Australia: Marcius Pitt b Robbie Eagles (said to be ****1/4), Billy Williams b Jordan Bishop, Kiel Steria b Tipene, Dan Steel & Twitch b Alex Kingston & Logan Grey, Scotty Ryan & Hayden Zenith b AZ Veara & Jay Taylor, Taylor King b Craven, Michael Morleone b Gavin McGavin to keep EPW title. Morleone vs. McGavin meet on 8/25 in a cage match. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)

Innovate Wrestling on 7/28 in Bristol, TN at the Patton-Crosswhite VFW.

Dynamo Pro Wrestling on 7/28 in St. Louis at the Concordia Turners Gymnasium.

Shine results from Friday night in Ybor City, FL: Dynamite Didi b Alex Garcia, Tesha Price b Jenna, Brandi Lauren b Amber Nova, Candy Cartwright b Leva, Su Yung b Kimber Lee, Jordynne Grade b Xandra Bale, Holidead & Thunder Rosa won the tag titles in a four-way elimination match over champs Mercedes Martinez & Ivelissse, Aerial Monroe & Aja Perera and Dementia D'Rose & Keira Hogan, Rain b Stormie Lee tin an I quit match. After LuFisto vacated the Shine title due to health issues, they announced first round matches in a women's title tournament as Candy Cartwright vs. Ivelisse, Mercedes Martinez vs. Stormie Lee, Priscilla Kelly vs. Santana Garrett and Allysin Kay (Sienna) vs. Brandi Lauren. (thanks to Jake Koch)

Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in East Carondelet, IL: Sean Vincent b Jack Prater, Mauler McDarby b PT Beckham, Attila Khan b Billy McNeil, Keith Smith & Keith Smith Jr. b Big Texan & Waco, Kowalski b Gary Jackson, Ricky Cruz b Kahagas-DQ, Flash Flanagan won gauntlet over Steve Fender Christopher Hargas, Ken Kasa and Curtis Wylde. Kevin Sullivan was managed Kahagas. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)

Chico Adams beat Aaron Epic last night in a Hardcore match at the I Believe in Wrestling show in Orlando. They run again on 8/13 with a three-way match with Adams vs. Epic vs. Serptentico for the title. Tag champs Amber Nova & Axx Clover defend against CT Brown & Ariel Dominguez.

The California Wrestling Association has a TV taping on 7/29 in Hilmar, CA at the Hilmar Grange Hall, near Modesto. Funnybone will be doing a seminar at Noon that day at the same location for independent wrestlers.

Lucha Xtreme TV in Fresno this weekend: Dorian Black b Matt Fury, Leon Hater b Michael Shawn, El Cu-Cuy b DJ French, Shaggy McIovin b Vinnie Massaro to keep the TV title. (thanks to Jon Southerland)

AWS from last night in South Gate, CA: Jake Atlas b Andy Brown, B-Boy b Dom Kubrick, Raze b Watts, Tyler Bateman b Royce Isaacs, Ray Rosas b Douglas James to keep the lightweight title, Vipress (managed by Daffney) b Heather Monroe, Mariachi Loco b Jake Atlas, Peter Avalon & Bad Dude Tito & Rico & Che-Cabrera b Watts & JR Kratos & Mike Camden & Cholo when heel ref Justin Borden gave Watts a low blow. They did a ten bell salute for Masa Saito and Virgil Flynn III before the show. Francine of ECW fame was there. (thanks to Jake Koch)

Stardom from today in Osaka: AZM b Leo Onozaki, Starlight Kid & Tam Nakano & Shiki Shibusawa & Hanan b Jungle Assault Nation in an elimination match, Hazuki & Natsu Sumire b Dust & Stephanie Vaquer, Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima b Momo Watanabe & Konami to keep the tag titles when Kashima pinned Watanabe. That sets up Kashima challenging Watanabe for her Wonder of Stardom title, Kagetsu b Viper to keep the World of Stardom title. Kagetsu will defend next month against Iwatani. (thanks to Jake Koch)

Daily Professional Wrestling History: WWF Invasion

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 Granny's 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