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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Seth Rollins wins Universal title at SummerSlam

Joseph Currier gives his thoughts on SummerSlam 2019. Plus, Bryan Rose's Japan notes, and Vinny's TV reviews.

This year's SummerSlam main event was a pivotal moment in the career of Seth Rollins.

If that wasn't made clear going into the pay-per-view, it certainly felt true in the moment. As much as headlining a Big Four PPV is a huge spot for anyone, Rollins' match against Brock Lesnar came at a time when Rollins was at a tipping point. He could either win and regain his momentum -- or his character would probably have to go in a different direction.

With how WWE built to their match, Rollins winning was the right outcome. He had been viciously beaten down by Lesnar in angles on Raw each of the last two weeks. After the second attack, a subdued Rollins vowed to be at SummerSlam and guaranteed that he would defeat Lesnar.

Rollins came through on his guarantee. After hitting his third curb stomp of the match, Rollins pinned Lesnar to regain the Universal title. The match delivered on a much higher level than Rollins' previous bouts against Lesnar. Rollins was put over strongly and positioned as the current top babyface in the company.

WON NEWSLETTER: August 19, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Summerslam and G1 Finals reviews, more

One of the most shocking and heated angles in modern wrestling is covered as the lead story in the new Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We discuss the angle itself, how it came together, and what it might be leading to.

Reviews of WWE Summerslam and NJPW's G1 finals, plus tons of news are also covered this week.

We have results and star ratings from SummerSlam, as well as data and analytics on who bought the show on traditional PPV.

Of course we have star ratings and business notes on the final G1shows of the year, as well as the readers' poll for G1 MVP. We also examine how this year's tournament compared to last year's from a business perspective.

We have a story on some changes to upcoming WWE house shows. We also have notes on WWE PPV buying habits in major markets in 2019.

As you might expect, we also have complete coverage of NXT TakeOver: Toronto, as well as star ratings for the matches.

Also in this issue, Ryan Frederick covers this past weekend's UFC show, and we have detailed TV ratings and business notes on the show.

We have full coverage of all the WWE television shows from the past week.

As always, we have in-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows,the key demos for the WWE shows and what can be learned from them.

We also have the 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 dave@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

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.

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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.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE will be announcing the NXT television deal on USA on Raw tomorrow night. I'm told there is one more significant bit of news that will be announced related to this deal on the show.

UFC 241 was the most searched topic on Google yesterday topping two million searches. Yoel Romero was No. 12 and Anthony Pettis was No. 13, both at 100,000. Eight of the top 15 markets were in California, topped, shockingly by the Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto metro area. No, that's not shocking.

We discussed this last night, but Paulo Costa went into the cage at 214 pounds for his fight with Yoel Romero. Romero went into the cage at 207. For a comparison, Nate Diaz was 180 and Anthony Pettis was 177. The weird one is that Daniel Cormier weighed 236.5 when he didn't have to cut as a heavyweight, but went into the cage at 247. Who is the normal course of one day gains nearly 11 pounds? There is something totally ludicrous about a guy who weighs in at 185 for a fight actually fighting at 214. Does anyone remember why we have weight classes in the first place? Then again, while he didn't make weight, Manny Bermudez was contracted to fight at 135 and went into the cage at 165.

WWE

Since people have asked about this and some fans assumed this, The Street Profits losing the NXT tag titles to Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly had nothing to do with the Street Profits being on Raw. They are remaining as NXT wrestlers even though they will continue with non-wrestling segments on Raw.

The WWE Network will be uploading WCW Saturday Night episodes from January 9, 1993 to May 22, 1993. This is the period with Ricky Steamboat in a lot of main events, a lot of Dustin Rhodes, Steve Austin & Brian Pillman as a tag team and the return to WCW of Ric Flair.

Heavy Machinery does stuff with WDRB anchorman Gilbert Corsey, who himself has a pro wrestling background.(thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)

A feelgood news story involving Charlotte Flair.

Mick Foley working on helping out a fan.

UFC

MISCELLANEOUS

NEW from Friday night in Poughkeepsie, NY: Private Party won three-way over RJ Rude & Zane Bernardo and Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy, Penelope Ford b Tasha Steelz, CazXL (Big Cass) b Jimmy Preston, Wrecking Ball Legursky b Mike Verna, nZo (Enzo Amore) b Brian Pillman Jr., Jerry Lawler & Keith Youngblood b David Arquette & Brian Anthony to keep NEW tag titles, Darby Allin b Hale Collins in a no DQ match to keep NEW title, Matt Taven b JT Dunn, Jon Moxley b Pentagon Jr. Taven was a surprise replacement through ROH when Fenix gave word he couldn't make it. Taven got a super babyface reaction. Anthony turned on Arquette after the match and Lawler saved Arquette. The crowd hated Enzo but didn't bo him, many just walked off and left and others were quiet. Cass was cheered.

AEW has reached a deal with Tony Schiavone.

Reelz TV will be airing a show called "Autopsy: The Last Hours of Chyna" on 8/25 at 10 p.m. Eastern. (thanks to Jeff Beecher)

TBS during the Dodgers-Braves game plugged All Out on PPV on B/R.

Ladies Night Out from last night in Texas City, TX: Jenna Lynn b Insidious One, Phoebe b Vanity, Rok-C b AQA, Harlow O'Hara b Faye Jackson, Hyan b Mercedes Martinez, Thunder Rosa b Raychell Rose, Kiera Hogan won three-way over Renee Michelle (Drake Maverick's wife) and Aja Perera, Alex Gracia b Miranda, Ivelisse b Diamante (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net)

Stardom from yesterday in Tokyo for the first night of the Five Star Grand Prix: Avary won four-way over Natsuko Tora, Rina and Ruaka, Riho & Starlight Kid & Saya Iida b Leo Onozaki & Hina & Saya Kamitani, AZM b Natsu Sumire, Hana Kimura b Tam Nakano, Saki Kashima b Mayu Iwatani, Jamie Hayter b Arika Hoshiki, Bea Priestley b Andras Miyagi, Utami Hayashishita b Jungle Kyona, Hazuki b Momo Watanabe, Konami b Kagetsu.

Stardom from today in Tokyo with more Grand Prix bouts: Rina & Saya Kamitani b Hina & Leo Onozaki, Jungle Kyona & Riho & Ruaka b Saki Kashima & Starlight Kid & Saya Iida, Momo Watanabe b Avary, Hana Kimura b Natsu Sumire, Jamie Hayter b Andras Miyagi, Kagetsu b Natsuko Tora, Mayu Iwatani b AZM, Tam Nakano b Hazuki, Bea Priestley b Konami, Utami Hayashishita b Arisa Hoshiki

Wrestling Resurgence on 8/31 in Leicester, UK at the Attenborough Arts Centre with Charli Evans vs. Kanji in an Iron Woman match.

Rumble at the Hilton from yesterday in Charlotte before 200 fans: Mike Jackson (the 80s star) b Jason Rage, Chick Donovan b Andrew Anderson-DQ, Kaleb Konley b CW Anderson, Mr. Hughes wins 20 man Rumble, Dirty Blondes b International All-Stars, Katarina Leigh won three-way over Panda Doll and Maddi Max, JD Drake b Randy Wayne, Tommy Dreamer & Shane Douglas (managed by Baby Doll) b Steve Zios & Bam Bam Bundy (managed by Missy Hyatt). (Thanks to Jamie Combs)

The New Japan show from Sydney, Australia was just put up on New Japan World. I was told that the Toa Henare vs. Tomohiro Ishii match is the best thing on it, and that Robbie Eagles came across like a superstar.

Warrior Wrestling announced that for $100 you can get an autograph and photo with every wrestler on the card. Proceeds to benefit scholarships ad clubs and activities at Marian Catholic High School.

GWN on 11/2 in Hamilton, ONT at USW Hall.

The WWN recruitment camp will air live an free on the WWN Live.com Facebook cage or with a Club WWN subscription starting at 7 p.m. There will be ten matches. The most impressive performer will get a WWE tryout.

Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in East Carondelet, IL: Big Texan & Waco b Roy Lewis & Chris Kade, James Jeffries b Death Dealer, Billy McNeil b Richard Shaw, Kowalski b Sid Holland, Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby b Khayman & Sean Vincent to win tag titles, Flash Flanagan & Gil Rogers b Christopher Hargas & Ken Kasa-DQ, Ricky Cruz b Attila Kan-DQ (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)

A Dean Malenko interview talking Chris Benoit and Eddy Guerrero.

CWE in Cochrane, Alberta on Friday night: Danny Duggan b Sigmon, Jude Dawkins won ladder match over Slave, Jordan Kinglsey, Jordan Kage and Shaun Martens, Warlord & Montana Black & James Tapia b AJ Sanchez & Kevin O'Doyle & Stormbringer, Alix Zwicker & Kylie Morgan b Zoe Sager & Jade, Johnny Devine b Tony Kozina. next show in the area is 11/21 in Calgary with Juventud Guerrera.

A story on independent wrestler Gregory Iron.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE SummerSlam 2013

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