After four years as an All-American wrestler for Minnesota, Logan Storley is taking on a different fighting technique.
Storley signed with Bellator MMA in late June, and is prepping for his first match with the club on July 14. The 2015 Minnesota graduate will debut for the club at Bellator 181 at the Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
“[Signing with Bellator] made sense for right now,” Storley said. “They offered me some things the [Ultimate Fighting Championship] couldn’t offer me at this time in my career, and I had to do what was right for me financially and for this point in my career.”
While he is 5-0-0, Storley will face Kemmyelle Haley, whose record is 7-4-0. Continue reading at www.mndaily.com
WWE’s decision to announce that Dean Ambrose is not renewing his contract this spring has kept The Pro Wrestling Community buzzing this week. On a recent edition of The Wrestling Observer Radio Program, Dave Meltzer delivered some more insight about the announcement and about the backstage reaction to Ambrose reportedly leaving.
Meltzer noted that while he believes that The Ambrose situation is real and he is indeed leaving the company as soon as his contract expires, some of the talent backstage still believe that it is a work because of the way WWE announced it over their own website. It was noted that some of the talent was already aware of Ambrose’s decision to leave prior to this past Monday’s episode of RAW, but most were kept in the dark until it was announced on Tuesday.
On the creative side of things, Meltzer reported that the majority of The Creative Team was unaware that Ambrose was exiting and that they had no idea that the program with Nia Jax was made to humiliate him on his way out of the company. Ambrose’s fellow employees are surprised that he turned down such a lucrative five year deal with WWE, but Meltzer emphasized that he is unhappy and doesn’t care about the money. Meltzer added that Ambrose is very good friends with AEW’s Chris Jericho & Cody Rhodes.
NEWTON, Iowa – The South Dakota State University wrestling team is 13th in the preseason Tournament Power Index and three Jackrabbit wrestlers appear in the top 20 of their individual weight classes in rankings released Thursday by WIN Magazine.
The Jackrabbits recorded their best-ever finish at the Division I Wrestling Championships during the 2016-17 season with a 16th-place effort. SDSU also posted a 14-5 record in dual competition.
Defending national champion Penn State leads the TPI rankings on the strength of seven returning All-Americans.
SDSU is one of five Big 12 Conference programs ranked in the TPI preseason top 25. Defending league champion Oklahoma State is fourth, with newcomer Northern Iowa 12th and SDSU in 13th. Also in the top 25 are Wyoming, 19th, and West Virginia, tied for 20th.
Individually, junior 133-pounder Seth Gross claimed his second No. 1 preseason ranking of the week. The Apple Valley, Minnesota, native also was tabbed as the preseason favorite by FloWrestling after compiling a 34-2 overall record and posting a runner-up finish at nationals during the 2016-17 campaign.
Joining Gross in the preseason WIN Magazine rankings were 174-pounder David Kocer and Nate Rotert in the 197-pound division. A Wagner native, Kocer checked in at No. 20 after making his second consecutive NCAA appearance and finishing with a 24-10 record last season.
A three-time NCAA qualifier, Rotert is ranked ninth at 197 pounds. The Spearfish native turned in a 22-9 record during the 2016-17 season.
The Jackrabbits are scheduled to open the 2017-18 season by hosting the Warren Williamson/Daktronics Open.
In numbers available on SullyGnome (a Twitch statistics and analysis website) for The 7 day period of January 29th-February 4th, IMPACT Wrestling peaked at 6,207 (at some point on Friday night), a 29% decrease from last week’s 8,732 viewers. The peak for week 4 was down 40% from week 1’s 10,422 viewers.
The IMPACT Twitch channel is programmed nearly 24/7 and over 159 hours in the last week, averaged 243 viewers (nearly equivalent to last week) for a total watch time of 39,411 hours (a 7% decrease from last week). IMPACT gained 1,560 followers over the week (and now has 72,949 followers on the platform).
IMPACT was the most watched program in The Wrestling category. In comparison, AAA was ranked second. The AAA promotion peaked at 285 viewers and streamed 147 hours of content. It averaged 89 viewers with a total watch time of 13,332 hours.
MINNEAPOLIS — Augsburg University, the No. 2-ranked team in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III national rankings, was able to claim victories in eight straight bouts en route to a 42-9 dual-meet victory over St. Olaf College on Tuesday evening at Si Melby Hall.
After giving up a decision at 125, Augsburg’s Sam Bennyhoff (JR, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS) got the Auggies on the board with a second-period technical fall. Bennyhoff picked up two takedowns and a two-point near-fall in the first period, to go along with a reversal and two four-point near-falls in the second period. Ranked No. 5 nationally at 133 pounds, Bennyhoff is now 5-0 on the season.
At 141 pounds, Mike Hayes (JR, Oconomowoc, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS) picked up a 1:31 pin over Thomas Sanner, moving his record to 4-1 on the season. Teammate Alex Wilson (JR, Oak Grove, Minn./St. Francis HS) followed with another Augsburg pin at 149 pounds, posting the fall in just 57 seconds. Wilson is also 4-1 on the year.
Bryce Zdanovec (SR, Little Chute, Wis./Little Chute HS) made it three straight Augsburg pins, posting a third-period fall over William Collins. Lucas Jeske (SO, St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) took the forfeit for Augsburg at 165 pounds to move the match score to 29-3.
At 174 pounds, Tanner Vassar (SO, Maple Lake, Minn./Maple Lake HS) claimed three takedowns, an escape and a penalty point in addition to a riding-time point, as he posted a 9-0 major decision over Frankie Lee.
Jackson Graham (SR, Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley HS) moved to 3-2 on the season with a third-period technical fall of St. Olaf’s Benjamin Keillor. Graham finished with two takedowns and three near-falls.
197-pounder Sebastian Larson (SR, River Falls, Wis./River Falls HS) remained unbeaten on the year with an 8-0 major decision over Sebastian Hyta.
At 125 pounds, St. Olaf’s Lucas Womack claimed a 14-7 decision over Augsburg’s Zach Ferguson (SO, St. Paul, Minn./Central HS).
The Oles claimed up their lone pin of the night in the final bout, as heavyweight Troy Beaman picked up a 2:35 pin over Ethan Hofacker (SO, Spring Valley, Wis./Spring Valley HS).
St. Olaf competes next on Saturday, December 2nd at the Milwaukee School of Engineering Invitational.
Augsburg returns to action on December 2nd at the UW-La Crosse Candlewood Suites Duals.
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 — Si Melby Hall Action begins at 125 pounds Attendance: 121 Official: Zach McGillis
No. 2 Augsburg (1-0) 42, St. Olaf College (0-1) 9 125 — Lucas Womack (STO, 1-2) dec. Zach Ferguson (AUG, 0-1) 14-7 (St. Olaf 3-0) 133 — No. 5 Sam Bennyhoff (AUG, 5-0) tech. fall Luke Wallace (STO, 0-3) 16-1 at 4:50 (Augsburg 5-3) 141 — Mike Hayes (AUG, 4-1) pin Thomas Saner (STO, 1-3) 2:03 (Augsburg 11-3) 149 — Alex Wilson (AUG, 4-1) pinned Charles Geiser (STO, 0-3) 0:57 (Augsburg 17-3) 157 — Bryce Zdanovec (AUG, 4-1) pinned William Collins (STO, 0-3) 5:36 (Augsburg 23-3) 165 — Lucas Jeske (AUG, 5-0) wins by forfeit (Augsburg 29-3) Click Here: Bape Kid 1st Camo Ape Head rompers 174 — Tanner Vassar (AUG, 4-1) maj. dec. Frankie Lee (STO, 1-3) 9-0 (Augsburg 33-3) 184 — Jackson Graham (AUG, 3-2) tech. fall Benjamin Keillor (STO, 0-3) 15-0 at 5:15 (Augsburg 38-3) 197 — Sebastian Larson (AUG, 5-0) maj. dec.Sebastian Hyta (STO, 0-3) 8-0 (Augsburg 42-3) HWT — Troy Beaman (STO, 4-1) pinned Ethan Hofacker (AUG, 0-3) 2:35 (Augsburg 42-9)
Just recently, WWE & Major League Baseball (MLB)’s New York Mets Franchise announced the details regarding WWE Day at Citi Field during WrestleMania Week in April.
WWE.com released the following announcement:
New York Mets To Have WWE Day At Citi Field During WrestleMania Week
Batter up for WrestleMania 35!
The New York Mets will host WWE Day at Citi Field on April 6 during WrestleMania Week. WWE Universe members purchasing tickets through this exclusive online offer here can take advantage of a day full of amazing WWE-related experiences prior to the 1:10 p.m. Mets vs. Nationals game. Fans who purchase through this limited time offer will receive:
* Meet & Greet/Autograph Opportunities with WWE Superstars
* Photo Opportunity with an official WWE Title
* A guaranteed Todd Frazier WWE Day Bobblehead
* Field Level Ticket
Meet & Greet and Title Photo Opportunity event begins in the Bullpen Plaza 11:30 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. Participating WWE Superstars will be announced in the weeks before the game and are subject to change.
Get a @WWE Day VIP package for the game on Saturday, April 6. Packs include:
Meet & Greet with WWE Superstars ?? Click Here: Bape Kid 1st Camo Ape Head rompers
Photo with an official WWE Championship Title ??
Guaranteed @FlavaFraz21 WWE Bobblehead ??
Field Level ticket ??
??? ?? https://t.co/rmK2Uvh2y9 pic.twitter.com/knprxTy2y5
— New York Mets (@Mets) February 6, 2019
PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a special Thursday Flagship edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast featuring a WrestleMania 36 Preview with ex-WWE Creative Team member and professional stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.
(Search “wade keller” to subscribe in podcast app or CLICK HERE to subscribe in Apple Podcasts.)
While in TNA earlier this decade, Hulk Hogan worked with several current WWE/NXT roster members who are poised for big things in WWE.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso talking WrestleMania, Hogan broke down the upside of stars A.J. Styles, Austin Aries, and Samoa Joe. He also also admitting to some “crazy” storyline ideas when part of TNA’s Creative process. Hogan also offered a comparison to Dean Ambrose.
– Hogan on Styles: “I’ve been dying, dying for A.J. Styles to come to the WWE. Now it’s game on.”
– Hogan on Aries: “I’m just so excited to see Austin Aries go up there, because I know what he’s going to bring.”
– Hogan on Joe: “I know Samoa Joe well. Joe is a good man and quality person. He’s kind and gracious, and he always makes the right decisions. He’s on track, brother, and going to be a force to be reckoned with.
“Joe has stayed true to himself and true to who he is from day one. He’s as solid as they come. If I ever approached him with a few really crazy ideas – which I did – he was smart enough to know who he really was.
“Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, and A.J. Styles can turn this whole thing upside down. There is a whole bunch of talent coming in and ready to take over, so it’s going to be very interesting to watch.”
– Hogan on Dean Ambrose: “Dean Ambrose is definitely Piper amped up times ten. Ambrose is a lunatic, he’s on fire.”
PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a special Thursday Flagship edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast featuring a WrestleMania 36 Preview with ex-WWE Creative Team member and professional stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.
(Search “wade keller” to subscribe in podcast app or CLICK HERE to subscribe in Apple Podcasts.)
TORCH TODAY – Monday, April 25, 2016
– What TV rating should WWE expect for this week’s Raw leading into the Payback PPV – above or below last week’s 2.3? You have to look at how the majority of the audience – casual/irregular viewers – is receiving the show right now. Last week’s show ended on a flat note, complete with third hour viewership falling below 3.0 million viewers for the first time this year. Nothing was advertised in advance until the less-watched Smackdown for Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows’s debut. The issue is casual viewers have no idea who they are, or what their connection is to A.J. Styles. Just something about fuzzy memories in a promotion called New Japan they have no connection to because WWE has spent 15 years since WCW went out of business telling their viewers that there is only one wrestling promotion that exists.
WWE is trying to introduce so many new characters after WrestleMania that casual viewers seem to be lost right now. Tonight, it looks like WWE will try to “stabilize” things by bringing back The Cloud Hanging Over The Show, The Authority, to confront Shane McMahon. The mainstream viewer needs something compelling to sink their teeth into and get behind. If there is a lack of communication of who the new players are in the mix, or why they are worth caring about, viewers are going to keep tuning out, which has been the case since WrestleMania.
– At MMATorch.com: Coverage of the bizarre UFC-Conor McGregor story centered on whether he will or will not fight at UFC 200.
– WWE is starting heavy promotion for their new “Camp WWE” series premiering next Sunday, May 1 on WWE Network. The show will be released in the on-demand video library. From the mind of Seth Green, the animated series features WWE wrestlers and legends set in a juvenile camp owned by Mr. McMahon.
WWE released a cast list that shows 20+ stars in animated form, the opening title sequence, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series.
– The Rock is starting to transition movie roles. That includes his physical appearance. Rock is going from a leaner physical appearance for his “Baywatch” movie role that was on-display at WrestleMania to a “bigger, lethal” appearance for the “Fast 8” movie shoot. Rock said he’s in the final weeks of shooting Baywatch before transitioning to Fast in four weeks.
Fun transition begins. Final weeks of shooting #BAYWATCH, and today I start my prep for #FastAndFurious8 which I start shooting in 4 weeks. Physically for #BAYWATCH I wanted "Mitch Buchannon" to come in lean, mean and a dysfunctional superhero of the beach. And full of raunchy Rated R humor. Mission accomplished. For FAST8, the character of "Hobbs" will come in like an animal – bigger, lethal, meaner and tougher than a $2 dollar steak. 530am breakfast. Grass fed buffalo, whole eggs and 80grams of Cream of Wheat. (trust me, if I could cook up Vin, Statham and the rest of the Fast dudes I'd eat them too). This is gonna fun. #FF8Prep #HobbsTheBeast #FinelyTuned #2DollarSteakSucksButEadible #INeedACheatMeal
A photo posted by therock (@therock) on
– Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon is trying to get the word out about her new women’s leadership company by using her U.S. Senate runs to get on television during political season. Appearing on Fox Business to discuss the 2016 U.S. presidential race, Linda used the buzzword word “collusion” to describe fellow Republican party candidates Ted Cruz and John Kasich trying to take down front-runner Donald Trump. Notably, Linda and Vince McMahon were the top individual donors to Trump’s foundation over the past ten years.
– WWE is promoting a host of new merchandise items aimed at big-spending hardcore fans. Included are new t-shirts for A.J. Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, new NXT champion Samoa Joe, and Sami Zayn. Included is a coupon code “SAVE 25” to get 25 percent off orders.
– The DVD cover has been released for Scott Hall’s Razor Ramon-inspired home video release set for July. The compilation includes a documentary, about 30 matches, interviews, and extras. (Full Product Info via WrestlingDVDNetwork.com)
– Independent women’s wrestler Santana Garrett had a busy weekend. According to Al Haft of Florida Wrestling, Santana became the first EDBD champion on Saturday, winning a title tournament at the “Earthday Birthday” event in Orlando. On Sunday, she won the Belleview Pro Wrestling Hvt. Title.
Santana is heading back to Japan to defend the Wonder of Stardom Title. After touring Japan, she travels to Europe to wrestle in England, Spain, and France. This summer, she tours the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and finishes in South America wrestling in Chile for Hugo Savinovich’s Wrestling Superstar promotion. Follow Santana’s journeys @SantanaGarrett and on Instagram. Booking inquiries can be sent to SantanaGarrettBookings@gmail.com.
– New Japan announced the line-up for their next NJPW vs. NOAH “Lion’s Gate Project” mixing younger and veteran wrestlers. Included are Naomichi Marufuji and Go Shiozaki mixing with New Japan’s undercard wrestlers. Plus, a main event featuring New Japan vets Tenzan, Kojima, Yuji Nagata, and Nakanishi against NOAH’s four-man unit.
Plus, more news & notes from NJPW, the NOAH Global Tag League, and other promotions via PuroresuSpirit.net.
– WWNLive announced their return to Florida on June 10 in Ybor City and June 11 in Orlando for EVOLVE 62 & 63. Included will be a WWNLive Seminar on June 10.
– Video of the Day: WWNLive released a new “freebie match” of Drew Gulak vs. T.J. Perkins from EVOLVE 40 during last year’s WrestleMania Weekend in California.
Though AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan was moved to tonight’s SmackDown, there will still be a WWE Championship match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Friday.
It was announced on SmackDown that Styles will defend his WWE title against Samoa Joe at Crown Jewel. The match was set up in storyline with Styles asking Paige to face Joe at Crown Jewel after Joe attacked Styles and Bryan tonight.
After Styles retained against Bryan, they were showing each other respect when Joe attacked them and put them in the Coquina Clutch. Joe then held up the WWE Championship.
In what appeared to be the end of their feud, Styles defeated Joe in a no disqualification, no countout match at Super Show-Down earlier this month.
Crown Jewel will begin at noon Eastern time this Friday. Here’s the updated card:
Triple H & Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker & Kane
Braun Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar for the vacant Universal Championship
WWE Champion AJ Styles defending against Samoa Joe
World Cup tournament finals
World Cup tournament semifinals
Bobby Lashley vs. Seth Rollins in a World Cup tournament first round match
Kurt Angle vs. Dolph Ziggler in a World Cup tournament first round match
Jeff Hardy vs. The Miz in a World Cup tournament first round match
Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton in a World Cup tournament first round match
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus defending against The New Day
PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a special Thursday Flagship edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast featuring a WrestleMania 36 Preview with ex-WWE Creative Team member and professional stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.
(Search “wade keller” to subscribe in podcast app or CLICK HERE to subscribe in Apple Podcasts.)
As has been the case for seemingly five years, the WWE Network dominated the Q&A portion of WWE’s quarterly conference call with investors.
For three years, it was questions about The Network. Now, for the past two years, it has been questions about whether WWE Network will continue growing past the ramp-up phase, and what WWE is doing to curb the high turnover, especially among domestic subscribers.
In summary, WWE has two main objectives: (a) prove that the rate of domestic subs has not plateaued after only two years and (b) drive the heck out of international growth.
Financial executive George Barrios said he is not buying the theory that Network growth has stopped domestically, despite the number of paid subscribers peaking at WrestleMania 31 last year.
Domestic Paid Trendline
Q1-2015: 1.131 million paid subs (post-WM31)
Q2-2015: 930,000 subs
Q3-2015: 990,000 subs
Q4-2015: 940,000 subs
Q1-2016: 1.027 million (pre-WM32)
April 4: 1.109 million (day after WM32)
Q2-2016: ???
Barrios pointed to WWE’s attraction of free trial subscribers for WrestleMania 32. Barrios noted that WWE delayed their First Quarter conference call until May 10 to see the rate of retention for a full month after WM32 on April 3. The conclusion was WWE’s conversion from trial to pay was “consistent with trends.”
The math is that WWE’s average paid subscribers in the First Quarter was 1.289 million total (domestic and international). WWE said in their earnings presentation that they expect 1.5 million average paid in Second Quarter 2016. That’s about 200,000 average paid added.
If 75 percent of the current total is domestic, then WWE is expecting to add about 150,000 average paid domestic subscribers in the quarter.
Depending on how the “average paid” metric translates to actual subscribers, that should put the domestic total above WM31. But, there is also the factor of how many legacy subscribers drop off during the Second Quarter.
That leads directly to The Churn issue. WWE released a chart showing that in First Quarter 2016, WWE added 498,000 total paid subscribers. However, they lost 358,000 paid subscribers.
Whereas, during the ramp-up period of Q1-2015, WWE gained 795,000 subscribers and only lost 284,000 subscribers.
Will there be a dramatic churn in Q2-2016? It likely will not be as pronounced because it will simply be trial subscribers dropping off once the free month expires. Therefore, they would not count as a paid subscriber canceling his/her service, just a trial user who was not converted to a pay subscriber.
The result is WWE believes there will be an increase in domestic subscribers in the second quarter, not just because of it being the WrestleMania quarter. Otherwise, Barrios would not have confidently shot down the theory of domestic growth plateauing.
Barrios also spoke confidently because of how much WWE has learned entering Year 3 of the Network. Barrios said for example they went from having one assumption about The Churn when they were learning how people used the Network to now having about 25 different assumptions they work with in handling churn.
Barrios said they can now look at behaviors and trends, such as what might lead to a subscriber dropping off based on video usage or what content they watched before dropping off to see if there is a void in the library. “We’re doing a lot of little things right,” Barrios said about battling churn.
That leads to the international market, which is WWE’s big area of long-term emphasis. Barrios said they are now learning about each individual country and how to reach consumers.
For example, WWE has a big presence in India, but it’s difficult to monetize at the pay level because of income and bandwidth restrictions.
Barrios said there is “incredible consumption” across traditional WWE TV in India, as well as social and digital media where available. However, the Network is “not a great proposition” for consumers right now because of the price and Internet cost. The market is “more for the foreseeable future,” Barrios said.
China is in a similar position where WWE is just trying to get clearance to deliver the Network, figuring out how best to work with the government to deliver the content. That is also a future prospect for Network subscription growth.
“We have made a significant investment in China and put people on the ground,” Barrios said. “We strive to have similar levels of success in China like everywhere else in the world. We’re working to figure out the right model for China.”
Overall, even if WWE does not reach their two objectives of growing domestic subs and broadening their international reach, Barrios said they feel good about where the company is.
“If growth stopped today,” Barrios said hypothetically, “we would still have a business about twice the size of the old PPV model.”
That is backed up by the trendline showing $22.1 million total revenue for (non-existent) Network, PPV, and Home Video Revenue in Q1-2013 before the Network launched, and $43.6 million in the current year quarter for Network, (nearly non-existent) PPV, and (shrinking) Home Video.
Barrios added that WWE believes they are positioned to make the company an “incredibly bigger business” with incremental growth over a quarterly and yearly basis. Barrios’s pitch to investors was taking a journey learning more about Network subscription habits and behaviors, while realizing revenue growth together.
Barrios added that tweaking things like limiting Network streams to cut off account-sharing is not a big issue to them. It’s more about the key factor of social media reach trying to engage, attract, and retain new subscribers for the long haul.
george barriosvince mcmahonwwewwe chinawwe earningswwe financialswwe q1 2016