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Thursday, April 16, 2020

Assorted wrestling press, coronavirus-related wrestling updates, WWE-FS1 and Dark Side ratings, Dynamite+NXT matches, and Questions on WWE dropping Rock if he appears for AEW, Reigns' return timeline, Ronda's comments, crowds returning, and Rhea-Charlotte what ifs

Chris Jericho will co-host "The Last Drive-In" season premiere. He's getting a good deal of opportunities.

ESPN covered "Fight Like A Girl" premiering.

ROH is doing a buy one, get two free DVD sale.

Coronavirus-related wrestling updates:
- The Undertaker is auctioning a fan experience to benefit COVID relief. 

Japanese wrestling representatives met with Japanese a politician with wrestling ties regarding assistance for the effects of COVID-19. NJPW, Stardom, All Japan, NOAH, DDT, TJP, and Diana were all accounted for in the meeting with Hiroshi Hase, the former minister of education, culture, sports, science, and technology. Wrestling companies asked for financial assistance as well as virus testing kits.


- The NXT Tag Team Championship will be defended by Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher while Pete Dunne remains in the UK. 

- WWE has postponed their annual shareholders meeting. 

- Big Show discussed WWE being declared essential. 

- Florida's governor discussed WWE being declared essential shortly after a major donation.

- The Daily Show covered WWE being declared essential.

Booker T. and Christian discussed Ronda Rousey's recent comments

AJ Styles has a WWE Network compilation of best matches from his run in the company.

MLW CEO Court Bauer discussed coronavirus precautions:
- I would absolutely watch desert matches.

- MLW sounds very well prepared in general.

- Very fascinating words about the pros of being a smaller company. 

- I would be very surprised to see live TV phased out for WWE.

Lacey Evans and Montel Williams are collaborating for Military Makeover. That's really cool.

WWE Backstage drew 161,000 viewers with Edge and C.M. Punk. That's much better than some previous entries.

WWE's Ruthless Aggression episodes drew:
- 224,000 at 8:00 p.m.
- 302,000 at 9:00 p.m.
- 226,000 at 10:00 p.m.

Dark Side of the Ring focusing on Jimmy Snuka and Nancy Argentino drew 209,000 viewers.

Dynamite has announced:
- Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin in the TNT Championship tournament
- Kip Sabian vs. Dustin Rhodes in the TNT Championship tournament
- Jimmy Havoc vs. Orange Cassidy
- Kenny Omega in action
- Brodie Lee in action

NXT has announced:
- El Hijo del Fantasma vs. Jack Gallagher in the interim cruiserweight championship tournament
- Kushida vs. Tony Nese in the interim cruiserweight championship tournament
- Drake Maverick (who will be allowed to complete this tournament before his release) vs. Jake Atlas in the interim cruiserweight championship tournament
- Finn Balor vs. Velveteen Dream

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. In that very unlikely scenario, I think WWE will continue to be grateful to have Rock appear for them as Rock appearing helps WWE a lot more than it helps Dwayne.

2. I don't expect him to appear before WWE is back running arenas, unless it's via video to set up something for when he is able to physically be present again.

3. She's having fun with it, so I expect it's at least partially in character.

4. I expect crowds will return slowly, as some will remain cautious. It will be interesting to see either way.

5. Certainly the visa situation made Charlotte winning more likely, but it's possible they would have added more star power to NXT even if Rhea could keep working.

More wrestling coming up.

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