WOR: ESPN+ deal and what it means for WWE and UFC, Smackdown, Daniel Bryan, more!

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back today with tons to talk about including the new UFC and ESPN+ deal and what it means for both UFC and WWE, this weekend’s shows from UFC, ROH and Bellator, Smackdown, 205 Live, NXT Takeover line-up, XFL notes, mailbag and tons more!

We start things off with UFC signing a deal with ESPN to bring a number of shows to their ESPN+ service. Dave talks about the significance of this, and how it could play into WWE possibly going to FOX and UFC’s own deal with the network. There’s also talk on this weekend’s UFC event in Brazil, with Amanda Nunes defending the women’s Bantamweight title and a rundown on the Bellator event going on at the same time.

Next up is pro wrestling, with Raw and Smackdown doing terrible numbers this week. Dave follows with talk on SmackDown and 205 Live. There are other notes including talk on Chris Jericho talking about replacing Shane McMahon at WrestleMania, NXT, ROH War of the Worlds and the XFL.

Some quick questions round out the show, including KUSHIDA wrestling as a heavyweight, if All In or the Progress show at Wembley will do better, New Japan’s weekly TV show in Japan, UFC negotiating in Canada, if the IWGP title has ever been defended in a 2 out of 3 falls match, Jeff Cobb and New Japan plus more.

Timestamps:

Start – 20:09: UFC/ESPN+
20:09 – 29:28: Weekend shows
29:28 – 45:48: SmackDown and 205 Live 
45:48 – 51:38: Daniel Bryan on Chris Jericho’s podcast
51:38 – 56:51: NXT
56:51 – 58:57: ROH   
58:37 – 1:07:43: XFL
1:07:43 – end: Mailbag

A fun show as always so check it out~!

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