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  • WON Preview: Bret Hart diagnosed with cancer

    The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: February 8, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Bret Hart diagnosed with cancer, Nakamura’s final NJPW match

    The new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter looks at Bret Hart’s battle with cancer, his discussions about it, as well as updates on the situation and a look at his background.  We also have the most detailed coverage of the last month of season two of Lucha Underground, with backstage news on the product, an update on season three, lots of business notes, and full coverage of all the Ultima Lucha 2 matches and direction.  We also look at Shinsuke Nakamura’s final day with New Japan Pro Wrestling, where Nakamura and New Japan go from here, Nakamura’s background and  building the IC title, a look at the next two New Japan PPV shows and full coverage to this weekend’s biggest event.

    We also have updates on Fast Lane and WrestleMania, what’s up with Undertaker, WWE injury updates, updates on next WWE Network special, Licensing issue with new WWE signees, notes on the next NXT Takeover show, a look at all the TV building the next Takeover show, who led to a huge increase in demand for WWE tickets, next WWE show in Madison Square Garden update, Nakamura updates, WWE performer wants to compete in the Olympics and what former pro wrestler went back to the Olympics to medal, Lesnar’s schedule, Tough Enough winner starts out, Other Tough Enough competitors start out, change in Rumble plans, Plans for a WWE Network new series base don wrestling matches, new WWE movie, WWE’s tour of Germany this coming week, and more on Dwayne Johnson’s segment on Raw.

    We also look at all the WWE & NXT shows over the past weekend with details on the live events and business notes.

    We also have a detailed look at the Awesome Kong-Reby Hardy situation in Manchester, England.  We look at Benson Henderson’s decision to leave UFC for Bellator and take a championship fight, details behind why he made the decision, what Dana White said and what Henderson said.  We look at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s last major event and where it’s storylines are going.

    We also have a huge look at the life and career of Archie “The Stomper” Gouldie, one of the most memorable wrestling characters of his generation, with stories about him, his gimmick, how big a star he was in his heyday, his incredibly long career title history, how he was two very different successful characters, and his most famous angles and biggest bouts.  We also have a lot of comments from people who knew him, including how he changed the life and career of J.J. Dillon.  We also look at the life and career of the original Espectrito, the best heel mini of his generation including when he main evented the Los Angeles Sports Arena, a rarity for a mini.

    We also look at Saturday’s UFC show, what’s next for the winners, thoughts on Serge Northcutt, as well as business notes on the show and match-by-match coverage.

    You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer

    You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Rates are:

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    If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

    If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. 

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: February 15, 1988 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: A Tale of Two Hebners
    All the details on Hulk Hogan losing the WWF title to Andre the Giant in a historic angle, plus tons of news and notes.

    The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

    We’ve also got the weekly coverage of all the ratings of the major shows, results from the major league events held around the world, and the major TV show rundowns.

    Also in this issue:

    –First major show of the year at Arena Mexico and who is being honored

    –New Japans stars take next step of their careers in Mexico

    –Notes on the last Arena Mexico shows

    –Health update on one of the most famous wrestlers in Mexico

    –CMLL’s top star rips promoter over pay

    –Changes at the top in AAA

    –Update on AAA Rey de Reyes

    –New Japan financial updates

    –Goals for New Japan World

    –Future superstar starting with New Japan

    –New Japan developmental show on New Japan World against NOAH stars

    –TV station doing five hours of programming on the birthday of one of the generations’ biggest stars

    –DDT’s biggest show of the year

    –Is there a link between steroids and brain injuries

    –Update on a new startup promotion that has stalled

    –Update on Kevin Nash

    –Indie promotion takes a big step for a show later this year

    –Notes on talks with two U.S. groups on running a joint show and why they fell through

    –Jim Cornette and Lucha Underground

    –ROH’s May New Japan tour

    –More New Japan stars to ROH’s next PPV

    –More notes on ROH signings

    –Notes on Matt Hardy angle

    –TNA injury updates

    –Main TNA storylines through the month of March

    –TNA ratings news

    –TJ Perkins talks about his TNA departure

    –Cain Velasquez injury update

    –Tons of new UFC main events and timetables for the fights

    –Update on UFC in New York

    –Lots of new UFC fights

    –California looking at changing how weigh-ins are done and the good and bad of it

    –Jose Aldo make demands regarding next fight

    –Ronda Rousey’s mom talks about her coach

    –More UFC drug test issues

    –Bellator interested in major star who has just left UFC

    –Notes on Bellator’s first show of the year

    –Chael Sonnen on Celebrity Apprentice

    –Don Frye talks about an offer for him to fight and why it didn’t happen

    –WSOF loses title fight over contract issues.

    If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic

    issues sent to you today.

    New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    Rates are:

    For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52.  In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com  For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

    If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

    If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. 

  • February 8, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Bret Hart diagnosed with cancer, Nakamura’s final NJPW match

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    Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (02/04): Lawler and Jarrett win USWA Tag Team Titles

    1920

    Wichita, Kansas:
    – World Heavyweight Champion Joe Stecher beat Paul Martinson 2 falls to 0

    1961 

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – Dr. X (Bill Miller) defeated Don Leo Jonathan for the Omaha World Heavyweight Title

    1964

    Tampa, Florida:
    – World Tag Titles: Duke Keomuka & Hiro Matsuda defeated Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy by dq to retain titles
    – Tim Woods defeated Frank Valois

    1965

    Washington, DC:
    – Dr. Bill and Dan Miller defeated Gorilla Monsoon and Bill Watts to win the WWWF United States Tag Team Titles

    1967

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat The Alaskan & Killer Kowalski
    – Doug Gilbert & Reggie Parks beat Bob Boyer & Eddie Sharkey
    – Billy Red Cloud beat George Gadaski
    – Steve Druk beat Great Dane

    1969

    Sapporo, Japan:
    – Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki defeated Danny Hodge and Wilbur Snyder for the NWA International Tag Team Titles

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Hans Mortier defeated The Gladiator (Rick Hunter) to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title

    1970

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – Ripper Collins defeated The Missing Link (Pampero Firpo) for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title 

    Miami, Florida:
    – NWA World Title: Jack Brisco (sub for Cyclon Negro) defeated Dory Funk, Jr.
    – Florida Tag Titles: Bronko Lubich & Chris Markoff defeated Danny  Miller & Sailor Art Thomas
    – Southern Title: Missouri Mauler defeated Bob Roop
    – Sailor Art Thomas (sub for Jack Brisco) & Sam Steamboat & Louie Tillet defeated Mephisto & Dante & Dr. Blood
    – Bob Orton defeated Duke Savage

    1973

    Green Bay, Wisconsin:
    – Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher no contest Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch in 3rd fall 
    – Wahoo McDaniel beat Larry Hennig 
    – Superstar Billy Graham beat Reggie Parks 
    – Nick Bockwinkel (sub Don Muraco) beat George Scott 
    – Jim Brunzell beat Johnny Heidman 

    1975

    Macon, Georgia:
    – Ron Garvin and Roger Kirby defeated Robert Fuller and Jimmy Golden to win the NWA Macon Tag Team Titles

    Mobile, Alabama:
    – Bobby Fields and Bob Kelly defeated The Hell’s Angels for the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Titles

    1976

    Miami, Florida:
    – Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Frank Goodish (Bruiser Brody) to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title 
    – Bounty Match: Jack Brisco defeated Missouri Mauler
    – Bob Roop & Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Dusty Rhodes & Eddie Graham
    – Jerry Brisco & Dino Bravo defeated Mike York & the Outlaw (sub for George McCreary)
    – King Curtis defeated Roosevelt Jones (sub for Billy Robinson)
    – Steve Keirn defeated Karl Von Steiger

    1977

    Los Angeles, California:
    – Chavo Guerrero defeated Dory Funk, Jr. to win the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title

    St. Joseph, Missouri:
    – Ted Oates defeated Bob (Sgt.) Slaughter to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title

    1979

    Knoxville, Tennessee:
    – Bob Armstrong and Ken Lucas defeated Jerry Blackwell and The Invader (Bob Orton, Jr.) for the NWA Southeastern Tag Team Titles

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
    – Tiger Jeet Singh was disqualified against A.W.A. champion Nick Bockwinkle 
    – Ricky Steamboat retained the U.S. championship over Greg Valentine by dq
    – Dino Bravo retained the Canadian championship over Ric Flair at
    – Dewey Robertson and Johnny Weaver defeated Swede Hanson and Len Denton at 9:51

    1982

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan no contest Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke
    – Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Hulk Hogan & Tito Santana
    – Buck Zumhofe beat Bobby Heenan
    – Greg Gagne drew Brad Rheingans
    – Jim Brunzell beat Rene Goulet

    1985

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – Rip Oliver defeated Buck Zum Hoffe for the vacant World Class Television Title 

    1988

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Cage Match, Special referee: Leo Nomellini: Greg Gagne beat AWA Champion Curt Hennig (AWA belt held up)
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Midnight Rockers beat Kevin Kelly & Mr. Go
    – Dick The Bruiser beat Sheik Adnan dq (Hard Boiled Haggerty Referee)
    – Wahoo McDaniel & Baron Von Raschke beat Nasty Boys
    – Billy Robinson drew Tom Zenk
    – Ray Stevens beat Soldat Ustinov

    1991

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Lawler defeated The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) to win the USWA Tag Team Titles

    1995

    Double Tables: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
    – Sabu and The Tazmaniac defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) in a Double Tables match
    to win the tag team titles
    – Chris Benoit defeated Al Snow
    – ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas defeated Tully Blanchard to retain the title
    – Cactus Jack defeated The Sandman in a Texas Death match

    2002

    Raw: Las Vegas, Nevada:
    – WWF Tag Team Champions Spike Dudley & Tazz defeated The A.P.A. (Bradshaw & Faarooq) and Billy & Chuck in a Triple Threat Elimination match to retain the title
    – WWF Intercontinental Champion William Regal defeated Rikishi by disqualification to retain the title 
    – Jazz pinned WWF Women’s Champion Trish Stratus to win the title
    – WWF Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho and The Undertaker defeated Steve Austin and The Rock

    2003

    Nashville, Tennessee:
    – Abyss and A.J. Styles defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Red Shirt Security (Joe E. Legend and Kevin Northcutt) to win the tag team titles
    – NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated Dustin Rhodes to retain the title

    2005

    Samita, Japan:
    – William Regal and Tajiri defeated World Tag Team Champions La Résistance (Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier) to win the title
    – Shawn Michaels pinned Ric Flair
    – World Heavyweight Champion Triple H pinned Edge to retain the title

  • WOR: Raw, Smackdown, Bret Hart, tons of UFC fights, Ken vs. Royce, more!

    Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back today with tons of news: A bunch of UFC fights have been signed, California is making changes regarding weight cutting, Tim Means fails a test and loses a fight, Royce vs. Ken is coming, Bret Hart update, Ken Wayne sentenced, Smackdown tapings and Lucha Underground thoughts, more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

    Right click save

  • Lucha Underground results: Two former WWE stars make their debuts

    The show begins with a recap of the first episode of season one – with Vampiro being taken from a mental hospital to the Temple and a rundown of Mundo beating up Alberto at Ultima Lucha. We see Black Lotus killing Dragon Azteca, leading to someone else taking the mantle. Prince Puma works out while we get clips of Mil Muertes beating Puma for the title. Pentagon Jr. comes in and thanks him for helping him please his master, and tonight, they’ll be partners against the Disciples of Death. Pentagon says he has zero fear and a fight breaks out involving a surprising amount of flips. Pentagon Jr.’s mask appears to be even more evil than before, and looks fantastic. Striker asks Vamp if Pentagon broke Mil’s arm due to him, and Vamp gets upset at him for it. Mil Muertes watches the show from his throne with one arm in a sling. Johnny Mundo comes down to face Killshot.

    Johnny Mundo vs. Killshot

    They exchange tumbling displays and each lands a kick before Mundo is sent to the floor to eat a dive. Mundo spears him hard on the floor drawing a “holy sh*t” chant. Well, it deserved it. 

    Mundo kicks his face a bit, but eats a cutter. Hard forearm to the face by Mundo leads to a C4 and a 2 count. A crazy-fast sequence of moves from Killshot gets 2. The ref gets lightly grazed, so he doesn’t see a low blow and Mundo wins with the End of the World. Mundo grabs the mic and says that the earthquake that shook Muertes up as a kid is nothing to how the End of the World will fear. 

    Cage comes out with a mohawk and insults both Mundo and Muertes. A “Cage is Gonna Kill You” chant breaks out and Mundo leaves. Cage turns his back and Cage beats him down briefly before Cage lifts him for a press slam and Mundo scurries away. After an ad break, we go to a room where Marty the Moth has Sexy Star tied up. He brings her a butterfly and talks about his sister saying it’s almost time for Sexy to go back to the Temple. Marty kills the butterfly and mocks Sexy. A shot of the moon greets us while PJ Black says the wolf fears nothing and neither does he. We get some slick shots of PJ on his motorcycle against an orange-tinted sky and then he beats up some dudes outside a cheap motel. The Mack walks down to face PJ Black.

    The Mack vs. PJ Black

    Vamp says he doesn’t know who PJ Black is, or what a Darewolf is. Striker says it’s a daredevil and werewolf, while Striker calls The Mack “Willie Mack” for the first time on the show. PJ shoulderblocks him and flips over Mack. They go back and forth with hard chops to the chest. Giant flying knee from Mack gets a round of applause and a 2. Mack recovers and lands a Samoan drop and standing moonsault for 2.5. Striker calls Mack Norvell Austin while we get a forearm exchange. Mack goes for a German suplex, but PJ flips out of it and gets a Blue Thunder bomb called Black to the Future for 2. PJ takes a long time for the 450 and Mack avoids it while Vamp mocks him. Mack hits a big stunner for the win. “Dr. Black fails his wellness test!” according to Striker.

    We get a vignette showing a woman named Kobra Moon kicking ass – she will debut next week. Catrina comes out with the Disciples of Death for a 3-on-2 handicap match. Prince Puma comes out first and Striker talks about Konnan being taken out at Ultima Lucha by the Disciples of Death, never to be seen again – so he seems to be written out for the time being. Vampiro says that Pentagon Jr. causes him nightmares, and the main event will follow after one last ad break.

    Pentagon Jr. and Prince Puma vs. The Disciples of Death

    The DoD jump Puma and Pentagon, keeping Puma in there. Pentagon comes in and flies to the floor to get the cheers, leading to Puma getting the lead there with a big dive of his own. Puma eats a beating while Pentagon just stands on the floor. DoD lands a double-teams springboard dropkick for 2. Catrina rakes Puma’s eyes on the floor. Reverse suplex hits Puma and a tag is made to the purple-masked DoD member. He throws one into another member and lands a neckbreaker on one member forcing that member to DDT his partner. Pentagon runs wild with a Slingblade without a tag. Giant chop to the chest from Pentagon in the corner, and then another against the ropes.

    Puma is sent to the apron and eats a draping DDT. Pentagon eats a superkick and then a lift-up dropkick. One DoD member is placed in a chair and flipped onto his partner. Puma gets a modified Michinoku driver before signalling for the 630. Pentagon tags before the move hits and he steals the win. Pentagon brags and throws a double bicep pose up before landing a lungblower to Puma. He goes for the arm-breaker, but looks at Vamp and Puma fires up to be the first person to escape the hold.

    We hear Rey Mysterio Jr. talking to Dragon Azteca Jr. asking if he’s ready for the power of the mask. We see Dragon Azteca Jr. briefly with his mask, and close out to a shot of Rey and his mask. Other than the debut of Rey Jr., this was a fairly standard and forgettable episode of the show – but his debut and to a lesser extent, that of PJ Black, set greater things into motion.

    To see every screenshot for this show, click here.

  • Donald Cerrone without an opponent for UFC Pittsburgh as Tim Means is flagged by USADA

    The UFC announced Wednesday that welterweight Tim Means, who was scheduled to face Donald Cerrone in the main event on the company’s 2/21 Fox Sports One show in Pittsburgh, is under investigation by USADA based on results of an out-of-competition drug test he recently took.

    Under normal circumstances a “flag” like Means got is the result of a positive drug test. Fighters are allowed a full and fair review of drug test results before the actual nature of the violation is announced and any penalties are imposed.

    However, since such a process will not be completed by the fight date, Means has been pulled from the show, but the UFC said they will be announcing a replacement for Cerrone shortly. To save you pulling out your calculator, that’s 18 days away. However, Cerrone has been a short notice fighter many times in his career, so it’s hard to see him pulling out.

    This was the highest profile fight of Means’ long UFC career, and was Cerrone’s move from lightweight to welterweight.

  • WWE NXT results: Finn Balor vs. Apollo Crews; Asuka vs. Santana Garrett

    After 3 months, Finn Balor and Apollo Crews finally reaches a conclusion to their match from November. Plus William Regal decides what to do after Sami Zayn & Samoa Joe both won a Triple Threat match last week.

    Spoiler: It’s exactly what you expected him to do.

    *****

    The Vaudevillians beat The Hype Bros

    The Vaudevillians are back and they are evil again, but they still have their happy baby face music. Eight years ago Zack Ryder did a run in on the main event of WrestleMania…just thought I would point that out. Speaking of Ryder, he is the one that the Vaudevillians got the heat on.

    The move of the match was Ryder began making a comeback on both men and went for an inzigiri to Gotch. Gotch ducked, but English was right there to get it anyway. Mojo got the hot tag, but Ryder tagged back in quickly and the Vaudevillians won with the Whirling Dervish.

    – Tom Phillips sat down with Carmella about her upcoming title match with Bayley. She is the daughter of former WWF jobber Paul Vandale. Remember the good old days when Carmella was a hairdresser and became a Diva because Enzo got her fired for dumping hair cream on her dog?

    Anyway, she’s looking forward to wrestling Bayley next week and will beat Emma tonight.

    – Dash and Dawson laughed at the idea of Enzo Amore and Big Cass talking about kicking their butts. They pointed out that Enzo and Cass lost their title shot. They can talk tough all they want, but they can not defeat Dash & Dawson.

    Carmella pinned Emma

    Carmella looks a lot better in street clothes than she does in her ring gear. They did not play up the storyline set up last week where the heels mocked Carmella for doing nothing to deserve being #1 Contender and the fact that Bayley won the tag team match a few weeks ago without her. Emma showed Carmella no respect, slapping her in the back of the head and Carmella suddenly won with a backslide.

    – Both Sami Zayn felt he should be the number one contender following last week’s match where both he and Samoa Joe made Baron tap. Joe scared the cameraman and ignored the question.

    Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady defeated Two Men

    Enzo really does cut a hell of a promo these days. He has improved so much from when he started, if you recall he used to be so bad that he wasn’t even trusted to get in a single offensive maneuver and would just spend the entire match selling. The jobbers never got named, but Colin gave one of them a hiptoss from inside the ring to the pretty black mats. Colin laid out the other with a Catatonic and Enzo pinned him with the Rocket Launcher.

    – Apollo Crews was stretching backstage when a camera was shoved in her face. He said he has what it takes to be NXT Champion, but tonight is step one in becoming champion one day.

    – NXT General Manager William Regal was about to announce Sami Zayn vs Samoa Joe to determine the #1 Contender when Baron Corbin stormed in and demanded to be involved, even though he tapped out to two men. He then made Zayn vs Joe. Makes you wonder why they bothered making you wait a week. It was later announced that the match was booked for two weeks from now.

    Asuka tapped out Santana Garrett

    Santana is a well known women’s wrestler on the Independent circuit and spent over a year in TNA where she was Brittany. In case you don’t remember, she was in a relationship with Samuel Shaw and tried to have a lesbian relationship with Madison Rayne. She did a lot better than most against Asuka but got trapped in a rolling armbar. Santana got out, but got locked in the Asuka Lock for the tap out.

    – Finn Balor said Mr. Regal made the right decision by making Joe vs Zayn.

    NXT Champion Finn Balor pinned Apollo Crews

    These two first wrestled back in November, but it ended in a disqualification when Baron Corbin interfered. Apollo hasn’t been seen much since losing to Baron at NXT Takeover and this is Finn’s first tv match since the same night.

    This was a good, solid match. The crowd seemed exhausted at this point as there were people openly yawning in the front row. Everything these two did was very good. However the fans just couldn’t get into it until the finish. Balor began making his comeback, which woke them up, but they weren’t nearly as loud as they had been.

    Crews kicked out of a Coup de Grace to the back and Finn kicked out of the Gorilla Slam and standing Moonsault. Finn hit the Slingblade, the corner dropkick and the Coup de Grace before pinning Crews with a brainbuster. After the match, Balor shook the hand of Crews.

    That does it for tonight! Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!

  • Luke Rockhold vs Chris Weidman II will headline UFC 199

    Dana White announced today on the FS 1 television show “Garbage Time with Katie Nolan” that Luke Rockhold’s first middleweight title defense will be against former champion Chris Weidman, at UFC 199.

    White also said UFC 199 would be in June, which would indicate speculation is correct that there will be a PPV show added in May.  He didn’t say the date or venue.

    Rockhold vs. Weidman is expected to headline a show that will also include the UFC debut of C.M. Punk.

    The original plan for this year was UFC 196 this weekend, 197 on 3/5, 198 in April, 199 in June and 200 in July.

    This weekend’s show in Las Vegas will no longer be called UFC 196.  The 3/5 show headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Rafael dos Anjos will be 196, with 197 in April, meaning 198 will be in May, originally a month UFC was not going to run a PPV show.

    Rockhold had told us several weeks ago that he was expecting Weidman next, and that would have been the case even if Yoel Romero wasn’t facing a suspension.  He said he was asked about both and felt Weidman would do a better job selling the fight.

    “I had two choices, Weidman and Romero,” he said. “Yoel Romero can’t sell an ice cube in Hell.  I’m not gonna waste my valuable time fighting some chump for change.  I want to fight for real money.  If I’m going to invest three months, that person better be able to fight and sell the fight.  Fans have to demand the fight.”

  • Retrospective: The Ultimate Fighter, season two

    Due to the rousing success of TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) season one, specifically the TV ratings for the finale, which featured the famous Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar match, TUF season two was produced quickly and came on the air only a few months later. The finale for season two would set a ratings record doing a 2.0 (2 million viewers), edging out the season one finale, which did a 1.9 (1.9 million viewers). (You can read “Retrospective: TUF Season One” here)

    Season two was basically the exact same as season one. Season two was also the only season (until recently) where all the house fights were considered professional bouts by the NSAC. Typically, the “in-house” fights are only considered “practice” and don’t effect a fighter’s record. These fights counted.

    The Ultimate Fighter – Season TWO

    Airdate: Spike TV, August 22, 2005 – November 5, 2005

    Weight Classes: Heavyweight and Welterweight

    Coaches: Matt Hughes (blue), Rich Franklin (green)

    Team Hughes: Joe Stevenson (w), Josh Burkman* (w), Sammy Morgan (w), Luke Cummo (w), Mike Whitehead (h), Dan Christison (h), Rob MacDonald (h), Tom Murphy (h) *Burkman was replaced by Jason Von Flue due to injury on episode 2

    Team Franklin: Jorge Gurgel (w), Marcus Davis (w), Anthony Torres (w), Melvin Guillard (w), Keith Jardine (h), Seth Petruzelli (h), Rashad Evans (h), Brad Imes (h)

    The Finale:

    • Joe Stevenson beat Luke Cummo by unanimous decision in three rounds to become the TUF welterweight winner
    • Rashad Evans beat Brad Imes by split decision to become the TUF heavyweight winner
    • In the main event, Diego Sanchez beat Nick Diaz by unanimous decision

    This season was pretty uneventful. It really became clear about half way through that Chris Leben should have been hired to be on every season, just to hang out, get drunk, and cause problems. These fighters seemed to get along much better. However, there were some interesting things that happened this season:

    • Heavyweight Kerry Schall was eliminated due to a knee injury
    • Eli Joslin chose to leave the show, citing his reasons as not being able to handle the camera environment at the house (as an aspiring fighter, this made me so mad)
    • Dan Christison joined the show to replace the injured Schall
    • Josh Burkman was forced to leave the competition after breaking his arm in his match with Melvin Guillard
    • Jason Von Flue joined the show to replace Burkman
    • Evans caused controversy by showboating in his fight against Tom Murphy
    • Coach Hughes sent Von Flue over to Team Franklin for reshuffling, which made Von Flue mad
    • Even though Cummo and Imes were both the last picked for their respective divisions, they both made it to the finale

    There wasn’t much memorable that happened, but I do remember when Rashad won the heavyweight finals. It made me fall in love with him as a fighter. Here was this smooth talking undersized athlete taking on this monstrous rugged cowboy. Rashad was clearly too small to be a heavyweight, but he won anyway. I’m not sure when he took the nickname “Suga” but I gave that name (Sugar) to my third dog in his honor.

    Where are the champions now?

    Joe ”Daddy” Stevenson: Stevenson’s last fight in the UFC was a loss to Javier Vazquez on June 26, 2011. It was his fourth loss in a row. He was cut by UFC and has since lost two more times putting his losing streak at six. He most recently fought one year ago on January 30, 2015, for Swarm Entertainment at Super Brawl 1 losing by split decision to Dominique Robinson. My guess is that there was never a Super Brawl 2. His current record is 31-16 and rumor has it that he’s retired from active fighting at age 33, which is probably a smart decision.

    “Suga” Rashad Evans: Evans’ is still in the UFC. He is 36 and was most recently seen being defeated by Ryan Bader at UFC 192 on October 3, 2015. Rumor has it that he will be facing Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC on FOX 19 on April 16, 2016. His record is 19-4, and he actually had a brief light-heavyweight title reign taking the strap from season-one alum Forrest Griffin, only to have the title taken from him in his first defense against Lyoto Machida. 

  • TNA Impact shows minor drop in viewers

    TNA Impact ratings last night showed a minor decline from the past two weeks with last night’s 9 p.m. show doing 295,000 viewers and the midnight show doing 112,000 viewers.

    The show, built around Matt Hardy vs. Kurt Angle, was the final of the Bethlehem tapings, as next week will be the first of six weeks of shows taped in the U.K. before much larger crowds.

    The 9 p.m. show on 1/26 did 339,000 viewers and the midnight replay did 103,000.  The combined number on 1/19 was almost identical, both about eight percent higher than last night.

    There was little in the way of significant sports competition last night, as the highest rated sports show on television head-to-head was Indiana vs. Michigan college basketball on ESPN that did 1,042,000 viewers.