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  • WON Preview: Royal Rumble and the road to Wrestlemania

    The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: February 1, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2016 Royal Rumble, Road to Wrestlemania, more

    Coverage of the Royal Rumble and where things lead to WrestleMania is the lead story in a jam-packed news issue of the Wrestling Observer.  TNA’s statements regarding A.J. Styles, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, the timing, what is accurate, and a lot that wasn’t in those statements as to why the deal didn’t happen. The process that led the stars from New Japan and more. The Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum injuries and title match cancellation and what directions UFC took to try and save it.  More on the injury to Hiroshi Tanahashi, the death of Archie “Mongolian Stomper” Gouldie, some stories about his life and career.  WWE Hall of Fame class of 2016, New Japan Fantatstica Mania tour with full rundowns and stories behind it, Nikki Bella injury and what led to the increase in ratings for Raw and Smackdown.

    The story behind why HHH won the title, why it was the right booking decision given the destination, questions about the execution, the confusing Fast Lane main event, what the original booking plan was behind Roman Reigns ascension to the top and why it was so hard for Vince McMahon to decide against his winning at last year’s WrestleMania, and questions about the crowds at Fast Lane and Mania for the main events. Update WrestleMania, chart out the Royal Rumble with how long everyone was in, eliminations, and news, Rumble business, poll results and match-by-match results with star ratings. 

    The situation with New Japan losing talent, and how the CMLL stars did on the tour.

    The arrival of Shinsuke Nakamura to WWE and why he’s in NXT, an update on Daniel Bryan, NXT finances for talent, another endorsement deal for Dwayne Johnson, notes on the next WWE network live special, updates on NXT talent coming to the main roster, lots of WWE injury notes, WWE plans for post-Mania and the European tour, Lesnar dates, details on NXT tapings as well as details on all the weekend WWE events.

    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:

    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. 

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: December 28, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Bischoff gets historic NBC deal, WCW files lawsuit against WWF over Wrestling With Shadows, more Eric Bischoff and NBC work out a historic deal to air WCW on NBC, WCW files a lawsuit against WWF over Wrestling With Shadows, plus tons of news.

    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:

    –CMLL gets new national TV deal

    –ROH star headed to Mexico

    –Notes on New Japan’s weekend shows

    –Notes on AAA’s Guerra de Titanes show

    –Rey Mysterio Jr. update

    –Notes on the rebuilding of one of the most famous wrestling arenas in the world

    –More on the career of Mike Sharpe Jr.

    –More on the death of Bob Leonard

    –A fantastic match worth going out of your way to see

    –A look at the Evolve tag team tournament

    –More on Evolve and WWE relationship

    –Movie about major Japanese star headed to U.S.

    –National Hall of Fame notes

    –16 Carat Gold tournament notes

    –Behind the scenes at Lucha Underground

    –Why the main event on ROH show this weekend was changed

    –A look at the ROH show in Atlanta

    –Notes on the Matt Hardy turn

    –Notes on Jeff Hardy signing with TNA

    –Details of the new TNA contracts and how they work

    –TNA Feast or Fire notes

    –TNA star on national show

    –Update on UFC and Madison Square Garden court fight

    –Carlos Condit talks his future

    –Notes on ticket sales for the next UFC PPV show

    –Conor McGregor promoting dos Anjos fight

    –Why McGregor has so much negotiation power right now

    –McGregor talks dos Anjos and Frankie Edgar

    –Ronda Rousey on Saturday Night Live and how it did

    –Update on UFC drug testing

    –Ronda Rousey’s coach banned from cornering

    –Anthony Perosh retires

    –Demetrious Johnson talks dollar figure he wants to face Cruz in a rematch

    –Jose Aldo’s camp says his demands

    –Lots of new UFC injuries and fights

    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. 

  • WOR: Diamond Dallas Page talks The Resurrection of Jake the Snake Robers

    Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back today with special guest Diamond Dallas Page to talk The Resurrection of Jake the Snake Roberts, an awesome documentary that you can check out on iTunes right now! A fun show as always so check it out~~!

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  • WOL: WWE injuries with Dave Meltzer, tons of news, calls, more!

    Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today to talk all the news in wrestling and MMA with Dave Meltzer, plus your calls and text messages and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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  • WWE injury woes continue with Sheamus arm tendonitis

    Photo: @WWESheamus

    On Twitter Thursday, former WWE Champion Sheamus released a photo of himself with a cast on his left arm.

    We’ve confirmed that the injury is legitimate, but we don’t have much in the way of details other than he has tendonitis in the arm. He isn’t expected to be out of the ring for too long, but the timing of when he’ll be able to wrestle again has not been determined. 

    As of today, the feeling is that he will likely remain on television in storylines but won’t be working matches, similar to the role Wade Barrett has been doing in the League of Nations in recent weeks. Sheamus last worked on Raw Monday night in a tag team match with Rusev as his partner against Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose. He missed considerable time in late-2014/early 2015 due to injuries, returning on the March 30th, 2015, edition of RAW.

    We are also awaiting confirmation on another upper level WWE wrestler that might be hurt.

  • ROH re-signs Jay Lethal, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly

    Ring of Honor announced today that three of its top stars — ROH champion Jay Lethal, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly — have signed new contracts with the organization and there are major booking plans in place for all three men in the year ahead.

    Lethal signed several weeks ago, while Fish and O’Reilly inked deals about a week ago.

    All had been expected to re-sign since Lethal had not lost the championship in any of his recent title defenses. Additionally, Fish & O’Reilly staying on also included the provision they’ll continue to keep their jobs with New Japan Pro Wrestling, something the Young Bucks got in their deal when they re-signed in October 2015.

    The new deals were similar to the old deals in that ROH will have exclusivity on the wrestlers in North America, but they are free to take overseas bookings.  The lone exception to the stateside exclusivity are PWG shows.

    Lethal vs. O’Reilly vs. Adam Cole for the ROH title will headline the 2/26 ROH PPV show from Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Chael Sonnen cast for new season of The Apprentice on NBC

    Chael Sonnen has been announced for the cast of the new season of NBC’s “The Apprentice” television show.

    The show, which will be hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger and filmed in Southern California.

    Its debut on the network has not been announced.

    Sonnen currently works for ESPN doing analysis of major UFC shows. He is under suspension from fighting for failing two different drug tests for a number of banned substances and has announced his retirement.

    Besides Sonnen, competing for the $250,000 first prize earmarked for a charity of the celebrity’s choice will be Laila Ali, actress and fitness guru Brooke Burke-Charvet, NFL legend Eric Dickerson, legendary singer Boy George American Ninja Warrior host Matt Iseman, actress and former VH-1 host Carrie Keagan, TV star Carson Kressley, women’s basketball legend Lisa Leslie, actor/comedian Jon Lovitz, Motley Crue’s Vince Neil, TV reality show star Nicole Polizzi (“Snooki”), Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams, former college and NFL star Ricky Williams and singer Carrie Wilson of Wilson Phillips.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (01/28): Jerry Lawler wins the Smoky Mountain Title

    1924

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – World Heavyweight Champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis beat Ali Hassan 2 falls to 0 to retain the title

    1949

    Houston, Texas:
    – Wild Red Berry defeated Dizzy Davis to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title 

    1954

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Bob Orton defeated Dave Sims to win the Central States Title

    1964

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Death match: The Crusher beat Bill Miller 
    – Mad Dog Vachon beat Maurice LaPointe
    – Mitsu Arakawa beat Rene Goulet
    – Doug Gilbert beat Gene Anderson

    1965

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Ron Reed beat Dick the Bruiser 2 falls to 1 on a dq
    – Steve Bolus beat Bob Brown 
    – Iron Mike drew Moose Evans 
    – Doug Gilbert beat Joe Tomasso 

    1968

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
    – Whipper Billy Watson (sub Bruno Sammartino) beat Baron Mikel Scicluna 
    – United States heavyweight champion Tiger Jeet Singh beat Dan Miller (sub Edouard Carpentier)
    Dewey Robertson and Whipper Billy Watson took 2 of 3 falls from the Assassin and Dan Miller

    1975

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Lights Out Match: Jos LeDuc defeated Dick Slater
    – Special Challenge Match: Bob Roop & Dick Murdoch defeated Terry Funk & “Cowboy” Bill Watts
    – Southern Title: Mongolian Stomper defeated Bob Armstrong by dq 
    – Mike Graham defeated Ron Garvin
    – Iron Mike McCord & Baron Scicluna defeated Tony Parisi & Dominic DeNucci
    – Johnny Weaver defeated Sonny Rogers

    1976

    Miami Beach, Florida:
    – Grudge Match: Dusty Rhodes & Eddie Graham defeated Karl Von Steiger & Bob Orton, Jr.
    – Southern Title: Billy Robinson defeated King Curtis by dq
    – Collegiate Rules $1,000 Purse: Jerry Brisco defeated Bob Roop
    – Missouri Mauler defeated Cyclon Negro
    – Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Roger Kirby

    1979

    Green Bay, Wisconsin:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens beat Verne Gagne & Billy Robinson 
    – Bobby Duncum no contest Jim Brunzell 
    – Super Destroyer Mark II beat Steve Olsonoski 
    – Lord Alfred Hayes beat Juan Valez (sub Greg Gagne) 
    – Frank Hill drew Iron Sheik

    1980

    West Palm Beach, Florida:
    – Bubba Douglas handcuffed to Oliver Humperdink: Dusty Rhodes defeated Leroy Brown
    – Florida TV Title: Jim Garvin defeated Bugsy McGraw by dq, Garvin retains title
    – Florida Title: Manny Fernandez double countout Super Destroyer, Fernandez retains title
    – Florida Tag Team Titles: Bryan St. John & Stan Lane defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco to retain titles
    – Nikolai Volkoff defeated Mike Miller

    1984

    Guaynabo, Puerto Rico:
    – The Super Medicos defeated Hercules Ayala & King Tonga (Haku/Meng) to win the WWC World Tag Team Titles

    1987

    Homestead, Florida:
    – Bad News Allen def. Kevin Sullivan
    – Florida Tag Titles: The New Breed beat Scott Hall & Steve Armstrong
    – Scott Hall defeated Jack “The Stretcher” Hart
    – Steve Armstrong defeated Jerry Grey
    – Mark Starr defeated Bob Cook
    – Black Magic (Norman Smiley) defeated JJ Pallo

    1988

    Dallas, Texas:
    – The World Class Texas Tag Team Title was held up following a match between champions John Tatum & Jack Victory and challengers The Fantastics

    1991

    Main Event: Macon, Georgia:
    – Hulk Hogan & Tugboat defeated Dino Bravo & Earthquake 
    – Hacksaw Jim Duggan defeated WWF World Heavyweight Champion Sgt. Slaughter by dq
    – The Legion Of Doom defeated The Orient Express (Pat Tanaka & Kato) 

    1995

    Knoxville, Tennessee:
    – Jerry “The King” Lawler defeated Tony Anthony to win the Smoky Mountain Wrestling Heavyweight Title

    2010

    Coventry, United Kingdom:
    – TNA World Title: AJ Styles defeated Samoa Joe to retain the title
    – Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) and Beer Money (Robert Roode and James Storm) defeated British Invasion (Rob Terry, Brutus Magnus, and Doug Williams) and Eric Young
    – Kurt Angle and Hernandez defeated Rhino and Christopher Daniels

    Los Angeles, California:
    – ROH TV champion Christopher Daniels defeated Mark Briscoe to retain the title
    – In a non title match: Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin defeated ROH Tag Team champions The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli)
    – ROH World Title: Roderick Strong defeated El Genericho to retain the title

  • DragonKingKarl Biography Series Radio Show – Mongolian Stomper

    DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show: Biography Series – The Mongolian Stomper. I wanted to dedicate an entire biography show to the late Archie “The Mongolian Stomper” Gouldie. He was my first favorite heel character when I started watching wrestling. Normally, I would not expect a lot to be made of the Stomper’s death other than a mention here or there since he was not a giant international star.  But to me, here in the deep southern United States and, I am sure, to many in Canada he was a very big deal.  

    Today I want to talk about the career of the Mongolian Stomper and talk about the angle that made him my favorite.  He was well spoken in some areas, while in others he was a grunting brute.  Yet, even when he played the brute, his angles were often sophisticated.  He was part of a famous, very heavy, angle in Stampede wrestling that lead to the shows announcer quiting.  He did a similar angle in Alabama.  

    On today’s show I will talk in detail about another sophisticated angle he did involving Ric Flair, Austin Idol, Buddy Rogers, and much more.  Today, I am going to give the Stomper his due and I hope you enjoy learning about a relatively under rated wrestling star.

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