Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with tons to talk about including a full preview of the WWE 2016 Royal Rumble! Who will rise and who will fall and who will WIN and find their way into the main event of the biggest WrestleMania of all time? A fun show as always so check it out~!
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WWE Royal Rumble 2016 live results: 30 men battle for the WWE World Championship
The 2016 WWE road to Wrestlemania begins in Orlando, Florida, where 30 men will enter the Royal Rumble match to determine the WWE World Champion! For the first time ever the WWE World Champion, Roman Reigns, will be in the match, and be forced to defend his title against 29 other participants. Roman must be the last man remaining in the ring in order to go into Dallas, Texas at Wrestlemania 32 as the champion.
The only other time something similar to this happened was at the 1992 Royal Rumble. In December 1991, the WWF title had been vacated, so it was declared that the winner of the Royal Rumble match would become the WWF Champion. Ric Flair won the Rumble that night, and he will be in attendance tonight as his daughter Charlotte looks to defend the WWE Divas championship. Could we see Flair enter the Rumble and win it again? No, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a tremendous night of action.
We will also see a “Last Man Standing” match between Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Kevin Owens for the Intercontinental Championship. The match will only end once one competitor is unable to meet the 10 second count. Between this match and the Rumble, get ready for a whole lot of fan-count-alongs.
Check out this Wrestling Observer back issue: Feb 1, 1988 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The first Royal Rumble up against Bunkhouse Stampede
We are looking for your thoughts on the event, so send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer.
Coverage provided by Dave Meltzer
MARK HENRY & JACK SWAGGER VS. DUDLEYS VS. DAMIEN SANDOW & DARREN YOUNG VS. THE ASCENSION – WINNERS GET INTO THE RUMBLE
Henry & Swagger won the match to advance. The Dudleys did the 3-D on Viktor, but Swagger broke up the pin and put Bubba in the ankle lock. Henry then splashed Bubba and paused, and instead covered Viktor for the win. Nothing much to the match.
DEAN AMBROSE VS. KEVIN OWENS FOR THE IC TITLE IN A LAST MAN STANDING MATCH
Super match ending with Ambrose winning. Owens had destroyed him for a few minutes including a super falcon arrow off the top rope through a table. Owens put him on four chairs and went to the top rope to splash Ambrose, but Ambrose got up and shoved Owens off the top through two tables stacked up on the floor. Lots of highlights including Ambrose getting up from the power bomb and Owens surviving the Dirty Deeds, as well as Ambrose coming off the top rope with an elbow to the floor, putting Owens through a table.
NEW DAY VS. USOS FOR THE TAG TEAM TITLES
Good match with a hot finishing sequence. Jey sueprkicked Koingston but didn’t see that Big E had tagged in. Jey came off the top rope but E caught him with a big ending for the pin. Xavier Woods debuted a new trombone called Franseca II. Good stuff including E tackling Jimmy to the floor, and Jey doing a splash off the top rope but Kingston got his foot on the rope.
ALBERTO DEL RIO VS. KALISTO FOR U.S. TITLE
So far the odds are 100% as Kalisto won the title. For the finish Del Rio undid the padding on a turnbuckkle. Kalisto gave him a mistimed huracanrana and Del Rio went headfirst into the exposed metal and used the Salida del Sol and got the pin. Kalisto had used the Salida del Sol on Del Rio earlier but Del Rio got his hand on the ropes. This came after a missed double foot stomp by Del Rio.
Stephanie agreed to renegotiate Brock Lesnar’s contract if he took out Roman Reigns tonight in an interview segment with Paul Heyman.
CHARLOTTE VS. BECKY LYNCH FOR DIVAS TITLE
This was easily the most heated women’s title match on a WWE PPV in a long time. Crowd really wanted Lynch to win. Real good match. Lynch had the match won with the disarmer but Ric Flair threw his sports jacket over her head. She let go of the move to go after Ric. This allowed Charlotte to poke Lynch in the eye (which they were out of position to catch) and spear her for the pin. Lynch had survived the spear earlier. Funny spot with Ric kissing Lynch to set up a Charlotte advantage.
Sasha Banks is out to set up the next title match, but she kicked Lynch out of the ring after the match. Very clearly they are building this as the Mania feud. Crowd was way behind Banks. But then they acted like they were best friends. Then Banks laid her out from behind with the back stabber and Bank statement and Charlotte tapped. Huge reaction to Banks as she held up the belt.
Going into the Rumble this has been a really good show.
ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
The crowd is booing Reigng to start. Rusev is out with Lana as No. 2. We’ll be back at certain points.
HHH won the match throwing out Dean Ambrose after he also threw out Roman Reigns. So the show ended iwth HHH, Stephanie and Vince celebrating. The match itself was great, one of the best Rumbles ever. Not really much in the way of suprises, only A.J. Styles and Sami Zayn. Reigns stared, was destroyed by the League of Nations and taken to the back. He came back near the end and started eliminating people. They put over The Wyatts a lot, particularly Braun Strowman, who along with Brock Lesnar were made the Monsters. Lesnar dumped the entire Wyatt family except Bray. Bray came out next and the rest of the Family interfered and they all through out Lesnar. Styles got a big reaction, among the biggest of anyone and came in third and lasted a long time.
A few more highlights:
*Crowd mostly booed Reigns and when he went against HHH, fans cheered HHH
*The attack on Reigns was at just over 20:00 in, with Vince out with the League of Nations to destroy him with Rusev splashing him through a table and he was put on a stretcher. He got off the stretcher and went to the back, coming back jner thje end.
*R-Truth came out, thought it was a ladder match, climbed the ladder, no belt and then he was thrown out by Kane.
*Strowman was put over as a monster, eliminating Show with a head and arm choke and throwing out Kane as well
*Kevin Owens eliminated Styles and the fans booed that more than any elimination. Styles may have been the most popular guy of all in the match.
*Sami Zayn threw out Owens and they really put over their rivalry
*Ambrose threw out Jericho who may have lasted the longest with the exception of Reigns
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Cain Velasquez injured, out of UFC 196; Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic now headlines UFC 196
A back injury has forced former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez (13-2, 11-2 UFC) from his chance at regaining the championship next month. Velasquez has been forced to pull out of the main event of UFC 196, where he was scheduled to fight UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum (20-5-1, 8-2 UFC) in the main event of the February 6 event in Las Vegas, Nevada. Werdum will now defend the championship against Stipe Miocic (14-2, 8-2 UFC) at the event in the headline bout. UFC President Dana White made the announcement on Sunday on his Twitter page.
Cain Velasquez is out with a back injury. Stipe vs Werdum for the heavyweight championship February 6th. pic.twitter.com/vPRJYJvOjL
— Dana White (@danawhite) January 24, 2016
Miocic gets the title shot after scoring a 54-second knockout win over Andrei Arlovski at UFC 195 earlier this month. Miocic was expected to fight the winner of the bout between Werdum and Velasquez, but his title opportunity will come on less than two weeks’ notice. Miocic has won five of his last six fights overall.
It will be the first title defense for Werdum after he submittied Velasquez to win the championship at UFC 188 in June. Werdum has won six straight fights overall.
UFC 196 takes place from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Super Bowl Weekend and airs on pay-per-view. Former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks takes on Stephen Thompson in the co-main event.
The following was post to Cain’s FB Page after the announcement:
I’m sure you’ve heard the news that I won’t be able to fight at UFC 196. I can’t begin to tell you how disappointed I am and how I feel I’m letting you all down. I’ve heard and read all of your messages of support since my last fight and during this camp and for that I thank you.
Training camp has been difficult for the last few weeks, but sometimes no matter how much the heart and mind want to fight through an injury, healing has its own timeline. We thought we’d get through it, but we had to face the truth that it wasn’t going to be OK in time to fight. All of us fighters have all fought injured at one time or another, but I can’t ignore this injury, as my doctor has indicated that not addressing the problems with my sciatic nerve could have longer-term consequences.
My fans deserve to see me compete as close to 100% as possible. I’m committed to giving them that. I’m not going to let my fans down, and I want to make sure I do the right things to ensure a long career.
Fabricio, I hope that you accept my sincere apology. I understand how you may think this is an excuse. From one professional to another, I can tell you I was committed and looking forward to competing with you again. I greatly respect you as a fighter and man, and we will meet soon.
I will get this taken care of as soon as possible. I will heal and will come back and show you the Cain Velasquez you all deserve to see.
Sincerely,
Cain
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Daily Update: Royal Rumble Preview, Hulk Hogan filming commercial
WWE ROYAL RUMBLE TONIGHT FROM ORLANDO, FLA.
Follow along live with Dave Meltzer
Overall the show depends on how the Rumble is executed. It doesn’t appear they are set up for the plague of the last two years where the crowd rejects the winner ahead of time. If HHH wins, he is the favorite, the crowd will hate it of course, but that’s their desired reaction. Even last year, the crowd hated it, the network subscriptions jumped up big the two days after the show, so hating can lead to good business.
Royal Rumble match for WWE title – Very much talked about match with the title at stake. The big story of the match is Roman Reigns, who enters at No. 1 and will likely be there until he gets screwed in some form by HHH. The four favorites to win are Brock Lesnar, Reigns, HHH (who hasn’t been advertised for the show) and Bray Wyatt based on the strong push he got at TV this week. I’d expect Braun Strowman to be put over strong, although they have to be careful, but he could be the monster in the match. As far as surprises go, Undertaker wouldn’t surprise me, and one would expect a few names from NXT would make sense as well as the usual one or two names from the past and of course A.J. Styles unless that decision has changed.
Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens last man standing for IC title – WWE last man standing matches are usually strong so this would look to be the show stealing match. If Owens loses, then the program loses steam and they will need to transition into new stuff for both. If Owens wins, then the program would likely continue.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Kalisto for U.S. title – Either way, Kalisto losing the title on Smackdown doesn’t make sense. A win would help him and keep the program going. A loss would hurt him, and I don’t think they want to hurt him. They had a very good Smackdown match in particular as their styles work well together.
New Day vs. Usos for tag team title – These two teams always work well together. We’ve seen a lot of it, though.
Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch for women’s title – This has been one of the better storylines in recent weeks. Whatever they do, I expect it to continue. I could see Ric Flair’s interference backfiring in some form.
Dudleys vs. The Ascension vs. Jack Swagger & Mark Henry vs. Darren Young & Damien Sandow – winners get into the Royal Rumble.
We’re looking for your thoughts on all three nights of Fantastica Mania as well as the Royal Rumble show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer
Raw is Monday night from Miami. Brock Lesnar is not advertised for Monday’s show but everyone else is scheduled.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Tampa.
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today! Our lastest show posted to youtube is WOR featuring Jim Ross!
Figure Four Weekly
Figure Four Weekly 1/18/2016: Gawker’s motion to dismiss Hulk Hogan lawsuit denied
Gawker’s motion to dismiss the Hulk Hogan sex tape lawsuit is denied, plus news and notesWrestling Observer Newsletter
The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: January 25, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Observer Awards Issue
The 2015 Observer awards issue, the traditional biggest issue of the year,is up on the web site now. The issue not only has the awards winners in more than 40 different categories, but all the top place winners, as well as a history with all the awards winners dating back to 1980, as well as my comments on the placings for many of the awards.
The categories are:
Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year), MMA MVP, Most Outstanding Wrestler, Most Outstanding MMA Fighter, Best Box Office Draw, Feud of the Year, Tag Team of the Year, Most Improved, Best on Interviews, Most Charismatic, Best Technical Wrestler, Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler), Best Flying Wrestler, Most Overrated, Most Underrated, Promotion of the Year, Best Weekly TV show, Pro Wrestling Match of the Year, MMA Match of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Best Non-Wrestler, Best Television Announcer, Worst Television Announcer, Best Major Wrestling show, Worst Major Wrestling Show, Best Wrestling Maneuver, Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic, Worst Television Show, Worst Match of the Year, Worst Feud of the Year, Worst Promotion of the Year, Best Booker, Promoter of the Year, Best Gimmick, Worst Gimmick, Best Pro Wrestling Book and Best Pro Wrestling DVD
Update on the Royal Rumble and Rumble weekend, full coverage of Dominick Cruz’s UFC bantamweight title win and the records set on Sunday’s show and details on the New Japan/Jim Ross announcing deal as well as a look at how this came about and Jim Ross’ overall career.
2017 WrestleMania, how Smackdown has affected overall ratings for the USA Network, update on A.J. Styles with WWE, WWE injury updates, Daniel Bryan update, more on Mauro Ranallo and Smackdown, Chris Jericho talks his return, new season of Total Divas, How talent is broken down in NXT, the heat on Josh from Tough Enough, new dates for Brock Lesnar, plus notes from the big NXT tour and all the shows, the NXT Florida shows, as well as the WWE shows in India and the WWE weekend domestic shows and all the business notes.
PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW
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
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Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: Dec 14, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2 biographies in the works about Jesse Ventura
NBC and ABC working on biographies on Jesse Ventura, a look at the end of year events for New Japan and All Japan, plus tons of news and notes.SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Hope everyone on the East Coast are doing well in dealing with the terrible blizzard that shut down much of the weekend wrestling in the Northeast. Speaking of that weather, as of this morning, at least some of the WWE production crew were still snowed in.
Bryan and I will be back tonight on Wrestling Observer Radio talking all the weekend news, including Royal Rumble, the Mongolian Stomper, Ronda Rousey on SNL as well as taking your e-mail questions to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com I’ve been told today’s Dragon Lee vs. Kamaitachi match from Korakuen Hall on New Japan World is a match of the year candidate. We’ll talk about that as well tonight. We already talked about the Styles and Bullet Club TNA story on Wrestling Observer Radio yesterday.
Dorian Roldan on Twitter said that the original Espectrito, who would be Mario Jiminez, passed away yesterday at the age of 49. On the original When World’s Collide PPV in 1994, Espectrito worked what was at the time among the best PPV openers ever. He was the best working heel mini of his era and maybe ever. He also worked for WWF in the 90s as the original Torito as well as Mini Vader.
The Royal Rumble odds as of a few hours ago, usually the odds that count come in around last hour before the show starts, but there has been significant movement this morning:
Dean Ambrose went from a 2-to-1 favorite to 12-to-1
Kalisto went from an underdog to a 9-to-1 favorite
Charlotte went from a 3-to-1 to 21-to-2 favorite
Mark Henry & Jack Swagger went from underdogs to 9-to-1 favorites
New Day went from 3-to-1 favorites to 15-to-1 favorites
HHH went from a 3-to-1 favorite to a 21-to-2 favorite to win the Rumble
Michael Cole, John Layfield and Byron Saxton will be the announcers tonight. Jerry Lawler will be on the panel instead of announcing.
TMZ.com reported today that the 800-Loan-Mart people feel enough time has passed and they are filming a new commercial featuring Hulk Hogan. They had used Hogan in the past, but had stopped airing his commercials several months ago. Hogan will be doing the commercials with Dennis Rodman.
As far as weekend trending, Royal Rumble has already had 50,000 searches today to put it No. 3 behind the Alaska Earthquake and Tina Fey. Yesterday, Danny Garcia was No. 9. Ronda Rousey was not on the list but Rousey searches were no. 2 for the Saturday Night Live searches that were No. 3 yesterday with 200,000, but Selena Gomez was the top thing searched for off the show and Rousey was second.
WWE
- For what this is worth, WWE this past week filmed new promos for the European market pushing Roman Reigns defending the title on the February tour of Germany. That doesn’t mean he winstonight, but does mean they filmed stuff for airing after the fact that would indicate, which in theory would make no sense to do if he’s not champion in a few weeks. But it wouldn’t be the first time that has happened and won’t be the last.
- Now this doesn’t necessary mean anything, but Reigns is being advertised all over the U.S. for title defenses against Sheamus over the next few months. But there’s a difference between an interview filmed ahead of time and the advertising, which reflects plans as of that moment that constantly change. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
- Besides William Regal, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable, who were advertised, also at the Evolve show in Orlando last night was HHH, which tells you all you need to know about the WWE/Evolve relationship.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Last night in our ROH house show report from Duluth, GA, it was Alex Shelley in the six-man tag, not Chris Sabin as was listed until today. (thanks to Larry Goodman)
- Pat Miletich said on Friday night on Inside MMA that he would be willing to come out of retirement to face the winner of the Royce Gracie vs Ken Shamrock match. Well, I think a lot of people would be. Don’t expect that one to happen.
- World Series of Fighting announced that its 3/12 show, headlined by Justin Gaethje vs. Brian Foster for the lightweight title, has been moved to Greely, CO, and the Bank of Colorado Arena. The arena is on the campus of the University of Norther Colorado, and Gaethje was a Division I All-American as a junior at that school.
- Rey Mysterio Jr.’s match with WWC that has been pushed of late on their TV will be the main event of the 2/27 La Hora de la Verdad show in Caguas at Yldefonso Sola Morales Stadium against Mr. 450, who is the same guy that uses that name in AAA, and has worked as Hammet on NXT tapings. (thanks to Ivan Pajic and Leonardo Mendes Toledo)
- World Series of Fighting announced new TV dates on 6/17 in Mashantucket, CT, 7/30 in Springfield, MA and 9/2 in New Town, ND.
- Dynamo Pro Wrestling from last night in Wood River, IL: Evan Morris b The Snitch, Brandon Espinosa b Ric Maverick, Danny Adams & Paco Gonzalez b Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby, Jayson Khaos b Keon Option, Alexandre Rudolph & Jake Parnell b Brandon Aarons & Garrett Shanks, Jayden Fenix b Justin D’Air, Billy McNeil b C.J. Shine, Mike Outlaw b Kevin Lee Davidson (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
- Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno: Guerrero de la Muerta b Skitzo-DQ, Jesse Poole & Chat Douglas NC Guerrero de la Muerta & Mortal. Next live show is 1/31 at Hanford, CA at the Civic Center (thanks to Jon Southerland)
Ed Loredo has set up a bus for WrestleMania weekend for readers going to Dallas. The first bus sold out immediately so there may be a second bus added. For more info contact him at f4wfan@hotmail.com
ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY: Daily pro wrestling history (1/24): Rock/Mankind I Quit match, first ever Royal Rumble
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Daily pro wrestling history (1/24): Rock/Mankind I Quit match, first ever Royal Rumble
1950
San Francisco, California:
– Ray Eckert won the San Francisco NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title by defeating Sandor Szabo1956
Baltimore, Maryland:
– Buddy Rogers defeated Karl Von Albers for the Eastern Heavyweight Title1961
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– AWA Tag Team Champions Hard Boiled Haggerty & Len Montana beat Verne Gagne & Wilbur Snyder to retain the title
– AWA US Champion Gene Kiniski beat Jack Healy to retain the title1963
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Lou Thesz defeated Buddy Rogers to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title
– Bulldog Brower and Hans Schmidt beat Billy Red Lyons and Sam Steamboat
– Bruno Sammartino beat Buddy Austin
– Johnny Valentine beat Fred Atkins
– Sweet Daddy Wiki beat Jim Hady
– The Beast beat Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon)Jacksonville, Florida:
– Don Curtis (sub Bob Ellis) and Mark Lewin defeated The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan) to win the Florida NWA World Tag Team Titles
– Southern Title: Eddie Graham defeated Mighty Zorro
– Kurt & Karl Von Brauner defeated Joe Scarpa (sub Don Curtis) & Reggie Parks
– Wild Red Berry beat Gentleman Saul
– Rito Carreon beat Hiro Matsuda1964
Miami, Florida:
– NWA World Title: Lou Thesz defeated Eddie Graham
– Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard defeated Haystack Calhoun & Don Curtis
– Hiro Matsuda defeated Tito Carreon
– Great Malenko defeated Jerry London1967
Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada:
– Mad Dog Vachon defeated Hans Schmidt to win the International Wrestling International Heavyweight Title1968
Tokyo, Japan:
– Danny Hodge defeated Lou Thesz for the International Pro Wrestling TWWF World Heavyweight Title1969
– Paul Jones and Nelson Royal defeated The Medics for the NWA Americas Tag Team Titles
Dothan, Alabama:
– Flash and Rocket Monroe won the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Title from Don Carson and Dick Dunn1972
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
– Bob Brown and Gene Kiniski won the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title by defeating Mark Lewin and Steven Little Bear1973
Buffalo, New York:
– Jacques Rougeau, Sr. defeated Waldo Von Erich in a tournament final for the vacant National Wrestling Federation Heavyweight TitleMilwaukee, Wisconsin:
– Death Match, No Time Limit, No dq: Pampero Firpo beat Baron Von Raschke
– Bobby Duncum & Bobby Heenan beat Larry Hennig (sub Greg Gagne) & Jim Brunzell
– Jos Leduc beat Jimmy Valiant
– Kim Duk beat Bull Bullinski
– Bob Backlund drew Khosrow Vaziri (Iron Shiek)1974
Dallas, Texas:
Black Jack Lanza defeated Johnny Valentine in 2 out of 3 falls
Jerry Oates defeated Blackjack Mulligan
The Samoan, Afi and Sika Anoia defeated Dale Lewis and Big Joe Cassidy
Jose Lothario won by disqualification from Apache Bull Ramos
Bob Orton Jr. pinned Matt Gibson1977
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Bill Dundee and Ricky Gibson defeated Dutch Mantel and David Schultz to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles1979
Miami Beach, Florida:
– Korean Assassin Match-Dusty Rhodes defeated Pak Song
– Eddie & Mike Graham & Hiro Matsuda defeated Mr. Sato & Mr. Saito & Rising Sun
– Brass Knuckles Title: Killer Karl Kox defeated Herb Calvert to retain title
– Thor The Viking defeated Steve Brody (sub for Jos LeDuc)1980
Kansas City, Kansas:
– The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) defeated The Avenger for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title1984
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jerry Lawler & Austin Idol beat AWA Tag Team Champions Jerry Blackwell & Ken Patera dq
– If Dutch loses, he will leave town: Dutch Mantell beat Randy Savage to win Mid American Title
– Southern Tag Team Champions Zambuie Express beat Fabulous Ones
– Jos Leduc beat Tommy Gilbert
– King Konga beat Art Crews
– Rick Rude beat Jerry Grey
– Rock and Roll Express & Mr. Ebony & Koko Ware beat Sabu & Karl Krupp & Porkchop Cash & Dream Machine1987
Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
– Non Title: Midnight Rockers beat AWA Tag Team Champions Buddy Rose & Doug Somers
– Larry Zbyszko & Masa Saito beat Nick Bockwinkel & Greg Gagne
– Coal Miners Glove match: Colonel DeBeers beat Jimmy Snuka
– Steve O beat The Ninja by dq
– Kevin Kelly beat Earthquake Ferris
– Boris Zhukov beat Jerry Seganovich (Jerry Sags)
– Buck Zumhofe beat Brian Knobbs1988
Bunkhouse Stampede, Uniondale, New York:
– Larry Zbyszko defeated Barry Windham to win the NWA Western States Heritage Title
– Dusty Rhodes won a Steel Cage Bunkhouse Stampede battle royal
– Road Warrior Hawk defeated NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair by disqualificationRoyal Rumble, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
– Jim Duggan won the Royal Rumble
– Ricky Steamboat defeated Rick Rude by disqualification1992
Dallas, Texas:
– Eddie Gilbert defeated Terry Garvin (Terry Simms) for the vacant GWF Television Title1993
Royal Rumble, Sacramento, California
– Yokozuna won the Royal Rumble
– Bret Hart defeated Razor Ramon to retain the WWF World Title
– WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels pinned Marty Jannetty1996
Matsumoto, Japan:
– Gary Albright and Stan Hansen defeated Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Titles1998
Souled Out: Dayton, Ohio:
– Chris Jericho defeated Rey Misterio, Jr to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title
– Bret Hart defeated Ric Flair
– WCW World Television Champion Booker T pinned Rick Martel to retain the title1999
Royal Rumble: Anaheim, California:
– The Rock won the WWF World Title by defeating Mankind in an I Quit match
– Vince McMahon won the Royal Rumble
– WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock defeated Billy Gunn to retain the title2000
Los Angeles, California:
– Sid Vicious pinned Kevin Nash to win the vacant WCW World Title
– Lex Luger defeated Booker T2002
Naucalpan, Mexico:
– Pantera defeated champion Último Vampiro and Pentagon in a three-way match to win the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Title -
Wrestling Observer print edition special offer: WWE Royal Rumble
If you’re a collector of print editions of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and are interested in obtaining print copies of our coverage of the first 15 years, Grant Zwarych is offering a sale right now. (Note that for online subscribers, you have already have access to many of these in our digital archives, links below.)
The Rumbles covered start at 1988 and run through 2002. Here’s what is in these issues in additon to Rumble coverage:
1988: Feb. 1 (10) Complete coverage of the promotion’s 1/24 head to head events; Nassau Coliseum’s Bunkhouse Stampede finals vs. Hamilton’s Royal Rumble, Mike George wins WWA World title tournament in Kansas City; Fujinami & Kengo Kimura win IWGP belts from Fujiwara & Yamazaki
1989: Jan. 23 (8): WWF Royal Rumble 1/15 card coverage, AWA & Jarrett Promotions split, Bam Bam Bigelow history in NWA, Chris Benoit wins Commonwealth mid-heavyweight belt from Davey Boy Smith
1990: Feb. 1 (8) Titan signs Mike Tyson as special ref for Hogan vs Savage, Royal Rumble 1/21 card coverage, AJPW & NJPW going to work together for 1st time in more than a decade, Akira Maeda does job for Nobuhiko Takada 1/16 in Tokyo, NWA booking committee trimmed down
1991: Jan. 28 (10) WWF Royal Rumble 1/19 card coverage-Sgt Slaughter wins WWF title, Observer Research Reveals Vince’s Baldness Fetish, At what point does bad taste cross the line, Transcript of column sent to The National re the war angle, Vader wins IWGP title from Fujinami 1/17, Diamond Dallas Page debuts in WCW
1992: Jan 27 (10): WWF Royal Rumble 1/19 card coverage- Flair wins WWF title, More Wrestling Observer award winners, Strange story, Bret Hart loses IC title to The Mountie who loses to Roddy Piper, WCW debuts Jesse Ventura at the Clash
1993: Feb 1 (10): Royal Rumble 1/24 card coverage, Flair still not signed by WCW, Jim Cornette to return to TBS, Kerry Von Erich apprehended on drug charge
1994: Jan 31 (10) Dusty Rhodes resigns as WCW booker, Royal Rumble 1/24 card coverage, Arn Anderson files suit against Sid Vicious over England stabbing incident, UWA & EMLL wrestling union break up
1995: Jan 30 (12) Royal Rumble 1/22 card coverage Jeff Jarrett wins IC title from Razor Ramon, 123 Kid & Bob Holly win tag belts over Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka, Angle to bring Ric Flair back to be at the 1/25 Clash, Woody Strode passes away, Ray Stevens hospitalized
1996: Jan 29 (12) The Monday night war-how it’s changed wrestling, Royal Rumble 1/21 card coverage-Goldust wins IC title from Razor Ramon, Clash of Champions XXXII 1/23 card coverage, Buddy Fuller passes away-quick career recap, Extreme Fighting was subject on Phil Donahue show
1997: Jan 27 (12) More UFC problems-this time New York, Royal Rumble 1/19 card coverage- Shawn Michaels wins WWF title, WCW sets company record 1/20 in Chicago, Mitsuhara Misawa wins triple crown from Kenta Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue win double belts from Williams & Johnny Ace, Clash of Champions XXXIV 1/21 card coverage
1998: Jan 26 (16) Will Tyson vs Austin be the most publicized match ever?, Bobo Brazil passes away, Royal Rumble 1/18 card coverage, Champions roll call for 1997 along with top drawing cards, A lot of craziness in Portland revolving around Matt Borne, Mark Kerr legal situation up in the air, The Quebecers debut in WWF
1999: Feb 1 (18) WCW vs WWF business trends over the years, Royal Rumble 1/24 card coverage- Rock regains WWF title vs Mankind, Kawada suffers broken wrist in triple crown win over Misawa, UFO 12/30 card coverage, Some controversy in refereeing of Bas Rutten vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka match
2000: Jan 31 (18) WCW gives releases to Benoit, Guerrero, Malenko, Saturn, Douglas & Konan, Royal Rumble 1/23 card coverage-Jericho wins IC title, Al Costello passes away-career retrospect, Bobby Duncum Jr & Raul Reyes pass away, WWF pulls developmental territory deal in Memphis from Randy Hales, Rings 12/22 card coverage, Multifacetico killed by gang in Mexico City
2001: Jan 29 (12) Royal Rumble 1/21 card coverage-Jericho wins IC belt from Benoit, Kenta Kobashi blows out knee, Saturday Night magazine has lengthy story on the Hart family problems Scott Steiner arrested, Much talk on potential shut down and relaunch of WCW under WWF banner, Main event draws
2002: Jan 28 (12) NJPW in chaos-Muto, Ishizawa & Kojima give notice, Imminent arrival of Hall & Nash teased on Raw, Royal Rumble 1/20 card coverage-William Regal wins IC title from Edge, Tradition of Memphis wrestling on WMC-TV returns, Jim Ross press conference
*****
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*****
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ROH Duluth, GA, results: AJ Styles & Bullet Club curtain call
Submitted by Christian Norman from Duluth, GA:
Fun show (better than last time they came through Atlanta). A.J. Styles popped up a few times throughout the night so I guess they’ll have to edit him out if they do a DVD like they usually do for Atlanta shows. They combined the three scheduled title defenses into an eight-man tag match with all the titles on the line: Lethal, Strong & War Machine vs. Anderson, Gallows and the Young Bucks. Admittedly, the crowd was dead following a surprisingly boring match between Adam Cole and Stevie Richards. They woke up when Matt Jackson superkicked Lethal’s female valet, which prompted Lethal to superkick Amber Gallows.
*****
Dalton Castle def. Corey Hollis
Fun match that probably went too long. The crowd liked Castle a lot but he played up his antics for a long time.
Cedric Alexander def. Mark Briscoe
Fine match that Mark had fun with. Alexander pinned him after a cool looking move kind of out of no where.
– A.J. Styles started a promo saying since he’s home, he would give us answers, but then ROH Champion Jay Lethal interrupted him. Lethal pointed out that he beat Styles so it is his show. Lethal said Duluth, GA, didn’t deserve a wordl title match so he wasn’t going to defend tonight. Then Roderick Strong came out and claimed he was the greatest champion and that he also didn’t feel like defending tonight. The Bullet Club then joined in and the ring was getting really crowded. They basically called all the ROH champions pussies. War Machine came down the aisle but didn’t get in the ring. Everybody but A.J. (who kind of disappeared) brawled for a bit and left anticlimactically. Later, we got word that Nigel rearranged the card for the new main event.
– Styles interrupted a local wrestler’s promo and hit him with a Styles Clash for a cheap pop.
All Night Express def. MooseBurger
Hometown crowd loved Moose and appreciated Cheeseburger. ANX got the pin on Cheeseburger in an okay match.
Matt Sydal & Alex Shelley & ACH def. Michael Elgin & reDRagon
Really good match that had the crowd into it. Elgin did some impressive strength spots. The best was a vertical suplex where ACH and Sydal kicked Elgin in the stomach at different times, and he almost put Sydal down but muscled him back up. Then reDRagon tried to get him to finish the move but he wouldn’t, so they eventually pushed him over themselves to end it. I was surprised that Elgin got pinned in this one but it came after all three of his opponents hit their finishers. Sydal hit the shooting star and pinned Elgin.
Amber Gallows def. Veda Scott
Crowd was still coming back from concession break so not a lot of heat. Scott was working as a babyface which didn’t make much sense either. Gallows won with her feet on the ropes. Not bad but the crowd wasn’t feeling it.
Jay Briscoe won a six man scramble pinning Will Ferrara
A lot of moves and chaos as expected, but the end was underwhelming. After the match, Briscoe tried to give Ferrara a compliment but BJ Whitmer interrupted. He tried to get the Briscoes to join him in teaching the young wrestlers their place. Jay flicked him off instead of shaking his hand and Adam Page attacked Whitmer. Steve Corino threw Whitmer back in when he tried to escape and he got beat up more. Jay shook Page’s hand. Then Jay took a fan’s sign that read “Someone Please Hit BJ with My Sign” and Page broke it over BJ’s head to a big pop.
Adam Cole def, Stevie Richards
Stevie looks to be in fantastic shape! However, both guys also looked nearly identical because they were wearing such similar gear. This match wasn’t bad, but the crowd really died during it. I can’t pinpoint why but the energy just fell during this one.
ROH Champions (World Champion Jay Lethal, Tag Champions War Machine, TV Champion Roderick Strong def. Bullet Club (Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Young Bucks)
Best match of the night with a lot of action. Not much in terms of ring psychology though. You knew the BC wasn’t walking out with the titles but they still shined here. War Machine took out Anderson for the win. After the match, A.J. rejoined them for a group hug “Curtain Call” style. The crowd chanted “Thank you AJ!” Then Doc took the mic and directed people to the merchandise stand and the show ended.
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Evolve 54 iPPV results: HHH & William Regal make an appearance
By Chris GST, courtesy of PWPonderings.com
EVOLVE Wrestling held the second event of the weekend on their way to crowning their first Tag Team Champions. WWE COO Triple H was in attendance as William Regal was set to make an announcement along with NXT tag team Jason Jordan and Chad Gable signed autographs. Regal made an appearance during intermission which included EVOLVE Champion Timothy Thatcher and Matt Riddle where Riddle appeared to have challenged the champion to a future match.
– 2nd Chance Tag Team Tournament First Round Match: Team Tremendous (Dan Barry & Bill Carr) defeat The Premier Athlete Brand (Anthony Nese & Caleb Konley w/So Cal Val & Andrea), pinning Nese with “Book em, Danno!” The Premier Athlete Brand attack Tremendous after the match. Konley however leaves, stating he only cares about the EVOLVE championship. Peter Kaasa chases Anthony Nese away.
– Style Battle 2016 Round Robin Tournament Match: Matt Riddle submits Yehi to an inveted heel hook. Riddle is now 2-0 and Yehi is 0-2.
– Tommaso Ciampa pins Ethan Page with a running knee strike to the face. This was Ciampa’s EVOLVE debut.
– 2nd Chance Tag Team Tournament First Round Match: Catch Point (Drew Gulak & TJ Perkins w/”Hot Sauce” Tracy Willams & Matt Riddle) defeat Zack Sabre Jr. and Sami Callihan when Perkins submits Callihan in a cross armbreaker after a Detonation Kick. Frustrated by the loss, Callihan shoves Sabre Jr. and challenged him to a singles match tomorrow. Sabre Jr. accepted.
– Style Battle 2016 Round Robin Tournament Match: “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams w/Drew Gulak submits Peter Kaasa to a crossface. Williams is now 2-0 and Kaasa is now 0-2. Tomorrow night, the winner of Williams vs. Riddle wins the Style Battle tournament.
– EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament Semi-Final Round Match: Johnny Gargano & Drew Galloway defeat the Bravado Bros. (Harlem & Lancelot Bravado) when Gargano submitted Harlem to the Garga-No Escape.
– EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament Semi-Final Round Match: Heroes Eventually Die (Chris Hero & Tommy End) defeat Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta) with a Death Blow/knee strike combo to Romero.
The EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament finals take place Sunday in the same building with Gargano & Galloway take on Heroes Eventually Die for the Evolve tag team titles.
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WWE Ft. Meyers, FL, results: Roman Reigns vs. Rusev, Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens
Submitted by Drew Goldfarb
Opened with national anthem (took photo as it ended). Arena doesn’t seat a lot (lowers are 21 rows deep, no club/uppers). Of seats available, floor is sold out, bowl is about 75%.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze
Ziggler got a nice pop while Tyler Breeze had lots of pictures being taken during his entrance, he had his live cell phone tron). Crowd HEAVILY behind Ziggler. Ziggler mocked Breeze’s pose in the corner to a big cheer. Ziggler won on a super kick. Nothing you wouldn’t expect from these guys. Solid, fun match, but nothing overly special.
Curtis Axel vs. Braun Strowman
Axel got no real crowd reaction, though a couple of people cheered) while Strowman got CHEERS, believe it or not…entered to a weird non-theme, just some rumbling sounds that sounded like the noise when the Star Destroyer is slowly passing overhead in Star Wars… NO tron image… “fireflies” came out from stands. Strowman tried to draw heat, and was cheered. Finally got some boos when he went into the slow, submission offense. Strowman won with his shoulder-carry side drop slam… and was cheered again. Axel never knocked Strowman off his feet. Not a single semi-interesting spot or moment in the match. Strowman is SO dull.
Ambrose cut a promo on Owens on the tron next previewing their IC Title match tonight.
U.S. Champion Alberto del Rio vs. Chris Jericho: non-title
Crowd member (a kid) allowed to introduce next match. Jericho (introduced to MASSIVE pop) vs Del Rio (boo’d widely, though a pocket of cheers in one section). Non-title match. Del Rio tore up the sign of the fan in the backwards red hat who’s always at these shows and thee the pieces back at him. No idea what the sign said. USA chant, even though Jericho’s Canadian. Jericho wiped his armpits and under his crotch with ADR’s shirt when he laid it on the turnbuckle, then threw it to the crowd (ew?). During the match, Del Rio grabbed the fan’s hat and flung it to the back row of the floor seats. Del Rio had the arm breaker over the ropes til the 5 count which was a nice spot.
Jericho rolled out of the arm breaker and into the Walls (crab-style). Del Rio reached the ropes for the break. Jericho hit the Codebreaker for the win after avoiding the top-rope stomp while tied up in the second rope. The 10 kids around me were REALLY into this match. It was as entertained as I’ve ever been by an ADR match, though I typically find him really boring. Jericho signed autographs and had fun pumping up the crowd after the match… seemed to be enjoying himself.
WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. The Usos
New Day introduced to mixed response, but most people responded…Big E and Kofi twerked over the smoke blasts while Xavier danced between them…Big E did snow angels in the ring…I love these guys) vs Usos (got a nice, all-positive reaction). Xavier borrowed (and then returned) a sign saying RIP with the trombone and held it up with the other members around him. Kofi and Xavier in the match. Teams traded dancing/taunting funny spots early. Spot of the match: with one Uso standing on the second ripe and holding the top rope up, the other five through his legs to the outside. Big E distracted the ref from an Uso pin, distraction allowed Xavier to get the pin on a roll up to retain.
Really good match, though Big E stole it for me, taunting the announcers (he ate some paper he took from one of them) and fans and dancing around. Big E attacked Usos as soon as the bell ended the match and cleared the ring to dance around as a team. Usos attacked New Day and hit the big splash on Big E after a minute and posed with the belts before leaving them in the ring. Big E sold his left leg on his way up the ramp, but that may have just been him being Big E goofy.
WWE I-C Champion Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens
Owens was booed and walked up to barricade and stared down a kid for a moment to taunt him, while Ambrose got big cheers at least on par with Ziggler, only more sustained through the entrance, though not QUITE what Jericho got. KO attacked Ambrose before he entered the ring as he stood on the apron and posed with the belt. Ref started the match as soon as Ambrose was standing up in the ring. Ambrose hit the dive through the ropes after KO started with all of the offense. KO hit the cannonball for a two count. A
mbrose suplexed KO off the top (Ambrose was standing on the second rope) then went for Dirty Deeds but was blocked. Ambrose connected on his rebound clothesline for two and the top rope elbow to a standing KO for a near-fall. Ambrose countered Popup Powerbomb with a hurricanrana, then kicked out of the PuPB when KO hit it the second try. After distracting the ref by undoing the turnbuckle, KO grabbed a chair but was caught by the ref. Ambrose tried a roll-up but KO kicked out. Ambrose’s rebound clothesline was ducked, but he twisted it into Dirty Deeds for the pin. Really good match, as you’d expect.
> Intermission
Becky Lynch vs. Tamina (w/Alicia Fox as special ref
Tamina was with Naomi… Titantron showed Sasha Banks’ name first and I got excited… no real response for Tamina while Lynch got a nice positive response. A “Becky” chant prematch and a few during. Becky got no offense for the first 75% of the match but won on a roll-up. Alicia played no role. Tamina and Naomi attacked Alicia and mostly Becky post match and Natty made the surprise save to a nice pop. Natty applied the sharpshooter to Tamina for a minute before Tamina and Naomi escaped.
Bray Wyatt vs. Kane
Wyatt was with Braun… cheered during entrance with plenty of fireflies), while Kane got a MASSIVE pop, like Jericho. Big “Kane! Kane!” cheer prematch. Wyatt did a small DX-like crotch chop as a taunt to the crowd at one point, which was odd. More of the HHH crotch flick than the full-fledged chop. Anyway… Bray was boo’d throughout the match. Braun and Kane had a stare down at one point. Fun spot where each did their special sit-up (Bray’s crab, Kane’s sit) at the same time… didn’t let it breathe, though, and it was over too quick to enjoy, unlike the Brock/Taker one at SS. Strowman interference allowed Bray to hit Sister Abigail for the pin. People boo’d a LOT. I didn’t realize people anywhere still loved Kane like this (and not just in the “you’ve done a lot for us, so I like and respect you” way).
Nice “thank you fans” video shown on tron. Well edited as always.
WWE Champion Roman Reigns vs. Rusev (w/Lana)
Lana cut a promo to major boos while Reigns got biggest pop of the night, though may have been only slightly more than Kane’s. Reigns entered through the crowd. CONSTANT pro-Roman chants. The people love Roman Reigns. A Lana distraction allows Rusev to lock in the Accolade. Reigns gets out of it and hits a spear for the pin fall victory. Entertaining match.