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  • Daily pro wrestling history (1/5): Kerry Von Erich beats Jerry Lawler for World Class title

    1899

    Clinton, Iowa:
    – Tom Cannon beat Farmer Burns in 2 out of 3 falls

    1948 

    Des Moines, Iowa:
    – Orville Brown defeated Sonny Myers to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title

    1950

    Columbus, Ohio:
    – Frankie Talaber won the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title from Cyclone Anaya

    1951

    Houston, Texas:
    – Danny Savich defeated Danny McShain to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title 

    1956

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
    – Zack Melkov and Tony Toss defeated Jack Allen and Jerry Woods for the NWA Illinois Midwest Tag Team Title 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Wild Red Berry beat Richard Brown 
    – Ike Eakins beat Johnny Kostas 
    – Bibber McCoy beat Jim Dobie 
    – Mike DiBiase drew Don Whitehead 

    1957

    London, England:
    – Mick McManus defeated Jack Dempsey to win the British Welterweight Title 

    1958

    Mobile, Alabama:
    – Yvon Robert and Billy Wicks defeated Don and Jackie Fargo for the Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Title 

    1962 

    Houston, Texas:
    – Dory Dixon won the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title by defeating Jack Dalton (Don Fargo) 

    1963

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Crusher
    – Bob Ellis beat Bob Orton
    – Tex McKenzie beat Lee Henning
    – Guy Mitchell beat Sonny Myers

    1965

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Fritz Von Erich defeated Pepper Gomez for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Eddie Graham no contest Fred Blassie
    – The Assassins defeated Dick Steinborn & Lou Bastein
    – Harry “Georgia Boy” Smith defeated Pedro Godoy

    1966

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – Nick Kozak defeated Killer Kowalski to win the Hawaii version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title
    – Ron Reed defeated Luther Lindsay for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title

    1967

    Portland, Oregon:
    – Tony Borne won the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title from Paul Jones

    Jacksonville, Florida:
    – World Tag Titles: The Infernos defeated Sam Steamboat & Jose Lothario by dq
    – Florida Title: Lester Welch defeated Ken Lucas to retain title
    – Sputnik Monroe defeated Bronko Kelly
    – Bobby Fields defeated Corsica Jean

    1968 

    Portland, Oregon:
    – Stan Stasiak defeated Moondog Mayne to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Alberto and Enrique Torres defeated Butcher and Stan Vachon for the Georgia version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title 

    Dothan, Alabama:
    – Frank and Jack Dalton defeated Don Carson and Dick Dunn to win the vacant NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Title

    1973

    Detroit, Michigan:
    – Kurt Von Hess and Karl Von Shotz defeated Fred Curry and Tony Marino to win the Detroit version of the NWA World Tag Team Title

    1974

    Indianapolis, Indiana:
    – Jimmy and Johnny Valiant defeated Dick the Bruiser and WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino for the World Wrestling Association World Tag Team Title 

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Billy Robinson & Red Bastien
    – Mad Dog Vachon no contest Superstar Billy Graham
    – Buddy Wolff beat Ken Patera
    – Chris Taylor beat Redbeard Munson
    – Reggie Parks drew Tony Rocco
    – Greg Gagne beat Paul Perschmann (Buddy Rose)

    1976 

    Vancouver, British Columbia:
    – Don Leo Jonathan defeated Gene Kiniski for the Vancouver version of the NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title

    West Palm Beach, Florida:
    – NWA Title: Terry Funk defeated Thunderbolt Patterson to retain title
    – Southern Title: Billy Robinson defeated Killer Kowalski to retain title
    – Texas Tornado Match: Omar & Cyclon Negro defeated Rip Hawk & Roger Kirby

    1977

    Miami, Florida:
    – Steel Cage Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Ox Baker
    – Jack Brisco defeated Superstar Billy Graham dq
    – Jos Leduc & Roberto Soto defeated Angelo Poffo & Hans Schroeder

    1978

    Osaka, Japan:
    – The Samoans (Afa and Sika) defeated Animal Hamaguchi and Great Kusatsu to win the International Wrestling Alliance Tag Team Titles

    1980 

    Augusta, Georgia:
    – Steve Travis defeated Austin Idol to win the NWA Georgia Television Title

    1982

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Jim Brunzell
    – Hulk Hogan & Baron Von Raschke beat Ken Patera & Bobby Heenan (sub Bobby Duncum)
    – Sheik Adnan beat Greg Gagne dq
    – Brad Rheingans drew Sgt Goulet

    1983

    Miami, Florida:
    – The Fabulous Kangaroos (Johnny Heffernan and Don Kent) defeated Ron Bass and Barry Windham for the NWA Florida Global Tag Team Titles
    – NWA World Title: Ric Flair defeated Rufus R. Jones by dq
    – Florida Title: Mike Graham defeated Kevin Sullivan
    – Angelo Mosca defeated Midnight Rider by dq
    – Jake Roberts defeated Terry Allen
    – Scott McGhee drew Jim Garvin

    1984

    Beaumont, Texas:
    – Adrian Street defeated Relampago Leon to win the Southwest Championship Wrestling Southwest Junior Heavyweight Title 

    1985

    Lakeland, Florida:
    – NWA World Title: Ric Flair defeated Dutch Mantel (Mantell was booker for the CWF)
    – Michael Hayes & Sweet Brown Sugar & One Man Gang defeated Krusher Khrushchev & Jim Neidhart & The Saint (Fidel Sierra)
    – Brian Blair defeated Jesse Barr
    – Mark & Jay Youngblood defeated PYTs (Koko Ware & Norvel Austin)

    1986

    Sendai, Japan:
    – Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura are officially recognized as the first IWGP World Tag Team Champions

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – The Jumping Bomb Angels (Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki) defeated Bull Nakano and Condor Saito to win the vacant WWWA World Tag Team Title

    1987

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Soul Train Jones defeated Big Bubba for the CWA/AWA International Heavyweight Title

    1988 

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – Jack Victory and John Tatum defeated Skip Young in a handicap match to win Young and Tony Atlas’ World Class Texas Tag Team Title after Atlas failed to show up for the event

    Chosei, Japan:
    – Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu & Wajima beat Abdullah The Butcher & TNT & Black Assassin
    – Genichiro Tenryu & Ashara Hara beat Great Kabuki & Isao Takagi
    – Shohei Giant Baba & John Tenta beat Kimura & Tsurumi
    – AWA Champion Curt Hennig beat Toshiaki Kawada
    – Akira Taue dcor Buddy Landel
    – Tiger Mask II & Ishikawa beat Pete Roberts & Paul Harris

    Mayagez, Puerto Rico:
    – Hurricane Castillo, Jr. defeated Galan Mendoza to win the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title

    1989

    Nassau, Bahamas:
    – The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) defeated Johnny Ace and The Terminator for the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Chigusa Nagayo won the International Wrestling Association of Japan Women’s Title from Madusa Miceli

    1990

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Kerry Von Erich defeated Jerry Lawler to win the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title 

    1992

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Sakie Hasegawa and Debbie Malenko defeated Takako Inoue and Mariko Yoshida for the AJW World Tag Team Title 

    1994

    Osaka, Japan:
    – Kouji Ishinriki defeated Ultimo Dragon to win the UWA World Middleweight Title 

    1996 

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
    – 2 Cold Scorpio defeated ECW World Television and World Tag Team Champion Mikey Whipwreck to win the Television title 

    Fort Wright, Kentucky:
    – D’Lo Brown defeated Bobby Blaze in a tournament final to become the first Heartland Wrestling Association Heavyweight Champion 

    1998

    New Haven, Connecticut:
    – Jeff Jarrett defeated Barry Windham to win the vacant NWA North American Heavyweight Title 

    2000

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Tetsuhiro Kuroda defeated Masato Tanaka for the WEW Heavyweight Title

    2001

    Ponce, Puerto Rico:
    – Damien Steele defeated Eddie Colon, Richie Santiago, Black Boy and Rockero to win the vacant WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title

    2005

    – Eddie Colon defeated Titus (Ryan Wilson) for the vacant WWC Universal Heavyweight Title

  • NJPW New Year’s Dash report: Big Bullet Club angle, NEVER trios titles defended

    New Year’s Dash, the equivalent of the Raw after WrestleMania, has come and gone and in its wake there were a lot challenges made, as well as a big change within the Bullet Club. It was a newsworthy show in terms of what we’ll be seeing in the next month for New Japan. Aside from one angle, which I’ll cover further down this article, it seemed like the big news that broke Monday afternoon had no effect on this show or the booking for the next month, so we’ll see what happens from here.

    Sho Tanaka, Ryusuke Taguchi, Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi and Shiro Koshinaka vs Yohei Komatsu, Tiger Mask, Jushin Liger, Cheeseburger and Yoshiaki Fujiwara

    Decent, fun match. Cheeseburger was immediately over in Korakuen Hall. Everyone loved his offense, which was pretty much every one of his opponents no selling it because he’s so tiny in comparison. He is pretty great in his role; he looked so miniscule next to Nakanishi. There was one point in the match where Fujiwara slapped and headbutted him after he motioned for a high five or something. I guess Fujiwara isn’t a fan. It boiled down to Taguchi and Komatsu after Koshinaka took down Cheeseburger with a hip attack. He and Taguchi did a double hip attack on Komatsu then Taguchi followed it up with the dodon for the win.

    Fujiwara headbutted Cheeseburger again after the match. That’s not very nice!

    Jay White and David Finlay vs. Matt Sydal and Ricochet

    Really good, fast paced match. Sydal and Ricochet are just an excellent team, they gel really well together. If they continue to tag here in 2016 they’re really going to be something special. White and Finlay held their own and looked awesome here. In terms of rookie of the year for 2015 it’s a very close race between White and Chad Gable. Sydal and Ricochet won with the stereo shooting star presses on both young lions.

    Jay Lethal vs. Juice Robinson

    Fine match. Mostly just a platform to put Lethal over as he’ll more than likely be on the ROH tours next month. Martini got involved at one point. Robison looked like he was going to punch him but Lethal did a big suicide dive, sending Robison crashing into the guardrail. This looked great the way they shot it. Martini got involved again toward the end, looking to hit Robinson with the Book of Truth but Robinson gave him an airplane spin. Lethal recovered and hit a cutter from the middle rope, then pinned Robinson with the Lethal Injection.

    Togi Makabe, Kushida, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Togi Makabe and Satoshi Kojima vs. Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga, King Haku and Yujiro Takahashi

    Really fun ten man tag. Lots of the usual New Japan mult-tag spots you’d normally see, but they worked hard and this ended up being fun. Haku was in a lot. He didn’t look awesome in terms of mobility, but looked fine in everything he did, if that makes sense. He gave Honma a piledriver which led to Gallows and Anderson going for the Magic Killer but Honma escaped. Anderson hit him with a stun gun and eventually they were able to hit the Magic Killer and pinned Honma. This makes sense as they’re probably doing a rematch somewhere at the New Beginning shows.

    Sure enough, Gallows and Anderson put the belts on Honma after the match and indicated they wanted the next title shot. They went over to the announcers where Anderson said they were the best tag team in professional wrestling….just not using those words, as his actual words were not FCC friendly.

    Intermission. No announcements regarding Fantasticamania but I’d expect something over the next couple of days since those are very soon.

    Mascara Dorada, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin vs. Bushi, Evil and Tetsuya Naito

    Maybe it’s just me, but there have been hints lately there might be something between Yohei Komatsu and Naito. He helped him to the back last night at WrestleKingdom and Naito ordered him to help him enter the ropes here.

    There was a great spot where everyone was cheering for Naito. He tagged himself in as he got a bunch of chants against Tanahashi, then simply just tagged himself out for the heel heat. Of course, the minute Tanahashi turned his back Naito jumped him. They all got the heat on Tanahashi following that. Dorada looked good here too.  Bushi did the red mist spot, low blowed Dorada after Dorada blocked the first attempt and pinned him with the top rope codebreaker.

    Ingobernables laid out everyone after the match. Evil hit Tanahashi with the STO. All of the young boys were laid out. Kushida came in to make the save but Bushi sprayed him with green mist and all of them beat him down. Bushi took a microphone and said that he wants the next shot at the IWGP Jr. title. There’s that program, and probably something between Tanahashi and Evil/Naito. Interesting in that they had Dorada took the fall here as I thought they’d do a CMLL Welterweight title match during the Fantasticamania shows. They still may for all I know.

    Kenny Omega and AJ Styles vs. Yoshi-Hashi and Shinsuke Nakamura

    Seems based on this match they may have moved Omega up to heavyweight. He and Nakamura had some good interactions with one another. The stream was really bad during this match, even in low quality. That was an on and off issue for the last three days that mostly resolved itself after this match, aside from one or two hiccups. Nakamura hit the reverse powerslam and was going for the boma ye but AJ Styles hit him with the springboard forearm. Omega followed with a reverse rana and pinned Nakamura with the One Winged Angel in a big surprise. That not only cements the move to heavyweight but that also pretty much puts him in line for a title shot.

    Big angle time. Omega and Styles were celebrating when Omega grabbed Styles from the top rope, put him in the electric chair position and laid him out with the One Winged Angel. The rest of Bullet Club came out and separated them like they had no idea what he was doing. They argued for a bit before eventually everyone giving the Wolfpac sign to one another and put the boots to Styles, effectively putting him out of the Bullet Club.

    Omega said that you had this coming, AJ. We made you a star and paid you like star. He forced  and starved himself to be a junior. Everyone thought you were the boss. You’re fired, this is your severance package. He won’t challenge Kushida again, he’s challenging Shinsuke Nakamura. The Bullet Club rules the world, because they are for life…without AJ Styles.  

    The Bullet Club leave like they were going to the back, but Omega and the Bullet Club come back and lay out AJ again, with a double superkick by the Young Bucks followed by a Styles Clash by Omega. They leave for good as the young boys check on Styles. Korakuen Hall starts chanting Styles’ name loudly as he eventually gets up and bows to all four corners of the ring. Great moment and felt like a really nice send off, if it is one. It certainly felt like one.

    Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto and reDragon vs. Roppongi Vice, Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada

    Another fun, action packed match. Usual eight man stuff where everyone worked against their rivals. Tomohiro Ishii and Shibata were in a while and continued to pummel one another. Everyone worked against one another really well and there was a good pace to everything. Goto won the match for his team, submitting Beretta after trapping one of Beretta’s arms while putting the other in an armbar.

    Goto grabbed the mic after and challenged Okada for the title. I figured as much when Goto won last night. They haven’t done this match in a while, but the problem is Goto has had so many chances at the title I very much doubt anyone would take a title match seriously, though I guess the match will be good enough regardless. Okada seemed to accept the challenge while also mocking Goto for losing the Intercontinental title, as Goto previously challenged Okada while he was still champion and wanted a unification match.

    NEVER Openweight Six Man Championship: The Briscoes and Toru Yano © vs. Bad Luck Fale and the Young Bucks

    Okay main event. Wasn’t designed to be awesome but that’s fine. A lot of Yano antics here. Briscoes hit the Doomsday Device but Matt got on his feet and laid them out with superkicks in a pretty cool spot. They went for the Meltzer Driver but Yano took down Nick. Jay Briscoe hit the Jay Driller on Matt and Mark followed with the Froggy Bow to mark their first successful defense of the titles.

  • WOR 1/5: Raw report, New Japan stars to WWE update, more!

    Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns tonight with our second show of the day to talk tons of news including more on the New Japan stars likely heading to WWE, Raw from Monday with Vince McMahon working the main event as referee in Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus, TNA debuting on POP TV Tuesday, your questions and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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  • James Storm’s future, card for tomorrow’s TNA debut on Pop

    It appears that Impact Wrestling’s James Storm is not going to WWE with AJ Styles, Shinsuske Nakamura, and the Bullet Club. After doing a few TV dates with NXT, James Storm is scheduled for TNA’s TV tapings all week in Bethlehem, PA, concluding in a PPV Friday. 

    Storm was put on television without signing a WWE deal, which was highly unusual. He worked a taping, missed a taping, then was back for another taping, and then hadn’t been seen again.

    The listing of the Doll House as Marti Bell, Jade and Rebel in the advertising for a match against The Beautiful People on tomorrow night’s Impact didn’t include Taryn Terrell.  Terrell today confirmed in a video she is not returning to TNA, stating it was a personal decision, noting that she had gotten married, and the path her life is on TNA is not the right fit for her anymore. As noted earlier, Angelina will not be wrestling but will be appearing because she is pregnant. 

    Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow to TNA on POP TV, featuring a new opening song performed by Smashing Pumpkins.

    Event card:

    Bobby Roode defends the King of the Mountain Title

    World Title Series Semi-Final Match: Ethan Carter III vs. Bobby Lashley

    World Title Series Semi-Final Match: Matt Hardy vs. Eric Young

    World Title Series Final match to crown a new TNA World Heavyweight Champion

  • NJPW stars Nakamura, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson headed to WWE

    In a surprise move Monday, former IWGP and TNA Champion AJ Styles, former IWGP Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson gave notice to New Japan Pro Wrestling and will be heading to WWE, discussed by Dave Meltzer on today’s Wrestling Observer Radio after news broke today on Court Bauer’s MLW Radio.

    The story goes is that the four went to Gedo, the current booker of NJPW, at this morning’s WrestleKingdom 10 event and said that they would be finishing up. It’s not known when any of these four will start with WWE, but it was said that Nakamura would not be leaving quickly. He is currently the IWGP Intercontinental champion, and it’s said to be a scenario opposite of current WWE U.S. Champion Alberto del Rio where he’ll most likely drop the title before leaving.

    Anderson was also apparently close to coming to TNA, but the story goes is that once the WWE deal came, things changed.

    In terms of contract situations, New Japan has a one year contract system that usually expires in January, so them giving notice coincides with that. Styles did not have a New Japan contract. 

    Nakamura, Anderson and Gallows are all expected to honor their Ring of Honor dates next month in Las Vegas. Dave also reported that AJ Styles was likely done with Ring of Honor going forward.

    Nakamura has been working with New Japan since his debut in 2002, rising up the NJPW ranks quickly, winning the IWGP championship one year after his debut. His popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, developing a more charismatic character and can be attributed to NJPW’s recent success. Styles had been working with New Japan since 2014, delivering a number of excellent performances, including one with Nakamura this morning. Anderson has been a part of New Japan since 2008, teaming with various people over the years including Giant Bernard (the former Albert/A-Train/Tensai, now head coach of NXT), Hirooki Goto and Doc Gallows, who started partnering with him in 2013.

    If there’s more news on this situation, it will be discussed on the late Monday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

  • Dean Ambrose and Luke Harper talk to Chad Dukes at Smackdown

    Last week on CBS Radio from Washington DC, Chad Dukes interviewed Dean Ambrose and Luke Wyatt before the Smackdown tapings for the Chad Dukes Wrestling Show. The show airs live at 7pm on Wednesdays on 106.7 The Fan Washington DC and the full show is also available as a podcast on iTunes, Play.it, and chaddukeswrestlingshow.com

    Luke Harper on his career ambitions and the opinion that the Wyatt Family “doesn’t need championships”:

    I want to win every title that this promotion has. I want to be the World Heavyweight Champion, on my own, I want to be the Intercontinental Champion, want to be the U.S. champion, wanna be a Tag Champion, I personally want all of that for myself. But at the same time, I have brothers at arms that we are very successful together and I understand that part of it too.

    I don’t know why I would be here if I didn’t want a championship. We’ve dominated lots of people, we’ve beat up lots of people, we’ve sent a lot of messages, we’ve been successful, but there’s another level of success that we have yet to attain and that we want to attain.

    Dean Ambrose on his current role in WWE:

    Lenny Harris was a utility player for the [Cincinnati] Reds, he’s on my favorite players because he literally played every position on every night he played a different position. First base, short stop, whatever, but he was a beloved guy because he was always there and could do anything.  I think I’m one of the only guys here, I mean we have so much great talent here, but I can do anything.  I can literally do anything. That’s not me being like, “oh I’m so great,” I’m just like. I know what I’m doing.  I’m not some schmuck they just hired and threw down in the Performance Center and gave him an entrance or anything that like.  I’ve been around enough and have enough experience, I know what I’m doing pretty much.  I like to think I’m a good mechanic for the company. “Oh well, we sprung a leak? Call Ambrose, throw him in there.” I like that because I think it has really upped my value with the company and I think that they realize nowadays too another Dean Ambrose isn’t going to walk through the door anytime soon or ever. So. I kind of exist in my own little space, I kind of got my own little corner of the room carved out for myself which I like.

    Dean Ambrose on comparisons to Roddy Piper and his favorite Piper moment:

    I don’t know how you can not take it as a compliment. I was able to have a lot of good conversations, spend a good amount of time with him through the last couple years which was, that’s a rare opportunity and I don’t think a lot of guys got that.  Me and him really just kind of clicked because he just kind of sensed that we had a similar outlook on stuff.  The thing I like about him, I’ve been asked about him since he passed away a few times, the thing I always say is my favorite Roddy Piper moment was one of the nights he was wrestling Hogan it was in WCW. He’s wrestling Hogan and he’s the big hero finally going to go up against the NWO or whatever and just the entrance makes you go, “Man, that’s what wrestling, that’s where you captivate people.”  ‘Cause they just went out there and back raked each other for fifteen minutes, they’re both like fifty five by that point, but the entrance he just walks down, Roddy Piper music, and he just walks to the ring, down the ramp, with like this death stare at the ring, like this thousand yard, like he’s in a different mental place. He’s doing nothing but doing everything. The way he walks the ring, you know that Roddy Piper is ready to die in the ring fighting the NWO that night, he does not care, he will fight to the death. This is the end of the world fight.  It’s so hard to capture that anymore because it’s such a fun, entertainment thing nowadays. We have so many shows and so much content.  When is there an end of the world fight to the death anymore?

  • WOR: WWE raids New Japan, Wrestle Kingdom 10 recap

    Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back today with special guest and UFC light heavyweight superstar “Filthy” Tom Lawlor talking all the details of WWE raiding top stars from New Japan, what it means, why it could be even more damaging to New Japan after the Tokyo Dome, complete WrestleKingdom results and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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  • Daily Update: Chris Jericho, Wrestle Kingdom 10

    We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 10 at the Tokyo Dome as well as Saturday night’s UFC, 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 tonight from San Antonio with Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus for the WWE title with Vince McMahon as referee.  Follow F4WOnline.com’s live coverage.

    We’re also looking for reports on yesterday’s WWE show in Corpus Christi (Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens for IC title; Kane vs. Bray Wyatt).

    NEW JAPAN NEW YEAR’S DASH AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TUESDAY MORNING ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

    No matches have been announced for the “Raw after Mania” show, but Kevin Kelly and Matt Striker will be calling the show in English and there will also be the Japanese feed..

    The first Smackdown on the USA Network will be taped on Tuesday night in Laredo.  Mauro Ranallo debuts as announcer and John Cena will be on the show.

    TNA ON POP TV AT 9 P.M. FROM BETHLEHEM, PA

    Matt Hardy vs. Ethan Carter III

    Bobby Lashley vs Eric Young

    Winners of these two matches meet for the vacant TNA title

    Figure Four Weekly

    Figure Four Weekly 12/28/2015: Gawker files to dismiss Hogan lawsuit
    Details on Gawker filing to dismiss the Hulk Hogan sex tape lawsuit, plus other news.

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    We have our annual business year in review as the lead of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week. We cover our awards balloting year from 12/1/14 to 11/30/15 looking at the biggest events and biggest draws, with the year’s biggest crowds, records set in several different companies, Cena compared to those in similar positions on the all-time list, the year’s PPV buys for every wrestling, MMA and boxing show, how this year compared with other years.

    Dwayne Johnson returning for WrestleMania, different ideas of where he may fit in, and his recent track record of WrestleMania matches.

    The history of New Japan on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome. The first New Japan Tokyo Dome show and its main event, what drew the first house, what Lou Thesz said to Antonio Inoki after the show and why Thesz thought the result was a good thing and why it ended up being a waste. We look at how this year’s show will differ from last year as well as a match-by-match rundown and a look at the history of the New Japan big four, Tanahashi, Okada, A.J. Styles and Nakamura, with all of their previous Tokyo Dome matches.

    Jonathan Coachman on HGH usage in WWE, why usage is so prevalent in certain types of sports and entertainment.

    WWE injury coverage, why WWE stars are doing more NBC media, how movies with Sting are doing at the box office, how the WWE’s head of medical came across in the movie “Concussion” plus a concussion expert on Daniel Bryan situation. Update on Nikki Bella, NXT sellouts, Brock Lesnar’s next match, Cena facing a surprise opponent, Chris Jericho on future, Royal Rumble, Sin Cara injury update, NXT in Dallas, the go-home show for WrestleMania, two international stars about to start with WWE and the Bayley character on the main roster.

    The holiday show in Madison Square Garden coverage, Ben Askren talks about One’s possibly revolutionary weight cutting regulations that could be the catalyst for changing MMA.  We look at the first Rizin show, the sad spectacle of Sakuraba, the pro wrestlers on the show, the mentality behind why certain people were on the show and match-by-match coverage.

    PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

    The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: January 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Business year in review, Rock at Wrestlemania 32, tons more.

    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

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    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: November 9, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Jesse Ventura wins Minnesota Governor election, WCW trailing WWF, more
    Jesse Ventura becomes the Governor of Minnesota, WCW begins trailing WWF, ECW November to Remember recap, plus tons of news.

    TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

    Wrestling Observer Radio with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez will be returning with 2 shows today.  The first show covering the Tokyo Dome show early tonight,  then late tonight we will have a show covering tonight’s WWE RAW.  If you’ve got any questions we will be doing questions tonight at mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com

    A strong Tokyo Dome show earlier today: NEW JAPAN WRESTLE KINGDOM 10 Results.  Expect angles to be shot at New Year’s Dash at Korakuen Hall for the big shows in February, plus they should be announcing the Fantastica Mania lineup.  We have comments from a few people at the show live in the feedback section.

    As noted on the front page, Chris Jericho is expected on Raw tonight.  We don’t have anything confirmed other than he was in San Antonio last night and that he’s reported to be backstage today.

    With the debut of Smackdown on USA on Thursday, the expectation is a big angle will be shot for this show.  This was geared to be a really big television week with the start of the Hardcore build for the Royal Rumble PPV, the No. 2 show of the year. 

    The story going around regarding Jim Ross and the Pittsburgh Pirates broadcasting has nothing to it.  I think he was asked a question that if the job was offered would he take it, and he said he’d move to Pittsburgh if it was offered.  That’s true, if it was offered he would take it, but there are no talks in that direction and it would shock people if there would be any talks.  It was said to be a response to a question that then took on a life of its own.  

    TNA has added a graphic showing Angelina Love & Velvet Sky & Madison Rayne vs. Jade & Marti Bell & Rebel for the Impact debut tomorrow night on Pop TV.  Love is pregnant so nobody expects her to wrestle on the show.  Love is scheduled to appear on the show.  TNA has given away tickets for all the tapings in Bethlehem, PA since they are running five straight nights including a PPV on Friday night that has had almost no pub whatsoever around it.   Billy Corgan has recorded a new theme for Impact that debuts tomorrow, performed by The Smashing Pumpkins.

    WWE

    • Brock Lesnar is the main person advertised for the 2/8 Raw show at the Key Arena in Seattle.  Lesnar is advertised back for next week’s Raw in New Orleans.  We’ll see if that is promoted tonight.
    • Lilian Garcia returns to Raw this week after missing last week with laryngitis.
    • NXT goes back to taping on Thursday night.  They have another year-in-review show on Wednesday and the first new show of the year will air on 1/13.    
    • The WWE Network is being advertised on the end boards during the NHL games at the Barclays Center.
    • Lots of photos on Vince McMahon, HHH and Stephanie McMahon being at the Dallas Cowboys game yesterday.  They advertised in the stadium that WrestleMania was coming on 4/3.   
    • WWE stock closed at $17.61 per share today, down 23 cents.

    UFC

    • UFC 195 was the No. 4 most searched for term on Friday in the U.S. and the No. 5 most searched for term on Saturday.  Both were 200,000 searches, which would correlate to a normal to slightly below normal level PPV number in most cases.
    • Holly Holm will be on UFC Tonight on Wednesday.  There is talk that this is to talk about her next fight.

    MISCELLANEOUS

    • As far as the weekend movies went, Daddy’s Home with a John Cena cameo remained No. 2 behind Star Wars grossing $29,205,583 in week three, a small drop from No. 2.  Sisters, where Cena has a more prominent role, was No. 4 at $12,760,730 also in week three.  Concussion was No. 8 at $8 million.  Daddy’s Home was also No. 2 in Australia and Spectre (Dave Bautista) was No. 10 in Australia and No. 18 in the U.S.
    • A correction from yesterday, the Magen Boys Entertainment Action for  Autism show listed here for Vaughn, ONT at the Avenue Banquet Hall with Nikolai Volkoff, Brodus Clay, Rhino, Brutus Beefcake and Virgil will be on 1/27.  All funds go for Autism Awareness.
    • Danny Casas beat Toscano in a hair vs. hair match yesterday in Naucalpan.
    • CMLL on Saturday night at Arena Coliseo in Mexico City:  Nitrito b Aereo, Magnus b Metalico, Arkangel de la Muerte b Oro Jr. Sangre Azteca b Hombre Bala Jr., Polvora b Triton, Estellita & Princesa Sugei b Seductora & Tiffany, Niebla Roja & Pierroth & Rey Hechicero b La Mascara & Maximo Sexy & Valiente (thanks to Kris Zellner)
    • The Catch Wrestling Alliance announced they are bringing authentic catch to Singapore on 3/5 at the City Square Mall Fountain Square in Singapore.  The matches are shoots that must end with either pinfalls or submissions, with 20 minute rounds and no chokes allowed.
    • MCW on 1/23 in Joppa, MD featuring Matt Hardy, with Jeff Hardy in his corner, against King McBride for McBride’s MCW title.

    Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (1/4): Huge history of Tokyo Dome shows, Finger Poke O’Doom

  • WWE RAW live results 1/4: Roman Reigns vs Sheamus and the possible return of Jericho

    The Big Takeaway: Roman Reigns defeated Sheamus to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a match where Vince McMahon was special referee. Of course, it wasn’t Vince who counted the pinfall. Afterwards, Vince announced that Reigns would defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the Royal Rumble match itself. It’s the first time since 1992 that the championship will be on the line in the Royal Rumble match. Chris Jericho returned in a disappointing segment with New Day. Brock Lesnar returns next week. 

    Show Recap: 

    Stephanie McMahon started to come out but Roman Reigns’ music played as she was making her entrance. So they were in the ring together. Reigns said they didn’t need her out there, it was about Vince McMahon, who he called out. Stephanie said Vince wasn’t in the building yet, and the odds weren’t in his favor tonight. Reigns said the WWE World Heavyweight Championship was his life because it’s how he supports his family. Stephanie said no one competes with Vince McMahon and wins in the end. She mentioned the charges against Vince from last week have been dropped because you can’t keep a good billionaire down. Well, multi-millionaire. 

    Stephanie said once Reigns loses the championship tonight, she’ll use him over and over until his body wears out. Reigns said if Vince screws him over tonight, Stephanie won’t be picking him up from jail, she’ll be picking him up from the hospital. 

    Dean Ambrose came out to do commentary for the match with Kevin Owens and Neville. Reigns waited through a video package to slap hands with him, which may be foreboding the Ambrose turn we’ve waited months for. 

    Brock Lesnar is back next Monday in New Orleans. Another example of buidling things a week in advance. Next week is also the College Football Playoff National Championship game with Clemson vs. Alabama. Considering how disappointing the CFP semifinal ratings were, it’ll be interesting to see how much of a hit Raw will take. 

    Kevin Owens defeated Neville (9:13) 

    Solid match. Kevin Owens won after he crotched Neville on the top rope. He finished Neville off with the Pop-Up Power Bomb. Neville did a 450 from the apron to the floor. Neville is still carrying around his Slammy for Newcomer of the Year. Strikes me as odd since that was usually a heel move in the past, namely with Owen Hart. JBL compared Neville to Too Cold Scorpio and Owens to Otto Wanz in the span of 30 seconds. 

    Owens tried to attack Neville afterwards, but Ambrose stopped it with a tope. Well, it was a tope that he largely whiffed on. They fought to the announcers table, where Owens teased power bombing Ambrose through the table again. Instead, Ambrose turned the tables and gave Owens an elbow drop off the barricade through the table. 

    Vince walked out of a limousine where Jojo stopped him. Vince said the charges against him were dropped because he has a good attorney. The irony of it all is last week he was arrested by the law, and this week he is the law. 

    They showed a vignette to promote the Taratino movie The Hateful Eight counting down the eight superstars people love to hate. Number three was Owens. Number 2 was the New Day (?). And tops was Sheamus. Only if Vince was doing the countdown, which may have been the case. 

    Titus O’Neal defeated Stardust (4:14) 

    Titus O’Neal won with the Clash of the Titus. Of all the matches I’ve seen, this was the most recent one. 

    Charlotte approached Becky Lynch backstage. The two are wrestling tonight and Charlotte wasn’t happy about it. She asked Lynch if she asked for the rematch. Lynch said she didn’t, but she was excited about it. Charlotte said she had already beaten Lynch once on Raw. They agreed to meet again tonight in the spirit of competition. Ric Flair came up from behind Lynch and made her jump when he yelled “Whoo!” I don’t want to ask why Flair would have been waiting behind Lynch for so long, but I can speculate. 

    Becky Lynch defeated Charlotte (C) in a nontitle match (10:45) 

    They teased the finish from November where Flair tried to trip Lynch, leading to Charlotte winning via schoolgirl cradle. Except this time, Lynch escaped the cradle and pinned Charlotte with a Oklahoma Side Roll while holding the trunks. To complete the heel turn, Charlotte attacked Lynch in the postmatch, giving Lynch a spear and laying the boots to her. Flair cheered her on. They wrestled scientifically until Charlotte leveled Lynch with a punch. Charlotte was a straight heel from that point forward. 

    McMahon talked with Sheamus backstage to explain prefight instructions. No biting, no outside interference, no low blows and to obey his commands. McMahon added with a grin “may the luck of the Irish be with you.” 

    Ryback and the Big Show went to a no contest (1:04)

    Ryback was tossed over the top rope by the Big Show when the Wyatt Family appeared. Braun Strowman put Ryback out with the choke. Then the Wyatts surrounded the ring on Show, who clotheslined Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. Strowman had a staredown with Show that was supposed to generate heat, but didn’t. The three heels jumped Show from behind and Harper left Show laying with a superkick. Looks like another babyface turn for Big Show, who has to hold the all-time record by now. 

    Rusev and Alberto Del Rio defeated the Usos (13:21) 

    Alberto Del Rio pinned Jimmy Uso with the top rope stomp. Very good match. Earlier, Del Rio had Jey Uso set up for the stomp, but somehow missed. Jimmy followed with a top rope splash that was broken up by Rusev in the first of several good near falls. Rusev gave Jey Uso a belly-to-belly superplex for the heat. Again, no Lana and no mention of her, except by the crowd. 

    Heath Slater pinned Dolph Ziggler (4:37) 

    Heath Slater was joined by Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas and Adam Rose. Can someone explain where Damien Sandow is and why isn’t he on my TV? Slater, who has a haircut, won after Rose and Axel distracted Dolph Ziggler, and Slater won with a rollup. 

    Postmatch, Rose, Axel, Slater and Dallas cut promos invidually. They’ve now started a group called “Social Outcasts.” 

    Ziggler cut a inset promo about being in the Royal Rumble. For a better promo, search “Josh Norman” under Youtube. The sad part is Josh Norman is not a pro wrestler. He’s a cornerback for the Carolina Panthers who cuts better promos than anyone in pro wrestling aside from Paul Heyman. That’s exhilarating and depressing all at once. 

    Steve Austin will have Flair on his podcast next week. 

    Vince approached Reigns backstage. Vince, again playing the role of John McCarthy, had a rules meeting with him. Vince didn’t wish him good luck as he left. 

    The New Day, which has a new video that features them in animated form riding unicorns with rainbows in the background, came out. Big E. laughed over Mike Tyson falling down while riding a Hoverboard. Then they pointed to the TitonTron, where they started to have a countdown. But the countdown was interrupted by Chris Jericho’s countdown, who came out to a good, but not great, pop. 

    No one remembered Jericho going heel at Night of Champions on Ambrose and Reigns. He did various catchphrases before Xavier Woods stopped him saying they’ve already saved the WWE in 2015. Jericho said live attendance, ratings and WWE Network numbers need a boost. That was weird. He called them Green Day and tried to get fans to chant “Rooty Tooty Booty.” That sounded cringeworthy but the fans chanted it as long as New Day was out there. Jericho announced that he would be in the Royal Rumble.  Of all the Jericho returns, this was easily the least remarkable and felt flat. Feels like New Day needs a new spark because they’ve hit a dry spell.  

    The New Day defeated The Dudley Boyz and Kalisto (16:36) 

    Big E. pinned Devon Dudley after the Midnight Hour. Your weekly six-man match that went too long. Bubba Ray Dudley threw Kalisto onto all three members of New Day outside the ring. Kalisto was taken out by Big E. at ringside. The Dudleys tried to set up Wazzup on Kofi Kingston, but Woods broke it up by dumping Devon to the mat. 

    Vince came out where the tightest referee t-shirt imaginable for any 70-year-old that has the physique that he has. Apparently, he’s not counting on Al-Jazerra calling anytime soon. He did look a little skinnier. Somebody had a “Cranky Vince” sign that lasted about as long as one of Kim Kardashian’s undershirts. That twitter account hasn’t been updated in over two years. 

    Roman Reigns (C) defeated Sheamus to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship with Vince McMahon as special referee (18:17) 

    Vince played heel ref from the start, trying to fast count Reigns. Sheamus threw Reigns into the ring steps, then threw the steps at him. He later suplexed Reigns onto the announcer’s table. Sheamus used a Rolling Senton for a two count. When Reigns covered Sheamus after a Samoan Drop, Vince counted slower than the Great Kabuki’s ring entrance this morning. Then Reigns had the cover with a Backland lift, but Vince faked an eye injury. Reigns hit the Superman punch, but Vince didn’t even count. He was still faster than Bronco Lubich. Reigns told Vince “Watch this.” He teased giving Sheamus the Superman punch, but instead he punched Vince. Then Reigns speared Sheamus and pinned him, but no ref. 

    An incensed Reigns threw Sheamus over the announcer’s table as Vince recovered. Vince try to scramble away but Reigns threw him down and told him Vince was screwing with his life. Stephanie came out. Reigns threw Vince into the ropes, and Stephanie wound up rebounding into the ring. Reigns stalked over her but she got out of the ring. Reigns teased spearing Vince, Sheamus came back in the ring and hit Reigns with two Brogue kicks. For some reason, Vince didn’t count Sheamus out. Instead, Scott Armstrong ran out. It was explained that Armstrong was a heel referee who had worked with the Authority for years. Who remembers that? He hasn’t been on TV in years. Reigns kicked out. 

    Armstrong then held Reigns up for Sheamus to Brogue Kick him again. But Reigns sidestepped him, hit Armstrong with a Superman’s punch, flattened Sheamus with another Superman’s punch. Referee John Coleman (they actually identified him on TV) ran down and counted the pin for Reigns. 

    Vince knocked down Coleman. Vince’s physique looks great. As for his punches, all I can say his physqiue looks great. Afterwards, he announced that Reigns would defend the title in the Royal Rumble match against 29 other men. 

    SUMMARY: Since the horrendous show a month ago when I said that Reigns wasn’t the guy, the WWE has booked him very well. He’ll be the first man ever to defend the WWE Championship in a Royal Rumble. If he emerges with the belt, it’ll make him all that much stronger. Not sure what other option makes sense. A pretty good show. 

  • Chris Jericho making return to WWE?

    Chris Jericho is expected back tonight at WWE RAW

    Jericho was in San Antonio last night, the site of Raw. It’s also being reported he is backstage at the show. Jericho had said that he wasn’t coming back on Twitter, but he does stuff like that every year, whether he does or doesn’t.  A key is that there are no touring dates for Fozzy listed going forward.

    Jericho’s wrestling schedule is usually built around his touring dates and if he’s got nothing scheduled for months, unless there is another entertainment gig, it would be expected he’d return in some fashion.  His last few returns have been specifically for house shows only, but if he’s backstage, that would mean a return as a regular television character, perhaps coming off his walking off on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose when he was a mystery partner at the Night of Champions show on 9/20 in Houston with them against The Wyatt Family.

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    Signup now!  Dave Melzer and Bryan Alvarez will be back tonight to talk the Chris Jericho news and tonight’s WWE RAW.