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  • UFC 195 Lawler vs Condit: The Observer ’16 Picks Contest

    After a great year in terms of both business and fight action, UFC rings in the New Year with UFC 195. While this show won’t break any business records, it’s quite likely that we’ll get an early contender for Fight of the Year in the main event as welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler defends his belt against Carlos Condit. We’ve also got a de facto #1 contender bout at heavyweight as Andrei Arlovski tries to turn back the hands of time and get another shot at a UFC title in the latter part of his career. But he’ll have to get past the ultra-tough Stipe Miocic, coming off a brutal 5-round destruction of Mark Hunt.

    There are some changes to our panel this year and also in terms of the fights we’ll be picking. With UFC putting more emphasis on their Fight Pass streaming service, the biggest fights aren’t always going to be on the main card. In this case, we’ll be looking at three fights from the main card, one from the Fox Sports One prelims and one from the Fight Pass portion.

    Here’s the panel this year. With 2015 Champion Jack Encarnacion retiring after a great 2015, Stevie J is the man to beat from this group:

    • Dave Meltzer – Wrestling Observer founder
    • Mike Sempervive – Wrestling Observer Live and Big Audio Nightmare co-host
    • Front Row Brian – MMA newsbreaker, Beloved internet personality, Podcast host
    • John Pollock – Fight Network analyst, Live Audio Wrestling co-host, MMA Report co-host
    • Steve Juon – MMA Fighting/Wrestling Observer writer. Angry Marks founder
    • David Bixenspan – Figure Four Weekly writer, podcast host
    • Mike Sawyer – Tough Talk MMA
    • Josh Nason – Host of Josh Nason’s Punch Out; writer/editor WrestlingObserver.com, WON Twitter guy
    • Ryan Frederick – WrestlingObserver.com UFC reporter
    • Paul Fontaine – MMADraws.com founder, WrestlingObserver.com writer

    *****

    > UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler (26-10-0-1) vs. Carlos Condit (30-8)

    Lawler won the title after battling former champion Johnny Hendricks in two straight five round wars that most had as a dead heat. He defended the belt against Rory McDonald at UFC 189 in the co-main event underneath Conor McGregor-Chad Mendes in what most consider the fight of the year. Condit is the former WEC welterweight champion and UFC interim welterweight champion who will try to reclaim title glory here. He was last seen knocking out Thiago Alves in a two round destruction back in May upon his return.

    Lawler(very slight favorite): Stevie J, Nason, Fontaine, Bix, Pollock. Sempervive
    Condit: Front Row Brian, RFred, Sawyer, Meltzer

    > Stipe Miocic (13-2) vs. Andrei Arlovski (25-10-0-1)
    Heavyweights

    Miocic destroyed Mark Hunt in his last fight, a fight that was probably stopped about a round and a half late. He’s seemingly been on the verge of a title fight for years now but with a win here is virtually guaranteed to get it. Arlovski returned to UFC in 2014 and has since rung up four straight wins, last beating Frank Mir in a lackluster three round fight last September. It would be a great story if he were to win, but our panel doesn’t give him much of a chance.

    Miocic (big favorite): Stevie J, Front Row Brian, RFred, Sawyer, Nason. Bix, Pollock, Sempervive, Meltzer
    Arlovski: Fontaine

    > Brian Ortega (9-0-1) vs. Diego Brandao (20-10)
    Featherweights

    Ortega is an unbeaten fighter who competes for the third time in UFC on Saturday night. He was first seen with a dominant submission win that was later overturned due to a drug test failure in 2014. He returned to KO Thiago Tavares after serving his suspension. Brandao is a former TUF winner who has rattled off two straight early KOs since being knocked out by Conor McGregor in the main event of the first UFC Dublin show.

    Ortega(favorite): Stevie J, RFred, Sawyer, Nason, Fontaine, Bix, Pollock, Sempervive, Meltzer
    Brandao: Front Row Brian

    > Michael McDonald (16-3) vs. Masanori Kanehara (25-12-5)
    Bantamweights

    The big story here is that Michael McDonald returns after over 2 years away. The former title challenger is still just 24-years old and could be a player in that division with an impressive win here. Kanehara is not being given much of a chance by our panel or the oddsmakers. He is coming off a decision loss to non-contender Rani Yahya, so perhaps that opinion is not unwarranted. Who knows if the ring rust will be a factor here for McDonald though?

    McDonald (massive favorite): Stevie J, Front Row Brian, RFred, Sawyer, Nason, Fontaine, Bix, Pollock, Sempervive, Meltzer

    > Dustin Poirier (18-4) vs. Joe Duffy (14-1)
    Lightweights

    This will be the Fight Pass “headliner” and in the eyes of many, it’s the third biggest fight on the card. This fight was originally scheduled to headline the Fight Pass show from Dublin a few months back but Duffy had to pull out due to injury so we get the fight here on Saturday night. Poirier has looked absolutely unstoppable since moving to 155, scoring dominant first round KO’s in both of his fights.  Prior to losing his last featherweight fight to current champion Conor McGregor, he’d also rung up two straight KO’s at 145. Duffy is, of course, the last man to beat McGregor (early in both men’s careers) and has looked great in UFC, kicking off his career with 2 straight first round stoppage wins. This fight should be quick and violent.

    Poirier: Front Row Brian, RFred, Pollock
    Duffy (moderate favorite): Stevie J, Sawyer, Nason, Fontaine, Bix, Sempervive, Meltzer

    *****

    The show kicks off at 6:30 eastern with the UFC Fight Pass portion of the show. At 8 pm eastern, action moves over to FS 1 for the prelims and the PPV kicks off at 10 pm eastern. Dave Meltzer will have live fight coverage here and Ryan Frederick will provide live Twitter updates throughout the show as well.

  • UFC 195 DFS Playbook: value picks, who to avoid

    The UFC kicks off 2016 on Saturday with UFC 195 from Las Vegas. It also marks the second year of UFC action on DraftKings, and they are celebrating with a big contest. Below are our studs, value plays and fighters to avoid in helping you set your line-ups for this weekend’s big event.

    STUDS

    Michael McDonald ($11,000)

    Michael McDonald is the biggest favorite and has the highest salary of all of the fighters on the UFC 195 card, and for good reason. Despite being out of action for just over two years, McDonald is still one of the best bantamweights in the world, with knockout power and good submission skills. He is still young at just 24-years-old. He gets a fairly beatable test in his return to action in Masanori Kanehara. Kanehara hasn’t shown to be much of a threat at 135 pounds yet, and is a journeyman fighter of 42 career bouts, but just two in the UFC. He also doesn’t have the most impressive record. This fight is set up as a perfect bounce back for McDonald, and we expect him to get the job done quickly.

    Brian Ortega ($10,300)

    Brian Ortega is a rising featherweight with an undefeated record, and he gets showcased on the main card of UFC 195 as the UFC looks to build his resume. It will be another tough bout for him as he takes on former TUF winner Diego Brandao. Ortega passed a tough test in finishing Thiago Tavares in his last fight, but he was pushed to the limit. Brandao will be a foe that pushes him to the limit too. However, Brandao tends to crack under pressure, and Ortega will bring the pressure. Brandao has never put it together against a top opponent, and while Ortega isn’t there yet, he will be one day. I like Ortega’s chances of finishing Brandao, and he’s a good pick at his salary.

    VALUE PLAYS

    Dustin Poirier ($8,800)

    It is surprising that Dustin Poirier is as big of an underdog as he is to Joseph Duffy, and his salary shows that. I actually think the betting line should be closer, but to his credit, Duffy is 14-1 in his career while Poirier is 6-3 in his last nine fights. Poirier has looked outstanding since making the move up to 155 pounds with two first-round finishes, and his striking has looked crisp. Poirier is a finisher and so is Duffy. It is rare for a higher-ranked fighter to be an underdog, and with Duffy being the one to pull out the last time they were scheduled to fight, that could provide Poirier more motivation to finish Duffy. I like Poirier at his salary.

    Kyle Noke ($8,500)

    This is one everyone should be taking advantage of. When the salaries were originally released for the event, Kyle Noke was scheduled to fight Kelvin Gastelum. He was a big underdog, and his salary reflected that. Gastelum, however, was forced out of the fight. Noke now fights Alex Morono, and DraftKings policy is to not change salaries after they are released, so Noke retains his low salary. With him fighting an opponent making his UFC debut on short notice, Noke is actually a big favorite in the fight. He is coming off a first-round finish of Peter Sobotta in his last bout. With his salary remaining low, Noke should be a must-play on your roster.

    AVOID

    Sheldon Westcott ($10,200)

    Sheldon Westcott is still in search of his first UFC win, and he finds himself in a must-win situation in the opener of UFC 195. His opponent, Edgar Garcia, is in the same position. The loser of the bout is likely cut from the promotion. Westcott hasn’t been impressive during his time inside the Octagon and isn’t a fighter who racks up a lot of points during his bouts. He may get the win over Garcia, but he doesn’t strike me as someone who will maximize value at his salary. I will be avoiding him in my line-ups.

    Nina Ansaroff ($8,700)

    Nina Ansaroff has an umimpressive 6-4 record in her career, but she has won five of her last six bouts. She did lose her UFC debut to Juliana Lima, and had her last fight cancelled the day of the fight when she fell ill during rehydration. She missed weight for that scheduled fight against Rose Namajunas. She makes her return against Justine Kish, a 4-0 strawweight making her UFC debut after dealing with a knee injury. Kish is a solid fighter and a big favorite, and she should get the win. With that, I’m fading Ansaroff in my line-ups.

    OUR LINEUPS:

    RYAN FREDERICK: Michael McDonald ($11,000), Stipe Miocic ($10,500), Brian Ortega ($10,300), Dustin Poirier ($8,800), Kyle Noke ($8,500)

    I like Michael McDonald to get an impressive and quick finish in his UFC return. Stipe Miocic has a good salary and I think he finishes Andrei Arlovski. He is also a volume striker with good takedowns and will come at Arlovski a lot while the fight lasts. Brian Ortega should get the finish of Diego Brandao. I like Dustin Poirier against Joseph Duffy at his salary. Finally, I’m going with Kyle Noke. His salary is too good to pass up against a late replacement who will come in overmatched. I’m sensing all five of these guys winning, and winning by stoppage.

    PAUL FONTAINE: Joseph Duffy ($10,600), Albert Tumenov ($10,100), Abel Trujillo ($10,000), Robbie Lawler ($9,800), Andrei Arlovski ($8,900)

    Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit should have a war with a ton strikes thrown and someone getting KO’d. My money’s on the champion here. Arlovski is a bit of a chance but if he connects, Miocic could get dropped early and Miocic has had a tendency to choke when he gets close to a title shot, as he is now. Tumenov is one of the most underrated fighters in any weight class, although not here by the people that sest the Draft Kings salaries. I like the Russian to ring up his fifth straight UFC win as he marches toward the top 10. Trujillo is either going to get knocked out or knock someone out and I think this is his turn to do the latter. Sims looked good in his UFC debut against Steve Montgomery but not so much in his follow-up fight. I like Trujillo to come out with an early blitz and finish Sims. My last pick may be the fight I’m most looking forward to and that’s Joseph Duffy. I love this fight and I think either guy could win but I think the extra size and power  of the Irishman is going to come into play here and end up with a 3rd straight stoppage win for the last man to beat Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor (couldn’t get through this without saying that!). 

    PEACH MACHINE: Scott Holtzman ($10,400), Albert Tumenov ($10,100), Abel Trujillo ($10,000), Robbie Lawler ($9,800), Dustin Poirier ($8,800)

    I love Lawler to light up Condit big time and score mega points en route to a late stoppage. Poirier is gonna waffle this kid. Just because he’s Irish, everyone’s super into Duffy. DP is gonna stick a potato in his ear. Holtzman is a late replacement but he’s been training solidly for a fight since his first tilt in August and actually asked for a match on short notice. I saw him live in August and just saw him train in Glendale. He’s going to be too fast for Dober and get a finish. Tumenov is going to ground and pound Larkin for three rounds. Trujillo will bounce back from a loss and smash Tony Sims. I’m actually feeling pretty good about my picks this week. 

  • WWE Main Event Results 12/29: Jack Swagger and Stardust bring the work rate

    R-Truth def. Heath Slater by pinfall

    Full entrance for R-Trizzle, who thankfully remembers that he is in fact in Washington D.C. tonight. Eden can be seen laughing in the background at 1993’s catchphrase-du-jour, “Whoomp, there it is!” People over there, what’s up, indeed.

    Rich Brennan informs me that his opponent, Heath Slater, finished #8 in the Slammy voting for Superstar of the Year. Huh.

    Brennan and Byron Saxton hilariously talk about the prospect of The Big Show winning this year’s Royal Rumble, as Truth gets the shine. Our forgetful hero taunts Slater with what Byron calls the “jiggy jiggy” off a failed Irish whip, before dodging Heath and sending him crashing to the outside leading into commercials.

    Slater the works the left knee forever when we get back, before we get a quick Truth comeback and a Lie Detector out of nowhere for the pinfall victory. This went over nine minutes (not including the commercials) and I felt every minute of it.

    Titus O’Neil def. Adam Rose by pinfall

    Adam’s TitanTron reminds me that they’ve mercifully dropped the Rosebush segments on RAW. And by the look of his morose, disinterested demeanour, he ain’t too pleased about it either.

    Announcers mention that Titus and Darren have been dipping their respective toes in the singles competition waters of late. At least Titus, a Main Event fixture, has had those exploits televised. Young was reduced to defeating Curtis Axel in a dark match at this particular taping.

    Trademark overhand chop in the corner from Mr. O’Neil, followed by the ol’ rib-breaker toss that he’s equally fond of – which I’m reliably informed is called the Pay Check.

    Short match here that went just over four minutes. Quick heat segment from Rose after he used a rope break to his advantage, only to get cocky and allow Titus to come back at him with impressive fire.

    Big boot, The Meltzer Bark, a stinger splash and a Clash of the Titus wraps it up for the big man. He millions-of-dollarses with a frankly quite befuddled and bespectacled old man afterwards to celebrate.

    – Recap of the Vince angle from RAW, entitled “Arrested Developments” by the Main Event producer, in what may or may not be a nod at the greatest sitcom of all time (season four notwithstanding).

    Jack Swagger def. Stardust by submission

    Swagger dominates leading into an early commercial break. He then takes an impressive bump to the outside when we return, slamming off the ring steps after a failed corner charge.

    Work rate disproportionate to a show of Main Event’s standing continues, as Stardust hits a massive superplex off the top rope to highlight the heat portion of the match.

    Swagger then starts his comeback by foiling a subsequent Figure Four attempt, before hitting a running clothesline on the outside to get the crowd going.

    Back in and Stardust dodges the Swagger Bomb, before hitting a Side Effect for two. A nice series of reversals follows, as Swagger catches ‘Dust off a Disaster Kick attempt, only to find himself sunset flipped. Swagger then avoids the pinfall by countering into the Patriot Lock, which Stardust escapes.

    Finishing sequence sees Stardust land on his feet off a Swagger back suplex attempt. He immediately lines up the Queen’s Crossbow, only for Swagger to roll him into another Patriot Lock, which this time gets the tap. Really good effort from these two.

    Final Thoughts

    A second featured contest in as many weeks for Swagger and he again turns in a surprisingly good bout by C-show standards. Watch that and ditch the rest.

  • UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit weigh-in results and live video

    Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of the UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit weigh-ins from the Marquee Ballroom at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fighters will hit the scale at 7 PM eastern time. The card airs on Saturday with the main card on PPV at 10 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off at 6:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass before heading over to FOX Sports 1 at 8 PM eastern time with additional preliminary bouts. This event marks the first fight card for the UFC in 2016.

    The event is headlined by a UFC Welterweight Championship bout as current UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler makes his second title defense, this time defending against fourth-ranked welterweight and former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit. In the co-main event, it will be a potential title eliminator in the UFC’s heavyweight division as third-ranked Stipe Miocic takes on second-ranked former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski, winner of his last six fights. Also on the card, in a highly featured bout on UFC Fight Pass, will be lightweights Dustin Poirier and Joseph Duffy.

    MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT):
    Robbie Lawler (170) vs. Carlos Condit (169) – UFC Welterweight Championship
    Stipe Miocic (241.5) vs. Andrei Arlovski (246.5)
    Lorenz Larkin (171) vs. Albert Tumenov (171)
    Diego Brandao (146) vs. Brian Ortega (145.5)
    Abel Trujillo (156) vs. Tony Sims (156)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT):
    Michael McDonald (136) vs. Masanori Kanehara (135)
    Kyle Noke (170.5) vs. Alex Morono (170)
    Justine Kish (116) vs. Nina Ansaroff (116)
    Scott Holtzman (155.5) vs. Drew Dober (155.5)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT):
    Dustin Poirier (155.5) vs. Joseph Duffy (155)
    Joe Soto (135.5) vs. Michinori Tanaka (135.5)
    Sheldon Westcott (170) vs. Edgar Garcia (170)

  • Five things you should know for Wrestle Kingdom 10 week

    This Monday marks the second biggest wrestling show of the year, WrestleKingdom 10. It promises to be a huge show with plenty of awesome wrestling action. It will also attract a lot of people who haven’t watched that much Japanese wrestling, or those who only watch the biggest shows. For those people who are new to watching WrestleKingdom, here are five things that you need to know, or at the very least will help you out in maximizing your fun and decreasing the confusion you might have going into something completely new and different.

    1. The show will be pretty darn long if you’re watching live.

    With this year’s WrestleKingdom show no longer airing at PPV, New Japan will be less stingy with time this year. Not only will the show more than likely be over four hours (most of New Japan’s big shows are near the five hour mark) there will also be a 90 minute pre-show before the main card. This will feature the New Japan Rumble, which is basically a Royal Rumble featuring all the New Japan guys who are not on the card plus a few legends (last year included the likes of Hiro Saito and The Great Kabuki).

    While watching a show that might go over seven hours sounds daunting, most New Japan shows are so well paced the time will fly by pretty fast. Just be prepared to clear your schedule if you’re planning to watch the whole show, including the rumble, live. If not, most PPVs are usually on New Japan World later that day anyway, so you can still watch the show in a timely manner.

    For the record, if you are looking to sign up for New Japan World for the first time, you can do so here. There is “select language” feature at the top of the page, and once selecting that you’ll see the sign up button at the top of the page, where English directions to sign up are provided.

    2. There will be English commentary.

    The big difference between this year’s show and last year’s show, as previously mentioned, is that WrestleKingdom 10 won’t be on PPV. Last year’s show is a joint venture between New Japan and Global Force Wrestling. This year there is no GFW involvement, so the only way to see the show live will be via New Japan World. The good news is that New Japan has brought in ROH announcer Kevin Kelly and widely known color commentator Matt Striker to call the action in English, with inactive NJPW wrestler Yoshi Tatsu being brought back to translate whatever promos and storylines happen on the show. It might not be the best commentary team of all time, but I found their work to be solid at King of Pro Wrestling and I expect there to be improvements for the second biggest wrestling event of the year.

    Keep in mind for the future that all big New Japan shows will probably have English commentary. The trend started at King of Pro Wrestling, and it will continue at WrestleKingdom and most likely Invasion Attack and G1 Finals later this year.

    3. There will be shows before and after WrestleKingdom.

    If you thought 7 hours of New Japan on a Monday morning was just not enough to saite your needs, good news! There will be shows on 1/2 as well as on 1/5 featuring matches between all of your favorite New Japan guys. The ⅓ card will feature the debut of two new rookies making their professional wrestling debut as Kanemitsu Taruaki and Kawato Hirai will compete in singles matches against Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu, respectively. It will be interesting to see if this is the swan song for both Tanaka and Komatsu as the rumor is they are soon to be setting out on their excursions. Beyond the rookies making their debut, the ⅓ show will also feature a six man with Jay White, Tiger Mask and Jushin Liger taking on David Finlay, Mascara Dorada and Ryusuke Taguchi.

    New Year’s Dash, the show taking place after the Tokyo Dome event on ⅕, currently has no card. Like other years, most likely the card will be announced the day of the show, probably with many tag team matches since everyone will have had their working boots on the day before.

    Both shows are scheduled to be broadcast on New Japan World, with the 1/3 show airing at 7 pm PT on 1/2 (I know, time is weird), with the 1/5 show airing at 1:30 am PT.

    4. With the exception of one match, every match on the WrestleKingdom card will be for a championship.

    You don’t absolutely NEED to know this if this is your first time tuning in, but it’s an interesting fact nonetheless. This year’s show is interesting in that every title in New Japan will be defended. This isn’t a big shock, as most shows in previous years have had many title matches. But this factoid is amazing in that every match on the show, with the exception of the New Japan Rumble and a grudge match between Tetsuya Naito and Hirooki Goto, will be for a championship.

    We have the major titles on the line, with Tanahashi/Okada and Nakamura/Styles for the Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles respectively. The NEVER title will be defended with Tomohiro Ishii defending against Katsuyori Shibata. It’s weird that the NEVER concept died so quickly, as originally it was supposed to be a title for younger contenders from both weight classes to compete for, which isn’t the case at all now. So it’s even weirder that a new set of six man tag belts are being made, complete with the NEVER name, with The Briscoes and Yano facing off against Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga and Yujiro Takahashi to determine the first champions.

    Even with all of that, there are still four other titles being defended. You have both tag team titles being defended as Bullet Club (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) defends against Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma). The Ring of Honor title will be defended for the first time in New Japan Pro Wrestling as champion Jay Lethal defends against Michael Elgin. And finally, both Junior titles are on the line as Kenny Omega defends against Kushida and reDragon defends in a fourway against the Young Bucks, Roppongi Vice and Matt Sydal/Ricochet.

    In other words…if you love title matches, this is the show for you. New Japan title matches are always special, so expect everyone to have their working boots on. You can also take bets on how many titles change hands and how many don’t with your friends!

    5. This isn’t Okada and Tanahashi’s first match, and if history proves right it won’t be their last.

    One of the best feuds of this decade has been between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. Still considered the true ace of the promotion, Tanahashi has had problems with Okada dating back to Okada’s re-emergence from his TNA excursion in 2012. Ever since then, they’ve faced off seven times, six since Okada’s return, with Okada in the lead with 4 wins over Tanahashi’s 3.
    The biggest factor in this match however isn’t the overall number of wins, but the wins in the Tokyo Dome. Okada has been unable to defeat Tanahashi in Tokyo Dome matches twice now, and considering he left their match last year in tears, he is sure to want to gain a measure of revenge by beating Tanahashi where it counts the most, at WrestleKingdom. While this all feels like a culmination of a feud that has now lasted four years, it might not be their last as they’ll more than likely face each other again down the road. It’s just that more than likely, it won’t have the same ramifications as this match does.

  • Daily Update: CMLL, UFC 195 and NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10

    No major wrestling shows tonight in the U.S., although there is an iPPV starting shortly from Arena Mexico.

    CMLL IPPVFROM ARENA MEXICO AT 6 P.M. EST TODAY

    WATCH HERE

    Estrellita & Princesa Sugei & Vaquerita vs.  Amapola & Dallys & Zeuxis

    Blue Panther Jr. & Esfinge & The Panther vs. Cancerbero & Raziel & Virus

    Atlantis & Marco Corleone & Valiente vs. Dragon Rojo & Polvora & Thunder

    Maximo Sexy vs. Kamaitachi hair vs. hair

    Mistico & Caristico & Rusher vs. Volador Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero & Cibernetico

    Negro Casas vs. Super Parka hair vs. hair

    UFC 195 AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS SATURDAY

    FIGHT PASS AT 6:30 P.M. EASTERN

    Edgar Garcia vs. Sheldon Wescott

    Joe Soto vs. Michinori Tanaka

    Joe Duffy vs. Dustin Poirier

    FS 1 AT 8 P.M. EASTERN

    Alex Morono vs. Kyle Noke

    Drew Dober vs. Scott Holtzman

    Nina Ansaroff vs. Justine Kish

    Michael McDonald vs. Masanori Kanehara

    PPV AT 10 P.M. EASTERN

    Tony Sims vs. Abel Trujillo

    Diego Brandao vs. Brian Ortega

    Lorenz Larkin vs. Albert Tumenov

    Andrei Arlovski vs. Stipe Miocic

    Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit for the welterweight title

    PRO WRESTLING GUERRILLA ON SATURDAY NIGHT IN RESEDA, CA (Sorry no way to watch it unless you are one of the 400 with tickets)

    Timothy Thatcher vs. Drew Gulak

    Sami Callihan vs. Trevor Lee

    Chris Dickinson vs. Brian Cage

    Jack Evans vs. Drew Galloway

    Adam Cole vs. Speedball Mike Bailey

    Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Akira Tozawa

    Roderick Strong vs. Chris Hero for PWG title

    NEW JAPAN FAN FEST LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD 10 P.M. SATURDAY NIGHT FROM DIFFER ARIAKE

    Kawato Hirai (pro debut) vs. Yohei Komatsu

    Kanemitsu Teruaki (pro debut) vs. Sho Tanaka

    Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Jay White vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada & David Finlay

    Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Juice Robinson

    Sunday WWE returns to touring with shows in Hidalgo, TX (Roman Reigns vs Sheamus for WWE title) and Corpus Christi (Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens for IC title; Kane vs. Bray Wyatt).

    NEW JAPAN WRESTLE KINGDOM AT 2:15 A.M. LATE SUNDAY/EARLY MONDAY ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

    There will be both a English and Japanese language feed for the show 

    New Japan Rumble

    Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Young Bucks vs. Ricochet & Matt Sydal vs. Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta for IWGP jr. tag titles

    Mark & Jay Briscoe & Toru Yano vs. Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale for Never trios championships

    Jay Lethal vs. Michael Elgin for ROH championship

    Kenny Omega vs. Kushida for IWGP jr. title

    Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma for IWGP tag team titles

    Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito

    Tomohiro Ishii vs. Katsuyori Shibata for Never Open weight championship

    Shinsuke Nakamura vs. A.J. Styles for IC title

    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada for IWGP heavyweight title

    Raw will be Monday night from San Antonio with Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus for the WWE title with Vince McMahon as referee.

    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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    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

    • New Japan has one minute promotional videos for all the top matches for the Tokyo Dome up for free right now Video 1, Video 2, Video 3 and Video 4.
    • After the Tokyo Dome and the Fantastica Mania tourNew Japan PPV shows will be splitting up the title matches with the New Beginnings in Osaka on 2/11 and the new Beginnings in Niigata on 2/14.
    • The big news in sports today, even though people are trying to spin it differently, is how the College Football playoff semifinals on New Year’s Eve tanked in the ratings.  The evening game was down 35 percent from last year and the afternoon game was down 37 percent.  There were people who thought New Year’s Eve wouldn’t hurt the ratings all that much because major sports events have been strong this year on television.  But this isn’t a New Year’s Eve TV watching culture like Japan is.
    • From the family, Buddy Wayne, who passed away two days ago was born John Dwayne Peal, not Peale as we reported.  This has been a very rough year for the Peal family as Buddy and two of his sisters both passed away.
    • A story on the person the character in the movie “The Masked Saint” was based upon, that stars Roddy Piper.

    WWE

    • NXT for the first time made the list as one of the most pirated television shows.

    UFC

    • UFC 195 weigh-ins are at 7 p.m.   Here is F4WOnline.com’s coverage.
    • I’m told that people who signed up the first day Fight Pass was offered are getting a 50 percent discount on UFC 195.
    • The second episode of Dana White:  Lookin For a Fight will be released on YouTube on 1/11.  The first episode was where Dana White, Matt Serra and Nick the Tooth discovered Sage Northcutt working small shows.  This time they head to Philadelphia and Atlantic City looking for fighters, eating Cheesesteak and going to the beach. 

    MISCELLANEOUS

    • Roderick Strong vs. Masada for the ROH TV title was announced for 1/9 in Concord, NC.  This is Masada’s first ROH match in quite some time.
    • Comcast in South Jersey has picked up COMET TV on Ch. 253, which airs ROH on Wednesday nights. (thanks to Bob Magee)
    • John Skyler was the latest entrant announced for the ECWA Super 8 tournament  on 4/23 in Woodbury Heights, NJ.
    • Too Cold Scorpio on why he hates Buff Bagwell, what he thinks of Paul Heyman and Bill Watts and saving Arn Anderson’s life

    Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (01/01): Bob Geigel wins Central States Title

  • WOL 1/1: Annual Prediction Show Part 2!

    Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with part 2 of our annual Prediction Show! What do you think will happen in the Year of Our Lord 2016? Who will be a prognosticator and who will be a fool? Plus, news and calls and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

    Right click save

  • WWE Baltimore, MD, house show results: Roman Reigns vs Sheamus

    Submitted by Gerald Jones

    • Dolph Ziggler def. Tyler Breeze. Great match to start the show.
    • Lucha Dragons, Damien Sandow, Fandango, R-Truth and Curtis Axel def. WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E), Los Matadores, Heath Slater and Adam Rose. Sin Cara chased Xavier Woods to the back with his trombone.
    • Jack Swagger def. Bo Dallas. Bo came out and criticized the crowd and called them a bunch of idiots.
    • Kane def. Bray Wyatt. Bray was by himself and had a pretty good reaction.
    • Brie Bella & Alicia Fox def. Naomi and Tamina. The crowd chanted “We want Sasha” and Naomi said “You want Sasha? Well you aren’t going to get Sasha.”
    • Ryback def. Rusev. The match was a snore fest. I even heard a little kid tell his mom that it was boring.
    • WWE Champion Roman Reigns def. Sheamus in a street fight. Good use of tables, kendo sticks, and chairs. Roman won with a spear thru the table, and got a great reaction with not a boo in the arena for him. He stayed a little bit after to take selfies and sign autographs. 

    Byron Saxton and Eden hosted the whole night. Did a great job.

  • 10 UFC Fights to Watch in January 2016

    After a big 2015, the UFC kicks off 2016 with three events in the month of January. As the Octagon made more international appearances over the years, this month is special in the sense that all three events will take place on American soil. Kicking things off on January 2 will be UFC 195 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Following that will be UFC Fight Night 81 on January 17 in Boston, Massachusetts, and UFC On FOX 18 wraps things up for the month on January 30 in Newark, New Jersey. At this point, there are 37 bouts on the fight schedule for the month, so we are going to take a look at ten fights UFC fans should be on the look out for during a fun month of January.

    Honorable Mentions:
    Michael McDonald vs. Masanori Kanehara- UFC 195
    Ben Saunders vs. Patrick Cote- UFC Fight Night 81
    Tarec Saffiedine vs. Jake Ellenberger- UFC On FOX 18

    10. Sage Northcutt vs. Andrew Holbrook- UFC On FOX 18- January 30

    19-year-old rising prospect Sage Northcutt is taking the UFC by storm, garnering a lot of attention and being promoted heavily by the promotion. It may be unjust to some due to his age and inexperience, but there is a lot of marketability to the kid. He will be fighting for the second straight month, and the third time since making his UFC debut in October. This time he will be featured in primetime on the FOX network. He is being slowly built facing opponents near the bottom of the division, but he gets an undefeated opponent in his next fight in Andrew Holbrook. Holbrook is 11-0 and is coming off a win in his UFC debut, a split decision over Ramsey Nijem in July. This will be a test for Northcutt and also will show if coming back seven weeks after his last fight is too quick of a UFC turnaround.

    9. Albert Tumenov vs. Lorenz Larkin- UFC 195- January 2

    These men throw down with exciting fights and look to finish with every punch and kick they throw, and that is why the fight between Albert Tumenov and Lorenz Larkin is featured prominently on the main card of UFC 195, the first event of the month on Saturday. They are both finishers and both are strong on their feet. They have a chance to provide a lot of excitement and fireworks when they step inside the Octagon across from each other. Tumenov has won four straight fights while Larkin has won his past two since making the move down to welterweight. Unfortunately for them, they may not have the most exciting welterweight bout of the month, but the odds are pretty good they have a good shot at winning “Fight Of The Month”. This should be a barnburner.

    8. Travis Browne vs. Matt Mitrione- UFC Fight Night 81- January 17

    Travis Browne and Matt Mitrione are both at interesting points in their careers. Browne was thought to be a future title challenger in the heavyweight division, but has always seemed to take a step back when facing a top-five opponent. Mitrione was climbing up the rankings, but made a mental mistake that cost him his last fight against Ben Rothwell. Mitrione now comes into his fight against Browne on January 17 as an impending free agent, and he has been outspoken about a lot of issues in recent months. How will that affect him? Browne has also been in the news a lot, between charges of domestic abuse from his estranged wife and his new relationship with Ronda Rousey. How that all affects him remains to be seen as well. Inside the Octagon, both men throw heavy hands and in a heavyweight bout, a finish seems likely. Both men are at pivotal crossroads in their careers, and both have a lot to prove.

    7. Dustin Poirier vs. Joseph Duffy- UFC 195- January 2

    Originally scheduled to headline the UFC’s event in Dublin in October, a fight week injury to Joseph Duffy caused cancellation of his bout against Dustin Poirier. They were rebooked to fight at UFC 195 on Saturday, and they will be headlining the UFC Fight Pass preliminary card as the UFC makes a big push for their digital network in 2016. Duffy has gotten a lot of attention being the last man to defeat Conor McGregor, and he has scored two impressive UFC wins in his first two UFC bouts. A fight against Poirier is a big step up for Duffy, who fought Ivan Jorge and Jake Lindsey in his first two UFC bouts. Poirier was close to a title shot at 145 pounds, and he has two straight first-round finishes since moving up to lightweight. Both men are trying to break into the top ten in a crowded 155-pound division, and the winner will rocket up the rankings.

    6. Josh Barnett vs. Ben Rothwell- UFC On FOX 18- January 30

    Ben Rothwell has been looking for a fight for a long time, and it looks like he finally will get one at the end of January. He was supposed to fight Stipe Miocic in October, but Miocic pulled out due to injury. Rothwell tried to get many fights in the meantime, but nothing was materializing. He became even more upset when Miocic was quickly rebooked against Andrei Arlovski, who Rothwell tried to get booked with. In steps Josh Barnett, who will be looking to capitalize following a dominant win over Roy Nelson in September. It is interesting that Barnett took the fight as he talked about taking time away from the sport, again, following the Nelson win. He looked really good in that win, and Rothwell has looked sharp during his three-fight win streak. The winner will move one step closer towards a title shot.

    5. Stipe Miocic vs. Andrei Arlovski- UFC 195- January 2

    Speaking of title shots in the heavyweight division, the aforementioned Stipe Miocic and Andrei Arlovski square off in the first co-main event of 2016 with a title shot hanging in the balance. Miocic is coming off a dominant win over Mark Hunt and is 4-1 in his last five fights. Arlovski has enjoyed a career resurgence, winning his last six fights, including four straight since returning to the UFC. He was in one of 2015’s most exciting bouts against Travis Browne, but his last win, over Frank Mir, was a disappointment. It set him up for a title eliminator against Miocic, who looks to make a statement and earn that title shot that has loomed him. With many big heavyweight bouts in January, this one will have the most importance on future title challengers.

    4. Anthony Johnson vs. Ryan Bader- UFC On FOX 18- January 30

    Light heavyweights will close out the month of January as Anthony Johnson and Ryan Bader will meet in the main event of the FOX event on January 30 in Newark. Johnson is looking to get back into a title fight after a second-round knockout win over Jimi Manuwa at UFC 191 in January. Bader can make a strong argument that he deserves a title shot as he has won five straight fights, something that has been very hard to do in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. He is coming off a convincing win over Johnson’s teammate, Rashad Evans, at UFC 192 in October. Unfortunately for both men, current champion Daniel Cormier is going to be occupied by former champion Jon Jones for a while as Jones makes his return. The winner of this bout is almost guaranteed to be next in line, so this is a pivotal bout for both.

    3. Anthony Pettis vs. Eddie Alvarez- UFC Fight Night 81- January 17

    Former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon for the first time since losing the title to Rafael Dos Anjos, and his road back to a title shot begins with a bout against former Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez. Alvarez is looking for his second straight win over a former champion after defeating Gilbert Melendez in June and will be looking to make his case for a title shot. This fight has the potential to be a great clash as we have two top-five lightweights going at it with a potential title shot on the line. Pettis has long been one of the most exciting fighters in the sport and Alvarez is no slouch himself. In a month crowded with potential title eliminator bouts, this one has the best shot at being the best fight of the bunch.

    2. Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit- UFC 195- January 2

    The first main event of 2016 has excitement written all over it. UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler is coming off his first title defense over Rory MacDonald in 2015’s “Fight Of The Year”. It is the second straight year that Lawler has been involved in the “Fight Of The Year”, and him and former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit are looking to get a jump start on potentially winning that honor for 2016. It is one of the most interesting and compelling match-ups on the horizon for the UFC as it features two welterweights involved in some of the best fights in 170-pound division history. Both men are strong finishers, and both are equally as tough to finish. This one could be an all-time classic.

    1. T.J. Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz- UFC Fight Night 81- January 17

    The man who never lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship inside the Octagon will finally get his chance to get that championship back in our top fight to watch for the month. Dominick Cruz was forced to relinquish the championship after knee injuries kept him out of action for nearly two years. He returned in September 2014 and quickly finished Takeya Mizugaki, showing he hadn’t lost a step. However, another knee injury forced him out of action for all of 2015, but he finally comes back with a chance to win the belt he never lost. That championship is now held by T.J. Dillashaw, who is coming off his second title defense after a dominant win over the man he beat for the championship, Renan Barao, in July. Dillashaw has been in the news more recently for his ugly split with teammate Urijah Faber, who happens to be a big rival of Cruz. Faber is waiting in the wings for the winner, but Dillashaw and Cruz have their work ahead of them first. Their match-up on January 17 in Boston has the chance to be one of the best fights in the history of the bantamweight division, and the winner will be the rightful champion.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (01/01): Bob Geigel wins Central States Title

    1931 

    Columbus, Ohio:
    – Joe Banaski defeated Nick Bozinis to become the first Midwest Wrestling Association World Light Heavyweight Champion

    1936 

    Detroit, Michigan:
    – The Great Mephisto defeated Walter Roxey to win the MWA World Light Heavyweight Title

    1940

    Eugene, Oregon:
    – Pete Belcastro defeated Ernie Piluso for the Pacific Coast Light Heavyweight Title 

    1941

    St. Joseph, Kansas:
    – Orville Brown beat Tom Zaharias 
    – Ronnie Etchison beat Bad Boy Brown 
    – Ras Samara beat Jay Steele 
    – Mel Peters drew Frank Frogge

    1943

    Columbus, Ohio:
    – Billy Thom defeated Martino Angelo for the MWA World Junior Heavyweight Title 

    1949

    Waco, Texas:
    – Dizzy Davis defeated Antonino Rocca for the Texas Heavyweight Title 

    1950

    Portland, Oregon:
    – Jack O’Reilly defeated Buck Weaver to win the Pacific Coast Light Heavyweight Title

    1954

    Mexico City, Mexico:
    – El Santo defeated Sugi Sito for the NWA World Middleweight Title

    1959

    Mobile, Alabama:
    – Billy Wicks defeated Lee Fields to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dick Hutton beat Bob Ellis 2 out of 3 falls
    – The Dusek Brothers (Emil and Ernie Dusek) beat The Hamilton Brothers (Joe and Larry Hamilton) 
    – Bobby Bruns and Lee Henning wrestled to a time limit draw
    – Rip Hawk beat Joe Scarpa 

    1961

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – Rocket and Sputnik Monroe defeated Duke Keomuka and Mad Dog Vachon to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title 

    1963

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Ivan and Karol Kalmikoff defeated Mr. High (Doug Gilbert) and Mr. Low (Dick Steinborn) for the AWA World Tag Team Title
    – Larry Hennig beat Karl Von Shoberg

    – Art and Stan Neilson defeated Karl and Kurt Von Brauner to win the American Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Titles

    1970

    Amarillo, Texas:
    – Dick Murdoch defeated The Lawman (Don Slatton) for the Amarillo NWA Brass Knuckles Title 

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – Stan Pulaski defeated Tarzan Tyler for the AWA Midwest Heavyweight Title

    Cleveland, Ohio:
    – Bulldog Brower defeated Johnny Powers to win the NWF North American Heavyweight Title 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – The Stomper & Bob Geigel defeated Tor Kamata & Masao Komura 
    – Ernie Ladd defeated Bob Brown 
    – Ernie Ladd won a 14-man Battle Royal

    1971

    St. Joseph, Missouri:
    – Bob Geigel won the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title by defeating Roger Kirby 

    1975

    Nashville, Tennessee:

    – Rocket Monroe and Randy Tyler defeated Jackie Fargo and George Gulas to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title 

    1978

    Greensboro, North Carolina:
    – Blackjack Mulligan defeated Ricky Steamboat to win the NWA United States Heavyweight Title

    1979

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Jack and Jerry Brisco defeated Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk for the NWA Georgia Tag Team Titles

    1980

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Ricky and Robert Gibson won the AWA Southern Tag Team Title from The Assassins

    1982

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) defeated The Dynamite Kid to win the vacant WWF Junior Heavyweight Title

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – Dick the Bruiser defeated NWA Missouri Heavyweight Champion Ken Patera to win the title

    1983

    San Antonio, Texas:
    – Tully Blanchard defeated Bob Sweetan to win the vacant SCW Southwest Heavyweight Title

    San Francisco, California:
    – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Pat Patterson
    – Hulk Hogan beat Ken Patera

    Portland, Oregon:
    – The Assassin and Rip Oliver defeated Billy Jack (Haynes) and Stan Stasiak for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles

    1984

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jerry Lawler beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel dq 
    – Southern Tag Team Champions Fabulous Ones ddq Moondogs
    – Sabu (sub Jos Leduc) beat Austin Idol
    – Bruise Brothers beat Terry Taylor & Stagger Lee
    – Stretcher match: Rock and Roll Express beat A Team
    – Dutch Mantell & Stagger Lee beat Giant Frazier & Terry Gibbs

    1985

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Jay and Mark Youngblood defeated Krusher Khrushchev and Jim Neidhart to win the Florida NWA United States Tag Team Titles

    1986

    Tulsa, Oklahoma:
    – Dick Slater defeated Butch Reed for the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title 
    – Jake Roberts won the Mid-South Television Title, defeating Dick Slater in the finals of a month-long tournament

    1988

    Des Moines, Iowa:
    – Masahiro Chono defeated Mike George to become the last NWA Central States Television Champion

    1990

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Bull Nakano defeated Mitsuko Nishiwaki in a tournament final to win the vacant AJW title

    2014

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Shinjiro Otani & Kamikaze beat Masato Tanaka & Yusaku Obata to win the NWA Z-1 Intercontinental tag team titles