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  • July 11, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Preview for massive UFC weekend, including UFC 200, plus tons of news

    The biggest week in UFC history with four live events takes place with UFC 200, Brock Lesnar, five championship fights, the Hall of Fame and even a potential sale of the company all in the news.

    Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

  • WWE NXT results: The Revival vs. American Alpha 2-of-3 falls

    The Big News: The Revival defeated American Alpha in a 2-out-of-3 Falls match to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.

    The Medium News: Rhyno returned and seemed to be really angry that Blake and Murphy tried to team again.

    The Little Beaver Sized News: Bayley and Nia Jax agreed to one more match.

    Bayley pinned Alexa Bliss

    This match was set up last week when Alexa beat Carmella and made a challenge to Bayley, who is fully recovered following her match with Nia Jax.

    Bayley gave Alexa a lot, establishing her as more than just another girl on the roster. Alexa used a really nice punch to the face to take over, with Bayley selling it as possible death. Alexa went for Twisted Bliss, but Bayley cut her off and Alexa actually came back with a Code Red for a near fall.

    The finish saw Alexa go for the Vader Bomb, but Bayley got her knees up and won with the Belly to Bayley.

    After the match, Bayley said she was ready to take her title back. Nia Jax came out in “normal clothes” to confront her. They stood face to face and Bayley challenged her to one more match. Nia agreed and it is on.

    *******

    We had a TM61 video package.

    *******

    Dash & Dawson said they will beat American Alpha tonight and have no fear in losing their belts so soon after regaining them.

    *******

    The Hype Bros vs. Blake & Murphy ended in a No Contest

    Blake and Murphy are teaming again. Remember when I said like two months ago that they would break up at least five times before it counted?

    Blake and Murphy literally couldn’t even agree on who would start the match. They argued mid-ring as Mojo Rawley tried to get them to wrestle. However, before we saw any wrestling, Rhyno appeared out of nowhere to Gore Blake, Rawley and Ryder. Murphy got away scot-free.

    Yes, this really happened.

    *******

    We got the video package for next week’s Finn Balor-Shinsuke Nakamura match. I got half a second of screen time when they showed Nakamura’s entrance in Dallas. Tye Dillinger, Neville and American Alpha talked about what a dream match it would be.

    This was the first thing they have done to make me excited for the match since the original angle announcing it.

    *******

    American Alpha said they will execute their game plan to win the belts back.

    *******

    Samoa Joe will be on NXT next week, apparently for the first time since Takeover. Is it sad that I didn’t notice?

    *******

    Rhyno was walking around Full Sail University (literally) and a cameraman ran up to ask why he was back. Rhyno snorted at him and walked away.

    I have a theory that Rhyno has no clothes. All that he owns are his wrestling singlets, a few hoodies and Rhyno t-shirts that companies have been nice enough to give him.

    *******

    NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival took 2 out of 3 falls from American Alpha

    This is the third time these two teams have wrestled. American Alpha won the first at NXT Takeover: Dallas, while The Revival evened the score at Takeover: The End. With a win, Alpha would become the second team to win the NXT Tag Team Titles twice.

    The start of the first fall saw the champs work over the knee of Jordan, which is backwards because normally they get the heat on Gable. Jordan’s knee slammed off the ring post and both members of the Revival took turns using leg and knee holds.

    Gable was able to get the hot tag and suplexed Dash and Dawson all over the place. Everything was going great for him until Dash pulled down the top rope, causing Gable to go flying over it and crashing on the ground outside.

    Despite beating on him for close to 10 minutes, the Revival just could not put Gable down for the first fall. Gable showed resilience as Jordan managed to recover from the earlier attack on his knee.

    Jordan got the second hot tag of the first fall and went all suplex crazy on both men again. Jordan got a near fall on Dash with a spear. The first fall finally ended with Dash tapping to Jordan’s ankle lock.

    The second fall saw Dawson and Jordan reverse roll-ups on each other until Dawson got on a reverse figure four for the tapout, showing that Jordan’s knee didn’t fully recover from the beginning of the match.

    The third fall started with more roll-ups. Alpha went for Grand Amplitude, but it got broken up. Revival went for Shatter Machine, and that got broken up too.

    Gable got a tag, but was hit with a knee to the face as he tried getting into the ring. Gable and Dawson fought on the apron until somehow the Revival hit the Shatter Machine on it.

    By the way, shouldn’t it have hurt the Revival just as much since they bumped on the apron? Anyway, they rolled Gable in, pinned him and retained the titles.

    So that does it for this week. Next week it is the much anticipated showdown between Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura. Until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers.

  • Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha Dos Part One results: Son of Havoc steals the show; a legend debuts

    Last year, Ultima Lucha was a three hour event spread over two shows. This year, it’s a three hour show spread over three weeks – so they’re not sacrificing any content time and hopefully spreading the rating out over three weeks instead of two.

    The show begins with a recap of Dario Cueto announcing the Unique Opportunity Tournament for a unique opportunity.

    A new Ultima Lucha Dos graphic adorns the lower left-hand side of the screen and we see poster banners running down the card. They should really sell shirts of those, or replicas, via their official storefronts on either the official site or ProWrestlingTees.

    Striker and Vamp run down the tournament for a unique opportunity – which will have its semi-finals tonight. The Mack vs. Cage is set up, and Dario says that they started last year’s show off with a falls count anywhere match. Tonight, he wants last year’s success to be replicated, so this is now a falls count anywhere match too.

    The Mack vs. Cage – Falls Count Anywhere

    Cage hits a McGillicutter for a 2 count off a standing moonsault. Mack hits a Rainmaker elbow smash, but eats a back elbow. He recovers with a superkick leading to Cage being draped in the rope and hit with a body block to the floor.

    Mack gets hip tossed into the bleachers. Jeez. A minute in and they’re already taking bumps that make the Final Deletion look a bit tame. Cage gets a trash can, but Mack powerslams Cage on it for 2. 

    They fight in Dario’s office while Dario and Black Lotus look on. Cage grabs a framed poster of the LU logo and smashes it over Mack’s head for 2. Vamp says the boss looks dope in a tux and says he’s got a big key.

    The fans beat on the barricades like a war drum while Cage sets up a steel chair bridge and powerbombs Mack through it for 2. Mack hits a running Samoan drop on a stop sign for 2. Mack has a Mexican flag guitar and smashes it on Cage’s head for 2, since this isn’t a Jeff Jarrett match. Mack grabs pinatas, which Striker says are for the show’s after party.

    A “pinata” chant breaks out. Mack’s pinata has a wrench, while Cage’s has candy. Vamp mocks a guy for knocking kids over to grab the candy.

    Mack gets some beers from another pinata and drinks them, but the stunner is blocked and he’s tossed into the apron where he eats a shot to the head.

    Cage sets up a table, but Mack hits him in the balls and then with a toolbox to the head. Chain to the head of Cage leads to more beers, some stunners, and Striker doing a Steve Austin impression.

    Between this and the Final Deletion, pro wrestling is clearly a bit weird.

    Mack climbs up top after putting Cage on a table and hits a frog splash off the balcony through the table. And it gets a 2 count. That justifiably gets a holy shit chant.

    Cage goes for his cement block curb stomp ala last year, but he slips on the beer and Mack gets the schoolboy for the win.

    This was weird, but a lot of fun and well worth watching.

    Texano and Son of Havoc are mid-ring for their match. Dario says that the fans must wonder why we’ve got a bar set up outside the ring – but when he sees a cowboy and a biker, he thinks of bars – so he’s making this a Boyle Heights Bar Fight.

    Texano vs. Son of Havoc – Bar Fight

    This bar fight begins like many others – with a tie-up and then a side headlock toss-off into the ropes before a dropdown into a leapfrog exchange.

    Havoc side-steps him and Texano flies over the top. Havoc hits an Asai moonsault on the floor, but misses a Muta handspring elbow against the barricade. Havoc recovers and hits a moonsault off the announce table and tosses him through a door, drawing yet another holy shit chant.

    Havoc has a helmet and fire extinguisher – leading to Striker mentioning Firebreaker Chip and then a blast to the face by Havoc. Havoc eats a headshot, but the helmet absorbs the blow – so Texano hits him more before tossing bar stools into the ring.

    Texano puts a keg in the corner while a “we want beer” chant breaks out. Rope-assisted punch gets 2 for Texano. Havoc punches him and dropkicks his back into the keg. Havoc sets up a pile of wood from the bar stools before hitting a rana off the top onto the pile for 2.

    Vamp says that Dario spent all his money on his tux and none on the furniture since the stools broke so easily.

    Havoc is set up in the corner and hits a chair into Havoc’s balls. Havoc recovers and backdrops him onto a row of bar glasses. Havoc sets up glass in the ring and double stomps his chest into it before pump kicking him into it for the win.

    Well, that was full of nasty bumps for a match that had no real grudge – but it was fun.

    The Voodoo Glow Skulls play us in after those two wars while Striker runs down the next two weeks of matches.

    It’s now time for the finals of the Unique Opportunity tournament as The Mack battles Son of Havoc. Striker talks about how exhausted each guy has to be. Dario says he is surprised that they won, so he is impressed – but he wants this to be a falls count anywhere match as well.

    Son of Havoc vs. Mack – Unique Opportunity Falls Count Anywhere Match

    They go back and forth with headlocks and Mack tosses him into the ropes for a Pounce. Huge splash gets 2 for Mack. Mack takes him to the floor and punches him before tossing him into the barricade.

    Havoc chops him before hip tossing him into the bleachers. Mack avoids a corner charge and hits a sitting European uppercut, then hits an Irish Curse and a twisting flatliner off the ropes for 2.

    Havoc low bridges him and hits a twisting moonsault to the floor. He tosses him in for an SSP, but Mack gets hid knees up and gets 2 off a cradle. Mack avoids a corner elbow and hits a corner charge.

    Mack misses a charge, eats a Muta elbow and a SSP gets the win for Havoc. That was quite subdued compared to the craziness earlier – so it was good in that sense, but also a bit hard to care about since so much came before.

    Dario congratulates Son of Havoc and shows off a briefcase with $250,000 of Dario Cueto-faced money.

    If he wants the cash, it’s his – but there’s a twist. He can turn in the case for a contract giving him a Lucha Underground Title match at Ultima Lucha Tres. Havoc tells him he doesn’t care about the money – he wants the title. Dario says he’ll be in the main event of Ultima Lucha Tres – if he wins one more match.

    The next match determines Havoc’s fate. His opponent here can win the money, while Havoc gets the title shot if he wins. Famous B comes down and says he has a new client – and his client is already famous. He says Havoc feels sick – so it’s a good thing there’s a doctor in the house. Dr. Wagner Jr. comes down to face Son of Havoc and gets a huge “ole” chant as he walks down the steps.

    Son of Havoc vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. – Title Shot vs. $250,000

    Wagner hits a snap Samoan drop and forearms Havoc in the corner. Wagner hits a corner charge lariat and hits a super RKO before posing arrogantly.

    Vamp says that Dr. Wagner Jr. drop kicked his busted leg to hurt him when he came back in Mexico. Havoc lands a series of lariats before a pump kick sends him down. The SSP misses and the Doctor Driver wins it – so Havoc now gets neither the money or title shot.

    Dr. Wagner Jr. takes down the straps and poses, while Famous B and Brenda celebrate with the money. Famous B puts on a stethoscope and checks Havoc’s chest for a heartbeat. 

    Well, this was a stellar show overall. In terms of match style, Havoc vs. Mack should have opened the show – but that wouldn’t have worked for the story being told.

    Havoc really shined throughout the night and for the first time, they really did put you on a journey with his character. Dr. Wagner Jr. was given almost no time to get over – with his match starting 55 minutes into the hour-long broadcast and yet still managed to do so.

    With a handful of moves and even fewer mannerisms, you got that he was a cocky veteran who was exactly as good as he thinks he is, and now the 30-year veteran can lay claim to winning a main event on Ultima Lucha throughout season three. 

    Screenshot Gallery

  • WWE Cruiserweight Classic Bracketology live updates, Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo break down the competitors

    On Wednesday, the road to the WWE Cruiserweight Classic gets a little closer with Bracketology, a one-hour WWE Network special akin to the NCAA tournament selection show, featuring bracketing and officially putting all 32 competitors in their slots for this summer-long tournament.

    The competitors are a wide array of talent from all over the world.

    Some of the faces and names involved are already familiar to the WWE audience like veteran cruiserweights Brian Kendrick and Tajiri. Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa and Rich Swann have also already competed in front of the crowd at Full Sail University as members of the NXT roster.

    Most of the talent in the tournament has never before competed in a WWE ring. Independent stars from the United States like Drew Gulak, T.J. Perkins and Cedric Alexander that are looking to make a good first impression to the WWE and its audience.

    It also includes international stars like Kota Ibushi, Gran Metalik and Zack Sabre Jr. that are looking to further establish themselves in the United States.

    With such a diverse group of both known and unknown talent, the first 16 matches could lead to some real gems.

    Tonight’s bracketing show will be hosted by Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan, and with the show purportedly going for a more sports like atmosphere, it will be interesting to see what they say about the competitors. 

    Join us at 9 PM EST as the brackets get revealed!

    **********

    The show starts with Triple H cutting a speech at the performance center, basically a pep-talk to those competing in the tournament.

    Mauro welcomes us to the show and asks Daniel how he feels being back after his retirement in February. When he heard about the Cruiserweight Classic, he felt he had to be a part of it as there are tons of people coming in from all around the world competing in one tournament. Mauro says it reminds him of the birth in MMA.

    They go over the story of Alejandro Saez and how he was 25 pounds overweight before the tournament, but managed to make weight before deadline. Daniel Bryan questioned if he’ll gain that weight back before the tournament starts. 

    Zack Sabre. Jr profile video. He says he grew up watching guys like Chris Jericho and Dean Malenko who were well known for their technical skill. “Harry Potter isn’t the only wizard in this tournament” he notes.

    WWE Senior Director of Talent Relations Canyon Ceman is interviewed, saying how he traveled around the world  in search for competitors. The goal is to bring someone for everyone.

    Jack Gallagher is interviewed, putting over the British style. He has to use his mind and his techniques to beat his opponents. He’ll keep it gentlemanly as long as his opponents keep it gentlemanly. He considers himself a classic English gentleman.

    Harv and Gurv Sihra are profiled next. They are from Vancouver, but their parents are from India. They call themselves the Bollywood Boys, as Bollywood creates this idea of fantasy. To be in the biggest wrestling company in the world, that is a great accomplishment within itself. They both have what it takes to be here, but what it comes down to is who is the better man.

    Rich Swann is profiled next. He mentions pro wrestling saved his life. His father passed away when he was 12, his mother at 16. He went down a dark path, but wrestling changed him. He never thought he’d make it, but he did. The perfect ending for him would be him winning the first ever Cruiserweight Classic.

    Daniel Bryan likes Rich Swann because of his story – he’s used wrestling to be successful in life. He’s a small guy, but he has done things a lot of people haven’t.

    They switch it to Corey Graves at the control center, where he goes over the left side of the bracket:

    • Kenneth Johnson  vs. Akira Tozawa
    • Jack Gallagher  vs. Fabian Richner
    • Tajiri  vs. Damian Slater 
    • Alejandro Saez vs. Gran Metallik (aka Masacara Dorada)
    • Harv Sihra vs. Drew Gulak
    • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tyson Dux 
    • Noam Dar  vs .Gurv Sihra
    • Arya Davari vs. Hoho Lun

    Next up is a look at Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, and how they are a tag team but going into this tournament as opponents in the opening round.

    Gargano says they clicked instantly. Gargano says he might even talk to Ciampa more than his fiance. But when it comes down to them facing off, Gargano will shake his hand and will see who comes out on top. Ciampa says he always goes in there with the intent to hurt, not injure. Says he doesn’t want to see Gargano get hurt, but he doesn’t want to lose.

    TJ Perkins is profiled next. He’s the one that likes to make it look good. He started wrestling when he was 13, and lucha libre was a big influence on his style, growing up in LA.

    He mentions how he was homeless for a while, mentioning it was tough and that wrestling was the only way to get out of that and it creates a lot of mental toughness. He feels like he’s representing the Philippines and he’s out to inspire others.

    Mauro and Daniel are joined by Perkins, and ask him about his story. He brings up mental toughness again and Murphy’s law, and those experiences changed him as a man. Daniel Bryan mentions he was the youngest trained wrestler to ever compete in New Japan.

    Perkins mentioned that this is akin to the Super J-Cup in that 10 years from now people will be looking at this tournament. He’s proud to represent the Philippines, mentioning that they don’t have a lot of heroes there so he wants to represent them.

    Graves is back and goes over the right side of the bracket:

    • Raul Mendoza vs. Brian Kendrick
    • Anthony Bennett vs. Tony Nese
    • Kota Ibushi vs. Sean Maluta
    • Cedric Alexander vs. Clement Petiot
    • TJ Perkins vs. Da Mack
    • Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa
    • Mustafa Ali vs. Lince Dorado
    • Rich Swann vs. Jason Lee

    They go over the two veterans in the tournament, Tajiri and The Brian Kendrick. Kendrick says wrestling is what he loves and what he is passionate about. When he has the world in his hands, he let it go. He mentions he was released because “he was an animal” and deserved to be released. He’s been wrestling consistently since 1999 for his moment, and if he falls short…then it’s his life that will fall short.

    Kendrick joins Daniel and Mauro. Daniel brings up his first match ever was against Kendrick, and how Kendrick came out to “Genie in a Bottle” and how Bryan came out to “Born in the USA”.

    Daniel asks him what he wants from this tournament. Kendrick says he wants to win because he’s never won a tournament before. In terms of the age factor, he says that is a downside, but he is smarter now and is used to this environment.

    Mauro asked about both Daniel and Brian Kendrick were trained by Shawn Michaels and what that was like. Daniel Bryan talks about his passion and brings up a story about how Kendrick’s mom came in during a training session and let Shawn have it. Kendrick says he wants to beat them all when it comes down to who he wants to face the most.

    Mauro brings up how Daniel Bryan has faced Kota Ibushi in the past and they go to a profile on him. Kota says he doesn’t need to represent Japan, but wants to show how good Japanese wrestlers are. He mentions his experiences with Finn Balor, Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura and he has an advantage over others in this tournament because he’s faced them all.

    He will win the tournament because he loves pro wrestling the most above other wrestlers. Bryan brings up that Kota Ibushi has just come back from a herniated disc and questions if he’ll be the same.

    Strong style is brought up, and Mauro asks what that is. Bryan says its an ideology about striking and hitting hard, and contrasts it to Zack Sabre Jr.’s ideology of escaping and outmaneuvering his opponents.

    Triple H is brought in. Mauro says he’d never thought he’d see something like this under the WWE umbrella. Triple H mentions there are so many out there, but there was no platform for them to come into the WWE and this is the platform.

    Mauro asks if this is where the future lies. Triple H mentions Daniel Bryan and how he was part of the paradigm shift and how you don’t have to be a 300 pound guy to be successful in this industry. Triple H says he doesn’t want this to be about flips and high flyers and wants to show diverse styles – mat based, striking, flyer, whatever.

    Mauro asks if this is one and done and if there are futures for the athletes involved. Triple H says no, this isn’t one and done and the opportunity for the cruiserweights will be there after the tournament.

    They show footage of guys training at the Performance Center and Hunter says he’s really excited. Mauro thanks Triple H for this Cruiserweight Classic and is excited to see it. Hunter mentions he wanted them both to commentate for this tournament, day one.

    And that’ll do it! The first matches will air next week at this time.

  • Daily Update: WWE comic book, Super J-Cup participants, Shibata to ROH

    The full list of participants and first round matches were announced for this summer’s Super J-Cup today with the first round taking place on July 20th at Korakuen Hall inTokyo, Japan. If you enjoyed the Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet match, it’s unfortunately not happening again as Ricochet is not in the tournament. However, if that match is any indication, there’s a ton of other potential awesome matchups. This is going to be worth going out of your way to see. 

    The original Super J-Cup was held in 1994, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestling shows of all time. Our own Dave Meltzer called the 1994 Super J-Cup “the most incredible single night of wrestling ever.” Does this line-up have the potential to top it? We will find out, starting on July 20 leading to the finals on August 21. 

    • Kushida vs. Taiji Ishimori
    • Rysuke Taguchi vs. Daisuke Harada
    • Bushi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
    • Titan vs. Will Ospreay
    • Jushin Liger vs. Eita
    • Yuma Aoyagi vs. Taichi
    • Gurukun Mask vs. Kenou
    • Matt Sydal vs. Kaji Tomato

    THE ROUNDUP

    ​The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11. Stay up to date on all the latest wackiness by following Ed in San Antonio on Facebook. Plus, follow us on @WONF4W or @BryanAlvarez. We will be live tweeting from all the events. Use #F4WVegas to get in on the fun. 

    ​If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!

    Figure Four Weekly

    READ IT HERE: Figure Four Weekly 6/27/2016: WWE concussion lawsuit update, more – The latest information in WWE’s concussion lawsuit. 

    Subscribers click here to continue reading.

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    READ IT HERE: July 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW G1 tournament preview, Ali vs. Inoki anniversary, more – A preview of NJPW’s G1 tournament, notes on the anniversary of Ali vs. Inoki, plus tons more.

    It’s a double issue week featuring a look back 40 years at what was the biggest undertaking up to that point in pro wrestling history, and Inoki vs. Ali match, how it came together, what happened that night, coverage of the upcoming G-1 Climax tournament, coverage of Ultima Lucha 3 and details on where the company stands, full coverage of the WWE cruiserweight classic, ROH Best in the World coverage as well as a look at those coming and going from the promotion, the death of Ryan Jimmo, the life and times of Gypsy Joe, and far more about the fallout of the Roman Reigns suspension.

    The lead story details this years G-1 tournament including what will air in English, newcomers to the tournament, some interesting political news regarding who is and isn’t in it, as well as a complete lineup for every show.

    This issue looks at the background of Ali vs. Inoki, the first time boxer vs. wrestler with major stars came close to happening, boxing champions who did wrestling and wrestlers who faced boxers including involving one of the all-time greats, Thesz vs. Marciano talk, and the two best known mixed matches prior to Ali vs. Inoki in the U.S.

    There is also a look at Japanese pro wrestling in the 70s and how that led to the match, the business of Billy Robinson involving Inoki vs. Baba, how Inoki was being marketed, and the attempts to put together Ali vs. Bruno Sammartino and how that led to this.

    The goals of Ali vs. Inoki for the New Japan side, the pro wrestling angles, just how big the match was why the match wasn’t a work, where Ali’s career stood at the time, media coverage, how the terrible rules were the reason the fight, Sammartino’s broken neck and return, Stan Hansen becoming a superstar in Japan, and why Ali vs. Inoki was not a success in much of the U.S, and much more in this issue of the Wrestling Observer. 

    Subscribers click here to continue reading.

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

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

    Rates are:

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

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

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

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter BACK ISSUE

    READ IT HERE: May 31, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Owen Hart – The life and death of Owen Hart, details on WWF Over the Edge, plus tons of news.

    WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

    Boom! Studios will be releasing a WWE comic bookand WWE graphic novels. So, if you can’t get enough WWE with all of the new content the impending brand split is giving us, you can collect the comic books too.

    Revolution Pro Wrestling announced Marty Scurll vs. Jay White for their August 7th show at The Cockpit in London.

    NEVER Openweight Champion Katsuyori Shibata will make his much-anticipated Ring of Honor debut at the promotion’s August 19th Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view. Also announced for the show were Los Ingobernable de Japon members Tetsuya Naito and Evil, and Bullet Club Members Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Yujiro Takahashi.

    In a story discussed in past Wrestling Observers, ROH star Moose may be heading to TNA…if he accepts their offer.

    The UFC 200 Press Conference with Brock Lesnar, Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier and more is available here. 

    WWE and Pro Wrestling

    UFC and MMA

    Miscellaneous (podcasts, plugs, results)

    SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR

    • July 7-11 The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas, EdinSanAntonio has information up on Facebook, or email him F4Wfan@hotmail.com. Keep up with all the action on Twitter by following @WONF4W, @BryanAlvarez, @DaveMeltzerWON, @FO_VVerhei, @EdinSanAntonio, @PaulAceFontaine, @FilthyTomLawlor or @PeachMachine. Use #F4WVegas or search for our group FaceBook page. You can also follow Granny’s adventures. 
    • TOMORROW – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
    • TOMORROW – UFC Fight Night Las Vegas at MGM Grand. Rafael Dos Anjos vs Eddie Alvarez for the UFC lightweight title
    • FRIDAY – The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Claudia Gadelha for the UFC strawweight title
    • SATURDAY – UFC 200 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight title; Brock Lesnar vs Mark Hunt; Miesha Tate vs Amanda Nunes for the UFC women’s bantamweight title; Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar for the interim UFC featherweight title
    • SATURDAY – New England Championship Wrestling presents World Women’s Wrestling at The Brockton Fair, 600 Belmont St, Brockton, MA
    • SATURDAY – Pure Wrestling Association “Summer Assault” 11 Year Anniversary – Alpine Club, 464 Maple Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario
    • SATURDAY – All Pro Wrestling + Fit of Mind present: #MalaceInThePalace from the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, CA.
    • SATURDAY – Upstate Pro Wrestling in Rochester, NY, features Ethan Page, HC Loc, a triple threat match main event, and more.
    • SATURDAY – Acclaim Pro Wrestling presents: Star-Mageddon 6!
    • SATURDAY – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fundraising event.
    • July 13 – UFC Fight Night in Sioux Falls, SD. Michael McDonald vs John Lineker
    • July 16 – In Your Face Wrestling Presents: “Malicious Intent” – Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NYwww.iyfwrestling.com
    • July 16 – Bellator 158 : London featuring Paul Daley vs Douglas Lima, Michael Venom Page, Linton Vassell and Matt Mitrione
    • July 17 – Lucha by the Water ft Blue Demon Jr! – Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8, 3-6 pm. Tickets here.
    • July 17 – Premier Wrestling at the IFDES Lodge and Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA with Joe Graves vs. Gabriel Gallo for the Premier. Tickets at www.premierwrestle.com.
    • July 22 – Ignite Wrestling in Fort Pierce, FL at the National Guard Armory on a show with Lince Dorado, Mr. 450 Hammet, Lio Rush, Martin Stone, Los Ben Dejos, and more
    • July 22 – AIW runs on 7/22 in Cleveland, OH, with Ethan Page vs. Josh Prohibition vs. Josh Alexander, and Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae vs. Ethan Carter III & Karlee Perez
    • July 22 – The Lou Thesz Hall of Fame weekend show in Waterloo, IA, featuring Ricochet vs. Sami Callihan, Wes Brisco, B. Brian Blair, Jessika Havok, Tessa Blanchard, a steel cage match and more – This is the weekend Dave Meltzer will be honored.
    • July 22 – Bellator 159 from Mulvane, KS. Darrion Caldwell vs Joe Taimanglo. Melvin Guillard vs David “Caveman” Rickells
    • July 23 – Live Pro Wrestling, Glengarry Sports Palace, 170 McDonald Blvd. Alexandria, Ontario
    • July 23 – UFC on FOX from Chicago – Holly Holm vs Valentina Shevchenko.          
    • July 23 – Chikara Pro announced a doubleheader event at Toronto’s Franklin Horner Community Center.
    • July 23 – AAW  in Merrionnette Park, IL, with Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr., Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll; Tommaso Ciampa; Fenix; Johnny Gargano, and plenty more. Here’s what you missed on their last show.  
    • July 23 – Masters of Ring Entertainment in Wilmington, NC, as part of Pro Wrestling Fan Expo 3 will feature Jeff Jarrett vs. ECIII vs. James Storm, announced by Jarrett in this video.
    • Merritton Community Centre 7 Park Ave St. Catharines, ON
    • July 24 – Crossfire Wrestling – Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Avenue St. Catharines ON, for our 5 year Anniversary show “BRING THE HEAT V”
    • July 24 – PWEclipse – Summer Surrender, Oshawa, Ontario
    • July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY
    • July 30 – WSOF 32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 – Live on NBCSN from Everett, Washington. Also featuring Ben “Phoenix Jones” Fodor vs Caros Fodor in a brother vs brother fight
    • July 30 – Smash Wrestling – Oshawa Music Hall, 39 King St E, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1B2
    • July 31 – BATTLEWAR 36; Les Foufounes Électriques, 87 Sainte-Catherine Street East
    • Montreal, QC
    • Aug 21 – Chavo Guerrero Jr. will appear for Smash Wrestling on in Pickering, Ontario at Super Showdown lV.

    TODAY IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HISTORY: WWF Canadian Stampede; Goldberg defeats Hogan for WCW World Title

  • JNPO: MMA Fighting’s Dave Doyle & UFC Fight Week’s 10 most intriguing fighters

    36 fights. 72 fighters. Three shows. Lots of punches.

    That’s what we’re looking at as International Fight Week kicks into full swing Thursday night as the first of three UFC shows in Las Vegas happens, headlined by lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos defending the belt against Eddie Alvarez on UFC Fight Pass. After Friday night’s TUF Finale show on FS1, the big one is upon us: UFC 200 — arguably the greatest card that has ever been assembled…on paper, anyway.

    But with all of those fights and fighters, surely some stand out more than others, right? That’s why Josh brought in special guest Dave Doyle of MMA Fighting to help him preview the week in a slightly different way.

    Both Josh and Dave jotted down 10 fighters competing over the next three days that they are most interested in seeing how this week plays out for. While there was a little bit of crossover, both guys had distinct picks and rationale for why they’re so intriguing to them. There’s a few names you might expect (Brock, Cain), but many that you might not expect.

    Click below to listen to a special 45-minute conversation that will get you ready for all three UFC events!

    Right click save

  • Raw doesn’t fall nearly to the level expected on July 4th

    While WWE set an all-time record low for Raw on Monday, the rating can’t be viewed negatively given the number and the night.

    The show averaged 2.66 million viewers, down only 14 percent from the near record low from the prior week. The past two times Raw has aired on July 4th (2011 and 2005), the ratings fell 23 percent and 41 percent respectively from the prior week.

    Raw was far and away the most watched show on cable, since all the shows on cable that usually provide competition took the night off. It also beat the FOX network programming head-to-head.  Only four other shows on cable hit 1.5 million viewers.

    From the hourly breakdown, it appeared to be the most loyal/hardcore audience since there were no upswings or downswings from start-to-finish:

    • 8 p.m. 2.66 million viewers
    • 9 p.m. 2.67 million viewers
    • 10 p.m. 2.64 million viewers

    The show featured Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz, another John Cena/Club confrontation, and a 16-man elimination match to close the show.

  • Daily Pro Wrestling History (07/06): WWF Canadian Stampede; Goldberg defeats Hogan for WCW World Title

    1946 

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – Frankie Talaber defeated Whitey Whittler
    – Dick Raines defeated Gene Bowman
    – Sonny Myers defeated The Great Mephisto
    – Buck Lipscomb and Jack Vansky defeated Al Szasz and Whitey Wahlberg

    1967

    Davenport, Iowa:
    – Johnny Powers defeated the Crusher 
    – Harley Race defeated Jack Lanza

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Sonny Myers fought Jack Donovan to a draw
    – The Hangman defeated Steve Bolus
    – Bob Ellis defeated Bob Brown by DQ 
    – Bob Geigel defeated The Viking in three falls

    1972 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Les Thornton defeated Billy Howard
    – The Viking & Omar Atlas fought Chati Yokouchi & Yasu Fuji to a draw
    – Bob Ellis defeated Juan Sebastian
    – Rufus R. Jones & Danny Little Bear defeated Central States Tag Team Champions Roger Kirby & Black Angus (w/ Percival A. Friend) by DQ in three falls 
    – Harley Race defeated The Stomper in three falls

    1973 

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Superstar Billy Graham defeated Wahoo McDaniel by DQ
    – Ivan Koloff dcor Ken Patera
    – Billy Robinson defeated Bill Crouch 
    – Greg Gagne drew Joe Scarpello (sub Bob Bruggers)

    1981 

    Augusta, Georgia:
    – Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka defeated Ted DiBiase & Steve Olsonoski to win the National Tag Team Titles

    1985 

    Baltimore, Maryland:
    – Tito Santana defeated Greg Valentine for the WWF Intercontinental Title in a steel cage match

    Great American Bash: Charlotte, North Carolina:
    – NWA World Tag Team Champions Krusher Khruschev & Ivan Koloff went to a double DQ against AWA World Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors 
    – Dusty Rhodes defeated Tully Blanchard in a steel cage match to win the NWA Television Title and the services of Blanchard’s valet Baby Doll for 30 days 
    – NWA Champion Ric Flair defeated Nikita Koloff by DQ

    1992 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – The Moondogs (Spot & Cujo) defeated Jerry Lawler & Jeff Jarrett for the USWA Tag Team Titles

    1997

    WWF Canadian Stampede: Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – The Godwinns defeated The Blackjacks (Windham & Bradshaw)
    – Mankind vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley ended in a double countout
    – The Great Sasuke defeated TAKA Michinoku
    – WWF World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker defeated Vader
    – Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, Davey Boy Smith & Brian Pillman defeated Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust, & The Legion Of Doom 

    Tokyo, Japan 
    – Koki Kitihara, Lance Storm, & Nobutaku Araya defeated Tommy Dreamer, Koji Kitao, & Nobukazu Hirai to win the vacant WAR Six-Man Tag Team Championship 

    1998

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Bill Goldberg defeated Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Title

  • VIDEO: UFC 200 press conference with Brock Lesnar, Jon Jones, more!

    Brock Lesnar, Mark Hunt, UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, interim light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, Cain Velasquez, and Travis Browne will address the MMA media this afternoon at 3 PM EST.

    The press conference is in anticipation of this Sunday’s UFC 200 event that the promotion is hoping will be the biggest show in company history.

    On the show, Lesnar will make his return to mixed martial arts after an almost five-year layoff against Hunt. Lesnar last fought at UFC 141 in a loss against Alistair Overeem.

    Jones is challenging Cormier in a light heavyweight championship unification bout as Jones was forced to vacate his title after a string of personal issues kept him out of the sport for a year. He won the interim version of the belt earlier this year in a unanimous decision win over Ovince Saint Preux.

    Tate will defend her championship against Nunes with the winner likely to face either Ronda Rousey or Holly Holm later this year if the cards falls right.

    Also on the show, Aldo faces Edgar for the interim featherweight championship, and Velasquez vs. Browne opens the PPV portion of the card.

  • TNA makes an offer for Moose

    It appears that Moose (real name Quinn Ojinnaka) may be on his way to a new home, but not the one many originally thought.

    Major League Wrestling reported on their Twitter account Wednesday morning that the free agent had signed a multi-year agreement with TNA Wrestling — a report Ojinnaka refuted, telling them he has an offer from the company but hasn’t signed as of now.

    Our Dave Meltzer has been reporting about Moose’s future for several weeks in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter including this from last week:

    “The situation with Moose changed in the past week as well. WWE backed off on signing him at this moment due to a 2009 domestic violence allegation which led to him being suspended for a game when he was in the NFL. He was actually told not to worry by WWE with the idea it’s just a timing situation (given the recent situations with Adam Rose and Jerry Lawler) and not a closed door.

    He was originally expected to be part of their September NXT introduction class with guys like Tommy End and Big Damo and most likely Roderick Strong, who did finish up here over the weekend. Moose has had offers from Lucha Underground, TNA, which offered the most money of anyone ($100,000 per year) and the door is open to staying here as well. Those at ROH view his future here as something that has changed a few times and it may or may not change again.

    Right now they are going with the idea it could go either way. But the plans aren’t booked right now with him as a key part of things. The impression we have is it is most likely he will be elsewhere soon which rules out WWE as well. He was beaten a few times on TV and the PPV because he may be gone and was expected to be gone when the shows were first laid out. But the door is open for him to stay. The TNA offer was always the best one money-wise, but there is the feeling that if you go to TNA, you fall off the radar. Plus, nobody knows the future of TNA.”

    At one time it appeared that Ojinnaka was headed to the WWE and would start at the Performance Center in September, but Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE backed off of signing the former football journeyman because of a 2009 domestic violence allegation that led to him being suspended from the NFL for one game.

    Ojinnaka’s wife alleged that he threw her down the stairs during an argument over a female friend that he had friended on Facebook, and Ojinnaka accused her of trying to stab him with a pen. The two are now divorced.

    Ojinnaka left the NFL in 2012 after a seven-year career with four different teams. After his time in football was over, the longtime wrestling fan decided to pursue a career in professional wresting and debuted in 2014 with Ring of Honor. 

    MLW also tweeted that Lucha Underground/AAA have not made an offer to Moose, but that TNA and ROH are still in play for his services.