Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with tons to discuss! WWE Network laying down the law! WWE Network wondering if you would pay more! Bryan’s comparison of Jenna vs. Sharmell and Shelley vs. Rebel! Dave Meltzer! More! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Author:
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WON Preview: The death of Chyna and the Conor McGregor Saga
READ IT HERE: The death of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer and the saga of Conor McGregor and UFC
The life and career of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer and the saga of Conor McGregor out of UFC 200 and Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier as the new main event are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. There is also an update the TNA situation, with tons of notes on the future of TNA and Lucha Underground and one of the best wrestlers in the world joins ROH.
The lead story looks at the life of Joanie Laurer. The story examines the circumstances of her death, the publicity it received, the media coverage that never looked past the surface and was almost totally lacking context regarding her role in wrestling, and her post wrestling life. The story also looks at her start in pro wrestling, how she got into WWE, her role in the ascension of HHH to the top of the card, how she was booked, how the relationship with HHH benefittted her, and just how hot pro wrestling was during that time period.
A look back at her IC title win and the back story, and why her title reign was so short along with a look at her run with Eddy Guerrero, doing Playboy, her departure from WWE, why she never lost the women’s title, her most-watched match of her career and it wasn’t in WWE, the attempt to make her a star in Japan, the WWE Hall of Fame and her life after wrestling, all in this issue.
This issue examines how Conor McGregor managed to get himself off the biggest UFC event of the year, how his strategy backfired, the UFC press conferences, the new Cormier vs. Jones fight, business notes for UFC 200 as well as a rundown of UFC 197, with all the business news, match-by-match coverage, pay records and poll results.
In this issue, there is a look at the upcoming Payback show, notes about the angle for power, the NXT title change, the return of John Cena, Bret Hart talks return to WWE, update on WWE Board of Directors, update on the concussion lawsuits and counter suits, WWE trying to make moves to Japan, WWE with new movie partnership, WWE wins awards and the update on the Global cruiserweight series. Finally, there is also a look at the Adam Rose suspension, a new WWE book, plus details on all the NXT shows over the past week as well as the complete WWE European tour.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
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Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: March 8, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF faces backlash for being risque, WCW’s Renegade passes away, tons more WWF faces backlash for being too risque, former WCW wrestler Renegade passes away, plus tons of news.
The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.
Also in this issue:
- A new TV deal and how adding a promotion may cost a TV station another promotion
- The 60th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico
- Last week at Arena Mexico
- CMLL loses one of its top stars
- Lucha Libre Elite tournament
- El Hijo del Santo files suit, but wants to keep his identity a secret, and it goes to the Supreme Court
- Notes on the lawsuit
- Controversy over Pentagon Jr. bookings
- All Japan Champion Carnival finals and a look at outsiders who have won the tournament
- Update on Pro Wrestling NOAH annual tag team tournament
- New Japan notes from Korakuen Hall shows
- New Japan running loaded show this week
- Notes on New Japan vs. NOAH combined show
- Update on Ricochet
- Major scares at Lucha Underground tapings
- Update on Rey Mysterio with Lucha Underground
- Update on ROH/New Japan shows in May
- A look at the ROH show in San Antonio
- More on TNA’s next PPV including most of the card
- Newcomers and departures from TNA
- A look at all TNA television through early June
- More on UFC TV ratings
- UFC owners about to come into a ton of money
- UFC fighter forced to retire for unique reason
- A look at the next UFC show
- Dominick Cruz responds to Urijah Faber
- UFC fighter gets announcing gig
- Lots of new UFC fights
- What happened with Benson Henderson’s Bellator debut
- Debut of Bellator kickboxing
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic
issues sent to you today.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
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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.
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Daily pro wrestling history (04/28): Pro Wrestling USA show; Owen Hart wins WWF IC Title
1949
Kansas City, Kansas:
– NWA World Heavyweight Champion Orville Brown beat Bobby Bruns by third fall dq1966
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Dick the Bruiser & The Mongolian Stomper defeated Bob Geigel & Bob Brown via DQ in three falls
– Jerry Kozak defeated Jim Wehba (Skandar Akbar)
– Bobby Hart defeated Tor Kamata via DQ
– Ron Reed defeated Oki Shikina
– Pat O’Connor defeated The Butcher via CO1967
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
– AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Mad Dog Vachon by dq
– NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny Hodge defeated Bob Boyer
– Larry Hennig beat Doug Gilbert
– Johnny Valentine beat The Alaskan1973
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch in 2 out of 3 falls
– Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bill Watts
– Horst Hoffman beat Larry Hennig
– Billy Robinson beat Tosh Togo
– Geoff Portz beat Rene Goulet
– Reggie Parks beat Vic Rossitani1979
Chicago, Illinois:
– Andre The Giant beat Bobby Duncum
– Billy Robinson beat Angelo Mosca
– Wilbur Snyder beat Buddy Wolff
– Baron Von Raschke beat Sailor Art Thomas
– Doug Gilbert drew Paul Ellering
– Mighty Igor beat Doug Somers
– Jesse Ventura beat Frank Hill1985
Chicago, Illinois:
– Sgt. Slaughter & Jerry Blackwell & Verne Gagne beat Masked Superstar & King Tonga & Sheik Adnan in a steel cage match
– Larry Hennig & Curt Hennig went to a time limit draw with AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors
– Fabulous Freebirds Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts beat Jim Brunzell & Greg Gagne & Tonga Kid
– Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher beat Butch Reed & Larry Zbyszko
– Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito beat Brad Rheingans & Tom Zenk
– Baron Von Raschke & Buck Zumhofe beat Jim Garvin & Steve Regal1986
Pro Wrestling USA: East Rutherford, New Jersey:
– Road Warriors beat Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff in a steel cage match
– Dusty Rhodes beat Arn Anderson in a steel cage match
– Texas Death match: Nick Bockwinkel beat Larry Zbyszko
– AWA Champion Stan Hansen defeated Leon White
– AWA Tag Team Champions Curt Hennig & Scott Hall beat Nord The Barbarian & Boris Zhukov
– Tully Blanchard beat Ronnie Garvin dq
– Magnum TA beat Baron Von Raschke
– King Kong Brody beat Steve O
– Mike Rotundo beat Doug Somers
– Colonel DeBeers beat Davey Gee1990
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jimmy Valiant defeated Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title
– Brickhouse Brown & Sweet Daddy Falcone defeated Rex King & Steve Doll for the USWA Tag Team TitlesWWF Saturday Night’s Main Event: Austin, Texas:
– Hulk Hogan defeated Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig
– Earthquake defeated Hillbilly Jim
– The Hart Foundation vs. The Rockers ended in a double DQ
– WWF World Champion The Ultimate Warrior defeated Haku
– The Big Boss Man defeated Akeem via DQ1995
Pyongyang, North Korea:
– Yuji Nagata defeated Tokimitsu Ishizawa
– Bull Nakano & Akira Hokuto defeated Manami Toyota & Mariko Yoshida
– Hiroshi Hase defeated Wild Pegasus (Chris Benoit)
– Masahiro Chono & Hiro Saito defeated El Samurai & Tadao Yasuda
– 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Shinjiro Ohtani
– Kensuke Sasai defeated Masa Saito
– IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto vs. Scott Norton ended in a twenty minute draw1996
WWF In Your House VII: Omaha, Nebraska:
– Marc Mero defeated The 1-2-3 Kid via DQ
– Davey Boy Smith & Owen Hart defeated Jake Roberts & Ahmed Johnson
– The Ultimate Warrior defeated Intercontinental Champion Goldust via countout
– Vader defeated Razor Ramon
– WWF World Tag Team Champions The Bodydonnas
– WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Diesel in a no-disqualification match
– Savio Vega defeated Steve Austin
– Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Marc Mero
– The Undertaker defeated Mankind1997
Omaha, Nebraska:
– Owen Hart defeated Rocky Maivia for the WWF Intercontinental Title1999
– Rob Conway defeated Nick Dinsmore for the Ohio Valley Heavyweight Title
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WOR: Ric Flair, NXT and Smackdown, UFC 200, tons more!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back today to talk all the news in wrestling and MMA: What’s going on with Ric Flair, WWE releases an announcer, New Japan and NXT reviews, Smackdown, ratings for Raw and UFC, UFC 200 press conference notes, questions and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
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WWE Smackdown results: Roman Reigns and AJ Styles confrontation, League of Nations dissension
– Air Date: April 28, 2016 (Apr 27 in Canada)
– Location: Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH– The Big News:
There was another interesting confrontation between AJ Styles and Roman Reigns. Also, the League of Nations appear to be done.
– Show Recap:
Roman Reigns came out to heavy booing (and some cheers). Jerry Lawler even mentioned it, saying it’s fun to boo Reigns and he doesn’t mind it. Reigns said he superman-punched Styles in the mouth, and would do it again at Payback. He did it because he doesn’t believe Styles’ claim that he isn’t behind the attacks of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
Reigns wanted the truth directly from Styles, but he got The Miz and Maryse instead. Miz introduced Reigns to Maryse and people clapped for her. They kissed. Miz said he warned us about Styles, Gallows and Anderson. He made a convoluted analogy to Shawshank Redemption, called Reigns the warden, and concluded that Styles would walk out as WWE Champion.
Miz said he deserved some recognition for this and he kissed Maryse again. Reigns punched him in the face. Miz fell to the outside and Maryse checked on him. Reigns handed the Intercontinental title to Maryse, said “nice to meet you,” and held up his WWE title belt.
This was fine for what it was. I must point out that Reigns did not use his new catchphrase here or at any point during the show, thankfully. They announced Reigns vs. Miz, and that Miz is the one who requested the match. They didn’t mention who he asked, because nobody is in charge of Smackdown.
Backstage, Renee Young interviewed the League of Nations. Sheamus said no three men could beat them, and they proved it at WrestleMania when they beat New Day. Alberto Del Rio said they got rid of the weak link in Wade Barrett, and Rusev said you might as well call them the united nations. Goofy.
Kalisto, Sami Zayn & Cesaro beat League of Nations via countout
They announced earlier that this was basically an open challenge issued by the League. LON weren’t getting along right off the bat, as they kept blind-tagging themselves in. They got the heat on Zayn, but as Del Rio sized up a superkick, Rusev made a blind tag.
They argued in the ring, so Sheamus jumped in to break it up. They shoved each other for a bit until Del Rio walked out, which got a mixed reaction. Rusev held Zayn and tagged in Sheamus, who came off the top with a double axe handle, but Zayn moved and Sheamus nailed Rusev. Sheamus and Rusev then shoved for a bit until Rusev walked out, leaving Sheamus alone.
Zayn made a hot tag to Kalisto who hit a hurricanrana and springboard crossbody. Cesaro then tagged in and hit an uppercut and diving crossbody. Sheamus actually kicked out, so Cesaro hit a million uppercuts and dropkick. Cesaro went for the swing but Sheamus bailed and walked out.
Instead of going after Sheamus, they all just stood there and watched as the referee counted him out. They played Zayn’s music as the good guys posed. I have no idea why they couldn’t just pin Sheamus.
After a break, the League argued backstage. Rusev pushed Del Rio, then Sheamus shoved them both into a door. He yelled that the League was done and walked off. Rusev yelled, “Forget your league!” That’s one way to do a breakup, I guess.
They aired the Owens-Zayn video package from Raw.
Baron Corbin beat Damien Sandow via pinfall
After Dolph Ziggler attacked him on Raw, Corbin watched his back as he walked down the aisle tonight. Sandow didn’t get an entrance, if you were wondering. Some people chanted “Let’s go Sandow” as Corbin beat the crap out of him outside the ring. Corbin won in 2 minutes with End of Days.
Backstage, Renee caught up to AJ Styles. Styles said he doesn’t care what Reigns thinks. He’s going to take the title away and Reigns won’t be calling him a liar, he’ll be calling him champion. Styles doesn’t answer to Reigns and will step on his cape when he wants to. Styles added that he’ll be at ringside for Reigns’ match tonight.
Ambrose Asylum with Natalya and Women’s Champion Charlotte
This was the top of the hour segment. They showed a replay of Chris Jericho getting the best of Dean Ambrose on Raw. Ambrose remained outside the ring by the announce table and said he would get to his part-time position in a moment, but he wanted to talk about his full-time position first.
He said Jericho made a mistake by letting him go (from the Walls), because Ambrose doesn’t let go, and he was going to plant Jericho in the middle of the ring and beat him at Payback. Ambrose said he would turn Bon Jovi (Jericho) into Meatloaf.
It was time for Ambrose’s part-time position, so he jumped in the ring, called himself a multifaceted entertainer, popped a Tic Tac, and introduced us to the Ambrose Asylum. He brought out Natalya, who said his set reminded her of the dentist’s office.
Ambrose showed a clip of Charlotte tapping to Natalya but being saved by Ric Flair, and asked how things were going to be different on Sunday. Natalya said she would have Bret Hart in her corner. That brought out Charlotte and her dad (Ric Flair).
Charlotte called it disturbing that Natalya was parading Bret around after everything he’s been through. Natalya said Charlotte should look in the mirror and see who was standing behind her.
Charlotte said the difference was that Flair is legendary, but also her coach. Natalya called Flair a creepy old man who knows Charlotte isn’t good enough to win on her own. Bret would be there on Sunday to stop Flair from interfering and Charlotte will tap again.
“Stop me?!” said Flair, who claimed he owned Bret Hart in WWE and WCW. Flair said he would’ve beaten Bret on the moon if Vince flew them there. (This is where they cut out Flair telling Natalya to kill herself from the live taping.) Natalya told him to settle down and told Charlotte it’s time the fans get a champion they deserve. People cheered. They faced off and that was pretty much it.
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady beat Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel (w/Heath Slater) via pinfall
New Day came out, kicked out all three announcers and took over on commentary. Enzo and Cass won quickly with the rocket launcher. The highlight of New Day on commentary was Byron Saxton being forced to sit on the floor. The Vaudevillains had come out on the stage to watch the match, and Big Cass called them soft afterwards. Again, the fans really liked Enzo and Cass.
Backstage, Goldust told R-Truth it felt good when they danced last week. Before he could finish, Truth said Goldust looked happy in a team with Fandango, so he got himself a different partner in Tyler Breeze, who showed up. Truth deemed them “Gorgeous Truth,” and they left. Fandango showed up to console Goldust. Breeze didn’t say or do anything. Truth used a small tree branch as a selfie stick.
They aired a promo for Primo and Epico who discussed Puerto Rico’s crippling economy. (Not really.)
Apollo Crews beat Stardust via pinfall
Crews won quickly with the spin-out powerbomb.
They aired a replay of the Shane and Stephanie stuff from Raw. Ranallo said everyone has been raving about the job Shane has done, and Lawler scoffed.
Non-title Champion vs. Champion Match: WWE Champion Roman Reigns beat IC Champion The Miz (w/Maryse) via pinfall
Styles came out before the match to sit at ringside. Reigns hit Miz with the drive-by and faced off with Styles, who tossed his chair aside. As they mouthed off, Miz attacked Reigns from behind, tossing him head first into the announce table and steel post to gain control.
There were some brief dueling chants for Reigns, and Styles couldn’t help but look around at the crowd. Reigns came back with a Samoan drop, fists, clotheslines and more clotheslines. Reigns sized up the superman punch but Maryse pulled Miz out of the ring.
Reigns went after him, but Miz dropkicked the steps into Reigns. Miz followed with a DDT in the ring for a two count. Miz went for the skull crushing finale, but Reigns fought out with elbows and followed with a spear for the win. Average match at best, about 12 minutes.
Styles jumped in the ring afterwards to face off with Reigns. Gallows and Anderson made their way down and Reigns went after them, as an annoyed Styles looked on. Gallows and Anderson got the better of Reigns and Styles wasn’t stopping them.
The Usos ran out to make the save. After Jimmy Uso superkicked Anderson, Styles got in his face, perhaps to settle things down. However, Jimmy dropped Styles with a punch and superkicked Gallows. Styles came right back with a jumping kick on Jimmy, and Gallows knocked Jimmy out of the ring.
Styles got in Gallows’ face, but Gallows nudged him aside and ate a spear from Reigns. Styles tried a Styles Clash but Reigns back body dropped him out of the ring. Reigns posed with his title as Styles yelled at him from ringside. This was really good.
– Final Thoughts:
This was a very bland show until the very end. The angle with Styles and Reigns wasn’t historically good or anything, but it’s so refreshing seeing two top guys feud over the title in an intriguing storyline that doesn’t involve company management in any way.
Also, unless I missed it (and I don’t think I did), they did not air the Chyna tribute video.
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TUF 23 recap: Joanna & Claudia get physical on episode 2
This season, both the women’s strawweight division and the men’s light heavyweight division will be competing. At the end of the season if both Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha, they’ll be fighting on the TUF 23 Finale LIVE with Joanna Champion defending her strawweight title.
Here’s what you missed on the first show.
Here are the teams:
- Coach Gadelha: Tatiana Suarez, Andrew Sanchez, Kate Jackson, Eric Spicely, Amanda Cooper, Abdel Medjedoub, Lanchana Green, Cory Hendricks
- Coach Jedrzejczyk: JJ Aldrich, Joshua Stansbury, Jamie Moyle, Khalil Rountree, Ashley Yoder, Myron Dennis, Helen Harper, Elias Urbina IV
Jedrzejczyk picked Khalil Rountree vs. Cory Hendricks for the first fight but that’s later to come. First is the TUF fighters being brought to their palatial estate for the filming of the season. Both Rountree and Harper are super stoked. Medjedoub is the last to find a bed but the only room left with a bed has three women. Being that he’s married and of the Muslim faith Harper completely understands why he doesn’t want to do it. Hendricks offers to stay with the girls to help Medjedoub out.
This leads to Hendricks having both feet checked out at the doctor’s office, and they do look pretty swollen. The doctor says he has contusions but no fractures, and that he should avoid striking with kicks for a few days. From there we go to a Team Gadelha meeting, where she splits up the men and the women to train separately with her assistant coaches, with Gadelha there to oversee and give advice to everyone.
Before Jedrzejczyk’s team can even hit the gym for their session, Gadelha and Jedrzejczyk get into a shoving match — that’s our teaser before the commercial.
As you’d expect everybody gets between them to break it up before it can get physical. Gadelha says she’s not going to let herself be bullied and let Jedrzejczyk get in her head. Dana White: “These two have so much animosity between each other I don’t know how they’re going to make it through the season.”
Jedrzejczyk reveals her philosophy is completely different from Gadelha’s – she believes the women should train with the men. Jamie Moyle is completely down with it because she thinks training like the champ trains will take her to a whole new level. Jedrzejczyk: “I will try to help them as much as I can.”
Hendricks and Rountree are joking about the fact they are both from Syndicate MMA yet have to fight each other. Moyle is heartbroken (she’s from Syndicate too) about it but understands it has to happen. Gadelha and her assistants are trying hard to help Hendricks do alternate training and get the swelling down so he’s able to stand and fight.
Rountree talks about all the reasons fighting changed his life – having no father figure, not fitting into his peer group because he liked punk rock and skateboarding, being overweight – and training with his brother and other fighters gave him something to feel confident about. “I lost the weight of a complete man just to be in this position – just to be on the stage to show the world what I can do.”
Jedrzejczyk and Gadelha get into another smack talking session before their fighters can even weigh-in. Jedrzejczyk wears the title belt around her waist just to rub it in Gadelha’s face, then puts it over her shoulder and talks smack to her boxing coach, which pisses Gadelha off since she says he can’t even speak English. Gadelha claims Jedrzejczyk didn’t even beat her the first time (it was a split decision).
Rountree is 204. Hendricks is 204. Fight’s on!
Helen Harper was sick this whole episode but everybody looked in on her and took care of her – especially Rountree. Dana White is giving out four bonuses this season – two for best performance at $25,000 each and two fighters get $25,000 each for being in the fight of the season.
* Khalil Rountree (Team Jedrzejczyk) vs. Cory Hendricks (Team Gadelha)
Hendricks gets a takedown at 40 seconds but Rountree gets back up quickly. Rountree stuffs the next attempt and Herb Dean forces Hendricks to stand. Hendricks gets another takedown and gets Rountree’s back. He’s got a rear naked choke in. Rountree taps at 2:33 and TEAM GADELHA GETS THE FIRST WIN.
Next week: Tatiana Suarez (Gadelha) vs. JJ Aldrich (Jedrzejczyk). See you then!
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JNPO: FloCombat’s Duane Finley on UFC 200, Conor & Jones vs. DC
After a month in the Fortress of Solitude, Josh Nason has returned for the 36th edition of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out with fellow scribe and FloCombat senior editor Duane Finley in tow!
Josh and Duane had no shortage of interesting stuff to talk about which included:
– A few good minutes on the Conor McGregor vs. UFC situation
– Thoughts on the build toward UFC 200 before the announcement of the event and after
– Why people are booing Daniel Cormier and loving Jon Jones
– Josh’s theory as to what Demetrious Johnson needs to get over with fans
– What other fights Duane is looking forward to
– Some verbal roses for Carlos Condit (here’s Duane’s great series on Double C)
– What Duane is doing with FloCombat and why it’s different than anything he’s ever done
– And plenty more!
Enjoy this free edition of the show and share liberally!
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WWE NXT results: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Drifter; Samoa Joe title win footage.
- The Big News: Samoa Joe is your new NXT Champion, but that’s something you have known for 6 days already.
- The Medium News: Shinsuke Nakamura returned, continuing his undefeated streak by beating Elias Sampson.
- The Little Beaver Sized News: Asuka kicked Eva Marie’s head clean off her body and then squared off with Nia Jax.
NXT Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Eva Marie
Miss All Red Everything is the first victim of the new champion. Eva showed way too much confidence walking to the ring, it’s almost like she’s not smart enough to realize she’s about to get killed to death. Corey Graves and Tom Phillips argued about whether Eva being on the winning team at WrestleMania qualified her for a title match.
Asuka used a snap mare in the first minute and kicked Eva so hard in the back that I think she was ready to quit. Eva began getting frustrated as she was unable to connect with any of her moves. Asuka, seeing Eva’s growing frustration, mocked Eva’s gyrations.
After Asuka sent Eva flying outside the ring Nia Jax came out to lend moral support. This helped turn the match around as we came back from commercial with Eva on offense. Eva’s offense, which mind you has improved, looked horribly weak in comparison to the champion. Asuka made her comeback, complete with a dropkick from the middle rope.
Asuka hit several kicks to the chest before actually kicking her right in the breasts, which looked like it hurt just a smidge. Eva did get to do more than you would expect, but she lost with a spin kick to the head.
After the match Nia Jax got in the ring for a stare down. Asuka teased kicking Nia in the head before Nia picked Eva up and they left together.
**********
They showed highlights of the Samoa Joe-Finn Balor match from Lowell last week. This was the first title change on NXT whose entire match was not aired on tv. Anyway, Samoa Joe now joins Seth Rollins, Big E Langston, Bo Dallas, Adrian Neville, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Finn Balor as NXT Champions.
The king is dead, long live the new king!
We got a post match promo with Samoa Joe. Joe declared that he said this was inevitable. The last two times they squared off Finn survived, but this time he didn’t.
**********
The Revival defeated Matt Lee & Jeff Parker
This is Dash & Dawson’s first NXT match since losing the straps at TakeOver: Dallas. This was a better Revival squash than most of their matches as champions. Jeff Parker was beaten like he owed them money, while Matt Lee was busy doing comedy on the apron, leading the crowd in chanting “defense” and screaming that he’s following the rules.
Revival hit kind of a reverse Doomsday Device where Dash picked Parker up in a power bomb position before Dawson came off with the clothesline. Lee tagged in and fared no better and got beaten with the Shatter Machine.
After the match The Revival cut a promo saying they are the absolute best tag team on the planet, causing the fans to chant for American Alpha. They put every tag team in the world on notice that they will destroy all of them until they get their belts back.
**********
Hype Bros defeated Blake & Murphy
I should point out that this is Ryder’s first tv match since the rematch for the IC Title with Miz on SmackDown. Blake & Murphy didn’t have Alexa with them and wow did this trio fall off the face of the Earth lately.
The fans were into the Hype Bros, which is more than you could say about Full Sail lately, but they did not care about Blake & Murphy at all. Mojo got the hot tag and he beat up both Blake and Murphy by himself before tagging Ryder back in to polish off their foes with the Hype Ryder.
After the match the Hype Bros were attacked and beaten down by The Revival, of all teams. Revival gave Mojo the Demolition Decapitation outside the ring after throwing Ryder into the post.
**********
Carmella submitted Aliyah
It’s a full card tonight as Carmella makes her first appearance since her men went to Raw without her. In case you forgot, Carmella got her job on NXT when Enzo Amore went to her hair salon and spilled a bucket of hair cream all over Carmella’s dog, which cost Carmella her job. Carmella then demanded Enzo get her a job on NXT, which he did.
This match was solid, nothing terribly exciting, just a nice, simple match. Carmella won with a head scissors. It’s nice to keep things simple.
**********
Elias Sampson was interviewed backstage about his match with Nakamura. He is annoyed that William Regal misinterpreted his words, but he will show Shinsuke why he is The Drifter. So…he’s going to just wander away during the match?
**********
Shinsuke Nakamura pinned Elias Sampson
I still can’t believe Nakamura is in WWE, much less NXT. This is so incredibly surreal it’s not even funny. It would almost be like Misawa coming to the WWF in 1995 and wrestling Waylon Mercy or Henry Godwin.
Sampson looked pretty good in this match, better than he has in any of his other NXT matches, with Nakamura telling him to lay his stuff in. This match only went 4 minutes, but was as good as you could expect in 4 minutes. It’s so weird that Eva Marie got 3 times the amount of time Nakamura got.
Anyhoo, Nakamura won with the Kinshasa.
That will do it for this week. The only thing promoted for next week is Austin Aries in action, so we’ll see what happens. Until then remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
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May 2, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Chyna, new UFC 200 main event, plus tons of news
Joanie Laurer, who was one of the most recognizable stars during the period that pro wrestling has its most mainstream significance in the last 60 years, best known as Chyna, was found dead on 4/20 at her home in Redondo Beach, CA. She was 46.
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Lucha Underground results: Cage vs Mundo in a cage; Rey Mysterio, PJ Black
On Tonight’s Show:
Cage battles Johnny Mundo inside a steel cage, while the trios tag title tournament concludes as well. Rey Mysterio Jr., Prince Puma, and Dragon Azteca Jr. face off against the current champions of Ivelisse and Son of Havoc, Joey Ryan and The Crew, and the trio of Jack Evans, PJ Black, and the former Gift of the Gods and Lucha Underground Champion Fenix – who aims to claim the first-ever Lucha Underground triple crown.
Show Recap:
The show begins with a recap of the trios tournament, Dario putting the current champions in a four way, and the Mundo-Cage feud is rundown briefly. Bang Data plays us in to this week’s show, with a cage already constructed around the ring. Striker says that Matanza and Mil Muertes will return to action soon after going through Dario’s ceiling. Vamp says that the trios title tourney concludes tonight. Melissa Santos introduces Cage – who is in fact still a machine. Striker says that more experience in a cage benefits Mundo here, who won the only other cage match in the Temple.
Mundo vs. Cage – Steel Cage Match for an Aztec Medallion
Vamp talks about the history of aztec medallions being a bit murky due to the history being tracked by people who were busy making human sacrifices. Cage pummels away in the corner on Mundo and lands 10 strikes and a pair of short-arm lariats. Mundo does a Spider-Man wall crawl up the cage, but gets pulled down and thrown across the ring. Cage tosses him into the steel twice. Striker talks about the history of great cage matches – like Snuka vs. Muraco and Tommy Rich vs. Buzz Sawyer. Vamp adds himself versus Sting and himself versus his ex-wife.
Vamp talks about training in BJJ and being surprised that Cage isn’t going for a Kimura during a cover. Cage locks in a Boston crab on Mundo while he is locked into the middle rope – akin to missing a shoulder charge and then getting locked in a crab from there. Cage walks on the rope, but gets crotched by Mundo, who lands a cage-assisted shining wizard and a basement dropkick. Cage and Mundo fight up top, but Taya whips Cage’s hand with her boot and Mundo hits a C4 off the top for 2.
Mundo whips him with Taya’s belt and he rushes in before eating a Samoa Joe-style STO out of the corner. Cage and Mundo fight on top of the cage, and man are the veins in Cage’s forearms crazy. Moonlight Drive off the top gets 2. Taya tries to give Mundo a kendo stick, but Cage nixes that and Mundo goes for a Flying Chuck from the blindside, but gets countered into a deadlift German. Buckle bomb leads to a steel cage powerbomb! Cage goes up, but Taya kinda bonks him a bit to take him down. Mundo grabs it and then lays some sick shots in for 2.
Cage goes to attack with the stick, but Mundo uses parkour to avoid it. Cage canes him and snaps it over his knee before getting 2. Mundo avoids a shot and gets a superkick and a Pele for 2. Mundo sunset flips out of a Weapon X. Taya gives Mundo a chair and he hits him in the head for 2. Mundo goes up and poses before teasing an End of the World off the top and missing. Taya climbs up top and dives into Cage. Magic killer onto Cage gets 2. Taya pulls handcuffs out of her boot, but she gets them put on her against the ropes. Spinebuster to Mundo leads to a Steiner Screwdriver on a chair for the win. This was outstanding – outside of the unprotected chairshot to the head and Taya’s weak cane shots. Trios Title tournament match is next, leading to some nice shots of the title belt.
Dario comes out and interrupts Melissa, getting a “jefe!” chant and then a “we want lucha!” chant. He says he has news – Angelico has had an accident, and he’ll get to the bottom of it. However, the title match will go on and Havoc and Ivie will defend the titles for their team. He wishes them luck and says they’ll need it. Evans walks down the steps on his hands, which seems like a very bad idea for many reasons.
Ivelisee and Son of Havoc vs. Fenix, Jack Evans, and PJ Black vs. Joey Ryan and The Crew vs. Prince Puma, Dragon Azteca Jr., and Rey Mysterio Jr.
Rey debuts new slick silver and red gear here while Striker runs down Rey’s history as a tag champion. Vamp says that the current champs are at a disadvantage in theory, but can use their long-term partnership to turn everyone else against each other. Fenix and Cisco miss dropkicks, and Rey and Ivie each get 2. It’s one person from each team in the ring at all times – so it’s going to be nuts. Superkick to the gut of Ivie and Cisco lands a powerslam and gets a “Cisco” chant. Striker says that he’s now becoming a fan favorite, and that people change.
PJ is in Joker-esque neon green and purple gear. Do-si-doi spot in the corner by Havoc and Puma. Havoc lands some forearms to Castro, but Cisco gets a blind tag. Vamp asks what happened to Bael and Striker says he has no idea – people come and go in the Temple all the time. Dragon misses a kick to Castro, but spins into one on Cisco. Joey grabs Ivie and takes her to the floor. Fenix hits a corkscrew dive onto Cisco. PJ with a dive, and Puma goes for one, but hoists Dragon up for a top rope corkscrew to the pile on the floor.
PJ uses Puma as a launching pad for a flip dive, and then Rey hits his missile dive onto the pile. Havoc hits a space flying tiger drop as well. This is essentially a crazy video game match with everyone doing a dive on the floor. Joey stops Ivie’s dive by trying to impress her with his crotch, but she kicks his chest in and then German suplexes him. Castro comes in and eats forearms Big brainbuster to her leads to Joey wanting the tag, Castro being distracted and being small packaged to eliminate them from the equation.
Jack, Puma, and Havoc go for a three-way tieup before a double dropkick sends Jack to the floor. Havoc hits a high kick and a double stomp followed by a standing moonsault for 2. Striker talks about the illuminati for a bit while Jack says that he is the baddest bitch in the building – not Ivie. Ivie chops him and boots his face off. Sunset powerbomb hits, but PJ superkicks her and Jack pins her – so it’s down to two teams and new champions will be crowned here. A Weapon X highlight reel airs during a break.
Dragon and Fenix square off, leading to Dragon going for a backwards roll and then eating a mushroom stomp to the back of the head for 2. Dragon lands a corkscrew DDT while Vamp asks Striker to give him another quarter to keep the video game going. Puma comes in and hits the Northern Lights into the brainbuster before landing the one-man alarm clock! PJ eats a 630, but Evans kicks him in the nuts. Jack comes in and hits a running double sledge. Jack has his partners hold Puma, but he goes for a wacky kick that kicks Fenix.
Rey sends PJ over the top with a headscissors and lands a springboard crossbody to Jack. Outside-in headscissors puts Jack into the 619 position. It hits and then Jack just kinda stands there while Puma and Azteca set up a double team corkscrew DDT.Rey hits a split-legged moonsault to beat him and win his first title in Lucha Underground. The faces celebrate and we go to Pentagon Jr’s lair.
Vampiro tells him to come, and we see Pentagon wheel himself in on a motorized wheelchair after Matanza broke his back. Vampiro tells him to get up – he doesn’t, so Vamp burns him with the wax of a black candle. Pentagon tries to rise, but falls to the floor. Vamp grabs him and says he’s weak before leaving him in a pool of blood and smoke. Well, this was different and weird. Excellent show overall – with only two matches, and each of them were very good. To see all the screenshots for the show, click here.
