Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back tonight with tons to talk about! WrestleMania weekend, Dave’s thoughts on the Thank You Bryan WWE 24 documentary, Lucha Underground, the new Legacy Award, Jon Jones, UFC 198 and 200, tons of mailbag questions and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
UFC announced tonight two main events for UFC 200 as well as a huge advance for UFC 198.
UFC Tonight released that Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz in a rematch at 170 pounds will headline UFC 200 on 7/9 in Las Vegas at the new T-Mobile Arena. On the show it was stated that Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and John Kavanagh, the coach of McGregor, all wanted the fight at 155, but said McGregor insisted on fighting at 170.
They also announced Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo for the interim featherweight title in another five round fight. McGregor has not been stripped of the title, but since he’s been inactive, they will have this fight and the winner will unify the title with McGregor at some point.
At least one more championship fight will be added to the show.
Other fights announced for UFC 200 are Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne in a heavyweight battle where the winner could get a title shot; Joe Lauzon vs. Diego Sanchez; Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson; Johny Hendricks vs. Kelvin Gastelum and Jim Miller vs. Takanori Gomi.
Tickets went on sale today for UFC 198, which takes place on 5/14 at the Arena de Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil. The show, headlined by Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title had so much demand that ticket outlets crashed but already 38,000 tickets have been sold to the show. They are looking at a 45,000 capacity for the event.
The UFC 200 Card so far:
WrestleMania 32 on 4/3 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas is far from the strongest WrestleMania lineup in history, and is likely not to be remembered as the biggest, but it caps off what looks to be the biggest weekend of shows in one location in history.
At press time, WrestleMania had 85,000 tickets out for $13.5 million, both records. There have been virtually no primary outlet sales in the last week because almost no tickets are left. There may be some seats released at the last minute after production is moved in and seats are opened, but the real attendance figure won’t be much above this figure.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back today with tons to discuss! WrestleMania, Rock’s comments on being booed when you’re a babyface and how that applies to Roman Reigns, match order and start times for the show, the Hell in a Cell booking, calls and emails and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
1870
New York City, New York:
– James H. McLaughlin defeated Homer Lane to win the American Collar-and-Elbow Champion
1957
New York City, New York:
– Miguel Perez and Antonino Rocca defeated Wildman (Jackie) Fargo and Don Stevens (Fargo) to win the Capitol
Wrestling NWA World Tag Team Titles
1971
Tampa, Florida:
– Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk defeated Jack and Jerry Brisco to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles
1972
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Terry Martin defeated Benny Ramirez
– The Viking defeated Bob Orton
– The Stomper & Steve Bolus defeated North American Tag Team Champions Chati Yokouchi & Yasu Fuji via DQ
– Harley Race & Black Angus defeated Danny Little Bear & Rufus R. Jones
1973
Sydney, Australia:
– Ron Miller and Larry O’Day defeated Don Carson and Dick Dunn for the NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Titles
1976
Mobile, Alabama:
– Rick Gibson defeated Duke Miller for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title
1977
Sacramento, California:
– Bob Roop and Alexis Smirnoff defeated Pepper Gomez and Pat Patterson to win the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Titles
1981
Puebla, Mexico:
– Eric Embry defeated El Solitario to win the UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Title
Birmingham, Alabama:
– Ron Bass defeated Ken Lucas for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Masa Fuchi and Mr. Onita (Atsushi Onita) defeated The Dream Machine and Bill Dundee to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1984
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Bad News Allen defeated The Dynamite Kid to win the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title
Mexico City, Mexico:
– Cien Caras won the Mexican National Heavyweight Title by defeating Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.
1985
Dothan, Alabama:
– Jimmy Golden won the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title by defeating Boomer Lynch
1991
Bayamón, Puerto Rico:
– TNT (Savio Vega) defeated Action Jackson to win the WWC Television Title
Tokyo, Japan:
– The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated The Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels)
– Earthquake pinned Koji Kitao
– Ted DiBiase and Haku defeated Takashi Ishikawa and The Great Kabuki
– Samson Fuyuki, Tatsumi Kitihara, Masao Orihara and Apollo Sugawara defeated Don Arakawa, Fumihiro Niikura, Kenichi Oya and Goro Tsurumi
– The Ultimate Warrior pinned Sgt. Slaughter
– Masa Funaki defeated Naoki Sano
– Kerry Von Erich defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect by disqualification
– Ishinriki and Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated The Barbarian and Jimmy Snuka
– Randy Savage pinned George Takano
– The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) defeated WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Genichiro Tenryu
2003
Wrestlemania XIX: Seattle, Washington:
– Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle to win the WWE Championship
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy pinned Rey Mysterio
– WWE Tag Champs Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas defeated Chris Benoit & Rhyno and Eddie & Chavo Guerrero
– WWE World Champ Triple H pinned Booker T
– Hulk Hogan pinned Vince McMahon in a Streetfight
– The Rock pinned Steve Austin
2007
ROH All Star Extravaganza III: Detroit, Michigan:
– FIP Tag Team Champions The Briscoes (Jay and Mark) defeated ROH World Tag Team Champions Naruki Doi and Shingo to win the titles
– Adam Pearce (with Shane Hagadorn) defeated Colt Cabana, Chris Hero (with Larry Sweeney and Tank Toland) and Matt Sydal in a Four Corners Survival match
– Yamato defeated Pelle Primeau
– Brent Albright (with Larry Sweeney) defeated Nigel McGuiness
– Homicide defeated Christopher Daniels
– FIP Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong defeated Jack Evans
– CIMA, Dragon Kid, Ryo Saito and Susumu Yokosuka defeated Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, Delirious and Rocky Romero in a Dragon Gate Rules match
2008
Wrestlemania XXIV: Orlando, Florida:
– Undertaker defeated Edge to win the World Title
– Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair in Ric Flair’s retirement match
– JBL defeated Fit Finlay in a Belfast Brawl
– CM Punk won a Money in the Bank Ladder Match
– Batista defeated Umaga
– Kane defeated ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero to win the title
– WWE Champion Randy Orton defeated John Cena and Triple H to retain the title
– Floyd Mayweather defeated Big Show
****This is a free edition of the show. Please share!****
On this look back at WWF SummerSlam 1992, Karl watches and reviews the entire show: Shawn Michaels, Rick Martel, The Natural Disasters, The Beverly Brothers, The Undertaker, Kamala, The Ultimate Warrior, Ric Flair, Mr. Perfect, Randy Savage, The Legion of Doom, Money Inc, and the big main event of the British Bulldog vs. Bret Hart for the WWF Intercontinental title and the honor of the Hart family!
Full review of the show with the following matches:
It’s free, so share with your friends!
Previously on TNA Impact:
Last week, new TNA World Champion Drew Galloway proclaimed that people would start looking at the TNA World title and Impact Wrestling differently. He promised to put TNA on the map again. Perhaps he’s on to something, as ratings have been going up ever so slightly the last two weeks and started to do so the night he won the title. In last week’s main event, Jeff Hardy was victorious in a gauntlet battle royal featuring the promotions top stars to earn a shot at the TNA World Title.
Tonight:
Tonight’s Impact features a huge main event, as Drew Galloway will defend the TNA World Title against Jeff Hardy.
Show Recap:
–Josh Matthews and The Pope welcome us to Impact as Matt Hardy, Reby, Tyrus and Rockstar Spud make their way to the ring.
– Matt is demanding his return match for the TNA World title and wants it before Jeff gets his shot in the main event. Suddenly “The First Lady of Professional Wrestling” Maria Kanellis, looking stunning, interrupts and introduces “Miracle” Mike Bennett. Bennett calls Matt old and tells him to relax. Bennett thinks neither Matt nor Jeff deserve the title shot; he does. Reby and Maria argued back and forth. Reby called Maria “fire crotch.” Reby had to be held back from attacking Maria who didn’t back down. Matt and Bennett tease fighting each other but they’re interrupted by the catchiest music in wrestling and Ethan Carter III.
EC3 was hilarious here referencing The Three Stooges and prayed to the Lord of Professional Wrestling to find a place for Bennett’s wrestling career in the afterlife. EC3 wants to face Bennett but the Miracle isn’t interested. Instead, Matt Hardy challenged EC3 to face all members of The Matt Hardy Brand (Hardy, Tyrus, Spud and Reby.) EC3 agreed to the match.
Mike Bennett and Maria are sitting at ringside. EC3 dominates the early moments of the action until the heels take over. The story of the match is that EC3 has nobody to tag while the heels tag out when they’re in trouble. Reby gave EC3 three slaps across the face but has yet to get in the match officially. EC3 makes his own comeback and takes out Tyrus. EC3 got the Cobra Clutch on Spud but Mike Bennett ran in for the DQ. The heels beat down EC3 until Beer Money ran out for the save and cleared the ring.
Beer Money takes the mic and says they’re not out here to stop the fight. Beer Money & EC3 challenge Matt Hardy, Tyrus and Mike Bennett to a six man and its starts after the commercial break.
Back from commercial and the match is in progress. Storm has the advantage on Bennett until Tyrus beats Storm down on the outside. The heels isolate Storm and prevent him from tagging out. Roode gets the tag and he runs wild taking out the heels. EC3 goes after Bennett but he hides behind Maria. EC3 chases Bennett to the back. Beer Money gets the double suplex on Tyrus, which gets a big reaction from the crowd. Tyrus saves Matt Hardy from the DWI and Hardy hits the twist of fate on Roode for the win.
-Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviews TNA Knockouts Champion Gail Kim about last week’s Knockouts Match, where Jade apparently became the number one contender for the title. Gail announces another number one contenders match between Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne.
-Back from commercial and in the back, BroMans talk about their surprising reunion as a team. They’re interrupted by Eli Drake, who says he has business to take care of.
Josh and The Pope mention that Velvet and Madison are best friends. The story here is that last week Maria made a number one contenders match, so Gail made a number one contenders match too. Josh wonders who will be the number one contender, the winner of this match or Jade. The crowd was mostly dead for this match but there was a small Velvet Sky chant. They had a back and forth match which ended suddenly when Madison scores the pin on Velvet.
Post match, Velvet teased being upset about the loss but instead she raised Madison’s hand and they embraced.
-Backstage, TNA World Champion Drew Galloway promised to beat Jeff Hardy and retain his title tonight.
-Back in the arena, Josh asked Pope for his prediction for tonight’s main event but Pope seemed distracted. He told Josh that he has something to get off his chest. The Pope entered the ring as we cut to commercial.
-Back from commercial, The Pope is in the ring. He talks about being happy-go-lucky Pope recently but needs to go back to the old Pope. “The Destroyer” Lashley comes out and tells Pope to go back to commentary. Lashley wants Pope to apologize for sticking his nose in his business. Pope cuts a passionate promo and challenges Lashley to a fight. Pope and Lashley end up brawling, with referees and officials trying to pull them apart. Lashley gets the better of Pope. Lashley sets up for the spear but Pope moves and Lashley falls to the outside. Pope hits a cross body onto Lashley on the outside. Security runs down to break it up but they keep fighting.
This was a really good segment, with Pope as the underdog and Lashley as the heel. Pope was full of passion and was great overall. Also, the brawl was pretty wild and exciting.
-Next, we get another creepy music video for Decay featuring Marilyn Manson.
-Back from commercial, Jeremy Borash has now joined Josh on commentary.
-Eric Young and Bram make their way to the ring. EY and Bram tease dissension after last week when Bram accidentally eliminated EY in the gauntlet battle royal but EY says everything is okay. EY wants Jeff Hardy to win the world title tonight so he can beat Jeff for the title. They’re interrupted by The BroMans.
BroMans charge the ring and attack the heels. EY and Bram cut off BroMans and get the advantage. They isolate Robbie E until he makes the tag to Jesse. Jesse runs wild and takes out both Bram and EY. Bram holds Jesse for EY but Jesse moves and he nails Bram in the face. The BroMans win with the Bro Down and Jesse surprisingly scores the pin fall on EY.
-Josh says we’re getting the celebration for Grado getting his TNA job back after the commercial.
-Backstage, Grado and Mahabali Shera discuss plans for the party, which Grado has spent $5,000 on. Al Snow shows up and for no apparent reason, attacks both Grado and Shera. Al breaks the arm of Grado with a pipe. Josh doesn’t understand why Al would do this. He’s not the only one.
-In the ring, Gregory Shane Helms and X Division Champion Trevor Lee call out Eddie Edwards. J.B says that Eddie has no direction since his partner Davey Richards got injured. Shane praised The American Wolves as one of the greatest tag teams. Eddie is going to focus on his solo career and wants to go after the X Division title. Shane and Trevor Lee avoid answering Eddie’s challenge for the X Division title. Instead, Shane wants to tag with Eddie to challenge Beer Money for the tag titles. Shane is going to give Eddie a week to think about it.
-Backstage, an irate Pope challenges Lashley to a match next week on Impact.
-Jeff Hardy makes his way down to the ring for the main event, which comes up next after the commercial break.
Josh mentions that this is the first meeting between Drew Galloway and Jeff Hardy. They shake hands before they lock up. The story of the match is that they have a mutual respect for each other. Jeff sends Drew to the outside and hits a dive to the outside to get the advantage.
Back from commercial, Jeff is still in control of the match. Jeff hits the twist of fate and goes up for the swanton bomb but Drew tripped Jeff up. Drew hit the claymore kick but only got a near fall. Drew was standing on the second rope and had Jeff on his shoulder in a power slam like position. Jeff countered and flipped Drew off the turnbuckle. This was a pretty scary looking spot. Jeff got another two count. Jeff set Drew up on the steal steps on the outside. Jeff went for the swanton bomb but Drew got his knees up. Jeff struggled to his feet and Drew hit the Future Shock DDT for the win to retain the World Title.
Post match, Jeff and Drew embraced, while Drew celebrated his first title defense. Matt Hardy came out and announced that next week, he gets his return match for the TNA World title. Drew was willing to defend the belt right now and called for the bell. EY and Bram ran out and helped Matt attack Drew and Jeff. Drew hits the claymore on EY & Bram and Jeff hits the twist of fate on Matt. Jeff then challenged Eric Young next week in a Six Side of Steel Cage match.
Final Thoughts:
TNA put on another solid Impact this week. The show had its ups and downs and can drag at times. However there are a lot of positives such as, their attempt to create new stars and provide compelling matches. Time will tell if TNA can build on this small bit of momentum that they have.
Next Week on Impact:
Next week’s show has a loaded line up with PPV caliber matches. TNA World Champion Drew Galloway will defend against Matt Hardy. Also, Jeff Hardy goes one on one with Eric Young in Six Sides of Steel. Additionally, The Pope will battle it out with “The Destroyer” Lashley. Plus, Eddie Edwards must decide if he wants to tag with Gregory Shane Helms to challenge for the TNA Tag titles.
Alan4L, your host of the DKP, is generally known as a rather excitable man when it comes to the ProWres. Well, he’s never been this excited so he had to do a show, and he had to make it a FREE show for all the fine people!
This week, Alan jumps on a plane to head to the land of the best wrestling on earth – Japan! It’s a first time trip, and it’s the trip of a lifetime. The schedule has come together so that the 10 days of the trip are jam-packed with amazing wrestling. It’s so incredible that we needed to preview it all. Joining Alan for the show is a DKP regular who’ll be joining him in Tokyo — the great Joey Bay!!!
The lads run through all the amazing matches that lie ahead for them. They’ll be seeing Big Japan, DDT, NOAH, New Japan, Dragon Gate, Sendai Girls, All Japan, WRESTLE-1 and NOSAWA Produce. So essentially…everything!!! If you like listening to people be crazy excited about wrestling, this is the show for you!
CHECK IT!!!
Submitted by Kevin LaRose
In Indiana, Paige does a photo shoot. Everyone likes it. Paige falls down on the ground because she is so excited about her sandwich. This is the last we will see of her tonight.
In Phoenix, the Bellas and Bryan sit down to lunch at a really, really cute breakfast place. They are going to eat Dutch Babies. The Bellas want to start a charitable bra and panty line. Bryan doesn’t want to talk about Nikki’s vagina. Bryan tells a story of Brie giving him a Dutch oven.
In Orlando, Nattie is training with Mandy. Nattie is excited because she is going to have an opportunity to get closer to Mandy. Nattie is worried about her “loose cannon” father. She doesn’t want to be embarrassed in front of Mandy’s family.
The Bella twins are on the Today show. Nikki is excited to have meetings later in the day in New York. Brie wants to talk about babies, but Nikki doesn’t.
On some island in Florida, the Mandy family arrive at the bomb vacation house. They all pick their bedrooms. Her mom and dad don’t want to stand next to each other, because they are separated. Mandy cries. She wants them to be together again. Mandy has plans for them to rekindle their romance. They chase a crab and the Neidharts arrive. Nattie tells Mandy to let her know if her dad acts weird. He just got out of rehab.
The Bellas are at a really nice restaurant, elegant but casual. They are drinking wine and Nikki is talking business. Nikki set up a meeting with some famous business dude. Brie doesn’t want a meeting. She wants to make the bras and panties herself.
Back on the island, everyone is eating breakfast. Mandy and her fedora-ed brother spy on their dad through a tiny window. Nattie draws a lipstick heart on TJ’s face. Jim Neidhart is wearing a hilarious shirt that makes him look like he is wearing a sexy bikini.
In NY, Brie and Nikki go to take a sewing lesson. Nikki is super negative about learning. Nikki knows Brie is going to fail. Brie tries to make a pair of panties. Nikki thinks Brie is a total failure because she didn’t make a perfect pair on her first try. I think she has potential.
Mandy’s family and the Neidharts have a dragon boat race. Mandy’s family is so good at working as a team, and, as expected, the Neidharts are a mess. I bet that Nattie is going to have to learn to love her family, warts and all. She seems to always have to learn that. Nattie is embarrassed that her family lost. Jim Neidhart is pissed because some guy is massaging his wife’s ass. He is having a conniption. Nattie doesn’t want him to cause a scene. Mandy’s family gets in a van and they try to reminisce about old times. Mandy is stoked that her parents are sitting next to each other. The Neidharts join them at a dock and each family gets on a fishing boat. Jim Neidhart makes some very excited noises and then a noise of disappointment. Nattie’s mom reveals that she put a curse on him and he won’t catch any fish, he will only feel the excitement of it. Nattie’s mom catches her third fish. Nattie is pissed that her dad is acting wacky and having fun. She’s glad Mandy isn’t on the boat to see him. Meanwhile, Mandy tries to talk about her dad with her mom. Her mom doesn’t really want to talk about it.
Nikki and Brie are still bickering. Brie wants to be on Etsy, and Nikki wants this to be an empire. Nikki believes she is so much better at business than her sister. It’s funny because outside they are identical twins, but inside they are worlds apart. They have a meeting with a fashion designer. The fashion designer has a big show tomorrow, but she is more than happy to take time out of her busy day to talk to them. Brie explains her Etsy vision. This lady doesn’t think that’s feasible. I hope Brie doesn’t give up on herself.
Back on the island, Mandy takes a walk with her brothers. She remarks to them how much everything has changed. One of her brothers tells her that if she thinks that mom and dad are going to get back together then she’s crazy. Another brother thinks there’s a chance. They yell at each other.
Nikki and Bella are hanging out in their swank hotel room in amazing evening gowns. Brie tells Nikki that she is not as good at business as Nikki. Brie acts really humble. Nikki rubs it in her face, but she’s happy that she gets to be in charge. They each thinks the other gives gross hugs.
Mandy takes her family outside for a drink. Her dad acts all Italian tough guy. Mandy tries to talk to them about getting back together. Mandy cries. Her dad tells them that they are going to stay separated and everyone needs to deal with it. Mandy and her brothers cry. Everyone accepts that things have changed, and they decide to be happy. All the families gather together for a giant meal. They all reflect and laugh over the weekend’s adventures. Mandy gives a toast. Nattie loves Mandy, and she realizes the whole weekend was fun and she didn’t need to stress so much. Haven’t heard that one before, Nattie.
Nikki and Brie go into the Empire State Building for a meeting with the famous business dude. They tell him about their charitable lingerie line. He likes that the lingerie line is charitable. He brings in a designer and she draws some panties. He says a lot of noncommittal positive language and tells them he’ll be in touch. The Bellas are really happy.
Back on the island, Nattie’s tiny nephew gives some precious words of wisdom and they all take a picture of themselves. It may be a mess of a family, but it’s their mess, and I’m sure they wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Back in NY, the Bellas are at a really great, really expensive looking restaurant. The Bellas smile at each other, and they make a toast. Brie looks like she’s getting close to Brie Mode.
There was a show on another network tonight where a bunch of nut-jobs were excited about installing can lights in their bedroom. That coupled with tonight’s Total Divas, and this is officially the worst night ever in television history. Congratulations, America.
Mission Accomplished.
Joe Doering, who for years was the top foreign star with All Japan Pro Wrestling, revealed today that he is battling brain cancer.
The announcement will be made within the next few hours by the promotion.
Doering revealed that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor on 2/25, and had surgery to remove it on 3/4.
He will begin both chemotherapy and radiation treatment next week. The treatment will last for six weeks.
He expects that he will be eventually able to return to the ring.
Doering, 33, began training under Scott D’Amore in 2004, and worked in TNA when D’Amore was booker, as well as in the WWC in Puerto Rico before his first run in All Japan from 2007 to 2009. In his first year in the promotion, Doering & Keiji Muto beat Suwama & Satoshi Kojima in the finals of the annual tag team tournament. Doering & Muto followed by winning the world tag team titles on the second show of 2008.
He left All Japan for WWE in 2010, using the new Drake Brewer in developmental. But he was released after only eight months with the promotion and returned to All Japan at the end of 2010.
On July 27, 2014, Doering became only the sixth foreigner to win the Triple Crown title, beating Suwama, before dropping the title on January 3, 2015, to Go Shiozaki.
He won the 2013 tag team tournament with Suwama as his partner.