WWE and Dr. Keith fans can relax: we know it’s been a while, and we’re not great at long goodbyes, so we returned!
It’s been a few weeks so we felt it was time to check back in on the DKP as they continue on their sojourn to WrestleMania. Alan, Eamo, and Justin talk pretty much everything except WrestleMania itself but don’t worry: it was still a packed show with all the hard-hitting insight and cutting edge analysis you’ve come to expect from them.
A fun show as always so CHECK IT!!!
The Florida jury just came back with a verdict awarding Hulk Hogan $115 million in his case with Gawker Media. The case will obviously be appealed and there is very little chance he will be getting anything close to that figure. But the verdict sends a strong message to the media regarding publishing sex tapes of people without their consent.
The jury broke down the verdict as $55 million in lost economic injuries and $60 million in emotional distress.
Gawker would have to post $50 million to take it to the appeals court, which makes that aspect tricky as well, as the verdict could force the company into either bankruptcy or sale. There was a great deal of potential evidence Gawker was hoping to introduce that didn’t make the trial due to the rulings of judge Pamela Campbell and Gawker is going to use that in its appeal.
The following is from Gawker: “As the trial concludes, we’re disappointed the jury was unable to see key evidence and hear testimony from the most important witness. So, it may be necessary for the appeals court to resolve this case. Hulk Hogan’s best friend Bubba the Love Spongewho made the tape and offered up his wife in the first place, originally told his radio listeners that Hogan knew he was being taped. The jury was only able to hear a questionable version of events. Bubba should have been required to appear in court and explain what really happened. There is more to the story. We expect the upcoming release of improperly sealed documents, important evidence that the jury should have been able to see, will begin revealing the true facts that the jury deserved to know about during deliberations.”
It’s generally believed Bubba was lying when he said Hogan knew he was being taped. Amazing, out of all the best friends in the world this guy could have chosen, he picked Bubba and Ed Leslie. Well, at least he’s still got Jimmy Hart.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today to talk all the news in wrestling and MMA including tons of thoughts on URFight with the loss of Tank Abbott and apparently Dan Severn, Conor McGregor taking a huge risk at UFC 200, WrestleMania matches, calls, emails and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
The first part of the show were matches taped for the 3/29 episode of Impact. The second part are matches taped for something else, whether it be Xplosion or PPV shows.
For 3/29:
Jeff Hardy beat Eric Young in a cage match. The big spot was Hardy doing a swanton off the top of the cage putting Young through a table.
There was an interview segment with Matt Hardy’s crew including Tyrus and Rockstar Spud, and Drew Galloway (the new champion) along with Jeremy Borash. Hardy wanted his rematch with Galloway but Tyrus noted that he has the ability to cash in his briefcase for a title shot any time he wants.
Bobby Lashley beat The Pope in a no DQ match pretty much destroying him
EC III issued a challenge to Mike Bennett
Jade won the Knockouts title in a three-way over champion Gail Kim and Madison Rayne. Maria Kanellis caused Kim to lose.
Drew Galloway beat Matt Hardy to retain the title
Other matches taped:
Robbie E & Jessie Godderz beat Tom LaRuffa & Pierre Marceau – LaRuffa & Marceau were with WWE as Sylvester Lefort and Marcus Louis.
James Storm beat Bram
Pepper Parks issued an open challenge against anyone.
Bobby Roode beat Pepper Parks
Trevor Lee beat Eddie Edwards
Chris Melendez beat Beauregarde.
Ariel Helwani reported this morning that UFC is working toward a rematch with Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz, at welterweight no less, as the main event for UFC 200 on July 9 at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Helwani reported the UFC is close to finalizing plans for the match.
This would be a major blow to Frankie Edgar, as just last week Dana White indicated the match that made the most sense going forward was McGregor defending the featherweight title against Edgar. McGregor himself, after his loss to Diaz, said he’d decide whether more people would be interested in Edgar or Jose Aldo, and that’s he was looking at defending his title against one of them. He gave the impression that he thought Aldo would have more interest but was leery if Aldo wouldn’t pull out before the fight.
McGregor vs. Diaz would also eliminate the possibility of Robbie Lawler vs. Diaz, a fight that both White and Fertitta talked about for the welterweight title.
Based on the results of UFC 196, McGregor vs. Diaz would be the best drawing fight for UFC 200 even without a title at stake. Plus, there would be longer to build the fight. For McGregor, he’d be facing Diaz with a full camp, making his odds of winning even longer.
It also puts the featherweight division on hold and almost forces an Aldo vs. Edgar match for the title shot, which would eliminate a contender.
1933
Brisbane, Australia:
– Joe Dawson defeated Billy Meeske to win the Australian Heavyweight Title
1943
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Whipper Billy Watson defeated Jack Claybourne to win the Toronto NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title
1952
San Francisco, California:
– Ben and Mike Sharpe defeated Hombre Montana and Leo Nomellini for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Titles
1954
Dayton, Ohio:
– Roy Shire defeated Marvin Mercer to win the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title
1956
Honolulu, Hawaii:
– Billy Varga defeated Al Loloati for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title
1957
Charlotte, North Carolina:
– George and Sandy Scott defeated Jim Austeri and Ali Bey to win
the Mid-Atlantic NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1959
Mobile, Alabama:
– Papa Pasquale defeated Billy Wicks for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title
1960
– Ed Francis defeated Shag Thomas to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title
1961
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– Leo Nomellini & Verne Gagne beat Gene Kiniski & Len Montana 2 out of 3 falls (Montana suffered a broken leg and has to vacate his half of the AWA Tag Team Title, Gene Kiniski chose Hard Boil Haggarty as his new partner)
– AWA US Champion Wilbur Snyder beat Hard Boiled Haggerty
– Stan Kowalski beat Jim Hady
– Joe Scarpello beat Vic Christy
1963
Fort Worth, Texas:
– Louie Tillet defeated Bull Curry for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1964
Salem, Oregon:
– Nick Bockwinkel and Nick Kozak defeated The Destroyer and Art Michalik to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
Lubbock, Texas:
– Larry Hennig and The Viking defeated Ken Lucas and Fritz Von Erich for the Amarillo NWA North American Tag Team Titles
Mobile, Alabama:
– Lee Fields and Mario Galento defeated The Mysterious Medics to win the Gulf Coast NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1968
Auckland, New Zealand:
– John DaSilva defeated George Gordienko for the New Zealand NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title
1971
Tampa, Florida:
– The Texan defeated Bob Roop to win the vacant NWA Florida Television Title (after the match, The Texan unmasked,
revealing himself to be Terry Funk)
1974
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Lou Thesz defeated Tommy Gilbert to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title
– The Infernos (Ron Gibson and Stan Pulaski) defeated Don Fargo and Rufus R. Jones for
the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1976
New Orleans, Louisiana:
– The Hollywood Blonds (Jerry Brown and Buddy Roberts) defeated Gorgeous George, Jr. and Greg Valentine to win
the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Titles
1978
Atlanta, Georgia:
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Mr. Wrestling II
– Thunderbolt Patterson & Tony Atlas beat Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen
– Georgia TV Champion Ole Anderson beat Mr. Wrestling I
– Tommy Rich beat Jacques Goulet
– Adrian Adonis beat Helmut Schmidt
– Raymond Rougeau beat Bounty Hunter
1981
Port Huron, Michigan:
– Ricky Cortez defeated Dick Garza for the Michigan Championship Wrestling Michigan Heavyweight Title
1982
Oakland, California:
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Pat Patterson
– Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum & Bobby Heenan beat Hulk Hogan & Tito Santana & Buck Zumhofe
– Non Title: Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan beat AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell
– Brad Rheingans beat Sgt. Goulet
1983
Boston, Massachusetts:
– WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco
1984
Charlotte, North Carolina:
– Ivan Koloff defeated Angelo Mosca, Jr. to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title
1985
Fayetteville, North Carolina:
– Ivan and Nikita Koloff defeated Manny Fernandez and Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Tag Team Titles
1986
Mooresville, North Carolina:
– Black Bart defeated Sam Houston to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title
1988
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Chris Benoit defeated Gama Singh to win the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title
1990
Rochester, Minnesota:
– Larry Zbyszko & Tully Blanchard beat DJ Peterson & Paul Diamond
– Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom & Tully Blanchard beat The Trooper (the Patriot) & Paul Diamond & DJ Peterson
– Kokina Maximus (Yokozuna) beat Sgt Slaughter dq
1994
Netzahualcóyotl, Mexico:
– Canek defeats Yamato for the UWA World Heavyweight Title
1995
Dallas, Texas:
– Greg Valentine won the NWA North American Heavyweight Title defeating John Hawk
ECW Extreme Warfare, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
– 2 Cold Scorpio pinned ECW World Television Champion and Tag Team Champion Dean Malenko to win the Television title
– Axl Rotten pinned Ian Rotten in a Strap match
– The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated The Pitbulls
– Sabu defeated Mikey Whipwreck
– Terry Funk and The Sandman defeated Cactus Jack and ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas
1997
Vancouver, Washington:
– Colonel DeBeers defeated Matt Borne to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Title
2000
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Derrick King and Moondog Spot defeated Wolfie D, who held the title by himself, for the Power Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles
2001
WCW Greed: Jacksonville, Florida:
– Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper defeated Billy Kidman and Rey Misterio, Jr., to become the first WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions
– Shane Helms defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, Jr. to win the title
– WCW World Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner (with Midajah) defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a Falls Count Anywhere match
– WCW World Tag Team Champions The Natural Born Thrillers (Sean O’Haire and Chuck Palumbo) defeated Totally Buff (Buff Bagwell and Lex Luger) to retain the title
– Booker T pinned WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Steiner to win the title
– Dusty and Dustin Rhodes defeated Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett
Deer Park, New York:
– Big Dick Dudley defeated Tommy Cairo and Axl Rotten in a three-way match to win the United States Extreme Wrestling Heavyweight Title
Just a couple of topics today (well, one main one) for Les and Vic who’ll pay respect to the late Charlie Fulton. Mr. Fulton may not have been what you’d call a big name in the business but the list of people he faced over the course of his career is staggering and says something about what he brought to the table. We’ll spend the rest of the show discussing Eddie Einhorn’s IWA promotion, which Dave wrote a great piece on in the Observer. Les happened to be both in the ring and in the office in Mid Atlantic Wrestling at the time the IWA came into being, so he’ll share the talk in the locker room as well as in the office regarding this upstart promotion with great national tv coverage and a keen interest in the Mid Atlantic territory. Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
Photo: @TripleH
Notes from Ernie Quincosa from University of Miami’s BankUnited Center
– Sami Zayn beat Baron Corbin
They kicked this house show off with a match that could have been near the top of the card. Crowd was pretty hot for Sami and heckled Baron throughout. Typical Sami Zayn match, Baron got quite a bit of offense in, more than Sami, and looked much much more experienced than he has recently, he came across to me as a main event of NXT caliber heel for the first time. Sami won with a Heluva Kick to the corner and a pin.
– Carmella and Aliyah beat Emma and Billie Kay
Match was flat. People tried to get behind Carmella and booed Emma, but this was the quietest they were all night. Everything looked very soft and not very stiff, but all the women in the match did look like great athletes. Emma and Billie Kaye worked over Aliyah and Carmella got the hot tag and submits Billie Kaye with her neck choke finisher.
– Rich Swann beat Riddick Moss
Crowd liked Rich Swann but kept heckling through the match. Very back and forth match, and Swann won with a 450 splash. Riddick Moss seems to be improving, and Rich Swann seems like a solid baby face.
– NXT Tag Champions The Revival vs. American Alpha ends in a draw
This felt like a dry run of a pay-per-view match. Match started slow with Chad Gable getting a lot of shine. Revival tries to cheat, start cutting the ring in half with Gable. Jordan gets a very hot tag and goes to town with the spot where he pulls his singlet straps down, pulls them up, and pulls them back down. Crowd loses it. Match ends with pinning trade-off between Dawson and Gable, ending in a double pin. Referee calls the match a draw, Jordan asks The Revival to go five more minutes and they refuse and try to jump American Alpha. Jordan and Gable get a come back and hit Grand Amplitude, then soak in the applause from the crowd.
– NXT Women’s Champion Bayley beat Nia Jax
Big contrast between this match and the earlier women’s match. Every time Nia hit Bayley, the crowd gasped. Nia dominated Bayley for most of the match, until Bayley had a comeback and hit the Bayley-to-Belly suplex and pinned Nia.
– Manny Andrade beat Tye Dillinger
Surprisingly, it seemed like a good amount of the crowd knew of La Sombra, and there were multiple Sombra chants during the match. Manny seemed VERY popular with the crowd, which garnered multiple chants in Spanish. A lot of the crowd was Latino, but it’s also important to remember Miami has a lot of Cubans and Central Americans, and not so many Mexicans specifically. This match got the first (and possibly only) “This is Awesome” chant of the night. Dillinger and Andrade went back and forth, lots of chops and reversals in this match. Much more high-flying than I’ve seen in an NXT match before. Andrade won with a very impressive moonsault from the corner to standing into a standing moonsault.
– NXT Champion Finn Balor beat Samoa Joe
This was more or less the same match these two have had before. The pacing was a little different, however. Samoa Joe seemed like a monster throughout the match, dominating Finn early with a very physical style. Finn won with a brainbuster, however he was not able to lift Joe all the way up and so it ended up being more of a face slam. Samoa Joe was very popular with the crowd, who sang happy birthday to him during the match without prompting. After the match, Finn led the crowd into singing happy birthday to Joe again, and then sang “Danny Boy” for the crowd, it being St. Patrick’s Day.
Photo: TampaBay.com
If you need some entertainment and courtroom drama is your jam, you can live stream the Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker Media trial live below. What a time to be alive, eh?
If you haven’t been following the case, Hogan (aka Terry Bollea) is suing Gawker for $100 million for publishing a clip of a sex tape of himself and the wife of Bubba Clem (aka radio host) Bubba The Love Sponge), along with a long article to accompany it in 2012.
At the basis, Hogan is claiming the post is a violation of his privacy, claiming the video was made without his consent or knowledge. Gawker is claiming their post is protected under the First Amendment because of Hogan’s past discussing his sex life.
A six-member jury will ultimately make the call.
If you’re looking for in-depth analysis and conversation about the case, check out the Figure Four Weekly newsletter archives for some in-depth analysis from our David Bixenspan. You can also follow trial analysis and thoughts on #HulkvsGawk on Twitter.
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back today with 90 minutes of insanity. In an event that only happens ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS, it is the BATTLE OF THE EMPIRE 2016, Vince Verhei vs. Filthy Tom Lawlor to determine the new PRESIDENT OF THE EMPIRE. You cast your vote, now you’ll find out who won. Plus, full reviews of NXT, Lucha Underground, Raw and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!