Category: Daily Updates

We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s ROH Final Battle and Wednesday night’s NXT Takeover, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer

We will also be doing a poll on tomorrow night’s UFC show on FOX.

UFC, New Japan and ROH all finish 2015 tomorrow.

RING OF HONOR FINAL BATTLE AT 8:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME FROM THE 2300 ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA

Cheeseburger vs. Brutal Bob preshow match on You Tube at 8:30 p.m.

Young Bucks vs. Kenny King & Rhett Titus vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe for the top contenders for the tag titles

Moose vs. Michael Elgin

Dalton Castle vs. Silas Young

Alex Shelley & Matt Sydal & ACH vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian & Chris Sabin

Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly

Roderick Strong vs. Bobby Fish for TV title

Matt Taven & Michael Bennett vs. Hanson & Ray Rowe for ROH tag titles

Jay Lethal vs. A.J. Styles for ROH title

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. EASTERN FROM THE CHELSEA AT THE COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS ON NBC SPORTS

Ozzy Dugulubgov (7-2) vs. Nic Herron-Webb (18-6), lightweight

Robbie Peralta (18-6) vs. Sheymon Moraes (7-1), featherweight

Josh Hill (12-1) vs. Beckbulat Magomedov (16-0), bantamweight

Jake Heun  (8-4) vs. Clinton Williams (7-2), light heavyweight

Lance Palmer (10-1) vs. Alexandre Almeida (17-5) for the featherweight title

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING RETURNS AT 9 P.M. EASTERN ON AXS TV

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP title – This is a replay of the 2013 match of the year.

CMLL ON CLARO SPORTS AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN AT WWW.CLAROSPORTS.COMFROM ARENA MEXICO

NEW JAPAN FROM KORAKUEN HALL LATE TONIGHT/TOMORROW MORNING AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN AND 1:30 A.M PACIFIC ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

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

Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Yohei Komatsu vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Sho Tanaka

Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi

Hirooki Goto & Juice Robinson vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil

Mascara Dorada vs. Bushi for CMLL welterweight title

Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii

Saturday we’re looking for reports on the WWE show from the Forum in Los Angeles with Roman Reigns’ first title defense against Sheamus, plus Alberto Del Rio vs. Brock Lesnar for the U.S. title and Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens for the IC title and from the ROH TV tapings in Philadelphia (Adam Cole vs. Michael Elgin, Moose vs. Matt Sydal vs. Jay Briscoe vs. Dalton Cantle, Adam Page vs. Mark Briscoe and Deonna Purrazzo & Hania the Huntress vs. Mandy Leon & Sumie Sakai).

Sunday will be WWE in Winnipeg with Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus for the WWE title and Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens for the IC title.

Monday will be the Slammy Award edition of Raw from the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Smackdown will air live on the USA Network at 8 p.m. on Tuesday from Des Moines.  The New Day vs. Lucha Dragons for the tag team titles has been announced.

The USA Network will air Tribute to the Troops on Wednesday night at 8 p.m., a taped show from Jacksonville.

Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly 12/7/2015: McDevitt comments on concussion lawsuits
Details on Jerry McDevitt’s comments on the ongoing concussion lawsuits against WWE, Alan discusses potential candidates for 2015’s best rookie.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Conor McGregor winning the UFC featherweight title, the story behind UFC 194 and the path of Roman Reigns to the WWE title are the lead stories in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter with coverage of so many major shows over the past week.

We look at McGregor’s financial  goals, the business of UFC 194 and the records set, early PPV projections, what is next for McGregor, TV viewership numbers in the U.S. and Brazil, , as well as the path of McGregor to being the No. 1 male star in the promotion.  We look at Frankie Edgar as a contender, potential of UFC 200 if Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor are booked on the same show, the last two PPV shows, Rousey vs. McGregor as draws, Luke Rockhold’s middleweight title win, looking at the Yoel Romero vs. Chris Weidman judging and the future of the middleweight division.

We also look at the path of Roman Reigns to the WWE title, the increased viewership on Raw, where the new viewers came from and how viewership differed from recent weeks.  We look at the reaction to Reigns, and the storylines that led to that reaction.

We’ve also got complete rundowns on WWE TLC, NXT Takeover, as well as all three UFC events, including match-by-match coverage, business notes, star ratings and more.

We also have a look at Mauro Ranallo’s signing with WWE, his background, how the deal came to fruition and the path from announcing pro wrestling on TV while a teenage on national television in  Canada to the WWE 30 years ago, with stops in kickboxing, MMA and boxing in between.

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: December 21, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Conor McGregor wins UFC Featherweight title, Roman Reigns WWE Champion

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@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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 sent to you today. 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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

A lot of interesting things to look out for on tonight’s ROH show with Michael Elgin, Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, Michael Bennett, Matt Taven and Maria Kanellis all either no longer under contract or contracts expiring shortly.  I believe Jay Lethal also fits into that category.  Tonight’s lineup looks real strong on paper.  Jerry Lynn will be appearing at the Final Battle show tonight in an angle of some sort.  I’m told it will be a wrestling-heavy show.  Check out Dave Meltzer’s play by play:  ROH Final Battle 2015 live results.

It was notable in a number of fighters today the physical changes.  USADA drug testing has completely changed the game for the better.  Fighters, on average, have shown up for fight week and in their first weigh-in (everyone weighs in when they get there so there are no big surprises) are about five pounds down from the average previously.  That isn’t necessary PEDs, although in some cases it would be, but also people showing up with less weight to cut due to the IV ban. 

The confrontation earlier today, such as it was, between Nate Diaz and Michael Johnson

For all those talking about how TV viewership is down, the ratings in November for the three networks was identical.  Actually NBC was up 3% from last year, FOX was up 20% from last year, CBS was down 1% from last year and ABC was down 15% from last year.  The increases and decreases were largely sports related.  NBC had a good month for Sunday Night Football.  FOX had the world Series.  ABC had lower rated college football games.  Cable was down 8% for the month but many cable stations were up.  USA had a big decline overall and WWE’s decline was part of it.

WWE

• The NXT show in Royal Oak, MI is sold out.  
• The pre-sale for the 4/1 NXT show in Dallas sold out in 30 minutes.  The public sale should sell out instantly. 
• The last we heard, they are down to selling standing room tickets for NXT in Milwaukee on 1/14 after seated tickets sold out.
• The movie “Santa’s Little Helper” will air at 8 p.m. Sunday on the USA Network.  The Miz and Paige are both in the movie.  It starts WWE week on the network.
• Sky Sports 2 in the U.K. will be doing an all day Christmas Eve WWE programming marathon starting on 12/24 at 6 a.m. including DVD profiles and documentaries. (thanks to Lee Wall)
• Tickets must not be selling well for a house show on 2/13 in Fresno as they have offered four tickets for the price of two, six for the price of three or eight for the price of four starting on Monday and ending on Wednesday.  Announced as the top matches, which mean nothing at this point, are Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus for the WWE title and Kane vs Bray Wyatt.
• A story on Titus O’Neil working with the homeless in Tampa
• Kyle Walker is a fan of Neville

UFC

• Very important article about proposed changes in MMA, from weight classes to more.  We’re working on doing a show on this topic in a few weeks.
• Conor McGregor in his new Rolls Royce in Hollywood
• UFC has apparently given Aljamain Sterling permission to seek  a deal elsewhere.  His contract expired and even though he won his last fight, that sounds like they are either trying to scare him and make an example, or they just aren’t interested in bring him back.

MISCELLANEOUS

• A battle of wrestling standouts with former NCAA champion Darion Caldwell (8-0) vs. Joe Warren (13-4) will headline a 3/4 Bellator show in Thackerville, OK. 
• Bellator announced that 18-year-old A.J. McKee, the son of Antonio McKee, had signed a multi-year contract with the promotion.  McKee, a featherweight, has a 3-0 record with all of his fights being since his April debut in Bellator.
• Joey Ryan has signed a sponsorship deal with YouPorn Sports, a newly created division of the YouPorn adult entertainment web site.  As part of the deal, Ryan’s new finishing move will be called the YouPorn Plex and he will model YouPorn clothing at his wrestling appearances.  The YouPorn plex will be the move he got fame from last week in DDT.
• Jay Lethal talks Final Battle
• ACW tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in New Port Richey, FL at the All Sports Arena.
• Abyss (Chris Park) is doing a seminar at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Toronto at the Lithuanian House for $50.  You are asked to arrive by 1:45 p.m. to sign in.  It’s open to wrestlers of all levels.
• PWE Eclipse on 2/27 in Oshawa, ONT at Legion br. 43 with Cody Deaner, Ethan Page, Buxx Belmar ad Tyler Tirva. 

Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (12/18): Daniel Bryan becomes WWE World Champion

We’re looking for your thoughts on last night’s NXT show and we’ll also be doing a poll for tomorrow’s ROH show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer

Smackdown tonight on Syfy:

Alberto Del Rio vs. Ryback non-title

Titus O’Neil vs. Tyler Breeze

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. Lucha Dragons non-title

Becky Lynch vs. Brie Bella

Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler non-title

New Japan from Korakuen Hall tonight/tomorrow on New Japan World at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time/1:30 a.m. Pacific time

Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Jay White vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & David Finlay

Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu

Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall

Tiger Mask vs. Jushin Liger for NWA jr. title

Hirooki Goto & Captain New Japan & Mascara Dorada vs. Tetsuya Naito & Bushi & Evil

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ryusuke Taguchi

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuyori Shibata & Juice Robinson & Kushida vs. Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi & Gedo

There will be another Korakuen Hall show headlined by Tanahashi & Shibata vs. Okada & Naito on late Friday night/Saturday morning at the same time.  ROH has its Final Battle PPV tomorrow night, and UFC has its final show of the year on Saturday night.

Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly 12/7/2015: McDevitt comments on concussion lawsuits
Details on Jerry McDevitt’s comments on the ongoing concussion lawsuits against WWE, Alan discusses potential candidates for 2015’s best rookie.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Conor McGregor winning the UFC featherweight title and the story behind UFC 194 and the path of Roman Reigns to the WWE title are the lead stories in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter with coverage of so many major shows over the past week.

We look at McGregor’s financial  goals, the business of UFC 194 and the records set, early PPV projections, what is next for McGregor, TV viewership numbers in the U.S. and Brazil, , as well as the path of McGregor to being the No. 1 male star in the promotion.  We look at Frankie Edgar as a contender, potential of UFC 200 if Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor are booked on the same show, the last two PPV shows, Rousey vs. McGregor as draws, Luke Rockhold’s middleweight title win, looking at the Yoel Romero vs. Chris Weidman judging and the future of the middleweight division.

We also look at the path of Roman Reigns to the WWE title, the increased viewership on Raw, where the new viewers came from and how viewership differed from recent weeks.  We look at the reaction to Reigns, and the storylines that led to that reaction.

We’ve also got complete rundowns on WWE TLC, NXT Takeover, as well as all three UFC events, including match-by-match coverage, business notes, star ratings and more.

We also have a look at Mauro Ranallo’s signing with WWE, his background, how the deal came to fruition and the path from announcing pro wrestling on TV while a teenage on national television in  Canada to the WWE 30 years ago, with stops in kickboxing, MMA and boxing in between.

We also have news on a new Takeover special and WrestleMania weekend, WWE week on the USA Network, dates Brock Lesnar is booked, WWE making a deal with Coca Cola, new season of Total Divas, Slammy Awards notes, why it is unlikely Dwayne Johnson will be at WrestleMania, Ronda Rousey and WrestleMania, William Regal injury update, death of Jim Dotson, Daniel Bryan update, offers made to Bryan, Bryan talks WretleMania and bringing back stars from the past, HHH talks NXT, why Raw is three hours and why that isn’t going to change soon, WWE injury updates, NXT touring in 2016, Cena in the movies, Lineup of DVD releases for 2016, how ECW ended up being a financial success, difference in the makeup of Raw and Smackdown viewers and what viewers are more likely to watch both shows, plus we’ve got reports from all the WWE & NXT arena events over the past week with business and overall highlights.

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: December 21, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Conor McGregor wins UFC Featherweight title, Roman Reigns WWE Champion

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@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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 sent to you today. 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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

There were a lot of pro wrestling people at the Combate Americas MMA show last night on NBC Universo at the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood,CA.  Gene LeBell was a judge.  Konnan did the color commentary.  Court Bauer was a Co-executive producer.  Also at the show included Frank Shamrock and Taya Valkyrie. 

Ashley Fliehr (Charlotte) is on the cover of the new issue of Muscle & Fitness Hers that comes out in a few days.

Dwayne Johnson and girlfriend Lauren Hashian had a baby girl yesterday.  Congratulations to both.

Tickets for the 1/2 PWG show in Reseda, CA sold out instantly last night.

POP TV, the new home of TNA, has been cleared by Cablevision as of mid-January.  It won’t be airing on Cablevision in time for the 1/5 show, but it will be airing in time for the 1/29 show.

WWE

• When they taped Smackdown in Newark for tonight, in Roman Reign’s opening interview, he said that HHH hadn’t been seen since TLC anywhere.  So there were wires crossed between those running the show and HHH.
• Also in a rarity, on tonight’s show during the national broadcast they will plug the Brock Lesnar appearance at the show on Saturday night at the Forum in Los Angeles.  That show has a surprisingly weak advance.  Lesnar faces Alberto Del Rio on that card in a U.S. title match.
• All the allotment of pre-sale tickets put on sale today for NXT live events in Royal Oak, MI and Pittsburgh in January have sold out. 
• The Baron Corbin win over Apollo Crews was to set up some Finn Balor vs Corbin matches for the NXT title.
• The stock closed down two cents today to $17.45
• WWE stars visiting a military base in Jacksonville for Tribute to the Troops promotion
• Dwayne Johnson’s seven life lessons
• An article on NXT Takeover

UFC

• Joe Rogan has apologized for saying that Jose Aldo looked different in Saturday’s fight and any insinuations regarding that.
• John McCarthy will be the referee for the 1/2 Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit welterweight title match.  The judges will be Derek Cleary, Chris Lee and Tony Weeks.
• Sage Northcutt in a 2011 Star Wars commercial
• Nate Diaz showed up in great shape for Saturday’s fight with Michael Johnson.  He wasn’t happy he wasn’t on the event poster, so today he drew himself on an event poster.
• Rafael Feijao vs. Ovince Saint-Preux has been added to the 2/6 UFC show in Las Vegas, which is the Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez show.
• Martin Sevensoon vs. David Teymur, both off the recent TUF season, and both from Sweden and Conor McGregor’s team, will face off on the 2/27 sold out UFC show at the O2 Arena in London.
• If you’re a fan of Dee Devlin, Conor McGregor’s girlfriend, and shopping sprees
• UFC TV for the next few days:

Weigh-ins are at 4 p.m. Eastern tomorrow with Jon Anik, Daniel Cormier, Brian Stann and Ariel Helwani as the team

The prefight show is at 4 p.m. Eastern Saturday

Prelims are from 5-8 p.m. Eastern on FS 1 and Fox Deportes

Main card is 8-10:30 p.m. on FOX with Dominick Cruz being added to the broadcast team with Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg. 

Post-fight show will be after the completion of the card on FS 1 on Saturday night

Ultimate Insider is Sunday at 8 p.m. looking at UFC 193 and building up Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit

Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm will air for the first time on television on Sunday at 10:30 p.m. on FS 1  

MISCELLANEOUS

• Kurt Angle talks his decision to leave TNA and his future plans
• Paul Bradley (22-6, 2 NCs) vs. Chris Honeycutt (6-0, 1 NC) in a battle of former All-American Division I wrestlers in a rematch of a fight that went to a no contest a few months back, has been rescheduled for the 1/29 Bellator show in Fresno.  Also announced for prelims were Anthony Avila (12-4) vs. John Reedy (11-6), Javy Ayala (8-4) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (9-6) and Art Arcienega (14-5) vs. Justin Smiley (9-7).
• An article on Premier Wrestling
• Bill Goldberg talks his favorite match of his career, against Diamond Dallas Page
• Rockstar Pro Wrestling tomorrow night at the Rockstar Pro Arena in Dayton.
• Maryland Championship Wrestling on 12/26 in Joppa, MD featuring Ethan Carter III, Chyna and Ashley Massaro as well as the area debut of Sean Studd, the real life son of Big John Studd.
• The ECWA announced Jason Kincaid as the first person in the 2016 Super 8 tournament which takes place on 4/23.
• L.A. Park & Laredo Kid vs. Mascara Maligna & Silver Star headline a Saturday show in Dallas at the Indoor Soccer Camp.
• Solar vs. Blue Panther is headlining a Sunday show at Arena Coliseo in Monterrey.  They also could have headlined the same arena 30 years ago.
• 40 years ago today in Miami Beach before 4,200 fans:
• Omar Negro (Buddy Moreno/Omar Atlas) drew Bruce Swayze (Patrick’s uncle)
• Mike Graham beat Bob Orton Jr. via DQ to retain the U.S. jr. heavyweight title
• Karl Von Steiger beat Abe Jacobs
• Bob Roop beat Bill Dromo
• The Destroyer (Killer Kowalski) no contest Big Bad John
• Billy Robinson beat The Great Malenko to retain the Southern title
• Rocky Johnson & Thunderbolt Patterson beat Rip Hawk & Roger Kirby via DQ to retain the Florida tag team titles
• Terry Funk beat Cyclone Negro to retain the NWA title (thanks to Barry Rose)
• Rock Solid Pro Wrestling on 2/12 in Kirkland Lake, ONT at the Northern College Kirkland Lake Campus headlined by Cody Deaner.
• Want to make mention of the work of Kathy Fitzpatrick for her work in helping organize a lot of Toys for Tots pick-ups at wrestling events in the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas snd working with the Marine Reserve groups to come to the events, as well as transporting the toys

Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (12/17): Frank Gotch wins American Heavyweight Title

Bob Magee on wrestling promotions who have been working hard for charity during the holiday season:

* 3XWrestling presented Holiday Havoc 6 on December 4 in Des Moines, IA, and collected toys at its annual Toys for Tots Drive. 

* 2300 (ECW) Arena presented the first of their Toys for Tots collection on December 5 at the CHIKARA Pro Wrestling season finale at the 2300 (ECW) Arena with an overflowing box of toys, as well as cash donations, and food donations to Philabundance being collected. 

* New England Championship Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots collection/meet and greet at West Real Estate in Wilmington, MA on December 5, collecting nearly 100 toys. 

* The originator of Toys for Toys events in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region, United Wrestling 
Coalition, did it again on December 5 at Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ with 300-350 toys plus 10 bikes. 

* ECWA Pro Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots show on December 5 at the Woodbury Heights Community Center, Woodbury, NJ with six boxes of Toys for Tots collected. 

* Right Coast Pro returned to Newark, DE on December 5 and collected 2 shopping carts of canned and nonperishable goods for the “Feed the Need Ministry” in Newark, DE and $500 for the Josh Jones Fund. 

* WAR Wrestling returns to Lima, OH on December 5 for United or Divided in a fundraiser for the Veterans Food Pantry; raising over $600 in cash and a whole SUV full of food. 

* Crossfire Wrestling presented Jingle Bell Brawl IV on December 5 at The Merritton Community St. Catharine’s, ON, and raised $500 for The Niagara Children’s Centre Foundation. 

* New Era Wrestling returned to Golden, CO on December 5, collecting dozens of toys at their Toys for Tots collection. 

* Charity Wrestling Show came to Kingston Gospel Temple, Kingston, ON, Canada on December 5; with proceeds going to Hands of Hope, a charity that provides groceries over the holiday season to families in need. 

* Pure Wrestling Association returned to Guelph, ON on December 4 and Kitchener, ON on December 5 for “Spirit of the Season” collecting scores of new, unwrapped toys and Guelph, ON on December 6 collecting many canned foods items. 

* Old Time Wrestling collected numerous bags of food items at its December 5 weekly show in Williamstown, NJ. 

* Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling returned to Warren, MI on December 6 for Hardcore With A Heart at The Ritz collecting hundreds of canned goods to benefit the homeless of metro Detroit. 

* The stars of Juggalo Championship Wrestling will join forces with legendary rappers to deliver 6 shows to benefit Saint John’s Children’s Hospital of Illinois. The Rassle Rap Charity Festival Tour features all the stars of Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) like 2 Tuff Tony, Crazy Mary 
Dobson, Madman Pondo, The Weedman, The Ring Ryda’s, Kongo Kong, The Rudeboy, Super Strong Tiger, The Spider Monkey, The Iron Demon Shane Mercer, Moshpit Mike, Samantha Heights, and many more competing in the ring. All proceeds from the tour will go directly to Saint Johns Children’s Hospital, and that includes not only ticket sales, but also the various support packages available which include a special edition t-shirt, the opportunity to be a lumberjack in one of the matches, a VIP meet and greet with every performer on the show and more!!! 

Show dates are: 

12/10 Valparaiso, IN – Big Shots 
12/11 Sauget, IL – Pop’s 
12/12 Kokomo, IN – The Stage 
12/13 Columbus, OH – The Newport 
12/16 Glen Jean, WV – Glen Jean Armory 
12/17 Cleveland, OH – Agora Ballroom 

* Texas Wrestling Association returned to the Texas Wolverine All-Star Gym, San Antonio, TX on December 11 for Gold Envy, part of the annual Toy Drive for Mujeres Unidas benefit Children’s Hospital of San Antonio; collecting 75 toys for area children. 

* Old Time Wrestling collected yet more bags of food items at its December 12 weekly show in Williamstown, NJ. 

* Grumpy’s Bail Bonds Operation Christmas sponsored a show in Portland, TN at the Richland Park Gym on December 11 with Ricky Morton, Bill Dundee, and TNA’s Crimson which raised nearly $1,000 for local youth organization HYPE Mentoring. Children received nearly 200 toys from Santa. 

* Brew City Wrestling ran its annual Headlock for Hunger on December 11 at the Knight of Columbus Hall in West Allis, WI. The show featured a food drive for the Hunger Task Force of Greater Milwaukee, collecting 600 canned goods and non-perishables. 

* Chaotic Wrestling ran its second Toys for Tots show of the year on December 11th at the Woburn, MA Elks Lodge. 

* Combat Zone Wrestling presented its annual Toys for Tots collection (in conjunction with the Marine Corps Reserve) at Combat Zone Wrestling’s 17th annual Cage of Death on December 12 at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ as part of an all day CZW event, including a Combat Zone Wrestling afternoon student show at 2:00 pm. The day’s events produced 420 toys donated by CZW fans on Cage of Death day…an 11 year record for toys collected tonight at a CZW show….more than any Flyers Skate Zone or ECW Arena CZW show ever did, and twice what the promotion did in 2013. 

* Grand Slam Wrestling returned to the Moosic Youth Center in Moosic, PA with 50 toys collected for Toys for Tots. 

* Wrestling for a Cause ran Night of Miracles: The Fight for Luther on December 12 in Pryor, OK (7:00 pm belltime). 100% of the show’s went to the family of a child with cancer. 

* All Star Wrestling presented Bodyslams For Toys on December 12 at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050 176 St, Surrey, BC, collecting nearly 50 toys. 

* Definitive Wrestling International held a Toys for Tots show on December 12 at Rivercrest Community Clubhouse in Riverview, FL, collecting numerous toys. 

* Old Time Wrestling again collected food items at its December 12 weekly show in Williamstown, NJ as part of its holiday food drive. 

* Game Changer Wrestling held a Toys for Tots fundraiser in Howell, NJ on December 12 with “Reckless Youth” Tom Carter, WWE Hall of Famer George “The Animal” Steele and Terri 
Runnels. 

* GALLI Lucha Libre presented its annual GALLI Toy Drive Navidad event in Villa Park, IL on December 13 

Here are the events still scheduled in December and January: 

* WrestleMerica returns to Griffin, GA on December 18, with a Toys for Tots collection for the children of Spalding County. The show features The Bullet Club’s Doc Gallows, 12 of the IWGP Tag Team Champions, Knux, Glacier, and Brad Attitude. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for get a discount on your ticket. 

* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s Final Battle PPV on December 18 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 18 with an 
8:30 pm bell time. 

* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s TV taping on December 19 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena with an 6:00 pm bell time. 

Additionally, ROH and Donovan Dijak are doing a Go Fund Me page to benefit national Toys for Tots. You can donate directly to national Toys for Tots at this link

* Old Time Wrestling will collect numerous bags of food items at its December 19 afternoon and evening shows in Williamstown, NJ as part of its holiday food drive. 

* Elite Canadian Champion Wrestling presents Wrestling with Hunger on December 19 in Port Coquitlam, BC, supporting the Share Family Services Food Bank. Feature matches: Artemis Spencer/Buddy Wayne vs. King Khash/Jorel Nelson, “Kingpin” Johnny Flynn vs. Andy “The Dreadful” Bird, Shotgun Stevens vs. Nick Pesky, Xavier vs. Mike Everest 

* Premiere Wrestling Xperience is offering an opportunity for spectators to bring a new unwrapped toy to the Hickory National Guard Armory, 1251 8th St NE in Hickory, NC on December 19. Spectators who bring a new unwrapped toy (with a suggested minimum value of just $10) can attend their event for only $10 and any child, aged 12 and under, who also brings an unwrapped toy will be FREE in rows 3-8. 

* SCW Entertainment returns to the Coronaca Fire Department in Coronaca, PA for the 5th annual Toys for Tots event on December 19. Featured matches: Anderson Strong (c) vs. Dean Richards in a SCW Heavyweight Championship/30 Minute Iron Man Match, TJ Boss vs. Ben Wright in a Cage Match/Loser Leaves SCW/Winner is # 1 Contender to the SCW Heavyweight Title, and Kat Daddy (c) vs. Karl Hager for the SCW Internet Championship 

* Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling will hold Wrestling With Hunger at the Elks Hall #49 ,2272 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam, BC on December 19 (8:00 pm belltime/ 7:30 doors open) to support Share Family Services Food Bank. All seats ONLY $16 

* Supreme Pro Wrestling returns to Sacramento’s SPW Arena on Sunday, December 20, with Brian Tannen defending the SPW Heavyweight Title against Scoot Robertson — The Beautiful People defending the SPW Tag Team Titles against the Honor Society — Michael Hayashi defends the SPW Xtreme Title against Airon Skye — and Joe DeSoul in a grudge match against Ring Announcer Ethan White. Fans donating an unwrapped toy will get half-price admission in our annual Toys For Kids promotion! 

* Smash Wrestling presents Infinity Chapter 3 & 4 on December 27 at Harmony Creek Community Hall, 15 Harmony Rd. N, Oshawa Ontario. This is the annual Christmas show for local food bank. Fans are asked to bring donations for Harmony Creek food bank. No matches yet announced. 

* On Point Wrestling presents its third anniversary show on January 2 at the Old Time Wrestling Arena, 1041 Glassboro Road (Monroe Business Center) Building C/Suite 1 – Williamstown, NJ. Doors open at 6:30 pm/7:00 pm bell time. Main Event, for the On Point Championship/No Rope 
Barbed Wire; Joey Janela defends against Oz Tyler (with Loudy). A Toys for Tots collection will take place at the show. 

Between all of these over the years, tens of thousands of children have been able to have a Christmas or Hanukkah. Please help your local independent promotion do the same, or encourage them to schedule an event soon for the Holidays if they haven’t already. If you’re a promoter, PLEASE email me and let me know of your holiday charity themed plans (fund-raisers/collections for clothes, food pantries, Toys for Toys, etc.) at wrestling or MMA events to bobmagee1@hotmail.com. 

Smackdown will be taped Tuesday night in Newark, NJ while NXT runs Tuesday night in Cardiff, Wale.

NXT TAKEOVER FROM SSE WEMBLEY IN LONDON ON WEDNESDAY

Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe for NXT title

Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin

Bayley vs. Nia Jax for women’s title

Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder vs. Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady for tag titles

Emma vs. Asuka

Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly 12/7/2015: McDevitt comments on concussion lawsuits
Details on Jerry McDevitt’s comments on the ongoing concussion lawsuits against WWE, Alan discusses potential candidates for 2015’s best rookie.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Coverage of the biggest weekend in UFC history, the stories behind the big matches, scouting the fighters, the business and handicapping the fights is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at the promotion of the show, how changes in the UFC can affect the major fights, little things in each fight that haven’t beentalked about, fugure for the winners and much more is looked at.

We also look at the New Japan Tokyo Dome show, the New Japan tag team tournament, what’s new with A.J. Styles and his schedule, the controversy over the winners of the tournament and how it played out, New Japan business this past month and going forward, tournament standings and a rundown of the shows this past week.

We also have an update on Sting and his condition coming off the match with Seth Rollins, something to watch for about a very significant WWE employee, WWE increasing security at leve events, WWE putting up lots of new content on the network, why the Stampede tapes were taken down, Alberto Del Rio blames AAA for his not coming back and losingg the title, why the time-line of what he says doesn’t add up, another new franchise movie idea for Dwayne Johnson, a new WWE movie annnounced, Mick Foley’s son with WWE, Sami Zayn’s return, Tommy Dreamer’s schedule, WWE surveys, John Cena media, WWE and ESPN update, NXT taping news, Brock Lesnar schedule news, WWE firing, Del Rio & Colter alliance, as well as notes on all the NXT house shows from the past week as well as all the WWE house shows of the past week and the business from the last week.   

We’ve got a look at this year’s Tokyo Sports pro wrestling awards, all the winners, how the balloting went down, as well as a list of every MVP dating back to 1974, and why different people won the awards and the nature of the politicas behid the awards.

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: December 14, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Biggest weekend in UFC history, tons more

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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 sent to you today. 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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

WWE posted video of the post-match celebration with Roman Reigns and all the Usos last night.  Dean Ambrose is there.  Zero talk whatsoever about why he didn’t help on Sunday night.

As noted on last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio Raw post-game show, Wade Barrett is out with an undisclosed injury.

WWE

• WWE Raw ratings way up with Vince McMahon return
• Paul Fontaine takes another look at Raw Ratings
• Here’s a new Ric Flair interview talking his daughter Charlotte and all of her recent success here.
• Hey Savannah, Georgia! The Rock and Zac Efron are bringing Baywatch to your town.
• Mick Foley dressed as Santa bringing presents to kids with cancer.
• Jonathan Snowden at Bleacher Report and Brian Fritz at The Sporting News both interviewed new “voice of SmackDown” Mauro Ranallo about landing his dream job. The Snowden interview is the more newsworthy of the two, with Ranallo alluding to SmackDown becoming a hybrid of NXT and Raw.
• On a related note, the entire original crew (Renee Young, Kyle “Arda Ocal” Edwards, and Ranallo) from “Right After Wrestling” is now under WWE contract. The show still lives on as Aftermath. (Thx Don Forbes)
• Gawker gets a victory over Hulk Hogan for now, as they were granted a stay barring his team from being able to search their computer network.

UFC/MMA

• Our “Filthy” Tom Lawlor wasn’t the only one upset about Sage Northcutt making $40k and $40k for this Fight Pass main event last week.  Eddie “Truck” Gordon, Chris Camozzi, Nick Newell and Ryan LaFlare have also gone public with the discontent.
• Ronda Rousey is actually smiling upon her return from the Marine Corps Ball, all decked out in a Daniel Bryan hoodie.
• Chris Weidman on his own doom from Saturday’s UFC 194: I will remember this moment forever. It has already changed me for the better. The motivation I have inside myself has never been stronger. I did not feel like myself in there for many reasons but it was a loss that I needed and deserved. I have been playing back different moments in the fight where i didn’t do or react the way I should have but this was all part of a true master plan that God has in store for me. I will be back and I will be champion again. I just wanna let everyone know that I am ok. I am so blessed with an amazing family, friends, team and fans. Thank you all so much for the support. It means more now than ever.
• MMAJunkie has released a sample chapter from Chris Leben’s upcoming autobiography, which is out January 5th and available for pre-order now.

MISCELLANEOUS

• With the 20th annual ECWA Super 8 tournament coming up next year, it will be an “all-star” edition featuring only past entrants. Jason Kincaid was announced as the first entrant in the tournament, which takes place on April 23rd.
• On the latest edition of Between the Sheets, Kris Zellner and David Bixenspan are joined by Pete Lederberg to discuss December 8-14, 1988 including the arrival of Jim Herd in and the exit of Dusty Rhodes from WCW, the disaster that was AWA Super Clash III with some wild stories before the show even happened, the complete awesomeness of Tatsumi Fujinami, the relationship of Memphis, Continental, & Knoxville wrestling in 1988, and much more. As a bonus, Pete talks about the history of the Wrestling Fans International Association to close the show.
• The final 2CW show is this Sunday and they’re doing a livestream of the event.
• AIW is bringing a strong final show to close out the year this Friday in Cleveland, OH, with Scott Hall, Col. Robert Parker, Amazing Red, Bunkhouse Buck, and the regular cast.
• Fire Pro Podcast this week talks about Conor McGregor’s amazing knockout of Jose Aldo Jr, then follows that up with talk about the B section of the Observer Awards with their picks here.
• Trina Michaels is accepting wrestling, appearance and interview bookings at her email address.
• Former NFL’er Brennan Williams (now Marcellus Black) will wrestle for the first time for Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling Christmas Chaos show on 1/30.

Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (12/15): Triple H, Kurt Angle wins WWE titles at Armageddeon

We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s TLC show as well as last night’s UFC 194 show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for reports on today’s Raw in Philadelphia (dark matches, Superstars matches, anything else not evident from watching the live show), today’s NXT show in Nottingham, England and yesterday’s Lucha Underground tapings to Dave Meltzer

Smackdown will be taped Tuesday night in Newark, NJ while NXT runs Tuesday night in Cardiff, Wale.

NXT TAKEOVER FROM SSE WEMBLEY IN LONDON ON WEDNESDAY

Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe for NXT title

Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin

Bayley vs. Nia Jax for women’s title

Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder vs. Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady for tag titles

Emma vs. Asuka

Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly 12/7/2015: McDevitt comments on concussion lawsuits
Details on Jerry McDevitt’s comments on the ongoing concussion lawsuits against WWE, Alan discusses potential candidates for 2015’s best rookie.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Coverage of the biggest weekend in UFC history, the stories behind the big matches, scouting the fighters, the business and handicapping the fights is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at the promotion of the show, how changes in the UFC can affect the major fights, little things in each fight that haven’t beentalked about, fugure for the winners and much more is looked at.

We also look at the New Japan Tokyo Dome show, the New Japan tag team tournament, what’s new with A.J. Styles and his schedule, the controversy over the winners of the tournament and how it played out, New Japan business this past month and going forward, tournament standings and a rundown of the shows this past week.

We also have an update on Sting and his condition coming off the match with Seth Rollins, something to watch for about a very significant WWE employee, WWE increasing security at leve events, WWE putting up lots of new content on the network, why the Stampede tapes were taken down, Alberto Del Rio blames AAA for his not coming back and losingg the title, why the time-line of what he says doesn’t add up, another new franchise movie idea for Dwayne Johnson, a new WWE movie annnounced, Mick Foley’s son with WWE, Sami Zayn’s return, Tommy Dreamer’s schedule, WWE surveys, John Cena media, WWE and ESPN update, NXT taping news, Brock Lesnar schedule news, WWE firing, Del Rio & Colter alliance, as well as notes on all the NXT house shows from the past week as well as all the WWE house shows of the past week and the business from the last week.   

We’ve got a look at this year’s Tokyo Sports pro wrestling awards, all the winners, how the balloting went down, as well as a list of every MVP dating back to 1974, and why different people won the awards and the nature of the politicas behid the awards.

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: December 14, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Biggest weekend in UFC history, tons more

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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 sent to you today. 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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight with coverage of Raw as well as the latest news.  We’ll also be taking questions on wrestling and MMA that can be sent to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com In the mean time check out both of our post-TLC shows:  WO 12/13: WWE TLC, Mauro Ranallo, UFC Brazil rating, more! and B&V 12/13: WWE TLC post-game show

Nothing at this point has been announced for Raw tonight.  Obviously the key will be how they handle the aftermath of the Roman Reigns/HHH angle and how that ties into the Royal Rumble.  They are in Philadelphia and were expecting the best crowd for a Raw event in the U.S. in months because of a strong advance.   

WWE sent out a press release today pushing that Coca Cola will be the presenting sponsor for Tribute to the Troops which airs on 12/23 on USA from 8-10 p.m.  Getting Coca Cola involved with WWE has been a goal for years.  

John Cena has a role in “Daddy’s Home,” the new movie with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg that comes out over Christmas.  That’s the movie Taryn Terrell has a role as a cheerleader who gets hit in the face with a basketball which got some media when it was filmed in New Orleans some time back.  That spot is in the trailer that I’ve seen recently at movie previews.

For the weekend, the No. 1 search was Conor McGregor with 2 million.  UFC 194 had 1 million.  Amazingly, both beat the Warriors winning streak ending at 1 million.  No. 5 was Chris Weidman with 200,000.  No. 14 was Urijah Faber with 50,000.  No. 20 was Roy Jones Jr.  Although not close to Ronda Rousey numbers, those are otherwise huge numbers and probably indicate big PPV numbers.  UFC officials were talking that it would be the biggest of the year.  WWE was No. 6 in Google searches yesterday with 200,000, which is the level just about every B PPV show gets.  Top searches were BKS Ivengar, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Independence Day 2 and Philadelphia Eagles.

A story has gone around regarding producers audio from just before the McGregor vs. Aldo fight where Joe Rogan spoke to a producer off air saying  Aldo looks soft and deflated.  “He looks way different.  But it could be that he’s done a lot of cardio.  Don’t want to jump to conclusions.”  Rogan also said, “Aldo looks nervous as F*** too.” and told the producer he was picking McGregor now.

WWE

• Mick Foley said he was going to write something on Facebook in response to Ric Flair criticizing him on Tuesday on Flair’s show.  Flair had been critical of Foley being critical of WWE creative.  Hasn’t everyone been critical of WWE creative in the last month?  I mean this past weekend I was around people who are MMA people who are lifelong fans and they say the same things everyone else says when it comes to creative and the interviews.
• There were a lot of problems with the WWE Network last night, more than usual, particularly during the pregame show.  I was able to watch it on wwe.com with no problem which is the free site, but I couldn’t watch it on the network. 
• WWE stock was up 22 cents today to $16.09 per share.
• New NXT touring dates announced, tickets for all these shows go on sale on Friday.

1/14 in Milwaukee at Turners Hall Ballroom, which has been an ROH venue

1/15 in Green Bay at Shopko Hall

1/16 in Chicago at the Portage Theater

1/29 in Pittsburgh at Stage AP

1/30 in Royal Oak, MI at the Music Theater.

UFC

• The World MMA Awards were announced for 2/5 at the Venetian in Las Vegas at The Venetian theatre.  Nominees will be announced in a few weeks.  They are billing it as the Ultimate Las Vegas weekend with an MMA Celebrity Poker tournament on Thursday at the Sands Poker Room at the Venetian, the awards plus the after party and a special UFC 196 viewing party at Lagasse’s Station at The Palazzo in Las Vegas.      

INDIES/MISCELLANEOUS

• PWG tickets for 1/2 go on sale Wednesday at 8 p.m.  For all who want to go, be ready.  That’s the same night as UFC so I can’t go again.  Here’s the card:

Roderick Strong vs. Chris Hero PWG title

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Akira Tozawa

Mike Bailey vs. Adam  Cole

Jack Evans vs. Drew Galloway

Sami Callihan vs. Trevor Lee

Timothy Thatcher vs. Drew Gulak

Angelico vs. Brian Cage

• Spectre was No. 7 on the U.S. movie weekend charts doing $4.05 million.  It was once again No. 2 on the Australian box office charts (thanks to James Stanios)
• Lucha Underground, Billy Gunn and Paul Orndorff have signed deals with Pro Wrestling Tees.
• Michael Weber, who formerly worked for WCW and was Vice President of Marketing with TNA from 2008 to 2013, is now Senior Vice President of Marketing with Flipps Media.
• ROH has doing a meet and greet with the Briscoes before Friday’s PPV at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.  They will have autograph photos for everyone bringing a new unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots collection at Final Battle or the next day for the TV taping.
• I want to personally thank everyone involved in wrestling who has done work for Toys for Tots and other organizations regarding underprivileged kids and Christmas, as well as Bob Magee who works tirelessly every year in working with promotions to get the word out on these things.
• Hart Legacy Wrestling from last night in Calgary before 200 fans. Smith Hart booked the show and Michelle Billington was the ring announcer:  Baron Von Kroutz b Renegade-DQ, Makhan Singh Jr. (with Abu Wizal, the famous manager there from the 80s) b Kato (Singh Jr. looked like a young Makhan Singh), Zack Mercury b Matt Hart (Smith Hart’s son), Davey Boy Smith Jr. d Teddy Hart 30:00 so Smith retained the Stu Hart Heritage title.  Very good match.  This was Teddy Hart’s first match in Calgary in a long time.  He’s been in the U.S.  He had a legal issue.  It was said by people at the show his issue has been settled.  (thanks to Robert O’Connor)
• Upcoming shows in Tijuana at the Auditorio are 12/18 with a four-way with Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. L.A. Park vs. Damian 666 vs. Pagano, 12/25 with Wagner Jr. & El Hijo del Rey Misterio & Super Muneco vs. Damian 666 & Pakal & Rey Misterio II, and 1/8 with Gronda XXX & L.A. Park & Rayo de Jalisco Jr. vs.  Cibernetico & Cien Caras & Wagner Jr. (thanks to Kris Zellner)
• NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on Saturday night in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with Jason Kincaid vs. Nick Hammonds in a weapons match and a retirement match billed as Kid Kash putting his career on the line against Chase Owens.  If Owens loses, Ricky Morton has to retire.  Plus NWA title with Jax Dane defending against Rob Conway.
• Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 1/10 in Oshawa, ONT at Legion br. 43.

Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (12/14): Jeff Hardy, Triple H become WWE champion

UFC 194 is tomorrow night!  Conor McGregor vs Jose Aldo, and Chris Weidman vs Luke Rockhold.  First we have a great fight tonight with Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes.  The winner to most likely get a shot at the winner of McGregor vs Aldo.  

UFC ON FRIDAY NIGHT FROM THE COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS ON FOX SPORTS 1 STARTING AT 8 P.M. EASTERN/5 P.M. PACIFIC

Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Abner Lloveras

Julian Erosa vs. Marcin Wrzossek

Geane Herrera vs. Joby Sanchez

Konstantin Kerokihn vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Jason Knight

Ryan LaFlare vs. Mike Pierce

Evan Dunham vs. Joe Lauzon

Ryan Hall vs. Artem Lobov in the TUF lightweight tournament finals

Edson Barboza vs. Tony Ferguson

Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes

Saturday we’re looking for reports from the WWE show in Lewiston, ME and the NXT show in Seffield, England (headilned by Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin for the NXT title).

UFC 194 FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS ON SATURDAY NIGHT

Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time

Marcio Alexandre Jr. vs. Court McGee

Yancy Medeiros vs. John Makdessi

Magomed Mustafaev vs. Joe Proctor

FS 1 at 8 p.m. Eastern time

Kevin Lee vs. Leonardo Santos

Warlley Alves vs. Colby Covington

Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger vs. Tecia Torres

Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Saenz

PPV AT 10 p.m. Eastern time

Max Holloway vs. Jeremy Stephens

Gunnar Nelson vs. Demian Maia

Yoel Romero vs. Ronaldo Jacare Souza

Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold for the middleweight title

Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor for the featherweight title

WWE TLC PPV ON SUNDAY FROM THE TD GARDEN IN BOSTON

Sheaumus vs. Roman Reignns for WWE title in a TLC match

Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for IC title

New Day vs. Lucha Dragons vs. Usos in a ladder match for tag tiltes

Charlotte vs. Paige in a Divas title match

Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger for the U.S. title in a chair match

Bray Wyatt & Erick Rowan & Luke Harper & Braun Strowman vs. Dudleys & Tommy Dreamer & Rhyno in a tables match

Sunday is almost NXT in Blackpool, England.

Raw will be Monday night in Philadelphia while NXT runs Monday night in Nottingham, England.

Smackdown will be taped Tuesday night in Newark, NJ while NXT runs Tueday night in Cardiff, Wale.

Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly 12/7/2015: McDevitt comments on concussion lawsuits
Details on Jerry McDevitt’s comments on the ongoing concussion lawsuits against WWE, Alan discusses potential candidates for 2015’s best rookie.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Coverage of the biggest weekend in UFC history, the stories behind the big matches, scouting the fighters, the business and handicapping the fights is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at the promotion of the show, how changes in the UFC can affect the major fights, little things in each fight that haven’t beentalked about, fugure for the winners and much more is looked at.

We also look at the New Japan Tokyo Dome show, the New Japan tag team tournament, what’s new with A.J. Styles and his schedule, the controversy over the winners of the tournament and how it played out, New Japan business this past month and going forward, tournament standings and a rundown of the shows this past week.

We also have an update on Sting and his condition coming off the match with Seth Rollins, something to watch for about a very significant WWE employee, WWE increasing security at leve events, WWE putting up lots of new content on the network, why the Stampede tapes were taken down, Alberto Del Rio blames AAA for his not coming back and losingg the title, why the time-line of what he says doesn’t add up, another new franchise movie idea for Dwayne Johnson, a new WWE movie annnounced, Mick Foley’s son with WWE, Sami Zayn’s return, Tommy Dreamer’s schedule, WWE surveys, John Cena media, WWE and ESPN update, NXT taping news, Brock Lesnar schedule news, WWE firing, Del Rio & Colter alliance, as well as notes on all the NXT house shows from the past week as well as all the WWE house shows of the past week and the business from the last week.   

We’ve got a look at this year’s Tokyo Sports pro wrestling awards, all the winners, how the balloting went down, as well as a list of every MVP dating back to 1974, and why different people won the awards and the nature of the politicas behid the awards.

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: December 14, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Biggest weekend in UFC history, tons more

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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 sent to you today. 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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

This is totally nuts.  A JetBlue flight heading from New York to Las Vegas turned around in mid-flight after two “Irish lads”, one of whom had already created a disturbance and caused the flight to be delayed, got into a physical altercation apparently over Conor McGregor.  

MMAFighting.com has a story up where you can read who various MMA stars are picking in the Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo Jr. fight tomorrow.  Virtually everyone picks Aldo.  A few years ago they polled the fighters for the first Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman fight.  At the time, virtually everyone on the outside thought Anderson Silva was winning that fight, but UFC sent out a press release where nearly every fighter picked Weidman.  It seemed like the usual UFC deal during Countdown specials where they try to build the best case possible for the underdog to drum up interest but, in fact, the fighters largely really did pick Weidman to win and Weidman won.  Obviously anything can happen in a fight, but it’s very interesting to read what fighters are thinking during a time that Aldo, the champion, is going in as an underdog as of a few days ago.  Filthy Tom Lawlor on Monday’s Figure Four Daily did change his mind this week and is now picking McGregor to win.  It’ll be interesting to see the odds after the weigh-in tonight given that both men for the first time ever had to make weight without the use of an IV, and that could change the game.

WWE

• WWE Network officially launches in Japan on January 5th, the day after the annual New Japan Tokyo Dome spectacular.
• Someone asked Joey Styles on Twitter why it was taking so long to get new TV episodes online, and he noted: “Because ECW illegally used music we had no rights to, it takes a looooong time to edit the episodes.”
• WWE has a sneak peak of the Stone Cold/Shawn Michaels podcast that airs after TLC Sunday up on their website.

UFC/MMA

• Ronda Rousey told TMZ today that she wants Holly Holm at UFC 200.  The article said she “came out of hiding today” and “looked fine”.  It also noted that, if you recall the story of the soldier inviting her to the Marine Corps Ball and her saying yes, even though she’s in a lot of pain and psychologically all beat up, the ball is tonight and she’s going.
• Add Joe Rogan to the list of those who think Holly should fight Miesha Tate prior to the Ronda Rousey fight, which would also give Rousey more time to heal up and work on her game.  He said on his podcast that even if Miesha won you’d end up with a crazy “love triangle” where Ronda would have ready-made matches with both of them and they could rematch each other, plus if Holm beat Miesha she’d be building a legacy to make the Rousey fight even bigger when it happened.
• I sure hope this story is true.  Sage Northcutt isn’t allowed to use the Internet.
• UPDATE! It’s not true.  At the press conference last night, Sage joked that he was only allowed to use it for his school work, than admitted that whoever said it on Fight Pass (Jon Anik) was joking.
• The press conference should be available on Fight Pass.  We’re told that live (and probably on tape as well), he captivates the room at these things and comes off as a “happy-go-lucky robot”.  
• Shane writes: “The McGregor fight was featured on this evenings RTE News in Ireland which is the top news broadcast in the country. It was a piece ahead of the normal sports section which is rare for a sports story. It showed McGregor at his public workout and how it was the biggest fight of his career. It was mentioned a large number of Irish supporters coming to Vegas with bars stocking up on Guinness and a local band writing a song about McGregor.”

Other

• Want to thank Dan Masters (@DanStraightEdge) for doing a great job co-hosting the Bryan & Vinny Show last night. I literally talked to Dan for about 5 seconds before he was thrust on the air and he did an awesome job. He was one of four who donated to the latest Whale Scout Indiegogo campaign and earned a guest hosting gig, so there are more on the way.  In the two years we’ve offered spots, every single guest host has done a great job (no pressure to those in the future!). The guest spots via Skype/phone are sold out, but we have ONE in-person spot available which includes airfare, hotel and a seat in the studio, plus tons of smaller perks at the Whale Scout Indiegogo site. This past weekend Whale Scout helped out at North Creek Forest, where they are converting a forest into a park, and helping to improve water quality and remove invasive species, so your donation, however big or small, helps with other habitat restoration projects as well.  Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, and thank you again to Dan!
• The Rassle Rap charity festival tour continues tonight in Sauget Illinois at Pop’s.  Tickets : http://www.popsrocks.com.  Details at insaneclownposse.Com and details on charity packages including being a lumberjack at www.HatchetGear.Com.  Benefitting Saint Johns Children’s Hospital in Illinois.

12-11 Sauget, Illinois – Pops!

12/12 Kokomo, Indiana – The Stage

12-13 Columbus, Ohio Newport Music Hall

12/16 Glen Jean, West Virginia – Glen Jean Armory

12/17 Cleveland, Ohio – Agora Theater

Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (12/11): WWWF and AWA World Titles defended on same card

We’re looking for your thoughts on yesterday’s New Japan tag team tournament finals so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer We’ll also be doing polls over the next week for the Saturday night UFC show, WWE on Sunday and NXT on Wednesday.

We’re also looking for reports on today’s NXT show in Newcastle, England to Dave Meltzer

UFC ON FIGHT PASS TODAY STARTING AT 6:45 P.M. EASTERN AND 3:45 P.M. PACIFIC TIME FROM THE COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS

Kailin Curran (115) vs. Emily Kagan (115)

Phillipe Nover (145) vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (145)

Nathan Coy (170) vs. Danny Roberts (169.5)

Santiago Ponzinibbio (170) vs. Andreas Stahl (171)

Johnnu Eduardo (135) vs. Aljamain Sterling (135.5)

Kevin Casey (185) vs. Antonio Carlos Jr. (185)

Omari Akhmedov (170) vs. Sergio Moraes (171)

John Howard (170) vs. Tim Means (170)

Thiago Santos (185) vs. Elias Theodorou (185)

Serge Northcutt (155.5) vs. Cody Pfiter (156)

Michael Chiesa (156) vs. Jim Miller (155.5)

Rose Namajunas (115.5) vs. Paige VanZant (115.5)

Friday has an NXT house show in Glasgow, Scotland and we’ll be looking for reports on that show.

UFC ON FRIDAY NIGHT FROM THE COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS ON FOX SPORTS 1 STARTING AT 8 P.M. EASTERN/5 P.M. PACIFIC

Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Abner Lloveras

Julian Erosa vs. Marcin Wrzossek

Geane Herrera vs. Joby Sanchez

Konstantin Kerokihn vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Jason Knight

Ryan LaFlare vs. Mike Pierce

Evan Dunham vs. Joe Lauzon

Ryan Hall vs. Artem Lobov in the TUF lightweight tournament finals

Edson Barboza vs. Tony Ferguson

Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes

Saturday we’re looking for reports from the WWE show in Lewiston, ME and the NXT show in Seffield, England (headilned by Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin for the NXT title).

UFC 194 FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS ON SATURDAY NIGHT

Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time

Marcio Alexandre Jr. vs. Court McGee

Yancy Medeiros vs. John Makdessi

Magomed Mustafaev vs. Joe Proctor

FS 1 at 8 p.m. Eastern time

Kevin Lee vs. Leonardo Santos

Warlley Alves vs. Colby Covington

Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger vs. Tecia Torres

Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Saenz

PPV AT 10 p.m. Eastern time

Max Holloway vs. Jeremy Stephens

Gunnar Nelson vs. Demian Maia

Yoel Romero vs. Ronaldo Jacare Souza

Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold for the middleweight title

Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor for the featherweight title

WWE TLC PPV ON SUNDAY FROM THE TD GARDEN IN BOSTON

Sheaumus vs. Roman Reignns for WWE title in a TLC match

Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for IC title

New Day vs. Lucha Dragons vs. Usos in a ladder match for tag tiltes

Charlotte vs. Paige in a Divas title match

Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger for the U.S. title in a chair match

Bray Wyatt & Erick Rowan & Luke Harper & Braun Strowman vs. Dudleys & Tommy Dreamer & Rhyno in a tables match

Sunday is almost NXT in Blackpool, England.

Raw will be Monday night in Philadelphia while NXT runs Monday night in Nottingham, England.

Smackdown will be taped Tuesday night in Newark, NJ while NXT runs Tueday night in Cardiff, Wale.

NXT TAKEOVER FROM SSE WEMBLEY IN LONDON ON WEDNESDAY

Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe for NXT title

Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin

Bayley vs. Nia Jax for women’s title

Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder vs. Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady for tag titles

Emma vs. Asuka

Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly 12/7/2015: McDevitt comments on concussion lawsuits
Details on Jerry McDevitt’s comments on the ongoing concussion lawsuits against WWE, Alan discusses potential candidates for 2015’s best rookie.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Coverage of the biggest weekend in UFC history, the stories behind the big matches, scouting the fighters, the business and handicapping the fights is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at the promotion of the show, how changes in the UFC can affect the major fights, little things in each fight that haven’t beentalked about, fugure for the winners and much more is looked at.

We also look at the New Japan Tokyo Dome show, the New Japan tag team tournament, what’s new with A.J. Styles and his schedule, the controversy over the winners of the tournament and how it played out, New Japan business this past month and going forward, tournament standings and a rundown of the shows this past week.

We also have an update on Sting and his condition coming off the match with Seth Rollins, something to watch for about a very significant WWE employee, WWE increasing security at leve events, WWE putting up lots of new content on the network, why the Stampede tapes were taken down, Alberto Del Rio blames AAA for his not coming back and losnig the title, why the time-line of what he says doesn’t add up, another new franchise movie idea for Dwayne Johnson, a new WWE movie annnounced, Mick Foley’s son with WWE, Sami Zayn’s return, Tommy Dreamer’s schedule, WWE surveys, John Cena media, WWE and ESPN update, NXT taping news, Brock Lesnar schedule news, WWE firing, Del Rio & Colter alliance, as well as notes on all the NXT house shows from the past week as well as all the WWE house shows of the past week and the business from the last week.   

We also look at the life and career of Hack Myers.

We’ve got a look at this year’s Tokyo Sports pro wrestling awards, all the winners, how the balloting went down, as well as a list of every MVP dating back to 1974, and why different people won the awards and the nature of the politicas behid the awards.

We’ve also got a huge “back of the book” feature on Don Fargo, one of the most colorful pro wrestlers in history.  This is an outlandish story that sounds unbelievable, but most of his legacy is true, and we separate what is and isn’t.  We rundown his career, his roles as part of the Stevens Brothers, The Fargos, The Daltons, The Chain Gang and many other characters that he played.  We look at the creation of the first world tag team champions to be recognized in Madison Square Garden, an absolutely amazing tite history, his different aliases and how he changed with each one, crazy stories, bloodbaths, Jackie Fargo, Greg Valentine, Fonzo Fargo, and one of the greatest runs in Memphis wrestling history.

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: December 14, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Biggest weekend in UFC history, tons more

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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 sent to you today. 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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

The schedule for me on audio this week will be shows on Friday night after UFC, Saturday night after UFC, Sunday night after TLC and Monday after Raw.  This is one of the bigger weekends of the year.  You can always send questions for the radio show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com

Paul Levesque announced that on Wednesday, they will not only do a two hour NXT Takeover show but also tape the NXT television show for 12/23.  One of the matches on that show will be a No. 1 contenders four-way tag match with the Vaudevillains, Hype Bros, Blake & Murphy and Jason Jordan & Chad Gable.  On the current tour, the shows in London on Wednesday, as well as Blackpool and Cardiff are sold out.  Sami Zayn works every night of the tour.  The re-debut of Elias Sampson will be on Wednesday on the TV part of the show.

On Impact last night it was announced that both the semifinals (Bobby Lashley vs. Ethan Carter III, Matt Hardy vs. Eric Young) and finals of the world title tournament will be airing on the first show on Pop TV on 1/5.

The Ultimate Fighter final tomorrow was supposed to be Saul Rogers vs. Artem Lobov, both off Conor McGregor’s team.  But Rogers allegedly lied on his visa and was not allowed into the U.S. so Ryan Hall faces Lobov tomorrow night.

Sports Illustrated listed Kevin Owens and Ronda Rousey as among the 100 best twitter follows in sports.  Owens I can see for his wit, but I have no idea why Rousey.  Bill Barnwell, who is one of our readers, also cracked the list.  Georges St-Pierre was listed as No. 10 in best Facebook follows and Dwayne Johnson was listed as No. 4.  His sport was listed as wrestling.

Today is the 40th anniversary of Terry Funk winning the NWA title from Jack Brisco in Miami Beach.  The storyline is that Jack vs. Dory Funk Jr. was advertised because Jack vs. Dory was always a big draw, and they sold out.  Dory was actually in Japan at the time.  So Terry was the replacement.  It was an Eddie Graham storyline with the idea Jack was training for Dory, who had a totally different style, but Terry was training for Jack, and reversed the figure four into an inside cradle for the pin.  They actually showed that match on TV in San Francisco about two weeks later and for the standards of the time, it was an incredible match.  A lot of wrestlers copied the flow and the finish and in Mexico a lot of the superstars copied that figure four reversed into an inside cradle as a finish.

WWE

• John Cena was on with Jimmy Fallon Tuesday night to promote appearing in “Sisters.”  Fallon put over his comedy talent several times.  The only mention of wrestling was that he was taking time off to film American Grit.  He did a comedy skit where he sang “Hello” by Adele joined by someone who was supposed to be John Cena as a child.  The segment didn’t go over well until the kid showed up.
• Give the slow advance for the 12/19 show at the Forum in Los Angeles, WWE sent out a mailer announcing that anyone who buys a ticket gets a free hot dog, or a free popcorn and soda.  They announced three title matches with Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE title, Alberto Del Rio vs. Brock Lesnar for the U.S. title and Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for the IC title.
• Stock closed down 55 cents a share today to close at $16.16,
• A story on Shawn Michaels and his hunting show
• Devon Dudley plugs Raw in Philadelphia and talks about his WWE return 

UFC

• ESPN will be airing the weigh-ins live tomorrow from Las Vegas at 6 p.m. Eastern.  The Fight Network in Canada will also be airing the weigh-nis.
• There has been a ton yesterday and today already on ESPN covering Saturday’s show, so there is a really strong buzz.
• In Canada for tomorrow, the 8-10 p.m. portion of the show airs on The Fight Network and the main card airs on TSN 1 and TSN 5.
• If you are in Las Vegas for the UFC this weekend, go to UFCRegister.com and register for a Fan Access pass.  If you then go to http://www.ufc.om/ufcvegas you can get discounts on monorail tickets, at the ice rink at the Cosmopolitan (free skate rental for the viewing party with Demetrious Johnson, Frank Mir and Kendra Perez for tomorrow night’s Fight Night show), as well as comp admission to the Marquee Night Club at the Cosmopolitan on Friday & Saturday night, and other specials at the Hyde Bellgaio (complimentary admission Friday and Saturday) and a lot more clubs in Las Vegas including Ri Ra at Mandalay Bay, McFadden’s at Town Square and the Foxtail Night Club a SLS Vegas.
• The 12/18 Titan FC show in Kansas City that was scheduled for UFC Fight Pass has been canceled.  The story is that the show was canceled due to health complications related to an expected surgery of CEO Jeff Aronson.
• There is a Fight Pass show from Moscow featuring Bellator heavyweight champion Vitali Minakov vs. Josh Copeland this weekend.
• Holly Holm on ESPN here and here

MISCELLANEOUS

• There is a big indie show on Sunday in Santiago, Chile, which will include Matt Hardy, Savio Vega, MVP, Robbie E, Scotty 2 Hotty, Santana Garrett, Carlito, Shane Helms and Brian Christopher.
• Brennan Ward vs. Ken Hasegawa was announced for the 12/29 Rizin show at the Saitama Super Arena, plus Hinata Watanabe vs. Kazuyuki Miyata in a match where they will alternate rounds of MMA and kickboxing rules. 
• Shine on iPPV at www.wwnlive.com tomorrow night from The Orpheum in Ybor City has a fatal four way with Allysin Kay vs. Jessicka Havok vs. Amber Gallows vs. Taylor Made with the winner facing Santana Garrett for the title later that night, plus a four-team tag team tournament for the titles with first round matches of Solo Darling & Heidi Lovelace vs. Jayme Jameson & Marti Belle and Mia Yim & Leva Bates  (Blue Pants) vs. Malia Hosaka & Brandi Wine.  Leilani Kai also faces Leah Von Dutch. 
• There is a live PBC show on NBC in prime time Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. from San Antonio headlined by Omar Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs) vs. Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs) in a super lightweight fight and Chris Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) vs. Travis Kauffman (30-1, 22 KOs).  
• JR Kratos raising money for a four-year-old to beat leukemia
• The last Premier Wrestling show with a grappling based style in a three-man tournament with JR Kratos, Joe Graves and Timothy Thatcher
• Juggalo Championship Wrestling and ICP have shows on 12/10 in Valpraiso, IN at Big Shots, 12/11 in Sauget, IL at Pop’s, 12/12 in Kokomo, IN at The Stage, 12/13 in Columbus, OH at  The Newport, 12/16 in Glean Jean, WV at the Glen Jean Armory and 12/17 in Cleveland at the Agora Ballroom.  Among those appearing are 2 Tuff Tony, Crazy Mary Dobson, Madman Pondo, Ring Rydas, Kongo Kong and more.  All proceeds g to St. John’s Childrens Hospital.
• Santana Garrett vs. Shaniah Arlyana for the NWA womens’ title and Queen of Stardom title headlines 12/19 in Orlando at the Team Vision Dojo.
• IWA Mid South presents the Ted Petty Invitational on Friday night in Clarksville, IN at the Colgate Gym with first round matches of Chris Hero vs. Timothy Thatcher, Matt Cage vs. Slade Sludge, Kongo Kong vs. Masada, Shane Mercer vs Sugar D, Hy Zaya vs. Jonathan Gresham.
• Absolute Intense Wrestling on 12/18 in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mt Carmel with Scott Hall, Bunkhouse Buck, Amazing Red, Robert Fuller, EC 3 and more.
• Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 1/9 in Columbus, IN.
• Legends of Wrestling on 1/23 at the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Entertainment Dome features appearances by Bill Goldberg, Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Ricky Steamboat, Jim Duggan, Scott Steiner, Jimmy Hart, Koko B. Ware, Luke Williams, Lanny Poffo, Tommy Dreamer, Chavo Guerrero Jr. The Nasty Boys, Greg Valentine, Ken Anderson, and Gangrel.
• MMA World Expo on Saturday night at the Jacob Javits Center in New York features Jon Jones, Anderson Silva and Eddie Alvarez appearing.      
• Scott Bowden talks Tommy Gilbert, Eddie Gilbert Nick Bockwinkel and more
• In today’s Gasoline Alley comic strip, a school class was discussing scrapbooking becoming the fastest growing hobby in the U.S. and one of the characters asked “What about the NFL, WFW and NASCAR?”  The teacher said, “They’re sports, not hobbies.”  The belief was WFW was supposed to be WWE. (thanks to Brian Henke)

Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (12/10): Terry Funk wins the NWA World Title

UFC’s 3 shows in 3 nights!

Tomorrow starts three UFC events in three nights.  Starting with UFC Fight Night 80 which features Paige VanZant vs Rose Namajunas in the main event tomorrow night, UFC’s new golden boy Sage Northcut is also on the card.  Friday night is the finale of TUF 22, with the main event between featherweight contenders Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes.  Then of course, Saturday night features UFC 194 with interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor vs. featherweight champion Jose Aldo for the undisputed title while current middleweight champion Chris Weidman takes on #1 contender Luke Rockhold —  two very competitive title fights headline what is also a very stacked card.  Uriah Faber headlines the FS1 portion of the card against Frankie Saenz.  Gunnar Nelson takes on jiu jitsu master Damien Maia.  Really is a must see card.

NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network is headlined by Finn Bálor & Apollo Crews vs. Samoa Joe & Baron Corbin. This is the go-home show for next week’s NXT TakeOver: London.

UFC Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 2 (not a typo; everything else is on Fox Sports 1 tonight) is the last show before this week’s triple header. Hosts Kenny Florian and Daniel Cormier break down and preview the epic weekend featuring THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE and two title fights at UFC 194. Karyn Bryant and Ariel Helwani provide reports.

UFC Ultimate Insider at 9:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is the show that premiered earlier in the week. Watch Randa Markos’ story of her remarkable journey from war torn Baghdad, Iraq to Montreal, Canada where she now trains under the tutelage of legendary coach Firas Zahabi and UFC icon Georges St-Pierre. Then, ride along with Myles Jury as he returns to his hometown outside Detroit, Michigan for hard hitting memories, while adding fuel to his championship dreams. Next, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is mic’d up at UFC 190, as teammate and top strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha attempts to dispatch Jessica Aguilar and solidify a title shot. Finally, UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman sits down with Jon Anik at his gym in Long Island, New York to discuss future plans and upcoming opponent Luke Rockhold’s pre-fight antics.

UFC Fight Flashback at 9:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is a rerun of Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes II episode to hype this weekend’s main events.

The Ultimate Fighter at 10:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is titled “Here For Myself.”. Moving into the semifinals, one squad’s training session turns a little more intense. Urijah surprises Team USA by bringing in UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo as a guest coach, who shows the fighters some jiu-jitsu. In the final Team McGregor training session, Conor reflects on his experience, being grateful for the opportunity. As the fighters arrive for the fight, Conor is shocked Aldo is in attendance. A few words are exchanged before the focus shifts to the fights. After two exciting semifinals, the final is set, and fighters square off. Then, McGregor and Aldo have their own face-off, ready to do battle in their title fight.

ROH at midnight ET/PT on COMET has a main event of Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. The Young Bucks. Reminder: If you don’t get COMET, ROH puts the TV show up for free on their website on Thursday.

Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly (11/23/15): Lots of Updates in Hulk Hogan-Gawker case
Lots of news including a win for Gawker, the new police report, the remaining mysteries of the case, what Bubba the Love Sponge is saying, and more.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Mick Foley’s talk on WWE creative and a look at all the new moves WWE tried this week on television is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at the changes WWE attempted after a week of record low ratings, as well as the fan questionnaire sent out, what can be learned from it, and why they are asking exactly the wrong people.  

We also look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current WWE business, as well as why the ratings may be important, but other factors are probably more important,when it comes to WWE’s next television deal.  We look at the different potential changes in the landscape look at what aspects of business are and aren’t improving, as well as WWE’s business in the big picture.  

He also update the situation with A.J. Styles, and the New Japan tag team tournament with standings and notes on the tournament matches over the past week.

We also look at the TLC PPV update, more on La Sombra in WWE, questions about all the shoulder injuries, WWE security at live shows, Cena movie release, Brad Maddox firing, Maddox’s WWE history, talents WWE has shown interest in, WWE overseas tour lineup and WWE weekend live event notes and business.

We have a look at the debut of the new Rizin promotion, major announcements for the first weekend of shows, the tournament, just how big Bob Sapp vs Akebono was the first time.

We also have a story on the domestic abuse claims by the girlfriend of Tomoaki Honma, and his response.

We look at the realities of the free agency of Benson Henderson, judging of the key fights, as well as  full rundown of UFC’s debut in South Korea this past week.

We’ve got notes of TNA’s canceled tour of India, notes on the death of Tommy Gilbert and El Bello Greco, along with a feature on Stan Holek, a member of two of the most decorated tag teams of the 50s and 60s, the Lisowski Brothers with Crusher and the Neilson Brothers with Art Neilson.  We look at the unique reason why all of his success was as a tag team wrestler, his biggest rivals, and his 13 runs as world tag team champion. 

We’ve got a feature on the retirement of Act Yasukawa and the sad reason it happened.

We’ve also got the awards ballot for the 2015 awards and information on how well Hell in a Cell did this year on PPV.  

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: December 7, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE attempts to right the ship, New Japan tag league update, more

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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 sent to you today. 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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

WWE

• Sting said on Ric Flair’s newest podcast episode (ep #32) that he needs neck surgery. Key quote (h/t Geno Mrosko at Cageside Seats for the transcription): “Yeah, MRI’s and neurologists have been looking at it, Dr. Maroon out of Pittsburgh, he’s looked at it. He’s telling me that I’ll have to have a surgery. The dust only in the last couple weeks has kind of started to settle a little bit for me, just trying to get so much done in life but now it’s time to go get this thing taken care of. No, I’m hoping [they don’t have to do a fusion surgery]. I know that’s one of the techniques that they use and I’m not sure if Dr. Maroon will have to do that or not. I’ve got two spots in my neck that are troublesome. I guess it’s called cervical spinal stenosis. That’s what it is. I have two areas in my neck where the spinal canal, which holds the spinal cord, it’s kind of choked off in two different locations. Lucky that a catastrophe didn’t happen that night, long story short. I’ve gotta go get it fixed. I guess John Cena had something very similar, he had his fixed, and Dr. Maroon has done several of the WWE guys up there and all with great success.”
• Jimmy Snuka’s trial date was set yesterday for March 22, 2016.  Coincidentally, it’ll start right as the Hulk Hogan/Gawker civil trial ends.

UFC/MMA

• Today’s UFC 194 and TUF Finale press conference.  Conor McGregor is there, it can’t be bad right?
• We also have the weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night
• The White House’s official response to the Nick Diaz petition is every bit as useless as you’d expect. This is the key portion: “The federal government plays no role in the disciplinary actions taken by state athletic commissions, so we are not in a position to address the specific request raised in your petition. State authorities — in this case, the Nevada Athletic Commission — will generally be the best source for information about those kinds of issues.”
• Rizin Fighting Federation announced today that the Bob Sapp-Akebono match on New Year’s Eve will be held under shoot boxing rules (kickboxing with takedowns and standing submissions, but no groundfighting). This release also gives an opponent for King Mo and explains some of the other whacky matches/fight taking place on the Rizin shows.
• On the same day as UFC 194 in Vegas, there will be a World MMA Expo in New York. They are advertising Jon Jones, Anderson Silva and Eddie Alvarez from UFC all appearing at the show. WSOF figurehead Ray Sefo will make an announcement regarding company plans in 2016. WSOF Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion David Branch will host a one hour Q and A and there will be amateur MMA fights held at the end of the expo, which will be held at the Jacob Javits Centre. More information is available at http://mmaworldexpo.com/
• Combate Americos, the new MMA organization featuring Latino fighters, announced today that Rey Misterio will serve as an “ambassador”, seemingly filling the role previously held by Alberto Del Rio. In addition, Konnan will be doing color commentary for their next show, which airs on NBC Universo next Wednesday, December 16th at 11 pm eastern/8 pacific.

Other Wrestling

• Jeff Jarrett talks to Under the Mat Radio.
• Bill Goldberg, in a rare live appearance, leads a cavalcade of Legends and current pro wrestling stars coming to South Florida for a Fan Fest and Live Event on Saturday, January, 23, 2016 at the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming’s Entertainment Dome brought to you by Legends of Wrestling. Joining Goldberg is TNA Wrestling’s Kurt Angle, “Hardcore Legend” Mick Foley, “Big Sexy” Kevin Nash, Ricky Steamboat, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner, “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, Koko B. Ware, Butchwacker Luke, “Leaping” Lanny Poffo, Tommy Dreamer, Chavo Guerrero, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Mr. Anderson, Gagrel, and Legendary tag team, The Nasty Boys with more to be announced. There will be a Meet & Greet Experience at 4pm with an extremely limited amount of tickets available. This is sure to sell out. You will receive a photo AND one signed item of your choice with ALL of the Legends and Stars at this event. At 7:30 the Live Event will begin with 6 matches with appearances by ALL the Legends and Stars of the Event. Tickets start at $35.
• Fire Pro Podcast this week looks at Slamboree 2000, a dull show highlighted by a stupid main event angle here.

We’re looking for reports on Raw tonight from North Charleston, SC with Superstars matches, dark matches and anything else that wouldn’t be evident on the live Raw tonight, as well as reports from the WWE weekend shows in Augusta, Fayetteville and Florence, SC to Dave Meltzer

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio tonight talking Raw, the big weekend upcoming and taking your e-mail questions to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com

Smackdown and Tribute to the Troops will be taped on Tuesday in Jacksonville.

The finals of the New Japan tag team tournament will be late Tuesday/early Wednesday from Sendai at 4:30 a.m. Eastern and 1:30 a.m. Pacific

Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay

Jay White vs. Mascara Dorada

Jushin Liger & Kushida vs. Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi

Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi

Michael Bennett & Matt Taven vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian

Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale & Cody Hall

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata & Michael Elgin vs. Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi

Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil for the 2015 World Tag League tournament final

Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly (11/23/15): Lots of Updates in Hulk Hogan-Gawker case
Lots of news including a win for Gawker, the new police report, the remaining mysteries of the case, what Bubba the Love Sponge is saying, and more.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Mick Foley’s talk on WWE creative and a look at all the new moves WWE tried this week on television is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at the changes WWE attempted after a week of record low ratings, as well as the fan questionnaire sent out, what can be learned from it, and why they are asking exactly the wrong people.  

We also look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current WWE business, as well as why the ratings may be important, but other factors are probably more important,when it comes to WWE’s next television deal.  We look at the different potential changes in the landscape look at what aspects of business are and aren’t improving, as well as WWE’s business in the big picture.  

He also update the situation with A.J. Styles, and the New Japan tag team tournament with standings and notes on the tournament matches over the past week.

We also look at the TLC PPV update, more on La Sombra in WWE, questions about all the shoulder injuries, WWE security at live shows, Cena movie release, Brad Maddox firing, Maddox’s WWE history, talents WWE has shown interest in, WWE overseas tour lineup and WWE weekend live event notes and business.

We have a look at the debut of the new Rizin promotion, major announcements for the first weekend of shows, the tournament, just how big Bob Sapp vs Akebono was the first time.

We also have a story on the domestic abuse claims by the girlfriend of Tomoaki Honma, and his response.

We look at the realities of the free agency of Benson Henderson, judging of the key fights, as well as  full rundown of UFC’s debut in South Korea this past week.

We’ve got notes of TNA’s canceled tour of India, notes on the death of Tommy Gilbert and El Bello Greco, along with a feature on Stan Holek, a member of two of the most decorated tag teams of the 50s and 60s, the Lisowski Brothers with Crusher and the Neilson Brothers with Art Neilson.  We look at the unique reason why all of his success was as a tag team wrestler, his biggest rivals, and his 13 runs as world tag team champion. 

We’ve got a feature on the retirement of Act Yasukawa and the sad reason it happened.

We’ve also got the awards ballot for the 2015 awards and information on how well Hell in a Cell did this year on PPV.  

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: December 7, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE attempts to right the ship, New Japan tag league update, more

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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. 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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

The annual Tokyo Sports pro wrestling awards will be announced late tonight.  Minoru Suzuki and Kazuchika Okada are the favorites for MVP. 

WWE has pulled its Stampede Wrestling footage from the Network today over a rights issue that has to be resolved between Vince McMahon and Bret
Hart, who owns all of his Stampede footage.

Bubba Ray Dudley on Twitter yesterday saying “Just got off the phone with an Extreme Brother.  Do not miss Raw tomorrow night.”

Jimmy Snuka was scheduled in court for a pretrial hearing today in the Nancy Argentino case.  The hearing is in regard to the prosecution turning over evidence to the defense. 

WWE announced the hiring of John Brody as Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Partnerships.  He has performed similar positions with the NFL, Major League Baseball and the Boston Celtics.  He will work directly under Michelle Wilson, the Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer as a new member of the senior management team.  

Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal released its 50 most influential people in sports in 2015 list.  No Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta or Vince McMahon in the top 50.  White & Fertitta have been on the list in years past.  Eric Shanks of Fox Sports was No. 10.  Bob Bowman of Major League Baseball, who was formerly on the WWE Board of Directors before resigning, was No. 24.  Al Haymon, the boxing promoter, was the only combat sports person on the list at No. 46.

WWE

• Even though Tommy Dreamer is getting a main roster run right now, he is a free agent and will be still doing his indie shows. 
• The WWE’s Owen Hart documentary will be released tomorrow.
• An interview with Big E
• Expect some Happy Birthday Dean stuff on Raw since Ambrose turns 30 today.

UFC/MMA

• Ronda Rousey will be on the cover of this week’s ESPN Magazine with her first interview since her loss.  Rousey noted it could be three to six months before she can eat an apple or take an impact due to loose teeth from the knockout.   Preview provided by People.
• The Wall Street Journal talks to Conor McGregor
• More Conor McGregor
• Here is some of the schedule for the week in Las Vegas (all times listed are Pacific time)
  Tomorrow at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. open workouts at the MGM Grand Casino floor with Rose Namajunas, Paige VanZant, Jim Miller, Michael Chiesa, Sage Northcutt and Cody Pfister free and open to the public
  Wednesday from 1-2:30 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena press conference with Dana White, Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes.  Free and open to the public. 
  Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena:  Fight Night weigh-ins.  Free and open to the public.
  Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. open workouts at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold free and open to the public.
  Thursday at 2 p.m. weigh-ins for the Friday night show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena free and open to the public
  Thursday Fight Night starting at 3:45 p.m. at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan. 
  Friday weigh-ins for the PPV at 3 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena free and open to the public.
  Friday Fight Night starting at 4:30 p.m. at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan.
  Saturday UFC 194 first bout at 3:30 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
• An announcement was made today of a UFC Gym opening in Dubai in early 2016.

MISCELLANEOUS

Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (12/07): Williams & Gordy win All Japan Tag Team Titles

• Northeast Wrestling is looking for a play-by-play announcer.  They must have experience and live in the Northeast.  Anyone interested send resumes and samples to newwrestling@yahoo.com
• The movie “Spectre” in week five was in fifth place with $5.52 million gross in the U.S. and it was No. 2 in Australia this week (thanks to James Stanios)
• Pro Wrestling Chaos from Saturday in Yate, Bristol, UK:  Mark Andrews b Morgan Webster (good match), Jeckal b Tommaso Ciampa, Martina Kirby (Martin Kirby in drag) b Jinny-COR, Doomsday Killers b Gideon & Rhino & Mikey Whiplash (Rhino lost the fall which surprised everyone), Masked Mystery Man (Jeckal) won the Rumble, Wild Boar b Mike Bird in a 30:00 Iron man match to win the King of Chaos title.  The Masked Man attacked Boar and unmasked as Jeckal.  Next show in February with Grado. (thanks to James Witcombe)
• Legacy Fighting Championships on 2/5 in Hinckley, MN at the Grand Casino Hinckley with Ricardo Ramos (8-0) vs. Augusto Mendes (5-0) for the bantamweight title that was vacated when Thomas Almeida went to UFC, plus Bock Larson (39-10) vs. Travis Coyle (14-8).  The show will air live on AXS.
• Resurrection Fighting Alliance on AXS on 1/15 from the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield CO with Bojan Velickovic (12-3) vs. Benjamin Smith (15-3) for the welterweight title as the main event.
• Pro Wrestling Championship Series from Sunday in Alton, IL:  Christian Rose b Paco Gonzalez, Alexandre Rudolph & Jake Parnell b Jay Howard & Roy Lewis, Pierre Abernathy b Kikutaro, Colt Cabana b Jeremy Wyatt, Mike Outlaw b Danny Adams, Makaze b Greg Jovi, Gerald James b Zakk Sawyers 2/3 falls, Grado b Everett Connors, Steven Kennedy & Jake Dirden & Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett b KC Karrington & Adam Caster & Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy in an elimination match (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
• Maryland Championship Wrestling from Friday night in Felton, DE:  Funky White Boy & Fed Up (with Mick Foley) b Sonny deeds & Hotlanta Hustals, Oakley Woods b Andrew Steele, Paul Jordane b Fenix Fury, Hell Cats b The Ecktourage via COR so Ecktourage retains MCW tag titles, Ken Dixon b Brandon Scott, Travis Banks b Joe Kerr-COR, Headbangers b Drake Carter & Shaun Cannon, Kimber Lee b Renee Michelle to keep women’s title, Brandon Scott & The Bruiser & Lio Rush b Ken Dixon & Joe Keys & Rob Locke.  Next show is 12/26 in Joppa, MD at the MCW Arena with Chyna, Ethan Carter III and Ashely Massaro.
• Zero One announced today a show in Yangon, Myanmar on 2/13 at the National Stadium as the first wrestling show in that country.  Press from Myanmar were covering the announcement.  They announced 20 wrestlers from six countries appearing.
• Grand Slam Wrestling tonight in Moosic, PA at the Moosic Youth Center.  Yusuke Kodama from Japan is on the show.
• Crossfire Wrestling from 12/5 in St. Catherines, ONT:  Rochester Wrecking Crew b Italianos, Justin Sane b Tyler Tirva, Kaitlin Diemond b Jewells Malone, Jaxon Jarvis b Chris Laplante, Cody Deaner won three-way over Eric Young and Kongo Kong (thanks to Steven Ashe)
• Deathproof Fight Club from yesterday in Etobicoke, ONT:  Matt Cash b Taylor Kay-Deen, Maybach Beta b Tarik-COR, Steve Brown b Space Monkey, Danny Orlando & Hardcore Hick b Vaughn Vertigo & Gabriel Fuerza, Smiley b Eddie Sappalucci & Mattick in a three-way, Aiden Rayne & Rob Rage b Shane Sabre & John Greed, Balls Mahoney b Shaunymo in a flaming tables match (thanks to Chris DeCarvalho)
• Destiny World Wrestling from yesterday in Mississauga, ONT:  Stone Rockwell won three-way over Phil Atlas and Pepper Parks (Eric Young attacked Rockwell after the match), Dalton Castle b Psycho Mike Rollins, Kongo Kong b Randy Reign, Jersey Boys b The Fraternity, RJ City b Ken Anderson, Alexia Nicole b Jennifer Blake-DQ, Ricochet won four-way over Ethan Page, Tyler Tirva and Scotty O’Shea.   Moose, Michael Elgin and Mick Foley will be working the next show in January.

Want to again praise some good work in the wrestling community in recent weeks:

The holiday season is here…and independent wrestling helps the public for the holidays with a wide variety of charity events. 

Here’s all the good work that has happened so far: 

* 3XWrestling presented Holiday Havoc 6 on December 4th, and the 3XW annual Toys for Tots Drive. 

* Pure Wrestling Association returned to Guelph, ON on December 4 and Kitchener, ON on December 5 for “Spirit of the Season” collecting scores of new, unwrapped toys and Guelph, ON on December 6 collecting many canned foods items. 

* 2300 (ECW) Arena presented the first of their Toys for Tots collection on December 5 at the CHIKARA Pro Wrestling season finale at the 2300 (ECW) Arena with an overflowing box of toys as well as cash donations for Toys for Tots, and food donations to Philabundance being collected. 

* Charity Wrestling Show comes to Kingston Gospel Temple, Kingston, ON, Canada on December 5 with a 7:00 pm belltime. with proceeds will go to Hands of Hope, a charity that provides groceries over the holiday season to families in need. 

* ECWA Pro Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots show on December 5 at the Woodbury Heights Community Center, Woodbury, NJ with six boxes of Toys for Tots collected. 

* Right Coast Pro returned to Newark, DE on December 5 and collected 2 shopping carts of canned and nonperishable goods for the “Feed the Need Ministry” in Newark, DE and $500 for the Josh Jones Fund. 

* New England Championship Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots collection/meet and greet at West Real Estate in Wilmington, MA on December 5, collecting nearly 100 toys. 

* The originator of Toys for Toys events in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region, United Wrestling Coalition, did it again on December 5 at Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ with 300-350 toys plus 10 bikes. 

* WAR Wrestling returns to Lima, OH on December 5 for United or Divided in a fundraiser for the Veterans Food Pantry. raised over $600 in cash and a whole SUV full of food. 

* Crossfire Wrestling presented Jingle Bell Brawl IV on December 5 at The Merritton Community St. Catharine’s, ON, and raised $500 for The Niagara Children’s Centre Foundation. 

* New Era Wrestling returned to Golden, CO on December 5, collecting dozens of toys at their Toys for Tots collection. 

* Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling returns to Warren, MI on December 6 for Hardcore With A Heart at The Ritz, collecting hundreds of cans of food for the homeless of metro Detroit. 

Here are the events still scheduled: 

* Grumpy’s Bail Bonds Operation Christmas sponsors a show in Portland, TN at the Richland Park Gym on December 11 with Ricky Morton, Bill Dundee, and TNA’s Crimson. 

* Texas Wrestling Association returns to the Texas Wolverine All-Star Gym, San Antonio, TX on December 11 for Gold Envy, part of the annual Toy Drive for Mujeres Unidas benefit Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. 

* Pro Wrestling All Stars proudly presents “Christmas Classic” LIVE Friday night December 11th from The Play Atlantis in Melvindale, Michigan. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 730pm. Tickets are Only $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 & under. Bring in a New / unopened toy donation for “Toys 4 Tots” and receive a FREE TICKET to our January 1 show. 

In your Double Main, PWAS CruiserCore Champion, El Mano del Diablo puts the PWAS CruiserCore Championship on the line as he battles, Hardcore wrestling legend and former PWAS CruiserCore champion, The Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal, Sabu. In tag team action, the odd couple of The Mysterious Movado and his tag team partner, “The Oldtimer” Jeff King make their first title defense against “The State of Corruption’s” Frank Issac Anderson aka F.I.A and his partner & current PWAS Heavyweight Champion, ” Officer” Rod Street. In a #1 Contender Challenge, “Inmate” Jack Thriller takes on Johnny Guh with the winner getting a future PWAS Heavyweight Championship match. 

* Brew City Wrestling will run its annual Headlock for Hunger on December 11 at the Knight of Columbus Hall in West Allis, WI. The show features a food drive for the Hunger Task Force of Greater Milwaukee. Fans are asked to bring two non-perishable food items. 

* Chaotic Wrestling will do its second Toys for Tots show of the year on December 11th at the Woburn, MA at the Elks Lodge, 295 Washington St, Woburn, MA.

* Join Game Changer Wrestling in Howell, NJ on December 12. On that night we will be giving back! Not only via our Toys for Tots fundraiser, but to a pioneer of our industry, as we honor “Reckless Youth” Tom Carter for his contributions to the sport of Pro Wrestling. Not only that, but #WWE Hall of Famer George “The Animal” Steele and the lovely Terri Runnels will be in the house. For this special celebration to kick off the holiday season with Santa and his elves, get your tickets, NOW by calling the GCW Ticket line at 201-257- 8621. 

* Chaotic Wrestling is joining forces once again with The United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program on December 12. In Lowell, MA, we will be collecting NEW, UNWRAPPED TOYS to help provide a happier holiday for families in need. 

* All Star Wrestling presents Bodyslams For Toys on December 12 at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050 176 St, Surrey, BC, Canada. Bring a new unwrapped toy with at least a $10 value and get in FREE. 

* Combat Zone Wrestling presents its annual Toys for Tots collection (in conjunction with the Marine Corps Reserve) to take place for the eleventh year in a row with Combat Zone Wrestling’s 17th annual Cage of Death on December 12 at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ. Cage of Death is part of an all day CZW event. Featured is the annual Cage of Death match, and the CZW return of Sami Callihan 

The afternoon features a Combat Zone Wrestling DOJO WARS afternoon student show, with an admission of $5 or one new, unwrapped toy. Toys for Tots will be collected all day. 

* GALLI Lucha Libre presents its annual GALLI Toy Drive Navidad event in Villa Park, IL on December 13. 

* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s Final Battle PPV on December 18 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 18 with an 8:30 pm belltime. 

* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s TV taping on December 19 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 18 with an 6:00 pm belltime. 

* SCW Entertainment returns to the Coronaca Fire Department in Coronaca, PA for the 5th annual Toys for Tots event on December 19. Featured matches: Anderson Strong (c) vs. Dean Richards in a SCW Heavyweight Championship/30 Minute Iron Man Match, TJ Boss vs. Ben Wright in a Cage Match/Loser Leaves SCW/Winner is # 1 Contender to the SCW Heavyweight Title, and Kat Daddy (c) vs. Karl Hager for the SCW Internet Championship 

* Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling will hold Wrestling With Hunger in at the Elks Hall #49 ,2272 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam, BC on December 19 (8:00 pm belltime/ 7:30 doors open) to support Share Family Services Food Bank. All seats ONLY $16 

* Wrestling for a Cause will run The Fight for Haylie on December 12 in Pryor, OK (7:00 pm belltime) . 100% of the show’s proceeds go to the family of a child with cancer. 

* Keystone Championship Wrestling will hold its yearly Toys for Tots show, tentatively scheduled for December 19. 

* Supreme Pro Wrestling returns to Sacramento’s SPW Arena on Sunday, December 20, with Brian Tannen defending the SPW Heavyweight Title against Scoot Robertson — The Beautiful People defending the SPW Tag Team Titles against the Honor Society — Michael Hayashi defends the SPW Xtreme Title against Airon Skye — and Joe DeSoul in a grudge match against Ring Announcer Ethan White. Fans donating an unwrapped toy will get half-price admission in our annual Toys For Kids promotion! 

* Premiere Wrestling Xperience is offering an opportunity for spectators to bring a new unwrapped toy to the Hickory National Guard Armory, 1251 8th St NE in Hickory, NC on December 19. Spectators who bring a new unwrapped toy (with a suggested minimum value of just $10) can attend their 
event for only $10 and any child, aged 12 and under, who also brings an unwrapped toy will be FREE in rows 3-8. 

* Great Canadian Wrestling presents Season’s Beatings ’15 on December 27 at Harmony Creek Community Hall, 15 Harmony Rd. N, Oshawa Ontario. This is the annual Christmas show for local food bank. Fans are asked to bring donations for Harmony Creek food bank. No matches yet announced. 

Between all of these over the years, thousands of children have been able to have a Christmas or Hanukkah. Please help your local independent promotion do the same, or encourage them to schedule an event soon for the Holidays if they haven’t already. If you’re a promoter, PLEASE email me and let me know of your holiday charity themed plans (fund- raisers/collections for clothes, food pantries, Toys for Toys, etc.) at wrestling or MMA events to bobmagee1@hotmail.com.