Category: Daily Updates

TV rundown for tonight:

No UFC programming on Fox Sports 1 due to the MLB Playoffs.

NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network has a battle royal to determine the number one contender to Finn Balor’s NXT Championship.

Impact Wrestling at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America returns with more of the TNA World Title Series.

ROH at 11:00 p.m. ET on Destination America has ACH vs. Matt Sydal match four of their best of five series, Silas Young & Beer City Bruiser vs. The Boys, and Jay Lethal vs. Watanabe for the ROH Television Championship

Evolve will have two shows this weekend on via WWN Live. Sami Zayn will be appearing on both shows live, but won’t be on either iPPV.

Evolve 49 – Saturday at 7 pm EST

• I Quit Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Ethan Page (if Gargano loses, he must leave WWN)
• Timothy Thatcher and TJ Perkins vs. Trent Baretta and Rocky Romero
• Drew Gulak vs. Trevor Lee (Winner gets Evolve title shot the next night)
• Anthony Nese vs. Andrew Everett vs. Matt Cage vs. Peter Kassa
• Tracy Williams vs. Willie Mack
• Matt Riddle vs. Jonathan Gresham

Evolve 50- Sunday at 8 pm EST

• Evolve Championship: Timothy Thatcher vs. Winner between Drew Gulak and Trevor Lee
• Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero vs. Anthony Nese and Caleb Konley
• Willie Mack vs. Gulak/Lee loser
• TJ Perkins vs. Tracy Williams
• Matt Riddle vs. Chris Dickinson
• Andrew Everett vs. Peter Kassa
• Ethan Page vs. Matt Cage

****

Figure Four Weekly:

The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring details on all facets of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, including a better understanding of Gawker’s defense, what else the judge has sealed to protect Hogan, and more. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news.

****

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

An update on the status of Daniel Bryan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is on the site right now and also can be subscribed to for home delivery.  We update his situation and how the decision on his future will be made shortly.  We also look at Daniel Cormier and the light heavyweight division and what the business notes say, the WWE’s Madison Square Garden event with Brock Lesnar, TNA’s Bound for Glory and world title tournament, Conor McGregor predicts the future once again, a pro wrestler is in the Japanese cabinet as well as our monthly look at the WWE and TNA’s business indicators. 

We look at what Daniel Bryan said this past week regarding his future and how the decision will be made for him soon, and what he’d like to do if he wasn’t working for WWE.

We look at Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson and the shadow over the light heavyweight division, the news coming out of UFC 192, and full coverage of the event with business notes, early PPV indicators and poll results.

We look at the WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden, Brock Lesnar’s return, how the show was promoted, Chris Jericho’s 25th anniversary as a pro wrestler and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: October 12, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Daniel Bryan’s pro wrestling future, UFC 192, WWE at MSG

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

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

Rates are:

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

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

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Wednesday Daily Update

• Variety reported late last night that WWE Studios has signed Josh Gad and writing partner Ryan Dixon to do the screenplay for a Gorgeous George biopic. They had optioned John Capouya’s excellent George biography right after his Hall of Fame induction in 2010, but it morphed into a documentary before being shelved.
• With opponent Stipe Miocic injured, Ben Rothwell has officially been pulled from next week’s UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Duffy card in Dublin. Norman Parke vs. Reza Madadi has been bumped up to the semi-main event slot.
• 2K Sports sent out the official trailer for the WWE 2K16 creation suite. The game comes out on October 27th and is available for pre-order now.
• Hulk Hogan appeared on BBC Radio 5’s Sarah and Dan’s Extra Edition to push his latest UK speaking gig. Most of the interview ended up dealing with his racist comments, and this time he didn’t blame a childhood where the N-word was a term of endearment.
• WrestlingDVDNetwork posted a vague report that the upcoming Owen: Hart of Gold DVD and Blu-Ray sets may be changed in some form. The project was done entirely without approval or involvement from Owen’s widow Martha, who sued WWE in the past to try to stop them from ever using his image again. Those counts were all thrown out (she settled with WWE on the issue of unpaid royalties), but she’s made it clear that her position is that this is something she doesn’t want WWE doing.
• GFW Las Vegas TV taping lineup for 10/23: NEX*GEN Championship Finals: PJ Black vs. Virgil Flynn vs. Jigsaw vs. TJP, NEX*GEN Contenders match: Sonjay Dutt vs. Seiya Sanada, Bestia 666 vs. Cielo Escorpian, Women’s Championship Final: Christina Von Eerie vs. Amber Gallows, Tag Team Championship semifinal: Reno Scum vs. Teaze N Sleaze, Tag Team Championship semifinal: Bollywood Boyz vs. Whirlwind Gentlemen, Global Championship contenders match: Brian Myers vs. Kongo Kong (w/ Henry Maxwell) vs. Kevin Kross, plus new GFW Global Champion will be crowned. Also appearing: Jeff Jarrett, Karen Jarrett, Nick Aldis, Bobby Roode, Chael Sonnen, Chris Mordetzky and The Masked Saint.
• World Series of Fighting announced WSOF 26 for Friday, December 18th in Las Vegas featuring 145-pound champion Lance Palmer against the winner of Alexandre Almeida vs. Saul Almeida at WSOF 24, and Tyrone Spong vs. the dreaded TBD. However, the image WSOF had in their email featured Jake Heun as Spong’s opponent, so there’s some quality control issues going on there.
• Just this week, Spong had, for at least the second time in recent months, offered to take a UFC fight as a late replacement (vs. Ben Rothwell) in spite of being under contract to WSOF.
• Speaking of Rothwell, the UFC will not book a replacement against him for the impending UFC Ireland Fight Pass show. Assume that Rothwell vs. the injured Stipe Miocic will be rescheduled as the next fight for both men.
• The post-Royal Rumble RAW will be at Miami’s American Airlines Arena for the first time in two years on January 25th. Presale started Wednesday with the password GOHEAT
• The code for the presale for tickets to the December 21st Raw at the Target Center in Minneapolis is RAWMINNY.
• Tickets for WWE’s December 27th house show in Chicago (WWE always does major market house shows Christmas week) have a pre-sale starting tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. local time (public on-sale Saturday) with the password WWECHI
• Here’s a video of Trina Michaels cutting a long promo on the AWS promotion.
• Robbie E is still desperately trying to get headlines for TNA in calling out New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Here’s Robbie’s appearance on the Chad Dukes Show this week.
• Here’s a local feature on SiriusXM Busted Open’s co-host Dave LaGreca.
• With no UFC or Bellator this coming weekend, here are some of the top regional shows upcoming and how you can view them:

Legacy FC 47 on AXS TV on Friday at 10 p.m. eastern has former UFC fighter Clay Harvison in the main event against TUF 15 competitor Jordan Rinaldi in the main event. Nothing much else of note on that undercard

Rumble on the Ridge 33 is available online for $9.95 on Friday night at 8 pm Pacific, 11 eastern, and features six fights, with the most notable fighter being former Bellator Heavyweight and regional veteran Tony Lopez in the main event against Jared Torgeson

Battlefield Fight League 39 airs on Saturday at 8 pm eastern on The Fight Network. No notables names on this card and the main event features Welterweights Dejan Kajic against Curtis Harriott

The biggest show of the weekend is WSOF 24 featuring former UFC Fighters Jon Fitch and Yushin Okami in the main event. The show airs on NBC Sports Network at 9 pm eastern on Saturday. The Fitch-Okami winner will face Jake Shields for the group’s welterweight title early next year. The title is currently vacant after WSOF stripped former champion Rousimar Palhares of the belt last month. Other notable fights on the card: Blagoi Ivanov vs Derrick Mehman for the WSOF Heavyweight title, Vinny Magalhaes vs UFC vet Matt Hamill and Nick Newell vs Tommy Marcellino. Newell is the fighter who was born with one arm that fought Justin Gaethje for the WSOF lightweight title last July.

The prelims of the WSOF show are available online for free starting at about 7 pm eastern. The biggest names on that portion of the show are former UFC fighters Pat Walsh and Colton Smith as well as former Featherweight title challenger Rick Glenn.

Smackdown, along with Main Event, will be taping tonight in Cincinnati, with Roman Reigns and Randy Orton advertised as the headliners. Results from tonight’s show can be sent to Dave Meltzer

We’re also looking for reports from the Saudi Arabia WWE shows over the weekend, as well as NXT from Saturday night in Winter Haven, Florida. You can send those results via the email above.

Evolve will have two shows this weekend on via WWN Live. Sami Zayn will be appearing on both shows live, but won’t be on either iPPV.

Evolve 49 – Saturday at 7 pm EST

• I Quit Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Ethan Page (if Gargano loses, he must leave WWN)
• Timothy Thatcher and TJ Perkins vs. Trent Baretta and Rocky Romero
• Drew Gulak vs. Trevor Lee (Winner gets Evolve title shot the next night)
• Anthony Nese vs. Andrew Everett vs. Matt Cage vs. Peter Kassa
• Tracy Williams vs. Willie Mack
• Matt Riddle vs. Jonathan Gresham

Evolve 50- Sunday at 8 pm EST

• Evolve Championship: Timothy Thatcher vs. Winner between Drew Gulak and Trevor Lee
• Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero vs. Anthony Nese and Caleb Konley
• Willie Mack vs. Gulak/Lee loser
• TJ Perkins vs. Tracy Williams
• Matt Riddle vs. Chris Dickinson
• Andrew Everett vs. Peter Kassa
• Ethan Page vs. Matt Cage

****

Figure Four Weekly:

The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring details on all facets of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, including a better understanding of Gawker’s defense, what else the judge has sealed to protect Hogan, and more. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news.

****

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

An update on the status of Daniel Bryan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is on the site right now and also can be subscribed to for home delivery.  We update his situation and how the decision on his future will be made shortly.  We also look at Daniel Cormier and the light heavyweight division and what the business notes say, the WWE’s Madison Square Garden event with Brock Lesnar, TNA’s Bound for Glory and world title tournament, Conor McGregor predicts the future once again, a pro wrestler is in the Japanese cabinet as well as our monthly look at the WWE and TNA’s business indicators. 

We look at what Daniel Bryan said this past week regarding his future and how the decision will be made for him soon, and what he’d like to do if he wasn’t working for WWE.

We look at Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson and the shadow over the light heavyweight division, the news coming out of UFC 192, and full coverage of the event with business notes, early PPV indicators and poll results.

We look at the WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden, Brock Lesnar’s return, how the show was promoted, Chris Jericho’s 25th anniversary as a pro wrestler and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: October 12, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Daniel Bryan’s pro wrestling future, UFC 192, WWE at MSG

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

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

Rates are:

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

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

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Tuesday Daily Update

• From the front page:

Alberto El Patron and his brother off German shows due to a transportation dispute

You’re doing youself a disservice if you haven’t seen the Great Khali’s commercial for a cement company yet

Notes on the WWE/ESPN announcement

NJPW PPV announcement

Today in history

• Travis Browne, on the MMA Hour Monday afternoon, confirmed the rumours that he and Ronda Rousey are a couple. “She’s my woman and I’m her man. There’s no boyfriend, girlfriend stuff. There’s no dating. We’re together.”
• Stipe Miocic is out of his UFC Ireland co-main event fight against Ben Rothwell due to an unnamed injury. UFC’s Dave Sholler confirmed the news, and said they are looking for a replacement. The Fight Pass only event — headlined by Joe Duffy vs. Dustin Poirier — takes place a week from this Saturday, so that’s super short notice. Matt Mitrione has publicly offered to step in.
• New Day appeared on Good Morning Cincinnati this morning to promote tonight’s SmackDown taping and it’s less wacky than what you’d hope for from new Day on a local morning show. Still worth a look, though.
• Titus O’Neil (technically “Thaddeus Bullard, also known as WWE® Superstar Titus O’Neil”) will be the keynote speaker for the 30th annual Muster and Music Festival Weekend hosted by the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. The full press release can be read at Community.WWE.com.
• After Sage Northcutt appeared on MMAJunkie radio on Monday, UFC Lightweight Kevin Lee called into the show to essentially call him out. There’s going to be a lot of that in the next few months as any fight with Northcutt is going to have a lot of attention.
• A knee injury has forced former featherweight champion Pat Curran out of his “Bellator 145: Vengeance” against Justin “The American Kid” Lawrence (8-2) in Saint Louis on November 6, so Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez (11-2) will be his short notice replacement.
• The Hornswoggle video that showed him tripping during Brian Myers’ wedding was planned.
• WrestleMania 32 travel packages are now available from WWE.
• The presale code (presale going on now through Friday) for the December 23rd Raw at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY is BKRAW.
• Tickets for the December 19th UFC on Fox (Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone for the lightwight title)  in Orlando go on sale this Frida at 10 a.m. ET. UFC Fight Club® members can buy tickets Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET at www.ufcfightclub.com. UFC newsletter subscribers will get a resale code they can use on Thursday starting at 10 a.m. ET.
• GFW Amped returns to Las Vegas on October 23rd for another TV taping with tickets available now. You can also check out the GFW Amped sizzle reel on YouTube.
• In terms of retro updates on the WWE Network, over the last week they have been adding episodes from Raw (June-August) and Smackdown (November and December) from 2002.
• WWE released Sting: Into the Light on Blu-Ray and DVD today. It includes a documentary about his life and career (you can see the intro on YouTube) and a wide array of matches including from the UWF. As far as stuff on on WWE Network, the highlights are probably the “Submit or Surrender” match vs. Cactus Jack from WCW Power Hour in 1991 and a 1995 match vs. Steve Austin from WCW Saturday Night, both of which are excellent.
• Duke Keomuka vs. Ricki Starr is the latest match added for NWAClassics.com subscribers. Also, today is the 37th anniversary of the Houston Summit supercard headlined by Harley Race vs. Andre The Giant, much of which (including the main event) is available on NWA Classics.
• On the latest Between the Sheets podcast, Kris Zellner and David Bixenspan cover October 6-12, 1997, including  the death of Brian Pillman and how badly it was handled by the WWF, the beginning of DeGeneration X, Jim Cornette = angry man, all kinds of Japan goodness such as the debut of PRIDE, Paul Heyman correcting Wade Keller, and the sheer madness of an Eric Bischoff chat on Prodigy.

Indy Results

• Metro Pro Wrestling (10/10 – Turner Rec Center, Kansas City, KS)

Redwing defeated “Yoga Monster” Mike Sydal via pinfall to become the new Kansas Champion; James E. Cornette announced that he and President Michael Strider would sit ringside during the Metro Pro Championship match between Metro Pro Champ Jeremy Wyatt and Central States Champ Ace Steel; “Vintage” Kraig Keesaman defeated Tyler Cook via pinfall with help from Iceman; “The Fittest Wrestler on Earth” Mark Sterling defeated the Math Magician via pinfall; “Dirdey” Jake Dirden defeated Mike Outlaw via pinfall; ACH defeated Jon Webb via pinfall; Davey Vega & The Commission defeated The King Brothers & The American Bulldogs via pinfall; Jeremy Wyatt retained his Metro Pro Championship via pinfall against Ace Steel after Jim Cornette waffled both Steel and President Strider with his tennis racket. After the match, it was announced that Jeremy Wyatt will put his Metro Pro Championship on the line against Mark Sterling on 12/5 in an Iron Man Match.

We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s New Japan King of Pro Wrestling show and Wednesday night’s NXT show.  We’re looking for your thoughts on both shows with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer

We’re also looking for live reports from Raw in Chicago with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident on the live show to Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for reports on all three WWE shows in Saudi Arabia and NXT from Saturday  night in Winter Haven, FL.

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped in Cincinnati on Tuesday.  No John Cena on the show, so Roman Reigns and Randy Orton are the advertised headliners.

****

Figure Four Weekly:

The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring details on all facets of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, including a better understanding of Gawker’s defense, what else the judge has sealed to protect Hogan, and more. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news.

****

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

An update on the status of Daniel Bryan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is on the site right now and also can be subscribed to for home delivery.  We update his situation and how the decision on his future will be made shortly.  We also look at Daniel Cormier and the light heavyweight division and what the business notes say, the WWE’s Madison Square Garden event with Brock Lesnar, TNA’s Bound for Glory and world title tournament, Conor McGregor predicts the future once again, a pro wrestler is in the Japanese cabinet as well as our monthly look at the WWE and TNA’s business indicators. 

We look at what Daniel Bryan said this past week regarding his future and how the decision will be made for him soon, and what he’d like to do if he wasn’t working for WWE.

We look at Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson and the shadow over the light heavyweight division, the news coming out of UFC 192, and full coverage of the event with business notes, early PPV indicators and poll results.

We look at the WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden, Brock Lesnar’s return, how the show was promoted, Chris Jericho’s 25th anniversary as a pro wrestler and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: October 12, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Daniel Bryan’s pro wrestling future, UFC 192, WWE at MSG

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

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

Rates are:

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

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

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Monday Daily Update

• Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio covering Raw, King of Pro Wrestling and the latest MMA and pro wrestling news.  You can send in a question for tonight’s show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
• A really sad story, the daughter of Bill DeMott, 20-year-old Keri DeMott, was killed in a head-on car accident in Orlando at about 12:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.  We send our sympathies to the DeMott family.
• Not sure what this means, but Jonathan Coachman tweeted “You have been asking for years and we are about to take another step.  So excited.  48 Hours.”  The hint is “WWE joins us,” to it sounds like a new WWE tie-up with ESPN, which has been talked about for some time, with all the coverage this year of WrestleMania and SummerSlam. 
• Nothing really advertised for Raw tonight, but it’ll be tough because not only is there a Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Diego Chargers Monday night game, but the National League baseball playoffs have Game three of the New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers series which is the top two markets in the country.
• To the surprise of nobody, Myzteziz did no-show Saturday night’s card in Veracruz.  The fans were told at the start of the show that he wouldn’t be there.
• Jeff Jarrett’s GFW is pushing that all four championships, the Global title, GFW tag titles, GFW women’s title and GFW NEX GEN titles will be crowned at the 10/23 tapings in Las Vegas at The Orleans Arena.  
• King Barrett, who is currently in a three-way program with Stardust and Neville on WWE undercards after his King of the Ring win went nowhere, has expressed interest in moving to the tag team division. In particular, Barrett said he’d like to form a team with Neville.
• Latest episode of Fire Pro Podcast takes a look at the Playstation and Nintendo 64 era of video games, including WWE No Mercy
• R-Truth opens for the Insane Clown Posse
• El Santo to return to the big screen with five new films
• Sage Northcutt, the much publicized UFC newcomer, is headed to TriStar gym in Montreal from Texas.
• The “Sting”  Into the Light” DVD and Blu Ray will be released tomorrow.  I’ve heard it’s already available in Canada.  It features a documentary that he’s a big part of, plus matches starting with his debut in Memphis with the future Ultimate Warrior and in Mid South, as well as WCW, his debut in WWE and Mania match with HHH.
• WWE stock has continued to rise, closing today at $19.94 per share, based on expectations of a good network number announcement at the end of the month.
• Premier Wrestling on 11/28 in Gilroy, CA at the IFDES Lodge Portuguese Hall with a round-robin three-way tournament with Jeff Cobb (6-3-1) vs. Timothy Thatcher (4-2-1) vs. Joe Graves (2-1-1).  JR Kratos (9-2), the champion, faces Marcus Lewis (5-4) and there will be a women’s tournament with Nicole Savoy (3-1), Kahmora (1-1), Raze (0-2) and Kikyo Nakamura (0-1).  Tickets are available at www.premierwrestle.com and save $5 in advance.
• USWA on Saturday night in Jacksonville at the Maxwell Snyder Armory (the same building NXT runs) headlined by Dagon Biggs vs Martin Stone, plus Tim Zbyszko and Aaron Solow.
• Superstars of Wrestling Fan Fest on 10/24 in Rome, GA featuring 40 wrestlers including DDP, Ron Simmons, Paul Orndorff, Scott Hall, Tommy Dreamer, Shane Douglas, Stevie Richards, Nikita Koloff, Sabu, Bobby Eaton, Gunner, Carlito, Marty Jannetty, Teddy Long, Shane Helms, Lord Humongous and Glacier.  There will also be a wrestling show that night.
• Future Stars of Wrestling on Friday night at the Silverton Casino in Las Vegas headlined by Kevin Kross vs. Hammerstone, plus T.J. Perkins (Manik in TNA) vs. Willie Mack, Eli Drake, Kenny King, Reno Scum and Martin Causus from Lucha Underground.
• Border City Wrestling on Saturday night in Windsor, ONT at St. Clair College features, Shane Helms, Lisa Varon (Tara/Victoria), Sonjay Dutt, Seiya Sanada, Bobby Roode, PJ Black, Moose, Johnny Swinger, a gauntlet match and the beginning of a tag team tournament.
• Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 11/18 in Oshawa, ONT at the Legion Br. 43 with Xandra Bale vs. Jewels Malone in a falls count anywhere match.
• Outlaw Wrestling on Sunday in Centralia, IL:  Frank Wyatt & Jake Parnell b Dusty LeVey & Slade Sludge, Manimal b Weylin the Mangler, J.J. Garrett won six-way over Mike Outlaw, Stephen Wolf, Farmer Billy Hills, Justin D’Air and Nick Doepp, Bo Gott & Duke Cornell b Danny Adams & Austin Blackburn, Matt Cage b Paco Gonzalez, Chris Mac b Alexandre Rudolph, Bull Bronson won three-way over Michael Elgin and Blake Belakis, Mikey McFinnegan & Zakk Sawyers b Brad & Brian Mercury, Ozzie Gallagher won four-way over Gary Jay, Jeff O’Shea and Cash Bordin, Devin & Mason Cutter over Deadly Dale & Idol Bane and Reed Bentley and John Wayne Murdoch (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer).
• Ken Anderson headlines for Santino Marella’s Battle Arts Academy Destiny show on 12/6 at the Don Kolov Arena in Mississauaga, ONT, plus Ricochet, Dalton Castle and Kongo Kong.
• Renegade Promotions on 11/8 in Burlington, ONT at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Centre with children under five free,headlined by Derek Wylde vs. Tyson Dux.
• Superkick’d results from Saturday night in Toronto:  Michael Sissay b Holden Albright, Space Monkey & Mano del Diablo & Anton Alexiev b Dylan Bostic & Rae Lyn & RJ City, Young Myles & Lionel Knight b Mathieu St. Jacques & Thomas DuBois, Phil Atlas b Seiya Sanada, Tarik b Moose-DQ, Ethan Page NC Ashley Sixx, Ashley Sixx & Orlando Christopher b Ethan Page & Mike Rollins, Shane Sabre b Brent Banks.  Next show which is a Zombie Wrestling show on  10/30 at the Lithuanian Hall in Bloor West, plus an 11/7 show at the Great Hall in Toronto with Ethan Carter III.
• Lucha TO on Sunday in Whitby, ONT was canceled.  They will be running an 11/8 show in Toronto with Vampiro, Pentagon Jr. and Drago.
• Shimmer results from Sunday

VOLUME 78

Mary Elizabeth Monroe b Paloma Starr (dark match)

Solo Darling b Amanda Rodriguez

LuFisto b Veda Scott

Allysin Kay b Shazza McKenzie

Rhia O’Reilly b Leva Bates

Evie & Heidi Lovelace b Tessa Blanchard & Vanessa Kraven

Jessicka Havok b Kimber Lee

Courtney Rush b Liberty

Nicole Matthews b Mia Yim

Kay Lee Ray b Kelly Anne

Cheerleader Melissa & Yumi Ohka b Hiroyo Matsumoto & Makoto

Kellie Skater b Sonoko Kato

Madison Eagles b Nicole Savoy to retain the Shimmer title

VOLUME 79

Leva Bates b Thunderkitty

Vanessa Kraven b LuFisto

Makoto b Marti Belle

Jessicka Havok b Sammi Baynz

Cheerleader Melissa & Yumi Ohka b K.C.Spinelli & Xandra Bale

Kay Lee Ray b Liberty

Shazza McKenzie won four-way over Allysin Kay, Mia Yim and Veda Scott

Heidi Lovelace b Kelly Anne

Crazy Mary Dobson b Saraya Knight

Sonoko Kato b Nicole Savoy

Hiroyo Matsumoto b Rhia O’Reilly

Daizee Haze & Kellie Skater & Lexie Fyfe & Madison Eagles b Kimber Lee & Lacey & Nicole Matthews & Portia Perez

• A C.M. Punk written cartoon called “Drax,” about Drax the Destroyer, will be released by Marvel on 11/4.
• Absolute Intense Wrestling on Friday night in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mount Carmel school features Terry Funk, Ray Rowe DJ Zema Ion, Johnny Gargano, Cedric Alexander and more.
• The Ben Askren vs. Luis Santos rematch will be on 11/13 in Kallang, Singapore at the Indoor Stadium for the One welterweight title.  The last match was freaky because Santos took Askren down a couple of times early in their first fight which ended with Santos unable to continue after an accidental eye poke.  Nobody had even taken Askren down in an MMA match that I could recall.
• “Lion’s Pride:  The turbulent history of New Japan Pro Wrestling” will be released in paperback and digital on 11/11 on Amazon and the Kindle Store.  The book written by Chris Carlton, who knows Japanese, talks about the history of pro wrestling in Japan.
• Grand Slam Wrestling on 11/14 in Moosic, PA at the Youth Center.
•  DK Publishing will be releasing a book called “UFC:  A Visual History” written by UFC’s Thomas Gerbasi.  The book will be a 400-page hardback.
• Eric Wayne of Memphis, the grandson of Buddy Wayne and son of Ken Wayne, debuts with CWE on 12/2 in Yorkton, Manitoba. 
• New match at NWAClassics.com is Ernie Ladd vs. Mike “Grenade” Boyer.
• Speedball Mike Bailey is off the Something Different show on Friday night in Toronto due to starting with AAA this coming weekend.  The top matches on the show at the Franklin Horner Community Center are Sonjay Dutt vs. Brent Banks and Franky the Mobster vs. Dalton Castle. 
• Paul Heyman compares both Vince McMahon and C.M. Punk with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates
• A story on Bolivian pro wrestling

ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

1967 – Mark Lewin beat King Curtis Iaukea in Sydney to win the IWA title and Mario Milano & Red Bastien beat Killer Kowalski & Skull Murphy to win the IWA tag titles

2003 – Jado won a Rumble Battle Royal for the vacant IWGP jr. title in Tokyo

2004 – The Predator (Sylvester Terkay) beat Mike Knox in Fukuoka to win the Zero-One U.S. title

2013 – Myzteziz won a Rumble in San Luis Potosi to win the Antonio Pena Cup

Show notes for the weekend:
Tonight, we’re looking for reports on:

* WWE in St. Louis (Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, New Day, Team BAD, Rusev, Ryback, Kevin Owens and Dudleys)

* NXT in Winter Haven, FL.

Tomorrow, we’ll be looking for reports from:

* WWE in Bloomington, IL (Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, New Day, Team BAD, Rusev, Ryback, Kevin Owens and Dudleys).

New Japan King of Pro Wrestling airs tomorrow night (Sunday night/Monday morning) at 3:00 a.m. ET a New Japan World with the debuts of Kevin Kelly and Matt Striker as the English announcing team:

Jushin Liger, Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA, & Mascara Dorada vs. Juice Robinson, Yohei Komatsu, Sho Tanaka, David Finlay & Jay White
Tomoaki Honma vs. Yoshi-Hashi
Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata, & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Hirooki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata, Kota Ibushi, & Captain New Japan
reDRagon vs. Roppongi Vice for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Kenny Omega vs. Matt Sydal for th IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, & Bad Luck Fale
Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii for NEVER Openweight Championship
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito for the Wrestle Kingdom IWGP HeavyweightChampionship match briefcase
Kazuchika Okada vs. A.J. Styles for IWGP Heavyweight Championship

Raw on Monday will be live from Chicago, so expect a show that, regardless of quality, is elevated by a hot crowd.

SmackDown and Main Event will be taped in Cincinnati on Tuesday.  Roman Reigns and Randy Orton are the advertised headliners.

Please send reports from major shows, recommended links, etc. to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com:

****

Figure Four Weekly:

The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring details on all facets of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, including a better understanding of Gawker’s defense, what else the judge has sealed to protect Hogan, and more. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news.

The recent FREEFigure Four Weekly is still up with a look at the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI may have helped Hulk Hogan cover up his racist and homophobic comments. A judge has ordered the FBI to turn over the records of their investigation, and what Gawker is saying in court about what has and hasn’t been turned over paints a very interesting picture.

Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it’s available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle.

****

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

An update on the status of Daniel Bryan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is on the site right now and also can be subscribed to for home delivery.  We update his situation and how the decision on his future will be made shortly.  We also look at Daniel Cormier and the light heavyweight division and what the business notes say, the WWE’s Madison Square Garden event with Brock Lesnar, TNA’s Bound for Glory and world title tournament, Conor McGregor predicts the future once again, a pro wrestler is in the Japanese cabinet as well as our monthly look at the WWE and TNA’s business indicators. 

We look at what Daniel Bryan said this past week regarding his future and how the decision will be made for him soon, and what he’d like to do if he wasn’t working for WWE.

We look at Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson and the shadow over the light heavyweight division, the news coming out of UFC 192, and full coverage of the event with business notes, early PPV indicators and poll results.

We look at the WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden, Brock Lesnar’s return, how the show was promoted, Chris Jericho’s 25th anniversary as a pro wrestler and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: October 12, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Daniel Bryan’s pro wrestling future, UFC 192, WWE at MSG

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

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

Rates are:

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

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

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Saturday Daily Update

• WrestlingObserver.com:

Myzteziz at Arena Mexico?

Details on his return.

Today in history.

• You can see Myzteziz’s Arena Mexico return on The Cubs Fan’s YouTube channel. He’ll be fulfilling his remaining AAA dates before presumably returning to CMLL proper and not just working on the outside Lucha Libre Elite shows at Arena Mexico. 
• Also announced for the next Lucha Libre Elite show is Negro Casas & Blue Panther vs. Solar & Negro Navarro, which is about as good a legends match as could happen anywhere in wrestling right now.
• The intro of the documentary that serves as the centerpiece of WWE’s new Sting: Into the Light home video release is now on YouTube as a teaser. The set will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray this coming Tuesday and is available for pre-order now.
• Dave has an article at MMA Fighting about BRACE MMA being added to UFC Fight Pass.
• Make sure to check out Joe Gagne’s weekly wrestler podcast roundup at Voices of Wrestling. He provides a valuable service for everyone with how crowded that space has become. The Chris Jericho anniversary podcast is even better than he says it is, though. Absolutely hilarious throughout and too short at close to two hours. If you need some visual aids for some of the characters mentiond, here’s Manitoba indie wrestling legend The Tulip in action.
• Devon Nicholson has a 35 minute shoot interview with Tom Prichard on his Hannibal TV YouTube channel.
• Bill Apter put together a promo reel of the different wrestler promos for his excellent new book. Highly recommend this one.
• SHIMMER’s 10th Anniversary events begin tonight and will continue into tomorrow  at the Berwyn Eagles Club (6309 26th Street) in Berwyn, IL. Bell time on Saturday, October 10th is 10:00am (doors at 9:30am). Bell time on Sunday, October 11th is 12:00pm (doors at 11:30am). Volumes 76-79 of the SHIMMER series will be filmed during the course of the weekend, with two full DVDs worth of live matches each day.  Among those appearing on the events this weekend: SHIMMER Champion Nicole Matthews, SHIMMER Tag Team Champions Kimber Lee & Cherry Bomb (though injured, Cherry Bomb will still appear), Madison Eagles, Cheerleader Melissa, Kellie Skater, Portia Perez, Evie, Saraya Knight, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Heidi Lovelace, Rhia O’Reilly, Crazy Mary Dobson, Jessicka Havok, Vanessa Kraven, Tessa Blanchard, Courtney Rush, Yumi Ohka, Allysin Kay, Taylor Made, Thunderkitty, Makoto, Shazza McKenzie, LuFisto, Sonoko Kato, Liberty, Sammi Baynz, Veda Scott, Kellyanne, Marti Belle, Xandra Bale, and more! 

General admission seating is still available for both days of events, at a cost of $30 for each full day of taping (essentially $15 per full DVD worth of live matches). If you plan to attend, we strongly encourage the purchase of tickets in advance to guarantee admission on the chance of a sellout. Once we do, we cannot sell any additional tickets at the door on the day of the event. 

• Steel City Pro Wrestling : SHOCK VALUE 2

Sunday, October 18 at 4:00pm – 7:00pm; Knights of Columbus 222 Queenston Road, Hamilton, Ontario. The Canadian Hybrid Championship controversy will be resolved, as challenger and former champion Beautiful BeaA will get her rematch with Champion Lionel Knight, with the title on the line. The Steel City Pro wrestling Tag team titles will be defended by the Choir of Chaos… vs…. The Gym Rats!!!! Steel City Pro Wrestling is developing a woman’s title for next season. We’ve been showcasing woman’s matches since last year at this time, and we’ve been keeping track in a tournament elimination style. This next bracket will feature two of the most respected women’s competitors in all of Ontario: Xandra Bale & KC Spinelli.

• AAW Pro Results from last Night 400 fans at the Sold Out Berwyn Eagles Club in Berwyn Illinois from Keith Lipinski: Allysin Kay defeated Mia Yim with a discus forearm (7:11), AAW Heritage Championship – Six Way Mayhem Match: Louis Lyndon submitted Greg Iron with the dragon sleeper to retain.  Shane Sabre, Markus Crane, Brett Gakiya, CJ Esparza (10:18), Heidi Loveless & Candice LaRae defeated Tessa Blanchard & Jessicka Havok when LaRae pinned Blanchard after a Loveless frog splash (8:55). Afterward Blanchard got into Havok’s face blaming her for the loss, Havok clokeslammed Blanchard twice; Oi4K (Dave & Jake Crist) defeated ACH & Ricochet in a fantastic tag team match after a tandem tombstone piledriver on Ricochet, Last Man Standing Match:  Eddie Kingston defeated Tyson Dux after multiple backfists and a superplex onto a guardrail that was in the center of the ring propped up by four chairs.  Thumbtacks, chairs and a kendo stick were also used (19:04).  Afterwards Kingston motioned he wanted his AAW Heavyweight Championship back. The impressive Kongo Kong defeated Christian Faith with Greg Iron (4:49) after a big splash.  Afterward Iron berated Faith again on the mic, only to get pie faced by Faith who walked out on Iron afterwards, AAW Tag Team Championship Match:  The Hooligans (with Bucky Collins) retained over Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett after interference from Hooligans manager Bucky “Overalls” Collins and a spike piledriver on Mat Fitchett (11:04), Trevor Lee defeated Silas Young with a small package (15:01), AAW Heavyweight Championship Two out of Three Falls Match:  Ethan Page defeated Johnny Gargano to retain the championship (25:15).  Gargano tapped Page with the GargaNO escape for the first fall.  Page kicked the middle rope while Gargano was reentering the ring and then pinned him for the second fall.  Page retained after hitting two consecutive Spinning Dwaynes in the third and final fall.  As Voices of Wrestling put it “Incredible main event – legitimately great match that had the crowd going nuts throughout”

After the match, Gargano got a standing ovation from the crowd, only for Page to come back in the ring and beat him down again.  Candice LaRae ran in to stop Page, but as Page was about to get his hands on Candice, Trevor Lee and Louis Lyndon ran in to stop him.  Abyss and Team Tremendous make their AAW debuts on November 6 at 115 Bourbon Street.  More information on that show and a full recap coming later this week.

• Jim Cornette will be appearing for Metro Pro Wrestling in Kansas City at the Turner Rec Center. A Q & A with Cornette will be from 4:30-6:00 and the live wrestling event starts at 7:30 pm.

• Ronda Rousey will be appearing Monday morning on Live with Kelly and Michael on ABC at 9 am Eastern and Pacific.
• In MMA news, Joe Warren of Bellator tested positive for marijuana after his decision win over LC Davis at Bellator 143. According to MMAWeekly, he is likely to receive a 90 day suspension. It’s not likely he would’ve fought in 90 days anyways. Emanuel Newton had a similar test failure in February and was back fighting at Bellator’s last tentpole show in September.
• In other MMA drug test failures, two fighters on the Shooto Brazil 56 show, which aired on UFC Fight Pass, were suspended for two years, after failing for PED’s in post-fight test.
• MMA Fighting is reporting that the Nevada State Athletic Commission will revisit the lifetime ban of Wanderlei Silva following his evasion of a May 2014 drug test at their hearing later this month. The outcome of this hearing will likely have some bearing on what happens with Nate Diaz’ appeal of his five year ban by the same Commission.
• Former UFC and Strikeforce fighter Bristol Marunde fought on AXS TV Friday night, losing a Welterweight title fight in the main event of RFA 31 to Gilbert Smith, who appeared on TUF 17. One of the top non-UFC women’s strawweight prospects in the world, Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger, beat former Bellator and Invicta fighter Zoila Frausto in the co-main to win the group’s 115 lb title.
• Another former UFC star, Kalib Starnes fought last night on a GFL.TV show, submitting Craig Hudson in the main event of XCessive Force FC 7, to win that group’s Heavyweight title. The show was fairly deep by regional MMA standards and is available on demand for $14.95
• Fedor Emilianenko took to Facebook to deny that Jaideep Sing is his opponent for his return.
• NWA Classics 24/7 has added a Midnight Express vs. Magnum TA and Mr. Wrestling II match from the Sam Houston Coliseum on 2-24-84 to its library

This week’s polls are for Wednesday’s NXT show and Monday’s New Japan King of Pro Wrestling show.  We’re looking for your thoughts on both shows with 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 all three WWE shows in Saudi Arabia.  There was a show last night, another one tonight and the final show tomorrow.

New Japan World Pro Wrestling Returns at 9 p.m. Eastern on AXS TV

Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish vs. Alex Shelley & Kushida vs. Young Bucks vs. Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov for IWGP jr. tag titles

Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kenny Omega for the IWGP jr. title

This is the first of five straight weeks of matches from Wrestle Kingdom 9 at the  Tokyo Dome

CMLL has the B block of the Universal Champion of Champions tournament tonight, starting at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time on www.ClaroSports.com

It’s a one-night tournament with Atlantis, Mistico, Volador Jr., Mephisto, Negro Casas, Maximo, Valiente and Ephesto.  The winner meets Ultimo Guerrero (last week’s winner) for the championship next week.  The show will be airing on Claro Sports but it may be geo blocked for the United States.  I’ve seen all kinds of Twitter stuff listing it but last week’s show wasn’t available.

Resurrection Fighting Alliance tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern on AXS TV

Shai Lindsey (133.6) vs. Zach Riley (135.4)

Vardan Sholinian (174.2) vs. Bojan Velickovic (174.4)

Justin Linn (134) vs. Matt Lopez (138.8)

Mike Jasper (183) vs. Gabriel Checco (184.6)

Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (115) vs. Zoila Frausto (116.6) for the first women’s strawweight title.  Because Frausto failed to make weight, Jones-Lybarger will win the title with a victory, but Frausto can not win the title if she wins. 

Gilbert Smith (170) vs. Bristol Marunde (169.8) for welterweight title

Spike has Glory Kickboxing tonight at 11 p.m. Eastern

WWE has only the show in Saudi Arabia tonight.

Saturday we’re looking for reports on WWE in St. Louis (Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, New Day, Team BAD, Rusev, Ryback, Kevin Owens and Dudleys) and NXT in Winter Haven, FL.

Sunday has WWE in Bloomington, IL (Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, New Day, Team BAD, Rusev, Ryback, Kevin Owens and Dudleys).

New Japan King of Pro Wrestling at 3 a.m. Eastern and Midnight Pacific late Sunday night on New Japan World – Kevin Kelly & Matt Striker will be doing the announcing in English for the first time on the service

Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Kushida & Mascara Dorada vs. Juice Robinson & Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka & David Finlay & Jay White

Tomoaki Honma vs. Yoshi-Hashi

Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata & Kota Ibushi & Captain New Japan

Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Rocky Romero & Baretta for the IWGP jr. tag titles

Kenny Omega vs. Matt Sydal for IWGP jr. title

Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale

Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii for Never Open Weight title

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito for the Tokyo Dome title shot

Kazuchika Okada vs. A.J. Styles for IWGP heavyweight title

Since most of the top matches at the Tokyo Dome will be announced on Tuesday, the winners of the last two matches are almost certain to be the main event, and this show will probably set up the other key matches with different angles.

Raw will be live from Chicago, generally one of the hottest WWE crowds anywhere, on Monday night.  So we’ll see if Chicago can stay up through a three hour show.  No  Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman advertised.

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped in Cincinnati on Tuesday.  No John Cena on the show, so Roman Reigns and Randy Orton are the advertised headliners.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

An update on the status of Daniel Bryan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is on the site right now and also can be subscribed to for home delivery.  We update his situation and how the decision on his future will be made shortly.  We also look at Daniel Cormier and the light heavyweight division and what the business notes say, the WWE’s Madison Square Garden event with Brock Lesnar, TNA’s Bound for Glory and world title tournament, Conor McGregor predicts the future once again, a pro wrestler is in the Japanese cabinet as well as our monthly look at the WWE and TNA’s business indicators. 

We look at what Daniel Bryan said this past week regarding his future and how the decision will be made for him soon, and what he’d like to do if he wasn’t working for WWE.

We look at Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson and the shadow over the light heavyweight division, the news coming out of UFC 192, and full coverage of the event with business notes, early PPV indicators and poll results.

We look at the WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden, Brock Lesnar’s return, how the show was promoted, Chris Jericho’s 25th anniversary as a pro wrestler and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: October 12, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Daniel Bryan’s pro wrestling future, UFC 192, WWE at MSG

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

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

Rates are:

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

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

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

• TNA wrestlers were just informed today that the late October house show tour has been canceled.  Those were shows on 10/29 in Thiobodaux, 10/30 in New Orleans, 10/31 in Baton Rouge and 11/1 in Biloxi, MS.  The New Orleans show was billed as “The Battle of New Orleans” and was to be a PPV taping.  
• James Storm has not signed with WWE and TNA has tried to make him an offer to return, reportedly with a big pay increase
• Announcer/wrestler Devin Taylor and Cal Bishop were cut by WWE this week
• Regarding the women from Shine at the NXT show last night, they were not signed by WWE but WWE had them on the radar and since they were in the area brought them in as extras. 
• The fourth annual Grapple at the Garden show will be on 11/29 in Madison Square Garden.  22 colleges including Cornell (No. 5), Nebraska (No. 9), Illinois (No. 12) and Northwestern (No. 15) will compete.  In the past they’ve also had singles matches involving MMA stars who want to compete at MSG.  This will be the prelude of the first time ever that the NCAA tournament comes to MSG from 3/17 to 3/19.
• Congratulations to Nick Massie (Nick Jackson) of the Young Bucks and his wife on the birth of his daughter early this morning.  
• A preview of the Sting:  Into the Light DVD, that is being released this week, will air on the WWE Network after Raw this week.
• There will also be a new Table for 3 show on Tuesday at 4 p.m. with Sting, DDP and Vader, followed by a WWE Rivalries show on the Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat feud. 
• For a clarification, Matt Riddle did an interview saying that WWE sent him to Evolve, which isn’t exactly the case but not untrue either.  WWE did recommend to Evolve to use him as noted in Observer stories in the past, but sent is too strong in the sense Evolve made the decision to use him on their own because they think he has potential.  While the nice comments HHH made about Gabe Sapolsky clearly indicate they are on really good terms and WWE is probably looking at some form of a deal, right now the deal would still be in the talking stages.
• The 12/19 UFC on FOX main card will be Rafael dos Anjos vs. Donald Cerrone, Alistair Overeem vs. Junior Dos Santos, Nate Diaz vs. Michael Johnson and Randa Markos vs. Karllina Kowalkiewicz.  Jay Reddick has the story
• Ronda Rousey on why she doesn’t cut weight before appearances and commercials
• Hulk Hogan is hosting a pool party at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City on Saturday night at 10 p.m.  Cost is $20.
• CWE has a 50 man Rumble to Remember on 12/4 in Winnipeg at the Holy Cross Gym.
• Fight Night on 10/16 at Center Stage in Atlanta headlined by Clay Harvison vs. Jordan Rinaldi which will air live on AXS that night at 9 p.m.
• Russia’s Vitaly Bigdash beat Igor Svirid at :36 of round via strikes to win the One middleweight championship Championship at the show earlier toady in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Moose and Seiya Sanada appear on 10/10 for Superkick’d Pro Wrestling in Toronto at The Great Hall.
• A new match released today at NWAClassics.com is Magnum T.A. & Mr. Wrestling II vs. Midnight Express where the losing team gets five lashes with a belt.
• The ECWA women’s Super 8 tournament on 10/17 in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Community Center has added Deonna Purrazzo, Terra Calaway, Xandra Bale and Kennadi Brink (formerly Jessie Kaye) to the field.  

ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

1968 – George & Sandy Scott beat The Assassins in Brisbane to win the IWA tag titles

1988 – Charles Lucero beat Yoshihiro Asai (Ultimo Dragon) in Monterrey to win the UWA welterweight title

1992 – Tomoko Watanabe beat Sakie Hasegawa in Tokyo to win the Japanese women’s title

1993 – Sangre Chicana beat Fishman in Naucalpan to win the UWA light heavyweight title

1994 – Takako Inoue & Kyoko Inoue beat Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada in Kawasaki to win the WWWA tag titles

2006 – Team 3-D won a three-way over Erica & Margaret (Aja Kong & Awesome) and Sodom & Gamorrah to win the Hustle tag team title

2011 – Abyss & Chessman beat Extreme Tiger & Jack Evans in Monterrey to win the AAA tag team tiles and Electroshock won the Antonio Pena Cup

2014 – Cima & Don Fujii & Gamma beat Naruki Doi & Cyber Kong & Kzy in Tokyo to win the Open the Triangle Gate titles

We’re looking for your thoughts on last night’s NXT 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 also looking for reports on the WWE house shows the next three days in Saudi Arabia, as well as on tonight’s NXT tapings at Full Sail University where they’ll be taping the next four weeks of television.

Smackdown tonight on Syfy at 8 p.m.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Big E

Charlotte & Becky Lynch & Natalya vs. Bella Twins & Alicia Fox

Ryback vs. Rusev

Neville vs. King Barrett

Randy Orton & Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

An update on the status of Daniel Bryan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is on the site right now and also can be subscribed to for home delivery.  We update his situation and how the decision on his future will be made shortly.  We also look at Daniel Cormier and the light heavyweight division and what the business notes say, the WWE’s Madison Square Garden event with Brock Lesnar, TNA’s Bound for Glory and world title tournament, Conor McGregor predicts the future once again, a pro wrestler is in the Japanese cabinet as well as our monthly look at the WWE and TNA’s business indicators.

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: October 12, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Daniel Bryan’s pro wrestling future, UFC 192, WWE at MSG

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

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

Rates are:

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

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

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

We look at what Daniel Bryan said this past week regarding his future and how the decision will be made for him soon, and what he’d like to do if he wasn’t working for WWE.

We look at Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson and the shadow over the light heavyweight division, the news coming out of UFC 192, and full coverage of the event with business notes, early PPV indicators and poll results.

We look at the WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden, Brock Lesnar’s return, how the show was promoted, Chris Jericho’s 25th anniversary as a pro wrestler and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

We also look at John Cena’s time off and what it entails, how that changes the European tour and the current lineups set for both November tours, WrestleMania tickets, Hell in a Cell card changes, what’s up with Paige, HHH talks NXT and difference with WWE, women, Jushin Liger, the chain of power and more.  HHH also talks Gabe Sapolsky.  We’ve got updates on Undertaker, Dwayne  Johnson, Chris Jericho, Ric Flair, Zeb Colter as well as a look at next season’s Total Divas.  We also look at a tryout camp just held, more on WWE legal actions, Paul Heyman gives his thoughts on Austin vs. Lesnar, a new WWE signing, plus notes from all the WWE & NXT arena events of the past week with business notes.  

We also look at TNA’s Bound for Glory, the unique title tournament, plus a full rundown of the show with star ratings and poll results.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

THURSDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

• Bryan I have both a show up on last night’s NXT show as well as all the latest news.  
  Wrestling Observer Radio 10/8: NXT Takeover Respect, tons of news and more!
•  A new show today with Bruno Sammartino talking his recovery from surgery and his career, including the Shea Stadium match with Stan Hansen, the attempt to put together Sammartino vs. Ali, Sammartino vs. Andre, wrestling a bear and more.
  Wrestling Observer Radio 10/8 with BRUNO SAMMARTINO!
• Check out: NXT TakeOver Respect live results: Bayley vs. Sasha Banks, Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
• Some notes from last night’s NXT show

*There were people there all day waiting to get in, many before Noon.

*James Storm was there but never shown on camera

*Dark match was Bull Dempsey beating Sawyer Fulton with the sitting splash

*Lots of Dusty Rhodes chants all night long

*It’s only a few people who start all the chants

*Hideo Itami and Sho Funaki were shown on TV, then went backstage.  They were only there for the shot

*Stephanie McMahon was chanting “Women’s wrestling” with the crowd 

*Bayley and Sasha Banks both looked exhausted leaving the building  

• UFC on Fox 17: Myles Jury to face Charles Oliveira, plus one more
• TNA announces UK shows will be recorded for TV
• WWE Smackdown results (10/8): Roman Reigns & Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman
• Exclusive for WrestlingObserver.com by Irv Muchnick Jimmy Snuka murder trial: Is involuntary manslaughter count the poison pill?
• New Japan has a press conference at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday to announce Wrestle Kingdom 10.  That appears to mean the Okada vs. Styles and Tanahashi vs. Naito winners are a lock for the Tokyo Dome with no more matches to go.  The announcement will air live on New Japan World.
• In an interview with Philly.com, Mark Henry said that he will be retiring shortly after WrestleMania, when his current three year deal expires.  He said he was going to retire in 2013 but Vince McMahon convinced him to stay, but he’s 100 percent done with wrestling at the end of this deal.  
• WWE’s third quarter business report will be on 10/29.  That will be when the new network number will be released.  The stock may start rising in anticipation.
• That’s what happened today, as it’s not up to $19.55 per share, up 78 cents for the day. 
• Tommaso Ciampa was at the show last night because he’s working the NXT TV tapings tonight but he is still a free agent, they are just using him on television at this point.
• Notes on the new A.J. Styles action figure
• Congratulations to Dave Bautista, who was married over the weekend.  Among those at the wedding were friends like Jimmy Noonan, Chris Jericho and MVP.
• Rosa Mendes was just engaged to boyfriend Bobby Schubenski in Paris, France.  The couple is expecting their first child in February.  This will all be covered in the Total Divas show next season.
• The most recent Tokyo Dome show from 1/4 starts airing tomorrow night on AXS and will continue for the next five weeks, complete with Mauro Ranallo calling both Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada.
• The WWE is looking for a Branding Vice President to work under Stephanie McMahon.  The job entails setting strategy to grow revenue and generate positive perception of the brand.
• Tommy Rich headlines for Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 11/7 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
• Pure Wrestling Alliance on 10/23 in Guelph, ONT
• Alpha-One on 11/15 at Crazy Bill’s in Hamilton, ONT. 
• Cody Deaner vs. Eric Young headlines the Jingle Bells Brawl on 12/5 in St. Catherines, ONT at the Merritton Community Centre.
• The TLC PPV presale for the 12/13 show in Boston at the TD Garden is WWETLC.  The presale is going on right now.
• There is a presale going on for the 12/30 Holiday show at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore with the code WWELIVE  Appearing are Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Kane and more.  The presale goes through 10 p.m. tomorrow night.
• XICW 15th year Bash on 10/18 at The Ritz in Detroit with P.J. Black, Sonjay Dutt, Rhino an Truth Martini.
• Dory Funk’s BANG on 10/24 in Reddick, FL at the People Power Festival (which has nothing to do with John Laurinaitis).  There’s an all you can eat festival featuring a pro wrestling show with all cage matches.
• NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on 10/17 in Elizabethton, TN, at the High School, featuring Ricky Morton and an appearance of Ricky Steamboat.
• CWE on 12/2 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan at the Yorkdale Central School will include a $5 donation of each ticket sold to the cancer fund for Ron Rurak, a suppoerter of the promotion
• CHIKARA runs on 10/10 in Haverhill,MA at St. Joseph’s School.
• Former WWE performer Romeo Roselli was in a Miley Cyrus wedding digital short on the season premiere of Saturday Night Live.
• The World Series of Fighting announced an eight-man lightweight tournament for 11/20 in Phoenix at the Comerica Theater.  The show airs on NBC Sports Network.  The eight men involved are Luis Palomino, Brian Foster, Mike Ricci, Islam Mamedov, Brian Cobb, Jorge Patino, Joao Zeferino and Rich Patishnock.
• Classic Championship Wresting on 10/24 in Chatham, ONT at the WISH Centre headlined by Cody Deaner vs. Derek Wylde.
• CZW iPPV on Saturday night from Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ.  The show is available at CZWrestling.com at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
• River City Wrestling on 10/23 in Selma, TX at Retama Park.  Tanaka, Hernandez and April Hunter all appear.
• Barrie Wrestling on 11/7 in Barrie, ONT.
• Battlarts Pro Wrestling on 10/17 at Santino Marella’s Don Kolov Arena in Mississauaga, ONT featuring Sanyu from Japan.
• CWE on 12/3 in Brandon, Manitoba at the Houston’s County Roadhouse.
• All-Star Wrestling Fight Night on 10/23 at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey, BC featuring a Battle Royal.
• ONE Championship has a show tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia headlined by middleweight champion Igor Svirid vs. Vitaly Bigdash.  The show airs on iPPV as well as on The Fight Network starting at 9 a.m. Eastern time. 
• Jim Cornette interviewed Irv Muchnick on the Jimmy Snuka case at www.MLWRadio.com
• WWE Network three month gift cards are now available at WalMart.
• Mick Foley will be replacing Ric Flair in an appearance on an 11/7 show in Nashville at the Fairgrounds. 
• Barbie Blank talks the TV show WAGS and her situation with WWE
• Is he the sleaziest man around wrestling?
• A video promoting the upcoming WWE 2K Sports game
• FoxSports.com interview with Chris Jericho talking about his 25-year wrestling anniversary, his start to where he is now, how he has stayed relevant, when he really felt he understood wrestling, his future including WrestleMania 32 and more.

ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

1973 – Masked Lee & Juanita de Hoyas beat Miyoko Hoshino & Peggy Kuroda to win the WWWA tag tiles

1989 – Mitsuhiko Nishiwaki & Madusa beat Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada to win the annual tag team tournament

1997 – El Hijo del Santo beat Felino in Leon to win the WWA welterweight title

2001 – Kendo Ka Shin beat Masayuki Naruse in Tokyo to win the IWGP jr. title

2004 – Takao Omori beat Masato Tanaka in Tokyo to win the Zero-One United National title

2004 – L.A. Park beat Nicho in Tijuana to win the XLAW heavyweight title

2004 – Universo 2000 beat Canek in the finals of the Leyenda de Azul tournament at Arena Mexico

2005 – Brock Lesnar won a three-way over Kazuyuki Fujita and Masahiro Chono in Tokyo to win the IWGP heavyweight title plus Black Tiger (Rocky Romero) beat Tiger Mask to win the IWGP jr. title

2006- Great Sasuke beat Super Delfin in Morioka to win the Tohoku jr. title

2007 – Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Yuji Nagata in Tokyo to win the IWGP heavyweight title

2012 – Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. beat Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan in Tokyo to win the IWGP tag titles

2012 – KENTA (Hideo Itami) & Maybach Taniguchi beat Magnus & Samoa Joe in Yokohama to win the GHC tag titles

Show notes for tonight:​
NXT TakeOver: Respect airs live on WWE Network at 8:00 p.m. ET (pre-show at 7:30 p.m. ET) with Bayley (c) vs. Sasha Banks in a 30 Minute Iron Man Match or the NXT Women’s Championship, Finn Bálor & Samoa Joe vs. Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder in a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal, Jason Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Baron Corbin & Rhyno in the other Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal,  the tournament final, Asuka vs. Dana Brooke. and Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze.

UFC Tonight airs at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 

A rerun of last week’s episode of The Ultimate Fighter airs at 9:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 and it’s titld “A Faithless Foe.” It has Connor McGregor lecturing the fighter who lost last week, a Team Faber fighter skipping practice, and more

Impact Wrestling at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America is the the first show where we don’t really know what will air because it will consist of the “non-storyline” matches shot at the last set of tapings. Officially, this is the start of the “World Title Series” to determine a new champion in light of Matt Hardy vacating the title to render Ethan Carter III’s injunction moot. Your mileage may vary as to whether or not this was planned all along, especially considering they announced that some of the Knockouts will be participating.

The Ultimate Fighter at 10:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is titled “Just Do Something.” The fighters spend a night out relaxing with their coaches.

ROH at 11:00 p.m. ET on Destination America is loaded, withThe Time Splitters vs. The Briscoes and Kazuchika Okada vs. Roderick Strong.

Please send reports from major shows, recommended links, etc. to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com:

****

Figure Four Weekly:

The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring details on all facets of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, including a better understanding of Gawker’s defense, what else the judge has sealed to protect Hogan, and more. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news.

The recent FREEFigure Four Weekly is still up with a look at the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI may have helped Hulk Hogan cover up his racist and homophobic comments. A judge has ordered the FBI to turn over the records of their investigation, and what Gawker is saying in court about what has and hasn’t been turned over paints a very interesting picture.

Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it’s available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle.

****

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

If you saw the JBL interview with Eric Bischoff, or even if you didn’t, we have what is already one of the most talked about and praised issues of the Wrestling Observer this year up on the site right now.  The main theme is fact vs. fiction, covering both the WWE historical view of the Monday Night Wars and the Eric Bischoff version, going through every point and cutting through things like outright B.S., faulty memories and interesting truths.

The new double issue also covers SummerSlam in Brooklyn, the real story behind the UFC announcing a show in Madison Square Garden, Jon Jones’ legal punishment and future, coverage of both of the New Japan PPV shows this past week as well as a look at their direction as they build toward King of Pro Wrestling and later, the Tokyo Dome show, UFC in Japan and a look at that business, the retirement of Rich Franklin, a Hall of Famer running for Mayor, the retirement show of Genichiro Tenryu, more concerning drug testing questions, SummerSlam PPV numbers and what we can learn from them, as well as the death of German legend Axel Dieter Sr.

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter:  October 6, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Analysis of Bischoff Network interview, Jones plea and 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 Meltzer

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

Rates are:

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

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

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

We look at Eric Bischoff and his role, both good and bad, in what the pro wrestling industry has turned into.  We look at the WCW boom, the creation of Nitro, the early war, the NWO era, the peak and the fall of WCW.

We look at the mistakes made, the fall of WCW, the emergence of Bill Goldberg, the real origination of the streak idea,   We look at the rapid decline of the company and why.  We look at how and when things went down, as well as why, how history shows the merger excuse doesn’t hold water, the complete b.s. of the WWE’s Monday Night War narrative.  We look at the dying days of WCW and Eric Bischoff’s plan he never got a chance to implement.

We look at Eric Bischoff’s background, how he got into wrestling, his first meeting with Verne Gagne, his WWF tryout as an announcer, his connection with Japan, the unique case of Sonny Onoo, and the death of the AWA.

We look at the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling, Vince McMahon’s one-year run on TBS and problems with Ted Turner, where Bill Watts fit into the scene then, and the scene prior to the launch of Nitro.

We look at WCW before Bischoff got power, what really happened with Jim Ross and WCW, , moves by Bill Watts, .  We look at the first Nitro, the real story behind Lex Luger, what Lex Luger really got, what really happened in WCW with HHH and Mick Foley, Foley getting into WWF, the story behind Bischoff’s firing of Steve Austin, the cruiserweight division and its double-edge sword, what was the point of no return, the Montreal screw job and why so many, even in wrestling, missed key points in that story, Mike Tyson at WrestleMania, Kevin Nash as a booker, DX invades Nitro and the Bischoff vs. McMahon challenge to a fist fight and the story behind the PPV that went 30 minutes over.

In the UFC Madison Square Garden announcement, we look at the thought process behind the strategy.

FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW CLICK HERE

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

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Wednesday Daily Update

• Raw ratings
• SmackDown spoilers
• NXT TakeOver: Respect preview
• Today in history
• The defense and prosecution in the Jimmy Snuka case agreed to skip a preliminary hearing and go straight to trial today, with the defense getting all of the grand jury transcripts as part of the deal. Snuka’s lawyer described a potential preliminary hearing as a “sham” because the prosecution was going to have one investigator recount what was heard in front of the grand jury, arguing it would be hearsay. Anyway, with Snuka about to undergo chemotherapy, it’s in everyone’s best interests to move quickly. Snuka’s lawyer had one of the most unfortunate gaffe’s you’ll come across in something like this, saying that, with regards to his client, “he’d like to leave this world knowing that he’s an innocent man, not whatever you think he’s guilty.” So he doesn’t know now?
• Irv Muchnick has gathered all of his blog’s Snuka coverage into a handy index.
• James Storm has been spotted at Full Sail University, for whatever it’s actually worth.
• 2K Sports announced all of the details for WWE 2K16’s optional downloadable content. A Hall of Fame Showcase mode includes, of all things, Ric Flair vs. Tatsumi Fujinami from the first annual WCW Superbrawl in 1991. The game is out on October 27th and available for pre-order now.
• TNA officially announced the January UK tour.
• Marcos Galvao’s Bellator Bantamweight Championship defense against Eduardo Dantas has been postponed due to Dantas suffering a rib injury.
• World Series of Fighting has officially announced their one night lightweight tournament for WSOF 25 on November 20th in Phoenix, Arizona. The fighters in the tournament will be Luis “Baboon” Palomino, Brian Foster, Mike Ricci, Islam Mamedov, Brian “The Bandit” Cobb, Jorge “Macaco” Patino, Joao “The Brazilian Samurai” Zeferino and Rich Patishnock.
• News from Kris Zellner’s Lucha Report (fullly illustrated version with results and lineups available here):

ALL ELITE has changed their name to LUCHA LIBRE ELITE and they also announced that they are running Arena Mexico on 10/25.

Former EMLL performer Héctor Picasso Martínez aka Guerrero Negro Jr. was shot twice early Monday morning from someone who was driving past him and he was hit twice out of the six shots fired. He was with his girlfriend at the time and she was able to drive him to the hospital where he was classified to be in stable condition but delicate. 

• Dave has two nw articles at MMAFighting:

UFC 192 postmortem

UFC 192 prelim viewership notes

• Shimmer’s 10th anniversary events take place on Saturday & Sunday, October 10th & 11th, at the Berwyn Eagles Club (6309 26th Street) in Berwyn, IL. Bell time on Saturday, October 10th is 10:00am (doors at 9:30am). Bell time on Sunday, October 11th is 12:00pm (doors at 11:30am). Volumes 76-79 of the SHIMMER series will be filmed during the course of the weekend, with two full DVDs worth of live matches each day.
• Mister Saint Laurent gets interviewed in a “Really Busy People” feature
• Choker has a show this Saturday, October 10th, 2015 @ 7:00 p.m.live at St. Joseph’s School, 56 Oak Terrace, Haverhill, MA 01832.
• If you missed it, Bill Apter’s book was released earky and is now available on Kindle as well as in paperback. Really enjoy what I’ve read of the book so far. It’s supposed to be a “bathroom read” with chapters you can read in any order.
• WWE’s next home video release is Sting: Into the Light on DVD and Blu-Ray, which comes out this coming Tuesday and is available for pre-order.
• Jets linebacker fined by NFL for pro-wrestling style slam
• According to a press release sent yesterday, season 5 of Total Divas has already begun production. The cast for this upcoming season are the Bella Twins, Eva Marie, Alicia Fox, Paige, Rosa Mendes and Amanda Saccomanno, the finalist of this season’s Tough Enough who will be going under the name Mandy.
• Ronda Rousey geeks out over video games
• NWA Classics 24/7 adds Gino Hernandez vs. Harley Race
• Latest episode of the Fire Pro Podcast takes a look at this past weekend’s WWE Live at MSG show, recent ratings woes, Eric Bischoff’s sitdown interview on the WWE Network, TNA Bound for Glory and more
• Wrestling historian George Shire to speak on Minnesota wrestling history
• Paul Orndorff to receive men’s wrestling award from the Cauliflower Alley Club

Tuesday has Smackdown/Main Event tapings in Philadelphia.  No John Cena here, with Randy Orton, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns being the biggest stars.

Please send reports from major shows, recommended links, etc. to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com: for major shows, best match/worst match/thumbs up or down or in the middle poll responses should be sent to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

NXT TAKEOVER WEDNESDAY FROM FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY IN WINTER PARK, FL at 8 p.m. on the WWE network

Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the NXT title in a 30 minute Iron Woman match

Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament semifinals & finals

JJ Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Rhyno & Baron Corbin

Samoa Joe & Finn Balor vs. Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson

Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze

Asuka vs. Dana Brooke

Figure Four Weekly:

Figure Four Weekly (10/5/15): Latest on Hulk Hogan Lawsuit Against Gawker

Details on all facets of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, including a better understanding of Gawker’s defense, what else the judge has sealed to protect Hogan, and more.

****

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

If you saw the JBL interview with Eric Bischoff, or even if you didn’t, we have what is already one of the most talked about and praised issues of the Wrestling Observer this year up on the site right now.  The main theme is fact vs. fiction, covering both the WWE historical view of the Monday Night Wars and the Eric Bischoff version, going through every point and cutting through things like outright B.S., faulty memories and interesting truths.

The new double issue also covers SummerSlam in Brooklyn, the real story behind the UFC announcing a show in Madison Square Garden, Jon Jones’ legal punishment and future, coverage of both of the New Japan PPV shows this past week as well as a look at their direction as they build toward King of Pro Wrestling and later, the Tokyo Dome show, UFC in Japan and a look at that business, the retirement of Rich Franklin, a Hall of Famer running for Mayor, the retirement show of Genichiro Tenryu, more concerning drug testing questions, SummerSlam PPV numbers and what we can learn from them, as well as the death of German legend Axel Dieter Sr.

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter:  October 6, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Analysis of Bischoff Network interview, Jones plea and 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 Meltzer

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

Rates are:

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

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

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

We look at Eric Bischoff and his role, both good and bad, in what the pro wrestling industry has turned into.  We look at the WCW boom, the creation of Nitro, the early war, the NWO era, the peak and the fall of WCW.

We look at the mistakes made, the fall of WCW, the emergence of Bill Goldberg, the real origination of the streak idea,   We look at the rapid decline of the company and why.  We look at how and when things went down, as well as why, how history shows the merger excuse doesn’t hold water, the complete b.s. of the WWE’s Monday Night War narrative.  We look at the dying days of WCW and Eric Bischoff’s plan he never got a chance to implement.

We look at Eric Bischoff’s background, how he got into wrestling, his first meeting with Verne Gagne, his WWF tryout as an announcer, his connection with Japan, the unique case of Sonny Onoo, and the death of the AWA.

We look at the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling, Vince McMahon’s one-year run on TBS and problems with Ted Turner, where Bill Watts fit into the scene then, and the scene prior to the launch of Nitro.

We look at WCW before Bischoff got power, what really happened with Jim Ross and WCW, , moves by Bill Watts, .  We look at the first Nitro, the real story behind Lex Luger, what Lex Luger really got, what really happened in WCW with HHH and Mick Foley, Foley getting into WWF, the story behind Bischoff’s firing of Steve Austin, the cruiserweight division and its double-edge sword, what was the point of no return, the Montreal screw job and why so many, even in wrestling, missed key points in that story, Mike Tyson at WrestleMania, Kevin Nash as a booker, DX invades Nitro and the Bischoff vs. McMahon challenge to a fist fight and the story behind the PPV that went 30 minutes over.

In the UFC Madison Square Garden announcement, we look at the thought process behind the strategy.

FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW CLICK HERE

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

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Tuesday Daily Update

• Notes on Triple H’s NXT conference call
• WWE Raw live results 10-5: Brock Lesnar and Undertaker build to Hell in a Cell
• Today in history
• Unfortunate news from Beau James: Bill Bowman aka Bill Sky of The Sky Brothers and Interns with Joe Turner passed early this morning in Pensacola. Mike Norris is working on a bio now. Bill was a big star in Gulf Coast, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mid Atlantic. 
• Bayley talks to Rolling Stone. Who was her “Bayley” when she was a kid? “Lita made me realize it was possible to just be myself and be able to achieve my dreams. I would watch every interview with her, read every interview, I had her DVD – or back then, it was VHS – but I remember she would say that fans would come up to her at autograph sessions and be like, ‘Man, I feel like we would be friends if you weren’t on TV.’ And that always stuck with me. Lita was the one who made me realize that I didn’t have to change who I was to be where I wanted.“
• The big MMA story of the day is T.J. Dillashaw leaving Team Alpha Male for Elevation Fight Team, which Dillashaw confirmed to Ariel Helwani after an initial report by Globo. This comes on the heels of Faber airing grievances about former Alpha Male coach Duane Ludwig (who transformed Dillashaw’s style and has a gym near the gyms Elevation uses) on The MMA Hour, which he said was because Conor McGregor made comments about the team drama on The Ultimate Fighter.
• Helwani is also reporting that Fedor Emelianenko’s opponent on New Year’s Eve is expected to be a kickboxer turned 1-0 MMA fighter by the name of Jaideep Singh. Looks like Pride really is back.
• Figures Toy Company released a photo of the head sculpt of their upcoming A.J. Styles action figure.
• Bellator MMA announced that Chidi Njokuani (Anthony’s brother) will make his promotional debut on Nov. 20 Against Ricky Rainey. That’s on the undercard of th event headlined by Hisaki Kato vs. Melvin Manhoef.
• Devon Nicholson released a new interview that he did with Harley Race.
• Masked Republic has a new line of officially licensed Perros de Mal merchandise at LuchaShop.com. Coupon code BIX will get you 10% off your order.
• AAW returns this Friday to the Berwyn Eagles Club (6309 W. 26th St. Berwyn, IL). Doors:  7:00pm   Belltime: 7:45pm. Tickets Available http://aawrestling.com/tickets/ – Ethan Page vs. Johnny Gargano in a 2/3 falls match headlines.
• Ricky Steamboat will corner Ricky Morton against Kid Kash at Enter The Dragon on Saturday, October 17, which takes place at Elizabethton High School (907 Jason Witten Way) in Elizabethton, TN (37643). 8:00 PM Bell Time.
• If you missed it, Bill Apter’s book was released earky and is now available on Kindle as well as in paperback. The Kindle price, which was a bit high a few days ago, is now a much more reasonable $8.49. Highly recommended from what I’ve read so far.
• WWE’s next home video release is Sting: Into the Light on DVD and Blu-Ray, which comes out a week from today and is available for pre-order.
• On the newest edition of the Between the Sheets podcast, Kris Zellner and I are joined by Mike Rogalewski to talk September 29th to October 5th, 1996. WWF in turmoil in New York City, comings and goings in Japan, Konnan vs. Antonio Pena at a tipping point, ECW getting red hot, and the early days of the nWo aren’t as great as we remember. 

We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 192, WWE in Madison Square Garden, TNA Bound for Glory and AAA Heroes Inmortales so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match at Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for live reports from Raw tonight in Boston with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else notable that wouldn’t have been on the air itself to Dave Meltzer 

Brock Lesnar is on tonight’s show.

We’re also looking for reports on these weekend shows:

*NXT yesterday in Louisville at the Louder than Life Music and Food Festival

*WWE Friday night in Trenton

Tuesday has Smackdown/Main Event tapings in Philadelphia.  No John Cena here, with Randy Orton, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns being the biggest stars.

NXT TAKEOVER WEDNESDAY FROM FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY IN WINTER PARK, FL at 8 p.m. on the WWE network

Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the NXT title in a 30 minute Iron Woman match

Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament semifinals & finals

JJ Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Rhyno & Baron Corbin

Samoa Joe & Finn Balor vs. Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson

Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze

Asuka vs. Dana Brooke

WrestleMania Tickets go on sale 11/6

WWE announced today that WrestleMania tickets go on sale at 11/6 at 10
a.m. Eastern time for the 4/3 show at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, where the
company will attempt to break its all-time attendance record.

The company announced tickets will top at $2,360 for the first eight rows
of ringside, the Golden Circle VIPs, with $1,180 for the rest of ringside
and the lowest tickets will be priced at $18.

The $2,360 tickets will include a WrestleMania take home chair.  Tickets on sale at ticketmaster.com.

Figure Four Weekly:

The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a look back at how exactly WWE lost the WWF name. Forget the stories you’v heard, this detailsexactly what the World Wildlife Fund objected to, what WWE agreed to and why, what scandals worried the fund, and more.  On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news from Dr. Lucha Steve Sims and and Alan”4L” Counihan.

The recent Figure Four Weeklywith a look at the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI may have helped Hulk Hogan cover up his racist and homophobic comments. A judge has ordered the FBI to turn over the records of their investigation, and what Gawker is saying in court about what has and hasn’t been turned over paints a very interesting picture.

Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it’s available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle.

****

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

If you saw the JBL interview with Eric Bischoff, or even if you didn’t, we have what is already one of the most talked about and praised issues of the Wrestling Observer this year up on the site right now.  The main theme is fact vs. fiction, covering both the WWE historical view of the Monday Night Wars and the Eric Bischoff version, going through every point and cutting through things like outright B.S., faulty memories and interesting truths.

The new double issue also covers SummerSlam in Brooklyn, the real story behind the UFC announcing a show in Madison Square Garden, Jon Jones’ legal punishment and future, coverage of both of the New Japan PPV shows this past week as well as a look at their direction as they build toward King of Pro Wrestling and later, the Tokyo Dome show, UFC in Japan and a look at that business, the retirement of Rich Franklin, a Hall of Famer running for Mayor, the retirement show of Genichiro Tenryu, more concerning drug testing questions, SummerSlam PPV numbers and what we can learn from them, as well as the death of German legend Axel Dieter Sr.

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter:  October 6, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Analysis of Bischoff Network interview, Jones plea and 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 Meltzer

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

Rates are:

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

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

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

We look at Eric Bischoff and his role, both good and bad, in what the pro wrestling industry has turned into.  We look at the WCW boom, the creation of Nitro, the early war, the NWO era, the peak and the fall of WCW.

We look at the mistakes made, the fall of WCW, the emergence of Bill Goldberg, the real origination of the streak idea,   We look at the rapid decline of the company and why.  We look at how and when things went down, as well as why, how history shows the merger excuse doesn’t hold water, the complete b.s. of the WWE’s Monday Night War narrative.  We look at the dying days of WCW and Eric Bischoff’s plan he never got a chance to implement.

We look at Eric Bischoff’s background, how he got into wrestling, his first meeting with Verne Gagne, his WWF tryout as an announcer, his connection with Japan, the unique case of Sonny Onoo, and the death of the AWA.

We look at the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling, Vince McMahon’s one-year run on TBS and problems with Ted Turner, where Bill Watts fit into the scene then, and the scene prior to the launch of Nitro.

We look at WCW before Bischoff got power, what really happened with Jim Ross and WCW, , moves by Bill Watts, .  We look at the first Nitro, the real story behind Lex Luger, what Lex Luger really got, what really happened in WCW with HHH and Mick Foley, Foley getting into WWF, the story behind Bischoff’s firing of Steve Austin, the cruiserweight division and its double-edge sword, what was the point of no return, the Montreal screw job and why so many, even in wrestling, missed key points in that story, Mike Tyson at WrestleMania, Kevin Nash as a booker, DX invades Nitro and the Bischoff vs. McMahon challenge to a fist fight and the story behind the PPV that went 30 minutes over.

In the UFC Madison Square Garden announcement, we look at the thought process behind the strategy.

FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW CLICK HERE

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

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

• Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw and the latest wrestling news with Wresting Observer radio tonight.  You can send in questions for the show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
• Ronda Rousey will become the first female athlete ever to anchor ESPN Sports Center for the 6 p.m. Eastern time airing of the show on Wednesday.
• Rousey is also booked for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night and will be on Mike & Mike, First Take and the midnight Sports Center all on ESPN on Wednesday.
• WWE has announced Charlotte vs. Nikki Bella for the Divas title at Hell in a Cell.  The original lineup we were given for the show had that as a three-way with Paige, so we’ll see if they shoot it in that direction or they changed ideas. 
• Bruno Sammartino turns 80 tomorrow.  We are also scheduled to have him as a guest on our show on Thursday, so if you’ve got any questions, send them to me and I’ll try and get them in.  Some Italian media:  Chiet Today, Abruzzo and Ansa.it
• Brian Pillman passed away 18 years ago today.  He was someone greatly missed, a sardonic genius in many ways.  We’ve got two issues that cover who he was and his legacy in football and wrestling

October 13 1997 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Life and Death of Brian Pillman

October 20 1997 Wrestling Observer Newsletter The Fallout of Brian Pillman’s Death

• There will be a press conference on Thursday at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time in Tokyo Mid Town at Canopy Square in Minato-Ku featuring Nobuyuki Sakakibara and Fedor Emelianenko.  They will be announcing the birth of a new promotion, modeled after Pride, that debuts on New Year’s Eve at the Saitama Super Arena in a show that will air in the U.S. on Spike TV with Emelianenko as the headliner.  Emelianenko’s opponent will be named.  Tito Ortiz today said that it wouldn’t be him and Scott Coker has said that it won’t be Kimbo Slice.
• Kazuchika Okada vs. Roderick Strong and Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Alex Shelley & Kushida will be on Wednesday’s ROH TV show.
• Tigre Uno suffered a separated shoulder in the last minute of the X title match at Bound for Glory last night.  That was a gutsy performance still scaling the cables, but using his legs instead of his arms for the power, to do the planned win.
• Lots of new ROH matches with New Japan talent have been added to New Japan World.
• Paul Levesque will be doing a media conference call tomorrow.
• Jim Ross will be doing a private meet and greet at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Dallas the day before WrestleMania 32, on 4/2.  It will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Maple Conference Room in the lobby of the hotel.  Tickets are $50 and can be purchased HERE
• Congratulations to Ariel Helwani on the 300th episode of the MMA Hour today.  On today’s show, Rampage Jackson told Helwani that he thinks he’s fought his last fight.  He’s currently tangled up in legal issues with Bellator. 
• The movie “Navy Seals vs. Zombies that stars Chad Lail (Gunner in TNA) will be released tomorrow on DVD ad Blue Ray.  Former NBA player Rick Fox is also in the movie. as well as former Olympian LoLo Jones. 

Gunner talks the movie

• Irv Muchnick talks the Jimmy Snuka case
• wXw day three of the world tag team tournament from yesterday in Oberhausen, Germany:  Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly b Axel Dieter Jr. & Da Mack, Robert Dreissker & Julian Negro & Ilja Dragunov b Evil Uno & Stu Grayson & The Rotation, Big Daddy Walter & Zack Sabre Jr. b Chris Brookes & Jonathan Gresham, Michael Dante b Tommaso Ciampa, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Absolute Andy & Bad Bones John Klinger b Jurn Simmons & Tyler Bate & Kevin the Roadster & Marius van Beethoven, A.J. Styles b Tommy End, Karsten Beck b ACH to keep wXw title, Big Daddy Walter & Zack Sabre Jr. b Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly to win tournament.
• WWE stock closed today at $17.95, up 65 cents.
• The WWE 24 episode of NXT airs tonight on the WWE Network after Raw.
• A.J. Styles vs. Donovan Dijak was announced for the 10/23 ROH show in Kalamazoo, MI.
• Daniel Bryan said if WWE doesn’t clear him to wrestle, he will absolutely continue his career outside WWE.
• A story on Titus O’Neil
• Destiny World Wrestling on Saturday night in Mississauga, ONT:  Scotty O’Shea b Phil Atlas, Marko Estrada b Aaron Draven, Randy Reign b Markus Burke, Mathieu St. Jacques & Thomas DuBois b Jersey Boyz, Stone Rockwell b Jimmy Nutts, Jennifer Blake b Xandra Bale, Rey Mysterio Jr. won three-way over P.J. Black and Ricochet to win Destiny heavyweight title (thanks to Steven Ashe)
• Any historians or trivia note know of any Chinese born champions in pro wrestling in the U.S. or Canada?
• Michael Venom Page, one of the most entertaining strikers in MMA, will face Charlie Ontiveros on the 10/23 Bellator show from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. 
• Cher tweeted support of Nick Diaz, writing “Lift the NSAC ban from MMA fighter Nick Diaz.” 
• Mecca Pro Wrestling on 11/7 in Kingston, ONT at the Royal Canadian Legion.  Their show no 10/10 in Iroquois, ONT has been canceled.
• The Ryan Ferris Healthpile in Bernwood, WV is raising money to help former wrestler Nick “Bully” Busick in his battle fighting esophageal cancer.  A lot of are businesses have donated money to help him with his treatments.
• Dynamo Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Fenton, MO:  Brandon Espinosa b Justin D’Air, Jayden Fenix won six-way over Keon Option, Ozzie Gallgher, The Sntich, Da’Marius Jones and Danny Adams, Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby won three-way over Rocket Mapache & Jackal and Shorty Biggs & Outtkast, Mike Outlaw b Elvia Sliaga, Jack Gamble & Jon Webb b Michael Magnuson & Dave DeLorean, Ricky Cruz b Jake Dirden to win their title (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
• Pro Championship Wrestling on Saturday night in Granite City, IL:  Pierre Abernathy & Danny Adams b Jake Dirden & Mike Outlaw, Austin Blackburn b Everett Connors, Davey Vega b Evan Gelistico, Mark Sterling won three-way over Mikey McFinnegan and Billy McNeil, Mat Fitchett b Zakk Sawyers, Adam Caster b Nate Redwing, K.C. Karrington won a four-way over Makaze, Jeremy Wyatt and Steven Kennedy.
• Hoosier Pro Wrestling on Saturday night drew a full house to see the return of Jimmy Valiant in Columbus, IN:  Eddie Felson b Shawn Kemp, Cousin Cooter b Dynamite Dillen, Drax O’Brien b Troy Van Zant, Jimmy Valiant & Doink the Clown b Shawn Cook & Billy Bart, Lightning  Bolt b Tom Van Zant-DQ, Clint Poe b Jon Wall, Flash Flanagan & Timmy Danger NC Cowboy Marc Houston & TJ Kemp.  Next show is 11/7 as the 17th anniversary show and will be headlined by NWA champion Jax Dane.
• Rob Van Dam will be at the 2015 Central Canadian Comic Con in Winnipeg on 10/31 and 11/1.
• Victory Commonwealth Wrestling on 10/15 in Ajax ONT at The Reaper’s headlined by Nick Watts vs. Bishop in a ladder match.
• Great Canadian Wrestling on 12/5 in Oshawa, ONT at Harmony Hall.
• Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 11/28 in Oshawa, ONT at Royal Canadian Legion #43.
• Top Rope Promotions from Saturday night in Brockton, MA before 200 fans:  Ted Goodz b TK O’Ryan, Franky Vain & Brutal Bob Evans b Craig Costa & Will Worthington & Marshall McNeill, Brad Hollister b Antonio Thomas (former WWE wrestler), Scotty 2 Hotty b Mike McCarthy, Nick Steele b Vinny Marseglia, Kongo b  Christian Casanova, Chuck O’Neill (former UFC fighter) b Ryan Waters.
• Pure Wrestling Alliance TV taping on 10/24 in Kitchener, ONT at the Alpine Club.  They are taping for Rogers TV. 
• Chavo Guerrero vs. Bobby Jaggers was the new match added today to NWAClassics.com
• Canadian Wrestling Elite on 10/16 in Fannystelle, Manitoba at the Fannystelle Hall. 
• Forbes on the Madison Square Garden WWE show
• Chikara Pro has started a subscription service
• Jeff Marek from Hockey Night in Canada and the MvsW podcast returns to the Winter Palace podcast to discuss the creation of Live Audio Wrestling, helping Trish Stratus make her way to the WWF, and previews the new NHL season with talk of 3 on 3 overtime, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, forecasts the Leafs and Wings seasons and more. Plus, talk about CMLL anniversary show fallout, Los Ingobernables t-shirts for sale online and other popular culture news.  Check it out here.

ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

1971 – Jumbo Miyamoto & Aiko Kyo beat Maria Vagnone & Jane Sherrill in Chiba to win the WWWA tag titles

1980 – Vicki Williams beat Irma Gonzalez in Mexico City to win the UWA women’s title

1993 – Dandy beat Emilio Charles Jr. to win the CMLL middleweight title

1995 – Ultimo Dragon beat Gedo in Omiya to win the WAR Int. jr. title

2008 – Cyber Kong & Yamato beat Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino in Fukuoka to win the Open the Twin Gate tag titles

2010 – La Mascara beat Volador Jr. in Mexico City to win the Mexican National light hevyweight title

2012 – Dragon Rojo Jr. beat Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) in Mexico City to win the NWA Historic middleweight title