Category: Daily Updates

For this weekend, we will be doing polls on both NXT Takeover tonight and SummerSlam tomorrow, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We’re also looking for reports from these events:

Global Force Wrestling TV tapings from last night in Las Vegas

ROH from tonight in MCU Field in Brooklyn:

Young Bucks & Matt Sydal vs. ACH & Michael Bennett & Matt Taven

Adam Cole vs. Christopher Daniels

Hirooki Goto vs. Michael Elgin

Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer vs. Hanson & Ray Rowe

Kazuchika Okada vs. Roderick Strong

Jay Lethal & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly

Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Alex Shelley & Kushida

We’re also looking for reports on the various WWE activities around New York, as well as the Jim Ross show at 7 p.m. at the Gramercy Theater and the Pro Wrestling Syndiate show at 8 p.m in Sayreville, NJ with Rey Mysterio Jr., Kenny Omega, Sabu and Mick Foley. 

We’re told the Roderick Strong vs. Jay Lethal ROH title match, which was taped for television, was tremendous and it’ll take something really great to top it for match of the weekend.  Strong was bleeding from his forhead hardway during the match.

Holly Holm was the second most searched for term on the Internet on Friday with more than 100,000 searches. 

by WrestlingObserver.com Staff

This Sunday is SummerSlam, between now and then we have a few shows.  NXT TakeOver in Brooklyn on Saturday, UFC Fight Night Saskatoon headlined by Holloway against Oliveira on Sunday.  ROH also has a show Saturday.  Smackdown airs tonight to kick it all off.

Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive return today with Wrestling Observer Live to further discuss this weekend as well as other current events. This can be listened to live here or through the iHeart Radio app.

Tonight:
Smackdown (8pm Eastern on SyFy)

• Ryback vs. Big Show
• The New Day vs. Los Matadores and El Torito
• Neville vs. Bo Dalls
• Brie Bella vs Sasha Banks vs Becky Lynch

Orton, Ambrose, Reigns and Cesaro vs. Sheamus, Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Kevin Owens

If you don’t watch it or just want to read spoilers:  WWE Smackdown TV results (August 20): SummerSlam go-home show, huge eight-man tag

Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!

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The new issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to th site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a chat with Konnan about the state of AAA heading into TripleMania XXIII. We discuss the company’s improvements in production, advantages over WWE and differences in philosophy, how to listen to fans, and much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news, including Dr. Lucha’s TripleMania preview.

Last week’s FREE Figure 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. 

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WWE’s weekend in Brooklyn is the main story in this weeks Wrestling Observer Newsletter now available. This includes both Summerslam on Sunday as well as NXT Takeover on Saturday. We also have full coverage of the now finished G1 Climax and what the results mean for NJPW in the near future. In addition we look at UFC teamsters looking at options of unionization and the morale issues that spawned it. We also have a look at the AAA TripleMania PPV show, UFC ratings increases, the brawl at the WSOF show, UFC suing Wanderlei Silva and Layla retiring.

The issue is on the site right now at August 24, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Summerslam preview, G1 Tournament and finals review, Silva trial details

Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!

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 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 the WWE events in Brooklyn with three straight full houses and look historically at the only other promotion that has been able to do it historically and the record, as well as updates on the NXT and SummerSlam shows and more details on the NXT card as well as the probable main event stipulation and ticket demand.

We have a complete look at the G-1 Climax tournament, including updates on the last few days, the standings, the Sumo Hall preview and coverage of all the shows this past week with star ratings.

We’ve got a look at the attempts to unionize UFC fighters, the real story behind the attempt, the letter sent by UFC to all of its fighters and why they probably could have written it better, and a look at UFC business.

We also look at the wealth of Vince McMahon, Rosa Mendes being pregnant, WWE injury updates, lawsuits, weird match, Tough Enough, new names, insider trading, Raw advance, Diva search news plus notes on all the weekend WWE & NXT events. 

We look at TripleMania, all the problems with the show, what happened with the Spanish language broadcast, mistakes made in booking, how the card had to change from its original plans, the letter AAA sent out after, the retirements and Hall of Fame ceremony, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

We also have coverage of this past week’s UFC show, with business notes, the Johnson-Dariush scoring, and match by match coverage with bonuses.

We also look at the brawl at the WSOF show with The Diaz Brothers and Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as the problems in the Jake Shields vs.  Rousimar Palhares fight.

We’ve also got notes on the retirement of Layla from WWE and highlights of her career.

We also look at the lawsuit WWE has filed against Wanderlei Silva for alleging the company fixes fights.

We look at the CMLL Anniversary show, an injury to the best older wrestler in the business, a New Japan star comes to Mexico and a rundown on the main events the past two weeks at Arena Mexico.

We also look at another Rey Mysterio match, as well as the next major Dragon  Gate show lineup and highlights from the past week.

We also look at New Japan stars heading to NOAH.

We also look at the beginning of talks for an international group to return to PPV, as well as a look at the Fire Festival, one of Genichiro Tenryu’s last matches and a set up for an angle with one of the biggest stars of the 80s vs. one of the biggest stars of the 90s.

We’ve got notes on the funeral of Roddy Piper, more on the Hulk Hogan tapes story, Hogan’s first public appearance, two Roddy Piper moves that haven’t come out, one of the biggest stars of the last ten years suffering a major health issue, a former star gets his number retired, a U.K. star returns after cancer, a retirement that probably isn’t a retirement, a Japanese promotion running in October in California, a wrestler having his first match in 20 years, the second oldest living wrestler and his background, big shows in Puerto Rico and news no two different wrestling Halls of Fame.

We also have an update on the status of Lucha Underground, what changes have to be made, the audience watching the show, what to look out for, notes on the contracts the performers have, update on Vampiro and coverage of both weeks of Ultima Lucha.

We also look at the ROH show in Brooklyn, TNA Hall of fame ceremony, and upcoming TNA house shows.

We also look at McGregor vs. Aldo, a big show vs. normal show, Las Vegas vs. Cowboys Stadium, Rousey vs. Cyborg update, Lawler vs. McGregor, UFC financials, how much it costs them every year just in interest on their bond, what kind of profits they are making, lots of ratings into, Rousey business notes, the Aldo drug testing fiasco, Overeem vs. Dos Santos, Punk vs. Pendred, fighter already talking about coming out of retirement, and lots of new UFC fights.

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 Update

• Fight Network presents RFA 29 USA vs. Brazil Live August 21 at 10:00 PM ET.
• Natalya did a pre-Summerslam interview with Newsday
• WWE NXT TakeOver Brooklyn preview: Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens ladder match, Bayley vs. Sasha Banks title match
• WWE News: 2K announces Supercard Season 2 updates
• SportingNews did an interview with this week’s Tough Enough elimination Tanner
• UFC Fight Night 74 Preview: 5 storylines to watch, betting odds & predictions
• August 22 GFW will be running a show in Reno, NV. Tickets can be purchased hereSonjay Dutt v Ryan McQueen, Reno SCUM v The Bullet Club, Christina Von Eerie v Amber O’Neal, Chris Mordetzky (formerly Chris Masters) v Nick Aldis (formerly Magnus), Virgil Flynn v PJ Black (formerly Justin Gabriel), JR Kratos v Paul Isadora
• WWE NXT TV results (August 19): Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, and the last stop before Takeover
• Fox News has a story on Lanny Poffo vowing to live to 100
• Matt Hardy did an interview with WrestlingInc and talked about his WWE departure, his TNA run, and much more
• Harley Race has a free shoot interview posted for a limited time
• UFC News: UFC issues statement on Rumble Johnson
• EWF presents a couple of FREE Pro Wrestling events. One on Thursday Augut 20th in Baldwin Park. and the other At The Plaza in Norwalk also a FREE event on August 22nd. If you like those events then I would like to invite you to a spectacular event on September 4th in Covina. is a family friendly event fun for the whole family. It’s wrestling the way it used to be. The way it should be. Wrestling the way our parents and Grandparents remeber it.
• There are standing room tickets available for Friday’s ROH show in Philadelphia
• Check our our most recent free shows:
  Bryan & Vinny & Craig Show 8/18: Raw go-home for SummerSlam, WCW Nitro from 19 years ago, tons more!
  Wrestling Observer Live 8/18: Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker, SummerSlam, plus Vito Thomaselli and Seth Petruzelli appear!
  Aug 17 Wrestling Observer Radio: WWE SummerSlam go-home Raw report, new UFC fights, more!

by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.com | Follow @davidbix

Tonight:

* NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network has Samoa Joe and Tyler Breeze in action in separate singles matches, Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady, Mojo Rawley, and Zack Ryder in an eight man tag team squash match, NXT Tag Tam Champions Blake and Murphy vs. Sawyer Fulton and Angelo Dawkins in a non-title match, and all sorts of promos for the big matches at TakeOver since this is the go-home show.

* Impact Wrestling at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America their Turning Point “free PPV” show with Ethan Carter III (c) vs. “Darewolf” P.J. Black for the TNA World Heavyight championship,  Mr. Anderson vs. Bram in an “Open Mic Challenge,” and Gail Kim vs. The Dollhouse in a steel cage match.

* ROH at 11:00 p.m. ET on Destination America has Young Bucks vs. Roppongi Vice as the main event plus Moose vs. Will Ferrara and Silas Young vs. Dalton Castle. 

No UFC programming n Fox Sports 1 tonight.

**** 

The new issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to th site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a chat with Konnan about the state of AAA heading into TripleMania XXIII. We discuss the company’s improvements in production, advantages over WWE and differences in philosophy, how to listen to fans, and much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news, including Dr. Lucha’s TripleMania preview.

Last week’s FREE Figure 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. 

**** 

A look at the WWE shows next week in Brooklyn is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.  We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament and how it all builds for the Tokyo Dome and the fall season, as well as coverage of all the G-1 matches this past week.  We also have a look at the Teamsters attempting to unionize UFC fighters, the UFC’s letter sent to fighters and morale issues.  We also have a look at the AAA TripleMania PPV show, UFC ratings increases, the brawl at the WSOF show, UFC suing Wanderlei Silva and Layla retiring.

The issue is on the site right now at August 17, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Summerslam build, Unions courting UFC fighters

Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at  Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!

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 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 the WWE events in Brooklyn with three straight full houses and look historically at the only other promotion that has been able to do it historically and the record, as well as updates on the NXT and SummerSlam shows and more details on the NXT card as well as the probable main event stipulation and ticket demand.

We have a complete look at the G-1 Climax tournament, including updates on the last few days, the standings, the Sumo Hall preview and coverage of all the shows this past week with star ratings.

We’ve got a look at the attempts to unionize UFC fighters, the real story behind the attempt, the letter sent by UFC to all of its fighters and why they probably could have written it better, and a look at UFC business.

We also look at the wealth of Vince McMahon, Rosa Mendes being pregnant, WWE injury updates, lawsuits, weird match, Tough Enough, new names, insider trading, Raw advance, Diva search news plus notes on all the weekend WWE & NXT events. 

We look at TripleMania, all the problems with the show, what happened with the Spanish language broadcast, mistakes made in booking, how the card had to change from its original plans, the letter AAA sent out after, the retirements and Hall of Fame ceremony, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

We also have coverage of this past week’s UFC show, with business notes, the Johnson-Dariush scoring, and match by match coverage with bonuses.

We also look at the brawl at the WSOF show with The Diaz Brothers and Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as the problems in the Jake Shields vs.  Rousimar Palhares fight.

We’ve also got notes on the retirement of Layla from WWE and highlights of her career.

We also look at the lawsuit WWE has filed against Wanderlei Silva for alleging the company fixes fights.

We look at the CMLL Anniversary show, an injury to the best older wrestler in the business, a New Japan star comes to Mexico and a rundown on the main events the past two weeks at Arena Mexico.

We also look at another Rey Mysterio match, as well as the next major Dragon  Gate show lineup and highlights from the past week.

We also look at New Japan stars heading to NOAH.

We also look at the beginning of talks for an international group to return to PPV, as well as a look at the Fire Festival, one of Genichiro Tenryu’s last matches and a set up for an angle with one of the biggest stars of the 80s vs. one of the biggest stars of the 90s.

We’ve got notes on the funeral of Roddy Piper, more on the Hulk Hogan tapes story, Hogan’s first public appearance, two Roddy Piper moves that haven’t come out, one of the biggest stars of the last ten years suffering a major health issue, a former star gets his number retired, a U.K. star returns after cancer, a retirement that probably isn’t a retirement, a Japanese promotion running in October in California, a wrestler having his first match in 20 years, the second oldest living wrestler and his background, big shows in Puerto Rico and news no two different wrestling Halls of Fame.

We also have an update on the status of Lucha Underground, what changes have to be made, the audience watching the show, what to look out for, notes on the contracts the performers have, update on Vampiro and coverage of both weeks of Ultima Lucha.

We also look at the ROH show in Brooklyn, TNA Hall of fame ceremony, and upcoming TNA house shows.

We also look at McGregor vs. Aldo, a big show vs. normal show, Las Vegas vs. Cowboys Stadium, Rousey vs. Cyborg update, Lawler vs. McGregor, UFC financials, how much it costs them every year just in interest on their bond, what kind of profits they are making, lots of ratings into, Rousey business notes, the Aldo drug testing fiasco, Overeem vs. Dos Santos, Punk vs. Pendred, fighter already talking about coming out of retirement, and lots of new UFC fights.

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

• As Dave noted earlier, the Minnesota Vikings appear to have let it slip that WrestleMania is coming to the Twin Cities soon, presumably in 2017. It’s mentioned in a video about the new U.S. Bank Stadium.

A statement from WWE on the matter:  “Minneapolis is one of the many cities that has expressed an interest in hosting a future WrestleMania. Beyond WrestleMania in Dallas, TX on April 3, 2016, locations for future WrestleMania’s have not been announced. “

• Also, UFC 193 in Melbourne is officially going to be at the 55,000 seat Ethiad Stadium. The top two fights will be Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit for the welterwight title and Mark Hunt vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in a rematch of the greatest heavyweight fight in UFC history.
• UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Johnson posted this on Facebook, only yo delete it later (thanks to Syndie Jones of WomensMMA.com for the transcription; she also has a screen grabof the post):
  To the ugly girl in the gym built like a bag of dry dog food, this is for you.
  If you get in my way or any other athlete way again I’ll through your yoga mat across the gym AGAIN.
  Who in their right mind stretches where ppl are suppose to lift? Don’t ever run your mouth at me again you won’t win that battle I will. Talking about it was rude that I lifted next to you while you were stretching. You need more than stretching to help that beat up body.
  Run to the front desk again crying talking about you feel threaten and gonna go to social media. I really don’t care! I’ve been through worse! That’s a athletes gym not a yoga studio. That fake crying does nothing for anybody btw. Just like the guy said you live in his neighborhood and you exaggerate and overreact all the time…
  So one more time don’t run your mouth and don’t do yoga stretching where ppl lift weights or I’ll snatch the mat from under you AGAIN and throw it AGAIN…
  Understand? Good girl…
  One more thing stop wearing sports bras when your tummy look like a old country red clay dirt road.
  Johnson has been accused of domestic violence by three different women and plead no contest in one of those cases. Apparently, he thought it was a good idea to go on the internet and post that he attacked a woman by yanking a yoga mat out from under hr. Also, for what it’s worth, if the gym he’s speaking of is the JACO Hybrid Training Center, the hom of the Blackzillians pro MMA team that he’s a senior member of (and which currently includes four fighters with a history of domestic violence allegations), then their website does say that they offer yoga classes. That said, regardless of whether or not she was supposed to be doing yoga where she was, it doesn’t excuse anything he said or said he did. 
  On Twitter, when one MMA fan posited this: “People talking to you in a way you don’t like isn’t an excuse to pull a mat from underneath them. Do you think that’s okay?” Johnson’s answer? “yup.” In the past, he responded to a question about his domestic violence histry with :lol” among other comments. 
• Last night on the new episode of Real Sports, they acknowledge Roddy Piper’s death and showed a clip of the 2003 interview where he talked abut drugs in wrestling and how he wouldn’t make it to 65 years old. 

• WWE put out a press release today with a schedule of SummerSlam week events. It’s missing the Ultimate Warrior book launch event and maybe a couple other things.

• Jonathan Snowden has an extensive article about Brock Lesnar at CNN/Bleacher Repoert. It includes comments from Paul Heyman, Jim Ross, and even myself. Don;t let that last part discpurage you; it’s a great read.

• Our friends at Live Audio Wrestling have an interview with Roman Reigns. It includes these commnts on this year’s Royal Rumble: There honestly isn’t a right or wrong way to do anything, this isn’t a “sport” per say. I’m not a nose tackle shaded over a center, there are only so many things a nose tackle can do within the game of football and his techniques and how he plays. 

In sports entertainment, professional wrestling, entertainment, storytelling, you can do anything, you can tell any story you want to. It’s difficult to say, especially within what we do, with hindsight. I think there is a lot of things we could have done or maybe thought about, but it is what it is, it really is. It all happened for a reason. Bryan and myself were both hurt we were both coming back around similar times. 100% it didn’t help me coming back around the same time as Bryan, especially with everything he has gone though over the past year, year-and-a-half. People talk about getting through adversity and going through some tough stuff, the stuff that happened to Bryan, the ups and downs, I think everyone was rooting for him (Bryan), I was rooting for him. I still to this day root for him. I want to see Bryan back in a wrestling ring, tearing the house down with myself and all the rest of the boys.

It was just a tough situation, regardless of what happened or how we could have changed that night as far as responses, as far as having the crowd react properly to me, or how we wanted them to, it didn’t. But it helped me, it helped me grow, it left a huge impression on me, you know I thank Philly every day for that. You have to learn fast in this business and I’d like to think I’m doing that, but without that night, that was a huge kick in the ass, that lit a fire under me. If you’ve seen what I’ve done in the past six-months, I think you can tell Royal Rumble definitely helped me.

• From a UFC press release: USA Wrestling today announced UFC® as an official sponsor of the 2015 World Wrestling Championships, which will be held from Monday, September 7 through Saturday, September 12 at the Orleans Arena, adjacent to The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

• The National Post in Canada has an op-ed defending Hulk Hogan. Nothing too surprising: It’s taking the privacy point of viw given the context of where he said what he got in trouble, which it seems like is a factor most people have been sympathetic to. Of course, it did turn out later that he made more racist comments where he knew he was being recorded.
• The Star Phoenix tackles various UFC what-ifs, with Dave supplying the potential alternativc scenarios. Fun read.
• At MMAFighting, Dave has articles about:
  UFC giving fighters title shots off losses.
  Fedor Emelianenko, Kazushi Sakuraba, and Frank Shamrock appearing at the next Bellator FanFest.
• In Channel Guide Magazine, Scott Fishman does his latest Tough Enough exit interview with Tanner.
• At The Sporting News, Brian Fritz also has his own interview with Tanner.

• From a Slamdance press release:  Slamdance joins forces with the filmmakers behind “The Resurrection of Jake The Snake” for a multi-city theatrical release of the 2015 Slamdance Film festival favorite documentary beginning in Portland, Oregon on September 2, 2015. The Portland Film Festival will host the film’s release with a special event screening and a Q&A session moderated by UFC superstar Chael Sonnen with Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Diamond Dallas Page and director Steve Yu. The event format is a key element of the film’s continuing theatrical release with personal appearances by Jake “The Snake,” filmmakers and special guests.

• Upcoming All-Star Wrestling dates:

SEPT 11 Fri
Vancouver, BC @ Scottish Cultural Center
Sep 11 @ 8:00 PM

SEP 12 Sat
Squamish, BC @ Totem Hall
Sep 12 @ 7:30 PM

SEP 25 Fri
Cloverdale Fairgrounds @ Cloverdale Fairgrounds
Sep 25 @ 8:00 PM

OCT 23 Fri
Cloverdale Fairgrounds – FRIGHT NIGHT! @ Cloverdale Fairgrounds
Oct 23 @ 8:00 PM

NOV 13 Fri
Vancouver, BC @ Scottish Cultural Center
Nov 13 @ 8:00 PM

NOV 27 Fri
Cloverdale Fairgrounds – NOVEMBER NIGHTMARE! @ Cloverdale Fairgrounds
Nov 27 @ 8:00 PM

Johny Hendricks returned to Submission Radio to chat with the boys about his fight with Tyron Woodley at UFC 192.

If Johny beats Tyron being getting the next title shot should be almost guaranteed however if that doesn’t pan out we might just see Bigg Rigg start beating people from ranking 15 up he explained “Well I hope so. If that doesn’t get me the title shot – if I beat the number five ranked guy and I beat the four ranked guy, I guess I need to drop down to the number 15th guy, beat them and that will give me a title shot.” With Carlos being ranked 4th and getting the shot over Hendricks Submission Radio asked the former champion if rankings really still mean anything Johny still thinks there’s a place for them “I understand rankings, you know what I mean, I do. And there’s a place for ’em. Now it’d be different if I was 0-2 against Robbie. If I was 0-2, then you sit there and say “okay, how do I get back to being number one”, or I gotta hope that somebody beats him. If somebody beats him, then I can go back into another title fight. But this is 1-1. I just feel like no matter what it was, nobody should have jumped me.”


In a similar position in the Featherweight division a fellow wrestler Frankie Edgar has found himself passed over many times for a potential title shot when asked if he worries about becoming the “Frankie Edgar” of the welterweight division Johny said “Here’s the thing, look at Frankie Edgar. He’s exciting and he hasn’t got a title shot in how long? You know what I’m saying? It’s just one of those things. Here’s what I’ve learned, do not try to think too much. Do not try to think too much. Do your job. And my job is to fight.

Being picked over Hendricks as a more exciting fight for fans Johny questions how exciting Carlos Condit really is in a title situation “We’ve seen him – they keep saying that “oh he does exciting fights”. But realistically his title shots, they haven’t been as exciting. You know, Nick Diaz. Five round fight. Then Georges St. Pierre – besides the head kick. The way he fights whenever he fights these guys that he knows that he has to worry about power.”


Speaking of Carlos, GSP recently made a comment about “If I would have to bet  between Lawler, Hendricks and Condit, I believe Condit is the one that will emerge victorious. That’s on a five round fight. He’s a nightmare.” Johny Hendricks doesn’t really care about what Georges has to say “Ah, who cares? (laughs) You know what I mean? Who cares? Yeah the reason why he’s saying that is ’cause the last time [against Condit] I got tired in the third round, right? But here’s the thing, it’s a three round fight. Everybody’s like “Oh if you would have went five rounds, Condit would have beat him”. Well no, because if I was training for a five-round fight – which I think I’ve proven that I can go five rounds – I can do those things and that’s important. So realistically, who cares?”


Before UFC 192 Johny discussed some of his advantages over Tyron Woodley “One. Fighting a lot of top five opponents back to back to back to back. I think since 2013 I’ve been fighting top five guys, actually probably even sooner than that. ‘Cause I went Fitch, Koscheck, Condit was one of them, then I had Martin Kampmann and then GSP. So I’ve had a lot of them, and I’ve also had a lot of five-round fights. So maybe that’s one thing that could be in my favour, is that I’ve had a lot of experience, a lot of exposure to the media and all that kind of stuff. And also the big-time pressure fights. I’ve been there. But realistically I try not to think of any of that. I know I just named off some of the stuff, but whenever I’m training and whenever I’m doing things I try to sit there and say “we’re equal, we’re the same”. Because how do I beat a guy that’s equal to me? And that’s sort of the way that I try to approach every fight.” So how will the fight play out? Johny shares his prediction “There’s a couple ways I see it ending. First and foremost I want to get my hand raised. I think that’s most important, getting your hand raised. Second is that hopefully I can go out there and showcase some of my things that I’ve been working on. Every fight I’m improving my striking. I think people see that, that I am improving my striking. And that’s really important to me because I think that’s gonna help me further down the road. And knowing that, but also showing the power that I have now, you know, getting back to the old ways. That’s really what I want to showcase.”


Interview link: http://bit.ly/1WB9YFd


Transcript

Johny’s reaction when he got passed over for Carlos Condit on the next title shot

“You know what, realistically it’s not the first time. You know what I’m saying? Yeah you’re a little upset, but realistically you just look at it and say “Man, it is what it is”. Don’t know why, don’t know how, but he did. So if he did, then you just sit there and say “hey, get one more win. Get one more win and move forward”, to where you start getting ‘Cowboy’ [Cerrone]. I’ve been telling everybody, you do the Cowboy way. You just sit there and start beating everybody until there are no more number one contenders except for me.”

If Hendricks believes he gets a title shot after he beats Tyron

“Well I hope so. If that doesn’t get me the title shot – if I beat the number five ranked guy and I beat the four ranked guy, I guess I need to drop down to the number 15th guy, beat them and that will give me a title shot.”

On if having rankings makes sense if Johny is ranked #1 and still doesn’t get a title shot

“I understand rankings, you know what I mean, I do. And there’s a place for ’em. Now it’d be different if I was 0-2 against Robbie. If I was 0-2, then you sit there and say “okay, how do I get back to being number one”, or I gotta hope that somebody beats him. If somebody beats him, then I can go back into another title fight. But this is 1-1. I just feel like no matter what it was, nobody should have jumped me.”

On if Hendricks worries about ending up in a similar spot to Frankie Edgar and constantly missing the title shot

“Here’s the thing, look at Frankie Edgar. He’s exciting and he hasn’t got a title shot in how long? You know what I’m saying? It’s just one of those things. Here’s what I’ve learned, do not try to think too much. Do not try to think too much. Do your job. And my job is to fight. And the way that I look at it and the way that I’m thinking of it is that sometimes you gotta take it in your own hands. Yes. But I’m never going to talk trash or call somebody something or do anything to get a fight. I mean I have kids. I’ve done so good so far letting my fighting do the talking. And if that’s what I have to do to get a fight [talking trash], then I’m not gonna do it. Like I said, then that’s why I’d rather go with this kind of attitude. I’m just gonna keep beating people and beating people and beating people until there is no one left.”

On who’s winning between Carlos and Robbie

“I think it’s gonna be a good fight. I don’t know. The reason why it’s gonna be tough is because it depends what game plan Carlos Condit comes out with. We’ve seen him – they keep saying that “oh he does exciting fights”. But realistically his title shots, they haven’t been as exciting. You know, Nick Diaz. Five round fight. Then Georges St. Pierre – besides the head kick. The way he fights whenever he fights these guys that he knows that he has to worry about power. And who knows, he might go out there and try and throw offense right off the bat and take the fight to Robbie Lawler. Only time can tell. ‘Cause like I said, there’s still a lot of time. You also gotta think too if it’s November the 14th, that right there might be a great thing [for Carlos]. How well does Robbie recover from this last fight [against Rory MacDonald]? That might play a big factor. [You] just don’t know, and only time can tell.”

On if a part of Johny hopes Carlos wins because it’s the more “Marketable” fight than another rematch against Lawler

“Yeah. Realistically I don’t care who it is. I don’t care who wins it. I was hoping that Robbie was going to win this last one deep down so that way I could get my rematch. Now that it didn’t happen I don’t care who wins this fight. Whoever, whenever, it doesn’t matter. But realistically right now the thing I can think of – that I know I have to think of – is Tyron Woodley. If I don’t look for him – he’s ranked in the top five for a reason, and if I overlook him then that can be bad news for me, and it might take me two more fights to get back to the title.”

On if it’s difficult for Johny to see Tyron as a big threat going into this fight due to his lack of performance against top Welterweights previously

“No, you have to. You have to think of him as threat. If you don’t think of him as a threat it could be poor judgement. It’s a fight, and it’s a tough fight. He has wrestling and he has power in his right hand, and whenever you look at those two things, if you don’t look at him and respect him, then you lose. And when you lose it takes you that much longer to get back to where you wanna be,”

Who is the better MMA wrestler and if Tyron’s wrestling is something that Johny will have to watch out for

“It is and then it isn’t. Meaning that it is because when you start some of the exchanges, who’s to say that he doesn’t come out and try and get a take down, you know, sort of bait me into one or try and throw some punches to get to one. So you sort of have to worry about those takedowns. But then again, you don’t go in there thinking that that’s the only thing he’s going to do because then that might mess up your striking abilities. But what you want to do and what you need to do – let’s say he goes out there and I’m worried about his takedowns. I start striking but I’m not really committing on a lot of punches. That’s gonna build confidence on him. And the more confidence he builds, then he might use that to his advantage to get some takedowns.”

His advantages of Tyron

“One. Fighting a lot of top five opponents back to back to back to back. I think since 2013 I’ve been fighting top five guys, actually probably even sooner than that. ‘Cause I went Fitch, Koscheck, Condit was one of them, then I had Martin Kampmann and then GSP. So I’ve had a lot of them, and I’ve also had a lot of five-round fights. So maybe that’s one thing that could be in my favour, is that I’ve had a lot of experience, a lot of exposure to the media and all that kind of stuff. And also the big-time pressure fights. I’ve been there. But realistically I try not to think of any of that. I know I just named off some of the stuff, but whenever I’m training and whenever I’m doing things I try to sit there and say “we’re equal, we’re the same”. Because how do I beat a guy that’s equal to me? And that’s sort of the way that I try to approach every fight.”

Hendricks responds to GSP’s comments about  Condit being more dangerous than Hendricks (GSP: “If I would have to bet  between Lawler, Hendricks and Condit, I believe Condit is the one that will emerge victorious. That’s on a five round fight. He’s a nightmare.”)

“Ah, who cares? (laughs) You know what I mean? Who cares? Yeah the reason why he’s saying that is ’cause the last time [against Condit] I got tired in the third round, right? But here’s the thing, it’s a three round fight. Everybody’s like “Oh if you would have went five rounds, Condit would have beat him”. Well no, because if I was training for a five-round fight – which I think I’ve proven that I can go five rounds – I can do those things and that’s important. So realistically, who cares?”

Johny’s Prediction

“There’s a couple ways I see it ending. First and foremost I want to get my hand raised. I think that’s most important, getting your hand raised. Second is that hopefully I can go out there and showcase some of my things that I’ve been working on. Every fight I’m improving my striking. I think people see that, that I am improving my striking. And that’s really important to me because I think that’s gonna help me further down the road. And knowing that, but also showing the power that I have now, you know, getting back to the old ways. That’s really what I want to showcase.”

by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.com | Follow @davidbix

Tonight:

Tough Enough airs live at 8:00 p.m. ET on USA Network with an episode titles “Friend or Foe?” One of the three remaining men is being eliminated this week. The promo shows them training at Full Sail Live.

Total Divas airs at 8:00 p.m. ET n E! with an episode titled “No Holds Barre.” The Bella Twins start a new business but their brother, JJ, tries to take it over, while Trinity cares for her stepkids and and Eva Marie plans on using some kind of NEW DANGEROUS MOVE to prove herself. 

SmackDown and Main Event will be taped in Green Bay, WI. If you’re attending and would like to send us a spoiler report, then please send it to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

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The new issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to th site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a chat with Konnan about the state of AAA heading into TripleMania XXIII. We discuss the company’s improvements in production, advantages over WWE and differences in philosophy, how to listen to fans, and much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news, including Dr. Lucha’s TripleMania preview.

Last week’s FREE Figure 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. 

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A look at the WWE shows next week in Brooklyn is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.  We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament and how it all builds for the Tokyo Dome and the fall season, as well as coverage of all the G-1 matches this past week.  We also have a look at the Teamsters attempting to unionize UFC fighters, the UFC’s letter sent to fighters and morale issues.  We also have a look at the AAA TripleMania PPV show, UFC ratings increases, the brawl at the WSOF show, UFC suing Wanderlei Silva and Layla retiring.

The issue is on the site right now at August 17, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Summerslam build, Unions courting UFC fighters

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

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 the WWE events in Brooklyn with three straight full houses and look historically at the only other promotion that has been able to do it historically and the record, as well as updates on the NXT and SummerSlam shows and more details on the NXT card as well as the probable main event stipulation and ticket demand.

We have a complete look at the G-1 Climax tournament, including updates on the last few days, the standings, the Sumo Hall preview and coverage of all the shows this past week with star ratings.

We’ve got a look at the attempts to unionize UFC fighters, the real story behind the attempt, the letter sent by UFC to all of its fighters and why they probably could have written it better, and a look at UFC business.

We also look at the wealth of Vince McMahon, Rosa Mendes being pregnant, WWE injury updates, lawsuits, weird match, Tough Enough, new names, insider trading, Raw advance, Diva search news plus notes on all the weekend WWE & NXT events. 

We look at TripleMania, all the problems with the show, what happened with the Spanish language broadcast, mistakes made in booking, how the card had to change from its original plans, the letter AAA sent out after, the retirements and Hall of Fame ceremony, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

We also have coverage of this past week’s UFC show, with business notes, the Johnson-Dariush scoring, and match by match coverage with bonuses.

We also look at the brawl at the WSOF show with The Diaz Brothers and Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as the problems in the Jake Shields vs.  Rousimar Palhares fight.

We’ve also got notes on the retirement of Layla from WWE and highlights of her career.

We also look at the lawsuit WWE has filed against Wanderlei Silva for alleging the company fixes fights.

We look at the CMLL Anniversary show, an injury to the best older wrestler in the business, a New Japan star comes to Mexico and a rundown on the main events the past two weeks at Arena Mexico.

We also look at another Rey Mysterio match, as well as the next major Dragon  Gate show lineup and highlights from the past week.

We also look at New Japan stars heading to NOAH.

We also look at the beginning of talks for an international group to return to PPV, as well as a look at the Fire Festival, one of Genichiro Tenryu’s last matches and a set up for an angle with one of the biggest stars of the 80s vs. one of the biggest stars of the 90s.

We’ve got notes on the funeral of Roddy Piper, more on the Hulk Hogan tapes story, Hogan’s first public appearance, two Roddy Piper moves that haven’t come out, one of the biggest stars of the last ten years suffering a major health issue, a former star gets his number retired, a U.K. star returns after cancer, a retirement that probably isn’t a retirement, a Japanese promotion running in October in California, a wrestler having his first match in 20 years, the second oldest living wrestler and his background, big shows in Puerto Rico and news no two different wrestling Halls of Fame.

We also have an update on the status of Lucha Underground, what changes have to be made, the audience watching the show, what to look out for, notes on the contracts the performers have, update on Vampiro and coverage of both weeks of Ultima Lucha.

We also look at the ROH show in Brooklyn, TNA Hall of fame ceremony, and upcoming TNA house shows.

We also look at McGregor vs. Aldo, a big show vs. normal show, Las Vegas vs. Cowboys Stadium, Rousey vs. Cyborg update, Lawler vs. McGregor, UFC financials, how much it costs them every year just in interest on their bond, what kind of profits they are making, lots of ratings into, Rousey business notes, the Aldo drug testing fiasco, Overeem vs. Dos Santos, Punk vs. Pendred, fighter already talking about coming out of retirement, and lots of new UFC fights.

We also have notes on Josh Thomson and Bellator, Bellator’s next major show, Josh Koscheck blasts UFC and more Bellator fights.

We have an update on Chris Leben after his arrest, new WSOF shows, a crime fighter returns to MMA and notes on weight cutting.

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.

The Observer is the world’s most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.

We also have our regular features such as the most complete look at ratings, plus results of the major house show events each week in pro wrestling and MMA, and complete inside rundowns of all the TV shows.

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

— After 53 years and broadcasting and 38 years at WMC TV-5 in Memphis, Tennessee, legendary former Memphis wrestling co-host Dave Brown announced yesterday that he’s retiring from his job as WMC’s Chief Meteorologist. His last day is August 31st, the day before his 69th birthday. Yes, as much as we think of him and Lance Russell as contemporaries, he’s actually 20 years younger than Lance, who got him his break in television when he had been working in TV. Brown will still be affiliated with the station as Chief Meteorologist Emeritus, with Ron Childers taking over his old role.

The only reason Dave Brown isn’t talked about more as an all-time elite pro wrstling announcer is that he happened to be sitting next to Lance Russell for decades with Lance as the senior partner in their team. I don’t know if I’d put him quite on the Lance Russell/Jim Ross/Gordon Solie greatest of all time level, but if h isn’t, he’s just below them and above just about veryone lse. Here’s to hoping this might be his ticket into this year’s Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame class. He was a huge part of Jerry Jarrett succeeding in his split from Nick Gulas, as part of the deal for WMC giving Jarrett the Saturday morning time slot was that Brown would leave Gulas’s station, WHBQ, to work for WMC doing both the weather and wrestling (Russell retired from WHBQ, where he was program manager) to work full-time for Jarrett instead of WMC). 

WMC did a really fantastic special last year with them reminiscing about all sorts of great Memphis wrestling moments that I highly recommend. 

— Triple H tweeted a poster with new matches for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn with an earlier start time. It’s not 100% clear if they’re all airing live or if the new matches are being taped for upcoming weeks of TV.

— Syfy announced today that Haven, the show Adam “Edge” Copeland is a regular on, will be wrapping up after the season that starts airing in October.

— Fred “Darren Young” Rosser posted on Instagram about why he’s OK with the Darren Young character not being gay. Interesting read.

— Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s quarterly conference call with wrestling media is tomorrow. We’ll have the audio here on the site as soon as it’s over.

— Grantland has an extensive article by Tom Breihan about New Jack of all people. Haven’t gotten a chance to read this yet but I’m told it’s fantastic.

— Enuhito has a translation of Jushin Thunder Liger’s explanationof how he ended up booked for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. Most amusing anecdote: He attended one of the NXT shows in Philadelphia incognito, which, for him, means that he was unmasked.

— The Toronto Star based a piece about “shifting gender equality in pro wrestling” around a Becky Lynch interview. Well, at least that’s the idea. Flavorwire had an article yesterday about the idea that pro wrestling fandom is breeding male feminists, but it was more inherently flawed.

— Brooklyn Daily has an article about tomorrow’s celebrity softball gam with WWE talent before a Brookyln Cyclones game at MCU Park. That is, of course, the venue ROH is running on Saturday opposite NXT.

— At The Big Lead: Is This the ECW Match Weezer References in El Scorcho?

— Chris Hero has signed with Figures Toy Company to produce his first ever action figure as part of our Rising Stars of Wrestling toy line.

— GFW has announced a meet and greet before this Friday’s TV taping with: The Bullet Club (Karl Anderson/Doc Gallows/”Bullet Babe” Amber Gallows), Shelton Benjamin, Eric Young, Candice LeRae, Karen Jarrett, Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr and Lance Archer), and Nick Aldis (Magnus).

— Submission Radio has nw interviews with Demetrious Johnson and Johny Hendricks up covering all sorts of rlevant MMA topics.

— From a press release about the Jake Roberts documentary: Slamdance joins forces with the filmmakers behind “The Resurrection of Jake The Snake” for a multi-city theatrical release of the 2015 Slamdance Film festival favorite documentary beginning in Portland, Oregon on September 2, 2015. The Portland Film Festival will host the film’s release with a special event screening and a Q&A session moderated by UFC superstar Chael Sonnen with Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Diamond Dallas Page and director Steve Yu. The event format is a key element of the film’s continuing theatrical release with personal appearances by Jake “The Snake,” filmmakers and special guests.

The theatrical release marks the initiation of Slamdance Presents, a new distribution moniker for Slamdance’s world premier programs dedicated to creating theatrical and other commercial opportunities for independent filmmakers.

— On the latest Between the Sheets podcast, Kris Zellner and I are joined by indie wrestling’s foremost ring announce, Emil Jay, to talk about the week that included the 1992 G1 and start of the WWF/USWA deal.

— NWA Smoky Mountain returns to Kingsport, TN on Saturday, September 5 for Battle of the Belts 2015 at the Civic Auditorium. Bell time for this event is at 8:00 p.m. This event will be a showcase of champions featuring five NWA sanctioned title matches. In the Main Event, NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Steve Anthony makes his NWA Smoky Mountain debut when he defends his title against Kingsport’s Own Vince Brent. Can “The Prodigy” bring the championship back to NWA Smoky Mountain? We will find out on September 5 in Kingsport!

— King Kong Bundy will be appearing From 11am to 2pm at Collector’s Realm in Dutchess Marketplace at 461 Route 9 in Fishkill, NY, which is part of Home Depot Plaza just south of I84 (exit 13)

— Adam Mingione has two tickets to this Saturday’s sold-out NXT Takeover show in Brooklyn that he’s looking to sell: Section 223, row 18, seats 2 & 3. Anyone interested in buying them should email him at adammingione@gmail.com.

— Empire State Wrestling runs Saturday, August 22nd at St. Johnsburg Fire Hall, 7165 Ward Road, North Tonawanda, NY, with these bouts: Chris Hero vs. Bill Collier, Candice LeRae vs. RJ City, Johnny Gargano vs. Will Calrissian, Rich Swann vs. Aaron Draven, Dick Justice vs. Brandon Thurston, Plunkett vs. Bobby Sapphire, Jonny Puma & Frankie Feathers vs. Double Down, Chris Cooper vs. Vince Valor, and more. 

— Crossfire Wrestling runs Saturday, August 22nd, at Bissell’s Hideaway, 205 Metler Road, Ridgeville, Ontario. Bell time 4 pm. There will be a 10-man battle royal with the winner facing champion Jeremy Elliot, Kaitlin Diamond vs. Jewels Malone, The Italianos vs the Rochester Wrecking Crew, and more. the next day, Sunday August 23rd at 4:30pm, there will be a Crossfire contract signing at Grand Central, 4573 Queen St., Niagara Falls, ON, for steel cage match on Sunday September 27th between The Infamous Jay Moore and Jeremy Elliott. Patrick Porter from 91.7 GIANT FM will be the host and fans are welcome to attend.

By Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for your thoughts on all three weekend New Japan shows from Sumo Hall, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

The go-home Raw for SummerSlam is tonight at the Target Center in Minneapolis.  John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Undertaker and the entire crew will be at the show.  The show is built around a Lesnar/Undertaker final angle for SummerSlam.  Dolph Ziggler is also expected to return (he is there) to shoot an angle with Rusev as they at least had been scheduled for Sunday’s show.  We’re looking for reports on the dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident from the live show.  Check out our live coverage of Raw:  WWE Raw Live Coverage and Results: Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker highlights SummerSlam go-home show

We’re also looking for reports on the Evolve shows over the weekend in New York as well as the WWE show yesterday in Bemidji, MN at Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday night in Green Bay.  

A look at the WWE shows next week in Brooklyn is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.  We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament and how it all builds for the Tokyo Dome and the fall season, as well as coverage of all the G-1 matches this past week.  We also have a look at the Teamsters attempting to unionize UFC fighters, the UFC’s letter sent to fighters and morale issues.  We also have a look at the AAA TripleMania PPV show, UFC ratings increases, the brawl at the WSOF show, UFC suing Wanderlei Silva and Layla retiring. 

The issue is on the site right now at August 17, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Summerslam build, Unions courting UFC fighters

Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at  Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!

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 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 the WWE events in Brooklyn with three straight full houses and look historically at the only other promotion that has been able to do it historically and the record, as well as updates on the NXT and SummerSlam shows and more details on the NXT card as well as the probable main event stipulation and ticket demand.

We have a complete look at the G-1 Climax tournament, including updates on the last few days, the standings, the Sumo Hall preview and coverage of all the shows this past week with star ratings.

We’ve got a look at the attempts to unionize UFC fighters, the real story behind the attempt, the letter sent by UFC to all of its fighters and why they probably could have written it better, and a look at UFC business.

We also look at the wealth of Vince McMahon, Rosa Mendes being pregnant, WWE injury updates, lawsuits, weird match, Tough Enough, new names, insider trading, Raw advance, Diva search news plus notes on all the weekend WWE & NXT events. 

We look at TripleMania, all the problems with the show, what happened with the Spanish language broadcast, mistakes made in booking, how the card had to change from its original plans, the letter AAA sent out after, the retirements and Hall of Fame ceremony, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

We also have coverage of this past week’s UFC show, with business notes, the Johnson-Dariush scoring, and match by match coverage with bonuses.

We also look at the brawl at the WSOF show with The Diaz Brothers and Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as the problems in the Jake Shields vs.  Rousimar Palhares fight.

We’ve also got notes on the retirement of Layla from WWE and highlights of her career.

We also look at the lawsuit WWE has filed against Wanderlei Silva for alleging the company fixes fights.

We look at the CMLL Anniversary show, an injury to the best older wrestler in the business, a New Japan star comes to Mexico and a rundown on the main events the past two weeks at Arena Mexico.

We also look at another Rey Mysterio match, as well as the next major Dragon  Gate show lineup and highlights from the past week.

We also look at New Japan stars heading to NOAH.

We also look at the beginning of talks for an international group to return to PPV, as well as a look at the Fire Festival, one of Genichiro Tenryu’s last matches and a set up for an angle with one of the biggest stars of the 80s vs. one of the biggest stars of the 90s.

We’ve got notes on the funeral of Roddy Piper, more on the Hulk Hogan tapes story, Hogan’s first public appearance, two Roddy Piper moves that haven’t come out, one of the biggest stars of the last ten years suffering a major health issue, a former star gets his number retired, a U.K. star returns after cancer, a retirement that probably isn’t a retirement, a Japanese promotion running in October in California, a wrestler having his first match in 20 years, the second oldest living wrestler and his background, big shows in Puerto Rico and news no two different wrestling Halls of Fame.

We also have an update on the status of Lucha Underground, what changes have to be made, the audience watching the show, what to look out for, notes on the contracts the performers have, update on Vampiro and coverage of both weeks of Ultima Lucha.

We also look at the ROH show in Brooklyn, TNA Hall of fame ceremony, and upcoming TNA house shows.

We also look at McGregor vs. Aldo, a big show vs. normal show, Las Vegas vs. Cowboys Stadium, Rousey vs. Cyborg update, Lawler vs. McGregor, UFC financials, how much it costs them every year just in interest on their bond, what kind of profits they are making, lots of ratings into, Rousey business notes, the Aldo drug testing fiasco, Overeem vs. Dos Santos, Punk vs. Pendred, fighter already talking about coming out of retirement, and lots of new UFC fights.

We also have notes on Josh Thomson and Bellator, Bellator’s next major show, Josh Koscheck blasts UFC and more Bellator fights.

We have an update on Chris Leben after his arrest, new WSOF shows, a crime fighter returns to MMA and notes on weight cutting.

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’S NEWS UPDATE

• Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio, talking Raw, more G-1, as well as talking other news and taking your e-mail questions to mailbag@wresetlingobserver.com
• Steve Austin will be in New York at least for the 2K video party on Thursday night.
• The expected Randy Orton vs. Sheamus match at SummerSlam is now official.
• Junior Dos Santos and Alistair Overeem have been teasing a fight on Twitter.  UFC has been trying to put that fight together for more than a year.
• Bellator announced Josh Thomson’s debut with the promotion on 9/19 in San Jose against Mike Bronzoulis, which is the company’s next major event.  They have one show before that in Temecula, CA at the end of the month.
• ROH officially announced Final Battle as a PPV show on 12/18 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena, plus they will have a TV taping there as well.
• Cathal Pendred, who had a Twitter battle with C.M. Punk, which the belief is Punk won handily, now wants Punk in a fight in UFC on his interview today on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.  I don’t expect that to happen.
• Three more matches have been announced for the ROH TV tapings in Philadelphia on Friday night, which is sold out.  They are ACH vs. Caprice Coleman, IWGP jr. tag champs Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Donovan Dijak & J Diesel, and Moose vs. Takaaki Watanabe vs. Adam Page vs. Will Ferrara. 
• WXW TV with Alan Counihan on commentary
• At this writing, the only trending on twitter stuff we’ve got related to wrestling and Combat Sports mentions of Josh Thomson and 462 of Evolve Wrestling.
• C4 Wrestling on Saturday night raised $24,430 for cancer research in Canada, so good for them.  They had a show in Ottawa:  Sebastian Suave & Evan Dams won round one of the Fighting Back Invitational, Jonathan Rukin & Neon Ninja Facade won round two of the Fighting Back Invitational, PCP Crazy FN Manny b George Gatton, Addy Starr b Cecil Nyx, Too Cold Scorpio b Michael Von Payton, Izzy Deadyet b Dan Barry, Roderick Strong b Mathieu St-Jacques, Jonathan Rukin won over Facade, Sebastian Suave and Evan Adams to win the Fighting Back Invitational, Ultimo Dragon & Super Smash Brothers b Pinkie Sanchez & EYFBO. (thanks to Pat Laprade)
• The Brooklyn Cyclones took out a half page ad in the New York Daily News pushing that wrestling and boxing is coming to MCU Park, with the ROH show on 8/22 and a boxing show called Brooklyn Brawl at the Beach on 8/25 (thanks to Joe Puccio)
• Ultra Wrestling from Friday night in Greenville, SC:  Brice Anthony & Boomer Payne b Josh Cutshall & Tracer X, Joe Harrison b Zane Riley, TK Stark & Jett Black b Alex Kai & Mason Myles, Anthony Jannazzo b Jeff Connelly-DQ, Josh Powers b Matt Hardy.  Next show is 9/12 in Laurens, SC. (thanks to Thomas Simpson)
• Pro Wrestling Eclipse on Sunday in Oshawa, ONT:  Jesse Amato b Crimson Axe, Tyler Tirva b John Atlas, Jennifer Blake & Xandra Bale b Kaitlyn Diamond & Jewels Malone, Cody Deaner NC John Greed, Tarik b Roderick Strong-DQ, Cody Deaner & Johny Devine b John Greed & Rex Atkins. (thanks to Dave Musgrave)
• Mike Carpenter at KnightRiderRulz@hotmail.com is looking or a DVD of the 6/3 TNA & ROH TV shows on Destination America.
• Jeff Jarrett will be having a tryout camp on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Las Vegas at the Future Stars of Wrestling Facility.  There are ten spots left.  Two of the people at the tryout will work Jarrett’s Friday night TV tapings in Las Vegas.  Jarrett will be doing evaluations.  A seminar will be at 5 p.m. before the tryouts and included in the $200 cost.  For more info you can contact Joe DeFalco at lvfuturestars@yahoo.com
• Premier Wrestling on 9/19 in San Jose at Del Mar High School at 6 p.m.  Tickets are on sale at www.premierwrestling.com with $5 of regular prices.  JR Kratos (8-2) vs. Jeff Cobb (6-2-1) for the Premiere title is the main event, plus Nicole Savoy (2-1) & Kahmora (0-1) vs. Raze (0-1) & Kikyo Nakamura (0-0), and Timothy Thatcher (3-2-1) vs. Joe Graves (2-0-1), Gabriel Gallo (3-0) vs. Dom Vitalli (1-2).
• Trainwreck. which includes John Cena, was No. 1 at the box office in Australia for the second weekend in a row. (thanks to James Stanios)
• Former XPW star Pogo the Clown (Joe Applebaumer) headlines a 9/19 show in Denver at The Watering Bowl.  They are billing this as possibly his last match.  Hernandez is also on the show.
• APW Bayshore Bash on 9/11 in Daly City, CA features JR Kratos vs. Chris Masters for their title, MVP vs. Dylan Drake, Juventud Guerrera vs. Joey Ryan vs. Marcus Lewis, Reno SCUM vs. Jeckles & Jinxx, Timothy Thatcher vs. Gangrel, Boyce LeGrande vs. Will Cuevas and Sione Finau vs. Idris Jackson.
• Capital City Championship Combat on 9/26 in Ottawa at the Vanier Columbus Club.
• Billy Jack Haynes went on a rant on Facebook wanting a street fight UFC rules with Steve Austin, blaming Austin for what happened with Roddy Piper.  The world doesn’t need this.
• Legacy Wrestling on 8/22 in Palmyra, PA with Matt Cross and AR Fox.
• Things pro wrestlers do that would be creepy if you or I did them
• A story on Jim Cornette
• Publicity for Barbie Blank, the former Kelly Kelly, who stars in a reality show about wives and girlfriends of sports stars on E!
• Here is the release on the show, which debuts right after Total Divas, with the idea of keeping the Total Divas audience with Kelly Kelly.
  Premiering Tuesday August 18th at 10:00pm ET/PT, this new one-hour, eight episode series gives you a front row seat to the real competition, taking viewers on a wild ride into the world of some of today’s hottest professional athletes from the perspective of the women who stand by their side, otherwise known as WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends of Sports Stars).  These WAGS are playing the most competitive sport out there: getting and keeping that pro-athlete man.  As part of an elite, exclusive group, the WAGS are close friends who are bound together by a strict hierarchy, unspoken rules and plenty of drama – and those who have the coveted ring and a husband with a contract are the ones with all the power!  As in sports, this game is all about getting that “W” and this pack knows how to play the field…Jump into the competitive, fast-paced, glamorous world of “WAGS” when the new series premieres on Tuesday, August 18th at 10:00pm ET/PT on E!

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

1966 – Skull Murphy beat Mark Lewin in Brisbane to win the IWA title

1968 – Mario Milano & Dominic DeNucci beat Cyclone Negro & Baron Scicluna in Melbourne to win the IWA tag title

1978 – Steve Rickard beat Professor Toru Tanaka in Auckland to win the British Commonwealth title

1991 – Combat Toyoda beat Megumi Kudo to win the FMW womens title

2003 – Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Jun Akiyama in Tokyo to win the G-1 Climax tournament

2008 – Hirooki Goto beat Togi Makabe in Tokyo to win the G-1 Climax tournament

2014 – El Hijo del Fantasma won over Daga, Fenix, Australian Suicide, Bengala, Angelico, Drago, Jack Evans, Joe Lider and Pentagon Jr. in Mexico City to unify the AAA Fusion and cruiserweight titles, and Taya Valkyrie beat Fabi Apache to win the Reina de Reinas title.

By Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s New Japan show from Sumo Hall, as well Friday and Saturday’s shows, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

We’re also looking for reports on the Evolve show from last night in Woodside, NY, last night’s WWE show in Detroit, last night’s NXT show in Citrus Springs, FL, as well as today’s WWE shows in Fargo, ND (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt) and Bemidji, MN (Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose) at Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

Evolve tonight on iPPV from Deer Park, NY at the Sportatorium at 8 p.m. also on www.WWNLive.com

Timothy Thatcher vs. Biff Busick

Johnny Gargano vs. Rich Swann

Chris Hero vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Trent Baretta vs. Caleb Konley

Anthony Nese vs. Rich Swann

Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams vs. Mike Bailey & Rey Hours

The go-home Raw for SummerSlam will be Monday night from the Target Center in Minneapolis.  John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Undertaker and the entire crew will be at the show.

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday night in Green Bay.  

**** 

The new issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to th site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a chat with Konnan about the state of AAA heading into TripleMania XXIII. We discuss the company’s improvements in production, advantages over WWE and differences in philosophy, how to listen to fans, and much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news, including Dr. Lucha’s TripleMania preview.

Last week’s 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. 

**** 

A look at the WWE shows next week in Brooklyn is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.  We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament and how it all builds for the Tokyo Dome and the fall season, as well as coverage of all the G-1 matches this past week.  We also have a look at the Teamsters attempting to unionize UFC fighters, the UFC’s letter sent to fighters and morale issues.  We also have a look at the AAA TripleMania PPV show, UFC ratings increases, the brawl at the WSOF show, UFC suing Wanderlei Silva and Layla retiring. 

The issue is on the site right now at August 17, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Summerslam build, Unions courting UFC fighters

Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at  Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!

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 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 the WWE events in Brooklyn with three straight full houses and look historically at the only other promotion that has been able to do it historically and the record, as well as updates on the NXT and SummerSlam shows and more details on the NXT card as well as the probable main event stipulation and ticket demand.

We have a complete look at the G-1 Climax tournament, including updates on the last few days, the standings, the Sumo Hall preview and coverage of all the shows this past week with star ratings.

We’ve got a look at the attempts to unionize UFC fighters, the real story behind the attempt, the letter sent by UFC to all of its fighters and why they probably could have written it better, and a look at UFC business.

We also look at the wealth of Vince McMahon, Rosa Mendes being pregnant, WWE injury updates, lawsuits, weird match, Tough Enough, new names, insider trading, Raw advance, Diva search news plus notes on all the weekend WWE & NXT events. 

We look at TripleMania, all the problems with the show, what happened with the Spanish language broadcast, mistakes made in booking, how the card had to change from its original plans, the letter AAA sent out after, the retirements and Hall of Fame ceremony, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

We also have coverage of this past week’s UFC show, with business notes, the Johnson-Dariush scoring, and match by match coverage with bonuses.

We also look at the brawl at the WSOF show with The Diaz Brothers and Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as the problems in the Jake Shields vs.  Rousimar Palhares fight.

We’ve also got notes on the retirement of Layla from WWE and highlights of her career.

We also look at the lawsuit WWE has filed against Wanderlei Silva for alleging the company fixes fights.

We look at the CMLL Anniversary show, an injury to the best older wrestler in the business, a New Japan star comes to Mexico and a rundown on the main events the past two weeks at Arena Mexico.

We also look at another Rey Mysterio match, as well as the next major Dragon  Gate show lineup and highlights from the past week.

We also look at New Japan stars heading to NOAH.

We also look at the beginning of talks for an international group to return to PPV, as well as a look at the Fire Festival, one of Genichiro Tenryu’s last matches and a set up for an angle with one of the biggest stars of the 80s vs. one of the biggest stars of the 90s.

We’ve got notes on the funeral of Roddy Piper, more on the Hulk Hogan tapes story, Hogan’s first public appearance, two Roddy Piper moves that haven’t come out, one of the biggest stars of the last ten years suffering a major health issue, a former star gets his number retired, a U.K. star returns after cancer, a retirement that probably isn’t a retirement, a Japanese promotion running in October in California, a wrestler having his first match in 20 years, the second oldest living wrestler and his background, big shows in Puerto Rico and news no two different wrestling Halls of Fame.

We also have an update on the status of Lucha Underground, what changes have to be made, the audience watching the show, what to look out for, notes on the contracts the performers have, update on Vampiro and coverage of both weeks of Ultima Lucha.

We also look at the ROH show in Brooklyn, TNA Hall of fame ceremony, and upcoming TNA house shows.

We also look at McGregor vs. Aldo, a big show vs. normal show, Las Vegas vs. Cowboys Stadium, Rousey vs. Cyborg update, Lawler vs. McGregor, UFC financials, how much it costs them every year just in interest on their bond, what kind of profits they are making, lots of ratings into, Rousey business notes, the Aldo drug testing fiasco, Overeem vs. Dos Santos, Punk vs. Pendred, fighter already talking about coming out of retirement, and lots of new UFC fights.

We also have notes on Josh Thomson and Bellator, Bellator’s next major show, Josh Koscheck blasts UFC and more Bellator fights.

We have an update on Chris Leben after his arrest, new WSOF shows, a crime fighter returns to MMA and notes on weight cutting.

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.

SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

• Bryan and I have a new show talking the G-1 finals, Dwayne Johnson and Anderson Silva… 
  Wrestling Observer Radio 8/16: Full New Japan G-1 Finals recap, awesome main event, other must-see matches, wrestling and MMA news, more!
• For those who don’t want to wade through three full-length New Japan shows, my big recommendations are the A.J. Styles vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi match on Friday, the Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kazuchika Okada and Michael Elgin vs. Tomohiro Ishii matches on Saturday, and today’s Tanahashi vs. Nakamura finals.
• Here is our live coverage from last night:  NJPW G1 Climax 25 Finals (August 16) live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
• Also check this show as well:  
  Aug 16 – DR. KEITH PRESENTS: G1 Climax Closure!!!
• At the show last match, ROH booker Hunter Johnston, as Delirious, with his mask on, and speaking broken English, announced that ROH would tour Japan in 2016.  He mentioned The Kingdom, ReDRagon, Roderick Strong, Jay Lethal and the Briscoes in his interview.
• John Cena will be appearing on Late Night with Seth Myers on late Thursday night to plug SummerSlam.
• As noted on the front page, ESPN Sports Center will be covering SummerSlam this year.
• The Dish Network and Sinclair Broadcasting were at an impasse with the threat they would be removed.  But they’ve reached a temporary agreement to keep the Sinclair stations on while continuing to negotiate terms of a new deal.  The deal expired at midnight and it looked like all Sinclair stations, which broadcast ROH would have been off Dish.  ROH would still be on for homes who get NESN and Destination America.    
• With no major WWE or UFC events this weekend, nothing made Google searches from boxing, wrestling or MMA.  Mostly football the past few days.  NJPW did have 14,600 tweets as of a few hours ago.
• At last night’s Evolve show in New York, Rich Swann turned on Johnny Gargano to set up a new match on tonight’s iPPV show.
• New Japan World will air a press conference tonight at either 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. which will cover what happens after G-1. (thanks to Jose Gonzalez)
• Seiya Sanada is now taking bookings throughout North American through  Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com  He is based now in Detroit.
• Great North Wrestling on 8/14 in Brockville, Ontario before nearly 1,000 fans:  Myzery the Barbarian b Shooter Storm, Sideshow Jack & Madman Taylor b Preston Perry & Majic Mario, Kid Canuck b Pepper Jack, Jessika Black b Stacy Thibault, Dori Yeats (a gold medalist in the Pan American games doing an amateur style match) b Aniko Potoczy, Hannibal b Giant Darko (Road Warrior Animal got involved in the finish), Harley Davison b ?, Black Dragon b Patrick Shenzy, Honky Tonk Man & Jeremy Prophet & Grapecrusher & Bryan Briggs b Sexy Eddy & Stunning & Steven Levac, & Sao Amin & Paul Rosenberg in an elimination match. (thanks to Anthony Ambros)
• Global Force Wrestling announced this show for 8/28 in Harrisburg, PA at Metro Bank Park featuring Kevin Nash doing a meet and greet, plus Dirty Money vs. Pat Buck, Kevin Matthews vs. Pepper Parks, Kimber Lee vs. Cherry Bomb, Brian Myers vs. Chris Mordetzky, BLK Jeez vs. Sonjay Dutt, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs. Seiya Sanada & Ali Akbar.
• Smash Wrestling on 9/13 in Toronto at the Frankln Horner Community Centre with a US vs. Canada women’s tournament including Jessica Havok, Allysin Kay, Candice LaRae, Heidi Lovelace, Veda Scott, Portia Perez, Jennifer Blake, Nicole Matthews and many others.
• Ray Rowe of ROH is putting together a documentary on his comeback from his motorcycle accident at www.GoFundMe.com/raymondxrowe
• Crossfire Wrestling on 8/22 in Ridgeville, ONT at 4 p.m. at Bissell’s Hideaway.
• NWX on 9/13 in Simcoe, ONT at Branch 79 of the Royal Canadian Legion at 2 p.m. with Ethan Carter III vs. Shawn Brown.  Cody Deaner also appears.
• Mid Missouri Wrestling Alliance from last night in St. Louis:  Gary Jackson & Brian James b Kevin Lee Davidson & Evan Gelistico-DQ, Ace Hawkins b Barackus, Moondog Rover d Attila Khan,  Johnathan Zulu b Jimmy D-DQ, Tommy Dallas b Brandon Espinosa, LaMarcus Clinton won three-way over Clownman Jacko and Flaming Freddie Fury, J-Mal Swgg b Danny Adams, Da’Marius Jones NC A.J Williams.
• Pro Wrestling Epic from last night in Pontoon Beach, IL:  Laurence Johnson b Everett Connors, Clownman Jacko b Jimmy D=DQ, Tyler Copeland b LaMarcus Clinton, Leland Race b Leone Mephisto, Steven Kennedy b Billy McNeil, Karim Brigante b Skinny Timmy-DQ, Selene Grey b Stacey O’Brien, Brandon Aarons b Danny Adams (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
• Showtime on Demand has a documentary called “Glena” about a woman who sacrifices everything to do MMA (thanks to John Raad)
• Wrestlemerica from last night in Barnesville, GA before 600 fans:  Iceberg b Simon Sermon-DQ, Iceberg & Razor & Rowdy b Andy Anderson & Pain & Simon Sermon, Amber Gallows b Rachel Freeman, Bill the Butcher DCOR Pain, Amber Gallows b Dementia, Matt Hardy b Tyson Dean.  Tama Tonga appears on the 10/2 show (thanks to Kris Zellner)
• Added to NWAClassics.com today are King Parsons vs. Jack Victory and Chavo Sr. & Hector Guerrero vs. The Fabulous Ones in a cage match from the Paul Boesch Houston tape collection.
• Pure Wrestling Association from last night in Bradford, ONT:  Ned Tyson b Hardcore Hick, Joey Valentyne b RJ City, Tommy Dreamer & Rhino b Jimmy King & Derek Platinum, Johnny Devine & Ruffy Silverstein b Stickball & Primo, Eric Cairnie b Rex Atkins, Reggie Marley b Steve Corino, Beautiful Beaa b Kaitlin Diemond, Rhino & Tommy Dreamer b Johnny Devine & Ruffy Silverstein to win the Carrot Cup (thanks to Steven Ashe)
• Lucha Xtreme TV from last night:  Mike Dalite (in drag) b Kikyo-COR, Johnny Plinko b Marcus Ericks, JR Kratos DDQ Brian Tannen.  Next TV taping is 8/23 at 1 p.m at the Hanford Civic Center. (thanks to Jon Southerland) 
• Championship Wrestling Entertainment from Friday night in Port St. Lucie, FL:  Lince Dorado NC Eddie Cruz, Ashley Mayberry b Shaniah Arylana, Big English b Romeo, Johyann Ramriez & Ace Slater b Catwecabble, Rhett Giddins b El Hero Byronico, Tyranus b Rex Bacchus, Chico Adams b Damian James, Santana Garrett & Su Yung b Grace Storm & MJ Knight, Lince Dorado & Eddie Cruz b Barrios Brothers, Zack Monster won three-way over Gabriel Black & Nathan Vain.
• Nova Pro Wrestling from last night in Orlando:  Mark Silva b Chico Adams, Ace Andrews & Rex Bacchus b Carlos Rivera & D Ramos, Gabriel Black b Vertigo Rivera, Santana Garrett b Shanish Arlyana, Jesus Rodriguez b Aaron Epic, Tyranus b Johnn Remsez, Ace Andrews won Battle Royal, Rhett Giddins b Zack Monster (thanks to Al Haft)
• Longtime reader and 70s wrestler Tom Hankins is doing a Go Fund Me campaign to bring a live stage production on Dr. Jerry Graham. Kurt Brown will be featured as The Docs #1 authority. All of the details are on Chicago Mad Dog & The Bad Dogs Facebook page, as well as all of my other Facebook wrestling pages. The goal is $3,500 to cover production costs. The whole show is based on the upcoming book by Hankins, from Scott Teal’s Crowbar Press,  “The Mat, The Mob & The Music”. Teal is editing it right now. It’s Hankins biography in wrestling, music and working for the mob. There are tons of Jerry Graham stories included,  many which have never been heard previously. There will also be a few songs to go with the stories. There are stories of Mil Mascaras, Bruiser Brody, Lars Anderson, King Curtis, Jack Brisco, Jim Morrison, Phil Spector,  Frank Zappa and more.
• The NZ Herald (New Zealand’s major daily newspaper) has done a pretty good article on IPW wrestling in Auckland, with a balanced view and even a highlight video
• Extras needed for a Schwarzenegger movie in Detroit
• Colt Cabana on Mystery Show – a weekly podcast where the host tries to solve a mystery. On last week’s episode, the host employed Cabana’s knowledge of ribs to help solve a mystery related to a strange image on a Welcome Back Kotter lunchbox. Some funny stuff (thanks to Adrian Pickworth)
• John Cena’s charity work and being named as one of the most charitable athletes makes a newspaper in Spain
• Honky Tonk Man talks the death of Roddy Piper

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

1974 – Superstar Billy Graham beat Billy Robinson in Denver to win the IWE title

1974 – Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi beat Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Schotz in Los Angeles to win the North American tag titles

1981 – Lola Gonzalez beat Vickie Williams in Mexico City to win the UWA women’s title

1992 – Ciclon Ramirez beat Fantasma de la Quebrada in Mexico City to win the Mexican national welterweight title

1992 – Great Muta beat Riki Choshu in Fukuoka to win the IWGP title and the Greatest 18 Club title

1992 – Bulldog KT (Gedo) & Pat Tanaka beat Coolie SZ (Jado) & Kendo in Tokyo to win the UWF IC tag titles

2005 – Ultimo Guerrero & Perro Aguayo Jr. beat El Hijo del Santo & Rayman in Puebla to wi nthe WWA tag titles

2009 – Valiente beat Sangre Azteca in Mexico City to win the Mexican national welterweight title

2009 – Mistico (first Sin Cara) beat Tiger Mask in Tokyo to win the IWGP jr. title

2009 – Aja Kong beat Dynamite Kansai in Tokyo to win the Oz Academy Queen title

2010 – Togi Makabe beat Shinsuke Nakamura in Tokyo to win the G-1 Climax title

2013 – Kotaro Suzuki & Kento Miyahara beat Keisuke Ishii & Shigehiro Irie in Tokyo to win the All-Asia tag title