Category: Daily Updates

The National Enquirer today in a sensationalistic story claimed Hulk Hogan could be put in jail for perjury.

While that is a stretch, the story claims that court transcripts show that Terry Bollea allegedly made conflicting statements to the FBI and in deposition to lawers for Gawker.com.

The Enquirer claimed transcripts they had obtained showed that during a July 2 hearing, Gawker attorney Seth Berlin told the judge he had learned Hogan made statements under oath directly at odds with each other.

The story is filled with a lot of ifs and there doesn’t appear to be anything imminent at this point. It had been reported about certain contradictory testimony Hogan had made previously and the story mostly rehashes previously released news.

The story is at

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/jail-hulk-hogan

Observer Hall of Fame Special
The first decade of recognizing the
 Greats of the Business

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The 10 issues included in this special are the ones covering
the first decade of issues covering the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Inductees. One of the most anticipated issues of the year. Catch up on previous winners prior to this year’s winners being announced:

**Check out my Wrestling, UFC/MMA ebay auctions and more. Seller name is grantsindex
Some great vintage programs up right now including vintage Calgary Stampede Wrestling classics!

Aug 19 ’96, Sept 1 ’97, Aug 24 ’98, Aug 16 ’99, Aug 28 ’00,
Aug 20 ’01, Sept 2 ’02, Aug 25 ’03, Aug 23 ’04, Aug 24 ‘05

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Enjoy!!

Aug 19 (24)**        Jushin Liger to undergo brain surgery to remove tumor
Double issue  price        Ahmed Johnson has emergency kidney surgery
1996            WCW Hog Wild 8/10 card coverage-Hogan wins WCW belt from The Giant
            Observer Hall of Fame Inductees-inaugural edition
            ECW in conjunction with IWA runs two shows in Japan
            FMW 8/1 Shiodome card coverage
            AJ women 8/4 Korakuen Hall card coverage
            AJ women follow up with two shows at Budokan Hall 8/12 & 8/13   

Sept 1 (12)            Arn Anderson announces the end of his wrestling career-quick career recap
1997            Steve Austin to miss minimum of two months
            Hall of Fame inductees – 6 new additions
            Future of AJ women promotion comes into serious question
            WCW Clash of Champions XXXV 8/21 card coverage-the last Clash
            24th anniversary of Capitol Sports in Puerto Rico celebrated
            Eric Bischoff, Konnan & Paco Alonso meet to discuss working together
            Jeep Swenson passes away

Aug 24 (16)        Jim Hellwig returns as The Warrior to WCW
1998            Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Inductees-Dos Caras inducted
            Wrestlers no showing sees industry do things out of character
            USWF has become without question, the 4th biggest company in US
            Bret Hart regains US title from Lex Luger
            Kurt Angle attends WWF camp

Aug 16 (18)        Hall of Fame inductees for 1999-Liger, Asuka, Muto & Jim Ross inducted
1999            A look into the WWFE going public
            Jackie Sato passes away
            Chris Jericho debuts in WWF
            ECW debut on TNN brings mainstream press

Aug 28 (18)        Hall of Fame inductees-Hashimoto, Austin, Foley, Hokuto voted in
2000                 Longston, Sexton, Szabo inducted
            Report on the murky future of WCW
            Tony Parisi passes away
            Shinjiro Otani leaving to train in Calgary for 6 months
            Dos Caras Jr debuts

Aug 20 (18)        Hall of Fame Issue-Lizmark, El Satanico & Bull Nakano inducted
2001            World Wildlife Fund files lawsuit vs WWF
            Yugi Nagata wins G-1 Climax tournament
            Dean Malenko announces retirement at Pillman show
            Multi Channel News reports on WWF purchase of WCW
            MECW has somewhat of a success on free show at ECW arena
            Eric Bischoff named Chief Operating Officer of Battle Management
            K-1 3rd foray into the US a success-Stephan Leko knocks out Peter Aerts

Sept 2 (18)            Hall of Fame issue-Kobashi, Toyota & McDaniel voted in
2002            Summerslam 8/28 card coverage-Brock Lesnar becomes youngest champ,
                Shawn Michaels the show stealer again, RVD wins IC title
            WWE finance review
            Tiger Ali Singh files lawsuit vs WWE
            Jacques Rougeau 8/24 card will feature the return of Bret Hart to Montreal

Aug 25 (24)        Hall of Fame issue-Michaels & Benoit voted in, Caddock & Flores inducted
2003            K-1 8/15 Las Vegas card coverage
Double issue  price        Hiroyoshi Tenzan wins NJPW G-1 Climax tournament
            Sean Waltman responds to “Celebrity Justice’ episode
            Canek fired by AAA
            More on the Hogan lawsuit
            Ray Webbe Jr & Bob Closson pass away

Aug 23 (24)    Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame issue-Sakuraba, Undertaker, Backlund, Chono, Ultimo Dragon    Angle voted in, Tarzan Lopez inducted
2004    Marvel Comics files suit vs WWE in reference to Hulk Hogan name
Double issue  price        One more addition to last week’s Olympian story
            Bruno Sammartino interview causes controversy
            Article on JBL in Baltimore Sun

Aug 24 (18)    Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame issue-Freebirds, HHH, Paul Heyman voted in
2005    Observer MMA Hall of Fame-Sakuraba, Gracie, Shamrock, Couture inducted
    IWA Puerto Rico presses charges against Shane Sewell
    LA Times writes article of the sale of the Olympic Auditorium
    Newspaper article on auto accident involving Iron Sheik
            UFC strips Frank Mir of title and awards it to Andrei Arlovsky

By Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for reports on tomorrow’s WWE shows in Sydney, Australia (Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton vs. King Barrett) and in Victoria, BC (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt), as well on last night’s NXT show in Starke, FL, tonight’s NXT show in Orlando and tomorrow’s NXT show in Largo, FL at Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

For this weekend, our polls will be on the AAA PPV show and the Saturday & Sunday G-1 Climax shows.

New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV tonight at 8 p.m. ET for a special two hour season finale from last year’s Seibu Dome show

Hirooki Goto vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. A.J. Styles

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kazuchika Okada for the G-1 Climax finals

There is also a Resurrection Fighting Alliance show at 10 p.m. tonight on AXS

FIP Heatstroke 2015 iPPV tonight at 9 p.m. from the Orpheum in Ybor City, FL at www.wwnlive.com

Earl Cooter vs. Bolt Brady

Zane Riley vs. Gary Jay

Jason Cade & Aaron Solow vs. Chase Brown & Peter Kaasa

Deimos vs. Josh Hess

Blake Edwards Belakus vs. Martin Stone

Rhett Giddins vs. Monster Tarver

Maxwell Chicago vs. Johny Vandal

Eddie Graves & Teddy Stigma vs. Devin & Mason Cutter for tag titles

Caleb Konley vs. Trevor Lee for FIP title

New Japan G-1 Climax tournament on New Japan World at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning Eastern time from the Yokohama Bunka Gym

Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Yohei Komatsu vs. Yuji Nagata & Kushida & Mascara Dorada & David Finlay

Michael Elgin & Jay White vs. Karl Anderson & Cody Hall

Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma & Captain New Japan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi

Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga

Kota Ibushi vs. Bad Luck Fale

Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano

Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. A.J. Styles

Togi Makabe vs. Doc Gallows

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata

UFC tomorrow from Nashville

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

Anthony Christodoulou vs. Scott Holtzman

Roman Salazar vs. Marlon Vera

Jonathan Wilson vs. Chris Dempsey

FS 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern time

Sirwan Kakai vs. Frankie Saenz

Willie Gates vs. Dustin Ortiz

Chris Camozzi vs. Tom Kong Watson

Oluwale Bamghose vs. Uriah Hall

FS 1 at 10 p.m.

Ray Borg vs. Geane Herrera

Sara McMann vs. Amanda Nunes

Timothy Johnson vs. Jared Rosholt

Sam Alvey vs. Derek Brunson

Beneil Dariush vs. Michael Johnson

Ovince Saint Preux vs. Glover Teixiera

New Japan G-1 Climax tournament on New Japan World at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning Eastern time from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo

David Finlay & Jay White vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga

Kota Ibushi & Mascara Dorada vs. Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi

Tetsuya Naito & Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan vs. A.J. Styles & Doc Gallows & Cody Hall

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Kushida vs. Togi Makabe & Katsuyori Shibata & Tiger Mask

Michael Elgin vs. Karl Anderson

Satoshi Kojima vs. Yuji Nagata

Kazuchika Okada vs. Yujiro Takahashi

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tomoaki Honma

Hirooki Goto vs. Tomohiro Ishii

WWE has a house show on Sunday in Vancouver, BC (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt)

AAA TripleMania 25 from Arena Ciudad in Mexico City on regular PPV at 7 p.m. Eastern

Drago & Goya Kong & Dinastia & Pimpinela Escarlata vs. Daga & Sexy Star & Mini Psycho Clown & Mamba

Cibernetico & Chessman & Averno defend the trios titles against Jack Evans & Fenix & Angelico and El Hijo del Fantasma & El Texano Jr. & Pentagon Jr.

Blue Demon Jr. & La Parka vs. Mesias & Electroshock

Los Villanos III & IV & V vs. The Psycho Circus

Alberto El Patron vs. Brian Cage hair vs.. hair

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Myzteziz

There will also be a Hall of Fame induction ceremony for both Perro Aguayo Jr. and Hector Garza.

Raw will be Monday night in Everett, WA. Stephen Amell of the TV show Arrow will be a guest doing an angle with Stardust.  No Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman advertised this week, nor John Cena.

Smackdown will be Tuesday night in Portland, OR.

The life and times of Roddy Piper is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also have coverage of WWE financials and why the stock is going through the roof, the rise of Ronda Rousey and UFC 190 numbers, the G-1 Climax tournament update and the full story behind the 2002 pitch made to WWE about a gay asskicking wrestler.  

The latest Wrestling Observer: August 10, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Roddy Piper passes away, WWE Q2 results & analysis

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

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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.

Our lead story is an extensive look at the career of Roddy Piper.  We start by looking at the cause of death, and Piper’s role in the national expansion of WWF and the first WrestleMania.  We look at how Piper differed from almost every wrestler in WWF when he came in, why Piper didn’t work certain shows, Piper working outside WWF while under contract, how he flopped in his first WWF run, his runs in California, Oregon, Georgia and the Carolinas before WWF, the feud with Jimmy Snuka, the Hogan-Piper program, The War to Settle the Score, the original WrestleMania and how it changed the history of wrestling, his period in WCW, his relationship with Mad Dog Vachon, his issues with Kevin Nash, how he got started in pro wrestling, the story behind his babyface turns and the loss at WrestleMania to Bret Hart.

We also look at WWE business, why stock is up, what aspect of business looked deceptively good, a look in depth at the network numbers, how many people dropped and picked up subscriptions this past quarter as well as how all the other aspects of WWE business are doing.

We look at UFC 190 and the storyline that led to Ronda Rousey setting her highest PPV mark.  We look at how things have changed for Rousey since February, the interest level of her fight,  Rousey vs. Cyborg, ratings in Brazil and the U.S. and match-by-match coverage.

We also go in-depth on the G-1 Climax tournament with the updated schedule, standings and match-by-match coverage.

We also have an update on John Cena, more on the injury and surgery, Cena actually going to a show this weekend but fans didn’t see him, Shawn Michaels return, will fans respect Cena more, update on the SummerSlam card and matches being built, Cena vs. Rollins future, WrestleMania note, note on Daniel Bryan’s book, Update on Ryback, Update on a 2002 angle proposed for a gay wrestler and funny story behind it, Bryan’s plan for the IC title, more on womens’ division, Eva Marie note, Tough Enough notes, Ultimate Warrior book, Cesaro section notes, WWE lawsuit notes, Pat Patterson book, sister of current WWE star gets a tryout and Owen Hart DVD news.  We also have coverage of the NXT and WWE shows over the weekend and business notes on the shows. 

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.

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FRIDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

• For Wednesday night, here were the ratings:
  UFC Tonight at  8 p.m. 111,000 viewers
  TNA at 9 p.m. 327,000 viewers
  ROH at 11 p.m. 151,000 viewers
  TNA replay at midnight 42,000 viewers
  UFC is higher than usual, TNA first show was normal and second was lowest yet.  ROH was down from the prior week.
• WWE changes the Submission Sorority name due to it being the same name as a porn series produced by BangBros.  The new name for the group is PCB for Paige, Charlotte and Banks.  Unfortunately, there is also a porn site that has PCB videos.  Maybe PCL, because if you Google that, the worst you’re getting is knee ligament tears.
• Hirooki Goto vs. Michael Elgin has be added to the 8/22 ROH show at MCU Park in Brooklyn.
• The Godfather Charles Wright headlines an 8/14 show for River City Wrestling on 8/14 in San Antonio at Retama Park.  Hernandez also appears on the show. 
• WWE stock closed up five cents per share at $21.97 to end the week at its highest end of the week in more than one year.
• Kevin Dunn sold 40,000 shares of his stock at $22.74 to come up with $909,600.
• CMLL on Tuesday night in Guadalajara:  Evola & Furia Roja b Metatron & Neutron, Flyer & Magnus & Magnus b Artillero & Super Comando & Jocker, Canelo Casas & Metalico & Virus b Omar Bruentti & Esfinge & Stigma, Atlantis & Delta & Guerrero Maya Jr. b Kraneo & Olimpico & Ripper-DQ, Negro Casas & Niebla Roja & Ultimo Guerrero b Brazo de Plata & Marco Corleone & Maximo (thanks to Kris Zellner)
• Antonio Tarver vs. Steve Cunningham will headline the 8/14 PBC show on Spike.
• Dark Water Productions announced that a film with Roddy Piper called “The Reconciler” will be out in November.  Piper plays a detective in the movie.  There was also a movie he filmed called “the Masked Saint,” that is set for a January release from the  Ridgerock Entertainment Group.
• Spike is filming a documentary for the 9/19 Bellator show that will be built around the history of MMA in San Jose at the SAP Center and all the different famous fights in that building.  Some of the greatest fights, including Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua, Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le, Clay Guida vs. Gilbert Melendez, Melendez vs. Josh Thomson and historical matches like Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum and Gina Carano vs  Cris Cyborg were in that building.
• The Fight Network in Canada will be airing the UFC prelims from 8-10 p.m. tomorrow night, as well as a pregame show at 7 p.m.  The main card in Canada airs on TSN 2.  They also air tonights’ RFA show headlined by Andrew Sanchez vs. John Poppie.  
• ECWA announced a free show on 8/27 in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Community Center.
• Smash Wrestling on 10/4 in North Bay, ONT at the Best Western North Bay Hotel & Conference  Center with all proceeds going to the Special Olympics.
• Dan Spivey returns to the ring shortly for BANG Wrestling in Ocala, FL: and will team with Dory Funk Jr.
• The Floyd Mayweather Jr/Ronda Rousey storyline going nowhere continued with Mayweather saying:  “You know, a while back I never knew who Ronda Rousey was.  So I’m pretty sure she got upset.  I want to say congratulations to Ronda Rousey and the UFC.  You guys have done a tremendous job and I’ve probably won six or seven ESPY’s for fighter of the year.  I truly believe she deserves it.  Congratulations.  She deserves it. “I just say that I’ve yet to see any MMA fighter or other boxer make over $300 million in 36 minutes.  When she can do that, call me.”
• The 16 team lineup for the King of Trios tournament on 9/4 to 9/6 in Easton, PA for CHIKARA Pro
  A.J. Styles & Young Bucks
  Drago & Fenix & Aero Star
  MK McKinnna & Trent & Tyler Bate
  A team from the U.K.
  Stevie Richards & Nova (Mike Bucci) & Blue Meanie bringing back the BWO
  Blaster McMassive & Flex Rumblecrunch & Max Smashmaster
  Dasher Hatfield & Icarus & Mr. Touchdown
  Eddie Kingston & Ophidian & Shynron
  Juan Francisco & Mr. Azerbaijan & Boar of Moldova
  Chuck Taylor & Drew Gulak & Swamp Monster
  Jakob Hammermeier & Soldier Ant & Nokken
  Amasis & Fire Ant & Worker Ant
  Frightmare & Silver Ant & Hallowicked
  Oleg the Usurper & The Batri
  Kimber Lee & Los Ice Creams
  Kevin Kondron& Missile Assault & Lucas Calhoun
• For UFC’s next PPV show on 9/5 from Las Vegas, the four matches pushed are Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson for the flyweight title, Andrei Arlovski vs. Frank Mir, Anthony Johnson vs. Jimi Manuwa and Paige VanZant vs. Alex Chambers.
• ROH has announced shows on 10/23 in Kalamazoo, MI at the wings Event Center Annex, which will be a TV taping, and 10/24 in Dayton at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
• Last night in Houston, thieves smashed the window of Lane Huffman’s (Stevie Ray, the older brother of Booker T) Cadillac Escalade and stole both his gym bag and his Wildkat Wrestling championship belt.  He had just cut interviews and was at a  local restaurant on his way home and the window was smashed while he was inside.  If anyone has leads they are asked to contact WildkatSports@gmail.com
• A story on Babe Ruth in pro wrestling
• A story on Ken Shamrock returning to where he used to live and reconnecting with the mother who adopted him
• A story on Road Warrior Animal
• A story on Ashley Fliehr (Charlotte) in Playboy

By Jeremy Wall

Glory 23 took place Saturday, August 7th at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. It was the promotion’s debut in Vegas. The show was headlined by Nieky Holzken defeating Raymond Daniels in the third round by TKO due to a cut to win the vacant Glory Welterweight title. The show also featured a one-night, four-man middleweight tournament won by former UFC fighter Dustin Jacoby, who knocked out Ariel Sepulveda in 2:59 in the semi-finals and then stopped Casey Greene by TKO at 1:19 of the second round in the tournament finals. The show aired on Spike TV.

The main event between Holzken and Daniels was an exciting match. It was a rematch of the finals of a welterweight tournament at Glory 19 in February, which Daniels lost by TKO. This time Daniels looked much improved, particularly his boxing skill. The first two rounds saw Holzken back Daniels into corners, but Daniels would box his way out. Daniels is a 35-year-old karateka with some incredible spinning offense, but that he was able to improve his boxing to a level where he was competitive with Holzken, who is known as a good boxer, was impressive.

Daniels looked like he was winning the fight when he ate a hard knee above the eye, which opened up a disgusting cut. Referee John McCarthy stopped the fight immediately once he saw the cut. It was too bad because it was a good fight that might have led to a win by Daniels, a flashy American who, although a bit old, has charisma. I would think the obvious thing to do here would be to do a rematch once Daniels is ready, although that might be hard to justify since Daniels already has two losses to Holzken.

With the tournament victory, Holzken won the Glory Welterweight title. The title was previous held by Joseph Valtellini, who had to vacate due to lingering post-concussion syndrome. Valtellini was at the event as a backstage interviewer and participated in commentary for the tournament finals. He hasn’t officially retired, though, so he might be back if his concussion problems subside.

Valtellini would make a natural challenger for Holzken’s title. Holzken already holds a win in Glory over Valtellini via third-round TKO at Glory 13 in Tokyo on December 21st, 2013. Valtellini could also face Daniels again at some point. Valtellini beat Daniels by knockout on that same card in Tokyo. Valtellini’s last fight was a win over Marc de Bonte at Glory 17 in Los Angeles on June 21st, 2014, which was the failed Glory pay per view.

In the co-main, Jacoby beat Greene by TKO in the second round in a middleweight tournament finals. Jacoby is a former UFC, WSOF, and Bellator veteran with a 10-5 MMA record. He had losses in both his UFC fights to Clifford Starks and Chris Camozzi, lost to David Branch in WSOF, and lost to Mo Lawal and John Salter in Bellator. He is 6-5 in kickboxing, but actually had a losing record going into the Glory 23 tournament. He has exciting fights, but is definitely not in the upper tier of skilled fighters either in MMA or kickboxing. He is 3-5 in Glory.

He beat Ariel Sepulveda in the first round of the Glory 23 tournament to meet Greene in the finals. Greene beat Quinton O’Brien by unanimous decision in the first round. Even though Jacoby is not one of the better kickboxers at middleweight, Greene had a hard time with Jacoby, and was nearly knocked out in the first round. In the second, Jacoby continued to pummel Greene until the fight was stopped with Greene taking tremendous damage.

By winning the tournament, Jacoby earns a spot in yet another tournament to determine the number one contender to the Glory Middleweight title. Tournament booking is beyond lazy matchmaking. Tournaments only work when they are used sparingly, like the early Pride Grand Prix tournaments. Those early Pride tournaments were fantastic because the idea that Pride had at the time was for the Grand Prix to be like an Olympic event that only came around once every few years and featured the best. The later Pride Grand Prix tournaments meant a lot less because they were held so frequently, and thus the appeal was diminished.

The problem with so many tournaments is that people forget who was in the tournament and who won which tournament. I also think the “wrong guy” wins more often in a tournament. If you have four fighters and you have one guy that is the preferred tournament winner because he is the most marketable, if he wins his first fight, but gets injured, or his cardio is weak, or gets roughed up and fights poorly in the finals, then he ends up losing and you’ve damaged his marketability. I think it is better for Glory to just do single fights with an eye on matchmaking to try and create new stars.

Also on the show, Xavier Vigney beat Daniel Sam by split-decision at heavyweight. The split-decision was a bad call because Vigney dominated the entire fight. Vigney won a heavyweight qualifier tournament at Glory 21 in San Diego back in May and that tournament win hasn’t really gone anywhere. I don’t think Glory really runs enough events to hold tournaments for guys to win places in better tournaments, anyway. Vigney looked good, but not great, in this fight, although he will make a competitive challenger against Glory Heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven if Glory chooses to make that match.

Production was good. The Hard Rock Hotel came across as such a small venue on television, but that is typical for many of the Glory shows that take place in the US. Even with the smaller venues, I think it is better for Glory to take place in the US and preferably air live if they are going to become a successful television product for Spike. Mauro Ranallo and Stephen Quadros provided commentary, and were as good as they have ever been. Bill Goldberg appeared to hype the Dynamite show as a brand ambassador for Glory. If they could get Goldberg to fight in a superfight or something at heavyweight that would probably do a strong rating, as Bellator has done well with the freak show stuff (although that won’t last).

Georges St-Pierre, of all people, also participated in a bit of the hype for this show, although he wasn’t featured on the broadcast. He was in Las Vegas the week of the fights to promote a new kickboxing glove being marketed by Hayabusa, who is one of GSP’s sponsors. Hayabusa also sponsors Glory and Nieky Holzken. Holzken and GSP sparred. It would have been cool if during the Spike broadcast Glory aired a clip of Holzken sparring with GSP, with GSP talking about how great Glory is. I don’t know GSP’s contract status with UFC, but maybe because of that Glory couldn’t do it.

The show aired on Spike from 11pm ET to 1am ET. Perhaps that the event took place out west was the reason for the late start time, but it is hard to imagine ratings being strong for such a late showing. After the broadcast Spike also aired a hype show for the Antonio Tarver-Steve Cunningham PBC fight that takes place this Friday. The hype show aired from 1am ET to 2am. I don’t understand the point of putting shoulder programming on so late, since the idea with that kind of content is to get as many eyeballs on it as possible in order to build hype for the actual fight. Airing shoulder programming at 1am feels a bit pointless. Friday during prime time, Spike aired a marathon of Cops episodes.

Glory has aired outside of prime time for a couple of shows now, which isn’t a positive. Glory 22 took place June 5th from France and aired at 4pm ET on Spike. It only drew 152,000 viewers, the poorest Glory has drawn on Spike. The afternoon broadcast didn’t work. Maybe a late night broadcast will work better. Prior to Glory 22, Spike has aired eleven Glory events that have averaged 462,818 viewers per show.

The problem with airing Glory in the afternoon or late at night is that in the United States, people are used to seeing kickboxing as filler material on secondary sports channels. Kickboxing also isn’t a native sport in the US, as it is realistically a foreign sport with similarities to boxing, its more popular American cousin. Comparing kickboxing to boxing in terms of American popularity is a bit similar to comparing rugby to football or cricket to baseball in the US. It’s not exactly the same, but the point is that because kickboxing is a foreign sport that has been used as time filler in the US, Glory has to overcome the negative perception associated with kickboxing in the US in order to become a box office draw.

Airing outside of prime time does not help overcome that negative perception. Glory needs to air in prime time on Spike in order for the audience to become accustomed to the idea that kickboxing is a prime time sport and not something that airs at funny times in the afternoon or late at night. Glory has been on Spike since 2013 and Spike has broadcast numerous Glory events in prime time. Maybe 462,818 viewers per show isn’t cutting it for Spike on prime time. If that is the case, then Spike has a problem with their “Friday Night Lights Out” combat sports series, because although Bellator draws better, PBC boxing isn’t drawing much better than Glory.

Glory is back for the Dynamite event on September 19th at the SAP Center in San Jose that is being co-promoted by Glory & Bellator in a throwback to the old mega events in Japan. The idea here is to obviously take what would have otherwise been one of the major tent pole Bellator shows that draw well and add some Glory fights in order to increase Glory’s exposure. If that’s the case, then Spike should not have been airing Glory outside of prime time for the last couple of events. That feels like throwing in the towel too early on Glory, because if the Dynamite event succeeds by increasing Glory’s popularity, then Spike needs to continue airing Glory in prime time, otherwise Glory’s increased popularity will fade quickly.

Dynamite is headlined by Tito Ortiz challenging Liam McGeary for the Bellator Light-Heavyweight title. Ortiz is shot, but McGeary hasn’t faced someone with as big of a name on such an important show as this, so it will be an interesting test for him. On the Glory side, there are four fights. First is Saulo Cavalari vs. Zach Mwekassa for the Glory Light-Heavyweight title that was stripped off Gokhan Saki due to a contract dispute with Glory. Second is Gabriel Varga making his first defense of the Glory Featherweight title against Sergey Adamchuk. Third is Paul Daley against an opponent TBA, although Holzken has challenged Daley and they could make that for the Glory Welterweight title now that Holzken is champion. Last is a women’s flyweight match between Keri Anne Taylor-Melendez and an opponent TBA. Melendez is the spouse of Gilbert Melendez. Joe Schilling was also supposed to be on the show, but had to withdraw due to injury.

Glory has made some odd choices here. This is meant to showcase the best of Glory, since this event will surely get more viewers than Glory has ever had for a show in the US. But the company isn’t even highlighting their best fighters. I have no idea why they are having a women’s fight here when Glory has never aired women’s kickboxing on Spike before. Melendez signed with Bellator a few weeks ago, so maybe they feel she has star potential and want to give her a push by putting her in a showcase fight on the Glory side of this event. But Bellator doesn’t even have a proper women’s division, let alone a proper women’s flyweight division, and neither does Glory, so that makes zero sense.

I like the idea of Daley challenging Holzken for the Welterweight title, if that is what happens. It would give Holzken a chance to beat an MMA fighter with somewhat of a name in a high profile fight and maybe in turn increase Holzken’s profile. The two other title fights are okay, although I would have gone with a different title matches than the Light-Heavyweight and Featherweight titles, particularly since the fighters involved in those matches don’t have tremendous star potential. It would have been better if Glory had booked a heavyweight title match with champion Rico Verhoeven and maybe a middleweight title match with champion Artem Levin, with the idea of the middleweight title match being that it could build to a title defense against Joe Schilling on a later show. If Artem Levin retained his middleweight title, he would thus face Schilling in a rubber match, as they each hold one win over the other.

This is Glory’s best chance to get their product across to a wider audience and I think they are squandering it. Since it will mostly be MMA fans watching Dynamite, I think a better theme for Glory’s portion of the show would have been four Kickboxing vs. MMA fights, with four fighters from Glory facing four MMA stars under kickboxing rules. Glory could get fighters from Bellator, such as Daley, or use former UFC guys that also do kickboxing, like Jacoby or Pat Barry. The idea is that the MMA names would generate broader audience interest and most of the fights would be won by Glory guys, since they would be competing under kickboxing rules. It would be a chance to put over Glory kickboxers who otherwise wouldn’t have as much of a chance to get over with a wider audience.

Also, if Glory was ever going to do a kickboxing match featuring Bill Goldberg, the Dynamite event was obviously the time.

The truth is that Glory hasn’t been able to create a major new star, or even find a potential major new star, that they can use to headline an important show like Dynamite. Everything in combat sports is based on star creation. It is hard to create new stars. I have yet to see a single fighter on a Glory event that has major breakout star potential, but isn’t quite there yet. The closest would be Joe Schilling, but I don’t think he quite has the skill level to hang with the best and win regularly in order to maintain his star status. Tyrone Spong also has potential, but hasn’t fought for Glory in ages.

That’s what Dynamite would be good for, showcasing a fighter who Glory believes has the ability to carry the promotion to a higher level of popularity. Bellator has a few guys with potential. PBC has Deontay Wilder and possibly Keith Thurman, and a few others. I don’t know if Glory really has anyone. They have many great fighters, but being a great fighter is not the same thing as being a star (although typically a star needs to be a great fighter, too). Glory needs that one charismatic star that can draw interest from people who would not otherwise watch a Glory show, and right now I don’t know who that star could be.

Jeremy Wall can be contacted at jeremywall1984@gmail.com and found on Twitter @jeremydalewall.

By Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for reports on the WWE’s show tomorrow in Melbourne, Australia as well as tonight’s NXT show in Starke, FL at Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

For this weekend, our polls will be on the AAA PPV show and the Saturday & Sunday G-1 Climax shows.

Smackdown tonight on Syfy:

Mark Henry & Prime Time Players vs. New Day

Charlotte vs. Naomi

Charlotte & Becky Lynch vs. Naomi & Sasha Banks

Zack Ryder vs. Stardust

Roman Reigns vs. Rusev

        It’s a weak show because much of the crew had to leave Monday night after Raw for today’s show in Brisbane, Australia. 

The life and times of Roddy Piper is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also have coverage of WWE financials and why the stock is going through the roof, the rise of Ronda Rousey and UFC 190 numbers, the G-1 Climax tournament update and the full story behind the 2002 pitch made to WWE about a gay asskicking wrestler.  

The latest Wrestling Observer: August 10, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Roddy Piper passes away, WWE Q2 results & analysis

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 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.

Our lead story is an extensive look at the career of Roddy Piper.  We start by looking at the cause of death, and Piper’s role in the national expansion of WWF and the first WrestleMania.  We look at how Piper differed from almost every wrestler in WWF when he came in, why Piper didn’t work certain shows, Piper working outside WWF while under contract, how he flopped in his first WWF run, his runs in California, Oregon, Georgia and the Carolinas before WWF, the feud with Jimmy Snuka, the Hogan-Piper program, The War to Settle the Score, the original WrestleMania and how it changed the history of wrestling, his period in WCW, his relationship with Mad Dog Vachon, his issues with Kevin Nash, how he got started in pro wrestling, the story behind his babyface turns and the loss at WrestleMania to Bret Hart.

We also look at WWE business, why stock is up, what aspect of business looked deceptively good, a look in depth at the network numbers, how many people dropped and picked up subscriptions this past quarter as well as how all the other aspects of WWE business are doing.

We look at UFC 190 and the storyline that led to Ronda Rousey setting her highest PPV mark.  We look at how things have changed for Rousey since February, the interest level of her fight,  Rousey vs. Cyborg, ratings in Brazil and the U.S. and match-by-match coverage.

We also go in-depth on the G-1 Climax tournament with the updated schedule, standings and match-by-match coverage.

We also have an update on John Cena, more on the injury and surgery, Cena actually going to a show this weekend but fans didn’t see him, Shawn Michaels return, will fans respect Cena more, update on the SummerSlam card and matches being built, Cena vs. Rollins future, WrestleMania note, note on Daniel Bryan’s book, Update on Ryback, Update on a 2002 angle proposed for a gay wrestler and funny story behind it, Bryan’s plan for the IC title, more on womens’ division, Eva Marie note, Tough Enough notes, Ultimate Warrior book, Cesaro section notes, WWE lawsuit notes, Pat Patterson book, sister of current WWE star gets a tryout and Owen Hart DVD news.  We also have coverage of the NXT and WWE shows over the weekend and business notes on the shows. 

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.

THURSDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

• Paramount is working with AAA on TripleMania.  There will be major cross-promotion and elements of Mission Impossible Rouge Nation during Sunday’s PPV show.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. A.J. Styles will be the main event of tomorrow night’s New Japan show on AXS.  It will be their match from the Seibu Dome one year ago.
• The USA Network was No. 4 this past week averaging 1,557,000 viewers in prime time, so Tough Enough is barely doing half the station average.  Syfy was No. 13, Spike was No. 18, and ESPN was No. 20.  The three hours of Raw were No. 6, 7 and 8 for the week. 
• The Tough Enough cast yesterday had to demonstrate storytelling and selling in a match in front of the entire NXT roster.
• Fozzy is playing Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in Hamilton, ONT at the free Festival of Friends music festival just outside Hamilton, ONT at the Ancaster Fairgrounds.  So Chris Jericho won’t be on tour with WWE this weekend.
• The Billy Jack Haynes lawsuit has been consolidated into all the other lawsuits  in Connecticut regarding pro wrestlers and concussions.
• TMZ picked up on the Submission Sorority being a porn series.  So expect a name change.  That caught WWE with its pants down.
• WWE will be airing a taped episode of its new Table for 3 series with Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff and Gene Okerlund at 10 p.m. tonight.  They are also airing shows all day that featured Piper.
• The Teamsters Local 986 and Culinary Workers Union Local 228 have announced they are looking to unionize UFC fighters.  While unionization would be good for fighters, getting in bed with the Culinary Workers Union of Las Vegas that has been the key group keeping them out of New York is quite the irony.
• Blame & Murphy vs. The Vaudevillains for the tag titles has been added to the 8/22 NXT show in Brooklyn, which is very close to sold out and will have in excess of 12,000 fans.  Also on the show will be the television debut of Apollo Crews, the former Uhaa Nation.  
• Not sure the situation but Sheamus was replaced by King Barrett in his scheduled match with Randy Orton on today’s WWE show in Brisbane.
• Adam Cole vs. Christopher Daniels was announced for the ROH show on 8/22 in Brooklyn at MCU Field.  Hirooki Goto is also on that show.
• TNA announced new live dates on 9/18 in Elmira, NY and 9/19 in Belle Garden, PA at the Rostraver Ice Arena.  Jeff Hardy, Ethan Carter III, Gail Kim and Rockstar Spud are advertised on those shows.
• WWE stock declined to $21.92 per share from its $23.01 closing yesterday. The new issue talks about the rise in stock price. 
• Grand Slam Wrestling on 8/8 in Moosic, PA at the Moosic Youth Center.
• Legacy Wrestling on 8/22 in Palmyra, PA at In The Net Sports with Matt Cross and AR Fox.
• Evolve on 8/15 in Queens, NY
• Timothy Thatcher vs. Zack Sabre Jr. for the Evolve title
• Johnny Gargano vs. Ethan Page anything goes
• Rich Swann vs. Drew Gulak
• Chris Hero vs. Speedball Mike Bailey
• Trent Baretta vs. Rey Hours
• Biff Busick vs. Tracy Williams
• Anthony Nese & Caleb Konley issue an open challenge
• Evolve on 8/16 in  Deer Park, NY
• Timothy Thatcher vs. Biff Busick no holds barred
• Chris Hero vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
• Johnny Garagno vs. mystery opponent
• Ethan Page vs. Rich Swann
• Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams vs. Mike Bailey & Rey Hours
• CZW has an iPPV on Saturday night from Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ headlined by Jake Crist vs. Danny Havoc and Dave Crist vs. Conor Claxton.
• Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Friday night in Council Bluffs, IA:  Abu Colossus & Branden Juarez b Arik Cannon & Darren Russell, Purple b Pat Powers, Killer City Kings b American bulldogs, Zac James b L-Ray-DQ, Mark Sterling b Dalton Lee Roth, Tony Cortez b Joey Daniels, Hype Gotti b Jeremy Wyatt.   Next show is 8/29 at the National Guard Armory in Council Bluffs.
• Rey Hours vs. Mortiz vs. Dinamic Black headlines a Saturday night show at Centro de la Raza in San Diego.
• Rush & La Sombra vs. L.A. Park & El Hijo del L.A. Park headlines a Saturday night show in Tijuana at Auditorio Municipal (thanks to Kris Zellner)
• Empire Wrestling Federation on Friday night in Covina, CA at the Father Maguire Council.
• StocktonCon runs this weekend starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Stockton Arena.  Among those appearing are Jerry Lawler, Jim Duggan, Honky Tonk Man, Koko B Ware, Lisa Marie Varon and Ken Shamrock.  There will also be Pro Wrestling Bushido shows at 2 p.m. both days.  Two day passes are only $15.
• Superkick’d Bad for Business on 8/22 at the Great Hall in Toronto.
• Steel City Pro Wrestling on 8/23 at 2 p.m. in Hamilton ONT at 242 James St.
• Johnny Devine headlines for CWE on an Alberta tour with shows on 8/26 in Camrose, 8/27 in Sherwood Park, 8/28 in Red Deer and 8/29 in Calgary.
• Paul O’Brien has signed a deal with Skyhorse Publishing in New York for his “Blood Red Turns Dollar Green” trilogy.  They are looking at March for the Volume 1 release and August for Volume 2.  Volume 1 will have more content added from the initial release.
• Gangrel headlines for All Star Wrestling on 9/25 in Cloverdale, BC at the Fairgrounds.
• ESPN radio yesterday had a poll on who would you rather watch on PPV, Ronda Rousey’s next fight or Floyd Mayweather’s next fight.  Rousey won 75% to 25%.  Cris Carter said that UFC 190 was the first time he had spent money to watch a Rousey fight and it was well worth it, saying the undercard was amazing.  Jemele Hill said that Mayweather is a great boxer, but his fights are boring. (thanks to Jeff Bradley)
• Fringe Pro Wrestling on 8/8 in Hamilton, ONT at the City Music Hall Pier 4 Park.
• Smash Wrestling on 8/23 at 4 p.m. in Toronto at the Franklin Horner Community Centre with Matt Cross.
• AAW on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street headlined by Eddie Kingston & Shane Hollister vs. Matt Cage & Tyson Dux, plus Louis Lyndon, Matt Sydal, Johnny Gargano, Silas Young, Tommaso Ciampa, ACH, DJZ, Zero Gravity, Candice LaRae and more.
• There is Roller Derby on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose.  It will be an 80th anniversary celebration of the 1935 birth of Roller Derby and there is likely to be a George Hase tribute. 
• Anthony Hamilton vs. Derrick Lewis has been added to the 10/3 UFC show in Houston at the Toyota Center.
• Crime fighter Phoenix Jones is back in action on the 9/18 World Series of Fighting show in Phoenix, facing Roberto Yong at 160 pounds.
• Gilbert Burns vs. Rashid Magomedov will be on the UFC’s 11/7 show in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• CNN article on Roddy Piper
• Video story on C.M. Punk talking his wife April and his move to Milwaukee
• An episode of World of Hurt Wrestling with Roddy Piper
• Sinclair Broadcasting’s earning call
• Brian Fritz talks to Chelsea Green about being eliminated from Tough Enough
• Brian Fritz also talks to Rey Mysterio about Sunday’s AAA PPV
• More on Roddy Piper from the Huffington Post

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

1963 – Ali Bey beat Gori Guerrero in El Paso to win the NWA light heavyweight title

1964 – Steve Rickard beat John DaSilva in Wellington, New Zealand to win the New Zealand heavyweight title

1965 – Spyros Arion beat Killer Kowalski in Sydney to win the IWA title

1966 – Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy beat Mark Lewin & Bearcat Wright in Melbourne to win the IWA tag title

1995 – La Parka beat Jerry Estrada in Monterrey to win the Mexican national light heavyweight title

1996 – Riki Choshu beat Masahiro Chono in Tokyo to win the G-1 Climax tournament

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

Tonight:

* NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network is headlined by Samoa Joe vs. Rhyno. 

* Lucha Underground at 8:00 p.m. ET on El Rey has part two of Ultima Lucha headlined by Prince Puma vs. Mil Muertes for the Lucha Underground Championship.With Vampiro wrestling Pentagon Jr. on the show, Michael Schiavello joins Matt Striker at the announcers’ table.

* UFC Tonight returns to Fox Sports 1 8:00 p.m. ET.

* Impact Wrestling at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America is the No Surrender “free PPV” with Ethan Carter III vs. Matt Hardy in a Full Metal Mayhem match.

*ROH at 11:00 p.m. ET on Destination America (no more 8:00 p.m. ET showing for now) features Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly. 

**** 

FREE THIS WEEK: The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly (subscribe to th site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and our) is 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. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news.

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. 

**** 

The Latest Wrestling Observer: August 3, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Hulk Hogan fired by WWE over leaked hate speech, Daniel Bryan update

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 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.

The ups and downs of Hulk Hogan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at his rise to fame, steroids in pro wrestling, Hogan as a fan, the Zahorian trial and why Hogan wasn’t involved, the first time Vince McMahon sent Hulk Hogan away, the McMahon trial, and his career post-wrestling.  We look at Hogan Knows Best and how that plays into his latest problems, Bubba the Love Sponge, when Hogan’s racist rant was first reported and how three years ago, the story behind the tapes, what was said, , Hogan’s apology, the Gawker threat and how it plays into his lawsuit, WWE’s reaction and how this is different from his other historical issues.  We look at how fiction vs. reality is Hogan’s friend, fan reaction, and more.  This is the most detailed look at not just Hogan’s latest situation, but life after wrestling over 25 plus years.

We also look at Daniel Bryan’s current situation, his concussion issues, his wanting to wrestle again and WWE not clearing him, his wife’s reaction to his wrestling again, how his neck is holding up, what could have gotten him to TNA and his different views of the 2014 and 2015 Royal Rumble.

We also look at the HBO Real Sports story on domestic violence issues with fighters, including War Machine, Josh Grispi, Rumble Johnson and Chris Leben.

We also look at the injuries to John Cena and Alicia  Fox, lots of notes on SummerSlam, updates on Sting, New WWF considerations for the network, Movie box office with WWE stars, the original gay wrestler idea from 2002 and who it was talked about for, Chael Sonnen and WWE, Celebrity in WWE programming going forward, WWE lawsuit news, Tough Enough notes, new WWE movie and a look at a new developmental star who just debuted.

We also have notes on all the WWE & NXT live events over the weekend, business notes and highlights.

We’ve got a detailed look at G-1 thus far with a tournament overview, problems involved, update on Nakamura, standings, results of all the matches and the next week schedule.

We’ve also got full coverage of the UFC on FOX with T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao, with match-by-match coverage, business notes and poll results.

We also look in depth at Jeff Jarrett’s first TV taping for GFW in Las Vegas, including matches, direction and future.

We also have full coverage of the ROH Death Before Dishonor show, with match-by-match rundown, star ratings and poll results.

We’ve also got a look at PWG’s 12th anniversary show, the atmosphere, and notes on Battle of Los Angeles.

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.

****

Wednesday Daily Update

• Reminder: The new Figure Four Weekly is FREE for everyone this week with a huge, detailed cover feature on the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI has tried to help Hulk hogan cover up the racist and homophoic comments he made that ended up being leaked a week ago. This is some weird, fascinating stuff.
• WWE stock is still rising today, closed at $23.01 (+0.78) per share, though it looks to be going down a bit in after-hours trading. CNN Money covered the surge yesterday. Dave’s analysis of the quarterly report should be in the news Observer available for subscribers to the site today.
• Adam Hill reported in the Las Vegas Review Journal that the Nevada State Athletic Commission has temporarily suspended both Rousimar Palhares (for repeatedly raking/gouging Jake Shields’ eyes and then cranking a Kimura too long after the referee intervened) and Jake Shields (for punching Palhares in th face when Palhares let go) stemming from the WSOF card on Saturday night. Probably the right thing to do in both cases, though it feels hard t blame Shields morally, and it’s questionable that referee Steve Mazzagatti really should be dealt with for not handling the eye gouging properly. If you didn’t see the fight, Shields could be heard yelling at Mazzagatti repeatedly.
• The UFC officially announced that the man event of the November 21st card in Monterrey, Mexico will be Matt Brown vs. Kelvin Gastelum in a five round welterweight fight. Yes, after all of that bluster from Dana White, Gastelum only had to take one middleweight fight before moving back down. The co-main event will be Ricardo Lamas vs. Diego Sanchez is Sanchez’s featherweight debut. His last fight was the infamous robbery on June 7, 2014, where he got a decision robbery of a decision over Ross Pearson. Why he thinks that he would do better a weight class down after what’s realstically a giant losing streak where he’s looked slow, innacurate, and shopworn is anyone’s guess.
• The National Enquirer is clearly trying to drag out the Hulk Hogan story at this point. They have two articles up today, most of which don’t contain new information. “Hulk Hogan In New Anti-Gay Storm” doesn’t feature any new anti-gay comments or even any new reactions to the comments, just the ones they already posted a week ago. They reference the racist comments to his son from the jailhouse visiting area, and maybe that’s the first time the Enquirer has run those, but that’s not a “new anti-gay storm.” 
• That said, there are a few new details in “Racist Hulk Hogan’s FBI Cover-Up.” Near the end of the article, they quote Nik Richie of TheDirty.com (apparently the first person in the media to see/hear the tapes) as saying that “The sellers’ play was to force Hogan into signing a deal that they all could make money from and sell the tape.” The bulk of th rest of the article is recycled from past posts, listing off Hogan’s racist comments, plus a few comments about the FBI stuff taken from court transcripts. Of course, as noted above, for a much more detailed look at why Gawker thinks there’s a FBI cover-up, check out this week’s FREE edition of Figure Four Weekly.
• Steve Austin cut a promo on Arnold Schwarzenegger to promote WWE 2K16. It’s amusing.
• Mexico news from Kris Zellner in today’s Lucha Report (make sure to check out the complete, illustrated version w/ photos, posters, results, etc.):
  Blue Demon Jr. told Estadio Deportes yesterday that he didn’t find out about his Triplemania match this Sunday until AAA posted it on Twitter. Demon said that no one from the company let him know anything about it beforehand but he appreciated being booked on the show to honor his 30th anniversary in Lucha Libre.
  EMLL officially announced last night during the Arena Puebla show on YouTube that the 82nd Anniversario Show will take place on September 4th which is the earliest show since September 3rd, 2010.
  La Sombra who has been absent lately from Mexico City EMLL cards after the Guadalajara incident from last Tuesday was the guest host on the Turibus tonight which is sponsored by EMLL and they book the guest hosts every show.
• Beau Dure talks UFC uniforms (and compares the situation to Rollerball!) at The Guardian.
• A former indie wrestler had rocks thrown at his truck because it has a Confederate Flag themed mural on it. Kids, don’t throw rocks at people even if you have the best of intentions
• NJPW G1 Climax Tournament 8-5 report: Ibushi vs. Naito, Styles vs. Makabe
• An article on the New UFC PED policy
• UFC: Why I Don’t Understand Nick & Nate Diaz

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

Major event and TV notes for tonight:

Tough Enough airs at 8:00 p.m. ET on USA Network with a new episode titled “Spinning a Yarn.” It sems likely that the episode will be built around footage of ZZ ducking out of training and an overall push to get ZZ eliminated. Also: Things heat up on WWE Tough Enough tonight on USA Network when WWE Tag Team The Prime Time Players visit the competitors to set up this week’s challenge.

Total Divas airs at 9:00 p.m. ET on E! with a new episode titled “Tea Mode.”Alicia wants to confess her love to her ex-boyfriend when she suspects he may be single again soon, Paige is offended by Nikki’s classy take on her home turf, and Eva Marie continues to train with Brian Kendrick.

NJPW G1 Climax Day 11 airs live from Iwate at 5:30 a.m. ET tonight/tomorrow morning on NJPW World:

Non-Tournament Matches:
1. Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata, Tiger Mask IV & Yohei Komatsu vs. Hirooki Goto, Michael Elgin, Mascara Dorada & David Finlay Jr.
2. Tomoaki Honma & Jay White vs. Karl Anderson & Cody Hall
3. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga
4. KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan vs. Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo
G1 Climax A Block Matches:
5. Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Bad Luck Fale
6. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Toru Yano
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Doc Gallows
8. AJ Styles vs. Togi Makabe
9. Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito

SmackDown and Main Event are being taped tonight in Sacramento, California. We welcome any and all spoiler reports at newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

**** 

FREE THIS WEEK: The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly (subscribe to th site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and our) is 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. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news.

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. 

**** 

The Latest Wrestling Observer: August 3, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Hulk Hogan fired by WWE over leaked hate speech, Daniel Bryan update

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 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.

The ups and downs of Hulk Hogan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at his rise to fame, steroids in pro wrestling, Hogan as a fan, the Zahorian trial and why Hogan wasn’t involved, the first time Vince McMahon sent Hulk Hogan away, the McMahon trial, and his career post-wrestling.  We look at Hogan Knows Best and how that plays into his latest problems, Bubba the Love Sponge, when Hogan’s racist rant was first reported and how three years ago, the story behind the tapes, what was said, , Hogan’s apology, the Gawker threat and how it plays into his lawsuit, WWE’s reaction and how this is different from his other historical issues.  We look at how fiction vs. reality is Hogan’s friend, fan reaction, and more.  This is the most detailed look at not just Hogan’s latest situation, but life after wrestling over 25 plus years.

We also look at Daniel Bryan’s current situation, his concussion issues, his wanting to wrestle again and WWE not clearing him, his wife’s reaction to his wrestling again, how his neck is holding up, what could have gotten him to TNA and his different views of the 2014 and 2015 Royal Rumble.

We also look at the HBO Real Sports story on domestic violence issues with fighters, including War Machine, Josh Grispi, Rumble Johnson and Chris Leben.

We also look at the injuries to John Cena and Alicia  Fox, lots of notes on SummerSlam, updates on Sting, New WWF considerations for the network, Movie box office with WWE stars, the original gay wrestler idea from 2002 and who it was talked about for, Chael Sonnen and WWE, Celebrity in WWE programming going forward, WWE lawsuit news, Tough Enough notes, new WWE movie and a look at a new developmental star who just debuted.

We also have notes on all the WWE & NXT live events over the weekend, business notes and highlights.

We’ve got a detailed look at G-1 thus far with a tournament overview, problems involved, update on Nakamura, standings, results of all the matches and the next week schedule.

We’ve also got full coverage of the UFC on FOX with T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao, with match-by-match coverage, business notes and poll results.

We also look in depth at Jeff Jarrett’s first TV taping for GFW in Las Vegas, including matches, direction and future.

We also have full coverage of the ROH Death Before Dishonor show, with match-by-match rundown, star ratings and poll results.

We’ve also got a look at PWG’s 12th anniversary show, the atmosphere, and notes on Battle of Los Angeles.

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.

****

Tuesday Daily Update

• Reminder: The new Figure Four Weekly is FREE for everyone this week with a huge, detailed cover feature on the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI has tried to help Hulk hogan cover up the racist and homophoic comments he made that ended up being leaked a week ago. This is some weird, fascinating stuff.
• Brooke Hogan talked to Entertainment Tonight and defended her dad; not defending the comments, but more showing sympathy for the situation with the comments (well, his initial comments; the ones to Nick in jail were public record where he knew he was being recorded) being made in private. She makes a reference to the tape being shot at “the lowest point in his life,” which is how Hulk described getting roped into sleeping with his friend’s wife, but it’s not clear why. Yes, his marriage was falling apart and as good as over, but that’s the type of language he previously used to describe the period after the divorce and the car accident that put John Graziano in a vegetative state. He said this before all of that happened. 
• Gawker President and General Counsel Heather Dietrick talked to Fortune about the Hogan lawsuit. Interesting excerpt (they didn’t directly quote her in this part) about why Gawker had to publsh clips of the video itself: Dietrick’s answer is that the video serves to prove Gawker’s source material. Without it, Hogan could have continued to refute the tape’s very existence. Indeed, that’s what occurred when Gawker, in another of its major exposés, revealed that the former mayor of Toronto liked to smoke crack; the mayor denied the charge, and threatened to sue Gawker until the police confirmed existence of the tape.
• WSOF President Ray Sefo announced on the MMA Hour that he’s stripping Rousimar Palhares of their welterweight title as well as suspending him from the promotion after he not only did his usual thing and didn’t release a submisssion hold immediately when the referee stepped in, but also repeatedly raked and gouged Jake Shields’ eyes during the fight. If you didn’t see the fight, this wasn’t your usual MMA eye poke that happns standing; he was very clearly, purposefully thumbing Shields’ eyes on the ground while referee Steve Mazzagatti never went past a warning. The Nevada State Athletic Commission is witholding Palhares’ win bonus for the time being.
• Meanwhile, Joe Lauzon has an excellent YouTube video comparing the reaction time of Palhares letting go of submissions to how he’s reacted in his own fights. A lot of people have defended Palhares by saying that he rarely cranks the hold for more than about a second extra, but as Lauzon explains, that’s the problem.
• Chyna’s manager, Anthony Anzaldo, posted a video of him calling what sounds like the main WWE switchboard to ask who he can talk to to make sure her royalty checks were properly dealt with while she was living in Japan, as none were forwarded to her. After he’s put on hold, the operator tells him she was told not to forward any calls from/about Chyna. While there’s probably someone they should have tried to call directly and Chyna does clearly have some issues, if she really wasn’t sent the checks she was owed or they were sent to an old address and she never deposited them, calling WWE to get them reiussed is absolutely the right thing to do. You can see why WWE would refuse to talk to her, but she’s not necessarily in the wrong in this situation unless it’s a made-up story.
• Mike Tenay announced on Taz’s Human Podcast Machine show that he’s starting a new podcast on CBS’s Play.it network called “Professor Vegas” about sports betting.
• The new English AAA YouTube channel has a 15 minute countdown special for this Sunday’s TripleMania XXIII pay-per-view card.
• Rey Mysterio is doing the media rounds to promote TripleMania. Rolling Stone has an interview up with him, and I did one that’s up at WrestlingInc: Part 1, Part 2.
• Triple H tweeted a video of WWE honoring a young fan last night in San Jose because he had sent in a Tough Enough audition reel.
• Dave has two UFC 189 stories up at MMAFighting:
  One is about early PPV buy indicators.
  The other is his “Fortunes Changed for Five” postmortem.
• For episode #2 of Between The Sheets, Kris Zellner and I are joined by Joe Gagne to talk about all of the wrestling news that happened between July 27 and August 3, 1990.
• — WWE officially announced the book launch event featuring Dana Warrior for “Ultimate Warrior; A Life Lived Forever,” which will take place on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. It will be open to the first 300 fans (well, it reads like the first 300 fans to show up and buy the book, but the press release is a little confusing) at The POWERHOUSE Arena (a popular location in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn for book signing events) at 37 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11210.

Submitted by Brian Fritz

I wanted to update everyone on the GoFundMe campaignto help former TNA X-Division, ECW World and Ring of Honor World Champion Jerry Lynn with his upcoming neck surgery.

In just the first 24 hours, we have received 319 donations for nearly $9,000 which is simply incredible. So many people have stepped up with donations and also spreading the word about the campaign.

Wrestling stars including Mick Foley, Lita, Austin Aries, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Bully Ray, Taz, Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, Adam Cole, Steve Corino, Kevin Kelly, Tommy Dreamer, MVP and Sean Waltman have all helped out with donations or promoting it on social media.

Thank you to everyone for helping Jerry as we continue the push forward to reach the goal of $15,000. Please continue to spread the word on social media.

By Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE shows in Stockton and Fresno as well as the Northeast Wrestling shows this weekend in Wappingers Falls, NY and Lowell, MA at Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

We’re also looking for your thoughts on UFC 190, G-1 in Osaka and G-1 in Nagoya, with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer

WWE on Sunday has house shows in Fresno (Chris Jericho vs.. Kevin Owens) and Stockton, CA (Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton vs. Sheamus) and NEW has a show in Lowell, MA (Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto el Patron vs. Matt Hardy).

Raw will be Monday night in San Jose with Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman returning for the show.

Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Sacramento.

**** 

FREE THIS WEEK: The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly (subscribe to th site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and our) is 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. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news.

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. 

**** 

The Latest Wrestling Observer: August 3, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Hulk Hogan fired by WWE over leaked hate speech, Daniel Bryan update

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 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.

The ups and downs of Hulk Hogan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at his rise to fame, steroids in pro wrestling, Hogan as a fan, the Zahorian trial and why Hogan wasn’t involved, the first time Vince McMahon sent Hulk Hogan away, the McMahon trial, and his career post-wrestling.  We look at Hogan Knows Best and how that plays into his latest problems, Bubba the Love Sponge, when Hogan’s racist rant was first reported and how three years ago, the story behind the tapes, what was said, , Hogan’s apology, the Gawker threat and how it plays into his lawsuit, WWE’s reaction and how this is different from his other historical issues.  We look at how fiction vs. reality is Hogan’s friend, fan reaction, and more.  This is the most detailed look at not just Hogan’s latest situation, but life after wrestling over 25 plus years.

We also look at Daniel Bryan’s current situation, his concussion issues, his wanting to wrestle again and WWE not clearing him, his wife’s reaction to his wrestling again, how his neck is holding up, what could have gotten him to TNA and his different views of the 2014 and 2015 Royal Rumble.

We also look at the HBO Real Sports story on domestic violence issues with fighters, including War Machine, Josh Grispi, Rumble Johnson and Chris Leben.

We also look at the injuries to John Cena and Alicia  Fox, lots of notes on SummerSlam, updates on Sting, New WWF considerations for the network, Movie box office with WWE stars, the original gay wrestler idea from 2002 and who it was talked about for, Chael Sonnen and WWE, Celebrity in WWE programming going forward, WWE lawsuit news, Tough Enough notes, new WWE movie and a look at a new developmental star who just debuted.

We also have notes on all the WWE & NXT live events over the weekend, business notes and highlights.

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

• The reaction to last night’s UFC was off the charts.  On twitter, there were 988,000 mentions related to UFC 190 making it by far No. 1.
• On Google searches, searches since Thursday related to the show were 6.3 million, which is the all-time record for the promotion.  Keep in mind that 200,000 is normal for a PPV, 50,000 is normal for a Demetrious Johnson PPV and the last UFC PPV was 1.3 million.  Mayweather-Pacquiao and the Super Bowl did more than 10 million.  Rousey has in particular exploded with older women.

Sunday

4. Gina Carano 20,000

Saturday

1. Ronda Rousey 5 million

4. Danny Garcia 50,000

Friday

1. Ronda Rousey 1 million

3. Roddy Piper 1 million

Thursday

3. UFC 190 200,000

8. Bethe Correia 100,000 

• Dana White got a bunch of heat from pro wrestlers for using the term “fake” to describe pro wrestling when somebody complained about having to spend $60 to see the show last night when he can get WWE for $9.99.  Obviously “fake” is a bad word to use for pro wrestling, although sometimes when I watch some of the interviews and angles, they do come across really fake.  Tuesday’s Tough Enough with the bikini contest women taking the splash off the top like it was nothing is something that people in wrestling should worry about a lot more than some MMA promoter using that word.  As far as wrestlers go, every wrestler has the right to be mad about White using that term.  However, any wrestler who uses the term mark to describe wrestling fans should have a little perspective because it is pretty much the same thing.  The derivative of the term mark is a condescending term for fans so stupid as to believe wrestling is real.  Essentially, usage of the term is the admission that wrestling is fake.
• White now says that he thinks Rousey vs. Cyborg would do 2.5 million buys on PPV.  I guess he didn’t read the memo that PPV was dead.  He also pushed the idea of putting Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey together on a December show at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
• Coverage of last night’s show was the most read article earlier today on the Washington Post web site.
• Ronda Rousey promo from the other day on people who make fun of her body with more than 1.7 million viewers
• Rousey after the fight, the first thing she said was that she hoped Piper and her dad had a good time watching the fight together.  On who should would rather fight next, Miesha Tate or Cyborg:  “I prefer to fight who makes weight and doesn’t do drugs.”  
• Here is Dave Meltzer’s play by play of last night’s UFC: UFC 190 results: Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia, Shogun, Nog Brothers and here is our staff picks article:  UFC 190 and WSOF 22 Picks From The Secret Psychic Spy~!
• Here is post UFC 190 press conference:  UFC 190 Post-Fight Press Conference
• A couple of new fights were announced: Mir/Arlovski official, new main event announced
• Roddy Piper stories:

Roddy Piper’s acting career in Entertainment Weekly
Jim Ross writes about Roddy Piper
New York Times on Roddy Piper
Coverage of Roddy Piper on The National
Roddy Piper promo from the Bloodstained Memories DVD
ESPN on Roddy Piper’s death
A story on Madusa and Monster trucks
Richard O’Sullivan noted the symbolism of Ronda Rousey knocking out Bethe Correia with a punch to the left ear, the same left ear that was the center of the 1983 Roddy Piper vs. Greg Valentine angle that led to their dog collar match at Starrcade 83.

• Check out Wrestling Observer’s coverage of NJPW coverage JPW G1 Climax Tournament 8-2 results: Yano vs. Tanahashi, Naito vs. Makabe
• Ring of Honor Aug 1 TV results and recap: Young Bucks vs War Machine; Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly
• Our story on Georgia Hase passing away
• Reminder: The new Figure Four Weekly is FREE for everyone this week with a huge, detailed cover feature on the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI has tried to help Hulk hogan cover up the racist and homophobic comments he made that ended up being leaked a week ago. This is some weird, fascinating stuff.

• Kohei Sato beat Daisuke Sekimoto in Tokyo today to win this year’s Fire Festival. 
• Brad Maddox & Adam Rose were trying out a gimmick this weekend on the house shows as a tag team called Beef Mode.  They do push ups and sit ups before their match and insult the fans for being out of shape.
• ECCW on 8/15 in Vancouver, BC at the Russian Community Centre.
• Mid Atlantic Wrestling Fan Fest results from last night’s show in Charlotte:  Bobby Fulton b Travis Steele, Mary Elizabeth Monroe b Jessie Kaye, Cedric Alexander b Peter Kassa, Billy Damiana & Nick Comorto & Punisher Martinez b Steve Gibky & Tony Vincita & Clutch Adams, Eric Locker b Sam Rarsem, Scott Steiner b Wes Brisco (thanks to Mike Carpenter)
• Old school Roller Derby with the Bay Bombers vs. Brooklyn Red Devils takes place on 8/8 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose for an outdoor event.
• Lucha Xtreme from last night in Fresno:  Kikyo (female wrestler) b Aki Sol (male wrestler).  This led to Mike Dalite in drag challenging Kikyo to a match.  Johnny Plinko b Honu Kekoa, Dylan Drake b Clutch. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
• Pro Wrestling Championship Series from last night in Granite City, IL:  Austni Blackburn b Curt Stallion, Steven Kennedy & Jake Dirden b Makaze & Nate Redwig, Mike Outlaw b Mat Fitchett, Gary Jay b Austin Blackburn, ACH b Danny Adams, Mat Fitchett & Zakk Sawyers b Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy, Jojo Bravo b Davey Vega, Mark Sterling & Adam Rich b Jeff Gant & Tank Engine Tommy, K.C. Karrington b Jeremy Wyatt-COR (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
• Hoosier Pro Wrestling from last night in Columbus, IN:  Shawn Cook b Derek Hiller, Marc Houston b Wicked Clown, Stompin Steve b Dewey Brown, Trailer Park Trash b Dynamite Dillen, Bobby Black b Eddie Felson, Mitch Johnson b Shiloh Jonze-DQ, Lightning Bolt & Drax O’Brien b TVZ, Flash Flanagan b TJ Kemp.  Next show is 9/5 with TJ Kemp &Marc Houston vs. Flash Flanagan & Trailer Park Trash & Timmy Danger (thanks to Jerry Wilson)
• At the Mid Atlantic Fan Fest yesterday, Ricky Steamboat & Jim Ross were talking about the Flair-Steamboat feud.  Steamboat said that he didn’t know he was getting the title in Chicago until the day of the show.  Jim Ross said he found out right before the show.  
• Great Canadian Wrestling on 10/3 in Oshawa, ONT at the Harmony Creek Community Hall.
• Ultra Wrestle from last night in Abbeville, SC:  Tracer X b Steve Hunter, Joe Harrison b Mason Mayles, Deon Johnson & Josh Cutshall & Boomer Payne & Brice Anthony b Zane Riley & Anthony Jannzazzo & Lance Gaylord & Erik Thompson, Josh Powers b Billy Brash, TK Stark & Jett Black b Adam Page & Jeff Connelly, Steve Corino b Hoss Hagood.  Next show is 8/14 in Greenville, SC at the Salvation Army Kroc Center with Matt Hardy vs. Josh Powers (thanks to Thomas Simpson)
• Titus O’Neil invited a number of homeless people to dinner

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

1975 – Moose Morowski beat George Guliovas in Melbourne to win the Austra Asian title on the same show Rocky Romero (a Melbourne based jobber no relation to the current star of the same name) beat Great Mephisto to win the Brass Knux title.

1978 – Mal Sanders beat Mick McManus in Huddersfield to win the European middleweight title

1996 – In the quarterfinals of the J Crown (eight different lighter weight champions all putting up their titles) at Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Great Sasuke beat Masayoshi Motegi, El Samurai beat Gran Hamada, Ultimo Dragon beat Jushin Liger and Shinjiro Otani beat Negro Casas

1998 – Shinya Hashimoto beat Kazuo Yamazaki to win the G-1 Climax tournament

1998 – Kyoko Inoue beat Lioness Asuka to win the TWWF title

2002 – Felino beat Black Tiger (Silver King) in Mexico City to win the CMLL Leyenda de Plata tournament