Category: Daily Updates

  • TUES. UPDATE: Jon Jones police video, TNA Twitter gaffes, WWE commission issues, more

    by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.comFollow @davidbix

    TV-wise, Fox Sports 2 is running the last four episodes of The Ultimate Fighter starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. 

    We’re looking for SmackDown/Main Event spoilers tonight, so if you’re attending the taping, please send a report to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com

    As always, much more down the page after we pay the bills… 

    **** 

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a detailed look at the history of popular music being used in pro wrestling, including:

    * Who actually did the first pro wrestling music video?

    * The role of popular songs gtting major acts over.

    * What made the use of music in ECW so special.

    * How “real” songs make wrestlers stand out in a sea of in-house productions.

    And much more. 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 AmericanCanadian, 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 breakdown of the ROH deal on Destination America, how this affects TNA, the time frame of both company’s deals with the station and why this went down is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the world championship and questions arising, full coverage of UFC 187, Full coverage of Samoa Joe to NXT and the last special, the AAA World Cup coverage, Bischoff sues TNA and the UFC hall of Fame.

    The new issue is up on the site at June 1, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ROH to Destination America, Bischoff sues TNA, UFC Hall of Fame

    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@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    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 TNA’s actions over the past week since the original Observer story broke, the expansion in coverage of ROH, why the ROH deal got done, how Dixie Carter handled the situation, the conference call with TNA talent and how it went, the lineup for the first month of ROH on Destination America and the key show to watch, what to expect from the ratings, the ROH PPV schedule and the Samoa Joe situation with ROH.

    We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the UFC light heavyweight title, the Jon Jones situation, the situation with Ryan Bader, the shadow over the Cormier win, Vitor Belfort physically, the Arlovski vs. Browne fight, all the business notes from the show including a top ten of all time, and match-by-match coverage.

    We also look at the NXT Takeover show.  We look at the situation with Samoa Joe, plus match-by-match coverage.

    We’ve also got full coverage of the World Cup show, including screw-ups, best foreign stars, and the awards from the show.

    We also look at Elimination Chamber, the Rusev injury, Ronda Rousey and next year’s WrestleMania, talk about a gimmick for a future NXT special, notes on the new season of Total Divas, Notes on someone who is a TV star that got a tryout as a WWE star this past week and how it went, A look behind the scenes on the Daniel Bryan/A.J. Lee angle, how WWE is changing its thoughts on talent, another celebrity angle, NXT dates and a look at the upcoming Australia tour.

    Plus we’ve got notes from all the arena events from the past week as well as business notes.

    We look at the Bischoff-Hervey lawsuit against TNA.

    We also have a full breakdown on the UFC Hall of Fame and its new members.  We look at their histories, why they are in and more.

    We’ve got first word on the Extreme Rules PPV business.

    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.

    Also in this week’s issue:

    –A look at CMLL’s new tournament over the next few months and background of the guys

    –What pro wrestling event in Mexico will have a number of U.S. reporters from another sort attending

    –Tetsuya Naito in CMLL

    –Wife of wrestler planning oncoming out of retirement

    –UFC fighter making appearance at international wrestling show

    –King of Gate finals and rundown of semifinals

    –Looking at the booking from there

    –Triple Crown title change

    –MMA fighter coming to All Japan

    –Full coverage of the first week of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament

    –Current standings

    –Why this year doesn’t have as much interest as in the past

    –Why all the booking had to be redone after the first night

    –How business has been

    –Tournament lineup for this week

    –Satoru Sayama health update

    –Terry Funk news

    –World champions from two different promotions team up together in a third promotion

    –Global Force Wrestling update

    –Go fund me campaigns for wrestlers

    –Update on the past week’s PWG show

    –Trish Stratus talks thinking about doing MMA

    –One of the biggest indie show of the summer

    –Tammy Sytch on doing adult videos

    –Latest on Lucha Underground and season two

    –Alberto El Patron talks about doing MMA and Bill Goldberg

    –The back story in one of Lucha Underground’s main angles

    –ROH signs action figure deal

    –Update on the next ROH PPV show

    –TNA changes up television tapings and why

    –Dixie Carter reality show

    –Christy Hemme leaves company

    –History of TNA sale talks

    –Samoa Joe on why he left TNA

    –Dana White talks UFC 189

    –Where ticket sales for the show are coming from

    –Dana White talks the PPV numbers

    –Update on UFC in New York and where it stands

    –Sara McMann thinking of legal action on the Reebok deal

    –This week’s UFC show

    –Tons of new UFC fights

    –Lawsuit settlement results in apologies

    –Suspended fighter thinks about going to Olympics

    –Hector Lombard talks Josh Barnett

    –Ronda Rousey at the  Wall Street Journal cafe brunch

    –Fighter who had announced retirement now coming back

    –Biggest World Series of Fighting show to date

    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.

    Our most requested issues in our history are:

    *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

    *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

    *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

    *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a

    *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

    *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)

    *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)

    *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)

    *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)

    *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)

    *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)

    *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

    *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

    *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

    *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

    *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

    *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

    *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

    *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

    *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

    *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)

    *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)

    *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

    *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

    *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

    *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

    *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

    *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

    *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

    *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

    *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

    *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

    *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

    *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

    *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

    *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

    *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

    *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

    *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)

    *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

    *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

    *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

    *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

    *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

    *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

    *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)

    *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

    *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)

    *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

    *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)

    *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

    *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

    *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

    *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

    *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

    *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

    *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .

    *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

    *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

    *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

    *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

    * September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

    * September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

    * September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

    You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

    We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

    To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

    ****

    Tuesday Daily Update

    MMA Digest procured and released police lapel camera videos of the search of Jon Jones’ car after his hit and run incident partially accompanied by 911 call audio. Nothing shocking at this point, but not good for Jones’ image either.

    — Yesterday, Jeremy Borash decided to tweet a photoshop of the Caitlyn Jenner Vanity Fair cover with Ethan Carther III’s face superimposed as “revenge” for EC3 shaving his head on Impact several months ago. It didn’t go well with his follwers. Borash proceeded to block anyne who tweeted even the most mild criticism of what he did at him, and his only defense (written in the third person; it’s not clear if it was him or someone else running his account) was that he got the idea from The Howard Stern Show, which he’s been doing voice work for as of late. EC3 made a point of tweeting (in character) that he didn’t approve that message. Borash eventually deleted his tweets, but not after theyhad been up pretty much the entire second half of Monday.

    Later, Madison Rayne tweeted using their #ShowYourImpact hashtag, saying that “Caitlyn Jenner did it today, I’ll do it Wed.” She was apologetic about comparing the two events, which was just a little misguided more than anything else.

    It later came out that TNA had a conference call yesterday that included a lot of talk about focusing more on social media…

    Insider Louisville has an article about WWE’s troubles wth the athletic commission in Kentucky. As commission issues go it’s not that bad: WWE is still running house shows in the state, but they refuse to run a TV taping or pay-per-view event there because the commission reserves the right to stop a match in the event of bleeding. So it’s more about the potential disruption of a TV broadcast than anything else. That said, even though it’s a perfectly defensible position, “WWE’s spokeswoman declined to comment for this story.”

    Rhode Island Monthly has an article about Maria Kanellis going to school locally at Johnson and Wales University. She’s majoring in Sports Entertainment and Event Management, telling author Joshua Aromin that “I already know what’s going through the minds of the person putting on the event. I already know the concerns that would go through my mind from events I’ve been to.” 

    Uproxx’s Danielle Matheson tries and fails to make sense out of the unauthorized Arabic WWE cartoons that have popped up on YouTube recently. Looks like we’ve got some potential short form content for WWE Network.

    — Submission Radio talked to UFC Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk this week. Must-listen just to hear her talk about her sneaker collection, but here’s a quote about her now being the most famous Polish MMA fighter on a worldwide basis:

    “For me the more important thing is fighting. You know, training, fighting. The sports side. I didn’t choose my media life. You know what I mean? I’ve got some offers from KSW and I could fight for KSW, be on open TV. So I could become more famous in Poland, but I don’t care about [fame]. For me, the sport side was more important two years ago and I was waiting for the UFC. And I knew that I was going to be a champion, and I had this feeling. I’ve got talent from my gut and I did my job to show to everyone that I’m simply the best. And I’m very happy that I did the biggest success from the Polish MMA fighters.”

    — A presale for tickets to the August 4th SmackDown taping at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California starts tomorrow (Wednesday) at Ticketmaster with the code “2WWEFA”

    — Tickets for the August 1st WWE house show in Ontario, California go onside to the general public this Friday. There is a resale going on right now using the code WWEFAN

    — Tickets for UFC’s July 25th Fox card in Chicago with a main event of T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao II for the bantamweight title go on sale this Friday, June 5th at 10:00 a.m. CT. UFC Fight Club members will be able the opportunity to buy tickets tomorrow (Wednesday, June 3rd) at 10:00 a.m. CT while UFC newsletter subscribers will have their own presaleThursday (June 4th) starting at 10:00 a.m. CT.

    — World Series of Fighting announced the bout order for this Friday’s card from Edmonton:

    PRELIMINARY CARD (7:30 p.m. ET at WSOF.com)
    Bout # 1, Bantamweight (135 pounds) : Michael Hay (1-1) vs. Louie Grover (1-2)
    Bout # 2, Lightweight (155 pounds): Mike Scarcello (7-3-1) vs. Dan Lariviere (4-2)
    Bout # 3, Middleweight (185 pounds): Marcus Hicks (20-24) vs. Matt Baker (12-7)

    MAIN CARD (9:00 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network)
    Bout # 4, Featherweight (145 pounds) Bout: Hakeem Dawodu (4-0) vs. Chuka Willis (4-0) 
    Bout # 5, Welterweight (170 pounds) Swing Bout: Mark Drummond (7-2) vs. Michael Hill (7-3)
    Bout # 6, World Heavyweight Championship Co-Main Event: (Champion) Smealinho Rama (9-1) vs. (Challenger) Blagoi Ivanov (11-1)
    Bout # 7, World Featherweight Championship Main Event: (Champion) Lance Palmer (9-1) vs. (Challenger) Chris Horodecki (21-5-1)

    POSTLIMINARY CARD (11:05 p.m. ET on WSOF.com; this is their version of “Bellator After Dark”)
    Bout # 8, Lightweight: Roger Alves (2-1) vs. Danny Doig (2-2)
    Bout # 9, Lightweight: Garrett Nybakken (7-7) vs. Nick Hrabec (3-1)
    Bout # 10, Lightweight: Tim Smith (14-8) vs. Spencer Rohovie (9-7)
    Bout # 11, Catchweight (165 pounds): Stephen Beaumont (7-2) vs. Jose Rodriguez (7-2)

    — New England Championship Wrestling runs Blazing Summer 2015 Kick Off this Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Everett Rec Center in Everett, Massachusetts with Slyck Wagner Brown vs. Brad Hollister in the main event. More details at NECW.tv

    — Last night at Renegades Bar & Grill in West Palm Beach, FL, there was a pilot TV taping run by Dan Kowal (formerly of ECW and WEW). In the unadvertised pro wrestling matches, Santana Garrett beat Jayme Jameson and La Rosa Negra beat Su Yung. After the regular matches, which did get over, they put down a tarp and went to the advertised matches…which saw strippers and models competing in Jello, chocolate syrup, and so on.

    TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to  Bert Duckwall)

    12:00 AM ET
    WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee Young hangs out with the cast of Entourage to discuss their behind-the-scenes experience of the movie in theaters June 3rd!

    12:06 AM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR A controversial group of superstars set out to better sports entertainment and would rely on one another to do so.

    1:04 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

    2:00 AM ET
    TUESDAY NIGHT TITANS Vince McMahon hosts Tuesday Night Titans with Lord Alfred Hayes. Guests include Mike Sharpe, Big John Studd, Salvatore Bellomo and more.

    4:00 AM ET
    PRIME TIME WRESTLING Join Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan for Prime Time Wrestling featuring Harley Race, Junkyard Dog, and many more!

    6:00 AM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

    7:00 AM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR A controversial group of superstars set out to better sports entertainment and would rely on one another to do so.

    8:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

    9:00 AM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

    10:00 AM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR A controversial group of superstars set out to better sports entertainment and would rely on one another to do so.

    11:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

    12:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

    1:00 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR A controversial group of superstars set out to better sports entertainment and would rely on one another to do so.

    2:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

    3:00 PM ET
    STONE COLD PODCAST WWE Hall of Famer and Icon Stone Cold Steve Austin will have a no holds barred LIVE interview with Paul Heyman!

    4:00 PM ET
    CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves jumps into horse racing, gambling, the legendary infield, and much more at The Preakness on this episode of Culture Shock!

    4:10 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    5:00 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Nikki is devastated when she discovers John’s kept a secret from her. Rosa’s unaware she’s competing in her pursuits of an NFL player.

    6:00 PM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING Wrestling’s Highest Flyers collects some of the greatest aerial displays in sports entertainment history!

    8:00 PM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    9:00 PM ET
    CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves jumps into horse racing, gambling, the legendary infield, and much more at The Preakness on this episode of Culture Shock!

    9:10 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    10:00 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Nikki is devastated when she discovers John’s kept a secret from her. Rosa’s unaware she’s competing in her pursuits of an NFL player.

    11:00 PM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

  • MON. UPDATE: Raw, Steve Austin, ROH TV, Story on SF bar brawl, Hogan on ESPN

    By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for your thoughts on last night’s Elimination Chamber show, so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    We’re also looking for reports on Raw tonight from San Antonio (Superstars matches, dark matches, anything not evident from watching the TV show) as well as the WWE Saturday night house show and last night’s Evolve show at dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night in Houston.

    **** 

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a detailed look at the history of popular music being used in pro wrestling, including:

    * Who actually did the first pro wrestling music video?

    * The role of popular songs gtting major acts over.

    * What made the use of music in ECW so special.

    * How “real” songs make wrestlers stand out in a sea of in-house productions.

    And much more. 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 AmericanCanadian, 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 breakdown of the ROH deal on Destination America, how this affects TNA, the time frame of both company’s deals with the station and why this went down is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the world championship and questions arising, full coverage of UFC 187, Full coverage of Samoa Joe to NXT and the last special, the AAA World Cup coverage, Bischoff sues TNA and the UFC hall of Fame.

    The new issue is up on the site at June 1, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ROH to Destination America, Bischoff sues TNA, UFC Hall of Fame

    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@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    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 TNA’s actions over the past week since the original Observer story broke, the expansion in coverage of ROH, why the ROH deal got done, how Dixie Carter handled the situation, the conference call with TNA talent and how it went, the lineup for the first month of ROH on Destination America and the key show to watch, what to expect from the ratings, the ROH PPV schedule and the Samoa Joe situation with ROH.

    We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the UFC light heavyweight title, the Jon Jones situation, the situation with Ryan Bader, the shadow over the Cormier win, Vitor Belfort physically, the Arlovski vs. Browne fight, all the business notes from the show including a top ten of all time, and match-by-match coverage.

    We also look at the NXT Takeover show.  We look at the situation with Samoa Joe, plus match-by-match coverage.

    We’ve also got full coverage of the World Cup show, including screw-ups, best foreign stars, and the awards from the show.

    We also look at Elimination Chamber, the Rusev injury, Ronda Rousey and next year’s WrestleMania, talk about a gimmick for a future NXT special, notes on the new season of Total Divas, Notes on someone who is a TV star that got a tryout as a WWE star this past week and how it went, A look behind the scenes on the Daniel Bryan/A.J. Lee angle, how WWE is changing its thoughts on talent, another celebrity angle, NXT dates and a look at the upcoming Australia tour.

    Plus we’ve got notes from all the arena events from the past week as well as business notes.

    We look at the Bischoff-Hervey lawsuit against TNA.

    We also have a full breakdown on the UFC Hall of Fame and its new members.  We look at their histories, why they are in and more.

    We’ve got first word on the Extreme Rules PPV business.

    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.

    Also in this week’s issue:

    –A look at CMLL’s new tournament over the next few months and background of the guys

    –What pro wrestling event in Mexico will have a number of U.S. reporters from another sort attending

    –Tetsuya Naito in CMLL

    –Wife of wrestler planning oncoming out of retirement

    –UFC fighter making appearance at international wrestling show

    –King of Gate finals and rundown of semifinals

    –Looking at the booking from there

    –Triple Crown title change

    –MMA fighter coming to All Japan

    –Full coverage of the first week of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament

    –Current standings

    –Why this year doesn’t have as much interest as in the past

    –Why all the booking had to be redone after the first night

    –How business has been

    –Tournament lineup for this week

    –Satoru Sayama health update

    –Terry Funk news

    –World champions from two different promotions team up together in a third promotion

    –Global Force Wrestling update

    –Go fund me campaigns for wrestlers

    –Update on the past week’s PWG show

    –Trish Stratus talks thinking about doing MMA

    –One of the biggest indie show of the summer

    –Tammy Sytch on doing adult videos

    –Latest on Lucha Underground and season two

    –Alberto El Patron talks about doing MMA and Bill Goldberg

    –The back story in one of Lucha Underground’s main angles

    –ROH signs action figure deal

    –Update on the next ROH PPV show

    –TNA changes up television tapings and why

    –Dixie Carter reality show

    –Christy Hemme leaves company

    –History of TNA sale talks

    –Samoa Joe on why he left TNA

    –Dana White talks UFC 189

    –Where ticket sales for the show are coming from

    –Dana White talks the PPV numbers

    –Update on UFC in New York and where it stands

    –Sara McMann thinking of legal action on the Reebok deal

    –This week’s UFC show

    –Tons of new UFC fights

    –Lawsuit settlement results in apologies

    –Suspended fighter thinks about going to Olympics

    –Hector Lombard talks Josh Barnett

    –Ronda Rousey at the  Wall Street Journal cafe brunch

    –Fighter who had announced retirement now coming back

    –Biggest World Series of Fighting show to date

    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.

    Our most requested issues in our history are:

    *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

    *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

    *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

    *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a

    *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

    *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)

    *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)

    *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)

    *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)

    *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)

    *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)

    *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

    *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

    *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

    *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

    *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

    *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

    *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

    *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

    *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

    *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)

    *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)

    *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

    *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

    *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

    *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

    *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

    *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

    *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

    *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

    *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

    *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

    *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

    *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

    *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

    *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

    *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

    *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

    *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)

    *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

    *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

    *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

    *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

    *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

    *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

    *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)

    *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

    *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)

    *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

    *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)

    *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

    *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

    *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

    *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

    *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

    *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

    *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .

    *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

    *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

    *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

    *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

    * September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

    * September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

    * September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

    You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

    We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

    To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

    MONDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • Bryan and I will be back late tonight covering Raw, the death of Tommy Rogers and taking e-mail questions that can be sent to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
    • With only two weeks before Money in the Bank, tonight’s show is going to have to heavily push the top matches.  As noted yesterday, both Big Show and Randy Orton were already in San Antonio last night.  Daniel Bryan is also there, although just being there doesn’t necessarily mean on TV given all the changes that get made.
    • After Raw tonight will be the Stone Cold podcast with Paul Heyman as guest, which should be entertaining.
    • WWE was the second biggest searched topic yesterday on Google with 200,000, which is along the lines of what a fairly good performing B show would do.  Kim Kardashian was the only thing above WWE.  While most of the searches were for Elimination Chamber, the most searched for wrestler yesterday was Kevin Owens.
    • There were technical problems with the show in Germany.  The show was interrupted several times on the German PPV broadcast of the show, even during the replay, which included missing the finish of the women’s match, part of the IC title chamber match and the beginning of the main event.  The announcers claimed it was due to a thunder storm in New York, saying that’s where they were getting the signal from.  Because Elimination Chamber has a negative connotation in Germany, it was called “No Escape,” in Germany.  We got some, but not a lot of people noting streaming problems on the network for the show. (thanks to Sebastian essner)
    • Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart were in Bristol, CT, today doing some ESPN shows.  The video is here.  He was there to promote WWE’s involvement in the Special Olympics.  He said he wanted to wrestle at WrestleMania next year. 
    • Stephen Amell on Twitter is pushing his program with “Cody”
    • Wednesday is a big day for UFC holding a presentation about its Athlete Health and Performance program, which is expected to include extensive talk on a new drug testing program and will be the introduction of new hire Jeff Novitzky as the UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance.  They will also be unveiling their new Athlete Marketing and Development Program.
    • TNA today announced a new television deal with Nuvolari TV in Italy.  Impact will air Thursdays at 9 p.m. and repeated Sundays at 11 p.m..  They will also air 2014 shows every weeknight at 6 p.m., as well as PPV events.
    • Dave & Mark Schultz head the 2015 class for the Peninsula (San Francisco Bay Area) Sports Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame is located at the San Mateo County History museum in Redwood City.  Dave & Mark, whose lives were featured in the movie “Foxcatcher,” went to Palo Alto High School where both were state champions, NCAA champions and Olympic gold medalists in wrestling.
    • The Wednesday debut of ROH on Destination America will be the same show that aired this past weekend in syndication.  Hopefully they added at least an introductory package and some new interviews to explain the product itself at the start of the show.  
    • The story I told last night on Observer radio about Leslie Smith at the bar in San Francisco when a guy grabbed one of her friends butts and then spit and punched her is here.
    • Figures Toy Company, which has the ROH action figures deal, has reached agreements not only with the Young Bucks for action figures but also will New Jack, Cliff Compton, Brian Myers (Curt Hawkins) and Joey Ryan.
    • WWE stock had a bad day, dropping 44 cents to $13.86 per share.
    • XCite Wrestling and ECPW have a fund raiser on 6/19 in Binghamton, NY at the American Legion Post 80 as a tribute to Brendan Fields, who wrestled for both promotions under the name Spike Norton, and passed away on 4/6 in an auto accident.  Matt Cross of Lucha Underground (Son of Havoc) will be on the show facing Joe Gacy.
    • New Japan has Super Juniors matches tomorrow with Rocky Romero vs. David Finlay III, Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yohei Komatsu, Barbaro Cavernario vs. Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish vs. Mascara Dorada. 
    • WIA from last night in Swansea, IL:  Brandon Espinosa won three-way over Kevin Lee Davidson and Da’Marius Jones, Clownman Jacko won Battle Royal, Brandon Aarons won three-way over Leone Mephisto and LaMarcus Clinton, Chase King b Tyler Copeland, Jimmy D b Darkside-DQ, Gavin Alexander & Jayson Virtue b Jonathan Napier & Jason Allen (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
    • Like in the U.S., “San Andreas” opened No. 1 this weekend in Australia doing $3.22 million.  Three of the top four movies of the weekend in Australia featured wrestlers with Mad Max:  Fury Road (Nathan Jones) at No. 2 and Pitch Perfect 2 (Lana) at No. 4. (thanks to James Stanios)
    • Premier Wrestling on Sunday at the IFDES Lodge-Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA at 250 Old Gilroy St at 5 p.m. with JR Kratos (7-2) vs. Dylan Drake (4-3) for the Premier title, Timothy Thatcher (2-2-1) vs. Marcus Lewis (4-3), Jeff Cobb (5-2-1) vs. Kaimana (1-2), Gabriel Gallo (2-0) vs. Sledge (4-4), Joe Graves (1-0-1) vs. Buddy Royal (2-3) and Will Cuevas (1-2) vs. Dom Vitalli (0-3).  Tickets are at www.premierwrestle.com
    • Ronda Rousey is selling her 2005 Honda Accord on eBay.  At one point after the 2008 Olympics, she was living in the car.  She had still kept the car until now.  The car has 156,000 miles and needs a new transmission. 
    • Diana Hart, the sister of Bret Hart and mother of Davey Boy Smith Jr., has a book called “A Cauliflower Heart” coming out on 7/1.
    • IWA Mid South Wrestling from last night in New Albany, IN:  Dale Patricks b Dewey Barnes, Zodiak b Dustin Levay, Kathy Owens b Adam Bueller, Hy-Zaya b JC Rotten, Corporal Robinson, American Viking, Mikey McFinnegan and Sugar Dunkerton, Try Out Show Rejects b Viking War Party, Joseph Schwartz b Mitch Page, Kongo Kong b Shane Mercer to retain the IWA Mid South title, Kongo Kong b Dewey Barnes to retain the title, Hy-Zaya b Kongo Kong to win the title (Thanks to Nick Maniwa)
    • Stone Cutter Wrestling is presenting a taped Wrestling’s Bloodiest Wars PPV in inDemand and DirecTV in the U.S. and Shaw in Canada.
    • World Series of Fighting has a show on NBC Sports Network on Friday night from Edmonton headlined by Lance Palmer (9-1) defending the featherweight title against Chris Horodecki (21-5-1), Smeanlinho Rama (9-1) defending the heavyweight title against Blagio Ivanov (11-1), Mark Drummond (7-2) vs. Michael Hill (7-3) and Hakeem Dawadu (4-0) vs. Chuka Willis (4-0).
    • Premier Championship Wrestling from Saturday night in Winnipeg:  Jacob Creed b Kraven Sicario, Moses Luke & Steven Styles b Kado & Jack Spade, Jackie Lee won over Scott Justice and Shao Ming, Jeremy James Sanchez b Antonio Scorpio, Mentallo won three-way over Alexander Prime and Mike McSugar, Kenny Omega & Chris Stevens b London Dynasty & Michael Clark, Chad Tatum b Shaun Moore, Shao Ming won Rumble.  Next show is 7/11 featuring Omega vs. Mentallo (thanks to Andrew Shallcross)
    • Sabu headlines on 6/12 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium for NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling, plus Sigmon & Elliott Russell vs. Chase Owns & Chris Richards. 
    • An interview with Ethan Carter III
    • Los Angeles comedian Dan Black does a joke Tough Enough audition tape

    TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)

    12:06 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    1:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    2:06 AM ET
    STONE COLD PODCAST WWE Hall of Famer and Icon Stone Cold Steve Austin will have a no holds barred LIVE interview with Paul Heyman!

    3:06 AM ET
    WCW SOULED OUT 1997 Hollywood Hogan defends WCW Title vs The Giant. Hall and Nash defend the Tag Team Titles vs The Steiners.

    6:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    7:00 AM ET
    STONE COLD PODCAST WWE Hall of Famer and Icon Stone Cold Steve Austin will have a no holds barred LIVE interview with Paul Heyman!

    8:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    9:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    10:00 AM ET
    FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

    10:30 AM ET
    CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves gets a culture shock immersing himself within the fascinating world of Marvel Comics, from their headquarters in New York City!

    11:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    12:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    1:00 PM ET
    STONE COLD PODCAST WWE Hall of Famer and Icon Stone Cold Steve Austin will have a no holds barred LIVE interview with Paul Heyman!

    2:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    3:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

    4:00 PM ET
    WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee Young hangs out with the cast of Entourage to discuss their behind-the-scenes experience of the movie in theaters June 3rd!

    4:06 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR A controversial group of superstars set out to better sports entertainment and would rely on one another to do so.

    5:04 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

    6:00 PM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING A look inside the life and career of CM Punk from his early success in ECW to the top of the WWE.

    8:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

    9:00 PM ET
    WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee Young hangs out with the cast of Entourage to discuss their behind-the-scenes experience of the movie in theaters June 3rd!

    9:06 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR A controversial group of superstars set out to better sports entertainment and would rely on one another to do so.

    10:04 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

    11:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

  • “Fantastic” Tommy Rogers passes away

    By Dave Meltzer

    Thomas Couch, best known as Tommy Rogers from the 80s and 80s tag team of The Fantastics, passed away this morning in Honolulu, where he has been living since 2006.

    Couch, who just turned 54, had been having legal troubles in recent years stemming from fighting.  He was scheduled for a court date tomorrow over a fight with police officers and feared a long prison stay. 

    At this moment, the cause of his death is pending.  He had been in good spirits in recent days.  He was found at about 3 a.m. by his roommate in a chair in front of a computer, gurgling.  The roommate called 911, but he was unable to be revived.

    Tommy Rogers always finished high in lists of the most underrated pro wrestler of the 80s and 90s.  He was small, but was as solid a worker as there was in wrestling, with a great physique.  He and tag team partner Bobby Fulton were best known for their matches with The Midnight Express and The Sheepherders that were among the best matches of the late 80s.  

    The team held the UWF and World Class world tag team titles as well as the NWA U.S. tag team titles. 

  • On this day in pro wrestling history: Rogers beats Gomez, Gordman & Goliath, Baba loses PWF title, Flair vs. Kerry, Lawler vs. son, Taker vs. Edge

    by Brian Hoops

    1939 – In Kansas City, Kansas; Prospector Pete beat Steve Brody 2 out of 3 falls, Walter Sirois beat Stanley
    Buresch, Ede Edner (Ebner) beat Don George and Mike Chacoma beat Dale Wayne. (promoter:  George D. Simpson)

    1945 – Bobby Bonales defeated El Santo to win the Mexican National
    Middleweight Title

    1945 – In Wichita, Kansas; Lord Albert Mills defeated Ray Eckert in 2 out of 3 falls to earn a match next week with Orville Brown. Also, Lee Wykoff beat Jim Parker, Jack Hader beat Bob Hayford and Gene Blakely defeated Pat O’Dowdy.

    1948 – Sandor Szabo wins the Minneapolis World Heavyweight Title
    defeating Bronko Nagurski in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

    1948 – The Green Shadow defeated Herb Welch for the Tennessee World
    Junior Heavyweight Title in Nashville, Tennessee

    1950 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas; NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz defeated Bill Longson 2 falls to 0, Sonny Myers beat Lee Henning 2 out of 3 falls, also Dutch Hefner beat Pete Peterson.

    1956 – Buddy Rogers defeated Pepper Gomez for the NWA Texas Heavyweight
    Title in Houston, Texas.

    1957 – In Kansas City, Kansas; For the Central States Title, Bobby Bruns went to a time limit draw with Richard Brown, Mike Clancy beat Angelo Savoldi and Wild Red Berry beat Joe Costello

    1960 – Édouard Carpentier and Sandor Szabo defeated Art Michalik and
    Legs Wilson in Los Angeles, California to win the NWA International TV
    Tag Team Title.

    1962 – Jack Donovan and Jackie Fargo defeated The Mysterious Medics for
    the Gulf Coast NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Dothan, Alabama

    1966 – René Goulet and Pepper Martin defeated Tony Borne and Prof. Hiro
    to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.

    1968 – In Chicago, Illinois; AWA Tag Team Champions Mitsu Arakawa & Dr Moto beat Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher,
    Dr X beat Mighty Igor Vodik via dq, Bill Watts drew Larry Hennig and Rene Goulet beat Harley Race.

    1971 – Brian Maxine defeated Clayton Thomson in Croydon, England for the
    British Middleweight Title

    1972 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas; Omar Atlas fought Roger Kirby to a draw, Black Angus (w/ Percival A. Friend) defeated The Viking and Harley Race defeated Rufus R. Jones

    1973 – The Samoans (Tio Tio and Reno Tufuuli) defeated Mike Graham and
    Kevin Sullivan to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in St. Petersburg,
    Florida.

    1973 – Bull Ramos and Clay Spencer (Ken Mantell) defeated Steven Little
    Bear and Dutch Savage for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.

    1973 – Black Gordman and Goliath defeated Rey Mendoza and Raul Reyes to
    win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title

    1974 – Jim Dalton and Bruce Swayze defeated Carlos Colón and José Manuel
    Pérez for the WWC North American Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

    1975 – Bobby Hart and Larry O’Day defeated The Missouri Mauler and Steve
    Rackman to win the NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Title in Sydney, Australia.

    1975 – Tauro defeated Dardo Aguilar for the Mexican National Lightweight
    Title in Mexico City, Mexico

    1975 – In Milwaukee, Wisconsin; AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Verne Gagne & Billy Robinson via dq. Also, Dusty Rhodes beat Baron Von Raschke dq, Ivan Putski beat Boris Breznikoff and Greg Gagne beat Rene Goulet.

    1976 – Jim Breaks defeated Bobby Ryan to win the British Lightweight
    Title in Wolverhampton, England

    1978 – Tor Kamata defeated Giant Baba for the AJPW PWF Heavyweight Title
    in Akita, Japan.

    1979 – Ron Garvin won the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title, defeating
    Alex Smirnoff in Knoxville, Tennessee.

    1979 – El Halcón defeated José Lothario defeat Mark Lewin and The
    Spoiler to win the NWA American Tag Team Title in Houston, Texas.

    1979 – At the Omaha, Nebraska Civic Center; Greg Gagne (sub Verne Gagne) & Mad Dog Vachon beat Pat Patterson & Nick Bockwinkel,
    Bobby Duncum beat Doug Gilbert, In a Posedown, Paul Ellering beat Jesse Ventura and Super Destroyer Mark II (Sgt. Slaughter) beat Joe Scarpello.

    1981 – Bill Dundee defeated Stan Lane for the Mid-America NWA United
    States Junior Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

    1981 – Jimmy Golden defeated Ken Lucas to win the NWA Southeastern
    Heavyweight Title in Birmingham, Alabama.

    1983 – Lioness Asuka won the AJW Singles Title from Kaoru Matsumoto in
    Omiya, Japan. At the same event, Jaguar Yokota defeated La Galactica for
    the WWWA World Singles Title

    1984 – In St. Louis, Missouri; NWA Champion Ric Flair went to a time limit draw with Kerry Von Erich, Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan beat Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan, Wahoo McDaniel beat Kamala via dq and Jim Duggan beat Luke Graham.

    1985 – Black Bart defeated Ron Garvin to win the NWA National
    Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia.

    1985 – Invader III defeated Denny Brown for the vacant WWC World Junior
    Heavyweight Title

    1986 – Marty Jannetty defeated The Shadow (Jaymie Knight) to win the NWA
    Central States Heavyweight Title in Marshalltown, Iowa

    1987 – Jeff Jarrett won the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title from
    Moondog Spot in Memphis, Tennessee

    1990 – Kerry Von Erich defeated Matt Borne in Dallas, Texas to win the
    NWA Texas Heavyweight Title

    1990 – El Dandy defeated Angel Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico for the NWA
    World Middleweight Title

    1991 – TNT (Savio Vega) defeated King Kong to win the WWC Television
    Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico

    1991 – The Billion Dollar Babies (Mike Samson and G.Q. Stratus) defeated
    G.Q. and T.D. Madison (Tommy Dreamer) for the IWCCW Tag Team Title in
    Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

    1995 – Latin Lover and Panterita del Ring defeated Fuerza and Juventud
    Guerrera to win the Mexican National Tag Team Title in Texcoco, Mexico.

    1996 – Pitbull #2 defeated ECW World Television Champion Shane Douglas
    to win the title in Philadelphia, PA.

    1996 – Brian Christopher defeated Jerry Lawler to win the USWA
    Heavyweight Titles in Memphis,Tennessee

    1996 – Caveman Broda defeated Bobby Collins for the Canadian Wrestling
    Federation Light Heavyweight Title in Dugald, Manitoba.

    2007 – At the OVW Summer Sizzler Series event in Louisville, Kentucky; ODB defeated OVW Women’s Champion Katie Lea to win the title, also Jay Bradley defeated Paul Birchill and Idol Stevens in a three-way match to win the vacant OVW Heavyweight Title.

    2008 – Edge defeated the Undertaker in a Tables, Ladders & Chairs match
    for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship

  • WWE adds June as a free month for new network subscribers

    WWE has added June as a free month for new network subscribers, following on the heels of both April and May.

  • SUN. UPDATE: Elimination Chamber preview, Destination America, Lesnar sells out, Alves injury, Rollins talks curb stomp

    By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s Elimination Chamber show, so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    We’re also looking for reports on last night’s WWE house show in Laredo, TX as well as on tonight’s Evolve show

    WWE Elimination Chamber at 8 p.m. Eastern from Corpus Christi on the WWE Network

    *Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose for WWE title – This isn’t the time for Rollins to be losing the title with Brock Lesnar returning and Roman Reigns still not having gotten his main event title shots.  These two had a really good long match last night in Laredo getting ready and I can’t imagine this bout not being great. 

    *John Cena vs. Kevin Owens non-title – While not billed as the main event, most consider it the real main event on the show.  The non-title aspect would seem like a way for Owens to win while keeping Cena as champion.  The fact Owens has laid Cena out at every turn would normally indicate a Cena win.  But I can’t make sense out of Owens not winning here in his first big PPV match unless they’ve got a really creative finish.  Plus, it’s not scheduled as a one-and-done program.  It will be interesting to see what kind of a match the two have and how the crowd reacts.  Tickets were originally for a Sunday house show, which means more kids and families and it’s a small building.  But there were enough tickets left for the TV fans to get enough to where they’ll make enough noise as the minority.  Cena went on TV and practically set up “Fight Owens Fight” chants if people pay attention.  No matter what, this is Owens’ biggest match and it’s really the most important match on the show long-term.

    *IC title Chamber match:  Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. ? (formerly Rusev, no official announcement has been made) vs. R-Truth vs. Ryback vs. King Barrett – As of today, Rusev was still being advertised.  There was talk of Bray Wyatt earlier in the week being added.  At one point, Sheamus was scheduled to win, but we’ll see.  Barrett has lost so much late that you almost have to consider his winning as a possibility.  Ziggler is also a possibility.  Ryback would be a surprise and R-Truth would be a shock and also a silly move.

    *Tag title Chamber match:  New Day vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro vs. Lucha Dragons vs. The Ascension vs. Prime Time Players vs. Los Matadores – It’s too early to take the title from The New Day.  On paper, there are enough good wrestlers here that it should be a hell of a match.

    *Neville vs. Bo Dallas – This will probably be short and Neville should win with the red arrow.  

    *Nikki Bella vs. Paige vs. Naomi for Divas title – It feels like it’s time for Naomi to win. 

            Every WWE show these days looks good on paper.  They could add a match, but probably don’t have to because the top four matches should all get a lot of time and on paper all should be very good. 

    Evolve 44 i PPV tonight at 8 p.m. from the Ronkonkoma Fire Department Hall in Ronkonkoma, NY at www.WWNLive.com for $9.99 plus on the WWN Roku channel 

    Rey Hours vs. ?

    Biff Busick vs. Mike Bailey

    Rich Swann vs. Trevor Lee

    Anthony Nese vs. TJ Perkins

    Drew Gulak vs. Davey Richards

    Johnny Gargano vs Ethan Page – If Gargano wins, Page leaves the promotion, if Page wins, Gargano must shake his hand

    Drew Galloway vs. Roderick Strong for Evolve title

    Raw is Monday night in San Antonio.

    Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night in Houston.

    **** 

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a detailed look at the history of popular music being used in pro wrestling, including:

    * Who actually did the first pro wrestling music video?

    * The role of popular songs gtting major acts over.

    * What made the use of music in ECW so special.

    * How “real” songs make wrestlers stand out in a sea of in-house productions.

    And much more. 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 AmericanCanadian, 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 breakdown of the ROH deal on Destination America, how this affects TNA, the time frame of both company’s deals with the station and why this went down is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the world championship and questions arising, full coverage of UFC 187, Full coverage of Samoa Joe to NXT and the last special, the AAA World Cup coverage, Bischoff sues TNA and the UFC hall of Fame.

    The new issue is up on the site at June 1, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ROH to Destination America, Bischoff sues TNA, UFC Hall of Fame

    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@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    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 TNA’s actions over the past week since the original Observer story broke, the expansion in coverage of ROH, why the ROH deal got done, how Dixie Carter handled the situation, the conference call with TNA talent and how it went, the lineup for the first month of ROH on Destination America and the key show to watch, what to expect from the ratings, the ROH PPV schedule and the Samoa Joe situation with ROH.

    We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the UFC light heavyweight title, the Jon Jones situation, the situation with Ryan Bader, the shadow over the Cormier win, Vitor Belfort physically, the Arlovski vs. Browne fight, all the business notes from the show including a top ten of all time, and match-by-match coverage.

    We also look at the NXT Takeover show.  We look at the situation with Samoa Joe, plus match-by-match coverage.

    We’ve also got full coverage of the World Cup show, including screw-ups, best foreign stars, and the awards from the show.

    We also look at Elimination Chamber, the Rusev injury, Ronda Rousey and next year’s WrestleMania, talk about a gimmick for a future NXT special, notes on the new season of Total Divas, Notes on someone who is a TV star that got a tryout as a WWE star this past week and how it went, A look behind the scenes on the Daniel Bryan/A.J. Lee angle, how WWE is changing its thoughts on talent, another celebrity angle, NXT dates and a look at the upcoming Australia tour.

    Plus we’ve got notes from all the arena events from the past week as well as business notes.

    We look at the Bischoff-Hervey lawsuit against TNA.

    We also have a full breakdown on the UFC Hall of Fame and its new members.  We look at their histories, why they are in and more.

    We’ve got first word on the Extreme Rules PPV business.

    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.

    Also in this week’s issue:

    –A look at CMLL’s new tournament over the next few months and background of the guys

    –What pro wrestling event in Mexico will have a number of U.S. reporters from another sort attending

    –Tetsuya Naito in CMLL

    –Wife of wrestler planning oncoming out of retirement

    –UFC fighter making appearance at international wrestling show

    –King of Gate finals and rundown of semifinals

    –Looking at the booking from there

    –Triple Crown title change

    –MMA fighter coming to All Japan

    –Full coverage of the first week of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament

    –Current standings

    –Why this year doesn’t have as much interest as in the past

    –Why all the booking had to be redone after the first night

    –How business has been

    –Tournament lineup for this week

    –Satoru Sayama health update

    –Terry Funk news

    –World champions from two different promotions team up together in a third promotion

    –Global Force Wrestling update

    –Go fund me campaigns for wrestlers

    –Update on the past week’s PWG show

    –Trish Stratus talks thinking about doing MMA

    –One of the biggest indie show of the summer

    –Tammy Sytch on doing adult videos

    –Latest on Lucha Underground and season two

    –Alberto El Patron talks about doing MMA and Bill Goldberg

    –The back story in one of Lucha Underground’s main angles

    –ROH signs action figure deal

    –Update on the next ROH PPV show

    –TNA changes up television tapings and why

    –Dixie Carter reality show

    –Christy Hemme leaves company

    –History of TNA sale talks

    –Samoa Joe on why he left TNA

    –Dana White talks UFC 189

    –Where ticket sales for the show are coming from

    –Dana White talks the PPV numbers

    –Update on UFC in New York and where it stands

    –Sara McMann thinking of legal action on the Reebok deal

    –This week’s UFC show

    –Tons of new UFC fights

    –Lawsuit settlement results in apologies

    –Suspended fighter thinks about going to Olympics

    –Hector Lombard talks Josh Barnett

    –Ronda Rousey at the  Wall Street Journal cafe brunch

    –Fighter who had announced retirement now coming back

    –Biggest World Series of Fighting show to date

    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.

    Our most requested issues in our history are:

    *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

    *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

    *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

    *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a

    *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

    *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)

    *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)

    *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)

    *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)

    *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)

    *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)

    *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

    *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

    *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

    *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

    *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

    *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

    *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

    *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

    *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

    *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)

    *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)

    *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

    *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

    *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

    *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

    *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

    *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

    *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

    *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

    *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

    *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

    *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

    *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

    *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

    *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

    *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

    *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

    *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)

    *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

    *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

    *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

    *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

    *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

    *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

    *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)

    *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

    *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)

    *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

    *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)

    *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

    *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

    *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

    *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

    *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

    *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

    *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .

    *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

    *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

    *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

    *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

    * September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

    * September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

    * September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

    You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

    We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

    To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

    SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • Bryan and I will be back late tonight covering Elimination Chamber and taking e-mail questions that can be sent to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
    • The Friday night shows (New Japan and TNA) were really strong.  Very notable that Destination America during TNA did no promotion for ROH in front of the audience mostly likely to watch the show.  If you watched TNA, all the promotion was about 9 p.m. Wednesday, not 8 p.m.
    • Randy Orton, who had the weekend off, was in San Antonio (where Raw comes from tomorrow already today, as was Big Show.  So that would indicate both return to TV.   Show was on the road for the house shows, working last night in Laredo.  Both were kept off TV the past few weeks since they weren’t booked on tonight’ show.  
    • The movie “San Andreas,” starring Dwayne Johnson, is estimated at doing $53.22 million in its opening weekend, beating predictions of $45 million solidly.  It opened at No. 1 at the box office, but that had been a lock ahead of time as nothing was going to be close.  Reviews were mixed that I saw.  It’s also already topped $60 million outside the U.S.
    • The announcement of Brock Lesnar for the 7/4 show at Sumo Hall in Tokyo led to the show having a strong surge in ticket sales to where it is now sold out.  They also announced Hideo Itami would make an appearance on the show, but he won’t be wrestling on it.    
    • Thiago Alves is probably going to need surgery due to the nasty broken nose he suffered last night in his fight with Carlos Condit.  His nose bone ended up lodged in his forehead and that’s why the doctor stopped the fight even though his corner was begging for them to let him continue. 
    • In winning via finish, Condit’s 10 stoppages in his UFC/WEC days ties with Matt Brown for second place all-time in welterweight division history behind Matt Hughes with 11.  It was the first time Alves had lost via  
    • Only combat sport search item that had any traction this weekend was Amir Khan, who was No. 6 on Friday with 20,000 searches.  Elimination Chamber should top 100,000 tonight. 
    • Sasha Banks, who didn’t work NXT TV or house shows last week, was back in action for the NXT shows this past weekend, but used in trios matches instead of singles matches.
    • Jerry Lawler has a 40th anniversary celebration show on Thursday night in Jackson, TN at the Oman Arena.  I’m not sure what it’s the 40th anniversary of because Lawler was a major star there by 1972, but it’s probably the best idea for a celebration they could come up with.  Lawler vs. Tommy Dreamer in an anything goes Hardcore match is the main event, plus James Storm vs. Chase Stevens, Brian Christopher vs. Thorn, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson vs. Chris Michaels & LT Falk, plus Bill Dundee, Sabu and Derrick King are on the show, and there is a Battle Royal.
    • Seth Rollins talks his past, what he wants from his future and the curb stomp
    • USA today on Dwayne Johnson
    • A story on Sami Zayn being a fan of the Montreal Canadiens  Hab at Heart : Sami Zayn – Montréal Canadiens – News
    • Evolve from last night in Queens, NY:  Rey Hours b Anthony Nese, Davey Richards b Caleb Konley (strong match), TJ Perkins b Mike Bailey, Chris Hero b Trevor Lee (also a great match), Rich Swann & Johnny Gargano b Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams to keep the Dragon Gate USA tag titles, Drew Galloway b Biff Busick to retain the Dragon Gate USA title.
    • Jake Roberts will be doing a speaking tour on 7/31 in Kitchener, ONT at the Moose Lodge, with Jim Duggan as his opening act.  Tickets are $30 and $35, with $70 VIP tickets at 226-647-4402.  Only 200 seats are available.
    • Great North Wrestling from Friday night in Smiths Falls, ONT:  Knine b Patrick Shenzy & Big Bad Ray, Bryan Briggs & Nathan Banner b Hart Throbs-DQ,. Soa Amin b ?:, Darko b Spoiler, Eve b Malicia-DQ, Hannibal b Jeremy Prophet, Brutus Beefcake & Grape Crusher b Preston Perry & Sexy Eddy.
    • Great North Wrestling from Saturday night in Ottawa:  Harley Davison’s won six man, Knine won handicap match, The Spoiler b Majic Mario, Nathan Banner b Sexy Eddy, Malicia b Eve, Jeremy Prophet b Darko-COR, Hannibal b Soa Amin, Brutus Beefcake & Grape Crusher b Hart Throbs.
    • In results from today’s Super Junior tournament in Numazu:

    Chase Owens b Gedo

    Jushin Liger b Baretta

    Kushida b Tiger Mask

    • UFC picks from last night.  Me, Josh Nason, Mike Sempervive, David Bixenspan, Steve Juon, Mike Sawyer and Jack Encarnacao all went 3-2 and John Pollock and Frontrow Brian went 2-3.
    • I Believe in Wrestling’s Florida J Cup from last night in Orlando:  Lince Dorado b Jason Cade, Aaron Epic b Josh Hess-DQ, Jesus (Ricardo) Rodriguez b Chasyn Rance, Jonny Vandal b Vertigo, Santana Garrett b Cherry Layne to keep NWA women’s title, Aaron Epic b Jesus Rodriguez, Lince Dorado b Jonny Vandal, Mike Patrick & Leo Brien & Mike Reed & Chico Adams & Tyranus b Rhett Giddins & Jody Kristofferson & Gabriel Black & Joey Mayberry & Josh Parker, Aaron Epic b Lince Dorado.  Next show is 6/13 with Teddy Hart as special guest.     
    • World League Wrestling from last night in Troy, MO:  Air Raid b Michael Magnuson-DQ, John E Rock won three-way over Evan Morris and Dustin Bozworth, Dave DeLorean b Brandon Espinosa, Michael Magnusson b Justin D’Air, Superstar Steve Fender & Derek McQuinn b Leland Race & Trevor Murdoch (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
    • Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls worked last night for Explosive Pro Wrestling in Perth, Western Australia.  They teamed with Jonah Rock (who they sometimes team with in NOAH) & Marcus Pitt against locals Hayden Zenith & Michael Morleone & Scotty Ryan & Emanuelle.  (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
    • Justin Gabriel faces New Japan’s Chase Owens on 6/26 in Winnipeg at Holy Cross Gym Hall.
    • In response to questions from last night about promotions on their TV promoting stuff from other companies, Stampede Wrestling used to promote WWF house shows in the 80s in Calgary since Stu Hart was the local WWF promoter.  Sometimes they’d have Bret Hart on Stampede Wrestling promoting his matches.  WWF promoted ECW and UFC PPV’s in the 90s as part of deals made for footage. 
    • The WWE web site has a photo gallery on Samoa Joe in the indies, mostly in ROH with Daniel Bryan, Kenta Kobashi, KENTA, Takeshi Morishima, Seth Rollins,. but no C.M. Punk.  They also did a story on his career, talking about his start in UPW, going to Japan for different groups, ROH, but there is no mention at all in the story of TNA, meaning a selective decade of amnesia. (thanks to Jeff Parker)
    • Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno:  Kikyo b Luscious Lynn, Mustafa Saed b Elia So’oalo, CB 3 b Johnny Dynamo, Marcus Ericks b Wiseguy (thanks to Jon Southerland)

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

    1946 – El Santo beat Tuffy Truesdale to win the vacant Mexican national middleweight title

    1976 – Jim Breaks beat Vic Falukner in Bradford to win the British welterweight title

    1979 – Great Kojika & Motoshi Okuma beat The Sheepherders in Noshiro to win the vacant All Asia tag titles

    2002 – Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero beat El Hijo del Santo & Negro Casas in Mexico City to win the CMLL tag tiles

    2014 – Takashi Sugiura & Masato Tanaka beat Takeshi Morishima & Maybach Taniguchi to win the GHC tag tiles

    TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)

    2:00 AM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    3:00 AM ET
    WWE NXT After the shocking events of NXT Takeover: Unstoppable, NXT Champion Kevin Owens addresses his actions to Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe.

    4:00 AM ET
    OLD SCHOOL Old School card from MSG features ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper taking on Ric Flair in singles action. Legion of Doom vs. Natural Disasters and more.

    6:00 AM ET
    WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2015 The Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Titles will be decided inside the merciless Elimination Chamber, LIVE on WWE Network!

    9:00 AM ET
    WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2015 The Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Titles will be decided inside the merciless Elimination Chamber, LIVE on WWE Network!

    12:00 PM ET
    WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2015 The Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Titles will be decided inside the merciless Elimination Chamber, LIVE on WWE Network!

    3:00 PM ET
    WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2015 The Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Titles will be decided inside the merciless Elimination Chamber, LIVE on WWE Network!

    6:00 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    7:00 PM ET
    FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

    7:30 PM ET
    RAW PRE-SHOW From WWE Studios in Stamford Connecticut. Scott Stanford, David Otunga and Corey Graves cover all the events leading up to Monday Night Raw.

    8:00 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.

    9:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    10:00 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    11:06 PM ET
    STONE COLD PODCAST WWE Hall of Famer and Icon Stone Cold Steve Austin will have a no holds barred LIVE interview with Paul Heyman!

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (May 30): Inoki beats Andre to win MSG League, Garea & Calhoun win WWWF tag titles, Gagne vs. Funk Jr., UFC booker wins title

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1925 – Joe Stecher defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko for the World’s Heavyweight Wrestling Title in St. Louis, Missouri.

    1943 – Joe Silva defeated Adolfo Bonales to win the Mexico National Lightweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.

    1945 – Marshall Estep defeated Ken Fenelon for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Toronto, Iowa.

    1956 – Killer Kowalski defeated Yvon Robert in Montreal, Quebec for the Montreal World Heavyweight Title

    1963 – In Amarillo, TX at the Sports Arena; AWA Champion Verne Gagne drew with Amarillo World Champion Dory Funk Jr when the 60 minute time limit expired in the 3rd fall. Also on the card, Tokyo Tom beat Dory Funk Sr in 2 out of 3 falls after Sputnik Monroe interfered and Bob Ellis & Wahoo McDaniel & Ricky Romero beat Killer Karl Kox & Mike DiBiase & Sputnik Monroe; In Kansas City; Kansas; In a Lumberjack match, Masked Medic #1 and Masked Medic #2 beat Steve Bolus and Steve Kovacs, Bob Geigel beat Sonny Myers, Larry Hamilton beat Roy Collins and Joe Scarpello beat Rock Hunter via dq.

    1964 – Bobby Steele defeated Chick Purvey to win the European Middleweight Title in Manchester, England; Benny Galant defeated El Rayo de Jalisco to win the NWA World Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.

    1966 – Herb Welch and Al Costello defeated Karl and Eric von Brauner in a tournament final to win the vacant Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

    1970 – In Minneapolis, MN; AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Dr. X on a reverse decision 3rd fall dq and Blackjack Lanza & Lars Anderson beat Red Bastien & Pepper Gomez; Bobby Hart defeated Johnny Valentine for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

    1973 – Tony Garea & Haystacks Calhoun defeated Professor Tanaka & Mr. Fuji for the WWWF World Tag Team Title in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.

    1974 – In Kansas City; KS; The Interns (w/ Dr. Ken Ramey) defeated Omar Atlas & The Viking, Bob Geigel & Rufus R. Jones defeated Bob Brown & Lord Alfred Hayes and Don Fargo defeated Mike George.

    1978 – Antonio Inoki defeated Andre the Giant by countout in Osaka, Japan to win the first-annual New Japan Pro Wrestling MSG League.

    1980 – In Denver, CO; The Crusher beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel in a non Title Cage Match, also Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura beat Greg Gagne & Wahoo McDaniel and Jerry Blackwell went to a no contest with Dino Bravo.

    1981 – Jack Brisco defeated Kim Song for the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Sweet Ebony Diamond defeated Greg Valentine to win the NWA Television Title in Charlotte, North Carolina

    1983 – Little Tokyo defeated Cowboy Lang in Vancouver, British Columbia, for the NWA World Midgets Title

    1984 – Angelo Mosca defeated Mike Rotundo to win the Florida version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Tampa, Florida.

    1986 – A tournament was held to crown the first ever Universal Wrestling Federation Champion in Houston, Texas. The UWF was the new name for Bill Watts’ Mid-South Wrestling. Prior to the tournament, Hacksaw Duggan, the reigning Mid-South North American Champion, vacated his title. Terry Gordy defeated Hacksaw Duggan to win the title; The Shadow (Jaymie Knight) won a 13-man battle royal to win the vacant NWA Central States Heavyweight Title in Des Moines, Iowa; In Oakland, California; Jerry Blackwell won a battle royal, Nick Bockwinkel beat Larry Zbyszko, in a non title match; Midnight Rockers beat AWA TagTeam Champions Buddy Rose & Doug Somers. Attendance was estimated at 1,500.

    1996 – Sean Morley (Val Venis) defeated El Bronco for the WWC Television Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

    1998 – Hysteria defeated Vance Nevada to win the Canadian Wrestling Federation Junior Heavyweight Title.

    2000 – In Nampa, Idaho, in a match taped for the May 31 edition of WCW Thunder, Sean Stasiak and Chuck Palumbo defeated Kronik (Brian Adams and Brian Clark) for the WCW World Tag Team Title.

    2001 – Evolution (Nova and Frankie Kazarian) won a tournament for the vacant UPW Tag Team Title in Santa Ana, California

  • SAT. UPDATE: UFC preview, The Rock has another #1 movie, UFC top contender cleared, and more

    by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.comFollow @davidbix

    TV/major show notes for tonight:

    Evolve 43 airs live on WWNLive.com IPPV tonight at 6 p.m. from Woodside, Queens, NY:

    Anthony Nese vs. Rey Hours
    TJ Perkins vs. Mike Bailey
    Chris Hero vs. Trevor Lee
    Davey Richards vs. Caleb Konley
    Johnny Gargano & Rich Swann vs. Drew Gulak & ? for Dragon Gate USA tag titles
    Drew Galloway vs. Biff Busick for Dragon Gate USA titles

    UFC has Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves from Golania Brazil…

    Main Card on Fox Sports 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET
    Carlos Condit (170) vs. Thiago Alves (170)
    Nik Lentz (146) vs. Charles Oliveira (144)
    K.J. Noons (170) vs. Alex Oliveira (170)
    Francimar Barroso (205) vs. Ryan Jimmo (206)
    Francisco Trinaldo (156) vs. Norman Parke (156)
    Wendell Oliveira (170) vs. Darren Till (171)

    Prelims on Fox Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET
    Rony Jason (146) vs. Damon Jackson (145)
    Jussier Formiga (126) vs. Wilson Reis (126)
    Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (171) vs. Nicolas Dalby (171)
    Lucas Martins (145) vs. Mirsad Bektic (146)

    Prelims on UFC Fight Pass at 7:00 p.m. ET
    Juliana Lima (115) vs. Ericka Almeida (116)
    Luiz Dutra (170) vs. Tom Breese (171)

    The main event is an absolutely fantastic fight on paper, and it’s good matchmaking for Condit’s comeback from his knee injury. For action, this matches up as one of the best fights UFC has made in a long time, and honestly, anything short of a great fight will probably be seen as a disappointment. Lentz vs. Oliveira is a potentially good fight, though it isn’t exactly eye-popping in the co-main slot.

    The rest is, for the most part, the usual Brazillian fight night cast of characters, with the type of odd card layout we’ve seen on the FS1 shows as of late: Arguably the third best fight (and maybe even the most divisionally relevant fight since the winner could be in line for a title shot), Formiga vs. Reis, is eight fights deep as the next to last prelim. Reis has looked excellent so far at flyweight, but Formiga (on a two fight win streak) is a big step up in compeition. Flyweight has a pretty clear hierarchy, and while Formiga isn’t quite at the “would be champion if Mighty Mouse wasn’t around” level that John Dodson and Joe Benavidez are at, he is, at worse, right up there with Ian McCall and John Moraga in the next tier.

    We’re also looking for reports from these shows at newstips@wrestlingobserver.com:

    * WWE in Greensboro (John Cena vs. Kane, New Day vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro)

    * WWE in Laredo (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, Sheamus).

    * ROH in Oklahoma City (Jay Brisco defends ROH title against winner of B.J. Whitmer vs. Hanson vs. Michael Bennett earlier in the show, Jay Lethal defends TV title against winner of Mark Briscoe vs Matt Taven vs. Raymond Rowe, ACH vs. Adam Cole, Michael Elgin vs Dalton Castle)

    * NXT in Venice, FL

    **** 

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a detailed look at the history of popular music being used in pro wrestling, including:

    * Who actually did the first pro wrestling music video?

    * The role of popular songs gtting major acts over.

    * What made the use of music in ECW so special.

    * How “real” songs make wrestlers stand out in a sea of in-house productions.

    And much more. 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 AmericanCanadian, 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 breakdown of the ROH deal on Destination America, how this affects TNA, the time frame of both company’s deals with the station and why this went down is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the world championship and questions arising, full coverage of UFC 187, Full coverage of Samoa Joe to NXT and the last special, the AAA World Cup coverage, Bischoff sues TNA and the UFC hall of Fame.

    The new issue is up on the site at June 1, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ROH to Destination America, Bischoff sues TNA, UFC Hall of Fame

    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@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    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 TNA’s actions over the past week since the original Observer story broke, the expansion in coverage of ROH, why the ROH deal got done, how Dixie Carter handled the situation, the conference call with TNA talent and how it went, the lineup for the first month of ROH on Destination America and the key show to watch, what to expect from the ratings, the ROH PPV schedule and the Samoa Joe situation with ROH.

    We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the UFC light heavyweight title, the Jon Jones situation, the situation with Ryan Bader, the shadow over the Cormier win, Vitor Belfort physically, the Arlovski vs. Browne fight, all the business notes from the show including a top ten of all time, and match-by-match coverage.

    We also look at the NXT Takeover show.  We look at the situation with Samoa Joe, plus match-by-match coverage.

    We’ve also got full coverage of the World Cup show, including screw-ups, best foreign stars, and the awards from the show.

    We also look at Elimination Chamber, the Rusev injury, Ronda Rousey and next year’s WrestleMania, talk about a gimmick for a future NXT special, notes on the new season of Total Divas, Notes on someone who is a TV star that got a tryout as a WWE star this past week and how it went, A look behind the scenes on the Daniel Bryan/A.J. Lee angle, how WWE is changing its thoughts on talent, another celebrity angle, NXT dates and a look at the upcoming Australia tour.

    Plus we’ve got notes from all the arena events from the past week as well as business notes.

    We look at the Bischoff-Hervey lawsuit against TNA.

    We also have a full breakdown on the UFC Hall of Fame and its new members.  We look at their histories, why they are in and more.

    We’ve got first word on the Extreme Rules PPV business.

    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.

    Also in this week’s issue:

    –A look at CMLL’s new tournament over the next few months and background of the guys

    –What pro wrestling event in Mexico will have a number of U.S. reporters from another sort attending

    –Tetsuya Naito in CMLL

    –Wife of wrestler planning oncoming out of retirement

    –UFC fighter making appearance at international wrestling show

    –King of Gate finals and rundown of semifinals

    –Looking at the booking from there

    –Triple Crown title change

    –MMA fighter coming to All Japan

    –Full coverage of the first week of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament

    –Current standings

    –Why this year doesn’t have as much interest as in the past

    –Why all the booking had to be redone after the first night

    –How business has been

    –Tournament lineup for this week

    –Satoru Sayama health update

    –Terry Funk news

    –World champions from two different promotions team up together in a third promotion

    –Global Force Wrestling update

    –Go fund me campaigns for wrestlers

    –Update on the past week’s PWG show

    –Trish Stratus talks thinking about doing MMA

    –One of the biggest indie show of the summer

    –Tammy Sytch on doing adult videos

    –Latest on Lucha Underground and season two

    –Alberto El Patron talks about doing MMA and Bill Goldberg

    –The back story in one of Lucha Underground’s main angles

    –ROH signs action figure deal

    –Update on the next ROH PPV show

    –TNA changes up television tapings and why

    –Dixie Carter reality show

    –Christy Hemme leaves company

    –History of TNA sale talks

    –Samoa Joe on why he left TNA

    –Dana White talks UFC 189

    –Where ticket sales for the show are coming from

    –Dana White talks the PPV numbers

    –Update on UFC in New York and where it stands

    –Sara McMann thinking of legal action on the Reebok deal

    –This week’s UFC show

    –Tons of new UFC fights

    –Lawsuit settlement results in apologies

    –Suspended fighter thinks about going to Olympics

    –Hector Lombard talks Josh Barnett

    –Ronda Rousey at the  Wall Street Journal cafe brunch

    –Fighter who had announced retirement now coming back

    –Biggest World Series of Fighting show to date

    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.

    Our most requested issues in our history are:

    *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

    *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

    *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

    *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a

    *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

    *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)

    *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)

    *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)

    *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)

    *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)

    *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)

    *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

    *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

    *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

    *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

    *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

    *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

    *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

    *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

    *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

    *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)

    *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)

    *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

    *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

    *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

    *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

    *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

    *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

    *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

    *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

    *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

    *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

    *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

    *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

    *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

    *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

    *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

    *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

    *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)

    *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

    *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

    *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

    *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

    *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

    *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

    *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)

    *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

    *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)

    *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

    *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)

    *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

    *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

    *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

    *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

    *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

    *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

    *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .

    *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

    *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

    *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

    *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

    * September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

    * September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

    * September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

    You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

    We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

    To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

    ****

    Saturday Daily Update

    — Friday night estimates at Box Office Mojo have San Andreas, Dwayne Johnson’s newest movie, doing $18 million last night, blowing away everything else to put it on the path of debuting as the number one movie of the weekend. Pitch Perfect 2, which features C.J. “Lana” Perry in a small role, grossed $4 million last night to start its third week.

    — WWE announced Machine Gun Kelly will be hosting the June 15th edition of Monday Night Raw.

    CABMMA, the Brazillian commission, told MMAJunkie that they didn’t do any out of competition drug testing for tonight’s UFC card. Main eventer Thiago Alves has a previous failed drug test, testing positive for a diuretic.

    — For those of you that are into this sort of thing, here’s Vince Russo’s latest column. He thinks that if Destination America does drop TNA, it won’t affect the wrestling business. Also, as always, he misspells “Spalding” as “Spaulding” when using “Spauldings” as a euphemism for “balls.”

    Canadian electronic band A Tribe Called Red have a new pro wrestling themed song and action figure out.

    Entertainment Weekly has a list of the best performances by pro wrestlers in movies.

    Scott Fishman of the Miami Herald catches up with Molly Holly and Ivory

    .

    TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (THANKS to Bert Duckwall)

    12:30 AM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING Relive D-Generation X’s last chapter as the team reunites to present their final run from late 2009 and 2010!

    2:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    3:00 AM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    4:00 AM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.

    5:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    6:00 AM ET
    WWE SUPERSTARS The Mega Powers are back! This week they take on Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. Plus, Heath Slater battles Adam Rose.

    7:00 AM ET
    WWE NXT After the shocking events of NXT Takeover: Unstoppable, NXT Champion Kevin Owens addresses his actions to Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe.

    8:00 AM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    9:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    10:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    11:00 AM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING A look inside the life and career of CM Punk from his early success in ECW to the top of the WWE.

    1:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    2:00 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.

    3:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten most stylish ring attire ever worn by a WWE Superstar.

    4:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    5:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    6:00 PM ET
    FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

    6:30 PM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    7:00 PM ET
    ELIMINATION CHAMBER KICKOFF 2015 Join Renee Young, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves and Booker T for the LIVE Kickoff show for WWE Elimination Chamber!

    8:00 PM ET
    WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2015 The Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Titles will be decided inside the merciless Elimination Chamber, LIVE on WWE Network!

    11:00 PM ET
    WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2015 The Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Titles will be decided inside the merciless Elimination Chamber, LIVE on WWE Network!

  • FRI. UPDATE: Great matches on TV, Stephanie raising cash, Johnson movie debuts, UFC commercial, Cormier on Rollins

    By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for reports on tonights’ WWE show in Raleigh, NC (John Cena vs. Kane, New Day vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro), ROH in Amarillo (Roderick Strong vs. Adam Cole, Matt Taven & Michael Bennett vs. War Machine, Dalton Castle vs Romantic Touch, ACH vs. Michael Elgin) and NXT in Citrus Springs, FL at dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Big night of television tonight as New Japan on AXS has a must-see main event with Kota Ibushi vs. Ricochet.

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

    Alex Shelley & Kushida vs .Young Bucks

    Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano

    Kota Ibushi vs. Ricochet for IWGP jr. title

    TNA Impact tonight at 9 p.m. on Destination America

    Kenny King vs. Rockstar Spud vs. Manik vs. Mandrews vs. DJ Zema Ion vs. Tigre Uno vs. Argos vs.Crazzy Steve in a Rumble match for the X title

    Taryn Terrell vs. Gail Kim in a cage match for Knockouts title

    Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards vs. Bobby Roode & Austin Aries in match No. 2 of the best-of-five

    Kurt Angle vs. Eric Young for TNA title in an I Quit match

    New Japan tomorrow morning live at 5:30 a.m. Eastern and 2:30 a.m. Pacific on New Japan World from Korakuen Hall

    David Finlay & Tomoaki Honma vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu

    Jay White & Tiger Mask vs. Chase Owens & Cavernario Barbaro

    Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero & Baretta vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall & Nick Jackson

    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe & Katsuyori Shibata & Captain New Japan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Toro Yano & Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi

    Jushin Liger vs. Gedo

    Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kyle O’Reilly

    Kushida vs. Bobby Fish

    Saturday we’re looking for reports from WWE in Greensboro (John Cena vs. Kane, New Day vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro), WWE in Laredo (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, Sheamus), ROH in Oklahoma City (Jay Brisco defends ROH title against winner of B.J. Whitmer vs. Hanson vs. Michael Bennett earlier in the show, Jay Lethal defends TV title against winner of Mark Briscoe vs Matt Taven vs. Raymond Rowe, ACH vs. Adam Cole, Michael Elgin vs Dalton Castle) and NXT in Venice, FL

    UFC Fight Night from Goiania, Brazil

    Fight Pass at 7 p.m. Eastern

    Luiz Dutra (170) vs. Tom Breese (171)

    Juliana Lima (115) vs. Ericka Almeida (116)

    FS 1 at 8 p.m. Eastern

    Lucas Martins (145) vs. Mirsad Bektic (146)

    Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (171) vs. Nicolas Dalby (171)

    Jussier Formiga (126) vs. Wilson Reis (126)

    Rony Jason (146) vs. Damon Jackson (145)

    Wendell Oliveira (170) vs. Darren Till (171)

    Francisco Trinaldo (156) vs. Norman Parke (156)

    Francimar Barroso (205) vs. Ryan Jimmo (206)

    K.J. Noons (170) vs. Alex Oliveira (170)

    Nik Lentz (146) vs Charles Oliveira (144)

    Carlos Condit (170) vs. Thiago Alves (170)

    Evolve 43 iPPV from Saturday night at 6 p.m. from Queens, NY at www.WWNLive.com

    Anthony Nese vs. Rey Hours

    TJ Perkins vs. Mike Bailey

    Chris Hero vs. Trevor Lee

    Davey Richards vs. Caleb Konley

    Johnny Gargano & Rich Swann vs. Drew Gulak & ? for Dragon Gate USA tag titles

    Drew Galloway vs. Biff Busick for Dragon Gate USA titles

    WWE Elimination Chamber at 8 p.m. Eastern from Corpus Christi on the WWE Network

    Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose for WWE title

    John Cena vs. Kevin Owens

    IC title Chamber match:  Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. ? (formerly Rusev, no official announcement has been made) vs. R-Truth vs. Ryback vs. King Barrett

    Tag title Chamber match:  New Day vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro vs. Lucha Dragons vs. The Ascension vs. Prime Time Players vs. Los Matadores

    Neville vs. Bo Dallas

    Nikki Bella vs. Paige vs. Naomi for Divas title

    Evolve 44 i PPV Sunday night at 8 p.m. at www.WWNLive.com

    Rey Hours vs. ?

    Biff Busick vs. Mike Bailey

    Rich Swann vs. Trevor Lee

    Anthony Nese vs. TJ Perkins

    Drew Gulak vs. Davey Richards

    Johnny Gargano vs Ethan Page – If Gargano wins, Page leaves the promotion, if Page wins, Gargano must shake his hand

    Drew Galloway vs. Roderick Strong for Evolve title

    Raw is Monday night in San Antonio.

    Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night in Houston.

    The breakdown of the ROH deal on Destination America, how this affects TNA, the time frame of both company’s deals with the station and why this went down is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the world championship and questions arising, full coverage of UFC 187, Full coverage of Samoa Joe to NXT and the last special, the AAA World Cup coverage, Bischoff sues TNA and the UFC hall of Fame.

    The new issue is up on the site at June 1, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ROH to Destination America, Bischoff sues TNA, UFC Hall of Fame

    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@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    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 TNA’s actions over the past week since the original Observer story broke, the expansion in coverage of ROH, why the ROH deal got done, how Dixie Carter handled the situation, the conference call with TNA talent and how it went, the lineup for the first month of ROH on Destination America and the key show to watch, what to expect from the ratings, the ROH PPV schedule and the Samoa Joe situation with ROH.

    We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the UFC light heavyweight title, the Jon Jones situation, the situation with Ryan Bader, the shadow over the Cormier win, Vitor Belfort physically, the Arlovski vs. Browne fight, all the business notes from the show including a top ten of all time, and match-by-match coverage.

    We also look at the NXT Takeover show.  We look at the situation with Samoa Joe, plus match-by-match coverage.

    We’ve also got full coverage of the World Cup show, including screw-ups, best foreign stars, and the awards from the show.

    We also look at Elimination Chamber, the Rusev injury, Ronda Rousey and next year’s WrestleMania, talk about a gimmick for a future NXT special, notes on the new season of Total Divas, Notes on someone who is a TV star that got a tryout as a WWE star this past week and how it went, A look behind the scenes on the Daniel Bryan/A.J. Lee angle, how WWE is changing its thoughts on talent, another celebrity angle, NXT dates and a look at the upcoming Australia tour.

    Plus we’ve got notes from all the arena events from the past week as well as business notes.

    We look at the Bischoff-Hervey lawsuit against TNA.

    We also have a full breakdown on the UFC Hall of Fame and its new members.  We look at their histories, why they are in and more.

    We’ve got first word on the Extreme Rules PPV business.

    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.

    Also in this week’s issue:

    –A look at CMLL’s new tournament over the next few months and background of the guys

    –What pro wrestling event in Mexico will have a number of U.S. reporters from another sort attending

    –Tetsuya Naito in CMLL

    –Wife of wrestler planning oncoming out of retirement

    –UFC fighter making appearance at international wrestling show

    –King of Gate finals and rundown of semifinals

    –Looking at the booking from there

    –Triple Crown title change

    –MMA fighter coming to All Japan

    –Full coverage of the first week of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament

    –Current standings

    –Why this year doesn’t have as much interest as in the past

    –Why all the booking had to be redone after the first night

    –How business has been

    –Tournament lineup for this week

    –Satoru Sayama health update

    –Terry Funk news

    –World champions from two different promotions team up together in a third promotion

    –Global Force Wrestling update

    –Go fund me campaigns for wrestlers

    –Update on the past week’s PWG show

    –Trish Stratus talks thinking about doing MMA

    –One of the biggest indie show of the summer

    –Tammy Sytch on doing adult videos

    –Latest on Lucha Underground and season two

    –Alberto El Patron talks about doing MMA and Bill Goldberg

    –The back story in one of Lucha Underground’s main angles

    –ROH signs action figure deal

    –Update on the next ROH PPV show

    –TNA changes up television tapings and why

    –Dixie Carter reality show

    –Christy Hemme leaves company

    –History of TNA sale talks

    –Samoa Joe on why he left TNA

    –Dana White talks UFC 189

    –Where ticket sales for the show are coming from

    –Dana White talks the PPV numbers

    –Update on UFC in New York and where it stands

    –Sara McMann thinking of legal action on the Reebok deal

    –This week’s UFC show

    –Tons of new UFC fights

    –Lawsuit settlement results in apologies

    –Suspended fighter thinks about going to Olympics

    –Hector Lombard talks Josh Barnett

    –Ronda Rousey at the  Wall Street Journal cafe brunch

    –Fighter who had announced retirement now coming back

    –Biggest World Series of Fighting show to date

    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.

    Our most requested issues in our history are:

    *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

    *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

    *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

    *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a

    *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

    *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)

    *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)

    *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)

    *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)

    *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)

    *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)

    *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

    *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

    *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

    *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

    *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

    *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

    *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

    *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

    *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

    *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)

    *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)

    *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

    *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

    *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

    *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

    *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

    *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

    *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

    *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

    *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

    *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

    *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

    *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

    *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

    *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

    *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

    *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

    *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)

    *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

    *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

    *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

    *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

    *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

    *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

    *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)

    *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

    *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)

    *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

    *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)

    *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

    *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

    *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

    *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

    *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

    *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

    *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .

    *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

    *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

    *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

    *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

    * September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

    * September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

    * September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

    You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

    We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

    To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

    FRIDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • Stephanie McMahon filed papers on Wednesday to start selling up to 609,733 shares of WWE stock from her trust fund starting on 8/10 provided the stock price is above a certain unlisted level.  That stock would be worth today about $8.7 million.
    • The Dwayne Johnson movie “San Andreas” opens at the theaters tonight. 
    • As noted earlier, Kevin Owens has signed a new deal for the main roster.  He starts next weekend at the house shows if he’s not on this weekend.  But he’s advertised starting next weekend.  It should be noted that they’ve got communications issues because he’s being advertised on NXT shows on the same night as a few of his WWE house show dates.  We’re told he’ll be doing very few more NXT shows past TVs.  He will be a regular on Raw & Smackdown going forward, so it’s not just this week and done.  He’s taking a lot of the Rusev bookings.  Rusev has been pulled from all shows for a few months, which makes his working Sunday questionable, but the listed schedule still has him.
    • UFC spent a ton of money on this commercial and you’ll be seeing it everywhere for the six weeks
    • Daniel Cormier from Levi’s Stadium at the moment Seth Rollins won the WWE title
    • Former speaker of the house Dennis Hastert, who was heavily pushed for his success among the wrestling community because of being a former wrestler, is in hot water here
    • Add the 7/13 Raw to Brock Lesnar’s schedule.
    • Sheamus has a role as “Rocksteady” in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 movie.
    • WWE sent Eva Marie to walk the red carpet for the “San Andreas” premiere yesterday.
    • WWE stock closed today at $14.30 per share, the same as yesterday.
    • This is scary.  Ericka Almeida, who weighed in at 116 today, said she had to lose 35 pounds when she got the call a few weeks ago to make weight for her fight tomorrow with Juliana Lima.
    • Battlewar 27 on 7/26 in Montreal at Les Foufounes Electriqeus
    • There will be the annual Fitness Expo in San Jose on 6/13 and 6/14 at the Convention Center.  There are all kinds of activities including a Jiu Jitsu tournament, a strongman challenge, a wrestling tournament, a powerlifting tournament and appearances by Phil Heath and Jay Cutler of Mr. Olympia fame.  In past years, a lot of MMA stars have appeared as well.
    • The Owen Hart DVD is called “Hart of Gold” and is scheduled for an October release.
    • This is Scott Steiner so if you choose to believe it or not, it is presented for purely entertainment fashion:  “I’ve never failed a drug test in my life.  When WWE told me to take one, I told them to have HHH pick me up in a limo, then we could go test together.  They never asked again.” 
    • IHWE on 6/6 in Crowley, TX featuring Lance Hoyt (Archer).  They also have a legends of the Sportatorium Q&A on 6/7 at 3 p.lm. with Marc Lowrance, Black Bart and James Beard.  They also have a secondshow that night at 6 p.m.
    • Great North Wrestling tonight in Smiths Falls, ONT at he Memorial Center with Brutus Beefcake and Hannibal.
    • An interview with Nora Greenwald and Lisa Moretti, who were Molly Holly and Ivory in WWE years back
    • Dolph Ziggler on stage with Britney Spears
    • Jeff Jarrett, Lance Archer and Jim Duggan promoting Global Force Wrestling last night on CBS Sports Network
    • Photos up here
    • A preview of Sunday’s WWE show

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

    1970 – Giant Baba beat Don Leo Jonathan in Tokyo to win the World League

    1977 – Solar (who just wrestled on Sunday in the World Cup) beat Villano III to win the UWA welterweight title

    1984 – Marty Jones beat David Finlay in Dartford to win the World mid heavyweight title

    1988 – El Hijo del Santo beat El Espanto Jr. in Naucalpan to win the UWA lightweight title

    1990 – Richie Brooks beat Danny Collins via DQ in Croydon to win the British heavy middleweight title

    1991 – Atsushi Onita beat Gregori Veritchev in Tokyo to win the WWA Martial Arts title and Ricky Fuji beat Jimmy Backlund (who later became Jimmy Del Rey) to win the light heavyweight title

    1992 – Universo 2000 beat Mascara Sagrada in Veracruz to win the Mexican national light heavyweight title

    2014 – Atsushi Aoki beat Ultimo Dragon in Tokyo to win the All Japan jr. title

    TODAY’S WRESTLING VIDEOS (thanks to Thomas Rude)

    MISC. STUFF

    Joe Malenko On “The Apter Chat”

    Ring Of Honor’s COO Joe Kaff On ‘The Apter Chat”

    “Dad You Don’t Work, You Wrestle” (Episode 121)

    The Queen’s Court (Episode 5)

    Ringside Collectibles’ “Ringside Or Riot” (Season 4, Episode 27)

    POWW “Between The Ropes” (Episode 12)

    Top 40 Moves Of Luke Harper

    New England Championship Wrestling “Online” (Episode 5)

    WWE

    Top 10 WWE RAW Moments:  May 25, 2015

    5 Things-5 Superstars Who Defeated Brock Lesnar

    Kevin Owens Discusses His Issues With “John Cena Land”:  WWE.com Exclusive, May 27, 2015

    Paige Dissects Her Rivalry With Naomi:  May 27, 2015

    NXT Superstars’ Advice For WWE Tough Enough Applicants:  WWE Inbox

    NXT BreakDown Featuring Emma And Dana Brooke

    INDY TV SHOWS

    Pro Wrestling Syndicate TV (Episode 21)

    Smash Wrestling TV (Episode 53)

    Reality Of Wrestling TV (Episode 56)

    5/8/15 Future Stars Of Wrestling “High Octane” TV

    Monster Factory TV (Episode 6)

    CWF MId-Atlantic Wrestling Worldwide TV (Episode 2)

    TNA

    Eric Young’s New Tattoo Has Deep Meaning Heading Into Friday’s Title Match

    Drew Galloway On Periscope:  Drew Tours The Office, Answers The Main Phone

    Drew Galloway On Periscope :  Drew Gets A Meeting And Has More Coffee…

    Mr. Anderson On Facing EC3 And Making Sure Tyrus Is Out Of The Picture

    The Politics Behind The Match Between Mr. Anderson And EC3 This Friday

    Eric Young Tells What He Will Show The World This Friday…

    A Look At The Drama Between The Dollhouse And Gail Kim

    Rockstar Spud Talks About The Gauntlet Match For The X Title This Friday…

    What Does EC3 Say About Facing Mr. Anderson Without Tyrus?

    Kenny King Speaks His True Thoughts On Rockstar Spud And His X Title Chances…

    TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)

    12:00 AM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING A look inside the life and career of CM Punk from his early success in ECW to the top of the WWE.

    2:00 AM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    3:00 AM ET
    WWE SUPERSTARS WWE Superstars features the best of the best, in matches you’ll have to see to believe. You never know what to expect, so expect everything.

    4:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    5:00 AM ET
    WCW MONDAY NITRO ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage battles ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. WCW Tag Team Champions, Harlem Heat, face Sting and Lex Luger.

    6:00 AM ET
    WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2013 For the first time in over a decade The Rock is WWE Champion. A determined CM Punk is set on regaining the WWE Title.

    9:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    10:00 AM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING A look inside the life and career of CM Punk from his early success in ECW to the top of the WWE.

    12:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    1:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    2:00 PM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    2:30 PM ET
    FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

    3:00 PM ET
    SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENT The Ultimate Warrior defends the WWE Title against ‘Ravishing’ Rick Rude. Demolition defend their WWE Tag Team Titles against The Rockers.

    4:30 PM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING Relive D-Generation X’s last chapter as the team reunites to present their final run from late 2009 and 2010!

    6:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    7:00 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.

    8:00 PM ET
    SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENT The Ultimate Warrior defends the WWE Title against ‘Ravishing’ Rick Rude. Demolition defend their WWE Tag Team Titles against The Rockers.

    9:30 PM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING Relive D-Generation X’s last chapter as the team reunites to present their final run from late 2009 and 2010!

    11:00 PM ET
    SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENT The Ultimate Warrior defends the WWE Title against ‘Ravishing’ Rick Rude. Demolition defend their WWE Tag Team Titles against The Rockers.

  • THURS. UPDATE: Correia-Rousey, DA retweets TNA comedy, TNA announcements, GFW, Four Horsewomen, NXT, Jarrett on TV

    By Dave Meltzer
    dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Smackdown tonight on Syfy:

    Lumberjack match:  Lucha Dragon vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro
    R-Truth vs. King Barrett
    Ryback vs. Rusev
    Paige vs. Naomi
    Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins & Kane

    The breakdown of the ROH deal on Destination America, how this affects TNA, the time frame of both company’s deals with the station and why this went down is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the world championship and questions arising, full coverage of UFC 187, Full coverage of Samoa Joe to NXT and the last special, the AAA World Cup coverage, Bischoff sues TNA and the UFC hall of Fame.

    The new issue is up on the site at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/42755-june-1-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-roh-to-destination-america-bischoff-sues-tna-ufc-hall-of-fame-and-more

    Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show on the history of the site are at  http://www.f4wonline.com/member/signup.php

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

    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 TNA’s actions over the past week since the original Observer story broke, the expansion in coverage of ROH, why the ROH deal got done, how Dixie Carter handled the situation, the conference call with TNA talent and how it went, the lineup for the first month of ROH on Destination America and the key show to watch, what to expect from the ratings, the ROH PPV schedule and the Samoa Joe situation with ROH.

    We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the UFC light heavyweight title, the Jon Jones situation, the situation with Ryan Bader, the shadow over the Cormier win, Vitor Belfort physically, the Arlovski vs. Browne fight, all the business notes from the show including a top ten of all time, and match-by-match coverage.

    We also look at the NXT Takeover show.  We look at the situation with Samoa Joe, plus match-by-match coverage.

    We’ve also got full coverage of the World Cup show, including screw-ups, best foreign stars, and the awards from the show.

    We also look at Elimination Chamber, the Rusev injury, Ronda Rousey and next year’s WrestleMania, talk about a gimmick for a future NXT special, notes on the new season of Total Divas, Notes on someone who is a TV star that got a tryout as a WWE star this past week and how it went, A look behind the scenes on the Daniel Bryan/A.J. Lee angle, how WWE is changing its thoughts on talent, another celebrity angle, NXT dates and a look at the upcoming Australia tour.

    Plus we’ve got notes from all the arena events from the past week as well as business notes.

    We look at the Bischoff-Hervey lawsuit against TNA.

    We also have a full breakdown on the UFC Hall of Fame and its new members.  We look at their histories, why they are in and more.

    We’ve got first word on the Extreme Rules PPV business.

    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.

    Also in this week’s issue:

    –A look at CMLL’s new tournament over the next few months and background of the guys

    –What pro wrestling event in Mexico will have a number of U.S. reporters from another sort attending

    –Tetsuya Naito in CMLL

    –Wife of wrestler planning oncoming out of retirement

    –UFC fighter making appearance at international wrestling show

    –King of Gate finals and rundown of semifinals

    –Looking at the booking from there

    –Triple Crown title change

    –MMA fighter coming to All Japan

    –Full coverage of the first week of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament

    –Current standings

    –Why this year doesn’t have as much interest as in the past

    –Why all the booking had to be redone after the first night

    –How business has been

    –Tournament lineup for this week

    –Satoru Sayama health update

    –Terry Funk news

    –World champions from two different promotions team up together in a third promotion

    –Global Force Wrestling update

    –Go fund me campaigns for wrestlers

    –Update on the past week’s PWG show

    –Trish Stratus talks thinking about doing MMA

    –One of the biggest indie show of the summer

    –Tammy Sytch on doing adult videos

    –Latest on Lucha Underground and season two

    –Alberto El Patron talks about doing MMA and Bill Goldberg

    –The back story in one of Lucha Underground’s main angles

    –ROH signs action figure deal

    –Update on the next ROH PPV show

    –TNA changes up television tapings and why

    –Dixie Carter reality show

    –Christy Hemme leaves company

    –History of TNA sale talks

    –Samoa Joe on why he left TNA

    –Dana White talks UFC 189

    –Where ticket sales for the show are coming from

    –Dana White talks the PPV numbers

    –Update on UFC in New York and where it stands

    –Sara McMann thinking of legal action on the Reebok deal

    –This week’s UFC show

    –Tons of new UFC fights

    –Lawsuit settlement results in apologies

    –Suspended fighter thinks about going to Olympics

    –Hector Lombard talks Josh Barnett

    –Ronda Rousey at the  Wall Street Journal cafe brunch

    –Fighter who had announced retirement now coming back

    –Biggest World Series of Fighting show to date

    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.

    Our most requested issues in our history are:

    *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

    *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

    *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

    *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a

    *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

    *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)

    *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)

    *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)

    *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)

    *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)

    *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)

    *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

    *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

    *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

    *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

    *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

    *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

    *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

    *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

    *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

    *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)

    *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)

    *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

    *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

    *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

    *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

    *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

    *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

    *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

    *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

    *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

    *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

    *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

    *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

    *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

    *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

    *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

    *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

    *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)

    *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

    *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

    *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

    *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

    *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

    *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

    *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)

    *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

    *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)

    *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

    *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)

    *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

    *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

    *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

    *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

    *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

    *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

    *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .

    *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

    *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

    *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

    *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

    * September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

    * September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

    * September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

    You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

    We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

    To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

    THURSDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    –There was a big story last night where Bethe Correia said that Ronda Rousey was mentally weak, and said after she beats Ronda Rousey she hopes Rousey doesn’t kill herself.  That prompted Rousey to write, “Suicide is no joke or selling point.  My father will be with me the day I hand you the comeuppance you deserve.”  It’s not a secret that Rousey’s father committed suicide when she was very young, and in an indirect way, that led to her going into judo (swimming was her main sport as a child).  Correia later apologized for her remark, saying that she wasn’t aware Rousey’s father committed suicide.

    –The Destination America twitter account re tweeted this comedy story which shows some major insensitivity for them regarding TNA, particularly paragraph four.  It’s nothing against the comedy version of the story, but DA shouldn’t be involved in even joking about TNA going out of business given the situation the performers in the company are in right now. 

    http://www.kayfabenews.com/raw-moving-destination-america/

    –Really cool video of Daniel Cormier arriving for work yesterday at the Fox Studios in Los Angeles for the first time since winning the light heavyweight title at http://www.foxsports.com/video/UFC?vid=452656195929

    –There is a pre-sale going on for tickets to the 7/12 UFC show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the Sunday of International Fight Week, headlined by Jake Ellenberger vs Stephen Wonderboy Thompson.  The password is UFCTUF.  The show also features the finals of the current season of Ultimate Fighter.

    –TNA announced signings of contacts by Eddie Edwards, Davey Richards and Bram.  I guess people forget that TNA had already announced the Edwards & Richards signing back in January.  I was told that this announcement regarded a contract rollover that took place in January and not anything new.  Apparently the idea is to announce a bunch of contract signings today. 

    –Bloomberg Business has a story on Station Casinos, a group of 21 casinos in Las Vegas run by Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, looking at going public.  For the first quarter, the company took in $342.8 million in revenue and had $124.6 million in EBITDA, this coming less than six years after having to file for bankruptcy during the downturn of the economy.

    –Some new GFW dates are 7/10 in Erie, PA at Jerry Uht Park, 8/22 i Reno at the Aces Ballpark  and/28 in Harrisburg, PA at the Metro Bank Park.

    –The WWE web site has a story of Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Bayley and Becky Lynch as the Four Horsewomen.   Are they trying to set up a program? 

    –Names announced for the NXT shows on 10/24 and 10/25 at Gibson Ranch, just North of Sacramento, are Finn Balor, Sasha Banks, Blake & Murphy, Charlotte, Bayley and Baron Corbin. 

    –Kevin Connolly was on the Dan Patrick show on Tuesday talking about his experience on Raw.  He said it was a crazy experience and you wouldn’t believe what goes on there.  Patrick quickly changed the subject.  Patrick asked him who would get the best cameo award in the Entourage movie and he said Ronda Rousey, but also said her role was bigger than a cameo and said she had a decent-sized part.  He said they got to know her a little but  and she was really likeable and saw her feminine side, but said they were blown away when they watched her train and hit the speed bag.  Jerry Ferreria wanted to do the fight scene with her and Rousey told him to use a stunt double because they wanted the fight scene to look real.  They did use a stunt double.

    –Jeff Jarrett will be throwing out the first pitch tonight before the El Paso vs. Round Rock minor league baseball game on CBS Sports Network.  He’ll also be promoting his live events.  CBS Sports Network is Ch. 221 on DirecTV, Ch. 158 on Dish, and Ch. 413 and 1643 on AT&T U-verse, Ch. 733 and 393 on Comcast and Ch. 315 on Timer Warner Cable.

    –T.J. Grant, whose UFC career has been on hold for a long time, after suffering a concussion in training, has now taken a job at the K&S Porath mine in Bethune, Saskatchewan.  Grant hasn’t’ fought in two years. At the time, he was going to get a lightweight title match with then-champion Benson Henderson.  Grant said he is now 100% healthy, but hasn’t gone all-out in his training. (thanks to Tyler McMurchy).

    –WWE stock has been up the past two days, up 26 cents today and closing at $14.30 per share.   

    –There will be a live Raw in San Jose on 8/3 at the SAP Center headlined by John Cena.  There is an onsale going on right now for tickets with the code WWERAW

    –Raw on 7/6 in Chicago is advertising a main event of John Cena & Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns vs. Big Show &  Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens.

    ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL

    1949 – Tarzan Lopez beat Mike Kelly to win the NWA middleweight title
    1983 – Lizmark beat Espectro Jr. in Puebla to win the Mexican national middleweight title
    2000 – El Hijo del Santo beat Blue Panther in Monterrey to win the NWA welterweight title
    2006 – Manami Toyota beat Tsubasa Kuragaki in Tokyo to win the JWP title
    2008 – Fabi Apache beat Tiffany in Morelia to win the AAA Reina de Reinas title
    2009 – Mephisto beat La Sombra in Acapulco to win the WWA welterweight title

    –UFC will be making a major announcement regarding drug testing on Wednesday at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas.

    –Legacy Kickboxing tomorrow night from the Horseshoe Casino in Shreveport.

    –Jake Roberts is booked for Jersey Championship Wrestling on 6/13 at Six Flags Great Adventure

    –Pro Wrestling Phoenix tenth anniversary show from Saturday night in Council Bluffs, IA:  L-Ray b Ryan Slade, Dalton Lee Roth & Purple b Branden Juarez in a handicap match, Pat Powers b Paul Daniels, Tony Cortez won three-way over Darren Russell and Abu Colossus, Zac James b Chris Havius, Scotty 2 Hotty b Joey Daniels, Hype Gotti & Tony Cortez b Jeremy Wyatt & Mark Sterling in a ladder match.  Next show is 6/20 in Council Bluffs at the National Guard Armory.

    –IWF on Saturday night at the IWF Centre in Nutley, NJ.

    –New England Championship Wrestling on 6/6 in Everett, MA at the Rec Center with Slyck Wagner Brown vs. Brad Hollister.

    –Acclaim Pro Wrestling on Saturday night in Ottawa at SPK-Dom Polski

    –Andy Nichols at aypwrestling@gmail.com is looking for magazines, newspaper articles or clippings pertaining to Joe Louis in pro wrestling in the 50s.

    –Mad Max: Fury Road, which features former pro wrestler Nathan Jones was No. 1 for the second straight week at the box office in Australia.

    –Infinity Pro Wrestling on Saturday night in Bloomington, IN at the National Guard Armory.

    –Evolve iPPV on Sunday from Ronkonkoma, New York at the Fire Department Hall at 8 p.m. Eastern at www.wwnlive.com

    Drew Galloway vs Roderick Strong for the Evolve title
    Johnny Gargano vs. Ethan Page
    Davey Richards vs. Drew Gulak
    Anthony Nese vs. TJ Perkins
    Rich Swann vs Trevor Lee
    Biff Busick vs. Mike Bailey
    Rey Hours vs. ?

    –ECCW on 6/20 in Port Coquitlam, BC at the Elks Hall.

    –Koko B. Ware will be signing autographs at the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Amsterdam, NY.  Half the proceeds will benefit the Hall of Fame..

    –Canadian Wrestling Federation 6/6 in St. Catherines, ONT at the Haig Bowl Arena with Brian Christopher, Scotty 2 Hotty, Rene Dupree, Paul London, Cody Deaner and more.

    –GOUGE on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Draft Line Brewing in Fuquay-Varina, NC.

    –Dolph Ziggler will be in Singapore this weekend doing WWE promotional appearances.  He’ll be appearing Friday at 7 p.m. at Shaw House.

    –Brennan Ward (10-3) vs. Gavin Steritt (6-1) in a welterweight fight has been aded to the 7/17 Bellator show in Uncasville, CT at the Mohegan Sun Casino.  The show is headlined by Douglas Lima defending the welterweight title against Andrewy Koreshkov.

    –Dropkick Murphys will be headling a concert on 7/10 at the Fremont Street Experience for International Fight Week in Las Vegas.  This will be on the Friday night at 9 p.m.    

    —Capital City Championship Combat on 6/19 in Ottawa, ONT at the Vaneri Columbus Club.

    –Great White North Wrestling on 5/31 at 1:30 p.m. at the Ukranian Cultural Centre in Hamilton, ONT.

    –The WWE for the first time in anyone’s memory took out an ad in Dagbladet, the second biggest newspaper in Norway.  It’s believed to be the first ad by WWE in the Norwegian press (thanks to Kare Arnfinn Fostad)

    –Justin Gabriel vs. Michael Elgin for the first time ever takes place 6/24 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan for CWE.

    WILL MCGREGOR VS. ALDO TOP 800,000 BUYS?
    Yes 51.7%%
    No 48.3%

    WHO WILL BE THE NEXT UFC CHAMPION TO LOSE THEIR TITLE?
    Robbie Lawler 28.5%
    Rafael dos Anjos 16.1%
    Jose Aldo 14.0%
    Cain Velasquez 13.6%
    TJ Dillashaw 7.2%
    Daniel Cormier 7.0%
    Joanna Jedrzejczyk 6.0%
    Ronda Rousey 4.7%
    Chris Weidman 2.5%
    Demetrious Johnson 0.4%

    WHO IS THE BIGGEST STAR OF THESE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW?

    Floyd Mayweather Jr. 41.1%
    Ronda Rousey 35.7%
    John Cena 9.2%
    Brock Lesnar 7.8%
    Conor McGregor 1.9%
    Manny Pacquiao 1.1%
    Seth Rollins 1.1%
    Roman Reigns 0.9%
    Jon Jones 0.5%
    Daniel Cormier 0.5%
    Chris Weidman 0.2%

    WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MAIN EVENT FOR ELIMINATION CHAMBER?

    Cena vs. Owens 58.7%
    Ambrose vs. Rollins 33.7%
    IC title Chamber match 6.2%
    Tag title Chamber match 1.4%

    WHO SHOULD GET THE NEXT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT?

    Andrei Arlovski 60.0%
    Stipe Miocic 40.0%

    WHO SHOULD GET THE NEXT FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT?

    John Dodson 39.0%
    Joseph Benavidez 30.8%
    Henry Cejudo 30.2%

    –Booker T says why Ronda Rousey shouldn’t do WrestleMania at

    “You know, I see Ronda doing what she does in the UFC. She does it better than anybody. I don’t see her coming into a WWE ring. I don’t think she would have any fun at all in a WWE ring.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hqken6YSyY

    –Dwayne Johnson in Australia for the opening game of the 2015 National Rugby League State Of Origin

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrapaL6MuwE

    These games are typically in the top 10 most watched programs in Australian TV for the year. (thanks to Tim Forge)

     –A review of the movie “San Andreas,” starring Dwayne Johnson, that opens tomorrow

    http://www.villagevoice.com/movies/san-andreas-4839392/ (thanks to Jeff Sheridan)

    –Short Jesse Ventura ESPN documentary

    On the ESPN 30 for 30 Twitter feed that ESPN has put up a FiveThirtyEight documentary short on Jesse Ventura’s turn from wrestler to Governor of Minnesota, it’s about 15 minutes long and has that really good ESPN documentary production value.  The doc short can be found at either links below and in my opinion, was a hundred times better than the 30 for 30 Von Erich doc.

    http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12917086

    http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/that-time-jesse-the-body-ventura-was-elected-governor-of-minnesota/

    (thanks to Jeff Parker)

    TODAY’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)

    8:00 PM ET
    WCW MONDAY NITRO On this episode of Nitro Sting returns to solve the problems between Macho Man and Lex Luger. Ric Flair vs Arn Anderson inside a steel cage.

    9:00 PM ET
    RAW FLASHBACK In an epic confrontation the Undertaker teams with Diesel and Shawn Michaels to battle some of Jim Cornette’s devastating clients.

    10:00 PM ET
    FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

    10:30 PM ET
    WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee Young chats with the King of the Ring Bad News Barrett, discussing everything from music, marine biology and everything in between!

    11:00 PM ET
    WCW MONDAY NITRO On this episode of Nitro Sting returns to solve the problems between Macho Man and Lex Luger. Ric Flair vs Arn Anderson inside a steel cage.

    TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)

    12:00 AM ET
    RAW FLASHBACK Jim Cornette introduces his legal counsel. Razor Ramon defends his Intercontinental Title and the Raw debut of a bizarre entity.

    1:00 AM ET
    FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

    1:30 AM ET
    WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee Young chats with the King of the Ring Bad News Barrett, discussing everything from music, marine biology and everything in between!

    2:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    3:00 AM ET
    WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2013 For the first time in over a decade The Rock is WWE Champion. A determined CM Punk is set on regaining the WWE Title.

    6:00 AM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    7:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    8:00 AM ET
    WARRIOR’S GREATEST MATCHES Prior to his untimely death, Warrior sat down with the WWE in an interview to discuss his favorite matches throughout his career.

    9:00 AM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    10:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    11:00 AM ET
    WARRIOR’S GREATEST MATCHES Prior to his untimely death, Warrior sat down with the WWE in an interview to discuss his favorite matches throughout his career.

    12:00 PM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    1:00 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    2:00 PM ET
    WARRIOR’S GREATEST MATCHES Prior to his untimely death, Warrior sat down with the WWE in an interview to discuss his favorite matches throughout his career.

    3:00 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.

    4:00 PM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING A look inside the life and career of CM Punk from his early success in ECW to the top of the WWE.

    6:00 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    7:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    8:00 PM ET
    WWE SUPERSTARS WWE Superstars features the best of the best, in matches you’ll have to see to believe. You never know what to expect, so expect everything.

    9:00 PM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING A look inside the life and career of CM Punk from his early success in ECW to the top of the WWE.

    11:00 PM ET
    WWE SUPERSTARS WWE Superstars features the best of the best, in matches you’ll have to see to believe. You never know what to expect, so expect everything.