If you’re a collector of print editions of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and are interested in obtaining print copies of our coverage of the first 15 years, Grant Zwarych is offering a sale right now. (Note that for online subscribers, you have already have access to many of these in our digital archives, links below.)
The Rumbles covered start at 1988 and run through 2002. Here’s what is in these issues in additon to Rumble coverage:
1988: Feb. 1 (10) Complete coverage of the promotion’s 1/24 head to head events; Nassau Coliseum’s Bunkhouse Stampede finals vs. Hamilton’s Royal Rumble, Mike George wins WWA World title tournament in Kansas City; Fujinami & Kengo Kimura win IWGP belts from Fujiwara & Yamazaki
1989: Jan. 23 (8): WWF Royal Rumble 1/15 card coverage, AWA & Jarrett Promotions split, Bam Bam Bigelow history in NWA, Chris Benoit wins Commonwealth mid-heavyweight belt from Davey Boy Smith
1990: Feb. 1 (8) Titan signs Mike Tyson as special ref for Hogan vs Savage, Royal Rumble 1/21 card coverage, AJPW & NJPW going to work together for 1st time in more than a decade, Akira Maeda does job for Nobuhiko Takada 1/16 in Tokyo, NWA booking committee trimmed down
1991: Jan. 28 (10) WWF Royal Rumble 1/19 card coverage-Sgt Slaughter wins WWF title, Observer Research Reveals Vince’s Baldness Fetish, At what point does bad taste cross the line, Transcript of column sent to The National re the war angle, Vader wins IWGP title from Fujinami 1/17, Diamond Dallas Page debuts in WCW
1992: Jan 27 (10): WWF Royal Rumble 1/19 card coverage- Flair wins WWF title, More Wrestling Observer award winners, Strange story, Bret Hart loses IC title to The Mountie who loses to Roddy Piper, WCW debuts Jesse Ventura at the Clash
1993: Feb 1 (10): Royal Rumble 1/24 card coverage, Flair still not signed by WCW, Jim Cornette to return to TBS, Kerry Von Erich apprehended on drug charge
1994: Jan 31 (10) Dusty Rhodes resigns as WCW booker, Royal Rumble 1/24 card coverage, Arn Anderson files suit against Sid Vicious over England stabbing incident, UWA & EMLL wrestling union break up
1995: Jan 30 (12) Royal Rumble 1/22 card coverage Jeff Jarrett wins IC title from Razor Ramon, 123 Kid & Bob Holly win tag belts over Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka, Angle to bring Ric Flair back to be at the 1/25 Clash, Woody Strode passes away, Ray Stevens hospitalized
1996: Jan 29 (12) The Monday night war-how it’s changed wrestling, Royal Rumble 1/21 card coverage-Goldust wins IC title from Razor Ramon, Clash of Champions XXXII 1/23 card coverage, Buddy Fuller passes away-quick career recap, Extreme Fighting was subject on Phil Donahue show
1997: Jan 27 (12) More UFC problems-this time New York, Royal Rumble 1/19 card coverage- Shawn Michaels wins WWF title, WCW sets company record 1/20 in Chicago, Mitsuhara Misawa wins triple crown from Kenta Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue win double belts from Williams & Johnny Ace, Clash of Champions XXXIV 1/21 card coverage
1998: Jan 26 (16) Will Tyson vs Austin be the most publicized match ever?, Bobo Brazil passes away, Royal Rumble 1/18 card coverage, Champions roll call for 1997 along with top drawing cards, A lot of craziness in Portland revolving around Matt Borne, Mark Kerr legal situation up in the air, The Quebecers debut in WWF
1999: Feb 1 (18) WCW vs WWF business trends over the years, Royal Rumble 1/24 card coverage- Rock regains WWF title vs Mankind, Kawada suffers broken wrist in triple crown win over Misawa, UFO 12/30 card coverage, Some controversy in refereeing of Bas Rutten vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka match
2000: Jan 31 (18) WCW gives releases to Benoit, Guerrero, Malenko, Saturn, Douglas & Konan, Royal Rumble 1/23 card coverage-Jericho wins IC title, Al Costello passes away-career retrospect, Bobby Duncum Jr & Raul Reyes pass away, WWF pulls developmental territory deal in Memphis from Randy Hales, Rings 12/22 card coverage, Multifacetico killed by gang in Mexico City
2001: Jan 29 (12) Royal Rumble 1/21 card coverage-Jericho wins IC belt from Benoit, Kenta Kobashi blows out knee, Saturday Night magazine has lengthy story on the Hart family problems Scott Steiner arrested, Much talk on potential shut down and relaunch of WCW under WWF banner, Main event draws
2002: Jan 28 (12) NJPW in chaos-Muto, Ishizawa & Kojima give notice, Imminent arrival of Hall & Nash teased on Raw, Royal Rumble 1/20 card coverage-William Regal wins IC title from Edge, Tradition of Memphis wrestling on WMC-TV returns, Jim Ross press conference
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*****
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Fun show (better than last time they came through Atlanta). A.J. Styles popped up a few times throughout the night so I guess they’ll have to edit him out if they do a DVD like they usually do for Atlanta shows. They combined the three scheduled title defenses into an eight-man tag match with all the titles on the line: Lethal, Strong & War Machine vs. Anderson, Gallows and the Young Bucks. Admittedly, the crowd was dead following a surprisingly boring match between Adam Cole and Stevie Richards. They woke up when Matt Jackson superkicked Lethal’s female valet, which prompted Lethal to superkick Amber Gallows.
*****
Dalton Castle def. Corey Hollis
Fun match that probably went too long. The crowd liked Castle a lot but he played up his antics for a long time.
Cedric Alexander def. Mark Briscoe
Fine match that Mark had fun with. Alexander pinned him after a cool looking move kind of out of no where.
– A.J. Styles started a promo saying since he’s home, he would give us answers, but then ROH Champion Jay Lethal interrupted him. Lethal pointed out that he beat Styles so it is his show. Lethal said Duluth, GA, didn’t deserve a wordl title match so he wasn’t going to defend tonight. Then Roderick Strong came out and claimed he was the greatest champion and that he also didn’t feel like defending tonight. The Bullet Club then joined in and the ring was getting really crowded. They basically called all the ROH champions pussies. War Machine came down the aisle but didn’t get in the ring. Everybody but A.J. (who kind of disappeared) brawled for a bit and left anticlimactically. Later, we got word that Nigel rearranged the card for the new main event.
– Styles interrupted a local wrestler’s promo and hit him with a Styles Clash for a cheap pop.
All Night Express def. MooseBurger
Hometown crowd loved Moose and appreciated Cheeseburger. ANX got the pin on Cheeseburger in an okay match.
Matt Sydal & Alex Shelley & ACH def. Michael Elgin & reDRagon
Really good match that had the crowd into it. Elgin did some impressive strength spots. The best was a vertical suplex where ACH and Sydal kicked Elgin in the stomach at different times, and he almost put Sydal down but muscled him back up. Then reDRagon tried to get him to finish the move but he wouldn’t, so they eventually pushed him over themselves to end it. I was surprised that Elgin got pinned in this one but it came after all three of his opponents hit their finishers. Sydal hit the shooting star and pinned Elgin.
Amber Gallows def. Veda Scott
Crowd was still coming back from concession break so not a lot of heat. Scott was working as a babyface which didn’t make much sense either. Gallows won with her feet on the ropes. Not bad but the crowd wasn’t feeling it.
Jay Briscoe won a six man scramble pinning Will Ferrara
A lot of moves and chaos as expected, but the end was underwhelming. After the match, Briscoe tried to give Ferrara a compliment but BJ Whitmer interrupted. He tried to get the Briscoes to join him in teaching the young wrestlers their place. Jay flicked him off instead of shaking his hand and Adam Page attacked Whitmer. Steve Corino threw Whitmer back in when he tried to escape and he got beat up more. Jay shook Page’s hand. Then Jay took a fan’s sign that read “Someone Please Hit BJ with My Sign” and Page broke it over BJ’s head to a big pop.
Adam Cole def, Stevie Richards
Stevie looks to be in fantastic shape! However, both guys also looked nearly identical because they were wearing such similar gear. This match wasn’t bad, but the crowd really died during it. I can’t pinpoint why but the energy just fell during this one.
ROH Champions (World Champion Jay Lethal, Tag Champions War Machine, TV Champion Roderick Strong def. Bullet Club (Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Young Bucks)
Best match of the night with a lot of action. Not much in terms of ring psychology though. You knew the BC wasn’t walking out with the titles but they still shined here. War Machine took out Anderson for the win. After the match, A.J. rejoined them for a group hug “Curtain Call” style. The crowd chanted “Thank you AJ!” Then Doc took the mic and directed people to the merchandise stand and the show ended.
EVOLVE Wrestling held the second event of the weekend on their way to crowning their first Tag Team Champions. WWE COO Triple H was in attendance as William Regal was set to make an announcement along with NXT tag team Jason Jordan and Chad Gable signed autographs. Regal made an appearance during intermission which included EVOLVE Champion Timothy Thatcher and Matt Riddle where Riddle appeared to have challenged the champion to a future match.
– 2nd Chance Tag Team Tournament First Round Match: Team Tremendous (Dan Barry & Bill Carr) defeat The Premier Athlete Brand (Anthony Nese & Caleb Konley w/So Cal Val & Andrea), pinning Nese with “Book em, Danno!” The Premier Athlete Brand attack Tremendous after the match. Konley however leaves, stating he only cares about the EVOLVE championship. Peter Kaasa chases Anthony Nese away.
– Style Battle 2016 Round Robin Tournament Match: Matt Riddle submits Yehi to an inveted heel hook. Riddle is now 2-0 and Yehi is 0-2.
– Tommaso Ciampa pins Ethan Page with a running knee strike to the face. This was Ciampa’s EVOLVE debut.
– 2nd Chance Tag Team Tournament First Round Match: Catch Point (Drew Gulak & TJ Perkins w/”Hot Sauce” Tracy Willams & Matt Riddle) defeat Zack Sabre Jr. and Sami Callihan when Perkins submits Callihan in a cross armbreaker after a Detonation Kick. Frustrated by the loss, Callihan shoves Sabre Jr. and challenged him to a singles match tomorrow. Sabre Jr. accepted.
– Style Battle 2016 Round Robin Tournament Match: “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams w/Drew Gulak submits Peter Kaasa to a crossface. Williams is now 2-0 and Kaasa is now 0-2. Tomorrow night, the winner of Williams vs. Riddle wins the Style Battle tournament.
– EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament Semi-Final Round Match: Johnny Gargano & Drew Galloway defeat the Bravado Bros. (Harlem & Lancelot Bravado) when Gargano submitted Harlem to the Garga-No Escape.
– EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament Semi-Final Round Match: Heroes Eventually Die (Chris Hero & Tommy End) defeat Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta) with a Death Blow/knee strike combo to Romero.
The EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament finals take place Sunday in the same building with Gargano & Galloway take on Heroes Eventually Die for the Evolve tag team titles.
Opened with national anthem (took photo as it ended). Arena doesn’t seat a lot (lowers are 21 rows deep, no club/uppers). Of seats available, floor is sold out, bowl is about 75%.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze
Ziggler got a nice pop while Tyler Breeze had lots of pictures being taken during his entrance, he had his live cell phone tron). Crowd HEAVILY behind Ziggler. Ziggler mocked Breeze’s pose in the corner to a big cheer. Ziggler won on a super kick. Nothing you wouldn’t expect from these guys. Solid, fun match, but nothing overly special.
Curtis Axel vs. Braun Strowman
Axel got no real crowd reaction, though a couple of people cheered) while Strowman got CHEERS, believe it or not…entered to a weird non-theme, just some rumbling sounds that sounded like the noise when the Star Destroyer is slowly passing overhead in Star Wars… NO tron image… “fireflies” came out from stands. Strowman tried to draw heat, and was cheered. Finally got some boos when he went into the slow, submission offense. Strowman won with his shoulder-carry side drop slam… and was cheered again. Axel never knocked Strowman off his feet. Not a single semi-interesting spot or moment in the match. Strowman is SO dull.
Ambrose cut a promo on Owens on the tron next previewing their IC Title match tonight.
U.S. Champion Alberto del Rio vs. Chris Jericho: non-title
Crowd member (a kid) allowed to introduce next match. Jericho (introduced to MASSIVE pop) vs Del Rio (boo’d widely, though a pocket of cheers in one section). Non-title match. Del Rio tore up the sign of the fan in the backwards red hat who’s always at these shows and thee the pieces back at him. No idea what the sign said. USA chant, even though Jericho’s Canadian. Jericho wiped his armpits and under his crotch with ADR’s shirt when he laid it on the turnbuckle, then threw it to the crowd (ew?). During the match, Del Rio grabbed the fan’s hat and flung it to the back row of the floor seats. Del Rio had the arm breaker over the ropes til the 5 count which was a nice spot.
Jericho rolled out of the arm breaker and into the Walls (crab-style). Del Rio reached the ropes for the break. Jericho hit the Codebreaker for the win after avoiding the top-rope stomp while tied up in the second rope. The 10 kids around me were REALLY into this match. It was as entertained as I’ve ever been by an ADR match, though I typically find him really boring. Jericho signed autographs and had fun pumping up the crowd after the match… seemed to be enjoying himself.
WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. The Usos
New Day introduced to mixed response, but most people responded…Big E and Kofi twerked over the smoke blasts while Xavier danced between them…Big E did snow angels in the ring…I love these guys) vs Usos (got a nice, all-positive reaction). Xavier borrowed (and then returned) a sign saying RIP with the trombone and held it up with the other members around him. Kofi and Xavier in the match. Teams traded dancing/taunting funny spots early. Spot of the match: with one Uso standing on the second ripe and holding the top rope up, the other five through his legs to the outside. Big E distracted the ref from an Uso pin, distraction allowed Xavier to get the pin on a roll up to retain.
Really good match, though Big E stole it for me, taunting the announcers (he ate some paper he took from one of them) and fans and dancing around. Big E attacked Usos as soon as the bell ended the match and cleared the ring to dance around as a team. Usos attacked New Day and hit the big splash on Big E after a minute and posed with the belts before leaving them in the ring. Big E sold his left leg on his way up the ramp, but that may have just been him being Big E goofy.
WWE I-C Champion Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens
Owens was booed and walked up to barricade and stared down a kid for a moment to taunt him, while Ambrose got big cheers at least on par with Ziggler, only more sustained through the entrance, though not QUITE what Jericho got. KO attacked Ambrose before he entered the ring as he stood on the apron and posed with the belt. Ref started the match as soon as Ambrose was standing up in the ring. Ambrose hit the dive through the ropes after KO started with all of the offense. KO hit the cannonball for a two count. A
mbrose suplexed KO off the top (Ambrose was standing on the second rope) then went for Dirty Deeds but was blocked. Ambrose connected on his rebound clothesline for two and the top rope elbow to a standing KO for a near-fall. Ambrose countered Popup Powerbomb with a hurricanrana, then kicked out of the PuPB when KO hit it the second try. After distracting the ref by undoing the turnbuckle, KO grabbed a chair but was caught by the ref. Ambrose tried a roll-up but KO kicked out. Ambrose’s rebound clothesline was ducked, but he twisted it into Dirty Deeds for the pin. Really good match, as you’d expect.
> Intermission
Becky Lynch vs. Tamina (w/Alicia Fox as special ref
Tamina was with Naomi… Titantron showed Sasha Banks’ name first and I got excited… no real response for Tamina while Lynch got a nice positive response. A “Becky” chant prematch and a few during. Becky got no offense for the first 75% of the match but won on a roll-up. Alicia played no role. Tamina and Naomi attacked Alicia and mostly Becky post match and Natty made the surprise save to a nice pop. Natty applied the sharpshooter to Tamina for a minute before Tamina and Naomi escaped.
Bray Wyatt vs. Kane
Wyatt was with Braun… cheered during entrance with plenty of fireflies), while Kane got a MASSIVE pop, like Jericho. Big “Kane! Kane!” cheer prematch. Wyatt did a small DX-like crotch chop as a taunt to the crowd at one point, which was odd. More of the HHH crotch flick than the full-fledged chop. Anyway… Bray was boo’d throughout the match. Braun and Kane had a stare down at one point. Fun spot where each did their special sit-up (Bray’s crab, Kane’s sit) at the same time… didn’t let it breathe, though, and it was over too quick to enjoy, unlike the Brock/Taker one at SS. Strowman interference allowed Bray to hit Sister Abigail for the pin. People boo’d a LOT. I didn’t realize people anywhere still loved Kane like this (and not just in the “you’ve done a lot for us, so I like and respect you” way).
Nice “thank you fans” video shown on tron. Well edited as always.
WWE Champion Roman Reigns vs. Rusev (w/Lana)
Lana cut a promo to major boos while Reigns got biggest pop of the night, though may have been only slightly more than Kane’s. Reigns entered through the crowd. CONSTANT pro-Roman chants. The people love Roman Reigns. A Lana distraction allows Rusev to lock in the Accolade. Reigns gets out of it and hits a spear for the pin fall victory. Entertaining match.
Mark Henry and Jack Swagger def. The Ascension via pinfall
Main Event breaks its two-week streak of in-ring promos in the opening segment by offering us this rematch of last week’s featured contest. It’s worth noting that this is the third time Swagger and Henry have teamed together; all three contests have featured The Ascension and the previous two both resulted in babyface victories.
Rich Brennan opines during the entrances that there is “something different” about Jerry Lawler, who, incidentally, began his recent heel turn on the first Main Event taping of 2016. Lawler responds that some people resolve to be more “kind, considerate and nice” at the turn of the year. The King, on the other hand decided to simply be himself!
This was a bog-standard, by-the-numbers, ten minute tag match. The heels gain control leading into the commercial break as is customary in the WWE; Viktor breaking up the Patriot Lock on Konnor while the referee is distracted.
After the break, Lawler’s amusing reminiscences about Royal Rumbles past punctuate the heat portion of the match. Lawler suggests that Roman should hide under the ring until the end of the Rumble, evoking memories of the 1996 edition of the match when he pulled the same stunt. Brennan, to his credit, takes that opportunity to make an appropriate reference to Santino’s 2011 near-miss.
After one tease when Konnor knocked Mizark from the apron, Swagger eventually gets the hot tag to his partner – completing a desperate crawl to the corner after a double clothesline spot. Henry runs wild on Viktor, before pausing to enjoy a “We The People” recitation with Swagger. This almost allows a recovering Konnor to attack him from behind. Instead, Swagger pushes Henry out of the way, allowing the World’s Strongest Man to level Viktor with the World’s Strongest Slam for the win. Three in a row it is then for Henry and Swagger, who one-up The Ascension leading into their next meeting on Sunday’s pre-show.
– Jojo is backstage with the Social Outcasts. Adam Rose continues to suck verily on the mic by referring to Slater, Bo and Axel as his “red dragon”, “enchanted shark” and “wild snowflake” respectively. Axel grumpily (and understandably) questions his moniker, before Bo cuts him off to inform us that these are “four best friends” with the same goal: “To win on Sunday!”
Heath cleverly sees a problem with this, pointing out that there can only be one winner and that he’s that man. At this point, Jojo interjects with a terribly worded question – something about their opponents, The Dudley Boyz, being veterans. Bo says that The Social Outcasts are not a team, they’re a family, while Heath adds that the Dudleyz party will be ruined tonight. The geeks walk off, only for Bo to return momentarily, Columbo-style, to remind Jojo to bo-lieve. This was awful.
Neville def. Tyler Breeze via pinfall
During Breeze’s entrance, Lawler asks Prince Pretty to “take a picture of Rich and let’s see how much that camera can take!” Ouch.
Nice five minute TV match here. Neville continues the intensity he showed in last week’s Smackdown main event, erupting so quickly out of the blocks at the bell that referee Mike Chioda has to briefly hold him back.
Breeze gets an early eye rake in as Chioda enforces a rope break, before following up with a supermodel kick for two. Breeze is incensed at the perceived slowness of the count, screaming “I’m not trying to be out here all night!” Which is funny because he then immediately applies a front face lock!
Neville goes up top for two failed attempts at the Red Arrow, the second of which sees him eat a dropkick. Breeze then sets him up for a Frankensteiner, only for Neville to hang on to the ropes and finally hit his finish for the win.
– We then get the same Rumble By Numbers segment, narrated by Byron Sexton, that aired on RAW.
Heath Slater and Curtis Axel w/ Bo Dallas and Adam Rose def. The Dudley Boyz via pinfall
Yes, you read that right. More humour from Lawler during the entrances here, as he states that the older the Dudleys get, “the better they were”. The King says he never liked them, prompting Rich to enquire about their ECW days. Lawler: “I never liked anyone in ECW!”
Long shine segment for the faces leads into the break, when the Dudleys hit a Reverse 3D on Axel, before tossing Heath from the ring behind him. Rose and Bo tend to their fallen brethren as we go to commercials.
We return with the heels turning the tables on their foes in more ways than one; Rose and Dallas causing a distraction by removing them from under the ring, which flummoxes the Dudleys into losing the advantage. The Outcasts of course waste time by celebrating with a victory lap, which Lawler amusingly dubs the “Bo Train”.
Axel and Heath take turns to get the heat on D-Von, before the latter gets cut off with a spinebuster. Hot tag to Bubba, who slams Axel off the top, before hitting a big boot and the bionic elbow. The huskier Dudley then follows up with a uranage (called correctly by Rich) for two.
Scoop slam and Wassup follow, leading into D-Von being informed that tables are required post-haste. That was as good as it got for the Dudleys. Rose and Dallas cut D-Von off at the pass, which concerns Bubba so much that he falls victim to the fatal distraction/schoolboy combo. Axelmania lives. Dumb finish and yet another loss for the Dudleys. They’ve only won two televised matches this year and haven’t won a conventional tag-team match via pinfall on RAW since they beat The Ascension on November 16th of last year. And everyone beats those guys.
Final Thoughts
Another weak edition of the show, highlighted only by Jerry Lawler’s continuing return to former glories as a heel announcer. Meanwhile, the eroding of any credit remaining in the Dudley account continues, as they lose to a joke outfit that got knocked out en masse by the Big Show on RAW. Bubba must surely be hoping and praying that the rumoured plans to give him a run as a singles heel are restored to the agenda as soon as possible. As for D-Von, what’s that Deacon guy up to these days, I wonder?
Kansas City, Kansas: – World Heavyweight Champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Joe “Toots” Mondt in 1 hour and 28 minutes
1948
Houston, Texas: – Sonny Myers defeated Miguel Guzman to win the Texas Heavyweight Title
1951
Minneapolis, Minnesota: – Primo Carnera beat Sky Hi Lee – Pat O’Connor drew Ivan Kameroff – Tommy O’Toole beat Stan Mayslack – Red Bastien beat Bobby Coleman
1958
Amarillo, Texas: – Buddy Rogers defeated Dory Funk, Sr. to win the Amarillo NWA North American Heavyweight Title
1961
Charlotte, North Carolina: – Maurice and Paul Vachon defeated Jack Curtis and Ray Villmer to win the Mid-Atlantic NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1962
Minneapolis, Minnesota: – Verne Gagne beat AWA Champion Mr. M by dq – Yukon Eric beat Tiny Mills – Joe Scarpello beat Maurice LaPointe – Bob Geigel beat Don Jardine
1966
Los Angeles, California: – El Mongol and Gorilla Monsoon defeated Luke Graham and Moondog Lonnie Mayne to win the World Wrestling Association World Tag Team Titles
1968
Baton Rouge, Louisiana: – Eddie Sullivan defeated Bob Kelly to win the NWA Louisiana Heavyweight Title
1973
Tampa, Florida: – NWA World Title: Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Jerry Brisco by dq – Florida Title: Jack Brisco no contest Bobby Shane – Mark Lewin & Big Bad John defeated Buddy Colt & Paul Jones – Gorgeous George, Jr. defeated Great Malenko by dq – Robert Fuller defeated Jim Slade
1977
Green Bay, Wisconsin: – Steel Cage match: Billy Francis & the Crusher beat Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke – Super Destroyer beat Moose Morowski – Pedro Morales beat Pierre Poisson – Ray Stevens beat Blackjack Lanza – Angelo Mosca & Roger Kirby beat Larry Hennig & Jan Nelson
1978
Sacramento, California: – Black Gordman and Goliath defeated Karl and Kurt Von Steiger to win the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Titles
1979
Tampa, Florida: – Lights Out Match: Jos Leduc defeated Killer Karl Kox – Lumberjack Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Sonny King – Florida Tag Titles: Pak Song & Mr. Uganda defeated Louie Tillet & Rocky Johnson – Southern Title: Thor The Viking defeated Mike Graham by dq – Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Mr. Saito & Mr. Sato – Super Gladiator beat Prince Tonga
1980
Miami, Florida: – Texas Tornado Match: Mike Graham & Dusty Rhodes & Manny Fernandez defeated Ernie Ladd & Bugsy McGraw & Leroy Brown – $5,000 Challenge Match: Super Destroyer defeated Don Diamond – Handicap Match: Nikolai Volkoff beat Gordon Nelson & Mike Miller – Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Bryan St. John & Stan Lane
1981
Atlanta, Georiga: – Steve O defeated Bobby Eaton for the NWA National Television Title
1983
St. Louis, Missouri: – Kerry Von Erich defeated Harley Race to win the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title
Charlotte, North Carolina: – Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Jack Brisco to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: – Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan beat AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell dq – Arm Wrestling: Hulk Hogan beat Jesse Ventura – Wahoo McDaniel beat Bobby Duncum – Ken Patera (sub Tom Lintz) beat Baron Von Raschke – Buck Zumhofe drew Bobby Heenan
1984
New York City: – Hulk Hogan defeated the Iron Sheik to win the WWF World Title – WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco and Tito Santana fought to a double-disqualification
Louisville, Kentucky: – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Jerry Lawler by reverse decision – Austin Idol beat Randy Savage dq
1987
– Hacksaw Jim Duggan lost a “Loser Leaves UWF” match to the One Man Gang and Duggan and Terry Taylor were forced to vacate the UWF World Tag Team Title (this was done as Duggan was leaving for the WWF)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: – WWF InterContinental Champion Randy Savage won by disqualification over Ricky Steamboat – Paul Orndorff and Jake Roberts were both counted out – Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell beat Bon Orton and Don Muraco – Butch Reed beat Tito Santana – Ron Bass beat Corporal Kirschner – Rick Martel and Tom Zenk beat Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake – Pedro Morales drew Nick Kiniski – Billy Jack Haynes beat Dino Bravo
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: – North American champion Owen Hart won by disqualification over former champion Mike Shaw (Makhan Singh). – Ben Bassarab won on a count to Gama Singh and Viet KongExpress # 1 in a Bermuda Triangle Match – Ron Ritchie drew Cuban Assassin – Duke Myers, Kerry Brown and Ted Arcidi beat Bill Kazmeier, Mr. Hito and Jeff Wheeler – Dick Wellington beat Ken Johnson
1988
Kansas City, Kansas: – Mike George defeated Dick Slater in a tournament final to become the first World Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Champion (Bob Geigel had previously sold the Central States name and rights to Jim Crockett but restarted his promotion using the World Wrestling Alliance name)
Tomah, Wisconsin: – AWA Champion Curt Hennig beat Kevin Kelly – Ray Stevens & Baron Von Raschke beat Nasty Boys – Sheik Adnan beat Greg Gagne – Tom Zenk beat Soldat Ustinov – Nick Kiniski beat Ricky Rice
1994
Morristown, Tennessee: – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) defeated Ron and Don Harris for the USWA Tag Team Titles
1996
Clash of Champions: Las Vegas, Nevada: – WCW World Tag Team Champions Sting and Lex Luger defeated The Blue Bloods (Lord Steven Regal and Earl Robert Eaton) – Ric Flair and The Giant defeated Hulk Hogan and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage – Brian Pillman defeated Eddie Guerrero
2000
Royal Rumble: New York City: – The Hardy Boyz beat The Dudleys in a Table Match – Triple H defeated Cactus Jack in a street fight – The Rock won the Royal Rumble
2004
Mexico City, Mexico: – Shocker & La Parka beat Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero to win the CMLL tag team titles
2005
Kobe, Japan: – 2 Cold Scorpio & Doug Williams defeated Mitsuharu Misawa & Yoshinari Ogawa to win the GHC tag team titles
Tokyo, Japan: – Takeo Omori defeated Steve Corino in a tournament final to win the AWA title
Stemming from complications after a hip replacement surgery from which he never recovered, Archie Gouldie passed away at about noon today. Gouldie was a big time star in Canada and various Southeastern promotions, where he worked as a big man / monster heel character. Bryan and Dave have a breaking audio update on this story, and on AJ Styles dealing with TNA as he’s headed to WWE here.
Today’s ROH show in Duluth, GA is still on as of this writing.
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For this weekend, we’ll be doing polls on all three Fantatstica Mania shows from Korakuen Hall on New Japan World including today’s show at Dave Meltzer
Today, WWE has a house show in Fort Myers, FL with Roman Reigns, Kane, Bray Wyatt, Alberto Del Rio, Rusev, Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho and others; ROH in Duluth, GA at the Infinite Energy Center (War Machine vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows for ROH tag title, Jay Lethal vs. Matt Jackson for ROH title, Roderick Strong vs. Nick Jackson for TV title, ACH & Matt Sydal & Alex Shelley vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly & Michael Elgin; Rhett Titus & Kenny King vs. Cheeseburger & Moose; Adam Cole vs. Stevie Richards; Adam Page vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Will Ferrara vs. Silas Young vs. Caprice Coleman vs. Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe vs. Cedric Alexander and Corey Hollis vs. Dalton Castle); Evolve from Orlando as they continue the tag team tournament on iPPV at www.wwnlive.com and there is also a joint GFW & PWS show from Rahway, NJ. We’ll be looking for reports on all these shows at Dave Meltzer
AAA GUERRA DE TITANES TONIGHT IN MEXICO CITY AT JUAN DE LA BARRERA GYM
Nino Hamburguesa & Dinastia & Pimpinela Escarlata vs. Gran Apache & Mini Charly Manson & Black Mamba
Fabi Apache & Goya Kong & Lady Maravilla vs. Lady Shani & Sexy Star & Taya in a lumberjack strap mach
Australian Suicide & Jack Evans & ? vs. Daga & Parka Negra & Super Fly
Aero Star & Fenix vs. Mascara Ano 2000 Jr. & Villano IV vs. Averno & Chessman for the No. 1 contender for tag titles
For the vacant trios titles: Electroshock & Garza Jr. & La Parka vs. Dark Cuervo & Dark Scoria & Zorro vs. El Hijo del Fantasma & El Hijo de Pirata Morgan & Taurus
Dr. Wagner Jr. & Psycho Clown vs. Mesias & El Texano Jr. – Winning team faces each other in a singles match at Rey de Reyes for the vacant AAA Mega heavyweight title
WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING AT 10 P.M. EASTERN ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK
Chauncey Foxworth vs. Jaleel Willis
Jorge Medina vs. Bryce Mitchell
Teddy Holder vs. Shamil Gamzaov
Luiz Firmino vs. Caros Fodor
NEW JAPAN FANTASTICA MANIA LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD ON LATE TONIGHT/SUNDAY MORNING AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN AND 1:30 A.M. PACIFIC FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL
The Panther & Guerrero Maya Jr. vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
Tiger Mask & Kushida & Fuego & Stuka Jr. & Titan vs. Gedo & Yoshi-Hashi & Bobby Zavala & Okumura & Hechicero
The 2015 Observer awards issue, the traditional biggest issue of the year,is up on the web site now. The issue not only has the awards winners in more than 40 different categories, but all the top place winners, as well as a history with all the awards winners dating back to 1980, as well as my comments on the placings for many of the awards.
The categories are:
Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year), MMA MVP, Most Outstanding Wrestler, Most Outstanding MMA Fighter, Best Box Office Draw, Feud of the Year, Tag Team of the Year, Most Improved, Best on Interviews, Most Charismatic, Best Technical Wrestler, Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler), Best Flying Wrestler, Most Overrated, Most Underrated, Promotion of the Year, Best Weekly TV show, Pro Wrestling Match of the Year, MMA Match of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Best Non-Wrestler, Best Television Announcer, Worst Television Announcer, Best Major Wrestling show, Worst Major Wrestling Show, Best Wrestling Maneuver, Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic, Worst Television Show, Worst Match of the Year, Worst Feud of the Year, Worst Promotion of the Year, Best Booker, Promoter of the Year, Best Gimmick, Worst Gimmick, Best Pro Wrestling Book and Best Pro Wrestling DVD
Update on the Royal Rumble and Rumble weekend, full coverage of Dominick Cruz’s UFC bantamweight title win and the records set on Sunday’s show and details on the New Japan/Jim Ross announcing deal as well as a look at how this came about and Jim Ross’ overall career.
2017 WrestleMania, how Smackdown has affected overall ratings for the USA Network, update on A.J. Styles with WWE, WWE injury updates, Daniel Bryan update, more on Mauro Ranallo and Smackdown, Chris Jericho talks his return, new season of Total Divas, How talent is broken down in NXT, the heat on Josh from Tough Enough, new dates for Brock Lesnar, plus notes from the big NXT tour and all the shows, the NXT Florida shows, as well as the WWE shows in India and the WWE weekend domestic shows and all the business notes.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
We’ve got a breaking news audio update for members covering both the death of Archie “The Stomper” Gouldie/The Mongolian Stomper and TNA’s statement on the negotiations they claim that AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Doc Gallows backed out of. For what it’s worth, what appears to be the Mongolian Stomper vs. Kevin Sullivan match that Dave talked about seeing live on the show is on YouTube and it’s fantastic.
For subscribers, we are told there is an iOS app called RSSRadio that will allow for members-only podcasting, and unlike Downcast (which is awesome), it is free. Android users have a choice of apps, including BeyondPod and DoubleTwist, but I believe all are paid apps.
WWE
There are WWE production people who are currently stuck in New York City due to the snowstorm.
Current odds for the Royal Rumble PPV from fivedimes.com:
IC: Ambrose -230, Owens +170
US: Del Rio -455, Kalisto +315
Divas: Charlotte -190, Lynch +150
Tag: New Day -170, Usos +130
4-Way Tag: Dudleys -120, Henry and Swagger +170, Ascension +500, Young and Sandow +500
Rumble: HHH -150, Reigns +285, Lesnar +360, Wyatt +550, everyone else is beyond +1000 including the Rock, Curtis Axel and D-Von have the longest odds at +20,000
It may be worth dropping a bill on Reigns in this one, as the finish is always subject to Vince “vincing out,” especially since everyone is now picking Trips. It also makes no sense for Reigns to lay out HHH if he’s not coming back to win it, but you can toss logic out the window on game day.
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, who’s friends with Daniel Bryan (Bryan trains Brazillian Jiu Jitsu at The MMA Lab, Henderson’s gym), tweeted this yesterday: “Guess who I heard was back??? #DanielBryan, yeah buddy!!! #FakeWrestlingRealAthletes #Respect” Of course, it’s possible he’s either messing with fans or misread Dave’s report about Bryan’s visit to UCLA doctors like a lot of people.
UFC/MMA
Ronda Rousey is the guest star on Saturday Night Live tonight. The story is that she is expected to come off very well based on what has been written for her. Many of the writers are casual fans of UFC and so they went out of their way to make her look good on the show. While Holly Holm was in New York City doing media for UFC 197 for the past day or two, she won’t be on the show, as she’s at the Atlanta airport right now, where she bumped into Bill Goldberg.
Sage Northcutt (7-0) has a new opponent for next weekend’s UFC on FOX show. Andrew Holbrook had to pull out due to injury and stepping in will be Bryan Barbarena (10-3). Barbarena is 1-1 in UFC and most recently lost a decision to Chad Laprise at UFC 186 last April. This will be a main card fight on FOX and should be a showcase fight for the 19 year old budding superstar Northcutt.
World Series of Fighting has a card tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network with little to no name value.
There is a show available on GFL.TV today, West Coast Fighting Championships – King of Sacramento, with more star power than some broadcast events. Scott Smith, former Strikeforce main-eventer, is on the card fighting former Bellator fighter Justin Baesman. Christos Giagos and Lewis Gonzalez, who bought fought in UFC in 2015, are also fighting on the show. The main event features Max Griffin (11-2), who tried out for TUF 16 up against David Mitchell (19-5), a 4 fight UFC veteran
Earlier today in China, Bibiano Fernandes successfully defended his ONE Championships Bantamweight title with a first round submission due to an armbar over Kevin Belingon. Fernandes is the group’s biggest homegrown star and the highest Worldwide ranked fighter in the company.
MISC
Congratulations to Mark Schultz. From his Facebook page: Today Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Professor Pedro Sauer proclaimed these simple yet monumental words to me “You are my black belt”. I couldn’t have asked for a better Pedigree. Grand Master Helio Gracie to Rickson Gracie to Pedro Sauer to me. I am humbled.
The Evolve card for tonight in Orlando at 8 p.m. at www.wwnlive.com
Chris Hero & Tommy End vs. Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta
Johnny Gargano & Drew Galloway vs. Bravado Brothers
Sami Callihan & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Drew Gulak & TJ Perkins
Caleb Konley & Anthony Nese vs. Team Tremendous
Matt Riddle vs. Fred Yehi
Tracy Williams vs. Peter Kaasa
Ethan Page vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Ed Loredo has set up a bus for WrestleMania weekend for readers going to Dallas. The first bus sold out immediately so there may be a second bus added. For more info contact him at f4wfan@hotmail.com
Archie Gouldie, a headliner throughout the world for more than three decades as The Stomper as well as The Mongolian Stomper, passed away today at about Noon. He was 78.
Gouldie had been battling Alzheimer’s of late. He fell and broke his hip two weeks ago. He underwent hip replacement surgery, but never recovered from the surgery and passed away in his sleep.
While he worked all over the world, he was a legend as arguably the greatest heel in the history of Stampede Wrestling. Gouldie was a tough ex-football player who attended matches in Calgary, and thought he was tougher than the wrestlers. He hit the ring once in a match and grabbed the mic from Ed Whalen and challenged the wrestlers. Stu Hart, the promoter and policeman at the time in the early 60s, invited him over to his house if he thought he was tough. Hart, as he was known to do in that era, tortured the football player with wrestling submission moves, and beat him so badly that he never came back to challenge wrestlers. The feeling was that he was another weightlifter football player type who thought wrestling was fake and easy.
Several months later, Gouldie apologeticly asked Hart to train him. It wasn’t long before he was Hart’s biggest drawing card. Because he was from Carbon, Alberta, there was never any pretending of who he was or that he was actually a monster who couldn’t talk from Mongolia while in that promotion.
He rarely did interviews in the United States, and had a number of different managers over the years including J.J. Dillon, Gary Hart and Don Carson. However, in Canada he was best known for menacing interviews, such as when he scared a young Bret Hart to death when he vowed to destroy the Hart House, brick by brick, while he was feuding with Stu. Later, Bret and Gouldie wrestled numerous times and Bret considered Gouldie one of the greatest wrestlers of the era. He came in and out (of the territory), holding the North American title eight times, if not more, with his best run coming in the late 60s.
Gouldie first became The Mongolian Stomper in 1963, in the Central States. He had runs everywhere from California to Australia, as a top star, but the places he would have been best remembered would have been Western Canada and Tennessee. He drew a number of sellouts as a Memphis headliner, and would be one of the most successful draws ever in that part of the country aside from Jerry Lawler and Jackie Fargo. In Eastern Tennessee, he was even better known as a monster like character who held the Southeastern title 11 times.
His last major run came playing an unstoppable monster role for Smoky Mountain Wrestling in the mid-90s. He was well into his 50s, but a conditioning freak who was still muscular, particularly his legs, at that age from long bicycle rides to and from work. The fans bought him as a monster and that status was always protected in the booking. He and Kevin Sullivan had crazy brawls during that time period.
Tonight’s episode will feature the semifinals and finals of the 2015 New Japan Cup, which was held on March 15, 2015 at Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall.
First semifinal shown is between Hirooki Goto and Togi Makabe. They only showed a few minutes of highlights, but was as solid as you were gonna get with this time. Goto won after a roll up. It’s usually during these kind of tournaments where they do finishes like that as opposed to their actual finishers.
Tetsuya Natio & Kota Ibushi followed. This is one of those matches that are four star plus level in New Japan, which is awesome, but isn’t good enough to be truly memorable because it’s been a year of spectacular matches. Rewatching this again made me remember just how great of a worker Ibushi is. He not only has the basics down but he has the flash and charisma in his bouts to really be something. Naito has all of this as well, but of course has switched his style and that’s worked out better for him in recent months. Just a bunch of crazy back and forth moves. Naito did a sick reverse rana on the top rope and Ibushi landed right on his head. He must have Daniel Bryan syndrome or something as one’s body can only take so much damage for so long before there are repercussions. Naito took a ganso bomb. Ibushi finally got the win with a press powerbomb. Terrific match.
Ibushi in a post fight interview says he can’t lose now, he has to, and will, win.
Pre-match sitdown interview time! Ibushi talks about how the tournament style works for him the best, as he has to give his all in every match, or else he’ll be eliminated. When talking about Goto, he mentions that his performance and clumsy and straightforward, and would have thought the same if he would have faced Makabe in the finals.
The finals aired next. Really good match, though not as dynamic as the previous match. It was stiff and unpleasant to watch at times, but Ibushi’s timing is excellent and Goto has always been top notch in these kind of performances. The crowd was hot for everything and helped a lot too. Lots of back and forth action, especially towards the latter stages of the game where Ibushi was coming up with a lot of cool reversals and nearfalls. Eventually, Ibushi scores the big win with a phoenix splash and pins Goto to win the New Japan Cup.
After the match, announcer Shinpei Nogami asks Ibushi what title he would like to challenge for. Ibushi says he wants to challenge for all of them, but he wants to fight AJ and wants that title shot. He says he’ll beat AJ and thanks everyone for coming.
In his post match interview, he thanks Goto & Naito for their performances tonight. He wants to answer back for the fans’ support as they are always supporting him, so he’ll do his best against AJ. In the reflective interview, he had always wanted a shot at the IWGP title, so he challenged for it.
Good show. All three matches were good, with the last two being pretty good to great.
This weekend will see EVOLVE crown their first ever tag team champions after the DGUSA Open the United Gate Championship was retired. EVOLVE Champion Timothy Thatcher unfortunately had to be taken out of the tournament due to an injury. Thatcher opened up the show saying that while he can’t compete this weekend, he wants to face Davey Richards and Chris Hero in the future. Thatcher promised to take out all of the Catch Point faction one by one which brought out the Premier Athlete Brand of Caleb Konley and Anthony Nese with So Cal Val. Val assured Konley that he would receive a title shot in the future. The Bravado Brothers came out after Thatcher pointed out that tonight was about the Tag Title Tournament.
– EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament 1st Round Match: The Bravados def the Premier Athlete Brand with a rolling Complete Shot from Harlem off of Lancelot’s back to advance.
– Jason Cade pins Joe Coleman with a shooting star press. These two from from the WWN tryout.
– Style Battle 2016 Round Robin Tournament Match: Matt Riddle submits Peter Kaasa in a heel hook. Riddle is (1-0) and Kaasa is (0-1).
– PJ Black def. Ethan Page. Page had pinned Black with the spinning Dwayne, but the ref didn’t see Black’s foot underneath the ropes. Page noticed that Black’s foot was there and wanted the match restarted. Page was pinned by a modified crucifix pin from Black who officially wins the match.
– EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament 1st Round Match: RPG Vice (Rocky Romero & Trent?) def Team Tremendous (Dan Barry & Bill Carr) to advance after Romero distracted the ref which allowed Trent? To hit Dan Barry with a low blow and follow it up with Strong Zero
– Style Battle 2016 Round Robin Tournament Match: “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams def Fred Yehi after a piledriver. Williams is now (1-0) and Yehi is (0-1). Team Catch Point so far has won all of their matches in the RRT.
– EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament 1st Round Match: Drew Galloway & Johnny Gargano vs. Catch Point (Drew Gulak & TJ Perkins) was supposed to happen but Trevin Adams allowed this match to be moved to the main event as Gargano was making it back from a NXT event.
– EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament 1st Round Match: Heroes Eventually Die (Chris Hero & Tommy End) def Zack Sabre Jr. & Sami Callihan after a knee strike/rolling elbow combo on Sabre Jr
– EVOLVE Tag Team Title Tournament 1st Round Match: Drew Galloway & Johnny Gargano def Drew Gulak & TJP w/Matt Riddle & Hot Sauce after pinning Catch Point leader Drew Gulak with the Future Shock DDT
Your Saturday night semifinals at Evolve 54 on iPPV: Galloway & Gargano vs. The Bravado Bros. and RPG Vice vs. Heroes Eventually Die.
