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Category: News

  • Daily Update: McGregor challenges Mayweather, UFC announcement, ROH PPV

    “The Notorious” Conor McGregor vs. Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. would be, in many ways, the greatest fight of all time. However unlikely to happen, there’s been at least some trash talk brewing recently. McGregor was mad that Mayweather tried to claim it was racial why McGregor and Ronda Rousey were stars, where he noted that Laila Ali was beautiful but was never the star Rousey was and that fans hate him for trash talking but like McGregor.  McGregor said the Irish have been oppressed for there entire existence and there was once a time where just having the name McGregor “was punishable by death.”  He then said he’d be willing to fight Mayweather on an 80/20 split, noting he’d get the 80, because Mayweather’s last PPV bombed so badly.

    The official announcement of UFC 197 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on 3/5 with Conor McGregor vs. Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight title and Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate for the womens’ bantamweight title is expected imminently. 

    Three of the top matches for the next ROH PPV on 2/26 in Las Vegas at Sam’s Town are Jay Lethal vs. Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly for the ROH title, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe, and Kazuchika Okada vs Moose.  That main event sounds excellent, as does the tag match. It’s also a huge step up for Moose to get a chance to work with Okada in a singles. This is a big time for ROH as they begin the build to the Wrestlemania weekend, and Supercard of Honor X in Dallas. 

    We’re looking for your thoughts on Friday night’s TNA PPV show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer

    We’re also looking for reports on the Lucha Underground tapings yesterday and today in Los Angeles, as well as today’s WWE shows in Mobile, AL (Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus for WWE title; New Day vs. Dudleys & Tommy Dreamer; Kane vs. Bray Wyatt) and Monroe, LA (Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens for IC title, Chris Jericho vs. Alberto Del Rio, Ryback vs. Rusev).

    Raw is live Monday from New Orleans.  Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman return on the show.

    Smackdown and Main Event tapings will be Tuesday in Lafayette, LA.

    If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today! We have have clips of the post Summer Slam / Super China Buffet show featuring a lengthy Brent Kremen discussion, as well as clips from the X-Mas show. This is a soft launch but we will be releasing much more shortly.

    Figure Four Weekly

    Figure Four Weekly 1/4/2016: More on Gawker motioning to dismiss Hulk Hogan lawsuit

    More information on Gawker’s motion to dismiss Hulk Hogan’s sex tape lawsuit, tons more.

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: January 11, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Cena out with shoulder injury, New Japan stars to WWE

    In the biggest news week in a long time, we’ve got a double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week, covering John Cena’s injury, New Japan stars headed to WWE, a major feature looking at the year that past in pro wrestling and MMA and the year coming up, WWE direction for WrestleMania season, Tokyo Dome coverage, Rizin debut coverage, TNA changes and UFC 195.

    Our lead story talks about John Cena’s injury and the injury issues in WWE with more notes on the training program being used. All the news regarding wrestlers leaving New Japan, who’s been contacted, different roles, the various schedules for different guys, other negotiations, what led to these moves, what New Japan needs to learn from this, affects on ROH, and other ideas for New Japan to break out of its standard mentality.

    UFC in 2016, the success of the women’s division, UFC business review, big fights on the horizon, the state of WWE in 2015 and 2016, different fan bases, rise of NXT, where New Japan has failed on the international scene, plus AAA, CMLL, Bellator, TNA and ROH prospects in 2016.

    Full coverage of New Japan’s Tokyo Dome show, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results, the big angles, Okada’s prospects as the top star, the next big programs on the horizon, big show plans for 2016, the Fanstastica Mania tour lineup and thoughts, New Year’s Dash coverage.

    The changes to this year’s Royal Rumble and scout the possibilities and big matches on the horizon for Mania, and the return of Chris Jericho.

    WWE Network, John Cena on Peyton Manning and HGH, football coach trying to recruit WWE for Mania, portrayal of Joseph Maroon in the “Concussion”, lots of details on new Dwayne Johnson projects, Lesnar’s schedule, a look at 50/50 booking, Reaction to HHH circumventing his own angle, February NXT, WrestleMania plans, Jericho talks current interview style, WWE looking for new stars around the world, Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament, WWE injury updates, Austin TV show.

    A complete look at the debut of the Rizin promotion, details on the ratings and how it compares to WWE & UFC, the Masato vs. Kid Yamamoto show in competition, boxing in competition, Spike TV numbers, Fedor’s return, the freak show fights and what did and didn’t work on the first two shows.

    UFC 195, with match-by-match coverage, poll results and business regarding the show, a look at all the close decisions and why they went the way they did.

    TNA’s debut on Pop TV, the ratings, the title tournament, who was watching, the PPV show this week, the Mike Bennett debut, the James Storm return, the departure of Taryn Terrell and the good and bad of the latest relaunch.

    PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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

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    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. 

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: November 23, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF Survivor Series review, Rock becomes Corporate Champion
    A full review of WWF Survivor Series with The Rock becoming the Corporate Champion, more WCW woes, plus tons of news.

    SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    Sad to report on the death of Wolfman Willie Farkas, a 60s, 70s and 80s wrestler who worked a lot in the Toronto area and had a run as a mid-carder in 1970 and 1971 in the WWWF.  He was one of those characters from the old days of wrestling.  Greg Oliver has a story.

    TNA is doing a poll at impactwrestling.com for fans to vote for one of three people to be added to the U.K. tour at the end of the month.  The choices are Will Ospreay (who is fantastic), Jimmy Havoc and Big Damo.  Really they could add all three and it would be a good move.

    Karl Stern has launched a new Facebook page for the DragonKing Dark show at AfterDarkRadioshow.com and Facebook.com/DragonKingRadio

    WWE

    • HHH was quoted in Sky News today while appearing at the funeral of Lemmy of Motorhead:  “I remember going to him one time after getting beaten again and walking up to him to shake his hand.  I gave him a hug and he looked right at me and he goes…`man, you suck, you can’t win a match to save your life.’  I probably looked at him, stunned, and he grabbed me by the back of my neck and he said, `That’s why you’re perfect for Motorhead.’” (thanks to  Dean Ayass)
    • Kevin Owens did an interview throwing his hat into the ring so to speak for a match with Undertaker at WrestleMania with Title Match Wrestling.
    • Results from last night’s WWE show in Montgomery, AL:  Luke Harper & Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman b Dudleys & Tommy Dreamer, Neville b Bo Dallas, Jack Swagger b Bo Dallas, Fandango & Goldust b The Ascension, Kane b Bray Wyatt (Wyatt Family and Dreamer & Dudleys were all involved), Charlotte b Becky Lynch to retain the Divas title, Big E & Xavier Woods b Usos to retain the tag titles, Roman Reigns b Sheamus to retain the WWE title
    • A Road to WrestleMania house show on 3/19 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY was advertised with Big Show, Bray Wyatt, Dudleys, Demon Kane, Alberto De Rio, The Wyatt Family, Kalisto and more (thanks to Mike Omansky)

    UFC

    • UFC Ultimate Insider at 6:30 p.m. Eastern tonight on FS 1 has TJ Dillashaw in his move to Colorado and Anthony Johnson is mic’d up for Ryan Bader’s last fight.  FS 1 also has Thomas Almeida vs. Brad Pickett and Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber in taped matches at 10 p.m. tonight.

    MISCELLANEOUS

    • Bad Luck Fale has confirmed on Facebook that he’s staying with New Japan.
    • The New York Times has a great story on the brain injuries in a 2013 boxing match in Madison Square Garden.
    • Preview of a Sami Callihan shoot interview here.
    • NWA Parade of Champions on 3/31 in Fort Worth over WrestleMania weekend at the Ridglea Theater.  Jim Cornette will host the event and do a live podcast that afternoon.  Also scheduled are Jax Dane, Charlie Haas, Ray Rowe, Rodney Mack, Marc Lowrance, Mike McGuirk, Chase Owns, Jason Kincad, Matt Riviera, Rob Conway and NWA President Bruce Tharpe.  Tickets go on sale 2/13 at NWARingside.com
    • Fenix, Dragon and Pentagon Jr. are booked on 3/13 in Atlanta.
    • Bas Rutten became a grandfather recently.  Congratulations to him.
    • Davey Richards, who announced he is taking no more indie bookings after 5/1, will be at the 20th annual ECWA Super 8 tournament on 4/23 in Woodbury Heights, NJ.  Appearing with him in the tournament will be Jason Kincaid, Papadon, John Skyler and four more.  Richards won that tournament in 2006.
    • Freelance Wrestling from Friday night in Chicago before 300 fans:  Maxwell Chicago won over Harvey Bower, Brad Kevins, Brent Banks, Kobe Durst and Ethan Case, Matt Knicks & Chris Castro b Yabo & Ruffo the Clowns, GPA b Chase Owens, Robert Anthony b Silas Young, Stevie Fierce & Rob Matter b Bryce Benjamin & Acid Jazz, Craig Mitchell b Suge D, Isaias Velazquez b Mustafa Ali. (thanks to Lance LeVine)
    • In Your Face has its fifth annual Memories, Moments and Mayhem convention and wrestling show on 3/12 in Albany, NY at the Polish Community Center.  Bob Holly, Scott Norton and Cody Deaner are announced for the show.  The convention runs from 2-6 p.m. and the wrestling show is at 7 p.m.
    • Superkick’d on Friday night in Toronto:  Michael San Francisci & Marc Hauss b Holden Albright & Maximo  Suave, Tyson Dux b Anton Aleviev, Jake Something b Dylan Bostic, Phil Atlas won over Mano del Diablo, RJ City and EZE Eric Cairnie, Mike Rollins b Stratos Fear in a tables match, Space Monkey b Young Myles, Alessandro del Bruno & Scotty O’Shea b Ashley Sixx & Orlando Christopher-DQ, Shane Sabre b Kris Chambers-DQ.  Next show is 2/5 at the Lithuanian Center in Toronto with a ladder match (thanks to Steve Ashe)
    • Missy Hyatt headlines as a guest for Absolute Intense Wrestling on 2/12 in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. 
    • NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on 1/16 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with The Heatseekers vs. Jeff Connelly & Bryan Montgomery.
    • Baja Stars Wrestling on 2/20 in San Diego at the Montgonmery-Waller Rec Center has Extreme Tiger (Tigre Uno) & El Hijo de Rey Misterio vs. Mortiz & TJ Boy.
    • Cibernetico won’t be at Arena Mexico on Friday night because he’s working in Mission, TX teaming with Kraneo against Octagon & Laredo Kid at the Salon los Portales.
    • Volador Jr. defends the UIPW title against Mariachi Loco on 1/30 in Montebello, CA at the Grace Baptist Academy (thanks to Kris Zellner)
    • The Crash on 2/12 in Tijuana at Auditorio Municipal has Blue Demon Jr. & Fenix & Rey Hours vs. Teddy Hart & Johnny Mundo & Pentagon Jr plus The Psycho Circus vs. El Texano Jr. & Mr. Maldito & Taurus.
    • Lucha Libre Extreme had been off television in Fresno the last few weeks but returned last night with a highlight show.  The hosts claimed that KAIL TV in Fresno moved to a new building and some of the shows were lost as a result.  They announced tapings on 1/31 in Hanford, CA at the Civic Center with Jake O’Brien vs. Guerrera del Muerta for the U.S. title at 3 p.m. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
    • Dynamo Pro Wrestling from last night in Fenton, MO:  Bahamut b Ric Maverick, Jayden Fenix b CJ Shine, Ozzie Gallagher b Jackal, Shorty Biggs b Kiyoshi Suzuka, Outtkast  won six-way over Dave DeLorean, Billy McNeil, Justin D’Air, Evan Morris and Rocket Mapache, Mike Sydal b Elvis Aliaga, Jack Gamble & Jon Webb b Michael Magnuson & Danny Adams, Brandon Espinosa b Mike Outlaw, Ricky Cruz b Jake Dirden-DQ, Ricky Cruz & Mike Outlaw b Jake Dirden & Brandon Espinosa (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
    • Hoosier Pro Wrestling from last night in Columbus, IN:  Cousin Cooter & Drax O’Brien b Bud Wright & Scarecrow Eddie Felson, Amazing Maria b Haley Shadows, Cowboy Marc Houston b Stan Sierra, Dynamite Dillen b Shawn Cook, Shawn Kemp b JKO Jr. Flash Flanagan b Vic the Bruiser-DQ, Rob Conway NC TJ Kemp.  Next show is 2/6 at the 4-H Fairgrounds with Flanagan vs. Timmy Danger in a strap match (thanks to Jerry Wilson)

    ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY:Full history for 1/10

  • AJ Styles, Luke Gallows begin expected final run of indie dates

    In Barnesville, GA, Saturday for the WrestleMerica promotion, AJ Styles and Doc Gallows began what will likely be their last run of indie dates in the U.S. Larry Goodman sent us in some notes:

    Styles was set to face Jimmy Rave in the highly anticipated main event. Both men cut their teeth as pro wrestlers in Georgia with NWA Wildside roughly 15 years ago. It was a decade ago that Styles feuded with Rave in ROH after Rave stole his finishing move.

    The match morphed into a tag match (Styles & Gallows vs. Rave & Sal Rinauro) after just a few minutes of action. The call was made to save wear and tear on Styles, who is headed to England next week for three huge matches vs. Rey Misterio, Morrison and Jay Lethal on consecutive nights. The 450 fans in Barnesvillle didn’t seem to mind the switch. They were into the match full force, as they were for pretty much everything that went down at this event.

    – Doc Gallows defeated Sal Rinauro via DQ in 6:05: Rinauro turned a handshake into a punch in the face and ran out of the ring, where he cut a promo talking about how WrestleMerica was built on the backs of people like himself and Jimmy Rave (unlike Gallows who has missed a number of show due to his New Japan commitments). Rinauro stalled and jawed and stalled some more. When Gallows finally got his hands on him, Rinauro sold his ass off. Rave sneaked in and speared Gallows. That led to an instant “AJ” chant and the save by Styles. Rinauro and Rave bailed out untouched. Beautifully done.

    – AJ Styles defeated Jimmy Rave by DQ in 3:58. Neither the Bullets Club theme nor his ROH music was used in favor of his less familiar New Japan music leading to a rather flat entrance for Styles. Rave didn’t use “House of the Rising Sun” either. Oh well. They grappled. Rave bailed out to avoid Styles’ signature dropkick, and Rinauro jumped Styles for the DQ. Gallows made the save and got on the mic to make the tag match. Gallows said there was a lot of history with Rinauro and Rave, but the whole wrestling world knew there was more history with Gallows and Styles.

    – Styles & Gallows defeated Rave & Rinauro in 11:56. They brawled all over the building. When the action moved inside the ring, Rave interfered to get the heat started on Gallows. A Gallows double clothesline led to the hot tag. Styles had Rave set up for the Clash, but Rinauro intervened with a superkick. The closing minutes were terrific with signature moves and saves galore. Gallows dropped Rinauro on Rave to break up his crossface submission. It appeared that Styles got dinged when Rinauro inadvertently landed on his neck. For the finish, Gallows planted Rinauro with a chokebomb and Styles pinned Rave with a Clash off the ropes.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (01/10): Taz wins ECW World Title from Shane Douglas

    1917

    Sioux City, Iowa:
    – Earl Caddock beat Paul Domke 2 falls to 0

    1924

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – World Heavyweight Champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis beat Joe “Toots” Mondt to retain the title 

    1950 

    San Francisco, California:
    – Sandor Szabo won the San Francisco NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title by defeating Ray Eckert 

    1957

    Indianapolis, Indidana:
    – Boris and Nicoli Volkoff defeated Reggie and Stan Lisowski for the Chicago NWA World Tag Team Titles

    1958 

    Oakland, California:
    – Ciclon Anaya and Ramon Torres defeated Ben and Mike Sharpe to win the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – The Mighty Yankee defeated Ray Gunkel for the Georgia NWA Southern Heavyweight Title

    Portland, Oregon:
    – Nick Kozak defeated Kurt Von Himmler to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title

    1959

    Fresno, California:
    – Red Hangman and Ben Sharpe defeated Johnny Barend and Ron Etchison for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title 

    1961 

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Buddy Austin defeated Don Curtis for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title 

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – Fence Match: AWA US Champion Gene Kiniski beat Wilbur Snyder
    – Hard Boiled Haggerty beat Bob Rasmussen 
    – Len Montana drew Jim Hady 

    1967

    Macon, Georgia:
    – Bobby Hart defeated Louie Tillet to win the Georgia NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title

    1968

    Osaka, Japan:
    – Thunder Sugiyama and Toyonobori defeated The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Don Kent) for the Trans-World Wrestling Alliance (International Pro Wrestling) World Tag Team Title 

    1969 

    Los Angeles, California:
    – Fred Blassie defeated Bobo Brazil to win the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title 

    St. Joseph, Missouri:
    – Don Kent defeated Dusty Rhodes to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title

    1972

    West Palm Beach, Florida:
    – The Infernos (Frankie Cain and Rocky Smith) defeated The Australians (Ron Miller and Larry O’Day) to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title 

    1975 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Mike George and Jerry Oates defeated The Interns (Tom Andrews and Jim Starr) in a Losers Leave Town match to win the Central States NWA World Tag Team Title

    1976

    Caguas, Puerto Rico:
    – The Spoilers defeated Carlos Colon and Bob Ellis for the WWC North American Tag Team Titles

    1977

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
    – Gene Kiniski defeated Don Leo Jonathan to win the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title

    1979 

    San Antonio, Texas:
    – Tully Blanchard defeated Dale Valentine (Buddy Roberts) for the Southwest Championship Wrestling Southwest Television Title

    1981

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – Algerian Death Match: Mad Dog Vachon beat John Studd
    – Nick Bockwinkel & Bobby Heenan beat The Crusher & Buck Zumhofe
    – Jerry Blackwell beat Tito Santana
    – Brad Rheingans beat Steve Regal

    1983

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Nick Bockwinkel defeated Jerry Lawler for the held up AWA World Heavyweight Title 
    – Robert Gibson defeated Norman Frederick Charles to win the Southeastern NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title
    – Bobby Eaton won the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title from Jacques Rougeau in Memphis, Tennessee.
    – Leather Strap on a Pole Match: Fabulous Ones beat Sheepherders

    1985

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Mr. Pogo defeated Harley Race to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title

    1986

    Chicago, Illinois:
    – Cage match: Road Warriors & Jerry Blackwell beat Fabulous Freebirds Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts
    – Sgt. Slaughter beat AWA Champion Stan Hansen dq
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Jim Garvin & Steve Regal beat Curt Hennig & Scott Hall
    – Nick Bockwinkel beat Larry Zbyszko dq
    – Boris Zhukov & Barbarian beat Marty Jannetty & Earthquake Ferris
    – Scott Irwin beat Baron Von Raschke
    – Bill Irwin beat Kelly Kiniski

    1987

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – The Sheepherders (Butch Miller and Luke Williams) defeated Badd Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka) to win the Continental Wrestling Association International Tag Team Titles

    1992

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Rod Price and John Tatum defeated Black Bart and Bill Irwin for the Global Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title 

    1994

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Ron and Don Harris won the USWA Tag Team Title, defeating Far 2 Wild (Chris Michaels and Todd Morton) 

    Chilhowie, Virginia:
    – Robbie Eagle defeated Chris Candido to win the SMW Television Title 

    Lima, Ohio:
    – Shinobi the Oriental Assassin (Al Snow) defeated Sean Casey for the World Wide Wrestling Alliance Light Heavyweight Title

    1996 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jerry Lawler defeated Tex Slazenger for the USWA Heavyweight Title 
    – Lady Satan (Debbie Combs) defeated Miss Texas (Jackie Moore) to win the USWA Women’s Title

    1998

    Nashville, Tennessee:
    – Wolfie D defeated Terry Golden to win the Music City Wrestling North American Heavyweight Title 

    1999

    Kissimmee, Florida:
    – Taz defeated ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas to win the title 

    2005 

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – TAKA Michinoku defeated Kaz Hayashi both the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title and Kaientai Dojo Strongest-K Title

    2006

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
    – Kurt Angle won the 20-man battle royal for the vacant World Heavyweight Title, last eliminating Mark Henry

  • TNA TV taping results (Bethlehem, PA): Kurt Angle vs. Matt Hardy; Feast or Fired returns

    Here are the final results from the TNA tapings Saturday in Bethlehem, PA — the final night of the five-day taping.  It was advertised as a PPV taping, but ended up being an Impact taping.

    – X Division Champion Tigre Uno won three-way over Mandrews and DJ Zema Ion to retain. Shane Helms said he wanted a title match next week.

    – Jeff Hardy challenged Matt Hardy for the TNA title, saying he was mad at Matt’s actions in winning the title. Here’s how that happened, btw.

    – They had the annual Feast or Fired match with briefcases going to Drew Galloway, James Storm, Grado and Eli Drake.  The reveal may be done secretly and not air until the shows from England.

    – TNA Tag Champions The Wolves beat Abyss & Crazy Steve via DQ in a tag title match when Steve sprayed mist. Abyss & Steve have a female clown as their valet.

    – Jeff vs. Matt for the title was supposed to be next.  Eric Young and Bram attacked Jeff.  Beer Money made the save. Heels Abyss & Steve joined in and Kurt Angle got involved.  Tyrus knocked out Angle and Matt hit Angle with a belt shot, while Young piledrove Jeff through a table doing an injury angle as Jeff went out on a stretcher.

    – Awesome Kong beat Velvet Sky.  The Doll House also destroyed Madison Rayne after the match.

    – Bobby Lashley beat Aiden O’Shea.  There is a new character, a woman, who is trying to hit on Lashley after the match.

    – TNA Champion Matt Hardy, Reby Hardy and Tyrus were out. Young and Bram came out. Young wanted a title match with Matt.  Angle also wanted a title match with Matt.

    – X Division Champion Tigre Uno came out to defend his title against Shane Helms.  Helms came out in clothes and said the challenge was for Trevor Lee, not him, and Lee beat Uno to win the title.

    – Drew Galloway beat Tyrus via DQ when Mike Bennett interfered and hit Galloway with his Feast or Fired briefcase.

    – Crazzy Steve won a Hardcore war match by pinning Davey Richards when they were the last two.

    – Maria Kanellis did an interview saying women’s wrestling needs a new leader. This brought out Gail Kim. They went at it, so they are going to have a program.

    – TNA Champion Matt Hardy beat Kurt Angle to retain thanks to help from Reby Hardy.

  • ROH TV taping results: February’s PPV begins to take shape

    From Concord, NC & submitted anonymously:

    First hour

    – Brian Fury beat Shaheem Ali in the first round of the top prospect tournament

    – Cedric Alexander beat Cheeseburger

    – Jonathan Gresham beat Cedric Alexander via DQ

    – Nigel McGuinness announced that the main event for the 2/26 Anniversary show in Las Vegas would be Jay Lethal defending the ROH title in a three-way against Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly

    – Jay Briscoe won a three-way over Moose and Michael Elgin.  This led to challenges for another match at the PPV which is Hiroshi Tanahashi & Elgin vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe. 

    Second hour

    – TV Champion Roderick Strong beat Masada to retain

    – Punisher Martinez beat Colby Corino in the first round of the top prospect tournament

    – Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly beat ROH Champion Jay Lethal & Adam Cole. Lethal accidentally hit Cole with the Lethal injection to lead to the pin.

    Third hour

    – Alex Shelley beat Frankie Kazarian

    – Dalton Castle b Joey Daddiego

    – Ben “Action” Ortiz beat Leon St. Giovanni in the first round of the top prospect tournament

    – Stokley Hathaway came out and said that Moose was issuing a challenge to Kazuchika Okada on the PPV show.

    – Rhett Titus & Kenny King beat ROH Tag Champions War Machine via DQ

    Fourth hour

    – Lio Rush beat Jason Kincaid in the first round of the Top Prospect tournament

    – Caprice Coleman & Will Ferrera beat Silas Young & Beer City Bruiser

    – Mark Briscoe beat Tim Hughes

    – ACH & Matt Sydal beat Young Bucks

  • Why Nakamaura vs. Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania is the match to make

    The pro wrestling world is still reeling from the news that Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura are on their way to WWE, but inevitably, thoughts have turned to how the WWE will utilise their new signings.

    The worrying sign coming from the hype on WWE.com is that they may group all four men with Finn Balor as part of a NJPW alumni group. This would be a grave mistake. Styles, Balor and Nakamura are all headline acts that shouldn’t be playing second fiddle to anyone else in a faction – putting them together just means you’re inevitably failing to maximise the potential of at least two of the stable’s members.

    The pathway for the two Americans is clear: Anderson and Gallows should be reunited with Finn Balor as part of Balor Club. They have a natural chemistry together from their time in Bullet Club, and two big heavyweights acting as muscle for the smaller champion is easy heat. Also, together they may be able to plug the gap in WWE programming created by the asinine decision to break up The Shield.

    For A.J. Styles, I would recommend WWE looks more closely at his TNA run than his more recent success in NJPW. Styles only truly convinced fans he was a heel in Japan because he was paired with already hated heels and matched against genuinely beloved babyfaces. WWE has neither of these and so should go with the grain and book him as a babyface. Styles had his most success in TNA as a modern-day reimagining of a mid-eighties WWF Intercontinental Champion, the secondary champion that is the connoisseurs’ favourite, and WWE should book him accordingly. Part of me thinks they’ll book him against Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania.

    The more interesting, and challenging, person to successfully introduce into the WWE Universe is Shinsuke Nakamura. As somebody who only came aboard the New Japan bandwagon when NJPW World was launched, I’m confident that if presented properly he can become a huge star in WWE. While he may not be as verbally eloquent as the typical WWE superstar, he is a man who oozes visual charisma that naturally draws fans in. Don’t just take my word for it — my seven year old son has been similarly impressed with the matches he’s watched with me.

    What’s more, the fear that WWE fans won’t accept someone from Japan is overblown. Vince McMahon may never have treated Japanese pro-wrestlers seriously, but that didn’t stop Taka Michinoku, Yoshi Tatsu and, above all, Yoshihiro Tarijii from getting far more over than their pushes. Likewise, indie fans have regularly accepted visitors from New Japan as big stars, and the success of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan shows that indie sensibilities are not as far removed from WWE fan tastes as some on both sides of that divide may wish was the case.

    However, there’s no doubt he needs to be introduced very carefully by WWE if he’s to be successful. As crazy as it sounds, I believe the man he should be programmed with is none other than Brock Lesnar.

    Nearly four months after the strangely rushed climax of his feud with Undertaker, we are still no nearer to knowing who Lesnar will face at Wrestlemania. Worse, there seems to be no good options given that the WWE can’t risk pro-Lesnar fans turning on Roman Reigns if they were rematched while the rest of the roster is a sea of mid-carders. The natural response is therefore to bring an outsider in to face Lesnar. Alas, even here there are slim pickings. The dream match of him facing Steve Austin has been emphatically ruled out by all concerned, while no one is entirely sure whether actors The Rock or Batista would be available to wrestle.

    Nakamura is the perfect man to step into this breach, not just because he’s a terrific pro wrestler who has not been defined down by inept WWE booking but because there’s a ready made story. For the uninitiated, Lesnar and Nakamura have already met with Lesnar crushing Nakamura to successfully defend his then-IGWP title. At the time, Nakamura promised to regroup and hone his skills by wrestling all over the world, so that eventually he would be strong enough to avenge his loss.

    Using this backstory is the perfect springboard to introduce Nakamura. It gives him a clear rationale for moving to the WWE, and immediately slots him in as a top star. By revealing that Lesnar once held the IGWP belt, it would also validates the credentials of both Nakamura and Styles. But above all else, a feud with Lesnar is the best chance to hide Nakamura’s limitations and extenuate his positives.

    Nakamura’s key limitation is that there’s nothing to suggest that he could deliver the monologues that WWE believes are effective promos. That can’t be solely blamed on the fact English isn’t his first language as even his Japanese promos seemed less smooth than some of his contemporaries. What’s more, New Japan rightly doesn’t place any emphasis on talking for 20+ minutes. However, it’s fair to say that Lesnar also lacks the verbal diarrhoea that WWE usually demands of its headliners.

    So, pairing them together would allow the emphasis to be moved away from in-ring verbal confrontations that do neither man any favours. Just as Lesnar’s best promo work was in sitdown interviews before his match with Cena, both men would be able to deliver quick quips to put into video packages. Just as Lesnar relies on Paul Heyman to act his advocate, you could easily use either Mauro Ranello or Jim Ross to explain how great Nakamura is based on their previous roles with New Japan. Indeed, there may be an argument for doing a ‘Jim Ross meets Mick Foley’-style series of interviews.

    And in a battle of two former MMA fighters (ahem), you could work to expand the build beyond the sometimes claustrophobic environment of RAW by using a HBO 24/7 style series of documentary segments to present a richer narrative of both men’s preparation for the fight.

    Such an approach would allow you to introduce Nakamura as a big deal i.e. have him deliver his challenge to Lesnar to a (maybe worked) press conference in Tokyo, work with New Japan to splice in footage of their erstwhile Intercontinental Champion in action (maybe in return for allowing him to work Dominion), showcase his genuine presence in Japanese pop-culture and bring in outside figures (such as Kurt Angle) to vouch for how good he is. Given both are legitimate athletes, you could showcase their training preparations in the same way fans were given a look backstage for Lesnar’s preparations for his match against The Rock.

    Done right, such a match would allow the WWE to build interest for the match without wasting too many of Lesnar’s dates or exposing Nakamura. Keeping the debuting Japanese superstar away from the WWE ring would also build intrigue for the match — as long as the pretaped hype packages have convinced people he’s a big deal, the fact they won’t see him until his characteristically elaborate entrance is only a positive. And of course, Lesnar vs. Nakamura is as sure to be as good a match as you could book.

    A throwaway show was transformed when they put Kevin Owens against John Cena. Whilst they wasted the momentum generated from Owens’ victory, the lesson was clear, WWE fans want fresh matchups and for new superstars to prove their worth against the biggest stars. Shinsuke Nakamura has drawn more money than anyone the WWE has hired since Goldberg speared Rock, and they should treat him as such. Put him straight into a featured match, protect him during the build, and watch him immediately repay the faith shown in him.

    Will Cooling is a freelance writer who writes on combat sports for Fighting Spirit Magazine, pop culture for Geeky Monkey and politics at It Could Be Said! He urges everyone to support Scott Sawitz’s Confession of a Superhero Kickstarter.

  • WWE Bossier City, LA, house show report: Chris Jericho vs. ADR, Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens

    By Charlie Beuttel

    – After the National Anthem, U.S. Champion Alberto Del Rio came out first and cut a promo saying he didn’t have a opponent tonight and that he was leaving because of Cena’s injury. Jericho interrupted Del Rio and said they should wrestle.

    – Chris Jericho defeated U.S. Champion Alberto Del Rio via pinfall by codebreaker

    Y2J came out to a very loud pop. Both wrestlers played well to the crowd very well. The match was very action packed as both men were able to hit their finishers.

    – Titus O’Neil defeated Stardust via pinfall by Clash of the Titus.

    It was a very simple match. The crowd yelled “Cody” most of match.

    – R-Truth def. Heath Slater 

    Truth got a very loud pop. Both wrestlers played with the crowd as truth would shout whats up and crowd would shout it back. slater would get booed. Truth won in a very quick match.

    – Kalisto and El Torito def. Los Matadores

    Crowd very dead in this match. Quick back and forth match. Kalisto and El Torito won after kalisto finisher.

    – Dolph Ziggler def. Tyler Breeze

    Ziggler came out to a huge pop. Good match as both guys fought hard back and forth. A lot of close pinfalls. Ziggler won via pinfall by using Zigzag.

    – Brie Bella def. Tamina with Summer Rae as guest referee

    Tamina was the aggressor most of the match. After a close pinfall Tamina and Summer got into a shoving match until Brie snuck up and rolled up Tamina for a pinfall victory.

    – Ryback def. Rusev

    Match started with chants for Lana. Crowd was very involved in this match. The fight was back and forth until lana tried to interfere by coming on to the apron.  Rusev got the upper hand by superkicking. Ryback escaped Rusev’s submission hold and hit the Shellshock for the win.

    – IC Champion Dean Ambrose def. Kevin Owens

    Owens dominated first half of match then the match went back and forth.  oth men were able to hit their finishers. Near the end, Owens exposed the turnbuckle and grabbed a chair but wasn’t able to use it. Ambrose then hit Dirty Deeds for the win.

  • NXT Citrus Springs, FL, results: Rich Swann, Biff Busick, Finn Balor, Bayley title match

    Submitted by J.J. Williams

    – Rich Swann defeats the debuting Chris Gerard (aka Biff Busick) with his standing 450. Good showing here by both newcomers.

    – Elias “The Drifter” Samson defeated Steve Cutler w/ his neck breaker finish. A lot of heat on Elias now with “Drift Away” chants.

    – Eva Marie, Emma & Billie Kay w/ Dana Brooke & LeFort defeated Liv Morgan, Adrien Reese, & Carmella. Eva held the tights and got the pin on Reese. A lot of booing for Eva here, two heel managers at ringside got a lot of distractions going.

    – Promo segment w/ Noah Kekoa saying he no longer wants us in his Friend Zone before Bull Dempsey came out to talk to him about being friends. Noah got upset with Bull and called him fat over and over before Bull laid him out and did his seated splash to teach Noah a lesson.

    – Tye Dillinger defeated Levis Valenzuela Jr. Fun match with comedy early on, the crowd chanted diece for Levis as opposed to Tye’s ten. Dillinger got the upper hand and picked up the win with his knee finisher.

    – Hype Bros defeated BAMF w/ Alexa Bliss & Tucker Knight and Hugo Knox in a triple threat tag match. Crowd was hot for Tucker and Hugo, singing the Silver Boots song for Tucker. Blake and Murphy heckled the crowd for cheering the other teams so much. A lot of action before the Hypes got the win.

    – Apollo Crews defeated Alex Riley w/ his big slam. Tough guy match here. Apollo had a lot of support so Riley taunted the crowd back.

    – NXT Women’s Champion Bayley defeated Peyton Royce in a NXT Women’s Title Match w/ the Belly to Bayley. This Citrus Springs crowd was even rowdier than the recent Full Sail taping, singing both Bayley songs. Bayley danced along to them as Peyton sassed the crowd. Bayley even did some mat work tonight such as a surfboard. After doing ten punches in the corner, the crowd chanted Ten as per Dillinger so Bayley did his hands routine and even a cartwheel to a huge pop. Peyton escaped one Belly to Bayley but couldn’t avoid it the second time. Great match here. Hope to see more.

    – NXT Champion Finn Balor, Enzo Amore, & Big Cass defeated Tino Sabatelli & NXT Tag Champions Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder. Dash & Dawson got a lot of heat on Big Cass in this match before the hot tag to Finn who cleared house and scored the win. Faces went around the ring for high fives to send everyone home happy. Enzo even stopped to talk to some younger fans and pose for pictures, these three are great.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (01/09): Triple H wins WWE Championship in an Elimination Match

    1953 

    Portland, Oregon:
    – Harold Sakata and Toi Yamamoto defeated John Cretorian and Kurt Von Poppenheim to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title

    1957

    Los Angeles, California:
    – Al Kashey defeated Lord James Blears for the vacant NWA Beat the Champ International Television Title 

    1958

    Stockton, California:
    – Ben and Mike Sharpe defeated Ciclon Anaya and Ramon Torres to win the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title

    1959

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – Pat O’Connor defeated Dick Hutton to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title
    – Gene Kiniski beat Adrian Baillargeon 
    – Edouard Carpentier and Bobby Managoff beat El Lobo and Hans Schmidt 2 out of 3 falls 
    – Bobby Bruns and Rip Hawk drew 

    1962

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Mister M (Bill Miller) defeated Verne Gagne to win the AWA World Heavyweight Title (Mister M’s AWA United States Heavyweight Title was vacated)
    – Nikita Kalmikoff beat Tony Baillargeon 
    – Bob Geigel no contest Tiny Mills
    – Nick Roberts beat Pat Kennedy 

    1965 

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – Don Leo Jonathan and Whipper Billy Watson defeated The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan) for the Winnipeg NWA International Tag Team Title 

    1966

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat Mighty Igor Vodik
    – Handicap match: The Crusher beat Chris Markoff & Steve Druk
    – Reggie Parks beat Larry Hennig dq
    – Harley Race beat Eddie Sharkey
    – Chris Tolos beat Ivan Kalmikoff  
    – Larry Heiniemi beat Bob Morgan

    1968 

    Macon, Georgia:
    – Butcher Vachon and Stan Vachon (Stan Pulaski) defeated Enrique and Ramon Torres for the Georgia NWA World Tag Team Title 

    1969 

    Hiroshima, Japan:
    – Danny Hodge and Wilbur Snyder defeated Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki to win the NWA International Tag Team Title 

    Amarillo, Texas:
    – Buddy Colt defeated Ricky Romero for the Amarillo NWA North American Heavyweight Title

    1970 

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – Dave Ruhl won the Calgary NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title by defeating Danny Lynch

    1971 

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – Curtis Iaukea defeated Billy Robinson for the Hawaii NWA North American Heavyweight Title

    Chattanooga, Tennessee:
    – Jerry Jarrett and Tojo Yamamoto defeated The Heavenly Bodies (Al and Don Greene) to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1973

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Mark Lewin defeated Buddy Colt for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title 

    1974

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – Billy Graham defeated Ed Francis to win the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in 2 out of 3 falls
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens ddq Billy Robinson & Red Bastein
    – Pak Song ddq Ripper Collins
    – Tosh Togo drew Bill Francis
    – Sam Steamboat beat Peace Brother I
    – Neff Maiava beat Peace Brother II

    1978

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Norvell Austin and Bill Dundee defeated Dennis Condrey and Phil Hickerson to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1979

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Jimmy Garvin defeated Dick Slater to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title

    1982

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk defeated Jack and Jerry Brisco for the Florida NWA North American Tag Team Titles

    1983

    Reynosa, Mexico:
    – Luis Arizona defeated Centurion Negro to win the UWA World Middleweight Title 

    1984

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) won the World Class Television Title by defeating Brian Adias.

    Birmingham, Alabama:
    – Charlie Cook defeated Jerry Stubbs for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – No dq, two referees (one will be Austin Idol), $500 fine for each illegal punch: AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Jerry Lawler dq 
    – Anything Goes, No referee in the Ring: Fabulous Ones beat The Moondogs
    – Austin Idol beat Jos Leduc
    – Dutch Mantell beat Mid American Champion Randy Savage dq
    – King Konga beat Terry Taylor
    – Texas Death Match: A Team beat Rock and Roll Express
    – Porkchop Cash & Dream Machine beat Koko Ware & Jerry Grey
    – Art Crews drew Terry Gibbs

    1987

    Birmingham, Alabama:
    – Larry Hamilton defeated Tom Prichard to win the Southeast NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title

    1989

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Wendell Cooley defeated Sid Vicious to win the Championship (formerly Continental) Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title

    1993

    Portland, Oregon:
    – Bart Sawyer defeated John Rambo to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Title

    1995

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Doug Gilbert and Tommy Rich defeated PG-13 (JC Ice and Wolfie D) for the USWA tag team titles
    – PG-13 defeated Doug Gilbert and Tommy Rich to win the USWA tag team titles
    – Sweet Georgia Brown won the USWA Women’s Title by defeating Miss Texas (Jackie Moore)

    1997

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Flash Flanagan and Steven Dunn defeated Mike Samples and Sir Mo to win the held up USWA Tag Team Titles 

    2000

    Birmingham, Alabama:
    – The Impact Players (Justin Credible and Lance Storm) defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions Tommy Dreamer and Raven to win the titles 
    – ECW World Heavyweight Champion Mike Awesome pinned Spike Dudley to retain the title

    2005

    San Juan, Puerto Rico:
    – Trish Stratus won the WWE Diva’s Title by defeating Lita 
    – Triple H won the WWE Championship in an Elimination Chamber match by defeating Edge, Bastista, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit and Randy Orton

  • Title change taped after TNA One Night Only goes off the air

    Matt Hardy defeated Ethan Carter III to win the TNA title tonight after the PPV taping was over in Bethlehem, PA.

    The match was taped for a future episode of Impact and appeared to be a double turn, with Tyrus interfering and causing Carter to lose and end his unbeaten streak.  The stipulations was that Hardy would have to leave TNA had he lost the match.

    A match was taped last night for an upcoming One Night Only PPV between the two of them that was a no contest, but it was noted that Carter was working as the face and Hardy was working as the heel in the match.

    For those keeping track, Carter lost the title in a three-way at Bound for Glory to Hardy in a match where Carter never got pinned.  Carter filed a storyline injuction that led to Hardy vacating the title in order for him to return to television.  The belt was put up for grabs in a multi-month tournament of taped matches on Impact as it wound down on Destination America.  The tournament finals took place Tuesday on the debut episode on POP TV and saw Carter win the title, meaning he was a two-time champion despite having never been beaten in a match.  Hardy then beat him last night to win the title back.

    We have full coverage of the TNA One Night Only show up here.