Bobby Roode made his WWE in-ring debut Saturday at the NXT show at the Download Festival in Derby, United Kingdom, defeating Angelo Dawkins.
Roode had very briefly been advertised for the tour, before it was pulled because they wanted his debut to be a surprise. He had appeared briefly on the last two NXT Takeovers in a backstage segment on Wednesday and in the crowd in Dallas.
It is expected the 39-year-old will work the remainder of the tour.
Here’s what happened Friday:
– Hugo Knox defeated Sawyer Fulton after hitting a split-legged moonsault
– Nikki Glencross defeated Peyton Royce after clamping on a swinging fisherman’s suplex.
– Baron Corbin returned to defeat Angelo Dawkins & Alexander Wolfe in a handicap match via End of Days. Corbin put Wolfe through a table after the match.
Here’s what happened Saturday for the first of two 90 minute sessions:
– No Way Jose def. Alex Wolfe
– Tye Dillinger def. Sawyer Fulton
– Carmella def. Nikki Glencross
– Bobby Roode def. Angelo Dawkins
– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka def. Peyton Royce
– Finn Balor and Hugo Knox def. NXT Tag Champions The Revival in a non-title match
Here are the results for the second 90-minute session:
Amid a quiet weekend in the world of combat sports, the calm got disrupted a bit Saturday afternoon with news that former TNA World Champion and NXT TakeOver background regular Bobby Roode made his promotional debut at the organization’s two day run at the UK-based Download Festival. Here’s a look at his entrance.
Roode downed Angelo Dawkins in his debut, and could be appearing Sunday as NXT has four hours of matches booked at the Festival. He didn’t appear on last Thursday’s TV tapings, but could be a presence via the magic of videotape with an official contract signing, a promo, etc.
So now what? With many of the top NXT talents expect to be brought up to WWE when the brand extension happens in July, NXT will still need to keep the cupboard stocked with a few veterans to mix with the up and comers. There’s also the concern of WWE bringing up too many talents and not having a plan on what to do with them — something that has plagued them in the past.
Saturday was a nice step forward for Roode and it will be fun to see how NXT debuts him and what the vision is for his career throughout 2016. With more of an opportunity to make an, ahem, impact in the WWE system than ever before, he picked a good time to explore his free agency options after what felt like a lifetime in TNA.
TNA SLAMMIVERSARY PPV FROM UNIVERSAL IN ORLANDO AT 8 P.M.
Bobby Lashley vs. Drew Galloway for the TNA title – match can only be won via knockout or submission
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy full metal mayhem
Jade vs. Sienna for Knockouts title
Abyss & Crazzy Steve vs. Jessie Godderz & Robbie E for tag titles
Trevor Lee vs. Eddie Edwards vs. DJ Zema Ion vs. Andre Everett for X title
Eli Drake vs. Bram for King of the Mountain title
Ethan Carter III vs. Mike Bennett
Grado & Mahabali Shera vs. The Tribunal
Sunday we’re looking for reports from WWE in Baton Rouge (Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Rusev, Enzo, Cass, Kane, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Sami Zayn, Dudleys, Lane, Sasha Banks), Lake Charles, LA (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, A.J. Styles, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Charlotte, Alberto Del Rio,Natalya, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Usos, New Day), NXT in Darby, UK and ROH in Milwaukee at the Turner Hall Ballroom (Adam Cole vs Colt Cabana, Christopher Daniels vs. Kamaitachi plus the finals of Tag Wars).
Raw will be Monday in New Orleans including the return of Shane McMahon. It’ll be the go-home show for Money in the Bank. NXT also runs in Belfast, Northern Ireland. There are also TNA tapings in Orlando.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Biloxi, MS and NXT runs in Dublin, Ireland. There is also an almost live Impact in Orlando as well as the taping for the following week’s show.
TNA tapings will continue on Wednesday in Orlando. NXT will be in Liverpool, England.
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our 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!
A look at the lives and careers of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice, the return of Brock Lesnar to UFC and the story behind it and coverage of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament are the lead stories in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Our Ali story talks about the changes in public opinion on him going through the years, his place in culture, the Ali-Frazier fight, the Ali-Liston fights, his being banned from boxing, the creation of different world titles, the Ali-Foreman fight, the Thrilla in Manila, the inspiration of the movie Rocky, what Ali took from pro wrestling, Gorgeous George and Fred Blassie, and what he gave back to pro wrestling, the Ali vs. Inoki story, Ali’s appearances in relation to pro wrestling, Ali’s pro wrestling matches that are often forgotten, Ali working the first WrestleMania and the Superdome in New Orleans for Bill Watts, the sad ending of his career and the fraud on the public that was the Larry Holmes fight.
The death of Kimbo Slice is also covered. Read about the circumstances leading to the death, how he became famous, his real background, what he did between football and MMA, the Sean Gannon fight, Elite XC, his television ratings records, the crazy night that was supposed to be the Ken Shamrock fight, the death of Elite XC and how media a misunderstanding ended the promotion, Kimbo’s days in UFC, the highest rated season of Ultimate Fighter, and sustaining the drawing power. Plus, a look at Kimbo Slice and pro wrestling and why it was about to happen, and how it fell apart, is covered. There’s also look at Slice in boxing, and the Dada 5000 fight.
Finally, read about the Brock Lesnar to UFC deal, what Lesnar said about why he’s coming back should it be believed, the choice of Mark Hunt as the opponent, why the deal took so long to be announced, how this affects pro wrestling, Lesnar’s regrets about re-signing with WWE but why you can question that, the drug testing issue and the Ariel Helwani issue that reporting the story first turned into.
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.
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Canadian authorities reportedly dropped criminal charges against Teddy Hart stemming from sexual assault allegations in 2014. The case apparently lacked criteria needed for it to proceed. An attorney representing Hart says his client always maintained his innocence. Hart also signed a peace bond to not have any contact for two years with the two women who accused him of the charges. His attorney said Hart has no interest in contacting them.
Evolve runs their second iPPV in as many nights, heading to Orlando for an 8 PM start for Evolve 62. It looks like a fun show featuring their champ Timothy Thatcher, a five-way WWE cruiserweight tourney preview where Tony Nese can grab a spot if he wins, an ECIII open challenge, and more. Here’s a look at last night where Chris Hero made his presence felt.
In an update on the manslaughter trial of a Pennsylvania man accused of causing the death of an 18-month-old by imitating wrestling moves, a judge will not allow the prosecution to show jurors computer-generated videos of the moves. If the 21-year-old man on trial takes the stand to testify, the judge may allow the images shown during cross-examination. The injuries suffered were allegedly from the defendant imitating Undertaker’s Last Ride and Rock’s Rock Bottom. The defense says the death was an accident. The trial is set to begin on Wednesday.
A Fox Sports article looks back at Brock Lesnar and his first run in WWE with Lesnar quoted as saying his best friends on the road during that time period were vodka and Vicodin.
Here’s a look at the trailer for Gridlocked, a movie starring Trish Stratus, Danny Glover, and Dominic Purcell of Prison Break fame.
One blogger is calling the return of Brock to UFC a “huge risk”.
Here is a gallery listing 10 pro wrestlers with a background in MMA.
Big congrats to former WWF wrestler Big Bully Busick who beat cancer. Here’s the story.
Another gallery from an Alabama website lists 10 things pro wrestling fans hate about wrestling. The comments section is not very kind to wrestling fans questioning the IQ of fans, whether they should be allowed to vote and estimating the amount of front teeth they have retained.
An indie promotion out of Shelbyville, IN is running a show today as part of a day-long fundraiser benefiting a 5-year-old girl battling epilepsy. In an event that also features a motorcycle ride and a concert, the wrestling show itself features a title match and a battle royal where the winner will receive a trophy.
Another fundraiser for a volunteer fire department features a wrestling show in Pamplin, VA. The Times-Virginian (Appomattox, VA) has a story on the show set for next Saturday.
Chris Nowinski’s Concussion Legacy Foundation issued a release ahead of an article that is “attempting to create controversy where there is none.”
This week on 6:05 Superpodcast, David Bixenspan and Brian Last talk to John Arezzi about photographing the Muhammad Ali vs. Gorilla Monsoon angle, Don Laible about Dennis Coralluzzo, and AWA producer “Polish” Joe Ciupik about Larry Nelson and other crazy AWA characters in the ’80s. Also, Brian and Bix talk about Johnny Valentine vs. Bull Curry match on NWA On Demand and much more.
Catch Mid-States Wrestling tonight in Harrison, AR, at the Youth Center with Trevor Murdoch, Ace Steel, Bob Orton Jr. and TONYA HARDING.
In Your Face Wrestling tonight at Duanesburg YMCA in Delanson, NY with their Coronation Cup event with Bob Evans, HC Loc, and more.
Not only is Josh Gross’ Ali vs. Inoki book available for pre-order, Gross is involved with a documentary on the fight along with filmmaker Bobby Razak. Here’s the six-minute trailer.
June 11 – Mid States Wrestling in Harrison, AR at the Youth Center has Matt Riviera vs. Americos, Trevor Murdoch vs. Roosevelt, Bob Orton Jr. Vs. Michael Barry, plus Ace Steel and Tonya Harding refs an arm wrestling match.
June 11 – In Your Face Wrestling Presents: “Coronation Cup 2016” – Duanesburg YMCA (formerly Duanesburg Area Community Center) 221 Victoria Drive Delanson, NY, Only a 30 minute drive from Albany!
June 11 – SMASH wrestling in Oshawa, Ontario – Harmony Creek Community & Events Centre, 15 Harmony Road North, Oshawa, Ontario L1K6K8. Tickets here.
June 11 – Kayfabe Dojo Wrestling runs at Pineapple Jack’s in Rochester, NY, for a 4 PM show
June 11 – ECCW Port Coquitlam, BC at the Elks Hall #49.
June 11 – Lex Luger will appear in Gray, TN at the Daniel Boone High School for the Fountain of Life Bible Church’s Car and Bike show at 6 p.m. The show is free.
June 11 – The UWC returns to Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ 08562. Facebook: www.facebook.com/UWCFanCave.
June 12 – TNA Slammiversary headlined by Drew Galloway vs. Bobby Lashley for the TNA title from Orlando
June 12 – Revolution Pro Wrestling in London, England headlined by Kurt Angle vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
June 17 – Absolute Intense Wrestling at Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH at Tequila Jaxx with Joey Janela vs. Facade, Shayna Baszler vs. Veda Scott, Laredo Kid, & B.J. Whitmer
June 17 – AAW “Killers Among Us,” Drago vs. Chris Hero, at 115 Bourbon Street (3359 w 115th Street Merrionette Park, IL) Tickets available.
June 18 – UFC in Ottawa: Rory McDonald vs. Stephen Thompson
June 19 – Steel Pro Wrestling runs at the KoC in Hamilton, ON.
June 19 – New Japan Dominion – Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada in an IWGP title match and Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi in a ladder match for the IC title
June 19 – WWE Money in the Bank from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
June 24 – ROH Best in the World from Concord, NC with Jay Lethal vs. Jay Briscoe for the ROH title
June 24 – Isao Kobayashi vs. Justin Lawrence will appear on Spike.com at the Bellator Dynamite show in St. Louis. This is a combo MMA & kickboxing show.
June 25 – Pure Wrestling Association, Wakas Community Hall, 180 Tsulquate Rd, Port Hardy, BC
June 25 – Great North Wrestling returns to the Pembroke Memorial Centre, featuring Nicolai Volkoff. Tickets available here.
June 25 – The UWC returns to Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ 08562. More information here.
June 25 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple
June 26 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple
July 1 – Pure Wrestling Association is proud to announce our 7th year as part of the Canada Day Celebration. Riverside Park Cambridge, Cambridge, Ontario N3H.
July 2 – Stars of Wrestling from Alameda, CA at the Alameda Point Gym has Bobby Lashley, Carlito and The Boogeyman appearing.
July 2 – NWA Cajun Heat in Morgan City, LA at the Municipal Auditorium with Jax Dane vs. Mustang Mike for the NWA title, and an appearance by Kevin Nash
July 7 – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
July 9 – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fund raising event
July 17 – Lucha by the Water ft Blue Demon Jr! – Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8, 3-6 pm. Tickets here.
July 17 – Premier Wrestling at the IFDES Lodge and Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA with Joe Graves vs. Gabriel Gallo for the Premier. Tickets at www.premierwrestle.com.
July 22 – Ignite Wrestling in Fort Pierce, FL at the National Guard Armory on a show with Lince Dorado, Mr. 450 Hammet, Lio Rush, Martin Stone, Los Ben Dejos, and more
July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY
From Dave: For those coming to our convention 7/7 to 7/10 in Las Vegas, the people at The Las Vegas Fight Shop, who have been subscribers for probably 25 years, have a special to those coming. They have a Friday night from 6-8 p.m. signing with Randy Couture and a Saturday from Noon to 2 p.m. signing with Nate Diaz. The signings require the purchase of an Affliction shirt, but anyone from the site can get 20% off a shirt and VIP treatment to cut down the line. Also, anyone from the site who comes to the store can get 20 percent off anything all weekend.
Yehi won via submission after clamping on the Koji Clutch. Nese did a promo afterward saying despite his losing streak, he wants an opportunity in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic and he wants it Saturday night.
– Darby Allin vs. Ethan Page
Page won after hitting a package piledriver. Earlier in the match, Page gorilla press slammed Allin over the ropes and into a support beam that was said to be a big spot.
– Cedric Alexander vs. Matt Riddle
Riddle submitted Alexander with a neck crank after hitting a fisherman’s buster.
– Evolve Tag Team Champs Catch Point (Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams) vs. Bravado Brothers (Harlem & Lancelot Bravado)
Champs retain after Williams pinned Lancelot after a big DDT spot. Post-match, Catch Point are cutting a promo and calling out Evolve Champion Timothy Thatcher. Thatcher came out, and told the guys to get lost.
– Evolve Champion Timothy Thatcher vs. Chris Hero
Said to be a great match. Thatcher retained the gold by submitting Hero with a cross armbar.
Post-match, Riddle, Gulak, Williams, and Stokely Hathaway all came out to contront Thatcher. Williams wants his title shot Saturday and Thatcher agrees.
– Drew Galloway & Ethan Carter III vs. Johnny Gargano & TJ Perkins (Unsanctioned Street Fight)
Wild match that spilled everywhere including on the bar inside the arena and outside the arena. Big action, table spots, you name it. Gulak came out to check on Perkins after Galloway powerbombed him through a table. This brought Hero out who hit a piledriver on Gulak and then booted Gargano and piledrove him to turn on Evolve. ECIII hit the One Percenter on Perkins for the win.
Post-match promos by Galloway and Carter reveal a fourth member of their crew: Cody Rhodes! Rhodes will debut for the promotion on August 19th in Maryland against Gargano.
**********
Evolve 63 card — Saturday from Orlando, FL:
– Evolve Champion Timothy Thatcher vs. Tracy Williams
– WWE Cruiserweight Tournament preview: Johnny Gargano vs. Drew Gulak vs. TJP vs. Lince Dorado vs. Tony Nese elimination match. If Nese wins, he’s in the tourney.
– Anything Goes: Drew Galloway vs. Ethan Page
– ECIII open challenge to anyone on the Evolve roster
– Matt Riddle vs. Trevor Lee
– Fred Yehi vs. Cedric Alexander
– The Bravado Brothers vs. Jason Cade & Darby Allin
Boston, Massachusetts: – H.M. Dufur defeated James Owens to win the American Collar-and-Elbow Title
1933
Waterloo, Iowa: – Bronko Nagurski beat Frank Topaz
1943
St. Joseph, Missouri: – Ronnie Etchison beat Tom Zaharias – in a Boxing match; Lee Wyckoff beat Cowboy Luttrall via ko-3rd round – George Pavich beat Carlos Rodriquez – Gene Reardon drew Bill Dusen
1955
– Doug Donovan & Ivan Kameroff defeated Luther Lindsay & George Dussette to win the Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
1964
Kansas City, Kansas: – Mongolian Stomper beat Moose Evans 2 to 1 falls – The Lawman beat Lee Henning – Larry (Rocky) Hamilton beat Baron Von Strauss – Steve Bolus and Tom Poulos beat Tokyo Tom and Bulldog Plechas
1965
– Wilbur Snyder & Dick the Bruiser defeated The Assassins (Guy Mitchell & Joe Tomasso) to win the World Wrestling Association Tag Team Titles
1970
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – Edouard Carpentier & Pepper Gomez beat AWA Tag Team Champions Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon via dq – Lars Anderson beat Bob Windham
Kansas City, Kansas: – Frank Hester defeated Scandor Akbar via DQ – Pat O’Connor defeated Tom Brandon – The Viking fought Roger Kirby to a draw – Danny Little Bear & The Viking & Pat O’Connor defeated Roger Kirby & Scandor Akbar & Don Drummer – Baron Von Raschke & Harley Race defeated Rufus R. Jones & Bob Ellis in three falls
1971
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – AWA Tag Team Champions Red Bastien & Hercules Cortez beat Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon – In a Death match; The Crusher beat Strong Kobayashi – Blackjack Lanza beat Dr. Big Bill Miller – Nick Bockwinkel beat Paul Diamond
Atlanta, Georgia: – The Assassins, (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) won the NWA Georgia Tag Team Titles by defeating Ray Gunkel & El Mongol
1973
Mexico City, Mexico: – El Marquez defeated Karloff Lagarde for the Mexico National Welterweight Title
Sasebo, Japan: – Masked Lee & Sandy Parker defeated Jumbo Miyamoto & Mariko Akagi for the WWWA World Tag Team Titles
1975
Raleigh, North Carolina: – Gene & Ole Anderson defeated Wahoo McDaniel & Paul Jones to win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA World Tag Team Titles
1976
Furukawa, Japan: – Great Kusatsu & Mighty Inoue defeated Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan to win the IWA Japan World Tag Team Titles
Denver, Colorado: – Larry Hennig & Jos Leduc no contest Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum – Russ Francis pinned Kim Duk – Buddy Wolff beat Billy Red Cloud
1980
London, England: – Alan Dennison defeated Jim Breaks for the British Welterweight Title
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: – Verne Gagne & Greg Gagne beat Nick Bockwinkel & Bobby Heenan – Dino Bravo went to a double countout with Jerry Blackwell – Jesse Ventura beat Steve Olsonoski – Adrian Adonis beat Mad Dog Vachon – Jerry Blackwell beat Super Destroyer Mark III
1981
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – AWA Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura beat the Crusher & Baron Von Raschke – In a Non Title Match; Jim Brunzell beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel – Mike Graham beat Buck Zumhofe – Jerry Blackwell beat Mad Dog Vachon
Tokyo, Japan: – Takashi Ishikawa & Akio Sato defeated Kevin & David Von Erich to win the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Titles
1983
San Juan, Puerto Rico: – King Tonga & Gran Apolo defeated Buddy Landel & Terry Gibbs for the WWC North American Tag Team Titles
San Francisco, California: – Ken Patera & Jerry Blackwell beat Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Wahoo McDaniel – Mike Graham beat Buck Zumhofe – Rick Martel beat Blackjack Lanza dq – Greg Gagne beat John Tolos
1984
Memphis, Tennessee: – Rick Rude defeated Jerry Lawler to win the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1989
Orlando, Florida: – The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags) defeated The Southern Force (Black Bart and Tony Anthony) to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles
1993
Knoxville, Tennessee: – Tracy Smothers defeated Tony Anthony to win the held up SMW Heavyweight Title
– Saemi Numata defeated Kumiko Maekawa for the AJW Junior Title
2003
Nashville,Tennessee: – AJ Styles won the TNA/NWA World Title by defeating Raven and Jeff Jarrett
2005
Brandon, Florida: – Chris Sabin defeated Sonjay Dutt to win the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup
St. Joseph, Missouri: – Ernie and Emil Dusek defeated George and Sandy Scott to win the Central States version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in 2 of 3 falls – Central States Heavyweight Champion Thor Hagen beat Bob Orton by a third fall DQ – Central States Women’s Champion Lorraine Johnson beat Laura Martinez
Tampa, Florida: – Ray Gunkel defeated Fred Blassie to win the Florida version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1961
Portland, Oregon: – Luther Lindsay and Bing Ki Lee defeated Bill Savage and Tito Kopa for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title
1965
Kansas City, Kansas: – Bob Geigel and Dutch Savage beat Pat O’Connor and Mongolian Stomper 2 falls to 1 – Jerry Miller beat Missouri Mauler on a 3rd fall DQ – Ronnie Etchison beat Toughie Williams – Sonny Myers beat Buddy Johnson
1967
Minneapolis, Minnesota; – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Danny Hodge – AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Dale Lewis & Wilbur Snyder – Johnny Valentine beat Doug Gilbert
1968
Davenport, Iowa: – In a No DQ match Bill Watts beat Harley Race – Dr X beat Dutch Savage – Larry Hennig beat Rene Goulet
1970
Honolulu, Hawaii: – Sam Steamboat defeated Ripper Collins for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title
1972
Chicago, Illinois: – Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan & Dusty Rhodes beat Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher & Billy Red Cloud – Wahoo McDaniel beat Larry Hennig – Baron Von Raschke beat Bull Bullinski
1974
Memphis, Tennessee: – Jerry Lawler defeated Ricky Gibson to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title
1975
Omaha, Nebraska: – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Ray Stevens in 2 straight falls – Dusty Rhodes beat Ox Baker – Billy Robinson & Jim Brunzell beat Legionairres Sgt Jacques Goulet & Soldier LeBeouf – Buddy Wolff drew Khosrow Vaziri (Iron Shiek)
1978
Portland, Oregon: – Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka defeated Bull Ramos and The Iron Sheik to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title
1979
Asheville, North Carolina: – Ricky Steamboat defeated Paul Jones to win the NWA Television Title
Dallas, Texas: – Bruiser Brody defeated Mark Lewin to win the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1983
St. Louis, Missouri: – Harley Race defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title (Race vacated the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title and the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title) – Crusher Blackwell won an 18 man battle royal – Andre the Giant & Bruce Reed & Dick the Bruiser defeated Crusher Blackwell & John Studd & Bobby Duncum – Bob Orton Jr. drew David Von Erich – Gene Kiniski no contest with Dick Murdoch – Rick Martel defeated Greg Valentine – Roddy Piper drew Bulldog Bob Brown – George Wells and Mark Romero defeated Dewey Robertson and Ray Hernandez
1984
Orlando, Florida: – Superstar Billy Graham defeated Billy Jack for the Florida State Heavyweight title
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: – Angelo Mosca, Jr. defeated Ivan Koloff to win the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title
St. Paul, Minnesota: – Jerry Blackwell eliminated King Kong Brody to win battle royal (In an angle booked by Dusty Rhodes, Blackwell turned babyface by turning on partner Brody and manager Sheik Kassey) – Abdullah The Butcher & Jerry Blackwell beat Baron Von Raschke (sub Blackjack Mulligan) & Blackjack Lanza – King Kong Brody beat Steve O – The Crusher no contest Nick Bockwinkel – Fabulous Ones beat Roger Kirby & Chris Markoff – Dusty Rhodes beat Larry Zbyszko – Curt Hennig beat Steve Regal
1988
Tokyo, Japan: – PWF World Tag Team Champions Jumbo Tsuruta and Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated NWA International Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) by disqualification to retain the PWF titles and win the NWA International titles (titles were unified and became the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Titles).
Hiorshima, Japan: – Masa Saito and Riki Choshu defeated Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura to win the IWGP World Tag Team Titles
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: – Johnny Smith defeated Chris Benoit to win the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title
Mexico City, Mexico: – Atlantis defeated Kung Fu for the NWA World Middleweight Title
1999
Syracuse, New York: – Perry Saturn and Chris Benoit defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Kanyon to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles
2012
TNA Slammiversary: Arlington, Texas: – AJ Styles and Kurt Angle defeated Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian to win the TNA Tag Team Titles
Team Alpha Male has had some ups & downs in the last few weeks with Urijah Faber’s latest failed attempt at a UFC title shot and Cody Garbrandt’s emergence as a contender providing the rollercoaster effect.
Friday night, that coaster took a dip as the UFC announced that featherweight contender Chad Mendes may have violated USADA’s anti-doping policies:
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Chad Mendes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection. USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
The 31-year-old Mendes (17-4) has been on the shelf since getting knocked out cold by Frankie Edgar back in December 2015, his second straight loss by T/KO (Conor McGregor). A two-time challenger for the UFC’s featherweight crown, he’s been out of the spotlight since that last defeat as he’s lost two of his last three.
Mendes is a former second place finisher in the NCAA championships in wrestling.
Gawker Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today in New York court, with bankruptcy preceding a sale to Ziff Davis. Davis, who owns IGN and Ask Men has reportedly bid about $100 million for Gawker. Nick Denton, the owner, who is also expected to file for bankruptcy due to the $140 million award to Hulk Hogan, said, “We have been forced by this litigation to give up our long standing independence, but our writers remain committed to telling the true stories that underpin credibility with our millions of readers. With stronger backing and disentangled from litigation, they can perform their vital work on more platforms and in different forms.”
We’re looking for reports tonight on the WWE house show in Waco, TX (Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Rusev, Enzo, Cass, Kane, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Sami Zayn, Dudleys, Lana, Sasha Banks) and NXT in Gainesville, FL to NewsTips@WrestlingObserver.com.
We’re looking for your thoughts on both Wednesday night’s NXT Takeover show and Tuesday’s New Japan Best of the Super Junior tournament finals so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.
NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING AT 8 P.M. TONIGHT ON AXS
Satoshi Kojima vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Kazuchika Okada vs. Hirooki Goto
Both matches are from the 2015 G-1 Climax tournament
EVOLVE TONIGHT AT www.wwnlive.com at 9 p.m. EASTERN FROM YBOR CITY, FL
Ethan Page vs. Darby Allin
Anthony Nese vs. Fred Yehi
Matt Riddle vs. Cedric Alexander
Johnny Gargano & TJP vs. Drew Galloway & Ethan Carter III
Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams vs. Bravado Brothers for Evolve tag titles
El Terrible & La Mascara & Shocker vs. Kraneo & Pierroth & Rey Escorpion
Cavernario vs. Rey Cometa for the Mexican national welterweight title
Mistico & Valiente & Volador Jr. vs. Euforia & Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero
CES MMA AT 9 P.M. TONIGHT ON AXS FROM LINCOLN, RI
Saturday we’re looking for reports from WWE in College Station, TX (Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Rusev, Lana, Sheamus, Enzo, Cass, Kane, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Sami Zayn, Dudleys, Lana, Sasha Banks) and Jackson, MS (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, A.J. Styles, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Charlotte, Alberto Del Rio, Natalya, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Usos, New Day), NXT in Derby, UK and ROH in Hopkins, MN (Adam Cole vs. Chris Sabin, Michael Elgin vs. Kamaitachi, plus the first night of tag wars with Jay Lethal & Roderick Strong vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly, Silas Young & Beer City Bruiser vs. Lio Rush & Moose vs. War Machine; and Rhett Titus & Kenny King vs. Rocky Romero & Baretta vs. Young Bucks).
TNA SLAMMIVERSARY PPV FROM UNIVERSAL IN ORLANDO AT 8 P.M.
Bobby Lashley vs. Drew Galloway for the TNA title – match can only be won via knockout or submission
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy full metal mayhem
Jade vs. Sienna for Knockouts title
Abyss & Crazzy Steve vs. Jessie Godderz & Robbie E for tag titles
Trevor Lee vs. Eddie Edwards vs. DJ Zema Ion vs. Andre Everett for X title
Eli Drake vs. Bram for King of the Mountain title
Ethan Carter III vs. Mike Bennett
Grado & Mahabali Shera vs. The Tribunal
Sunday we’re looking for reports from WWE in Baton Rouge (Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Rusev, Enzo, Cass, Kane, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Sami Zayn, Dudleys, Lane, Sasha Banks), Lake Charles, LA (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, A.J. Styles, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Charlotte, Alberto Del Rio,Natalya, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Usos, New Day), NXT in Darby, UK and ROH in Milwaukee at the Turner Hall Ballroom (Adam Cole vs Colt Cabana, Christopher Daniels vs. Kamaitachi plus the finals of Tag Wars).
Raw will be Monday in New Orleans including the return of Shane McMahon. It’ll be the go-home show for Money in the Bank. NXT also runs in Belfast, Northern Ireland. There are also TNA tapings in Orlando.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Biloxi, MS and NXT runs in Dublin, Ireland. There is also an almost live Impact in Orlando as well as the taping for the following week’s show.
TNA tapings will continue on Wednesday in Orlando. NXT will be in Liverpool, England.
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our 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!
A look at the lives and careers of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice, the return of Brock Lesnar to UFC and the story behind it and coverage of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament are the lead stories in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Our Ali story talks about the changes in public opinion on him going through the years, his place in culture, the Ali-Frazier fight, the Ali-Liston fights, his being banned from boxing, the creation of different world titles, the Ali-Foreman fight, the Thrilla in Manila, the inspiration of the movie Rocky, what Ali took from pro wrestling, Gorgeous George and Fred Blassie, and what he gave back to pro wrestling, the Ali vs. Inoki story, Ali’s appearances in relation to pro wrestling, Ali’s pro wrestling matches that are often forgotten, Ali working the first WrestleMania and the Superdome in New Orleans for Bill Watts, the sad ending of his career and the fraud on the public that was the Larry Holmes fight.
The death of Kimbo Slice is also covered. Read about the circumstances leading to the death, how he became famous, his real background, what he did between football and MMA, the Sean Gannon fight, Elite XC, his television ratings records, the crazy night that was supposed to be the Ken Shamrock fight, the death of Elite XC and how media a misunderstanding ended the promotion, Kimbo’s days in UFC, the highest rated season of Ultimate Fighter, and sustaining the drawing power. Plus, a look at Kimbo Slice and pro wrestling and why it was about to happen, and how it fell apart, is covered. There’s also look at Slice in boxing, and the Dada 5000 fight.
Finally, read about the Brock Lesnar to UFC deal, what Lesnar said about why he’s coming back should it be believed, the choice of Mark Hunt as the opponent, why the deal took so long to be announced, how this affects pro wrestling, Lesnar’s regrets about re-signing with WWE but why you can question that, the drug testing issue and the Ariel Helwani issue that reporting the story first turned into.
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.
Thanks to everyone for all the nice words on this week’s issue and the Ali story. I really appreciate it.
Maria Kanellis was announced as being pulled from Sunday’s Slammiversary show due to a broken hand. She was scheduled against Gail Kim.
If you’re around a computer around 11 p.m. Eastern tonight so you check out the last two matches on tonight’s Arena Mexico show. For atmosphere, it’s the closest thing to old school wrestling and the guys in those matches, if anything, do far too much to entertain the audience. Some of the trios matches of late have been beyond anything seen here as far as eye opening babyface comebacks go.
The next Stone Cold Podcast on the WWE network will be on 6/20 with A.J. Styles.
Smackdown did its lowest numbers to date on USA last night with 1,996,000 viewers going against the Stanley Cup playoffs game five which did 5.01 million viewers.
WWE is promoting a Bill Goldberg collection of matches on the WWE network this month.
Paul Heyman has formed a partnership with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to promote the Rehab Bikini International. He’s currently in Las Vegas doing viral promotions for the event. More on that here.
Bryan Danielson was backstage at last night’s NXT tapings. It was the first WWE show he’s attended since his retirement show in Seattle.
WWE Network has added a number of Nitro episodes from 1999 and 2000.
John Cena and Stephanie McMahon will be guest speakers at the Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity on 6/23 in France talking about the history of WWE and how it garners its fan base.
The stock dropped 32 cents per share today to $17.59.
Big Show will be signing free autographs on 6/18 at the Wizard World Comic Con in Sacramento at 11 a.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center.
UFC
Tim Means and USADA have settled on a six-month suspension for a drug test failure which Means claimed was caused by a tainted supplement. Means tested positive for Ostarine, a member of the SARMS group which has become popular with some pro wrestlers who are drug tested.
The Ali vs. Inoki fight will be talked about tonight on Inside MMA with Josh Gross at about 11:30 p.m. Eastern time. In Japan, that fight is considered the birth of MMA. It really shouldn’t be, but it is still quite the story that it actually happened after a century of teases like all the Strangler Lewis vs. Jack Dempsey and Lou Thesz vs. Rocky Marciano talk in their eras.
Here is a story on the death of 50s, 60s and 70s star Dan Miller.
Jim Ross announces Knockout Night at the D at 11 p.m. tonight on CBS Sports with Sean Wheelock. Little known fact. Sean Wheelock growing up wanted to be a pro wrestling announcer.
For those coming to our convention 7/7 to 7/10 in Las Vegas, the people at The Las Vegas Fight Shop, who have been subscribers for probably 25 years, have a special to those coming. They have a Friday night from 6-8 p.m. signing with Randy Couture and a Saturday from Noon to 2 p.m. signing with Nate Diaz. The signings require the purchase of an Affliction shirt, but anyone from the site can get 20% off a shirt and VIP treatment to cut down the line. Also, anyone from the site who comes to the store can get 20 percent off anything all weekend.
Cody Rhodes will be appearing at the Heroes and Villains Fan Fest on 7/2 and 7/3 at the Meadowlands Expo Center in East Rutherford, NJ and for them on 11/19 and 11/10 in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The NFC MMA show tomorrow night at Center Stage in Atlanta is sold out, and has been for more than a week. The 7/22 NFC show headlined by Chazz Walton vs. Warren Smith for the Georgia lightweight title at the Electric Company has tickets available.
AAW on 6/17 in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street has few tickets remaining. Top matches are Sami Callihan & Dave Crist vs. Eddie Kingston & Homicide, Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett defend the tag titles against Devin & Mason Cutter, Chris Hero vs. Drago, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Johnny “Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa vs. ?, AR Fox vs. Aerostar, Trevor Lee vs. Andrew Everett vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Moose, Drew Gulak vs. Silas Young plus Candice LaRae, Heidi Lovelace, Jessicka Havok, Kimber Lee and Kongo Kong.
Baja Stars USA on 6/18 in San Diego at Parque de la Ala with Valiente and Psicosis.
Caristico headlines a 6/26 show in Westminster, CO at the Imperium Events Center.
Solar vs. Negro Navarro headlines 6/26 in Chicago at Chi-Town Football.
Chidi Njokuani vs. Thiago Jambo Goncalves was announced as the No. 2 bout for next week’s Bellator show on 6/17 in Fresno. Goncalves is replacing Douglas Lima, who was moved to the 7/16 show in London at the O2 Arena.
Announced for the August Mid Atlantic Fan Fest in Charlotte is a Jim Ross one man show plus Ross will host a roast for Ole Anderson. Tony Schiavone, Magnum T.A., Arn Anderson and Austin Idol have been announced.
Jeff Jarrett and his GFW will be doing a joint show with Wrestle Pro in Keyport, NJ tomorrow night.
Acclaim Pro Wrestling on Saturday night at the SPK Dom Polski Polish Combatants Centre in Ottawa.
Today, an estimated 14,000 people attended a Muslim funeral in Louisville, Kentucky for one of, if not the most, famous athletes in the world, Muhammad Ali. As a three-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Ali was best known for his gift of promos. Unfortunately, the Parkinsons disease that ended the champion’s career, also left him speechless for the last decade or so of his life. He was an exceptional athlete, a humanitarian, a political activist, but most of all, an entertainer. Ali knew how to promote a fight, and anyone coming up in the world of combat sports would be doing themselves a favor by learning from “The Greatest.”
Learn all about the birth of MMA by reading Josh Gross’ book on the Ali vs. Inoki fight, which is now available on Amazon.
Finally, Muhammad Ali will be forever linked with the world of pro wrestling.
[Dan Velten]
We’re looking for your thoughts on both last night’s NXT Takeover show and Tuesday’s New Japan Best of the Super Junior tournament finals so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.
SMACKDOWN TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. ON THE USA NETWORK
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Cesaro & Sami Zayn vs. Alberto Del Rio & Kevin Owens
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our 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!
A look at the lives and careers of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice, the return of Brock Lesnar to UFC and the story behind it and coverage of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament are the lead stories in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Our Ali story talks about the changes in public opinion on him going through the years, his place in culture, the Ali-Frazier fight, the Ali-Liston fights, his being banned from boxing, the creation of different world titles, the Ali-Foreman fight, the Thrilla in Manila, the inspiration of the movie Rocky, what Ali took from pro wrestling, Gorgeous George and Fred Blassie, and what he gave back to pro wrestling, the Ali vs. Inoki story, Ali’s appearances in relation to pro wrestling, Ali’s pro wrestling matches that are often forgotten, Ali working the first WrestleMania and the Superdome in New Orleans for Bill Watts, the sad ending of his career and the fraud on the public that was the Larry Holmes fight.
The death of Kimbo Slice is also covered. Read about the circumstances leading to the death, how he became famous, his real background, what he did between football and MMA, the Sean Gannon fight, Elite XC, his television ratings records, the crazy night that was supposed to be the Ken Shamrock fight, the death of Elite XC and how media a misunderstanding ended the promotion, Kimbo’s days in UFC, the highest rated season of Ultimate Fighter, and sustaining the drawing power. Plus, a look at Kimbo Slice and pro wrestling and why it was about to happen, and how it fell apart, is covered. There’s also look at Slice in boxing, and the Dada 5000 fight.
Finally, read about the Brock Lesnar to UFC deal, what Lesnar said about why he’s coming back should it be believed, the choice of Mark Hunt as the opponent, why the deal took so long to be announced, how this affects pro wrestling, Lesnar’s regrets about re-signing with WWE but why you can question that, the drug testing issue and the Ariel Helwani issue that reporting the story first turned into.
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.
Impact on Tuesday night for the Slammiversary go-home show did 326,000 viewers, which is slightly above average since they went to one show a week.
A correction from last night’s show and the Observer, in the story on Kimbo Slice when I said they were looking at transferring him to Cleveland for a heart transplant, it was actually the Cleveland Clinic in Atlantis, FL, not Cleveland, OH.
This web site is having its annual get together from 7/7 to 7/10 in Las Vegas in conjunction with International Fight Week. For more information go on Facebook and search for 10th annual F4W convention.
Gzim Selmani & Sunny Dhinsa, The Authors of Pain, were the team that attacked Jason Jordan & Chad Gable last night. In a dark match, Adrienne Reese was given the new name Amber Moon, and she beat Peyton Royce.
Bellator’s 7/16 show at the O2 Arena in London which fell apart due to the death of Kimbo Slice, as well as Josh Koscheck falling out of the show, has announced Paul Daley vs. Douglas Lima as the new main event plus Michael Page vs. Evangelista Cyborg Santos and Linton Vassell vs. Francis Carmont as the top bouts.
WWE
NXT Takeover Brooklyn tickets for 8/20 at the Barclays Center are available on pre-sale right now using the code WWENXT. The pre-sale ends tomorrow at 10 p.m. and the regular sale goes into effect at Noon on Saturday. The names listed are Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, Bayley, American Alpha and The Revival.
Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that Rich Swann may be out of the cruiserweight classic due to a shoulder injury suffered a few months ago.
Six-year-old Max has been diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma for the second time. He’s a huge WWE fan and his family is not looking for any monetary donations but if anyone has anything related to WWE that thet would like to donate that he can play with while being treated there will be an event on 6/19 in Dublin, Ireland at the Woolshed Pub collecting donations. More on this here.
Frankie Edgar is opening a UFC Gym on Saturday in North Brunswick, NJ. The 25,000 square foot facility will be located at 1846 US Highway 1. There will be a 30 foot Octagon, strength training, cardio machines, battle ropes, agility ladders, a bag room, a BJJ studio, fitness rooms and more. The grand opening on Saturday will include a Frankie Edgar seminar at 10 a.m., a grappling seminar with Matt Hughes at 11:30 a.m., a BJJ seminar with Rafael Natal at 2 p.m., plus also appearing throughout the day will be Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza and Renzo Gracie.
Chris Weidman had successful neck surgery yesterday and said he’ll be able to start hard sparring in six weeks and has issued a challenge to Michael Bisping for Madison Square Garden. The two have gone back-and-forth on Twitter with Bisping telling Weidman that he should beat Luke Rockhold first. He’s telling Rockhold the same thing.
UFC has announced an 8/6 show in Salt Lake City, which would be the first time they ever have done a show in the state of Utah. They tried many years ago and sold so few tickets that they decided to cancel the show and move it, and not to go back. This will be an FS 1 show headlined by Alex Caceres (coming off his win on Saturday night) vs. Yair Rodriguez.
Nick Hein vs. Tae Hyun Bang has been added to the 9/3 show in Hamburg, Germany. Hein on the show only makes sense because he’s one of Germany’s better-known fighters.
Joshua Stansbury won a unanimous decision over Abdel Medjeboub on Ultimate Fighter last night which gave Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s team her first win after losing every fight so far this season. (thanks to Steve Juon)
MISCELLANEOUS
Evolve tomorrow night in Ybor City, FL at The Orpheum for an iPPV at www.WWNlive.com at 9 p.m. Eastern time
Timothy Thatcher vs. Chris Hero for the Evolve title
Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams vs. Bravado Brothers for the tag titles
Johnny Gargano & TJP vs. Drew Galloway & Ethan Carter III
Matt Riddle vs. Cedric Alexander
Anthony Nese vs. Fred Yehi
Ethan Page vs. Darby Allin
Evolve on Saturday night in Orlando at the Downtown Rec Center at 8 p.m. Eastern
Johnny Gargano vs. Drew Gulak vs. TJ Perkins vs. Lince Dorado (all four are in the WWE cruiserweight classic)
Drew Galloway vs. Ethan Page
Ethan Carter III vs. ?
Timothy Thatcher vs. Tracy Williams
Matt Riddle vs. Trevor Lee
Fred Yehi vs. Cedric Alexander
Bravado Brothers vs. Jason Cade & Darby Allin
Evolve’s new Mini Doc on Timothy Thatcher is here. It’s a unique new promotional direction.
Evolve and Beyond Wrestling announced separate shows both on 7/17 in Melrose, MA at the Memorial Hall. Appearing for Evolve are Timothy Thatcher, Drew Gulak, Tracy Williams, Drew Galloway, Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll, TJP, Matt Riddle, Ethan Page, Fred Yehi and Cedric Alexander.
Elite Lucha Libre runs tonight at Arena Mexico with Atlantis vs. Ultimo Guerrero and Negro Casas vs. Cibernetico. Casas vs. Cibernetico is a first-time ever meeting of two of the biggest names of the past 20 years. Flamita also debuts on the show.
We get questions from time to time about getting tickets for New Japan big shows from outside Japan. Here is where to go.
There will be a lot of Jim Ross on television tomorrow night. He’ll be announcing New Japan at 8 p.m. for a one hour show tomorrow night on AXS, and then live on CBS Sports Network with Sean Wheelock doing Knockout Night at the D boxing at 11 p.m. Eastern time (8 p.m. Pacific).
40 years ago today, CWF sold out the Miami Beach Convention Center with a loaded show with Dusty Rhodes & King Curtis Iaukea vs. The Assassin & The Missouri Mauler (a brother combination), plus Mike Graham vs. Bob Orton Jr. for the Florida title, Bob Roop & Bob Orton Sr. vs. Jack & Jerry Brisco, Steve Keirn & Bob Backlund vs. Randy Culley & Jim Lancaster, Billy Robinson vs. Ray Stevens and Greg Valentine vs. Pak Song.
Shannon Moore has moved to Orlando and will be taking pro wrestling books through Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com. Also taking bookings include Joey Ryan out of Los Angeles, Mikael Judas out of Greenville, SC as well as Eric Bischoff, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman, Kevin Nash, DDP, Rick Steiner, Tommy Dreamer, Drew Galloway, Matt Sydal, Stevie Richards, Nunzio, Tony Mamaluke, Kenn Doane, Shane Helms, Abyss, Hernandez, Mike Posey, Jimmy Rave, Slim J, Moose, Al Snow and Blue Meanie. Available, but only outside the U.S. and Canada, are Jay Lethal, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian.
ROH has announced a 7/8 all-women’s show in Baltimore at 5 p.m. the William J. Myers Pavilion and admission is free, taped for the ROH YouTube channel. Those wrestling include Amber Gallows, Crazy Mary Dobson, Deonna Purrazzo, Faye Jackson, Jenny Rose, Kelly Klein, Kennadi Brink, Mandy Leon, Solo Darling, Sumie Sakai, Taeler Hendrix and Veda Scott.
This week on Fite TV
Tomorrow night at 9 p.m. Eastern will be Knockout Night at the D called by Jim Ross & Sean Wheelock. This also airs on CBS Sports Network and is free
Tomorrow night at 10 p.m. is Evolve from Ybor City, FL as listed above for $14.99
Saturday at 7 p.m. has amateur boxing from Cartersville, GA for $9.99
Saturday at 8 p.m. has Evolve from Orlando for $14.99
Sunday at 8 p.m. has TNA Slammiversary from Orlando for $39.99
New England Championship Wrestling on 6/11 in Wakefield, MA at the Americal Civic Center for the Ion 8 championship. It will be an eight-person one night tournament with last year’s winner, Mike McCarthy, Chris Escobar, Todo Loco, Jay Freddie, Slyck Wagner Brown, T.J. Warren, Kevin Tibbs and Brad Hollister.
Great North Wrestling results from Saturday night in Smith Fails, ONT before 325 fans: Hannibal b Al Snow to retain Canadian title, Kevin Lee Davidson b The Spoiler, Soa Amin b Giant Darko, Lady Yasmine b Florence Riley, Bruiser & Blade b Freak Nation, Fabulous Jacques b Preston Perry-DQ, Jeremy Prophet b Grapecrusher, Davidson won 30 man Battle Royal. Next show is 6/25 in Pembroke, ONT with Nikolai Volkoff.
Hoosier Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Columbus, IN: It opened with salute to Muhammad Ali and Beverly Dundee. Eddie Felson won three-way over Timmy Danger and Jonathan Wolf, JKO b KC Huber, TVZ won over TJ & Shawn Kemp and The Bambino Family, Wicked Clown b Cooter, Drax O’Brien b Dynamite Dillen, Rob Conway b Shawn Cook, Vic the Bruiser b Lighting Bolt Johnson. Next show is 7/2 at Aaron’s Lot in Columbus for the annual Can Food Drive show. Admission is six cans of food and bring your own lawn chairs with start time at 6:30 p.m.
VCW on 6/30 in Toronto at the Super Wonder Gallery.
Superkick’d Pro Wrestling on 7/8 in Toronto at the Great Hall with eight matches and live music.
There is a new book out called “The Golden Era of Amateur Wrestling: the 1980s” by Reginald Rowe looks back at 29 Hall of Fame member and 11 nominees for the NCAA 75th anniversary wrestling team including five of the best amatuer wrestlers ever, Bruce Baumgartner, David Schultz, Melvin Douglas, Andre Metzger and Kenny Monday. The book is available at Amazon and major book stores.
CZW Tournament of Death on Saturday at 2 p.m. at 179 Ebenzer Church Road in Townsend, DE. The first round matches are Tim Donst vs. Rickey Shane Page fans bring the weapons, Alex Colon vs. Danny Havoc in a light tube death match, Masada vs. Conor Claxton in a barbed wire madness match and Jeff Connonball vs. Matt Tremont in a Home Run Derby match. There will also be a Devon Moore vs. Dale Patricks scaffold match, DJ Hyde vs. Josh Crane in a panes of glass match and Aaron Williams vs. Ron Mathis in a death match.
Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Damien Sandow appear tomorrow night for Jimmy’s Seafood Slamboree on 6/10 at the MCW Arena in Joppa, MD. Sandow will be wrestling under the name Aaron Stevens, his previous ring name. Lio Rush is also on the show. Hall & Nash won’t be wrestling.
Matt Riviera suffered a stinger on Saturday night at an NWA Midwest show in Marion, OH. He was wrestling Matt Taylor, who did a plancha but overshot. His left arm went numb but it came back after two minutes and he was able to finish the match. He won’t be missing any ring time.
VII Pro Wrestling on 7/15 at Dawley Town Hall in Telford, UK with Will Ospreay as the headliner along with Ryan Smile and Pete Dunne.
CHIKARA has a doubleheader at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on 7/23 in Toronto at the Franklin Horner Community Center.
Pro Wrestling Zero Hour on 6/19 in Hamilton, ONT at the Knights of Columbus.
ECWA on 6/18 in Springfield, PA at the Springfield Ice Rink has Scotty 2 Hotty and Shockwave the Robot plus Tony Atlas vs. Eric Martin.
Wrestling Revolver tomorrow night in Clive, IA at the Seven Flags Event Center with John Hennigan (Johnny Mundo) vs. Billy Gunn, Rhino vs. Trevor Lee, Tommy Dreamer vs. Arik Cannon in a Hardcore match, PJ Black vs. Michael Elgin, Bob Holly vs. Sami Callihan, plus Jody Kristofferson, AR Fox, Jessicka Havok and Scotty 2 Hotty. There is a pre-fight party tonight at the VooDoo Lounge in Des Moines for music and ticket giveaways and the VooDoo Lounge will also host a post-fight party.
Even though they are feuding on television, the Hardys are scheduled as a tag team on 6/18 for Keystone Wrestling in Lancaster, PA at the Lancaster Host Resort Conference Center.
Smash Wrestling on 6/11 in Oshawa,ONT at the Harmony Creek Community & Events Centre.
Pure Wrestling Association on 6/25 in Port Hardy, BC at the Wakas Community Hall and 6/24 in Courtenay, BC at the K’omoka Band Hall.
PWA on 7/1 in Cambridge, ONT at Riverside Park has a 2 p.m. show.
Blue Demon Jr. appears on 7/17 for Lucha Toronto at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre along with Lince Dorado.
Border City Wrestling on 8/20 in Tecumseh, ONT at the Royal Canadian Legion featuring Dutch Mantell.
House of Hardcore on 8/6 in Pasadena, TX at the Convention Center has Tommy Dreamer & Mickie James vs. Pepper Parks & Cherry Bomb plus Billy Gunn, Carlito, MVP, Sandman and Tony Nese.
A look at the lives and careers of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice, the return of Brock Lesnar to UFC and the story behind it and coverage of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament are the lead stories in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Our Ali story talks about the changes in public opinion on him going through the years, his place in culture, the Ali-Frazier fight, the Ali-Liston fights, his being banned from boxing, the creation of different world titles, the Ali-Foreman fight, the Thrilla in Manila, the inspiration of the movie Rocky, what Ali took from pro wrestling, Gorgeous George and Fred Blassie, and what he gave back to pro wrestling, the Ali vs. Inoki story, Ali’s appearances in relation to pro wrestling, Ali’s pro wrestling matches that are often forgotten, Ali working the first WrestleMania and the Superdome in New Orleans for Bill Watts, the sad ending of his career and the fraud on the public that was the Larry Holmes fight.
The death of Kimbo Slice is also covered. Read about the circumstances leading to the death, how he became famous, his real background, what he did between football and MMA, the Sean Gannon fight, Elite XC, his television ratings records, the crazy night that was supposed to be the Ken Shamrock fight, the death of Elite XC and how media a misunderstanding ended the promotion, Kimbo’s days in UFC, the highest rated season of Ultimate Fighter, and sustaining the drawing power. Plus, a look at Kimbo Slice and pro wrestling and why it was about to happen, and how it fell apart, is covered. There’s also look at Slice in boxing, and the Dada 5000 fight.
Finally, read about the Brock Lesnar to UFC deal, what Lesnar said about why he’s coming back should it be believed, the choice of Mark Hunt as the opponent, why the deal took so long to be announced, how this affects pro wrestling, Lesnar’s regrets about re-signing with WWE but why you can question that, the drug testing issue and the Ariel Helwani issue that reporting the story first turned into.
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.
The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.
Also in this issue:
First details of CMLL’s next iPPV show, the International Grand Prix tournament and who is in it
Notes on the Elite tournament
Update on CMLL’s major event of the week
A look at the career of Dan Miller
The future of Adam Rose on the indies
More on the future of Cody Rhodes on the indies
More on the Jimmy Snuka case
Update on Damien Sandow on the indies
Fan pulls a gun on wrestler
Updates on Roderick Strong and Moose in ROH
Notes on the three-show ROH weekend
Notes on TNA’s PPV show
Notes on ownership of the TNA name
New TNA hire
Update on Ronda Rousey
Backstage incidents at UFC 199
Don Frye goes into UFC Hall of Fame and notes on his fighting and pro wrestling career
Notes on UFC 201 in Atlanta
Marc Ratner goes into boxing Hall of Fame
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
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.
New York, New York: Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Dick Shikat for the New York State Athletic Commission version of the World Heavyweight Title
1935
Waterloo, Iowa: – Joe Dusek went to a drew with Lou Plummer
1938
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: – The Masked Marvel (Ted Cox) defeated Vic Christy to win the Montreal World Heavyweight Title
1943
Des Moines, Iowa: – Jim Londos defeated Tom Zaharias 2 falls to 0 – Junior Heavyweight Champion Ken Fenelon beat Bill Dusen
1945
Wichita, Kansas: – World Heavyweight Champion Orville Brown beat Lord Albert Mills in a 2 out of 3 falls match – Ray Eckert defeated Vic Holbrook
1949
Kansas City, Kansas: – NWA World Champion Orville Brown and Joe Pazandak wrestled to a draw at the midnight closing hour 1 fall a piece – Fred Blassie and Herman Von Doyle went to a draw
1960
Amarillo, Texas: – Nick Roberts and Art Nelson defeated Dory Funk, Sr. and Bob Geigel to win the Amarillo version of the NWA North American Tag Team Titles
Kansas City, Kansas: – Central States Heavyweight Champion Thor Hagen beat Ernie Dusek – Central States Women’s Champion Lorraine Johnson defeated Judy Glover in 2 out of 3 falls – Bob Orton defeated Emil Dusek by DQ – Gory Guerrero and Doug Scott wrestled to a draw
1961
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – In a Texas Death Match; Hard Boiled Haggerty & Gene Kiniski beat Whipper Billy Watson & Wilbur Snyder in 2 out of 3 falls – Bob Geigel beat Tony Baillargeon – Jack Pesek beat Stan Kowalski
1964
Nashville, Tennessee: – Tojo Yamamoto and Alex Perez defeated Jackie and Don Fargo for the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1967
Seoul, South Korea: – Kim Il (Kintaro Ohki) defeated Mark Lewin to win the Los Angeles-based World Wrestling Association’s World Heavyweight Title
St. Joseph, Missouri: – Sonny Myers won NWA Central States Heavyweight Title from The Viking
1969
Vancouver, British Columbia: – Dutch Savage and Bob Brown defeated Dean Higuchi and Earl Maynard to win the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Titles
Nashville, Tennessee: – Johnny Walker and The Sundown Kid defeated Tojo Yamamoto and Johnny Long to win the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1973
Atlanta, Georgia: – Mr. Wrestling II and Bob Orton, Jr. defeated the Super Infernos (Doug Gilbert and Don Smith) to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Titles
Chicago, Illinois: – AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Dick the Bruiser & Wahoo McDaniel – Billy Robinson beat Dick Murdoch – Jim Brunzell beat Ric Flair
1977
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – Ray Stevens beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel via dq – AWA Tag Team Champions Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum beat Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell – Super Destroyer beat Pedro Morales
1978
Atlanta, Georgia: – Angelo Mosca won a tournament final for the vacant NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title
1979
Des Moines, Iowa: – Bill Irwin defeated Wayne Rogers – Bob Brown fought Jerry Brown to a double-DQ – In an Indian Strap Match; Frank Hill defeated Bob Sweetan – World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race defeated The Super Destroyer Mark II (Sgt. Slaughter) (w/ Lord Alfred Hayes) via DQ
1980
Omaha, Nebraska: – Mad Dog Vachon beat Adrian Adonis in a Falls Count Anywhere match – Jerry Blackwell went to a double count out with Dino Bravo – Bobby Heenan beat Lord Alfred Hayes in a Loser Leaves Town match – Greg Gagne & Steve Olsonoski beat Jesse Ventura & Super Destroyer Mark II
1985
St. Paul, Minnesota; – Michael Hayes beat AWA Champion Rick Martel (no title change and decision later reversed) – Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Greg Gagne & Steve Olsonoski (sub Jim Brunzell) – Fabulous Freebirds, Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts beat Larry Hennig & Curt Hennig
1986
– Kendall Windham is given the Florida State Heavyweight Title that he had lost to the White Ninja (Keiji Mutoh/Great Muta)
1989
Dallas, Texas: Jeff Jarrett and Mil Mascaras defeated Super Zodiac II and Cactus Jack to win the World Class Tag Team Titles
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: – Bob and Kerry Brown defeated Chris Benoit and Biff Wellington for the Stampede International Tag Team Titles
1991
Palmetto, Florida; – Steve Williams defeated Bam Bam Bigelow to become the first UWF Television Champion – Rockin’ Robin defeated Candi Divine to become the first UWF Women’s Champion
1995
Tokyo, Japan: – Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue won the second AJPW Unified World Tag Team Title from Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi
1997
Boston, Massachusetts: – Jeff Jarrett won the WCW United States Heavyweight Title from Dean Malenko
1999
Sendai, Japan: – Johnny Ace and Bart Gunn defeated Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Titles
2000
Tokyo, Japan: – Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue defeated Takao Omori and Yoshihiro Takayama to win the vacant AJPW Unified World Tag Team Titles
2001
Charlestown, Indiana: – CM Punk defeated Mark Wolf to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title
2004
Nashville, Tennessee: – AJ Styles defeated Frankie Kazarian to win the TNA X Division Title
