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Category: News

  • On this date in pro wrestling history (10/6): Nigel McGuiness wins ROH belt, Kurt Angle defeats Steve Austin, Cody Rhodes & Goldust capture WWE tag gold

    1949

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Bill Longson and Bob Wagner defeated Bobby Bruns and Ronnie Etchison in 2 out of 3 falls

    1962

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – AWA Champion Verne Gagne drew Doug Gilbert
    – Saloon Match: Crusher beat Bill Miller 
    – Jack Lanza beat Crybaby Cannon
    – Rocky Hamilton beat Jack Allen
    – Larry Hennig beat Tiny Mills

    1967

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Mighty Igor Vodik & Verne Gagne in 2 out of 3 falls

    1971 

    Nigata, Japan:
    – Marie Vagnone & Jane Sherill defeated Jumbo Miyamoto & Aiko Kyo to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title

    San Antonio, Texas:
    – Thunderbolt Patterson beat Toru Tanaka
    – Wahoo McDaniel & Jose Lothario beat Johnny Valentine & Buddy Wolff
    – The Spoiler beat George Gaiser
    – Bobby Shane beat Bob Burns

    1972

    Indianapolis, Indiana:
    – Dick the Bruiser defeated Blackjack Mulligan in a Georgia Chain Gang match
    – Billy Red Cloud & Bobby Bold Eagle defeated Blackjack Lanza & Baron Von Raschke
    – Andre the Giant defeated Ben Jarrells & Red Dupree in a handicap match

    1975 

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Dusty Rhodes defeated Bob Roop to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – The Mongolian Stomper went to a no contest with Mike Graham
    – Ron & Robert Fuller beat Cowboy Parker & Ken Dillinger
    – Al Greene beat Pepper Gomez
    – Southern Champ Bob Armstrong beat Harley Race
    – Southern Tag Champs The Interns beat Eddie Marlin & Bill Dundee

    Dallas, Texas: 
    – Texas Heavyweight Champion Brian Adidas defeated Jack Victory
    – Iceman King Parsons defeated The One Man Gang in the third round of a Taped Fist match via knockout
    – In a No DQ, “Hair vs. Hair” match, Kerry & Kevin Von Erich defeated Chris Adams & Gino Hernandez

    1982 

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Kevin Sullivan defeated Barry Windham in a tournament final for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title

    1988

    Raleigh, North Carolina:
     -NWA World Tag Team champions The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Kevin Sullivan & Rick Steiner
    – Nikita Koloff fought Russian Assassin #1 to a double disqualification
    – Lex Luger & Sting defeated NWA World champion Ric Flair & NWA United States champion Barry Windham in a Lumberjack match 

    1990 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Tony Anthony & Doug Gilbert defeated Jeff Jarrett & Jeff Gaylord to win the USWA World Tag Team Title
    – Jeff Jarrett defeated Dick Slater to win the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – Sgt. Slaughter defeated Nikolai Volkoff via submission 
    – Mr. Perfect defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Texas Tornado via countout
    – WWF champion The Ultimate Warrior & the Legion of Doom defeated Demolition Ax & Smash, & Crush 

    1995

    Paintsville, Kentucky:
    – SMW Heavyweight Champion Brad Armstrong defeated the Punisher 
    – SMW Tag Team Champions Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray defeated the Dirty White Boy & Robert Gibson 
    – Buddy Landel fought Tommy Rich to a double count-out

    2001

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – WWF Intercontinental champion Christian pinned Edge 
    – Jeff Hardy pinned WWF Tag Team champion Bubba Ray Dudley
    – WWF champion Kurt Angle pinned Steve Austin

    2007

    Edison, New Jersey:
    – Bryan Danielson defeated Chris Hero
    – Austin Aries pinned Roderick Strong
    – Nigel McGuinness captured the ROH championship by defeating Takeshi Morishima 

    2013

    Buffalo, New York:
    – Alberto Del Rio retained the WWE Championship over Rob Van Dam in a hardcore rules match
    – Cody Rhodes & Goldust defeated The Shield to win the WWE Tag Team Championship

  • WWE Raw live results 10-5: Brock Lesnar and Undertaker build to Hell in a Cell

    The Big Takeaway: Seth Rollins will officially face Kane at Hell in a Cell. Summer Rae asked Rusev to marry him. Rusev said he would, but only until he captures a championship. John Cena was accidentally superkicked by Dolph Ziggler following the main event, which teased a program between the two. Stephanie McMahon shouted down The New Day. Stephanie McMahon shouted down Kane. Stephanie McMahon shouted down Rollins. Twice. To keep the storyline cohesive, HHH later offered support to Rollins. 

    Show Recap: 

    Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman starts the show. Heyman put over Lesnar’s victory over the Big Show to start the Go to Hell Tour, and now it’s time to focus on the Undertaker. Heyman said the Undertaker considers Hell in a Cell to be the Devil’s Playground, but Lesnar considers it the Lair of the Beast. They replaced highlights from Wrestlemania 31, which got a mixed reaction. 
    Heyman said Undertaker realized at SummerSlam that he wasn’t Dead Man enough to get revenge on Lesnar, then replayed the controversial finish from SummerSlam.

    Heyman promoted Lesnar being on Steve Austin’s podcast later this month, and vowed this would be Lesnar’s last match against the Undertaker. The winner would be the winner of history between Lesnar-Undertaker, and the loser wouldn’t walk out at all. 

    Big Show came out and said he was very close to beating Lesnar. Show extended his hand to Lesnar to shake it, but Lesnar snubbed him and walked out of the ring. Show said it must be nice being as arrogant as he is, but he hopes he loses to the Undertaker again.

    Lesnar took exception to that and got back in the ring, and gave Show a belly-to-belly suplex. Then he got Show up for the F-5 and smiled like it was the 2004 version of Lesnar, acting like the world’s biggest Bob Backland knockoff. 

    Seth Rollins and Stephanie McMahon watched this scene. Rollins was mad because Show was supposed to tag with him later in the show against the Dudley Boyz. Now that Show was laid out by Lesnar, Rollins figured he wouldn’t be available for the match tonight. Rollins asked for Stephanie to cancel the match. Stephanie told him she wouldn’t do any such thing and to figure out the problem for himself. He looked like he was ready to deck her and walked off. 

    Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and Dean Ambrose defeated Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Braun Strowman (15:53)

    Roman Reigns got the hot tag and gave Luke Harper a power bomb. Randy Orton hit Harper with the RKO, and Regins followed with the spear for the pin. Real good match with Orton being the most over performer. Bruan Strowman got the monster heel treatment again. As Dean Ambrose tried a pescado, Strowman caught him and slammed him on the floor. This led to JBL comparing him to Jeep Swenson and Bill Kazmaier. I can’t wait to see Strowman joining eight other guys to face John Cena and Orton in a triple deck cage match in 10 years. 

    Sheamus defeated Neville (:32)

    King Barett was on commentary. Sheamus ran down the Boston Celtics mascot, saying if they wanted a real leprechaun mascot, they should have used him. Did they have a character who was a leprechaun for years? Sheamus ran down Neville saying he would always be a loser. Neville attacked him with punches. Barrett got up and argued with Neville, allowing Sheamus to hit the Brogue Kick with the pin. Neville didn’t even get a ring entrance and jobbed in 32 seconds.  

    Director of Operations Kane limped into the building. He was in the ring after a commercial and said Rollins got slightly out of control last week. Kane announced himself as Rollins tag team partner tonight against the Dudley Boyz. This brought out Rollins, who said Kane was no Tom Brady, even though they both have deflated balls. 

    Rollins said Kane couldn’t lie, cheat and swindle his way to whatever he wants, implying Brady and the Patriots did that, as well. Kane said his goal was to bring out the best in Rollins, who said the championship brings out the best in him. Kane said Rollins had to face his demons and walk through hell in order to bring out the best in himself. 

    Stephanie came out for the monthy evisceration of talent. She was a complete babyface running down Rollins for making fun of Brady, saying he would lead the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl again this year. That got a huge pop and it was a striaght babyface move. Then she announced the Demon Kane would face Rollins at Hell in a Cell, and added that Corporate Kane could team with Rollins tonight. She also announced that if Demon Kane doesn’t beat Rollins at Hell in a Cell, then Corporate Kane would be relieved of his duties. 

    Rollins pleaded his case with HHH about teaming with Kane tonight. HHH reminded him of the saying “Do unto other before they can do unto you.” So HHH was the heel here. I feel like Johny Hendricks trying to cut weight trying to make sense of the Authority.   

    Natalya defeated Paige via submission (6:03)

    Natalya got the tapout victory with the Sharpshooter, the second time she used that hold. Paige was a rogue heel, which didn’t have much of a reaction. 

    Ryback did a taped promo that was heavily scripted on Kevin Owens. At least it didn’t look he was reading a teleprompter. 

    Kevin Owens defeated Sin Cara (2:35)

    Owens won with the Pop Up Power Bomb. Talk about a random match. Owens jumped Kalisto, but Ryback ran out after Owens, who left through the crowd. 

    Stephanie was checking her iPhone when the New Day walked up chanting “Steph-un-Nee.” Xavier Woods started to play his trombone, but without even looking, Stephanie told Woods that if he played one note on that trombone, she would send the New Day to a place worse than Suplex City. Would that be WWE headquarters on Tuesday afternoons? She forced New Day into another tag title match with the Dudleys at HIAC. Stephanie has scolded the World Champion, the Director of Operations and the Tag Team Champions and we weren’t even 90 minutes into the show. 

    The entire WWE roster came out on the ramp. Cena and Reigns were in the ring with breast cancer survivors for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. They got a standing ovation as the nine women rose their arms together. Reigns did prepared remarks promoting a t-shirt called “Rise About Cancer” The fact Reigns was out there shows he’s still slated as the number two babyface in the company. CM Punk, Paul Lazenby, Lance Storm and others have been vocal on Twitter about breast cancer funds going to other foundations aside from the Koman Foundation, to the point where it’s too complicated to get into here. I would check their Twitter feeds for more information.  

    The Dudleys defeated Seth Rollins and Corportate Kane by DQ (13:23)

    The storyline was Kane has an injured right ankle so he wasn’t 100%, which forced Rollins to practically wrestle the match himself. The doctor told Kane he would have to go to the back. Just as he did on Smackdown last week, Rollins handcuffed Kane to the ringpost so he wouldn’t leave and turned into Demonic Kane. Then Rollins was thrown into Kane by Devon Dudley, and Kane broke free from the handcuffs. Kane left with the doctor. As he went to the back, Kane smiled at Rollins like it was all a ruse. That left Rollins alone against the Dudleys. When the Dudleys left to get the tables, Rollins dropkicked the table into both Dudleys. That led to the DQ, a finish the crowd booed. 

    Rollins went to leave, but Demonic Kane came out. Kane gave Rollins a big boot, but the Dudleys went back in the ring and gave Kane a 3-D. 

    The Dudleys left. Rollins set up a table in the ring while Kane appeared to be laid out. But as Rollins talked trash, Kane grabbed him by the throat. Rollins kicked him away and came off the top rope, but Kane caught him and gave him a choke slam through the table. Not much of a reaction for Demonic Kane until the table spot. 

    In footage from earlier today, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella and Alicia Fox were shown leaving a limosuine. At the same time, Naomi, Tamina and Sasha Banks got out of another limosuine. Naomi threw Nikki’s Yankees baseball cap away and laughed. This set up a trios match. 

    Banks did a prematch in-ring interview since they were back in her hometown, saying she put the Boss in Boston. Team Bella interrupted her, with Nikki running down the Boston Red Sox. Nikki and Brie traded barbs. 

    Team BAD defeated Team Bella via submission (11:46)

    Banks got Fox to tap out with the Bank Statement in a match that dragged. Good final two minutes leading to the finish. Crowd was lively for Banks. They’re still tossing around the Divas Revolution hashtag like it’s still a thing. At this point, the Miami Dolphins would have better luck launching #TannerhillRevolution. 

    Charlotte did a promo saying the Divas Championship would remain around her waist after her match with Nikki Bella at Hell in a Cell. She and Becky Lynch slapped hands. 

    Summer Rae saying she heard rumors Summer was over. If she paid any attention to the crowd, she would understand that isn’t true. She introduced Rusev. Summer wanted to dedicate the segment to Rusev, who she claimed has done more than any other superstar on the roster. There was a montage of Summer calling Rusev gentle and friendly as replays of him slamming Dolph Ziggler and Fandango were shown. 

    Rusev said when they first started their relationship, he didn’t like her at all. But now that she’s been under his arm, he can’t imagine anyone caring more than her. Summer said there’s been something she’s been meaning to ask him. She dropped to a knee and pulled out a ring under her blouse. She asked him to marry her. Ruseve looked speechless. Summer, who called Rusev “Ru-Ru,” said they could go straight to the top together. Rusev finally said yes and they hugged. Summer looked overjoyed. However, after that embraced, Rusev said “Yes, but not yet.” Rusev said they must prove to each other that they’re worthy. He wanted WWE gold around his waist before she could have gold around her finger. Summer looked confused and angry as Rusev held the ropes for her to leave. 

    Cena came out and wanted the challenger for the U.S. Open Challenge. Ziggler’s music played. However, the New Day showed up with a beaten up Ziggler in their arms. Woods reminded Cena of his warning to New Day last week that they better get serious and asked if this was serious enough for him? Big E. took the challenge. Loved the idea of New Day becoming more serious heels. 

    John Cena (C) defeated Big E. to retain the U.S. Championship (9:54)

    Cena won with the AA after Big E. tried to hit Cena with Woods’ trombone. Moments earlier, Cena lifted Big E. for the AA, but Kofi Kingston and Woods helped Big E. escape, leading to referee Charles Robinson ordering them to the back. During a commercial, Big E. delivered an overhead belly-to-belly suplex where Cena landed on the back of his head. 

    Postmatch, the New Day attacked Cena until Ziggler came out for the save. Ziggler tried to give Woods a superkick, but instead he accidentally kicked Cena. The Dudleys ran out, but the New Day outnumbered them. Kingston gave Devon the Trouble in Paradise. Then they gave Devon the Midnight Hour. This was done to make New Day more aggressive heels. 

    SUMMARY: Another cold show, even with Lesnar in the opening segment. With Cena taking a leave of absence in a month, it’s a major period of rebuilding ahead. The question is can they stop booking for ego and start booking for drawing money? The top two heel acts were berated by the boss’ daughter tonight. Reigns doesn’t feel like he’s hot enough to carry this show. However long Cena’s departure will be, it may be similar to when Bret Hart departed for WCW after the Montreal Screwjob in 1997. It’s hard to believe now, but Bret left behind a company with very little depth and only Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin as true stars. With the company at its breaking point, the WWE responded by making more stars than at any point in its history. Really, Cena is leaving behind a roster that’s even more thin than it was 18 years ago, but the paradigm has changed. However, the company’s mission shouldn’t be any different now than it was back then. 

    Pre-Show notes:

    Only the very top of TD Garden is taped off

    Cesaro comes out to a big cheer. Adam Rose is out to boos. Adam Rose says this must be the lowest point of his career. And by lowest point I mean he literally says “Wrestling Adam Rose on Superstars”. Way to out yourself over Adam.

    Cesaro swings Adam Rose 36 times, and submits him with the Sharpshooter.

    PTP vs Ascension

    PTP get on offense early, but Darren eventually gets isolated gets the face in peril heat. Tides makes the hot tag and wins after a powerbomb

  • UFC News: CM Punk out with a shoulder injury, coach dishes on possible debut date

    Former WWE Champion and prospective UFC fighter CM Punk has been out of action for the past few weeks due to a shoulder injury, reported his coach Duke Roufus in an article today on ESPN.com. Punk injured the shoulder a few weeks ago, and is scheduled for an a diagnosis on October 14th.

    “He got caught in a scramble, so right now he’s taking a little time off,” Roufus said. “He was doing great before that. His progress has been good.  He’s got a great attitude and he’s a hard worker.”

    Roufus said they don’t want him back training until fully healed.  Since there is no date for a first fight, there is no rush to get him back. He estimated it would be six to ten months before he feels Punk would be ready to debut. He thought it would make the most sense for his debut to be at UFC 200 on July 9, 2016, in Las Vegas, NV.

  • MON UPDATE: Ronda Rousey on ESPN, Divas match set, WrestleMania tickets

    We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 192, WWE in Madison Square Garden, TNA Bound for Glory and AAA Heroes Inmortales so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match at Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for live reports from Raw tonight in Boston with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else notable that wouldn’t have been on the air itself to Dave Meltzer 

    Brock Lesnar is on tonight’s show.

    We’re also looking for reports on these weekend shows:

    *NXT yesterday in Louisville at the Louder than Life Music and Food Festival

    *WWE Friday night in Trenton

    Tuesday has Smackdown/Main Event tapings in Philadelphia.  No John Cena here, with Randy Orton, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns being the biggest stars.

    NXT TAKEOVER WEDNESDAY FROM FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY IN WINTER PARK, FL at 8 p.m. on the WWE network

    Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the NXT title in a 30 minute Iron Woman match

    Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament semifinals & finals

    JJ Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Rhyno & Baron Corbin

    Samoa Joe & Finn Balor vs. Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson

    Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze

    Asuka vs. Dana Brooke

    WrestleMania Tickets go on sale 11/6

    WWE announced today that WrestleMania tickets go on sale at 11/6 at 10
    a.m. Eastern time for the 4/3 show at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, where the
    company will attempt to break its all-time attendance record.

    The company announced tickets will top at $2,360 for the first eight rows
    of ringside, the Golden Circle VIPs, with $1,180 for the rest of ringside
    and the lowest tickets will be priced at $18.

    The $2,360 tickets will include a WrestleMania take home chair.  Tickets on sale at ticketmaster.com.

    Figure Four Weekly:

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a look back at how exactly WWE lost the WWF name. Forget the stories you’v heard, this detailsexactly what the World Wildlife Fund objected to, what WWE agreed to and why, what scandals worried the fund, and more.  On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news from Dr. Lucha Steve Sims and and Alan”4L” Counihan.

    The recent Figure Four Weeklywith a look at the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI may have helped Hulk Hogan cover up his racist and homophobic comments. A judge has ordered the FBI to turn over the records of their investigation, and what Gawker is saying in court about what has and hasn’t been turned over paints a very interesting picture.

    Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it’s available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle.

    ****

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    If you saw the JBL interview with Eric Bischoff, or even if you didn’t, we have what is already one of the most talked about and praised issues of the Wrestling Observer this year up on the site right now.  The main theme is fact vs. fiction, covering both the WWE historical view of the Monday Night Wars and the Eric Bischoff version, going through every point and cutting through things like outright B.S., faulty memories and interesting truths.

    The new double issue also covers SummerSlam in Brooklyn, the real story behind the UFC announcing a show in Madison Square Garden, Jon Jones’ legal punishment and future, coverage of both of the New Japan PPV shows this past week as well as a look at their direction as they build toward King of Pro Wrestling and later, the Tokyo Dome show, UFC in Japan and a look at that business, the retirement of Rich Franklin, a Hall of Famer running for Mayor, the retirement show of Genichiro Tenryu, more concerning drug testing questions, SummerSlam PPV numbers and what we can learn from them, as well as the death of German legend Axel Dieter Sr.

    The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter:  October 6, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Analysis of Bischoff Network interview, Jones plea and tons more. 

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

    You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Rates are:

    For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52.  In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com  For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

    If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

    The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

    We look at Eric Bischoff and his role, both good and bad, in what the pro wrestling industry has turned into.  We look at the WCW boom, the creation of Nitro, the early war, the NWO era, the peak and the fall of WCW.

    We look at the mistakes made, the fall of WCW, the emergence of Bill Goldberg, the real origination of the streak idea,   We look at the rapid decline of the company and why.  We look at how and when things went down, as well as why, how history shows the merger excuse doesn’t hold water, the complete b.s. of the WWE’s Monday Night War narrative.  We look at the dying days of WCW and Eric Bischoff’s plan he never got a chance to implement.

    We look at Eric Bischoff’s background, how he got into wrestling, his first meeting with Verne Gagne, his WWF tryout as an announcer, his connection with Japan, the unique case of Sonny Onoo, and the death of the AWA.

    We look at the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling, Vince McMahon’s one-year run on TBS and problems with Ted Turner, where Bill Watts fit into the scene then, and the scene prior to the launch of Nitro.

    We look at WCW before Bischoff got power, what really happened with Jim Ross and WCW, , moves by Bill Watts, .  We look at the first Nitro, the real story behind Lex Luger, what Lex Luger really got, what really happened in WCW with HHH and Mick Foley, Foley getting into WWF, the story behind Bischoff’s firing of Steve Austin, the cruiserweight division and its double-edge sword, what was the point of no return, the Montreal screw job and why so many, even in wrestling, missed key points in that story, Mike Tyson at WrestleMania, Kevin Nash as a booker, DX invades Nitro and the Bischoff vs. McMahon challenge to a fist fight and the story behind the PPV that went 30 minutes over.

    In the UFC Madison Square Garden announcement, we look at the thought process behind the strategy.

    FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW CLICK HERE

    If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.

    New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

    • Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw and the latest wrestling news with Wresting Observer radio tonight.  You can send in questions for the show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
    • Ronda Rousey will become the first female athlete ever to anchor ESPN Sports Center for the 6 p.m. Eastern time airing of the show on Wednesday.
    • Rousey is also booked for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night and will be on Mike & Mike, First Take and the midnight Sports Center all on ESPN on Wednesday.
    • WWE has announced Charlotte vs. Nikki Bella for the Divas title at Hell in a Cell.  The original lineup we were given for the show had that as a three-way with Paige, so we’ll see if they shoot it in that direction or they changed ideas. 
    • Bruno Sammartino turns 80 tomorrow.  We are also scheduled to have him as a guest on our show on Thursday, so if you’ve got any questions, send them to me and I’ll try and get them in.  Some Italian media:  Chiet Today, Abruzzo and Ansa.it
    • Brian Pillman passed away 18 years ago today.  He was someone greatly missed, a sardonic genius in many ways.  We’ve got two issues that cover who he was and his legacy in football and wrestling

    October 13 1997 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Life and Death of Brian Pillman

    October 20 1997 Wrestling Observer Newsletter The Fallout of Brian Pillman’s Death

    • There will be a press conference on Thursday at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time in Tokyo Mid Town at Canopy Square in Minato-Ku featuring Nobuyuki Sakakibara and Fedor Emelianenko.  They will be announcing the birth of a new promotion, modeled after Pride, that debuts on New Year’s Eve at the Saitama Super Arena in a show that will air in the U.S. on Spike TV with Emelianenko as the headliner.  Emelianenko’s opponent will be named.  Tito Ortiz today said that it wouldn’t be him and Scott Coker has said that it won’t be Kimbo Slice.
    • Kazuchika Okada vs. Roderick Strong and Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Alex Shelley & Kushida will be on Wednesday’s ROH TV show.
    • Tigre Uno suffered a separated shoulder in the last minute of the X title match at Bound for Glory last night.  That was a gutsy performance still scaling the cables, but using his legs instead of his arms for the power, to do the planned win.
    • Lots of new ROH matches with New Japan talent have been added to New Japan World.
    • Paul Levesque will be doing a media conference call tomorrow.
    • Jim Ross will be doing a private meet and greet at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Dallas the day before WrestleMania 32, on 4/2.  It will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Maple Conference Room in the lobby of the hotel.  Tickets are $50 and can be purchased HERE
    • Congratulations to Ariel Helwani on the 300th episode of the MMA Hour today.  On today’s show, Rampage Jackson told Helwani that he thinks he’s fought his last fight.  He’s currently tangled up in legal issues with Bellator. 
    • The movie “Navy Seals vs. Zombies that stars Chad Lail (Gunner in TNA) will be released tomorrow on DVD ad Blue Ray.  Former NBA player Rick Fox is also in the movie. as well as former Olympian LoLo Jones. 

    Gunner talks the movie

    • Irv Muchnick talks the Jimmy Snuka case
    • wXw day three of the world tag team tournament from yesterday in Oberhausen, Germany:  Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly b Axel Dieter Jr. & Da Mack, Robert Dreissker & Julian Negro & Ilja Dragunov b Evil Uno & Stu Grayson & The Rotation, Big Daddy Walter & Zack Sabre Jr. b Chris Brookes & Jonathan Gresham, Michael Dante b Tommaso Ciampa, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Absolute Andy & Bad Bones John Klinger b Jurn Simmons & Tyler Bate & Kevin the Roadster & Marius van Beethoven, A.J. Styles b Tommy End, Karsten Beck b ACH to keep wXw title, Big Daddy Walter & Zack Sabre Jr. b Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly to win tournament.
    • WWE stock closed today at $17.95, up 65 cents.
    • The WWE 24 episode of NXT airs tonight on the WWE Network after Raw.
    • A.J. Styles vs. Donovan Dijak was announced for the 10/23 ROH show in Kalamazoo, MI.
    • Daniel Bryan said if WWE doesn’t clear him to wrestle, he will absolutely continue his career outside WWE.
    • A story on Titus O’Neil
    • Destiny World Wrestling on Saturday night in Mississauga, ONT:  Scotty O’Shea b Phil Atlas, Marko Estrada b Aaron Draven, Randy Reign b Markus Burke, Mathieu St. Jacques & Thomas DuBois b Jersey Boyz, Stone Rockwell b Jimmy Nutts, Jennifer Blake b Xandra Bale, Rey Mysterio Jr. won three-way over P.J. Black and Ricochet to win Destiny heavyweight title (thanks to Steven Ashe)
    • Any historians or trivia note know of any Chinese born champions in pro wrestling in the U.S. or Canada?
    • Michael Venom Page, one of the most entertaining strikers in MMA, will face Charlie Ontiveros on the 10/23 Bellator show from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. 
    • Cher tweeted support of Nick Diaz, writing “Lift the NSAC ban from MMA fighter Nick Diaz.” 
    • Mecca Pro Wrestling on 11/7 in Kingston, ONT at the Royal Canadian Legion.  Their show no 10/10 in Iroquois, ONT has been canceled.
    • The Ryan Ferris Healthpile in Bernwood, WV is raising money to help former wrestler Nick “Bully” Busick in his battle fighting esophageal cancer.  A lot of are businesses have donated money to help him with his treatments.
    • Dynamo Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Fenton, MO:  Brandon Espinosa b Justin D’Air, Jayden Fenix won six-way over Keon Option, Ozzie Gallgher, The Sntich, Da’Marius Jones and Danny Adams, Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby won three-way over Rocket Mapache & Jackal and Shorty Biggs & Outtkast, Mike Outlaw b Elvia Sliaga, Jack Gamble & Jon Webb b Michael Magnuson & Dave DeLorean, Ricky Cruz b Jake Dirden to win their title (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
    • Pro Championship Wrestling on Saturday night in Granite City, IL:  Pierre Abernathy & Danny Adams b Jake Dirden & Mike Outlaw, Austin Blackburn b Everett Connors, Davey Vega b Evan Gelistico, Mark Sterling won three-way over Mikey McFinnegan and Billy McNeil, Mat Fitchett b Zakk Sawyers, Adam Caster b Nate Redwing, K.C. Karrington won a four-way over Makaze, Jeremy Wyatt and Steven Kennedy.
    • Hoosier Pro Wrestling on Saturday night drew a full house to see the return of Jimmy Valiant in Columbus, IN:  Eddie Felson b Shawn Kemp, Cousin Cooter b Dynamite Dillen, Drax O’Brien b Troy Van Zant, Jimmy Valiant & Doink the Clown b Shawn Cook & Billy Bart, Lightning  Bolt b Tom Van Zant-DQ, Clint Poe b Jon Wall, Flash Flanagan & Timmy Danger NC Cowboy Marc Houston & TJ Kemp.  Next show is 11/7 as the 17th anniversary show and will be headlined by NWA champion Jax Dane.
    • Rob Van Dam will be at the 2015 Central Canadian Comic Con in Winnipeg on 10/31 and 11/1.
    • Victory Commonwealth Wrestling on 10/15 in Ajax ONT at The Reaper’s headlined by Nick Watts vs. Bishop in a ladder match.
    • Great Canadian Wrestling on 12/5 in Oshawa, ONT at Harmony Hall.
    • Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 11/28 in Oshawa, ONT at Royal Canadian Legion #43.
    • Top Rope Promotions from Saturday night in Brockton, MA before 200 fans:  Ted Goodz b TK O’Ryan, Franky Vain & Brutal Bob Evans b Craig Costa & Will Worthington & Marshall McNeill, Brad Hollister b Antonio Thomas (former WWE wrestler), Scotty 2 Hotty b Mike McCarthy, Nick Steele b Vinny Marseglia, Kongo b  Christian Casanova, Chuck O’Neill (former UFC fighter) b Ryan Waters.
    • Pure Wrestling Alliance TV taping on 10/24 in Kitchener, ONT at the Alpine Club.  They are taping for Rogers TV. 
    • Chavo Guerrero vs. Bobby Jaggers was the new match added today to NWAClassics.com
    • Canadian Wrestling Elite on 10/16 in Fannystelle, Manitoba at the Fannystelle Hall. 
    • Forbes on the Madison Square Garden WWE show
    • Chikara Pro has started a subscription service
    • Jeff Marek from Hockey Night in Canada and the MvsW podcast returns to the Winter Palace podcast to discuss the creation of Live Audio Wrestling, helping Trish Stratus make her way to the WWF, and previews the new NHL season with talk of 3 on 3 overtime, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, forecasts the Leafs and Wings seasons and more. Plus, talk about CMLL anniversary show fallout, Los Ingobernables t-shirts for sale online and other popular culture news.  Check it out here.

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

    1971 – Jumbo Miyamoto & Aiko Kyo beat Maria Vagnone & Jane Sherrill in Chiba to win the WWWA tag titles

    1980 – Vicki Williams beat Irma Gonzalez in Mexico City to win the UWA women’s title

    1993 – Dandy beat Emilio Charles Jr. to win the CMLL middleweight title

    1995 – Ultimo Dragon beat Gedo in Omiya to win the WAR Int. jr. title

    2008 – Cyber Kong & Yamato beat Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino in Fukuoka to win the Open the Twin Gate tag titles

    2010 – La Mascara beat Volador Jr. in Mexico City to win the Mexican National light hevyweight title

    2012 – Dragon Rojo Jr. beat Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) in Mexico City to win the NWA Historic middleweight title

  • Interview: Tito Ortiz talks his loss, Fedor and Jon Jones

    The following is from Submission Radio

    On getting caught in the reverse triangle and losing to Liam McGeary

    “I made a mistake. I will never make that mistake again. I haven’t been submitted since 1998 and I won’t ever let that happen again. I was so mad at myself. We worked so hard in training. I mean, I put so much in into that fight, I mean so much. Twelve weeks I put into it. So much triangle defences, reverse triangle defences, arm lock defences, like everything. And Liam was just a little longer, a little faster, a little step ahead of me, and in the last two seconds of the fight I made mistake (laughs). And I’m like, ‘damn. Damn to me’. But you know what? If I’m gonna lose to anybody, like I said, I’ll lose to the champ.”

    If retirement crossed Tito’s mind during the post-fight speech at Bellator Dynamite

    “Never. No. I have one more fight. I make really, really, really, really good money and I love it. This is fun, I like to fight, and I don’t know, I fulfil everything that is given to me. I had a contract with four fights on it, I’m gonna have one more fight to finish up four fights and I’ll fulfil it. There was no idea of retiring at all. It would be nice. Maybe it is time, but I think one more good fight. My body’s right, my mind’s right, everything’s just firing on all cylinders and I like the way life is right now, and it’s fun again to do it. Like I said, I lost to the champion. It wasn’t like I lost to a nobody. I look back on it, and should I have picked an easier fight? Should I have fought a Kimbo, or a Ken Shamrock, or a Frank Shamrock? No. I fought the best man and he was better than me that night. But it wasn’t like I got dominated. Wasn’t like he was gonna knock me unconscious. No, I fought him and I made a mistake.”

    On if this loss to Liam was one of Tito’s toughest losses in years

    “It was one of the toughest losses in years, ’cause I put so much into it and everything at home was so perfect, and I felt like I was gonna win. It was hard, it was really hard. It took a couple of weeks, you know, it took all the way until now. I took a couple of weeks to kind of lick my wounds and understand that things happen for a reason. I think I feel better after a loss than I would if I won. It’d be nice to win, but still I gotta be challenged in my life like this to understand that just ’cause everything is perfect, don’t mean that life is going to end up perfect. But I can make it as perfect as possible for my kids and my family, and that’s number one. And so long as I’m happy doing it, that makes most sense. But I took it hard, I took it really hard. But I just…I already got back into the gym, I started doing weights and speed bag work. So I wanna keep my shape, I want to compete again, and I don’t know – does that spring Shamrock fight happen. I mean, do one of those other super-fights happen where someone wants to watch it? ‘Cause I mean, I’m not going to get my title shot anymore. I have one more fight on my contract, so let’s make a spectacle of it and let’s get  somebody that I can kill almost.”

    On what his Motivation would be for his next fight, considering he won’t be getting another title shot

    “I guess draw the fight out and make it 15 minutes of just pure punishment and entertain the fans that go watch it. Let them all go out and see a beating unfold in front of them.”

    On who Tito will pick for his last fight

    “I don’t know, I guess I have to sit down with Scott Coker and, I mean, possibly just make the fans pick the fighter. Let the fans choose. Somebody that they want to see a spectacle, somebody that will just ‘wow’ the fans. I think that’s what it comes down to. I don’t know, maybe they can do a vote and let the fans pick who I fight next.”

    On if Tito will fight Fedor in Japan on NYE

    “Not on New Year’s Eve, no. I would love to. I just gotta go in and get some little, light surgical work done, I guess you could say. I gotta go get a bone shaved down. So I’ll be healed by next year. But I’m going to enjoy Christmas, I’m going to enjoy Thanksgiving, I’m going to enjoy New Year’s, I’m going to enjoy my birthday for the first time in a long, long, long time. I miss missing those times, and right now my kids are six years old and I want to enjoy the holidays with my children. I think that’s the number one thing for me right now, is to be a Dad and to be happy. New Years Eve, I’ll be having a cold beer in my hand, saying “happy new year’s” to my family, instead of going out and trying to kill somebody. It sound a lot funner to me (laugh). I’ve been putting a lot of work in over a last few years, so I think it’s time to take a little break.”

    On how Tito sees the fight between him and Fedor going and what advantages he holds over him

    “Wrestling of course. On our feet, he’s a little older. He’s not the young guy who throws super fast now. I think in the wrestling area. Him going for submissions, and they’re not crisp for submissions. So just try and punish him. But of course if we fought each other, it’d be at light heavyweight. I mean I’ve always fought at Light Heavyweight. There’s no reason to go . I think my weight class, when I’m in the best shape possible is 205, and that’s what I’ll to fight at. But you know, I think my wrestling will keep it at par. I know the fight on New Year’s, I’ve heard of a few opponents, so it will be a question of if he can handle the competitors he competes against.”

    Tito on if Fedor is one of the best of all time

    “Well, one of the best of all time? Of course. You know, there’s ‘one of’. I mean ‘one of’ is how many? Ten? I mean, you put the number on that and that’s the number. But the best of all time? No way. Pound for pound, the best of all time? No. He fought a lot of guys that were great at their time and his time, but you gotta go for all time, for everybody he’s competed against. You know, in Japan they did give him a lot of ‘gimme fights’. Of course it’s Japan and they want to do spectacle fights, where it’s a completely one sided match. But he did beat a lot of good guys. You can’t take that away from him. And he’s one of probably the biggest names in MMA. Fedor has dominated so much and so many other competitors, but the greatest of all time? No. One of? Yes. He’s one of the greatest of all time. Yes. You gotta give him that. He’s a great, great fighter.”

    On who is the greatest pound for pound fighter

    “Well if Jon Jones can get his shit together, I think it’d be Jon Jones for sure. As a fighter, that guy is amazing. I mean he has to be an adult and stop being a kid”

    On the disappointing TV ratings that Bellator 142: Dynamite drew

    “I think you can’t go head up (against) Stanford and USC. I think that was a bad one, there was a big upset here in the states for football. I mean there was over eight million viewers on that television. So eight million people watching that sport, you know, a lot of people watch football. I mean, that’s plain and simple. A lot of people watch football. And I think Bellator or Spike and whoever was doing the PR for it could’ve promoted it a little bit better. I did all my own PR. I did pretty much more than fifty percent of it. And for a fighter to do fifty percent of the PR for an event, somebody needs to step their game up. But hey, Bellator’s still learning, they’re getting better. But to compete against the football, that just makes a big difference.”

    Tito shares his thoughts on the NSAC’s suspension of Nick Diaz

    “You know, as (far as) Nick Diaz having his third offence – I guess when you say ‘three times, shame on you’, and this is a complete shame on him on this one for his third time. But for five years? I think that’s getting a little drastic. I mean, the guy has a license to smoke marijuana.”

    “In my eyes, I don’t see it as a stimulant to make you a better fighter. I’m not saying this is ok to do, or anything like that, but five years is a little drastic. And I see Jon Jones just get a slap on the wrist from getting a felony and wrecking into a car, or wrecking into a girl who was pregnant and (has) 72 public appearances at a ‘Boys and Girls’ club and 18 months probation. I just scratch my head about that, going ‘this is crazy’. And there’s so many other instances that happen. I mean, as far as Anderson Silva. He only gets popped for a year for doing steroids, which is an enhancement drug for mixed martials. It just doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with it. I’m glad it’s never been a problem that I’ve had. So I just gotta sit back and let the athletic commission do their job. I don’t agree with it, but I sure don’t agree with any athlete using any type of drugs, whether it does help you or doesn’t, during training, during fights.”

    On if Cybrog can get down to 135 lbs to fight Ronda Rousey

    “Well if Ronda ever wants to fight. Cris told Ronda she’d cut down to 135 to fight and Ronda won’t do it. So she said she wants to get more fights under her belt. So they keep feeding 135-pounders to Ronda and Cris is just (gonna) keep dominating at 140-145, until Ronda finally says ‘ok, we’ll fight’. So we’re just waiting for Ronda to step up.”

    If Tito gives Holly Holm a shot against Ronda

    “Submission in two minutes.”

    LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW

  • On this date in pro wrestling history (10/5): AWA Title vs. IWA Title match, Hulk Hogan vs. Nikolai Volkoff flag match, Owen Hart wins WWE IC Title

    1962

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – Buddy Austin beat Red Bastien by countout 
    – Pat O’Connor wrestled Cowboy Bob Ellis to a draw
    – John Paul Henning & Johnny Valentine beat Rip Hawk & Stan Stasiak

    1963

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions, Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher beat Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff to retain title
    – Bob Geigel beat Moose Evans dq

    1968

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – AWA Champion Verne Gagne no contest The Avenger
    – Danny Hodge beat Mike DiBiase
    – Billy Red Cloud beat Chris Markoff
    – Harley Race drew Reggie Parks

    1971 

    Chiba, Japan: 
    – Jumbo Miyamoto & Aiko Kyo defeated Marie Vagnone & Jane Sherill to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title 

    Moline, Illinois:
    – In a Death match, Billy Robinson beat Blackjack Lanza
    – AWA Tag Team Champions, The Crusher & Red Bastien beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens to retain the title
    – Larry Hennig beat Don Muraco

    1974

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions The Crusher & Billy Robinson beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens
    – Larry Hennig no contest Larry Heiniemi
    – Horst Hoffman beat Chris Taylor by countout
    – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Yugo Babich & Stan Pulaski
    – Geoff Portz drew Buddy Wolff

    1979

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – AWA Title vs IWA Title match, IWA Champion Rusher Kimura beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel by dq
    – IWA World Tag Team Champions Animal Hamaguchi & Mighty Inoue beat Kintaro Ohki & Umanosuke Ueda in 2 of 3 falls
    – NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Nelson Royal double count out with Ashura Hara

    1982 

    Osaka, Japan:
    – Judy Martin defeated Yukari Omori for the All Japan Pacific Title 

    1984

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – King Kong Brody no contest Jerry Blackwell
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors beat Ted DiBiase & Buzz Tyler
    – Tony Atlas beat Paul Ellering
    – Hacksaw Higgins beat Buzz Tyler (sub Dick the Bruiser)
    – Jim Brunzell & Bulldog Bob Brown beat the Grapplers

    1985

    East Rutherford, New Jersey:
    – WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Nikolai Volkoff in a Flag match
    – King Kong Bundy & Big John Studd defeated Tony Atlas & Andre The Giant via disqualification

    1987

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Don Bass & Carl Fergie beat Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee
    – AWA Champion Curt Hennig beat Jeff Jarrett
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Soldat Ustinov & Doug Somers beat Nasty Boys
    – Southern Boys beat Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond
    – Bobby Jaggers beat Billy Travis

    1996 

    Ft. Lauderdale, Florida:
    – Cowboy Bob Orton Jr. defeated Tito Santana to win the AWF World Heavyweight Title 

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
    – The Sandman & Tommy Dreamer defeated Stevie Richards & Brian Lee in an Ultimate Jeopardy match (Sandman won Raven’s ECW Title per stipulations of the match)
    – ECW World Tag Team Champions The Gangstas defeated The Eliminators
    – Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Terry Gordy

    1997

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – Owen Hart defeated Farooq in a tournament final to win the vacant WWF Intercontinental Title
    – The Godwinns defeated The Headbangers to win the WWF World Tag Team Titles
    – Shawn Michaels defeated the Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell (debut of Kane)

    2008

    Portland, Oregon:
    – Batista defeated JBL to become #1 contender to the WWE Title
    – Triple H defeated Jeff Hardy to retain the WWE Title
    – WWE World Champion Chris Jericho defeated Shawn Michaels in a Ladder Match to retain the title

  • TNA: Dixie Carter’s major announcement, major letdown

    Dixie Carter’ major announcement made today is that Mahabili Shera, Ethan Carter III and Rebel will be going to India with Executive Vice President of TV and Talent Relations John Gaburick from 10/19 to 10/22.

    They did not make the announcement of the expected television tapings in India from 11/29 to 12/5.  Talent has already been told of the India tour.  The tour will likely be announced in two weeks as TNA and Sony SIX, its television partners in India, are scheduled to make a key announcement during that week.

    The wrestlers will be appearing in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

    The story is that Gaburick and Shera will also be scouting for new talent from India to add to the roster. 

  • Weekend Feedback: UFC 192, WWE, TNA and more!

    UFC 192

    Thumbs Up

    Best Fight: Cormier vs Gustaffson

    Best performances: Sage Northcutt, Albert Tumenov

    This was a pretty solid card up and down. Prelims had a lot of decisive fights which were very entertaining and some potential new prospects pending how they do once they step up in competition.

    I think we need to give Rashad a break after having such a long layoff due to injuries. His next fight will be the one to judge of where he really stands. Maybe he should get Texeira or Saint Preux next.

    Benavidez vs Bagautinov was a big disappointment. Can’t see Benavidez getting a title shot after this performance even though he is ranked #2. It is time for Johnson to move up a weight class but I would be interested in seeing John Lineker get one more shot after his last performance but he may have trouble making weight and keeping weight at that division.

    Gustaffson vs Cormier was a good display by Cormier of imposing his will to dominate how this fight was going to be fought. Gustaffson stayed competitive. I would like to see Gustaffson rematched with Rumble Johnson next to see if it was just nerves infront of the hometown crowd in that first fight between them. Not really any exciting matchups next for Cormier but I guess it may be Bader if Jones isn’t back in time. Can’t see that drawing anything.

    WWE Special

    I like the concept of the live house shows as specials. Liked the one from Japan and liked this one. It is different from the norm with less production which makes it unique.

    Best Match: Cena vs Rollins

    Worst Match: Nothing was really that bad in my mind as I had the mentality going in of being entertained with a house show. Girls match by default.

    Liked how the ladies match has the storyline continuing with the Paige dissention although why they teamed with Paige in the first place in this one after what went down on Raw doesn’t make sense. Good finish in that match.

    Was hoping that they would have given Jericho vs Owens  a bit more time than what they got. That had the potential of being the show stealer. Good match for the time they got. Liked the pre match promo by Jericho.

    Brock vs Show was good for what it was. Was worried a couple times the way Show was landing on his shoulder taking those Germans that he may do some damage to himself. Great power by Brock F-5’ing Show. Botched ending but liked that Brock threw the belly to belly in there before attempting the F-5 again instead of going right back to it.

    Solid main event for Cena & Rollins to end the show. We know it is coming but hope we don’t get a Rollins vs Kane title program out of this. Does anyone else get the feeling that this new Kane character is a copy of the Abyss/Joseph Park story?

    Observer readers…Check out my current ebay auctions featuring some great wrestling memorabilia including some fantastic Stampede wrestling programs which feature Owen Hart, Chris Benoit, Brian Pillman, Bret Hart, Dynamite Kid, Bad News Allen, Keichi Yamada, Shinya Hashimoto, Hiro Hase and so many more. Seller name is grantsindex. Email me if interested in multiple items and we can make a deal

    Email me for some recent Wrestling Observer specials including  Starrcade, Halloween Havoc, Observer Hall of Fame, Summerslam & more.

    grantsindex@nexicom.net

    Grant Zwarych

    Wrestling Observer Index

    WWE @ MSG

    Thumbs Down: For a house show fine but nobody outside of MSG needed to see it. Not a single person in the world would buy the Network for a show like this instead of the upcoming Hell in a Cell, so there was no real purpose to show this on TV. A total overexposure of the product, which is one of their big problems. 

    Best Match: Cena vs Rollins

    Worst Match: Neville vs Stardust

    1. Orton & Ziggler vs Rusev & Sheamus. Average match. The face team won by a referee distraction, go figure. **

    2. Neville vs Stardust. This was cool the first 300 times. Now nobody cares. *3/4

    3. Bellas & Fox vs Becky, Charlotte & Paige. UFC did a better job with a five minute video for the Rousey vs Holm fight that WWE would ever do with their women division and their crappy revolution. Match was fine. **

    4. Owens vs Jericho. Good while it lasted. For a 25th anniversary celebration a 7-minute match was kind of a joke. If I was Jericho I’ll quit the company and just dedicate the rest of my life to talk trash about the McMahons on the podcast. ***

    5. Dudley vs New Day. Lame finish but the Dudleys need to win the title in a Tables match, so this feud would go until December. **1/4

    6. Lesnar vs Show. The world’s greatest five-minutes match. ** 

    7. Cena vs Rollins. Good but clearly below their previous matches. The escape the cage is such a lame stipulation, it kills the purpose of the cage gimmick. ***3/4

    Leonardo II Mendez

    San Sebastian, PR

    Thumbs down Best match: Tag titles Worst match: Gauntlet for Gold match.

    Initial impression: TNA didn’t tell the PPV company that Matt was added to the ME. Whoops.

    Building looks pretty full for a show that was probably 90% papered. Still looks like they’re barely using a quarter of the arena. It looks like someone dusted off the old WCW Thunder stage too.

    Ultimate X match – great opener. Fast paced. Camera missed a few .major spots. Uno retains after knocking some local off the rope. Local guy looked great too. At the end Shane Helms came out and raised his hand. Helms has let himself go too.

    EC3 comes out for a boring 20 minute promo and the crowd does not give a shit.

    Gauntlet match is next which is an 12 man Royal Rumble sort of. Our first is Anderson who awkwardly stands around for a minute looking for his mic. Jessie Goddards is second, and fucks up a press.

    The timer than stars at 2 seconds as Christy Hemme starts counting from 10. Eli Drake is out next.

    Out #4 is Al Snow who brings out Head to the ring. A call back to a better time in his length.

    No countdown for #5 is a bad Sheamus knockoff named Aiden O’Shea. Still no eliminations, #6 is Robbie E. Usually Rumble ring filling up spots going on. Boring.

    Eli Drake is eliminated by Head. Out #7 is Shera. His music wont stop. This is the worst cover of Natural Born Killers I’ve ever heard off. Everyone does the dance. Why is everyone doing the dance.

    Sheamus ripoff knocked off by Shera. 20 seconds after the countdown finishes out comes Gyrus. Out 9th is Chris Melendez. Tyrus eliminates Snow, Melendez, and Shera.

    Out 10th is Tommy Dreamer wearing Dusty polka dots.

    11th is Abyss. Abyss and Tyrus knock everyone out and then entering 12th is… The Pope. Who then proceeds to Mil Mascaras himself. That was pointless. Apparently this was the final entrant, so I imagine imagine Rockstar Spud as at gorilla heard Popes music and turned around and went back to the locker room.

    Tyrus eliminates Abyss. Jessie eliminates Robbie E. Kennedy throws out Dreamer. Kennedy throws out Goddard, and were down to Kennedy vs Tyrus for #1 Contender. Whoever wins we all lose. Tyrus pins Anderson.

    It should be noted that the countdown were utterly fucked. Graphic would never show, Hemme wouldn’t announce it, it seemed to be of a variable length, or wrestlers would just come out.

    That was a waste of a half hour. Tyrus turns on EC3.

    Minus Six Stars.

    Tag Title match – good match. Slowed down at times, but a lot of good spots and a good story.

    Galloway comes out to remind us this is triple threat tonight and he has a 141 and 2/3% chance to win tonight.

    KOTM title match in a straight singles match. Ho hum. Lashley dominated for most of the match. Eventually Roode gets some offense, every does their finisher and the opponents finisher, and Roode wins with a Roode bomb.

    Matt Hardy comes out for a promo. Great promo.

    Billy Corgan is out to remind us that last night was the greatest night of Earl Hebners life. First 20 years of his career is not shown.

    Knockouts Title – HOF referred missed blatant use of chairs because Robert Irvine was arguing with him because Kong was grabbing chairs. Fail eventually managed to kick out and get a small package on Kong for the win. They’ve had better.

    Jeff Hardy comes out looking like Willow has bred with a referee.

    Angle/Young – Hemme announced it as a no DQ match. Apparently Kurt didn’t get the memo because he cuts a promo shocking Young that its a no DQ match. Young pilesdrives Angle and the doctor comes out to check Angle. Dr and Angle say he’s in no cpnditi9n to continue, but the ref doesn’t ring the bell so I guess theres no ref stoppage. Young threatens a piledriver on conceete and Christ this match is just really uncomfortable. Retire Kurt. Angle counters gets some offense and wins after an ankle lock in a match that was stopped for medical reasons 10 minutes prior. Not a great match.

    World Title match – The end of the match happened when EC3 attempted to get himself DQd in a Triple Threat match. Where there were no DQs. EC3 threatens to injure Matt with a folding chair with a nice padded seat.  HOW FUCKING STUPID DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO BE FOR THIS ANGLE TO MAKE SENSE IN A MATCH? Jeff has enough, attacks EC3, Matt gets the pin on Galloway for the title.

    Gregory Valko

    Thumbs in the middle

    Best Match – Gail Kim vs Awesome Kong

    Worst Match – Gauntlet Match

    This was a very thumbs-in-the-middle show as there was nothing that was really good, but there also wasn’t anything bad on the card.  The presentation was affected by both a mostly subdued crowd and lighting that was so low that at times it was difficult to identify wrestlers.  That appeared to be the case live as well with Josh Matthews misidentifying wrestlers all night (or he just doesn’t care).

    Gail Kim vs Awesome Kong was my favorite match on the show, obviously it wasn’t anything like their matches 8 years ago, but they can still have a good match and the crowd was awake for this one.  

    The Matt Hardy title win was both nice and sad.  I’m happy for Matt that he appears to be in a positive place right now both personally and professionally, but it was kind of sad to see the family celebration in a dark arena, with no one watching at home, and no idea when (or if) we’ll see this followed up of television.

    Lee Hamilton

    Hey Dave,  

    Decided on a whim to drop $50 on TNA tonight.  I’d say thumbs slightly up. Typical TNA.  Some good action. Some really bad acting.  Some questionable calls.  

    Best Match – 3 Way World Title Worst Match – #1 Contender Gauntlet (Not even close)

    1) Ultimate X – Big spotfest but that was the goal.  Nothing wrong with that, got the crowd going. Couple of cool spots.  

    2) #1 Contender – And kill the crowd dead with this.  Definition of minus five stars.  I’ve never hated a match more.  The worst punches/acting/stupidity/surprise entrants I’ve ever seen…and to become the top contender for the world title. Way too long, way too awful. I could go on for days how bad this was. 

    3) Tag Title – Really liked this.  The fact that I miss watching the Wolves was one of the reasons I ordered. 

    4) Roode / Lashley – Another solid bout.  This ppv would’ve been so much better if they cut the gauntlet, threw the KOTM title in the trash and just made this the #1 contender.

    5) Kim/Kong – Didn’t mind this.  Kong reminds me of Andre in the 90’s but Gail worked hard. 

    6) Angle/Young – Don’t buy Young as a threat at all.   Didn’t do it for me. 

    7) 3 Way – Really liked this match.  Making Matt the champ is questionable for a company trying to make new stars but maybe they try to pop whatever number they can putting the title back on EC3 on tv.  

    Adam Hicks,  Ohio

    AAA Heroes Inmortales

    Best Match: Garza Jr./Psycho Clown/Rey Jr. vs. Hijo del Fantasma/Myzteziz/Texano Jr.

    Worst Match: nothing down right bad on the show

    Thumbs Up

    Nothing that was blow away (as I felt Rey de Reyes was an overall better show despite others not liking it) but certainly right there with the WWE, TNA, and NXT shows.  Aerostar deserves a much bigger push.  The three way tag title match was a real surprise since I’m not a fan of three way matches and Joe Lider was involved in the match.  Watching the PWG BOLA DVD’s this weekend, along with this show, makes it clear that Jack Evans has really grown as a wrestler.  If this were 1999/2000, he would be praised big time for incorporating MMA kicks and submissions, along with his usual good high flying.  Still waiting for that blow away Rey Jr. AAA match but he continues to be really solid.  

    Tim Cooke

    Thumbs in the middle just because the live crowd was great and my son was into it. Best match was Roode vs Lashley Worst match was a tie between the X division botch fest and the Gauntlet match where the rules were not explained to the live crowd and there were loads of technical glitches.

    The building was almost full and the crowd was into it the whole night. These weren’t necessarily TNA fans, but that area is a wrestling hot bed. The size and energy of the crowd was a pleasant surprise.

    Christy Hemme announced the Young-Angle match as No DQ before they even entered the ring so Angle’s promo was anti-climactic. I was surprised to read results that said the match had been stopped as there was no mention of this to the crowd. We just saw the medics come out. Everyone in our section was put off by this as it has been so overdone recently. Kurt Angle looks rough in person.

    No mention of the third announcer.

    Everyone in the live crowd assumed this was it for TNA as the ending felt like a finale with the locker room emptying to celebrate with Matt Hardy. No fan I spoke with had any idea if or when TNA was filming more television. The crowd, Along with referee Jeff Hardy, had no idea the title match was no DQ. We could not hear most of the backstage spots and rarely did they have a live feed on the entrance screens.

    Thanks, Heath Mullikin

  • AAA Heroes Inmortales iPPV results (10/4): Alberto el Patron vs. Johnny Mundo, Rey Mysterio, Antonio Pena tribute match

    Submitted by Robert Bihari

    Myzteziz began the show coming out to a mixed reaction. He cut a sort of rudo promo on Rey Misterio Jr. & also La Sociedad. He specifically said he doesn’t want to join them and doesn’t need help winning his matches unlike wrestlers such as Fantasma & Pentagon. He left to more boo’s than cheers.

    AAA Reina De Reinas Champion Taya Valkyrie vs. Goya Kong vs La Hiedra vs Lady Shani vs Lady Maravilla

    This was Taya’s first title defense since winning the title 18 months ago at Triplemania. Both Lady Shani & Lady Maravilla were listed as surprises although Shani debuted 2 weeks ago in Monterrey so it was presumed she’d be one of the mystery women. Lady Maravilla is relatively unknown but has been working the Mexico City area & training under Gran Apache (who is the head AAA trainer). This was one fall instead of elimination and no tags needed so it was all action. Maravilla looked good in her debut & Goya Kong seemed extra motivated – both doing and taking lots of moves you wouldn’t expect someone her size to do.

    They did a dive train ending with Goya doing a somersault off the apron onto everyone. At one point Lady Maravilla did a great combo submission/German Suplex spot. Finish saw Taya use her Northern Lights Suplex/Double Stomp combo on Hiedra to keep her title. Match exceeded all expectations and was actually quite good.

    AAA Tag Team Champions Joe Lider/Pentagon Jr. (champs) vs Jack Evans/Angelico vs Steve Pain/Daga

    Even though they’ve been portrayed as not being on the same page on TV, Lider/Pentagon/Daga all came out wearing Perros Del Mal shirts which was confusing. Steve Pain must have not got the memo. This was the usual AAA multi-team match with everyone taking turns doing their big moves while other guys just watched from the outside. Angelico hit a big running somersault dive onto a pile at one point. Later Angelico picked up Daga in a fireman’s carry and Jack moonsaulted off Daga’s chest to the floor on Pentagon. The match was going well until Joe Lider brought out thumbtacks for no reason at all and took forever setting up a suplex off the top rope onto them.

    Daga hit a gorgeous somersault dive onto a pile and then brawled up onto the stage with Angelico where they were met by Myzteziz who superkicked Angelico. Myzteziz then hit the ringside area seemingly to help one of the rudo teams but instead dragged Pentagon outside the ring to break up a pin after a Package Piledriver and then crotched him on the ringpost as Joe Lider stood by watching and being confused. Steve Pain got a great nearfall on Jack Evans but then Jack pinned him with the bridging backslide to get the win. Very good match with some great moves & hopefully the end of Pentagon Jr. being wasted in the tag division.

    Drago/Fenix vs Brian Cage/Mesias

    The rudos took the advantage early on with Cage doing lots of his usual power moves on the tecnicos. They built up to the tecnico comeback which included a slingshot rana to the floor by Drago & a double stomp on the apron from Fenix to Mesias which looked absolutely brutal. Really good back and forth from that point on with the tecnicos doing all their great flying spots & the rudos throwing them around when they could catch them. Fenix assisted Drago into a huge corkscrew dive and then hit a Brillo Cometa (2nd rope step-up double corkscrew) which looked spectacular! They did lots of nearfalls which got great reactions.

    They teased problems with Cage/Mesias at one point but it went nowhere. At the end Fenix went for a springboard frankensteiner off the top rope but Mesias caught him and power bombed him at the same time as Cage hit his finisher on Drago for the win. After the match Mesias stole Fenix’s mask and a little child in a Fenix mask at ringside was shown looking very sad. This was another very good match that really was the perfect type of match that should have been on Triplemania two months ago when more eyes were on the product.

    The entire roster came out to honor Antonio Pena. Crowd was respectful & started a ‘Tono’ chant as Marisela Pena looked to be on the verge of tears.

    Copa Antonio Pena

    This was the yearly 10 man Royal Rumble style elimination match where participants entered every 30 seconds. The entrances are generally a formality which is why they breeze through them. Aero Star started with Hijo De Pirata Morgan. Aero took him out with a bullet tope suicida immediatly. Averno was next and brought a chair to attack Aero Star. Nino Hamburguesa followed and hit everyone with a somersault dive through the ropes. Electro Shock was next followed by La Parka. The buzzer then hit and the surprise luchador came out… TAURUS! A new charachter who appears to resemble a bull or if you’re a longtime AAA fan – surprise 2007 Triplemania wrestler The Animal. He was immediatly put over as a huge threat by eliminating Aero Star, Pirata & Nino Hamburguesa as Cibernetico, Blue Demon Jr. & Chessman hit the ring to round out the participants. Electro Shock was dumped by Averno & Chessman.

    In a complete stunner as Cibernetico & Demon were brawling near the ropes, Taurus walked over and ELIMINATED THEM BOTH AT THE SAME TIME! La Parka eliminated Chessman and then Averno soon afterwards setting the stage for him to win this match for a 4th time for no reason at all… except no! Parka got cocky and as his back was turned Taurus snuck up behind him and threw him over the top rope for the shocking win in his debut! Crowd was stunned. Taurus got his trophy and left as the announcers speculated who he was and what an impressive debut it was. Not much of a match in terms of quality but a great way to introduce a new charachter in a strong way & a memorable moment for sure.

    (Should note big Lucha Underground fan Casey who is @luchagringo on twitter noted there may be a Lucha Underground tie in to all this as there’s a scene in season 1 where Dario is in his office writing names down & one name happens to be TAURUS. Also, this Taurus charachter resembles a bull… the same type of bull Dario had on his desk throughout season 1 that was focused upon many times before scene cutaways.)

    Rey Misterio Jr./Psycho Clown/Garza Jr. vs Texano Jr./Hijo Del Fantasma/Myzteziz

    Garza Jr. was the surprise wrestler. He’s the ex-Hijo de Ninja from Monterrey and is part of the Garza extended family which is why he used this name. He is not Hector Gara’s son. Crowd didn’t really know him but they got into him because of his looks and he was doing a Hector Garza tribute act right down to tearing off the pants & doing his same style clothesline. Match started with Rey being presented flowers only for Myzteziz to destroy them. He ran from Rey early on but was dropkicked to the floor by Psycho Clown. The tecnicos hit a triple tope but soon afterwards the rudos took over. The storyline was Myzteziz was all over Rey but didn’t want to take part in any triple teaming by his teammates. Rey led the comeback with a rana off the apron to the floor.

    Garza Jr. did a moonsault dive to the floor. Psycho Clown went crazy with his belt and smacked everyone including Tirantes Jr. in the face. At one point Rey Jr. got assisted into a silla on the floor on Myzteziz which was a neat spot. Finish saw Psycho take out Texano with a somersault dive, Rey Jr. hit Fantasma with an asai moonsault dive & then Myzteziz caught Garza Jr. coming off the ropes with a backcracker and put him away with a Swanton Bomb. Crowd was 100% boo’ing Myzteziz by the end of the match. Rey Jr. cut a promo with the announcers afterwards saying you can’t win all the time but Myzteziz should realize he didn’t pin him and they’ll meet again soon.

    AAA Mega Heavyweight Champion Alberto El Patron vs Johnny Mundo

    Heavy on the Mexico vs USA theme. Mundo had Brian Cage with him, Alberto had Psycho Clown. Alberto hit a wild tope suicida early on. They set up a table on the floor. Mundo started running from Alberto including hurdling into the crowd and stealing chips from a vendor to throw at Alberto who was chasing him. Alberto eventually caught Johnny trying to sneak under the ring but Johnny found water and blinded Alberto to take the advantage. He put Alberto through one of the tables at ringside. Slowest paced match of the night so far. Alberto hit his tree-of-woe double stomp for a nearfall and the Guerrero Especial for another nearfall. Mundo hit his running knee for a nearfall. Mundo escaped the armbar at one point by grabbing the ropes. Mundo went for his kick off the ropes but both Alberto & referee Maya ducked to tease a ref bump… except one second later Maya did get taken out by Alberto by accident.

    Alberto had the match won but no referee so he signalled to send someone else out. Who else would come but Hijo De Tirantes! Everyone knew the usual AAA bullshit was coming. It looked like Mundo was gonna try to suplex Alberto over the top to the floor through another table but Alberto countered into the armbar. Mundo refused to give up and held on long enough for Cage to slid in a guitar (???) and Mundo smashed Alberto over the head with it. The crowd hated this because Tirantes didn’t call the DQ and they throught Alberto was about to get screwed for the 3rd straight time in his hometown. But as Mundo covered, Tirantes counted 1… paused… and then raised Alberto’s hand for the DQ win as confetti was shot all over. Kind of a flat finish but protects Mundo for the rematch & there was no time to be angry because Cage hit the ring and both Alberto/Psycho Clown were beat down.

    Rey Jr. ran out for save and hit a double 619 only for Myzteziz to hit the ring and take out Rey including stealing his mask. La Sociedad then hit the ring in a very eerie Triplemania-esque moment but there was no confusion here this time… they went right after Myzteziz and beat him down. Fantasma cut a promo on Myzteziz saying he should have listened to La Sociedad instead of opposing them. Cibernetico then broke a guitar over Myzteziz’s head. Alberto/Rey regrouped on the floor and never helped Myzteziz. Mundo cut a promo in half English/half Spanish on Alberto. Eventually Alberto/Rey hit the ring to chase off La Sociedad and stand tall. Alberto closed the show cutting a heavy pro-Mexico promo.

    Unlike Triplemania this show at least ended with the lines firmly drawn. Myzteziz is a loner with no friends or any loyalty to either tecnicos or rudos. He wants Rey and only Rey. La Soceidad are done trying to recruit Myzteziz & Fantasma is in place as the new leader. Alberto/Rey Jr./Psycho Clown are the top tecnicos opposing them.

    Notes/Opinion:

    AAA needed to deliver and certainly did. The feed was perfect the entire night with only a minor glitch or two reported from many folks watching on twitter. The show had two memorable debuts to freshen things up & the wrestling was top notch with all 6 matches ranging from good to great. The live crowd was into everything & it felt like a major show even with little build on TV.

    The most impressive part of the show was for the first time in MANY YEARS AAA managed to avoid the things they’ve been addicted to for the longest time. There was no stupid rudo referee nonsense & aside from Joe Lider pulling out thumbtacks for no reason there was not a single moment a match turned into amateur hour. Some could argue the main event finish was weak but it appears this is heading somewhere instead of just being a fuck finish for the sake of doing one.

    Pretty much this show was the anti-Triplemania. Unfortunately there were likely way more eyes on Triplemania but if AAA keeps doing shows like this hopefully they can win those fans back. First thing’s first though – hopefully the people running AAA read why people enjoyed this show & keep to this format rather than reverting back to the things that keep turning so many new fans off (read: Hijo de Tirantes).

  • WWE Portland, ME house show results 10-4: Roman Reigns vs Bray Wyatt

    Submitted by Kyle Poissonnier

    Cesaro Defeated the Miz. – Match took a while to begin with the Miz jumping out of the ring for 5 minutes or so.  Miz took a few moves very awkwardly and didnt make Cesaro look all that good.  Cesaro eventually hit the neutralizer for the win.  

    Fandango defeated Heath Slater.  Would have been a bathroom break if not for wanting to see Maine’s own Fandango.  Slater kept stalling to start, as soon as he jumped in the ring he tripped on the top rope and fandango pinned him, took a nice round of applause from the audience and left.  No match really.  

    Braun Strowman defeated Jack Swagger with his choke out submission.  Pretty good match they actually let Swagger get in some offense on Strowman who up until now has been booked as a superman.

    Lucha Dragons defeated Ascension and Los Matadores in a triple threat tag match.  Fun match, lots of action.  Just nothing too great here.  

    Natalya defeated Sasha Banks with the Sharp Shooter.  Portland loved both girls.  Great reactions. 

    R – Truth defeated Adam Rose.  Rose actually got a lot of cheers for his new gimmick.  He was rather funny and challenged Truth to a dance contest that ended when truth kicked Rose for the victory.  

    Dean Ambrose Defeated Luke Harper, Good lengthy match.  Ambrose looked great.  

    Roman Reigns defeated Bray Wyatt in a NO DQ Match.  Good reaction for both men.  Funny at house shows how different the reaction is for reigns.  Strowman interrupted and then Ambrose came out for the save.  Match ended with Reigns putting Wyatt through a table with a power bomb and win. 

    Overall, decent house show but the attendance is definitely something that couldn’t be ignored.