By Dave Meltzer
We’re looking for reports on tonight’s NXT tapings from Full Sail University in Orlando at Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>
We’re also going to be doing polls on all three shows from Sumo Hall this weekend with shows on Friday morning, Saturday morning and Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Smackdown tonight
Charlotte vs. Naomi
Roman Reigns vs. Luke Harper
Prime Time Players vs. New Day
Neville & Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens
Tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. Eastern on New Japan World from G-1 Climax tournament A block matches from Tokyo Sumo Hall
Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma & Mascara Dorada vs. Karl Anderson & Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga
Michael Elgin & Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Young Bucks & Cody Hall
Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Kushida vs. Hirooki Goto & Ricochet & Captain New Japan
Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Kazuchika Okada & Gedo & Michael Bennett & Matt Taven
Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale
Doc Gallows vs. Katsuyori Shibata
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tetsuya Naito
Togi Makabe vs. Kota Ibushi
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. A.J. Styles for the A block championship – winner goes to the finals on Sunday
A look at the WWE shows next week in Brooklyn is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament and how it all builds for the Tokyo Dome and the fall season, as well as coverage of all the G-1 matches this past week. We also have a look at the Teamsters attempting to unionize UFC fighters, the UFC’s letter sent to fighters and morale issues. We also have a look at the AAA TripleMania PPV show, UFC ratings increases, the brawl at the WSOF show, UFC suing Wanderlei Silva and Layla retiring.
The issue is on the site right now at August 17, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Summerslam build, Unions courting UFC fighters
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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 the WWE events in Brooklyn with three straight full houses and look historically at the only other promotion that has been able to do it historically and the record, as well as updates on the NXT and SummerSlam shows and more details on the NXT card as well as the probable main event stipulation and ticket demand.
We have a complete look at the G-1 Climax tournament, including updates on the last few days, the standings, the Sumo Hall preview and coverage of all the shows this past week with star ratings.
We’ve got a look at the attempts to unionize UFC fighters, the real story behind the attempt, the letter sent by UFC to all of its fighters and why they probably could have written it better, and a look at UFC business.
We also look at the wealth of Vince McMahon, Rosa Mendes being pregnant, WWE injury updates, lawsuits, weird match, Tough Enough, new names, insider trading, Raw advance, Diva search news plus notes on all the weekend WWE & NXT events.
We look at TripleMania, all the problems with the show, what happened with the Spanish language broadcast, mistakes made in booking, how the card had to change from its original plans, the letter AAA sent out after, the retirements and Hall of Fame ceremony, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.
We also have coverage of this past week’s UFC show, with business notes, the Johnson-Dariush scoring, and match by match coverage with bonuses.
We also look at the brawl at the WSOF show with The Diaz Brothers and Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as the problems in the Jake Shields vs. Rousimar Palhares fight.
We’ve also got notes on the retirement of Layla from WWE and highlights of her career.
We also look at the lawsuit WWE has filed against Wanderlei Silva for alleging the company fixes fights.
We look at the CMLL Anniversary show, an injury to the best older wrestler in the business, a New Japan star comes to Mexico and a rundown on the main events the past two weeks at Arena Mexico.
We also look at another Rey Mysterio match, as well as the next major Dragon Gate show lineup and highlights from the past week.
We also look at New Japan stars heading to NOAH.
We also look at the beginning of talks for an international group to return to PPV, as well as a look at the Fire Festival, one of Genichiro Tenryu’s last matches and a set up for an angle with one of the biggest stars of the 80s vs. one of the biggest stars of the 90s.
We’ve got notes on the funeral of Roddy Piper, more on the Hulk Hogan tapes story, Hogan’s first public appearance, two Roddy Piper moves that haven’t come out, one of the biggest stars of the last ten years suffering a major health issue, a former star gets his number retired, a U.K. star returns after cancer, a retirement that probably isn’t a retirement, a Japanese promotion running in October in California, a wrestler having his first match in 20 years, the second oldest living wrestler and his background, big shows in Puerto Rico and news no two different wrestling Halls of Fame.
We also have an update on the status of Lucha Underground, what changes have to be made, the audience watching the show, what to look out for, notes on the contracts the performers have, update on Vampiro and coverage of both weeks of Ultima Lucha.
We also look at the ROH show in Brooklyn, TNA Hall of fame ceremony, and upcoming TNA house shows.
We also look at McGregor vs. Aldo, a big show vs. normal show, Las Vegas vs. Cowboys Stadium, Rousey vs. Cyborg update, Lawler vs. McGregor, UFC financials, how much it costs them every year just in interest on their bond, what kind of profits they are making, lots of ratings into, Rousey business notes, the Aldo drug testing fiasco, Overeem vs. Dos Santos, Punk vs. Pendred, fighter already talking about coming out of retirement, and lots of new UFC fights.
We also have notes on Josh Thomson and Bellator, Bellator’s next major show, Josh Koscheck blasts UFC and more Bellator fights.
We have an update on Chris Leben after his arrest, new WSOF shows, a crime fighter returns to MMA and notes on weight cutting.
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.
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THURSDAY’S NEWS UPDATE
- Bryan and I have a conversation with Jim Ross up on the site today.
- Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens will be announced officially for SummerSlam on tonight’s Smackdown show.
- Wednesday night ratings notes
- UFC: Anderson Silva suspended for one year, fined $380,000
- UFC News: Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Cowboy Cerrone set for December Fox date
- Ask The Observer: Paul Heyman scripted promos, Roddy Piper racial promos
- Raphael Assuncao underwent ankle surgery today.
- Most tweeted wrestling/MMA stuff today
- Anderson Silva 10,000
- Cerrone vs. Dos Anjos 9,930
- King of the Mountain 798
- John Cena gave a long speech Tuesday to the NXT roster. Linda McMahon came to the Performance Center on Wednesday.
- The Owen Hart DVD called “Hart of Gold” will be released on 12/8.
- The 8/21 ROH show in Philadelphia which features Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada and Kushida from New Japan, is now sold out.
- Celebs Gone Good released a list of the most charitable celebrities of the year and listed John Cena at No. 2, Roman Reigns at No. 13 and Ronda Rousey at No. 14.
- First Avenue in Minneapolis, the home of pro wrestling for decades, had its roof collapse last night.
- WWE stock was up 20 cents per share today to $21.01.
- Jesse Ventura said he’d be open to running as Donald Trump’s Vice President.
- Interview with Roman Reigns
- Emma workout
- Interview with Gigi Piscina after being eliminated from Tough Enough
- Cody Runnels talks Stephen Amell
- New England Championship Wrestling on 9/12 in Everett, MA at the Rec Center.
- There is a Metamoris iPPV at www.Metamoris.com at 10 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow night featuring Karo Parisyan vs. JT Torres, Pedro Munhoz vs. Jeff Curran and more. It’s $5.99 for non-subscibers and free for Metamoris All Access subscribers.
- Mecca Pro Wrestling on 9/26 in Kingston, ONT at Legion 560.
- IWF has shows on 8/15, 8/22 and 8/29 at the IWF Centre in Nutley, NJ.
- There will be a GFW tryout on 8/20 in Las Vegas at the Future Stars of Wrestling school with Jeff Jarrett. For more info you can write to Joe DeFalco at lvfuturestars@yahoo.com
- A look at the movie “Gridlocked” starring Trish Stratus
- NOVA Pro Wrestling on 9/25 in Fairfax, VA at the Jewish Community Center with Sonjay Dutt headlining.
- Legacy Fighting Championships on AXS TV on 10/2 from Allen, TX at the Allen Event Center.
- In records dating back to November 2006, Randy Orton picked up his 200th television win on Raw Monday in the three-way match. During that same period, Sheamus is the only other wrestler to have 200 TV wins. John Cena has 190.
- Chaotic Wrestling tomorrow night in Woburn, MA at the Woburn Elks #908 with Biff Busick vs. Chase Del Monte plus Hanson and Donovan Dijak, and on 9/19 in Waltham, MA at American Legion Post 156 at 3 p.m.
- Evolve on Saturday night in Woodside, NY at La Boom at 6 p.m. Eastern time at www.WWNLive.comTimothy Thatcher vs. Zack Sabre Jr. for the Evolve title
Johnny Gargano vs. Ethan Page
Rich Swann vs. Drew Gulak
Chris Hero vs. Mike Bailey
Trent Baretta vs. Rey Hours
Biff Busick vs. Tracy Williams
Sunday in Deer Park, NY at the Sportatorium at 8 p.m. also on www.WWNLive.com
Timothy Thatcher vs. Biff Busick
Chris Hero vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Trent Baretta vs. Caleb Konley
Johnny Gargano vs. ?
Ethan Page vs. Rich Swann
Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams vs. Mike Bailey & Rey Hours - Bill DeMott has joined the podcasting world with the RELM Network for a show that debuts on Tuesday at www.RELMNetwork.com He will be working with Vince Russo.
- CMLL on Monday night in Puebla: Rey Apocalipsis & Toro Bill Jr. b Black Tiger & Rey Samuray, Okumura & Puma King & Tiger b Lestat & Stigma & Triton, Kraneo & Olimpico & Ripper b Delta & Guerrero Maya Jr & Titan, Angel de Oro b Polvora to retain the CMLL light heavyweight title, Atlantis & Mistico & Rush b El Terrible & Felino & Mephisto, Ultimo Guerrero b Rey Escorpion.
- Vampiro is now taking bookings throughout North America through Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com
- Eric Young and Frankie Kazarian have some open dates over the next few months they are looking to fill at showbis@aol.com. Young flies out of Nashville and Kazarian out of Los Angeles. Others taking bookings are JTG, A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels, Matt Sydal, Drew Galloway, James Storm, Abyss, Devon Dudley, Tommy Dreamer, Jay Lethal, Scott Steiner, Ric Steiner, EC 3 and Big Ryck.
- Added to the 9/18 World Series of Fighting show on NBC Sports is Timur Valiev (9-1) vs. Tito Jones (11-7) at bantamweight and Brian Foster (22-7) vs. LaRue Burley (6-0) at lightweight.
- Gladiator Championship Wrestling on 8/29 in Nassau, Bahamas at the Arawak Cay has Al Snow vs. Tommy Dreamer, Saraya Knight vs. Melanie Cruise, The U.K. Hooligans vs. Hurricane Helms & Jessie Godderz, Rob Terry vs. Boogeyman, Brodus Clay vs. Hernandez plus former MMA fighter Shannon Ritch.
- Steel City Wrestling announced its 8/23 show in Hamilton, ONT, has been canceled.
- GFW tomorrow night in Winston-Salem, NC
Sonjay Dutt vs. PJ Black
Brad Attitude & Vordell Walker & Peter Kassa vs. Ali Akbar & Cliff Compton & Jason Kincaid
Le’D Tapa vs. Tessa Blanchard
Bravado Brothers vs. Washington Bullets
Andrew Everett vs. Trevor Lee
Nick Aldis vs. Lance Hoyt.
Jeff Hardy will also be there. - EC 3 has signed an endorsement deal with VegasFuel Energy out of New Buffalo, PA.
- Some UFC TV programming over the next few days.
- The Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz fight airs at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight on FS 1.
- Ultimate Insider with Rashad Evans, Sean O’Connell and more on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. on FS 1
- UFC Unleashed featuring the best featherweight fights including Conor McGregor on Sunday a 10 p.m. on FS 1
- USA Wrestling and the UFC have announced a second year renewal of their partnership.
- In Your Face Wrestling on 8/29 in Albany, NY at the Polish Community Center.
- Fringe Pro Wrestling on 10/3 in Hamilton, ONT at the Bay City Music Hall.
- Henry Corrales vs. Emmanuel Sanchez and Gleristone Furia Santos vs. John Texieria have been added to the 9/25 Bellator show in Hidalgo, TX on Spike.
- Lucian Bute vs. Andrea Di Luisa headlines PBC’s boxing from Montreal on Saturday night at 9 p.m. on NBC Sports Network.
- Pan American Games gold medalist Dori Yeats debuts as a pro wrestler tomorrow night in Brockville, ONT
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1966 – Mark Lewin & Bearcat Wright beat Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy in Melbourne to win the IWA tag titles
1969 – Giant Baba & Antonio Inoki beat Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher in Osaka to win the Int. tag titles
1978 – Tony Salazar beat Ringo Mendoza in Mexico City to win the NWA middleweight title
1993 – El Hijo del Santo beat Heavy Metal in Tonala to win the WWA welterweight title
1994 – Tony St. Clair beat David Finlay in Graz to win the British Commonwealth title
1996 – Brazo de Plata & El Brazo & Super Brazo beat Fuerza Guerrera & Blue Panther & El Signo to win the Mexican national trios titles
2006 – Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Satoshi Kojima in the finals of the G-1 Climax tournament
2006 – Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Takashi Sugiura beat Ikuto Hidaka & Minoru Fujita to win the GHC jr. tag titles
2007 – La Sombra & Sagrado & Volador Jr. beat Damian 666 & Halloween & Mr. Aguila in Puebla to win the Mexican national trios title
2010 – Jushin Liger beat La Mascara in Mexico City to win the Champion of Champions tournament
2013 – Mephisto beat La Mascara in Guadalajara to win the Mexican national light heavyweight title
