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  • WWE NXT house show report 8-8 Largo, FL

    By Chris Hughes

    Blake and Murphy did the meet and greet before the show but did not wrestle on the show.

    – The Vaudevillains beat Jordan and Gable in the opener.  Fast paced match that saw English pin Gable with their finish.

    – Elias Samson pinned Riddick Moss with a running knee.  Basic match, not much to it.  Samson still going with the country singer gimmick.

    – Mojo Rawley def. Tyler Breeze via DQ in a very short bout when Dash and Dawson interfered.  It was announced that William Regal called show host Greg Hamilton and said Mojo could pick any two partners he wanted to face the trio in the main event.

    – Eva Marie pinned Carmella with what looked like it was supposed to be a shining wizard, but didn’t quite connect.  Eva got a negative reaction, but it was a star reaction.  She was good at talking trash and screaming during her moves.

    – Apollo Crews (Uhaa Nation) def. Solomon Crowe with a press slam and standing moonsault.  Very good match — wouldn’t be surprised if this is the match at Takeover.

    – Bayley and Gionna Daddio def. Dana Brooke and Nia Jax (formerly Lina).  Big power moves by Nia on Gionna that got over.  Bayley got the hot tag, Nia and Dana missed a double team move and Bayley hit the Bayley to belly on Dana for the win.  Great reaction for Bayley as always.

    – Bull Dempsey def. Angelo Dawkins with the whoopie cushion.

    – Mojo Rawley, Enzo and Big Cass def. Tyler Breeze, Dash and Dawson in the main event.

    Return date is Friday, September 25.

  • SAT. UPDATE: Hulk Hogan perjury story clarification, TripleMania publicity, UFC preview

    by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.com | Follow @davidbix

    Weekend major show notes:

    UFC Fight Night: Texeira vs. St. Preux airs live tonight from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee:

    Here is WrestlingObserver.com’s coverage: 

    • UFC Fight Night 73: Teixeira vs. Saint Preux live results and coverage
    • UFC Fight Night Nashville: Observer Picks & Preview for Glover Teixeira vs. Ovince St. Preux
    • UFC Fight Night 73 Preview: 5 storylines to watch, betting odds & predictions
    • UFC Fight Night 73 Picks From The Secret Psychic Spy~!
    • UFC Fight Night 73: Teixeira vs. Saint Preux weigh-in results and live video

    Main Card on Fox Sports 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET:
    Glover Teixeira (205.5) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (206) in a five round main event.
    Michael Johnson (155.5) vs. Beneil Dariush (156)
    Derek Brunson (186) vs. Sam Alvey (186)
    Jared Rosholt (237) vs. Timothy Johnson (265)
    Sara McMann (136.5) vs. Amanda Nunes (136)
    Ray Borg (126.75) vs. Geane Herrera (126)

    Prelims on Fox Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET:
    Uriah Hall (185.5) vs. Oluwale Bamgbose (184.5)
    Chris Camozzi (185.5) vs. Tom Watson (185)
    Dustin Ortiz (125.5) vs. Willie Gates (126 – 126.5 on first try)
    Frankie Saenz (136) vs. Sirwan Kakai (136)

    Prelims on UFC Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. ET:
    Chris Dempsey (204.5) vs. Jonathan Wilson (205)
    Marlon Vera (135.5) vs. Roman Salazar (135)
    Anthony Christodoulou (156) vs. Scott Holtzman (155.5)

    This is an iffy card with some good fights mixed in. The main event isn’t incredibly compelling, but it’s a good fight. McMann-Nunes is very divisionally relevant and would be huge for Nunes if she wins, but she doesn’t seem like the type of fighter to beat McMann unless her defensive wrestling has improved a lot (and it very well could have at American Top Team).

    The best fight on paper is Johnson vs. Dariush, which is a really fun style match on paper and an intersting test of where Dariush’s ever-improving striking is right now if he can’t take Johnson now. Sam “King of Fight Pass” Alvey also gets his toughest test yet in Derek Brunson, which is also pretty fun on paper.

    New Japan G-1 Climax Day 14 airs on New Japan World at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning Eastern time from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo

    Non-Tournament Matches:
    David Finlay & Jay White vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga
    Kota Ibushi & Mascara Dorada vs. Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi
    Tetsuya Naito & Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan vs. A.J. Styles & Doc Gallows & Cody Hall
    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Kushida vs. Togi Makabe & Katsuyori Shibata & Tiger Mask
    B Block League Matches
    Michael Elgin vs. Karl Anderson
    Satoshi Kojima vs. Yuji Nagata
    Kazuchika Okada vs. Yujiro Takahashi
    Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tomoaki Honma
    Hirooki Goto vs. Tomohiro Ishii

    WWE has a house show on Sunday in Vancouver, BC (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt)

    AAA TripleMania XXIII from Arena Ciudad in Mexico City on both traditional and internet PPV and  at 7 p.m. Eastern
    Drago & Goya Kong & Dinastia & Pimpinela Escarlata vs. Daga & Sexy Star & Mini Psycho Clown & Mamba
    Cibernetico & Chessman & Averno defend the trios titles against Jack Evans & Fenix & Angelico and El Hijo del Fantasma & El Texano Jr. & Pentagon Jr.
    Blue Demon Jr. & La Parka vs. Mesias & Electroshock
    Los Villanos III & IV & V vs. The Psycho Circus
    Alberto El Patron vs. Brian Cage hair vs.. hair
    Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Myzteziz

    There will also be a Hall of Fame induction ceremony for both Perro Aguayo Jr. and Hector Garza.

    Raw will be Monday night in Everett, WA. Stephen Amell of the TV show Arrow will be a guest doing an angle with Stardust.  No Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman advertised this week, nor John Cena.

    SmackDown will be Tuesday night in Portland, OR.

    **** 

    The new issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to th site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a chat with Konnan about the state of AAA heading into TripleMania XXIII. We discuss the company’s improvements in production, advantages over WWE and differences in philosophy, how to listen to fans, and much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news, including Dr. Lucha’s TripleMania preview.

    Last week’s FREEFigure Four Weekly is still up with 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. 

    **** 

    The latest Wrestling Observer: August 10, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Roddy Piper passes away, WWE Q2 results & analysis

    Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at  Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!

    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 at 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.

    Our lead story is an extensive look at the career of Roddy Piper.  We start by looking at the cause of death, and Piper’s role in the national expansion of WWF and the first WrestleMania.  We look at how Piper differed from almost every wrestler in WWF when he came in, why Piper didn’t work certain shows, Piper working outside WWF while under contract, how he flopped in his first WWF run, his runs in California, Oregon, Georgia and the Carolinas before WWF, the feud with Jimmy Snuka, the Hogan-Piper program, The War to Settle the Score, the original WrestleMania and how it changed the history of wrestling, his period in WCW, his relationship with Mad Dog Vachon, his issues with Kevin Nash, how he got started in pro wrestling, the story behind his babyface turns and the loss at WrestleMania to Bret Hart.

    We also look at WWE business, why stock is up, what aspect of business looked deceptively good, a look in depth at the network numbers, how many people dropped and picked up subscriptions this past quarter as well as how all the other aspects of WWE business are doing.

    We look at UFC 190 and the storyline that led to Ronda Rousey setting her highest PPV mark.  We look at how things have changed for Rousey since February, the interest level of her fight,  Rousey vs. Cyborg, ratings in Brazil and the U.S. and match-by-match coverage.

    We also go in-depth on the G-1 Climax tournament with the updated schedule, standings and match-by-match coverage.

    We also have an update on John Cena, more on the injury and surgery, Cena actually going to a show this weekend but fans didn’t see him, Shawn Michaels return, will fans respect Cena more, update on the SummerSlam card and matches being built, Cena vs. Rollins future, WrestleMania note, note on Daniel Bryan’s book, Update on Ryback, Update on a 2002 angle proposed for a gay wrestler and funny story behind it, Bryan’s plan for the IC title, more on womens’ division, Eva Marie note, Tough Enough notes, Ultimate Warrior book, Cesaro section notes, WWE lawsuit notes, Pat Patterson book, sister of current WWE star gets a tryout and Owen Hart DVD news.  We also have coverage of the NXT and WWE shows over the weekend and business notes on the shows. 

    The Observer is the world’s most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.

    We also have our regular features such as the most complete look at ratings, plus results of the major house show events each week in pro wrestling and MMA, and complete inside rundowns of all the TV shows.

    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.

    ****

    Saturday Daily Update

    • Reminder:  It’s fallen off the front page thanks to the new issue, but last weel’s Figure Four Weekly is still FREE for everyone with a huge, detailed cover feature on the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI has tried to help Hulk hogan cover up the racist and homophoic comments he made that ended up being leaked a week ago. This is some weird, fascinating stuff.
    • AAA got a pretty big late hype boost for TripleMania in the form of an Associated Press story about Rey Mysterio and the show that is or will be in hundreds of newspapers this weekend. It’ll be interesting to see how the show does, as most of the expenses (including the satellite feed) were already incurred before the decision to put it on PPV in the U.S. and Canada, so they can be very successful without getting anywhere close to the 10,000 buy mark everyone else needs to hit to reach profitability. 
    • As noted last night, in an interview with Ron Kruck that aired on Insida MMA, Tito Ortiz claimed that the Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino has been offered a fight with Ronda Rousey for “Cowboys’ Arena.” Dave also has an article about this at MMAFighting. Ortiz is, while still friends with Cyborg as well as her wrestling coach, no longer her manager because he worried his issues with the UFC would hurt her career. So far, UFC hasn’t acknowsled what he said, but one would think it’ll come up at tonight’s press conference.
    • With regards to what Dave wrote on the front page about Thursday’s National Enquirer website article on the possibility that Hulk Hogan perjured himself in a deposition, here’s the entire relevant portion of the July 2nd haring transcript that’s being referred to. The context is that Gawker attorney Seth Berlin is trying to get the FBI to re-issue documents about their investigation into the sex tape extortion attempt without redactions that shouldn’t have been made, and the emphasis on the key part is mine:

    But what these documents show, and then I’ll come back and I can talk a little bit about the exemptions and the indexes, but let me tell you what our concern is, Your Honor. So in this investigation what we know is that Mr. Bollea — this is not — I’m not treading on secret ground here. What we know is that Mr. Bollea came with his lawyer, Mr. Houston, to the FBI and asked for an investigation, which they conducted. And what we know from Mr. Hardy’s last declaration is that part of this investigation yielded three DVDs that have encounters involving the three key participants in this — Mrs. Clem, Mr. Bollea, and for portions of it Mr. Clem.

    Each of those people has testified differently, they have all said different things about what actually happened, when it happened, how often it happened, whether — what was known. And so one of the reasons why we said we would like to get — we started by just saying look, we thought we would find, which we eventually got in yesterday’s stack, statements by Mr. Bollea and his lawyer, and to see whether what he was saying to the FBI matched what he is saying in our lawsuit.

    Turns out, without getting into the specifics, they don’t, that we have essentially under oath testimony to the FBI and we have under oath testimony in our case directly at odds with one another. So we have a situation — and it’s very unfortunate that this is two days or one business day before we’re supposed to start a trial on this matter, but we have a situation where the key participant, the plaintiff, is telling us one thing under oath and telling the FBI something else. So this is why we’re asking — and you can’t use that document to impeach a person if there is a bunch of blanks in it that somebody is saying well, that’s private even though it’s already public.

    • The BBC of all places has an article about why wrestlers die young stemming from the passing of Roddy Piper
    • RIP Roddy Piper: your favorite matches & moments, part 1 of 3
    • RIP Roddy Piper: your favorite matches & moments – part 2 of 3
    • Glory and Bellator announced a new fight for the Septmeber 19th “Dynamite” card in San Jose, which is Gabriel Varga defending the Glory Featherweight Title against Serhiy Adamchuck. 
    • Nice article from The Courier about the late George Kidd (the wrestler who developed the “escapology” style that Johnny Saint made famous internationally) being honored at Caird Hall, where he first made his name.
    • WWE’s “The Kliq Rules” set comes out this Tuesday on both DVD and Blu-Ray this Tuesday with pre-orders still available. It looks like the streaming version is already available now.
    • AAW tomorrow afternoon (August 9, 2015) at 115 Bourbon St (3359 W 115th St Merrionette Park, IL). Doors:  2:15pm   Belltime: 3:00pm. Tickets Available at the door. Anything Goes Bourbon Street Fight:  Eddie Kingston & Shane Hollister vs. Matt Cage & Tyson Dux, AAW Heritage Championship Match:  Louis Lyndon vs. Christian Faith w/ Gregory Iron, Matt Sydal vs. Johnny Gargano, Silas Young vs. Tommaso Ciampa, ACH vs. DjZ,  Zero Gravity vs. Mat Fitchett & Davey Vega.  Also signed:  AAW Tag Team Champions: OI4K, Candice LeRae, Heidi Lovelace, Allysin Kay, The Hooligans (Devin & Mason Cutter with Bucky Collins).

  • UFC Fight Night 73: Teixeira vs. Saint Preux live results and coverage

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 73: Teixeira vs. Saint Preux from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The event is headlined by a five-round light heavyweight bout as former title challenger Glover Teixeira looks to get back in the win column when he takes on Ovince Saint Preux. The action kicks off with preliminary card fights at 6:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass. The action moves over to FOX Sports 2 at 8 PM eastern time with additional preliminary fights before the main card kicks off on FOX Sports 1 at 10 PM eastern time.

    Coverage provided by Dave Meltzer

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- ANTHONY CHRISTODOULOU VS. SCOTT HOLTZMAN

    First round: Low kick by Holtzman.  Hard low kick by Holtzman.  Hard left by Holtzman.  They are in a clinch and Holtzman with an elbow.  Hard elbow by Holtzman as Christodoulou separated from the clinch.  Back in a clinch and an elbow by Holtzman.  Holtzman with a hard punch, elbow, knee and more elbows from close range.  Another elbow by Holtzman.  Nice uppercut by Holtzman.  Left and right by Holtzman.  Uppercut by Holtzman.  10-9 Holtzman.

    Second round: Body kick by Holtzman.  Right by Holtzman.  Right and left by Holtzman.  Spinning elbow by Holtzman.  Head kick by Holtzman.  Uppercut by Holtzman.  Holtzman continues to land punches.  Christodoulou working for a leglock.   High knee by Holtzman.  20-18 Holtzman.

    Third round: Knee to the body from close range by Holtzman.  Holtzman landed a right and an elbow.  Big right by Holtzman.  Holtzman with a takedown.  Holtzman has his back.  He’s  working for a choke and has it now.  Christodoulou tapped out.   Totally one-sided.

    BANTAMWEIGHTS- MARLON VERA VS. ROMAN SALAZAR

    First round: Knee by Vera.  Takedown by Salazar but Vera moved to the top.  Vera tried an armbar which gave Salazar top position.   Salazar remaining on top.  He landed some elbows from the top.   A stand-up was ordered.  Salazar was busy on the ground.  Vera landing kicks now. Salazar working for a takedown.   Salazar in with a punch.  Vera shoved him and went for a punch after the round.  Salazar 10-9.

    Second round: Takedown by Salazar and has his back.   Now Vera has regained guard.  A few elbows by Salazar.  Vera with a triangle from the bottom and throwing elbows.  Vera added the armbar and Salazar got the tap with the armbar.

    LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS- CHRIS DEMPSEY VS. JONATHAN WILSON

    First round: Wilson dropped him with a left and it was over.    :50

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 2- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

    BANTAMWEIGHTS- FRANKIE SAENZ VS. SIRWAN KAKAI

    First round: Saenz with a kick to the body.  Kakai with a low kick.  Body kick by Saenz.  Knees by Saenz.  Kakai picked him up and slammed Saenz down.  Saenz back up.  Saenz landed a good right.  Both trading knees.  Low kick by Kakai.  Saenz worked for a takedown late but time ran out and he didn’t get it.  Kakai 10-9.

    Second round: Saenz working for a takedown.  Didn’t get it.  Kakai landed a kick to the liver and punch.  Saenz with a takedown and got his back.  Kakai back up immediately.  Elbow and knee by Saenz.  Kakai got a takedown.  Saenz back up and landed an elbow.  Kakai landed two jabs.  Body kick by Saenz.  Saenz landed another punch.  Close round for Saenz, so 19-19 after two.

    Third round: Takedown by Saenz.  Saenz got his back and worked for a choke but Kakai out.  Elbow by Saenz.  Elbows standing by Saenz but Kakai mostly blocked them.  Kakai landed a knee.  Low kick by Kakai.  Body shot by Kakai.  Saenz round 29-28.

    Scores: 29-28 Kakai 30-27 Saenz 30-27 Saenz. 

    FLYWEIGHTS- DUSTIN ORTIZ VS. WILLIE GATES

    First round: Ortiz took him down.  Gates back up.  Ortiz with a takedown.  Ortiz with another takedown and moved to mount.  Ortiz working for an arm triangle.  Ortiz gave it up.  Ortiz landing body punches.  Ortiz landing punches from the top.  Ortiz dominated the round but not enough for a 10-8, so 10-9.

    Second round: Ortiz with an elbow.  Gates tried for a guillotine.  They are in a clinch and Ortiz has kept him agianst the cage.  Ortiz took him down again.  Ortiz landed in mount.  Ortiz landing elbows from the top.  Ortiz pounded him until Gates gave up his back.  Ortiz is working for a choke.  Now Ortiz landing a lot of punches.  It was about to be stopped when time ran out, a 10-8 round for Ortiz so 20-17 after two.

    Third round: Ortiz with a body kick.  Ortiz took him down again.  Ortiz with a knee to the body and now dropping a lot of punches.  Ortiz dropping elbow after elbow.  Ortiz landing a ton of punches.  This is probably time to stop it.  Gates held on. Ortiz dropping more punches and elbows and finally it was stopped by ref Mario Yamasaki.

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- CHRIS CAMOZZI VS. TOM WATSON

    First round: Camozzi landing punches.  Camozzi had a guillotine but Watson out.  Both in a clinch.  Left by Camozzi. Camozzi continues to land punches.  Knee by Camozzi.  Camozzi took him down and got his back.  Camozzi trying to get a choke.  Camozzi has his back again.  He’s again working for a choke.  Watson escaped.  Body kick by Watson.  Right by Watson. Elbow by Watson.  Camozzi 10-9.

    Second round:   Watson with a knee to the groin.  He’d been warned about this before.  He docked a point from Watson.  Left by Watson.  Camozzi bleeding from the cheek.  Camozzi starting to land the jabs.  Left by Watson.  Watson went for a takedown.  Camozzi easily sprawled and is working for a guillotine.  Watson escaped.  Knee by Watson.  Knee and elbow by Watson.  Watson got the takedown.  Watson’s round, but with the penalty it’s a 9-9 round so 19-18 for Camozzi after two.

    Third round: Camozzi landing jabs.  Watson with a elbow from up close.  Elbow by Camozzi and he followed with a takedown.  Watson looks exhausted.  Watson up and throwing uppercuts.  Another takedown by Camozzi after a knee.  Camozzi up and throwing .  Knee by Camozzi and an elbow.  Camozzi’s round so 29-27 for Camozzi.

    Scores: 29-27, 30-26 and 29-27 for Camozzi

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- URIAH HALL VS. OLUWALE BAMGBOSE

    First round: Bamgbose threw a kick and Hall used it to take him down.  Hall pounded him out on the ground.

    MAIN CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

    FLYWEIGHTS- RAY BORG VS. GEANE HERRERA

    First round: Borg missed weight.  Borg picked him up and slammed him down.  Herrera worked for a heel hook.  Borg on top throwing punches.  Borg now tried a heel hook but let go.  Herrera tried for a triangle.  Fun round reminiscent of the style of the old Hero’s promotion smaller guys bouts.  Borg 10-9.

    Second round: Borg with a left and a takedown.  Borg working for a guillotine.  Herrera out of trouble.  Crowd popped for that.   Borg stayed on top with some ground and pound.  Borg 20-18.

    Third round: Takedown by Borg.  Herrera landed an elbow from the bottom and Borg is bleeding badly.  Borg is throwing punches.  The ref stopped it.  Borg is not happy because his left eye is bleeding badly and he’s got to be well ahead in the scores.  The doctor allowed it to continue.  Borg working for a guillotine.  Herrera reversed into mount but Borg up.  Herrera tried a guillotine but Borg out.  Herrera went for a reverse triangle.  Herrera tried it a second time.  Borg escaped.  Borg got his back as time ran out.   Borg 30-27.

    Scores: All three have it 30-27 for Borg.

    WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS- SARA MCMANN VS. AMANDA NUNES

    First round: McMann trying to thrwo her but Nunes blocked it.  McMann took her down but Nunes right back up.  Nunes dropped her with punches.  Nunes working for a choke.  Nunes landing a lot of punches from back position.  She’s working for a choke.  McMann tapped out.  This pretty much ends McMann as a contender and Nunes put herself into position to get a title shot.

    HEAVYWEIGHTS- JARED ROSHOLT VS. TIMOTHY JOHNSON

    First round: They are in a clinch.  Johnson took him down.  Rosholt back up.  Fans booing the lack of action.  Herb Dean separated them.  Takedown by Rosholt.  Rosholt has full mount.  Rosholt 10-9.

    Second round: Long clinch.  Johnson took him down and got his back.  Rosholt reversed to the top.  Rosholt working for a top wristlock.  Rosholt 20-18.

    Third round: Johnson landed a left and several rights.  Rosholt got the takedown.  Rosholt is tired.  Crowd booing.  Johnson hurt him with punches.  Johnson almost has him out  Takedown by Johnson.  He shouldn’t have taken him down, he should have kept punching as time ran out because I think his only way to win was via knockout.  Johnson’s round so 29-28 Rosholt.

    Scores: All three have it 29-28 for Rosholt.

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- DEREK BRUNSON VS. SAM ALVEY

    First round: Brunson clinched and throwing punches.  Brunson landing big shots.  Alvey landed good counter shots but Brunson landing more hard punches.  Alvey is in trouble and and keeps eating big lefts.  Alvey went down.  Brunson finished him with punches on the ground.  Alvey is furious.  Alvey was in trouble but he’s got a granite chin and wasn’t done.

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- MICHAEL JOHNSON VS. BENEIL DARIUSH

    First round: Not much happened until the last minute.  Johnson stumbled him with a left.  Now Johnson landing punches.  Johnson with more clean shots.  Johnson 10-9

    Second round: Knee by Dariush.  Another knee by Dariush.  Good left by Johnson.  Johnson landed more punches.  Both landed good punches.  Dariush with a left.  Dariush landed a left.  Left uppercut by Dariush.  Dariush went for a takedown but Johnson sprawled.  This is turing into a good fight.  Dariush went for the takedown and didn’t get it.  Johnson 20-18.

    Third round: Both standing.  Knee by Dariush.  Johnson with a left.  Nice left by Johnson.  Johnson landed a good right.  Nice jab by Dariush.  Close round.  Dariush, so Johnson 29-28.

    Scores: 29-28 Dariush 29-28 Johnson 29-28 Dariush.  That was a bad decision. 

    LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS- GLOVER TEIXEIRA VS. OVINCE SAINT PREUX

    First round:   Teixeira took him down but OSP back up.  Teixeira took him down again.  OSP back up.  Accidental low knee by OSP.  OSP hurt him with a body kick.  Texieira going for a takedown.   OSP with punches.  OSP hurt him but Teixeira fired back.  Takedown by Teixeira. Teixeira moved to full mount.  Teixeira working for a choke. .  Now Teixeira in full mount.  Teixeira firing punches.  Teixeira has his back working for a choke.  OSP back up.  Teixeira took him down again.  Teixeira had his back.  OSP reversed to the top.  OSP working for a choke himself.  Teixeira back up.  OSP landing punches.  Teixiera 10-9.

    Second round: Body kick by OSP.  Another body kick.  Takedown by Teixeira but OSP out and landed a left. High kick by OSP.  Right and left by Teixeira.  Teixeira with a body shot.  OSP looks tired.  Teixeira picked him up and took him down.  Teixeira landing elbows.  Teixeira dropping elbows.  Now he’s landing punches.  Teixeira pounding on him.  Knee to the body by Teixeira.  OSP up and landing punches late.  Teixeira 20-18.

    Third round: OSP is tired now.  Teixeira took him down again.  Teixeira has full mount and punching.  He’s got OSP’s back and working for a choke.  The choke is in.  OSP went out from the choke.  3:10

    Teixeira said, “Cormier, I’m coming for you.”

  • UFC Fight Night Nashville: Observer Picks & Preview for Glover Teixeira vs. Ovince St. Preux

    By Josh Nason, WrestlingObserver.com

    Like many, I could use a free weekend away from combat sports and this show closes a hellacious stretch of UFC events this summer. While there’s the usual flotsam and jetsam on the show, the top three fights should send the fans home happy and give us some interesting next bouts for the winners.

    Get a quick preview and so much more in this week’s Josh Nason’s Punch-Out featuring special guest and UFC light heavyweight “Filthy” Tom Lawlor.

    Our Panel:

    – Jack Encarnacao (76-26 | .745) Sherdog Rewind host, The Lapsed Fan podcast co-chair, Steve Austin impersonator

    – Steve Juon (69-33 | .676) AngryMarks founder, MMA Mania writer

    – John Pollock (67-35 | .656) Fight Network personality, Live Audio Wrestling co-host, The MMA Report host

    – David Bixenspan (66-36 | .647) Figure Four Weekly writer, Observer Daily Update writer, podcast host

    – Mike Sempervive (65-37 | .637) Wrestling Observer Live co-host | Big Audio Nightmare

    – Front Row Brian (63-39 | .617) MMA newsbreaker, Twitter personality, podcast host

    – Dave Meltzer (62-40 | .607) Wrestling Observer founder & writer, occasional cougher

    – Josh Nason (61-41 | .598) Wrestling Observer digital media and content guy, WON Twitter enabler

    – Mike Sawyer (59-43 | .578) Tough Talk MMA, 2014 picks panel champion

    *****

    > Glover Teixeira (22-4) vs. Ovince St. Preux

    Light Heavyweights

    After finally making it to the UFC, Teixeira arrived with a lot of buzz and won his first five with four finishes to earn a title shot against then-champion Jon Jones. Then, Jones dominated him for five rounds and he looked listless in a decision loss to current Bellator fighter Phil Davis. Fights against Rashad Evans and Alex Gustafsson fell through and he now gets a crack at the fast-rising OSP.

    OSP will fight in front of his hometown crowd (well, Knoxville anyway) and will be looking to extend a two-fight win streak. After a horrendously boring decision loss to Ryan Bader a year ago, he earned back to back first round TKO wins over Shogun Rua and Patrick Cummins. He’s 6-1 in the UFC and has shown a propensity to finish guys on the ground or via the fists. Do we have the next top title contender on our hands?

    Teixeira: FRB, Sawyer, Encarnacao, Sempervive
    OSP (slight favorite): Nason, Pollock, Juon, Bix, Meltzer

    > Michael Johnson (16-8) vs. Beneil Dariush (11-1)

    Lightweights

    Johnson is fast rising up the ranks of interesting lightweights amid a four-fight win streak that features victories over Edson Barboza, Joe Lauzon, Gleison Tibau, and Melvin Guillard. He’s looked completely different since a two fight losing streak a few years back, and with a win here, he has earned an opportunity against a top 5 opponent.

    The 26-year-old Dariush is 5-1 in his UFC career and is riding a four fight win streak of his own. After submitting Daron Cruickshank, Dariush came back on a month’s notice to beat former lightweight contender Jim Miller by decision in April. He could make a case for a top 5 opponent with a win here as well.

    The Iranian has looked great, Johnson has looked great, and this fight will tell us a lot about what’s next for both guys.

    Johnson (slight favorite): Nason, FRB, Pollock, Encarnacao, Juon, Sempervive, Meltzer
    Dariush: Sawyer, Bix

    > Derek Brunson (13-3) vs. Sam Alvey (26-6-0-1)

    Middleweights

    The 31-year-old Brunson has looked great since coming to the UFC in the Strikeforce merger, going 4-1. Since getting TKO’d by Yoel Romero, Brunson has beat Lorenz Larkin and took just 36 seconds to dispatch Ed Herman by TKO in January. He also shares a birthday with yours truly.

    Since losing to Tom Watson by bland decision, Alvey has won three straight by first round T/KO which makes this a very fun fight. All three of those Alvey victories were abroad, so in this U.S.-based tilt, we’ll see if the passport punching makes the difference.

    Brunson (favorite): Nason, FRB, Sawyer, Pollock, Encarnacao, Juon, Sempervive, Meltzer

    Alvey: Bix

    > Chris Camozzi (21-10) vs. Tom Watson (17-8)

    Middleweights

    After being cut by the UFC, the 28-year-old Camozzi was a last second replacement/sacrifice to Jacare Souza in April. Despite winning two outside the Octagon, Camozzi has lost his last five in the UFC. Ugh. Watson is just 2-4 in the UFC, and was last seen being decisioned by Rafael Natal earlier this year. Man, this loser leaves the UFC fight is hot garbage, isn’t it?

    Camozzi (slight favorite): FRB, Sawyer, Pollock, Encarnacao, Juon, Sempervive, Bix, Meltzer
    Watson: Nason

    > Sara McMann (8-2) vs. Amanda Nunes (10-4)
    Bantamweights

    In McMann’s two flights closest to the UFC sun, she lasted 66 seconds with Ronda Rousey and got roundly defeated by Miesha Tate. In the middle of that, she edged Lauren Murphy in a split decision. At age 34, we may have seen the best of her in the UFC. She fights Nunes who is 3-1 in the UFC with her last win coming over former Zuffa employee Shayna Baszler with her lone defeat coming against Cat Zingano.

    McMann (favorite): Nason, FRB, Sawyer, Pollock, Encarnacao, Juon, Sempervive, Bix, Meltzer

  • On this day in pro wrestling history: Gagne wins AWA title from Fritz Von Erich, Wahoo beats Piper, Guerrera over Jericho

    By Brian Hoops

    1960 – Red & Lou Bastien defeated Al Costello & Roy Heffernan for the
    U.S. Tag Team Title

    1961 – In Bloomington, Minnesota at Met Stadium; In a Cage Match, Verne Gagne beat Gene Kiniski to regain AWA title. Also,  
    Hard Boiled Haggerty & Bob Geigel beat Wilbur Snyder & Dale Lewis and Tiny Mills beat Tony Baillargeon. Attendance was 8,055

    1963 – In Amarillo, Texas at the Sports Arena; Verne Gagne beat Fritz Von Erich in 2 out of 3 falls to regain AWA Title
    Also, Dory Funk Sr & Dory Funk Jr beat Sputnik Monroe & Tokyo Tom on a 2nd fall dq

    1972 – In Tampa, Florida; NWA Champion Dory Funk Jr beat Buddy Colt, Jack Brisco beat Ray Stevens and Nick Bockwinkel beat Ron Fuller

    1973 – In Columbus, Georgia; In a two out of three falls, hair vs. title match; Bobby Duncum won the Columbus Heavyweight Title from Bill Dromo.

    1974 – In Kansas City; Lord Alfred Hayes & Don Fargo vs. The Viking & Mike George, Bad News Beach vs. Bob Orton, Killer Karl Krupp vs. Gene Costello, Central States Heavyweight Champion Bob Brown vs. The Sheik, Handicap Match: Pat O’Connor vs. The Intern & Dr. Ken Ramey and Texas Death Match: Omar Atlas vs. The Intern

    1980 – In Green Bay, Wisconsin; In a non title match; The Crusher & Mad Dog Vachon beat AWA Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura

    1981 – Wahoo McDaniel defeated Roddy Piper for the NWA United States
    Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.

    1988 – In Memphis, Tennessee; Austin Idol beat AWA Champion Jerry Lawler dq, Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden beat Bill Dundee & Jeff Jarrett, Southern Tag Team Champions Billy Travis & Scott Steiner beat RPMs and Gary Young beat Max Pain

    1993 – Tito Santana defeated Don Muraco for the ECW Heavyweight Title in
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    1997 – Dutch Mantel defeated Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified
    Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.  On the same card, Steven Dunn
    & Flash Flanagan defeated PG-13 for the USWA Tag Team Title.

    1998 – Juventud Guerrera defeated Chris Jericho to win the WCW
    Cruiserweight Title in Sturgis, SD. Also, Bill Goldberg won a nine man battle royal. 

  • National Enquirer alleges possible perjury charge against Hogan

    The National Enquirer today in a sensationalistic story claimed Hulk Hogan could be put in jail for perjury.

    While that is a stretch, the story claims that court transcripts show that Terry Bollea allegedly made conflicting statements to the FBI and in deposition to lawers for Gawker.com.

    The Enquirer claimed transcripts they had obtained showed that during a July 2 hearing, Gawker attorney Seth Berlin told the judge he had learned Hogan made statements under oath directly at odds with each other.

    The story is filled with a lot of ifs and there doesn’t appear to be anything imminent at this point. It had been reported about certain contradictory testimony Hogan had made previously and the story mostly rehashes previously released news.

    The story is at

    http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/jail-hulk-hogan

  • First decade Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame issues special

    Observer Hall of Fame Special
    The first decade of recognizing the
     Greats of the Business

    $64.95* USD for Canada destinations
    $69.95** USD for USA destinations
    $89.95*** USD for International destinations
    (paypal orders Canada/USA please add $3 for paypal fees)
    (paypal orders Intl please add $5 for paypal fees)

    paypal payments can be made to grantsindex@nexicom.net

    The 10 issues included in this special are the ones covering
    the first decade of issues covering the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Inductees. One of the most anticipated issues of the year. Catch up on previous winners prior to this year’s winners being announced:

    **Check out my Wrestling, UFC/MMA ebay auctions and more. Seller name is grantsindex
    Some great vintage programs up right now including vintage Calgary Stampede Wrestling classics!

    Aug 19 ’96, Sept 1 ’97, Aug 24 ’98, Aug 16 ’99, Aug 28 ’00,
    Aug 20 ’01, Sept 2 ’02, Aug 25 ’03, Aug 23 ’04, Aug 24 ‘05

    *Regular selling price for Canada $71.50, a $6.50 savings.
    **Regular selling price for USA $78, a $8 savings.
    ***Regular selling price for International $117, a $27 savings.

    Includes airmail shipping.

    All payments can be made by money order in US Funds (US Postal money
    Orders MUST BE PEACH international ones) and mailed to
    Grant Zwarych
    151 Hart Ave
    Peterborough, Ont
    K9J 5C5
    Canada
    Or paid via paypal to grantsindex@nexicom.net

    Enjoy!!

    Aug 19 (24)**        Jushin Liger to undergo brain surgery to remove tumor
    Double issue  price        Ahmed Johnson has emergency kidney surgery
    1996            WCW Hog Wild 8/10 card coverage-Hogan wins WCW belt from The Giant
                Observer Hall of Fame Inductees-inaugural edition
                ECW in conjunction with IWA runs two shows in Japan
                FMW 8/1 Shiodome card coverage
                AJ women 8/4 Korakuen Hall card coverage
                AJ women follow up with two shows at Budokan Hall 8/12 & 8/13   

    Sept 1 (12)            Arn Anderson announces the end of his wrestling career-quick career recap
    1997            Steve Austin to miss minimum of two months
                Hall of Fame inductees – 6 new additions
                Future of AJ women promotion comes into serious question
                WCW Clash of Champions XXXV 8/21 card coverage-the last Clash
                24th anniversary of Capitol Sports in Puerto Rico celebrated
                Eric Bischoff, Konnan & Paco Alonso meet to discuss working together
                Jeep Swenson passes away

    Aug 24 (16)        Jim Hellwig returns as The Warrior to WCW
    1998            Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Inductees-Dos Caras inducted
                Wrestlers no showing sees industry do things out of character
                USWF has become without question, the 4th biggest company in US
                Bret Hart regains US title from Lex Luger
                Kurt Angle attends WWF camp

    Aug 16 (18)        Hall of Fame inductees for 1999-Liger, Asuka, Muto & Jim Ross inducted
    1999            A look into the WWFE going public
                Jackie Sato passes away
                Chris Jericho debuts in WWF
                ECW debut on TNN brings mainstream press

    Aug 28 (18)        Hall of Fame inductees-Hashimoto, Austin, Foley, Hokuto voted in
    2000                 Longston, Sexton, Szabo inducted
                Report on the murky future of WCW
                Tony Parisi passes away
                Shinjiro Otani leaving to train in Calgary for 6 months
                Dos Caras Jr debuts

    Aug 20 (18)        Hall of Fame Issue-Lizmark, El Satanico & Bull Nakano inducted
    2001            World Wildlife Fund files lawsuit vs WWF
                Yugi Nagata wins G-1 Climax tournament
                Dean Malenko announces retirement at Pillman show
                Multi Channel News reports on WWF purchase of WCW
                MECW has somewhat of a success on free show at ECW arena
                Eric Bischoff named Chief Operating Officer of Battle Management
                K-1 3rd foray into the US a success-Stephan Leko knocks out Peter Aerts

    Sept 2 (18)            Hall of Fame issue-Kobashi, Toyota & McDaniel voted in
    2002            Summerslam 8/28 card coverage-Brock Lesnar becomes youngest champ,
                    Shawn Michaels the show stealer again, RVD wins IC title
                WWE finance review
                Tiger Ali Singh files lawsuit vs WWE
                Jacques Rougeau 8/24 card will feature the return of Bret Hart to Montreal

    Aug 25 (24)        Hall of Fame issue-Michaels & Benoit voted in, Caddock & Flores inducted
    2003            K-1 8/15 Las Vegas card coverage
    Double issue  price        Hiroyoshi Tenzan wins NJPW G-1 Climax tournament
                Sean Waltman responds to “Celebrity Justice’ episode
                Canek fired by AAA
                More on the Hogan lawsuit
                Ray Webbe Jr & Bob Closson pass away

    Aug 23 (24)    Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame issue-Sakuraba, Undertaker, Backlund, Chono, Ultimo Dragon    Angle voted in, Tarzan Lopez inducted
    2004    Marvel Comics files suit vs WWE in reference to Hulk Hogan name
    Double issue  price        One more addition to last week’s Olympian story
                Bruno Sammartino interview causes controversy
                Article on JBL in Baltimore Sun

    Aug 24 (18)    Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame issue-Freebirds, HHH, Paul Heyman voted in
    2005    Observer MMA Hall of Fame-Sakuraba, Gracie, Shamrock, Couture inducted
        IWA Puerto Rico presses charges against Shane Sewell
        LA Times writes article of the sale of the Olympic Auditorium
        Newspaper article on auto accident involving Iron Sheik
                UFC strips Frank Mir of title and awards it to Andrei Arlovsky

  • NJPW G1 Climax Tournament 8-8 report: Tanahashi vs. Shibata, Makabe vs. Gallows

    By Bryan Rose, WrestlingObserver.com

    Welcome to this morning’s live coverage of the G1 Climax 25 tournament. From this point on there will be no longer any fixed camera shows, so it’s a multi-camera setup from this point on. Commentary is another story, as some will, some won’t, such as tonight’s show.

    Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger & Ryusuke Taguchi & Yohei Komatsu vs. Yuji Nagata & Kushida & Mascara Dorada & David Finlay

    This was every six man you’ve seen on the tour. These are so formulaic at this point you even know who’s pinning who on every show. It wasn’t bad, just seen it enough. Kojima and Nagata went at it since they’re facing each other soon. Finlay and Taguchi were the ones left in the ring as Taguchi pinned Finlay with the dodon.

    Michael Elgin & Jay White vs. Karl Anderson & Cody Hall

    Pretty good. Elgin and Anderson had a lot of interaction, and they had good chemistry with one another. White continues to show fire as a young lion babyface. Anderson and White had some good interactions as well. White fell to the stun gun.

    Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma & Captain New Japan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi

    The usual tag match. Nakamura and Honma had some interactions. The end had Yoshi-Hashi and Captain New Japan doing their usual stuff when Yoshi Hashi cuts him off and pins him with the swanton.

    Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga

    Just a tag team match, nothing special. As you’d expect, Takahashi and Okada were the focus, though Gedo and Tama Tonga had good chemistry together as well toward the end. Tonga pinned Gedo with the waistlock DDT. Yujiro took out Okada why whipping him into the guardrail immediately after the match.

    Kota Ibushi vs. Bad Luck Fale

    This was ok, but nothing worth noting. Fale got the heat on Ibushi early by throwing him onto chairs on the outside then throwing an entire barricade on his prone body. Ibushi made a comeback with a huge moonsault that took out Fale on the floor. Fale made the comeback with a big lariat and the grenade for a near fall. He went for the Bad Luck Fall but Ibushi tried to counter into a hurricanrana. He failed, as Fale positioned him back for the Bad Luck Fall, hit it and pinned him.

    Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano

    Not that much of a match competitively, but it was fine for what it was. Naito was on offense for a lot of it, shoving the referee down twice along the way. There were several moments where Yano had control, which involved undoing the turnbuckle and Naito missing a splash, but this was very much Naito’s match. He low blowed Yano twice then pinned him with the Destino. 

    Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. A.J. Styles

    Good match. Wasn’t completely action oriented but they told a story and psychological this was one of the better matches of the night. Mostly just back and forth early. AJ started to work on Tenzan’s leg, though strangely not the one that bandaged up. He had in the calf killer at one point but Tenzan grabbed the ropes quickly. After working on him a bit, Tenzan mounted his comeback and went for the Anaconda buster but AJ escaped and dropkicked him. Tenzan tries for a moonsault but the leg is too injured as he collapses to the floor. Tenzan knees him low after a lionsault attempt and goes for the Anaconda vise but AJ gets to his feet as they go to the corner. Tenzan is distracted for a bit by talking to the referee which allows AJ to hook Tenzan’s leg and applies the calf killer for the submission.

    Togi Makabe vs. Doc Gallows

    Fine match, but nothing special. There was a lot of brawling on the outside and into the crowd. Stairs and guardrails were used. Makabe got taken out, and once he came back in was mostly a big guy match with back and forth offense. Gallows hit the Gallows Pole at one point but Makabe kicked out. He went for it again but Makabe hit a lariat, a samoan drop then pinned him with the king kong knee drop.  

    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata

    Excellent match. This immediately felt like nothing else on the card and felt special. Just good work throughout the entire match. They started off with some mat wrestling. Both worked on each other’s legs early, applying submissions. Just an intense back and forth contest, complete with stiff shots and some excellent moves. Tanahashi went for a charge to the corner but ducked as Shibata tried to hop over him, only for Shibata to foot stomp him on the face. Tanahashi hit the high fly flow, then went for another but Shibata dodged the second one and put him in the sleeper. He misses the penalty kick as he goes for a bridging pin and barely gets it for two. Shibata tries to counter into a rear naked choke but Tanahashi floats over him and pins his shoulders on the mat for the surprise win.  

    Block A

    Tetsuya Natio- 10

    AJ Styles- 10

    Hiroshi Tanhashi- 10

    Bad Luck Fale- 10

    Katsuyori Shibata- 8

    Kota Ibushi- 6

    Togi Makabe- 6

    Toru Yano- 4

    Hiroyoshi Tenzan- 2

    Doc Gallows- 2

    Block B

    Kazuchika Okada- 10

    Tomohiro Ishii- 8

    Karl Anderson- 8

    Hirooki Goto- 8

    Shinsuke Nakamura- 8

    Michael Elgin- 8

    Yujiro Takahashi- 4

    Satoshi Kojima- 4

    Yuji Nagata- 2

    Tomoaki Honma- 0  

  • Ortiz claims Cyborg offered the Rousey fight for AT&T Stadium

    Tito Ortiz, as a guest on Inside MMA, claimed that he was told by Cris Cyborg Justino that she had been offered a fight with Ronda Rousey provided she can make 135 pounds, on a show at “Cowboy’s arena.”

    “I’ve heard from Cris, actually that the fight that’s supposed to be happening at the Cowboys’s arena. . . they offered the fight to Cris.  I know her management said yes and I’ve told her, `”let’s do it.’  So I guess the ball’s all i Ronds’s corner and Ronda wants to do it.  Dana said if Cris came down to 135 they’ll make the fight happen, so let’s see if Ronda accepts the fight.”

  • VIDEO: Fifteen-minute AAA TripleMania preview show