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  • Lucha Underground July 29 TV results & recap- Ultima Lucha Part One – The Mack vs. Cage hardcore

    By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

    Last week, the build for Ultima Lucha was finalized. The Gift of the Gods title was debuted, and each of the seven medallions will be used in it to determine title shots for season two (if there is one). Other than the creation of a new title, it was a very good and effective show. Johnny Mundo and Texano had a fun match, while Cage and The Mack had a short match that built up this week’s falls count anywhere main event with a long post-match brawl all over the place. Fenix also won a battle royal to get his medallion back, and he defended it against Party. Puma laid out Mil Muertes to close the show and build up their title match next week.

    The show begins with a recap of the events that led us to tonight’s show – with a Cage vs. Mack rundown. We see Drago get his revenge and get a title shot, only to have Mil Muertes steal it. More recaps show the trios champs are attacked by the Disciples of Death, while Hernandez talks smack to the fans leading to a fans get the straps match. Dario Cueto meets with Black Lotus in her cell, while he is in a slick tuxedo. Matanza grunts in the background and we hear Dario talking about him as a monster not through size, but his circumstances. Dario tells her that Matanza didn’t kill her parents – El Dragon Azteca did. They close the scene by showing her beating up a chalk outline of a person on the cell wall and nailing the heart. This took some twists and turns and I loved it.

    Ultima Lucha gets its own logo on the screen while Vampiro and Striker welcome us to the show. We get the card tonight and each match gets its own poster in the building – they look beautiful, so hopefully they monetize those and try to sell them. The opener is The Mack vs. Cage. Mack comes down, but he gets jumped by Cage on the steps.

    The Mack vs. Cage – Falls Count Anywhere

    Cage has a new black and yellow singlet and tosses Mack onto the top of Dario’s office. Cage slams him down hard and Striker says the ceiling has been reinforced. Exploder suplex on the bleacher from Mack to Cage! Fire extinguisher to the face of Mack leads to a stop sign shot and a DDT onto it for 2. Mack breaks a board on Cage’s back and hits him with a cooler full of Miller Lite. Mack takes a sip of a “Mackweiser” and hits a stunner for 2. Odd to use a Budweiser reference for Miller Lite. They fight up top and Mack kicks him and hits a sitiout powerbomb off the apron through a table on the floor! This gets 2 and a “this is awesome” chant.

    Mack and Cage brawl up the steps to Cueto’s office ceiling once again. Sitout spinebuster on top of a garbage can from Mack gets 2. Cage gets a discus lariat over the railing into the crowd. Deadlift suplex from the railing to the ceiling gets 2! Cage gets some cinder blocks and curb stomps his head through one of them for the win. The trios tag title match is up next, and it’s hyped up with Angelico’s crazy dives.

    After a break, we come back to the Temple where we get a rundown of next week’s two hour finale for the season. Striker makes a clear difference between Ian Hodgkinson and Vampiro, treating Vampiro like a split personality of Ian’s – which has been hinted at for a month or so now. The Disciples of Death come down with Catrina, and the Disciples do actually have names – but we don’t get graphics. One is in a gold mask, one is in silver, and the other is in purple – so that will be the key difference used here. The champs come down with Ivelisse still on crutches.

    Team Havoc vs. Disciples of Death – Trios Tag Title Match

    Bario attacks Ivelisse and Vamp praises the tactic. The black and gold disciple lands a torture back powerbomb to Angelico. Striker points out that this could be the first title change yet on Lucha Underground – which is amazing statistic given that it has LU and AAA’s top title on it. Flying knee sends one Disciple down for 2. A Disciple gets a stretch muffler onto Ivie’s good leg, but Havoc saves her. Havoc’s double handspring elbow gives them a breather for a second. Striker talks about how everyone wants an “Ultima Lucha Moment”, and Angelico runs up the wall to attack a Disciple. He then dives off of the office ONTO THE FLOOR. This man is nuts and he’s got blood coming from his mouth. Catrina stalks Ivie, and we get a catfight – which Striker prefaces by saying “I love ya, Joey!” Catrina wins the fight bonking her with the stone and giving her team the win. This was the worst Trios tag title match so far, but still fun. Catrina licks Ivie’s face and she holds her stone high while the champions hold their titles high as well. Striker toasts to Vampiro and the fans come down, with complete bios for some by Striker. Hernandez comes out without a top, and has painted in his Superman logo – either for legal reasons or due to the shame of using the Man of Steel version of the logo.

    Hernandez vs. Drago – Believer’s Backlash Match

    Hernandez crotches him up top and sends him to the floor – but the fans help him back in. Hernandez goes out there and gets whipped on the back and face. His forehead is just a strap-shaped red mark now. Drago hits a billion kicks and clotheslines him to the floor to eat more lashes from the Hot Tub podcast guy. Fallaway powerbomb hits Drago while the fans in the crowd and on the floor cheer. Hernandez gets a splash, but Drago gets the knees up and lands a running tornado DDT. Way of the Dragon only gets 2 for Drago.

    Hernandez lifts him up and Striker calls it a Last Ride, but he border tosses him to the crowd on the floor. Supermex dive is met with yellow mist while fans lose their minds. Hernandez goes under the ring, leading to fans waiting for him and Drago setting up a table on the other side. Drago has nunchuks and nails Hernandez onto the table. Big splash off the top rope to the floor and through the table! Drago sends him in for another splash and the win! To close the show, we get yet another rundown of the two hour finale. El Dragon Azteca arrives and fights someone to get into the Temple despite being threatened with the possibility of death. This was a pretty fun show – not as good as many weeks, but still solid.

  • Plans for SummerSlam updated, Return of Undertaker, Rise of NXT, G-1 Climax, UFC PPV business notes

    The return of the Undertaker and build to SummerSlam, Battleground coverage, the rise of NXT and situation with ROH, the G-1 Climax tournament and some major UFC stories are the major stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  The issue is on the site right now at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/43691-july-27-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-the-undertaker-returns-at-battleground-nxtroh-insanity-with-liger-booking-and-more

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

    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 concerns the build to SummerSlam.  We look at advertising that has already been cut for the show, what are the possibilities for Sting, the Lesnar-Undertaker angle, the booking of WWE right now, the situation with the women, plus full coverage of Battleground with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.

    We also look at the booking of  Jushin Liger to NXT on 8/22, ticket sales for the show, plans for the NXT show, how the Liger booking affects ROH and has caused such a political turmoil.  We look at the NXT card as well as the competing ROH show.  We look at the Liger booking, ROH working with New Japan, ratings with New Japan stars vs. shows without New Japan stars, NXT touring, the next NXT vs. ROH head-to-head in September, the next ROH PPV show and much more.

    We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament, with all of the shows planned for the next week, as well as full coverage of opening night in Sapporo with match-by-match-coverage, star ratings and poll results.

    We also look at a major story concerning fighters for UFC to address which is the banning of IVs for rehydrating after weigh-ins starting October and why the story is far more significant than people realize.

    We also look at a potential alliance between ESPN and WWE and the ethical debate regarding the coverage.  We also look at the Hogan/Gawker lawsuit and each side’s case, an update on the Dr. Christopher Amann lawsuit against C.M. Punk and Colt Cabana, an update on Dolph Ziggler and what he claims is his contract status, Undertaker working more than just SummerSlam, Stephanie McMahon talks gay characterizations in future WWE creative as well as a look back from former creative members regarding different suggestions on gay characterizations in the past.  We look at more WWE banned terms and how some were changed and why.  We also look at how the characters are being described for Camp WWE, which is really hilarious.

    We’ve also got notes on Chris Jericho working more house shows, Tough Enough notes, John Cena in the movies, how the WWE Network free month has changed, as well as what to look for over the next week in WWE stock.

    We also have full coverage of the next month of NXT TV tapings, as well as coverage of all the WWE and NXT house shows this past week and business notes from the shows.

    We also have notes on TripleMania being on U.S. PPV for the first time on 8/9, including price point, why it’s happening now, and its history as well as broadcast information.

    We also have coverage of both UFC events held over the past week, with the Mir vs. Duffee and Bisping vs. Leites shows.  We’ve got business notes and stories behind both events.

    We also have notes on the third season of New Japan World on AXS, including highlights of the new season, all the matches airing from 8/14 to 12/11 including when the Wrestle Kingdom 9 matches will air, as well as notes on the schedule for 2016.

    We also look at Dragon Gate’s Kobe World Festival show and CMLL’s Sin Salida show, which were two of those two company’s biggest events of the year.

    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.

    Also in this week’s issue:

    –62nd anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Puebla.

    –What pro wrestling star appeared in the Latin American version of ESPN The Body magazine

    –Notes on All Japan’s next title bouts

    –Pro Wrestling NOAH stars jr. tournament

    –A look at a near riot at a pro wrestling show in Japan with details on it

    –Lots of New Japan business talk

    –Changes being made by New Japan

    –How New Japan continues to try and copy WWE

    –Who New Japan considers its business partners

    –Plans for all three New Japan Sumo Hall shows in August, as well as the annual King of Pro Wrestling show

    –Notes on the first major New Japan shows after G-1

    –Big Japan runs its biggest event of the year

    –Notes on the death of wrestling historian Fred Hornby

    –Coverage of Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore show

    –Notes on the GFW TV tapings this week

    –Notes on GFW going to the U.K.

    –Notes on PWG this week

    –Wrestling stars in TV movie roles

    –The retirement of Serena Deeb and her farewell as well as career highlights

    –What TV show did a major promotion get invited to be on and why did they decide against it

    –Why did ROH send a cease and desist latter to GFW

    –A look at the ROH show in Las Vegas this past week as well as a possible future direction of Austin Aries

    –Notes on the next ROH TV tapings and schedule

    –Update on Kurt Angle’s condition

    –Story behind MVP leaving TNA and all BDC footage being taken down due to legal issues with Lucha Underground

    –How it all went down

    –How TNA is changing its contracts

    –Notes on TNA’s Bound for Glory PPV

    –Notes on TNA production

    –Why the Stitch Duran story is such a big deal

    –Duran runs through what happened

    –UFC 189 PPV notes

    –Thoughts on UFC 190 on PPV and wide variety of estimates

    –A look at plans for UFC to run AT&T Stadium in Dallas

    –Why UFC won’t run a Friday night PPV

    –How Pacquiao did when he headlined Texas Stadium

    –Potential matches for later this year

    –A look at the fourth quarter for UFC this year

    –Notes on Ronda Rousey winning ESPY awards

    –More on Rousey and Mayweather and story behind the diss

    –UFC 191 matches

    –UFC 192 main event

    –More on Fedor in UFC

    –Aldo threatens to sue Chael Sonnen

    –Another drug test failure

    –Mike Swick retires

    –Cerrone accuses Dos Anjos of PEDs

    –Coverage of this past week’s Bellator show and who to watch for from the show

    –Tito Ortiz talks his future 

    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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    *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

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  • Tuesday night WWE ratings

    It was a split bag last night with Total Divas showing an increase and Tough Enough showing a decrease.

    Tough Enough did 980,000 viewers, down 14 percent from last week.

    Total Divas did 1,083,000 viewers, up 9 percent from last week.

  • WED UPDATE: Hulk Hogan’s lawyers lash at at Gawker, legal news on Jimmy Snuka, Wanderlei Silva, UFC antitrust

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

    Tonight:

    * NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network has Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs. The Mechanics, Baron Corbin vs. Jesse Sorensen, Chad Gable and Jason Jordan in action, Charlotte vs. Dana Brooke, Blake and Murphy (c) vs. The Vaudevillains for the NXT Tag Titles, and more.

    * Lucha Underground at 8:00 p.m. ET on El Rey has part one of Ultima Lucha with Angelico, Ivelisse, & Son of Havoc (c) vs. The Disciples of Death for the Trios Titles, Hernandez vs. Drago in a Believers Backlash (Fan lumberjacks with straps) match, and The Mack vs. Cage in a falls count anywhere match. With Vampiro wrestling on part two next week, Michael Schiavello joins Matt Striker at the announcers’ table.

    * UFC Tonight returns at 8:00 p.m. ET, though on Fox Sports 2 for this week instead of Fox Sports 1.

    * Impact Wrestling at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America is being built around Jeff Jarrett’s induction into the TNA Hall of Fame.

    *ROH at 11:00 p.m. ET on Destination America (no more 8:00 p.m. ET showing) has Michael Bennett & Matt Taven vs. Corey Hollis & Jonathan Gresham, a six-way with Cheeseburger vs. Dalton Castle vs. Moose vs. Caprice Coleman vs. Brutal Bob Evans vs. Silas Young, and ACH vs. Bobby Fish.

    **** 

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a feature story looking at WWE’s firing of Hulk Hogan and how it relates to all of the litigation with Gawker including:

    * How Hogan’s racist comments and the set of sex tapes his tirade was part of tied into the FBI investigating someone attempting to extort money from Hogan.

    * How long it’s been known that something like this could come out.

    * Gawker alluding to the idea that the FBI was helping Hogan cover up these statements.

    * Where The National Enquirer and Radar Onlne could have sourced the story from.

    And much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news.

    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 return of the Undertaker and build to SummerSlam, Battleground coverage, the rise of NXT and situation with ROH, the G-1 Climax tournament and some major UFC stories are the major stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

    The latest Wrestling Observer: July 27, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The Undertaker returns at Battleground, NXT/ROH insanity with Liger booking

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

    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 concerns the build to SummerSlam.  We look at advertising that has already been cut for the show, what are the possibilities for Sting, the Lesnar-Undertaker angle, the booking of WWE right now, the situation with the women, plus full coverage of Battleground with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.

    We also look at the booking of  Jushin Liger to NXT on 8/22, ticket sales for the show, plans for the NXT show, how the Liger booking affects ROH and has caused such a political turmoil.  We look at the NXT card as well as the competing ROH show.  We look at the Liger booking, ROH working with New Japan, ratings with New Japan stars vs. shows without New Japan stars, NXT touring, the next NXT vs. ROH head-to-head in September, the next ROH PPV show and much more.

    We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament, with all of the shows planned for the next week, as well as full coverage of opening night in Sapporo with match-by-match-coverage, star ratings and poll results.

    We also look at a major story concerning fighters for UFC to address which is the banning of IVs for rehydrating after weigh-ins starting October and why the story is far more significant than people realize.

    We also look at a potential alliance between ESPN and WWE and the ethical debate regarding the coverage.  We also look at the Hogan/Gawker lawsuit and each side’s case, an update on the Dr. Christopher Amann lawsuit against C.M. Punk and Colt Cabana, an update on Dolph Ziggler and what he claims is his contract status, Undertaker working more than just SummerSlam, Stephanie McMahon talks gay characterizations in future WWE creative as well as a look back from former creative members regarding different suggestions on gay characterizations in the past.  We look at more WWE banned terms and how some were changed and why.  We also look at how the characters are being described for Camp WWE, which is really hilarious.

    We’ve also got notes on Chris Jericho working more house shows, Tough Enough notes, John Cena in the movies, how the WWE Network free month has changed, as well as what to look for over the next week in WWE stock.

    We also have full coverage of the next month of NXT TV tapings, as well as coverage of all the WWE and NXT house shows this past week and business notes from the shows.

    We also have notes on TripleMania being on U.S. PPV for the first time on 8/9, including price point, why it’s happening now, and its history as well as broadcast information.

    We also have coverage of both UFC events held over the past week, with the Mir vs. Duffee and Bisping vs. Leites shows.  We’ve got business notes and stories behind both events.

    We also have notes on the third season of New Japan World on AXS, including highlights of the new season, all the matches airing from 8/14 to 12/11 including when the Wrestle Kingdom 9 matches will air, as well as notes on the schedule for 2016.

    We also look at Dragon Gate’s Kobe World Festival show and CMLL’s Sin Salida show, which were two of those two company’s biggest events of the year.

    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.

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    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues

    Wednesday Daily Update

    • TMZ is reporting that Hulk Hogan’s lawyers have filed new documents in his lawsuit against Gawker asking for an investigation into the leak of his racist and homophobic comments that have been released the last few days. Radar Online wrote that “[Hogan’s] attorneys have asked the judge to permit them to appoint an independent electronic forensic expert that would be given access to Gawker’s computer network, systems and tablets in the hopes of uncovering a mole.”

    Gawker’s lawyers had successfully sued the FBI for the records of the investigation surrounding the attempted extortion of Hogan using the sex tape, but only Gawker’s lawyers are allowed to see those records (as in they can’t share them with anyone else at Gawker), which include the sex tapes, audio of the sting operation, transcripts of the sex tapes, and various other documents.  The new filing more or less alleges that if Gawker wasn’t being the leak, it sure looks like they were. It’s such a huge gamble that it seems unlikely, though: If Hogan’s side can prove Gawker leaked the transcripts, then he most likely wins without having to go to trial.

    Gawker issued this statement: Hulk Hogan has only one person to blame for what he said and no one from Gawker had any role in leaking that information.

    Radar is also claiming that court documents reporting the existence of three sex videos is a new exclusive even though that information was reported weeks ago.

    • Per Irv Muchnick, the grand jury decison regarding whether or not Jimmy Snuka will face charges in the 1983 death of girlfriend Nancy Argentino is expected this week. At the time, he coroner had recommendd that police investigate her death as a homicide, citing evidence of domestic abuse among other reasons, but it was never really followed up on. The grand jury proceedings had been delayed repeatedly but finally got going again recently.
    • Not exactly shocking, but the UFC has sued Wanderlei Silva for saying that they’ve fixed fights. This one will be interesting if it doesn’t end quickly and quietly.
    • John Nash is reporting at Bloody Elbow that n the UFC antitrust lawsuit, the judge denied a Zuffa (UFC) motion to stay discovery. This doesn’t mean that the plaintiffs will get all of the financial statements and so on that they want, but they can start depositions, interrogotories, and document discovery. What becomes public all depends  on what gets filed with the court for one reason or another.
    • As noted on the front page, Joseph Duffy vs. Dustin Poirier is headlining the October 24th UFC Fight Pass card in Dublin. Big step up in both competition and positioning for Duffy, AKA “the last man to beat Conor McGregor.” Poirier had previously asked for a ranked opponent next, but it lookes like he softened on that once he broke into the top 15 anyway and got offered a main event.
    • At MMAFighting, Dave Meltzer has:

    His UFC on Fox postmortm.

    Notes on the UFC on Fox show being their biggest Summer special to date.

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (July 29): Ric Flair vs. Bobo Brazil, Nick Bockwinkel vs. Mil Mascaras

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1964 – Lord James Blears & Neff Maivia defeated Mr. Moto & Nikita Mulkovich for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii

    1965 – In Kansas City; Dick the Bruiser beat Bobo Brazil 2 falls to 1, Bob Geigel and Dr. X drew Ronnie Etchison and Sonny Myers 1 fall each, Mongolian Stomper beat Johnny Ramirez and Jerry Miller drew Bob Brown

    1966 – In Milwaukee; The Crusher beat AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon dq and The Alaskan & Big K beat Verne Gagne & Doug Gilbert.

    1972 – In Chicago; AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Baron Von Raschke, Ivan Koloff beat Billy Robinson by count out and Bobby Heenan & Blackjack Mulligan beat Ramon Torres & Sailor Art Thomas

    1973 – In Green Bay, Wisconsin; The Crusher beat Superstar Billy Graham by countout, Wahoo McDaniel beat Nick Bockwinkel, Larry Heiniemi & Buddy Wolff beat Billy Robinson & Geoff Portz in 2 out of 3 falls and Greg Gagne beat Bill Crouch. Attendance was 6,488.

    1976 – Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Seiji Sakaguchi to become the first NWF Asian Heavyweight Champion (a New Japan title) in Osaka, Japan.

    1977 – Ric Flair defeated Bobo Brazil in Richmond, Virginia to win the NWA United States Championship; In Denver, Colorado; AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum on a reverse decision dq, Pedro Morales beat Super Destroyer dq, Angelo Mosca beat Ray Stevens and Billy Robinson beat Roger Kirby

    1980 – Bill Dundee defeated Paul Ellering for the Southern Heavyweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky

    1983 – In Houston, Texas; Mil Mascaras drew AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel, Junk Yard Dog beat Butch Reed dq, In a Taped Fist match, Dusty Rhodes beat King Kong Bundy, In a Texas Street fight, Hacksaw Duggan beat Ted Dibiase and Tommy Rich beat Kamala

    1984 – In Milwaukee; Road Warriors beat AWA Tag Team Champions Crusher & Baron Von Raschke dq, Jim Brunzell no contest King Kong Brody, Fabulous Ones beat Nick Bockwinkel & Mr Saito, Tony Atlas beat Steve Regal, Larry Zbyszko beat Billy Robinson and Curt Hennig beat Bobby Heenan

    1985 – Jerry Lawler defeated Bota The Witchdoctor in Memphis, Tennessee, for the Southern Heavyweight Title; In Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Ronnie Garvin & Jimmy Garvin beat Raymond Rougeau & Jacques Rougeau dq, AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors beat Tonga Kid & King Tonga, Jos Leduc beat Great Samu and Dino Bravo beat The Superstar

    1988 – Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy defeated Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu in Takasaki, Japan to win the All Japan Tag Team Championship (PWF World & NWA International Titles); Yoshihiro Asai defeated Ray Richard in Mexico City, Mexico for the UWA World Welterweight Title. Asai would go on to become better known as Ultimo Dragon.

    1989 – Super Medic I defeated Chicky Starr for the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico

    1991 – Awesome Kong (not the TNA wrestler) defeated Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified World Title in Memphis, Tennessee

  • June 15, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Full JYD Bio, WCW files lawsuit against WWF, tons more

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  • July 27 Figure Four Weekly: Hulk Hogan fired by WWE after racist tirade surfaces

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  • UFC News: UFC Dublin Main Event

    By Ryan Frederick, WrestlingObserver.com

    A lightweight bout between Dustin Poirier and Joseph Duffy will headline the UFC Fight Night 77 event in Dublin on October 24 at the 3Arena. The entire card will stream on UFC Fight Pass. Duffy announced the bout during an interview on Irish TV earlier today.

    Duffy is known as the last man to defeat Conor McGregor and he has won two straight since joining the UFC, scoring first-round wins over Jake Lindsey and Ivan Jorge. Poirier has won two straight fights since moving to the lightweight division, scoring first-round victories over Carlos Diego Ferreira and Yancy Medeiros. 

  • New Japan 2015 G1 Climax July 29 results: Naito vs. Styles; Fale vs. Tanahashi

    by Bryan Rose, WrestlingObserver.com

    Welcome today’s coverage of the G1, taking place tonight at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Tonight’s show is the usual deal of no commentary but a multi camera setup. Hopefully the crowd is more into this show than yesterday’s crowd.

    Jay White and David Finlay vs. Tiger Mask and Mascara Dorada

    This was short, but pretty fun. White and Finlay are a good young lion team, Tiger Mask was fine and Dorada was his usual great self. Tiger Mask took out White on the outside with a suicide dive which allowed Dorada to pick up the win with the Dorada Screwdriver.

    Yuji Nagata, Yohei Komatsu, Satoshi Kojima and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Karl Anderson, Cody Hall and Tama Tonga 

    Just a match. Everyone paired off with someone and had the usual eight man tag but in abridged form. When Nagata and Anderson were in it was pretty great, though. It boiled down to Tama Tonga and Yohei Komatsu. They had some back and forth for a bit before Tonga pinned him clean with his waistlock DDT.

    Tomoaki Honma and Michael Elgin vs.  Yoshi-Hashi and Tomohiro Ishii

    The last few minutes were super heated with Honma and Yoshi Hashi scoring great near falls on one another. The crowd was white hot for it. Honma actually hit his top rope kokeshi headbutt and managed to pin Yoshi Hashi to a strong ovation. Elgin, Ishii and Honma had to be separated after the match as they all got into it. 

    Kazuchika Okada and Gedo vs. Hirooki Goto and Jushin Thunder Liger

    Decent tag match. Liger and Gedo worked a lot, as well as Goto and Okada. Not much to it beyond that. Liger won with a surprise leg clutch hold on Gedo.

    Toru Yano vs. Doc Gallows 

    Good for what it was. Yano stalled a lot early. He tried to jump Gallows after a hand shake spot but Gallows no sold it. Mostly comedy spots but Yano’s able to work them really well here. It wasn’t the best match workrate wise but it was fun. Yano took out Hall and Tonga from the apron, but Anderson comes in as he and Gallows give him the Magic Killer and Gallows pins him.

    Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Togi Makabe

    Another pretty solid bout. Nothing fancy, as most of the match was just back and forth brawling. Makabe did take it to the outside early, but most of this was in the ring. At one point it seemed like he was working over Tenzan’s eye. Tenzan kept taking Makabe’s offense until Makabe pinned him with the king kong knee drop.

    Kota Ibushi vs. Katsuyori Shibata

    These two exchanged some great offense in the early minutes of the match, including some great mat wrestling. Crowd is SUPER into this match, it was insane. Ibushi did Shibata’s penalty kick at one point that Shibata did not take lightly and returned with one of his own. Just an insane match with incredible heat and super stiff offense. There was one period where they were constantly kicking out at one and just going insane with offense. This is a surefire match of the year candidate and required viewing if you have New Japan World. They were exchanging offense when finally Shibata slapped him HARD, put him in the sleeper and pinned him with the penalty kick.

    Bad Luck Fale vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi 

    Good match; it’s becoming more and more clear that Tanahashi’s one of the best ring generals in pro wrestling right now. There was a ref bump at one point that caused Hall and Tonga to come in and interfere. Fale took out one by accident and Tanahashi took the other out and sent Fale to the outside where he gave them all the big high fly flow on the outside. Tanahashi came back with two high fly flows but the Bullet Club pulled the referee out. Fale tried for the Bad Luck Fall twice but Tanahashi managed to escape both times, but did not escape the grenade. Fale went to the top rope, nearly tripped but came back and hit his own high fly flow for the win.

    AJ Styles vs. Tetsuya Naito 

    The crowd was dead for most of this match. I’m guessing it’s due to the heel/heel dynamic, and no one wanted to cheer either guy. Nothing wrong with it early, as they were wrestling a good technical match, going back and forth. The crowd started to come back and chant for Naito for whatever reason. They were going back and forth after Naito spat at AJ. He hit a pele kick and went for the bloody sunday DDT but Naito countered and hit his new finisher, the sliced bread #2 into a reverse DDT that he calls Destino for the win. Just good, not great.

    Naito took out Red Shoes after the match with a bodyslam and running dropkick and cut a promo, basically saying he’ll win and said his catchphrase to close the show.  

    Current Standings

    Block A

    Katsuyori Shibata- 6

    Bad Luck Fale- 6 

    Tetsuya Natio- 6

    AJ Styles- 4

    Hiroshi Tanhashi- 4

    Kota Ibushi- 4

    Togi Makabe- 2

    Hiroyoshi Tenzan- 2

    Toru Yano- 2

    Doc Gallows- 2

    Block B 

    Tomohiro Ishii- 6

    Kazuchika Okada- 6

    Karl Anderson- 4

    Hirooki Goto- 4

    Yuji Nagata- 2

    Shinsuke Nakamura- 2

    Satoshi Kojima- 2

    Michael Elgin- 2

    Yujiro Takahashi- 2

    Tomoaki Honma- 0

  • Brian Cage talks Ultima Lucha, being cut by WWE

    The following is from a third party:

    BRIAN CAGE Interview Transcript

    Donald Wood: The big news from Lucha Underground is that Ultima Lucha will now be two weeks long. It was announced that you would be taking on The Mack in a falls count anywhere match. What are your expectations for Ultima Lucha overall and what can the fans expect from your battle against The Mack?

    Brian Cage: I think the reason they made it two weeks long is because my match is going to be so epic and will be an episode in its own right. Ultima Lucha itself will be awesome and I feel every week of Lucha Underground is amazing. I don’t want to sound boring or cookie cutter and say expect more of the same, but really the wrestling is awesome and the matches are so great. It’s going to be the culmination of everything up to this point and what you would expect from a season finale. Mack and I are going to tear the roof off of the place. We have had a couple of good ones though they were short and sweet. This time we will get to put it all out there and have a great match and I don’t think it is going to disappoint.

    Mike Chiari: I think some fans were somewhat surprised to see you sign with Lucha Underground initially because they were expecting more traditional Luchadores, but you’ve really seemed to gel with the rest of the roster. Why do you think you’ve been such a good fit for Lucha Underground, and how have you enjoyed your time with the company so far?

    Brian Cage: You know like Striker says, “I am the total package of everything that is lucha”.  While I think it’s good to have those opposites here and there, but I think my styles fit really well here.  At first they think I don’t belong here, but then they see my styles and my ability and it meshes well them and their style altogether.  It gives them something new and brings almost a hybrid style of a so called big-man.  I love it here.  I was a little unsure myself jumping on board and seeing how it would work out.  I was worried it wasn’t going to work out or turn out to be a flop.  It’s been phenomenal and the best company I have ever worked for.  I am glad and couldn’t be happier that I signed on board.  I am looking forward for everything down the road and think it will be a big success.

    Brandon Galvin: Your match with Prince Puma for the Lucha Underground Championship back in March was one of the best matches of the year for us, but it seemed that you were quickly pushed aside for other wrestlers. Given how much Lucha Underground was marketing you at the time, do you think they missed a chance to capitalize on your momentum?

    Brian Cage: Yes and no.  I mean it was amazing I got such a huge opportunity out the gate.  That really elevated me and Puma too who was already doing such a great job.  I don’t think it’s a missed opportunity because it is still there.  They bumped me down to mid-card status to help elevate other people and to lead the way for other people to work with Puma since it can’t be the Brian Cage/Puma story the whole time, you know what I mean?  So a missed opportunity I don’t think so.  The plans moving ahead I am sure I will be in the title scenario again at some point.  I wish it would have gone a little longer but no love lost or hurt feelings.

    Donald Wood: While your popularity is rising in the mainstream thanks to Lucha Underground, Indy wrestling fans have known you for years thanks to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Do you think the freedom to show your athleticism at PWG has helped give you the chance to shine anywhere?

    Brian Cage: Oh undoubtedly, absolutely.  Going back to not wrestling how people thought I would wrestle is my niche.  That’s what sets me apart from everybody else.  Besides the BLANK nation were the only guys with that type of appeal or ability in the ring.  PWG really launched me and helped me get out there and show on a national scale what I can do.

    Mike Chiari: In addition to your great work with Lucha Underground you’ve been involved in a long-running feud with Alberto El Patron in AAA, and it’s going to culminate in hair vs. hair match at TripleMania August 9. What does it mean to you to be in a featured match on such a huge card, and what are your expectations for the match?

    Brian Cage: It’s really awesome to be down there this year and feud with him; it’s helped me out a lot internationally.  To be part of TripleMania, which is their WrestleMania down there, it’s just so awesome.  Being listed as one of the headliners along with Rey Mysterio and Myzteziz and to be on their first full international PPV its just such a huge deal, I marked out a little myself.  When I saw my name next to Alberto on the PPV synopsis I was like, “Ohhhhhhh this is amazing, I’m going to be on real PPV!”  I think it’s going to be an awesome opportunity and my matches down there with him I have been really enjoying.  I think this will be the best match we have over the past 6 months and I am eager to see what the future has in store for me after.

    Brandon Galvin: We’ve been major supporters of Lucha Underground since Day 1. We recently had Vampiro and he was confident a second season would happen. First, what are your thoughts on the structure of Lucha Underground with it being a season and finally, what are your expectations for a second season?

    Brian Cage: The season thing I was shaky going back and forth with at first. I know originally they wanted a shorter time lapse but I’m not so worried now.  Its shot more like a TV show, and I think that will help to keep people wanting more.  Like when we took that winter break last year.  Everyone thinks it won’t work because you will lose momentum, but this has never been done before.  There are a lot of things Lucha is doing that no one has before like shooting in a whole different angle.  The only way to see how it works is to try it.  I am getting more and more confident that it will be fine and not too long of a break.  We will see how it goes moving forward shooting the seasons.  I think season 2 will be everything season 1 was and just so much more.  You know what to expect, people will want to be a part of it, and wrestlers will even want to sign on.  Everyone is going to more excited for season 2 and deliver more than season 1 did.

    Donald Wood: You spent time in WWE’s developmental territory, FCW. Despite having the ideal bodybuilder look the company is going for and being a great athlete, why do you think you never got the chance to show your skill on the main roster and would you be open to a return to WWE?

    Brian Cage: I’ll be straight and blunt with it, because they are idiots.  They want something to hang their hat on and if you are not their guy they will let you go.  Not going to pull any punches, but I would be totally open to going back to them.  With many things permitting.  I am not opposed to going back, but I don’t care if I ever go back.  If I ever work for them cool, if I don’t my life is super happy and I am living the dream right now.  I did love my time down there and things did go great.

    Mike Chiari: There are quite a few nicknames that you go by, but one that’s started to pick up steam recently is Lucha Lesnar in reference to your similarities to Brock Lesnar. How do you think you compare to Brock, and what would your interest level be in terms of having a match with him one day?

    Brian Cage: That one was promoted by some fan and my mom thought it was totally hilarious.  I like the name and I would love a match with Brock.  He is my favorite guy to watch in WWE though I don’t get to watch much of it nowadays.  I think it’s funny because he is a better wrestler now than when he left the ring the first time.  His style now is more of a shoot, just the way he literally throws people around the ring for real.  I would love to work him but I don’t know how similar our styles would match up.  We both are huge beasts like individuals who are more athletic than we should be for our sizes.  I don’t think there are many similarities in our styles.  I think a match together would be amazing and I would love the opportunity. 

    Brandon Galvin: I mentioned your match with Prince Puma earlier, but is there a match or performance you would choose to show somebody who has never seen you work as a way to define the wrestler you’ve become?

    Brian Cage: Wow that’s a good question; I’ve never been asked that.  If I had to pick one match for everything, man that would be hard to do.  There are plenty to choose from and it’s hard to pick one.  My matches with Puma, my matches with Roderick Strong in PWG, my debut with them, I mean those matches are older.  My matches with Tyson Kidd those were amazing.  Maybe my match with Roddy or Prince Puma match from the past year cause it gives a better view of who I am and what I do is what I would say off the top of my head.