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  • Smackdown spoilers from Tulsa

    Notes from tonight’s Smackdown tapings in Tulsa:

    Seth Rollins did an interview taking credit for breaking John Cena’s nose.  Cesaro came out and challenged Rollins to a match.

    Rollins NC Cesaro when Kevin Owens, who was doing commentary, interfered.  Owens & Rollins beat down Cesaro.

    Los Matadores & Lucha Dragons b New Day & The Ascension. 

    The main event was announced as Rollins & Owens against Cesaro and a partner of his choosing.

    Rusev & Summer Rae did an interview talking about Lana and Dolph Ziggler.

    Rusev b Jack Swagger with the Accolade.  Swagger was really over in Oklahoma.

    Stardust b R-Truth.  Stardust did a promo after the match and Neville chased him out of the rnig.

    Cesaro & Dean Ambrose b Owens & Rollins when Cesaro pinned Owens after a roll-up.

  • WWE Smackdown July 30 spoilers: Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro & Dean Ambrose

    Notes from tonight’s Smackdown tapings in Tulsa, OK:

    – WWE Champion Seth Rollins did an interview taking credit for breaking John Cena’s nose. Cesaro came out and challenged Rollins to a match

    – WWE Champion Seth Rollins NC Cesaro when Kevin Owens, who was doing commentary, interfered. Owens & Rollins beat down Cesaro. The main event was later announced as Rollins & Owens against Cesaro and a partner of his choosing.

    – Los Matadores & Lucha Dragons b New Day & The Ascension.

    – Rusev & Summer Rae did an interview talking about Lana and Dolph Ziggler. Rusev b Jack Swagger with the Accolade.  Swagger was really over in Oklahoma.

    – Stardust b R-Truth.  Stardust did a promo after the match and Neville chased him out of the rnig.

    – Cesaro & Dean Ambrose b Kevin Owens & WWE Champion Seth Rollins when Cesaro pinned Owens after a roll-up.

  • TNA title changes hands

    Billed as team from Global Force Wrestling, Brian Myers (formerly Curt Hawkins) & Trevor Lee beat The Wolves Tuesday in Orlando to win the TNA tag team titles.

  • WWE Tough Enough Episode 6 Review and Recap

    By: Kenneth Nida

    Last week saw the downfall of Patrick, whose ego got the best of him. Even fan favorite ZZ wasn’t spared when Patrick told him that if he won the competition, it would be a joke. Patrick’s elimination was the first to be shocking in any way, as it seemed he’d at least make it to the finals. It will also be interesting to see how the show adjusts with a Hulk Hogan sized void in the show’s judges panel.

    We open up the show introducing the judges with the Miz replacing Hogan. Miz says if he was a judge last week, he would have saved Patrick. We go back to the barracks where ZZ has created a Patrick “shrine”; he’s also shown working out.

    This week Cesaro joins the show to speak to the contestants about focus. This week’s contest sees the contestants using ropes to get from platforms suspended in the air. Each platform has a number on it, and the final platform has a safe, with the numbers opening the combination. When a contestant is running the course, the entire time Billy Gunn is talking to them, sometimes saying random numbers, sometimes asking questions involving numbers.

    Tanner wins for the men, with Gigi winning for the women. The winners get a copy of Chris Jericho’s book with a special inscription. The judges criticize ZZ for being praised for not coming in last. Back at the house, Chelsea and Tanner are in the hot tub together and Chelsea challenges him to cut a promo on her bikini, which is a bit awkward. The next challenge sees the contestants pairing up and doing moves that they have previously learned while crowd noise is playing loudly over the speakers, which distracts some of the contestants. Chelsea wins for the women, and Josh wins for the men.

    Amanda seems to be getting a bit paranoid, getting upset that Chelsea and Sara Lee are practicing behind closed doors and listening to their conversation through the door. Mada confronts ZZ, asking him if he thinks he can win. ZZ admits he doesn’t think he can at this moment, which upsets Mada. Back at the live show, Chris Jericho introduces “Team BAD” – Naomi, Sasha Banks, and Tamina. The female contestants are going to take a slam, followed by a splash off the top rope. Each contestant goes through with it with no problem.

    The judges grill ZZ about not going to the gym like he said he would. The bottom 3 are Amanda chosen by Daniel Bryan, Mada chosen by the Miz, and ZZ chosen by Paige, with Paige saying ZZ’s boobs are bigger than hers. They give the contestants 30 seconds to plead their case. Chris Jericho asks the competitors who should go home, with most saying ZZ. Miz uses his save on Amanda, probably because he thinks she’s hot. The votes are tallied, with Amanda getting 13% of the vote, Mada getting 39% of the vote, and ZZ getting 48%.

    This week was a repeat of last week, in that whoever attacks ZZ goes home. If the judges want someone in particular eliminated next week, all they have to do is have them give ZZ a dirty look. Amanda being saved is ridiculous, as she’s blended into the background for so long that she has no chance. This was obvious when she only got such a small portion of the vote. I can see her going home next week, to balance out the male to female ratio. 

  • October Boston RAW pre-sale code

    There is a pre-sale going on right now for the 10/5 Raw at the TD Garden in Boston wth the code BOSTONRAW.

  • Plans for SummerSlam updated

    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

    Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show on the history of the site are at  http://www.f4wonline.com/member/signup.php

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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.

    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.

    Our most requested issues in our history are:

    *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

    *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

    *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

    *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a

    *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)

    *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)

    *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)

    *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)

    *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)

    *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)

    *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)

    *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

    *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

    *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

    *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

    *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

    *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

    *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

    *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

    *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

    *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)

    *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)

    *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

    *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

    *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

    *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

    *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

    *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

    *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

    *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

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    *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

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    *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)

    *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

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    *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

    *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

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    *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

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    *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

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    *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

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    *August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

    * September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

    * September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

    * September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

    You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

    We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

    To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

  • TUES. UPDATE: Hulk Hogan’s homophobic comments

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

    Tonight:

    * Tough Enough at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on USA Network has the unveiling of the new judge to replace Hulk Hogan.

    * Total Divas at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on E! has a nw episode titled “Divas on Overdrive.” While the Divas are on their way to their next arena, things get out of control when Paige leaves Alicia behind for a new man, Nattie ends up infuriating her husband when she can’t give no for an answer and Nikki accuses Bryan of not liking her.

    * Please send reports from the WWE SmackDown/Main Event tapings to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

    **** 

    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

    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 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.

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    ****

    Tuesday Daily Update

    — The National Enquirer and Radar Online released more quotes from one of the Hulk Hogan/Heather Cole-Clem sex tapes today, this time focusing on homophoic comments from Hogan:

    “VH1 wanted me to do a big thing and go back to the house I grew up in. So we knock on the door, and a big f*g lives there now! […]This half gay was enamored with Linda.”

    Later, when Bubba the Love Sponge Clem entered the room, Hogan  made an interesting request of Bubba:”Dude, the only thing I will ever ask of you…I don’t know how you will pull this off…is, if I am ever on my death bed, you cannot let Linda come and visit me.” This was at least several months before Linda filed for divorced, something Hogan claimed to be blindisded by at the time.

    There’s also an aside about not having to sell their home in Las Vegas if he and Linda get divorced and how “Cecile [Barker, the “black billionaire” he ranted about earlier] will buy it and give it back to me after the divorce!” Barker’s company is Sobe Entertainment, which also backed Paul “Big Show” Wight’s 2007 attempt at a boxing career that he gave up on when he went back to WWE in 2008. Sobe sued in 2009 and the case is still ongoing.

    — Thankfully, Hogan has been off Twitter since yesterday.

    — WWE announced Alicia Fox as having suffered a mild concussion, which may be the first time they’ve done that since they increased secrecy in light of the various concussion-centered lawsuits.

    — Meanwhile, WWE Medical Director and Pittsburgh Steelers neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon is in hot water for writing a paper downlplaying how big a problem Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is without disclosing his cnflicts of interest with WWE and the NFL.

    — In addition to AAA revealing Hugo Savinovich and Matt Striker as the English announcing team for TripleMania, they announced a new match in the form of  Blue Demon and La Parka vs. El Mesias and Electro Shock, with the idea that it celebrates Demon’s 30th year in the business. 

    –CM Punk and Colt Cabana are both on “Maron” this Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. on IFC. There are video previews on IFC’s website.

    — Speaking of Cabana, he’s going to be in Scotland for most of August as part of the Comedy portion of the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh as well as working various indie wrestling dates. See his full schedule on his website.

    — David Whitley of the Orlando Sun-Sentinel wrote an opinion piece praising WWE for how they handled the Hogan situation.

  • ROH announces three major title bouts

    ROH today has announced three major championship bouts.

    The Jay Lethal vs. Roderick Strong rematch coming off their 60:00 draw will take place on 8/21 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena.

    The winner of that match will headline the 9/18 PPV show in San Antonio against Kyle O’Reilly.  Either way, Lethal will first defend the TV title against Bobby Fish in San Antonio.

  • WWE announces Fox suffers concussion

    WWE just released that Alicia Fox suffered a mild concussion during her tag team match on Raw last night.

    No other details were available.

    WWE has not released any updated information on the condition of John Cena.

  • Raw ratings notes

    Raw had a weak first hour, but grew during the show to finish at 3.68 million viewers, which is in the range of what the show has been doing all summer.

    The number is down three percent from last week’s day after Battleground show which featured the Undertaker and Brock Lesnar brawl.

    The three hours were

    8 p.m. 3.42 million viewers

    9 p.m. 3.75 million viewers

    10 p.m. 3.84 million viewers