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  • THURS UPDATE: Brock Lesnar WWE Japan, Hogan lawsuit, Kevin Nash, Match of Year

    By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for reports on late tonight’s WWE show at Sumo Hall in Tokyo as well as from today’s show in Singapore at dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Smackdown tonight from Hershey, PA:

    Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt

    R-Truth vs. Adam Rose

    Ryback vs. Mark Henry

    Brie Bella vs. Naomi

    Prime Time Players vs The Ascension non-title

    Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns non-title

    New Japan runs Korakuen Hall early tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time live on New Japan World

    Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly

    Yuji Nagata & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada

    Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Jay White vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Cody Hall

    Kushida & Captain New Japan vs. Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi

    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe & Tetsuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & Gedo

    Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazushi Sakuraba & Gedo

    Kazuchika Okada & Michael Bennett & Matt Taven & Rocky Romero & Baretta vs. A.J. Styles & Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson & Young Bucks

    The story behind UFC losing perhaps its biggest fight of the year with Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor, update on WrestleMania and the match that isn’t in the plans right now, the TNA-GFW situation and how it happened, and how many expect big changes in UFC very soon, multiple WWE related lawsuits, Tough Enough and the WWE & TNA monthly business rundowns are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    The new issue is up on the site at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/43362-july-6-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-jose-aldo-injury-fallout-tnagfw-mystery-and-much-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

    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@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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    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 looks at the injury to Conor McGregor, what UFC attempted to do to save the fight, why the fight didn’t happen, McGregor building up a later fight, how much does this change hurt, the positives of Mendes in the spot and the mentality of the PPV buyer.  We look at the key issues involved in the fight not happening.

    We also look at why the TNA/GFW alliance took place, why TNA made the call to Jeff Jarrett, plans or non-plans going on, why this is beneficial to both, departures from TNA, where that talent would go next and more.

    We look at why Saturday’s UFC show in Hollywood, FL was the end of an era on several accounts, both from the uniform standpoint, as well as drug detection and weight cutting standpoints.  We also make a suggestion of something that is already done in other sports that UFC should implement, although it will never happen, as well as an example of why weight-cutting is done the way it is.

    We also look at a lawsuit against WWE for making allegedly misleading claims that led to the stock price going way up, and then falling.  We look at a unique thing that came up regarding the key witness, stories changing, and if stories were legit to begin with.

    We also look at the death of the bill to legalize MMA in New York, and how it went down.

    We also have early notes on next year’s WrestleMania, an update on Sting, how the main event planned is unique because it’s out of WWE’s control if it happens, more on Reign vs. Wyatt, the Japanese tour, ideas for the network in 2016, Japanese pro wrestler tryouts, Dolph Ziggler on his contractual situation, The Rock at the house show in Boston, Rock movie news, update on Tyson Kidd, update on WWE network, update on lawsuits against WWE, and notes on the new season of Total Divas.

    We also look at awards WWE is nominated for, Randy Orton, WWE announcing, and notes on the weekend NXT and WWE house shows and business notes and highlights from all of the shows.

    We’ve got coverage of the UFC show in Hollywood, FL, how the card fell apart beforehand, business notes on the show, and what should happen next for Yoel Romero.  We also look at TNA Slammiversary.

    We’ve got a story on the new season of Tough Enough, what has and hasn’t worked so far, notes on the ratings, notes on the competitors, who are said to be the favorites, what on the show is misleading and more on what is involved.

    We also have our monthly business review for WWE & TNA, looking at monthly business in a number of categories.  We look at what categories are up, how far down are the ones down, and what one category with WWE that is significantly up and one that is collapsing.

    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:

    –New promotion that has had success dumps its two biggest stars

    –A look at the All Elite show in Mexico City with several American stars brought in and others scheduled who had to pull out

    –CMLL announces its next major big show main event

    –Updates on reaction to the Busca de un Idolo tournament

    –Notes on the last shows at Arena Mexico

    –Notes on this year’s TripleMania and why it is taking place so late in the year

    –Some major injuries to Lucha Underground stars

    –AAA signs a longtime CMLL star

    –Rey Mysterio Jr. headlines for AAA’s last TV tapings

    –Why the Great Muta U.S. tour fell through

    –An international promotion having money problems and having to cut back and losing wrestles in the process

    –Notes on Dragon Gate’s next major show including some U.S. tours appearing

    –Notes on the NOAH upcoming junior heavyweight tournament

    –Updates on New Japan business

    –New Japan World G-1 notes

    –Notes on New Japan’s biggest main event of the week

    –Notes on the New Japan U.S. television show

    –Update on the original tiger Mask

    –Genichiro Tenryu’s final match

    –Hiroshi Tanahashi appears on DDT major show

    –Update on Bruno Sammartino

    –Dave Bautista likely to land another major movie role

    –Notes on this past week’s PWG show including celebrities and four-star matches

    –Notes on the next two PWG shows

    –Young Bucks face Mysterio for the first time and notes no the show

    –More talent appearing for Jarrett on shows

    –Lots of news regarding the new NWA streaming service and Houston wrestling tape collection

    –Another major streaming service announced

    –Former WWE star set for a new E! reality show

    –Another former WWE performer gets  into legal trouble

    –Notes on pro wrestling books

    –Update on former WWE star Nick “Eugene” Dinsmore

    –Update on the WWC’s last major show

    –Former pro wrestler competing in high level bodybuilding contest

    –One of the most reviled men of the last 50 years in wrestling is coming out of retirement once again

    –Latest on Lucha Underground

    –Notes on the ROH stadium show in Brooklyn

    –Complete lineup for ROH’s next iPPV show

    –Notes on the next ROH show in Las Vegas

    –Updates on TNA titles after this set of tapings

    –Everything on TNA television through mid-August

    –Update on problems with production people

    –Update on health of Kurt Angle

    –Update on Jeff hardy

    –Former WWE star working for TNA behind the scenes

    –Controversy over Anderson Silva drug test result

    –Ronda Rousey ESPY award nominations

    –Crazy UFC schedule over an eight day period

    –Official UFC 187 numbers

    –Update on C.M. Punk training

    –UFC’s return to Ireland announced

    –Update Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson

    –Lots of new UFC fights

    –Aftermath of Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice

    –Ken Shamrock talks about a fight with Frank shamrock

    –More on Alexander Shlemenko suspension

    –Foamer Pride star sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison

    –An August battle of MMA legends falls through.

    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)

    *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

    *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

    *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

    *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

    *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

    *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

    *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

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

    *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

    *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)

    *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

    *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

    *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

    *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

    *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

    *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

    *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)

    *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

    *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)

    *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)

    *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

    *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

    *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

    *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)

    *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *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)

    *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

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

    *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

    *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .

    *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

    *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

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

    *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

    *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *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.

    THURSDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • There are two major shows this weekend, both from Japan, with the WWE show that takes place Saturday morning and the New Japan Dominion show that takes place Sunday morning.  The WWE has a two-hour window on the network, so I don’t know that the entire card will air since in Japan, the local station airing the show has a three-and-a-half hour window.  Last word was Michael Cole and Byron Saxton announcing the show.  The Dominion show is New Japan’s biggest card since the Tokyo Dome, headlined by A.J. Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP title, and the culmination of pretty much all the current angles. 
    • On last night’s show, when we talked about wrestling pilots that were shot that turned into shows, two have made it on the air, Lucha Libre USA, which never got any reaction, and Wrestling Society X was picked up by MTV, but didn’t last long.
    • Jim Ross announced that Paul O’Brien, who has written a number of wrestling novels, will join Scott Williams in working on his autobiography.
    • Conor McGregor will be appearing on Conan O’Brien tonight at 11 p.m.
    • Jose Aldo’s team has released X-rays that clearly show he suffered a broken rib. 
    • I was told that last night’s Ultimate Fighter show was the best episode of the season, with some horrible refereeing, an amazing comeback and a temper tantrum that has to be seen.
    • Destination America numbers
    • ROH at 8 p.m. 157,000 viewers (lowest to date)
    • TNA at 9 p.m. 267,000 viewers (lowest to date except for the week they ran a show from one year earlier)
    • ROH at 11 p.m. 81,000 viewers (lowest to date)
    • TNA at midnight 51,000 viewers (lowest to date)
    • Boy do those numbers speak volumes.  From both sides perspective, that has to be a huge disappointment.     
    • The Hulk Hogan lawsuit against Gawker.com for posting his sex tape with Heather Clem, that was supposed to start Monday, has been delayed to a later date.  The case generated a good deal of publicity this past week.  Hogan has already settled out of court with Clem, so the only defendant is the web site. 
    • Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards won’t be appearing on the next PWG show on 7/24 due to having to be in Orlando for TNA tapings.  I’m not sure if they were ever announced in the first place, but they at first were planning on doing the show.  Tickets for that show should sell out in five or so minutes tonight.
    • The WWE has appointed Tracey Keenan as its new Vice President and General Manager for the UK and Ireland territory.  Her previous tie was WWE Vice President of commercial Partnerships for the Europe, Middle East and Asai markets.
    • TNA yesterday announced the hiring of Eric Sherman as Chief Strategy Officer.  His background included working for MTV Networks overseeing VH1 Classic, VHA 1 Soul and Palladia and President of Fuse TV.
    • Magic Mike XXL, with Kevin Nash in a key role, debuted last night an did $9.3 million its first night.  Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new Terminator movie did $8.9 million for second place. 
    • Also told the Cima & Matt Sydal & Ricochet vs. Yamato & Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino match at today’s Dragon Gate show at Korakuen Hall was a match of the year candidate. (thanks to Case Lowe) 
    • These are the names appearing at the UFC Fan Expo 7/10 and 7/11 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian/Plazzo:  Jheny Andrade, Luciana Andrade, Jon Anik, Rafael dos Anjos, Andre Arlovski, Raphael Assuncao, Carly Baker, Joseph Benavidez, Chrissy Blair, Kahlihi Blundell, C.M. Punk, Travis Browne, Bruce Buffer, Liz Carmouche, Arianny Celeste, Donald Cerrone, Michael Chiesa, Daniel Cormier, Dominick Cruz, John Dodson, Frankie Edgar, Rashad Evans, Urijah Faber, Don Frye, Kelvin Gastelum, Jamillette Gaxiola, Gary Goodridge, Renzo Gracie, Forrest Griffin, Clay Guida, Vanessa Hanson, Johny Hendricks, Matt Hughes, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Anthony Johnson, Demetrious Johnson, Michael Johnson, Shawn Jordan, Chuck Liddell, Guy Mezger, Stipe Miocic, Pat Miletich, Rose Namajunas, Megan Olivi, Brittney Palmer, Julianna Pena, BJ Penn, Kendra Perez, Dustin Poirier, Luke Rockhold, Ben Rothwell, Bas Rutten, Dan Severn, Erick Silva, Cub Swanson, Oleg Taktarov, Tecia Torres, Frank Trigg, Chris Weidman, Fabricio Werdum, Tyron Woodley, Paige VanZant, Paul Varelans and Cain Velasquez.
    • Naomichi Marufuji was announced as coming to Harley Race’s annual World League Wrestling camp from 8/24 to 8/28 in Troy, MO.  Marufuji will instruct along with Gedo of New Japan, Tom Prichard and Ric Flair.  For more info you can call 517-392-4100 and check out more info at www.harleyrace.com/2015trainingcamp.html
    • Another major boxing PPV show is almost set for November with the expected Canelo Alvarez vs. Miguel Cotto fight.  ESPN.com reported the promoters are working out the basics but expect the fight on either 11/7 or 11/21, and at 155 pounds.  This is expected to do more than 1 million buys.
    • Regarding the discussion of last night’s show, we’re told Patrick Martin on Tough Enough was a huge fan as a kid and studied wrestling before starting at the MCW school.  We’re also told that Alex, who was cut, was far from the least knowledgeable person about wrestling on the cast, but just got caught saying something stupid in an argument.
    • Alexander Frekey not only got cut from the show but also was fired from his job the same week because he had asked for time off to do the show saying his boss called him and said they were struggling and since you’re not around we’re letting you go.  He also said he knew quite a bit about wrestling and nearly went to wrestling school coming out of college.  He said the scene was taken way out of context saying that knowledge of history doesn’t help you with physical performance.  He said he knew as much as Patrick except Patrick was better with dates.   
    • Becky Lynch is expected out of action for a few weeks due to a hip flexor injury that we were told was minor. 
    • The 30 minute Finn Balor special airs tonight at 10:30 p.m. on the WWE Network.
    • Although TMZ has reported that the mother of Doink the Clown was suing WWE, as noted before, it was the mother of two of Matt Osborne’s children who is filing suit.
    • Odds have shifted for the Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes fight.  Mendes was originally a 6-to-5 favorite, but as of earlier today, McGregor was a 7-to-5 favorite.
    • Nothing at all on twitter right now gaining any traction from wrestling, boxing or MMA.  The two most talked about things are WWE History with 662 tweets and TUF Talk (coming off last night’s Ultimate Fighter show) with 276.
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata, in an excellent match, headlines the AXS New Japan show tomorrow night from last year’s G-1 tournament.
    • Jonathan Coachman has been on Twitter the last few days trying to get people to retweet “Sports Center on the road at SummerSlam” to show his bosses the power of WWE fans and make coverage happen.  He said he won’t be happy until he can bring both shows together (thanks to Jeff Bradley)
    • WWE sent out a release on Saturday’s show and only mentioned that Brock Lesnar will return to action and Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor, so they are specifically not announcing what will be on the show.
    • New Japan had an issue as they had to apologize to people who either purchased tickets to their shows on-line or signed up for their Fan Club between August 28, 2013 and April 28, 2015, over a security breach.  The company said they will respond properly to correct any issues that come forward.  This does not affect subscribers to New Japan World.
    • WWE stock closed down 12 cents per share to $16.53 today.   
    • Valkyrie women’s wrestling on 7/9 in Woodbury Heights, NJ headlined by Kimber Lee vs. Kacee Carlisle.
    • Paragon Pro Wrestling debuts on Saturday morning at 6 a.m. Eastern and Pacific on Pop! TV.  The first show will have a Battle Royal to determine the top contender for their championshp and features Caleb Konley and Gangrel.  Jessy Sorensen also defends the title in the main event.  Pop! TV is on DirecTV 273 and Dish 117.
    • EWF tomorrow night in Covina CA at 4315 N. Vincent Ave.
    • Uproar Pro Wrestling on 7/11 in New Port Richey, FL at the Verizon Event Center with Jessy Sorensen, Eddie Graves and Leo Brien as headliners.
    • Destiny World Wrestling on 6/28 in Mississauaga,ONT:  Will White b Phil Atlas, Randy Reign b Tyler Tirva, Tyson Dux b Josh Alexander, RJ City b Donovan Danhausen, PJ Black (Justin Gabriel) b Ethan Page, Joe Coleman b Cody Deaner, Taeler Hendrix b Ashley America, P.J. Black won over Will White, Randy Reign, Tyson Dux, RJ City and Joe Coleman to win their DWW world title.  Among those at the show were Booker T (guest ref), Santino Marella, Scott D’Amore, Ron Hutchison and Ricky Johnson (Dwayne’s uncle). (thanks to Bob Kapur and Steven Ashe)
    • Brodus Clay will headline a tour of Alberta for CWE with shows on 8/26 in Camrose, 8/27 in Sherwood Park, 8/28 in Red Deer and 8/29 in Calgary.
    • Chris Nowinski is on briefly on the June HBO Real Sports show in a segment about head trauma in under-14 girls soccer. (thanks to Jeff Cohen)
    • Jonny Fairplay is guest on the Wrestling Outsiders podcast at BlogTalkRadio.com/WrestlingOutsiders
    • CWE on 7/24 in Winnipeg at Rookie’s Sports Bar.
    • New England Championship Wrestling on 7/4 and 7/11 at The Brockton Fair in Brockton, MA.  Admission is free with fair admission.  On Saturday, Slyck Wagner Brown & Brad Hollister face Mike McCarthy & Todd Loco.
    • Booker T, Ariane Andrew (Cameron) and Virgil are appearing  7/9 to 7/12 at the San Diego Comic Con.  Booker & Ariane will be signing from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
    • Dangerous Adrenaline Wrestling Gladiators at the Maximum Sports Complex in Glassboro, NJ on 7/10.   
    • KSW runs 10/31 at the SSE Arena (Wembley Arena) in London featuring Judo Jim Wallhead, Oli Thompson and James McSweney.
    • Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 7/12 in Oshawa, ONT at the Oshawa Legion 471 headlined by Cody Deaner.
    • Jim Duggan headlines for River City Wrestling on 7/12 in Kirby, TX at the Turner Club, facing Skitzkrieg in the main event.
    • Anarchy Wrestling from Saturday night in Cornelia, GA before 100+ fans:  Stryknyn b Romeo Reynolds, CB Suave & Raphael King b Stitch Orisis & Kevin Park, Jeff Lewis b Bobby Moore, Jeremy Foster & Jacob Ashworth b Kevin Blue & Trevor Aeon, Todd Sexton b Sal Rinauro, Frank White & Dementia b Big FN Deal & SKS, Slim J & Fred Yehi b Washington Bullets to keep tag titles, Shadow Jackson & Logan Creede b Lars Manderson & Jagged Edge (thanks to Bill Behrens)
    • Bellator today announced the signing of Chase Gormley, the Titan FC heavyweight champion.  Gormley has a 12-4 record, as has formerly fought in UFC.
    • JJ Dillon talks Dusty Rhodes, Eric Bischoff and his only match in Madison Square Garden
    • Alex Frekey talks being voted off Tough Enough.  He talks his experience, his choice of words, swimming in a swamp with an alligator, how intense Patrick is, what is next for him, his acting career and more.
    • Zack Sabre Jr. documentary trailer
    • Ethan Carter III talks winning the TNA title
    • Honky Tonk Man talks the death of Rick Rude
    • Hulk Hogan talks his career and life

  • Ethan Carter III talks winning TNA title

    The following is from a third party:

    This Is Awesome Wrestling Show with host Glenn Moore, interviewed new TNA World Champion Ethan Carter III today about his win and other topics. EC3 talks about the title win, which is his first singles belt of his career. What will the future hold for EC3 and TNA? He discusses what’s going on with Global Force Wrestling. Also, he talks about his character progression, and how Wednesday’s win was a culmination of his work from the last two years.

    On Becoming TNA World Champion:

    “Everything I’ve ever been through, every stupid personal or professional hell I’ve ever had to overcome, it made it all worth it. I’m very fortunate. I hate using the word blessed, because people use #blessed way too much. But for one day, I can say I was #blessed.”

    Being able to watch his win and experience it with everyone else:

    “Watching it personally, I had a nice soiree. My girlfriend hooked us up with a party and a bunch of people came by. What was cool about it, as much as people who support either her or I, our friends, they not huge wrestling fans. They check it out from time to time. Kind of fans we need more of, which is mainstream people checking it out from time to time. You know, again, when we talk about smart fans and credibility, or messing with the finisher or outside interference. The hook, line, and sinker with every little thing we did and every part of that story we told, like, it was mostly clean, but I’m still kind of a dirt bag because I still need a little help — the stuff with Tyrus.

    I guess, a guy whose never had a wrestling match in his life who can give out stars can say, ‘Hey, that’s typical TNA.’

    When you watch the reaction of the people we try to get, and they are hooked, line and sinker, and they are buying into this and seeing it unfold, it was kind of an out of body experience.”

    Impact of having Kurt Angle be the wrestler he wins belt from:

    “He’s a Hall of Famer in every company he’s been in, let’s not forget that. But I mean, dude, whoa. Like, whoa.

    Like you said, we grew up watching Kurt. It’s very, very rare you have the opportunity to have your dream match. And I think it’s even more rare that it happens to be for a world title. It’s surreal.

    You know, I’ve had that match a thousand times in my head. I remember doing German suplexes and then Angle Slams in my backyard, locking in the ankle lock. Next thing you know, I’ll take about eighteen of them…I don’t remember because they all hit me in the head. Withstand that, then defeat him with a wrestling hold. Ha! Pin! What? Out of control.”

    Who hugged him first after win?

    “John Gaburick.”

    What did Angle say after the match?

    “Later that day, he was sitting down talking to me, and I will not say what he said to me. But to hear those words come out of his mouth, was maybe even more important than actually winning the title.”

    Joining the list of past TNA World Champions, like Sting, Jeff Hardy, Bull Ray, Samoa Joe, Mick Foley, Angle, and more:

    “When you read it like that, that’s a pretty damn exclusive list. I guess that’s a great thing about TNA World Championship, they take a lot of slack for doing things wrestling fans hate for some reason. One thing they do very well is keep the integrity of the World Championship. And that’s pretty cool to be on that list.”

  • WWE: Now is the Time to Pull the Trigger on Cesaro

    In what will almost certainly be the best Raw match of 2015, Cesaro answered John Cena’s U.S. Title Open Challenge Monday night and took the champion to the limit in a 20-minute classic. The ending of the match, which saw Cesaro’s Sharpshooter being broken up by Kevin Owens seemingly moments away from victory, left the distinct impression that Cesaro is on the verge of being a major player in WWE. Cesaro’s history since debuting on the main roster in 2012 might suggest otherwise.

    As anyone who has followed Cesaro since his days in CHIKARA and Ring of Honor can attest, he possesses the tools necessary to be a top star in WWE. He very well still can be just that. But in order for this to happen, WWE needs to pull the trigger right now.

    Flirting With Stardom

    After debuting on Smackdown in April 2012, Cesaro embarked on a fairly substantial winning streak and eventually captured the United States Championship in a little under four months’ time. He held the belt for 239 days, but by the time he dropped the belt to Kofi Kingston, he had already been diminished to a comedy role thanks to a ridiculous yodeling gimmick that lasted all of a few weeks.

    Cesaro was then inexplicably paired with anti-immigration cartoon character Zeb Colter, an incongruous situation hand-waved with his status as a legal immigrant from Switzerland. He would be paired up with Jack Swagger as “The Real Americans,” and they would do next to nothing of note as a tag-team for the next nine months. Meanwhile, Cesaro was simultaneously working in a feud with then-NXT-newcomer Sami Zayn that resulted in a series of exceedingly great matches between 2013 and 2014. Cesaro would also score a big win on the February 14, 2014, Smackdown with a clean pinfall victory over WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton. Nothing further ever came from it.

    At WrestleMania XXX, Cesaro split from Swagger after an unsuccessful attempt at winning the WWE Tag Team Championship, putting his former partner in the Cesaro Swing. He would appear in the inaugural André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal later in the show, which he ultimately won by body-slamming Big Show out of the ring in a fashion reminiscent of Hogan slamming André at WrestleMania 3. To further establish the connection, Hogan himself presented Cesaro with the trophy the next night on Raw and gave him an endorsement. To cap off the segment, Cesaro announced that he was dumping Colter for a new manager—Paul Heyman. The idea, it seemed, would be to accentuate Cesaro’s incredible in-ring acumen with Heyman’s mic work to elevate him as a true top-tier star.

    While these elements combined should have vaulted Cesaro into a role as an emerging babyface, Cesaro was kept as a heel, made to drop the swing that had just begun to get over with crowds, and given some truly horrendous entrance music that Cesaro himself has admitted is awful.  To make sure that he had almost no chance of succeeding further, Cesaro was also booked to lose consistently to mid-card talent like Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, and Big E.

    Cesaro and Heyman ended their partnership in July, and a five-month slog filled with countless mid-card losses followed. This all but guaranteed that whatever juice Cesaro had left from his big win at WrestleMania would dry up.

    The Missing “It Factor”

    The handling of Cesaro was so baffling that it caught the attention of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who took the occasion of his podcast interview with Vince McMahon in December to ask what Cesaro needed in order to become a top-level superstar. McMahon responded by faulting Cesaro for everything from a perceived lack of an “it factor” and charisma to an inability to establish a connection with the audience because of his nationality and European-influenced in-ring style. Austin noted Cesaro’s inconsistent booking since the split from Swagger and Colter, stating that he believed it had negatively impacted his organic growth at a time where he was beginning to get over, and he asked how McMahon felt that he could be booked to regain that momentum that he had lost. McMahon’s response: “I’m not certain.”

    This led to a segment on the December 29 Raw where Cesaro sat in a corner of the ring ala Raven and addressed criticism from “WWE decision-makers” who claimed that he didn’t connect with the audience. His response: “I don’t connect; I deliver.” This was immediately overshadowed when Cesaro flubbed a line, referring to the ring’s “four ropes.” Despite recovering quickly and correcting himself, he was buried on commentary on the way to a loss to the returning Wade Barrett (who also knows a thing or two about stop-start pushes).

    By this point, Cesaro had already begun his tag-team partnership with Tyson Kidd, another immensely talented and underutilized performer. They quickly took to calling themselves “The Brass Ring Club”—a knock on McMahon’s claim that Millennials like Cesaro and Kidd were unambitious and unwilling to grab the brass ring—but the name didn’t stick. The team thrived, however, winning the WWE Tag Team Championship at Fastlane in February and defending the belts at WrestleMania 31.

    Kidd and Cesaro dropped the championship to The New Day at Extreme Rules, and they came up short in a two-out-of-three falls match at Payback and a six-team Elimination Chamber match. On June 7, WWE announced that Kidd had been injured during a dark match with Samoa Joe, and spinal fusion surgery spelled the end of the team.

    Why Now is the Time for Cesaro

    In the wake of Kidd’s injury, the question of what would come next for Cesaro arose. After a week off of TV, Cesaro returned to the ring in a highly-competitive match with NXT Champion Kevin Owens on the June 18 Smackdown. After another week off TV, Cesaro appeared on Monday to challenge John Cena for the United States Championship. Their match is almost guaranteed to be the best match on Raw this year, and it’s certainly one of the best Raw matches of the past several years.

    Consistent with the premise of Cena’s U.S. Open Challenge, Cesaro was given a platform to show the audience what he can do, and he delivered to a magnificent degree. The match was every bit an offensive showcase for Cesaro, and he and Cena both had the crowd completely into the match for the full 20 minutes.  

    In McMahon’s interview with Austin, it was said that one of the things inhibiting Cesaro’s progress is that the audience seems incapable of feeling him; that he is unable to project in such a way that the audience cares about him. The audience on Monday night sounded very receptive of Cesaro, and he carried himself like a superstar should. One has to wonder if Vince McMahon finally saw the “it” that he’s been looking for for so long. “It” was most certainly there, but the question is whether Vince McMahon is capable of seeing it or not.

    During a sequence wherein Cesaro cuts Cena down to his knees with a flurry of European uppercuts, the camera cuts suddenly to black. Here, Cesaro had allegedly given Cena a double middle finger salute. Upon closer inspection, Cesaro appears to have flashed Cena his ring fingers, perhaps suggesting to Vince that this is where the much-discussed brass ring belongs.

    If WWE has any hope of elevating Cesaro to the next level, there is no better time to start than now. Not tomorrow. Today. This wouldn’t even require a monster push along the lines of what Kevin Owens has received since his main roster debut. It would be as simple as gradual, consistent upward trajectory—something from which Cesaro has never benefitted in the WWE. Cesaro has something resembling forward momentum for the first time in more than a year, and it would be foolish to squander it.

    If there’s one thing that the past few years have proven, it’s that manufacturing the energy necessary to propel a superstar into the fans’ good graces is an incredibly difficult task for WWE to undertake. Cesaro’s match with Cena provides him with the best spotlight he’s had since his segment with Hulk Hogan, and the fact that he visually had the champion beaten solidifies that he is a contender for Cena’s U.S. Championship. So keep him there at that level.

    John Cena is in a unique position on the card where he ostensibly acts as the Cerberus guarding the gates to the main event picture. If you do not make it past Cena, you are stuck in the hell that is the WWE mid-card, an infernal place occupied by the likes of Dolph Ziggler and R-Truth. Cesaro has been in this hell long enough to know this, and he should be hanging around the gates looking to break through as long as possible.

    Kevin Owens’ meteoric rise could be for naught if he regresses once his feud with John Cena ends. Thus, it stands to reason that Owens should continue working with Cena as long as possible until he is ready to ascend into the WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture. At the very least, we would all be guaranteed a few more fantastic matches along the way.

    A great way to extend this feud and, by extension, continue building both Kevin Owens’ star power and the importance of the United States Championship is to incorporate additional variables into the mix. This is where Cesaro should fit in.

    Cesaro had his match with Owens, and he came up just short in a way that didn’t make him appear weak. In his match with Cena, Owens got involved by breaking up the Sharpshooter, stating after the fact that he is the only one who gets the beat Cena for the title. This not only leaves the viewer with the image of Cena on the verge of defeat in a submission hold in the middle of the ring, but it establishes the idea that even Owens felt that Cesaro had the title won.

    This leaves Cesaro with a legitimate case for a rematch. It’s a position not terribly dissimilar from when Neville presumably had Cena beat with a Red Arrow before Rusev crashed the ring and caused the disqualification. Neville immediately slid back down the card and into a feud with Bo Dallas, which has cooled him off considerably. In order to capitalize on Cesaro’s sudden momentum, this cannot happen.

    If Cesaro were to remain involved in the United States Championship picture and the ongoing Owens/Cena storyline, he could benefit immensely. It would also serve the dual purpose of keeping Owens and Cena together and building a pool of opponents for both men to work with in the months ahead. Keeping Cesaro buoyed to the United States Championship picture could very well prevent him from treading water.

    If Owens drops the NXT Championship to Finn Balor at the WWE Network special in Japan this Saturday—and it’s very likely that he will—this gives Balor an almost automatic springboard to make the leap from developmental to main roster, assuming that Owens walks away with the U.S. Title at Battleground. Keeping Owens, Balor, Cesaro, and possibly another up-and-coming talent or two orbiting around Cena allows them an opportunity to harness his star to build their own.

    Cesaro is also booked for the Tokyo show—in a match against Diego of Los Matadores. WWE is pushing the special hard, and they’re pushing it on two factors entirely: Balor vs. Owens for the NXT Championship and a Brock Lesnar match. Kofi Kingston has been listed as Brock’s opponent since the show was announced, but this fact has gone conspicuously unmentioned on television. This leaves open the possibility that WWE could slot in somebody else to wrestle Brock.

    So why not Cesaro? Why not use the venue to establish him as being at least someone in the vicinity of Brock Lesnar’s level? There’s a certain sadistic joy in imagining Brock rag-dolling Kofi around the ring, but just imagine how the audience would respond if Cesaro were able to manhandle Brock with a couple of power moves. It would most certainly make for another great showcase for Cesaro, and it would be a great way of maintaining the progress that seems to have been made in a single night.

    There are a number of directions that WWE can go with Cesaro’s star seemingly back on the rise, but the only wrong way is backwards. For the first time since WrestleMania XXX, that natural momentum that Austin mentioned seems to have returned. After a phenomenal match that had fans eating out of the palm of his hand, Cesaro has shown that he can connect. Now it’s time for WWE to deliver. 

  • UFC ‘Ultimate Fighter 21’ episode 11 recap: Amazing Graves?

    By Steve Juon, Wrestling Observer

    Quick summary: The Blackzilians are up 300-200 with Nathan Coy narrowing their lead last week with a 20-18 unanimous decision over Valdir Araujo. American Top Team still needs to win the final two fights – if the Blackzilians win tonight it’s all over. The good news for ATT is that they have home gym advantage tonight.

    Show Recap:

    Glenn Robinson says there will be no more scoreboards and no more cigars for anybody in the camp until they’ve won the season. “It’s not over!!” Jason Jackson accuses some of his teammates of losing their hunger. Robinson: “We are gonna make our win in their house. That’s more satisfying. Maybe that’s how it was meant to be.”

    Coincidentally Jackson is the guy they are zeroing in on to take this week’s fight. Jackson: “Of course man! I’m ready to do it. Let’s do this! If I don’t challenge myself, I don’t think I belong in the UFC.” Jackson last fought on week six of the show and beat Marcelo Alfaya in a close fight – a 20-18 X2 majority decision.

    Top Team debates who should go. Dan Lambert seems to be suggesting Michael Graves should get some redemption after losing to Kamaru Usman in the first fight of the show. Lambert says he’s got a baby on the way and a lot on the line for his future. Graves: “I’m getting ready to get some points back for myself and my team. You’re about to see a whole different Mike Graves.”

    This season it’s not a coach vs. coach challenge – it’s an OWNER vs. OWNER challenge. The winner gets $10,000 and all of the fighters on the winning team get $1,500 each. The challenge is a relay race – they can pick any three guys (including their coaches – it’s not limited to the fighters) but the owners have to run the final leg themselves.

    Jason Jackson tries his best to give Glenn Robinson a huge lead with his long stride, but Dan Lambert is in better shape and outruns him in the last leg for the money. Lambert: “I can’t really take a lot of pride when you beat Glenn in something physical.”

    Weigh-in day and Jackson and Graves step forward, and Graves weighs in first – he’s 170 even. Lambert: “Mike Graves says he has a lot more to offer than he showed in taht first fight.” Jackson is 170.25. Dana White believes Jackson wants this more than anyone.

    This isn’t going to be a long fight – they pad the heck out of this show with drama in the house and interview segments until there are only 15 minutes of air time left.

    * Michael Graves (American Top Team) vs. Jason Jackson (Blackzilians)

    Graves is in red trunks and Jackson is sporting black. Graves lands a solid left hook about a half minute in. Jackson lands a kick to the body that looks like it might have gone to the nuts, but the red didn’t stop it and Jackson tries to swarm and finish him with knees against the fence. Graves is doing his best to cover up and survive. Jackson just keeps pouring on knees to the body. The ref gives him a warning for shots to the back of the head as he tries to hammer out a finish. Graves survives, turns around, and gets a takedown at 2:20. Not only that he takes the back and immediately goes for a rear naked choke. Jackson taps at 3:01!!

    Amazing come from behind finish. Glenn Robinson is pissed saying the fight should have been stopped when Jackson was pouring it on with knees and hammers. He’s screaming at the officials, he’s screaming at the refs, everybody’s telling him to calm down. “The guy didn’t defend himself for over a minute!”

    Robinson keeps barking at the officials as they walk out. “I’m gonna post this on the internet with your picture!” Meanwhile back inside the gym everybody is giving Graves daps and hugs. Lambert: “That’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen in my life.” Hard to argue – Graves went from nearly being finished to getting the tap moments later. Lambert: “I was surprised the ref did not stop it.” That’s only going to rile Robinson up MORE. Dana White: “The only one who got screwed in that fight was the Top Team, not the Blackzilians! He (Graves) overcomes three fouls!”

    It is what it is though – a 300-300 tie with one fight left to go – the season finale airing next week!

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (July 2): Nick Bockwinkel faces Ricky Morton, Umaga wins WWE I-C title

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1933 – In Waterloo, Iowa; Joe Stecher beat Abe Kashey and Alan Eustace drew Homer (Bearcat) Wright.

    1939 – In Waterloo, Iowa; Ali Baba beat Earl Wampler by dq and Abe Kashey drew with Rudy Strongberg

    1948 – At Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri; Ernie Dusek beat Felix Miquet, Al Lovelock defeatd Al Billings and Warren Bockwinkel and Don McIntyre went to a 20 minute draw. (Promoter was Martin Thesz, father of Lou Thesz.)

    1964 – In Kansas City; KS; Harley Race defeated Steve Bolus, Sonny Myers defeated Bulldog Plechas via DQ and Moose Evans won a 6-man Battle Royal (other participants: Sonny Myers, Steve Bolus, Rocky Hamilton, Bulldog Plechas, Harley Race).

    1970 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City; Roger Kirby defeated Don Drummer, Scandor Akbar fought The Viking to a draw, Pat O’Connor defeated Tarzan Tyler, Danny Little Bear defeated Oki Shikina and Baron Von Raschke & Harley Race defeated Bob Geigel & Bob Brown in three falls

    1975 – In Minneapolis, MN; Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant were the final two survivors in a 15 man battle royal and split $25,000. Also, Ivan Putski drew Baron Von Raschke, Dusty Rhodes beat Jimmy Valiant by dq and Nick Bockwinkel beat Chris Taylor by countout.

    1977 – In Duluth, Minnesota; Super Destroyer beat Pedro Morales, Angelo Mosca ddq Larry Hennig, Billy Robinson beat Roger Kirby, Bob Backlund beat Blackjack Lanza and Steve Olsonoski beat Lord Alfred Hayes

    1982 – In Houston, Texas; Mongolian Stomper won a 2 ring battle royal, AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Ricky Morton, Terry Funk beat Tully Blanchard, Bruiser Brody no contest Killer Brooks, Ken Lucas & Tito Santana & El Gran Apollo beat Bob Sweetan & Jim Duggan & Mike Boyette and Buddy Landell defeated Alexis Smirnoff

    1983 – In Greensboro, NC; NWA Tag Team Champions Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood and NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Ric Flair via disqualification.

    1988 – In Dothan, Alabama; Austin Idol beat AWA Champion Jerry Lawler by dq, and AWA Champion Jerry Lawler beat Ken Wayne.

    1992 – In Sneedville, Tennessee; Tim Horner pinned Buddy Landel, SMW Heavyweight Champion Brian Lee pinned the Dirty White Boy, The Fantastics, Bobby & Jackie Fulton defeated SMW Tag Team Champions The Heavenly Bodies (Stan Lane & Tom Pritchard) via disqualification and Tim Horner and Dixie Dynamite co-won a battle royal

    1999 – In Poughkeepsie, NY; Jerry Lynn defeated Lance Storm, Sabu defeated Justin Credible, ECW World Champion Taz defeated Spike Dudley and ECW TV Champion Rob Van Dam defeated Balls Mahoney.

    2007 – In Dallas, Texas; Umaga defeated Santino Marella to win the WWE Intercontinental Title.

  • WWE News: WWE files pre-emptory lawsuit against Mulligan, Koloff, Dynamite Kid and Ware

    WWE filed a lawsuit on Monday in U.S. District Court in Connecticut against retired pro wrestlers Robert Windham (Blackjack Mulligan), Thomas Billington (Dynamite Kid), James Ware (Koko B. Ware) and Oreal Perras (Ivan Koloff) and possibly others to attempt to keep them from filing lawsuits against the company.

    The lawsuit was based on 6/2 letters sent by attorney Konstantine Kyros to WWE General Counsel and Secretary Laura Brevetti.  Kyros is representing Billy Jack Haynes, Cassandra Frazier (wife of the late Nelson Frazier), Michelle James (girlfriend of the late Matt Osborne) and several others.

    In the letters, Kyros noted he was now representing the four former wrestlers and claimed they were allegedly injured as a result of WWE’s negligence and fraudulent conduct.

  • GFW announces Bobby Roode “coming to their company”

    Global Force Wrestling released a video Wednesday night announcing Bobby “It Factor” Roode is coming to their organization. As part of the video, Roode announced that he would be appearing on the 7/24 show in Las Vegas and would appear as part of a one-night tournament to crown the first GFW world champion. 

  • WWE Smackdown July 2 TV Report: Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt, where is Roman Reigns?

    By Steve Khan, WrestlingObserver.com

    – Air Date: July 2, 2015 (July 1 [Canada Day] in Canada)

    – Location: GIANT Center in Hershey, PA

    The Big News:

    Roman Reigns was late for work.

    Show Recap:

    Seth Rollins, who received a lot of heat on the way out, entered with Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble, and talked about the gifts he gave them on Raw. Rollins said we were part of history, and the grandchildren of Mercury and Noble would ask them about the time they took out Roman Reigns and burned Suplex City to the ground.

    Rollins said he cemented his legacy as the greatest superstar of this generation, if not all-time, by taking out both headliners from WrestleMania. He said they left Reigns and Dean Ambrose laying, and the crowd chanted “Suplex City.”

    He called Triple H a fair man who, despite being on his way to Japan, would give Reigns and Ambrose a chance for revenge tonight, as Ambrose will face Bray Wyatt, and Reigns will face Seth himself.

    Rollins wondered whether Ambrose or Reigns would even show up, and Ambrose came out. Ambrose turned back to grab a Kendo stick and cleared the heels from the ring. I guess Rollins is in charge, because he said Ambrose’s match starts now.

    Bray Wyatt beat Dean Ambrose via pinfall

    On commentary, Jimmy Uso said Reigns was “whacked out” when he asked Reigns about Wyatt. Ambrose hit a rebound clothesline and flying elbow for a near fall. Ambrose followed Wyatt to the outside and jumped off the table, but Wyatt caught him and did a uranage onto the barricade. Are they actively trying to kill Ambrose? Wyatt pushed him back in the ring and hit Sister Abigail for the win. Another loss for Ambrose. The match was fine, just about what you’d expect from these two.

    If you’re wondering where Reigns was, Tom Phillips said that he hadn’t arrived to the arena yet. He didn’t explain why.

    They announced Seth Rollins will be on Tough Enough next week.

    R-Truth beat Adam Rose (w/Rosa Mendes) via pinfall

    Before the match, Rose said us people just don’t get it. Truth interrupted before he could explain. Truth also did a goofy in-set promo about King Barrett. Truth won quickly with a Lie Detector.

    They showed Ryback’s interview from the website. He said he would Shellshock both Miz and Big Show at Battleground, as well as Mark Henry tonight. Backstage, Henry said Ryback has bitten off more than he can chew.

    Non-Title: IC Champion Ryback beat Mark Henry via pinfall

    Uso said his first match was with Mark Henry and he didn’t like it. Jerry Lawler said Henry’s first match was against him and he didn’t like that either. The story of the match was Ryback kept failing to hit his power moves.

    Ryback finally did hit a vertical suplex followed by a meat hook clothesline, spinebuster and Shellshock for the win. The highlight was Jimmy Uso who popped out of his seat in excitement after this finish.

    Backstage, Mercury and Noble received emails on their watches letting them know that Reigns had yet to arrive at the arena.

    Brie Bella (w/Alicia Fox) beat Naomi via pinfall

    They said Nikki and Tamina were on tour in Asia and on their way to Beast in the East. Naomi used a move similar to Eat Defeat, but Fox tripped her from the outside and Brie used an X-Factor for the win.

    In his dark room backstage, Bray Wyatt blamed himself for Reigns not being there tonight and for not being able to save his friend Dean. Wyatt said Reigns has too many people that he cares for, Wyatt is going to burn everything he has to the ground, and end him.

    Non-Title: WWE Tag-Team Champions Prime Time Players beat The Ascension via pinfall

    This actually went through a commercial. Darren Young got beat up forever until Titus O’Neil made the hot tag and won with a spinebuster. The match happened and then it was over.

    Rusev and Summer Rae came out to “U.S.A.” chants. Rusev held the mic for Summer. Despite not being relevant since her time with Fandango, Summer got pretty good heat here. They booed the entire time she spoke.

    Rusev called her a real woman, and a woman who knows her place. The crowd chanted “We want Lana” and Rusev responded, “I have a better Lana now!” Rusev has had enough of Dolph Ziggler and said he would crush Ziggler’s skull, rip out his intestines and hang them out to dry. Rusev is great and this pair just might work.

    Non-Title: Roman Reigns beat WWE Champion Seth Rollins (w/J&J Security) via DQ

    Rollins had Noble and Mercury begin a 10-count using their new watches, but Reigns showed up just in time. Despite being late, Reigns was still in full gear. Reigns tried to hit Mercury with a powerbomb but Rollins kicked him in the gut and took over from there.

    The shrill little voices from the crowd chanted for Reigns who came back with fists and corner clotheslines. Reigns hit a powerbomb and sized up a superman punch instead of going for a cover. Noble grabbed his leg and Mercury jumped him for a DQ.

    The three heels beat down Reigns but Ambrose ran out for the save, nailing them with a Kendo stick (catching Noble just once, in the upper back). Rollins tried a pedigree on Ambrose but Reigns caught him with a superman punch.

    The heels bailed through the crowd but Reigns grabbed Mercury before he could escape. Ambrose whaled on him with the Kendo stick and Reigns finished him with a spear.

    Final Thoughts:

    This show was a waste of time. They spent the entire show building to a main event involving a guy who they weren’t sure was going to show up, and when he did, the match went about 5 minutes and ended in a DQ.

  • Nick “Magnus” Aldis talks leaving TNA and the trainwreck segment on Impact

    The following is an interview with Nick “Magnus” Aldis from the Jobbing Out podcast:

    On leaving TNA:

    “When I gave my notice, by the time we got off the phone, I felt like 100 lb weight has been lifted off my back.”

    On the locker room:

    “To be honest, it’s been very turbulent.”

    “There were certain things I heard in the conference call, where the talent said things like I’m disgusted by this, or we have the right to know…the thing you have to remember is nobody owes you a living. You don’t have a right to be guaranteed anything.”

    Booking issues after Jeff Jarrett left:

    “He had a good idea of some fundamental parts of booking…When Jeff left, there were a lot of things that I felt that there was a struggle, that when Jeff was there, he would have nipped it in the bud.”

    He talks about a problem in the industry, people taking too little money to wrestle, and hurting everyone one else in the process:

    “Guys are undercutting each other…There are too many people willing to come in and take the same spot for less money.”

    “You might look like you have this super-great attitude, but you’re f*cking everyone over, because you’re doing things for way too cheap. So now it’s harder for everyone else to justify our pay.”

    That attitude hurting TNA:

    “You can’t blame the guys paying the money, because their job is to get the best services for the lower prices, but you get what you pay for. And I think that’s something that TNA is experiencing now, and understanding now.”

    The feud with James Storm:

    “At the beginning, we had a great in-ring segment.We put in loads of great little subtle nuances, and I thought this would be really good…Suddenly we get the word that this is what they want to do with this train thing. I think some of it unfortunately tied in to that they knew I wasn’t going to stay. That was an issue. Nonetheless, when the train thing came about…I’m trying to be as positive as I can. This was one situation that when it was described, I couldn’t find a single person that liked it. I couldn’t find a single person, apart from the guy whose idea it was, that didn’t say “what the hell is that?”

  • WWE NXT July 1 TV results: Kevin Owens & Rhyno vs. Finn Balor & Samoa Joe

    By Emerson Witner, WrestlingObserver.com & Wrestling Outsiders Podcast

    The Big News:

    Finn Balor gave Kevin Owens his first loss on NXT, pinning him in the tag team main event. Plus part 3 of THE GREATEST VIDEO PACKAGE EVER aired.

    Show recap: 

    The Vaudevillians defeated Dash & Dawson

    We open the show with in ring action this week as everyone’s favorite silent movie villains, now with peppier music, do battle with Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder. Dash and Dawson now have their own theme music and titan tron. Dawson has had a plethora of tag team partners, including Rusev, Sylvester Lefort and Garrett Dylan. Will things last with Dash?

    The fans weren’t really into this past the entrances. The Vaudevillians got a quick win with a European Uppercut/Neckbreaker combo.

    – Devin Taylor interviewed Becky Lynch, who told the world she sprained her hip flexor at NXT Takeover and now she has to take a few weeks off. She did promise to win the Woman’s Title when she comes back.

    Baron Corbin pinned Tucker Knight

    Tucker Knight looks like Bull Dempsey’s less hair little brother. Corey Graves wondered if Baron has been in the ring with someone so big before. Well, Bull Dempsey. But either way Baron won in 30 seconds with End of Days.

    – William Regal is getting a headache backstage because The Vaudevillians and Enzo & Cass are arguing and yelling in his office over who is the #1 Contender. Mr. Regal booked the tag match for next week with the winners getting the next title shot.

    – Part 3 of THE GREATEST VIDEO PACKAGE EVER aired. Seriously if you have not yet checked out the 3 part series on Finn Balor then you need to now. Stop reading this and go watch the three parts. Then come back and read the rest. 

    This Saturday morning, 5:30AM eastern time, 2:30AM pacific time, Finn Balor wins the NXT Championship.

    – Earlier today, Eva Marie was training as Mr. Regal and Sara Del Ray watched her. We don’t know yet whether that means she is allowed to have a match. 

    Emma (w/Dana Brooke) submitted Carmella

    Emma is so delightfully evil. No more wacky dancing or pull ups into the ring. Carmella is annoying. Someone please stop her from talking. The fans did a dueling chant of “Evil Emma/Emma Sucks”. I wonder if this is the darkest timeline.

    This match was fine. Nothing great, nothing bad, just fine. The fans entertained themselves throughout, randomly booing for no reason other than to do it. Emma won with the Emma Lock.

    – Bull Dempsey was trying to get some candy out of a machine, but it wasn’t accepting his dollar. Before he could grab a chair and break the glass, Mr. Regal stopped him and took note of all the chocolate on his lips and beard. With a look of total disgust, William told him to sort himself out or the next time they talk, he won’t like the outcome.

    No, really. Whose Cheerios did he piss in?

    – Last week, Jason Jordan was mad about losing when Chad Gable plead his case again. Gable said he is hear to show the world Jordan is not a loser. Chad said he is ready, willing and Gable and Jordan got pissy and stormed off in the other direction.

    Tyler Breeze pinned Tye Dillinger

    Breeze lost the cape. #Sadface. Dillinger, who hasn’t won a match in months, has a new gimmick where he judges everyone. Tye got a bit more offense than you would expect him to, but Breeze continued his winning ways. Tyler really has no direction at this point.

    – Devin Taylor and Emma were touching Sasha Banks’ title when Sasha came in angry. Dana and Emma said they are after her title and Sasha said she’ll take them both on. When did she suddenly turn face? This led to a challenge for a tag team match where Sasha vows to find a partner.

    Finn Balor & Samoa Joe defeated NXT Champion Kevin Owens & Rhyno

    Main event time! The NXT Champion has enlisted the Man Beast to assist him in war tonight against his two top NXT challengers. It took 5 minutes for everyone to get to the ring, so we were left with only 10 minutes of internet time remaining for the match.

    The announcers discussed that it is not a foregone conclusion that Balor wins the title and there is a chance Balor ends up like Sami Zayn, Alex Riley, Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn, being taken out on a stretcher. The heels get the heat on Balor when Finn tried to give the champ a suplex, but Owens blocked it.

    Rhyno did a standing suplex where he held Finn up and did squats, which was quite impressive. Kevin Owens did the John Cena comeback, right down to the Spinning Slam and Five Knuckle Shuffle. Balor fought out of the AA and hit a double foot stomp before making the hot tag to Joe. Rhyno and Joe worked good together. Owens tagged in and they went for a wacky double team on him, but Rhyno broke it up.

    Owens gave Joe the Pop Up Power Bomb, Balor gave Owens the Pele Kick, Rhyno accidentally Gore’d  Owens, Balor gave Rhyno the running dropkick and Rhyno squashed Owens in the corner. Finally after that series of moves, Balor won with the Coup De Grace! This was the first time Owens has been pinned on NXT.

    72 hours before the title match in Tokyo, Finn Balor has pinned the NXT Champion! The next time you read this column, we may have a new champion. Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!