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  • WWE NXT June 17 TV results & recap: Kevin Owens vs. Samoa Joe~!

    By Emerson Witner, WrestlingObserver.com & Wrestling Outsiders Podcast

    The Big News:

    Part 1 of the GREATEST VIDEO PACKAGE EVER aired. Plus Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe wrestled.

    Show recap: 

    Before the show, they aired a commercial saying that Samoa Joe challenging Kevin Owens was unexpected. They went face to face two weeks in a row, but no one could possibly expect a challenge to a match. The actual show opened with that awesome Dusty Rhodes tribute video. RIP Dream.

    Enzo Amore, Colin Cassidy & Carmella defeated Wesley Blake, Buddy Murphy & Alexa Bliss

    People still love Enzo and Cass and still hate Carmella. I know it’s developmental, but they really did turn the wrong girl. Blake and Murphy did the unthinkable when they did their entrance before Colin could call them sawft.

    Wesley Blake has been watching old TNA tapes as he has put his hair in pigtails like Kip James/Billy Gunn did for a while. Blake and Enzo started the match by doing a lot of nothing and it eventually broke down into a 6-way brawl, which finally got the match going. After being beaten on for most of the match Enzo made the hot tag to Carmella and no one reacted. No one. Making things worse the announcers said Carmella has been waiting to get her hands on Alexa since Takeover. They just wrestled two weeks ago.

    Alexa tagged Blake, Colin ran in and single handedly destroyed both of the champions and the good guys won with the Rocket Launcher.

    – Highlights of Cena-Owens at Money in the Bank were shown. Cena took the power bomb on the ring apron and suffered “bruising”. Sami Zayn, Alex Riley, Neville and Solomon Crowe all got laid out for weeks and months. Cena got bruising.

    – Samoa Joe did a promo and said that he prides himself on competing in places that were cutting edge, on fire and on top of the world. Joe said Kevin Owens likes to use intimidation, but Joe will not be intimidated and tonight will beat down Owens unmercifully.

    – They aired the commercial for NXT again….during the show? Okay then.

    – A video documenting Finn Balor’s career aired. It is impossible to believe he doesn’t win the NXT Title on July 4. This video documented his career and included footage from his WWE tryout, wrestling Indy shows in high school gyms to Revolution Pro. Becky Lynch was also interviewed, crying about how Finn (who was called Fergal Devitt) changed her life. They did promise a Part 2 for next week. Seriously you need to go watch this video.

    Charlotte submitted Cassidy

    The announcers mumbled the name of Charlotte’s opponent, causing me to do a smidge of research and it is Cassidy. I’ll chalk this one up as both girls having a bad night. Both girls seemed to hesitate a little bit on almost every move and at different points were both standing there a little too long waiting for the opponent to do something. Eventually Charlotte speared her to hell and tapped her out with the Figure Eight.

    – Dana Brooke yelled at Devin Taylor for not addressing her properly. Dana said she has been busy competing in the Arnold Classic, but is now back, which is bad for Charlotte. Dana is going to shove Charlotte through the door she walked in.

    NXT Champion Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe went to a No Contest

    I wonder what Joe’s new WWE name will be when he gets it. Maybe Samoa Pete?

    Owens ducked out of the ring at the bell and Joe immediately jumped outside and got in his face, forcing Owens back in the ring. Back in the ring Owens pushed Joe in the face when they broke a lock up, so Joe almost literally beat the snot out of him. Joe had the announcers marking out for all of his moves. Joe did the face wash in the corner, which Zack Ryder just did last week on this very show.

    They went to commercial with Joe on the offensive and when they came back Owens was getting the heat on him. I know they had to edit part of the show so they could put the Dusty tribute in, but it seems awkward.

    Owens put on a lengthy chin lock and shouted “Chinlock City” which led to a new chant. Maybe ProWrestlingTees can come out with that shirt. Joe made his comeback, Owens was able to headbutt out of the Muscle Buster, but got hit with the corner uranage. Outside the ring Owens posted Joe and went for the ring apron power bomb, but Joe fought out.

    Joe and Owens brawled. The referee tried to get them back in the ring, but got squashed between the two and then threw the match out. More referees ran out to separate them, but they wouldn’t be stopped. Finally about two dozen people got in between them and even that only worked for a few seconds. This was very different than the usual NXT main event, so it definitely stood out as something special.

    Owens rolled out of the ring and left with his title as the credits rolled. What will happen next week? Only one way to find out. Until then, make sure to say your vitamins and take your prayers.

  • TNA Impact Wrestling June 17, 2015 TV Results & Recap – EC3 vs. Lashley

    By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

    Last week, Kurt Angle beat Rockstar Spud to defend his title to start the show and went on to beat Austin Aries in the main event as well. Crimson returned and beat the re-re-re-re-re-signed Bram, whose TNA future is bright and quite secure. Tonight, EC3 faces an opponent of Kurt Angle’s choosing, and we’ll get a contract signing for Angle vs. EC3.

    The show begins with a stellar tribute video to Dusty Rhodes. Beyond a still graphic, we get NWA clips along with him running wild in the earlier days of TNA. An Angle-EC3 video package starts things off as we see Pope in a new kind of horrible black and white shirt and Tenay is mid-ring for the EC3-Angle contract signing. Mike Tenay introduced EC3, who comes out in a skin-tight white shirt that looks ridiculous.

    Kurt comes down and Josh announces that on July 1, Angle will face EC3 at the “Bell to Bell” Impact. EC3 says that Kurt’s beaten next big things, nature boys, rated R superstars, dead men, immortals, cerebral assassins, and guys you can’t even see. Submission machines, charismatic enigmas, kings of mountains, and what they have in common is that they’ve been beaten – and EC3 hasn’t. Boom. This was exactly how you put over your guys instead of another company’s. Kurt says that it’s all true, but he’s been here before, and when EC3 loses to him, he’ll crumble. Kurt says that tonight, EC3’s tune-up match will be against Lashley, who walks down the aisle.

    Next week, we get Low-Ki vs. Grado vs. Tigre Uno for the X Title. Recap of the tag title series. The Wolves come down to talk about the series. Davey says that whoever holds the gold is the best in the world. They beat the Bro Mans, the Hardys, and Team 3D and beat them – even with tables, ladders, and chairs involved. Eddie wants match four tonight, while Roode says Aries isn’t cleared and the Dirty Heels call the shots here. They challenge him to a one on one match, and Roode says no unless they agree to his terms. The winner of the match gets to pick the stipulation for match four of the series. Davey’s all for it and wants to kick the crap out of him, but Eddie wants the match since Roode hit him with a chair. An all-new ad for Impact on Destination America airs, hyping up next week’s “live” show.

    Match One – Bobby Roode vs. Eddie Edwards

    Roode clubs Eddie to start things off. Eddie avoids a charge by Roode and gets a suicide dive. Eddie chops away on the floor and sends Roode in, who comes back with punches and corner kicks. Josh says that a limited number of travel packages are available and Eddie gets a shining wizard for 2. Roode slams him down and gets a kneedrop and chops. Roode snapmares him and chinlocks him. Roode gets a corner lariat, but Eddie comes back with a leg lariat as pope calls Angle-Aries the match of the year. Josh tells everyone to check out TNA’s Youtube channel for a five star match. Mid-ring chop and forearm exchange leads to a corner machine gun chop by Eddie. Backpack stunner gets 2 for Eddie. Double stomp misses and Roode gets a spinebuster for 2. Davey comes down, as does Aries while Roode tries to use a chair and Eddie wins via distraction schoolboy. Davey makes Match four Full Metal Mayhem.

    A new voiceover guy blandly talks about Lashley being the destroyer while clips of him destroying dudes are shown. JB says he was going to interview Bram’s opponent, but no one showed up. Joseph Park shows up says he lost his teeth, his spot on the Impact roster, his law firm, and he invested the rest of his money in Tout. HA! Joseph Park is so much more fun than Abyss now. Bram attacks a camera man for filming him. Drew Galloway tells everyone to Show Your Impact, which sounds like an arrestable offense in most states. Bram comes down and Josh recaps Bram beating Crimson. Joseph Park has gone from his Under Armour gear and is now down to Wal-Mart workout gear. Pope says that Park never really looked like he had money, so this doesn’t hurt him much. Park tells Bram that his actions are felonious, so Bram assaults him.

    Match Two – Joseph Park vs. Bram

    Bram punches away and rakes the face in the corner. Park comes back with corner punches, but eats more punches while Josh calls Bram “The Plague of Chesterfield”. Bram gets a chair, but Park double-legs him like a 10 year old and punches away like a six year old. Pope says that Park’s punches are great, while Josh says he’s in a boxing hall of fame, so how can he say that. Bram gets a kendo stick, which Park uses on him after a low blow. A chokeslam gets 2. Oh, and these are no DQ matches by the way – Josh just alerted us to that. Park eats a spear through the table for a loss – this was fun. Taryn listens to her theme and says that she has made a wacky stipulation match – if Kong and Brooke beat the Dolls, they can each get a shot at her title, but if they lose, neither can get a shot. Josh said he’d explain Taryn’s explanation next. A vignette airs telling us the world is burning and the wicked will pay for injustice.

    We get a recap of tonight’s Kurt-EC3 stuff. The Dollhouse comes down and Josh calls Taryn a genius. Jade and Marti jump Brooke as she comes down, but Kong’s theme hits and stops them in their tracks. Kong attacks Marti, but Taryn attacks from behind before the bell.

    Match Three – The Dolls vs. Brooke’s Gotta Booty and Kong’s Gotta Powerbomb

    Brooke and Marti start it on the floor and Kong attacks Jade mid-ring. Josh is now a face while Pope sides with the heels and Josh buries Pope for being a heel after siding with them other times tonight. Ugh. Jade hair mares Brooke into the corner and tags Marti in. Josh says that Taryn will beat Gail’s record as champion, and Pope says he’s going to hand-deliver roses to her personally. The heels attack while the commentators talk about evites to the party. Brooke elbows Jade, but eats an axe kick. Josh plugs BBQ Pitmasters and Brooke gets more forearms and elbows. Marti comes in and rains down mounted punches. Jade gets a suplex and does a sitting jump for joy and gets 2. Jade misses a lionsault while Pope talks about Kong going by that name because it is rooted in royalty.

    Kong comes in and slams away. She goes for the Awesome bomb, but Jade dropkicks her. Kong suplexes both Dolls down. Brooke spears Jade, while Kong chokeslams Marti. Brooke gets a flying elbow off of Kong’s shoulders, so they each get a title shot at Taryn. This was fun, and while Kong isn’t anywhere near what she was seven years ago, she still has an aura. Pope says to get a paramedic because that elbow might’ve exploded something on Marti. Jade carries Marti away and Josh talks about the history of EY and Chris Melendez before Melendez calls out EY next.

    Full Metal Mayhem is announced for next week’s show. Christy Hemme welcomes Melendez out to the ring. Melendez says he sacrificed a lot, and EY comes out and says he doesn’t care what Melendez did. EY is world class, and Melendez is at the bottom in wrestling. Melendez wants a match next week and EY accepts. Well, this was short and sweet. After a break, Jessie comes out to a new sinister theme song. DJZ comes out to fight.

    Match Four – Jessie Godderz vs. DJZ

    DJZ runs wild with strikes and then does two flips for a jawbreaker. Jessie gets a punch and a pieface before laying DJZ out with a powerbomb. Josh says that Magnus would be here later to talk about Storm’s near-criminal actions, before saying that it was criminal since he shoved her off a train platform. Jessie tosses DJZ hard into the corner before getting the Adonis Crab for the win. A basic Boston crab was put over as a finish in 2015 – I like it, it’s not how dangerous the move is, but how dangerous you teach the fans it is. Jessie says he’s the reason the Bro Mans won the titles twice, while stomping away at DJZ. Jessie cut a nice, sinister promo here and he’s got something mixing in a bit of comedy during the Bro Mans portions of it. Jessie goes for the over the top press slam, but Robbie makes the save with some Thesz press punches. This greatly over-delivered.

    We get a recap of the Storm-Mickie train station thing, but they didn’t mute the audio – so you can barely hear Josh or whoever was speaking in the clip. Magnus will be in the ring to talk and/or kick some ass next. But first, we get an ad for Slammiversary. Magnus comes out in jeans and a tanktop without his theme and grabs the mic from Christy. He says he’ll crack heads until Storm comes down. Security comes down and Magnus threatens Bob Ryder, Dixie, and Big John – he won’t give them the show back until he gets Storm. Storm thankfully obliges and comes down. He says that he wasn’t the bad guy, Magnus was. 

    Magnus was jealous of him for getting attention from Mickie, and it was Magnus who hired a camera crew while Storm asks what happened when the cameras weren’t rolling. Storm brings out a baby carriage and says Mickie’s a sorry excuse for a woman, and Magnus is a sorry man. They fight on the ramp and Magnus lays out security while Storm pushes the carriage off and Magnus reveals it’s a doll and Josh just treats it like nothing. They jump right to the announcing motel room about two frames after revealing that it’s a doll. EC3 hype video sets up the main event. EC3 comes out and Josh, who earlier ranted about heel announcers, was a heel announcer here. Lashley comes out and they cut away during the intro for an ad break.

    Main Event – EC3 vs. Lashley

    Lashley powers EC3 into the corner, and EC3 hides behind the rope for a bit. EC3 punches him and it gets no reaction. Lashley leapfrogs him and gets a lariat before some shoulder charges. Corner punches from Lashley while Josh wants the marquee to say that EC3 has been unbeaten. Josh tells Tyrus to earn his check by guarding EC3 on the floor. EC3 gets a baseball slide while Pope says that Tyrus is the man dinosaur and Josh says he loved him in Jurassic World. EC3 suplexes Lashley on the floor before getting a mid-ring chinlock.

    They exchange punches, but EC3 gets a bad-looking flying knee for 2. EC3 gets a chair, but the ref gets it and EC3 punches him some more. Tyrus puts the chair in the corner, but Lashley knocks it down while Josh says that Earl hasn’t called for a DQ in 2015. Yup, blame the ref for bad booking. EC3 gets out of a torture rack, but eats a powerslam for 2. EC3 avoids a corner spear and sends Lashley into the chair for 2 after a DDT. Lashley gets the spear, but Earl’s down and Tyrus attacks Tyrus. Brian Hebner runs in and counts 2, so Tyrus takes out Brian. Shouldn’t this be a DQ too? If it’s all Earl’s fault, why isn’t this a DQ? Tyrus attacks another ref who counts 2, so Lashley spears Tyrus. Lashley hits a chair to the back, gets the headlock driver and Earl counts three. Josh says that EC3 has been undefeated for 598 days while Tyrus holds EC3’s hand high. This was a pretty good show overall despite not having the best lineup.

    To see every screenshot taken for the show, just click here.

  • Lucha Underground June 17 TV results & recap: Puma vs. Johnny Mundo Iron Man title match

    By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

    Last week, Drago was awesome from the beginning of the show until the end and won a multi-man match to get a future Lucha Underground title shot. However, Catrina strangled Cueto to give Mil Muertes a shot at Drago’s shot. Catrina also debuted her Disciples of Death trios team, who beat a team of wacky babyfaces. Tonight, we’ll get Dario Cueto’s latest invention – the all-night long match that apparently other companies have called an iron man match.

    This week’s show begins with a recap of Johnny Mundo’s feud with Alberto, Mundo’s heel turn where he threw Alberto through Dario’s office window, and a bit of his issues with Prince Puma. They had the first main event in the company’s history, and their match tonight will be the sole focus of the event. Mexican Dubwiser plays us into the Temple. Vamp, in a black and blue bowling shirt calls Striker sexy and Striker runs down tonight’s event. Mundo is already mid-ring, as is Puma.

    Main Event – Prince Puma vs. Johnny Mundo – Iron Man Match for the Lucha Underground Title

    They stare down and we get a win counter in the bottom left-hand corner instantly. There isn’t a clock there, however. After some mid-ring exchanges, Mundo gets a crotch lift slam for 2. Crowd chants “f*ck him up, Puma”, which goes unbleeped. Mundo kicks him, but Puma ducks down and gets a flipping headscissors, but eats a kick on the apron and goes to the floor. Puma avoids a dive and hits one of his own on the floor. Dramatic music takes us to a break eight minutes into the show, without a single fall.

    We get a countdown clock, showing 33 minutes and some change and Puma gets 2 off a cradle. Snap victory roll cradle gets a pin for Puma, bringing us to 1-0. Mundo gets some ground and pound, while the crowd chants “Johnny Puto” at him. Puma recovers and gets a standing moonsault for 2. In the corner, Puma gets a chop and kicks Mundo coming in for an attack. Mundo starts working on the arm with a series of kicks, but Puma comes back with a cutter. Mundo cheats with the ropes to get a pin and even things up.

    We have 28:10 left on the clock after a break and Puma gets 2 off a schoolboy. They fight up top and have a boo/yay punch exchange. Puma wins and sends him onto the apron for a pop-over rana ala Sami Zayn’s DDT, but over the top off the apron. Johnny goes under the ring and gets pulled back out, revealing a chair and toolbox – resulting in Striker making a Hornswoggle joke since that’s the one thing he didn’t find. Fireman’s carry slam from Puma through the toolbox! Mundo crowbars him to the gut and then to the head. Mundo sends him in and gets a win, giving him a 2 to 1 edge. Vamp tells him to cover him now, while Striker says it’s all ego preventing that. Moonlight Drive gives him a 3 to 1 edge. Flying Chuck leads to Striker now wondering about concussions. End of the World hits for a 4 to 1 edge. 

    Mundo gives him time and Puma gets Konnan rolling lariat into a DDT, but Mundo puts his foot on the rope. Mundo gets a “goddamn!” neckbreaker on the apron, as dubbed by Vampiro before an ad break. Mundo gets a ladder and lines it up with Puma’s head to blast him once again in the skull. Mundo puts the ladder up on the balcony area so he can set a table up. Mundo smashes Puma into the entrance way while Vamp tells Mundo to just wait it out. Mundo climbs up to dive, but Puma meets him. Puma slams him onto the floor, resulting in a nasty thud.

    Puma sets up three tables do destroy Mundo. Make that four. Well, they found new wrinkles for an iron man match – and it’s made for a great 40 minutes so far. Puma prepares for a superplex off the structure, but gets superkicked off the structure and right onto the floor – just missing the tables. Mundo jumps to the bandstand and grabs the mic. He rattles off the 4-1 score to get heat and Vamp says he’s just killing time. He tells the band to sing while he drinks water and the clock winds down from 13 minutes. Puma’s had enough of this shit and grabs a 2×4 and smacks Mundo on the head. He el kabongs Mundo with a Mexican flag-painted guitar that TNA should’ve tried selling when Jarrett was AAA Champion and spears Mundo off the structure through the tables, getting a giant “holy shit” chant from the fans and Striker.

    We get the second replay in show history, and Puma has only 11 minutes to work with to retain his title and overcome the 4-to-1 disadvantage. He drags him to the ring and gets a win, so it’s now Mundo with 4 wins and Puma with 2. Mundo punches away while Vamp talks about Puma’s arm being hurt a bit. A boo/yay punch exchange leads to a Frye/Takayama exchange and a double lariat. One man alarm clock hits and he gets 3 off a Cradle Shock. Striker yells a whole bunch of sporting cliches in five seconds.

    Mundo runs out the clock on the floor, but eats a kick mid-ring, and avoids a Phoenix splash. Mundo runs up the steps to avoid contact, but Alberto attacks him! He kicks him down the steps and tosses him into the office and then the announce table – which has its own camera, so that looked awesome. Puma hits the Cradle Shock for 3 yet again. Alberto says he’s here and his issue with Mundo isn’t over yet. If Mundo wins, he’ll take his title and he’ll be ready for Puma, too.

    Three minutes remain and cradles get 2, while a C4 from Mundo gets 2. Mundo goes for the End of the World, but it misses with 48 seconds left. Pushing dropkick hits Mundo, setting him up for the 630. It hits and he gets the final pinfall for a 5-4 victory.

  • WED. UPDATE: TV previews, coverage of Hulk Hogan-Gawker lawsuit ramping up, and more

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

    TV notes for tonight:

    NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network Enzo, Big Cass, and Carmella vs. Blake, Murphy, and Alexa Bliss, The Vaudevillians vs. Jason Jordan and Mikaze, Charlotte vs. KC Cassidy, and the long-awaited main event of Kevin Owens vs. Samoa Joe.

    Lucha Underground at 8:00 p.m. ET on El Rey has Prince Puma defending his title against Johnny Mundo in an “All Night Long Match,” which is basically the same thing as an iron man match or a marathon match.

    ROH at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America has Adam Page and Colby Corino vs. Hanson and Raymond Rowe, Moose vs. Cedric Alexander, ACH and Matt Sydal vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Naito, and the Jay Briscoe and Jay Lethal contract signing for their champion vs. champion match Best in the World.

    Impact Wrestling at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America has the contract signing for Kurt Angle vs. Ethan Carter III, Bobby Roode vs. Eddie Edwards, EC3 vs. an opponent of Angle’s choosing, Awesome Kong and Brooke vs. Marti Bell and Jade, another Bram open challenge, and more.

    The Ultimate Fighter at 10:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is a new episode titled “No Guts, No Glory.”  The pressure on both teams is heightened when they have to choose their fighters for the first 100-point fight of the season, looking through their rosters to see who has it inside of them to rise up to the occasion and win the much-needed bout.

    **** 

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a detailed look at what made Dusty Rhodes such a uniquely gifted performer. Topics covered include:

    * How his appeal differed from other superstar babyfaces.

    * His underrated athleticism and in-ring working ability.

    * His versatility on promos.

    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. 

    **** 

    Last week the big story was the tease of a Steve Austin vs. Brock Lesnar match at WrestleMania.  This week we have a double issue because of such a busy news week, with our lead story talks about the background of that promo and why the match isn’t happening.  We have the background of Austin, Lesnar, Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon, what led to the promo on the WWE Network, why Vince McMahon was unhappy about it, and what happened from there including Austin talking about the situation.

    We also have the first look at the Wednesday night wrestling wars with ROH & TNA, an update on MMA in New York, coverage of one of UFC’s best shows in recent years, New Japan’s summer look at including the G-1 Climax and Super Juniors tournament along with a history of the New Japan junior heavyweight division, as well as full coverage of the Hall of Fame and the new season of Tough Enough.

    The Latest Wrestling Observer: June 15, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Latest on Austin-Lesnar, Destination America, NY MMA

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    The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

    Our lead story talks about Steve Austin and Brock Lesnar.  We look at Austin’s comments regarding what he said last week, we look at the background, we look at why Vince McMahon wasn’t happy about what happened, we look at what this seems to end speculation on, where the Texas death match comment came from and what we don’t know about the situation and why the book seems closed on the match.

    We’ve got full details on the first week of both ROH & TNA together on Destination America.  We look at the audience for both groups, and what the quarter hours told about both groups.  We look at what the ratings seem to have indicated about both ROH and TNA and their audiences, as well as the next time this should be evaluated.

    We also look at Money in the Bank, the WWE Network special on 7/4 from Japan with the lineup.  We also look at the rest of the tour, an idea floated for the Slammys, what Vince McMahon wants out of the live talk shows on the WWE network, update on Tyson Kidd, why the stock is rising, Dwayne Johnson entertainment news, how the Kevin Steen action figure triggered so many things, return of Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman, special guest on Raw next week, Austin signs a new deal, and lots of the recent WWE tryout camp.

    We also look at the Jessicka Havok situation.

    We also look at all the NXT and WWE house show notes and business notes from the past week.

    We look at the new attempt to pass legislation in New York to legalize MMA, how this affects pro wrestling in the state as well as boxing, why MMA has to agree to certain things that are inherently unfair in a last ditch effort to get into the state.  We also look at a unique law regarding attendance at events in the bill, as well as what rules are in place to promote pro wrestling in New York.

    We’ve got coverage of one of the year’s best events, Saturday’s UFC show in New Orleans.  We look at the record tied, the career of Dan Henderson, the career of Brian Ebersole, as well as business notes and full coverage of the show.

    We also look at New Japan’s G-1 Climax tournament, who is in, who is out, what is says about current booking, the big shows on the tour, coverage of the show, prior winners, handicapping the tournament, why the winner is already planned out and how far in advance booking is, as well as the next few shows on New Japan World and the Dominion PPV show.

    We also have coverage of this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament, why the interest level was down, business notes on the tournament, a look at the great finale match, as well as coverage of the final shows.  We also have a history of the New Japan junior heavyweight division, including the stars that build the division and the 1996 heyday period.

    We’ve got full coverage of the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremonies last month in Amsterdam, NY, with the awards, presentations, and a look at talent like Jumbo Tsuruta, Rick Martel, Vivian Vachon, Whipper Watson, Pedro Morales, The Freebirds and Curt Hennig.

    We also look at the new season of Tough Enough, who was and wasn’t picked to be part of the show, notes on why the winners are going to have it tough and not winning may to advantageous, as well as notes and backgrounds of some of the people involved.

    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:

    –A look at this year’s Busca de un Idolo tournament’s first shows

    –What happens in pro wrestling the night before UFC

    –Problems between companies in Mexico regarding CMLL pulling talent

    –Notes on Verano de Escandalo and U.S. iPPV and the card

    –First notes on TripleMania

    –What mach may be headlining this year’s TripleMania

    –Upcoming AAA TV

    –The debut of the three generations of green mist trio

    –Dragon Gate two big shows coming this week

    –All Japan’s big event for the week

    –A tag team of stars from two different promotions has a long reign as tag champions gone

    –More on the new Japan NOAH relationship and how this relates to the New Japan World service

    –New Japan scouting talent in the U.S. this summer

    –New Japan’s upcoming shows in Singapore

    –Satoru Sayama health update

    –Notes on the beginning shows of Global Force Wrestling

    –Notes on the lineups and what is and isn’t important about these events

    –Special celebrity guest added

    –An unselfish act acts an aspiring pro wrestling career

    –Another streaming service expected to start featuring 800 hours of a lost library

    –Chris Hero’s three hour gauntlet match and full details

    –Bill Goldberg talks about a potential pro wrestling farewell match and what could stand in the way

    –Who Goldberg still keeps in touch with in wrestling

    –Goldberg talks Brock Lesnar

    –A look at the big show at Citifield in New York this past week

    –A look at what TNA angle was revived on the show and how Goldberg fit in

    –A.J. Styles vs. Lionheart match coverage, back story, and why the crowd was so hot

    –Kris Travis talks return from cancer

    –Tons of indie big show news

    –A suspended senator in Canada participates in a pro wrestling show

    –Early ROH champion moving into MMA

    –Son of former Oregon star suspect in a beating death

    –Wrestling star in talks for a national cable television show unique deal

    –Update on the next ROH PPV

    –A look at the weekend ROH events

    –Why they did the Mickie James angle

    –TNA gets another international deal

    –UFC’s Labor Day weekend show announced

    –Two new title fights announced

    –Comparing Bader vs. Gustafsson as challengers for Cormier

    –When Cormier is targeting his first title defense

    –What Bader needs to do to get a title shot

    –Update on Anderson Silva and his suspension hearing, as well as Nick Diaz

    –Ben Rothwell accuses Cain Velasquez of PEDs and Velasquez responds

    –Former UFC star gets TV major network announcing gig

    –An interesting question that the courts may have to decide regarding UFC contract clause

    –Lots of new UFC fights

    –Notes on Shamrock vs. Kimbo

    –The first head to be cut off in new stronger penalties for PED usage

    –War Machine has court outburst

    –TV martial arts star with pro wrestling ties in bad health

    –Fighter comes back from nearly being stabbed to death to win a small promotion world title

    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.

    ****

    Wednesday Daily Update

    — ROH hasn’t edited their website to reflect this yet, but the terms of the Destination America deal have made it so that they can no longer provide earlier streaming access to their TV show to fans who paid for a Ringside Membership. While there are other benefits like classic ROH video content and discounts on merchandise, one of the primary incentives was that you got a streaming version of the TV show on Mondays (none-paying members get in Thursdays). Now, they get it on Thursdays with the non-paying members, so the only legal ways to see it earlier is via a Sinclair station, one of the handful of syndicated outlets like NESN, or Destination America on Wednesday nights.

    — Kevin Melton of GoUpstate.com has an excellent article about the death of Dusty Rhodes with quotes from Magnum T.A., Tully Blanchard, Jim Cornette, and others. Much of the article is in the context of Dusty’s presence at the old Jim Crockett Promotions tapings in Spartanburg, SC, which hosted a lot of classic TV angles when he was booking.

    — Fusion.net and News.com.au are the latest mainstream news sites to do articles about Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker (for publishing clips of the sex tape that was shot without his knowledge), which goes to trial in a few weeks. The angles that seem to be driving a lot of the articles are where exactly sex tapes (especially if shot without one of the subjects’ consent) fall in terms of both privacy laws and journalistic freedoms as well as how a large jury award could force Gawker founder Nick Denton to sell the company.

    While experts believe that Gawker would eventually win on appeal even if they lost at trial, in Florida, there’s a law that if you’re appealing a jury award, you need to post a bond of the full amount plus two years interest.

    — Bobby Green has had to pull out of his fight with Al Iaquinta at the UFC Fight night card on July 15th in San Diego. For the time being, Iaquinta is still training as if he still has a fight, though no new opponent has been announced.

    — Ben Fowlkes has a great article at MMA Junkie about the effects of fighting at high elevation in light of the aftermath of UFC 188 in Mexico City.

    — Vic Grujic, an Australian UFC fighter who was cut recently and had been a cast member on “TUF Nations,” is sell selling his persona UFC memorabilia on eBay to make ends meet. This came on the heels of him helping with the successful effort to lobby to get MMA in a cage legalized in Victoria (the state that Melbourne is in), so he was pretty surprised and gutted by his release.

    — Greg Oliver has a big article about The Great Wojo at Slam Wrestling in advance of his upcoming induction into the Thesz/Tragos Hall of Fame in Iowa. Greg’s historical articles are always excellent to make sure to check it out.

    — Bellator has some fan events Thursday and Friday to go along with Friday night’s quarterly “tentpole” card in St. Louis with the Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice main event:

    Thursday has the weigh-in at Scottrade Center. Door open to fans and media at 4:00 p.m. and the weigh-in starts at 5:00 p.m. It will also stream live on Belabor.com.

    That evening, starting at 7:00 p.m. they have the Bellator MMA Fan Fest at Dave & Buster’s in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Fedor Emelianenko, Royce Gracie, Tito Ortiz, Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Champion Liam McGeary, and “MMA’s most popular referee” John McCarthy will be for photo opportunities and to sign autographs. Bellator Lightweight Champion Will Brooks and the Bellator ring girls will also be there, as will merchandise and tickets for Friday’s card.

    On Friday at 4:00 p.m. there will be an autograph signing for ticket holders with Fedor Emelianenko, Royce Gracie, and Bellator’s ring girls.

    — AIW on July 10th in Cleveland has Ethan Carter III (TNA), DJ Z/Zema Ion (TNA), Raymond Rowe (ROH), Matt “M-Dogg 20” Cross/Son of Havoc (Lucha Underground), and Samoa Joe (WWE) teaming as THE DUDES ON TV against Team AIW (Josh Prohibition, Alex Daniels, Johnny Gargano, and The Young Bucks) in a Cleveland Street Fight. More info here. 

    — Ken “Mr. Kennedy/Mr. Anderson” Kennedy will be visiting the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, NY, on Saturday July 25th for an autograph signing from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with half of the proceeds going to the PWHF. More info at PWHF.org.

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (June 17): first Mexico champ crowned, 1965 penalty box match, Kurt Angle wins TNA title

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1934 – Mario Nuez defeated Tony Canales in Mexico City, Mexico to become the first holder of the Mexico National Welterweight Title.

    1936 – In Des Moines, Iowa; NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ede Virag beat Ras Samara 2 falls to 0. World Junior Heavyweight Champion Ken Fenelon b. Jack Conley (2-0) (second fall by DQ)

    1948 – In Kansas City; Lord Albert Mills beat Lou Newman 2 out of 3 falls, The Dusek Brothers (Ernie and Joe Dusek) defeated The Garibaldi Brothers (Chick and Ralph Garibaldi) and Emil Dusek beat Barney Bernard.

    1949 – In St. Louis, Missouri; NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz defeated Bill Longson, Sandor Szabo beat Dutch Hefner and Warren Bockwinkel beat Joe Dusek via DQ. Attendance was 4,759.

    1957 – Cyclone Anaya defeated Tor Yamata for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Birmingham, Alabama.

    1960 – In St. Joseph, Missouri; Central States Heavyweight Champion Thor Hagen and Gory Guerrero wrestled to a draw, 1 fall a piece. Also, World Tag Team Champions The Dusek Brothers (Emil and Ernie Dusek) beat George and Sandy Scott in 2 out of 3 falls. Attendance was 1,800.

    1964 – Pat Patterson and Tony Borne defeated Nick Bockwinkel and Buddy Mareno (Omar Atlas) for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Salem, Oregon.

    1965 – In Davenport, Iowa; AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat The Crusher & Rene Goulet, Verne Gagne beat Chris Markoff and Igor Vodik beat Gene Anderson.

    1965 – In Kansas City; In a Penalty Box rules match, Bob Geigel and Dutch Savage beat Pat O’Connor and Mongolian Stomper 2 falls to 1, Ronnie Etchison drew Missouri Mauler 1 fall to 1 fall and Sonny Myers beat Ken Hollis.

    1965 – Bob Orton, Sr. won a tournament for the vacant NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Title in Jacksonville, Florida.

    1966 – The Viking (Bob Morse) defeated Ron Reed in St. Joseph, Missouri to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title

    1966 – In Milwaukee, Wisconsin; AWA Tag Team Champions Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher beat The Alaskan & Mad Dog Vachon,
    Verne Gagne beat Angelo Poffo, Wilbur Snyder beat Guy Mitchell and Ernie Ladd beat Chris Markoff. Attendance was 3,308.

    1970 – Dick Garza defeated Ricky Cortez for the Wolverine Wrestling Michigan Heavyweight Title in Ypsilanti, Michigan

    1971 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City; Rufus R. Jones & The Stomper defeated North American Tag Team Champions Buddy Austin & Bob Orton via DQ, Central States Heavyweight Champion Harley Race defeated Bob Ellis in three falls and in a Texas Death Match: Dick the Bruiser defeated Baron Von Raschke.

    1972 – Dutch Savage and Moondog Mayne defeated The Royal Kangaroos (Jonathan Boyd and Norman Frederick Charles) to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title; In Milwaukee, Wisconsin; In a Saloon Match, The Crusher beat Dusty Rhodes. Also, Ivan Koloff beat Edouard Carpentier, Billy Robinson beat Big K and George Gadaski beat Kenny Jay. Attendance was 12,062.

    1977 – At an event at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri; WWWF World Champion Billy Graham defeated Bob Slaughter; NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Missouri Champion Jack Brisco by countout and AWA World Tag Team Champions, The High Flyers (Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell) defeated Blackjack Lanza and Bobby Duncum. Also, Bulldog Bob Brown & Ivan Koloff drew Rufus R Jones & Billy Robinson, Pat O’Connor beat Bobby Jaggers and Bob Sweetan beat Ron Starr

    1978 – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Greg Gagne at the Auditorium in Denver, Colorado.

    1981 – In Oakland, California; Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura dq, Greg Gagne beat Bobby Heenan and Tito Santana beat Sheik Adnan.

    1982 – Don Kernodle and Jim Nelson defeated Porkchop Cash and Iceman Parsons in Roanoke, Virginia, to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title; In Winnipeg; In a Non Title match, Rick Martel beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel, AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan, Ken Patera beat Baron Von Raschke and Brad Rheingans beat Tito Santana. Attendance was 4,500.

    1983 – At the Wrestling Star Wars event in Dallas, Texas, Kerry Von Erich and Bruiser Brody defeated The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy) to win the WCCW American Tag Team Title; The Dynamite Girls (Jumbo Hori and Yukari Ohmori) defeated Devil Masami and Talantula for the WWWA World Tag Team Title.

    1984 – Jake Roberts defeated Ron Garvin to win the NWA World Television Title in Atlanta, Georgia; the title was immediately held up upon the discovery that Roberts used a foreign object.

    1985 – Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo, the U.S. Express, defeated The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff for the WWF World Tag Team Titles in Poughkeepsie, New York; The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) defeated Ron Sexton and Billy Travis in a tournament final in Memphis, Tennessee to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Title.

    1987 – Villano III defeated Perro Aguayo for the vacant WWF World Light Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico

    1988 – Chris Benoit defeated Johnny Smith in Calgary, Alberta, to win the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title; At the Dallas Sportatorium; AWA Champion Jerry Lawler beat Terry Taylor, Kamala beat Kerry Von Erich, King Parsons beat Skip Young and Terry Gordy ddq John Tatum. Attendance was 2,000.

    1989 – TNT (Savio Vega) defeated Abudda Dein to win the vacant WWC Television Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    1994 – In Knoxville, Tennessee; The Thrillseekers, Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated Steven Dunn & Killer Kyle, Bruiser Bedlam defeated Tracy Smothers in a coal miner’s glove match, SMW Tag Team Champions Brian Lee & Chris Candido fought The Rock N’ Roll Express to a no contest in a piledriver match and SMW Heavyweight Champion Jake Roberts defeated the Dirty White Boy via disqualification

    1996 – Flex Kavana (the Rock) and Bart Sawyer defeated Brickhouse Brown and Reggie B. Fine in a tournament final for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee; Jushin Liger defeated Dick Togo for the Michinoku Pro Wrestling British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan. Also, Shinjiro Otani defeated Kazushi Sakuraba for the UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Title.

    1997 – Kyoko Inoue defeated Kaoru Itoh for the vacant WWWA World Singles Title in Sapporo, Japan.

    1999 – Sherri Martel defeated Miss Manners (Adrian Lynch) in Fargo, North Dakota to win the (revived) AWA World Women’s Title; Public Enemy (Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge) defeated The Brotherhood (Knuckles Nelson and Rick Fuller) for the NWA World Tag Team Title in Bolton, Massachusetts.

    2000 – Bad Attitude (Rick Michaels and David Young) defeated The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) in Cornelia, Georgia to win the NWA Wildside Tag Team Title,

    2007 – In Nashville, Tennessee; Jay Lethal defeated Chris Sabin to win the TNA X-Division title and Kurt Angle won the King of the Mountain match to win the TNA Title.

  • WWE Tough Enough tryouts special recap & review

    By Kenneth Nida, kennethnida@wrestlingobserver.com

    After a montage of clips showing the two day training camp, we are introduced to several contestants including Mike, a wrestler with a prosthetic leg. Booker T enters the ring in front of the contestants and introduces Lita and Billy Gunn. 40 people were chosen from the 11,154 videos that were submitted. Lita mentions that the contestants come from various walks of life including an alligator wrestler, fitness models, MMA fighters, and boxers. Billy Gunn explains that there will be various eliminations until 13 contestants remain; 7 men and 6 women will qualify for the show.

    The panel interviews each contestant and asks them why they are tough enough and what separates them from the others. The first person declares they are the “… strongest mother**cker here”. “Mr. Ass” Billy Gunn tells him that speaking that way in front of women is offensive, while Booker T is more concerned if he can back up his words with actions. The contestant then brags about how he’s been giving kids German suplexes against their will since he was 15, claiming he has proof of this. I don’t think WWE’s Be A Star campaign would approve.

    Other highlights include someone who doesn’t have a favorite match, someone who doesn’t know why they are tough enough, and someone who is asked what their favorite joke Lance Storm told. We also get an exotic dancer flat out admitting they aren’t familiar with the WWE when asked what the WWE means to him.

    Mike tells his story of serving in Afghanistan and being the only person to survive an IED attack on a Humvee, in which he lost a leg. Next is Zamariah “ZZ”, an alligator wrestler from Bayou Beouf, Louisiana who entertains all the judges. After the introductions they show various drills being performed, which are much more difficult than some were prepared for. Nick, a powerlifter, is sent to the ER with shortness of breath and chest tightness. The panel discuss who should be eliminated, and make their selections. Day 1 concludes with 10 eliminations, in addition to the 2 who were eliminated for medical reasons.

    Day 2 starts with the Kingdom twins withdrawing from the competition, giving the reason that they “… felt their time was wasted” and that they didn’t like how the judges spoke to them. Additional footage of training is shown, followed by the arrival of Paul Levesque who walks by someone puking in a trash can. Mike takes the day off, after the previous day’s training caused his prosthetic to open wounds in his leg. We’re then introduced to Kahlil, a former running back for the NFL. He rubs people the wrong way with his cocky attitude, but shows a lot of charisma. Next is Ashley, a pro wrestler from Oakland who has a very unique look, and is more like Lita than your typical WWE Diva.

    Joshua, otherwise known as “The Yeti” and who formerly played for the Green Bay Packers, is introduced. Next is Daria, an MMA fighter with the nickname “The Jersey Devil”. When asked if she’s in a relationship, she takes the opportunity to come out as a lesbian. Following that is Gabi, a bikini model from Brazil. She’s very outspoken, and brags about saying whatever she wants. This doesn’t impress the judges. Patrick, from Washington D.C., talks about how WWE helped him get through rough times growing up.

    Stephen, a bodybuilder, cuts a promo on the judges for comments made during training. Mike then re-joins the training after being inspired by his competitors. All the other contestants cheer and encourage him. Chris Jericho then joins the panel in the ring for the final eliminations at the camp. He briefly speaks about it being a whole new world for the contestants, before Mike asks to speak. Mike thanks everyone for the experience and friendship, but declares that his body cannot keep up with the competition and bows out.

    At the end of eliminations, two male contestants and two female contestants remain. Between the men, Kahlil is chosen over Stephen, and Ashley is chosen over Samantha. Ashley calls her father with the news that she made it. However the next day it is revealed that after some additional testing, she may have a dangerous heart condition. She is eliminated from the competition and follows up with a cardiologist; she’s obviously broken up about the news. Lita meets with her and tells her that after she figures out her health, she can come back to the performance center. It is also announced that Khalil did not pass all of his mandatory evaluations, and is also eliminated.

    Paul Levesque chooses Gabi to replace Ashley and ZZ to replace Khalil in the competition. He then congratulates all the people that made it. The show closes with various people speaking about Mike and how impressed they were with his drive and accomplishments, as well as contestants reflecting on how it feels to have become a part of Tough Enough. The final 13 are Alexander, Hank, Joshua, Mada, Patrick, Tanner, ZZ, Amanda, Daria, Dianna, Gabi, Giorgia, and Sara.

  • WWE Smackdown June 18 spoilers: Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro

    Here are the spoilers for this week’s WWE Smackdown, airing Wednesday in Canada and Thursday in the U.S.:

    – Sheamus came out and said that now that he’s the Money in the Bank winner, nobody is going to be able to stop him. Dean Ambrose then came out and said that Roman Reigns was going to win the match and the only reason Sheamus won was because Bray Wyatt interfered.  They argued and it looked like Sheamus would put up the briefcase against Ambrose, but instead, Kane announced a Kane & Sheamus vs. Ambrose handicap match.

    – Kane & Sheamus b Dean Ambrose via DQ when Reigns made the save. This led to a tag team match as the main event later in the show.

    – Brie Bella b Paige when Alicia Fox interfered.

    – Renee Young interviewed Kevin Owens. Owens said it was John Cena’s fault for what happened to Machine Gun Kelly. He also said he wasn’t doing an open challenge this week. Cesaro came out and wanted a match with him.

    – Dolph Ziggler b Bo Dallas. Lana and Ziggler were kissing after with Rusev watching. Poor guy.

    – Neville b Xavier Woods. The other New Day members went to interfere, but they were held off by the Prime Time Players.

    – WWE Champion Seth Rollins was out for an interview. He said that he never gets thanked for all he’s done for the company, and he needs to beat Brock Lesnar to cement his legacy and become the diamond that HHH said.

    – NXT Champion Kevin Owens b Cesaro. Said to be a great match with a pop up power bomb finish.

    – Kane & Sheamus b Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns when Wyatt distracted Reigns.

  • Bryan Alvarez on the Ross Report podcast this week!

    Bryan Alvarez is the guest on The Ross Report podcast with good ol’ JR Jim Ross this week. They’ll talk Money in the Bank, the future of TNA or lack thereof, UFC 188, and so much more. Nearly two full hours!

    You can listen to the show FREE by clicking here. The show is also available at PodcastOne.com or through iTunes (you can subscribe and get new shows weekly).

    Check it out right now!

  • WWE Raw ratings (June 15) up this week

    Coming the day after WWE Money in the Bank and even with the game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup finals (Chicago/Tampa Bay) as competition, WWE RAW ratings were way up this week to 4.10 million viewers — a whopping 15 percent increase from last week.

    The strength was really in the second hour, and not for the third hour reveal of Brock Lesnar as Seth Rollins’ next WWE World Championship contender. By the way, the Stanley Cup final game on NBC did 7.59 million viewers.

    The three hours were:

    • 8 p.m. 4.10 million
    • 9 p.m. 4.25 million
    • 10 p.m. 4.00 million

  • TNA announces gimmick match for 6/28 PPV

    TNA announced today it is bringing back Jeff Jarrett’s King of the Mountain gimmick, with a King of the Mountain match for a championship on the 6/28 Slammiversary PPV show.

    The title wasn’t specified, but it’s a multiple person match where the goal is to climb a ladder and hang a title belt on a cable hanging from the ceiling, to become King of the Mountain.