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  • FRI. UPDATE: Dusty Rhodes notes, Flair, Rampage, TNA changes PPV main, son of Hall of Famer passes, Tough Enough

    By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for reports on tonight’s GFW debut show in Jackson, TN (Chris Mordetzky vs. Dustin Starr, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs. New Heavenly Bodies, Moose vs. Kevin Matthews, Tate Twins vs. Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor, Thea Trinidad vs. Le’D Tapa, Sonjay Dutt vs. Jamin Olivencia), NXT in Cleveland and WWE in Springfield, IL (John Cena, Kane, Ryback, New Day, Bray Wyatt) at dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    We will be doing weekend polls on both the UFC 188 show tomorrow and WWE Money in the Bank on Sunday with thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    New Japan World Pro Wrestling on AXS at 8 p.m. (one hour earlier than usual)

    Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata

    Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bad Luck Fale for IC title

    AXS has CES live MMA at 9 p.m. from Lincoln,  RI

    Saturday has WWE in Terre Haute, IN (John Cena, Kane, new Day, Ryback, Bray Wyatt) and Dayton (Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Roma Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler), NXT in Columbus, OH and GFW in Chattanooga, TN (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs. New Heavenly Bodies, Kongo Kong vs. Moose)

    UFC 188 on Saturday from Arena Ciudad in Mexico City

    Fight Pass at 7 p.m. Eastern

    Gabriel Benitez vs. Clay Collard

    Augusto Montano vs. Cathal Pendred

    FX (not FS 1 ) at 8 p.m.

    Johnny Case vs. Francisco Trevino

    Alejandro Perez vs. Patrick Williams

    Drew Dober vs. Efrain Escudero

    Henry Cejudo vs. Chico Camus

    PPV at 10 p.m.

    Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill

    Yair Rodriguez vs. Charles Rosa

    Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nate Marquardt

    Gilbert Melendez vs. Eddie Alvarez

    Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum for heavyweight title

    WWE Money in the Bank Sunday in Columbus, OH

    Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose ladder match for WWE title

    John Cena vs. Kevin Owens non-title

    Money in the Bank ladder match:  Roman Reigns, Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, Randy Orton, Neville, Kane, and Kofi Kingston

    Ryback vs. Big Show for IC title

    New Day vs. Prime Time Players for tag title

    Nikki Bella vs. Paige for Divas title

    R-Truth vs. King Barrett

    The U.S. World Team Trials in wrestling air Sunday night at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Network.

    Raw is Monday in Cleveland featuring the return to WWE of Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman.

    Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Buffalo.

    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

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

    You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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

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

    Our lead story 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.

    FRIDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • For those of you who are fans of Dusty Rhodes, we have a great show with Rob Naylor talking about working with Rhodes and went through history up on the site.  We’ll have more in upcoming days.
    • At this point, there are no funeral services announced for Dusty Rhodes. 
    • Rhodes was feeling dizzy and collapsed on Wednesday morning just before 6 a.m. and they called 911 and took him to the hospital.  He was doing better on Wednesday, but his kidneys shut down and he suffered other complications that led to his death.  He had been working and had not complained that anything was wrong the day before.
    • WWE Network will have a Dusty Rhodes special airing after Raw on Monday night.  There were a lot of complaints yesterday at the lack of network coverage for Rhodes.  
    • Jim Ross talks Dusty Rhodes
    • Sporting News on Dusty Rhodes
    • A story on the event commemorating the history of Championship Wrestling from Florida last night
    • And more on that
    • Dusty Rhodes death was reported on the front page of the BBC web site.  Almost no wrestling deaths ever have gotten that treatment.  Owen Hart did due to circumstances.
    • For whatever reason, WWE is advertising Tyson Kidd for the Team Cena weekend shows. 
    • Ric Flair was at last night’s NBA championship game in Cleveland with The Miz and Dolph Ziggler, who both grew up in Cleveland.  Flair cut a promo after the first quarter in center court wearing a robe given to him by the Cavs mascot The Moondog.  Miz and Ziggler were shown cheering with the crowd during the third quarter.  The wrestlers caused such a reaction that arena security got mad because they couldn’t maintain a clear passage area outside the Cavs locker room (thanks to Brian Dulik)
    • Judge Karen Suter in New Jersey Superior Court ruled against Rampage Jackson in his quest to have the injunction that prohibits his fighting in UFC.  Suter had issued the original injunction, but Jackson was able to get it reversed which allowed him to fight in Montreal.  But the original judge ruled against the injunction being thrown out.    
    • Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan and Paige have been announced for the 8/22 Wizard World convention in Chicago.
    • Dusty Rhodes ended up yesterday being the third most searched item on the Internet with more than 1 million searches, trailing only Christopher Lee and LeBron James.
    • For today on twitter, Dusty Rhodes has 83,300 mentions while NXT Cleveland has 939.
    • TNA has announced that the Kurt Angle vs. Ethan Carter III title match, which was originally to main event the 6/28 PPV show, will now air on Impact on 7/1, which means it’ll be taped prior to the PPV show and air after the PPV show.  I can see with drawing ratings far more important then PPV right now why make the move, but not sure why they didn’t put it on the 6/24 show which is taped before and airs before the PPV.  They had done the 6/17 television show already which built to Angle would facing an opponent of EC 3’s choosing but a lot of stuff on 6/17 with the references to the PPV being “nine days away” (when the show was expected to be on a Friday and the match was on PPV) have to be changed.
    • TNA has announced James Storm vs. Magnus for the 6/28 show. 
    • Storm McDaniel, who either the son or adopted son of the late Wahoo McDaniel, was killed Wednesday when his jet ski collided with a 20 foot boat in Grand Lagoon in Panama City, FL.  McDaniel was rushed to Bay Medical Sacred Heart where he was pronounced dead.
    • UFC weigh-ins are 7 p.m. tonight on FS 2 and also live on this site.
    • Gawker Media battling for its existence in a lawsuit against Hulk Hogan
    • WWE stock was up 19 cents per share to close the week at $15.56.
    • More Tough Enough cuts were:

    Alexander Galizia

    Don Arner – an independent wrestler from Pittsburgh

    Gabi Castrovinci – a fitness model

    Jeremiah & Nehemiah Kingdom – Who were brothers and may have been twin brothers

    LaRayla Gason

    Michael Hayes – the best known indie wrestler, the war hero in Louisville who has been an OVW star for years

    Samantha Sage – fitness competitor

    Tommaso Giannuzzi

    Zack Boss – a pro bodybuilder

    • Chris Charboneau noted these famous shows on this day in St. Louis history

    1970 – Dory Funk Jr. beat Gene Kiniski with Whipper Watson as referee to retain the world title in front of a near sellout 10,344 fans, plus Crimson Knight (Bill Miller) & Von Raschke & Blackjack Lanza beat Dewey Robertson & Wilbur Snyder & Pat O’Connor in 2/3 falls
    1981 – Harley Race beat Ted DiBiase to retain the NWA title before 16,088 fans setting a city gate record, plus Pat O’Connor won a Battle Royal, Dick the Bruiser & Dusty Rhodes b Ken Patera & Ric Flair via DQ and Dick Murdoch double count out Kerry Von Erich

    1982 – Ric Flair beat Dick the Bruiser to retain the world title before a sellout of 19,027 fans at the Checkerdome, plus Dusty Rhodes & Ted DiBiase DDQ Harley Race & Dick Murdoch.  Flair has told me on more than one occasion this was one of the most memorable matches of his career.

    ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

    1967 – Mil Mascaras beat Espanto in Mexico City to win the Mexican national light heavyweight title

    1978 – Billy Robinson beat Tor Kamata in Ichinomiya to win the PWF title

    1991 – Jushin Liger beat Norio Honaga in Tokyo to win the IWGP jr. title

    1995 – Masahiro Chono & Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Shinya Hashimoto & Junji Hirata in Osaka to win the IWGP tag team titles

    1996 – Black Tiger (Eddy Guerrero) beat Jushin Liger in Osaka to win the Best of the Super Juniors tournament

    1998 – Kenta Kobashi beat Toshiaki Kawada in Tokyo to win the Triple Crown

    2004 – Yuji Nagata & Kendo Ka Shin beat Kaz Hayashi & Satoshi Kojima in Nagoya to win the All Japan world tag titles

    TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE

    12:00 AM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING Straight to the Top: The Money in the Bank Anthology presents the lineage of this epic match!

    2:00 AM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    3:00 AM ET
    WWE SUPERSTARS WWE Superstars features the best of the best, in matches you’ll have to see to believe. You never know what to expect, so expect everything.

    4:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS What starts as a couples road trip for Eva and Ariane ends in an all out blowout, and Bryan is keeping tabs on Brie.

    5:00 AM ET
    WCW MONDAY NITRO On this episode of WCW Monday Nitro the fallout from World War 3! Sting teams with Lex Luger to take on Brain Pillman and Arn Anderson.

    6:00 AM ET
    WWE MONEY IN THE BANK 2013 Can John Cena overcome the brute strength of Mark Henry or will the world’s strongest man finally capture the WWE Championship?

    9:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS What starts as a couples road trip for Eva and Ariane ends in an all out blowout, and Bryan is keeping tabs on Brie.

    10:00 AM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING Straight to the Top: The Money in the Bank Anthology presents the lineage of this epic match!

    12:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH In the pursuit to become a WWE Superstar, eight hopeful athletes compete for a million dollar WWE Contract and find out who is Tough Enough!

    1:00 PM ET
    THE WWE LIST Whether it’s winning the Diva’s Championship, or posting a very flattering photos on Twitter… These Divas do it all to stay trending.

    1:30 PM ET
    WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee Young chats with the King of the Ring Bad News Barrett, discussing everything from music, marine biology and everything in between!

    1:45 PM ET
    CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves experiences a culture shock at the 2015 Star Wars Celebration, getting caught up in the hype for Star Wars: The Force Awakens!

    2:00 PM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    2:30 PM ET
    WWE QUICK HITS WWE Quick Hits 5 brings you some of the most unique, entertaining, and sometimes outrageous clips, unearthed from the depths of WWE Network!

    3:00 PM ET
    SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENT Bret Hart defends the WWE Title against Papa Shango. The British Bulldog puts the Intercontinental Title on the line against Shawn Michaels.

    4:00 PM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING Follow Batista’s path from the struggles that drove him away from WWE to his triumphant return in 2014.

    5:00 PM ET
    WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee Young chats with the King of the Ring Bad News Barrett, discussing everything from music, marine biology and everything in between!

    5:15 PM ET
    CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves experiences a culture shock at the 2015 Star Wars Celebration, getting caught up in the hype for Star Wars: The Force Awakens!

    5:30 PM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    6:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Infamous Intercontinental Champions of all time!

    7:00 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR The strategies that helped Eric Bischoff build WCW would hasten the decline of both he and his company.

    8:00 PM ET
    SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENT Bret Hart defends the WWE Title against Papa Shango. The British Bulldog puts the Intercontinental Title on the line against Shawn Michaels.

    9:00 PM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING Follow Batista’s path from the struggles that drove him away from WWE to his triumphant return in 2014.

    10:00 PM ET
    WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee Young chats with the King of the Ring Bad News Barrett, discussing everything from music, marine biology and everything in between!

    10:15 PM ET
    CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves experiences a culture shock at the 2015 Star Wars Celebration, getting caught up in the hype for Star Wars: The Force Awakens!

    10:30 PM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    11:00 PM ET
    SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENT Bret Hart defends the WWE Title against Papa Shango. The British Bulldog puts the Intercontinental Title on the line against Shawn Michaels.

  • UFC 188 Picks From The Secret Psychic Spy~!

    By the Secret Psychic Spy (secretpsychicspy@yahoo.com)

    Starting Bankroll: $1,500

    Current Bankroll: $621.67

    Last week: 3/5 Overall 54/95 (57%)

    Starting to turn things around with a small profit last week. Should hopefully keep the momentum going this week with the 5 picks I’ve found worth value from UFC 188 this weekend. It’s a return to Mexico and the return of the one who beat the one who beat the streak…or something like that. Cain Velasquez returns after a 20 month absence. Speaking of which…

    Pick 1 – Fabricio Werdum (19-5-1) +400 over Cain Velasquez (13-1) I’m betting $100 to win $500

    Taking a long shot here but I really like these odds. Werdum has steamrolled his way to this title shot and is facing a guy who will no doubt have some Octagon rust. I’ve even heard rumours that Cain might not be at 100% and if that’s the case, these odds are way out of whack. If this were an even money bet, I might lean toward Cain but no way should he be a 5 to 1 favorite.

    Pick 2 – Charles Rosa (10-1) -225 over Yair Rodriguez (4-1) I’m betting $100 to win $44.44

    Rodriguez has this main card slot on a PPV because he won TUF Latin America but he struggled to win a decision against a similarly inexperienced opponent at UFC 180. Rosa is “Boston Strong” and walked into enemy territory on short notice last year in his UFC debut and almost beat tough veteran Dennis Siver. He followed that up with a brilliant performance earlier this year and should keep the momentum going on Saturday.

    Pick 3 – Tecia Torres (5-0) over Angela Hill (2-0) I’m betting $100 to win $34.48

    You may recall that Torres was one of the favorites going into the TUF 20 tournament to crown a new Strawweight champion. She went to a majority decision with eventual champion Carla Esparza but is unbeaten in official pro bouts. Hill is very inexperienced and while improving each time out, she should be no match for “The Tiny Tornado”.

    Pick 4 – Clay Collard (14-5) -255 over Gabriel Benitez (17-4) I’m betting $100 to win $39.22

    Though the records look similar, Collard has faced a far greater level of competition, including handing unbeaten prospect Alex White his first career defeat late last year. Benitez is another TUF Latin America prospect who earned a late submission win at UFC 180 but it was against a .500 fighter who likely wasn’t even UFC caliber. This is the only pick here that isn’t a main card fight as this one will air on UFC Fight Pass.

    Pick 5 – Gilbert Melendez (22-4) -170 over Eddie Alvarez (25-4) I’m betting $100 to win $58.82

    Personally I’m looking forward to this fight most of all. Hardcore fans have wanted this fight since both were champions in other organizations and it’ll finally happen before a raucous crowd in Mexico. Melendez only has one win in 3 UFC fights but the two losses were to former UFC Champions Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis. Melendez is likely the toughest fighter that Alvarez has ever faced and I think Alvarez caves in under the pressure.

    All told, I’m betting $500 with a chance to win $576.97

    On with the betting game.

    2015 Betting Game: Secret Psychic Spy vs Ryan Frederick

    Current Standings:

    Ryan Frederick: $426.92 (Picked Ortega, Noons, Browne, Magny, Matthews)

    Secret Psychic Spy: $152.63 (Picked Henderson, Breese, Pyle, Wee, Andrews)

    We were both winners last week as Brian Ortega snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for young Ryan and Hendo made middle-aged men, including Bryan Alvarez, around the world happy by dropping the Hendo bomb on Tim Boetsch and putting me in my rightful place at the top  of this game, where I’ll be staying.

    I’ll be taking Werdum for the reasons mentioned above. Mostly cause I look at is as a free picks since Freddy’s here is almost certain to lose.

    Freddy’s pick and analysis:

    Eddie Alvarez +155 over Gilbert Melendez

    I’m going with an underdog pick and picking Eddie Alvarez to defeat Gilbert Melendez. I expect an exciting fight and a lot of back-and-forth action. I think Alvarez has those UFC jitters out of the way, and I seem him as a slightly better fighter at this stage than Melendez is. Both are great and fun to watch, and I feel like I’m going out on a little bit of a limb here as it seems most expect Melendez to win. So, going with the upset here.

    Good luck, enjoy the fights and above all else remember, Freddy’s going down!

  • After Dark Radio for tonight — BIG ANNOUNCEMENT plus Tim Swartz of Conspiracy Journal appears!

    After Dark Radio with Bryan Alvarez returns tonight streaming LIVE AND FREE from the After Dark Radio Show website on the Dark Matter Radio Network. You can also now stream the show through the front page of this website using the link on the right-hand side of the front page!

    The show airs at 2 AM ET/11 PM Pacific for two hours!

    Tonight we will be joined by special guest Tim Swartz of Conspiracy Journal to talk UFO’s Alistair Crowley, elves and tons more! Check the website for NEW call-in numbers/email addresses, with more coming in a few weeks!

    We will also be discussing tons of news, both from our website, afterdarkradioshow.com, our Facebook page, and, of course, Artbell.com, plus taking your phone calls, emails and Twitter questions!

    All of the phone numbers are available at afterdarkradioshow.com. You can send in emails on any topic to bryan@wrestlingobserver.com, and make sure you put “AFTER DARK” in the subject line. Remember, this show survives on your participation, so please send those emails or be prepared to call!

  • UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum weigh-in results and live video

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum weigh-ins from Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico kicking off at 7 PM eastern time. The event airs on Saturday on pay-per-view at 10 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at 7 PM eastern time before moving over to FX at 8 PM eastern time. This marks the Octagon’s second trip to Mexico City following UFC 180 in November.

    The event will be headlined by a UFC Heavyweight Championship Unification bout as UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez returns from a long injury layoff to face Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum. The semi-main event is a long-awaited lightweight bout between former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez and former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez. Also on the main card is a middleweight bout between former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum and former UFC title challenger and former Strikeforce champion Nate Marquardt.

    A previously scheduled bout between Albert Tumenov and Andrew Todhunter was cancelled late Thursday night after Todhunter, who was coming into the fight on very short notice, was deemed medically unable to compete.

    MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT):

    Cain Velasquez (242) vs. Fabricio Werdum (236)
    Gilbert Melendez (156) vs. Eddie Alvarez (156)
    Kelvin Gastelum (185) vs. Nate Marquardt (184)
    Yair Rodriguez (145) vs. Charles Rosa (145)
    Tecia Torres (114) vs. Angela Hill (115)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FX- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT):

    Henry Cejudo (125) vs. Chico Camus (126)
    Efrain Escudero (156) vs. Drew Dober (155)
    Alejandro Perez (136) vs. Patrick Williams (136)
    Francisco Trevino (154) vs. Johnny Case (155)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 7 PM ET/4 PM PT):

    Augusto Montano (170) vs. Cathal Pendred (170)
    Gabriel Benitez (145) vs. Clay Collard (146)

  • UFC News: Andrew Todhunter passes out during weight cut, fight off UFC 188

    Andrew Todhunter, a late replacement fighter who was set to face Albert Tumenov tomorrow night in Mexco City, reportedly passed out in trying to lose weight for today’s weigh-ins.

    UFC.com’s Thomas Gerbasi reported that Todhunter, set to make his UFC debut, was cutting weight when he passed out. Doctors hooked him up to an IV to replenish the lost water weight and it was ruled that due to passing out, he would not be allowed to fight. Todhunter’s previous fight was a boxing match on 5/15, where he weighed in at 200 pounds. This was a fight where he needed to get to 171 pounds. Tumenov will receive his show money for tomorrow. 

    Because of the timeframe, there will be no replacement and the show will now begin at 7 PM EST on Fight Pass instead of 6:30 PM EST.

  • VIDEO: UFC Embedded V — Final hype for Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum

  • Breaking down Velasquez vs. Werdum and best odds for bets on the match

    by Jason Abrams

    Cardio
    Nobody has cardio like Cain Velasquez. The man is like a self-winding watch – as long as he’s moving he keeps ticking. He went five grueling rounds twice with one of the most punishing knockout artists on the planet in Junior dos Santos. The only time he didn’t either finish an opponent or win a decision was in his first match with dos Santos when he was caught in the first round by a devastating overhand right. That had nothing to do with cardio and everything to do with getting knocked the f****d out!

    Werdum’s cardio is not in question but it is not a hallmark of his MMA career as it is Velasquez’s. The very nature of Werdum’s style is a ground attack which is a different speed and tempo than stand-up where we have never witnessed Velasquez wilt when launching bombs and catching rockets in return.
    EDGE: Velasquez

    Striking
    You can talk all day long about how far Werdum’s striking has come but it will never be on par with the most prolific KO artist in all of MMA.  Cain Velasquez not only wields bone-crushing power but has the piston-like jab of a boxer. He will reel off endless combinations because his world-class cardio permits it. You will typically see Velasquez parry with a jab and then reach for every tool in the shed whether it be hard rights, uppercuts, hooks or elbows. Velasquez has the unique ability as a heavyweight to bring a Gatling gun attack with the power of a rocket launcher.
    EDGE: Velazquez

    Grappling
    The immediate knee-jerk reaction would put this skill in Werdum’s column but not so fast. Velasquez is a former D-1 wrestler and holds a black belt in BJJ under Leandro Viera but his ground game is often overlooked due to his fierce striking ability. Oftentimes he ragdolls his opponents to the canvas after a withering standup attack softens them up for the kill. Velasquez can maintain a dominant top position while continuing his relentless ground-and-pound which often spells doom for his opponents.

    Fabricio Werdum is not a wrestler per se but he is the gold standard when it comes to BJJ. Werdum is a BJJ World Champion while holding black belts in Judo and Muay Thai. He has won numerous international events in submission grappling and is lethal when the fight hits the mat.  That being said if we are judging this strictly on the numbers we can see that Velasquez averages 5.28 takedowns per fight while Werdum averages a mere 1.83. The champion’s takedowns defended is 88.89 percent versus only 36.67 percent for Werdum.
    EDGE: Velasquez

    Submissions
    We won’t even try to make a case for Cain Velasquez in this category. Even the most proficient mat tactician would pale compared to Werdum. UFC odds makers know that the champion has no submissions on his record while Werdum has won nine of his 19 fights in this manner. Whether Werdum is in the guard or on top, his submission skills are sublime and he can end the fight from any angle, anytime and anywhere. Velasquez would be wise to avoid the dragon’s lair and be seduced into proving he is the superior ground fighter. Werdum is a beast on the mat.
    EDGE: Werdum

    Gambling best odds for the fight:

    Total Rounds
    Over     2½    -130 (best line 5Dimes)
    Under   2½    +115 (best line Bookmaker)

    Fight is a Draw
    Yes  +15000 (best line 5Dimes)
    No    -45000 (best line 5Dimes)

    Fight to end within the 1st min of 1st Round
    Yes   +1400
    No   -10000

    Fight Goes 5 Round Distance
    Yes  +160 (best line 5Dimes)
    No   -195 (best line 5Dimes)

    Velasquez wins Inside Distance
    Yes-150
    No   +120

    Werdum wins Inside Distance
    Yes   +505
    No    -810

    Fight won by Decision 
    Yes  +188 (best line Ladbrokes)
    No   -275 (best line Ladbrokes)

    Velasquez wins by Decision 
    Yes  +225 (best line 888sport)
    No   -278 (best line 5Dimes)

    Werdum wins by Decision 
    Yes  +1000 (best line SportsInteraction)
    No   -1705 (best line 5Dimes)

    Fight won by Submission 
    Yes  +500 (best line Ladbrokes)
    No   

    Velasquez wins by Submission 
    Yes  +1400 (best line SportsInteraction)
    No   -1851 (best line 5Dimes)

    Werdum wins by Submission 
    Yes  +925 (best line 5Dimes)
    No   -1875 (best line 5Dimes)

    Fight won by KO, TKO, DQ
    Yes  -163 (best line Ladbrokes)
    No   

    Velasquez wins by KO, TKO, DQ
    Yes  -110 (best line 5Dimes)
    No   -130 (best line 5Dimes)

    Werdum wins by KO, TKO, DQ 
    Yes  +1100 (best line Ladbrokes)
    No   -2075 (best line 5Dimes)

    Double Chance
    KO / TKO or Decision    -900
    KO / TKO or Submission  -275
    Decision or Submission  +120

    Velasquez wins by Unanimous Decision
    Yes  +305 (best line 5Dimes)
    No   -425 (best line 5Dimes)

    Werdum wins by Unanimous Decision
    Yes  +1305 (best line 5Dimes)
    No   -3045 (best line 5Dimes)

    Total Rounds
    Over 1½     -278
    Under 1½  +200
    Over 2½     -150
    Under 2½ ​ +110
    Over 3½    +100
    Under 3½  ​-134
    Over 4½    +140
    Under 4½ ​  -190

    Velasquez wins by Split / Majority Decision
    Yes   +838 (best line 5Dimes)
    No    -1738 (best line 5Dimes)

    Werdum wins by Split / Majority Decision
    Yes   +1875 (best line 5Dimes)
    No    -5625 (best line 5Dimes)

    Total Rounds
    Fight starts round 5        +1100 (best line Ladbrokes)
    Fight won’t start round 5  +750 (best line Ladbrokes)
    Fight starts round 4           -109 (best line 5Dimes)
    Fight won’t start round 4  +500 (best line Ladbrokes)
    Fight starts round 3           -161 (best line 5Dimes)
    Fight won’t start round 3  +333 (best line Ladbrokes)
    Fight starts round 2           -375 (best line 5Dimes)
    Fight won’t start round 2  +285 (best line 5Dimes)

    Round – Betting
    Velasquez in round 1 +350 (Best line SportsInteraction)
    Velasquez in round 2 +500 (best line SportsInteraction)
    Velasquez in round 3 +800 (best line 888sport)
    Velasquez in round 4 +1200 (best line SportsInteraction)
    Velasquez in round 5 +1600 (best line 888sport)

    Round – Betting
    Werdum in round 1  +1400 (best line 888sport)
    Werdum in round 2  +2000 (best line 888sport)
    Werdum in round 3  +2500 (best line 888sport)
    Werdum in round 4  +3300 (best line Ladbrokes)
    Werdum in round 5  +4000 (best line Ladbrokes)

  • Gamblers guide to Velasquez vs. Werdum

    By Jason Abrams

    Below is the breakdown for the two fighters for each of the categories from SportsbookReview.com. 

    Cardio
    Nobody has cardio like Cain Velasquez. The man is like a self-winding watch – as long as he’s moving he keeps ticking. He went five grueling rounds twice with one of the most punishing knockout artists on the planet in Junior dos Santos. The only time he didn’t either finish an opponent or win a decision was in his first match with dos Santos when he was caught in the first round by a devastating overhand right. That had nothing to do with cardio and everything to do with getting knocked the f****d out!

    Werdum’s cardio is not in question but it is not a hallmark of his MMA career as it is Velasquez’s. The very nature of Werdum’s style is a ground attack which is a different speed and tempo than stand-up where we have never witnessed Velasquez wilt when launching bombs and catching rockets in return.
    EDGE: Velasquez

    Striking
    You can talk all day long about how far Werdum’s striking has come but it will never be on par with the most prolific KO artist in all of MMA.  Cain Velasquez not only wields bone-crushing power but has the piston-like jab of a boxer. He will reel off endless combinations because his world-class cardio permits it. You will typically see Velasquez parry with a jab and then reach for every tool in the shed whether it be hard rights, uppercuts, hooks or elbows. Velasquez has the unique ability as a heavyweight to bring a Gatling gun attack with the power of a rocket launcher.
    EDGE: Velazquez

    Grappling
    The immediate knee-jerk reaction would put this skill in Werdum’s column but not so fast. Velasquez is a former D-1 wrestler and holds a black belt in BJJ under Leandro Viera but his ground game is often overlooked due to his fierce striking ability. Oftentimes he ragdolls his opponents to the canvas after a withering standup attack softens them up for the kill. Velasquez can maintain a dominant top position while continuing his relentless ground-and-pound which often spells doom for his opponents.

    Fabricio Werdum is not a wrestler per se but he is the gold standard when it comes to BJJ. Werdum is a BJJ World Champion while holding black belts in Judo and Muay Thai. He has won numerous international events in submission grappling and is lethal when the fight hits the mat.  That being said if we are judging this strictly on the numbers we can see that Velasquez averages 5.28 takedowns per fight while Werdum averages a mere 1.83. The champion’s takedowns defended is 88.89 percent versus only 36.67 percent for Werdum.
    EDGE: Velasquez

    Submissions
    We won’t even try to make a case for Cain Velasquez in this category. Even the most proficient mat tactician would pale compared to Werdum. UFC odds makers know that the champion has no submissions on his record while Werdum has won nine of his 19 fights in this manner. Whether Werdum is in the guard or on top, his submission skills are sublime and he can end the fight from any angle, anytime and anywhere. Velasquez would be wise to avoid the dragon’s lair and be seduced into proving he is the superior ground fighter. Werdum is a beast on the mat.
    EDGE: Werdum

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (June 12): AWA 10th anniversary show, Dusty Rhodes in Winnipeg, Clash Of Champions 15

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1933 – In St. Paul, Minnesota; World Heavyweight Champion Jim Londos defeated Ray Richards

    1938 – In Waterloo, Iowa; Al Bisignano went to a 60 minute draw with Earl Wampler, also Otto Kuss beat Alford Johnson. Note: referee was Wally Karbo.

    1944 – In Des Moines, Iowa; Earl Wampler beat Tom Zaharias in 2 out of 3 falls.

    1947 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas; MWA Champion Orville Brown beat Lee Wykoff 2 falls to 1, also Sailor Fred Blassie beat Jack McDonald on a third fall DQ.

    1952 – In Kansas City, Heart of America Champion Sonny Myers beat Roy Graham 2 out of 3 falls, Ronnie Etchison and Bob Orton Sr. wrestled to a draw, Doug “Mr. America” Henson defeated Bob Clay and Larry Hamilton beat Jack Hader via DQ. This was announced as last event of the season and wrestling would resume in Kansas City in September.

    1958 – In Orange City, Iowa; United States Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne defeated Ernie Dusek in 2 out of 3 falls, Emil Dusek defeated Jack Pesek in 2 out of 3 falls.

    1962 – In Minneapolis, MN; AWA Champion Mr. M beat Larry Hennig and Pat O’Connor & Doug Gilbert beat Bob Geigel & Stan Kowalski.

    1964 – In Denver, CO; AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Fritz von Erich dq, Wilbur Snyder beat Mitsu Arakawa dq and The Crusher beat Doug Gilbert

    1971 – In Omaha, Nebraska; AWA Tag Team Champions Red Bastien & Hercules Cortez beat Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon, Midwest Champion The Claw (Tom Andrews) beat Dr. Big Bill Miller and Midwest Tag Team Champions Bob Ellis & Alberto Torres beat Ox Baker & Ali Ben Kahn

    1974 – Billed as the 10th Anniversary Show in Denver, Colorado; Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat The Crusher & Wahoo McDaniel to regain the AWA Tag Team Title in a Steel Cage Match with George Gadaski as special referee. Also, Ivan Putski beat Superstar Billy Graham via dq, Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Larry Heiniemi & Buddy Wolff in 2 out of 3 falls, Baron Von Raschke beat Geoff Portz, Kay Noble (sub Cora Combs) beat Vivian Vachon and Larry Hennig beat Paul Perschmann (Playboy Buddy Rose). Attendance was 7,206

    1975 – In Winnipeg; AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Billy Robinson by countout, Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Bobby Heenan & Ray Stevens, Dusty Rhodes beat Siegfried Steinke, Ivan Putski beat Buddy Wolff by dq and Roddy Piper beat Scotty Campbell. Attendance was 3,800.

    1976 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin; In a No DQ Match, Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke beat Larry Hennig & Jos LeDuc; also Verne Gagne & Greg Gagne beat Bobby Heenan & Ray Stevens. In Chicago, Illinois; AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Chris Taylor, The Crusher beat Bobby Duncum by dq, Blackjack Lanza beat Red Bastien and Wilbur Snyder beat Billy Red Cloud

    1980 – In Winnipeg; AWA Tag Team Champions Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura, In a Ladder Match Dino Bravo beat Jerry Blackwell, The Crusher & Greg Gagne beat Nick Bockwinkel & Bobby Heenan and Steve Olsonoski beat Super Destroyer Mark II

    1983 – At the Showboat in Las Vegas, Nevada; AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Wahoo McDaniel, Ken Patera & Jerry Blackwell beat Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke and AWA Light Heavyweight Champion Mike Graham beat Buck Zumhofe

    1991 – At the Clash of Champions XV in Knoxville, Tennessee; IWGP Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Masahiro Chono & Hiroshi Hase, WCW U.S. Champion Lex Luger defeated The Great Muta and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair defeated Bobby Eaton in a two out of three falls match.

    1998 – Kenta Kobashi defeated Toshiaki Kawada for the All-Japan Triple Crown in Tokyo, Japan

    2001 – Test defeated Rhyno for the WWF Hardcore Title in Baltimore, Maryland

    2012 – Mr. Anderson defeated Sting for the TNA Heavyweight Title at the Slammiversary PPV.

  • WWE NXT June 6 Pittsburgh, PA, house show results: Kevin Owens vs. Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor vs. Tyler Breeze (updated with more reports)

    By D.J. Diley

    First out is William Regal, who is met with a roar of cheers and chants. He’s for the 10 Bell salute for Dusty Rhodes, he says something along the lines of losing ‘not just a hero, but a good friend.’ Everyone is on their feet, and as soon as the salute is done, a “Thank you Dusty” chant is happening, just like before the show started. Regal bows and goes back stage…

    -Note that I don’t plan on writing as much as this first match’s description for the rest of them…except maybe the main event.-

    Enzo and Big Cass are out next to what I’d consider the second biggest pop of the night. People are going crazy, and saying the entire opening line with Enzo. Carmella talks, then Cass gets the mic and talks about how him and Big Cass came from hard times, and people in Pitt know about that… He turns it into a thank you to Dusty Rhodes before Alexa Bliss and the “Sweet Boys” come out.  Carmella and Bliss go back and forth arguing, then Enzo starts off the match with… one of the two guys that look just like the Major Brothers. Blake and Murphy keep going back and forth, tagging in and out and beating down on Enzo… Enzo gets a good bit of a come back going, then points to Carmella, who is going crazy on the apron. A tag is made, and the same sequence from last week’s NXT is going on, the three LouThez presses and then finally they go at it. She tags Enzo back in, who gets beat down again and gets a hot tag to Cass… He wipes them out, hitting a nasty big boot on one of them. Enzo and Cass both do the “Dusty Rhodes” Bionic Elbow after a little shuffling-punches. Another Dusty chant… Match ends with their finisher; Cass throwing Enzo ontop of future Jobber B. “How you doin’” chant to wrap it up!

    Baron Corbin is out next to a chorus of boo’s. Seriously… No one in this crowd likes him. Barcon has a real skinny-fat appearance in real life, he’s not nearly as big as the camera tends to make him seem like… Disappointing. Usual, long ass, slow entrance followed by another big pop for Rhyno! They go back and forth in the ring for a good while.  Pretty boring match over all, I really hope Baron gets better. Rhyno hits the usual corner shoulder blocks after getting a reversal in. He bounces off the ropes and is met with what looked like a variation of a blackhole slam?  Rhyno ends up on the ground, trying to get up and getting hit by Baron’s “running punch” while he’s on his knees, it connects twice and then Rhyno gets up and predictibly hits a spine buster. He goes for the spear, is tossed into the ring post, and then gets hit by the End of Days for the ending. At least it wasn’t twenty seconds… Either way, Baron gets up and goes after Rhyno, only to get shoved back and gored for a huge reaction from the fans! I will note that at one point, Baron did a strong irish whip to Rhyno that quite literally moved the entire ring closer to the stage… Rhyno hit that turnbuckle freakishly hard.

    Next out is Jason Jordan… Everyone is chanting “Who are you?!” or “Shelton Benjamin” at him the entire entrance, he’s visibly annoyed. Bull comes out next and the crowd loves him, despite chanting Doritos… Didn’t see last night’s episode, but read a little about it… His logo on the back of his pants look like a dorito’s logo though. They lock up in the middle, and Bull knocks him down. Jordan rolls out of the ring and starts running, very heel-esque… Bull tries to run after him and while Jordan is doing what one would call a “Brisk jog,” Bull can’t keep up and after almost a full lap around, he’s out of breath. Referee checks on him. They end up back in the ring and fight back and forth, eventually Bull throws Jordan off the ropes and then bounces off the opposite side and they keep barely missing each other about three times before Bull runs out of gas again… Jordan keeps running, then finally stops and points at Bull before running at him and being tossed out of the ring. Jordan’s mat based wrestling wears Bull down for a good most of the match. Bull looks like he’s going to get the win at one point, climbing to the top rope only to get knocked down and finished with what looked like a… Pump-handle over head suplex? Not sure what to call it, but it’s extremely similiar to the Angle Slam, but with the pump-handle hold. Either way, everyone boo’s him out of the arena.

    Charlotte is out next to a decent pop, she looks much better in real life than she does on TV. Next come out…both Dana Brooke and Emma. Emma is out second and everyone is doing her old “dance”, to which Dana leans over the ropes and screams at us “She doesn’t do that anymore!” They both get in the ring   to talk smack and get in Charlotte’s face, saying that her tag team partner is a no show. A “walmart” chant starts up, directed at Emma…   Eventually, Ba(e)yley comes out and everyone goes crazy for her. Hugs all around ring side before she gets in the ring and everyone goes at it at the same time. Not an extremely long match, but it was good for what it was worth. Bayley with the Bionic elbows half way through this match. Dana Brookes tries to tag out each time Charlotte gets in the ring and Bayley and Emma keep getting at it, adding fuel to both of these feuds pretty well. Eventually, the ending spot showed Charlotte and Bayley both locking in the figure four on either enemy and Charlotte putting a little bit of ‘Flair’ on her’s to cause the tap out. Hugs all around, followed by Bayley talking to some kid that was sitting on one side of the entrance stage… she walked around and up the stage to hug her and give her her tassels and headbang. Cute. 

    Break time. ‘Bout ten-twenty minutes of sitting there. I took the time to buy merch… 

    After the break, Zack Ryder came out followed by Mojo. The Vaudevillians followed to come out to pretty much the exact match we saw last night on NXT… Best and most noted spots were a double atomic drop to Aiden, one Manhattan and one Atomic… then one to his partner, who bounced off of the manhattan drop and into his partner.  The top rope Rough-Ryder and Spine buster combination was pretty snazzy in real life though. But Zack proved why he’ll never be much by making a huge mistake… Mojo, who was acting silly the entire match, went for the pin… and then Zack Ryder threw him off and tried to take the pin before realizing that Mojo WAS the legal man. So he pulled him back over them…  It was confusing, and not very entertaining. 

    Next was the NXT Women’s championship match with Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks. Everyone eats up both of their entrances, but Sasha definitely is the fan favorite here, despite her persona. Good, back and forth match with several repeated spots from their previous match, but all approved upon. Sasha hits the double knees in the corner early in the match, and it was even more gnarly in real life than it looks on television. “Sasha’s rachet” chants feud back and forth like usual, followed by people humming Becky’s theme song…  Becky does the Dusty Elbows at one point, and is then reversed and put in the corner for a second attempt at the double knees… She reverses, tosses Sasha down and climbs up to hit a huge dropkick off the top rope.  Two count. Plenty more back and forth, technical wrestling everywhere. Sasha is tossed across the ring by that huge pump-handle over head suplex that Becky always does. Reversals out of pins lead into Becky rolling into a armbar and Sasha barely reaching the ropes with her foot. Eventually, Sasha gets a reversal and hits the straight-jacket backstabber into the bankroll for the win. 

    The main event is announced and we’re greeted by Prince Pretty himself, who’s entrance, despite being down a multi-ramp trail doesn’t fail to impress. Followed up by the typical laying int he corner until the next person hits the ring… Samoa Joe comes out and the crowd loses it, everyone is on their feet and yelling “Joe, Joe, Joe!” Tyler Breeze backs away from him every time he comes out… Everyone thought that was it until the next song hits, the lights go out and Finn Balor hits the stage. I was awe-struck, as was the dude beside me who was losing his mind. (And in the same Balor t shirt…)  He comes down the ring and leans against the ropes by Joe before crawling back as Joe gets closer. Everyone in the crowd is doing his taunt with the music, and it’s… magnificent. He does the “Wolfpac” taunt to everyone in the crowd that does it to him. “Finn” chants everywhere, and the music dies down as Finn gets in the ring and everyone is clapping away.  Mark out moment of the night, I’m cheering for Finn and holding up the wolfpac and he points at me.  Finally… the NXT World Champion is announced, and this match is declared for his title, Kevin Owens comes out and everyone is losing their mind. Including me… I never thought I’d get to see three wrestler, especially not in the same building. And Tyler Breeze is very good himself, credit where credit is due! They all face off in the ring until the bell rings and Owens climbs out of the ring and runs over to Tyler’s corner, pounds on the apron and tells him “You got this, buddy!” Owens stays outside while the two team up on Tyler, Finn follows Tyler out and fights him on the opposite side of the ring from me. Owens cheap shots Joe, then runs outside and is followed out of the ring and into the barricade corner infront of me. They trade punches back and forth for what seemed like minutes, and everyone is chanting for someone else. Joe finally gets him into the corner and does the repeated punches out there to him until they work back into the ring. Joe and Balor get knocked down and Breeze and Kevin look at each other and then turn and beat them down some more. Owens is instructing Breeze what to do, and they toss Joe off the ropes and drop him. They move on to Balor and Kevin yells out “Double clothesline! It always works” and they lay him out. He keeps instructing him and they’re helping each other out, until Breeze and Owens turn around and Breeze goes for a high-five… They drag the two to the middle of the ring and Owens yells “Suplex him!” And he grabs Finn and lifts him up, Tyler is just staring at him shaking his head… Then he tries and fails, he can’t get Joe up. Kevin suplexes Balor then realizes what’s going on and runs over to kick Joe and they double suplex, they get back up and Kevin is trying to figure out why Tyler couldn’t lift Joe up… Owen pretends he’s going to and then turns and walks away to stomp on Joe some more.  Eventually they turn on each other and the match breaks down again with Joe and Owens fighting each other in one corner and Balor and Breeze in the opposite. Joe reverses Owens and hits that back enziguri out of the corner he likes to do. Joe ends up catching Tyler in the Coquina clutch and choking him, Finn Balor climbs to the top rope and double stomps them both. Breeze gets up and hits the super model kick on both of them, and goes for the pin on both of them back and forth while Owens is recovering and circling outside.  Finn Balor gets up and reversed Breeze to throw him into the corner and knock him down. Owens comes in and gets beat back in front of a seated Breeze in the corner… Balor does the running drop kick to Owens into Breeze and then climbs to the top rope to try for the Double Stomp. Joe catches him, knocks him down and lifts him up to run across the ring for a Muscle Buster. Joe gets up and is instantly met by a Beauty Mark. As soon as Breeze turns around, Owens is waiting and he runs right into a pop-up power-bomb for the end of the match. It was an amazing sequence. I was a little awe-struck. “Fight Owens Fight” chants run through the arena as Owens leaves up the ramp, and yelling a “Thank you” back to the crowd… Joe and Balor get up and roll back into the ring to go face to face, pushing each other… before they both throw up the “Wolfpac” and hug it out to end the show. Joe leaves first, then Balor’s music hits and everyone cheers Finn his entire way up the ramp, ending with a bow to the crowd! 

    All and all, I loved this show. It might’ve been the best thing I’ve spent money on to date. I wish I was front seat instead of row 2, but… I had a blast and I couldn’t be happier with my night. The only things I was disappointed in were; Jason Jordan being in the arena… And Hideo and Sami both being injured, as I’m a huge fan of both of them. The announcers came back on the microphone after the show ended and announced that they WILL be back soon. I -will- be there. 🙂

    by Matt Carlina

    Hi Dave,

    Show was at Stage AE, a concert venue that sits between Heinz Fiekd and PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Sold-out obviously. Seating capacity is approx. 2,000. Crowd was great, got stronger as the night went on. Final 2 matches were far and away the best, I’d call it a tie for match of the night.

    Regal started the show. Crowd tried to chant “Regal” but he shushed us. He made some VERY brief remarks. Maybe a sentence or 2, and he seemed to choke up as he asked for 10-bell salute to Dusty. Crowd was SILENT for this.

    Enzo/Cass/Carmella v Blake/Murphy/Bliss
    Enzo promo played off Dusty’s “Hard Times” promo before the match. Enzo/Cass/Carmella got the win.

    Bull Dempsey v Jason Jordan
    Bull’s “out of shape” gimmick in full effect. They actually did a criss-cross with Bull getting winded from it. Jordan won.

    Rhyno v Baron Corbin
    No love from fans for Corbin, and he was going along with it. Corbin won. 

    Emma/Dana Brooke v Charlotte/Bayley
    Charlotte entered, then Dana and Emma, who got on mic and implied they’d taken out Bayley backstage. Bayley came out, and the match was on. Bayley’s right hand was heavily wrapped, perhaps a cast. She was very careful with it. Charlotte/Bayley got win with stereo figure 4s.

    Intermission

    Mojo Rawley/Zack Ryder v Vaudevillains
    Crowd loved Ryder, HATED Mojo. Unlike Corbin, Mojo wasn’t really looking for it. Crowd really heated up here. There were cocaine and drug-related chants directed at Mojo. I saw Greg Hamilton and the lone WWE cameraman cracking up at ringside. Mojo was entertaining, but crowd just loved to boo him.

    Sasha Banks v Becky Lynch for women’s championship 
    Started slow and built up great. Crowd was wild by the end. Becky got her arm submission on Sasha, and crowd was buying it. Sasha got to ropes and got her own submission shortly after. They shook hands after the match, and both girls got nice ovations.

    Kevin Owens v Tyler Breeze v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
    Big ovations for each entrance, but Owens’ was HUGE. I think a lot of people weren’t expecting him. KO and Breeze teamed up in very entertaining fashion early. Crowd was CRAZY for this match, on its feet for almost all of it. I was second row, and could barely make out some chants because they were coming from everywhere. At one point crowd sang “Fight Owens Fight” to Cena’s entrance music. That was fun. Everyone hit their finisher at the end, with KO hitting the Pop-up powerbomb on Breeze to win it. Afterward, Balor and Joe teased dissension but did the “2 sweet” instead.

    One more note, there had to be at least half a dozen Bionic Elbows during the night. Crowd responded with “Dusty” chants. KO had polka dots drawn on his shirt. Enzo had “hard times” written on his wrist tape. Reminders of Dusty were frequent, but didn’t overwhelm the show. Felt like a nice balance to me. 

    Submitted By James Peklicz

    Sold out crowd tonight in Pittsburgh. Crowd was extremely vocal all night, especially over the final 2 matches. Night started with William Regal coming out to massive “Regal” chants, which he quickly tried to downplay, as he announced the passing of Dusty Rhodes, with a graphic on video board and a 10-bell salute. “Thank you Dusty” chant. There were probably 5 or 6 different talents who used bionic elbows tonight as well.

    – Big Cass, Enzo Amore & Carmella defeated Tag Team Champions Blake, Murphy & Alexa Bliss via pinfall

    – Jason Jordan defeated Bull Dempsey via pinfall

    – Charlotte and Bayley defeated Emma and Dana Breeze via submission after dual Figure-Four Leglocks

    – Baron Corbin defeated Rhyno via pinfall

    – Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley defeated The Vaudevillains via pinfall

    – Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defeated Becky Lynch via Submission to retain the title. Absolutely stellar match.

    – NXT Champion Kevin Owens defeated Tyler Breeze, Samoa Joe and Finn Balor in a Fatal Four-Way Match to retain the title after Owens pinned Breeze. Another fantastic match.