Category: News

By Dave Meltzer
dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We’re looking for your thoughts on yesterday’s New Japan Best of the Super Junior finals from Tokyo, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We’re looking for live reports on Raw from New Orleans tonight.  It’s the go-home show for Money in the Bank.  If it seems fast for that, it’s because it is.  We’re looking for dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident from the live show. 

We’re also looking for reports on these shows:

WWE Saturday night in Baton Rouge

WWE Sunday in Lake Charles, LA (John Cena, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Ryback, King Barrett)

New Japan World has another show that will be up Wednesday (not live as the show is on Tuesday from Korakuen Hall), but it’s unique because it’s the Suzuki-gun show, which means it’s more a NOAH show, although a lot of New Japan stars are on it:

Genba Hirayanagi & Hitoshi Kumano vs. Jack Gamble & Jon Webb

Zack Sabre Jr. & Gedo vs. Captain New Japan & Captain NOAH

Jushin Liger & Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Taichi & Desperado

Takashi Sugiura & Daisuke Harada vs. Shelton Benjamin & Taka Michinoku

Naomichi Marufuji vs. Yuji Nagata

Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan for NWA tag tiles

Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka vs. Maybach Taniguchi & Yoshihiro Takayama

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Lafayette, LA.

In a busy news week, we’ve full coverage of all of UFC’s changes when it comes to drug testing, as well as other things the company is doing for fighters, looking at the pluses, the minuses, and the loopholes in the new system of drug testing.  We also look at Brock Lesnar vs. Steve Austin, Samoa Joe in WWE and how it’s changed, Destination America and wrestling, we’ve got a look at Money in the Bank, Elimination Chamber, the death of Tommy Rogers, UFC in Brazil, Dwayne Johnson’s latest projects and the retirement of Masashi Aoyagi.

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter:  June 8, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Tommy Rogers bio, Austin-Lesnar notes, WWE signs Samoa Joe full-time, more

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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 looks at the UFC’s new drug testing program, the keys to the program, questions that still need to be answered, loopholes, how often fighters will be tested, ability to beat the system and more.

We look at Brock Lesnar vs. Steve Austin, Austin’s promo on the WWE Network, Austin vs Lesnar history, and the value of next year’s WrestleMania on PPV and the Network.

We look at the new deal Samoa Joe is talking with WWE about, how the deal has changed, Joe’s future on the indies, Joe’s ROH future, what led to the change, as well as an update on the Tyson Kidd injury situation in the match with Joe.

We also preview and update Destination America and wrestling, as well as the competition on Wednesday nights.  We update Destination America on TNA and ROH, comparisons, how TNA hurt itself if it needs to shop for a new outlet by his actions this past two weeks, DA promotion of the two shows and why ROH on DA is only good for TNA.

We’ve got full coverage of the Elimination Chamber show, as well as a look at Money in the Bank, burning out programs, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

We have a look at the life of Tommy Rogers, looking at the highlights of his career, how he achieved stardom, the last years of his life, how he got into wrestling, how The Fantastics were formed, the feuds with the Midnight Express and The Sheepherders, the first Clash of Champions, the first Crockett Cup, and time in Japan.

We also look at Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE, the 7/4 show in Tokyo, Sami Zayn injury update, Rusev injury update, Kevin Owens new changes, Lots of Dwayne Johnson career notes, why WWE won’t tape TV in Kentucky, Lots of WWE acting notes, WWE hiring, NXT updates, Stephanie McMahon looking at selling more stock, Finn Balor talks career, lots of notes about people at the training camp, Nelson Frazier lawsuit and annual income for Mabel and Viscera.

We also note Kevin Owens talking his career, Ric Flair talk show,who Flair wants to manage, WWE stock updates, notes on all the WWE and NXT house shows plus business notes from the past week.

We also look at how the Brazilian economy affects UFC in different ways, how it is similar to situations with pro wrestling in the past, as well as a look at Saturday’s show with match-by-match coverage and business notes.

We also look at the pro wrestling career of Masashi Aoyagi, and how he got into wrestling, what promotion he kicked off and how that changed the wrestling business and more.

We also have our monthly WWE & TNA business breakdowns.

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:

–Update on this year’s Busca de un Idolo tournament

–Latest big matches from Arena Mexico

–Former star from more than 20 years ago returns to Arena Mexico for the first time in decades

–More on the AAA World Cup show

–Notes from the last two sets of AAA TV tapings

–Wrestle-1 world tour notes

–Road to Keiji Muto tournament

–Dragon Gate King of Gate tournament

–Next big Dragon Gate matches

–Cryptic tweet by an American who wrestles in Japan

–An interesting what if regarding New Japan bookings

–Politics of wrestling regarding New Japan

–What New Japan may have to change

–Notes on the Super Juniors tournament and all the results

–Benefit show for cancer-striken star

–Genichiro Tenryu’s final match in Osaka

–Update on GFW

–Mid Atlantic wrestling reunion

–Update on Terry Funk

–Update on Lucha Underground and Alberto Del Rio

–More on NESN deal

–What wrestling star has a 3.83 GPA in collage right now

–ROH notes from the weekend shows

–Really weird stuff in TNA

–Contract singing announcements

–Notes from a second TNA conference call with talent

–What happened with Tyrus and GFW

–GFW reaction

–TNA 2015 Hall of Fame plan that fell through

–Notes on TNA arena events

–Update on legislation to get UFC in Madison Square Garden

–Looking at Sara McMann’s complaints about he Reebok deal

–The business and income of Ronda Rousey

–UFC boosts minimum

–UFC lawsuit update

–Upcoming UFC title matches

–What happened with the Leslie Smith street fight on Saturday night

–UFC makes a number of cuts

–Update on T.J. Grant

–Update on Rashad Evans

–Lots of new UFC fights

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.

MONDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

• Bryan and I will be back tonight after Raw, talking WWE, the next UFC show, New Japan Super Juniors final as well as taking e-mail questions to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
• It is official that Samoa Joe’s 6/20 match in New York will be his last ROH appearance for now.  The hope was for him to be able to do more matches, but for obvious reasons, that’s now out of the question.
• John Cena may have suffered a broken nose yesterday in a house show match with King Barrett in Lake Charles, LA.  Cena’s nose was all bloody after delivering the attitude adjustment on Barrett for the finish.  He grabbed the mic after the match and said he thought he may have broken his nose. 
• The Daniel Puder season of Tough Enough will start airing on Wednesday on the WWE Network.  That was an interesting season as it included Ryback, The Miz, and the guy Stephanie McMahon thought was going to be the biggest star in the company, Daniel Rodimar, at the time a huge Dave Draper look alike who ended up quitting because he was earning more money in real estate than in wrestling. 
• There is a kick starter fund raiser to do a documentary on Chyna, with the idea it follows her leaving Japan to return to Los Angeles and discover old friends, hang with celebrities and start a new life.  As it last word, they had $185 raised out of $10,000 the first day.  One would think the worst thing for her would be to go back to hanging with celebrities in Los Angeles.
• TNA has four title matches with its Destination X show on Destination America on Wednesday.  Kurt Angle defends in separate matches against Rockstar Spud and Austin Aries, while Taryn Terrell defends against Awesome Kong, and there is an Ultimate X match for the X title that Spud vacated when going for the world title.
• ROH has a show already covered here on the sight with Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jushin Liger, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows from New Japan appearing.
• WWE sent out a press release today stating they have a half billion social media followers.  They also said that John Cena is the most followed American athlete on Facebook with 36 million likes. 
• Whether anything comes of this on the show tonight, or on the web site, they did tape a segment of Dean Ambrose partying in New Orleans while holding the title belt.
• Big day for WWE stock, up 68 cents per share to $15.56, its highest point in several weeks..
• Next New Japan PPV show is 7/5 from Osaka Jo Hall in the company’s biggest show since January:
  Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Yohei Komatsu vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada & Sho Tanaka
  Young Bucks defend IWGP jr. tag titles against Rocky Romero & Barreta and Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish
  Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale
  Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
  Kenny Omega vs. Kushida for IWGP jr. title
  Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii for Never Open weight title
  Matt Taven & Michael Bennett vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows for IWGP tag titles
  Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Toru Yano
  Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for IC title
  A.J. Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada for IWGP heavyweight title        
• Ronda Rousey was not given a nomination in the Kids Choice sports awards from Nickelodeon for best female athlete.  She was nominated for Sickest moves, Queen of Swag and Biggest Powerhouse.  No other MMA fighters or pro wrestlers got nominations.
• Today is the 25th anniversary of the Mitsuharu Misawa win over Jumbo Tsuruta at Budokan Hall which led to the period that All Japan Pro Wrestling did more than 200 consecutive sellout shows in Tokyo.  Not a typo.  I think with the benefit of hindsight, it would have been the most important pro wrestling match I ever saw live.
• Expect the promotion for Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock to ramp up starting tomorrow with a conference call.
• Ric Flair has been added to the 8/1 Dutchess Stadium show in Wappingers Falls, NY put on by Northeast Wrestling.  Flair will be doing autograph signings and meet and greet on a show that incudes Rey Mysterio Jr., Alberto El Patron, Samoa Joe, Jerry Lawler, Mickie James, Luke Williams, Lanny Poffo, Larry Zbyszko, Matt Taven, Michael Bennett, Maria Kanellis, Donovan Dijak, Hanson and The Young Bucks.
• Daniel Puder & Major Mark vs. Jessy Sorenson & Alex Chamberlain headlines a 6/21 My Life My Power entertainment show in Pasadena, TX/
• An injury to Goiti Yamauchi pulls him  out of a fight on the 6/26 Bellator show in Mulvane, KS against Pat Curran.  Curran will now face Emmanuel Sanchez, whose nickname is El Matador.  The match will air on Spike.
• Some of the biggest names in the history of Florida wrestling will be at an event on Thursday night at the former Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, the former home of Tampa wrestling.  The place is now the Jewish Community Center.  Tickets are $60 and $38 for a fund raiser that will raise money for a wall that will preserve the history of wrestling in Florida.  Appearing include Terry Funk, Buddy Colt, Danny Miller, Bugsy McGraw, Kevin Sullivan, Brian Blair, Steve Keirn, Jerry Brisco, Rocky Johnson, Hector Guerrero, Tiger Conway Jr., Fred Ottman, Dean Malenko, Joe Malenko, Ron Fuller, Greg Valentine, JJ Dillon, Ron Bass, Ric Flair, Lanny Poffo, Chris Jericho, Bray Wyatt, Ricky Steamboat, Luke Williams, Roman Reigns, Jimmy Hart, Bo Dallas, Kofi Kingston, Ricky Hunter, Norman Smiley, Fidel Sierra, Kendall Windham, Jerry Sags, Leilaini Kai, Brutus Beefcake, Sherri Lee, Stu Schwartz, Dotty Curtis (wife of Don Curtis), Jonard Solie (son of Gordon Solie), Bob Cook, Nicole Alonso (daughter of Mike Graham, granddaughter of Eddie Graham), Diane Gossett (wife of Mike Graham), Joel Deaton, Bill Alfonso, Scott McGhee and Al Perez.
• J.J. Dillon promoting the event in a Miami Herald article
• Hoosier Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Columbus, IN before 154 fans:  AJ Hawkins b Dash Venture, Mark Houston b Body Guy & Dillen Dynamite, Shiloh Jonze b Shawn Cook, Eddie Felson b Bobby Black, TVZ b The Intangibles, Stompin Steve b Mitch Johnson, Flash Flanagan b Rob Ramer to win the HPW title.  Next show is 6/27 with a show at the JD Byrider parking lot to fill the local food shelves drive.  Admission is six cans of good and bring your own lawn chairs. (thanks to Jerry Wilson)
• A Smash Wrestling women’s show on Saturday in Toronto:  Jewels Malone b Kaitlyn Diemond, Cherry Bomb b Miss Danyah, Courtney Rush b Xandra Bale, Vanessa Kraven b Jennifer Blake, Portia Perez won three-way over Veda Scott and Angie Sky, Candice LaRae b Allysin Kay (thanks to Steven Ashe)
• Premier Wrestling from yesterday in Gilroy, CA:  Dom Vitalli (1-2) b Will Cuevas (1-2), Joe Graves (2-0-1) b Buddy Royal (2-4), Gabriel Gallo (3-0) b Sledge (4-5), Timothy Thatcher (3-2-1) b Marcus Lewis (4-4), Jeff Cobb (6-2-1`) b Kaimana (1-3), JR Kratos (8-2) retained the heavyweight title over Dylan Drake (4-4). 
• CMLL from Saturday night in Mexico City at Arena Coliseo:  Robin b Rebelde, Ultimo Dragoncito b Pequeno Violencia, Cancerbero b Soberano, Raziel b Oro Jr., Estrellita & Marcela b Dallys & Tiffany-DQ, Atlantis & Maximo & Mistico b Felino & Luciferno & Vangellys
• The only thing of note trending on Twitter was UFC 188 with 2,374 tweets today.  Obviously there will be more tomorrow.
• WXW True Colors 2015 takes place Friday night in Munich, Germany with Tommy End vs. Ricochet and Colt Cabana vs. Kim Ray.  They also run Saturday night in Fulda, Germany with Tommy End vs. Karsten Beck and a 30 man Rumble.  They will have a world tag team tournament from 10/2 to 10/4 (thanks to Markus Gronemann
• A.J. Styles is booked for WXW on 8/29.
• Jersey Championship Wrestling on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. at Six Flags in Jackson, NJ featuring Mick Foley, Sandman,Ricky Steamboat, Jake Roberts, Sean Waltman, Jim Duggan and Scott Hall. 
• Acclaim Pro Wrestling on 7/4 in Ottawa, ONT at Dom Polski-SPK
• Woodland Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Woodland, WA:  Patrick Large b CJ Edwards, Hot Hands Mendoza b Dave Turner, Avarice & Mary Jane Payne b Christopher Ryseck & Anni Raeth, Jorel Nelson b Hanzo Takahashi, Malia Hosaka b Mary Jane Payne, Exile b Kellan Raeth-DQ (thanks to Charles Short)
•  NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on Friday night in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with Jason Kincaid vs. Vince Brent vs. Sabu for the Southeastern title.  Rob Conway, Ricky Morton and Chase Owens are also on the show.
• The Fusion Network, a new network owned by Univision an ABC has a new show on-line called Outpost, and this is a look at wrestling in Bolivia where a 44-year-old woman is the top face
• An interview with Big Show
• Another interview with Big Show

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

1976 – Maki Ueda beat Jumbo Miyamoto to win the WWWA title.  Ueda, who was 15 at the time, is probably the youngest world champion of a major promotion that I can recall, and was also one of the most popular woman wrestlers of all-time in her very short career, as well as a rock star at the time.

1979 – Cachorro Mendoza beat Sangre Chicana in Mexico City to win the vacant Mexican national middleweight title

1984 – Fit Finlay beat Marty Jones in Carlisle to win the world mid heavyweight title

1985 – Dynamite Kid beat Mighty Inoue in Takamatsu to win the NWA Int. jr. title

1990 – Stan Hansen beat Terry Gordy at Budokan Hall to win the Triple Crown

1999 – Kendo Ka Shin beat Koji Kanemoto in Tokyo to win the Best of the Super Juniors tournament

2001 – Masahito Kakihara & Mitsuya Nagai beat Yuji Nagata & Togi Makabe in Tokyo to win the vacant All-Asia tag titles

2003 – Keiji Muto & Arashi beat Satoshi Kojima & Jimmy Yang in a tournament final to win the vacant All Japan world tag title

TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE

12:06 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

1:06 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Nikki is devastated when she discovers John’s kept a secret from her. Rosa’s unaware she’s competing in her pursuits of an NFL player.

2:06 AM 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.

2:36 AM ET
FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Ultimate Warrior: Always Believe!

3:06 AM ET
WCW STARRCADE 1994 Hulk Hogan defends the WCW World Title against The Butcher. Sting battles Avalanche. The Nasty Boys face Harlem Heat. Jim Duggan vs. Vader.

6:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

7:00 AM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

8:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Nikki is devastated when she discovers John’s kept a secret from her. Rosa’s unaware she’s competing in her pursuits of an NFL player.

9:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

10:00 AM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

11:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Nikki is devastated when she discovers John’s kept a secret from her. Rosa’s unaware she’s competing in her pursuits of an NFL player.

12:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

1:00 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.

2:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

3:00 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!

4:00 PM ET
FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

4:30 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.

5:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR The strategies that helped Eric Bischoff build WCW would hasten the decline of both he and his company.

6:00 PM ET
FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

6:30 PM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Rey Mysterio: Life of a Masked Man features exclusive and candid comments from the Ultimate Underdog on his sports entertainment path!

8:00 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!

9:00 PM ET
FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

9:30 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.

10:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR The strategies that helped Eric Bischoff build WCW would hasten the decline of both he and his company.

11:00 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!

One of the most successful coaches in MMA, Mike Winkeljohn came on Submission Radio to discuss his students Jon Jones, Andrei Arlovski, Alistair Overeem, Carlos Condit and Holly Holm.

Most notably when it comes to Jon Jones Coach Wink isn’t sure the former UFC champion will fight again “I’m looking forward to Jon turning his life around and becoming a better person. If he fights again or not, I’m not sure”

According to Wink Jon Jones is working hard on helping his team while dealing with his current situation “He was in the gym helping Andrei Arlovski for his fight, he’s in the gym helping others right now. So he’s gone back to help others, stop doing those things that get you in trouble and go forward.” The relationship between a fighter and a trainer is an important one so when Coach Wink was asked about if he’s had a chance to talk with Jon  and how it went he told Submission Radio “Oh yeah. Yeah, very good. He knows what we expect out of him, and you know right now it’s…I expect him just to continue doing what he’s doing and that’s take care of himself, do the right thing, take care of his family, and he is. I’m real happy on what he’s being doing so far.”

When asked about star pupil Holly Holm and how many fights he’d like her to have before taking on Ronda Rousey Coach Wink was clear 2 more fights is what he’d like to see “I’d like 2 fights. I really would. Just because the injury situation put us behind a little bit and in the last fight with Raquel, it was the first time she’d been hitting things really, really, really hard since her injury, and you’re still worried about it. No matter what people think, you always worry about the injuries, how you can perform. So that and getting rid of the jitters and starting to let loose. I gotta get her a bit more comfortable before she goes in there and fights Ronda, because Ronda’s scary. And Ronda’s going to come at Holly, and we don’t need the Octagon jitters and the nerves to be part of our worry in that game plan.”


And according to Wink him and Holly already have the game plan for Rousey even thought it’s still a few fights away “We already have a plan on what we would do to Ronda. You know we’re working on it all the time.”


Coach Wink was also asked about how he plans on handling Andrei Arlovski and Alistair Overeem if a fight is announced between the tip UFC heavyweights “If you have to fight each other at the top, what a terrible, good problem to have. You know? Now you can make a lot of money. ‘Cause you gotta fight somebody at the top. And it just sucks that it’s your friend, your training partner, but you wouldn’t have been there without you each helping the other out. So it’s better to be there, even if you have to fight the guy, than not to be there at all.”


Finally after the return of Carlos Condit ‘s dominant return to the octagon Coach Wink told us how he thinks he would do against current Welterweight champion Robbie Lawler “Carlos has the foot work on him, Carlos has the length on him, I think Carlos has the speed on him. I think Robbie is another Thiago Alves; as tough as they come.”


Listen to the full interview here: http://bit.ly/1Kkhf71(Starts at 2 minutes 51 seconds)


Transcript

Reaction to Jon Jones Hit and Run

“Well, disappointment. But Jon is gonna make the best of it. He’s doing all the right things. He was in the gym helping Andrei Arlovski for his fight, he’s in the gym helping others right now. So he’s gone back to help others, stop doing those things that get you in trouble and go forward. And so I’m looking forward to Jon turning his life around and becoming a better person. If he fights again or not, I’m not sure, but that’s not important. What’s real important right now is Jon getting help for himself and his family.”

On if Jackson/Winkeljohn’s have had a good chat with Jones and know where each party stands?

“Oh yeah. Yeah, very good. He knows what we expect out of him, and you know right now it’s…I expect him just to continue doing what he’s doing and that’s take care of himself, do the right thing, take care of his family, and he is. I’m real happy on what he’s being doing so far.”

On if there’s any possibility that Jon Jones wouldn’t fight again

“Oh yeah. You know what, because to us the most important thing is Jon Jones. Everybody seems to forget other things, but at the end of the day it’s about Jon Jones becoming the best person he can. The fighting is secondary. And we lose sight of it. A lot of people lose sight of that and stuff. So there’s a possibility that he might not fight, there’s a possibility he might fight. I know right now he’s staying busy helping others in the gym and that’s very important.”

Coach Wink’s thoughts on people calling Daniel Cormier a paper champion because he never beat Jon Jones

“You know what, he’s got the belt. That’s it. Jon was the champ, he’s no longer the champ. Daniel Cormier got the belt. And I saw his fight with Rumble, he deserves to be champion. He took a heck of a shot. They don’t come any tougher than that. Coming back, staying composed enough to slip under that punch and take him down and go into his world. He deserves to be champion. You know what, Daniel Cormier has been nothing but respectful and courteous when I’ve talked to him, as has been Rumble [Anthony Johnson]. These guys are great and there’s no reason to take any of that away from him. He’s the champ right now. He’s the UFC champ and I wish him all the luck.”

On Holly Holm and how many more fights Wink would like Holly to fight before fighting Ronda Rousey

“I’d like 2 fights. I really would. Just because the injury situation put us behind a little bit and in the last fight with Raquel, it was the first time she’d been hitting things really, really, really hard since her injury, and you’re still worried about it. No matter what people think, you always worry about the injuries, how you can perform. So that and getting rid of the jitters and starting to let loose. I gotta get her a bit more comfortable before she goes in there and fights Ronda, because Ronda’s scary. And Ronda’s going to come at Holly, and we don’t need the Octagon jitters and the nerves to be part of our worry in that game plan.”

“So we already have a plan on what we would do to Ronda. You know we’re working on it all the time. But Ronda’s at tough nut. She’s the best in the world at what she does, and we’re going to come forward and Holly’s gonna get her. That’s our goal. But I’d like to see a couple of fights first.”

On what Coach Wink makes of the whole Cyborg Rousey situation

“Well you know it’s…that’s a little WWE-ish. But I think Cyborg has a lot going for her, in that she can throw down, she hits very, very, very hard. But with that being said, she also has the foot work of someone who just plods and throws very hard. I think Ronda will be able to slip underneath the punches and get to her quite easily. I don’t think that’s the way to beat Ronda Rousey if you have one shot at it and then it’s over. But my money would go on Ronda for that fight If she [Cyborg] does make weight because I think she’d be weaker than she’d ever had been before due to the weight cut. Last time I saw her she looked very big, but I’d like to see it. She’s very skilled and I’d like to see how Ronda responds to maybe getting hit hard.”

On if Condit not using as much footwork and standing in the pocket with Thiago was the game plan for the fight

“Well you know, what we weren’t supposed to do is what happened in the first round. Of course a lot of that has to do with ring rust. Carlos would hit him with a couple of shots and then stand right in front of him; not a lot of footwork but kind of talking to himself about “uh oh, here I am again”. But honestly, Carlos sat down, he looked at me after the first round and says “Coach, I know”. And he knew what he had to do, what we had worked on. And I reiterated it a couple of times, and a lot of that had to do with that rising elbow. ‘Cause the way Thiago [Alves] always covers when you throw your right hand at him, he always leaves that door way open. And Carlos just jumped on it right away and we were successful. I was real happy.”

On Elbows in MMA and how they’re being utilized a lot more now

“Oh yeah, and it’s nice because I’ve been trying to get guys to do it for years. And you know, Jon Jones is so successful at it, Carlos [Condit] might be better now.”

“There’s no padding there and they have that tendency to find those holes, and if you throw them at the proper angles and you understand what’s going on, it’s very hard to defend. Boxers have no defence because basically the elbow can either find the hole and or can pull the actual defence, the actual frame out of the way. It’s just a neat thing, it’s finding it’s home, and I think that and forearms are gonna become the next big weapon in MMA.”

If hypothetically Carlos Condit fought Robbie Lawler next, if Coach Wink sees Carlos beating him and how the fight would play out

“Oh yeah, I would love that fight. There’s no doubt about it. I think Robbie Lawler is great, he’s been around a long time, and we fought him before in the past with Joey Villaseñor, but Carlos has the foot work on him, Carlos has the length on him, I think Carlos has the speed on him. I think Robbie is another Thiago Alves; as tough as they come. I mean he would just throw down with anybody. But I think the technique is there for Carlos. I think he’s matured, I think he’d be coming in with his knees bent, he’s avoiding the takedown. Even with Johny Hendricks I think we were on, and it’s time for a title shot. It really is.”

On if it was awkward having to coach current student Andrei Arlovski against former student and friend Travis Browne

“You know what, Travis actually brought a lot to the gym. He’s very athletic and very mobile, and at that long range, using his kicks, I was very worried about him fighting Andrei. But he went to a boxing gym coach, and so I figured they were going to try to make him box, which worked out well for us because once we put him on his heels, it became all Andrei.”

What he thought about Travis’ style in the fight and if it’s changed in general

“Well it seems like it. Again, he was very successful against Brendan Schuab though. Holy crap, you know he had a great counter there. So there’s no doubt he’s gotten better at what he does, that he’s more confident at that range, but honestly it can be mitigated and defeated if you know what the guy is going to do. You know? It’s the person that has more options, more tools in his tool box that they’re willing to use, I think is the guy that’s successful in MMA now.”

What exactly happened to Andrei before the fight that almost caused the fight to be called off?

“Well in Andrei’s mind it’s never close to being called off. It was the doctors that went to call it off. Honestly, he kind off tore his calf a little bit, in that he did a warm up a couple days before weigh-in and he kind of cooled down and then got back up to do a little more, and just moved quickly. It was just a stupid little thing, and all of a sudden he couldn’t put his foot down. And the doctors came in and had to look at it, and they said it was ripped up pretty bad. And it was one of those things where they went to put some ice on it and make it feel better and see how it was the next day, but I do know there were a lot of people concerned the day of the fight; even higher up in the UFC that were worried the fight wasn’t gonna happen. And Andrei just looked at them and said “I’m fighting” and that was kind of it. Andrei’s that guy, he’s as stoic as they come and he’s game.”

On if the door would still be open for Travis to return to Jackson/Winkeljohns

“Oh yeah. Yeah, I mean I think so. You know one of the good things about Travis is he was always willing to help other people, and that’s real important at our camp; is when a guy stops sometimes and goes and helps the guys that need help with whatever it is. That’s real important. I think that’s why we’re so successful at what we do. If a guy’s a real big narcissist and is all about himself and he comes in and acts better than others, not only the coaches ostracize him and we tell him just he’s an idiot, but the fighters will either thump them, and or do the same. So people understand It’s kind of the unwritten law of our gym is help others, and Travis was always willing to help other people.”

On why it’s taken so long for Arlovski to come into his own, and how far Coach Wink thinks he can go?

“I think he wins the big one. Andrei Arlovski is very athletic, he’s very tough, he’s overcome so much. I think he’s on a roll, and I think I would love to see a title shot. I really would. Some people think that might be crazy, but Andrei’s right there and he has a tendency to step up now, and I think it’s belief, not worrying about his chin, not worrying about things. And we were adjusting some things; understanding, get him out of that boxing style that he went with, and you know, MMA’s not boxing. It’s not the same in the slightest. And I think when you start thinking about a lot of boxing, I think that’s when we saw all of his failures. Just some little things that were missing in his game that we brought back and added to.”

On working to change Arlovski, who after training with Freddie Roach became a boxer, to an MMA striker

“Freddie Roach is one of the best in the world at what he does, if not the best, but it’s not MMA and it’s a different range, it’s a different distance, it’s a different sized glove. Just so much more going on. I hope everybody else, other trainers and people sparring the fighters, think it is about boxing, because we seem to be successful against those.”

On how the camp will handle Overeem and Arlovski both being around the same rankings and possibly having to fight each other soon

“It’s the same thing as Travis and Andrei. They helped each other get better and it worked out. They both became two of the best in the division. So in my mind I think, continue, help each other get to the top. If you have to fight each other at the top, what a terrible, good problem to have. You know? Now you can make a lot of money. ‘Cause you gotta fight somebody at the top. And it just sucks that it’s your friend, your training partner, but you wouldn’t have been there without you each helping the other out. So it’s better to be there, even if you have to fight the guy, than not to be there at all. So I think you keep working with each other and get to the top. That’s the key.”

By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer, WrestlingObserver.com

We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s New Japan Best of the Super Junior finals from Tokyo, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We’re also looking for reports on these shows:

• NXT Friday night in Fort Pierce, FL
• ROH Friday night in Collinsville, IL
• WWE Saturday night in Baton Rouge
• WWE today in Lake Charles, LA (John Cena, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Ryback, King Barrett)
• WWE today in Pensacola, FL (Roman Reigns, Big Show, Dean Ambrose, Kane, Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus)
• Raw is Monday in New Orleans.

New Japan World has another show that will be up Wednesday (not live as the show is on Tuesday from Korakuen Hall), but it’s unique because it’s the Suzuki-gun show, which means it’s more a NOAH show, although a lot of New Japan stars are on it:

• Genba Hirayanagi & Hitoshi Kumano vs. Jack Gamble & Jon Webb
• Zack Sabre Jr. & Gedo vs. Captain New Japan & Captain NOAH
• Jushin Liger & Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Taichi & Desperado
• Takashi Sugiura & Daisuke Harada vs. Shelton Benjamin & Taka Michinoku
• Naomichi Marufuji vs. Yuji Nagata
• Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan for NWA tag tiles
• Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka vs. Maybach Taniguchi & Yoshihiro Takayama

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Lafayette, LA.

***** 

In a busy news week, we’ve got full coverage of all of UFC’s changes when it comes to drug testing, as well as other things the company is doing for fighters, looking at the pluses, the minuses, and the loopholes in the new system of drug testing.  We also look at Brock Lesnar vs. Steve Austin, Samoa Joe in WWE and how it’s changed, Destination America and wrestling, we’ve got a look at Money in the Bank, Elimination Chamber, the death of Tommy Rogers, UFC in Brazil, Dwayne Johnson’s latest projects and the retirement of Masashi Aoyagi.

The new issue is up on the site at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/42867-june-8-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-tommy-rogers-bio-austin-lesnar-notes-wwe-signs-samoa-joe-full-time-more

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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 looks at the UFC’s new drug testing program, the keys to the program, questions that still need to be answered, loopholes, how often fighters will be tested, ability to beat the system and more.

We look at Brock Lesnar vs. Steve Austin, Austin’s promo on the WWE Network, Austin vs Lesnar history, and the value of next year’s WrestleMania on PPV and the Network.

We look at the new deal Samoa Joe is talking with WWE about, how the deal has changed, Joe’s future on the indies, Joe’s ROH future, what led to the change, as well as an update on the Tyson Kidd injury situation in the match with Joe.

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We also note Kevin Owens talking his career, Ric Flair talk show,who Flair wants to manage, WWE stock updates, notes on all the WWE and NXT house shows plus business notes from the past week.

We also look at how the Brazilian economy affects UFC in different ways, how it is similar to situations with pro wrestling in the past, as well as a look at Saturday’s show with match-by-match coverage and business notes.

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The Observer is the world’s most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.

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Also in this week’s issue:

–Update on this year’s Busca de un Idolo tournament

–Latest big matches from Arena Mexico

–Former star from more than 20 years ago returns to Arena Mexico for the first time in decades

–More on the AAA World Cup show

–Notes from the last two sets of AAA TV tapings

–Wrestle-1 world tour notes

–Road to Keiji Muto tournament

–Dragon Gate King of Gate tournament

–Next big Dragon Gate matches

–Cryptic tweet by an American who wrestles in Japan

–An interesting what if regarding New Japan bookings

–Politics of wrestling regarding New Japan

–What New Japan may have to change

–Notes on the Super Juniors tournament and all the results

–Benefit show for cancer-striken star

–Genichiro Tenryu’s final match in Osaka

–Update on GFW

–Mid Atlantic wrestling reunion

–Update on Terry Funk

–Update on Lucha Underground and Alberto Del Rio

–More on NESN deal

–What wrestling star has a 3.83 GPA in collage right now

–ROH notes from the weekend shows

–Really weird stuff in TNA

–Contract singing announcements

–Notes from a second TNA conference call with talent

–What happened with Tyrus and GFW

–GFW reaction

–TNA 2015 Hall of Fame plan that fell through

–Notes on TNA arena events

–Update on legislation to get UFC in Madison Square Garden

–Looking at Sara McMann’s complaints about he Reebok deal

–The business and income of Ronda Rousey

–UFC boosts minimum

–UFC lawsuit update

–Upcoming UFC title matches

–What happened with the Leslie Smith street fight on Saturday night

–UFC makes a number of cuts

–Update on T.J. Grant

–Update on Rashad Evans

–Lots of new UFC fights

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*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)

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*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)

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

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*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)

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*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)

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*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.

SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

– The Kyle O’Reilly vs. Kushida match today is one you should go out of your way to see as well as the Thiago Tavares vs. Brian Ortega UFC fight. Yesterday had two really strong shows. 

– Chris Hero will be wrestling for three straight hours today in Waterloo, IA, since donations topped $3,000 for ALS.  He was going to do 30 minutes for every $500 donated.

– WWE acknowledged the Tyson Kidd injury from Tuesday in a match with Samoa Joe, although the website only had vague details, saying he “sustained an injury.”  It also noted that it was, as expected, a dark match even though the Superstars logo was in the background when it was taped Tuesday night in San Antonio.  WWE’s policy is now to be vague on all injuries.  We were told it was a spinal cord injury and that he was hopeful of making a full recovery.

– Weekend sports searches were Belmont Stakes 5,200,000; Champions League 1,000,000; Women’s World Cup 400,000; Stephon Curry 200,000; Red Sox 200,000; Serena Williams 200,000; Stan Wawrinka 200,000. The only thing combat sports related was Miguel Cotto with 100,000, making it the No. 8 searched term in the U.S. yesterday.

– San Andreas was No. 2 at the box office this weekend, estimated at $26.44 million, trailing the opening week of Spy at $30 million.  Entourage, which features Ronda Rousey, opened at No. 4 with $10.42 million.  Pitch Perfect 2, with Lana, did $7.7 million in its fourth week out.

– Biggest MMA and pro wrestling Twitter topics today in the U.S.: Dan Henderson 10,300; Thiago Tavares 7,570; Kushida 5,502; Ben Rothwell 3,651

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

– Dwayne Johnson and Spike TV have announced a special called Rock the Troops, basically an entertainment show filmed overseas as a military base that will air on Veterans Day in 2016.  There will announcements upcoming regarding who will be performing.

– This coming weekend has both a WWE Money in the Bank and AAA iPPV going pretty much head-to-head on Sunday, while UFC has a show on Saturday with Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum and Eddie Alvarez vs. Gilbert Melendez.  Alvarez vs. Melendez on paper looks to be a can’t miss match.

– What a terrible day for UFC predictions. Front Row Brian and Mike Sawyer went 3-2, with Brian picking Dan Henderson and Anthony Birchak’s upsets.  Jack Encarnacao, David Bixenspan and Steve Juon were 2-3 while me, Josh Nason, Mike Sempervive and John Pollock went 1-4.

– Happy birthday to Mick Foley, who turns 50 today.

– Mecca Wrestling Headlock for Hospice on 6/27 in Cornwall, ONT at the Agora Centre.

– Daniel Puder’s My Life My Power Entertainment has a show on 6/21 in Pasadena, TX headlined by Daniel Puder & Major Mark vs. former TNA star Jesse Sorensen & Alex Chamberlain.

– Future Stars of Wrestling from Friday night in Las Vegas:  Funny Bone NC Mike Dalite, Tito Escondido & Che Cabrerrra b Jarrett 120 & ?, Vegas won three-way over Leon Hater and Jayson Cash, Willie Mack b Jeff Cobb, Vegas Originals b BFFs-DQ, Jakob Austin Young b Ryan Taylor, Reno Scum b PpRay, Brian Cage won four-way over Kenny King, Kevin Kross and Tyshaun Prince (thanks to Mike Trask)

– Full Impact Pro from Friday night in Ybor City, FL:  Alexander Rudolph & Frank Wyatt & Jake Parnell b Chasyn Rance & Deimos & Josh Hess, Jody Kristofferson b Jonny Vandal, Martin Stone b Bolt Brady, Blake Edward Belakus DCOR Rhett Ghiddens, Jason Cade & Aaron Solow b Gary Jay & Jayson Falcone, Santana Garrett b Josh Hess, Aaron Epic b Maxwell Chicago-DQ, Eddie Graves & Teddy Stigma b Devin & Mason Cutter, Rich Swann b Mason Ryan.  Teddy Hart will be wrestling on Tuesday at the Team Vision Dojo in Orlando at 7 p.m. as will Martin Stone, Jody Kristofferson, Mark Silva, Lince Dorado and Santana Garrett.

– Smash Wrestling from last night in Toronto:  Dan O’Hare & George Gattono b Preston Myles & Cecil Nyx, Brent Banks won four-way over Jason Kincaid, Kevin Bennett and Facade, Scotty O’Shea b Pepper Parks, Team Canada (Vanessa Kraven, Xandra Bale, Jewels Malone, Courtney Rush & Portia Perez) b Team USA (Candace LaRae & Cherry Bomb & Jennifer Blake & Feria Azul & Veda Scott)in a women’s elimination match, Super Smash Brothers b Goat Brigade, Matt Cross DDQ Tarik, Rich Swann b Sebastian Suave, Samoa Joe b Chris Hero.  Main event was a very physical 16:00 match.  Tarik distracted Hero at the finish.  Hero challenged Rich Swann for a July Smash show.  (thanks to Steve Khan and Dave Musgrave)

– Fandango’s music played yesterday at the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs. Sydney Roosters Rugby League game after a goal by the Sharks.   A fan played it on the trumpet.

– Premier Wrestling today at 5 p.m. at the IFDES Lodge-Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA with JR Kratos (7-2) defending his Premier title against Dylan Drake (4-3), Timothy Thatcher (2-2-1) vs. Marcus Lewis (4-3) and Jeff Cobb (5-2-1) vs. Kaimana (1-2) plus three other matches.

– The NWA announced that Circle City Wrestling out of Indiana has joined the alliance.  Rob Kincaid is the promoter of the group that debuted in the 90s under Mike Samples.

– Lucha Xtreme TV show from last night on Fresno TV:  Buddy Royal b Manny Mars, Prince Nagi b Levi Shapiro-DQ, Levi Shapiro & Buddy Royal b Manny Mars & Prince Nagi.  The next show is 6/21 in Selma, CA at the Taco Festival at the Selma Pioneer Village Shopping Center at 1880 Gonzalez Pkway from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. (thanks to Jon Southerland)

– Jim Ross, Edge and Beth Phoenix appear Wednesday at Ingles Store #7 on Tunnel Rd. in Asheville, NC for Headlock on Hunger and the local food drive.

– Kevin Matthews will be replacing George Murdoch (Tyrus) on Friday’s GFW debut show in Jackson, TN, facing Moose.  Kongo Kong will replace Murdoch against Moose on the Saturday show in Knoxville.

– Brutus Beefcake is shocked Ric Flair doesn’t think he was a good wrestler

– 2015 G-1 Climax tournament announcement video by New Japan

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

• 1960 – Rikidozan & Toyonobori beat Frank Valois & Dan Miller in Nagoya to win the All-Asia tag tiles
• 1976 – Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan beat Great Kusatsu & Mighty Inoue in Fukuyama to win the IWE tag title
• 1979 – Antonio Inoki beat Stan Hansen in Tokyo to win the Madison Square Garden tournament
• 1983 – Marty Jones beat Fit Finlay in Croydon to win the world mid heavyweight title
• 1990 – El Hijo del Santo beat Fuerza Guerrera in Tokyo to win the WWA welterweight title
• 1996 – Gedo & Jado & Hiromichi Fuyuki beat Yoji Anjo & Yoshihiro Takayama & Kenichi Yamamoto in Sapporo to win the WAR six-man tag tiles
• 1998 – Perro Aguayo & Perro Aguayo Jr. beat Fuerza Guerrera & Mosco de la Merced in Chihuahua to win the Mexican national tag titles
• 2009 – Masato Yoshino & BxB Hulk & Pac (Neville) beat Cima & Gamma & Kagetora in Nagoya
• 2011 – Virus beat Guerrero Maya in Mexico City to win the vacant CMLL super lightweight title