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Category: News

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (May 27): Owen Hart wins IWGP gold, Jimmy Snuka wins WCCW belt

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1887 – In Minneapolis, Minnesota; William Muldoon failed to throw Evan Lewis twice in 60:00 (Muldoon won the first fall in 47:00, then gave up the match)

    1956 – Doug and Red Donovan defeated Herb Freeman & Larry Chene for the Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.

    1957 – Red Bastien ends the second NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title reign of Rito Romero in Fort Worth, Texas.

    1959 – Eddie & Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Mark Lewin & Don Curtis for the WWWF Tag Team Title in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

    1960 – Thor Hagen defeated Lee Henning to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title in St. Joseph, Missouri.

    1965 – In Kansas City, Kansas; The Mongolian Stomper beat Johnny Valentine, Bob Geigel and Dutch Savage beat Doug Gilbert and Ron Reed, Sonny Myers beat Buddy Johnson and the Missouri Mauler beat Steve Bolus.

    1965 – In Minneapolis, Minnesota; The Crusher beat Pampero Firpo in a cage match. Also on the card, Verne Gagne & Reggie Parks beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race by DQ, Chris Markoff beat Eddie Sharkey and Rene Goulet went to a draw with Tiny Mills.

    1966 – In Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Verne Gagne & Wilbur Snyder beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race. However, the decision was later reversed as the wrong man was pinned. Also on the card, The Crusher beat Chris Markoff and Ernie Ladd beat Moose Cholak.

    1967 – Billy and Jimmy Hines won the Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Title by defeating The Blue Infernos in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

    1968 – Ken Lucas & Dennis Hall defeated Don Carson & The Red Shadow for the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

    1971 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas; Steve Bolus & The Viking defeated Baron Von Raschke & Benny Ramirez, Rufus R. Jones defeated The Great Sakaguchi by count out, Harley Race defeated Danny Little Bear in three falls and Buddy Austin & Bob Orton defeated The Stomper & Bob Geigel.

    1974 – Mr. X (Guy Mitchell) & The Brute defeated Leo Madril & Dan Kroffat to win the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.

    1976 – Jackie West & Yukari Lynch defeated The Beauty Pair (Jackie Sato & Maki Ueda) for the World Women’s Wrestling Association World Tag Team Title in Kawasaki, Japan.

    1977 – Jimmy Snuka defeated El Gran Goliath in Houston, Texas for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title.

    1978 – Carlos Colon & Chief Thunder Cloud defeated The Hollywood Blondes (Jack Evans & Larry Sharpe) for the WWC North American Tag Team Title in Bayamon, Puerto Rico

    1985 – At the Forum in Montreal; Jos Leduc & Rick Martel beat Road Warrior Animal & Paul Ellering via dq, Abdullah the Butcher beat King Tonga, Dino Bravo beat Richard Charland and Jacques Rougeau, Jr. beat Jim Garvin via dq.

    1988 – Owen Hart defeated Hiroshi Hase in Sendai, Japan to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title.

    1989 – Steve Strong defeated Carlos Colon to win the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico

    1990 – Villano III defeated Sangre Chicana for the WWF World Light Heavyweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.

    1997 – Kenta Kobashi & Johnny Ace defeated Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue to win the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Title in Sapporo, Japan

    2001 – D’Lo Brown & Shane defeated The Starr Corporation (Chicky Starr & Victor the Bodyguard) and Los Boricuas (Miguel Perez Jr. & Jesus Castillo, Jr.) for the IWA World Tag Team Title in Puerto Rico

    2006 – 1 Pro Wrestling holds “Know Your Enemy: Night 2” in Doncaster, England. Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch defeated A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels to become the first-ever 1PW Tag Team Champions. Also, Steve Corino defeated champion Abyss and Christian Cage in a three-way match to win the 1PW World Heavyweight Title.

  • WWE: Rusev injured during Smackdown tapings

    Rusev was legitimately injured last night in his match with Ryback at the WWE Samckdown tapings in Wilkes-Barre, PA. 

    He was limping badly due to what appeared to be an ankle injury, but that is not confirmed. He needed medical help after finishing his match and was helped out during what was likely a commercial break for the show that airs in Canada Wednesday and in the U.S. on Thursday.

    He was in a wheelchair with his leg in a cast later in the night. 

  • NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Yamagata report 5-26-15: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Beretta

    By Bryan Rose, WrestlingObserver.com

    Day 4 of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament took place early Tuesday morning in Yamagata. Here is a full report of the matches as well as the current standings.

    Gedo vs. Barbaro Cavernario

    Cavernario won after Gedo submitted with the la cavernia. This was pretty fun. Gedo controlled the first portion of the match, then Cavernario came back, hitting his big turnbuckle suicide dive. He aimed to go for his big splash off the top rope to the floor, but Gedo moved out of the way. He game back after posting Cavernario and looked to get the win after a superkick and a Gedo clutch attempt. Cavernario blocked it, however, and then submitted him. Crowd was into it and helped it become a pretty good match, though they were rooting for Gedo the whole time.

    Kushida vs. David Finlay

    Basic match with Kushida winning with the hoverboard lock. Finlay controlled him early, but Kushida made a comeback on the ropes. Finlay made one last comeback with a stiff looking European uppercut, but Kushida made the comeback once more and submitted him. Everything worked really well, but was just a match.

    Nick Jackson vs. Rocky Romero

    This was one of the longest matches so far on the tour. Pretty good match, however, as it was a lot back and forth between the two and they gel well. Jackson goaded him to punch him but Romero raked his eyes instead. He went for a sliced bread but Jackson tried to counter into a tombstone, then a rollup for a near fall. Romero made a comeback and pinned Jackson with a spinning tombstone.

    Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Beretta

    Taguchi tried his hip attacks early but Beretta laid him out and took him into the crowd to brawl, playing the heel in this match. Beretta worked on his hip (read: butt), but Taguchi made a comeback with his hip attacks. Beretta comes back with a belly to belly suplex off the top rope and hits a running knee strike for a nearfall. Taguchi comes back and hits the dodon for a nearfall, then gets the win with a sliding dropkick. This was fine, though Taguchi’s new gimmick turns a lot of his matches into goofy comedy.

    Current Standings:

    Block A:

    Babaro Cavernario (4)

    Gedo (4)

    Kyle O’Reilly (4)

    Ryusuke Taguchi (4)

    Jushin Thunder Liger (2)

    Beretta (2)

    Chase Owens (0)

    Yohei Komatsu (0)

    Block B:

    Tiger Mask IV (6)

    Kushida (6)

    Bobby Fish (4)

    Nick Jackson (4)

    Mascara Dorada (4)

    Rocky Romero (4)

    Alex Shelley (2) (Out of tournament due to injury)
    David Finlay (0)

  • WWE Smackdown 5-28 spoilers: Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins & Kane

    From Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA, airing Wednesday in Canada and Thursday in the U.S.:

    – It opened with a Dean Ambrose interview. He talked about Roman Reigns helping him on Raw, brought up Justin Bieber once again and having to race to get back to the arena in time to sign the contract.

    – Ambrose & Roman Reigns vs. WWE Champion Seth Rollins & Kane was announced as the special Groundhog Day main event, plus Naomi vs. Paige and Ryback vs. Rusev.

    – Lucha Dragons b Tyson Kidd & Cesaro in a lumberjack mach with all the other teams as the lumberjacks. Hot crowd and great match. The New Day interference led to Sin Cara & Kalisto winning.

    – R-Truth b King Barrett – Sheamus laid out R-Truth after the match with a Brogue Kick.  He also gave Barrett a Brogue kick.

    – Lana did an interview saying she won’t be fooled by Rusev again.  She said she and Ziggler are just friends.  Rusev came out and started yelling at her.

    – Ryback b Rusev via DQ for Rusev throwing him into the ringpost.  What is this, 1972 AWA?

    – Paige b Naomi.

    – Michael Cole interviewed Kevin Owens.  He said he may have been on WWE TV for two weeks but he’s been wrestling for 15 years all over the world.  They showed clips of Owens hurting Sami Zayn and he said if he would do that to his best friend, imagine what he’d do to somenoe he doesn’t care about like John Cena.

    – Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose b Kane & WWE Champion Seth Rollins via DQ. Reigns had Rollins pinned when J&J Security interfered for the DQ.  The New Day came otu and attacked Ambrose.  Reigns did a dive over the top onto everyone. It ended with Kane chokeslamming Reigns and Rollins giving Ambrose a Pedigree to end the show.

  • WWF Tuesday Night Titans episode 22 review: Roddy Piper smashes Lou Albano in MSG, stage set for Hulk Hogan vs. Piper

    Airdate: Feb. 15, 1985
    Runtime: 41:22

    Maybe it was Vince McMahon’s orange jacket or the new opening where Dr. D. David Schultz, Sgt. Slaughter and Ivan Putski were dropped in favor of Andre The Giant slapping Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Capt. Lou Albano managing the U.S. Express, and The Junkyard Dog giving a power slam, but TNT felt fresh and new this week.

    The show served as a lead-up to Monday’s “War to Settle the Score” in Madison Square Garden, where Hulk Hogan will face “Rowdy” Roddy Piper for the WWF championship.

    I don’t know if this match was thrown together on the fly, or if MTV agreed to broadcast the show at the last-minute, but there was no mention of this huge angle the week before. Suddenly, Hogan is no longer goofing off training Hillbilly Jim and is not in a hot feud with Piper.

    They mentioned the Monday show several times, without ever saying that it would air on MTV. Perhaps they weren’t allowed to mention a competing network. I guess they know wrestling fans are smart and would figure it out. The show opens with McMahon in a horrendous orange jacket.

    We go to Madison Square Garden where Dick Clark is presenting an award to Cyndi Lauper and Capt. Lou Albano for their work on multiple sclerosis.

    Albano enters the ring in a suit, followed by Piper in his blue wrestling trunks. Piper grabbed what appeared to be a framed gold record and proceeded to smash it over Albano’s head. It should be noted that Albano sold this like he was Shawn Michaels, falling flat on his back while swinging his arms back. This was awesome.

    Lauper then jumped on Piper’s leg and Piper kicked her off of him, in a spot that deserves props considering that Lauper is not a wrestler. Heck even Ronda Rousey wouldn’t sell at WrestleMania.

    Piper then body slammed David Wolff, who unlike Albano and Lauper, totally no-sold it. Piper actually struggled to pick Wolff up. Lauper’s boyfriend apparently didn’t know to jump in the air to help Piper because Piper’s slam was slightly better than Hogan’s of Andre at WrestleMania III. The segment had that “this could be real” heat since it involved mainstream celebrities.

    Piper and his new bodyguard, Ace Cowboy Bob Orton, were the first official guests on the show. Piper said that a man of his stature needs a bodyguard. You never know, he said, when someone will take a shot at him, “even old suckers,” like Lord Alfred Hayes.

    Piper then touched Hayes’ hand and said “you’re ghostly, man,” adding that he only had about two years left.

    Piper then did what he did best — ramble on taking jabs at everyone. He told McMahon his voice was “high-pitched,” that MTV was “music to vomit by” and that he scared Dick Clark so badly that he would never be the same. Piper said that he’s a legend killer and that he wants to take Hogan’s title. They cut back and forth between Piper and taped interviews with Hogan and Mean Gene Okerlund, where Hogan was promising to destroy Piper.

    Throughout the segment, Piper was infatuated with his chest hair. Every time the camera cut back to him, he lost a button, displaying more and more of his chest hair.

    He asked McMahon if he had hair on his chest. He then said Hogan and Wolff don’t have any hair on their chest, but that Cyndi Lauper does.

    We go to the ring and see Piper and Orton vs. “Superfly” Snuka and The Tonga Kid. Snuka is suddenly back after disappearing for several months. The match is pretty much a brawl with Snuka hitting a high-cross body block on Piper, but Orton making the save. The referee called for a double disqualification.

    Back in the TNT studios Piper is analyzing the match, with Orton standing behind him, when he starts asking “what stinks?” Piper sends Orton to investigate and when Orton returns he says that what stinks is that “Snuka and Albano” are in the building. Piper leaves the set, surprisingly without hitting anyone. In his two other TNT appearances he slapped Hayes and decked Albano. Cowboy Bob Orton leaves with him.

    Capt. Lou Albano, who has now surpassed SD Jones as the man who has appeared the most on TNT, is the next guest. Albano is apparently now the manager of Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo, the U.S. Express, who are now the WWF tag team champions.

    Albano literally turned overnight, going from a guy who was berating midgets and women at Paul Vachon’s December wedding, to Lauper’s No. 1 defender and spokesman for Multiple Sclerosis awareness. Albano promised not to yell and scream on the show, but he was very upset with Piper’s MSG antics. He said that Albano dislocated the third lumbar in Wolff’s back with the body slam.

    Albano said Piper sent wrestling back 20 years with his assault on Lauper and Wolff. 

    Snuka is not only back in the ring, but he’s back as a guest on TNT. McMahon says, “It’s an honor to have someone of your caliber on TNT.” He cuts to match with Snuka against a very average-looking Bobby Bass. Bass did the typical heel moves, trying to force Snuka into a handshake only to turn on him, but Snuka did not fall for it.

    Instead Snuka dominated him with chops, and head butts and pinned him with a tremendous Superfly splash

    McMahon seems desperate to push Snuka, saying “no one in professional wrestling can do what you do in the squared circle.” McMahon says that the fans get behind him more than any other WWF superstar. If that’s true, why is Hogan champ? Snuka refuses to comment on Piper, who several months prior hit him over the head with a coconut.

    Snuka says he will do all of his talking in the ring.

    The final guest this week is Wolff, who seems to enjoy being part of professional wrestling. Wolff said the awards presentation was meant to bring to very good industries together, but that Roddy Piper wiped it out.

    “He did a horrible thing to her,” Wolff said of kicking Lauper. Wolf claimed that the slam was so hard that he could not walk for a couple of days because “the muscles on my back were badly bruised.” Wolff made a prediction before the show ended: “Hulk Hogan all the way. I think he is going to destroy this guy.”

    McMahon thanked fans for watching and the wrestlers who appeared on the show, including Mr. Fuji and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, both of whom were not on the show, or who were cut off the WWE Network broadcast.

  • WWE News: NXT returns to Northern California for two days

    Two WWE NXT events have been announced for 10/24 and 10/25 as part of the Aftershock Festival in Gibson Ranch in Elverta, CA, just north of Sacramento. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday for a pre-sale and Friday for a public sale.   

  • The battle for No. 2, where TNA stands with Destination America, ROH/New Japan tour coverage, Payback coverage, Changes in MMA

    The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is among the most talked about of the year, with a detailed lead story on the plight of every key non-WWE promotion, as well as details of TNA’s future with Destination America, ROH viewership and more, a detailed look at how MMA is going to be changing with far more serious repercussions for drug test failures and the story behind the changes, a look at Elimination Chamber, a rundown of Payback, a detailed update NXT with coverage of its Northeast tour, and of the ROH/New Japan tour.  We also look at the Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Edgar show and the death of Corey Hill.

    The new issue is up on the site at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/42649-may-25-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-state-of-tna-nsacs-new-doping-penalties-and-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.

    The lead story looks at the battle for the No. 2 spot in American pro wrestling.  We look at ROH, TNA, GFW and Lucha Underground, as well as how WWE may have created the real No. 2.  We look at where things stand with all the groups, both in going forward, if they even can go forward, the TV situation with everyone, tons of changes in TNA television with the move to Wednesday. 

    We also look at the background of the changes in drug testing penalties in Nevada, what it means for the sport, how the business will change for many, the realities of drug testing with these penalties, injury rates, careers ending earlier, the Wanderlei Silva case, the marijuana threshold and far more.

    We also have coverage of the Elimination Chamber lineup, questions regarding the show, business for Payback and match-by-match coverage of the show with star ratings and poll results.

    We also look at the attempt to make NXT a third WWE touring brand.  We look at the plans for the next few years for the brand, ideas Paul Levesque talked about, long-term plans for shows in and out of Florida, business notes from the Philadelphia and Albany shows and full coverage of all three nights.

    We also look at the last three nights of the ROH/New Japan tour with shows in Philadelphia and Toronto, with notes on the business and iPPV, as well as when ROH is trying to cut a deal to bring New Japan talent back. 

    We also look at the update on the Steve Austin/WWE relationship and some podcast notes, Update on injuries to key talent and how some of them happened, promotions, Ronda Rousey talks a WWE return, Vince McMahon on WrestleMania, What WWE performer has ESPN and FOX wanting them, Notes on how this season’s Tough Enough will work, view on women in WWE going forward, Samoa Joe in WWE, WWE Studios looking to make major moves, what WWE star is in the biggest grossing movie of the weekend, more on the box office for Dwayne Johnson’s latest movie, ABC airing a piece on WWE and Finn Balor talks NXT.

    We also look at the next group of wrestlers getting WWE tryouts, what group in WWE is history, what person from another sport was a guest trainer last week, and a former MMA fighter signs with WWE.  We’ve also got business notes for all the weekend WWE shows and highlights of the events.

    We’ve also got full coverage of UFC’s morning show from The Philippines, including the retirement of Mark Munoz, Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Edgar and business notes from the show.

    We also have a story on the death of former UFC fighter Corey Hill, as well as one of the worst injuries in UFC history, why people thought he had championship potential and what happened.

    We’ve also got notes on AAA’s big show of he weekend, Verano de Escandalo, with many of the stars of Lucha Underground, as well as Rey Mysterio Jr.

    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:

    –One of biggest stars in Mexico under a police investigation and has been pulled from bookings

    –Full details on how this went down

    –Octagon first Arena Mexico appearance

    –Big tournament coming up

    –New Japan star headed to CMLL

    –Huge head-to-head battle on Sunday with loaded shows a few miles from each other

    –Lineup for the AAA World Cup tournament

    –Notes on this week’s iPPV of World Cup

    –King of Gate tournament coming up to this finals this week

    –One of the greatest pro wrestling stars of the 70s returns to Japan at the end of the month

    –A look at all the New Japan Super Juniors shows of the week and complete New Japan World lineup of multiple shows

    –Update on health of one of 80s biggest names

    –More details on Global Force Wrestling including lineups for the first four shows

    –Who are newcomers that they have added

    –Who was pulled from the promotion

    –An update on Scott Hall

    –Update on Bill Goldberg and his appearance on a pro wrestling event

    –Huge fund raiser to commemorate regional wrestling from the 70s with tons of area stars involved

    –Notes on ROH Final Battle

    –More on ROH signing of Moose

    –Who else had made a play for him

    –Main events for the next few ROH shows

    –A look at ROH television over the next month

    –Why this week’s first-run Impact show didn’t air in the U.S.

    –A look at the Impact schedule and more on the time slot change

    –TNA’s U.K. tour notes

    –More on Billy Corgan in TNA

    –Dixie Carter talks to Steve Austin, fact vs. fiction

    –TNA loses anther time slot

    –A look at this coming week’s UFC show

    –Lots of UFC card changes and why

    –UFC debuts in South Korea in the fall

    –Who are the biggest stars from there

    –Will UFC’s books be made public due to lawsuit

    –UFC expected to sign WSOF champion

    –A look at all the activities in July in conjunction with UFC in Las Vegas and Fight Week

    –Lots of new UFC fights

    –A look at Bellator’s last show and next show

    –Former Pride star put in jail

    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.

  • Note on delay on wrestling/MMA TV ratings

    Due to Memorial Day, the ratings have been delayed.

    The Friday & Saturday ratings are expected to be released tomorrow morning.  Last night’s Raw rating is expected to be released late tomorrow afternoon.

  • NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Report 5-25 Niigata report: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Kyle O’Reilly

    By Bryan Rose, WrestlingObserver.com

    Here are night three of the Best of the Super Junior results, held earlier this morning in Niigata. Before going on, I should note that Alex Shelley is officially out of the tournament, suffering ligament damage in a match with David Finlay. Thus, all of his matches will be considered forfeit wins.

    Beretta vs. Chase Owens

    Solid match. Owens blindsided Beretta after spitting in his hand and was in control most of the match. Beretta made a comeback, but Owens laid him out with a package piledriver on the apron, which did not look like fun times at all. Beretta then came back, took out Owens and laid him out with an Omori driver into a pin for the win.

    Mascara Dorada vs. David Finlay

    This was good, but there wasn’t much heat. Finlay stood out for me in this match as he played the heel, and was pretty good at it. He controlled the match, mostly with mat wrestling, until he got up to the top rope and tried a springboard, but missed and connected with Dorada’s feet. He followed that up with a rope walk senton then followed with a Michinoku driver pinning combination.

    Tiger Mask vs. Bobby Fish

    Tiger Mask won with a rollup out of nowhere. A lot of this was Fish working over Tiger Mask, though at one point he missed a superkick and it landed on the ring post. They took turns working on each other’s legs until Tiger Mask got the phantom roll up. I found this to be dull in parts but it was solid overall.

    Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Kyle O’Reilly

    O’Rilley submitted Liger with an armbar in an upset. This was the best match of the night; nothing blow away, but worth watching as the last few minutes were pretty great. It started off slow, with O’Reilly working over Liger, but Liger made his comeback including the rolling senton to the floor. They had a back and forth match after this. Liger hit a hurricanrana off the top rope, but O’Reilly countered it into a sunset flip for a nearfall. He followed that with a tornado DDT into a brainbuster and when that didn’t work he applied the armbar and submitted Liger. Last few minutes were great.

  • TUES. UPDATE: ROH releasing action figure of WWE contracted talent, notes on WWE’s last Nassau Coliseum show, and more

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

    There’s a new episode of WWE Unfilteredwith Renee Young tonight at 9:00 p.m. on WWE Network where she interviews Bad News/King Barrett. Per the schedule, it’s six minutes long. That doesn’t sound very unfiltered.

    We’re looking for results/spoiler reports from tonight’s SmackDown/Main Event tapings in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Send those to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

    **** 

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a detailed look at the history of popular music being used in pro wrestling, including:

    * Who actually did the first pro wrestling music video?

    * The role of popular songs gtting major acts over.

    * What made the use of music in ECW so special.

    * How “real” songs make wrestlers stand out in a sea of in-house productions.

    And much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news.

    Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it’s available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle. 

    **** 

    The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is among the most talked about of the year, with a detailed lead story on the plight of every key non-WWE promotion, as well as details of TNA’s future with Destination America, ROH viewership and more, a detailed look at how MMA is going to be changing with far more serious repercussions for drug test failures and the story behind the changes, a look at Elimination Chamber, a rundown of Payback, a detailed update NXT with coverage of its Northeast tour, and of the ROH/New Japan tour.  We also look at the Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Edgar show and the death of Corey Hill.

    The new issue is up on the site here.

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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.

    The lead story looks at the battle for the No. 2 spot in American pro wrestling.  We look at ROH, TNA, GFW and Lucha Underground, as well as how WWE may have created the real No. 2.  We look at where things stand with all the groups, both in going forward, if they even can go forward, the TV situation with everyone, tons of changes in TNA television with the move to Wednesday. 

    We also look at the background of the changes in drug testing penalties in Nevada, what it means for the sport, how the business will change for many, the realities of drug testing with these penalties, injury rates, careers ending earlier, the Wanderlei Silva case, the marijuana threshold and far more.

    We also have coverage of the Elimination Chamber lineup, questions regarding the show, business for Payback and match-by-match coverage of the show with star ratings and poll results.

    We also look at the attempt to make NXT a third WWE touring brand.  We look at the plans for the next few years for the brand, ideas Paul Levesque talked about, long-term plans for shows in and out of Florida, business notes from the Philadelphia and Albany shows and full coverage of all three nights.

    We also look at the last three nights of the ROH/New Japan tour with shows in Philadelphia and Toronto, with notes on the business and iPPV, as well as when ROH is trying to cut a deal to bring New Japan talent back. 

    We also look at the update on the Steve Austin/WWE relationship and some podcast notes, Update on injuries to key talent and how some of them happened, promotions, Ronda Rousey talks a WWE return, Vince McMahon on WrestleMania, What WWE performer has ESPN and FOX wanting them, Notes on how this season’s Tough Enough will work, view on women in WWE going forward, Samoa Joe in WWE, WWE Studios looking to make major moves, what WWE star is in the biggest grossing movie of the weekend, more on the box office for Dwayne Johnson’s latest movie, ABC airing a piece on WWE and Finn Balor talks NXT.

    We also look at the next group of wrestlers getting WWE tryouts, what group in WWE is history, what person from another sport was a guest trainer last week, and a former MMA fighter signs with WWE.  We’ve also got business notes for all the weekend WWE shows and highlights of the events.

    We’ve also got full coverage of UFC’s morning show from The Philippines, including the retirement of Mark Munoz, Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Edgar and business notes from the show.

    We also have a story on the death of former UFC fighter Corey Hill, as well as one of the worst injuries in UFC history, why people thought he had championship potential and what happened.

    We’ve also got notes on AAA’s big show of he weekend, Verano de Escandalo, with many of the stars of Lucha Underground, as well as Rey Mysterio Jr.

    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:

    –One of biggest stars in Mexico under a police investigation and has been pulled from bookings

    –Full details on how this went down

    –Octagon first Arena Mexico appearance

    –Big tournament coming up

    –New Japan star headed to CMLL

    –Huge head-to-head battle on Sunday with loaded shows a few miles from each other

    –Lineup for the AAA World Cup tournament

    –Notes on this week’s iPPV of World Cup

    –King of Gate tournament coming up to this finals this week

    –One of the greatest pro wrestling stars of the 70s returns to Japan at the end of the month

    –A look at all the New Japan Super Juniors shows of the week and complete New Japan World lineup of multiple shows

    –Update on health of one of 80s biggest names

    –More details on Global Force Wrestling including lineups for the first four shows

    –Who are newcomers that they have added

    –Who was pulled from the promotion

    –An update on Scott Hall

    –Update on Bill Goldberg and his appearance on a pro wrestling event

    –Huge fund raiser to commemorate regional wrestling from the 70s with tons of area stars involved

    –Notes on ROH Final Battle

    –More on ROH signing of Moose

    –Who else had made a play for him

    –Main events for the next few ROH shows

    –A look at ROH television over the next month

    –Why this week’s first-run Impact show didn’t air in the U.S.

    –A look at the Impact schedule and more on the time slot change

    –TNA’s U.K. tour notes

    –More on Billy Corgan in TNA

    –Dixie Carter talks to Steve Austin, fact vs. fiction

    –TNA loses anther time slot

    –A look at this coming week’s UFC show

    –Lots of UFC card changes and why

    –UFC debuts in South Korea in the fall

    –Who are the biggest stars from there

    –Will UFC’s books be made public due to lawsuit

    –UFC expected to sign WSOF champion

    –A look at all the activities in July in conjunction with UFC in Las Vegas and Fight Week

    –Lots of new UFC fights

    –A look at Bellator’s last show and next show

    –Former Pride star put in jail

    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.

    ****

    Tuesday Daily Update

    — Last night, WWE announced the end of their second screen experience in the WWE App, instead transitioning all of the included content to their traditional social media channels like Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Periscope. That’s probably for the best at this point. 

    — As noted late last night, ROH sent out a press release announcing that the June 20th TV taping (this part is important) at Terminal 5 in New York City will be headlined by Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles taking on tag team champions The Addiction (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) in a non-title match. All hail Samoa Joe: Amrican Freelancer.

    — ROH and Figures Toy Company have also announced the names and revealed the prototype head sculpts of the wrestlers in the first series of ROH action figures. Series 1 has Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe, Adam Cole, and a “Throwback” star in the form of Kevin Steen. Brilliant move on their part if they have the rights, since WWE action figure collectors will likely be all over that.

    — Newsday, Long Island’s newspaper of record, talked to fans before last night’s Raw (the last WWE card ever at the Nassau Coliseum, at least in its current form) and put together a video feature about the event.

    — Newsday also has a photo gallery from the show.

    — Before Raw went on the air, Vince McMahon addressed the crowd to commemerate the event, as well.

    — Last night on Raw, even though WWE always makes it very clear that the Nassau Coliseum isn’t in New York City. they used a NYPD vehicle for all of the arrest-related skits. Raw now officially exists in a different universe from our own. (Thanks to Marcus Kyle Fabian for sending that in)

    — Mike Mooneyham’s column this week is a really nice, detailed article on Jim Ross emceeing a “Mid-Atlantic Memories” documentary screening at this year’s FanFest in Charlotte.

    — Tickets go on sale this Friday for World Series of Fighting’s biggest card in a while, WSOF 22 on August 1st, the same night as UFC 190, the Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia card. The card features three title fights: Rousimar Palhares (c) vs. Jake Shields for the welterweight title, Marlon Moraes (c) vs. Sheymon Moraes for the bantamweight title, Magomed Bibulatov vs. Donavon Frelow to determine the first flyweight champion, and Tyrone Spong vs. Mike Kyle in what’s easily Spong’s toughest test so far in MMA.

    — The Korea Times has an article about the retirement of Lee Wang-pyo last night in Seoul as well as an interview with him. A trainee of Kintaro Oki/Kim Il, he started wrestling in 1975. There’s a great photo of him wrestling Bob Sapp in the article.

    — Dave’s “Fortunes changed for six” UFC 187 postmortem is up at MMAFighting.com.

    –TODAY’S WRESTLING VIDEOS (thanks to Thomas Rude)

    WWE


    5/23/15 WWE Top Ten-Outside Intruders

    5/25/15 WWE RAW “Fallout”:  Dean Ambrose Lays Down The Law

    5/25/15 WWE RAW “Fallout”:  Stardust Calls Out Stephen Amell

    Finn Balor Is Ready For His Challenge:  WWE.com Exclusive 5/20/15

    WWE Inbox 172

    Samoa Joe Makes A Bold Statement After NXT Takeover:  Unstoppable-WWE.com Exclusive

    Baron Corbin Believes He’s The “Unstoppable One”:  WWE.com Exclusive, May 20, 2015

    Mr. McMahon Addresses The WWE Universe In Nassau Coliseum

    WWE Canvas 2 Canvas:  R-Truth Hits The Canvas

    EXCLUSIVE:  Footage Catches Seth Rollins In The Act

    5/24/15 WWE Fury:  32 Dropkicks That Will Knock Your Teeth Out

    INDY TV SHOWS


    West Coast Wrestling Connection TV (Episode 52)

    5/21/15 RESISTANCE Pro TV HD 2.0

    5/24/15 NWA Southern All Star Wrestling TV

    Anarchy Wrestling TV (Episode 485)

    America’s  Most Like Wrestling TV (Season 1, Episode 7)

    Powerbomb Championship Wrestling TV (Episode 27)

    West Virginia Championship Wrestling TV (Episode 229)

    Reality Of Wrestling TV (Episode 55)

    3XWrestling “All Stars Of The Midwest” TV (Episode 19)

    MISC. STUFF


    Top 5 Moves Of Dasher Hatfield

    Chris Daniels & Kazarian On “The Apter Chat”

    The Queen’s Court (Episode 4)

    The Candice & Joey Show (Episode 115)

    The Candice & Joey Show (Episode 116)

    Ringside Collectibles’ “Ringside or Riot” (Season 4, Episode 26)

    AnarchyPro Wrestling “Internet Beatdown” (Webisode 10)

    CHIKARA Podcast-A-Go-Go (Episode 417)

    Grappers’ Corner (Season 1, Episode 1)

    POWW “Inside The Ropes” (Episode 11)

    TNA


    The Question Mark (Episode 9)

    Eric Young Sends Video In Response To His Actions Against Chris Melendez

    LUCHA UNDERGROUND

    Outside With Vampiro:  The History Of Boyle Heights

    Global Force Wrestling


    Part 1-The Orleans Arena Press Conference.

    Part 2-The Orleans Arena Press Conference-“The Day Is Finally Here.”

    Part 3-The Orleans Arena Press Conference.

    Part 4-The Orleans Arena Press Conference.

    Part 5-The Orleans Arena Press Conference.

    TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)

    12:00 AM 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!

    12:06 AM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.

    1:06 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    2:00 AM ET
    TUESDAY NIGHT TITANS Vince McMahon hosts Tuesday Night Titans with Lord Alfred Hayes. Andre The Giant stops by and does a little singing with the band and more.

    4:00 AM ET
    PRIME TIME WRESTLING Join Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan for Prime Time Wrestling featuring Hulk Hogan, Junkyard Dog, and many more!

    5:30 AM ET
    FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

    6:00 AM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    7:00 AM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.

    8:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    9:00 AM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    10:00 AM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.

    11:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    12:00 PM ET
    TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.

    1:00 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.

    2:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!

    3:00 PM ET
    WARRIOR’S GREATEST MATCHES Prior to his untimely death, Warrior sat down with the WWE in an interview to discuss his favorite matches throughout his career.

    4:00 PM ET
    CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves gets a culture shock immersing himself within the fascinating world of Marvel Comics, from their headquarters in New York City!

    4:10 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Ariane’s mother calls with a desperate plea for help, and Eva is shocked when Jonathan makes a dangerous decision without her consent.

    5:00 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    6:00 PM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING The story of WCW, from Ted Turner’s entry into the world of wrestling, through the Monday Night War, and the company’s eventual collapse.

    8:00 PM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    9:00 PM ET
    CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves gets a culture shock immersing himself within the fascinating world of Marvel Comics, from their headquarters in New York City!

    9:10 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Ariane’s mother calls with a desperate plea for help, and Eva is shocked when Jonathan makes a dangerous decision without her consent.

    10:00 PM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.

    11:00 PM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!