The rating for tonight’s WWE Raw show is not likely to be good, as in the past when Raw has fallen on July 4th, the drop has been huge from the week before. Everyone knows that going in so whatever the number is, when it comes to talking about patterns and such, you can really throw it away. Next week will bounce back, but should still be below normal levels due to Home Run Derby. Everything really changes with the draft on the 19th and there should be strong motivation early on when it comes to both shows. I expect hotter shows as far as angles and pushing of new talent, but there is also a question of whether the casual audience will be into watching so much wrestling every week so closely bunched together.
The two big things to look for on Raw is if there is any mention at all of Brock Lesnar or his fight during the body of the show (given that WWE hasn’t mentioned it yet, it looks like they aren’t going to) and if UFC purchases ads or the cable companies place ads during Raw, since one would think that’s the prime audience to try and push UFC 200 in front of. If I’m UFC I’d be advertising heavily this week on Raw and Smackdown with Brock Lesnar emphasized ads.
We’re also looking for reports from Raw tonight with the non-Raw stuff such as Superstars, dark matches or any observations that wouldn’t be evident from watching the live show to NewsTips@WrestlingObserver.com. The show is from Columbus, OH. Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz in a rematch from Smackdown, Rusev vs. Titus O’Neil for the U.S. title and a Team USA vs. Team International 16 man elimination match have all been announced. Shane McMahon is scheduled to return and there will be a former General Manager appearing which is believed to be Vickie Guerrero.
Smackdown is Tuesday night in Toledo. No John Cena or Seth Rollins advertised. Dean Ambrose, A.J. Styles and Kevin Owens are the top names advertised.
We’re also looking for your thoughts on yesterday’s New Japan Kizuna Road show, thumbs up, down or in the middle, best and worst match to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.
THE ROUNDUP
The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11. Stay up to date on all the lastest whackiness by following Ed in San Antonio on Facebook. Plus, follow us on Twitter as we (Bryan), will be live tweeting from all the events. Use #F4WVegas to get in on the fun.
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
Figure Four Weekly
READ IT HERE: Figure Four Weekly 6/27/2016: WWE concussion lawsuit update, more – The latest information in WWE’s concussion lawsuit.
Subscribers click here to continue reading.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
READ IT HERE: July 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW G1 tournament preview, Ali vs. Inoki anniversary, more – A preview of NJPW’s G1 tournament, notes on the anniversary of Ali vs. Inoki, plus tons more.
It’s a double issue week featuring a look back 40 years at what was the biggest undertaking up to that point in pro wrestling history, and Inoki vs. Ali match, how it came together, what happened that night, coverage of the upcoming G-1 Climax tournament, coverage of Ultima Lucha 3 and details on where the company stands, full coverage of the WWE cruiserweight classic, ROH Best in the World coverage as well as a look at those coming and going from the promotion, the death of Ryan Jimmo, the life and times of Gypsy Joe, and far more about the fallout of the Roman Reigns suspension.
The lead story details this years G-1 tournament including what will air in English, newcomers to the tournament, some interesting political news regarding who is and isn’t in it, as well as a complete lineup for every show.
This issue looks at the background of Ali vs. Inoki, the first time boxer vs. wrestler with major stars came close to happening, boxing champions who did wrestling and wrestlers who faced boxers including involving one of the all-time greats, Thesz vs. Marciano talk, and the two best known mixed matches prior to Ali vs. Inoki in the U.S.
There is also a look at Japanese pro wrestling in the 70s and how that led to the match, the business of Billy Robinson involving Inoki vs. Baba, how Inoki was being marketed, and the attempts to put together Ali vs. Bruno Sammartino and how that led to this.
The goals of Ali vs. Inoki for the New Japan side, the pro wrestling angles, just how big the match was why the match wasn’t a work, where Ali’s career stood at the time, media coverage, how the terrible rules were the reason the fight, Sammartino’s broken neck and return, Stan Hansen becoming a superstar in Japan, and why Ali vs. Inoki was not a success in much of the U.S, and much more in this issue of the Wrestling Observer.
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Wrestling Observer Newsletter BACK ISSUE
READ IT HERE: May 24, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ECW Hardcore Heaven/WWF No Mercy – Amidst rumors flying everywhere of the possible demise of the company and others who are talking that the company is a short period away from growing bigger than ever, the ECW Hardcore Heaven PPV came off like a show that was a bridge for the company to something new, but when it was over, there were still no answers over whether what is new is good news or bad news… Current subscribers click here to continue reading.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
I want to wish everyone a happy Fourth of July to everyone reading and their families.
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw, more WWE news and taking questions you can send to MailBag@WrestlingObserver.com.
One of the saddest issues in Observer history is up today, looking at the death of Owen Hart. Owen Hart was an inspiration to a generation of Canadian wrestlers in particular and one of the most well-respected performers and people of his era. Deaths in wrestling are all tragic in some form and it’s tasteless to rank them, but because of the nature of how this happened, it was different than most of the rest.
New Japan announced that Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi for the IWGP tag title will be on the 8/14 Tokyo Sumo Hall show which is the same night as the G-1 finals. Jay Lethal will also be appearing at the end of the current tour. It’s also official that Hiroyoshi Tenzan is replacing Satoshi Kojima in the G-1.
If you are coming to Las Vegas for our convention, our friend Scott Stern at the Las Vegas Fight Shop has signings on Friday from 6-8 p.m. with Randy Couture and Saturday from Noon to 2 p.m. with Nate Diaz. Signings require purchase of an Affliction T-shirt but if you are a member of the web site you can get a 20 percent discount on the shirt and a VIP line pass to save time. Also, if you are a web site member you can get 20 percent off all merchandise the entire weekend.
The UFC 200 press conference will be Wednesday at Noon at the KA Theater at the MGM Grand with Dana White, Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar, Mark Hunt, Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, Frankie Edgar, Jose Aldo, Cain Velasquez and Travis Browne. It is free and open to the public.
WWE
- WWE will be releasing the Scott Hall “Living on a Razor’s Edge” DVD tomorrow talking about his famous ups, downs and more recent ups in his life. The DVD includes Scott Hall & Dan Spivey as the American Starship tag team form 1984, his move to the AWA with Curt Hennig, his run as the Diamond Studd, Razor Ramon and the big run as part of the NWO.
- Advertised for the WWE house shows this coming weekend on 7/8 in Oshawa, ONT, 7/9 in Toronto at the Ricoh Coliseum (where they will likely announce Survivor Series information) and 7/10 in London, ONT is Dean Ambrose vs. A.J. Styles vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE title, Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn, Charlotte vs. Paige vs. Natalya for the women’s title, New Day vs. Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan for the tag titles plus The Usos, Sheamus, Cesaro, Apollo Crews, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
- There was a WWE reference on Match Game on ABC last night. Alec Baldwin said that Justin Bieber and Dwayne Johnson would have a match at WrestleMania and it would be billed as The Rock vs. ?. The contestant said “the Pillow,” but none of the celebrities matched the answer. They noted that Bieber considered appearing at the 2014 SummerSlam show. (thanks to Brian Henke)
UFC
MISCELLANEOUS
- Cody Rhodes and Chavo Guerrero Jr will be appearing for Smash Wrestling on 10/23 in Toronto at the Franklin Horner Community Centre. Smash has a charity fund raiser show on Saturday night in Fort Erie, ONT headlined by Chris Hero.
- TV Azteca America in the U.S. now has a two-hour CMLL block. What they are airing is a replay show from 4-5 p.m. and a first run show from 5-6 p.m. The first run show is the top matches from Arena Mexico’s Friday night shows from a few weeks ago.
- Hoosier Pro Wrestling in Columbus, IN raised more than 1,000 cans of food for the Roby & America Anderson Eastside Community Center to feed those in need with a show on Saturday night: Cousin Cooter b Wicked Clown in a cowbell on a pole match, Dynamite Dillen b Drax O’Brien, Scarecrow Eddie Felson b Bobby Black-DQ, Big Country & Clint Poe b Bobby Black & Troy Van Zant, Vic the Bruiser b Lightning Bolt Johnson, Dynamite Dillen won 12 man Battle Royal. Next show is 8/5 in Nashville, IN at the Brown County Fair and 8/6 in Columbus, IN at the HPW Arena.
- New England Championship Wrestling from Saturday night in Brockton, MA: Mike Graca b Jacob, Vampire Sethoran b Ty Shine, Dan Terry & Vern Vicallo b Kool People, Brute Van Slyke DCOR Giant Pharaoh, Heavy Hitter b Minute Men, Brad Hollister b Slyck Wagner Brown, Nikki Valentine & Vanity Vixsin b Mistress Belmont & Davienne, Kris Pyro b Scott Levesque, Tod Loco b Mike McCarthy. Next show is an all-women’s show on 7/9 at the Brockton Fair. The show is free with a fair admission.
- Crossfire Wrestling on 7/24 in St. Catharines, ONT with Cody Deaner vs. Jeremy Elliott as the main event.
- Combat Zone Wrestling on Friday night in Chicago at the Bottom Lounge with Matt Tremont vs. Isaias Velasquez for the CZW title and Prince Mustafa Ali vs Jonathan Gresham for the Freelance title, plus Robert Anthony vs. Ethan Page in a 2/3 falls ladder match. They also runSaturday night in Dayton at the Rockstar Arena with Tremont vs Rickey Shane Page for the CZW title, Lio Rush vs. AR Fox for the wired title, David Crist vs. David Starr 2/3 falls and DJ Hyde vs. Jake Crist in a no rope barbed wire death match.
- Grand Slam Wrestling on 7/9 in Moosic, PA at the Moosic Youth Center.
- UPW on 7/9 in Rochester, NY at the Eagles Club.
- Alpha 1 Wrestling from yesterday in Hamilton, ONT: Alessandro del Bruno b Speedball Mike Bailey, Ethan Page b Cheeseburger, Theory of Evolution b Tarbernak De Team, Dick Justice b Danny Orlando, Cheech & Justin Sane & Gavin Quiinn b Rickey Shane Page & Brent Banks & Alex Daniels, Kobe Durst b David Starr, Josh Alexander & Kobe Durst b Scotty O’Shea & Ethan Page in a crazy match. Next show is 8/21 with Josh Alexander vs. Matt Riddle and Joey Kings vs Ethan Page.
- Pure Wrestling Association has its 11th anniversary show on 7/23 in Kitchener, ONT and also runs 7/31 in Thedford, ONT.
- Tammy Sytch will appear for NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on 8/6 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Center.
- NWA Mid South from Saturday night in Morgan City, LA before 780 fans: John Saxon & Barrett Brown b Dark Circle, Psycho Mike b Stan Sweetan, Rob Conway b Rodney Mack-DQ, Matt Riviera b Jeremy Moore in a cage match to win the Mid South title, Mustang Mike b Greg Anthony to win the National title. Kevin Nash also made a guest appearance at the show.
- Sting and Lex Luger will be making appearances on the MCW Pro show on 7/26 at the MCW Arena for the company’s 16th annual Shane Shamrock Cup. The first round matches in the Shamrock Cup are Tommaso Ciampa vs. Jason Kincaid, Sonjay Dutt vs. Chuck Lennox, Travis Gordon vs. LSG vs. Facade, Brandon Scott & Sean Carr vs Robert Locke & Joe Keys (winner of the fall advances). The losers advance to a last chance Battle royal for a spot in the finale and Lio Rush, last year’s winner, gets a bye into the finale.
TODAY IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HISTORY: WCCW Star Wars Cards; WWF vs. NWA Champions clash; Finn Balor wins NXT Title
