“Bullet” Bob Armstrong was the perfect babyface character for his era.
Back in a time when people still believed in babyfaces and hated heels, “Bullet” Bob was a firefighter and former Marine from Marietta, Georgia. He spoke like others spoke, and he acted like you would expect him to act. He had a code of honor. In today’s cynical world, it’s hard to releate to a character like Armstrong, but in the 1960s through the early 1990s, it wasn’t that way.
As great of a babyface as Armstrong was, he was an even better heel. Though his heel run was short and, by his own admission, he did not like being a heel, he was honestly one of the best heels I ever saw.
On the latest entry into the Classic July Wrestling marathon, we will talk about a man who fathered another generation of wrestlers after him: Scott Armstrong (still a WWE referee to this day), Brad Armstrong (one of the best in ring wrestlers of his day), Steve Armstrong, and Brian “Road Dogg” James (a WWE agent today). Enjoy Karl Stern’s look at the career of “Bullet” Bob Armstrong!
Super Stern Stick flash drives are still available through this month only. Order now!
When the participants in the 26th edition of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual G1 Climax were announced last month, it seemed that the tournament might never again feature the man most associated with it.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan was excluded from the field for only the second time since 1995 — the one constant in the tournament for two decades, only missing it in 2010 because of injury. Holding the record for the most G1 appearances with 20, he has won it three times. Tenzan was still able to reach relative highs against the right opponent or in the right situation, but whether his body could handle the grueling tournament became a question after being forced out of 2013’s edition with a rib injury.
However, Tenzan was added to the G1 for likely the final time at Sunday’s Kizuna Road show. Tenzan had been trying to find his way into the tournament since participants were announced. And, he finally got his wish when Satoshi Kojima, his longtime friend and partner, gave his spot to Tenzan for one final run under the condition that he wins it.
7/18 at the Hokkaido Sports Center in Sapporo, 2 a.m. Eastern with A block matches of Makabe vs. Tonga, Goto vs. Fale, Tenzan vs. Ishii, Okada vs. Marufuji and Tanahashi vs. Sanada.
7/22 at Tokyo Korakuen Hall at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has B block matches of YoshiHashi vs. Omega, Yano vs. Nakajima, Elgin vs. Evil, Nagata vs. Naito and Shibata vs. Honma.
7/23 in Tokyo at the Machida Municipal Gym at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has A block matches of Tenzan vs. Tonga, Marufuji vs. Fale, Ishii vs. Goto, Okada vs. Sanada and Tanahashi vs. Makabe.
7/24 at Tokyo Korakuen Hall at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has B block matches with Yano vs. Omega, Elgin vs. Naito, Nagata vs. Evil, Honma vs. YoshiHashi and Shibata vs. Nakajima.
7/25 in Fukushima at the Big Palette at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Ishii vs. Fale, Tenzan vs. Marufuji, Okada vs. Goto, Makabe vs. Sanada and Tanahashi vs. Tonga.
7/26 in Nagano at the Big Hat at 5:30 a.m Eastern has a B block show with Nakajima vs. Evil, Honma vs. Omega, Nagata vs. YoshiHashi, Yano vs. Naito and Shibata vs. Elgin.
7/28 in Tokorozawa at the Citizens Gym at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Makabe vs. Tenzan, Okada vs. Tonga, Goto vs. Sanada, Ishii vs. Marufuji and Tanahashi vs. Fale.
7/30 in Nagoya at the Aiichi Gym at 5 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with YoshiHashi vs. Evil, Honma vs. Yano, Nagata vs. Nakajima, Elgin vs. Omega and Shibata vs. Naito.
7/31 in Gifu at Industrial Hall at 3 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Sanada vs. Fale, Ishii vs. Tonga, Tenzan vs. Okada, Makabe vs. Marufuji and Tanahashi vs. Goto.
8/1 in Takamatsu at the City General Gym at 6 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with Omega vs. Evil, YoshiHashi vs. Nakajima, Nagata vs. Elgin, Honma vs. Naito and Shibata vs. Yano.
8/3 in Kagoshima at the Arena at 5:30 a.m Eastern has an A block show with Marufuji vs. Sanada, Goto vs. Tonga, Tenzan vs. Fale, Makabe vs. Okada and Tanahashi vs. Ishii.
8/4 in Fukuoka at the Citizens Gym at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with Nagata vs. Yano, Elgin vs. YoshiHashi, Honma vs. Evil, Nakajima vs. Naito and Shibata vs. Omega.
8/6 in Osaka at the Edion Arena at 5 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Sanada vs. Tonga, Tenzan vs. Goto, Makabe vs. Fale, Okada vs. Ishii and Tanahashi vs. Marufuji.
8/7 in Shizuoka at Act City at 3 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with Elgin vs. Yano, Nagata vs. Omega, Naito vs. Evil, Honma vs. Nakajima and Shibata vs YoshiHashi.
8/8 in Yokohama at the Bunka Gym at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Marufuji vs. Tonga, Okada vs. Fale, Makabe vs. Goto, Ishii vs. Sanada and Tanahashi vs. Tenzan.
8/10 in Yamagata a the City Sports Center at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with Yano vs. Evil, YoshiHashi vs. Naito, Nakajima vs. Omega, Honma vs. Elgin and Shibata vs. Nagata.
8/12 at Tokyo Sumo Hall at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has the final A block show with Fale vs. Tonga, Tenzan vs. Sanada, Makabe vs. Ishii, Goto vs. Marufuji and Tanahashi vs. Okada.
8/13 at Tokyo Sumo Hall at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has the final B block show with Yano vs. YoshiHashi, Elgin vs. Nakajima, Nagata vs. Honma, Naito vs. Omega and Shibata vs. Evil.
Match was a simple television tag match. Nothing special. The crowd was hugely hot for Zo and Cass.
– Apollo Crews defeated Bo Dallas
Crews broke out a finisher that I hadn’t seen before: a belly to back alley oop to a sit down power bomb. Decent match. Much better than expected.
– Sasha Banks defeated Summer Rae
Once again, the crowd was hot for Sasha. Match was a snoozer, though.
– Golden Truth defeated Breezango
Boring match aside from Breezango playing their parts perfect.
– Sami Zayn won a 15 man battle royal, last eliminating Cesaro
After it was down to Cesaro and Sami, they basically had a 5-7 minute singles match which totally lifted the whole battle royal. Good match.
– I-C Champion The Miz w/ Maryse defeated Darren Young to retain
Really good match. Darren can always go when given the chance. About 10-15 minutes of back and forth, solid.
– US Champion Rusev w/ Lana defeated Sami Zayn
Probably the best match of the night. Lana got tossed for interference. Match was about 20 minutes. There at a point you would really think Sami was about to win the title, but with it being Pikeville, that wasn’t happening. Both guys played their parts well, and got in their key spots.
Big Show & Kane defeated The Wyatts
Bray actually wrestled this match, but not very much. Bray got in some of his usual offense, then Rowan and Strowman took it from there. Rowan ate the pin after a double choke slam, so everyone could go home happy.
Thanks also to Kevin Slone and Vick Kavelish for also sending in notes
This morning’s Kizuna Road show, live in Iwate on New Japan World, is highlighted by two title matches and an eight man elimination tag team match.
Send your feedback and thumbs up/down/in the middle and a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com
The main event has Katsuyori Shibata, who just won back the NEVER title a few weeks ago at Dominion, defending his championship against Tomoaki Honma, the perennial underdog. It’ll be interesting to see who wins here as they are also scheduled to meet again later this summer in the G1. In another title match, NEVER Openweight Six Man champs The Elite (Young Bucks and Kenny Omega) defend against veteran Satoshi Kojima and former Junior tag champs Ricochet and Matt Sydal.
In between those two matches we have a big eight man elimination match as Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Will Ospreay and Yoshi-Hashi take on Los Ingoberables de Japon – Evil, Bushi, Tetsuya Naito and Sanada.
**********
CHASE OWENS VS. DAVID FINLAY
Owens won a short, solid match after a package piledriver. Finlay is good, and also getting popular. Owens was animated, sold well, but comes across as just a guy.
Better than usual for this slot. Baretta survived some near falls with Tenzan. It ended with Taguchi using a plancah on Ishii, Tiger Mask did a tope on Romero, Liger did a plancha on Sakuraba and in the ring, Tenzan pinned Baretta after a moonsault. The crowd was pretty hot seeing Tenzan deliver the move. Match kept moving, was good.
Tenzan did a promo after the match. He’s mad he’s not in G-1 this year, and the crowd wants him in.
YUJIRO TAKAHASHI & HANGMAN PAGE VS. YOSHITATSU & CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN
Fans were into chanting for the Hunter Club. Match was okay with Page actually the best of the four. Captain got some near falls on Page before Page put him away with the Omori driver. Whenever Page does that move, it looks like the guy is going to get hurt because he drops them on their head.
Page hung Captain over the top rope after the match. Page cut a promo announcing that in August the tag titles come back to Bullet Club. That means that tag title match with Briscoes vs. Page & Takahashi is likely on the final day of G-1 at Sumo Hall.
TOGI MAKABE & JUICE ROBINSON VS. YUJI NAGATA & MANABU NAKANISHI
As you would expect, Nagata pinned Robinson with a bridging back suplex for the win. Robinson worked most of the way and sold. Nakanishi did more than usual including a top rope superplex and a crossbody off the top. Best stuff was Nagata vs. Makabe. Right before the finish, Nagata & Nakanishi did a double-team on Robinson with Nagata doing a high kick and Nakanishi coming off the top rope wth a chop.
It’s intermission time. They ran through the entire undercard in barely an hour.
YOUNG BUCKS & KENNY OMEGA VS. SATOSHI KOJIMA & RICOCHET & MATT SYDAL FOR NEVER TRIOS TITLES
Young Bucks & Omega were all wearing New Day T-shirts. Nick still has his ribs taped up. He was also doing the Big E pelvic thrusts.
Super match, great from start to finish with the belts changing hands. With the Bucks as tag champs, losing the trios belts makes sense but they bounce these belts around too much. The finish saw Kojima hit Omega with a lariat and then, he lariated both Bucks at the same time. Sydal hit the shooting star press on Matt, and Ricochet hit the shooting star press at the same time on Nick with Sydal pinning Matt.
Nonstop action and moves, but at times, it was the Ricochet highlight show. Everyone was at their best here. The Bucks twice tried the Meltzer driver but both times it was stopped. Lots of dives. The Bucks & Omega also did a “The Elite” chant to the cadence of New Day sucks.
Kojima called out Tenzan. He talked about Tenzan not being in G-1, and then offered Tenzan his spot. He really didn’t do much here so maybe he’s hurt, but on paper, that’s a backward move for the tournament.
KAZUCHIKA OKADA & HIROOKI GOTO & YOSHI-HASHI & WILL OSPREAY VS. TETSUYA NAITO & SEIYA SANADA & EVIL & BUSHI IN AN ELIMINATION MATCH
Another excellent match. It came down to Ospreay and Bushi and they were great. Bushi blew the mist but Ospreay moved and it went into Sanada’s eyes. Ospreay won after a standing Spanish fly and the Oscutter, a diamond cutter off the ropes. Pretty heated match. Naito and Okada did their big spots early to make it clear they were going over the top together. Evil clotheslined Goto off the apron to eliminate him. Yoshi-Hashi superkicked Evil off the apron to eliminate him. Sanada revesed a cradle by Yoshi-Hashi to pin him. This left Ospreay with Bushi and Sanada. Ospreay dropkicked Sanada off the apron to eliminate him. Ospreay was booked to be, and was, the star of the match.
KATSUYORI SHIBATA VS. TOMOAKI HONMA FOR THE NEVER OPENWEIGHT TITLE
Another excellent match but a little predictable. I think everyone pretty much knew how the match would go and the ending. Honma got a lot of offense but nobody ever bought him winning. Everything was laid in hard. A highlight was Honma coming off the top rope to the floor with a diving headbutt and escaping a guillotine by turning it into a brainbuster. Lots of hard elbows. Honma did his headbutts.
The finish saw Honma do a Mascaras style headbutt and Shibata caught him with a choke. He choked him almost all the way out, let go and hit the penalty kick for the pin. It just felt from the start that this is a showcase win for Shibata. Because of that, it wasn’t as good as the match they had a few years ago in G-1 which was a match of the year candidate. Last three bouts were all totally different and all delivered.
Shibata helped Honma to his feet and then threw Honma out of the ring and raised the belt.
We are finally here at the August 16, 2015, G1 Finals show at Sumo Hall. Before we get to the big main event, we get action in the Junior Heavyweight division.
The Young Bucks vs. reDragon for the IWGP Jr. tag team titles
They aired this match in full, and it was better than I remembered. They do so many four ways and three ways in New Japan, it’s actually kind of rare we just get a straight up tag team match between two teams in this division. Really good back and forth match. Loved the spot where Cody Hall took Kyle O’Reilly, as it created a good dramatic situation for Fish as he was being worked on by the Bucks. O’Reilly came back and after some more back and forth, reDragon pick up the win and the titles.
O’Reilly said just like they said on day one, they would get the win and they did. Fish said it was just a matter of time, we are conquerors and made the most of our opportunity.
Kushida said he wanted to rule G1 final days to show off the juniors to the packed crowd at Sumo Hall. It was a big chance for them. It was a nerve racking match for him as he didn’t know how his style had changed in the past. He also has great physical ability and is a tough opponent. Between 2014 and 15 he worked really hard to hone his skills; this is what that match is all about, to showcase his skills.
Kushida vs. Ricochet for the Jr. heavyweight title
Another really good match. Ricochet’s flying senton over the turnbuckle to the floor is my favorite spot in pro wrestling – just incredible! Good drama throughout with Kushida building towards the hoverboard lock. Lots of great moves. Maybe not as good as their other matches, but this was still a fine addition to their series and a good match.
Kushida says he always wanted to bring the Super Junior finals to fill in that gap between heavyweight and junior heavyweight. Every step of the way proves he can do it. He thanks Ricochet and welcomes him to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
In his reflective interview, he mentions facing Kyle O’Riley in the BOTSJ finals and Ricochet at the G1 finals. It was tough for him to use his grappling moves since Ricochet is a high flying wrestler. He was highly motivated that night as he wants to prove that the Super Juniors can go run at Sumo Hall too. It’s hard to win against non-Japanese wrestlers, but he will do it no matter what.
Tanahashi welcomes us to the second episode, all about the G1 finals. He mentions how he’s never faced Nakamura is a G1 championship match before, but he was glad he was going to face him in this final. He noticed a lot of Nakamura’s comments, and how they were about life itself, and they got to him. He was cheered in matches against Okada, but the G1 finals were on another level- they were walls of noise, and that was an incredible experience.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the G1 trophy
I thought it would be ultra hard to top the prior years G1 Finals match with Nakamura pinning Okada in a terrific match to win the trophy, but both of these guys proved me wrong. By far, this is the best match I have seen between these two and the previous matches were excellent. In other words…this was a clear candidate for match of the year. Just fantastic selling, crowd work, near falls, atmosphere – just everything about this was great. I loved the selling in particular as both guys were working on legs.
It’s also a testament to how much they protect finishers, as it’s pretty rare that someone kicks out of a boma ye and very few people kick out of the high fly flow. So when Nakamura kicked out of two of them, that was amazing and the crowd went crazy. Nakamura hit the boma ye, but Tanahashi kicked out and after some more back and forth, hit a high fly flow while Nakamura was on the middle rope, then hit his fourth high fly flow to win the match. Just stellar in every way.
Nakamura was interviewed after the match. He gave everything he had, that was his 100 percent. Tanahashi thanked the fans, saying he has mastered the heat and it’s thanks to you all. He said although the G1 ends today, pro wrestling continues onwards so please support us. To everyone who viewed the G1 today, I love you! Very few people have that babyface connection to the crowd Tanahashi has, it’s incredible.
They showed the footage of the G1 flag breaking and Tanahashi trying to fix it. They make a note of it during the post-fight press conference. Tanahashi says he’s been on everyone’s radar. He doesn’t just want to be a rival. He doesn’t want that. So starting from today, he will look for something past that.
In his reflective interview, Tanahashi notes that Nakamura was really fired up, and never saw him as the passionate type. It was as if pro wrestling changed his life. We evolve as time goes on. Now that he’s leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling, it was an intense moment with a lot of meaning. On Nakamura leaving New Japan, Tanahashi notes he’s leaving to make his dream come true, New Japan will survive and go one. New Japan still has me, so it’s all good. He wishes him the best of luck.
Two great shows. Check out the G1 Finals, obviously, but the two junior matches are very good as well.
It’s a pretty quiet weekend leading to a monster week next week with three UFC events in three days including UFC 200. We’ll be doing one weekend poll which is for the New Japan show in Iate on late Saturday night/Sunday morning with thumbs up, down or middle and best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.
A NEVER Openweight Championship match featuring champion Katsuyori Shibata defending against Tomoaki Honma will headline New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Kizuna Road show late Saturdaynight/early Sunday morning. The two previously had one of the best matches of the tournament in 2014’s G-1.
The show also features Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks defending their NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship against Satoshi Kojima, Ricochet and Matt Sydal. Chaos (Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi and Will Ospreay) will once again take on Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, Evil and Bushi) in a multi-man tag. Complete lineup as follows:
NEW JAPAN FROM IWATE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD AT 3 A.M. LATE SATURDAY NIGHT EASTERN AND MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME
Yoshitatsu & Captain New Japan vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Hangman Page
Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Togi Makabe & Juice Robinson
Kenny Omega & Young Bucks vs. Satoshi Kojima & Ricochet & Matt Sydal for Never six man titles
Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Will Ospreay vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Seiya Sanada & Bushi in an elimination match
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tomoaki Honma for Never Open weight title
– WWE has a house show in Pikeville, KY (Kane, Big Show, The Miz, Sheamus, Sami Zayn, Rusev, Cesaro, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys, Kalisto, Sasha Banks). We’re looking for reports on the show at Dave@WrestlingObsever.com.
– Sunday has a WWE show in Huntington, WV (Kane, Big Show, The Miz, Sheamus, Sami Zayn, Rusev, Cesaro, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys, Kalisto, Sasha Banks).
– Raw will be Monday night from Columbus, OH. Given that Raw is on July 4th, it is likely to be the lowest rating for a Raw show in the history of the show. Rusev vs. Titus O’Neil for the U.S. title has been announced. Shane McMahon is scheduled to return.
– Smackdown is Tuesday night in Toledo. No John Cena or Seth Rollins advertised, but Dean Ambrose, A.J. Styles and Kevin Owens are advertised.
The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11. Ed in San Antonio has information on Facebook, or you can email him at F4Wfan@hotmail.com. It’s always a fun time, so hurry up and make your plans to join Dave Meltzer, Bryan Alvarez, Vinny, Granny, Ed, Peach, Dez, Dr. Lucha, Rodney, Sr. Jaialai, “Filthy” Tom, and the rest of the group in beautiful Las Vegas this July. Plus… some extra secret surprises.
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!
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.
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 Meltzer.
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
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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.
SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
As was announced earlier this week, Shinsuke Nakamura made his return to Japan in a match against Chris Jericho on Friday’s WWE house show at Sumo Hall. WWE has uploaded video of Nakamura’s entrance and the warm reaction he received in his home country:
AJ Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows also competed in Japan for the first time since leaving NJPW earlier this year. WWE has video of The Club reacting to their return:
– Toru Yano will make his stateside Ring of Honor debut as the first announced NJPW talent appearing on ROH’s August 19th Death Before Dishonor XIV pay-per-view and August 20th TV taping.
– TNA has a ridiculous trailer promoting “Hardy vs. Hardy: The Final Deletion” on this Tuesday’s Impact:
The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling had on a Canadian wrestling legend and one of the most underrated workers of the 1990s, “PCO” Pierre Carl Ouellet. He talks his start in the wrestling business to meeting Jaques Rougeau in Puerto Rico and forming the Quebecers and much more.
This is a hilarious video of a Wisconsin basketball player doing a perfect Stone Cold impression. Tight jean shorts and beer included.
SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR
TONIGHT – Stars of Wrestling from Alameda, CA at the Alameda Point Gym has Bobby Lashley, Carlito and The Boogeyman appearing.
TONIGHT – NWA Cajun Heat in Morgan City, LA at the Municipal Auditorium with Jax Dane vs. Mustang Mike for the NWA title, and an appearance by Kevin Nash
July 7 – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
July 9 – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fundraising event.
July 16 – In Your Face Wrestling Presents: “Malicious Intent” – Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY www.iyfwrestling.com
July 17 – Lucha by the Water ft. Blue Demon Jr! – Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8, 3-6 pm. Tickets here.
July 17 – Premier Wrestling at the IFDES Lodge and Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA with Joe Graves vs. Gabriel Gallo for the Premier.
July 22 – Ignite Wrestling in Fort Pierce, FL at the National Guard Armory on a show with Lince Dorado, Mr. 450 Hammet, Lio Rush, Martin Stone, Los Ben Dejos, and more
July 22 – AIW runs on 7/22 in Cleveland, OH, with Ethan Page vs. Josh Prohibition vs. Josh Alexander, and Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae vs. Ethan Carter III & Karlee Perez
July 22 – The Lou Thesz Hall of Fame weekend show in Waterloo, IA, featuring Ricochet vs. Sami Callihan, Wes Brisco, B. Brian Blair, Jessika Havok, Tessa Blanchard, a steel cage match and more – This is the weekend Dave Meltzer will be honored.
July 23 – Live Pro Wrestling, Glengarry Sports Palace, 170 McDonald Blvd. Alexandria, Ontario
July 23 – AAW in Merrionnette Park, IL, with Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr., Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll; Tommaso Ciampa; Fenix; Johnny Gargano. Here’s what you missed.
July 23 – Masters of Ring Entertainment in Wilmington, NC, as part of Pro Wrestling Fan Expo 3 will feature Jeff Jarrett vs. ECIII vs. James Storm, announced by Jarrett.
July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY
July 30 – WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 – Live on NBCSN from Everett, Washington
July 30 – Smash Wrestling – Oshawa Music Hall, 39 King St E, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1B2
July 31 – BATTLEWAR 36; Les Foufounes Électriques, 87 Sainte-Catherine Street East Montreal, QC
The DKP is back with maybe our most unique episode yet! In this FREE show, our resident childhood memories specialist Mike “The Falcon” Falcone joins Alan to discuss THE HASBRO FIGURES!!! Not sure what the Hasbro figures are?? Well then you must be a lousy stinking 22 year old or something! Us children of the early 90s were obsessed with the little 5 inch wonders that were WWF’s collectible figurines of the day.
Alan and Mike discuss every wrestler from every series, our memories, our favourites, the matches we used to have and our brilliant childhood innovations. Were you a fan of The Undertaker and his lovely coat? The Mountie and his shock-stick? Or perhaps Sgt. Slaughter and his pointy finger?? No matter what, this is the show for you. The definitive show discussing the Hasbro goodness (as far as we know) and two hours of fun times! CHECK IT!!!
With the fact Raw will struggle badly in the ratings this week due to July 4th and next week’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, WWE is trying something new for the next few weeks on their flagship show.
– They have advertised a champion vs. champion match with Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz, with neither title at stake — a match they just did on last week’s Smackdown.
– They’ve also announced Rusev vs. Titus O’Neil for the U.S. title.
The other match announced is a USA vs. The World 16 man elimination match.
What that tells us is that they can isolate a member of the writing team who came up with that suggestion and find out that he ACTUALLY WATCHES WRESTLING. CMLL did that exact same match Friday night except it was Mexico vs. The World in a 16 man elimination match. It also went 51 minutes and was pretty great. Just make sure Volador Jr. and Kushida are the world team.
There will also be the return of a former Smackdown General Manager.
For those thinking Paul Heyman, Heyman arrives in Las Vegas tomorrow and his doing promotional work for a bikini contest much of the week at the Hard Rock, as well as spending time with Brock Lesnar who faces Mark Hunt a week from today at UFC 200. While it’s not impossible for him to go to Columbus, OH from Vegas for one show, I would doubt that would happen because there is bikini contest activity on Monday.
Waterloo, Iowa: – Joe Stecher beat Abe Kashey – Alan Eustace drew Homer (Bearcat) Wright
1939
Waterloo, Iowa; – Ali Baba beat Earl Wampler by dq – Abe Kashey drew with Rudy Strongberg
1948
St. Louis, Missouri: – Ernie Dusek beat Felix Miquet – Al Lovelock defeatd Al Billings – Warren Bockwinkel and Don McIntyre went to a 20 minute draw
1964
Kansas City; Kansas: – Harley Race defeated Steve Bolus – Sonny Myers defeated Bulldog Plechas via DQ – Moose Evans won a 6-man Battle Royal
1970
Kansas City, Kansas: – Roger Kirby defeated Don Drummer – Scandor Akbar fought The Viking to a draw – Pat O’Connor defeated Tarzan Tyler – Danny Little Bear defeated Oki Shikina – Baron Von Raschke & Harley Race defeated Bob Geigel & Bob Brown in three falls
1975
Minneapolis, Minnesota: – Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant were the final two survivors in a 15 man battle royal and split $25,000 – Ivan Putski drew Baron Von Raschke – Dusty Rhodes beat Jimmy Valiant by dq – Nick Bockwinkel beat Chris Taylor by countout
1977
Duluth, Minnesota: – Super Destroyer beat Pedro Morales – Angelo Mosca ddq Larry Hennig – Billy Robinson beat Roger Kirby – Bob Backlund beat Blackjack Lanza – Steve Olsonoski beat Lord Alfred Hayes
1982
Houston, Texas: – Mongolian Stomper won a 2 ring battle royal – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Ricky Morton – Terry Funk beat Tully Blanchard – Bruiser Brody no contest Killer Brooks – Ken Lucas & Tito Santana & El Gran Apollo beat Bob Sweetan & Jim Duggan & Mike Boyette – Buddy Landell defeated Alexis Smirnoff
Charlotte, North Carolina: – Roddy Piper defeated Jack Brisco to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Title
1983
Greensboro, North Carolina: – Gene Anderson defeated Joel Deaton – Susan Starr defeated Leilani Kai – Dick Slater defeated John Bonello – Jimmy Valiant & Rufus R. Jones defeated the Great Kabuki & Gary Hart – Wahoo McDaniel & Roddy Piper fought NWA US Champion Greg Valentine & Dory Funk Jr. to a no contest – NWA Tag Team Champions Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood – NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Ric Flair via disqualification
1988
Dothan, Alabama: – Austin Idol beat AWA Champion Jerry Lawler by dq – AWA Champion Jerry Lawler beat Ken Wayne
1992
Sneedville, Tennessee: – Tim Horner pinned Buddy Landel – SMW Heavyweight Champion Brian Lee pinned the Dirty White Boy – The Fantastics; Bobby & Jackie Fulton defeated SMW Tag Team Champions The Heavenly Bodies; Stan Lane & Tom Pritchard via disqualification – Tim Horner and Dixie Dynamite co-won a battle royal
1999
Poughkeepsie, New York: – Jerry Lynn defeated Lance Storm – Sabu defeated Justin Credible – ECW World Champion Taz defeated Spike Dudley – ECW TV Champion Rob Van Dam defeated Balls Mahoney
2007
Dallas, Texas: – Umaga defeated Santino Marella to win the WWE Intercontinental Title
– Baron Corbin beat Dolph Ziggler with the End of Days.
– Titus O’Neil beat Curtis Axel after three backbreakers and the Clash of The Titus.
– WWE Tag Team Champons The New Day beat The Vaudevillians to retain the tag titles after a foot stomp from the top rope.
– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka submitted Becky Lynch with the Asuka lock to retain.
– John Cena & Usos beat The Club (AJ Styles/Gallows/Anderson). Cena got the pin. Post match, Cena cut a promo and allowed the Club to stay in the ring so they could get some recognition for their time in Japan.
– WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte submitted Natalya with the Figure 8 to retain.
– Shinsuka Nakamura pinned Kevin Owens after hitting the Kinshasa
– WWE Champion Dean Ambrose won a three way over Chris Jericho and Seth Rollins, pinning Jericho after hitting Dirty Deeds.
