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  • Wednesday night ratings 10-21: UFC, TNA and ROH

    Ultimate Fighter last night did 585,000 viewers, putting it in third place behind the Mets-Cubs game and a preseason NBA game, when it came to sports programming last night in the time slot.

    For Destination America, TNA Impact had another weak night, doing 264,000 viewers for the first show and 63,000 for the second show, for a combined 327,000 viewers, tying last week for the third lowest since moving to the channel.

    ROH fell 24 percent going against the Mets game, doing 132,000 viewers.

    The Mets-Cubs game did 7.94 million viewers.

  • Daily Update: Kevin Owens on big Quebec show, additions to UFC 195

    Matt Farmer joined us for the first of several Hall of Fame shows on a Wrestling Observer radio that’s up right now: Wrestling Observer Radio 10/22: Observer Hall of Fame discussion with Matt Farmer, tons of news and more!

    The latest WOL was just posted:  Wrestling Observer Live 10/22: Weakest UFC headliner ever, all the news of the day!

    And of course you can’t miss this one! Filthy Four Daily 10/22: Tom Lawlor talks his concussion and then ten hottest superstars in WWE

    We’re looking for reports on tonight’s NXT TV tapings in Winter Park, FL at Dave Meltzer

    The Finn Balor vs. Apollo Crews NXT title match is scheduled to be taped early on tonight’s tapings.

    Schedule:

    Smackdown at 8 p.m. on Syfy

    Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro non-title, Paige vs. Nikki Bella, Lucha Dragons vs. King Barrett & Sheamus, Ryback vs. Bo Dallas, and New Day vs. Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose non-title

    UFC Unleashed airs at 7:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 with an episode spotlighting strawweight fighters Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Paige VanZant, and Michelle Waterson.

    UFC Reloaded airs at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 has the UFC 186: Johnson vs. Horiguchi pay-per- view main card from earlier this year.

    WWE SmackDown on airs on Syfy at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro, Paige vs. Nikki Bella.Miz TV with Summer Rae and Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus and King Barrett vs. The Lucha Dragons, Ryback vs. Bo Dallas. and New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) vs. Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose.

    New Japan World has a live show at 6 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow morning from Tokorozawa

    • Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu & Juice Robinson
    • Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Jay White & David Finlay non-title
    • Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada & Kushida & Alex Shelley vs. Kenny Omega & Chase Owens & Young Bucks
    • Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto vs. Cody Hall & Tama Tonga
    • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo
    • Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ricochet & Matt Sydal vs. Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta

    New Japan also opens its junior heavyweight tag team tournament on Friday night/Saturday morning at 5:30 a.m. Eastern and 2:30 a.m. Pacific time from Korakuen Hall

    • Togi Makabe & Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata & Captain New Japan vs. Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka & David Finlay & Jay White
    • Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi& Tomoaki Honma & Juice Robinson vs. Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo

    Tag team tournament first round matches:

    • Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly
    • Rocky Romero & Baretta vs. Kenny Omega & Chase Owens
    • Mascara Dorada & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Young Bucks
    • Matt Sydal & Ricochet vs. Alex Shelley & Kushida

    ****

    Figure Four Weekly:

    Jerry McDevitt cuts quite the legal promo on Konstantine Kyros as part of his latest screed in the ongoing legal battle over WWE’s alleged role in wrestlers’ brain damage.

    Figure Four Weekly October 19, 2015: Latest Update On WWE Concussion Lawsuits

    ****

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    The WWE’s record low ratings, even with bringing in all the big names on Monday, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer newsletter.  We look at the ratings, the competition, the build to Hell in a Cell, and what type of programming is and isn’t working in ratings now.  We also look more at John Layfield’s interview with Eric Bischoff and WCW and how pro wrestling has changed since the death of WCW, as well as more on the political goings-on in Mexico, what modern era wrestlers have had the most four star matches and a wrestling show in a few weeks that you don’t know of that is going to have a paid attendance of more than 30,000 people.  CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

    Check out the latest issue:  Wrestling Observer Newsletter October 26, 2015: Raw ratings woes continue, More Eric Bischoff notes

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

    You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Rates are:

    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.

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

    CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

    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. 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.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

    WWE

    • Judge Pamela Campbell ruled that, at Hulk Hogan’s expense, Gawker must turn over their computers for an investigation by a court-appointed forensic examiner. This is to determine whether or not Gawker had anything to do with the leak of Hogan’s racist comments during one of the videos of him and Heather Cole. If it was determined that Gawker did it, they could lose the equivalent of a default judgment.
    • Monday’s RAW in San Diego has 6500 sold thus far for a building that sells out at 10,900.
    • WWE’s 12/26 MSG show will have (as of now) U.S. Champion John Cena vs. Sheamus and Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose.
    • Speaking of Owens, he will be appearing Sunday night on “Tout le monde en parle”, a very popular talk show in Quebec. The show is being taped tonight, and gets about 2 million viewers in Quebec alone. This is, by far, his biggest mainstream media appearance to date.

    UFC

    • Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson vs. Neil Magny has been added to January 2nd’s UFC 195 card in a battle of rising welterweight contenders. Albert Tumenov vs. Lorenz Larkin has also been added in another welterweight fight, making a card that is already full of interesting welterweight stand-up fights like welterweight champion Robbie Lawler defending the title against Carlos Condit. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday at 10 AM PST with prices ranging from $104-$804. There is a pre-sale going on now for Fight Club members.
    • In addition to the Dublin show on Saturday, UFC Fight Pass is also airing a show from Russia on Friday afternoon at 1 pm eastern. Fight Nights Petersburg is headlined by a Light Heavyweight fight between Mikhail Mokhnatkin and Ednaldo Oliveira and two women’s flyweights on the undercard.
    • Conor McGregor sent out a tweet on Wednesday night offering to step in and fight Dustin Poirier and save the UFC Dublin main event. Of course, this had almost no chance of happening as it would be foolish to risk a multi-million dollar payday in December against Jose Aldo for a Fight Night event on Fight Pass.
    • Because the Joe Duffy vs. Dustin Poirier main event is off due to Duffy suffering from a concussion from a Saturday night training injury, the UFC has offered refunds at the point of purchase for all tickets for Saturday’s show in Dublin.

    OTHER MMA

    • Bellator announced ‘Bellator 147’ headlined by Josh Thomson vs. Pablo Villaseca for 12/4 at San Jose (CA) State University. Tickets go on sale Friday at a starting price of $30.
    • World Series of Fighting and IMG have renewed their worldwide distribution deal. Currently, WSOF is on television in 70 countries and territories including Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Peru and Russia. They are also on The Fight Network in Canada.

    OTHER WRESTLING

    • Bushwacker Luke will be appearing form Great North Wrestling Nov. 27th in Rockland ON. He cut a promo for the match that you can see here.
    • While it was reported in Germany by the promotion that Big Ryck (the former Ezekiel Jackson) had said he wrestled his last match over the weekend, his booking agent, Bill Behrens, has said that he is not retired, is still wrestling, and is taking independent bookings, flying out of San Francisco.
    • Seiya Sanada is offering a $200 max flat rate for flight expenses for paid wrestling bookings to help control travel expenses for those who book him, flying out of Detroit. Also available include A.J. Styles (no dates available until 2016), Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, Matt Sydal, Jay Lethal (only bookings outside the U.S. & Canada, he has an exclusive ROH contract for North America), Sean Waltman, Vampiro, Drew Galloway, Eric Young, James Storm, Bobby Roode, Mike Posey, Corey Hollis and a lot more.?
    • GFW announced a 6 PM meet and greet prior to tomorrow night’s TV tapings in Las Vegas at The Orleans Arena. It will include Karen Jarrett, PJ Black, Brian Myers, Nick Aldis, Bobby Roode, Amber Gallows, Chris Mordetzky, Seiya Sanada, Kongo Kong with Henry Maxwell and Cyrus Fees.  Those who have tickets to the show can get into the meet and greet if they come to the Southwest entrance no later than 6 p.m.  If you arrive after 6 p.m., there is no guarantee you will be allowed in.  This is only open to those who have purchased P1 tickets.  If you have purchased tickets for the show that are not P1 tickets, you can come to the meet and greet for $35.
    • CHIKARA runs on Saturday night at 7 PM. at the Jeffersonville Arena in Jeffersonville IN headlined by Chuck Taylor vs Blaster McMassive and Arik Cannon & Darin Corbin vs. Missile Assault Man & Lucas Calhoun.
    • GOUGE on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Fuquay Varina, NC at the Draft Line Brewery.
    • Crossfire Wrestling on 12/5 at 4 p.m. at the Merritton Community Centre in St. Catherines, ONT headlined by Cody Deaner vs. Eric Young
    • Acclaim Pro Wrestling on 11/21 in Ottawa, ONT at the Polish Combatants Centre
    • Prairie Wrestling Alliance on 10/24 in Calgary at the Century Casino.
    • A new match on NWAClassics.com this week is Tommy Rich vs. Kamala.
    • Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling on 11/20 in Victoria, BC at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91.
    • Blue Demon Promotions on Saturday in El Paso at the Buchanan’s Event Centre has Blue Demon Jr. & Cassandro vs. Pakal & Peluchin Maldad
    • FMLL on Sunday in El Monte, CA at the Florentine Gardens has Ultimo Guerrero defending the FMLL light heavyweight title against Shocker, plus Pirata Morgan & Cobarde vs. Nicho & Jaque Mate.
    • Another show in El Paso Saturday at the Southwest University Events Center has La Sombra & Rush vs. Volador Jr. & Mr. Aguila.
    • Ultimate Championship Wrestling on 11/27 in Bay City, MI has a special show to raise money for Cassidy Christie, the 11-year-old daughter of local wrestler Pete Christie, who is battling cancer.  A number of wrestlers are donated their services to this cause.  Headliners are Brian Christopher & Scotty 2 Hotty reuniting as 2 Cool, plus Sabu.
    • Coastal Championship Wrestling from last night in Coral Springs, FL:  Maxwell Chicago b Made Man, Santana Garrett b Tammy Lynn, Cousin Earl b Danny Embry, El Heroes Byronico b Ricky Rush, Iron City Mauler & Guadeloupe Brothers b J-Dawg Brooks & The Assassins.
    • Santana Garrett is leaving the U.S. for Japan today and starts Sunday for the Stardom promotion.  If you purchased tickets specifically to see her for tomorrow night’s Championship Wrestling Entertainment show in Port St. Lucie and Saturday’s Riot Pro Wrestling show in Melbourne, FL, tickets will be refunded up until the first 15 minutes of the show. (thanks to Al Haft)
    • Viva La Lucha on 10/30 in Arcadia, FL at the Turner-Agri Civic Center with Silver King, Rey Bucanero, El Hijo de L.A. Park, Damian 666, Bestia 666, Extreme Tiger, Rey Hours, Willie Mack, Ivelisse Velez, Jessicka Havok and more.
    • 40 years ago today in Miami Beach before 3,274 fans:  Dusty Rhodes b King Curtis Iaukea to retain the Florida title, Mark Lewin b Harley Race, Rocky Johnson & Ciclon Negro & Omar Negro (Buddy Moreno/Omar Atlas) b Larry Hennig & Bob Roop & J.J. Dillon, Ricky Gibson & Jimmy Golden b The Masked Superstars, Mike Graham b Roger Kirby via DQ to retain the U.S. jr. title, Billy Robinson b Bobby Duncum, Mike George b Tony Charles (thanks to Barry Rose)
    • NFC tomorrow night in Kennesaw, GA at the Electric Cowboy features MMA fights at 8 p.m.  You must be over the age of 18 to attend.
    • Pivotshare is doing channels for a number of wrestling organizations for video content at:
    • ICW OnDemand
    • Combat Zone Wrestling
    • Monster Factory Pro Wrestling
    • Women In Wrestling Network
    • Smash Wrestling
    • Progress Wrestling
    • Absolute Intense Wrestling

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

    1966 – George & Sandy Scott beat Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy to win the IWA tag titles

    1995 – Chapparita Asari beat Momoe Nakanishi in Fukuoka to win the WWWA super lightweight title

    1997 – Jaguar Yokota beat Lioness Asuka in Tokyo to win the TWWF title

    2000 – Tamon Honda & Naomichi Marufuji beat Masao Inoue & Yoshinobu Kanemaru to win the WEW tag titles

    2001 – Keiji Muto & Taiyo Kea beat Genichiro Tenryu & Yoji Anjo to win the All Japan world tag title

    2005 – Zack Sabre beat Falcon to win the NWA Hammerlock jr. heavyweight title

    2005 – Shuji Kondo beat Taka Michinoku in Tokyo to win the All Japan world jr. title

    2005 – Too Cold Scorpio beat Mohammed Yone in Tokushima to win the GHC open weight title

    2013 – Suwama & Joe Doering beat Jun Akiyama & Go Shiozaki in Niigata to win the All Japan world tag title

    2014 – Atsushi Aoki & Hikaru Sato beat Ultimo Dragon & Yoshinobu Kanemaru in Tokyo to win the All Japan jr. tag title

  • WWE’s Record low ratings continue

    The WWE’s record low ratings, even with bringing in all the big names on Monday, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer newsletter.  We look at the ratings, the competition, the build to Hell in a Cell, and what type of programming is and isn’t working in ratings now.  We also look more at John Layfield’s interview with Eric Bischoff and WCW and how pro wrestling has changed since the death of WCW, as well as more on the political goings-on in Mexico, what modern era wrestlers have had the most four star matches and a wrestling show in a few weeks that you don’t know of that is going to have a paid attendance of more than 30,000 people.

    Check out the latest issue:  Wrestling Observer Newsletter October 26, 2015: Raw ratings woes continue, More Eric Bischoff notes

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

    You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Rates are:

    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.

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

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

    The lead story looks at the ratings on Monday, the competition, the front-loading of the show, Brock Lesnar’s role, the short-term babyface issue WWE faces, the injury to Randy Orton, Hell in a Cell, why what would seem to be the smart changes can’t be made, the reality of ratings when it comes to sports, what WWE is lacking, and creative issues.

    We also look at John Layfield’s interview with Eric Bischoff, and we look at the downfall of WCW.  We look at January 4, 1999 when WCW set its all-time record gate, the reaction to Mick Foley winning the WWF title, how Hogan vs. Goldberg was botched in a way nobody talks about, the role jealousy over Jesse Ventura played, Bischoff talks Vince Russo, Hogan’s lawsuit against Time Warner, the story behind Bischoff’s group not buying WCW in the end, and Bischoff talks about if he misses running a wrestling company.  We also talk about how the wrestling fan base has changed greatly in the aftermath of the death of WCW.

    We also look at the future of Smackdown, WWE contacting New Japan about footage and the reaction, WWE Breaking Ground, WWE’s attempt to do a second and third NXT television show,  Background of Tom Phillips, Tyler Breeze being brought to the main roster, notes on new WWE signings and those in the process, Sting talks why he lost to HHH, wrestler going on hiatus, why Erick Rowan was on Raw, new WWE coach hired, Brock’s shooting star press and the background of it, WWE stock plus notes from all the NXT and WWE house shows over the weekend and business updates.   

    We update the story of the original Sin Cara leaving AAA, AAA not wanting him back, his reactions, his new name, new cards with him on top and questions regarding the CMLL business model and the deal they’ve made with Lucha Libre Elite.  We also look at some of the other talent in Mexico that at this point both is being talked with by LLE, and those who claim they are staying with AAA.

    We also have an updated listing of wrestlers with the most four-star singles matches in the modern era, the flaws in the listing, and how this relates to the Hall of Fame.

    We also look at what will be the second biggest wrestling crowd of the year in North America, a stadium show that has already sold 28,000 tickets but nobody knows about it.

    We also have ratings of all the major TV shows of the past week, results from the major league events over the past week and a look at the major TV shows of the past week.

    Also in this issue:

    –Notes on the CMLL tournament of champions final

    –How attendance held up on a WWE in Mexico City weekend

    –CMLL schedules an iPPV show for next week

    –Pro wrestler engagement makes mainstream news in Mexico

    –L.A. Park defends himself and talks money

    –Notes on this past week’s AAA TV tapings

    –Lineup for the next TV tapings

    –Dragon Gate prepares its last major event of the year

    –Update on the Global League tournament

    –Notes on the upcoming Sumo Hall sellout

    –New Year’s Eve head-to-head battle in Japan

    –Why Antonio Inoki and Pride split up years ago

    –GFW TV taping notes

    –The closing of Hogan’s Beach restaurant

    –Insane Championship Wrestling sells out Glasgow in advance

    –Biggest shows in the U.K. in the early 80s

    –Jake Roberts talks new wrestling company

    –A look at the Evolve weekend events and connection with WWE

    –Stardom comes to the U.S.

    –Former WWE woman star returns to the ring after three years

    –A look back at the 1977 decision on the NWA title

    –Notes on Bob Backlund as a babyface leading to his WWWF title win

    –Comparing Bob Backlund to Ted DiBiase in similar roles

    –More controversy regarding Chicky Starr going public

    –Terry Funk vs. Jerry Lawler

    –House of Hardcore notes

    –Former Olympic medalist turned pro wrestler does major reality show

    –Update on Alberto El Patron

    –ROH notes for this coming weekend

    –Notes on TNA’s tour of India

    –Return of Bram

    –TNA star gets role in FX movie

    –Notes on UFC cuts

    –Why so many were cut at one time

    –UFC retirement

    –Weidman predicts second biggest PPV number in history

    –Lots of news on UFC finances

    –Value of the UFC deal with FOX and Globo

    –New UFC fights

    –Update on Wanderlei Silva lawsuit

    –A study on the subject of weight cutting

    –Notes on UFC rules and regulations

    –Lots of news on UFC injuries

    –Lots of new UFC fights

    –Notes on lawsuit filed by Dana White’s mother against an Internet personality

    –Notes on this week’s Bellator show

    –More on the arrest of Mayhem Miller

    –GGG and PPV

    –WSOF show notes and Nick Newell retirement

    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.

  • UFC Fight Night 76 Preview: 5 storylines to watch, betting odds & predictions

    The UFC returns to Ireland this Saturday for UFC Fight Night 76 at the 3Arena in Dublin, the third time the UFC has visited the venue. The last time the Octagon graced Dublin, it was one of the most memorable shows not just of 2014, but in company history, with a rabid crowd chanting all night long ending with Conor McGregor scoring a big win in front of his country on his way to winning the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship. UFC Fight Pass will provide exclusive coverage of the event with a main card start time of 4 PM eastern time, and preliminary card action kicking off at 1 PM eastern time on Saturday.

    The event will be headlined by a five-round bout in the UFC’s lightweight division as former featherweight contender Dustin Poirier looks to continue to climb the 155-pound rankings when he takes on Irish standout Joseph Duffy, who looks to improve on his 14-1 MMA record and score his third straight UFC win. Poirier had some trouble when he last fought an Irish fighter, when he took on McGregor at UFC 178 in September 2014, and the Irish crowd certainly won’t let him forget about it. Other Irish standouts will be on the card, including Paddy Holohan, Aisling Daly and Cathal Pendred. Let’s take a deeper look into the card and find five storylines to keep an eye on when UFC Fight Night 76 takes place on Saturday.

    1. Can Dustin Poirier score the win in front of the rabid Irish crowd?

    There can be one thing said about the fans in Ireland- they are loud and they cheer their home country fighters with a lot of passion. Dustin Poirier is coming into hostile territory in the headline bout when he takes on Joseph Duffy in a five-round bout. Poirier has fought in front of a hostile, dominant Irish crowd before when he took on Conor McGregor at UFC 178 in Las Vegas. Duffy isn’t the type of personality that McGregor is, and doesn’t talk trash like McGregor, and isn’t going to get into the head of Poirier like McGregor did. However, the Irish fans will likely make Poirier remember the fight against McGregor, and they will look up the noise level in favor of Duffy when the two men step inside the Octagon.

    Poirier is fighting for the third time since moving up to the lightweight division following his loss to McGregor. He has scored first-round knockout wins over Carlos Diego Ferreira and Yancy Medeiros since moving up, and Duffy is his biggest test since the transition. Poirier was a legitimate contender at 145 pounds, with his only losses coming to McGregor, Cub Swanson and Chan Sung Jung, fighters who have either fought for the title or been on the cusp of fighting for it. He has a chance to be a title contender at 155 pounds as he gets more adjusted, and not making the big weight cut down to 145 pounds has to make life easier. He is ranked at #13 in the lightweight rankings, but he comes in as the underdog for this fight. He has the overall skillset to score the win over Duffy, and it would be a big victory if he is able to do so.

    2. Can Joseph Duffy break into the lightweight rankings with a win over Dustin Poirier?

    Joseph Duffy will be stepping into the Octagon for the third time on Saturday night, and he is already in a main event spot when he takes on Dustin Poirier. Duffy is from Donegal, Ireland, and he will have the support of the crowd behind him. Duffy puts his four-fight win streak on the line, and he is 14-1 in his career. He also holds the distinction of being the last man to defeat Conor McGregor, and many think a rematch between the two could be the biggest fight they could put on in the country of Ireland. Duffy is by no means looking towards that, partly because they are fighting in different divisions (though that could change), but mostly because Duffy has higher aspirations- winning the UFC Lightweight Championship.

    Duffy has scored two first-round stoppage wins in his two UFC fights, wins over Jake Lindsey and Ivan Jorge. Poirier is obviously a huge step up in competition, but Duffy is ready for it. Out of his 14 wins, 13 have come by stoppage, and he trains with one of the best camps in the sport- the Tristar camp in Montreal. Duffy is also undefeated in his professional boxing and kickboxing careers, and he has excellent ground skills as well. He has yet to go 25 minutes in a fight, and he had to weather some early trouble in his fight with Jorge. Poirier is one of the best finishers in the sport when he has his opponent in trouble, so Duffy will need to be on the offensive early. It is a big spot for Duffy to prove he is a contender, and a win would certainly send the Irish crowd home happy.

    3. Who wins the co-main event between Paddy Holohan and Louis Smolka?

    The night’s co-main event was originally scheduled to be a heavyweight bout between Stipe Miocic and Ben Rothwell that had big title shot implications on the line. However, Miocic was forced out of the bout due to injury, and Rothwell was pulled from the card in response, and this fight card ended up with a flyweight bout between Patrick Holohan and Louis Smolka being bumped up to the co-main event slot. It’s far from being the highest-profile co-main event fight, but it is one that has the potential to be the best fight on the card as Holohan and Smolka bring it inside the Octagon every time they step in it.

    Holohan has just one loss in his professional career, and has won two straight fights. Smolka is also on a two-fight win streak and has just one loss in his professional career as well. Both men are exciting fighters who come to finish, and Holohan will have the Irish crowd solidly in his corner. Smolka will draw some vitrol from the crowd as he is coming off a win over another Irish flyweight in Neil Seery at UFC 189 in July. Smolka has excellent striking skills and some solid submission prowess. Holohan is a finisher by submission, with 67% of his wins coming by submission, but his last two wins have come by decision. Both are tall flyweights and have the same reach. They are evenly-matched, but I like Smolka to score the win in this one.

    4. Will Norman Parke snap his two-fight losing skid when he takes on Reza Madadi?

    Norman Parke is a former winner of The Ultimate Fighter, winning the lightweight tournament on TUF: The Smashes. He went unbeaten in his first five UFC bouts, and if it weren’t for a point deduction for grabbing the shorts of Leonardo Santos when they fought, he would’ve been five-for-five in his first five fights. However, he has seen a recent string of tough luck come his way as he enters Saturday night having lost his previous two bouts. Both were split decision losses, coming to Gleison Tibau and Francisco Trinaldo, and both were close enough fights that a few swings in the action during the bouts and Parke could still be unbeaten in the UFC. Regardless, he finds his back against the wall coming into Saturday night’s bout against a tough opponent in Reza Madadi.

    Madadi is fighting for the first time since April 2013, when he scored a submission win over Michael Johnson, who is now a top-five ranked fighter at 155 pounds. Madadi has spent the past two years in lots of legal trouble, and spent 14 months in jail for aggravated burglary. He has claimed his innocence, and the UFC decided to re-sign him after he was released. With 30 months out of action, there is no question he will suffer from some cage rust. He is 8-1 in his last nine fights, but with missing that time and being 37-years-old, who knows what he brings to the table these days. It seems controversial that the UFC re-signed him after the arrest, but they must have faith that he was innocent despite the conviction. It will be a tough fight for Parke, but I see him scoring the win on Saturday.

    5. What else is there to look out for on Saturday?

    With this being an event airing exclusively on UFC Fight Pass and being in Ireland, it isn’t exactly loaded with star power, but there are a lot of promising fighters on the card. Nine fighters on the card have one loss or less in their careers, and some will be fighting for their spot on the UFC roster. The final main card bout is an interesting battle of unbeatens as Nicolas Dalby takes on Darren Till. Both men fight inside the Octagon for the second time, and Till is an interesting prospect at 22-years-old, and with eleven finish wins in his 13 career bouts.

    On the preliminary card, Stevie Ray looks to go 3-0 inside the Octagon after two stoppage wins in his first two UFC bouts. Scott Askham and Krzysztof Jotko will each be looking to score their second straight UFC win when they square off. Cathal Pendred looks to get back into the win column after his first UFC loss when he takes on the undefeated Tom Breese. This is a big spot for Pendred as if he loses in yet another boring fight, he could be on his way out of the organization as roster cuts are being made. Also on the prelims is veteran Darren Elkins, who will be fighting in the UFC for the 13th time. He worked with the Team Alpha Male camp for this fight and he takes on Robert Whiteford, coming out of the American Top Team camp and is looking to build on his two-fight win streak.

    Full UFC Fight Night 76 Fight Card, Betting Odds and Predictions

    MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 4 PM ET/1 PM PT)

    Lightweights: (#13) Dustin Poirier vs. Joseph Duffy
    Betting Odds:     Poirier (+200), Duffy (-240)
    Prediction: Poirier by knockout in round 3

    Flyweights: Patrick Holohan vs. Louis Smolka
    Betting Odds:     Holohan (+100), Smolka (-120)
    Prediction: Smolka by decision

    Lightweights: Norman Parke vs. Reza Madadi
    Betting Odds:     Parke (-280), Madadi (+240)
    Prediction: Parke by decision

    Welterweights: Nicolas Dalby vs. Darren Till
    Betting Odds:     Dalby (-135), Till (+115)
    Prediction: Till by knockout in round 2

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 1 PM ET/10 AM PT)

    Lightweights: Stevie Ray vs. Mickael Lebout
    Betting Odds:     Ray (-550), Lebout (+425)
    Prediction: Ray by knockout in round 2

    Flyweights: Neil Seery vs. Jon Delos Reyes
    Betting Odds:     Seery (-155), Reyes (+135)
    Prediction: Seery by decision

    Middleweights: Scott Askham vs. Krzysztof Jotko
    Betting Odds:     Askham (-135), Jotko (+115)
    Prediction: Askham by knockout in round 2

    Women’s Strawweights: (#15) Aisling Daly vs. Ericka Almeida
    Betting Odds:     Daly (-135), Almeida (+115)
    Prediction: Daly by decision

    Welterweights: Cathal Pendred vs. Tom Breese
    Betting Odds:     Pendred (+220), Breese (-260)
    Prediction: Breese by submission in round 2

    Featherweights: (#14) Darren Elkins vs. Robert Whiteford
    Betting Odds:     Elkins (-145), Whiteford (+125)
    Prediction: Elkins by decision

    Middleweights: Bubba Bush vs. Garreth McLellan
    Betting Odds:     Bush (-260), McLellan (+220)
    Prediction: Bush by submission in round 3

  • On this day in pro wrestling history: Kurt Angle battles The Rock

    1938

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – Jack McLauchlan defeated Pete Tripodes to become the first Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title

    1956

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – Ray Gunkel & Amazing Zuma defeated Gene Kelly (Gene Kiniski) & Len Crosby to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Titles

    1957

    – Kurt Von Himmler & Juan Oinada defeated Doug and Red Donovan to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles

    1962

    Memphis, Tennessee: 
    – The Medics won the NWA Southern Tag Team Title by defeating Lester Welch & Buddy Fuller

    1965

    Lafayette, Louisiana:
    – Danny McShain won the NWA Louisiana Heavyweight Title from Bobby Fields 

    Denver, Colorado:
    – Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher no contest AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race
    – Bob Ellis beat Haru Sasaki
    – Mighty Igor Vodik beat Gene Anderson
    – Chris Markoff beat Ivan Kalmikoff

    1966

    Melbourne, Australia;
    – George & Sandy Scott defeated Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard to win the IWA (Australia) Tag Team Title 

    1969

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – Curtis Iaukea & Ripper Collins won the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship by defeating Kurt and Karl Von Steiger

    1976

    Mexico City, Mexico:
    – El Faraon defeated Perro Aguayo to win the NWA World Middleweight Title 

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Gene & Ole Anderson won the NWA Georgia Tag Team Title by defeating Tom Jones & Porkchop Cash 

    Ozark, Alabama:
    – The Wrestling Pro won the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title by defeating Greg Peterson

    1979

    New York, New York:
    – Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated Johnny & Jerry Valiant to win the WWWF World Tag Team Title

    1981

    San Juan, Puerto Rico:
    – Don Kent & Bruno Bekkar defeated Jack and Jerry Brisco to win the WWC North American Tag Team Titles

    1983

    San Francisco, California:
    – Mad Dog Vachon won battle royal
    – Andre The Giant & Mad Dog Vachon & Rick Martel beat Jerry Blackwell & Ken Patera & Sheik Adnan
    – Hulk Hogan beat David Shults
    – Mr Saito beat Baron Von Raschke
    – Blackjack Lanza beat Bobby Heenan
    – Ray Stevens beat Bill White
    – Steve Olsonoski beat Chris Markoff

    1984

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) defeated The Long Riders (Scott Irwin & Bill Irwin) to win the NWA American Tag Team Titles

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn & Stan Lane) defeated Rick Rude and King Kong Bundy to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1985

    Fort Lewis, Washington:
    – Mike Miller & Moondog Moretti defeated Steve Simpson & Joe Savoldi to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles

    1986

    San Juan, Puerto Rico:
    – Al Perez defeated Invader I to win the WWC Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title

    1994

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Toshiaki Kawada defeated “Dr. Death” Steve Williams to win the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Title 

    1995

    Winnipeg, Manitoba:
    – Razor Ramon defeated Dean Douglas to win the vacant WWF Intercontinental Title (title was vacated after Shawn Michaels forfeited the title)

    San Germin, Puerto Rico: 
    – Christopher Daniels & Kevin Quinn defeated Huracan Castillo Jr. & Invader I to win the WWC World Tag Team Titles

    1999 

    Fukuoka, Japan:
    – Yumiko Hotta defeated Kyoko Inoue to win the WWWA World Singles Title 

    2000

    Albany, New York:
    – Los Conquistadors (Edge & Christian) defeated the Hardy Boys to win the WWF World Tag Team Titles 
    – Kurt Angle defeated the Rock to win the WWF World Title

    2001

    Niigata, Japan:
    – Keiji Mutoh & Taiyo Kea defeated Genichiro Tenryu and Yoji Anjoh to win the AJPW World Tag Team Titles

    Kansas City, Missouri:
    – Rock & Chris Jericho beat The Dudleys to win the WWF Tag Titles
    – Kurt Angle beat Rhyno to capture the U.S. Title 
    – Tajiri beat Billy Kidman to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title

    2003

    Nashville, Tennessee:
    – Jeff Jarrett pinned A.J. Styles to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title 

    2005

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Shuji Kondo defeated Taka Michinoku for the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title

    2006

    – Sting defeated Jeff Jarrett to win the NWA Championship
    – Chris Sabin defeated Senshi to win the TNA X-Division Title 
    – LAX defeated AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels to win the NWA Tag Team Titles in a steel cage match

  • UFC TUF 22 ep. 6 recap: Cody Garbrandt mixes it up with Conor McGregor

    It’s a whole new season and Conor McGregor is the reason, as he and Urijah Faber go toe to toe as coaching foes on The Ultimate Fighter. They won’t duke it out after the season is done, but there’s still pride on the line, not to mention Conor’s reputation as the newest badass on the block.

    Join us each episode for “The Notorious Quote of the Week” as Conor puts his mouth where UFC’s money is! We’ll also spice things up with some predictions for week two about who could go all the way this season – two “Fighters to Watch” for each recap.

    The Notorious Quote of the Week is about TJ Dillashaw: “Where’s the little snake? Where’s the little weasel? That’s how people do – they just run over you.”

    Saul Rogers won the second fight in a row for Team Europe on last week’s show. Conor McGregor picked ‘The Sultan’ Mehdi Baghdad to face Julian Erosa this week – we’ll see if Baghdad can make it three in a row.

    Erosa is not taking it well that Baghdad promised to beat him up in the face off last week – and Faber is telling him to feed off those “fighting words” and get more pumped. Baghdad is ALREADY pumped. He talks about his K-1 kickboxing credentials, and brags he’ll “cut him like I cut my filet mignon” with his elbows. McGregor says the only thing Baghdad can do to get better is improve his footwork.

    T.J. Dillashaw is here to help out the U.S. team train following his most recent title fight. Faber talks about Duane Ludwig leaving after being with Team Alpha Male for a year getting Dillashaw to the world title, and Dillashaw following him to Colorado. Except at this point in the filming he hasn’t QUITE left. He and Faber are chummy and all Dillashaw will say is “Faber and Ludwig don’t see eye to eye” and that he has a close bond with Ludwig.

    Weigh-in time! Baghdad is 155.5 and Erosa is 156. Ryan Hall says Erosa is one of the toughest guys on their team. Dana White says his style is “unorthodox and weird” but says Baghdad is a world class muay thai striker. Both teams are sitting around waiting for a photo shoot and Conor McGregor starts talking smack about Dillashaw again. “Little snake in the grass he is. He’s a little snake in the grass.” Faber: “I think you just don’t want to fight either of us.” He accuses Faber of cutting down Chad Mendes in the process when Faber says he wouldn’t get tired fight McGregor. Faber immediately corrects him “on TWO WEEKS notice” but McGregor is having none of it. “Maybe you’re all snakes!” Then things get HOSTILE right before the commercial.

    The extended cut after the commercial break has a lot of four letter words and a lot of pull-aparts and a lot of words bleeped out as coach Cody Garbrandt from Faber’s camp finally got ticked off and one of them walked over and shoved McGregor in the chest! Good thing it was a coach and not a fighter because a fighter would have been kicked off the show for it. Dillashaw was off getting coffee when the whole thing went down. McGregor can’t resist stirring the pot some more even after everybody gets settled down and tries to create some hostility between Dillashaw and Faber. Dillashaw stays cool as a cucumber: “I don’t need your fake ass belt.”

    I know he’s only a coach and not one of the competitors but I’m designating Garbrandt as a Fighter to Watch this week. He’s currently undefeated at 7-0, having won his first six fights by KO or TKO, and he racked up a lot of those wins BEFORE coming to Team Alpha Male. This is a bantamweight who could end up fighting T.J. Dillashaw somewhere down the line.

    After the break Baghdad puts on his headdress and says he’s representing all Arabic people as well as his country of France. He’s my other Fighter to Watch as a former RFA Lightweight Champion and K-1 France Champion. Faber is reminding Erosa to be the guy to strike first and control every position the fight goes to. Baghdad is 11-3 and Erosa is 14-2, so we’ve got two very experienced guys going into this fight.

    Lightweight: Mehdi Baghdad (Europe) vs. Julian Erosa (USA)

    Erosa is in the blue and Baghdad the gray. Baghdad is trying to pressure and Erosa has no problem with it, popping Baghdad with jabs. Baghdad does catch him with a good right hook though. You can really see where the “unorthodox” comes from with Erosa – he’ll lean his body one way and then strike from the opposite side. It would be really confusing to stand in front of him and figure out where the shots were coming from. He’s not just a power puncher too – he’s also got some crisp leg and head kicks, and he lands a sneaky knee when Baghdad tries to clinch. It’s a fairly even fight through the first three minutes, but slowly leaning toward Baghdad due to him being the aggressor. Baghdad lands really hard shots when he does close the distance and pin Erosa against the cage, but he just can’t keep him there for long.

    As in the first round Baghdad is trying to be the man who comes forward early and wins Octagon control, but it still seems like Erosa is giving as good as he’s getting from my vantage point. McGregor is screaming at Baghdad to let his hands go two minutes in. If anything it seems like Erosa’s striking is getting better the longer the fight goes, but Baghdad’s right hook is really nasty. Erosa lands a nice kick to the face in the last minute and Baghdad responds with one in kind. It’s a shame there won’t be a third round with only 8 minutes left. Dana says Julian probably landed more but Baghdad probably hit harder – and this is why you don’t leave it to the judges in a fight. Faber gives McGregor a pair of American sandals.

    20-18, 19-19, 20-18 for the winner by majority decision – Julian Erosa.

    Faber announces his picks for next week’s fight is Thanh Le (USA) vs. Martin Svensson (Europe). Come back to see what happens next week and if McGregor can stir the pot up a little bit more!

  • TNA Impact Results 10-21 Lashley vs. EC3

    Last week, Matt Hardy beat Davey to advance in the series. Aiden ‘O Shea debuted on Impact and lost to Kenny King, who is now in ROH. Eric Young lost to Abyss after declaring himself to be God. Robbie E beat Eddie Edwards in a good little match, while Shera defeated Crazzy Steve while still wearing his “Khoya” gear because as Josh said, he wanted to be reminded of who he wasn’t. In the main event, Robert Roode beat James Storm, now in WWE, in an absolutely nothing match that didn’t even play off of their history beyond one “BEER! MONEY” spot.

    The show starts with a recap of the BFG main event, the injunction, the World Title Series, and the debut of Group X Division tonight. Andrews faces Mandrews and DJZ faces Manik. Anderson faces Aries, and EC3 faces Lashley. Pope talked about Group Future 4 being on the show tonight and how Aries and EC3 have one point each due to a tie. Aries faces Anderson next, but first we get some stuff between Aries and EC3 in the roundtable. Anderson picks Lashley to beat EC3, while Lashley just looks bored. Anderson comes down and does his full intro instead of just the “Anderson, Anderson” bit. Aries comes out with Thea Trinidad once again.

    Ken Anderson vs. Austin Aries

    Aries and Anderson exchange basic armwork mid-ring. They focus on the roundtable, with Anderson saying that he and Aries traveled the indies and EC3 asks just what those are. Anderson avoids the missile dropkick. Anderson clubs at the head and lands some shoulder thrusts, but only gets 1. Aries takes him down and gets a slingshot elbow, which Pope says is “shades of Austin Starr”. Oh dear God no. Anderson lays some punches into Aries in the corner before they go back and forth with body blows. EC3 not knowing what the indies are is the one thing that pisses Josh off about EC3, and then Pope says “EC3 was born into the big time – Impact Wrestling!” Ad break time.

    Anderson gets a series of elbows and lariats before getting a neckbreaker. Aries shoulders the stomach and flips over before Christy says that there are five minutes left. If nothing else, TNA has at least made time limits into a viable match finish again with this thing. Aries lands the missile dropkick while Thea claps away. Anderson gets the Finlay Roll by catching Aries in the corner and getting 2. Aries armdrags his way out of the Mic Check, and he goes for the brainbuster – but get crotched up top by Anderson.

    Aries boxes his way out of that situation and lands the 450 for a 2.5 count. Anderson gets a tornado kick for 2. Aries goes up for a superplex, but Anderson counters into the Lambeau Leap for 2.5. They mess up a Mic Check armdrag a bit, but wind up just fine with Anderson going up top and getting caught by Aries with a super brainbuster for the win! This was sloppy at times, but fairly good – Aries being included in this thing has really increased the match quality of the show. Josh says that Anderson has now been eliminated from the series. 

    Josh reveals that tonight, we’ll see the Bound For Glory PPV main event for some reason. Maybe they should’ve booked 64 matches for this thing or something, because that makes no sense to do now. In week one, it would – but not now. After a break, we see clips of Ultimate X highlights from BFG. Andrew Everett’s insane flip bump off the X aired a lot, as did Josh calling Shane Helms the greatest cruiserweight of all time. In a similarly ridiculous bit, he asks Pope if Tigre is the greatest X division champion of all time. Mandrews skates partially down to the ring, resulting in Josh calling him “one Dynamic Dude”.

    Tigre Uno vs “The Dynamic Dude” Mandrews

    Mark Andrews just can’t catch a break in TNA when it comes to names. So if Okada and Baretta are any indication, he should be signed by New Japan in a couple of years and be used to the full extent of his abilities. They flip around on the mat for a bit with some covers getting quick 2 counts. Mandrews does a skateboard pose during the “indy standoff” spot. While they’re wrestling a bit, Josh talks about exorcism live and then Pope says that’s not his job. Josh mocks him for leaving the Bound For Gold match before Pope says his career is over, so it doesn’t need resurrection. 

    Mandrews surfs on Uno for a bit, which is different than skating. Uno and Mandrws exchange gutwrenches, leading to a wacky lucha gutwrench submission by Uno. Josh talks about numbers for a bit and says that Anderson is absolutely out of this. Josh runs through every possible combination of things that could happen for the EC3 match in such a way that it comes off like minute 50 of an hour long math class where by the end, you just hear nothing and it’s just random noise. Mandrews flies over the top to attack Uno. Uno hits a German into the buckle and gets the win. The Bound For Glory main event airs next.

    But first, Josh recaps that Anderson lost and is now out of the tournament mathematically – but he can at least play spoiler for EC3. Aries cuts a promo backstage about setting the bar high because he demands it out of himself. Josh recaps that all of this is due to the BFG series and now, in the third week of the series, we see the match. They join it in progress after intros and throw some new plugs in with graphics for Valpak coupons. Drew hitting the Kryptonite Krunch on the steps onto EC3 is still crazy, and we go to a break after a 2 count.

    We come back to see EC3 suplex Matt over the top through Drew on top of a table. German suplex tower of doom hits. Three-way kneeling punch exchange leads to some chops. Frye-Takayama exchange from Matt and Drew leads to a double One Percenter for 2. EC3 shoves Jeff to get DQed, but Jeff won’t do it – so he kicks Drew low to force it as well. Josh and Pope point out that there are no DQs here. EC3 grabs a chair and goes to hit Drew, but Jeff takes it and hits him. In a nice bit, EC3 kicks the chair base out of Drew’s way before the Sick Kick. Matt hits the Twist on Drew to get his revenge on…EC3. And somehow, this story fell flat. EC3 shoving Big John over the table remains hilarious.

    Voiceover work recaps the injunction “We could not have a world champion – and Dixie felt that wasn’t the right thing to do”. EC3 is asked about the World Title Series and he talks about how we just saw the travesty that happened to him and he does this for him tonight. We go back to Josh and Pope pondering about what could happen with the points tonight. I can get a few lifetimes without ever hearing the phrase “group play”. Josh and Pope are going to play Swipe Left and Swipe Right with the Future 4 group. 

    They plug the Jeff Hardy DVD and resume talking about Group Wild Card. In a bizarre move, we see an “earlier tonight” graphic for Jessie Godderz vs. Crimson and just get clips of Crimson missing a shoulder charge and Godderz winning with the Adonis Crab. Jessie’s video package takes longer than the match. Jessie says that he isn’t all talk and he can back it up. He claims to be the best mix of agility, power, and flexibility – and he’ll be the next TNA World Champion. Between Jessie’s confidence and the clips of him just destroying dudes, this was effective – but bizarrely inserted into the show overall. Following up on clips of that match, we get clips of Eli Drake vs. Micah in a battle of former Rising members. They brawl and get a double countout and earn one point each. Why on Earth did they bother showing the full BFG match if they actually shot matches in full? 

    In a hilarious bit, Destination America makes sure to tell people to not attempt to do an exorcism themselves. Pope is against Grado, but for Brooke and Kong. Manik comes out and he has his mask on. Josh says that Manik went maskless at BFG and he didn’t win. Pope says that he didn’t wear the mask at BFG to make sure he could see every opponent at the PPV. Josh points out a team he likes that wears different uniforms each week and it changes things up. Pope says that he feuded with Suicide for a while and the advantage of a mask is that you can’t read its owner’s full facial expressions.

    They have now spent nearly as much time explaining Manik wearing a mask than they have building up some PPVs. Manik stomps a mudhole into DJZ while Josh talks about Helms being the greatest cruiserweight of all time. Pope says he could be the best, while Josh says the title was changed from blue to green due to Helms. Manik gets a snap suplex and then a back suplex before Josh buries Pope for calling a suplex a “souffle” since Solie at least knew the difference between a wrestling move and a breakfast order. 

    DJZ gets a series of atomic drops before awkwardly positioning his body into the ropes to miss a DDT attempt and Manik gets a cross armbreaker. DJZ dives off the top and eats a pair of boots before Manik misses a frog splash. DJZ misses his silly pop-up tornado DDT before Manik hits a bizarre version of the GTS with a back bump and a kick to the face for the win. We get a recap of a June 17 match between Lashley and EC3 with a weird blue filter put on everything. 

    Next week, Gail faces Awesome Kong – which Pope hypes up as a BFG rematch. God help us all if they choose to air that as filler programming too. James Storm faces Abyss next week and Robbie is hyped up as tying Matt Hardy on top of the tag team specialists group. EC3 comes out with Tyrus. Josh is now back on EC3’s side and points out that Matt didn’t actually beat EC3 to get revenge. Josh points out via math that Lashley is at least in a position to not be eliminated right now. 

    EC3 vs. Lashley

    Lashley dominates a tie-up, so EC3 stalls on the floor. EC3 comes in and gets pushed around, so he cowers in the corner. Lashley gets a beal and then hits a few lariats before a break. After it, EC3 dominates Lashley on the floor and tosses him into the steps. Lashley hoists him up and hits a spinebuster on the floor. Tyrus pounces into Lashley and he smacks into the post. EC3 gets some mounted punches and grinds away with a cravate. Lashley punches away, but is sent to the floor. Tyrus attacks Lashley again and Josh says that Tyrus could result in more fines for EC3. EC3 goes for a suplex, but it gets countered.

    Josh talks about Tyrus’s antics being a complete insult to Dixie and Billy Corgan’s edict about there being no interference in this. I guess that might’ve been in the full video, but they never mentioned that until this very moment on TV. EC3 and Lashley get into a punch exchange before Lashley gets a German suplex and chains it into an overhead belly to belly suplex. Lashley gets a powerslam for 2. Lashley rolls into a rear naked choke, but EC3 escapes thanks to Tyrus.

    EC3 gets the Stinger Splash, and there are two minutes left in the match. Lashley turns mounted punches into a running powerbomb. Lashley hits the spear, but Tyrus pulls him out of the ring. EC3 kicks out when Lashley comes in, and Josh gives Tyrus credit for making that happen and only saying it could’ve happened due to the break. Tyrus brings a chair in and eats a spear. That isn’t a DQ, and while the ref is distracted by Tyrus, EC3 low blows Lashley and wins with the One Percenter. Josh calls him a no good SOB, so for this segment at least, he is against EC3.  Well, there was absolutely nothing on this show worthwhile outside of the Aries match. Everything involving EC3 was a cluster, they really screwed up this thing feeling important just airing seconds of some matches – so you never really know when they’ll do that, and it marginalizes the people they do that to.

    To see every screen taken for the show, just click here.

  • WWE NXT results 10/21: James Storm debuts, Baron Corbin vs Rhyno

    Welcome to my 5 year anniversary doing NXT reviews for WrestlingObserver.com! The very first match I reviewed was Kaitlyn vs Maxine, which won the 2010 Worst Worked Match Of The Year Award and somehow I came back for more!

    -The show opened with a video package for the battle royal from last week. They actually aired almost every elimination, including about 20 seconds on the last two, before showing Apollo Crews standing victorious as your new #1 contender.

    Asuka submitted Billie Kay

    Asuka kicks things off this week. I haven’t had the chance to write this yet, but she has awesome theme music. Her foe this week is Billie Kay, whose claim to fame is she has the longest legs in NXT. I do like how they are long enough to touch the ground.

    Billie grounded Asuka and Asuka stood up and smiled at her before slapping on a rolling arm bar, hitting a German Suplex and then a running knee to the head. Asuka finished things off with the Crossface Chicken Wing with a body scissiors, called the Asuka Lock.

    -Last week Baron Corbin and Rhyno’s alliance sadly fell apart during the battle royal, so tonight they will go one on one in the main event.

    -A Baron Corbin video aired. It’s actually the same one they aired months ago.

    -Tyler Breeze cut a selfie promo on Samoa Joe. Breeze took offense to being eliminated last week and said that if he isn’t #1 Contender then Joe will never be. Breeze did challenge him to a match by threatening to slice off a couple pieces of bacon.

    Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady defeated Dash & Dawson

    Dash and Dawson do not get an automatic title shot after defeated The Vaudevillians during the Dusty Rhodes Classic. Instead they have to defeat a certifide G and a bona fide stud and his 7 foot tall friend.

    The heels got the heat on Enzo the entire 2 minute match, working on his knee. Dawson knocked Colin off the apron, turned around and got small packaged by Enzo for the win.

    After the match Dash & Dawson immediately took down Enzo, beat him down and then beat down Colin. They actually hit their double team Flapjack/Codebreaker on Colin.

    -A Rhyno video aired. It included footage of him in the early-2000’s as ECW Champion, Hardcore Champion and US Champion and brought it full circle to him Goring the world while Paul Heyman’s 2001 commentary screaming “GORE GORE GORE” aired.

    Quick joke. What candidate did Rhyno vote for in 2000? Al GORE! GORE! GORE! Okay I’ll stop now.

    -Eva Marie is still on vacation. She hopes we all miss her and never forget about her.

    James Storm pinned Danny Burch

    Turns out Danny Burch is with a u. For some reason I have always been spelling it Birch. The former TNA World Heavyweight Champion is making his debut. They acknowledged he was in WCW for a cup of coffee, but said he spent the last 15 years on the Independent scene. The fans gave him quite the ovation and the announcers put him over big. The fans chanted “You belong here”.

    Storm looked good here, winning the match with the 8 Second Ride. Let it be known his debut was better than Chris Harris’ WWE debut. He did scream “Sorry about your damn luck” at Burch afterwards.

    -Finn Balor vs Apollo Crews for the NXT Championship in 2 weeks, which led to an Apollo video package. This was a really good video package, including talking about him being an Ultimate Warrior fan and begging his Mom to buy him a toy belt. They also included footage of him in Evolve.

    -A Nia Jax video aired. It will not be 8 weeks until her next match, it will only be one.

    Alexa Bliss pinned Peyton Royce

    I haven’t heard such a quiet crowd in NXT history as I did for Peyton Royce’s entrance. Despite their apathy there were about 10 people trying to start a Peyton Royce chant.

    Alexa Bliss is so short (how short is she?). Alexa Bliss is so short that she stood on Peyton at one point and was barely a hair taller than the referee. Peyton kicked Alexa a lot, but it just led to Alexa doing more offense. Bliss did a standing Moonsault, but ended it with double knees to the gut. She did win with the Sparkle Splash.

    After the match Alexa cut a promo on Bayley, saying that Alexa is what everyone strives to be and she was made to be NXT Women’s Champion.

    -Next week: Samoa Joe vs Tyler Breeze

    Baron Corbin pinned Rhyno

    Main event time. These two sports entertained at NXT Takeover: Unstoppable in May, which was Corbin’s best (and longest) match until the Joe match in August.

    Rhyno beat on Baron until Corbin rolled outside the ring. Rhyno ran after him, but Corbin shoved him and eventually threw him into the ring steps to take over. Rhyno almost didn’t get back in the ring before the 10 count. Back in the ring Corbin hit every move that never beats anyone and then got frustrated when Rhyno didn’t lose to them.

    Corey Graves made a comment about how Mike Tyson came out of nowhere to win the Heavyweight Boxing Championship, which is complete bs. Tyson made quite the name for himself and was pretty well known before he went for the title.

    Rhyno made his comeback, hitting his belly to belly suplex and the Double A Spinebuster for a near fall. He went for the Gore, got kicked in the face, hit it a second time and somehow Corbin kicked out at 2. Rhyno went for another Gore, but Corbin turned it into End of Days for the win.

    -The show ended with Samoa Joe cutting a promo on Tyler Breeze backstage. Joe called him a desperate man and in his desperation he cost Joe his rightful title shot. He said Tyler had the audacity to call him out and Joe asked him to take the very best picture he could because after next week he will never look the same again.

    A great promo to end the show and we are done for the week. Thanks for checking things out, see you next week and remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!

  • Joseph Duffy injured, UFC Dublin main event canceled

    The UFC just announced that Saturday’s Joe Duffy vs. Dustin Poirier main event in Dublin is off the card due to a training injury suffered by Duffy.

    The new main event will be Paddy Holohan vs. Louis Smolka, which will be a three-round fight. Both men had been training for three rounds and anything else would be unfair to them at this point.

    The company issued a statement saying:

    “Having learned that Duffy received a strike to the head during training earlier this week, UFC sent him for medical tests in Ireland for precautionary purposes. The results determined that Duffy suffered a mild concussion and due to the proximity of the fight this Saturday, UFC will not permit him to compete. The health and safety of UFC athletes will continue to be the top priority for the organization. As such, UFC has respected athletic commission regulations, which recommended a medical suspension from competition as a result of the concussion.”

    UFC is offering refunds to the fans in Dublin, who can get them at Ticketmaster or at the point or purchase.

  • Wednesday Update: Tyler Breeze’s WWE Smackdown debut, UFC 195 co-main event, Tom Lawlor

    Smackdown was recorded last night.  Check out the spoilers if you can’t wait:  WWE Smackdown spoilers: Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose vs New Day 10-20.  As we reported yesterday, WWE RAW ratings remain low, although there was a slight uptick against tough competition last Monday, WWE Raw 10-19: Superstar lineup does little for ratings.  

    Check out today’s history post: On this day in pro wrestling history: Rock loses WCW title to Chris Jericho

    TV notes for tonight:

    UFC Tonight is off again this week.

    WWE NXT airs at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network with Asuka vs. Billie Kaye, Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass, James Storm vs. Martin Stone in Storm’s debut, Alexa Bliss vs. Peyton Royce, and Rhyno vs. Baron Corbin.

    TNA Impact Wrestling airs at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America with more of the World Title Series. Including maybe a James Storm match.

    A replay of The Ultimate Fighter from two weeks ago (it was pre-empted last week) airs at 9:00 p.m. ET. on Fox Sports 1.

    The Ultimate Fighter airs at 10:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 with an episode titled “Snake in the Grass.”

    ROH airs at 11:00 p.m. ET on Destination America with The All Night Express vs. The Addiction and Jay Briscoe vs. Adam Page in a no disqualification match, plus The Kingdom’s reaction to what happened at All-Star Extravaganza.

    ****

    Figure Four Weekly:

    Jerry McDevitt cuts quite the legal promo on Konstantine Kyros as part of his latest screed in the ongoing legal battle over WWE’s alleged role in wrestlers’ brain damage.

    Figure Four Weekly October 19, 2015: Latest Update On WWE Concussion Lawsuits

    ****

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    A complete look at Mistico/Myzteziz/Original Sin Cara and his leaving AAA, and what it means to the Mexican scene, and his history including WWE is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also look at NXT Takeover, full details behind the new Rizing Fighting Championships in Japan including what role pro wrestling will play and the Hall of Famer scheduled to headline, New Japan’s going forward with notes on upcoming shows and King of Pro Wrestling, Rusev & Lana and the TNA title tournament.  CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

    The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Wrestling Observer Newsletter October 19, 2015: Mistico to CMLL, Tokyo Dome main event plus tons more

    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.

    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 for 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.

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

    CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

    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. 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.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

    WWE

    • This shouldn’t really count as a spoiler since WWE themselves already announced it on the front page of WWE.com, but Tyler Breeze makes his main roster debut on Smackdown tomorrow night.  He’s officially a main roster talent as of last week.  We talk about it on last night’s show: Wrestling Observer Live 10/21: Tyler Breeze Smackdown debut, former Tough Enough stars sign, more
    • Miz will appear on “Middle of the Night” on MTV tonight.  “Murph and the crew wake up WWE superstar The Miz and who betrays an old friend, samples extreme hot sauce, and battles Murph in a bizarre food fight. Meanwhile, Anu settles a daunting restaurant bill, and Murph joins forces with world eating champion Kobayashi in order to shut down a hot dog stand. We bring it home with Remix the Night and a trash talk montage with the Miz.”
    • Some audio notes: Matt Farmer will be a guest on Wrestling Observer Radio tonight with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer talking the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame issue that will be out in a few weeks only for subscribers.  Lance Storm will return to Figure Four Daily this afternoon, and Filthy Tom Lawlor’s usual Monday show has been moved to tomorrow due to Bryan being out of town a few days ago for a wedding.
    • Also, feel free to tweet @bryanalvarez with your thoughts on last night’s Bryan & Vinny & Craig Show.  We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback on both sides of the current Raw/no current Raw argument, plus some good suggestions about what else we could try.  At the moment, I am leaning towards Tuesday being retro Raw and retro Nitro, and Thursday being current Raw followed by current Smackdown.  NXT would move to Sundays.  This would allow each show to have a theme, and with Smackdown allegedly becoming an A-show again (for a few months at least) starting in January, reviewing each week’s Raw and Smackdown back-to-back would probably be a fun way to track continuity.

    UFC

    • A Brazilian website first reported, and it was later confirmed by F4W Filthy Four Daily co-host Tom Lawlor via twitter and later on this very site, that he is out of his November fight with Fabio Maldonado. TUF 19 winner Corey Anderson has been put in as his replacement.
    • The co-main event for UFC 195 has been announced as Stipe Miocic vs. Andrei Arlovski in a possible top contender fight. Tickets go on sale tomorrow  at 1:00 p.m. ET as part of a pre-sale using the code NEWYEAR with the general onside being the same time Friday.
    • In a follow-up to the story on the massive UFC fighter cuts, several more names became public Tuesday including  Francisco Trevino, TJ Waldburger, David Michaud, Lewis Gonzales, Ivan Jorge, Naoyuki Kotani, William Macario, Joe Merritt, Pawel Pawluk, Hernani Perpetuo, Vagner Rocha, Amir Sadollah, Leonardo Mafra, Luke Zachrich and Roger Zapata in addition to the names previously announced.
    • Heavyweight Soa Palelei announced his retirement via Twitter. He plans to stay involved with the sport, just not as an active fighter.  

    OTHER MMA

    • WSOF 24 last Saturday night did just 167,000 viewers on NBC Sports Network. It was the second lowest number of the year despite big names Jon Fitch, Yushin Okami and Matt Hamill fighting on the show. Dave has an article at MMAFighting about the ratings.
    • Bellator 144 is Friday night on Spike TV with the prelims running on Spike.com. This is a non-tentpole event headlined by Brandon Halsey and Rafael Carvalho fighting for the vacant middleweight title. Michael Page aka MVP, the charismatic and flashy Brtish welterweight, fights on the undercard. We’ll have coverage of the show here on the site.
    • From Bellator: The unmistakable Kimbo Slice and Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Liam McGeary, as well as MMA Legends Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Tito Ortiz will participate at the Official Bellator MMA Fan Fest Prior to Friday’s “Bellator 145: Vengeance” Event at Scottrade Center. It takes place Thursday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. CT at Dave & Buster’s on 13857 Riverport Dr.  in Maryland Heights, MO

    OTHER WRESTLING

    • Today’s new upload for NWAClassics.com subscribers is Tommy Rich vs. Kamala.
    • Story here about the retirement of Portia Perezat age 27 due to a neck injury that has been steadily getting worse for several years.  Instead of the usual tearful goodbye, she instead cut a heel promo on the crowd telling them they suck.
    • Coastal Championship Wrestling results from last night in Coral Springs, FL: Maxwell Chicago b Made Man, NWA Champ Santana Garrett b Tammy Lynn, Cousin Earl b Danny Embry, El Héroe Byronico b Ricky Rush, Iron City Mauler & Guadeloupe Brothers b J-Dawg Brooks & The Assassins.
    • Jesse Ventura did an appearance on Ring Rust Radio, talking about his book re-release, his stint in WCW, Donald Trump, and more.
    • Former WWE Champion Batista is getting some buzz as the new James Bond movie ‘Spectre’ nears. Here’s a Yahoo/AFP feature on him. He said he gets nostalgic for wrestling, but also has a full slate of movies coming up.

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