Category: Post Type article

  • Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha Dos Part One results: Son of Havoc steals the show; a legend debuts

    Last year, Ultima Lucha was a three hour event spread over two shows. This year, it’s a three hour show spread over three weeks – so they’re not sacrificing any content time and hopefully spreading the rating out over three weeks instead of two.

    The show begins with a recap of Dario Cueto announcing the Unique Opportunity Tournament for a unique opportunity.

    A new Ultima Lucha Dos graphic adorns the lower left-hand side of the screen and we see poster banners running down the card. They should really sell shirts of those, or replicas, via their official storefronts on either the official site or ProWrestlingTees.

    Striker and Vamp run down the tournament for a unique opportunity – which will have its semi-finals tonight. The Mack vs. Cage is set up, and Dario says that they started last year’s show off with a falls count anywhere match. Tonight, he wants last year’s success to be replicated, so this is now a falls count anywhere match too.

    The Mack vs. Cage – Falls Count Anywhere

    Cage hits a McGillicutter for a 2 count off a standing moonsault. Mack hits a Rainmaker elbow smash, but eats a back elbow. He recovers with a superkick leading to Cage being draped in the rope and hit with a body block to the floor.

    Mack gets hip tossed into the bleachers. Jeez. A minute in and they’re already taking bumps that make the Final Deletion look a bit tame. Cage gets a trash can, but Mack powerslams Cage on it for 2. 

    They fight in Dario’s office while Dario and Black Lotus look on. Cage grabs a framed poster of the LU logo and smashes it over Mack’s head for 2. Vamp says the boss looks dope in a tux and says he’s got a big key.

    The fans beat on the barricades like a war drum while Cage sets up a steel chair bridge and powerbombs Mack through it for 2. Mack hits a running Samoan drop on a stop sign for 2. Mack has a Mexican flag guitar and smashes it on Cage’s head for 2, since this isn’t a Jeff Jarrett match. Mack grabs pinatas, which Striker says are for the show’s after party.

    A “pinata” chant breaks out. Mack’s pinata has a wrench, while Cage’s has candy. Vamp mocks a guy for knocking kids over to grab the candy.

    Mack gets some beers from another pinata and drinks them, but the stunner is blocked and he’s tossed into the apron where he eats a shot to the head.

    Cage sets up a table, but Mack hits him in the balls and then with a toolbox to the head. Chain to the head of Cage leads to more beers, some stunners, and Striker doing a Steve Austin impression.

    Between this and the Final Deletion, pro wrestling is clearly a bit weird.

    Mack climbs up top after putting Cage on a table and hits a frog splash off the balcony through the table. And it gets a 2 count. That justifiably gets a holy shit chant.

    Cage goes for his cement block curb stomp ala last year, but he slips on the beer and Mack gets the schoolboy for the win.

    This was weird, but a lot of fun and well worth watching.

    Texano and Son of Havoc are mid-ring for their match. Dario says that the fans must wonder why we’ve got a bar set up outside the ring – but when he sees a cowboy and a biker, he thinks of bars – so he’s making this a Boyle Heights Bar Fight.

    Texano vs. Son of Havoc – Bar Fight

    This bar fight begins like many others – with a tie-up and then a side headlock toss-off into the ropes before a dropdown into a leapfrog exchange.

    Havoc side-steps him and Texano flies over the top. Havoc hits an Asai moonsault on the floor, but misses a Muta handspring elbow against the barricade. Havoc recovers and hits a moonsault off the announce table and tosses him through a door, drawing yet another holy shit chant.

    Havoc has a helmet and fire extinguisher – leading to Striker mentioning Firebreaker Chip and then a blast to the face by Havoc. Havoc eats a headshot, but the helmet absorbs the blow – so Texano hits him more before tossing bar stools into the ring.

    Texano puts a keg in the corner while a “we want beer” chant breaks out. Rope-assisted punch gets 2 for Texano. Havoc punches him and dropkicks his back into the keg. Havoc sets up a pile of wood from the bar stools before hitting a rana off the top onto the pile for 2.

    Vamp says that Dario spent all his money on his tux and none on the furniture since the stools broke so easily.

    Havoc is set up in the corner and hits a chair into Havoc’s balls. Havoc recovers and backdrops him onto a row of bar glasses. Havoc sets up glass in the ring and double stomps his chest into it before pump kicking him into it for the win.

    Well, that was full of nasty bumps for a match that had no real grudge – but it was fun.

    The Voodoo Glow Skulls play us in after those two wars while Striker runs down the next two weeks of matches.

    It’s now time for the finals of the Unique Opportunity tournament as The Mack battles Son of Havoc. Striker talks about how exhausted each guy has to be. Dario says he is surprised that they won, so he is impressed – but he wants this to be a falls count anywhere match as well.

    Son of Havoc vs. Mack – Unique Opportunity Falls Count Anywhere Match

    They go back and forth with headlocks and Mack tosses him into the ropes for a Pounce. Huge splash gets 2 for Mack. Mack takes him to the floor and punches him before tossing him into the barricade.

    Havoc chops him before hip tossing him into the bleachers. Mack avoids a corner charge and hits a sitting European uppercut, then hits an Irish Curse and a twisting flatliner off the ropes for 2.

    Havoc low bridges him and hits a twisting moonsault to the floor. He tosses him in for an SSP, but Mack gets hid knees up and gets 2 off a cradle. Mack avoids a corner elbow and hits a corner charge.

    Mack misses a charge, eats a Muta elbow and a SSP gets the win for Havoc. That was quite subdued compared to the craziness earlier – so it was good in that sense, but also a bit hard to care about since so much came before.

    Dario congratulates Son of Havoc and shows off a briefcase with $250,000 of Dario Cueto-faced money.

    If he wants the cash, it’s his – but there’s a twist. He can turn in the case for a contract giving him a Lucha Underground Title match at Ultima Lucha Tres. Havoc tells him he doesn’t care about the money – he wants the title. Dario says he’ll be in the main event of Ultima Lucha Tres – if he wins one more match.

    The next match determines Havoc’s fate. His opponent here can win the money, while Havoc gets the title shot if he wins. Famous B comes down and says he has a new client – and his client is already famous. He says Havoc feels sick – so it’s a good thing there’s a doctor in the house. Dr. Wagner Jr. comes down to face Son of Havoc and gets a huge “ole” chant as he walks down the steps.

    Son of Havoc vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. – Title Shot vs. $250,000

    Wagner hits a snap Samoan drop and forearms Havoc in the corner. Wagner hits a corner charge lariat and hits a super RKO before posing arrogantly.

    Vamp says that Dr. Wagner Jr. drop kicked his busted leg to hurt him when he came back in Mexico. Havoc lands a series of lariats before a pump kick sends him down. The SSP misses and the Doctor Driver wins it – so Havoc now gets neither the money or title shot.

    Dr. Wagner Jr. takes down the straps and poses, while Famous B and Brenda celebrate with the money. Famous B puts on a stethoscope and checks Havoc’s chest for a heartbeat. 

    Well, this was a stellar show overall. In terms of match style, Havoc vs. Mack should have opened the show – but that wouldn’t have worked for the story being told.

    Havoc really shined throughout the night and for the first time, they really did put you on a journey with his character. Dr. Wagner Jr. was given almost no time to get over – with his match starting 55 minutes into the hour-long broadcast and yet still managed to do so.

    With a handful of moves and even fewer mannerisms, you got that he was a cocky veteran who was exactly as good as he thinks he is, and now the 30-year veteran can lay claim to winning a main event on Ultima Lucha throughout season three. 

    Screenshot Gallery

  • Daily Update: WWE comic book, Super J-Cup participants, Shibata to ROH

    The full list of participants and first round matches were announced for this summer’s Super J-Cup today with the first round taking place on July 20th at Korakuen Hall inTokyo, Japan. If you enjoyed the Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet match, it’s unfortunately not happening again as Ricochet is not in the tournament. However, if that match is any indication, there’s a ton of other potential awesome matchups. This is going to be worth going out of your way to see. 

    The original Super J-Cup was held in 1994, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestling shows of all time. Our own Dave Meltzer called the 1994 Super J-Cup “the most incredible single night of wrestling ever.” Does this line-up have the potential to top it? We will find out, starting on July 20 leading to the finals on August 21. 

    • Kushida vs. Taiji Ishimori
    • Rysuke Taguchi vs. Daisuke Harada
    • Bushi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
    • Titan vs. Will Ospreay
    • Jushin Liger vs. Eita
    • Yuma Aoyagi vs. Taichi
    • Gurukun Mask vs. Kenou
    • Matt Sydal vs. Kaji Tomato

    THE ROUNDUP

    ​The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11. Stay up to date on all the latest wackiness by following Ed in San Antonio on Facebook. Plus, follow us on @WONF4W or @BryanAlvarez. We will be live tweeting from all the events. Use #F4WVegas to get in on the fun. 

    If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!

    Figure Four Weekly

    READ IT HERE: Figure Four Weekly 6/27/2016: WWE concussion lawsuit update, more – The latest information in WWE’s concussion lawsuit. 

    Subscribers click here to continue reading.

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    READ IT HERE: July 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW G1 tournament preview, Ali vs. Inoki anniversary, more – A preview of NJPW’s G1 tournament, notes on the anniversary of Ali vs. Inoki, plus tons more.

    It’s a double issue week featuring a look back 40 years at what was the biggest undertaking up to that point in pro wrestling history, and Inoki vs. Ali match, how it came together, what happened that night, coverage of the upcoming G-1 Climax tournament, coverage of Ultima Lucha 3 and details on where the company stands, full coverage of the WWE cruiserweight classic, ROH Best in the World coverage as well as a look at those coming and going from the promotion, the death of Ryan Jimmo, the life and times of Gypsy Joe, and far more about the fallout of the Roman Reigns suspension.

    The lead story details this years G-1 tournament including what will air in English, newcomers to the tournament, some interesting political news regarding who is and isn’t in it, as well as a complete lineup for every show.

    This issue looks at the background of Ali vs. Inoki, the first time boxer vs. wrestler with major stars came close to happening, boxing champions who did wrestling and wrestlers who faced boxers including involving one of the all-time greats, Thesz vs. Marciano talk, and the two best known mixed matches prior to Ali vs. Inoki in the U.S.

    There is also a look at Japanese pro wrestling in the 70s and how that led to the match, the business of Billy Robinson involving Inoki vs. Baba, how Inoki was being marketed, and the attempts to put together Ali vs. Bruno Sammartino and how that led to this.

    The goals of Ali vs. Inoki for the New Japan side, the pro wrestling angles, just how big the match was why the match wasn’t a work, where Ali’s career stood at the time, media coverage, how the terrible rules were the reason the fight, Sammartino’s broken neck and return, Stan Hansen becoming a superstar in Japan, and why Ali vs. Inoki was not a success in much of the U.S, and much more in this issue of the Wrestling Observer. 

    Subscribers click here to continue reading.

    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.

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

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    Wrestling Observer Newsletter BACK ISSUE

    READ IT HERE: May 31, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Owen Hart – The life and death of Owen Hart, details on WWF Over the Edge, plus tons of news.

    WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

    Boom! Studios will be releasing a WWE comic bookand WWE graphic novels. So, if you can’t get enough WWE with all of the new content the impending brand split is giving us, you can collect the comic books too.

    Revolution Pro Wrestling announced Marty Scurll vs. Jay White for their August 7th show at The Cockpit in London.

    NEVER Openweight Champion Katsuyori Shibata will make his much-anticipated Ring of Honor debut at the promotion’s August 19th Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view. Also announced for the show were Los Ingobernable de Japon members Tetsuya Naito and Evil, and Bullet Club Members Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Yujiro Takahashi.

    In a story discussed in past Wrestling Observers, ROH star Moose may be heading to TNAif he accepts their offer.

    The UFC 200 Press Conference with Brock Lesnar, Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier and more is available here

    WWE and Pro Wrestling

    UFC and MMA

    Miscellaneous (podcasts, plugs, results)

    SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR

    • July 7-11 The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas, EdinSanAntonio has information up on Facebook, or email him F4Wfan@hotmail.com. Keep up with all the action on Twitter by following @WONF4W@BryanAlvarez, @DaveMeltzerWON, @FO_VVerhei@EdinSanAntonio, @PaulAceFontaine, @FilthyTomLawlor or @PeachMachine. Use #F4WVegas or search for our group FaceBook page. You can also follow Granny’s adventures. 
    • TOMORROW – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
    • TOMORROW – UFC Fight Night Las Vegas at MGM Grand. Rafael Dos Anjos vs Eddie Alvarez for the UFC lightweight title
    • FRIDAY – The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Claudia Gadelha for the UFC strawweight title
    • SATURDAY – UFC 200 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight title; Brock Lesnar vs Mark Hunt; Miesha Tate vs Amanda Nunes for the UFC women’s bantamweight title; Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar for the interim UFC featherweight title
    • SATURDAY – New England Championship Wrestling presents World Women’s Wrestling at The Brockton Fair, 600 Belmont St, Brockton, MA
    • SATURDAY – Pure Wrestling Association “Summer Assault” 11 Year Anniversary – Alpine Club, 464 Maple Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario
    • SATURDAY – All Pro Wrestling + Fit of Mind present: #MalaceInThePalace from the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, CA.
    • SATURDAY – Upstate Pro Wrestling in Rochester, NY, features Ethan Page, HC Loc, a triple threat match main event, and more.
    • SATURDAY – Acclaim Pro Wrestling presents: Star-Mageddon 6!
    • SATURDAY – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fundraising event.
    • July 13 – UFC Fight Night in Sioux Falls, SD. Michael McDonald vs John Lineker
    • July 16 – In Your Face Wrestling Presents: “Malicious Intent” – Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NYwww.iyfwrestling.com
    • July 16 – Bellator 158 : London featuring Paul Daley vs Douglas Lima, Michael Venom Page, Linton Vassell and Matt Mitrione
    • 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. Tickets at www.premierwrestle.com.
    • 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 22 – Bellator 159 from Mulvane, KS. Darrion Caldwell vs Joe Taimanglo. Melvin Guillard vs David “Caveman” Rickells
    • July 23 – Live Pro Wrestling, Glengarry Sports Palace, 170 McDonald Blvd. Alexandria, Ontario
    • July 23 – UFC on FOX from Chicago – Holly Holm vs Valentina Shevchenko.          
    • July 23 – Chikara Pro announced a doubleheader event at Toronto’s Franklin Horner Community Center.
    • July 23 – AAW  in Merrionnette Park, IL, with Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr., Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll; Tommaso Ciampa; Fenix; Johnny Gargano, and plenty more. Here’s what you missed on their last show.  
    • 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 in this video.
    • Merritton Community Centre 7 Park Ave St. Catharines, ON
    • July 24 – Crossfire Wrestling – Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Avenue St. Catharines ON, for our 5 year Anniversary show “BRING THE HEAT V”
    • July 24 – PWEclipse – Summer Surrender, Oshawa, Ontario
    • July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY
    • July 30 – WSOF 32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 – Live on NBCSN from Everett, Washington. Also featuring Ben “Phoenix Jones” Fodor vs Caros Fodor in a brother vs brother fight
    • 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
    • Aug 21 – Chavo Guerrero Jr. will appear for Smash Wrestling on in Pickering, Ontario at Super Showdown lV.

    TODAY IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HISTORY: WWF Canadian Stampede; Goldberg defeats Hogan for WCW World Title

  • Raw doesn’t fall nearly to the level expected on July 4th

    While WWE set an all-time record low for Raw on Monday, the rating can’t be viewed negatively given the number and the night.

    The show averaged 2.66 million viewers, down only 14 percent from the near record low from the prior week. The past two times Raw has aired on July 4th (2011 and 2005), the ratings fell 23 percent and 41 percent respectively from the prior week.

    Raw was far and away the most watched show on cable, since all the shows on cable that usually provide competition took the night off. It also beat the FOX network programming head-to-head.  Only four other shows on cable hit 1.5 million viewers.

    From the hourly breakdown, it appeared to be the most loyal/hardcore audience since there were no upswings or downswings from start-to-finish:

    • 8 p.m. 2.66 million viewers
    • 9 p.m. 2.67 million viewers
    • 10 p.m. 2.64 million viewers

    The show featured Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz, another John Cena/Club confrontation, and a 16-man elimination match to close the show.

  • Daily Pro Wrestling History (07/06): WWF Canadian Stampede; Goldberg defeats Hogan for WCW World Title

    1946 

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – Frankie Talaber defeated Whitey Whittler
    – Dick Raines defeated Gene Bowman
    – Sonny Myers defeated The Great Mephisto
    – Buck Lipscomb and Jack Vansky defeated Al Szasz and Whitey Wahlberg

    1967

    Davenport, Iowa:
    – Johnny Powers defeated the Crusher 
    – Harley Race defeated Jack Lanza

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Sonny Myers fought Jack Donovan to a draw
    – The Hangman defeated Steve Bolus
    – Bob Ellis defeated Bob Brown by DQ 
    – Bob Geigel defeated The Viking in three falls

    1972 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Les Thornton defeated Billy Howard
    – The Viking & Omar Atlas fought Chati Yokouchi & Yasu Fuji to a draw
    – Bob Ellis defeated Juan Sebastian
    – Rufus R. Jones & Danny Little Bear defeated Central States Tag Team Champions Roger Kirby & Black Angus (w/ Percival A. Friend) by DQ in three falls 
    – Harley Race defeated The Stomper in three falls

    1973 

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Superstar Billy Graham defeated Wahoo McDaniel by DQ
    – Ivan Koloff dcor Ken Patera
    – Billy Robinson defeated Bill Crouch 
    – Greg Gagne drew Joe Scarpello (sub Bob Bruggers)

    1981 

    Augusta, Georgia:
    – Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka defeated Ted DiBiase & Steve Olsonoski to win the National Tag Team Titles

    1985 

    Baltimore, Maryland:
    – Tito Santana defeated Greg Valentine for the WWF Intercontinental Title in a steel cage match

    Great American Bash: Charlotte, North Carolina:
    – NWA World Tag Team Champions Krusher Khruschev & Ivan Koloff went to a double DQ against AWA World Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors 
    – Dusty Rhodes defeated Tully Blanchard in a steel cage match to win the NWA Television Title and the services of Blanchard’s valet Baby Doll for 30 days 
    – NWA Champion Ric Flair defeated Nikita Koloff by DQ

    1992 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – The Moondogs (Spot & Cujo) defeated Jerry Lawler & Jeff Jarrett for the USWA Tag Team Titles

    1997

    WWF Canadian Stampede: Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – The Godwinns defeated The Blackjacks (Windham & Bradshaw)
    – Mankind vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley ended in a double countout
    – The Great Sasuke defeated TAKA Michinoku
    – WWF World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker defeated Vader
    – Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, Davey Boy Smith & Brian Pillman defeated Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust, & The Legion Of Doom 

    Tokyo, Japan 
    – Koki Kitihara, Lance Storm, & Nobutaku Araya defeated Tommy Dreamer, Koji Kitao, & Nobukazu Hirai to win the vacant WAR Six-Man Tag Team Championship 

    1998

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Bill Goldberg defeated Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Title

  • VIDEO: UFC 200 press conference with Brock Lesnar, Jon Jones, more!

    Brock Lesnar, Mark Hunt, UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, interim light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, Cain Velasquez, and Travis Browne will address the MMA media this afternoon at 3 PM EST.

    The press conference is in anticipation of this Sunday’s UFC 200 event that the promotion is hoping will be the biggest show in company history.

    On the show, Lesnar will make his return to mixed martial arts after an almost five-year layoff against Hunt. Lesnar last fought at UFC 141 in a loss against Alistair Overeem.

    Jones is challenging Cormier in a light heavyweight championship unification bout as Jones was forced to vacate his title after a string of personal issues kept him out of the sport for a year. He won the interim version of the belt earlier this year in a unanimous decision win over Ovince Saint Preux.

    Tate will defend her championship against Nunes with the winner likely to face either Ronda Rousey or Holly Holm later this year if the cards falls right.

    Also on the show, Aldo faces Edgar for the interim featherweight championship, and Velasquez vs. Browne opens the PPV portion of the card.

  • TNA makes an offer for Moose

    It appears that Moose (real name Quinn Ojinnaka) may be on his way to a new home, but not the one many originally thought.

    Major League Wrestling reported on their Twitter account Wednesday morning that the free agent had signed a multi-year agreement with TNA Wrestling — a report Ojinnaka refuted, telling them he has an offer from the company but hasn’t signed as of now.

    Our Dave Meltzer has been reporting about Moose’s future for several weeks in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter including this from last week:

    “The situation with Moose changed in the past week as well. WWE backed off on signing him at this moment due to a 2009 domestic violence allegation which led to him being suspended for a game when he was in the NFL. He was actually told not to worry by WWE with the idea it’s just a timing situation (given the recent situations with Adam Rose and Jerry Lawler) and not a closed door.

    He was originally expected to be part of their September NXT introduction class with guys like Tommy End and Big Damo and most likely Roderick Strong, who did finish up here over the weekend. Moose has had offers from Lucha Underground, TNA, which offered the most money of anyone ($100,000 per year) and the door is open to staying here as well. Those at ROH view his future here as something that has changed a few times and it may or may not change again.

    Right now they are going with the idea it could go either way. But the plans aren’t booked right now with him as a key part of things. The impression we have is it is most likely he will be elsewhere soon which rules out WWE as well. He was beaten a few times on TV and the PPV because he may be gone and was expected to be gone when the shows were first laid out. But the door is open for him to stay. The TNA offer was always the best one money-wise, but there is the feeling that if you go to TNA, you fall off the radar. Plus, nobody knows the future of TNA.”

    At one time it appeared that Ojinnaka was headed to the WWE and would start at the Performance Center in September, but Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE backed off of signing the former football journeyman because of a 2009 domestic violence allegation that led to him being suspended from the NFL for one game.

    Ojinnaka’s wife alleged that he threw her down the stairs during an argument over a female friend that he had friended on Facebook, and Ojinnaka accused her of trying to stab him with a pen. The two are now divorced.

    Ojinnaka left the NFL in 2012 after a seven-year career with four different teams. After his time in football was over, the longtime wrestling fan decided to pursue a career in professional wresting and debuted in 2014 with Ring of Honor. 

    MLW also tweeted that Lucha Underground/AAA have not made an offer to Moose, but that TNA and ROH are still in play for his services.

  • UFC Fight Night 90 DFS Playbook: value picks, who to avoid

    It is UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas, Nevada and Thursday night brings us UFC Fight Night 90, the first of three straight nights of action inside the Octagon.

    This event will be headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship bout as champion Rafael Dos Anjos defends against challenger Eddie Alvarez.

    Below are our studs, value plays and fighters to avoid when setting your fantasy lineups for Thursday night’s event.

    STUDS

    Joseph Duffy ($11,100)

    Joseph Duffy is coming off a loss to Dustin Poirier in which he was completely outclassed, so he takes a big step backwards in taking on Mitch Clarke on Thursday.

    Clarke will be fighting for the first time since losing to Michael Chiesa in April 2015. The 2-3 Clarke appears to be a rebound fight for Duffy, who is 14-2 in his career and was ranked in the top 15 prior losing against Poirier.

    Duffy is a finisher and 13 of his 14 wins have come by stoppage. Clarke has only been finished once in his career, but he doesn’t have the same skillset that Duffy does. Duffy is a strong striker, has excellent submissions and good grappling. Clarke is a good grappler as well, but loses this match-up on foot.

    Duffy has the highest salary of all the fighters on the card, but is still a good investment. I expect him to win big on Thursday.

    Gilbert Burns ($10,800)

    Gilbert Burns is looking to bounce back from his first career loss when he fights Lukasz Sajewski on the card’s prelims Thursday night. Burns had won the first 11 fights of his career before dropping a decision to Rashid Magomedov in November.

    That loss is nothing for Burns to hang his head about as Magomedov is 19-1 in his career, but it showed some holes that Burns needs to fill to get back on track inside the Octagon.

    At his best, Burns is arguably the lightweight division’s best submission artist and has the strongest grappling chops. He has scored 10 of his 11 wins by finish, with seven wins by submission. He also trains with a strong camp in the Blackzilians.

    He is a strong favorite over Sajewski, who also lost for the first time in his career when he made his UFC debut in his last fight. Sajewski hasn’t fought the level of competition that Burns has. And if Burns can avoid the slow start that has often plagued him, he should be able to end this quickly. I feel confident in having him as a stud play.

    VALUE PLAYS

    Eddie Alvarez ($8,600)

    Eddie Alvarez is looking to make history when he challenges Rafael Dos Anjos for the UFC Lightweight Championship in the main event of UFC Fight Night 90. And he is also looking to become the first fighter to hold championship gold in both the UFC and Bellator promotions.

    He gets his title shot against Dos Anjos on the heels of wins over former champions in Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez. Alvarez has just two losses in the last eight years, coming to Michael Chandler and Donald Cerrone, so he presents a real challenge in this fight.

    Dos Anjos has looked like a killer the last several years and is the rightful champion at 155 pounds. He finished Cerrone quickly in his last fight, but is coming off an injury and no one knows what he will look like in this new era of the UFC.

    I actually like Alvarez to score an upset as this fight goes the distance and the extra time allows for more point scoring opportunities. He is a risk, but I find a lot of value in Alvarez.

    Alvaro Herrera ($8,500)

    Alvaro Herrera is another interesting fighter with a low salary who has a lot of value on Thursday night’s card. He is coming off a 30-second knockout win in his UFC debut in November, which was his first fight in over three years.

    He gets back to action against Vicente Luque in the opening bout of Thursday’s card, and Luque is looking to score his second straight win.

    Luque has been inconsistent in his career, winning just eight times in 14 career bouts. He is tough to finish, having only been finished twice in his five losses. But Luque has finished opponents in seven of his eight wins, including in his last bout against Hayder Hassan in December. Herrera has scored finishes in eight of his nine wins, but has also been finished in all three of his losses.

    This fight is primed for a finish, and I see Herrera’s punching power being the difference. His salary is worth a good amount of value.

    FIGHTERS TO AVOID

    Anthony Birchak ($10,700)

    Anthony Birchak has one of the highest salaries on the card, and I don’t think he’s worth that high price.

    Birchak is just 1-2 inside the UFC Octagon, and all three of his fights have ended in the first round. He has suffered a submission loss to Ian Entwistle and a knockout loss to Thomas Almeida, and scored a knockout win over Joe Soto in betweeen those losses. Birchak does have 10 wins by finish, but he has been finished in all three of his losses.

    I do like him to get the win over Dileno Lopes on Thursday, but I’m not all that confident in him winning by stoppage. I see him going the distance and getting a decision over Lopes. With his high salary, you have to expect a finish if you have him on your team. Birchak is an easy avoid for me.

    Russell Doane ($9,000)

    Russell Doane is another fighter that should be avoided on Thursday night’s card.

    He hasn’t fought in almost a year and is coming in riding a two-fight losing skid. His last three fights have gone the distance and he hasn’t looked overly impressive in those bouts.

    He gets a tough match-up against Pedro Munhoz, who has been one of the top prospects in the bantamweight division, but has struggled against tougher competition.

    Doane doesn’t land a lot of strikes in his fights, but he is good at takedowns. Munhoz has good takedown defense and is the more well-rounded fighter. And I see that being the difference with him taking a decision. Avoid Doane as I feel he will be fighting a losing battle on Thursday.

    OUR LINE-UPS

    RYAN FREDERICK- Joseph Duffy ($11,100), Gilbert Burns ($10,800), Derrick Lewis ($9,600), Alberto Mina ($9,500), Eddie Alvarez ($8,600)

    I like Joseph Duffy as my top play on the card and I see him having no troubles against Mitch Clarke. I’m expecting him to end it by at least the end of the second round, and probably even in the first.

    I also like Gilbert Burns to bounce back and get a stoppage win, likely by submission as his ground game is so good.

    I have Derrick Lewis on my team as well. He has the size and power edge over Roy Nelson, and I think he can knock Nelson out. Alberto Mina is undefeated with 11 stoppage wins, and is facing Mike Pyle who is nearing the end of his career. I can see Mina knocking Pyle out early in their fight.

    The last fighter on my team is Eddie Alvarez. I believe he will end Thursday night as the new UFC Lightweight Champion, and that it will go the distance, which gives him more chances to score points.

    PAUL FONTAINE- Vicente Luque ($10,900), Reginaldo Vieira ($10,200), Roy Nelson ($9,800), Alberto Mina ($9,500), Dileno Lopes ($8,700)

    All but one of Luque’s career wins have come by finish and his opponent Alvaro Herrera has been finished in all three of his losses. To me, that’s a recipe for some bonus points for Luque.

    Vieira was the TUF Brazil season 4 champion and he beat a guy I also have on my team in his official UFC debut. That win was the first time he’d gone to the judges in one of his wins. I see the fight with Marco Beltran being an all-out balls to the wall brawl with Vieira being the last one standing.

    Roy Nelson should score a late KO or submission over Derrick Lewis. Nelson is tough to finish and Lewis will probably gas out before getting caught by a shot that drops him.

    I’m surprised Alberto Mina is an underdog against the aging Mike Pyle. Mina scored a finish in his UFC debut and then beat a tough vet in Yoshihiro Akiyama in his follow-up. He’s unbeaten and an impressive finish over a another vet like Pyle should move him up the ranks.

    My last pick is more a pick against Anthony Birchak than for Dileno Lopes. Birchak has been finished in the first round of two of his last three fights. And Lopes has a KO or sub in eight of his last nine wins. 

    PEACH MACHINE- Rafael Dos Anjos ($11,000), Alan Jouban ($10,000), Derrick Lewis ($9,600), Alberto Mina ($9,500), Marco Beltran ($9,200)

    I hate this card, but I love Rafael Dos Anjos. He’s really good and will most likely be one of the most dominant champions in UFC history after it’s all said and done.

    Nelson is done and Lewis will KO him. I hate Pyle so I’m picking Mina. Jouban is handsome. I just love Carlos Beltran of the NY Yankees and I assume Marco is related. Play this lineup!

  • TNA Impact Wrestling live results: Hardy vs. Hardy – The Final Deletion

    Previously on Impact:

    Last week on Impact, Bobby Lashley retained the TNA World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Drew Galloway and EC3 in a triple threat match. Also, Broken Matt Hardy showed up in a wheelchair and challenged Jeff Hardy to one more match. After Jeff agreed, Matt jumped out of the wheelchair and beat him down.

    Tonight on Impact:

    On tonight’s Impact, Matt and Jeff will face off in one final encounter known as The Final Deletion. This match will not take place at the Impact Zone, but instead will be held at Matt’s home in North Carolina. The match has a good amount of buzz going in.

    Show Recap:

    – Impact kicks off with a warning from Matt’s gardener, Senor Benjamin. He tells us that only trained professionals can perform matches like tonight’s and not to imitate what we see. He says all of this in Spanish.

    – Next we go into the Hardy home where Matt and Reby are celebrating Maxel’s birthday. Senor Benjamin has a present for Maxel and asks if Matt is sick. Matt says that his birthday present to Maxel is deleting Jeff from the family. Matt tells Senor Benjamin to prepare the battlefield for massacre. This was done incredibly well and was effective in building anticipation for the main event.

    – In the arena, X Division champion The Miracle and Maria make their way to the ring. The Miracle reminds us that he is going to use Option C and wants to use it tonight.

    TNA President Dixie Carter makes her return after a one-week leave of absence. Miracle and Maria are not happy to see her. Dixie informs Miracle that he can use Option C, but is first going to defend the X Division title against the entire division in an Ultimate X Match.

    X Division Champion “The Miracle” Mike Bennett w/ “The First Lady Of Professional Wrestling” Maria Kanellis-Bennett vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Mandrews vs. DJ Z vs. Braxton Sutter vs. Rockstar Spud vs. Trevor Lee vs. Andrew Everett /Gregory Shane Helms in an Ultimate X Match

    – Back from commercial and the match is underway. This was a really good match. The story was that Miracle is out of his element in this environment. Sutter kicked Spud really hard and he had to be taken to the back after being busted open. DJ Z leaped off of Lee’s back and dove onto a bunch of guys on the outside.

    Miracle tried to jump vertically to grab the belt, which obviously failed. He tried climbing across the cable but again failed. Mandrews climbed up the Ultimate X structure and hit a sweet looking moonsault onto everyone on the floor. Miracle can’t figure out how to get the X Division belt so he grabs a ladder. But Edwards won the match when he climbed the structure and kicked Miracle off of the ladder he was climbing.

    Edwards is the new X Division champion and the question now becomes whether he will cash in the title for a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

    – Josh informs us that both EC3 and Drew Galloway have been suspended for the backstage brawl they had last week. The two will meet later tonight in a face-to-face interview.

    King of the Mountain Champion Eli Drake vs. “Cowboy” James Storm

    Drake tried to get disqualified by hitting Storm with the KOTM title but referee Brian Hebner stopped him. Storm got the advantage and hit the Last Call Super Kick, but the momentum sent Eli to the outside. Storm tried to bring him back in but Drake was finally able to use the belt to get purposely disqualified.

    Post-match, Drake hit his finisher on Storm and posed with the belt.

    – In the back, Edwards is glad to be X Division champion again but has a lot to think about in regards to Option C.

    Jade vs. Marti Bell in a Street Fight

    Both women are wearing street clothes. There are all kinds of weapons at ringside, including a trash can, baking sheets, chairs and kendo sticks. Bell uses a baking sheet to get the advantage and then backdrops Jade onto a trash can. Bell brought in a baton but Jade used nunchucks to counter her attack. Jade won the match with a package piledriver on a steel chair.

    – Next, we see Jeff at his home gardening and playing the guitar. At first it seems like the start of Jeff’s newest drama on the CW.  But what happens next is like a combination of Doctor Who and Star Wars. Suddenly, a drone flies into the shot and spies on Jeff. A hologram of Matt appears out of the drone and challenges Jeff to show up at his house. Jeff chases the drone away, but Matt is actually at Jeff’s house and ruins all the hard work Jeff just completed in the yard.

    – The Miracle and Maria come back out and they’re irate over Bennett losing the X Division title. Maria has had enough and calls out Dixie Carter.

    Instead, TNA executive Billy Corgan comes out. They’re both happy to see Billy. Maria says that she wants to be made TNA President and that Dixie’s one-week leave of absence wasn’t long enough. Maria says it’s either her or Dixie.

    Dixie Carter comes back out. Maria goes crazy repeating “You or Me” over and over like a maniac. Miracle demands to be in the main event at Destination X for the title or they walk. Maria repeated “You or Me” over and over again until Billy told her to shut up. Billy actually backs up Dixie despite siding with Miracle and Maria for the last few weeks. Billy is sick of this too and tells Miracle and Maria to quit. Miracle instead promises that he’s going to ruin Destination X.

    – Back from commercial, Senor Benjamin is busy preparing the battlefield. There is a ring, chairs and fireworks. Matt shows up with gasoline and tells Benjamin to soak the battleground.

    – In the back, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Lashley is asked about Eddie Edwards and Option C. Lashley says he fights with his hands and doesn’t do a bunch of circus moves. Lashley tells Edwards to keep his title.

    Decay (Abyss, Crazy Steve & Rosemary) vs. BroMans (Robbie E. & Jesse Godderz) and Raquel

    The BroMans came out first. As Decay made their way to the ring The BroMans showed a video of Rosemary making out with Bram. All six brawled on the outside to start the match. The finish came when Raquel took out Rosemary. Abyss went to chokeslam Steve on Robbie E. but he moved. Jesse took out Abyss and The BroMans hit the Bro-Down on Steve for the win.

    – In the back, Jesse and Raquel reveal to Robbie E. why they were being so secretive last week. Robbie E. was happy and they celebrated their win.

    – Jeremy Borash is in the ring and brings out X Division champion Eddie Edwards for his decision regarding Option C. Lashley comes out as Edwards is about to make his decision. Lashley tells Edwards not to vacate the title. Instead, Lashley suggests that both men put their championships on the line next week. Edwards can end up with both the X Division and World titles, but so can Lashley.

    Both men agree and It’s official for next week, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Lashley vs. X Division Champion Edwards for both championships. They brawl briefly and Lashley set up Edwards for a spear but Edwards countered with a knee. Edwards posed with both titles to close the segment.

    – The interview with EC3 and Drew is next. Because of their suspensions, neither man is allowed in the Impact Zone and are at separate locations. This was a great segment and both men were excellent here. 

    – Next, we get the referee pulling up to Matt’s home. It’s night with the ring set up outside surrounded by lights. Matt plays a violin to summon Jeff.

    The Final Deletion – Broken Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy

    This was an insane match and a gigantic spectacle. I would highly recommend going out of your way to see it. There is background music throughout the whole match and no commentary. The editing, music and directing were all excellent.

    They used all kinds of weapons including kendo sticks and ladders. Jeff hit the Swanton but Matt kicked out. Jeff wedged a ladder in the corner and placed Matt on it. Jeff climbed up a tree and went for the Swanton but Matt moved. Matt picked up fireworks and shot them at Jeff. The whole place filled up with smoke. In a great spot, Matt looked for Jeff but ran away as Jeff shot him with fireworks. Matt was able to briefly find cover inside of a dilapidated boat.

    Eventually, Matt got a sleeper on Jeff and left him for dead in a lake. Matt thought he had the match won, but Willow suddenly jumped out of the lake.

    Willow had the advantage until Senor Benjamin shocked him with a taser. Both Willow and Benjamin disappeared. Matt found Willow and covered him to win, but when he unmasked him it was Senor Benjamin. Jeff reappeared and choked out Matt. Jeff climbed up a giant structure shaped like the Hardy’s symbol. At this point, Matt pulled out a match and we get a quick flashback. Matt sets the structure on fire and Jeff falls off the top. Matt pins Jeff to win the match.

    Next Time on Impact:

    Next week on Impact, it’s a special edition known as Destination X. The main event will feature TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Lashley against X Division Champion Eddie Edwards in a match for both titles.

  • WWE Smackdown & Main Event spoilers: No Brock announcement; Chris Jericho vs. Sami Zayn

    The WWE Universe will have to remain on #BrockWatch a little longer.

    Despite teasing that Brock Lesnar’s SummerSlam opponent would be announced on this week’s SmackDown, the live crowd in Toledo, OH, left Tuesday’s taping with no more knowledge of who Lesnar would be facing at the August pay-per-view than everyone at home. Instead, the announcement will be inserted into the SmackDown broadcast in post production.

    WWE Main Event

    – Cesaro beat Curtis Axel with the Sharpshooter

    – Baron Corbin beat Sin Cara with the End of Days

    – The Golden Truth beat the Ascension with their finish

    – WWE United States Champion Rusev submitted Apollo Crews with the Accolade

    SmackDown

    – Seth Rollins beat Jey Uso after hitting the Pedigree. WWE Champion Dean Ambrose was the special guest ring announcer and egged on Rollins during the match. Ambrose and Rollins got into an altercation after it was over, but Rollins backed off.

    – Zack Ryder beat Sheamus with an elbow drop. Ryder came out to an updated version of his theme music. Ryder challenged Rusev after the match, and the match was later announced for this Monday’s Raw. Rusev did an promo mocking both Ryder and the United States.

    – Natalya ambushed Becky Lynch in the ring before Lynch’s match could get started. The two women brawled with Natalya getting the upper hand with the Sharpshooter until refs pulled them apart.

    – Enzo Amore and Big Cass came out doing their usual schtick. They talked about teaming with John Cena against The Club at Battleground. The Club interrupted them and set up a match between Enzo and Styles.

    – AJ Styles beat Enzo Amore with the Styles Clash.

    – Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens went at it verbally in a mostly comedic segment backstage.

    – I-C Champion The Miz beat Kalisto after hitting the Skull Crushing Finale

    – Sasha Banks did a backstage interview, and was interrupted by WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte and Dana Brooke. Brooke vs. Banks was announced for Raw.

    – In the show’s main event, Sami Zayn beat Chris Jericho with a roll-up. Kevin Owens was on commentary and got involved with the finish, inadvertently giving Zayn the win. Owens beat down Zayn after the match.

    – The dark match was Ambrose, Enzo & Cass going over The Club.

  • Daily Update: Cena’s 4th of July, Hardy vs. Hardy, ROH new matches

    In celebration of yesterday’s Fourth of July holiday, John Cena posted a video on his Twitter account celebrating the diversity of America in conjunction with advocacy group Love Has No Labels. The full version of the PSA was later uploaded online.

    Cena also brought a pediatric cancer survivor into the ring to celebrate overcoming the disease after Raw went off the air last night.

    The Raw rating will be in later than normal due to the holiday weekend, but given the poor reception to the food fight and the lackluster booking, it is expected that it will be the lowest rated Raw program of all time. 

    Smackdown is tonight in Toledo. No John Cena or Seth Rollins advertised. Dean Ambrose, A.J. Styles and Kevin Owens are the top names advertised.

    THE ROUNDUP

    ​The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11. Stay up to date on all the latest wackiness by following Ed in San Antonio on Facebook. Plus, follow us on @WONF4W or @BryanAlvarez. We will be live tweeting from all the events. Use #F4WVegas to get in on the fun. 

    If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!

    Figure Four Weekly

    READ IT HERE: Figure Four Weekly 6/27/2016: WWE concussion lawsuit update, more – The latest information in WWE’s concussion lawsuit. 

    Subscribers click here to continue reading.

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    READ IT HERE: July 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW G1 tournament preview, Ali vs. Inoki anniversary, more – A preview of NJPW’s G1 tournament, notes on the anniversary of Ali vs. Inoki, plus tons more.

    It’s a double issue week featuring a look back 40 years at what was the biggest undertaking up to that point in pro wrestling history, and Inoki vs. Ali match, how it came together, what happened that night, coverage of the upcoming G-1 Climax tournament, coverage of Ultima Lucha 3 and details on where the company stands, full coverage of the WWE cruiserweight classic, ROH Best in the World coverage as well as a look at those coming and going from the promotion, the death of Ryan Jimmo, the life and times of Gypsy Joe, and far more about the fallout of the Roman Reigns suspension.

    The lead story details this years G-1 tournament including what will air in English, newcomers to the tournament, some interesting political news regarding who is and isn’t in it, as well as a complete lineup for every show.

    This issue looks at the background of Ali vs. Inoki, the first time boxer vs. wrestler with major stars came close to happening, boxing champions who did wrestling and wrestlers who faced boxers including involving one of the all-time greats, Thesz vs. Marciano talk, and the two best known mixed matches prior to Ali vs. Inoki in the U.S.

    There is also a look at Japanese pro wrestling in the 70s and how that led to the match, the business of Billy Robinson involving Inoki vs. Baba, how Inoki was being marketed, and the attempts to put together Ali vs. Bruno Sammartino and how that led to this.

    The goals of Ali vs. Inoki for the New Japan side, the pro wrestling angles, just how big the match was why the match wasn’t a work, where Ali’s career stood at the time, media coverage, how the terrible rules were the reason the fight, Sammartino’s broken neck and return, Stan Hansen becoming a superstar in Japan, and why Ali vs. Inoki was not a success in much of the U.S, and much more in this issue of the Wrestling Observer. 

    Subscribers click here to continue reading.

    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.

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

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

    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. 

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter BACK ISSUE

    READ IT HERE: May 31, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Owen Hart – The life and death of Owen Hart, details on WWF Over the Edge, plus tons of news.

    TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

    To promote Tuesday night’s Hardy vs. Hardy: The Final Deletion spectacle, TNA has uploaded video of several people in the wrestling and film industries reacting to the match.

    Ring of Honor announced IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada, IWGP Intercontinental Champion Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi for their August 19th Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view and August 20th TV taping in Las Vegas.

    Ring of Honor World Champion Jay Lethal will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Wednesday night’s Tampa Bay Rays game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

    Cody Rhodes will now face Zack Sabre Jr. in his first match since leaving the WWE on August 19th at Evolve 66 in Joppa, MD after Johnny Gargano was removed from the show because of another commitment. Also announced was Rhodes vs. Chris Hero at Evolve 67 in Brooklyn, NY the next night.

    Will Ospreay will face Mark Haskins in a number one contender’s match for the PROGRESS championship at the promotion’s July 31st show at the Electric Ballroom in London.

    WWE and Professional Wrestling

    UFC and other Mixed Martial Arts

    • Conor McGregor’s interview for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue was one of the lead stories on ESPN’s website Tuesday. McGregor talks about dreaming of becoming a fighter, his fighting style and how he would have fared if he had chosen boxing as a career.
    • After an injury to Linton Vassell, Francis Carmont will now face Lukasz Klinger on the main card of Bellator 158 on July 16th at the O2 Arena in London. Bellator also announced that James Mulheron will face London native Neil Grove on the show’s prelims.
    • World Series of Fighting announced that they have signed bantamweight Jesse Brock to a multi-fight agreement.
    • Forrest Griffin and Dan Hardy will hold a party for UFC Fight Pass subscribers at The Pool at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa on July 6th at 6:30 p.m. PT.

    Miscellaneous (results, podcasts, amateur wrestling, plugs)

    • Cody Rhodes will be the first guest on Ric Flair’s new podcast this Wednesday. The show will be available on http://www.MLWRadio.com, iTunes, Stitcher and at RicFlairShow.com.
    • Prior to his appearance at this weekend’s Heroes & Villains fan fest, Rhodes did his first interview since leaving WWE with the Walker Nation podcast. Rhodes talks about preferring the developmental model of OVW to NXT, falling briefly out of love with wrestling after losing to the Big Show at WrestleMania 28, never winning the Money in the Bank briefcase despite being told twice that he was going to and working with WWE to write a book about his father.
    • Adam Cole was on the Chad Dukes Wrestling Show this week talking about joining the Bullet Club, being on Cody Rhodes’ list of desired opponents and the Will Ospreay vs. Vader controversy.
    • Former NWA World Champion Ronnie Garvin was interviewed by Great North Wrestling’s The Hannibal TV and detailed a real fight he once had with “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

    RESULTS

    • GOUGE Wrestling on July 4th in Raleigh, NC: Timmy Lou Retton b Zane Riley in a wave the flag match to retain the GOUGE Title, Roni Nicol b Maddi Max, Waylon Maze & Juan Jeremi b Mickey Gambino & Jimmy Jack Funk Jr. to win the GOUGE Tag Team Titles, Seymour Snott b Chet Snerling, Noise Pollution b Otto Schwanz & El Dinero Blanco, Livid the Clown b Mamma’s Boy, No Direction b Johnny Flawless & Victor Andrews, Old School b Ryker Flamingo

    SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR

    • July 7-11 The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas, EdinSanAntonio has information up on Facebook, or email him F4Wfan@hotmail.com. Keep up with all the action on Twitter by following @WONF4W@BryanAlvarez, @DaveMeltzerWON, @FO_VVerhei@EdinSanAntonio, @PaulAceFontaine, @FilthyTomLawlor or @PeachMachine. Use #F4WVegas or search for us on our group FaceBook page. You can also follow Granny‘s adventures on FaceBook. 
    • July 7 – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
    • July 7 – UFC Fight Night Las Vegas at MGM Grand. Rafael Dos Anjos vs Eddie Alvarez for the UFC lightweight title
    • July 8 – The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Claudia Gadelha for the UFC strawweight title
    • July 9 – UFC 200 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight title; Brock Lesnar vs Mark Hunt; Miesha Tate vs Amanda Nunes for the UFC women’s bantamweight title; Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar for the interim UFC featherweight title
    • July 9 – Pure Wrestling Association “Summer Assault” 11 Year Anniversary – Alpine Club, 464 Maple Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario
    • July 9 – All Pro Wrestling + Fit of Mind present: #MalaceInThePalace from the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, CA.
    • July 9 – Upstate Pro Wrestling in Rochester, NY, features Ethan Page, HC Loc, a triple threat match main event, and more.
    • July 9 – Acclaim Pro Wrestling presents: Star-Mageddon 6!
    • July 9 – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fundraising event.
    • July 13 – UFC Fight Night in Sioux Falls, SD. Michael McDonald vs John Lineker
    • July 16 – In Your Face Wrestling Presents: “Malicious Intent” – Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NYwww.iyfwrestling.com
    • July 16 – Bellator 158 : London featuring Paul Daley vs Douglas Lima, Michael Venom Page, Linton Vassell and Matt Mitrione
    • 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. Tickets at www.premierwrestle.com.
    • 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 22 – Bellator 159 from Mulvane, KS. Darrion Caldwell vs Joe Taimanglo. Melvin Guillard vs David “Caveman” Rickells
    • July 23 – Live Pro Wrestling, Glengarry Sports Palace, 170 McDonald Blvd. Alexandria, Ontario
    • July 23 – UFC on FOX from Chicago – Holly Holm vs Valentina Shevchenko.          
    • July 23 – Chikara Pro announced a doubleheader event at Toronto’s Franklin Horner Community Center.
    • July 23 – AAW  in Merrionnette Park, IL, with Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr., Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll; Tommaso Ciampa; Fenix; Johnny Gargano, and plenty more. Here’s what you missed on their last show.  
    • 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 in this video.
    • Merritton Community Centre 7 Park Ave St. Catharines, ON
    • July 24 – Crossfire Wrestling – Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Avenue St. Catharines ON, for our 5 year Anniversary show “BRING THE HEAT V”
    • July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY
    • July 30 – WSOF 32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 – Live on NBCSN from Everett, Washington. Also featuring Ben “Phoenix Jones” Fodor vs Caros Fodor in a brother vs brother fight
    • 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
    • Aug 21 – Chavo Guerrero Jr. will appear for Smash Wrestling on in Pickering, Ontario at Super Showdown lV.

    TODAY IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HISTORY: Great American Bash 1986; Gordy/Williams win WCW World Tag Team Titles; Val Venis wins WWF IC Title