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  • What’s next for WWE after SummerSlam, UFC business year in review, Mania and Daniel Bryan future notes

    A complete rundown of the WWE’s weekend in Brooklyn, with all the business notes, surprises and what is known about the future direction is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also cover the decision to have Holly Holm replace Miesha Tate as Ronda Rousey’s opponent next, a UFC business year-in-review story, ROH big weekend, New Japan next tour, 2017 Mania and Daniel Bryan future note.

    The issue is on the site right now at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/44262-wrestling-observer-newsletter-august-31-2015-summerslam-weekend-wrap-up-ufc-business-and-more

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

    We have rundowns of NXT Takeover, SummerSlam and Raw from Brooklyn.  We look at the Night of Champions card and what is and isn’t confirmed, the unique aspect of that weekend no PPV, the returns of Sting and the Dudleys, Dudleys tag title reigns, Jushin Liger’s WWE future, New Japan stars at SummerSlam, Bray Wyatt’s new Wyatt family member and his booking, Jon Stewart, Lesnar and Undertaker’s finish, business notes, NXT in the U.K., Wrestlers complaining about fans at Raw, as well as more on the problems in the WWE Diva Division and what isn’t working. 

    We look at UFC’s 2015 business numbers and what they show about the UFC audience, the appeal of the audience to advertisers, how it compares with the audience at other sports, how much of this year’s increases have to do with Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey and what their effects are on business as a whole.  We also look at who the new fans UFC has brought in this year are.

    We also have full coverage of UFC from Saskatoon, with match-by-match coverage and business notes on the show.

    We look at two major stars returning to a major promotion after seven years and their first programs, the CMLL Anniversary show main event, notes from the Arena Mexico shows from the past weekend Ultimo Dragon taping TV in Mexico City.

    We also have notes on a top woman star being injured, a booker getting bad pub from television, a promotion so hot that their sold out events are going to be broadcast in movie theaters as well as upcoming tournaments in Japan.

    We also have a look at the New Japan business and how it has increased over recent years, More on A.J. Styles challenging for the IWGP title, New wrestlers debuting in Japan including names not announced yet, lineups for the New Japan World shows in September, Hiroshi Tanahashi talks neck problem, Tanahashi talks theories of wrestling and Ricochet in New Japan.

    We also look at WrestleMania in 2017, the Madison Square Garden network special the 2K 16 launch party, the next Stone Cold podcast, an update on Daniel Bryan and well as some of his own philosophies of wrestling, Dolph Ziggler talks contract, the end of Tough Enough, more on NXT talent and pay, stars with new deals, the WWE Divas title, HHH talks NXT, other stars talk who they’d like to see in WWE, Jericho talks Hogan and more.

    We also note an indie show in Japan that outdrew Brock Lesnar and WWE at Sumo Hall, as well as the 40th anniversary of the pro debut of one of this era’s biggest stars.

    We note the death of Duke Myers, his career highlights, GFW’s latest TV taping and everything that happened, Taz getting a new gig, Wale and pro wrestling, Terry Funk wrestling again in a few months, Jim Ross talk show, Leroy McGuirk into NWA Hall of Fame, Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Red, Alberto El Patron in Europe, promoter critical of Sabu and an update on Len Rossi.

    We also look at the future of Lucha Underground, ROH/New Japan relationship update, next ROH PPV show, ROH weekend shows in Philadelphia and Brooklyn notes as well as the upcoming show.

    We also update TNA.

    We look at UFC’s marketing its fall and winter shows, what main events all UFC ‘s upcoming dates, Plans for the debut in Melbourne, Australia, and more notes on drug testing UFC athletes.

    We also look at the next FOX show, lots of new fights, Ronda Rousey T-shirt sales, Anthony Johnson situation, Two UFC women fighters pregnant and new Fight Pass series.

    We also look at a major wrestler signing, Alberto Del Rio in negotiations to be an announcer, early UFC promoter back running live shows and huge One championship bout.

    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.

  • TNA Impact 9/2 live TV results & recap: Bobby Roode vs. PJ Black

    By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

    Last week, Matt Hardy demanded a World title shot this week and got it – but there’s a catch. If he loses, Jeff becomes EC3’s assistant. Also, Eric Young won a quick match and now holds legal possession of Chris Melendez’s leg. Tigre Uno retained the X Title in a 3-way, while the Wolves beat Abyss and Manik to retain the tag titles. Brooke retained against Velvet, and Roode won a 4-way to get a shot at PJ Black’s King of the Mountain Title.

    In the main event, Drew Galloway used his crimonolgy degree to deduce that Jeff Jarrett was behind the attacks on himself and Bully. Karen came out and said that wasn’t true – she was behind them, and then the TNA roster got their asses handed to them by a lot of the GFW roster, who stood tall. The invasion that isn’t an invasion has now become an invasion – or something.

    Matt and Jeff Hardy enter the building “earlier today” and we get a recap of the Jeff-Dixie-Drew stuff from last week. A very green video filter is placed over the show-closing beatdown, making it even harder to tell who’s who in this. Dixie looks like the wicked witch of the west here. The Jarrett and the GFW roster come down while Pope says he’s glad he’s here on Impact to hear his explanation. Jeff says that the GFW-TNA supershow was off the charts successful, and Josh wants him out of the TNA hall of fame.

    Speaking of witches, La Bruja Karen says she had Bully taken out to get what Jeff deserved. Mordetsky took out Bully and Drew. Jeff says that he’s here to have a corporate hostile takeover and that he’s out to make another global empire. Mordetsky makes an Adonis open challenge for tonight, leading to Lashley coming out. An ad for One Night Only – Gut Check 2015 airs, with MVP, Samuel Shaw, and a slew of other released guys on it.

    Lashley vs. Chris Mordetsky

    A “this is war” chant breaks out while a collar and elbow tie-up starts things off. Josh talks about the show trending and Mordetsky gets a side headlock. Josh buries the GFW roster, while Pope puts Kong over all of them. Nice exchange of wrestling moves and holds here in this promotional war. Lashley avoids the full nelson, and gets a full nelson slam. Chris takes him down with a Polish hammer before attacking the spine by jumping onto his back. Adonis chinlock leads to him being backdropped over the top onto the apron and being forearmed into the barricade awkwardly.

    Josh says that TNA put GFW on the map. Adonis gets a butterfly suplex alongside a camera angle that makes it look like the whole building just has two rows of people full due to the dimmed house lighting. Josh talks about Mordetsky being the most outspoken member of the GFW roster…in catering. German to Chris leads a corner lariat and corner spear. Delayed suplex sends Mordetsky down, but Chris avoids the spear and gets a spinebuster. Mordetsky stomps around for the Lock, but Lashley avoids it with a rollthrough. Shouldermount powerslam sends Chris down, and he gets the big spear for…a DQ win due to PJ Black and other GFW guys coming in and attacking. The Wolves come down and get beaten up too. Myers hits Lashley with a flatliner while Jeff calls down to Karen to bring down the surprise. Josh throws to a break.

    Karen comes down with Feast or Fired case number 3, from whenever the last one of these matches was. Karen says that Magnus gave her the case and it’s time for a TNA Tag Title match with Lee and Myers against the Wolves. Earl Hebner stands up for TNA and PUNCHES JEFF JARRETT, who punches him back and knocks him down very slowly. Scott D’Amore, Lei’D Tapa and her husband come down and bully Brian Stiffler into the ring while burying D’Amore for always eating Twinkies.

    Trevor Lee and Bryan Myers vs. The Wolves – TNA Tag Team Titles

    Eddie kicks out at 1. Josh is outraged that this is being allowed – well, he’s not wrong. Josh is upset over a ruling from February being held up here and Pope explains that Magnus has left TNA – which has never been said on TNA TV, and gave it to Jeff. Josh puts over Myers being a tag team champion “all over the world”, which I think is just he and Ryder holding them as Edgeheads briefly. Eddie gets the half-crab and Davey gets the cloverleaf, but Sonjay gets involved. Lee hits Eddie with a case and wins. Well, everything about that sucked. However, it’s a chance for Lee and to a lesser extent Myers to be given a chance to shine.

    This was too much of a cluster to really care about, and there were several big parts of the story – like Magnus leaving, that needed to be explained for this to mean much of anything. Roode says he doesn’t care about what’s going on – he’s tired of being disrespected by TNA and GFW, and he wants to get gold again tonight. He gets his title shot next.

    Josh recaps tonight’s “corporate hostile takeover”, the tag title change, and the Lashley-Mordetsky match. Josh and Pope explain that Magnus, Nick Aldis gave them the case while they talk about the KOTM Title match. Josh says that a Roode win of this meaningless title gives TNA some of its power back. Josh plugs the main event stip and says that if Matt loses, we could see Jeff as EC3’s assistant on the house shows.

    JB interviews EC3, who enjoyed the Hardy Boys Mysteries, despite hating the title. He was a bigger fan of Choose Your Own Adventure, and wants to go to page 131 – where Matt Hardy lays broken and defeated. EC3 tells Jeff to get ready to do the work. Dixie Carter comes into the building 42 minutes into the show – did someone just tweet her about the hostile takeover? PJ Black comes down to his Jeff Hardy-sung theme while Roode has his usual one. Roode tells PJ to look around – it’s TNA, he’s a TNA guy, and he’s a TNA Original. He helped build TNA and some hate him, some love him, but he steps foot into this building and this ring, he’s earned their respect. It’s his house, it’s their house, and boy does TNA’s rapid descent just makes every promo about this feud that much funnier.

    Bobby Roode vs. PJ Black – Legends/Global/World TV/King of the Mountain Title Match

    Roode runs wild with forearms in the corner before hitting a high backdrop. Roode chops and punches away. Josh plugs TNA’s Youtube shows, but PJ eats a superkick. PJ gets a pair of suicide dives and tears up a sign in his honor. Springboard Savage snap lariat hits for an ad break. Roode gets a second rope blockbuster while Josh talks about wanting Roode to be KOTM Champion at BFG. They exchange punches to the face, so I guess that blockbuster didn’t really do much damage.

    Roode gets more chops. Roode avoids a springboard and gets a spinebuster for 2. Josh tells Mordetsky to study Roode to learn how to do a spinebuster – well, he’s not wrong. Pope says now it’s getting real, so I guess everything else was fake. PJ gets an inverted DDT for 2. Springboard moonssault gets 2 while they talk about the “hostile corporate takeover” a few more times. Roode gets the crossface, but Sonjay distracts him. Roode gets cradled horribly for 2 and gets the crossface while Drew attacks Sonjay. PJ escapes the crossface, but eats the Roode Bomb for the win. One small child yells “yes” over and over.

    Jeff’s theme hits before the tag champs come down and Roode escapes. Jeff says he wants to take back what was stolen from him, leading to Dixie coming down. Jeff buries Dixie for making mistakes, while Dixie says that at least she owns up to hers. Dixie and Jeff Jarrett are having a debate over who has done the most damage to TNA. Amazing. Dixie says that Jeff taught her a lot about wrestling, and he taught her more about ego – and how leading with ego leads to disaster. Then she and Jeff shout over each other.

    Jeff talks about having ownership stake and Dixie proposes something to get rid of one of them – a winner takes all match. Jeff says he walks on Earth to serve, not to be served. He stands by his guys because they believe in him and they believe in GFW. He’ll get in the trenches and fight with them – he has a crew behind him, and she has no one. Drew comes down to stand up for Dixie. This feels like yet another part of the story we’ve missed several chapters of. The Wolves come down, then Lashley, while Drew tells them to start making a white flag. Josh resurrects the TNA Front Line name for this group – sure, doom it even further.

    The GFW roster celebrates backstage to make a team while Josh rants at them for getting ahead of themselves. Pope and Josh’s room appears to be lit by a single 40 watt bulb, as it’s nearly impossible to see them easily. Josh buries Pope for not getting him a wedding gift, so he gives Pope the knockouts calendar. Kenny King is mid-ring for the first time on TNA in months. He says he has no banner, no mask, or no crew – it’s just him on his two. He wants to be a king that fights fair and is a leader. Kenny King issues an open challenge to mess the rep up. Out comes Bram. So they can edit Hernandez off TV, but Bram VS. Kenny King is essential viewing?

    Bram vs. Kenny King

    Kenny kicks Bram off the apron and dives onto him on the floor. Pope says that if he was going to get back in the ring, he would team with King – so I guess Pope is officially retired. Bram lands a European uppercut in the corner. Pope says that Bram is the reincarnation of Bram…could they not edit this off, really? Kenny launches himself into the corner with a dropkick for 2 while Josh talks about the “dudes from GFW” and Pope talks about the future of TNA being bleak. Josh buries GFW for not having commentators and Bram wins with the DDT and Josh says “he’s done, he’s outta here”. Okay then, so maybe that’s it for Bram in TNA. Jeff talks about accepting a match with a “super-crazy consequence” while Matt says the thought of Jeff having to work for EC3 fuels him, while the thought of being TNA World Champion fuels him too. Then he says “ha!”. Velvet Sky speaks out next.

    Velvet comes out while we get a recap of Rebel joining the Dollhouse. She says the knockouts division has evolved and so has she. She talks to Taryn and wants her out here now. Taryn says that she’s never crossed paths with Velvet and would destroy Velvet. She’s been in TV shows, movies, and magazines – while Velvet looks like she stumbled out of Hot Topic. The Dolls saunter down while Velvet is apparently trapped by three women in a six-sided ring. They beat her down and Pope brings up how stupid this was. Angelina Love and Madison Rayne come down – so it’s the Dollhouse against the Beautiful People. Angelina and Madison Rayne christen this team the new, badass BPs. In theory, this could be good – except the promo delivery was bad, and Angelina can’t work due to being pregnant. They hug and we get an ECE-Matt Hardy recap video.

    Knockouts calendar ad leads to a recap of the Jeff vs. Dixie promo earlier. Drew asks Dixie if she’s sure and she says she has no choice – they need complete control of TNA back. She says this is an investment in the people who have stayed and knows this team won’t let her down. We finally get a graphic explaining that the “one match” will be a Lethal Lockdown match in two weeks for control of TNA. The Hardys come down followed by EC3 and Tyrus. Josh talks about EC3 being unbeaten in nearly two years in TNA.

    Matt Hardy vs. EC3 – World Title Match

    JB gives this a big match intro and we’re told that Matt is the top contender – but we see no rankings, so the top five is apparently a thing of the past. EC3 kisses the title and clutches it in his hands. Matt gets a collar and elbow tie-up and pushes EC3 into the ropes. Matt takes him down and elbows his back and lands something resembling Muay Thai knees to the face. EC3 is sent to the floor for an ad break.

    After the break, EC3 is dominating, but misses a Hardy-pose flying elbow. Matt gets some punches, but is locked in a sleeper. Matt lands some punches and some lariats, including a clotheslines>bulldog combo in the corner. Hardy-pose elbow leads to a side effect for 2. Ref bump and Matt gets the Twist, but there’s no ref. Josh is now a babyface and very much against EC3 now. Tyrus hits a cheapshot, then EC3 gets a belt shot for a 2.9. Hardys cheat and only get 2. Then EC3 gets 2 and Pope brags about how no company delivers like TNA. Tyrus eats a baseball slide and a chair by Jeff. EC3 gets a TKO for 2. EC3 misses a stinger splash and eats a tornado DDT for 2. EC3 avoids a Twist with a lariat. EC3 low blows Matt and wins with a sunset flip – well, that finish was unexpected.

    Josh talks about how reality is setting in for Jeff as he now has to be EC3’s assistant. Pope calls this a disappointment. Well, Pope is right in many ways. EC3 asks Jeff to raise his hand, which really does seem like a fairly light punishment. Next week, the Wolves get a title shot while Mordetsky faces Drew to get the man advantage in Lethal Lockdown.

    To see every screenshot for the show, just click here.

  • WWE NXT 9/2 Live Recap and Results: Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic begins, Ascension returns

    by Emerson Witner, WrestlingObserver.com and Wrestling Outsiders Podcast

    On a personal note, this is my 248th NXT review here on F4WOnline.com, dating back to October 19, 2010. For trivia sake the very first match I reviewed was Kaitlyn vs Maxine, which was voted the 2010 Worst Worked Match Of The Year in the Observer Awards. Two weeks until 250!

    -Before the show they aired a commercial saying that Monday night after the Stone Cold Podcast will be a brand new interview with Eric Bischoff to promote the new Monday Night War DVD. So it will air at like 12:15am or so.

    The Big News: The Dusty Rhodes Classic began with Baron Corbin & Rhyno, along with Jason Jordan & Chad Gable, advanced.

    Show Recap:

    1.) Baron Corbin & Rhyno defeated The Ascension in a first round match in the Dusty Rhodes Classic.

    Ascension won the tag team titles on September 12, 2013 against Corey Graves & Adrian Neville and did not lose them until September 11, 2014 against the Lucha Dragons. They are not only the longest reigning NXT Tag Team Champions, but the longest title reign of any NXT title. Meanwhile Rhyno and Baron wrestled in May at Takeover in what was Baron’s best match until the Joe match.

    In the “Wacky Timing Department”, Konnor’s original partner in Ascension was Kenneth Cameron or, as he’s better known these days, Bram.  Fans were really into Ascension and the former champions looked good here, until Baron got the heat on Viktor by throwing him shoulder-first into the ring post. Corbin looked very good while in there with the criminally underrated Viktor.

    Konnor got the hot tag and did the flip, flop and fly on Rhyno. The finish saw Rhyno miss a Gore on Konnor, Corbin breaking up an attempt at the Fall of Man and Rhyno hit the Gore on the second attempt for the win.

    -Devin Taylor was with Neville & Soloman Crowe. Neville was excited to take part in this tournament to pay tribute to Dusty Rhodes, who helped him so much. Crowe, whose birthday was yesterday, was equally excited to tag with Neville as he is to be in the tournament.

    -Nia Jax is debuting soon.

    2.) Alexa Bliss pinned Blue Pants

    This was taped 10 days before Takeover, which explains why I was the only person in the world blissfully unaware that Blue Pants would be in the Vaudevillians corner. Alexa has pink streaks in her hair, to match her gear, so Pants has blue streaks in her hair. Does that make this the darkest timeline? If so does that make Corey Graves the Jeff Winger? If it does, he may lose his arm. #Andamovie

    Alexa took most of the match and Pants looked good on her comeback, leading to a Blue Pants City chant. Unfortunately for the crowd and Ed Loredo, Bliss won with the Sparkle Splash.

    -William Regal was backstage with Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa, of all people. Suddenly Tyler Breeze stormed in and demanded to be in the Dusty Rhodes Classic. Breeze is demanding that Mr. Regal find him an important partner and enter him. So next week it will be Gargano and Ciampa vs Breeze and Bull Dempsey, of all people.

    -They re-aired the botched finish of the 4-way match from last week. Emma cut a promo stating that the Diva’s Revolution began when she faced Paige at NXT Arrival and she is going to remind everyone who she is.

    3.) Apollo Crews pinned Martin Stone

    They edited out the audio of Jo Jo introducing Crews opponent. You could see her in the background talking, but they removed it.

    Like the Dillinger match, Crews took more of a beating than you would expect in this situation. Crews made his comeback with a series of Polish Hammers, a Stinger Splash and a diving clothesline. Apollo improved his record to 2-0 when he hit his Gorilla Press Slam and Standing Moonsault.

    -Jason Jordan and Chad Gable are ready for their tournament match with Crowe and Neville. Gable said they are writing their own ticket to the finals. They will make Neville crash to the ground and make people forget Crowe ever existed.

    Jordan finally said they are Ready, Willing and Gable.

    -Samoa Joe and Finn Balor are teammates for the Dusty Rhodes Classic.

    4.) Eva Marie pinned Billie Kay

    Billie Kay had the total look of dread on her face because she had to have a match with Eva. Literally her gear is the only good thing about her. Kay became the biggest babyface in the company when she kicked Eva in the face.

    Eva looked better in this match than she did last week. Corey Graves wouldn’t shut up that she’ll be champion one day, all but confirming my fears of Bayley’s next foe.

    Kay had the match won with a suplex, but Eva forgot to kick out so the referee had to hold up his count. If the same referee from last week was here, we know what would have happened. Anyway Eva won with The Kendrick.

    -Enzo, Big Cass, Mojo and Ryder were all happy after winning their 8-man tag last week.They couldn’t agree with where to go after the show, so they left separately.

    -Next week: Samoa Joe & Finn Balor vs Lucha Dragons

    5.) Jason Jordan & Chad Gable defeated Neville & Solomon Crowe in the Dusty Rhodes Classic

    I am trying to ignore Corey Graves, but he really is the most obnoxious announcer in WWE. It’s literally getting to the point where I want to mute the tv.

    Gable and Crowe did some really good wrestling and then Neville & Jordan tagged in and looked even better. So long story short, these four had a terrific match together. The heels used a waist lock to take down Crowe and gave Solomon the business.

    Crowe fought and fought to get the tag and the fans exploded for the hot tag to Neville. The former NXT Champion took apart his foes. He went for the Red Arrow, but Gable pulled Jordan out of the ring. So Neville turned and did an Asai Moonsault to the floor, followed by a Crowe Suicide Dive to Gable.

    Neville went for a Springboard WhatAManeuver, but Jordan caught him and threw him across the ring. Crowe tagged himself in and that was the end. Jordan & Gable picked up the surprising win with their finish.

    -After the match they showed the brackets and it is a 16-team tournament. But the brackets were up for less than 5 seconds and the show ended right away.

    After the show ended I used the pause button but the type was so small I had to walk up to my tv with a notebook to get the brackets, which are…

    Finn Balor & Samoa Joe vs Lucha Dragons
    Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs Angelo Dawkins & Sawyer Fulton

    Dash & Dawson vs Tucker Knight & Elias Sampson
    Blake & Murphy vs The Vaudevillains

    Hype Bros vs Marcus Louis & Alexander Wolfe
    Jason Jordan & Chad Gable defeating Neville & Solomon Crowe

    Rhyno & Baron Corbin defeating The Ascension
    Tyler Breeze & Bull Dempsey vs Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano

    But that is it for this week. Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers.

  • WWE Raw ratings for 8/31

    The Monday, August 31 edition of WWE Raw did the best numbers for the show since June 15 of this year — likely due a boost coming from the buzz created by the show the previous Monday.

    The show did 3.89 million viewers, up 170,000 from the show the day after SummerSlam.  The audience stayed relatively steady throughout the show.

    The three hours were:

    – 8 p.m. 3.87 million viewers

    – 9 p.m. 3.99 million viewers

    – 10 p.m. 3.83 million viewers

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (Sept. 2): Hulk Hogan vs. El Canek, WCW Clash Of The Champions XX

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1965

    Kansas City at Memorial Hall; Mongolian Stomper beat Bob Brown 2 falls to 1, The Ox (Ox Baker) beat Bob Rader, Pat O’Connor beat Corsica Joe by dq and Betty Nicoli beat Betty Boucher

    1968

    Waterloo, Iowa; In a Cage match, Dr X beat the Crusher, Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Tiny Mills & Bill Watts and Billy Red Lyons beat Big K

    1974

    In Davenport, Iowa; Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Jim Brunzell & Larry Hennig, Baron Von Raschke beat Ivan Putski dq, Buddy Wolff beat Bull Bullinski, Chris Taylor beat Horst Hoffman dq and Paul Perschmann (Buddy Rose) beat Khosrow Vaziri (Iron Shiek)

    1976

    Kansas City, Kansas; Baron Von Raschke & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Mike George & Pat O’Connor, Skip Young & Rick Gibson defeated Black Gordman & Great Goliath, Ox Baker fought The Super Intern to a double-DQ and Harley Race defeated Bob Brown

    1979

    Columbia, SC; Title vs Title match, NWA TV Champion Ricky Steamboat beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel dq, Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Jim Brunzell, Non Title Match Rufus R Jones beat US Champion Jimmy Snuka, Gene Anderson & Swede Hanson beat Coco Samoa & Pedro Morales, Nick Decarlo beat Tony Russo and Pedro Morales (sub SD Jones) beat Charlie Fulton

    Greensboro, NC; Ric Flair & Blackjack Mulligan beat Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke dq, TV Title Match (AWA Title not on the line) NWA TV Champion Ricky Steamboat beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel, Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood beat John Studd & Jimmy Snuka, Jim Brunzell, Tim Woods, Dewey Robertson and Bob Marcus also won their singles matches. Attendance was 5,549

    1984

    WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan wrestled UWA Champion El Canek to a draw in Mexico City, Mexico.

    1985

    In Ft. Worth, Texas; Kerry Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich & Brian Adidas defeated One Man Gang, Mark Lewin & Jack Victory to win the World Class Six Man Tag Team Title. Gino Hernandez defeated Brian Adidas to win the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title and Kevin Von Erich defeated Chris Adams

    Tampa, Florida; CWF promoted a card called “Battle of the Belts.” NWA Champion Ric Flair beat Wahoo McDaniel in a 2 out of 3 falls match, Nick Bockwinkel (sub Rick Martel) beat Frank Lang, AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors double countout Stan Hansen & Harley Race, Rick Rude beat Billy Jack Haynes, Kendall Windham beat Jack Hart to win the Florida Title, Coco Samoa beat Rip Rogers and Hector Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero beat Rip Oliver & The Grappler

    1987

    Terry Taylor defeated Shane Douglas to win the UWF Television championship.

    1989

    Clinton, Iowa; Destruction Crew Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom beat Paul Diamond & Tommy Jammer, AWA Champion Larry Zbyszko beat Baron Von Raschke dq, Derrick Dukes beat Colonel DeBeers, Mighty Thor no contest Jonnie Stewart and Mike George beat TC Carter

    1991

    Jerry Lawler defeated The Dragon Master to win the USWA Unified championship in Memphis, TN. On the same show, Danny Davis defeated Bill Dundee to win the USWA Junior Heavyweight championship.

    1992

    WCW broadcast Clash of the Champions XX from Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. Ricky Steamboat defeated Steve Austin in a No-DQ Match to win the WCW World Television championship, Ron Simmons defeated Cactus Jack to retain the WCW World championship and Rick Rude & Jake Roberts & The Super Invader (Hercules Hernandez), & Big Van Vader defeated Sting & Nikita Koloff & Rick Steiner, & Scott Steiner in an Elimination Tag Team Bout.

    1996

    Jerry Lawler defeated Sid Vicious to win the USWA Unified championship

    2002

    During an edition of Raw, Eric Bischoff created a new World Heavyweight Title and awarded it to Triple H.

  • WWE Smackdown 9/3 TV spoilers: Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. New Day

    Notes from Tuesday’s TV tapings in Miami:

    – The show opened with a comedy segment with the New Day complaining that the Dudleys are endangering furniture. The Dudleys came out, as did the Prime Time Players and it led to a match with Dudley vs. PTP.

    – The Dudleys b Prime Time Players

    – Stardust was to face Neville next, but The Ascension came out and laid out Neville which appeared to be on the orders of Stardust.

    – Cesaro was doing an interview. Sheamus interrupted him.

    – Sheamus b Cesaro

    – The Miz TV segment with Lana saw Summer Rae come out and the two women got into it.  Miz and Dolph Ziggler pulled them apart.

    – Bo Dallas b R-Truth

    – Charlotte b Tamina Snuka. Team Bella came out and Nikki raised the title belt in the air.

    – Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose b WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) via DQ

  • TUESDAY UPDATE: Notes on Jimmy Snuka murder charges, Bram released from jail, Nogueira retires, & more

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

    Tonight:

    Total Divas airs on E! at 9:00 p.m. ET with “Clash of the Divas.” Paige gets in trouble again, Nattie plays matchmaker with her sister and Big E, and Bryan doesn’t like Brie wearing overly revealing clothing.

    SmackDown and Main Event will be taped in Miami. If you’re attending the taping, please send reports/results to to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com:

    ****

    Figure Four Weekly:

    The new issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a hands-on look at WWE 2K16 from the 2K/WWE media event last week. There are also notes on WWE’s lawsuit against their Thai TV partner, including how this type of litigation is familiar territory for WWE and one past suit is exceptionally bizaree. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news from Dr. Lucha Steve Sims and and Alan”4L” Counihan.

    Last week’s FREE Figure Four Weekly is still up with a look at the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI may have helped Hulk Hogan cover up his racist and homophobic comments. A judge has ordered the FBI to turn over the records of their investigation, and what Gawker is saying in court about what has and hasn’t been turned over paints a very interesting picture.

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

    ****

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

    A complete rundown of the WWE’s weekend in Brooklyn, with all the business notes, surprises and what is known about the future direction is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also cover the decision to have Holly Holm replace Miesha Tate as Ronda Rousey’s opponent next, a UFC business year-in-review story, ROH big weekend, New Japan next tour, 2017 Mania and Daniel Bryan future note.

    The latest Wrestling Observer: Wrestling Observer Newsletter August 31, 2015: SummerSlam weekend wrap-up, UFC business

    Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!

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

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    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.

    We have rundowns of NXT Takeover, SummerSlam and Raw from Brooklyn.  We look at the Night of Champions card and what is and isn’t confirmed, the unique aspect of that weekend no PPV, the returns of Sting and the Dudleys, Dudleys tag title reigns, Jushin Liger’s WWE future, New Japan stars at SummerSlam, Bray Wyatt’s new Wyatt family member and his booking, Jon Stewart, Lesnar and Undertaker’s finish, business notes, NXT in the U.K., Wrestlers complaining about fans at Raw, as well as more on the problems in the WWE Diva Division and what isn’t working. 

    We look at UFC’s 2015 business numbers and what they show about the UFC audience, the appeal of the audience to advertisers, how it compares with the audience at other sports, how much of this year’s increases have to do with Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey and what their effects are on business as a whole.  We also look at who the new fans UFC has brought in this year are.

    We also have full coverage of UFC from Saskatoon, with match-by-match coverage and business notes on the show.

    We look at two major stars returning to a major promotion after seven years and their first programs, the CMLL Anniversary show main event, notes from the Arena Mexico shows from the past weekend Ultimo Dragon taping TV in Mexico City.

    We also have notes on a top woman star being injured, a booker getting bad pub from television, a promotion so hot that their sold out events are going to be broadcast in movie theaters as well as upcoming tournaments in Japan.

    We also have a look at the New Japan business and how it has increased over recent years, More on A.J. Styles challenging for the IWGP title, New wrestlers debuting in Japan including names not announced yet, lineups for the New Japan World shows in September, Hiroshi Tanahashi talks neck problem, Tanahashi talks theories of wrestling and Ricochet in New Japan.

    We also look at WrestleMania in 2017, the Madison Square Garden network special the 2K 16 launch party, the next Stone Cold podcast, an update on Daniel Bryan and well as some of his own philosophies of wrestling, Dolph Ziggler talks contract, the end of Tough Enough, more on NXT talent and pay, stars with new deals, the WWE Divas title, HHH talks NXT, other stars talk who they’d like to see in WWE, Jericho talks Hogan and more.

    We also note an indie show in Japan that outdrew Brock Lesnar and WWE at Sumo Hall, as well as the 40th anniversary of the pro debut of one of this era’s biggest stars.

    We note the death of Duke Myers, his career highlights, GFW’s latest TV taping and everything that happened, Taz getting a new gig, Wale and pro wrestling, Terry Funk wrestling again in a few months, Jim Ross talk show, Leroy McGuirk into NWA Hall of Fame, Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Red, Alberto El Patron in Europe, promoter critical of Sabu and an update on Len Rossi.

    We also look at the future of Lucha Underground, ROH/New Japan relationship update, next ROH PPV show, ROH weekend shows in Philadelphia and Brooklyn notes as well as the upcoming show.

    We also update TNA.

    We look at UFC’s marketing its fall and winter shows, what main events all UFC ‘s upcoming dates, Plans for the debut in Melbourne, Australia, and more notes on drug testing UFC athletes.

    We also look at the next FOX show, lots of new fights, Ronda Rousey T-shirt sales, Anthony Johnson situation, Two UFC women fighters pregnant and new Fight Pass series.

    We also look at a major wrestler signing, Alberto Del Rio in negotiations to be an announcer, early UFC promoter back running live shows and huge One championship bout.

    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.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    ***

    Tuesday Daily Update

    — Here’s the recommended reading to catch up on Jimmy Snuka being charged with the 1983 murder of girlfriend Nancy Argentino:

    * The Allentown Morning Call’s 2013 article that led to the grand jury investigation.

    * Justice Denied, the ebook that Irv Muchnick wrote with Nancy Argentino’s family. All proceeds go to battered women’s charities.

    * The docket for the case.

    * Irv Muchnick’s site has the press release and grand jury presentment (w/ evidence) as PDFs

    * The Allentown Morning Call’s story on the charges and another from LehighValleyLive.com.

    * Sarah Cassi of LehighValleyLive.cm has done an excellent job providing up to date information on her Twitter account.

    * TMZ was first to obtain the grand jury record and apparently, Snuka’s changing story, including the differences between his police statement and the account in his book, is what swayed the grand jury.

    * The Morning Call talked to Irv Muchnick.

    — WWE issued this statement: “WWE expresses its continued sympathy to the Argentino family for their loss. Ultimately this legal matter will be decided by our judicial system.”

    — To clear up some confusion from what the Morning Call initially reported, Snuka was not arrested at home in New Jersey. He surrended into custody in Pennsylvania. They’ve since edited their article.

    — There’s a ton to go over, but from skimming the presentment and reading the mainstream articles so far, it looks like Snuka’s conflicting statements and history of domestic abuse were deciding factors on top of the forensic evidence. Snuka’s then-wife and Buddy Rogers’ widow are among the witnesses who testified.

    Also, Irv Muchnick deserves a credit for staying on top of this story the way he did for so long. While it was known to MSG ringside regulars and some newsletter readers in the ’80s, it didn’t blow up until his article (written for the Village Voice, who never ran it) got attention in the late ’90s via his website.

    — Statement from The Gulfport Police Department about the arrest of Thomas “Bram” Latimer (he’s since been released): Professional Wrestler Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

    Gulfport, FL—On 8/30 at approximately 6:00 AM, officers responded to a call about a disturbance in an apartment at 3205 58th Street South. There they encountered Thomas R. Latimer and a woman who identified herself as his girlfriend. The officers observed evidence indicative of a physical altercation, and their investigation revealed that, after the couple had been arguing, the woman felt threatened and sought refuge in her bedroom. Latimer followed her into the bedroom, closed the door, and refused to allow her to leave. He then pushed the woman onto the bed and was holding her down by her neck. Latimer, who is a wrestler with TNA Impact Wrestling, was charged with domestic battery by strangulation and false imprisonment. Both are felony charges, and he is currently being held in the Pinellas County Jail.

    — UFC officially announced the retirement of Antoinio Rodrigo “Minotauro/Big Nog” Nogueira today. He’s getting a company ambassador job with the UFC.

    — Jim Ross has two articles about Scott Hall at FoxSports.com:
    * On Razor Ramon. 
    * On addiction and Recovery.

    — Paige VanZant talks about PEDs and women’s WMMA at MMAFighting.

    — From Allan Blackstock: Preston City Wrestling (PCW) ran a show outside of the Preston City limits for the first time in their 4 year history on Saturday (8/29/15). This was a bought show by Blackpool Council and was free to attend. I estimated there were approx 1,200 in the ballroom at any one time. This is the same venue that NXT will be running on December 13th. The venue has a capacity of 3,000, Viper & Mr Anderson def. So Scandalous (Ryan Smile & Damian Dunne), Mickie James def. Toni Storm, The Wolves def. Martin Kirby & Joey Hayes, Dave Mastiff def. Nick “Magnus” Aldis, Lionheart def. Sha Samuels by disqualification, Noam Dar def. Ashton Smith by submission, Dave Rayne def. Gilligan Gordon, Mr Anderson & Too Cool def. Bubblegum, Rampage Brown & Iestyn Rees It was a family show with all the faces going over. Match of the day was the Wolves over Kirby/Hayes in a ***1/4 match.

    — Pro Wrestling Eclipse Rocktoberfest has ben postponed until Oct 4th.

    — No new WWE DVDs this week, but Monday Night War vol. 2 comes out a week from today on DVD and Blu-Ray.

    — NWA Classics added a Midnight Express vs. Fantastics match today.

    — Kris Zellner and myself were joined by Les Moore on the latest Between the Sheets podcast, covering August 25-31, 1991. Topics include SummerSlam ’91/Ultimate Warrior being suspended by the WWF,  Randy Savage threatening to quit, Ric Flair threatening to sue a newsletter writer, and much more.

  • WWF Tuesday Night Titans episode 35 review: Hulk Hogan, Bobby Heenan, Ken Patera & King Curtis Iaukea

    – Airdate: May 23, 1985
    – Runtime: 40:41

    I learned three things from watching this episode. Hulk Hogan was phenomenal in 1985. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan is one of the greatest talkers in the history of the business. King Curtis Iaukea has a disgusting forehead.

    Let’s start there. I love pro wrestling blood. As we all learned from watching 20/20 in 1984, the blood is often self-induced. But there was something thrilling to see Ric Flair get pounded and then lift his head and see the crimson mask. You knew the guys who bled were a bit tougher than the guys who didn’t. Ever see The Miz bleed? Exactly.

    But I think I have changed my mind a bit on that after seeing Iaukea on this week’s episode of TNT. We’ll get to him in a moment, and it won’t be pretty.

    ***** 

    The show begins with Lord Alfred Hayes shouting, “From the World Wrestling Federation it’s TNT.”

    The first guests are Heenan and “strongman” Ken Patera. Patera was one of the most uncharismatic wrestlers ever. He absolutely needed a manager. They tried to dress him up a bit with some shiny clothes, but it didn’t really work. Patera talked at you, not to you. And why did he disappear for awhile, skipping WrestleMania?

    McMahon is in full instigator mode, reminding Heenan that the last time he was here it was an embarrassing situation. He’s referring to Paul Orndorff firing him. I don’t remember this and have never seen it because this episode for some reason is not on the WWE network. But we will take McMahon’ word for it.

    Heenan says he’s not the kind of man who gets embarrassed. “If I had done something wrong and I had been the average 8-to-5, clock-punching humanoid I could be embarrassed,” Heenan said.

    Heenan was so great at being dismissive. Rather than show us the clip of Orndorff firing Heenan, we go to an episode of Piper’s Pit, where Heenan reveals to Piper that Orndorff canned him.

    Piper introduces Heenan with some respect. “We have with us the greatest wrestling manager I have ever seen in my entire life,” Piper says.

    Paul Heyman is certainly giving The Brain a run for his money, but in 1985 Piper’s statement was 100 percent true. Heenan reveals what happened like he’s in some sort of confessional with his priest. There’s an air of guilt and shame in his words.

    “The world’s biggest no-good, lowlife ingrate, Paul “Mr. Wonderful” Orndorff has fired me,” Heenan says.

    Piper looks outraged and says “he cannot do that. He’s a coward. He’s Mr. Blunderful. He’s not worth wasting your time on.” Heenan is flustered and freaking out. “He was nothing until I took over,” he says, flinging his arms.

    Orndorff did the job at WrestleMania and his reward for that was probably a big singles push as a good guy, and eventually a money-making run as Hulk Hogan’s No. 1 opponent.

    Back in the TNT studios, Patera says Orndorff has “a lot of class, but it is low class.”

    He claimed Orndorff’s career was mediocre until Heenan started managing him. Orndorff was cursed with a bit of what plagued Patera. Orndorff was a boring. He was a natural heel, and way better as a heel. He was way more unlikable than likable, so him turning on Heenan totally had to be carried by Heenan, who could make fruit salad look daring.

    Heenan is pulling this whole segment off perfectly, a combination of paranoia, disappointment and unbridled rage.

    “The day is going to come when I am going to be soaking my hands in epson salt to bring down the swelling because I am going to smack you so hard I am going to knock the taste out of your mouth,” Heenan says. Nothing like the little guy promising to destroy the musclehead.

    Heenan says he remembers Orndorff, “out at Madison Square Garden like a cheap light bulb.”

    Heenan then gets back to Patera, his new focus. He called Patera an Olympic Gold Medalist, which isn’t true, unless they had a category for best blonde curly perm. Heenan also claims Patera is undefeated, which isn’t true either.

    We go to the ring with Patera pounding on some guy named Ronny Dee. Patera is 100 percent owning this guy, taking time to flex during the match, a move that would excite announcer Jesse “The Body” Ventura.

    “Another little pose for the crowd: We like it Kenny,” Ventura says. Jack Reynolds is doing play-by-bay and asks why a man as strong as Patera needs to resort to choking his opponent.

    Ventura says Patera needs to cut off the ring and take away the man’s air. “Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat,” Ventura says.

    Patera pins him with a swinging full Nelson that would excite Cesaro. He puts one foot on his chest like he just retired Randy “Macho Man” Savage.

    Back in the TNT studios Patera says he is putting Orndorff and the Hulkster on notice.

    “I want that World Wrestling Federation belt around my waste. I am undefeated and everyone knows this,” Patera says. Patera would have needed to purchase one of those $250 replica belts that didn’t exist in 1985 if he wanted to be champion.

    McMahon seems less interested in Patera and goes back to talking about Heenan. He asks Heenan if he is doubting himself and his abilities after Orndorff canned him. Heenan seems committed to ruining Orndorff.

    “I am going to financially and physically make sure the Paul Orndorff’s living in some doorway of skid row,” Heenan says.

    Heenan portrayed a genuine sense of betrayal here. This wasn’t just a wrestler firing his manager. This was a son turning on his father and moving out of the house. Heenan was hurt and it showed.

    Up next is King Curtis Iaukea. I used to think Abdullah The Butcher had the most disgusting forehead in the business. Iaukea gives him a run for his money. I have to admit that I didn’t take a lot of notes during the Iaukea segment. I was too busy staring at his forehead. How and why did McMahon even allow this guy on television?

    McMahon says “You look fabulous,” almost like he was trying to be sarcastic. He looked anything, but fabulous. He was an abrupt reminder that maybe it’s not such a bad thing that we don’t see a lot of blood anymore in wrestling.

    Iaukea’s forehead is simply disgusting. He didn’t seem to mind though. He seemed fairly happy.

    Since it’s wrestling, of course, we had to sit through a gazillion cultural stereotypes, and listen to Iaukea talk about life in Hawaii and the surfer, care-free attitude. I guess all people from Hawaii just hang around at the beach all-day.

    Then we get some bizarre promotional video of Hawaii, which featured lots of scenic shots of the ocean, mountains — and skin.

    Iaukea says “you can’t miss me. I am the fattest Hawaiian on the island.” Points to McMahon for saying that he thought he spotted a Kielbasa tree during the video. Hayes also deserves credit for saying one of the men surfing looks like Don Muraco.

    When they show the girls in bikinis, McMahon tells Hayes to “watch your heart.”

    From the stereotypes of Hawaii we go to the squared circle to see some vintage footage of Iaukea teaming up with Baron Mikel Scicluna against Chief Jay Strongbow and Sonny King.

    When the segment was over, Iaukea shook McMahon’s hand: “It is a great honor and privilege to be a professional wrestler. Thank you for having me here and please come my way so I can make you comfortable.”

     A lot of these old-timers really seemed to treat TNT like it were a real talk show. They seemed genuine to be there and tried to answer McMahon’s questions with legitimacy. That was another great thing about TNT. It was a total unscripted work on many occasions, but some some of the guys didn’t seem to be in on the joke. McMahon, of course, was eating up all of it, perhaps the only guy on the set, who wasn’t guessing.

    From there we go to Hulk Hogan, the man who 30 years ago was one of the biggest stars in the world. It’s sad to see how far this guy has fallen. Since he’s Hogan though, I don’t doubt that he will rise again. He always seems to do so.

    In this segment we go to Madison Square Garden where Hogan is the ringmaster for the circus. Hogan’s “Real American” music plays over clips of him beating up guys like the Iron Sheik.

    From there we see Hogan interviewed by Bruce Beck on the MSG network. Beck is pointing out that Hogan is making a difference in the lives of 18,000 “handicapped youngsters.”

    Hogan at one point puts two kids on his shoulders and smiles, looking genuinely happy. Beck asks him what it feels like to help the youngsters. Hogan says that initially he was a bit sad, but once he got to meet all the kids he realized that the were “full of life.”

    Beck asked Hogan if he felt it was important for an athlete to give back.

    “You’ve got to,” Hogan said. “These are the people who support you. It makes you realize where you stand. I don’t know how to explain it. It just make you feel really good.”

    Hogan came across super genuine here.

    Back in the studio McMahon introduces Hogan, who gives him a huge handshake. With the big smile on his face, McMahon doesn’t seem to interested in figuring out who was responsible for the wrestling boom of the 1980s, he or Hogan. It looks like he is just happy to be cashing those checks.

    Hogan turns the focus to wrestling and says Patera and Studd are the types of challengers that the WWF doesn’t need. He praises Orndorff for dropping Heenan.

    “The first good move he did was firing Bobby “The Brain” Heenan,” Hogan says.  “Since then I have seen a lot of good change in the man. I think Mr. Wonderful is right on the right track.”

    As we would find out later, Orndorff’s firing of Heenan was all a ruse, a set-up for one of the greatest turns in history, leading to one of the best house show runs in history. But for now, Orndorff and Hogan are buddies. Ever notice how everyone Hogan hangs out with eventually turns on him? Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Orndorff, Bubba “The Love Sponge?” Jimmy Hart apparently is the only guy who has figured out how to get along with Hogan for more than two decades.

    Hogan stays on the couch as McMahon introduces “Mean” Gene Okerlund, another guy McMahon stole from the AWA.

    Okerlund was one of the faces of the WWF in the 1980s. He’s one of those guys everybody 35 and older remembers. Gene was funny and whipsmart. They show a clip of him interviewing WWF Women’s Champion Richter. During the interview Richter says: “I am not about to lay down on my back and let some woman cover me.”

    Okerlund starts laughing on camera, while Richter plays serious refusing to break character. Okerlund was famous for his reactions during live broadcasts, infamously dropping the F-Bomb when a part of the set fell down behind him during an interview.

    He’s in a good mood during this episode, however. He’s wearing a what dress hat. McMahon asks him where he got it and Okerlund responds that it is the last thing that Truman Capote gave him before he left.

    Okerlund starts talking about the good days when he and Hayes would “cavort with an occasional maiden.” Hayes reminds us that they were maidens, not wenches, prompting Okerlund to say “not that we didn’t try, but it just didn’t work out that way.”

    McMahon and Hogan make fun of Okerlund wearing dress pants and dress shoes, but no socks, but Okerlund is proud to show of his legs.

    This segment was going great until McMahon had to show us the video — for the third time in TNT history — of Hogan training Okerlund. This is footage of Hogan forcing Okerlund to run, lift weights and eat raw eggs. It was funny the first two times.

    Back on the set Hogan says he need to train Okerlund because he found out that he had seven maidens lined up and had to get Gene into shape.

    McMahon asks Okerlund how he got the name “Mean Gene.” Okerlund admits that it was given to him by Ventura, a declaration that probably had Hogan quietly using colorful language in his head, since Ventura was another guy Hogan couldn’t get along with.

    The show ends with McMahon, Hayes, Hogan and Okerlund heading to the band and Okerlund to play a few songs on the piano as the credits rolled.

    TNT this week offered a great mix of past, present and future, with great jokes and humor from Heenan and Okerlund. It’s amazing to see Hogan in his prime, just oozing charisma without even trying. Had he played his cards right, he could have been an announcer, a voice of the WWE, rather than persona non grata. He’s a good reminder that no matter how big of a superstar you become, it is still McMahon’s world.s

  • Breaking: Jimmy Snuka charged with third degree murder in Argentino death (updated)

    By Dave Meltzer, WrestlingObserver.com

    Jimmy Snuka, one of the most popular pro wrestlers of the 1980s, was charged Tuesday with third degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the 1983 death of mistress Nancy Argentino, someone he traveled the Northeast with during the last year of WWF as a Northeast territory.

    Snuka surrendered himself into custody in Pennsylvania, was booked, and is being held on $100,000 bond.

    The case was reopened last year after the Allentown Morning Call (PA) published a story about all the questions that were not answered involving the case. Here’s the paper’s updated story.

    Argentino passed away on May 11, 1983, from traumatic brain injuries. Her body had a number of cuts and bruises.

    Snuka had told police that while driving to Allentown, Argentino got out of the car, slipped when going to urinate on the side of the road, and hit her head.  However, there were inconsistencies in his story from other stories reported by those who had spoken to him at the time.

    The WWE made a statement regarding today’s legal proceedings:

    “WWE expresses its continued sympathy to the Argentino family for their loss.  Ultimately this legal matter will be decided by our judicial system.”

  • WWE RAW ratings delayed until Wednesday

    Due to an issue at Neilsen, cable TV ratings for last night will not be released until Wednesday morning which is when we’ll get WWE RAW numbers for Monday.

    Raw was battling NFL preseason football, and had a show built largely around Sting and the Dudleys appearing, as well as the Divas’ Beat the Clock challenge.