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  • SAT. UPDATE: UFC concludes Travis Browne investigation, Hulk Hogan on Donald Trump, & more

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

    Show notes for the weekend:

    Tonight is the second night of PWG Battle of Los Angeles, which is, as always, sold out and not on IPPV:

    Rich Swann vs. Marty Scurll

    Chris Hero vs. Timothy Thatcher

    Drew Gulak vs. Tommy End

    Jack Evans vs. Angelico

    Drew Galloway vs. Mike Bailey

    Ricochet vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

    Fenix & Aero Star vs. Pentagon Jr. & Drago

    Young Bucks & Super Dragon vs. Biff Busick & Andrew Everett & Trevor Lee

    Also tonight:

    WWE in Orlando (John Cena, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Prime Time Players, Dolph Ziggler) and San Juan (Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, Big Show, Ryback)

    NXT in Fort Pierce, FL.

    ROH in Atlanta at the North Atlanta Trade Center (Cedric Alexander vs. Corey Hollis, Michael Elgin vs. Adam Page, Matt Taven & Michael Bennett vs. Will Ferrara & Takaaki Watanabe, Roderick Strong vs. Caprice Coleman, Matt Sydal & ACH vs. Ray Rowe & Hanson, Cliff Compton vs. Mark Briscoe, Jay Lethal & Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs. Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish)

    GFW in Richmond, VA

    Sunday has WWE in Daytona Beach (John Cena, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Prime Time Players, Dolph Ziggler) and Tallahassee (Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, Big Show, Ryback).

    Raw will be Monday in Tampa.

    Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday in Miami.

    If you’re attending any of the shows this weekend, whether WWE  house shows, BOLA, ROH, or anything not listed here, 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 

    Rates are:

    For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52.  In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com  For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

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

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

    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.

    ***

    Saturdayday Daily Update

    — As noted earlier:

    Hulk Hogan will be appearing on Good Morning America and Nightline Monday to apologize and rehab his image. He told a TMZ cameraman that  “The only hard feelings I’ll have for Vince McMahon is when I get him back in the ring again. It’ll be a replay of WrestleMania 19″ and “I want to be Trump’s running mate.” With the type of comments that are getting Trump heat, comments like that, even jokingly, may be unwise.

    Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm has been moved to November 15’s UFC 193 in Melbourne dur to an injury to welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, who was set to defend against Carlos Condit. It doesn’t look like the women’s strawweight 

    Sting will open Raw on Monday.

    — UFC issued a statement last night saying that “an investigation into allegations of domestic violence against heavyweight Travis Browne” had “found inconclusive evidence to support claims of alleged domestic violence involving Browne.” He’s no longer suspended and can be booked in fights again. Thefull statement, which was released last night during the Bellator card and before the Rousey announcement, has some details on the law firm used and things of that nature. Browne’s estranged wife, Jenna Renee Webb, had posted photos of bruises on Instagram and initially didn’t say what happened until a fan directly asked her if Browne had hurt her. Disucssion of the allegations had heated uthis past week after Webb wrote on Twitter that Browne is dating Glendale Fighting Club teammate Ronda Rousey, who just got a ton of attention for taking shots at Floyd Mayweather’s history f domestic abuse convictions.

    Webb issued a statement to WomensMMA.cm:

    I told them the truth, I gave them photos, I gave them a dated and detailed journal, and how they came up with those results is beyond belief. The investigator got this info and helped the UFC come to this conclusion. My family and I are totally baffled. It just shows what an abused person from a close family in Florida faces when they go up against an ex-FBI investigator, Campbell & Williams, and the UFC. They have more money than we do. They appear to be the winners. We believe that in the end truth prevails.

    — Watch UFC lightweight and welterweight fighter Benson Henderson get tapped out during the ADCC ubmission grappling tournament.

    — Marc Madison talks to Sam Shaw. Shaw on TNA’s brief flirtation with OVW as its developmental program: The developmental program for TNA at OVW was very short lived and changes were always happening. There was no real structure I guess you could say. It was sort of like here we have training a couple of days a week and you have 4 or 5 shows a week which is tremendous because you are getting into that mode of working each and every day and I think that it was a tremendous learning experience. I went into the whole OVW experience thinking that I was already trained really well coming from Curtis Hughes and then coming from Team 3D academy for four years. Getting signed with TNA and then I thought I had to go back and train some more? Destroy my body and this and that. I was there for practically a year and I feel like I learned a tremendous amount in that time and I look back on it as a very fond memory for me.

    — Soctt Fishman talks to Dolph Ziggler at the WWE 2K16 event.

    — On Friday night September 11th, Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW) will return to Our Lady of Mt Carmel School located at 1355 W 70th St in Cleveland, OH for Faith No More. Bell time will be at 7:30pm with doors

    opening at 6:30pm. Card includes Bob Holly vs. Nick Gage in the most awesomely ridiculous indie match of 2016, Colt Cabana and Cliff Compton vs, To Infinity & Beyond (Colin Delaney & Cheech),  Josh Prohibition vs Eddie Kingston, and more.

    — The United Wrestling Coalition returns from its annual summer hiatus on Saturday evening, September 5. The event will take place at Kelly’s Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, New Jersey 08562 with a 7:00 p.m. belltime. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and all tickets are available for  $10. The main event is the Wrightstown Rumble battle royal.

    — Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) will return to the Pinnacle Bank Arena Lincoln, Nebraska with RFA 30 on September 18. Brock Jardine vs. Anthony Smith main events the card, which will air live on AXS TV.

  • Full SummerSlam and Brooklyn weekend news, Future of Daniel Bryan, 2015 UFC business report, why Holm got title shot, What next for WWE

    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

    Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show on the history of the site are at  http://www.f4wonline.com/member/signup.php

    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”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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

    Rates are:

    For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52.  In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com  For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

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

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

    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.

  • Global Force Wrestling report 8-28 Harrisburg, PA

    By Dave Muscarella

    Pat Buck def Dirty Money via piledriver. Pat Buck was announced as
    being from Harrisburg to get a cheap pop from the crowd.

    Pepper Parks def Kevin Matthews when he hits a lung blower

    Brandon Baxter says GFW’s mission is to present wrestling the way it
    used to be. And out comes Jeff Jarrett for a promo and thanks the
    Harrisburg Senators and the fans.

    Due to travel issues, Karl Anderson is not here. Ali Akbar & Sanada
    cut a heel promo about having their own issues being foreigners and
    say the main event is Doc Gallows vs Akbar & Sanada in a handicap
    match.

    Kimber Lee def Cherry Bomb via alligator clutch after Cherry Bomb
    missed hitting Kimber Lee with her BSE in a good, but way too short
    match given the talent of both ladies.

    Eddie Smooth def BLK Jeez and Sonjay Dutt after he hits an elbow drop
    off the top onto BLK Jeez.

    Chris Mordetzky def Brian Myers with the Masterlock, Modetzky was the
    only heel to win a match all night, but still got cheers from the
    crowd since he was a former WWE guy that the crowd knew.

    Kevin Nash cut a promo in the ring and said “the torch has been passed
    from the nWo to the Bullet Club.”

    Doc Gallows w/ Bullet Babe Amber Gallows def Ali Akbar & Sanada in a
    handicapped match when Doc Gallows used a bat from Jeff Jarrett who
    was at ringside while the ref was down and pinned Ali Akbar.

    After the show Jarrett and Nash posed for photos in the ring.

    Show was 2 hours long including a 30 minute intermission.

    Best match was the 3 way match which
    was also the longest of the matches.

  • PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 1 (8/28) results: Young Bucks, Roderick Strong, Zack Sabre Jr.

    By Dave Meltzer, WrestlingObserver.com

    One of the biggest indie shows of the year took place Friday, in Reseda, CA, with round one of the Battle of Los Angeles tournament. The rest of the first round is Saturday with all the winners advancing to the finals on Sunday:

    – Brian Cage b Aero Star

    – Biff Busick b Andrew Everett

    – Will Ospreay b Mark Andrews

    – Jack Evans & Angelico b Rich Swann & Ricochet

    – Trevor Lee b Trent Baretta

    – Pentagon Jr. b Drago

    – Matt Sydal b Fenix

    – Young Bucks & Roderick Strong b Tommy End & Marty Scurll & Zack Sabre Jr.

    Notes:

    – Super show, main event, Sydal vs. Fenix, Andrews vs. Ospreay and Busick vs. Everett were the best matches but everything was good.  Lots of Pentagon Jr. T-shirts in the crowd.

    – Melissa Santos of Lucha Underground was the ring announcer.

    – Among those at the show were Lisa Varon, Konnan, Tom Lawlor, Marina Shafir (Four Horsewomen) and Rob Naylor.

  • WWE News: Sting announced for Raw’s opening segment

    WWE announced today that not only will Sting be on Raw Monday night, but he’ll be doing he opening segment of the show. The former WCW Champion will face Seth Rollins for the WWE title in the main event at Night of Champions on 9/20 in Houston.

    Much of the rest of the Night of Champions card should start being set up on Monday.

  • WWE NXT 8/28 Cocoa Beach, FL, house show results: Finn Balor vs. Solomon Crowe, Bayley vs. Nia Jax

    Submitted by J.J. Williams

    They announced that a match will be taped tonight for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament.

    – Apollo Crews b Elias Samson via press slam into a standing moonsault.

    – Steve Cutler b Riddick Moss. This was a pair of non tv talent here. Moss worked as heel, Cutler wins via Front Fisherman Buster.

    – Dana Brooke and Evil Emma b Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. Dana rolled up Billie for the win.

    – Tye Dillinger b ‎Noah Kekoa. Kekoa is a newcober and came out with a Hawaiian shirt and ukelele, which Tye ended up playing during the match. Dillinger wins via his knee to the back of the head maneuver.

    – Enzo and Cass b Angelo Dawkins and Sawyer Fulton to advance in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament. ‎Crowd was hot, a lot of How You Doin? chants. Cass cleans up after the hot tag, Enzo gets the pin after the splash off the top.

    Intermission

    – NXT Women’s Champion Bayley b Nia Jax via roll up pinning combination. Pre match, Bayley did a promo about being a fighting champion and putting the title on the line against anyone who wants a chance.

    – NXT Tag Team Champions The Vaudevillains b Jason Jordan and Chad Gable via whirling dervish.

    – NXT Champion ‎Finn Balor b Solomon Crowe with the Coup De Grace. Crowe worked heel in this match even attacking Balor pre match before the bell. Balor had his ribs taped and sold his Takeover injures throughout.

  • Hulk Hogan making the media rounds on Monday

    The lay low period for wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan following the unearthing of the racist remarks he made during his 2006 sextape is over.

    Hogan is expected to apologize, appear contrite, and attempt to rehab his name with appearances this Monday morning on ABC’s Good Morning America and Monday night on ABC Nightline.

    H/T: Thanks to Jared Sanchez

  • Condit talks Lawler’s thumb injury and Legacy Fights results,, Inside MMA TV report

    LOS ANGELES – Aug. 28, 2015 – With the news of his title fight against UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler being cancelled tonight due to a Lawler thumb injury, Carlos Condit gave AXS TV’s INSIDE MMA his reaction to the news in an interview with series hosts Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten. A video clip of the interview is available here: http://bit.ly/IMMACondit

    UFC women’s bantamweight contender Holly Holm sat down with correspondent Ron Kruck on AXS TV’s INSIDE MMA tonight for an in-depth interview about her upcoming fight with UFC champion Ronda Rousey. During the interview, Holm discussed how her boxing experience transfers to the octagon, how comfortable she is facing Rousey on the ground, and if she thinks Rousey is beatable: http://bit.ly/IMMAHolmAug28

    Also on tonight’s show, UFC featherweight Chad Mendes discussed how he matches up with upcoming opponent Frankie Edgar and how he would adjust his game plan if fought UFC Interim Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor again: http://bit.ly/IMMAMendes

    Highlights from tonight’s broadcast of AXS TV FIGHTS: LEGACY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP 44 are available here, presented by AXS TV FIGHTS commentators Pat Miletich and “The Voice” Michael Schiavello: http://bit.ly/Legacy44

    Official results from Legacy 44 are as follows:

    Main Event – Welterweight Fight – Alex Morono (11-3) defeated Valdir Araujo (14-6) via knockout at 2:18 in round three.

    Lightweight Fight – Carrington Banks (4-0) defeated Justin Reiswerg (9-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

    Catchweight Fight (165 pounds) – Sage Northcutt (5-0) defeated Rocky Long (21-34-1) via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:30 in round two.

    Lightweight Fight – Jonathan Harris (10-5) defeated Rey Trujillo (18-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

    Welterweight Fight – Charlie Ontiveros (6-3) defeated Bilal Williams (3-2) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

    Bantamweight Fight – Colin Wright (4-2) defeated Ryan Hollis (9-7) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

  • WWE News: Dean Ambrose talks Piper, Wyatt, The Shield, Thatcher

    The following is from a third party:

    The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling takes a walk on the side of lunacy as we welcome WWE Superstar, “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose. Ambrose clawed his way to WWE with a fearless career on the independent scene, absorbing and dishing out punishment in equal measure. He competed in violent environments and unmanageably sacrificed his body with the goal of inflicting as much damage on his opponent as humanly possible.

    Now as we wind down 2015 and look ahead, we look back with Dean on his affinity for Rowdy Roddy Piper, his feuds with Bray Wyatt and Seth Rollins and what is next for a possible future WWE Champion. We are also joined by Dean Ambrose’s trainer Les Thatcher and hear directly from him the kind of student Ambrose was and what he thinks of the progress Dean has shown thus far in his career. Thatcher is also quite outspoken about the current state of WWE, NXT and the overall 2015 wrestling product.

    > Full Episode 

    > Ambrose on Roddy Piper

    How does his preparation differ from other stars in the WWE:

    I like to take things moment to moment. I don’t try to be anything that I’m not because that would be in-authentic and I was blessed with certain talents and certain abilities and others I wasn’t. I try to do things I do and do them well and I don’t try to pretend to be anything that I’m not. If I’m in a bad mood, your gonna get Dean Ambrose in a bad mood. If I’m in a good mood your gonna get happy, fun Dean Ambrose that day. I would literally take whatever I’m feeling, that’s just what you will see in the ring.

    I like to just be myself and I just go out there and kind of just do whatever I want to my own devices and it’s kind of just not just the fans but WWE slowly realized another Dean Ambrose isn’t going to walk through the door anytime soon. So I kind of occupy my own space and kind of carve out my own little spot. Fans don’t want to tune in and see you do the same things every week and when they hear your music for me they like to think that any wild thing may happen when I come through the curtain because sometimes I don’t know. I make as much up as I possibly can as I go along.

    Memories of Rowdy Roddy Piper:

    Everybody loves Roddy Piper. There’s so many of these shocking out of nowhere passings and it’s so weird because these are the guys that my generation grew up watching, it sucks. Everybody loves The Hot Rod and my favorite Roddy Piper memory is a very specific one because I recently not too long ago watched it. Starrcade 96 when he fought Hogan for the Championship when he came back to WCW, it was a terrible, sloppy match with two old guys but awesome and was such a spectacle.

    The cool part of it was his entrance. One of the best entrances you will ever see if you really watch it and you are into the story and you really watch what he is doing, it’s like this death march to the ring. You have this on-going decade long blood-feud with Hogan and he knows that he is going to get beat up by the nWo and ganged up on 20-1 and it’s a one man war against the nWo and he’s just coming down the aisle as simple as can be, no flashy entrance or pyrotechnics. In WWE everyone has the special entrance.

    In NXT they have a dance move that they do and they get in the ring the same way every time and its like their schtick. It was so refreshing to go back and watch that because he comes out and just stares at the ring and burns a hole with his eyes and walks down the aisle as simple as humanly possible. His eyes are just cold and it just tells so much, you know he is willing to go in there in the middle of that ring. He is going to fight to the end. If he walks away with the championship, cool but he’s prepared for this to be the end. It’s very intense and most people who watch it wouldn’t put that much thought into it but get on WWE Network, watch Starrcade 96 and just watch Piper’s entrance it’s such a cool thing.

    Comparison to Superstars like Piper, Terry Funk and Brian Pillman:

    I really can’t answer that because I try not to put any thought into what I am doing. I go by what I feel, whatever happens, happens. I think a lot of those guys probably thought the same way.

    Why does he work so well with Seth Rollins:

    Our styles just meshed well. First time we ever wrestled was in FCW. We never crossed paths before. It was maybe one of the first times that people started to pay attention to what was going on in Developmental just from a wrestling standpoint. I had a certain following and he had kind of ran with a different crowd on the indy scene like Ring of Honor and it kind of was a clash of indy worlds happening in Developmental. It just clicked immediately. I felt that stuff that he did was complimenting the stuff that I did.

    The stretching and they physical stuff in the holds, it was such a phsyical style I was doing at the time and just kind of meshed with his and it was like peanut butter and jelly, like mixed perfectly together the stuff that we were doing. He is such a smart guy and visualizes and comes up with cool things and then you have just the way that I would like go off-the-cuff a lot of times, we could go out and wrestle thirty minutes and literally not talk at all before  hand, it just meshes well and then you know WWE styles still mesh and it’s hard to explain. There’s just that certain chemistry with people. He’s so good, its like anyone can have a good match with Seth Rollins and we kind of bring out the best in each other from a healthy competitive standpoint and all the great opponents always had that together like Ric Flair/Ricky Steamboat and Nick Bockwinkel/ Verne Gagne.

    Is their any one specific WWE Superstar looking to bring down the house:

    I think all of the core group of guys right now, myself, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Cesaro, The Wyatts I think we all have that competitive chemistry with each other because we are kind of pushing each other and we are the guys kind of carrying the load right now as far as 300 nights a year. We are the guys who are counted on to tear the house down and wrestle 15-20 minutes on Raw each week and I think that’s a real healthy thing across the board.

  • WWE 8/28 Ft. Myers, FL, house show report: John Cena vs. Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens

    Submitted by Louis Izzo

    – From the Germain Arena, Ft. Myers, FL

    Dolph Ziggler def. Rusev in a No DQ match

    Lana and Summer Rae were both at ringside. Rusev dominated with his power stuff and Ziggler got hope spots here and there. Very little, if any, stuff that would involve being DQ’ed. Lana and Summer Rae had their catfight in the ring, Rusev tried using Summer Rae as a shield but Lana KO kicked her, and Ziggler won clean with the Zig-Zag at the 13-minute mark.

    Jimmy Uso def. The Miz

    Mostly a comedy match, with Miz showing off his dance skils via the river-dance. Is that still a thing? Good back and forth, with Jimmy getting the clean pinfall off a top rope splash at the 10-minute mark. I was a bit surprised by Uso going over since he’s a non-factor on TV.

    Team PCB def. Team B.A.D.

    Good crowd reaction for Paige and Charlotte, but the rest of the bunch not so much. Crowd seemed very apathetic towards Tamina. Naomi worked most of the match for the heels and Paige played the face-in-peril. Charlotte didn’t see much ring time, except for the hot tag. Becky Lynch got the tap-out on Sasha for the victory at the 10-minute mark.

    Tyler Breeze def. Baron Corbin

    The crowd must’ve not expected an intermission, because they left in droves for the concessions and bathrooms. Breeze’s entrance is cool, and Corbin tried getting cheap heat by running down the crowd, but nobody cared. Fairly short with Breeze getting a fluke pinfall. Corbin laid him out post-match with his finisher.

    Dean Ambrose def. Kevin Owens

    Both guys got solid responses, but Ambrose was the clear favorite. They worked hard early and had a very strong finish with lots of near falls off of stuff like the top rope elbow and the fisher-man buster. Owens went for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Ambrose leap frogged him and hit Dirty Deeds for the clean pinfall at the 14-minute mark.

    Intermission.

    Jack Swagger def. Adam Rose

    Rose cut a pre-match promo about not alllowing us to have fun because we wouldn’t have fun with him, and threatened to poop all over our party. Swagger made him tap to the Patriot Lock in less than a minute. A lot of people weren’t back from concessions yet.

    WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day def. The Primetime Players

    Tag Title Match. Kofi and Big E. worked the match while Woods was trolling at ringside. The New Day’s energy is just too contagious, with all their dancing and goofing around. Surprisingly solid responses for the PTP. Young played face-in-peril for a few minutes. Titus cleaned house, but chaos erupted and somewhere in the carnage Kofi stole a pin on Young to retain at the 12-minute mark.

    John Cena def. WWE Champion & US Champion Seth Rollins by DQ

    This was advertised as a title match and a No DQ Match, but neither was introduced. Almost a solid 100% babyface response to Cena. Shortly into the match, Rollins decided he would show Cena up and make this for both belts. Good, TV Main Event style match, with both men hitting all their signature spots. Rollins kept escaping the AA, and eventually went with a low blow to draw the DQ at the 20-minute mark. Cena gave him the AA to send the crowd home happy.

    Notes:

    – Good show overall, with only one match being weak, and even that was short. Top babyface reactions were definitely Cena, Ambrose, and I’d say Ziggler and Lana for 3rd. For heel reactions, Rollins, Rusev, and the New Day because the crowd was more into boo’ing them than anyone else on the card.

    – I don’t know the exact numbers, but from the looks of things, it was a full crowd, with the exception being the section next to the entrance ramp, which was closed off.