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  • Bully Ray on Dana White’s “fake” comment and his time as TNA champion

    The following is from a third party:

    Bully Ray joined the Chad Dukes Wrestling Show to promote his appearance with Devon at the Bowie Baysox “Legends of Wrestling” night on August 21st at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, MD.

    During the interview, Bully discusses his current career freedom, the wrestling landscape, his TNA championship run, and Dana White’s comments on professional wrestling.

    *****

    On his TNA World Championship run:

    “I’m very proud of that time by myself and I will go on record to say that when when I was the World Champion at TNA and the whole Aces and Eights angle was up and running and that entire storyline with Hulk and Sting and the whole nine yards, that was the last time that there was truly some really great stuff going on storytelling-wise in TNA and the ratings proved it. I don’t care what anybody says, the proof is in the pudding. Bully Ray versus Jeff Hardy in the cage, a bigger house for TNA than they’ve ever done before and the ratings were great.

    “I really sunk my teeth into that whole thing because being Bully Ray was just really an extension of Bubba Ray Dudley in ECW. I really never got into wrestling to be a single wrestler I always knew I want to be a part of a tag team and once me and Devon had accomplished everything that we possibly could accomplish, we decided, “Hey, let’s let’s go our separate ways and you know we’ll see what happens.” And we were both very successful in doing it. So I’m very proud of that body of work.”

    On Dana White’s “fake” comment about pro wrestling:

    “Fake is such a horrible word to describe pro wrestling. When it comes to the in ring action and physicality of what goes on in there, there is nothing fake about it. I put up a tweet the other day comparing pro wrestling to Cirque de Soleil. Cirque de Soleil is a choreographed athletic performance, so is wrestling. Does that make Cirque de Soleil any less real? All of the things that they’re doing, all the physicality, the gymnastics, the trapeze, the flips, the falls, everything, it’s all real, just like it is in the middle of a wrestling ring.”

    “The term that I have always loved for pro wrestling and I don’t think many people in the United States have maybe even heard this term. It’s cool I like to refer to it as fighting opera.”

    “As far as Dana is concerned, listen, he went out there he said something and I fired back with how I believe. I was not pissed, I’m not mad, I did think that he should have apologized to the wrestling world, not me individually or anybody individually. Come out and say, ‘Hey you know what, sorry I used used the word fake it’s definitely the wrong word.’ Because listen, if it wasn’t for pro wrestling, things like MMA would never exist. Pro wrestling is the foundation. Pro wrestling is the grandfather of all of these types of mixed martial arts and anything like that that you see on TV.

    “Whenever there’s a pro wrestling aspect to the UFC is when they draw the biggest number. And that’s not just me talking out of my ass, Brock Lesnar was a professional wrestler first and a UFC fighter second. When they do their highest ratings when the pro wrestling guy was there. You know why? Because he had personality and he’s larger than life. So to say what we do is fake or you know the professional wrestling business doesn’t matter. It’s kind of ignorant.”

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (August 17): Brock Lesnar wins WWE title at SummerSlam, Nikita Koloff vs. Magnum T.A. best of 7 series concludes

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1927 – Bert Willard defeated Jack Reynolds for the World Welterweight Title in Columbus, Ohio.

    1944 – Kansas City, Kansas; Orville Brown beat Les Wolfe in 2 of 3 falls; Jimmy Coffield and Jack Hader drew, Earl Wampler beat Larry Tilliman and Harold “Sonny” Myers beat Sergeant Harry Cohen

    1951 – Duke Keomuka defeated Ray Gunkel in Houston, Texas for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title.

    1953 – Baron Michele Leone defeated Danny McShain in Memphis, Tennessee to win the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title.

    1955 – Yvon Robért defeated Don Leo Jonathan in Montreal, Quebec for the Montreal Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Title

    1956 – Don and Red McIntyre defeated Eddie Gossett (Eddie Graham) and Art Neilson to win the Georgia NWA World Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia; Gene Kelly (Kiniski) defeated Pepper Gomez to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas

    1962 – The Alaskan (Jay York) and Tarzan Tyler defeated Jerry and Nick Kozak in Houston, Texas to win the Texas NWA World Tag Team Title.

    1965 – In Davenport, Iowa; AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat The Crusher dq, Larry Hennig & Chris Markoff & Harley Race beat Rene Goulet & Danny Hodge & Tex McKenzie, Danny Hodge beat Chris Markoff and Larry Hennig beat Rene Goulet

    1967 – In Kansas City, Kansas; Pat O’Connor fought Earl Maynard to a 30 minute draw, The Viking defeated The Hangman via DQ and  Bob Brown & Bob Geigel defeated The Mongolian Stomper & Ron Reed via DQ in three falls

    1968 – Dr. X (Dick Beyer) defeated Verne Gagne to the AWA World Heavyweight Title at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Also on the card, Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Crusher & Lord Littlebrook, Wilbur Snyder beat Dutch Savage, Cowboy Lang & Wee Willie Wilson beat Little Bruiser & The Mighty Atom, Chris Markoff drew Luke Brown and Frankie Laine beat Roberto Pico; The Mighty Yankees (Frank Morrell and Eddie Sullivan) defeated Dennis Hall and Ken Lucas in Chattanooga, Tennessee to win the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Title.

    1972 – In Kansas City, Kansas; Steve Bolus defeated Billy Howard, Omar Atlas defeated Bobby Whitlock, Steve Bolus & Les Thornton & Danny Little Bear defeated Juan Sebastian & Billy Howard & Yasu Fuji, Roger Kirby & Black Angus (w/ Percival A. Friend) defeated The Stomper & Rufus R. Jones in three falls and World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk, Jr. fought Harley Race to a double-DQ in three falls; In Jacksonville, Florida in a Lights Out Match; Buddy Colt beat Eddie Graham, Florida Champion Paul Jones beat Bob Roop,
    In a match for the Florida Tag Title, Mr Wrestling Tim Woods & Jack Brisco beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens

    1973 – Dick Dunn defeated Eddie Sullivan in Dothan, Alabama to win the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title.

    1978 – Steve Rickard defeated Toru Tanaka for the New Zealand NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Title in Auckland, New Zealand; In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens, Super Destroyer Mark II beat Rufus R. Jones dq, Larry Hennig beat Blackjack Lanza and Bob Orton Jr. drew Billy Robinson

    1979 – At the Omni in Atlanta; Tony Atlas won a 16-man battle royal to earn an NWA World Heavyweight Title match in the main event. Also on the card, Ole Anderson and Ivan Koloff defeated Dusty Rhodes and Bill Watts in a Double Bunkhouse match and Wahoo McDaniel defeated NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion The Masked Superstar (with Bobby Heenan) in a Blindfold match to win the title. However, after the match, the blindfolds were removed, it was revealed that Tommy Rich had beaten Superstar for McDaniel, and the title was vacated. In the main event, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race defeated Tony Atlas to retain the title.

    1980 – In St Paul, Minnesota in a Lights Out Match; The Crusher beat Jerry Blackwell, Greg Gagne beat Bobby Heenan, AWA Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura beat Mad Dog Vachon & Super Destroyer Mark II dq, Dino Bravo no contest John Studd, Joyce Grable beat Judy Martin, Tito Santana beat Buck Zumhofe and Steve Olsonoski beat Chris Markoff

    1985 – Eric Embry defeated Super Medico I for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico; In Landover, Maryland; AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Larry Zbyszko

    1986 – Nikita Koloff defeated Magnum T.A. in the seventh match of a best-of-seven series in Charlotte, North Carolina to claim the vacant NWA United States Heavyweight Title.

    1987 – Nikita Koloff defeated Tully Blanchard to win the NWA World Television Title in Fayetteville, North Carolina; George Barnes defeated Bill Dundee for the CWA International Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee

    1990 – The Thundercats (Leono, Panthro and Tigro) defeated Los Arqueros del Espacio (El Arquero, Danny Boy and Lasser) in Mexico City, Mexico to win the Mexican National Trios Title.

    1991 – Billy Jack Haynes defeated Steve Doll in a full-nelson challenge in Portland, Oregon for the vacant NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title; Combat Toyoda defeated Megumi Kudo in Tosu, Japan to win the WWA World Women’s Champion.

    1992 – Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett defeated The Moondogs (Cujo and Spot) in Memphis, Tennessee to win the USWA Tag Team Title.

    1997 – In Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Shane Douglas (with Francine) defeated Terry Funk and ECW World Heavyweight Champion Sabu (with Bill Alfonso) and in a Three-Way Dance to win the title and the Dudleys won the ECW Tag Team Title by forfeit from the Gangstas.

    1999 – In Louisville, Kentucky; OVW Southern Tag Team Champions Jason Lee and Rip Rogers defeated The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) by disqualification to retain the title and Rob Conway defeated OVW Heavyweight Champion The Damaja to win the title.

    2003 – Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Jun Akiyama in Tokyo, Japan to win the NJPW G1 Climax tournament.

    2007 – El Dandy and Rey Misterio, Sr. defeated The Punisher and Super Parka to win the vacant WWA World Tag Team Title in Tijuana, Mexico.

    2008 – At SummerSlam in Indianapolis, Indiana; Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix defeated Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston & Women’s Champion Mickie James to win the titles; Batista defeated John Cena and the Undertaker defeated Edge in a Hell in a Cell match.

    2014 – At SummerSlam in Los Angeles, California; Dolph Ziggler defeated the Miz to win the Intercontinental Title, Paige defeated AJ Lee to win the Divas Title and Brock Lesnar defeated John Cena to win the WWE World Title.

  • WWE August 16 Fargo, ND, house show results: Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt

    By Ryan Shol

    R Truth over Wade Barrett via pinfall

    Pretty much what you’ve seen on TV. R Truth warmed up the crowd to start things off with his freestyle intro. Crowd did give Barrett the reactions he was looking for and booed him often. I dont remember much of this match as it was largely forgettable. Crowd was solidly behind R Truth and loved booing Barrett. Thats about it.

    Naomi (with Sasha and Tamina) over Bayley via pinfall after the Rear View

    My favorite match as I was interested to see the crowds reaction to the mostly unknown Bayley. A solid match with nothing the level of the NXT Divas work but there were no botches and Naomi and Bayley had good chemistry despite not working together before live. Naomi hit all her moves while Bayley also hit all her spots except the Belly to Bayley. Crowd more engaged for this bell to bell than most the matches on the card.

    Story of match was Team B.A.D having no respect for Bayley and laughing in her face at the beginning then using outside interference to maintain a advantage and ultimately secure the win after Sasha distracted the ref who missed the 3 count on a Bayley roll up which led to Bayley knocking Sasha off the apron but turning around into the Rearview.

    The crowd easily got behind Bayley and cheered when they were supposed to even when Bayley and Naomi werent working for a reaction. A lot of this card dragged because the guys worked hard for reactions but the crowd just didnt care at all with there being almost no star power on it.

    Jack Swagger beat Adam Rose via Submission with the Patriot lock.

    Solid Red State North Dakota loved them some Jack Swagger. Rose worked hard to get the crowd to boo him but they were indifferent for most part. Blah

    Ryback retained the IC title over Big Show and Miz after Ryback hit the Shellshock on Miz.

    Ryback was really popular as the first real star of the evening and the crowd booed Miz when he invited them too which was often. Show got good face heat for the match and there wasnt any “Please Retire” chants which was nice because no one worked harder at being original in their crowd work than Show tonight. Match started with Show and Ryback battling it out while Miz hid outside content to let them weaken one another in the opening minutes. After a while Miz sneaked back into the ring and attacked Ryback from behind and controlled the action with some basic offense and things just stayed the same with 2 of the 3 men fighting each other while the other nursed a injury on apron or outside.

    Outside of a Bayley v Naomi match I’ll remember because I’d never see it before, the most memorable thing about tonight was the way Big Show interacted with the crowd. Loudly ordered Ryback to “stop with the feed me more s–t (he said this in character) “.He taunted one guy for wearing a N.W.O shirt to a event in 2015. He gave Miz a chest slap and when the crowd chanted “one more time” he obliged backing Miz into the corner, hushing the crowd, and then sent Miz crumpling to the floor. Say what you will but Show really tried to entertain the crowd and be original. This sums up the card perfectly as it was one of the most unique things that happened all night.

    15 minute intermission

    Jimmy Uso beat Heath Slater via pinfall after a top rope splash

    This “match” was mostly filler to kill time while people returned from intermission. Match ended when Slater challenged Uso to a dance contest which he then proceeded to ham it up for “I’m too sexy”. Slater tried to get a reaction but the crowd basically no sold it. Uso got the crowd back into by doing a pretty good Micheal Jackson impersonation while dancing to “Billie Jean”. Slater got mad at Uso winning so he attacked Jimmy from behind but quickly got a super kick and top rope splash to end this time killer.

    Lucha Dragons beat the Ascension when Sin Cara hit a Swanton on Viktor(I think).

    Basic match with the heels beating down Sin Cara  for most the match and finally the good guys won. Ascension were in the same boat Rose and Slater were in that they worked they butts off to engage the crowd  but the crowd just didnt care about them what so ever.

    Roman Reigns over Bray Wyatt via pinfall after a spear in a “Fargo street fight”

    Crowd was instantly on fire for this match and showed they were ready to have fun tonight if they had been given a decent card with some stars on it. Surprisingly the crowd was overwhelming for Roman. Thought it would be more even but it was like 75%-80% for Roman.  Crowd impatiently wanted tables right away. Real good work from both men as they brawled for a while before starting the street fight with a chair. Bray played to the crowd a bit hitting Roman repeatedly with a chair but then teasing one final whack of the chair and when people asked for it just tossing the chair aside and walking away laughing at them. Surprisingly later they did a spot where Roman was crawling out the ring and Bray just threw the chair at his head like RVD used to do in ECW.

    Didnt seem Roman fully blocked it and it at least partially hit him in the head. Would be nice to see that spot never done again. Bray grabbed the top part of the ring steps and placed it upright in the aisle to the ring. Bray remarked to my section what “a work of art” it was but Roman reversed his Irish whip attempts and avoided being introduced to Wyatts masterpiece. Roman threw Wyatt in the ring and proceeded to bring out a table from under the ring. Roman ended up getting chokeslammed thru it tho. Next weapon kendo stick Bray enjoyed working Roman over with for awhile before Roman wrestled it away from him and snapped it in half. They brawled some more making their way back towards the upright ring steps and Bray went right thru it in a twist of his ill wishes.

    More brawling and another table was introduced this time by Wyatt and like Roman he ended up going thru it after Reigns negated his superplex attempt and powerbombed him thru it. This led to Luke Harper running in to break up a pin attempt and cause people to excitedly clamor for Dean Ambrose to run in ignoring all logic behind why that wasnt going to happen. Luckily Reigns was in Samoan Hulk mode tonight and fought both men off before hitting his spear on Wyatt to win a very fun match. Reigns posed every place he could to make sure anyone who wanted a pic got one and send the crowd home happy.

    A weak and very uneven card because of WWE using way too many people that arent on TV or are in irrelevant storylines and  people dont have a big emotional investment in them. That being said everyone put in a honest hard nights work and I dont want to bash anyone. It was what it was and the crowd just couldnt build any sustained momentum.

  • After Dark Radio for tonight — You’re the guest! Calls, emails, stories, plus news and more!

    After Dark Radio with Bryan Alvarez returns tonight streaming LIVE AND FREE from the After Dark Radio Show website on the Dark Matter Radio Network. You can also now stream the show through the front page of this website using the link on the right-hand side of the front page!

    The show airs at MIDNIGHT ET/9 PM Pacific for two hours!

    No guest tonight so the show will fall into your hands! Call or email with stories or anything else on your mind! We will also be taking your open lines phone calls on any topic imaginable! Check the website for NEW call-in numbers/email addresses in addition to our normal toll-free line.

    We will also be discussing tons of news, both from our website, afterdarkradioshow.com, our Facebook page, and, of course, Artbell.com, plus taking your phone calls, emails and Twitter questions!

    All of the phone numbers are available at afterdarkradioshow.com. You can send in emails on any topic to bryan@afterdarkradioshow.com. Remember, this show survives on your participation, so please send those emails or be prepared to call!

  • Ring of Honor Aug 15 TV results and recap: Young Bucks vs Roppongi Vice

    By Paul Fontaine, for WrestlingObserver.com

    The Big Takeaway – A great main event, followed by a strong post-match angle setting up a future match between two of the top tag teams in the world.

    Nigel McGuiness joins Kevin Kelly on commentary as Steve Corino is on paid leave due to the altercation with BJ Whitmer on last week’s show.

    Silas Young vs Dalton Castle w/his boys

    Highlights from Death before Dishonor and the altercation between Young and the boys air prior to the match. Castle cuts a promo to the camera on Silas Young during his walk to the ring, vowing to show Young who the “real man” is. Castle is showered with streamers at the end of the entrance.

    Castle attacks Young before the bell. Quickly turns into a grappling match on the mat, as the fans chant DAL-TON CAS-TLE and then FAN UP as the boys fan the ring. Castle picks up Young with a dead-lift german suplex in an impressive spot. Young rolls out of the ring and the boys fan him. Young is not pleased at that and dresses them down but Castle attacks him and rolls him back into the ring.

    In the ring, Young takes over and then throws Castle out of the ring and beats on him as we go to break. After the break, they’re back in the ring with Young still in control. Castle tries for another dead lift suplex but it’s blocked by Young. He then tries a running knee into the corner but Young ducks and Castle goes flying over the top, only to be fanned by his boys outside.

    Back in the ring and it’s a chop-fest, won by Young. Castle recovers and hits a Thesz press, the momentum of which takes them both outside the ring. Castle hits a Rana off the ring apron and then tosses him back into the ring. Fans again chanting for Castle. Castle hits two flying knees and then a whirly-bird for a two count. Young DDT’s Castle into the bottom turnbuckle but only gets a two.

    Young hits the Killer Combo and goes for his Misery finisher but drops Castle and goes after the boys instead. The distraction allows Castle to his the “Bang-a-rang” (? – I think that’s what Kelly called it) for the win.

    WINNER: DALTON CASTLE by pinfall

    Young takes a mic after the match, while Castle is still on the ramp. He doesn’t like what Castle does with his boys, he doesn’t like his lifestyle and the boys need to learn to be men. He asks for one more shot at Castle and if he beats him, he gets the boys. He wants to teach them to be men.

    Mandy Leon is up next with Inside ROH. This episode deals with the dissension in the Kingdom. Clips of the original incarnation of Future Shock are shown and this leads into Mandy talking about how Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly reunited recently in New York City. Of course, they defeated the current tag champs in a non-title match, which led to tension within The Kingdom. Next week, they will rematch for the titles.

    Bobby Fish is at ringside for an interview with Kevin Kelly. Clips from a house show in Las Vegas where Fish pinned Christopher Daniels in an elimination match. Then he talks about his upcoming TV title shot. He doesn’t think he’ll be facing Jay Lethal, he thinks that Hanson will beat Lethal for the title first.

    This brings out Jay Lethal and he’s not happy. Lethal leaves without ca physical altercation though. They air a brief promo for the show featuring the New Japan guys next weekend, leading into the next match.

    Will Ferrara vs Moose w/Stokely Hathaway

    Prince Nana joins Kelly and Nigel on commentary. Crowd sings along with his entrance song as always. Nana brought Moose in and Hathaway is his protégé in case you didn’t know already. They do adhere to the Code of Honor and the size differential is ridiculous, which Nigel points out.

    Moose hits a dropkick on Ferrara, who’s sitting on the top turnbuckle in an impressive spot. He follows him outside the ring and swings him into the ring barriers a couple times head first. He tosses him back into the ring and covers, but only gets a two. Ferrara fires away with a series of punches but Moose stops that with one shot. Moose takes his time when lifting him up for a powerslam and Ferrara hits a DDT. Moose rolls out of the ring and Ferrara follows him out but Moose catches him. Ferrara hits another DDT outside the ring, though.

    Ferrara rolls him back in the ring and the fans are chanting WILL. Moose stops his little run with a superplex though. Moose follows up with a spear for the win.

    WINNER: MOOSE by pinfall

    After a commercial break, Adam Cole does a taped promo for next week’s tag title challenge when he teams with Kyle O’Reilly against the Addiction. He says he’s the best pro wrestler on the planet and it makes him sick that his teammates question his abilities and his priorities.

    Main Event – Roppongi Vice (Barretta/Romero) vs The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)

    Bucks are out with the IWGP Jr Heavyweight tag team titles. They are greeted with so many streamers that the ring isn’t visible. Fans chants HAPPY BIRTHDAY and then SUPER KICK. The teams do adhere to a “2 Sweet” version of the Code of Honor.

    Matt starts off against Barretta and misses a superkick early. Romero tags in and does the Eddie Guerrero shimmer to no reaction. Kelly brings up that the Vice team could get a tag team title shot with a win here. Nick hits a flying DDT from the ring apron onto Barretta and then they go for the Indie-taker but Romero powers out. Nick does take out both Vice members with a Swanton off the top rope to the outside as we go to break.

    Back from break with the Bucks in control, trading tags, and Romero isolated in the ring. Barretta makes the save without a tag and soon all 4 are outside the ring brawling. Back in the ring and now Matt is isolated against both Vice members. YOUNG BUCKS chants as Matt is being double-teamed. Superkick #1 comes from Nick on Barretta as Barretta is prancing on the ring apron, about to do a springboard move on Matt who’s down in the ring.

    Romeo tags in and hits a couple running clotheslines on Matt in the corner but Nick drops him from the ring with Superkick #2, again without a tag. Matt does make the tag and Nick is a house of fire against both Vice members. Ends up with both of them outside the ring and Matt takes them out with a suicide dive. Nick rolls Romero into the ring and then connects with a Senton for two as the THIS IS AWESOME chant starts up.

    The Bucks miss a double superkick on Romero and he gets a brief flurry of offence but Bucks back in control after a unique version of Slide Bread, followed by a penalty kick. Matt covers but Barretta breaks up the count as we go to break.

    Back from break and the Bucks are both stopped by Barretta on different moves and then he hits a twisting DDT on Matt. Romero picks him up and hits a reverse back-cracker and then Barretta hits a double-flying foot stomp from the top onto Matt. That only gets a two though.

    Matt makes the hit tag to Nick, who hits an Enziguri but Romero follows up with a jumping knee. Soon all four guys are in hitting a bunch of moves and just like that they’re all down. Another THIS IS AWESOME chant.

    Romero hits a dropkick onto Nick, who’s draped over the ropes and then Barretta follows up with a Shining Wizard but only gets a two. Vice go for a double suplex but Nick powers out. Matt pulls Romero out of the ring and hits Superkick #3 on him. In the ring, Barretta sets up for a powerbomb on Nick but Nick reverses into a Destroyer.

    Matt tags in and hits a buckle bomb on Romero, following up with a cannonball. Romero draped across the bottom rope and Nick hits a 450 splash onto him and Matt covers but only gets a two. Matt sets up Romero on the top rope but Barretta charges and sets up for a superplex. Matt rolls through and hits Superkick #4 on Barretta. Romero leaps from the top but gets by Superkicks #5 and $6 from both Bucks. More Bang for Your Buck finishes it, as Matt gets the pin on Romero.

    WINNERS: THE YOUNG BUCKS by pinfall

    KRD attacks the Bucks after the match. The hit Celebrity Rehab on Matt and then tape him to the ring ropes. Nick gets a brief hope spot but quickly gets doubleteamed by the tag champs. Daniels then mocks the Bucks by hitting a Superkick on Nick, screaming out Superkick Party before doing it. Kazarian, followed by Kazarian and Daniels and then finally Sabin all hit Superkicks on Matt and then further mock them by doing the 2 sweet hand gesture. Then they hit the Indie-Taker on Nick and again do the 2 sweet stuff. This finally brings out Nigel and officials to try and stops things as the show ends.

  • SUN UPDATE: ROH to Japan, Best of G-1, John Cena on major talk show, ROH nearly off Dish homes

    By Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s New Japan show from Sumo Hall, as well Friday and Saturday’s shows, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

    We’re also looking for reports on the Evolve show from last night in Woodside, NY, last night’s WWE show in Detroit, last night’s NXT show in Citrus Springs, FL, as well as today’s WWE shows in Fargo, ND (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt) and Bemidji, MN (Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose) at Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

    Evolve tonight on iPPV from Deer Park, NY at the Sportatorium at 8 p.m. also on www.WWNLive.com

    Timothy Thatcher vs. Biff Busick

    Johnny Gargano vs. Rich Swann

    Chris Hero vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

    Trent Baretta vs. Caleb Konley

    Anthony Nese vs. Rich Swann

    Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams vs. Mike Bailey & Rey Hours

    The go-home Raw for SummerSlam will be Monday night from the Target Center in Minneapolis.  John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Undertaker and the entire crew will be at the show.

    Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday night in Green Bay.  

    **** 

    The new issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to th site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a chat with Konnan about the state of AAA heading into TripleMania XXIII. We discuss the company’s improvements in production, advantages over WWE and differences in philosophy, how to listen to fans, and much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news, including Dr. Lucha’s TripleMania preview.

    Last week’s FREEFigure 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. 

    **** 

    A look at the WWE shows next week in Brooklyn is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.  We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament and how it all builds for the Tokyo Dome and the fall season, as well as coverage of all the G-1 matches this past week.  We also have a look at the Teamsters attempting to unionize UFC fighters, the UFC’s letter sent to fighters and morale issues.  We also have a look at the AAA TripleMania PPV show, UFC ratings increases, the brawl at the WSOF show, UFC suing Wanderlei Silva and Layla retiring. 

    The issue is on the site right now at August 17, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Summerslam build, Unions courting UFC fighters

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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 look at the WWE events in Brooklyn with three straight full houses and look historically at the only other promotion that has been able to do it historically and the record, as well as updates on the NXT and SummerSlam shows and more details on the NXT card as well as the probable main event stipulation and ticket demand.

    We have a complete look at the G-1 Climax tournament, including updates on the last few days, the standings, the Sumo Hall preview and coverage of all the shows this past week with star ratings.

    We’ve got a look at the attempts to unionize UFC fighters, the real story behind the attempt, the letter sent by UFC to all of its fighters and why they probably could have written it better, and a look at UFC business.

    We also look at the wealth of Vince McMahon, Rosa Mendes being pregnant, WWE injury updates, lawsuits, weird match, Tough Enough, new names, insider trading, Raw advance, Diva search news plus notes on all the weekend WWE & NXT events. 

    We look at TripleMania, all the problems with the show, what happened with the Spanish language broadcast, mistakes made in booking, how the card had to change from its original plans, the letter AAA sent out after, the retirements and Hall of Fame ceremony, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

    We also have coverage of this past week’s UFC show, with business notes, the Johnson-Dariush scoring, and match by match coverage with bonuses.

    We also look at the brawl at the WSOF show with The Diaz Brothers and Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as the problems in the Jake Shields vs.  Rousimar Palhares fight.

    We’ve also got notes on the retirement of Layla from WWE and highlights of her career.

    We also look at the lawsuit WWE has filed against Wanderlei Silva for alleging the company fixes fights.

    We look at the CMLL Anniversary show, an injury to the best older wrestler in the business, a New Japan star comes to Mexico and a rundown on the main events the past two weeks at Arena Mexico.

    We also look at another Rey Mysterio match, as well as the next major Dragon  Gate show lineup and highlights from the past week.

    We also look at New Japan stars heading to NOAH.

    We also look at the beginning of talks for an international group to return to PPV, as well as a look at the Fire Festival, one of Genichiro Tenryu’s last matches and a set up for an angle with one of the biggest stars of the 80s vs. one of the biggest stars of the 90s.

    We’ve got notes on the funeral of Roddy Piper, more on the Hulk Hogan tapes story, Hogan’s first public appearance, two Roddy Piper moves that haven’t come out, one of the biggest stars of the last ten years suffering a major health issue, a former star gets his number retired, a U.K. star returns after cancer, a retirement that probably isn’t a retirement, a Japanese promotion running in October in California, a wrestler having his first match in 20 years, the second oldest living wrestler and his background, big shows in Puerto Rico and news no two different wrestling Halls of Fame.

    We also have an update on the status of Lucha Underground, what changes have to be made, the audience watching the show, what to look out for, notes on the contracts the performers have, update on Vampiro and coverage of both weeks of Ultima Lucha.

    We also look at the ROH show in Brooklyn, TNA Hall of fame ceremony, and upcoming TNA house shows.

    We also look at McGregor vs. Aldo, a big show vs. normal show, Las Vegas vs. Cowboys Stadium, Rousey vs. Cyborg update, Lawler vs. McGregor, UFC financials, how much it costs them every year just in interest on their bond, what kind of profits they are making, lots of ratings into, Rousey business notes, the Aldo drug testing fiasco, Overeem vs. Dos Santos, Punk vs. Pendred, fighter already talking about coming out of retirement, and lots of new UFC fights.

    We also have notes on Josh Thomson and Bellator, Bellator’s next major show, Josh Koscheck blasts UFC and more Bellator fights.

    We have an update on Chris Leben after his arrest, new WSOF shows, a crime fighter returns to MMA and notes on weight cutting.

    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.

    SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • Bryan and I have a new show talking the G-1 finals, Dwayne Johnson and Anderson Silva… 
      Wrestling Observer Radio 8/16: Full New Japan G-1 Finals recap, awesome main event, other must-see matches, wrestling and MMA news, more!
    • For those who don’t want to wade through three full-length New Japan shows, my big recommendations are the A.J. Styles vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi match on Friday, the Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kazuchika Okada and Michael Elgin vs. Tomohiro Ishii matches on Saturday, and today’s Tanahashi vs. Nakamura finals.
    • Here is our live coverage from last night:  NJPW G1 Climax 25 Finals (August 16) live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
    • Also check this show as well:  
      Aug 16 – DR. KEITH PRESENTS: G1 Climax Closure!!!
    • At the show last match, ROH booker Hunter Johnston, as Delirious, with his mask on, and speaking broken English, announced that ROH would tour Japan in 2016.  He mentioned The Kingdom, ReDRagon, Roderick Strong, Jay Lethal and the Briscoes in his interview.
    • John Cena will be appearing on Late Night with Seth Myers on late Thursday night to plug SummerSlam.
    • As noted on the front page, ESPN Sports Center will be covering SummerSlam this year.
    • The Dish Network and Sinclair Broadcasting were at an impasse with the threat they would be removed.  But they’ve reached a temporary agreement to keep the Sinclair stations on while continuing to negotiate terms of a new deal.  The deal expired at midnight and it looked like all Sinclair stations, which broadcast ROH would have been off Dish.  ROH would still be on for homes who get NESN and Destination America.    
    • With no major WWE or UFC events this weekend, nothing made Google searches from boxing, wrestling or MMA.  Mostly football the past few days.  NJPW did have 14,600 tweets as of a few hours ago.
    • At last night’s Evolve show in New York, Rich Swann turned on Johnny Gargano to set up a new match on tonight’s iPPV show.
    • New Japan World will air a press conference tonight at either 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. which will cover what happens after G-1. (thanks to Jose Gonzalez)
    • Seiya Sanada is now taking bookings throughout North American through  Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com  He is based now in Detroit.
    • Great North Wrestling on 8/14 in Brockville, Ontario before nearly 1,000 fans:  Myzery the Barbarian b Shooter Storm, Sideshow Jack & Madman Taylor b Preston Perry & Majic Mario, Kid Canuck b Pepper Jack, Jessika Black b Stacy Thibault, Dori Yeats (a gold medalist in the Pan American games doing an amateur style match) b Aniko Potoczy, Hannibal b Giant Darko (Road Warrior Animal got involved in the finish), Harley Davison b ?, Black Dragon b Patrick Shenzy, Honky Tonk Man & Jeremy Prophet & Grapecrusher & Bryan Briggs b Sexy Eddy & Stunning & Steven Levac, & Sao Amin & Paul Rosenberg in an elimination match. (thanks to Anthony Ambros)
    • Global Force Wrestling announced this show for 8/28 in Harrisburg, PA at Metro Bank Park featuring Kevin Nash doing a meet and greet, plus Dirty Money vs. Pat Buck, Kevin Matthews vs. Pepper Parks, Kimber Lee vs. Cherry Bomb, Brian Myers vs. Chris Mordetzky, BLK Jeez vs. Sonjay Dutt, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs. Seiya Sanada & Ali Akbar.
    • Smash Wrestling on 9/13 in Toronto at the Frankln Horner Community Centre with a US vs. Canada women’s tournament including Jessica Havok, Allysin Kay, Candice LaRae, Heidi Lovelace, Veda Scott, Portia Perez, Jennifer Blake, Nicole Matthews and many others.
    • Ray Rowe of ROH is putting together a documentary on his comeback from his motorcycle accident at www.GoFundMe.com/raymondxrowe
    • Crossfire Wrestling on 8/22 in Ridgeville, ONT at 4 p.m. at Bissell’s Hideaway.
    • NWX on 9/13 in Simcoe, ONT at Branch 79 of the Royal Canadian Legion at 2 p.m. with Ethan Carter III vs. Shawn Brown.  Cody Deaner also appears.
    • Mid Missouri Wrestling Alliance from last night in St. Louis:  Gary Jackson & Brian James b Kevin Lee Davidson & Evan Gelistico-DQ, Ace Hawkins b Barackus, Moondog Rover d Attila Khan,  Johnathan Zulu b Jimmy D-DQ, Tommy Dallas b Brandon Espinosa, LaMarcus Clinton won three-way over Clownman Jacko and Flaming Freddie Fury, J-Mal Swgg b Danny Adams, Da’Marius Jones NC A.J Williams.
    • Pro Wrestling Epic from last night in Pontoon Beach, IL:  Laurence Johnson b Everett Connors, Clownman Jacko b Jimmy D=DQ, Tyler Copeland b LaMarcus Clinton, Leland Race b Leone Mephisto, Steven Kennedy b Billy McNeil, Karim Brigante b Skinny Timmy-DQ, Selene Grey b Stacey O’Brien, Brandon Aarons b Danny Adams (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
    • Showtime on Demand has a documentary called “Glena” about a woman who sacrifices everything to do MMA (thanks to John Raad)
    • Wrestlemerica from last night in Barnesville, GA before 600 fans:  Iceberg b Simon Sermon-DQ, Iceberg & Razor & Rowdy b Andy Anderson & Pain & Simon Sermon, Amber Gallows b Rachel Freeman, Bill the Butcher DCOR Pain, Amber Gallows b Dementia, Matt Hardy b Tyson Dean.  Tama Tonga appears on the 10/2 show (thanks to Kris Zellner)
    • Added to NWAClassics.com today are King Parsons vs. Jack Victory and Chavo Sr. & Hector Guerrero vs. The Fabulous Ones in a cage match from the Paul Boesch Houston tape collection.
    • Pure Wrestling Association from last night in Bradford, ONT:  Ned Tyson b Hardcore Hick, Joey Valentyne b RJ City, Tommy Dreamer & Rhino b Jimmy King & Derek Platinum, Johnny Devine & Ruffy Silverstein b Stickball & Primo, Eric Cairnie b Rex Atkins, Reggie Marley b Steve Corino, Beautiful Beaa b Kaitlin Diemond, Rhino & Tommy Dreamer b Johnny Devine & Ruffy Silverstein to win the Carrot Cup (thanks to Steven Ashe)
    • Lucha Xtreme TV from last night:  Mike Dalite (in drag) b Kikyo-COR, Johnny Plinko b Marcus Ericks, JR Kratos DDQ Brian Tannen.  Next TV taping is 8/23 at 1 p.m at the Hanford Civic Center. (thanks to Jon Southerland) 
    • Championship Wrestling Entertainment from Friday night in Port St. Lucie, FL:  Lince Dorado NC Eddie Cruz, Ashley Mayberry b Shaniah Arylana, Big English b Romeo, Johyann Ramriez & Ace Slater b Catwecabble, Rhett Giddins b El Hero Byronico, Tyranus b Rex Bacchus, Chico Adams b Damian James, Santana Garrett & Su Yung b Grace Storm & MJ Knight, Lince Dorado & Eddie Cruz b Barrios Brothers, Zack Monster won three-way over Gabriel Black & Nathan Vain.
    • Nova Pro Wrestling from last night in Orlando:  Mark Silva b Chico Adams, Ace Andrews & Rex Bacchus b Carlos Rivera & D Ramos, Gabriel Black b Vertigo Rivera, Santana Garrett b Shanish Arlyana, Jesus Rodriguez b Aaron Epic, Tyranus b Johnn Remsez, Ace Andrews won Battle Royal, Rhett Giddins b Zack Monster (thanks to Al Haft)
    • Longtime reader and 70s wrestler Tom Hankins is doing a Go Fund Me campaign to bring a live stage production on Dr. Jerry Graham. Kurt Brown will be featured as The Docs #1 authority. All of the details are on Chicago Mad Dog & The Bad Dogs Facebook page, as well as all of my other Facebook wrestling pages. The goal is $3,500 to cover production costs. The whole show is based on the upcoming book by Hankins, from Scott Teal’s Crowbar Press,  “The Mat, The Mob & The Music”. Teal is editing it right now. It’s Hankins biography in wrestling, music and working for the mob. There are tons of Jerry Graham stories included,  many which have never been heard previously. There will also be a few songs to go with the stories. There are stories of Mil Mascaras, Bruiser Brody, Lars Anderson, King Curtis, Jack Brisco, Jim Morrison, Phil Spector,  Frank Zappa and more.
    • The NZ Herald (New Zealand’s major daily newspaper) has done a pretty good article on IPW wrestling in Auckland, with a balanced view and even a highlight video
    • Extras needed for a Schwarzenegger movie in Detroit
    • Colt Cabana on Mystery Show – a weekly podcast where the host tries to solve a mystery. On last week’s episode, the host employed Cabana’s knowledge of ribs to help solve a mystery related to a strange image on a Welcome Back Kotter lunchbox. Some funny stuff (thanks to Adrian Pickworth)
    • John Cena’s charity work and being named as one of the most charitable athletes makes a newspaper in Spain
    • Honky Tonk Man talks the death of Roddy Piper

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

    1974 – Superstar Billy Graham beat Billy Robinson in Denver to win the IWE title

    1974 – Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi beat Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Schotz in Los Angeles to win the North American tag titles

    1981 – Lola Gonzalez beat Vickie Williams in Mexico City to win the UWA women’s title

    1992 – Ciclon Ramirez beat Fantasma de la Quebrada in Mexico City to win the Mexican national welterweight title

    1992 – Great Muta beat Riki Choshu in Fukuoka to win the IWGP title and the Greatest 18 Club title

    1992 – Bulldog KT (Gedo) & Pat Tanaka beat Coolie SZ (Jado) & Kendo in Tokyo to win the UWF IC tag titles

    2005 – Ultimo Guerrero & Perro Aguayo Jr. beat El Hijo del Santo & Rayman in Puebla to wi nthe WWA tag titles

    2009 – Valiente beat Sangre Azteca in Mexico City to win the Mexican national welterweight title

    2009 – Mistico (first Sin Cara) beat Tiger Mask in Tokyo to win the IWGP jr. title

    2009 – Aja Kong beat Dynamite Kansai in Tokyo to win the Oz Academy Queen title

    2010 – Togi Makabe beat Shinsuke Nakamura in Tokyo to win the G-1 Climax title

    2013 – Kotaro Suzuki & Kento Miyahara beat Keisuke Ishii & Shigehiro Irie in Tokyo to win the All-Asia tag title

  • Feedback to G-1 Climax

    Thumbs up
    Best Match: Tanahashi vs. Styles

    Very good show, even the matches Gallows and Yano matches were good for what they were, particularly Gallows and Shibata.  Tanahashi and Styles had a unique match for this tournament in using eachother’s finishers and hitting their own multiple times.  It definitely worked, and felt like a big match.  Looking forward to Saturday to see who Tanahashi will be up against. 

    Mike Hiscoe

    Thumbs UP!

    Best Match: AJ vs Tanahashi
    Worst Match: Yano vs Fale

    Dave this Sumo Hall show was a very fun and easy to watch show for me from top to bottom.  Even though the building wasn’t close to sold out this crowd was rabid for the main event.  Everything built up slowly until it was all out excitement for the last 5-10 minutes.  Everyone knew there was only a 30 minute time limit and the closer they got to that time limit the more rabid the crowd got especially when the announcer announced 25 minutes past.  I don’t think there is a single wrestler walking the face of the Earth in 2015 who is better in ring than AJ Styles.  This was an absolute classic match.  Between the crowd, AJ kicking out of the Styles Clash, Tanahashi kicking out of AJ’s frog’s splash, and the final few minutes this was a 5 star match if I ever saw one.  One of the greatest G-1 matches you will ever see.

    David Penton
    San Antonio, TX

    Thumbs way, way up
    Best Match: Tanahashi/Nakamura
    Worst Match: Bullet Club vs Ishii, Yano & Sakuraba

    1) Opening six-man (**3/4)
    2) TenKoji & Captain vs Naga-nishi & Jay White (***)
    3) Michael Elgin def YOSHI-HASHI: Really good match, a great way to end Big Mike’s New Japan tour. He’ll be back. (***1/2)
    4) Bullet Club vs Ishii, Yano & Sakuraba (**1/2)
    5) The Greatest Trios Team Ever vs Tetsuya Naito, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma: Really good six-man that built up two great matches for down the road. Shibata/Naito was the best pairing. (***1/4)

    6) IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship: reDRagon def The Young Bucks (c): I wasn’t a big fan of this match, and I haven’t really liked the Bucks run in New Japan in general. The timing and structure of their matches just doesn’t click with me or the Japanese fans. reDRagon were great though. (**3/4)

    7) IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship: KUSHIDA (c) def Ricochet: Super fun match with lots of great high-flying and back and forth. Ricochet, unlike the Young Bucks, is actually great in New Japan. Hope to see him back soon. (****)

    8) AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows def The Kingdom & Kazuchika Okada: This was what it was, and it set up Okada/Styles for the title pretty well. More than straight runners-up singles match? That’s debatable. (***)

    9) G1 CLIMAX 25: Hiroshi Tanahashi def Shinsuke Nakamura: Unbelievable match from start to finish. Usually I’d be disappointed by all the finisher kick-outs but it totally suited the style of this match and the story behind it. To me, these are the two best professional wrestlers in the world today without a doubt, and this was a fitting end to what will go down as one of the greatest tournaments in wrestling history. This may be overrating it, but I came away from my first full G1 tournament with such positive feelings I can’t give this anything less than (*****).

    The tournament in general was excellent. The tags were tiresome by the end, but the singles matches almost all delivered, with 10 matches at least reaching ****1/2 in my books.

    G1 MVP: 4-Way Tie: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Tetsuya Naito, Michael Elgin
    Worst Wrestler: Yujiro Takahashi
    Match Of The Tournament: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shinsuke Nakamura (Finals)

    Also, special shout-out to BRYAN ROSE, for his fantastic coverage of the G1. I’ve already thanked him twice on Twitter but really, he did an absolutely sensational job.

    Brian Jackson

    I flew to japan, spent two nights sitting on the hard floor of a masu seki and then paid scalpers prices to sit in the nosebleeds for the finals. And I regret NOTHING.

    That’s how good the shows were.

    Brian Alleman

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (August 16): AWA is born in Minneapolis, Road Warriors vs. Freebirds, Kurt Angle keeps TNA title

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1933 – In Harlan, Iowa; Earl Wampler beat Joe Dusek 2 falls to 1

    1946 – Ted Cox defeated Dave Levin in Houston to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title.

    1960 – In Minneapolis, Minnesota; Verne Gagne was awarded the first ever AWA World Heavyweight Champion.  Pat O’Connor, the defending NWA World Heavyweight Champion, was given 90 days to defend against number one contender Gagne in a match to determine the AWA World Champion.  The match never happened, and Gagne was given the title. AWA Tag Team Champions Tiny Mills & Stan Kowalski went to a no contest Verne Gagne & Joe Scarpello. Also, Gene Kiniski beat Man Mountain Campbell, Bob Geigel beat George Grant and Len Montana beat John Swenski. Attendance was 6,213. This was the first AWA event promoted by Verne Gagne. 

    1973 – In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Superstar Billy Graham. (After the match, Graham along with Ivan Koloff attacked Gagne and Verne ended up being stretchered out of the Arena). Also, AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Red Bastien & Wahoo McDaniel in 2 out of 3 falls. US Women’s Champion Betty Niccoli beat Jean Antone, Billy Robinson beat Larry Heiniemi, Geoff Portz beat Vic Rossitani, Greg Gagne beat Bill Crouch and George Gordienko beat Moose Morowski. Attendance was 7,946

    1974 – Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Super A (Austin Idol) in a mask vs. mask match in Atlanta, Georgia.

    1975 – In Chicago, Illinois; Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens to win the AWA tag team title, Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant drew Wilbur Snyder & Billy Robinson, Ox Baker beat Ivan Putski, Rene Goulet beat Jim Brunzell, Soldier Lebeouf beat Bobby Bold Eagle and  Chuck O’Connor (Big John Studd) beat Bill White. Attendance was 12,000 (sellout)

    1985 – In East Rutherford, NJ at the Meadowlands; In a Jim Crocket Promotions/AWA Star Wars event; Sgt. Slaughter beat NWA Champion Ric Flair dq, Paul Ellering & Road Warriors beat Fabulous Freebirds Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts dq, AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Larry Zbyszko, Greg Gagne & Curt Hennig beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens, Steve Regal beat Buck Zumhofe, Brad Rheingans beat Boris Zhukov dq and Baron Von Raschke beat Davey G. Attendance was 7,000

    1988 – In Louisville, Kentucky; AWA Champion Jerry Lawler beat Kerry Von Erich and the RPMs beat Scott Steiner & Billy Travis. Attendance was 2,000

    1992 – The Great Muta (Keiji Mutoh) defeated Riki Choshu in Fukuoka, Japan to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title.

    1993 – Jimmy Del Ray defeated Ricky Morton to win the vacant Smokey Mountain Wrestling “Beat The Champ” Television Title.

    2003 – Justin Credible defeated Terry Funk for the 3PW Heavyweight Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    2009 – Samoa Joe defeated Homicide to win the TNA X-Division Title at the Hard Justice PPV in Orlando, Florida. Also, Kurt Angle retained the TNA Championship over Sting and Matt Morgan. 

  • Significant mainstream breakthrough for WWE with SummerSlam ESPN coverage

    Regarding the item we had a few weeks ago in the Observer and talked out on the audio of ESPN covering SummerSlam, ESPN PR has confirmed that Jonathan Coachman will be in Brooklyn covering the event for SportsCenter.  Coachman has also confirmed that with hints on Twitter. 

    We’re told it won’t be fully blown out “SportsCenter on the Road” coverage like with a major sports event, but Coachman will be there as an ESPN reporter.

  • Generational battle of past legend vs. future legend announced for November

    At today’s New Japan show at Sumo Hall, challenges were issued back and forth for Genichiro Tenryu vs. Kazuchika Okada, in a battle of one of Japan’s biggest stars of the 80s againts its future king.  The match is likely as Tenryu’s last match at Sumo Hall in November.