The Octagon returns to the Los Angeles area this weekend for UFC 199 at The Forum in Inglewood, California, on Saturday for the next big pay-per-view event. It is headlined by two title bouts as UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold defends against Michael Bisping, and UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz defends against Urijah Faber. Below are our studs, value plays and fighters to avoid when making your fantasy line-ups for Saturday’s UFC 199 event.
STUDS —
Luke Rockhold ($11,400)
Luke Rockhold has the highest salary of the 26 fighters competing on the UFC 199 card, and with him defending his newly-won UFC Middleweight Championship in the main event, he is poised to have a big night. He was originally scheduled to defend against Chris Weidman, but a neck injury suffered by Weidman forced him to pull out, thrusting Michael Bisping into the title fight on just two weeks’ notice. We’ve already seen what Rockhold has done to Bisping before, and that was with Bisping on a full training camp.
Bisping has come along well since being dominated and submitted by Rockhold in November 2014, but there isn’t much to show that a second fight between the two would be any different. Rockhold is one of the best fighters in the world, with excellent kickboxing and smooth submissions. There is a reason he has the highest salary on the card, and I expect him to defeat Bisping in similiar fashion to their first bout. Rockhold is the biggest must-own on the card.
Dustin Poirier ($10,600)
Dustin Poirier is looking for his fourth consecutive win since making the move to 155 pounds when he takes on Bobby Green in the main card opener on Saturday night at UFC 199. Poirier went into his last fight against Joseph Duffy as a solid underdog, but put on perhaps his most impressive performance in his UFC career when he dominated Duffy en route to a decision victory. His opponent on Saturday, Green, hasn’t fought since November 2014, and is coming off of major knee surgery. Poirier has shown excellent striking and a good submission game, and Green is a very solid fighter. However, Green coming off of the major injury raises a lot of questions, and they will all be in Poirier’s favor. Green is tough, but I expect Poirier to put up a lot of points and to get the win on Saturday.
VALUE PLAYS —
Luis Henrique da Silva ($8,700)
Luis Henrique da Silva is the latest addition to the UFC light heavyweight division and he enters his debut fight on Saturday with a perfect 10-0 record. He has also won all ten of his fights by stoppage, and only twice has he gone past the first round. He has also done all of this in just over two-and-a-half years of active competition, and at 26-years-old, he has every chance to become a threat at 205 pounds. He fights another undefeated 205-pound prospect in Jonathan Wilson in preliminary action.
Wilson does have one UFC bout in his career, a quick first-round knockout win over Chris Dempsey last August. Wilson has scored six of his seven career wins by knockout, so both men have power. You’re likely looking at a finish in this fight, so it’s a matter of finding value. I like da Silva to win this fight, and at just an $8,700 salary, he is going to be an excellent value pick that will help you fit your budget.
Dan Henderson ($8,400)
Dan Henderson is a legend of the sport, but a legend that is nearing the end of his career at 45 years of age. This is the last fight on his UFC contract, and retirement may be next, though continuing to fight is still on his mind. If this is his last fight, he wants to ride out into the sunset in impressive fashion. He is coming off the disappointment of a fight week cancellation of his bout against Lyoto Machida, and now he fights Hector Lombard on Saturday. Lombard is making the move back up to the middleweight division after some time at 170 pounds, and he is coming off a loss to Neil Magny in which he looked great for four minutes but faded quickly.
He still has power but Henderson still has a chin, but Lombard can be knocked out if a punch connects. And Hendo still hits very hard no matter his age. Lombard is in a must win fight, and that could make him fight reckless, which opens the door for Henderson. With that right hand, a salary of $8,400 always makes Henderson a value play. He has a very good chance of winning this.
FIGHTERS TO AVOID —
Jessica Penne ($10,200)
Jessica Penne is one of our two fighters to avoid on this card. She hasn’t fought in nearly a year and is coming off a beating at the hands of strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk in Germany last June. She is still a little undersized for 115 pounds, and she will be taking on an opponent who will have the size advantage over her in Jessica Andrade, who is moving down from 135 pounds. Andrade had mixed success as a bantamweight but has lost two of her last three and a move was likely necessary if she wants to fight for a title in the future. Penne is more well-rounded and is the betting favorite. I like Penne to get the win here, but I don’t expect her to get a finish, and I don’t expect her to rack up a lot of points in getting the win. There are better options on this card, so she will be a pass for me.
Clay Guida ($8,500)
Clay Guida is an interesting one. He is still one of the more beloved fighters on the UFC roster, and he probably has a job for life. He has been firmly established as a gatekeeper but can still score a win on any given fight night. He is being used as a stepping stone on Saturday for the undefeated Brian Ortega, who is going to get a push in the featherweight division. It is another chance for Ortega to build his resume, but another dangerous one. Guida is still a great wrestler but can be submitted and Ortega is great at submitting opponents. Guida can still be competitive, but I don’t think he can against ranked opponents, which Ortega is. However, we have seen fighters who are being groomed for stardom have their hype trains derailed, and Guida is capable of doing that to Ortega. It is just too risky to think it will happen to where you would want Guida in your lineup. Guida is a pass for me.
OUR LINEUPS —
RYAN FREDERICK: Luke Rockhold ($11,400), Dominick Cruz ($11,300), James Vick ($9,400), Luis Henrique da Silva ($8,700), Dan Henderson ($8,400)
Luke Rockhold is my top pick. I fully expect him to finish Michael Bisping in their championship bout in the same kind of fashion that he finished them the first time they fought. Bisping may be better than he was then, but so is Rockhold, who is one of the best in the world. I’m also putting Dominick Cruz on my roster. I think he beats Urijah Faber, and I think it goes the distance, and that 25 minutes is more chances to rack up points. James Vick is undefeated and has looked good, and Beneil Dariush is having a quick turnaround after being finished, and I like Vick in their fight. Luis Henrique da Silva and Dan Henderson are my value plays, and I have them both on my roster. I see them both scoring knockout wins, which will be big points.
PAUL FONTAINE: Luke Rockhold ($11,400), Max Holloway ($10,800), Elvis Mutapcic ($9,600), Dong Hyun Maestro Kim ($9,300), Urijah Faber ($8,100)
This is a tough show to pick a team for with a lot of big favorites. I’ll start with Faber, who if I’m picking straight up, I think he probably loses. But the way he wins is by catching Cruz in a quick submission and if he does, it will be a lot of points. Even if it goes five rounds and he loses, he might score a lot of strikes. Rockhold to me is almost guaranteed to score an early finish, as he’s done in his last five fights. Holloway is similar as he’s rung up 8 straight wins since losing to Conor McGregor. I like the Maestro to beat Polo Reyes, who has a 5-2 career record with both losses coming inside the distance.
PEACH MACHINE: Dominick Cruz ($11,300), Dustin Poirier ($10,600), James Vick ($9,400), Jessica Andrade ($9,200), Dan Henderson ($8,400)
I always go with Hendo. I’m sure it’s a bad choice, but Hendo was pissed that Machida didn’t fight him last month, so I’m hoping he takes it out on Lombard. Poirier is a total killer and I like him to finish Green. Andrade is tough and Penne has been out for a long time. This will be a good fight. I believe Cruz is the smartest fighter today and I expect him to make Faber look silly.
A huge double issue of the Observer is out this week, including the real catalyst behind the WWE brand split, a breakdown of the roster, justice denied again in the Jimmy Snuka case, Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay and the Super Juniors tournament plus a full rundown, the story behind Bill Goldberg and the WWE video game and the Brock Lesnar tease, famous boxer vs. pro wrestler fights, WWE schedule and injury rates, business rundowns from the past two months for WWE & TNA, updates on cable stations that carry wrestling and MMA, and one of the greatest territorial business runs in history in the life and career of Cowboy Frankie Laine.
Our lead story looks at the WWE brand split, why it happened, what is known that isn’t a secret, ads out post brand split, plans for the split two months ago and what the ad department was told then, what different arenas have been told this week, thoughts behind decisions having too be made, plus a roster rundown on what positions WWE is strong and weak in, and where NXT talent should fit in and who is ready, or who can fill a slot.
There is also an update on the Jimmy Snuka situation, with a realistic view if there will be a trial and what the time frame is and what happens next.
This issue also looks at the Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet match, Vader’s reaction, Super Juniors standings and rundowns of the shows plus looking at where things are going.
Updates on Money in the Bank, stars returning to television soon, how the NBA & NHL playoffs coincide with wrestling the next two weeks, an update on NXT, lots of WWE performers off TV for the next several weeks, notes from lawsuit depositions that are eye opening, Cena getting a gigantic endorsement deal, Rollins return news, injury updates, lots of Dwayne Johnson news, WrestleMania in the future notes, notes on how little talent gets told in advance about things, who watches what on WWE network, plus we’ve got rundowns of every WWE & NXT events over the past week and business notes on the shows, all included in in this issue.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
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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.
Also in this issue:
Dragon Lee injured again
Angle shot off his legit injury
Latest from the different major shows at Arena Mexico
More changes with Elite
Japanese legend debuts at Arena Mexico this past week
Notes of the 2016 wrestling World Cup in Mexico
Notes on the 2016 World Grand Prix tournament in Mexico
Konnan continues to go after AAA after the fallout
Notes from the last AAA TV tapings
Update on the King of Gate tournament
Next major All Japan show
Pro Wrestling NOAH major show and next major show
NOAH announces how it will determine who from company goes into the J Cup
Note on Adam Cole with New Japan
One of the greatest stars of all-time announced for DDT big show
Inoki show draws big crowd with Kota Ibushi
More on the Hogan lawsuit with Gawker
Lots more on Cody Rhodes leaving WWE and is bucket list and what it means, plus what is being talked about
Story behind one of the most famous angles in Memphis history
A look at Tony Schiavone today
Big main event program in Puerto Rico involving ex-WWE star
Surprise doing vignettes for Lucha Underground this past week
Update on ROH contracts
Tons of new plans for ROH including for international stars coming in
Interesting new ideas in ROH
Notes on upcoming ROH shows
Notes from TNA Slammiversary
Dixie Carter talks state of TNA
Complete UFC business rundown for the past two years
More on UFC Hall of Fame
Notes on this weekend’s show
Paige VanZant update
Lots of new UFC fights
Notes on TUF Latin America
Notes on C.M. Punk
UFC fighter in Guinness World Records
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.
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.
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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
There was a pretty wild press conference today for UFC 199. It was all about the two title fights and a continuation over what started the night before on UFC Tonight. It was noted that this show in Los Angeles has four California based fighter in two title matches now with Luke Rockhold (Santa Cruz/San Jose), Michael Bisping (Los Angeles), Cruz (San Diego) and Urijah Faber (Sacramento). It is possible after next week that Northern California would have three different world champions, as well as the NBA & NHL champion. Granted, I expect of the five, two of them are unlikely right now with the Sharks down 2-0 and Faber against Cruz.
The big news at the press conference was Luke Rockhold, after Bisping used lady body parts to describe him and claiming over and over that he turned down fighting Jacare Souza (not exactly accurate but it was a weird storyline for Bisping to take because it made him come across a lesser contender than Souza) where Rockhold admitted that he has a torn MCL. That rumor has been going around and Bisping said he knew Rockhold had a weak knee. Rockhold also admitted that he had done no grappling training in camp but still was taking the fight.
We’re looking for reports tonight from the NXT shows in Evansville, IN and Tampa to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.
SMACKDOWN TONIGHT ON USA
Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch non-title
R-Truth & Goldust vs. Dudleys
Dean Ambrose & Sami Zayn vs. Alberto Del Rio & Kevin Owens
Rusev vs. Jack Swagger non-title
Kofi Kingston vs. A.J. Styles
NEW JAPAN LIVE FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL FRIDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Volador Jr. & Ricochet & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Trent Baretta & Will Ospreay
Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Katsuyori Shibata & Juice Robinson & Jay White & Bobby Fish
David Finlay vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Rocky Romero vs. Gedo
Satoshi Kojima & Michael Elgin & Yoshitatsu & Captain New Japan vs. Kenny Omega & Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Tetsuya Naito & Seiya Sanada & Evil
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Bushi
Kushida vs. Matt Sydal
Friday night has these shows we’re looking for reports from:
*ROH in Collinsville, IL (Jay Briscoe & War Machine vs. Jay Lethal & Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian, Adam Cole vs. Kamaitachi, Roderick Strong vs. Silas Young vs. Stevie Richards vs. Moose)
NEW JAPAN WORLD FRIDAY NIGHT ON AXS TV AT 8 P.M. FOR A TWO HOUR SPECIAL
Rey Cometa & Stuka Jr. & Titan vs. Cavernario & Felino & Mr Niebla
La Mascara vs. Pierroth
Atlantis & Marco Corleone & Valiente vs. Negro Casas & Shocker & Ultimo Guerrero
Saturday night we’re looking for reports from:
*WWE in Lubbock, TX (Roman Reigns, A.J. Styles, Seth Rollins, Alberto Del Rio, Charlotte, Rusev, Usos, Kalisto, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Cesaro)
*WWE in Tulsa (Kane, Big Show, Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Paige, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys, Apollo Crews, Sheamus, New Day, Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman)
*NXT in Atlanta at Center Stage
*NXT in Fort Pierce, FL.
*ROH in Indianapolis at the Harvest Pavilion (Adam Cole & Adam Page vs. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley, Jay Lethal vs. Mark Briscoe non-title, Moose vs. Jay Briscoe, Roderick Strong vs. Kamaitachi vs. Jason Kincaid vs. ACH vs. Lio Rush vs. Will Ferrara)
UFC 199 FROM THE FORUM IN LOS ANGELES
Fight Pass at 6:15 p.m.
Maestro Dong Hyun Kim vs. Polo Reyes
Kevin Casey vs. Elvis Mutapcic
Luiz Henrique da Silv vs. Jonathan Wilson
Tom Breese vs. Sean Strickland
FS 1 at 8 p.m.
Jessica Andrade vs. Jessica Penne
Beneil Dariush vs. James Vick
Clay Guida vs. Brian Ortega
Alex Caceres vs Cole Miller
PPV at 10 p.m.
Dustin Poirier vs. Bobby Green
Dan Henderson vs. Hector Lombard
Max Holloway vs. Ricardo Lamas
Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber for bantamweight title
Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping for middleweight title
NEW JAPAN WORLD SUNDAY AT 3 A.M. EASTERN TIME FROM GUNMA
Ryusuke Taguchi & Jay White vs. Yoshi-Hashi & Rocky Romero
Yuji Nagata & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Manabu Nakanishi & David Finlay & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Katsuyori Shibata & Kushida & Juice Robinson & Captain New Japan & Matt Sydal
Tiger Mask vs. Trent Baretta
Will Ospreay vs. Jushin Liger
Bobby Fish vs. Chase Owens
Ricochet vs. Volador Jr.
Satoshi Kojima & Michael Elgin & Yoshitatsu vs. Kenny Omega & Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi
Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Seiya Sanada & Bushi
*WWE in Amarillo (Roman Reigns, A.J. Styles, Seth Rollins, Alberto Del Rio, Charlotte, Rusev, Usos, Kalisto, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Cesaro)
*WWE in Lawton, OK (Kane, Big Show, Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Paige, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys, Apollo, Crews, Sheamus, New Day, Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman)
*ROH in Columbus, OH at the Ohio Expo Building (Jay Briscoe vs. Roderick Strong, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian defend the tag title against War Machine, Adam Cole vs. Lio Rush, Dalton Castle vs. Kamaitachi)
NEW JAPAN WORLD MONDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME FROM SENDAI (English language commentary)
Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Tetsuya Naito & Seiya Sanada & Evil
Volador Jr. vs. Will Ospreay
Ricochet vs. Chase Owens
Bobby Fish vs. Tiger Mask
Jushin Liger vs. Trent Baretta
Matt Sydal vs. David Finlay
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Rocky Romero
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Gedo
Kushida vs. Bushi
Raw will be Monday in Oklahoma City. John Cena, Seth Rollins and Chris Jericho are all booked on the show along with the usual regulars.
NEW JAPAN WORLD TUESDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME FROM SENDAI (English language commentary)
Best of the Super Juniors championship match
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday in Wichita. John Cena is not scheduled but Seth Rollins and Chris Jericho are scheduled.
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Figure Four Weekly 5/30/2016: Big Vito’s deposition – If you thought Evan Singleton’s deposition went badly for the plaintiffs in the WWE concussion lawsuit, then that appears to be nothing compared to what happened a week later during Vito LoGrasso’s deposition on May 18th. Given the back and forth over LoGrasso claiming that head injuries caused partial deafness when, in the past, he had spoken of having a hearing impairment since birth, the deposition promised to be interesting. It over-delivered.
A huge double issue of the Observer is out this week, including the real catalyst behind the WWE brand split, a breakdown of the roster, justice denied again in the Jimmy Snuka case, Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay and the Super Juniors tournament plus a full rundown, the story behind Bill Goldberg and the WWE video game and the Brock Lesnar tease, famous boxer vs. pro wrestler fights, WWE schedule and injury rates, business rundowns from the past two months for WWE & TNA, updates on cable stations that carry wrestling and MMA, and one of the greatest territorial business runs in history in the life and career of Cowboy Frankie Laine.
Our lead story looks at the WWE brand split, why it happened, what is known that isn’t a secret, ads out post brand split, plans for the split two months ago and what the ad department was told then, what different arenas have been told this week, thoughts behind decisions having too be made, plus a roster rundown on what positions WWE is strong and weak in, and where NXT talent should fit in and who is ready, or who can fill a slot.
There is also an update on the Jimmy Snuka situation, with a realistic view if there will be a trial and what the time frame is and what happens next.
This issue also looks at the Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet match, Vader’s reaction, Super Juniors standings and rundowns of the shows plus looking at where things are going.
Updates on Money in the Bank, stars returning to television soon, how the NBA & NHL playoffs coincide with wrestling the next two weeks, an update on NXT, lots of WWE performers off TV for the next several weeks, notes from lawsuit depositions that are eye opening, Cena getting a gigantic endorsement deal, Rollins return news, injury updates, lots of Dwayne Johnson news, WrestleMania in the future notes, notes on how little talent gets told in advance about things, who watches what on WWE network, plus we’ve got rundowns of every WWE & NXT events over the past week and business notes on the shows, all included in in this issue.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer.
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 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.
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.
One thing I want to mention about the Jimmy Snuka case ruling is that the judge changed the date of the ruling without letting anyone know, most notably the two sisters of Nancy Argentino who have pushed for investigation and prosecution of this case for 33 years. This enabled the judge to announce the ruling without them in the court room.
In the Best of the Super Junior tournament from earlier today in Nagoya
Volador Jr. (3-2) beat Chase Owens (2-3)
Jushin Liger (3-2) beat Tiger Mask (2-3)
Will Ospreay (2-3) beat Bobby Fish (2-3)
Ricochet (4-1) beat Trent Baretta (2-3)
Our annual web site convention takes place 7/7 to 7/10 in Las Vegas. Among the activities is all you can eat steak at Texas de Brazil, $72 per person on Thursday night and a $39 lunch at 2 p.m. on Friday at Buca de Beppo at the Excalibur. Payments can be sent for reserving those two events via paypal by 7/1 to SRJAIALAIOT@yahoo.com. Mention what you are ordering. Details of other weekend activity in conjunction with UFC 200 is on the Facebook page searching for 10th annual F4W convention and on the message board in the Empire Get Together section.
David Schultz, the subject of three movies and documentaries over the past year regarding his murder, as well as coach Bill Farrell, referee Rick Tucci and administrator Joe Scalzo are to be inducted into the World Wrestling Hall of fame in a ceremony on 8/12 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, before the start of the Olympic wrestling competition.
TNA Impact on Tuesday night did 346,000 viewers. It was down from last week, but well up from what the show had been doing when it aired twice instead of once.
WWE
The second Smackdown taping after the brand split will be 7/26 from Buffalo. There is a presale going on right now with the code word: SMACKDOWN
For the first time, UFC will be doing early weigh-ins. The actual weigh-ins will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. There will be a public weigh-in where the fighters will appear and their weigh-in weights announced that will be televised at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Fighters will pose and square off and do interviews, but the weights that will be read will be from earlier in the day. It will air on FS 1. The idea is this allows fighters several more hours to rehydrate. Of course it also allows them several more hours to get to a weight far beyond the actual fighting weight. Most fighters are happy about it because once they get to weight, they can weigh in, rather than wait for the weigh-ins without being able to eat or drink.
Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes will lead more than 100 motorcycles riding from the Los Angeles Harley Davidson dealership to UFC Fan Village on Saturday before the show. Fan Village will be at the Forum at West Manchester Blvd.
The WWN pro wrestling group is looking for MMA fighters of Chinese, South Korean or other Asian American fighters for work at help@WWNLive.com.
Cody Rhodes gets another one off his bucket list as he’s facing Mike Bennett on the 8/26 Northeast Wrestling show outdoors at Wahconah Park in Pittsfield, MA.
NWA Classics has changed its name to NWAOnDemand.com and is offering one week free. The web site is mostly old Houston matches from the Paul Boesch tape library. Among the matches they have include Harley Race defending the NWA title against Rick Martel, Jumbo Tsuruta, El Halcon and Gino Hernandez, AWA champion Nick Bockwinkel against Bruiser Brody, Dusty Rhodes and Ricky Morton, Midnight Express vs Rock & Roll Express, Andre the Giant, David Von Erich vs. The Spoiler, Dick Slater vs. Mongolian Stomper, Gino Hernandez & Tully Blanchard as a tag, Von Erichs, Magnum T.A., Mr. Wrestling II, Ken Patera, Jose Lothario, Superstar Billy Graham and much more.
Here is an ACH interview with The Sporting News talking his sometimes mistaken personality, growing up in the ROH locker room, his recent matches against New Japan stars and his hope of working for the promotion, possibly going to WWE and who he would like to face at theJune 24 Best in the World ’16 PPV.
Chase Owens has pulled out of his 6/24 date in Elizabethton, TN for NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling due to international commitments. Toby Farley will take his place and team with Buff Bagwell against Jordan Kage & Chris Richards. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall will make appearances on the show.
Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion has shows on 6/24 in East Burnwood, Victoria, Australia at the Whitehorse Club with Dreamer, Mickie James, Carlito, MVP and Lisa Marie Varon; 8/6 in Pasadena, TX at the Convention Center with an afternoon convention; and 9/17 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with an afternoon convention and a show at night. They will also run 9/16 in St. James, NY at the Sports Arena.
Fusion Wrestling from Saturday night in Warsaw, VA: Dirty Money b Jefferson Early, Aden Chambers & Brandon Day b Brutal Bob Evans & Tim Hughes, Jimmy Valiant & Ricky Morton & Preston Quinn b Christian Tarr & Outlaw Ink, Victor Griff b Memphis Mofo, Lee Valiant b Arik Royal, MVP b Kongo. Ricky Steamboat also appeared on the show. Next show is 8/6 in Warsaw, VA.
Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling on 6/25 in Vancouver at the Russian Community Centre as well as 7/16 in Vancouver at the Commodore Ballroom.
Destiny Wrestling with Jeff Jarrett, Kongo Kong, Jennifer Blake, Moose and Santino Marella (as referee) has a TV taping for Fibe TV1 at Marella’s Don Kolov Arena at his gym in Mississauga, ONT.
Pure Wrestling Association on 7/9 in Kitchener, ONT at the Alpine Club.
Northeast Wrestling on 6/4 in Hickory, NC at the LP Frans Stadium with appearances by Ric Flair and Magnum T.A. plus The Hardys will be wrestling on the show.
Legacy Fighting Championship on 7/22 from Lake Charles, LA at the Golden Nugget headlined by Robert Drysdale (6-0), the BJJ expert against Ryan Spann (9-2) for the light heavyweight title. The show will air live on AXS that night at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
All Star Wrestling on 6/17 in Garibaldi Highlands, BC at the Totem Hall.
Al Snow vs. Hannibal for the Canadian title plus a women’s match and a Battle Royal on Saturday night in Smiths Falls, ONT for Great North Wrestling.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix from last night in Omaha: Paul Daniels b Mad Dog McDowell, Joey Daniels b Ajax Adams, Cuco Santiago b Zac James, Dalton Lee Roth b Purple, Con Artiest b Robert Storm, Branden Juarez b Pat Powers. Next show is 7/29 in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge with Sonjay Dutt.
An Al Snow interview can be seen here.
EVENTS
June 4 – UFC 199 from the Forum in Los Angeles with Michael Bisping getting his first title opportunity of his career battling Luke Rockhold for the middleweight belt
June 4 – In celebration of Metro Pro’s Sixth Anniversary, Demolition (Ax & Smash) will be in action on Saturday, Turner Recreation Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The event address is: 831 S. 55th St., Kansas City, KS 66106 – Tickets can be bought in advance.
June 5 – AAA’s Victoria World Cup men and women’s trio tournament finals at Los Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City which will be a live iPPV show
June 7 – New Japan Best of the Super Juniors finals from Sendai live on New Japan World
June 8 – NXT Takeover from Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL featuring Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor in a cage match plus a loaded lineup that includes American Alpha vs. The Revival and probably Shinsuke Nakamura vs Austin Aries, which could be WWE’s match of the month.
June 12 – TNA Slammiversary headlined by Drew Galloway vs. Bobby Lashley for the TNA title from Orlando
June 12 – Revolution Pro Wrestling in London, England headlined by Kurt Angle vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
June 17 – AAW “Killers Among Us” features Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Johnny Gargano, Drago vs. Chris Hero, and more at 115 Bourbon Street (3359 w 115th Street Merrionette Park, IL) All Ages Event – Tickets available.
June 18 – UFC in Ottawa: Rory McDonald vs. Stephen Thompson
June 19 – New Japan Dominion, one of the company’s biggest events of the year, featuring Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada in an IWGP title match and Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi in a ladder match for the IC title
June 19 – WWE Money in the Bank from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
June 24 – ROH Best in the World from Concord, NC with Jay Lethal vs. Jay Briscoe for the ROH title
June 25 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple
June 26 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple
Kansas City, Kansas: – Joe Pazandak beat Roy Graham in 2 out of 3 falls to become the number one contender to the NWA World Title – Sonny Myers beat Abe Kashey
1960
Osaka, Japan: – Dan Miller and Frank Valois defeated Rikidozan and Michiaki Yoshimura to win the JWA All Asian Tag Team Titles
Windsor, Ontario, Canada: – Bob Ellis defeated Dick the Bruiser to win the Detroit version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title
1962
Detroit, Michigan: – Dick the Bruiser defeated Wilbur Snyder to win the Detroit version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title
St. Paul, Minnesota: – Mr. M & Bob Geigel beat Joe Scarpello & Doug Gilbert – Larry Hennig beat Gene Anderson
1967
Chicago, Illinois: – The Devils Duo (Angelo Poffo & Chris Markoff) beat Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher – Wilbur Snyder drew Johnny Powers – Johnny Valentine no contest with Earl Maynard
1970
Chicago, Illinois: – Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher beat Chain Gang (Jim & Jack Dillinger) – Baron Von Raschke beat Edouard Carpentier – Wilbur Snyder beat Dr X via dq – Dr Bill Miller beat Pepper Gomez
1978
Mexico City, Mexico: – El Faraon defeated Alfonso Dantes for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
1979
Chattanooga, Tennessee: – Dennis Condrey defeated Ron Garfield to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: – Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher beat Nick Bockwinkel & Bobby Duncum – Super Destroyer Mark II beat Mad Dog Vachon via count out – Greg Gagne beat Pat Patterson
Houston, Texas: – The Spoiler was awarded the WCCW American Heavyweight Title when champion Wahoo McDaniel was unable to compete due to injury
1980
Greenville, South Carolina: – Matt Borne & Buzz Sawyer defeated Jimmy Snuka & The Iron Sheik in a tournament final to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Titles
Chattanooga, Tennessee: – Dennis Condrey defeated Gorgeous George Jr. to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title
Memphis, Tennessee: – Ken Lucas and Ricky Morton defeated Gypsy Joe and Skull Murphy for the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1983
Tokyo, Japan: – At the finals of the first IWGP tournament, Hulk Hogan defeated Antonio Inoki by countout to win the tournament – Tiger Mask won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title, defeating Kuniaki Kobayahi for the vacant title
1983
Kansas City, Missouri: – Harley Race defeated Dewey Robertson for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title (Race would vacate the title eight days later when Race won the NWA World Heavyweight Title in St. Louis, Missouri from Ric Flair)
1987
Buffalo, New York: – The Honky Tonk Man defeated Ricky Steamboat to win the WWF Intercontinental Title
1990
Mexico City, Mexico: – El Dandy defeated Angel Azteca to win the NWA World Middleweight Title
Memphis, Tennessee: – Tony Anthony and Tom Burton defeated the Southern Rockers’ (Rex King and Steve Doll) for the USWA Tag Team Title by defeating King in a handicap match
1993
Koyama, Japan: – The Patriot (Del Wilkes) and The Eagle (George Hines) defeated Kenta Kobashi and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi for the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Titles
2004
Nashville, Tennessee: – Jeff Jarrett defeated champion Ron Killings, A.J. Styles, Raven and Chris Harris in the first-ever King of the Mountain match to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title
2005
Winnipeg, Manitoba: – Kenny Omega defeated Chris Sabin in the finals of Premier Championship Wrestling’s Premier Cup to become the first NWA Canadian X Division Champion
2013
TNA Slammiversary | Boston, Massachusetts: – Chris Sabin defeated Kenny King and Suicide in an Ultimate X match to win the TNA X Division Championship – Magnus, Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy defeated Aces & Eights (Wes Brisco, Garett Bischoff and Mr. Anderson) – Jay Bradley defeated Sam Shaw – Devon (with Knux) defeated Joseph Park by countout to retain the TNA Television Championship – Abyss defeated Devon (with Knux) to win the TNA Television Championship – Gunner and James Storm defeated Bobby Roode and Austin Aries, Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez and Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Kazarian) in a Four-way elimination tag team match to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship – Taryn Terrell defeated Gail Kim in a Last Knockout Standing match – Kurt Angle defeated A.J. Styles – Bully Ray defeated Sting in a No Holds Barred match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Dana White was on both ESPN SportsCenter and Colin Cowherd’s show on Fox Sports One Thursday promoting Saturday’s UFC 199, and also updated the status of Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey while he was at it.
In regards to McGregor, White said that a rematch with he and Nate Diaz may never happen. He said that McGregor badly wants the fight, White is trying to get the deal done, and Diaz has interest. He said he is trying, but doesn’t know if it will ever happen.
This stems from the meeting White and Lorenzo Fertitta had with Diaz on May 20. Diaz made demands for a rematch with McGregor that were evidently well above what UFC was going to offer. The talks ended without the sides coming close.
Regarding Rousey, White targeted either December or January for her return. She is believed to have two fights left on her current contract, and it should be noted that at least one potential buyer of UFC has wanted Rousey signed to a longer term deal due to her value as part of the product.
White said that Rousey just had arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday and is hoping she fights in December. If not, she’d fight on the first show of 2017, but that the 11/12 show in Madison Square Garden is out.
Rousey has a number of acting commitments, but the days are continually changing.
White also said that Rousey’s first fight back would be against whoever holds the bantamweight title. Miesha Tate holds the title right now and will defend at UFC 200 against Amanda Nunes. Should Holly Holm beat Valentina Shevchenko two weeks later on FOX, one would think it’s an easy decision for Holm to challenge for the title in the fall.
Here are a few early news notes today regarding WWE and an ex-WWE star:
– Cody Rhodes has announced he will be working with Evolve on their 8/19 iPPV in Joppa, MD. Rhodes’ non-compete with WWE ends that day. Interestingly, Evolve has been also working with WWE in recent months in building up competitors for the global cruiserweight classic tournament.
– WWE announced this morning that Andrade Cien Almas (the former La Sombra and Manny Andrade) will face the “Perfect 10” Tye Dillinger at this Wednesday’s TakeOver event. After working NXT house shows for months, this likely means Almas will also debut to a national audience at the next television tapings. They are hoping he transitions into becoming a Hispanic star.
The TV lineup for the show as it stands now:
NXT Champion Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor in a cage match
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Austin Aries — possible that the next title challenger is the winner
NXT Tag Champions American Alpha (Jason Jordan & Chad Gable) vs. The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder)
NXT Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Nia Jax
Andrade Almas vs. Tye Dillinger
– Robert Murillo tweeted us a link to an SI story about Klay Thompson’s father choosing to watch RAW this past Mondayinstead of his son in Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals.
With the wrestling world still speculating on how WWE will handle the July brand split/extension, much of the discussion has been about how the championships should be structured in this new era — most importantly, what should be the biggest prize in the game.
The Brand Extension Shouldn’t Lead To A Championship Split
As reported in a recent Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the current plan is that the brand extension will lead to the world title being once again split in two. Of the many rumours that have flown around the Internet, it’s the prospect of once again losing a single world champion that has most upset hardcore fans.
It’s not hard to see why. Since John Cena and Randy Orton unified the WWE and World Heavyweight Titles in December 2013 at TLC, the world title has been far stronger than it was previously. It has once again become the focal point of the promotion with Daniel Bryan’s chase of the WWE title proving far more of a money-drawing storyline than his previous World Heavyweight Title reigns. The flip side of this development is that tug of war between the hardcore fanbase and Vince McMahon about who should be world champion has intensified now that the promotion can’t split the difference.
Despite this, one can understand why the WWE is tempted to revert back to having two world titles.
As Brock Lesnar’s previous title reign proved, the WWE’s mantra of promoting sports entertainment and focusing on telling stories is remarkably hollow. The promotion is actually incredibly dependent on the world championship to provide meaning to its main event picture. When Brock Lesnar was away, the twenty-eight strong writing staff was bereft of ideas about how to justify Cena and Seth Rollins facing each other that they turned the Money In The Bank briefcase into an ersatz world title.
Therefore, both promotions will clearly need their own singles title for their main event picture to be built around when the world champion isn’t there. Furthermore, considering that both shows will largely conform to the WWE house style, each champion will play a pivotal role in defining the brand to viewers.
However, there’s no reason why that role can’t be played by a secondary champion exclusive to each brand if these titles are properly protected. And there would be added value in having a WWE title above them. An undisputed world champion that can perform on both brands would stand out as a special attraction that would help highlight key television shows as must-watch and could drive extra business for the biggest shows of the year.
The key would be not to expose them. If they were to appear weekly, let alone twice a week, they would quickly cease to be a special attraction. Worse they would undermine the ability of the two promotion-specific secondary champions to be taken seriously as headliners. This would naturally be a role for Lesnar, who could storm into either brand for a month-long residency before his latest title defence and then disappear again. It would also solve the problem that the WWE has of struggling to provide meaning to Lesnar’s matches.
RAW and Smackdown Need Their Own Champions
Back when the NWA World Champion would tour alliance members, the individual territories still retained their own national or promotional champions. This was because the promotion couldn’t grind to a halt when Ric Flair or Harley Race was elsewhere; they still needed something to build their everyday main event picture around. If WWE was to give Lesnar a floating WWE Championship, each brand would be in the same situation. They would need championships to build their weekly programming around.
The temptation would be to suggest that the Intercontinental and U.S. titles could be repurposed for this role with each brand getting one of the secondary titles. This was exactly the approach originally planned for the first brand split with the I-C strap having been pegged to be the premiere title on RAW. Triple-H rightly vetoed this idea due to the belief that the title had been clearly defined as a secondary belt and wouldn’t be taken seriously as a prize worthy of main eventers. This is even truer today. While either belt can gain the illusion of respectability when placed around a headliner’s waist, they quickly slide back to their previous irrelevance.
It’s not helped that the names of the championships are literally meaningless. This is not the 70s where it was perfectly logical to have a national champion underneath the world champion. The same problem existed when there was a WWE and a World Title. The names are such generic buzzwords that they do not indicate what the titlist is champion of. The championships being meaningless is yet another barrier to fans taking them seriously.
It would be far better for the WWE to start again by crowning RAW and Smackdown champions, and actually calling them that. That way fans know that the person who holds the RAW title is recognised as the best wrestler on RAW, and the person challenging for the Smackdown title wants to be recognised as the best wrestler on Smackdown.
As reported in the Observer, the current plans are for Reigns and Cena to be the champions of their respective brands. While both men have their problems with connecting with the fanbase, putting the new belts on them would be a clear statement of intent that both titles are of equal worth and will be properly protected.
How Should The Championships Be Awarded?
One of the things that most embittered fans about the last split in the championship was how Triple-H walked out with the big gold belt and proclaimed himself world champion. For all the talk of RAW having always been the ‘A-Show’, it took years the stench of that introduction to leave the title with his matches for the belt being of secondary importance to the WWE title matches as late as 2004. It’s therefore crucial that the new championships are properly introduced. Given that the aim of these moves is to create a big splash to help Smackdown’s ratings, it would make sense that everything builds to big matches for the shows on July 19-20.
Making Brock Lesnar the undisputed world champion should be relatively straight forward. Just have The Beast appear in the next two weeks to destroy Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, insert himself into the WWE title match at Money In The Bank due to both men having screwed him out of the world title he never truly lost inside the ring. It’s a rematch of the unannounced main event of Wrestlemania 31, and provides a way for Lesnar to regain the title without pinning Reigns. It also allows the Reigns vs. Rollins programme to continue with neither man once again conclusively beating the other. This would then justify leaving Lesnar out of the draft.
The new RAW and Smackdown champions should be crowned in big matches on the first shows after the draft. The easiest way to do this would be to have the type of multi-man matches that are usually reserved for pay per view. RAW could have a special Money in the Bank-style ladder match for their world title and Smackdown could have an Elimination Chamber match. Such multi-man matches would naturally feed into the draft, with the six men drafted for each brand being the ones entered into its championship match. Assuming the twelve men were picked on the 11th July Raw, the promotion would have a week to promote two huge title matches for the first week of the new era.
This season, both the women’s strawweight division and the men’s light heavyweight division will be competing. At the end of the season, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha fight on the TUF 23 Finale with Joanna Champion defending her strawweight title. Last week, Gadelha’s team won again and now holds a commanding 5-0 lead. She picked Amanda Cooper to fight Jamie Moyle in her quest to run the TUF table!
*****
Dana White opens the show by reminding us that there’s never been a clean sweep in TUF history, and that Jedrzejczyk is now playing “the mental game” and trying to get in the head of Gadelha’s team by saying that Amanda Cooper is “an easy fight.”
We go to Jedrzejczyk’s training session, and she’s brought in TJ Dillashaw to help her team train. He runs them through footwork and posture drills to start, and reminds everyone that “feints win fights” when you fake out your opponent. Moyle says she hasn’t seen any of Cooper’s fights and won’t plan like she did – she just wants to focus on improving overall and getting better at what she does best.
Khalil Rountree talks about staying positive and motivated even though he’s been eliminated. Dana reminds us that there’s always opportunities for someone to come back who was eliminated. We see Rountree breaking down outside because today is his father’s birthday, and he talks about how he used to manage bands like Another Bad Creation and Boyz II Men. His father was killed in an attempted robbery after a show.
Amanda Cooper gives Moyle props at the Team Gadelha training session, saying she wanted to test herself against the toughest possible opponent, and that she plans on doing a lot of striking. “I just want to put on a show and make it interesting. On the feet is the best way to do it.” She says she fought three fights on a torn ACL so nobody’s seen just how good of a striker she can really be.
Cooper reads letters written to her by her family and friends before she left for the show, which leads to a discussion about her dad getting her into boxing at a very young age. “I have a dream and that’s all I want right now is to accomplish it.” This transitions to a night on the town for everybody on the show courtesy of Dana White, complete with a party bus that has alcohol and a stripper pole. Partying ensues!
Amanda Cooper gets dressed up for the weigh-ins. “I look like Jane but I fight like Tarzan.” Moyle gets on the scale and she’s 115.5. Cooper is 115 even. Fight’s on!
* Amanda Cooper (Team Gadelha) vs. Jamie Moyle (Team Jedrzejczyk)
Cooper is in all black and Moyle is in all red for this fight. Moyle is landing some good shots in the exchanges early. Gadelha has to remind Cooper to keep her hands up. Moyle pushes her into the fence looking for a takedown and eats a few knees. Cooper is keeping her balance well and breaks free at 1:33. Cooper is warned to watch her fingers.
Moyle keeps her backpedaling the whole time but Cooper’s striking is getting better as the round draws on, using her natural height and reach advantages. Moyle shoots for a single leg and gets it at 3:27. Moyle stands to drop some bigger shots and nearly gets swept. Jedrzejczyk keeps yelling “STAY HEAVY” but the ref tells her to improve her position. 10-9 Moyle.
Moyle gets another takedown a half minute into R2. Moyle is trying to pull her legs through to improve her position and eventually gets side control at 1:50, but she loses it and has to avoid upkicks. Cooper goes for a single leg but Moyle keeps her balance. Cooper gets a clinch and goes for some knees and elbows over the top. Moyle goes for a takedown and Cooper lands on top. She’s busted Moyle up with the elbows – there’s blood everywhere.
Cooper gets side control and starts raining down big hammerfists and rights that have the ref threatening to stop the it. Moyle goes for a triangle but Cooper slips out. Cooper and Gadelha celebrate like they’ve won before the scores are even announced.
Cooper wins by MAJORITY decision, but the scores aren’t read. Gadelha is 6-0!
Next week’s fight is Abdel Medjedoub (Gadelha) vs. Joshua Stansbury (Jedrzejczyk). See you then!
The show starts with a recap of the Trios title history this season, showing the former champs losing them to Rey Mysterio Jr, Prince Puma, and Dragon Azteca Jr. before that team lost them to PJ, Mundo, and Jack Evans. It transitions to showing Chavo winning the Gift of the Gods Title, then losing it to Cage last week and cashing in the title for a match tonight. Striker runs down tonight’s card, where the former trios champs get a rematch tonight and Matanza battles Cage in the main event.
Son of Havoc vs. Daga
They start off with a fancy series of counters to arm wringers. Havoc is sent down off a tackle, but catches him with a rana. Superkick on the floor by Daga leads to him trying a snake eyes on the post, but that’s countered and Daga is sent in. Havoc trips him mid-ring and gets 2 off a standing moonsault. Daga gets a back suplex into a facebuster for 2. Daga traps him in the corner for mounted punches and a face wash. Daga slams him down and gets 2 off a Muta-style power drive elbow. Havoc lands some standing forearms, and eats punches. Armdrag into a Tequila Sunrise by Daga!
Kobra Moon comes down as Daga hits a corner elbow. Havoc flips out of the corner and hits a series of lariats. Muta-style handspring elbow in the corner and a springboard crossbody gets 2. An apron high kick by Havoc leads to a suicide dive on the floor. Kobra comes up and grabs the ankle of Havoc, leading to Daga hitting a kick up top and then going for a superplex – but eating a gordbuster and a shooting star press. Kobra Moon comes into the ring and caresses Daga in a weird way. She caresses his leg and he kicks her off.
Winner – Son of Havoc
Backstage, Rey works on his spinning backfists while Azteca talks about finding Matanza’s cell. He wants revenge, while Rey tells him that Dragon Azteca Sr. wouldn’t have wanted that. They argue and Prince Puma comes up and says their match is next. They tell him to leave, Rey says that it doesn’t concern him, and he says that as their partnets, it does concern him. Dragon Azteca Jr. is a fairly bad actor, but everyone else was fine here.
Rey Mysterio Jr., Prince Puma, and Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Trios Champions Jack Evans, PJ Black, and Johnny Mundo
The heel team has red bandanas on now, and Rey is dominated for a bit by a PJ headlock. A shoulderblock gets 2 on Rey. Rey flips out of a schoolboy and hits a buzzsaw kick and a rana. Rey is up on his shoulders and Mundo distracts the ref so that PJ can toss him down and kick him in the nuts. A triple team neckbreaker by the heels gives them more of an edge. Jack comes in, stands on his chest and gets 2 off a standing moonsault.
Jack tells Rey “I think I can, I THINK I CAN” to mock him for trying to make a tag before attacking him. Mundo comes in and eats some punches, but a tilt a whirl takes Rey down again. Rey gets a DDT out of nowhere and tags in Puma. Puma’s headscissors and dropkick take Jack down while the northern lights brainbuster hits Mundo. Corner crossbody leads to a double kick in the corner and then a triple dropkick to PJ from the floor. Flip dive over Puma by Azteca.
Rey goes for a dive, but Jack stops it with a dropkick. Jack promises something big, and gets it as Puma hits him with a superplex off the top onto the pile on the floor. Puma goes for the 630, but Jack is pulled to the floor by his partners. Jack hits a 630 and gets 2.5. Puma hoists him up and lands a modifies GTS. Azteca and Mundo are in, and Mundo accidentally leaps into PJ in the corner. Azteca hits an around the world DDT on Mundo for 2. Azteca avoids the Moonlight Drive, and eats a kick to the nuts. Puma is pissed and kicks Mundo in the nuts – leading to a DQ so the heels retain and the faces have lost their rematch. Puma attacks Taya with a huge kick as well, while Rey tries to control Puma.
Winners – PJ Black, Jack Evans, and Johnny Mundo
After the match, we see Dragon Azteca Jr. meet Matanza. Black Lotus tells him that Dragon Azteca killed her parents, and that the truth hurts. They fight for a bit before he tells her that she knows it isn’t true. Well, they haven’t done much with that story thread for a while – so it’s good to further it slightly here. Cage comes out first carrying the title out like it’s a trash bag. As Matanza comes down, Striker runs down everything Matanza has done – including him beating nine foes in Aztec Warfare to win the title.
Cage vs. Lucha Underground Champion Matanza Cueto
We get a staredown and they immediately go into a Frye-Takayama exchange. Cage rams him, but Matanza doesn’t move. Matanza and Cage barge into each other, which doesn’t give anyone an edge until Cage hits an uppercut. Cage sends him to the floor and hits a flip dive. Cage goes up top and hits a moonsult while Vamp talks about Cage tearing the original LU title up last year. Thank God he did – that thing looked awful.
They fight on the floor and Cage tosses his head into the barricade before pulling the covers off the concrete. Cage taking the time to do that gave Matanza time to heal, and he tosses Cage into the barricades. Matanza lands the multiple Karelin Lifts on the floor, but Cage escapes the third one and lands a forearm. Giant German suplex on the floor by Matanza. Matanza tosses him in the ring and chokes him before hammerfisting his head.
Standing SSP leads to Cage getting his knees up and getting 2 off a neckbreaker. Cage traps him in the corner for a series of lariats. Cage showboats, giving Matanza time to get under him and land an exploder for 2. Matanza picks him up for a pumphandle bridging suplex for 2. Cage jacks his jaw and then lands a basement dropkick after a schoolboy. Matanza recovers and goes for the eyes. Vamp talks about how Matanza’s hands are always covered by blood. Cage lands an X Factor for 2. They each charge into each other with lariats and take one another down with pump kicks.
Cage and Matanza exchange Germans and then no-sell them like Hawk. After three of them, Cage starts to sell and then Matanza sends him down like a basic wrestling takedown, but hoists him up high for a German that looked incredible and gets 2. Cage avoids the Wrath of the Gods, but hits a discus lariat for 2.
Cage hits the power superplex from the middle rope. Flying elbow gets 2 for Cage. Matanza grabs him and lands the Kevin Steen sidewinder back suplex for 2. Cage counters a powerbomb with an Alabama slam and a standing moonsault for 2. Cage goes for Weapon X, but Matanza counters and lands an overhead belly to belly. A sitout powerbomb gets 2 for Matanza.
Cage counters the Wrath of the Gods with a small package for 2. Cage hits a Canadian Destroyer for 2. Cage pulls down the straps and lands a series of kicks, including a superkick – but the Wrath of the Gods gives Matanza the win. This was a pretty exctiing match and definitely worth checking out – it will probably be the match from the show put on El Rey’s Youtube channel later this week.
Winner – Matanza Cueto
To see all of the screenshots taken for the show, just click here.
The Big News: One week before TakeOver, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe had a heated backstage interview.
The Medium News: In their first bit of physicality, Nia Jax laid out Asuka with a power bomb.
The Little Beaver Sized News: The Revival got punked out at the beginning of the show, lost the main event, and then got punked out by American Alpha.
The show started with the former NXT tag champs The Revival coming out for a promo. Next Wednesday at NXT TakeOver: The End ,they will challenge the current champions American Alpha.
Dash and Dawson say that they will be the first ever 2-time tag champions. Dawson called Gable & Jordan excellent amateur wrestlers, but they are great professionals. When The Revival win, Jordan & Gable can go wipe their tears away as the new champs celebrate.
This brought out Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano. Ciampa said that the entire crowd knows AA is better than them, and they can’t even beat Gargano and Ciampa. Revival laughed at this and called the interrupting duo “undersized bearded guys” and “good hands”, which was pointed out that that is a criticism about The Revival.
Dawson told them to go back to wrestling in bingo halls, while Ciampa brought up them losing in Dallas. Dash told Gargano & Ciampa to come bother them when they have actually accomplished anything. The Revival started walking away when Gargano mocked them. The #1 contenders got back in the ring…and immediately got dropkicked right out of it!
As Revival retreated, they challenged Gargano & Ciampa for tonight.
******
Shinsuke Nakamura did a promo for his match with Austin Aries at TakeOver. He said Aries will bow down to the King of Strong Style.
******
Tye Dillinger pinned Buddy Murphy
It is time for the Perfect 10, and it is also time for Murphy to get his first name back! He lost his manager and his tag team partner, but at least he is facing NXT’s most pushed jobber. Dillinger has won two tv matches as the Perfect 10 up to this point.
The fans were not into Murphy at all and it seemed the only thing they cared about in regards to Dillinger was chanting 10. Tye finished Murphy off with a Fireman’s Carry, but slamming the back of Murphy’s head on his exposed knee which looked close enough to an AA.
******
We had a sit down interview with Finn Balor and Samoa Joe, moderated by Corey Graves.
Balor said he worked for so long at becoming NXT Champion that he didn’t expect the walls to come crumbling down in Lowell, Massachusetts. Joe countered by saying he finally got what he deserved. Joe had to jump through ridiculous hoops (which to an extent he did). Balor said Joe came in with a sense of entitlement and there are 100 guys in the Performance Center who deserve a title shot ahead of him.
Joe scoffed at that and brought up everything starting last August with Finn asking Joe to be his partner in the Dusty Classic and then not saying anything when William Regal wouldn’t give him a title shot afterwards. Balor tried bringing up that they knew each other for a decade, and Joe brought that up and continued to ask why he had to do all these things to get title shots.
Balor noted this is his first ever cage match, but his first ever ladder match was TakeOver:Brooklyn when he beat Kevin Owens. Joe said he would have beaten Balor in Dallas, but they kept having doctors pull him off, giving Finn a chance to recover.
Graves brought up Balor being the future and Balor said he is living in the now, living in the present, and he wants that championship belt. Joe said this is about showing people their place and he will show Balor his place. Graves tried to wrap it up which caused champion and challenger to stand up and go face to face one last time.
This was an excellent segment.
******
Austin Aries submitted Elias Sampson
Aries is 7 days away from a match with Shinsuke Nakamura, a man who defeated The Drifter about a month ago. Sampson has been a lot more aggressive in the ring lately. It helps that he’s been doing so many house show matches with the likes of Nakamura and Balor.
Aries looked good here as well (I know, what a shock) and won with the NXT debut of the Last Chancery. After the match, Aries cut a promo saying that after next week, he will show the spotlight should shine on him.
******
The same video package as last week aired to build up the impending debut of Andrade Cien Almas, which will take place next week at TakeOver.
Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa defeated The Revival
This is the main event wrestling match. They note that The Revival is trying to become the first ever 2-time tag champs. However, Neville is a 2-time champion, teaming with Oliver Grey and then the aforementioned Graves. The announcers spent most of this match discussing the tag team title match at TakeOver.
The heels cheated to get the heat on Ciampa. Ciampa and Gargano were running wild on the #1 contenders. However, Dawson attacked Ciampa behind the referee’s back when Dash was the legal man. Dash and Dawson do an excellent job of playing defense and giving their opponents so many hope spots on getting the hot tag, so the opponents always make the tag at the best possible time.
Gargano got the hot tag and looked great until he got dropped with a DDT. The finish showed that somebody has been watching The Wrestling Classic recently. In a page right out of Randy Savage vs. Dynamite Kid, Scott Dawson gave Gargano a Superplex, but Gargano tied up Dawson for the pin!
After the match, Revival took out their frustrations on the men that beat them, including giving Gargano the Shatter Machine. They went to break Gargano’s leg, but American Alpha ran in for the save.
******
Next week is NXT TakeOver: The End, featuring…
Samoa Joe vs Finn Balor for the NXT Championship in a Steel Cage Match
Asuka vs Nia Jax for the NXT Women’s Championship
Austin Aries vs Shinsuke Nakamura
American Alpha vs The Revival for the NXT Tag Team Championship
Andrade Almas debuts
That is a lot of A names, eh?
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The final segment of the show was the official contract signing for the Women’s Championship match next Wednesday.
Nia Jax spoke first, mocking Asuka because all she has done is kick a few girls in the head and while Asuka beat Bayley, Nia broke Bayley. Unlike all the other girls, Nia is the future and is not scared of Asuka.
Asuka said Nia talks too much and if she’s not afraid of Asuka, she should be. Nia pushed her away, so Asuka began throwing punches and kicks. However, Nia caught one of her kicks, lifted Asuka in the air, and planted her with a power bomb!
That is it for this week. Thank you for reading and remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
