It was announced Thursday at San Diego Comic Con that a Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens rematch for the NXT title will headline their 8/22 show in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center.
The show will go head-to-head with the ROH show at MCU Stadium the night before SummerSlam.
By Ryan Frederick for WrestlingObserver.com
The most-recent edition of The Ultimate Fighter wraps up this weekend with the finale live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, capping off International Fight Week. The 21st edition saw a change in format to a team-versus-team format with Florida bragging rights on the line as American Top Team and the Blackzilians squared off. We will see the finals close out this season on Sunday night as FOX Sports 1 airs the main card at 9 PM eastern time. Preliminary action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at 6:30 PM eastern time before moving over to FOX Sports 1 at 7 PM eastern time.
The main event of the card will be a five-round welterweight bout between long-time contender Jake Ellenberger and rising contender Stephen Thompson, who will be looking to notch the biggest win of his career. In the finals of TUF 21, it will be Hayder Hassan representing American Top Team against Kamaru Usman, representing the Blackzilians. Also on the card is the UFC debut of “The Karate Hottie”, Michelle Waterson. Let’s dive deeper into the fight card and look at five storylines to watch for at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.
1. Can Stephen Thompson score the biggest win of his career?
The headline bout for The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale will be a welterweight contest between perennial top-ten ranked 170-pounder Jake Ellenberger and rising contender Stephen Thompson, who will be looking to break into the rankings with a big win in the main event. Thompson is the winner of four straight bouts, and he has won ten of eleven fights in his career. His only career loss came to another perennial top-ten ranked welterweight in Matt Brown back at UFC 145 in April 2012. Thompson has been limited to just four fights in the three-plus years since then, but he has been impressive in those four wins.
Ellenberger rebounded from a tough stretch of three straight losses with a second-round submission win over Josh Koscheck at UFC 184 in February. Ellenberger was close to title contention before a July 2013 loss to Rory MacDonald, and back-to-back stoppage losses to Robbie Lawler and Kelvin Gastelum put him in a position to possibly be fighting for his Octagon future. Ellenberger has to beat Thompson if he has any hopes of getting back into that title picture.
Thompson is a gifted striker on his feet with excellent kickboxing skills. He has solid power and showing a good skillset in his win over Patrick Cote at UFC 178 in September, his highest-profile victory to date. He trains alongside Chris Weidman, so he will be at the top of his game. Ellenberger has strong hands and power, and he showed good submission skills to go with his stout wrestling. He is a tough match-up for Thompson and this has the potential to be a fireworks-filled fight, and is a solid five-round headliner. I like Thompson to take the victory in this fight.
2. Which team wins the finals of The Ultimate Fighter?
This 21st season of The Ultimate Fighter brought a new concept in that as opposed to coaches squaring off and up-and-coming fighters competing for a six-figure contract, it was a team against team battle as the Blackzilians and American Top Team squared off for bragging rights. It offered TUF something new and fresh, and there was a different quality to the show with the new format. It may have not garnered the highest ratings to date for the show, but it was something new-and-different that had some decent execution. Many of the fights may have left much to be desired, but it all comes to a head on Sunday night in the Octagon.
The finals will be contested between Kamaru Usman, representing the Blackzilians, and Hayder Hassan, representing American Top Team. Usman fought twice on the show, scoring two decision wins. Hassan fought three times, scoring one knockout win and two decision wins, and he got the win in the final episode to get ATT the $200,000 top prize as they had the most points. These two will be battling for a $300,000 prize, a Harley Davidson motorcycle and the TUF trophy. I like Usman in this fight as he has solid wrestling and good conditioning, and Hassan is someone who can take a beating but wears down easily.
3. Speaking of Blackzilians vs. American Top Team, who wins between Jorge Masvidal and Cezar Ferreira?
Jorge Masvidal represents American Top Team and Cezar Ferreira represents the Blackzilians, and they will give a little prelude to the ultimate team battle beforehand when they square off. This is an interesting match-up as Masvidal is moving up from the lightweight division and Ferreira is moving down from the middleweight division as they meet at 170 pounds. It is an interesting move for both as Masvidal was wearing himself down in trying to make 155 pounds, even coming close to missing weight in his last fight. Ferreira was huge at 185 pounds, and it will be interesting to see if he can even make weight on Saturday for Sunday’s bout.
Masvidal is coming off a closely contested split decision loss to Al Iaquinta in April that is more remembered now for Iaquinta’s post-fight tirade. Masvidal was unhappy about the loss, and it ended his three-fight win streak and his quest for title contention. Ferreira won the first TUF: Brazil, but has gone just 3-2 in his five fights since then, including losing two of his last three by first-round knockouts. Perhaps the change in divisions will benefit both men, but Masvidal should have the speed edge being the lighter fighter. Ferreira will have the power edge. I like Masvidal in this bout.
4. Can Michelle Waterson establish herself as a contender at 115 pounds?
“The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson is making her UFC debut on the main card as the former Invicta Atomweight Champion transitions over to the UFC and moves up to 115 pounds in the process. She won the Invicta Atomweight Championship when she defeated Jessica Penne, the most recent challenger for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship, at Invicta FC 5 in April 2013, and she made one successful title defense before losing the title in December to Herica Tiburcio. That ended Waterson’s six-fight win streak and opened the door for her to move over to compete in the Octagon.
She gets a fight designed to build her up as she takes on Angela Magana. Magana has lost three straight fights and many thought she wouldn’t get another UFC fight after her loss to Tecia Torres in December, especially considering her brash Twitter personality. She seemingly was kept around to give Waterson a showcase win. Waterson might be a little undersized to compete at 115 pounds, but she should be able to make that up with her excellent skills. She trains at one of the best gyms in the world, the Greg Jackson team, and she is well-rounded and has scored ten of her twelve wins by stoppage. She should take care of Magana impressively.
5. What is there to keep an eye on in the preliminary card?
This is a short slate of preliminary action as the main card has six fights but the prelims feature just five fights. Darrell Montague and Willie Gates meet in a flyweight bout where both men could be fighting for their spot on the UFC roster. Montague has lost two straight and Gates is coming off a loss in his UFC debut. Maximo Blanco and Mike De La Torre meet in a featherweight bout as both look to keep win streaks alive. Trevor Smith looks to end a losing skid when he takes on Dan Miller, who returns to the Octagon after being out of action since March 2013. George Sullivan takes on the debuting Dominic Waters, who comes in on short notice for his UFC debut.
The highest-profile preliminary bout is a middleweight bout between Caio Magalhaes and Josh Samman. It is really surprising that this fight didn’t get put on the main card as both men are on win streaks heading into this fight. Magalhaes has won four straight fights, three of them by stoppage. Samman has won three straight, all by stoppage, and is coming in off an incredible head kick knockout of Eddie Gordon at UFC 181 in December that nabbed him a post-fight bonus. These two were scheduled to meet once before, and now they finally will and one man’s win streak will come to an end.
Full The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale Fight Card, Betting Odds and Predictions
MAIN CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 9 PM ET/6 PM PT)
Welterweights: Jake Ellenberger vs. Stephen Thompson
Betting Odds: Ellenberger (+180), Thompson (-220)
Prediction: Thompson by knockout in round 3
Welterweights: Hayder Hassan vs. Kamaru Usman
Betting Odds: Hassan (+145), Usman (-185)
Prediction: Usman by decision
Welterweights: Michael Graves vs. Vicente Luque
Betting Odds: Graves (-105), Luque (-135)
Prediction: Graves by decision
Welterweights: Jorge Masvidal vs. Cezar Ferreira
Betting Odds: Masvidal (-260), Ferreira (+220)
Prediction: Masvidal by decision
Women’s Strawweights: Michelle Waterson vs. Angela Magana
Betting Odds: Waterson (-600), Magana (+450)
Prediction: Waterson by submission in round 2
Bantamweights: Russell Doane vs. Jerrod Sanders
Betting Odds: Doane (-380), Sanders (+315)
Prediction: Doane by knockout in round 1
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 7 PM ET/4 PM PT)
Flyweights: Darrell Montague vs. Willie Gates
Betting Odds: Montague (-130), Gates (+110)
Prediction: Montague by decision
Featherweights: Maximo Blanco vs. Mike De La Torre
Betting Odds: Blanco (-145), De La Torre (+125)
Prediction: Blanco by knockout in round 2
Middleweights: Caio Magalhaes vs. Josh Samman
Betting Odds: Magalhaes (-145), Samman (+125)
Prediction: Samman by knockout in round 2
Middleweights: Trevor Smith vs. Dan Miller
Betting Odds: Smith (+110), Miller (-130)
Prediction: Miller by submission in round 3
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT)
Welterweights: George Sullivan vs. Dominic Waters
Betting Odds: Sullivan (-175), Waters (+155)
Prediction: Sullivan by decision
By Josh Nason, WrestlingObserver.com
On Thursday, Ring Of Honor announced that former ROH Champion Austin Aries’ return to the promotion will be on Friday, July 17th as part of a six-man Vegas Wild Card main event. He replaces Roderick Strong who had to pull out due to a prior scheduling commitment.
Aries will team with ROH Champion/TV Champion Jay Lethal and Moose to face former ROH Champion Jay Briscoe, Dalton Castle, and Kyle O’Relly. The show will be at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas.
The rest of the card:
– Roppongi Vice (Ricky Romero & Berretta) vs. Young Bucks
– ROH TV Title #1 contender’s tourney opening round (winners to compete in three-way later in the night for #1 contendership):
– Chris Daniels vs. Mark Briscoe
– Matt Taven vs. Bobby Fish
– Frankie Kazarian vs. ACH
– Adam Cole, Michael Bennett, Silas Young, Maria, and War Machine will also be in action.
If you missed our recap on this week’s ROH TV show on Destination America, here you go.
By Steve Juon, Wrestling Observer
Quick summary —
It’s all tied up 300-300 after Michael Graves from American Top Team came back last week to tap Jason Jackson out. The final fight tonight will determine who wins the entire season. We’re going right to the weigh in just five minutes into the show! Vicente Luque is 170.25. Hayder Hassan is 171.
* Hayder Hassan (ATT) vs. Vicente Luque (Blackzilians)
Round 1
This fight is underway at 16 minutes into the show. Hassan is in the blue trunks and Luque the black. Hassan lands a good overhand right a half minute in and a left jab to the face 10 seconds later. Luque hits a strong right hook at 50 seconds. So far both men just want to stand and bang. Hassan ducks a big overhand. Luque keeps pushing forward. He’s landing a lot but taking a lot too. Big swing and a miss from Hassan. Luque with a really nice hook at 1:55. Leg kick by Luque. Luque’s nose is bleeding.
He’s covering up to avoid more shots to the face but some are getting through. Body kicks by Luque. Luque gets a takedown at 3:14. Hassan is back up at 3:27. Luque picks the ankle and gets him down to one knee but he gets right up. Luque’s corner is screaming STAY HEAVY. Hassan punches his way out. Big right hand by Hassan. Hassan stumbles avoiding a shot but Luque doesn’t pounce. Very competitive first round. Hassan’s corner tells him to “double the jab.” Luque’s corner yells “five more minutes!”
Round 2
Hassan nearly falls down when he tries to rebound off the fence. The Blackzilians think he’s gasses. Luque misses with a knee. Hassan is still jabbing and striking and a lot of the lefts are flush. Luque looks like he’s slowing down too – he’s not avoiding as much as he did in R1. He’s also not pressing forward as effectively.
Hassan complains that one of Luque’s kicks went low and they tap gloves. Very flush left hand by Hassan at 2:54. Power right follows. Luque throws kicks to back him away. Hassan returns them in kind. Hassan is now wearing the fight on his face as much as Luque. Luque tries to push forward for the final minute. Based on when the show started this is clearly going to a third round. Luque fails to get a takedown late and the horn makes them break.
Round 3
Our third round starts 35 minutes in. Hassan is throwing leg kicks and jabs. Luque goes for a takedown but Hassan rolls away from it back to his feet. He gets away clean at 54 seconds. The left side of Hassan’s face (camera right) is very swollen. Luque throws a high kick that’s checked. Hassan keeps popping Luque. A big right hook backs him up. And another. He throws a kick. They throw clashing leg kicks. Hassan eats a knee but avoids another. Hassan eats a left jab. Luque tries a flying knee and misses. Hassan is winging shots. Luque goes for the takedown at 3:20 but doesn’t get Hassan down clean until 3:28. He can’t keep him down as Hassan stands at 3:40 and immediately starts popping him again. Both of these guys seems to be carrying the whole season on their shoulders in the last minute. Hassan unloads with combos but Luque doesn’t fall. He goes for one last single leg and can’t get it before the horn. ATT puts Hassan on their shoulders for a victory lap, but we’ll wait and see after commercial.
Split decision. 29-28 blue corner. 29-28 red corner. 29-28 for the winner HAYDER HASSAN. ATT WINS THE SEASON!!
Dana White: “Holy shit. Now that’s a fight! That’s the fight we’ve been waiting for the whole season! Glenn has to be wondering how he let this happen. It couldn’t have gone any better. ATT pulls it out at the last minute. But it’s not over.” Now they have to pick their fighters for the TUF finale – where the winner gets a trophy and $300,000 – and only somebody who fought twice can qualify. Sabah Homasi: “Told you we were coming back! You didn’t believe me!” Hassan: “There was no way I was going to lose. I was ready to die tonight. This is something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”
Rashad Evans gives the Blackzilians a pep talk. “You have to be able to see the win even in a loss.” Robinson says they’ll get the TUF Finale fight worth $300,000 and “the last word.” Lambert: “I’ll put Hayder up against Godzilla right now.” Kamaru Usman seems to be the favorite. Lambert donates their ENTIRE $200,000 to the Wounded Warriors foundation at the behest of his team. White is blown away. Glenn picks Usman and Lambert picks Hassan as expected. That fight’s Sunday night! Enjoy the TUF 21 Finale!
The UFC announced Thursday that heavyweight Travis Browne had been pulled from all activities with the promotion this weekend after his ex-girlfriend posted photos last night on Instagram alleging domestic abuse.
At the press conference for UFC 189, UFC VP of Public Relations Dave Sholler read a statement that said Browne had been pulled from all International Fight Week activities while an investigation by the company is ongonig.
“UFC is aware of the social media allegations made against Travis Browne. The organization requires all athletes to act in an ethical and responsible manner, as mandated by the UFC fighter code of conduct policy. The UFC will not tolerate domestic violence or any other violation of the policy. However, every athlete is deserving of due process, and this situation, as with any official allegations, will be thoroughly reviewed and thoroughly investigated by an independent party. As a results, Travis Brown will not be particiapting in International Fight Week activities.”
Jenna Renee Webb posted photos last night on Instagram showing bruises on her arms, face and legs. She did not specify who did it to her, but later, when someone asked her a question to clarify, she said, “Yes, it was Travis.”
Jeff Jarrett announced today that his GFW TV show will be called “Amped” in a video released by the promotion.
The first taping for the promotion is 7/24 in Las Vegas, but there is no talk of any television deal in place right now.
By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com
1933 – In Davenport, Iowa; Bronko Nagurski beat Wee Willie Davis
1963 – The Crusher defeated Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Also on the card, AWA Tag Team Champions Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff beat Tiny Mills & Stan Kowalski, Dick the Bruiser beat Doug Gilbert, Don McClarty beat Maurice Mad Dog Vachon and Eddie Sharkey beat Joe Tomasso. Attendance was 8,063.
1964 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City; Dick the Bruiser beat Moose Evans 2 falls to 1, The Rat beat Wahoo McDaniel 2 falls to 1, Harley Race drew Rocky Hamilton (The Missouri Mauler) and The Lawman and Sonny Myers drew Bob Geigel and Bulldog Plechas
1965 – Billy Hines & Bad Boy Hines over the Corsicans (Corsica Jean & Corsica Joe) to win the Southern Tag Team Title
1966 – In Minneapolis; AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat The Crusher, The Alaskan & Big K beat Billy Red Cloud & Doug Gilbert, Chris Markoff beat Steve Druk and Eddie Sharkey beat Guy Taylor
1968 – In Davenport, Iowa at Municipal Stadium; The Crusher won a 9 man battle royal by eliminating Dr. X, Bill Watts beat Harley Race, Dr X beat Frankie Laine, Man Mountain Mike beat Tiny Mills and Dutch Savage beat Luke Brown
1970 – In Kansas City, Kansas; Danny Little Bear wrestled Scandor Akbar, Rufus R. Jones & Pat O’Connor wrestled Baron Von Raschke & Oki Shikina and Harley Race took on Bob Geigel
1977 – In Omaha, Nebraska; AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Jim Brunzell, Billy Robinson beat Bobby Duncum, Larry Hennig beat Roger Kirby and Chris Markoff beat Billy Francis
1978 – In Green Bay, Wisconsin; Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens beat AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell by dq, Mighty Igor Vodik beat Buddy Wolff, Wahoo McDaniel & Frank Hill beat Blackjack Lanza & Bob Orton Jr and Super Destroyer Mark II beat Evan Johnson
1982 – In Calgary, Alberta, Canada during the annual Calgary Stampede; AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Bret Hart by countout, Davey Boy Smith beat Dynamite Kid to win the World Mid-Heavyweight title, David Shultz beat Duke Myers, Bad News Allen beat Gerry Morrow and Mr. Hito & Bruce Hart & Keith Hart beat Danny Davis & Ken Wayne & Great Gama
1985 – Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Ivan Koloff & Krusher Krushchev for the NWA World Tag Team Title in Shelby, North Carolina
1986 – Fabulous Moolah defeated Velvet McIntyre for the WWF Women’s Title in Sydney, Australia
2000 – Booker T defeated Jeff Jarrett to capture the WCW World Title in Daytona Beach, Florida.
2001 – The APA defeated The Dudley Boyz for the WWF World Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia
2009 – Tara defeated Angelina Love and Velvet Sky for the TNA Knockouts Title.
We’ve got a double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week, highlighted by part two of our look at the career and life of Dusty Rhodes. This focuses on his babyface turn in Florida, his quest for the title, his rise to national prominence, and his feuds with Terry Funk, Superstar Billy Graham and Ole Anderson. Plus, we look at this year’s G-1 Climax tournament, New Japan Dominion, lots of injury notes regarding some of WWE and TNA’s biggest stars, WWE lawsuit, Beast in the East and much more at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/43461-july-13-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-dusty-rhodes-bio-part-2-back-to-back-major-shows-in-japan-a-more
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Our lead story this week looks at the babyface heyday of Dusty Rhodes as a touring attraction. We look at how the business was in the 70s, the changes in the business in the Southeast and why, the rise of pro wrestling on cable television, his departure from World Championship Wrestling, and his first babyface run that people have forgotten.
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–A look at the upcoming GFW shows
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–Former AAA star has a major accident
–Notes on the next PWG show
–Wrestling returns to Royal Albert Hall in London
–Update on Lucha Underground
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–Notes on return of Austin Aries to ROH nest week
–Notes on Andy Barton leaving TNA
–Update on Kurt Angle
–Thoughts on the GFW deal
–Notes on Gilbert Melendez failing his drug test
–Dana White talks about how much Aldo would have made if he had fought McGregor
–Update on Jon Jones
–Notes on all the UFC shows this week
–Notes on the IV ban
–UFC fighter retires
–Crazy street fight story involving a former UFC fighter and a current one
–Notes on charges against the husband of Britney Palmer
–Notes on fighters cut from UFC
–Jose Aldo drug test note
–Sonnen pranks Mendes just before the fight
–Notes on Jacare Souza
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*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)
*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)
*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)
*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)
*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)
*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)
*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)
*October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)
*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)
*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)
*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)
*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)
*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)
*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)
*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)
*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)
*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)
*November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)
*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)
*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)
*January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)
*March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)
*March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)
*March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)
*April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)
*July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)
*October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)
*November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .
*December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)
*January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)
*March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)
*April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)
* September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)
* September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)
* September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)
You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.
We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..
To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.
Photo: ROHwrestling.com
By Josh Nason, WrestlingObserver.com
The Big News:
Jay Lethal learned that he’ll have to defend both the ROH World and TV title. Also, I’m doing an ROH TV recap this week (Destination America version) as Paul Fontaine is en route to Las Vegas for the WrestlingObserver.com convention. THAT is big news. Also, the main event tag team match was excellent!
Show Recap:
Our show opens with black and white stills from the Best In The World main event between Jay Briscoe and Jay Lethal just like WWE used to do back in the day. I miss that aspect of “You should have bought the show, man.”
This week’s show comes to us from Terminal 5 in New York City.
Watanabe vs. Dalton Castle
My God, Castle is something else with the two helpers, the outfit, the entrance…amazing! As the two exchange shoulderblock knockdowns, we get a fun moment when Watanabe summons the boys to fan him as they earlier did with Castle. We later get the two attempting to small package each other and rolling around the ring in another comedy spot.
Castle hits a deadlift German suplex that is pretty impressive, but Watanabe matches with a move that looks like a Texas Clover Leaf setup that turns into a knee jam when he dropped back to the mat. The end comes when Castle reverses Watanabe into a spinning front face splash for the pin and win.
Post-match, Castle grabs the mic and says there’s a lot of boys out here tonight, snaps his fingers and the the boys conform themselves into a human chair. That brings out Silas Young who yells at Castle until we go to break. Castle beat Young at Best In The World so their feud must continue.
Jay Lethal speaks
Nigel McGuinness introduces the ROH TV Champion and NEW ROH World Champion. Lethal is flanked by Truth Martini, Jay Diesel, and Donovan Dijak. Nigel shakes his hand and congratulates him, but as he hands the mic to Lethal, Martini intervenes. He puts over Lethal as the man and then lets Lethal talk. Lethal says he’s the best in the world and doesn’t say much else of consequence.
McGuinness wants to know which belt he’s going to vacate, and Lethal is furious. He’s not going to give up either title as he earned both of them. McGuinness says that means he’s going to have to defend both titles separately and that while he’s got Roderick Strong in a few weeks for the World title, he’s got Mark Briscoe next week for the TV title. Lethal isn’t happy with all of this, but intensely says that he will do it.
This brings out Strong who wants Lethal to square up to him and shoves his shoulder. He says a few things that aren’t that interesting and we move on. Good segment overall, but unfortunately, Strong didn’t add anything to it with his quick promo.
The Kingdom (Adam Cole and IWGP Tag Champions Matt Taven/Michael Bennett) w/Maria vs. Michael Elgin & reDRagon (Kyle O’Reilly/Bobby Fish)
Before the match starts, Maria grabs the mic and tells Cole that while he’s upset about Best In The World, it’s not his fault. She says that as the leader of the Kingdom, she takes full responsibility. There was no replay of what happened, so I have no idea what happened to Cole.
Elgin gets a tepid reaction coming out, but the NY faithful love them some reDRagon. After Elgin held Bennett up for a long vertical suplex, including two attempts by Cole and Taven to break it up without Elgin dropping him, they changed their tune. I’m late to the ROH party, but Elgin is a strong dude, eh?
The heels worked over Elgin for a long time and prevented him from getting a tag to reDRagon after the break by attacking Fish and O’Reilly on the apron. Elgin regained the advantage with an Okada roll/big stomp on Bennett and following that with a Codebreaker on Cole while senton bombing a grounded Bennett. I’m an Elgin fan now!
Hot tag to reDRagon who are not just one but two houses of fire. Then we get some gyrating into a DDT/wheelbarrow suplex combo on Taven for a near fall. As the Kingdom regains control, our hero Elgin lifts Taven and Bennett for a double Samoan drop, fends off Cole, and still pulls it off.
What followed was five minutes of tag team action that was too much to recap here. What you need to know was that is was amazingly awesome. Near falls, huge spots, Canadian Destroyers, dives over the top, finishers, kickouts, more finishers, “This is wrestling” chants….what a fun match. Go watch it already!
The end came when O’Reilly somewhat sold a superkick into the Dean Ambrose rope spot into a lariat clothesline which led to a Chasing The Dragon finish for the win. Post match, Cole raised O’Reilly’s hand and walked out without the Kingdom as Maria angrily looked on.
Final Thoughts:
The whole show was really entertaining, especially the main event tag team match which I implore you to watch ASAP. There may have not been a lot of selling, but if you enjoy spotfests, this was for you.
By Emerson Witner, WrestlingObserver.com & Wrestling Outsiders Podcast
The Big News:
Finn Balor defeated Kevin Owens to win the NXT Title. Plus the Gentlemanly Grapplers, The Vaudevillians, were victorious in their voyage to the #1 Contendership to the Tag Team Titless.
Show Recap:
They started the show by airing a video package on Beast in the East and announced that they will air the NXT Title match, in its entirety, later tonight.
The BFF’s defeated Dana Brooke & Emma
Sasha is now a baby face for some reason. Sasha has no friends, so she was ready to go 2-on-1 with her opponents when Charlotte came down and made herself Sasha’s partner so she could get at Dana. See they could have combined the WWE and NXT story lines and had Paige come out, but WWE doesn’t think that far ahead.
I fully expected this to turn into a 3-on-1 beat down on Charlotte, but I was wrong. Oh well. Sasha and Charlotte did some of their team moves, but the heels took down Charlotte and got the heat on the former champion. Emma and Dana did that really annoying thing The Ascension used to do where they rapidly tag in and out for like 30 seconds. That is just ridiculous.
The fans can’t figure out if they want Sasha or not. Anyway Sasha got the hot tag and went wild on her fighting female foes and eventually won with the Bank Statement on Dana Brooke while Charlotte had the Figure Eight on Emma.
After the match, Charlotte challenged Sasha to a title match next week, since Sasha promised it in exchange for being her partner tonight. Sasha accepted it and we have a rematch from December next week.
– Bayley was at an NXT Live Event this past weekend and commented that Emma broke her hand. She stated that she is going to come back from injury and win the Women’s Title. This is the second injury Bayley has had in 6 months and the second time she has promised to come back and win the belt.
Finn Balor pinned NXT Champion Kevin Owens to win the belt
This was, obviously, the match from Saturday in Tokyo. This was an excellent match from beginning to end. The only funny thing is they literally just aired Beast in the East as the lead in to this episode of NXT. Anyway, the King is dead, long live the new King of NXT.
Owens was asked afterwards how he feels about losing and Owens shoved the camera away.
– Chad Gable said Jason Jordan doesn’t want to win and doesn’t want to dominate and that’s why he hadn’t agreed to be his partner. Jordan walked in and finally agreed to be his partner next week.
– Solomon Crowe is back. He is meaner, badder and nastier than ever before.
Solomon Crowe submitted Marcus Louis
Marcus Louis is back too. He got his head shaved at NXT Takeover: Fatal 4-Way on September 11, 2014. Neither the hair on top of his head nor his eyebrows have grown back yet.
Crowe almost won by pinfall and then by submission in the first 30 seconds of the match. Crowe went for a Springboard Something, but Louis hit the ropes and Crowe fell stomach first on the top rope. Louis locked on a kneeling Abdominal Stretch and did the claw hold on Crowe’s ribs, but Crowe fought out of it.
Crowe used a Twist of Fate, which was called a Unique Maneuver, the CM Punk running knee and won with the Crowe Bar.
– The Vaudevillians vowed to be victorious over the villainous vagabonds Enzo and Cass.
– Balor celebrated winning the title last week by standing against a wall with Cesaro and Neville until John Cena congratulated him. He looked like such a geek with a look like “OMG! He talked to me!” on his face.
– Next week: An update on Sami Zayn.
In a #1 Contender’s Match, The Vaudevillians defeated Enzo Amore & Colin Cassidy (w/Carmella)
Trivia Time! The Vaudevillians were the first team to ever lose to Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy. Blake and Murphy beat them so bad that they got the confidence to win the tag titles the very next week. Also when Enzo Amore had a broken leg, Colin Cassidy’s only feud was losing over and over again to Aiden English. Now that we have had Trivia Time, it is now MAIN EVENT TIME!
Fast paced grappling early on with Enzo and Cass in control through the commercial break. Aiden got the heat on Enzo when Amore goofed around and ran into the feet of NXT’s resident opera singer. The Gentlemanly Grapplers had their way with Enzo until Enzo almost literally fell into a hot tag. Cass gave Aiden the big boot and Simon the Black Hole Slam.
Finally they went for the Rocket Launcher, but Simon tackled Colin out of the ring and Aiden rolled through a flying cross body from Enzo and scored the shocking win!
The Vaudevillians now get their shot at redemption! They now get their show at Blake and Murphy and the Tag Team Titles. That does it for this week, until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!