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  • NJPW Korakuen Hall 6-28-15 report: Ten man elimination tag action

    By Bryan Rose, WrestlingObserver.com
    Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jay White

    White played the subtle heel here, at one point using Taguchi’s famed hip attacks. They actually had a pretty solid match with a hot ending. A lot of the match was Taguchi doing the hip attacks, White would come in once in a while and almost had a win with a Boston crab. They exchanged some good near falls toward the end until Taguchi locked in the ankle lock and White tapped.

    Tiger Mask vs. Sho Tanaka

    Tanaka came at Tiger Mask immediately once the bell rang, but Tiger Mask slowed him down with some leg work. Tiger Mask worked on them some more, crotched Tanaka while making a comeback, laid him out with a butterfly suplex from the top rope and submitted him with a chickenwing. Another solid match, but rather short and Tiger Mask’s submission is kind of anti-climatic.

    After the match, Tiger Mask cut a brief promo wishing Tanaka well as he’s due to wrestle in NOAH’s upcoming junior heavyweight league.

    Jushin Liger vs. David Finlay

    Liger dominated at the start but Finlay made a comeback and hit his father’s famous rolling senton. He even locked in the stretch muffler at one point. Liger came back with the palm strike and a Liger bomb for a near fall, but Finlay reversed into a small package for his own near fall. Finlay went for what looked like a brainbuster, but then Liger transitions quickly into an armbar and Finlay taps. So I guess the theme tonight is all the young lions are losing by submission.

    Mascara Dorada vs. Yohei Komatsu

    Dorada, of course, pulled out all the crazy moves early, including a big crossbody from the top rope that wiped out Komatsu on the outside. Komatsu had a brief comeback, but Dorada cut him off and hit a senton followed by the Dorada driver for the win. I know the role of a young lion is to lose, but it was weird seeing them all lose, four in a row like this. At this point, something needs to be done with both Komatsu and Tanaka.

    Wrestle-1 announcer Abe has jumped ship to New Japan apparently, as he was reported as being in the building tonight and will be starting with them soon.

    Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Yuji Nagata & Captain New Japan

    As one would expect, Captain New Japan got worked on for the bulk of the match. Nagata got the hot tag and got Kojima in the armbar submission but Tenzan saved him. Nagata blocked a 3D attempt but got wiped out by a lariat from Kojima. CNJ walks into the 3D then Tenzan follows with the anaconda vise for the submission. Good, solid tag action.

    Tetsuya Naito & Manabu Nakanishi & Kushida vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Kenny Omega.

    The story here is that Naito sauntered down to the ring with a new attitude, arriving long after his partners had arrived and wore black shirt and cap, as well as a beard. He paired off with Tama Tonga, Nakanishi with Fale (who did big guy spots against one another) and Omega faced off with Kushida. Tonga was going for his finish when Naito mounted a comeback and got a quick win out of nowhere with a flash bridge. He entered the ring, got his hand raised then bolted as Kushida had a confrontation with Omega, with Omega stealing his BOTSJ trophy. Match was fine but the real story was Naito’s new attitude.

    Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero & Barreta vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Yujiro Takahashi.

    A lot of the match was Baretta being worked on by Anderson and gallows. Romero made a great comeback, teasing getting laid out with the outsider’s edge by Anderson but managed to counter into a hurricanrana onto the turnbuckle. Okada made a tag to a big pop as Yujiro tagged in and they went at it. Anderson and Gallows interfered and went for the Magic Killer on Okada but Roppongi Vice came back and took them out. With them gone, Okada did his trademark spots, pinning Yujiro with the rainmaker. Good match with some good heat.  

    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe & Katsuyori Shibata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi

    Everyone paired off like usual, except Yano, who wanted no part of Tanahashi and instead tagged in Yoshi-Hashi. Apparently over the top rope eliminations are in play as they teased Tanahashi going over early to a big reaction. Ishii and Makabe went at it and it was pretty great, including Makabe hitting a big deadlift suplex on him. Makabe and Ishii were the first ones eliminated after they both got on the apron and gave each other a lariat. Tanahashi and Toru Yano were in, and after Tanahashi skinned the cat, Yano got thrown over the top rope. He tried to skin the cat as well, but Tanahashi dropkicked out to the floor, eliminating him. Yano distracts him, however, by threatening to cut owner Kidani’s hair, allowing Sakuraba to foll him up for a flash pinfall. This brings in Shibata, and they go at it as Sakuraba is shoved to the paron. He locks in a sleeper, however, and manages to eliminate him and Shibata from the match as they both fall down. Goto and Nakamura come back in and they have a good back and forth until Goto gets caugh on the ropes and in shoved down for the top rope elimination. Honma is in and he and Yoshi-Hashi have a great back and forth contest until Honma hits the top rope kokeshi, eliminating Yoshi-Hashi. It’s down to Honma and Nakamura. The latter misses the boma ye and walks into a sitout piledriver by Honma for a near fall. He tries for the top rope kokeshi again, but it misses this time. Nakamura wipes him out with a boma ye to the back of the head then hits another for the win. Terrific match with great heat.

    Overall, a pretty fun show with a great main event that’s worth watching if you have time this week. Lots of great build towards Dominion, taking place on the morning of July 5.

  • TNA Impact Wrestling TV tapings results: Bobby Lashley, ECIII, Jeff Jarrett, Hardy Boys, cage matches

    Here’s results fhe final night of TNA Impact Wrestling tapings until the Farewell to Destination America tapings next month. In no particular order: 

    – Bobby Lashley pinned Tyrus after a spear

    – Eli Drake b Drew Galloway

    – Ken Anderson b Bram.  Bram attacked him after the match.

    – Brooke b Marti Bell again

    – Matt & Jeff Hardy came out together, and announced the Ethan Carter III vs. Matt Hardy match would be a Full Metal Mayhem match for the title.

    – Dixie Carter and Mike Tenay were out and announced Jeff Jarrett in the TNA Hall of Fame. Jeff and Karen came out together, and there was no tension between Jeff and Dixie in this segment.

    – Kurt Angle announced that he has a tumor in his neck that requires surgery.  He said that he was promised another shot at EC 3 when he returns.  The tumor story is believed to be true, although those we spoke with weren’t sure or not.  EC 3 claimed that he gave Angle the tumor.  He attacked Angle and Chris Melendez made the save.

    – Rockstar Spud b Austin Aries.  If Aries lost, he had to leave TNA.

    – Mahabili Shera b James Storm via DQ for usage of a cowbell

    – TNA Champion Ethan Carter III b Matt Hardy to keep the title in the Full Metal Mayhem amch

    – Hernandez and Kenny King were blaming each other for losing a match taped earlier to the Wolves.  MVP tried to settle it but King was mad at him for not siding with him and walked off.

    – Eric Young b Chris Melendez

    – Brooke & Gail Kim b Marti Bell & Jade in a cage match

    – Hernandez b Bobby Lashley in a cage match by getting out of the cage 

  • Misawa vs. Tsuruta: 25 years ago, the bout that created and defined an era of pro wrestling

    Masawa

    Submitted by Ryan Clingman

    1990 was a pivotal year for pro-wrestling, the site of an intriguing meeting of many of the 80s styles and personalities that characterized that decade, as well as some of the fresh young talent and developing styles that would dominate the 1990s. The Japanese landscape was, in 1990, witnessing rapid change with the rise to prominence of some of the country’s biggest stars of the ensuing 15 plus years, the genesis of several companies, and the collapse of others in the span of but a few years. Keiichi Yamada, in 1989, had become Jushin Liger; Toshiaki Kawada garnered footing in All Japan in the late 80s as a member of Tenryu Revolution, and former sumo star, Akira Taue, had made his debut in 1988 – as had Kenta Kobashi.

    Mutoh had made his return to Japan and within a year became one of the hottest stars in the country alongside Hashimoto and Chono. 1990 also saw a reshuffling of Japan’s promotional scene with the formation of FMW a year prior and the death of the UWF only to be revived as UWFi in ’91 – breakaway promotions such as Super World of Sport (Genichiro Tenryu) and RINGS (Akira Maeda) would also form in 1990 (SWS), or but a couple of years later in the case of RINGS.

    All Japan though, unlike New Japan, was placed in a difficult position in 1990, as following the 1989 culmination of one of the most legendary career rivalries in the history of the company, Tsuruta versus Tenryu, with one of the better matches of that decade, Tenryu parted ways with the company. His departure took place under bizarre circumstances, as he was contracted to an optical technologies company, as an “ambassador” for their brand, which so happened to found a pro-wrestling promotion in Super World of Sports a few months later. All Japan, following the loss of one of its top stars still possessed major talent, but top calibre Japanese stars.

    Whilst Stan Hansen, Steve Williams, and Terry Gordy stood as star gaijin talent, and Fuyuki, Kikuchi, Yatsu, Kawada, Kabuki, Fuchi, Tiger Mask II and Saito composed the heart of a strong midcard, Jumbo stood as the only true native main event star in AJPW, and he had been a member of the company’s upper echelon for years. Perhaps in another era this lack of talent wouldn’t have been an issue of the utmost importance, as prior to Fujinami/Choshu and many of the Japan versus Japan feuds that followed in NJPW, few if any in either company were Japan on Japan. In All Japan specifically, however, if this mentality hadn’t changed before the Tenryu/Tsuruta feud, it certainly had after. With a distinct lack of native headliners, Baba was forced to create new stars – fan devotion, no matter how strong, could only last so long.

    Tenryu’s last match for Giant Baba’s All Japan took place during the final night of the 1990 Champion Carnival, where Tsuruta defeated him on the way out in their final singles match. Baba didn’t introduce his new singles star that night, but only a month later on the opening night of the May tour, Tiger Mask II, Mitsuharu Misawa, called for his partner, Toshiaki Kawada, to unmask him during a heated tag match against Fuyuki and Yatsu. The reaction was hot, without a doubt, but mild in comparison to the insanity that would befall Tokyo by early-June, as Misawa challenged his childhood hero, Jumbo Tsuruta, to a singles match in the post-match, after the pair had teamed sporadically earlier in the year.

    Two matches into his post-Tiger Mask career, Misawa and Kobashi won the working man’s All Asian Tag Titles off of Davey Boy Smith and Johnny Smith. For the remainder of that tour and the next Misawa was paired with fellow young stars in different combinations mostly in tag and trios matches opposite members of Tsuruta’s stable, Jumbo’s Army. The new generation won most of these six-mans, which called for the introduction of Jumbo himself into the fray, the company’s biggest Japanese star, at which point matters escalated dramatically.

    In the third trios match involving Tsuruta, a bout at Korakuen Hall on May 26th Misawa, Kobashi & Taue beat Fuchi, Great Kabuki, and Jumbo Tsuruta in a bout that changed the tone of the build to Budokan dramatically. Tsuruta attempted to bully the younger side mid-match, knocking Misawa’s allies off of the apron unprovoked. This riled Misawa up, and in a masterful piece of storytelling, Misawa delivered a stiff elbow to Tsuruta minutes later after Jumbo tapped him on the shoulder, standing on the apron. Whilst this would have sufficed as far as story progression was concerned, they escalated the intensity considerably with Tsuruta selling the elbow on the floor as if he had drifted into unconsciousness.

    So believable was Tsuruta’s selling that the majority of those in attendance rose, ignoring the in-ring action completely, attempting to evaluate Jumbo’s condition on the floor. When Tsuruta finally awoke minutes later, Misawa was the first thought on his mind. The pair brawled in-ring leading to a pull-apart from respective teammates whilst the match was still underway. Misawa inevitably pinned Fuchi with a bridging Tiger Suplex, which served to build to further trios matches of a similar ilk on the tour, as well as Baba’s ultimate goal for the next tour – the Misawa/Tsuruta singles match at Budokan, the first show at that hallowed venue since the departure of Tenryu in April.

    These heated trios matches, coupled with the Tiger Mask II unmasking itself catapulted Misawa from popular young star, to the precipice of super stardom. Misawa versus Tsuruta, a non-title match after Tsuruta dropped the Triple Crown to Gordy, was booked for June 8th of 1990. There is a now fairly well known story about the backstage happenings before the famed encounter and has been recounted a number of times by Dave Meltzer, who was in attendance that night.

    It is said that Baba made the decision to put Misawa over on the day of the show, after hearing chants of “Misawa” outside the venue, during the tour, as well as before the show, and witnessing an explosion in the sale of Misawa merchandise. When a messenger was sent from Baba to Jumbo notifying Tsuruta that he would be losing later on, a startled Jumbo sent the runner back asking if he could lose via disqualification – Baba response was a simple “no”.

    On the night of June 8th fans chanted Misawa’s name during intermediary portions of the show, before his entrance, and most furiously during his encounter with childhood hero, Jumbo Tsuruta. Misawa’s entrance in the show’s main event ahead of a Gordy/Hansen Triple Crown match, was the standard All Japan walk-out through the crowd, to an infectious theme music. It is then strange to think that more so than any entrance in ECW, Flair at WrestleMania 24, Kobashi at the Tokyo Dome, or even Punk at Money in the Bank 2011, Misawa’s on this night in 1990 stands as the very best I have seen.

    The only entrance that approached this in my eyes was Kobashi’s prior to his retirement match in 2013. At first this may seem a deliberately contrarian opinion, as Misawa had subsequent Tokyo Dome entrances that were in every way more extravagant. But, to a pre-teen popping in his first puro DVD – seeing Misawa’s stoic face gazing off camera before being escorted through a rabid crowd by fellow young stars and future legends, Kawada and Kobashi, all to go to war during the biggest moment of his career – no entrance could have been as grand, and few circumstances so emotive.

    As rabid as Budokan was for Misawa, they still loved Tsuruta, yet despite this, Tsuruta as the veteran overdog imposing his will on the young, high-flying and hard-hitting Misawa was a magical dynamic. Although Misawa and Tsuruta, even at this early stage, had kindled a burning rivalry, the match with respect to the second was far less vitriolic. Misawa, only a month or so into his heavyweight run, and still very light and agile, utilised many of his Tiger Mask moves and standard dives whilst still engaging Tsuruta in tests of strength, and delivering hard elbows that would become a career staple.

    Whilst the animosity had been toned down several degrees from the incident at Korakuen, reference to the knockout spot in the initial six-man was made not only throughout the first match, but in the remainder of the pair’s encounters. Tsuruta, in most future matches with Misawa in the 1990/1991 period sold damage to his head after the majority of the strong head-shots – in some instances he would even go as far as to slap himself in the face in an effort to preserve consciousness.

    With a couple of months worth of build, Misawa went from junior heavyweight star, Tiger Mask II, to Budokan Hall main eventer and second biggest Japanese star in the company by a wide margin. The June 8th match itself, however, took him from that status, and with an counter to one of Jumbo’s pin attempts, the finish, Misawa was set to become the company’s hottest star, one who would lead All Japan to sellouts and phenomenal business throughout the 1990s. It was a near perfect performance on a magical night, and more than enough to ignite a passion in me for Japanese pro-wrestling. As Dave Meltzer recounted in his June 18th 1990 issue of the Wrestling Observer, shortly after arriving back from his trip to Japan wrote:

    “I can’t describe just how awesome this was as both a match and a spectacle. Misawa was far and away the most over wrestler on the card…[match description]…I can’t begin to describe the post-match pandemonium but there were people in the crowd literally crying because the match was so good. Misawa was doing an interview in the dressing room after and cried. Anyway, I’d rate this as a better match than either Flair-Steamboat from Chicago or Nashville. *****+”

    The first Tsuruta match is undoubtedly the most famous and widely praised of the rivalry, but it did not spell the end of the programme, but rather served as a catalyst for the generation of a catalogue of classic matches, each with its own unique merits. The war between the younger generation and Jumbo’s Army only grew in intensity from the finish of the first Misawa-Tsuruta singles match, although escalated to a roaring climax once Akira Taue joined Tsuruta’s stable ahead of Misawa and Tsuruta’s anticipated rematch for the Triple Crown number one contendership. The match was held on September 1st of the same year, once again at Budokan Hall, and on a technical level matched and perhaps even exceeded the original. Both Misawa and Tsuruta were more aggressive digging into one another with slaps, as well as much of the same offence showcased in their first encounter. Budokan roared throughout, and whilst the first match has certain intangible assets that place it confidently ahead of the second, the September bout is a classic in its own right, one that several prefer over the first.

    Following the defection of Taue and the September Misawa-Tsuruta match, was a series of tag team and trios matches pitting Taue against his former team mates, as a new member of the otherwise veteran-centric stable. One such match producing an interesting dynamic was a Taue & Tsuruta versus Kawada & Misawa tag from December 7th, once more at Budokan Hall. Their late 1990 tag match followed from a draw in September at Korakuen Hall, and was too worthy of classic status. A dynamic that proved particularly interesting was that, despite taking place in a Misawa stronghold, Tokyo, the Budokan crowd on the night of the 7th was heavily pro-Tsuruta. Much like in the initial Misawa-Tsuruta singles encounter, the crowd cheered both teams, but any interference on the part of the Misawa side was met with heavy boos, whilst similar acts from the Tsuruta team were greeted with thunderous applause.

    Whether the match was laid out spot for spot, as many of Kobashi’s legendary tags were in the coming years, or had elements that were called in the ring, I am not at all sure. However, the match itself was worked according to the heavy Tsuruta-bias, with well-timed break-ups from both sides. Even with their heavy Jumbo affinity, the victory of the Misawa team was met with resounding applause, such is the nature of Japanese pro-wrestling, and matches of an extraordinary high calibre.

    In the months that followed Jumbo and Misawa’s respective armies fought in tags, singles, and trios, although the battles that yielded the ripest fruit were the trios outings in late 1990 and early 1991. Of particular importance was the October 19th six-man, but, although it is highly regarded, and rightfully as brilliant example of trios wrestling – the April 20th variant from Korakuen, improved on its October predecessor in every conceivable way. Few other trios matches that I have seen have captured the same sense of comradery and mutual hate as the Misawa-Tsuruta gang-wars, and fewer still were of the calibre of the April 20th match.

    If the October outing was a shining example of trios wrestling then the April 20th match, by comparison alone, could be considered as pinnacle point. The bastion of the old guard with Taue at their side against the new generation at Korakuen is a complete, psychologically speaking, tag match in most every sense, and is thus a classic in much the same way as the latter Holy Demon Army matches were.

    Tsuruta and Misawa never saw a definitive conclusion to their rivalry. They battled sporadically through to 1992, at which point Tsuruta fell from the main event picture due to a diagnosis of Hepatitis B. Misawa would go on, in that same year, to win his first Triple Crown, cementing his status as All Japan’s ace, as he, along with Kawada and Kobashi, the so called “Holy Trinity”, would produce some of the best matches in the history of Japan, often alongside contemporary, Akira Taue.

    The real life interplay between the careers of Misawa and Tsuruta would feature a vital interaction once more at the end of the decade when Tsuruta recommended to Giant Baba’s widow, Motoko Baba, the Dragon Lady, that Misawa be made president of the company given the respect he had from the locker room, as well as his years of continued drawing success and in-ring delivery. Baba obliged before letting Tsuruta go as an office employee, a violation of traditional ethics that may have very well added to Misawa’s desire to split from All Japan and form Pro-Wrestling NOAH, largely to escape the clutches of the Dragon Lady.

    Regardless of Tsuruta’s indirect contribution to the formation of Pro-Wrestling NOAH, his greatest achievement, as it relates to Misawa and the legacy of All Japan, is the fact that he was able to help Misawa get over to such a large degree. Misawa connected with the audience due to Baba’s booking, extraordinary ability, and timing, but it was Tsuruta, through his legendary matches that helped solidify Misawa as the company’s new top Japanese star – a vital contribution to All Japan’s legacy.

    What has me look back at this already monumental and historically significant feud in Japanese pro-wrestling history with further reverence, was the style in which it was worked in comparison to the even more widely regarded wars of later years. There is a certain implicit beauty in the absence of head-drops and no-selling that aided later All Japan matches reach their heights. The Misawa-Tsuruta Wars were built on firm puroresu logical foundations, and sound booking with little need for physical degradation to the degree of later series such as Misawa-Kawada, Misawa-Kobashi, and so on.

    It is in this way that the Misawa-Tsuruta Wars look even better in the eye of hindsight as apart from holding up from a pure wrestling and story-telling standpoint, this war, inevitably left a far lesser mark on its participants than the head-dropping spectacles that would follow in the coming years.

  • Another TNA departure confirmed

    Austin Aries, whose contract expires Tuesday, lost a loser leaves town match to Rockstar Spud at tonight’s TV tapings in Orlando.

    If this is an angle, they were working their own employees, as everyone was going with the impression that he joins Magnus and James Storm as those finishing with the company tomorrow.

  • WWE News: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson makes surprise appearance at Boston house show

    Dwayne Johnson showed up at the WWE house show in Boston tonight, walking out when Bo Dallas cut a promo. He’s filming a movie in the city now.

    It was a long verbal segment which ended with Johnson giving him a rock bottom and people’s elbow.

  • TNA names 2015 Hall of Famer

    To the surprise of nobody, at its TV tapings in Orlando Saturday night, TNA anounced Jeff Jarrett would be the 2015 inductee into the company’s Hall of Fame.  Jarrett started the company in 2002 with father Jerry and Bob Ryder and headed creative for years, as well as their early world champion.

    The ceremony took place in the ring tonight, taped for a show in either late July or early August. That is really telling because it is usually announced at Slammiversary with the ceremony at Bound for Glory.

  • UFC Fight Night 70 results and recap: Yoel Romero vs. Lyoto Machida

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 70: Machida vs. Romero from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The event is headlined by a five-round middleweight bout between former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida and Olympic medalist Yoel Romero. The preliminary card action kicks off at 8 PM eastern time on FOX Sports 2 before moving over to FOX Sports 1 for the main card at 10 PM eastern time.

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 2- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

    BANTAMWEIGHTS: DANNY MARTINEZ VS. SIRWAN KAKAI

    First round: Kakai took him down.  Martinez up.  Martinez back with punches, but Kakai dropped him and he’s hurt.  Kakai landing jabs.  Knee by Kakai.  Nice left by Martinez.  Knees by Kakai.  Another knee by Kakai.  Elbow by Kakai.  Hard elbows by Kakai.  Martinez landed a nice left and grabbed a guillotine.  Kakai out.  Uppercut by Kakai. Martinez back with punches. Hard right by Kakai.  Head kick by Martinez and now he’s landing.  Great round 10-9 Kakai.

    Second round: Martinez landing good shots  Nice left by Martinez.  Front kick by Kakai.  Kakai took him down.  Knee by Martinez.  Another takedown by Kakai.  Kakai moved to his back.  Another takedown by Kakai.  Martinez up and landing punches.  Flying knee by Martinez.  Kakai 20-18.

    Third round: Both throwing punches.  Martinez with body shots.  Hard right by Martinez.  Head kick by Martinez.  Knee by Martinez.  Takedown by Kakai.  Martinez back up.  Knee by Kakai.  Martinez landing more punches.  Martinez missing punches big.  Good fight.  Close third round, I have 30-27 Kakai.

    Scores: All three have it 30-27 for Kakai.

    WELTERWEIGHTS: STEVE MONTGOMERY VS. TONY SIMS

    First round: James Warring referee.  He’s doen boxing, kickboxing, MMA and pro wrestling.   Not too many people have done all four.  Left by Sims.  Montgomery landed a knee.  Head kick by Montgomery.  Sims dropped him with a left and finished him with a punch on the ground.  It was a hell of a left to the jaw.  One more punch and Warring stopped it.

    174 LB CATCHWEIGHTS: LEANDRO SILVA VS. LEWIS GONZALEZ

    First round: Takedown by Silva, and then he got a second takedown.  Gonzalez reversed and trying for a guillotine.  Silva escaped.  Body kick by Silva.  Another body kick by Silva.  Gonzalez took him down.  Silva working for a heel hook.  He gave it up.  He tried again by Gonzalez reversed out of it.  Knee by Gonzalez.  Gonzalez got another takedown.  Close round 10-9 Silva.

    Second round: Trading elbows.  Silva landed a left.  High slam by Silva.  Silva got his back.  Silva controlled him on the ground.  Silva’s round, so up 20-18.

    Third round: Silva with lefts. He wanted a takedown but didn’t get it.  Gonzalez pushed him into the cage.  Right by Silva.  Gonzalez bleeding from the right eye.  Silva in with punches and a knee.  Silva has his back again.  Gonzalez reversed standing, but Silva reversed back and threw a few punches at the end of the round.  30-27 Silva

    Scores: 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 for Silva

    The 29-27 score announced for Silva was a mistake in tallying and it was actually 29-28.

    WELTERWEIGHTS: ALEX OLIVEIRA VS. JOE MERRITT

    First round: Oliveira has him against the fence.  Oliveira got him down and got his back.  He’s working for a choke.  Merritt defending.  Oliveira has a body triangle.  Oliveira is working for a choke.  Marrett turned into him and is on top.  Merrett landed a few short elbows. Oliveira up.   Merritt landed a shot.  Merritt did well late but I still have Oliveira 10-9.

    Second round: Oliveira tried a high kick and slipped.  Oliveira landed a counter shot.  Oliveira on top in the mount blocking Merritt’s takedown attempt. Nice reverse by Merritt.  Merritt with an elbow and a knee standing.  Oliveira bleeding from the right eye.  Oliveira working for a takedown.  Oliveira got the takedown and got his back again.  Oliveira again working for a choke.  Merritt escaped.  Merritt reversed to the top.  Another close round, Oliveira 20-18.

    Third round: Oliveira working for a takedown.   Oliveira got behind him standing and dragged him down but Merritt landed on top in the mount.  Oliveira up.  Merritt hit a hard knee and a knee to the body.  Oliveira is behind him again.   Oliveira took him down Merritt back up.  Oliveira has his back.  He’s again working for a choke.  Oliveira was working for a choke as time ran out.  30-27 Oliveira.

    Scores:   All three judges have it 30-27 for Oliveira.

    MAIN CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

    FEATHERWEIGHTS: HACRAN DIAS VS. LEVAN MAKASHVILI

    First round: Dias landing low kicks, Makashvili wiht a right.  Body shot by Dias.  Crowd booing the fight.  Makashvili tried a takedown but couldn’t get it.  Hard right by Makashvili.  That was the best punch of the fight.  Low kick by Makashvili.  Dias got the takedown which should win him the round.  Dias 10-9.  Crowd booed the round.

    Second round: Takedown by Makashvili.  Dias working for a Kimura.  Dias got his back.  Makashvili got him of.  Makashvili on top and Dias working for a triangle.  Makashvili is in trouble.  Makashvili broke the triangle with a hard power bomb.  Dias with a takedown.  Makashvili went for a takedown but couldn’t get it.  Dias shot in and got another takedown.  That’s going to win him this round.  20-18 Dias.

    Third round: Makashvili fighting for a takedown.  Makashvili still pushing for a takedown and not getting it.  Now Dias trying for a takedown and not getting it.  Most of the round is a Greco-Roman clinch.  Knee by Makashvili.  It’s a battle for a takedown but that means nothing because Makashvili is losing even if he wins the round.  Dias is now working for the takedown.  Crowd booing this round heavily.  This round was a Greco-Roman stalemate most of the way.  Makashvili got a momenary takedown.  He tried a gut wrench but dropped Dias and Makashvili landed on top.  Makashvili’s round so 29-28 Dias.

    Scores: 29-28 Makashvili 29-28 Dias 29-28 Dias.  Fans booed but he won the first two rounds.  

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS: THIAGO SANTOS VS. STEVE BOSSE

    First round: Santos killed him dead with a high kick.  It was a left high kick and that was a knockout of the year contender.

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS: ANTONIO CARLOS JUNIOR VS. EDDIE GORDON

    First round: Carlos huge at middleweight.  He looks like a 220 pound guy.  He fought in UFC as a heavyweight the first time out.  Both in a clinch.  Carlos, known as Shoe Face, because he looks like a shorter Kurrgan, can’t muscle the smaller guy around.  Carlos took him down.  Gordon back up.  Carlos has him against the fence.  Carlos got a second takedown.  Hard elbows on the ground.  Carlos landing a lot of punches on the ground.  He threw a knee to the body.  Carlos 10-9

    Second round:   High kick by Carlos.  Body kick by Carlos.  Takedown by Carlos.  Carlos landing more punches.  Carlos 20-18.

    Third round: Trading low kicks.  Carlos got another takedown.  He’s got his back and working for a choke.  Carlos got the submission with a choke.

    WELTERWEIGHTS: SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VS. LORENZ LARKIN

    First round: Larkin moved in with punches and a body kick.  Santiago back with punches.  Front kick by Larkin.  Trading shots.  Spin kick by Larkin.  Left by Larkin.  Low kick by Santiago.  Santiago going for a takedown  Larkin doing a good job of takedown defense.  Low kick and body kick by Larkin.  Uppercut by Larkin.  10-9 Larkin.

    Second round: Nice right by Larkin.  Both throwing.  Body kick by Larkin.  Left and right by Larkin.  Front kick by Larkin.  Low kick by Santiago .  Santiago in with punches.  Larkin may be tired.  Both landing pucnhes.  Low kick by Larkin.  Nice right by Santiago.  Big right by Santiago.  Great round.  Right and an elbow by Larkin.  Larkin knocked him down and trying to finish it on the ground.  Larkin landing a lot of punches on the ground.  Santiago back up but Herb Dean stopped it because he was rocked.  This was a great round.

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS: LYOTO MACHIDA VS. YOEL ROMERO

    First round: Fans chanting Machida even though Romero is out of South Florida.   Low kick by Machida.  Machida is a little slower.  Body kick by Machida.  Body kick by Romero.  Body kick by Romero.  Romero hurt him with a right.  Body kick by Romero.  Knee by Machida.  Right by Machida.  Body kick by Machida.  Spin kick by Machida.  Left by Machida and Romero back.  10-9 Machida.

    Second round: Both landed. Romero has power.  Romero missed a high kick.  Low kick by Machida.  Romero chants.  Body kick by Machida.  Low kick by Machida.  Left by Machida.  Body kick by Machida.  Right and a knee by Romero.  Left by Machida.  Low kick by Machida.  Romero with a right.  Romero with a left.  Body kick and low kick by Machida.  Big left  by Romero.  Body kick by Machida.  Left by Romero.  Body kick by Romero.  Romero missed a haymaker left.  Body kick by Machida.  Romero off the fence landed two punches, really cool spot.  Romero’s round close 19-19.

    Third round: Right by Romero.  Low kick by Romero. Low kick by Machida.  Body kick by Machida.  Body kick by Romero.  Romero took him down and he beat the crap out of him with elbows on the ground and it’s over.  Romero threw him down, once he landed the elbows he rocked him and it was over after the fifth elbow.

  • SAT. UPDATE: Josh Koscheck signs with Bellator, Kane threatens Dwayne Wade, UFC preview, and more

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

    Weekend TV and major event notes:

    UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Romero is this week’s UFC card…

    Prelims on Fox Sports 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET
    Steve Montgomery vs. Tony Sims
    Lewis Gonzalez vs. Leandro Silva
    Sirwan Kakai vs. Danny Martinez
    Joe Merritt vs. Alex Oliveira

    Main Card on Fox Sports 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET
    Hacran Dias vs. Levan Makashvili
    Steve Bosse vs. Thiago Santos
    Eddie Gordon vs. Antonio Carlos Jr.
    Lorenz Larkin vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
    Lyoto Machida vs. Yoel Romero

    This was never a deep show on paper, and the issues with securing visa for many of the international fighters completely gutted it anyway. They’re using the smaller 25 foot octagon and there are still some good fighters on the show, so there’s the potential for a lot of finishes, but there’s nothing must-see on paper past the main event.

    There are a lot of question marks going into the fight, as Machida is doing a quick turnaround, fighting just nine weeks after the most brutal and dominating loss of his career, while Romero is fighting for the first time since he stopped Tim Kennedy in September. The use of the smaller cage also seems like a bad sign for Machida, as it gives him a lot less room to work his game. Regardless, it’s one of the most interesting fights UFC can book right now and a worthy main event.

    NJPW from Korakuen Hall will be streaming live on NJPW World late tonight/early tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. ET:

    Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jay White
    Tiger Mask vs. Sho Tanaka
    Jushin Liger vs. David Finlay
    Mascara Dorada vs. Yohei Komatsu
    Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. .Yuji Nagata & Captain New Japan
    Tetsuya Naito & Manabu Nakanishi & Kushida vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Kenny Omega
    Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero & Barreta vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Yujiro Takahashi
    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto & Togi Makabe & Katsuyori Shibata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi

    We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE show in Boston (John Cena vs. Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns) as well as NXT in Citrus Springs, FL.The same goes for Sunday’s shows, which are in Roanoke, VA (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt,  Sheamus, Ryback, Dean Ambrose) and Reading, PA (Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler, Luke Harper, King Barrett, New Day). Send all reports to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

    TNA Slammiversary airs live on pay-per-view tomorrow night with this card:
    Robbie E vs. Jessie Godderz
    Awesome Kong & Brooke vs. Taryn Terrell & Jade & Marti Bell
    Magnus vs. James Storm Non-sanctioned match
    Davey Richards vs. Austin Aries – Winner gets to choose the Iron Man stipulation for the TV match already taped as the fifth match in the best-of-five for the tag tiles
    Matt Morgan vs. Bram
    Bobby Lashley & Ken Anderson vs. Ethan Carter III & Tyrus
    King of the Mountain match for the new King of the Mountain Title:  Jeff Jarrett, Eric Young, Drew Galloway, Bobby Roode and Matt Hardy

    Raw will be Monday night in Washington, DC, while Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night in Hershey, PA.

    **** 

    The recipient of rave reviews so far, the newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with an extensive look at the recent events in the WWE stockholders class action lawsuit, specifically the back and forth over whether or not Brian Maddox (the former Vice President, Global Sales) acted as a whistleblower to help the plaintiffs and if so, what he revealed. Among the topics covered are:

    * How much USA gets for a 30 second ad on Monday Night Raw.

    * What WWE’s internal research says about how big their American fanbase actually is.

    * WWE’s actions that upset and drove away advertisers.

    * Maddox’s affidavit to support WWE’s effort to get the case dismissed and how the plaintiffs are fighting back against it.

    And much more. If you’re interested in WWE business stories, this is a must-read.

    And much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news.

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

    **** 

    A story about the life and career of Buddy Landel, plus the Jose Aldo injury, Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock and whether it was or wasn’t real and Cora Combs and the last link to the heyday of U.S. women’s wrestling are the main stories in the June 29 issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    The Latest Wrestling Observer June 29, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Buddy Landel obituary, Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice coverage

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    We first look at the injury to Jose Aldo Jr. and thoughts on the 7/11 fight with Conor McGregor.  We look at the different options UFC had in this situation.

    We’ve got a major story on the life and career of Buddy Landel.  We look at the circumstances of his death, why Landel never reached the level of success his ability should have gotten him, his life before and after wrestling, and the story that, at the age of 24, changed the direction of his career.

    Landel talked about getting fired from Crockett Promotions at what turned out to be the high point of his career, examine the talk of his being given the world title at the time, as well as his own very candid thoughts about if he had won the title.  We look at what was planned for him, and how his firing changed the entire history of the business because it in a roundabout way led to the creation of the Four Horseman.

    We look at the situation with Crockett Promotions in the middle of a hot period in 1985, the Starrcade 85 show, and the Flair vs. Rhodes program.  We look at the story behind Landel’s statement that he and Flair broke Elvis’ attendance record in Raleigh and the true story of that night.

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    We also look in depth at the Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock right.  We look at different kinds of works, and the ones that could not have happened and the ones that could have.  We look at what the person closest to the action said about it, as well as a look at the background of Ken Shamrock.

    We also have a lot more about the records set for the fight, as well as future matches that both or either could do going out of this.  We also look at other business notes for the show, as well as Bellator’s next major event in September, and full coverage of the TV event.

    We also have an update on Daniel Bryan, Bret Hart talks Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns and others, Dolph Ziggler’s future prospects, Talk of another NXT live special this summer, More on the next WWE network special show, notes on a former tag team of the year candidate team that WWE is looking at getting, more on Tough Enough, as well as Dwayne Johnson projects and injuries to Jamie Noble, Erick Rowan and Tyson Kidd.

    We also have notes on why Randy Orton wasn’t at TV this past week, frustration from the inside on WWE creative, Hogan talks WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels in a movie, WWE house shows, the sad plight of Chyna, as well as a look at the weekend NXT and WWE house shows as well as weekend business.

    We also have coverage of the ROH Best in the World PPV show, and where the company is headed.

    We’ve also got a story on the life of Cora Combs, the last link to the Billy Wolfe/Mildred Burke glory days of women’s wrestling.  We look at her career, her decision in the promotional split that ended up taking the women’s side of wrestling down, the Moolah years, being in the first woman’s match ever held in New York and the story behind it.  We also look at the last period of her career, as Lady Satan, working against her daughter, as well as look at some of the oldest wrestlers of all-time and the oldest living wrestles..

    We’ve also got full coverage of the weekly UFC show in Germany and the rise of Joanna Jedrzejczyk.  We look at her unique stardom, as well as other coverage of the show.

    We also have notes on how the WWE’s Payback PPV did and where the PPV business currently stands.

    The Observer is the world’s most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.

    We also have our regular features such as the most complete look at ratings, plus results of the major house show events each week in pro wrestling and MMA, and complete inside rundowns of all the TV shows.

    Also in this week’s issue:

    –More on AAA’s Verano de Escandalo show

    –Former WWE star signs major deal as a brand ambassador with one of the biggest movie companies in the world and his duties

    –Another former WWE star working big shows in AAA

    –Notes on future AAA shows

    –Ricochet returns to Japan

    –Notes on the next Dragon Gate iPPV show

    –Final event of the Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial tour

    –Notes on the upcoming NOAH GHC jr. tournament

    –More G-1 Climax notes as far as TV goes

    –New Japan heads to Singapore

    –Notes on Dusty Rhodes and Tommy Rogers

    –More on Global Force Wrestling

    –Lots of PWG notes

    –Notes on Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore show

    –Pro wrestling returns after 20 years to one of its most famous former arenas

    –More on Lucha Underground

    –Notes on upcoming ROH shows

    –A look at the next month of ROH television

    –More on people leaving TNA

    –Story behind Hernandez coming to TNA

    –More on TNA PPV show

    –TNA wrestlers appear on Destination America programming

    –UFC press conference coming

    –Major official leaves UFC

    –Lots of new UFC fights

    –More talk about UFC events in the future in Mexico City

    –Why Dana White didn’t go to the UFC show in Germany

    –Dana White talks about a reality show he’s filming

    –Latest on the heavyweight title picture

    –Lots of changed matches on the UFC shows

    –UFC injury updates

    –Lots of new UFC fights

    –Stiffest MMA suspension to date to a former champion

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    ****

    Saturday Daily Update

    — Bellator announced the signing of Josh Koscheck during the broadcast of last night’s card. This is an interesting one. He’s on a five fight losing streak (and there are legitimate questions about the condition of the eye he injured fighting Georges St. Pieree), but all were to ranked opponents except the most recent one against Erick Silva, who’s still a high level fighter. Bellator’s welterweight division is not filled with great wrestlers and a grudge match with Paul Daley (who sucker punched him after the bell in their UFC fight) is a nice addition to a major card, so he’s worth at least one fight to see where he stands against their roster.

    — By the way, if you didn’t see Bellator last night, Hisaki Kato’s Superman Punch finish of Joe Schilling is probably the knockout of the year so far. It’s also one of those finishes that comes out of nowhere at the perfect moment in what the commentators are saying.

    — The latest with Jose Aldo is, officially, that the American doctor he saw diagnosed him with bruised rib cartilage, whileBrazillian doctors say he did indeed suffer a fracture. That’s not especially reassuring. Regardless, he’s undergoing platelet-rich plasma treatments to try to heal him in time to be able to fight Conor McGregor in two weeks at UFC 189.

    — Starting this Monday, various schools will send representatives to “take over” the SEC Network for a day of programming, and the University of Florida has chosen notable alumnus Titus O’Neill. He may never be a top star, but WWE seems to be realizing that he’s a special guy when it comes to doing media.

    — Kane threatened to chokeslam Dwayne Wade if he leaves the Miami Heat. That’s delightfully old-school.

    — Among the celebrities at the PWG show last night were Sofia Vergara (Modern Family), her fiance Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL as well as True Blood, a long-time wrestling fan who’s been to PWG shows before), and Chris Bauer (True Blood, also already known to be a PWG fan). Vergara posted photos on her Instagram page and the UK Daily Mail covered them being there.

    — Hearing good things about the ongoing New England Wrestling Fan Fest. Apparently the promoters put Jim Cornette and Eric Bischoff’s tables in close proximity to each other, which sounds like an adventure.

    — Scott Fishman talked to the various wrestling stars in attendance at the Florida Supercon for an article in the Miami Herald.

    — SMASH Wrestling: Rival Schools 2015 lineup for Sunday, July 19at 4:00pm at the Franklin Horner Community Centre on 432 Horner Ave in Toronto, Ontario:

    I Quit Match (Smash vs. Fourth Gunn):
    Matt Cross vs. Tarik

    Hero’s Challenge:
    Chris Hero vs. Rich Swann

    Championship Match (Smash vs. Fourth Gunn):
    Scotty O’Shea vs. Johnny Gargano (c)

    Tag Team Warfare (Smash vs. Fourth Gunn):
    The Overdogs vs. Drew Gulak & Biff Busick

    Tag Team Tables Match:
    Super Smash Brothers vs. The Goat Brigade

    Women’s Rubber Match:
    Vanessa Kraven vs. Candice LeRae

    Tickets available at Smash’s website.

    TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)

    12:00 AM ET
    SWERVED Zack Ryder and Alex Riley get shocked, Booker T gets Hornswoggled, and we take the Poo Mic to the WWE Hall of Fame Red Carpet.

    12:30 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Memorable International Sensations of all time!

    1:30 AM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    2:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Amidst SummerSlam and Eva’s wedding day, Brie confronts John behind Nikki’s back leading to explosive consequences.

    3:00 AM ET
    THE WWE LIST Cheaters never win…unless you get creative. We list some of the most Unforgiving Foreign Objects in WWE History!

    3:30 AM ET
    SWERVED Zack Ryder and Alex Riley get shocked, Booker T gets Hornswoggled, and we take the Poo Mic to the WWE Hall of Fame Red Carpet.

    4:00 AM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR The war comes to a shocking conclusion, upstaged only by the talents that cross enemy lines in the years that follow.

    5:00 AM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Memorable International Sensations of all time!

    6:00 AM ET
    WWE SUPERSTARS WWE Superstars features the best of the best, in matches you’ll have to see to believe. You never know what to expect, so expect everything.

    7:00 AM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    8:00 AM ET
    LEGENDS HOUSE Eight WWE Legends reunite and get acquainted with their new neighbors. Back at the Legends’ House, tempers flare.

    9:00 AM ET
    THE WWE LIST Cheaters never win…unless you get creative. We list some of the most Unforgiving Foreign Objects in WWE History!

    9:30 AM ET
    SWERVED Zack Ryder and Alex Riley get shocked, Booker T gets Hornswoggled, and we take the Poo Mic to the WWE Hall of Fame Red Carpet.

    10:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Amidst SummerSlam and Eva’s wedding day, Brie confronts John behind Nikki’s back leading to explosive consequences.

    11:00 AM ET
    WWE BEYOND THE RING Relive the classic feuds with John Cena himself as he gives insight into the rivalries that defined his WWE legacy!

    1:00 PM ET
    THE WWE LIST Cheaters never win…unless you get creative. We list some of the most Unforgiving Foreign Objects in WWE History!

    1:30 PM ET
    SWERVED Zack Ryder and Alex Riley get shocked, Booker T gets Hornswoggled, and we take the Poo Mic to the WWE Hall of Fame Red Carpet.

    2:00 PM ET
    MONDAY NIGHT WAR The war comes to a shocking conclusion, upstaged only by the talents that cross enemy lines in the years that follow.

    3:00 PM ET
    WCW GREAT AMERICAN BASH 1995 WCW’s annual summer spectacular features Nature Boy Ric Flair taking on Macho Man Randy Savage. Sting faces Meng for the U.S. Title.

    6:00 PM ET
    SWERVED Zack Ryder and Alex Riley get shocked, Booker T gets Hornswoggled, and we take the Poo Mic to the WWE Hall of Fame Red Carpet.

    6:30 PM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    7:00 PM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    8:00 PM ET
    WCW GREAT AMERICAN BASH 1995 WCW’s annual summer spectacular features Nature Boy Ric Flair taking on Macho Man Randy Savage. Sting faces Meng for the U.S. Title.

    11:00 PM ET
    WCW GREAT AMERICAN BASH 1995 WCW’s annual summer spectacular features Nature Boy Ric Flair taking on Macho Man Randy Savage. Sting faces Meng for the U.S. Title.

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (June 27): Tanaka & Fuji win WWWF tag titles, Bockwinkel vs. Baron Von Raschke, Ric Flair vs. Curt Hennig in AWA, RVD & Sabu vs. Storm & Candido

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1935 – Danno O’Mahony defeated Jim Londos for the NWA (National Wrestling Associatoion) Heavyweight Wrestling Title in Boston, Massachusetts.

    1961 – In Minneapolis, AWA US Champion Gene Kiniski beat Leo Nomellini, Wilbur Snyder beat Tiny Mills, Stan Kowalski beat Tony Baillargeon and Bob Geigel beat George Scott.

    1963 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas; In a penalty box rules match, Masked Medic #1 and Masked Medic #2 beat Larry Hamilton and Tiny Mills 2 falls to 1 to retain the World Tag Team Titles, Bob Geigel beat Steve Bolus 2 falls to 1, Sonny Myers beat Rock Hunter dq and Bob Orton beat Steve Kovacs

    1972 – Professor Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Chief Jay Strongbow & Sonny King for the WWWF Tag Team Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; At John O’Donnell Stadium in Davenport, Iowa; Wahoo McDaniel & Billy Robinson beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens dq, Larry Hennig (sub Dusty Rhodes) beat Don Muraco and Bull Bullinski beat George Gadaski

    1973 – In Fargo, ND; In an Indian Strap Match, Wahoo McDaniel beat Superstar Billy Graham, Billy Robinson & Geoff Portz beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens on a 3rd fall dq, Reggie Parks beat Rene Goulet, Larry Heiniemi beat Jim Brunzell (sub Ken Patera) and Greg Gagne beat Bob Bruggers

    1981 – In Milwaukee; AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Baron Von Raschke, Tito Santana beat Sheik Adnan dq, The Crusher beat Ray Stevens dq and AWA Light Heavyweight Champion Mike Graham beat Buck Zumhofe

    1986 – In Salt Lake City before 11,557 fans; AWA Champion Stan Hansen beat Nick Bockwinkel, NWA Champion Ric Flair beat Curt Hennig, Midnight Rockers beat AWA Tag Team champions Buddy Rose & Doug Somers dq, Scott LeDoux no contest Larry Zbyszko, Ali Kahn beat Jerry Blackwell, Greg Gagne & Jimmy Snuka beat Boris Zhukov & Nord The Barbarian, Colonel DeBeers beat Brad Rheingans and Candi Devine beat Sherri Martel.

    1988 – In Memphis before 4,000 fans; AWA Champion Jerry Lawler dcor Kerry Von Erich, Max Pain beat Brickhouse Brown to win CWA Title, Scott Steiner & Billy Travis beat Don Bass & Gary Young to win Southern Tag Title. Also, Jeff Jarrett & Sensei no contest Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden, Tommy Gilbert drew Dutch Mantel and Bob Holly & Pat Rose beat Shawn Baxter & Tom Brandi

    1998 – Rob Van Dam & Sabu defeated Chris Candido & Lance Storm for the ECW World Tag Team Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the ECW Arena.

    1999 – Billy Gunn defeated X-Pac to win the King of the Ring tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina.

    2000 – Steve Blackman defeated Crash Holly for the WWF Hardcore Title in Hartford, Connecticut

  • Updates on Magnus’ situation with TNA and Global Force Wrestling

    Nick “Magnus” Aldis is one of a number of wrestlers whose contracts expires this week. He is not renewing his contract and will be a free agent as of this coming week. He is taking dates with Global Force Wrestling, including their first television taping on 7/24, but is doing so for just certain dates. At this point, he’s not signing with GFW as the separation was a purely business move and was amicable on both sides.