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  • UFC Fight Night Brazil and Bellator 139 Picks From The Secret Psychic Spy~!

    By the Secret Psychic Spy (secretpsychicspy@yahoo.com)

    Starting Bankroll: $1,500

    Current Bankroll: $952.79

    Last week: 4/5 Overall 60/105 (57%)

    We’re back on the right track again with a healthy profit last week. With two shows to choose from, there were a lot of fights to pick from and I’ve found 5 with which you can make money. I haven’t said it in a while in this column but you should always size your bets the same and if you do that, you should make money with these picks.

    I went back over the history since this column began and even though I’m down, it’s because I made some outlandish bets after getting cocky early on. If you’d stayed the course and bet $100 on each pick since this column began, you’d have made a very slight profit. Better yet, if you only went with the picks in the betting game, you’d be way up, even betting both mine and Ryan’s. Something to keep in mind.

    This week, we’ve got 1 pick from tonight’s Bellator show on Spike and the rest from the UFC show tomorrow night on FS 1.

    Pick 1 – David Rickels (16-3) -200 over John Alessio (35-17) I’m betting $100 to win $50

    Rickels is best known for his wild entrances but he’s also a pretty good fighter. Alessio has seen better days in a career going way back to the early days of UFC. Rickels will send his hometown fans home happy with a win.

    Pick 2 – Steve Bosse (10-1) +175 over Thiago Santos (10-3) I’m betting $100 to win $175

    Taking a bit of a flyer here on the debuting Bosse, who’s looked at as somewhat of a gimmick fighter. But here’s the thing: dude can fight. He’s got wins over Houston Alexander and Wes Sims, both far bigger fighters with a lot of experience. Santos is just 2-2 in UFC and I think he falls below .500 here.

    Pick 3 – Sirwan Kakai (11-2) +120 over Danny Martinez (17-6) I’m betting $100 to win $120

    I don’t know much about Kakai. He did fight Chris Beal in a fight to get into the TUF house on the same season Martinez did and both lost those fights. Martinez was signed and went on to lose his two UFC fights, at Flyweight. He’s moving up a weight class here and I’m saying he goes to 0-3.

    Pick 4 – Steve Montgomery (8-2) -120 over Tony Sims (11-2) I’m betting $100 to win $83.33

    Both guys are making their UFC debuts but Montgomery comes in with a slightly better track record, having knocked out former UFC fighter Brock Jardine in his last fight. Sims hasn’t beaten anyone of note and lost to the only name fighter he’s faced (Drew  Dober).

    Pick 5 – Leandro Silva (17-2-1) -165 over Lewis Gonzales (10-1) I’m betting $100 to win $60.61

    Silva’s got the UFC experience and beat tough vet Charlie Brenneman with a first round stoppage in his last fight. Gonzales has some national exposure with World Series of Fighting but is far less experienced and will fall in his UFC debut.

    All told, I’m betting $500 with a chance to win $488.94

    On with the betting game.

    2015 Betting Game: Secret Psychic Spy vs Ryan Frederick

    Current Standings:

    Ryan Frederick: $842.53 (Picked Hein, Alvarez, Ortega, Noons, Browne, Magny, Matthews)

    Secret Psychic Spy: $1,070.18 (Picked Amirkhani, Henderson, Breese, Pyle, Wee, Andrews)

    Freddy caught up a little bit last week as Hein was slightly less of a favorite than Mr.Finland but we’re going to change that this week.

    I’m taking the debuting Steve Bosse as an underdog in hopes  of opening up a bigger lead over young Ryan.

    Freddy’s pick and analysis:

    Eddie Gordon +165 over Antonio Carlos Junior

    I don’t like a lot on this card, but I do like the underdog in this one. Gordon has more overall experience than Carlos Junior, and while both former TUF winners have been disappointing in their post-TUF careers, I like Gordon just slightly to get the job done in this one. Carlos Junior is making his middleweight debut too, and Gordon’s experience will just be enough to get him by.

    Good luck, enjoy the fights and above all else remember, Freddy’s staying down!

  • Bellator MMA 139 Live coverage and results: Alexander Volkov vs Cheick Kongo

    By Paul Fontaine, WrestlingObserver.com

    Fun show tonight that should have some knockouts and skilled fighting, pretty much all you can ask for if you’re an MMA fan. After last weekend’s record rating, this show should settle into “normal” levels for Bellator but the action may actually be better. But it won’t be without it’s spectacles.

    Joe Schilling is just about the most exciting 2-4 fighter you’re ever going to see on a national stage. David Rickels has the most outlandish entrances this side of Mayhem Miller, and we’ve got two clubbing heavyweights in the main event of what should be a slobberknocker. 

    We’ll have live coverage of the show starting at 9 pm eastern but if you’re jonesing for some MMA before that, Spike.com will air a fairly strong prelim card, featuring former main card fighters Bubba Jenkins and Javy Ayala. I’ll have blow by blow over at MMADraws.com and I’ll also post the results here, and I’ll be back here for the main card when it kicks off on Spike!

    We  are live on Spike!

    The Featherweights are up first.

    Pat “Paddy Boy” Curran (20-7) vs Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez (10-1)

    Big John is the ref. Curran is coming off consecutive losses for the first time in his career. Sanchez took the first on short notice. Sanchez landing a lot of leg kicks. Curran landing more punches but Sanchez controlling the pace. Curran with a nice combo that rocked Sanchez with about a minute left. 10-9 Curran

    Accident clash of heads early in the 2nd and the ref stops the action to look at it. Sanchez is cut pretty bad  and the doctor is called to look at it. It’s allowed to continue. Curran gets a takedown right off the break. Sanchez up quickly. Sanchez more active on his feet and controlling the pace but it looks like he’s missing a lot of his strikes. Curran throwing less but far more efficiently. Sanchez knocked Curran down with a punch that may have been a slip at 4:00. Curran with a late takedown that may clinch the round. 10-9 Curran

    Strikes were 61-29 Curran through 2. Sanchez still pressing but Curran controlling himself nicely and picking and choosing his shots. Curran with a takedown 1:00 in. Curran now with some swelling over his right eye. Curran landing hard elbows from the top. Curran getting close to mount and takes the back at 2:45. Curran goes for a guillotine but loses it and position and they’re back on their feet at 3:00. Curran with another takedown at 3:15. Curran with the body triangle at 3:45 and trying to work for a choke after taking his back. Curran briefly gets the choke with 30 seconds left but Sanchez explodes out and to his feet. They’re trading knees as the fight ends. 10-9 Curran

    Randy Couture was shown in the crowd as we’re waiting for the scores.

    WINNER: PAT CURRAN (21-7) by UD (30-27×3)

    They aired a video package for the next fight, which is good because Schilling’s opponent, Kato, has never fought in North America. All of his fights have ended in the first round though. Schilling cut a nice mean-guy promo, even getting in an S-Bomb.

    Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling (2-4) vs Hisaki Kato (4-1)

    Sorry, it appears one of Kato’s fights went past the first. Rob Hinds is YOUR referee. Schilling throwing hard head kicks and Kato gets a takedown 1:30 in. Schilling seems completely lost on the ground. Kato not doing much either. Kato postures up a couple times to try and land strikes standing but mostly just Schilling trying to hold him in guard. Kato gets mount right before the round ends but Schilling gets up right before the round ends. 10-9 Kato

    Kato knocked Schilling out with a hard straight punch and Schilling went down with a flat back bump.

    WINNER: HISASKI KATO (5-1) by knockout at 34 seconds of the 2nd

    They aired a cute vignette of of David Rickels driving around Kansas City, cutting a promo on John Alessio. Nothing special to the promo but very unique and kind of fun to see something like that on an MMA show.

    Another vignette. Rickels looks like a mishmash of Daniel Bryan, Eric Young and Conor McGregor. Alessio comes from the land of grizzly bears, hockey and beer. Rickels calls himself the “Caveman of the People”. He wants blood, brains and battering the $hit out of people. They show Rickels backstage and he’s even wearing a Conor style suit.

    Bellator just tweeted that they’re about to announce a new signing. And of course we get walkouts for the next fight, our co-main event.

    David “Caveman” Rickels (16-3) vs John Alessio (35-17)

    You wanna know long Alessio’s been around? He lost to Pat Miletich at UFC 26. And that was his 10th pro fight. Rickels looks very much unlike a caveman in his walkout, coming out in a cheetah suit and sunglasses. 

    Rickels gets a huge reaction for his intro. Rob Hinds has the officiating duties. Rickels looks much bigger than Alessio. Rickels rocks Alessio with a knee and follows up with a series of punches and elbows but Alessio seems to have weathered it. Alessio comes back with a nice flurry. Rickels with a hard left to the body and follows up with a knee. Rickels teeing off on Alessio and he drops to the ground. The ref stepped in and Rickels landed an knee while he was down. It looked like the ref was about to stop it, which is unfortunate. Ref is giving him a lot of time but it doesn’t like Alessio has any interest in continuing. And the ref calls it off. It will either be a no contest or a DQ. 

    Bout is ruled a no contest

    Recap package of last week’s show aired next. This was a nice way to kill two minutes while reminding everyone of the key wins, which pretty much all went Bellator’s way, unlike tonight. And then we get an interview via Skype with Kimbo. 

    Kimbo says Bellator is his home now. No heavyweights in this business are safe. He loves training and he knows he has some weak points and he’s going to work on them. He talked about the main event and put it over as a fight that will probably end in a KO. As we go to break, they are promising some “Big News” from Scott Coker after the break.

    Okay, this was big news. Josh Koscheck has been signed by Bellator!

    Not much to the pre-match video package for the main event. Both guys need a win. Kongo has never had a World title and he needs to win this fight to get that long awaited shot. Volkov has lost two in a row (not exactly true but it’s a good story) and wants HIS title back. 

    They show the walk-outs. Volkov out to “We Will Rock You” by Queen. Volkov looks a lot like Alex Gustafsson. Same build, probably similar walk-around weights, even though Volkov is a heavyweight. Kongo out to some generic rap song.

    Main Event
    Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-5) vs Cheick Kongo (22-10-2)

     Big John is the ref for this Heavyweight BATTLE. Kongo goes for a takedown early and eats some hard knees to the body. Volkov basically just stalking Kongo, striking very efficiently. Kongo working hard for the takedown and completes it at 2:30. Volkov to his feet briefly but tries for a guillotine and Kongo takes him right back down. Kongo opens up a cut on Volkov’s forehead with a hard elbow. Kongo continuing to land shots but they’re being at least partially blocked by Volkov. Clear 10-9 Kongo

    Kongo with a takedown 30 seconds in. Volkov has nothing for him on the ground, much like Joe Schilling earlier. Kongo landing elbows to the body, mainly in the rib area, while trying to advance position and Volkov’s cut is bleeding pretty heavily from the forehead. Volkov working for a Kimura from the bottom 4:00 in but he doesn’t have a good angle for it. Lost the hold when he went for a sweep. Kongo with a couple hard elbows to the head in the last 30 seconds. Crowd starting to boo.10-9 Kongo, almost a 10-8, as Volkov did next to nothing.

    Kongo with a takedown 30 seconds in again. Ground strikes in the last round were 60/76 for Kongo and 0/0 for Volkov and the whole round was on the ground. Kongo landing hard elbows and punches to the head again. Volkov trying to scramble out of it but Kongo just smothering him. Ref finally stands them up at 3:45. Kongo with a takedown attempt and Volkov has a guillotine that pops the crowd for a second but Kongo gets out of it. Kongo on top again and seems content just to ride out the round. 

    WINNER: CHEICK KONGO (23-10-2) by UD (30-27×3)

    Main event was awful, working going out of your way to miss. Bellator will be back July 17th, which will cap off 5 shows in 8 days between Invicta, UFC and Bellator. I should be joining you all for at least one of those!

    Preliminary Card (6:45 p.m. ET)

    Gaston Reyno (4-0) submitted Greg Scott (3-4) in 1:17
    Bobby Cooper (11-6) SD over Pablo Villaseca (9-1) 
    Bubba Jenkins (9-2) TKO (punches)over Joe Wilk (18-12) at  1:00 of Round 2 
    Augusto Sakai (8-0) TKO (corner retirement) over Daniel Gallemore (4-3) at 5:00 of Round 2
    Alex Huddleston (6-1) sub (rear naked choke) over Javy Ayala (8-4) at 1:12
    Bryanna Fissori (2-0) UD over Iony Razafiarison  
    Aaron Ely (5-2) 2nd round sub (guillotine) over Jeimeson Saudino (8-5) at 1:05 of the 2nd 

  • FRI UPDATE: No UFC at MSG, Ziggler, Raw on Tuesday, TNA tapings, Ali-Inoki

    By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for reports on tonight’s TNA tapings in Orlando (there is believed to be an Ethan Carter III vs. Kurt Angle rematch taped tonight) as well as tonight’s PWG show in Reseda and NXT show in Cocoa Beach, FL at dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Tonight is the last Impact taping of this current set and will be for parts of shows airing on 7/8 and 7/15.

    We’ll be doing our only weekend poll for TNA Slammiversary, so you can vote thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    No WWE main roster house shows tonight.

    BELLATOR TONIGHT FROM MULVANE, KANSAS

    PRELIMS AT 6:45 P.M. EASTERN ON SPIKE.COM

    Greg Scott (145.7) vs. Gaston Reyno (145)

    Bobby Cooper (155.9) vs. Pablo Villaseca (156)

    Bubba Jenkins (145.9) vs. Joe Wilk (145.6)

    Daniel Gallemore (264.9) vs. Augusto Sakai (263)

    Alex Huddleston (248.6) vs. Javy Ayala (263.9)

    Iony Razafiarison (140.8) vs. Bryanna Fissori (144)

    Jeimeson Saudino (134.3) vs. Aaron Ely (134.7)

    Derek Bohl (264) vs. Frederick Brown (229.4)

    LIVE AT 9 P.M ON SPIKE

    Pat Curran (145.6) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (145.5)

    Joe Schilling (185.9) vs. Hisaki Kato (185.5)

    David Rickels (155.9) vs. John Alessio (155.4)

    Cheick Kongo (238.6) vs. Alexander Volkov (242)

    NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. ON AXS (from the first night of the 2014 G-1 Climax tournament)

    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomoaki Honma

    A.J. Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada

    Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Katsuyori Shibata

    LEGACY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS TONIGHT ON AXS AT 10 P.M. FROM LAKE CHARLES, LA

    Joel Scott vs. Justin Rader

    Gage Duhon vs. Sage Northcutt

    Vanderlei Carvalho Leite vs. Matt Schnell

    Kalinda Faria vs. Valentina Shevchenko

    Larry Crowe vs. Ryan Spann

    Anthony Njokuani vs. Josh Quayhagen

    We’re also looking for reports on Saturday for the WWE show in Boston (John Cena vs. Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns) and NXT in Citrus Springs, FL.

    UFC ON SATURDAY FROM HOLLYWOOD, FL

    FS 2 AT 8 P.M.

    Steve Montgomery vs. Tony Sims

    Lewis Gonzalez vs. Leandro Silva

    Sirwan Kakai vs. Danny Martinez

    Joe Merritt vs. Alex Oliveira

    FS 1 at 10 P.M.

    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

    NEW JAPAN FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL AT 5:30 A.M. SUNDAY EASTERN AND 2:30 A.M. LATE SATURDAY PACIFIC ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

    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

    Sunday has WWE house shows in Roanoke (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt,  Sheamus, Ryback, Dean Ambrose) and Reading, PA (Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler, Luke Harper, King Barrett, New Day)

    TNA SLAMMIVERSARY ON PPV SUNDAY

    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:  Jeff Jarrett, Eric Young, Drew Galloway, Bobby Roode and Matt Hardy

    Raw will be Monday night in Washington, DC.

    Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night in Hershey, PA.

    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 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.

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    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.

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    –Lots of new UFC fights

    –Stiffest MMA suspension to date to a former champion

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    *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)

    *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

    *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

    *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

    *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

    *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

    *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

    *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

    *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

    *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

    *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

    *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

    *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

    *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

    *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

    *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

    *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

    *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

    *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)

    *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

    *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

    *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

    *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

    *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

    *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

    *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)

    *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

    *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)

    *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

    *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)

    *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

    *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

    *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

    *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

    *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

    *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

    *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

    *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .

    *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

    *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

    *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

    *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

    *August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

    * September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

    * September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

    * September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

    You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

    We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

    To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

    FRIDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • The UFC will not get its vote in the New York assembly as time ran out.  The basic gist is that the Democrats were not going to put a vote up unless they had 76 democratic votes.  UFC had between 76 and 78 of the 105 democrats on board, but they kept putting off the bill.  Once they went into overtime this week (the session was to end on 6/17, but continued this week due to a ton of legislation they wanted passed) a lot of the Assembleymen had other commitments.  With several of the democrats gone, they didn’t have the 76 votes so the bill would pass without minority party support, even though UFC believed they had majority support from the republicans and had they got a vote, the bill would have won easily.  They will be doing the same fight next year, although Marc Ratner said that next year they will try and pass the assembly first because they know they’ll pass the senate.

    That means UFC will not be able to run its planned major card in Madison Square Garden, so Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold will be looking for a new home for that fight.  Weidman was working hard, pushing people like Dwayne Johnson and other celebrities in the last few days to push the assembly into action.

    While Dana White had said that if the show wasn’t in New York, it would be in Calgary, right now the Saddledome is booked on 12/5 for a Calgary Hit Men hockey game.

    • PW Insider reported Dolph Ziggler had signed a new WWE contract.  One friend of his told us this morning the same thing and we’re awaiting official confirmation.
    • There will be a two-hour edited version of Raw airing from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday night on the USA Network as a lead-in for Tough Enough.  Clearly the rating for the first episode, barely one-third of what the first episode of the 2011 Steve Austin season did, caused this move.  It is not confirmed if this is a one week thing or if it will become a regular thing for the remainder of the Tough Enough season, but historically USA has never wanted to air repeats of Raw in good time slots for fear of diluting the initial show rating.  
    • Bully Ray was backstage at the TNA tapings and may be working the show tonight.  Billy Corgan is also there today.  He was not there the first two nights due to Smashing Pumpkins concert commitments.
    • Sunday will be Magnus’ last match with TNA.  Nothing has been said publicly because of the PPV on Sunday and because he will be on Impact on Wednesday.  But it will be announced at some point very soon that Nick Aldis will be with GFW.
    • Jeff Jarrett was not at TV yesterday, nor is he expected there today.
    • I believe Southern States Wrestling’s TV show tomorrow will be a tribute to Buddy Landel special show.  
    • UFC Fight Night 70: Machida vs. Romero weigh-in results and live video
    • A correction from yesterday, Kenny Bolin was actually out of the hospital by the time we reported the story.  He had been admitted to the hospital on June 18th due to heart problems, but he was released this past Tuesday. 
    • Today is actually the 39th anniversary of the Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki match.  You could say yesterday was as well.  The fight took place on June 25 in the U.S. and June 26 Tokyo (the fight was in Tokyo) in 1976.  I expect a big deal in Japan next year for the 40th anniversary because while forgotten in the U.S., it is a major part of Japanese pro wrestling and MMA history.
    • NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on 7/11 in Elizabethton, TN at the Evolution Sports Gym for a fund raiser for James Timothy Davis, a young child who needs open heart surgery.  
    • Charlotte in WWE found out yesterday she will be getting her own action figure.
    • WWE and NXT will be part of this year’s San Diego Comic Con.  On 7/9 from 1-2 p.m. there will be a panel with Seth Rollins, William Regal, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Charlotte. (thanks to Daniel Short)
    • Future Stars of Wrestling on Sunday in Las Vegas at Sam’s Town Live with Lance Archer & Suburban Commandos & Kevin Kross vs. Chris Masters & Tyshaun Prince & Cold Cold World, plus Willie Mack, B-Boy and Martin Casaus from Lucha Underground, Kenny King from TNA and Disco Inferno.
    • Shelton Benjamin and Juventud Guerrera will be replacing Bobby Lashley and Davey Richards on the All Elite show at Arena Mexico on Sunday.  Lashley and Richards had TNA commitments with the PPV and TNA gets first priority on their dates.
    • CMLL on Tuesday night from Guadalajara:  Espectrum & Sadico b Divino & Freezer, Cancerbero & El Hijo del Signo & Sangre Azteca b Esfinge & Oro Jr. & Stigma, Puma King b Malefico, Blue Panther & Diamante Azul & Stuka Jr. b Kraneo & Olimpico & Ripper, Dragon Rojo Jr. & Polvora & Rey Escorpion b Maximo & Rush & La Sombra (thanks to Kris Zellner)
    • Rey Mysterio Jr. & Psycho Clown vs. El Texano Jr. & Mesias headlines Sunday’s AAA TV tapings in Orizaba at the bullring.
    • ROH announced that for 24 hours you can watch the 2012 Final Battle show headlined by Kevin Steen vs. El Generico and Adam Cole vs. Matt Hardy for $1.99.
    • The Desert Sun in Riverside County in yesterday’s paper ran a story on Vance Garayt, who wrestles for EWF in the area as The Baby Bull, with a very positive story and pictures.
    • The Fight Network airs Golden Boy Live tonight at 10 p.m Eastern time from Salinas, CA, followed by Hard Knocks Fighting 44 from Calgary’s Century Casino headlined by former UFC fighter Nick Rings vs. former Strikeforce fighter Cory Devela, as well as former UFC fighters Rodney Wallace vs. Kalib Starnes as the co-feature.
    • What happens when you try and do a movie fight scene version of pro wrestling

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

    1975 – Antonio Inoki beat Tiger Jeet Singh in Tokyo to win the NWF world title

    1988 – Bull Nakano beat Yumiko Hotta

    1989 – Miss A beat Devil Masami in Sapporo to win the UWA International women’s title

    1992 – Rick & Scott Steiner beat Vader & Bam Bam Bigelow in Tokyo to win the IWGP heavyweight title and El Samurai beat Jushin Liger to win the IWGP jr. title

    1994 – Barry Horowitz beat Franz Schumann in Graz to win the CWA middleweight title

    2000 – H (Hayabusa) & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hisakatsu Oya beat Kodo Fuyuki & Chocoball Mukai and woman’s star Kyoko Inoue to win the WEW six man tag team titles

    2006 – Ikuto Hidaka beat Masaaki Mochizuki in Tokyo

    TODAY’S PRO WRESTLING VIDEOS 

    WWE/NXT

    6/22/15 Top 10 Raw Moments

    Billy Gunn Previews The First WWE Tough Enough Challenge-WWE #toughenough

    Paige Busts The Competition At the Mall-WWE #toughenough

    The Competitors Ready For Their First “Tough” Challenge-WWE #toughenough

    WWE Network Sneak Peek:  “Unfiltered” With Renee Young-“Magic Mike XXL”

    6/25/15 WWE Tough Enough Digital Extra-Hogan’s X-Factor

    6/24/15 WWE Tough Enough Digital Extra-Billy Gunn’s Wake-Up Call

    6/24/15 WWE Tough Enough Digital Extra-Dianna Freezes Out The Pain

    6/24/15 WWE Tough Enough Digital Extra-Y2J Breaks Down WWE Tough Enough

    6/23/15 WWE Tough Enough Digital Extra-Booker T Gives ZZ A Boost

    6/24/15 Jason Jordan Is Confronted Again By Chad Gable

    Finn Balor Discusses The Struggle To Contain His Inner Demon

    Unseen Footage Of Triple H’s Wrestlemania 31 Entrance

    5 Things:  5 Youngest Champions In WWE History

    MISC. STUFF

    Bushwhacker Luke On “The Apter Chat”

    Dad You Don’t Work, You Wrestle (Episode 125)

    Top 35 Moves Of Atsushi Kotoge

    Top 5 Moves of Icarus

    Pro Wrestling Blitz “Mid-Week Mayhem” (Episode 8)

    6/25/15 Chikara’s “Thursdays On The Throne” 

    TNA

    Velvet Sky Refusing To Give An Interview To Impact Wrestling Cameras

    Angelina Love Responds Reacts To Velvet Sky And Talks About Tonight’s Match

    Grado Talks About Facing Low Ki and Tigre Uno For The X Title Tonight

    Interview With Jeff Jarrett After Appearing On TNA Impact

    “I Hate You!” Bram Has Some Choice Words For His Potential Opponent On Tonight’s #IMPACTLive

    INDY TV SHOWS

    Covey Pro Wrestling TV (Episode 211)

    CWF Mid-Atlantic Wrestling “Worldwide” TV (Episode 6)

    Pro Wrestling Syndicate TV (Episode 25)

    6/20/15 Southern States Wrestling TV

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

    12:00 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!

    2:00 AM ET
    WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!

    3:00 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.

    4:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Amidst SummerSlam and Eva’s wedding day, Brie confronts John behind Nikki’s back leading to explosive consequences.

    5:00 AM ET
    WCW MONDAY NITRO This episode of WCW Monday Nitro features a huge tag team main event when Sting teams with Hulk Hogan to face Ric Flair and Arn Anderson.

    6:00 AM ET
    WCW GREAT AMERICAN BASH 1991 Lex Luger battles Barry Windham in a Steel Cage Match for the vacant WCW World Title. Nikita Koloff vs. Sting in a Russian Chain Match.

    9:00 AM ET
    TOTAL DIVAS Amidst SummerSlam and Eva’s wedding day, Brie confronts John behind Nikki’s back leading to explosive consequences.

    10:00 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!

    12:00 PM ET
    THE WWE LIST Cheaters never win…unless you get creative. We list some of the most Unforgiving Foreign Objects in WWE History!

    12:30 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.

    1:00 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.

    2:00 PM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    2:30 PM ET
    WWE QUICK HITS WWE Quick Hits 2 brings you some of the most unique, entertaining, and sometimes outrageous clips, unearthed from the depths of WWE Network.

    3:00 PM ET
    SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENT John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield, Kane, Ted Dibiase, and Cody Rhodes face John Cena, Batista, and Cryme Tyme. Edge battles Jeff Hardy.

    4:00 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.

    4:30 PM ET
    LEGENDS HOUSE Eight WWE Legends reunite and get acquainted with their new neighbors. Back at the Legends’ House, tempers flare.

    5:30 PM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    6:00 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Memorable International Sensations of all time!

    7:00 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.

    8:00 PM ET
    SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENT John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield, Kane, Ted Dibiase, and Cody Rhodes face John Cena, Batista, and Cryme Tyme. Edge battles Jeff Hardy.

    9:00 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.

    9:30 PM ET
    WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Memorable International Sensations of all time!

    10:30 PM ET
    THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.

    11:00 PM ET
    SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENT John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield, Kane, Ted Dibiase, and Cody Rhodes face John Cena, Batista, and Cryme Tyme. Edge battles Jeff Hardy.

  • UFC Fight Night 70: Machida vs. Romero weigh-in results and live video

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Romero weigh-ins from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida kicking off at 5 PM eastern time. The event airs on Saturday, with the preliminary card kicking off at 8 PM eastern time on FOX Sports 2 before moving over to FOX Sports 1 at 10 PM eastern time for the main card. This marks the Octagon’s first trip to Florida in 14 months.

    The event will be headlined by a five-round middleweight bout as former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida looks to rebound from a loss to Luke Rockhold when he takes on Yoel Romero, owner of a five-fight win streak. The event features only a nine-fight card and a lot of fighters making their UFC debuts and fighting on short notice as visa issues forced the postponement of several key bouts.

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

    Lyoto Machida (186) vs. Yoel Romero (186)
    Santiago Ponzinibbio (170.5) vs. Lorenz Larkin (170.5)
    Antonio Carlos Junior (185) vs. Eddie Gordon (184.5)
    Thiago Santos (185.5) vs. Steve Bosse (185.5)
    Hacran Dias (145.5) vs. Levan Makashvili (145)

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

    Alex Oliveira (170) vs. Joe Merritt (169)
    Leandro Silva (170) vs. Lewis Gonzalez (174)
    Steve Montgomery (170) vs. Tony Sims (170)
    Danny Martinez (135.5) vs. Sirwan Kakai (135.5) 

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (June 26): Bret Hart wins Stampede title, Inoki vs. Tiger Jeet Singh, Davey Richards becomes ROH champ

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1929 – At the Outdoor Battery Arena in St. Louis, Missouri; Dick Shikat defeated Jim Clinstock, Rudy Dusek defeated Jack Washburn, Joe “Toots” Mondt and Charles Strack went to a time limit draw.

    1936 – Everett Marshall defeated Ali Baba for the NWA (National Wrestling Association) Heavyweight Wrestling Title

    1941 – In Kansas City; World Heavyweight Champion Lee Wykoff defeated Orville Brown in 2 out of 3 falls, (Brown was unable to continue for the third fall after missing a flying tackle and smashing his head on a ringpost) (Brown was carried to his dressing room). Also, Jack Kennedy beat Steve Brody in 2 out of 3 falls and Joe Cox beat Rudy Strongberg. George Simpson was the promoter and Gust Karras the referee.

    1947 – In Kansas City; Orville Brown beat Jack McDonald to retain the MWA Title, Wally Dusek beat Fred Blassie, Tug Carlson beat Ralph Garibaldi and Jack Hader beat Jack Page

    1962 – Before 3,229 fans in Minneapolis, MN; AWA Champion Mr. M beat Larry Hennig, Verne Gagne & Doug Gilbert beat Bob Geigel & Crybaby Cannon and Joe Scarpello beat Stan Kowalski.

    1964 – In Denver, Colorado; AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Fritz von Erich dq, The Crusher beat Art Thomas, Wahoo McDaniel beat Mitsu Arakawa and Larry Hennig beat Doug Gilbert

    1965 – In Minneapolis, MN; Verne Gagne beat AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon on a 3rd fall count out, The Crusher beat Chris Markoff, Mighty Igor Vodik beat Harley Race, Larry Hennig beat Ivan Kalmikoff and Wilbur Snyder beat Pampero Firpo dq. Attendance was 9,712.

    1967 – In El Paso, Texas; AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat The Medics, Light Heavyweight Champion Gory Guerrero beat Jerry Kozak, North American Champion Dory Funk Jr beat Thunderbolt Patterson and Texas Women’s Champion Kay Noble beat Pat Howard.

    1968 – In Minneapolis, Verne Gagne & Bill Watts beat Larry Hennig & Harley Race in 2 out of 3 falls, Wilbur Snyder beat Dr X 2-0, 2nd fall by dq, Man Mountain Mike beat Big K and Dutch Savage beat Frankie Laine; Peter Maivia and Billy White Wolf defeated Curtis Iaukea and Ripper Collins to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii

    1971 – In Milwaukee; In a Loser Leaves Town Match, The Crusher beat Strong Kobayashi, Nick Bockwinkel beat Bull Bullinski, Larry Hennig & Lars Anderson beat Moose Cholak & Paul Diamond, Don Muraco beat Black Jack Lanza dq and Big K beat Bill Howard. Attendance was 10,374; In Chicago, Illinois; AWA Tag Team Champions Red Bastien & Hercules Cortez beat Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon, Baron Von Raschke beat Wilbur Snyder, Hans Schmidt beat Sailor Art Thomas and Billy Robinson beat Angelo Poffo; Ripper Collins and Mad Dog Mayne defeated Sunni War Cloud and Steven Little Bear for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii

    1973 – Johnny Valentine defeated Ron Fuller for the Florida version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Tampa, Florida.

    1975 – Antonio Inoki defeated Tiger Jeet Singh to win the National Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan

    1982 – Bret Hart defeated Leo Burke to win the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title

    1982 – In Salt Lake City, Utah; AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum dq, Sheik Adnan beat Baron Von Raschke, Jerry Blackwell beat Brad Rheingans and Buck Zumhofe beat Jacques Goulet. Attendance was 9,600; Invader I and Pierre Martel defeated The Kangaroos (Don Kent and Johnny Heffernan) for the WWC World Tag Team Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    1983 – The Sheik’s Army (Jerry Blackwell and Ken Patera) defeated The High Flyers (Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne) in Minneapolis, Minnesota to win the AWA World Tag Team Title. Also on the card, AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Wahoo McDaniel, Baron Von Raschke no contest Blackjack Lanza, Bobby Heenan beat Kenny Jay, Buck Zumhofe beat Mr. Saito dq and Brad Rheingans drew Rick Martel. Attendance was 14,000.

    1987 – Frank Lancaster and Eric Embry defeated The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton) to win the World Class Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas

    1988 – Bull Nakano defeated Yumiko Hotta in the finals of the fourth-annual AJW Grand Prix Tournament in Tokyo, Japan.

    1992 – The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) defeated Big Van Vader and Bam Bam Bigelow to win the IWGP World Tag Team Title reign. Also, El Samurai pinned Jushin Liger to win the IWGP World Junior Heavyweight Title

    1995 – Yoshiko Tamura defeated Misae Watanabe for the vacant AJW Junior Title in Sapporo, Japan; Billy Jack Haynes defeated Brian Christopher for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

    1996 – Masato Tanaka, Kouji Nakagawa and Tetsuhiro Kuroda defeated Super Leather and The Headhunters (A and B) to win the FMW World Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.

    1997 – J.C. Ice defeated Tyrin for the IWA Mid-South Light-Heavyweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky.

    1997 – The Masked Maniac defeated Chris Michaels for the USA Pro Wrestling U.S. Heavyweight Title in New York.

    2001 – Albert (A-Train) defeated Kane for the WWF Intercontinental Title in New York City at Madison Square Garden

    2011 – At the ROH Best of the World IPPV in New York City; Davey Richards defeated Eddie Edwards to win the ROH World Title and El Generico defeated Christopher Daniels to win the ROH TV Title. Also, ROH Tag Team champions Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin defeated Kings of Wrestling (with Sara del Rey and Shane Hagadorn) the Briscoes and the All Night Express to retain the titles.

  • UFC ‘Ultimate Fighter’ June 24 TV results & recap: ATT attempts to stave off elimination

    By Steve Juon, Wrestling Observer

    Quick summary: The Blackzilians are up 300-100 after Kamari Usman’s decision victory over Steve Carl last week – meaning that American Top Team has to sweep the last three fights to win the show and the $200,000 prize. Glenn Robinson: “You guys want to train at a real gym? Give us a call.” Dan Lambert: “News flash Glenn – you didn’t build a team – you BOUGHT a team.”

    Show Recap:

    Dana White: “It’s a do or die situation for American Top Team right now.”

    Hayder Hassan: “Everything that makes us who we are is how we bounce back.”

    Glenn Robinson hosts a party at the Versace Mansion to celebrate the Blackzilians being this close to mathematically ending the show. Meanwhile at the ATT gym they’re standing in front of a wipe board figuring out who should fight.

    ATT chooses Nathan Coy to get a second shot, and he’s stoked that they have faith in him to get the job done. Lambert: “We need him. He’s our captain. He’s a rock for us. We’re gonna win this thing.” Coy: “I’ve been doing this since eight years old … but I’ve loved every minute of it. I just want to get after it, have fun, and show the world you have to believe.”

    The Blackzilians are leaning toward Sabah Homasi going again based on his weight at first, but Robinson says “BBMonstro” Araujo should go again based on his striking. He’s the man who handed Steve Carl his first loss this season. Commercial.

    Season 15 winner Michael Chiesa has shown up at the TUF house for the annual Harley-Davidson infomercial. He leads the pack to Peterson’s H-D in Miami so they can try out some bikes. The rest of the next ten minutes can be filled out in your own imagination. Weigh-ins: 170.25 for Araujo. 171 for Coy.

    Robinson accuses Lambert of trying to get two fighters ready when he sees Sabah Homasi rehydrate after the weigh-ins. This leads to smack talking between the coaches. Lambert challenges Robinson to a grappling match. He says nothing. Dana White: “This is the most important fight of this season! If BB Monster wins it’s over.”

    * Valdir ‘BBMonstro’ Araujo (Blackzilians) vs. Nathan Coy (American Top Team)

    Coy is in the blue trunks, Araujo the gray. Coy comes forward with some good striking and gets a takedown 20 seconds in to half guard against the fence. Araujo tries to lock an arm around his neck for a choke but doesn’t have the position, and Coy jumps to full guard and pops his head free. Araujo tries to push him away with his legs. Coy blasts him with a right elbow to the face. The referee warns them about holding the cage. Coy is doing a good job of grinding Araujo up while on top.

    Araujo tries to get the arm around his neck again at 3:10. Coy pops out even quicker this time and his biceps are smeared with blood. He almost jumps to full mount at 3:48. Araujo tries to grab the head again and Coy pops out at 3:59. Araujo tries to hook a leg and Coy gets up and sprints away. He backpedals with short time remaining and they clinch at the horn. 10-9 Coy.

    Coy blasts Araujo with a good knee. Araujo tries a flying kick but gets taken down, and in the scramble he goes for a guillotine but can’t get it. He winds up on top and blood is going everywhere. Araujo goes for the guillotine and lets Coy on top. Coy is relentless and won’t let Araujo get away. Coy gets North-South as the ref gives Araujo a warning not to grab the shorts. Araujo slips away at 2:18 and Coy takes him down again. Coy gets a warning for grabbing the fence.

    Araujo goes for a heel hook and Coy pops out. Coy is eating up the clock and busting Araujo with short hard lefts. Araujo is using what little gas he has trying so hard to grab submissions. He’s a sweaty greasy mess. The only thing Araujo can do it try (and fail) to tie Coy up for the last minute. The blood and pain on his face tells the story – his own mistakes will cost him. Coy should win both rounds on all three cards.

    20-18 X3 for Nathan Coy. It’s 300-200 and American Top Team is still alive with two fights left.

    See you next week!

  • TNA Impact Wrestling TV spoilers: many title matches and even more silliness

    By Dave Meltzer, WrestlingObserver.com

    Here’s some notes from Thursday’s TNA Impact Wrestling TV tapings shot for the 7/1, 7/8 and 7/15 episodes of Impact, but with no particular order:

    – Ethan Carter III b Kurt Angle to win the TNA title

    – The final match between The Wolves and Austin Aries & Bobby Roode is a 30 minute Ironman match. This will be determined when whoever wins the match this coming Sunday says ‘I want an Ironman match’.  The fans in attendance, many of whom were in attendance tonight, will be shocked by this.

    Rules are most falls in 30 minutes. Aries & Roode win the first fall at the 26;00 mark.  Wolves win the second fall with less than a minute left, and win the third fall just as time expires so they are the new champions.

    – James Storm introduces his mystery partner, Serena Deeb, for a match against Magnus & Mickie James that already took place last night. People in attendance last night that already saw the match were stunned.

    – Ken Anderson b Bram via DQ for usage of a chair

    – Tigre Uno retained the X title over Grado, Rockstar Spud, and Zema Ion. Uno was injured but it wasn’t clearly how badly he was hurt.

    – Street fight: Jessie Godderz b Robbie E

    – Velvet Sky b Madison Rayne

    – What appears to be a show open has  Carter III talking about how Dixie Carter is returning tonight.  Matt Hardy wanted to challenge him for the title but he refused.  Apparently the 7/8 show has Carter III as the matchmaker and instead he ordered Hardy in a handicap match against Aries & Roode.

    – Aries & Roode b Matt Hardy

    – With the Rising having disbanded, based on a match that airs this coming week, Drew Galloway is booked by EC 3 into a 3-on-1 match against Manik, Abyss and Khoya.  Galloway wins the match.

    – Wolves retain the tag titles over MVP & King via DQ when Hernandez interferes

    – Brooke b Taryn Terrell to win the Knockouts title.  Gail Kim is the new Bray Wyatt or Sabu, appearing when the lights go out and then disappearing.

    – Eric Young b Rockstar Spud in a chain match

    – EC3 announced he would have multiple title defenses.

    – EC3 b the returning Norv Fernum, then beat Shark Boy in his second title defense. Kurt Angle showed up before the third opponent and demanded a return match tonight.  They set it up.  The match will probably be taped tomorrow.

    The show may have ended here.

    – They did a segment where EC 3 got a low blow from Spud. He also gave Josh Matthews a stunner and kissed EC 3’s mom while Tommy Dreamer came out and gave somebody a DDT. EC 3’s real parents were at the show, but I don’t know if they were the ones in the angle.

  • TNA announces the Slammiversary PPV main event

    While one would think TNA would have announced its PPV main event participants last night on television, that would have been misguided thinking. 

    This Sunday’s Slammiversary main event will be a King of the Mountain match (which we knew) involving Jeff Jarrett, Matt Hardy, Eric Young, Bobby Roode and Drew Galloway.

  • WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino undergoes back surgery

    By Dave Meltzer, WrestlingObserver.com

    Bruno Sammartino underwent a back operation this past week in Pittsburgh, PA, after he had been in the hospital for the better part of a month.

    The team that operated on the longtime WWWF champion was headed by Dr. Joseph Maroon, who besides being head of WWE medical, has been Sammartino’s personal physician for years and headed his previous back surgery many years ago.

    Sammartino is now out of the hospital and in great spirits.

  • WWE News: Billy Jack Haynes lawsuit transferred to Connecticut

    Judge Janice Stewart of Portland, OR, ruled today that the Billy Jack Haynes lawsuit against WWE has been moved to U.S. District Court in Connecticut. Stewart wrote that the court expresses no opinion on the merits of the WWE’s motion to dismiss the case outright, and have given power on that motion to the Connecticut court.