The UFC announced tonight that Jose Aldo does not have a fractured rib, but has a bone bruise and cartilage damage in his ribs. It is not certain whether his match with Conor McGregor will take place on 7/11.
The company announced that if Aldo can’t fight on the show, that the new main event would be McGregor vs. Chad Mendes in a match that would be a five round fight for the interim featherweight title.
By Steve Khan, WrestlingObserver.com
– Airdate: June 25, 2015 (June 24 in Canada)
– Location: Huntington Center in Toledo, OH
The Big News:
Seth Rollins beat Dean Ambrose again.
Show Recap:
Jimmy Uso, in his gear and face paint, was on commentary, and is replacing Byron Saxton for the next few weeks. This was Uso’s first appearance on Raw or SmackDown since WrestleMania. Also, Eden is back as ring announcer.
They aired a long recap of Seth Rollins and company beating up Brock Lesnar on Raw. Rollins came out with Kane and Joey Mercury to start the show. Rollins said The Authority is back and they burned Suplex City to the ground.
Rollins reminded us that he broke up the Shield and called The Authority his family. He acknowledged that Jamie Noble suffered three broken ribs at the hands of Lesnar. People cheered. Rollins said he and Mercury spent all night in the hospital with Noble and dedicated SmackDown to him.
Rollins put over Kane and they shook hands. Kane said nobody, including Lesnar, could cross The Authority without consequences. Kane said Big Show wasn’t here because of Ryback. Kane asked Ryback to come out and of course he did.
Rollins said Ryback should take lessons on how to act like a champion from him. Ryback called himself a real champion and ripped on Rollins for being an overprotected sellout. Kane put himself in a match with Ryback.
As the heels left to Kane’s music, Rollins told them to cut the music and said he’s tired of being disrespected. (He waited until being far away from Ryback to say this.) Rollins said he didn’t just barely beat Dean Ambrose at Money in the Bank, he annihilated him. Rollins put himself in a match with Ambrose tonight.
Sheamus beat Dolph Ziggler (w/Lana) via pinfall
Rusev came out almost immediately, pleading with Lana to go back to him. She didn’t, so Rusev yelled that he was done with her. Sheamus tried a Brogue kick but Ziggler dropkicked him to the outside.
After a break, they went back and forth with quick counters and Ziggler hit a superkick for a near fall. Uso dropped a “superkick party” reference. Sheamus crotched Ziggler on the top rope and hit a Brogue kick for the win. Weird finish. Sheamus should win matches like these but Ziggler just lost like it was nothing.
Backstage, Rusev was freaking out and Summer Rae told him Lana isn’t worth it.
They replayed Rollins turning on The Shield last year. Throughout the show, they aired more recent clips from the Rollins-Ambrose rivalry to push tonight’s main event.
Alicia Fox (w/Bella Twins) beat Naomi (w/Tamina) via pinfall
They asked Uso what he thought of Naomi’s recent actions. Uso said he supports his wife and he’s going to leave it at that. Good answer. Naomi got in the Bellas’ faces outside the ring, and Tamina superkicked both Brie and Nikki. Uso again called this a superkick party. Naomi celebrated, but when she re-entered the ring, Alicia caught her with a stupid-looking move for the win. This was dumb.
Backstage, JoJo asked The New Day about their cold streak. Big E was in the middle of preaching but the Prime Time Players interrupted to remind New Day that they suck. Titus did his best Big E impression and said one of the New Day members would have to sit out at Battleground.
Titus and Darren left, and Bo Dallas jumped in. Bo likes New Day and asked The Authority to join them in a match tonight. New Day like Bo Dallas, and they gave him some clap therapy. This was fun. Big E is amazing.
Ryback beat Kane (w/Big Show) via DQ
Big Show jumped Ryback during his entrance and beat on him for a while. He dumped Ryback in the ring and Kane demanded the referee start the match. Kane pinned Ryback but he kicked out at two.
Kane kicked him around for a while but Ryback made a comeback, hitting a spinebuster and clothesline. He went for a shell shock but Show interfered for the DQ. Show chokeslammed Ryback twice. I actually thought this was a fine angle, but it suffered from the problem that will never go away–that it involved Kane and Big Show getting all the heat.
They recapped Tough Enough and announced that Roman Reigns would be on the show next week.
8-Man Tag Match: Prime Time Players & Lucha Dragons beat The New Day & Bo Dallas via pinfall
As the heels worked over Sin Cara, Xavier Woods asked Jimmy Uso how his brother was doing. Sin Cara used a hurricanrana on Kingston and made the hot tag to Kalisto. Everyone eventually jumped in to hit a move, leading to Sin Cara hitting a dive on Kingston, Big E and Bo outside the ring. Kalito hit Woods with a 450 splash for the win. I guess this sets up the Lucha Dragons as contenders when New Day get their titles back. Or maybe it doesn’t.
Backstage, Dean Ambrose told Roman Reigns he’s tired of Bray Wyatt and thought they should search every hallway in the building and take him out Cincinnati-style, which would include using a 5-pound weight and a sock.
Reigns said they’re not in Cincinnati, that he’s a grown man, and would beat Bray’s ass at Battleground. Reigns told Ambrose he should watch his back now that Rollins and The Authority are on the same page. Reigns then said he had Ambrose’s back tonight.
After Ambrose left, Reigns noticed a picture of himself with “Anyone But You” scribbled on it. Then, moments after saying he was a grown man, Reigns lost it over this and stormed off.
After a break, Reigns was hunting for Bray. Reigns asked a backstage geek where Wyatt was. The guy didn’t know, so Reigns took off the guy’s headset and said they better find him. Kane caught Reigns harassing an employee, so he had Reigns ejected. Security came but Reigns left on his own.
WWE Champion Seth Rollins beat Dean Ambrose via pinfall – Non-Title
Rollins worked over Ambrose’s knee but he was able to come back with a double-underhook suplex off the middle rope. Ambrose nailed a face buster for two and tried another suplex off the ropes, but Rollins hit a superkick for two.
Kane tried to interfere, so Ambrose caught him with a suicide dive. Ambrose nailed a top rope elbow on Rollins but Mercury distracted the referee. Ambrose whipped Rollins into Mercury and used a school boy for a near fall, followed by a tornado DDT for another near fall.
Ambrose sent Rollins to the outside and took out all three heels with a top rope elbow. Ambrose turned Rollins inside out with a rebound clothesline. Mercury tried to interfere again, so Ambrose pulled him into the ring and tried Dirty Deeds. Rollins jumped in and hit a pedigree for the win.
The finish was messy with Mercury getting in the ring and the referee just standing there watching. Ambrose technically pulled him in, but still. Also, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Roman Reigns never came back since everyone just blindly does what they’re told.
Final Thoughts:
A mostly mundane show. Ambrose vs. Rollins is always fun, but we just saw them have a ladder match less than two weeks ago, and this was just a backdrop to the larger story, that The Authority always wins. Suplex City isn’t the only thing they’re burning to the ground.
Also, with Noble out, perhaps now would be a good time to give Rollins some new muscle. Like, I don’t know, Cesaro.
By Emerson Witner, WrestlingObserver.com & Wrestling Outsiders Podcast
The Big News:
We got part 2 of THE GREATEST VIDEO PACKAGE EVER and part 2 of the Finn Balor-Rhyno rivalry.
Show recap:
The show began with the entire NXT roster on the stage, including Hideo Itami and Sami Zayn, as Triple H paid tribute to Dusty Rhodes. Most of them were on the verge of breaking down with Kevin Owens heavy breathing and Mr. Regal wiping away tears. Everyone stood for a 10 bell salute.
After the proper open of the show, we are joined by Hideo Itami with his arm in a sling. We get reminded that Kevin Owens just happened to walk by Itami lying on the ground. Greg Hamilton, who is still a better announcer than JoJo, interviewed him. Hideo, who is out 3-4 months, cannot wait to be back. He is just returning from a trip to Japan promoting the NXT Title match July 4. He promises to be there to challenge the winner. Of course this brings out the champ!
Kevin Owens said it is very nice that he will be in Japan to see his wife and kids, but too bad he won’t be competing. Owens said that he will end Balor for good on July 4. Kevin stumbled over his words in trying to say Hideo is delusional, which he then said he sounded like Hideo trying to speak English. However there is no way he is leaving Tokyo without the NXT Title. Owens said he had nothing to do with Itami’s injury and if he did he would be in the hospital next to Sami Zayn. Owens also said he is demanding an apology because Itami called Owens a bad person a few weeks ago.
Itami called him a great champion, but a terrible human being. Owens took offense and went to take him out, so of course Finn Balor ran down to attack him. Balor was about to do a dive off the ramp when Rhyno attacked him! Rhyno threw him off the stage and stood happily over the #1 Contender.
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassidy defeated Jason Jordan & Sylvester Lefort
Justin Henry’s favorite tag team kicks off the in ring action this week as the Long Islanders continue their quest to becoming the NXT Tag Team Champions. Enzo and Sylvester Lefort feuded last year and their Hair vs Hair match led to Marcus Louis getting his head shaved. Plus Sylvester is Jason Jordan’s second potential partner. When will he just take Chad Gable? I wonder how many times Jason slammed the heavy bag on Tough Enough last night? Colin never tagged into the match as the heels beat on Enzo who surprised Jordan with a roll up for the sudden win! I approve of this.
– Last week, Samoa Joe cut a promo saying he still wants to fight Kevin Owens.
Dana Brooke (w/Emma) pinned Cassie
Brooke returns from competing in fitness competitions to grapple with Cassie. Byron Saxton noted that Cassie and Emma are both from Australia, which caused Corey and Rich to make fun of him the entire match for that. Emma looked completely bored by this match while the crowd chanted “Dana sucks” in the same way they would chant “New Day sucks”. Cassie got a fiery comeback, including a running spin kick, but she got beaten with the sit out Death Valley Driver.
– Charlotte cut a promo backstage saying she is going to kick Dana’s ass as soon as she gets the chance.
– We got Part 2 of the GREATEST VIDEO PACKAGE EVER documenting the career of Finn Balor. If you didn’t watch Part 1, not sure what you are waiting for and now go watch both that and this part. He talked about legos and New Japan. We saw Jason Albert talk about him in Japan paying his dues. We got pictures with him and Karl Anderson, Taka Michinoku, Yuji Nagata and Hiroshi Tanahashi. They also showed a little bit of match footage and a bunch of Bullet Club stuff.
Next week is Part 3. July 4 at 5:30am EST, Finn wins the championship from Kevin Owens.
– Bull Dempsey has been ordered to get in better shape. Seriously, whose Cheerios did he piss in? We got a bunch of pictures of Bull eating and being sloth-like.
The Hype Bros defeated Sawyer Fulton and Angelo Dawkins
Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder now have a team name. Sawyer Fulton and Angelo Dawkins do not have a team name, but they should be teaming with Jason Jordan, since they all wear their amateur singlets.
This team actually works. Who thought that if you take two annoying people and put them in a team together that they would be a good team? They got the heat on Mojo, which seems like the backwards thing to do. Fulton and Dawkins did the Charlie Haas/Shelton Benjamin leap over each other and come down on the back of their foe.
Ryder made the hot tag and a Pier 6 brawl broke out with Ryder eventually pinning Dawkins with the Rough Ryder off the middle rope as Mojo held him up.
– Mr. Regal was texting someone when Eva Marie walked in and asked for a match. Mr. Regal became the biggest heel in the company by giving Eva an opportunity. They didn’t set a match up for her, but sadly it’s coming.
Finn Balor pinned Rhyno
Three weeks ago Finn pinned Rhyno clean, so Rhyno gave him a Gore on the ramp. Then earlier this evening Rhyno threw Finn off the three foot high ramp. The NXT Champion came out before the match and settled himself down at the commentary table. It never fails to be entertaining when Owens goes to the table because Saxton sells it as if Owens was Brock Lesnar and Saxton was Michael Cole.
Owens accused Saxton of calling Kevin a liar since Byron keeps asking him if he had anything to do with attacking Hideo, which Kevin has said time and again he had nothing to do with.
Kevin said he will celebrate Independence Day, calling it a great movie, when he beats Itami in Tokyo. Owens kept going off on Byron for constantly asking him questions instead of talking about the match, where Rhyno beat down the #1 Contender.
Rhyno went for a clothesline, Balor ducked it and hit the Pele Kick. Another head kick later and Owens went to ringside. Rhyno hit a belly to belly suplex off the distraction, but Balor came back with the Slingblade and the Coup de Grace for the win! Owens hit the ring as soon as the match was over and we got a 2-on-1 beat down on Balor. Finally, Samoa Joe ran in to make the save, causing the heels to scurry away.
That does it for this week! Until next week, when it is the go home show for July 4, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Dana White just tweeted out “I don’t everyone not to worry” and a graphic indicating Aldo vs. McGregor is still on.
By Josh Nason, WrestlingObserver.com
On Wednesday’s UFC Tonight, Ariel Helwani dropped some interesting UFC newsbits:
UPDATE: After UFC Tonight, Dana White tweeted the following after news broke that featherweight champion Jose Aldo has a bone bruise and cartilage damage and not a fractured rib:
I told everyone not to worry 😉 http://t.co/Wz09zrJmHZ pic.twitter.com/Fyg5KSLzuG
— danawhite (@danawhite) June 25, 2015
– On UFC Tonight, Helwani discussed that Frankie Edgar had volunteered to take Aldo’s place if offered, as did Chad Mendes. The surprising name in the mix? Nate Diaz. That fight would have been at 155 pounds and there wass ‘mutual interest’ from all camps in making that happen if Aldo couldn’t go in 17 days.
– Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk needs surgery on her fractured right thumb suffered in her beating of Jessica Penne last Saturday. The surgery is set for next week in Los Angeles.
– Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson will defend his title again John Dodson, but the date is TBD.
– CM Punk has made the move to Milwaukee full time in order to train at RoufuSport full time. There is still no update on his debut, but Duke Roufus loves him. He recently sparred five full rounds.
– Light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is taking some time off as he’s essentially missing his ACL. He’s undergoing stem cell treatment, but will be ready in four months. He wants to fight on UFC 192 in Houston on October 3rd.
– Fabricio Werdum’s manager thinks Andrei Arlovski makes the most sense to fight the new heavyweight champion, but Werdum is nursing some injuries and won’t be ready to fight until December 2015.
– On GSP’s possible return due to the new drug testing, Helwani was told that it was a step in the right direction but other hurdles would be need to be cleared if he was to return.
Jeff and Karen Jarrett returned on Impact Wrestling tonight and Jeff will be in Sunday’s King of the Mountain match. Vader and Matt Morgan also are on the show.
Obviously a lot more to come. Here’s Jeremy Peeples’ ongoing Impact Wrestling coverage.
By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com
Last week, TNA paid tribute to Dusty Rhodes with a video package and EC3 beat Lashley thanks to a ton of ref bumps and interference. Lashley also won his Bellator fight, and was even allowed to wear an Impact Wrestling cap on Spike. Joseph Park returned to face Bram, and lost not only the match, but his fortune. Investing in Tout didn’t work out well for him. Kong and Brooke beat the Dolls, and Jessie demolished DJZ. Robbie E returned to set up their match at Slammiversary this Sunday. Also, Storm threatened to throw Magnus’s infant son off the stage, but it was just a doll and everyone moved on like nothing had ever happened.
The Takeaway
Jeff Jarrett returned to the company for at least the time being and announced that he’ll be in this Sunday’s King of the Mountain match. Tigre Uno won the X Title in a three way elimination match, and the Dirty Heels beat the Wolves in a Full Metal Mayhem to set up next week’s world tag title match. Velvet Sky beat Angeilna to earn a spot on the roster, and Kurt Angle beat Matt Hardy before making EC3 tap out afterwards.
This week’s show starts off with EC3 and Tyrus meeting with JB and EC3 saying that Kurt will face a legacy guy from TNA’s past. We get a recap of EC3-Lashley from last week. Heels vs. Wolves in Full Metal Mayhem is hyped up. Kurt Angle comes down and we’re told that Josh and Pope are at ringside. Kurt says that in one week, he can prove that he’s the best and shut EC3 up. Tonight, he’ll beat EC3’s guy and they’ve added a new screen opposite the hard camera showing who is speaking. It’s a nice little touch that makes the new Impact Zone a little better-looking.
EC3 comes down with Tyrus, whose left arm is all bandaged up. EC3 says Kurt is only the best for now. Kurt wants the match and says that next week, he’ll make EC3 tap and tonight, he’ll make his opponent tap out too. EC3 runs down everyone he’s beaten and Kurt says EC3 is obsessed with himself and his ego will bite him in the ass. Next week, he’ll make EC3 tap out. EC3 said he won’t tap, and we see that Matt Hardy is EC3’s opponent. Well, this certainly ate up TV time. Pope and Josh are shown at ringside and run down tonight’s card. The Wolves vs. The Dirty Heels and Velvet Sky returns to face Angelina, and if Sky wins, she can return. So Velvet Sky wrestles, and if she wins, she gets to keep wrestling. Great stip. Low-Ki is out for the three-way elimination match for the X Title. Tigre comes down, followed by Grado while Josh talks about how everything here is trending – well then how important is that then?
Match One – Low-Ki vs. Grado vs. Tigre Uno – X Division Title
Ki chops away as Josh hypes Dixie showing the new green title belt on Twitter. Grado punches and elbows away at Ki. Pope talks about the title being green for money. Uno gets a sliding kick to Ki, but can’t slam Grado. Grado sends Uno down and goes up top, but Ki stops him, sends him down, and double stomps his head off to eliminate him. Uno chops Ki in the corner, but eats a corner forearm for 2. Ki kicks him down and goes up top, but gets crotched and eats a springboard rana for 2. Ki misses the giant corner charge dropkick and Uno tells Ki to move a bit, and sure enough, he wins with the Phoenix splash to win the title. He grabs the title and a small amount of streamers fall from the sky.
JB is backstage and sounds like he’s underwater. Bram brags about beating up old people because he hates everyone. A gloved hand is on JB’s shoulder and he says “it’s time”. Love vs. Sky is up next. First Taryn is in lingerie and is angry at the Dolls in a very echoey room. Lashley and Anderson will face Tyrus and ECE at the PPV. Angelina comes down and screeches while Velvet’s new theme and entrance video greet us. Josh says that Velvet has this chance because the fans wanted it and Velvet was wrongfully fired before.
Match Two – Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love
Velvet shoves her and kicks her down. They punch around a bit on the floor and Velvet shoves her into the steps. Velvet stands tall on them, but eats a dropkick coming into the ring. Love gets 2. Angelina hits a corner splash and gets 2 off a sideslam. Angelina goes up and Velvet picks her ankle and sends her down. Clothesline barrage hits and it’s followed up by a slap. Velvet avoids the botox injection and hits a stunner to win. Josh says it’s time to take her off the alumni page while fans hold up a babe-ality sign for her.
The Dirty Heels are backstage and ask if these guys are paid to ask them questions. Aries says they’re probably not and Aries says that he thought about his wrestling training and not having anything in there about tables, ladders, or chairs. The video quality took a massive drop here, and it looks almost like a cell phone video, and they’re still in an echoey area.
After a break, we get another “razor’s edge” promo and MVP is met by a guy with another cell phone camera reading a script very badly. MVP says the BDC is back with a different strategy, and they’re stronger than ever now. The Dirty Heels come down, followed by the Wolves. Josh plugs the shirts of both teams.
Match Three – The Wolves vs. The Dirty Heels – Tag Title Series TLC Match
Wolves attack with a chop and kick combo along with double stomps. Aries grabs a chair while Pope says this stip really favors the Heels, who stall on the floor. The Heels take their chairs and sit in them for some strategy. A double dive is countered by a ladder to the heads of the Wolves. The Heels boast and we go to a break.
We come back to the Heels dominating. They each lock on chinlocks using the chairs to sit down – awesome! Trash can lid shot to Davey sets up the backbreaker>pendulum elbow combo. Pope tells them to not drop the lid as Josh says he never won a world title, but each Heel did. Aries tosses Eddie into Roode, but he eats a kick. Davey attacks with chairs to the gut while Eddie goes for lid shots to the head. The Heels duck out to avoid damage and eat a double dive once. Twice. Three dives! Aries has a massive welt above his right hip.
Aries catches a chair and eats a chairshot from Davey, who hits Roode while holding a chair over Roode’s back for an Eddie double stomp! Falcon Arrow gets 2 for the Wolves. Eddie grabs a chain, which is something I don’t recall seeing used in one of these – so that’s new. Davey puts the chain on his kicking leg, but Aries ducks a kick and gets the Last Chancery. Eddie bonks his belly with a trash can to end the move.
Roode pulls Davey out and Aries dives onto him. Roode gets a powerbomb while Aries hits a missile dropkick to send Eddie through a table and get 2. The busted table is by the ropes and Aries chops away at Eddie in the corner. Double team alarm click to Roode hits, but Aries makes the save. Corner chop to Roode sets up a trash can on the head and a chairshot. The Wolves climb up top on opposite side and hit a double Van Terminator! Roode saves Aries from a trashcan and chair double powerbomb>backstabber with a low blow. The series now tied up at 2-2.
JB meets with Matt, who says that he became a father yesterday and wants to be the TNA World Champion. He doesn’t like EC3, but EC3 comes in and says that he’ll be champion next week. Matt says he’s made his legacy, but what will EC3’s be if he taps out? Jeff and Karen Jarrett come down in Global Force Wrestling shirts and Josh kills this by saying “I think Impact Wrestling just broke the internet”.
Jeff asks if Hell has frozen over and asks why the co-founders of Global Force Wrestling in the middle of a TNA ring. He’ll address some points tonight and some points later on. A week ago, he was in Winston Salem and got a text from TNA management. They wanted a conference call with him and had a proposal. He put his phone back in his pocket and wondered what they wanted. Did they want a talent exchange? A co-promoted show? He talked with them and he was asked to come back for a match.
He says he doesn’t wrestle for his own promotion, so why would he wrestle here? It’s his match – King of the Mountain. It won’t be on just an Impact show – but the company’s 13th anniversary. He remembered all the great times in the Impact Zone, like when Cornette talked about Kurt Angle coming to TNA. He had chills when Samoa Joe gave him the headbutt from Hell and seeing the growth of AJ Styles. Beer Money became the best team in company history. EY went from a goof to having more TV shows than Ryan Seacrest and thought about looking in the rear view mirror.
Since April 14, 2014, he’s poured everything into Global Force Wrestling. How will this affect the staff, the roster? He asks how it would affect Karen? She says she loves Jeff, but she’s different than Jeff. He told her to sit down and says that GFW is their future. She wasn’t sold on this, but Jeff sold her on it. She says she loves him and will support him in anything he does. At 11 AM, she was on the phone with some of the GFW talent roster and Sonjay Dutt crying. She cries over the thought of giving up everything they’ve built with GFW for TNA, and Sonjay told her that Jeff didn’t go out in TNA the way he wanted to. He had to go out his way.
He was fired in a backstage bit by Sting, and that was glorious by the way. She says she didn’t come here to go home. Jeff’s going to leave TNA on his terms and make things right. Damn, she cut a hell of a money promo for this show for Jeff. It’s such a shame they’re not doing this on Spike now, because they could actually gain a bit of traction. Jeff will be in the King of the Mountain and walk down the TNA aisle one last time. This was incredible and a must-watch segment.
Match Four – “The Man With 500 Nicknames” Bram vs. “The Man They Call” Vader
Bram is mid-ring as Josh calls him the Human Hate Machine. Really now? Vader comes down, and it’s spoiled by his tron before he’s even shown. Vader circles around Bram while Josh talks about how you should never burn a bridge in wrestling. Pope mocks Josh for giving Bram 8,000 nicknames. Vader gets his corner punches and a lariat. Shortarm clotheslines follows that up.
Bram attacks and takes Vader’s mask off. Vader messes around with his pants before a Vader bomb gets 2. Vader gets the wrench and hits Vader, so after Josh talks about how Bram’s matches have relaxed rules, this is a DQ. Matt Morgan comes down and fallaway slams him. So Bram can’t beat a 60 year and gets his ass kicked by Matt Morgan. Next, Chris Melendez faces EY. EY comes out while Josh is offended by EY and mocks Pope for liking him. Pope says that if Chris can survive an IED, he can survive EY.
Match Five – Eric Young vs. Chris Melendez
A collar and elbow tie-up starts this while Pope calls EY a bearded terror. EY rakes his face in the corner with his boot. Josh interrupts this for breaking news – Matt Morgan will face Bram. Please don’t all call your PPV providers at once, you might break their phone lines. EY gets a pair of two counts hooking the artificial leg and they show off EY’s revamped tattoo. EY wrenches at the neck and tries to take his leg off afterwards, but gets kicked off and eats forearms. Chris ducks down and eats a piledriver, giving EY the win. This was short, and EY’s a good guy for Chris to work with at this stage in his career. Kurt Angle faces Matt Hardy next.
Before the match, a brawl before The Rising (remember them?) and the BDC is happening on the ramp. During all this, Hernandez comes down and clotheslines Drew down. Well, this certainly doesn’t bode well for Lucha Underground continuing for a second season. Hernandez hits the Border Toss to Drew. Match five in the best of five series will happen on next week’s Bell to Bell show. Taryn defends the title against Kong and Brooke, and in the main event, Kurt Angle faces EC3 for the World title. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Jeff Jarrett is in a king of the mountain match against people we don’t know for a prize we’re unaware of and with stipulations that haven’t been explained. Matt comes down, followed by Kurt.
Main Event – Kurt Angle vs. Matt Hardy
A collar and elbow tie-up starts things off, and Matt gets 2 off a swinging neckbreaker. Matt sets Kurt up on the second rope and hits an Eye of the Hurricane for 2. Pope calls this a PPV-quality main event anywhere in the world. Really now? This would be maybe an hour one main event on SmackDown in 2003. Kurt takes him down with a chinlock. Back and forth punch exchange mid-ring. Kurt gets the rolling Germans. Matt gets off a Side Effect and Josh announces Aries vs. Davey for the PPV.
Angle slam gets 2. The winner of Aries-Richards picks the stipulation for the final match in the series. Kurt gets the ankle lock, but Matt rolls through for 2. Matt takes him down, but misses a moonsault. More Germans by Kurt lead to an Angle Slam attempt, but Matt counters with a Side Effect for 2. Two more Side Effects hit for 2. Twist of Fate hits and gets 2.5. Matt goes for another Twist, but Kurt grabs the ankle for another ankle lock for the win. This was fine, but never got out of first gear. It was nothing but move after move without much more to it. EC3 jumps in, but Matt is taken out by Tyrus. Kurt gets the ankle lock on EC3, who taps out. Kurt gets his hand raised and…that certainly was a show ending.
To see every screenshot taken for the show, just click here.
By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com
Last week, Johnny Mundo and Prince Puma had a crazy show-long match. The all night long match was, of course, an invention of Dario Cueto and another example of how Lucha Underground can take something that could easily fail – like a TV iron man match, and make it compelling through the whole show. It had a lot of bells and whistles like stunts, but some cute things like using the band and bandstand throughout the match. Puma was down by a ton of falls, which led to Mundo stalling, but Puma eventually retained thanks to Alberto, who will seemingly be Mundo’s next big rival.
This week’s show begins with a recap of Dario’s announcement of the ancient medallions. Drago’s return is covered, as is Catrina threatening Cueto’s life to make tonight’s Muertes vs. Drago number one contender’s match. We get a recap of Mundo slamming Alberto through Cueto’s window, and Alberto costing Mundo his title shot last week. At Ultima Lucha, Mundo will face Alberto. Sexy Star is in the ring twirling around with her wristband cape. Super Fly comes down for his first match since losing his mask against Sexy, and attacking her during her match with Pentagon Jr.
They throw to a Vamp-Super Fly interview where they replay his attack on Sexy. Sexy took his mask, so he wanted to take something from her. Vamp says she didn’t steal his mask and she beat him. Fly says he got authorization for a rematch, and Vamp had better not interfere. He rubbed his braced elbow after the arm snapper from Pentagon.
Match One – Sexy Star vs. Super Fly
Super Fly superkicks her down and gets 2 off an elbow. He gets a running back elbow and Striker says that unmasking is a chance to be reborn. He dropkicks her down, but he ducks down and eats kicks for 2. Running big boot to Sexy sends her to the corner and he stomps away. He gets 2 off an awkward cover. He kicks the hamstring a few times and headbutts her, but she avoids a punch by grabbing the arm and getting a wacky arm drag off the top. A cradle gets 2 for Sexy. He punches her in the face hard and he follows up with some leg kicks. Super Fly gets a super-light AA and a side senton dive for 2. Sexy backdrops him high over the top in a beautiful move. She dives off the top onto him, and he barely catches her. This has not exactly been a pretty match.
She gets a tornado armdrag on the floor using the apron. She climbs up and she hits something off the top to the knee. She kicks his back and gets a legdrop for 2. Fly gets a light powerbomb and then a sitout variant for the win. This wasn’t very good, and borderline awful at points, but was pretty captivating because you never knew what was going to happen. Fly tries to get her mask, but she frees herself. Medallion five way match is up next.
But first, we get a dubstep montage of Drago looking cool and doing things with nunchuks against the sunlight. The referee holds up the bag with the medallion, and he’s got two broken fingers. Pentagon Jr. comes down to a sea of cheers, claps, and the fans chanting his catchphrase. Melissa Santos leaves the ring because he’s crazy. Pentagon wants to prove that he’s the only luchador with zero fear, and he must destroy the man who prevented his sacrifice – Vampiro! He bows up to vamp, who pushes him back to a huge “Vampiro” chant. Vamp prepares to take his shirt off and says something I think probably would’ve been bleeped on any other network. Pentagon leaves, so we’ve got a four way next.
Match Two – Cage vs. vs. Marty the Moth vs. The Mack vs. Aerostar
Aerostar gets 2 off a rana on Marty. Mack flips out of a dragon suplex – or he did the All Japan no-sell, hard to tell with the camera angle. Cage throws mack into the barricade on the floor. Marty clotheslines Aerostar down and Vamp profiles Marty the Moth as a member of law enforcement. Aero dives on the pile. Aero is caught by Cage in a fallaway slam setup, and after doing some curls, he tosses him over the top literally like it’s a video game. Deadlift apron superplex to Marty gets 2. Aero sends Mack down and gets a springboard senton for 2.
Aero hits Mack with an elbow, but he eats a slam and a standing moonsault for 2. Mart pump kicks Mack for 2. On the floor, Cage hits a deadlift apron backdrop onto Aero. Mack avoids a suplex and tosses Marty to the apron, but he waves and gets a dive and a charging dropkick in the corner. Cage gets the discus lariat on Mack for 2. Shock treatment gets 2 on Marty. Aero and Marty dropkick Cage, but he clotheslines them both down. Mack and Cage brawl on the floor, but Mack gets posted.
Apron exploder by Mack to Cage on the apron. Well, that’s right out of Fire Pro Wrestling Returns. Mack dives onto Cage and Marty climbs and flaps. Aero kicks him and does a rope to rope rana instead of just climbing up, but wins after a dive.
The trios champs train and Ivie eats some shots and complains. Catrina comes in and seductively warns her. Then the Disciples of Death appear from behind the champions as if they’re Putties from Power Rangers, kick their asses and Mil and Catrina leave hand in hand. This act is so much more fun now that they’ve added all of this goofy stuff to it. Drago comes down and then gets jumped by Hernandez, who beats the crap out of him with a belt. He chokes him out and we go to a break. The referee asks Drago if he wants to compete, and then Muertes comes down and the crowd chants “mamacita” at Catrina.
Main Event – Drago vs. Mil Muertes – Number One Contender’s Match
Mil tosses him into the corner off a tie-up and punches away. Drago avoids a shoulder charge, but can’t get a German suplex. Drago gets a run-up sliced bread, but Mil sits up. Drago gets a kick, but eats an overhead belly to belly. Mil tosses him into the corner for another beating. Drago avoids a press slam and gets a superkick to the gut and a spinning headscissors. Spear to Drago leads to a series of rope chops. Drago ducks down and sends Mil to the floor for a big dive. Mil tosses him into the post and then into the fans and beats him with chairs. Crowd alternates between a “holy shit” and “this is awesome” chant.
Drago rises up and Mil spears him into the chairs again. Mil powerbombs him onto the announce table, which doesn’t budge at all. Mil tosses him in and a big “Drago” chant breaks out. Drago fights back and gets a springboard DDT! Mil reverses the Dragon’s Tail cradle and punches away. Mil holds him up, punches his face, then gets a straightjacket flatliner for the win and the Ultima Lucha title shot! Drago gets the lick of death and Prince Puma comes down with Konnan and we get a staredown to close the show.
by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.com | Follow @davidbix
TV lineup for tonight:
NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network has Finn Balor vs. Rhyno, Hideo Itami giving an update on his injury, and more.
Lucha Underground at 8:00 p.m. ET on El Rey has Drago vs. Mil Muertes in a number one contenders match and much more.
ROH at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America has a loaded show with A.J, Styles & The Young Bucks vs. Kazuchika Okada & Roppongi Vice as well as Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Roderick Strong and Gedo. vs. Michael Elgin.
UFC Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 could very well have an announcement on the status of Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor, as the timing works out just right with Aldo seeing his doctor today.
Impact Wrestling at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America is the “live” show that kicks of the parade of confusion that will be the next few days of out of order taping.
The Ultimate Fighter at 10:00 p.m. on Fox Sports 1 sees American Top Team fighting to stay in the competition as they’ll be mathematically declared losers if they lose again.
WWE is taping SmackDown and Main Event tonight in Toledo, Ohio. If you’re attending it, please send a spoiler report to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.
****
The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a detailed look at what made Dusty Rhodes such a uniquely gifted performer. Topics covered include:
* How his appeal differed from other superstar babyfaces.
* His underrated athleticism and in-ring working ability.
* His versatility on promos.
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.
****
Part one of the life and career of Dusty Rhodes is the feature in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer. We also look at WWE coming out of the Money in the Bank PPV and where things are going next, UFC in Mexico City and the Fabricio Werdum win over Cain Velasquez, more on how Mayweather & Pacquiao set PPV records and who was buying, the debut of Global Force Wrestling, Tough Enough and Verano de Escandalo are also covered.
The Latest Wrestling Observer: June 22, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Part 1 of giant Dusty Rhodes obituary, GFW’s 1st shows
Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
You can also order at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com
Rates are:
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.
The lead story covers the life and early career of Dusty Rhodes. We have a lot of his career records. We look at fact vs. fiction about his life before wrestling, and his road to the top in wrestling. We have an overview of the key points of his career, as well as rundown his early territories and the build to his babyface persona. We’ve got comments by many people most associated with him during his career. We look at health issues, the outpouring of emotion, an eerie thing written by Rhodes just ten day before his death where exactly what he didn’t want to be most remembered for was brought up. We look at the WWF character and the real reasons behind it.
We also look at the rise and fall of Jim Crockett Promotions, the fall of the UWF, the last year of JCP, the TBS purchase, why Rhodes was fired from the company and how Rhodes ended up back in WCW. We also look at why he retired from the ring, and the irony of what he said about who could and couldn’t book wrestling in the late 90s.
We look at Rhodes mentions on spots shows this past week, and his role in helping talent currently on the main roster.
We look at the original Dusty Rhodes, his doing backyard wrestling, his college days going to matches, West Texas State football and how he got into pro wrestling. We look at his early territorial work, his first pushes and his rise to prominence.
We look back at the Texas Outlaws tag team with Dick Murdoch, how they got publicity as the top tag team of 1970 with two world tag team titles at the same time, his first run in Florida and how big he was put over on the first TV show there, his brief time in Australia as world tag team champion and who his manager was. We look at why the run was so short, his working for Bill Watts as a single star, the Crusher vs. Dusty Rhodes dynamic, the first taste of Rhodes as a babyface, who Dusty pitched to Eddie Graham about bringing in as his younger brother, why Dusty was able to be a much better promo in Florida than he could in the AWA, Rhodes vs. Lou Thesz, Rhodes vs. Jack Brisco, the American Dream turns babyface and the quest for the NWA title achieved.
We also look at the direction for Battleground and full coverage of Money in the Bank.
We also look at the stories behind UFC 188 and have full coverage of the show.
We also look at the upcoming Hogan lawsuit, more dates booked for Brock Lesnar, wrestler who was on Raw last year trying out for Tough Enough, Kevin Owens talks John Cena, Dwayne Johnson movie notes, more notes from the WWE camp, More NXT road dates, WWE stock notes and network predictions, Chyna at WWE headquarters, plus more notes on the last NXT tour and a rundown of the business and weekend house shows and an interesting note about that business.
We look at why bought Mayweather-Pacquiao and what can be learned from it.
We look at the debut of Global Force Wrestling and the problems facing the promotion, its first weekend of shows, second weekend and first television tapings.
We also look at AAA’s Verano de Escandalo show.
We look at the finalists for this season of Tough Enough, who they were and where they came from.
We also have an interesting look at DVR usage during pro wrestling shows and what it says about the various products.
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:
–First notes on the annual Universal champion of champions tournament
–An interesting result where a major promotion’s top star put over an indie wrestler clean
–The Busca en un Idolo tournament
–What CMLL show drew the biggest crowd of the week and it was outside of Mexico City
–Update on Negro Casas concussion
–Latest from Arena Mexico
–Former world champion boxer marries pro wrestling star
–International stars coming to PWG
–Wrestle-One comes to the U.S. and Philadelphia show notes
–Dragon Gate changes several championships and a look at the next two big shows
–What U.S. stars are headed to Dragon Gate shortly
–Mitsuharu Misawa Tribute week in NOAH and what legends attended the big show
–GHC title match with neither wrestler being associated with the NOAH brand
–Update on Takeshi Morishima retirement match
–Notes on G-1 Climax ticket sales
–Update on Yoshitatsu
–Shinya Hashimoto Memorial show lineup
–A note on the Hashimoto legacy
–Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Roderick Strong rematch and how it came to be
–New Japan stars headed back to England and a look at their most recent England appearance
–New Japan stars headed back to ROH soon
–Current MMA world champion headlines IGF pro wrestling event
–King of DDT tournament notes
–Notes from the Championship Wrestling from Florida tribute event this past week
–Update on Blackjack Mulligan
–Details on Josh Alexander and his upcoming neck surgery
–Former WWE developmental talent on a CBS reality show
–Former wrestlers drop lawsuit against WWE
–How rules in New York affect indie groups and what rule in the books isn’t enforced at all
–What are the biggest expenses
–Major movie with Kevin Nash coming out soon
–New promotion debuts on national TV in July
–80s star writing an autobiography
–Notes on some stadium shows coming this summer
–Case reopened on the murder of an 80s pro wrestler
–Notes on Ultima Lucha
–Two wrestlers under consideration for season two of Lucha Underground
–Notes on the New York ROH shows and complete lineup
–Notes on ROH on Destination America
–TNA makes big play for former WWE major star
–Changes in the TNA PPV show
–Return of King of the Mountain
–Update on Jeff Hardy
–More on Slammiversary
–Problems with weight cutting
–Details behind drug test controversy with Jose Aldo in Brazil
–This week’s UFC show
–More on UFC deal with Titan Fighting Championships
–UFC debuts in Saskatchewan with action main event
–Future of Johny Hendricks
–Update on C.M. Punk and his UFC debut
–Lots of new UFC fights
–Kimbo/Shamrock notes
–Kimbo and Shamrock favor allowing PEDs in MMA
–Looking at the Bellator show
–Retirement of Peter Aerts and his legacy
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
Our most requested issues in our history are:
*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)
*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)
*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)
*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a
*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)
*July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)
*February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)
*May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)
*January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)
*February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)
*March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)
*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)
*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)
*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)
*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)
*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)
*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)
*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)
*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)
*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)
*February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)
*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.
****
Tuesday Daily Update
— The Tough Enough season premiere had 1.2 million viewers last night. The previous season a few years ago with Steve Austin did 3.3 million from the premiere before dropping to the high 2+ million range thereafter. Like Total Divas, though, it could gain a decent number of viewers on replays.
— Dave Allen, UFC’s head of operations foe Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, has left the company out of nowhere after just six months.
— Darren Young was tweeting yesterday about feeling disrespected by his boyfriend’s face being blurred on the first episode of “Swerved” on WWE Network. Logic says that this was just an issue of not getting a signed release from him, as Titus O’Neil’s kids were all blurred out, as well,
— Pat Laprade’s Mad Dog Vachon book will be released in English this fall, which is tremendous news. His first book, a history of Montreal wrestling co-written with Bertrand Hebert, is a must-read, so this is something to look forward to.
– Vox.com did a list of the most edited Wikipedia pages. “List of WWE personnel” was amazingly second on the list while The Undertaker was 18th. Neither should necessarily be shocking if you’ve ever looked at the talk page of a wrestling-related Wikipedia article.
— ECW Press sent out an email stating that the book “The Iron Sheik: Listen Jabroni!” has been cancelled, though “WWE and ECW will continue to partner on more titles in the future, including an autobiography of Pat Patterson, set to release in June 2016.”
— WWE Network added 15 episodes of Prime Time Wrestling to the on demand section, covering the build to WrestleMania III including all of the Piper’s Pit segments, etc.
— Scott Fishman of The Miami Herald has a new article on Mickie James, though it’s likely paywalled for most.
— IWA Mid-South presents the 2015 King of the Deathmatches at the American Legion Post 335 in Charlestown, IN on 6/26 & 6/27. Doors open at 6:30, bell time is 7:30. Bell time on 6/27 is 6:30. Bryant Woods VS JD Horror- Fans Bring the Weapons, Devon Moore VS Reed Bentley- TLC X2 (Tables, Tacks, Ladders, Lighttubes, Chairs, Candles), Dale Patricks VS Adam Bueller- Barefoot Fishhooks, Syringes, Carpet Strips & Tubes, Corporal Robinson VS John Wayne Murdoch- Feel The Burn match (Coals, Rubbing alcohol, Lit cigarettes, Tabasco sauce), Nick Gage VS Markus Crane- Death From Above, Tank VS Matt Tremont- Texas Bullrope Barbed Wire Boards & Cactus pits, MASADA VS The Green Phantom- Caribbean Spider Web, Sexxy Eddy VS Insane Lane- Homerun Derby Deathmatch
— IWA Mid-South also presents the 2015 Queen of the Deathmatches at the American Legion Post 335 in Charlestown, IN on 6/27. Doors open at 1:30, Bell time is 2:00. Sage Supreme VS Thunderkitty- Tai Pei Death Barbed Wire Boards, Randi West VS Rebecca Payne- World Series of Glass, Kathy “The Butcher” Owens VS Sabrina Sixx- Four Corners of Pain, Ludark Shaitan VS Mistress Burgandi- Tacks, Carpet Strips, Barb Wire Bundles Light Tube Ropes.
— The stars of Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling return to The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 in Langford, B.C. with Tag Team Champions The Wisemen vs. NexGen and much more. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for an 8:00 pm. start.
— Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling “Who’s the Man” on July 4 has:
– HOLLYWOOD VS BOLLYWOOD GRUDGE TAG TEAM MATCH –
The Entourage [Brady Malibu & MR2] vs. The Bollywood Boyz [Gurv Sihra & Harv Sihra]
– “RAVENOUS” MYSTERY STIPULATION –
Hellion w/ Rigor Von Slasher vs. “Ravenous” Randy Myers
The Ladies Choice vs. Tony Baroni
Lak Siddartha w/ Rigor Von Slasher vs. “The Loose Cannon” Kenny Lush
And much more!