By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer
We’re looking for reports from tonight’s NXT tapings at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL at dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
Smackdown tonight on Syfy at 8 p.m.
Dean Ambrose vs. Sheamus & Kane handicap match
Paige vs Brie Bella
Dolph Ziggler vs. Bo Dallas
Neville vs. Xavier Woods
Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro in a non-title match
Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus & Kane
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
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The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.
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.
THURSDAY’S NEWS UPDATE
- We have a special audio show today talking with Bruce Mitchell about the career of Dusty Rhodes: Wrestling Observer Radio 6/18: Bruce Mitchell joins us to talk the life and times of the American Dream Dusty Rhodes!
- Dusty Rhodes’ funeral was yesterday in Tampa. All of the developmental talent attended as well as most of the main roster based in Tampa as well as the major players in WWE like Vince McMahon, Stephanie and HHH, as well as people like Undertaker, Ric Flair and Magnum T.A., Tommy Dreamer, J.J. Dillon, Missy Hyatt, Hector Guerrero, Pat Patterson, Bugsy McGraw and a number of former wrestlers who settled in Tampa. Even though their grandfather (Blackjack Mulligan) was in critical condition, both Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas were there. The family gave speeches. The speeches were more about Dusty Rhodes the father and the husband and not so much the wrestler.
- More on the funeral
- A few early notes from the NXT tapings going on right now at Full Sail University:
Johnny Gargano made a surprise appearance losing a great match to Uhaa Nation with a shooting star press. Not sure if this relates to an Evolve deal since Gargano is a regular.
There was a Dusty Rhodes tribute.
Hideo Itami said he’d be out 3-4 more months and challenged the winner of Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens in Tokyo on 7/4. Kevin Owens came out and Itami said Owens was a good champion but a terrible human being. Owens threatened Itami and Balor made the save and they brawled. Balor dove off the stage onto Balor. Rhino then laid out Balor and Owens escaped. (thanks to Devin Chen)
- WWE stock closed down four cents a share today to $16.41 after a big day yesterday.
- ESPN.com has reported that Golden Boy Promotions deal with FS 1 is not being renewed when the deal ends at the end of this month. The PBC will be the new boxing promotion on the channel.
- C.M. Punk was the co-host of the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup victory parade today.
He rips on Hulk Hogan for being a fake hockey fan
Punk also apparently asked WWE to send the Blackhawks a belt after winning the Cup in 2013, but they said no because “no one watches hockey”
- Tyrus from TNA and Doug Williams will headline at the Cheese and Grain Festival for CSF International Pro Wrestling on Frome, England on Sunday.
- Will County (Springfield, IL) State Attorney Jim Glasgow is talking about introducing legislation that would ban the rear naked choke in MMA competition throughout the state of Illinois. There were two murders in the city in 2013 via choke. If this happens, so much for UFC events in Chicago.
- MMA Junkie.com is reporting that several fighters on the UFC’s 6/27 show in Hollywood, FL, from Brazil, are in danger of not getting visas in time for the fight due to the U.S. visa system being off-line due to technical problems that are holding up issuance of them.
- The Chris Jericho vs. Finn Balor match that we wrote about last week in the Observer is now official for 7/3 in Tokyo.
- Bellator claimed they have a big announcement on their web site tomorow at 5:15 p.m. There are hints this has to do with Tito Ortiz. Ariel Helwani has reported it will be a combination Bellator & Glory show in the fall in San Jose with both a ring and cage set up that would include Ortiz, Phil Davis and Joe Schilling.
- Rony Jason tested positive for a diuretic in his 5/30 UFC fight in Goiania, Brazil. Jason had beaten Damon Jackson. His win was overturned and he also had to forfeit a $50,000 performance bonus.
- There will be a Wrestle-1 show on 6/23 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with this lineup:
Mad Man Pondo vs. Yasufumi Nakanoue
Jason Kincaid vs. Kazma Sakamoto
Ray Lyn vs. Amber Lea vs. Crazy Mary Dobson (managed by Sonny Onoo)
AJ Istria & Rionne Fujiwara vs. Silencer & Deget Bundlez vs. Solo & Drolix (managed by Kevin Sullivan and Don West)
Masakatsu Funaki (with Onoo) vs. Rob Terry
Dylan Bostic vs. Shuji Kondo
Wes Brisco vs. Kai
Great Muta & ? vs. Moose & Onyx
- My Life My Power Entertainment on Sunday in Pasadena, TX has Daniel Puder & Major Mark vs. Jessy Sorensen & Alex Chamberlain.
- Pro Wrestling Eclipse on Sunday in Oshawa, ONT: Brent Banks b Josh Alexander, John Atlas won four-way over Eddie Osbourne, Buck Gunderson and Eddie Sappaluchi, John Atlas b Tarik-COR, Tyson Dux b Will White-DQ, Xandra Bale b Kaitlin Diemond, Hardcore Hick & Dirty Rex b The Flatliners, Cody Deaner b Dirty Rex (thanks to Steven Ashe)
- Ken Shamrock missed a St. Louis radio appearance yesterday morning.
- The Ontario tag team The Flatliners, real names Nick Eockwell & Matt Giunta, will be competing on The Amazing Race Canada on CTV on its new season that starts on 7/8.
- Grand Slam Wrestling on Saturday night in Moosic, PA at the Moosic Youth Center.
- Victory Commonwealth Wrestling on Sunday at the Ajax Rotary Park in Ajax, ONT.
- A mistake from the Monday update. Entourage was actually No. 2 last weekend in Australia at the box office, not No. 1.
- Evolve has shows on 8/15 in Woodside, Queens at La Boom and the next day in Deer Park at the NYWC Sportatorium.
- Evolve on 7/10 at The Orpheum in Ybor City,FL
Drew Galloway & Roderick Strong vs. Anthony Nese & Caleb Konley
Davey Richards vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Chris Hero vs. Trevor Lee
Rich Swann vs. Timothy Thatcher
Biff Busick vs. Andrew Everett
- All-Star Wrestling on 6/27 in Abbotsford BC at the Arts Centre has an all-women’s show featuring Malia Hosaka. They also have an all-women’s show the day before in Surrey BC at the Alice McKay Building at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
- Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling on 6/26 in Duncan, BC at the Eagles Club.
- Battlarts on Saturday night at the Don Kolov Arena in Mississauaga, ONT.
- Capital City Championship Combat tomorrow night in Ottawa, ONT at the Vanier Columbus Club headlined by Chris Dikinson vs. Buxx Belmar and Pinky Sanchez vs. Mike Bailey.
- Dr. Wagner Jr. & Dr. Wagner III face L.A. Park & El Hijo del L.A. Park on Sunday in Houston at Club La Boom.
- Valiente and Ultimo Guerrero are booked on Saturday in Mission, TX at Ochoa’s Flea Market.
- NFC on 6/27 at Center Stage in Atlanta with Dave Vitkay vs. Wes Barnes for an MMA show.
- Orlando Pro Wrestling from Tuesday night in Orlando: Bobby Fonta b Rexx Bacchus, Ace Andrews b Dalton Murphy, Josh Parker & Russell Payne b Tyranus & AP Bernie, Santana Garrett b MJ Knight, Josh Porter won Chico Adams Challenge, Aaron Epic b Slade Porter. Next show is 6/25 with a students show and 6/27 with a regular show. (thanks to Al Haft)
- Pure Wrestling Association on 7/17 in Guelph, ONT at Red Chevron on Elizabeth Street at 7 p.m. Gangrel vs. Big Al as the main event.
- Maryland Championship Wrestling tomorrow night in Glen Burnie, MD at Michael’s Eighth Avenue Mick Foley as host, with Amber Rodriguez vs. Mickie James with Lisa Varon as referee and Melina Perez as ringside enforcer.
- Legend City Wrestling on 6/23 in Anthony, Newfoundland at the Wherepolar Center, 6/25 in Cartwright at the Gym, 6/26 in Churchill Falls at the Gym and 6/27 in Labrador City a the Arena.
- Ontario Championship Wrestling at the Taste of Kingston Festival for a show benefiting diabetes research on 7/4 at 11 a.m.
- Canadian Legacy Wrestling on 8/9 in Midland, ONT at the Curling Club headlined by Tatanka.
- Chaotic Wrestling tomorrow night in Lowell, MA at the Polish American Veterans Club.
- House of Hardcore on 7/18 at the Ted Reeve Arena in Toronto with Tommy Dreamer, Rhino, Young Bucks, Team 3-D, John Morrison, Tommaso Ciampa, Anthony Nese, Chris Hero, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian.
- The Philadelphia Wrestling League has a King of Catch tournament at 10 a.m. on 8/29 in Hamilton Square, NJ. Rules are:
- *You can win by pin or submission but there is no point system in effect.
- Lisa Varon will be at the San Diego Comic Con from 7/8 to 7/12 for the Headlocked comic book at #1901 at the Comic Con.
- Sean Waltman was back on Opie & Jim Norton today talking about his drug issues and time in Mexico, as well as about Chyna.
- AAW tomorrow night in Merrionete Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street with Dave & Jake Crist vs. Josh Alexander & Ethan Page, plus Christian Faith vs. Louis Lyndon, Davey Richards vs. Johnny Gargano, Eddie Kingston vs Tommaso Ciampa, Allysin Kay vs. Candice LaRae and Shane Hollister vs. Tyson Dux.
- AAW also runs Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Berwyn, IL with Josh Alexander vs. ?, Kongo Kong vs. Justice Jones and more.
- WrestleForce UK from Tuesday night in Milton Keynes, UK: Antonio Thomas b Oliver Pearce, Paul McSherry b Voodoo, Greased Lightning b Dom Black & Tommy Gunn, Dragonita b Nina Samuels, Zulu Warrior b Tom Dawkins.
- Michael Elgin interview
- A parody of the movie San Andreas
- More on Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker
- Another story here
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1990 – Suzuka Minami beat Aja Kong via DQ to win the All Pacific title, but Minami refused the belt because she didn’t win via pin or submission, plus Manami Toyota beat Yumiko Hotta to win the Grand Prix tournament.
1996 – Jushin Liger beat Dick Togo in Tokyo to win the British jr title
2004 – Shinya Hashimoto & Yoshiaki Fuijiwara beat Shiro Koshinaka & Takao Omori in Sendai to win the Zero-One IC tag titles
2006 – Erica (Aja Kong) & Margaret (Awesome Kong) beat Wataru Sakata & Ryoji Sai in Saitama to win the Hustle tag titles
2007 – Milano Collection A.T. beat Wataru Inoue in Tokyo to win the Best of the Super Juniors tournament
2012 – Takao Omori & Manabu Soya beat Joe Doering & Seiya Sanada in Tokyo to win the All Japan tag titles
2012 – Jimmy Susumu & Jimmy Kagetora beat BxB Hulk & Naoki Tanizaki and Kennichiro Arai & K-Ness to win the Open the Twin Gate tag titles
TODAY’S VIDEOS
WWE/NXT
Top 45 Moves Of Charlotte Flair
5/14/15 The Miz Schools The WWE Universe
6/15/15 Top 10 WWE RAW Moments
Triple H Gives Gabi a Reprieve-WWE #toughenough
Zamariah Loupe Gets A Second Chance During The Tryout-WWE #toughenough
6/15/15 WWE RAW “Fallout”-Michael cole Speaks On His Lawsuit Against Brock Lesnar
6/15/15 WWE RAW “Fallout”-Kevin Owens Explains His Attack On Machine Gun Kelly
6/15/15 WWE RAW “Fallout”-Every Rose Has Its Rosa
6/15/16 WWE RAW “Fallout”-Johnny Maziel Visits RAW In Cleveland
WWE Network: John Cena Discusses His Connection to Dusty Rhodes
Who Is Finn Balor?-Part One: WWE NXT 6/17/14
WWE Unfiltered With Renee Young Featuring Darren Young
Top 35 Moves Of Paige
Samoa Joe Wants More Of Kevin Owens: WWE.com Exclusive, 6/17/15
Kevin Owens Sets His Sights On John Cena’s Most Prized Possession: 6/17/15
MISC. STUFF
CHIKARA Podcast-A-Go-Go (Episode 42)
Top Five Moves Of UltraMantis Black
Wrestleforce “Full Throttle” 2015 Control Center
Dad You Don’t Work, You Wrestle (Episode 124)
The Candice & Joey Show (Episode 119)
INDY TV SHOWS
Canadian Wrestling’s Elite T (Episode 122)
Imperial Wrestling Entertainment “Battlezone” TV (Episode 9)
West Virginia Championship Wrestling “Spotlight” TV (Episode 120)
West Coast Wrestling Connection TV (Episode 55)
6/13/15 NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling TV
Metro Pro Wrestling TV (Episode 139)
America’s Most Like Wrestling TV (Season 1, Episode 9)
Anarchy Wrestling TV (Episode 488)
3XWrestling “All-Stars Of The Midwest” TV (Episode 21)
Pro Wrestling Syndicate TV (Episode 24)
CWF Mid-Atlantic Wrestling “Worldwide” TV (Episode 5)
6/15/15 Snakepit Adelaide Pro Wrestling “Powerslam” TV
TNA
The Question Mark (Episode 13)
IMPACT Breakdown: Contract Singing For A #bell2bell World Title Contract Match
Tribute TO Dusty Rhodes-The American Dream Lives Forever
TODAY’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)
5:00 PM ET
WCW BEACH BLAST 1993 Sting and Dave Boy Smith face Big Van Vader and Sid Vicious. Ric Flair takes on Barry Windham. Dustin Rhodes faces Rick Rude.
8:00 PM ET
WCW MONDAY NITRO ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage puts the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Lex Luger. Sting and many more are featured.
9:00 PM ET
RAW FLASHBACK Dean Douglas challenges Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Title. King Mabel joins The Brother Love Show. Plus, Fatu, Sycho Sid, and more.
10:00 PM ET
CELEBRATING THE DREAM In honor of one of the most iconic and legendary figures in Sports Entertainment, WWE Network celebrates the life and times of Dusty Rhodes!
11:00 PM ET
WCW MONDAY NITRO ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage puts the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Lex Luger. Sting and many more are featured.
TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE 12:00 AM ET
RAW FLASHBACK Dean Douglas challenges Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Title. King Mabel joins The Brother Love Show. Plus, Fatu, Sycho Sid, and more.
1:00 AM ET
CELEBRATING THE DREAM In honor of one of the most iconic and legendary figures in Sports Entertainment, WWE Network celebrates the life and times of Dusty Rhodes!
2:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Strangest Bedfellows of all time!
3:00 AM ET
WWE MONEY IN THE BANK 2015 A WWE Championship opportunity hangs in the balance as WWE Superstars try to climb the ladder of success at Money in the Bank.
6:00 AM ET
WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!
7:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Ariane’s plan to hire Nikki as her real estate agent backfires, and Nattie and TJ face the harsh realities of getting a divorce.
8:00 AM ET
THE WWE LIST Not everything can be found on Google. Shocking Title Changes gives rank to some of the most OMG Title Matches of all time!
8:30 AM ET
WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee sits down with Darren Young in this unfiltered and revealing conversation.
8:45 AM ET
CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES6/19/15Corey Graves hits up Austin, Texas for this year’s X Games!
9:00 AM ET
WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!
10:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Ariane’s plan to hire Nikki as her real estate agent backfires, and Nattie and TJ face the harsh realities of getting a divorce.
11:00 AM ET
THE WWE LIST Not everything can be found on Google. Shocking Title Changes gives rank to some of the most OMG Title Matches of all time!
11:30 AM ET
WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee sits down with Darren Young in this unfiltered and revealing conversation.
11:45 AM ET
CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves hits up Austin, Texas for this year’s X Games!
12:00 PM ET
WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!
1:00 PM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Ariane’s plan to hire Nikki as her real estate agent backfires, and Nattie and TJ face the harsh realities of getting a divorce.
2:00 PM ET
THE WWE LIST Not everything can be found on Google. Shocking Title Changes gives rank to some of the most OMG Title Matches of all time!
2:30 PM ET
WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG Renee sits down with Darren Young in this unfiltered and revealing conversation.
2:45 PM ET
CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves hits up Austin, Texas for this year’s X Games!
3:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR Backstage politics, corporate mergers, and questionable decisions would doom sports entertainment’s former powerhouse.
4:00 PM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Packed with never before seen footage, this program profiles Triple H’s entire career as well as his current executive role with the WWE.
6:00 PM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Ariane’s plan to hire Nikki as her real estate agent backfires, and Nattie and TJ face the harsh realities of getting a divorce.
7:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH 40 finalists face a 3-day tryout to determine which 13 will earn the right to prove they are TOUGH ENOUGH.
8:00 PM 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.
9:00 PM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Packed with never before seen footage, this program profiles Triple H’s entire career as well as his current executive role with the WWE.
11:00 PM 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.