TMZ reported today that Scott Hall was physically escorted out of a wrestling event in Asbuty Park, NJ at the Skate and Surf Music Festival.
Hall, 56, was reported as being wasted hours before the event was to start, and then given multiple chances to sober up before the scheduled meet and greet.
He did not, and was told to leave, and then refused, demanding to be paid, and security took him out.
The story is at www.TMZSports.com
While it was at first scheduled for last week, WWE has released that Stephanie McMahon returns to Raw tonight.
By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer
We’re looking for your thoughts on both last night’s WWE Payback show and the ROH Global Wars show from Toronto so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
We’re also looking for reports from Raw tonight in Richmond, VA with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else that wouldn’t be evident from the live show. John Cena is scheduled to do another open challenge for the U.S. title.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night in Norfolk, VA.
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The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) and being the first week of May, features an extensive article demystifying what Sweeps mean for ratings and how it affects the wrestling business in 2015:
— What do Sweeps periods actually measure?
— Do Sweeps matter for cable at all?
— What wrestling companies are they relevant to these days?
— What was their past significance?
— And 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.
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The story behind the Elimination Chamber as a network special, why and how it came about, as well as a look at the next two WWE major shows, Payback and Elimination Chamber and NXT Takeover, is the lead story in this week’s Observer. We also have a look at the injury situation with Daniel Bryan, Sami Zayn and Hideo Itami. We also look at the Mayweather-Pacquiao business, New Japan & ROH working together for big shows, a detailed story on Global Force Wrestling including talent and television outlets and the TV scene, a lawsuit that has nothing to do with WWE & UFC, but where the result will be very important to both, Tough Enough, has NOAH turned the corner, as well as the monthly business rundowns for WWE & TNA.
The latest Wrestling Observer: May 18, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Last minute Elimination Chamber special, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao destroys PPV records
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 looks at the addition of the Elimination Chamber show, why this is being done, plans for the future and how this relates to it, the Elimination Chamber card as well as notes on the Chamber matches. We also look at Daniel Bryan and the poor job of pushing his appearance and how they are pushing the Payback main event.
We also look at the Mayweather-Pacquiao business, and how it breaks down, live event business, Vegas closed circuit, bar business, how much Mayweather and Pacquiao figure to earn, Mayweather talks rematch, why the fight was so big, and the state of PPV in 2015.
We also look at a big question as to how this relates to UFC going forward.
We look at the historical implications of Ronda Rousey on the Sports Illustrated cover.
We also have a rundown of ROH and New Japan working together in Philadelphia.
We’ve got a major piece on Global Force Wrestling. We look at the talent list, notes on the schedule for different talent, notes on the taping schedule, different TV stations they are talking with, Spike talks about getting into wrestling, the business ideas behind all this, as well as thoughts on the talent and both who is surprisingly not listed.
We also look at the new season of Tough Enough including the nature of the contract to the winner, Steve Austin talks WrestleMania 32, the Owen Hart DVD controversy, new movie projects with Dwayne Johnson and Dave Bautista, a night Raw is going to have to be special show next year, WWE injury notes, Fourth generation wrestler gets a WWE tryout, WWE angle news, When they had ideas for Justin Bieber at SummerSlam, Jerry Lawler day, Sheamus talks his career, WWE raising ticket prices for premium seats, WWE tryout notes, most popular shows on WWE Network, WWE Japan tour notes, why Jericho vs. Balor was put on the Japan show, Lesnar story involving the brother of a famous actor and notes and business of all the arena events from the past week.
We look at last week’s UFC show in Australia, the heavyweight title picture, the Mark Hunt stoppage and match-by-match coverage.
We also look at the latest Pro Wrestling NOAH major show, which included appearances by Kenta Kobashi and Yuji Nagata, as well as NOAH’s Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial tour coming up next month.
We also have a business rundown for WWE & TNA and where things stand in the different categories.
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:
–Wrestler fired once from major promotion, doesn’t last long on his return
–The Santo Memorial tournament for 2015
–Notes on the format of the AAA World Cup tournament
–Who is now heading two promotions at the same time and why the move was made
–Update on Dragon Gate’s King of Gate tournament
–Minoru Suzuki promoting a show
–New Japan lineups for all the big shows in June as well as the Dominion PPV in July
–Notes on this year’s Best of the Super Junior tournament
–Hall of Famer and health issues noted
–Shinya Hashimoto Memorial show
–Fujinami vs. Funaki Battle of Hall of Famers for the first time
–Notes from the AGON promotions and main event pay
–Notes on a promotion which claimed a TV deal and it falling apart
–Details on all TNA television through mid-June, with matches, angles and destinations
–A look at TNA’s Slammiversary show
–Notes on TNA’s prospects on PPV
–Update on Jeff Hardy
–Notes on the best of five series between the Wolves vs. Aries & Roode
–Update on TNA money issues
–Update on TNA creative team
–A look at those who returned to TV this past week and who is long and short-term
–Who turned down an offer to come in
–TNA announcing situation
–Notes on TNA’s relationship with AAA
–What happened with TNA and Wrestle-1
–Can TNA talent work for GFW
–Best stuff at the TNA tapings
–Updates on UFC PPV numbers
–Managers meeting and why
–Dana White’s reaction regarding complaints about the Reebok deal
–An interesting legal question stemming from the deal
–UFC schedule notes
–Anthony Pettis injury notes
–Josh Barnett vs. Ryron Gracie
–Metamoris news
–Fight Pass promotion
–New Fight Pass deals made
–Rousey talks coaching vs. Cyborg
–Lots of new UFC fights
–Active UFC fighter sort of does a pro wrestling match
–Huge Bellator signing of Olympian
–This week’s Bellator show
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.
MONDAY’S NEWS UPDATE
The commission had the right to test and punish Silva even though he was not a licensed competitor in the state
The punishment of a lifetime ban and a $70,000 fine was too harsh (Nevada had no actual rules in place regarding treatment of someone who refused to take a test past it counts as a positive, but first positive isn’t a lifetime ban).
The judge ordered a new hearing regarding punishment for Silva. The Nevada announcement on Friday of specific penalties for offenses will close that loophole going forward. Silva would likely have to be suspended at the same level as fighters who had failed drug tests for the first time.
Silva’s lawyer, Ross Goodman, said they are looking at appealing the ruling based on the idea that Silva should not have been tested since he was not a licensed fighter in Nevada.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1969 – Toyonobori & Shozo Kobayashi beat Michael Nador & Ivan Strongoff in Paris to win the IWE tag team titles
1974 – Bobby Ryan beat Jim Breaks in Hanley to win the British lightweight title
1986 – Gran Cochisse beat Chamaco Velaquez to win the NWA middleweight title
2013 – Zack Sabre Jr. beat Sha Samuels in Swanley to win the IPW UK All England title
WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE FOR TOMORROW (thanks to Bert Duckwall)
12:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Countdown Greatest High Flyers counts down the top ten greatest high flying superstars of all time!
1:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Trinity’s inability to have sex frustrates Jon, and Bryan and Nikki shock Brie when they team up to stage an intervention.
2:06 AM ET
WWE NETWORK EXCLUSIVE The action continues live after Raw!
2:11 AM ET
FIRST LOOK First Look: It’s Good To Be King
2:41 AM ET
CULTURE SHOCK WITH COREY GRAVES Corey Graves gets a culture shock immersing himself within the fascinating world of Marvel Comics, from their headquarters in New York City!
3:00 AM ET
WCW STARRCADE 1988 Ric Flair defends the NWA World Title against Lex Luger. The Road Warriors vs. Sting and Dusty Rhodes for the NWA Tag Team Titles.
6:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Countdown Greatest High Flyers counts down the top ten greatest high flying superstars of all time!
7:00 AM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING The story of the one of the most distinctive and storied championships in the world of sports entertainment and the men who held it.
8:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Trinity’s inability to have sex frustrates Jon, and Bryan and Nikki shock Brie when they team up to stage an intervention.
9:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Countdown Greatest High Flyers counts down the top ten greatest high flying superstars of all time!
10:00 AM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING The story of the one of the most distinctive and storied championships in the world of sports entertainment and the men who held it.
11:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Trinity’s inability to have sex frustrates Jon, and Bryan and Nikki shock Brie when they team up to stage an intervention.
12:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Countdown Greatest High Flyers counts down the top ten greatest high flying superstars of all time!
1:00 PM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING The story of the one of the most distinctive and storied championships in the world of sports entertainment and the men who held it.
2:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH Stone Cold Steve Austin enlists the help of four sexy WWE Divas and THQ video games to teach the remaining contestants all about creativity.
3:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH Legendary WWE Superstar The Rock and ‘Psych’ star James Roday give the remaining five contestants a lesson in charisma.
4:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR In an era of shifting loyalties, WWE and WCW would each build a cornerstone in order to achieve stability.
5:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten most stylish ring attire ever worn by a WWE Superstar.
6:00 PM ET
FIRST LOOK First Look: It’s Good To Be King
6:30 PM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Batista embodies his nickname ‘The Animal’. Relive Batista’s storied career with this biography of his life both inside the ring and out.
8:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH Legendary WWE Superstar The Rock and ‘Psych’ star James Roday give the remaining five contestants a lesson in charisma.
9:00 PM ET
WWE UNFILTERED WITH RENEE YOUNG In the premiere of Unfiltered, Renee Young hangs out with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins for a fun and revealing conversation!
9:07 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR In an era of shifting loyalties, WWE and WCW would each build a cornerstone in order to achieve stability.
10:01 PM ET
WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow — this is NXT!
11:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH Legendary WWE Superstar The Rock and ‘Psych’ star James Roday give the remaining five contestants a lesson in charisma.
The story behind the Elimination Chamber as a network special, why and how it came about, as well as a look at the next two WWE major shows, Payback and Elimination Chamber and NXT Takeover, is the lead story in this week’s Observer. We also have a look at the injury situation with Daniel Bryan, Sami Zayn and Hideo Itami. We also look at the Mayweather-Pacquiao business, New Japan & ROH working together for big shows, a detailed story on Global Force Wrestling including talent and television outlets and the TV scene, a lawsuit that has nothing to do with WWE & UFC, but where the result will be very important to both, Tough Enough, has NOAH turned the corner, as well as the monthly business rundowns for WWE & TNA.
The new issue is up on the site at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/42526-may-18-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-last-minute-elimination-chamber-special-mayweather-vs-pacquiao-destroys-ppv-records-and-more
Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show on the history of the site are at http://www.f4wonline.com/member/signup.php
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 looks at the addition of the Elimination Chamber show, why this is being done, plans for the future and how this relates to it, the Elimination Chamber card as well as notes on the Chamber matches. We also look at Daniel Bryan and the poor job of pushing his appearance and how they are pushing the Payback main event.
We also look at the Mayweather-Pacquiao business, and how it breaks down, live event business, Vegas closed circuit, bar business, how much Mayweather and Pacquiao figure to earn, Mayweather talks rematch, why the fight was so big, and the state of PPV in 2015.
We also look at a big question as to how this relates to UFC going forward.
We look at the historical implications of Ronda Rousey on the Sports Illustrated cover.
We also have a rundown of ROH and New Japan working together in Philadelphia.
We’ve got a major piece on Global Force Wrestling. We look at the talent list, notes on the schedule for different talent, notes on the taping schedule, different TV stations they are talking with, Spike talks about getting into wrestling, the business ideas behind all this, as well as thoughts on the talent and both who is surprisingly not listed.
We also look at the new season of Tough Enough including the nature of the contract to the winner, Steve Austin talks WrestleMania 32, the Owen Hart DVD controversy, new movie projects with Dwayne Johnson and Dave Bautista, a night Raw is going to have to be special show next year, WWE injury notes, Fourth generation wrestler gets a WWE tryout, WWE angle news, When they had ideas for Justin Bieber at SummerSlam, Jerry Lawler day, Sheamus talks his career, WWE raising ticket prices for premium seats, WWE tryout notes, most popular shows on WWE Network, WWE Japan tour notes, why Jericho vs. Balor was put on the Japan show, Lesnar story involving the brother of a famous actor and notes and business of all the arena events from the past week.
We look at last week’s UFC show in Australia, the heavyweight title picture, the Mark Hunt stoppage and match-by-match coverage.
We also look at the latest Pro Wrestling NOAH major show, which included appearances by Kenta Kobashi and Yuji Nagata, as well as NOAH’s Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial tour coming up next month.
We also have a business rundown for WWE & TNA and where things stand in the different categories.
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:
–Wrestler fired once from major promotion, doesn’t last long on his return
–The Santo Memorial tournament for 2015
–Notes on the format of the AAA World Cup tournament
–Who is now heading two promotions at the same time and why the move was made
–Update on Dragon Gate’s King of Gate tournament
–Minoru Suzuki promoting a show
–New Japan lineups for all the big shows in June as well as the Dominion PPV in July
–Notes on this year’s Best of the Super Junior tournament
–Hall of Famer and health issues noted
–Shinya Hashimoto Memorial show
–Fujinami vs. Funaki Battle of Hall of Famers for the first time
–Notes from the AGON promotions and main event pay
–Notes on a promotion which claimed a TV deal and it falling apart
–Details on all TNA television through mid-June, with matches, angles and destinations
–A look at TNA’s Slammiversary show
–Notes on TNA’s prospects on PPV
–Update on Jeff Hardy
–Notes on the best of five series between the Wolves vs. Aries & Roode
–Update on TNA money issues
–Update on TNA creative team
–A look at those who returned to TV this past week and who is long and short-term
–Who turned down an offer to come in
–TNA announcing situation
–Notes on TNA’s relationship with AAA
–What happened with TNA and Wrestle-1
–Can TNA talent work for GFW
–Best stuff at the TNA tapings
–Updates on UFC PPV numbers
–Managers meeting and why
–Dana White’s reaction regarding complaints about the Reebok deal
–An interesting legal question stemming from the deal
–UFC schedule notes
–Anthony Pettis injury notes
–Josh Barnett vs. Ryron Gracie
–Metamoris news
–Fight Pass promotion
–New Fight Pass deals made
–Rousey talks coaching vs. Cyborg
–Lots of new UFC fights
–Active UFC fighter sort of does a pro wrestling match
–Huge Bellator signing of Olympian
–This week’s Bellator show
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)
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*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)
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*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
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*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)
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*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)
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*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)
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*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)
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*August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)
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*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)
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*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.
by Jeff Hamlin, WrestlingObserver.com
On the night after Payback and 13 days away from Elimination Chamber, Raw originates from Richmond, VA tonight. The New Day once again defends the WWE tag team titles against Cesaro & Tyson Kidd. Also, John Cena defends the U.S. title in another open challenge match. And the latest, and possibly final, chapter in the Rusev-Lana saga.
Join us tonight starting at 8 for live coverage.
Thumbs in the Middle: Some good matches but nothing particular great or important. If all these matches were the undercard of a real draw like Hogan, Austin or Rock; or a compelling face that people wanted to see him win like Bret, Punk or Bryan; or a major feud like Hogan vs Savage, Austin vs McMahon or Austin vs Rock; we will be living in a perfect world. Sadly, that’s not the case. It’s a “B level PPV” that feels and delivers just like that. Nothing special. Nothing that would make people pay to see it, even if it is for just $10.
Best Match: 4-Way Main Event
Worst Match: Cena vs Rusev. This match had no psychology at all. No transitions, just spot after spot, most of which weren’t that impressive to make people believe that it was the finish. No submission attempts, until two random spot at the end. No focusing on a body part to tell a story. Not even a good old fashioned brawl of kicks and punches, although in this case that was probably a blessing in disguise as Cena’s punches are beyond hideous these days. Then they went almost half an hour but ended up doing a 2-minutes RAW match finish. To makes matters worst, just a few moments earlier Cena didn’t lose the match because he “couldn’t say I Quit by himself” then Lana say it for Rusev. My God what a load of crap. Really, that’s the best they could do to blow-up a Cena feud? The best they could do to split of Rusev and Lana? Which by the way it’s a stupid idea to begin with. They are a winning combination, but WWE wants to spit them just because. She is about tho join the Ricardo Rodriguez and Zeb Coulter club. Not to mention every other face manager in the history of the business. Somebody’s IQ needs to be checked.
Didn’t watch the Pre-Show:
1. Sheamus vs Ziggler. Good opener. Result was a given once Ziggler got his “kiss my ass” revenge. Ziggler got busted imitating Daniel Bryan’s headbuts; and Bryan got busted imitating Tomohiro Ishii. Please do not try this at home! ***1/4
2. New Day vs Cesaro & Kidd. Very good match. Lots of action and cool spots. It’s a shame that they have to rush things up, otherwise this could have been the best match on the show. ***1/2
3. Wyatt vs Ryback. Just okay match. This feud is good for both. They need to trade wins but at the end Wyatt should come on up strong for a mayor at SummerSlam with someone like Sting, Kane or Big Show that ends up with a face turn. **1/2
4. Cena vs Rusev. This was bad for so many reasons. They still tried hard though. *1/2
5. Naomi & Tamina vs Bellas. Filler match. Nobody cares. 1/2*
6. Neville vs Barrett. Like the match before, totally out of place. This was a Superstars match on a PPV. Neville is an incredible talent but they have him doing the same spots over and over and almost never wins. Geek alert! *3/4
7. Rollins vs Ambrose vs Reigns vs Orton. Overall great. Slow start, hot middle, flat finish. What’s the deal with Rollins using the Pedigree? Are they planning on a match with Triple H? To me there is only one logical conclusion to this story: a Shield 3-way at Mania. Rollins as champion with either Reigns or Ambrose (most likely) using the MITB contract to make it a triple threat. Anything else is a wasted opportunity. ****
Leonardo Mendez Toledo
Hi Dave,
Just thought I would give some feedback on the Payback PPV. I give the show a thumbs down, it felt like an episode of Raw with some enhanced time for matches, but not much more then that. The best match would probably have to be the main event fatal 4 way for the world title, and the worst match probably the “I Quit” match between Cena-Rusev, probably because it was just too predictable with these two, feels like they have the same match each time they wrestle just with a different stipulation. It was good to watch visually on the network however, since I was watching the network stream on a Sony Blu-Ray player with Wi-Fi for the first time and the network is one of the Apps on the Blu-Ray. But other then that, most of the matches just seemed like they were not really building to anything. I think WWE should remember that sometimes less is more with their PPV’s or Network specials since they just did Extreme Rules and King of The Ring, this show, and
now the Elimination Chamber at the end of the month. They really should stick with about 6 PPV’s a year in my opinion so that they have more of a special event feel, rather then a monthly card. And they really need to improve on the commentary as well. Jerry Lawler was excellent with Jim Ross, but he seems to be having a hard time following the lead of Michael Cole, and JBL seems to be doing his own separate commentary show and must be watching something else on his monitor. Maybe he is watching PPV’s on the network from the 90’s, since almost every comment he makes is a 90’s reference. Not sure what he is doing. I know that WWE is capable of producing good shows and good commentary, but with so many shows lately I think the quality value is dropping with too many shows taking place, but just my opinion of course. I was more entertained with a 1 hour long version of Ring of Honor over the weekend with a main event of the Brisco’s fighting War Machine
in a great tag match then tonight’s 3 hr show. It’s a good thing I watched on the Network, as the only “Payback” I would have wanted is if I had purchased this show on traditional PPV for 50 bucks, lol!
Thanks,
Jon Southerland
Clovis, Ca.
WWE Payback Feedback
Thumbs up
Best Match: Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose vs Roman Reigns vs Randy Orton
Worst Match: I fast-forwarded through the Bellas match and enjoyed everything else so I won’t vote for this
This was a fun show to watch that is probably ok to miss as well. The New Day are really great in their role. Ryback and Wyatt over-delivered and I was impressed by some of the spots. This wasn’t the best of Rusev and Cena but was fine, I llok forwad to what is coming for both. Neville continues to much improved since coming to the main roster. The main event was fun, esepcialy the stuff with The Shield.
Dave Musgrave
Oshawa, Ontario
ROH Global Wars Night 1
Thumbs Way up
Best Match: AJ Styles, Young Bucks, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows vs Roderick Strong, The Briscoes and War Machine
Worst match: None
I liked every match on this show but have to say that the ten-man main event might be my match of the year
Dave Musgrave
Oshawa, Ontario
Thumbs up PPV – Payback was really well paced. I watched it all. Corey Graves is unbearable as is the pre and post show. JBL shitting on everyone is not cool.
Best match: 4 way – Coulda been better if no outside bullshit was involved.
Worst match: Stardust vs Truth
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the Ascension. I was hoping the mega powers would start to play different groups throughout the weeks but I guess that push is over. Ascension looked good. These guys can go, they just need to be put with Cesaro and Kidd.
Tag match was good. I enjoyed the super racist finish where the ref thinks all black people look alike. Irony being in Baltimore.
Good show, but was hoping to see Luke Harper and The Vintner rejoin with Bray.
Girls was a match. It was fine.
Great pacing, great matches across the board. THUMBS UP
Dan Veltan
Thumbs in the middle.
Best match: Rollins vs Reigns vs Ambrose vs Orton
Worst match: Wyatt vs Ryback
So-so show. Surpassed expectations but not good enough. Nothing overly
offensively bad. Controversial finish to the New Day vs Cesaro/Tyson
Kidd match.
Network stream on PS3 & Android skipped back 10 seconds about a dozen
times but was fine overall.
Regards,
Mark Ageyev
from Ireland
How you doin’ Dave,
Thumbs In The Middle
Decent show. Thought Cena-Rusev was really good and had close to as good an I Quit match as you can have under PG conditions. I put it in the same category as Hell In A Cell in-terms of being incredibly hampered by the restrictions in place after all we’ve seen in the past. Thought Rusev’s selling was fantastic during the match and it was a typically nicely paced, well-worked Cena match with an intelligent finish.
I’d be interested to know what happened at the end of the Ziggler-Sheamus match, whether they were told to go directly to the finish after Ziggler got busted open pretty bad. It seemed a little peculiar to go straight from Ziggler having a close nearfall with superkick, to Ziggler selling and Sheamus making somewhat of a miraculous recovery and hitting the Brogue Kick. As this is the second time this has occurred in the last couple of months I’m expecting a headbutt ban. Preferred their last match to be honest.
I thought Cesaro & Tyson-New Day was technically fantastic and I’m loving Cesaro as a face, but it was incredibly rushed which irritated me a great deal, although that wasn’t entirely their fault. Wasn’t expecting what we got from Ryback-Wyatt, it featured a lot of nice big spots, but was largely an exhibition of moves. Didn’t think they sold when they needed to, didn’t build to things, didn’t take the extra couple of seconds necessary before doing certain things to increase the reaction for particular spots, and as a consequence the match didn’t garner the response from the crowd it could’ve etc. Which I felt was a shame given the work-rate.
Brie appeared to have a close-call during the Divas match. I think she just managed to get her hands down and tuck-and roll, match was ok but had a bit of clunk. Barrett-Neville finish was bad, but I’m understanding providing they have plans to do the blow-off on one of the next two PPVs. Main event was a bit of a cluster, overbooked and rushed. It got going from The Shield spot onwards, but largely there was just too much going on at too great a speed.
Best Match: Cena vs. Rusev ***3/4
Worst Match: Bella Twins vs. Tamina & Naomi **
R-Truth vs. Stardust **
Axel & Mandow vs. The Ascension **
Ziggler vs. Sheamus ***1/2
New Day vs. Cesaro & Tyson ***1/2
Ryback vs. Wyatt ***1/4
Barrett vs. Neville **1/4
Rollins vs. Ambrose vs. Reigns vs. Orton ***1/2
Thanks Dave
Tom (griffo120)
.
“STONE COLD®” LIVE ON WWE® NETWORK
STAMFORD, Conn., May 18, 2015 – “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will host Stone Cold Podcast, Live!, a no-holds-barred, in-your-face monthly interview series beginning Monday, June 1 at 11 p.m. ET on the award-winning WWE Network, with special guest Paul Heyman.
Each month immediately following Monday Night Raw, which airs on USA Network, the WWE Hall of Famer will sit down with the biggest names in WWE including Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Sting and other celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment for an exclusive interview on WWE Network.
“If you’re ready for the Stone Cold Podcast, give me a ‘Hell Yeah!’,” said “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
Click here to see a clip from Austin’s interview with WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon from December, 2014, and click here to see a clip from his interview with WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul “Triple H®” Levesque from February, 2015.
The hour-long series joins the slate of brand new original programming recently announced by WWE Network including, Too Hot For TV Presented by Jerry Springer, Swerved and WWE The List.
– Samoa Joe has lengthened the time he will take independent bookings through August. We had gotten word earlier in the week Joe was looking at getting dates in both July and August after first not taking them. He has just been announced for a major show on 8/1 for Northeast Wrestling at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, NY, as well as a date the next night.
– The WWE announced that Adrien Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara from the movie “Entourage” will be the guest stars on the 5/25 RAW from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.
– Dolph Ziggler needed ten stitches to close the cut over his right eye from headbutting Sheamus just prior to the finish of their match at WWE Payback Sunday night.
By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com
1967 – In Kansas City, Kansas; Sonny Myers defeated Ricky Hunter in three falls; Pat O’Connor defeated Tor Kamata via DQ and Bob Brown defeated The Mongolian Stomper via CO in three falls; In Amarillo, Texas; AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Nick Kozak & Ricky Romero in the 3rd fall and in an Australian Rules (ten 3 minutes rounds) Match, Dory Funk Sr went to a no decision with Thunderbolt Patterson.
1970 – In Chicago, Illinois; The Chain Gang (Jim Dillinger & Jack Dillinger) beat Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher; Baron Von Raschke beat Ernie Ladd and Wilbur Snyder beat Larry Hennig.
1973 – In Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Billy Robinson beat Superstar Billy Graham via dq; Nick Bockwinkel beat Horst Hoffman; and Ric Flair wrestled Greg Gagne to a time limit draw.
1979 – In Knoxville, Tennessee; Kevin Sullivan beat Mike Graham to win United States Junior Title, Alexis Smirnoff beat Ronnie Garvin to win Southeastern Title and NWA World champion Harley Race fought Ron Fuller to a double DQ.
1980 – In Green Bay, Wisconsin; AWA Tag Team Champions Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura in a no DQ match; Dino Bravo went to a double DQ with Jerry Blackwell and Greg Gagne beat Super Destroyer Mark II.
1981 – In Chamlette, Louisiana; The Samoans beat Jim Garvin & Don Diamond; Dick Murdoch beat Super Destroyer and Paul Orndorff beat Leroy Brown
1982 – In Mobile, Alabama; NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Teddy Gordy, and Ron Fuller & Robert Fuller beat New Zealand Sheepherders in a Southern street fight match.
1984 – NWA World champion Kerry Von Erich defeated Superstar Billy Graham in Lake City, FL
1987 – In Memphis, Tennessee; Tommy Rich & Austin Idol beat Bill Dundee & Rocky Johnson in a Texas Death Match; AWA Tag Team Champions Midnight Rockers beat Chic Donovan & Jack Hart and Jeff Jarrett beat Moondog Spot; Ron & Jimmy Garvin defeated NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane in a non-title match in Fayetteville, NC.
1988 – In Evansville, Indiana; AWA Champion Jerry Lawler beat Bill Dundee; Robert Fuller went to a no contest with Jeff Jarrett and
Curt Hennig beat Scott Steiner.
1997 – In Charlotte, NC at the Slammiversary PPV; Steven Regal defeated Ultimo Dragon to win the WCW TV Title. Also, Ric Flair, Roddy Piper and Kevin Greene defeated Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Syxx.
2003 – In Charlotte North Carolina, Eddie Guerrero & Yoshihiro Tajiri won the WWE Tag Team Championship by defeating Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin in a ladder match. Also, Christian won a battle royal to win the Intercontinental Title.
2008 – In Omaha, Nebraska, The Undertaker defeated Edge to win the vacant WWE Title.
Image: MMAWeekly.com
By Paul Fontaine, WrestlingObserver.com
The Big Takeaway – The inaugural Shooto Brazil event to air on UFC Fight Pass was not without it’s hiccups. Both former UFC fighters on the card got wins and Felipe Froes became the new Featherweight champion in the main event. Team Nova Uniao (Jose Aldo and Renan Barao’s team) had a team member in almost every fight.
Jason Chambers and former UFC Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz were the commentators and they were not on site but in a studio somewhere. The presentation was top notch, not quite UFC standards but way above any regional promotion I’ve seen and on par with the old Strikeforce Challengers shows or current WSOF shows.
Cruz and Chambers were good, particularly Cruz, but not without their issues. Cruz mis-identified the fighters in the first fight for the first 1 ½ rounds, finally getting it right just before the finish. The records of the fighters on the broadcast were different from the notes that Cruz and Chambers had or what were listed on most major websites. Many of the fighters even had different names than what had been listed on most previews but that’s fairly common for Brazilian fighters.
There was a technical problem during one match where there was only audio for about two minutes before the feed completely cut out and a “technical problems, please stand by” graphic came up. The feed came back during the entrances for the next fight with no indication from the announcers as to who won the fight they’d cut away from so I’m assuming they were not aware.
Here are the results, with some notes, where applicable. Please note that some records and/or names may be different than what you see elsewhere:
Mattheus Nacacche (5-4) over Almir de Oliveira with a 2nd round KO
Finish was unique in that Nacacche hit a hard punch to the liver and Oliveira dropped and before Nacacche followed up with ground and pound, Oliveira tapped, even though he wasn’t in a hold.
Guilherme Doin (5-3) over Denilson Oliveira by unanimous decision
No scores were shown, although they were announced in Portugese. This was the case all night.
Elves Oliveira (1-0) over Carlos Eduardo with a first round submission (rear naked choke)
Francivaldo Nego (5-1) over Ivan Paiva with a first round submission (neck crank)
Alex Trem Bala (2-0) over Felipe Colen by decision
No scores were announced or even if it was unanimous so I’m assuming it may have been a split. Both these guys are very skilled and will likely make their way into UFC in the next few years. I had it 29-28 Bala but the third round was a toss-up as both guys came close to finishing at different points. If you watch one fight on this show, I’d recommend this one.
Gulherme “Leo Jacare” Leonardo def. Julio Splinter by u/d
This was the fight that the feed cut out on. Jacare had clearly won the first round and was winning the second when the feed cut out.
Luiz Cane (16-6) over Felipe Dourado by first round TKO (punches)
This was a bad stoppage. Cane, the former UFC fighter, knocked him down and had dropped in for ground and pound. Dourado was defending well and didn’t even look all that hurt and the ref stopped it anyways. The ref may have been Eduardo Herdy, who you’ll recall had a really bad stoppage in a UFC fight in Brazil earlier this year that cost Drew Dober a fight (later changed to a no-contest). Herdy definitely reffed the main event of this show.
Ronys Torres (29-5) over Benito Tavares by unanimous decision
Torres gave up a lot of size but pretty much had his way with Tavares for the whole fight.
Felipe Froes (12-2-1) over Thiago Manchinha by split decision to win the Featherweight title
This was three rounds, not five. I had Froes winning 30-27. 2nd round was kind of close but Froes clearly won 1 and 3 so not sure how Manchinha could’ve got the W on a scorecard. With 10 seconds left in the second round and Manchinha on top in dominant position, referee Herdy ordered a break, seemingly to check on a cut. While they were on their way back to the corners, the bell sounded to end the round and Herdy just acted like the round was over. Didn’t end up playing into the finish at all but was a bad mistake from a ref who’s had a bad year.
With a lot of MMA available via a lot of different platforms, this show is not anything that the most hardcore of hardcore fans needs to see. But I’ve seen a lot worse, I will say that.
If you’re interested in reading full fight recaps, I’ve got a play by play report up here.