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  • WWE Smackdown results: Dean Ambrose turns water into wine against The Vintner

    AJ Styles def. Heath Slater w/ Social Outcasts by pinfall

    The Outcasts truly are the Caucasian New Day; pre-match promos are absolutely obligatory even when there is nothing funny or interesting to say. The Andre The Giant Battle Royale fodder babble about how there is only one of AJ and four of them. Curtis Axel creatively dubs his group the “Phenomenal Four” (Rose: “You must have really racked your brains for that one…”), before Bo Dallas one-ups him with the pun-derful (Mauro’s words) “Four-nomenal”.

    These two only got five minutes to do their thing, but the so-called Crimson Werewolf managed to get in plenty of offence in that time. AJ’s shine was quickly cut off by interference from Axel, who tripped him on the apron to allow Slater to assume control.

    Slater’s heat drills home why the company only sees him as enhancement talent and nothing more; all kicks, knees, chinlocks and stomps. Unfortunately this offensive offence takes up the majority of the match; AJ’s comeback is as brief as his shine and most notable for Jerry Lawler’s excitement prior to Mauro Ranallo’s inevitable call of the ushigoroshi.

    The finish saw AJ hit the Pele Kick to a meddling Adam Rose on the apron (which Lawler later refers to as the “miso soup dropkick” during the replays), followed by the unfortunately monikered Phenomenal Forearm for the three count.

    – We then cut live to Renee and Robo-Byron at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, where they are primed to hit us with all the hype and video packages we can handle. Renee asks Byron if he ever thought that Shane McMahon would make his return to the WWE. Someone then presses the button to enact Byron’s pre-programmed response, thus leading us into the talking heads hype video for Shane/Taker on Sunday night.

    – A very brief mention of NXT’s Takeover show on Friday night prefaces another Renee/Byron discussion, where the latter bleeps and bloops about Ambrose’s lack of fear. Quoth the Robot: “Imagine you’re in a neighbourhood, right? And you know Brock Lesnar’s coming to town and you turn off the lights….you hide under the bed! Ambrose is the guy sitting under his porch saying ‘Hey, come to my house, Brock! Come over here!’”. Gremlins in the system, I guess.

    – Props to Motorhead (now sans head) are delivered for the use of their “Sympathy For The Devil” track for ‘Mania. Robo-Byron opines that listening to it is likely to get one’s “HEAD in the game”. Data trying to understand humour springs to mind.

    – A recap of the Reigns/Authority capers from RAW airs, followed by a video package seeking to explain Snoop Dogg’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. WWE is now truly a “doggy dogg world” apparently. Yes, that was the actual last line of the package.

    D-Von Dudley w/Bubba Ray def. Jey Uso w/Jimmy by pinfall

    Another five minute match here, with the aim of teeing up Sunday’s pre-show match for “tag team supremacy” (presumably). Jey starts us off by punching D-Von “like he’s full of candy” in the corner, according to Mauro.

    Quickly into the heat as Jey gets posted and cracked with a Bubba right hand while the ref is distracted. D-Von lays down his usual offence, before missing a top rope diving headbutt to allow Jey back into the contest.

    Said comeback culminates in a superplex attempt from the Uso. Jimmy dives off the steps to prevent Bubba from meddling again, but can’t stop D-Von from clumsily escaping, tripping Jey and hitting Ron “Damn” Simmons’ spinebuster for the pin. Mauro tells us that D-Von has dubbed the move the RDS in Simmons’ honour. Nice.

    – Renee and Byron stay hyped by previewing the Divas title match and bigging up the WWE 24 documentary on Daniel Bryan’s final day as a professional wrestler. They then throw to a recap video of Kofi Kingston’s victory over Alberto Del Rio on RAW, followed by Coach’s appearance to hype Sportscenter’s all day ‘Mania coverage.

    – Final video package of the night centres around the oh-so-cold WWE title program, culminating with a match graphic that does not yet reflect the rumoured no-DQ stipulation; a well-established crutch for the most insecure man in professional wrestling. Hey, at least he can say he main evented the biggest Wrestlemania of all time…

    Dean Ambrose def. Erick Rowan by pinfall

    The Vintner enters the arena with his pals Bray and Braun, who rather confusingly disappear to the back before the match starts. This is a good tune-up match for Dean on paper, given Rowan’s extensive no holds barred experience against the legendary Brody Hoofer back in the day.

    This, for my money, was unquestionably Rowan’s best singles match in the WWE; comfortably outstripping anything from his unfortunate babyface run two years ago. It went 15 minutes, if you include the action during the commercial break, and remained engaging throughout.

    Dean has the advantage leading into said break courtesy of a flying clothesline from the apron, but Rowan is in control when we get back; channeling Lucha Underground’s Matanza with a big spinning powerslam.

    Dean’s comeback starts off the back of Erick’s deadly signature double noogie, but he’s quickly cut off by a big boot and a spinning forearm from the second rope. Alas, Rowan is silly enough to go to the well a second time, which allows Dean to scurry over and hit a massive superplex!

    The workrate continues as Rowan bumps to the outside off a dropkick, before eating a tope suicida and a top rope elbow. There’s also a nice spot in the nearfalls segment where Dean escapes a pumphandle slam attempt and looks for his stupid seesaw clothesline, only to get creamed with a uranage sideslam for two.

    The finish sees Rowan get frustrated after his spinning heel kick fails to put the lunatic away. He slaps Dean repeatedly, ordering him to stay down, until Dean eventually hits the ropes, pops back with the seesaw clothesline and then finishes with the Dirty Deeds to send him on his way to Dallas.

    – The show closes with Stone Cold Steve Austin flapping his gums backstage with a member of WWE staff ahead of his impending live podcast with Mick Foley.

    Final Thoughts

    Pretty lame show if you watched it live, given that it only contained 20 minutes of actual wrestling and served to function mainly as a two-hour Wrestlemania hype vehicle. The main event was surprisingly good though; credit to Dean for pulling a good match out of such an opponent and to Rowan for playing his part.

  • Wrestlemania Week: Steve Austin & Mick Foley podcast recap

    This live special goes into Mick’s career, and explores his life on the road while also providing him an outlet to highlight younger talent and plug his family’s new WWE Network show: Foley, Foley.

    The podcast begins from Axxess with the podcast set in mid-ring for the first time ever. Stone Cold comes out and gets a ring introduction in Texas – including posing on the ropes and the screen going black when he flipped the bird. Austin cuts a what-filled promo on Mick Foley’s history with him. Mick comes in and gets a “holy shit” chant that is unmuted, while Austin’s utterance gets muted.

    Mick takes a while to get his cheap pop and he talks about seeing Steve train with Chris Adams in WCCW and feeling he had “it”. Steve compliments Mick on looking good now and he says that they used to go the gym – which makes Mick happy since it proved he’s been in one. Mick is down 50 pounds and credits it to a better diet and DDP Yoga. Mick was told that there was no hope for his spine, but the yoga helps alongside swimming and he’s at his lightest since 2004. Mick credits Bronco Lubich and Skandar Akbar lecturing him to save his money. Mick shares a story about making a bet with Owen on who could last the longest on $20 – and Owen tapped out at two weeks.

    Mick says he was more comfortable as a youth dressing like Dude Love, but it wouldn’t work in the ring first, so he made Cactus Jack as an homage to his dad. Mick talks about showing up in Memphis after paying for some photos and then coming in looking like he had a tiny bit of muscle under the flab. Steve says that when Mick was in Dallas, he met a girl, and Mick says his youngest son is in the front row. He wondered if he should tell her he was Mick Foley and not Cactus Jack – but he liked her, and decided to just be Cactus Jack with her and it helped him build his character. Whether in or out of character, he was cheap though and asked her kids to just have water when eating out.

    Mick talks about learning wrestling much like language – you start with letters, then words, paragraphs, chapters, and books. Eric Embry gave him creative freedom, while Akbar told him to just do whatever worked and was different. Mick talks about Dynamite Kid knocking his jaw out of alignment for a year with a stiff lariat and learning to be a softer worker from that. Mick says he didn’t like pain, but was driven by it and there was a time when there wasn’t a huge difference between himself and Cactus Jack.

    Mick wants to talk about Dean, but Steve derails things into talking about his poor pay in Japan. Mick says that he told his wife about that like the last time he had a good news/bad news talk it was good news – he was coming home early, but the bad news was he was now missing an ear. Steve asks Mick about a WWE Network project with his family, and he introduces Noelle. Noelle now has theme music and a pink version of Mick’s flannel graphic and Mankind mask. Steve says she’s beautiful and you’d never guess she was Mick’s daughter. Their show will be called Foley, Foley.

    Mick says that Vince loved the chemistry Mick had with Noelle, and the show will cover Noelle’s modeling and wrestling training. Mick was surprised that the way he walks would deter her, but it didn’t. Mick says she’ll be trained the right way and Noelle says she loved going on the road with Mick and her brothers. Noelle says she was fine with Mick missing events because they knew he did the best he could to get home. Foley Foley will start filming in two weeks. Noelle says that they’re a weird-normal family and Mick says they’re like the Munsters. Noelle says she’s about as frugal as her dad and will buy nice things – but get the best deals, and their show hits the Network in August.

    Mick talks about the origins of Mankind being Mason the Mutilator. Vince had the mask made for Taker, and wanted to use it for his opponent – but didn’t want Mick in the company. Jim Ross bugged Vince enough to give him a shot, but he’d only hire him if he could cover up his face. Mick says that on April 1, 19996 he debuted in the company against the Undertaker. Well, it would be pretty fitting to have them interact at WM.

    Mick talks about getting into the Mankind character by spending time in boiler rooms and under the ring, which Austin praises him for doing since it’s basically like being a method actor. Mick credits the multi-part Jim Ross interview with breaking him out of the pack in 1997. During the shoot, he heard Vince say “This it outstanding!” and it won him over. Mick talks about how Terry Funk helped create the map for the Cell with Taker.

    They talk about the fall off the Cell being bad, and it getting worse with the chokeslam. Mick says that he hugged Stephanie all bloodied up, and hugging Pat due to him experiencing a loss in his life. Mick then went out for the main event of that show to attack Steve with a chair in the first blood match. Mick looks at the footage and has no memory of any of this. 

    Mick finally talks about Dean and says that he doesn’t care about how often he’s back, that he wants to do something that has impact. Mick says that he was too concerned with making waves, and realized that his job was to portray Dean in the best light, he told the writer that the skit was too funny and not serious enough. He wasn’t sure how to structure a backstage promo, but he just let things roll when the cameras did and he loved the line about him being Mick Foley and Dean being Dean Ambrose. Mick says that he’ll never look at doing a backstage promo the same way again because he used to think it was a throw-away bit, but he realized that it could be an effective tool to use.

    Mick talks about the Freebirds and his history with the team – including him helping Buddy move in ’87. He loved Stan Hansen, and Mick almost named his son Mickey Stan. Mick says that the journey to a match isn’t as important as the destination and he was getting ready to work a tag with Stan, and he wanted to work spots only to have Stan tell him “I don’t work spots”. Mick says that the main eventers are expected to steal the show, but the divas could do it – and Charlotte will usher in a new era in front of 100,000 fans.

    Mick closes the show with a Vince impression about WrestleMania being bigger, better, and better while Austin gets in a dig about not being a fan of WrestleMania being free. This was a fun little show – but not a must-watch. To see all the screens for it, just click here.

    Check out all of our WrestleMania 32 weekend coverage.

  • Dave Meltzer’s WWE WrestleMania Diary: WaleMania, highway ads, Balor Club, Jim Cornette

    Editor’s Note: Most of Dave’s diary excitement will start Friday when he starts attending shows including Ring of Honor and NXT.  We will have assorted shows up for members throughout the weekend, the first being a solo show with Bryan later tonight. Then, Dave and Bryan Alvarez will be back tomorrow to talk all of the news and fesitivites.  Mike Sempervive will also be helming Wrestling Observer Live every day through Wednesday when Bryan returns.

    *There is WWE information listing HHH vs. Roman Reigns now as a no DQ match, which it was never pushed as prior to today.

    *There are WrestleMania ads all over the major highways and downtown here, usually a photo of a WWE star, the ones I’ve seen the most are Undertaker, Shane McMahon, John Cena, HHH, Roman Reigns and Sasha Banks. Officials at AT&T Stadium have noted that there has been far more local promotion done for WrestleMania then for the Super Bowl when the stadium hosted it a few years ago.

    *Things already started with Jim Cornette doing a live talk show in Fort Worth. He did his usual bits, talking about how much he hated Vince Russo, but other names on his list included Dixie Carter, Shawn Michaels, and, to an extent, John Laurinaitis. 

    *WaleMania is tonight (Thursday) in Dallas which is now an annual event as tickets sold out immediately. Last year a ton of wrestlers came with the exception of WWE talent as I think they aren’t supposed to be at anyone else’s shows.

    *If Finn Balor loses the NXT title Friday night to Samoa Joe at TakeOver, that means the Balor Club is headed to the main roster. Either way, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows are debuting imminently and are in Dallas already.

    Here’s some non-WWE notes:

    *UFC 198 in Curibita, Brazil, is now sold out with approximately 45,000 tickets sold. Most likely, It would have sold out yesterday, but some systems crashed. It was noted to us that it would sell out today. The show features Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title, Anderson Silva vs. Uriah Hall, Vitor Belfort vs. Jacare Souza, Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith, and Shogun Rua vs. Corey Anderson.

    *TNA will be taping Impact from 4/21-4/24 at Universal in Orlando. The dates changed slightly from what the talent was told last week.

    *New Japan is doing a free show on New Japan World tonight/tomorrow from Korakuen Hall. It’s a free sample to try and get people to buy the service for Invasion Attack  on 4/10.  In theory, they should then be shooting some angles to build that show. The top matches are an elimination match with Togi Makabe & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma & Michael Elgin & Juice Robinson vs. The Bullet Club of Bad Luck Fale & Kenny Omega & Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall, plus Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Bushi.

    Historically, New Japan ten man elimination matches, where you can be eliminated either by pin, submission, or over the top rope, are usually very good. The show starts at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time early Friday morning and will be available on VOD shortly after its conclusion.

  • WWE Main Event results: Ryback battles a Wrestlemania legend

    First off, my deepest apologies to my tens of fans for my failure to file over the last fortnight. But, worry not; my difficulties in accessing the show in a timely manner (or, indeed, at all) have been resolved.

    Unfortunately, my return to casting a critical eye over Main Event is marked by a show that is over 80% Wrestlemania hype. Video packages were aired on the Reigns/Authority, Shane/Taker (two) and Dean/Brock storylines. One match was taped before RAW in Brooklyn on Monday night, featuring Sunday’s US title challenger The Ryback against the one-time conqueror of Chris Jericho, Fandango.

    Ryback def. Fandango by pinfall

    Jerry Lawler troubles me with his depth of knowledge on Ryback by insisting that “everything about The Big Guy is bigger”. Yeesh.

    Rich Brennan repeats Monday night’s faux-pas by reminding us all that the company once chose to put Fandango over Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania. I guess it’s less dumb when Jericho isn’t in the segment, but it’s still never a fantastic idea to remind your viewers exactly how amateurish you are at judging talent.

    Speaking of bad ideas, someone thought it would be pretty gravy to have their monster heel, who is challenging for a belt on Sunday, take over ten minutes to put away a guy who hasn’t won a televised match since mid-December. Solid logic there and no mistake.

    Fandango therefore got plenty of offence in this one, including a high knee from the apron to the outside to grab the advantage leading into an early commercial break. Ryback’s heat is that of a man who hasn’t worked heel in a while; painfully dull, including an excruciatingly long chinlock.

    Fandango dodges a corner charge and follows up with a baseball slide to initiate his comeback. He even sidesteps Ryback’s first attempt at the Meathook clothesline with a school boy roll-up for two-and-a-half. Ryback immediately pops up and connects with said Meathook however, followed by the Shellshock for the win. Only six minutes of this aired, but it felt longer as it was dull, disjointed and heatless throughout.

    Final Thoughts

    Not much to add really. Join me again tomorrow for a similarly attenuated edition of Smackdown and be sure to check out my – and the rest of the team’s – Wrestlemania predictions later in the week.

  • WON Preview WrestleMania 32, Hogan vs Gawker

    Subscribers click here to read:  April 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Wrestlemania 32 preview, Jon Jones arrested

    The latest on WrestleMania 32, the Daniel Bryan story updated, the entire weekend and a look at the history of St. Louis wrestling are all part of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    The lead story goes into WrestleMania 32, including updated ticket sales, updated gate numbers, how tickets are selling, plus a look at ticket sales and secondary market prices for all the sold out events over the weekend.

    We look at the scheduled for the show, what matches will air at what time, what hasn’t been promoted, a look at the matches and the odds for the various matches.

    We also have an update on the aftermath of the Hulk Hogan/Gawker trial, including what is next, Nick Denton’s attempt to explain their decision, and more that has come out.

    We also have more on the Jon Jones arrest, the key points and what he’s facing. 

    We have a lot more regarding Daniel Bryan, the retirement of Brie Bella, the WWE special on Daniel Bryan, and a lot more details of his issues and a time line of thing. 

    We look at Friday night’s Madison Square Garden event.

    We also have a major feature on St. Louis wrestling and Joe Garagiola, the first host of Wrestling at the Chase.  We look at how powerful the show was in its heyday, when Vince McMahon promoted Wrestling at the Chase and why one of the most noteworthy moments in modern pro wrestling took place at the show.  We look at the beginnings of the show and the role Garagiola played in it.

    We look at St. Louis wrestling before Sam Muchnick and Lou Thesz, the arrival of Muchnick, the heyday of Bill Longson, the Muchnick vs. Thesz feud and reconciliation, the boom and bust of pro wrestling in the 50s, .  We look at stories from the early days of the show, the first episode, We look at why Garagiola left the show and the story of his last show.  We also look at the story of the only tape from the early era that has survived.

    We look at the change in locations of the show and why.  We also look at the Muchnick retirement, the ratings collapse, and St. Louis in modern pro wrestling.  We also look at the colorful life of Garagiola, including his interactions with The Beatles, Yogi Berra, President Gerald Ford along with a look at the baseball career.

    We also look at SummerSlam tickets, a crazy Hulk Hogan story from years back, Update on John Cena, more on ESPN’s coverage of WWE, WWE wrestler whose push is being rethought, Roman Reigns talks being booed, Newcomers to WWE, and more people getting looks.

    We also have notes on all the weekend WWE & NXT shows and details and business notes.

    We’ve got an update on the Global cruiserweight tournament that WWE is putting together.  We also have an update on the WWE Hall of Fame.

    We also look at the Hodge trophy and more on the NCAA tournament in Madison Square Garden.

    We’ve also got a look at the AAA Rey de Reyes show

    Subscribers click here to read: April 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Wrestlemania 32 preview, Jon Jones arrested

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    Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: February 22, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ECW having financial problems, St. Valentine’s Day Massacre review, more  Details on ECW’s financial issues including bounced checks, a full review of WWE’s St. Valentine’s Day Massacre with Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon in a cage, plus more.

    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.

    Also in this issue:

    • The first Cibernetico vs. Ultimo Guerrero match
    • The 73rd anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Coliseo in Mexico City
    • Next AAA TV taping
    • More on Joe Doering’s fight with cancer
    • History of Americans who have held the Triple Crown
    • Ticket sales for upcoming New Japan shows
    • A look at the AXS TV shows
    • Building the next New Japan major show
    • More on shows over WrestleMania weekend
    • Notes on Lucha Underground business with iTunes
    • Notes on the Lucha Underground talent situation in a few months
    • Lucha Underground’s big goals
    • One of the major stars who hasn’t been back for the third season
    • Lots of newcomers to Lucha Underground
    • Lucha Underground injury updates
    • Notes on Aztec Warfare
    • Updates on the 2017 Lucha Underground season and all the news from the tapings this past week
    • Updated news on TNA looking for an investor
    • A new TNA deal
    • More on people leaving
    • More on the issues with Preston City Wrestling
    • Ken Anderson says his remarks were taken out of context
    • TNA signs five new wrestlers
    • Ariel Helwani leaves FOX
    • Why his leaving is a black eye to FOX
    • Nate Diaz talks McGregor vs. GSP
    • More on Cris Cyborg’s UFC debut
    • More on the UFC’s big show in Curitiba, Brazil
    • Update on Yoel Romero
    • Update on Paige VanZant
    • UFC 200 update
    • C.M. Punk update
    • Update on Mayhem Miller   

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  • Daily pro wrestling history (03/31): Shawn Michaels wins WWF World Title in an Iron Man match

    1930

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – World Heavyweight Champion Gus Sonnenberg beat Dan Koloff in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Henri DeGlane and Ed “Strangler” Lewis drew (60:00 minutes)

    1964

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Mitsu Arakawa 
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher beat Moose Evans & Wilbur Snyder 
    – Hans Schmidt beat Rene Goulet
    – Doug Gilbert beat Jack Pesek 2

    1978

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Tony Atlas beat Superstar Billy Graham COR
    – Dusty Rhodes beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel dq
    – Tommy Rich & Thunderbolt Patterson beat Ole Anderson & Lars Anderson to win Georgia Tag Title
    – Adrian Adonis beat John Studd dq
    – Paul Ellering drew Jacques Goulet
    – Pez Whatley beat Frankie Laine

    1980

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel dcor Kintaro Ohki in 3rd fall
    – IWA Champion Rusher Kimura beat Johnny Powers COR 
    – WWU World Junior Heavyweight Champion Ashura Hara beat Ryuma Go of New Japan dq 
    – IWA World Tag Team Champions Animal Hamaguchi & Mighty Inoue beat Kengo Kimura & Haruka Eigen of New Japan dq
    – Mach Hayato beat Devil Murasaki via pin 
    – Tenshin Yonemura beat Masahiko Takasugi via pin 
    – Goro Tsurumi & Katsuzo Oiyama beat Great Kusatsu & Isamu Teranishi dq 

    1983

    Sioux City, Iowa:
    – Hulk Hogan & Mad Dog Vachon beat Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan
    – Ken Patera beat Rick Martel
    – Wahoo McDaniel beat John Tolos
    – Brad Rheingans beat Bobby Heenan

    1985 

    Wrestlemania I: Madison Square Garden:
    – Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff defeated WWF World Tag Team Champions Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham to win the titles
    – Wendi Richter pinned Leilani Kai to win the WWF Ladies title
    – The Junkyard Dog defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Greg Valentine by countout
    – Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (with Jimmy Snuka) defeated Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff (with Bob Orton) 

    Chicago, Illinois:

    – AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Nick Bockwinkel
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors beat Larry Hennig & Curt Hennig
    – Jim Garvin beat Baron Von Raschke
    – The Crusher no contest King Tonga
    – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Kendo Nagasaki & Mr. Saito
    – Bob Backlund beat Larry Zbyszko dq
    – AWA Light Heavyweight Champion Steve Regal beat Buck Zumhofe
    – Billy Robinson beat Tom Zenk

    1989

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Sting defeated Mike Rotunda for the NWA World TV Title 

    1994

    Sheffield, England:
    – The Quebecers defeated Men On A Mission for the WWF World Tag Team Titles

    1996 

    Wrestlemania XII: Anaheim, California:
    – Shawn Michaels pinned Bret Hart in overtime of a 60 minute Iron Man match to win the WWF World Title 
    – Vader & Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith managed by Jim Cornette defeated Yokozuna & Jake Roberts & Ahmed Johnson
    – Roddy Piper fought Goldust in a “Hollywood Backlot Brawl”
    – Steve Austin defeated Savio Vega 
    – Ultimate Warrior pinned Hunter Hearst Helmsley
    – The Undertaker pinned Diesel 

    2003

    San Jose, California:
    – Kane & Rob Van Dam defeated champions Lance Storm & Sean Morley and The Dudley Boyz in a three way match for the World Tag Team Titles

  • Observer Feature: Patrick Scott Patterson talks NWA Parade of Champions

    Long before Xavier Woods had an UpUpDownDown channel on YouTube, Patrick Scott Patterson was bridging the gap between video game culture and professional wrestling.

    A self-described video game advocate, he also wound up in the confines of the squared circle, where he once ranked as high as #409 in the PWI Top 500 in 2004 under the in-ring name of Scott Phoenix. Some people will scoff at that ranking, but Ion the other hand will respect the fact he’s taken a thousand more bumps than I have in any ring other than the virtual ones of 2K Sports.

    Tonight (Thursday), Scott will return to the wrestling world he once inhabited as a competitor for the NWA Parade of Champions in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday night. He won’t be wrestling though — Scott will be calling some of the action from ringside as a guest commentator. Before we get to that I wanted Scott to tell people a little bit about his history in the gaming world. Incidentally he prefers to go by Scott in conversation, but is credited as Patrick Scott Patterson for all media appearances.

    So how did you first become a video game advocate?

    Long story short, video gaming was my first love as a young child. Over time I wanted to know everything there was about it — not just playing all the games from going all the way back then to every generation successively — but I wanted to know about who made these games, how’d they come about, how’d the industry come about, how did all of these evolve. Over time that passion ended up becoming a profession, and these days I produce online content where we talk about the past, present and future of gaming (and) I speak at live events and appear in documentary films about the subject.

    It feels like there’s an educational shortfall when it comes to preserving the history and informing today’s generation of gamers about where it all came from. There’s not a hundred plus years of history like there is for the squared circle, but sadly in 50 years much has been lost, forgotten, or just flat out inaccurately reported.

    This is true in all forms of entertainment. This is true in film, this is true in books and television and everything else. I think it’s important to know where you came from and how you got to this point, so you can fully understand and appreciate it — and love it for the art form that it is.

    How did you fall in love with wrestling?

    I was born and raised in the Dallas area. The younger generation of wrestling fans don’t even know it at this point, but at one point in time the city of Dallas was the hottest up-and-coming talent factory that there was. We had not just the Von Erichs and the Freebirds — as well as like the Jerry Lawler vs. Andy Kaufman feud as the first instances of ‘sports entertainment’ as well as Gorgeous George going way back.

    It’s a good coincidence that the Fabulous Freebirds are going into the WWE Hall of Fame this weekend,.

    The Freebirds were so influential in what McMahon went on to do by the way. The Freebirds introduced the Rock’n’Wrestling thing even before Vince McMahon did. So they were based down here – but so many talents started in the Dallas area that went on to become bigger and bigger stars: ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Booker T, JBL, I could go on and on. A lot of guys didn’t get their start here but came down here and got their first break – people like Sean Waltman, Mick Foley, Ultimate Warrior and Rick Rude. At one point in time almost every major talent you would see either started here or came through here on their way to the top.

    What made you to want to step into the squared circle?

    I just had a passion for it – it was something I grew up (with). I was in middle school and high school and I didn’t have a lot of friends. I was bullied, I was beat up a lot, made fun of a lot. I was a real skinny lanky uncoordinated kid. Professional wrestling was my escape during those times. I could live vicariously watching them onTV and imagine that I was going out there with some entrance music and the crowd going crazy and I was throwing these people around that were giving me a hard time at school — I was throwing them around the ring and putting the beatdown on them.

    And what happened when you decided to pursue that passion?

    Spur of the moment I called a local wrestling school and they were having tryouts that weekend. Common sense would have been like ‘Okay — maybe I can spend the next three months, go get in a gym, get in a little better shape, and give it a go.’ No – I decided ‘Alright I’ll see ya this weekend.’ There were four of us in the tryout and somehow I got in. I think it was the fact I was so out of place, and despite everything I was put through I wasn’t going to quit. That promoter at the time was like ‘Well this guy is willing to spend thousands of dollars so I’ll take his money for as long as he’s gonna stick around.

    Who were your trainers at that school that broke you in?

    That was headed up by a guy named Kit Carson – one half of a tag team down here called Team Extreme. Occasionally he’d bring in some of his other friends. He’d bring in his partner Khris Germany, sometimes he’d bring in the original Awesome Kong – obviously not Kia Stevens – one half of the Colossal Kongs. Once I was through that school the promoter really wasn’t – since he wasn’t getting any more money he wasn’t eager to keep me at it. I went and I found another school that was close to where I lived. There I was training with Awesome Kong – Dwayne McCullough was his real name. They were briefly in WCW. You’re never supposed to quit learning in the business – so other people along the way would teach me things. I can’t just point at one person.

    What frustrated you about working on the indies?

    Towards the end of my time in the ring there was a discussion among several indie promoters in the state of Texas about having a Texas Heavyweight Champion who could go outside the state to (represent). Everyone agreed it was a good idea but no one could agree on who held the belt. Self-serving egos got in the way.

    So for a large part of the 1990s a lot of people forgot that NWA even existed. How did we get from there to the revival and the Tournament of Champions?

    I think one of the things that helps the modern version of it is that it’s not trying to be what it was. It’s trying to appeal to those fans who aren’t interested in backstage vignettes and stock prices. They want to see some hot action in the ring. They want to see a good show. I think catering to that is what’s brought some stability to NWA (today).

    What brought you back after retirement?

    I always kind of kept one foot in (wrestling). David Fuller stuck around and stuck around and stuck around. We all said ‘He’s going to be the guy that inherits the whole territory’ and that’s what happened. We reconnected on social media a few years ago and talked about some things, it was late 2014. I hadn’t been to any event for a long time. He was doing an anti-bullying rally and I thought that would be a nice thing to speak in so I agreed to do that. Then he’s came up like ‘Yeah you want to do some commentary?’ I did some color commentary for a match or two. He worked me – turns out he already had me penned in.

    What will you be doing at the NWA Parade of Champions in Fort Worth tonight?

    I’ll do color commentary for Rob Moore’s play-by-play. Yeah – let’s do that – I’m excited to be here! I’m kind of a smart aleck by nature anyway so I always like color commentary in any type of competitive or entertaining thing. It needs to be entertaining but still have some insight. I’m not going to go up there and be playing a gimmick. It’s 2016, plus I’m not a wrestler any more. I’m up there as me. But occasionally I’ll fire off a quick one liner that’s fun or entertaining. But I used to be in the ring – so I can speak to the pressure of being up there in front of a crowd – or if I see a move I never liked being performed on me I can say that as well. ‘Chops? Boy I don’t miss those at all!’ I think having a little direct insight with that experience, you can tow that line, what it’s like in the ring.

    Final thoughts on calling the card on Thursday?

    Whether it’s eSport video game competition or it’s professional wrestling, I think a color commentator needs to help paint the picture. The play-by-play is telling you what’s going on and the color guys needs to be telling you why it matters and why you should care.

  • Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 2 set for UFC 200, Edgar vs Aldo for interim belt

    UFC announced tonight two main events for UFC 200 as well as a huge advance for UFC 198.

    UFC Tonight released that Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz in a rematch at 170 pounds will headline UFC 200 on 7/9 in Las Vegas at the new T-Mobile Arena.  On the show it was stated that Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and John Kavanagh, the coach of McGregor, all wanted the fight at 155, but said McGregor insisted on fighting at 170.

    They also announced Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo for the interim featherweight title in another five round fight.  McGregor has not been stripped of the title, but since he’s been inactive, they will have this fight and the winner will unify the title with McGregor at some point.

    At least one more championship fight will be added to the show.

    Other fights announced for UFC 200 are Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne in a heavyweight battle where the winner could get a title shot; Joe Lauzon vs. Diego Sanchez; Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson; Johny Hendricks vs. Kelvin Gastelum and Jim Miller vs. Takanori Gomi.

    Tickets went on sale today for UFC 198, which takes place on 5/14 at the Arena de Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.  The show, headlined by Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title had so much demand that ticket outlets crashed but already 38,000 tickets have been sold to the show.  They are looking at a 45,000 capacity for the event.

    The UFC 200 Card so far:

    • Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz 2
    • Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar for the Interim Featherweight Title
    • Travis Browne vs Cain Valesquez
    • Derek Brunson vs. Gegard Mousasi
    • Joe Lauzon vs. Diego Sanchez

  • Daily pro wrestling history (03/30): Brock Lesnar wins WWE Championship

    1870 

    New York City, New York:
    – James H. McLaughlin defeated Homer Lane to win the American Collar-and-Elbow Champion 

    1957 

    New York City, New York:
    – Miguel Perez and Antonino Rocca defeated Wildman (Jackie) Fargo and Don Stevens (Fargo) to win the Capitol 
    Wrestling NWA World Tag Team Titles

    1971

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk defeated Jack and Jerry Brisco to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles

    1972

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Terry Martin defeated Benny Ramirez
    – The Viking defeated Bob Orton
    – The Stomper & Steve Bolus defeated North American Tag Team Champions Chati Yokouchi & Yasu Fuji via DQ
    – Harley Race & Black Angus defeated Danny Little Bear & Rufus R. Jones

    1973

    Sydney, Australia:

    – Ron Miller and Larry O’Day defeated Don Carson and Dick Dunn for the NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Titles

    1976 

    Mobile, Alabama: 
    – Rick Gibson defeated Duke Miller for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title

    1977 

    Sacramento, California:
    – Bob Roop and Alexis Smirnoff defeated Pepper Gomez and Pat Patterson to win the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Titles

    1981

    Puebla, Mexico:
    – Eric Embry defeated El Solitario to win the UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Title

    Birmingham, Alabama:
    – Ron Bass defeated Ken Lucas for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Masa Fuchi and Mr. Onita (Atsushi Onita) defeated The Dream Machine and Bill Dundee to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1984 

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – Bad News Allen defeated The Dynamite Kid to win the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title 

    Mexico City, Mexico:
    – Cien Caras won the Mexican National Heavyweight Title by defeating Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.

    1985 

    Dothan, Alabama:
    – Jimmy Golden won the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title by defeating Boomer Lynch

    1991 

    Bayamón, Puerto Rico:
    – TNT (Savio Vega) defeated Action Jackson to win the WWC Television Title 

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated The Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels)
    – Earthquake pinned Koji Kitao
    – Ted DiBiase and Haku defeated Takashi Ishikawa and The Great Kabuki
    – Samson Fuyuki, Tatsumi Kitihara, Masao Orihara and Apollo Sugawara defeated Don Arakawa, Fumihiro Niikura, Kenichi Oya and Goro Tsurumi
    – The Ultimate Warrior pinned Sgt. Slaughter
    – Masa Funaki defeated Naoki Sano 
    – Kerry Von Erich defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect by disqualification
    – Ishinriki and Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated The Barbarian and Jimmy Snuka
    – Randy Savage pinned George Takano
    – The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) defeated WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Genichiro Tenryu 

    2003 

    Wrestlemania XIX: Seattle, Washington:
    – Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle to win the WWE Championship
    – WWE Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy pinned Rey Mysterio
    – WWE Tag Champs Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas defeated Chris Benoit & Rhyno and Eddie & Chavo Guerrero
    – WWE World Champ Triple H pinned Booker T 
    – Hulk Hogan pinned Vince McMahon in a Streetfight
    – The Rock pinned Steve Austin 

    2007 

    ROH All Star Extravaganza III: Detroit, Michigan:
    – FIP Tag Team Champions The Briscoes (Jay and Mark) defeated ROH World Tag Team Champions Naruki Doi and Shingo to win the titles 
    – Adam Pearce (with Shane Hagadorn) defeated Colt Cabana, Chris Hero (with Larry Sweeney and Tank Toland) and Matt Sydal in a Four Corners Survival match
    – Yamato defeated Pelle Primeau
    – Brent Albright (with Larry Sweeney) defeated Nigel McGuiness
    – Homicide defeated Christopher Daniels
    – FIP Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong defeated Jack Evans
    – CIMA, Dragon Kid, Ryo Saito and Susumu Yokosuka defeated Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, Delirious and Rocky Romero in a Dragon Gate Rules match

    2008

    Wrestlemania XXIV: Orlando, Florida:
    – Undertaker defeated Edge to win the World Title 
    – Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair in Ric Flair’s retirement match
    – JBL defeated Fit Finlay in a Belfast Brawl
    – CM Punk won a Money in the Bank Ladder Match
    – Batista defeated Umaga
    – Kane defeated ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero to win the title
    – WWE Champion Randy Orton defeated John Cena and Triple H to retain the title
    – Floyd Mayweather defeated Big Show

  • TNA Impact Wrestling results: Drew Galloway defends the title against Jeff Hardy

    Previously on TNA Impact:

    Last week, new TNA World Champion Drew Galloway proclaimed that people would start looking at the TNA World title and Impact Wrestling differently. He promised to put TNA on the map again. Perhaps he’s on to something, as ratings have been going up ever so slightly the last two weeks and started to do so the night he won the title. In last week’s main event, Jeff Hardy was victorious in a gauntlet battle royal featuring the promotions top stars to earn a shot at the TNA World Title.

    Tonight:

    Tonight’s Impact features a huge main event, as Drew Galloway will defend the TNA World Title against Jeff Hardy.

    Show Recap:

    –Josh Matthews and The Pope welcome us to Impact as Matt Hardy, Reby, Tyrus and Rockstar Spud make their way to the ring.

    – Matt is demanding his return match for the TNA World title and wants it before Jeff gets his shot in the main event. Suddenly “The First Lady of Professional Wrestling” Maria Kanellis, looking stunning, interrupts and introduces “Miracle” Mike Bennett. Bennett calls Matt old and tells him to relax. Bennett thinks neither Matt nor Jeff deserve the title shot; he does. Reby and Maria argued back and forth. Reby called Maria “fire crotch.” Reby had to be held back from attacking Maria who didn’t back down. Matt and Bennett tease fighting each other but they’re interrupted by the catchiest music in wrestling and Ethan Carter III.

    EC3 was hilarious here referencing The Three Stooges and prayed to the Lord of Professional Wrestling to find a place for Bennett’s wrestling career in the afterlife. EC3 wants to face Bennett but the Miracle isn’t interested. Instead, Matt Hardy challenged EC3 to face all members of The Matt Hardy Brand (Hardy, Tyrus, Spud and Reby.) EC3 agreed to the match.

    Ethan Carter III vs. Matt Hardy, Reby, Tyrus & Rockstar Spud

    Mike Bennett and Maria are sitting at ringside. EC3 dominates the early moments of the action until the heels take over. The story of the match is that EC3 has nobody to tag while the heels tag out when they’re in trouble. Reby gave EC3 three slaps across the face but has yet to get in the match officially. EC3 makes his own comeback and takes out Tyrus. EC3 got the Cobra Clutch on Spud but Mike Bennett ran in for the DQ. The heels beat down EC3 until Beer Money ran out for the save and cleared the ring.

    Beer Money takes the mic and says they’re not out here to stop the fight. Beer Money & EC3 challenge Matt Hardy, Tyrus and Mike Bennett to a six man and its starts after the commercial break.

    Ethan Carter III and Beer Money (Bobby Roode & James Storm) vs. Matt Hardy, Tyrus & “Miracle” Mike Bennett w/ Reby Sky, Rockstar Spud and Maria Kanellis

    Back from commercial and the match is in progress. Storm has the advantage on Bennett until Tyrus beats Storm down on the outside. The heels isolate Storm and prevent him from tagging out. Roode gets the tag and he runs wild taking out the heels. EC3 goes after Bennett but he hides behind Maria. EC3 chases Bennett to the back. Beer Money gets the double suplex on Tyrus, which gets a big reaction from the crowd. Tyrus saves Matt Hardy from the DWI and Hardy hits the twist of fate on Roode for the win.

    -Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviews TNA Knockouts Champion Gail Kim about last week’s Knockouts Match, where Jade apparently became the number one contender for the title. Gail announces another number one contenders match between Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne.

    -Back from commercial and in the back, BroMans talk about their surprising reunion as a team. They’re interrupted by Eli Drake, who says he has business to take care of.

    Number One Contenders Match for Knockouts Title: Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne

    Josh and The Pope mention that Velvet and Madison are best friends. The story here is that last week Maria made a number one contenders match, so Gail made a number one contenders match too. Josh wonders who will be the number one contender, the winner of this match or Jade. The crowd was mostly dead for this match but there was a small Velvet Sky chant. They had a back and forth match which ended suddenly when Madison scores the pin on Velvet.

    Post match, Velvet teased being upset about the loss but instead she raised Madison’s hand and they embraced.

    -Backstage, TNA World Champion Drew Galloway promised to beat Jeff Hardy and retain his title tonight.

    -Back in the arena, Josh asked Pope for his prediction for tonight’s main event but Pope seemed distracted. He told Josh that he has something to get off his chest. The Pope entered the ring as we cut to commercial.

    -Back from commercial, The Pope is in the ring. He talks about being happy-go-lucky Pope recently but needs to go back to the old Pope. “The Destroyer” Lashley comes out and tells Pope to go back to commentary. Lashley wants Pope to apologize for sticking his nose in his business. Pope cuts a passionate promo and challenges Lashley to a fight. Pope and Lashley end up brawling, with referees and officials trying to pull them apart. Lashley gets the better of Pope. Lashley sets up for the spear but Pope moves and Lashley falls to the outside. Pope hits a cross body onto Lashley on the outside. Security runs down to break it up but they keep fighting.

    This was a really good segment, with Pope as the underdog and Lashley as the heel. Pope was full of passion and was great overall. Also, the brawl was pretty wild and exciting.

    -Next, we get another creepy music video for Decay featuring Marilyn Manson. 

    -Back from commercial, Jeremy Borash has now joined Josh on commentary.

    -Eric Young and Bram make their way to the ring. EY and Bram tease dissension after last week when Bram accidentally eliminated EY in the gauntlet battle royal but EY says everything is okay. EY wants Jeff Hardy to win the world title tonight so he can beat Jeff for the title. They’re interrupted by The BroMans.

    Bram & Eric Young vs. BroMans (Robbie E & Jesse Godderz)

    BroMans charge the ring and attack the heels. EY and Bram cut off BroMans and get the advantage. They isolate Robbie E until he makes the tag to Jesse. Jesse runs wild and takes out both Bram and EY. Bram holds Jesse for EY but Jesse moves and he nails Bram in the face. The BroMans win with the Bro Down and Jesse surprisingly scores the pin fall on EY.

    -Josh says we’re getting the celebration for Grado getting his TNA job back after the commercial.

    -Backstage, Grado and Mahabali Shera discuss plans for the party, which Grado has spent $5,000 on. Al Snow shows up and for no apparent reason, attacks both Grado and Shera. Al breaks the arm of Grado with a pipe. Josh doesn’t understand why Al would do this. He’s not the only one.

    -In the ring, Gregory Shane Helms and X Division Champion Trevor Lee call out Eddie Edwards. J.B says that Eddie has no direction since his partner Davey Richards got injured. Shane praised The American Wolves as one of the greatest tag teams. Eddie is going to focus on his solo career and wants to go after the X Division title. Shane and Trevor Lee avoid answering Eddie’s challenge for the X Division title. Instead, Shane wants to tag with Eddie to challenge Beer Money for the tag titles. Shane is going to give Eddie a week to think about it.

    -Backstage, an irate Pope challenges Lashley to a match next week on Impact.

    -Jeff Hardy makes his way down to the ring for the main event, which comes up next after the commercial break.

    TNA World Champion Drew Galloway vs. Jeff Hardy

    Josh mentions that this is the first meeting between Drew Galloway and Jeff Hardy. They shake hands before they lock up. The story of the match is that they have a mutual respect for each other. Jeff sends Drew to the outside and hits a dive to the outside to get the advantage.

    Back from commercial, Jeff is still in control of the match. Jeff hits the twist of fate and goes up for the swanton bomb but Drew tripped Jeff up. Drew hit the claymore kick but only got a near fall. Drew was standing on the second rope and had Jeff on his shoulder in a power slam like position. Jeff countered and flipped Drew off the turnbuckle. This was a pretty scary looking spot. Jeff got another two count. Jeff set Drew up on the steal steps on the outside. Jeff went for the swanton bomb but Drew got his knees up. Jeff struggled to his feet and Drew hit the Future Shock DDT for the win to retain the World Title.

    Post match, Jeff and Drew embraced, while Drew celebrated his first title defense. Matt Hardy came out and announced that next week, he gets his return match for the TNA World title. Drew was willing to defend the belt right now and called for the bell. EY and Bram ran out and helped Matt attack Drew and Jeff.  Drew hits the claymore on EY & Bram and Jeff hits the twist of fate on Matt. Jeff then challenged Eric Young next week in a Six Side of Steel Cage match.

    Final Thoughts:

    TNA put on another solid Impact this week. The show had its ups and downs and can drag at times. However there are a lot of positives such as, their attempt to create new stars and provide compelling matches. Time will tell if TNA can build on this small bit of momentum that they have.

    Next Week on Impact:

    Next week’s show has a loaded line up with PPV caliber matches. TNA World Champion Drew Galloway will defend against Matt Hardy. Also, Jeff Hardy goes one on one with Eric Young in Six Sides of Steel. Additionally, The Pope will battle it out with “The Destroyer” Lashley. Plus, Eddie Edwards must decide if he wants to tag with Gregory Shane Helms to challenge for the TNA Tag titles.