Category: Post Type article

  • WWE Total Divas: Total Divastation episode 11

    Submitted by Kevin LaRose

    In Indiana, Paige does a photo shoot. Everyone likes it. Paige falls down on the ground because she is so excited about her sandwich. This is the last we will see of her tonight.

    In Phoenix, the Bellas and Bryan sit down to lunch at a really, really cute breakfast place. They are going to eat Dutch Babies. The Bellas want to start a charitable bra and panty line. Bryan doesn’t want to talk about Nikki’s vagina. Bryan tells a story of Brie giving him a Dutch oven. 

    In Orlando, Nattie is training with Mandy. Nattie is excited because she is going to have an opportunity to get closer to Mandy. Nattie is worried about her “loose cannon” father. She doesn’t want to be embarrassed in front of Mandy’s family. 

    The Bella twins are on the Today show. Nikki is excited to have meetings later in the day in New York. Brie wants to talk about babies, but Nikki doesn’t. 

    On some island in Florida, the Mandy family arrive at the bomb vacation house. They all pick their bedrooms. Her mom and dad don’t want to stand next to each other, because they are separated. Mandy cries. She wants them to be together again. Mandy has plans for them to rekindle their romance. They chase a crab and the Neidharts arrive. Nattie tells Mandy to let her know if her dad acts weird. He just got out of rehab.

    The Bellas are at a really nice restaurant, elegant but casual. They are drinking wine and Nikki is talking business. Nikki set up a meeting with some famous business dude. Brie doesn’t want a meeting. She wants to make the bras and panties herself. 

    Back on the island, everyone is eating breakfast. Mandy and her fedora-ed brother spy on their dad through a tiny window. Nattie draws a lipstick heart on TJ’s face. Jim Neidhart is wearing a hilarious shirt that makes him look like he is wearing a sexy bikini.

    In NY, Brie and Nikki go to take a sewing lesson. Nikki is super negative about learning. Nikki knows Brie is going to fail. Brie tries to make a pair of panties. Nikki thinks Brie is a total failure because she didn’t make a perfect pair on her first try. I think she has potential. 

    Mandy’s family and the Neidharts have a dragon boat race. Mandy’s family is so good at working as a team, and, as expected, the Neidharts are a mess. I bet that Nattie is going to have to learn to love her family, warts and all. She seems to always have to learn that. Nattie is embarrassed that her family lost. Jim Neidhart is pissed because some guy is massaging his wife’s ass. He is having a conniption. Nattie doesn’t want him to cause a scene. Mandy’s family gets in a van and they try to reminisce about old times. Mandy is stoked that her parents are sitting next to each other. The Neidharts join them at a dock and each family gets on a fishing boat. Jim Neidhart makes some very excited noises and then a noise of disappointment. Nattie’s mom reveals that she put a curse on him and he won’t catch any fish, he will only feel the excitement of it. Nattie’s mom catches her third fish. Nattie is pissed that her dad is acting wacky and having fun. She’s glad Mandy isn’t on the boat to see him. Meanwhile, Mandy tries to talk about her dad with her mom. Her mom doesn’t really want to talk about it. 

    Nikki and Brie are still bickering. Brie wants to be on Etsy, and Nikki wants this to be an empire. Nikki believes she is so much better at business than her sister. It’s funny because outside they are identical twins, but inside they are worlds apart. They have a meeting with a fashion designer. The fashion designer has a big show tomorrow, but she is more than happy to take time out of her busy day to talk to them. Brie explains her Etsy vision. This lady doesn’t think that’s feasible. I hope Brie doesn’t give up on herself.

    Back on the island, Mandy takes a walk with her brothers. She remarks to them how much everything has changed. One of her brothers tells her that if she thinks that mom and dad are going to get back together then she’s crazy. Another brother thinks there’s a chance. They yell at each other. 

    Nikki and Bella are hanging out in their swank hotel room in amazing evening gowns. Brie tells Nikki that she is not as good at business as Nikki. Brie acts really humble. Nikki rubs it in her face, but she’s happy that she gets to be in charge. They each thinks the other gives gross hugs.

    Mandy takes her family outside for a drink. Her dad acts all Italian tough guy. Mandy tries to talk to them about getting back together. Mandy cries. Her dad tells them that they are going to stay separated and everyone needs to deal with it. Mandy and her brothers cry. Everyone accepts that things have changed, and they decide to be happy. All the families gather together for a giant meal. They all reflect and laugh over the weekend’s adventures. Mandy gives a toast. Nattie loves Mandy, and she realizes the whole weekend was fun and she didn’t need to stress so much. Haven’t heard that one before, Nattie. 

    Nikki and Brie go into the Empire State Building for a meeting with the famous business dude. They tell him about their charitable lingerie line. He likes that the lingerie line is charitable. He brings in a designer and she draws some panties. He says a lot of noncommittal positive language and tells them he’ll be in touch. The Bellas are really happy.

    Back on the island, Nattie’s tiny nephew gives some precious words of wisdom and they all take a picture of themselves. It may be a mess of a family, but it’s their mess, and I’m sure they wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

    Back in NY, the Bellas are at a really great, really expensive looking restaurant. The Bellas smile at each other, and they make a toast. Brie looks like she’s getting close to Brie Mode. 

    There was a show on another network tonight where a bunch of nut-jobs were excited about installing can lights in their bedroom. That coupled with tonight’s Total Divas, and this is officially the worst night ever in television history. Congratulations, America. 

    Mission Accomplished.

  • Joe Doering has surgery to treat brain cancer

    Joe Doering, who for years was the top foreign star with All Japan Pro Wrestling, revealed today that he is battling brain cancer.

    The announcement will be made within the next few hours by the promotion.

    Doering revealed that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor on 2/25, and had surgery to remove it on 3/4.

    He will begin both chemotherapy and radiation treatment next week.  The treatment will last for six weeks.

    He expects that he will be eventually able to return to the ring.

    Doering, 33, began training under Scott D’Amore in 2004, and worked in TNA when D’Amore was booker, as well as in the WWC in Puerto Rico before his first run in All Japan from 2007 to 2009.  In his first year in the promotion, Doering & Keiji Muto beat Suwama & Satoshi Kojima in the finals of the annual tag team tournament.  Doering & Muto followed by winning the world tag team titles on the second show of 2008.

    He left All Japan for WWE in 2010, using the new Drake Brewer in developmental. But he was released after only eight months with the promotion and returned to All Japan at the end of 2010.

    On July 27, 2014, Doering became only the sixth foreigner to win the Triple Crown title, beating Suwama, before dropping the title on January 3, 2015, to Go Shiozaki.

    He won the 2013 tag team tournament with Suwama as his partner.

  • Full WrestleMania card plus TV, Network and PPV schedule

    WWE has officially updated the plans for Sunday’s WrestleMania regarding where the different matches will air on the show.

    As of right now, and this could change during the week, the Kalisto vs. Ryback U.S. title match will take place at about 4:30 p.m. Central time, 5:30 p.m. Eastern, and will be a WWE Network exclusive.

    The USA Network and WWE Network one hour simulcast from 5-6 p.m. local time and 6-7 p.m. Eastern time, which will also air at WWE.com, the WWE app, and YouTube, will have the women’s ten person tag team match and the Usos vs. Dudleys match.

    The 20 man Andre the Giant Battle Royal will now be on the WrestleMania PPV card.

    The rest of the show has:

    Triple H vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Title.

    Shane McMahon vs. Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match where if Shane wins he gets control of Raw and Undertaker can never work another WrestleMania.

    Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar in a no holds barred streetfight.

    Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks for the WWE Divas Title.

    New Day vs. League of Nations in a three-on-four match which is not for the WWE Tag Titles.

    AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho.

    Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder vs. Sin Cara vs. The Miz vs. Stardust in a ladder match for the Intercontinental Title.

    Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez reviewed Raw on last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio, plus Bryan and Mike Sempervive discussed a number of possible big match finishes on today’s Wrestling Observer Live, both available now for subscribers.

  • Raw ratings for the go-home WrestleMania show

    The final Raw before WrestleMania did 3.77 million viewers, an 11 percent increase from near historical lows for non-football season posted for the show on 3/21 from Philadelphia.

    A show that advertised every major character from WrestleMania appearing, including Vince McMahon, Undertaker, Brock Lesnar and Shane McMahon, from the Barclays Center, was down 10 percent from the WrestleMania go-home show last year which did a 3.03 rating and 4.19 million viewers. The 2014 go-home show did a 3.18 rating and 4.38 million viewers.

    The ratings pattern was in line with the daylight savings time season, where the peak was in the second hour. There was a third hour drop, but it wasn’t as pronounced as many weeks, even though the only thing pushed for the end of the show was a segment involving HHH and Roman Reigns, who had already done two segments earlier in the show.

    The three hours were:

    8 p.m. 3.82 million viewers
    9 p.m. 3.85 million viewers
    10 p.m. 3.64 million viewers

    Next week’s show is likely to be the highest rated Raw of the year, as that is the usual pattern for the day after WrestleMania. It is usually about two weeks after WrestleMania where the ratings settle into what ends up being the usual spring levels.

  • Jon Jones arrested for probation violation; UFC fight vs. Cormier still on for now

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion and No. 1 contender Jon Jones was arrested Tuesday for violation of his probation stemming from an altercation with a police officer last Thursday after he was pulled over and accused of drag racing.

    Jones had claimed that he had just revved up his engine of his Corvette, and noted that he wasn’t speeding nor arrested for speeding. The entire confrontation was caught on tape, and has inspired a mixed reaction from fans and media.

    Jones was taken into custody at 10 AM local time by the Probation & Parole department and taken to the detention center where he was being held at last word.

    TMZ Sports first reported the story and posted Jones’ new mug shot. They also reported that EAG Sports, which represents Jones, issued a statement saying, “Jon and his team are taking this very seriously and we will let the legal process play out. We are confident he will be released once he has an opportunity to explain to the judge the facts in this case.”

    Jones was sentenced to probation from his hit and run conviction last year, which resulted in his being stripped of his UFC light heavyweight championship.  He has not fought since his January 2015 win over Daniel Cormier who subsequently defeated Anthony “Rumble” Johnson later in the year to win the vacant title. The Cormier vs. Jones rematch was scheduled to headline UFC’s next big show on 4/23 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.  At this time, no
    statement has been made regarding if the arrest will affect this match.

    Jones’ 18-month probation was not revoked when he got a recent traffic citation because of the feeling that was a minor charge, and Jones proved he had a license and registration, something he didn’t have in his possession when pulled over.

    It was a day after his court case when it was agreed all charges would be dropped, pending him not getting in trouble over the next 90 days, when he was pulled over on the claim he was drag racing.

    Jones was charged with drag racing, a noise disturbance violation, an illegible license plate, exhibition driving and an inability to maintain being in a traffic lane, which was considered a probation violation.

    The UFC released a statement saying, “UFC is aware that Jon Jones turned himself into the Albuquerque Police Department this morning for a potential probation violation stemming from a traffic stop last week. UFC has been in touch with Jones’ legal team and will have no further comment until the organization has had appropriate time to gather necessary information.”

  • Daily pro wrestling history (03/29):Ricky Steamboats wins WWF IC Title, Steve Austin wins WWF World Title

    1922

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis beat Jim Londos in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Ivan Linow and Wladek Zbyszko drew 
    – Al Wasem beat Chester McCormack 

    1933 

    Los Angeles, California:
    – Ray Steele won the California Heavyweight Title by defeating Jim McMillen

    1939 

    Boston, Massachusetts:
    – Steve Casey won the American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title (not the Verne Gagne promotion) by defeating Gus Sonnenberg

    1947

    St. Joseph, Missouri:
    – Roy Graham beat Vic Christy to capture the MWA World Heavyweight Title in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Dan O’Connor beat Jack Kennedy 2 out of 3 falls
    – Marshall Esteppe beat Michele Leone by dq
    – Albert Alexinis and Abe Yourist drew 

    1955 

    Portland, Oregon:
    – Bulldog Curtis and Tommy Martinez defeated Kurt Von Poppenheim and Leo Wallick to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles

    1956

    Toronto, Ontario:
    – Pat O’Connor defeated Lord Athol Layton for the vacant Toronto NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title 

    1960 

    Nashville, Tennessee:
    – Karl and Kurt Von Brauner defeated Tex Riley and Len Rossi for the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Titles

    1961

    Columbus, Georgia:
    – Guy Mitchell defeated Skull Murphy for the Georgia NWA Southern Heavyweight Title

    1962

    Jacksonville, Florida:
    – Don Curtis and Joe Scarpa (Chief Jay Strongbow) defeated Karl and Kurt Von Brauner to win the Florida NWA World Tag Team Titles

    1969 

    Boston, Massachusetts:
    – WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated The Sheik in a steel cage match

    1972 

    – Jim Barnett’s Mid-South Sports changed its name to Georgia Championship Wrestling

    1973 

    Chattanooga, Tennessee:
    – Ben Justice and Tojo Yamamoto won the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Titles from The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Don Kent) 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Omar Atlas & Abe Jacobs defeated Mickey Doyle & Jim Dalton in two straight falls
    – Bob Brown defeated Mike George
    – Roger Kirby defeated Bob Geigel via DQ in three falls
    – Handicap Match: Rufus R. Jones defeated Togo the Great & Percival A. Friend
    – Harley Race defeated Dory Funk, Sr.

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: 
    – The Brute (Bugsy McGraw) defeated Gene Kiniski to win the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title 

    1974

    Houston, Texas:
    – NWA Champion Jack Brisco beat Wahoo McDaniel
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel beat Ernie Ladd & Ron Pritchard
    – Bob Roop beat Bull Ramos
    – Jose Lothario beat Roger Kirby
    – Blackjack Lanza beat Doug Somers
    – Blackjack Mulligan beat Jerry Oates

    1976

    Tulsa, Oklahoma:
    – Buck Robley and Bob Slaughter (Sgt. Slaughter) defeated The Hollywood Blonds (Jerry Brown and Buddy Roberts) for the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Titles  

    1977

    Macon, Georgia:
    – Mr. Wrestling II defeated James Dillon for the NWA Macon Heavyweight Title 

    1978

    Miami, Florida:
    – NWA Florida Television Champion Pedro Morales defeated Carl Cook to retain the title
    – NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion Dick Slater defeated Rocky Johnson to retain the title
    – NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Jack Brisco defeated Bob Roop to retain the title
    – NWA Florida United States Tag Team Champions Mike Graham and Steve Keirn defeated NWA Florida Tag Team Champions Mr. Saito and Mr. Sato (The Great Kabuki) by countout to retain the title
    – Dusty Rhodes defeated Killer Karl Kox in a steel cage match

    1979 

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
    – Salvatore Martino (Bellomo) defeated Gene Kiniski to win the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title 

    1980

    Charlotte, North Carolina:
    – Ray Stevens and Greg Valentine defeated Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood for the NWA World Tag Team Titles

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Austin Idol defeated Mr. Wrestling II to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship 

    1981

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
    – Angelo (King Kong) Mosca defeated Jimmy (Superfly) Snuka counted out to retain the Canadian title
    – Andre the Giant pinned Hulk Hogan 
    – Sweet Ebony Diamond won over Bad Bob Duncum 
    – The Great Hossien and Swede Hanson won their tag team match over George Wells and Johnny Weaver 
    – Tony Parisi won by default over Mr Fugi 
    – The Destroyer and Frankie Laine battled to a 15 minute draw

    1982

    Fort Worth, Texas:
     – Bugsy McGraw defeated José Lothario to win the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title 

    West Palm Beach, Florida:
    – Terry Allen and Jerry Brisco defeated Derek Draper and Hiro Matsuda
    – Brian Blair and Avalanche Tyler fought to a 15-minute time-limit draw
    – Mike Graham defeated NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion David Von Erich by disqualification
    – Kendo Nagasaki pinned Sweet Brown Sugar 
    – Gran Apolo pinned Ciclon Negro in a brass knuckles match
    – Hacksaw Reed defeated NWA International Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk, Jr. by reverse dq

    1984

    Lakeland, Florida:
    – Billy Jack (Haynes) defeated Kendo Nagasaki (Kazuo Sakurada) for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – The Grapplers defeated Jerry and Ted Oates to win the vacant NWA Central States Tag Team Titles

    1987 

    Wrestlemania III: Detroit, Michigan:
    – Ricky Steamboat (with George Steele) pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) to win the title 
    – The Can-Am Connection (Rick Martel and Tom Zenk) defeated The Magnificent Muraco and Bob Orton (with Mr. Fuji)
    – Billy Jack Haynes fought Hercules to a double-countout
    – Hillbilly Jim, The Haiti Kid and Little Beaver defeated King Kong Bundy, Little Tokyo and Lord Littlebrook by disqualification in a Mixed Tag Team match
    – King Harley Race (with Bobby Heenan and WWF Women’s Champion The Fabulous Moolah) pinned The Junkyard Dog in a Loser Must Bow match, 
    – The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine (with Dino Bravo and Johnny V) defeated The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (Jacques and Raymond)
    – Roddy Piper defeated Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) in a Hair vs. Hair match
    – The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) and Danny Davis (with Jimmy Hart) defeated The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) and Tito Santana
    – Butch Reed (with Slick) pinned Koko B. Ware
    – The Honky Tonk Man (with Jimmy Hart) pinned Jake Roberts (with Alice Cooper) 
    – The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (with Slick) defeated The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell) by disqualification
    – WWF Champion Hulk Hogan pinned André the Giant (with Bobby Heenan) to retain the title

    1993 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Lauren Davenport defeated USWA Women’s Champion Miss Texas to win the title 
    – The Moondogs (Splat and Spot) defeated USWA Tag Team Champions Brian Christopher and Scotty Flamingo to win the USWA Tag Team Titles
    – The Harlem Knights (Bobby and Nelson Knight) defeated USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett and USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler by disqualification
    – WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels defeated USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett

    1994

    London, England:
    – Men on a Mission (Mabel and Mo) defeated The Quebecers (Jacques and Pierre) to win the WWF Tag Team Titles

    1997 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Brian Christopher defeated Elijah to win the USWA Heavyweight Title 
    – Flash Flanagan and Billy Travis won the USWA Tag Team Titles from The Truth Commission (The Interrogator and Recon)

    1998 

    Wrestlemania XIV: Boston, Massachusetts:
    – WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku pinned Águila to retain the title
    – WWF European Champion Triple H pinned Owen Hart to retain the title
    – Marc Mero and Sable defeated The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust and Luna in a Mixed Tag Team match
    – WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock defeated Ken Shamrock by reverse disqualification to retain the title
    – Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) in a Dumpster match to win the title 
    – Steve Austin pinned WWF Champion Shawn Michaels to win the title
    – The Undertaker pinned Kane (with Paul Bearer) 

    2003

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
    – Balls Mahoney defeated NOSAWA in a Falls Count Anywhere match
    – Homicide defeated Xavier
    – 3PW Heavyweight Champion Gary Wolfe defeated Joey Matthews to retain the title
    – Jasmin St. Claire defeated Missy Hyatt in a Panties and Pasties match
    – Terry Funk defeated Abdullah the Butcher and Dusty Rhodes in a three-way Last Man Standing match

    2015

    Wrestlemania 31: Santa Clara, California:
    – Daniel Bryan won the Intercontinental Title in a Ladder Match
    – Randy Orton defeated Seth Rollins
    – Triple H defeated Sting
    – John Cena defeated Rusev (with Lana) to retain the United States Title
    – The Undertaker defeated Bray Wyatt
    – WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to win the title after pinning Roman Reigns in a match with Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman)

  • WWE Smackdown, Main Event & Superstars spoilers: AJ Styles vs. Heath Slater

    Notes from Leon Peters and Peter Troiano from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

    Superstars:

    – Jack Swagger defeated Tyler Breeze. This was a fun 10-12 minute match. Swagger won clean pin via Swagger Bomb

    Main Event:

    – Ryback defeated Fandango after the Shellshock.

    Smackdown (airing Wednesday in Canada and Thursday in the U.S.):

    – AJ Styles defeated Heath Slater (with Axel, Dallas & Rose in his corner).  Even with the building still not full, there was a big reaction and chants for AJ. Clean pin for Styles with the springboard forearm.

    – D-Von Dudley (with Bubba Ray) defeated Jey Uso (with Jimmy Uso) after hitting a spinebuster.

    – Dean Ambrose defeated Erick Rowan (with Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman) after hitting Dirty Deeds. Bray and Strowman went backstage after their entrance.

    There was no post-show dark match. It was a long night of wrestling and people were drained by the end.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (03/28): John Cena wins WWE Championship

    1922

    Des Moines, Iowa:
    – World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis beat Armos Laitinen 

    1961

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Hard Boiled Haggerty
    – Yukon Eric beat Rocky Lee
    – Leo Nomellini beat Taro Myaki
    – AWA US Champion Wilbur Snyder beat Tony Nero
    – Nick Roberts beat George Drake

    1963 

    Cleveland, Ohio:
    – Dory Dixon defeated WWWF World Champion Buddy Rogers to become the first World Wide Wrestling Alliance World Champion

    1967

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – Don Leo Jonathan & Verne Gagne beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race to win the belts (decision later reversed)
    – The Alaskan beat Reggie Parks
    – Doug Gilbert beat Mitsu Arakawa
    – Jack Pesek (sub Bob Boyer) drew Stan The Moose

    1974

    Corpus Christi, Texas:
    – NWA Champion Jack Brisco drew Dory Funk Jr when the time limit expired in the 3rd fall
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel beat Ivan Putski & Bob Orton Jr in 2 out of 3 falls
    – International Tag Team Champions Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan beat Black Angus & Jose Lothario
    – Bull Ramos beat Texas Champion Great Mephisto dq

    1976

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
    – Bruno Sammartino retained the W.W.W.F. title defeating Ox Baker on a count out 
    – The Crusaders retained the International Tag team title defeating Iron Mike Sharpe and the Wildman 
    – Superstar Billy Graham defeated Terry Yorkston 
    – Killer Kowalski and Waldo von Erich defeated Dominic DeNucci and Haystack Calhoun 
    – Steve Bolus and the Beast defeated Chris Tolos and Frank Hoffman 
    – Lord Athol Layton defeated Brute Bernard by disqualification 
    – Chris Markoff and Sweet Daddy Siki wrestled The Kelly Twins, Pat and Mike to a 15 minute time limit draw

    1977 

    Madison Square Garden:
    – WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Baron Von Raschke via DQ 

    1981

    Buffalo, New York:
    – Ricky Steamboat retained the Mid-Atlantic title beating Jimmy Snuka via disqualification
    – Angelo Mosca pinned Bob Duncum
    – Sweet Ebony Diamond and George Wells beat Swede Hanson and Mr. Fugi via disqualification
    – Tony Parisi pinned Johnny Weaver 
    – The Sensational Intelligent Destroyer and Frankie Laine drew

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
    – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Nick Bockwinkel
    – Jerry Blackwell & John Studd beat the Crusher & Baron Von Raschke dq 
    – Jim Brunzell beat Adrian Adonis
    – Jesse Ventura beat Buck Zumhofe
    – Tito Santana beat Steve Regal 
    – Brad Rheingans beat Bill Howard 

    1999 

    Wrestlemania XV: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
    – Steve Austin pinned the Rock to win the WWF World Title 
    – WWF Tag Team champions Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett, with Debra, defeated D-Lo Brown and Test with Ivory
    – Bob Holly defeats Billy Gunn and Al Snow in a Three-Way to win the WWF Hardcore championship
    – WWF Intercontinental champion Road Dogg Jesse Jammes defeated Ken Shamrock, Goldust (with Rian Shamrock and The Blue Meanie) and Val Venis in a Four-Way
    – The Undertaker defeated The Big Bossman in a Hell in the Cell match

    2000 

    San Antonio, Texas:
    – Stephanie McMahon defeated Jacqueline to win the WWF Women’s Title

    2010

    Wrestlemania XX: Phoenix, Arizona:
    – John Cena defeated Batista to win the WWE Championship 
    – The Undertaker defeated Shawn Michaels in a streak vs. retirement match
    – Randy Orton defeated Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase in a Triple Threat match
    – WWE Unified Tag Team Champions Miz & Big Show defeated R-Truth & John Morrison
    – Jack Swagger won the Money in the Bank ladder match
    – Triple H defeated Sheamus
    – World Champion Chris Jericho defeated Edge to retain the title

  • Snoop Dogg, Joan Lunden to be honored at WWE Hall of Fame ceremony

    The WWE’s final two honorees for the Hall of Fame ceremony will be Snoop Dogg and Joan Lunden.

    Snoop Dogg, who is related to Sasha Banks and has been on WWE television a few times over the years, will be the celebrity inductee. It had been rumored within wrestling for weeks and reported in past Wrestling Observer Newsletters that they were talking, and in wrestling circles, the belief was that it was a done deal.

    Also reported at the time was Lunden, who will receive the Warrior award.

    While the Snoop Dogg announcement was made via email, John Cena made the announcement on Lunden Monday morning on The Today Show. Lunden will be presented with the award on Saturday night by Dana, the widow of the Ultimate Warrior. Lunden, best known for her hosting Good Morning America was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, and very publicly battled through chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

    “It is truly humbling to be honored by WWE and receive this year’s Warrior Award at the 2016 Hall of Fame induction ceremony,” said Lunden to WWE.com. “After being diagnosed with cancer, my first thought was to survive, but soon after, I changed my focus from my cancer to the fight against cancer, and my life took on a whole new purpose. WWE has welcomed me into their family, offering me warmth and support, as have so many of the WWE fans from around the world.  It is a privilege to receive this honor.”

    The ceremony will air live on the WWE Network with an edited verson airing on post-Mania Thursday after Smackdown on USA.

  • Cyborg Justino to face Leslie Smith at UFC 198 in Brazil

    After years of rumors and offers, UFC officially announced today that Cris “Cyborg” Justino will make her debut at UFC 198, set for Saturday, May 14th at the 42,000 seat Arena de Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.

    The Invicta featherweight champion will face Leslie Smith in a 140 pound catchweight fight. Justino usually walks around in excess of 170 pounds.

    Up until Holly Holm defeated Ronda Rousey in November for the UFC women’s bantamweight title, a Rousey vs. Justino fight may have been the biggest fight for PPV business that could have been done in MMA.

    UFC has attempted to make the fight since the end of 2012, and was looking at it for the debut of women’s MMA with the promotion, but Justino wouldn’t sign the eight-fight deal offered because she believed it was not as good as the deal UFC had offered Rousey.

    Since that time, attempts to make that fight have been futile because Rousey has been insistent on fighting her at 135 pounds only, consistenly pointing to Justino’s prior failure of steroid tests. Justino has talked about dropping weight slowly to where she’d finally get to 135, and even hired well-known nutritionist George Lockhart to help. However, those plans to fight at 140 or 135 never materialized, and when Rousey lost to Holm, Justino said that she would no longer attempt to make 135.

    Smith is coming off a win over Rin Nakai on last week’s show in Brisbane, Australia.

    Cat Zingano, who had been rumored for the fight, confirmed on Friday’s Inside MMA show that she wasn’t going to be the opponent. She said she had a big fight scheduled that she was excited about, but had to wait for UFC to announce it, but teased it would be about the time of her birthday (July 1) which happens to be eight days before UFC 200.  She also said it would not be a title fight with Miesha Tate, who she has previously beaten.