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  • NJPW on AXS results: Kenny Omega vs. Alex Shelley

    This week, it’s part 2 of our look at Wrestling Dontaku 2015 (which took place on May 3, 2015) is again the theme of tonight’s show. We have a look at the IWGP title match, as well as some multi-man tags.

    Interesting to note the title match isn’t the main event of this show, as Karl Anderson welcomes us to the program.

    IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega vs. Alex Shelley

    This was fine, but didn’t feel it was anything too special. Omega camped it up big time during this match, using weapons and the like. It was also edited for time. There was some cool stuff towards the end, but it felt like just another title defense. Omega retained the title, pinning Shelley after the One Winged Angel.

    Omega cut a hammy promo after the match, saying he won’t be in the Super Juniors tournament but will be ready to face whoever wins the Best of the Super Garbage tournament.

    Maria vs. Amber Gallows

    Karl Anderson started to speak. He didn’t care that he lost the tag titles to the Kingdom several episodes ago, he only cared about Maria. Usually he wants the championship, but the only thing he could think about in Ryogoku was Maria. He started saying all these nice things about Maria as beautiful music played. He wasn’t happy that Amber Gallows was coming to beat up Maria and was mad at Doc for instigating it. He hoped he could protect Maria in the match. 

    So the match aired. It was pretty much angle oriented around Maria and Anderson, and little else. It was a fine mid card type of program, but it’s really didn’t rejuvinate a divison that sorely needed jumpstart after being stagnant for so many years. Anderson and Gallows argued a lot about Maria during the match. Maria did a few spots with Amber Gallows and got a near fall after a crossbody. Anderson and Maria ended up in the ring together. They danced for a bit before Maria low blowed him, then Maria got the big win with a inside cradle on Amber. 

    Anderson in the post match seemed to have snapped out of his Maria infatuation. He said the Bullet Club is the strongest group in the last twenty years. He says Maria won’t get in the way. Everything they do is because they planned it.

    Anderson, who in reflection has snapped back into the infatuation. puts over the Kingdom as good wrestlers, but they didn’t care about them. He only cared about Maria. The only thing he thought about, the only thing he thinks about during the day and night is for Maria to come to Bullet Club. He can win the G1, Intercontinental or World titles, but the tag team scene is his focus right now.

    Makabe, Tanahashi and Shibata vs. Ishii, Yano and Sakuraba

    Shibata and Sakuraba grappled, Makabe and Ishii beat each other up with stiff attacks and Yano pretty much avoided Tanahashi’s offense by doing his usual routine. This was a nice, quick six man bout with plenty of action and set the tone for future bouts. Tanahashi got the win for his team, gaining a measure of revenge by grabbing Yano’s hair and getting a flash pin over him while holding the hair.

    Tanahashi was happy he finally got one over Yano now. All he has to do is wait, as he bets he’ll walk right into the mouse trap. 

    Not a great week for match quality, but a nice show that highlighted some of the midcard antics that went on last summer.

  • NXT Jacksonville, FL, live results: Finn Balor teams up with American Alpha

    Submitted by Ross Blair, live from the Maxwell Snyder Armory Thursday

    – Mojo Rawley def. Alex Riley

    Crowd favorite Rawley got the fans “hyped” in a decent opener against Riley. Both men had equal offense, and Mojo got the pin after he spun around and clocked Riley with a big right hand.

    – Liv Morgan defeated Daria the Jersey Devil

    Daria had MMA attire and the slugfest match came off more like an MMA match than a pro wrestling contest. It worked here. This was Morgan’s third consecutive appearance at this venue and, judging from the ovation she got, I’m probably not alone in saying she’s my favorite newbie in the NXT women’s division. Morgan pinned Daria after a standing moonsault…a deviation from her last two appearances, which ended with moonsaults of the top rope.

    – Tucker Knight pinned Angelo Dawkins

    Knight won with a Thesz press. Knight has new attire, a singlet, which greatly improves his look as it hides his gut.

    – Enzo Amore & Colin Cassidy (with Carmella) defeated Blake & Murphy (without Alexa Bliss)

    Enzo got double teamed for the majority of the match, followed by a hot tag to Big Cass and a pinfall victory after the popular duo’s rocket launcher finisher.

    – Levis Valenzuela Jr. pinned Riddick Moss after a wind-up knockout punch

    Moss was greeted with chants of “You’re OK” and “Welcome Back” as he made his entrance. The final image of the previous Jacksonville show was Moss receiving medical attention after the 6-man main event he was in ended prematurely when he had his bell rung after a suplex-gone-wrong. Moss did some mic work to turn around the sympathy he got from the fans & regain his role as a heel: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy, but all your support has been the only thing…that has completely annoyed me! I don’t need any of you!”

    – Six-foot-seven former collegiate football player Dan Matha debuted in an interview segment. He touted to announcer Tom Phillips that he is an “A+ player” and an apparent heel: “If you’re not a girl or a dumbbell, I don’t have time for you!”

    – Nia Jax def. Aliyah

    Jax got a big pop as she entered the ring to face the ridiculously smaller Aliyah in actually a very entertaining David & Goliath matchup. The crowd moaned in unison after Jax menacingly said “say hi to Aliyah”, followed by grabbing her by the hair & spinning her halfway across the ring. Aliyah did a good job appearing nervous during her brief moments of offense. Jax playfully said “bye bye” before finishing her with a Samoan drop.

    – NXT Champion Finn Balor & American Alpha (Jason Jordan/Chad Gable) def. NXT Tag Champions The Revival (Dash & Dawson) & Baron Corbin

    Balor got a huge pop in his long awaited return to Jacksonville. Excellent match. Gable got triple teamed for much of the contest. The finish came when Gable & Jordan had both Dawson & Wilder in ankle locks as Balor came off the top rope with his foot stomp to pin Corbin.

    Notes:

    – A return date to Jacksonville of April 23rd was announced.​

    – Manny “La Sombra” Andrade (joined by Mandy Rose & Steve Cutler) made his meet & greet debut. He is apparently conquering the English language as he fit right in during the NXT pre-show ritual of autographs and pictures with fans. Unfortunately, he was not on the actual card.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (03/11): Jerry Lawler wins the USWA Unified Title

    1941 

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Bronko Nagurski won the National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title from Ray Steele

    1952 

    San Francisco, California: 
    – Hombre Montana defeated Mike Sharpe to win the San Francisco NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title

    1963

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
    – Mitsu Arakawa and Kinji Shibuya defeated Gene Kiniski and Mr. X for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Titles 

    1967

    San Francisco, California:
    – Ray Stevens won the San Francisco NWA United States Heavyweight Title by defeating Bill Watts 

    Chicago, Illinois:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race no contest Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher
    – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Pat O’Connor
    – Lou Thesz beat Bob Geigel
    – Reggie Parks drew Killer Kowalski
    – Johnny Valentine beat Eddie Graham
    – Dory Funk Sr drew Joe Blanchard

    1968 

    West Palm Beach, Florida:
    – Aldo Bogni and Bronko Lubich defeated Eddie Graham and Lester Welch to win the Florida NWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1971 

    Hattiesburg, Mississippi:
    – Ken Lucas and Johnny West defeated Jack Morrell and Eddie Sullivan for the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Titles

    1972 

    Los Angeles, California:
    – Masa Saito defeated Dory Dixon for the NWA Beat the Champ Television Title

    Wichita, Kansas:
    – Yasu Fuji and Chati Yokouchi won the Central States NWA North American Tag Team Titles from Omar Atlas and Daniel
    Little Bear

    1976

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Omar Atlas defeated Tank Patton via DQ
    – Mike George defeated Lord Alfred Hayes
    – Texas Death Match: Harley Race defeated Ed Wiskoswki (Colonel DeBeers)
    – Bob Geigel & Akio Sato defeated Otto Von Heller & Bob Brown

    1977 

    Dothan, Alabama:
    – Sonny King defeated Rip Tyler for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title 

    1978

    Chicago, Illinois:
    – Texas Death Match: Dick The Bruiser beat Ernie Ladd
    – The Crusher beat Super Destroyer COR
    – Billy Robinson & Rufus R Jones beat Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens dq
    – Angelo Mosca beat Wilbur Snyder COR
    – Greg Gagne drew Bob Orton Jr
    – Jimmy Valiant beat Spike Huber

    1980 

    Louisville, Kentucky:
    – Paul Ellering and Sheik Ali Hassan defeated Ken Lucas and Billy Robinson to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1983

    Houston, Texas:
    – Chavo Guerrero beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel dq
    – Tiger Conway Jr & Mr Wrestling II beat Ted Dibiase & Matt Borne to win the Mid-South tag team title
    – Junkyard Dog beat Kamala
    – Mil Mascaras no contest Black Gordman
    – Hacksaw Duggan beat Tony Atlas
    – Kendo Nagasaki beat Mike Sharpe
    – Tim Horner drew Art Crews

    1989 

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Al Perez defeated Mike Graham for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jeff Jarrett defeated Dutch Mantel to win the Championship (formerly Continental) Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title 

    Caguas, Puerto Rico:
    – Jason the Terrible and Steve Strong defeated The Batten Twins (Bart and Brad) to win the WWC World Tag Team Titles

    WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event: Hershey, Pennsylvania:
    – Hulk Hogan (with Miss Elizabeth) pinned Bad News Brown 
    – Ted DiBiase (with Virgil) pinned The Blue Blazer
    – The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (with Bobby Heenan)) and The Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels) fought to a double-countout

    1991 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jerry Lawler defeated Terry Funk for the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title 

    1993

    London, England:
    – Sting pinned WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader to win the title 

    2006 

    Norton, Virginia:
    – Stan Lee defeated Jerry Lawler for the NWA All-Star Wrestling Heavyweight Title 

    2007 

    TNA Destination X: Orlando, Florida:
    – NWA World Tag Team Champions The Latin American Exchange (Homicide and Hernandez (with Konnan)) defeated Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon (with Johnny Rodz)) in a Ghetto Brawl
    – TNA X Division Champion Chris Sabin defeated Jerry Lynn in a two-out-of-three falls match to retain the title
    – Kurt Angle pinned Scott Steiner
    – Sting defeated Abyss in a Last Rites (casket) match
    – NWA World Heavyweight Champion Christian Cage pinned Samoa Joe to retain the title

    Nagoya, Japan:
    – Giant Bernard and Travis Tomko defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Takao Omori to win the IWGP World Tag Team Titles

  • Kimbo Slice & Ken Shamrock fail pre-Bellator 149 drug tests

    As if their presence atop an MMA card in 2016 wasn’t bizarre enough, another footnote will be added onto the Bellator legacy of both Ken Shamrock and Kimbo Slice: busted for a positive drug test.

    MMA Fighting’s Marc Raimondi broke the news Friday afternoon that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has “adminstratively suspended” both guys pending a full adjudication process due to a non-specified banned substance found in their pre-fight urine tests prior to Bellator 149.

    Raimondi added that typical maximum suspension in Texas for this type of failure go up to 90 days with a $5000 fine. Bellator has yet to make a public comment.

    The 52-year-old Shamrock lost to Royce Gracie in the main event via first round TKO after the referee missed Gracie kneeing Shamrock low, leading to strikes for the win. The 42-year-old Slice downed DADA 5000 in the night’s co-main event by TKO in the third round. It was later learned that 5000 nearly died in the cage after suffering renal failure due to bad weight cutting.

    The event did record numbers for SPIKE TV, crushing previous Bellator shows on their airwaves.

    That night just keeps getting stranger and stranger.

  • WON Preview: UFC 196 aftermath

    SUBSCRIBERS READ IT HERE:  March 14, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Diaz defeats McGregor, Hayabusa passes away

    A full rundown of UFC 196 and it’s repercussions, details on the death of Hayabusa, WWE announces a physical Hall of Fame, plus tons more.  The records set by UFC 196 and the WWE records just broken are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  The aftermath of UFC 196, with Diaz’s win over McGregor and Tate’s win over Holm, what it means business-wise, lessons taught, what fight is out the window and what fights are still on the table, an early look at the business numbers.  Talk of future fights, TV, PPV and video numbers, the stories behind the fights, match-by-match coverage and the disclosed payoffs for the fighters.  The controversy in the Lawlor vs. Anderson match.

    WWE’s biggest crowds, this year’s WrestleMania ticket sales and an update on the show.  Orlando getting next year’s WrestleMania and talk of the physical WWE Hall of Fame. 

    The death of Hayabusa, big announcements by New Japan, and a look at the New Japan Cup.

    Features on the last three members of the WWE’s 2016 Hall of Fame class with notes on their career.

    The unique political situation in WWE right now and power dynamic.  The secondary ticket markets for WrestleMania, Hall of Fame and NXT in Dallas and which one has the greatest demand and why.  WWE lawsuit judgment, an update on Roman Reigns, WWE looking at more signings, Mauro Ranallo hosting a new weekly non-wrestling TV show, Undertaker’s role on European tour, Kevin Owens’ thoughts on the IC title, Rhino running for public office, update on Seth Rollins, Dwayne Johnson news, Y2AJ shirts, Kenny Omega and WWE, WWE gets awards, new WWE book, WWE TV show returning to network, notes on SummerSlam 2016 weekend, WWE tryout camp plus business notes from all the weekend shows and rundowns of the WWE & NXT brand events.

    PWG’s All-Star weekend.

    The life and times of Lord James Blears and the glory days of 50th State Wrestling in Hawaii.  What made Hawaii the wrestling hotbed it was, as well as Blears’ other life as the patriarch of the first family of surfing.

    The monthly rundown of WWE business as well as that of TNA.

    Rundowns of all the major television shows, the ratings and details of the ratings for all the major television shows, results of all the major arena events held around the world this past week.

    READ IT HERE:  March 14, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Diaz defeats McGregor, Hayabusa passes away
    A full rundown of UFC 196 and it’s repercussions, details on the death of Hayabusa, WWE announces a physical Hall of Fame, plus tons more.

    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 Meltzer

    You can also order print issues 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.

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    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: February 15, 1988 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: A Tale of Two Hebners
    All the details on Hulk Hogan losing the WWF title to Andre the Giant in a historic angle, plus tons of news and notes.

    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.

    We’ve also got the weekly coverage of all the ratings of the major shows, results from the major league events held around the world, and the major TV show rundowns.

    Also in this issue:

    –The complete lineup for the Dos Leyendas card, CMLL’s first big event of the year with two hair matches

    –Notes on the debut of the sons of Cien Caras

    –Continuation of the Ultimo Guerrero vs. Atlantis feud

    –Notes on the amazing Kamaitachi vs. Dragon Lee match from the past week

    –Notes from the last Area Mexico shows

    –Two of Mexico’s all-time legends return for an Elite show

    –Update on AAA bookings

    –Notes on the debut of Octagon Jr.

    –Update on the AAA Rey de Reyes tournament

    –Japanese star with serious neck injury

    –Dragon Gate’s Champions Gate notes

    –The next title matches in Dragon Gate

    –Hayabusa’s connection with Dragon Gate and Dragon Kid

    –Financial issues with major Japan group

    –Japanese star about to return after a broken neck

    –More on the Hogan vs. Gawker case

    –What will be the second biggest wrestling crowd of the year and where that took place

    –Notes on Kota Ibushi coming to WWN

    –Update on Jimmy Snuka trial

    –Notes on WaleMania

    –Big indie crowd reprises legendary feud

    –Update on Rey Mysterio Jr. and indies

    –Update on Jeff Jarrett’s promotion

    –Former WWE star wins Universal title in Puerto Rico

    –Significant business deal getting close for Lucha Underground

    –Notes on the next season of Lucha Underground

    –Power structure in ROH

    –Major international star off ROH for a short period of time

    –Notes on this week’s ROH show

    –Joe Koff talks future of company

    –Expected lineup for the next tour with New Japan talent and the scheduled dates

    –TNA notes regarding the next tapings

    –Davey Richards talks his recovery from knee surgery

    –A look at the next several months of UFC main events

    –Details of the major press conference with all the headliners that took place last week

    –A look at UFC’s next stadium event

    –Notes from the next season of Ultimate Fighter

    –Notes behind the Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Claudia Gadelha feud

    –The Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier dynamic

    –Paige VanZant on Dancing With The Stars

    –Will one of UFC’s major draws return in a few months

    –Notes on this week’s Invicta show

    –Details of Chris Leben’s career ending once again

    –Rizin announces its first tag team match featuring MMA legends

    –Update on crazy show in Phoenix with boxing, pro wrestling, grappling and MMA on same bill as unique announcing team

    –MMA group looking at running weekly live events and television

    –Will Kayla Harrison go into MMA?

    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.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    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.

  • March 14, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Diaz defeats McGregor, Hayabusa passes away

    Nate Diaz’s win over Conor McGregor and Miesha Tate’s UFC women’s bantamweight title win over Holly Holm literally changed the direction of UFC.

    Going into UFC 196 on 3/5 in Las Vegas, McGregor was the company’s money machine, expected to headline UFC 200 against Robbie Lawler for the welterweight title, or perhaps even Georges St-Pierre. The latter, which would have been the biggest fight in UFC history, was heavily rumored and talked about. It was given credence when St-Pierre showed up at ringside during the show and was coy about why he was there. After McGregor lost, Dana White denied any talk of GSP vs. McGregor, but at that point, with that fight really out the window, it does UFC no good for the story to be that the biggest fight in history got screwed up by an upset. There are those who believe St-Pierre will never return due his having no money issues and concern of the long-term effects of brain trauma from fighting. There were also rumors flying about GSP vs. Lawler for the welterweight title, which would also be a major fight. But right now there is still nothing officially said past rumors that GSP is going to fight again.

    Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (03/10): Bully Ray wins the TNA World Title

    1870

    Detroit, Michigan:
    – James H. McLaughlin won a tournament to become American Collar-and-Elbow Champion

    1919

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – World Champions Wladek Zbyszko beat Joe Stecher in 2 out of 3 falls 

    1950

    St. Joseph, Missouri:
    – Tommy O’Toole defeated Sonny Myers in a tournament final to win the vacant NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title

    1959

    Edmonton, Alberta, Canada:
    – Mighty Ursus and Shag Thomas defeated Maurice and Paul Vachon to win the Calgary NWA Canadian Tag Team Titles

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Andre Bollet and Frank Valois defeated Johnny Walker and The Amazing Zuma for the NWA Texas Tag Team Titles

    1960

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Bob Ellis won the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title from Kinji Shibuya

    Amarillo, Texas:
    – Mighty Ortega and Alex Perez defeated Dory Funk, Sr. and Dick Hutton for the Amarillo NWA North American Tag Team Titles

    1962

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – AWA Champion Mr. M beat Larry Hennig 
    – Doug Gilbert beat Bob Geigel in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Tiny Mills beat Karl Von Schoberg
    – Duke Hoffman beat Tony Nero 

    1967

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:
    – The Assassins (Jody Hamilton and Tom Renesto) defeated Skandor Akbar and Swede Karlson to win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Titles

    1968

    Osaka, Japan:
    – Yukiko Tomoe defeated The Fabulous Moolah for the NWA World Women’s Title 

    1972

    Los Angeles, California:
    – John Tolos defeated Killer Kowalski to win the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title

    1975

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – George Barnes and Bill Dundee defeated Eddie Marlin and Tojo Yamamoto to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1976

    Miami, Florida:
    – NWA Title: Andre The Giant defeated Terry Funk by dq
    – Lights Out Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated King Curtis 
    – Billy Robinson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Frank Goodish & Kim Duk 
    – Bob Roop & Bob Orton, Jr. drew Mike Graham & Jerry Brisco 
    – Missouri Mauler defeated Bob Orton, Sr. 
    – Pak Song defeated Abe Jacobs 
    – Steve Keirn defeated Ali Pasha by dq

    1978

    – Ron Bass and Moondog Lonnie Mayne defeated Chavo Guerrero and El Halcón for the NWA Americas Tag Team Title

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Georgia Champion Stan Hansen beat Thunderbolt Patterson
    – Ole Anderson & Lars Anderson beat Mr. Wrestling II & Rocky Johnson
    – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Adrian Adonis
    – Helmut Schmidt & Wolfgang Schmidt beat Zulu & Pierre Lefebvre
    – Jacques Goulet beat Steve Regal

    1980

    West Palm Beach, Florida:
    – Jack Brisco and Jimmy Garvin defeated Stanley Lane and Bryan St. John to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles

    1983

    Salem, Oregon:
    – Billy Jack Haynes and Stan Stasiak defeated The Assassin (David Sierra) and Rip Hamilton for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles

    1984

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – NWA Champion Ric Flair ddq King Kong Brody
    – Non Title Indian Strap Match: Wahoo McDaniel beat Missouri State Champion Harley Race  
    – Kamala vs Bulldog Bob Brown & Buck Zumhofe
    – Greg Gagne & Ted Oates vs AWA Champion Jumbo Tsuruta & Genichiro Tenyru
    – Blackjack Mulligan vs Ox Baker
    – Blackjack Lanza vs Roger Kirby
    – Luke Graham vs Jay Wolfe
    – Buzz Tyler & Ron Ritchie vs the Grapplers

    1986

    Fort Worth, Texas
    – Brian Adias defeated The Grappler to win the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title 

    1992

    Louisville, Kentucky:
    – Dr. Death defeated Tom Prichard to win the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title 

    1995

    Oldcastle, Ontario, Canada:
    – Scott D’Amore defeated Mickey Doyle for the Border City Wrestling Can-Am Heavyweight Title 

    2001

    Morovis, Puerto Rico:
    – Eddie Colón defeated Damien Steel to win the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title 

    2007

    Crystal River, Florida:
    – Erick Stevens defeated FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong to win the Eddie Graham Memorial Battle of the Belts Tournament to become the first FIP Florida Heritage Champion

    2013

    TNA Lockdown:
    – TNA X-Division champion Kenny King defeated Zema Ion and Christian York to retain the title
    – TNA Knockouts champion Velvet Sky defeated Gail Kim to retain the title
    – TNA Tag Team champions Austin Aries & Bobby Roode defeated Hernandez & Chavo Guerrero and Bad Influence
    – Steel Cage Match: Wes Brisco beat Kurt Angle
    – Lethal Lockdown Match: Team TNA beat Aces & Eights 
    – TNA World Title: Bully Ray defeated Jeff Hardy to win the title

  • WWE Smackdown results: Sami Zayn & Neville vs. Kevin Owens & Miz

    – Air Date: March 10, 2016 (Mar 9 in Canada)
    – Location: Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI

    – The Big News:

    Sami Zayn made his Smackdown debut and Chris Jericho explained why he turned on AJ Styles.

    – Show Recap:

    They announced The Wyatts vs. Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and The Usos as the main event.

    The Miz came out for MizTV and introduced Sami Zayn. He asked Zayn to tell us about himself, but as Zayn started, Miz yelled “cut!” repeatedly and asked him to get to the good stuff and make it more dramatic.

    Zayn was annoyed, but continued, saying he and Kevin Owens started 13 years ago in Montreal. They traveled the world and made it this far by sticking together. They weren’t just friends, it was like a brotherhood, and Zayn was even the best man at Owens’ wedding.

    Zayn said Owens debuted the night he won the NXT Title, and the powerbomb on the apron caused a lot of the injuries that led to his shoulder surgery. Zayn said the thing that hurts most is that he doesn’t understand why Owens did it.

    Owens came out (but never got in the ring) and said he’s already explained why he turned on Zayn – it was all business, but Zayn made it personal when he eliminated Owens from the Rumble. Zayn said he was going to take the Intercontinental Title from Owens at WrestleMania.

    Owens told him that wasn’t happening because this is the Kevin Owens show. Zayn challenged him to a fight right now since they were both there. Owens said Zayn didn’t deserve a fight with him and was about leave, but Neville interrupted. Neville said he and Owens had unfinished business, and the IC Title would look good around his waist.

    Miz said Zayn and Neville don’t deserve a title shot, but he does, because he main evented WrestleMania while those two were main eventing bingo halls. Zayn informed Miz that his years main eventing Mania are far behind him. Miz attacked him from behind, but Zayn fought back and Miz bailed. Good segment. Owens and Zayn were both great.

    Sami Zayn & Neville beat The Miz & Kevin Owens via pinfall

    Zayn and Owens never touched. There was a bit early where Neville tagged in Zayn with Owens in the ring, but Owens quickly scrambled to tag out. The heels got the heat on Neville, but Zayn made the hot tag and hit Miz with a springboard crossbody, ten punches in the corner and tornado DDT. Zayn waited for Miz to tag Owens but Owens bailed. Zayn hit Miz with an Exploder suplex into the turnbuckle and a Helluva Kick for the win. Good match.

    Toilet humour segment with Goldust and R-Truth. Goldust still doesn’t want to be his partner. Afterwards, they aired a video package for the Triple H-Dean Ambrose stuff.

    Brie Bella beat Summer Rae via submission

    Lana joined commentary by sitting on top of the announcer’s table, not in a chair. Saxton wanted to know why she attacked Brie on Raw and Lana told him to shut up. Brie did Yes kicks and won quickly with the Yes Lock and did the Yes chant afterwards. Summer tried to attack her, so Brie knocked her down, yelled “Brie mode!” and hit a running knee. Lana jumped in from behind and gave Brie an X-factor again, and did mocking Yes chants.

    They aired the Shane McMahon highlight package from Raw.

    Chris Jericho came out wearing dark maroon pants, a black blazer with no shirt, and a black scarf. He carried out a “Y2AJ” t-shirt, and the ring had a garbage can and lighter fluid in it already. Hmm I wonder what he’s planning. The crowd booed Jericho and he explained that he was mad at the fans for chanting for AJ Styles instead of him.

    Jericho said they’ve forgotten that he’s the best in the world. He said he can do whatever they want – be the world champion, work the opener, invent a new idea like Money in the Bank. He said they had a classic tag match on Raw but people still chanted for AJ. He’s been told many times that a new guy was coming in and would be a future world champion, only to disappear three months later.

    Jericho repeatedly admonished the crowd for chanting “AJ Styles.” He began pouring lighter fluid into the trashcan and said we were about to watch AJ’s career go up in flames. Jericho lit the shirt on the fire and tossed it in the can, which went up in flames. This resulted in a great visual, with Jericho standing the rising flames as he did mocking “AJ Styles” chants.

    This was really good. The only problem – every time Jericho got mad at the crowd for chanting “AJ Styles,” they weren’t really doing that. And a few people chanted “Y2J,” which kind of ruined the effect. Still, a good segment.

    They showed members of the Milwaukee Bucks at ringside and announced Big Bossman for the Hall of Fame.

    King Barrett & Sheamus (w/Rusev) beat Lucha Dragons via pinfall

    Barrett & Sheamus vs. New Day for the tag titles was announced for Roadblock in Toronto. Ryback was shown backstage watching the match. Kalisto took out Sheamus with a dive and Sin Cara had Barrett set up for a senton, but Rusev tossed him off the top and Barrett followed with a Bullhammer elbow for the pinfall win. Barrett did a forward roll in celebration. Backstage, Ryback called Lucha Dragons little guys and said size matters or whatever.

    They aired a clip of Seth Rollins winning the title at WrestleMania last year. After a break, they plugged The Rock for this year’s Mania and aired a video package for Shane and Vince. Shane’s brawl with security featured at least a dozen camera cuts.

    Backstage, Renee Young asked the Usos about the Dudley Boyz. They talked being 10 years old and watching the Dudleys in 1996, and that their recent actions were nothing new. They wanted to be like the Dudleys when they were growing up, but they no longer respect them. Ziggler and Ambrose jumped in and Renee asked if Ziggler was expecting and repercussions from The Authority.

    Ziggler said there would be, but he’s going to bring the fight tonight and referred to their team as “Milwaukee’s best.” Ambrose said he would beat Triple H for the title on Saturday, but tonight they were hunting dem Wyatt boys, one of his favourite things to do, and they all ran off together. This was good.

    8-Man Tag Match: Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler & The Usos beat Wyatt Family via pinfall

    Saxton said the Wyatt family were like clones of Bray, because “They exude the evil that’s flowing through the veins of the eater of worlds,” to which Lawler responded, “They do his bidding alright.”

    They had the heat on Ziggler until he hit Harper with a sunset flip powerbomb and jumping DDT. He made the hot tag to Jey Uso who hit Harper with a Samoan drop. Each Uso did running hip attacks to Harper and Rowan, and followed with dives. Jey tried a splash but Harper got his knees up.

    Jey made a hot tag to Ambrose who hit Rowan with a running forearm, bulldog and swinging neckbreaker. He did a flying elbow but Harper broke up the cover, so Jimmy took him out with a kick. Bray gave Jimmy a uranage and Ziggler superkicked Bray. Ziggler gave two superkicks to Strowman, but Strowman no-sold it and clotheslined him.

    Ambrose tossed Strowman out of the ring, and Rowan tried a school boy near fall. Ambrose ducked a spin knick and hit Dirty Deeds for the win. Bray stared a hole through Ambrose as the good guys celebrated to end the show.

    – Final Thoughts:

    This was a strong show, and a big improvement over the last two weeks. Zayn, Owens and Jericho were all great, and Ambrose came off like a star in the main event.

  • Kurt Angle’s TNA farewell does all-time low rating

    The end of Kurt Angle week was not a ratings hit for TNA, as the combined audience for the two airings was the lowest to date for Impact.

    The final show of the U.K. tapings, built around Angle vs. Bobby Lashley, did 222,000 viewers at 9 p.m. and another 58,000 viewers at midnight.

    The midnight viewership was the lowest to date.  The previous lowest combined audience was 297,000 viewers two weeks ago.

    The 9 p.m. show was down 14 percent from the prior week, also built around Angle in a match with Bobby Roode.  The midnight show was down 15 percent from the prior all-time low was 68,000.

    Impact returns next Tuesday with the first show of a new set of tapings in Orlando, FL.  The episode will be taped two hours before it is broadcast.

  • WWE NXT results: Samoa Joe vs Sami Zayn, 2 out of 3 Falls

    The Big News: It took him 45 minutes, but Samoa Joe defeated Sami Zayn and became the #1 Contender to the NXT Title.

    The Medium News: Mr. Regal also announced that Austin Aries would wrestle Baron Corbin at Takeover.

    The Little Beaver Sized News: Bayley did not get hit in the head by an asteroid.

    The first show at Full Sail in a month kicks off with NXT General Manager William Regal coming to the ring. Mr. Regal was angry at Baron Corbin for attacking Austin Aries last week. He would have suspended Corbin, but Aries asked him not to and instead made Aries vs Corbin at NXT Takeover: Dallas.

    -They announced American Alpha vs The Vaudevillians in a #1 Contender’s Match and Bayley & Asuka in a tag team match. Spoiler Alert: they do not happen.

    1.) In a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match to determine the #1 Contender to the NXT Championship, Samoa Joe defeated Sami Zayn two falls to one.

    The show is completely backwards, the main event is on first. Larry Zbyszko, Mauro Ranallo, Adam Jones, Michael Hayes, Sasha Banks and Hideo Itami were all shown sitting ringside watching the show. Itami looked like he would rather be anywhere else in the world as opposed to watching this match.

    Back in January we had a Triple Threat match with these two men and Baron Corbin. Then after a double submission we got a one on one match, which ended in a double pin. Now, can we finally see these two men finish a match?

    We got a commercial break before the introductions to the match, which was literally the point when I realized they were going a full hour.

    They started slow, even slower than they started a few weeks ago. Neither man taking the advantage and both men grappling and angling to be the one to take over. Joe used a headlock to gain the advantage, with a couple side headlock takeovers and then leaning all 280 pounds down on Zayn. However Sami used his speed and technique to get out of it, taking Joe down with armbars.

    We came back from commercial and Joe has officially taken over, using a jumping elbow drop and then a back elbow to the mush. Joe used the face wash kick and Zayn checked to make sure his nose was still there. At one point it looked like Joe was going for a flapjack, but Zayn flipped over at the last second for a belly to belly overhead suplex.

    Zayn made a comeback and was able to get out of a Muscle Buster, but he immediately got kicked in the head. Zayn at this point was just taking a beating. He would get to his feet, hit a single punch or kick and then get slammed down. The booking of this match was brilliant as Joe beat Zayn from head to toe and Zayn kept getting back to his feet.

    Zayn was able to send Joe flying out of the ring and hit his sitting Asai Moonsault to the floor! Zayn rolling Joe back in and got a near fall with a dive off the top rope. The first fall passed 20 minutes when Zayn went for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Joe shifted his weight and fell on top for a 2 count. An exciting series of counters led to a Joe corner Uranage and finally getting the first fall with a Muscle Buster.

    The second fall started with Joe flying across the ring and going for another Muscle Buster, but Zayn blocked it. Joe continued the beating he was giving Zayn until a series of headbutts led to a Missile Dropkick to Joe. Samoa Joe is wearing a crimson mask! Well a crimson trickle. Joe saw the blood and became more vicious. Joe missed a knee drop, so Zayn almost won with a crucifix.

    Joe’s beating continued outside the ring and they teased a count out on several occasions, including with an STO on the floor. Zayn used the energy from getting back in the ring to fire into yet another comeback, hitting a huge suplex and a flip dive over the top rope. Back in the ring Zayn used an STO and the Koji Clutch for the tap out! It’s all tied at 1!

    At the start of the third fall they announced that the other matches would be rescheduled for another time. Joe kicked out of a Blue Thunder Bomb and then a sunset flip power bomb. Sami even broke out his awesome move where Joe is outside the ring and Zayn runs across the ringside area, dives over the bottom rope, through the ring and hooks Joe with a Tornado DDT.

    Joe blocked the Halluva Kick and turned it into a power bomb, turning it into a Boston Crab and then a Crossface. Joe pulled back the other arm too, but Zayn was able to get his foot on the ropes. 40 minutes into the match and Joe was now trying to win the match by knockout, using all of his strikes to knock Zayn down. Zayn had one last gasp and locked on the Coquina Clutch! Sami Zayn is using Samoa Joe’s own submission hold against him! Joe got his foot on the rope, but when he got up he got the Exploder Suplex in the corner!

    Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, but Joe sidestepped him and locked on the Clutch! Zayn was just inches from the ropes and scratching and clawing, but Joe changed it slightly, wrapping his leg around Zayn’s arm. Sami was inches away from the ropes, coming oh so close, but he passed out! Zayn was inches away from a rope break, but he couldn’t make it!

    Samoa Joe is finally your #1 Contender. It took over 3 matches over 5 weeks and then it took 45 minutes to get it done. We now know that at NXT Takeover: Dallas on April 1, Finn Balor will defend the NXT Title one more time against Samoa Joe.

    After all that, that does it for this week. Thank you all for reading and until next week make sure to say your vitamins and take your prayers!