Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with a packed show tonight, and all the news is not good. We’ve got thoughts on the death of Ryan Jimmo, the second hit-and-run MMA death in a very short period of time, Chris Jericho’s podcast covering the death of Chris Benoit, ROH and Lucha Underground SPOILERS, questions and tons more! A packed show as always so check it out~!
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back tonight with tons to talk about! We’ve got the ROH TV report for the week, which was WOMEN OF HONOR centered, we’ve got NWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING from this week in 1986, the big build towards the Great American Bash tour! Plus, Tom Lawlor’s final wrestling match and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Ryan Jimmo, an Edmonton-based MMA fighter who fought in UFC from 2012 to 2015, died today from injuries in a hit-and-run incident.
Jimmo was 34.
The CBC News reported on an altercation between two drivers at 2:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the H2O lounge in Edmonton. According to the report, Jimmo walked up to the person in the other vehicle. He then walked away and the other vehicle ran him over, striking him from behind and leaving the scene.
The news report indicated the vehicle was a dark-colored pickup truck occupied by two Caucasian males that nearly hit a red car when fleeing for the scene. The suspects are at large.
Jimmo grew up in Saint John, New Brunswick, and had a background in karate. Jimmo won championships in karate from the age of ten. He startign fighting in 2007, and in 2008, he was selected for the tryouts of The Ultimate Fighter, but lost to Antwain Britt in the fight to get into the house.
He became a star with the Maximum Fighting Championships as Ryan “The Real Deal” Jimmo, winning the company’s light heavyweight title in 2011. He defeated a number of fighters who would go on to some fame while in MFC, and was signed by UFC after winning 16 fights in a row in Canada.
He debuted with a seven second knockout win over Anthony Perosh in Calgary, but didn’t fare as well from there, winning only two of his next six fights. That, combined with sometimes publicly complaining, got him cut after a May 3, 2015, loss to Francis Barroso in Goiania, Brazil.
I’m here at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL, for a WWE house show featuring some of NXT’s top talents.
– The Usos beat Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Superfly splash on Karl Anderson for the win.
– Pre taped promo by Samoa Joe and Austin Aries to hype the tag match vs Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura later in the night.
– Baron Corbin beat Zack Ryder
End of Days by Corbin for the win.
– Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura beat Austin Aries and NXT Champion Samoa Joe
Very good action as one would expect. Also, great reactions for Shinsuke and Finn.The finish saw everything break down and Finn hit the coup de grace on Aries for the win. Post match Too Sweets and stereo “YeaOh!”s to celebrate.
– Jack Swagger beat Viktor
Crowd was very into Swagger tonight with USA chants. They got excited for the Patriot Lock when he picked up the win.
– Pre-taped promo with Seth Rollins hyping his title match for later tonight.
– Cesaro beat Alberto Del Rio
Physical match that went outside of the ring to brawl. Plenty of uppercuts by Cesaro and even a short swing. Del Rio tried to set up for his corner stomp but missed, and Cesaro was able to hit The Neutralizer for the win.
– Sasha Banks, Summer Rae & Bayley beat Eva Marie, Dana Brooke & Natalya
Huge ovation for Bayley as the surprise third woman. Plenty of “We Want Sasha” chants, “Hey, We Want Some Bayley”, and big heat on Eva Marie as well. Bank Statement on Eva for the submission win.
– The Shining Stars beat The Prime Time Players
The PTP are reunited! Long match but both teams were over with the live crowd and did some cool spots which included Titus throwing the stars around. Primo rolled up Darren Young and had the tights to steal the win.
– WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose beat Seth Rollins
Great match as they delivered in the main event. Two attempted Pedigrees, trash talk, and heel stalling tactics from Rollins who took the title and proclaimed himself the rightful world heavyweight champion. This match got great reactions and the crowd was into every nearfall and double down. Towards the finish, Seth missed a frog splash and both slowly made their way to their feet, trading punches for the boo / yay reaction.
Seth went for the Pedigree, yet Dean countered and hit the Dirty Deeds to get the win. Place erupted and Ambrose celebrated his hard fought victory. Match of the night.
1929
St. Louis, Missouri:
– Dick Shikat defeated Jim Clinstock
– Rudy Dusek defeated Jack Washburn
– Joe “Toots” Mondt
– Charles Strack went to a time limit draw
1936
– Everett Marshall defeated Ali Baba for the NWA (National Wrestling Association) Heavyweight Wrestling Title
1941
Kansas City, Kansas:
– World Heavyweight Champion Lee Wykoff defeated Orville Brown in 2 out of 3 falls
– Jack Kennedy beat Steve Brody in 2 out of 3 falls
– Joe Cox beat Rudy Strongberg
1947
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Orville Brown beat Jack McDonald to retain the MWA Title
– Wally Dusek beat Fred Blassie
– Tug Carlson beat Ralph Garibaldi
– Jack Hader beat Jack Page
1962
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– AWA Champion Mr. M beat Larry Hennig
– Verne Gagne & Doug Gilbert beat Bob Geigel & Crybaby Cannon
– Joe Scarpello beat Stan Kowalski
1964
Denver, Colorado:
– AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Fritz von Erich dq
– The Crusher beat Art Thomas
– Wahoo McDaniel beat Mitsu Arakawa
– Larry Hennig beat Doug Gilbert
1965
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Verne Gagne beat AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon on a 3rd fall count out
– The Crusher beat Chris Markoff
– Mighty Igor Vodik beat Harley Race
– Larry Hennig beat Ivan Kalmikoff
– Wilbur Snyder beat Pampero Firpo dq
1967
El Paso, Texas:
– AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat The Medics
– Light Heavyweight Champion Gory Guerrero beat Jerry Kozak
– North American Champion Dory Funk Jr beat Thunderbolt Patterson
– Texas Women’s Champion Kay Noble beat Pat Howard
1968
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Verne Gagne & Bill Watts beat Larry Hennig & Harley Race in 2 out of 3 falls
– Wilbur Snyder beat Dr X 2-0
– Man Mountain Mike beat Big K
– Dutch Savage beat Frankie Laine
Honolulu, Hawaii:
– Peter Maivia and Billy White Wolf defeated Curtis Iaukea and Ripper Collins to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Titles
1971
Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
– In a Loser Leaves Town Match, The Crusher beat Strong Kobayashi
– Nick Bockwinkel beat Bull Bullinski
– Larry Hennig & Lars Anderson beat Moose Cholak & Paul Diamond
– Don Muraco beat Black Jack Lanza dq
– Big K beat Bill Howard
Chicago, Illinois:
– AWA Tag Team Champions Red Bastien & Hercules Cortez beat Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon
– Baron Von Raschke beat Wilbur Snyder
– Hans Schmidt beat Sailor Art Thomas
– Billy Robinson beat Angelo Poffo
Honolulu, Hawaii:
– Ripper Collins and Mad Dog Mayne defeated Sunni War Cloud and Steven Little Bear for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Titles
1973
Tampa, Florida:
– Johnny Valentine defeated Ron Fuller for the Florida version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1975
Tokyo, Japan:
– Antonio Inoki defeated Tiger Jeet Singh to win the National Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Title
1982
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Bret Hart defeated Leo Burke to win the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title
Salt Lake City, Utah:
– AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum dq
– Sheik Adnan beat Baron Von Raschke
– Jerry Blackwell beat Brad Rheingans
– Buck Zumhofe beat Jacques Goulet
San Juan, Puerto Rico:
– Invader I and Pierre Martel defeated The Kangaroos (Don Kent and Johnny Heffernan) for the WWC World Tag Team Titles
1983
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– The Sheik’s Army (Jerry Blackwell and Ken Patera) defeated The High Flyers (Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne) to win the AWA World Tag Team Titles
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Wahoo McDaniel
– Baron Von Raschke no contest Blackjack Lanza
– Bobby Heenan beat Kenny Jay
– Buck Zumhofe beat Mr. Saito dq
– Brad Rheingans drew Rick Martel
1987
Dallas, Texas:
– Frank Lancaster and Eric Embry defeated The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton) to win the World Class Tag Team Titles
1988
Tokyo, Japan:
– Bull Nakano defeated Yumiko Hotta in the finals of the fourth-annual AJW Grand Prix Tournament
1992
Tokyo, Japan:
– The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) defeated Big Van Vader and Bam Bam Bigelow to win the IWGP World Tag Team Titles
– El Samurai pinned Jushin Liger to win the IWGP World Junior Heavyweight Title
1995
Sapporo, Japan:
– Yoshiko Tamura defeated Misae Watanabe for the vacant AJW Junior Title
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Billy Jack Haynes defeated Brian Christopher for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1996
Tokyo, Japan:
– Masato Tanaka, Kouji Nakagawa and Tetsuhiro Kuroda defeated Super Leather and The Headhunters to win the FMW World Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Titles
2001
New York City:
– Albert (A-Train) defeated Kane for the WWF Intercontinental Title in New York City
2011
ROH Best of the World | New York City:
– Davey Richards defeated Eddie Edwards to win the ROH World Title
– El Generico defeated Christopher Daniels to win the ROH TV Title
– ROH Tag Team champions Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin defeated Kings of Wrestling (with Sara del Rey and Shane Hagadorn), the Briscoes and the All Night Express to retain the titles
Depending on how you look at it, either today or yesterday was the 40th anniversary of Ali vs. Inoki. The show took place on June 25 in the U.S., but it was June 26 in Japan where the match took place live due to the time difference. In something amazing, nobody has heard this until this past weekend, but this is Bill Apter with Bruno Sammartino from the dugout of Shea Stadium watching the Ali vs. Inoki match together and their comments. Josh Gross has a piece in Newsweek on that match as well.
We’re doing one poll this weekend for tonight’s ROH show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.
We’re looking for reports on WWE’s house show on Saturday night in Boston (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Rusev, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Alberto Del Rio, Usos, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson) and Saturday’s ROH TV tapings in Concord, NC (Kyle O’Reilly challenges for the ROH title, Silas Young & Beer City Bruiser challenge for the tag titles, Briscoes vs. Young Bucks in a battle of the IWGP tag team champions vs. IWGP jr. tag team champions, Jay White vs. Kamaitachi and Roderick Strong vs. Dalton Castle) to NewsTips@WrestlingObserver.com.
Sunday has two WWE shows, with one crew in Orlando (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Usos, Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Austin Aries) and the other in Jacksonville (Big Show, Kane, Rusev, Charlotte, Natalya, Enzo, Cass, Kalisto, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, New Day). Ultima Lucha 3 is a being taped in Los Angeles on Sunday with Johnny Mundo vs. Prince Puma title vs. career as the main event, Fenix vs. Marty the Moth mask vs. hair and a ladder match for the Gift of the Gods title with Son of Havoc vs. Pentagon Jr.
NEW JAPAN FROM KORAKUEN HALL LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME MONDAY MORNING
This is a big show because the G-1 Climax members and main event matches will be announced during intermission.
Raw is Monday night in Tampa and is the only show of the week with John Cena scheduled.
Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Tampa, with a skeleton crew because a number of wrestlers are laving after Raw for Honolulu.
There will be a tour of Japan and Hawaii that starts Wednesday night in Honolulu (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Usos, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, A.J. Styles, Chris Jericho).
THE ROUNDUP
The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11.Ed in San Antonio has information on Facebook, or you can email him at F4Wfan@hotmail.com. It’s always a fun time, so hurry up and make your plans to join Dave Meltzer, Bryan Alvarez, Vinny, Granny, Ed, Peach, Dez, Dr. Lucha, Rodney, Sr. Jaialai, “Filthy” Tom, and the rest of the group in beautiful Las Vegas this July. Plus… some extra secret surprises.
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
Figure Four Weekly
READ IT HERE: Figure Four Weekly 6/20/2016: Never trust Nigerian investors– Growing up as a way-too-hardcore-for-my-age wrestling fan, I looked forward to watching whatever flavor of wrestling from the Dallas Sportatorium was on ESPN and in syndication at the time. The ESPN show was perfect for kids who loved pro wrestling: It aired at 4 p.m. eastern time, so it was perfect for after-school viewing… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
READ IT HERE: June 27, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Roman Reigns suspended, Money in the Bank review, more – Details on the suspension of Roman Reigns after a wellness policy violation, Money in the Bank reviewed, more…
A look at the prospective UFC sale is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue looks at the main bidders, what kind of money is being bid, how much the Fertittas have made from the endeavor, the situation with Dana White, what is and isn’t expected to change, why the sale is coming now and who exactly owns what percentage of the company, plus a look at just how deep the UFC 200 show is.
Pluse there is a major story on the gamble of Brock Lesnar in UFC 200, the most in-depth look at the Ariel Helwani situation that you’ll find anywhere, full coverage of NXT Takeover, UFC 199, WWE Money in the Bank, and the details of TNA’s struggle to stay alive, its PPV and its future. There is also a breakdown on the WWE cruiserweight classic, and monthly WWE and TNA business figures.
This issue looks at Michael Bisping’s unlikely title win, all the ramifications of the Lesnar deal, what it shows about WWE, a look back at the last time WWE risked one of their stars against an outsider without scripting, how Ariel Helwani got to be a star reporter and how that played into what happened last week, and what aspects of the story that are really more important that haven’t been covered or have been overlooked.
Inside this week, there is also a look at the death of a key WWE musician, more on what Ali learned from pro wrestling, Bryan Danielson attends WWE event, Bobby Roode’s debut, notes on SummerSlam, new WWE executive hire, new WWE announcer, WWE looking for new members of creative, who is expected to return shortly, another animated WWE movie, update on Paul Heyman plus a full rundown on all the WWE & NXT live events this past week and business notes on the shows.
Subscribers click here to continue reading.
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.
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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.
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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.
Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: May 10, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fans celebrate life of Giant Baba at Tokyo Dome, PRIDE 5 recap, more. The final chapter in the career and life of Shohei Baba took place on the biggest show he ever main evented and the biggest show he ever promoted–some three months after his death.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight with our weekend Wrestling Observer radio show. Without a major show to cover today, we’ll have more time for questions so you can send them to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com. We’ll also be talking the Sandra Toffoloni interview on Talk is Jericho and any questions on that subject will get priority.
The complete G-1 Climax tournament roster, blocks and main matches will be announced early tomorrow morning during intermission at the Korakuen Hall show. Regarding some names people may speculate on, Kyle O”Reilly, Roderick Strong and Adam Cole are all booked at the 7/29 PWG show which tells you they will not be in G-1. I believe Cole will debut during this tour on the Sumo Hall shows at the end but not be in the tournament.
As noted all weekend, Shinsuke Nakamura & Finn Balor face Austin Aries & Samoa Joe at today’s WWE house show in Orlando. Nakamura and Asuka will then be brought to TV this week, although my guess is if either appears it would be in a dark match, and after Raw will be going to Honolulu and then to Japan. Today would be Nakamura and Aries’ first WWE appearance. Balor has done shows already, as has Joe, with Joe having the match with Tyson Kidd which led to Kidd’s near fatal broken neck a year ago.
The Johnny Mundo vs. Prince Puma title vs. career match is being taped this afternoon in Los Angeles as the main event of Ultima Lucha 3. Other matches taped today are Pentagon Dark vs. Son of Havoc in a ladder match for the vacant Gift of the Gods title, Drago & Steve Pain & Luchasaurus defend the trios titles, Mantanza Cueto vs. Dragon Azteca Jr. in a cage match, Sexy Star vs. Taya last woman standing, and a three-way with Mil Muertes vs. Cage vs. Jeremiah Gray (Sami Callihan).
Michael Elgin won the Elite tournament beating Volador Jr. in the finals last night at Arena Mexico. This is not the CMLL Grand Prix, which is an iPPV taking place this coming Friday that Elgin is also in. Elgin last night beat Lio Rush, Bram and then Volador Jr. to win.
WWE
UFC
MISCELLANEOUS
Shimmer results from matches taped yesterday in Berwyn, IL:
Volume 82
Volume 83
They are taping two more DVDs today, including Eagles vs. Skater for the Shimmer title, Cherry Bomb & Kimber Lee vs. Evie & Heidi Lovelace vs. Kay Lee Ray & Mia Yim vs. Spinelli & Bale for the tag titles in an elimination match. (thanks to Martin Bentley)
Submitted by Will Verbiest
– Donovan Dijak beat Jason Kincaid
– ROH Tag Team Champions The Addiction beat Silas Young & Beer City Bruiser to retain in a great match.
– Fish Tank segment with Mark Briscoe and ACH led to a number one contenders match for the TV title. Briscoe then beat ACH.
– Jay White made his ROH debut and beat Kamaitachi (with Christopher Daniels) by DQ. Postmatch, the Addiction beat them down which brings out the Motor City Machine Guns.
– Jay White & Motor City Machine Guns beat ROH Tag Team Champions The Addiction & Kamaitachi
– Keith Lee & Shane Taylor beat an unknown tag team.
– Dalton Castle beat Roderick Strong in Strong’s farewell ROH match
Both guys hugged afterwards and there were “Thank you Roddy” and “You deserve it” chants post-match. Strong gives an emotional speech, thanking fans for their support and says he hopes to wrestle in ROH again someday.
– Kyle O’Reilly came out for his World Title match with Jay Lethal, but before Lethal can come out, Adam Cole hits the stage and says O’Reilly has skipped him in line and doesn’t deserve this match, and, in fact, he won’t be wrestling at all tonite. Young Bucks sneak attack O’Reilly from behind and the Bullet Club injures his arm and shoulder with a steel chair.
– War Machine beat an unknown tag team.
– Caprice Coleman and the All Night Express beat Cheeseburger & Will Ferrera & Moose
– ROH World Champion Jay Lethal beat the injured Kyle O’Reilly in a great match
Bullet Club attacks both post-match, leading Nigel to declare that Adam Cole will never get a title shot as long as he’s in charge. Lethal asks that he be added to the announced main event.
– Moose beat Mike “P-Dog” Posey. Dijak came out to challenge Moose. Dijak beat Moose, then attacked Stokley Hathaway.
– ROH Champion Jay Lethal & Briscoes beat Bullet Club
After the match, the Bullets incapacitate Lethal in the ropes and Cole cuts off Lethal’s dreads, then violently shave his whole head. Bucks lead the crowd in “That was too sweet” and “You deserve it” (to Lethal) chants to end the show.
Fantastic show, crowd was really into almost all of it.
First show is from August 15, 2015 at Sumo Hall. No intro, I guess Ishii didn’t feel like introducing us.
This was a good match.Even though Ross and Barnett put over both of their wrestling backgrounds over before the match started ,this was a very stiff back and forth match. Like Jim Ross said, it was nothing fancy- lots of stiff punches, forearms and kicks. Also really interesting to hear Nagata is 47. I know that Nagata is called Mr. Anti-Aging but I’ve never really thought of his actual age. The way he’s moving at 47 should really be commended. He got the win here.
This was also a very good match. Anderson worked hard and did his usual heel tactics. Kojima looked really strong. Not much more beyond that, just a good back and forth match. Kojima picked up the win with a lariat.
Tomohiro Ishii was interviewed. It didn’t mean anything to him to hear that this G1 was the longest ever. On Elgin, he likes his moves and any of them can be finishers. Unlike most Americans, he fights with his heart.
This was one of my favorite matches from the last year. Elgin showed in this match that he’s one of the best commodities New Japan has picked up in recent years – he’s just tremendous working a stiff style and excelled here against Tomohiro Ishii, who is also one of the best in this style too. They worked themselves into an excellent match with some scary spots, including a death valley driver to the floor by Elgin.
He followed that up with one of the scariest moves in some time with a running powerbomb right into the steel guard railing on the outside. Insane. Ishii turned him inside out with a lariat but Elgin kicked out, only to taste defeat following a brainbuster. Fantastic match, well worth taking the time to watch. Definitely one of the best matches in the G1 tournament.
Ishii says he’s become nothing but a boaster and is disappointed in himself. Elgin vows with every last breath, drop of sweat and blood, he and Ishii will go at it again.
In an interesting note, Ishii mentions he lost consciousness after the first blow of the match, so he doesn’t have much memories of it. He was out of it. He thought although it was a good, he got beat badly. He thought he was doing well in the tournament until he lost to Okada .He says it’s been another disappointing year.
Okada welcomes us to part two of the August 15, 2015 G1 event in Sumo Hall.
This was fine. Yujiro’s in the bottom rung of workers in the New Japan roster, but Honma is so over this turned into a good match anyway. Yujiro used a ref bump to low blow and the Miami shine to pin Honma.
Okada says that the G1 was probably the best condition he could have been in. He doesn’t fight against Nakamura too often, so this was interesting for him. He wasn’t sure if the math would go ahead due to his injury, but it did. When mentioning that one block was AJ vs. Tanahashi and the other one was him vs. Nakamura, he noted that it was the four best wrestlers in New Japan, so it was hard for him to compete against them.
The match that these two had in the previous year’s G1 was absolutely awesome. I forget how this one went, though I remember it being awesome as well, so let’s see how this fares with new eyes.
They started off slow, feeling one another. The match largely went with a back and forth style; well worked, nothing fancy .Once they started to go to the finishers it became great. Nakamura spun into that wonderful armbar, went into the gogoplata position, then sent him chest first to the ground and submitted him. I really liked that finish, but I thought the match they had in the G1 finals in 2014 has a bit more oomph to it. Still, these were two of the best workers in the business having a great match by any standard, so good on them. That makes it Tanahashi vs. Nakamura in the G1 2015 finals.
Nakamura says there’s only one more match to go, and he’s ready to give it his all.
Okada says it was frustrating he got submitted instead of pinned. By far, it’s the most frustrating match for him. If Nakamura wins the whole thing, he’s sure to face him again. The usually chatty Gedo this time says he has nothing to say, Nakamura was incredible. Meanwhile, Nakamura says he gave it his all today. One more match…he’s on fire.
In his reflective interview, Okada says for him, it was one of the most memorable matches of 2015. He remembers it even more than his match in 2014, perhaps because he lost. He also forgot about the armlock. It was his first tap out since returning to America. After taking part in such a big series, he was proud to take on so many matches. On Nakamura leaving, he’s going to miss him. But he’s not worried about New Japan Pro Wrestling. He’s excited for what’s to come. But with that said, he misses him but hopes he does well in America. He wants to fight him again, He’ll make the New Japan ring the best in the meantime.
Two very good episodes of New Japan on AXS this week. This show still remains as one of the best TV shows in North America, featuring both hot matches and fresh insight into them.
1934
New York City
– Jim Londos defeated Jim Browning in to unify the New York recognized World Heavyweight Title with the NWA (National Wrestling Association) World Heavyweight Wrestling Title
1943
St. Joseph, Missouri:
– Orville Brown beat Ronnie Etchison in a mud match
– Bad Boy Brown beat Carlos Rodriquez
– Tom Zaharias beat George Pavich
– Al Getz drew Ralph Garibaldi
1963
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Verne Gagne no contest Larry Hennig
– Crusher beat Jack Pesek
– AWA Tag Team Champions Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff beat Doug Gilbert & Don McClarty in 2 out of 3 falls
– Iron Mike DiBiase beat Joe Tomasso
1964
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Moose Evans beat Dr. Big Bill Miller 2 falls to 1
– Rocky Hamilton, The Lawman and Tom Poulos beat Bulldog Plechas, Harley Race and Baron Von Strauss
– The Rat beat Steve Bolus
– The Lawman beat Baron Von Strauss
– Harley Race beat Tom Poulos
1965
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– The Crusher beat AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon dq
– The Alaskan & Big K beat Chris Markoff & Doug Gilbert in 2 out of 3 falls
– Billy Red Cloud beat Haru Sasaki
– Larry Heiniemi drew Eddie Sharkey
1970
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Danny Little Bear & Frank Hester defeated Don Drummer & Scandor Akbar
– Roger Kirby fought Ricky Romero to a draw
– The Viking defeated Oki Shikina via DQ Bob Geigel defeated Baron Von Raschke and Harley Race defeated Rufus R. Jones in three falls
1975
Davenport, Iowa:
– Nick Bockwinkel beat AWA Champion Verne Gagne dq
– Billy Robinson beat Baron Von Raschke
– Dusty Rhodes beat Ox Baker
– Chris Taylor beat Buddy Wolff
– Jim Brunzell beat Dick Reynolds
1976
Tokyo, Japan:
– Antonio Inoki and Muhammad Ali fought to a 15 round draw
New York City:
– Andre the Giant defeated boxer Chuck Wepner
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Verne Gagne drew AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel
– AWA Tag Team Champions Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher beat Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum
– Greg Gagne beat Bob Orton Jr
1978
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– WWWF Champion Bob Backlund beat Ken Patera
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Rufus R. Jones
– Andre the Giant & Gorilla Monsoon ddq Ray Stevens & Pat Patterson
– Super Destroyer & Lord Alfred Hayes beat Billy Red Lyons & Dewey Robertson
– Tiger Jeet Singh beat Kim Chang
– Jim Brunzell beat Chris Tolos by countout
1983
Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
– Mad Dog Vavhon & Baron Von Raschke beat Ken Patera & Jerry Blackwell
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Wahoo McDaniel
– Jim Brunzell beat Blackjack Lanza
– Bobby Heenan beat Buck Zumhofe
– Rick Martel beat Chris Markoff
1989
Hinkley, Minnesota:
– Scott Norton & Ken Patera beat Destruction Crew Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom
– AWA Champion Larry Zbyszko beat Paul Diamond
– Greg Gagne no contest Soldat Ustinov
– Colonel DeBeers beat Derrick Dukes
1995
WWF King of the Ring: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
– Mabel defeated Savio Vega to win the King Of The Ring Tournament
2000
WWF King of the Ring | Boston, Massachusetts:
– Kurt Angle defeated Rikishi to win the King of the Ring Tournament
– The Rock won the WWF Title by pinning Vince McMahon in a tag team match
2006
WWE Vengeance
– Johnny Nitro won the WWE Intercontinental Title by defeating Carlito and Shelton Benjamin