Boston, Massachusetts: – H.M. Dufur defeated James Owens to win the American Collar-and-Elbow Title
1933
Waterloo, Iowa: – Bronko Nagurski beat Frank Topaz
1943
St. Joseph, Missouri: – Ronnie Etchison beat Tom Zaharias – in a Boxing match; Lee Wyckoff beat Cowboy Luttrall via ko-3rd round – George Pavich beat Carlos Rodriquez – Gene Reardon drew Bill Dusen
1955
– Doug Donovan & Ivan Kameroff defeated Luther Lindsay & George Dussette to win the Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
1964
Kansas City, Kansas: – Mongolian Stomper beat Moose Evans 2 to 1 falls – The Lawman beat Lee Henning – Larry (Rocky) Hamilton beat Baron Von Strauss – Steve Bolus and Tom Poulos beat Tokyo Tom and Bulldog Plechas
1965
– Wilbur Snyder & Dick the Bruiser defeated The Assassins (Guy Mitchell & Joe Tomasso) to win the World Wrestling Association Tag Team Titles
1970
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – Edouard Carpentier & Pepper Gomez beat AWA Tag Team Champions Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon via dq – Lars Anderson beat Bob Windham
Kansas City, Kansas: – Frank Hester defeated Scandor Akbar via DQ – Pat O’Connor defeated Tom Brandon – The Viking fought Roger Kirby to a draw – Danny Little Bear & The Viking & Pat O’Connor defeated Roger Kirby & Scandor Akbar & Don Drummer – Baron Von Raschke & Harley Race defeated Rufus R. Jones & Bob Ellis in three falls
1971
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – AWA Tag Team Champions Red Bastien & Hercules Cortez beat Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon – In a Death match; The Crusher beat Strong Kobayashi – Blackjack Lanza beat Dr. Big Bill Miller – Nick Bockwinkel beat Paul Diamond
Atlanta, Georgia: – The Assassins, (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) won the NWA Georgia Tag Team Titles by defeating Ray Gunkel & El Mongol
1973
Mexico City, Mexico: – El Marquez defeated Karloff Lagarde for the Mexico National Welterweight Title
Sasebo, Japan: – Masked Lee & Sandy Parker defeated Jumbo Miyamoto & Mariko Akagi for the WWWA World Tag Team Titles
1975
Raleigh, North Carolina: – Gene & Ole Anderson defeated Wahoo McDaniel & Paul Jones to win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA World Tag Team Titles
1976
Furukawa, Japan: – Great Kusatsu & Mighty Inoue defeated Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan to win the IWA Japan World Tag Team Titles
Denver, Colorado: – Larry Hennig & Jos Leduc no contest Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum – Russ Francis pinned Kim Duk – Buddy Wolff beat Billy Red Cloud
1980
London, England: – Alan Dennison defeated Jim Breaks for the British Welterweight Title
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: – Verne Gagne & Greg Gagne beat Nick Bockwinkel & Bobby Heenan – Dino Bravo went to a double countout with Jerry Blackwell – Jesse Ventura beat Steve Olsonoski – Adrian Adonis beat Mad Dog Vachon – Jerry Blackwell beat Super Destroyer Mark III
1981
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – AWA Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura beat the Crusher & Baron Von Raschke – In a Non Title Match; Jim Brunzell beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel – Mike Graham beat Buck Zumhofe – Jerry Blackwell beat Mad Dog Vachon
Tokyo, Japan: – Takashi Ishikawa & Akio Sato defeated Kevin & David Von Erich to win the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Titles
1983
San Juan, Puerto Rico: – King Tonga & Gran Apolo defeated Buddy Landel & Terry Gibbs for the WWC North American Tag Team Titles
San Francisco, California: – Ken Patera & Jerry Blackwell beat Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Wahoo McDaniel – Mike Graham beat Buck Zumhofe – Rick Martel beat Blackjack Lanza dq – Greg Gagne beat John Tolos
1984
Memphis, Tennessee: – Rick Rude defeated Jerry Lawler to win the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1989
Orlando, Florida: – The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags) defeated The Southern Force (Black Bart and Tony Anthony) to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles
1993
Knoxville, Tennessee: – Tracy Smothers defeated Tony Anthony to win the held up SMW Heavyweight Title
– Saemi Numata defeated Kumiko Maekawa for the AJW Junior Title
2003
Nashville,Tennessee: – AJ Styles won the TNA/NWA World Title by defeating Raven and Jeff Jarrett
2005
Brandon, Florida: – Chris Sabin defeated Sonjay Dutt to win the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup
St. Joseph, Missouri: – Ernie and Emil Dusek defeated George and Sandy Scott to win the Central States version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in 2 of 3 falls – Central States Heavyweight Champion Thor Hagen beat Bob Orton by a third fall DQ – Central States Women’s Champion Lorraine Johnson beat Laura Martinez
Tampa, Florida: – Ray Gunkel defeated Fred Blassie to win the Florida version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1961
Portland, Oregon: – Luther Lindsay and Bing Ki Lee defeated Bill Savage and Tito Kopa for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title
1965
Kansas City, Kansas: – Bob Geigel and Dutch Savage beat Pat O’Connor and Mongolian Stomper 2 falls to 1 – Jerry Miller beat Missouri Mauler on a 3rd fall DQ – Ronnie Etchison beat Toughie Williams – Sonny Myers beat Buddy Johnson
1967
Minneapolis, Minnesota; – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Danny Hodge – AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Dale Lewis & Wilbur Snyder – Johnny Valentine beat Doug Gilbert
1968
Davenport, Iowa: – In a No DQ match Bill Watts beat Harley Race – Dr X beat Dutch Savage – Larry Hennig beat Rene Goulet
1970
Honolulu, Hawaii: – Sam Steamboat defeated Ripper Collins for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title
1972
Chicago, Illinois: – Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan & Dusty Rhodes beat Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher & Billy Red Cloud – Wahoo McDaniel beat Larry Hennig – Baron Von Raschke beat Bull Bullinski
1974
Memphis, Tennessee: – Jerry Lawler defeated Ricky Gibson to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title
1975
Omaha, Nebraska: – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Ray Stevens in 2 straight falls – Dusty Rhodes beat Ox Baker – Billy Robinson & Jim Brunzell beat Legionairres Sgt Jacques Goulet & Soldier LeBeouf – Buddy Wolff drew Khosrow Vaziri (Iron Shiek)
1978
Portland, Oregon: – Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka defeated Bull Ramos and The Iron Sheik to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title
1979
Asheville, North Carolina: – Ricky Steamboat defeated Paul Jones to win the NWA Television Title
Dallas, Texas: – Bruiser Brody defeated Mark Lewin to win the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1983
St. Louis, Missouri: – Harley Race defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title (Race vacated the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title and the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title) – Crusher Blackwell won an 18 man battle royal – Andre the Giant & Bruce Reed & Dick the Bruiser defeated Crusher Blackwell & John Studd & Bobby Duncum – Bob Orton Jr. drew David Von Erich – Gene Kiniski no contest with Dick Murdoch – Rick Martel defeated Greg Valentine – Roddy Piper drew Bulldog Bob Brown – George Wells and Mark Romero defeated Dewey Robertson and Ray Hernandez
1984
Orlando, Florida: – Superstar Billy Graham defeated Billy Jack for the Florida State Heavyweight title
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: – Angelo Mosca, Jr. defeated Ivan Koloff to win the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title
St. Paul, Minnesota: – Jerry Blackwell eliminated King Kong Brody to win battle royal (In an angle booked by Dusty Rhodes, Blackwell turned babyface by turning on partner Brody and manager Sheik Kassey) – Abdullah The Butcher & Jerry Blackwell beat Baron Von Raschke (sub Blackjack Mulligan) & Blackjack Lanza – King Kong Brody beat Steve O – The Crusher no contest Nick Bockwinkel – Fabulous Ones beat Roger Kirby & Chris Markoff – Dusty Rhodes beat Larry Zbyszko – Curt Hennig beat Steve Regal
1988
Tokyo, Japan: – PWF World Tag Team Champions Jumbo Tsuruta and Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated NWA International Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) by disqualification to retain the PWF titles and win the NWA International titles (titles were unified and became the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Titles).
Hiorshima, Japan: – Masa Saito and Riki Choshu defeated Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura to win the IWGP World Tag Team Titles
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: – Johnny Smith defeated Chris Benoit to win the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title
Mexico City, Mexico: – Atlantis defeated Kung Fu for the NWA World Middleweight Title
1999
Syracuse, New York: – Perry Saturn and Chris Benoit defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Kanyon to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles
2012
TNA Slammiversary: Arlington, Texas: – AJ Styles and Kurt Angle defeated Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian to win the TNA Tag Team Titles
Team Alpha Male has had some ups & downs in the last few weeks with Urijah Faber’s latest failed attempt at a UFC title shot and Cody Garbrandt’s emergence as a contender providing the rollercoaster effect.
Friday night, that coaster took a dip as the UFC announced that featherweight contender Chad Mendes may have violated USADA’s anti-doping policies:
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Chad Mendes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection. USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
The 31-year-old Mendes (17-4) has been on the shelf since getting knocked out cold by Frankie Edgar back in December 2015, his second straight loss by T/KO (Conor McGregor). A two-time challenger for the UFC’s featherweight crown, he’s been out of the spotlight since that last defeat as he’s lost two of his last three.
Mendes is a former second place finisher in the NCAA championships in wrestling.
Gawker Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today in New York court, with bankruptcy preceding a sale to Ziff Davis. Davis, who owns IGN and Ask Men has reportedly bid about $100 million for Gawker. Nick Denton, the owner, who is also expected to file for bankruptcy due to the $140 million award to Hulk Hogan, said, “We have been forced by this litigation to give up our long standing independence, but our writers remain committed to telling the true stories that underpin credibility with our millions of readers. With stronger backing and disentangled from litigation, they can perform their vital work on more platforms and in different forms.”
We’re looking for reports tonight on the WWE house show in Waco, TX (Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Rusev, Enzo, Cass, Kane, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Sami Zayn, Dudleys, Lana, Sasha Banks) and NXT in Gainesville, FL to NewsTips@WrestlingObserver.com.
We’re looking for your thoughts on both Wednesday night’s NXT Takeover show and Tuesday’s New Japan Best of the Super Junior tournament finals so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.
NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING AT 8 P.M. TONIGHT ON AXS
Satoshi Kojima vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Kazuchika Okada vs. Hirooki Goto
Both matches are from the 2015 G-1 Climax tournament
EVOLVE TONIGHT AT www.wwnlive.com at 9 p.m. EASTERN FROM YBOR CITY, FL
Ethan Page vs. Darby Allin
Anthony Nese vs. Fred Yehi
Matt Riddle vs. Cedric Alexander
Johnny Gargano & TJP vs. Drew Galloway & Ethan Carter III
Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams vs. Bravado Brothers for Evolve tag titles
El Terrible & La Mascara & Shocker vs. Kraneo & Pierroth & Rey Escorpion
Cavernario vs. Rey Cometa for the Mexican national welterweight title
Mistico & Valiente & Volador Jr. vs. Euforia & Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero
CES MMA AT 9 P.M. TONIGHT ON AXS FROM LINCOLN, RI
Saturday we’re looking for reports from WWE in College Station, TX (Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Rusev, Lana, Sheamus, Enzo, Cass, Kane, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Sami Zayn, Dudleys, Lana, Sasha Banks) and Jackson, MS (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, A.J. Styles, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Charlotte, Alberto Del Rio, Natalya, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Usos, New Day), NXT in Derby, UK and ROH in Hopkins, MN (Adam Cole vs. Chris Sabin, Michael Elgin vs. Kamaitachi, plus the first night of tag wars with Jay Lethal & Roderick Strong vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly, Silas Young & Beer City Bruiser vs. Lio Rush & Moose vs. War Machine; and Rhett Titus & Kenny King vs. Rocky Romero & Baretta vs. Young Bucks).
TNA SLAMMIVERSARY PPV FROM UNIVERSAL IN ORLANDO AT 8 P.M.
Bobby Lashley vs. Drew Galloway for the TNA title – match can only be won via knockout or submission
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy full metal mayhem
Jade vs. Sienna for Knockouts title
Abyss & Crazzy Steve vs. Jessie Godderz & Robbie E for tag titles
Trevor Lee vs. Eddie Edwards vs. DJ Zema Ion vs. Andre Everett for X title
Eli Drake vs. Bram for King of the Mountain title
Ethan Carter III vs. Mike Bennett
Grado & Mahabali Shera vs. The Tribunal
Sunday we’re looking for reports from WWE in Baton Rouge (Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Rusev, Enzo, Cass, Kane, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Sami Zayn, Dudleys, Lane, Sasha Banks), Lake Charles, LA (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, A.J. Styles, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Charlotte, Alberto Del Rio,Natalya, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Usos, New Day), NXT in Darby, UK and ROH in Milwaukee at the Turner Hall Ballroom (Adam Cole vs Colt Cabana, Christopher Daniels vs. Kamaitachi plus the finals of Tag Wars).
Raw will be Monday in New Orleans including the return of Shane McMahon. It’ll be the go-home show for Money in the Bank. NXT also runs in Belfast, Northern Ireland. There are also TNA tapings in Orlando.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Biloxi, MS and NXT runs in Dublin, Ireland. There is also an almost live Impact in Orlando as well as the taping for the following week’s show.
TNA tapings will continue on Wednesday in Orlando. NXT will be in Liverpool, England.
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!
A look at the lives and careers of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice, the return of Brock Lesnar to UFC and the story behind it and coverage of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament are the lead stories in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Our Ali story talks about the changes in public opinion on him going through the years, his place in culture, the Ali-Frazier fight, the Ali-Liston fights, his being banned from boxing, the creation of different world titles, the Ali-Foreman fight, the Thrilla in Manila, the inspiration of the movie Rocky, what Ali took from pro wrestling, Gorgeous George and Fred Blassie, and what he gave back to pro wrestling, the Ali vs. Inoki story, Ali’s appearances in relation to pro wrestling, Ali’s pro wrestling matches that are often forgotten, Ali working the first WrestleMania and the Superdome in New Orleans for Bill Watts, the sad ending of his career and the fraud on the public that was the Larry Holmes fight.
The death of Kimbo Slice is also covered. Read about the circumstances leading to the death, how he became famous, his real background, what he did between football and MMA, the Sean Gannon fight, Elite XC, his television ratings records, the crazy night that was supposed to be the Ken Shamrock fight, the death of Elite XC and how media a misunderstanding ended the promotion, Kimbo’s days in UFC, the highest rated season of Ultimate Fighter, and sustaining the drawing power. Plus, a look at Kimbo Slice and pro wrestling and why it was about to happen, and how it fell apart, is covered. There’s also look at Slice in boxing, and the Dada 5000 fight.
Finally, read about the Brock Lesnar to UFC deal, what Lesnar said about why he’s coming back should it be believed, the choice of Mark Hunt as the opponent, why the deal took so long to be announced, how this affects pro wrestling, Lesnar’s regrets about re-signing with WWE but why you can question that, the drug testing issue and the Ariel Helwani issue that reporting the story first turned into.
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.
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.
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.
Thanks to everyone for all the nice words on this week’s issue and the Ali story. I really appreciate it.
Maria Kanellis was announced as being pulled from Sunday’s Slammiversary show due to a broken hand. She was scheduled against Gail Kim.
If you’re around a computer around 11 p.m. Eastern tonight so you check out the last two matches on tonight’s Arena Mexico show. For atmosphere, it’s the closest thing to old school wrestling and the guys in those matches, if anything, do far too much to entertain the audience. Some of the trios matches of late have been beyond anything seen here as far as eye opening babyface comebacks go.
The next Stone Cold Podcast on the WWE network will be on 6/20 with A.J. Styles.
Smackdown did its lowest numbers to date on USA last night with 1,996,000 viewers going against the Stanley Cup playoffs game five which did 5.01 million viewers.
WWE is promoting a Bill Goldberg collection of matches on the WWE network this month.
Paul Heyman has formed a partnership with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to promote the Rehab Bikini International. He’s currently in Las Vegas doing viral promotions for the event. More on that here.
Bryan Danielson was backstage at last night’s NXT tapings. It was the first WWE show he’s attended since his retirement show in Seattle.
WWE Network has added a number of Nitro episodes from 1999 and 2000.
John Cena and Stephanie McMahon will be guest speakers at the Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity on 6/23 in France talking about the history of WWE and how it garners its fan base.
The stock dropped 32 cents per share today to $17.59.
Big Show will be signing free autographs on 6/18 at the Wizard World Comic Con in Sacramento at 11 a.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center.
UFC
Tim Means and USADA have settled on a six-month suspension for a drug test failure which Means claimed was caused by a tainted supplement. Means tested positive for Ostarine, a member of the SARMS group which has become popular with some pro wrestlers who are drug tested.
The Ali vs. Inoki fight will be talked about tonight on Inside MMA with Josh Gross at about 11:30 p.m. Eastern time. In Japan, that fight is considered the birth of MMA. It really shouldn’t be, but it is still quite the story that it actually happened after a century of teases like all the Strangler Lewis vs. Jack Dempsey and Lou Thesz vs. Rocky Marciano talk in their eras.
Here is a story on the death of 50s, 60s and 70s star Dan Miller.
Jim Ross announces Knockout Night at the D at 11 p.m. tonight on CBS Sports with Sean Wheelock. Little known fact. Sean Wheelock growing up wanted to be a pro wrestling announcer.
For those coming to our convention 7/7 to 7/10 in Las Vegas, the people at The Las Vegas Fight Shop, who have been subscribers for probably 25 years, have a special to those coming. They have a Friday night from 6-8 p.m. signing with Randy Couture and a Saturday from Noon to 2 p.m. signing with Nate Diaz. The signings require the purchase of an Affliction shirt, but anyone from the site can get 20% off a shirt and VIP treatment to cut down the line. Also, anyone from the site who comes to the store can get 20 percent off anything all weekend.
Cody Rhodes will be appearing at the Heroes and Villains Fan Fest on 7/2 and 7/3 at the Meadowlands Expo Center in East Rutherford, NJ and for them on 11/19 and 11/10 in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The NFC MMA show tomorrow night at Center Stage in Atlanta is sold out, and has been for more than a week. The 7/22 NFC show headlined by Chazz Walton vs. Warren Smith for the Georgia lightweight title at the Electric Company has tickets available.
AAW on 6/17 in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street has few tickets remaining. Top matches are Sami Callihan & Dave Crist vs. Eddie Kingston & Homicide, Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett defend the tag titles against Devin & Mason Cutter, Chris Hero vs. Drago, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Johnny “Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa vs. ?, AR Fox vs. Aerostar, Trevor Lee vs. Andrew Everett vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Moose, Drew Gulak vs. Silas Young plus Candice LaRae, Heidi Lovelace, Jessicka Havok, Kimber Lee and Kongo Kong.
Baja Stars USA on 6/18 in San Diego at Parque de la Ala with Valiente and Psicosis.
Caristico headlines a 6/26 show in Westminster, CO at the Imperium Events Center.
Solar vs. Negro Navarro headlines 6/26 in Chicago at Chi-Town Football.
Chidi Njokuani vs. Thiago Jambo Goncalves was announced as the No. 2 bout for next week’s Bellator show on 6/17 in Fresno. Goncalves is replacing Douglas Lima, who was moved to the 7/16 show in London at the O2 Arena.
Announced for the August Mid Atlantic Fan Fest in Charlotte is a Jim Ross one man show plus Ross will host a roast for Ole Anderson. Tony Schiavone, Magnum T.A., Arn Anderson and Austin Idol have been announced.
Jeff Jarrett and his GFW will be doing a joint show with Wrestle Pro in Keyport, NJ tomorrow night.
Acclaim Pro Wrestling on Saturday night at the SPK Dom Polski Polish Combatants Centre in Ottawa.
Get a chance to catch your breath yet this week? From news to results to death and everything in between, the MMA faithful had enough to fill their cups and then some in the last seven days.
Josh and Jon discussed the divergent paths of Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson from UFC 100 to UFC 199, the somewhat buried story of Urijah Faber possibly retiring, the public reverence for the passing of Kimbo Slice and Muhammad Ali this week, thoughts on the return of Brock Lesnar and his chances against Mark Hunt, a little on Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor II, and even a question about his friend and former co-worker Ariel Helwani.
Listen to all that and more in the 41st episode of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out.
Just how big a risk for WWE is Brock Lesnar’s return to the Octagon at UFC 200? Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa will talk about it from WWE’s perspective on the latest Wrestling Weekly!
We’ll start with Les sharing some thoughts about his good friend and former tag team partner Danny Miller, who passed away this past Monday at the age of 84, as well as remembrances of the late Emily Miller (no relation) who was a longtime fan in the Mid Atlantic area.
From there, we’ll spend a few minutes discussing the one and only Muhammad Ali (18:35). After that, it’s time to look at Brock Lesnar’s return to UFC (22:18) and how it impacts WWE. We’ll wrap the show by discussing the latest NXT Takeover special (35:52), and why it has filled Les with hope for the future of the business.
Subscribers can listen by clicking the link below or right-clicking to save.
Today, an estimated 14,000 people attended a Muslim funeral in Louisville, Kentucky for one of, if not the most, famous athletes in the world, Muhammad Ali. As a three-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Ali was best known for his gift of promos. Unfortunately, the Parkinsons disease that ended the champion’s career, also left him speechless for the last decade or so of his life. He was an exceptional athlete, a humanitarian, a political activist, but most of all, an entertainer. Ali knew how to promote a fight, and anyone coming up in the world of combat sports would be doing themselves a favor by learning from “The Greatest.”
Learn all about the birth of MMA by reading Josh Gross’ book on the Ali vs. Inoki fight, which is now available on Amazon.
Finally, Muhammad Ali will be forever linked with the world of pro wrestling.
[Dan Velten]
We’re looking for your thoughts on both last night’s NXT Takeover show and Tuesday’s New Japan Best of the Super Junior tournament finals so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.
SMACKDOWN TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. ON THE USA NETWORK
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Cesaro & Sami Zayn vs. Alberto Del Rio & Kevin Owens
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!
A look at the lives and careers of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice, the return of Brock Lesnar to UFC and the story behind it and coverage of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament are the lead stories in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Our Ali story talks about the changes in public opinion on him going through the years, his place in culture, the Ali-Frazier fight, the Ali-Liston fights, his being banned from boxing, the creation of different world titles, the Ali-Foreman fight, the Thrilla in Manila, the inspiration of the movie Rocky, what Ali took from pro wrestling, Gorgeous George and Fred Blassie, and what he gave back to pro wrestling, the Ali vs. Inoki story, Ali’s appearances in relation to pro wrestling, Ali’s pro wrestling matches that are often forgotten, Ali working the first WrestleMania and the Superdome in New Orleans for Bill Watts, the sad ending of his career and the fraud on the public that was the Larry Holmes fight.
The death of Kimbo Slice is also covered. Read about the circumstances leading to the death, how he became famous, his real background, what he did between football and MMA, the Sean Gannon fight, Elite XC, his television ratings records, the crazy night that was supposed to be the Ken Shamrock fight, the death of Elite XC and how media a misunderstanding ended the promotion, Kimbo’s days in UFC, the highest rated season of Ultimate Fighter, and sustaining the drawing power. Plus, a look at Kimbo Slice and pro wrestling and why it was about to happen, and how it fell apart, is covered. There’s also look at Slice in boxing, and the Dada 5000 fight.
Finally, read about the Brock Lesnar to UFC deal, what Lesnar said about why he’s coming back should it be believed, the choice of Mark Hunt as the opponent, why the deal took so long to be announced, how this affects pro wrestling, Lesnar’s regrets about re-signing with WWE but why you can question that, the drug testing issue and the Ariel Helwani issue that reporting the story first turned into.
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.
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.
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.
Impact on Tuesday night for the Slammiversary go-home show did 326,000 viewers, which is slightly above average since they went to one show a week.
A correction from last night’s show and the Observer, in the story on Kimbo Slice when I said they were looking at transferring him to Cleveland for a heart transplant, it was actually the Cleveland Clinic in Atlantis, FL, not Cleveland, OH.
This web site is having its annual get together from 7/7 to 7/10 in Las Vegas in conjunction with International Fight Week. For more information go on Facebook and search for 10th annual F4W convention.
Gzim Selmani & Sunny Dhinsa, The Authors of Pain, were the team that attacked Jason Jordan & Chad Gable last night. In a dark match, Adrienne Reese was given the new name Amber Moon, and she beat Peyton Royce.
Bellator’s 7/16 show at the O2 Arena in London which fell apart due to the death of Kimbo Slice, as well as Josh Koscheck falling out of the show, has announced Paul Daley vs. Douglas Lima as the new main event plus Michael Page vs. Evangelista Cyborg Santos and Linton Vassell vs. Francis Carmont as the top bouts.
WWE
NXT Takeover Brooklyn tickets for 8/20 at the Barclays Center are available on pre-sale right now using the code WWENXT. The pre-sale ends tomorrow at 10 p.m. and the regular sale goes into effect at Noon on Saturday. The names listed are Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, Bayley, American Alpha and The Revival.
Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that Rich Swann may be out of the cruiserweight classic due to a shoulder injury suffered a few months ago.
Six-year-old Max has been diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma for the second time. He’s a huge WWE fan and his family is not looking for any monetary donations but if anyone has anything related to WWE that thet would like to donate that he can play with while being treated there will be an event on 6/19 in Dublin, Ireland at the Woolshed Pub collecting donations. More on this here.
Frankie Edgar is opening a UFC Gym on Saturday in North Brunswick, NJ. The 25,000 square foot facility will be located at 1846 US Highway 1. There will be a 30 foot Octagon, strength training, cardio machines, battle ropes, agility ladders, a bag room, a BJJ studio, fitness rooms and more. The grand opening on Saturday will include a Frankie Edgar seminar at 10 a.m., a grappling seminar with Matt Hughes at 11:30 a.m., a BJJ seminar with Rafael Natal at 2 p.m., plus also appearing throughout the day will be Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza and Renzo Gracie.
Chris Weidman had successful neck surgery yesterday and said he’ll be able to start hard sparring in six weeks and has issued a challenge to Michael Bisping for Madison Square Garden. The two have gone back-and-forth on Twitter with Bisping telling Weidman that he should beat Luke Rockhold first. He’s telling Rockhold the same thing.
UFC has announced an 8/6 show in Salt Lake City, which would be the first time they ever have done a show in the state of Utah. They tried many years ago and sold so few tickets that they decided to cancel the show and move it, and not to go back. This will be an FS 1 show headlined by Alex Caceres (coming off his win on Saturday night) vs. Yair Rodriguez.
Nick Hein vs. Tae Hyun Bang has been added to the 9/3 show in Hamburg, Germany. Hein on the show only makes sense because he’s one of Germany’s better-known fighters.
Joshua Stansbury won a unanimous decision over Abdel Medjeboub on Ultimate Fighter last night which gave Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s team her first win after losing every fight so far this season. (thanks to Steve Juon)
MISCELLANEOUS
Evolve tomorrow night in Ybor City, FL at The Orpheum for an iPPV at www.WWNlive.com at 9 p.m. Eastern time
Timothy Thatcher vs. Chris Hero for the Evolve title
Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams vs. Bravado Brothers for the tag titles
Johnny Gargano & TJP vs. Drew Galloway & Ethan Carter III
Matt Riddle vs. Cedric Alexander
Anthony Nese vs. Fred Yehi
Ethan Page vs. Darby Allin
Evolve on Saturday night in Orlando at the Downtown Rec Center at 8 p.m. Eastern
Johnny Gargano vs. Drew Gulak vs. TJ Perkins vs. Lince Dorado (all four are in the WWE cruiserweight classic)
Drew Galloway vs. Ethan Page
Ethan Carter III vs. ?
Timothy Thatcher vs. Tracy Williams
Matt Riddle vs. Trevor Lee
Fred Yehi vs. Cedric Alexander
Bravado Brothers vs. Jason Cade & Darby Allin
Evolve’s new Mini Doc on Timothy Thatcher is here. It’s a unique new promotional direction.
Evolve and Beyond Wrestling announced separate shows both on 7/17 in Melrose, MA at the Memorial Hall. Appearing for Evolve are Timothy Thatcher, Drew Gulak, Tracy Williams, Drew Galloway, Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll, TJP, Matt Riddle, Ethan Page, Fred Yehi and Cedric Alexander.
Elite Lucha Libre runs tonight at Arena Mexico with Atlantis vs. Ultimo Guerrero and Negro Casas vs. Cibernetico. Casas vs. Cibernetico is a first-time ever meeting of two of the biggest names of the past 20 years. Flamita also debuts on the show.
We get questions from time to time about getting tickets for New Japan big shows from outside Japan. Here is where to go.
There will be a lot of Jim Ross on television tomorrow night. He’ll be announcing New Japan at 8 p.m. for a one hour show tomorrow night on AXS, and then live on CBS Sports Network with Sean Wheelock doing Knockout Night at the D boxing at 11 p.m. Eastern time (8 p.m. Pacific).
40 years ago today, CWF sold out the Miami Beach Convention Center with a loaded show with Dusty Rhodes & King Curtis Iaukea vs. The Assassin & The Missouri Mauler (a brother combination), plus Mike Graham vs. Bob Orton Jr. for the Florida title, Bob Roop & Bob Orton Sr. vs. Jack & Jerry Brisco, Steve Keirn & Bob Backlund vs. Randy Culley & Jim Lancaster, Billy Robinson vs. Ray Stevens and Greg Valentine vs. Pak Song.
Shannon Moore has moved to Orlando and will be taking pro wrestling books through Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com. Also taking bookings include Joey Ryan out of Los Angeles, Mikael Judas out of Greenville, SC as well as Eric Bischoff, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman, Kevin Nash, DDP, Rick Steiner, Tommy Dreamer, Drew Galloway, Matt Sydal, Stevie Richards, Nunzio, Tony Mamaluke, Kenn Doane, Shane Helms, Abyss, Hernandez, Mike Posey, Jimmy Rave, Slim J, Moose, Al Snow and Blue Meanie. Available, but only outside the U.S. and Canada, are Jay Lethal, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian.
ROH has announced a 7/8 all-women’s show in Baltimore at 5 p.m. the William J. Myers Pavilion and admission is free, taped for the ROH YouTube channel. Those wrestling include Amber Gallows, Crazy Mary Dobson, Deonna Purrazzo, Faye Jackson, Jenny Rose, Kelly Klein, Kennadi Brink, Mandy Leon, Solo Darling, Sumie Sakai, Taeler Hendrix and Veda Scott.
This week on Fite TV
Tomorrow night at 9 p.m. Eastern will be Knockout Night at the D called by Jim Ross & Sean Wheelock. This also airs on CBS Sports Network and is free
Tomorrow night at 10 p.m. is Evolve from Ybor City, FL as listed above for $14.99
Saturday at 7 p.m. has amateur boxing from Cartersville, GA for $9.99
Saturday at 8 p.m. has Evolve from Orlando for $14.99
Sunday at 8 p.m. has TNA Slammiversary from Orlando for $39.99
New England Championship Wrestling on 6/11 in Wakefield, MA at the Americal Civic Center for the Ion 8 championship. It will be an eight-person one night tournament with last year’s winner, Mike McCarthy, Chris Escobar, Todo Loco, Jay Freddie, Slyck Wagner Brown, T.J. Warren, Kevin Tibbs and Brad Hollister.
Great North Wrestling results from Saturday night in Smith Fails, ONT before 325 fans: Hannibal b Al Snow to retain Canadian title, Kevin Lee Davidson b The Spoiler, Soa Amin b Giant Darko, Lady Yasmine b Florence Riley, Bruiser & Blade b Freak Nation, Fabulous Jacques b Preston Perry-DQ, Jeremy Prophet b Grapecrusher, Davidson won 30 man Battle Royal. Next show is 6/25 in Pembroke, ONT with Nikolai Volkoff.
Hoosier Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Columbus, IN: It opened with salute to Muhammad Ali and Beverly Dundee. Eddie Felson won three-way over Timmy Danger and Jonathan Wolf, JKO b KC Huber, TVZ won over TJ & Shawn Kemp and The Bambino Family, Wicked Clown b Cooter, Drax O’Brien b Dynamite Dillen, Rob Conway b Shawn Cook, Vic the Bruiser b Lighting Bolt Johnson. Next show is 7/2 at Aaron’s Lot in Columbus for the annual Can Food Drive show. Admission is six cans of food and bring your own lawn chairs with start time at 6:30 p.m.
VCW on 6/30 in Toronto at the Super Wonder Gallery.
Superkick’d Pro Wrestling on 7/8 in Toronto at the Great Hall with eight matches and live music.
There is a new book out called “The Golden Era of Amateur Wrestling: the 1980s” by Reginald Rowe looks back at 29 Hall of Fame member and 11 nominees for the NCAA 75th anniversary wrestling team including five of the best amatuer wrestlers ever, Bruce Baumgartner, David Schultz, Melvin Douglas, Andre Metzger and Kenny Monday. The book is available at Amazon and major book stores.
CZW Tournament of Death on Saturday at 2 p.m. at 179 Ebenzer Church Road in Townsend, DE. The first round matches are Tim Donst vs. Rickey Shane Page fans bring the weapons, Alex Colon vs. Danny Havoc in a light tube death match, Masada vs. Conor Claxton in a barbed wire madness match and Jeff Connonball vs. Matt Tremont in a Home Run Derby match. There will also be a Devon Moore vs. Dale Patricks scaffold match, DJ Hyde vs. Josh Crane in a panes of glass match and Aaron Williams vs. Ron Mathis in a death match.
Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Damien Sandow appear tomorrow night for Jimmy’s Seafood Slamboree on 6/10 at the MCW Arena in Joppa, MD. Sandow will be wrestling under the name Aaron Stevens, his previous ring name. Lio Rush is also on the show. Hall & Nash won’t be wrestling.
Matt Riviera suffered a stinger on Saturday night at an NWA Midwest show in Marion, OH. He was wrestling Matt Taylor, who did a plancha but overshot. His left arm went numb but it came back after two minutes and he was able to finish the match. He won’t be missing any ring time.
VII Pro Wrestling on 7/15 at Dawley Town Hall in Telford, UK with Will Ospreay as the headliner along with Ryan Smile and Pete Dunne.
CHIKARA has a doubleheader at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on 7/23 in Toronto at the Franklin Horner Community Center.
Pro Wrestling Zero Hour on 6/19 in Hamilton, ONT at the Knights of Columbus.
ECWA on 6/18 in Springfield, PA at the Springfield Ice Rink has Scotty 2 Hotty and Shockwave the Robot plus Tony Atlas vs. Eric Martin.
Wrestling Revolver tomorrow night in Clive, IA at the Seven Flags Event Center with John Hennigan (Johnny Mundo) vs. Billy Gunn, Rhino vs. Trevor Lee, Tommy Dreamer vs. Arik Cannon in a Hardcore match, PJ Black vs. Michael Elgin, Bob Holly vs. Sami Callihan, plus Jody Kristofferson, AR Fox, Jessicka Havok and Scotty 2 Hotty. There is a pre-fight party tonight at the VooDoo Lounge in Des Moines for music and ticket giveaways and the VooDoo Lounge will also host a post-fight party.
Even though they are feuding on television, the Hardys are scheduled as a tag team on 6/18 for Keystone Wrestling in Lancaster, PA at the Lancaster Host Resort Conference Center.
Smash Wrestling on 6/11 in Oshawa,ONT at the Harmony Creek Community & Events Centre.
Pure Wrestling Association on 6/25 in Port Hardy, BC at the Wakas Community Hall and 6/24 in Courtenay, BC at the K’omoka Band Hall.
PWA on 7/1 in Cambridge, ONT at Riverside Park has a 2 p.m. show.
Blue Demon Jr. appears on 7/17 for Lucha Toronto at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre along with Lince Dorado.
Border City Wrestling on 8/20 in Tecumseh, ONT at the Royal Canadian Legion featuring Dutch Mantell.
House of Hardcore on 8/6 in Pasadena, TX at the Convention Center has Tommy Dreamer & Mickie James vs. Pepper Parks & Cherry Bomb plus Billy Gunn, Carlito, MVP, Sandman and Tony Nese.
A look at the lives and careers of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice, the return of Brock Lesnar to UFC and the story behind it and coverage of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament are the lead stories in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Our Ali story talks about the changes in public opinion on him going through the years, his place in culture, the Ali-Frazier fight, the Ali-Liston fights, his being banned from boxing, the creation of different world titles, the Ali-Foreman fight, the Thrilla in Manila, the inspiration of the movie Rocky, what Ali took from pro wrestling, Gorgeous George and Fred Blassie, and what he gave back to pro wrestling, the Ali vs. Inoki story, Ali’s appearances in relation to pro wrestling, Ali’s pro wrestling matches that are often forgotten, Ali working the first WrestleMania and the Superdome in New Orleans for Bill Watts, the sad ending of his career and the fraud on the public that was the Larry Holmes fight.
The death of Kimbo Slice is also covered. Read about the circumstances leading to the death, how he became famous, his real background, what he did between football and MMA, the Sean Gannon fight, Elite XC, his television ratings records, the crazy night that was supposed to be the Ken Shamrock fight, the death of Elite XC and how media a misunderstanding ended the promotion, Kimbo’s days in UFC, the highest rated season of Ultimate Fighter, and sustaining the drawing power. Plus, a look at Kimbo Slice and pro wrestling and why it was about to happen, and how it fell apart, is covered. There’s also look at Slice in boxing, and the Dada 5000 fight.
Finally, read about the Brock Lesnar to UFC deal, what Lesnar said about why he’s coming back should it be believed, the choice of Mark Hunt as the opponent, why the deal took so long to be announced, how this affects pro wrestling, Lesnar’s regrets about re-signing with WWE but why you can question that, the drug testing issue and the Ariel Helwani issue that reporting the story first turned into.
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
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The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.
Also in this issue:
First details of CMLL’s next iPPV show, the International Grand Prix tournament and who is in it
Notes on the Elite tournament
Update on CMLL’s major event of the week
A look at the career of Dan Miller
The future of Adam Rose on the indies
More on the future of Cody Rhodes on the indies
More on the Jimmy Snuka case
Update on Damien Sandow on the indies
Fan pulls a gun on wrestler
Updates on Roderick Strong and Moose in ROH
Notes on the three-show ROH weekend
Notes on TNA’s PPV show
Notes on ownership of the TNA name
New TNA hire
Update on Ronda Rousey
Backstage incidents at UFC 199
Don Frye goes into UFC Hall of Fame and notes on his fighting and pro wrestling career
Notes on UFC 201 in Atlanta
Marc Ratner goes into boxing Hall of Fame
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.
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.
New York, New York: Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Dick Shikat for the New York State Athletic Commission version of the World Heavyweight Title
1935
Waterloo, Iowa: – Joe Dusek went to a drew with Lou Plummer
1938
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: – The Masked Marvel (Ted Cox) defeated Vic Christy to win the Montreal World Heavyweight Title
1943
Des Moines, Iowa: – Jim Londos defeated Tom Zaharias 2 falls to 0 – Junior Heavyweight Champion Ken Fenelon beat Bill Dusen
1945
Wichita, Kansas: – World Heavyweight Champion Orville Brown beat Lord Albert Mills in a 2 out of 3 falls match – Ray Eckert defeated Vic Holbrook
1949
Kansas City, Kansas: – NWA World Champion Orville Brown and Joe Pazandak wrestled to a draw at the midnight closing hour 1 fall a piece – Fred Blassie and Herman Von Doyle went to a draw
1960
Amarillo, Texas: – Nick Roberts and Art Nelson defeated Dory Funk, Sr. and Bob Geigel to win the Amarillo version of the NWA North American Tag Team Titles
Kansas City, Kansas: – Central States Heavyweight Champion Thor Hagen beat Ernie Dusek – Central States Women’s Champion Lorraine Johnson defeated Judy Glover in 2 out of 3 falls – Bob Orton defeated Emil Dusek by DQ – Gory Guerrero and Doug Scott wrestled to a draw
1961
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – In a Texas Death Match; Hard Boiled Haggerty & Gene Kiniski beat Whipper Billy Watson & Wilbur Snyder in 2 out of 3 falls – Bob Geigel beat Tony Baillargeon – Jack Pesek beat Stan Kowalski
1964
Nashville, Tennessee: – Tojo Yamamoto and Alex Perez defeated Jackie and Don Fargo for the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1967
Seoul, South Korea: – Kim Il (Kintaro Ohki) defeated Mark Lewin to win the Los Angeles-based World Wrestling Association’s World Heavyweight Title
St. Joseph, Missouri: – Sonny Myers won NWA Central States Heavyweight Title from The Viking
1969
Vancouver, British Columbia: – Dutch Savage and Bob Brown defeated Dean Higuchi and Earl Maynard to win the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Titles
Nashville, Tennessee: – Johnny Walker and The Sundown Kid defeated Tojo Yamamoto and Johnny Long to win the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1973
Atlanta, Georgia: – Mr. Wrestling II and Bob Orton, Jr. defeated the Super Infernos (Doug Gilbert and Don Smith) to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Titles
Chicago, Illinois: – AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Dick the Bruiser & Wahoo McDaniel – Billy Robinson beat Dick Murdoch – Jim Brunzell beat Ric Flair
1977
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – Ray Stevens beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel via dq – AWA Tag Team Champions Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum beat Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell – Super Destroyer beat Pedro Morales
1978
Atlanta, Georgia: – Angelo Mosca won a tournament final for the vacant NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title
1979
Des Moines, Iowa: – Bill Irwin defeated Wayne Rogers – Bob Brown fought Jerry Brown to a double-DQ – In an Indian Strap Match; Frank Hill defeated Bob Sweetan – World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race defeated The Super Destroyer Mark II (Sgt. Slaughter) (w/ Lord Alfred Hayes) via DQ
1980
Omaha, Nebraska: – Mad Dog Vachon beat Adrian Adonis in a Falls Count Anywhere match – Jerry Blackwell went to a double count out with Dino Bravo – Bobby Heenan beat Lord Alfred Hayes in a Loser Leaves Town match – Greg Gagne & Steve Olsonoski beat Jesse Ventura & Super Destroyer Mark II
1985
St. Paul, Minnesota; – Michael Hayes beat AWA Champion Rick Martel (no title change and decision later reversed) – Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Greg Gagne & Steve Olsonoski (sub Jim Brunzell) – Fabulous Freebirds, Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts beat Larry Hennig & Curt Hennig
1986
– Kendall Windham is given the Florida State Heavyweight Title that he had lost to the White Ninja (Keiji Mutoh/Great Muta)
1989
Dallas, Texas: Jeff Jarrett and Mil Mascaras defeated Super Zodiac II and Cactus Jack to win the World Class Tag Team Titles
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: – Bob and Kerry Brown defeated Chris Benoit and Biff Wellington for the Stampede International Tag Team Titles
1991
Palmetto, Florida; – Steve Williams defeated Bam Bam Bigelow to become the first UWF Television Champion – Rockin’ Robin defeated Candi Divine to become the first UWF Women’s Champion
1995
Tokyo, Japan: – Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue won the second AJPW Unified World Tag Team Title from Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi
1997
Boston, Massachusetts: – Jeff Jarrett won the WCW United States Heavyweight Title from Dean Malenko
1999
Sendai, Japan: – Johnny Ace and Bart Gunn defeated Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Titles
2000
Tokyo, Japan: – Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue defeated Takao Omori and Yoshihiro Takayama to win the vacant AJPW Unified World Tag Team Titles
2001
Charlestown, Indiana: – CM Punk defeated Mark Wolf to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title
2004
Nashville, Tennessee: – AJ Styles defeated Frankie Kazarian to win the TNA X Division Title
Worst Match: Asuka vs. Nia Jax (by default as nothing was bad)
Another very good NXT show and they keep doing what WWE main roster can’t do which is to be consistent. Granted NXT isn’t over exposed and the same guys don’t wrestle each other a hundred times a week on TV before they meet on the ppv events. NXT just does things in a way that really works well.
Andrade Almas vs. Tye Dillinger kicks the show off and it was a fun match and a nice debut for Cien. Dillinger has a lot of crowd support for a guy who they don’t do anything with, but he has something and they should try to make him more than what he is. Crowd was more into Dillinger than Almas.
Tag Title match was very good. I really enjoyed this and again they way they put it together makes me feel like I am really watching a tag team match and not what WWE does on Raw and Smackdown. These guys take me back to what I used to watch as far as tag teams go when you felt like it was actually different from a singles match. Really surprised at the finish of having the Revival regain the titles since American Alpha barely had them. Maybe they be on the main roster sooner than later especially with the brand split coming. Those big guys seemed a little green, but those are the kind of big guys that Vince likes to push. Surprised to see Paul Ellering too.
Shinsuke Nakumara vs. Austin Aries was another great match. Nakumara just has it. Hope when he gets to the main roster they just go with it and don’t try to change things. He needs to be pushed to the top. His entire presentation is great and the music really works.
Women’s Championship was good, but having to judge it against the rest of the show it would come in last. Jax will probably be a monster on the main roster at some point, but right now I’m glad that Asuka retained. Maybe Bayley gets her rematch now.
Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor was great as well. Again NXT doesn’t overuse the gimmicks and the cage match felt important and not just a gimmick because it was a certain time of the year that called for it. Samoa Joe vs. Brock Lesnar really should be a WrestleMania main event.
Just a an enjoyable show from beginning to end.
– Robb Block
**********
NJPW
I would give the show a Thumbs Up overall.
The matches they slated were really good loved how the feud between Elgin and Omega is heating up. Should make a great match at Dominion especially after the match they had at the house show NJPW had not too long ago.
Best bout was the Taguchi vs. Ospreay hands down. I went in there with high hopes low expectations for Taguchi at least and he blew that out of the water really enjoyed his performance. Though I have issues with Ospreay’s over verbal selling he does a wonderful job modifying maneuvers to accomidate his match injuries. Ospreay was really good in the match The sky is the limit for him.
Worst was the second bout Capt. NJ and Yoshi Tatsu v. Chase and Yujiro. Just didn’t do anything for me was hoping for more out of Chase and Yoshi and didn’t get it.
NXT
I would give this show a thumbs middle overall.
It blew me away on paper and didn’t deliver the quality I would have hoped for but wasn’t by any means bad.
Best bout was Tag Team match loved how it was crafted. Great Tandem moves by AA from the onset was really nice to see. I had been saying among my inner circle for weeks the best move for The Revival was to put the straps back on them to give them a little more time in NXT give them and heal heat. I think AA is main roster ready.
Worst bout was Cien debut. He didn’t wow me. I would have like to see some form of a showcase. The finish wasn’t great either.
– R.Ryan Sterling
**********
Thumbs in the middle
Best bout goes to Nakamura/Aries
Worst goes to Asuka/Jax
This Tye Dillinger guy really does nothing for me so far. Tag match was good but nothing new. Nakamura/Aries was as good of a match as you would think but it felt like they were working the same level they would at a house show. The Nia Jax matches are such a step down from what was previously taking place in this division that I can’t help but resent her for it. The Joe/Balor feud is getting long in the tooth. Even after watching the match (or maybe especially after) I can’t see why a cage match was where they went here. The amount of hype on social media for this takeover seemed to be a lot higher than usual. The increased advertising combined with the weak card makes me wonder about the future of NXT going into the brand split. I realize now what a big part of these shows the women’s matches were towards making me enjoy NXT so much. The advertising seemed to imply this show would consist of feud ending matches which was misleading and added to much of my disappointment.
– Jeff Caldwell
**********
THUMBS – DEFINITELY UP
A very strong show from top to bottom. As I found myself enjoying this show, and not really caring about Raw at all, it occurs to me this exemplifies the problem with WWE right now: too much content. Less than monthly special events, which are very good, and a 1 hour per week TV show that you can miss is just about right. Not to mention the simple booking that you can relate to. But I think the problem has already been diagnosed, with no solution in sight.
BEST MATCH: Revival v. Gable & Jordan. An excellent match, with I believe the right result. The opening video package seems to indicate that call-ups are coming, and Jordan & Gable deserve a call-up. Actually, I’m not sure the Revival doesn’t as well. Their matches are routinely better than any matches on Raw.
WORST MATCH: The Andrade match didn’t feel very special, but hopefully this guy will grow into something. Dillinger did a nice job making the match look competitive, but the finishing sequence was pretty flat.
I’m not a fan of cage matches, but if you are going to have them in the modern world, you cannot have escaping out the door be an option. It is just too ridiculous to have Finn Balor standing by the door with his opponent down, but choosing to do a move instead. A great effort by both guys, and the result indicates that Balor might get called up.
The Shinsuke-Aries match was surely good, and had some good sequences, but not as good as Shinsuke-Zayn. I was surprised to see Shinsuke taking that big bump on the apron.
I think Shinsuke & Finn Balor deserve to be called up as well, but there doesn’t seem to be long term integrated planning on the big stage. Even the Nia Jax match was decent. A great effort by everyone on the card.
– Richard Orloski
********** New Japan Super J Cup Finals
Thumbs Up
Finals match told a tremendous story. Thought Ospreay sold much better and overall just came across as such a huge deal and a revolutionary talent.
NXT
Thumbs Up
Awesome show.
Cien vs. Dillinger. Good opener. Did what it was suppose to.
NXT Tag Title Match American Alpha vs. The Revival. Tremendous. Not sure there is a more complete team in the world then American Alpha. They have the big guy/small guy thing, amazing moves, energy and realness to them. Understand The Revival winning and they don’t get the credit they deserve. After the match was a terrific angle and surprise to see Paul Ellering. Authors of Pain have a very solid look to them.
Nakamura vs. Aries. Great match. Really showcased both men. Loved the story that Aries had an answer for almost everything while at the same time showing how hard it is to defeat Nakamura. Nakamura’s charisma is just off the charts.
Asuka vs. Jax Women’s Title. Much better then I hoped. Jax has improved.
NXT Title Cage Match Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor. Very good. I actually enjoyed the camera angles. Thought it was a fresh take on it and made it seem more brutal. Great last few minutes. Both guys deserve to be on the Main Roster but may be holding off on Joe to do him vs. Nakamura at Takeover Brooklyn.
Excellent show top to bottom. Match of the night I would go with Alpha vs. Revival but it is tough.
– Mike Flyn
******
I gotta say the show tonight definitely lived up to the hype so I got to give it a thumbs up. The best bout of the night to me was the main event, both guys told a great story and the super muscle buster off the ropes was pulled off flawlessly, I guess if I had to pick the “worst” match by default was the opening contest with La Sombra and Tye Dillinger, only because ever other match on the card delivered in a major way.
