There’s always something slightly sanitized about WWE documentary DVD releases — pretty much par for the course. When they finally got Warrior back, watching his sitdown after he became re-ffiliated with the company, we saw a far less angry and confrontational persona than we had seen online in the years prior. What’s obvious from Sting: Into The Light is that Steve Borden is clearly a very nice guy. But for one of the most iconic and important wrestlers of our time, there’s something really muted about the whole experience of this release.
When the documentary piece starts, it actually feels quite eerie. He’s settled in the back seat of a black SUV being taken to WWE HQ and is talking about the nerves and excitement he has for going in for the first time. He’s essentially just going through the exact same motions and emotions that Warrior was doing all of 6 months before.
Over the course of his interview, we’re shown him going from room to room, from department to department, meeting executives who tell him about what they plan to do with him now that he’s with WWE. It would seem that a performer coming in who is in the position that Sting or Warrior is in gets the same programme and agenda for the day, culminating in a meeting with Triple H. It is almost a propaganda movie for WWE, how professional they are and how they are completely unrivaled in a business sense in this industry today. It’s almost identical to the Warrior film. And, frankly, it couldn’t be more dull. Even Sting looks a little bored.
Equally lacking in excitement is footage of Sting going through boxes of old posters, ring gear, boots and other merchandise in his enormous garage. If you’re a fan of Sting, seeing him on his ranch, building a fire and mooching around on a golf kart might interest you. Certainly, seeing his parents, who talk about his athletic prowess as a college student, is the kind of colour one would normally look for in these sorts of documentaries.
Essentially, the narrative follows his return to the ring against Triple H at WrestleMania in San Jose, but in doing so, sees us do a whistle-stop tour of his break into the business, his work with WCW, his subsequent character change and his path to finding faith in real life. We see Sting watching the WWE Network in his home, watching matches that he’s not seen in full since he wrestled them. We follow him to his church where his brother, Jeff, is a senior pastor. Most entertaining is seeing him snuck in, hauled up backstage before his debut at Survivor Series in St Louis in November 2014 where you can tangibly sense his nervousness.
Talking heads from the likes of his father, Jim Ross, Lex Luger, and Ric Flair provide some insight, but a lucid performance from Scott Steiner, who shows great humility, is the most worthy of note. Everyone says, Sting included, that he was a locker room leader and a professional who got along with everyone. All note, and its entirely evident, that Steve Borden is very different to Sting. In fact, watching his WWE Table for 3 with Vader and DDP will tell that much.
Sting is humble and evidently very much at peace. You feel that there’s little to be cynical about with him. He talks openly, yet protectively, about how he was acting in the late 90s before he stopped doing so and found solace in religion. Just as honest, though, is his assessment of his character and gimmick change during the NWO-era WCW days. Some of the vignettes that the company produced for him were remarkable, but none are quite as awesome as that wonderfully cinematic, orchestral WWE 2K15 advert.
To see a full match list, you can do so here, but the stand-out matches are certainly the Ric Flair at Clash of the Champions battle from 1988 (a remarkable 45-minute commercial-free match at the time), as well as a very good match against DDP from Nitro in 1999 that Page himself is a huge fan of. Fans of Sting are never going to be disappointed by the wrestling on show in this collection.
75 minutes to tell the story of Sting is too little. But with a career that was at its peak with WCW and with a 7-8 year gap while he was with TNA (which he mentions by name), there’s little that WWE wants to tell other than the here and now. If you want to learn about his route in to the industry from Red Bastien to teaming with the Ultimate Warrior under Jerry Jarrett to Jim Crocket via Dusty Rhodes and Eric Bischoff and eventually to Vince, you’ll see an enjoyable story.
But, if you want to learn about what he really thinks about Hogan, or what he really thinks about the current product, you’re not going to get much more than a polite answer. Because, that’s really who Steve Borden is. And for all that this documentary doesn’t shine like his career in the ring has done, there’s something effortlessly charismatic and honest about the man that just makes you want to watch him.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today to talk all the news in pro-wrestling and mixed martial arts! Albert Del Rio, Jerry Lawler’s accident, New Japan Super Jr. Tournament finals, calls, texts and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
We’re looking for reports on these three weekend shows at Dave Meltzer
*NXT Friday night in Gainesville, FL
*WWE last night in Billings, MT
*WWE today in Casper, WY.
Ultimate Insider with Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Henry Cejudo and Luke Rockhold on Sunday at 5 p.m. Eastern on FS 1
One on One with Joanna Jedrzejczyk Monday night at 7:30 p.m. on FS 1. Fox sent out a screener of this yesterday and it’s very good. UFC is doing an excellent job trying to push her as a star.
A best of middleweights edition of UFC Unleashed featuring Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero and Jacare Souza airs 9 p.m. Monday night on FS 1
UFC 187, with the Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson and Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort fights, will air on Tuesday at 8 p.m. on FS 1****
Raw is Monday in Denver. Nobody special is advertised, but as noted, Alberto Del Rio is scheduled for television both Monday and Tuesday for WWE.
Smackdown will be taped Tuesday in Colorado Springs.
The lead story is how the Alberto Del Rio deal went down, with full details, including financials that even blew away those in WWE and those who used to negotiate these deals. We look at how in demand he was, including by organizations you wouldn’t even know, an angle he shot for MMA that was kept secret and will never probably see the light of day on television, and how this affects AAA, where he is their world champion.
We look at the ramifications of this on WWE, AAA, how the deal was put together, how he positioned it to AAA, how AAA has taken a huge talent hit, when the deal was really put together, how Del Rio was scheduled to main event AAA’s next major show against what top U.S. star in a hair match, and his dates advertised in Mexico. We look at other promotions that wanted him, Konnan talking about how the Myzteziz and Del Rio situation affects AAA, the Zeb Colter deal, how Lucha Underground and Del Rio fell apart as well as his huge money MMA offer just recently.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Alberto Del Rio remains in the news as the big story today. Promociones Kdena had Alberto El Patron scheduled as the top star on a show at Arena Jose Suliaman today. This was not a AAA show, although they booked talent through AAA, and was considered a significant show. He pulled out of the show, and it was announced yesterday that the entire show is being postponed. What’s notable is that unlike tomorrow’s AAA show in Nuevo Laredo, which goes head-up with Raw in Denver, there doesn’t appear to have been any schedule conflict. WWE only has one show today, in Casper, WY, and Alberto is not scheduled, and he didn’t work last night’s show in Billings, MT, which was the same crew as Casper.
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier are building their upcoming fight on Twitter.
Jones wrote: “Too pussy to fight at the Garden but flies all the way to Albuquerque to prove he’s a man. You on you way pussy?”
Cormier responded: “I’m gonna be there but I need you to make it to the Octagon. We don’t wanna violate parole now do we?”
UFC announced that its 11/28 show from Seoul, South Korea would be starting at 4:45 a.m. Eastern time and it expected to end at around 10 a.m. The show will air on Fight Pass and for those of us on the West Coast that’s 1:45 a.m. to 7 a.m. Benson Henderson vs. Thiago Alves and Mirko Cro Cop vs. Anthony Hamilton are the top two bouts.
Former UFC fighter Chris Horodecki will be appearing for Smash Wrestling on 11/22 at 5 p.m. in London, ONT, Horodecki’s home city, at Cowboy’s ranch. Johnny Gargano, Jennifer Blake and Candice LaRae are also on the show.
ROH announced January dates in Indianapolis, IN, for 1/15, Collinsville, IL, for 1/16, and Fletcher, NC, for 1/22 as part of their Winter Warriors tour.
Bushwhacker Luke takes on Preston Perry for Great North Wrestling in Rockland, Ontario, on 11/27.
Johnny Gargano vs. Sebastian Suave headlines Smash Wrestling’s London debut on 11/22.
Cody Deaner and Hayley Shadows will be on the 11/21 Magnificent Wrestling show in Brantford, ONT.
United States Championship Wrestling tv taping in Jacksonville, FL, Friday: Christian Walker b Big Bank Barfield, Mighty Heinrich b Chico Adams, Pain b Chico Adams, JD Amazing b Spirit Kid to retain Southern Heavyweight title.
Jerry Jarrett wrote on Facebook yesterday that he was getting back into wrestling. He wrote: “I once stated that I would get back into the wrestling business when hell froze over. I’m feeling a little chill in the air. it is a bit early to announce the plan, but the contracts are with the attorneys. If you wish for wrestling like it was, you will have a chance to tune in.”
Akebono beat Jun Akiyama to win the Triple Crown earlier today in Aomori.
In the Super Junior tag team tournament semifinals at Korakuen Hall today, Ricochet & Matt Sydal beat The Young Bucks and Rocky Romero & Baretta beat Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly (the tag champs in a non-title match). The finals on 11/7 in Osaka at the Edion Arena are Ricochet & Sydal vs. Romero & Baretta. The winners will get a jr. tag title match.
Preston City Wrestling from Preston, England drew 500 for the afternoon show:
Rampage Brown b Martin Kirby
Lionheart b Ashton Smith
Sha Samuels b Charlie Garrett
Naom Dar b T-Bone
Bubblegum b Trevor Lee
Gauntlet match:
Martin Kirby & Joey Hayes b Dave Rayne & ?
Lionheart & Noam Dar b Martin Kirby & Joey Hayes
Magnus & Bram b Lionheart & Noam Dar
Ashton Smith & Charlie Garrett b Magnus & Bram
Rhino b Rampage Brown
They drew 700 for the evening show:
Nigel McGuinness did commentary for Halloween dressed up as Tom Cruise in “Risky Business.”
Joey Hayes & Martin Kirby b Dave Rayne & Scotty 2 Hotty. Hayes, who was injured, was replaced by a guy in a clown suit who after the match was revealed as Bram, but was announced as Hayes)
Rhino b Iestyn Rees (Rees dressed as a Freddy Mercury and/or Rick Rude. Well, he was supposed to be Rude but the crowd thought he was Mercury and for several minutes started singing Bohemian Rhapsody)
Viper & Ken Anderson b Magnus & Mickie James (Anderson & Viper dressed up as Mario & Princess Peach from Super Mario)
T-Bone & Rampage Brown b Charlie Garrett & Ashton Smith to retain the tag titles
El Ligero b Noam Dar and Bubblegum to win the cruiserweight title
Sha Samuels b Lionheart in an I Quit match
Jeff Jarrett b Dave Rayne. Jeff was managed by Karen. Rayne was managed by Ricky Steamboat
(thanks to Jan Buxton and Stephen Lyon)
After the match, Steamboat started throwing chops and clotheslined Jarrett, which would be the first time he did anything physical since 2010 when he had bleeding on the brain.
Preston City Wrestling and ROH are doing combination shows from 11/27 to 11/29.
All Pro Wrestling Holiday Hell from Friday night in Daly City, CA: Julio Pedroza & Matt Carlos co-won Battle Royal, Classic Connection b Julio Pedroza & Matt Carlos to retain APW tag title, Ryan McQueen b Mr. Prime Time, Jody Kristofferson b Almighty Sheik, Jeff Cobb b Gangrel, Thunder Rosa b Nicole Savoy to keep Lady Luck title, Will Cuevas b Boyce LeGrande to retain Internet Boot Camp title, JR Kratos b Jeckles-DQ to retain APW title, MVP b Timothy Thatcher via submission to the crossface. MVP put Thatcher over after the match (thanks to Matt Mann)
IWF Thanksgiving Thunder on 11/6, 11/14 and 11/21 at the IWF Centre in Nutley, NJ.
United States Championship Wrestling from Friday night in Jacksonville, FL: Christian Walker b Big Bank Barfield, Mighty Heinreich b Chico Adams, Pain b Chico Adams, JD Amazing b Spirit Kid. (thanks to Al Haft)
Lucha Extreme TV results from last night in Fresno: Big Dogg b Prince Nagi, Jake O’Brian b Danny Fernandez, Manny Fernandez (the 80s tar) b Brandon Pinion. They have a 3 p.m. show today at the Rainbow Ballroom in Fresno. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
Update on Toys for Tots holiday shows and thanks to Bob Magee
Here is the list of holiday wrestling shows benefiting Toys for Tots, food pantries, and other causes, with shows being added to the list all the time. (Special thanks to 2300 Arena.com for the plugs).
November
* Hoosier Pro Wrestling will hold the annual Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund Toy Drive show at the HPW Arena/ 4-H Fairgrounds on November 7, featuring Wildfire Tommy Rich. Toys can be donated beginning at the October 3 HPW show.
* Ring Wars Carolina presents “Homecoming 2015” on November 7 at the Priscilla King Arena, 612 2nd Street, Lumberton, NC. Doors open 6:00 pm/7:30 pm bell time. Featured matches: (C) Kris Nemesis defends his RWC World Heavyweight Championship against Hangtyme; and (C) Chance Lebeau defends his belt in a RWC No Limitz Challenge. Bring 2 canned goods and get $2 off the price of an adult ticket!
* Chaotic Wrestling will do one of its two annual Toys for Tots shows, first on November 13 in Woburn, MA at the Elks Lodge, 295 Washington Street, Woburn, MA.
* Ring Wars Carolina presents “Homecoming 2015” on November 7 (7:30 pm belltime) at the Priscilla King Arena, 612 2nd street, Lumberton, NC. Bring 2 canned goods and get $2 off the price of an adult ticket.
* Atomic Championship Wrestling returns to Stevens Fire Hall (91 Stevens Road, Stevens, PA) on November 7 with a food and clothing drive, with donations going to Ephrata (PA) Area Social Services.
* Primal Conflict Wrestling presents “A Night To Remember IX” on November 13 (VIP Meet & Greet 6:00 pm/6:30 doors open/7:30 belltime at Harpers Ferry KOA, 343 Campground Road , Harpers Ferry, WV. A holiday food drive will take place at the show.
* World League Wrestling is hosting the last live event for 2015 at the Race Wrestling Arena on November 14th in Troy! This will be another great event that will have top-notch professional wrestling action. The main event will feature WLW Champion Leland Race defending his championship against an unknown challenger. In addition to this, there will be a HUGE blockbuster announcement that night! You won’t want to miss this event as it will bring a lot of new things to this company.
Also on tap for November 14th, WLW Ladies Champion Miss Natural will defend her title against Stacey O’Brien in a special stipulation match-up. Other wrestlers scheduled to appear are WLW Tag-Team Champions Elite Aggression, Kyle Roberts, Dustin Bozworth, Justin D’Air, and more!
Another huge reason to attend this event is the fact that you can win a FREE 32″ TV! WLW is helping out the Bread For Life Food Pantry in Troy that evening. Here are the details on how to win, for every 5 canned food items that you bring, you will get 1 raffle ticket. You can bring more items and get more chances to win! Items that the food pantry are needing include (but not limited to) pork and beans, ramen noodles, canned vegetables, cereals, and pasta. You can also purchase raffle tickets at $5 per ticket. Doors will open at 6pm and the event will kick off promptly at 7pm. Tickets are $10 per person.
* Wrestling for a Cause will run The Fight for Matthew on November 14 at the Owasso Sertoma Club, Owasso, OK (7:00 pm belltime) . 100% of the show’s proceeds go to the family of a child with cancer.
* Mecca Pro Wrestling comes to Cornwall, ON on November 24 in a benefit for Open Hands, a local residential centre designed specifically to help fulfill the needs of developmentally disabled adults and children. 100% of all ticket sales will benefit Open Hands. The show features Tommy Dreamer and Al Snow and the regulars of Mecca Pro Wrestling.
* Ultimate Championship Wrestling holds a benefit show on November 27 at the Prime Event Center in Bay City, MI to benefit the daughter of local wrestler Pete Christie. Cassidy is fighting cancer and they are doing what we can to help the family. Many of the Michigan independent wrestlers from many promotions have agreed to donate their time for this special event. Former WWE stars Brian Christopher and Scotty Too Hotty team for the first time in Bay City. Also signed to appear is ECW legend Sabu.
* TRUE Wrestling Presents: ‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas on Saturday November 28th, 2015 at the Salvation Army, 320 West Second Street, Berwick, PA. Doors open 6:00 pm (7:00 pmbelltime).
Scheduled to appear: Kras Van Tassel, Mark Maverick, Aaron Anthony, The Cash Masters, Tony Deppen, Aaron Arbo, and more. General Admission $10 advance/$12. Fans can save $5 off and receive a door price when you donate an unopened toy valued at $5 or more.
December
* The originator of Toys for Toys events in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region, United Wrestling Coalition, will be doing the same on December 5 at Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ
* 2300 (ECW) Arena presents a Toys for Tots collection at the CHIKARA Pro Wrestling season finale at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 5 with a 7:30 pm belltime.
* ECWA Pro Wrestling will hold its annual Toys for Tots show on December 5 at the Woodbury Heights Community Center, Woodbury, NJ
* Right Coast Pro returns to Newark, DE, at the Life Community Church, Otts Chapel Road, on December 5 show and will hold a food collection for the “Feed the Need Ministry” in Newark, DE at their monthly show.
* Atomic Championship Wrestling returns to Stevens Fire Hall (91 Stevens Road, Stevens, PA) on December 5 with a Toys for Tots collection.
* Crossfire Wrestling presents Jingle Bell Brawl IV on December 5th at The Merritton Community Centre 7 Park Avenue, St.Catharines, ON, benefiting The Niagara Children’s Centre Foundation with Former TNA Superstar Cody Deaner vs Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion “Showtime” Eric Young! General Admission tickets are available. Call the hotline at 905-329-2693 or go to http:// www.crossfirewrestling.com
* Combat Zone Wrestling presents its annual Toys for Tots collection (in conjunction with the Marine Corps Reserve) to take place for the eleventh year in a row with Combat Zone Wrestling’s 17th annual Cage of Death on December 12 at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ.
* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s Final Battle PPV on December 18 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 18 with an 8:30 pmbelltime.
* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s TV taping on December 19 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 18 with an 6:00 pm belltime.
* Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling will hold Wrestling With Hunger in at the Elks Hall #49 ,2272 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam, BC on December 19 (8:00 pm belltime/ 7:30 doors open) to support Share Family Services Food Bank. All seats ONLY $16
* Wrestling for a Cause will run The Fight for Haylie on December 12 in Pryor, OK (7:00 pm belltime) . 100% of the show’s go to the family of a child with cancer.
* Brew City Wrestling will run its annual Headlock for Hunger on December 11 at the Knight of Columbus Hall in West Allis, WI. The show features a food drive for the Hunger Task Force of Greater Milwaukee. Fans are asked to bring two non-perishable food items.
* Chaotic Wrestling will do its second Toys for Tots show of the year on December 11th at the Woburn, MA at the Elks Lodge, 295 Washington St, Woburn, MA.
* Keystone Championship Wrestling will hold its yearly Toys for Tots show, tentatively scheduled for December 19.
* Great Canadian Wrestling presents Season’s Beatings ’15 on December 27 at Harmony Creek Community Hall, 15 Harmony Rd. N, Oshawa Ontario. This is the annual Christmas show for local food bank. Fans are asked to bring donations for Harmony Creek food bank. No matches yet announced.
Between all of these over the years, thousands of children have been able to have a Christmas or Hanukkah. Please help your local independent promotion do the same, or encourage them to schedule an event soon for the Holidays if they haven’t already.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1968 – Great Kusatsu & Thunder Sugiyama beat Emile & Sheik Elmanso in Sapporo to win the TWWA European tag team title
1974 – George Guliovas won the Austra Asian heavyweight title in a tag team match where he and Mario Milano beat champion Cyclone Negro & Lorenzo Parente with the singles title at stake, while Ken Medlin beat Alan Pinfold on the show to win the WCW Australian light heavyweight title
1981 – Dory Funk Jr. beat Bruiser Brody to win the International title in Tokyo
1984 – Danny Collins beat Steve Grey in Croydon to win the British welterweight title
1992 – El Texano (father of the current AAA star) beat Villano V in Naucalpan to win the UWA light heavyweight title
1996 – Shinya Hashimoto & Scott Norton beat Keiji Muto & Rick Steiner in Hiroshima to win the Super Grade tag team tournament
2009 – Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi to win the G-1 tag team tournament
Both WWE Hall-of-Famer and Smackdown commentator Jerry Lawler & girlfriend involved in auto accident Saturday nightJerry Lawler and girlfriend Lauryn Laine McBride have confirmed scattered reports that they were involved in a head-on automobile accident Saturday night.
The news was first reported at an independent show in Tennessee where it was announced to the crowd and said that they had gotten the information from Brian Christopher (Jerry’s son Brian Lawler). Jamie Dundee later had the same story, saying he heard it from Christopher. The word at the show was Lawler was fine but his girlfriend was banged up.
McBride posted Sunday: “Not exactly how we expected to spend our Halloween, but while on our way home from dinner (Peyton wasn’t with us, thank God) a girl ran a red light and hit us, totaling the car. The airbag deployed, hitting me in the face (hence why I look like Sandy the Squirrel from SpongeBob), causing the swelling to my face…have to wear a silly brace and crutches for my knee for the time being. Thank God we are okay other than that and I think Jerry is Superman. Not a scratch or anything. He tried to cover me to save me from the airbag before it deployed. Thank God for my sweet BFF Haley Sterling Campbell for taking good are of me at the hospital tonight.”
Lawler posted a photo on his Twitter account of the smashed up car and said “@Lauryn911 and I were in a car crash last night. She spent four hours in emergency room but is home now. We were lucky,” and then “@Lauryn911 and I were lucky things weren’t worse than they were last night. My car not so lucky.”
This morning’s New Japan Pro Wrestling event is another Road to Power Struggle event held in Korakuen Hall. As with any New Japan card, there’s plenty of multi man tags that probably aren’t interesting at all, but at least will build to future matches. We’ll also be seeing the continuation of the Super Juniors Tag Tournament as The Young Bucks take on the new team of Matt Sydal and Ricochet, and in the main event Roppongi Vice take on champions reDragon.
Jushin Thunder Liger, Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu defeated Tiger Mask, Jay White and David Finlay
Pretty short, but was fine. Komatsu looked great in doing transitions, he’s really fluid in the ring. He made Finlay tap out to a Boston Crab.
Hirooki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata and Mascara Dorada defeated Juice Robinson, Captain New Japan and Togi Makabe
Another solid tag match. Dorada did a cool tope on the outside, taking care of CNJ while Shibata and Makabe went at it on the outside. Robinson escaped the shouten kai but Goto took him down and tapped him out with a seated armbar. Shibata and Makabe had a pull apart brawl after the match, so they seem to be teasing something between them.
Timesplitters defeated Chase Owens and Kenny Omega. Good match. Nothing out of this world, but perfectly fine. Timesplitters are just so fine tuned in synchronicity, it’s great. Omega was about to strike one of the Timesplitters when they moved and Owens was struck. Kushida put him in the hoverboard lock as Shelly gave Owens the Automatic Midnight for the win. Omega ground and pounded Shelley after the match and had to be pulled apart by referees.
Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale defeated Toru Yano, Kazushi Sakuraba, Yoshi-Hashi and Shinsuke Nakamura
Another good match. Some comedy early, but got into a groove once all of that was finished. Nakamura and Anderson worked a lot of the match together. Yoshi-Hashi made a great comeback. Nakamura tried to interfere but Anderson laid him out with a gun stun from the top rope. Yoshi Hashi made a comeback again but Anderson cut him off and pinned him with a gun stun.
Kazuchika Okada, Gedo and Tomohiro Ishii defeated Tomoaki Honma, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Ryusuke Taguchi
Also a good match. Everyone got time to work with one another, and as usual it was all good stuff, though it’s also stuff you’ve seen before. Okada was about to lay out Taguchi with the rainmaker but Taguchi countered with a hip attack. Okada eventually countered with the dropkick, elbow, then pinned Taguchi with the rainmaker.
Super Jr. Tag Tournament Semifinals: Matt Sydal and Ricochet defeated The Young Bucks
Great match, probably one of the best matches in this tournament so far. Sydal and Ricochet is the fresh shot in the arm that this division needs. Both guys are just great, and so are the Young Bucks in terms of knowing how to get a crowd going. Ricochet had the win at one point with a springboard 450 splash but the ref was pulled out of the ring. Hall laid Ricochet out with a lariat allowing the Bucks to get the advantage. Ricochet did an amazing senton, leaping over the top turnbuckle that took out Cody Hall. Bucks tried to mount a comeback, but Ricochet and Sydal came back and they hit the double shooting star press for the win.
Super Junior Tag Tournament Semifinals: Roppongi Vice defeated reDragon
Excellent match, this surpassed the previous match as it was just great stuff throughout. Just excellent work from both teams. reDragon looked super crisp in everything they did during this match. RPG Vice were just as good and held their own. Crowd was super into it due to the work from both guys and helped the match a lot as well. Berettas leg was worked on early in the match and was used by both members for reDragon for submissions. Fish got him in one but he escaped, then hit the Dudebuster for a nearfall. O’Reilly and Romero got into it in a great exchange, with Romero getting the better of it and took him out with a suicide dive. Beretta then hit the Dudebuster again and Romero assisted with the dropkick for the win.
Romero cut a promo promising they’ll be the next IWGP Jr. tag team champions. He then addressed their opponents at Power Struggle, Matt Sydal and Ricochet, saying they’ll go down 1, 2, 3. That closed out the show. Definitely watch the last two matches as they were both great.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns today to talk tons of weekend news including an update on the Alberto del Rio contract story, whether he will drop the AAA Mega Title, NXT TV notes, Sombra vs. Volador on Friday night, Sting and Night of Champions, judging in a soundproof chamber and tons of questions. A fun show as always so check it out~!
This weekly column is going to be a retrospective look at the December “classic” which began in 2009. For each of the next 6 weeks, I will watch and review one TLC PPV chronologically and report on it with 2015 eyes, leading up to this year’s PPV / Special Event on December 13, 2015 at the TD Garden in Boston, MA.
TLC 1 – December 13, 2009 – San Antonio, Texas – AT&T Center
This was the first TLC PPV and it was in the three-brand era. With seven matches on the card and plenty of them for titles, it had the potential to be a great show.
Dark Match – R-Truth defeated CM Punk (with Luke Gallows)
This match was not on the network, but it’s fun to think that of these three talents, only R-Truth is still on the roster, I guess.
Christian (c) defeated Shelton Benjamin in a ladder match for the ECW Championship:
Styker, Cole, and Lawler on commentary. Stryker was bad, but not as bad as he would get.
Christian came up bloody and they sent in a doctor, which is one of the first times I can recall this happening. It did not look like a blade job.
Never catch Shelton’s kick; it always backfires. Didn’t Christian learn anything from watching RVD?
Pretty tame ladder match, but solid nonetheless.
When making a title belt, don’t make it silver. The ECW belt looked like a second place medal, which in this case is a step up, but still.
If you’re in a ladder match, climb the ladder as fast as possible. Anything else is agonizing for the viewer.
I’m not sure Christian’s status with the company, but he’s not on the active roster. We’ll keep a running tally of those still on the active roster. This match has zero, the previous had one, so we’re at 1 yes and 4 no.
This match used the WWE gimmicked “steel” (but actually wood) ladder that broke in half. The first time I remember seeing a gimmicked ladder was a match between Jarrett and Benoit, and the rungs were supposed to break as Benoit stepped on them, but they didn’t so Benoit was stomping on them trying to break them and it looked ridiculous.
Drew McIntyre defeated John Morrison (c) for the WWE Intercontinental Championship:
Nobody on the current roster here, so we’re at 1-6.
Fun fact: Morrison always went tanning with his pants on. That’s true.
Decent match that absolutely no one cared about in the building, or in my living room.
Michelle McCool (with Layla) (c) defeated Mickie James
Zero current roster members here, for a total of 1-6, and that one was on the dark match and hasn’t been on WWE TV in forever.
Mickie James wrestling in bedazzled jeans and McCool in bedazzled everything. When did we sign off on bedazzling being ok for anyone other than 4th grade girls?
The “Piggie James” shirt that was clearly made with iron on letters the night before was awesome.
Do you think Lou Thesz felt honored by Mickie James doing his move?
Red hat “Sign Guy” is in the crowd behind the announcers.
Stryker really sucks in this match.
Sheamus defeated John Cena (c) in a tables match for the WWE Championship
Two active guys here, but Cena is on a break and Sheamus was just paired up with Wade Barrett. Still, we’re up to 3-6.
Mark Cuban was somehow involved with this angle. What? Here’s how you get into WWE: Be 6’2 and 265, or be a whacky billionaire.
In his promo, Sheamus kept saying that all he has to do is put him trough a table, not really beat him. Awesome.
“We Hate Cena” T-Shirt guy in the front row. I love him.
This is the “Sheamus ended Jamie Noble’s career” push that went so well.
I wonder what types of tables would be accepted to be put through for the win? What if Cena came to the ring with a poster rolled up and unfurled a periodic table and somehow made Sheamus rip through it? I think that would count, right? That would prove you’re a better wrestler just as well as breaking a piece of plywood with your opponent’s carcass.
I miss Cena’s jorts.
The weakest ending ever, with Sheamus pushing Cena off the top as he was going for a superplex, and Cena took this baby looking bump. That’s how we settle a score here in WWE.
The Undertaker (c) defeated Batista in a chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Only one current guy here, and it’s the freaking Undertaker, a guy who averages 1.2 matches per year! Now 4-7.
The heat for this match is Big Dave killing Rey. What?
A zombie wearing the Pope’s garb sporting MMA gloves is just confusing.
No “gun show” for Big Dave. That sucks. That was the best part of his entrance.
Since all chairs are legal, I would like to see some more variety, and have someone use a high chair, or a beanbag chair. Hey WWE, would it kill you to get the stipulation over first by having someone DQ’d for using an ottoman?
All wrestlers please choose to either stomp or kick. Lift your foot high and stomp it down, or bring it back and kick it forward. Doing some combo looks awful. It looks like my mom trying to pass a soccer ball in the font yard.
Winner out of nowhere with Big Dave winning after a low blow. Uh oh, Teddy Long is out to keep the match alive. Let’s see if they follow the typical WWE script of going only 90 more seconds on the restart… Nope, way less.
One problem with the chairs match was that they weren’t allowed to hit the guy in the head. If you can’t do that, then don’t do a chairs match because it’s stupid to believe that the most effective way to use a chair will never happen. If you were swinging a chair to hurt someone, first, you’d probably swing it sideways like an axe, and second, you’d definitely be aiming for the skull.
Randy Orton defeated Kofi Kingston in a singles match
Two for Two here, but Orton is out for a stretch currently, and Kofi has been rebranded as a unicorn. Now 6-7.
If you want to see some remarkable body transformations, look at Randy Orton just once a year at the Royal Rumble. Get a still shot from each Rumble and see.
Oh wait, Ted and Cody were sent to intimidate Kofi, so we have to add to our tally. Now we’re at 7 still on the roster and 8 gone.
Interesting that they put this match on second to last instead a title match, or the girls match. They must have considered this feud either hot, or dead.
Well Kofi, you shouldn’t have trashed a NASCAR that Randy Orton didn’t even buy, and really only owned for like 90 minutes.
Nothing match.
DX defeated Jeri-Show in a TLC match for the Unified Tag Team Championship
Unbelievably, all four of these men have been in a WWE ring in the past month. I guess Shawn isn’t on the active roster, but what a rib. Way to build for the future WWE. So 3-1 in this match, giving us a total of 10 still sort of on the roster, and 9 definitely not on the roster. Bravo WWE. You’ve made zero new stars in the 6 years since this match.
Was DX ever really neon or was that just this new super lame reincarnation?
Dueling chairs with HBK and Jericho was pretty good.
Do you think they’d allow you to use any type of ladder? Yah, same joke a third time… Could you wheel out one of those ladders that rich people had in their study? What about driving a scissor lift? Could you pull out a DVD copy of Jacob’s Ladder and throw it? Too soon?
I hope they’re using a Werner ladder, the official ladder of the NCAA March madness net cutting down ceremony. I wish I was making that up. Why do I know that! I don’t even know my shoe size.
The Code Breaker and the Backstabber look good about 10% of the time.
The Big Show’s big bump was literally off the third rung, which was maybe as high as the second rope, maybe.
Well, Jericho is dead. That final bump off the Big Show’s shoulders was a bad idea.
A thumbs up show if you like TLC style matches, but not spectacular by any means.
Want to mention for those who are fans of Wrestling Observer Live (FREE Monday through Friday from 12-1 Pacific/3-4 Eastern and Sunday from 3-5 Pacific/6-8 ET on all sorts of affiliates worldwide, info on how to listen is always posted at showtime on the front page), the new call-in numbers are 425-488-0525 (studio line), 844-411-5411 (toll-free line) and 425-780-7566 (text message line). Those numbers work for After Dark Radio as well, so put them in your phones! We’ll take a bunch of calls on Sunday’s show. Don’t forget Observer Live replays daily at 5 PT/8 ET, including on Saturdays, so spread the word about the show!UFC Programming over the next few days:
Ultimate Insider with Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Henry Cejudo and Luke Rockhold on Sunday at 5 p.m. Eastern on FS 1
One on One with Joanna Jedrzejczyk Monday night at 7:30 p.m. on FS 1. Fox sent out a screener of this yesterday and it’s very good. UFC is doing an excellent job trying to push her as a star.
A best of middleweights edition of UFC Unleashed featuring Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero and Jacare Souza airs 9 p.m. Monday night on FS 1
UFC 187, with the Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson and Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort fights, will air on Tuesday at 8 p.m. on FS 1****
Dragon Gate Gate of Destiny at 3:30 a.m. late Saturday/early Sunday, one of the biggest company shows of the year from the Edion Arena in Osaka at http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv238824025
Super Shisa & Shachihoko Boy vs. Yosuke Santa Maria & U-T
Kzy & Big R Shimizu & Draztick Boy vs. Eita & Lindaman & Kaito Ishida
Cyber Kong & Mondai Ryu vs. Punch Tominaga & Takehiro Yamamaura
Dragon Kid & Flamita vs. Genki Horiguchi & Jimmy Kanda
Akira Tozawa vs. Kotoka vs.. Naoki Tanizaki for the Open the Brave Gate title
Cima & Don Fujii & Gamma vs. Jimmy Susumu & Jimmy K-Ness & Ryo Saito for the Open the Triangle Gate title
Yamato & Naruki Doi vs. Masato Yoshino & T-Hawk for the Open the Twin Gate title
Shingo Takagi vs. Masaaki Mochizuki for the Open the Dream Gate title
Raw is Monday in Denver. Nobody special is advertised, but as noted, Alberto Del Rio is scheduled for television both Monday and Tuesday for WWE.
Smackdown will be taped Tuesday in Colorado Springs.
The lead story is how the Alberto Del Rio deal went down, with full details, including financials that even blew away those in WWE and those who used to negotiate these deals. We look at how in demand he was, including by organizations you wouldn’t even know, an angle he shot for MMA that was kept secret and will never probably see the light of day on television, and how this affects AAA, where he is their world champion.
We look at the ramifications of this on WWE, AAA, how the deal was put together, how he positioned it to AAA, how AAA has taken a huge talent hit, when the deal was really put together, how Del Rio was scheduled to main event AAA’s next major show against what top U.S. star in a hair match, and his dates advertised in Mexico. We look at other promotions that wanted him, Konnan talking about how the Myzteziz and Del Rio situation affects AAA, the Zeb Colter deal, how Lucha Underground and Del Rio fell apart as well as his huge money MMA offer just recently.
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@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
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 sent to you today. 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.
On Friday night’s FOX Broadcast of Game 3 of the MLB World Series, they showed celebrities in attendance. Kevin James and Chris Weidman were shown on screen and only James was identified with a graphic or by the announcers. Keep in mind that FOX is the UFC’s broadcast partner.
UFC Fight Pass has Pancrase 271 airing on Sunday morning starting at 1 am eastern. Main event is Saturo Kitaoka vs UFC vet Kazuki Tokudome for the vacant Lightweight Title. Other fighters on the show you may recognize are Luis Nogueira, Yuki Kondo and Maskatatsu Ueda.
Edson Barboza is in as Tony Ferguson’s opponent on Dec 11 at the TUF 22 Finale in Las Vegas. He replaces Khabib Nurmagomedov, who pulled out earlier this week due to injury.
Former UFC fighter Houston Alexander has been added to the Bellator 146 card on November 20th, facing Guilherme Viana in a Light Heavyweight Bout.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father/coach gave his thoughts on his son’s injury on Facebook. Bloody Elbow has a translation.
Episode 18 of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out has arrived for a non-MMA weekend which is why Josh brought in TheHistoryofWWE.com founder and six-time, six-time, six-time wrestling book author Graham Cawthon.
Josh and Graham went Broadway and hit on a variety of topics:
– What lit his wrestling fire
– Why he started a site dedicated to arena results
– What interesting wrestling figures he’s met along the way
– The influence of wrestling magazines
– The process of writing his first wrestling book and how it’s changed through his sixth
It’s actually a pretty quiet weekend. WWE is running one tour since virtually the entire roster leaves either Monday night for a Dublin show on Wednesday or Tuesday night after Smackdown for aThursday show in Cardiff, Wales. Nothing from UFC until 11/7. Nothing from ROH until 11/13 in Milwaukee.
We’re looking for reports on tonight’s NXT show in Gainesville, FL and last night’s show in Citrus Springs, FL at Dave Meltzer We’re also looking for reports on tomorrow night’s NXT show in Gainesville, FL.
CMLL has an iPPV at 9:30 p.m. tonight with a Halloween theme for $6 at http://cmll.cleeng.com
Acero & Ultimo Dragoncito vs. Mercurio & Universito 2000
Esfinge & Oro Jr. & The Panther vs. Escandalo & Raziel & Super Comando
Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero & Euforia vs. Dragon Rojo & Thunder & Bobby Z
Super Parka & Maximo sxy & Valiente vs. Rush & La Mascara & Marco Corleone
Volador Jr. vs. La Sombra for NWA Historic welterweight title
New Japan World Pro Wrestling Returns at 8 p.m. tonight (one hour earlier than usual)
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi for the IC title from last year’s Tokyo Dome. This was one of the best matches of this year.
WWE has house shows on Saturday in Billings, Montana and Sunday in Casper, Wyoming. The crew will be Roman Reigns, Dolph Ziggler, Tyler Breeze, Sheamus, Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, Dean Ambrose, New Day and Prime Time Players.
AXS Fights at 9 p.m. tonight from Lincoln, RI
The jr. tag team tournament continues on late Saturday night/early Sunday on New Japan World from Korakuen Hall. The live show starts at 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning Eastern time
Jushin Liger & Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka vs. Tiger Mask & David Finlay & Jay White
Togi Makabe & Captain New Japan & Juice Robinson vs. Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata & Mascara Dorada
Alex Shelley & Kushida vs. Chase Owens & Kenny Omega
Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Rocky Romero & Baretta in the semifinals of the jr. tag tourney
Young Bucks vs. Ricochet & Matt Sydal in the semifinals of the jr. tag tourney
Dragon Gate Gate of Destiny at 3:30 a.m. late Saturday/early Sunday, one of the biggest company shows of the year from the Edion Arena in Osaka at http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv238824025
Super Shisa & Shachihoko Boy vs. Yosuke Santa Maria & U-T
Kzy & Big R Shimizu & Draztick Boy vs. Eita & Lindaman & Kaito Ishida
Cyber Kong & Mondai Ryu vs. Punch Tominaga & Takehiro Yamamaura
Dragon Kid & Flamita vs. Genki Horiguchi & Jimmy Kanda
Akira Tozawa vs. Kotoka vs.. Naoki Tanizaki for the Open the Brave Gate title
Cima & Don Fujii & Gamma vs. Jimmy Susumu & Jimmy K-Ness & Ryo Saito for the Open the Triangle Gate title
Yamato & Naruki Doi vs. Masato Yoshino & T-Hawk for the Open the Twin Gate title
Shingo Takagi vs. Masaaki Mochizuki for the Open the Dream Gate title
Raw is Monday in Denver. Nobody special is advertised, but as noted, Alberto Del Rio is scheduled for television both Monday and Tuesday for WWE.
Smackdown will be taped Tuesday in Colorado Springs.
The lead story is how the Alberto Del Rio deal went down, with full details, including financials that even blew away those in WWE and those who used to negotiate these deals. We look at how in demand he was, including by organizations you wouldn’t even know, an angle he shot for MMA that was kept secret and will never probably see the light of day on television, and how this affects AAA, where he is their world champion.
We look at the ramifications of this on WWE, AAA, how the deal was put together, how he positioned it to AAA, how AAA has taken a huge talent hit, when the deal was really put together, how Del Rio was scheduled to main event AAA’s next major show against what top U.S. star in a hair match, and his dates advertised in Mexico. We look at other promotions that wanted him, Konnan talking about how the Myzteziz and Del Rio situation affects AAA, the Zeb Colter deal, how Lucha Underground and Del Rio fell apart as well as his huge money MMA offer just recently.
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@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
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 sent to you today. 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.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
A note on the report in this week’s Observer regarding different sources listing a $1.45 million downside guarantee for Alberto Del Rio in returning to WWE. According to other sources with knowledge of exactly what his contract entails, while he may very well make that much over the next year in WWE, he was not given a guarantee close to that. It appears from here that when the Lucha Underground deal fell apart, that he wanted to go back to WWE and that’s really it. As noted before, he will be at TV Monday and Tuesday and then he’ll be leaving after Tuesday night for the entire European tour, so AAA being told he was going to work their TV’s on 11/7 and 11/15 isn’t happening and one questions if they’ll even get him back for a date.
The Pontiac Silverdome — home of Wrestlemania III — is coming crashing down and it hurts inside.
Paul Heyman will be on the FS 1 pre-game show for the World Series shortly after 7 p.m. tonight. No word on his role.
While there will be a full crew for Raw on Monday, Smackdown will be a skeleton crew. Those leaving for Dublin after Raw, thus not scheduled for Smackdown, are right now listed as Seth Rollins, Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, Big Show, Kane, Cesaro, New Day, Dudleys, Bella Twins, Alicia Fox, Charlotte, Becky Lynch and Paige. All of this is always subject to last minute change.
WWE stock started bouncing back, up 44 cents per saher today to $17.83
Alexa Bliss, Blake & Murphy have been added to the WrestleMania party in Dallas.
Friend of the site and Fight Network/LAW Radio star John Pollock recently interviewed Bubba Ray Dudley. Bubba said he’d be up for reviving his TNA heel character in WWE if asked, and would be interested in having an arrangement with the 3D Wrestling and WWE NXT/, given they are 20 minutes apart.
The Bellas talk about Dr. Tom Prichard’s reaction to them watching the Jumping Bomb Angels.
Here’s a retro look by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on WWE Hall-of-Famer Bruno Sammartino following his broken neck suffered at the hands of Stan Hansen. There’s some cool pictures in here.
As alluded in today’s post on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s injury, Edson Barboza is taking the Russian’s place to fight Tony Ferguson at the 12/11 UFC Fight Night show in Las Vegas, NV.
The New Jersey Athletic Control Board will be hosting a Combat Sports Medicine Symposium on 11/17 on the topic of concussions and head injuries, standard of care and clearance for both combat sport and contact sports athletes. The symposium will give findings for the past 18 months of work of Dr. Sheryl Wulkan and medical colleagues in sports medicine. It will free of charge and open to the combat and contact sports communities but registration is required at 609-341-5038 or sacbwebinfo@lps.state.nj.us and takes place at 10 a.m. at the Richard Hughes Justice Complex 4th floor in Trenton, NJ.
Midwest All Pro Wrestling has an event on November 7 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota featuring “Eugene” Nick Dinsmore, “Kizarny” Sinn Bodhi and a meet and greet with UFC fighter Shayna Baszler (who is from Sioux Falls).
Steel Domain Wrestling presents the “Portland Avenue Brawl” on November 7 in Richfield, Minnesota featuring Ryan Slade, Danny Duggan, AJ Smooth and Aryia Davari.
David Angle, the 62-year-old brother of Kurt will be standing trial on charges of criminal homicide in regard to the death of wife Donna on 9/20. David is accused of arguing with his wife about not wanting to drink Vodka, and when she tried to kick him in their home, he allegedly dragged her off the couch, stepped on her chest and pulled her arms at the same time. she went unconscious and David called 911 when he couldn’t revive her.
ROH announced A.J. Styles & Young Bucks vs. Jay Lethal & Donovan Dijak & Joey Daddiego (formerly J Diesel) plus, Michael Bennett & Matt Taven vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish for the tag titles, ACH vs. Matt Sydal in the final of the best-of-five series, and Mark Briscoe vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Hanson vs. Kenny King, Jay Briscoe vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Ray Rowe vs. Rhett Titus, Michael Elgin vs. Adam Cole vs. Moose, Dalton Castle vs. Silas Young vs. Adam Page and Roderick Strong vs. Cedric Alexander for 11/13 at the Turner Half Ballroom in Milwaukee. The winners of the Multiple Person matches, all part of the Survival of the Fittest weekend, go to the Survival of the Fittest match the next night in Hopkins, MN.
Tyler Colton defends the CWE title against Charlie Haas on 12/4 in Winnipeg.
Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 11/7 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds has its 17th anniversary show and a fund raiser for the Fireman’s Cheer Fund with $1 of every ticket going to the fund. Tommy Rich headlines plus Flash Flanagan vs. TJ Kemp for the HPW title and Crazy Mary Dobson vs. Amazing Maria.
Brandon Girtz vs. Derek Campos has been added to the 11/20 Bellator show in Thackerville, OK at the WinStar World Casino, a show headlined by Melvin Manhoef vs. Hisaki Kato.
The newest edition of the book “1001 Movies You Must See Before you Die” is out. Movies on the list that include pro wrestlers:
“Murder My Sweet” (Mike Mazurki)
“On the Waterfront” (Tony Galento, Tiger Joe Marsh)
“The Ten Commandments (Woody Strode)
“Some Luke It” (Mike Mazurki)
“Ben Hur (Lord Athol Layton)
“Spartacus” (Woody Strode)
“The Man Who Short Liberty Valance” (Woody Strode)
“Goldfinger” (Harold Sakata)
“Once Upon a Time in the West (Woody Strode)
“Kes” (Brian Glover)
“The Godfather” (Len Montana)
“Blazing Saddles” (Alex Karras)
“Jaws” (Joe LaCreta0
“Raging Bull” (Count Billy Varga, Gene LeBell, Jimmy Lennon Sr.)
“An American Werewolf in London” (Brian Glover)
“The Princess Bride” (Andre the Giant)
“Scream” (David Arquette)
“Buffalo 66” (Alex Karras)
“The Dark Knight” (Tiny Lister)
“Guardians of the Galaxy” (Dave Bautista)
Also, while he was not a pro wrestler, Jason Hervey was in “Back to the Future,” which made the list
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1967 – Ripper Collins beat Mark Lewin in Newcastle to win the IWA heavyweight title
1971 – Jumbo Miyamoto & Myoko Hoshino beat Maria Vagnone & Jane Sherrill in Okayama to win the WWWA tag title
1985 – Chic Cullen beat Rollerball Mark Rocco in Leicester to win the world mid heavyweight title
1986 – Ashura Hara & Super Strong Machine beat Takashi Ishikawa & Mighty Inoue to win the All Asia tag title
1994 – Keiji Muto & Hiroshi Hase beat Masahiro Chono & Super Strong Machine in Tokyo to win the MSG Super Grade tag team tournament
1999 – Vader beat Mitsuharu Misawa to win the Triple Crown
2004 – Dru Onyx beat Fergal Devitt (Finn Balor) in Nashville to win the NWA Hammerlock British Commonwealth title
2005 – Masahiro Chono & Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Shinsuke Nakamura & Hiroshi Tanahashi in Kobe to win the IWGP tag team titles
2010 – Sabu beat Damian 666 in Tlanepantla to win the X-Law Int. heavyweight title
2012 – Atlantis & Delta & Guerrero Maya Jr. beat Black Warrior & Mr. Aguila & Volador Jr. in Mexico City to win the Mexican national trios titles.
