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  • MON UPDATE: Ronda Rousey on ESPN, Divas match set, WrestleMania tickets

    We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 192, WWE in Madison Square Garden, TNA Bound for Glory and AAA Heroes Inmortales so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match at Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for live reports from Raw tonight in Boston with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else notable that wouldn’t have been on the air itself to Dave Meltzer 

    Brock Lesnar is on tonight’s show.

    We’re also looking for reports on these weekend shows:

    *NXT yesterday in Louisville at the Louder than Life Music and Food Festival

    *WWE Friday night in Trenton

    Tuesday has Smackdown/Main Event tapings in Philadelphia.  No John Cena here, with Randy Orton, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns being the biggest stars.

    NXT TAKEOVER WEDNESDAY FROM FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY IN WINTER PARK, FL at 8 p.m. on the WWE network

    Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the NXT title in a 30 minute Iron Woman match

    Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament semifinals & finals

    JJ Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Rhyno & Baron Corbin

    Samoa Joe & Finn Balor vs. Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson

    Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze

    Asuka vs. Dana Brooke

    WrestleMania Tickets go on sale 11/6

    WWE announced today that WrestleMania tickets go on sale at 11/6 at 10
    a.m. Eastern time for the 4/3 show at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, where the
    company will attempt to break its all-time attendance record.

    The company announced tickets will top at $2,360 for the first eight rows
    of ringside, the Golden Circle VIPs, with $1,180 for the rest of ringside
    and the lowest tickets will be priced at $18.

    The $2,360 tickets will include a WrestleMania take home chair.  Tickets on sale at ticketmaster.com.

    Figure Four Weekly:

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a look back at how exactly WWE lost the WWF name. Forget the stories you’v heard, this detailsexactly what the World Wildlife Fund objected to, what WWE agreed to and why, what scandals worried the fund, and more.  On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news from Dr. Lucha Steve Sims and and Alan”4L” Counihan.

    The recent Figure Four Weeklywith a look at the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI may have helped Hulk Hogan cover up his racist and homophobic comments. A judge has ordered the FBI to turn over the records of their investigation, and what Gawker is saying in court about what has and hasn’t been turned over paints a very interesting picture.

    Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it’s available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle.

    ****

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    If you saw the JBL interview with Eric Bischoff, or even if you didn’t, we have what is already one of the most talked about and praised issues of the Wrestling Observer this year up on the site right now.  The main theme is fact vs. fiction, covering both the WWE historical view of the Monday Night Wars and the Eric Bischoff version, going through every point and cutting through things like outright B.S., faulty memories and interesting truths.

    The new double issue also covers SummerSlam in Brooklyn, the real story behind the UFC announcing a show in Madison Square Garden, Jon Jones’ legal punishment and future, coverage of both of the New Japan PPV shows this past week as well as a look at their direction as they build toward King of Pro Wrestling and later, the Tokyo Dome show, UFC in Japan and a look at that business, the retirement of Rich Franklin, a Hall of Famer running for Mayor, the retirement show of Genichiro Tenryu, more concerning drug testing questions, SummerSlam PPV numbers and what we can learn from them, as well as the death of German legend Axel Dieter Sr.

    The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter:  October 6, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Analysis of Bischoff Network interview, Jones plea and tons more. 

    You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer

    You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Rates are:

    For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52.  In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com  For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

    If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

    The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

    We look at Eric Bischoff and his role, both good and bad, in what the pro wrestling industry has turned into.  We look at the WCW boom, the creation of Nitro, the early war, the NWO era, the peak and the fall of WCW.

    We look at the mistakes made, the fall of WCW, the emergence of Bill Goldberg, the real origination of the streak idea,   We look at the rapid decline of the company and why.  We look at how and when things went down, as well as why, how history shows the merger excuse doesn’t hold water, the complete b.s. of the WWE’s Monday Night War narrative.  We look at the dying days of WCW and Eric Bischoff’s plan he never got a chance to implement.

    We look at Eric Bischoff’s background, how he got into wrestling, his first meeting with Verne Gagne, his WWF tryout as an announcer, his connection with Japan, the unique case of Sonny Onoo, and the death of the AWA.

    We look at the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling, Vince McMahon’s one-year run on TBS and problems with Ted Turner, where Bill Watts fit into the scene then, and the scene prior to the launch of Nitro.

    We look at WCW before Bischoff got power, what really happened with Jim Ross and WCW, , moves by Bill Watts, .  We look at the first Nitro, the real story behind Lex Luger, what Lex Luger really got, what really happened in WCW with HHH and Mick Foley, Foley getting into WWF, the story behind Bischoff’s firing of Steve Austin, the cruiserweight division and its double-edge sword, what was the point of no return, the Montreal screw job and why so many, even in wrestling, missed key points in that story, Mike Tyson at WrestleMania, Kevin Nash as a booker, DX invades Nitro and the Bischoff vs. McMahon challenge to a fist fight and the story behind the PPV that went 30 minutes over.

    In the UFC Madison Square Garden announcement, we look at the thought process behind the strategy.

    FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW CLICK HERE

    If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.

    New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

    • Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw and the latest wrestling news with Wresting Observer radio tonight.  You can send in questions for the show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
    • Ronda Rousey will become the first female athlete ever to anchor ESPN Sports Center for the 6 p.m. Eastern time airing of the show on Wednesday.
    • Rousey is also booked for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night and will be on Mike & Mike, First Take and the midnight Sports Center all on ESPN on Wednesday.
    • WWE has announced Charlotte vs. Nikki Bella for the Divas title at Hell in a Cell.  The original lineup we were given for the show had that as a three-way with Paige, so we’ll see if they shoot it in that direction or they changed ideas. 
    • Bruno Sammartino turns 80 tomorrow.  We are also scheduled to have him as a guest on our show on Thursday, so if you’ve got any questions, send them to me and I’ll try and get them in.  Some Italian media:  Chiet Today, Abruzzo and Ansa.it
    • Brian Pillman passed away 18 years ago today.  He was someone greatly missed, a sardonic genius in many ways.  We’ve got two issues that cover who he was and his legacy in football and wrestling

    October 13 1997 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Life and Death of Brian Pillman

    October 20 1997 Wrestling Observer Newsletter The Fallout of Brian Pillman’s Death

    • There will be a press conference on Thursday at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time in Tokyo Mid Town at Canopy Square in Minato-Ku featuring Nobuyuki Sakakibara and Fedor Emelianenko.  They will be announcing the birth of a new promotion, modeled after Pride, that debuts on New Year’s Eve at the Saitama Super Arena in a show that will air in the U.S. on Spike TV with Emelianenko as the headliner.  Emelianenko’s opponent will be named.  Tito Ortiz today said that it wouldn’t be him and Scott Coker has said that it won’t be Kimbo Slice.
    • Kazuchika Okada vs. Roderick Strong and Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Alex Shelley & Kushida will be on Wednesday’s ROH TV show.
    • Tigre Uno suffered a separated shoulder in the last minute of the X title match at Bound for Glory last night.  That was a gutsy performance still scaling the cables, but using his legs instead of his arms for the power, to do the planned win.
    • Lots of new ROH matches with New Japan talent have been added to New Japan World.
    • Paul Levesque will be doing a media conference call tomorrow.
    • Jim Ross will be doing a private meet and greet at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Dallas the day before WrestleMania 32, on 4/2.  It will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Maple Conference Room in the lobby of the hotel.  Tickets are $50 and can be purchased HERE
    • Congratulations to Ariel Helwani on the 300th episode of the MMA Hour today.  On today’s show, Rampage Jackson told Helwani that he thinks he’s fought his last fight.  He’s currently tangled up in legal issues with Bellator. 
    • The movie “Navy Seals vs. Zombies that stars Chad Lail (Gunner in TNA) will be released tomorrow on DVD ad Blue Ray.  Former NBA player Rick Fox is also in the movie. as well as former Olympian LoLo Jones. 

    Gunner talks the movie

    • Irv Muchnick talks the Jimmy Snuka case
    • wXw day three of the world tag team tournament from yesterday in Oberhausen, Germany:  Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly b Axel Dieter Jr. & Da Mack, Robert Dreissker & Julian Negro & Ilja Dragunov b Evil Uno & Stu Grayson & The Rotation, Big Daddy Walter & Zack Sabre Jr. b Chris Brookes & Jonathan Gresham, Michael Dante b Tommaso Ciampa, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Absolute Andy & Bad Bones John Klinger b Jurn Simmons & Tyler Bate & Kevin the Roadster & Marius van Beethoven, A.J. Styles b Tommy End, Karsten Beck b ACH to keep wXw title, Big Daddy Walter & Zack Sabre Jr. b Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly to win tournament.
    • WWE stock closed today at $17.95, up 65 cents.
    • The WWE 24 episode of NXT airs tonight on the WWE Network after Raw.
    • A.J. Styles vs. Donovan Dijak was announced for the 10/23 ROH show in Kalamazoo, MI.
    • Daniel Bryan said if WWE doesn’t clear him to wrestle, he will absolutely continue his career outside WWE.
    • A story on Titus O’Neil
    • Destiny World Wrestling on Saturday night in Mississauga, ONT:  Scotty O’Shea b Phil Atlas, Marko Estrada b Aaron Draven, Randy Reign b Markus Burke, Mathieu St. Jacques & Thomas DuBois b Jersey Boyz, Stone Rockwell b Jimmy Nutts, Jennifer Blake b Xandra Bale, Rey Mysterio Jr. won three-way over P.J. Black and Ricochet to win Destiny heavyweight title (thanks to Steven Ashe)
    • Any historians or trivia note know of any Chinese born champions in pro wrestling in the U.S. or Canada?
    • Michael Venom Page, one of the most entertaining strikers in MMA, will face Charlie Ontiveros on the 10/23 Bellator show from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. 
    • Cher tweeted support of Nick Diaz, writing “Lift the NSAC ban from MMA fighter Nick Diaz.” 
    • Mecca Pro Wrestling on 11/7 in Kingston, ONT at the Royal Canadian Legion.  Their show no 10/10 in Iroquois, ONT has been canceled.
    • The Ryan Ferris Healthpile in Bernwood, WV is raising money to help former wrestler Nick “Bully” Busick in his battle fighting esophageal cancer.  A lot of are businesses have donated money to help him with his treatments.
    • Dynamo Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Fenton, MO:  Brandon Espinosa b Justin D’Air, Jayden Fenix won six-way over Keon Option, Ozzie Gallgher, The Sntich, Da’Marius Jones and Danny Adams, Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby won three-way over Rocket Mapache & Jackal and Shorty Biggs & Outtkast, Mike Outlaw b Elvia Sliaga, Jack Gamble & Jon Webb b Michael Magnuson & Dave DeLorean, Ricky Cruz b Jake Dirden to win their title (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
    • Pro Championship Wrestling on Saturday night in Granite City, IL:  Pierre Abernathy & Danny Adams b Jake Dirden & Mike Outlaw, Austin Blackburn b Everett Connors, Davey Vega b Evan Gelistico, Mark Sterling won three-way over Mikey McFinnegan and Billy McNeil, Mat Fitchett b Zakk Sawyers, Adam Caster b Nate Redwing, K.C. Karrington won a four-way over Makaze, Jeremy Wyatt and Steven Kennedy.
    • Hoosier Pro Wrestling on Saturday night drew a full house to see the return of Jimmy Valiant in Columbus, IN:  Eddie Felson b Shawn Kemp, Cousin Cooter b Dynamite Dillen, Drax O’Brien b Troy Van Zant, Jimmy Valiant & Doink the Clown b Shawn Cook & Billy Bart, Lightning  Bolt b Tom Van Zant-DQ, Clint Poe b Jon Wall, Flash Flanagan & Timmy Danger NC Cowboy Marc Houston & TJ Kemp.  Next show is 11/7 as the 17th anniversary show and will be headlined by NWA champion Jax Dane.
    • Rob Van Dam will be at the 2015 Central Canadian Comic Con in Winnipeg on 10/31 and 11/1.
    • Victory Commonwealth Wrestling on 10/15 in Ajax ONT at The Reaper’s headlined by Nick Watts vs. Bishop in a ladder match.
    • Great Canadian Wrestling on 12/5 in Oshawa, ONT at Harmony Hall.
    • Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 11/28 in Oshawa, ONT at Royal Canadian Legion #43.
    • Top Rope Promotions from Saturday night in Brockton, MA before 200 fans:  Ted Goodz b TK O’Ryan, Franky Vain & Brutal Bob Evans b Craig Costa & Will Worthington & Marshall McNeill, Brad Hollister b Antonio Thomas (former WWE wrestler), Scotty 2 Hotty b Mike McCarthy, Nick Steele b Vinny Marseglia, Kongo b  Christian Casanova, Chuck O’Neill (former UFC fighter) b Ryan Waters.
    • Pure Wrestling Alliance TV taping on 10/24 in Kitchener, ONT at the Alpine Club.  They are taping for Rogers TV. 
    • Chavo Guerrero vs. Bobby Jaggers was the new match added today to NWAClassics.com
    • Canadian Wrestling Elite on 10/16 in Fannystelle, Manitoba at the Fannystelle Hall. 
    • Forbes on the Madison Square Garden WWE show
    • Chikara Pro has started a subscription service
    • Jeff Marek from Hockey Night in Canada and the MvsW podcast returns to the Winter Palace podcast to discuss the creation of Live Audio Wrestling, helping Trish Stratus make her way to the WWF, and previews the new NHL season with talk of 3 on 3 overtime, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, forecasts the Leafs and Wings seasons and more. Plus, talk about CMLL anniversary show fallout, Los Ingobernables t-shirts for sale online and other popular culture news.  Check it out here.

    ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

    1971 – Jumbo Miyamoto & Aiko Kyo beat Maria Vagnone & Jane Sherrill in Chiba to win the WWWA tag titles

    1980 – Vicki Williams beat Irma Gonzalez in Mexico City to win the UWA women’s title

    1993 – Dandy beat Emilio Charles Jr. to win the CMLL middleweight title

    1995 – Ultimo Dragon beat Gedo in Omiya to win the WAR Int. jr. title

    2008 – Cyber Kong & Yamato beat Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino in Fukuoka to win the Open the Twin Gate tag titles

    2010 – La Mascara beat Volador Jr. in Mexico City to win the Mexican National light hevyweight title

    2012 – Dragon Rojo Jr. beat Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) in Mexico City to win the NWA Historic middleweight title

  • FREE TODAY! Wrestling Observer Live 10/4: Bound for Glory, Brock Lesnar, more!

    Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today to talk tons of topics — TNA Bound for Glory, Brock Lesnar, WWE in MSG and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

    This is a FREE SHOW so please spread the word! We air FREE every day at noon Pacific/3 ET on Sports Byline USA, TuneIn Radio, iHeart and more, plus replay at 5 PT/8 ET! Sign up at wrestlingobserver.com for daily commercial-free replays, daily bonus subscriber-only shows, plus over 7,000 archived shows dating back to 2005!

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    For those that are not subscribers yet: DOWNLOAD HERE

  • AAA Heroes Inmortales iPPV results (10/4): Alberto el Patron vs. Johnny Mundo, Rey Mysterio, Antonio Pena tribute match

    Submitted by Robert Bihari

    Myzteziz began the show coming out to a mixed reaction. He cut a sort of rudo promo on Rey Misterio Jr. & also La Sociedad. He specifically said he doesn’t want to join them and doesn’t need help winning his matches unlike wrestlers such as Fantasma & Pentagon. He left to more boo’s than cheers.

    AAA Reina De Reinas Champion Taya Valkyrie vs. Goya Kong vs La Hiedra vs Lady Shani vs Lady Maravilla

    This was Taya’s first title defense since winning the title 18 months ago at Triplemania. Both Lady Shani & Lady Maravilla were listed as surprises although Shani debuted 2 weeks ago in Monterrey so it was presumed she’d be one of the mystery women. Lady Maravilla is relatively unknown but has been working the Mexico City area & training under Gran Apache (who is the head AAA trainer). This was one fall instead of elimination and no tags needed so it was all action. Maravilla looked good in her debut & Goya Kong seemed extra motivated – both doing and taking lots of moves you wouldn’t expect someone her size to do.

    They did a dive train ending with Goya doing a somersault off the apron onto everyone. At one point Lady Maravilla did a great combo submission/German Suplex spot. Finish saw Taya use her Northern Lights Suplex/Double Stomp combo on Hiedra to keep her title. Match exceeded all expectations and was actually quite good.

    AAA Tag Team Champions Joe Lider/Pentagon Jr. (champs) vs Jack Evans/Angelico vs Steve Pain/Daga

    Even though they’ve been portrayed as not being on the same page on TV, Lider/Pentagon/Daga all came out wearing Perros Del Mal shirts which was confusing. Steve Pain must have not got the memo. This was the usual AAA multi-team match with everyone taking turns doing their big moves while other guys just watched from the outside. Angelico hit a big running somersault dive onto a pile at one point. Later Angelico picked up Daga in a fireman’s carry and Jack moonsaulted off Daga’s chest to the floor on Pentagon. The match was going well until Joe Lider brought out thumbtacks for no reason at all and took forever setting up a suplex off the top rope onto them.

    Daga hit a gorgeous somersault dive onto a pile and then brawled up onto the stage with Angelico where they were met by Myzteziz who superkicked Angelico. Myzteziz then hit the ringside area seemingly to help one of the rudo teams but instead dragged Pentagon outside the ring to break up a pin after a Package Piledriver and then crotched him on the ringpost as Joe Lider stood by watching and being confused. Steve Pain got a great nearfall on Jack Evans but then Jack pinned him with the bridging backslide to get the win. Very good match with some great moves & hopefully the end of Pentagon Jr. being wasted in the tag division.

    Drago/Fenix vs Brian Cage/Mesias

    The rudos took the advantage early on with Cage doing lots of his usual power moves on the tecnicos. They built up to the tecnico comeback which included a slingshot rana to the floor by Drago & a double stomp on the apron from Fenix to Mesias which looked absolutely brutal. Really good back and forth from that point on with the tecnicos doing all their great flying spots & the rudos throwing them around when they could catch them. Fenix assisted Drago into a huge corkscrew dive and then hit a Brillo Cometa (2nd rope step-up double corkscrew) which looked spectacular! They did lots of nearfalls which got great reactions.

    They teased problems with Cage/Mesias at one point but it went nowhere. At the end Fenix went for a springboard frankensteiner off the top rope but Mesias caught him and power bombed him at the same time as Cage hit his finisher on Drago for the win. After the match Mesias stole Fenix’s mask and a little child in a Fenix mask at ringside was shown looking very sad. This was another very good match that really was the perfect type of match that should have been on Triplemania two months ago when more eyes were on the product.

    The entire roster came out to honor Antonio Pena. Crowd was respectful & started a ‘Tono’ chant as Marisela Pena looked to be on the verge of tears.

    Copa Antonio Pena

    This was the yearly 10 man Royal Rumble style elimination match where participants entered every 30 seconds. The entrances are generally a formality which is why they breeze through them. Aero Star started with Hijo De Pirata Morgan. Aero took him out with a bullet tope suicida immediatly. Averno was next and brought a chair to attack Aero Star. Nino Hamburguesa followed and hit everyone with a somersault dive through the ropes. Electro Shock was next followed by La Parka. The buzzer then hit and the surprise luchador came out… TAURUS! A new charachter who appears to resemble a bull or if you’re a longtime AAA fan – surprise 2007 Triplemania wrestler The Animal. He was immediatly put over as a huge threat by eliminating Aero Star, Pirata & Nino Hamburguesa as Cibernetico, Blue Demon Jr. & Chessman hit the ring to round out the participants. Electro Shock was dumped by Averno & Chessman.

    In a complete stunner as Cibernetico & Demon were brawling near the ropes, Taurus walked over and ELIMINATED THEM BOTH AT THE SAME TIME! La Parka eliminated Chessman and then Averno soon afterwards setting the stage for him to win this match for a 4th time for no reason at all… except no! Parka got cocky and as his back was turned Taurus snuck up behind him and threw him over the top rope for the shocking win in his debut! Crowd was stunned. Taurus got his trophy and left as the announcers speculated who he was and what an impressive debut it was. Not much of a match in terms of quality but a great way to introduce a new charachter in a strong way & a memorable moment for sure.

    (Should note big Lucha Underground fan Casey who is @luchagringo on twitter noted there may be a Lucha Underground tie in to all this as there’s a scene in season 1 where Dario is in his office writing names down & one name happens to be TAURUS. Also, this Taurus charachter resembles a bull… the same type of bull Dario had on his desk throughout season 1 that was focused upon many times before scene cutaways.)

    Rey Misterio Jr./Psycho Clown/Garza Jr. vs Texano Jr./Hijo Del Fantasma/Myzteziz

    Garza Jr. was the surprise wrestler. He’s the ex-Hijo de Ninja from Monterrey and is part of the Garza extended family which is why he used this name. He is not Hector Gara’s son. Crowd didn’t really know him but they got into him because of his looks and he was doing a Hector Garza tribute act right down to tearing off the pants & doing his same style clothesline. Match started with Rey being presented flowers only for Myzteziz to destroy them. He ran from Rey early on but was dropkicked to the floor by Psycho Clown. The tecnicos hit a triple tope but soon afterwards the rudos took over. The storyline was Myzteziz was all over Rey but didn’t want to take part in any triple teaming by his teammates. Rey led the comeback with a rana off the apron to the floor.

    Garza Jr. did a moonsault dive to the floor. Psycho Clown went crazy with his belt and smacked everyone including Tirantes Jr. in the face. At one point Rey Jr. got assisted into a silla on the floor on Myzteziz which was a neat spot. Finish saw Psycho take out Texano with a somersault dive, Rey Jr. hit Fantasma with an asai moonsault dive & then Myzteziz caught Garza Jr. coming off the ropes with a backcracker and put him away with a Swanton Bomb. Crowd was 100% boo’ing Myzteziz by the end of the match. Rey Jr. cut a promo with the announcers afterwards saying you can’t win all the time but Myzteziz should realize he didn’t pin him and they’ll meet again soon.

    AAA Mega Heavyweight Champion Alberto El Patron vs Johnny Mundo

    Heavy on the Mexico vs USA theme. Mundo had Brian Cage with him, Alberto had Psycho Clown. Alberto hit a wild tope suicida early on. They set up a table on the floor. Mundo started running from Alberto including hurdling into the crowd and stealing chips from a vendor to throw at Alberto who was chasing him. Alberto eventually caught Johnny trying to sneak under the ring but Johnny found water and blinded Alberto to take the advantage. He put Alberto through one of the tables at ringside. Slowest paced match of the night so far. Alberto hit his tree-of-woe double stomp for a nearfall and the Guerrero Especial for another nearfall. Mundo hit his running knee for a nearfall. Mundo escaped the armbar at one point by grabbing the ropes. Mundo went for his kick off the ropes but both Alberto & referee Maya ducked to tease a ref bump… except one second later Maya did get taken out by Alberto by accident.

    Alberto had the match won but no referee so he signalled to send someone else out. Who else would come but Hijo De Tirantes! Everyone knew the usual AAA bullshit was coming. It looked like Mundo was gonna try to suplex Alberto over the top to the floor through another table but Alberto countered into the armbar. Mundo refused to give up and held on long enough for Cage to slid in a guitar (???) and Mundo smashed Alberto over the head with it. The crowd hated this because Tirantes didn’t call the DQ and they throught Alberto was about to get screwed for the 3rd straight time in his hometown. But as Mundo covered, Tirantes counted 1… paused… and then raised Alberto’s hand for the DQ win as confetti was shot all over. Kind of a flat finish but protects Mundo for the rematch & there was no time to be angry because Cage hit the ring and both Alberto/Psycho Clown were beat down.

    Rey Jr. ran out for save and hit a double 619 only for Myzteziz to hit the ring and take out Rey including stealing his mask. La Sociedad then hit the ring in a very eerie Triplemania-esque moment but there was no confusion here this time… they went right after Myzteziz and beat him down. Fantasma cut a promo on Myzteziz saying he should have listened to La Sociedad instead of opposing them. Cibernetico then broke a guitar over Myzteziz’s head. Alberto/Rey regrouped on the floor and never helped Myzteziz. Mundo cut a promo in half English/half Spanish on Alberto. Eventually Alberto/Rey hit the ring to chase off La Sociedad and stand tall. Alberto closed the show cutting a heavy pro-Mexico promo.

    Unlike Triplemania this show at least ended with the lines firmly drawn. Myzteziz is a loner with no friends or any loyalty to either tecnicos or rudos. He wants Rey and only Rey. La Soceidad are done trying to recruit Myzteziz & Fantasma is in place as the new leader. Alberto/Rey Jr./Psycho Clown are the top tecnicos opposing them.

    Notes/Opinion:

    AAA needed to deliver and certainly did. The feed was perfect the entire night with only a minor glitch or two reported from many folks watching on twitter. The show had two memorable debuts to freshen things up & the wrestling was top notch with all 6 matches ranging from good to great. The live crowd was into everything & it felt like a major show even with little build on TV.

    The most impressive part of the show was for the first time in MANY YEARS AAA managed to avoid the things they’ve been addicted to for the longest time. There was no stupid rudo referee nonsense & aside from Joe Lider pulling out thumbtacks for no reason there was not a single moment a match turned into amateur hour. Some could argue the main event finish was weak but it appears this is heading somewhere instead of just being a fuck finish for the sake of doing one.

    Pretty much this show was the anti-Triplemania. Unfortunately there were likely way more eyes on Triplemania but if AAA keeps doing shows like this hopefully they can win those fans back. First thing’s first though – hopefully the people running AAA read why people enjoyed this show & keep to this format rather than reverting back to the things that keep turning so many new fans off (read: Hijo de Tirantes).

  • Wrestling Observer Radio 10/5: TNA Bound for Glory, Madison Square Garden and more!

    Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns tonight to talk all the news in wrestling tonight including Dave’s thoughts on Madison Square Garden, tons of notes on TNA’s Bound for Glory PPV, your questions and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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  • Bryan & Vinny Show 10/4: Bound for Glory recap show!

    The Bryan & Vinny Show is back tonight with our full review of TNA Bound for Glory! New champions, potentially the last live PPV for the company ever, all the matches and angles and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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  • Wrestling Observer Live 10/4: TNA Bound for Glory preview, WWE Madison Square Garden, John Cena, more!

    Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today for a special one-hour edition of the show talking all the news in wrestling and MMA — WWE in Madison Square Garden, TNA Bound for Glory on PPV, John Cena potentially losing the US Title and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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  • SUN UPDATE: TNA Bound for Glory, UFC 192, AAA Heroes Inmortales iPPV

    We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 192, WWE in Madison Square Garden, TNA Bound for Glory and AAA Heroes Inmortales so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match at Dave Meltzer.

    We’re also looking for reports on these weekend shows:

    *WWE tonight in Worcester, MA (John Cena vs. Seth Rollins)

    *WWE tonight in Portland, ME (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt

    *NXT today in Louisville at the Louder than Life Music and Food Festival

    TNA Bound for Glory PPV on Sunday at 8 p.m. from Concord, NC

    EC 3 vs. Matt Hardy vs. Drew Galloway for the TNA title with Jeff Hardy as ref

    Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards vs. Trevor Lee & Brian Meyers for the TNA tag tilters

    Abyss, Aiden O’Shea, Chris Melendez, Jesse Godderz, Ken Anderson, Mahabili Shera, Tyrus, Eli Drake and Robbie E in a Gauntlet for a title shot

    Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong for Knockouts title

    Tigre Uno puts up X title in an Ultimate X match

    Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley for King of the Mountain title

    Kurt Angle vs Eric Young

    Check out our live coverage: TNA Bound for Glory 2015 live results: EC3 vs. Drew Galloway vs. Matt Hardy

    AAA Heroes Inmortales iPPV at 7 p.m. Eastern time at www.internetvluchalibreaaa.com from San Luis Potosi

    Alberto El Patron vs. Johnny Mundo for AAA Mega heavyweight title

    Rey Mysterio Jr. & Psycho Clown & ? vs. El Hijo del Fantasma & El Texano Jr. & Myzteziz

    Antonio Pena Cup tournament:  Aero Star, Blue Demon Jr., Nino Hamburguesa, La Parka, Averno, Chessman, Cibernetico, Electroshock, El Hijo del Pirata Morgan & ?

    Joe Lider & Pentagon Jr. defend AAA tag titles against Jack Evans & Angelico and Steve Pain & Daga

    Taya Valkyrie defends Queen or Queens title against Goya Kong, Hiedra and two mystery women

    Raw is Monday night at the TD Garden in Boston.  Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are at the show along with the usual cast of characters.  No Undertaker advertised.

    Tuesday has Smackdown/Main Event tapings in Philadelphia.  No John Cena here, with Randy Orton, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns being the biggest stars.

    NXT TAKEOVER WEDNESDAY FROM FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY IN WINTER PARK, FL at 8 p.m. on the WWE network

    Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the NXT title in a 30 minute Iron Woman match

    Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament semifinals & finals

    JJ Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Rhyno & Baron Corbin

    Samoa Joe & Finn Balor vs. Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson

    Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze

    Asuka vs. Dana Brooke

    ****

    Figure Four Weekly:

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring a look back at how exactly WWE lost the WWF name. Forget the stories you’v heard, this detailsexactly what the World Wildlife Fund objected to, what WWE agreed to and why, what scandals worried the fund, and more.  On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news from Dr. Lucha Steve Sims and and Alan”4L” Counihan.

    The recent Figure Four Weeklywith a look at the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI may have helped Hulk Hogan cover up his racist and homophobic comments. A judge has ordered the FBI to turn over the records of their investigation, and what Gawker is saying in court about what has and hasn’t been turned over paints a very interesting picture.

    Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it’s available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle.

    ****

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    If you saw the JBL interview with Eric Bischoff, or even if you didn’t, we have what is already one of the most talked about and praised issues of the Wrestling Observer this year up on the site right now.  The main theme is fact vs. fiction, covering both the WWE historical view of the Monday Night Wars and the Eric Bischoff version, going through every point and cutting through things like outright B.S., faulty memories and interesting truths.

    The new double issue also covers SummerSlam in Brooklyn, the real story behind the UFC announcing a show in Madison Square Garden, Jon Jones’ legal punishment and future, coverage of both of the New Japan PPV shows this past week as well as a look at their direction as they build toward King of Pro Wrestling and later, the Tokyo Dome show, UFC in Japan and a look at that business, the retirement of Rich Franklin, a Hall of Famer running for Mayor, the retirement show of Genichiro Tenryu, more concerning drug testing questions, SummerSlam PPV numbers and what we can learn from them, as well as the death of German legend Axel Dieter Sr.

    The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter:  October 6, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Analysis of Bischoff Network interview, Jones plea and tons more. 

    You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer

    You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Rates are:

    For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52.  In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com  For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

    If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

    The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

    We look at Eric Bischoff and his role, both good and bad, in what the pro wrestling industry has turned into.  We look at the WCW boom, the creation of Nitro, the early war, the NWO era, the peak and the fall of WCW.

    We look at the mistakes made, the fall of WCW, the emergence of Bill Goldberg, the real origination of the streak idea,   We look at the rapid decline of the company and why.  We look at how and when things went down, as well as why, how history shows the merger excuse doesn’t hold water, the complete b.s. of the WWE’s Monday Night War narrative.  We look at the dying days of WCW and Eric Bischoff’s plan he never got a chance to implement.

    We look at Eric Bischoff’s background, how he got into wrestling, his first meeting with Verne Gagne, his WWF tryout as an announcer, his connection with Japan, the unique case of Sonny Onoo, and the death of the AWA.

    We look at the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling, Vince McMahon’s one-year run on TBS and problems with Ted Turner, where Bill Watts fit into the scene then, and the scene prior to the launch of Nitro.

    We look at WCW before Bischoff got power, what really happened with Jim Ross and WCW, , moves by Bill Watts, .  We look at the first Nitro, the real story behind Lex Luger, what Lex Luger really got, what really happened in WCW with HHH and Mick Foley, Foley getting into WWF, the story behind Bischoff’s firing of Steve Austin, the cruiserweight division and its double-edge sword, what was the point of no return, the Montreal screw job and why so many, even in wrestling, missed key points in that story, Mike Tyson at WrestleMania, Kevin Nash as a booker, DX invades Nitro and the Bischoff vs. McMahon challenge to a fist fight and the story behind the PPV that went 30 minutes over.

    In the UFC Madison Square Garden announcement, we look at the thought process behind the strategy.

    FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW CLICK HERE

    If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.

    New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • Bryan and I will be back tonight talking the latest news including TNA Bound for Glory, WWE in Madison Square Garden and taking questions that can be sent tomailbag@wrestlingobserver.com  Our show covering UFC 192 and last night’s Madison Square Garden show is already up.
    • WrestlingObserver.com’s coverage of UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson live results and coverage  and WWE Live from MSG live results: Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show, John Cena vs. Seth Rollins cage match  Don’t forget to listen to Dave and Bryan talk about both on: Wrestling Observer Radio 10/4: UFC 192, WWE in Madison Square Garden, tons of news!
    • Nothing from WWE trended on Google and UFC 192 was No 3 behind the Miami Dolphins and Andrew Luck yesterday, but it was 200,000 searches, which wouldn’t indicate a big PPV number.  The only other things that made the list yesterday were Adrien Broner (No. 14) and Sage Northcutt (No. 15), both at 50,000.
    • The Ronda Rousey/Holly Holm  TV commercial that everyone has been talking about
    • The Earl Hebner Hall of Fame induction held last night in Salem, VA, at the TNA house show, was taped.  Fans who there were told it would be airing on the Bound for Glory broadcast tonight. 
    • TNA Bound for Glory airs for free on Ma Chaine Sport in France live at 2 a.m. on Canalsat 123 and Numericable 150 with Celian Varini and Gregory Deas on commentary.  There will be a replay in prime time on 10/11 at 8:30 p.m.
    • TNA Bound for Glory preview
    • Tickets for the next Madison Square Garden show, which will be 12/26, are available on a pre-sale with the code HOLIDAY.
    • Daniel Cormier believed he suffered a broken foot in the first round when a kick was checked.  The fight was a war with Alexander Gustafsson and a super gutsy performance put on by both.
    • No real indication whether Jon Jones will be back to face Cormier next or Cormier would face  Ryan Bader, if Jones isn’t in the picture.
    • The show where Dana White fought Sage Northcutt on a small show
    • Here is a “Getting to know” Sage Northcutt
    • Paul Heyman talks returning to Madison Square Garden as a performer
    • Not sure why CMLL didn’t air on Claro Sports in the U.S.  The broadcast did air, but it was geo blocked.  Some people with an app where it can make it appear their computer is located in Mexico, even when it wasn’t, were able to watch the show live.  The story  we got is that it may have been that they were also streaming a soccer game which had U.S. TV rights that had to be protected.
    • La Sombra vs. Atlantis in a mask vs. mask match from two weeks ago did air on Azteca America yesterday.
    • wXw from Friday in Oberhausen, Germany:  The tag matches are in a tag team tournament:  Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows b Di Leo & Fischer, Axel Dieter Jr. & Da Mack b Hakan Aslan & Tarkan Aslan, Jurn Simmons & Tyler Bate b Absolute Andy & Bad Bones John Klinger, Big Daddy Walter & Zack Sabre Jr. b Marius van Beethoven & Kevin Roadster, Tommaso Ciampa won over Player Dos, Bobby Fish and Jonathan Gresham, Kim Ray b Player Uno, Dieter & Mack b Jurn Simmons & Tyler Bate, Big Daddy Walter  Zack Sabre Jr. b Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
    • wXw from yesterday in Oberhuasen, Germany:  Tag matches are part of the tournament:  Jonathan Gresham & Chris Brookes b Bobby Gunns & Vincent the Beast, Julian Nero & Robert Dreissker b Mike Schwarz & Toby Blunt, Sasa Keel b Kim Ray-DQ, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly b ACH & Tommaso Ciampa, Tommy End & Michael Dante b Evil Uno & Stu Grayson, Da Mack won over Tyler Bate, Bad Bones John Klinger and The Rotation, Ilja Darunov b Zack Sabre Jr. Jonathan Gresham & Chris Brookes b Julian Negro & Robert Dreissker-COR, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly b Tommy End & Michael Dante, . (thanks to Markus Gronemann)
    • Grado was in a car accident this morning on his way to the airport to come in for the third show in Oberhausen, so he will not be on the show as scheduled for his wXw title match with Karsten Beck.
    • A.J. Styles, who was in the U.K. for two shows with Revolution Pro this past weekend, faces Tommy End is on today’s show.
    • If Tony Arrelano of Northern California is reading this, or anyone knows him, have him please contact me at dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
    • Nick Bockwinkel as a guest on a 1968 Hollywood Squares game show 
    • Notes on a new movie featuring former WWE wrestler Nathan Jones
    • Former WWE wrestler Nick Busick battling cancer
    • A new Chikara app was added to the Roku marketplace this weekend.
    • A Harley Race vs. Gino Hernandez 2/3 fall match for the NWA title was added this past week to NWAClassics.com, the Houston Wrestling subscription service.
    • House of Hardcore on 11/13 in Philadelphia at the Arena now has:

    Tommy Dreamer & Tajiri vs. Ethan Carter III & Eric Young

    Rhino vs. Abyss

    Bobby Roode vs. Austin Aries

    Chris Hero vs. Lance Hoyt

    Eddie Kingston vs. Tommaso Ciampa

    Tony Nese vs. Alex Reynolds vs. JT Dunn

    • For House of Hardcore on 11/14 in New York at the Elmcor Center

    Tommy Dreamer vs. Ethan Carter III street fight

    Roode & Aries vs. ?

    Tajiri vs. Chris Hero

    Jade vs. Thea Trinidad with Velvet Sky as ref.

    • Dory Funk’s BANG TV taping will be 10/24 in Reddick, FL at the People Power Festival, and no, John Laurinaitis is not on the show.  Dory Funk Jr. headlines an all cage match show.
    • Randy Couture appeared as his recurring character arsonist Jason Duclair on Hawaii Five-O Friday night. (thanks to Grant Zwarych)
    • WrestleMerica on 10/2 in Barnesville, GA before 400 fans (this is Doc Gallows’ promotion):  Fry Daddy b Simon Sermon, Salvatore Rinauro b CB Suave, MD 3 & PYB b Southside Trash, Iceberg b P-Dogg (Mike Posey), Tyson Dean & Glacier (original from WCW) & Micah (Camacho in WWE) & Tama Tonga b Andy Anderson & Murder One & Pain & Tommy Too Much, Al Getz b Amber Gallows in a lumberjack match (thanks to Kris Zellner)
    • Netflix just added a B-rated Sci-Fi move “3 Headed Shark Attack” starring Rob Van Dam, Jason Simmons and Danny Trejo (thanks to Daniel Beling)
    • Maryland Championship Wrestling from last night in Joppa, MD:  Drolix b Brandon Scott, Eddie Smooth b David Starr, Punk Rock All-Stars b Headbangers (former WWF team), The Bruiser b Ken Dixon, Bo Appalachian Outlaws b Fed Up (Ted DiBiase used the Million Dollar Dream on heel manager Col. Calihan and then Jake Roberts put the snake on him), Patrick Clark (Tough Enough) won 20 man Bunkhouse Battle Royal to earn a title shot, Patrick Clark & Lio Rush b Ecktourage and Hell Cats to win the tag titles, Mickie James & Fenix Fury b Amber Rodriguez & Chuck Lennox, John Hennigan (Mundo) b Shane Strickland.  Next show is 11/14 in Joppa, MD, with appearances by Ric Flair, JJ Dillon and Tully Blanchard.  They next MCW show is 10/16 with Matt Hardy, Mickie James and Road Warrior Animal.
    • I Believe in Wrestling from last night in Orlando, FL:  Braydon Knight b Rex Bacchus and Mike Reed, Chico Adams b Dalton Murphy, Brandon Scherer b Derick Jordan, Aaron Epic b Martin Stone, Mike Patrick b Leo Brien, Santana Garrett b Saraya Knight to retain NWA & Shine titles, Rhett Giddins & Josh Parker b Ace Andrews & Josh Hess.  Next show is 10/17 with Giddins vs. Patrick (thanks to Al Haft)
    • Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno:  Mortal b Marcus Eriks-DQ, Kevin El Divino b Jesse Poole-DQ, Jesse Poole & Marcus Eriks b Kevin El Divino & Prince Nagi-DQ.  Next show is 10/18 at the Big Fresno Fair.  Admission is free with a fair admission. (thanks to Jon Southerland) 
    • UWC on 10/10 in Wrightstown, NJ at Kelly’s Bar and Banquet Hall.  They also run 10/24 in New Egypt, NJ at the Elks Lodge.
    • Premier Championship Wrestling from last night in Winnipeg:  Kenny Omega & Chris Stevens b Jay Walker & Alexander Prime, Zack Mercury won over Moses Luke and Shao Ming in a three-way, Chad Tatum b Mike Angels, Jay Walker b Alix Vanna, Shao Ming b Jay Wakler, Mentallo b Kenny Omega-DQ, Team Flex Appeal b London Dynasty, Jackie Lee b Antonio Scorpio.  The belief is that Lee may be the first legit Chinese champion in modern Canadian pro wrestling history.  Mike Angels retired on this show after a 15 year career. (thanks to Andrew Shallcross)

    ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

    1972 – Antonio Inoki beat Karl Gotch in Tokyo to win the “real world title,” which was the forerunner of the IWGP title

    1988 – Fuerza Guerrera beat Solar II in Mexico City to win the NWA welterweight title

    1995 – Koki Kitahara & Nobutaka Araya & Arashi beat Gedo & Jado & Hiromichi Fuyuki in Hamamatsu Hamamatsu to win the WAR six-man tag titles

    1997 – Kenta Kobashi & Johnny Ace (John Laurinaitis) beat Steve Williams & Gary Albright in Nagoya to win the All Japan tag titles

    2004 – Masato Tanaka & Wataru Sakata beat Shinjiro Otani & Takao Omori in Morioka to win the NWA Zero-One IC tag titles

  • TNA Bound for Glory 2015 live results: EC3 vs. Drew Galloway vs. Matt Hardy

    TNA’s Signature PPV, Bound for Glory, is live on PPV from Concord, North Carolina. Ethan Carter III defends the TNA World Heavyweight title in a 3 way main event against Drew Galloway and Matt Hardy, with Jeff Hardy as the special guest referee. Bobby Roode defends the King of the Mountain title against Lashley. Kurt Angle, in what may be his final match in professional wrestling, faces Eric Young. The card is rounded out by a Gauntlet match for a World title shot, Gail Kim defending the Knockouts title, The Wolves defending the tag team titles and Tigre Uno defending the TNA X Division title in an Ultimate X match.

    The action gets underway at 8PM ET. We are looking for your thoughts on the show, as well as the Madison Square Garden show, the UFC 192 show, and AAA’s Heroies en Mortlaes so send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle as well as a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    ULTIMATE X OPENS THE SHOW FOR THE TITLE:  DJ ZEMA ION VS. MANIK VS. ANDREW EVERETT VS. TIGRE UNO

    This was one big move after the other.  It looked like Uno  got hurt doing a 450 off the top rope to the floor on Ion but it was his role to win.  Somehow he gutted himself to climbing the rope and pulling the belt down.  He had to be helped off he cable after he won.  Just a series of big  moves.  Everett looked really good including doing a springboard shooting star press.  Uno and Everett were both on he cable and Uno kicked Everett off and he took a big bump on his back off the cable.

    Shane Helms came out and was called the longest reigning cruiserweight champion in the history of pro wrestling.  He was called  Gregory Shane Helms and he looked like he was Kevin Nash standing next to Uno.  They shook hands. 

    The arena is being kept really dark. 

    Ethan Carter III came out with the belt.  He complained about Dixie making it a three way with Jeff Hardy as referee.  I have no idea why he did this interview.

    Thus far no hint of the secret third announcer.

    GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD, A ROYAL RUMBLE STYLE MATCH FOR A TITLE SHOT:

    Ken Anderson vs. Jessie Godderz are starting.  The order of entrance after was Eli Drake, Al Snow, Aiden O’Shea, Robbie E, Mahabili Shera, Tyrus, Chris Melendez, Tommy Dreamer, Abyss and  The Pope.  The Pope came in from his announcing desk and then eliminated himself because he was scared of Tyrus and  Abyss.  This match was awful, even worse because a world title shot was at stake and it was total comedy.  At one point everyone in the ring was doing the Shera dance.  Dreamer was pretending he was Dusty Rhodes with polka dots, even though Dusty made it clear he hates the polka dots.  The story was  Tyrus played monster, eliminated a ton of people and then pinned Anderson when they were the last two.  So he can pick whoever he wants to challenge.  EC 3 came out and said how they were challenging for the tag titles but Tyrus said he’s done EC 3 all kinds of favors and wants a world heavyweight title shot.

    EDDIE EDWARDS & DAVEY RICHARDS VS. TREVOR LEE & BRIAN MYERS FOR TAG TITLES

    Real good match as you’d expect.  They got heat on Edwards most of the way.  A lot of good near falls and a strong showing by Lee.  The finish saw Richards use a superplex off the top on Lee and then he and Edwards used Chasing the Dragon on Lee and Richards pinned him.  

    Drew Galloway interview talked about the title match said a Triple Threat is a no DQ match, I’m willing to kill myself.  That was supposed to mean something.  He said he was given curve balls of Matt Hardy being added to the match and Jeff Hardy being made referee.

    BOBBY ROODE VS. BOBBY LASHLEY FOR THE KING OF THE MOUNTAIN TITLE

    Roode retained his title clean with the Roode bomb.  This was a match where they kept kicking out of each others’ moves.  This could have been a great match with a different crowd, but this crowd just wasn’t into it until the very end due to no face vs. heel dynamic.  Roode used the Roode bomb and Lashley kicked out.  Lashley used a spear but Roode kicked out.  Roode used a spear and Lashley kicked out and Lashley used a Roode bomb and Lashley kicked out.

    Matt Hardy out for an interview.  Put over how big the night is, grew up in Cameron, we wanted to be world tag team champions just once, then we both wanted to be world champions and Jeff has done it a few times.  Tonight is my night.  Can’t think of a better place to do it than tonight, said his father, his wife and baby are all here and Jeff is the referee.

    They showed the Earl Hebner Hall of Fame thing.  They showed maybe 20 seconds of it.  Billy Corgan came out and wanted to show highlights of Earl Hebner’s career.  Claimed Earl was a household name.  Called him the greatest referee in history.  He came out to the ring to a nice reaction.

    GAIL KIM VS. AWESOME KONG FOR KNOCKOUTS TITLE

    Bad match.  Kong is just hurting so bad she can’t do much of anything.  Kim retained with eat defeat and a small package.  They did a spot where Kong went for a chair but Chef Robert Irvine grabbed the chair from her.  Earl Hebner argued with Irvine and Kong gave her an implant buster on the floor onto chairs but Kim still kicked out of the pin. 

    ERIC YOUNG VS. KURT ANGLE

    Kurt came out and announced it was a no DQ match.  Young piledrove Angle and they sold it like Angle was injured.  The doctor came out and stopped the match but the bell never rang.  They were helping Angle out but Young attacked the doctor and Pat Kenney who were helping Angle out.  Young attacked Angle and Angle told him the match was over.  But the match continued.  Angle made a comeback and escaped from an attempted piledriver off the middle rope and reversed out of a sunset flip and grabbed the ankle lock.  Young made the ropes, but since it was no DQ, Angle never broke the hold and pulled him to the center and got the tap.  So Angle won even though it was stopped nine minutes earlier.

    EC 3 VS. DREW GALLOWAY VS. MATT HARDY FOR THE TNA TITLE

    Matt won the title by pinning Galloway.  Thne he brought his son and wife in the ring.  Then the Hardys brought their dad into the ring.  The match had its moments and Matt and Kurt were really the only guys to get strong reactions on the show.  They did a lot of near falls.  EC 3 complained to Dixie Carter and John Gaburick and threw Gaburck over a table.

    Matt kicked out of the one percenter.  Then EC 3 wanted to get DQ’d so he kicked Galloway low right in front of Jeff, but it was no DQ to begin with.  EC 3 got a chair but Jeff took it away.  EC 3 thne told Jeff to hit Matt with a chair which made no sense.  EC 3 slapped Jeff in the face.  Jeff hit EC 3 with a chair and Matt hit the twist of fate on EC 3.  Galloway then hit EC 3 with a running kick and Hardy used the twist of fate on Galloway for the pin.

  • WWE: 8 mistakes that killed the #DivasRevolution

    By Will Cooling for WrestlingObserver.com

    Most people would agree that the WWE “Divas Revolution” has not been the success that the WWE was hoping for. Not only are the matches nowhere near the quality that many of the same women have been having in NXT but the characters simply haven’t been getting over to the audience. The failure to properly introduce performers that really could be money-drawing acts on the main roster demonstrates many of the things that are wrong with the WWE.

    Mistake #1: Telling Rather Than Showing

    Fuelled by the success of the women on NXT and the wider prominence given to female athletes in the wake of the rise of Ronda Rousey and success of the American women’s soccer team, WWE seemed to assume that fans were thirsting for women to be given greater prominence on the main roster. This was an odd assumption to make considering that not only have WWE fans long been conditioned to ignore women’s wrestling, and that even in MMA much of the hardcore fanbase were reluctant to embrace female fighting. The WWE should have realised that for the new division to work they needed to gradually win over fans rather than presenting them with a fati acompli.

    Mistake #2: Being Stuck In The Past

    The WWE used to understand that whenever you’re introducing something new you need to jettison something old. To bring in Hulk Hogan, they got rid of Bob Backlund. To bring in the New Generation they got rid of the Hulkamania veterans. To bring in the ‘Attitude Era’, they removed the cartoonish and childish tropes they had previously relied upon. Having decided that their old approach to women’s wrestling was no longer working, they needed to clearly show that this to the audience, many of whom never liked the pre-existing product. This should have involved ditching old terminology, phasing out existing wrestlers and revamping how feuds and matches were presented.

    Instead the WWE have tried to blend the old and the new, and as a consequence the new breed of women’s wrestlers look increasingly interchangeable from the old divas they’re meant to be replacing. Which of course, was exactly what happened when the then NXT Women’s Champion Paige joined the main roster back in 2013.

    Mistake #3: Having the Wrong Priorities

    Throughout its history, WCW was hamstrung by its membership of a larger conglomerate. The need to be sensitive to be the whims of its corporate overlords meant it could never move as nimbly as a WWF that was purely focused on making as much money from pro-wrestling as possible. Alas, today’s WWE resembles WCW more than it does WWF in this regard. Due to the need to please its broadcast partners and sponsors, the WWE only occassionally focuses on what is required to please its fans.

    The women’s division has fallen foul of these split priorities. The obvious move when introducing the NXT Women would be to remove the Bella Twins from the division due to how synonymous they are with their old approach towards women’s wrestling. Alas the WWE doesn’t want to do this because Total Divas is a rare example of a ‘successful’ spin-off and the Bellas have long been its star characters.

    Mistake #4: Not Understanding that Less is More

    Even during the peak of Trish Stratus’ career, fans often saw women’s matches as so unimportant that they used them as an excuse for a bathroom break. Any attempt to re-launch the division needed to break this habit. NXT achieved this by quickly promoting the women to be the co-main event, and on occasion, the main event.

    Regrettably WWE has not followed this model as rather than invest time in building up to a few key women’s matches every month, the WWE has decided to throw out two meaningless but lengthy matches on every edition of RAW. In many ways, nothing has changed except that the bathroom breaks have gotten longer.

    Mistake #5: Exposing Their Performers Limitations 

    The glut of women’s matches is an even bigger mistake when you consider the performers involved. All of the NXT women have relatively little experience inside the pro-wrestling ring. However, they have put on great matches due to their innate athleticism and willingness to obsessively plan and practice their matches. That of course is a good thing, pro-wrestling is about creating illusions, and if thorough preparation hides their weaknesses then that’s something to celebrate.

    However maintaining the illusion does impose limitations on the product. If the performers need to rehearse their matches, then they must be given adequate time beforehand to do so. This is something those booking NXT understood very well but WWE is so wedded to booking RAW the night before that they are incapable of learning from themselves.  

    Mistake #6: Putting a McMahon’s Ego First

    Ever since she started celebrating her friendship with Ronda Rousey, it’s become clear that Stephanie McMahon has alighted on advancing the position of women within the WWE as a cause that can burnish her real-world feminist credentials. That would be fine if she was content with focusing on making the women’s division a success and then taking credit away from television. Alas she’s demanded that it be focused around her on television. She was the person to get to engage with Rousey at Wrestlemania 31, she was the one to finally stand-up to the Bella Twins, she was the one to introduce the NXT women to RAW and she was the one to who made the telling intervention that finally allowed Charlotte to win the title. The result has been that on television the ‘Divas Revolution’ has come across as a top-down imposition from a heel authority figure that deep-down most fans realise has had a negative impact on the product in real life.

    Mistake #7: Pushing the Brand Rather Than a Superstar

    When UFC introduced a women’s division, they built the entire project around one person. They understood that if they could get Ronda Rousey over as a credible champion then fans would naturally start caring about her prospective challengers. To that end, for the first eighteen months of women’s UFC, every fight was broadcast in the context of developing new challengers for Rousey.

    WWE have shown no such focus. Rather than alighting on one of the NXT women and building the division around her, they’ve thrown three of them out onto the main roster at the same time. They’ve done this because they think that pushing a brand such as ‘Divas Revolution’ is more important than making fans care about individual wrestlers. This is an obvious misreading of their history. ‘Hulkamania’ was built around Hulk Hogan, ‘WWF Attitude’ was built around Stone Cold Steve Austin and today’s PG-Era is clearly built around John Cena. Fans gravitate to stars, not corporate buzz words.

    Mistake #8 Lack of Prior Planning  

    All these mistakes all add up to that most common WWE problem of all; not having a clear plan. The lack of a clear plan means that the WWE has not properly anticipated let alone address the very really challenges they would face in revamping their women’s division.

    That of course raises the question as to what such a plan should have looked like, something that I answer Monday in the final part of this look at the Divas Revolution.

    Will Cooling is a freelance writer who writes on combat sports for Fighting Spirit Magazine, pop culture for Geeky Monkey and politics at It Could Be Said!

  • WWE: Bray Wyatt injured at Bangor, ME, house show

    We are awaiting more details on this, but Bray Wyatt suffered a bad hand cut and a head cut in his WWE house show match Saturday night with Roman Reigns in Bangor, ME.

    The injuries took place during the match which was stopped while the trainer taped up his hand after it was nailed with a Kendo stick. The hand injury, which was said to be bleeding more than his head, seemed worse than the head injury. The match resumed and Reigns won the match as he does at all the house shows. Doctors came out to inspect both cuts.