Tag: mainstory

We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s New Japan Destruction in Kobe show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer

We’re also looking for reports on last night’s WWE show in Rochester, NY, NXT in Fort Pierce, FL and today’s WWE shows in Syracuse, NY (John Cena vs. Seth Rollins, Ryback vs. Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho vs. Luke Harper) and Erie PA (Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman; Randy Orton vs. Sheamus).  Send to NEWSTIPS

Shooto Brazil live on UFC Fight Pass Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern time

Raw will be live from Buffalo on Monday night.  Even though Brock Lesnar is headlining both the MSG special the following Saturday and the next PPV, at this point he is not advertised for the show.  That would make sense to change but we haven’t heard that it is.

Smackdown will be taped in Albany, NY.  No John Cena or Randy Orton scheduled for Albany.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

We’ve got a double issue of the Observer this week because of coverage of so many big shows and all the stuff that has come out of the past week with WWE. Sept. 28, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Sting, Night of Champions, Bellator Dynamite, more

Our lead story covers the Sting injury, the Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar Hell in a Cell match and the interesting back story and questions it brings up, lots of long-term looking at where WWE is headed as well as full coverage of the Night of Champions show.  We also cover the second season news for Lucha Underground, the Atlantis vs. La Sombra mask vs. mask match, Akira Hokuto’s announcement about her breast cancer, Bellator’s Dynamite show and what went right and wrong, New Japan’s Destruction in Okayama, ROH’s All-Star Extravaganza, the Pro Wrestling NOAH angle where they tease the end of the company, USADA responds to Thomas Hauser, Josh Gross’ story on the Vitor Belfort drug test and why it’s not nearly as simple as people are making it out to be, AAA’s next major show and record low ratings.

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

Our lead story covers the WWE weekend, notably the Sting injury and Undertaker-Lesnar announcement.

We go through the injury, including Sting’s interview comments after the fact and his description of Seth Rollins and the injury, as well as his current thoughts on if he will wrestle again.  We also talk about what he does and doesn’t know, what he’s said publicly about the injury, why the match wasn’t stopped, and what we can learn from it.

We also look at how the Lesnar vs. Undertaker Hell in a Cell match changes WrestleMania, and look at those potential changes.  We look at the different directions they can go with the key talent for next year’s show.  We also look at the rest of Hell in a Cell as far as what is on the books and what name isn’t listed yet in the top matches.  We look at the problem in the arena at the end of Night of Champions.

We’ve got complete Night of Champions coverage, with records, business, poll results, match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

FOR A FULL 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

• Shinsuke Nakamura regained the IC title from Hirooki Goto on today’s New Japan Destruction in Kobe show.  The next PPV show for New Japan is King of Pro Wrestling on 10/12 at Sumo Hall, headlined by Kazuchika Okada vs. A.J. Styles for the IWGP title.  While not necessary all on the next show, the challenges and such for upcoming title and big matches are Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito for the Tokyo Dome main event spot, Nakamura vs. Karl Anderson for the IC title, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta for the IWGP jr. tag titles, Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the Never title, Kenny Omega vs. Matt Sydal for the IWGP jr. title and Tiger Mask vs. Jushin Liger for the NWA jr. title.  I expect a press conference to announce the show in the next day or two.
• Nothing from UFC made the Google searches this weekend, nor from pro wrestling.  Deontay Wilder retaining his heavyweight boxing title was No. 14 yesterday.
• Jesse Ventura said that he’d consider running for Vice President with Bernie Sanders.  He had talked about running with Donald Trump but opposed his immigration policy “vehemently.”  He said he’s willing to agree to build a wall on the Mexican border if Donald Trump will also build one on the Canadian border.  Like that’s going to happen.
• WWE is looking for a Director of Communications and Operations for the Japan market.
• In a trivia note, Seth Rollins, at 184 days, has held the title the longest of anyone in history after cashing in the Money in the Bank.  The old record was The Miz, at 160 days.  Kane had 154 days. (thanks to Emerson Witner)
• La Sombra is headed to Japan for the November/December tag team tournament, likely as the partner for Tetsuya Naito.   
• Dustin Runnels confirmed that he was going to the 10/7 NXT Takeover show.  Dustin & Cody Runnels will be at the show at Full Sail University presenting the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team tournament trophies to the team that wins the finals.\
• George O’Brien, the co-author of the book “Wrestling to Rasslin:  Ancient Sport to American Spectacle,” passed away earlier today.  O’Brien went every year to the Cauliflower Alley Club banquets and would also help young Arizona based talent.  He had personally paid for promising Arizona talent to fly to the U.K. and learn the European style of wrestling.  John La Rocca noted it’s a sad day for the Arizona wrestling community as well as for Premier Wrestling community.  O’Brien was the person who opened the door for Joe Graves to come to Premier and have his bouts with Timothy Thatcher.
• Dave Meltzer’s story at MMAFighting on Daniel Cormier getting ready for Alexander Gustafsson
• A story on WWE and Tivo
• Gary Cooke a former pro wrestler in the 70s and 80s in the U.K. was sent to jail for 14 years as part of a paedophile ring
• A story about crazy pro wrestling in the Philippines
• Another historical event is that 48 years ago today in Honolulu at the HIC Arena (now the NBC Arena), Handsome Johnny Barend got married in the ring before a sellout crowd.  This was one of the most famous events in the history of 50th State Wrestling.  Even a few years ago on news shows, well after Barend passed away, I heard hosts talking about the night Barend married the local girl (and they remained married until his death in 2011).  That led to a famous interview a week or so later on National All-Star Wrestling out of San Francisco.  Ray Stevens & Pat Patterson, who were headliners on that show, and at the time the Cow Palace and HIC Arena were both hot as hell and there was a rivalry which arena would do the biggest house, and Stevens talked about how they put a wedding on in Honolulu as a cheap way to up the gate, and he guaranteed everyone that his partner, Patterson, would never stoop so low as to get married in the ring.
• RFA returns to Las Vegas on 10/9 on AXS with Gilbert Smith vs. Bristol Marunde in the main event, plus Zoila Frausto returns to strawweight, a weight she’d never lost at.
• Future Stars of Wrestling on Friday night in Las Vegas:  Nick Bugatti b Spyder Warrior, BFFs b Paddy O’Shea & Looney Bin & Dan Joseph, Tomaste b Carlo Cannon, Vegas and Mike Dalite, Vegas Originals b Players Club-DQ, Funny Bone b Damian Drake, Reno Scum NC Pistoleros, Willie Mack b Owen Travers, Ryan Taylor won three-way over Jakob Austin Young and Paul London, Kevin Kross b Bran Cage to win the FSW title.  Next show is 10/16 at the Silverton Casino.
• Luster the Legend missed the show because his wife was giving birth.
• Nick Massie’s wife (Young Bucks) as of this moment hasn’t given birth yet.  He missed the weekend because his wife was ready to give birth.
• Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 10/4 in Oshawa, ONT at the Royal Canadian Legion #43.
• Quintessential Pro Wrestling, which sounds like it was named after Joel Gertner, ran last night in Reno before 130 fans:  Nicole Savoy b Laura James, Kenny Lush b Jeff Cobb, Chris Hero and Adam Thornstowe co-won four-way over Scotty Mac and Artemis Spencer, Nicole Matthews b Christina Von Eeerie, JR Kratos b Chupacabra, Cheerleader Melissa b  Shayna Baszler (debut), Adam Thornstowe b Chris Hero.  Nicole Matthews his Baszler with a chair after her match.  Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir of the Four Horsewomen were there for Baszler’s debut.
• Trina Michaels talks wrestling while in a hot tub
• Should Big Daddy be in the Hall of Fame?
• Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno:  Danny Fernandez (billed as possibly being Manny’s son) b Jesse Poole-DQ, Kevin El Divine b Chad Douglas-DQ, Prince Nagi b Lucero del Mundo, Danny Fernandez & Kevin El Divino b Chad Douglas & Jesse Poole (thanks to Jon Southerland)

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

1938 – Lofty Bloomfield beat Dean Detton in Auckland too win the New Zealand title

1974 – Lorenzo Parente beat Mario Milano in Sydney to win the WCW Brass Knux title

2002 – Nicho & Damian 666 & Halloween beat El Satanico & Averno & Mephisto in Mexico City to win the Mexican national trios titles

2009 – Shinsuke Nakamura beat Togi Makabe in Kobe to win the vacant IWGP title

Show notes for tonight:

UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson airs live from Saitama Japan:

Main Card on Fox Sports 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET
Josh Barnett (239) vs. Roy Nelson (261) in the five round main event
Gegard Mousasi (186) vs. Uriah Hall (186)
Kyoji Horiguchi (126) vs. Chico Camus (126)
Takeya Mizugaki (136) vs. George Roop (135)
Katsunori Kikuno (145) vs. Diego Brandao (146)
Mizuto Hirota (146) vs. Teruto Ishihara (146)

Prelims on Fox Sports 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET:
Keita Nakamura (170) vs. Li Jingliang (171)
Nick Hein (155) vs. Yusuke Kasuya (156)
Naoyuki Kotani (156) vs. Kajan Johnson (156)
Shinsho Anzai (170) vs. Roger Zapata (171)

No Fight Pass Prelim due to the cancellation of Kid Yamamoto vs. Matt Hobar bumping up Kikuno vs. Brandao to the main card and Anzai vs. Zapata to Fox Sports 2.

While the main card is fun on paper, this feels like a noticeable step from the other recent Japan cards, even last year’s “Fight Pass Mania.” The lack of fighters like Mark Hunt, Takanori Gomi, Yoshihiro Akiyama, and now Kid Yamamoto make it feel like less of a special event.

New Japan Destruction in Kobe airs live tonight at 3:00 a.m. ET on New Japan World
Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu vs. Jay White & David Finlay
Yuji Nagata & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan & Juice Robinson
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi & Rocky Romero & Baretta
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Matt Sydal vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Kenny Omega
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tetsuya Naito
Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. A.J. Styles & Tama Tonga & Cody Hall
Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish vs. Alex Shelley & Kushida for IWGP jr. tag titles
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale for the Tokyo Dome title sho
Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the IC title

Sunday has WWE in Syracuse, NY (John Cena vs. Seth Rollins; Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens) and Erie PA (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt; Randy Orton vs. Sheamus).

Shooto Brazil airs live on UFC Fight Pass Sunday night at 6 p.m. Eastern time

Raw will be live from Buffalo on Monday night.  Brock Lesnar has not been advertised for the show even with th MSG special being next week.

SmackDown will be taped Tuesday in Albany, NY.

Please send reports from major shows, recommended links, etc. to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com:

Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

We’ve got a double issue of the Observer this week because of coverage of so many big shows and all the stuff that has come out of the past week with WWE. Sept. 28, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Sting, Night of Champions, Bellator Dynamite, more

Our lead story covers the Sting injury, the Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar Hell in a Cell match and the interesting back story and questions it brings up, lots of long-term looking at where WWE is headed as well as full coverage of the Night of Champions show.  We also cover the second season news for Lucha Underground, the Atlantis vs. La Sombra mask vs. mask match, Akira Hokuto’s announcement about her breast cancer, Bellator’s Dynamite show and what went right and wrong, New Japan’s Destruction in Okayama, ROH’s All-Star Extravaganza, the Pro Wrestling NOAH angle where they tease the end of the company, USADA responds to Thomas Hauser, Josh Gross’ story on the Vitor Belfort drug test and why it’s not nearly as simple as people are making it out to be, AAA’s next major show and record low ratings.

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

Our lead story covers the WWE weekend, notably the Sting injury and Undertaker-Lesnar announcement.

We go through the injury, including Sting’s interview comments after the fact and his description of Seth Rollins and the injury, as well as his current thoughts on if he will wrestle again.  We also talk about what he does and doesn’t know, what he’s said publicly about the injury, why the match wasn’t stopped, and what we can learn from it.

We also look at how the Lesnar vs. Undertaker Hell in a Cell match changes WrestleMania, and look at those potential changes.  We look at the different directions they can go with the key talent for next year’s show.  We also look at the rest of Hell in a Cell as far as what is on the books and what name isn’t listed yet in the top matches.  We look at the problem in the arena at the end of Night of Champions.

We’ve got complete Night of Champions coverage, with records, business, poll results, match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

FOR A FULL 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.

Saturday Daily Update

— Hulk Hogan dodged a bullet yesterday as Judge Pamela Campbell, who’s presiding over his lawsuit against Gawker, denied a third party motion from the Associated Press and other news organizations to unseal the contents of his FBI case file. Gawker had successfully sued the FBI for the release of the case file, but Judge Campbell immediately sealed it all when they filed everything in the Hogan case. The motion had been filed just a day earlier and the ruling wasn’t a surprise given Cambell’s history in the case.

— On that note, Bubba th Love Sponge Clem has been accused of ratings tampering. 

— WWE and 2K Sports have released a trailer for the overhauled My Career mode in WWE 2K16. My Career will only be available in the Playstation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game, which coms out on October 27th and available for pre-order now.

— Kemonito got a puppy last night at Arena Mexico. Must-watch.

— Paragon Pro Wrestling sent out a press release because their TV show is moving from 6:00 a.m. ET to 8:00 a.m. ET every Saturday morning on Pop.

— AL.com has a nice article about Ray “Glacier” Lloyd. He talks about being a high school gym teacher before and after his WCW tenure but doesn’t mention his post-Glacier WCW gimmick of Coach Buzz Stern.

— Tom Prichard talks to Devon Nicholson about the murder of Bruiser Brody.

— WWE is working with the Florida Gators on their new charitable endeavor.

— Brian Fritz als talked to Titus O’Neill about the “Gator Good” campaign.

— Two Cold Scorpio has been added to tomorrow LuchaTo card in Whitby, Ontario.

— Preston City Wrestling results for last night from Keith Harris: Bubblegum retained the PCW Cruiserweight title over Xander Cooper, Dean Allmark & Ashton Smith. Ashton growing in confidence. Dean and Bubblegum great as usual. Iestyn Rees pinned Charlie “Good News” Garrett with a powerbomb. T-Bone pinned Dave Rayne with a suplex dropped into a Tombstone piledriver. Quick squash. El Ligero pinned Tomasso Ciampa with a tornado DDT. Sha Samuels choked out Lionheart with a scarf in a no-DQ match. Joey Hayes & Martin Kirby beat The Wards. Joey stole the pin. Drew Galloway pinned Noam Dar after an eye poke and two Tornado DDTs. Wild brawl all over the club before the bell rung. Pull apart brawl after the match. PCW Heavyweight Champion Dave Mastiff pinned Bobby Lashley clean with a cannonball in the corner. After the match, Team Single and Lashley beat down Mastiff. Martin Kirby attempted to cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase, but was stopped by Joey Hayes. In the end, Kirby, Hayes & Mastiff ran off the heels. Show wasn’t sold out, unlike many PCW events. Crowd laughed when Joanna Rose called Lashly a former TNA champio

— The Blu-Ray version of WWE’s “Owen: Hart of Gold” Owen Hart DVD set is now available for pre-order, joining the DVD aftr it had been listed on its own for a week or so.  The most recent release is SummerSlam 2015, which came out on Tuesday on DVD and Blu-Ray. The next archival/specialized release is Sting: Into the Light, which comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray on October 13th. They also have a special collectible “coffin edition” of “Undertaker: The Streak” coming out on November 17th.

By Dave Meltzer

Members can now access all the latest audio shows and the new issue of the Observer.   HERE

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE show in Toronto (John Cena vs. Seth Rollins; Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens), ROH in California, PA (Briscoes vs. Young Bucks, Roderick Strong vs. Michael Elgin, Matt Taven & Michael Bennett vs. Kenny King & Rhett Titus non-title, Moose & Ray Rowe & Hanson vs. Jay Lethal & Donovan Dijak & J Diesel, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs. Takaaki Watanabe & Will Ferrara; ACH vs. Caprice Coleman) and NXT in Largo, FL at Dave Meltzer

Our only weekend poll will be for New Japan’s Destruction in Kobe show.  

New Japan World Pro Wrestling Returns at 8 p.m. Eastern (one hour early) on AXS TV

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Katsuyori Shibata for IC title

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto for Never title

Lion Fight Muay Thai kickboxing at 9 p.m. Eastern on AXS TV

Bellator tonight at 9 p.m. from the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, TX

Vinicius Queiroz vs. Ewerton Teixeira

Henry Corrales vs. Emmanuel Sanchez

Joey Beltran vs. Kendall Grove

Joe Warren vs. L.C. Davis

We are looking for reports on Saturday’s WWE shows in Rochester, NY (John Cena vs Seth Rollins; Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens) and Cleveland (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt; Randy Orton vs. Sheamus), ROH in Lockport, NY (Jay Lethal vs. Stevie Richards non-title, Adam Cole vs. ACH vs. Michael Elgin vs. Moose, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs. Briscoes, Young Bucks vs. War Machine, Roderick Strong vs. Takaaki Watanabe, Kenny King & Rhett Titus vs. Donovan Dijak & J Diesel, Caprice Coleman vs. Pepper Parks and Veda Scott vs. Sumie Sakai.

UFC from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Saturday

FS 2 at 8 p.m.

Shinsho Anzai vs. Roger Zapata

Kajan Johnson vs. Naoyuki Kotani

Nick Hein vs. Yusuke Kasyua

Keita Nakamura vs. Li Jingliang

FS 1 at 10 p.m.

Katsunori Kikuno vs. Diego Brandao

Mizuto Hirota vs. Teruto Ishihara in the finals of the Road to Japan tournament

Takeya Mizugaki vs. George Roop

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Chico Camus

Gegard Mousasi vs. Uriah Hall

Josh Barnett vs. Roy Nelson

New Japan Destruction in Kobe airs live at 3 a.m. Eastern Sunday morning at midnight Pacific (Saturday night) on New Japan World

Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu vs. Jay White & David Finlay

Yuji Nagata & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan & Juice Robinson

Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi & Rocky Romero & Baretta

Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Matt Sydal vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Kenny Omega

Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tetsuya Naito

Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. A.J. Styles & Tama Tonga & Cody Hall

Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish vs. Alex Shelley & Kushida for IWGP jr. tag titles

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale for the Tokyo Dome title shot

Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the IC title

Sunday has WWE in Syracuse, NY (John Cena vs. Seth Rollins; Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens) and Erie PA (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt; Randy Orton vs. Sheamus).

Shooto Brazil live on UFC Fight Pass Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern time

Raw will be live from Buffalo on Monday night.  Even though Brock Lesnar is headlining both the MSG special the following Saturday and the next PPV, at this point he is not advertised for the show.  That would make sense to change but we haven’t heard that it is.

Smackdown will be taped in Albany, NY.  No John Cena or Randy Orton scheduled for Albany.

We’ve got a double issue of the Observer this week because of coverage of so many big shows and all the stuff that has come out of the past week with WWE. Sept. 28, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Sting, Night of Champions, Bellator Dynamite, more

Our lead story covers the Sting injury, the Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar Hell in a Cell match and the interesting back story and questions it brings up, lots of long-term looking at where WWE is headed as well as full coverage of the Night of Champions show.  We also cover the second season news for Lucha Underground, the Atlantis vs. La Sombra mask vs. mask match, Akira Hokuto’s announcement about her breast cancer, Bellator’s Dynamite show and what went right and wrong, New Japan’s Destruction in Okayama, ROH’s All-Star Extravaganza, the Pro Wrestling NOAH angle where they tease the end of the company, USADA responds to Thomas Hauser, Josh Gross’ story on the Vitor Belfort drug test and why it’s not nearly as simple as people are making it out to be, AAA’s next major show and record low ratings.

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

Our lead story covers the WWE weekend, notably the Sting injury and Undertaker-Lesnar announcement.

We go through the injury, including Sting’s interview comments after the fact and his description of Seth Rollins and the injury, as well as his current thoughts on if he will wrestle again.  We also talk about what he does and doesn’t know, what he’s said publicly about the injury, why the match wasn’t stopped, and what we can learn from it.

We also look at how the Lesnar vs. Undertaker Hell in a Cell match changes WrestleMania, and look at those potential changes.  We look at the different directions they can go with the key talent for next year’s show.  We also look at the rest of Hell in a Cell as far as what is on the books and what name isn’t listed yet in the top matches.  We look at the problem in the arena at the end of Night of Champions.

We’ve got complete Night of Champions coverage, with records, business, poll results, match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

FOR A FULL 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.

FRIDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

–Again, want to apologize for all the web site problems which are being fixed right now.  Members can now access all the latest audio shows and the new issue of the Observer.   HERE

–Expect some angles at Sunday’s New Japan PPV show since they have to set up the undercard for another PPV on 10/12 at Sumo Hall, King of Pro Wrestling, which is the company’s biggest event of the fall season.  That’s the show where Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP title against A.J. Styles.

–Dustin & Cody Runnels will be presenting the trophies on Wednesday to the winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament

–WWE has told us for the 10/3 Madison Square Garden show, the entire card will air live on the Network.  It won’t be like the Sumo Hall show where the first half hour was cut off.  So even though they are only pushing Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show and the New Day vs. Dudleys, all the matches will be airing.  As noted before, the New Day vs. Dudleys is not just a house show match but being pushed because there will be a storyline direction that will then lead to Hell in a Cell in Los Angeles three weeks later.

–Judge Joseph Matika put bail on Tammy Sytch at $2,000 today at her hearing after being brought in by police after missing three court appearances.  She has another hearing on 10/7 regarding two other DUI cases not related to the case she was arrested for today.  

–We don’t have much for today in the international title histories other than a note that on this day in 1981, Fishman beat Perro Aguayo to win the WWF light heavyweight title in Los Angeles, which was an NWA territory although they did work closely with WWF and book talent to New Japan.

–Tyron Woodley, from the infamous Ferguson, MO suburb of St. Louis, threw out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game last night and did a pregame interview on the broadcast.  Woodley faces Johny Hendricks on the 10/3 UFC show in Houston.  During the game, the announcers were raving about what a great talker and nice guy he is.  Woodley said he was a lot more nervous throwing out the first pitch than he is going into the Octagon. (thanks to Irvin Muchnick)

–WWE.com and the WWE Network received several honors this past week by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts.  The WWE app earned gold awards for Mobile Apps/Sites, Entertainment and Mobile Apps/Sites in Sports (I thought they weren’t sports), and three silver awards for Media Streaming, Best Streaming Video and Integrated Mobile Experience.  The WWE network won eight Silver Awards for Best Web site, Best Features and Video Channels and Network Categories as well as Visual Appeal.  There were a number of other awards including WrestleMania 30 with silver medals for Excellence in Entertainment Social Media and Sports Social Media.

–Steve Beverly, a name some older newsletter and hotline fans will remember, noted to us that the college broadcasting class he teaches that does a Noon newscast, had  Dave Brown as the guest yesterday.  The usual newscast was scrapped and the show was a 30 minute interview with Brown.  If the show gets posted, we will provide links.  Most of the show was about his career as a weatherman, his working against drunk drivers and his retirement plans, but the interview did touch on pro wrestling and Lance Russell, and he talked about how Lance Russell first approached him to take the wrestling commentary job in 1967.  I’ve always told people what a great guy Dave Brown is.  He was only supposed to stay for the interview and he stayed another 75 minutes with the class giving kids individual career advice.

–Beverly also noted that on 10/24 in Jackson they are having a Lance Russell night.  It’s a card that will be headlined by a Jerry Lawler vs. Terry Funk match, in Funk’s first match in a long time and I’d say maybe his last, but I’ve thought maybe his last so many times that I’m not allowed to think it even if it may be true.

–Superstars of Wrestling on 10/9 in West Palm Beach at the Armory featuring Matt Hardy vs. PJ Black and Wes Brisco vs. Matt Riddle, plus Ethan Carter III appears.  There will also be a 6 p.m. meet and greet with Hardy, Carter III and Riddle.

–Drew Galloway will be back in Evolve on the 11/6 and 11//7 shows in Florida.

–Evolve announced this card for 10/17 at La Boom in Woodside, Queens, NY for an iPPV

Timothy Thatcher & T.J. Perkins vs. Trent Baretta & Rocky Romero

Drew Gulak vs. Trevor Lee – winner faces Thatcher for the title the next night

Antony Nese vs. Andrew Everett vs. Matt Cage vs. Peter Kassa

Tracy Williams vs. Willie Mack

Matt Riddle vs. Jonathan Gresham 

–Lucha Underground sent out a release that Shawn Hernandez has been released from his contract.  That’s been apparent since he showed up on TNA television and they got into the fight which ended up costing TNA indirectly its entire Beatdown Clan, since MVP was fired since he was the guy who recruited Hernandez, who had a valid Lucha Underground deal in place.  Hernandez was the replacement for Samoa Joe, who left since TNA could no longer afford to give him the kind of contract he’d had over the past several years.  Since the, Kenny King just quit to go to ROH and Low Ki also left not related to any of this.

–Metro Pro Wrestling on 10/10 in Kansas City at the Turner Rec Center.  There will be a Jim Cornette Q&A at 4:30 p.m. before the show.  The show will be a TV taping for Time warner Cable SportsChannel.

–Paragon Pro Wrestling announced its TV will be moving from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Eastern and Pacific on Pop TV starting a week from tomorrow.

–An obscure French MMA fighter named Sylvain Potard, who has a 7-5 record, has become relatively famous in the past few days.  He did a totally naked photo shoot for a calender called “Les Dieux du Stade” a tradition where male sports stars, usually rugby players, do art nude shoots and it’s a big deal to both women and the gay community.  Potard in particular became the talk of the day on social media first, and then it broke throughout France mainstream media and he was on several talk shows.  (thanks to Tony Bouin)

–A wake for Jersey All Pro Wrestling promoter Frank Iadevaia takes place on Sunday at the Carmona-Bolen Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

–All Japan’s Oudou tournament finals are tomorrow at Korakuen Hall.  the semifinals have Akebono vs. Shuji Ishkawa of Union, and Jun Akiyama vs. Yuji Hino of K-Dojo.  The winners meet in the finals that will be the main event of the show.

–Pro Wrestling Phoenix on Saturday in Council Bluffs, IA at the National Guard Armory.

–The Fight Network in Canada will be doing the prelims for tomorrow’s UFC show from 8-10 p.m.   The main card will air on TSN5.