Tag: mainstory

Continued Daniel Bryan retirement news

DON’T FORGET: Daniel Bryan, aka Bryan Danielson, will be on ESPN’s SportsCenter with Jonathan Coachman tonight at 9 EST. It will be his first interview since his incredible retirement speech Monday night to close out RAW.

Just a bit ago we posted Daniel Bryan’s appearance from 2007 on Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez.

MLW has uploaded the Bryan Danielson vs. Teddy Hart match from one of their last shows to YouTube, while WWN Live put up Danielson vs. Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose) on the EVOLVE channel.

Mick Foley talked about Bryan’s retirement on his Facebook page.

On the heels of the retirement, a new study is all over the place today, claiming that concussions “may also be associated with an increase in the long term risk of suicide.” For anyone in combat/collision sports, this is a terrifying time, indeed.

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday in Portland, OR. Chris Jericho vs. A.J. Styles is on the show.

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Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly 2/1/2016: Weekly Hogan/Gawker update
A look at the past weeks developments in the Hulk Hogan and Gawker lawsuit.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: February 8, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Bret Hart diagnosed with cancer, Nakamura’s final NJPW match

The new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter looks at Bret Hart’s battle with cancer, his discussions about it, and updates on the situation. The most detailed coverage of the last month of Lucha Underground’s second season, backstage news, season three, lots of business notes.  Full coverage of all the Ultima Lucha 2 matches and direction. Nakamura’s final day with NJPW, where Nakamura and New Japan go now, his background and building the IC title, the next two New Japan PPV shows to this weekend’s biggest event.

Fast Lane and WrestleMania, what’s up with Undertaker, WWE injury updates, the next WWE Network special, Licensing issue with new WWE signees, notes on the next NXT Takeover show, a look at all the TV building the next Takeover show, who led to a huge increase in demand for WWE tickets, next WWE show in Madison Square Garden update, Nakamura updates, WWE performer wants to compete in the Olympics and what former pro wrestler went back to the Olympics to medal, Lesnar’s schedule, Tough Enough winner starts out, Other Tough Enough competitors start out, change in Rumble plans, New WWE Network series based on wrestling matches, new WWE movie, WWE’s tour of Germany this coming week, more on The Rock’s segment on Raw.

A detailed look at the Awesome Kong-Reby Hardy situation in Manchester, England. Benson Henderson’s decision to leave UFC for Bellator and take a championship fight, why he made the decision, what both Dana White and Henderson said. We look at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s last major event and where it’s storylines are going.

A huge look at the life and career of Archie “The Stomper” Gouldie, one of the most memorable wrestling characters of his generation, stories about him, his gimmick, how big a star he was in his heyday, his incredibly long career title history, how he was two very different successful characters, and his most famous angles and biggest bouts. We also have a lot of comments from people who knew him, including how he changed the life and career of J.J. Dillon. The life and career of the original Espectrito, the best heel mini of his generation including when he main evented the Los Angeles Sports Arena, a rarity for a mini.

We also look at Saturday’s UFC , what’s next for the winners, thoughts on Sage Northcutt, as well as business notes on the show and match-by-match coverage.

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE – February 15, 1988 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: A Tale of Two Hebners: All the details on Hulk Hogan losing the WWF title to Andre the Giant in a historic angle, plus tons of news and notes.

SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

WWE

• WWE RAW Ratings got a bump from Daniel Bryan retirement speech
• After Raw last night, WWE FastLane has Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose for a shot at the WWE Title at WrestleMania, Kalisto vs. Alberto Del Rio for the US Title, Charlotte vs. Brie Bella (interesting timing) for the Diva’s Title, and Becky & Sasha vs. Naomi & Tamina.  Looks like probably a Big Show & Kane & Ryback vs. Wyatts match as well.
• For those who have been following Bryan and Vinny on Retro Raw and Retro Nitro, the plan tonight is Nitro and Thursday Raw Thursday, which is the show where Shawn Michaels lost his smile.  Bryan on Observer Live today noted how amazing it was to watch that right after watching Daniel Bryan’s retirement speech.  Thursday Raw Thursday is not available on the WWE Network but it can be found online.
• In case you hadn’t heard, WWE talent will be flying with you on American Airlines for the month of February as the official in-flight periodical of the airline, American Way, will feature a cover photo of both Bellas, Mark Henry, and John Cena of course. Give it a look the next time you use the seat back to stuff empty peanut bags and napkins in.
• Speaking of Cena, he voices the Hulk in Marvel’s Avengers Academy mobile game. Here’s a look. Also, his coffee table book is now available for pre-order at Amazon. It’s out on March 15th.
• The WWE Best of Raw & Smackdown 2015 DVD set is out today.

UFC/MMA

• Saturday’s UFC, headlined by Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson knocking out Johny Hendricks, did an average of 1,317,000 viewers for the 3 hour broadcast on FS 1. Even more impressive were the two hour prelims, which did 1,093,000 viewers for the 2 hours preceding the main card, also airing on FS 1. Both numbers are well above 2015 averages, which were also way up from the previous year.
• With the dominant win, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson jumped up 5 spots from 8 to 3 in the welterweight rankings, while Hendricks fell to 4.
• Mickey Gall, who submitted Mike Jackson in 45 seconds Saturday night to set up a fight this summer with CM Punk, opened as a -300 favorite for the fight against the former WWE Champion according to BestFightOdds.com
• Dave has a postmortem on Saturday’s UFC card at MMAFighting.
• Jason “Mayhem” Miller is back! Sort of…..The former UFC, EliteXC and Dream fighter will face former UFC Middleweight Luke Barnatt in May for a promotion in Italy. Bellator is running in Italy as well this year so hopefully he doesn’t show up on their radar.
• UFC has Anderson Silva-Stephan Bonnar from UFC 153 up a free fight in preparation for Silva’s return to the Octagon on Feb 27. I prefer the commercial leading up to that show, which was far more entertaining than the fight.
• New fight announced for UFC 197 is a couple of Middleweights with 3 and 4 fight winning streaks respectively. Robert Whitaker (15-4) takes on Rafael Natal (21-6-1) on the show headlined by Daniel Cormier’s Light Heavyweight title defence against the returning Jon Jones.

MISC

• Tammy Sytch’s book has been officially released on Kindle.
• Ray Rougeau talks to Hannibal TV about being in a shoot match in Montreal.
• Hacksaw Jim Duggan complained about a Utica, NY’s McDonald’s meal on social media which somehow is a story. (Thanks Mike K)
• This week’s Between the Sheets podcast with Kris Zellner and David Bixenspan features Tim Livingston as the guest and covers February 2-8, 1990. Topics include the Tully Blanchard drama in the NWA that week, the Sting knee injury and everything else from the Clash of the Champions; the Great Muta & Dr. Death quitting NWA, Tatsumi Fujinami maybe leaving New Japan, Jerry Lawler’s amazing shoot comments on Memphis TV, Hulk Hogan vs. Mike Tyson, Vince McMahon starts to dip his toes in the bodybuilding pool, and much more.
• Cleveland, Ohio’s, AIW returns this Friday with a fun show featuring Missy Hyatt, Alex Shelley, Colt Cabana, Col.Robert Parker, Veda Scott, and all the regulars.
• On the day of the NH Primaries, here’s Salon’s take on why Donald Trump must go full heel mode to win.
• Florida indie promotion Real Pro Wrestling has changed its name to Ignite Pro Wrestling.
• Fire Pro Wrestling this week looks at football players who successfully transitioned into pro wrestling (such as Ron Simmons, Bronco Nagurski, Steve Williams, Stan Hansen, Goldberg, and many more here.
• Robbie E has been added to this year’s ECWA Super 8 on 4/23.
• The former Bull Dempsey worked out at the Team Vision Dojo in Florida this week. (Thanks Al Haft)

ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY: Steiner Brothers win WCW World Tag Team Titles