Paypress testing

Tag: mainstory

  • UFC 195 live results: Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit

    Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the first event for the UFC in 2016 and airs on pay-per-view as UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler makes his second title defense against former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit in the main event. The co-main event is a heavyweight bout that could secure the winner a title shot as Stipe Miocic takes on former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski. Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 PM eastern time with the preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

    We are looking for your thoughts on the event, so send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and worst fight to Dave Meltzer.

    UFC 195 Weigh-In Results
    UFC 195 5 Storylines To Watch
    UFC 195 DFS Playbook
    UFC 195 Observer Picks & Preview

    Coverage provided by Dave Meltzer

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT)

    WELTERWEIGHTS- SHELDON WESTCOTT (8-3-1, 0-2 UFC) VS. EDGAR GARCIA (14-4, 0-3 UFC)

    First round: Wescott with a bodylock takedown Wescott throwing lefts.  He’s got the back and working for a choke. Wescott landing all kinds of punchex from back position.  Wescott landing a ton of punches. I’m surpised it wasn’t stopped.  This is too many punches.  It was stopped way too late.  Not as bad as the Sakuraba fight, but it was feeling like the same kind of nightmare. 

    BANTAMWEIGHTS- JOE SOTO (15-4, 0-2 UFC) VS. MICHINORI TANAKA (10-1, 1-1 UFC)

    First round: Holy crap does Mario Yamasaki look like he hasn’t slept in a month.  Soto using low kicks.  Soto tried a takedown, Tanaka blocked and landed punches.  Tanaka landed a right.  Soto with another low kick.  Hard low kick by Tanaka.  Nice left by Soto.  Low kick by Tanaka and Tanaka took him down.  Soto working for a googplata.  Elbows by Soto.  Tanaka out of trouble.  Tanaka escaped and had a huge smile on his face.  Soto 10-9, but close.

    Second round: Head kick by Tanaka.  Tanaka missing punches.  Tanaka staring to land now.    Knee by Tanaka but Soto back with a punch.  Soto with a hard low kick.  Body kick by Soto.  Tanaka’s left leg is all red from the low kicks.  Knee by Tanaka and a judo hip toss took Soto down.  Soto working for a guillotine now.  Tanaka cleared it and on top.  Tanaka landing some elbows.  Nice groundwork by Tanaka.  Tanaka with some punches and elbows.  Tanaka with more punches.  Tanaka’s round so 19-19.

    Third round: Tanaka landing some punches.  Knee by Tanaka.  Left by Soto.  Left by Tanaka.  Tanaka landing more punches and Soto back with a left.  Tanaka with a takedown attempt but Soto back up.  Left by Soto.  Left by Tanaka as Soto taunted him.  Tanaka with a takedown.  Soto again working for a guillotine.  Soto has a body triangle as well.  Tanaka escaped and on top.  Soto back up.  Soto with a left and right.  Crowd really into this.  Uppercut by Soto.  Trading punches but Soto landing more solidly.  Nice left by Soto.  Tanaka bleeding from the nose and mouth.  Takedown by Soto and he got mount and his back and is working for a choke as time ran out.  The crowd really liked the fight, 29-28 Soto.

    Scores: Tony Weeks 29-28 Tanaka Adelaide Byrd 29-28 Soto, Chris Lee 29-28 Tanaka.  Bad call.  Not terrible call but bad call.

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- (#12) DUSTIN POIRIER (18-4, 9-3 UFC) VS. JOSEPH DUFFY (14-1, 2-0 UFC)

    First round: Poirier landing good shots from a clinch.  Duffy with punches.  Leg kick by Duffy.  Body kick by Poirier.  Right by Duffy.  Big right by Duffy hurt Poirier to the body.  Poirier looks out of trouble.  Duffy with a body shot.  Two right uppercuts by Duffy.  Another right by Duffy.  Poirier landing shots from the clihch.  Both swinging.  This is geat.  Takedown by Poirier.  Duffy bleeding from the nose.  Duffy bleeding from the nose  Poirier with a shot.  Punch and knee by Poirier as Duffy got up.  Hard elbow by Duffy.  Both landed good rights.  Close round, Poirier 10-9.

    Second round: Poirier with a takedown.  Poirier bleeding badly from the nose.  Blood is pouring out of Poirier’s nose all over Duffy, who is on the bottom.  The nose looks broken.  Poirier just bleeding all over him.  Poirier with an elbow from the top.  Nice elbows from the top by Poirier.  More hard elbows by Poirier.  Lots of elbows by Poirier.  Hard elbows by Poirier.  Now Duffy bleeding badly from the elbows.  He’s got a ton of different cuts.  Big rights from the top by Poirier  10-8 round I’ve got so 20-17 Poirier

    Third round:   Poirier with a low kick.  Good body shot by Duffy.  Poirier took him down again.  Duffy tried to roll out.  Duffy went for a heel hook.  Poirier escaped and back on top.  The ref ordered a standup.  There was no reason and fans booed that call.  Duffy now landing punches.  Left and right to the body.  Poirier with a punch and takedown.  Poirier with an elbow.  Duffy with a triangle right as the fight ended.  Really good fight.  30-26 Poirier.

    Scores: 30-26, 30-27 and 30-27 for Poirier.

    Poirier said he’s coming after the strap. Poirier said I don’t get triangled, I’ve got double jointed shoulders and I don’t get tired.    

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- SCOTT HOLTZMAN (8-0, 1-0 UFC) VS. DREW DOBER (15-7 1 NC, 1-3 1 NC UFC)

    First round:  Dober with a left.  Body kick by Holtzman.  Holtzman tied him up in a clinch.  Holtzman has him against the cage.  Holtzman trying for a takedown but Dober blocking the attempts.  Dober with a takedown.  Dober with another takedown.   Dober 10-9.

    Second round:   Elbow by Dober hurt him.  Dober shot in for a takedown but Holtzman blocked it this time.  Dober with elbows standing.  Holtzman with a shin to the face.  Takedown by Holtzman. Another takedown by Holtzman.  Holtzman with ground and pound.  Holtzman with good punches from the top.  Holtzman with more punches and elbows from the top.  Holtzman’s round for sure so 19-19.

    Third round:  Dober with a nice left. Dober looking for a takedown and got him down after a struggle.  Spinning backfist by Holtzman.  Dober took him down again.  Holtzman all bloody from an elbow and Herb Dean stopped the fight for the doctor to check on him.  Head kick by Hotlzman and Dober back with a punch.  Right by Dober.  Another right and left by  Dobrer.  Dober working for a takedown and got it.  Hotltzman back up.  Another takedown by Dober.  He’s got his back.   Dober 29-28.

    Scores:  All three have it 29-28 for Dober.  All three rounds were clear. 

    WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS- JUSTINE KISH (4-0, 0-0 UFC) VS. NINA ANSAROFF (6-4, 0-1 UFC)

    First round:  Ansaroff got poked in the right eye.    Kish’s left thumbs went right in the eye.  Ansaroff landing punches and  kicks.  Kish blocked a takedown.  Both trading.  Kish with elbows.  Kish now landing punches.  Kish with a knee to the body.  Body kick by Ansaroff.  Ansaroff with punches.   They traded knees to the body.  Takedown by Kish.  Body kick by Ansaroff and Kish with punches.  Ansaroff with some punches.  Very close round.  10-9 Ansaroff.

    Second round:   Kick by Kish.  Low kicks by Kish.  Both landing hard shots.  Ansaroff hurt him with a left hook and a kick.  Left jab by Ansaroff.  Right by Ansaroff.  Kish used a headlock takedown.  Kish’s round 19-19, but this round was close as well as Ansaroff was getting the better of the standup before the takedown.

    Third round:  Ansaroff with a takedown.  Kish thought armbar but Ansaroff cleared it.  Nice escape by Kish.  Kish with punches.  Kish with the takedown.  Kish with punches from the top.  Kish moved to the mount.  Now she’s got her back.  Ansaroff reversed to the top.  Ansaroff’s comeback at the end made it close.  I’ve got Kish 29-28 and she should win, but we’ll see.

    Scores:   29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 Kish.  You could go 30-27 as the first round was close.

    WELTERWEIGHTS- KYLE NOKE (22-7-1, 6-3 UFC) VS. ALEX MORONO (11-3, 0-0 UFC)

    First round:  Morono was taking this fight on 11 days notice.  Noke with a kick.  Noke with a right.  Nice spin kick by Morono.  Noke landed a left as Morono was off balance.  Big right by Noke.  Side kicks by Noke.  Morono landed a good right moving in.   Noke 10-9.

    Second round:   Spin kick by Morono.  Morono with a Superman punch.  Noke missed a kick and Morono landed punches.  Morono landing punches.  Noke jumped on his back.  Morono shook him off.  Morono going for a heel hook.  Noke out of it and on top.  Noke with a knee to the body and punches.  Noke 20-18.

    Third round:  Noke told his corner his nose was broken.  Noke kicked the body.  Both throwing punches.  Morono with a hard right.  Trading punches.  Noke landing punches.  Spinning elbow by Noke.  Takedown by Noke.  Morono working for an armrbar.  Noke escaped.   Morono so 29-28 Noke I’ve got.  Morono winning would be possible.

    Scores:  Sal D’Amato has it 29-28 Morono, Patricia Morse Jarman has it 30-27 Noke, Chris Lee has it 29-28 Morono.  Morono was shocked he won.  Crowd doesn’t like it.

    BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#8) MICHAEL MCDONALD (16-3, 5-2 UFC) VS. MASANORI KANEHARA (25-12-5, 1-1 UFC)

    First round:  McDonald with a big right.  Kanehara shot for a takedown and got it.  McDonald working for a guillotine with a body triangle.  Kanehara out of trouble.   Kanehara moved to mount.  Kanehara 10-9.

    Second round:  Left and right by McDonald.  Kanehara took him down off a kick.  Kanehara moved to side control.  Kanehara with knees to the body.  Kanehara with a head and arm choke.  McDonald escaped and got his back and is working for a choke.  Kanehara tapped.  Wow.  McDonald was losing the entire fight, escaped a submission and then got the win.

    MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- ABEL TRUJILLO (12-7 1 NC, 3-3 1 NC UFC) VS. TONY SIMS (12-3, 1-1 UFC)

    First round:   Both threw.  Sims landed a right.  Sims with a left and right.  Sims took him down but Trujillo has a guillotine and tapped him out.     

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- DIEGO BRANDAO (20-10, 6-3 UFC) VS. BRIAN ORTEGA (9-0 1 NC, 1-0 1 NC UFC)

    First round:   Brandao swinging wildly. High slam and Ortega tried an uma plata, but Brandao is out of trouble.  Brandao with a hard low kick.  Hard right by Brandao.  Takedown by Brandao.  Brandao with punches.  Right by Brandao.  Both landing punches but Brandao’s shots are crisper.  Body kick by Ortega.  Brandao 10-9.

    Second round:  Brandao with a left.  Body kick by  Brandao.  Ortega with a right.  Big right by Brandao.  Right by Brandao.  Ortega with punches.  Body kick by Ortega.  Brandao took this round as well so up 20-18.  Ortega looks to need a finish.

    Third round:  Both out swinging.  Ortega went for a takedown but Brando ended up on top.  Brandao let him up and took him back down.  Ortega  working for a choke.  Brandao escaped.  Ortega went for a triangle for the submission.  It was an Anaconda choke and moved to a mount, went for a guillotine, let it go and did a great triangle set up for the submission.  That finish was bonus worthy. 

    WELTERWEIGHTS- LORENZ LARKIN (16-4 1 NC, 3-4 UFC) VS. ALBERT TUMENOV (16-2, 4-1 UFC)

    First round:   Nothing happening early. Larkin caught the kick.  Low kick by Larkin.  Another low kick by Larkin.  Tumenov moving in with a big flurry.  Right and left by Tumenov.  Low kick by Larkin.  Hard kick by Tumenov.  Front kick by Larkin.  Big right by Tumenov.  Low kick by Larkin.  Another low kick by Larkin.  Low kick by Larkin.  Larkin 10-9.  Close round.

    Second round:   Larkin with a body kick.  Larkin with a low kick.  Larkin throwing low kicks.  Right by Larkin.  Tumenov in with punches.  Tumenov landing to the body hard.  Larkin with a low kick and Tumenov switched his stance.  Tumenov landing lefts to the body.  Larkin with a right.  Both missing big punches. Tumenov landed a head kick.  Big left  by Tumenov.  Left and right by Tumonev.  Tumenov’s left leg is hurt.  Tumenov’s round 19-19.

    Third round:  Tumenov with punches.  Larkin with spinning low kicks.  More low kicks by Larkin.  Spin kick to the thigh by Larkin.  Right by Tumenov.  Larkin destroyed Tumenov’s left leg.  Tumenov with a right.  Larkin shot in for a takedown attempt.  Tumenov blocking.  Right by Larkin as Tumeonv went for the takedown.  Larkin 29-28.  Another close one.

    Scores:    Juichiro Kamijo 29-28 Tumenov, Adelaide Byrd 29-28 Larkin, Derek Cleary 29-28 Tumenov. 

    HEAVYWEIGHTS- (#3) STIPE MIOCIC (13-2, 7-2 UFC) VS. (#2) ANDRE

    First round:  Arlovski kicking the knee.  Miocic hurt him with two punches and finished him with punches on the ground.   Right to the left ear, a right to the jaw and a left and Arvloski was down and a few punches on the ground and it was over.  :54 

    Miocic is demanding a title shot and with this one, he deserves it.   

    UFC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (C) ROBBIE LAWLER (26-10 1 NC, 11-4 UFC) VS. (#4) CARLOS CONDIT (30-8, 7-4 UFC)

    First round:  Condit with a  body kick.  Low kick by Condit.  Lawler landing good punches.  Condit landed a left and a push and Lawler went down.  Body kick by Condit and a knee.  Condit is hurting him.   Body kick by Condit.  Another body kick by Condit.  Lawler with a right.  Knee by Condit.  Body kick by Condit.  High kick by Condit.  Condit with a left and kick.  Low kick by Condit.  Low kick again by Condit.  Body kick and left hook by Condit.  Condit 10-9

    Second round:  Slower second round.  Condit with some low kicks.  Lawler landed a punch but Condit back with punches  Body kick by Condit. Lawler blasted him with a left and Condit went down and he’s inn trouble.  Condit tied him up.  Lawler wanted him to get up.  Made sense for him to do so.  Left by Lawler.  Head kick by Condit.  Lawler with a hard left.  Lawler missing big punches.  Big left by Lawler.  Lawler’s round 19-19.

    Third round:  Condit with low kicks.  Body kick by Condit.  Both swinging and Lawler getting the better of it.  Knee by Condit and hard punch,  Both swinging like crazy.  Body kick by Condit.  Lawler with a hard elbow.  Condit missing a flurry.  Head kick by Condit but didn’t land hard.  Condit with a knee to the body.  Body kick by Condit.  Low kick by Lawler.  Condit 29-28.

    Fourth round:    Lawler threw a left.   Body kick by Condit.  Body kick by Condit.  Lawler slipped.  Lawler landed a left.  Both throwing big punches.  Lawler threw a kick and Condit with a low kick and Lawler went down.  Head kick by Condit.  Condit with a right.  Jumping knee by Condit short.  Front kick by Condit and hard body kick by Condit.  Low kick by Condit.  Punches and low kick by Condit.  Condit hurt him  and Condit trying to finish him.  Spinning backfist, knee and a flurry of punches by Condit.  Condit landing more punches and a knee.  Lawler with a big left.  Condit 39-37.

    Firth round:   Lawler rushed in but Condit landed a few punches.  Lawler throwing hard punches but Condit out of the way and came back.  Front kick by Condit.  Lawler landed big punches. Condit in with punches and elbows.  Condit landed several punches and a body kick.  Condit landing more punches.  Condit landing a lot of punches now.  Front kick by Condit.  Lawler with a left and right. Body kick by Lawler.  Condit back with punches.  Condit landing a ton of punches.  Head kick by Condit more punches.  Lawler with a  big right.  Big left by Lawler.  Condit back.  Lawler big left rand big right by Lawler.  Knee by Lawler.  Big left  by Lawler.  Head kick by Lawler.  Condit with a right. Condit back with punches.  One of the best rounds of all-time.  Condit back with punches and Lawler with punches.  Condit with a  right and a left.  Both throwing as time ran out.  Lawler’s round.  This was a match of the year and then some.  Lawler’s round I’ve got 48-47 for Condit.

    Scores:   Tony Weeks has it 48-47 Condit, Chris Lee has it 48-47 Lawler, Derek Cleary has it 48-47 Lawler.

    They need a rematch. 

    I just rewatched round three.  This could have gone either way.  You could go with Lawler in the third, he landed the best shots even though Condit landed far more.  I can’t call it a bad decision although I’d go for Condit.  A rematch is the way to go.

  • UFC 195 Lawler vs Condit: The Observer ’16 Picks Contest

    After a great year in terms of both business and fight action, UFC rings in the New Year with UFC 195. While this show won’t break any business records, it’s quite likely that we’ll get an early contender for Fight of the Year in the main event as welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler defends his belt against Carlos Condit. We’ve also got a de facto #1 contender bout at heavyweight as Andrei Arlovski tries to turn back the hands of time and get another shot at a UFC title in the latter part of his career. But he’ll have to get past the ultra-tough Stipe Miocic, coming off a brutal 5-round destruction of Mark Hunt.

    There are some changes to our panel this year and also in terms of the fights we’ll be picking. With UFC putting more emphasis on their Fight Pass streaming service, the biggest fights aren’t always going to be on the main card. In this case, we’ll be looking at three fights from the main card, one from the Fox Sports One prelims and one from the Fight Pass portion.

    Here’s the panel this year. With 2015 Champion Jack Encarnacion retiring after a great 2015, Stevie J is the man to beat from this group:

    • Dave Meltzer – Wrestling Observer founder
    • Mike Sempervive – Wrestling Observer Live and Big Audio Nightmare co-host
    • Front Row Brian – MMA newsbreaker, Beloved internet personality, Podcast host
    • John Pollock – Fight Network analyst, Live Audio Wrestling co-host, MMA Report co-host
    • Steve Juon – MMA Fighting/Wrestling Observer writer. Angry Marks founder
    • David Bixenspan – Figure Four Weekly writer, podcast host
    • Mike Sawyer – Tough Talk MMA
    • Josh Nason – Host of Josh Nason’s Punch Out; writer/editor WrestlingObserver.com, WON Twitter guy
    • Ryan Frederick – WrestlingObserver.com UFC reporter
    • Paul Fontaine – MMADraws.com founder, WrestlingObserver.com writer

    *****

    > UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler (26-10-0-1) vs. Carlos Condit (30-8)

    Lawler won the title after battling former champion Johnny Hendricks in two straight five round wars that most had as a dead heat. He defended the belt against Rory McDonald at UFC 189 in the co-main event underneath Conor McGregor-Chad Mendes in what most consider the fight of the year. Condit is the former WEC welterweight champion and UFC interim welterweight champion who will try to reclaim title glory here. He was last seen knocking out Thiago Alves in a two round destruction back in May upon his return.

    Lawler(very slight favorite): Stevie J, Nason, Fontaine, Bix, Pollock. Sempervive
    Condit: Front Row Brian, RFred, Sawyer, Meltzer

    > Stipe Miocic (13-2) vs. Andrei Arlovski (25-10-0-1)
    Heavyweights

    Miocic destroyed Mark Hunt in his last fight, a fight that was probably stopped about a round and a half late. He’s seemingly been on the verge of a title fight for years now but with a win here is virtually guaranteed to get it. Arlovski returned to UFC in 2014 and has since rung up four straight wins, last beating Frank Mir in a lackluster three round fight last September. It would be a great story if he were to win, but our panel doesn’t give him much of a chance.

    Miocic (big favorite): Stevie J, Front Row Brian, RFred, Sawyer, Nason. Bix, Pollock, Sempervive, Meltzer
    Arlovski: Fontaine

    > Brian Ortega (9-0-1) vs. Diego Brandao (20-10)
    Featherweights

    Ortega is an unbeaten fighter who competes for the third time in UFC on Saturday night. He was first seen with a dominant submission win that was later overturned due to a drug test failure in 2014. He returned to KO Thiago Tavares after serving his suspension. Brandao is a former TUF winner who has rattled off two straight early KOs since being knocked out by Conor McGregor in the main event of the first UFC Dublin show.

    Ortega(favorite): Stevie J, RFred, Sawyer, Nason, Fontaine, Bix, Pollock, Sempervive, Meltzer
    Brandao: Front Row Brian

    > Michael McDonald (16-3) vs. Masanori Kanehara (25-12-5)
    Bantamweights

    The big story here is that Michael McDonald returns after over 2 years away. The former title challenger is still just 24-years old and could be a player in that division with an impressive win here. Kanehara is not being given much of a chance by our panel or the oddsmakers. He is coming off a decision loss to non-contender Rani Yahya, so perhaps that opinion is not unwarranted. Who knows if the ring rust will be a factor here for McDonald though?

    McDonald (massive favorite): Stevie J, Front Row Brian, RFred, Sawyer, Nason, Fontaine, Bix, Pollock, Sempervive, Meltzer

    > Dustin Poirier (18-4) vs. Joe Duffy (14-1)
    Lightweights

    This will be the Fight Pass “headliner” and in the eyes of many, it’s the third biggest fight on the card. This fight was originally scheduled to headline the Fight Pass show from Dublin a few months back but Duffy had to pull out due to injury so we get the fight here on Saturday night. Poirier has looked absolutely unstoppable since moving to 155, scoring dominant first round KO’s in both of his fights.  Prior to losing his last featherweight fight to current champion Conor McGregor, he’d also rung up two straight KO’s at 145. Duffy is, of course, the last man to beat McGregor (early in both men’s careers) and has looked great in UFC, kicking off his career with 2 straight first round stoppage wins. This fight should be quick and violent.

    Poirier: Front Row Brian, RFred, Pollock
    Duffy (moderate favorite): Stevie J, Sawyer, Nason, Fontaine, Bix, Sempervive, Meltzer

    *****

    The show kicks off at 6:30 eastern with the UFC Fight Pass portion of the show. At 8 pm eastern, action moves over to FS 1 for the prelims and the PPV kicks off at 10 pm eastern. Dave Meltzer will have live fight coverage here and Ryan Frederick will provide live Twitter updates throughout the show as well.

  • UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit weigh-in results and live video

    Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of the UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit weigh-ins from the Marquee Ballroom at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fighters will hit the scale at 7 PM eastern time. The card airs on Saturday with the main card on PPV at 10 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off at 6:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass before heading over to FOX Sports 1 at 8 PM eastern time with additional preliminary bouts. This event marks the first fight card for the UFC in 2016.

    The event is headlined by a UFC Welterweight Championship bout as current UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler makes his second title defense, this time defending against fourth-ranked welterweight and former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit. In the co-main event, it will be a potential title eliminator in the UFC’s heavyweight division as third-ranked Stipe Miocic takes on second-ranked former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski, winner of his last six fights. Also on the card, in a highly featured bout on UFC Fight Pass, will be lightweights Dustin Poirier and Joseph Duffy.

    MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT):
    Robbie Lawler (170) vs. Carlos Condit (169) – UFC Welterweight Championship
    Stipe Miocic (241.5) vs. Andrei Arlovski (246.5)
    Lorenz Larkin (171) vs. Albert Tumenov (171)
    Diego Brandao (146) vs. Brian Ortega (145.5)
    Abel Trujillo (156) vs. Tony Sims (156)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT):
    Michael McDonald (136) vs. Masanori Kanehara (135)
    Kyle Noke (170.5) vs. Alex Morono (170)
    Justine Kish (116) vs. Nina Ansaroff (116)
    Scott Holtzman (155.5) vs. Drew Dober (155.5)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT):
    Dustin Poirier (155.5) vs. Joseph Duffy (155)
    Joe Soto (135.5) vs. Michinori Tanaka (135.5)
    Sheldon Westcott (170) vs. Edgar Garcia (170)

  • Five things you should know for Wrestle Kingdom 10 week

    This Monday marks the second biggest wrestling show of the year, WrestleKingdom 10. It promises to be a huge show with plenty of awesome wrestling action. It will also attract a lot of people who haven’t watched that much Japanese wrestling, or those who only watch the biggest shows. For those people who are new to watching WrestleKingdom, here are five things that you need to know, or at the very least will help you out in maximizing your fun and decreasing the confusion you might have going into something completely new and different.

    1. The show will be pretty darn long if you’re watching live.

    With this year’s WrestleKingdom show no longer airing at PPV, New Japan will be less stingy with time this year. Not only will the show more than likely be over four hours (most of New Japan’s big shows are near the five hour mark) there will also be a 90 minute pre-show before the main card. This will feature the New Japan Rumble, which is basically a Royal Rumble featuring all the New Japan guys who are not on the card plus a few legends (last year included the likes of Hiro Saito and The Great Kabuki).

    While watching a show that might go over seven hours sounds daunting, most New Japan shows are so well paced the time will fly by pretty fast. Just be prepared to clear your schedule if you’re planning to watch the whole show, including the rumble, live. If not, most PPVs are usually on New Japan World later that day anyway, so you can still watch the show in a timely manner.

    For the record, if you are looking to sign up for New Japan World for the first time, you can do so here. There is “select language” feature at the top of the page, and once selecting that you’ll see the sign up button at the top of the page, where English directions to sign up are provided.

    2. There will be English commentary.

    The big difference between this year’s show and last year’s show, as previously mentioned, is that WrestleKingdom 10 won’t be on PPV. Last year’s show is a joint venture between New Japan and Global Force Wrestling. This year there is no GFW involvement, so the only way to see the show live will be via New Japan World. The good news is that New Japan has brought in ROH announcer Kevin Kelly and widely known color commentator Matt Striker to call the action in English, with inactive NJPW wrestler Yoshi Tatsu being brought back to translate whatever promos and storylines happen on the show. It might not be the best commentary team of all time, but I found their work to be solid at King of Pro Wrestling and I expect there to be improvements for the second biggest wrestling event of the year.

    Keep in mind for the future that all big New Japan shows will probably have English commentary. The trend started at King of Pro Wrestling, and it will continue at WrestleKingdom and most likely Invasion Attack and G1 Finals later this year.

    3. There will be shows before and after WrestleKingdom.

    If you thought 7 hours of New Japan on a Monday morning was just not enough to saite your needs, good news! There will be shows on 1/2 as well as on 1/5 featuring matches between all of your favorite New Japan guys. The ⅓ card will feature the debut of two new rookies making their professional wrestling debut as Kanemitsu Taruaki and Kawato Hirai will compete in singles matches against Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu, respectively. It will be interesting to see if this is the swan song for both Tanaka and Komatsu as the rumor is they are soon to be setting out on their excursions. Beyond the rookies making their debut, the ⅓ show will also feature a six man with Jay White, Tiger Mask and Jushin Liger taking on David Finlay, Mascara Dorada and Ryusuke Taguchi.

    New Year’s Dash, the show taking place after the Tokyo Dome event on ⅕, currently has no card. Like other years, most likely the card will be announced the day of the show, probably with many tag team matches since everyone will have had their working boots on the day before.

    Both shows are scheduled to be broadcast on New Japan World, with the 1/3 show airing at 7 pm PT on 1/2 (I know, time is weird), with the 1/5 show airing at 1:30 am PT.

    4. With the exception of one match, every match on the WrestleKingdom card will be for a championship.

    You don’t absolutely NEED to know this if this is your first time tuning in, but it’s an interesting fact nonetheless. This year’s show is interesting in that every title in New Japan will be defended. This isn’t a big shock, as most shows in previous years have had many title matches. But this factoid is amazing in that every match on the show, with the exception of the New Japan Rumble and a grudge match between Tetsuya Naito and Hirooki Goto, will be for a championship.

    We have the major titles on the line, with Tanahashi/Okada and Nakamura/Styles for the Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles respectively. The NEVER title will be defended with Tomohiro Ishii defending against Katsuyori Shibata. It’s weird that the NEVER concept died so quickly, as originally it was supposed to be a title for younger contenders from both weight classes to compete for, which isn’t the case at all now. So it’s even weirder that a new set of six man tag belts are being made, complete with the NEVER name, with The Briscoes and Yano facing off against Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga and Yujiro Takahashi to determine the first champions.

    Even with all of that, there are still four other titles being defended. You have both tag team titles being defended as Bullet Club (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) defends against Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma). The Ring of Honor title will be defended for the first time in New Japan Pro Wrestling as champion Jay Lethal defends against Michael Elgin. And finally, both Junior titles are on the line as Kenny Omega defends against Kushida and reDragon defends in a fourway against the Young Bucks, Roppongi Vice and Matt Sydal/Ricochet.

    In other words…if you love title matches, this is the show for you. New Japan title matches are always special, so expect everyone to have their working boots on. You can also take bets on how many titles change hands and how many don’t with your friends!

    5. This isn’t Okada and Tanahashi’s first match, and if history proves right it won’t be their last.

    One of the best feuds of this decade has been between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. Still considered the true ace of the promotion, Tanahashi has had problems with Okada dating back to Okada’s re-emergence from his TNA excursion in 2012. Ever since then, they’ve faced off seven times, six since Okada’s return, with Okada in the lead with 4 wins over Tanahashi’s 3.
    The biggest factor in this match however isn’t the overall number of wins, but the wins in the Tokyo Dome. Okada has been unable to defeat Tanahashi in Tokyo Dome matches twice now, and considering he left their match last year in tears, he is sure to want to gain a measure of revenge by beating Tanahashi where it counts the most, at WrestleKingdom. While this all feels like a culmination of a feud that has now lasted four years, it might not be their last as they’ll more than likely face each other again down the road. It’s just that more than likely, it won’t have the same ramifications as this match does.

  • Daily Update: CMLL, UFC 195 and NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10

    No major wrestling shows tonight in the U.S., although there is an iPPV starting shortly from Arena Mexico.

    CMLL IPPVFROM ARENA MEXICO AT 6 P.M. EST TODAY

    WATCH HERE

    Estrellita & Princesa Sugei & Vaquerita vs.  Amapola & Dallys & Zeuxis

    Blue Panther Jr. & Esfinge & The Panther vs. Cancerbero & Raziel & Virus

    Atlantis & Marco Corleone & Valiente vs. Dragon Rojo & Polvora & Thunder

    Maximo Sexy vs. Kamaitachi hair vs. hair

    Mistico & Caristico & Rusher vs. Volador Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero & Cibernetico

    Negro Casas vs. Super Parka hair vs. hair

    UFC 195 AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS SATURDAY

    FIGHT PASS AT 6:30 P.M. EASTERN

    Edgar Garcia vs. Sheldon Wescott

    Joe Soto vs. Michinori Tanaka

    Joe Duffy vs. Dustin Poirier

    FS 1 AT 8 P.M. EASTERN

    Alex Morono vs. Kyle Noke

    Drew Dober vs. Scott Holtzman

    Nina Ansaroff vs. Justine Kish

    Michael McDonald vs. Masanori Kanehara

    PPV AT 10 P.M. EASTERN

    Tony Sims vs. Abel Trujillo

    Diego Brandao vs. Brian Ortega

    Lorenz Larkin vs. Albert Tumenov

    Andrei Arlovski vs. Stipe Miocic

    Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit for the welterweight title

    PRO WRESTLING GUERRILLA ON SATURDAY NIGHT IN RESEDA, CA (Sorry no way to watch it unless you are one of the 400 with tickets)

    Timothy Thatcher vs. Drew Gulak

    Sami Callihan vs. Trevor Lee

    Chris Dickinson vs. Brian Cage

    Jack Evans vs. Drew Galloway

    Adam Cole vs. Speedball Mike Bailey

    Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Akira Tozawa

    Roderick Strong vs. Chris Hero for PWG title

    NEW JAPAN FAN FEST LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD 10 P.M. SATURDAY NIGHT FROM DIFFER ARIAKE

    Kawato Hirai (pro debut) vs. Yohei Komatsu

    Kanemitsu Teruaki (pro debut) vs. Sho Tanaka

    Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Jay White vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada & David Finlay

    Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Juice Robinson

    Sunday WWE returns to touring with shows in Hidalgo, TX (Roman Reigns vs Sheamus for WWE title) and Corpus Christi (Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens for IC title; Kane vs. Bray Wyatt).

    NEW JAPAN WRESTLE KINGDOM AT 2:15 A.M. LATE SUNDAY/EARLY MONDAY ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

    There will be both a English and Japanese language feed for the show 

    New Japan Rumble

    Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Young Bucks vs. Ricochet & Matt Sydal vs. Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta for IWGP jr. tag titles

    Mark & Jay Briscoe & Toru Yano vs. Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale for Never trios championships

    Jay Lethal vs. Michael Elgin for ROH championship

    Kenny Omega vs. Kushida for IWGP jr. title

    Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma for IWGP tag team titles

    Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito

    Tomohiro Ishii vs. Katsuyori Shibata for Never Open weight championship

    Shinsuke Nakamura vs. A.J. Styles for IC title

    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada for IWGP heavyweight title

    Raw will be Monday night from San Antonio with Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus for the WWE title with Vince McMahon as referee.

    NEW JAPAN NEW YEAR’S DASH AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TUESDAY MORNING ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

    No matches have been announced for the “Raw after Mania” show, but Kevin Kelly and Matt Striker will be calling the show in English and there will also be the Japanese feed..

    The first Smackdown on the USA Network will be taped on Tuesday night in Laredo.  Mauro Ranallo debuts as announcer and John Cena will be on the show.

    TNA ON POP TV AT 9 P.M. FROM BETHLEHEM, PA

    Matt Hardy vs. Ethan Carter III

    Bobby Lashley vs Eric Young

    Winners of these two matches meet for the vacant TNA title

    Figure Four Weekly

    Figure Four Weekly 12/28/2015: Gawker files to dismiss Hogan lawsuit
    Details on Gawker filing to dismiss the Hulk Hogan sex tape lawsuit, plus other news.

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    We have our annual business year in review as the lead of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week. We cover our awards balloting year from 12/1/14 to 11/30/15 looking at the biggest events and biggest draws, with the year’s biggest crowds, records set in several different companies, Cena compared to those in similar positions on the all-time list, the year’s PPV buys for every wrestling, MMA and boxing show, how this year compared with other years.

    Dwayne Johnson returning for WrestleMania, different ideas of where he may fit in, and his recent track record of WrestleMania matches.

    The history of New Japan on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome. The first New Japan Tokyo Dome show and its main event, what drew the first house, what Lou Thesz said to Antonio Inoki after the show and why Thesz thought the result was a good thing and why it ended up being a waste. We look at how this year’s show will differ from last year as well as a match-by-match rundown and a look at the history of the New Japan big four, Tanahashi, Okada, A.J. Styles and Nakamura, with all of their previous Tokyo Dome matches.

    Jonathan Coachman on HGH usage in WWE, why usage is so prevalent in certain types of sports and entertainment.

    WWE injury coverage, why WWE stars are doing more NBC media, how movies with Sting are doing at the box office, how the WWE’s head of medical came across in the movie “Concussion” plus a concussion expert on Daniel Bryan situation. Update on Nikki Bella, NXT sellouts, Brock Lesnar’s next match, Cena facing a surprise opponent, Chris Jericho on future, Royal Rumble, Sin Cara injury update, NXT in Dallas, the go-home show for WrestleMania, two international stars about to start with WWE and the Bayley character on the main roster.

    The holiday show in Madison Square Garden coverage, Ben Askren talks about One’s possibly revolutionary weight cutting regulations that could be the catalyst for changing MMA.  We look at the first Rizin show, the sad spectacle of Sakuraba, the pro wrestlers on the show, the mentality behind why certain people were on the show and match-by-match coverage.

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

    The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: January 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Business year in review, Rock at Wrestlemania 32, 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.

    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. 

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: November 9, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Jesse Ventura wins Minnesota Governor election, WCW trailing WWF, more
    Jesse Ventura becomes the Governor of Minnesota, WCW begins trailing WWF, ECW November to Remember recap, plus tons of news.

    TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

    • New Japan has one minute promotional videos for all the top matches for the Tokyo Dome up for free right now Video 1, Video 2, Video 3 and Video 4.
    • After the Tokyo Dome and the Fantastica Mania tourNew Japan PPV shows will be splitting up the title matches with the New Beginnings in Osaka on 2/11 and the new Beginnings in Niigata on 2/14.
    • The big news in sports today, even though people are trying to spin it differently, is how the College Football playoff semifinals on New Year’s Eve tanked in the ratings.  The evening game was down 35 percent from last year and the afternoon game was down 37 percent.  There were people who thought New Year’s Eve wouldn’t hurt the ratings all that much because major sports events have been strong this year on television.  But this isn’t a New Year’s Eve TV watching culture like Japan is.
    • From the family, Buddy Wayne, who passed away two days ago was born John Dwayne Peal, not Peale as we reported.  This has been a very rough year for the Peal family as Buddy and two of his sisters both passed away.
    • A story on the person the character in the movie “The Masked Saint” was based upon, that stars Roddy Piper.

    WWE

    • NXT for the first time made the list as one of the most pirated television shows.

    UFC

    • UFC 195 weigh-ins are at 7 p.m.   Here is F4WOnline.com’s coverage.
    • I’m told that people who signed up the first day Fight Pass was offered are getting a 50 percent discount on UFC 195.
    • The second episode of Dana White:  Lookin For a Fight will be released on YouTube on 1/11.  The first episode was where Dana White, Matt Serra and Nick the Tooth discovered Sage Northcutt working small shows.  This time they head to Philadelphia and Atlantic City looking for fighters, eating Cheesesteak and going to the beach. 

    MISCELLANEOUS

    • Roderick Strong vs. Masada for the ROH TV title was announced for 1/9 in Concord, NC.  This is Masada’s first ROH match in quite some time.
    • Comcast in South Jersey has picked up COMET TV on Ch. 253, which airs ROH on Wednesday nights. (thanks to Bob Magee)
    • John Skyler was the latest entrant announced for the ECWA Super 8 tournament  on 4/23 in Woodbury Heights, NJ.
    • Too Cold Scorpio on why he hates Buff Bagwell, what he thinks of Paul Heyman and Bill Watts and saving Arn Anderson’s life

    Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (01/01): Bob Geigel wins Central States Title

  • WOL 1/1: Annual Prediction Show Part 2!

    Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with part 2 of our annual Prediction Show! What do you think will happen in the Year of Our Lord 2016? Who will be a prognosticator and who will be a fool? Plus, news and calls and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

    Right click save

  • Wrestle Kingdom 10 Preview Series: The Champion vs. The Ace

    This match! This rivalry! Where do I even begin? How about with a fun fact, and we’ll see what happens from there? Wrestle Kingdom 10 marks the 7th time Okada and Tanahashi will have faced each other for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. They are currently tied with three wins a piece. Tanahashi got the last, tear inducing win over Okada earlier this year at Wrestle Kingdom 9. In a way, you can think of their next match as the final in a very long “Best of Seven Series” which started in 2012 and ends, assumedly, in 2016. Another fun fact is that Wrestle Kingdom 10 will be Tanahashi’s 6th straight Tokyo Dome main event (3rd against Okada). What’s even more impressive is that he’s 5 for 5! If this were NBA Jam, he’d be “on fire.”

    Okada is coming into the match as champion, defeating A.J. Styles for the title at Dominion in Osaka-jo Hall in July. Tanahashi earned his right to challenge Okada for the title by winning the 2015 G1 Climax. However, before getting to Wrestle Kingdom, Tanahashi had to defend his title match contract in matches against Bad Luck Fale and Tetsuya Naito, who both defeated Tanahashi during the G1 tournament. Meanwhile, Okada successfully defended his title against Styles in a rematch at King of Pro Wrestling in October.

    Being the 7th time the two men will have met for the title, and their 9th singles match together (the first was when Okada was a Young Lion, but it still counts), there is a bit of a feeling of “not this again” coming into the match. But that’s the general complaint with New Japan in 2015. With the exclusion of an incredible character transformation here or there (Ingobernable Naito), New Japan’s booking has played things very safe for the most part, with very little changing since Wrestle Kingdom 9.

    The Bullet Club is still…being the Bullet Club. With each passing day, they become more and more like the original NWO as they continue to spawn new members like Mogwai exposed to water (See Chase Owens). Nakamura is still the IC Champ, though he did part with the title throughout the year. Ishii is the NEVER Openweight Champion, just like he was going into Wrestle Kingdom 9. Gallows & Anderson are the IWGP Tag Team Champs, just like they were at Wrestle Kingdom 9. And you guessed it, reDRagon are the IWGP Jr. Tag Champs going into Wrestle Kingdom 10, just like they were going into Wrestling Kingdom 9. Even Kenny Omega, who won the IWGP Jr. title at Wrestle Kingdom 9, is the champ going into Wrestle Kingdom 10.

    In a sense, we’re pretty much getting the same show as last year, though without the time restriction due to Global Force Wrestling’s broadcast in the U.S., and, sadly, also without Minoru Suzuki (Rambo entrant?). So the blame can’t be put solely on the main event for not feeling fresh. It’s a whole group effort. It’s like New Japan saw the Obama “Change” poster and said, “Nope, let’s not do that.”  At least without the U.S. PPV time restriction, we’ll hopefully get the big, elaborate entrances of Wrestle Kingdoms past. DeLoreans and pole dancing routines, please!

    While I may sound a little unenthused by yet another Tanahashi/Okada match, there are some upsides to Tanahashi vs. Okada VII. The most important being that they’ve never had a bad match together, and I don’t think they’re going to start at Wrestle Kingdom 10. Anything under 4.5 stars by these two on this stage would be considered a disappointment, which probably adds a bit of pressure. Another is the fact that while this match was only officially announced in October, it was more or less made the moment Okada lost to Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 9. After the match, Okada was completely devastated, and left the ring in tears.

    It was clear that match last January was not going to be the end of their long and storied rivalry, and another Wrestle Kingdom main event was looming. It was more just a question of if it was going to be at the following Wrestle Kingdom, or saved for further down the line. Thus, while it’s not the freshest match up, it does have a long, solid, emotional backstory and we can expect a fitting conclusion, i.e. Okada redeems himself for being a crybaby and finally defeats Tanahashi in the Tokyo Dome, the figurative torch is passed, the student becomes the master, and so forth. 

    Okada vs. Tanahashi: The Champion vs. The Ace. I know I should be more excited for this than I am, and I am excited. It’s just not off the charts levels. I think what I’m most looking forward to is this match possibly capping off what has been one of the highest profile rivalries in Japan in the current decade, and possibly the best in terms of match quality. If nothing else, it’s all but guaranteed to be a hell of a match.

  • B&V 12/31: Breaking Ground, Granny, Monday Night Raw!

    It’s the return of the Bryan & Vinny Show, either the first of 2016 or the last of 2015, however you want to look at it! A packed show as we’ve got WWE Breaking Ground, Granny with a look at everyone’s New Year’s Resolutions, and Vinny’s Monday Night Raw review! A fun show as always so check it out~!

    Right click save

  • WOR 12/31: Sean Wheelock on weight-cutting, RIZIN, Bellator, UFC book, more!

    Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back today with special guest Sean Wheelock to talk a number of topics including weight-cutting in MMA, RIZIN, Bellator, his book on the early history of UFC with Art Davie, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

    Right click save

  • Daily Update: NYE final Smackdown on Syfy, WWE HOF tickets, Rock teases ‘Mania with Rousey

    We’re looking for reports on last night’s WWE shows in Toronto and Baltimore at Dave Meltzer

    For this weekend, we’ll be doing polls on the Saturday night UFC show and the New Japan Tokyo Dome show which starts at about 2:15 a.m. Eastern and 11:15 p.m. late Sunday/early Monday.

    SMACKDOWN TONIGHT ON SYFY

    Dudleys & Kalisto vs. Big E & Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods

    Goldust vs. Tyler Breeze

    Usos vs. Luke Harper & Braun Strowman

    Brie Bella & Alicia Fox vs. Naomi & Tamina

    Dolph Ziggler vs. Bo Dallas

    Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt & Kevin Owens

    This is the final episode of Smackdown on  Syfy, as it moves to the USA Network with the new announcing team and John Cena in a show taped on Tuesday in Laredo.  It’s expected this will be among the lowest rated episodes ever given the college football playoffs and New Year’s Eve

    CMLL IPPVFROM ARENA MEXICO AT 6 P.M. EASTERN TIME TOMORROW  

    WATCH HERE

    Estrellita & Princesa Sugei & Vaquerita vs.  Amapola & Dallys & Zeuxis

    Blue Panther Jr. & Esfinge & The Panther vs. Cancerbero & Raziel & Virus

    Atlantis & Marco Corleone & Valiente vs. Dragon Rojo & Polvora & Thunder

    Maximo Sexy vs. Kamaitachi hair vs. hair

    Mistico & Caristico & Rusher vs. Volador Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero & Cibernetico

    Negro Casas vs. Super Parka hair vs. hair

    Figure Four Weekly

    Figure Four Weekly 12/28/2015: Gawker files to dismiss Hogan lawsuit
    Details on Gawker filing to dismiss the Hulk Hogan sex tape lawsuit, plus other news.

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    We have our annual business year in review as the lead of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week. We cover our awards balloting year from 12/1/14 to 11/30/15 looking at the biggest events and biggest draws, with the year’s biggest crowds, records set in several different companies, Cena compared to those in similar positions on the all-time list, the year’s PPV buys for every wrestling, MMA and boxing show, how this year compared with other years.

    Dwayne Johnson returning for WrestleMania, different ideas of where he may fit in, and his recent track record of WrestleMania matches.

    The history of New Japan on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome. The first New Japan Tokyo Dome show and its main event, what drew the first house, what Lou Thesz said to Antonio Inoki after the show and why Thesz thought the result was a good thing and why it ended up being a waste. We look at how this year’s show will differ from last year as well as a match-by-match rundown and a look at the history of the New Japan big four, Tanahashi, Okada, A.J. Styles and Nakamura, with all of their previous Tokyo Dome matches.

    Jonathan Coachman on HGH usage in WWE, why usage is so prevalent in certain types of sports and entertainment.

    WWE injury coverage, why WWE stars are doing more NBC media, how movies with Sting are doing at the box office, how the WWE’s head of medical came across in the movie “Concussion” plus a concussion expert on Daniel Bryan situation. Update on Nikki Bella, NXT sellouts, Brock Lesnar’s next match, Cena facing a surprise opponent, Chris Jericho on future, Royal Rumble, Sin Cara injury update, NXT in Dallas, the go-home show for WrestleMania, two international stars about to start with WWE and the Bayley character on the main roster.

    The holiday show in Madison Square Garden coverage, Ben Askren talks about One’s possibly revolutionary weight cutting regulations that could be the catalyst for changing MMA.  We look at the first Rizin show, the sad spectacle of Sakuraba, the pro wrestlers on the show, the mentality behind why certain people were on the show and match-by-match coverage.

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

    The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: January 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Business year in review, Rock at Wrestlemania 32, 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.

    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. 

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: November 9, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Jesse Ventura wins Minnesota Governor election, WCW trailing WWF, more
    Jesse Ventura becomes the Governor of Minnesota, WCW begins trailing WWF, ECW November to Remember recap, plus tons of news.

    TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

    Wrestling Observer Radio with Sean Wheelock is up today talking with Bryan and Dave Meltzer about MMA rules and regulations, his departure from Bellator, MMA scoring and even a movie he’s working on that will be about the birth of MMA in 1993.

    Jerome LeBanner showed up in the ring at the IGF show instead of his scheduled fight against Baruto on the Rizin New Year’s Show.  LeBanner “never came to Japan” and was replaced at the last minute by Peter Aerts.   He had been with IGF in the past.  Nobuyuki Sakakibara of Rizin has already said that he’s going to sue over that.

    Tickets to the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony at the American Airlines Center in Dallas go on sale to the public on 1/15 at 10 a.m. Central time.  Probably a quick sellout here.  That probably means a Hall of Fame announcement will come on 1/11.

    UFC has sent some Fight Pass subscribers an e-mail offering them 20 percent off UFC 195 as a gift.  I didn’t get one so it hasn’t come to everyone, but we’ve gotten e-mails from several who have gotten it.  

    The Vegas Fuel Energy site is offering free tickets to the TNA shows all week in Bethlehem, PA, which probably tells you how tickets are selling, but I don’t think that’s a surprise when it TNA running five straight nights in the same venue.

    The 1/13 episode of NXT will feature the NXT Awards.  There will be voting on the WWE web site starting tomorrow and ending this coming Wednesday for Competitor of the Year, Male Competitor of the Year, Female Competitor of the Year, Tag Team of the Year, Match of the year, TakeOver show of the Year.  

    WWE

    • Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has been pushing for WrestleMania at Michigan Stadium, saying it’s bigger than Texas Stadium and they could break the attendance record.  
    • With the holidays, the company will return to action with shows in Corpus Christi and Hidalgo on Sunday.  
    • The International Judo Federation sent Dwayne Johnson a Tweet saying to let them know if he needs a judoka to be his tag team partner at WrestleMania.  “I may need a judoka,” he wrote.  “I had the honor of a course in judo last year.”
    • As far as movies with WWE talent, Daddy’s Home was No. 2 in Australia last weekend and Spectre was No. 8 (thanks to James Stanios)
    • While it feels like more, out of 389 matches on Raw in 2015, 21 were won by distraction and roll-up finishes. (thanks to Jason Solomon)
    • Alberto Del Rio’s match in Puerto Rico with Ray Gonzalez Sr.

    UFC

    • Michael Bisping ripped on Anderson Silva in a Tuesday press conference noting him testing positive for three different banned substances, so that may be the theme of his promos leading to their fight.  He said that he respects him as a fighter, but lost a lot of respect for him and this fight represents him trying to beat fighters that cheated.  He said that calling yourself a martial artist and taking PED’s is “the biggest contradiction you could ever make and to be honest, he should be ashamed of himself and I feel that this should be talked about more.”  He said he believes the people who used to cheat will try and continue to cheat and manipulate the system.  “Just because they’re bringing in advanced testing doesn’t share the fact you’re still going to be a coward and you’re still going to try and cheat the system.”
    • Due to an injury to Jimi Manuwa, his 2/27 fight scheduled with Nikita Krylov in London has been canceled.
    • FS 1 will be airing the Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes tonight at 8 p.m.
    • The weigh-ins will be at 7 p.m. tomorrow night with Karyn Bryant, Daniel Cormier, Kenny Florian, Tyron Woodley and Ariel Helwani working the shows.

    MISCELLANEOUS

    • There’s talk of a big immediate push for Michael Bennett in TNA. 
    • RDS in Quebec, the French language version of ESPN, had a one hour documentary last night on the Rougeau Family, starting with Eddy Auger to nephews Jacques Sr. & Johnny, third generation wrestlers Jacques Jr. & Raymond as well as Armand and Joanne (who was the local Montreal promoter for WWF) to Emile & Cedric, Jacques’ sons.  Also in the documentary included former promoter Gino Brito, Jacques’ former tag team partner Pierre-Carl Ouellet, announcer Marc Blondin and historian Patric Laprade.
    • Findlay Martin of Powerslam’s book “Pro Wrestling Through the Power Slam Years:  1994-2014” was named by Dan of Geek as one of its top books of 2015.
    • One of the best women’s bouts this year, the Io Shirai Queen of Stardom win over Meiko Satomura
    • Glory kickboxing will have a six hour marathon starting at midnight Eastern tomorrow night on the CBS Sports Network.
    • An interview with Matt Hardy on TNA’s move to Pop TV
    • Michael Landsberg talks about his battles with depression and how WWE wrestling and Bret Hart put Off the Record on the map in 1997
    • The World Series of Fighting will have an eight hour marathon starting at 5 p.m. tomorow on NBC Sports Network.  The Justin Gaethje vs. Luis Palomino match of the year candidate will air at about8:30 p.m. Friday night Eastern and 5:30 p.m. Pacific time.
    • The CW TV show “Supernatural” will have a pro wrestling themed episode airing on 1/20 at 9 p.m.  The show will include familiar themes within pro wrestling including deaths of wrestlers at a young age.    
    • Evolve has announced a Style Battle tournament for Royal Rumble weekend with shows on 1/22 in Ybor City, 1/23 and 1/24 in Orlando, with a four-man round robin tournament featuring Matt Riddle, Tracy Williams, Peter Kaasa and Fred Yehi.
    • The Resurrection Fighting Alliance on AXS has a sow on 1/15 from Broomfield, CT.  the main event will be Bojan Velickovic (12-3) vs. Benjamin Smith (15-3) at welterweight plus Adam Stroup (10-2) vs. John Poppie (6-2) at middleweight.
    • ECWA on 1/23 in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Community Center.
    • AAW is offering two weeks free on its streaming service at www.airwarchives.com
    • Bill Beecroft noted that Harry Simon wasn’t the only person to have written for both the Wrestling Observer and Pro Wrestling Illustrated, as he did as well.
    • American Combat Wrestling on 1/16 in New Port Richey, FL at the All Sports Arena.
    • Promociones del Vallle has a show on 1/8 at the Auditorio in Tijuana with Gronda XXX & L.A. Park & Rayo de Jalisco Jr. vs. Cibernetico & Cien Caras & Dr. Wagner Jr. as the main event.
    • Infinity Pro Wrestling on 1/30 in Bloomington, IN at the National Guard Armory with GT Vega vs. Tommaso Ciampa vs. Shane Mercer.
    • Bushwhacker Luke Williams celebrates in birthday on 1/8 at the River City Wrestling show in San Antonio at Sideliners Grill.  Hernandez will also be on that show.
    • Pro Wrestling Phoenix from last night in Omaha:  Purple b Robert Storm, Dalton Lee Roth won three-way over Kevin Davidson and Ozzie Gallagher, Zac James b Pat Powers, L-Ray b Branden Juarez, Blue Rocket b Brandon Wallace, Michael Elgin b Devin Carter, Daniels Brothers b Hype Gotti & Tony Cortez in a tables match.  Next show is 1/16 in Council Bluffs, IA at the National Guard Armory.

    Here is today’s FULL Daily Pro Wrestling History including International history: Daily pro wrestling history (12/29): Mankind wins the WWF World Title