The World Tag League finals are nearing an end, as tonight we’ll finally see the winners of this two week tournament be crowned. Evil and Tetsuya Natio, a relatively new team, will fight against one who rarely teams up in Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma. With the aces of the tag division, Anderson and Gallows awaiting whichever team wins, who will make it past the finals and into the Tokyo Dome to face the dominant champions?
Yohei Komatsu and Sho Tanaka vs. David Finlay and Juice Robinson
Really fun match. All four guys worked hard. Not given a ton of time, but looked really good with the time they were given. Robinson, as mentioned before, has really adapted to the style well and fit in here with the likes of Finlay, who is good, and Komatsu and Tanaka, who are great. Robinson and Finlay got the heat on Komatsu. Tanaka got the hot tag and ran wild, soon turned into a ruckus with everyone getting involved. Tanaka and Komatsu hit the dual boston crabs, with Komatsu submitting Finlay.
Jay White vs. Mascara Dorada
This is an interesting match as I don’t think White has had too many singles matches in the year he has been wrestling regularly for the promotion. He did some heel antics early, ripping Dorada’s mask. Dorada did this really cool spot where he walked back to the entrance, ran and gave a hurricanrana over the guardrail to White. They had some good back and forth, with Dorada winning after a springboard hurricanrana and the Dorada screwdriver. White looked good and held his own. He’s really athletic and is a surefire candidate for rookie of the year. Good match.
Bushi came to the ring after the match, wearing his Los Ingobernables hat. He offered it to Dorada. He signaled to the crowd he wasn’t interested, turning his back on Bushi. Bad mistake. He laid him out, then took his mask off to embarrass him. He exited the ring and stole Dorada’s CMLL Welterweight title, so looks like that’s a title program down the road.
Jushin Thunder Liger and Kushida vs. Ryusuke Taguchi and Tiger Mask
The focus here is between Liger and Tiger Mask, who are feuding over the NWA Jr. heavyweight title. Yes, this a repeat of a feud from last year, except Tiger Mask is now the champion. They went at it for a while. Taguchi and Kushida were tagged in and had some nice offense. It’s so hard to take Taguchi seriously with his new butt attack gimmick. I mean it’s fine for opening level matches but if they ever put him in a IWGP Jr. title situation again that’d feel like a waste of time. Tiger Mask and Liger were back in the ring, then Tiger Mask rolled him up out of nowhere with a crucifix for the win. It was fine.
Tencozy, Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata vs. Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga and Yujiro Takahashi
Mao-chan was back with Yujiro selling her DVD as if she were Toru Yano. I don’t think their DVDs are the same genre. Typical eight man tag you’d see on a New Japan show. Nothing bad, just kind of there. It was decent overall. Anderson caught Nakanishi with the stun gun, then pinned him after a Magic Killer. Makes sense for them to get a win here as their next challengers are being crowned.
All of a sudden, Truth Martini appeared in a video, highlighting him and the House of Truth. That was random. He appeared with Jay Lethal, who said he will defend the ROH title at the Toyko Dome and questioned who will challenge him. Apparently he doesn’t check the internet I think most of us know who that will be by now (Elgin).
The Kingdom vs. The Addiction
Liger, who was on commentary, went completely crazy for Maria as they made their entrance. Good match but nothing out of this world. Very much a back and forth match. The Kingdom win with a spike piledriver on Kazarian.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Toru Yano vs. Cody Hall and Bad Luck Fale
Not that interesting of a match. Nakamura worked a lot with Hall with Fale and Yano continued their feud. Yano taped up Fales ankle as Nakamura and Hall were in the ring. Hall went for the Razor’s Edge but Yano low blowed him, allowing Nakamura to hit the boma ye for the win.
After the match, Yujiro Takahashi and Tama Tonga ran in. Takahashi beat up Yano with a chair as Fale entered the ring again. Nakamura came back and cleared house, so I guess this sets up a Yano feud with the Bullet Club B squad.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto vs. Yoshi-Hashi, Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii and Kazushi Sakuraba
They did some atypical eight man tag house show gimmicks, including the “everyone brawls out of the ring spot”. Elgin came in and took everyone out, which got him over big time with the crowd. He and Yoshi-Hashi have real good chemistry with one another. Okada and Tanahashi had their big moment that the crowd got into as well, chanting for Okada. Shibata and Ishii worked a lot in the end, doing their usual, stiff offense. Shibata had in in a sleeper and Ishii fought forever until finally being taken to the ground and was pinned after the penalty kick. Good match overall
Shibata dropped the NEVER title on Ishii after the match, so there is your NEVER title program. It’s been done, but then again when it was done those were incredible matches, so not much to complain about. Okada and Tanahashi posed in the ring after the match, the crowd 100% behind Okada.
World Tag League Finals: GBH (Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma) vs. Evil and Tetsuya Naito
They set up a table at one point and Honma set it up like he was going to piledrive Honma through the table but Bushi interfered and instead Naito gave him a neckbreaker on the table. Makabe had a chair wrapped around his neck and Evil grabbed another chair and smacked the two chairs together at one point. Not a fun spot. Bushi came in at one point and gave the mist to Makabe, who took him out while Naito gave Honma a top rope hurricanrana for a nearfall. They worked over Honma for a long time after this. Makabe came back and gave the lairat to both Evil and Naito. Honma came back and helped set up the King Kong Knee drop by Makabe, then followed with a top rope kokeshi for the win. The match was good in spots but overall didn’t feel like a big deal until the ending, which was actually pretty great and heated.
It’s RETRO TUESDAY on the Bryan & Vinny & Craig Show tonight! We’ve got full reviews of both Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week, the build towards Sid vs. Bret Hart for the title plus Hulk Hogan vs. Roddy Piper! Also, the F4W KARATE FIGHTERS 2016 TOURNAMENT BEGINS! Some amazing promos and then we’re off and running with the Karate Fighters next week! A fun show as always so check it out~!
On this week’s show, the conversation is about all the new classic, old-school wrestling shows which have been added lately to the WWE Network.
Finally taking advantage of their incredible tape library, WWE has finally added a sizeable amount of classic content to the online network. Included among the newly added material is NWA World Championship Wrestling from TBS, late-era AWA, Mid-South Srestling, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, more World Class Championship Wrestling, Global Wrestling Federation, and even some Stampede Wrestling from Calgary…for a few days anyway.
Karl also discusses the animated David Crockett and apparently, his dog hates him. Who knew? Then in the second half of the show, Karl takes a few questions out of the mailbag including some follow up emails from the Monsters Of Wrestling show he did back around Halloween. We learn more about the Los Angeles Monster and hockey masked maniacs.
Please check out the Super Stern Stick Flash Drive from Karl’s website to take advantage of a holiday season special offer!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with a packed show! Raw thoughts from last night’s show, THE MAN TYSON FURY, plus we’re joined by Olympic Weightlifting coach Phil Nourse to talk the WWE’s Strength and Conditioning program and whether it’s too much to add to a wrestler’s plate. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns today with tons to talk about including a full review of Raw from Monday night, all the matches and angles, Tokyo Sports voting, why the Stampede library was taking off the WWE Network, Ronda Rousey speaks, mailbag questions and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Filthy Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez and Tom Lawlor returns today with tons to talk about! Tom’s thoughts on Hack Meyers, who helped train him, a full breakdown of the top matches on all three UFC events this coming weekend, Smackdown, New Japan and Breaking Ground thoughts, the Filthy Four 2K16 contest is wrapping up soon, mailbag for Tom and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
The go-home show for the TLC PPV was strange, but still an improvement from last week. The most relevant long-term takeaway from the show was the instant breakup of the Alberto Del Rio-Zeb Coulter faction. There was a hot opening match and a good singles match between Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler. Then came some strange stuff involving Charlotte and Paige. Followed by even more strange stuff with Titus O’Neal and Stardust.
Show Recap:
The League of Nations were in the ring with its own new music. Sheamus mentioned Rusev from Bulgaria, Alberto Del Rio from Mexico (I thought it was MexAmerica?), King Barrett from England and himself from Ireland. Sheamus said they couldn’t find anyone from America to lace their boots. He talked about how they were the best of the best. Suddenly, the Wyatt Family appeared in the ring. This was the start of their long-awaited face turn, and it took the fans awhile to catch on, but they started chanting “yes.” Bray Wyatt said he didn’t care about nations, this was his world and he was allowing them to breathe in it. They came out to create chaos.
They teased a showdown when the Dudley Boyz and Tommy Dreamer came out. Bubba Ray Dudley and Wyatt jabbered back and forth. Devon Dudley said when you’re extreme, you don’t die, you multiply. Rhyno came out. Considering they used a Robin Harris quote and the word “Extreme,” maybe their gimmick is “That 90s team.”
Just as they were about to get in the ring, Reigns, Dean Ambrose and the Usos came out through the crowd. They’re running 16 guys out there in one match when they have no depth. Fandango vs. Brooklyn Brawler anyone?
Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and the Usos defeated The League of Nations in a Fatal Four-Way Elimination Match that also included The Wyatt Family and the Dudley Boyz, Rhyno and Tommy Dreamer (21:26)
Fans got into Rhyno for the nostalgia pop Dreamer wore polka-dot pants, I guess as a tribute to Dusty Rhodes. That week on the road must have done a number on Dreamer because he looked like he aged 5 years in one week.
Dreamer pinned Eric Rowan with a DDT to eliminate the Wyatt Family in 4:45. Michael Cole called the DDT a “Dreamer Driver.” Do what?
Sheamus pinned Bubba Ray at 11:06 with a Brogue Kick There was a 12-way brawl midway through this cycle that led to Rhyno and Reigns having a staredown. Man it was scary that someone from the dying days of ECW got a better reaction than the man groomed to be the next John Cena. Del Rio jumped Rhyno before they touched.
Reigns pinned Sheamus with a spear to win the match at 21:26. Really good final sequence where Del Rio tried to pin Reigns after Sheamus hit him with a Brogue Kick outside the ring, but Reigns kicked out. Del Rio then applied the cross armbreaker, but Jimmy Uso broke it up with a splash off the top. Amrbose and Jey Uso did topes on the heels at various points. Strong match overall.
Sheamus sold his ribs backstage when Renee Young walked up to ask him about the match he just lost. A deadly serious Sheamus said Reigns’ victory over him was as close to the world championship as he will ever get. Young asked if there was anything he could learn about tonight’s opening match. Sheamus vowed to make Reigns pay in front of the whole world tonight.
Stardust ranted to himself in his private liar about making the entire WWE Universe see the whole world is a dark place. Titus O’Neal made his weekly appearance and suggested Stardust should leave his dingy room and get some. He didn’t mean that. O’Neal told Stardust to get a life, read a book. Stardust refused to listen. Stardust looked back to respond to O’Neal, who disappeared.
Tyler Breeze and Summer Rae watched from their VIP section.
Kevin Owens (C) defeated Dolph Ziggler in a nontitle match (19:12)
Another good match where Kevin Owens won with a Pop-Up Power Bomb. They worked spots around a side headlock. Dolph Ziggler ran his right shoulder into the post and sold his right shoulder extremely well the rest of the match. High spot included Owens doing a senton into the corner. Ziggler rolled out to the floor several times, but hit Owens with a jumping DDT. Breeze never got involved.
Right after the pin, Ambrose came out eating popcorn and drinking a soft drink. Owens was furious his music didn’t play. Ambrose got in the ring, threw popcorn and drink in Owens’ face and left. Sure made Ambrose look like a jerk.
Wyatt cut a promo on the Dudleys, Dreamer and Rhyno. Braun Strowman said he had a dream where he would become Tommy Dreamer’s worst nightmare.
Miz met with Neville backstage. Miz wanted to teach Neville how to be a true superstar so he could be the next Daniel Bryan. If that happens, I guess we’ll never see any crowd signs for Neville again. This led to Miz bringing in Donny Deutsch, who stars in a new USA Network show called “Donny.” Deutsch used to have a CNBC talk show that had WWE personalities appear all the time. Miz and Deutsch chatted. Neville and Deutsch shook hands. Really was more of a promotional piece than anything.
Naomi and Sasha Banks defeated Brie Bella and Alicia Fox (6:12)
Clumsy match. Naomi pinned Brie Bella with the Rear View after Sasha Banks grabbed her foot from the outside. Not much to it. Team BAD’s new gimmick is saying “Unity” in unison at the highest pitch possible.
Right afterwards, the New Day came out wearing unicorn horns. They gave the members of Team BAD the horns and did a group handshake.
The New Day claimed to submit thousands of baby names to Kanye West and Kim Kardshian. But they don’t believe WWE Tag Team title shots should be handed out generously, saying they had to defend against Lucha Dragons and the Usos in a ladder match. They did a skit to prove they didn’t need ladders, proving they could get a kitten out of a tree without a ladder. To prove it, Big E. played the role of a tree, Kofi Kingston played a kitten. Kingston jumped on top of Big E, while Xavier Woods told Kofi to climb down. Kofi mee-owed. Crowd didn’t really follow it.
Lucha Dragons defeated Kofi Kingston and Big E. (C) in a nontitle match (7:10)
The Usos were at ringside on commentary. Woods blew the trombone into the Usos face, which led to Jey trashing the trombone and going after Woods. Kingston watched this unfold from the ring, which led to Sin Cara getting the pin with an O’Connor Roll.
Reigns did an interview. Note to self: never watch Mid-South episodes on Raw days. Watching Bill Watts, Jim Cornette and even Terry Taylor cut these promos that were short on polish and high on emotion and drawing money makes the current product look so colorless. Reigns said he would face Sheamus later tonight to see who would teach who a lesson.
On that note, it was time for MizTv. Charlotte and Ric Flair came out. Charlotte told Miz that he didn’t introduce her father correctly, clearly teasing a heel turn. Charlotte and her father had matching Rolex watches. Flair said he would be in Charlotte’s corner for her title match against Paige at TLC. Miz brought up Charlotte’s win over Becky Lynch. Charlotte interrupted Miz saying she was going to do what it took to win.
Miz did a babyface speech saying that Charlotte has changed and wanted to know what she had to say to Paige. Charlotte said if she had anything to say, she would say it on Sunday. Miz said Piage interferred with her friendship with Lynch and wanted to know why Charlotte wouldn’t answer the question. Flair got up and talked Miz down. Miz said Charlotte was hiding behind her father. Miz pressed on until Charlotte spoke up and called Paige a “two-faced gothic piece of trash.” Charlotte said she would destroy Paige for everything she ever said about Charlotte.
Miz brought out Paige, who got a babyface pop. Did a miss Paige’s babyface turn? Flair took Charlotte out of the ring instead of confronting Paige. Charlotte left, but Paige slapped Flair. That led Flair to tell Charlotte to get her. Then came a weird sequence. Charlotte jumped on Paige, who didn’t get a comeback and rolled out of the ring. Isn’t it usually the newly turned babyface who has to be pulled off the newly turned heel? And wasn’t Miz the Flair in waiting two years ago?
Ryback and Rusev went to a double countout (10:13)
Ryback chased Rusev around the ring until Ryback appeared to run into Lana, who feigned an ankle injury. As Ryback checked on her, Rusev jumped him from behind and put him in the Accolade. Lana showed the ankle injury was a gimmick, then laughed as she and Rusev kissed. Lana did an inset promo saying she knew Ryback didn’t mean to hurt her last week when he rammed the steps into her last week. Cole billed this as a weird interview and he was right. Ryback did a rolling tope to the floor, which wasn’t flawless but damn impressive for someone his size.
They showed a teaser for Shawn Michaels podcast interview with Steve Austin. Of course, they broached the subjet of Montreal. Austin asked Michaels if the scenario where Bret Hart would be placed in the Sharpshooter was Michaels’ idea, and they cut to the end before Michaels could answer. I’m going to create a bingo card for all the answers that Michaels has given about Montreal over the past 18 years. He went from saying it wasn’t his idea, to telling RF Video that Bret had proof that Michaels wasn’t involved in the screw job in the “Wrestling with Shadows” documentary footage but didn’t show it, to admitting he did know about it, and then claiming it was his idea. Wonder which answer Shawn’s God likes?
Jack Swagger defeated Stardust (3:36)
The match was in progress when Del Rio and Zeb Coulter came out. O’Neal was on commentary. He’s basically doing Dave Meltzer’s gimmick where he wants Cody Rhodes to drop the Stardust character. Swagger won with the Patriot Lock. Immediately afterwards, Del Rio popped Swagger with a hard chair shot. Stardust came up from behind Del Rio. O’Neal screamed “Del Rio, look out!” Wasn’t he trying to help Stardust? Why did he need to warn Del Rio since he had a chair? Del Rio hit Stardust.
Then Swagger popped up from the chair shot after barely selling it. He and Del Rio each had a chair at this point. Swagger swung and knocked the chair out of Del Rio’s hands. Del Rio stumbled over Coulter’s motorized cart. Swagger then yelled at Coulter about how he had turned his back on the people and his country. Coutler rode off on his cart.
The Rose Bush atrocity saw a 2nd week. Adam Rose said the Miz was trying to use Neville for a remake of Dumbo, which Neville was a shoo-in for. They implied Neville had a big nose. Ungodly bad stuff.
In the back, Del Rio was mad at Coulter because he tripped over Coulter’s cart. ADR told Coulter he didn’t want him around anymore. Coulter tried to but in and remind ADR that he was the reason ADR held the U.S. Championship, but ADR wasn’t hearing any of it. Coulter rode away. So this pairing is history, and not a moment too soon. This was an ill-advised act from the beginning and it was best to cut bait while they could.
Braun Strowman defeated Tommy Dreamer by submission (2:43)
It was what you would think. Strowman won with the head-and-arm choke. JBL compared Strowman to Bill Kazmaier, which could be prescient, but not in the way he meant.
Reigns showed up to the ring, which had tables, ladders and chairs in it. Reigns remembered that’s how the Shield started, in a TLC match. He started climbing the ladder as a metaphor for his career. Crowd chanted “what” at him. Reigns said it was Sheamus who knocked him down this ladder. He said he wasn’t leaving until Sheamus showed up.
Sheamus came out. He said Roman was out of touch. Fancy that line coming from this company. Sheamus vowed to beat Reigns again. They bickered back and forth until Reigns got off this line saying that he thought Sheamus had potatoes, but it turns out he has Tater Tots. That succeeded in getting the crowd to chant “Tater Tots.” Sheamus started to run in the ring, but he stopped. Sheamus said he was going to build a castle of mangled ladders, broken chairs and tables on top of Reigns. Again, Roman challenged him.
Sheamus said if he got in the ring, Sheamus would hit him with a chair. So Reigns threw the chair away. Reigns said he didn’t want Reigns to power bomb him through a table. So Reigns put the table away. Then Sheamus wanted the ladder put away, Reigns did that. This was going on forever. Crowd did respond with more Tater Tot chants.
Sheamus finally got in the ring put Reigns decked him quickly. Reigns started to clear the announcer’s table when Sheamus made a comeback. They fought into the crowd, where Reigns dumped a trash can on him. They spilled out into the fans with more brawling and worked their way to the ramp. Reigns teased power bombing Sheamus off the ramp, but Sheamus stopped him and rammed Reigns into the tables and chairs on the set. Sheamus gave him a chair shot. Reigns popped up like Swagger earlier. At least they were consistent. Reigns hit Sheamus with a chair.
They fought back to where they started, where Sheamus tried to power bomb Reigns through the table, but Regins escaped. Reigns tried to spear Sheamus through the announcer’s table, but Sheamus dodged him. Sheamus rose his arms, but Reigns got up and speared Sheamus through a set of tables set up at ringside. There were some “Roman” chants, but the crowd was pretty quiet for most of this segment and much of the hour overall.
SUMMARY: This was a show booked in reverse. We got a solid first hour and it just lost steam from there. Reigns and Sheamus feels like a cold program, which anyone who watched Sheamus win the title would have predicted. I might regret writing this, but Reigns doesn’t have that special quality as a main eventer. He can’t carry a 10-minute talking segment and the fans don’t see him as a top of the card talent. Maybe an upper midcarder, but he isn’t getting the reaction of a star. On the bright side, moving Del Rio away from Coulter was for the best. No one needs to steal Del Rio’s spotlight because he can be a top heel if booked properly.
We’re looking for reports on Raw tonight from North Charleston, SC with Superstars matches, dark matches and anything else that wouldn’t be evident on the live Raw tonight, as well as reports from the WWE weekend shows in Augusta, Fayetteville and Florence, SC to Dave Meltzer
Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio tonight talking Raw, the big weekend upcoming and taking your e-mail questions to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
Smackdown and Tribute to the Troops will be taped on Tuesday in Jacksonville.
The finals of the New Japan tag team tournament will be late Tuesday/early Wednesday from Sendai at 4:30 a.m. Eastern and 1:30 a.m. Pacific
Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
Jay White vs. Mascara Dorada
Jushin Liger & Kushida vs. Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi
Michael Bennett & Matt Taven vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian
Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale & Cody Hall
Mick Foley’s talk on WWE creative and a look at all the new moves WWE tried this week on television is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We look at the changes WWE attempted after a week of record low ratings, as well as the fan questionnaire sent out, what can be learned from it, and why they are asking exactly the wrong people.
We also look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current WWE business, as well as why the ratings may be important, but other factors are probably more important,when it comes to WWE’s next television deal. We look at the different potential changes in the landscape look at what aspects of business are and aren’t improving, as well as WWE’s business in the big picture.
He also update the situation with A.J. Styles, and the New Japan tag team tournament with standings and notes on the tournament matches over the past week.
We also look at the TLC PPV update, more on La Sombra in WWE, questions about all the shoulder injuries, WWE security at live shows, Cena movie release, Brad Maddox firing, Maddox’s WWE history, talents WWE has shown interest in, WWE overseas tour lineup and WWE weekend live event notes and business.
We have a look at the debut of the new Rizin promotion, major announcements for the first weekend of shows, the tournament, just how big Bob Sapp vs Akebono was the first time.
We also have a story on the domestic abuse claims by the girlfriend of Tomoaki Honma, and his response.
We look at the realities of the free agency of Benson Henderson, judging of the key fights, as well as full rundown of UFC’s debut in South Korea this past week.
We’ve got notes of TNA’s canceled tour of India, notes on the death of Tommy Gilbert and El Bello Greco, along with a feature on Stan Holek, a member of two of the most decorated tag teams of the 50s and 60s, the Lisowski Brothers with Crusher and the Neilson Brothers with Art Neilson. We look at the unique reason why all of his success was as a tag team wrestler, his biggest rivals, and his 13 runs as world tag team champion.
We’ve got a feature on the retirement of Act Yasukawa and the sad reason it happened.
We’ve also got the awards ballot for the 2015 awards and information on how well Hell in a Cell did this year on PPV.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
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If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
The annual Tokyo Sports pro wrestling awards will be announced late tonight. Minoru Suzuki and Kazuchika Okada are the favorites for MVP.
WWE has pulled its Stampede Wrestling footage from the Network today over a rights issue that has to be resolved between Vince McMahon and Bret Hart, who owns all of his Stampede footage.
Bubba Ray Dudley on Twitter yesterday saying “Just got off the phone with an Extreme Brother. Do not miss Raw tomorrow night.”
Jimmy Snuka was scheduled in court for a pretrial hearing today in the Nancy Argentino case. The hearing is in regard to the prosecution turning over evidence to the defense.
WWE announced the hiring of John Brody as Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Partnerships. He has performed similar positions with the NFL, Major League Baseball and the Boston Celtics. He will work directly under Michelle Wilson, the Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer as a new member of the senior management team.
Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal released its 50 most influential people in sports in 2015 list. No Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta or Vince McMahon in the top 50. White & Fertitta have been on the list in years past. Eric Shanks of Fox Sports was No. 10. Bob Bowman of Major League Baseball, who was formerly on the WWE Board of Directors before resigning, was No. 24. Al Haymon, the boxing promoter, was the only combat sports person on the list at No. 46.
WWE
Even though Tommy Dreamer is getting a main roster run right now, he is a free agent and will be still doing his indie shows.
The WWE’s Owen Hart documentary will be released tomorrow.
Expect some Happy Birthday Dean stuff on Raw since Ambrose turns 30 today.
UFC/MMA
Ronda Rousey will be on the cover of this week’s ESPN Magazine with her first interview since her loss. Rousey noted it could be three to six months before she can eat an apple or take an impact due to loose teeth from the knockout. Preview provided by People.
Here is some of the schedule for the week in Las Vegas (all times listed are Pacific time)
Tomorrow at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. open workouts at the MGM Grand Casino floor with Rose Namajunas, Paige VanZant, Jim Miller, Michael Chiesa, Sage Northcutt and Cody Pfister free and open to the public
Wednesday from 1-2:30 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena press conference with Dana White, Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes. Free and open to the public.
Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena: Fight Night weigh-ins. Free and open to the public.
Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. open workouts at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold free and open to the public.
Thursday at 2 p.m. weigh-ins for the Friday night show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena free and open to the public
Thursday Fight Night starting at 3:45 p.m. at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan.
Friday weigh-ins for the PPV at 3 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena free and open to the public.
Friday Fight Night starting at 4:30 p.m. at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan.
Saturday UFC 194 first bout at 3:30 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
An announcement was made today of a UFC Gym opening in Dubai in early 2016.
Northeast Wrestling is looking for a play-by-play announcer. They must have experience and live in the Northeast. Anyone interested send resumes and samples to newwrestling@yahoo.com
The movie “Spectre” in week five was in fifth place with $5.52 million gross in the U.S. and it was No. 2 in Australia this week (thanks to James Stanios)
Pro Wrestling Chaos from Saturday in Yate, Bristol, UK: Mark Andrews b Morgan Webster (good match), Jeckal b Tommaso Ciampa, Martina Kirby (Martin Kirby in drag) b Jinny-COR, Doomsday Killers b Gideon & Rhino & Mikey Whiplash (Rhino lost the fall which surprised everyone), Masked Mystery Man (Jeckal) won the Rumble, Wild Boar b Mike Bird in a 30:00 Iron man match to win the King of Chaos title. The Masked Man attacked Boar and unmasked as Jeckal. Next show in February with Grado. (thanks to James Witcombe)
Legacy Fighting Championships on 2/5 in Hinckley, MN at the Grand Casino Hinckley with Ricardo Ramos (8-0) vs. Augusto Mendes (5-0) for the bantamweight title that was vacated when Thomas Almeida went to UFC, plus Bock Larson (39-10) vs. Travis Coyle (14-8). The show will air live on AXS.
Resurrection Fighting Alliance on AXS on 1/15 from the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield CO with Bojan Velickovic (12-3) vs. Benjamin Smith (15-3) for the welterweight title as the main event.
Pro Wrestling Championship Series from Sunday in Alton, IL: Christian Rose b Paco Gonzalez, Alexandre Rudolph & Jake Parnell b Jay Howard & Roy Lewis, Pierre Abernathy b Kikutaro, Colt Cabana b Jeremy Wyatt, Mike Outlaw b Danny Adams, Makaze b Greg Jovi, Gerald James b Zakk Sawyers 2/3 falls, Grado b Everett Connors, Steven Kennedy & Jake Dirden & Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett b KC Karrington & Adam Caster & Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy in an elimination match (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Maryland Championship Wrestling from Friday night in Felton, DE: Funky White Boy & Fed Up (with Mick Foley) b Sonny deeds & Hotlanta Hustals, Oakley Woods b Andrew Steele, Paul Jordane b Fenix Fury, Hell Cats b The Ecktourage via COR so Ecktourage retains MCW tag titles, Ken Dixon b Brandon Scott, Travis Banks b Joe Kerr-COR, Headbangers b Drake Carter & Shaun Cannon, Kimber Lee b Renee Michelle to keep women’s title, Brandon Scott & The Bruiser & Lio Rush b Ken Dixon & Joe Keys & Rob Locke. Next show is 12/26 in Joppa, MD at the MCW Arena with Chyna, Ethan Carter III and Ashely Massaro.
Zero One announced today a show in Yangon, Myanmar on 2/13 at the National Stadium as the first wrestling show in that country. Press from Myanmar were covering the announcement. They announced 20 wrestlers from six countries appearing.
Grand Slam Wrestling tonight in Moosic, PA at the Moosic Youth Center. Yusuke Kodama from Japan is on the show.
Crossfire Wrestling from 12/5 in St. Catherines, ONT: Rochester Wrecking Crew b Italianos, Justin Sane b Tyler Tirva, Kaitlin Diemond b Jewells Malone, Jaxon Jarvis b Chris Laplante, Cody Deaner won three-way over Eric Young and Kongo Kong (thanks to Steven Ashe)
Deathproof Fight Club from yesterday in Etobicoke, ONT: Matt Cash b Taylor Kay-Deen, Maybach Beta b Tarik-COR, Steve Brown b Space Monkey, Danny Orlando & Hardcore Hick b Vaughn Vertigo & Gabriel Fuerza, Smiley b Eddie Sappalucci & Mattick in a three-way, Aiden Rayne & Rob Rage b Shane Sabre & John Greed, Balls Mahoney b Shaunymo in a flaming tables match (thanks to Chris DeCarvalho)
Destiny World Wrestling from yesterday in Mississauga, ONT: Stone Rockwell won three-way over Phil Atlas and Pepper Parks (Eric Young attacked Rockwell after the match), Dalton Castle b Psycho Mike Rollins, Kongo Kong b Randy Reign, Jersey Boys b The Fraternity, RJ City b Ken Anderson, Alexia Nicole b Jennifer Blake-DQ, Ricochet won four-way over Ethan Page, Tyler Tirva and Scotty O’Shea. Moose, Michael Elgin and Mick Foley will be working the next show in January.
Want to again praise some good work in the wrestling community in recent weeks:
The holiday season is here…and independent wrestling helps the public for the holidays with a wide variety of charity events.
Here’s all the good work that has happened so far:
* 3XWrestling presented Holiday Havoc 6 on December 4th, and the 3XW annual Toys for Tots Drive.
* Pure Wrestling Association returned to Guelph, ON on December 4 and Kitchener, ON on December 5 for “Spirit of the Season” collecting scores of new, unwrapped toys and Guelph, ON on December 6 collecting many canned foods items.
* 2300 (ECW) Arena presented the first of their Toys for Tots collection on December 5 at the CHIKARA Pro Wrestling season finale at the 2300 (ECW) Arena with an overflowing box of toys as well as cash donations for Toys for Tots, and food donations to Philabundance being collected.
* Charity Wrestling Show comes to Kingston Gospel Temple, Kingston, ON, Canada on December 5 with a 7:00 pm belltime. with proceeds will go to Hands of Hope, a charity that provides groceries over the holiday season to families in need.
* ECWA Pro Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots show on December 5 at the Woodbury Heights Community Center, Woodbury, NJ with six boxes of Toys for Tots collected.
* Right Coast Pro returned to Newark, DE on December 5 and collected 2 shopping carts of canned and nonperishable goods for the “Feed the Need Ministry” in Newark, DE and $500 for the Josh Jones Fund.
* New England Championship Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots collection/meet and greet at West Real Estate in Wilmington, MA on December 5, collecting nearly 100 toys.
* The originator of Toys for Toys events in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region, United Wrestling Coalition, did it again on December 5 at Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ with 300-350 toys plus 10 bikes.
* WAR Wrestling returns to Lima, OH on December 5 for United or Divided in a fundraiser for the Veterans Food Pantry. raised over $600 in cash and a whole SUV full of food.
* Crossfire Wrestling presented Jingle Bell Brawl IV on December 5 at The Merritton Community St. Catharine’s, ON, and raised $500 for The Niagara Children’s Centre Foundation.
* New Era Wrestling returned to Golden, CO on December 5, collecting dozens of toys at their Toys for Tots collection.
* Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling returns to Warren, MI on December 6 for Hardcore With A Heart at The Ritz, collecting hundreds of cans of food for the homeless of metro Detroit.
Here are the events still scheduled:
* Grumpy’s Bail Bonds Operation Christmas sponsors a show in Portland, TN at the Richland Park Gym on December 11 with Ricky Morton, Bill Dundee, and TNA’s Crimson.
* Texas Wrestling Association returns to the Texas Wolverine All-Star Gym, San Antonio, TX on December 11 for Gold Envy, part of the annual Toy Drive for Mujeres Unidas benefit Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.
* Pro Wrestling All Stars proudly presents “Christmas Classic” LIVE Friday night December 11th from The Play Atlantis in Melvindale, Michigan. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 730pm. Tickets are Only $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 & under. Bring in a New / unopened toy donation for “Toys 4 Tots” and receive a FREE TICKET to our January 1 show.
In your Double Main, PWAS CruiserCore Champion, El Mano del Diablo puts the PWAS CruiserCore Championship on the line as he battles, Hardcore wrestling legend and former PWAS CruiserCore champion, The Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal, Sabu. In tag team action, the odd couple of The Mysterious Movado and his tag team partner, “The Oldtimer” Jeff King make their first title defense against “The State of Corruption’s” Frank Issac Anderson aka F.I.A and his partner & current PWAS Heavyweight Champion, ” Officer” Rod Street. In a #1 Contender Challenge, “Inmate” Jack Thriller takes on Johnny Guh with the winner getting a future PWAS Heavyweight Championship match.
* Brew City Wrestling will run its annual Headlock for Hunger on December 11 at the Knight of Columbus Hall in West Allis, WI. The show features a food drive for the Hunger Task Force of Greater Milwaukee. Fans are asked to bring two non-perishable food items.
* Chaotic Wrestling will do its second Toys for Tots show of the year on December 11th at the Woburn, MA at the Elks Lodge, 295 Washington St, Woburn, MA.
* Join Game Changer Wrestling in Howell, NJ on December 12. On that night we will be giving back! Not only via our Toys for Tots fundraiser, but to a pioneer of our industry, as we honor “Reckless Youth” Tom Carter for his contributions to the sport of Pro Wrestling. Not only that, but #WWE Hall of Famer George “The Animal” Steele and the lovely Terri Runnels will be in the house. For this special celebration to kick off the holiday season with Santa and his elves, get your tickets, NOW by calling the GCW Ticket line at 201-257- 8621.
* Chaotic Wrestling is joining forces once again with The United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program on December 12. In Lowell, MA, we will be collecting NEW, UNWRAPPED TOYS to help provide a happier holiday for families in need.
* All Star Wrestling presents Bodyslams For Toys on December 12 at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050 176 St, Surrey, BC, Canada. Bring a new unwrapped toy with at least a $10 value and get in FREE.
* Combat Zone Wrestling presents its annual Toys for Tots collection (in conjunction with the Marine Corps Reserve) to take place for the eleventh year in a row with Combat Zone Wrestling’s 17th annual Cage of Death on December 12 at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ. Cage of Death is part of an all day CZW event. Featured is the annual Cage of Death match, and the CZW return of Sami Callihan
The afternoon features a Combat Zone Wrestling DOJO WARS afternoon student show, with an admission of $5 or one new, unwrapped toy. Toys for Tots will be collected all day.
* GALLI Lucha Libre presents its annual GALLI Toy Drive Navidad event in Villa Park, IL on December 13.
* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s Final Battle PPV on December 18 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 18 with an 8:30 pm belltime.
* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s TV taping on December 19 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 18 with an 6:00 pm belltime.
* SCW Entertainment returns to the Coronaca Fire Department in Coronaca, PA for the 5th annual Toys for Tots event on December 19. Featured matches: Anderson Strong (c) vs. Dean Richards in a SCW Heavyweight Championship/30 Minute Iron Man Match, TJ Boss vs. Ben Wright in a Cage Match/Loser Leaves SCW/Winner is # 1 Contender to the SCW Heavyweight Title, and Kat Daddy (c) vs. Karl Hager for the SCW Internet Championship
* Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling will hold Wrestling With Hunger in at the Elks Hall #49 ,2272 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam, BC on December 19 (8:00 pm belltime/ 7:30 doors open) to support Share Family Services Food Bank. All seats ONLY $16
* Wrestling for a Cause will run The Fight for Haylie on December 12 in Pryor, OK (7:00 pm belltime) . 100% of the show’s proceeds go to the family of a child with cancer.
* Keystone Championship Wrestling will hold its yearly Toys for Tots show, tentatively scheduled for December 19.
* Supreme Pro Wrestling returns to Sacramento’s SPW Arena on Sunday, December 20, with Brian Tannen defending the SPW Heavyweight Title against Scoot Robertson — The Beautiful People defending the SPW Tag Team Titles against the Honor Society — Michael Hayashi defends the SPW Xtreme Title against Airon Skye — and Joe DeSoul in a grudge match against Ring Announcer Ethan White. Fans donating an unwrapped toy will get half-price admission in our annual Toys For Kids promotion!
* Premiere Wrestling Xperience is offering an opportunity for spectators to bring a new unwrapped toy to the Hickory National Guard Armory, 1251 8th St NE in Hickory, NC on December 19. Spectators who bring a new unwrapped toy (with a suggested minimum value of just $10) can attend their event for only $10 and any child, aged 12 and under, who also brings an unwrapped toy will be FREE in rows 3-8.
* Great Canadian Wrestling presents Season’s Beatings ’15 on December 27 at Harmony Creek Community Hall, 15 Harmony Rd. N, Oshawa Ontario. This is the annual Christmas show for local food bank. Fans are asked to bring donations for Harmony Creek food bank. No matches yet announced.
Between all of these over the years, thousands of children have been able to have a Christmas or Hanukkah. Please help your local independent promotion do the same, or encourage them to schedule an event soon for the Holidays if they haven’t already. If you’re a promoter, PLEASE email me and let me know of your holiday charity themed plans (fund- raisers/collections for clothes, food pantries, Toys for Toys, etc.) at wrestling or MMA events to bobmagee1@hotmail.com.
