After years of being confused for each other, Bloody Elbow investigative journalist John Nash joins BE alum Josh Nason on the 22nd episode of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out!
On the menu this week:
– The future of MMA free agent Benson Henderson
– Why MMA free agency isn’t more of a thing we can talk about
– How John got into the business
– How his three-part series on UFC financials came together (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
– What fans should take out of that series and understand about the UFC’s business practices
– Why part of the UFC business ledger he’d like to see if given the chance
– His thoughts on the groundbreaking of the new UFC facility in Las Vegas
Welcome to this morning’s World Tag League coverage, the last show before the finals on 12/9. This card will determine who makes it to the finals.
The show is from the famed Aiichi Gym in Nagoya, a New Japan stronghold for decades.
The A block comes down to this. Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi face Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma. Both teams have 3-2 records. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin are in first place with a 4-2 record. If Okada & Yoshi-Hashi win, then Tanahashi & Elgin go to the finals based on having beaten Okada & Yoshi-Hashi earlier. If Makabe & Honma win, which is expected, they go to the finals since they beat Tanahashi & Elgin a few days ago.
The B block has Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto and Tetsuya Naito & Evil both with 4-1 records. As coincidence would have it, they face off tonight and the winner goes to the finals.
The overall tournament winner is expected to face Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows at Wrestle Kingdom 10 at the Tokyo Dome.
Looks like a full house tonight. Crowd seems reasonably hot even though it’s December and cold buildings in the winter with people bundled up usually means less crowd heat in Japan.
MANABU NAKANISHI & MASCARA DORADA & RYUSUKE TAGUCHI & YOHEI KOMATSU VS. YUJI NAGATA & SHO TANAKA & TIGER MASK & CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN
About what you’d expect. Tiger Mask may have gotten hurt a little as he’s holding his upper chest. More comedy than usual, but when you’ve got Captain in, that’s all you can do. Komatsu and Tanaka were serious and good as usual Tiger Mask made Komatsu submit to a double armbar. Funny spot where Nagata kicked Nakanishi in the chest and he said, “Oh fuck.”
No live announcing tonight.
CHRISTOPHER DANIELS & FRANKIE KAZARIAN VS. JAY WHITE & DAVID FINLAY
Decent match. Daniels & Kazarian worked like the veterans and controlled the match, mostly working on Finlay is a solidly worked undercard style match. White made the hot tag, did a few things but fell victim to Celebrity Rehab and Kazarian pinned White.
HIROYOSHI TENZAN & SATOSHI KOJIMA VS. YUJIRO TAKAHASHI & CODY HALL
Yujiro has a woman with 22 inch heels on doing all kinds of splits and almost a strip tease in a small bikini. Kind of weird having this on a show where Maria is a big part of the act coming up later. Better than expected. Crowd was into Kojima & Tenzan’s trademark stuff and Hall has improved. There was a spot wher Tenzan clotheslined Kojima when Takahashi moved and they played up being mad at each other. They teased tension after as well but shook hands. Finish saw Kojima lay out Takahashi with a lariat and Tenzan used the Anaconda buster and Anaconda vise to get a submssion from Hall.
HIROSHI TANAHASHI & MICHAEL ELGIN & KUSHIDA VS. MICHAEL BENNETT & MATT TAVEN & GEDO
Good match, best thing on the hsow so far. The highlight was Elgin giving Taven and Bennett German suplexes building to a spot where he gave both German suplexes at the same time. Tanahashi was playing it safe here. After Kushida did a flip dive wiping out Bennett & Taven, Tanahashi used a Dragon screw and Texas cloverleaf for the submission on Gedo. Maria didn’t do much. One dancing spot to distract Tanahashi and that was about it. Kushida borught a little kid over the rail to meet Tanahashi after.
Intermission time. The rest of the show are four tag team tournament matches, the last two deciding who goes to the finals.
BAD LUCK FALE & TAMA TONGA VS. KAZUSHI SAKURABA & TORU YANO
Tanahashi is on commentary we can’t hear. Nothing at all to this. Short match with the only cool spot being Sakuraba gettingan armbar on Fale out of nowhere. Yano had is ribs all taped and didn’t do anything. Yano gave both guys low blows at the same time and then Sakuraba craled Tonga for the pin. Yujiro Takahashi ame out and took out Sakuraba and then they beat down three-on-one on Yano after, working over his ribs. and putting the boots to him. Then Tonga beat down Sakuraba and threw David Finlay around.
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA & TOMOHIRO ISHII VS. KARL ANDERSON & DOC GALLOWS
The idea here seemed to be to get Anderson & Gallows over since they’re defending the belts at the Dome, so they got to beat a legit team here. They laid out Nakamura with a Magic killer, and then went back and forth with Ishii until using the Magic killer on him for the pin Nakamura didn’t do a lot here but Ishii and Anderson were good. Nobody got their heat back or anything like that. There was a simple goal of the match and they did it
TOGI MAKABE & TOMOAKI HONMA VS. KAZUCHIKA OKADA & YOSHI-HASHI
Makabe & Honma won as they took out Okada, then Honma did a spear head-butt to the back of Yoshi-Hashi as he was getting near falls on Makabe Makabe did a Death Valley bomb on Yoshi-Hashi They did a Road Warriors style double impact but Honma, instead of a clothesline off the top, did a spear head-butt. Makabe then used the King Kong kneedrop off the top rope onto Yoshi-Hashi for the pin. Tanahashi was in tears at ringside, did a better job of selling it than anyone. So Makabe & Honma are in the finals against whoever wins the next match. Match was good, but not nearly as good as it should have been with the stakes. It’s notable they didn’t change from the original plans here.
TETSUYA NAITO & EVIL VS. HIROOKI GOTO & KATSUYORI SHIBATA
Best match on the show but not a blow away match but very good. Naito & Evil are going to the finals. A lot of brawling in the crowd. The finish saw Naito tackle the ref so Bushi could blow green mist into Shibata’s face. Evil hit the STO on Shibata. Naito used a low blow and Destino to pin Goto. After the match, they beat down the ref and Bushi blew mist in his eyes.
Naito watnst the i. Naito attacked the ring announcer. He’s putting the boots to the ring announcer. Makabe & Honma made the save. We’re done before 1:45 a.m.
Donald Haviland, better known as Hack Myers, passed away today, reportedly from complications after brain surgery at Johns Hopkins University hospital in Baltimore. He would have turned 42 on Monday.
Haviland was an independent wrestler who was brought into ECW in February, 1994, by Paul Heyman, largely as an enhancement wrestler. Because he used to grunt and say “Sha” when doing offensive maneuvers, fans in Philadelphia would start chanting “Sha” during his matches whenever he’d do something. He became a cult favorite quickly, and even though he almost always lost, he was wrestling some of the biggest names in the company at the time, like Tommy Dreamer and Terry Funk, within a few months of his arrival. Eventually that led to his moniker as “The Shah of ECW.”
Heyman used him better, not as a headliner, but he was a featured undercard act who usually got a big reaction. The gimmick started running its course and he was going to leave the promotion, so he did a loser leaves town match with Too Cold Scorpio on the 1996 November to Remember show, which he lost. He did a couple of matches as a nostalgias act later, and wrestled mostly Florida independent shows through around 2011.
The Monday Night Raw on April 4th in Dallas, Texas, AKA the night after WrestleMania show, officially sold out immediately today. Most tickets were sold yesterday in the pre-sale, as unlike some concert promoters, WWE doesn’t restrict the pre-sale to certain limited blocks of tickets.
Upcoming Event Schedule
NEW JAPAN TAG TOURNAMENT ON NEW JAPAN WORLD FROM KOBE
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Michael Bennett & Matt Taven
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano
Saturday has WWE house shows in Augusta, GA (Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus, plus Big Show, New Day, Dudleys, Charlotte and Paige), WWE in Fayetteville, NC (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose, Tyler Breeze vs. Dolph Ziggler, Rusev vs. Ryback), NXT in Citrus Springs, FL and ROH in Fort Lauderdale at the War Memorial (Jay Lethal & Donovan Dijak vs. Young Bucks, Roderick Strong vs. Delirious for TV title, Matt Sydal vs. Jay Briscoe, Bobby Fish vs. ACH, Adam Cole vs. Kenny King, Moose vs. Dalton Castle vs. Cheeseburger vs. Rhett Titus, Mark Briscoe vs. Will Ferrara plus War Machine and Kyle O’Reilly).
LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD FROM NAGOYA AT 2 A.M. EASTERN AND 11 P.M. PACIFIC LATE TONIGHT
Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan & Sho Tanaka vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Ryuske Taguchi & Mascara Dorada & Yohei Komatsu
Jay White & David Finlay vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Juice Robinson vs. A.J. Styles (who is unlikely to be wrestling due to his back injury) & Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & Kushida vs. Matt Taven & Michael Bennett & Gedo
Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil
Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi
Sunday has WWE in Charlotte (Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus, plus New Day, Dudleys, Charlotte and Paige) and in Florence, SC (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose, Tyler Breeze vs. Dolph Ziggler, Rusev vs. Ryback).
Raw will be live Monday in North Charleston, SC. Nothing special has been announced for the show.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday in Jacksonville.
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
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. 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.
UFC’s YouTube channel has put up a lot of hype videos for next week’s three cards, including episode #1 of UFC Embedded for Thursday’s “Paige and Sage” Fight Pass card, a preview of the Embedded-branded countdown show for UFC 194, Paige Vanzant vs. Alex Chambers from UFC 191 as a free fight to hype the Fight Pass card, Robin Black’s technical breakdown of Aldo vs. McGregor for The Fight Network, and a promo pushing that the winner of Aldo-McGregor joins Ronda Rousey on the EA Sports UFC 2 cover.
WWE
A note on the Stampede Wrestling shows added to WWE Network this week: A number of people have been commenting on just how good they look. The shows were shot on film (presumably 16 millimeter) and it looks as if WWE has the original reels and got those re-scanned in HD instead of converting old transfers to standard definition video tape. That would mean that these are the first older wrestling shows available in HD. 16mm or better film is effectively higher resolution than HD, which is why old movies (as well as TV shows shot on film) look so stunning when released in HD for the first time.
WWE’s “Owen: Hart of Gold” Owen Hart set will be released this Tuesday on DVD and Blu-Ray and can be pre-ordered now. WWE released a teaser of the documentary (and “Owen Tales” rib story special features) on the network during the week.
UFC/MMA
Shooto Brasil airs on UFC Fight Pass starting at 5 pm eastern today. UFC has been pushing the fact that Michael Bisping will be doing commentary far more than any of the fighters on the card who, quite frankly, are virtual unknowns in North America. Main event is a Lightweight title bout between Ronys Torres and Wallace Lopes.
The Fight Network in Canada will air UFC 189, probably the card of the year, tomorrow at 9 pm eastern. They’ll replay it several times over the next week.
Meisha Tate had lots to say since she was shut out of a title shot in favor of Holly Holm, but now believes with Rousey’s loss to Holm it shakes up the division and she may get her title shot anyways.
If you wondered how well, or in this case how little referees are paid to work the UFC matches. Check this article out. Big John’s UFC 194 pay.
On the latest episode of the 6:05 Superpodcast, David Bixenspan and Brian Last talk about Vince Russo’s earliest days in wrestling with his radio show, the most horrifying botched spot they’ve ever seen, Ole Anderson as a Hall of Fame candidate, the real story behind the AWA Team Challenge Series, and much more.
Metro Pro Wrestling returns to the Turner Rec Center on Saturday night, December 5 with “Yoga Monster” Mike Sydal vs. The Math Magician; Tag Team Championship Elimination Match: The King Brothers (c) vs. The American Bulldogs vs. The Commission vs. Kobra Kai Dojo; Kansas Championship Match: Redwing (c) vs. Kraig Keesaman; Central States Championship Match: Ace Steel (c) vs. “Rock ‘n Roll Express’s” Ricky Morton and 60-minute Iron Man Match for the Metro Pro Championship – Jeremy Wyatt (c) vs. Mark Sterling. If Wyatt loses, he is fired!
New Japan Pro Wrestling today reported that A.J. Styles is officially off the rest of the current tour due to his herniated disc in his lower back.
It was reported in Japan that he has returned home to Gainesville, GA. At the show earlier today in Kobe, the company officially announced him as off the rest of the tour, while up until this point they had been acting as through the injury was a day-to-day thing.
ROH officials are hopeful that Styles will be ready on 12/18 for his title match with Jay Lethal on the Final Battle PPV.
New Japan announced today that Styles would return on 1/4 for his Tokyo Dome match with Shinsuke Nakamura.
New Japan likely had to re-book several B block matches to get to the ending that they wanted.
The final night of the round-robin tournament is tonight in Nagoya which airs live on New Japan World starting at 2 a.m. Eastern time. We will have live coverage of the show on the site.
The winner of the A block faces the winner of the B block on 12/9 in Sendai.
Currently, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin are “in the clubhouse” finishing with a 4-2 record and in first place in the A block. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma face Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi with both teams having 3-2 records. If Okada & Yoshi-Hashi win, then Tanahashi & Elgin go to the finals since they won the head-to-head match on 11/21 in Tokyo. If Makabe & Honma win, they go to the finals based on beating Tanahashi & Elgin on 11/27 in Hiroshima.
In the B block, both Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata and Tetsuya Naito & Evil have 4-1 records, and by the strangest of coincidences, they are wrestling tonight. So the winner of that match goes to the finals.
Three more matches in the World Tag League took place early on December 4 in Kagawa. Only a few more days until the World Tag League finals, and two shows away from deciding the finals. Every match is becoming more important as we wind this tournament down!
Block A: Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata vs. Kazarian and Daniels
There wasn’t a lot to this match, and most of it was just dull. Nagata worked on Daniels for a very long time. Addiction made a brief comeback after Nakanishi was tagged in. Daniels shoved Nakanishi to the floor then used the ropes to pin Nagata.
Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin vs. Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale
Fine match but it felt like it dragged on a bit. Elgin and Fale did a lot of big guy power spots. Elgin and Tanahashi made their comeback but Fale and Tonga made a comeback. They isolated Elgin but he made comeback until getting cut off by a Fale lariat. Then in somewhat of a surprise, Fale pinned Elgin after a spear and a lariat combo.
Block B: Tomohiro Ishii and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tencozy
A lot of back and forth. Good stuff for the most part, but at this stage of the tournament it’s all been done. Some good double team maneuvers towards the end of the match though by Ishii and Nakamura. Ishii tried to whip Nakamura into Kojima but he dodged and hit a lariat on Ishii. Nakamura rebounded and hit a tope rope boma ye, then followed with another for the win.
More New Begining coverage is on the menu for today’s New Japan on AXS, as we return after two weeks with a match of the year contender. The most interesting thing to remember on this show is that Tomoaki Honma was never scheduled to be on this show – Togi Makabe was set to defend the NEVER title against Ishii, but pulled out the day of the show due to suffering a flu. Fate is a funny thing sometimes.
Today’s bouts are from the February 14, 2015 New Beginnings show in Sendai.
Kota Ibushi and Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano and Kazushi Sakuraba kicks things off. I’ve said this before, but man has Naito totally changed his look and persona in the last few months. This was only about ten months ago, but Naito has changed himself so much in that timespan this looks like a match from years ago, especially when you consider Ibushi’s been gone for a while. Ibushi and Sakuraba had some cool exchanges. It’s unfortunate that Ibushi and Sakuraba’s proposed match at the Toyko Dome isn’t taking place as they had some pretty good chemistry. Considering I’ve seen many World Tag League matches in the last couple of weeks which feature formulaic, solid wrestling, this was refreshing. A really good match with everyone getting some shine, and didn’t feel formulaic in the least bit. Everyone worked hard, even Yano, and that made this an exciting bout. Yano did his shoving opponent into the ref/low blow spot, but Naito transitioned during the execution and pinned Yano in a flash pin. Nice to see Naito beat Yano at his own game.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata took on the Bullet Club, consisting of Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, and Tama Tonga. This was fine, but felt like I’ve seen it before. A better version of a six man tag you’d see on any New Japan house show this year. Tanahashi gave Tama Tonga the slingblade, high fly flow, then pinned him
Main event hype time. Ishii said that he knew that Makabe couldn’t fight him due to getting the flu, but he didn’t know why he was facing Honma since he just lost to Ibushi a few days ago. He hasn’t thought much on Honma as his eyes were only on Makabe heading into this fight.
The match aired, and it hurt. Hurt bad. These two chopped and slapped the crap outta each other, repeatedly dropped each other on their heads and decapitated them with lariats in one hell of a match. Dave gave this ***** when it aired earlier this year, and I would have to agree with his. It’ll be on many people’s top 10 lists this year, and not a bad match to watch this time of year considering the Observer awards coming next month. Just a hellacious battle that proves that you can book a guy to lose all the time, but he can still be over if he’s given the opportunity. Honma very rarely pins a guy, but he gives it his all so much in every match people are into him, and makes his matches that much more special. The near falls in this match were so incredible. Even though you KNEW Honma wasn’t winning, this match was so great in making you believe he might be the next NEVER champion. After Honma kicks out of a sliding D to the side of the head (!), Ishii lays him out with a brainbuster and pins him in an excellent match.
Honma questioned himself why he couldn’t win in a situation like this. He promised a win next time. He’s not going anywhere, and that’s not changing anytime soon. Ishii says it’s only a temporary belt and won’t wear it until he beats Makabe. Prepare yourself.
Ishii, again a man of few words, says he doesn’t have much thoughts on the match. He wants to surpass the IC title with the Never title. He wants to win the belt and wear it in front of Makabe. Deep down, he feels the same with all opponents, and when he faces them he wants them to be fired up just as much as he does.
Excellent show this week, very much recommended if you haven’t seen this match yet. Be warned, however, as it’s not for the weak of heart.
Bellator MMA is back on Spike TV at 9 pm eastern with it’s final event of the year, from San Jose University Events Centre. Former Strikeforce Champion Josh Thomson hopes to get closer to a title shot in Bellator with a win over virtual unknown Villaseca. Also on the card is an interesting Featherweight match between former WSOF Champion Georgi Karakhanyan and perennial Bellator contender Daniel Weichel, coming off a loss to then-champion Patricio Friere. And speaking of the Pitbulls, Patricio’s brother Patricky returns to the Bellator cage in a Lightweight fight with another longtime Bellator competitor Derek Anderson. Brian Rogers makes his Light Heavyweight debut against former Strikeforce fighter Virgil Zwicker. Rounding out the card is a Lightweight fight between unbeaten Adam Piccolotti and Mario Soto, with only one loss on his record.
The prelims start at 7 pm eastern and can be viewed at Spike.com. We’ll have results here after they take place and then full play by play and results of the main card once it starts on Spike.
Light Heavyweights Virgil Zwicker (14-4-1) vs Brian Rogers (11-8)
First round: Zwicker missed weight. He doesn’t look in shape at all. They traded punches. They traded again. Another big trade. Neither is getting the better of it. Hard body kick by Rogers. Rogers slammed him down into side control and kept him down the rest of the round. 10-9 Rogers.
Second round: Rogers kicked him in the groin hard and Zwicker went down. This was a super nasty kick. Zwicker is up and going to be able to continue. Zwicker with a low kick. Nice right by Zwicker. Low kicks by Zwicker. Rogers threw a kick and lost his balance but got back up. Takedown by Rogers. He got his back. Rogers moved to full mount and throwing punch after punch. Zwicker is in trouble. He’s working for a head and arm choke from side control, and got it.
Lightweights Adam Piccolotti (6-0) vs Mario Soto (6-1)
First round: These are two local fighters. Piccolotti has his back in the piggy back position. Now he’ got him down and has his back. Now he’s moved to mount. He’s working for a head and arm choke. Who is the agent tongiht? Trying to steal finishes form the opening match. Soto tried an ankle lock but Piccolotti reversed to his back. Soto out of trouble and back up. Left and right by Piccolotti. Piccolotti with some punches. Piccolotti 10-9.
Second round: Piccolotti took him down off a kick and throwing punches on the ground. Now he’s in full mount. Now he’s got his back. Piccolotti just throwing punches. Piccolotti workihg for a choke. Piccolotti gave it up to throw more punches. Sotob leeding from elbows and Piccolotti working for a choke and looks like he has it. Soto tapped. Soto was busted up pretty bad from the elbows.
Lightweights Patricky Freire (14-6) vs Derek Anderson (12-2)
First round: Glad Coker doesn’t hate Ole Anderson, or else he’d be Derek Kennedy. Trading hard shots. Freire smiled. Anderson landed a good right. High kick by Anderson. Right by Anderson. Anderson got inside and landed some more. Both now missing a lot. Pitbull tried for a takedown, Anderson went for a choke but Pitbull escaped and got his back. He’s in the piggy back position now. Both to their feet. Anderson with a nice slam and Pitbull reversed to the top in side control. Now Pitbull on top with an elbow. Andeson reversed to the top. Pitbull up. Good round. 10-9 Anderson.
Second round: Anderson landing. Pitbull starring to land and hurt him. Pitbull low kicks and a nice uppecut and jumping kick. Body kick by Anderson. Pitbull landed a nice series. Anderson with a body kick. Knee by Pitbull. Pitbull took him down into side control. Pitbull has his back. He’s got a body triangle. Pitbull with punches. Pitbull’s round so 19-19.
Third round: Anderson landing punches. Head kick by Anderson. More punches by Anderson. Pitbull with a takedown. Anderson back up. Pitbull got in and Anderson tied him up. A knee, two punches, and a low kick by Anderson. Knee by Pitbull. Both trading. Pitbull with elbows as Anderson shot for a takedown. Pitbull reversed a takedown to the top but Anderson back up. Anderson going for a takedown and Pitbull switched to the top. Anderson tried a guillotine at the bell. Close round. Anderson 29-28 but this could go either way.
Scores: 29-28 Anderson 29-28 Pitbull 29-28 Anderson
Featherweights Georgi Karakhanyan (24-4-1) vs Daniel Weichel (35-9)
First round: Weichel with a body kick. Weichel kicked him low. Weichel landing good low kicks. Weichel with some punches. Kharakhanyan slapped him in the face. Weichel 10-9.
Second round: Weichel with a front kick. Karakhanyan with a front kick. Weichel landing punches. Weichel with more punches. Karakhanyan wih a spin kick to the head. Body kick had by Weichel. Another body kick by Weichel. Another body kick by Weichel. Body kickj by Weichel. Weichel landed a left. Weichel 20-18.
Third round: Weichel with a punch and body kick. Kharakhanyan with a body kick. Nice spin kick to the head by Kharakhanyan. Right landed by Weichel. Front kick by Weichel. Right by Weichel. Weichel continues to land. A nice exchange . Weichel still landing more. Weichel landing much more. Kharakhanyan’s left leg all bruised up. Kharakanyan tried a spin kick and missed. Weichel 30-27.
Scores: All three have it 30-27 for Weichel
Main Event –
Lightweights Josh Thomson (21-8) vs Pablo Villaseca (10-1)
First round: Thomson obviously is the star of the show. Body kick by Thomson. Takedown by Thomson. Thomson working for a triangle. Now he’s got an armbar. Now an uma plata. Villaseca escaped from all the attempts. Knee by Villaseca. Knee by Thomson. Low kick by Villaseca. Villaseca got a takedown. Thomson back up. Villaseca got him down momentarily agan. Villaseca with a knee to the groin. Thomson with a takedown. Thomson 10-9.
Second round: Thomson with a takedown and landed some blows. Thomson trying to get mount. But Villaseca managed to block the attempt. Thomson with lots of punches. Thomson landing a lot of punches. Thomson is landing punch after punch and it’s about to be stopped. And it’s over. 3:59
After the fight they Jimmy Smith asked Thomson about facing Will Brooks for the title. Interestingly, he kind of blew it off, saying he’ll fight Brooks but right now he said the hype was for a fight with Michael Chandler. That was an interesting response.
We’re looking for reports from tonight’s WWE house show in Johnson City, TN (Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus plus Big Show, New Day, Dudleys, Charlotte and Paige) and NXT in Largo, FL at Dave Meltzer
NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING RETURNS ON AXS TV AT 9 P.M. EASTERN
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tomoaki Honma for Never Open weight title – This was one of the best matches of 2015
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Tama Tonga
BELLATOR TONIGHT ON SPIKE AT 9 P.M. EASTERN FROM THE SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY GYM
Adam Piccolotti (155.8) vs. Mario Soto (155)
Virgil Zwicker (207.2) vs. Brian Rogers (205.8) – Zwicker missed weight and fined 20% of purse
Derek Anderson (155.8) vs. Patricky Pitbull Freire (155.6)
Daniel Weichel (144.8) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (146)
Josh Thomson (155.4) vs. Pablo Villaseca (155)
CMLL LIVE AT WWW.CLAROSPORTS.COM FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN (this may be geo-blocked but it hasn’t been the last several week)
Oro Jr. & Soberano vs. Arkangel de la Muerte & Canelo Casas
Angel de Oro & Brazo de Plata & Maximo Sexy vs. Ephesto & Kraneo & Luciferno
Euforia & Niebla Roja & Ultimo Guerrero vs. Barbaro Cavernario & Mephisto & Thunder
Dragon Lee vs. Kamaitachi for CMLL lightweight title
Mistico & Super Parka & Volador Jr. vs. Felino & Negro Casas & Shocker
AXS FIGHTS AT 10 P.M. EASTERN WITH LEGACY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS FROM BOSSIER CITY, LA AT DIAMOND JACKS HOTEL & CASINO
Kalvin Hackney (146.9) vs. Cody Walker (146.4)
David Bosnick (148.9) vs. Kevin Aguilar (143.9)
Jonathan Martinez (127.9) vs. Matt Schenll (125.9)
Ariel Beck (124.9) vs. Andrea Lee (124.9) for the women’s flyweight title
Alex Morono (169.1) vs. Derrick Krants (169.3) for the welterweight title
NEW JAPAN TAG TOURNAMENT ON NEW JAPAN WORLD TOMORROW FROM KOBE
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Michael Bennett & Matt Taven
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano
Saturday has WWE house shows in Augusta, GA (Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus, plus Big Show, New Day, Dudleys, Charlotte and Paige), WWE in Fayetteville, NC (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose, Tyler Breeze vs. Dolph Ziggler, Rusev vs. Ryback), NXT in Citrus Springs, FL and ROH in Fort Lauderdale at the War Memorial (Jay Lethal & Donovan Dijak vs. Young Bucks, Roderick Strong vs. Delirious for TV title, Matt Sydal vs. Jay Briscoe, Bobby Fish vs. ACH, Adam Cole vs. Kenny King, Moose vs. Dalton Castle vs. Cheeseburger vs. Rhett Titus, Mark Briscoe vs. Will Ferrara plus War Machine and Kyle O’Reilly).
LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD FROM NAGOYA AT 2 A.M. EASTERN AND 11 P.M. PACIFIC LATE TOMORORW NIGHT
Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan & Sho Tanaka vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Ryuske Taguchi & Mascara Dorada & Yohei Komatsu
Jay White & David Finlay vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Juice Robinson vs. A.J. Styles (who is unlikely to be wrestling due to his back injury) & Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & Kushida vs. Matt Taven & Michael Bennett & Gedo
Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil
Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi
Sunday has WWE in Charlotte (Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus, plus New Day, Dudleys, Charlotte and Paige) and in Florence, SC (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose, Tyler Breeze vs. Dolph Ziggler, Rusev vs. Ryback).
Raw will be live Monday in North Charleston, SC. Nothing special has been announced for the show.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday in Jacksonville.
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
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. 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.
Gleison Tibau would be the first drug test failure since the USADA/UFC drug testing program began (Mirko Cro Cop was not a test failure). Tibau has been provisionally suspended based on the results of an out of competition drug test. The nature of the test failure has yet to be announced.
As noted yesterday, the Aldo vs. McGregor Countdown show will be on Saturday at 3 p.m. Eastern on FOX. The Countdown show on FOX means a big audience will be watching.
Joey Ryan has gotten a ridiculous amount of mainstream publicity for a spot in his match with Danshoku Dino in Japan. It’s gotten coverage in ESPN, Maxim, the New York Daily News, The Soup, Fox Sports, SB Nation, Deadspin and Vice. Here is an article on it and here is the video (the article has an old video linked)
The pre-sale for the Raw after WrestleMania on 4/4 in Dallas sold out today. There will be more tickets put on sale to the public tomorrow, but that will also sell out immediately.
I just watched the 3/30/84 episode of Mid South Wrestling on the WWE Network. Granted, that was a few weeks before the most successful period in the history of that company (the last Stampede matches with Bill Watts & Stagger Lee vs. The Midnight Express), but my God, the promos, focus and character development between then and now is like night and day. They are still missing the boat not releasing the shows in a weekly episodic manner because scatter shot shows here and there only give you about 30% of the flavor of the stories and personalities.
UFC/MMA
Dana White has been everywherebuilding up the Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm rematch as well as plugging UFC 194. What they are pushing is that Rousey is bigger than ever due to losing. There are metrics that confirm this but the real metrics that count we won’t know until she fights again. Beyond that everyone expects if Rousey vs. Holm takes place it’ll be the biggest fight in UFC history. They are pushing Holm as the great female combat sports athlete of all-time.
UFC announced a 2/21 FS 1 card in Pittsburgh at the Consol Energy Center.
The UFC show on 2/27 in London sold out the O2 Arena in 27 minutes. So much for the idea that Gegard Mousasi vs. Michael Bisping as a main event fans didn’t want to see.
WWE
Mick Foley did a Facebook post talking about his son being hired by WWE and said that his writings this past week had nothing to do with it. A key factor is that he did his son no favors with the writing team by writing that.
TNA has a taped PPV that starts airing tonight called TNA vs. The World. The main events are Great Muta vs. Ken Anderson, Sonjay Dutt vs. Ethan Carter III and James Storm vs. Magnus.
Bill Apter has a show on 12/19 in Philadelphia at 2 p.m. at PhilaMOCA at 531 N. 12th St. It’s a talk show with tickets $10 on the afternoon after the ROH Final Battle PPV show.
One has a show tomorrow in Phnom Penh, Cambodia headlined by Lowen Tyanes vs. Rasui Yakhyaev
The Fight Network in Canada is now airing Paragon Pro Wrestling.
Live Pro Wrestling on 2/20 in Cornwall, ONT at the Agora Centre.
CMLL from Tuesday night in Guadalajara: Furia Roja & Malefico b Explosivo & Star Black, Flyer & Leono& Starman b Artillero & Super Comando & Okumura, The Panther & Stigma & Triton b Puma King & Sangre Azteca & Tiger, Angel de Oro & Blue Panther & Stuka Jr. b Mephisto & Ephesto & Luciferno, Gran Guerrero & Euforia & Niebla Roja b Maximo Sexy & Mistico & Titan (thanks to Kris Zellner)
Absolute Intense Wrestling tomorrow night in Cleveland at the Dr. Martin Luther Church with Kikutaro vs. Colt Cabana, Tracy Smothers vs. Grado, Cliff Compton vs. Frankie Flynn, Matt Cross vs. Alex Daniels and more. They also run 12/18 in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with Ethan Carter III vs. Chuck Taylor, plus an appearance by Scott Hall.
Alpha 1 Wrestling on 12/13 in Hamilton, ONT at 166 Green Mountain Rd. with Eric Young vs. Scotty O’Shea, Alessandro Del Bruno vs. TJ Perkins and more.
CHIKARA finishes 2015 tomorrow night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with Top Banana headlined by Chuck Taylor & Drew Gulak & Orange Cassidy vs. Kobald & Obariyon & Kodama.
Freelance Wrestling tonight in Chicago at the Bottom Lounge with Colt Cabana, Grado, Kikutaro and Joey Ryan at 10 p.m.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today to talk tons of news in wrestling and MMA including the latest on Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm, the search for an opponent for CM Punk, TNA Impact ratings, and more, plus MAX SMASHMASTER of Chikara joins us to talk this weekend’s season-ending TOP BANANA show in Philadelphia! A fun show as always so check it out~!
