Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today to talk all the news in wrestling, most notably, SHEAMUS as your new WWE World Heavyweight Champion! Tons to talk about plus your phone calls and emails, then we’ll be joined by Steve Corino to talk his neck fusion surgery, the timeline that brought down his storyline with BJ Whitmer, and tons more!
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WWE confirmed Monday that the injury to Cesaro (Claudio Castagnoli) is a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder and is likely to be out of action four to six months.
In the WWE.com piece, Cesaro said he suffered the injury two months ago, but essentially ignored it, not realizing the severity. He said he had maintained range of motion and he was hurt, but his strength wasn’t down significantly and he was continuing to train on it. This past week, he had the shoulder examined and found it was a complete tear. He said he just got the word of the tear today and is having surgery this afternoon.
The injury was reported Sunday when Cesaro was pulled from a tag team match at Survivor Series. We had been told that he would probably be needing surgery, but that was to be determined, and that he was getting the shoulder evaluated today.
A very focused episode of Breaking Ground showcased two tag teams: the all-amateur pairing of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, and the mis-matched rookie Mojo Rawley and WWE veteran Zach Ryder. Their journey through the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic anchors arguably the series’ best episode to-date.
Show Recap:
This edition spent a good deal of time with four men in two tag teams: former amateur wrestlers Jason Jordan and Chad Gable, former football player Mojo Rawley and current WWE superstar (doing double-duty in NXT) Zach Ryder.
Jordan wrestled since he was a kid, something we learn about while seeing adorable childhood photos of him in a singlet at a meet. He’s a unique case, as wrestling has given him some structure in his life – compared to two of his older brothers, who are in jail. The coaches praise his athleticism, but noted he seemed to struggle at times to be believable in the ring. Regal says that until recently, he hadn’t found his “thing,” and we get clips of Jordan as an occasional enhancement talent on NXT television.
Enter Chad Gable. We learn a bit about him. Like Jordan, he was a high-level amateur wrestler – he went to the 2012 Olympics. He’s smaller, athletic and has charisma. Jason Albert says Gable’s personality has rubbed on on Jordan a bit, and we see them hanging out and playing basketball. “I guess you never thought you’d lose to a short white guy in basketball,” jokes Gable. Later on, we tag along with them as they drive to an event. They joke around. Later we hear that Gable hurt his ankle in Texas, and the coaches move around some matches to maximize his rest so he’s ready for the Dusty Rhodes tournament.
The contrast to the “best friends with similar backgrounds” tag team is Mojo Rawley and Zach Ryder. Mojo’s a crazy man who used to play football and made the NFL but got injured. He buys a house and parties in it. He’s young and loud, and despite his enthusiasm it seems like he’s peaked in NXT already. The coaches discuss in a meeting that he doesn’t get what an opening match is supposed to be or have.
Enter Zach Ryder, his new partner – and coincidentally, an opening match guy on the WWE main roster. Ryder’s more experienced and more mature, and sees the tag team as an opportunity to get back to the main roster more regularly – and to probably prove to WWE that he can be used to help younger guys, which could extend his tenure. And Rawley sees Ryder as a path to the main roster. Yet in an odd contrast, Ryder and Rawley don’t ride together (Rawley travels with Dana Brooke) and they text each other regularly, but they aren’t best friends or anything. The show seemingly goes out of its way to show Jordan and Gable riding together and being buddies and Ryder and Mojo being mis-matched.
In addition to the main two teams, we hang out with ZZ and Cal Bishop. ZZ is still woefully out-of-shape and has horrible cardio, and actually walks out of a cardio workout (with Albert and Robbie Brookside yelling at him to continue) because he’s so blown up. Cal Bishop is a California kid signed out of college by Gerry Briscoe, but currently out with a shoulder injury. Dana Brooke and the coaches praise him for his look and his commitment, especially since he’s gone through all the rehab for his injury. He cuts a promo in promo class about adversity and battling through it. It’s actually pretty good, and they seem to really make viewers like him. On this show, that either means he’s either going to do really well or he’s going to get cut next week.
Final Thoughts:
The more focused Breaking Ground has been in its episodes, the better the show has been. This was easily the most focused episode and so far, the best the series has been in helping audiences get to know the NXT talent.
Ring of Honor announced on Monday that they will be bringing in stars from New Japan Pro Wrestling for their first PPV event of 2016, their 14th anniversary show, as well as for television tapings the next day.
Both the 2/26 PPV and the 2/27 taping for four weeks of TV will be held at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The weekend is timed to take place between New Japan tours so the top stars will be available, ensuring they’ll be on several weeks of ROH TV.
The first name publicly announced is New Japan’s most charismatic wrestler, current IC champion Shinsuke Nakamura with other names to be announces soon.
Just last week, ROH announced their move to Comet TV, a Sinclair-owned science fiction station that is available in some form or fashion in 65 million homes. The company’s final show on Destination America will be this Wednesday at 11 PM EST.
On Monday, TNA announced its next round of television tapings: five straight days in Bethlehem, PA, at The Sands Bethlehem Events Center, a building TNA has taped at in the past.
Announced for the tapings are Kurt Angle, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Bobby Lashley, Ethan Carter III, Drew Galloway, Bobby Roode, Gail Kim and Tigre Uno.
The tapings will start with a live show on 1/5 that will serve as the debut episode of Impact on Pop TV. It’s more likely the show will be semi-live as previously advertised live shows over the past year plus have actually been same day tapings delayed by two hours.
They will also be taping every day through 1/9. Between these tapings and scheduled tapings in the U.K. at the end of January, the promotion should be covered for all television for the first quarter of 2016.
There will be an Internet pre-sale starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday through Thursday at 10 p.m. TNA will be announcing a code for tickets shortly. Tickets will go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m. to the public at Ticketmaster or at 800-745-3000.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns today with our second show of the weekend, the post-Survivor Series wrap-up show, all the matches and angles, is Roman Reigns the next Lex Luger, and more! Plus, New Japan notes, tons of mailbag questions and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back tonight with our post-Survivor Series wrap-up show! SHEAMUS IS THE NEW CHAMPION WTF! All the matches top-to-bottom, thoughts on the storyline with Roman Reigns and where it’s probably going, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s coverage of the 2015 Survivor Series from the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The show is headlined by the Undertaker and Kane vs. two members of the Wyatt Family alongside the semi-finals and finals of the WWE World Heavyweight Title tournament. In the semi-finals, Roman Reigns faces the newly-returned Alberto Del Rio, while Kevin Owens faces Dean Ambrose.
We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.
The undercard features Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze, and the women’s division is represented by Paige facing off with Charlotte for Charlotte’s Divas Title. Their show-closing Raw storyline put a spotlight on the show that otherwise wasn’t there, so they’ll probably be motivated to have a great match and make people forget that whole thing ever happened.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez, Dave Meltzer and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back tonight to talk all the major stories from the weekend: Survivor Series and ISIS, what the company is saying about it, preview of the PPV with predictions on all the matches, La Sombra to WWE, TNA to POP TV, UFC results from Saturday night, Bellator notes and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Sign up for an F4Wonline.com subscription to listen to Dave and Bryan later on tonight on Wrestling Observer Radio where they will talk the aftermath of WWE Survivor Series.
*****
They announced Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels in the Stone Cold Podcast over the next several weeks.
ELIMINATION MATCH: NEVILLE & TITUS O’NEIL & GOLDUST & DUDLEYS VS. THE MIZ & BO DALLAS & STARDUST & THE ASCENSION
Decent match, nothing special. Cesaro was originally to be in this ten-man opener, but Titus replaced him.
1) Goldust pinned Viktor in 32 seconds with a powerslam
2) Bubba Ray Dudley pinned Konnor with a uranage
3) Dallas used the Bodog on Neville and then Miz tagged in and used the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin
4) Goldust pinned Miz almost immediately with a schoolboy
5) O’Neil pinned Dallas with the Clash of the Titus
6) This left Stardust against O’Neil, Goldust and the Dudleys Stardust tried to walk out for the count out. O’Neil blocked his way. He gave Goldust an elbow and then ran away from Goldust into the ring right into a 3-D by the Dudleys and Devon pinned Cody to win, so the face team won 5-1.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL: ROMAN REIGNS VS. U.S. CHAMPION ALBERTO DEL RIO
Really good match, better than you’d think from these two. Easily Del Rio’s best match since he’s returned. A lot of near falls, including a spear into a kick by Del Rio at one point after Del Rio missed the double foot stomp and sold his knee. The finish saw Del Rio come off the top, but Reigns moved and hit him with the spear.
Reigns and Ambrose were backstage. Reigns said it’s going to be best friends fighting for the WWE title. Kevin Owens showed up and said,” Reigns always comes close and Seth Rollins and Bray Wyatt stopped him from winning the title and now I’m beating your little buddy Dean and you’re going to come this close again but tonight’s the Kevin Owens show.” The crowd cheered that a lot. Reigns said Owens is a guy who runs his mouth but he’s going to go out to the ring and get his ass whipped by Ambrose.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL: DEAN AMBROSE VS. INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION KEVIN OWENS
Another really good match. Amborse used a tope, then a second one and Owens dumped him on the announcers table. In the ring, Owens used two superkicks, went for the pop up power bomb but Ambose reversed into a huracanrana, and followed with Dirty Deeds for the pin.
So the finals, as expected is Reigns vs. Ambrose.
ELIMINATION MATCH: TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS THE NEW DAY & KING BARRETT & SHEAMUS VS. LUCHA DRAGONS & USOS & RYBACK
1) Sin Cara pinned Barrett with a senton into the ring
2) Kingston & Woods double-teamed and pinned Jimmy Uso
3) Sheamus pinned Sin Cara with a brogue kick
4) Jey Uso pinned E with a splash off the top rope
5) Woods & Kingston left with Big E, who was acting like he was injured6) This left Sheamus alone with Kalisto, Ryback and Jey. They went a long time until Jey hit a superkick on Sheamus, Kalisto used huracanrana and Ryback pinned him after the shell shock.
Match was good. Last fall went too long with the story they were telling, kind of died off. The crowd loved the New Day so that was part of it as they lost interest after they left.
DIVAS CHAMPION CHARLOTTE VS. PAIGE
They gave them time to have the kind of match they’d have in NXT. It was good. The highlight was Charlotte spearing Paige with her running on the barricade tackling Paige, standing on the barricade, to the floor. Charlotte won clean via submission with the figure eight.
Dean Ambrose said we knew this day would come and tonight I’m going to fight my brother, I’d give him the shirt off my back but he isn’t going to pay the bills Reigns came out and said usually I’d give you a hug but today’s not about hugs. They fist bumped.
DOLPH ZIGGLER VS. TYLER BREEZE
This was all about getting Breeze over. Short match that they rushed through with Breeze winning with the unprettier. As far as execution went, very good, but it felt from the start like they were rushing through.
UNDERTAKER & KANE VS. BRAY WYATT & LUKE HARPER
They took out Erick Rowan before the match. Wyatt & Harper did the match with Strowman in the corner. The match was all about putting Undertaker over. The crowd was more into this than any match on the show. Undertake & Kane choke slammed Strowman onto the announcers table. In the ring, Undertaker & Kane did a double sit up. Undertaker choke slammed Wyatt and Kane choke slammed Harper and then Undertaker pinned Harper after a tombstone piledriver. Not a great match but it was good as a showcase. They teased this may be the last time Undertaker & Kane are a tag team.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS: ROMAN REIGNS VS. DEAN AMBROSE
They rushed through a 9:00 final. Each kicked out of the others big move until Reigns hit a second spear and got the clean pin. It’s early so we may have an angle coming. Really good while it lasted.
HHH came out while they had the pyro and confetti going, and came out to congratulate Reigns. Reigns wouldn’t shake his hand and speared him. Sheamus came out from behind, and gave Reigns a brogue kick but Reigns kicked out. He hit Reigns with a second brogue kick and pinned him so Sheamus ends the show as WWE Champion, shaking hands and hugging HHH.
WWE SURVIVOR SERIES FROM ATLANTA AT 7:30 P.M. EASTERN
Semifinals and finals of WWE heavyweight title tournament – Semifinals are Roman Reigns vs. Alberto Del Rio and Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose – The expectation is that Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose will be the final and that one of the two will turn, and the one who turns will probably end up as champion. But not only is it subject to change, but as of this morning, the subject was still being debated and there was so final decision yet made.
There are arguments in favor of either one. There is the argument Reigns can get over as a heel and then people want him turned at some point and he can be the babyface champion the company wants. There is the argument that they’ve gone so long with pushing him as the heir to the position that they shouldn’t delay it another year or so for a heel run. If Reigns turns, you still have John Cena, Undertaker and Brock Lesnar on the face side for him to work with as top heel.
Ambrose is lower on that totem poll but if he turns, he can be top heel. Either way, Owens vs. Ambrose and presumably Ambrose vs. Reigns should be very good and carry the show.
Undertaker & Kane vs. 2 members of the Wyatt family – Not sure what to say about this one, other than unless they have an angle tied to it, it may not be much of a match.
Charlotte vs. Paige for Divas title – Not much to say about this one. The result will be telling in some form.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze – These two have torn it up on house shows, so it should be a good match
5 vs. 5 elimination match participants to be named
We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s Survivor Series, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer
We’re also looking for reports on the NXT shows this weekend if Venice and Fort Pierce, FL at Dave Meltzer
NEW JAPAN TAG LEAGUE 2015 FROM MIE AT 2 A.M. EASTERN AND 11 P.M. PACIFIC LATE SUNDAY NIGHT
Tournament matches:
Bennett & Taven vs. Evil & Naito
Daniels & Kazarian vs. Tanahashi & Elgin
Goto & Shibata vs. Anderson & Gallows
WWE Raw will be live on Monday night from Nashville.
NEW JAPAN TAG LEAGUE 2015 FROM ISHIKAWA AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN AND 1:30 A.M. PACIFIC EARLY TUESDAY/LATE MONDAY
Tournament matches:
Daniels & Kazarian vs. Fale & Tonga
Bennett & Taven vs. Gallows & Anderson
Nagata & Nakanishi vs. Okada & Yoshi-Hashi
WWE Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
We have one of the biggest issues of the year, with such a huge news week this past week. We look at exactly what went into Holly Holm’s victory over Ronda Rousey, a story on the life and times of Nick Bockwinkel, the Reid Flair angle and build to Survivor Series, Destination America dropping wrestling, and the 104-year-old attendance record being broken, as well as the story behind the firing of Billy Gunn, an update on The Rock at WrestleMania, La Sombra to WWE, the AAA world title gets decided and a lot more are headline stories in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is on the site right now.
If you have an interest in history, this is a huge issue, as well as a perspective on what happened in the most talked about UFC fight in history.
We look at the fight, the background of Holly Holm, what is going on in Rousey’s life, what led to the upset, thoughts on a rematch, what it means for business, the early business notes on the fight including where PPV may come in, previous fights like this, and what happened after the fight. We look at UFC’s biggest upsets, the gambling perspective, rematch odds, business notes and match-by-match coverage with poll results.
The life and times of Nick Bockwinkel is one of the best bios we’ve done, with comments from people whose careers he has touched, my own personal thoughts on Bockwinkel, what current WWE superstar had his career path changed greatly because of a suggestion by Bockwinkel to an independent promoter, a look at his life, his career, some of his most famous matches, his career title history, the controversy over Hulk Hogan not getting the AWA title, his place in the business when it changed and life after wrestling.
We also look at the Reid Fliehr angle, how it was set up, comments by Ric Flair, how ESPN got exposed in its wrestling coverage, the Owen Hart DVD and 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@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.
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Survivor Series as well as taking your e-mail questions to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
There is a story on the front page regarding precautions live in Atlanta for tonight’s show. There are still anonymous threats going around of ISIS attacks.
The show was close to sold out yesterday and is expected to be a sell out.
Bob Foster, who is considered one of the greatest light heavyweights in the history of boxing, passed away yesterday at the age of 76. He had been living in Albuquerque. Foster won what was considered the real world light heavyweight title from Dick Tiger on May 24, 1968, in Madison Square Garden. He held the title through 1974, when he retired as champion, although he did come back after that point, and fought for several more years, and never challenged for the title in his comeback. His most famous fights were as an undersized heavyweight, challenging both Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. He was knocked out by Frazier in 1970 and by Ali in 1972.
There were at last check 1.2 million searches on Google in the U.S. regarding the Canelo Alvarez vs. Miguel Cotto fight from last night. That fight and Ohio State football are the only searched terms, sports or otherwise, to top 1 million this weekend. A number at that level would normally correlate to a good PPV number. Nothing at all from UFC or Bellator over the weekend, but one wouldn’t expect that. Survivor Series will likely be in the top few today.
Regarding the decisions (source MMAdecisions.com) on last night’s show, in the Valmir Lozaro vs. Michel Prezeres fight that Prezeres won via split decision, a check of ten leading media writers who covered the fight (which included me) had it 10-0 in favor of Lazaro, who lost. I thought that was a real bad call. In the Enrique Marin vs. Erick Montano fight, where Montano won the TUF Latin America welterweight finals on a split decision, that could have gone either way, the media was split with six for Marin, three for Montano and one draw. In Henry Cejudo’s split decision win over Jussier Formiga, not only did all 13 including myself have it for Cejudo (who won), but ten of the 13 didn’t even give Formiga a round. In the main event, a split decision win by Neil Magny over Kelvin Gastelum, there were four media members who gave it to Magny, one for Gastelum and 11 (including myself) had it 47-47 a draw due to a 10-8 fourth round for Gastelum. Notable that 11 of 15 media members scored that round 10-8 but none of the three judges did. The only bad call was the opener as Marin vs. Montano and Magny vs. Gastelum could have been a win for Marin and draw in the main, but when you have fights that close, any decision is okay.
Goldust is ready to return and is on the road, although that doesn’t mean he’ll be used.
Ric Flair is also at the show today.
ESPN will be doing interviews at the show today.
A WWE event in North Rhine-Wesetphalia, near Dortmund, Germany, was canceled this past week due to the terrorist attacks in Paris and a bomb threat (which ended up being a hoax) in Hannover. It was scheduled from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. promoted off the company’s Germany language web site and moderated by Sebastian Hackl,the Germany language TV announcer. Starwatch entertainment was promoting it, which is affiliated with ProSeiben, the WWE’s TV partner in the country. Tobias Koppenhofer of ProSiebenSat.1 said there were no actual threats against the event, but they decided to cancel due to the rising threat of terrorism. They had only sold 80 tickets but claimed the cancellation was not due to that reason. (thanks to Markus Gronemann)
UFC
Holly Holm will be on The Late Show tomorow night with Seth Meyers, along with Sarah Palin. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
The British band Chasing Cadence will be playing at all three TNA shows in the U.K. on 1/29, 1/30 and 1/31, in Manchester, London and Birmingham. All three shows will be taped for television in some form.
Charity Wrestling on 12/5 in Kingston, ONT at the Kingston Gospel Temple.
ONE ran a show in Beijing on Mainland China yesterday with Marat Gafinov beating Narantungalag Jadambaa via ref stoppage from a choke at 4:39 of the fourth round to win the featherweight title. Kairat Akhetov, a Greco-Roman specialist, outwrestled Adriano Moraes to win the flyweight title via split decision.
Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in East Carondelet, IL before 220 fans: Baracus b Purple Passion, Bubba Troll & Jimmy D b Bobby D & Gunner, Chas Wesson b Iceman, Curtis Wylde b Sean Vincent, Gary Jackson b Ax-DQ, Ironman Ken Kasa b Brandon Espinosa-COR, Kahagas & Chris Hargas won three-way over Ron Powers & Red River Jack (Bob Orton under a mask) and Flash Flanagan & Heath Hatton (thanks to Larry Matysik)
Barry Rose sent this in as far as main event results during the history of the Florida territory for yesterday:
1956 – Ray Stevens beat Harry Smith 2/3 falls (Tampa TV)
1963 – Mark Lewin & Don Curtis beat The Assassins to win the NWA world tag team titles (Jacksonville)
1967 – Johnny Valentine beat Jose Lothario to keep the Florida title in a no DQ match (Tampa)
1968 – The Gladiator (Ricky Hunter) beat Nick Kozak to win the Florida title (Tampa TV)
1972 – Tim Woods beat Buddy Colt with Big Bad John as ref to win the Southern title (Tampa)
1973 – Dusty Rhodes beat Paul Jones via DQ in a Southern title match (Miami Beach)
1974 – Jack Brisco beat Terry Funk in a world title match, plus Dusty Rhodes & Jerry Brisco beat Dick Slater & Cowboy Bill Watts with Lou Thesz as referee, Bob Armstrong beat Pak Song to retain the North American title, Jos LeDuc beat Toru Tanaka to keep the Southern title and Mongolian Stomper beat Bob Backlund (Jacksonville)
1977 – Lars Anderson beat Steve Keirn to keep the Florida title (West Palm Beach)
1978 – Pak Song & Missouri Mauler & Mr. Uganda (Cyclone Negro) beat Dusty Rhodes & Killer Karl Kox & Sonny Myers, plus Dick Slater beat Mike Graham via DQ for the Southern title and Jack & Jerry Brisco beat Rising Suns (Tampa)
1979 – Harley Race beat Dusty Rhodes to retain the world title plus Manny Fernandez double count out Super Destroyer in a Florida title match (Miami Beach)
1980 – Dusty Rhodes & Sir Oliver Humperdink beat The Sheik & Lord Al Hayes in a cage match and Harley Race went to a 60:00 draw with Dory Funk Jr. to keep the world title, Baron Von Raschke beat Barry Windham to win the Florida title, Jack Brisco beat Dick Slater via DQ (Hollywood)
1982 – Dusty Rhodes beat Jake Roberts (Orlando)
Wrestlemerica TV tapings from last night in Barnesville, GA before 400 fans: Tyson Dean b Johnny Nixx, Andy Anderson & Pain b Fry Daddy & Iceberg, Glacier (original) b Billy Jack (not original), Corey Hollis b Jaxson James, Razor & Rowdy b The PS Playaz, Ken Anderson b Tommy Too much. Doc Gallows returns with shows on 12/18 and 12/19 in Griffin and Barnesville in a two-night tournament for their heavyweight title plus 12/19 also has Gallows & Mike Knox reforming their tag team in a cage match. They also announced A.J. Styles vs. Jimmy Rave on 1/8, a rematch of a great match they recently had (thanks to Kris Zellner)
Dynamo Pro Wrestling from last night in Wood River, IL: Justin D’Air b C.J. Berry, Sean Orleans b Garret Shanks, Brandon Espinosa b Billy McNeil, Jason Khaos b Prince Moses, Kevin Lee Davidson b Bahamt, Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby b Rocket Mapache & Jackal, Mike Outlaw b Curt Stallion (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Lucha Xtreme from last night in Fresno, with a tournament for their U.S. title: Big Dogg b Al Azar, Skitzo b La Mascara, Skitzo DCOR Big Dogg, so no winner. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
Premier Wrestling from Friday night in Winnipeg: Jay Walker b Adrian Barton, Mentallo b Alexander Prime, Flex Appeal b Shaun Moore & Antonio Scorpio, Shao Ming b Zack Mercury, Jackie Lee b Mentallo (thanks to Andrew Shallcross)
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1955 – Rikidozan beat King Kong in Tokyo to win the All Asia heavyweight title
1975 – Ron Miller & Johnny Gray won a tournament final in Melbourne to win the vacant Austra Asian tag titles
1992 – Scott Norton & Tony Halme beat Rick & Scott Steiner in Tokyo to win the IWGP tag team titles and Ultimo Dragon beat El Samurai to win the IWGP jr. title
1997 – Ulf Hermann & Christian Eckstein beat Rhino Richards (Rhino) & Jean Pierre Lafitte in Bremen to win the CWA tag titles
1998 – Momoe Nakanishi & Nanae Takahashi beat Manami Toyota & Yumiko Hotta in Tokyo to win the All Japan women’s annual tag team tournament
2011 – La Mascara beat Averno in Mexico City to win the NWA middleweight title
