– AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors beat Ivan Koloff & Krusher Khrushchev dq
– In a Texas Death match, Manny Fernandez beat The Barbarian
– Black Bart beat Ron Bass
1991
Dallas, Texas:
– Chaz defeated The Lightning Kid (Sean Waltman) to win the Global Wrestling Federation Light Heavyweight Title
1993
New York City:
– The Quebecers defeated the Steiner Brothers to win the WWF Tag Team Title
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Tatanka defeated Jerry Lawler to win the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title. On the same show, Tommy Rich defeated Jeff Jarrett for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title and The Dogcatchers defeated The Moondogs for the USWA Tag Team Title.
Oakwood, Virginia:
– The Smoky Mountain Wrestling “Beat The Champ” Television Title changed hands twice on one television taping as Robert Gibson defeated Jimmy Del Rey for the belt, only to lose it later that night to Tony Anthony.
1999
Winston-Salem, North Carolina:
– Diamond Dallas Page won a War Games match in which it was every man for himself
– WCW Cruiserweight Champion Juventud Guerrera defeated Silver King
– Chris Benoit defeated Rick Steiner to win the WCW Television Title
2007
Detroit, Michigan:
– ROH World champion Takeshi Morishima defeated Erick Stevens
– ROH Tag Team champions The Briscoes defeated Matt Cross and Austin Aries
2008
Japan:
– Bryan Danielson defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru to win the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title
– Nigel McGuinness retained the ROH World Title against Jimmy Jacobs
TNA No Surrender
– Sheik Abdul Bashir defeated Petey Williams and Consequences Creed to win the TNA X Division Title.
– Beer Money defeated LAX to retain the TNA Tag Team Titles.
– Samoa Joe retained the TNA Title over Kurt Angle and Christian Cage.
TNA announced today that it will be inducting Earl Hebner into its Hall of Fame at its 10/3 house show in Salem, VA, with TNA Senior Producer Billy Corgan inducting him. Jeremy Borash will serve as MC.
Why Salem, VA, instead of Charlotte the next night? Because the Hebner family grew up in Richmond, VA.
TNA is calling Hebner the most famous referee in the world, which he very well could be given his role in the infamous 1997 “Montreal Screw Job” at WWF Survivor Series which saw Bret Hart drop the WWF title to Shawn Michaels in auspicious fashion. Hebner and twin brother Dave also played an integral role when Hulk Hogan lost his WWF title to Andre The Giant on a live WWF The Main Event back in 1988.
The 66-year-old Hebner has been with TNA since 2006.
We’re looking for reports on today’s WWE shows in Jonesboro, AR (Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns) and Tupelo, MS (Randy Orton vs. Sheamus) as well as last night’s NXT show in Gainesville, FL at Dave Meltzer
The World wrestling championship finals from Las Vegas will be airing tonight at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN 2. This is a two-hour highlight show airing all four of the bouts where Americans won world titles (Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder at 19 years old, Adeline Gray and Helen Maroulis).
Raw will be live on Monday from Memphis
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Little Rock.
A look at next weekend, which is one of the biggest weekends of the year with Bellator and CMLL having their biggest shows, plus a WWE PPV show and an ROH PPV, is one of the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also have a look at the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot, tons more on the Jimmy Snuka case, An update on TNA and the future of Kurt Angle, a letter UFC sent to all its fighters about unionization, plus full coverage of UFC 191 and Battle of Los Angeles, and thoughts behind Raw & Smackdown doing record low numbers.
Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site. Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!
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The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.
We look at next week’s big shows, including a preview of CMLL’s main event, why L.A. Park is already gone from the promotion, and a preview of both Raw and Night of Champions.
We’ve got more on the Jimmy Snuka case, with a background of WWE in 1983, Vince McMahon purchasing the company from his father, what was and wasn’t known in wrestling at the time, the first Snuka arrest, the decision made on Hulk Hogan being the face of the company’s expansion, the role Snuka’s autobiography played in his indictment, the corner saying why he felt there was no indictment and his quotes on the subject, new evidence, Buddy Rogers before his death talks about the subject, another coroner weighs in, a lawyer who investigated the case in 1983 weighs in, how Snuka handled his finances fro that point on, Snuka’s run in New Japan, the famous Brody & Snuka walking out on the tag tournament finals, what Vince McMahon was doing to protect Snuka, key Allentown officials talk cover-up rumors, WWE talks those rumors and more.
We also update the Kurt Angle TNA situation and why Angle said he was leaving the company when his contract expires in January. We look at the situation with Destination America, what talent knows and how WWE fits into all this right now.
We look at the letter sent by UFC to all of its fighters regarding unionization and our thoughts on the subject.
We’ve got a look at the 2005 Hall of Fame ballot, a look at the new candidates and their credentials, candidates for the future, understanding of the process, as well as how everyone on this year’s ballot fared last year.
We also look back at research into the biggest draws of all-time on the ballot, as well how the candidates have done in various awards, in drawing power for their era, as well as match quality, how difficult it is to be voted in, and notes on a lot of this year’s modern candidates.
We have an update on Ronda Rousey and WrestleMania, an upcoming WWE wedding, John Cena injury notes, WWE asks fans about PPV start times and thoughts, update on Amanda from Tough Enough and what appears to be her new deal, WWE pulling out all stops for next months tour of Mexico and why, Dean Ambrose talks acting, Nikki Bella as Divas champion, Eric Bischoff appearing on WWE Network, Undertaker’s future, the signing of Kana and she talks coming to WWE, Zahra Schreiber talks her firing, some NXT matches, a WWE wrestler on a sabbatical, as well as the WWE business notes from the past week and highlights from all the house hows.
We look at Saturday’s UFC show, the business notes on the show, where the top guys go next along with match-by-match coverage, how much everyone earned, and poll results on the show.
We also have rundowns of the major TV shows of the past week.
We also go in depth on the Battle of Los Angeles tournament with match-by-match coverage for all three nights, what is PWG, the atmosphere and more.
We also have notes on the ratings of all the major television shows, including just how badly the main shows fared, and results of the major league arena events over the past week.
We also look at the affect that Dr. Wagner Jr. and L.A. Park have on business in Mexico, what dream of L.A. Park fell through, Rey Mysterio in AAA and notes on several big shows plus names they are talking about bringing in.
We also update the Dragon Gate tag team tournament and the NOAH Jr. tag team tournament. We also look at New Japan’s next international tour, why Tenryu vs. Okada is taking place in November, what foreign stars are being discussed for New Japan, and Hiroshi Tanahashi doing the DDT show and the future of Yohei Komatsu and Sho Tanaka.
We also look at Hulk Hogan’s overseas talk shows, the death of Tommy Rogers of The Fantastics, Dave Brown retires from WMC TV and how it was celebrated locally, Axl Rotten’s future goals, CHIKARA King of Trios, Jeff Jarrett TV talks and the final GFW ballpark shows of the year and what is left on the schedule, Bob Backlund’s autobiography, update on Batista, the death of Jerry Prater, an instrumental figure in Florida wrestling in the 70s and the heyday of wrestling programs and magazines, the Carlos Maynez tribute show this past week featuring legends from the past, a Roddy Piper movie not released and the Darrell Dawkins connection with pro wrestling.
We also have Conor McGregor talking his future, McGregor vs. Faber and why it didn’t happen, key UFC announcements over the pat week including new shows, new main events and new title matches, the retirement of Sam Stout, Rousey doing “Road House,” next UFC TV events, update on Charles Oliveira, UFC’s most popular markets, how much Rousey and McGregor are carrying things right now and former UFC star buys $2.75 million mansion from a rock star.
We also look at Alexander Shlemenko’s attempt to get his steroid punishment over turned and his arguments, plus a new Bellator show was announced.
We also update Fedor Emelianenko and his situation, as well as a former WWE star debuts this week as an MMA announcer and top pro wrestling stars attending. We also look at the results of the latest medical study on injuries suffered in boxing vs. MMA and where each is more and less dangerous than the other.
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.
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. 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.
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking weekend news including NXT, New Japan, WWE and more. With no major shows to cover, it’s a good night for questions that can be sent in to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
Paige was at a Comic Con this weekend and spoke about the incident at Supano’s Steak House in Baltimore on 9/6. She said there was no fight, but that a woman threw a drink on her and her and Fox threw a drink on the woman back, and they were all kicked out. The argument started when Paige said she got mad she was being recorded just having a conversation with Fox without her permission. She said there was nearly a fight but the woman and her friend backed down. She also said the last thing she wanted was to get into a fight, feeling she didn’t want to risk her job over it.
Randy Orton worked last night’s show in Huntsville, AL, as advertised. It was noted in our Friday report that those in WWE have told us that Orton would be appearing at all of his shows this week, including Monday and Tuesday. As far as whether he’s being written out of things creatively and taking time off, that we don’t know, as he could just appear in dark match segments. Given tomorrow is the go home show for Night of Champions, if he’s not being written out, he’ll be in the six-man tag, and that in theory should be made clear tomorrow.
Cris Cyborg has said she will next fight in November on an Invicta show, and will weigh 140 pounds. Shannon Knapp announced this after last night’s show at the press conference. there is no date or location official. They announced Livia Renata Souza defends her strawweight title against Alexa Grasso on that show.
Floyd Mayweather was the most searched for term so far this weekend on Google with more than 2 million searches. Serena Williams had more than 1 million.
I’m told that this coming Friday’s CMLL Anniversary show on iPPV will only be available live, not video on demand. That sucks for a lot of people, myself included, as I’ll probably be at the Bellator Fan Fest that night.
Speaking of Bellator, I saw big roadside banners for Saturday night’s show while traveling yesterday but it was near Fairfield, CA, which is 75 miles or so from San Jose. I have no idea if there have them in San Jose, but nothing I’ve seen.
Bret Hart and Lance Storm were backstage last night at the WWE house show in Calgary.
Apparently on TBS today during the Yankees game there was a Roller Derby discussion mentioning Joan Weston.
Totally quiet weekend with nothing from MMA or wrestling trending right now on Twitter, only Mayweather with 196,000 tweets and Badou Jack vs. George Groves with 14,800.
AAW on 9/18 in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street has Ethan Page vs. TBS for the AAW title, Dave & Jake Crist vs. The Hooligans for the tag title, plus Louis Lyndon vs. Matt Cage, Tyson Dux vs. Eddie Kingston, Chris Hero vs. Johnny Gargano, Trevor Lee vs. Christian Faith, Justice Jones vs. Kongo Kong plus Heidi Lovelace, Candice LaRae, Shane Hollister and more.
The movie “Trainwreck” comes out on DVD on 11/10.
There will be a Four Horseman reunion on 11/14 at the Big Event Wrestling Convention in Queens, NY. Appearing will be Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and J.J. Dillon. Details are at www.BigEventNY.com
There is a benefit show at 2 p.m. today in Lewisburg, TN at the House of Pain for Shane Morton, a regular in the Nashville area who suffered a broken kneecap a few months ago and has been unable to work ever since.
Yesterday was the 36th anniversary of the final match of the career of Hall of Famer King Curtis Iaukea, who was one of the most colorful characters of his era. It was a Texas bullrope match in Miami Beach against Dusty Rhodes in the main event and Iaukea was in such bad shape that Dusty had to hold him up at points in the match..
Mid Missouri Wrestling Alliance from last night in St. Louis: Gary Jackson b J-Mal Swgg, Brandon Aarons won three-way over Clownman Jacko and Andrew Wilder, Barackus b Jim D, LaMarcus Clinton b Brian James, Tommy Dallas & Varik Morgan b Brandon Espinosa & Ace Hawkins-DQ, Gary Jackson won four-way over LaMarcus Clinton, Brandon Aarons and Barackus, Attila Khan b Moondog Rover, Kevin Lee Davidson won three-way over A.J. Williams and Da’Marius Jones (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
EWA from last night in Graz, Austria before 800 fans: James Mason b Adrian Severe, Damon Brix & Sultanov & Wanentin Kristow b Dennis Zinner & Tom Gatschlhofer & Tom Schruff, Demolition Davies b Mexx, Chris Colen & Hakeem Waqur b Rockn Rolla & Michael Jaritz, Michael Kovac b John Moss, Chris Raaber b Mason Ryan to retain the EWA world title in a European rules (rounds) match. They did the Japanese tradition of playing the anthem of the country before the world title match and they said Ryan was American and played the U.S. anthem. Hakeem Waqur, his second who is Arabian, was waving the U.S. flag to get heel heat. Tony St. Clair was there as an official. Otto Wanz was supposed to be there and be given an Otto Wanz title belt, but he wasn’t there and no announcement was made. Raaber in an interview said Wanz was injured last week. They had pushed Wanz being there in promoting the show and shows the Wanz title belt at a Friday press conference. (thanks to Markus Gronemann)
Want to make mention that today is one-year since the death of wrestling historian James Zordani. Those who worked with him no how valuable a resource he was as he had the best collection of results of almost anyone in the world. I hope his family realizes how much he is missed among those of us who had regular contact with him.
Campbell McLaren told us that his Thursday debut of Combate Americas in Las Vegas will have Konnan, Rey Mysterio, Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White in attendance. The show airs live on NBC Universo in Spanish at 11 p.m. Eastern.
The National Enquirer made fun of Hulk Hogan’s claim that the n word was something everyone said while he was growing up in Tampa.
Rock Solid Wrestling on 10/2 in Cobourg, ONT at the Community Centre headlined by Cody Deaner vs. Andrew Davis.
In today’s episode of the comic strip “Get Fuzzy,” Satchel the Dog donates money to the WWF, thinking it’s the World Wildlife Fund when it’s the wrestling group and Bucky the Cat asks if wrestling fans were that gullible. (thanks to Brian Henke)
Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno: Buddy Royal & Levi Shapiro b Big Dog & Skitzo-DQ, Brandon Pinion b Elemento, Johnny Plinko & Thunder Rosa b Mike Rayne & Kikyo-DQ (thanks to Jon Southerland)
Great North Wrestling from last night in Hawkesbury, ONT before 250 fans: Hart Throbs b Sexy Eddy & Carl LeDuc, Chris Dechateletes b Gregory Carpenter, Eve b Stacy Thibault, Hannibal b Myzery Barbarian. Frenchy Martin managed Hannibal (thanks to Anthony Ambros)
Reports were that MVP injured his lower back during a Friday night All Pro Wrestling show in Daly City, CA. It was reported he had to go home early in his match with Dylan Drake (thanks to Mike Lano).
CWE from Friday night in Port St. Lucie, FL: JB Cool b CJ O’Doyle, Ace Andrews & Su Yung b T-Rex Bacchus & Aspyn Rose, Santana Garrett b Shaniah Ariyanna, Johann Remzes & Ace Slater NC Lince Dorado & Jon Cruz, Rhett Giddins b Byronico & Ushaka & Hound Dogg & PRS & Areyh Amor & Michael Sky in a ladder match, Barrio Kings b Bidry Bvlondes, Chico Adams b Joey Mayberry-DQ, Zack Monstar DCOR Tyranus. Next show is 10/23
There is a show called Hart Legacy Wrestling tonight at the Team Vision Dojo in Orlando with tickets $10 for adults and $7 for kids headlined by Teddy Hart & Lince Dorado vs. Los Ben Dejos.
Nova Pro Wrestling from last night in Orlando: Joey Mayberry b Tyranus-DQ, Santana Garrett b Shojo Machiko & Shaniah Ariyanna & Grace Storm & MJ Knight & Cherry Layne and Aspyn Rose in a seven-way to become the womans’ champion, Carlos Rivera & D Ramos DCOR Mike Reed, & Braydon Knight, Chico Adams b Siniestro, Gabriel Black b Johann Remzes & Damian James, Jesus Rodriguez (Ricardo Rodriguez) & Byronico b Ace Andrews & Rex Bacchus, Teddy Hart d Lince Dorado, Teddy Hart & Lince Dorado b Los Ben Dejos. Next show is 11/14. (thanks to Al Haft)
A Vince Russo parody video that features an appearance at the end by a Jim Cornette
In this article we will continue to evaluate my new scoring system and other options related to improving MMA scoring, focusing on last Saturday’s UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson 2.
There are no adjustments to be made after part 3. I’m still fine-tuning the wording of the True 10 Point System, but I have not altered the points. The goal is still to find a way to use more of the 10 points consistently. I’m still leaning towards making it a five point system but I’m going to give this at least one or two more shows.
Rules of the column as always, I’ll score only the main card fights and only report on those that actually go to the judges. Anything controversial will be covered in more detail. For more details of the scoring system I’ve created called “True Ten,” search for ‘Velten Scoring System’ in the archives.
With each article, I will look at one fight (if there was one) from the previous show that may have had a controversial decision.
Questioning the Decision: Neil Magny vs. Erick Silva
Official Result: Magny by Split Decision, on scorecards of 29-28 Magny, 29-28 Silva, and 30-27 Magny
From last show, the only kind of controversial decision was the fact that this match was ruled a split decision. The right guy, Magny, won but in my book, he clearly won every round. OK, you could maybe have scored the third for Silva, but the fact that one judge gave Silva two rounds and the win, is an error in judgment and not really an indictment of the system. No system can correct for stupidity. This was not as heinous as I may be making it out to be, but bad judges need to be reprimanded.
*****
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS: Jan Blachowicz vs. Corey Anderson
Official Result- Corey Anderson def. Jan Blachowicz by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
True Ten: Rd 1) Anderson 10-8 Rd 2) Anderson 10-7 Rd 3) 10-7 Anderson
Result: 30-22 Anderson
Weighted: Rd 1) Anderson +1 Rd 2) Anderson +2 Rd 3) Anderson +3
Result: 6-0 Anderson
Pride: Anderson
Analysis: This was a one sided butt kicking by Anderson, and it was nice to see all three judges using more of the 10 points giving Anderson a wider margin of victory. I can’t believe it honestly. The score of 30-25 is very rarely seen. Maybe we are moving in the right direction.
HEAVYWEIGHTS: Andrei Arlovski vs. Frank Mir
Official Result- Andrei Arlovski def. Frank Mir by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Analysis: I’m fairly convinced Arlovski won this fight, and no one thought this was going to the judges, but my weighted score system created a draw situation. I don’t think that’s a bad call actually because Mir fought a hell of a third round, especially for being incredibly fat.
UFC FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Demetrious Johnson(c) vs. John Dodson
Official Result- Demetrious Johnson def. John Dodson by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) to remain UFC Flyweight Champion
True Ten: Rd 1) 10-10 Rd 2) 10-9 Dodson Rd 3) 10-9 Johnson Rd 4) 10-9 Johnson Rd 5) 10-8 Johnson
Result: 49-46 Johnson
Weighted: Rd 1) Johnson +1 Rd 2) Dodson +1 Rd 3) Johnson +2 Rd 4) Johnson +2 Rd 5) Johnson +3
Result: 8-1 Johnson
Pride: Johnson
Analysis: This fight had a lot of really close rounds and really the first three could have been 10-10’s, but DJ came on in the end and got the rightful decision.
Overall Analysis:
We all knew the main event was going to go 25 minutes, but no one could have thought Mir vs. Arlovski was going 15 minutes. I wonder if the judges, who no doubt thought the same thing, had the mindset that someone is getting KO’d and thus they didn’t pay as much attention to the heavyweight match. I think a case could be made that Mir won rounds 2 and 3, but if you assumed this fight was not going to the distance, you may have sort of tuned out.
Random Thoughts:
What would happen if UFC did away with weigh-in’s the day before completely, and went to a cyclical or seasonal weigh-in system, where a fighter has to make weight 4 times a year? It would have nothing to do with when you fight, and the fighter could do it at their gym or wherever. Then they’d be free to enter the cage at whatever weight, as long as they made weight 4 times. This would make it so that no fighter would ever fight dehydrated and thus it would be much safer.
-Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat the Crusher & Bill Watts
-Billy Red Lyons beat Big K
-Chris Markoff beat Mike Bowyer
1970
– Bepo Mongol (aka Nikolai Volkoff) defeated WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino via countout at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
1974
– WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Killer Kowalski in a Stretcher Match in the Boston Garden in Massachusetts.
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Harley Race defeated Mr. Wrestling II to win the Georgia Heaveyweight Title
1985
Landover, Maryland:
– Junkyard Dog won a 21-man Battle Royal
1996
ECW Arena:
– The Eliminators & Brian Lee defeated Tommy Dreamer, Terry Gordy & Steve Williams
– ECW World Heavyweight Champion Raven defeated Pitbull #2
– ECW World Television Champion Shane Douglas defeated Louie Spicolli
1997
Winston-Salem, North Carolina:
– Eddie Guerrero defeated Chris Jericho to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title
– The NWO (Buff Bagwell, Kevin Nash, Syxx & Konnan) defeated The Four Horsemen (Chris Benoit, Steve McMichael, Ric Flair & Curt Hennig) in a WarGames match.
– Lex Luger & Diamond Dallas Page defeated Scott Hall & Randy Savage in a No Disqualification match
1998
– On a live edition of Nitro from Greenville, South Carolina, Billy Kidman defeated Juventud Guerrera for the WCW Cruiserweight Title.
1999
– At a taping of Smackdown in Las Vegas, Nevada, Vince McMahon defeated Triple H for the WWF World Heavyweight Title
2003
-Shane Douglas defeated D’Lo Brown in Belleville, Michigan to win the Border City Wrestling Can-Am Title.
2008
Tokyo, Japan:
– Bryan Danielson defeated ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness in a non-title match
– Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black defeated Jay & Mark Briscoe to retain the ROH World Tag Team Titles.
2009
WWE Breaking Point PPV:
– John Cena defeated Randy Orton in an I Quit Match to win the WWE Championship
– Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes defeated Shawn Michaels & Triple H in a Submissions Count Anywhere match.
– CM Punk defeated The Undertaker in a submissions match.
Welcome to our live coverage of Invicta FC 14 on UFC Fight Pass, from Kansas City, MO. The ten fight card is headlined by Bantamweight Champion Tonya Evinger facing Pannie Kianzad in a non-title fight after Kianzad missed weight. The show also features former UFC Fighter Roxeanne Modafferi and unbeaten Strawweight prospect DeAnna Bennett. Coverage of the 10 fight cards begins at 8 pm eastern.
Lightweights Rach Wiley (0-0) vs Felicia Spencer (0-0)
Spencer was out to “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen. In the heaviest weight division in Women’s MMA. I thought the Undertaker was coming out next but it was Wiley, to “Gonna Cut You Down” by Johnny Cash. Maybe she’s in James Storm’s Revolution. Is that still a thing?
Joe Martinez is the ring announcer and we’ve got fights! Mike Englund and his “God Bless You” to the fighters is the ref. Spencer got an early takedown and laid in some brutal ground and pound, creating a huge hemotoma on Wiley. She was just relentless with punches and elbows, basically little sistering her from side control. Wiley had nothing from the bottom and the ref finally stepped in to stop it with just over a minute left.
WINNER: FELICIA SPENCER (1-0) by TKO
Flyweights Aspen Ladd (1-0) vs Amanda Bobby Cooper (1-0)
Cooper out to “Takin’ Care of Business” by BTO. They definitely have UFC beat in terms of walkout music. Don’t recognize Ladd’s music, sounds like Ravii Shankar or something. Ladd looks really nervous. Martinez introduces the ref as Juan Grande (Big John McCarthy).
Ladd got a takedown 3 minutes in after a back and forth clinch battle for the first part of the round. Cooper went for an armbar from the bottom with a minute left but Ladd escaped. Cooper had a couple sweep attempts but Ladd maintained control and got in some ground and pound to probably take the round. 10-9 Ladd
Ladd with an early takedown and got into side control 1:00 in. Ladd working for a key lock but doesn’t quite have the right angle. She gave it up after a minute and took Cooper’s back. Ladd with full back mount 3:00 in and working for a rear naked choke. Gives up the choke but keeps landing punches from behind. She got the choke in again at 4:00 after cranking the neck several times and using punches to set it up. Cooper escaped but Ladd ended up in full mount, laying in vicious ground and pound and opening up a cut. Cooper turtled and Ladd with an armbar attempt for the tapout win.
WINNER: ASPEN LADD (2-0) by submission
Strawweights JJ Aldrich (1-1) vs Rosa Acevedo (3-1)
Acevedo with some current music for her walkout “Someone to Lean On” by Major Lazer and DJ Snake. She missed weight so this is officially a catchweight bout. Aldrich out to “Number One” by Nelly. Acevedo is wearing a catsuit, but very different from the one you saw at the G1 Climax. Personally, I enjoyed the NJPW version but each to his own.
Mike Englund is the ref but no blessings from God this time. According to TJ, Acevedo once weighed 215 lbs. Even though she missed weight, Acevedo looks to giving up a lot of size here. Aldrich dominated her right from the get-go with the finishing blow being a knee to the midsection and then she finished off with some ground and pound when Acevedo went down.
WINNER: JJ ALDRICH (2-1) by TKO
Atomweights Jinh Yu Frey (3-1) vs Liz McCarthy (2-2)
Don’t recognize McCarthy’s walkout music. Some good female hard rock song. Frey’s song is a mystery to me as well, generic hip-hop. Love the pace of these shows, as one hour in, we’re already on our fourth fight. These ladies do get a God Bless You from Englund. I think he’s showing some favoritism or something (not really).
Gotta say that although it sucks for the fighters, I much prefer the UFC uniforms to the ad-filled unis on the other shows, as we have here. Frey gets a takedown 1:30 in and briefly gets side control but McCarthy works back to her feet. McCarthy was cut on the nose during the ground exchange. Both ladies landed some nice shots standing. Frey with a nice punch combo in the last 30 seconds to cinch the round. 10-9 Frey
Frey with a takedown 1:45 in. McCarthy up quickly. Standup again is very even. Frey with a nice punch combo that rocks McCarthy at 3:45. Much closer round, probably 10-9 Frey for the takedown.
Very even to start again. McCarthy gets the first sustained advantage about halfway through, backing up Frey to the cage with a punch combo. Frey does land a hard punch to escape the cage clinch. McCarthy controlling the pace and in a close round, that could take it for her. McCarthy rocked Frey with a kick to the body and Frey tried for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Clinch on the cage but Frey escaped with a hard elbow to the head. 10-9 McCarthy so probably Frey’s fight but all depends how they scored round 2.
WINNER – JINH YU FREY (4-1) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2)
Strawweights Jamie Moyle (3-0) vs Sharon Jacobson (3-1)
Jacobson is a Sargent in the U.S. Army fighting for the 2nd time in Invicta. Don’t recognize her walkout tune. Another rap song. Moyle is a product of Syndicate MMA. Her song is some sort of disco remix. Not a bad tune. These ladies get a “God Bless You” as well. Starting to think I might’ve just missed it the one time.
Jacobson with a wrestling background doing a lot of clinching and going for takedowns but Moyle defending well early on. Moyle rocked Jacobson with a kick 2:15 in. Jacobson with a nice punch combo at 4:00, backing up Moyle to the cage. Jacobson starting to find her range in the last minute, doing a lot of damage. 10-9 Jacobson
Jacobson finally got her takedown 1:15 in but stood up right away. Moyle stayed on her back for a bit but then followed her up. Jacobson landed a nice spinning elbow but Moyle followed up with a hard right that rocked Jacobson. Moyle starting to swarm at 2:15 and Jacobson recovered. Jacobson definitely slowed down by that exchange though. Jacobson with a nice punch combo at 3:15 that backs up Moyle. Both ladies firing punches at 3:30. Jacobson landing a lot of body punches from the clinch. Jacobson got a flash takedown at 4:30. Moyle bleeding from the nose as the round ends. 10-9 Jacobson
Moyle is all cut up and bruised in the face as she comes out for Round 3. Moyle rocked Jacobson with a body kick at 1:00. Jacobson with a takedown and dropped Moyle on her head right after that. Jacobson again stood up right away and Moyle followed. Jacobson landed a hard elbow to the face 2:00 in. Jacobson with another takedown at 2:45 and follows up with ground and pound this time. Moyle stood up at 3:15 and Moyle followed. Jacobson with a flurry of punches to the body at 3:45 and follows up with a nice combo of punches to the head. Moyle lands a couple hard knees to the body at 4:15. 10-9 Jacobson
WINNER – SHARON JACOBSON (4-1) by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x 2)
Miesha Tate was interviewed backstage. She didn’t have much to say. Was asked about Amanda Nunes and she said that nothing’s been signed as of yet.
Featherweights Cindy Dandois (5-2) vs Megan Anderson (4-1)
These ladies are competing for the “right” to be the next sacrificial lamb for Cris Cyborg , it would seem. Anderson is an Australian making her Invicta debut. Walkout song is Revolution by Diplo, some dubstep for the KC folks. Dandois’ choice is Let it Go from the Frozen soundtrack. She looks a lot like Brigitte Nielson from Rocky 4. She’s returning to Featherweight after losing to Tonya Evinger at 135 in her last fight.
Big John is the ref for this one. Professional commentator Julie Kedzie was still humming “Let it Go” when the match was starting. Dandois gets an early takedown. Dandois into mount at 1:30. Anderson gave up her back and Dandois went for an armbar at 2:30. Anderson escaped and ended up in top position. Dandois with a triangle from the bottom though. Dandois swept to mount and gave up the triangle but laying in ground and pound at 3:30. Anderson used the cage to escape and got to her feet. Anderson with a takedown but stood right back up and got separation. 10-9 Dandois, almost a 10-8
Anderson advancing and get the first damage 1:00 in with a body punch. Anderson with a takedown at 1:15, might’ve even been Dandois pulling guard. Dandois with a triangle from the bottom. Anderson landing body punches while in the triangle and works it to the cage after starting in the middle. Anderson finally tapped at 2:30
WINNER – CINDY DANDOIS (6-2) by submission
Flyweights Rachael Ostovich (2-1) vs Andrea Lee (2-1)
Ostovich out to the Rocky Theme, while wearing a Wonder Woman uniform. Don’t recognize Lee’s music, sounds like AC/DC. Big John gets the dukes once again.
Lee controlling things for the first couple minutes. Ostovich does get a Superwoman punch in, getting Mauro Ranallo a shout-out after he coined the phrase on one of the earlier shows. Lee knocked her down with punches and took her back with a choke but Ostovich fought out and to her feet at 3:30. Ostovich nailed a nice spinning backfist at 4:30. Lee rocked her with a body kick that crumpled her to the mat and finished the round with ground and pound. Lee with a choke right as the round was ending. 10-8 Lee
Ostovich with a nice spinning backfist 45 seconds in. Doesn’t follow up though. Lee looking very crisp on the standup, completely controlling the cage. Nice punch combo at 2:15 from Lee. Ostovich lands another spinning backfist. Lee with a knockdown at 3:00 and follows her to the ground, taking Ostovich’s back. Lee landing punches from behind. Lee also landing hard knees to the legs and butt. Ostovich to her feet and eats a hard knee to the gut. Lee all over her in the last minute. Lee lands a high kick to the head and gets another takedown at 4:45. Lee finishes the round with ground and pound. Another 10-8
Ostovich gets a takedown after catching a kick 30 seconds in. Lee to her feet quickly. Ostovich was cut on the right side of her head by the kick though and she’s bleeding hard. Lee landing hard knees to the body and head and Ostovich down. Ostovich briefly to her feet but right down again. Somehow Ostovich ended up on top though. Lee easily to her feet though. Ostovich is bleeding all over the place and stays on her back and Lee goes into her guard. Lee landing hard elbows to the body and has Ostovich folded up so she can’t defend. Lee with full back mount 3:00 in. Lee continuing to land punches from behind. Lee with a hard and arm choke but gives it up quickly. Ostovich to her feet right before the round ends but brought back down again by Lee. 10-9 Lee Lee actually verbally submitted with one second left.
WINNER – ANDREA LEE (3-1) by submission
Flyweights Roxanne Modafferi (17-12) vs Mariana Morais (9-2)
Morais is making her Invicta and US debut after fighting her whole career in South America. Don’t recognize her walk-out song but it sounds like it could be Brazilian. Modafferi is, of course, the reason we’re all watching. Don’t recognize her song either but it’s an upbeat dance song and she comes out all excited waving her hands in the air. She’s another Syndicate MMA fighter. Big John is the ref once again.
Morais is just 19 years old. If you add up Modafferi and Evinger’s fights, I think they’ve got more combined fights than everyone else on the card put together. Modafferi gets a takedown 1:00 in and quickly into full mount. Modafferi landing punches and elbows from the top but Morais manages to work her to half-guard. Modafferi into side control at 2:30. Morais got her back to half-guard but Modafferi completely in control and Morais doing nothing from the bottom. Modafferi with elbows to the body but Morais sweeps to top position at 4:45. Modafferi trying for a guillotine from the bottom right before the round ends. 10-9 Modafferi
Nice punch exchange early with both ladies landing a lot of shots. Modafferi landing a lot of leg kick/punch combinations but not doing much damage. Modafferi with a judo throw takedown and into quarter mount right away. Modafferi landing a lot of punches to the face, which allows her to take full mount. Modafferi mixing in elbows with the punches. Morais blocking a lot of them and the ones that are landing aren’t doing a lot of damage but they are piling up. Morais gives up her back at 4:00 and Modafferi continuing with the punches. Modafferi landing a ton of elbows to the head and flips Morais back into full mount. Bell saves Morais, 10-8 Modafferi
Morais with a guillotine 30 seconds in and pulled guard. Modafferi pops out 1:00 in and in top position. Modafferi into side control at 3:15. Modafferi landing some punches from the top but not nearly as active as the first two rounds. Modafferi into full mount at 4:00 and landing a ton of punches and elbows. Morais turtling and Big John very close to stopping it. He finally did with 20 seconds left. Great performance from Modafferi, maybe the best I’ve ever seen her.
WINNER – ROXANNE MODAFFERI (18-12) by TKO
Our very own Filthy Tom Lawlor was there to congratulate Roxy afterward. She put over her fans for dressing up like Mortal Kombat characters and said how badly she wanted to finish her opponent. She also challenged Barb Honchak for a title shot and they’d be fools not to give it to her.
Strawweights Katja Kankaanpaa (10-2-1) vs DeAnna Bennett (7-0)
Bennett missed weight as well. Miesha Tate joined the commentary team after cornering Cindy Dandois to a win earlier. She put over Roxy’s win and also mentioned that Bennett has a win over UFC Bantamweight contender Julianna Pena. Don’t recognize either of the walkout songs. Kankaanpaa (who will herefore be known as KK in this report) has ditched the bunny ears that she wore for previous fights, which sadly is not pointed out by the commentators.
Mike Englund passes on God’s blessings to start the fight. Bennett far bigger but has trouble making the 115 lb weight limit. She’s probably too small for 135 so it’ll be tough for her to make a move to UFC. First half of the round is back and forth with neither lady doing much damage. Bennett with an arm-in guillotine at 4:00 and brings it to the ground but KK quickly out. KK trying to take Bennett’s back but Bennett to her feet and KK follows. KK trying for a Kimura roll with 15 seconds left. Close round but probably 10-9 Bennett
Both ladies tried for early takedowns but unsuccessful. KK with a takedown 2:00 in but Bennett with a guillotine attempt from the bottom. Gives it up but gets to her feet at 2:30. Bennett with a takedown at 3:15 and KK trying for a guillotine but gives it up quickly. KK with a sweep but Bennett trying for an armbar. KK escapes and ends up on top. Bennett to her feet at 4:00 but KK takes her down again. KK working for a Kimura but Bennett to her feet. Bennett with a standing guillotine at 4:30 and pulls guard. It’s tight but not much time left. KK punching the body as the round ends. Very close but 10-9 Bennett I think
Bennett pulls guard early trying for a guillotine but KK escapes and in top position. Both ladies to their feet but KK in control and brings her down. KK with a head and arm choke from the top at 1:15. Bennett gives up her back but KK swings her back around. Bennett escapes the choke but KK with a body triangle. KK into top position but in Bennett’s guard. KK into side control at 2:45. Tate, in talking about KK, says she’s probably down in the scorecards but we’ll see how this round goes. If she’s down in the scorecards, she needs a finish to win, Miesha. Bennett landing elbows to the body from the bottom but KK fully in control. Bennett works her back to half-guard and tries to get to her feet but KK takes her back and going for a head and arm choke again. She gives it up right before the end of the fight. 10-9 KK but Bennett wins on my scorecard. Could easily be KK’s though as the first two were close. Would be interested to see this under the Velten scoring system because I think KK won the fight overall but under the scoring system, I have Bennett winning.
WINNER – DEANNA BENNETT (8-0) by unanimous decision on scores of 29-28 x 3
All the commentators going off about the judging but with this scoring system, Bennett won the fight. This was not bad judging but a bad scoring system.
Main Event: Tonya Evinger (16-6) vs Pannie Kianzad (8-0)
Kianzad out to 99 Problems by Hugo. Very different from the Jay-Z version but cool. Evinger with “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, as always. Lots of people on twitter complaining about that last decision but that was definitely the scoring system, not the judging, to blame there. Kianzad missed weight so this is a 3 round non-title fight.
Big John gets the main event reffing duties here. Tate is still on commentary. Maybe she’ll challenge Evinger for a title shot after the fight. Evinger with a takedown 1:00 in. Kianzad to her feet quickly. Kianzad working for a takedown but Evinger uses the momentum to end up on top and quickly into side control, landing hard elbows to the head and body. Kianzad gives up her back and Evinger with a choke at 2:45. Kianzad bleeding from the nose and the choke is in tight. Kianzad escapes but in a lot of trouble. Kianzad having problems because of the half-shirt she’s wearing obscuring her vision. She does work to top position but Evinger working for an armbar from the bottom. Evinger landing hard elbows to the body as the round ends. 10-8 Evinger
Evinger dropped Kianzad with a knee to the body right away. Evinger to the ground and tried to take her back. Kianzad briefly into top position but Evinger quickly takes it. Kianzad bleeding from the nose again. Evinger all over her back, hitting her with punches to the body and head. Kianzad works her to half guard at 2:30 but still taking a lot of damage. Evinger with back mount and working for a head and arm choke at 3:00. Evinger pouring in the punches from behind. Kianzad flips her around to the top but Evinger not letting up and Big John stops it.
WINNER – TONYA EVINGER (17-6) by TKO
Miesha Tate called for a catchweight fight under the Invicta banner between Evinger and Cyborg. I like Tonya’s chances better than Dandois’. Overall a fun night of fights after a lacklustre show in Vegas. Thanks for joining me tonight!
Tonight’s big show, with no UFC, is Invicta FC live on UFC Fight Pass from the Muncipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri at 8:00 p.m. ET:
Amanda Cooper vs. Aspen Ladd
J.J. Aldrich vs. Daniela Kortmann
Jinh Yu Frey vs. Liz McCarthy
Sharon Jacobson vs. Jamie Moyle
Cindy Dandois vs. Megan Anderson
Andrea Lee vs. Rachel Ostovich
Roxanne Modafferi vs. Mariana Morais
DeAnna Bennett vs. Katja Kankaanpaa
Tonya Evinger (c) vs. Pannie Kianzad for the bantamweight title
Invicta cards are usually pretty fun (though a bit more hit or miss since UFC accquired their strawweight division), so this is worth checking out. Evinger is the queen of the non-UFC bantamweights, dominating everyone lately, but Kianzad is a legit prospect, so it’s a quality main event.
We’re looking for reports on:
* WWE in Calgary (Rollins vs. Ambrose, Wyatt vs. Reigns, Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens)
* WWE Huntsville, AL (Randy Orton vs. Sheamus, Ryback vs. Big Show plus Dolph Ziggler and Neville)
* NXT in Gainesville, FL.
* ROH in Chicago (Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Young Bucks, Roderick Strong vs. Bobby Fish, Jay Briscoe vs. Cedric Alexander, Dalton Castle vs. Beer City Bruiser, Mark Briscoe vs. Adam Page, ACH vs,. Matt Sydal).
* Sunday has WWE in Jonesboro, AR (Rollins vs. Ambrose, Wyatt vs. Reigns) and Tupelo, MS (Orton vs. Sheamus, Ryback vs. Show).
* The World wrestling championship finals from Las Vegas will be airing Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN 2.
* Raw will be live on Monday from Memphis
* SmackDown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Little Rock.
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Figure Four Weekly:
The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring plenty of details on the Jimmy Snuka murder indictment including how the media covered his domestic abuse arrest and Nancy Argentino’s death back in 1993, just how on the ball Irv Muchnick was in writing about the case, the contradictions of the investigator, Snuka’s claims about his finances vs. the reality, and more. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news from Dr. Lucha Steve Sims and and Alan”4L” Counihan.
The recnt FREE Figure Four Weekly is still up with a look at the crazy story of why Gawker thinks the FBI may have helped Hulk Hogan cover up his racist and homophobic comments. A judge has ordered the FBI to turn over the records of their investigation, and what Gawker is saying in court about what has and hasn’t been turned over paints a very interesting picture.
Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it’s available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle.
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Wrestling Observer Newsletter:
A look at next weekend, which is one of the biggest weekends of the year with Bellator and CMLL having their biggest shows, plus a WWE PPV show and an ROH PPV, is one of the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also have a look at the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot, tons more on the Jimmy Snuka case, An update on TNA and the future of Kurt Angle, a letter UFC sent to all its fighters about unionization, plus full coverage of UFC 191 and Battle of Los Angeles, and thoughts behind Raw & Smackdown doing record low numbers.
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The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.
We look at next week’s big shows, including a preview of CMLL’s main event, why L.A. Park is already gone from the promotion, and a preview of both Raw and Night of Champions.
We’ve got more on the Jimmy Snuka case, with a background of WWE in 1983, Vince McMahon purchasing the company from his father, what was and wasn’t known in wrestling at the time, the first Snuka arrest, the decision made on Hulk Hogan being the face of the company’s expansion, the role Snuka’s autobiography played in his indictment, the corner saying why he felt there was no indictment and his quotes on the subject, new evidence, Buddy Rogers before his death talks about the subject, another coroner weighs in, a lawyer who investigated the case in 1983 weighs in, how Snuka handled his finances fro that point on, Snuka’s run in New Japan, the famous Brody & Snuka walking out on the tag tournament finals, what Vince McMahon was doing to protect Snuka, key Allentown officials talk cover-up rumors, WWE talks those rumors and more.
We also update the Kurt Angle TNA situation and why Angle said he was leaving the company when his contract expires in January. We look at the situation with Destination America, what talent knows and how WWE fits into all this right now.
We look at the letter sent by UFC to all of its fighters regarding unionization and our thoughts on the subject.
We’ve got a look at the 2005 Hall of Fame ballot, a look at the new candidates and their credentials, candidates for the future, understanding of the process, as well as how everyone on this year’s ballot fared last year.
We also look back at research into the biggest draws of all-time on the ballot, as well how the candidates have done in various awards, in drawing power for their era, as well as match quality, how difficult it is to be voted in, and notes on a lot of this year’s modern candidates.
We have an update on Ronda Rousey and WrestleMania, an upcoming WWE wedding, John Cena injury notes, WWE asks fans about PPV start times and thoughts, update on Amanda from Tough Enough and what appears to be her new deal, WWE pulling out all stops for next months tour of Mexico and why, Dean Ambrose talks acting, Nikki Bella as Divas champion, Eric Bischoff appearing on WWE Network, Undertaker’s future, the signing of Kana and she talks coming to WWE, Zahra Schreiber talks her firing, some NXT matches, a WWE wrestler on a sabbatical, as well as the WWE business notes from the past week and highlights from all the house hows.
We also look at Hulk Hogan’s overseas talk shows, the death of Tommy Rogers of The Fantastics, Dave Brown retires from WMC TV and how it was celebrated locally, Axl Rotten’s future goals, CHIKARA King of Trios, Jeff Jarrett TV talks and the final GFW ballpark shows of the year and what is left on the schedule, Bob Backlund’s autobiography, update on Batista, the death of Jerry Prater, an instrumental figure in Florida wrestling in the 70s and the heyday of wrestling programs and magazines, the Carlos Maynez tribute show this past week featuring legends from the past, a Roddy Piper movie not released and the Darrell Dawkins connection with pro wrestling.
We also update things on Lucha Underground.
We look at next week’s ROH matches.
We look at a TNA wedding, lineups for the upcoming TNA shows, U.K. TNA ratings and updating Impact.
We also have Conor McGregor talking his future, McGregor vs. Faber and why it didn’t happen, key UFC announcements over the pat week including new shows, new main events and new title matches, the retirement of Sam Stout, Rousey doing “Road House,” next UFC TV events, update on Charles Oliveira, UFC’s most popular markets, how much Rousey and McGregor are carrying things right now and former UFC star buys $2.75 million mansion from a rock star.
We also look at Alexander Shlemenko’s attempt to get his steroid punishment over turned and his arguments, plus a new Bellator show was announced.
We also update Fedor Emelianenko and his situation, as well as a former WWE star debuts this week as an MMA announcer and top pro wrestling stars attending. We also look at the results of the latest medical study on injuries suffered in boxing vs. MMA and where each is more and less dangerous than the other.
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Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
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Saturday Daily Update
— Yesterday, WWE filed a motion for sanctions against lawyer Konstantine Kyros in the lawsuit where he’s representing Michelle James, Matt Borne’s next of kin. It covers the same things they’ve ben crying foul about for a while, like allegations of forum shopping, getting another lawyer to file a case so it wouldn’t be discovered that he was involved, defaming WWE in his complaints, etc.
— What happened at last night’s ROH show with the Young Bucks wrestling reDRagon unplanne. Mike Bennett & Matt Taven were delayed in getting out of Boston and they didn’t arrive until really late.
— This does ot seem like a great sign: TNA added a Bobby Lashley vs. Gunner match from Xplosion t their YouTube channel yesterday. Gunner has not worked for TNA since April and the match was shot in February. It might have aired in some countires earlier in the year, Anyone in a country that gets Xplosion on TV have a better idea of if/when this aired before, if the commentary was the same if it did, etc?
It’s return of veterans to the locker room on a full time schedule and that’s very important because not only is it important to learn from the veterans in the ring, not only by watching them and not only by working with them in the ring but seeing how they act and conduct themselves outside of the ring. Because a lot of veterans lets just face it, It’s just human life you learn from your mistakes, some people don’t but most of us do. And then the best thing to do is if you see a person who has made a mistake that has learned from it you can than prevent yourself from making a mistake. So thats the importance of having a veteran on a full time schedule, because you see how they travel, you see what they do, and what they don’t do and you realize why they do certain things and don’t do other things…and therefore as a veteran you become a leader.
— The latest edition of Sean Wheelock and John McCarthy’s Let’s Get it On Podcast has an analysis of the disqualification at UFC 191, a conversation with Marc Raimondi about his series of articles covering unregulated MMA like Xplode Fight Series, and the usual assortment of listener questions. This is one of the best and most underrated MMA podcasts around and it should be part of every hardcore fan’s weekly rotation.
— All Star Wrestling tonight at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30): Gabriel Gallo vs Matt XStatic, GIRLS GONE WRESTLING TITLE MATCH Chelsea Green(Champion) vs Violet, GIRLS TRIPLE THREAT MATCH Bambi Hall vs Malia Hosaka vs Waspette, Kenny Lush vs Christopher Ryseck, The Great Kasaki vs TKO Cody Smith . Meet the Wrestlers after the show at MAGS on 99!. Tickets are$15 Front Row and $12 General Admission. Available in advance at: Totem Hall 1380 Stawamus Rd, Squamish, British Columbia v8b 0b5
— Rock Solid Wrestling presents RUMBLE, Live Pro Wrestling In support of the Kawartha Lakes Special Olympics at the Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Lindsay, Ontario. Doors Open: 7pm • Bell Time: 7:30 pm: Canadian Heavyweight Championship Match with Cody Deaner vs Andrew Davis, Jake O’Reilly vs Jaxon Jarvis, Scotty The Body vs Tornado, KC Spinelli vs Courtney Rush, Anthony Darko vs Chunk. E. Fresh. Tickets are $15, Available at: Bowlaway Lanes – 46 William St South- 705-324-7046 and Square Boy Pizza – 215 Kent St W, Lindsay – 1 705-324-3000.
— Wrestling And Respect returns to the UAW Hall in Lima, Ohio after a summer season of fairs and festivals events. On Saturday October 10th the “Spin The Wheel Challenge” comes back for a special night of wrestling action with all the titles on the line. With 30 wrestlers names on a spinning wheel, the fans spin the wheel to determine who faces who right then and there. If a champions name is spun the next spin of the wheel determines who they will face. You will see friends versus friends, foes versus foes, alliances may face alliances and even family versus family. There will even be 2 unannounced wrestlers names added the night of the event.
St. Louis, Missouri: – Cowboy Bob Ellis defeatd Lou Thesz by dq (Thesz was last minute sub for NWA Champ Buddy Rogers, who was injured in a brawl with Bill Miller & Karl Gotch in Columbus, Ohio dressing room) – Johnny Valentine & Bill Dromo beat Rip Hawk & Wladek (Killer) Kowalski – Red Bastien vs Buddy Austin went to a time limit draw – Joe Tangaro beat Hiro Matsuda dq – Rock Hunter beat Tom Phillips – Ray Collins defeatd Thor Hagen
1963
Kansas City, Kansas: – Mongolian Stomper beat Rock Hunter dq – Larry Hamilton and Jack Allen beat John Kace and Harley Race 2 falls to 0 – Enrique Torres beat Bulldog Plechas
1970
Boston, Massachusetts: – WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Crusher Verdi in a Texas Death match
Minneapolis, Minnesota (attendance was 5,319): – AWA Tag Team Champions Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon beat Larry Hennig & Lars Anderson in 2 out of 3 falls – Blackjack Lanza beat Edouard Carpentier – Mighty Igor Vodik beat Dave Cox – Paul Diamond drew Big K – Billy Howard beat Frank Hickey
1979
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Greg Gagne by countout – Mad Dog Vachon beat Stan Hansen – Handicap match: Billy Robinson beat Super Destroyer Mark II & Lord Alfred Hayes – Steve Olsonoski & Paul Ellering beat Bobby Duncum & Jesse Ventura – Peter Sandor Szabo beat Fred Peloquin – Ron Ritchie beat George Gadaski
1982
– Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle defeated Giant Baba & Antonio Inoki in a fictitious tournament final for the NWA World Tag Team Titles.
1988
– The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu) defeated John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk (Jesse Barr) to win the World Class Championship Wrestling Texas Tag Team Titles.
1989
Columbia, South Carolina: – At the Clash of Champions, NWA World Tag Team Champions The Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin & Michael Hayes) defeated Rick & Scott Steiner – United States Champion Lex Luger defeated Tommy Rich – Sting & Ric Flair defeated Dick Slater & The Great Muta via disqualification
1999
Winston-Salem, North Carolina: – At WCW Fall Brawl, Harlem Heat defeated Barry & Kendall Windham to win the WCW World Tag Team Title – Sid Vicious defeated Chris Benoit to win the United States Title – Sting defeated Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title.
2003
– Takashi Sugiara defeated Michael Modest in Tokyo, Japan to win the Pro Wrestling Noah Junior Heavyweight Title.
2004
Portland, Oregon: – Triple H defeated Randy Orton to win the Raw World Title at the Vengeance PPV – Chris Benoit & William Regal defeated Ric Flair & Batista – Chris Jericho defeated Christian in a Ladder Match to win the vacant Intercontinental Title
2013
– AJ Styles defeated Austin Aries – Brutus Magnus defeated Bobby Roode – Bully Ray defeated Mr. Anderson in a Last Man Standing match to retain the TNA Title. – AJ Styles defeated Brutus Magnus in a Bound for Glory Series final.
Tonight’s show is the main event of King of Pro Wrestling, held on October 13, 2014 at Sumo Hall in Japan.
We’re going right to the main event as Hiroshi Tanahashi is interviewed. He was after the belt and nothing but the belt, that was his goal going into the match. In regards to AJ Styles, he has great moves and his his body is well built, so he knew he was a wrestler that the fans liked. He also knew going into the match that it wasn’t going to be a one sided match in his favor.
The match itself was really great. Seeing Jeff Jarrett at ringside annoyed me, but I get why they did it, and it built to a cool moment later anyway. Slow build, but really well worked with both guys looking like the best in the business, which at this point they very well are. They way they built up to the false finish was great, with Jarrett pulling out right as AJ was being pinned after two high fly flows. Very rarely does anyone kick out of two consecutive high fly flows so this was awesome, at least when looking back at it roughly a year later. I bet that pissed off a lot of people when it aired live, but hey, everything happened in this match for a reason. Jarrett’s role in the match was to come out and wield the guitar, which he did, and was about to strike Tanahashi with it when who should come out but Yoshitatsu, fresh off a WWE run and making his return to New Japan after a six year absence. Crowd liked this one once they knew who it was. With the interference out of the way, they scored some hot near falls.
This was a more americanized match they usually do. Some people hated the Bullet Club stuff, and I see why, but this made it feel different than their other matches. If you do ONE americanized kind of match on a show like this, I think it works well and could even add to a match with the right circumstances. This was a good example of that. It was a well worked match throughout, with Jarrett coming into the equation just once so they could build the return of Yoshitatsu. Once that was over with, it was a fun of great near fall spots until Hiroshi Tanahashi caught AJ with a high fly flow in the standing position then finished him off with another. I wouldn’t say it was an excellent match, but it was a very good New Japan main event by those standards.
After watching this show live, I was kind of bummed that they went with Tanahashi winning the title back. To me, the story of 2014 seemed to be Okada getting his revenge against the Bullet Club by beating AJ Styles at WrestleKingdom. But they went ahead with Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada again as a main event. But as much as I didn’t understand it in 2014, I get why they did it after watching this match again. The story that they’ve been building isn’t so much AJ versus Okada – it’s Okada vs. Tanahashi, which of course in ring wise (and probably promo wise considering the post match stuff) has been one of the best feuds of the decade. Think about it – when Okada loses at the Tokyo Dome show, he leaves the ring crying his eyes out. The second opportunity he has to beat Tanahashi at the Tokyo Dome was blown, so of course he’d be sad. Small things like this tell me that all this will culminate at the Tokyo Dome when Okada finally gets his win against Tanahashi. Of course, this could all change, but this seems like the story they’re going towards, and it makes the most sense.
Yoshitatsu is interviewed. He didn’t come here to save Tanahashi but his body moved when he arrived here in the arena to help him out. Most of all, he feels that this was the place to return to in the end.
Okada and Gedo came out to confront Tanahashi. Gedo says it’s funny, he thinks the belt has been looking for you. But that won’t work against the Rainmaker. The Rainmaker will make sure of one thing at the Toyko Dome…he will bury you. Well, as long as it’s not Stephanie McMahon. Okada complimented him on the great work, but said a dull sun like him won’t light up New Japan. As the bright golden sun, he will, and he will light up the entire industry…it’s time for him to go down.
Tanahashi says he isn’t tired. He says Okada, maybe you can make money rain, but you can’t be the sun because I exist. They had a brief posedown before Okada make his exit. Tanahashi did his usual thanks, then in a post match interview gets a beer bath by Captain New Japan and the timesplitters. He says that He’ll answer expectations much more now that he’s champion.
Looking back at the match, he said that he stayed focus on his path back to the title. He says in regards to winning the title for the seventh time, a record, he says that he is emotional whenever he has the belt and he feels the connection the crowd has with the belt and himself. He also says that he remembers seeing Yoshitatsu wrestle in the FCW arena when he was working for TNA, so he is happy to see him back since it is the best timing for him. In regards to winning the 2014 MVP, he felt this match was the deciding factor; as far as 2014 goes, this was definitely his most important match.
A really great stuff. Between the main event, and the post fight promos, this was a well done show.
Dr. Wagner Jr. is off tonight’s Arena Mexico show, as well as next week’s anniversary show, meaning that both big outside attractions who have greatly picked up attendance, Wagner and L.A. Park, are gone after two shows.
Marco Corleone will replace Wagner Jr. at next Friday’s anniversary show.
CMLL claims that Wagner Jr. called the office and said that next week’s show “didn’t suit his interests.” CMLL then told him not to bother coming.
Wagner Jr. and Park were there to be back in the spotlight for a few weeks, feud with each other, and continue that feud on independent shows forever. With Park being fired last week, Wagner Jr. figured there was nothing to build his future business staying.
