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  • THURS UPDATE: Former wrestling promoter arrested, Total Divas & TUF numbers, GFW, Kurt Angle, NXT

    By Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for reports on tonight’s NXT tapings in Orlando at Dave Meltzer

    Smackdown tonight from Wilkes-Barre:

    Paige vs. Sasha Banks

    Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose & Jimmy Uso vs. Big E & Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods

    Sin Cara & Kalisto vs. The Ascension

    Seth Rollins vs. Ryback non-title lumberjack match

    New Japan runs at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow  Eastern time from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo live on New Japan World

    Yohei Komatsu vs. David Finlay

    Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger vs. Jay White & Sho Tanaka

    Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada & Juice Robinson vs. Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi & Gedo & Rocky Romero & Baretta

    Kazuchika Okada & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Tama Tonga & Cody Hall

    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Kushida vs. Bad Luck Fale & Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Kenny Omega

    Togi Makabe & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kota Ibushi & Tetsuya Naito

    Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii       

    The last two matches are kind of unique and could be something.

    There is an Invicta show tomorrow on Fight Pass from Kansas City.

    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.

    The issue is on the site right now at September 14, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Huge Weekend Preview, WWE/CMLL/ROH/Bellator

    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 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.  

    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

    THURSDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • Total Divas on Tuesday night drew 1,143,000 viewers, which was well up from the prior week.
    • The Ultimate Fighter last night did 622,000 viewers on FS 1.  That’s for the show with Conor McGregor and Urijah Faber as coaches.  The first show of last season did 490,000 viewers.
    • Daniel Bryan talks his attempt to get back in the ring, Total Divas, his dream for the 2016 WrestleMania and more
    • I’m not sure that this means anything, but on Tuesday there were 94,700 tweets regarding Kana signing with WWE.
    • Catherine Jo Perry (Lana) had surgery on her left wrist today.
    • The rainstorm in Japan that has been all over the news killed attendance at shows today in Japan.  The New Japan show was in the city where the river overflowed and there was blooding.  There were only 480 fans at the show and some left early, as there were homes lost and damaged in the city.
    • Former Australian pro wrestling promoter Andrew McManus, 54, was arrested today at Melbourne Airport, among five people arrested in connection with allegations of cocaine importing and money laundering.  The FBI in the U.S. worked with New Zealand authorities on the case when Sean Carolan, an MMA fighter and racehorse trainer was discovered in 2011 with a black suitcase with $702,000 in cash in it.  He claimed the money came from Owen Hanson Jr., who was going to invest it in his weight loss business.  The authorities confiscated the money, but Carolan went to court to have it returned.  But in court, McManus claimed the money was his after an interview with police in 2012.  He said the money was from the Lenny Kravitz tour he had promoted in New Zealand, but he was using it to replay Hanson Jr., who had put up a deposit for a ZZ Top tour McManus promoted.  .
    • The movie “12 Rounds 3:  Lockdown” with Dean Ambrose will have a limited theatrical release starting tomorrow. 
    • UFC 194 tickets for 12/12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena went quickly to Fight Club members yesterday.  Some seats were held back for today’s pre-sale using the code word GOBIG and some tickets will be put on sale Monday.  That’s the Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo and Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold show that is expected to do another near record gate.  
    • Tickets for UFC’s debut in Monterrey, Mexico go on sale to the public tomorrow.  A press conference was held toady in Monterrey with headliners Kelvin Gastelum, Ricardo Lamas, Diego Sanchez, Erik Perez, Leandro Silva, Efrain Escudero, Hector Urbina and Henry Cejudo.
    • A few days ago, when we mentioned it would be good for all talent with WWE dreams to get rid of any photos in social media that have a sexual connotation or any tweets that contain anything that could be taken racially, it was regarding Nhooph Al-Areebi (Jasmin) since some tweets of hers were discovered by those in the company a few days ago.  The company issued a statement saying, “WWE conducted a thorough investigation and has determined that Nhooph-Al Areebie’s Twitter account was used without her knowledge when she was 16 and 17 years old.  Jasmin remains apologetic for any offensive remarks that were made.”
    • The World Series of fighting announced three names to its Board of Directors, Mark Ford, the Executive Vice President of Global Advertising for Time Inc., Mike Stevens, the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the New York Giants and John Weiser, the President of U.S. Distribution for Sony Pictures Television.  The promotion also announced the signing of Caros Fodor and Cory Devela, both former Strikeforce fighters.
    • Global Force Wrestling announced for its 10/23 tapings in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena, the last tapings on the current schedule, that PJ Black, Jigsaw, Christina Von Eerie, Amber Gallows, Chris Mordetzky, Bobby Roode, Reno Scum and the Bollywood Boyz will be appearing.
    • Kurt Angle will be doing a speaking tour of the U.K.  Dates are:
      11/18 in London
      11/19 in Cardiff
      11/20 in Leicester
      11/21 in Rotherham
      11/22 in Edinburgh
      11/23 in Manchester
    • NXT has announced more title matches for next week in Texas
    • 9/17 in Houston Bayley vs. Emma for women’s title
    • 9/18 in Austin Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin for NXT title
    • 9/19 in San Antonio Finn Balor vs. Tyler Breeze for NXT title
    • Premier Wrestling on 9/19 in San Jose at Del Mar High School at 6 p.m..  Tickets are $5 off regular prices at www.premierwrestle.com  JR Kratos (8-2) vs. Jeff Cobb (6-2-1) headlines plus Nicole Savoy (2-1) & Kahmora (0-1) vs. Raze (0-1) & Kikyo Nakamura (0-0), Timothy Thatcher (3-2-1) vs. Joe Graves (2-0-1), Gabriel Gallo (3-0) vs. Dom Vitalli (1-2), Alexander Hammerstone (0-0) vs. Dylan Drake (4-4), Marcus Lewis (4-4) vs. Julio Pedroza (3-3), Tyler Bateman (0-2) vs. Dalton Frost (0-0) and Nick Ruiz (3-4) vs. Hawaiian Lion (0-0).
    • There is a 35th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic wrestling team that was not allowed to compete due to the boycott at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Gold Coast Hotel in Las Vegas.  The 18 surviving members of the team, including former pro wrestler Brad Rheingans and Great Wojo, will be there, a will Dan Gable, Lee Kemp and Randy Couture (who will represent the late Jeff Blatnick).
    • Tanner Saraceno from Tough Enough will be fighting in the main event of an MMA show in Kuwait tomorrow night. 
    • Lennie Hardt, the famous Pride ring announcer, will be doing the Bellator show in San Jose on 9/19. 
    • Austin Matelson, who was in WWE developmental as Judas Devlin, is in the commercial for the new season of Big Brother. (thanks to Ross Blair)
    • CWE on 9/25 in Steinbach, Manitoba at the Legion Community Hall has eight woman Battle Royal.
    • Pure Wrestling Association on 9/19 in Kitchener, ONT at the Alpine Club and 9/13 in Kitchener, at the Williamsburg Town Centre Community Festival outdoors between 1 and 4 p.m.
    • Absolute Intense Wrestling tomorrow night in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School headlined by Bob Holly.  Also on the show are Louis Lyndon, Johnny Gargano, Candice LaRae, Colt Cabana, Athena, Cliff Compton and Eddie Kingston.
    • Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Ricochet vs. P.J. Black in a three-way headlines a TV taping for Destiny World Wrestling on 10/3 at the Don Kolov Arena in Mississauaga, ONT.  There will only be 500 tickets available and they are expecting to sellout, as the ringside and VIP tickets are already gone. 
    • Smash Canada vs. USA womens’ wrestling on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Franklin Horner Community Centre with Nicole Matthews, Portia Perez, Jewells Malone, KC Spinelli, Jennifer Blake, Vanessa Kraven and Xandra Bale of Team Canada against Kimber Lee, Cherry bomb, Sassy Stephanie, Jessicka Havok, Veda Scott, Candice LaRae, Heidi Lovelace and Allysin Kay of Team USA.
    • Great North Wrestling has a benefit show for the Canadian Cancer Society on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Hawkesbury Ford in Hawkesbury, ONT with Frenchy Martin managing Hannibal against Myzery Barbarian.
    • Eddie Edwards headlines for New England Championship Wrestling on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Everett Rec Center in Everett, MA.  Slyck Wagner Brown vs. Mike McCarthy vs. Brad Hollister for the NECW title is one of the main events.
    • Jim Ross is doing a talk show tonight in Knoxville.
    • House of Hardcore runs 11/13 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena and 11/14 in Queens at the Elmcor Center with Ethan Carter III, Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke as the FBI, Rhino, Bobby Roode, Eric Young, Chris Hero, Austin Aries and Thea Trinidad.
    • Vince Russo is doing a Q&A on 9/28 in Dublin, Ireland at the Academy Plaza.
    • Tier One Wrestling on 10/2 at the R Studios in Queens, NY.
    • Carolina Wrestling Showcase on Saturday night in Asheboro, NC with Gunner and C.W Anderson.
    • Longtime Canadian independent wrestler Robby Royce announced he was retiring after 25 years.    
    • ECW Press has a 50% off sale on all of their books, which includes the new Bill Apter autobiography.
    • The new match uploaded to NWAClassics.com today is Wahoo McDaniel vs. The Spoiler in a two out of three falls match.
    • PBC returns to NBC with a 4 p.m. show on Saturday headlined by Peter Quillin (31-0-1, 22 knockouts) vs. Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 knockouts) from the Foxwood Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.
    • A new comic book called Ringside #1 will be released on 11/25, written by Joe Keatinge.
    • The South Jersey WrestleFest and Convention takes place on 10/11 in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Community Center.  The convention starts at 3 p.m.  and features reps from  a number of independent promotions with New Jack, Sandman, Justin Credible and Raven. 
    • A BBC piece on Lucha Libre
    • Former pro wrestler Matt Ghaffari talks Alexander Kaerlin and Hulk Hogan among others
    • Jessie Godderz on Big Brother at the 7:40 mark
    • POP-TV also announced that Jessie will be “taking over” their network this Friday Night for their “Orwell Games” promotion at 12/11c.

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (9/10): Andre The Giant, Bob Backlund, Harley Race wins NWA World title

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1937

    Kansas City, Kansas:

    – Everett Marshall beat Sol Slagel to retain the World title
    – Lou Thesz beat George Zaharias

    1951

    Augusta, Georgia:

    – Don McIntyre defeated Art Nelson in a two of three falls match to win the Southern Heavyweight Title

    1952

    Des Moines, Iowa (4900 attendance)

    – Pat O’Connor beat Jim Dobie
    – Gypsy Joe beat Balk Estes
    – Billy Hickson beat Milt Olsen
    – Johnny Balbo defeated Reggie Lisowski (Crusher)

    1965

    Denver, Colorado:

    – AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat The Crusher & Verne Gagne

    1968

    Dallas, Texas:

    – The Spoiler & Gary Hart defeated Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith to win the NWA American Tag Team Title. Also, Nick Kozak fought Dusty Rhodes to a draw.

    1976

    Denver, Colorado:

    – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke
    – Blackjack Lanza beat the Crusher
    – Bobby Duncum beat Peter Maivia on a 3rd fall dq
    – Billy Francis drew Pierre Poisson

    1978

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

    – Angelo Mosca beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel by countout
    – WWWF Champion Bob Backlund beat Gorilla Monsoon
    – Andre the Giant beat Waldo Von Erich
    – Verne Gagne beat Lord Alfred Hayes

    Dallas, Texas:

    – Kevin Von Erich fought Gino Hernandez to a double countout.
    – David Von Erich beat Bruiser Brody to win Texas Heavyweight title.
    – Rocky Johnson & Leroy Brown went to a time limit draw with Killer Karl Krupp & Killer Brooks.

    1979

    Louisville, Kentucky:

    – Steve Regal & Eddie Gilbert defeated the Spoilers
    – Ron Bass defeated Tommy Gilbert
    – AWA Southern tag champs the Blonde Bombers (Wayne Ferris & Larry Latham aka The future Honkytonk Man & Moondog Spot) beat Steve Regal & Eddie Gilbert.
    – Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy defeated Sonny King & Ricky Morton via DQ.
    – Bill Dundee defeated Jerry Lawler.

    1980

    Ohtsu, Japan:

    Harley Race defeated Giant Baba for the NWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Title

    1982

    Dallas, Texas:

    – Brian Adidas defeated The Samoan
    – Al Madril defeated Armand Hussein
    – José Lothario defeated Magic Dragon
    – Bill Irwin and King Kong Bundy defeated WCCW America’s Tag Team champs Kerry and Kevin Von Erich to become the new champions
    – The Great Kabuki defeated Bugsy McGraw

    1983

    Memphis, Tennessee:

    – Austin Idol defeated Ken Patera to win the AWA International Heavyweight Title.

    Portland, Oregon:

    – Brian Adidas wrestled Matt Borne to a time limit draw.
    – Al Madril and Jules Strongbow went to a time limit draw.
    – Siva Afi defeated Scott Ferris by disqualification.
    – Al Madril and Mike Miller went to a time limit draw.
    – Rip Oliver & The Assassin & The Dynamite Kid defeated Buddy Rose & Billy Jack (Haynes) & Curt Hennig.

    1984

    Memphis, Tennessee:

    – Dutch Mantell fought Mark Ragin to a draw.
    – The Dirty White Boys (Tony Anthony & Len Denton) beat Johnny Wilhoit & Mark Batten.
    – Tojo Yamamoto beat Kurt Von Hess via DQ.
    – AWA Southern Tag Champs The Nightmares beat The Rock N’ Roll Express.
    – CWA International Champ Eddie Gilbert beat Tommy Rich.
    – King Kong Bundy & Rick Rude beat Jerry Lawler & Randy Savage via DQ.

    Baltimore, Maryland:

    – David Schultz defeated Jose Luis Rivera.
    – The Fabulous Freebirds’ Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy defeated the Moondogs.
    – The Junkyard Dog defeated the Iron Sheik.
    – Andre the Giant & Pat Patterson, & Sika defeated Capt. Lou Albano & WWF Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch.
    – Sgt. Slaughter defeated Bob Orton
    – WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Jesse Ventura.

    1988

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

    – United States Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) defeated Four Horsemen members Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard for the NWA World Tag Team Titles

    1990

    Memphis, Tennessee:

    – Brian Lee & Don Harris defeated Jeff Jarrett & Jeff Gaylord for the USWA Tag Team Title

    1992

    Providence, Rhode Island:

    – High Energy, Owen Hart & Koko B. Ware defeated Skinner & Barry Horowitz
    – The Mountie pinned Tito Santana
    – Shawn Michaels pinned Virgil
    – Razor Ramon pinned Randy Savage
    – WWF Tag Team Champions Natural Disasters defeated the Beverly Brothers
    – Bret Hart pinned Papa Shango
    – The Undertaker defeated WWF World Champion Ric Flair via disqualification

    1995

    – Yoshinari Ogawa defeated Dan Kroffat (aka Phil LaFon) in Tokyo, Japan to win the All-Japan World Junior Heavyweight Title.

    2001

    San Antonio, Texas:

    – Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated Chris Kanyon for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight Title

  • TNA Impact Wrestling 9/9 live TV results: Chris Mordetzky vs. Drew Galloway

    By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

    Last week, GFW gained a TNA title when they cashed in Magnus’s feast or fired case to allow Trevor Lee and Brian Myers a title shot – which they won thanks to a case shot out of nowhere. Magnus didn’t actually appear – they just kind of implied he left TNA to join GFW and I guess that didn’t void this contract or anything.

    While TNA lost one title, they also regained the “prestigious King of the Mountain Championship” when Bobby Roode beat PJ Black with an outside-in springboard Roode Bomb. One child was very visibly excited for this, and it actually made this seem kinda cool. Madison Rayne, Velvet Sky, and Angelina Love sent the Dollhouse B-team packing for a quick reunion, and Matt Hardy lost to EC3 and now Jeff is going to be EC3’s assistant.

    Also, in a week, the history of TNA changes forever again this month when a Lethal Lockdown match happens pitting Team Jarrett against Team Dixie for control of TNA. No word yet on if they can find an old belt to be for the first-ever Lethal Lockdown Championship. Speaking of which, tonight, Drew Galloway faces Chris Mordetsky to get the man advantage for that bout.

    An absurdly fast-paced video package recaps last week’s GFW events with “hostile takeover” repeated a ton and random shots of dudes getting beaten up. Also, there’s some coverage of the Matt-EC3 thing, which didn’t have a “big match feel” despite Josh saying that in the video. Josh and Pope are in their echo chamber talking about the future of TNA – but first, we’ve got a lumberjack match for the Lethal Lockdown match’s man advantage. Josh throws it to EC3, who comes down the aisle with Tyrus carrying some signs for him.

    Josh talks about how EC3 has BFG on his mind – why? There’s nothing made for the event. EC3 says the future of TNA is hanging in the balance, but he doesn’t give a crap. EC3 brags about beating Matt and brings Jeff down. Jeff has his theme, so EC3 says that he gets no theme and he demands silence from the crowd. EC3 wants water for her and Tyrus and smacks his lips forever. EC3 isn’t pleased with his water being one degree hotter, so he pours it on him. Tyrus gives Jeff a 2×4 with EC3’s face on it. This thing appears to have taken about five minutes to make. Jeffrey Nero Hardy introduces himself as EC3’s biggest fan to a chorus of boos. EC3 makes Tyrus and EC3 against Matt Hardy and Rockstar Spud. Matt and Spud just come out, so I guess that’s next. After the break, the match is in the ring.

    EC3 and Tyrus vs. Matt Hardy and Rockstar Spud

    Matt and Tyrus get into a bit of a corner brawl with a lot of thigh jiggling from Tyrus. EC3 comes in and eats corner mount punches. Josh says that Jeff got EC3 a gig on Jim Ross’s podcast, which Pope calls “one of the number one podcasts there is”. Spud runs wild with a mudhole stomping on EC3, but gets beaten up by Tyrus on the floor and tossed into the ring. EC3 hits a sloppy gordbuster and drops Spud right on his knees. Tyrus comes back in and gets a corner charge and tags EC3 back in for 2. Tyrus yells at Jeff to hit Spud – why? Granted, this match means nothing, but why risk a DQ?

    Matt gets a pair of lariats and a Side Effect for 2. Tyrus comes in off a blind tag and eats a shot to an area near the midsection. Matt gets a big lariat and Spud covers for 2. Spud gets the running forearm shivers EC3 puts Jeff in front of him and kicks Matt in the groin. Jeff is told to hit Matt with a chair, but says no way. Tyrus lifts Spud up and hits the ICU spike horribly for the win.

    Recap of Myers and Lee winning the tag titles. The Wolves briefly chat before Drew says the war is coming, and they act like they’ve been Drew’s allies for years. Taryn and the Dolls are backstage and she tells them to take out one of the BPs now. Josh compares the Velvet-Taryn issue to Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus. We get a preview of Alaska Monsters.

    The Dolls confront Madison and we get a quick brawl leading to Angelina being “hit by a chair” playing off the Taryn injury angle and writing her off for her pregnancy without risking her health. Jeff Jarrett comes out and Josh says the Lethal Lockdown match will be the biggest match in TNA history. Jeff talks for about 20 seconds before Josh talks about what he’s talking about. Why even bother having the promo if Josh is just going to talk over it? Jeff is pissed about Roode winning the KOTM Title and Roode says he’s the king of the mountain and holds it for the fans. So now he’s a babyface. We get a Glo-bal Force chant to the tune of the New Day Rocks clap. Karen says she has five kids at home and doesn’t need two more, and it’s time for Jeff to get real and get everything he wants next week. Karen is at least as tall as Roode is – wow. She says Dixie is outnumbered and wants Bobby to think about his history with Jeff before ordering Jeff to leave. Karen was so great here – easily the best part of the show so far.

    Eli Drake, Kenny King, and Jessie Godderz chat backstage about stuff. Drew is upset over them not caring about the GFW takeover. Kenny buries Drew for not being a great general. Wasn’t Kenny a face last week? Robbie, Uno, and Micah come in for a brawl. A couple of chairs fell down in all this – quite the chaotic scene. EC3 scolds Jeff for not hitting Matt, but gives Jeff the chance to sell EC3 shirts to the fans. Mr. Pectacular, Kenny King, and Mr. ED are in the ring for a six-man tag against Robbie, Uno, and Micah.

    Jessie Godderz, Kenny King, and Eli Drake vs. Robbie E, Tigre Uno, and Micah

    Well, this sure came out of nowhere. Micah clotheslines King down. Robbie E runs wild on Jessie before Eli tags in and gets taken out with a crossbody by Uno. Micah tags back in for some arm work. Kenny tags in and hits a spin kick for 2. Micah comes back with a double lariat to Eli and King. Uno gets a wheelbarrow bulldog, which Josh implies is the 619. Josh hypes up BFG as the biggest night of TNA’s year. If it’s so big, why is nothing announced for it? Jessie moves Uno to the corner where King tags in to run wild a bit, but eat a tornado DDT. Robbie and Jessie go back at it again. Robbie gets a super Hart attack for 2. Micah gets a sloppy backdrop to Eli over the top due to Eli’s legs getting tangled up. Micah gets a Big Ending to King, but Eli hits a spine shaker on Micah. Uno gets a rana to Eli, but one to Jessie leads to a powerbomb, while Robbie gets a full nelson facebuster called the Boom Drop for the win. This was a cluster. Brooke vs. Gail is next for the knockouts title. Gail comes out to a big reaction and is called a legend. It’s amazing to think, but she really is one in TNA – she should go into the Hall before the company folds. Brooke came out and did her booty shaking deal.

    Brooke vs. Gail Kim for the Knockouts Title

    Josh takes great issue with Gail being considered a legend, because every analyst says she’s so great. What the hell? This was just weird even by Josh’s usual segment-by-segment shift from face to heel. Collar and elbow tieup leads to corner chops. Gail counters a baseball slide to the floor by taking her to the floor and they exchange forearms. Brooke gets a rollup for 2. Pope says that he’s got his boots ready in case he’s called to action, while Josh says that he sold his a long time ago. What part of Josh’s character is supposed to be likable? Cool seated Octopus stretch/armbar combo by Gail here – I demand this be in a video game ASAP.

    Brooke gets a silly move onto Gail by dropping to her butt and rolling into this weird reverse camel clutch. Double-down off a double crossbody. Lei’D Tapa and her husband walk down and grab the belt. Brooke hits the facebuster, but sees Tapa and gets up to attack. After an extended brawl between them, it’s only a DQ due to a belt shot. Gail beats her up, but then gets beaten up by Tapa. TKO by Tapa. Kong comes down to attack Tapa, leading to Josh talking about how Kong already kicked her ass. They exchange some horrible-looking offense before Kong clotheslines her over the top to the floor. Coach D’Amore and Jeff hype up their crew. Jeff tells Drew he’s on his side before EC3 scolds him for not doing his laundry. The Wolves come out to face Myers and Lee.

    The Wolves vs. Brian Myers and Trevor Lee – Tag Title Match

    A quick brawl starts things off and we get a pair of double dives from the Wolves. Lee gets a standing moonsault powerslam for 2. Wolves hit Chasing the Dragon for 2. Trevor eats a superplex for 2. Rolling German gets 2 thanks to a save by Brian. Double team alarm clock hits, but Sonjay comes in and Earl Hebner takes him out. Punt kick alongside a tombstone gets the titles back for the Wolves. This match, much like every part of this feud, was on fast forward. Chris Melendez is interviewed about why he’s back and Sarge says he won’t back down.

    Sarge comes down on crutches because EY won his leg, and now Josh is a face siding with Chris and against EY. Melendez says he’s on his last leg and cuts a great promo about wanting revenge. Chris Melendez being a Team 3D student, a war hero, and having a great story while the Dudleys are in WWE and WWE has a Tribute to the Troops show bodes very well for his wrestling future. EY comes out with Sarge’s leg covered in tape and Sharpie text.

    EY came out and says he’s God and he destroys all of America’s heroes. He’s taken Kurt Angle out, taken Chris out, and he can’t wrestle because of him. Chris cuts another great promo on him and EY says he’ll give him the leg back and then shoves him down with it. Chris being an above the knee amputee and being able to wrestle at the level he is able to, especially given his level of experience, is amazing.

    Josh interviews Mahabali Shera, who thanks Kurt Angle and says he’ll pay him back 200%. He has no friends and no family, but he thanks Manik for helping him – but Storm is a very bad man. He says Koya was bad, but he is good and he says he will beat Storm and show him who he is. Shera does his little dance in his suit and we’ll get Shera vs. Abyss. This was something. Tapa vs. Kong vs. Kim vs. Brooke is announced, and Drew comes down for the main event with Team TNA while Mordetsky comes down with Team GFW.

    Chris Mordetsky vs. Drew Galloway – Lumberjack Match

    They punch and chop around for a couple of minutes before an ad break. Sonjay interferes and Mordetsky gets 2 off a double axehandle off the second rope. Mordetsky gets a lariat and gets 2. Drew gets 2 off a Sky High, and each side isn’t taking cheapshots on the other guy going to the floor. Drew gets a leaping Future Shock, but stomps away in the corner. Myers and Lee attack, then the Wolves take them and D’Amore down. Jeff Jarrett has the guitar, but EY stops him so he can hit Drew with it. Mordetsky wins. This match was very good in spots, but really held back by bad booking.

    To see every screen for the show, just click here.

  • WED UPDATE: Ronda Rousey in Road House remake, yet another NXT talent haunted by old tweets, & more

    by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.com | Follow @davidbix

    Show notes for tonight:

    NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network features has  Finn Balor and Samoa Joe vs. Lucha Dragons plus Johnny Gargano andTommaso Ciampa vs. Tyler Breeze and Bull Dempsey in Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic bouts.

    UFC Tonight airs at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.

    Impact Wrestling at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Destination America features Matt Hardy and Rockstar Spud vs. Ethan Carter III and Tyrus, Drew Galloway vs. Chris Mordetzky, Brooke vs. Gail Kim. and more.

    UFC Unleashed airs at 9:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 with a new episode featuring European fighters.

    The Ultimate Fighter at 10:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is the two hour season premiere with the elimination fights to see which lightweight fighters qualify for Conor McGregor’s Team Europe and Urijah Faber’s Team USA.

    ROH at 11:00 p.m. ET on Destination America is a loaded episode with The Addiction (c) vs. The Young Bucks for the ROH Tag Team Championship and Jay Lethal (c) vs. Roderick Strong for the ROH World Heavyweight Championship.

    Please send reports from major shows, recommended links, etc. to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com:

    ****

    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.

    ****

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

    It’s a gigantic news week in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter with the main feature story on everything that led to the indictment of Jimmy Snuka after 32 years, plus Irv Muchnick, who has reported on the story for years gives his views on the proceedings, and we also look at Hulk Hogan’s attempt at redemption of his character, the full story behind the shooting at the Performance Center, notes from Battle of Los Angeles, the retirement of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Hayabusa walks to the ring, Bram gets arrested, WWE fires Zahra Schreiber, UFC brings back Travis Browne, a rundown of the PPV business in WWE in 2015 and the latest monthly business report from WWE & TNA.

    The latest Wrestling Observer: September 7, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Snuka indicted, shooting at WWE Performance Center and tons more

    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!

    You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer

    You can also order at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com 

    Rates are:

    For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52.  In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com  For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

    If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

    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.

    Our lead story goes back to 1983 with an in-depth look at the death of Nancy Argentino, how the media caused the case to be reopened, a look at the charges against Jimmy Snuka, the different statements on the subject by Snuka, Snuka’s lawyer speaks, notes on documentation and testimony from the time, lots of notes regarding evidence, where Jimmy Snuka stood in the wrestling business in 1983, how Buddy Rogers fits into this story, what Snuka told police the morning after Argentino died as well as testimony from those who treated Argentino before her death.

    We also look at the autopsy report, the police report from that time, the strange question that was never answered regarding the case being dropped, what Snuka has said to different people, the brawl in Syracuse before Argentino’s death, how the pro wrestling business in 1983 is so completely different from today and the previous legal action regarding this case. 

    Irv Muchnick also does a piece on the indictment talking about several points from the indictment.

    We also look at Hulk Hogan appearing on Good Morning America and Nightline in a way to get his job back and repair his public image.  We look at the WWE reaction, what Hogan said, what does and doesn’t hold up, the timeline issues with his various stories, neighbors of his growing up contradict his story and more.

    We also look at the story of the man who was shot in front of the Performance Center, the circumstances of the shooting, and the different things he had done in recent months regarding his obsession with wrestling.

    We also look at Battle of Los Angeles, how the tournament went, highlights from the weekend and celebrities at the shows.

    We also look back at the career of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, including his new job with UFC, his becoming the top heavyweight in the sport at one time, his background, his debut in RINGS, his move to Pride, his fight with Bob Sapp, his three fight series with Fedor and his UFC run.

    We look at the arrest of Thomas “Bram” Latimer of  TNA, police details of what happened, TNA’s response and what is next for him.

    We’ve got a story on Hayabusa, one of the best high flyers from 15-20 years ago and his attempted recovery from near paralysis.

    We’ve got a look at Travis Browne and his reinstatement in UFC.

    We look at the firing of Zahra Schreiber, the girlfriend of Seth Rollins, by WWE.

    We also look at WWE & TNA business when it comes to house shows, merchandise, ratings and other categories for the past month.

    We also have a PPV chart with how all the shows in the first seven months of the year have been, and compared them with the last few years.

    We also look at WWE signing one of the major international women stars and why she’s not going to be wrestling in NXT, the return of Dr. Wagner Jr. & L.A. Park to Arena Mexico and how it got over, top pro wrestling star gets a reality show gig, and some major title changes.

    We also look at maneuvering for the 2017 and 2018 WrestleMania, and the favorites, the 10/3 Madison Square Garden WWE live special, notes on lots of indie stars on WWE’s radar, ticket sales for NXT in the U.K., a new WWE movie, Update on Wade Barrett, action figure sales, announcing changes, SummerSlam edits, lots of notes on various WWE lawsuits, Dean Ambrose talks Renee Young, Fan tries to attack Ambrose, Sara Lee in NXT, plus notes on all the WWE & NXT house shows over the past week.

    We also look at a number of top stars who worked recently in Bolivia, the last AAA TV taping and AAA wrestlers in a bodybuilding contest.

    We update Wrestle-1 and the three generations of green mist stars trios match.

    We also look at the Dragon Gate summer tag team tournament and its big show in Fukuoka and what came out of it.

    We look at All Japan’s last major show and its current singles tournament.

    We look at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s next major show, including a title match that was set up in the U.S., a well as the bracketing in the upcoming junior heavyweight tag team tournament.

    We look at the weekend IGF show, a record that will be set at the next Tokyo Dome show, and the NWA title change.

    We also look at U.S. stars who usually don’t tour Japan that are going shortly.

    We’ve got more on the planned bio movie on Chris Benoit, Angelo Mosca getting his number retired, the weekend GFW shows and angles, Preston City Wrestling’s weekend show, former TNA star retires and a unique main event, plus early notes on this year’s WWC Anniversary show.

    We also update the TNA TV situation, the Lucha Underground TV situation, the next ROH PPV show, new roles for people in ROH and notes from the weekend show.

    We also look at changes in UFC main events, can UFC sell 70,000 tickets to its November show with Ronda Rousey, Rousey talks when she expects to retire, Cyborg, the date with the marine and notes about live shows on Fight Pass this month.  We also look at this week’s PPV show, talks about the Jan. 2 Las Vegas card, a star fighter retires, Chad Mendes wants a rematch with McGregor, what happened recently with Jose Aldo, Rousey T-shirt sales, plus lots of more fights.

    We also have a look at Bellator’s next major show, including the updated card, as well as plans for the big November show.  We look at the Fan Fest with Fedor and Sakuraba, as well as notes on last week’s show.

    We also look at the arrest of Chris Leben, and new restrictions on weight cutting that is being tried out for in California.

    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.

    ***

    Wednesday Daily Update

    — Ronda Rousey has been tapped to take over the Patrick Swayze role as the lead in a remaeke of “Road House.” Swayze played a well-educated bouncer who protected a small town in Missouri from a corrupt businessman. Terry Funk has a role in the original, which used to air all the time on TBS when WCW was still around. In fact, the movie helped get over the surprise of Funk attacking Ric Flair at Wrestle War ’89: It was less than two weeks away from release at the time, so fans “knew” Funk had retired to become an actor.

    —  Nhooph Al-Areebi is, thanks to Reddit, the latest NXT talent (or in the case of Jessicka Havok, NXT hopeful) to be outed as having posted various racially insensitive things on social media in the past. In her case, she was a teenager when she tweeted a few variations of the N-word among other things, including calling a black male wrestler her slave. She’s since deleted her Twitter account. If the lesson hasn’t been learned by now, don’t say this stuff, and if you did, clean it up when you’re trying to get into WWE.

    — Nick Diaz (marijuana test failure), Rousimar Palhares (holding submission too long after rpated eye raking), and Jake Shuelds (threw a punch off his back at Palhares right after the fight ended) will all be on the docket for hearings at the next Nevada State Athletic Commission meeting this Monday.

    — From Kris Zellner’s Lucha Report (full, illustrated version here): L.A. Park has been removed from all EMLL bookings for the immediate future after he used foul language after his match at Arena Mexico last Friday night. The promotion announced that Park’s actions didn’t meet the standards of their company and they can’t allow that lack of respect towards the fans. Park accepted his punishment and apologized to them so the promotion said that they left on good terms as well as saying that maybe down the road he may come back. Park will be replaced by Valiente on this Friday at Arena Mexico and Shocker on the 82nd Anniversario Show next Friday.

    — Tommy Dreamer announced that House of Hardcore’s New York City debut will be November 14th at the ELMCOR Center in Corona, Queens. That’s the same day as the Big Event fan convention in Elmhurst and the Jersey All Pro Wrestling anniversary show in Rahway, New Jersey. On the HOH card will be Yoshihiro Tajiri, Ethan Carter III, Rhino, Bobby Roode, Tommy Dreamer, Austin Aries, Chris Hero, Eric Young, Guido Maritato & Tony Mamaluke (The FBI), Thea Trinidad, Justin Roberts and more.

    — John Dodson is not happy with MMA fans blaming his loss to Demetrious Johnson on the bierh of his daughter.

    — PWG has released the first Battle of Los Angeles 2015 DVD trailer.

    —Newsday has an article about 50 NFL players who became pro wrestlers. Some of these aren’t entirely accurate.

    — CWE Canada has a “Girls, Girls, Girls” card Friday Sept 25th- Steinbach, MB. Location: Steinbach Legion Community Hall (294 Lumber Ave.).  Time: Doors Open 6:30pm, Bell time 7pm. Tickets: VIP First Access Ticket $20, General Admission $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Advance Tickets Available At: The Edge Bar & Nightclub (Inside The Frantz Inn, 1000 Main St.) Purchase tickets online at diyobo.com. Main Event  is an 8 Women Over The Top Rope Battle Royal, Intergender Tag Team Match features  Kat Von Heez & “The German Juggernaut” Moses Luke vs. Violet & “The Rebel” Bobby Collins, Bambi Hall vs. Roni Nicole, Sahara Se7en vs. Aja Perera , Ashley Frost vs. Gisele Shaw. Plus “The Coach” Kelly Russell hosts and much more!

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (9/9): Rhino becomes final ECW TV Champion, Dusty Rhodes wins NWA TV title

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1965

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Mongolian Stomper beat Bob Geigel 2 falls to 1
    – The Ox (Ox Baker) beat Bob Brown
    – Sonny Myers beat Bulldog Plechas by dq
    – Jerry Miller drew Thor Hagen

    1967

    Boston, Massachusetts:
    – WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Gorilla Monsoon in a Texas Death match at the Boston Garden

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Dr. X beat The Crusher dq
    – Ramon Torres beat Harley Race
    – Larry Hennig beat Al Kashey
    – Rock Rogowski (Ole Anderson) beat Big K
    – Chris Markoff beat Steve Druk
    – Eddie Sharkey beat Paul Caruso

    1972

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Dr X & Mad Dog Vachon

    1975
    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – Baron Von Raschke beat Billy Robinson in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Pampero Firpo no contest Nick Bockwinkel
    – Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant beat Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell
    – Kim Duk beat Bull Bullinski

    1976

    Kansas City, Kansas: 
    – The Super Intern defeated Ox Baker in a Texas Death Match
    – Skip Young & Rick Gibson fought Black Gordman & Great Goliath to a double-DQ
    – Harley Race defeated Bob Brown to retain the Central States Title

    1977

    – Georgia Championship Wrestling held a one night tournament for the Georgia Tag Team Titles. Tony Atlas and Tommy Rich defeated Pak Song and the Executioner to win the Titles.

    1980

    Allentown, Pennsylvania:
    – The Samoans defeated Tony Garea & Rene Goulet in a tournament
    final for the WWWF World Tag Team Title

    1984

    St. Paul, Minnesota (3000 attendance):
    – AWA Champion Rick Martel drew Brad Rheingans
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors beat Steve O & Jim Brunzell
    – Fabulous Ones & Blackjack Lanza beat Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito & Bobby Heenan in a Weasel Suit Match
    – Curt Hennig beat Harley Race dq
    – Larry Zbyzsko beat Tom Zenk
    – Billy Robinson beat Steve Regal

    1986

    Columbia, South Carolina:
    – Dusty Rhodes defeated Arn Anderson for the NWA Television Title

    1993

    – Shane Douglas won the ECW Heavyweight Title via forfeit from Tito Santana.

    2000

    – Rhino defeated Kid Kash in Mississauga, Ontario, to become the last ECW Television Champion

    2012

    TNA No Surrender: 
    – Jeff Hardy beat Samoa Joe
    – Bully Ray defeated James Storm
    – TNA Knockouts Champion Brooke Tessmacher defeated Tara
    – X Division Champion Zema Ion defeated Sonjay Dutt
    – Rob Van Dam defeated Magnus
    – TNA Tag Team Champions Frankie Kazarian & Christopher Daniels defeated AJ Styles & Kurt Angle
    – Jeff Hardy defeated Bully Ray

  • TNA: Kurt Angle not re-signing with company, taking a break from wrestling

    Former WWE and TNA Champion Kurt Angle was on Mark Madden’s Pittsburgh radio show Tuesday night, and said that he would not be signing a new deal with TNA Wrestling.

    His contract expires at the end of 2015, and said he would be taking a break from pro wrestling at that point. He noted that he will be at Bound for Glory on 10/4.

    Angle confirmed this story was accurate.

  • TUES UPDATE: WWE Divas in bar fight, WWE PPV survey, & more

    by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.com | Follow @davidbix

    Show notes for tonight:

    Total Divas at 9:00 p.m. ET on E! is titled “Gone with the Wine” and features Nikki Bella vacationing in Napa; Trinity/Naomi taking her family on a camping trip that nobody actually wants to go on, and Eva Marie having to choose between her career and her husband for some reason.

    SmackDown and Main Event will be taped tonight in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Please send reports to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com,

    ****

    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.

    ****

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

    It’s a gigantic news week in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter with the main feature story on everything that led to the indictment of Jimmy Snuka after 32 years, plus Irv Muchnick, who has reported on the story for years gives his views on the proceedings, and we also look at Hulk Hogan’s attempt at redemption of his character, the full story behind the shooting at the Performance Center, notes from Battle of Los Angeles, the retirement of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Hayabusa walks to the ring, Bram gets arrested, WWE fires Zahra Schreiber, UFC brings back Travis Browne, a rundown of the PPV business in WWE in 2015 and the latest monthly business report from WWE & TNA.

    The latest Wrestling Observer: September 7, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Snuka indicted, shooting at WWE Performance Center and tons more

    Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at  Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!

    You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer

    You can also order at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com 

    Rates are:

    For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52.  In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com  For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

    If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

    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.

    Our lead story goes back to 1983 with an in-depth look at the death of Nancy Argentino, how the media caused the case to be reopened, a look at the charges against Jimmy Snuka, the different statements on the subject by Snuka, Snuka’s lawyer speaks, notes on documentation and testimony from the time, lots of notes regarding evidence, where Jimmy Snuka stood in the wrestling business in 1983, how Buddy Rogers fits into this story, what Snuka told police the morning after Argentino died as well as testimony from those who treated Argentino before her death.

    We also look at the autopsy report, the police report from that time, the strange question that was never answered regarding the case being dropped, what Snuka has said to different people, the brawl in Syracuse before Argentino’s death, how the pro wrestling business in 1983 is so completely different from today and the previous legal action regarding this case. 

    Irv Muchnick also does a piece on the indictment talking about several points from the indictment.

    We also look at Hulk Hogan appearing on Good Morning America and Nightline in a way to get his job back and repair his public image.  We look at the WWE reaction, what Hogan said, what does and doesn’t hold up, the timeline issues with his various stories, neighbors of his growing up contradict his story and more.

    We also look at the story of the man who was shot in front of the Performance Center, the circumstances of the shooting, and the different things he had done in recent months regarding his obsession with wrestling.

    We also look at Battle of Los Angeles, how the tournament went, highlights from the weekend and celebrities at the shows.

    We also look back at the career of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, including his new job with UFC, his becoming the top heavyweight in the sport at one time, his background, his debut in RINGS, his move to Pride, his fight with Bob Sapp, his three fight series with Fedor and his UFC run.

    We look at the arrest of Thomas “Bram” Latimer of  TNA, police details of what happened, TNA’s response and what is next for him.

    We’ve got a story on Hayabusa, one of the best high flyers from 15-20 years ago and his attempted recovery from near paralysis.

    We’ve got a look at Travis Browne and his reinstatement in UFC.

    We look at the firing of Zahra Schreiber, the girlfriend of Seth Rollins, by WWE.

    We also look at WWE & TNA business when it comes to house shows, merchandise, ratings and other categories for the past month.

    We also have a PPV chart with how all the shows in the first seven months of the year have been, and compared them with the last few years.

    We also look at WWE signing one of the major international women stars and why she’s not going to be wrestling in NXT, the return of Dr. Wagner Jr. & L.A. Park to Arena Mexico and how it got over, top pro wrestling star gets a reality show gig, and some major title changes.

    We also look at maneuvering for the 2017 and 2018 WrestleMania, and the favorites, the 10/3 Madison Square Garden WWE live special, notes on lots of indie stars on WWE’s radar, ticket sales for NXT in the U.K., a new WWE movie, Update on Wade Barrett, action figure sales, announcing changes, SummerSlam edits, lots of notes on various WWE lawsuits, Dean Ambrose talks Renee Young, Fan tries to attack Ambrose, Sara Lee in NXT, plus notes on all the WWE & NXT house shows over the past week.

    We also look at a number of top stars who worked recently in Bolivia, the last AAA TV taping and AAA wrestlers in a bodybuilding contest.

    We update Wrestle-1 and the three generations of green mist stars trios match.

    We also look at the Dragon Gate summer tag team tournament and its big show in Fukuoka and what came out of it.

    We look at All Japan’s last major show and its current singles tournament.

    We look at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s next major show, including a title match that was set up in the U.S., a well as the bracketing in the upcoming junior heavyweight tag team tournament.

    We look at the weekend IGF show, a record that will be set at the next Tokyo Dome show, and the NWA title change.

    We also look at U.S. stars who usually don’t tour Japan that are going shortly.

    We’ve got more on the planned bio movie on Chris Benoit, Angelo Mosca getting his number retired, the weekend GFW shows and angles, Preston City Wrestling’s weekend show, former TNA star retires and a unique main event, plus early notes on this year’s WWC Anniversary show.

    We also update the TNA TV situation, the Lucha Underground TV situation, the next ROH PPV show, new roles for people in ROH and notes from the weekend show.

    We also look at changes in UFC main events, can UFC sell 70,000 tickets to its November show with Ronda Rousey, Rousey talks when she expects to retire, Cyborg, the date with the marine and notes about live shows on Fight Pass this month.  We also look at this week’s PPV show, talks about the Jan. 2 Las Vegas card, a star fighter retires, Chad Mendes wants a rematch with McGregor, what happened recently with Jose Aldo, Rousey T-shirt sales, plus lots of more fights.

    We also have a look at Bellator’s next major show, including the updated card, as well as plans for the big November show.  We look at the Fan Fest with Fedor and Sakuraba, as well as notes on last week’s show.

    We also look at the arrest of Chris Leben, and new restrictions on weight cutting that is being tried out for in California.

    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.

    ***

    Tuesday Daily Update

    — TMZ has a story about Paige and Alicia Fox getting int an altercation with a bar patron at a steakhouse last night in Baltimore. Apparently, the woman started agressively taking photos and videos of them, drinks went flying, and employees threw all three out.

    — From a reader: I attended the Raw in Tampa a few weeks ago. WWE sent me a survey today asking all kinds of questions about what I liked and didn’t like, and what I like and don’t like about the Network. But one question they asked was intriguing – it asked which PPV start time I would prefer out of 1PM, 5PM, 7PM and 8PM. Thought it was interesting.

    — WWE raised over $200,000 for the families of deceased New York police officers and firefighters.

    — Kotaku has an amusing article about game developer Jon Jones, who’s @JonJones on Twitter and…well, you can guess where it goes from there.

    — Marc Raimondi is reporting at MMAFighting.com that the controversial unregulated Xplode Fight Series will start using th UMMAF (the American MMA sanctioning arm of the same organization that includes the IMMAF and KICK for kickboxing) as a third party sanctioning body. The UMMAF, which includes recognizable referees such as Steve Mazzagatti,  Kim Winslow, and Frank Trigg, typically does amateur cards but sees XFS as part of their mission since they run mixed amateur/pro events. Xplode has come under fire for booking extreme mismatches to help fighters (especially those from San Diego Combat Academy’s Team Hurricane Awesome and the now defunct Reign Training Center) pad their records, with many of the designated jobbers looking like they’re completely untrained.

    — Main event fight announcement from Bellator: After his explosive Bellator MMA debut, Hisaki Kato (5-1) will return to action on November 20 at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, OK., to main event “Bellator 146” against Melvin Manhoef (29-12-1, 2 NC).The middleweight contest will serve as the main event of “Bellator 146: Kato vs. Manhoef,” which airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 6 p.m. CT.

     — WWE’s nw Monday Night War Vol. 2: Know Your Role set is out on DVD and Blu-Ray today. Also, Bob Backlund’s book is now in stock at and shipping early from Amazon.

    — WrestlingDVDNetwork.com has revealed the following matches so far as being part of WWE’s upcoming “Owen: Hart of Gold” DVD set:

    * Blue Blazer vs. Mr. Perfect – Meadowlands • May 8, 1989

    * Owen Hart vs. Mark Kyle – World Championship Wrestling • March 16, 1991

    * WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Owen Hart vs. Shawn Michaels Wrestling Spotlight • August 28, 1993

    * Exhibition Match: Owen Hart vs. Nick Barberri – WrestleMania XI Public Workout; Times Square, NYC • March 28, 1995

    * North American Heavyweight Championship Match:  Owen Hart vs. Makhin Singh – Stampede Wrestling • May 1988

    * Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart – WrestleMania X • March 20, 1994

    * King of the Ring Finals: Owen Hart vs. Razor Ramon – King of the Ring • June 19, 1994

    * Lumberjack Match for the WWE Championship: Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart – Portland, ME • August 17, 1994

    * WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Owen Hart & Yokozuna vs. The Allied Powers – In Your House • July 23, 1995

    * # 1 Contender for the WWE Championship: Owen Hart vs. Shawn Michaels – In Your House • February 18, 1996

    — NWAClassics.com added a new Magnum T.A. vs. Ernie Ladd match today for subscribers.

    — Dave has two new articles at MMAFighting.com:

    Fortunes changed for five at UFC 191

    UFC plans to have weekly live events on Fight Pass in near future

    — Chikara King ofTrios 2015 Night 1 is now available.

    — On the latest Between the Sheets podcast, Barbed Wire City director John Philapavage joins Kris Zellner and myself to discuss all of the wrestling news from September 1-7, 1995 including the premiere of WCW Monday Nitro with Lex Luger’s surprise appearance.

    — Brian Fritz talks to Kana about signing with WWE at The Sporting News.

    — Brandon Howard analyzes wrestlng TV show viewership at Voices of Wrestling.

    — Great North Wrestling has a benefit show for the Canadian Cancer Society this Saturday, September 12th, at 1:30 pm at Hawkesbury Ford in Hawkesbury, Ontario. Former WWE manager Frenchy Martin will manage Hannibal in the main event when he takes on Myzery Barbarian. Carl Leduc, Jeremy Prophet, Sexy Eddy and other GNW regulars will be on the event. Greatnorthwrestling.ca 

    — Empire Wrestling Federation results from  Knights of Columbus Hall September 4th 2015 Covina, CA: “The Sunset Blvd Bad Boy” Richie Slade def “The OC Assassin” RJ Ruiz, The Viking Warrior def Sergio Santana, EWF American Championship: “The Incredible” Anthony Idol (w/Walt Wizeone Zeman) def “The Baby Bull” Vance Garayt to become the NEW EWF American Champion, “Big Money” Tyshaun Prince def “The Definition of Pain” Terex, “Russian Chain Match” Gatson def “The SuperTsar” Sasha Darevko, EWF Tag Team Championship:

    “Uptown” Andy Brown & Adrian Quest def The Congregation of Pain” (Friar Juan Roman & Archimedes) to become the NEW EWF Tag Team Champions, EWF Heavyweight Championship: The Man in Black (w/Gary Yap) def Misterioso Jr to retain the EWF Heavyweight Championship

  • WWE Network: Stone Cold Podcast recap feat. Edge & Christian coverage

    By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

    Steve starts the show off in a great way, welcoming them and telling Christian the big mic is a dummy mic. Christian says that they were on the guest list after Mantaur. Steve says he got stopped at the border first due to the head, but then due to a kilo. They banter on about what names to call each other, and say that they all last saw each other at WM 28, and Steve got drunk with Edge after WM XXX. Steve talks about how they came into the company with long hair, looking like rock stars, but now they’re looking like responsible human beings.

    Edge says they’re both fathers now, that he laughs at the guyliner,  and how they wind up being born six weeks apart and didn’t quite know it. Edge called him and let him know Beth was having a kid, and Christian told him “well, WE ARE TOO!” and their kids refer to the other as uncles now. Edge says he’s now in Asheville, NC and he says that a benefit of the job was seeing everything. He didn’t like the heat of Florida, but enjoying NC because he can go to the mountains.

    Edge says he’s a proud father of a daughter, who can already move furniture around. Christian says he’s in Tampa and has been since 2001. He got tired of the cold and loves the warmth, and his wife is getting her PHD in art history. She wants to be an art appraiser, and Steve says she can tell him how much his artwork isn’t worth. Steve asks how hard the transition has been for each of them.

    Christian says there’s a bit of culture shock, but he didn’t know what to do, but he’s lucky enough to have a friend with a TV show that he got on. Christian says he enjoys fantasy hockey, and maybe they’ll get a Network show for Edge and Christian. Edge says he was ready for life off the road and he retired at 37, and while WWE was his only goal, he was ready  to go by the time he retired. He planned to do keep going until the end of his deal, he wanted to lay the groundwork for SmackDown and get guys stronger, but it didn’t pan out.

    Steve says he had to drive around a ton to relax, but Edge lucked out by the Haven producers seeing his retirement speech and realized they needed him on the show. Haven started as a one-shot right after Christian won the World title – he flew up to Halifax right after the PPV and their emotion was genuine. Steve says it’s time to grab a headlock and get things back on track, and asks for his theme to be played on kazoos. He loved watching all of their classic stuff, not on the Network, but on Youtube.

    Christian agrees to it, but asks Steve to play a song on a ukelele. They do a reasonable job of Steve’s theme on the kazoo. This was hilarious, and Christian says he wishes he hadn’t spent thousands on gear because all he needed to get over was a plastic kazoo. Edge says it was just about having fun, which “made” them as acts. So shockingly, this amusing idea that has stood up as at least amusing for 15 years wasn’t come up with by 25 writers. Christian says the kazoo was just random – someone had one, so they used it. Edge says that he invented words with Brian Gewirtz.

    Steve sings “Kumbaya” for a few seconds before tossing that crap off and asking Twitter questions. They’re asked about the tag division now and Steve says he loves to watch tag team wrestling. He prefers two on two matches and not trios matches. Steve says he loved seeing the Dudleys back and Edge welled up seeing again. Steve says they “went where they went” and predicts a Hall of Fame induction for them. Christian loves the New Day, while Steve says the tag division dried up and it pissed him off.

    Steve says he hates seeing random guys thrown together and Edge says that Steve and Pillman came together out of just being a random team to getting matching gear, coming up with moves, and truly becoming a team. Edge says it’s a shame that tag teams go through peaks and valleys. Steve talks about loving Ole and Arn Anderson cutting off the ring and explaining the psychology of tag team matches with that and just using the tag rope. Edge talks about little things like making sure you don’t throw an opponent towards that team’s corner.

    Edge says the art can be back since you can have real teams again. Christian feels that Harper and the Usos helped a lot and Steve puts over Harper huge. Edge says that Wilder and Dawson are cutting the ring off and compares them to classic teams like Stevens and Bockwinkel that they aren’t quite on par with, but the specific comparison is apt. Steve puts the referee over as a key part to a tag match and Edge compares it to a piece of a puzzle. Edge really enjoys seeing tag matches work fine. I’m surprised that Kidd and Cesaro didn’t get a mention here.

    Steve asks who the leader was for their team and Edge says there wasn’t one. Edge says that Bubba and Matt were the leaders of their matches, while they came up with some crazy ideas. Edge says they’ve known each other since they were kids and have known each other for 35 years. We see a hilariously awful photo of them as kids while Steve asks about when they first met.

    Christian tells Steve to not look at him for six seconds, and Steve explains it’s a rib between them to kill time on the road. Steve says that he and Bubba played the “don’t look at me” game and Christian says it was probably Steve. Christian talks about being a druid with Steve tying him to Taker’s cross and saying “don’t look at me” and Steve was worried enough about the chains holding the cross up and then had this little bastard playing a rib on him on TV in a main event angle.

    Edge says they met thanks to Christian having a ninja star and ninjas being a big deal then, even with Steamboat having the shoes. Christian was playing with the ninja star at recess and that being his big ice breaker in a new school. He started a bidding war for it and wound up with ten new friends by the end of the day. Throughout that, they found out they loved wrestling and were instant friends.

    Both Edge and Christian had Hogan as their favorite wrestler. Edge says his favorite arena to wrestle in was…”you can’t look at me” and Christian says he loves the All-State Arena in Chicago, and it’s Edge’s too. Steve says that’s his favorite one too because of the wooden ceiling, and they all say they loved the acoustics of it. Steve says that you have to pay attention to wrestling and asks if they’re pro wrestlers or sports entertainers – they’re all wrestlers. Steve says you have to pay attention to the crowd to really get going.

    Steve asks Edge what Christian’s favorite match was. Edge guesses it’s Summerslam against Orton and he’s wrong. Christian’s favorite one is the ladder match against Alberto when he won the World title. Christian guesses that Edge’s favorite match was the one against Taker at WM, and Edge says that’s his too. He felt validated by Taker, the audience, the spot, and felt like he belonged in that spot. Edge says he wishes he could bottle the feeling because he’d be rich.

    Austin asks about their most embarrassing moments and Steve says his was in the Summerslam ’99 triple threat and he pushes Shane and winds up hanging upside-down in the ropes. He yells for Mick, who can’t hear him due to the bad ear, then he yells at Jesse, who pays no attention to get his stuff in, but he yells at HHH to help him because it made no logical sense.

    Edge says his almost bacon stripped his white tights after a bulldog off the top. Christian says his was during the invasion PPV where he tries the poetry in motion bodypress over the top, but Edge’s back is too sweaty and he fell short. Lance was one of the opponents was just totally stern throughout it. Christian says he has no idea how they followed up on it and Steve throws to highlights of TLC stuff.

    Edge says that Jeff was knocked out for a few minutes after being powerbombed by Bubba through a table with Edge on it. We also see Christian take a bump off the ladder over the top rope to the floor in the SmackDown TLC match and Jeff’s crazy bump with the spear off the belt rung. Steve says his research showed ladder matches in England in the ’70s, and Edge says that the WM 16 ladder match was really the first TLC match. In a hilarious bit, Steve says that if you’re watching this WWE Network show and have the WWE Network, watch it there or anywhere you can find it. Steve asks how they could follow it and Christian says they “put the girls on”. Oh how little things have really changed since then.

    Steve talks about their WrestleMania records and Steve says that there’s no chance to really rehearse the TLC stuff. Christian says that they risked it just being a car crash and figured out how to put psychology in them after the first couple – which you can really see in the TNA series that the Dudleys had with the Wolves and Hardys last year. It’s one of the more underrated “best of whatever” series out there, but it did tell a story match to match and served as what seemed like at the time, a great swan song for the Dudleys as a team. Edge compares TLC matches to a tornado in a trailer park.

    Edge says they butted heads before the WM 17 match and they felt like they had to top the prior matches. Edge says that Bubba told him there was only one part in the series where something went awry – and it’s when Jeff tried to walk along something and fell off at 17. Christian says the whole goal of the matches was to elevate everyone and it did. While they weren’t all instant main eventers, they were at least all acts that everyone wanted to see and might wind up being remembered more than the main events.

    Steve puts over the Hardys and Dudleys and how they all had excellent chemistry. Steve says that trust is key here and Edge says that Jeff alone put his life in Edge’s hands and Edge makes boxing comparisons between the three teams. Christian says he tried to do a workout after the first one and wound up putting a weight down instantly because he wound up with a hole in his arm.

    Steve talks about Adam being Sexton Hardcastle while Steve wanted to be Samson St. Claire. Christian says he was known as the Male Nurse in a mask for a bit. Sexton was a pure joke name with as much depth as a name with “sex” and “hard” in it would seem. Adam has no idea what “Edge” was, but he just rooted the look in what he wore anyway and roared in frustration because he didn’t understand the character, so it worked out there.

    Christian puts the Brood intro as getting them over. Edge says that Gangrel really gave them instant credibility as a veteran, and still loves Gangrel’s theme. Edge says he doesn’t yearn for the business, but enjoys seeing folks every now and then. Christian says that he loves seeing the young guys now because he was in that role before. It’s amazing to see Christian fully embrace retirement since his retirement came seemingly against his will, but I guess that holds true for Edge too.

    Christian says that Edge had one of the greatest careers ever, and while his pales in comparison, he still had a damn fine career on his own. Christian is also aided by achieving in-ring success outside of WWE. Edge says they’re the only tag team that also went on to be World champions and Edge feels that it was so special for them because they were friends since kids, so they knew their whole journey.

    Edge felt he was inducted into the Hall of Fame early, but Bret and HBK told him he deserved it, so he was okay with it. Steve says that he was a cheap guy, as was Mick, and Christian says that Edge deserved it and he’d like to go in, but he doesn’t quite think it will happen. Edge says that on paper alone, he deserves it and he’ll start a petition if he has to. Steve says he deserves it, and says it’s more of a waiting process than anything else.

    Steve wants Michael Hayes in and it’s pretty ridiculous that he isn’t. Edge says Hayes saw a bit of the Freebirds in Edge and Christian, and Steve talks about he and his drunk friends going to the Sportatorium throwing stuff at the wrestlers. Steve says Hayes had tons of heat then, and Christian says he has just as much now. Steve goes over the brilliance of the Freebirds where you had the worker, the talker, and the guy that everyone in the building knew that if they got him, they could kick his ass in Roberts. Edge says the key to a top heel was having a kernal of belief that you can be the best and believe what you say and do. Christian says that Hayes respected them and knew they’d at least try their best at it.

    Steve puts over Edge’s Rated R Superstar promos and that run playing to his acting skills. Steve talks about wrestlers court and them being brown-nosers who ate dinner at a head writer’s house – but they never went there and just pitched ideas in the war room. They explain wrestler’s court and Taker being the judge and JBL being the prosecutor.

    This session was due to them having book deals and they doctored up a book cover and they brought in some doctored book covers and said they’d sign the book for them. They made the title “Edge and Christian: Ass-kissing to the Top” and popped them. They bribed Taker with a giant Harley-Davidson book and a set of boxing DVDs, and Taker said there wouldn’t be a blemish on their records. Wrestler’s Court needs to be a Network show.

    Steve says that Vince was like a brother, father, and a shrink. He learned more with Vince than he did in college, and Vince told Adam he was done over the phone. Edge knew something was off because his hands were trembling regularly, and didn’t quite know what was going on with his body at the time. Vince called him and told him his career was done. Steve says Vince usually breaks the ice, but didn’t here and Edge says he was sad, but called Christian right away. Steve says that he felt a great weight lifted off of him when the three count tolled at WM XIX. Edge felt that way too and Vince told Edge to call the doctor himself, and he wanted to tell Edge himself that he was done.

    Steve asks what his biggest takeaway was from dealing with Vince, and he is amazed at his world view. Steve calls him the most competitive son of a bitch ever and Edge agrees, but it’s not for Edge. Edge enjoys just sitting in the mountains and knows Vince can’t – he feels bad for him. Steve says Vince loves motorcycles, but the business is his baby. Christian says he admires his dedication and it being 24/7 to him. Vince doesn’t sleep much and has an unreal work ethic. Christian says he was in a bad place years ago and was in quicksand as a single and asked Vince what he needed and Vince gave him pointers and said he just wanted to be the best. Christian says that he doesn’t look like “the guy”, but he did eventually become World Champion.

    Steve talks about having an exit strategy and not having one lined up. He found the bottom of a lot of bottles before finding acting, reality TV, and podcasting. Edge lucked into acting, but did acting before in Highlander and Bending the Rules. Edge says he saved money, lived frugal, and has a great life now. Steve asks why guys have trouble finding a post-wrestling life and Edge says it’s because guys treat the business as their life, and he just goes by Adam now to everyone. Christian got the Haven role and then the show got cancelled, which has Steve worried for his future now. Christian says he was brought in to bump the ratings.

    Steve goes on about the origins of What and that damn thing still existing. Christian is asked if he still has Steve’s voicemail and he says no, it was 12 years ago. Christian was in a gym and there was no reception and Steve was the first guy to get to the building and just couldn’t hear a thing due to Christian being in the gym and going “what” over and over, but the whole thing being due to Steve just screwing around to kill time since he just wanted to amuse himself.

    Edge talks about an ice road truck story. Edge and Christian were doing a death tour and were driving down roads that were just snow plowed away from the trees and they realize that they’ve driven onto some ice. The promoter gets a post and says the top layer is ice, but they just decide to gun it, then inch it across. The ring van goes into another route and they wind up dropping into the ice, but they’re all still stuck because they don’t have much room in the one van they’re in. They try to rock the van back in place and Christian drops down and his pants froze to his legs.

    Rhino was in the van crying and didn’t want to die, but they had him get the van out since he was so strong and he actually did. He’d have been a blast on this thing, and Steve says his biggest regret is not jobbing to Brock. Edge says he has no regrets and he has no complaints. Steve ribs him about a farm animal and Edge says he still has no regrets. Christian regrets this show, but no, he has no regrets. Edge just wants kids to have fond memories of him, while Christian just wants to be remembered as being better than Edge. Ha! He just wants to be known as a guy who gave fans their money’s worth, and Steve asks about the five second pose.

    Edge doesn’t remember, but Christian says it was during a meeting with Gewirtz and they brainstormed. They were heels and didn’t want the fans to touch them, so they’d just be gracious enough to give the fans five seconds to take a photo with them. Christian says they’d use current stuff with that town and do ribs there. Steve does a five second pose, but declines to wear the hat and they go out with a five second pose and a “don’t look at me”. This was an hour well-spent and these three have marvelous chemistry together. On-paper, this wasn’t an amazing show going in, but it was always entertaining.

    To see every screenshot taken for the show, just click here.

  • WWE 2K16 announces 23 new names: Shawn Michaels, Shane McMahon, Bret Hart

    This is from 2K Sports with this week’s roster reveal: 

    In 2K’s fifth reveal for WWE 2K16’s ongoing Roster 3:16, 23 additional WWE Superstars and Divas have been announced for inclusion in the forthcoming franchise release on October 27, 2015 in North America and October 30, 2015 internationally.

    This week’s additions to WWE 2K16’s extensive roster include Billy Gunn, Bret “Hitman” Hart, British Bulldog, Cactus Jack, Christian, Damien Sandow, D’Lo Brown, Dude Love, Farooq, Haku, The Honky Tonk Man, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Kama Mustafa, Ken Shamrock, Mankind, Paul Wight, Rikishi, Shane McMahon, Shawn Michaels, Vader, Vince McMahon, and X-Pac.

    In addition, 2K released roster images for several previously announced roster talent: John Cena, Dean Ambrose, William Regal and General Adnan.

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (Sept. 8): Brian Hildebrand passes away, NWA strips Ric Flair of world title, rare WWF 1979 champion vs. champion match

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1932

    In Kansas City, Missouri:
    – World Champion Jim Londos beat Abe Coleman
    – Rudy Dusek beat Wee Willie Davis
    – George Zaharias drew Gino Garibaldi
    – Jim McMillen beat Jack Hurley

    1935

    In Waterloo, Iowa:
    – Earl Wampler beat Louis Thesz

    1950

    In Houston, Texas:
    – Verne Gagne defeated Miguel Guzman for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title

    1962

    In Minneapolis, Minnesota (4150 attendance):
    – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Ilio DiPaolo
    – Bill Miller beat Bob Geigel
    – Moose Evans beat Kurt Von Brauner
    – Crusher beat Floyd Ude (this was the debut of the Crusher character)
    – Doug Gilbert beat Johnny King

    1967

    In Atlanta, Georgia:
    – El Mongol defeated Mr. Wrestling for the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title

    1973

    In Milwaukee, Wisconsin (6059 attendance):
    – Superstar Billy Graham beat the Crusher
    – Wahoo McDaniel & Billy Robinson beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens on a 3rd fall dq
    – Ivan Koloff beat Sailor Art Thomas
    – Reggie Parks drew Geoff Portz
    – Ric Flair beat Billy Howard

    1974

    In Green Bay, Wisconsin:
    – Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Larry Hennig & Jim Brunzell
    – The Crusher beat Superstar Billy Graham
    – Chris Taylor beat Horst Hoffman
    – Bull Bullinski drew Khosrow Vaziri (sub Bobby Heenan)

    1979

    In Springfield, Massachusetts:
    – WWF Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via countout in a rare champion vs. champion match

    1983

    In Chiba, Japan:
    – Stan Hansen defeated Giant Baba for the Pacific Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Title (now part of the All Japan Triple Crown)

    1985

    In Asheville, North Carolina:
    – NWA Champion Ric Flair no contest Ivan Koloff

    – Bunkhouse Match: Ron Bass & Manny Fernandez & Magnum TA beat Ole Anderson & Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors beat Ivan Koloff & Krusher Khruschev dq

    In Minneapolis, Minnesota for an ESPN TV taping:
    – AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Kamala dq
    – Terry Gordy beat Jerry Blackwell dq
    – Greg Gagne & Curt Hennig & Scott Hall beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens & Larry Zbyszko
    – Curt Hennig & Greg Gagne beat Jim Garvin & Steve Regal dq

    1990

    – Kim Duk (aka Tiger Chung Lee) defeated Invader #1 for the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Title in Bayamon, Puerto Rico

    1991

    – The National Wrestling Alliance officially stripped Ric Flair of the NWA World Heavyweight Title

    1999

    – Brian Hildebrand, better known to fans as referee Mark Curtis, passed away at the age of 37 after a battle with cancer.

    2007

    – Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch defeated Paul London & Brian Kendrick to win the WWE World Tag Team championships.