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  • TUES. UPDATE: Hulk Hogan’s homophobic comments

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

    Tonight:

    * Tough Enough at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on USA Network has the unveiling of the new judge to replace Hulk Hogan.

    * Total Divas at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on E! has a nw episode titled “Divas on Overdrive.” While the Divas are on their way to their next arena, things get out of control when Paige leaves Alicia behind for a new man, Nattie ends up infuriating her husband when she can’t give no for an answer and Nikki accuses Bryan of not liking her.

    * Please send reports from the WWE SmackDown/Main Event tapings to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

    **** 

    The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a feature story looking at WWE’s firing of Hulk Hogan and how it relates to all of the litigation with Gawker including:

    * How Hogan’s racist comments and the set of sex tapes his tirade was part of tied into the FBI investigating someone attempting to extort money from Hogan.

    * How long it’s been known that something like this could come out.

    * Gawker alluding to the idea that the FBI was helping Hogan cover up these statements.

    * Where The National Enquirer and Radar Onlne could have sourced the story from.

    And much more. Plus, as always, we have  all of the usual reviews and international news.

    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. 

    **** 

    The return of the Undertaker and build to SummerSlam, Battleground coverage, the rise of NXT and situation with ROH, the G-1 Climax tournament and some major UFC stories are the major stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

    The latest Wrestling Observer: July 27, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The Undertaker returns at Battleground, NXT/ROH insanity with Liger booking

    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 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 concerns the build to SummerSlam.  We look at advertising that has already been cut for the show, what are the possibilities for Sting, the Lesnar-Undertaker angle, the booking of WWE right now, the situation with the women, plus full coverage of Battleground with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.

    We also look at the booking of  Jushin Liger to NXT on 8/22, ticket sales for the show, plans for the NXT show, how the Liger booking affects ROH and has caused such a political turmoil.  We look at the NXT card as well as the competing ROH show.  We look at the Liger booking, ROH working with New Japan, ratings with New Japan stars vs. shows without New Japan stars, NXT touring, the next NXT vs. ROH head-to-head in September, the next ROH PPV show and much more.

    We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament, with all of the shows planned for the next week, as well as full coverage of opening night in Sapporo with match-by-match-coverage, star ratings and poll results.

    We also look at a major story concerning fighters for UFC to address which is the banning of IVs for rehydrating after weigh-ins starting October and why the story is far more significant than people realize.

    We also look at a potential alliance between ESPN and WWE and the ethical debate regarding the coverage.  We also look at the Hogan/Gawker lawsuit and each side’s case, an update on the Dr. Christopher Amann lawsuit against C.M. Punk and Colt Cabana, an update on Dolph Ziggler and what he claims is his contract status, Undertaker working more than just SummerSlam, Stephanie McMahon talks gay characterizations in future WWE creative as well as a look back from former creative members regarding different suggestions on gay characterizations in the past.  We look at more WWE banned terms and how some were changed and why.  We also look at how the characters are being described for Camp WWE, which is really hilarious.

    We’ve also got notes on Chris Jericho working more house shows, Tough Enough notes, John Cena in the movies, how the WWE Network free month has changed, as well as what to look for over the next week in WWE stock.

    We also have full coverage of the next month of NXT TV tapings, as well as coverage of all the WWE and NXT house shows this past week and business notes from the shows.

    We also have notes on TripleMania being on U.S. PPV for the first time on 8/9, including price point, why it’s happening now, and its history as well as broadcast information.

    We also have coverage of both UFC events held over the past week, with the Mir vs. Duffee and Bisping vs. Leites shows.  We’ve got business notes and stories behind both events.

    We also have notes on the third season of New Japan World on AXS, including highlights of the new season, all the matches airing from 8/14 to 12/11 including when the Wrestle Kingdom 9 matches will air, as well as notes on the schedule for 2016.

    We also look at Dragon Gate’s Kobe World Festival show and CMLL’s Sin Salida show, which were two of those two company’s biggest events of the year.

    The Observer is the world’s most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.

    We also have our regular features such as the most complete look at ratings, plus results of the major house show events each week in pro wrestling and MMA, and complete inside rundowns of all the TV shows.

    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

    — The National Enquirer and Radar Online released more quotes from one of the Hulk Hogan/Heather Cole-Clem sex tapes today, this time focusing on homophoic comments from Hogan:

    “VH1 wanted me to do a big thing and go back to the house I grew up in. So we knock on the door, and a big f*g lives there now! […]This half gay was enamored with Linda.”

    Later, when Bubba the Love Sponge Clem entered the room, Hogan  made an interesting request of Bubba:”Dude, the only thing I will ever ask of you…I don’t know how you will pull this off…is, if I am ever on my death bed, you cannot let Linda come and visit me.” This was at least several months before Linda filed for divorced, something Hogan claimed to be blindisded by at the time.

    There’s also an aside about not having to sell their home in Las Vegas if he and Linda get divorced and how “Cecile [Barker, the “black billionaire” he ranted about earlier] will buy it and give it back to me after the divorce!” Barker’s company is Sobe Entertainment, which also backed Paul “Big Show” Wight’s 2007 attempt at a boxing career that he gave up on when he went back to WWE in 2008. Sobe sued in 2009 and the case is still ongoing.

    — Thankfully, Hogan has been off Twitter since yesterday.

    — WWE announced Alicia Fox as having suffered a mild concussion, which may be the first time they’ve done that since they increased secrecy in light of the various concussion-centered lawsuits.

    — Meanwhile, WWE Medical Director and Pittsburgh Steelers neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon is in hot water for writing a paper downlplaying how big a problem Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is without disclosing his cnflicts of interest with WWE and the NFL.

    — In addition to AAA revealing Hugo Savinovich and Matt Striker as the English announcing team for TripleMania, they announced a new match in the form of  Blue Demon and La Parka vs. El Mesias and Electro Shock, with the idea that it celebrates Demon’s 30th year in the business. 

    –CM Punk and Colt Cabana are both on “Maron” this Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. on IFC. There are video previews on IFC’s website.

    — Speaking of Cabana, he’s going to be in Scotland for most of August as part of the Comedy portion of the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh as well as working various indie wrestling dates. See his full schedule on his website.

    — David Whitley of the Orlando Sun-Sentinel wrote an opinion piece praising WWE for how they handled the Hogan situation.

  • ROH announces three major title bouts

    ROH today has announced three major championship bouts.

    The Jay Lethal vs. Roderick Strong rematch coming off their 60:00 draw will take place on 8/21 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena.

    The winner of that match will headline the 9/18 PPV show in San Antonio against Kyle O’Reilly.  Either way, Lethal will first defend the TV title against Bobby Fish in San Antonio.

  • WWE announces Fox suffers concussion

    WWE just released that Alicia Fox suffered a mild concussion during her tag team match on Raw last night.

    No other details were available.

    WWE has not released any updated information on the condition of John Cena.

  • Raw ratings notes

    Raw had a weak first hour, but grew during the show to finish at 3.68 million viewers, which is in the range of what the show has been doing all summer.

    The number is down three percent from last week’s day after Battleground show which featured the Undertaker and Brock Lesnar brawl.

    The three hours were

    8 p.m. 3.42 million viewers

    9 p.m. 3.75 million viewers

    10 p.m. 3.84 million viewers

  • MON UPDATE: More Hulk Hogan, HOF questions, WWE looking for replacement for Lee, WWE stock falls

    By Dave Meltzer

    We’re looking for your thoughts on yesterday’s G-1 Climax show in Hiroshima, Saturday night’s UFC show in Chicago and Friday night’s ROH in Baltimore, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

    We’re also looking for reports on yesterday’s WWE house shows in Lawton, OK and Amarillo and tonight’s ROH TV tapings in Orlando at Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>.

    We’re also looking for report from Raw in Oklahoma City tonight, with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident from the live show.  Brock Lesnar was not being advertised for the show.

    The G-1 Climax tournament continues on Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m in Beppu with Yuji Nagata vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Tomoaki Honma vs. Hirooki Goto, Ken Anderson vs. Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada vs. Satoshi Kojima.  Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Michael Elgin is also listed but we don’t have any updated word on Nakamura’s condition.

    Smackdown is Tuesday night in Tulsa.  Roman Reign and Seth Rollins are advertised as the top stars on the show.  Dolph Ziggler is still being advertised on the show, so in theory he should be returning this week although what is advertised and what happens aren’t necessarily the same thing.

    The G-1 Climax tournament has a major show on Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. at the  Fukuoka International Center Arena with the A block that is tearing things up with Toru Yano vs. Doc Gallows, Togi Makabe vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale and Tetsuya Naito vs. A.J. Styles./

    The return of the Undertaker and build to SummerSlam, Battleground coverage, the rise of NXT and situation with ROH, the G-1 Climax tournament and some major UFC stories are the major stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

    The latest Wrestling Observer: July 27, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The Undertaker returns at Battleground, NXT/ROH insanity with Liger booking

    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 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 concerns the build to SummerSlam.  We look at advertising that has already been cut for the show, what are the possibilities for Sting, the Lesnar-Undertaker angle, the booking of WWE right now, the situation with the women, plus full coverage of Battleground with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.

    We also look at the booking of  Jushin Liger to NXT on 8/22, ticket sales for the show, plans for the NXT show, how the Liger booking affects ROH and has caused such a political turmoil.  We look at the NXT card as well as the competing ROH show.  We look at the Liger booking, ROH working with New Japan, ratings with New Japan stars vs. shows without New Japan stars, NXT touring, the next NXT vs. ROH head-to-head in September, the next ROH PPV show and much more.

    We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament, with all of the shows planned for the next week, as well as full coverage of opening night in Sapporo with match-by-match-coverage, star ratings and poll results.

    We also look at a major story concerning fighters for UFC to address which is the banning of IVs for rehydrating after weigh-ins starting October and why the story is far more significant than people realize.

    We also look at a potential alliance between ESPN and WWE and the ethical debate regarding the coverage.  We also look at the Hogan/Gawker lawsuit and each side’s case, an update on the Dr. Christopher Amann lawsuit against C.M. Punk and Colt Cabana, an update on Dolph Ziggler and what he claims is his contract status, Undertaker working more than just SummerSlam, Stephanie McMahon talks gay characterizations in future WWE creative as well as a look back from former creative members regarding different suggestions on gay characterizations in the past.  We look at more WWE banned terms and how some were changed and why.  We also look at how the characters are being described for Camp WWE, which is really hilarious.

    We’ve also got notes on Chris Jericho working more house shows, Tough Enough notes, John Cena in the movies, how the WWE Network free month has changed, as well as what to look for over the next week in WWE stock.

    We also have full coverage of the next month of NXT TV tapings, as well as coverage of all the WWE and NXT house shows this past week and business notes from the shows.

    We also have notes on TripleMania being on U.S. PPV for the first time on 8/9, including price point, why it’s happening now, and its history as well as broadcast information.

    We also have coverage of both UFC events held over the past week, with the Mir vs. Duffee and Bisping vs. Leites shows.  We’ve got business notes and stories behind both events.

    We also have notes on the third season of New Japan World on AXS, including highlights of the new season, all the matches airing from 8/14 to 12/11 including when the Wrestle Kingdom 9 matches will air, as well as notes on the schedule for 2016.

    We also look at Dragon Gate’s Kobe World Festival show and CMLL’s Sin Salida show, which were two of those two company’s biggest events of the year.

    The Observer is the world’s most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.

    We also have our regular features such as the most complete look at ratings, plus results of the major house show events each week in pro wrestling and MMA, and complete inside rundowns of all the TV shows.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues

    MONDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

    • Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw, Hulk Hogan, Ronda Rousey, G-1, as well as taking your phone calls to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
    • Somebody let Hulk Hogan know that anything he does in public is not going to be good for him today, or any time in the next few days. 
    • Raw will open tonight with The Authority addressing all the wrestlers on the ramp.  I love those teachers addressing the kids in assembly segments as they usually just do wonderful things for the star power of the roster.
    • Esquire Magazine on Hulk Hogan
    • Rey Mysterio Jr. talks his Friday night match where he and Alberto El Patron face The Young Bucks first time ever
    • Nothing is listed in Google searches today or yesterday, so today’s Hogan revelations didn’t hit anything like on Friday.  On Twitter, the biggest MMA, wrestling or boxing thing as of press time was the Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia press call with 16,400 and it actually just stated as I’m writing this.
    • A question to ponder as Hall of Fame season comes close.  What current wrestlers that aren’t in belong in?  And a more interesting question is the Hall of Fame  legit closed to anyone new who hasn’t headlined in WWE or New Japan?  Are all other promotions as far as current stars too irrelevant or not strong enough to matter?
    • It will be very interesting on Raw to see if there is a ratings bump due to all the Hogan publicity, and if WWE will have Vince McMahon or someone else address the story tonight, or just leave it alone.    
    • Big Bill Carr suffered a broken foot on Friday’s PWG show. 
    • It was on this day 15 years ago that Gordon Solie, the iconic voice of 60s, 70s and 80s pro wrestling, passed away at the age of 71. 
    • WWE has posted that it’s looking for a new Senior Vice President of Programming and Development.  The person will report to the Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer.  Among the jobs is to develop strategy for WWE Network programming to oversee the programming budget, lead development of original programming, and work with the VOD library.  They are looking for someone with 10-15 years experience in television or film content management and/or development.
    • UFC 190 Countdown airs at 9 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Pacific time on FS 1.
    • Trailer for 12 Rounds 3 with Dean Ambrose
    • Tom Blatter noted that today is also the 53rd anniversary of The Destroyer’s WWA title win over Freddie Blassie in San Diego.  That title led to Destroyer becoming a cultural icon in Japan.
    • WWE stock has continued to fall after the Hogan story (this will be temporary and be corrected relatively shortly) finishing at $16.01 per share today, down 59 cents.  However, the stock would have likely had a run-up through Thursday’s investment call. 
    • Stardom from yesterday at Korakuen Hall before 1,350 fans:  Kaori Yoneyama & Hatsuhinode Kamen b Momo Watanabe & Azumi, Reo Hazuki b Alex Lee, Starfire b Kris Wolf, Melissa & Chelsea b Nikki Storm & Hudson Envy, Io Shirai & Mio Shirai b Mayu Iwatani & Hiroyo Matsumoto (Mio’s first and last match in the promotion as she’s retiring in September, Io & Mio Shirai started together in 2007), Meiko Satomura b Kairi Hojo to win the World of Stardom title.  Satomura is one of the greatest female wrestlers of all-time, but never got the recognition because her heyday came after the glory period of women’s wrestling in Japan (thanks to Sonny Gutierrez) 
    • High Risk Wrestling from yesterday in Cahokia, IL:  Justin D’Air won six-way over Jarrod Jaxx, Dale Patricks, Brian Skyline, Thomas Walton III and Jayden Fenix, John E. Rock b Eli Machete, Marek Brave b Adrian Alexander, Silas Young b Mike Outlaw, Tony Kozina b Ace Perry, Sugar Dunkerton b Tripp Cassidy, Nick Iggy & Kerry Awful b Jack Gamble & Jon Webb, Blake Belakis b Bolt Brady (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
    • Beyond Wrestling from yesterday in Providence, RI:  Speedball Mike Bailey b Danny Cannon (coming out of retirement to wrestle this match), Michael Bennett & Matt Taven b Drew Gulak & Biff Busick, Garden City Gods won four-way (Davey Vega was taken to the hospital after cracking his head on the floor doing a top rope huracanrana), David Starr b Johnny Gargano, John Reynolds & Alex Silver b Brian Myers & Ryan Galeone (really good), Matt Tremont b Stockade in a casket match with double juice and tons of weapons, ending with a power bomb on cinder blocks and cinder blocks to the head, Tracy Williams b AR Fox, Chuck Taylor & Trent Baretta b Dan Barry & Dick Justice, Donovan Dijak b Brain Fury, Tea Pazuzu b Da hit Squad, Kimber Lee b Heidi Lovelace, Chris Hero & JT Dunn b Young Bucks in an incredible main event.  Show went 4 1/2 hours (thanks to James Brown)
    • A new documentary movie on Jim Crockett Promotions will be debuting this weekend at the Mid Atlantic Fan Fest.  Lots of interviews with the likes of Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Ole Anderson, Paul Jones and narrated by Jim Ross.
    • Tickets go on sale on Friday for UFC 191, on 9/5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson, Anthony Rumble Johnson vs. Jan Blachowicz and Paige VanZant vs. Alex Chambers.  Tickets are priced at $603, $403, $303, $203, $103 and $78.  The Fight Club pre-sale starts Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific time at www.ufcfightclub.com and a newsletter subscribers presale starts Thursday at 1 p.m. Pacific time at www.ufc.com
    • Randy Savage is the celebrity inductee for this year’s Baseball Hall of Very Good, along with Jim Kaat and Lee Smith.
    • Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 8/16 in Oshawa, ONT at the Oshawa Legion with Roderick Strong vs. Tarik, plus Jennifer Blake, Cody Deaner and Johnny Devine.
    • WWN put tickets on sale today at www.MoreThanMania.com for its WrestleMania weekend events in Dallas in 2016.
    • Trainwreck debuted at No. 2 in Australia this past weekend with Magic Mike XXL at No. 4. (thanks to James Stanios)
    • CWE on Friday night in Winnipeg:  Billy Blaze b Travis Cole, Kevy Chevy b Bobby Collins-DQ, Mike Mission b Adam Race, Danny Duggan b Tod Bullet, Wildman Firpo b Dick Blood, Anderson Tyson Moore b Tommy Lee Curtis.
    • Congratulations to historian and wrestler Vance Nevada for being named to the All-Star Wrestling Hall of Fame.  At 39, he’s the youngest person wh has been honored.
    • In what could be considered an embarrassing reference to pro wrestling, longtime fan Fred the Elephant Boy, who got Mick Foley on Howard Stern several times, was pitching for Stern to interview his favorite wrestler, Rob Van Dam.  He talked about Hulk Hogan and said RVD had worked with Hogan and would be a good guest for the show.  Stern blew the idea off and indicated he didn’t want pro wrestlers on the show.  Of late, when callers have asked for him to interview Dwayne Johnson, he blows them off as well (thanks to Jeff Cohen)     
    • A story on a former 50s pro wrestling star talking about working with Moolah among other things
    • Kevin Eck talks Hulk Hogan and others in the WWE Hall of Fame like Mike Tyson, Steve Austin and Jimmy Snuka
    • An Arnold Schwarzenegger video promoting WWE 2K 16

    ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

    1986 – Stan Hansen beat Genichiro Tenryu in Nagano to win the United National and PWF titles

    1990 – Stan Hansen beat Mitsuharu Misawa in Matsumoto to win the Triple Crown

    2001 – Jun Akiyama beat Mitsuharu Misawa in Tokyo to win the GHC heavyweight title

    2001 – Tomoko Watanabe & Nanae Takahashi beat Mima Shimoda & Etsuko Mita in Tokyo to win the WWWA tag titles

    2008 – Shingo Takagi beat BxB Hulk in Kobe to win the vacant Open the Dream Gate title and Genki Horiguchi beat Kzy to win the vacant Open the Brave Gate title

    2009 – Daisuke Sekimoto & Yuji Okabyashi beat Masashi Takeda & Isami Kodoka in Tokyo to win the Big Japan tag title

    2012 – Katsuhiko Nakajima & Satoshi Kajiwara beat Masao Orihara & Black Tiger (Tatsuhito Takaiwa) to win the Int. jr tag title

  • Jeff Jarrett announces name for his TV show

    Jeff Jarrett announced today that his GFW TV show will be called “Amped” in a video released by the promotion.

    The first taping for the promotion is 7/24 in Las Vegas, but there is no talk of any television deal in place right now.

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (July 9): Booker T wins WCW title, Fabulous Moolah regains WWF gold, ’82 Calgary Stampede

    By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

    1933 – In Davenport, Iowa; Bronko Nagurski beat Wee Willie Davis

    1963 – The Crusher defeated Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Also on the card, AWA Tag Team Champions Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff beat Tiny Mills & Stan Kowalski, Dick the Bruiser beat Doug Gilbert, Don McClarty beat Maurice Mad Dog Vachon and Eddie Sharkey beat Joe Tomasso. Attendance was 8,063.

    1964 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City; Dick the Bruiser beat Moose Evans 2 falls to 1, The Rat beat Wahoo McDaniel 2 falls to 1, Harley Race drew Rocky Hamilton (The Missouri Mauler) and The Lawman and Sonny Myers drew Bob Geigel and Bulldog Plechas

    1965 – Billy Hines & Bad Boy Hines over the Corsicans (Corsica Jean & Corsica Joe) to win the Southern Tag Team Title

    1966 – In Minneapolis; AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat The Crusher, The Alaskan & Big K beat Billy Red Cloud & Doug Gilbert, Chris Markoff beat Steve Druk and Eddie Sharkey beat Guy Taylor

    1968 – In Davenport, Iowa at Municipal Stadium; The Crusher won a 9 man battle royal by eliminating Dr. X, Bill Watts beat Harley Race, Dr X beat Frankie Laine, Man Mountain Mike beat Tiny Mills and Dutch Savage beat Luke Brown

    1970 – In Kansas City, Kansas; Danny Little Bear wrestled Scandor Akbar, Rufus R. Jones & Pat O’Connor wrestled Baron Von Raschke & Oki Shikina and Harley Race took on Bob Geigel

    1977 – In Omaha, Nebraska; AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Jim Brunzell, Billy Robinson beat Bobby Duncum, Larry Hennig beat Roger Kirby and Chris Markoff beat Billy Francis

    1978 – In Green Bay, Wisconsin; Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens beat AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell by dq, Mighty Igor Vodik beat Buddy Wolff, Wahoo McDaniel & Frank Hill beat Blackjack Lanza & Bob Orton Jr and Super Destroyer Mark II beat Evan Johnson

    1982 – In Calgary, Alberta, Canada during the annual Calgary Stampede; AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Bret Hart by countout, Davey Boy Smith beat Dynamite Kid to win the World Mid-Heavyweight title, David Shultz beat Duke Myers, Bad News Allen beat Gerry Morrow and Mr. Hito & Bruce Hart & Keith Hart beat Danny Davis & Ken Wayne & Great Gama

    1985 – Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Ivan Koloff & Krusher Krushchev for the NWA World Tag Team Title in Shelby, North Carolina

    1986 – Fabulous Moolah defeated Velvet McIntyre for the WWF Women’s Title in Sydney, Australia

    2000 – Booker T defeated Jeff Jarrett to capture the WCW World Title in Daytona Beach, Florida.

    2001 – The APA defeated The Dudley Boyz for the WWF World Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia

    2009 – Tara defeated Angelina Love and Velvet Sky for the TNA Knockouts Title.

  • Ring Of Honor July 8 TV results & recap: The Kingdom vs. reDRagon & Michael Elgin

    Photo: ROHwrestling.com

    By Josh Nason, WrestlingObserver.com

    The Big News:

    Jay Lethal learned that he’ll have to defend both the ROH World and TV title. Also, I’m doing an ROH TV recap this week (Destination America version) as Paul Fontaine is en route to Las Vegas for the WrestlingObserver.com convention. THAT is big news. Also, the main event tag team match was excellent!

    Show Recap:

    Our show opens with black and white stills from the Best In The World main event between Jay Briscoe and Jay Lethal just like WWE used to do back in the day. I miss that aspect of “You should have bought the show, man.”

    This week’s show comes to us from Terminal 5 in New York City.

    Watanabe vs. Dalton Castle

    My God, Castle is something else with the two helpers, the outfit, the entrance…amazing! As the two exchange shoulderblock knockdowns, we get a fun moment when Watanabe summons the boys to fan him as they earlier did with Castle. We later get the two attempting to small package each other and rolling around the ring in another comedy spot.

    Castle hits a deadlift German suplex that is pretty impressive, but Watanabe matches with a move that looks like a Texas Clover Leaf setup that turns into a knee jam when he dropped back to the mat. The end comes when Castle reverses Watanabe into a spinning front face splash for the pin and win.

    Post-match, Castle grabs the mic and says there’s a lot of boys out here tonight, snaps his fingers and the the boys conform themselves into a human chair. That brings out Silas Young who yells at Castle until we go to break. Castle beat Young at Best In The World so their feud must continue.

    Jay Lethal speaks

    Nigel McGuinness introduces the ROH TV Champion and NEW ROH World Champion. Lethal is flanked by Truth Martini, Jay Diesel, and Donovan Dijak. Nigel shakes his hand and congratulates him, but as he hands the mic to Lethal, Martini intervenes. He puts over Lethal as the man and then lets Lethal talk. Lethal says he’s the best in the world and doesn’t say much else of consequence.

    McGuinness wants to know which belt he’s going to vacate, and Lethal is furious. He’s not going to give up either title as he earned both of them. McGuinness says that means he’s going to have to defend both titles separately and that while he’s got Roderick Strong in a few weeks for the World title, he’s got Mark Briscoe next week for the TV title. Lethal isn’t happy with all of this, but intensely says that he will do it.

    This brings out Strong who wants Lethal to square up to him and shoves his shoulder. He says a few things that aren’t that interesting and we move on. Good segment overall, but unfortunately, Strong didn’t add anything to it with his quick promo.

    The Kingdom (Adam Cole and IWGP Tag Champions Matt Taven/Michael Bennett) w/Maria vs. Michael Elgin & reDRagon (Kyle O’Reilly/Bobby Fish)

    Before the match starts, Maria grabs the mic and tells Cole that while he’s upset about Best In The World, it’s not his fault. She says that as the leader of the Kingdom, she takes full responsibility. There was no replay of what happened, so I have no idea what happened to Cole.

    Elgin gets a tepid reaction coming out, but the NY faithful love them some reDRagon. After Elgin held Bennett up for a long vertical suplex, including two attempts by Cole and Taven to break it up without Elgin dropping him, they changed their tune. I’m late to the ROH party, but Elgin is a strong dude, eh?

    The heels worked over Elgin for a long time and prevented him from getting a tag to reDRagon after the break by attacking Fish and O’Reilly on the apron. Elgin regained the advantage with an Okada roll/big stomp on Bennett and following that with a Codebreaker on Cole while senton bombing a grounded Bennett. I’m an Elgin fan now!

    Hot tag to reDRagon who are not just one but two houses of fire. Then we get some gyrating into a DDT/wheelbarrow suplex combo on Taven for a near fall. As the Kingdom regains control, our hero Elgin lifts Taven and Bennett for a double Samoan drop, fends off Cole, and still pulls it off.

    What followed was five minutes of tag team action that was too much to recap here. What you need to know was that is was amazingly awesome. Near falls, huge spots, Canadian Destroyers, dives over the top, finishers, kickouts, more finishers, “This is wrestling” chants….what a fun match. Go watch it already!

    The end came when O’Reilly somewhat sold a superkick into the Dean Ambrose rope spot into a lariat clothesline which led to a Chasing The Dragon finish for the win. Post match, Cole raised O’Reilly’s hand and walked out without the Kingdom as Maria angrily looked on.

    Final Thoughts:

    The whole show was really entertaining, especially the main event tag team match which I implore you to watch ASAP. There may have not been a lot of selling, but if you enjoy spotfests, this was for you.

  • WWE NXT July 8 TV results & recap: Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens replay, no. 1 tag team title contenders match

    By Emerson Witner, WrestlingObserver.com & Wrestling Outsiders Podcast

    The Big News:

    Finn Balor defeated Kevin Owens to win the NXT Title. Plus the Gentlemanly Grapplers, The Vaudevillians, were victorious in their voyage to the #1 Contendership to the Tag Team Titless.

    Show Recap:

    They started the show by airing a video package on Beast in the East and announced that they will air the NXT Title match, in its entirety, later tonight.

    The BFF’s defeated Dana Brooke & Emma

    Sasha is now a baby face for some reason. Sasha has no friends, so she was ready to go 2-on-1 with her opponents when Charlotte came down and made herself Sasha’s partner so she could get at Dana. See they could have combined the WWE and NXT story lines and had Paige come out, but WWE doesn’t think that far ahead.

    I fully expected this to turn into a 3-on-1 beat down on Charlotte, but I was wrong. Oh well. Sasha and Charlotte did some of their team moves, but the heels took down Charlotte and got the heat on the former champion. Emma and Dana did that really annoying thing The Ascension used to do where they rapidly tag in and out for like 30 seconds. That is just ridiculous.

    The fans can’t figure out if they want Sasha or not. Anyway Sasha got the hot tag and went wild on her fighting female foes and eventually won with the Bank Statement on Dana Brooke while Charlotte had the Figure Eight on Emma.

    After the match, Charlotte challenged Sasha to a title match next week, since Sasha promised it in exchange for being her partner tonight. Sasha accepted it and we have a rematch from December next week.

    – Bayley was at an NXT Live Event this past weekend and commented that Emma broke her hand. She stated that she is going to come back from injury and win the Women’s Title. This is the second injury Bayley has had in 6 months and the second time she has promised to come back and win the belt.

    Finn Balor pinned NXT Champion Kevin Owens to win the belt

    This was, obviously, the match from Saturday in Tokyo. This was an excellent match from beginning to end. The only funny thing is they literally just aired Beast in the East as the lead in to this episode of NXT. Anyway, the King is dead, long live the new King of NXT.

    Owens was asked afterwards how he feels about losing and Owens shoved the camera away.

    – Chad Gable said Jason Jordan doesn’t want to win and doesn’t want to dominate and that’s why he hadn’t agreed to be his partner. Jordan walked in and finally agreed to be his partner next week.

    – Solomon Crowe is back. He is meaner, badder and nastier than ever before.

    Solomon Crowe submitted Marcus Louis

    Marcus Louis is back too. He got his head shaved at NXT Takeover: Fatal 4-Way on September 11, 2014. Neither the hair on top of his head nor his eyebrows have grown back yet.

    Crowe almost won by pinfall and then by submission in the first 30 seconds of the match. Crowe went for a Springboard Something, but Louis hit the ropes and Crowe fell stomach first on the top rope. Louis locked on a kneeling Abdominal Stretch and did the claw hold on Crowe’s ribs, but Crowe fought out of it. 

    Crowe used a Twist of Fate, which was called a Unique Maneuver, the CM Punk running knee and won with the Crowe Bar.

    – The Vaudevillians vowed to be victorious over the villainous vagabonds Enzo and Cass.

    – Balor celebrated winning the title last week by standing against a wall with Cesaro and Neville until John Cena congratulated him. He looked like such a geek with a look like “OMG! He talked to me!” on his face.

    – Next week: An update on Sami Zayn.

    In a #1 Contender’s Match, The Vaudevillians defeated Enzo Amore & Colin Cassidy (w/Carmella)

    Trivia Time! The Vaudevillians were the first team to ever lose to Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy. Blake and Murphy beat them so bad that they got the confidence to win the tag titles the very next week. Also when Enzo Amore had a broken leg, Colin Cassidy’s only feud was losing over and over again to Aiden English. Now that we have had Trivia Time, it is now MAIN EVENT TIME! 

    Fast paced grappling early on with Enzo and Cass in control through the commercial break. Aiden got the heat on Enzo when Amore goofed around and ran into the feet of NXT’s resident opera singer. The Gentlemanly Grapplers had their way with Enzo until Enzo almost literally fell into a hot tag. Cass gave Aiden the big boot and Simon the Black Hole Slam. 

    Finally they went for the Rocket Launcher, but Simon tackled Colin out of the ring and Aiden rolled through a flying cross body from Enzo and scored the shocking win!

    The Vaudevillians now get their shot at redemption! They now get their show at Blake and Murphy and the Tag Team Titles. That does it for this week, until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!

  • TNA Impact Wrestling July 8 TV results & recap: EC3’s first title defense, Dixie Carter returns

    By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

    Last week, TNA followed up Slammiversary with a “bell to bell” show featuring EC3 winning the World title from Kurt Angle. The BDC beat The Rising, forcing Drew Galloway’s group to disband, while Eli Drake suffered an iffy “knee injury” that kept him from losing. Mickie James swore vengeance on James Storm and any woman he can get to join his Revolution. The Wolves beat the Dirty Heels in an iron man match to win the tag titles, and we got about 30 seconds of a Jarrett and Tenay interview that mentioned GFW and TNA, but little else. Gail Kim returned and is back to get her title from Taryn Terrell and the Dollhouse.

    The Takeaway

    EC3 defended the title three times in largely nothing matches.  We also got a couple of handicap matches, a Bram vs. Anderson match, and a Robbie E-Jessie street fight. Dixie Carter also returned and turned face, while Josh turned face and heel several times throughout the show. You can safely skip this show.

    We get a long recap of the EC3-Angle match from last week, with new camera angles. EC3 is shown holding the belt up last week, and comes out with it now. Josh hypes up a new day for TNA, but sadly didn’t use clap therapy for it. EC3 says he’s unbeaten and the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Tyrus holds the belt up for him and EC3 says that Dixie’s returning and has put him in charge tonight. He’s booked a heck of a card and will defend his title EC3-times tonight!

    Matt Hardy comes down and wants a title match. He asks for a Twitter campaign here on this taped show. EC3 asks Tyrus if he likes the idea of #mattforchamp, and Tyrus disagrees while a giant “yes” chant breaks out. EC3 declines and Matt guarantees an ass-kicking anyway. EC3 points out that he’s running the show and mocks Matt for being a new dad and sings “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag”. The Dirty Heels come down and we get a brief recap of the Wolves beating them.

    Matt Hardy vs. The Dirty Heels

    EC3 comes down for commentary and hypes up a slobberknocker. Pope asks why the dinosaur is here and EC3 buries Pope for not following him on Twitter. Josh buries Pope for preventing him from talking to EC3. Aries runs wild with kicks and face rakes while Pope buries EC3 for making this unfair match. Matt gets the Ice Pick, which you’d never know because Josh is too busy talking about EC3’s mic not working. Hardy gets the Ice Pick once again, now on Aries. Pope gives EC3 his headset and Matt gets some clotheslines and a bulldog/dropkick to both guys. Matt does his goofy stuff before the Twist and it gets countered, so he doesn’t do that crap and hits it. Aries runs wild, but eats a kick in the corner. Aries counters a suplex and Roode holds Matt’s foot down for the win. EC3 says he lives for this – I sure hope not.

    Josh hypes up the return of Dixie Carter and the second part of Jeff Jarrett’s interview, which will hopefully go longer than a minute. The Rising is backstage with Eli on a crutch to deliver one final message. If they were forced to disband last week, why weren’t they allowed to deliver this message then? Why are they being given a one week stay of execution? Did the BDC sign off on that or does every broken up faction get an extra to talk from now on?

    An ad airs for Knockouts Knockdown 2015 and The Rising is mid-ring. Drew is sad about the end of The Rising. Why? Josh said last week that you can just change your name and get around the stipulation. Eli says they all deserve better than this and he thanks him for bringing him into TNA, and soon, he’ll show him how much that means. I don’t like Drew’s odds. Drew says that wrestling will be around forever and the roster is the future and the future is bright. A very mild TNA chant breaks out. Drew says that #standup will continue and EC3 feigns crying at ringside.

    Tyrus comforts his boss in his time of need, and EC3 laments that he’s already booked Drew in a three on three tag because he now has no partners and “this ship has sunk”. Yup, the ship sure has. EC3 says that it’s time for Drew to have a new one on three match against a totally different faction than the one he was feuding with. Josh points out that this is the second handicap match of the evening, which doesn’t make this any more interesting.

    Drew Galloway vs. The Revolution

    Pope calls the action, or at least the Twitter action as #standup is apparently a global phenomenon. Abyss chokes Drew on the ropes. Drew clotheslines and neckbreakers the heels down, but Khoya gets a Sky High for two because Abyss wants the win. Drew dropkicks Khoya into Abyss, which sends the 350 pounder to the floor and crotches Manik up top. Drew counts to three and gets a Sick Kick for the win.

    Backstage, Anderson congratulates EC3 on winning. Even though he doesn’t like the guy, he appreciates him being able to accomplish his dream and do so on his own. Anderson respects him putting the title up three times and wants one of the shots. EC3 declines and says he already has a match – against Bram. According to Twitter, he’s re-signed a deal with TNA – and that match is next. Anderson comes to face “The Chesterfield Plague, The Human Hate Machine” Bram who seemingly gets a new nickname with every contract.

    Mr. Anderson vs. Bram

    Maybe TNA has signed each nickname of Bram’s to a contract and that’s why he’s signed up through the end of time. Bram gets an armbar on the ground. Anderson gets a neckbreaker and a two count off a Kenton bomb. Bram hits him with a chair to the head on the floor for a DQ and Josh ponders that he doesn’t care. Well, I sure hope Bram wouldn’t care about a DQ against Mr. Anderson. Bram yells at someone to drop Anderson’s mic, and Bram uses it to do Anderson’s intro and bash his head in with. Josh says “ouch” to every shot and we close to Bram rapping the mic against his own head. Okay then.

    Jessie “The Man” Godderz is mid-ring and we see clips of a street fight from last week. Did that air on Xplosion? I have no recollection of it on Impact, but it’s leading to a street fight match this week. Pope says he wouldn’t wear his tights or boots to a street fight like these men are.

    Jessie Godderz vs. Robbie E – Street Fight

    Robbie dives to the floor and gets a running trash can lid shot to the head. Robbie gets a kendo stick from under the ring and gets a Cesaroplex onto a lid. Robbie puts the can over the genital region of Jessie and thwacks the lid with the stick. Jessie sidesteps a plancha and drives Robbie’s back into the post with a backbreaker. Josh theorizes that Jessie is trying to hurt him, which Pope buries him for since it’s a street fight. Jessie gets a slow buckle bomb and rakes the forearm across the face.

    Jessie gets the cane and hits the gut and back, but tosses it to the crowd. Jessie tosses a garbage can in and puts it in the corner. Robbie is down and Jessie gets another cane, but Robbie legsweeps him. Robbie’s nose is busted up and he eats a big dropkick after a few punches. Jessie brings a few chairs in, but gets rammed into the trash can.

    This is a by the numbers garbage match from nearly any video game of the past decade. Jessie lands a Last Ride through two chairs and it only gets two. Why not have that as a finish? It’s an over move, it looked vile, and it’s a mid-card match. Ah, now it makes sense – the Adonis Crab is locked on with Jessie sitting in the chair and trapping Robbie, who passes out from the pain. Why would you re-use the legendary Austin vs. Bret finish for Robbie E vs. Jessie Godderz of all things?

    EC3 talks about having three five star matches tonight, thus creating a 15-star evening. Lashley bumps into EC3 and wants to be one of the opponents. EC3 declines, but does make Lashley vs. Tyrus. God, I hope that’s short. Angle is reading and the camera guy asks what he’s reading, and Kurt just says that things are going to get interesting. Okay then – maybe he was reading the new Dusty bio in the Observer.

    Jarrett interview is up and Jeff says the deal between GFW and TNA is a work in progress. In August of 2014, he made GFW and has made alliances with companies across the world. He never thought TNA would be one of the alliances, thus framing GFW as bigger than TNA on TNA’s TV show. We get some GFW Youtube footage of the events of the past couple of weeks. Jeff says the KOTM title will now be the centerpiece of GFW and possibly other companies. Mid-ring, EC3 is here instantly – it’s title match time. EC3 says he has to go back to where he started – against Norv Ferman. Or Norv Fernum as he was known before and as the graphic states.

    EC3 vs. Norv Fernum

    Maybe TNA has re-signed Norv Fernum and/or Norv Ferman to contracts. Headlocker driver hits and Norv takes a great bump for it. EC3 doing his own intros and outros is quite great – he’s good at the job. Pope says that this is just a way for EC3 to stroke his ego while Josh strokes him. EC3 says that it’s Shark Week on Discover, so it’s time for Shark Boy!

    EC3 vs. Shark Boy

    Shark Boy was last seen being fat and thus getting a months-long series of storylines out of what was going to just be a one-shot – so kudos to him for that. He’s also lost his excess weight and is back in shape. EC3 tells him he’ll need a bigger boat and asks if he has a chance – Sharky responds with a shell yeah! Shark Boy pounds away with corner mount punches, but he eats a big lariat. Headlock Driver hits for the win. Josh wants a “shelfie” with Shark Boy. I normally don’t like Josh, but that was a great line.

    EC3 asks Tyrus to cut him and Kurt comes down with his envelope. Kurt says he has a contract and can get his rematch whenever he wants. He wants the title back and wants the rematch tonight. Pope wants this while Josh clearly doesn’t. Lashley’s out now too – so maybe he’s the third man. According to Josh, it’s Kurt. I have no idea what’s happening here.

    Lashley vs. Tyrus

    So the series is over, and now it’s time for Lashley vs. Tyrus. Lashley manages to outwrestle Tyrus, but eats a facebuster. Lashley hops up for a sleeper, but eats a crossbody for 2. EC3 says that Norv is like his son and we’re seeing his guy dominate an MMA expert. Exploder by Tyrus to Lashley and we’ll be getting EC3 vs. Angle in the main event. Tyrus goes up for a Vader bomb, but he’s hit in the thigh and hit with an electric chair drop. This was pretty scary as he kept moving backwards a bit and Lashley couldn’t keep him very steady – he hits it and gets the spear for the win. Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne is up next.

    But first, it’s part two of…part two of the Jarrett-Tenay interview. Jeff is asked what his legacy is in TNA ans he says the facts speak for themselves. In the ring, he was proud of his series with Kurt at that point in his career. He loved his early matches with AJ Styles and he’s proud to see him become what he is and he’s so proud of AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and the other TNA Originals. He loved Don West and he takes great pride in that team. Velvet comes out first while Josh talks about her just wanting her spot back. Madison gets a jobber intro, but a mic. She says Velvet’s dressed like a fan, so Velvet beats her up.

    Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne

    Pope says that Velvet’s got not just any stunner – but the Number One Stunner. Velvet beats her up on the floor, but breaks the count at 7. Madison tackles her down for 2. Northern lights suplex gets 2 and Madison follows that up with a cravate and knee strikes. Madison does the wave and shakes her hips before the headscissor driver. Velvet gets up and hits a series of kicks while Pople rattles off the Konami code. Velvet gets the Number One Stunner for the win.

    We see the TNA crew doing some charity work, and get Kurt Angle’s ring introduction right after. EC3’s intro is greeted with a pretty healthy amount of cheers. EC3 comes out and the belt looks great on him, but it’s hurt by him being scared and not arrogant – so he doesn’t look nearly as cool here as he usually does.

    EC3 vs. Kurt Angle – TNA World Title

    EC3 rolls to the floor out by “the man dinosaur” as Pope calls him. EC3 breaks the count a few times, but Kurt traps him in the corner and works on the leg. Kurt snap suplexes him over for 1. Rolling Germans hit for Kurt, but Tyrus goes up on the apron to take out Tyrus. Ankle lock is on EC3 mid-ring and EC3 pulls himself up via Brian Hebner and punches him out and taps out. Another ref came in and calls for the bell – and we’re told it’s via DQ. Josh says we’re not quite sure what happened and he recaps the events. Okay then. The main event will be Dixie Carter’s return and she comes into the building for the first time since being put through a table by Bully Ray nearly one year ago.

    EC3 is mid-ring twirling the mic around and says he’s done it again. Tonight, his aunt returns and we get her theme again. Dixie gets no reaction coming out, but a quick “Dixie” chant. Ethan hopes his aunt is proud and she stumbles over her lines as he talks. She shuts him up and says that she hasn’t been in the ring since she broke her back due to the “reign of Carter”. She says she was the monster who lied and manipulated everyone while hurting the company and its fans. Now he’s making the same mistakes she made. Dixie says she can’t change the past and wishes she could, but she can make sure her mistakes aren’t repeated.

    He’s earned the title, but he has to defend it without his last name. She’s embarrassed by the show tonight, but he’s right about one thing – the show needs someone in charge to make the tough decisions. She wants this to be the best wrestling company in the world and knows who can make it that – it’s not her, and it’s not EC3. Next week, we’ll get an X Title three way and Brooke vs. Taryn for the Knockouts title. Well, that was an abrupt ending to a largely bad show.

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