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  • UFC Fight Night 79 DFS Playbook: value picks, who to avoid

    The UFC returns for the fourth straight Saturday for their final event in the month of November. The Octagon heads to Seoul, South Korea for the first time for UFC Fight Night 79, headlined by a five-round welterweight bout between Benson Henderson and Jorge Masvidal. Let’s take a look at some fighters to target for your fantasy line-ups for the event.

    STUDS

    Dong Hyun Kim ($11,100)

    Dong Hyun Kim is the biggest betting favorite and the highest-salaried fighter on the UFC Fight Night 79 card. He fights a short-notice opponent who has yet to taste victory in the UFC. Kim hasn’t scored a lot of points, fantasy-wise, in his recent UFC bouts, but he is coming off of a submission win over Josh Burkman in May. He is a much-higher class fighter than his opponent, Dominic Waters, and he should be able to use his judo skills and striking to get the win. I expect him to finish Waters, and probably early, and he is a very good bet to score you a great amount of points on Saturday.

    Fredy Serrano ($10,400)

    Fredy Serrano enters just his third official professional MMA bout on Saturday, but he already has a good bit of hype being a member of the Colombian wrestling team in the 2008 Olympics. He has been impressive in his short career, with two wins by finish, and with his wrestling background and power in his hands, he has a very good chance at scoring a lot of points on Saturday. His opponent, Yao Zhikui, is just 2-2 in his career and hasn’t been overly impressive. Serrano is a fighter I like a lot on this card to do some damage.

    VALUE PICKS

    Alberto Mina ($9,200)

    Alberto Mina is a perfect 11-0 in his professional career. All eleven wins have come by finish, and he has been out of the first round just twice in his career. He has power in his hands, feet and knees, and he has a slick submission game. With all of that said, he has a low salary on Saturday. A lot of it has to do with his inactivity having fought just twice in the last four years, and more to do with his opponent, Yoshihiro Akiyama. Akiyama is a good wrestler who tends to rely too much on his striking, and that costs him fights. This is also a reminder that Akiyama is just 1-4 in his last five fights. Mina is a very solid value pick on this card.

    Sam Sicilia ($8,900)

    Sam Sicilia is looking to score his third straight win as he comes into UFC Fight Night 79. He is a live underdog play at a low salary as he takes on the tough Doo Ho Choi, who has won ten straight bouts. Sicilia has more experience inside the Octagon and these two have been scheduled to fight twice before, with Choi pulling out of the fight both times. Perhaps that will give Sicilia some extra motivation to finish Choi. Choi is a young and rising fighter, but Sicilia has that grittiness to get the job done. He is worth a shot if you are looking for a low-risk, low-salary, high-reward fighter.

    AVOID

    Jake Collier ($10,000)

    Jake Collier has a decent salary as he looks to score his second straight win when he takes on Dongi Yang, who makes his UFC return in his home country of South Korea. Collier hasn’t been overly impressive in the UFC, with a 1-1 record, and his lone win coming by a close split decision. He faces a tough wrestler in Yang, and one who can avoid being hit. Yang will look to land the takedowns on Collier and be the aggressor on the feet. At his salary point, Collier is someone who I will look to avoid rostering.

    Seo Hee Ham ($9,100)

    Seo Hee Ham is one of the more experienced fighters in the UFC’s strawweight division as she sports a respectable 15-6 record. She lost her UFC debut to Joanne Calderwood, but it was a bout she took on short notice. However, when looking at her 15 wins, 13 have come by decision, and in fights where she didn’t inflict a lot of damage. She fights a tough opponent in Cortney Casey, who has been training with the Power MMA camp in Arizona. She doesn’t have a ton of experience with just six professional fights, but her four wins have all come by stoppage in the first round. It is not a favorable match-up for Ham, so we also recommend to avoid her on your roster.

    OUR LINE-UPS

    RYAN FREDERICK: Dong Hyun Kim ($11,100), Doo Ho Choi ($10,500), Fredy Serrano ($10,400), Alberto Mina ($9,200), Jorge Masvidal ($8,600)

    I like Dong Hyun Kim and Fredy Serrano for the reasons stated above. I see them at a much higher level than their opponents, and I think a finish is likely for both of them, and both of them to win early. I like Doo Ho Choi over Sam Sicilia. Sicilia definitely has the chance to finish Choi, but Choi is a rising prospect with a good bit of hype, and he has some good power and good submissions. Alberto Mina has a chance at scoring the upset over Yoshihiro Akiyama. Mina hasn’t fought anyone really, but he is 11-0 with 11 finishes, and that is something to be accounted for. His salary made it easier to spend up on some bigger fighters. The same goes with Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal is cheap and is an excellent fighter. He has a tough fight against Benson Henderson, but he lands a lot of strikes, has good takedowns and can pull off the upset if Henderson isn’t careful enough.

    PAUL FONTAINE: Dong Hyun Kim ($11,100), Mike de la Torre ($9,600), “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim ($9,500), Dongi Yang ($9,400), Alberto Mina ($9,200)

    I’m picking both Dong Hyun Kim’s on my team cause it was just too juicy a prospect not to. But seriously, the one we’re all familiar with is a top contender who’s only lost once in his last 7 fights and that was to highly ranked Tyron Woodley. The second one, who will be making his debut, is a bit of an unknown but looking at his record, he’s won 7 of his last 8 fights, all by KO or submission. His opponent, Dominique Steele, lost his one and only UFC fight by KO so that seems like a likely outcome. Both guys will be hometown heroes in their native country so that should help. De La Torre came into UFC with a great reputation and I keep expecting him to finally put it all together so I’m putting him in my lineup with the hope that it happens here. Dongi Yang is returning to UFC after an impressive run outside the company, including a KO of former UFC title challenger Dennis Hallman in his last fight. His opponent Jake Collier has  had a loss and a split decision win in his two UFC fights so he’s not exactly setting the world on fire. My final pick is Alberto Mina, the unbeaten Brazilian who has won all of his fights by finish including his one and only UFC fight. His opponent Akiyama is one of the more overrated fighters on the roster with just one win in the last 6 1/2 years.

    PEACH MACHINE: Benson Henderson ($10,800), Doo Ho Choi ($10,500), Mike de la Torre ($9,600), Leo Kuntz ($9,300), Alberto Mina ($9,200)

    I’m a big fan of Masvidal, but he’s out of his league with Bendo, who looked great his first time out at 170.  Bendo has fought in Asia and is part Korean, so he’s got the home field advantage.  That’s my only real pick.  I selected four other guys I liked, then picked the opposite, because my recent picks have been terrible.  It could be a bad night out for me, but couldn’t possibly be any worse.  I do like de la Torre to finish but other than that, I’m really picking guys who I think will lose.  We will see.

  • UFC Fight Night 79: Henderson vs. Masvidal weigh-in results and live video

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC Fight Night 79: Henderson vs. Masvidal weigh-ins from the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, South Korea kicking off at 2 AM eastern time. The event airs on Saturday on UFC Fight Pass at 8 AM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at 5 AM eastern time. This will be the debut of the UFC in Seoul, South Korea.

    The event is headlined by a five-round welterweight bout as former UFC and WEC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson takes on former Strikeforce title challenger Jorge Masvidal, who took the headline position on short notice as an injury replacement for Thiago Alves. In the co-main event, it will be South Korea’s own Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim taking on Dominic Waters. Also on the card is the return after 14 months off for Yoshihiro Akiyama, who takes on the undefeated Alberto Mina.

    MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 8 AM ET/5 AM PT):
    Benson Henderson (170) vs. Jorge Masvidal (170)
    Dong Hyun Kim (171) vs. Dominic Waters (170)
    Yoshihiro Akiyama (170) vs. Alberto Mina (171)
    Doo Ho Choi (146) vs. Sam Sicilia (146)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 5 AM ET/2 AM PT):
    Dongi Yang (186) vs. Jake Collier (185)
    Yui Chul Nam (146) vs. Mike de la Torre (146)
    Tae Hyun Bang (156) vs. Leo Kuntz (156)
    Seo Hee Ham (115) vs. Cortney Casey (116)
    Yao Zhikui (126) vs. Fredy Serrano (125)
    Ning Guangyou (134) vs. Marco Beltran (136)
    Dominique Steele (171) vs. “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim (170)

    NOTES:
    *Benson Henderson needed the towel to make weight, but he made it at 170 pounds.
    *Dong Hyun Kim and Yoshihiro Akiyama got the big reactions from the crowd. Akiyama looked every bit as muscular as in the past. He is being billed to the local crowd as Choo Sung-hoon, which is his Korean name.
    *Yui Chul Nam and Mike de la Torre had an intense staredown with neither man shaking the others’ hand afterwards.
    *Dominique Steele needed a towel, but he made the welterweight limit of 171 pounds.

  • UFC Fight Night 79 Preview: 5 storylines to watch, betting odds & predictions

    The UFC spends Thanksgiving weekend bringing the Octagon to South Korea for the first time for UFC Fight Night 79 on Saturday. The event will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass with an early morning start time, or late-night start time depending on which coast you live in, with an eleven-fight card in Seoul, South Korea. The action kicks off with preliminary card action at 5 AM eastern time heading into the main card kicking off at 8 AM eastern time.

    The event will be headlined by a five-round bout in the welterweight division as former UFC and WEC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson fights at 170 pounds for the second time when he takes on Jorge Masvidal, who replaced Thiago Alves in the headline bout. In the co-main event, it will be South Korea’s own Dong Hyun Kim, looking to score his second straight win, taking on Dominic Waters, who stepped in to replace Masvidal. Also on the card is the return of “Sexyama” as Yoshihiro Akiyama takes on Alberto Mina. Let’s take a deeper look into the action and give you five storylines to keep your eye on for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 79 event.

    1. Will this be Benson Henderson’s last fight in the UFC?

    Benson Henderson enters the main event of UFC Fight Night 79 at a pivotal point in his career. This will be the final fight on Henderson’s contract with the UFC, and he will be testing the free agent market following Saturday’s event. Henderson is a former UFC and WEC lightweight champion with a 22-5 record in his career. If you were to rank all of the 500-plus UFC fighters in order, odds are Henderson would be ranked in the top 25. He has been a top-five lightweight in the world for the last six years, and as he has moved up to welterweight for the time being, he has shown he has the chance to be a threat there as well. He has just three losses inside the Octagon- losing the championship to Anthony Pettis, who just has Henderson’s number, a flash knockout to current champion Rafael Dos Anjos, and a close split decision loss to Donald Cerrone in January, the man getting the next title shot.

    It all comes down to how Henderson wants to test the market. Times are different these days with the Reebok deal and the opportunities to promote sponsors in the UFC being slim. Bellator has shown that they will go after high-profile fighters, and while the sponsorship issue doesn’t exist there, the exposure there hasn’t been the best, and their top fighters are getting pushed down the card in lieu of the likes of Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Kimbo Slice. Henderson is a bonafide main event fighter, and he is one of the best in the world. He will command a solid contract, but he belongs in the UFC. The competition is the best there, and if he wants to truly show he is the best, he re-signs when all is said and done. Henderson is the biggest name to find himself in this position since the Reebok deal was fully implemented in July, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Win or lose, I see him being back in the UFC, but his position makes for an interesting question heading into Saturday night’s event, when he takes on Jorge Masvidal in the headline bout.

    2. Will Jorge Masvidal spoil Benson Henderson’s night on Saturday?

    Jorge Masvidal gets his first UFC main event on Saturday night, taking on Benson Henderson in the five-round welterweight headliner, and it is a fight Masvidal is taking on short notice. He was scheduled for the card against Dong Hyun Kim, but it was a three-round bout. He now takes a five-round bout against a much different opponent, and one that he was scheduled to fight in April when both were competing at 155 pounds. Both are now at 170 pounds and looking to establish themselves as contenders. Masvidal has won four of his last five fights, with the lone loss coming in a close split decision to Al Iaquinta, a fight more remembered for Iaquinta’s post-fight tirade. Masvidal moved up to welterweight following that fight, and he had a strong knockout of Cezar Ferreira in July in his UFC welterweight debut.

    Henderson will come in as the big crowd favorite being of Korean descent, and with him being in his current position as noted above, Masvidal will be looking to spoil the party in the main event. Masvidal has the tools to be a threat in whichever division he competes in, and he seems more comfortable at 170 pounds as he doesn’t have to make the huge weight cut or worry too much about missing weight, though there were slight issues in his first drop back down. Henderson is one of the best in the world and Masvidal will have his opportunity to prove he belongs in the discussion. Masvidal has very good boxing and power, and Henderson is the better grappler and one who excels in bringing pressure. Henderson is an experienced five-round fighter while Masvidal has had just one over the years, a title fight loss to Gilbert Melendez in Strikeforce. Henderson is the favorite, and for good reason, but Masvidal a solid chance to score the upset.

    3. Will Dong Hyun Kim score the win in his home country?

    There are actually two fighters named Dong Hyun Kim on the fight card, a first in the UFC, but it is the veteran welterweight, otherwise known as “Stun Gun”, who comes into Saturday’s event as the biggest favorite on the fight card. He competes in the co-main event, and it will be his first fight in his native country of South Korea since 2004. This will be the 16th fight in the UFC career of Kim, who holds an 11-3 with 1 no contest record inside the Octagon, and he remains a top-ten ranked fighter. However, he has always had trouble getting inside the top five, and every top opponent he has fought has ended with him on the losing side. Kim hopes to reverse that curse, and while he doesn’t have a top-level opponent in this bout, the hope for Kim is that a big win in his home country will give him that extra boost towards title contention.

    He fights Dominic Waters, a man who took the fight on short notice looking to score the huge upset and get his first UFC win. Waters is an opponent to not take lightly as he comes from a good camp and has solid skills, but Kim is a tough opponent to fight no matter if you take the fight on two weeks’ notice like Waters did, or if you get the full eight weeks of a training camp to prepare for. Kim is an excellent judoka and has been improving his striking. Despite being 34-years-old, Kim doesn’t feel like a finished product, but has some hurdles to still overcome, one being his tendency to start off slow. It would be in Waters’ best interest to come out aggressive and try and catch Kim early, but Kim’s striking and overall suffocating top game will begin to take over the fight in the early stages of the opening round. This is a fight Kim is made to win, and he will get the job done.

    4. How much does Yoshihiro Akiyama have left?

    Yoshihiro Akiyama is a popular fighter who hasn’t quite lived up to the high expectations given to him when he signed with the UFC in 2009. He has had a tough road, and injuries haven’t helped him at all as he has missed a lot of action over the six years, having fought an average of just once a year during his UFC tenure. He was out of action for nearly 31 months following a February 2012 loss to Jake Shields, but he returned in September 2014 to score a decision win over Amir Sadollah, which ended a four-fight losing streak. He hasn’t fought since that win, having done some acting work since then, but he returns in South Korea, where he has a big following being a Korean descent.

    He will be taking on Alberto Mina, who is undefeated with an 11-0 record in his career, but he also has been out of action for a while. He hasn’t fought since a TKO win in his UFC debut over Shinsho Anzai in August 2014, and he actually has the same amount of fights in the last four years as Akiyama has. Mina is heavy-handed and has a solid submission game, so Akiyama will need to establish his wrestling to take Mina down and establish some ground-and-pound from the top. Akiyama looked good in his win over Sadollah, but he still has a tendency to wanna rely on his striking to win fights. Mina will make him pay with a slew of various attacks, from kicks to knees, and Akiyama’s chin has been battered before. Akiyama should use constant pressure and keep Mina out of range with his wrestling. This is a toss-up fight and one that will show if Akiyama has anything left in his tank.

    5. What else is there to look out for on the card?

    Filling out the main card is a featherweight bout between prospect Doo Ho Choi and “TUF” veteran Sam Sicilia. This is a fight that has been attempted to be made on two separate occasions, but injuries to Choi have caused the delay of the fight both times. They were set to fight at UFC 173 in May and again at UFC Fight Night 71 in July, and Sicilia wound up competing on both cards, winning fights over Aaron Phillips and Yaotzin Meza. Choi has one fight in the UFC, an 18-second TKO win over Juan Puig last November, and he has won ten straight fights and 12 of his 13 professional bouts. He is a knockout artist, much like Sicilia, and this fight has fireworks written all over it and a very good chance at winning “Fight Of The Night”.

    Another fighter to keep an eye on, this time in the preiminary card, is Fredy Serrano. Serrano is a former Olympian in wrestling for Colombia, competing in the same weight class that was won by current flyweight contender Henry Cejudo in the 2008 Olympics. Serrano retired from wrestling in 2013 and moved to MMA. He was on the first season of “TUF: Latin America” but lost to eventual winner Alejandro Perez. He made his UFC debut in March, scoring a third-round knockout win over Bentley Syler. Serrano has just a 2-0 record during his professional career, but also wins in two unsanctioned fights. He has the wrestling pedigree and has shown some great knockout power, and is a definite prospect in the growing flyweight division.

    Full UFC Fight Night 79 Fight Card, Betting Odds and Predictios

    MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 8 AM ET/5 AM PT)

    Welterweights: (#7 LW) Benson Henderson vs. Jorge Masvidal
    Betting Odds:     Henderson (-260), Masvidal (+220)
    Prediction: Henderson by decision

    Welterweights: (#7) Dong Hyun Kim vs. Dominic Waters
    Betting Odds:     Kim (-750), Waters (+525)
    Prediction: Kim by submission in round 1

    Welterweights: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alberto Mina
    Betting Odds:     Akiyama (-150), Mina (+130)
    Prediction: Akiyama by decision

    Featherweights: Doo Ho Choi vs. Sam Sicilia
    Betting Odds:     Choi (-240), Sicilia (+200)
    Prediction: Choi by knockout in round 2

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 5 AM ET/2 AM PT)

    Middleweights: Dongi Yang vs. Jake Collier
    Betting Odds:     Yang (+115), Collier (-135)
    Prediction: Yang by decision

    Featherweights: Yui Chul Nam vs. Mike de la Torre
    Betting Odds:     Nam (-120), Torre (+100)
    Prediction: Nam by decision

    Lightweights: Tae Hyun Bang vs. Leo Kuntz
    Betting Odds:     Bang (-135), Kuntz (+115)
    Prediction: Bang by submission in round 2

    Women’s Strawweights: Seo Hee Ham vs. Cortney Casey
    Betting Odds:     Ham (+145), Casey (-165)
    Prediction: Casey by decision

    Flyweights: Yao Zhikui vs. Fredy Serrano
    Betting Odds:     Zhikui (+155), Serrano (-175)
    Prediction: Serrano by knockout in round 2

    Bantamweights: Ning Guangyou vs. Marco Beltran
    Betting Odds:     Guangyou (-185), Beltran (+160)
    Prediction: Guangyou by decision

    Welterweights: Dominique Steele vs. “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim
    Betting Odds:     Steele (-130), Kim (+110)
    Prediction: Kim by decision

  • A look at the decision to make Sheamus the WWE champion

    A look at the decision to make Sheamus the WWE champion and its ramifications is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at WWE’s options, both the obvious ones and the ones out of the box, different ways to use people, the nature of the decision, the prior identical decision in 2011 and the storyline it was supposed to lead to and why it was made.

    We look at the real long-term goal, the note on the ratings, the portrayal of Sheamus leading up to the title change, the plans for the TLC show, what has been messed up, the women’s division, the WWE blaming Charlotte on a bad taste angle, ESPN and WWE, plus match-by-match coverage of Survivor Series with poll results and star ratings.

    We look at the TNA deal with Pop TV, both the good and the bad of it, plus the tapings in Bethlehem, the economics of the deal and note on the station.

    We’ve got a look at the New Japan tag team tournament, with current standings, goals of the tournament, who probably can’t win the tournament, and coverage of the tournament so far.

    We also look at why Genichiro Tenryu is one of the biggest stars of the past 40 years in wrestling, with a look at his career in wrestling, his days in sumo, his early U.S. run, his rise in All Japan, why he left All Japan, how his leaving led to a boom period for All Japan, his deal with Super World Sports, his feud with Riki Choshu  and Jumbo Tsuruta, the real story behind his Tokyo Dome match with Hulk Hogan, the story behind his rise. the WAR days his biggest matches and his final show.

    We also have an update on Randy Orton, Cesaro, notes on new WWE signing La Sombra, thoughts on the Sombra signing, how it’s the same and different from the original Mistico signing, WWE week on USA and changes this year, WWE Network shows, Brock Lesnar’s return to Raw, legal briefs filed by WWE, why Stephanie McMahon has been gone from TV and why she’s back regularly, next Takeover special, HHH talks Hogan’s return, John Cena talks his departure, WWE star teases retirement in a few years, Mick Foley upset with creative direction and notes from the developmental shows over the weekend,.

    We also have coverage of the UFC show in Monterrey, Mexico.

    The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: November 30, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Sheamus wins WWE title, Tenryu retirement show

    You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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

    If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    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’ve also got the weekly coverage of all the ratings of the major shows, results from the major league events held around the world, and the major TV show rundowns.

    Also in this issue:

    –CMLL talks La Sombra leaving

    –Title matches this past week in CMLL

    –Cibernetico’s CMLL debut

    –AAA cancels one of its major shows

    –More on Cibernetico leaving AAA and AAA’s reaction

    –Notes on Alberto’s AAA contract

    –More people who have gotten offers to leave AAA

    –A look at the weekend ZZ Inc. shows with international stars

    –Early notes on Dragon Gate’s final show of the year and a unique match announced

    –Another star leaves All Japan

    –Early All Japan tag team tournament notes

    –NOAH star leaving and rumors about heading to WWE

    –Latest in NOAH vs. Suzuki-gun

    –Several people looking at breaking the U.S. attendance record for a real match next year

    –College heavyweight looking to join unique company and the pro stars who he’s trying to join

    –Notes on the moving of the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame

    –Inductees into the Hall of Fame this year

    –Former WWE star writing autobiography

    –Wrestling promoter murdered at race track

    –Notes on where Lucha Underground stories are going

    –Details of last week’s Lucha Underground tapings

    –Notes on ROH’s anniversary show

    –Notes on ROH’s Tokyo tour

    –Details from ROH’s TV tapings for the next month

    –What Kurt Angle is up to next

    –Awesome Kong update

    –Rousey vs. Holm PPV numbers

    –More records set by Rousey vs. Holm

    –A look at UFC business since it got on Spike TV

    –Notes on an investigation of UFC business policies

    –Dana White talks Georges St-Pierre

    –Notes on the economics of a GSP comeback

    –Jon Jones talks his return

    –New UFC fights announced

    –New UFC business partner on Fight Pass

    –Notes on this week’s UFC show

    –Cyborg’s next fight

    –Rundown of Bellator show

    –Fallout of the Cotto vs. Alvarez fight

    –Update on New Year’s Eve shows in Japan

    –War Machine on trial

    –WSOF tournament notes

    You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    You can also order print issues 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.

    If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

  • Daily Update: More info on canceled TNA tour, Thanksgiving wrestling history

    Smackdown tonight on Syfy

    Dudleys vs. Erick Rowan & Luke Harper

    Becky Lynch vs. Paige

    Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger in a non-title match

    New Day vs. Sin Cara & Kalisto in a non-title match

    Dean Ambrose vs. Tyler Breeze vs. Dolph Ziggler – Winner gets an IC title shot

    It’s a Thanksgiving themed show.

    NEW JAPAN TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT FROM THE HIROSHIMA GREEN ARENA TONIGHT AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN AND 1:30 A.M. PACIFIC TIME LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

    Tiger Mask & Jay White & David Finlay vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka

    Jushin Liger & Kushida & Mascara Dorada & Juice Robinson vs. Toru Yano & Gedo & Michael Bennett & Matt Taven

    Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata & Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale & Cody Hall

    Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil in the tournament

    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin vs. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma in the tournament

    Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian in the tournament

    Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii vs. A.J. Styles & Yujiro Takahashi in the tournament

    It’s Black Friday and that means Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online has a huge deal for you!

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    Figure Four Weekly

    Figure Four Weekly (11/23/15): Lots of Updates in Hulk Hogan-Gawker case
    Lots of news including a win for Gawker, the new police report, the remaining mysteries of the case, what Bubba the Love Sponge is saying, and more.

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    A look at the decision to make Sheamus the WWE champion and its ramifications is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We look at WWE’s options, both the obvious ones and the ones out of the box, different ways to use people, the nature of the decision, the prior identical decision in 2011 and the storyline it was supposed to lead to and why it was made.

    We look at the real long-term goal, the note on the ratings, the portrayal of Sheamus leading up to the title change, the plans for the TLC show, what has been messed up, the women’s division, the WWE blaming Charlotte on a bad taste angle, ESPN and WWE, plus match-by-match coverage of Survivor Series with poll results and star ratings.

    We look at the TNA deal with Pop TV, both the good and the bad of it, plus the tapings in Bethlehem, the economics of the deal and note on the station.

    We’ve got a look at the New Japan tag team tournament, with current standings, goals of the tournament, who probably can’t win the tournament, and coverage of the tournament so far.

    We also look at why Genichiro Tenryu is one of the biggest stars of the past 40 years in wrestling, with a look at his career in wrestling, his days in sumo, his early U.S. run, his rise in All Japan, why he left All Japan, how his leaving led to a boom period for All Japan, his deal with Super World Sports, his feud with Riki Choshu  and Jumbo Tsuruta, the real story behind his Tokyo Dome match with Hulk Hogan, the story behind his rise. the WAR days his biggest matches and his final show.

    We also have an update on Randy Orton, Cesaro, notes on new WWE signing La Sombra, thoughts on the Sombra signing, how it’s the same and different from the original Mistico signing, WWE week on USA and changes this year, WWE Network shows, Brock Lesnar’s return to Raw, legal briefs filed by WWE, why Stephanie McMahon has been gone from TV and why she’s back regularly, next Takeover special, HHH talks Hogan’s return, John Cena talks his departure, WWE star teases retirement in a few years, Mick Foley upset with creative direction and notes from the developmental shows over the weekend,.

    PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

    The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: November 30, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Sheamus wins WWE title, Tenryu retirement show

    You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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    TODAY’S DAILY UPDATE

    • Want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  Right now we have a special on the site for a one-month subscription for just $3.99. 
    • There was a time when Thanksgiving was the biggest night of the year in wrestling.  For subscribers, the history of pro wrestling on Thanksgiving day
    • We want to send our sympathies to the Gilbert family on the passing of Tommy Gilbert, a regular in Tennessee wrestling for a generation.
    • Regarding the cancellation of the TNA tour of India, where the talent was supposed to be leaving this weekend, the talent has been told it will be getting paid for the tour.  By contract with their TV partners, TNA has to tour India once per year, so the tour has to be made up sometime soon.  TNA in its press release did not give a reason for the cancellation.  It was told to talent as logistical reasons and to others as security reasons.  It had nothing to do with ticket sales since the shows in India were free and being sponsored.  TNA had gotten work visas for like 50 people for the tapings. 
    • The expectation would be that Smackdown will draw its lowest rating in history given Thanksgiving used to kill the Smackdown ratings in the past when it was a lot more popular show on Thursdays.  Point being, holiday night shows, nobody really takes the numbers too seriously.  For whatever reason, and it may something about the different nature of the audiences, TNA ratings when they were on Thursday were never hit so hard. 

    WWE

    UFC

    MISCELLANEOUS

    • There are two more ZZ Inc. shows this weekend.  Tomorrow night in Merida has Blue Demon Jr. & Dr. Wagner Jr. & Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Brodus & Low Ki & Johnny Mundo.  Saturday night in Cancun has Mysterio Jr. & Wagner Jr. & Demon Jr. vs. Brodus & Low Ki & Mundo, plus Jack Evans & Angelico & Prince Puma vs. Brian Cage & Chavo Guerrero Jr. & MVP, Speedball Mike Bailey & Drago & El Hijo del Dos Caras vs. Willie Mack & Magnus & Psicosis and more.
    • Evolve has announced a tournament for its tag team championship with shows on 1/22 in Ybor City, FL, 1/23 in Orlando and 1/24 in Orlando (Royal Rumble weekend).  Teams announced are Chris Hero & Tommy End, Timothy Thatcher & Zack Sabre Jr., Trent Baretta & Rocky Romero, Caleb Konley & Anthony Nese and Johnny Gargano & Drew Galloway.  Thatcher & Sabre vs. Hero & End will take place the fight night.
    • Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Pineda has been added to the 2/19 Bellator show in Houston, which is the show headlined by Ken Shamrock vs. Royce Gracie and Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000.
    • Terry Funk talks the New Japan tag team tournament
    • Glory runs next on 12/4 in Amsterdam,, Holland with welterweight champion Nieky Holzken vs. Marthel Groenhart and heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven vs. Benji Adegbuy.  The show will air live on ESPN’s streaming at 4 p.m. that day and tape delayed on ESPN 2 at 8 p.m. on 12/6.  It also airs on ESPN Deportes on 12/6 at 4 p.m.  The first Glory show on ESPN 2, which aired at 1:30 a.m. on 11/6, did 198,000 viewers. 
    • CZW is offering a month of CZWstudios.com for free on Roku using the code CZWONROKU. 
    • The CZW Cage of Death show, its biggest of the year, is 12/12 in Voorhees, NJ at Flyers Skate Zone with Matt Tremont vs. Devon Moore vs. AR Fox vs. Masada in a cage of death match plus Dan Barry & Bill Carr, Team Tremendous vs. BLK Jeez & Pepper Parks.  They have a Black Friday special with 20% off all General Admission tickets at www.czwrestling.storenvy.com
    • Rob Van Dam hosts Extreme Championship Comedy featuring Sabu on the RVD YouTube channel
    • Legacy Wrestling on 12/5 in Manheim, PA at 2913 Spooky Nook Rd., with Val Venis, AR Fox, Matt Tremont, Jonathan Gresham and Veda Scott.
    • Smash Wrestling on 12/5 in Oshawa, ONT at Harmony Hall.
    • Capital City Championship Wrestling on Saturday in Ottawa, ONT at the Vanier Club with a Battle royal
    • Smash Wrestling results from Sunday in London, ONT:  John Greed b Tyler Thomas, Mike Rollins & Pepper Parks b Ben Ortmanns & Notorious TID, Candice LaRae won three-way over Courtney Rush and Jennifer Blake, Tyson Dux b Tarik, Scotty O’Shea b Tyler Tirva, Dillon Andrews won over Brent Banks, Facade and Kevin Bennett, Johnny Gargano b Sebastian Suave to retain the Smash Wrestling title (thanks to Steven Ashe and Adam Beazley)
    • SPW on 12/20 in Sacramento at the SPW Arena with Brian Tannen defending his SPW title against Scoot Robertson.  Fans donating an unwrapped toy will get  half priced admission.
    • GOUGE on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Durham NC at 723 Rigsbee Ave.
    • Legacy Fighting Championships on AXS TV on 1/22 in Houston.  Kelly Faszholz (3-0) faces Valentina Shevcheknko (9-1) for the women’s bantamweight title that was vacated by Holly Holm.  Evangelista Cyborg Santos will be fighting on the show.
    • NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on 12/19 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with Jason Kincaid vs. Nick Hammonds for the Southestern title in a weapons cage match.  Also appearing will be NWA champion Jax Dane, Rob Conway, Kid Kash, Chase Owens and Ricky Morton.
    • IWA Mid South tonight in Clarksville, IN at the Colgate Gym with Reed Bentley vs. John Wayne Murdoch in a no rope barbed wire fans bring the weapons match plus Chris Hero vs. Russ Jones.  Tomorrow night in the same building they are also running.
    • NFC Fight Night on 1/22 in Kennesaw, GA at Electric Cowboy.  If you go to www.caegtix.com/nfc and use the code TMTOBLAS you can a free ticket with each paid ticket.
    • Teddy Hart vs. Shelton Benjamin headlines an 11/30 show at the soccer stadium in Nuevo Laredo which also includes a six-man where the loser gets his head shaved or unmasked.
    • Shows announced for the Auditorio in Tijuana are 12/18 with Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. L.A. Park vs. Damian 666 vs. Pagano and Bestia 666 & Extreme Tiger (Tigre Uno in TNA) vs. Mr. Aguila & Mortiz, while 12/25 has Wagner Jr. & El Hijo de Rey Misterio & Super Muneco vs. Damian 666 & Pakal & Rey Misterio II.
    • A tribute show for Mil Mascaras and Tinieblas was announced for 12/6 in Monterrey at Arena Coliseo featuring Tinieblas Jr. vs. Scorpio Jr. in a mask vs. hair match. (thanks to Kris Zellner)  
    • RF Video announced they have a 40% off Black Friday sale tomorrow on selected titles.  
    • Busted Knuckle Wrestling on Saturday night in Niagara Falls, ONT at 6101 North St.
    • A Go Fund Me for former pro wrestler and bodybuilder Nicole Bass to save her from being evicted
    • 40 years ago today in Miami Beach at the Convention Center

    Karl Von Steiger b Omar Negro (Buddy Moreno/Omar Atlas)

    Abe Jacobs d Rip Hawk

    The Destroyer (Killer Kowalski) b Mike George

    Tom Jones & Roosevelt (S.D.) Jones b Bob Roop & Roger Kirby-DQ

    Cyclone Negro b Terry Funk

    Rocky Johnson b King Curtis Iaukea

    • Great North Wrestling tomorrow night in Rockland, ONT at the Jean Marc Lalonde Arena featuring Bushwhacker Luke and a TLC match.

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

    1983 – Marty Jones beat Fit Finlay in Manchester to win the British light heavyweight title

    1988 – Bruno Bekkkar beat Johnny Garcia (the younger brother of Tony Garea) to win the New Zealand heavyweight title

    1992 – Aja Kong beat Bull Nakano in Kawasaki to win the WWWA title and Kaoru It beat Tomoko Watanabe to win the Japanese women’s tilte

  • TNA Impact Wrestling 11/25 – World Title Series Week 8 with Lashley, Aries and Drew Galloway

    Last week, the World Title Series continued when Awesome Kong beat Brooke, while Uno beat Manik with a corkscrew moonsault. Eric Young beat James Storm with a piledriver, while Shera beat Aiden ‘O Shea. Crimson’s losing streak continued when he lost to Eli Drake, while Bobby Roode beat Abyss with a spinebuster in one of the most forgettable episodes of Impact since the WTS began. The opening video recapped last week’s matches. Spud faces Drew Galloway tonight, while Aries faces Lashley. Manik vs. Uno vs. DJZ is up next to determine who moves on in Group X Division. No one gets an intro and they just cut to the ring.

    Manik vs. Tigre Uno vs. DJZ

    Double leapfrog by Uno and DJZ leads to DJZ getting a pop-up dropkick sending Manik to the floor. Uno gets a dropkick on the apron to a seated DJZ sending him to the floor. Uno moonsaults onto both men from the top to the floor. Uno gets a wacky lucha submission, but Manik goes for his own move before DJZ prevents it. Manik rakes Uno’s face in the corner before DJZ flips around a bit to finally land a flying back elbow. Manik locks on a goofy Billy Goat’s Curse and Gory Special submission, which is turned into a cradle for 2. Manik rakes DJZ’s eyes, and Z moves leading to Manik and Uno clashing mid-ring. Double tornado DDT by DJZ gets the win to advance to the field of 16 – so the next winner here advances as well. 

    Manik gets a quick inverted sunset flip for 2. Dueling uppercuts lead to Uno getting a quebrada turned into a stunner for 2. Manik gets a combination armbar/kneebar and places Uno up top and crotches him. Manik goes for an electric chair, but Uno turns it into a German suplex and a corkscrew moonsault to win – so he advances alongside DJZ. This was a cluster of moves. Josh runs down Group UK while Josh says that tonight, Kurt Angle address his future. After a break, they run down that Group X Division is done, but all of Group UK is still alive. Drew cuts a promo on what appears to be a cheap Android phone from 2008 at Glasgow airport. He says he’s always seeing his friends growing up and is asked when he’ll be married – but he’s married to the business. Rockstar Spud comes out and looks much skinnier and less tan than his last appearance in the series. Josh calls Drew “the captain” for reasons that he never explains.

    Drew Galloway vs. Rockstar Spud

    Spud stands around while Drew takes a squatting position as his base before each puts up their dukes. Drew goes for a punch, but it misses, so Spud runs wild with a few punches of his own. Spud turns a gorilla press slam into a sunset flip, but that fails, so he takes Drew down anyway. Drew spinebusters Spud into the apron three times before trying to lawndart him into the post. Spud avoids that and sidesteps a dive, resulting in Drew bonking his head on the steps. Spud bets the ref to count quickly, but he gets in at 9. Spud goes for a cover and gets 2. Drew catches a crossbody and turns it into a tilt a whirl backbreaker. 

    Josh says he’s been reliving the World Title Series every day – so I assume he lost a bet. Spud hits the elbows and gets a shining wizard. He takes off the tie, but can’t hit the Underdog. Drew punches him on the apron and teases a powerbomb off the apron onto the steps. He doesn’t do it, so Spud kicks him into the ring. Spud gets a wonky flying DDT for 2. Spud runs at Drew and eats White Noise before hitting the Claymore kick to the chest rather weakly for the win. Each man is capable of having far better matches, but Drew at least won and advances to the round of 16. Quick ad break for Black Friday and Cyborg Monday – every order placed Mondays gets a free Kurt Angle banner.

    Bram vs. Grado

    Pope is astonished that Grado could in fact advance in the tournament when Grado faces Bram tonight. They kill some time talking about just what the brackets could be before Bram comes out to face Grado. Grado comes down as a fountain of charisma in purple and gold gear with polka dots. Pope says that when he watches Grado, he thinks he’s watching PBS. Josh mocks Grado for the Spud vs. Grado comedy match. Pope asks what Grado’s actual music is because he doesn’t listen to his entrance, and Bram just cradles him and beats him. Lashley highlight reel sets up another one for Aries showing off his big moves. Spud and Grado are out of Group UK as a turkey graphic appears on the screen beyond the green screen of Josh and Pope. Pope doesn’t want to give predictions, leading to Josh wondering just why TNA hired Pope as a broadcaster. Micah and Jessie Godderz get no ring introductions.

    Micah vs. Jessie Godderz

    Micah gets a back elbow while Pope talks about Micah missing aggression and he really needs ruthless aggression. Pope offers to give him advice while Josh says that Pope really shouldn’t be offering advice to anyone. Jessie drop toeholds Micah into the buckle while Pope cuts a fine promo about whether he was a face or a heel, he was intense. Jessie gets a bearhug while Josh plugs the TV tapings from January 5-9. Jessie rushes into a corner boot and eats a lariat and a big corner flying elbow before getting a back body drop. A giant Stinger splash hits and leads to a Big Ending for 2 because Jessie gets the ropes. Jessie gets some body shots and goes for the Crab, but Micah avoids it. Samoan drop hits for Micah, but a giant headbutt misses and Jessie gets the crab for the win. Jessie advances to the round of 16 and we get our first screen-filling graphic for someone advancing.

    Robbie E vs. Davey Richards is up next, but first up next, Kurt talks about his future. We get a hype video for everyone in Group Tag Team Specialists. Robbie comes out to face Davey while Pope says that Robbie has reinvented himself. Robbie comes out fist-pumping, in a giant hoodie, and with his wacky hair. We get clips of Davey’s intro while Pope rambles on for a while. And then they just cut away from the intros and throw to Kurt Angle. Kurt talks about the talented roster in TNA and that the Maximum Impact tour is his retirement tour in TNA. Kurt says he’s loved his career, from WWE to TNA.  Kurt says that he’s glad that his final run in TNA is in the UK before we go to Christy and get the full intros for the match we just got clipped intros for. 

    Davey Richards vs. Robbie E

    It begins with some mat wrestling as Josh talks about Robbie “trying to wrestle”. Robbie hiptosses him down and gets an armdrag. Davey drops down and hits a big dropkick to send Robbie to the floor. Running penalty kick misses and Robbie gets a somersault senton to the floor off the apron. Robbie gets a flying Hart Attack while Josh says Robbie wants to be a real hybrid athlete. Davey gets 2 of an exploder suplex. Davey locks on a modified version of the Indian Deathlock before Robbie gets to the ropes. They exchange punches before Davey headbutts him down. Robbie sends him to the corner, gets a lariat and gets 2. Creeping Death flying kick is countered by a full nelson into the Boom Drop for 2! Davey gets 2 off a cradle before nailing a double stomp to counter a sunset flip for 2. Alarm Clock hits before a tornado buzzsaw kick gets the win for Davey. Davey raises Robbie’s hand high. Josh plugs Bracket Brawl in a weirdly sped-up ad for that contest. We get a graphic for the people in the round of 16, with several faces cut off by the TV-14 graphic. Group Wildcard is up with Crazzy Steve facing off against Kenny King.

    Kenny King vs. Crazzy Steve

    The referee tells Steve to put his horn away while the crowd cheers wildly for Kenny King. King spins out of a hammerlock in a slick way and nips up. King runs him down before running in place before Steve knocks him down and struts. Josh runs through Steve’s backstory with the Menagerie and how he isn’t quite sure why Steve is still on the active roster. Steve gets a takedown to grab the horn. King kicks his face off and slams him while we see Aiden ‘O Shea put a stogie in his mouth. Steve gets a corner forearm and a series of clotheslines before grabbing the horn and hitting a running knee. Springboard rana hits for Steve before he bites his head and gets 2 off a schoolboy. A crucifix gets 2, but the Royal Flush wins for Kenny King. With the win, King and Shera are the only ones in Group Wildcard who advance to the round of 16. The final person will be determined by the winner of Lashley vs. Aries. Aries cuts a promo with Thea saying that he’s had some great matches with Lashley before, and Lashley’s a smart guy. Aries vs. Lashley is up next. But first, we get yet another awards show. Shera hitting the Sky High is the move of the series, while Brooke won biggest upset for beating Kong. Pope called Grado vs. Spud the turkey of the series. Bram is the sleeper of the series, and it’s time for the main event. Aries comes out while we see clips of him having great match after great match in the series. Lashley comes out and they hype up his Bellator career.

    Lashley vs. Austin Aries

    Lashley gets a big takedown to start. Aries gets a headlock, circles Lashley and locks on a hammerlock. Josh recaps how Aries is back after losing a “loser leaves TNA” match and how Aries used the loophole of the Group Champions name to get back in. Aries lands a missile dropkick, but Lashley sends him down anyway. Lashley shoulderblocks him in the corner to the floor. Aries tries to get back in, but eats the apron. Corner shoulder charge hits again and Lashley goes for the delayed suplex, but Aries fights back with knees, but Lashley hits it anyway and gets 2! Fantastic sequence leads to an ad break. 

    We come back to see Aries stomping the foot to avoid a German suplex. Discus elbow is countered into an overhead belly to belly by Lashley. Lashley goes for the spear, but Aries avoids it and sends Lashley into the post. Missile dropkick hits again and sends him down hard. Lashley deadlifts him off the mat into a stampede powerslam for 2. Josh says we have five minutes left in the match as Aries locks on the Last Chancery as Lashley dives into the ring – but he’s tied in the ropes. Lashley gets up and eats some knee strikes. Lashley counters a brainbuster into a press slam, but Aries gets two discus elbows! Big corner dropkick leads to a brainbuster attempt, but Lashley gets a flip German suplex! Aries goes for the suicide dive, but his feet get caught in the ropes and he lands out of control on the floor. Lashley shoves Earl down, which should be a DQ. Lashley tosses him in while Earl checks on him. Lashley picks him up, but Earl puts him back down. Lashley preps for the spear while Earl tells him no. Aries fights back with an overhand chop. It’s all Aries has left and he goes down. Lashley goes for the spear, but Aries gets the Last Chancery in the middle of the ring. Lashley makes it to the rope, so Aries breaks the hold.  Aries goes up top for the 450, but Lashley avoids it and eats the spear! Lashley moves on in the series – this was easily the best match of the series so far. The main event is over, but there’s still 15 minutes left in the show with nothing announced.

    Josh says that the brackets will be announced – so that may actually be the main event segment. We see clips of tonight’s matches. Block A will feature EC3 against DJZ, while Bram faces Davey Richards. Block B features Lashley against Drew Galloway while Shera faces Eli Drake. In Block C, Gail faces Tigre Uno while Eric Young faces Kenny King. In Block D, Jessie faces Awesome Kong while Bobby Roode faces Matt Hardy. EC3 cuts a very echoey promo and buries DJZ. DJZ cuts another promo on his phone and says he’s a recovering scumbag and he loves walking around with girls while EC3 likes walking around with a 300 pound man. Davey cuts a very sedate promo from what appears to be a massage room, while Eli says that he’s moving on and there’s no surprise in that and while Shera dances, he’ll dance to the top. EY says that he’s king of the world and God, while Jessie says that no man, woman, or Kong can stop him. More cell phone footage, now with Roode in a ratty hoodie talking about respecting Matt Hardy, but doing whatever it takes to win. Matt says that Roode can’t stop the Matt Hardy Train and we get a quick hype video for next week. Well, Aries vs. Lashley was well-worth watching. The rest of the show was pretty skippable. To see every screenshot for the show, just click here.

  • Tommy Gilbert, Tennessee wrestling legend, passes away at 75

    Tommy Gilbert, a mainstay in Tennessee wrestling during the 60s, 70s and 80s, passed away earlier today at the age of 75.

    Gilbert and Eddie Marlin were a regular babyface tag team in the 60s, battling the top heel teams of the era like The Interns and the Von Brauners. He also formed championship tag teams with Bearcat Brown, Ricky Gibson, Sputnik Monroe, Tojo Yamamoto, Ron Wright and did a father-and-son tag team with son Eddie Gilbert.

    Gilbert’s father, Arlie was a pro wrestler and his sons, Thomas Jr. (Eddie), who passed away in 1993, and Doug, who still wrestles, were wellknown wrestlers.

    He worked most of his career for promoters Nick Gulas and Jerry Jarrett in Tennessee and Alabama, as well as Puerto Rico. He also used the name Johnny Starr while wrestling in Texas in the 70s.  His son Doug wrote, “Earlier this morning, my dad Tommh Gilbert left us and is now home in heaven with Eddie.  Prayers during this difficult time are appreciated.”

  • WWE NXT recap for 11/25/2015: Bayley vs Eva Marie

    -Just a fun reminder to check out the Wrestling Outsiders Podcast and our interview with Dave Meltzer, which is live right now at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/139049

    The Big News: Despite WWE Corporate stacking the deck in Eva Marie’s favor, Bayley retained her championship in a fun, well booked main event.

    The Medium News: Sami Zayn returns soon!

    The Little Beaver-sized News: Michael Cole is in charge with Mr. Regal recovering from surgery

    -Michael Cole is in the ring to oversee the contract signing for the Finn Balor-Samoa Joe title match at NXT Takeover. Cole is booed until he mentions that Mr. Regal has undergone successful surgery. Cole was booed again when he mentioned he was put in charge.

    Cole says that Mr. Regal ixnayed the Bayley-Eva Marie match, but WWE Corporate overruled Mr. Regal and that match will happen tonight.

    With that Finn Balor and Samoa Joe came to the ring for their signing. Balor came out first, took the mic and told Joe he is not entitled to the NXT Title and plans on sticking his foot down Joe’s throat.

    Joe stormed to the ring, signed the contract and immediately walked away without saying a word. Balor was calling him a coward and tried to get Joe to stick around, but Joe was having nothing of it.

    Finn walked away, but when he got to the top of the ramp Joe attacked him, ran him to the ring and threw him in there. After a brief flurry of punches by both men Joe locked on the Coquina Clutch and choked out Finn.

    1.) NXT Tag Team Champions Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson defeated The Vaudevillians

    It is a tag team championship rematch. Just two weeks ago The Vaudevillians dropped the belts to Dash & Dawson and now they are looking to reclaim the belts.

    The champs got the heat on English by dropping him with a single arm DDT. It didn’t last long as Gotch got tagged in and went all manly on their foes until Dawson knocked his head off with a clothesline. Both teams went for their finish, but it got reversed both times. However, at the end of the day Dash blind tagged himself in, the champs hit their move and retained the championship.

    As the champs celebrated we saw the return of Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady! The fans exploded as Enzo and Cass lay a hurting on the champions. Dash and Dawson are sent packing and it looks like their future foes have been decided.

    -Eva Marie was sitting on William Regal’s desk. When Tom Phillips asked her why, she simply said that it is because she needs more space to get ready. Eva then went on to say that Bayley is a swell girl, but we need a real woman to be champion. She says she is happy to have the support of the entire WWE Universe, before showing a bunch of gifts left for her.

    Eva then introduced her new friend, Nia Jax, and said nothing beats friendship.

    -A video aired with a bearded man playing guitar. I bet he’s coming to NXT. All we saw was his beard and his clothes, with the video in black and white.

    2.) The match between Asuka and Dana Brooke never started

    On October 7 Asuka debuted at NXT Takeover by beating Dana Brooke all over the arena. Well Dana did not learn her lesson and here we are for a rematch.

    Dana cut a promo while walking to the ring when Emma attacked Asuka from behind! Asuka took care of her quickly, but when Asuka turned her attention back to Dana, Emma attacked again and put her in the Emma Lock. The heel duo walked off together with no match.

    As she got back to her feet, Asuka smiled. Someone is going to die.

    -Bayley cut a promo saying that Eva Marie is pretty and has WWE Corporate on her side, but the difference is Bayley is a wrestler and tonight she will show Eva why she is the Women’s Champion.

    -Sami Zayn returns soon. That’s good.

    3.) Apollo Crews pinned Jesse Sorensen

    Apollo is three weeks away from going one on one with Baron Corbin at NXT Takeover. Tonight he does battle with the man most famous for breaking his neck on a live TNA ppv. He has been on the show at least twice already, but the announcers acted like this was new.

    The highlight of the match was Apollo holding Jesse up for a suplex for 21 seconds before dropping him. Sorensen got just enough offense so it wasn’t a total squash, but Crews won with a sit out power bomb.

    After the match Crews officially accepted Baron’s challenge. I actually thought he did that last week. Oh well.

    -Baron Corbin immediately replied with a promo saying Apollo is going to be the answer to a trivia question because no one will remember him.

    -Charles Robinson walked to the ring before the main event and was added as a second referee. Robinson is here to ensure there will not be controversy in the match.

    Next week: Samoa Joe vs Tommaso Ciampa

    4.) NXT Women’s Champion Bayley pinned Eva Marie (Thank God)

    This is not the first time these two wrestled. Last year they tried to re-debut Eva Marie and she had an atrocious match with Bayley that she was taken off tv for a year and it finished 5th in the Worst Match of the Year in the Observer last year. Eva Marie had Nia Jax for immoral support and Bayley had 300 screaming fans. They are really pushing the idea of WWE Corporate trying to set up Eva Marie winning here.

    When they dimmed the lights for the introductions Eva Marie posed like a model while Bayley stood there and shook her head at the challenger. Eva was doing everything well, but was doing it a step slowly. At least nothing got botched. Anyway Eva hit a suplex, Bayley got up and hit the Belly to Bayley Suplex, but Nia Jax pulled the referee out, injuring him.

    Charles Robinson took over as Nia jumped up on the apron and laid out Bayley with a headbutt behind Charles’ back, but Eva only got a 2 count. Eva used some more of her slow offense until the champ took her head off with a clothesline. Bayley went for a corner charge, but Charles stepped in front of her, claiming Eva was in the ropes.

    Eva hit The Kendrick NOOO! YES! Bayley kicked out. Eva went for The Kendrick a second time, but Bayley pushed her into Charles, knocking him out of the ring. Nia interfered yet again, but Bayley yanked her off the apron, laying her out. After that Bayley hit a Belly to Bayley Suplex from the middle rope for the win!

    That was a fun match. They kept it simple and threw in a lot of smoke and mirrors to cover up for Eva’s shortcomings.

    After the match Nia laid out Bayley before dropping the championship on her prone body.

    -That does it for this week. Thank you for reading and I wish my American readers a very Happy Thanksgiving. Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!

  • Daily pro wrestling history (11/26): Scott Steiner wins WCW World Title, WCW vs. WWF on PPV

    1942 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Orville Brown for the Midwest Wrestling Association version of World Heavyweight Title 

    1960 

    – Al Costello & Roy Heffernan defeated Johnny Valentine & Chief Big Heart for the United States Tag Team Title (later became WWWF World Tag Team Titles)

    1964 Thanksgiving Night

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Verne Gagne beat AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon dq
    – Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Rene Goulet & Reggie Parks
    – Igor Vodik beat Klondike Bill
    – Bob Boyer drew Eddie Sharkey 
    – Ivan Kalmikoff beat George Drake

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Sonny Myers defeated Bob Brown
    – Danny Plechas defeated The Lawman
    – Moose Evans defeated Tiny Mills via DQ
    – Rocky Hamilton fought Sailor Art Thomas to a double count out
    – Pat O’Connor fought Mike DiBiase to a draw
    – Ron Reed defeated The Mongolian Stomper
    – Mike DiBiase won an 11-man Battle Royal 

    1981 Thanksgiving Night

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Sheik Adnan
    – Arm Wrestling: Hulk Hogan beat Jesse Ventura
    – Billy Robinson & Tito Santana & Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum & Jerry Blackwell
    – Adrian Adonis drew Buck Zumhofe
    – Evan Johnson beat Kenny Jay

    1986

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Greg Gagne beat AWA Champion Curt Hennig (AWA belt held up)
    – Adrian Adonis beat Tommy Rich
    – Nord The Barbarian beat Soldat Ustinov
    – Madusa Maceli beat Bambi
    – JT Southern & Mitch Snow beat AWA Tag Team Champions Original Midnight Express dq
    – DJ Peterson beat Kevin Kelly
    – Nick Kiniski beat Alan West dq

    1987 Thanksgiving Night

    Chicago, Illinois: 
    – Dusty Rhodes defeated Lex Luger in a Steel Cage match to win the NWA United States Title
    – Ric Flair defeated Ronnie Garvin in a Steel Cage match to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title
    – NWA World Television Champion Nikita Koloff defeated UWF Television Champion Terry Taylor to unify the titles

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Shaun Simpson defeated Eric Embry to win the World Class Light Heavyweight Title 
    – Kevin Von Erich defeated Al Perez in a Texas Death Match
    – Kerry Von Erich defeated Brian Adias

    Richfield, Ohio:
    – Randy Savage (w/ Miss Elizabeth), Jim Duggan, Jake Roberts, Ricky Steamboat, & Brutus Beefcake defeated WWF IC Champion the Honkytonk Man (w/ Jimmy Hart), King Harley Race (w/ Bobby Heenan), Danny Davis, Hercules, & Ron Bass 
    – Andre the Giant (w/ Bobby Heenan), Rick Rude, King Kong Bundy, Butch Reed (w/ Slick), & the One Man Gang defeated WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan, Bam Bam Bigelow (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink), Paul Orndorff, Ken Patera, & Don Muraco 

    1988

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – AWA Champion Jerry Lawler beat Wahoo McDaniel dq
    – Greg Gagne & Robert Gibson beat AWA Tag Team Champions Badd Company Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond (No title change. Wrong man pinned)
    – Sgt. Slaughter beat Iron Sheik dq
    – Michael Hayes no contest King Parsons
    – Jimmy Jack Funk beat Derrick Dukes
    – Wendi Richter beat Madusa Meceli to win AWA Women’s Title
    – Larry Cameron beat Bert Timmons
    – Del Wilkes beat Mike Enos

    1994 

    Madison Square Garden:
    – Bob Backlund lost the WWF World Title to Diesel (Kevin Nash)

    1995

    Norfolk, Virginia:
    – Lex Luger defeated Randy Savage
    – Sting defeated Ric Flair 
    – Randy Savage won the 60-man, three ring World War 3 Battle Royal

    2000

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
    – Scott Steiner defeated Booker T in a Straight Jacket Steel Cage match to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title
    – General Rection defeated Lance Storm to win the WCW United States Title 
    – Kevin Nash & Diamond Dallas Page defeated Chuck Palumbo & Shawn Stasiak to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles

  • TNA to cancel India tour, company claims postponement

    TNA will be announcing shortly that the scheduled 12/2 to 12/4 tour of India has been canceled.

    Talent that had been booked on the tour were contacted more than two hours ago stating the tour is now off.  TNA had planned the semifinals of its world title tournament as well as a live PPV in India during the three nights.

    TNA claimed to talent the tour was being postponed to 2016.  

    Talent was told the tour was canceled due to safety concerns.  They were scheduled to leave this weekend.  Everyone is scrambling now to find bookings for this weekend on short notice.

    The tour was being promoted by TNA’s broadcast partners, Sony Six, and TNA had already done advanced work for the tour as well as spent months pushing Mahabili Shera for its partners.