St. Louis, Missouri: – Everette Marshall beat Dr. Karl Sarpolis – Dick Shikat beat Paul Jones – Orville Brown defeated Chief Chewchki
1944
Des Moines, Iowa: – World Heavyweight Champion Orville Brown and World Junior Heavyweight Champion Ken Fenelon wrestled to a draw
1962
Kansas City, Kansas: – Sonny Myers defeated Ivan Zukov – Bob Orton defeated Lee Henning via DQ – United States Heavyweight Champion Pat O’Connor defeated Tiny Mills in three falls – Lumberjack Match: Bob Geigel defeated Red Bastien in three falls
1968
Atlanta, Georgia: – Johnny Valentine defeated the Professional (Doug Gilbert) to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title
1973
Kansas City, Kansas: – Elimination Match: Kit Conway & Mike George & Jim Brunzell defeated Tokyo Joe & Baron Scicluna & Lord Alfred Hayes – Steve Bolus defeated Taro Kobayoshi – Gentleman Ben the Wrestling Bear defeated Roger Kirby – Indian Chain Match: Danny Little Bear defeated Bob Orton – Central States Heavyweight Champion Bob Brown defeated Black Angus in three falls – Harley Race defeated Dory Funk, Jr. by DQ
1974
Denver, Colorado: – Saloon Match: The Crusher beat Larry Heiniemi – Horst Hoffman beat Ivan Putski – Chris Taylor beat Yugo Babich – Boris Breznikoff & Bobby Heenan beat Larry Hennig & Greg Gagne
1975
St. Paul, Minnesota: – Nick Bockwinkel defeated Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Title. This was Bockwinkel’s first AWA World Title and ended Verne Gagne’s 7 year title reign. Referee for the match was the late Paul Perschman (Buddy Rose) – Pampero Firpo no contest Baron Von Raschke – Billy Robinson beat Kim Duk dq – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Bobby Duncum & Buddy Wolff – Jos Leduc beat Don Wade
1979
Lexington, Kentucky: – AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel defeated Bill Dundee to retain title – Jerry Lawler defeated Superstar Billy Graham to win the CWA Title
1980
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: – Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated The Samoans to win the WWF World Tag Team Title
Chicago, Illinois: – King Kong Brody & Ernie Ladd beat Dick The Bruiser & Andre The Giant – AWA Champion Verne Gagne no contest Billy Robinson – Nick Bockwinkel beat Pat O’Connor – Wilbur Snyder beat Dick Murdoch dq – Steve Regal drew Spike Huber – Tito Santana beat Roger Kirby – Mad Dog Vachon beat Ali Hassan – Bobby Heenan beat El Bracero
1982
Memphis, Tennessee: Attendance was 7,329 – No Time Limit, No dq, Lawler’s Hair vs Southern Title: Jerry Lawler beat Nick Bockwinkel to win Southern Title – Lumberjack Match: Jackie Fargo beat Jimmy Hart – Southern Tag Team Champions Fabulous Ones beat Jesse Barr & Crusher Broomfield – Bill Dundee & Dutch Mantel beat Sweet Brown Sugar & Bobby Eaton dq – The Sheepherders beat Jacques Rougeau & Terry Taylor – Steve Regal beat The Angel – Spike Huber beat Carl Fergie
1993
Memphis, Tennessee: – Brian Christopher & Jeff Jarrett defeated Rex Hargrove & Koko B. Ware to win the USWA Tag Team Title
1997
Bardstown, Kentucky: – Bull Pain defeated Buddy Landell to win the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
1999
State College, Pennsylvania: – The New Age Outlaws defeated Mankind & Al Snow to win the WWF World Tag Team Title
Indianapolis, Indiana: – Scott Hall defeated Bret Hart, Sid Vicious & Goldberg for the vacant WCW U.S. Heavyweight Title in a Ladder match
2003
Secaucus, New Jersey: – Jerry Lawler defeated Al Snow to win the Jersey All Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title.
Wilmington, Delaware: – Kid Kruel defeated Christopher Daniels to win the ECWA Heavyweight Title
By: PeachMachine (@hendosfoodblog and @parkingcone)
This week…
TLC 2 – December 19,2010 – Houston Texas – Toyota Center
Dark Match – Daniel Bryan (c) defeated Ted DiBiase (with Maryse) for the WWE United States Championship
Not on the network, but let’s start our tally of current WWE employees versus goners – D. Bryan still with the company (barely), but DiBiase and Maryse are gone, so it’s 1-2.
U.S. Champion D. Bryan in the dark slot. Ya.
Dolph Ziggler (c) defeated Kofi Kingston and Jack Swagger in a triple threat ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Stryker, Cole and Lawler again. Cole has his Slammies. Remember when the Slammies were real, or something like that?
Of the four performers involved in the first match, yes for Kofi, yes for Dolph, yes-ish for Swagger, and no for Vicki, so it’s 4-3.
A pretty average three way and a pretty average ladder match with a super flat finish of Dolph picking the title up off the ground that was dropped by Kofi and Swagger.
Natalya and Beth Phoenix defeated LayCool (Layla and Michelle McCool) in a tag team tables match
Natalya is the only one still remaining, so we’re at 5 in and 6 out.
I’ve haven’t heard as many hi-yas in one place since my 6 year old birthday party where we all were dressed as ninjas.
Stryker just sounds like a complete dork.
I enjoyed the painted table because I have no idea if it was supposed to be flattering or insulting to LayCool.
I see why they haven’t done another one of these since.
The double Sharpshooter by Natalya actually looked pretty good.
Natalya having to do the cross body off the top because the table didn’t break made the ending at least enjoyable.
Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov (c) defeated The Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Health Slater) (with Husky Harris and whatever Curtis Axel was before, something McGuillicutty?) by DQ for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Santino is not wrestling anymore, Kozlov is gone, Gabriel quit, Slater is a jobber, Harris is now Bray Wyatt, and Axelmania is, well, unclear at best. That puts us at 8 on the roster and 9 not, and the biggest current player of this match is Husky Harris.
Remember Kozlov?
John Morrison defeated King Sheamus in a ladder match to determine the number one contender to the WWE Championship
Wow, Michael Cole really stepping up his annoyingness putting himself over in this one. Nothing I like more than hearing the announcers talk about how great they are personally.
Sheamus is still around, and Morrison is doing stand up comedy. Who came out better? 9 still here, 10 gone.
Let’s toss the announce team into our tally, so we have Cole and King still around and Stryker gone. Now we’re even at 11.
Pretty wild ladder match. I like when they build stuff out of the ladders.
Do you think Morrison really did Parkour? Like in his free time, would he go run in the park and jump off of picnic tables? Or did he just go to the gym like a normal person.
I like to think that all contract disputes are settled this way. “Alright, we’ve acquired the Donaldson contract. Let’s all thank Gary for winning that ladder match.”
Michael Cole, “That steel ladder bent in half!” WWE Director, “And now lets got a shot of those wood shards from where the wooden section of the ladder broke.”
This is actually a dang good match. Really fun stuff here.
The Miz (c) (with Alex Riley) defeated Randy Orton in a tables match for the WWE Championship
Miz is still around and now wearing a cape, Orton is around but injured, and A-Ry? MIA. I can’t count him as a current roster member… Well I just checked the WWE Superstars page, and he’s there, so I have to count him. 14 yes – 11 no. Oh wait, I forgot to add Josh Matthews to the no list. 14-12.
I once pitched a tag team idea for Zach Ryder and Alex Riley. They would have been called A Ri to Z Ry… And by pitched I mean, said to myself alone in the car and giggled.
Did you do your Randy Orton body research from last week? One day when I figure out how to screen shot something I’ll do it myself. Nah, I won’t. Regardless, he looks better in 2010 than 2009. Bigger for sure. And it looks like he finally got those wonderful tattoo sleeves completed.
A Ry took the table bump and Miz put a lifeless Randy Orton through the remains, and Mike Chioda didn’t see it because he had been bumped.
Chioda saw the replay on the big screen and restarted the match. Let’s start the 90-second timer… Way less.
So now Orton falls off the apron and into a table and the match is over.
So the ref can use replay but only if they happen to notice it. It can’t be done officially, I guess. Cole was yelling about how instant replay is illegal.
They showed a replay of Chioda watching the replay. Whoa! Trippy.
Edge defeated Kane (c), Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) in a Fatal-4-Way TLC match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Rosa Mendes and Del Rio chatted it up before the match. Strangely, they are both still on the roster.
Edge is gone, Rey is gone, Ricardo is gone, Kane is now two people, but he’s fired. Whatever. 17 yes and 15 no.
This is just after the “Edge is a psychopath father torture” angle.
Edge took a ladder and threw it near the announcers and you could see Stryker do the “stop short” arm move for the King. That was nice.
Then Stryker says that Edge chose the biggest ladder because of his experience. Ok?
Some pretty inventive stuff here. Rey jumped off one of the prop tables that were hung over the stage.
Ricardo took a big bump from Kane.
This was a heck of a TLC match. Just sort of brutal and realistic. When the spots get too inventive, it takes me out of it.
It also takes me out of it when at the start of every ladder match the guys have to stare at the title longingly.
Hellacious bump by Del Rio coming off the big ladder through a table out of the ring.
Kane’s back up and looks to have a trickle of blood on his head. Better go to that wide shot.
Edge spanked Kane with a chair.
Remember the Con-Chair-To?
Kane took a pretty solid bump to the floor through a table after a spear by Edge.
Really excellent TLC match.
An unbelievably embarrassingly bad comedy Santa skit…
Dashing Cody Rhodes came out to speak. He’s still on the roster, sort of. 18 and 15.
Fat material. Jowl puns. Wow.
Michael Cole’s fake laugh is sickening. “Irritable Jowl Syndrome.” Haha! Good stuff Cody.
I enjoy the old school heel running down the audience, but this material is “Boy Meets World” level bad.
Then the Bellas came out as elves and Big Show as Santa.
Big Show is out to plug Knucklehead. I hope that ends up in my stocking this year.
The Bellas and Show are still on the roster. 21-15
Big Show’s finish is a punch. How is he not the Champion on an amazing undefeated streak if all he has to do is punch?
John Cena defeated Wade Barrett in a chairs match
CM Punk comes to the ring to announce. He’s out.
Cena is still the man even though he’s off TV for a bit, and Barrett probably wishes he were fired a long time ago. 23 yes, and 16 no.
There are literally dozens of chairs at ringside and Cena can’t seem to pick one up.
“We Hate Cena” T-Shirt guy in the front row. Speak for yourself!
This match is just silly.
Chair use in this match is idiotic. Wade continually tries to decapitate him but keeps missing, and then gently swipes him on the side later when he had him dead to rights.
Red Hat guy in the crowd
This PPV is dragging.
Cena “knocked out” Barrett, then poured cold water on his face to wake him up, just so he could zoom him down the ramp on a rolling chair into the propped up ring steps. That’s really what happened.
Now I’m supposed to take this match seriously.
Oh, remember earlier when Cena knocked out all five other Nexus guys earlier in the night? He’s concussed a half a dozen men this evening.
Cena wins by giving Barrett an Attitude Adjustment onto 8 chairs.
That match was pretty stupid. It had a zany finish of Cena putting Barrett under a protective table, and then pulling down the prop chairs and they all fell on Barrett.
Summary: This was a much better show than the year before. Actually, I just went through the card again, and I’m wrong. It’s not as good. The terrible stuff was just the dirt worst, and there were some cringe worthy matches. The TLC match was really good. Go watch that.
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 77: Belfort vs. Henderson 3 from the Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The event is headlined by a trilogy bout as former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort takes on former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion Dan Henderson. In the night’s co-main event, it will be a light heavyweight bout between Glover Teixeira and Patrick Cummins. The action kicks off with preliminary card fights at 6:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass. The action moves over to FS1 at 8 PM eastern time with additional preliminary fights before the main card kicks off at 10 PM eastern time.
BANTAMWEIGHTS- BRUNO KOREA (4-0, 0-0 UFC) VS. MATHEUS NICOLAU (10-1-1, 0-0 UFC)
First round: These two came from the recent season of TUF Brazil. The building is empty. These two are friends. Nicolau dropped him with a left. Nicolau with ground and pound Korea back up. Now they’re in a clinch. Takedown by Nicolau, but Korea right back to his feet. Nicolau with a spinning elbow. Korea tried a spin kick but Nicolau caught him and took him down again. 10-9 Nicolau.
Second round: Takedown by Nicolau timing the kick to get the takedown. Korea used an illegal up kick. It was a heel right to the face when Nicolau was down. Korea was apologetic. Korea back to his feet. Nicolau landing left hooks. He landed again. Spin kick by Korea. Left by Nicolau. Spin kick by Korea knocked Nicolau down. Nicolau working for an ambar. Korea escaped. Now Korea on top. Korea stayed on top the rest of the round. Korea’s round so 19-19.
Third round: Korea with a kick to the chest. Knee by Korea. Korea moved in and got nailed with a right by Nicolau that dropped him. Korea was going for a flying knee when he got punched. Nicolau moved to mount. Korea is now bleeding from the left eye. Nicolau has a reverse choke and Korea tapped.
BANTAMWEIGHTS- PEDRO MUNHOZ (11-1 1 NC, 1-1 1 NC UFC) VS. JIMMIE RIVERA (17-1, 1-0 UFC)
First round: Rivera got kicked low so they called for a time out. Spin kick by Munhoz. Rivera landing punches. Rivera anding a flurry. Munhoz hurt Rivera with an elbow. Munhoz with a knee and tried a guillotine but Rivera got away. 10-9 Rivera.
Second round: Rivera hurting him with punches and now now Rivera landing big punches. Munhoz landed a right that hurt him back. Rivera having trouble with his right eye. Munhoz tried a takedown but Rivera right back up. Munhoz hurt him with a right and Munhoz with a guillotine but Rivera out and he went for a guillotine. Great mound. Spin kick by Munhoz missed. Munhoz kicked the body. Nice left by Munhoz. 20-18 Munhoz.
Third round: Munhoz with a knee. Munhoz took him down. Rivera right back up. Munhoz with a right. Spin kick by Rivera. Rivera now landing punches including two left hooks. Another left hook hurt Munhoz. Left by Munhoz. Rivera shot in and landed a punch. Both swinging in the closing seconds. Rivera 29-28
Scores: 29-28 Rivera 29-28 Munhoz. 29-28 Rivera Crowd booed but the decision was sound
First round: Knee by Andrade. Boyd kick by Andrade. Elbow by Andrade. Andrade had most of the offense this round. Body shot and a knee to the body. Andrade 10-9.
Second round: Andrade’s corner told him to stop playing to the crowd and stop brawling Low kick by Andrade. Left by Andrade. He landed more punches. Andrade with more punches and a body kick. Andrade landing another flurry. Andrade with punches. Andrade landing several knees to the body at the end of the round. 20-18 Andrade.
Third round: Spin kick by Umalatov landed and hurt Andrade. Nice punches by Andrade and a knee to the body and another knee to the body. Knee and punches by Andrade. Right, left and a high kick by Andrade. Now a low kick by Andrade. Spin kick by Umalatov. Good body shot by Andrade. Body kick by Andrade. Hard right by Umalatov. Umalatov did a cartwheel guard pass. Umalatov almost won the round with that late right, but I don’t think it was enough. 30-27 Andrade.
Scores: 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 Andrade
PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)
FEATHERWEIGHTS- KEVIN SOUZA (16-3, 3-0 UFC) VS. CHAS SKELLY (14-1, 3-1 UFC)
First round: Skelly working for a takedown. Souza defending well. Skelly finally got him down. Crowd booing for the first time. The Brazilians aren’t fans of Brazilians being outwrestled. Skelly in side control. He’s looking for a D’Arce choke. Souza broke the choke to a big pop. Souza bleeding from the left eye. Souza then knocked him down with a left hook. Fans chanting you’re gonna die at Skelly. Skelly back up with a knee. Big right by Souza. Close round 10-9 Souza.
Second round: Shelly went for a takedown but Souza wound up on top throwing punches. Skelly got the takedown and has his back. Skelly working for a choke. Skelly won via submission with the choke.
First round: Takedown by Guida. Tavares going for a guillotine. Guida tapped out. That took seconds.
LIGHTWEIGHTS- YAN CABRAL (12-1, 2-1 UFC) VS. JOHNNY CASE (21-4, 3-0 UFC)
First round: Cabral went for a takedown but Case landed on top. Case let him back up. Cabral got the takedown. Case reversed to the top. Cabral reversed back to the top. Cabral working for a Kimura. Cabral 10-9.
Second round: Case with a spinning elbow. Body kick by Case. Case landing punches. He hurt Cabral. Case throwing kicks. Kicks and punches by Case. Another body kick by Case. Cabral complained of being poked in the eye and Herb Dean told him to continue to fight. Case’s round 19-19.
Third round: Cabral took him down and has his back. Cabral with a body triangle. Case reversed to the top. Case blocked an armbar attempt. Case got Cabral’s back and throwing punches late. Case battered him bloody in the waning seconds. Very close round but I think Case pulled it out in the waning seconds so 29-28 Case.
Scores: All three had it 29-28 for Case.
LIGHTWEIGHTS- GLEISON TIBAU (33-11, 16-9 UFC) VS. ABEL TRUJILLO (12-6 1 NC, 3-2 1 NC UFC)
First round: Tibau took him right down. Trujillo right back up. Trujillo has a guillotine but Tibau out and on top. Tibau has his back. Tibau working for a choke. Trujillo went out and ref Keith Peterson stopped the fight. Trujillo wasn’t happy about that stoppage. Brian Stann said it was a bad stoppage, he should have checked his arms.
MAIN CARD (FS1- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS- (#12) FABIO MALDONADO (22-8, 5-5 UFC) VS. (#14) COREY ANDERSON (6-1, 3-1 UFC)
First round: Anderson took him down. Fans booing with the Brazilian on his back right away. Anderson with some elbows. Maldonado back up. Anderson landed a lot of punches, a knee and more punches. Another takedown by Anderson. 10-9 Anderson.
Second round: Anderson landing punches. Maldonado started landing punches. Anderson working for a takedown. Anderson took him down again. Another takedown by Anderson. Anderson landed an elbow from the top. Maldonado got back up. Knee by Anderson. Anderson 20-18.
Third round: High kick by Anderson missed. Another takedown by Anderson into side control. Anderson got his back. Maldonado back up. Knee and a lot of punches by Anderson. Knee by Anderson. Punches by Anderson. Maldonado landed a nice punch. Anderson landing several more punches. Another takedown by Anderson. Anderson easy 30-27 win, any other score is a travesty.
First round: Right by Magomedov. Takedown by Burns. Great uranage like slam by Burns. Magomedov landing kicks to the body. Body kick by Magomedov. Punch and body kick by Magomedov. Magomedov landing punches and a body kick. Magomedov 10-9.
Second round: Burns landed a few punches. The crowd is super loud. Burns in for a takedown but Magomedov stopped it. In a clinch. Magomedov with an elbow. Magomedov took him down and let him up. Magomedov landed a right. Punches and a head kick, Burns is in trouble. Hard body kick by Magomedov and dropped him with a right. Magomedov with punches on te ground. Magomedov let him up. Head kick and more punches by Magomedov. Big right sent Burns flying. Burns’ legs are shot. Head kick by Magomedov. Spin kick by Magomedov. Magomedov’s round easy 20-18.
Third round: Burns grabbed him and trying for a takedown. Magomedov blocking it. Magomedov took him down and then backed off and let him up. Hard body kick by Burns. Close round, little happened. Magomedov 30-27.
Scores: 30-27 across the board for Magomedov
LIGHTWEIGHTS- ALEX OLIVEIRA (13-2-1 1 NC, 2-1 UFC) VS. PIOTR HALLMANN (15-4, 2-3 UFC)
First round: Oliveira landed punches. Oliveira landing more punches. Hallman bleeding badly already. Oliveira had him against the fence. Oliveira with low kicks and an uppercut. Oliveira’s round easily 10-9.
Second round: Oliveira landing more punches from close range. Hallman caught a kick and took him down. Hallman landing punches from the top. Ref Mario Yamasaki ordered a standup. Bad call as Hallman was landing. Oliveira landed a low kick that put Hallman down. Hallman reversed to the top on the ground. Hallman landing punches and elbows. Hallman’s round so 19-19.
Third round: Oliveira with a knee to the head. Oliveira knocked him out with a right to the jaw. Oliveira struggled in the second round but he’s got those quick reflexes and some star power.
BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#8) THOMAS ALMEIDA (20-0, 3-0 UFC) VS. ANTHONY BIRCHAK (12-2, 1-1 UFC)
First round: Almeida landed some nice punches. Bichak landed a lot punches back. Elbow by Almeida. Almeida hurt him with a right. Birchak tried a takedown, Almeida landed on top but Birchak reversed to the top. Almeida back up. Almeida hurt him with punches. Almeida landed a series of punches, finishing with a right to the jaw and Birchak was knocked silly.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS- (#4) GLOVER TEIXEIRA (23-4, 6-2 UFC) VS. (#9) PATRICK CUMMINS (8-2, 4-2 UFC)
First round: Cummins took him down. Teixeira back up. Second takedown by Cummins. Teixeira back up. Knee by Cummins. Teixeira land a right. Cummins with some uppercus. Nice left hook by Teixeira. Nice slam by Cummins and he‘s got his back but Teixeira out of trouble. Teixeira hurt him with punches. Knee by Cummins. Hard lefts by Teixeira. Another takedown by Cummins. A lot of uppercuts by Cummins. Knee by Cummins. Head kick by Teixeira. Teixeira unloaded with killer punches as the round ended. Cummins was just about done. 10-9 Teixeira.
Second round: Cummins is rocked. Head kick by Teixeira. Cummins tried for a takedown but couldn’t complete it. Big left and right and more punches by Teixeira. Teixeira was landing hard punches and Herb Dean stopped it.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS- (#4) VITOR BELFORT (24-11, 13-6 UFC) VS. (#12) DAN HENDERSON (31-13, 8-7 UFC)
First round: Nothing happened for 90 seconds, Belfort landed a head kick and Henderson went down and it was stopped. Henderson wasn’t happy about the stoppage. Head kick, two lefts and Henderson went down and it was stopped after a few punches on the ground.
Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez have a full recap of this show plus all of the weekend news up in the newest Wrestling Observer Radio available now for subscribers!
UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson III airs live tonight on Fox Sports 1 (prelims at 8:00 p.m. ET, main card at 10:00 p.m. ET) from Sao Paulo Brazil. This is, on paper, probably the best Brazillian Fight Night card in a good two years or so. Dave Meltzer will be doing live coverage and Josh Nason’s preview is up with our staff picks. We also had another longer preview earlier this week, plus DraftKings best bets for tonight.
WWE runs Saturday in Leeds, England (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for IC title, Kane vs. Big Show, Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze), Madrid, Spain (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt; Usos & Ryback vs. Braun Strowman & Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, Alberto Del Rio vs. Neville & King Barrett for U.S. title) and NXT is in Largo, FL. We’ll have a live report from James Cox in Leeds, perhaps by the time you read this.
WWE runs Sunday in Birmingham, England (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for IC title; Kane vs. Big Show; Dolph Ziggler vs Tyler Breeze) and Liverpool, England (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt, Usos & Ryback vs Braun Strowman & Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, Alberto Del Rio vs. Neville vs. King Barrett for U.S. title).
Raw is Monday in Manchester, England. Right now, nothing is announced for the show which will be airing on a few hours tape delay, not live. Smackdown is Tuesday in Manchester, England, with Undertaker advertised for this show.
Our most talked about issue of the year, the 2015 Hall of Fame issue is up on the site right now. This is a double-issue featuring notes on the seven new inductees, the complete balloting results for the year along with last year, plus how the top candidates did with reporters, historians, and those who are currently and formerly in the business. You’ll see how the different groups voted, as well as notes on everyone who went in, what kept those who came close from getting in, thoughts on next year’s ballot, and a look at the careers of the inductees. There is also a super history of Montreal wrestling in the new issue, as well as a story on the modern Mexican scene.
The issue features a ton of old Southern history, coverage of one of the top heels of the 70s, the biggest matches ever held in Puerto Rico, a complete WWE business rundown with reactions from Vince McMahon and George Barrios, what the numbers say, profits in every category, the Wall Street reaction to the numbers, lots of network information broken down including who watches what, the current WWE profitability level vs. historical levels, as well as where the money comes from, and the last three years of PPV business being charted and the surprising staying power of PPV. We also look at every other aspect of WWE business.
We also have an in-depth update on the situation with Alberto Del Rio, WWE, AAA, TNA, Lucha Underground, Rizin and everyone else that had interest in him. We look at how things changed in the last week, have comments from WWE regarding what he can and can’t do, both sides of contradictory stories, the big move AAA made this past week due to his leaving, what the situation is with the AAA Mega heavyweight title, the good and bad of working with WWE vs. indies from a short and long-term financial situation, what Mexican star did WWE show interest in, and how this affects AAA and Lucha Underground.
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.
An angle aired today on WWC television to build an Alberto Del Rio vs. Ray Gonzalez match with Del Rio coming for revenge for what Gonzalez did to Ricardo Rodriguez, and Gonzalez looking for revenge for Alberto beating up his son in an angle shot before he signed with WWE. WWE confirmed to us that he will be working the next major show that they’re pushing. Carlos Colon works as a local promoter for WWE, and his son and nephew (Los Matadores/Primo and Epico) are allowed a certain number of dates they can work for him each year.
2K Sports released the first patch for WWE 2K16 late last night, with patch notes up on their official forum. All sorts of issues have been fixed and the game was also readied to accept forthcoming downloadable new moves. The game, which has been the most well-received version in years, is available here.
Regarding Akebono and a rumored fight with Bob Sapp, although Akebono dropped the Triple Crown and quit All Japan earlier this week, he also allegedly announced recently that he had retired from MMA. Most likely, it’s best to not put too much stock into a guy claiming that he’s retired.
For those who missed it, the Glory 25 main card is available on demand as part of ESPN3/WatchESPN — their best card in a really long time and well worth checking out. That said, the officiating/judging got so bad that announcers Mauro Ranallo and Stephen Quadros were openly not just calling it out, but expressing concern about bad decisions before scores were even read. If you started watching Glory in the last year or so when they put on less loaded cards and got turned off, you need to check this one out, because the fights were high level and fantastic.
“Big” Fox aired UFC Embedded today at 2 PM EST in advance of next weekend’s UFC 193 PPV. The show was very good and probably worth going out of your way to check out.
The Fight Network in Canada will replay August’s UFC 190 (Ronda Rousey/Bethe Correia) Sunday at 9 PM EST.
Last night’s RFA 32 show on AXS had some of the worst refereeing you’re ever going to see on a national broadcast and in both cases, it was the same referee, last name Moreland. In the opener, Marc Hummel was making his pro debut and took 35 unanswered punches from Ryan Bader protege Logan Storley, who moved to 2-0. In the co-main event, Chad Curry did a face plant straight to the canvas after being hit by a straight right from Landon Vannata. Vannata went on to hit him with 18 straight elbows to the head before the ref finally stopped it. It honestly could’ve been stopped before he even hit the canvas.
Other Wrestling
A fan asked Dixie Carter if there was any chance of a reconciliation between TNA and Spike TV on Twitter today and her response was: “I hear you!!!! Stay tuned!” We have heard nothing at all about any discussions between the two sides about a reconciliation, but it certainly was interesting to see TNA stars all over Bellator on Spike last night. That said, it’s probably best not to read too much into it.
On last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio, we discussed the Lei’d Tapa vs. Gabi Garcia fight (yes, FIGHT, an MMA battle) signed for RIZIN in Japan on New Year’s Eve plus tons of notes on Seth Rollins, all of the other crazy fights signed and more on last night’s special Wrestling Observer Radio for subscribers. For whatever it’s worth, Tapa’s uncle, Sione Latu (the brother of her other uncle, the Barbarian) is a 1-0 MMA fighter thanks to a UFC win back in 1999 over Joey Roberts and has a MMA gym. Another Observer Radio show comes out tonight after UFC.
Stan “Krusher” Kowalski will be honored July 16, 2016 with a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD at the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Hall of Fame in Waterloo, Iowa. Historian George Schire will present Kowalski with his award at the awards banquet.
XICW this Sunday at The Ritz (24300 Hoover Road in Warren, MI) featuring an in-ring WRESTLERS COURT plus Rhino, Zach Gowen, & more in action.
– Tom Jenkins defeated Don McLeod to win the American Heavyweight Title
Des Moines, Iowa: – Jess Reimer b. Charles Cutler to capture the American Heavyweight in 2 out of 3 falls
1935
St. Louis, Missouri: Attendance was 14,321 – Danno O’Mahoney beat Gus Sonnenberg – Man Mountain Dean defeated Ed “Strangler” Lewis – Ernie Dusek beat Karl Sarpolis – Ray Steele beat Emil Dusek – Joe Dusek beat Ellis Bashara
1947
St. Joseph, Missouri: Attendance was 4,600 (sellout) – Sonny Myers beat Ronnie Etchison (2-1) – Yukon Eric (as Eric Holmback) beat Lou Laird – Terry McGinnis drew Steve Stanlee (as Paul Stanlee)
1963
Kansas City, Kansas: – Dick the Bruiser beat Enrique Torres 2 falls to 1 – Bob Geigel and Larry Hamilton beat Mongolian Stomper and Moose Cholak
1968
Kansas City, Kansas: – Dick Murdoch & Dusty Rhodes defeated Tommy & Terry Martin to win the NWA North American Tag Team Title
1977
Omaha, Nebraska: – 90 Minute Time Limit: AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Billy Robinson – Angelo Mosca beat Larry Hennig – Joe Scarpello (sub Ray Stevens) beat Chris Markoff (sub Bobby Heenan) – Super Destroyer beat Jim Brunzell – Roger Kirby & Chris Markoff beat George Gadaski & Kenny Jay
1982
Atlanta, Georgia: – Paul Orndorff defeated the Masked Superstar to win the National Heavyweight Title
1984
Shreveport, Louisiana: – Bill Dundee defeated Adrian Street to win the Mid-South Wrestling Association Television Title
1985
Chicago, Illinois: – Junkyard Dog defeated Randy Savage via countout to win the Wrestling Classic tournament
1997
Lexington, Kentucky: – Buddy Landell defeated Bull Pain to win the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
2006
Tokyo, Japan: – Masahiro Chono & Shinsuke Nakamura beat Koji Kanemoto & Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the G-1 tag team tournament
2008
Tokyo, Japan: – Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Togi Makabe & Toru Yano to win the G-1 tag team tournament
2010
– Robbie E defeated Jay Lethal to win the TNA X Division Title
2011
Tokyo, Japan: – Lance Archer & Minoru Suzuki beat Giant Bernard (Matt Bloom) & Karl Anderson in Tokyo the G-1 tag team tournament
2013
Tokyo, Japan: – The Young Bucks beat Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov in Tokyo to win the Super Junior tag team tournament
The Big Takeaway – Decent enough wrestling but nothing really stands out in as skippable a show as you’ll see from ROH.
Nigel McGuinness is back on commentary but they’re promising an update on Steve Corino’s status later in the show. Tonight’s show was taped in Kalamazoo and features a rematch from All-Star Extravaganza in the Main Event.
Cedric Alexander w/Veda Scott vs ACH
The announcers talk about Veda’s impending lawsuit due to unsafe working conditions during the intro and Scott and Nigel jaw at each other as Alexander makes his way into the ring. We are also reminded of the best of 5 series between ACH and Matt Sydal that resumes this Friday in Milwaukee with the deciding match.
Fans solidly behind ACH as Alexander is one of the few true heels in ROH. During the dead spots of the match, Nigel talks about how ACH and Sydal have both become better wrestlers as a result of the best of 5 and they’re often seen in the hotels after the match talking over their matches, what worked and what didn’t. Very different way to build a series like this than would’ve been done in the past.
A key spot in the match happened when ACH knocked Alexander out of the ring and then went to do a kick off the apron on him. Veda Scott got in the way and ACH stopped short, allowed Alexander to hit and STO on the apron and take control.
Alexander was still in control after a commercial break, milking the crowd for boos. ACH turned things around with a series of Ric Flair chops and then a reverse thrust kick and a running clothesline. Playing off the earlier spot, ACH teased a dive outside the ring but when Scott got in the way, he stopped himself. Alexander then got in the ring and tried one of his own but ACH pushed Scott in the way and Alexander stopped himself. ACH then hit a dive on Alexander to finish the sequence.
Back in the ring, ACH hit a spinning discus punch and then a suplex with a bridge, which only got a 2. Nigel continually putting over how ACH’s strategy in the match has changed as a result of the Sydal series.
Alexander hit an enziguri and then followed with a dropkick in the corner to take control. He then went for a springboard move that looked like he messed but given the way the match played out, maybe have been a planned spot. ACH hit a superkick and a brainbuster and followed up with the Midnight Star to get the win.
WINNER – ACH by pinfall
Angle alert as Kevin Kelly did an in-ring interview with ACH after the match. He said he was going to walk in with the same mentality he had against AJ Styles but the difference is he would walk out with his hand raised. And that was it. I guess I’ve been watching too much WWE.
After a break, Veda and Alexander were at the commentary table and Scott blamed Alexander slipping on the rope on the rope being covered in baby oil, adding to the unsafe working conditions. She screamed at Nigel without a mic in the most annoying way possible and Kelly brushed her off, saying “Go file a brief”.
Will Ferrara vs Caprice Coleman
The angle from seemingly months ago when Coleman accepted an envelope from Prince Nana was shown at the beginning. Coleman did a promo that started off putting over Ferrara but ended up burying him and came off kind of jealous of him. “You had a great match with Kushida….I would’ve liked to have wrestled Kushida”. Seemed like the start of a heel turn.
Match was what you’d expect. Back and forth early with Coleman eventually taking over. Coleman was definitely more aggressive as Kevin Kelly talked about him doing things “the right way” over and over again. They also talked about how Coleman has been a mentor for Ferrara so this is your basic teacher vs student match.
Prince Nana showed up at ringside taking notes. Ferrara was selling his shoulder and running into the post shoulder first. The ref asked Ferrara if he needed a minute but Coleman threw him into the post. He then grabbed the shoulder in a submission move he called “Judgement Seat” and got a tapout win.
WINNER – CAPRICE COLEMAN by pinfall
Coleman shook his hand after the match and mockingly put him over to the camera afterward. On his way to the back, Nana handed Ferrara an envelope and he accepted it, acting confused. No idea where this angle is going.
Inside ROH has been replaced this week by Story Time with Adam Cole, complete with the same background music as the previous show. He talks about his feud with Kyle O’Reilly. He says there’s no question who the better man in is since he pinned O’Reilly in the 3 way main event last week. They also flashed back to June of 2012 and their hybrid fighting rules match and of course Cole won that one as well. Cole’s memory from that match was a scar on his lip that he got from an O’Reilly kick that he’ll have for the rest of his life. It’s a constant reminder that he’s better than O’Reilly. He says that he won’t stop until Kyle O’Reilly is gone from ROH.
Kevin Kelly interviewed Prince Nana at ringside and asked “what’s in the envelope”. Nana of course doesn’t answer and says that this is “The Edge of the Enlightenment” and that the Keys to Life are in that envelope. Still have no idea what’s going on and the fans sure didn’t seem to care.
Hilights of the Briscoes/ANX match from All-Star Extravaganza air to hype up the main event. The All-Night Express won of course in their return to ROH and the Briscoes will be looking for revenge tonight.
All-Night Express (Kenny King/Rhett Titus) vs The Briscoes (Jay and Mark Briscoe)
All four adhere to the Code of Honor at the start, as the fans chant MAN UP. Kevin Kelly talks about the long history of these two teams which originally culminated at Ladder Wars before picking up with the return of ANX a couple months back. Very even for the first part of the match with ANX taking over after a blind tag that even the announcers missed. A leg drop, standing splash combo from ANX got the first two-count on Jay but no one bought it. Nice spot, though.
Titus and Jay exchanged kicks to the face before Jay tagged in Mark. Mark with a series of Ric Flair chops in the corner on Titus and then takes out King outside with the ring with a suicide dive. A bit of Briscoes double-teaming culminates in a running clothesline from Mark on Titus but that only gets a two. Briscoes cut off the ring, isolating Titus in the corner. They are very much wrestling a heel style but the fans are still solidly behind them. Mark tags in and does some redneck Kung-Fu. Titus gets a brief flurry of offence but Jay runs in without a tag to prevent him from tagging out. Mark tags in Jay and then knocks Kenny King off the ring apron so he can’t make a tag, which leads into another break.
Back from break and the Briscoes are still double-teaming Titus but he makes the hot tag to King, which gets a lukewarm reaction from the crowd. King gets a two count on Mark but it’s broken up by Jay without a tag. King sets Mark up for a superplex but hits a dropkick instead. Titus then takes him down with an X-Factor from the top rope. Mark hits an exploder on Titus into the ringpost but King is the legal man.
Jay Briscoe comes in without a tag and takes out King and then Mark hits a neckbreaker on Titus. They set up for a Doomsday but King knocks Mark off the top rope. ANX sets up for the One Night Stand on Jay but Mark breaks that up. They all end up outside the ring brawling, which the Briscoes get the better of. Jay Briscoe eventually gets Titus in the ring and hits the Jay Driller and then Mark follows up with Froggie-Bo for the win.
WINNERS – THE BRISCOES by pinfall
The dynamic was all off in the main event as the Briscoes were clearly playing heel but the crowd did not want to boo them. All four guys did shake hands after the match, though and you get the sense that this might not be it between them.
In a night filled with trips back in time, Inside MMA reported tonight that Fedor Emelianenko’s opponent for the Rizin New Year’s Eve show would be Tsuyoshi Kosaka, a 45-year-old retired pro wrestler from Japan.
After the report aired, Jerry Millen, who works with Emelianenko, denied that Kosaka was the opponent. Observer sources in Japan say that Emelianenko’s opponent has not been decided and there were several different people under consdieration, Kosaka being one of them.
Kosaka who has a strong judo background, was one of the major stars with the RINGS promotion in the 90, where he had some classic pro wrestling matches, and also headlined a Tokyo Dome show for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
He also competed as a regular in Pride, and went to the semifinals of an eight man UFC heavyweight title tournament after Randy Couture vacated the title, before losing a classic fight with Bas Rutten.
Kosaka won a controversial match over Emelianenko on December 22, 2000, in RINGS, the first loss of Emelianenko’s career. It was in a tournament, and ended in 17 seconds when Emelianenko was too badly cut to continue from an illegal elbow. The match would have been ruled a no contest normally, but being part of a tournament, they declared Kosaka the winner since Emelianenko wouldn’t be allowed to continue in the tournament. Kosaka then lost in the next round via decision to Randy Couture.
It was one of the great “What if’s” in history, since, had Emelianenko not been cut and advanced, he and Couture would have faced in 2001. Fedor would eventually avenge the loss to Kosaka in a fight on April 3, 2005, in Pride, saw Emelianenko win via doctor’s stoppage at the end of the first round. Kosaka had been announced as coming out of retirement for the show last week.
On tonight’s Bellator 145 : With a Vengeance broadcast, Bellator CEO Scott Coker brought out Kurt Angle to announce a February 19 2016 bout in Houston between Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie. This will be their third MMA match and first since a draw at UFC 5 in April 1995.
Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie first faced off at the inaugaral UFC event on November 12th, 1993. Royce defeated Shamrock in 57 seconds with a rear naked choke in the tournament semi-finals. Royce would go on to win that tournament to become the first UFC tournament champion. The two would face-off again less that 2 years later at UFC 5. The two fought to a 36 minute draw for the first Superfight Championship.
Feb. 19 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas at “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie.” will be their 3rd and hopefully last match.
Also announced for the first tentpole event of 2016 is the return of Kimbo Slice vs Dada 5000.
Kurt Angle, during his announcement, teased a match between he and Shamrock and that could be the direction they’d head, should Shamrock win.
Today’s show is the fifth and final week of WrestleKingdom 9 footage as we’ll see the main event of Kazuchika Okada taking on IWGP champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Hiroshi Tanahashi is interviewed, so the main event is the only full match on the show. They showed footage of Okada’s return from his excursion and shocking the world by pinning Tanahashi for the title not too long after. The question on the screen mentioned it was a successful excursion, which is funny because if anyone knows about Okada’s TNA run it was anything but successful. Tanahashi says he wasn’t prepared for Okada to be near the same level as him. He told Okada when he first returned that the IWGP title was far away from him. In a nice throwback line months later when Tanahashi was gunning for the title, Okada told Tanahashi the same thing. Tanahashi then talks about the co-main event of WrestleKingdom 9, and he wasn’t sure how they were going to compare considering just how great that match was.
The match aired. I was wondering which match was better, this or Nakamura and Ibushi which preceded it. After watching WrestleKingdom 9 live, I thought that this match was better than the Nakamura match. Now I guess I’m flip flopping as I found the co-main better than this match.. Not that this match was horrible or anything, because actually this was still one of the better matches of the year and probably on my top 10 list if I had to make one. There’s something about Ibushi/Nakamura that made it click even more, maybe an intensity that wasn’t there in this match.
Now with that said, this was still an awesome match. The announcers, who were great in this match by the way, mentioned that Tanahashi and Okada have faced off seven other times in the past. Each of those seven matches were awesome in their own way. Very few feuds in modern pro wrestling history are as consistently awesome as Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, and this match once again proved that they are in a league of their own. Just great work and storytelling throughout, lots of crazy spots as well. Tanahashi did the high fly flow from the top rope through the barricade to the floor, which was insane. Okada kicked out of two high fly flows. This is also a testament to protecting finishers. Very few people have kicked out of the rainmaker, and when it happened here people were stunned. It took two more high fly flows from Tanahashi to finish off Okada, his quest to beat Tanahashi at the Tokyo Dome again alluding him.
Okada left the ring crying as Tanahashi cut a promo, saying the the IWGP title is far from you, which again is the same message he gave Tanahashi and Tanahashi gave to him years ago. Okada in a post match interview says this loss was seriously disappointing, as without him who will make money rain? Gedo promises this time next year he’ll be a champion. And sure enough, Gedo lived up to that promise.
Tanahashi tells the fans to continue supporting New Japan in 2015 and says “I LOVE YOU!” as WrestleKingdom 9 concludes.
In his reflective interview, Tanahashi says that even though he won the title, more people remember Okada in that match because for the first time, he showed emotion by crying. When it was mentioned this was the fifth time in a row he’s headlined the Tokyo Dome, he says that nobody has done it before. He wants to win when it matters the most, so he considers himself the ace of the promotion by doing that. Tanahashi mentioned that the Undertaker has many winning records in the WWE, so he wants to have just as many or more.
Top notch show this week, probably one of the better ones that AXS has televised. Definitely check this out.
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of Bellator 145: Vengeance from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The event is highlighted by two title fights as Bellator Featherweight Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire defends in a trilogy bout against former champion Daniel Straus, and Bellator Lightweight Champion Will Brooks defends his championship against lightweight tournament winner Marcin Held. The card airs on Spike TV at 9 PM eastern time. Preliminary card bouts will air for free on Spike.com with action kicking off at 7 PM eastern time.
Prelim results:
Chel Erwin-Davis (3-1) over Adam Cella (3rd round TKO/punches)
Garrett Gross (7-4) over Jeff Crotty (unan. dec.)
Kyle Kurtz (5-1) over Steven Mann (1st round sub/triangle)
Adam Mereditch (5-1) over Jordan Dowdy (1st round sub/rear naked choke)
Augusto Sakai (9-0) over Alex Huddleston (unan. dec.)
Kain Royer (2-2) over Clay Mitchell (1st round sub/kneebar
Fazlo Mulabitinovic (3-1) over Scott Ettling (1st round sub/armbar)
Rashard Lovelace (2-0) over Brandon Lowe (1st round TKO/ground and pound)
Sean Grande channelling his inner Tony Schiavone 2 minutes into this show, claiming that it could be “the most important night in Bellator MMA history”. Despite this being an “A” show, from the opening it looks and feels like a normal show. In that vein, we get no walk-outs for the opening match and they’re in the cage waiting to fight after a commercial.
FEATHERWEIGHTS- EMMANUEL SANCHEZ (11-2, 3-1 BMMA) VS. JUSTIN LAWRENCE (8-2, 1-0 BMMA)
Big John is the ref for the opener. Sanchez pushing forward in the early-going but Lawrence landing a lot of shots while backing up. Lawrence barely taking any punishment through 3:45 and Sanchez’ face already starting to show damage. Cage clinch with a minute to go initiated by Sanchez. Lawrence breaks free wiht punches with 10 seconds left. 10-9 Lawrence
More of the same in Round 2 although Sanchez goes for the clinch earlier, at about 1:30. Sanchez cut over his left eye, from a Lawrence punch according to John McCarthy. Sanchez does connect with some knees from the clinch. McCarthy broke it up at 4:00 and Lawrence started connecting with punches and kicks right away. Sanchez rocked Lawrence with a head kick with about 15 seconds left but probably not enough. 10-9 Lawrence
Sanchez right to the clinch after eating a couple Lawrence punches. Sanchez has landed 18 kicks to 0 for Lawrence. Not sure about those stats as it sure looked like Lawrence has landed several. Sanchez gets a takedown at 1:45 but loses position when he tries to take the back and Lawrence ends up on top. Sanchez more active from teh bottom but not really doing any damage and Lawrence just holding him down from the top, not advancing position. Sanchez trying for a kneebar and then a Kimura but loses both. Both to their feet at 4:30 and Sanchez is the agressor. Sanchez with a takedown attempt stuffed right before the closing bell. 10-9 Sanchez, but Lawrence should take it. Round 2 was close tho.
WINNER – EMMANUEL SANCHEZ (12-2) by split decision (28-29, 29-28 x 2)
Sanchez put over Lawrence in his post-fight promo but didn’t really have much else to say. In a pretaped sitdown interview with Jimmy Smith, Lashley promised to take the judges out of the equation tonight. Thompson said that he’s been Lashley’s toughest test and his six fight win streak has been against jobbers. Sean Grande promises a special guest after the break….IT’S TRUE….IT’S DAMNED TRUE
HEAVYWEIGHTS- BOBBY LASHLEY (13-2, 3-0 BMMA) VS. JAMES THOMPSON (20-14 1 NC, 1-0 BMMA)
They showed clips from the Bellator fanfest and Angle put it over as a lot of fun. Angle said that he would’ve gone into MMA in 1998 if it were as big as it is now. He has no regrets. Sean Grande asked him flat-out if he would fight in the Bellator cage. He said that it is a possibility. We do get the big walkouts for this fight. Thompson is like the male Eva….All Red Everything. Very very red. Except for his gloves, ironically enough. Lashley’s entrance is nothing special although the American flag does feature prominently in the display. Thompson’s notable wins include Don Frye and Dan Severn, in addition to Lashley.
Mike England is the ref and makes sure to pass on God’s blessings to both guys, as per usual. Lashley with a takedown right away. Lashley takes his back and landing punches from behind. Thompson’s done.
WINNER – BOBBY LASHLEY (14-2) by TKO at 54 seconds (ground and pound)
On the replay it looks like Thompson may have torn his hamstring during the takedown. Lashley says he heard Thompson’s knee pop during the takedown. He didn’t have much to say in terms of future plans. He did come up and hug Angle after the fight.
Josh Thomson was interviewed at cageside about his fight on December 4th. He is completely overlooking his next fight, saying that once he beats him, it’s all title shots from there on out. Sean Grande said “the fall of Bellator continues”. Yes, he said that. Another pretaped sitdown interview with both Rickells and Chandler previewed the next fight. Rickells says he was “an ape” that didn’t understand the fight game in their last fight (he was knocked out in the first round). Chandler says if he were Rickells’ manager he wouldn’t have allowed him anywhere near this fight.
LIGHTWEIGHTS- MICHAEL CHANDLER (13-3, 10-3 BMMA) VS. DAVID RICKELS (16-3 1 NC, 10-3 1 NC BMMA)
David Rickels’ entrance was spectacular as usual. He wore a wolf’s head and carried a caveman club. Chandler is a local so over huge with the live crowd. He came out to “Comin’ Home” by P. Diddy, the song that the Rock used at the Miami Wrestlemania but it quickly transitioned into something else. Mike England is the ref and passed on God’s blessing to both gentleman. They both hope for the same blessing that Lashley got and not James Thompson.
Chandler all over Rickels early and Rickels gets a quick takedown but Chandler sweeps and ends up on top. Neither guy doing much on the ground although Chandler does land a few elbows to the head. Chandler to his feet at 3:00 and Rickels has to follow. Chandler with a takedown at 4:00 after dominating the standup. Chandler working for an armbar from the top but gives it up quickly. 10-9 Chandler
Chandler outstruck Rickels 40-16 in Round 1. Chandler with a takedown 45 seconds in. Rickels up fairly quickly. Rickels coming on with punches but Chandler drops him with a punch and applies a guillotine on the way down. Rickels out but he’s bleeding from the nose and mouth. Chandler all over him with ground and pound. Rickels tries to get to his feet and Chandler with another guillotine. Rickels face is a bloody mess and Chandler all over him. Ref finally stops it, maybe a little late.
WINNER – MICHAEL CHANDLER (14-3) by TKO (ground and pound)
Chandler gave all the credit to his coaches after the fight. He pleaded with Scott Coker to keep booking St. Louis. He wants the winner of the Brooks/Held fight and thinks that he’s the best lightweight in the world. Ken Shamrock, Kurt Angle and Scott Coker were shown talking at cageside and they promised a “major Bellator announcement” after the break.
They announced two fights for Rizin on New Year’s Eve. Gaby Garcia and Le’D Tapa and King Mo in a Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. And it will air on New Year’s Day at 10 am eastern, not New Year’s Eve, as previously announced.
BELLATOR LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (C) WILL BROOKS (16-1, 8-1 BMMA) VS. MARCIN HELD (21-3, 10-2 BMMA)
Marcin Held’s entrance started with clips of Jimmy Smith talking about how dangerous he is. Kind of cool. Brooks had a sampling of the Beastie Boys at the start of his entrance, winning my favor. He’s looked great in Bellator so far but this nonsense with the Pitbulls can’t be helping things. Big John gets the dukes here.
Held with a takedown 30 seconds in an complete it 15 seconds later. Brooks sitting on the canvas with his back against the cage and landing punches. Held not doing much but is always seconds away from a sub when they’re on teh ground. Brooks to his feet at 3:00 but Held still in control of a clinch. Brooks with a takedown at 3:15 but Held with an armbar attempt from the bottom. Gives that up but working for a kneebar. Held has the kneebar and it looks pretty tight. Brooks escapes but still in trouble at 4:30. 10-9 Held
Brooks with a takedown 15 seconds in. Quickly into side control. Held works him back to guard. Held working for a triangle but Brooks powers out. Held with an Oma Plata attempt but Brooks powers out of that. Held with a toe hold/knee bar combo but gives it up. Brooks manages to maintain top control the whole time. Brooks into mount at 2:30. Brooks landing punches to the body and head and gets a head triangle. Held works him back to half-guard but still in trouble. Brooks back into mount at 3:30 but gives up the choke. Brooks with a body triangle at 4:00 and landing elbows to the head. Held gives up his back with 15 seconds left. 10-9 Brooks
Held shoots for a takedown at the start and just stays on the ground when he misses and Brooks follows into top position. Brooks up 35-5 in ground and pound strikes through 2 rounds. Not a lot happening on the ground through 2:30 and the crowd losing patience. Brooks landing elbows to the head and punches to the body while Held continuing to look for submissions from the bottom. Held with a kneebar attempt but Brooks powers out with punches to the head. Held with a heel hook attempt at 4:30. 10-9 Brooks
Held to the ground right away and locks in an inverted heel hook. Brooks works out of it and ends up in top position by 1:30. Brooks continuing to do damage from the top and opens up a cut to the side of Held’s eye. Sean Grande promises a MAJOR announcement still to come. Brooks continuing to do damage from the top and Held has almost nothing left from the bottom. Held with a kneebar attempt and transitions to a toehold at 4:15. Brooks powers out but that was actually pretty close. Brooks with a head and arm choke with 15 seconds left and Held gets out. 10-9 Brooks
Ground and pound strikes are 86-9 for Brooks through 4 and Brooks with a takedown 45 seconds in. McCarthy stands them up at 3:00 after nothing much happened. Brooks lands a few shots standing and goes right to a clinch. Held with a takedown attempt but Brooks ends up on top at 3:30. Brooks just holding him down, landing occasional shots and Held doing nothing from the bottom. 10-9 Brooks, almost a 10-8 really.
Rumours are that the big announcement is Shamrock-Gracie 3 in February in Houston.
WINNER – WILL BROOKS (17-1) by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46 x 2)
Brooks popped his knee in the first round, which is why he kept going to the ground. That’s pretty amazing that he went 4 more rounds against a guy with the submission skills of Held. MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT……after the break.
As rumoured, Shamrock-Gracie 3 will take place February 19th in Houston. Both were there for the announcement, which was made by Kurt Angle. Scott Coker also announced the return of Kimbo Slice on that show, to face Dada 5000.
BELLATOR FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (C) PATRICIO FREIRE (24-2, 12-2 BMMA) VS. DANIEL STRAUS (24-6, 10-3 BMMA)
Big John’s the ref for this one. Tentative standup early and Pitbull initiated a cage clinch at 1:15. Quick separation. Pitbull back to the clinch but Strauss punches out of it. Straus with a takedown attempt but stuffed. Brooks gets a takedown at 3:45 but Friere right up. Brooks connects with a jumping knee that stuns him but he shakes it off. Close round, 10-9 Straus for the takedown and the knee.
Pitbull with a cage clinch and lands some knees at 1:00. Separation at 1:45. Straus knocked Pitbull down with a punch and follows him to the ground. Friere grabs an armbar and almost gets a sub but Straus powers out and laying in elbows and punches from the top. Pitbull weathers it and working for a Kimura but his eyes are glazed. Straus working for a guillotine but gives it up quickly. Straus with light punches to the body and going for the guillotine again. Friere just covering up at 4:00 and trying to last out the round. Pitbull back to his feet and landing elbows and punches. Straus firing back. Incredible action for a few seconds there. Straus stalking him as the round closes. 10-8 Straus
Pitbull’s corner between rounds – “You’re aware you got knocked out, right?”. Straus stalking him to start again and stuns him with a hard left. Pitbull still standing. He’s eating hard shots and not even close to defending them. Straus went for a takedown but stuffed and ate a couple hard punches at 1:15. Straus continually landing hard straight lefts. Pitbull with a nice right hook that lands hard at 3:00. Straus with a takedown attempt but stuffed at 3:45. Pitbull drives him into the cage but backs off. Pitbull poked in the eye at 4:15. He only takes about 30 seconds of his allotted 5 minutes. Pitbull starting to dodge some of the punches now. Nice punch exchange to close the round. 10-9 Straus
Straus with a takedown attempt 30 seconds in but stuffed by Pitbull. Straus seems to be slowing down a bit. Accidental headbutt causes a break but McCarthy didn’t see it at first and Straus almost got a free shot in when Pitbull backed off. Nice punch combo by Straus at 2:15. Pitbull backs up Straus with a punch combo at 3:30. Straus with a takedown attempt and Pitbull stuffs it. Straus may have hurt his left hand as he’s not throwing it anymore. Pitbull backs up Straus with a punch combo at 4:15. Straus with a nice punch/kick combo at 4:30. Pitbull with a punch combo at 4:45, backing Straus up to the cage. 10-9 Friere
Nice punch exchange at 45 seconds. Pitbull with a takedown attempt at 1:00 but stuffed by Straus. Pitbull with a takedown at 2:15 and takes his back. Pitbull with a body triangle and Straus turtling up a bit. Pitbull landing punches from behind. Pitbull loses the body triangle at 3:15. Straus to his feet at 3:30 but Pitbull with a neck crank. Gives it up quickly. Both guys firing at each other at 3:45. Pitbull with a nice combo at 4:15. Pitbull just peppering him with punches with 30 seconds left. Straus almost down at the end. 10-9 Pitbull. Straus should take it but it all depends on how Round 1 was scored.
WINNER AND NEW FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION – DANIEL STRAUS (25-6) by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47 x 2)
