The Steve Austin Podcast with Brock Lesnar was interesting. It was an interview that made Lesnar come across as a blue collar guy who, at the same time, is also a smart businessperson while also being somewhat introverted. He said in the interview that he clocks in, clocks out and doesn’t go out of his way to make friends or politic. When going out to cook his favorite food, steak (the first fifteen minutes of the interview was off topic), he likes to see his land, and not any of his neighbors. It’s easy to see why Lesnar doesn’t do these kinds of interviews, so when he does it’s very interesting to see him in this light.
He talked about his early days, watching Little House on the Prairie on TV (no, really) and working on his parent’s farm in South Dakota. They talked about his wrestling days at University of Minnesota and assorted junior colleges. Lesnar talked about how Brad Rheingans broke him into the business once WWE were interested and how Curt Hennig and Big Boss Man taught him the business while on the road. They talk about his first run in the WWE, working with The Rock. In an interesting line, Lesnar said that it was The Rock that taught him to be selfish, and that it was a give and take business. He also mentioned that he was pressured into taking that shooting star press at WrestleMania XIX. Just because he could do something athletic, doesn’t mean he actually wanted to do it.
They talk briefly about the terrible WrestleMania XX match between him and Goldberg. Lesnar said they both wanted out and “didn’t give a shit”. Lesnar flat out said he used the NFL as a scapegoat to leave WWE. After skirting a question concerning the 2005 lawsuit between him and WWE (it’s all water under the bridge) they go into his UFC run for a bit. Lesnar said he met with Dana after entering the Octagon as a spectator after a Gonzaga/Couture match and said he wanted in. That seems like a bit of a stretch. He said he might be still fighting today in the Octagon if it wasn’t for the diverticulitis. He talked about getting sick in Canada and travelling back to the states to see a doctor.
They capped it off by talking about current WWE topics. Austin mentions breaking the streak and Lesnar said that some people didn’t like that, but did anyone else have the credentials to beat Undertaker? He’s not good at promos, but that’s what Heyman is there for – he’s gotta feed the Jew (his words, not mine). Austin asks about Hell in a Cell and Lesnar goes into kind of worked shoot mode, saying he has gripes with the Undertaker and didn’t like how their last match turned out, so he promises carnage at Hell in the Cell.
There were a few other topics discussing, including comparing Dana and Vince (which Lesnar really doesn’t do because Austin went to the next question rather quickly), a rant on millennials, getting sick in Canada and nearly requiring surgery, Austin’s walkout in 2002 and how that was maybe a two way street deal, and his fights with Heath Herring and Randy Couture. Again, a pretty interesting interview that’s worth your time. If you don’t like off topic banter, though, I recommend skipping the first 15 minutes or so.
The presale for WrestleMania 32 tickets will start on November 5th for the show that takes place on April 3, 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
The password for the presale is RAWVIP, and the presale will start at 9 a.m. Central time.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m Central time on November 6th
The best tickets will be priced at $2,380 for the first eight rows of ringside, which will include a special stadium entrance and a WrestleMania folding chair.
Because they are going to attempt to sell more tickets than in prior years, the bottom price to get in is $18, the cheapest Mania ticket in several years. While they won’t put a legitimate 100,000 in the building, this show will almost certainly break the legitimate indoor attendance record for WWE, and they will almost certainly announce a number greater than the worked biggest attendance number in company history, 93,173 for WrestleMania III on March 29th, 1987.
Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
The Big Takeaway: An unusual show, but a good one. The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair all appeared. Neither guise of Kane, who is wrestling the WWE World Heavyweight Champion on Sunday, showed up. There was an impromptu Shield reunion in the main event. Plus, the company had its top babyface appear in the opening segment, and never showed up again. And said babyface was treated as a heel.
Show Recap:
Steve Austin is out first. He talked about growing up in Texas going to the Sportatorium, where he got his start. Then he introduced the Undertaker.
Michael Cole and JBL billed the Undertaker’s match with Brock Lesnar as the final ever battle between the two men. Austin vanished as Undertaker made his entrance. The Dallas fans made the Undertaker the babyface, even though he’s been treated as a heel in the program. Undertaker said the depths of hell will look like the gates of heaven compared to where he’s going to take Brock Lesnar this Sunday.
Lesnar and Paul Heyman came out. Heyman cut his promo from the ramp. Heyman said his client wanted to gain revenge for the Undertaker’s tainted win at SummerSlam. He said after Undertaker losses this weekend, he’ll have to wonder what it’s like to live a legacy where he defeated everyone but Brock Lesnar.
Undertaker replied that when you take everything from a man, that man ends up fighting with nothing to lose. Undertaker motioned for Lesnar to come to the ring. Lesnar went to the ring despite the objections of Heyman. Lesnar jumped on the apron, laughed at the Undertaker, then jumped off. Heyman told Lesnar he did the right thing because now he’s in the Undertaker’s head. Crowd treated Lesnar as the heel and this was really good.
The rest of this show is going to be tough to live up to the opening segment because it will mainly feature characters we’ve seen for three hours every Monday night. Perhaps that’s why this segment opened the show, to sell the main event for this weekend before thousands of viewers switch to Monday Night Football.
The New Day’s promo included Big E. saying Everything is Booty in Texas, mentioning Dez Bryant’s foot and Tony Romo’s clavicle. Xavier Woods’ trombone was broken based on an angle on Smackdown where he used it against the Dudley Boyz.
The New Day defeated The Dudley Boyz and John Cena (8:35)
Woods pinned Devon Dudley with a schoolboy cradle while holding the trunks. John Cena did a rare plancha onto Big E., which distracted Devon. In the midst of all that, Kofi Kingston and Big E. rammed Bubba Ray Dudley into the post. Pretty good match where Big E. shook his ass several times while Cena was getting the heat.
Cole announced Randy Orton missed the tour of Mexico due to injury and wasn’t in the building tonight. They announced that Orton wouldn’t be at Hell in a Cell on Sunday, leaving Dean Ambrose without a partner for his tag team match against Braun Strowman and Luke Harper. Ambrose was shown talking to Dean Malenko and Fit Finley in the back.
Renee Young interviewed her boyfriend, who claimed that the Wyatt Family injured Orton and challenged Harper and Strowman to a fight tonight.
Nikki Bella and Alicia Fox defeated Naomi and Sasha Banks (8:48)
Nikki Bella pinned Naomi after the Rack Attack. Alicia Fox looked pretty good, including a spinning backbreaker on Naomi. Sasha Banks and Nikki had some rough spots during the hot tag sequence. Match was just there.
On an interview on Smackdown, Nikki Bella apparently said “Divas Revolution? No. It’s the Bellas’ Evolution.” You know things are bad when they’re lifting catchphrases from 1999 WCW factions that failed (I know, that’s being redundant). One that included Malenko and Shane Douglas, no less.
They announced that Corporate Kane has been suspended after a closed door meeting with the Authority for tonight’s show after his actions last week. This was an announcement made on the company website.
Shawn Michaels came out to a surprisingly tepid reaction. Michaels took a bite from a kid’s pizza on the way to the ring. Apparently, it went down the wrong way because he coughed throughout the interview. He brought up being in the first Hell in a Cell match against the Undertaker, and the 18th anniversary of that match will be this Sunday. Then he brought up Roman Reigns also being in a Hell in a Cell match against Bray Wyatt, and he believed those two matches will tear the house down.
Seth Rollins came out. The two went nose-to-nose and the crowd chanted for a match against them. Rollins said Michaels was supposed to introduce him. Michaels said he’s been getting instructions from the back for 20 years, then he forgets them once he gets to the ring. Rollins said Michaels got the order from his best friend, HHH. Rollins said he was the one who was going to stop the show this Sunday. Rollins billed himself as Shawn Michaels 2.0, but he was better than the original.
Michaels said if he had a nickel for every time he heard that he heard that someone was going to be the second coming of Shawn Michaels, he would be a billionaire. Michaels cut a promo that seemed aimed at various people that said he never once wanted to be the second coming of someone else when he was the greatest wrestler who ever lived.
Michaels brought up Kane. Rollins cut a promo on Kane, then requested to have his music played so he could leave. Michaels said the problem with being the second coming of anyone is they never listen to anything you say compared to an original. Michaels told Rollins that he had an match coming up next against Ryback, then asked to hit his music. Which they did. Great segment by Michaels.
Seth Rollins defeated Ryback (4:02)
Rollins worked over Ryback’s ribs, including a nice tope where Ryback landed against the announcers table. Ryback made a comeback, but Rollins kicked him in the ribs and pinned him clean with a pedigree.
Members of the Dallas Cowboys were shown at ringside.
They showed an angle from Smackdown where Summer Rae was a special referee for a match with Dolph Ziggler and Rusev. Rae helped Ziggler win. Afterwards, Rae came onto him, but Dolph said he wasn’t interested in being used.
King Barrett, Rusev and Sheamus defeated Neville, Dolph Ziggler and Cesaro (12:52)
King Barrett pinned Ziggler after Barrett kicked out of a cradle, and Ziggler wound up against the ropes where Sheamus gave him a Brogue Kick outside the ring. Neville worked almost the entire match, getting the heat after Rusev knocked him off the apron with a forearm into the announce table. At one point, Neville did a somersault plancha onto Rusev and Cesaro. There was nothing at all regarding Rusev’s romantic life, aside from Cole mentioning he’s now engaged. While Neville was getting the heat and Rusev pounded away on him, the fans chanted “USA.” At that moment, the only American in the ring was the referee.
Ric Flair didn’t even get a ring entrance for his appearance. He didn’t seem to know he was on camera and waited forever to start his promo. Flair brought up the Von Erichs and the Freebirds. Flair announced that Ambrose had found a tag team partner in Roman Reigns, which was strange since it was announced earlier that Ambrose would face Harper and Strowman alone.
Reigns came out. I guess they just used Flair to help Reigns get cheered because he disappeared after the Wyatt Family magically appeared on the ramp. Eric Rowan was back with the Wyatt Family with no explanation as to why he’s back with them, or why he’s even a heel.
Reigns pulled out two chairs and sat down in the middle of the ring. Reigns called out Wyatt to sit down in the other empty chair. Wyatt sat down in the chair, and Reigns told him face-to-face that Wyatt was a bully and his digs power by fear. He said Wyatt was afraid of being alone, and he was scared of Reigns.
Reigns kept poking at Wyatt until they wound up in fistacuffs. It ended up with Reigns using a chair across Wyatt’s back, and another chair to the shoulder of Rowan. Ambrose ran down to back up his partner.
Rollins, Stephanie McMahon and HHH watched this from the back. Michaels walked in. HHH talked about how they didn’t want Reigns and Ambrose to face Harper, Rowan and Strowman in a handicap match tonight. Michaels suggested Rollins be the third partner. Shawn insuinated it may be too heavy a load for Rollins to handle since he already wrestled tonight. Rollins objected to that and said he would join Reigns and Ambrose tonight in the main event. I can’t believe they would give away a Shield reunion on an one-off show. Wait, when did this become a six-man?
Charlotte (C) defeated Brie Bella via submission in a nontitle match (5:31)
Charlotte won with the Figure Eight. Nikki posed with Charlotte’s Divas title for heat. Probably the deadest match of the night so far.
Paige watched the match from the back. Young asked Paige if she was the person if she was the person who attacked Natalya on Smackdown. Paige didn’t answer. Young pressed her for a honest response. Paige said it could have been anyone, bringing up past names like Kaitlyn and Eve Torres, or Lita, Trish Stratus or even Alundra Blaze. Paige heeled on Young saying she was no Erin Andrews and she wasn’t as cute. Actually, Young did a better job asking questions than Andrews ever has. Granted, they were scripted questions, but still. Paige even called her Sally Jesse Raphael at one point. Is this 1985 again?
Kevin Owens (C) defeated Mark Henry in a nontitle match (3:38)
Kevin Owens was very good in getting heat since Mark Henry was in his home state. Henry seemed more animated, at one point screaming at Owens that he had been a bully in this company for 18 years. Owens actually got Henry up for the Pop-Up Power Bomb and the pin.
Ryback came out to go after Owens, who slid out of the ring. Henry threw Owens back in, and Ryback power bombed Owens.
Young asked Rollins about reuniting with the Shield. Rollins laughed that off and said he just wanted to prove to HHH and Michaels that he was the man. He said if Ambrose and Reigns wanted to relive the past, he would destroy them again.
The Wyatt Family defeated Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose by DQ (14:05)
The match ended when Strowman put the head and arm choke on Regins. Ambrose couldn’t budge Strowman, so he pulled out a kendo stick and repeatedly whacked Strowman with it. Strowman didn’t sell that and broke the stick over his knee. Ambrose tried to give Strowman a tope, but Strowman caught him and rammed his back into the ring apron. Reigns followed with a tope where he cleared the top rope by plenty onto the Wyatts. The final sequence appeared screwed up. Reigns gave Wyatt a spear, but Rowan fell over them. Reigns ended it by giving Rowan a spear.
Earlier in the match, Ambrose tried to make a hot tag. Strowman had tripped Reigns off the apron and thrown him into the barricade. That left Rollins, but just as Ambrose got to the corne, Rollins faked a knee injury. Wow, he really does want to be the next Shawn Michaels. Rollins walked out.
Crowd was so hungry for a Shield reunion, they chanted “This is Awesome” before the match started. When the Wyatts had a face-to-face staredown with Reigns and Ambrose, Rollins just stayed back and left his teammates hanging. Then he stepped up and stared down Rowan, and the crowd roared. Then Rollins told his teammates to get out of the ring because he was the architect. When Rollins saw Rowan was going to start the match, he tagged out.
SUMMARY: A good show, although I sense this was one of those shows where the main event was rewritten several times. Almost all the matches were solid. I still don’t think the Lesnar-Undertaker buildup has the juice it should have going into Hell in a Cell, but it was rushed since it was announced for HIAC to begin with.
On Monday’s “The MMA Hour”, UFC hopeful CM Punk said that he dodged a bullet by avoiding shoulder surgery, and will re-evaluate when his UFC career will begin in January.
During his interview with Ariel Helwani, Punk said he suffered the injury at the end of August doing some grappling training as he was adjusting his position, put all of his weight on his elbow, and it popped, causing everyone to stop as they thought something serious had happened. He said he still finished the workout and mopped the mats like he always does, but knew it wasn’t good. He thought he tore his labrum or rotator cuff, but the MRI was inconclusive.
Neither Dana White nor Lorenzo Fertitta knew about the injury, finding out the same time everyone else did. Punk said he assumed the doctors had talked and everyone was in the know, but that White and Fertitta called him to check in and make sure everything was ok.
Punk said he is going to start some light striking on a heavy bag this week to test the injury, but that he is paranoid about injuring it grappling. He is biking about 20-30 miles a day, is jumping rope to help stay in shape, and that the strength is coming back. He said the most frustrating part about the injury was that he felt he had turned the corner on certain aspects of his training. However, the injury didn’t prevent an announcement on his first UFC fight as head coach Duke Roufus was pretty strict about him training for a year before even considering a potential date, hence the evaluation this January.
He admitted wishing the news of the injury hadn’t come out, and said he had talked to Roufus about it. He definitely came off as frustrated and angry with Internet coverage of his injury and how he’s being covered and fan interaction in general. “I don’t know why people are so concerned about what the f*ck I’m doing…If you don’t want to watch me fight, don’t watch me fight.”
Back in Chicago while he’s been recovering, Punk said he spent three days filming a post-apocalyptic horror movie with his wife A.J. and took issue with those fighters, fans, and media that gave him grief for doing so. He said he’s been “paid a ridiculous amount of money” to do the movie and didn’t feel like it would hurt his career. He stressed the importance of not getting paid until he fights, so he needs to make money while he waits.
Even with all of this, Punk said he will still fight in the UFC.
“I know I’ll get my day in the Octagon and will have fun doing it.”
The Steve Austin podcast with Brock Lesnar, airing right after Raw ends on the WWE Network, has been much talked about. Even though Austin has denied it, at least some people, including within the company, believe an angle will be taking place tonight. Nobody knows anything, it’s just the belief that when they moved the final Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker match to this month’s PPV, the idea is Vince had to have something bigger for Mania and that’s the obvious match in that nobody can come up with a match right now that would mean more. Austin hasn’t wrestled since 2003 and there is a reason for that. One way or another, that question will be answered tonight.
It’s expected that the Austin podcast will be one of the three most watched non-live wrestling card shows in network history.
Either way, with the show being in Dallas, the site of WrestleMania, there is a lot of belief that some WrestleMania hints will be taking place tonight. The WWE sent out advertising that listed Undertaker, Lesnar, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels, but not Steve Austin, on the show. Locally in Dallas, where the advance for tonight’s show was disappointing (there were 3,000 tickets left as of the weekend, although I haven’t heard an update since), Austin’s name was mentioned in advertising. For all those reasons, this should be a bigger night than usual, and WWE does need a shot of adrenaline pretty bad right now.
Expect a bloodletting ratings wise for tonight in Canada, between the Toronto Blue Jays game, the elections and the NFL game. The Blue Jays have been doing record ratings this past week.
In the U.S., the baseball game isn’t as big, but it’s still the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, two major market teams, and a New York team is going to hurt Raw more than any other team. Plus they announced that the upcoming Star Wars trailer will play at halftime of the game, and the expectation is the game will be bigger than ever because of that hype as well.
We’re looking for reports on tonight’s Raw in Dallas from a live show perspective, with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident from the live show to Dave Meltzer
Tonight’s show is the go-home for Hell in a Cell, and has been pushed for some time with live appearances of Brock Lesnar, Undertaker, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels, followed by the Stone Cold Podcast with Lesnar.
We’re also looking for reports from these weekend events:
*WWE on Saturday night in Mexico City
*WWE on Saturday night in Lubbock, TX
*WWE yesterday in Monterrey, Mexico
*WWE yesterday in Abilene, TX
Tuesday has Smackdown tapings in Austin, TX with Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt and Sheamus as the headliners.
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Figure Four Weekly:
The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring details on all facets of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, including a better understanding of Gawker’s defense, what else the judge has sealed to protect Hogan, and more. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news.
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Wrestling Observer Newsletter
A complete look at Mistico/Myzteziz/Original Sin Cara and his leaving AAA, and what it means to the Mexican scene, and his history including WWE is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also look at NXT Takeover, full details behind the new Rizing Fighting Championships in Japan including what role pro wrestling will play and the Hall of Famer scheduled to headline, New Japan’s going forward with notes on upcoming shows and King of Pro Wrestling, Rusev & Lana and the TNA title tournament. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW
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.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
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 for 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.
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Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE announced today a deal with the Texas lottery as a cross-promotion for WrestleMania. There will be a WrestleMania scratch ticket game available starting 11/16. The revenue is supposed to support public schools and features $10 million in prizes, as well as trips to WrestleMania, All-Access at the Performance Center, VIP tickets to the WrestleMania pre-party, WrestleMania Axxess tickets, tickets to a private dinner with WWE Legends and more. There will be scratch tickets with the faces of John Cena, Undertaker, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Paige and The Bella Twins. What’s notable about this is a few years ago, WWE, when in talks of bringing Ric Flair back when Flair had a lottery deal, told him he’d have to give up the deal because they didn’t consider a lottery to fit in with the family friendly doctrine.
John Cena will be the guest on SportsCenter on ESPN News in the 9 p.m. hour tomorrow night. Some saw the tweet and thought this was happening tonight. WWE will be having segments every Tuesday night as part of a deal with ESPN.
Tyler Breeze is in Dallas for Raw, as is Erick Rowan. That doesn’t mean they will be on the show. At one point Breeze’s debut on television was scheduled for tomorrow, but that could change and be moved up a day, or back a week or two.
Probably the most speculation aside from what happens with Lesnar and Austin tonight revolves around what happens with Rusev. At the house shows in Texas this past weekend, they had Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev. Summer Rae came out and threw water in Rusev’s face, causing him to lose. After the matches, Summer tried to hit on Ziggler, who again blew her off.
All domestic violence charges against Thomas Latimer (Bram) have been dropped. John Gaburick has announced that the suspension of Bram is now over. Latimer was arrested on 8/30 in Gulfport, FL, and charged with domestic battery by strangulation and false imprisonment after deputies responded to an argument between Latimer and his live-in girlfriend.
UFC/MMA
Chris Weidman has signed a deal with Reebok.
Sage Northcutt vs. Cody Pfister has been added to the 12/10 Fight Pass show in Las Vegas. The gimmick is Sage Northcutt and Paige VanZant fighting on the same show. Yes, they are trying to do a remake of Saved by the Bell.
OTHER WRESTLING
An interview with William Regal is at talkSPORT
Some quotes from the story:
‘I’d go to war for John Cena. I’ve made more with John Cena just by being John Cena that anyone else I’ve ever met.
‘He works harder than anyone I’ve ever met, 30 hours a day, 500 days a year and will do anything and everything that is asked of him and couldn’t possibly work harder. He is a mega draw.’
Lamenting hopefuls who whine on social media or don’t take advantage of the wealth of knowledge available from the likes of himself or veteran agents Arn Anderson or Finlay, Regal says: “Shame on them, they’re all ponies. They don’t belong in this business.”
“I’m familiar with everybody, that’s what I do.”
“You have to be. You’d be a proper fool if you weren’t looking for who’s out there. I’m a wrestling fan – before I was a wrestler, I was a wrestling fan. I like watching wrestling.
“You hear about people, you look them up, you watch them and you want to know: ‘Is he any good?’ That’s what I like to do.”
“If you’re not studying about your job if you want to be in this, or have a lasting career in this, you’re a div.
“This is ever-evolving, you’ve got to know how to make yourself fit into this. If you don’t know what’s coming through the door, you’re a fool.”
“I know everything that’s out there that’s worth knowing about.”
ESPN itself will be airing the 30 for 30 piece on David & Mark Schultz tomorrow night at 9 p.m. Eastern. This is said to be the real story of the background of the movie “Foxcatcher.”
Dave Bautista will be on Soccer AM this coming Sunday.
OVW from Saturday night in Elizabethtown, KY before 200 fans: Rump Thumb b Adam Revolver, Vic the Bruiser & Randy Royal b Rook & Banyon, Big Jon b Tyler Matrix, Dapper Dan Van Zandt & Ringmaster b Elvis Pridemore & Leon Shelly, Josh Ashcraft b Rev. Stuart Miles with Jim Cornette as special referee, Trailer Park Trash b Tracy Smothers. Next show is 12/19 (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)
A singles battle of what a few years later would become one of the greatest tag teams in Japanese wrestling history is today’s new match on the NWAClassics.com site with a Texas death match between Steve Williams and Terry Gordy from Houston.
Speaking of Houston, Seth Hanson noted this card that took place on this day in 1979:
El Halcon (star in Mexico) b Killer Tim Brooks, Les Thornton d Tiger Conway Jr., Kerry Von Erich (19 years old) b Ron McFarlane, The Spoiler b Tor Kamata, La Bella Karian b La Viuda Negra, Dusty Rhodes b Mark Lewin-DQ, Jose Lothario b Gran Markus, Mil Mascaras b Gino Hernandez, Harley Race d Bruiser Brody 60:00 over the NWA title
INDY RESULTS
Progress Wrestling from yesterday in London at the Electric Ballroom before a sellout 720 fans: Dave Mastiff b Jack Gallagher, William Eaver b Tyler Bate, Tom Irvin & Sebastian b Jonathan Windsor & Rampage Brown, Mark Haskins b Tommaso Ciampa (said to be an excellent match), Marty Scurll b Flash Morgan Webster, Origin won three-way over London Riots and Sumerian Death Squad, Will Ospreay b Paul Robinson to keep Progress title. Ospreaey vs. Mark Andrews headlines the next show on 11/29, and Ciampa will face Mary Scurll on that show in what they announced was Ciampa’s final match with the promotion before he moves on to something on TV. (thanks to Darren Rogers)
Busted Knuckle Pro Wrestling on 11/28 in Niagara Falls at 6101 North St.
I Believe in Wrestling from Saturday night in Orlando: Braydon Knight b Ace Andrews, Chico Adams b Josh Parker, Tyranus b Josh Hess, Lince Dorado won three-way over Jay Rios and Jon Cruz, Mark Silva b Derick Jordan, Mike Reed b Jody Kristofferson, Aaron Epic & Jonny Vandal b Brandon Scherer & Rex Bacchus, Rhett Giddins b Michael Patrick (thanks to Al Haft)
Stardom from yesterday in Baldwin Park, CA: Act Yasukawa & Kyoko Kimura & Thunder Rosa b Brittany Wonder & Datura & Nicole Savoy, Santana Garrett b Kris Wolf, Cheerleader Melissa b Shayna Baszler (ex-UFC fighter), Kairi Hojo & Melina Perez b Hudson Fury & Mia Yim, Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani b Hiroyo Matsumoto & Kellie Skater. Told the main event was excellent/ (thanks to Al Haft and Dan Farren)
ECWA held its Super 8 Chickfight tournament on Saturday night in Woodbury Heights, NJ: Brittany Blake b Terra Calaway, Deonna Purrazzo b Miranda Vionette, Kennadi Brink b Savannah Evans, Tessa Blanchard b Daysia Gilbert, Ricky Martinez & Damian Adams b Chuck & Kyle Payne to win tag titles, Bobby Shields b Ricky Martinez-DQ, Deonna Puraazzo b Brittany Blake, Tessa Blanchard b Kennadi Brink, Sean Carr b Matt Saigon, Deonna Purrazzo b Tessa Blanchard.
NWA Mid South from Saturday night in Dyresburg, TN: Austin Blackburn b Everett Connors, The Posse b Dale Wylde & EMT #1, Tim Storm b Rob Conway to retain North American title, Jeremy Moore b Josh Lewis, Heatseekers b Matt Riviera & Greg Anthony to retain the NWA tag titles, Michael Elgin b Steve Anthony
Reader Bob Nowak noted that “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity,” a pro wrestling play that has gotten great reviews around the country, is now playing at the Houston Stage Theater. My parents, who are not wrestling fans, really liked it.
United Wrestling Coalition on 10/24 in New Egypt, NJ at the Elks Lodge featuring trick or treat session with the wrestlers. for kids.
After two matches this weekend for German promotion wXw, former WWE talent Ezekiel Jackson (Rycklon Stephens) told the promoters that those were the last two matches of his wrestling career. The 37-year-old is a former WWE Intercontinental Champion and ECW Champion, and also worked for TNA and Lucha Underground. (Thanks to Markus Gronemann)The full wXw World Tag Team Tournament is available on demand with either German or English commentary. (Thanks to Markus Gronemann)
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1955 – Bert Assirati beat Ernie Baldwin in London to unify the British heavyweight title
1956 – Ronaldo Vera beat El Santo in Monterrey to win the NWA middleweight title
1959 – Isao Yoshihara beat Kyotaka Otsubo in Tokyo to win the JWA light heavyweight title. Yoshihahara later become the promoter for the IWE.
1973 – Hiro & Hito Tojo (Akihisa Mera who was famous years later as the Great Kabuki, teaming with Samson Kutsuwada, famous for doing well in a gym workout with Karl Gotch) beat Spyros Arion & Mark Lewin in Sydney to win the Austra Asian tag titles
1979 – Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta beat Abdullah the Butcher & Ray Candy in Kuriyama to win the Int. tag title
1993 – Masayoshi Motegi beat El Texano (father of current AAA star) in Tokyo to win the WWA jr. heavyweight title
1997 – Atsushi Onita & Yukihiro Kanemura beat Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke in Sendai to win the FMW World Brass Knux tag titles
2001 – Brian Jesse James Armstrong aka Road Dogg, beat Jeff Jarrett in Perth, Western Australia to become the first WWAS heavyweight champion and Juventud Guerrera beat Psicosis to become the first WWAS Int. cruiserweight champion
2001 – Too Cold Scorpio & Vader beat Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito in a tournament finals to become the first GHC tag team champions
2002 – Jake Roberts beat Jonny Moss in Maidstone, UK to win the NWA UK heavyweight title
2014 – Genki Horiguchi & Jimmy Susumu & Ryo Saito beat Cima & Don Fujii & Gamma in Yokkaichi to win the Open the Triangle Gate titles
2014 – Will Ospreay won a three-way over Rich Swann and Josh Bodom in Ipswich to win the IPW UK British heavyweight title
We’re looking for reports on these shows for this weekend at Dave Meltzer.
*WWE Friday night in Merida, Yucatan
*WWE last night in Lubbock, TX
*WWE last night in Mexico City
*WWE tonight in Monterrey, Mexico (Undertaker, Kane, Ric Flair, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho Sheamus, Cesaro, Bray Wyatt)
*WWE tonight in Abilene, TX (John Cena vs.. Seth Rollins in a 30 minute Iron man match)
Evolve on iPPV at 8 p.m. Eastern Sunday from The Deer Park, NY Sportatorium at www.WWNLive.com
Timothy Thatcher vs. Trevor Lee for the Evolve title
Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta vs. Anthony Nese & Caleb Konley
Willie Mack vs. Drew Gulak
TJ Perkins vs. Tracy Williams
Matt Riddle vs. Chris Dickinson
Andrew Everett vs. Peter Kassa
Ethan Page vs. Matt Cage
Monday has Raw from Dallas, TX with the go-home show for Hell in a Cell, with Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin all in town, plus the Austin podcast with Brock Lesnar.
Tuesday has Smackdown tapings in Austin, TX with Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt and Sheamus as the headliners.
****
Figure Four Weekly:
The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring details on all facets of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, including a better understanding of Gawker’s defense, what else the judge has sealed to protect Hogan, and more. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news.
****
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
A complete look at Mistico/Myzteziz/Original Sin Cara and his leaving AAA, and what it means to the Mexican scene, and his history including WWE is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also look at NXT Takeover, full details behind the new Rizing Fighting Championships in Japan including what role pro wrestling will play and the Hall of Famer scheduled to headline, New Japan’s going forward with notes on upcoming shows and King of Pro Wrestling, Rusev & Lana and the TNA title tournament. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW
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.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
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 for 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.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back for Wrestling Observer Radio tonight talking weekend news, previewing this coming week as well as taking e-mail questions. Because there was no major show this weekend, we will have more time than usual for questions so you can send them to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
Due to the appearance of Sami Zayn, Evolve set its all-time attendance record last night in Brooklyn. Zayn did his interview after the event ended. He said that he was a pro wrestler with Evolve and has an indy-sized hold in his heart, and thanked everyone for supporting the promotion and said this was the ground floor of something very big, and then put over Johnny Gargano as a future Evolve champion. They used Gargano being on NXT to promote a match with Ethan Page where if Gargano lost, he would leave Evolve. However, Gargano won.
Evolve Results: Andrew Everett won four-way over Matt Cage, Anthony Nese and Peter Kaasa, Matt Riddle b Jonathan Gresham, Chris Dickinson b Tracy Williams, Trevor Lee b Drew Gulak to win a shot at the Evole title tonight, Tony Nese & Caleb Konley b Milk Chocolate (Brandon Watts & Randy Summers), Willie Mack b Earl Cooter, Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta b Timothy Thatcher & TJ Perkins, Johnny Gargano b Ethan Page in an I quit match to stay in Evolve.
Nick Newell, the WSOF fighter who garnered a lot of publicity because he was born with one arm, announced his retirement last night after a decision over Tom Marcellino. He announced it while the TV show was on a commercial break, said the sport was getting too hard and it’s time to pass on his wisdom.
Adam Rose, who was taken out on a stretcher at Friday night’s show in Merida, didn’t work last night in Mexico City. It was described to us that he had his bell rung and was okay. He took a kick from Fandango and there was concern of a concussion.
Even with all the big names advertised locally, including Steve Austin, as of Friday there were still 3,000 tickets remaining for Raw tomorrow night.
I don’t know when he will officially start on TV, other than it is supposed to be really soon, but Tyler Breeze is now considered on the main roster. He could start this week although I was told it could be bumped a week or two.
Golovkin vs. Lemieux was the fifth most searched term (behind other sports terms) yesterday with 200,000. That would be an early indication of a PPV number in the range or a normal UFC show, but not a big one.
In last night’s John Cena vs. Seth Rollins Iron Man Match, Cena won three out of five falls in the 30 minutes in Lubbock.
Rycklon Stephens, who was Big Ryck in Lucha Underground and Ezekiel Jackson in WWF, told promoters in Germany, where he worked today, that today was his last pro wrestling match. (thanks to Markus Gronemann)
Patrick Clark of Tough Enough, who has signed a WWE developmental deal, starts tomorrow at the Performance Center.
TNA’s Jessie Godderz is playing the role of a pro wrestler in an FX movie called “Snowfall.” The movie is directed by John Singleton, who also directed 2 Fast 2 Furious. The movie will air sometime next year.
Stardom drew 200 fans on Friday in Covina, CA: Act Yasukawa & Kyoko Kimura & Kris Wolf b Shayna Baszler & Brittany Wonder & Datura when Kimura used the sleeper on Wonder in 12:32, Mayu Iwatani b Nicole Savoy in 6:53 with a dragon sleeper, Kellie Skater & Hiroyo Matsumoto b Kairi Hojo & Kahmora at 13:16 when Matsumoto pinned Hiroyo in 13:16 after a back drop drive, Perez & Santana Garrett b Hudson Envy & Thunder Rosa in 16:19 when Garrett pined Rosa with a springboard moonsault in 16:19, Io Shirai b Mia Yim to retain the Wonder of Stardom title after a moonsault in 13:44.
Perez wrestling in place of Cheerleader Melissa was just Melissa as President of Stardom USA making the ruling as Perez had been billed as a referee. Melissa faces Baszler on today’s show in Baldwin Park. A few UFC fighters were there including Josh Barnett and Jessamyn Duke. We were told it was an amazing show with no bad matches and the crowd into everything (thanks to Chris Horcasitas and Sonny Gutierrez)
The German tag team tournament covered in the recent Observer that included both New Japan champions, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows, as well as Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish, is available
Kurt Angle will be appearing this coming Saturday for an autograph signing at Frank & Son’s Collectibles in the City of Industry, CA.
Zane Ashley, the grandson of Bill Watts, was named defensive player of the month in Gwinnett County in Georgia. He’s a junior at Peachtree Ridge High School.
Lou DiBella of Lou DiBella entertainment sent us this update on Prichard Colon, the boxer who is in rough shape from a fight in Fairfax, VA on a DiBella card yesterday afternoon. He suffered a brain bleed as a result of the fight and underwent immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the brain and is in critical condition.
Terry Funk did a crazy concession stand brawl at last night’s AIW show in Cleveland. Funk has his first match in a long time this coming Saturday night in Jackson, TN, against Jerry Lawler at Oman Arena. Lance Russell will be there as well.
29 years ago today, WWF & Jim Crockett Promotions both ran shows on the same night in Philadelphia. The JCP show sold out the Civic Center with Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes and The Road Warriors, while WWF drew 15,986 at the Spectrum for Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff
Maryland Championship Wrestling from Friday night in Felton, DE: Chuck Lennox b Shawn Patrick, Oakley Woods b Funky White Boy, G-Fed b Sonny Deeds-DQ, Drolix b Brandon Scott, Hot Lanta Hustlers b Joe Kerr & Travis Banks, The Ecktourage of Kevin Eck b Sudden Impact (Lio Rush was there, Patrick Clark wasn’t) to win the tag titles, Shane Strickland b David Starr, Mickie James won four-way over Amber Rodriguez, Kimber Lee and Kennadi Brink, The Bruiser & Matt Hardy b King McBride & Ken Dixon.
Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in East Carondelet, IL before a sellout 350 fans: Bubba Troll won over Jimmy D and Daniel Gunner, Sean Vincent & Keith Smith Jr. b Curtis Wylde & Ax Allwardt, Chaz Wesson b Barackus, Brandon Espinosa b Bobby D, Chris Hargas b Shane Rich, Kahagas b Brent Myers, Flash Flanagan b Ron Powers-DQ. Bill Apter was a special guest at the show. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer and Larry Matysik)
60 years ago yesterday, a 21-year-old Ray Stevens beat Chris Zaharias in 2/3 falls in what was advertised as the first day time pro wrestling show airing live from the WFLA Studio in Tampa.
To show how things were even as late as 1963, on October, 17, 1963 in Jacksonville, a semi-main event was billed as “Two World Famous Colored Men Wrestlers” as Bobo Brazil beat Roosevelt Hampton in two straight falls.
Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno: Kikyo b Johnny Dynamo in an intergender match, Buddy Royal & Levi Shapiro b Prince Nagi & Super Tiger, Johnny Plinko b Al Azar. Next taping is today at the Big Fresno Fair and is free with a fair admission (thanks to Jon Southerland).
Smash Wrestling from Friday night in Toronto: 3.0 b Goat Brigade, Courtney Rush b Penelope Ford, Franky the Mobster b Dalton Castle, Michael Bennett & Matt Taven b Overdogs, Brent Banks b Sonjay Dutt, Tarik & Gulak b Checkmate, Scotty O’Shea b Chuck Taylor.
Results from Friday night at Arena Neza: Golden Bull & Ricky Gonzalez & Motocross b Bryan el Stripper & Chamaco Davila & Rey Neza, Lady Maravilla & Reina Dorada b Felina Metalica & Stefany Valker, Nino Hamburguesa & Goya Kong b Carta Brava Jr. & Taya Valkyrie, Psycho Circus b Daga & Joe Lider & Parka Negra, Dr. Wagner Jr. (sub for Myzteziz) & La Parka b Averno & Cibernetico-DQ (thanks to Kris Zellner)
Ultimo Guerrero vs. Shocker headlines for the FMLL light heavyweight title on Sunday in El Monte, CA at Florentine Gardens.
Rush & La Sombra vs. Volador Jr. & Mr Aguila headline this coming Saturday night in El Pas at the Southwest Universotu Event Center.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1970 – Stan Stasiak beat King Curtis Iaukea in Sydney to win the IWA title
1978 – Abdullah the Butcher beat Billy Robinson in Utsunomiya to win the PWF title
1994 – Chris Benoit & Shinjiro Otani beat Great Sasuke & Black Tiger (Eddy Guerrero) in Okayama to win the New Japan SG jr. tag team tournament
2009 – Team 3-D beat Brutus Magnus & Doug Williams, Bobby Roode & James Storm and Booker T & Scott Steiner in Irvine, CA to win the IWGP tag team titles
2013 – La Mascara & Rush beat Tama Tonga & Rey Bucanero in Mexico City to win the CMLL tag team titles
2013 – L.A. Park won the Antonio Pena Cup at Heroes Inmortales in Puebla
2014 – Doug Williams beat Joe Coffey in Motherwell, Scotland to win the Scottish heavyweight title
1923 St. Louis, Missouri: Joe Stecher beat John Freberg
1956 Kansas City, Kansas: World Tag Team Champions, Ernie Dusek and Joe Dusek beat Larry Hamilton and Sonny Myers to retain the titles
1969 St. Paul, Minnesota: – Non Title Death Match: Flying Redheads, Red Bastien & Billy Red Lyons beat AWA Tag Team Champions Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon – Bill Watts beat Blackjack Lanza dq – Bodyslam Challenge Match: Man Mountain Mike beat Luke Graham – Larry Hennig beat Billy Howard
1973 Kansas City, Kansas: – Jim Brunzell defeated Vic Nichols – In an Elimination Match: Mike George & Man Mountain Mike & Ronnie Etchison defeated Bob Brown & Tokyo Joe & Bob Orton – Danny Little Bear defeated Baron Scicluna via DQ – World Tag Team Champions Lord Alfred Hayes & Roger Kirby fought Harley Race & Black Angus to a double count out
1974 Denver, Colorado: – Larry Hennig & Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens & Bobby Heenan – AWA Tag Team Champions Billy Robinson & the Crusher beat Larry Heiniemi & Buddy Wolff – Geoff Portz beat Paul Perschmann (Buddy Rose)
1976 West Palm Beach, Florida: – Andre The Giant beat Missouri Mauler – Texas Death Match: Jack Brisco beat Bob Roop – Bob Backlund & Jerry Brisco beat Bob Roop & Bob Orton Jr – Non title: AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Don Serrano
1978 Honolulu, Hawaii: – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Don Muraco – Billy & Benny McGuire beat Mr. Fuji & Karl Von Steiger – Ripper Collins beat Bill Francis – Larry Sharpe beat Steve Strong – Pampero Firpo beat Whipper Watson Jr
1978 Utsunomiya, Japan – Abdullah The Butcher defeated Billy Robinson to win the Pacific Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Title (now part of the All Japan Triple Crown)
1982 Memphis, Tennessee: – Piledriver Legal: Southern Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Jerry Lawler – Fabulous Ones Steve Keirn & Stan Lane beat New York Dolls Dream Machine & Rick McGraw – Southern Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Sweet Brown Sugar beat Terry Taylor & Jacques Rougeau – Sheepherders beat Steve Regal & Spike Huber – Mid American Champion Dutch Mantel beat Crusher Broomfield (One Man Gang) – Robert Gibson & Bobby Fulton & Buddy Landell beat The Spoiler & Carl Fergie & The Angel
1983 Portland, Oregon: – Billy Jack defeated Scott Ferris – Al Madril fought Curt Hennig to a time limit draw – The Assassin and Dynamite Kid defeated Brian Adidas and Jules Strongbow – Rip Oliver defeated Ali Hassan – NWA World champion Harley Race defeated Buddy Rose
1987 Jackson, Tennessee: – Jerry Lawler beat Steve Keirn – AWA Tag Team Champions Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee beat Don Bass & Carl Fergie – Jeff Jarrett & Billy Travis beat RPMS dq – Hector Guerrero beat John Paul – Tracy Smothers & Billy Travis beat Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka – Bobby Jaggers & Dr. D beat Nasty Boys
1994 Louisville, Kentucky: – The Phantoms defeated PG-13 to win the USWA Tag Team Title
1997 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: – The FBI (Little Guido, & Tracy Smothers) defeated John Kronus & New Jack to win the ECW World Tag Team Title
1998 Chicago, Illinois: – X-Pac defeated D’Lo Brown to win the WWF European Title – Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock defeated Mankind to retain the title
1999 – Konnan & Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Harlem Heat to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles
– Hardcore & Crash Holly defeated The Rock & Mankind to win the WWF World Tag Team Titles
2011 Orlando, Florida: – James Storm defeated Kurt Angle to win the TNA World Title
The MLB actual World Series is slated to contain either the Royals or the Blue Jays, and that’s going to suck, but THIS “World Series” with a main of event of Jon Fitch vs. Yushin Okami? This should be called the Little League World Series of Fighting. Actually, that’s an insult to 11 year olds that play each summer in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They at least hit.
Changes to today’s event…
No real changes other than the name on the top of the column. This is the first time I’ll be using my True Ten system to examine a WSOF show. This show did not come on until 9pm Eastern in my area so I only saw the reading of the results of the flyweight title match, which all three judges scored 50-45 for Bibulatov.
Next up was a match that must have been made via Royal Rumble style tumbler random drawing with Vinny Magalhaes submitting Matt Hamill with a knee bar in round one. Who could have possibly thought that was a good idea?
On with the show…
Lightweight: Tom Marcellino vs. Nick Newell
Well that was a weird fight. Nick Newell is the one armed fighter, and in this fight, he was the guy working all the submission attempts and controlling the grappling.
At the end of the second round, Miragliotta thought they rang the bell but it was just the 10 second “sound” and it did indeed sound like a bell clang, but it was right as Marcellino had dropped Newel with a punch. He didn’t argue but Marecellino could have finished. His corner should have been irate. Round two only lasted 4:50. After the break it was explained that the official timekeeper hit the bell instead of the blocks with ten seconds remaining. Maybe they had the same timekeeper as the guy in the Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker match at Summer Slam.
Official Results: Unanimous decision for Nick Newell (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Analysis: Seriously, Marcellino could have finished at the end of the second. I think this fight was a draw. Newell controlled more but did almost zero damage and in my world where draws are allowed, this is definitely a draw. The one benefit of it not being is draw is that we don’t have to see a rematch, because had this not been a fight with a one armed man, it would have been incredibly boring. The SEC battle of the field goals between Georgia and Mizzou is more exciting.
Heavyweights: Blagoi Ivanov vs. Derrick Mehmen
I’m not going to even prep for this next fight on this card. No way it’s lasting all five rounds… Good news. The Eunuch from Game of Thrones, Varys, is refereeing this one. The quality of the Alien Ware logo in the center of the ring is similar to something my snowboarding buddies and I would paint on my basement wall in high school… Ivanov by KO in round 2.
Jon Fitch vs. Yushin Okami
A wise man (@findevan) once told me, “Don’t bet on a boring fight.” This, my friends, has all the makings of such. A lot is being made of Okami cutting to 170. He looks fine. On the other hand, Jon Fitch looks drawn and totally dehydrated. Sunken eyes and no charisma. I mean, even less charisma… Can Chael go a whole round without putting himself over? The winner of this match faces Jake Shields. My god. Are we being punished? I feel like a sportscaster assigned to cover the WNBA.
Official Result: Unanimous Decision for Jon Fitch (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Analysis: I don’t know why this was not scheduled for five, but I’m very glad it only went three. I can forgive Chael for the heavy comedy in this match, because nothing was happening. At least they are doing a one-night tourney on Nov 25 to create a contender to the Lightweight title because the Welterweight title is dead.
Overall Analysis: One, has anyone actually bought a body systems punching bag by Bas Rutten? If so, just mail me the rest of your money. Two, has anyone cut a less convincing promo than Jon Fitch? “Uh, nothing means more to me, than uh, winning that uh, World Series of uh, Fighting, uh belt. Ya.” Three, watching the “highlight package” that consists of still photos set to music because the WSOF doesn’t own the rights to any footage, sucks, and makes WSOF look super Indy. How is this promotion still alive? It’s the TNA of MMA. So Shields, the super-boring guy who LOST to Palhares, will face Who ever books for WSOF should be fired.
WSOF 24 took place Saturday night on NBC Sports Network. The 11 fight card was headlined by a welterweight title eliminator bout between Jon Fitch and Yushin Okami and featured two WSOF title fights on the undercard. The first 6 bouts aired on wsof.com.
Chael Sonnen provided commentary for the whole show and while entertaining at times was reminiscent of Matt Stryker in his commentating style. So you’re either going to like it or really hate it and it ventured toward the latter for me.
In the main event, Jon Fitch (26-7-1) won a boring decision over Yushin Okami. He clearly won the last two rounds and the first was close. I had it for Okami, as did one of the judges. But Fitch clearly won the fight and will face Jake Shields for the vacant Welterweight title early next year.
In a Heavyweight title fight, Champion Blagoi Ivanov (13-1) KO’d Derrick Mehmen in the 2nd round in what was probably the best fight of the night. These two looked like an indy wrestling version of Rusev and Jack Swagger. Ivanov dominated the fight, finishing him with a brutal punch to an already cut eye that may have broken an orbital bone as Mehmen went down like he’d been shot.
Nick Newell (13-1) won a unanimous decision over Tommy Marcellino on 29-28 scores across the board. There wasn’t really any other score possible, although Marcellino was acting like he’d won after the fight and berated Newell, saying “you know you f’n lost”. Newell responded by telling him to be a better sport. In a post-fight interview that couldn’t be heard due to technical difficulties on the part of NBC Sports Network, Newell retired from fighting. Interestingly enough, the last fighter that Marcellino fought in WSOF, Frankie Perez, retired in-ring earlier this year on a UFC show.
Two fighters making their WSOF debut had a sloppy fight in the second match on the show, with Vinny Magalhaes (13-7) submitted Matt Hamill in the latter’s first fight in several years. At 39 years old, that was probably it for him with the first round loss. Magalhaes was informed after the fight that he’ll fight Thiago Silva in a #1 contender’s fight for a shot at Dave Branch’s tile. Branch did commentary for most of the undercard and the top 2 main card fights but wasn’t here for this announcement.
The show kicked off with a Flyweight title fight, the first in the promotion’s existence. In fact it may have been the first 125 lb fight on a main card for the promotion. Debuting Magomed Bibulatov (10-0) won a unanimous decision on scores of 50-45 across the board, the same score I had, over Donavon Frelow. Bibulatov took him down at will through the whole fight but his striking games needs a lot of work. In terms of quality, this was a low-level UFC flyweight fight, the kind that you’d see on Fight Pass.
The prelims were full of mostly boring decisions, although the top 2 fights were had entertaining finishes. Rick Glenn (16-3) had a 2nd round KO win over Adam Ward. He knocked him out with two hammer fists on the ground and stopped punching before the ref even had a chance to stop it because he knew Ward was out. Alexandre de Almeida (17-5) got a first round sub with a rear naked choke of Saul Almeida. It was announced that he’d be the next challenge for Rick Palmer’s 145 lb title.
In the other bouts:
Colton Smith (6-4) won by unanimous decision on scores of 30-26 across the board. There was a penalty point deducted in the 2nd round and despite that, both Chael Sonnen and Renzo Gracie scored the fight 30-27 for Smith. I had it 30-25 with a 10-8 2nd before the penalty point.
Pat Walsh (7-2) had a unanimous decision win over Tyler King on 30-27 scores across the board. Really boring fight, typical for Pat Walsh.
Rex Harris (8-2) had a split decision win over Justin Torrey on scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28. I scored it 29-28 for Torrey as did the fan poll and all the MMA media members on MMADecisions.com. Torrey is a training partner of friend of the site and sometime radio guest Antonio “the Promise” Thomas.
Bruce Boyington (11-8) won a split decision over Rodrigo Almeida in the opener. This fight wasn’t terrible but entirely forgettable. Scores were 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28. I scored it for Almeida but the 2nd round was very close and could’ve gone either way. Chael Sonnen actually scored it 30-27 for Almeida, Gracie had the same score as I did and the fan voting was 29-28 Boyington.
The show is not at all worth going out of your way to see but for a weekend with no UFC or Bellator, it was the best we had.
