Brock Lesnar, Mark Hunt, UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, interim light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, Cain Velasquez, and Travis Browne will address the MMA media this afternoon at 3 PM EST.
The press conference is in anticipation of this Sunday’s UFC 200 event that the promotion is hoping will be the biggest show in company history.
On the show, Lesnar will make his return to mixed martial arts after an almost five-year layoff against Hunt. Lesnar last fought at UFC 141 in a loss against Alistair Overeem.
Jones is challenging Cormier in a light heavyweight championship unification bout as Jones was forced to vacate his title after a string of personal issues kept him out of the sport for a year. He won the interim version of the belt earlier this year in a unanimous decision win over Ovince Saint Preux.
Tate will defend her championship against Nunes with the winner likely to face either Ronda Rousey or Holly Holm later this year if the cards falls right.
Also on the show, Aldo faces Edgar for the interim featherweight championship, and Velasquez vs. Browne opens the PPV portion of the card.
“The situation with Moose changed in the past week as well. WWE backed off on signing him at this moment due to a 2009 domestic violence allegation which led to him being suspended for a game when he was in the NFL. He was actually told not to worry by WWE with the idea it’s just a timing situation (given the recent situations with Adam Rose and Jerry Lawler) and not a closed door.
He was originally expected to be part of their September NXT introduction class with guys like Tommy End and Big Damo and most likely Roderick Strong, who did finish up here over the weekend. Moose has had offers from Lucha Underground, TNA, which offered the most money of anyone ($100,000 per year) and the door is open to staying here as well. Those at ROH view his future here as something that has changed a few times and it may or may not change again.
Right now they are going with the idea it could go either way. But the plans aren’t booked right now with him as a key part of things. The impression we have is it is most likely he will be elsewhere soon which rules out WWE as well. He was beaten a few times on TV and the PPV because he may be gone and was expected to be gone when the shows were first laid out. But the door is open for him to stay. The TNA offer was always the best one money-wise, but there is the feeling that if you go to TNA, you fall off the radar. Plus, nobody knows the future of TNA.”
At one time it appeared that Ojinnaka was headed to the WWE and would start at the Performance Center in September, but Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE backed off of signing the former football journeyman because of a 2009 domestic violence allegation that led to him being suspended from the NFL for one game.
Ojinnaka’s wife alleged that he threw her down the stairs during an argument over a female friend that he had friended on Facebook, and Ojinnaka accused her of trying to stab him with a pen. The two are now divorced.
Ojinnaka left the NFL in 2012 after a seven-year career with four different teams. After his time in football was over, the longtime wrestling fan decided to pursue a career in professional wresting and debuted in 2014 with Ring of Honor.
MLW also tweeted that Lucha Underground/AAA have not made an offer to Moose, but that TNA and ROH are still in play for his services.
Last week on Impact, Bobby Lashley retained the TNA World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Drew Galloway and EC3 in a triple threat match. Also, Broken Matt Hardy showed up in a wheelchair and challenged Jeff Hardy to one more match. After Jeff agreed, Matt jumped out of the wheelchair and beat him down.
Tonight on Impact:
On tonight’s Impact, Matt and Jeff will face off in one final encounter known as The Final Deletion. This match will not take place at the Impact Zone, but instead will be held at Matt’s home in North Carolina. The match has a good amount of buzz going in.
Show Recap:
– Impact kicks off with a warning from Matt’s gardener, Senor Benjamin. He tells us that only trained professionals can perform matches like tonight’s and not to imitate what we see. He says all of this in Spanish.
– Next we go into the Hardy home where Matt and Reby are celebrating Maxel’s birthday. Senor Benjamin has a present for Maxel and asks if Matt is sick. Matt says that his birthday present to Maxel is deleting Jeff from the family. Matt tells Senor Benjamin to prepare the battlefield for massacre. This was done incredibly well and was effective in building anticipation for the main event.
– In the arena, X Division champion The Miracle and Maria make their way to the ring. The Miracle reminds us that he is going to use Option C and wants to use it tonight.
TNA President Dixie Carter makes her return after a one-week leave of absence. Miracle and Maria are not happy to see her. Dixie informs Miracle that he can use Option C, but is first going to defend the X Division title against the entire division in an Ultimate X Match.
X Division Champion “The Miracle” Mike Bennett w/ “The First Lady Of Professional Wrestling” Maria Kanellis-Bennett vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Mandrews vs. DJ Z vs. Braxton Sutter vs. Rockstar Spud vs. Trevor Lee vs. Andrew Everett /Gregory Shane Helms in an Ultimate X Match
– Back from commercial and the match is underway. This was a really good match. The story was that Miracle is out of his element in this environment. Sutter kicked Spud really hard and he had to be taken to the back after being busted open. DJ Z leaped off of Lee’s back and dove onto a bunch of guys on the outside.
Miracle tried to jump vertically to grab the belt, which obviously failed. He tried climbing across the cable but again failed. Mandrews climbed up the Ultimate X structure and hit a sweet looking moonsault onto everyone on the floor. Miracle can’t figure out how to get the X Division belt so he grabs a ladder. But Edwards won the match when he climbed the structure and kicked Miracle off of the ladder he was climbing.
Edwards is the new X Division champion and the question now becomes whether he will cash in the title for a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
– Josh informs us that both EC3 and Drew Galloway have been suspended for the backstage brawl they had last week. The two will meet later tonight in a face-to-face interview.
King of the Mountain Champion Eli Drake vs. “Cowboy” James Storm
Drake tried to get disqualified by hitting Storm with the KOTM title but referee Brian Hebner stopped him. Storm got the advantage and hit the Last Call Super Kick, but the momentum sent Eli to the outside. Storm tried to bring him back in but Drake was finally able to use the belt to get purposely disqualified.
Post-match, Drake hit his finisher on Storm and posed with the belt.
– In the back, Edwards is glad to be X Division champion again but has a lot to think about in regards to Option C.
Jade vs. Marti Bell in a Street Fight
Both women are wearing street clothes. There are all kinds of weapons at ringside, including a trash can, baking sheets, chairs and kendo sticks. Bell uses a baking sheet to get the advantage and then backdrops Jade onto a trash can. Bell brought in a baton but Jade used nunchucks to counter her attack. Jade won the match with a package piledriver on a steel chair.
– Next, we see Jeff at his home gardening and playing the guitar. At first it seems like the start of Jeff’s newest drama on the CW. But what happens next is like a combination of Doctor Who and Star Wars. Suddenly, a drone flies into the shot and spies on Jeff. A hologram of Matt appears out of the drone and challenges Jeff to show up at his house. Jeff chases the drone away, but Matt is actually at Jeff’s house and ruins all the hard work Jeff just completed in the yard.
– The Miracle and Maria come back out and they’re irate over Bennett losing the X Division title. Maria has had enough and calls out Dixie Carter.
Instead, TNA executive Billy Corgan comes out. They’re both happy to see Billy. Maria says that she wants to be made TNA President and that Dixie’s one-week leave of absence wasn’t long enough. Maria says it’s either her or Dixie.
Dixie Carter comes back out. Maria goes crazy repeating “You or Me” over and over like a maniac. Miracle demands to be in the main event at Destination X for the title or they walk. Maria repeated “You or Me” over and over again until Billy told her to shut up. Billy actually backs up Dixie despite siding with Miracle and Maria for the last few weeks. Billy is sick of this too and tells Miracle and Maria to quit. Miracle instead promises that he’s going to ruin Destination X.
– Back from commercial, Senor Benjamin is busy preparing the battlefield. There is a ring, chairs and fireworks. Matt shows up with gasoline and tells Benjamin to soak the battleground.
– In the back, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Lashley is asked about Eddie Edwards and Option C. Lashley says he fights with his hands and doesn’t do a bunch of circus moves. Lashley tells Edwards to keep his title.
Decay (Abyss, Crazy Steve & Rosemary) vs. BroMans (Robbie E. & Jesse Godderz) and Raquel
The BroMans came out first. As Decay made their way to the ring The BroMans showed a video of Rosemary making out with Bram. All six brawled on the outside to start the match. The finish came when Raquel took out Rosemary. Abyss went to chokeslam Steve on Robbie E. but he moved. Jesse took out Abyss and The BroMans hit the Bro-Down on Steve for the win.
– In the back, Jesse and Raquel reveal to Robbie E. why they were being so secretive last week. Robbie E. was happy and they celebrated their win.
– Jeremy Borash is in the ring and brings out X Division champion Eddie Edwards for his decision regarding Option C. Lashley comes out as Edwards is about to make his decision. Lashley tells Edwards not to vacate the title. Instead, Lashley suggests that both men put their championships on the line next week. Edwards can end up with both the X Division and World titles, but so can Lashley.
Both men agree and It’s official for next week, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Lashley vs. X Division Champion Edwards for both championships. They brawl briefly and Lashley set up Edwards for a spear but Edwards countered with a knee. Edwards posed with both titles to close the segment.
– The interview with EC3 and Drew is next. Because of their suspensions, neither man is allowed in the Impact Zone and are at separate locations. This was a great segment and both men were excellent here.
– Next, we get the referee pulling up to Matt’s home. It’s night with the ring set up outside surrounded by lights. Matt plays a violin to summon Jeff.
The Final Deletion – Broken Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
This was an insane match and a gigantic spectacle. I would highly recommend going out of your way to see it. There is background music throughout the whole match and no commentary. The editing, music and directing were all excellent.
They used all kinds of weapons including kendo sticks and ladders. Jeff hit the Swanton but Matt kicked out. Jeff wedged a ladder in the corner and placed Matt on it. Jeff climbed up a tree and went for the Swanton but Matt moved. Matt picked up fireworks and shot them at Jeff. The whole place filled up with smoke. In a great spot, Matt looked for Jeff but ran away as Jeff shot him with fireworks. Matt was able to briefly find cover inside of a dilapidated boat.
Eventually, Matt got a sleeper on Jeff and left him for dead in a lake. Matt thought he had the match won, but Willow suddenly jumped out of the lake.
Willow had the advantage until Senor Benjamin shocked him with a taser. Both Willow and Benjamin disappeared. Matt found Willow and covered him to win, but when he unmasked him it was Senor Benjamin. Jeff reappeared and choked out Matt. Jeff climbed up a giant structure shaped like the Hardy’s symbol. At this point, Matt pulled out a match and we get a quick flashback. Matt sets the structure on fire and Jeff falls off the top. Matt pins Jeff to win the match.
Next Time on Impact:
Next week on Impact, it’s a special edition known as Destination X. The main event will feature TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Lashley against X Division Champion Eddie Edwards in a match for both titles.
The WWE Universe will have to remain on #BrockWatch a little longer.
Despite teasing that Brock Lesnar’s SummerSlam opponent would be announced on this week’s SmackDown, the live crowd in Toledo, OH, left Tuesday’s taping with no more knowledge of who Lesnar would be facing at the August pay-per-view than everyone at home. Instead, the announcement will be inserted into the SmackDown broadcast in post production.
WWE Main Event
– Cesaro beat Curtis Axel with the Sharpshooter
– Baron Corbin beat Sin Cara with the End of Days
– The Golden Truth beat the Ascension with their finish
– WWE United States Champion Rusev submitted Apollo Crews with the Accolade
SmackDown
– Seth Rollins beat Jey Uso after hitting the Pedigree. WWE Champion Dean Ambrose was the special guest ring announcer and egged on Rollins during the match. Ambrose and Rollins got into an altercation after it was over, but Rollins backed off.
– Zack Ryder beat Sheamus with an elbow drop. Ryder came out to an updated version of his theme music. Ryder challenged Rusev after the match, and the match was later announced for this Monday’s Raw. Rusev did an promo mocking both Ryder and the United States.
– Natalya ambushed Becky Lynch in the ring before Lynch’s match could get started. The two women brawled with Natalya getting the upper hand with the Sharpshooter until refs pulled them apart.
– Enzo Amore and Big Cass came out doing their usual schtick. They talked about teaming with John Cena against The Club at Battleground. The Club interrupted them and set up a match between Enzo and Styles.
– AJ Styles beat Enzo Amore with the Styles Clash.
– Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens went at it verbally in a mostly comedic segment backstage.
– I-C Champion The Miz beat Kalisto after hitting the Skull Crushing Finale
– Sasha Banks did a backstage interview, and was interrupted by WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte and Dana Brooke. Brooke vs. Banks was announced for Raw.
– In the show’s main event, Sami Zayn beat Chris Jericho with a roll-up. Kevin Owens was on commentary and got involved with the finish, inadvertently giving Zayn the win. Owens beat down Zayn after the match.
– The dark match was Ambrose, Enzo & Cass going over The Club.
Submitted by Jeff Caldwell and Chris Featherstone from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
– Shining Stars d. Breezango
The Stars cut a heel promo on the city before the match, and won with a dropkick/leg sweep combination on Fandango.
– Usos d. The Ascension
Usos come out to a chorus of boos. Crowd becomes split after their chant, and even more in favor of them when the Ascension comes out. “Let’s go Usos!” chant during the match. Usos win after the top rope splash from Jimmy to Konnor.
**********
Crowd was moderately into the show with the biggest pops (in descending order) going to New Day, Enzo/Cass and John Cena.
It may just be me but I didn’t remember there being so many commercials on the TitanTron during the show. Basically any time a commercial break was made and wasn’t during a match, there was a commercial break on the TitanTron. It seemed a lot more than usual, but it never killed the crowd.
The only thing that may be of note that may or may not have made the show was during the 16-man tag. What I think happened was during a commercial break, the guys really were just supposed to entirely stop what they were doing and essentially stand around doing nothing after some integral spots were blown. I can’t remember ever seeing a match look more like it went to commercial than this one. Half the guys standing outside the ring looked dazed while the other half stood in the ring looking dazed. It was like one of those typical spots where you expect a dive to take place but it never did.
Enzo and Cass & John Cena vs. The Club
Dark match after the show wasn’t promoted, so I think it caught much of the crowd off guard and many left during it. It was a good match although a bit sloppy, and the crowd was awkwardly quiet during much of it to the point Anderson was taunting the crowd by putting one finger to his mouth to signal for them to hush to which there was little reaction.
I think this feud will be a fun one because much of the crowd actually boos The Club, and Enzo and Cass are actual babyfaces people cheer. Cena got the pin and won the match, then proceeded to celebrate with a kid from Make a Wish.
When the participants in the 26th edition of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual G1 Climax were announced last month, it seemed that the tournament might never again feature the man most associated with it.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan was excluded from the field for only the second time since 1995 — the one constant in the tournament for two decades, only missing it in 2010 because of injury. Holding the record for the most G1 appearances with 20, he has won it three times. Tenzan was still able to reach relative highs against the right opponent or in the right situation, but whether his body could handle the grueling tournament became a question after being forced out of 2013’s edition with a rib injury.
However, Tenzan was added to the G1 for likely the final time at Sunday’s Kizuna Road show. Tenzan had been trying to find his way into the tournament since participants were announced. And, he finally got his wish when Satoshi Kojima, his longtime friend and partner, gave his spot to Tenzan for one final run under the condition that he wins it.
7/18 at the Hokkaido Sports Center in Sapporo, 2 a.m. Eastern with A block matches of Makabe vs. Tonga, Goto vs. Fale, Tenzan vs. Ishii, Okada vs. Marufuji and Tanahashi vs. Sanada.
7/22 at Tokyo Korakuen Hall at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has B block matches of YoshiHashi vs. Omega, Yano vs. Nakajima, Elgin vs. Evil, Nagata vs. Naito and Shibata vs. Honma.
7/23 in Tokyo at the Machida Municipal Gym at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has A block matches of Tenzan vs. Tonga, Marufuji vs. Fale, Ishii vs. Goto, Okada vs. Sanada and Tanahashi vs. Makabe.
7/24 at Tokyo Korakuen Hall at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has B block matches with Yano vs. Omega, Elgin vs. Naito, Nagata vs. Evil, Honma vs. YoshiHashi and Shibata vs. Nakajima.
7/25 in Fukushima at the Big Palette at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Ishii vs. Fale, Tenzan vs. Marufuji, Okada vs. Goto, Makabe vs. Sanada and Tanahashi vs. Tonga.
7/26 in Nagano at the Big Hat at 5:30 a.m Eastern has a B block show with Nakajima vs. Evil, Honma vs. Omega, Nagata vs. YoshiHashi, Yano vs. Naito and Shibata vs. Elgin.
7/28 in Tokorozawa at the Citizens Gym at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Makabe vs. Tenzan, Okada vs. Tonga, Goto vs. Sanada, Ishii vs. Marufuji and Tanahashi vs. Fale.
7/30 in Nagoya at the Aiichi Gym at 5 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with YoshiHashi vs. Evil, Honma vs. Yano, Nagata vs. Nakajima, Elgin vs. Omega and Shibata vs. Naito.
7/31 in Gifu at Industrial Hall at 3 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Sanada vs. Fale, Ishii vs. Tonga, Tenzan vs. Okada, Makabe vs. Marufuji and Tanahashi vs. Goto.
8/1 in Takamatsu at the City General Gym at 6 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with Omega vs. Evil, YoshiHashi vs. Nakajima, Nagata vs. Elgin, Honma vs. Naito and Shibata vs. Yano.
8/3 in Kagoshima at the Arena at 5:30 a.m Eastern has an A block show with Marufuji vs. Sanada, Goto vs. Tonga, Tenzan vs. Fale, Makabe vs. Okada and Tanahashi vs. Ishii.
8/4 in Fukuoka at the Citizens Gym at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with Nagata vs. Yano, Elgin vs. YoshiHashi, Honma vs. Evil, Nakajima vs. Naito and Shibata vs. Omega.
8/6 in Osaka at the Edion Arena at 5 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Sanada vs. Tonga, Tenzan vs. Goto, Makabe vs. Fale, Okada vs. Ishii and Tanahashi vs. Marufuji.
8/7 in Shizuoka at Act City at 3 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with Elgin vs. Yano, Nagata vs. Omega, Naito vs. Evil, Honma vs. Nakajima and Shibata vs YoshiHashi.
8/8 in Yokohama at the Bunka Gym at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has an A block show with Marufuji vs. Tonga, Okada vs. Fale, Makabe vs. Goto, Ishii vs. Sanada and Tanahashi vs. Tenzan.
8/10 in Yamagata a the City Sports Center at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has a B block show with Yano vs. Evil, YoshiHashi vs. Naito, Nakajima vs. Omega, Honma vs. Elgin and Shibata vs. Nagata.
8/12 at Tokyo Sumo Hall at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has the final A block show with Fale vs. Tonga, Tenzan vs. Sanada, Makabe vs. Ishii, Goto vs. Marufuji and Tanahashi vs. Okada.
8/13 at Tokyo Sumo Hall at 5:30 a.m. Eastern has the final B block show with Yano vs. YoshiHashi, Elgin vs. Nakajima, Nagata vs. Honma, Naito vs. Omega and Shibata vs. Evil.
It’s a pretty quiet weekend leading to a monster week next week with three UFC events in three days including UFC 200. We’ll be doing one weekend poll which is for the New Japan show in Iate on late Saturday night/Sunday morning with thumbs up, down or middle and best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.
A NEVER Openweight Championship match featuring champion Katsuyori Shibata defending against Tomoaki Honma will headline New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Kizuna Road show late Saturdaynight/early Sunday morning. The two previously had one of the best matches of the tournament in 2014’s G-1.
The show also features Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks defending their NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship against Satoshi Kojima, Ricochet and Matt Sydal. Chaos (Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi and Will Ospreay) will once again take on Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, Evil and Bushi) in a multi-man tag. Complete lineup as follows:
NEW JAPAN FROM IWATE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD AT 3 A.M. LATE SATURDAY NIGHT EASTERN AND MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME
Yoshitatsu & Captain New Japan vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Hangman Page
Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Togi Makabe & Juice Robinson
Kenny Omega & Young Bucks vs. Satoshi Kojima & Ricochet & Matt Sydal for Never six man titles
Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Will Ospreay vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Seiya Sanada & Bushi in an elimination match
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tomoaki Honma for Never Open weight title
– WWE has a house show in Pikeville, KY (Kane, Big Show, The Miz, Sheamus, Sami Zayn, Rusev, Cesaro, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys, Kalisto, Sasha Banks). We’re looking for reports on the show at Dave@WrestlingObsever.com.
– Sunday has a WWE show in Huntington, WV (Kane, Big Show, The Miz, Sheamus, Sami Zayn, Rusev, Cesaro, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys, Kalisto, Sasha Banks).
– Raw will be Monday night from Columbus, OH. Given that Raw is on July 4th, it is likely to be the lowest rating for a Raw show in the history of the show. Rusev vs. Titus O’Neil for the U.S. title has been announced. Shane McMahon is scheduled to return.
– Smackdown is Tuesday night in Toledo. No John Cena or Seth Rollins advertised, but Dean Ambrose, A.J. Styles and Kevin Owens are advertised.
The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11. Ed in San Antonio has information on Facebook, or you can email him at F4Wfan@hotmail.com. It’s always a fun time, so hurry up and make your plans to join Dave Meltzer, Bryan Alvarez, Vinny, Granny, Ed, Peach, Dez, Dr. Lucha, Rodney, Sr. Jaialai, “Filthy” Tom, and the rest of the group in beautiful Las Vegas this July. Plus… some extra secret surprises.
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
It’s a double issue week featuring a look back 40 years at what was the biggest undertaking up to that point in pro wrestling history, and Inoki vs. Ali match, how it came together, what happened that night, coverage of the upcoming G-1 Climax tournament, coverage of Ultima Lucha 3 and details on where the company stands, full coverage of the WWE cruiserweight classic, ROH Best in the World coverage as well as a look at those coming and going from the promotion, the death of Ryan Jimmo, the life and times of Gypsy Joe, and far more about the fallout of the Roman Reigns suspension.
The lead story details this years G-1 tournament including what will air in English, newcomers to the tournament, some interesting political news regarding who is and isn’t in it, as well as a complete lineup for every show.
This issue looks at the background of Ali vs. Inoki, the first time boxer vs. wrestler with major stars came close to happening, boxing champions who did wrestling and wrestlers who faced boxers including involving one of the all-time greats, Thesz vs. Marciano talk, and the two best known mixed matches prior to Ali vs. Inoki in the U.S.
There is also a look at Japanese pro wrestling in the 70s and how that led to the match, the business of Billy Robinson involving Inoki vs. Baba, how Inoki was being marketed, and the attempts to put together Ali vs. Bruno Sammartino and how that led to this.
The goals of Ali vs. Inoki for the New Japan side, the pro wrestling angles, just how big the match was why the match wasn’t a work, where Ali’s career stood at the time, media coverage, how the terrible rules were the reason the fight, Sammartino’s broken neck and return, Stan Hansen becoming a superstar in Japan, and why Ali vs. Inoki was not a success in much of the U.S, and much more in this issue of the Wrestling Observer.
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 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
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Wrestling Observer Newsletter BACK ISSUE
READ IT HERE: May 24, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ECW Hardcore Heaven/WWF No Mercy – Amidst rumors flying everywhere of the possible demise of the company and others who are talking that the company is a short period away from growing bigger than ever, the ECW Hardcore Heaven PPV came off like a show that was a bridge for the company to something new, but when it was over, there were still no answers over whether what is new is good news or bad news… Current subscribers click here to continue reading.
SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
As was announced earlier this week, Shinsuke Nakamura made his return to Japan in a match against Chris Jericho on Friday’s WWE house show at Sumo Hall. WWE has uploaded video of Nakamura’s entrance and the warm reaction he received in his home country:
AJ Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows also competed in Japan for the first time since leaving NJPW earlier this year. WWE has video of The Club reacting to their return:
– Toru Yano will make his stateside Ring of Honor debut as the first announced NJPW talent appearing on ROH’s August 19th Death Before Dishonor XIV pay-per-view and August 20th TV taping.
– TNA has a ridiculous trailer promoting “Hardy vs. Hardy: The Final Deletion” on this Tuesday’s Impact:
The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling had on a Canadian wrestling legend and one of the most underrated workers of the 1990s, “PCO” Pierre Carl Ouellet. He talks his start in the wrestling business to meeting Jaques Rougeau in Puerto Rico and forming the Quebecers and much more.
This is a hilarious video of a Wisconsin basketball player doing a perfect Stone Cold impression. Tight jean shorts and beer included.
SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR
TONIGHT – Stars of Wrestling from Alameda, CA at the Alameda Point Gym has Bobby Lashley, Carlito and The Boogeyman appearing.
TONIGHT – NWA Cajun Heat in Morgan City, LA at the Municipal Auditorium with Jax Dane vs. Mustang Mike for the NWA title, and an appearance by Kevin Nash
July 7 – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
July 9 – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fundraising event.
July 16 – In Your Face Wrestling Presents: “Malicious Intent” – Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY www.iyfwrestling.com
July 17 – Lucha by the Water ft. Blue Demon Jr! – Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8, 3-6 pm. Tickets here.
July 17 – Premier Wrestling at the IFDES Lodge and Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA with Joe Graves vs. Gabriel Gallo for the Premier.
July 22 – Ignite Wrestling in Fort Pierce, FL at the National Guard Armory on a show with Lince Dorado, Mr. 450 Hammet, Lio Rush, Martin Stone, Los Ben Dejos, and more
July 22 – AIW runs on 7/22 in Cleveland, OH, with Ethan Page vs. Josh Prohibition vs. Josh Alexander, and Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae vs. Ethan Carter III & Karlee Perez
July 22 – The Lou Thesz Hall of Fame weekend show in Waterloo, IA, featuring Ricochet vs. Sami Callihan, Wes Brisco, B. Brian Blair, Jessika Havok, Tessa Blanchard, a steel cage match and more – This is the weekend Dave Meltzer will be honored.
July 23 – Live Pro Wrestling, Glengarry Sports Palace, 170 McDonald Blvd. Alexandria, Ontario
July 23 – AAW in Merrionnette Park, IL, with Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr., Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll; Tommaso Ciampa; Fenix; Johnny Gargano. Here’s what you missed.
July 23 – Masters of Ring Entertainment in Wilmington, NC, as part of Pro Wrestling Fan Expo 3 will feature Jeff Jarrett vs. ECIII vs. James Storm, announced by Jarrett.
July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY
July 30 – WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 – Live on NBCSN from Everett, Washington
July 30 – Smash Wrestling – Oshawa Music Hall, 39 King St E, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1B2
July 31 – BATTLEWAR 36; Les Foufounes Électriques, 87 Sainte-Catherine Street East Montreal, QC
– Baron Corbin beat Dolph Ziggler with the End of Days.
– Titus O’Neil beat Curtis Axel after three backbreakers and the Clash of The Titus.
– WWE Tag Team Champons The New Day beat The Vaudevillians to retain the tag titles after a foot stomp from the top rope.
– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka submitted Becky Lynch with the Asuka lock to retain.
– John Cena & Usos beat The Club (AJ Styles/Gallows/Anderson). Cena got the pin. Post match, Cena cut a promo and allowed the Club to stay in the ring so they could get some recognition for their time in Japan.
– WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte submitted Natalya with the Figure 8 to retain.
– Shinsuka Nakamura pinned Kevin Owens after hitting the Kinshasa
– WWE Champion Dean Ambrose won a three way over Chris Jericho and Seth Rollins, pinning Jericho after hitting Dirty Deeds.
His team reached a deal with the Court Bauer-run MLWRadio.com to launch “The Ric Flair Show”, released every Wednesday on their website, iTunes, and Stitcher. In a sense, Flair will replace Konnan on MLW Radio as he had left for a slot on Podcast One’s new Chris Jericho programmed ‘network’.
Flair’s previous show (“WOOOOOO! Nation” on CBS Radio’s PlayIt) with host Conrad Thompson went on hiatus after Flair’s contract expired and his side decided not to renew.
Flair, 67, is currently not being used on television by WWE after a storyline breakup with daughter Charlotte, the women’s champion.
MLW currently has podcasts hosted by Bauer, Jim Cornette, friend of the site Matt Farmer, Kevin Sullivan, and more.
Jerry Lawler’s holiday weekend got off to a good start Friday as domestic assault charges against he and his fiancee were dismissed in a Memphis, TN, courtroom. Later on in the day, his suspension from WWE was lifted, effective immediately according to Pro Wrestling Sheet.
The 66-year-old Lawler and 27-year-old Lauryn McBride were arrested several weeks ago after police came to their West Memphis, TN, home after a violent altercation between the two. Police arrested both of them as they couldn’t determine who was the primary aggressor. The charges will be removed from their records.
WWE released the following: “Jerry Lawler’s legal matter has been resolved and his suspension has been lifted, effective immediately.”
The two had an argument when Lawler returned home that night after a wrestling show in Memphis and claimed that she had lied about her whereabouts and been drinking with friends while watching the NBA playoffs. McBride attempted to call 911 but apparently hung up the phone before betting an operator, but police traced the call and came to the home.
McBride told officers Lawler held her against the kitchen counter and hit her on the left side of the head, and then pushed her against the stove, and went upstairs and got a pistol and told her to “go ahead and kill yourself.”
Lawler said McBride scratched him in the face, threw a candle at him and kicked him in the groin. He said she was the one who brought the pistol into the kitchen after getting it from the garage and she was trying to leave and drive away, but he stopped her from driving because she was intoxicated.
After the two were released following a hearing, a judge ordered them to stay away from each other.
