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  • Daily update: WWE Shuffles their lineup, Bobby Lashley fights James Thompson

    We’re looking for reports on today’s WWE shows in London, England (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for IC title, Kane vs. Big Show, Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze), Barcelona, Spain (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) and NXT in Jacksonville, FL.  Please email NEWSTIPS@WRESTLINGOBSERVER.COM

    BELLATOR TONIGHT FROM THE SCOTTRADE CENTER IN ST. LOUIS AT 9 P.M. ON SPIKE

    Justin Lawrence (146) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (145.6)

    Bobby Lashley (239.5) vs. James Thompson (264)

    Michael Chandler (155.75) vs. David Rickels (155.75)

    Will Brooks (154.8) vs. Marcin Held (154.8) for the lightweight title

    Patricio Pitbull Freire (144.4) vs. Daniel Straus (144.4) for the featherweight title

    NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING RETURNS AT 9 P.M. EASTERN/6 PACIFIC ON AXS TV

    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP heavyweight title from the 1/4 show at the Tokyo Dome

    It should be noted the Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi match from the same show will air at 8 p.m.

    EVOLVE IPPV TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. EASTERN AT WWW.WWNLIVE.COM

    Timothy Thatcher vs. Johnny Gargano for Evolve title

    Drew Galloway vs. Caleb Konley

    Drew Gulak vs. Matt Riddle

    TJ Perkins vs. Anthony Nese

    Ethan Page vs. Peter Kaasa

    RESURRECTION FIGHTING ALLIANCE TONIGHT AT 10 P.M. ON AXS TV FROM THE MYSTIC SHOWROOM IN PRIOR LAKE, MN

    Marc Hummel (170.4) vs. Logan Storley (170.4)

    Clay Wimer (145.2) vs. Sean Richman (145.2)

    Dakota Cochrane (170.4) vs. Ben Neumann (170.4)

    Craig Eckelberg (170.5) vs. Ben Smith (170.5)

    Landon Vannata (155.4) vs. Chad Cherry (155.4)

    Leandro Higo (135.2) vs. Melvin Blumer (135.2)

    NEW JAPAN POWER STRUGGLE AT 3 A.M. EASTERN TIME/MIDNIGHT PACIFIC ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

    Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada vs. Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka & David Finlay & Jay White

    Togi Makabe & Captain New Japan & Juice Robinson vs. Doc Gallows & Tama Tonga & Cody Hall

    Hirooki Goto vs. Evil (Takaaki Watanabe)

    Alex Shelley & Kushida & Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish vs. Young Bucks & Kenny Omega & Chase Owens

    Matt Sydal & Ricochet vs. Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta for Super Junior tag team tournament finals

    Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi vs. A.J. Styles & Bad Luck Fale

    Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tomoaki Honma for Never Open weight title

    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kazuchika Okada & Kazushi Sakuraba

    Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Karl Anderson for IC title

    A few notes for the show.  The big tease has been a mystery guy showing up after the main event who will challenge for the IC title at the Tokyo Dome.  This is the next to last PPV before the Dome, so expect some angles on this show to build to Dome matches.  They will either announce the tag team tournament lineup tonight, or in a day or two at the press conference, as well as announce a lot of the Tokyo Dome card.  The winner of the Super Junior tournament will challenge Fish & O’Reilly at the Tokyo Dome, but that could be a multiple team match.  In the eight-man juniors match, good booking would have it that Omega gets pinned and whoever does that becomes his top contender at the Dome.  Goto vs. Watanabe is the biggest match of Watanabe’s career. 

    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.

    UFC ON FIGHT/PASS FS1 FROM SAO PAULO, BRAZIL SATURDAY NIGHT

    Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. Eastern

    Matheus Nicolas vs. Bruno Korea

    Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera

    Viscardi Andrade vs. Gasan Umalatov

    FS 1 at 8 p.m.

    Chas Skelly vs. Kevin Souza

    Clay Guida vs. Thiago Tavares

    Yan Cabral vs. Johnny Case

    Gleison Tibau vs. Abel Trujillo

    Corey Anderson vs. Fabio Maldonado

    Gilbert Burns vs. Rashid Magomedov

    Piotr Hallman vs. Alex Oliveira

    Thomas Almeida vs. Anthony Birchak

    Glover Teixeira vs. Patrick Cummins

    Vitor Belfort vs. Dan Henderson

    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).

    EVOLVE IPPV SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7 P.M. AT www.WWNLive.com

    Timothy Thatcher vs. Drew Galloway

    Johnny Gargano vs. Drew Gulak

    Caleb Konley vs. TJ Perkins

    Tracy Williams vs. Matt Riddle

    Anthony Nese vs. Peter Kaasa

    Ethan Page vs. Lio Rush

    Raw is Monday in Manchester, England.  Right now nothing is announced for the show.  The show will be airing on a few hour tape delay, not live.

    Smackdown is Tuesday in Manchester, England.  Undertaker is being advertised for this show.

    Figure Four Weekly:

    Figure Four Weekly (10/2/15): WWE 2K16 Review
    2K Sports and Yuke’s turn around WWE video game series with a reinvigorated title boasting huge roster.

    ****

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    Here is the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer: November 9, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Hall of Fame Issue

    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.

    CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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

    You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

    Rates are:

    For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52.  In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com  For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

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

    CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

    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.

    FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

    • WWE shuffles injury-plagued lineup for overseas tour”>As noted earlier today, Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for the IC title was being moved to the “Rollins” tour to replace the injured Seth Rollins starting with today’s show in London at the O2 Arena.
    • WWE has to make a key decision this week regarding who will be the top heel.  Alberto Del Rio is already earmarked for John Cena, but Roman Reigns is slotted as the top babyface and Brock Lesnar as the top attraction.  With Bray Wyatt having just had a Hell in a Cell match with Reigns, he’s not the right guy for right now.  The heel is either going to have to win the tournament, or be the key opponent for whoever wins the tournament.  So the choices are Kevin Owens, Big Show, Braun Strowman, or turning a face like Cesaro, Dolph Ziggler or Dean Ambrose.
    • Kurt Angle announcing tonight’s Bellator, Lashley fights Thompson”>Besides Kurt Angle doing some announcing and Bobby Lashley fighting, Ken Shamrock has claimed he will be making a big announcement at tonight’s Bellator show. 
    • Former UFC fighter Alan Belcher announced his retirement.  He said he’s doing it with no regrets.
    • Regarding the Jerry Jarrett and Shane Douglas promotion, these are two different promotions both looking at starting up and are not affiliated.  The Douglas group, Classic Wrestling Revolution, put out a trailer video.  
    • For tonight’s CMLL show at Arena Mexico, there is a rare last minute change in the card.  La Mascara is off the card so Rush will team with Mistico against La Sombra & Volador Jr.  This has Rush & Sombra, usual tag partners, each teaming with babyfaces.  La Mascara is a regular partner of Rush.  The idea that the match would be everyone turning on Volador is less likely with Mistico as his partner.  Rush & Mistico are actually brothers, and haven’t teamed up in three years.  

    WWE

    • WrestleMania tickets went on sale today at Ticketmaster.  There must be a high demand because the last time I checked for options the wait time was nine minutes.  Aside from ringside, the best tickets available as of a few hours ago were in the 200s section priced at $207.   
    • Eva Marie and Linda McMahon represented WWE last night in accepting the Corporate Leadership Award from Soldier Strong. 
    • The Boogeyman announced that he’s signed a WWE Legends deal.  The Young Bucks then posted that they would be signing one next, but that was a spoof. 
    • Video review of WWE 2K16 in the New York Daily News

    UFC

    • For those coming to Las Vegas for the three big shows next month, here are some events taking place:

    Tuesday 12/8

    Open workouts at 12:30 p.m. at the MGM Grand Casino floor with Rose Namajunas, Paige VanZant, Jim Miller, Michael Chiesa, Sage Northcutt and Cody Pfister

    Wednesday 12/9

    Media day at 10:30 a.m. (closed to the public) featuring 18 fighters that weekend at the MGM Grand.

    Press conference open to the public at 1 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with Dana White, Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes.

    Weigh-ins for the Thursday show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at 4 p.m.

    Thursday 12/10

    Open workouts at 10 a.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold open to the public and free

    Weigh-ins at 2 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena

    Live show at 3:45 p.m. at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan Hotel

    Friday 12/11

    UFC 194 weigh-ins at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at 3 p.m. (one hour earlier than usual)

    Live show headlined by Frankie Edgar vs Chad Mendes at 4:30 p.m. at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan

    Saturday 12/12

    UFC 194 at 3:30 p.m. from the MGM Grand Garden Arena

    • UFC Fight Pass is “Powered by Miesha” in November with new features including her going into depth of her two Ronda Rousey fights and analyze what Holly Holm can expect next week, as well as preview the Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Valerie Letourneau fight.  There will also be a Fightography with Tate talking about her career starting as the only girl doing high school wrestling at her school to holding the Strikeforce bantamweight title.  She also has another feature talking about the best fights of her career.
    • Monster Energy announced a marketing deal with Ronda Rousey.

    MISCELLANEOUS

    • Dr. Wagner Jr. is replacing Alberto Del Rio on the first ZZ Inc. pro wrestling show tomorrow night in Veracruz, teaming with Blue Demon Jr. & Rey Mysterio Jr. against Low Ki & Johnny Mundo & Roderick Strong.  Garza Jr. (the nephew of Hector Garza) will team with El Hijo del Dos Caras (the brother of Alberto Del Rio) & The Original Psicosis vs. Brodus (Clay) & Mesias & Pentagon.  Among the guys working the undercard are Speedball Mike Bailey, Willie Mack, Mr. 450 from Puerto Rico and Seiya Sanada from Japan.
    • Flamita, wrestling as Fireball, is also on the Veracruz show.  He was also booked for CaraLucha on Saturday night in a four-way.  Angel de Oro replaces him in the main event, against Caristico (ex-Myzteziz), Herichero and Cavernario.    
    • AAA is taping television tonight in Xalapa headlined by Rey Mysterio Jr. & Fenix & Psycho Clown vs. Low Ki & Johnny Mundo & Pentagon Jr.
    • Maryland Championship Wrestling on 11/13 in Waldorf, MD at the Unique Sports Academy and 11/14 in Joppa, MD at the MCW Arena.  Appearing in Waldorf are Ric Flair, Baby Doll and Mickie James.  Mickie James faces Kimber Lee and Renee Michelle faces Tessa Blanchard.  Appearing in Joppa are Flair, Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon.
    • As noted yesterday, Glory debuts on ESPN today.  The live show from Milan, Italy, featuring Robin Van Roosmalen (34-6, 19 KOs) vs. Sitthicha Sitsongpeenong (103-28-5, 28 KOs) for the lightweight title and legendary Giorgio Petrosyan (81-2-1, 36 KOs) vs. Josh Jauncey (23-5, 12 KOs) airs live at 4 p.m. Eastern on ESPN 3, the company’s streaming service.  A taped version of the show airs at 1:30 a.m. tonight on ESPN 2.
    • Ethan Carter III vs. Shane Sabre headlines for Superkick’d tomorrow night in Toronto at The Great Hall. 
    • CMLL from Tuesday night in Guadalajara:  Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno b Explosivo & Star Black, Hombre Bala Jr. & Magnum & Super Halcon Jr. b Artillero & Metalico & Rafaga Delta & Esfinge & Guerrero Maya Jr. b Disturbio & Virus & Bobby Z, Brazo de Plata & La Mascara & Maximo Sexy  b Olimpico & Rey Bucanero & Ripper, Atlantis & Mistico & Volador Jr. b Euforia & Negro Casas & Mr. Niebla-DQ.  La Mascara made Bucanero submit to set up Bucanero defending the NWA Historic light heavyweight title against La Mascara this coming Tuesday in the same arena.
    • Promociones Salinas runs on 11/14 at Salon los Portales in Mission, TX headlined by Temblor & Valiente & Volador Jr. vs. La Mascara & La Sombra & Virus.
    • My Life My Power Entertainment has a live show at 11/14 at 5 p.m. at Jackson High School in Miami.  Step into my Sole will be donating $200,000 worth of Saucony shoes for every student and teacher who attends. 
    • Regarding the nickname The Bash Brothers for Melvin & Marvin Blumer that we noted earlier in the week previewing tonight’s RFA show and that it came from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, it should be noted that Kyle Shiely, a longtime reader and correspondent for this site was the one who came up with it, taken of course from Mark McGwire & Jose Canseco when they played for the Oakland A’s.
    • A tribute video to Mitsuharu Misawa
    • And 41 years ago today, check out this show in Miami Beach during the heyday, what a great talent lineup:

    Frank Monte b Gene Lewis

    Bruce Swayze d Frank Hester

    Tony Parisi b Greg Valentine

    Danny Hodge b Bobby Duncum

    Dick Slater b Bob Backlund

    Don Muraco b Mongolian Stomper

    Dusty Rhodes & Jerry Brisco b Cowboy Bill Watts & Terry Funk

    Bob Armstrong b Dory Funk Jr. via DQ to retain the North American title  

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

    1967 – Jim Breaks beat Alan Sargent in Leeds to win the British middleweight title

    1977 – Mighty Inoue & Animal Hamaguchi (father of the Olympic woman wrestler) beat Great Kojika & Motoshi Okuma to win the All-Asia tag team title

    1992 – Mr. Pogo & Crash the Terminator (Bill DeMott) beat The Head Hunters in Sapporo to win the WING tag title

    2006 – Masahiro Chono & Shinsuke Nakamura beat Koji Kanemoto & Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the G-1 tag team tournament in Tokyo

    2008 – Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Togi Makabe & Toru Yano in Tokyo to win the G-1 tag team tournament in Tokyo

    2011 – Lance Archer & Minoru Suzuki beat Giant Bernard (Matt Bloom) & Karl Anderson in Tokyo to win the G-1 tag team tournament in Tokyo

    2013 – The Young Bucks beat Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov in Tokyo to win the Super Junior tag team tournament in Tokyo  

  • WWE shuffles injury-plagued lineup for overseas tour

    Due to the knee injury suffered by now-former WWE Champion Seth Rollins on the first night of their tour, the WWE has made immediate changes to balance out the star power of the two touring groups, sending Dean Ambrose and WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens to the “Rollins tour”.

    Starting tonight at London’s O2 Arena and for the rest of the tour, Owens vs. Ambrose will be moved from the Roman Reigns led-tour to the former Rollins tour, main eventing those shows in IC title matches. The Genting Arena in Birmingham, UK, where Sunday’s show was to be headlined by Rollins vs. Kane, is already now listing the new main event. Ambrose and Owens were originally scheduled for Barcelona, Spain, with the Reigns tour.

    Kane vs. Big Show (the main event for Thursday’s Cardiff, Wales, event), is now billed as the No. 2 match on the show, while WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. Dudleys is also advertised. 

    The Reigns tour top three matches going forward, and as scheduled for tonight are:

    – Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt street fight

    – Ryback & The Usos vs. Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan & Luke Harper

    – U.S. Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. King Barrett vs. Neville

  • TNA & ROH Destination America viewership numbers tumble

    It wasn’t good news when it came to pro wrestling ratings on Wednesday, November 4th, on Destination America.

    TNA Impact did 262,000 viewers at 9 PM — its third lowest to date since they started on the network. What’s really bad about that number is it was very slightly down from last week’s show which went head-to-head with the World Series. The replay did 81,000 viewers, so the combined total was the sixth lowest to date.

    The show was headlined by Bobby Roode vs. Eric Young, and also featured Eddie Edwards vs. Davey Richards in a battle of tag team partners.

    On the Ring Of Honor side of things, their 11 PM airing fell from its record 227,000 viewers to a lower-than-usual 141,000 viewers. ROH only has a few weeks left on its Destination America contract and as of yet, no renewal has been announced. The show featured AJ Styles vs. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Adam Cole, and the Young Bucks vs. Silas Young and the Beer City Bruiser.

    A full ratings breakdown for the week including notes on Raw hitting an 18-year-low is available in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter for subscribers.

  • UFC books top light heavyweight fight for January FOX event

    On Wednesday’s UFC Tonight, it was announced that the main event for the first FOX special of 2016 will be Anthony “Rumble” Johnson vs. Ryan Bader in a battle of top light heavyweight contenders.

    The show will be held on January 30th at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

    Given the current state of the light heavyweight division, the winner of the bout has the best shot at facing the winner of the impending Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones light heavyweight title rematch. And because of promotion that will be done during the NFL playoffs on Fox, this is also the show with the best shot at drawing the promotion’s biggest Fox rating of the year.

    Other matches announced for the show thus far are Jake Ellenberger vs. the returning Tarec Saffiedine at welterweight (expect that on the main card), local fighter George Sullivan vs. Alexander Yakolev, Olivier Aubin-Mercier against Joaquim Silva, and Felipe Oliveri vs Tony Martin.

    This marks the promotion’s third UFC offering of January with their January 2nd UFC 195 ppv headlined by welterweight champion Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit, and the January 17th Fox Sports One show headlined by bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz and Eddie Alvarez vs. Anthony Pettis.

  • WWE NXT results: Finn Balor defends the gold against Apollo Crews

    The Big News: Samoa Joe turned heel at the end of an excellent NXT Title match between Finn Balor and Apollo Crews. Baron Corbin got more heat than he has ever gotten in his life when he ran in to make the DQ.

    More Big News: Seth Rollins may have been injured during a WWE Live Event tonight. I am sure people who know much more about this stuff than I do will keep you up to date.

    The Medium-sized News: Despite losing a #1 Contender’s Match 2 weeks ago, Dash & Dawson were announced as being #1 Contender’s and will face The Vaudevillians next week.

    The Little Beaver-sized News: Both Cameron and Eva Marie returned and wrestled on this show.

    Asuka submitted Cameron

    Asuka is here to kick off NXT, going one on one with Cameron, of all people. Cameron has fallen off the face of the Earth and has now resurfaced here on NXT. During her hiatus Cameron dyed her hair the exact same purple of her hair.

    Cameron nearly wanted to run away 30 seconds into the match when Asuka snapped off a Hurricarana and turned it right into an Armbar. Cameron did battle back and broke out her Split Legdrop, but unlike that time she did it on Raw, Asuka was on her back, so Cameron didn’t look stupid in demanding a count from the ref. Asuka threw her body at the face of Cameron before finishing off the former Funkadactyl with the Asuka Lock.

    – Carmella tried cutting a promo giving us the status of Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady when Dash & Dawson walked in and bragged about taking them out. They are sorry they didn’t take them out sooner and next week they get a shot at The Vaudevillians for the NXT Tag Team Titles. I should point out that it was just 2 weeks ago when Dash & Dawson lost a #1 Contender’s Match. Anyhoo, Dash & Dawson left a wheelchair for The Vaudevillians, saying they will need it after next week.

    – Earlier today, Jason Jordan & Chad Gable said they aren’t where they need to be. Gable made Jordan feel better by pointing out they are still on the way up. Gable referred to them as the World’s Greatest Tag Team, but Jordan cut them off. Jordan said they should challenge the best tag team in NXT history. Gable pointed out they couldn’t wrestle themselves, so Jordan instead issued a challenge to The Ascension. Chad challenged them to come back if they are Ready, Willing and Gable.

    Bull Dempsey pinned Angelo Dawkins (w/Sawyer Fulton)

    Bull Dempsey has crappy new entrance music and if you remember how bad his music used to be, this is really saying something. Angelo Dawkins came out to theme music for the first time ever. His and Fulton’s Titantron is less creative than David Flair’s famous one was. This was literally just their names over and over and over again. There wasn’t even a disappointed Ric Flair in there.

    Dawkins kept Bull in a chinlock forever until Bull decided it was time to Hulk Up. Bull used a series of punches and won with the sitting splash off the top rope, which used to be Doink’s Whoopee Cushion. I remember when he showed that move to the kids on Tough Enough and I remember saying Bull had never used that move in his life. After the match, Sawyer Fulton was upset, so he left the ringside area. Yes, I am sure they will be so much better apart than they have been together.

    -The Vaudevillians were quite offended that Dash & Dawson left them a wheelchair. They plan on beating their toughest challenge to date and use this to become one of the greatest teams in NXT history.

    – Apollo Crews was sitting in his locker room with a bunch of children’s drawings hanging up next to him. He got up, stared at Finn Balor’s championship (which was conveniently near where he was sitting) and left.

    – Bayley has tag team partners for the 6-person tag team match against Blake, Murphy & Alexa. Remember when I knew it would be The Vaudevillians? It was so much worse. It was the Hype Bros and next week they will be having a tag match.

    Eva Marie pinned Marley

    On the same show, we have both Eva Marie and Cameron. They did not name Eva’s opponent, so I did some research and my good friend Steve Juon stated that her name was Marley. I will avoid making jokes about her name. This match was a lot better when Marley was on offense, mind you it looked like she kicked Eva right in the face. But don’t worry because Eva then kicked her in the face and while Marley was on her knees, Eva gave her an STO for the win.

    – Emma stated that she is not scared of Asuka, instead saying she doesn’t respect Asuka smiling at her. Both Emma and Dana stated that they have nothing but respect for Asuka, but were offended by Asuka patting Dana on her head. Emma said she will give Asuka a proper welcome.

    Apollo Crews defeated NXT Champion Finn Balor by DQ

    Main event time! They did the big main event intros, but this time they turned off all the lights in the arena except a blue spotlight in the middle of the ring where champion and challenger stood. This is Balor’s first tv defense since NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, but in the meantime he won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with Samoa Joe. Meanwhile Apollo Crews has been undefeated since debuting that night in Brooklyn.

    Crews began the match by taking it right to Finn. Crews hit every big move in the first 2 minutes, but then ran right into Finn’s foot, which slowed him down. Crews tried to comeback with a sunset flip, but Balor kicked him with both feet in the face. Crews then replied by kicked Balor right in the head and ascending to the middle rope, which caused Finn to jump into the air and kick Crews in the head, sending him toppling to the arena floor.

    These two men are not shy about hitting each other as Finn gave Apollo a chop that Apollo is still feeling, 2 weeks after the show was taped. Apollo hit the Gorilla Press Slam, but Finn got his knees up on the standing moonsault. Finn hit the running dropkick to the corner, but Apollo moved from the Coup De Grace. Apollo kicked Finn in the face, which turned Finn around and Balor hit the Pele Kick!

    The two men laid there for a good 30 seconds when Baron fricking Corbin ran in to attack Apollo for the DQ. That caused a crap ton of heat from the audience. The fans went silent as Baron’s attack continued on both men until Samoa Joe ran in for the save. Of course Joe did not run in for the save. Instead Baron ran away and Joe took Finn’s head off!

    The fans exploded as Joe pounded away on the NXT Champion with stomps and punches. Joe tore at his hair and then placed Finn on the turnbuckles. Joe grabbed Finn’s face, yelling “I did this to you!” before dropping him with the Muscle Buster. Joe grabbed the NXT Championship and dropped it on Finn’s body before leaving.

    Apollo Crews should give Tyler Breeze a phone call. Breeze became #1 contender in May 2014 and got his title shot a few months later. That match ended in a DQ when Tyson Kidd ran in to attack Adrian Neville. Let it be known, that well over a year later Tyler still never got a one-on-one rematch for the championship.

    But with that out of the way, that does it for another week of NXT. This show you can skip half of it, but as long as you watch the main event then you will be quite happy. Until we meet again, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!

  • Daily pro wrestling history (11/4): Kerry Von Erich beats Jerry Lawler for the World Class title

    1960

    St. Joseph, Missouri:
    – Central States Heavyweight Champion Mike Paidousis beat Joe Hamilton in 2 out of 3 falls
    – John Paul Henning and Frank Townsend defeated Lee Henning and Tommy O’Toole in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Stan Stasiak beat Bob Orton  

    1968

    Moline, Illinois:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Mitsu Arakawa & Dr. Moto beat Larry Hennig & Harley Race
    – Dr. X beat Billy Red Lyons dq
    – Pampero Firpo beat Mike Bowyer
    – Lars Anderson beat Frankie Laine

    1971

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – Non Title: Larry Hennig & Lars Anderson beat AWA Tag Team Champions The Crusher & Red Bastien
    – Billy Robinson beat Ray Stevens dq
    – Vivian Vachon beat Betty Niccoli
    – Ivan Koloff beat Billy Red Cloud
    – Don Muraco beat Jack Bence

    1976

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Andre the Giant & Harley Race defeated Mitsuo Hata & Bob Slaughter (Sgt. Slaughter)
    – Rick Gibson defeated Bob Brown in three falls

    1978

    Chicago, Illinois:
    – Dick The Bruiser beat Bobby Duncum 
    – Super Destroyer Mark II beat Larry Hennig 
    – Art Thomas & Bobo Brazil beat Blackjack Lanza & Bob Orton Jr
    – Bobby Heenan beat Steve O

    1979

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Andre The Giant and AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel wrestled to a 60 minute time limit draw
    – Greg Gagne beat Bobby Duncum
    – Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura beat Paul Ellering & Steve Olsonoski
    – Billy Robinson beat Super Destroyer Mark III dq
    – Dino Bravo beat Sonny Driver
    – Ron Ritchie drew Buck Zumhofe

    1980 

    St. Lauderdale, Florida:
    – Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Dusty Rhodes to win the Florida State Heavyweight Title 

    1982 

    Norfolk, Virginia:
    – Greg Valentine defeated Wahoo McDaniel to win the NWA U.S. Heavyweight Title

    Salt Lake City, Utah:
    – Andre The Giant won battle royal
    – Hulk Hogan beat Adrian Adonis
    – Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan beat Steve O & Brad Rheingans
    – Non Title: Jim Brunzell beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel
    – Greg Gagne beat Tom Lintz
    – Baron Von Raschke beat Bobby Duncum dq

    1984

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors beat Fabulous Ones
    – Jerry Blackwell no contest King Kong Brody
    – Nick Bockwinkel & Mr Saito beat Larry Hennig & Curt Hennig
    – Billy Robinson dcor Boom Boom Bundy
    – Jimmy Garvin beat Baron Von Raschke dq
    – Brad Rheingans beat Steve Regal

    1988

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Kerry Von Erich beat AWA Champion Jerry Lawler to win the World Class Title
    – Botswana Beast & King Parsons beat Eric Embry & Kendall Windham
    – Michael Hayes & Steve Cox beat Samoan Swat Team
    – Jimmy Jack Funk beat Steve Casey

    1991 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Tom Prichard defeated Eric Embry to win the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title 
    – Doug Masters & Bart Sawyer defeated Jeff Jarrett & Robert Fuller to win the USWA Tag Team Title

    1994 

    Hamburg, Pennsylvania:
    – 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Jason for the ECW Television Title 
    – Dean Malenko (managed by Jason) defeated 2 Cold Scorpio to win the ECW TV Title

    2001

    Manchester, England:
    – WCW World Champion Chris Jericho defeated Kurt Angle
    – WWF Intercontinental Champion Edge defeated Christian in a steel cage match
    – WWF World Heavyweight Champion Steve Austin defeated The Rock

  • How to buy WWE Wrestlemania tickets right now

    The first WWE WrestleMania pre-sale started Tuesday with a number of codes out there. You can use ‘COWBOYS’ through Ticketmaster. There will be other codes out for the next few days, but this is the earliest opportunity to get the best tickets ranging in price for $148 – $2360.

    In the Dallas area, there will be a party this Thursday at AT&T Stadium with Steve Austin and a number of other former WWE wrestlers, some current wrestlers and many NXT wrestlers. For everyone who attends that party, they will also get a code to use for purchase tickets.

    Not ready to buy today? The presale code for Wednesday starting at 10 AM EST is HHHVIP. Tickets for the massive April 3 event at AT&T Stadium go on-sale to the public this Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern time. 

    This is WWE’s first Wrestlemania in Texas since 2009’s Mania 25 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. An announced 72,744 saw WWE Champion Triple H vs. Randy Orton, WWE World Champion Edge vs. John Cena vs. Big Show, and the Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels.

  • Daily pro wrestling history (11/3): Bobby Roode wins big, Rusev wins WWE U.S. gold

    1939 

    Buffalo, New York:
    – Steve Casey defeated Ed Don George to win the American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title

    1956 

    Des Moines, Iowa:
    – World Tag Team Champions The Volkoff Brothers (Boris and Nicolai Volkoff) defeated Bobby Bruns and Roy McClarity 
    – Billy Wicks defeated Dick Raines

    1962

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – Rocky Hamilton & Bob Geigel beat Doug Gilbert & Dick Steinborn dq
    – Moose Evans beat Kurt Von Brauner 
    – Larry Hennig beat Crybaby Cannon 
    – Jack Lanza beat Bob Sabre 

    1967

    Chicago, Illinois:
    – Pat O’Connor & Wilbur Snyder beat Harley Race & Chris Markoff to win AWA Tag Team Title
    – Dr X beat the Crusher
    – Mitsu Arakawa & Dr Moto beat Ramon Torres & Santiago Acosta
    – Blackjack Lanza beat Rene Goulet
    – Rock Rogowski (Ole Anderson) beat George Gadaski

    1972

    Chicago, Illinois:
    – Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens dq
    – Wahoo McDaniel beat Baron Von Raschke
    – Sailor Art Thomas drew Blackjack Lanza
    – Superstar Billy Graham beat George Scott
    – Moose Cholak beat Rene Goulet
    – Larry Hennig beat George Gadaski

    1979 

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Killer Karl Kox defeated Stan Hansen to win the Georgia TV Title 

    1981 

    Tampa, Florida:
    – The Spoiler defeated Charlie Cook for the Florida State Heavyweight Title 

    1984

    Chicago, Illinois:
    – Boom Boom (King Kong) Bundy & Jerry Blackwell won a tag battle royal (Bundy couldn’t be called King Kong because that was the name Brody was using during his AWA run)
    – Lights Out Match, Jerry Blackwell beat King Kong Brody (Blackwell pinned mgr Sheik Adnan for the win because Brody wouldn’t agree to be pinned. Brody was called King Kong instead of Bruiser because the area already had one “Bruiser” and that was Dick the Bruiser)
    – Non Title, Fabulous Ones beat AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors
    – Curt Hennig drew Nick Bockwinkel 
    – Mr. Saito beat Baron Von Raschke
    – Jimmy Garvin beat Steve O
    – Brad Rheingans beat Steve Regal
    (AWA was on fire at this stage — despite losing Hogan to the WWF almost a year earlier — drawing 18,301 fans for this card)

    1985

    Chicago, Illinois:
    – Road Warrior Animal won battle royal
    – Road Warriors beat Fabulous Freebirds, Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts
    – Sgt. Slaughter beat Bill Irwin
    – Curt Hennig & Greg Gagne & Scott Hall beat Jim Garvin & Steve Regal & Larry Zbyszko
    – Handicap match, Stan Hansen beat Jerry O & Rob Rechsteiner (Rick Steiner)
    – Leon White beat Scott Irwin dq
    (Attendance was 9,500)

    1997 

    – Perry Saturn defeated Disco Inferno to win the WCW World Television Title
    – WCW World Tag Team Champions The Steiner Brothers defeated Public Enemy in a Philly Street Fight
    – Chris Jericho pinned Scott Hall

    2011 

    – Gail Kim & Madison Rayne defeated Tara & Brooke Tessmacher to win the Knockouts Tag Team Title 
    – Robert Roode defeated James Storm to win the TNA World Heavyweight Title

    2014

    – Rusev defeated Sheamus to win the WWE United States Heavyweight championship

  • Daily pro wrestling history (11/2): Mankind & Al Snow win WWF tag team titles

    1945

    St. Joseph, Missouri:
    – World Champion Orville Brown beat Cowboy Roy Graham 2 falls to 1 to retain the title

    1961

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Thor Hagen & Ray Gordon defeated Buddy Austin & Tarzan Tyler in three falls
    – Buddy Rogers defeated Guy LaRose in three falls

    1965

    Sioux City, Iowa:
    – Verne Gagne beat Stan Pulaski dq
    – Haru Sasaki & Mad Dog Vachon beat Danny Hodge & Reggie Parks
    – Jack Pesek drew Billy Red Cloud
    – Wilbur Snyder beat Bob Morgan

    1972

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Black Angus won a 7-man Battle Royal
    – Texas Death Match: Danny Little Bear defeated The Destroyer
    – Harley Race & Roger Kirby (w/ Percival A. Friend) defeated The Stomper & Rufus R. Jones in three falls

    1973

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Bill Watts defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title 

    1979 

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Stan Hansen defeated Tony Atlas to win the Georgia TV Title

    1980

    St. Paul, Minnesota:
    – Jerry Blackwell won a 15 man battle royal for $50,000
    – Jerry Blackwell beat Andre the Giant dq
    – Dino Bravo drew Nick Bockwinkel
    – Mad Dog Vachon beat Bobby Heenan by countout
    – Tito Santana beat Jesse Ventura
    – Buck Zumhofe beat Steve Regal

    1992 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jerry Lawler defeated Todd Champion to win the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title

    1999

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    – Mankind & Al Snow defeated Hardcore & Crash Holly for the WWF World Tag Team Title

  • Jerry Lawler & girlfriend involved in auto accident Saturday night

    Both WWE Hall-of-Famer and Smackdown commentator Jerry Lawler & girlfriend involved in auto accident Saturday nightJerry Lawler and girlfriend Lauryn Laine McBride have confirmed scattered reports that they were involved in a head-on automobile accident Saturday night.

    The news was first reported at an independent show in Tennessee where it was announced to the crowd and said that they had gotten the information from Brian Christopher (Jerry’s son Brian Lawler).  Jamie Dundee later had the same story, saying he heard it from Christopher. The word at the show was Lawler was fine but his girlfriend was banged up.

    McBride posted Sunday: “Not exactly how we expected to spend our Halloween, but while on our way home from dinner (Peyton wasn’t with us, thank God) a girl ran a red light and hit us, totaling the car. The airbag deployed, hitting me in the face (hence why I look like Sandy the Squirrel from SpongeBob), causing the swelling to my face…have to wear a silly brace and crutches for my knee for the time being. Thank God we are okay other than that and I think Jerry is Superman.  Not a scratch or anything.  He tried to cover me to save me from the airbag before it deployed. Thank God for my sweet BFF Haley Sterling Campbell for taking good are of me at the hospital tonight.”

    Lawler posted a photo on his Twitter account of the smashed up car and said “@Lauryn911 and I were in a car crash last night.  She spent four hours in emergency room but is home now. We were lucky,” and then “@Lauryn911 and I were lucky things weren’t worse than they were last night. My car not so lucky.”