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  • On this day in pro wrestling history (10/23): CM Punk vs. AJ Styles

    1940 

    Montreal, Canada:
    – Yvon Robert defeated Lou Thesz for the Montreal World Heavyweight Title

    1956 

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Junzo Yoshinosato defeated Isao Yoshiwara in a tournament final to become the first Japanese Light Heavyweight Champion

    San Francisco, California:
    – Ben & Mike Sharpe defeated Bill & Ed Miller to win the San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Title

    1958 

    Oakland, California:
    – Ronnie Etchison & Buddy Rogers won the San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Title from Gene Dubuque & Mike Valentino 

    1963 

    Mobile, Alabama:
    – Mickey Sharpe defeated Silento Rodriguez for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title 

    1965

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Kurt & Skull Von Stroheim defeated Sam Steamboat and Ron Etchison for the Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Title 

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Non Title: The Crusher & Mighty Igor Vodik beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race 2 falls to 0 
    – Chris Markoff beat Ivan Kalmikoff 

    1967 

    Montreal, Canada:
    – The Sheik defeated Gino Brito to win the vacant Montreal International Heavyweight Title

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
    – Abdullah the Butcher & Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Chris and John Tolos for the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title 

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – Spoiler #1 and Gary Hart defeated Brute Bernard and Mike Paidousis to win the NWA American Tag Team Title 

    1970

    Los Angeles, California:
    – Pantera Negra defeated Dale Lewis for the NWA United National Heavyweight Title

    1974 

    Nashville, Tennessee:
    – Robert Fuller defeated Jerry Lawler to win the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title 

    1976

    Sarasota, Florida:
    – Andre The Giant won a 15 Man Battle Royal
    – Jack & Jerry Brisco beat Bob Roop & Bob Orton Jr
    – Ray Candy beat Missouri Mauler (Larry Hamilton)
    – Ken Lucas drew Ray Stevens 
    – Non Title: Tommy Seigler beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel dq
    – Mike Graham beat George McCreary

    1978 

    Caugus, Puerto Rico:
    – Kendo Kimura & Hiro Sasaki defeated Jose Rivera & Invader I for the WWC Tag Team Title 

    1980 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Bob Brown defeated Mike George to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title 

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – Andre The Giant won a battle royal
    – Jerry Blackwell beat Andre The Giant dq
    – Angelo Mosca beat Adrian Adonis
    – Jesse Ventura beat Mad Dog Vachon
    – Bobby Heenan beat Buck Zumhofe
    – Evan Johnson drew Steve Regal

    1981 

    St. Louis, Missouri:
    – Ken Patera defeated Jack Brisco for the Missouri State Heavyweight Title

    Mexico City, Mexico:
    – La Fiera defeated Lizmark to win the NWA World Welterweight Title 
    – El Satanico defeated Solar I for the Mexican National Middleweight Title

    1983

    Guadalajara, Mexico:
    – Ringo Mendoza defeated El Satanico for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title 
    – Enrique Vera defeated Dos Caras and Canek in 3-man tournament to win the vacant UWA World Heavyweight Title

    1985 

    – Jon Cortez defeated Johnny Saint to win the British World Lightweight Title

    1988 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jerry Lawler defeated Kerry Von Erich to win the WCWA Heavyweight Title 
    – Jeff Jarrett beat Eric Embry
    – Southern Tag Title Tournament final: Cactus Jack & Gary Young beat Bill Dundee & Todd Morton to win Southern Tag Title

    1989 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – The Soultaker defeated Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title 

    1992 

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Black Bart & Johnny Mantell defeated The Ebony Experience (Harlem Heat) to win the GWF Tag Team Titles 

    1994 

    Detroit, Michigan:
    – Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma defeated The Patriot & Marcus Bagwell to win the WCW World Tag Team Title 

    1995

    – Brian Christopher defeated Jesse James Armstrong for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title
    – Alundra Blayze defeated Bertha Faye to win the WWF Women’s Title

    1996 

    – Carlos Colon won the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title from Huracan Castillo, Jr

    1998 

    Mexico City, Mexico:
    – Halcon Negro Jr. defeated Olimpico for the CMLL World Welterweight Title 

    1999 

    Nagoya, Japan:
    – Kenta Kobashi & Jun Akiyama won the AJPW World Tag Team Title by defeating Mitsuharu Misawa and Yoshinari Ogawa 

    2000 

    – The Hardy Boyz defeated Edge in a handicap match for the WWF World Tag Team Titles

    2001 

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – The Dudley Boyz defeated The Hardy Boyz to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles

    2002 

    Nashville, Tennessee:
    – AJ Styles defeated Syxx-Pac to win the NWA-TNA X Division Title 

    2004 

    Highland, Indiana:
    – CM Punk defeated A.J. Styles for the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title

    2005

    Orlando, Florida:
    – Samoa Joe defeated Jushin Liger
    – NWA Tag Team Champions America’s Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) defeated The Naturals (Chase Stevens and Andy 
      Douglas) to retain the titles
    – TNA X Division Champion AJ Styles defeated Christopher Daniels in an Iron Man Match to retain the title
    – Rhino defeated Jeff Jarrett to win the NWA World Title

  • On this day in pro wrestling history: Kurt Angle battles The Rock

    1938

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
    – Jack McLauchlan defeated Pete Tripodes to become the first Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title

    1956

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – Ray Gunkel & Amazing Zuma defeated Gene Kelly (Gene Kiniski) & Len Crosby to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Titles

    1957

    – Kurt Von Himmler & Juan Oinada defeated Doug and Red Donovan to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles

    1962

    Memphis, Tennessee: 
    – The Medics won the NWA Southern Tag Team Title by defeating Lester Welch & Buddy Fuller

    1965

    Lafayette, Louisiana:
    – Danny McShain won the NWA Louisiana Heavyweight Title from Bobby Fields 

    Denver, Colorado:
    – Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher no contest AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race
    – Bob Ellis beat Haru Sasaki
    – Mighty Igor Vodik beat Gene Anderson
    – Chris Markoff beat Ivan Kalmikoff

    1966

    Melbourne, Australia;
    – George & Sandy Scott defeated Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard to win the IWA (Australia) Tag Team Title 

    1969

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – Curtis Iaukea & Ripper Collins won the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship by defeating Kurt and Karl Von Steiger

    1976

    Mexico City, Mexico:
    – El Faraon defeated Perro Aguayo to win the NWA World Middleweight Title 

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Gene & Ole Anderson won the NWA Georgia Tag Team Title by defeating Tom Jones & Porkchop Cash 

    Ozark, Alabama:
    – The Wrestling Pro won the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title by defeating Greg Peterson

    1979

    New York, New York:
    – Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated Johnny & Jerry Valiant to win the WWWF World Tag Team Title

    1981

    San Juan, Puerto Rico:
    – Don Kent & Bruno Bekkar defeated Jack and Jerry Brisco to win the WWC North American Tag Team Titles

    1983

    San Francisco, California:
    – Mad Dog Vachon won battle royal
    – Andre The Giant & Mad Dog Vachon & Rick Martel beat Jerry Blackwell & Ken Patera & Sheik Adnan
    – Hulk Hogan beat David Shults
    – Mr Saito beat Baron Von Raschke
    – Blackjack Lanza beat Bobby Heenan
    – Ray Stevens beat Bill White
    – Steve Olsonoski beat Chris Markoff

    1984

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) defeated The Long Riders (Scott Irwin & Bill Irwin) to win the NWA American Tag Team Titles

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn & Stan Lane) defeated Rick Rude and King Kong Bundy to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles

    1985

    Fort Lewis, Washington:
    – Mike Miller & Moondog Moretti defeated Steve Simpson & Joe Savoldi to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles

    1986

    San Juan, Puerto Rico:
    – Al Perez defeated Invader I to win the WWC Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title

    1994

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Toshiaki Kawada defeated “Dr. Death” Steve Williams to win the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Title 

    1995

    Winnipeg, Manitoba:
    – Razor Ramon defeated Dean Douglas to win the vacant WWF Intercontinental Title (title was vacated after Shawn Michaels forfeited the title)

    San Germin, Puerto Rico: 
    – Christopher Daniels & Kevin Quinn defeated Huracan Castillo Jr. & Invader I to win the WWC World Tag Team Titles

    1999 

    Fukuoka, Japan:
    – Yumiko Hotta defeated Kyoko Inoue to win the WWWA World Singles Title 

    2000

    Albany, New York:
    – Los Conquistadors (Edge & Christian) defeated the Hardy Boys to win the WWF World Tag Team Titles 
    – Kurt Angle defeated the Rock to win the WWF World Title

    2001

    Niigata, Japan:
    – Keiji Mutoh & Taiyo Kea defeated Genichiro Tenryu and Yoji Anjoh to win the AJPW World Tag Team Titles

    Kansas City, Missouri:
    – Rock & Chris Jericho beat The Dudleys to win the WWF Tag Titles
    – Kurt Angle beat Rhyno to capture the U.S. Title 
    – Tajiri beat Billy Kidman to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title

    2003

    Nashville, Tennessee:
    – Jeff Jarrett pinned A.J. Styles to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title 

    2005

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Shuji Kondo defeated Taka Michinoku for the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title

    2006

    – Sting defeated Jeff Jarrett to win the NWA Championship
    – Chris Sabin defeated Senshi to win the TNA X-Division Title 
    – LAX defeated AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels to win the NWA Tag Team Titles in a steel cage match

  • UFC TUF 22 ep. 6 recap: Cody Garbrandt mixes it up with Conor McGregor

    It’s a whole new season and Conor McGregor is the reason, as he and Urijah Faber go toe to toe as coaching foes on The Ultimate Fighter. They won’t duke it out after the season is done, but there’s still pride on the line, not to mention Conor’s reputation as the newest badass on the block.

    Join us each episode for “The Notorious Quote of the Week” as Conor puts his mouth where UFC’s money is! We’ll also spice things up with some predictions for week two about who could go all the way this season – two “Fighters to Watch” for each recap.

    The Notorious Quote of the Week is about TJ Dillashaw: “Where’s the little snake? Where’s the little weasel? That’s how people do – they just run over you.”

    Saul Rogers won the second fight in a row for Team Europe on last week’s show. Conor McGregor picked ‘The Sultan’ Mehdi Baghdad to face Julian Erosa this week – we’ll see if Baghdad can make it three in a row.

    Erosa is not taking it well that Baghdad promised to beat him up in the face off last week – and Faber is telling him to feed off those “fighting words” and get more pumped. Baghdad is ALREADY pumped. He talks about his K-1 kickboxing credentials, and brags he’ll “cut him like I cut my filet mignon” with his elbows. McGregor says the only thing Baghdad can do to get better is improve his footwork.

    T.J. Dillashaw is here to help out the U.S. team train following his most recent title fight. Faber talks about Duane Ludwig leaving after being with Team Alpha Male for a year getting Dillashaw to the world title, and Dillashaw following him to Colorado. Except at this point in the filming he hasn’t QUITE left. He and Faber are chummy and all Dillashaw will say is “Faber and Ludwig don’t see eye to eye” and that he has a close bond with Ludwig.

    Weigh-in time! Baghdad is 155.5 and Erosa is 156. Ryan Hall says Erosa is one of the toughest guys on their team. Dana White says his style is “unorthodox and weird” but says Baghdad is a world class muay thai striker. Both teams are sitting around waiting for a photo shoot and Conor McGregor starts talking smack about Dillashaw again. “Little snake in the grass he is. He’s a little snake in the grass.” Faber: “I think you just don’t want to fight either of us.” He accuses Faber of cutting down Chad Mendes in the process when Faber says he wouldn’t get tired fight McGregor. Faber immediately corrects him “on TWO WEEKS notice” but McGregor is having none of it. “Maybe you’re all snakes!” Then things get HOSTILE right before the commercial.

    The extended cut after the commercial break has a lot of four letter words and a lot of pull-aparts and a lot of words bleeped out as coach Cody Garbrandt from Faber’s camp finally got ticked off and one of them walked over and shoved McGregor in the chest! Good thing it was a coach and not a fighter because a fighter would have been kicked off the show for it. Dillashaw was off getting coffee when the whole thing went down. McGregor can’t resist stirring the pot some more even after everybody gets settled down and tries to create some hostility between Dillashaw and Faber. Dillashaw stays cool as a cucumber: “I don’t need your fake ass belt.”

    I know he’s only a coach and not one of the competitors but I’m designating Garbrandt as a Fighter to Watch this week. He’s currently undefeated at 7-0, having won his first six fights by KO or TKO, and he racked up a lot of those wins BEFORE coming to Team Alpha Male. This is a bantamweight who could end up fighting T.J. Dillashaw somewhere down the line.

    After the break Baghdad puts on his headdress and says he’s representing all Arabic people as well as his country of France. He’s my other Fighter to Watch as a former RFA Lightweight Champion and K-1 France Champion. Faber is reminding Erosa to be the guy to strike first and control every position the fight goes to. Baghdad is 11-3 and Erosa is 14-2, so we’ve got two very experienced guys going into this fight.

    Lightweight: Mehdi Baghdad (Europe) vs. Julian Erosa (USA)

    Erosa is in the blue and Baghdad the gray. Baghdad is trying to pressure and Erosa has no problem with it, popping Baghdad with jabs. Baghdad does catch him with a good right hook though. You can really see where the “unorthodox” comes from with Erosa – he’ll lean his body one way and then strike from the opposite side. It would be really confusing to stand in front of him and figure out where the shots were coming from. He’s not just a power puncher too – he’s also got some crisp leg and head kicks, and he lands a sneaky knee when Baghdad tries to clinch. It’s a fairly even fight through the first three minutes, but slowly leaning toward Baghdad due to him being the aggressor. Baghdad lands really hard shots when he does close the distance and pin Erosa against the cage, but he just can’t keep him there for long.

    As in the first round Baghdad is trying to be the man who comes forward early and wins Octagon control, but it still seems like Erosa is giving as good as he’s getting from my vantage point. McGregor is screaming at Baghdad to let his hands go two minutes in. If anything it seems like Erosa’s striking is getting better the longer the fight goes, but Baghdad’s right hook is really nasty. Erosa lands a nice kick to the face in the last minute and Baghdad responds with one in kind. It’s a shame there won’t be a third round with only 8 minutes left. Dana says Julian probably landed more but Baghdad probably hit harder – and this is why you don’t leave it to the judges in a fight. Faber gives McGregor a pair of American sandals.

    20-18, 19-19, 20-18 for the winner by majority decision – Julian Erosa.

    Faber announces his picks for next week’s fight is Thanh Le (USA) vs. Martin Svensson (Europe). Come back to see what happens next week and if McGregor can stir the pot up a little bit more!

  • On this day in pro wrestling history: Rock loses WCW title to Chris Jericho

    1942

    Des Moines, Iowa:
    – Ed “Strangler” Lewis beat Joe Dusek in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Iowa State Heavyweight Champion Gene Bowman and World Light Heavyweight Champion Ken Fenelon went to a count out 

    1955 

    Houston, Texas:
    – Ray Gunkel and Wilbur Snyder defeated Duke Keomuka and Danny Savich 

    1960

    – Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Freddie Blassie defeated Ray Knunkel for the Southern Heavyweight Title

    1968 

    – Rocket Monroe defeated Bob Kelly to win the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title

    1969

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Fritz Von Erich won the NWA American Heavyweight Title by defeating Johnny Valentine 

    1969

    Little Rock, Arkansas:
    – Danny Hodge defeated Chuck Karbo to win the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title.

    1971

    Tampa, Florida:
    – Dick Murdoch & Bobby Duncum defeated The Australians (Larry O’Day & Ron Miller) to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles

    1972

    Honolulu, Hawaii:
    – The Sheik defeated Fred Curry for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title
    – Billy Robinson beat Ivan Koloff in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Sam Steamboat beat Rick Ferrara
    – Ed Francis beat Bill Dromo
    – Bull Bullinski drew Mighty Inoue

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Mad Dog Vachon & Andre Rousimoff in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Wahoo McDaniel beat Larry Hennig
    – George Scott drew Rene Goulet

    1974 

    San Juan, Puerto Rico:
    – Ernie Ladd defeated Carlos Colon to win the WWC North American Heavyweight Title

    1975

    Omaha, Nebraska:
    – AWA Tag Team Champions Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens
    – Jos Leduc beat Baron Von Raschke
    – Greg Gagne beat Johnny Valiant dq
    – Jimmy Valiant beat Jim Brunzell
    – Chris Taylor beat Don Wade

    1976

    Gifu, Japan:
    – Akihisa Takachiho & Samson Kutsuwada defeated Jerry & Ted Oates to win the All Japan All-Asian Tag Team Titles

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Mike George and Super Intern defeated Mad Dog Vachon and Baron Von Raschke to win the Central States version of the NWA World 
      Tag Team Titles
    – Harley Race defeated Black Gordman
    – Bob (Sgt) Slaughter defeated Pat O’Connor
    – Rick Gibson defeated Great Goliath
    – Haystack Calhoun won a 13-man Battle Royal

    1977

    Charleston, South Carolina:
    – Ricky Steamboat defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA United States Heavyweight Title 
    – Victor Rivera and Texas Red defeated Black Gordman and Goliath for the NWA Americas Tag Team Titles

    Houston, Texas:
    – NWA Champion Harley Race defeated Ox Baker
    – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Terry Funk
    – Texas Tag Team Champions Bull Ramos & Captain USA John Studd beat Jose Lothario & Alberto Madril
    – Ernie Ladd beat Killer Tim Brooks

    1978

    Greensboro, North Carolina:
    – Ken Patera defeated Tony Atlas to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title 

    1979

    Orlando, Florida:
    – Manny Fernandez defeated Terry Funk to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title

    1982

    Auckland, New Zealand:
    – King Kamaka and General Hiro defeated Mark Lewin and Al Perez for the NWA Australasian Tag Team Titles

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
    – Andre The Giant won battle royal
    – Andre The Giant & Ray Stevens beat Ken Patera & Bobby Heenan
    – Hulk Hogan beat Adrian Adonis
    – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Jim Brunzell dq
    – Otto Wanz no contest Jerry Blackwell
    – Brad Rheingans beat Sgt Jacques Goulet

    1983

    Richmond, Virginia:
    – Jack and Jerry Brisco defeated Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship

    1984

    St. Paul, Minnesota;
    – Jerry Blackwell & Boom Boom (King Kong) Bundy won tag battle royal
    – Lights Out match: Jerry Blackwell beat King Kong Brody 
    – Fabulous Ones no contest AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors
    – Baron Von Raschke beat Paul Ellering
    – Jimmy Garvin beat Tom Zenk
    – Curt Hennig drew Nick Bockwinkel 
    – Tony Atlas beat Mr. Saito dq

    1985

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Phil Hickerson defeated Mongolian Stomper to win the AWA International Heavyweight Title

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – King Parsons defeated John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title 

    1986 

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – PWF World Heavyweight Champion Riki Choshu defeated Terry Funk to retain the title 
    – Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Stan Hansen to win the NWA International Heavyweight Title

    1996

    – Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Marc Mero to win the WWF Intercontinental Title

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Wolfie D and Brian Christopher defeated Bill and Jamie Dundee to win the held up USWA Tag Team Titles 

    2001 

    Kansas City, Missouri:
    – Edge defeated Christian in a ladder match to win the WWF IC Title 
    – Chris Jericho defeated the Rock to win the WCW World Title
    – Steve Austin defeated Kurt Angle and Rob Van Dam to retain the WWE World Title

    Evansville, Indiana:
    – A.J. Styles defeated Petey Williams, Christopher Daniels and Chris Sabin in a four-way match to win the vacant IWA Mid-South
    Heavyweight Title

    2003

    Albany, New York:
    – Doug & Danny Basham defeated Eddie & Chavo Guerrero to win the WWE Tag Team Titles

  • WWE News: Dislocated shoulder keeps Randy Orton out of Hell In A Cell

    Randy Orton missed this past weekend’s WWE house shows in Mexico and was not on Raw Monday night due to a dislocated shoulder. The extent of the injury is not yet certain pending the results of an MRI, and when he can return will be determined on whether if he needs or doesn’t need surgery.

    On television, they noted Orton was not in Mexico and not at Raw, and almost portrayed it as him no-showing. Later in the show, they gave the impression from an interview with Dean Ambrose that the Wyatts had gotten to him.

    Orton has a history of shoulder problems from injuries earlier in his career.

    The Orton & Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper & Braun Strowman match scheduled for Sunday’s Hell in a Cell PPV has been canceled, and a six-man tag match with Sheamus & Rusev & King Barrett vs. Neville & Dolph Ziggler & Cesaro was put in its place around the pre-show time.

  • On this date in pro wrestling history (10/20): AWA & NWA champions form tag team, Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit win tag team gold

    1949

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz beat Lord Albert Mills in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Bobby Bruns beat Jimmy Coffield 2 falls to 0
    – Enrique Torres defeated Big Ben Morgan

    1952

    Des Moines, Iowa:
    – Verne Gagne beat Bob Orton in 2 out of 3 falls
    – Mike DiBiase and Joe Dusek wrestled to a draw

    1964 

    Minneapolis, Minnesota:
    – Mad Dog Vachon defeated Verne Gagne to win the AWA World Heavyweight Title 
    – Reggie Parks beat Moose Cholak 
    – Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Bob Geigel & Art Thomas
    – Ivan Kalmikoff beat Tony Russo 

    1969 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Jackie Fargo and Dennis Hall defeated Don and Al Greene to win the NWA Southern Tag Team Title 

    1972 

    Atlanta, Georgia:
    – Dick Steinborn and Argentina Apollo defeated Skandor Akbar and Ox Baker to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Titles

    1976 

    Miami, Florida:
    – Andre the Giant won a 19 man battle royal
    – Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco beat Bob Roop & Bob Orton Jr
    – Non Title: Steve Keirn beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel dq
    – Ray Candy beat Ray Stevens
    – Ken Lucas drew Missouri Mauler
    – Hollywood Blondes, Buddy Roberts & Jerry Brown beat Jan Nelson & Don Serrano
    – The Assassin beat Tommy Seigler
    – Bob Backlund beat George McCreary

    1979 

    Chattanooga, Tennessee:
    – Dutch Mantel defeated Dennis Condrey to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title

    1983 

    Kansas City, Kansas:
    – Buzz Tyler won the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title by defeating Super Destroyer
    – Buck Robley beat Roger Kirby  
    – Bulldog Bob Brown beat Killer Karl Krupp dq  
    – Jerry Brown beat Booker T  
    – Mike Pagel beat Jerry Brown dq  
    – Angelo Mosca Jr & Ron Ritchie beat Tonga John & Doug Somers  

    1984

    Greensboro, North Carolina:
    – Dusty Rhodes & Manny Fernandez defeated Ivan Koloff & Don Kernodle to win the NWA World Tag Team Titles 

    1985

    Shizuoka, Japan:
    – NWA World Champion Ric Flair & AWA World Champion Rick Martel fought Terry & Dory Funk Jr. to a double count-out

    1986 

    Fort Worth, Texas:
    – Crusher Yurkov (Bam Bam Bigelow) defeated Steve Simpson to win the WCCW Television Title 

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Tracy Smothers won the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Champion by defeating Tony Falk 

    1987 

    Tokyo, Japan:
    – Chigusa Nagayo defeated Yukari Oomori to win the WWWA World Singles Title 
    – Bull Nakano and Condor Saito defeated The Red Typhoons (Kazue Nagahori and Yumi Ogura) to win the WWWA World Tag Team Titles

    Memphis, Tennessee:
    – Hector Guerrero & Dr. D beat Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee to win AWA tag titles
    – Jerry Lawler beat Steve Keirn
    – Southern Tag Team Champions RPMs beat Jeff Jarrett & Billy Travis
    – Tournament final for Southern Title: Bobby Jaggers beat Billy Travis to win Southern Title

    1989 

    Dallas, Texas:
    – Kerry Von Erich defeated The Punisher (The Undertaker) to win the USWA Texas Heavyweight Title

    Nagoya, Japan:
    – Stan Hansen & Genichiro Tenryu defeated Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu for the All Japan World Tag Team Title 
    – Masanobu Fuchi defeated Joe Malenko to win the All Japan World Junior Heavyweight Title

    1992

    Birmingham, Alabama:
    – Ricky Steamboat defeated Steve Austin
    – Shane Douglas & WCW/NWA Tag Team Champion Dustin Rhodes defeated Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton
    – Sting defeated Cactus Jack

    1995 

    Knoxville, Tennessee:
    – Terry Gordy defeated Brad Armstrong to win the SMW Heavyweight Title

    2002 

    – Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit defeated Edge & Rey Mysterio Jr. in the finals of the Smackdown World Tag Team Title tournament

  • UFC “Black Friday” sees former TUF winner among those looking for work

    In a weekend somewhat reminiscent of the old WWE “Black Fridays”, UFC did a massive housecleaning of contracted fighters over the last several days as news started to leak out Friday as Marcus Brimage, Matt Van Buren, and Cristos Giagos announced their own cuts via Twitter.

    Eddie Gordon, a castmate of Van Buren on season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter, also announced his own release from the company via Facebook earlier in the day. Chris Clements and Roger Narvaez subsequently announced their releases as well. More names, rumoured to be as many as 50, are expected to become public by Tuesday.

    Some notes on the released fighters:

    – Gordon won the TUF 19 middleweight tournament, knocking out Dhiego Lima in the finals. He also beat Cathal Pendred in the previous round. He went on to lose his next three fights, including two by finish. Gordon is 32 and will have to be really impressive on the regional circuit to earn his way back.

    – Brimage was a TUF 14 cast member, losing in the 2nd round of that tournament to Bryan Caraway. He went on to win his first three UFC official UFC fights before being Conor McGregor’s first UFC victim in April 2013. That kicked off a 1-4 stretch with three of the losses being by KO that led to his release. The American Top Team product is 30 and should get back at some point as he has a lot of personality and a fun fighting style.

    – Van Buren made it to the finals of TUF 19 before being KO’d in the first round by Corey Anderson. The former Bellator fighter lost his follow-up fight, also by KO, to Sean O’Connell. Despite being just 29, Van Buren would be a longshot to make it back to UFC. He was even a longshot to get as far as he did in the TUF tourney.

    – Giagos was a veteran of the California regional scene when he got a call as a late replacement for a fight against the tough Gilbert Burns in October 2014. He was submitted in the first round but won his follow-up fight in March before losing via decision to Chris Wade in June. At just 25, he’s almost a lock to get back to UFC at some point if he puts a few wins together.

    – Clements is a Canadian fighter who opened eyes in 2011 with a win on the Score Fighter Series over Rich Clementi. He made his UFC debut the following year against Matt Riddle, being submitted in the 2nd round. The result was later overturned due to a drug test failure by Riddle. Clements went 1-2 in his next 3 fights, losing by decision to Nordine Taleb at UFC 186 in his last fight. Clements is 39 and this could be it for him.

    – Narvaez was an undefeated prospect when he made his UFC debut last year against Patrick Cummins. He went 1-2 in UFC with both losses coming by KO. His last fight was on the UFC 185 prelims against Elias Theodorou. He’s 32, but only started in the sport in 2011 so it’s a young 32. Expect him back at some point.

  • WWE RAW: Steve Austin now advertised for tonight’s show, possible expansion of podcast guests

    WWE sent out a press release Monday afternoon listing former WWF Champion and legend “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as appearing on tonight’s edition of Monday Night RAW. Earlier today in ads for the show, Austin was not listed.

    The press release was built around Brock Lesnar being both on Raw and on Austin’s podcast, but listed that Lesnar would be joined by Austin, Shawn
    Michaels, and Ric Flair on Raw.

    Interestingly, the press release does not mention Undertaker as being on Raw, only mentioning him as being Lesnar’s opponent in the Hell in a Cell main event on Sunday. They also promoted that going forward, the Austin podcasts would feature “the biggest names in WWE as well as in the world of sports or entertainment”, which seems to indicate they are looking past just WWE talent and employees for future guests.

    Keep up with tonight’s live coverage of RAW by Jeff Hamlin, hear our recap of the show on tonight’s Wrestling Observer Radio podcast, and be on the lookout for a recap of the Austin/Lesnar podcast by Bryan Rose later tonight.

  • TNA Wrestling announces three India dates, Great Khali’s involvement

    On Monday, TNA Wrestling officially announced what has been reported for months: they will be touring Mumbai, India, with shows announced for 12/2, 12/3 and 12/4.

    The two key parts of the announcement were that Dalip Singh, the former Great Khali, will be working with the promotion, although they did not announce him as wrestling on the shows. They also did not announce Impact tapings for the three events. They did mention that the 12/4 show would be a One Night Only PPV taping that will air live on Sony SIX in India — the company’s regular TV station in the market. However, all three shows will be taped.

    TNA said Singh and John Gaburick would be searching for new Indian talent for TNA. The company is heavily focusing on Indian and is trying to find new native wrestlers. Singh runs a wrestling school there. TNA announced that Singh will be part of the selection process, will mentor prospective Indian wrestlers, and will be endorsing the live events.

  • On this day in pro wrestling history (10/19): Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar in a biker chain match

    1939

    Kansas City, Kansas:

    – Orville Brown beat Bobby Bruns in 2 out of 3 falls 

    – Earl Lacy beat Bill Davidson 

    – Al Lovelock defeated Abe Friedman

    1946

    Wichita, Kansas:

    – World Heavyweight Champion Orville Brown beat Vincent Lopez in 2 out of 3 falls

    – Roy Graham beat Danno O’Mahoney 

    – Wally Dusek defeated George Rhynn 

    1956 

    Atlanta, Georgia:

    – Fred Blassie defeated Wild Bull Curry to win the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title 

    1972 

    Cleveland, Ohio:

    – Johnny Valentine defeated Abdullah The Butcher to win the National Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Title 

    Tampa, Florida:

    – Bobby Shane defeated Tim Woods to win the NWA Florida Television Title

    1974

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

    – Horst Hoffman beat the Crusher by countout

    – Chris Taylor beat Buddy Wolff

    – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell drew Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens

    – Ivan Putski beat Yugo Babich

    – Geoff Portz beat George Gadaski

    1979

    Hampton, Virginia:

    – Title vs Title: NWA TV Champion Ricky Steamboat beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel by countout

    – US Title Match: US Champion Jimmy Snuka beat Mid Atlantic Champion Jim Brunzell

    – Rufus R Jones drew Ken Patera

    – Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood beat Gene Anderson & The Scorpion

    – Don Kernodle drew Doug Somers

    1982

    Omaha, Nebraska:

    – Andre the Giant won an 18 man $50,000 battle royal

    – Otto Wanz beat Sheik Adnan dq

    – Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Larry Hennig & Rick Martel

    – Baron Von Raschke beat Adrian Adonis

    – Brad Rheingans beat Tom Lintz

    – Evan Johnson drew Rene Goulet

    1985 

    San Juan, Puerto:

    – Carlos Colon defeated Abdullah The Butcher to win the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title

    1986

    St. Paul, Minnesota:

    – Curt Hennig won a battle royal

    – Non Title Match: Larry Zbyszko beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel

    – Midnight Rockers & Jerry Blackwell beat Buddy Rose & Doug Somers & The Blaster

    – Jimmy Snuka beat Boris Zhukov

    – Curt Hennig beat Colonel DeBeers by count out

    – Super Ninja beat Earthquake Ferris

    – Steve O drew Ali Khan  

    1997 

    Kobe, Japan:

    – Keiji Mutoh & Masahiro Chono defeated Kensuke Sasaki & Kazuo Yamazaki to win the IWGP Tag Team Title

    Sendai, Japan:

     – Atsushi Onita & Kintaro Kanemura defeated Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke to win the FMW World Brass Knuckles Tag Team Title 

    2001 

    Yokohama, Japan:

    – Vader & 2 Cold Scorpio become the first Pro Wrestling Noah Global Honored Crown Tag Team Champions by defeating Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito in the finals of a tournament 

    – Tatsuhito Takaiwa defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru to win the Pro Wrestling Noah Global Honored Crown Junior Heavyweight Title

    Perth, Australia:

    – Road Dogg (BG James) defeated Jeff Jarrett to win the the World Wrestling All-Stars World Heavyweight Championship 

    2002 

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

    – Sabu defeated Pitbull Gary Wolfe in a tables match to become the 3PW Heavyweight Champion.

    2003 

    WWE No Mercy – Baltimore, Maryland:

    – Big Show defeated Eddie Guerrero to win the WWE US Title 

    – Kurt Angle defeated John Cena

    – Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker to retain the WWE World Title in a biker chain on a pole match

    2004 

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

    – Shelton Benjamin defeated Chris Jericho to win the WWE IC Title 

    – Chris Benoit & Edge defeated La Resistance to win the WWE Raw Tag Team Titles

    – Triple H defeated Shawn Michaels to retain the WWE Raw World Title