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Tag: NJPW

  • New Japan on AXS Report: New Japan Cup semifinals and finals

    Tonight’s episode will feature the semifinals and finals of the 2015 New Japan Cup, which was held on March 15, 2015 at Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall.

    First semifinal shown is between Hirooki Goto and Togi Makabe. They only showed a few minutes of highlights, but was as solid as you were gonna get with this time. Goto won after a roll up. It’s usually during these kind of tournaments where they do finishes like that as opposed to their actual finishers.

    Tetsuya Natio & Kota Ibushi followed. This is one of those matches that are four star plus level in New Japan, which is awesome, but isn’t good enough to be truly memorable because it’s been a year of spectacular matches. Rewatching this again made me remember just how great of a worker Ibushi is. He not only has the basics down but he has the flash and charisma in his bouts to really be something. Naito has all of this as well, but of course has switched his style and that’s worked out better for him in recent months. Just a bunch of crazy back and forth moves. Naito did a sick reverse rana on the top rope and Ibushi landed right on his head. He must have Daniel Bryan syndrome or something as one’s body can only take so much damage for so long before there are repercussions. Naito took a ganso bomb. Ibushi finally got the win with a press powerbomb. Terrific match.

    Ibushi in a post fight interview says he can’t lose now, he has to, and will, win.

    Pre-match sitdown interview time! Ibushi talks about how the tournament style works for him the best, as he has to give his all in every match, or else he’ll be eliminated. When talking about Goto, he mentions that his performance and clumsy and straightforward, and would have thought the same if he would have faced Makabe in the finals.

    The finals aired next. Really good match, though not as dynamic as the previous match. It was stiff and unpleasant to watch at times, but Ibushi’s timing is excellent and Goto has always been top notch in these kind of performances. The crowd was hot for everything and helped a lot too. Lots of back and forth action, especially towards the latter stages of the game where Ibushi was coming up with a lot of cool reversals and nearfalls. Eventually, Ibushi scores the big win with a phoenix splash and pins Goto to win the New Japan Cup.

    After the match, announcer Shinpei Nogami asks Ibushi what title he would like to challenge for. Ibushi says he wants to challenge for all of them, but he wants to fight AJ and wants that title shot. He says he’ll beat AJ and thanks everyone for coming.

    In his post match interview, he thanks Goto & Naito for their performances tonight. He wants to answer back for the fans’ support as they are always supporting him, so he’ll do his best against AJ. In the reflective interview, he had always wanted a shot at the IWGP title, so he challenged for it. 

    Good show. All three matches were good, with the last two being pretty good to great. 

  • NJPW/CMLL Fantasticamania results: Tanahashi/Volador/Mistico vs. Okada/Mephisto/Guererro

    Titan and Mascara Dorada vs. Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu

    Good opener. It mostly was Titan and Mascara Dorada looking excellent with a bunch of high flying spots. Titan in particular looks amazing, his fluidity is outstanding. He reminds me a lot of Ricochet in terms of confidence. Tanaka and Titan had some great back and forth, including Tanaka dropping Titan on his head with an awesome German suplex for a nearfall. Titan rollied back and got the win with what looked like a variation of the figure four.

    Fuego, Juice Robinson and Kushida vs. Hechicero, Yoshi-Hashi and Gedo

    Fuego came to the ring and danced, with Kushida and Robinson following suit. Robinson had a cool flame jacket and Kushida still had the watch mask from the previous night. Solid match. Robinson looked good in spots. Fuego is really one of the more charismatic guys on this tour. Everyone overall looked pretty good; it was your atypical six man tag. Hechicero got the win, submitting Fuego.

    Arena Coliseo Tag Team Champions Guerrero Maya Jr. and Angel de Oro vs. Okumura and Bobby Z

    This felt flat. Not the work, because it was solid throughout, but the crowd wasn’t into it until the last minute or so, and before that they only popped for the big dives. Maya and Oro did some good stuff, and Okumura and Bobby were fine as rudos but something didn’t click here that would have made it a good match as opposed to just a solid one. Guerrero got the pin for his team, pinning Okumura with a bodyslam into a piledriver.

    Ryusuke Taguchi & Stuka Jr. vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Cavernario Barbaro

    The entrances were something else. Taguchi came out with all the young lions and they did a choreographed pharaoh dance on the outside. Cavernario and Nakamura came out with new outfits – Cavernario wearing a Fred Flintstone outfit and Nakamura wearing a skull version of his Mexico mask. Nakamura came out with nunchucks shaped like bones while Cavernario took out his outfit revealing “KING OF CAVEMAN STYLE” was painted on his back. As far as a match goes, this was fine, a lot of focus on comedy, but that was the theme of the bout anyway. In terms of presentation, this was one of the better matches on the show. Match as far as ring work was solid. Cavernario submitted Stuka with the la cavernaria.

    Jushin Liger & Atlantis & Tiger Mask vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Bushi

    Naito did the same deal from yesterday where he had the announcer talk about him for like 2-3 minutes while he stalled in the ring. He teased something with Milano Collection AT again as he shook his hand twice. Atlantis is 53 years old, and doesn’t move super great but still moves very well at his age. Just typical six man stuff throughout, though Atlantis and Los Ingobernables looked good. Evil and Naito were working over Tiger Mask when Naito got the flash roll up he’s done in previous matches and got the abrupt win there.

    CMLL Lightweight Champion Dragon Lee vs. Virus

    This was good while it lasted, but got less than ten minutes. Weird it got so little time as the crowd was into this and everyone was just kind of surprised when the finish came. Virus did something i’ve never seen before as he countered a hip toss on the outside by running across the apron, launched off and did an arm drag back outside then followed that with a rana. Lee came back, did a double footstomp off the top rope then pinned Virus with a German suplex.

    Dragon Lee was celebrating when suddenly someone in a mask came from behind and gave him a German suplex. He unmasked, revealing himself to be Kamaitachi, who had been absent from his tour and was still saying how he was in Mexico. He cut a promo saying there has been a change and tomorrow he’ll take his title back.

    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Volador Jr. & Mistico vs. Kazuchika Okada & Ultimo Guerrero & Mephisto

    Really exciting main event with a ton of crazy dives. Everyone worked hard, including Tanahashi and Okada and that helped make it a great match, one of the better ones on this tour so far.This was a match dedicated to Black Cat, as his family were in the ring carrying a photo of him and thanked the two promotions before the match. Mistico and Ultimo Guerrero did their same routine yesterday as they were fighting over fan. It was mentioned on my timeline a lot during this match so I have to ask – whatever happened to Mephisto being a part of Bullet Club Latin America? Maybe that part of the BC just fizzled out or something.

    There was a very cool triple dive spot from Mistico, Volador and Tanahashi as they took out all of their rivals at once. Ultimo Guerrero have really good chemistry with one another. Mistico has such a small frame though that it’s no wonder he’s injured a lot. Lots of crazy stuff towards the end as Volador, Mistico and Tanahashi all wiped out Guerrero with dives. Volador took out Okada and looked to do something with Mephisto on the top rope but Mephisto countered and his a double underhook facebuster from the top rope and pinned him.

  • NJPW/CMLL Fantasticamania results: Volador/Mistico vs. Ultimo Guerrero/Mephisto

    Fuego & Stuka Jr. vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu

    Pretty fun match. They worked this in the lucha style so Fuego and Stuka Jr. were very in their element. Fuego in particular looked really impressive and has lots of charisma. Tanaka and Komatsu worked their style and seemed kind of off, but never looked bad or anything. Just didn’t look as fluid as they usually do. I guess they have time to learn it in the next year or so. Fuego got the win for his team, pinning Komatsu with a roll up.

    David Finlay & Jushin Liger & Kushida & The Panther & Guerrero Maya Jr. vs. Gedo & Yoshi-Hashi & Bobby Zavala & Okumura & Hechicero

    Kushida was wearing a big silver watch mask to the ring, but didn’t wrestle in it. A fun match. Panther botched a spot early as he looked to do something off the middle rope, didn’t do it, then went to something else and messed up big time. After that, everything was pretty good. They did a fun spot where four of the guys wrapped their legs against one another, forming a circle, then Liger applied the Rito Romero special on Okumura in the middle of the circle. Hechicero submitted Finlay with a heel hook.

    Zavala got a mic after the match and said he and Okumura would win the Arena Coliseo tag team belts tomorrow. Guerrero Maya and Panther didn’t agree with that.

    Tetsuya Naito & Evil vs. Atlantis & Juice Robinson

    In an amazing moment pre-match, Naito came out and did his usual super long entrance. The amazing thing was that the announcer somehow managed find things to say about Naito the entire time he was stalling. Lots of mask ripping by the heels. Not much, but was fine. Robinson made a comeback but Evil came in and hit their finish, a reverse press slam called Out of Control for the win.

    After the match Naito not only ripped part of Atlantis’ mask off, but also had an altercation with Milano Collection AT and laid him out too. Seems to be a recurring theme, but then again Naito’s attacked many guys at ringside as that’s his new gimmick.

    Mexican National Welterweight Champion Barbaro Cavernario vs. Titan

    I liked this match. Not blow away, but there were a ton of cool moves which made it pretty memorable. Most of it was Titan, who really stood out in terms of dynamic high flying ability. He wrapped his legs around Cavernario’s chest at one point, threw him out of the ring and followed it up with a big Asai moonsault. Cavernario did his big splash from the top rope to the floor. Lots of nice back and forth stuff with Cavernario retaining the title with a flash surfboard.

    CMLL Welterweight Champion: Bushi vs. Mascara Dorada

    I’m not sure why CMLL has two welterweight titles, but the situation with title belts in Mexico is far worse than it is here or anywhere else. Bushi came out with a new outfit and new music. He was dressed completely white for whatever reason. They brawled into the crowd early where Bushi did a big dive off the stairwell. Bushi worked on him a good while till he made a comeback, wiping him out with a stepover tope con hilo to the floor. Naito kept interfering until Atlantis drove him out of the arena with a steel chair. After a few close near falls Dorada wins his title back with the Dorada Screwdriver. Another good match with Dorada’s offense looking really good.

    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Dragon Lee & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazuchika Okada & Virus

    Despite the title being vacated, Nakamura is still wearing the title to the ring. Maybe they’re letting him keep it until he leaves the promotion. Hell if I know. He and Taguchi, who is doing a Pharaoh gimmick on these tours because he’s Taguchi, removed each other’s masks. They’ve had a rivalry of sorts on house show tours for the last month or so. Virus and Dragon Lee mostly worked with one another and looked pretty good. Another good match, with good spots when it was needed. A lot of comedy, but it was fine and didn’t drag too much. Virus submitted Dragon Lee with what is now known as the PTO, but he calls it la motocicleta.

    Mistico & Volador Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Mephisto

    Fun main event. It was a good showcase for Mistico and Volador Jr as they looked awesome as a team, and both Mephisto and Guerrero had some fun moments as well. Both Mistico and Ultimo Guerrero played to the crowd at the start of the match, with Guerrero nearly leaving due to being frustrated by Mistico’s reactions. Mistico and Volador did a double tope con hilo to the outside. Both of them work really great as a tag team and have some good tandem work. They did another great move where Mistico hopped over Voldor, flew out of the ring and wiped out Mephisto on the outside with a hurricanrana. Mephisto wiped out Volador with a tope con hilo (a lot of those tonight!) while Ultimo Guerrero landed a reverse suplex from the top rope, getting the win over Mistico.

    Overall, the key phrase of the show was fun. Nothing here is going to win match of the year or anything, but in terms of environment and with everyone really into the theme of this tour, it was good times.

  • Daily Update: Jim Ross appears on WOR, Rousey SNL promo sketches

    TWO CAN’T MISS F4WONLINE.COM RADIO SHOWS

    In case you missed it Jim Ross is returning to commentating.  This time for NJPW on AXS TV.  Earlier today we posted a FREE WRESTLING OBSERVER RADIO where Jim Ross talks with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez about the new job and more!

    Also, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez talk the Wrestling Observer Awards on last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio

    A big weekend coming up with the Royal Rumble on Sunday.  The final TV show leading to the Rumble is Smackdown tonight on USA with:

    Usos & Dolph Ziggler vs. Big E & Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods

    Becky Lynch vs. Alicia Fox

    Ryback vs. Bray Wyatt

    Titus O’Neil vs. Stardust

    Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus & Rusev & King Barrett & Alberto Del Rio in a 1 vs. 4 match

    NEW JAPAN FANTASTICA MANIA IS LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD TONIGHT/TOMORROW MORNING AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN AND 2:30 A.M. PACIFIC FROM KORAKUEN HALL IN TOKYO

    Fuego & Stuka Jr. vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu

    David Finlay & Jushin Liger & Kushida & The Panther & Guerrero Maya Jr. vs. Gedo & Yoshi-Hashi & Bobby Zavala & Okumura & Hechicero

    Tetsuya Naito & Evil vs. Atlantis & Juice Robinson

    Barbaro Cavernario vs. Titan for Mexican national welterweight title

    Bushi vs. Mascara Dorada for CMLL welterweight title

    Hiroshi Tanahashi & Dragon Lee & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazuchika Okada & Virus

    Mistico & Volador Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Mephisto

    This is the first of three straight nights of Fantastica Mania shows on New Japan World.

    If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new 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!  

    Figure Four Weekly

    Figure Four Weekly 1/18/2016: Gawker’s motion to dismiss Hulk Hogan lawsuit denied
    Gawker’s motion to dismiss the Hulk Hogan sex tape lawsuit is denied, plus news and notes

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: January 25, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Observer Awards Issue

    The 2015 Observer awards issue, the traditional biggest issue of the year,is up on the web site now.  The issue not only has the awards winners in more than 40 different categories, but all the top place winners, as well as a history with all the awards winners dating back to 1980, as well as my comments on the placings for many of the awards.

    The categories are:

    Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year), MMA MVP, Most Outstanding Wrestler, Most Outstanding MMA Fighter, Best Box Office Draw, Feud of the Year, Tag Team of the Year, Most Improved, Best on Interviews, Most Charismatic, Best Technical Wrestler, Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler), Best Flying Wrestler, Most Overrated, Most Underrated, Promotion of the Year, Best Weekly TV show, Pro Wrestling Match of the Year, MMA Match of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Best Non-Wrestler, Best Television Announcer, Worst Television Announcer, Best Major Wrestling show, Worst Major Wrestling Show, Best Wrestling Maneuver, Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic, Worst Television Show, Worst Match of the Year, Worst Feud of the Year, Worst Promotion of the Year, Best Booker, Promoter of the Year, Best Gimmick, Worst Gimmick, Best Pro Wrestling Book and Best Pro Wrestling DVD

    Update on the Royal Rumble and Rumble weekend, full coverage of Dominick Cruz’s UFC bantamweight title win and the records set on Sunday’s show and details on the New Japan/Jim Ross announcing deal as well as a look at how this came about and Jim Ross’ overall career.

    2017 WrestleMania, how Smackdown has affected overall ratings for the USA Network, update on A.J. Styles with WWE, WWE injury updates, Daniel Bryan update, more on Mauro Ranallo and Smackdown, Chris Jericho talks his return, new season of Total Divas, How talent is broken down in NXT, the heat on Josh from Tough Enough, new dates for Brock Lesnar, plus notes from the big NXT tour and all the shows, the NXT Florida shows, as well as the WWE shows in India and the WWE weekend domestic shows and all the business notes.

    PLUS MUCH MORE! 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 Meltzer

    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.

    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. 

    Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

    Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: Dec 14, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2 biographies in the works about Jesse Ventura
    NBC and ABC working on biographies on Jesse Ventura, a look at the end of year events for New Japan and All Japan, plus tons of news and notes.

    THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

    Ronda Rousey hosts Saturday Night Live this weekend.  Some sketches previewing the appearance.

    The PBC is working with NextVR to bring Virtual Reality to its live show on FOX on Saturday night at 8 p.m.  The show is headlined by Danny Garcia (31-0, 18 KOs) vs. Robert Guerrero (33-3-1, 18 KOs).

    Owner Andy Quildan hints at Revolution Pro talent going to New Japan in 2016

    WWE

    • In case you missed it in yesterday’s update our own David Bixenspan has a great article on Big Show’s attempt to become a heavyweight boxer.
    • Roman Reigns talks the Royal Rumble
    • Becky Lynch interview for a house show in Fort Myers, FL
    • WWE stock closed down 58 cents per share today, to  $15.95.  Most of the stock market is taking it on the chin these days so it’s more of a sign of the economy at large than anything negative on WWE in particular. 
    • There was a question on the radio show regarding whether talent can leave WWE events after their match but before the show is over.  Unless you are a top guy, the answer is no.
    • WWE announced Premium VIP autograph signing schedules at Fan Axxess for WrestleMania

    4/1 at 7 p.m. – Sting

    4/2 at 10 a.m. – Roman Reigns

    4/2 at 3 p.m. – Undertaker

    4/3 at 8 a.m. – Seth Rollins

    Regular VIP signings

    3/31 at 6 p.m. – Dean Ambrose

    3/31 at 8 p.m. – Ric Flair & Charlotte

    4/1 at 5 p.m. – Chris Jericho

    4/2 at 8 a.m. – Superstar Billy Graham

    4/2 at 1 p.m. – Alberto Del Rio and Dudleys

    4/2 at 6 p.m. – Kevin Owens

    4/2 at 8 p.m. – Bray Wyatt

    4/3 at 10 a.m. – Randy Orton

    UFC

    • C.M. Punk is doing media work for UFC before the 2/5 PPV where Mickey Gall, his expected first opponent (provided he wins) makes his debut on the Fight Pass portion of the show against Mike Jackson.  Punk will be ringside for the fight.
    • Punk talks to Kevin Iole
    • Jim Miller vs. Diego Sanchez will be the Fight Pass main event for the 3/5 PPV show in Las Vegas, another example of UFC adding a name value match to the pre-TV prelims.
    • Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m for the UFC’s 2/21 show in Pittsburgh at the Consol Energy Center on FS 1.  The top three matches are Donald Cerrone vs. Tim Means at welterweight, Derek Brunson vs. Roan Carneiro and John Lineker vs. Cody Garbrandt.  Tickets are priced from $185 down to $50.
    • The UFC, through Senior Vice President and General Manager of Europe, Middle East and Asia James Elliott, announced a partnership with the British Wrestling Association (that’s amateur wrestling). 
    • Ronda Rousey’s coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, had his corner license revoked.  Greg Savage of Sherdog reported that Andy Foster, the CSAC Executive Director, said it was due to falsifying information on his application.  He is appealing the decision at the 2/2 commission meeting in Los Angeles.
    • Marcin Tybura, who is 13-1 and a former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion, has signed with UFC.
    • World Series of Fighting on 2/20 in Garden Grove, CA at the Next Level Sports Complex live on NBC Sports Network at 9 p.m. Eastern headlined by Marlon Moraes defending his bantamweight title against Joseph Barajas.  Tickets are on sale now at www.WSOF.com

    MISCELLANEOUS

    • The New York Times talks Gawker selling off a minority stake in its company prior to the Hulk Hogan lawsuit going to trial
    • Adam Copeland (Edge) will be on the 15th edition of CBC’s Battle of the Books in late March, talking about Minister Without Portfolio by Michael Winter.
    • Superstar Seminars on 3/11 at the GXW wrestling school in Richmond, VA featuring Jake Roberts, talking about pro wrestling performance, psychology, promos and character development.  Roberts will be assisted by Mickie James and Nick Aldis.  Everyone at the seminar will also get free admission to Roberts’ talk show at The Beach House Bar and Grill i  Glen Allen, VA that night.  For more info you can e-mail superstarseminars@gmail.com
    • Northeast Wrestling is doing a seminar with Jim Cornette on 3/6 from Noon to 3 p.m. at the Northeast Wrestling training center located at Platinum Fitness in Danbury, CT.  Experienced wrestlers or current wrestling students only, must be 18 years of age.  It’s limited to 30 students who will work a match, do promos and be evaluated by Cornette and owner Michael Lombardi.  These double as tryouts for the promotion  Spots are $50.  For more info call 914-805-6187 or e-mail NEWWrestling@yahoo.com
    • NEW Wrestlefest takes place on 3/4 in Newburgh, NY at the NFA High School with Rey Mysterio, Jerry Lawler, Mick Foley, Matt Hardy, Mandy Leon, Terry Funk and Jim Cornette appearing.
    • CZW and WSU return for a doubleheader on 2/13 in Voorhees, NJ at Flyers Skate Zone, featuring an iPPV for the 7:30 p.m. show.  The afternoon show will have Leva “Blue Pants”
    • Bates vs. Hania the Huntress and Lufisto vs. Jessicka Havok.  The evening show has Matt Tremont vs. Devon Moore in a ladder match and Lio Rush vs. Joey Janela in 2/3 falls.
    • West Coast Fighting Championships on Saturday night in Sacramento at the McCellan Conference Center headlined by a match for the King of Sacrament with Max Griffin vs. David Mitchell at 175 pounds, in a five round fight. 
    • Battlewar on 2/14 in Montreal at Les Foufounes Electriques with all seats $5.
    • Results from Saturday night in Toronto in the Smash vs. CZW show:  Gulak b Tarik, Overdogs b DUB Boys, Courtney Rush b Kimber Lee, D.J. Hyde b Scotty O’Shea, Lio Rush b Kevin Bennett, Jon Gresham b Tyson Dux, Super Smash Brothers & Brent Banks b TV Ready Machines, Johnny Gargano b Sami Callihan to win the Smash title.
    • House of Hardcore on 4/16 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia has Tommy Dreamer, Rhino, Brian Cage, Sami Callihan and Billy Gunn.  There will also be an Icons of Pro Wrestling convention from9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that will have Shawn Michaels, Tommy Dreamer, Ricky Steamboat, Stan Hansen, Outlaw Ron Bass, Abyss, Billy Gunn, Bill Apter, Justin Credible, Brian Cage, Domino, Kevin Thorn, Maven, Jeannie Clarke, Curt Hawkins, Amber Gallows, Danny Cage, Blue Meanie, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Sabu, Melissa Coates, Little Guido, Marty Jannetty, Rhino, Sami Callihan and Mil Mascaras.
    • Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 2/6 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds with Flash Flanagan vs. Timmy Danger in a strap match.
    • There will be the annual National Pro Wrestling Day free show on 2/6 in Reading, PA at the Goodwill Beneficial Association, featuring Kimber Lee vs. Mickie James.
    • NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling no 2/13 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium headlined by Jason Kincaid defending his Southeastern title against Vince Brent.
    • Tommy Dreamer vs. Robbie E headlines for Gold Rush on 4/30 in Timmins, ONT.
    • Acclaim Pro Wrestling on 3/5 in Ottawa, ONT at the Dom Polski Polish Combatants Centre featuring new TNA wrestler Courtney Rush.
    • ECWA on Saturday night in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Woodbury Heights Community Center headlined by Sean Carr vs. Breaker Morant.  Deonna Purrazzo is also wrestling on the show.
    • WAR Wrestling on 1/30 in Lima, OH at the UAW Hall with a wrestling show and a Hall of Famer induction ceremony for Great Wojo, Dr. Jerry Graham Jr., Tarek the Great, Brian Beach, Stamp Lickage, Dexter Dementia and Malcom Monroe.
    • IWF on 4/16 in Nutley, NJ at the Rec Center headlined by Tito Santana and Kevin Knight.
    • Busted Knuckle Pro Wrestling on 2/13 in Niagara Falls, ONT at 6101 North St.
    • Marvelous Puroresu is having a tryout on 2/12 for talent to appear on their show the next day.  They are also looking for talent to work in the U.S. and Japan.  The tryout is at 5 p.m. at the House of Glory school at 564 Woodward Ave., in Ridgewood, NY 1385.  For more info you can e-mail MarvelousPuroresuUSA@@gmail.com  The cost will be $40 and bring an 8×10 photo and wrestling gear.  Referees are also welcome.
    • Latin Thunder talks trainer Scandor Akbar

    ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY:  Daily pro wrestling history (1/21): Crusher/Dick the Bruiser win WWA Tag Team Titles

  • Jim Ross confirms return to announcing for NJPW on AXS

    WWE Hall-of-Famer, longtime broadcaster, and podcast host Jim Ross confirmed Tuesday with Fox Sports that he will be returning to the broadcast booth for the newest NJPW on AXS TV season, starting on Friday, March 4th. 

    Ross replaces Mauro Ranallo, who recently started with WWE and is now the lead voice of Smackdown. Color commentator, past NJPW competitor, and UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett will remain on the team.

    Ross told Fox that he will head to Los Angeles between 8-10 times a year to do his play-by-play for two-day sessions where they will record six shows at a time, beginning with action from Wrestling Dontaku 2015. The duo will also call matches from the 2015 New Japan Cup, Invasion Attack, HINOKUNI, Best of the Super Juniors 22, Dominion 7.5, G1 Climax 25 and more.

    This isn’t Ross’ first time calling NJPW action as he and Matt Striker were the American announce team for Wrestle Kingdom 9 in 2015.

    The longtime voice of RAW with Jerry Lawler, Ross returned to WWE several times over the years for Smackdown, NXT, and spot shows through his “retirement” from the company in 2014. He tried his hand at boxing for Fox Sports One, as well as MMA with the Battlegrounds tournament PPV alongside Chael Sonnen.

  • FREE SHOW! Adam & Mike Show 1/18: Live NXT review, more on the New Japan Four

    Three weeks running, as we get our show mojo back to mid-card level around this place (we see your upwardly-mobile self Tom Lawlor), the original alternate has successfully recorded audio. To celebrate this monumental achievement, we’ve decided to make this show a gratis edition. So, you’re welcome and stuff. And for this, the topics include, but aren’t limited to: Adam’s afternoon NXT experience, anti-Minoru Tanaka building temperatures, Finn as your host for the evening, Baron Von Corbin, Finn as HEEL, drifting brain cells makes remembering stories about drifters hard, bitter old men chase chanting kids off their lawn, the ballad of Tye Dillinger, Akiyama-Suwama, the origin of Bobby Brainkiller (which almost killed the show) and more. It’s the only free radio show that would a bargain at half the price; It’s the Adam and Mike BIG AUDIO NIGHTMARE. Proudly here at F4WOnline.com.

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  • New Japan on AXS Report: New Japan Cup matches, Fale vs. Okada

    We return to New Japan on AXS coverage tonight as we start off with opening matches from the New Japan Cup. These matches took place March 5, 2015 at Korakuen Hall.

    First match up is Doc Gallows taking on Kota Ibushi in the first round of the New Japan cup. Ibushi looked really good here against Gallows. There’s an old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and such as the case here as Ibushi is such a dynamic performer. Might be part of the reason why he’s out indefinitely with herniated discs, but that’s the cost of working this kind of style. He gets the surprise ring with a rana pin.

    Tetsuya Natio and Karl Anderson are up next. Also a good match, and a lot of it aired here. I’ve said it before here, but man did Naito do a total 180 in character, as we’ll be seeing in future episodes. Anderson did a sick powerbomb off the top rope for a nearfall. After a flurry of offense, Naito lays out Anderson and pins him with the stardust press for the win. Very good match towards the end.

    Naito says he doesn’t care who he faces next, bring it on. In an interesting line, he mentions that he knows some people find him annoying he wants to be the best and will let people know it.

    Bad Luck Fale and Kazuchika Okada follows next. The story of this match mostly centers around Okada. Since losing at WrestleKingdom Okada’s been in a bit of a funk, and now has found a new rival in Fale who looks to keep him in that funk for a good while. At this stage of the game it’s obvious Fale needs to be carried to have a really good match, and no one can really have a bad match with Okada (unless you’re 65+) so this was a perfectly alright match. The visual of someone smaller than Okada giving Fale a reverse neckbreaker sure was something. Fale hit the grenade but Okada kicked out. Fale then went to the top rope and squished him with a frog splash but still kicked out. But Fale comes back with the Bad Luck Fall, and that’s where Okada loses.

    Yano said his New Japan Cup match against Tanahashi was a while ago, but remembers he ran a marathon before, with him recalling it was though. He said he and Tanahashi were complete opposites. For example,  he never lies but Tanahashi does all the time. He’s dull and old fashioned while he’s off selling DVDs. Yano doesn’t really care about titles (then why is he competing in New Japan?) but Tanahashi might be the type who cares about a belt. In a way, he’s cursed due to that.

    The match wasn’t much, and lasted under two minutes. In a surprise flash win, Yano pulled Tanahashi’s hair and cradled him. People thought the finish was funny. Hey,

    Yano said it’s time for a new ace and Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new era, and New Japan Pro Wrestling would be reborn. Tanahashi wasn’t happy and said he’d have his revenge.

    Back to the reflective interview. Yano said he’s always wanted to beat Tanahashi. He then plugged his album and his DVD and told everyone to buy a thousand each. If you buy a million of both, it’s only five million for everything!

    Good show. The first two matches were pretty good, and the final was what it was.

  • Adam & Mike Big Audio Nightmare: Nakamura, Bullet Club, NJPW, WWE, Mauro on Smackdown, more~!

    Not wanting to be liars (again), the original alternate has actually kept its word, and recorded a show for the second consecutive week in a row. And while we’re slowly getting our groove back, the world of puroresu has been speeding along on another level. So, naturally, the main topic this week was the situation with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Who can they push? What they can do? Who would you like to see in the 2017 Dome show main? All that stuff, and a little bit of other stuff too. It’s the Adam and Mike BIG AUDIO NIGHTMARE~! proudly here at F4WOnline.com.

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  • Wrestling Weekly: NJPW 4, WWE Injuries, 50/50 Booking 1/8

    Les and Vic cap off a very newsworthy week in the world of wrestling with lots of thoughts about the New Japan 4, the rash of shoulder injuries, and 50/50 booking in WWE.

    After starting off with New Japan, we’ll tackle a couple of issues mentioned in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: the eye opening stats regarding 50/50 booking in WWE during 2015 (23:25) and the proliferation of shoulder injuries within WWE and the strength and conditioning program (28:18).  Les has an interesting take on the injuries and workout regimens given his time a wrestler, wrestling trainer, bodybuilder and certified professional trainer for a number of gym and organizations.  We’ll wrap by emptying the mailbag (49:28). 

    This is a FREE SHOW so please spread the word! There are as many as 20 weekly members-only shows, including at least 3 shows per week featuring Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez. Sign up at wrestlingobserver.com for all of this new audio content, plus over 7,000 archived shows dating back to 2005!  Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

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  • Rocky Romero signs 2 year deal with New Japan

    Rocky Romero, who was among those who has been talked about as leaving New Japan for WWE, has signed a new deal with New Japan.

    Romero had been in talks with  WWE about a job as a “player/coach” in NXT, and told a number of people today he had decided to stay put for at least two more years.

    Romero has been working for New Japan since 2002 as a regular in the junior heavyweight division.

    After Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Shinsuke Nakamura and A.J. Styles all gave notice on Monday, there had been speculation that Romero, Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga could follow suit.

    Romero is mainly part of a tag team, Roppongi Vice, with Trent Baretta, working for both New Japan and Ring of Honor.