Daily Update: Alberto Del Rio pulls out of show, Jones-Cormier on twitter

We’re looking for reports on these three weekend shows at Dave Meltzer

*NXT Friday night in Gainesville, FL

*WWE last night in Billings, MT

*WWE today in Casper, WY.

Ultimate Insider with Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Henry Cejudo and Luke Rockhold on Sunday at 5 p.m. Eastern on FS 1

One on One with Joanna Jedrzejczyk Monday night at 7:30 p.m. on FS 1. Fox sent out a screener of this yesterday and it’s very good. UFC is doing an excellent job trying to push her as a star.

A best of middleweights edition of UFC Unleashed featuring Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero and Jacare Souza airs 9 p.m. Monday night on FS 1

UFC 187, with the Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson and Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort fights, will air on Tuesday at 8 p.m. on FS 1****

Raw is Monday in Denver.  Nobody special is advertised, but as noted, Alberto Del Rio is scheduled for television both Monday and Tuesday for WWE.

Smackdown will be taped Tuesday in Colorado Springs.

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Figure Four Weekly:

Figure Four Weekly (10/26/15): Analyzing some the favorites for the Hall of Fame
A look at some of the favorites to get into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame this year including Brock Lesnar, Carlos Colon, & more.

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Check out the latest issue:  Wrestling Observer Newsletter October 26, 2015: Raw ratings woes continue, More Eric Bischoff notes

The lead story is how the Alberto Del Rio deal went down, with full details, including financials that even blew away those in WWE and those who used to negotiate these deals.  We look at how in demand he was, including by organizations you wouldn’t even know, an angle he shot for MMA that was kept secret and will never probably see the light of day on television, and how this affects AAA, where he is their world champion.

We look at the ramifications of this on WWE, AAA, how the deal was put together, how he positioned it to AAA, how AAA has taken a huge talent hit, when the deal was really put together, how Del Rio was scheduled to main event AAA’s next major show against what top U.S. star in a hair match, and his dates advertised in Mexico.  We look at other promotions that wanted him, Konnan talking about how the Myzteziz and Del Rio situation affects AAA, the Zeb Colter deal, how Lucha Underground and Del Rio fell apart as well as his huge money MMA offer just recently.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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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.

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Alberto Del Rio remains in the news as the big story today.  Promociones Kdena had Alberto El Patron scheduled as the top star on a show at Arena Jose Suliaman today.  This was not a AAA show, although they booked talent through AAA, and was considered a significant show.  He pulled out of the show, and it was announced yesterday that the entire show is being postponed.  What’s notable is that unlike tomorrow’s AAA show in Nuevo Laredo, which goes head-up with Raw in Denver, there doesn’t appear to have been any schedule conflict.  WWE only has one show today, in Casper, WY, and Alberto is not scheduled, and he didn’t work last night’s show in Billings, MT, which was the same crew as Casper.
  • Here’s your Wrestlemania seating chart.
  • St. Louis Rams punter Johnny Hekker dressed up as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin for Halloween.
  • Bret Hart sold his Hawaii home for $705,000.
  • A story on the best drawing feuds in history

UFC/MMA

  • Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier are building their upcoming fight on Twitter.

Jones wrote:  “Too pussy to fight at the Garden but flies all the way to Albuquerque to prove he’s a man.  You on you way pussy?”

Cormier responded:  “I’m gonna be there but I need you to make it to the Octagon.   We don’t wanna violate parole now do we?”

  • UFC announced that its 11/28 show from Seoul, South Korea would be starting at 4:45 a.m. Eastern time and it expected to end at around 10 a.m.  The show will air on Fight Pass and for those of us on the West Coast that’s 1:45 a.m. to 7 a.m.  Benson Henderson vs. Thiago Alves and Mirko Cro Cop vs. Anthony Hamilton are the top two bouts.
  • Former UFC fighter Chris Horodecki will be appearing for Smash Wrestling on 11/22 at 5 p.m. in London, ONT, Horodecki’s home city, at Cowboy’s ranch.  Johnny Gargano, Jennifer Blake and Candice LaRae are also on the show.

Other Wrestling

  • Bill Apter talks about his wrestling memoir.
  • Bill Goldberg is in a new movie called Checkpoint. Here’s the trailer.
  • ROH announced January dates in Indianapolis, IN, for 1/15, Collinsville, IL, for 1/16, and Fletcher, NC, for 1/22 as part of their Winter Warriors tour.
  • Bushwhacker Luke takes on Preston Perry for Great North Wrestling in Rockland, Ontario, on 11/27.
  • Johnny Gargano vs. Sebastian Suave headlines Smash Wrestling’s London debut on 11/22.
  • In an interview about Halloween movies, John Carpenter talked about Roddy Piper and ‘They Live’, noting the “all out of bubblegum” line was Piper’s.
  • Cody Deaner and Hayley Shadows will be on the 11/21 Magnificent Wrestling show in Brantford, ONT.
  • United States Championship Wrestling tv taping in Jacksonville, FL, Friday: Christian Walker b Big Bank Barfield, Mighty Heinrich b Chico Adams, Pain b Chico Adams, JD Amazing b Spirit Kid to retain Southern Heavyweight title.
  • Jerry Jarrett wrote on Facebook yesterday that he was getting back into wrestling.  He wrote:  “I once stated that I would get back into the wrestling business when hell froze over.  I’m feeling a little chill in the air.  it is a bit early to announce the plan, but the contracts are with the attorneys.  If you wish for wrestling like it was, you will have a chance to tune in.”
  • Akebono beat Jun Akiyama to win the Triple Crown earlier today in Aomori.
  • In the Super Junior tag team tournament semifinals at Korakuen Hall today, Ricochet & Matt Sydal beat The Young Bucks and Rocky Romero & Baretta beat Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly (the tag champs in a non-title match).  The finals on 11/7 in Osaka at the Edion Arena are Ricochet & Sydal vs. Romero & Baretta.  The winners will get a jr. tag title match.
  • Preston City Wrestling from Preston, England drew 500 for the afternoon show:

Rampage Brown b Martin Kirby

Lionheart b Ashton Smith

Sha Samuels b Charlie Garrett

Naom Dar b T-Bone

Bubblegum b Trevor Lee

Gauntlet match:

Martin Kirby & Joey Hayes b Dave Rayne & ?

Lionheart & Noam Dar b Martin Kirby & Joey Hayes

Magnus & Bram b Lionheart & Noam Dar

Ashton Smith & Charlie Garrett b Magnus & Bram

Rhino b Rampage Brown

They drew 700 for the evening show:

Nigel McGuinness did commentary for Halloween dressed up as Tom Cruise in “Risky Business.”

Joey Hayes & Martin Kirby b Dave Rayne & Scotty 2 Hotty.  Hayes, who was injured, was replaced by a guy in a clown suit who after the match was revealed as Bram, but was announced as Hayes)

Rhino b Iestyn Rees (Rees dressed as a Freddy Mercury and/or Rick Rude.  Well, he was supposed to be Rude but the crowd thought he was Mercury and for several minutes started singing Bohemian Rhapsody)

Viper & Ken Anderson b Magnus & Mickie James (Anderson & Viper dressed up as Mario & Princess Peach from Super Mario)

T-Bone & Rampage Brown b Charlie Garrett & Ashton Smith to retain the tag titles

El Ligero b Noam Dar and Bubblegum to win the cruiserweight title

Sha Samuels b Lionheart in an I Quit match

Jeff Jarrett b Dave Rayne.  Jeff was managed by Karen. Rayne was managed by Ricky Steamboat

(thanks to Jan Buxton and Stephen Lyon)

After the match, Steamboat started throwing chops and clotheslined Jarrett, which would be the first time he did anything physical since 2010 when he had bleeding on the brain.   

  • Preston City Wrestling and ROH are doing combination shows from 11/27 to 11/29.  
  • All Pro Wrestling Holiday Hell from Friday night in Daly City, CA:  Julio Pedroza & Matt Carlos co-won Battle Royal, Classic Connection b Julio Pedroza & Matt Carlos to retain APW tag title, Ryan McQueen b Mr. Prime Time, Jody Kristofferson b Almighty Sheik, Jeff Cobb b Gangrel, Thunder Rosa b Nicole Savoy to keep Lady Luck title, Will Cuevas b Boyce LeGrande to retain Internet Boot Camp title, JR Kratos b Jeckles-DQ to retain APW title, MVP b Timothy Thatcher via submission to the crossface.  MVP put Thatcher over after the match (thanks to Matt Mann)
  • IWF Thanksgiving Thunder on 11/6, 11/14 and 11/21 at the IWF Centre in Nutley, NJ.
  • United States Championship Wrestling from Friday night in Jacksonville, FL:  Christian Walker b Big Bank Barfield, Mighty Heinreich b Chico Adams, Pain b Chico Adams, JD Amazing b Spirit Kid. (thanks to Al Haft)
  • Lucha Extreme TV results from last night in Fresno:  Big Dogg b Prince Nagi, Jake O’Brian b Danny Fernandez, Manny Fernandez (the 80s tar) b Brandon Pinion.  They have a 3 p.m. show today at the Rainbow Ballroom in Fresno.  (thanks to Jon Southerland)
  • Update on Toys for Tots holiday shows and thanks to Bob Magee

Here is the list of holiday wrestling shows benefiting Toys for Tots, food pantries, and other causes, with shows being added to the list all the time. (Special thanks to 2300 Arena.com for the plugs).

November

* Hoosier Pro Wrestling will hold the annual Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund Toy Drive show at the HPW Arena/ 4-H Fairgrounds on November 7, featuring Wildfire Tommy Rich. Toys can be donated beginning at the October 3 HPW show.

* Ring Wars Carolina presents “Homecoming 2015” on November 7 at the Priscilla King Arena, 612 2nd Street,  Lumberton, NC. Doors open 6:00 pm/7:30 pm bell time. Featured matches: (C) Kris Nemesis defends his RWC World Heavyweight Championship against Hangtyme; and (C) Chance Lebeau defends his belt in a RWC No Limitz Challenge.  Bring 2 canned goods and get $2 off the price of an adult ticket!

* Chaotic Wrestling will do one of its two annual Toys for Tots shows, first on November 13 in Woburn, MA at the Elks Lodge, 295 Washington Street, Woburn, MA.

* Ring Wars Carolina presents “Homecoming 2015” on November 7 (7:30 pm belltime) at the Priscilla King Arena, 612 2nd street, Lumberton, NC. Bring 2 canned goods and get $2 off the price of an adult ticket.

* Atomic Championship Wrestling returns to Stevens Fire Hall (91 Stevens Road, Stevens, PA) on November 7 with a food and clothing drive, with donations going to Ephrata (PA) Area Social Services.

* Primal Conflict Wrestling presents “A Night To Remember IX”  on November 13 (VIP Meet & Greet  6:00 pm/6:30 doors open/7:30 belltime at Harpers Ferry KOA, 343 Campground Road , Harpers Ferry, WV. A holiday food drive will take place at the show.

* World League Wrestling is hosting the last live event for 2015 at the Race Wrestling Arena on November 14th in Troy! This will be another great event that will have top-notch professional wrestling action. The main event will feature WLW Champion Leland Race defending his championship against an unknown challenger. In addition to this, there will be a HUGE blockbuster announcement that night! You won’t want to miss this event as it will bring a lot of new things to this company.

Also on tap for November 14th, WLW Ladies Champion Miss Natural will defend her title against Stacey O’Brien in a special stipulation match-up. Other wrestlers scheduled to appear are WLW Tag-Team Champions Elite Aggression, Kyle Roberts, Dustin Bozworth, Justin D’Air, and more!

Another huge reason to attend this event is the fact that you can win a FREE 32″ TV! WLW is helping out the Bread For Life Food Pantry in Troy that evening. Here are the details on how to win, for every 5 canned food items that you bring, you will get 1 raffle ticket. You can bring more items and get more chances to win! Items that the food pantry are needing include (but not limited to) pork and beans, ramen noodles, canned vegetables, cereals, and pasta. You can also purchase raffle tickets at $5 per ticket. Doors will open at 6pm and the event will kick off promptly at 7pm. Tickets are $10 per person.

* Wrestling for a Cause will run The Fight for Matthew on November 14 at the Owasso Sertoma Club, Owasso, OK (7:00 pm belltime) . 100% of the show’s proceeds go to the family of a child with cancer.

* Mecca Pro Wrestling comes to Cornwall, ON on November 24 in a benefit for Open Hands, a local residential centre designed specifically to help fulfill the needs of developmentally disabled adults and children. 100% of all ticket sales will benefit Open Hands. The show features Tommy Dreamer and Al Snow and the regulars of Mecca Pro Wrestling.

* Ultimate Championship Wrestling holds a benefit show on November 27 at the Prime Event Center in Bay City, MI to benefit the daughter of local wrestler Pete Christie. Cassidy is fighting cancer and they are doing what we can to help the family. Many of the Michigan independent wrestlers from many promotions have agreed to donate their time for this special event. Former WWE stars Brian Christopher and Scotty Too Hotty team for the first time in Bay City. Also signed to appear is ECW legend Sabu.

* TRUE Wrestling Presents: ‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas on Saturday November 28th, 2015 at the Salvation Army, 320 West Second Street, Berwick, PA. Doors open  6:00 pm (7:00 pmbelltime).

Scheduled to appear: Kras Van Tassel, Mark Maverick, Aaron Anthony, The Cash Masters, Tony Deppen, Aaron Arbo, and more. General Admission  $10 advance/$12. Fans can save $5 off and receive a door price when you donate an unopened toy valued at $5 or more.

December

* The originator of Toys for Toys events in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region, United Wrestling Coalition, will be doing the same on December 5 at Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ

* 2300 (ECW) Arena presents a Toys for Tots collection at the CHIKARA Pro Wrestling season finale at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 5 with a 7:30 pm belltime.

* ECWA Pro Wrestling will hold its annual Toys for Tots show on December 5 at the Woodbury Heights Community Center, Woodbury, NJ

* Right Coast Pro returns to Newark, DE, at the Life Community Church, Otts Chapel Road, on December 5 show and will hold a food collection for the “Feed the Need Ministry” in Newark, DE at their monthly show.

* Atomic Championship Wrestling returns to Stevens Fire Hall (91 Stevens Road, Stevens, PA) on December 5 with a Toys for Tots collection.

* Crossfire Wrestling presents Jingle Bell Brawl IV on December 5th at The Merritton Community Centre 7 Park Avenue, St.Catharines, ON, benefiting The Niagara Children’s Centre Foundation with Former TNA Superstar Cody Deaner vs Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion “Showtime” Eric Young!  General Admission tickets are available. Call the hotline at 905-329-2693 or go to http:// www.crossfirewrestling.com

* Combat Zone Wrestling presents its annual Toys for Tots collection (in conjunction with the Marine Corps Reserve) to take place for the eleventh year in a row with Combat Zone Wrestling’s 17th annual Cage of Death on December 12 at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ.

* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s Final Battle PPV on December 18 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 18 with an 8:30 pmbelltime.

* 2300 (ECW) Arena and Ring of Honor present a Toys for Tots collection at Ring of Honor’s TV taping on December 19 at the 2300 (ECW) Arena on December 18 with an 6:00 pm belltime.

* Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling will hold Wrestling With Hunger in at the Elks Hall #49 ,2272 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam, BC on December 19 (8:00 pm belltime/ 7:30 doors open) to support Share Family Services Food Bank. All seats ONLY $16

*  Wrestling for a Cause will run The Fight for Haylie on December 12 in Pryor, OK (7:00 pm belltime) . 100% of the show’s go to the family of a child with cancer.  

* Brew City Wrestling will run its annual Headlock for Hunger on December 11 at the Knight of Columbus Hall in West Allis, WI. The show features a food drive for the Hunger Task Force of Greater Milwaukee. Fans are asked to bring two non-perishable food items.

* Chaotic Wrestling will do its second Toys for Tots show of the year on December 11th at the Woburn, MA at the Elks Lodge, 295 Washington St, Woburn, MA.

* Keystone Championship Wrestling will hold its yearly Toys for Tots show, tentatively scheduled for December 19.

* Great Canadian Wrestling presents Season’s Beatings ’15 on December 27 at Harmony Creek Community Hall, 15 Harmony Rd. N, Oshawa Ontario. This is the annual Christmas show for local food bank. Fans are asked to bring donations for Harmony Creek food bank. No matches yet announced.

Between all of these over the years, thousands of children have been able to have a Christmas or Hanukkah. Please help your local independent promotion do the same, or encourage them to schedule an event soon for the Holidays if they haven’t already.

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

1968 – Great Kusatsu & Thunder Sugiyama beat Emile & Sheik Elmanso in Sapporo to win the TWWA European tag team title

1974 – George Guliovas won the Austra Asian heavyweight title in a tag team match where he and Mario Milano beat champion Cyclone Negro & Lorenzo Parente with the singles title at stake, while Ken Medlin beat Alan Pinfold on the show to win the WCW Australian light heavyweight title

1981 – Dory Funk Jr. beat Bruiser Brody to win the International title in Tokyo  

1984 – Danny Collins beat Steve Grey in Croydon to win the British welterweight title

1992 – El Texano (father of the current AAA star) beat Villano V in Naucalpan to win the UWA light heavyweight title

1996 – Shinya Hashimoto & Scott Norton  beat Keiji Muto & Rick Steiner in Hiroshima to win the Super Grade tag team tournament

2009 – Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi to win the G-1 tag team tournament