Daily Update: Bullet Club, Aries vs. Johnny Impact, Will Ospreay

DAILY UPDATE

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We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s Bound for Glory show from Impact, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re also looking for reports on these weekend shows to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com:

  • ROH from Friday in Baltimore, MD
  • WWE Raw from Saturday night in Binghamton, NY
  • WWE U.K. from today in Plymouth, UK
  • WWE Raw from today in Allentown, PA
  • WWE Smackdown from today in Charlottesville, VA
  • ROH today from Philadelphia (Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Young Bucks vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian for tag titles, Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham & ? vs. The Kingdom, Cody vs. Kenny King, Sumie Sakai & Madison Rayne & Jenny Rose vs. Dr. Britt Baker & Karen Q & Kelly Klein and Jeff Cobb vs. Shane Taylor)

TNA BOUND FOR GLORY AT 8 P.M. EASTERN FROM THE MELROSE BALLROOM IN NEW YORK ON PPV

  • Tessa Blanchard vs. Taya Valkyrie for the Knockouts title
  • Konnan & Lax vs. Homicide & Hernandez & The King in a Concrete Jungle death match with the mats and turnbuckle pads removed
  • Matt Sydal & Ethan Page vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack
  • Eddie Edwards vs. Moose
  • Brian Cage & Fenix & Pentagon Jr. vs. Sami Callihan & OVE in an OVE match
  • Austin Aries vs. Johnny Impact for the Impact World title

Monday has Raw in Philadelphia and a Smackdown house show in Richmond, VA. Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey are scheduled for the show.    

The 1,000th episode of Smackdown takes place on Tuesday in Washington, DC. Announced matches at the show are Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rey Mysterio, plus Mixed Match Challenge with Miz & Asuka vs. Rusev & Lana and Bobby Lashley & Mickie James vs. Bobby Roode & Natalya.  Edge will be there doing a Cutting Edge promo segment and Evolution will reuinite with HHH, Randy Orton, Ric Flair and Dave Bautista. Kane is also scheduled.

NEW JAPAN SUPER JUNIOR TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT STARTS TUESDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Toa Henare & Shota Umino & Ren Narita vs. Ayato Yoshida & Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
  • Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano & Baretta & Chuckie T vs. Jay White & Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Taiji Ishimori & Robbie Eagles vs. Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask
  • Ryusuke Taguchi &ACH vs. Volador Jr. & Soberano Jr.
  • Kushida & Chris Sabin vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado
  • Bushi & Shingo Takagi vs. Sho & Yoh

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Super Show-Down

Going into Super Show-Down in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday, it wasn’t entirely clear whether it would be more of a major stadium show or a glorified live event. There were elements of both on display at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Without even factoring in entrances or the post-match angle, Triple H vs. The Undertaker was nearly 30 minutes long. It was obvious that they were attempting to deliver on the epic “last-time ever” main event that had been promised.

WON NEWSLETTER: October 15, 2018 Observer Newsletter: Highs and lows of UFC 229, plus tons of news

The biggest show in UFC history took place this past week. Look at the economics, the lessons, what it says about the fan base, the promotion and the regulators in how things escalated into the brawl that took place. Examine how Conor McGregor benefited from the brawl, likelihood of a rematch, as well as all the changes in upcoming cards and the making jokes out of the various championships.

There is also the regular coverage of UFC 229 with a look at the matches and poll results.

This issue addresses the next two major WWE shows, Evolution and Crown Jewel. Look at the issues facing WWE and Saudi Arabia, why the issues are so much deeper than women not being allowed to perform, and the return of Shawn Michaels.

Look at the unrest in New Japan and why morale has done a 180 since the G-1, the Tokyo Dome main event, the Power Struggle show, Chris Jericho in New Japan, and Tanahashi vs. Omega,

Read more on Rey Mysterio’s return to WWE, Smackdown 1,000, who is coming to Smackdown 1,000, Kevin Owens injury update, why WWE stock declined so much this past week, notes on potential of ratings on FOX and how that compares to FOX’s usual Friday numbers. 

This issue has more on the life and career of Hiroshi Wajima, a former All Japan headliner who was one of the greatest sumos of all-time. 

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

We’ll be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio talking WWE in Saudi Arabia, Don Leo Jonathan, Bound for Glory, Bellator, New Japan and more, as well as taking your e-mail questions that can be sent to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

We did a special podcast with Garrett Gonzalez and Will Cooling talking not only the U.K. scene when it comes to television, but the politics of the Saudi Arabia show and aspects about the position WWE is in that haven’t been talked about long-term, the latest from New Japan, UFC & Bellator’s new deals, Sky and WWE, Revolution Pro TV tapings, and seeing wXw live in Oberhausen.

As noted earlier today, WWE says that the Saudi Arabia show is on. We’ll have more on this tonight. The Washington Post covered the situation here. (thanks to Chris Cruise)

The Young Bucks, Cody, Hangman Page and Marty Scurll all announced that they will no longer be marketing Bullet Club t-shirts after the end of this year. A lot of people have asked what that means. It was a business decision made, given New Japan owns the Bullet Club name and they are looking at marketing themselves with IP that they will own themselves. It’s not indicative of where they will be in 2019. At King of Pro Wrestling it appeared that the Tama Tonga side will be the one using that name. 

Impact has heavily pushed tonight’s Austin Aries vs. Johnny Impact match. TMZ ended up covering the match on the show based on Aries called Taya “husky.” They also used that to set up a brawl last night between the two during the Abyss Hall of Fame ceremony. Aries in the angle apologized and said that sometimes when you cross the line between reality and fiction that you make mistakes and then was asked about arriving late and said he felt like apologizing until he saw Johnny and Taya on TMZ using the situation to get themselves over. Yes, this is a takeoff. The two started swearing at each other and did a pull-apart but no actual fighting.

Over the weekend, the only combat sports topics that had real mainstream interest were last night’s Fedor Emelianenko vs. Chael Sonnen fight which drew 200,000 searches, and Terrence Crawford, who fought and won on ESPN and also delivered 200,000 searches. Both doubled last week’s WWE show from Australia and would be the level of some WWE B PPV shows and the weaker level UFC PPVs.

Revolution Pro from earlier today in Brixton, UK: Kushida b Kurtis Chapman (Chapman replaced David Starr who had travel issues), Evil & Sanada b Walter & Timothy Thatcher (great match), Tetsuya Naito b Adam Brooks (good match, Naito super over), Great O’Kharn b Rishi, Zack Sabre Jr b Hirooki Goto (great), Satoshi Kojima b Mark Davis (strong), Phantasmo b Rocky Romero (good), Chris Ridgeway b Will Ospreay (phenomenal), Tomohiro Ishii b Minoru Suzuki in 30:00 to win the British title. The reports we got called this a match of the year candidate with Ishii winning with a brainbuster and the finish getting a world title change pop. (thanks to Liam Fitzpatrck)

We are awaiting more info on this but in the Ridgeway vs. Ospreay match, Ospreay had a bad landing, spoke to the ref, got up and hit a superkick, Ridgeway rolled through and got a choke and Osrpeay tapped immediately. Medics came to the ring and helped him to the back. An ambulance was there as well. We don’t know that this wasn’t storyline related but the impression of fans was that it wasn’t.

WWE

  • During Game two of yesterday’s National League, FOX showed a clip of Bob Uecker being choked by Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III. They also showed them together a well as highlights of Uecker’s career. (thanks to Brian Henke)
  • Mauro Ranallo was on Twitter saying he is open to announcing full-time for any MMA promotion in 2019. He was not on either Bellator show this weekend.

UFC

  • Conor McGregor was on the sidelines during the Cowboys game today and shown on television.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • The Crawford win over Jose Benavidez on ESPN did a 1.6 rating out of the 54 markets for the overall show, which is the same as Raw has been doing and better than Smackdown, and UFC and Bellator haven’t hit a number like that in a long time. Crawford retained via 12th round TKO to retain the WBO welterweight title. The main event averaged a 1.8 rating and the co-feature where Shakur Stevenson, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist, beat Viorlet Simion via first round knockout, averaged a 1.3 rating. It was the highest rated boxing telecast of 2018 and best on ESPN since Manny Pacquiao fought in the summer of 2017. The last time Crawford fought on ESPN, his fight averaged a 1.0 in the top 54 markets. The previous ratings high was Lomachebnko vs. Linares in May which averaged a 1.0 for the fight. It was the second best rating for an ESPN boxing series since they got back into boxing. The highest rated markets were Birmingham at 11.9, Norfolk at 5.5, New Orleans at 4.5, Memphis at 3.6 and Kansas City at 3.3.
  • Kendo Nagasaki, the legendary U.K. star, garnered headlines yesterday for coming out as bisexual. This was pretty well known in wrestling. (thanks to Lee Wall)
  • Lots of MLW notes:
    Stokely Hathaway is back and will be managing a top heel and working behind the scenes
    Ace Romero debuts on their show in Chicago
    Rafael Morfii, a promoter who has worked for a number of groups including WWE & TNA, is working with the promotion
    Sammy Guevara will be Rush’s debut opponent
    They will have another special on Bein Sports on 10/26 built around Halloween and the spin the wheel match they taped in New York
    Tommy Dreamer is in as an agent
    Konnan is the head agent and running the locker room.
    They are talking to Bestia 666
    Puma King is now a regular
    Jason Cade will be getting more of a push
    They are scheduling a major event on 2/2
    They have interest in Mance Warner
    They are still working on bringing in Walter, who they’ve wanted for some time.
  • This is a great feature on Ray Tennenbaum’s attempts to do a pro wrestling book in the 80s.
  • Chris Jericho thinks Greta Van Fleet’s success will oppen doors for other hard rock acts. (thanks to Jeff Beecher)
  • Felino & Cavernario & Hechicero vs. Arandu & TJ Boy & Star Boy headlines 10/20 in San Diego at 3020 Coronado Avenue.
  • Appearing on 10/27 in Tijuana at the Auditorio is Mr. Aguila vs. Nicho vs. Pagano vs. Joe Lider vs. Masada, plus El Texano Jr & La Mascara vs. Maximo & Mamba and Daga & Puma King vs. DJZ & Andrew Everett.
  • Walter vs. Cody will headline for World Series Wrestling on 11/25 in Perth, Western Australia.
  • Melbourne City Wresting is running an all-women’s show on 11/25 in Melbourne at Evie’s Disco Diner.
  • AWS announced that Christina Von Eerie is injured. Prisciila Kelly,who was to face Von Eerie will now face Heather Monroe on their 10/20 show. They also announced Ray Rosas is off the show.
  • Dak Draper, the former NWL champion, who wrestled in NXT as Travis Tyler, debuted in a dark match at ROH Glory by Honor in Baltimore on Friday and has been training at the ROH Dojo. He was formerly under a WWE contract a few years ago.
  • Riot City Wrestling from last night in Adelaide, Australia: Brodie Marshall & Grim b Bulldog McKenzie & Marvel, Jeff Armstrong b Sadakone, Cadie Trie b Matty Wahlberg, Blair Alexis b Miss Fortune, The Parea b Millenials to keep the tag titles, Rocky Menero b Tyler Daniels-DQ, Adam Brooks b Garvin McGavin to keep the Intercommonwealth title, Adam Brooks won Riot City Rumble. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • NHPW on 10/27 in Perth, Western Australia with Saraya Knight appearing.
  • AAW from Friday night in Austin before 350 fans: Laredo Kid b Jason Cade, Curt Stallion won three-way over Paco and Stephen Wolf, Mat Fitchett & Davey Vega b Aaron Solow & Ricky Starks, Trevor Lee b Rich Swann to keep the Heritage title, Myron Reed & AR Fox b Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz, Andy Dalton won six-way over Ryan Davidson, Fuego del Sol, Barrett Brown, Kody Lane and J Serious,Kylie Rae b Thunder Rosa, Brody King & Jimmy Jacobs b Darby Allin & Sami Callihan, ACH b Eddie Kingston. ACH’s mother was at the show and she slapped Kingston in the face.
  • Best in the West on 11/4 has a live TV taping in Downtown Fresno, CA at the Bitwise Hive with Chris Bey vs. Brody King for the Best in the West title and Funnybone vs. Tyler Bateman. The show is at 6 p.m.
  • Stardom on Saturday from Shinkiba in Tokyo: Hina b Rina, Hana Kimura b Starlight Kid, Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima b Leo Onozaki & Hanan, Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita b Kaori Yoneyama & Ruaka, Natsu Sumire & Session Moth Martina b AZM & Konami, Kagetsu & Hazuki b Tam Nakano & Shiki Shibusawa, Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora d Bea Priestley & Chardonnay over 15:00. The last five matches were part of their tag team tournament. Hina and Rina are the twin younger sisters of Hanan.
  • Stardom from today in Tokyo at Shinkiba: Rina b Hina, Natsu Sumire & Session Moth Martina b Starlight Kid & Hanan, Natsuko Tora &Ruaka b Jungle Kyona & Leo Onozaki, Konami & AZM b Tam Nakano & Shiki Shibusawa, Hazuki & Kagetsu b Bea Priestley & Chardonnay, Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima b Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita. All the tag team matches were part of the tournament. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • Eli Everfly & Delilah Doom vs. Joey Ryan & Keira Hogan (forming the tag team of Booty Call) have been added to the 10/17 Breastlemania Bar Wrestling show. The show will be a fund raiser for breast cancer research.
  • David Arquette pulled out of the Rise show this coming weekend in Berwyn, IL. He didn’t give a reason but he did release s short video announcement. He said that his partner, RJ City, would be on the show doing a talk show. The show had been built around Arquette more than anything. The main event is Tessa Blanchard vs. Mercedes Martinez in an Iron woman match.
  • Combat Zone Wrestling from last night in Voorhees, NJ: MJF b David Starr, John Silver b Drago, Mitch Vallen b Conor Claxton, Gary Jay b Jake Parnell, Joe Gacy NC DeSeanPratt, Ruckus & Blk Jeez & Rob Zaccardi NC YDNB, Jordan Oliver b Eddie Blackwater to win the Wired championship, RSP b Mance Warner. Next show is 11/10 at the Colossal Sports Academy at the Coliseum. They also run 12/9 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia for the 20th annual cage of death show. (thanks to Bob Magee)
  • XICW from last night in Detroit at the Cobo Center: James Ellsworth b Willie Watts, El Ridiculoso won over Travis Titan, Jack  Price, Stills Kyle Maverick and Ashton Waganda to win the lightweight title, Mercedes Martinez b Heidi Katrina, Michael Elgin won Battle Royal to win the U.S. title, Jaimy Coxxx b Jimmy Jacobs to win the Midwest title, Dre Jacobs b Simon Grimm to win the Intense title, Michael Elgin NC Kongo Kong to keep the U.S. title, Gavin Quinn & Juntai won three-way over Homicide & Hernandez and Dave & Jake Crist, DBA b Malcolm Monroe III in a cage match. (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • Former woman pro wrestler Magnificent Mimi Lessos who is now a stunt woman was profiled on NPR. (thanks to George Maranville)
  • Some notes on former NHL star Joe Murphy, who won a Stanley Cup with Wayne Gretzky in 1990, and who also played for San Jose: He’s now homeless, with severe post-concussion syndrome, mental illness, etc. It should be noted that Murphy was not a fighter. He was a scorer and playmaker but a little undersized at 6 ft 1, 201 lbs. He probably was hit a lot over the course of making plays. I remember him as a guy who had moments of glory but never really lived up to his potential at a #1 overall draft pick. (thanks to Tim and Paul Fontaine)

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Sting wins TNA World title at Bound for Glory 2007

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