Daily Update: CM Punk, Mark Nulty passes, Colt Cabana mini series

We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s New Beginnings in Osaka so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer

We’re also looking for reports on the NXT house show tonight in Jacksonville at Dave Meltzer

SMACKDOWN TONIGHT ON THE USA NETWORK AT 8 P.M.

A.J. Styles & Chris Jericho vs. Curtis Axel & Adam Rose

Sasha Banks vs. Naomi

Sin Cara & Kalisto & Neville vs. The Ascension & Stardust

A.J. Styles vs. Chris Jericho

The show also features a lot of highlights from the Daniel Bryan retirement from Raw.

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Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly 2/1/2016: Weekly Hogan/Gawker update
A look at the past weeks developments in the Hulk Hogan and Gawker lawsuit.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: February 15, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Daniel Bryan retires

The newest issue of the Wrestling Observer is one of the best of the year.  A very detailed look at the end of Bryan Danielson’s career and retirement. Looking back at sports, pro wrestling and the ramifications that are and are not being talked about.  Danielson’s retirement is a big story, both his short and long term impact on pro wrestling.  How his story will act as a catalyst for change not only within pro wrestling but all contact sports.  If you are a wrestling fan, a sports fan or a science fan, this may be the most important issue of the year.

Bryan Danielson’s retirement speech, career highlights, home town, character both in and out of the ring, booking, the crazy way he ended up as champion for the first time, the birth of the “Yes” chant, the build to WrestleMania 30 & 31, the various exams, why he wanted to continue wrestling and WWE didn’t, his goals outside of WWE and why he changed his mind in the last few weeks.

The quandary he was in about continuing his career, how his career began, the formation of ROH and the changing landscape of independent wrestling, the changing ideas of what a pro wrestling headliner can look like, the first time I ever saw him wrestle while sitting with Red Bastien and Nick Bockwinkel

The suspension of Titus O’Neil, a longtime WWE star talking about going into another sport, another star looking at retiring soon, lots of WrestleMania plans including an early summer major match, Steve Austin’s WrestleMania status, update on promotion of Stephanie McMahon, star who may be interested in returning, Fast Lane, A.J. Styles talks his beginnings in WWE and how hard he tried to hide the Royal Rumble story, how DDP figured in Styles’ return, Linda McMahon forms a new company, Roman Reigns in Raw main events, WWE cuts five in developmental, new WWE books. New announcer hired, Update on many Tough Enough competitors from the past season, plans for a WWE show taped this summer, international star WWE has interest in, as well as a look at all the weekend house shows from WWE & NXT with business notes.

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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

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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: Jan 4, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Starcade review, Jaguar Yakota retires, more
A look at how promotions did in 1998 overall, a review of Starcade with Nash pinning Goldberg, Jaguar Yakota retires, plus tons more.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

C.M. Punk had successful back surgery yesterday and should be back training in four to six weeks after a herniated disc in his lower back. 

John Cena’s new TV show, “American Grit,” will debut on the FOX Network on 4/14.  The bad news is it’s slated for 9 p.m., meaning it goes head-to-head with Smackdown. 

Colt Cabana is starting a three part mini series called Colt Cabana’s Pro Wrestling Fringe, covering stories on pro wrestling.  The first episode features Cabana and Rob Naylor talking about Jorge “Giant” Gonzalez, the second has David Bixenspan and Cabana talking about Sputnik Monroe’s desegregating sports in Memphis through wrestling, and the third has me talking about Tom Magee, the guy who was supposed to replace Hulk Hogan as WWF champion, but in fact, barely made it to television.

The ROH/New Japan cards for 2/19 and 2/20 at Korakuen Hall, which will include a few title matches, will be announced on Saturday.

Wrestlecon has announced for 4/2 in Dallas a ten man tag match with teams captained by Joey Ryan and Jeff Jarrett, plus Matt Hardy vs. Lance Storm and Will Ospreay vs. Marty Scurll.  A ridiculous amount of talent will be appearing including Matt Hardy, Jake Roberts, Jim Duggan, James Storm, DDP, Vince Russo, Great Muta, Shawn Michaels, Ivan Putski, Bobby Heenan, Road Warrior Animal, Tito Santana, Gene Okerlund, Kevin Nash, Greg Valentine Scott Hall, Tully Blanchard, Shane Douglas, Tommy Dreamer, Lex Luger, Scott Steiner, Eddie Edwards, Davey Richards, Abyss, Trevor Lee, Mickie James, Billy Gunn, Marty Jannetty, Bart Gunn, Bob Holly, Honky Tonk Man, Kevin Kelly, Brian Lawler Savio Vega, Rick Steiner, Magnus, Missy Hyatt, Scott Norton, Kevin Sullivan, Sami Callihan, Ricochet, Brian Cage, and more.

Ken Shamrock vs. Royce Gracie and Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000  Bellator on 2/19 preview is on 11 p.m. tomorrow night on Spike.  Another show, called “Unrivaled:  Royce Gracie,” will air on Monday night after Raw on Spike at 11 p.m.

John LaRocca wrote this about the passing of Mark Nulty, which is covered on the front page:

Hearing of Mark Nulty’s passing today really hit me hard, and I have never met the man personally.  I have been a member of the www.wrestlingclasssics.com message board for a number of years now.  I discovered it from reading the Wrestling Observer News Letter as being a place were not only a lot former wrestlers and educated fans talked about the wrestling business.   For years I stayed away from message boards talking about pro wrestling because it was all just trash talking each other. 

Wrestling Classics was a message board were you could have a nice conversations educated wrestling fans on various topics from matches, angles from the past to current happenings in pro wrestling.   One thing that I really admired Mark Nulty for was even at times things would start to get heated, Nulty would put out that flame quickly by reminding everyone this board everyone can post their opinion.   Nulty’s knowledge of happenings in the Texas territory was always a joy to read and I always looked forward to see his responses on posts. 

Thank you Mark for all you done in the wrestling business and creating a great website were educated, classy fans can talk about this crazy sport we love, pro wrestling

WWE

  • They were shooting a bunch of stuff, for potential release on the network or on DVD, regarding Daniel Bryan on Monday in Seattle.  
  • Daniel Bryan appeared this morning on Good Morning America.
  • Nigel McGuinness wrote a story on Bryan Danielson’s retirement
  • Tickets for Monday’s Raw in Anaheim have been going really fast.  The sales picked up as soon as A.J. Styles was announced believe it or not.  Raw hasn’t sold out yet this year but this one looks to sell out by the weekend. 
  • After the earnings call this morning, the stock dropped 81 cents per share to close at $14.94, the lowest in a long time. 
  • A special show on the very first WrestleMania in 1985 will air at 10:30 p.m. Eastern tomorrow night on the MSG Network.  Among those interviewed were Vince McMahon, Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan.  Hogan’s quotes were a nice work of fiction saying that when he went in the ring, he was afraid Piper and Paul Orndorff would break Mr. T’s leg.
  • Steve Austin will be doing a live podcast after Raw on Monday night with Big Show.  
  • Tickets go on sale on 2/20 for a 4/11 Raw taping at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
  • WWE will be producing a DVD called “Life on the Razor’s Edge:  The Scott Hall Story” that comes out in July.

UFC/MMA

  • UFC Fight Pass announced a deal with Glory kickboxing where they will air monthly Glory events live starting with the 2/26 show in Chicago headlined by Joe Schilling vs. Mike Lemaire.  The Glory deal also gives Fight Pass access to more than 2,000 hours of kickboxing footage, including the complete K-1 library of more than 100 events.  They will also be airing Eddie Bravo Invitational Jiu Jitsu, with the first live BJJ show in April, and they expect five or six shows this year.
  • Added to the 3/20 UFC in Brisbane, Australia are Rin Nakai vs. Leslie Smith and Ben Nguyen vs. Justin Scogggins.
  • Rafael Natal vs Robert Whittaker has been added to the 4/23 UFC PPV in Las Vegas.
  • Bellator also announced the signing of Brazilian women Brauna Ellen (2-0) of Sao Paulo, Bruna Vargas (2-0 of Porto Alegre) and Kenya Miranda of Belo Horizonte.
  • Jason “Mayhem” Miller was reportedly arrested for a DUI this weekend.  Because of Miller’s past issues when being arrested, when police got the tip that Miller was driving erratically, they sent 15 police and a K-9 unit after him.  He was arrested on a suspicion of a DUI charge and taken to jail.  Miller didn’t get violent, past getting mouthy with officers according to a report on TMZ.
  • Kendall Grove vs. Francisco “Kiko” France has been added to the 2/26 Bellator show in Mulvane, KS, which is headlined by Marcos Galvao defending the bantamweight title against former champion Eduardo Dantas. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • New IWGP jr. tag champs Ricochet & Matt Sydal are available for bookings at www.sbibookings.com  Sydal is based in Tampa and Ricochet in Orlando.  Tessa Blanchard who is based in Charlotte is also available. 
  • Chuck Marlowe, the television voice of Indiana basketball in the 60s, 70s and 80s, as well as host of Big Time Championship Wrestling in the 60s passed away this week at the age of 86.  Marlowe is in the Indiana Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
  • Here’s a link to a short local TV news video on the Preston City Wrestling shows from last weekend, featuring brief comments from Billy Gunn, Ken Anderson and PCW owner, Steven Fludder
  • Zack Sabre Jr. discusses Triple H, Finn Balor, possible future in the WWE
  • The second Lucha Underground comic book
  • Maryland Championship Wrestling on Saturday night in Joppa, MD featuring Matt & Jeff Hardy.  King McBride vs Matt Hardy, with Jeff in his corner, headlines the show.
  • Louis Mucciolo, better known as Louie Spicolli, would have turned 45 yesterday.
  • Combat Zone Wrestling has a live iPPV on Saturday night from Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ.  The show is headlined by Matt Tremont vs. Devon Moore in a ladder match, Lio Rush vs. Joey Janela in a 2/3 fall match, BLK Jeez & Pepper Parks vs. Team Tremendous and Speedball Mike Bailey vs. Sami Callihan.  There is also a 4 p.m Womens Superstars Uncensored show with Jessicka Havok vs. LuFisto, Leva Bates vs. Hania and more.
  • IWA East Coast on 2/27 in Nitro WV headlined by Matt Tremont vs. Viper for the CZW title.
  • Robbie E has been announced for the ECWA Super 8 tournament on 4/23 in Woodbury Heights, NJ.
  • NWAClassics.com, the streaming home of the Houston Wrestling tape library, uploaded a mixed tag from 1980 with Vickie Williams & Billy the Kid vs. Irma Gonzalez (a legend in Mexico) & Little Lone Eagle.
  • House of Hardcore on 4/15 in Queens, NY at the Elmcor Center has Billy Gunn, Sami Callihan, Brian Cage, Rhino, Eddie Kingston, Brian Myers, Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith  Jr., Thea Trinidad, Chris Hero, Colt Cabana, Pepper Parks, Cherry bomb and Tommy Dreamer.  4/16 in Philadelphia has Gunn, Cage, Rhino, Callihan,, Kingston, Archer, Smith Jr., Trinidad, Jade, Cabana, Parks, Hero and Dreamer.  5/7 in Niagara Falls, ONT at the Scotiabank Centre has Bobby Roode, Rhino, Dreamer, Cabana, Parks, and RJ City.
  • Tickets for the ROH/New Japan shows in May are on sale for 5/14 New York at Terminal 5 for ROH ringside members.  Tickets go on sale to the public tomorrow at 10 a.m. Eastern.for 5/11 in Toronto.
  • A benefit show is being put on for Pato Soria, the father of Shocker on 2/27 in Mexico City, with family vs. family on top with Rush & Dragon Lee & Mistico (all brothers) vs. La Mascara & Robin & Maximo.
  • ACH, Matt Cross and Ray Rowe appear for Chilanga Mask on 3/20 in Coacalco, Mexico.
  • Gilbert Smith replaces Michael Page on the 3/4 Bellator show in Thackerville, OK headlined by Joe Warren vs. Darion Caldwell.
  • Premier Wrestling on 3/6 in Gilroy, CA at the IFDES Lodge Portuguese Hall at 5 p.m. with JR Kratos (9-2-1) defending his title against Joe Graves (4-1-1), Raze (2-2) defending the women’s athlete title against Nicole Savoy (3-2), plus Jeff Cobb, and a match of MMA fighters with Shayna Baszler facing Colleen Schneider in Schneider’s pro wrestling debut.  You can get $5 off all tickets at www.premierwrestle.com
  • Atlantis & Delta vs. Euforia & Ultimo Guerrero headline 2/25 at the Coliseum in Laredo, TX.
  • Rush headlines on 3/19 in Phoenix at the ASU Academy Elementary Gym.
  • UIPW on 2/27 in Montebello, CA at the Grace Baptist Academy with Steve Pain & Machiko vs. Teddy Hart & Datura.

ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY: AJ Styles wins the IWGP Title; Dory Funk Jr wins NWA Title