Daily Update: Conor McGregor, UFC 218, NJPW Tag League

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO 

We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 218, 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 today’s WWE shows in Anaheim at the Honda Center at Arena Monterrey and Revolution Pro in London at newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

WWE Raw is in Anaheim at the Honda Center and Smackdown at Arena Monterrey in Mexico.

NEW JAPAN TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT IN KOCHI ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Juice Robinson & Sami Callihan vs. Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Evil & Sanada

Raw will be Monday night from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. There will be a tag title match with Cesaro & Sheamus defending against Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose, as well as a four-way with Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali vs. Drew Gulak vs. Tony Nese with the winner facing Rich Swann on 12/11 for a title shot at Enzo Amore. 

NEW JAPAN TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT TUESDAY IN OITA ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Baretta & Chucky T
  • Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa

Tuesday has two WWE show in San Diego. There will be the joint-branded Tribute to the Troops taping at the Naval Base at 10 a.m., followed by the Smackdown / 205 Live show from the Valley View Casino Arena.

NEW JAPAN TAG TAM TOURNAMENT WEDNESDAY IN NAGASAKI ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Hangman Page & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY:Figure Four Weekly 11/27/2017: Four who should be next on the WWE main roster

When WWE decides to call up wrestlers from NXT, they usually tend to be painfully drawn out or total surprises. The arrivals of Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Ruby Riot, Liv Morgan, and Sarah Logan on the main roster last week was more the latter. Of the five, only Riot (who was formerly known as Heidi Lovelace before signing with WWE) had wrestled a match on a TakeOver special. The other four had yet to even have full runs on NXT television aside from sporadic appearances.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER:December 4, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: AJ Styles, Minoru Suzuki and more enter the Hall of Fame

What is usually the most talked about issue of the year, the Hall of Fame double issue is out with biographies of the five new entrants, why they were so important historically, as well as a breakdown of the voting in not just total votes, but broken down among those in the industry, reporters and historians.

Among the stories covered include the birth of major league pro wrestling in Japan and how it got so big so quickly including the booking behind it, the heyday of pro wrestling in Australia, as well as both the East and West Coast scene in the 60s and 70s. Plus, look at next year’s ballot.

This issue contains a feature on the history of Starrcade, how it started, its successes and failures over the years, including how Starrcade led to the growth of Crockett Promotions as well as the ending of the company. Look at the role Vince McMahon played in the killing of Crockett Promotions, the transition to Turner Broadcasting, the decisions that killed Starrcade as a major event, the rebirth of Starrcade, the Hogan vs. Sting and Goldberg vs. Nash matches and the tradition of Thanksgiving in Greensboro.

Read the full coverage of what led to the first Starrcade, what famous Starrcade matches were never supposed to happen, how tragedies and backstage brawls changed plans, how Starrcade led to the departure of Dusty Rhodes as booker of WCW and the role of Ric Flair.

There is also a feature on the career of Jim Cornette as a manger, including how he got into wrestling, how dominant he was as the best manager in his heyday, his biggest successes, the high point of Mid South Wrestling and Crockett Promotions, the economics of why SMW didn’t work and how wrestling changed in the 90s and why it is so different today, and why the reality is that ECW, SMW and JCP all went down for the same reason. 

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ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com. 

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If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

WON BACK ISSUE: November 13, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF not buying WCW, ECW November to Remember review

With the WCW crew enroute to Europe for a one-week tour, the questions about the future of the company remain. With little substantial information available, much of the talk going around consists of rumors, but it is clear the two possibilities remain–the company will either be purchased by a group headed by Eric Bischoff, or have its expenses cut to as much bare bones as possible and remain part of Turner Broadcasting.

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Our weekend audio show is already up, talking about New Japan getting U.S. TV for the Tokyo Dome show, last night’s UFC, Clash of Champions and other topics. Monday night’s show will be, besides covering Raw, Hall of Fame questions, so if you have any questions regarding wrestlers on the ballot, how they did, guys you think should be on the ballot, why guys do and don’t get votes or anything, just send them to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

Dana White last night was saying that right now Conor McGregor is not in their plans and they are progressing with that in mind. Later he told TSN that maybe McGregor would be back in the summer. It’s time for UFC to make concrete rules about a time frame between title defenses, because especially in the talent-rich lightweight division, it’s really not fair to have a champion who doesn’t defend the title. Unfortunately in MMA, the fans have, based on their purchases, created a situation where the big stars are bigger than the titles and there’s more money to be made not defending in certain circumstances.

UFC 218 got 550,000 Google searches. The most popular search was Francis Ngannou. It was the sixth most searched term on the Internet. These numbers are usually a good PPV predictor and this indicates normal numbers (around 200,000, maybe a little less or more). Miguel Cotto was No. 12 with his fight with Sadam Ali getting 100,000 searches so there was far more mainstream interest in UFC. The leading searches were college football related.

Coming off last night’s show, we’ve been asked a lot whether UFC and FOX will replay the show like they did when the early December PPV was so great on Christmas Eve, which did the huge TV numbers. According to a FOX spokesperson, “It’s not going to happen” based on the current scheduled programming in place.

A story from the Detroit Free-Press from last night’s show that has gotten a lot of reaction, basically because the show was among the best of the year and the reporter wrote it up like it was a bad show. (thanks to David Wolf and many others)

New Japan from today in Kochi in two tournament matches:

  • Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens (3-3) beat Juice Robinson & Sami Callihan (3-3)
  • Evil & Sanada (4-2) beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (2-4)

WWE

  • The implosion of the Pontiac Silverdome got a lot of coverage in Detroit, all over the local news. Some stories talked WrestleMania III and others didn’t. Things like the Lions, The Who, the Rolling Stones and such got more play. They tried to blow up the stadium this morning, but the stadium was still standing after the explosion. The story is the building was built a little too well, but enough damage was done that the building will eventually collapse, they just don’t know when. 
  • The reason Luke Harper didn’t work the Smackdown shows the last two nights was that his wife gave birth to a son, Nolan Rhino Huber. His wife had to deliver due to medical reasons a month-and-a-half early and he rushed home from Lima, Peru and the baby was born five minutes after he arrived at the hospital. Congrats to the family. Erick Rowan has been teaming with Mojo Rawley.
  • Neither Singh Brother was injured and the one that missed some shows this weekend was also due to a non-injury related matter.
  • Matt Hardy was doing his new version of Broken, now called Woken (so WWE can own it) at the first Raw house show of the weekend last night in Salt Lake City.
  • Want to send our sympathies to Kyle O’Reilly, who noted that his mother passed away on Wednesday due to cancer.
  • I’ve seen a ton of promotion for the Ferdinand movie with John Cena doing the voices for the lead role. Cena is currently promoting the movie that opens on 12/14. 
  • There will be a Raw on 2/26 in Anaheim at the Honda Center and there will be a ticket presale tonight at the Raw house show in the building.
  • Dwayne Johnson broke the world record for most cereal boxes in one place with 3,006 as part of a fundraiser for Puerto Rico and damage from Hurricane Maria. 
  • Jim Ross has book signings for his book Slobberknocker on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Barnes & Noble at 97 Warren St., in New York and Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Bookends at 211 East Ridgewood Ave., in Ridgewood, NJ.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • British Championship Wrestling from Saturday in East Kilbride, Scotland before a sellout of 300 fans: Stevie Xavier b Kenny Williams to keep BCW Open weight title, Aaron Echo b Jason Prime, Marty Scurll b Joe Coffey, Jack Jester b Tucker, Davey Blaze & Kid Fite b Andy Wild & Kieran Kelly, BT Gunn b Doug Williams. Pete Dunne and Wolfgang were both pulled from the show by WWE since they were in the U.S. Matt Sydal was to replace Dunne and was announced, but he missed his flight which has turned into a Twitter controversy between himself and the promoter. (thanks to Craig Broadfoot)
  • The basic gist is BCW asked Sydal, because he missed the show, to repay his deposit, which was $1,500. Sydal’s agent, Bill Behrens, repaid his $300 portion of the deposit. Sydal has not returned his and said he is entitlted to it because he attempted to work the show. The promotion said they are owed $1,200. Sydal said he felt he didn’t have to repay it because he made every effort to make the show, that he missed his flight due to traffic and was able to get a new flight, which would have cost $1,333, and would have made the show with the new flight, but the promoter wouldn’t pay for the new flight. Sydal said he’d use the deposit money toward working another date for the promotion but the promotion said they didn’t want to book him again. He said that he offered to pay some of the extra money to get the new flight because he felt bad about missing the show and claimed the promoter didn’t pay for the new ticket.
  • Northeast Wrestling from Friday night in Waterbury, CT: Adrenaline Rush won over Amazing Graysons, Battle Brothers and Ron Zombie & Bull Dredd, Josh Briggs b Punishment Martinez, Casey Katal b Kaitlim Diemond, Cam Zagami b Jake Manning, Adrenaline Rush won the tag titles in a ladder match over Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan, and The Now, Wrecking Ball Legursky b Jack Swagger, Flip Gordon won the NEW title in a three-way over Cody Rhodes and Brad Hollister. Rhodes had been champion. Vik Dalishus injured his leg or ankle and had to leave the ladder match early. (thanks to Nick Mahmood)
  • AAW from last night in LaSalle, IL before 375 fans: Allysin Kay (Sienna in Impact) b Samantha Heights, AR Fox won three-way over Myron Reed and Sammy Guevera, Matt Riddle d ACH 15:00 (best match on show), Trey Miguel & Stephen Wolf won over Dave & Jake Crist, Devin & Mason Cutter and Paco & Ace Perry, Trevor Lee NC Hurricane Helms, Trevor Lee & David Starr b Hurricane Helms & Jimmy Jacobs, Jake Something won six-way over CJ Esparza, Brett Gakiya, Cody Rice, Mike Hartenbower, Kobe Durst and Brubaker, DJZ b Ethan Page to keep the Heritage title, Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett b Keith Lee & Sean Strickland to keep the tag titles in an excellent match, Jessicka Havok won an eimination match over Rachael Ellering and Ivelisse to become the first AAW women’s champoin. Kay challenged Havok after the match. (thanks to Dave Gould)
  • Next AAW show is 132/30 in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street with Michael Elgin vs. Rey Fenix for the AAW title, Eddie Kingston vs. David Starr plus Sean Waltman, Sami Callihan, AR Fox, Penta 0M and more.
  • Legacy Fighting on AXS TV this coming Friday night from Dallas at the Bomb Factory has Damon Jackson vs Luis Luna in the main event.
  • Smash Wrestling on 1/19 in Sarnia, ONT at The Station Music Hall.
  • Rise on Friday night in South Gate, CA: Maritz Janett & Hyannis b Trixie Trash & Willow Nightmare, Deonna Purrazzo b Kylie, Priscilla Kelly won over Chelsea Green, ACR and Ayokha, Cheerleader Melissa b Kikyo-DQ when Bull Nakano attacked, LuFisto b Dust, Taya Valkyrie & Andrew Everett & Heather Monroe & Penelope Ford b Jimmy Jacobs & Sage Sin & Ruby Raze & Savanna Evans (Taya beat Jacobs in the last elimination), Nicole Savoy b Ariel Monroe, Kris Wolf b Shotzi Blackheart with help from Nakano and Madusa did a promo on Nakano after, Toni Storm b Mercedes Martinez to retain the World of Stardom title, Delilah Doom b Rosemary in a cage match to keep the Phoenix of Rise title. Main event was a bloody match (thanks to Jake Koch and Steve Bryant)
  • Rise on Saturday in South Gate, CA: Dust b Willow Nighingale, Deonna Purrazzo b Chelsea Green, Mercedes Martinez b Kris Wolf, Toni Storm b Shotzi Blackheart. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • Rise announced a show in Chicago with a team captained by Bull Nakano against a team captained by Madusa. It looks like a six-woman’s match with the captains cornering them. (thanks to Jake Koch) 
  • Rapid Pro Wrestling today in Jenison, MI at 4 p.m. at Rebounderz with Kongo Kong.
  • XICW on 12/10 in Warren, MI at Hot Rock Sports Bar in a benefit for the Gleaners Community Food Bank. Admission is $5 or five canned goods.
  • PCW Ultra from Friday night in Wilmington, CA before about 600 fans: Graves b Brody King, Hammerstone NC Brian Cage, Ethan Page b Kikutaro, ACH b Mecha Wolf, Jacob Fatu b Willie Mack, Douglas James b Zack Sabre Jr. to keep the light heavyweight title, Warbeast Josef b Sandman, Penta 0M b John Hennigan (Morrison) to win the PCW title but Hennigan laid him out with a belt shot after the match. Stan Hansen was there as a guest. Terry Funk was scheduled to wrestle but pulled out due to what they said was an illness in his family. Davey Richards also wasn’t there. Great Muta was announced for the next show on 1/19. (thanks to Brian Reznick and Guy Bogard)
  • House of Hardcore from last night in Waukesha, WI: Guido Maritato b Nick Cutler MVP b Jay Bradley, Nick Aldis b Carlito, Bull James won over Curt Stallion, Connor Braxton and Arik Cannon, Willie Mack b Brian Cage, Al Snow & Swoggle b The Squad World Order (Mikey & Kenny of the Sprit Squad), Abyss b Tommy Dreamer in a Hardcore match with a black hole slam into thumbtacks, Candice Michelle b Lisa Marie Varon, Austin Aries b Joey Mercury with help from Dreamer in a ref shirt after Shane Douglas threw a chain to Mercury to hit Aries. They mentioned the next show was 1/26 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena on Twitch. 
  • Best of the West returns to local TV in Fresno on 1/7 in a Sunday at 10 a.m. time slot on KAIL TV 53. They are taping on 12/16 at Fresno City College at 6 P.M. with Eli Drake vs Karl Fredericks. Lucha Xtreme TV is doing a TV taping on 12/17 with a free holiday show and food drive at the Long Field Center in Hanford, CA at 3 p.m with free admission with two canned food items for the local canned food drive for the Hanford food bank. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
  • AWS from last night in South Gate, CA: Joey Ryan b Twisted Tate, Ray Rosas & Peter Avalon b SoCal Crazy & Mariachi Loco to win tag titles Mercedes Martinez & Priscilla Kelly & Cheerleader Melissa b Delilah Doom & Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green, Ariel Monroe won Battle Royal, Jake Atlas b B-Boy, Lufisto & Jordynne Grace b Ruby Raze & Sage Sin, Body King b Papadon, Toni Storm b Dust, Shotzi Blackheart b Rosemary, Tyler Bateman b Big Daddy Tito in falls count anywhere, Kris Wolf b Nicole Savoy to win the AWS women’s title. Green flew out after the show with no sleep for a show today in Belleville, MI. (thanks to Jake Koch)

Today in Professional Wrestling History: WWECW December to Dismember

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