Daily Update: DDT, FloSlam, Terry Funk wrestling this weekend

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE Raw show in Sacramento, NXT in Kingston, RI along with last night’s show in Lowell, MA to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re also doing polls this weekend for tonight’s ROH Death Without Dishonor show, Sunday’s NJPW Destruction in Kobe and Sunday’sWWE No Mercy show, 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.

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT ON AXS TV

  • Kenny Omega vs. Juice Robinson
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Evil

UFC FROM THE SAITAMA SUPER ARENA IN JAPAN TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. EASTERN ON FXX

  • Daichi Abe (171) vs. Hyun Gyu Lim (170.5)
  • Shinsho Anzai (171) vs. Luke Jumeau (170)
  • Syuri Kondo (116) vs. Chan-Mi Jeon (116)
  • Jussier Formiga (126) vs. Ulka Sasaki (125.5)
  • Keita Nakamura (170) vs. Alex Morono (170)
  • Teruto Ishihara (145) vs. Rolando Dy (145)
  • Gokhan Saki (205) vs. Henrique da Silva (206)
  • Takanori Gomi (156) vs. Dong Hyun Kim II (156)
  • Claudia Gadelha (115) vs. Jessica Andrade (116)
  • Yushin Okami (203.5) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (206)

ROH DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR PPV FROM SAM’S TOWN IN LAS VEGAS TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. EASTERN ON PPV

  • Cody vs. Minoru Suzuki for ROH title
  • Young Bucks vs. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley for ROH tag titles
  • Young Bucks & Hangman Page vs. ? for ROH six-man titles
  • Kushida vs. Kenny King for ROH TV title
  • Bully Ray & Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Matt Taven & TK O’Ryan & Vinny Marseglia – winners face Bucks & Page for the titles
  • Jay Lethal vs. Silas Young last man standing
  • Jay White vs. Punishment Martinez street fight
  • Chuck Taylor vs. Marty Scurll

LEGACY FIGHTING ALLIANCE FROM SHREVEPORT, LA TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. EASTERN ON AXS TV

  • Sabina Mazo Isaza (3-0) vs. Linsey Williams (1-1)
  • Brandon Shavers (4-0) vs. Bryan Billiot (5-0)
  • Ryan Spann (10-5) vs. Lemarcus  Tucker (5-2)
  • Andrea Lee (7-2) vs. Jamie Thorton (4-3) for the women’s flyweight title
  • Derrick Krantz (20-9) vs. James Nakashima (7-0) for the welterweight title

Saturday we’re looking for reports on WWE Raw in Fresno, SmackDown in Rio Rancho, NM, NXT in Bethlehem, PA and Largo, FL and ROH TV tapings in Las Vegas to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

BELLATOR MMA AT 9 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY FROM THE SAP CENTER IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

Spike at 9 p.m. Eastern time

  • Justin Linn (146) vs. Aaron Pico (144.5)
  • Adam Piccolotti (155.2) vs.  Goiti Yamaguchi (155.9)
  • Javy Ayala (265.3) vs. Roy Nelson (262.4)
  • Paul Daley (171) vs. Lorenz Larkin (171)
  • Benson Henderson (155.9) vs. Patricky Pitbull Freiere (156)

Taped for Spike on 10/6 for Bellator Kickboxing

  • Joe Palacios (146) vs. Malaipet Sasiprapa (144)
  • Jorina Baars (142.8) vs. Anmek Van Gestel (142.5)
  • Najab Idali (182.8) vs. Joe Schilling (185.2)
  • Raymond Daniels (169.7) vs. Karim Ghajji (169.3)
  • Kevin Ross (144.3) vs. Domenico Lomurno (143.4)

NJPW DESTRUCTION IN KOBE AT 3 A.M. EASTERN TIME AND MIDNIGHT PACIFIC LAST SATURDAY/EARLY SUNDAY FROM KOBE WORLD MEMORIAL HALL ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Hirai Kawato vs. Katsuya Kitamura & Tomoyuki Oka
  • Ricochet & Ryusuke Taguchi & Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger vs. Taka Michinoku & Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi & Takashi Iizuka
  • Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens
  • Baretta vs. Yujiro Takahashi
  • War Machine vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer for IWGP tag titles
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin vs. Kota Ibushi & David Finlay
  • Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & David Finlay vs. Tetsuya Naito & Seiya Sanada & Bushi
  • Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay vs. Evil & Hiromu Takahashi
  • Kenny Omega vs. Juice Robinson for U.S. title

Sunday we’re looking for reports from the WWE SmackDown house show in Las Cruces, NM and NXT in Amherst, MA.

WWE NO MERCY AT 7:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME SUNDAY FROM THE STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES

  • Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman for WWE title
  • John Cena vs. Roman Reigns
  • Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro & Sheamus for WWE tag title
  • The Miz vs. Jason Jordan for IC title
  • Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt
  • Alexa Bliss vs. Emma vs. Bayley vs. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks fro women’s title
  • Neville vs. Enzo Amore for cruiserweight title
  • Apollo Crews vs. Elias (preshow match at 7:30 p.m.)

Raw will be Monday night from Ontario, CA. Neither Brock Lesnar nor John Cena are being advertised for Raw this week even though both will be in Southern California the night before. SmackDown has a house show Monday night in El Paso, TX.

SmackDown and 205 Live will be taped Tuesday night in Glendale, AZ.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY:Figure Four Weekly 9/18/2017: Remembering Bobby Heenan

When someone passes away, whether it’s a celebrity or someone in our lives, a usual lament is that we didn’t appreciate them enough while they were alive. It’s typical human nature for us to not fully grasp how important someone is until they’re gone. But in the sadness that has surrounded the death of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, it’s clear that wasn’t the case with him.

Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER:September 25, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The deaths of Bobby Heenan and Otto Wanz

It’s a double issue this week of the Observer with major stories on Bobby Heenan and his career as well as Heenan behind the scenes, a story on the WWE Network and behind the different ideas they’ve talked about, as well as lengthy pieces on historical figures Otto Wanz and Ruben Juarez.

Look at Henan’s different roles in wrestling, how he got started, the WCW era, the AWA years, leaving WWE and why he may have never been brought back by WWE full-time.

Find out all the different ideas thrown out in the recent WWE Network survey, as well as the viability of some of them.

With Otto Wanz, look at his AWA title, his biggest career matches, how he got started in boxing and wrestling, a story regarding he and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the heyday of the CWA and how it was different from every other promotion in the world and what made it such a great territory to learn in, and what made him famous as a celebrity in Austria.

This issue contains details on the Vince McMahon/Kevin Owens angle, WWE bringing back the Starrcade name, the sale of WCW to WWF in 2001, the legacy of Starrcade, the first Starrcade, how Vince McMahon destroyed Starrcade and helped drive Jim Crockett Promotions out of business, the new Starrcade show, the next NXT Takeover show, more on Ric Flair, Ronda Rousey in WWE notes, Nikki Bella on Dancing With the Stars, Chris Jericho’s cruise idea in detail, and a Shayna Baszler update

Get an update on the Impact promotion and its move of TV to Ottawa, looking at the plans, the GFW name, the building they are going to, the pros and cons of moving, the situation with Jim Cornette, what happens to the ATT angle, and much more.

This issues runs down of the CMLL 84th anniversary show, the two mask vs. mask matches and match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

Also look at the New Japan Destruction in Hiroshima show, the angles, why King of Pro Wrestling looks like one of the best shows of the year, new lineup for Destruction in Kobe and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Subscribers clike here to continue.

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. 

Rates in the United States are $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 choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

WON BACK ISSUE: August 28, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Hall of Fame issue

In our largest one year inclusion in history, seven new members were named to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in a balloting of performers, front office people, reports, historians and some well known wrestling experts. Four of the newcomers were voted on by the largest voting panel to date and three others were chosen largely by lobbying from historians providing research as to why they clearly belonged.

Subscribers click here to continue.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Flo Slam, ROH, UFC in Japan and more. We’ll be doing shows Friday and Sunday night. You can send e-mail questions to the show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

Cyber Agent, a Japanese company that streams events, has purchased 100 percent of the stock of the DDT promotion. They will stream DDT events on AbemaTV.

After the statement made by WWN attorney Samuel Heller, FloSlam responded by cancelling the broadcast of tonight’s Evolve show in Livonia, MI and tomorrow’s show in Summit, IL. I guess that pretty much tells you the split looks to be final. Tonight’s show will stream on www.WWNlive.com for $9.99. FloSports sent out a post saying that they will no longer be carrying Evolve, Shine, Style Battle, FIP and ACW and if you are looking for a refund you can send to support@flosports.tv.

After him appearing terribly drawn while still missing weight at yesterday’s weigh-ins, the UFC has pulled Mizuto Hirota off tonight’s show at the Saitama Super Arena. Hirota weighed in at 150 pounds for a 145 pound weight class fight with Charles Rosa. He had been fined 30 percent of his purse. Hirota could barely stand up after getting off the scale and needed to be helped offstage. Hirota had made the weight multiple times in the past, including posting a five-fight winning streak that ended in June. Because of the late notice, Rosa will not be fighting on the show.

For WWE this weekend, John Cena is not advertised for tonight’s show in Sacramento, but he is scheduled against Bray Wyatt tomorrow night in Fresno before the PPV in Los Angeles on Sunday. Brock Lesnar isn’t on any of the shows. The other key Raw players are on all the shows. For SmackDown, Randy Orton is not on the Saturday or Sunday night shows, but he is advertised for El Paso on Monday and for TV on Tuesday.

Terry Funk, at 73, comes out of retirement for shows the next two nights in the Carolinas. Tonight at Dorton Arena in Raleigh, it’s Terry Funk & Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson vs. Jerry Lawler & Brian Christopher & Doug Gilbert, Billy Gunn vs. Gangrel plus appearances by Sgt. Slaughter, Kevin Nash, Tommy Rich and Jimmy Valiant. It’s the same top two matches tomorrow night in Spartanburg, at the Memorial Auditorium. Magnum T.A. will be appearing in Spartanburg.

WWE

  • John Cena on the Edge & Christian podcast talked about lightening up his in-ring schedule. He said that when he becomes a step slower, he is going to bow out rather than become one of those guys.
  • Congratulations to Ryan Parmeter, who is Konnor of The Ascension, who announced his son, Elijah, was born today in Tampa.
  • Kambi has put up the over/under odds to bet on the star ratings for No Mercy as Lesnar vs. Strowman (****), Cena vs. Reigns (****1/4), Cruiserweight title (**3/4), Balor vs Wyatt (***), Miz vs. Jordan (***), tag titles (****) and Women’s title (***).
  • Bryan Danielson is starting a book club using the hash tag #BryansBookClub
  • A story on the next season of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge on CMT.
  • Charlotte talks about her father’s health issues on Busted Open radio.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • There is no show tonight at Arena Mexico, nor will there be a show there Sunday due to Tuesday’s massive earthquake. I also want to send my best to everyone in that area.
  • Pro Wrestling Tees will be opening up a retail store on 10/13 at 11 a.m. 2348 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647. They will have their first grand opening event on 10/16 with The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Cody and Marty Scurll appearing from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and tickets for that event sold out in minutes. Other weekend events are DJZ spinning records on 10/13 and 10/14, and among those appearing on 10/14 are ACH, Sami Callihan, Jeff Cobb and Michael Elgin.
  • Impact will be taping segments for its TV show on 11/25 in Winston, Salem, NC at the Wrestlecade show that goes head-to-head with the billed Starrcade house show in Greensboro.
  • Great North Wrestling wrestlers Hannibal, Max Testosterone, Eve and Ad Hutchinson were among those in the tryout for Impact segment that aired on last night’s show.  
  • A Memphis nostalgia show was announced for 10/21 in Jonesboro, AR at the Earl Bell Community Center with Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Rich, Bill Dundee vs. Doug Gilbert and Brandon Baxter & Coach Mike Balado vs. Derrick King & Randy Hales, plus Austin Idol will be appearing.
  • ElkMania 5 on 9/23 at Beverly, MA at the Elks Lodge.
  • NWL runs tonight in Springfield, MO with Dak Draper vs. Thor Theriot as the main event.
  • Empire State Wrestling on 9/29 will have a free show at the Fall Laves Festival in Jefferson Park, NY featuring Hurricane Helms. They also run 10/7 in North Tonawanda, NY at the St. Johnsburg Fire Hall with Ethan Cater III and Braxton Sutter.
  • FITE TV, which will stream tonight’s ROH PPV show, announced an All Japan Summer Action Series show tonight at 8 p.m. for $5. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • The Fight Network in Canada will be airing the Phoenix Fighting Championships, UK vs. The World at 4 p.m. They will be airing the UFC prelims from Saitama, Japan at 8 p.m. and then air the Legacy Fighting Alliance show on a one hour delay at 10 p.m. Tomorrow they will be airing M-1 Challenge from Kazarn, Russia at 10 a.m.
  • CWA on 1/13 in North Little Rock, AR at the Maumelle Event Center. 
  • Walter Thurmond, who formerly played for the Philadelphia Eagles, will be a second at a show tonight in Petaluma, CA. 
  • An article on Beyond Wrestling.

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind at Mind Games

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