Daily Update: Dragon Gate, ROH tapings, Larry Matysik

DAILY UPDATE

The Latest News

The Latest Audio

We’re looking for reports from yesterday’s WWE shows in Bossier City, LA and Arlington, TX, the non-Raw matches tonight in Houston, as well as yesterday’s Impact show in Salinas and Crash show in Tijuana to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

NEW JAPAN WORLD TAG LEAGUE FROM KOBE ON TUESDAY SAME DAY TAPE DELAY ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida
  • Hangman Page & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Togi Makabe & Toa Henare
  • Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka
  • Baretta & Chuckie T vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano
  • Evil & Seiya Sanada vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay

ALL JAPAN TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT TUESDAY IN ORO

  • Jake Lee & Koji Iwamoto vs. Yuma Aoyagi & Atsushi Maruyama
  • Jun Akiyama & Kishin Kawabata & Carbell Ito vs. Atsushi Aoki & Hikaru Sato & Yusuke Okada
  • Kento Miyahara & Yoshitatsu & Naoya Nomura vs. Joe Doering & Dylan James & Black Menso-re
  • Zeus & The Bodyguard vs. Tajiri & Gianni Valletta
  • Kengo Mashimo & Kai vs. Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa
  • Takao Omori & Manabu Soya vs. Parrow & Odinson

Tuesday has Smackdown in Austin, TX with the Smackdown quarterfinals of the Mixed Match Challenge with Jeff Hardy & Charlotte Flair vs. vs. R-Truth & Carmella and The Miz & Asuka vs. Jimmy Uso & Naomi.

Wednesday has a WWE show in Santiago, Chile with the Raw crew. 

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Starrcade 2018 and the future of the WWE Network

After WWE revived the Starrcade brand for an untelevised house show in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2017, this year’s Thanksgiving weekend event was part house show/part WWE Network special. The show took place in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday before a one-hour version of Starrcade 2018 aired on Sunday. The Network special featured a mix of matches and segments. 

WON NEWSLETTER: December 3, 2018 Observer Newsletter: Death of Larry Matysik, NXT UK contract changes

Sorting out the future of the UK independent scene and the changes made in what WWE UK contracted wrestlers are allowed to do is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.

The new double issue is a major look back at history as well, with a huge story on Larry Matysik and the rise and fall of St. Louis wrestling in the 70s and the 80s, and a look at Texas wrestling with the life of Jose Lothario.

The lead story talks about the original WWE deals, cards that have to change, promotions that have to change booking plans at different levels, as well as the end of Walter on the independent scene.

Look at why Walter chose this deal and what makes him unique in WWE regarding goals, as well as why he’s not already on the main roster and never went to New Japan. Look at how many promotions are affected, and the future of some of the most popular U.K. groups.

The article on Larry Matysik includes looking at some of the biggest matches of the St. Louis wrestling club, how Matysik started with pro wrestling, his start as a television announcer, the heyday of Wrestling at the Chase, how talent was paid, and how Ric Flair first got into St. Louis.

There is a feature on the career of Jose Lothario, the role of Mexican stars in Texas wrestling, how Lothario first became a major U.S. star long before his famous Texas run. Also look at his feud with Gino Hernandez, his long title history record, and comments from many of the biggest stars on his career.

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.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Raw and all the latest pro wrestling and MMA news with Wrestling Obsever Radio. You can send in e-mail questions to the show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

A huge Dragon Gate match takes place late tonight early tomorrow with Masato Yoshino defending the Open the Dream Gate title against Pac, the former Neville, at the group’s monthly big show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

ROH’s final show of the year will be 12/15, a TV taping in Philadelphia. Cody, Adam Page and The Young Bucks are scheduled to finish up on that show. Matches announced are Jeff Cobb vs. Luchasaurus in a non-title match, but if Luchasaurus can beat Cobb or last 15:00 with him, he gets a title shot, plus Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tracy Williams and PJ Black vs. Juice Robinson.

There was a bizarre happening after Chris Jericho’s Fozzy concert last night in Regina, Saskatchewan. A guy described as all messed up tried to get on the bus and was pounding on the door. He walked away and somehow got on. He assaulted a member of the crew, who ended up hospitalized with a broken collarbone. According to a witness report, Jericho was yelling that he assaulted someone and speared the guy and started punching him. It was broken up and the guy escaped and ran off. He hopped some fences may have hit a security guy with his car before the police finally got him.

This is from Larry Matysik’s close friend Herb Simmons regarding his funeral yesterday. I am so sorry I wasn’t able to attend, but hopefully this week’s issue of the Observer and the interview I did for the funeral did him justice. Also, want to thank everyone for their nice words on this week’s issue. As you can probably tell, this week’s issue meant a lot to me personally.

“Tonight was one that I knew would come someday but never thought this soon. We, you the many friends and family made sure our friend Larry Matysik was remembered. Those of you that took time to attend the service tonight, and stood in line for what seemed like hours, the family of Larry thanks each of you. It was heart warming to see so many and hear from them what Larry meant to them. The stories that were told were beautiful. Everyone talked about how they loved Larry, they had stories of his volleyball days of coaching his daughter Kelly, his law enforcement career when he worked on the Belleville Police Auxiliary, or of course the many stories of his days of ‘Wrestling at the Chase’. He touched so many with his passions.

“One visitor touched on his time he worked with Larry on the Auxiliary, he mentioned how detailed Larry was about keeping the paper work done. Others talked about the years of the wrestling when they would go to the Chase or Kiel. Many viewed the video that we put together showing just a short time of a long interesting life that he had and enjoyed. As I’ve told many before, and tonight, he was my friend, you may say my best friend. We shared so much with not only the wrestling business, but our views on other topics and things of interest to us. The wrestling was the glue that held our friendship together. I will never forget what he did for me. The days weeks and even years will be tough for me, his wife Pat and daughter Kelly. They say time heals all, I guess we will wait and see. Me personally, I know time is precious, and if it heals all I can only hope I get to see it. I’ve always told others that if you can forget about someone you lost so quickly, then you should stop and think how much that person really meant to you. I can tell you there won’t be a day go by that my thoughts of Larry won’t be a part of my remaining days here on earth.

“It was great to see so many of the workers in the business that shared the SICW locker room with Larry. To the ones that made the trip from Indianapolis, Flash Flanagan and The Axemen, I won’t forget you. To the local guys, Big Texan, Bobby D, Gary Jackson, Sean Vincent, Jay King, Nick Ridenour, Shaft, Jake Prater, Dr.Drew, Travis Cook, and the others I know I may have forgotten, I thank you guys. To the guys that go way back with Larry and me, Ron Powers, Big Daddy, Danny Boy, the entire Smith Family, Ricky Cruz, Ken Kasa, and the others I may have missed, thank you guys so much. It was great to see family members of Sam Muchnick attend. Also the grandson of Bill Longson, some one Larry had fond memories of working with. And to all you great fans that enjoyed the years Larry came onto our homes every Sunday calling the action of ‘wrestling at the chase’. You witnessed the first part tonight of his legacy being carried on. You can say you were there when so many came and paid their respect to local man, a legend that brought so much entertainment to all of us, and that touched so many in his years with us.

“Again from his family and extended family at SICW we thank each of you. For those that couldn’t attend tonight the show that Larry had been helping with this entire year will take place December 15th in East Carondelet. There will be a Special Tribute to him taking place that evening.”

They will be honoring Matysik on a show on 12/15 in East Carondolet, IL at the Community Center. Matysik took great joy in booking the shows in the building saying it kept his mind on wrestling in recent years while he had his physical issues. Even at the end, he loved it when they would sell out the small venue and the crowd would go.

WWE

  • WWE announced two new members of its Board of Directors today, Man Jit Singh, 61, who was President of Home Entertainment for Sony Pictures from 2014 until March, and also led Sony’s march into the sports market; and Alan Wexler, 55, the CEO of Publicis Sapient, the digital transformation platform of Publcis Groupe, a French company.
  • Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart did a public appearance for the company at the March of Dimes 35th annual sports luncheon in New York last week.
  • A long analysis piece about the role women have played in WWE programming.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • The Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, which has hosted wrestling for decades with WWE, and most recently had the Kenny Omega vs. Fenix NEW star in the building, has been renamed the Majed J. Neshelwat Convention Center. Neshelwat, the CEO of Gas Land Petroleum, purchased name rights to the building. It used to be a regular TV taping venue for WWF in the 80s and a lot of big matches and angles were shot there.
  • Another Dave Lagana video building Final Battle.
  • El Hijo de L.A. Park vs. DJZ has been added to the 12/13 MLW show in Miami. This is not the live TV special. 
  • Eve’s final show of the year is on Saturday at the Resistance Gallery in London. Shotzi Blackheart debuts with the promotion on that show.
  • CWE on Wednesday in Carberry, Manitoba at the Carberry Community Memorial Hall.
  • IPW Hardcore Wrestling on 1/12 in Tampa at the Cuban Civic Club with The Shane Twins, Billy Fives and Salina de la Renta.
  • The 2019 Roller Derby Stars reunion takes place from 4/28 to 5/2 at Sam’s Town Hotel in Las Vegas.
  • EWF from Saturday night in San Bernardino before a full house of 300 fans: Super Bettle b Achimedes, Richie Slade b Honest Johnny, Fidel Bravo & Chucho b Dragonflies, Mexi Macho b Congo Crush-DQ, Golden Boy Clearwater b Eric Cross, Santa Claus & Davion Foreman & Stranger b Capt Jack Fancy & Ty Ray & Congo Crush.
  • The King of SoCal tournament takes place on Thursday at Joltn’Joe’s in La Mesa, CA, where they run first and third Thursday of every month. 
  • MPWA runs Friday in Royal Oak, MI at Modern Skate with Kongo Kong, N8 Mattson and Truth Martini will be honored by Eddie Venom.
  • Cassandro has been making the rounds in many French media last week, to promote his documentary which is finally coming out after seemingly being shot since forever. The doc is coming out 12/5 in France. (thanks to Celian Varini)
  • Another story on British legend Kendo Nagasaki. (thanks to Lee Wall)
  • Here’s an interview with PCO.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWF This Tuesday in Texas

CONTACT INFORMATION