Daily Update: Fedor, WWE Cruiserweight Classic, Raw ratings

Fedor Emelianenko was on the MMA Hour today promoting his Friday night fight on Fight Pass against Fabio Maldonado from Russia. Emelianenko said he was back in talks with UFC and they are looking at a proposed deal. He said right now it is limbo. He said it hasn’t gotten so far as talking an opponent. UFC years back was looking at Fedor vs. Brock Lesnar and had the deal agreed to when Emelianenko decided he didn’t want to fight at the time. More on the story here.  

We have an article already on the front page regarding the WWE cruiserweight classic and who is in the tournament. There are some interesting names from a political standpoint entered. Clement Petiot in the tournament wrestles under the name Tristan Archer.

We’re looking for your thoughts on last night’s TNA Slammiversary show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.

We’re looking for reports on yesterday’s WWE show in Baton Rouge, anything from Lucha Underground this past weekend, as well as non-Raw notes (Superstars matches, anything not on television) from New Orleans including the return of Shane McMahon, NXT in Belfast, Northern Ireland and TNA tapings in Orlando.

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Biloxi, MS and NXT runs in Dublin, Ireland. There is also an almost live Impact in Orlando as well as the taping for the following week’s show.

TNA tapings will continue on Wednesday in Orlando. NXT will be in Liverpool, England.

THE ROUND-UP

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Figure Four Weekly 6/9/2016: Will Christopher Nowinski testify in WWE concussion lawsuit? – The latest battleground in the WWE concussion litigation is whether or not Christopher Nowinski can be compelled to testify. Issues cited in a WWE opposition to the plaintiffs’ effort are included in the lawsuit.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

READ IT HERE: June 13, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Deaths of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice, Brock Lesnar returning to UFC, more

A look at the lives and careers of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice, the return of Brock Lesnar to UFC and the story behind it and coverage of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament are the lead stories in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Our Ali story talks about the changes in public opinion on him going through the years, his place in culture, the Ali-Frazier fight, the Ali-Liston fights, his being banned from boxing, the creation of different world titles, the Ali-Foreman fight, the Thrilla in Manila, the inspiration of the movie Rocky, what Ali took from pro wrestling, Gorgeous George and Fred Blassie, and what he gave back to pro wrestling, the Ali vs. Inoki story, Ali’s appearances in relation to pro wrestling, Ali’s pro wrestling matches that are often forgotten, Ali working the first WrestleMania and the Superdome in New Orleans for Bill Watts, the sad ending of his career and the fraud on the public that was the Larry Holmes fight.

The death of Kimbo Slice is also covered. Read about the circumstances leading to the death, how he became famous, his real background, what he did between football and MMA, the Sean Gannon fight, Elite XC, his television ratings records, the crazy night that was supposed to be the Ken Shamrock fight, the death of Elite XC and how media a misunderstanding ended the promotion, Kimbo’s days in UFC, the highest rated season of Ultimate Fighter, and sustaining the drawing power.  Plus, a look at Kimbo Slice and pro wrestling and why it was about to happen, and how it fell apart, is covered. There’s also look at Slice in boxing, and the Dada 5000 fight.

Finally, read about the Brock Lesnar to UFC deal, what Lesnar said about why he’s coming back should it be believed, the choice of Mark Hunt as the opponent, why the deal took so long to be announced, how this affects pro wrestling, Lesnar’s regrets about re-signing with WWE but why you can question that, the drug testing issue and the Ariel Helwani issue that reporting the story first turned into.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL PREVIEW.

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Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: May 10, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fans celebrate life of Giant Baba at Tokyo Dome, PRIDE 5 recap, more. The final chapter in the career and life of Shohei Baba took place on the biggest show he ever main evented and the biggest show he ever promoted–some three months after his death.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio talking Raw, the cruiserweight tournament, Fedor and the rest of the latest news. You can send questions for the show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

Going against what could be the deciding game of the NBA playoffs, Raw could take it on the chin tonight without anything major being advertised. It’s the go-home show for Money in the Bank. More than 20 million viewers are expected to watch the game tonight.

Charlotte & Dana Brooke vs. Becky Lynch & Natalya has been added to Sunday’s Money in the Bank PPV in Las Vegas.Last night’s Stanley Cup finals did 5,407,000 viewers against the TNA show. It was the most watched NHL final ever on NBC that didn’t involve the original six teams.  Last night’s game did a 35.1 rating in Pittsburgh and a 9.2 rating in the San Francisco Bay Area. The connection to wrestling includes the Penguins HBK line named after Shawn Michaels. Not missing a trick, HHH sent the Penguins some WWE title belts to wear.

The Fight Network announced today a deal to get the AXS version of New Japan World Pro Wrestling with Jim Ross and Josh Barnett as announcers. The shows will air on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. starting on 7/7.

The $1.8 million judgment awarded to Jesse Ventura in his lawsuit against the estate of Chris Kyle was thrown out on appeal in the 8th U.S. District Court of Appeals. The three judge panel reversed the $1.3 million award saying it fails under law and vacated another $500,000 defamation award but said that could be sent back to court for a new trial.

WWE

“Growing up in Kirkdale I knew what a headbutt was but I certainly didn’t know about wrestling!”

UFC

  • Don Frye on the return to UFC of Brock Lesnar from Submission Radio: 

Don’s reaction when he saw Lesnar was returning at UFC 200

“Oh my god….. why? Why – since Mark Hunt is going to destroy him. So it’s going to be such a fun fight to watch Mark kick his head off. So I’m looking forward to it.”

Why Mark Hunt will destroy Lesnar

“Oh Mark’s an animal. Yeah he’s an animal. I mean, god damn, he’s one of the better fighters walking the planet. You know and he’s got the strength and the speed and the skill, and shit, he’s like ten-foot-tall and bullet proof.”

If Don’s surprised that Lesnar agreed to fight Hunt

“Yeah, you know, I was with everybody else. I thought they were going to give him some fish. Who’s that pro wrestler (CM Punk) that keeps bailing out of his fight all the time? Yeah, I mean, give him CM Punk (laughs) or somebody worse than that. But jeez, I gotta give it to Lesnar for accepting the fight. First you gotta step into the cage first, and then I’ll give the guy all the credit in the world just for being man enough to let that door close behind him.”

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Lucha Mexico, a documentary on wrestling in Mexico is scheduled for a 7/15 theatrical release in 25 markets including New York and Los Angeles. Among those in the movie are the late Perro Aguayo Jr., Blue Demon Jr., Tony Salazar, Strongman, Fabian El Gitano and more. For more info go to www.LuchaMexicoFilm.com.
  • Sting will be headlining a 9/17 Icons of Wrestling convention at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia doing photos from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m and then sign autographs with no makeup from Noon to 2 p.m. VIP package if $350 for six autographs, one photo with makeup and front of the line access. One autograph and one photo with no makeup is $100. For more info go here.
  • The New York Times on Ali books mentioning the new Ali vs. Inoki book is here.
  • Preston City Wrestling announced an iPPV of their Tribute to the Troops show on 6/25 at the Preston Guild Hall which is a free show that will draw 3,000 people. Rob Van Dam, Billy Gunn, Drew Galloway and Ken Anderson are scheduled. Sha Samuels defends the PCW title against Galloway, Anderson & Gunn face the UK Hooligans, Joe Hendry vs. Joey Hayes and more to be announced.
  • There is a movie that comes out on Friday in Finland on the wrestler StarBuck, whose goal was to become a musician and wrestler  which has gotten awards at the Night Visions Festival in Helsinki, Finland as the Audience Favorite as well as the Critic’s Choice award at the Helsinki International Documentary Film Festival. 
  • Honky Tonk Man and Hornswoggle are scheduled for Empire State Wrestling on Saturday night in North Tonawanda, NY at the St. Johnsburg Fire Hall.
  • New England Championship Wrestling’s Iron 8 results from Saturday night: Dan Terry b Beau  Douglas, First round: Mike McCarthy b T.J. Warren, Kevin Tibbs b Jay Freddie, Todo Loco b Chris Escobar, Slyck Wagner Brown b Brad Hollister, Non-tourney: Giant Pharaoh b Jack Maverick, Final most falls in 45 minutes: Todo Loco won three falls to win to two for McCarthy and one for Brown and Tibbs. Loco was behind and scored two falls in the closing minutes. (thanks to Sheldon Goldberg)
  • NWAOnDemand.com has added a long Mongolian Stomper vs Scott Casey match today. New subscribers can get the first week free.
  • Pro Wrestling Revolver from Saturday night in Clive, IA: Rhino b Trevor Lee, AR Fox won scramble match over Dave Crist, Zachary Wentz, Dezmond Xavier, Chainsaw King, Connor Braxton, Kurt Stallion and KLD, Jessicka Havok b Paco Gonzalez, Scotty 2 Hotty b Jake Manning, Tommy Dreamer b Arik Cannon in an Extreme rules match, Bob Holly b Sami Callihan, Michael Elgin b PJ Black, Billy Gunn b Johny Mundo. Wentz jumped of a balcony. Holly vs. Callihan said to be a major chop fest.
  • CZW on 7/8 has a Freelance vs. CZW show at Bottom Lounger in Chicago and then a show on 7/9 in Dayton. They have an iPPV on 8/12 at Flyer’s Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ.
  • WrestlePro on 6/11 in Keyport, NJ: Dan Maff b Bull James, Chris Avery Queling b Johnny Clash, Taboo Crew over Gino & J.J. Lee, Team Espana and Aesthetic Males, Kevin Matthews b Chris Dickinson, Fallah Bahn & Swoggle (Hornswoggle) & COPS & Merry Men in Tights b Butler Jackson,& Heavenly Bodies & Chris Payne & Brian Myers in an elimination match, Beefcake Charlie won a gauntlet match, Sonjay Dutt won six-way to keep the GFW NextGen title over Mario Bokara, Habib, Niko Rios, Bobby Wayward and Beefcake Charlie, Anthony Owens b Matt MacIntosh to keep Wrestle Pro title, Damien Sandow b Colt Cabnaa, Pat Buck b Jeff Jarrett in a cage match.  Others on the show but not wrestling included Dutch Mantel, Booker T and Buff Bagwell plus at a meet and greet included Tatanka, Amber Gallows, Kevin Sullivan, Karen Jarrett, Eddie Edwards, Stevie Ray and Butch Reed.
  • Absolute Intense Wrestling on Friday night at Tequila Jaxx in Mentor-on-the-Lake,. OH with Ethan Cater III vs. Rex Brody, Alex Daniels vs. DJ Zema Ion vs. Flamita, Sonjay Dutt vs. Josh Prohibition, Veda Scott vs. Shayna Baszler, Brian Myers vs. Grado, plus Laredo Kid and B.J. Whitmer.
  • Colby Corino has been added to the 7/24 SMW show in Elizabethton, TN at the Evolution Sports Gym facing Timmy Lou Retton. Buff Bagwell & Toby Farley vs. Jordan Kage & Chris Richards headlines, plus Kevin Nash and Scott Hall will be doing a meet and greet.
  • Smash Wrestling on 7/30 in Oshawa, ONT at the Music Hall.
  • Magnum T.A. talks his relationship with Dusty Rhodes.

TODAY in professional Wrestling History: Yokozuna beats Hulk Hogan for the WWF title