Daily Update: Fedor’s win overturned, Orton vs. Styles, Super J Cup

Fedor’s Win Oveturned

The World Mixed Martial Arts Association announced that the result of the Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabio Maldonado fight on 6/17 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, has been overturned and ruled a draw. That may be the first time I’ve ever heard of an MMA judging decision being overturned. WMMAA General Secretary and Senior Vice President Alexander Englehardt upheld the Maldonado appeal, claiming a conflict of interest because all of the judges were employed by the Russian MMA Union of which Emilianenko was the president.

He also ruled that Maldonado’s first appeal to the Russian MMA Union was unjustly rejected. The fight was reviewed by a new judging panel, and all three new judges scored the first round 10-8 for Maldonado and the second and third rounds 10-9 for Emelianenko and a draw. That was the same scoring I had for the fight. 

Weekend Schedule

Our only weekend poll will be for Sunday/Monday’s G-1 Climax show from Sapporo, so you can send a thumbs up, down, or in the middle along with best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

TONIGHT

WORLD PRO WRESTLING RETURNS AT 9 P.M. EASTERN ON AXS TV

  • Kushida vs. Kenny Omega for IWGP jr. title
  • Togi Makabe vs. Kota Ibushi for Never title

CMLL TONIGHT FROM ARENA MEXICO IN MEXICO CITY AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN

  • Skadi & Vaquerita vs. Seductora & Tiffany
  • Angel de Oro & Rey Cometa & Stuka Jr. vs. Ephesto & Luciferno & Hechicero
  • Maximo Sexy & Super Crazy & Valiente vs. El Terrible & Rey Bucanero & Vangellys
  • The Leyenda de Plata elimination match Block A match:  Guerrero Maya Jr., Mistico, The Panther, Titan, Triton, Volador Jr., Cavernario, La Mascara, Mephisto, Negro Casas, Ripper and Virus
  • Atlantis & Diamante Azul & Rush vs. Euforia & Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero

RESURRECTION FIGHTING ALLIANCE AT 10 P.M. EASTERN ON AXS TV FROM PRIOR LAKE, MN

  • Bobby Lee (3-0, 154.8) vs. Kyle Todd (3-0, 155.4)
  • Carl Wittsock (6-1, 156) vs. Ben Locken (6-3, 155.4)
  • Jonathon Thomson (4-1, 171) vs. Jordon Larson (6-2, 170.8)
  • Alex Gilpin (5-0, 145) vs. Dan Moret (10-2, 145.8)
  • Austen Heidlage (9-2, 185.8) vs. Chase Waldon (9-1, 185.4)
  • Terrion Ware (14-5, 136) vs. Marvin Blumer (11-5, 136)
  • Czar Sklvavos (12-4, 125.2) vs. Chico Camus (15-7, 126)

SATURDAY

We’re looking for reports on WWE in Madison Square Garden (Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens for WWE title, John Cena vs. A.J. Styles, Chris Jericho vs. Neville, New Day vs. Wyatts), Bangor, ME (Miz, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Big Show, Kane, Vaudevillains, Darren Young, Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys), NXT in Louisville and Largo, FL and ROH TV tapings in Philadelphia (Jay Lethal vs. Colt Cabana for ROH title, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley vs. War Machine for tag titles, Donovan Dijak vs. Lio Rush, Stuka Jr. vs. Kamaitachi, Will Ferrera vs. Jay White, Silas Young & Beer City Bruiser vs. Briscoes, plus Bobby Fish, Adam Cole, Young Bucks, Adam Page, Rocky Romero, Baretta, Rhett Titus, Kenny King, Caprice Coleman, Cheeseburger, Jonathan Gresham, B.J. Whitmer, Taeler Hendricks, Veda Scott, Mandy Leon, Jenny rose and Sumie Sakai.

EVOLVE 64 iPPV AT 4 P.M. FROM QUEENS, NY

  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Marty Scurll for Evolve title
  • Roderick Strong vs. Matt Riddle
  • Drew Galloway vs. Drew Gulak
  • Johnny Gargano vs. Cedric Alexander
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. TJ Perkins
  • Tracy Williams vs. Tony Nese vs. Fred Yehi vs. Darby Allin

SUNDAY

WWE is in Glens Falls, NY (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, John Cena, A.J. Styles, Chris Jericho, Neville, New Day, Wyatts) and Augusta, ME (Miz, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Big show, Kane, Vaudevillains, Darren Young, Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys).

EVOLVE 65 iPPV SUNDAY AT 7 P.M. EASTERN FROM MELROSE, MA AT MEMORIAL HALL

  • Timothy Thatcher vs. TJP for Evolve title
  • Drew Galloway vs. Johnny Gargano
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tony Nese
  • Tommaso Ciampa vs. Cedric Alexander
  • Marty Scurll vs. Matt Riddle

MONDAY

G-1 CLIMAX TOURNAMENT OPENING AT 2 A.M. MONDAY EASTERN / 11 P.M. SUNDAY PACIFIC TIME ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Katsuyori Shibata & Manabu Nakanishi & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Tomoaki Honma & Kushida & Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan
  • Katsuhiko Nakajima & Toru Yano vs. Juice Robinson & Satoshi Kojima 
  • Yoshi-Hashi & Gedo vs. Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Yuji Nagata & Michael Elgin & David Finlay vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Bushi
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Togi Makabe vs. Tama Tonga
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Seiya Sanada
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Naomichi Marufuji

Raw will be in Providence, RI. Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE title will headline, plus they will announce the General Managers of Raw and Smackdown.

TUESDAY

The WWE draft and the beginning of split brands takes place from Worcester, MA. 

WEDNESDAY

SUPER J CUP FIRST ROUND AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME ON NEW JAPAN WORLD FROM KORAKUEN HALL IN TOKYO

  • Matt Sydal vs. Kaji Tomato
  • Gurukun Mask vs. Kenou
  • Yuma Aoyagi vs. Taichi
  • Jushin Liger vs. Eita
  • Titan vs. Will Ospreay
  • Bushi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Daisuke Harada
  • Kushida vs. Taiji Ishimori

THE ROUND-UP

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READ IT HERE: Figure Four Weekly 7/4/2016: Jimmy Snuka to appear at Wrestlecon – Jimmy Snuka, who was found too incompetent to stand trial for murder charges, is signing autographs at Wrestlecon 2017.

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter

READ IT HERE: July 18, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: UFC sold for 4 billion dollars, UFC 200 review, notes on the WWE draft, more – Details on the sale of UFC for 4 billion dollars, recap of UFC 200, notes on the WWE draft, plus tons more.

The most detailed look at how the UFC got sold and the business ramifications of the sale is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Also inside, a look at the Brock Lesnar deal, where things stand going forward with Lesnar, a lot of updated thoughts on the WWE draft, the future of John Cena and notes on how that affects WWE business, Battle of Los Angeles, and coverage of all the UFC shows.  

This issue contains a copy of the letter that all the UFC fighters were sent by management and what they were told about the sale.  

An in depth look at how the original partners came together and the 2001 sale of the UFC to Dana White & The Fertittas, how much money White and the Fertittas probably got in the sale, plus a lot of things about the sale that haven’t gone public yet. There’s also a look at White’s new contract with the company, and the company’s business numbers for 2015.  

Inside, examine how things are likely to change, where Lorenzo Fertitta is likely to go, the new owners and where their money came from, other bidders, and how the deal almost fell through. Plus, take a look at Lorenzo Fertitta & Dana White’s role in the company going forward, how the source of the money to buy the company changed in recent weeks, why they were able to get $4 billion and what rivalry outside sports is key in them increasing revenue.  

Finally, this issue considers where Lesnar stands coming off his win over Mark Hunt, how the deal with Lesnar was first made, a look at a clause in every WWE contract and what it specifically says about MMA, and a look at why C.M. Punk was able to get out of the clause. Plus, take a look at future MMA prospects with Lesnar, how much money he really got from the show, how he changed a lot of the criticism of his career, and why he’s more valuable now than before.  

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter BACK ISSUE

READ IT HERE: June 7, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fallout from the death of Owen Hart – Details on the funeral of Owen Hart, how the media covered the story, and more.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

For Smackdown on Tuesday, the idea for the second screen experience is to get talent reactions and do interviews. Right now, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are not scheduled for Tuesday’s show. Originally Lesnar was announced and advertised. He has been pulled from all advertising. They will be doing a ton of shooting all day for a potential WWE Network backstage documentary.

Jim Ross is officially doing two shows in Orlando over WrestleMania weekend on Saturday, 4/1 and Sunday, 4/2 at Plaza Live Orlando. Both will be 2 p.m. shows, so they will end with plenty of time to get to the Hall of Fame and WrestleMania. Tickets are $25-$100 and go on sale on 8/22.

There is talk of bringing back more enhancement matches on television and using locals, both men and women in WWE. Not sure if it’s for B show or A shows or how often, but the keys are to have some experience and look in shape.

With the Super J Cup starting this week, New Japan World has the first-ever Super J Cup, one of the best wrestling shows of its time, up right now.

Bobby Fish vs. Mark Briscoe for the ROH TV title was announced for the 8/19 PPV show in Las Vegas.

WWE

  • Randy Orton said on Booker T’s podcast this past week that he’s expecting to be working with A.J. Styles after SummerSlam. There are cities this is being advertised in already. WWE is also planning on releasing an Orton DVD in November.
  • A story on the cruiserweight classic is here. (thanks to Lou Pickney) 
  • Christian McCaffrey was telling people how star struck he was meeting Ric Flair on Wednesday night at the ESPYs.
  • Reader Jeff Gagliardo noted in 2004 that HHH on a Los Angeles radio show the Brock Lesnar leaving WWE that year was “the dumbest move ever.”
  • A history of WWE in Providence, RI is here.
  • An interview with Chris Jericho is here.
  • SummerSlam meet and greets have been announced in August. There will be sessions on 8/19 and 8/20 at the Barclays Center 40/40 Club. You get an 8×10 glossy photo and autograph of the wrestler as well as a photo of you with the wrestler. There are sessions with Kevin Owens, Charlotte, Enzo and Cass, A.J. Styles, New Day, Randy Orton, Sasha Banks, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

The current schedule is:

  • Ambrose 8/20 12:30 p.m. 
  • Charlotte 8/20 10 a.m.
  • Styles 8/19 1 p.m.
  • Owens 8/19 1 p.m.
  • New Day 8/19 3:30 p.m.
  • Enzo & Cass 8/19 3:30 p.m.
  • Orton 8/20 10 a.m.
  • Banks 8/20 Noon
  • Reigns 8/20 3 p.m.
  • Rollins 8/20 3 p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • A show I did with Bill Barnwell of ESPN Radio is here.
  • Here is the footage of Paul Heyman with Will Ospreay from earlier this week offering him an Evolve contract.
  • A story on Shaq vs. Big Show and their angle is here. (thanks to Chris Cruise)
  • Last Friday’s Arena Mexico main event with Volador Jr. vs. Kushida for the NWA historic welterweight title is here.
  • A trailer for the movie “Kickboxer: Vengeance” which will be released on 9/2 and features Dave Bautista, Gina Carano, Georges St-Pierre and Jean-Claude Van Damme is here.
  • Teddy Hart wrestled for Elite last night at Arena Mexico, losing to Diamante Azul. He said he would be returning to Arena Mexico for CMLL. Dos Caras, the Hall of Fame father of Alberto Del Rio, worked Arena Mexico last night for the first time since 1997.
  • Marlon Moraes vs. Gentleman Josh Hill for the bantamweight title headlines the WSOF show on 7/30 at 10:30 p.m. on NBC Sports. Hill uses the Gentleman name because his uncle was Gentleman Jerry Valiant of the Valiant Brothers tag team.
  • ECWA on 7/23 in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Community Center.
  • UFC Fight Pass will have Victory FC live from Omaha tomorow headlined by Kassius Kayen vs. Maki Pitolo and Dakota Cochrane vs. Jason Witt. 
  • Combate Americas returns on UFC Fight Pass on 8/11 from The Exchange in Los Angeles with a ten fight card headlined by Erick Sanchez (7-2) vs. Angel Cruz (5-2) and Lisa Ellis 15-10 vs. Kyra Batara (5-3).
  • RFA returns to AXS on 9/9 from the 1st Bank Center in Broomfiedl, CO headlined by Brian Camozzi (6-2) vs. Nick Barnes (11-1) for the RFA welterweight title. Camozzi is the younger brother of the better known UFC fighter Chris Camozzi.
  • National Fighting Championships on 7/22 at the Electric Cowboy in Kennesaw, GA with Chazz Walton vs Warren Smith for the Georgia lightweight title.
  • World Women’s Wrestling Iron Maiden tournament on 8/13 at the Amercial Civic Center in Wakefield, MA with an eight-women one-night tournament. There will be four first round singles matches and ending with a four-way 30 minute Iron Woman match where the most falls or submissions in the 30 minutes wins.
  • Negro Casas & Shocker defend the CMLL tag titles against La Mascara & Sharky Rockstar on Monday night in Puebla.
  • On 8/5 in Tijuana at the Auditorio, it’s Psycho Clown vs. Pagano vs. Pentagon Jr., in the main event, plus El Texano Jr & La Parka vs. Mesias (Mil Muertes) & Villano IV and Monster & Murder Clown vs. Damian 666 & Nicho. (thanks to Kris Zellner)
  • Both UFC and WWE get mentions in a murder case here. (thanks to Brian Cooper)
  • A story on the new Lucha Mexico documentary coming out soon is here. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
  • Here is a story on actor Brian Donahue. He was never a big wrestling star, but has carved out a decent acting career:

Daily Pro Wrestling History (07/15): Flair wins Missouri State title; Lesnar stripped of IWGP title