Daily Update: Pampero Firpo funeral, Tessa Blanchard, WWE notes

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

EVOLVE TONIGHT FROM YBOR CITY, FL AT 8 P.M. EASTERN ON www.wwnlive.com

  • Parrow & Odinson vs. Michael Patrick & Leo Brien
  • Auren & Omar Amir vs. Hunter Law & Snoop Strikes
  • Jon Davis vs. Troy Hollywood for Florida Heritage title
  • Stephen Wolf vs. Anthony Gutierrez vs. Leon Ruff & Liam Gray
  • Adrian Alanis vs Denzel Dejournette
  • Santana Garrett vs. Avary Taylor
  • Indi Hartwell vs. Brandi Lauren
  • Curt Stallion vs. Dexter Lumis
  • AR Fox vs.. Brendan Vink
  • Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett vs. Eddie Kingston & Joe Gacy for Evolve tag title
  • Josh Briggs vs. Anthony Greene no DQ

CMLL TONIGHT FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M. ON THE CMLL YOUTUBE PAGE

  • Robin & Retro vs Espanto Jr. & Akuma
  • Avispa Dorada & Marcela & Princesa Sugehit vs. Amapola & Tiffany & Metalica
  • Blue Panther & Blue Panther Jr. & Black Panther vs. Polvora & Vangellys & Espiritu Negro
  • Atlantis Jr. & Valiente & Kraneo vs. Mephisto & Ephesto & Rey Bucanero
  • Rey Cometa vs. Templario
  • Mistico & Volador Jr. & Diamante Azul vs. Gran Guerrero & Shocker & El Terrible

We’re also doing polls this weekend for UFC 246 tomorrow night in Las Vegas and the Fantastica Mania final show on Monday in Tokyo.  You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with the best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

Saturday has Raw in Jackson, MS, Smackdown in Knoxville, NXT in Largo, FL and NXT UK TV tapings in York, UK.  We’re looking for reports on these shows to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com

UFC 246 FROM THE T MOBILE ARENA IN LAS VEGAS

Prelims at 7 p.m. Eastern

  • Sabina Mazo (125.5) vs. J.J. Aldrich (125.5)
  • Aleksa Camur (204) vs. Justin Ledet (205)

ESPN AT 8 p.m. Eastern

  • Drew Dober (155.5) vs. Nasrat Haqparast (156)
  • Tim Elliott (125.5) vs. Askar Askarov (126)
  • Andre Fili (145.5) vs. Sodiq Yusuff (146)
  • Roxanne Modaferri (125) vs. Maycee Barber (126)

ESPN+ PPV AT 10 p.m. Eastern

  • Brian Kelleher (136) vs. Ode Osbourne (135)
  • Anthony Pettis (155.5) vs. Diego Ferreira (155.5)
  • Aleksei Oleinik (238) vs. Maurice Greene (243)
  • Holly Holm (135.5) vs. Raquel Pennington (136)
  • Conor McGregor (170) vs. Donald Cerrone (170)

Sunday has Raw in Topeka, KS and Smackdown in Chattanooga.

FANTASTICA MANIA SUNDAY AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Yota Tsuji & Audaz vs. Namajague & Luciferno
  • Guerrero Maya Jr. & Flyer & Soberano Jr. vs. Douki & Tiger & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Sanson & Forastero & Cuatrero vs Niebla Roja & Angel de Oro & Titan  non-title
  • Stuka Jr. vs. Okumura
  • Ryusuke Taguchi & Fuego & Dulce Gardenia vs. Shingo Takagi & Evil & Bushi
  • Ultimo Guerrero vs. Satoshi Kojima for CMLL heavyweight title
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi  Caristico & Tiger Mask vs. Negro Casas & Euforia & Cavernario

EVOLVE ON SUNDAY AT 7 P.M. EASTERN FROM ORLANDO, FL AT WWW.WWNLIVE.COM

  • Natalia Markova vs. Jenna for Shine Nova title
  • Aja Perera & Big Swole vs. Marti Belle & Jayme Jameson for Shine tag title
  • Stephen Wolf vs. Brendan Vink
  • Joe Gacy vs. Denzel Dejournette
  • Anthony Greene vs. Rik Bugez
  • Brandi Lauren vs. Avary Taylor
  • Eddie Kingston vs. Anthony Gutierrez no holds barred
  • Mat Fitchett & Davey Vega vs. Liam Gray & Adrian Alanis
  • Joaquin Wilde vs Leon Ruff
  • Mansoor vs,. AR Fox
  • Josh Briggs vs. Dexter Lumis for Evolve title

Raw is Monday in Wichita, KS as the go-home show for Raw for the Rumble with Brock Lesnar appearing, plus Andrade vs. Rey Mysterio in a ladder match for the U.S. title.

FANTASTICA MANIA FINAL SHOW MONDAY AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Ryusuke Taguchi & Fuego vs,. Douki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Tiger Mask vs. Tiger
  • Guerrero Maya Jr. & Flyer & Audaz vs. Namajague & Luciferno & Euforia
  • Yuya Uemura & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Dulce Gardenia vs. Evil & Shingo Takagi & Bushi
  • Satoshi Kojima & Stuka Jr. & Soberano Jr vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Negro Casas & Okumura
  • Sanson & Forastero & Cuatrero vs. Niebla Roja & Angel de Oro & Titan for Mexican national trios titles
  • Caristico vs. Cavernario for NWA middleweight title

WON NEWSLETTER: January 20, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Death of Rocky Johnson, AEW extends TV deal

We’ve got what will be one of the biggest issues of the year, a double issue with a look at the lives and careers of Rocky Johnson, La Parka and Kendo Nagasaki, plus what will be one of the biggest news stories of 2020, the AEW new television extension with TNT through 2023.

The lead story goes into the life and career of Rocky Johnson, the father of Dwayne Johnson and one of pro wrestling’s biggest stars of the 1970s. We talk about Johnson’s death this past week, his ancestry, the story of him being kicked out of the house at 13, his background in boxing and wrestling along with ties to both Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, as well as where the name Rocky Johnson came from.

We talk about his main skills, his dropkicks, the birth of Dwayne Johnson, the best television match on Roy Shire television of the 70s, his quick rise to main events and championships, and how his run in Los Angeles in 1970 made him into one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling. We cover his years in San Francisco, his landmark program with Jerry Lawler, his headlining in St. Louis, his world title battles, early championships and his brother, as well as how Dwayne Johnson got started in pro wrestling.

The new issue also covers:

Full details of the new television deal between AEW and TNT, including the value, the options, how this relates to the old deal, how this compares to other deals, what we know about the second show, questions this brings up regarding WWE countering, stars that are about to become free agents, Tony Khan talks the new deal, and the ratings in 18-49 and value per episode update on Raw, Smackdown, NXT and AEW and what type of value did TNT get for its money.

The death of La Parka, including his connection with the first La Parka, as well as the uncle of the first La Parka. We look at his career before La Parka, his rise to fame in AAA, his period on top, his biggest feuds, his heel turn and why it flopped, L.A. Park comments on his rival and more on his biggest matches.

The death of Kazuo Sakurada, the Japanese Kendo Nagasaki. We look at his connection with Bret Hart, with comments by Bret Hart, Ross Hart and Fumi Saito. How Dusty Rhodes created Kendo Nagasaki and who it was copied from.  Many of his other wrestling names.  Sakurada’s tough guy reputation and his days in sumo prior to pro wrestling.  How he got into pro wrestling, his original relationships with Giant Baba and Genichiro Tenryu, his day in Stampede Wrestling as one of its biggest tag team stars, his wrestling in Japan, Mid South, WCW and the story of he and Bruiser Brody from Puerto Rico. His fights in the ring,and his one MMA fight.

Next WWE show in Saudi Arabia, a new Dwayne Johnson television show, a new Miz television show, notes on the return of Big Show, Paul Levesque and Paige, Bret Hart filming a WWE show, Brock Lesnar honored, WWE trademarks, WWE BT party in London,WWE European ratings, notes on several new WWE signings as well as a major star who has met with Paul Levesque about coming in.  We look at the next MSG show, DVR viewership of WWE programming, plus a look at all the WWE & NXT live events over the past week with results,highlights and business notes.

Update the Royal Rumble and World Collide shows and how tickets are selling for the next round of major WWE events.

The Tessa Blanchard controversy and her winning the Impact title, with comments from many in wrestling and a full rundown of TNA Hard to Kill with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.

Update the changes at Bellator in structuring, who is now in charge and what may be happening next.

More money being sent into MMA with the PFL, its new ownership and revenue sources and how much new capita they now have.

Coverage of the WWE U.K. Takeover show, with show notes, business notes, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of the show.

The 2019 Wrestling Observer Awards ballot.

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker. 

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

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@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

The funeral for Juan Kachmanian (Pampero Firpo) took place earlier today in San Jose. Very nice speeches from his son John and daughter Mary. Most notable that in the assisted living home, because he was always so well dressed, people there thought he must have been a fashion designer in his youth.  They talked of how proud he was to be voted into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018 and really a lot of talk about his family life, including bringing his family from Argentina to the U.S. and being able to help buy them homes, as well as when they would go to Hawaii and people would see him and yell, “Oooh yeah!” and call him “Link.”  There was also a funny story when he was a babyface in Hawaii and he was coast for a part in Hawaii 5-O where he was supposed to terrorize some kids and Jack Lord would save the day, but since he was a face there, he wanted to be the one to help Jack Lord save the day. He never did appear on that episode.

Tessa Blanchard denied ever calling a wrestler a racial slur, which led to Allysin Kay responding saying that all our peers know the Rosa Negra story is true and she hopes that the other two witnesses to this incident will come forward.

The Alexa Grasso vs. Claudia Gadelha fight, which was one of the biggest fights on tomorrow’s UFC show, was called off by the commission because Grasso weighed in at 121.5 pounds, 5.5 pounds over the limit. Gadelha wanted to fight but the Nevada commission ruled that they would not allow more than a three pound weight differential for a strawweight fight. No word on what caused Grasso to miss weight so badly.

PWInsider reported that Velveteen Dream and Jinder Mahal are scheduled to be in Houston next weekend. They did not report either would be in the Rumble, only that both would be flying to Houston. 

Ric Flair will be going on the Jericho Cruise this coming week but not for the entire week. He’ll be there the early days but will be leaving early. 

WWE

UFC

AEW

  • A story by A.J. Daulerio making peace with Jenn Decker for breaking her confidence by reporting what she told him privately regarding Brett Favre many years ago. I have no respect whatsoever for Daulerio as a reporter. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)

MISCELLANEOUS

  • WCWF Redemption Rumble on 1/25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City, FL.
  • ECCW tonight at the Commodore Ballroom with Bandido vs. Artemis Spencer and Jeff Cobb vs. Eddie Osbourne, plus El Phantasmo, Alex Zayne, Tony Deppen and more.  They also run at the same location on Saturday night with Bandido vs. Cobb vs. Judas Icarus, Phantasmo vs. Beef Boy and Spencer, Nicole Matthews and Deppan.
  • IWF on 4/18 in Nutley, NJ with Tony Atlas, Terri Runnels, Bull James, Kevin Knight and more.
  • All Star Wrestling on 1/25 in Vancouver BC at the Maritime Labour Centre with Vance Nevada vs. Thunder from Jalanhar and Adam Ryder vs Raj Singh managed by Gams Singh.
  • Jessica Troy vs. Steph De Lander cage match for PWA on 2/15 in Sydney, Australia.
  • AAW on 1/24 in Chicago at the Logan Square Auditorium has Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett vs. Curt Stallion & Jake Something for the AAW tag titles, Hakim Zane vs. Paco for the AAW Heritage title, Jordan Oliver vs.. Jake Lander, ACH (who I guess isn’t retired) vs. Fred Yehi, Jessicka Havok & Kimber Lee vs. Hyan & Savanna Stone, Willie Mack vs. AR Fox, Sami Callihan & Jake Crist vs. Juventud Guerrera & Aramis plus Killer Kross, Nate Webb, Air Wolf, Angel Dorado, and more.
  • ROH tickets for the 2/9 free show in Baltimore are available today.  Even though the show is free, you have to order tickets for the show at the UMBC Event Center.
  • Shannon Moore has pulled out of his 1/24 to 1/26 dates with CWE in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan. Pat Tanaka will be taking his place.
  • Dillon Danis has pulled out of the 1/25 Bellator show in Los Angeles at the Forum.  Danis blew out his knee in training. Khonry Gracie has also pulled out of the show.
  • Yoshihiro Akiyama, 44, returns to MMA for a 2/28 show for ONE at the Singapore Indoor Stadium which will air on B/R Live.  Akiyama retired in 2015 but returned in June and lost in his ONE debut.
  • Nikki Bella will be on Nickelodeon’s show “The Substitute” as she goes undercover as a substitute school teacher. The episode airs on 1/31 at 8 p.m.    
  • The Wrestling Estate has released a story on ECWA, considered the longest-running independent promotion in the U.S., having new ownership. Mike Tartaglia sold the company in December, and his longtime booker Joe Zanolle has taken over. The piece goes into great detail about what drove Tartaglia toward selling.

Daily Pro Wrestling History:  Vader wins IWGP Heavyweight title

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