Daily Update: Thiago Santos, John Tatum, LAX

DAILY UPDATE

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We’re doing three polls this weekend, for the UFC 239 show in Las Vegas, NJPW G-1 opener in Dallas and the Impact PPV on Sunday in Dallas, 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” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We’re also looking for reports to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com on these shows

  • The Crash Friday in Tijuana
  • WWE Raw house show Saturday in Washington, DC
  • MLW from Saturday night in Chicago

 We’re also looking for reports from Raw in Newark, NJ tonight with anything not on the live Raw show as well as from the Smackdown house show in Glens Falls, NY.

Monday has Raw TV from Newark, NJ at the Prudential Center.  Rey Mysterio returns Monday plus Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins vs. Andrade & Zelina Vega and Roman Reigns and a mystery partner vs. Drew McIntyre & Shane McMahon.  There is also a Smackdown brand house show on Monday in Glens Falls, NY.

Smackdown and 205 take place Tuesday from Manchester, NH.

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Stomping Grounds

After a lack of interest heading into the pay-per-view, Stomping Grounds was a show that exceeded expectations.

Given that there weren’t really any surprises at the PPV, that’s probably mostly due to expectations being set too low. Nothing on the show was dramatically better than it should have been. The PPV succeeded where most good WWE shows do. Even if the build was underwhelming, a talented roster was able to go out to the ring and have good matches throughout much of the card.

WON NEWSLETTER: July 8, 2019 Observer Newsletter: The life and death of Perro Aguayo

With a gigantic week of news, we’ve got a double issue of the Observer this week, leading off with a look at the career of Perro Aguayo, one of the biggest drawing cards in pro wrestling history.

We look at his career highlights, the feud that made him a superstar, the big rivalries and big business booms he was part of, his most famous matches, the formation of AAA and his biggest career wins.

We also have more on Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman leading brands going forward.  We look at the angles on Raw and whose fingerprints were on what, the level of power they look to have, why this move was made, Wall Street’s reaction to the move, how AEW fits into the picture, the audience they are trying to get back the Raw ratings increase that didn’t hold for Smackdown, Heyman and Bischoff talk about their new positions, when Bischoff starts and an analysis of Heyman’s first moves.

We also look at AEW’s Fyter Fest, the chair shot, the preshow, the business numbers, comparisons with WWE and UFC programming, match by match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

We also look at why the U.K. November tour is being rapidly changed, the Evolve special on WWE Network, Stomping Grounds business update, the story behind David Starr stomping on WWE tile belt and WWE reaction, Performance Center news, most-watched shows on the WWE Network and a rundown with business notes on all the WWE arena events this past week.

We also look at the career of Jacques Rougeau Sr, one of the biggest stars in Montreal wrestling history.  We look at the history of the Rougeau family, how Jacques got into wrestling, why he quit at first, what brought him back, how role in making the career of Ivan Koloff, his sons getting into wrestling, his biggest matches, his Jarry Stadium main event, the first $100,000 gate in Canada, and the Rougeaus feud with the Garvins.

We also look at WWE’s tour of Japan this past week, with notes on both shows and business notes as well.

We run through New Japan’s tour of Australia, with business notes , Southern Showdown match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results and the Ospreay-Eagles match.

We also update Extreme Rules with matches announced and others that could be added.

We’ve also got full coverage of UFC in Minneapolis including detailed business notes.

We’ve got a rundown on ROH Bet in the World from Baltimore, with business notes, match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

We also look at the changing television situation in the U.K. with the WWE’s new deal with BT Sports and AEW’s new deal.

We look at the TripleMania card and the unique team of Cody & Psycho Clown & Cain Velasquez.  There’s also notes from Killer Kross, who is training Velasquez.

We also look at the wrestling career of Yoshiaki Yatsu, who had his leg amputated over the past week.  We look at his 1980s heyday when he was one of the best in the world, why he was important in history, his amateur background and his famous Pride match with Gary Goodridge.

We also look at the death of Jerry Seltzer, the famed Roller Derby promoter, how that game worked, how it exploded in popularity, why it died off, and Seltzer’s later role in the ticketing business.

We also run down the ratings of all the major TV shows, along with detailed demo info for the WWE shows.

We also have the 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.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Raw and the latest wrestling and MMA news, as well as taking questions that you can send to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com

Hollywood John Tatum, real name John Frenkel, is recovering from a series of heart attacks over the past week. 

Thiago Santos tore every ligament in his left knee during the fight with Jon Jones on Saturday night and his right knee also suffered damage due to compensating for his left knee.  He will need reconstructive surgery on the left knee, and may need it on his right knee.

From last night’s Impact PPV, the Santana injury was planned out in advance.  It was LAX’s last match with the promotion. They have offers from both AEW and WWE.  It also looks to be Johnny Impact’s last match with the promotion. He probably can go anywhere he wants.

WWE events on 11/3 and 11/4 in Italy have been canceled. This is also due to changes made based on the Saudi Arabian government changing dates for the November show.

WWE

  • After Raw tonight, the WWE Network will air a WWE 24 on Batista.
  • Dave Bautista will be appearing on Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday, promoting the movie “Stuber.” (thanks to Jon Southerland)
  • Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre had been pushed for the main event spot at the Glens Falls, NY house show tonight and were still listed on the web site a few hours ago but both are scheduled to be on Raw tonight in Newark.  Everyone should read “Death of WCW” regarding running off fans.
  • The company sent out mailers to a number of current and former networks subscribers offering the next three months of WWE network for 99 cents.
  • While there are stories going around about this, and tonight being the go-home show and all, Undertaker is not scheduled for Raw.
  • The July issue of Muscle & Fitness has a story on Natalya talking about her early career influences growing up with Stampede Wrestling. 
  • Zachary Madsen, the MMA fighter ho was arrested for the attack on Bret Hart at the WWE Hall of Fame, is scheduled  for a hearing tomorrow at Kings Criminal Court in Brooklyn.   He’s being charged with two counts of third degree assault and trespassing when he tacked and punched Hart while Hart was giving a Hall of Fame speech.
  • Glenn Jacobs, Mayor Kane’s autobiography news here at Knox News.
  • Mickie James spoke to ABC 8 News in Virginia talking about her background. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)

UFC

  • ESPN PPV numbers were huge for Saturday’s UFC 239 show.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • A correction from yesterday, in the story about a promotion in Butler County, PA, it was actually in Butler County, OH, although there is a Butler County, PA (thanks to Steve Schonberger)
  • Tony Khan donated $5,000 in the Go Fund Me for Don & Sandra Wright after their home burned down on Thursday.
  • Stardom from yesterday in Takaoka:  Konami b Saya Iida, Jungle Kyona won three-way over Starlight Kid and Hazuki, Saki Kashima & Xia Brookside b Utami Hayashishita & Leo Onozaki, Hana Kimura & Zoe Lucas & Bobbi Tyler b Bea Priestley & Momo Watanabe & AZM, Mayu Iwatani & Toni Storm & Arisa Hoshiki b Kagetsu & Natsuko Tora & Andras Miyagi (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net)
  • Best of the West on Saturday night with a live TV taping at 5766 E. Fountain Way in Fresno with Reno Scum against tag champs Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson.  The show starts at 6 p.m.
  • Danny Kinghad vs. Reece McLaren in a flyweight tournament alternate bout and Mauri Cerillo faces former UFC fighter Arjan Bhullar in a heavyweight fight on the 8/2 ONE show in The Philippines.
  • PWX from Sunday in Charlotte:  Sho & Yoh b Tracer X & Drew Adler, John Skyler & Ethan Case & Jushin Liger b Caleb Konley & Zane Riley & Jake Manning, Dariuis Lockhart won four-way over Brian Pillman Jr., Mason Myles and Sir Rios Badu, Saieve Al Sabah b Billy Brash, Lindsay Snow b Savannah Evans, Slim J b Jason Cade, Rocky Romero b Harlem Bravado, YaYa won Battle Royal.  This was the show where the backstage photo of Liger and Brian Pillman Jr. was shot (thanks to Adam Frazier)
  • Border City Wrestling from last night in Essex, ONT:  Stone Rockwell b James Runyan,. Jackson Stone & Billy Ray Daniels & Buck Gunderson b Nolan Edwards & Matrox & El Reverso, Ryan Wright b D-Man, Aiden Prince & Brad Martin b Gavin Quinn & Juntai, Cody Deaner b Bhupinder Singh (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Friday in Omaha:  Branden Juarez b Santos Barbosa, Nicky Scent b Logan James, Willie Sweet b K Dos, Brett Bishop b Preston Maxwell in a falls count anywhere match, Moonshine Russell b Purple, Seto Kobara & Tim Boston b Jack Darling & Uncle Ricky, Pat Powers b Paul Daniels & Joey Daniels in a handicap match, Jaysin Strife b Chris Havius.  Next show is 7/24 at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha.
  • Dory Funk Jr. and BANG have announced an 8/4 show at the Reilly Art Center in Ocala, FL.  The show is at 6 p.m. with a meet ad greet at 3 p.m.  Among those appearing are Funk Jr., Mick Foley, Osamu Nishimura, Steve Corino, Colby Corino, Sabu, Warlord, Barbarian, Lanny Poffo, Brian Blair, Dave Penzer, Bob Cook with Warlord & Barbarian vs. the Pretty Boys in a cage match main event.  The show will  benefit Champions for Champions for special needs kids and the Humane Society hospital of Central Florida.
  • Tonga Kid ran a show in Roseville, CA at the Denio’s Swap Meet yesterday with 85 fans. Tonga Kid & Journey Fatu, his son (brother of Jacob Fatu) beat Jody Kristofferson & Rik Luxury in the main event.  They have a second show in the same location on 8/11 (thanks to Roy Lucier)
  • ECCW on Saturday night in Vancouver, BC at the Commodore Ballroom features Ballroom Brawl 12 with Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Kevin Sullivan, Artemis Spencer vs. T.J. Perkins plus Brody King, David Starr and Nicole Matthews appear.  Tickets are at ticketmaster.ca
  • After winning the Bellator bantamweight title to with his Rizin bantamweight belt, Kyoji Horiguchi’s next fight is 8/18 in Nagoya against Kai Asakura.
  • A story on AAW debuting in Milwaukee.
  • ABC Ch. 7 in Chicago talks about the death of Jerry Seltzer, which got no coverage that I could tell in the San Francisco mainstream media.

Daily Pro Wrestling History:Rey Mysterio wins WCW Cruiserweight title

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