Daily Update: Tough Enough winner’s twitter heat, BJ Penn comes out of retirement

  • F4W Staff

JOSH FROM TOUGH ENOUGH CATCHING HEAT; ROYAL RUMBLE BOUND?

By Bryan Alvarez

There is a ton of heat on Josh from Tough Enough after he tweeted last night about #SocialJobbers in regards to the Social Outcasts.  The key to the story is that whether he is right or wrong (and, if you are being honest, it would be very difficult to fairly say that the Social Outcasts are not jobbers after being destroyed 4-on-1 last night by the Big Show), to say something like that publicly, especially since he’ll already have heat for getting a $250,000 contract because he won a reality show, is idiotic.  

There is a ton of heat on him today from the main roster, to the point where it is possible that management will have to step in to try to quell things if they have not already.  The other key is that the Royal Rumble is in Orlando and all the NXT talent will be there.  Probably going to be a long day for young Josh.  We have heard from people in the company who want to see him in the Royal Rumble now.

NEW JAPAN FANTASTICA MANIA DAY TWO ON TUESDAY IN KYOTO (not on New Japan World)

Ryusuke Taguchi & Fuego vs. Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka

The Panther vs. Okumura

Guerrero Maya Jr. vs. Bobby Zavala

Dragon Lee & Jushin Liger & David Finlay & Titan vs. Barbaro Cavernario & Yoshi-Hashi & Virus & Hechicero

Stuka Jr. & Mascara Dorada & Atlantis vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Bushi

Mistico & Kushida vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Gedo

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Volador Jr. & Juice Robinson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazuchika Okada & Mephisto

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night in Dayton, OH.

NEW JAPAN FANTASTICA MANIA DAY THREE ON WEDNESDAY IN OSAKA (not on New Japan World)

Jushin Liger & Stuka Jr. vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu

The Panther vs. Bobby Zavala 

Guerrero Maya Jr. vs. Okumura

Jay White & Ryusuke Taguchi & Kushida & Titan vs. Gedo & Yoshi-Hashi & Hechicero & Barbaro Cavernario

Fuego & Mascara Dorada & Atlantis vs. Tetsuya Naito & Bushi & Evil

Mistico & Volador Jr. & Juice Robinson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Ultimo Guerrero & Mephisto

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Dragon Lee vs Kazuchika Okada & Virus

If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!  We have two new quick video clips up on our Youtube page, so check it out and subscribe today for more!

Figure Four Weekly

Figure Four Weekly 1/4/2016: More on Gawker motioning to dismiss Hulk Hogan lawsuit

More information on Gawker’s motion to dismiss Hulk Hogan’s sex tape lawsuit, tons more.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: January 18, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW strips Nakamura, Sting to HOF

An update on Shinsuke Nakamura, WWE and New Japan Pro Wrestling is the lead story of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.  His departure, not losing the IC title in the ring, the decision making surrounding it, Nakamura’s final matches in Japan and his start in the U.S., New Japan’s next two PPV shows, and the future of the IC title.

Nick Diaz’s updated suspension, Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler, and the welterweight division title situation.  UFC 197 through 200 with talk about what is next for Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier, MMA in New York, what huge publicity coup UFC had that fell apart, is UFC too confident about high ticket prices, and a number of future main events.  The plans for C.M. Punk’s debut.

Lots of WrestleMania updates, including what is on the books and other key matches.  We’ve got more on John Cena’s surgery, updates on a number of WWE injuries, a look at the first Smackdown on USA, more on brain injuries to fighters and wrestlers, Notes on the next NXT tapings, new WWE camps, double standards, Linda McMahon update, NXT weekend, and football background of two NXT stars.

Rundowns of all the WWE & NXT house shows over the weekend and business notes.  Updates on Royal Rumble.

A feature on Sting and his career, from growing up through Memphis, through WCW and TNA and his final run in WWE.  How he got started, his first break, the Ric Flair match that made him a star, when he was originally going to win the NWA title and why it was delayed, what happened when he was champion, the Hogan vs. Sting disaster, how he ended up in TNA.

Full coverage of TNA’s tapings and PPV, contract issues, the Matt Hardy situation and what is the short-term future for television.

Yoel Romero and his potential test failure and how this changes the middleweight division.  Romero’s background, fighter reactions to his test failure.

The future of the AAA Mega championship and the current plans for Guerra de Titanes, the first major show of 2016 in AAA.

PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer

You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

Rates are:

For the United States, it is $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 get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. 

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: November 23, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF Survivor Series review, Rock becomes Corporate Champion
A full review of WWF Survivor Series with The Rock becoming the Corporate Champion, more WCW woes, plus tons of news.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

Jim Ross will be our guest on Wrestling Observer Radio on Thursday.  Ross, confirmed with FOX SPORTS today that he will returning to commentating, taking over for Mauro Ranallo who was doing the commentating for NJPW on AXS.  

If you haven’t checked it out already and subscribed, you must check out our Youtube Channel.  On top of posting our free shows there, we just posted what is possibly the greatest silent film ever created.  The award winning(ok, one of the runners up) The Paper Bag Bandit!  Subscribe to our channel now!  We will be reposting more in studio videos, the Bryan vs Vinny BATTEL~! which includes all the vignettes leading to the match, another silent film called Kill that Mole and we will keep posting free shows for your enjoyment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki3SV9cUz6s

WWE

Triple H 6-4

Roman Reigns 9-4

Brock Lesnar 3-1

No one else is any better than a 16-1 longshot. Interesting other names on the listing are:

Daniel Bryan at 18-1

AJ Styles at 33-1

Finn Balor at 40-1

John Cena, Randy Orton, Ronda Rousey (?!!!) and Sami Zayn all listed at 50-1

Shinsuke Nakamura  and the Rock both at 66-1

Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and the Big Show at 80-1 (yes, the “largest athlete in the World has the same odds as two guys who haven’t even debuted and probably won’t any time soon)

Chyna (???!!!!??!!), Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe at 100-1 (the same odds as Kane, Luke Harper, Mark Henry and some other active superstars)

UFC/MMA

  • BJ Penn announced on the MMA Hour that he is officially out of retirement. He had called out Nik Lentz in the last couple of weeks but today’s announcement by Penn indicated that this is not just for one fight and he’s at least planning on making a title run.
  • After a successful Strawweight title defence, Invicta Champion Livia Renata Souza had a lot to say Saturday night. She shot down a potential fight with Alexa Grasso, saying that she’s done all she can do in Invicta. She was pushing for a UFC fight with Paige VanZant, calling the recent main-eventer “a joke” and also claimed that she will be the “Conor McGregor of the strawweights”. Hey, at least she gets it.
  • Kurt Angle talks MMA including CM Punk’s prospects and more.
  • Speaking of fighters who “get it”, Patrick Cote is pushing for a fight with Nick Diaz. If Diaz’ history is any indication, there’s about zero chance of him taking that fight but at least Cote’s trying.

MISC

  • Windham Brothers Towing Company in Florida
  • Kansas City Metro Pro Wrestling announces new training school  
  • EVOLVE runs this Friday night in Ybor City, FL with an IPPV available at WWNLive.com and via the Flipps app. The show is built around the first round of their tag team title tournament with the tournament matches being EVOLVE Champion Timothy Thatcher & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Chris Hero & Tommy End, Caleb Konley & Anthony Nese vs. Harlem & Lancelot Bravado, Roppongi Vice (Trent Baretta & Rocky Romero) vs. Team Tremendous (Dan Barry & Bill Carr), and Johnny Gargano & Drew Galloway vs. Drew Gulak & TJ Perkins.The show also includes Style Battle Round Robin Singles Tournament matches with Fred Yehi, Matt Riddle, Peter Kaasa, and Tracy Williams, plus a bonus match featuring PJ Black vs. Ethan Page.
  • Announced for House of Hardcore on Saturday Night April 16th at the ECW Arena are Tommy Dreamer, Rhino, Brian Cage, Sami Callihan, Billy Gunn and more.
  • On the latest episode of Between the Sheets, Kris Zellner & David Bixenspan are joined by Pete Schirmacher to discuss the week that was January 12-18, 1996 including Sabu & Peter McNeely being in the 1996 Royal Rumble and why it didn’t happen, the Billionaire Ted striking a nerve in WCW, the birth of BattlARTS, AAA vs. Televisa, a wacky MMA-themed episode of the Phil Donahue Show, the awesomeness of early 1996 USWA, the Welch Family Tree, Mike Ditka being rumored to manage Mongo McMichael, and more.
  • AIW 2/12/16 will be the last time Missy Hyatt manages, since the weekend of Wrestlecon is her final bookings. She is going to be managing Dick Justice & Colt Cabana & Marion Fontaine vs. Bunkhouse Buck & Tracy Smothers & Jock Sampson with Robert Fuller for AIW.  Jock Sampson cut a promo on her regarding the match here.
  • Nick Dinsmore’s Midwest All Pro Wrestling runs January 22 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota featuring the in ring debut of Shayna Baszler and Heather Patera.
  • Steel Domain Wrestling next event is January 23 in Richfield, Minnesota featuring an “Make or Break” over-the-top-rope Battle Royal!
  • Next event for Metro Pro Wrestling is Saturday, January 30 featuring: Metro Pro Championship Match: Jeremy Wyatt (c) vs. The Beer City Bruiser and former ECW/SMW/NWA/WWF star Tracy Smothers vs. The Math Magician
  • Midwest Pro Wrestling runs February 6 in Columbus, Nebraska headlined by MWA Champion Brian Blade defending the title against Nathan Redwing.
  • Paragon Pro Wrestling on Fight Network January 17:

Caleb Konley vs Mikey O’Shea. Before match O’Shea was attacked by a hooded gentleman. match never started

Ethan HD w/Christian Cole defeated Crash Test Cody

Greg Romero and midget Buggy Cub beat Anthony Green and midget Cowboy Kid Quick

Feature on Darin Corbin

Wes Brisco defeated Darin Corbin

Alex Chamberlain retained the PPW championship defeating The Gentleman Brawler, Eric Right

ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY: Daily pro wrestling history (01/19): Ric Flair wins the Royal Rumble and WWF Title

I normally try not to list off everyone who helped with the daily update today because so many of us do and it would be hard to list everyone every day.  But thanks to David Bixenspan, Paul Fontaine and Brian Hoops for the help today, and Bryan too I guess…