Daily update: WWE Shuffles their lineup, Bobby Lashley fights James Thompson

We’re looking for reports on today’s WWE shows in London, England (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for IC title, Kane vs. Big Show, Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze), Barcelona, Spain (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt, Usos & Ryback vs. Braun Strowman & Luke Harper & Erick Rowan; Alberto Del Rio vs. Neville vs. King Barrett for U.S. title) and NXT in Jacksonville, FL.  Please email NEWSTIPS@WRESTLINGOBSERVER.COM

BELLATOR TONIGHT FROM THE SCOTTRADE CENTER IN ST. LOUIS AT 9 P.M. ON SPIKE

Justin Lawrence (146) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (145.6)

Bobby Lashley (239.5) vs. James Thompson (264)

Michael Chandler (155.75) vs. David Rickels (155.75)

Will Brooks (154.8) vs. Marcin Held (154.8) for the lightweight title

Patricio Pitbull Freire (144.4) vs. Daniel Straus (144.4) for the featherweight title

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING RETURNS AT 9 P.M. EASTERN/6 PACIFIC ON AXS TV

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP heavyweight title from the 1/4 show at the Tokyo Dome

It should be noted the Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi match from the same show will air at 8 p.m.

EVOLVE IPPV TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. EASTERN AT WWW.WWNLIVE.COM

Timothy Thatcher vs. Johnny Gargano for Evolve title

Drew Galloway vs. Caleb Konley

Drew Gulak vs. Matt Riddle

TJ Perkins vs. Anthony Nese

Ethan Page vs. Peter Kaasa

RESURRECTION FIGHTING ALLIANCE TONIGHT AT 10 P.M. ON AXS TV FROM THE MYSTIC SHOWROOM IN PRIOR LAKE, MN

Marc Hummel (170.4) vs. Logan Storley (170.4)

Clay Wimer (145.2) vs. Sean Richman (145.2)

Dakota Cochrane (170.4) vs. Ben Neumann (170.4)

Craig Eckelberg (170.5) vs. Ben Smith (170.5)

Landon Vannata (155.4) vs. Chad Cherry (155.4)

Leandro Higo (135.2) vs. Melvin Blumer (135.2)

NEW JAPAN POWER STRUGGLE AT 3 A.M. EASTERN TIME/MIDNIGHT PACIFIC ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada vs. Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka & David Finlay & Jay White

Togi Makabe & Captain New Japan & Juice Robinson vs. Doc Gallows & Tama Tonga & Cody Hall

Hirooki Goto vs. Evil (Takaaki Watanabe)

Alex Shelley & Kushida & Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish vs. Young Bucks & Kenny Omega & Chase Owens

Matt Sydal & Ricochet vs. Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta for Super Junior tag team tournament finals

Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi vs. A.J. Styles & Bad Luck Fale

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tomoaki Honma for Never Open weight title

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kazuchika Okada & Kazushi Sakuraba

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Karl Anderson for IC title

A few notes for the show.  The big tease has been a mystery guy showing up after the main event who will challenge for the IC title at the Tokyo Dome.  This is the next to last PPV before the Dome, so expect some angles on this show to build to Dome matches.  They will either announce the tag team tournament lineup tonight, or in a day or two at the press conference, as well as announce a lot of the Tokyo Dome card.  The winner of the Super Junior tournament will challenge Fish & O’Reilly at the Tokyo Dome, but that could be a multiple team match.  In the eight-man juniors match, good booking would have it that Omega gets pinned and whoever does that becomes his top contender at the Dome.  Goto vs. Watanabe is the biggest match of Watanabe’s career. 

WWE runs Saturday in Leeds, England (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for IC title, Kane vs. Big Show, Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze), Madrid, Spain (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt; Usos & Ryback vs. Braun Strowman & Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, Alberto Del Rio vs. Neville & King Barrett for U.S. title) and NXT is in Largo,FL.

UFC ON FIGHT/PASS FS1 FROM SAO PAULO, BRAZIL SATURDAY NIGHT

Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. Eastern

Matheus Nicolas vs. Bruno Korea

Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera

Viscardi Andrade vs. Gasan Umalatov

FS 1 at 8 p.m.

Chas Skelly vs. Kevin Souza

Clay Guida vs. Thiago Tavares

Yan Cabral vs. Johnny Case

Gleison Tibau vs. Abel Trujillo

Corey Anderson vs. Fabio Maldonado

Gilbert Burns vs. Rashid Magomedov

Piotr Hallman vs. Alex Oliveira

Thomas Almeida vs. Anthony Birchak

Glover Teixeira vs. Patrick Cummins

Vitor Belfort vs. Dan Henderson

WWE runs Sunday in Birmingham, England (Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for IC title; Kane vs. Big Show; Dolph Ziggler vs Tyler Breeze) and Liverpool, England (Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt, Usos & Ryback vs Braun Strowman & Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, Alberto Del Rio vs. Neville vs. King Barrett for U.S. title).

EVOLVE IPPV SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7 P.M. AT www.WWNLive.com

Timothy Thatcher vs. Drew Galloway

Johnny Gargano vs. Drew Gulak

Caleb Konley vs. TJ Perkins

Tracy Williams vs. Matt Riddle

Anthony Nese vs. Peter Kaasa

Ethan Page vs. Lio Rush

Raw is Monday in Manchester, England.  Right now nothing is announced for the show.  The show will be airing on a few hour tape delay, not live.

Smackdown is Tuesday in Manchester, England.  Undertaker is being advertised for this show.

Figure Four Weekly:

Figure Four Weekly (10/2/15): WWE 2K16 Review
2K Sports and Yuke’s turn around WWE video game series with a reinvigorated title boasting huge roster.

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Here is the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer: November 9, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Hall of Fame Issue

Our most talked about issue of the year, the 2015 Hall of Fame issue is up on the site right now.  This is a double-issue featuring notes on the seven new inductees, the complete balloting results for the year along with last year, plus how the top candidates did with reporters, historians, and those who are currently and formerly in the business.  You’ll see how the different groups voted, as well as notes on everyone who went in, what kept those who came close from getting in, thoughts on next year’s ballot, and a look at the careers of the inductees.  There is also a super history of Montreal wrestling in the new issue, as well as a story on the modern Mexican scene.

The issue features a ton of old Southern history, coverage of one of the top heels of the 70s, the biggest matches ever held in Puerto Rico, a complete WWE business rundown with reactions from Vince McMahon and George Barrios, what the numbers say, profits in every category, the Wall Street reaction to the numbers, lots of network information broken down including who watches what, the current WWE profitability level vs. historical levels, as well as where the money comes from, and the last three years of PPV business being charted and the surprising staying power of PPV.  We also look at every other aspect of WWE business.

We also have an in-depth update on the situation with Alberto Del Rio, WWE, AAA, TNA, Lucha Underground, Rizin and everyone else that had interest in him.  We look at how things changed in the last week, have comments from WWE regarding what he can and can’t do, both sides of contradictory stories, the big move AAA made this past week due to his leaving, what the situation is with the AAA Mega heavyweight title, the good and bad of working with WWE vs. indies from a short and long-term financial situation, what Mexican star did WWE show interest in, and how this affects AAA and Lucha Underground.

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@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

  • WWE shuffles injury-plagued lineup for overseas tour”>As noted earlier today, Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose for the IC title was being moved to the “Rollins” tour to replace the injured Seth Rollins starting with today’s show in London at the O2 Arena.
  • WWE has to make a key decision this week regarding who will be the top heel.  Alberto Del Rio is already earmarked for John Cena, but Roman Reigns is slotted as the top babyface and Brock Lesnar as the top attraction.  With Bray Wyatt having just had a Hell in a Cell match with Reigns, he’s not the right guy for right now.  The heel is either going to have to win the tournament, or be the key opponent for whoever wins the tournament.  So the choices are Kevin Owens, Big Show, Braun Strowman, or turning a face like Cesaro, Dolph Ziggler or Dean Ambrose.
  • Kurt Angle announcing tonight’s Bellator, Lashley fights Thompson”>Besides Kurt Angle doing some announcing and Bobby Lashley fighting, Ken Shamrock has claimed he will be making a big announcement at tonight’s Bellator show. 
  • Former UFC fighter Alan Belcher announced his retirement.  He said he’s doing it with no regrets.
  • Regarding the Jerry Jarrett and Shane Douglas promotion, these are two different promotions both looking at starting up and are not affiliated.  The Douglas group, Classic Wrestling Revolution, put out a trailer video.  
  • For tonight’s CMLL show at Arena Mexico, there is a rare last minute change in the card.  La Mascara is off the card so Rush will team with Mistico against La Sombra & Volador Jr.  This has Rush & Sombra, usual tag partners, each teaming with babyfaces.  La Mascara is a regular partner of Rush.  The idea that the match would be everyone turning on Volador is less likely with Mistico as his partner.  Rush & Mistico are actually brothers, and haven’t teamed up in three years.  

WWE

  • WrestleMania tickets went on sale today at Ticketmaster.  There must be a high demand because the last time I checked for options the wait time was nine minutes.  Aside from ringside, the best tickets available as of a few hours ago were in the 200s section priced at $207.   
  • Eva Marie and Linda McMahon represented WWE last night in accepting the Corporate Leadership Award from Soldier Strong. 
  • The Boogeyman announced that he’s signed a WWE Legends deal.  The Young Bucks then posted that they would be signing one next, but that was a spoof. 
  • Video review of WWE 2K16 in the New York Daily News

UFC

  • For those coming to Las Vegas for the three big shows next month, here are some events taking place:

Tuesday 12/8

Open workouts at 12:30 p.m. at the MGM Grand Casino floor with Rose Namajunas, Paige VanZant, Jim Miller, Michael Chiesa, Sage Northcutt and Cody Pfister

Wednesday 12/9

Media day at 10:30 a.m. (closed to the public) featuring 18 fighters that weekend at the MGM Grand.

Press conference open to the public at 1 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with Dana White, Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes.

Weigh-ins for the Thursday show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at 4 p.m.

Thursday 12/10

Open workouts at 10 a.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold open to the public and free

Weigh-ins at 2 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena

Live show at 3:45 p.m. at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan Hotel

Friday 12/11

UFC 194 weigh-ins at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at 3 p.m. (one hour earlier than usual)

Live show headlined by Frankie Edgar vs Chad Mendes at 4:30 p.m. at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan

Saturday 12/12

UFC 194 at 3:30 p.m. from the MGM Grand Garden Arena

  • UFC Fight Pass is “Powered by Miesha” in November with new features including her going into depth of her two Ronda Rousey fights and analyze what Holly Holm can expect next week, as well as preview the Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Valerie Letourneau fight.  There will also be a Fightography with Tate talking about her career starting as the only girl doing high school wrestling at her school to holding the Strikeforce bantamweight title.  She also has another feature talking about the best fights of her career.
  • Monster Energy announced a marketing deal with Ronda Rousey.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Dr. Wagner Jr. is replacing Alberto Del Rio on the first ZZ Inc. pro wrestling show tomorrow night in Veracruz, teaming with Blue Demon Jr. & Rey Mysterio Jr. against Low Ki & Johnny Mundo & Roderick Strong.  Garza Jr. (the nephew of Hector Garza) will team with El Hijo del Dos Caras (the brother of Alberto Del Rio) & The Original Psicosis vs. Brodus (Clay) & Mesias & Pentagon.  Among the guys working the undercard are Speedball Mike Bailey, Willie Mack, Mr. 450 from Puerto Rico and Seiya Sanada from Japan.
  • Flamita, wrestling as Fireball, is also on the Veracruz show.  He was also booked for CaraLucha on Saturday night in a four-way.  Angel de Oro replaces him in the main event, against Caristico (ex-Myzteziz), Herichero and Cavernario.    
  • AAA is taping television tonight in Xalapa headlined by Rey Mysterio Jr. & Fenix & Psycho Clown vs. Low Ki & Johnny Mundo & Pentagon Jr.
  • Maryland Championship Wrestling on 11/13 in Waldorf, MD at the Unique Sports Academy and 11/14 in Joppa, MD at the MCW Arena.  Appearing in Waldorf are Ric Flair, Baby Doll and Mickie James.  Mickie James faces Kimber Lee and Renee Michelle faces Tessa Blanchard.  Appearing in Joppa are Flair, Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon.
  • As noted yesterday, Glory debuts on ESPN today.  The live show from Milan, Italy, featuring Robin Van Roosmalen (34-6, 19 KOs) vs. Sitthicha Sitsongpeenong (103-28-5, 28 KOs) for the lightweight title and legendary Giorgio Petrosyan (81-2-1, 36 KOs) vs. Josh Jauncey (23-5, 12 KOs) airs live at 4 p.m. Eastern on ESPN 3, the company’s streaming service.  A taped version of the show airs at 1:30 a.m. tonight on ESPN 2.
  • Ethan Carter III vs. Shane Sabre headlines for Superkick’d tomorrow night in Toronto at The Great Hall. 
  • CMLL from Tuesday night in Guadalajara:  Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno b Explosivo & Star Black, Hombre Bala Jr. & Magnum & Super Halcon Jr. b Artillero & Metalico & Rafaga Delta & Esfinge & Guerrero Maya Jr. b Disturbio & Virus & Bobby Z, Brazo de Plata & La Mascara & Maximo Sexy  b Olimpico & Rey Bucanero & Ripper, Atlantis & Mistico & Volador Jr. b Euforia & Negro Casas & Mr. Niebla-DQ.  La Mascara made Bucanero submit to set up Bucanero defending the NWA Historic light heavyweight title against La Mascara this coming Tuesday in the same arena.
  • Promociones Salinas runs on 11/14 at Salon los Portales in Mission, TX headlined by Temblor & Valiente & Volador Jr. vs. La Mascara & La Sombra & Virus.
  • My Life My Power Entertainment has a live show at 11/14 at 5 p.m. at Jackson High School in Miami.  Step into my Sole will be donating $200,000 worth of Saucony shoes for every student and teacher who attends. 
  • Regarding the nickname The Bash Brothers for Melvin & Marvin Blumer that we noted earlier in the week previewing tonight’s RFA show and that it came from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, it should be noted that Kyle Shiely, a longtime reader and correspondent for this site was the one who came up with it, taken of course from Mark McGwire & Jose Canseco when they played for the Oakland A’s.
  • A tribute video to Mitsuharu Misawa
  • And 41 years ago today, check out this show in Miami Beach during the heyday, what a great talent lineup:

Frank Monte b Gene Lewis

Bruce Swayze d Frank Hester

Tony Parisi b Greg Valentine

Danny Hodge b Bobby Duncum

Dick Slater b Bob Backlund

Don Muraco b Mongolian Stomper

Dusty Rhodes & Jerry Brisco b Cowboy Bill Watts & Terry Funk

Bob Armstrong b Dory Funk Jr. via DQ to retain the North American title  

ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

1967 – Jim Breaks beat Alan Sargent in Leeds to win the British middleweight title

1977 – Mighty Inoue & Animal Hamaguchi (father of the Olympic woman wrestler) beat Great Kojika & Motoshi Okuma to win the All-Asia tag team title

1992 – Mr. Pogo & Crash the Terminator (Bill DeMott) beat The Head Hunters in Sapporo to win the WING tag title

2006 – Masahiro Chono & Shinsuke Nakamura beat Koji Kanemoto & Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the G-1 tag team tournament in Tokyo

2008 – Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Togi Makabe & Toru Yano in Tokyo to win the G-1 tag team tournament in Tokyo

2011 – Lance Archer & Minoru Suzuki beat Giant Bernard (Matt Bloom) & Karl Anderson in Tokyo to win the G-1 tag team tournament in Tokyo

2013 – The Young Bucks beat Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov in Tokyo to win the Super Junior tag team tournament in Tokyo