MON. UPDATE: Cena injured, NJPW next PPV card, Joe ROH update, TNA & ROH, Raw, Rousey nomination

By Dave Meltzer
dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We’re looking for your thoughts on yesterday’s New Japan Best of the Super Junior finals from Tokyo, 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”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We’re looking for live reports on Raw from New Orleans tonight.  It’s the go-home show for Money in the Bank.  If it seems fast for that, it’s because it is.  We’re looking for dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident from the live show. 

We’re also looking for reports on these shows:

WWE Saturday night in Baton Rouge

WWE Sunday in Lake Charles, LA (John Cena, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Ryback, King Barrett)

New Japan World has another show that will be up Wednesday (not live as the show is on Tuesday from Korakuen Hall), but it’s unique because it’s the Suzuki-gun show, which means it’s more a NOAH show, although a lot of New Japan stars are on it:

Genba Hirayanagi & Hitoshi Kumano vs. Jack Gamble & Jon Webb

Zack Sabre Jr. & Gedo vs. Captain New Japan & Captain NOAH

Jushin Liger & Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Taichi & Desperado

Takashi Sugiura & Daisuke Harada vs. Shelton Benjamin & Taka Michinoku

Naomichi Marufuji vs. Yuji Nagata

Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan for NWA tag tiles

Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka vs. Maybach Taniguchi & Yoshihiro Takayama

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Lafayette, LA.

In a busy news week, we’ve full coverage of all of UFC’s changes when it comes to drug testing, as well as other things the company is doing for fighters, looking at the pluses, the minuses, and the loopholes in the new system of drug testing.  We also look at Brock Lesnar vs. Steve Austin, Samoa Joe in WWE and how it’s changed, Destination America and wrestling, we’ve got a look at Money in the Bank, Elimination Chamber, the death of Tommy Rogers, UFC in Brazil, Dwayne Johnson’s latest projects and the retirement of Masashi Aoyagi.

The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter:  June 8, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Tommy Rogers bio, Austin-Lesnar notes, WWE signs Samoa Joe full-time, more

Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site are at  Sign up here for as low as $9.99 per month!

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”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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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.

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

Our lead story looks at the UFC’s new drug testing program, the keys to the program, questions that still need to be answered, loopholes, how often fighters will be tested, ability to beat the system and more.

We look at Brock Lesnar vs. Steve Austin, Austin’s promo on the WWE Network, Austin vs Lesnar history, and the value of next year’s WrestleMania on PPV and the Network.

We look at the new deal Samoa Joe is talking with WWE about, how the deal has changed, Joe’s future on the indies, Joe’s ROH future, what led to the change, as well as an update on the Tyson Kidd injury situation in the match with Joe.

We also preview and update Destination America and wrestling, as well as the competition on Wednesday nights.  We update Destination America on TNA and ROH, comparisons, how TNA hurt itself if it needs to shop for a new outlet by his actions this past two weeks, DA promotion of the two shows and why ROH on DA is only good for TNA.

We’ve got full coverage of the Elimination Chamber show, as well as a look at Money in the Bank, burning out programs, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

We have a look at the life of Tommy Rogers, looking at the highlights of his career, how he achieved stardom, the last years of his life, how he got into wrestling, how The Fantastics were formed, the feuds with the Midnight Express and The Sheepherders, the first Clash of Champions, the first Crockett Cup, and time in Japan.

We also look at Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE, the 7/4 show in Tokyo, Sami Zayn injury update, Rusev injury update, Kevin Owens new changes, Lots of Dwayne Johnson career notes, why WWE won’t tape TV in Kentucky, Lots of WWE acting notes, WWE hiring, NXT updates, Stephanie McMahon looking at selling more stock, Finn Balor talks career, lots of notes about people at the training camp, Nelson Frazier lawsuit and annual income for Mabel and Viscera.

We also note Kevin Owens talking his career, Ric Flair talk show,who Flair wants to manage, WWE stock updates, notes on all the WWE and NXT house shows plus business notes from the past week.

We also look at how the Brazilian economy affects UFC in different ways, how it is similar to situations with pro wrestling in the past, as well as a look at Saturday’s show with match-by-match coverage and business notes.

We also look at the pro wrestling career of Masashi Aoyagi, and how he got into wrestling, what promotion he kicked off and how that changed the wrestling business and more.

We also have our monthly WWE & TNA business breakdowns.

The Observer is the world’s most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.

We also have our regular features such as the most complete look at ratings, plus results of the major house show events each week in pro wrestling and MMA, and complete inside rundowns of all the TV shows.

Also in this week’s issue:

–Update on this year’s Busca de un Idolo tournament

–Latest big matches from Arena Mexico

–Former star from more than 20 years ago returns to Arena Mexico for the first time in decades

–More on the AAA World Cup show

–Notes from the last two sets of AAA TV tapings

–Wrestle-1 world tour notes

–Road to Keiji Muto tournament

–Dragon Gate King of Gate tournament

–Next big Dragon Gate matches

–Cryptic tweet by an American who wrestles in Japan

–An interesting what if regarding New Japan bookings

–Politics of wrestling regarding New Japan

–What New Japan may have to change

–Notes on the Super Juniors tournament and all the results

–Benefit show for cancer-striken star

–Genichiro Tenryu’s final match in Osaka

–Update on GFW

–Mid Atlantic wrestling reunion

–Update on Terry Funk

–Update on Lucha Underground and Alberto Del Rio

–More on NESN deal

–What wrestling star has a 3.83 GPA in collage right now

–ROH notes from the weekend shows

–Really weird stuff in TNA

–Contract singing announcements

–Notes from a second TNA conference call with talent

–What happened with Tyrus and GFW

–GFW reaction

–TNA 2015 Hall of Fame plan that fell through

–Notes on TNA arena events

–Update on legislation to get UFC in Madison Square Garden

–Looking at Sara McMann’s complaints about he Reebok deal

–The business and income of Ronda Rousey

–UFC boosts minimum

–UFC lawsuit update

–Upcoming UFC title matches

–What happened with the Leslie Smith street fight on Saturday night

–UFC makes a number of cuts

–Update on T.J. Grant

–Update on Rashad Evans

–Lots of new UFC fights

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.

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. 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.

Our most requested issues in our history are:

*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a

*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

*July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)

*February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)

*May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)

*January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)

*February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)

*March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)

*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

*February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)

*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)

*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

*October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)

*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)

*November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)

*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

*January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)

*March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

*March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

*March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

*April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

*July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

*August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

*October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

*November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .

*December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

*January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

*March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

*March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

*April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

*August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

* September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

* September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

* September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

MONDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

  • Bryan and I will be back tonight after Raw, talking WWE, the next UFC show, New Japan Super Juniors final as well as taking e-mail questions to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
  • It is official that Samoa Joe’s 6/20 match in New York will be his last ROH appearance for now.  The hope was for him to be able to do more matches, but for obvious reasons, that’s now out of the question.
  • John Cena may have suffered a broken nose yesterday in a house show match with King Barrett in Lake Charles, LA.  Cena’s nose was all bloody after delivering the attitude adjustment on Barrett for the finish.  He grabbed the mic after the match and said he thought he may have broken his nose. 
  • The Daniel Puder season of Tough Enough will start airing on Wednesday on the WWE Network.  That was an interesting season as it included Ryback, The Miz, and the guy Stephanie McMahon thought was going to be the biggest star in the company, Daniel Rodimar, at the time a huge Dave Draper look alike who ended up quitting because he was earning more money in real estate than in wrestling. 
  • There is a kick starter fund raiser to do a documentary on Chyna, with the idea it follows her leaving Japan to return to Los Angeles and discover old friends, hang with celebrities and start a new life.  As it last word, they had $185 raised out of $10,000 the first day.  One would think the worst thing for her would be to go back to hanging with celebrities in Los Angeles.
  • TNA has four title matches with its Destination X show on Destination America on Wednesday.  Kurt Angle defends in separate matches against Rockstar Spud and Austin Aries, while Taryn Terrell defends against Awesome Kong, and there is an Ultimate X match for the X title that Spud vacated when going for the world title.
  • ROH has a show already covered here on the sight with Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jushin Liger, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows from New Japan appearing.
  • WWE sent out a press release today stating they have a half billion social media followers.  They also said that John Cena is the most followed American athlete on Facebook with 36 million likes. 
  • Whether anything comes of this on the show tonight, or on the web site, they did tape a segment of Dean Ambrose partying in New Orleans while holding the title belt.
  • Big day for WWE stock, up 68 cents per share to $15.56, its highest point in several weeks..
  • Next New Japan PPV show is 7/5 from Osaka Jo Hall in the company’s biggest show since January:
    Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Yohei Komatsu vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada & Sho Tanaka
    Young Bucks defend IWGP jr. tag titles against Rocky Romero & Barreta and Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish
    Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale
    Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
    Kenny Omega vs. Kushida for IWGP jr. title
    Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii for Never Open weight title
    Matt Taven & Michael Bennett vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows for IWGP tag titles
    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Toru Yano
    Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for IC title
    A.J. Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada for IWGP heavyweight title        
  • Ronda Rousey was not given a nomination in the Kids Choice sports awards from Nickelodeon for best female athlete.  She was nominated for Sickest moves, Queen of Swag and Biggest Powerhouse.  No other MMA fighters or pro wrestlers got nominations.
  • Today is the 25th anniversary of the Mitsuharu Misawa win over Jumbo Tsuruta at Budokan Hall which led to the period that All Japan Pro Wrestling did more than 200 consecutive sellout shows in Tokyo.  Not a typo.  I think with the benefit of hindsight, it would have been the most important pro wrestling match I ever saw live.
  • Expect the promotion for Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock to ramp up starting tomorrow with a conference call.
  • Ric Flair has been added to the 8/1 Dutchess Stadium show in Wappingers Falls, NY put on by Northeast Wrestling.  Flair will be doing autograph signings and meet and greet on a show that incudes Rey Mysterio Jr., Alberto El Patron, Samoa Joe, Jerry Lawler, Mickie James, Luke Williams, Lanny Poffo, Larry Zbyszko, Matt Taven, Michael Bennett, Maria Kanellis, Donovan Dijak, Hanson and The Young Bucks.
  • Daniel Puder & Major Mark vs. Jessy Sorenson & Alex Chamberlain headlines a 6/21 My Life My Power entertainment show in Pasadena, TX/
  • An injury to Goiti Yamauchi pulls him  out of a fight on the 6/26 Bellator show in Mulvane, KS against Pat Curran.  Curran will now face Emmanuel Sanchez, whose nickname is El Matador.  The match will air on Spike.
  • Some of the biggest names in the history of Florida wrestling will be at an event on Thursday night at the former Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, the former home of Tampa wrestling.  The place is now the Jewish Community Center.  Tickets are $60 and $38 for a fund raiser that will raise money for a wall that will preserve the history of wrestling in Florida.  Appearing include Terry Funk, Buddy Colt, Danny Miller, Bugsy McGraw, Kevin Sullivan, Brian Blair, Steve Keirn, Jerry Brisco, Rocky Johnson, Hector Guerrero, Tiger Conway Jr., Fred Ottman, Dean Malenko, Joe Malenko, Ron Fuller, Greg Valentine, JJ Dillon, Ron Bass, Ric Flair, Lanny Poffo, Chris Jericho, Bray Wyatt, Ricky Steamboat, Luke Williams, Roman Reigns, Jimmy Hart, Bo Dallas, Kofi Kingston, Ricky Hunter, Norman Smiley, Fidel Sierra, Kendall Windham, Jerry Sags, Leilaini Kai, Brutus Beefcake, Sherri Lee, Stu Schwartz, Dotty Curtis (wife of Don Curtis), Jonard Solie (son of Gordon Solie), Bob Cook, Nicole Alonso (daughter of Mike Graham, granddaughter of Eddie Graham), Diane Gossett (wife of Mike Graham), Joel Deaton, Bill Alfonso, Scott McGhee and Al Perez.
  • J.J. Dillon promoting the event in a Miami Herald article
  • Hoosier Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Columbus, IN before 154 fans:  AJ Hawkins b Dash Venture, Mark Houston b Body Guy & Dillen Dynamite, Shiloh Jonze b Shawn Cook, Eddie Felson b Bobby Black, TVZ b The Intangibles, Stompin Steve b Mitch Johnson, Flash Flanagan b Rob Ramer to win the HPW title.  Next show is 6/27 with a show at the JD Byrider parking lot to fill the local food shelves drive.  Admission is six cans of good and bring your own lawn chairs. (thanks to Jerry Wilson)
  • A Smash Wrestling women’s show on Saturday in Toronto:  Jewels Malone b Kaitlyn Diemond, Cherry Bomb b Miss Danyah, Courtney Rush b Xandra Bale, Vanessa Kraven b Jennifer Blake, Portia Perez won three-way over Veda Scott and Angie Sky, Candice LaRae b Allysin Kay (thanks to Steven Ashe)
  • Premier Wrestling from yesterday in Gilroy, CA:  Dom Vitalli (1-2) b Will Cuevas (1-2), Joe Graves (2-0-1) b Buddy Royal (2-4), Gabriel Gallo (3-0) b Sledge (4-5), Timothy Thatcher (3-2-1) b Marcus Lewis (4-4), Jeff Cobb (6-2-1`) b Kaimana (1-3), JR Kratos (8-2) retained the heavyweight title over Dylan Drake (4-4). 
  • CMLL from Saturday night in Mexico City at Arena Coliseo:  Robin b Rebelde, Ultimo Dragoncito b Pequeno Violencia, Cancerbero b Soberano, Raziel b Oro Jr., Estrellita & Marcela b Dallys & Tiffany-DQ, Atlantis & Maximo & Mistico b Felino & Luciferno & Vangellys
  • The only thing of note trending on Twitter was UFC 188 with 2,374 tweets today.  Obviously there will be more tomorrow.
  • WXW True Colors 2015 takes place Friday night in Munich, Germany with Tommy End vs. Ricochet and Colt Cabana vs. Kim Ray.  They also run Saturday night in Fulda, Germany with Tommy End vs. Karsten Beck and a 30 man Rumble.  They will have a world tag team tournament from 10/2 to 10/4 (thanks to Markus Gronemann
  • A.J. Styles is booked for WXW on 8/29.
  • Jersey Championship Wrestling on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. at Six Flags in Jackson, NJ featuring Mick Foley, Sandman,Ricky Steamboat, Jake Roberts, Sean Waltman, Jim Duggan and Scott Hall. 
  • Acclaim Pro Wrestling on 7/4 in Ottawa, ONT at Dom Polski-SPK
  • Woodland Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Woodland, WA:  Patrick Large b CJ Edwards, Hot Hands Mendoza b Dave Turner, Avarice & Mary Jane Payne b Christopher Ryseck & Anni Raeth, Jorel Nelson b Hanzo Takahashi, Malia Hosaka b Mary Jane Payne, Exile b Kellan Raeth-DQ (thanks to Charles Short)
  •  NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on Friday night in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with Jason Kincaid vs. Vince Brent vs. Sabu for the Southeastern title.  Rob Conway, Ricky Morton and Chase Owens are also on the show.
  • The Fusion Network, a new network owned by Univision an ABC has a new show on-line called Outpost, and this is a look at wrestling in Bolivia where a 44-year-old woman is the top face
  • An interview with Big Show
  • Another interview with Big Show

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

1976 – Maki Ueda beat Jumbo Miyamoto to win the WWWA title.  Ueda, who was 15 at the time, is probably the youngest world champion of a major promotion that I can recall, and was also one of the most popular woman wrestlers of all-time in her very short career, as well as a rock star at the time.

1979 – Cachorro Mendoza beat Sangre Chicana in Mexico City to win the vacant Mexican national middleweight title

1984 – Fit Finlay beat Marty Jones in Carlisle to win the world mid heavyweight title

1985 – Dynamite Kid beat Mighty Inoue in Takamatsu to win the NWA Int. jr. title

1990 – Stan Hansen beat Terry Gordy at Budokan Hall to win the Triple Crown

1999 – Kendo Ka Shin beat Koji Kanemoto in Tokyo to win the Best of the Super Juniors tournament

2001 – Masahito Kakihara & Mitsuya Nagai beat Yuji Nagata & Togi Makabe in Tokyo to win the vacant All-Asia tag titles

2003 – Keiji Muto & Arashi beat Satoshi Kojima & Jimmy Yang in a tournament final to win the vacant All Japan world tag title

TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE

12:06 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

1:06 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Nikki is devastated when she discovers John’s kept a secret from her. Rosa’s unaware she’s competing in her pursuits of an NFL player.

2:06 AM ET
THE WWE LIST Whether it’s winning the Diva’s Championship, or posting a very flattering photos on Twitter… These Divas do it all to stay trending.

2:36 AM ET
FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Ultimate Warrior: Always Believe!

3:06 AM ET
WCW STARRCADE 1994 Hulk Hogan defends the WCW World Title against The Butcher. Sting battles Avalanche. The Nasty Boys face Harlem Heat. Jim Duggan vs. Vader.

6:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

7:00 AM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

8:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Nikki is devastated when she discovers John’s kept a secret from her. Rosa’s unaware she’s competing in her pursuits of an NFL player.

9:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

10:00 AM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

11:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Nikki is devastated when she discovers John’s kept a secret from her. Rosa’s unaware she’s competing in her pursuits of an NFL player.

12:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Most Unique Matches of all time!

1:00 PM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Follow Batista’s path from the struggles that drove him away from WWE to his triumphant return in 2014.

2:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The last two contestants standing prepare for a final match at the WWE training facility. Stone Cold announces the winner live at RAW!

3:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH In the pursuit to become a WWE Superstar, eight hopeful athletes compete for a million dollar WWE Contract and find out who is Tough Enough!

4:00 PM ET
FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

4:30 PM ET
THE WWE LIST Whether it’s winning the Diva’s Championship, or posting a very flattering photos on Twitter… These Divas do it all to stay trending.

5:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR The strategies that helped Eric Bischoff build WCW would hasten the decline of both he and his company.

6:00 PM ET
FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

6:30 PM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Rey Mysterio: Life of a Masked Man features exclusive and candid comments from the Ultimate Underdog on his sports entertainment path!

8:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH In the pursuit to become a WWE Superstar, eight hopeful athletes compete for a million dollar WWE Contract and find out who is Tough Enough!

9:00 PM ET
FIRST LOOK A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Daniel Bryan – Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!

9:30 PM ET
THE WWE LIST Whether it’s winning the Diva’s Championship, or posting a very flattering photos on Twitter… These Divas do it all to stay trending.

10:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR The strategies that helped Eric Bischoff build WCW would hasten the decline of both he and his company.

11:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH In the pursuit to become a WWE Superstar, eight hopeful athletes compete for a million dollar WWE Contract and find out who is Tough Enough!