MON UPDATE: More Hulk Hogan, HOF questions, WWE looking for replacement for Lee, WWE stock falls

  • F4W Staff
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By Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for your thoughts on yesterday’s G-1 Climax show in Hiroshima, Saturday night’s UFC show in Chicago and Friday night’s ROH in Baltimore, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>

We’re also looking for reports on yesterday’s WWE house shows in Lawton, OK and Amarillo and tonight’s ROH TV tapings in Orlando at Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com”>.

We’re also looking for report from Raw in Oklahoma City tonight, with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident from the live show.  Brock Lesnar was not being advertised for the show.

The G-1 Climax tournament continues on Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m in Beppu with Yuji Nagata vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Tomoaki Honma vs. Hirooki Goto, Ken Anderson vs. Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada vs. Satoshi Kojima.  Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Michael Elgin is also listed but we don’t have any updated word on Nakamura’s condition.

Smackdown is Tuesday night in Tulsa.  Roman Reign and Seth Rollins are advertised as the top stars on the show.  Dolph Ziggler is still being advertised on the show, so in theory he should be returning this week although what is advertised and what happens aren’t necessarily the same thing.

The G-1 Climax tournament has a major show on Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. at the  Fukuoka International Center Arena with the A block that is tearing things up with Toru Yano vs. Doc Gallows, Togi Makabe vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale and Tetsuya Naito vs. A.J. Styles./

The return of the Undertaker and build to SummerSlam, Battleground coverage, the rise of NXT and situation with ROH, the G-1 Climax tournament and some major UFC stories are the major stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

The latest Wrestling Observer: July 27, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The Undertaker returns at Battleground, NXT/ROH insanity with Liger booking

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 Meltzer

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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 concerns the build to SummerSlam.  We look at advertising that has already been cut for the show, what are the possibilities for Sting, the Lesnar-Undertaker angle, the booking of WWE right now, the situation with the women, plus full coverage of Battleground with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.

We also look at the booking of  Jushin Liger to NXT on 8/22, ticket sales for the show, plans for the NXT show, how the Liger booking affects ROH and has caused such a political turmoil.  We look at the NXT card as well as the competing ROH show.  We look at the Liger booking, ROH working with New Japan, ratings with New Japan stars vs. shows without New Japan stars, NXT touring, the next NXT vs. ROH head-to-head in September, the next ROH PPV show and much more.

We also have full coverage of the G-1 Climax tournament, with all of the shows planned for the next week, as well as full coverage of opening night in Sapporo with match-by-match-coverage, star ratings and poll results.

We also look at a major story concerning fighters for UFC to address which is the banning of IVs for rehydrating after weigh-ins starting October and why the story is far more significant than people realize.

We also look at a potential alliance between ESPN and WWE and the ethical debate regarding the coverage.  We also look at the Hogan/Gawker lawsuit and each side’s case, an update on the Dr. Christopher Amann lawsuit against C.M. Punk and Colt Cabana, an update on Dolph Ziggler and what he claims is his contract status, Undertaker working more than just SummerSlam, Stephanie McMahon talks gay characterizations in future WWE creative as well as a look back from former creative members regarding different suggestions on gay characterizations in the past.  We look at more WWE banned terms and how some were changed and why.  We also look at how the characters are being described for Camp WWE, which is really hilarious.

We’ve also got notes on Chris Jericho working more house shows, Tough Enough notes, John Cena in the movies, how the WWE Network free month has changed, as well as what to look for over the next week in WWE stock.

We also have full coverage of the next month of NXT TV tapings, as well as coverage of all the WWE and NXT house shows this past week and business notes from the shows.

We also have notes on TripleMania being on U.S. PPV for the first time on 8/9, including price point, why it’s happening now, and its history as well as broadcast information.

We also have coverage of both UFC events held over the past week, with the Mir vs. Duffee and Bisping vs. Leites shows.  We’ve got business notes and stories behind both events.

We also have notes on the third season of New Japan World on AXS, including highlights of the new season, all the matches airing from 8/14 to 12/11 including when the Wrestle Kingdom 9 matches will air, as well as notes on the schedule for 2016.

We also look at Dragon Gate’s Kobe World Festival show and CMLL’s Sin Salida show, which were two of those two company’s biggest events of the year.

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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues

MONDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

  • Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw, Hulk Hogan, Ronda Rousey, G-1, as well as taking your phone calls to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
  • Somebody let Hulk Hogan know that anything he does in public is not going to be good for him today, or any time in the next few days. 
  • Raw will open tonight with The Authority addressing all the wrestlers on the ramp.  I love those teachers addressing the kids in assembly segments as they usually just do wonderful things for the star power of the roster.
  • Esquire Magazine on Hulk Hogan
  • Rey Mysterio Jr. talks his Friday night match where he and Alberto El Patron face The Young Bucks first time ever
  • Nothing is listed in Google searches today or yesterday, so today’s Hogan revelations didn’t hit anything like on Friday.  On Twitter, the biggest MMA, wrestling or boxing thing as of press time was the Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia press call with 16,400 and it actually just stated as I’m writing this.
  • A question to ponder as Hall of Fame season comes close.  What current wrestlers that aren’t in belong in?  And a more interesting question is the Hall of Fame  legit closed to anyone new who hasn’t headlined in WWE or New Japan?  Are all other promotions as far as current stars too irrelevant or not strong enough to matter?
  • It will be very interesting on Raw to see if there is a ratings bump due to all the Hogan publicity, and if WWE will have Vince McMahon or someone else address the story tonight, or just leave it alone.    
  • Big Bill Carr suffered a broken foot on Friday’s PWG show. 
  • It was on this day 15 years ago that Gordon Solie, the iconic voice of 60s, 70s and 80s pro wrestling, passed away at the age of 71. 
  • WWE has posted that it’s looking for a new Senior Vice President of Programming and Development.  The person will report to the Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer.  Among the jobs is to develop strategy for WWE Network programming to oversee the programming budget, lead development of original programming, and work with the VOD library.  They are looking for someone with 10-15 years experience in television or film content management and/or development.
  • UFC 190 Countdown airs at 9 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Pacific time on FS 1.
  • Trailer for 12 Rounds 3 with Dean Ambrose
  • Tom Blatter noted that today is also the 53rd anniversary of The Destroyer’s WWA title win over Freddie Blassie in San Diego.  That title led to Destroyer becoming a cultural icon in Japan.
  • WWE stock has continued to fall after the Hogan story (this will be temporary and be corrected relatively shortly) finishing at $16.01 per share today, down 59 cents.  However, the stock would have likely had a run-up through Thursday’s investment call. 
  • Stardom from yesterday at Korakuen Hall before 1,350 fans:  Kaori Yoneyama & Hatsuhinode Kamen b Momo Watanabe & Azumi, Reo Hazuki b Alex Lee, Starfire b Kris Wolf, Melissa & Chelsea b Nikki Storm & Hudson Envy, Io Shirai & Mio Shirai b Mayu Iwatani & Hiroyo Matsumoto (Mio’s first and last match in the promotion as she’s retiring in September, Io & Mio Shirai started together in 2007), Meiko Satomura b Kairi Hojo to win the World of Stardom title.  Satomura is one of the greatest female wrestlers of all-time, but never got the recognition because her heyday came after the glory period of women’s wrestling in Japan (thanks to Sonny Gutierrez) 
  • High Risk Wrestling from yesterday in Cahokia, IL:  Justin D’Air won six-way over Jarrod Jaxx, Dale Patricks, Brian Skyline, Thomas Walton III and Jayden Fenix, John E. Rock b Eli Machete, Marek Brave b Adrian Alexander, Silas Young b Mike Outlaw, Tony Kozina b Ace Perry, Sugar Dunkerton b Tripp Cassidy, Nick Iggy & Kerry Awful b Jack Gamble & Jon Webb, Blake Belakis b Bolt Brady (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Beyond Wrestling from yesterday in Providence, RI:  Speedball Mike Bailey b Danny Cannon (coming out of retirement to wrestle this match), Michael Bennett & Matt Taven b Drew Gulak & Biff Busick, Garden City Gods won four-way (Davey Vega was taken to the hospital after cracking his head on the floor doing a top rope huracanrana), David Starr b Johnny Gargano, John Reynolds & Alex Silver b Brian Myers & Ryan Galeone (really good), Matt Tremont b Stockade in a casket match with double juice and tons of weapons, ending with a power bomb on cinder blocks and cinder blocks to the head, Tracy Williams b AR Fox, Chuck Taylor & Trent Baretta b Dan Barry & Dick Justice, Donovan Dijak b Brain Fury, Tea Pazuzu b Da hit Squad, Kimber Lee b Heidi Lovelace, Chris Hero & JT Dunn b Young Bucks in an incredible main event.  Show went 4 1/2 hours (thanks to James Brown)
  • A new documentary movie on Jim Crockett Promotions will be debuting this weekend at the Mid Atlantic Fan Fest.  Lots of interviews with the likes of Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Ole Anderson, Paul Jones and narrated by Jim Ross.
  • Tickets go on sale on Friday for UFC 191, on 9/5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson, Anthony Rumble Johnson vs. Jan Blachowicz and Paige VanZant vs. Alex Chambers.  Tickets are priced at $603, $403, $303, $203, $103 and $78.  The Fight Club pre-sale starts Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific time at www.ufcfightclub.com and a newsletter subscribers presale starts Thursday at 1 p.m. Pacific time at www.ufc.com
  • Randy Savage is the celebrity inductee for this year’s Baseball Hall of Very Good, along with Jim Kaat and Lee Smith.
  • Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 8/16 in Oshawa, ONT at the Oshawa Legion with Roderick Strong vs. Tarik, plus Jennifer Blake, Cody Deaner and Johnny Devine.
  • WWN put tickets on sale today at www.MoreThanMania.com for its WrestleMania weekend events in Dallas in 2016.
  • Trainwreck debuted at No. 2 in Australia this past weekend with Magic Mike XXL at No. 4. (thanks to James Stanios)
  • CWE on Friday night in Winnipeg:  Billy Blaze b Travis Cole, Kevy Chevy b Bobby Collins-DQ, Mike Mission b Adam Race, Danny Duggan b Tod Bullet, Wildman Firpo b Dick Blood, Anderson Tyson Moore b Tommy Lee Curtis.
  • Congratulations to historian and wrestler Vance Nevada for being named to the All-Star Wrestling Hall of Fame.  At 39, he’s the youngest person wh has been honored.
  • In what could be considered an embarrassing reference to pro wrestling, longtime fan Fred the Elephant Boy, who got Mick Foley on Howard Stern several times, was pitching for Stern to interview his favorite wrestler, Rob Van Dam.  He talked about Hulk Hogan and said RVD had worked with Hogan and would be a good guest for the show.  Stern blew the idea off and indicated he didn’t want pro wrestlers on the show.  Of late, when callers have asked for him to interview Dwayne Johnson, he blows them off as well (thanks to Jeff Cohen)     
  • A story on a former 50s pro wrestling star talking about working with Moolah among other things
  • Kevin Eck talks Hulk Hogan and others in the WWE Hall of Fame like Mike Tyson, Steve Austin and Jimmy Snuka
  • An Arnold Schwarzenegger video promoting WWE 2K 16

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

1986 – Stan Hansen beat Genichiro Tenryu in Nagano to win the United National and PWF titles

1990 – Stan Hansen beat Mitsuharu Misawa in Matsumoto to win the Triple Crown

2001 – Jun Akiyama beat Mitsuharu Misawa in Tokyo to win the GHC heavyweight title

2001 – Tomoko Watanabe & Nanae Takahashi beat Mima Shimoda & Etsuko Mita in Tokyo to win the WWWA tag titles

2008 – Shingo Takagi beat BxB Hulk in Kobe to win the vacant Open the Dream Gate title and Genki Horiguchi beat Kzy to win the vacant Open the Brave Gate title

2009 – Daisuke Sekimoto & Yuji Okabyashi beat Masashi Takeda & Isami Kodoka in Tokyo to win the Big Japan tag title

2012 – Katsuhiko Nakajima & Satoshi Kajiwara beat Masao Orihara & Black Tiger (Tatsuhito Takaiwa) to win the Int. jr tag title