MON. UPDATE: Tonight’s Raw, MMA in New York, NXT, JR fan fests, Bella Twins, Mayweather-Pacquiao
By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer
We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s UFC show in Newark, NJ 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 reports on NXT shows on Thursday in Gainesville, FL and Saturday in Jacksonville as well as yesterday’s Lucha Underground tapings at dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
We’re also looking for reports on Raw tonight from Albany, NY. It’s the go-home show for Extreme Rules. The only match announced is The Miz vs. Damien Mizdow with the winner getting the Miz brand.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped tomorrow night in Providence, RI.
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The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with an exclusive look at the class action conccussion lawsuits against WWE, what exactly the plaintiffs are claiming, what we’ve been getting wrong, and more, plus and all of the usual reviews and international news.
Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it’s available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle.
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We’ve got full coverage of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony from two weeks ago along with a lot of backstage stories, truth vs. fiction on the stories told, as our lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also have a ton of notes on ROH and the New Japan tour, Lucha Underground’s future and what it needs, TNA and Destination America along with notes on Taz, the Briscoes, Daniel Bryan, the latest lawsuits against WWE and UFC and a look at WWE & TNA business for February.
The latest Wrestling Observer: April 20, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF Hall of Fame feature, latest WWE concussion lawsuit, UFC Poland debut
Website subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site as low as $9.99 per month!
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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.
The lead story covers the ins and outs of this year’s WWE Hall of Fame, the Randy Savage induction, Elizabeth, Ray Stevens, what WWE was and wasn’t happy about, how things are expected to change next year and thoughts about next year. We also run down everyone’s speeches and talk about fact vs. fiction regarding what was said, as well as key parts of stories that were and weren’t said.
We look at the latest copycat lawsuit against WWE, how it was similar to others and in what key way it was different, we look at the individuals involved, We look at the claims made and WWE’s reaction to the latest suit through Jerry McDevitt, and also talk the Nelson Frazier case.
We also look at the schedule for WWE PPV shows over the next year as well as NXT specials and other key events. We look at a PPV date that may change and why, and if not, why a major UFC and WWE event look to be going head-to-head early next year.
We’ve got an update on Extreme Rules, the Paige angle, Furious 7 at the box office, Daniel Bryan being sent home, Jey Uso’s injury, Seth Rollins title win and lots of notes on new talent signed by WWE including backgrounds. We also look at plans for Tough Enough this year, UFC vs. WWE value, Another wrestler who may be getting a deal, and three names who are getting tryouts next month.
We also have full coverage of the current WWE European tour, with notes and business from every location.
We’ve got notes on UFC’s show this past week from Poland with a full show rundown.
We’ve got February business notes, covering WWE house show business, TV ratings, merchandise, DVDs and other categories, as well as TNA numbers and what they really mean.
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:
–Rey Bucanero gives his side of the Rey Mysterio Jr. retiring story
–Major indie show with huge names coming this week
–Unique angle in the Arena Mexico main event this week
–Key star injury
–Big show in Mexico being planned in two weeks
–AAA business since the Aguayo death and upcoming TV lineups
–More shows with Rey Mysterio Jr.
–El Hijo del Santo talks the Aguayo death and why he’s being heavily criticized on the subject
–More on the upcoming World Cup trios tournament
–Unique major stipulation match in Dragon Gate in a few weeks
–A look at the off the charts Dragon Gate match this past week
–Notes on the upcoming King of Gate tournament
–Major name joins the NOAH feud that has gotten mainstream news coverage
–A look at NOAH’s big show of the week
–Details of NOAH’s Global Tag League tournament
–Three title matches including two from the U.S. on New Japan show in two weeks
–Notes on the return of the old FMW promotion with Atsushi Onita
–The shoot tournament going on for a pro wrestling world title
–News on Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling
–News on a promotion claiming national exposure and the realities of the deal
–Who is involved with the new company
–Notes on upcoming PWG dates
–One of the most famous weird incidents in modern pro wrestling explained, the non-fast count by Nick Patrick at Starrcade 1997
–Update on Bobby Heenan
–Many top stars working Middle East
–Retirement of Tomoka Nakagawa
–Jim Ross and Lucha Underground and why they wanted him
–The current status of Lucha Underground
–What is the key thing to look at with that promotion
–Notes on their big season ending show, the angles leading to it and the lineup
–Ideas they had and where they stand
–Why Lucha Underground is having trouble catching on even with strong television
–Notes on the weekend TV tapings and where the show stands well into July
–Why the Briscoes turned down WWE
–Notes on the upcoming ROH and New Japan shows and challenges in booking
–What would have happened had the Briscoes left
–Notes on the Killer Elite Squad in ROH
–Notes on TNA’s finances and late payment
–The TNA/Destination America relationship and key factors on it
–More on Bobby Lashley’s next fight
–Notes on TNA going back to doing a live PPV show and the time frame
–UFC pioneer Kevin Rosier passes away
–Notes on tons of new UFC fights
–What UFC star is looking to compete in the 2016 Olympics in what sport
–What happened with Matt Brown and Nate Diaz
–Notes on the latest lawsuit against UFC
–How UFC is doing on TV in Canada
–Former hockey fighter signs with UFC for Montreal
–Crazy Wanderlei Silva interview
–Thoughts on Phil Davis signing with Bellator
–Fight of the Year
–Bill Goldberg fighting update
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
- Regarding tonight’s show, it’s the final build-up for Extreme Rules. With the Paige “injury” angle, unless she comes back and it’s a three-way, that should lead to Nikki Bella vs. Naomi as the Divas title match on Sunday. The big question regards Daniel Bryan and his scheduled IC title defense against Bad News Barrett that was scheduled for the show. Brad Maddox is at Raw. There will be an HHH announcement of Tough Enough, but I think that’s the same thing linked on the front page of the web site in the WWE press release.
- The New York Daily News ran a story today that several prominent U.S. Jewish leaders are opposing the legalization of MMA in New York because UFC is owned 10 percent by the government of Abu Dhabi. A letter was sent out signed by “Friends of the Jewish community” sent to lawmakers and to run in Jewish publications in the state. The group claims the United Arab Emirates are one of the most anti-semitic countries in the world. A television ad is supposed to start airing. There were 17 prominent Jewish leaders who signed the letter. The belief is this is the latest move by the Culinary Workers union, which is trying to block MMA in New York because the Fertitta Brothers station casinos are nonunion. The UFC noted that the Abu Dhabi government is considered a U.S. ally and owns a piece of both the Time Warner Center an Chrysler Building in New York. Assemblyman Phil Godfeder of Queens, who sponsored the bill to legalize professional MMA in New York, and is an Orthodox Jew, said, “It offends me that there are those who will use any excuse to play politics with our economy. This is just another tactic by the opposition to cloud the real issue.”
- There will be NXT tapings on Thursday night at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.
- The GHC Global Tag team tournament continues on Thursday in Sendai with Super Crazy & Mitsuhiro Kitamiya vs. Akitoshi Saito & Quiet Storm and Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste vs. Daiske Sekimoto & Kazuki Hashimoto.
- Furious 7 was No. 1 at the box office in the U.S., and much of the world this past weekend, estimated at doing $29.06 million, beating the debuting Paul Blart: Mal Cop 2 at $24 million.
- The Bella Twins are on the cover of the new issue of “Muscle & Fitness” Hers.
- This is crazy. Do you realize the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is 12 days away. They have still not announced a price for the PPV officially. Apparently they haven’t even printed up tickets yet either.
- Jim Ross announced a number of appearances at wrestling conventions, which up until now, he’d been avoiding. According to his blog at www.jrsbarbq.com, he’ll be going to one in the U.K. on 6/20 and 6/21 that will include Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Trish Stratus, Lita, Ron Simmons, Howard Finkel, Godfather, Tatanka, Terri Runnels, Jackie Moore, Ashley Massaro, Demolition, Nasty Boys, Alberto El Patron, Jim Neidhart, Harry Smith, Marty Jones and Johnny Smith, and will do a meet and greet with Michaels on 6/22 in Manchester. He also announced going to the New England fan fest in Providence on 6/26 and 6/27 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Ross tickets for his Gramercy Theater show went on sale today at Ticketmaster.
- Ross also mentioned going to the NXT tapings this week.
- Premier Boxing runs Friday night from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago with Roberto Garcia (36-3, 23 knockouts) vs. James Stevenson (22-1, 15 knockouts) and Attur Azpilka (17-1, 12 knockouts) vs. Ty Cobb (18-6, 10 knockouts). Was Tris Speaker unavailable?
- Destiny Wrestling on 5/23 in Pickering, ONT at the Pickering Recreation Complex Arena with Kevin Nash as special guest plus Chris Sabin and Matt Sydal. There will also be a Q&A with Nash at 4 p.m. that day before the show.
- Miz and Summer Rae will be in New York promoting Marine 4 tomorrow.
- Dave Bautista and Eva Marie are scheduled at the Wizard World convention on 6/19 through 6/21 in Sacramento.
Eva Marie appears only on the Saturday date.
- In the picks for Saturday, Jack Encarnacao and David Bixenspan both went 5-0, meaning they picked Max Holloway over Cub Swanson. Me, Mike Sempervive, John Pollock and Steve Juon were 4-1, Frontrow Brian was 3-2 and Josh Nason, Todd Martin and Mike Sawyer were all 2-3.
- Want to make mention if you are in Memphis of a major event on 5/23 called the Roundhouse Revival at the Mid South Coliseum. There will be pro wrestling, with Jerry Lawler vs. Bill Dundee, roundball, Rock & Roll, R&B, Roller Derby, rap and more all day.
- Douglas Lima defends the Bellator welterweight title against Andrey Koreshkov on 7/18 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT
- We get this question all the time, but if you are in the U.S. and want to order tickets for New Japan major live events, you can go here
- In yesterday’s update, there was a mistake. The Jumbo Tsuruta Int. title win over Bruiser Brody, which was Brody’s last pin loss ever in Japan (and maybe anywhere), was on April 19, 1988. We had it listed as 1986. (thanks to Guy Bogard)
- Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling on Saturday night in Millstadt,. IL: Ken Kasa b Daniel Gunner, Chaz Wesson & Keith Smith Jr. b Ax Allwardt & Waco, Bull Bronson b Bubba Troll, Attila Khan b Jim Hoffarth, Sean Vincent d Curtis Wylde, Chris Hargas b Kevin Lee Davidson, Bob Orton b Ken Kasa & Travis Cook, Ron Powers b Flash Flanagan-COR, Gary Jackson b Brandon Espinosa-COR (thanks to Drew Abbenhaus and Patrick Brandmeyer)
- Tyrus/Brodus Clay, as The Funkasaurus, headlines a show on Saturday night in Melbourne, Australia at the Ashwood Performing Arts Centre for Outback Championship Wrestling.
- Tasmanian Championship Wrestling on Saturday night in Launceston, Tasmania at Action Packed Stadium.
- All Star Wrestling on 5/30 in Gibson, BC at the Gibsons & Area Community Center
- The Crash Promotion on 5/8 in Tijuana at Auditorio Municipal has Angelico & Blue Demon Jr. & Psycho Clown vs. Brian Cage & El Texano Jr. & Mesias, plus a four-way for the Crash cruiserweight title with Angel Metalico defending against Drago, Pentagon Jr. and Zarco, and El Hijo del Fantasma defends the AAA cruiserweight title against Fenix.
- Wrestling Abaddon from yesterday in Toronto: Jason Kincade b Pinkie Sanchez, Joey Janela b Octavio, Lucky Beefcake (Lucky 13) b Dave 4.0 (Rip Impact), Danny Havoc b Joe Gacy, Lan-Doe b Latin Dragon, Azrael b Chase Owens, Blk Jeez b Carter Roth (thanks to Steven Ashe)
- Superkicked Wrestling & Rock show from Saturday night in Toronto: Shane Sabre won three-way over Owen Christopher and Jon Atlas, RJ City b Space Monkey, Joe Coleman b Seleyzia Sparks, Kris Chambers & Young Miles b Trent Gibson & Channing Decker, Michael Elgin b Tommy End, Ashley Sixx b Brent Banks in a TLC match. Next show is 5/30 with Ashley Sixx defending his title against Abyss in a Monsters Ball match.
- Canadian Wrestling Elite on Wednesday in Yorkton, Saskatchewan at the Yorkdale Central School with Christopher Daniels and Chase Owens. They also run Friday in Winnipeg at the Holy Cross Gymnasium Hall with Daniels vs Carter Mason and Owens vs. Jason Kincaid.
- New England Championship Wrestling has the Iron 8 championship on 5/9 in Beverly, MA at the Cover Community Center.
- Juggalo Championship Wrestling from yesterday in Pontiac, MI: Kongo Kong b Krimson, Hooligans b Ring Rydas, Shane Mercer b Rhino, Tracy Smothers b Necro Butcher, Mad Man Pondo & Crazy Mary Dobson b Super Strong Tiger & Spider Monkey, Weedman b 2 Tuff Tony to win JCW title (thanks to Leonard Brand)
- Ethan Carter III headlines Wednesday night in Dayton for Rockstar Pro Wrestling at the Rockstar Arena.
- The brutality of boxing in this story
- Longtime reader James Hold has just penned his latest pro wrestling fiction book Check it out.
The OUT OF TEXAS series, which dates back to 2004, covers the adventures of a cat-turned-human who finds employment as a professional wrestler. Earlier entries received favorable reviews on the Wrestling Observer and Wrestling Armpit websites.
In this latest outing, a tropical gale, Kim, floods the Texas inland coast, causing our here to seek refuge at Entree the Giant, a local greasy-spoon diner. There, a trio of wrestling sisters, the Cutie Pies, request his aid in rescuing their father whom they believe was kidnapped by the infamous ND Bag. Never one to say no to a pretty face, our hero agrees to help. A wild night of fun and violence (not to mention pie fights, seances, and sewer roaches) follows.
If you are interested, please download a copy. Again, it’s free. And if you’d like, check out some of my other work as well.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (by Graeme Cameron)
1945 – Gori Guerrero beat Jack O’Brien to win the Mexican national welterweight title
1968 – Mario Milano & Antonio Pugliese (Tony Parisi) beat Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard in Brisbane to win the IWA tag titles
1983 – Jim Breaks beat Steve Grey in Coine to win the British lightweight title
1989 – Mitsuo Momota beat Shinichi Nakano in Tokyo to win the All Japan jr. title
1996 – Akira Taue beat Steve Williams in Tokyo to win the Champion Carnival tournament
2001 – Etsuko Mita & Nanae Takahashi beat Mima Shimoda & Takako Inoue in Tokyo to win the WWWA tag title
TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)
12:06 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten biggest backstabs ever in WWE history, as voted by the WWE Universe.
1:06 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Brie and Bryan get married, and Nikki’s marriage is finally exposed to John. The Divas compete at WrestleMania for the Diva’s Championship.
2:06 AM ET
WWE NETWORK EXCLUSIVE The action continues with exclusive interviews, matches and fallout LIVE from Monday Night Raw.
2:11 AM ET
HULK HOGANS ROCK N WRESTLING On this episode of Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, JYD turns to Hulk Hogan and friends to build a super racer to defeat Roddy Piper’s infamous Hot Rod.
2:36 AM ET
USOS 10 HOURS TO HOUSTON The Usos -10 Hours To Houston captures the compelling story of twins Josh and Jon Fatu from childhood to their WWE Tag Team Title reign.
3:06 AM ET
WCW ROAD WILD 1998 Diamond Dallas Page teams with late night talk show host, Jay Leno, to face Hollywood Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Goldberg, Sting, and more.
6:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten biggest backstabs ever in WWE history, as voted by the WWE Universe.
7:00 AM ET
HULK HOGANS ROCK N WRESTLING On this episode of Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, JYD turns to Hulk Hogan and friends to build a super racer to defeat Roddy Piper’s infamous Hot Rod.
7:30 AM ET
USOS 10 HOURS TO HOUSTON The Usos -10 Hours To Houston captures the compelling story of twins Josh and Jon Fatu from childhood to their WWE Tag Team Title reign.
8:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Brie and Bryan get married, and Nikki’s marriage is finally exposed to John. The Divas compete at WrestleMania for the Diva’s Championship.
9:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten biggest backstabs ever in WWE history, as voted by the WWE Universe.
10:00 AM ET
HULK HOGANS ROCK N WRESTLING On this episode of Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, JYD turns to Hulk Hogan and friends to build a super racer to defeat Roddy Piper’s infamous Hot Rod.
10:30 AM ET
USOS 10 HOURS TO HOUSTON The Usos -10 Hours To Houston captures the compelling story of twins Josh and Jon Fatu from childhood to their WWE Tag Team Title reign.
11:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Brie and Bryan get married, and Nikki’s marriage is finally exposed to John. The Divas compete at WrestleMania for the Diva’s Championship.
12:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten biggest backstabs ever in WWE history, as voted by the WWE Universe.
1:00 PM ET
HULK HOGANS ROCK N WRESTLING On this episode of Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, JYD turns to Hulk Hogan and friends to build a super racer to defeat Roddy Piper’s infamous Hot Rod.
1:30 PM ET
USOS 10 HOURS TO HOUSTON The Usos -10 Hours To Houston captures the compelling story of twins Josh and Jon Fatu from childhood to their WWE Tag Team Title reign.
2:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH Big Show stops by to offer advice to the contestants as the trainers begin to separate the pack by putting them through physical challenges.
3:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The remaining contestants’ agility is tested when they are tasked with serving lunch to a busy crowd at a 50’s diner while on roller skates.
4:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR Mick Foley’s unorthodox style makes him an unlikely success story and a unique weapon for WWE in their war with WCW.
5:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Craziest Ladder Matches ever in WWE History, as voted by the WWE Universe.
6:00 PM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING The bigger they are, the harder they brawl! True Giants is an in-depth look at sports entertainment’s most successful gargantuan Superstars.
8:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The remaining contestants’ agility is tested when they are tasked with serving lunch to a busy crowd at a 50’s diner while on roller skates.
9:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR Mick Foley’s unorthodox style makes him an unlikely success story and a unique weapon for WWE in their war with WCW.
10:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Craziest Ladder Matches ever in WWE History, as voted by the WWE Universe.
11:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The remaining contestants’ agility is tested when they are tasked with serving lunch to a busy crowd at a 50’s diner while on roller skates.