Monday Update: Brock Lesnar on RAW and Stone Cold’s podcast, Sage & Paige together at last, tons more

The Steve Austin podcast with Brock Lesnar, airing right after Raw ends on the WWE Network, has been much talked about.  Even though Austin has denied it, at least some people, including within the company, believe an angle will be taking place tonight.  Nobody knows anything, it’s just the belief that when they moved the final Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker match to this month’s PPV, the idea is Vince had to have something bigger for Mania and that’s the obvious match in that nobody can come up with a match right now that would mean more.  Austin hasn’t wrestled since 2003 and there is a reason for that.  One way or another, that question will be answered tonight.

It’s expected that the Austin podcast will be one of the three most watched non-live wrestling card shows in network history.

Either way, with the show being in Dallas, the site of WrestleMania, there is a lot of belief that some WrestleMania hints will be taking place tonight.  The WWE sent out advertising that listed Undertaker, Lesnar, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels, but not Steve Austin, on the show.  Locally in Dallas, where the advance for tonight’s show was disappointing (there were 3,000 tickets left as of the weekend, although I haven’t heard an update since), Austin’s name was mentioned in advertising.  For all those reasons, this should be a bigger night than usual, and WWE does need a shot of adrenaline pretty bad right now.

Expect a bloodletting ratings wise for tonight in Canada, between the Toronto Blue Jays game, the elections and the NFL game.  The Blue Jays have been doing record ratings this past week.

In the U.S., the baseball game isn’t as big, but it’s still the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, two major market teams, and a New York team is going to hurt Raw more than any other team.  Plus they announced that the upcoming Star Wars trailer will play at halftime of the game, and the expectation is the game will be bigger than ever because of that hype as well.

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s Raw in Dallas from a live show perspective, with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident from the live show to Dave Meltzer

Tonight’s show is the go-home for Hell in a Cell, and has been pushed for some time with live appearances of Brock Lesnar, Undertaker, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels, followed by the Stone Cold Podcast with Lesnar.

We’re also looking for reports from these weekend events:

*WWE on Saturday night in Mexico City

*WWE on Saturday night in Lubbock, TX

*WWE yesterday in Monterrey, Mexico

*WWE yesterday in Abilene, TX

Tuesday has Smackdown tapings in Austin, TX with Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt and Sheamus as the headliners.

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Figure Four Weekly:

The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is now up for subscribers (subscribe to the site here and get access to Figure Four, the Observer, tons of audio, and more) featuring details on all facets of Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, including a better understanding of Gawker’s defense, what else the judge has sealed to protect Hogan, and more. On top of that, we have all the usual stuff like Vinny’s reviews and international news.

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter

A complete look at Mistico/Myzteziz/Original Sin Cara and his leaving AAA, and what it means to the Mexican scene, and his history including WWE is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also look at NXT Takeover, full details behind the new Rizing Fighting Championships in Japan including what role pro wrestling will play and the Hall of Famer scheduled to headline, New Japan’s going forward with notes on upcoming shows and King of Pro Wrestling, Rusev & Lana and the TNA title tournament.  CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Wrestling Observer Newsletter October 19, 2015: Mistico to CMLL, Tokyo Dome main event plus tons more

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.

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

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 for 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.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE announced today a deal with the Texas lottery as a cross-promotion for WrestleMania.  There will be a WrestleMania scratch ticket game available starting 11/16.  The revenue is supposed to support public schools and features $10 million in prizes, as well as trips to WrestleMania, All-Access at the Performance Center, VIP tickets to the WrestleMania pre-party, WrestleMania Axxess tickets, tickets to a private dinner with WWE Legends and more.  There will be scratch tickets with the faces of John Cena, Undertaker, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Paige and The Bella Twins.  What’s notable about this is a few years ago, WWE, when in talks of bringing Ric Flair back when Flair had a lottery deal, told him he’d have to give up the deal because they didn’t consider a lottery to fit in with the family friendly doctrine.   
  • John Cena will be the guest on SportsCenter on ESPN News in the 9 p.m. hour tomorrow night.  Some saw the tweet and thought this was happening tonight.  WWE will be having segments every Tuesday night as part of a deal with ESPN.
  • Tyler Breeze is in Dallas for Raw, as is Erick Rowan.  That doesn’t mean they will be on the show.  At one point Breeze’s debut on television was scheduled for tomorrow, but that could change and be moved up a day, or back a week or two.
  • A story on the WWE house show in Lubbock over the weekend, which doesn’t say much
  • Probably the most speculation aside from what happens with Lesnar and Austin tonight revolves around what happens with Rusev.  At the house shows in Texas this past weekend, they had Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev.  Summer Rae came out and threw water in Rusev’s face, causing him to lose.  After the matches, Summer tried to hit on Ziggler, who again blew her off.
  • All domestic violence charges against Thomas Latimer (Bram) have been dropped.  John Gaburick has announced that the suspension of Bram is now over.  Latimer was arrested on 8/30 in Gulfport, FL, and charged with domestic battery by strangulation and false imprisonment after deputies responded to an argument between Latimer and his live-in girlfriend.

UFC/MMA

  • Chris Weidman has signed a deal with Reebok.
  • Sage Northcutt vs. Cody Pfister has been added to the 12/10 Fight Pass show in Las Vegas.  The gimmick is Sage Northcutt and Paige VanZant fighting on the same show. Yes, they are trying to do a remake of Saved by the Bell.

OTHER WRESTLING

  • An interview with William Regal is at talkSPORT

Some quotes from the story: 

‘I’d go to war for John Cena. I’ve made more with John Cena just by being John Cena that anyone else I’ve ever met. 

‘He works harder than anyone I’ve ever met, 30 hours a day, 500 days a year and will do anything and everything that is asked of him and couldn’t possibly work harder. He is a mega draw.’

Lamenting hopefuls who whine on social media or don’t take advantage of the wealth of knowledge available from the likes of himself or veteran agents Arn Anderson or Finlay, Regal says: “Shame on them, they’re all ponies. They don’t belong in this business.”

“I’m familiar with everybody, that’s what I do.”

“You have to be. You’d be a proper fool if you weren’t looking for who’s out there. I’m a wrestling fan – before I was a wrestler, I was a wrestling fan. I like watching wrestling. 

“You hear about people, you look them up, you watch them and you want to know: ‘Is he any good?’ That’s what I like to do.”

“If you’re not studying about your job if you want to be in this, or have a lasting career in this, you’re a div.

“This is ever-evolving, you’ve got to know how to make yourself fit into this. If you don’t know what’s coming through the door, you’re a fool.”

“I know everything that’s out there that’s worth knowing about.”

  • ESPN itself will be airing the 30 for 30 piece on David & Mark Schultz tomorrow night at 9 p.m. Eastern.  This is said to be the real story of the background of the movie “Foxcatcher.”
  • Dave Bautista will be on Soccer AM this coming Sunday.
  • OVW from Saturday night in Elizabethtown, KY before 200 fans:  Rump Thumb b Adam Revolver, Vic the Bruiser & Randy Royal b Rook & Banyon, Big Jon b Tyler Matrix, Dapper Dan Van Zandt & Ringmaster b Elvis Pridemore & Leon Shelly, Josh Ashcraft b Rev. Stuart Miles with Jim Cornette as special referee, Trailer Park Trash b Tracy Smothers.  Next show is 12/19 (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)
  • A singles battle of what a few years later would become one of the greatest tag teams in Japanese wrestling history is today’s new match on the NWAClassics.com site with a Texas death match between Steve Williams and Terry Gordy from Houston.
  • Jesse Ventura verdict goes to the 8th circuit court
  • ROH is offering a year 5 commemorative dvd set
  • Speaking of Houston, Seth Hanson noted this card that took place on this day in 1979:

El Halcon (star in Mexico) b Killer Tim Brooks, Les Thornton d  Tiger Conway Jr., Kerry Von Erich (19 years old)  b Ron McFarlane, The Spoiler b Tor Kamata, La Bella Karian b La Viuda Negra, Dusty Rhodes b Mark Lewin-DQ, Jose Lothario b Gran Markus, Mil Mascaras b Gino Hernandez, Harley Race d Bruiser Brody 60:00 over the NWA title

INDY RESULTS

  • Progress Wrestling from yesterday in London at the Electric Ballroom before a sellout 720 fans:  Dave Mastiff b Jack Gallagher, William Eaver b Tyler Bate, Tom Irvin & Sebastian b Jonathan Windsor & Rampage Brown, Mark Haskins b Tommaso Ciampa (said to be an excellent match), Marty Scurll b Flash Morgan Webster, Origin won three-way over London Riots and Sumerian Death Squad, Will Ospreay b Paul Robinson to keep Progress title.  Ospreaey vs. Mark Andrews headlines the next show on 11/29, and Ciampa will face Mary Scurll on that show in what they announced was Ciampa’s final match with the promotion before he moves on to something on TV. (thanks to Darren Rogers)
  • Busted Knuckle Pro Wrestling on 11/28 in Niagara Falls at 6101 North St.
  • I Believe in Wrestling from Saturday night in Orlando:  Braydon Knight b Ace Andrews, Chico Adams b Josh Parker, Tyranus b Josh Hess, Lince Dorado won three-way over Jay Rios and Jon Cruz, Mark Silva b Derick Jordan, Mike Reed b Jody Kristofferson, Aaron Epic & Jonny Vandal b Brandon Scherer & Rex Bacchus, Rhett Giddins b Michael Patrick (thanks to Al Haft)
  • Stardom from yesterday in Baldwin Park, CA:  Act Yasukawa & Kyoko Kimura & Thunder Rosa b Brittany Wonder & Datura & Nicole Savoy, Santana Garrett b Kris Wolf, Cheerleader Melissa b Shayna Baszler (ex-UFC fighter), Kairi Hojo & Melina Perez b Hudson Fury & Mia Yim, Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani b Hiroyo Matsumoto & Kellie Skater.  Told the main event was excellent/   (thanks to Al Haft and Dan Farren)
  • ECWA held its  Super 8 Chickfight tournament on Saturday night in Woodbury Heights, NJ:  Brittany Blake b Terra Calaway, Deonna Purrazzo b Miranda Vionette, Kennadi Brink b Savannah Evans, Tessa Blanchard b Daysia Gilbert, Ricky Martinez & Damian Adams b Chuck & Kyle Payne to win tag titles, Bobby Shields b Ricky Martinez-DQ, Deonna Puraazzo b Brittany Blake, Tessa Blanchard b Kennadi Brink, Sean Carr b Matt Saigon, Deonna Purrazzo b Tessa Blanchard.
  • NWA Mid South from Saturday night in Dyresburg, TN:  Austin Blackburn b Everett Connors, The Posse b Dale Wylde & EMT #1, Tim Storm b Rob Conway to retain North American title, Jeremy Moore b Josh Lewis, Heatseekers b Matt Riviera & Greg Anthony to retain the NWA tag titles, Michael Elgin b Steve Anthony
  • Reader Bob Nowak noted that “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity,” a pro wrestling play that has gotten great reviews around the country, is now playing at the Houston Stage Theater.  My parents, who are not wrestling fans, really liked it.
  • United Wrestling Coalition on 10/24 in New Egypt, NJ at the Elks Lodge featuring  trick or treat session with the wrestlers. for kids.
  • After two matches this weekend for German promotion wXw, former WWE talent Ezekiel Jackson (Rycklon Stephens) told the promoters that those were the last two matches of his wrestling career. The 37-year-old is a former WWE Intercontinental Champion and ECW Champion, and also worked for TNA and Lucha Underground. (Thanks to Markus Gronemann)The full wXw World Tag Team Tournament is available on demand with either German or English commentary. (Thanks to Markus Gronemann)

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

1955 – Bert Assirati beat Ernie Baldwin in London to unify the British heavyweight title

1956 – Ronaldo Vera beat El Santo in Monterrey to win the NWA middleweight title

1959 – Isao Yoshihara beat Kyotaka Otsubo in Tokyo to win the JWA light heavyweight title.  Yoshihahara later become the promoter for the IWE.

1973 – Hiro & Hito Tojo (Akihisa Mera who was famous years later as the Great Kabuki, teaming with Samson Kutsuwada, famous for doing well in a gym workout with Karl Gotch) beat Spyros Arion & Mark Lewin in Sydney to win the Austra Asian tag titles

1979 – Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta beat Abdullah the Butcher & Ray Candy in Kuriyama to win the Int. tag title

1993 – Masayoshi Motegi beat El Texano (father of current AAA star) in Tokyo to win the WWA jr. heavyweight title

1997 – Atsushi Onita & Yukihiro Kanemura beat Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke in Sendai to win the FMW World Brass Knux tag titles

2001 – Brian Jesse James Armstrong aka Road Dogg, beat Jeff Jarrett in Perth, Western Australia to become the first WWAS heavyweight champion and Juventud Guerrera beat Psicosis to become the first WWAS Int. cruiserweight champion

2001 – Too Cold Scorpio & Vader beat Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito in a tournament finals to become the first GHC tag team champions

2002 – Jake Roberts beat Jonny Moss in Maidstone, UK to win the NWA UK heavyweight title

2014 – Genki Horiguchi & Jimmy Susumu & Ryo Saito beat Cima & Don Fujii & Gamma in Yokkaichi to win the Open the Triangle Gate titles

2014 – Will Ospreay won a three-way over Rich Swann and Josh Bodom in Ipswich to win the IPW UK  British heavyweight title

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