SAT. UPDATE: UFC preview, The Rock has another #1 movie, UFC top contender cleared, and more
by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.com | Follow @davidbix
TV/major show notes for tonight:
Evolve 43 airs live on WWNLive.com IPPV tonight at 6 p.m. from Woodside, Queens, NY:
Anthony Nese vs. Rey Hours
TJ Perkins vs. Mike Bailey
Chris Hero vs. Trevor Lee
Davey Richards vs. Caleb Konley
Johnny Gargano & Rich Swann vs. Drew Gulak & ? for Dragon Gate USA tag titles
Drew Galloway vs. Biff Busick for Dragon Gate USA titles
UFC has Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves from Golania Brazil…
Main Card on Fox Sports 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET
Carlos Condit (170) vs. Thiago Alves (170)
Nik Lentz (146) vs. Charles Oliveira (144)
K.J. Noons (170) vs. Alex Oliveira (170)
Francimar Barroso (205) vs. Ryan Jimmo (206)
Francisco Trinaldo (156) vs. Norman Parke (156)
Wendell Oliveira (170) vs. Darren Till (171)
Prelims on Fox Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Rony Jason (146) vs. Damon Jackson (145)
Jussier Formiga (126) vs. Wilson Reis (126)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (171) vs. Nicolas Dalby (171)
Lucas Martins (145) vs. Mirsad Bektic (146)
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass at 7:00 p.m. ET
Juliana Lima (115) vs. Ericka Almeida (116)
Luiz Dutra (170) vs. Tom Breese (171)
The main event is an absolutely fantastic fight on paper, and it’s good matchmaking for Condit’s comeback from his knee injury. For action, this matches up as one of the best fights UFC has made in a long time, and honestly, anything short of a great fight will probably be seen as a disappointment. Lentz vs. Oliveira is a potentially good fight, though it isn’t exactly eye-popping in the co-main slot.
The rest is, for the most part, the usual Brazillian fight night cast of characters, with the type of odd card layout we’ve seen on the FS1 shows as of late: Arguably the third best fight (and maybe even the most divisionally relevant fight since the winner could be in line for a title shot), Formiga vs. Reis, is eight fights deep as the next to last prelim. Reis has looked excellent so far at flyweight, but Formiga (on a two fight win streak) is a big step up in compeition. Flyweight has a pretty clear hierarchy, and while Formiga isn’t quite at the “would be champion if Mighty Mouse wasn’t around” level that John Dodson and Joe Benavidez are at, he is, at worse, right up there with Ian McCall and John Moraga in the next tier.
We’re also looking for reports from these shows at newstips@wrestlingobserver.com:
* WWE in Greensboro (John Cena vs. Kane, New Day vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro)
* WWE in Laredo (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, Sheamus).
* ROH in Oklahoma City (Jay Brisco defends ROH title against winner of B.J. Whitmer vs. Hanson vs. Michael Bennett earlier in the show, Jay Lethal defends TV title against winner of Mark Briscoe vs Matt Taven vs. Raymond Rowe, ACH vs. Adam Cole, Michael Elgin vs Dalton Castle)
* NXT in Venice, FL
****
The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a detailed look at the history of popular music being used in pro wrestling, including:
* Who actually did the first pro wrestling music video?
* The role of popular songs gtting major acts over.
* What made the use of music in ECW so special.
* How “real” songs make wrestlers stand out in a sea of in-house productions.
And much more. Plus, as always, we have 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.
****
The breakdown of the ROH deal on Destination America, how this affects TNA, the time frame of both company’s deals with the station and why this went down is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the world championship and questions arising, full coverage of UFC 187, Full coverage of Samoa Joe to NXT and the last special, the AAA World Cup coverage, Bischoff sues TNA and the UFC hall of Fame.
The new issue is up on the site at June 1, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ROH to Destination America, Bischoff sues TNA, UFC Hall of Fame
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
You can also order at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com
Rates are:
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
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.
We look at TNA’s actions over the past week since the original Observer story broke, the expansion in coverage of ROH, why the ROH deal got done, how Dixie Carter handled the situation, the conference call with TNA talent and how it went, the lineup for the first month of ROH on Destination America and the key show to watch, what to expect from the ratings, the ROH PPV schedule and the Samoa Joe situation with ROH.
We also look at Daniel Cormier winning the UFC light heavyweight title, the Jon Jones situation, the situation with Ryan Bader, the shadow over the Cormier win, Vitor Belfort physically, the Arlovski vs. Browne fight, all the business notes from the show including a top ten of all time, and match-by-match coverage.
We also look at the NXT Takeover show. We look at the situation with Samoa Joe, plus match-by-match coverage.
We’ve also got full coverage of the World Cup show, including screw-ups, best foreign stars, and the awards from the show.
We also look at Elimination Chamber, the Rusev injury, Ronda Rousey and next year’s WrestleMania, talk about a gimmick for a future NXT special, notes on the new season of Total Divas, Notes on someone who is a TV star that got a tryout as a WWE star this past week and how it went, A look behind the scenes on the Daniel Bryan/A.J. Lee angle, how WWE is changing its thoughts on talent, another celebrity angle, NXT dates and a look at the upcoming Australia tour.
Plus we’ve got notes from all the arena events from the past week as well as business notes.
We look at the Bischoff-Hervey lawsuit against TNA.
We also have a full breakdown on the UFC Hall of Fame and its new members. We look at their histories, why they are in and more.
We’ve got first word on the Extreme Rules PPV business.
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:
–A look at CMLL’s new tournament over the next few months and background of the guys
–What pro wrestling event in Mexico will have a number of U.S. reporters from another sort attending
–Tetsuya Naito in CMLL
–Wife of wrestler planning oncoming out of retirement
–UFC fighter making appearance at international wrestling show
–King of Gate finals and rundown of semifinals
–Looking at the booking from there
–Triple Crown title change
–MMA fighter coming to All Japan
–Full coverage of the first week of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament
–Current standings
–Why this year doesn’t have as much interest as in the past
–Why all the booking had to be redone after the first night
–How business has been
–Tournament lineup for this week
–Satoru Sayama health update
–Terry Funk news
–World champions from two different promotions team up together in a third promotion
–Global Force Wrestling update
–Go fund me campaigns for wrestlers
–Update on the past week’s PWG show
–Trish Stratus talks thinking about doing MMA
–One of the biggest indie show of the summer
–Tammy Sytch on doing adult videos
–Latest on Lucha Underground and season two
–Alberto El Patron talks about doing MMA and Bill Goldberg
–The back story in one of Lucha Underground’s main angles
–ROH signs action figure deal
–Update on the next ROH PPV show
–TNA changes up television tapings and why
–Dixie Carter reality show
–Christy Hemme leaves company
–History of TNA sale talks
–Samoa Joe on why he left TNA
–Dana White talks UFC 189
–Where ticket sales for the show are coming from
–Dana White talks the PPV numbers
–Update on UFC in New York and where it stands
–Sara McMann thinking of legal action on the Reebok deal
–This week’s UFC show
–Tons of new UFC fights
–Lawsuit settlement results in apologies
–Suspended fighter thinks about going to Olympics
–Hector Lombard talks Josh Barnett
–Ronda Rousey at the Wall Street Journal cafe brunch
–Fighter who had announced retirement now coming back
–Biggest World Series of Fighting show to date
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.
****
Saturday Daily Update
— Friday night estimates at Box Office Mojo have San Andreas, Dwayne Johnson’s newest movie, doing $18 million last night, blowing away everything else to put it on the path of debuting as the number one movie of the weekend. Pitch Perfect 2, which features C.J. “Lana” Perry in a small role, grossed $4 million last night to start its third week.
— WWE announced Machine Gun Kelly will be hosting the June 15th edition of Monday Night Raw.
— CABMMA, the Brazillian commission, told MMAJunkie that they didn’t do any out of competition drug testing for tonight’s UFC card. Main eventer Thiago Alves has a previous failed drug test, testing positive for a diuretic.
— For those of you that are into this sort of thing, here’s Vince Russo’s latest column. He thinks that if Destination America does drop TNA, it won’t affect the wrestling business. Also, as always, he misspells “Spalding” as “Spaulding” when using “Spauldings” as a euphemism for “balls.”
— Canadian electronic band A Tribe Called Red have a new pro wrestling themed song and action figure out.
— Entertainment Weekly has a list of the best performances by pro wrestlers in movies.
— Scott Fishman of the Miami Herald catches up with Molly Holly and Ivory
.
TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (THANKS to Bert Duckwall)
12:30 AM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Relive D-Generation X’s last chapter as the team reunites to present their final run from late 2009 and 2010!
2:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.
3:00 AM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.
4:00 AM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.
5:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!
6:00 AM ET
WWE SUPERSTARS The Mega Powers are back! This week they take on Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. Plus, Heath Slater battles Adam Rose.
7:00 AM ET
WWE NXT After the shocking events of NXT Takeover: Unstoppable, NXT Champion Kevin Owens addresses his actions to Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe.
8:00 AM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.
9:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!
10:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Eva’s sexy bachelorette in Curacao gets heated when TJ destroy’s Nattie’s hopes of rekindling their marriage.
11:00 AM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING A look inside the life and career of CM Punk from his early success in ECW to the top of the WWE.
1:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.
2:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR It takes an army to win a war, and both WCW and WWE were developing a deep roster in order to emerge victorious.
3:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten most stylish ring attire ever worn by a WWE Superstar.
4:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Biggest Crybabies of all time!
5:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH The Miz gives the contestants a taste of what life as a WWE Superstar means outside the ring. Back in the gym, the competition heats up.
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
THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and SmackDown with This Week in WWE.
7:00 PM ET
ELIMINATION CHAMBER KICKOFF 2015 Join Renee Young, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves and Booker T for the LIVE Kickoff show for WWE Elimination Chamber!
8:00 PM ET
WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2015 The Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Titles will be decided inside the merciless Elimination Chamber, LIVE on WWE Network!
11:00 PM ET
WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2015 The Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Titles will be decided inside the merciless Elimination Chamber, LIVE on WWE Network!