SUN. UPDATE: Gilberts sue WWE-ESPN, Ron Wright in hospice, ROH-New Japan, Lucha Underground ends season
By Dave Meltzer
dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
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Raw will be live on Monday night from Albany, NY. The only match announced is The Miz vs. Damien Mizdow with the winner getting the brand.
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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)
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*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)
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*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)
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*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)
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*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)
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*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)
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*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)
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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.
SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE
–Very busy day here. First, happy birthday to my father. Second, Bryan, myself and Tom Lawlor are up for the weekend edition of Observer radio talking UFC from last night as well as a ton of wrestling news including Taz, Daniel Bryan, Seiya Sanada, ROH and more.
–Want to thank everyone for their help with reports the past two weeks on the WWE’s European tour. Some great reporters from all over the continent. There were lots of raves that we heard both internally and externally for three-way tag title matches with Tyson Kidd & Cesaro vs. New Day vs. Los Matadores and for Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins matches. The latter will be on Sunday’s Extreme Rules show.
–Very sad to report that Ron Wright, one of the all-time greats of East Tennessee Wrestling, has entered hospice car. He’s been ill for some time. Wright was a top heel in the 60s and 70s and later became a manager for Smoky Mountain Wrestling of the Dirty White Boy,.
–Tommy & Doug Gilbert have sued both WWE, ESPN and ESPN Classics saying the companies have televised matches of Eddie Gilbert and Doug Gilbert without permission and without paying any royalties. They are looking for a percentage of profits and damages. A similar lawsuit against WWE by Doug Somerson (Pretty Boy Doug Somers) went nowhere, as did a 1997 case filed by Ricky Steamboat The only difference is whether there will be a distinction between appearing on a free television show and as part of the paid WWE Network. If one is on a DVD, they do pay royalties to the performers on the DVD. So there may be a distinction between a paid network and free television. But that would not apply to ESPN. Doug & Eddie Gilbert appeared on the GWF shows on ESPN in the early 90s that later were replayed on ESPN Classics. Doug worked sparingly with WCW but Eddie did more, and both would be on early ECW tapes and Eddie would have matches in WCW and multiple territorial libraries. They also cite Eddie being in the WWE Encyclopedia, but the argument that he will get royalties for being featured in the book is going nowhere. ESPN had a similar case thrown out filed by Stevie “Wild Thing” Ray, who is not the more famous Stevie Ray of Harlem Heat, but an 80s and 90s wrestler.
–WWE released a statement saying, “Throughout the years, WWE has acquired the legal rights to library footage of various former wrestling organizations including Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Mid Southern Wrestling among many others. WWE has made these substantial investments to acquire these copyrighted works and has the legal right to use them. Similar cases in the past have been unsuccessful and we expect this case to be dismissed.”
–The suit just came out in the news today on TMZ, but was actually filed on 3/11 in Henderson County, TN Chancery Court for the 26th Judicial District. WWE, ESPN and ESPN Classics filed a motion on Wednesday to get the cases thrown out citing that the cases of Somerson, Ray and Richard Blood (Steamboat) went nowhere.
–Cub Swanson believed that he suffered a broken jaw and a broken hand in his loss last night to Max Holloway.
–From the weekend, while a ton of NBA and NHL stuff trended on Google, the only thing MMA related from last night was Paige VanZant, and not Luke Rockhold.
–The 5/12 ROH card will be announced tomorrow. I think some or all of the rest of the shows with New Japan will be announced shortly as well. I do know that ROH and New Japan have finalized the shows.
–Ultima Lucha, the final episode of Lucha Underground in season one, that will air as a two-hour special, will be taped today in Los Angeles at the temple in Boyle Heights. Rey Mysterio Jr. is there. That may not mean anything major since he has been to many Lucha Underground tapings. But they were looking for a major blow out final show.
–Missy Hyatt, real name Melissa Hiatt, was arrested in Leon County, FL over WrestleMania weekend on charges of grand theft of more than $300 and less than $10,000. Hyatt said that a woman left a jacket in her truck, and made a scene about wanting it back. She said she couldn’t find the jacket, a scene was made, the woman called the police and claimed the jacket was worth $10,000, although similar jackets go for $75 to $150 on ebay. She said she heard a warrant was filed for her, turned herself in, was in jail for three hours but expects it to be thrown out or bumped down to a civil matter..
–When Mick Foley tapes his one man show this coming Friday night at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, for the WWE Network, both Jim Ross and John Layfield will join him on the show. This will be the day after the next NXT taping, Thursday night, in the same building.
–Real bad situation with William Regal on Twitter last name. He apparently received a phone call from a phone number in a Houston hospital, and I believe he has family there, saying “Everything you love will be taken away from you.” He tweeted more about it but did not the police have been called. I hope that is settled as quickly as possible. He later said, “Someone calling from St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Houston, TX is calling and threatening to harm my family. Could someone there please look into this. Thank you.”
–The South Florida Sun-Sentinel sports section has a major article on the ATT vs. Blackzillians feud that will be featured when Ultimate Fighter returns Wednesday night on FS 1.
–Hulk Hogan was on the Barrett Jackson TV auto action yesterday afternoon at the podium with a Classic 1969 Chevy Camaro Z-28 which was auctioned off for three charities, one of which was the Conor Michalek Fund. The auction raised $150,000. He put over HHH & Stephanie McMahon, talked about John Cena breaking his Make a Wish records and tore his shirt but kept it on.
–FIP from last night in Orlando: Deimos won five-way over Arik Royal, Nick Richards, Curt Stallion and Mike Outlaw, Rhett Giddins & Bolt Brady & Jeff Boom b Chasyn Rance & Monster Tarver & Martin Stone, Jody Kristofferson b Jack Gallows, Celtic Sinners b Trailer Park Nation, Rich Swann b Roderick Strong, The Savages b Lince Dorado & Jason Cade, Maxwell Chicago b Aaron Epic-DQ, Blake Edward Belakus b Jonny Vandal in a dog collar match.
–Evolve from last night in Orlando: Santana Garrett b Andrea, Ethan Page b Martin Stone, Rey Hours b Andrew Everett, Timothy Thatcher b TJ Perkins, Biff Busick b Roderick Strong, Davey Richards b Trevor Lee, Rich Swann & Johnny Gargano b Caleb Konley & Anthony Nese (thanks to Al Haft)
–A story on the Bec Rawlings vs. Lisa Marie Ellis twitter war which is leading to a UFC fight at
http://www.news.com.au/sport/boxing/bec-rawlings-angela-magana-and-lisa-ellis-engage-in-graphic-twitter-stoush/story-fndkzthy-1227310247758 (thanks to Tim Forge)
–EWF has a fund raiser on 4/24 in Azusa, CA at VFW Post 8070 and on 5/1 at the City of Industry, CA at the VFW Post 1944. The 4/24 show is a fund raiser for the family of Cincinnati Red.
–TNA pushed that Friday’s show will be an All-Knockouts show with the debut of the Doll House (Mia Yim & Marti Bell) with the only men’s match being the Kurt Angle vs. Eric Young TNA title match.
–The second night of the Global Tag League tournament of Pro Wrestling NOAH will be tomorrow (late night) in Tokyo with tournament matches of Mohammed Yone & Daisuke Ikeda vs. Akitoshi Saito & Quiet Storm, Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Shelton Benjamin & Brian Breaker and Takashi Sugiura & Masato Tanaka vs. Maybach Taniguchi & Maybach #2.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1884 Professor William Miller drew Doug Dinnie in Melbourne in a match billed for the Australian championship. It was three matches, the first being Greco-Roman, won by Miller, the second being Scottish, won by Dinnie and the third being Catch-as-Catch-can. It was ruled a draw when Miller suffered a broken leg in the catch-as-catch-can match. Of the 480,000 people who lived in Melbourne, 8,000 of them were at the show.
1974 – Bill Ross beat Jim Beaks in Stirling, Scotland to win the European lightweight title
1985 – Shunji Kosugi beat Keiichi Yamada (Jushin Liger) to win the New Japan Young Lions tournament
1986 – Jumbo Tsuruta beat Bruiser Brody in Sendai to win the International title. This was Brody’s last singles match loss in Japan.
2002 – Electroshock & Chessman beat La Parka Jr. & Mascara Sagrada in Torreon to win the Mexican national tag title
2011 – Big Show & Kane beat Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater to win the WWE tag titles in London
2014 – Pentagon Jr. & Sexy Star beat Drago & Fabi Apache in Mexico City to win the AAA Mixed tag team titles
–Bellator signed Justin Lawrence to a multi-fight deal, which is notable because Lawrence is a former UFC fighter who was fighting with the Resurrection Fighting Alliance, and most of that company’s successful talent goes to UFC.
–Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 5/2 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds featuring Rob Conway, Flash Flanagan and LuFisto.
–Friday night St. Louis Anarchy Wrestling in Alton, IL: Jordan Lacey won four-way over JJ Garrett, Joe Heiken and Everett Connors, ACH & Davey Vega b Mikey McFinnegan & Zakk Sawyers, Alexandre Rudolph & Jake Parnell b Matt Cage & Alex Castle, Jeremy Wyatt & Christian Rose b Ricky Starks & Steve O. Reno, Devin & Mason Cutter b Brandon Espinosa & Angelus Layne, Jonathan Gresham b Louis Lyndon, Danny Adams b Donovan Danhausen Trik Davis b Paco Gonzalez, Devin & Mason Cutter b Alexandre Rudolph & Jake Parnell, Jeremy Wyatt & Christian Rose b ACH & Davey Vega, Gerald James b JoJo Bravo 2/3 falls
–Saturday night St. Louis Anarchy Wrestling in Alton, IL: Jojo Bravo b Mikey McFinnegan, Ricky Starks b Brandon Espinosa, Paco Gonzalez won six-way over Jake Parnell, Donovan Danhausen, Jordan Lacey, Alex Castle and Angelus Layne, Danny Adams b Steve O Reno, Zak Sawyers b Trik Davis, ACH b Louis Lyndon, Davey Vega b Jonathan Gresham, Mat Fitchett b Evan Gelistico, Alexandre Rudolph b Jon Heiken, Gerald James b Paco Gonzalez 2/3 falls, Devin & Mason Cutter b Jeremy Wyatt & Christian Rose to become first SLA tag champions. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
–Pure Wrestling Association on 5/9 in Chatham, ONT at the John D. Bradley Centre.
–HCW on 4/15 in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England at the Habberley Social Club.
–Pro Wrestling Live on 4/24 in Walsall, West Midlands, England at the Saddlers Club.
–Just Do Wrestling on 4/26 in St. Helens, Merseyside, England at the Windle Labour Club.
–Vision Pro Wrestling on 4/25 in St. John, New Brunswick at the Simonds Lions Club.
–Pro Wrestling Australia on 4/24 in Camden, New South Wales, Australia at the Civic Centre.
–605 Championship Wrestling on 4/24 in Clarksburg, WV at the Uptown Event Center.
–NASW/UWC on Saturday night in Greensboro at the Lewis Rec Center.
–Real Tennessee Wrestling on Friday night in Columbia, TN at 915 S Garden St.
–CMLL from last night at Arena Coliseo in Mexico City: Mercurio b Mini Fantasy, Sensei b Rebelde, Virus b Hombre Bala Jr. (fans threw money in), Bobby Zavala b Starman, El Terrible & Kamaitachi & Rey Bucanero b Blue Panther Jr. & Dragon Lee & Valiente, Shocker & Ultimo Guerrero b Maximo & Volador Jr. (thanks to Kris Zellner)
–Maryland Championship Wrestling from last night in Windber, PA: Drake Carter & Shaun Cannon b LL Green & Rick Powers, G-Fed b Andrew Steele, Dirty Money b Fenix Fury, Sexy Steve & Jimmy Stars b Drolix & Chuck Lennox, Bill Collier & Jimi the Hippie b Rob Locke &* Joe Key, Brandon Scott b Bo Nekoda, Amber Rodriguez won three-way over Brittany Force and Sara Feeny, Matt Hardy & The Bruiser b Ryan McBride & Ken Dixon in a TLC match. Next show is 4/24 in Glen Burnie, MD at Michael’s Eighth Avenue featuring Ric Flair.
–ROH is now on TV twice a week in Fresno, on Saturdays at 10 p.m. on Ch. 5 and Sunday’s at 5 p.m. on Ch. 6.
–Lucha Xtreme TV results from last night on Fresno TV: Kevin El Devinio b Jesse Poole in an I Quit match, Al Azar b Elemento, CB 3 b Mike Rayne, Manny Fernandez b Mustafa Saed-COR (thanks to Jon Southerland)
–From Monday night in Las Vegas at the CAC banquet: Gabriel Gallo & Dom Vitalli b Levi Shapiro & Buddy Royal, Rik Luxury b Johnny Devine, Tokyo Monster Kahagas won Battle Royal, Bryce Slaven b El Torito Juventud, Andy Brown & Viking Warrior & RJ Ruiz b Archimedes & Richie Slade & Father Juan Roman, Matt Riviera b Americos to keep the Western State Heritage title, Kat Von Heez & Bambi Hall & Bobby Sharpe b Kiara Dillon & Andrea the Giant & Short Sleeve Sampson, Steve Anthony b Jushin Liger to win the NWA jr. title, Jody Kristofferson b Martin Casaus, Sir Samurai & Drake Frost b CJ Kurz & Bobby Hart, Rosa Negra over Barbi Hayden, Andrea the Giant and Santana Garrett to win the Luna Vachon Cup, Tokyo Monster Kahagaus b Dylan Drake to win the CAC Cup. (thanks to Brian Wescott)
TODAY’S WRESTLING VIDEOS (thanks to Thomas Rude)
MISC. STUFF
4/17/15 Apter’s Alley
WWE
4/13/15 WWE RAW “Slam Of The Week”
4/16/15 WWE Smackdown “Slam Of The Week”
4/16/15 Top 10 WWE Smackdown Moments
The JBL & Renee Show (Episode 125)
INDY TV SHOWS
America’s Most Like Wrestling TV (Episode 6)
Reality Of Wrestling TV (Episode 48)
Monster Factory TV (Episode 4)
TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)
2:00 AM 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 AM ET
WWE NXT Sami Zayn returns to in ring action as he takes on Rhyno in this week’s main event.
4:00 AM ET
WWE SUPERSTARS This week Superstars is brought to you from across the pond in London. Plus, a rematch from last week as R-Truth and Curtis Axel go 1 on 1.
5:00 AM ET
OLD SCHOOL Old School WWE card from the Maple Leaf Gardens features Hulk Hogan defending the WWE Title against Paul Orndorff. Ricky Steamboat and more.
6:00 AM ET
WWE EXTREME RULES 2014 It’s time to get extreme! John Cena, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, Batista, and your favorite WWE Superstars at Extreme Rules 2014!
9:00 AM 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.
10:00 AM 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.
12:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR An industry icon’s transformation propels Nitro to prominence, and forever changes sports entertainment history.
1:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Coolest Catchphrases ever in WWE History, as voted by the WWE Universe.
2:00 PM ET
WWE NXT Sami Zayn returns to in ring action as he takes on Rhyno in this week’s main event.
3:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR An industry icon’s transformation propels Nitro to prominence, and forever changes sports entertainment history.
4:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Coolest Catchphrases ever in WWE History, as voted by the WWE Universe.
5:00 PM ET
WWE NXT Sami Zayn returns to in ring action as he takes on Rhyno in this week’s main event.
6:00 PM 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.
7:00 PM ET
THIS WEEK IN WWE Seth and Randy each pick a stipulation for their title match at Extreme Rules, Big Show attacks Reigns, and Sheamus has extreme plans.
7:30 PM ET
RAW PRE-SHOW From WWE Studios in Stamford Connecticut. Scott Stanford, David Otunga and Corey Graves cover all the events leading up to Monday Night Raw.
8:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR An industry icon’s transformation propels Nitro to prominence, and forever changes sports entertainment history.
9:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten biggest backstabs ever in WWE history, as voted by the WWE Universe.
10:00 PM 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.
11:06 PM ET
WWE NETWORK EXCLUSIVE The action continues with exclusive interviews, matches and fallout LIVE from Monday Night Raw.
11:11 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.
11:36 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.