SUNDAY UPDATE: NJPW King of Pro Wrestling tonight, NWA, Dusty Rhodes birthday, Shimmer

We’re looking for your thoughts on Wednesday night’s NXT show and tonight’s New Japan King of Pro Wrestling show.  We’re looking for your thoughts on both shows with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for reports on all three WWE shows in Saudi Arabia, NXT from last night in Winter Haven, FL and WWE tonight in Bloomington, IL (Roman Reigns & Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman).

New Japan King of Pro Wrestling at 3 a.m. Eastern and Midnight Pacific late Sunday night on New Japan World – Kevin Kelly & Matt Striker will be doing the announcing in English for the first time on the service

Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Kushida & Mascara Dorada vs. Juice Robinson & Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka & David Finlay & Jay White

Tomoaki Honma vs. Yoshi-Hashi

Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata & Kota Ibushi & Captain New Japan

Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Rocky Romero & Baretta for the IWGP jr. tag titles

Kenny Omega vs. Matt Sydal for IWGP jr. title

Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale

Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii for Never Open Weight title

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito for the Tokyo Dome title shot

Kazuchika Okada vs. A.J. Styles for IWGP heavyweight title

This is the last really big card before the Tokyo Dome.  The winners of the top two matches are expected to face off in the Tokyo Dome main event.  With the Tokyo Dome card being announced on Tuesday, expect angles to be set up for more Dome matches.  Lineup looks good.  Nakamura’s match should set up Nakamura vs. Anderson for the IC title, which I’m expecting next month at the Power Struggle card as the main event. 

Since most of the top matches at the Tokyo Dome will be announced on Tuesday, the winners of the last two matches are almost certain to be the main event, and this show will probably set up the other key matches with different angles.

Raw will be live from Chicago, generally one of the hottest WWE crowds anywhere, on Monday night.  So we’ll see if Chicago can stay up through a three hour show.  No  Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman advertised.

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped in Cincinnati on Tuesday.  No John Cena on the show, so Roman Reigns and Randy Orton are the advertised 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

An update on the status of Daniel Bryan is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is on the site right now and also can be subscribed to for home delivery.  We update his situation and how the decision on his future will be made shortly.  We also look at Daniel Cormier and the light heavyweight division and what the business notes say, the WWE’s Madison Square Garden event with Brock Lesnar, TNA’s Bound for Glory and world title tournament, Conor McGregor predicts the future once again, a pro wrestler is in the Japanese cabinet as well as our monthly look at the WWE and TNA’s business indicators. 

We look at what Daniel Bryan said this past week regarding his future and how the decision will be made for him soon, and what he’d like to do if he wasn’t working for WWE.

We look at Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson and the shadow over the light heavyweight division, the news coming out of UFC 192, and full coverage of the event with business notes, early PPV indicators and poll results.

We look at the WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden, Brock Lesnar’s return, how the show was promoted, Chris Jericho’s 25th anniversary as a pro wrestler and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: October 12, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Daniel Bryan’s pro wrestling future, UFC 192, WWE at MSG

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer

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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.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW

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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.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Sunday Daily Update

Well, sort of in English.  Kevin Kelly and Matt Striker were there talking on the English version, but New Japan dropped the ball by not giving them a translator to work with, so there are all kinds of long interviews here in Japanese, and neither knows what they are saying.  This isn’t their fault at all.  The only guy speaking English was A.J. Styles.  Both Styles and Okada talked heavily about wanting to get a win over Tanahashi at the Tokyo Dome. 

  • Juice Robinson (who was C.J. Parker in NXT) was announced as being a full-time member of the New Japan roster last night.  Really, that deal was pretty much known a few months ago.
  • Tyler Breeze from NXT is on the road with WWE on the U.S. tour, last night working with R-Truth.
  • Adrienne Reese, better known as Athena, debuted last night at the NXT show in Winter Haven, FL.
  • Today would have been Dusty Rhodes’ 70th birthday.
  • Elliott Russell & Sigmon, known as The Heat Seekers, beat Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. to win the NWA tag team titles last night in Dyresburg, TN.
  • The Heat Seekers make their first title defense on 10/17 in Dyresburg, TN against Matt Riviera & Greg Anthony on a show that also includes Michael Elgin vs. Steve Anthony and Tim Storm vs. Rob Conway.
  • SHIMMER RESULTS OF DVD TAPINGS YESTERDAY IN Berwyn, IL

SHIMMER VOLUME 76

Candice LaRae won 20 woman Rumble to earn a Shimmer title shot

LuFisto b Taylor Made

Sonoko Kato b Kimber Lee

Courtney Rush b Shazza McKenzie

Mia Yim (Jade in TNA) b Kelly Anne

Yumi Ohka b Makoto

Cheerleader Melissa b Crazy Mary Dobson

Evie & Heidi Lovelace b Rhia O’Reilly & Saraya Knight (Paige’s mother) 

Nicole Savoy b Hiroyo Matsumoto

Kellie Skater b Kay Lee Ray

Nicole Matthews b Candice LaRae to retain Shimmer title

SHIMMER VOLUME 77

Veda Scott b K.C. Spinelli

Saraya Knight b Xandra Bale

Liberty b Sami Baynz

Kay Lee Ray won over Allysin Kay, Candice LaRae, Kellie Skater, Marti Belle and Sonoko Kato

Courtney Rush b Crazy Mary Dobson

Jessicka Havok b Yumi Ohka

Kimber Lee b Heidi Lovelace

Cheerleader Melissa b Makoto

Tessa Blanchard & Vanessa Kraven b Leva Bates & Mia Yim

Nicole Savoy b Evie

Madison Eagles b Nicole Matthews to win the Shimmer title (thanks to Martin Bentley)

At the show, Portia Perez announced she was retiring due to a major neck injury (thanks to James White) 

  • Paul Lazenby on Agent X’s two hour premiere on TBS on 11/8, clips
  • Legacy Fighting Championships on 12/4 in Shreveport at the DiamondJacks Casino features welterweight champion Derrick Krantz (17-8) defending against Alex Morono (11-3) in the main event.  The show will air live at 10 p.m. Eastern on AXS TV.
  • Kane and Lana are replacing Ric Flair and Charlotte on 10/30 at the Wizard World Convention in Austin, TX. (thanks to Pete Schirmacher)
  • Elite Canadian Championship  Wrestling on 10/17 in Vancouver, BC at the Russian Community Centre.
  • American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL, is putting on a 10/30 pro wrestling show at their gym with Stevie Richards vs. King Mo as the main event.  ATT owner Dan Lambert is a huge fan, and King Mo has headlined by pro wrestling shows at the gym before.
  • Smash Wrestling on 10/16 in Toronto at 432 Horner Ave with Sonjay Dutt vs. Speedball Mike Bailey, Matt Taven & Michael Bennett (with Maria Kanellis) vs. The Overdogs, Dalton Castle vs. Brent Banks, Chuck Taylor vs. Scotty O’Shea and more. 
  • Ultimo Guerrero vs. Shocker headlines for FMLL in El Monte, CA at the Florentine Gardens.  Guerrero defends his FMLL light heavyweight title.
  • Fenix vs. Laredo Kid vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Martinez Entertainment on 10/18 in Benbrook TX at the Camp Bowie Bingo Hall.
  • Mid Missouri Wrestling Alliance from last night in St. Louis:  Brandon Espinosa b Prince Moses, Brian James b LaMarcus Clinton, J-Mal Swagg b Johnathan Zulu, Billy Diamond b  Andrew Wilder, Brandon Espinosa & Ace Hawkins b Varik Morgan in handicap bout, Da’Marius Jones b Barackus, Moondog Rover b Jimmy D-DQ, Gary Jackson b Kevin Lee Davidson-COR (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer) 
  • Charlie Haas debuts and Silas Young also headlines for CWE for shows on 12/2 in Yorkton, Manitoba, 12/3 in Brandon, Manitoba and 12/4 in Winnipeg. 
  • Here is a listing of holiday benefit shows:

11/7:  Hoosier Pro Wrestling has a show at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, IN for the Columbus Fireman’s Cheer Fund

11/7:  Ring Wars Carolinas in Lumberton, NC at the Priscilla King Arena, with two cans of canned goods get $2 off any adult ticket

11/7:  Atomic Championship Wrestling in Stevens, PA at the Stevens Fire Hall with a food and clothing drive for the local area social services

11/13:  Chaotic Wrestling has a Toys for Tots  show in Woburn, MA at the Elks Lodge

11/13:  Primal Conflict Wrestling on 11/13 in Harpers Ferry WV at 343 Campground Rd. has a good drive

12/5:  United Wrestling Coalition at Kelly’s Bar and Banquet Hall has a Toys for Tots drive in Wrightstown, NJ

12/5:  CHIKARA has a Toys for Tots collection at its 12/5 show at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

12/5:  ECWA has a Toys for Tots show in Woodbury, NJ at the Woodbury Heights Community Center

12/5:  Atomic Championship Wrestling in Stevens, PA at Stevens Fire Hall for a Toys for Tots collection

12/5:  Crossfire Wrestling on 12/5 in St. Catherines, ONT at the Merritton Community Center with a show benefiting the Niagara Children’s Centre Foundation with Cody Deaner vs. Eric Young.

12/11:  Brew City Wrestling has a good drive for Headlock for Hunger in West Allis, WI at the Knights of Columbus Hall

12/11 Chaotic Wrestling in Woburn, MA at the Elks Lodge has a second Toys for Tots benefit show

12/12:  CZW has a Toys for Tots collection at the Cage of Death  show at Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ

12./18 ROH Final Battle at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia has a Toys for Tots collection.

12/19 ROH TV taping at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia has a Toys for Tots collection

12/19 ECCW in Port Coquitlam, BC at the Elks Hall #49 has a show to benefit the Share Family Services Food Bank.

12/27 Great Canadian Wrestling on 12/27 in Oshawa, ONT at the Harmony Creek Community Hall has a benefit for the local food bank.

  • Stardom results from earlier today at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo:  Kris Wolf b Hiromi Mimura, Haruka Kato b Saori Anou, Kaori Yoneyama won three-way over Starlight Kid and Momo Watanabe, Kairi Hojo b Act Yasukawa, Mayu Iwatani b Rosa Negra to win the High Speed title, Io Shirai b Dark Angel to retain the Wonder of Stardom title.  Melina Perez was special guest at the show.  A.J. Styles was also at the show to see Dark Angel (Sarita), who he hasn’t seen since she was released by TNA.
  • Stardom runs shows on 10/16 on Covina, CA and 10/18 in Baldwin Park, CA with Cheerleader Melissa, Shayna Baszler, Santana Garrett, Mia Yim, Io Shirai, Kairi Hojo, Mayu Iwatani, Act Yasukawa, Kyoko Kimura, Chelsea, Kris Wolf, Hudson Envy, Nicole Savoy, Thunder Rosa, and Brittany Wonder.
  • Capital City Championship Combat on 11/28 in Ottawa, ONT at the Vanier Columbus Club.
  • 10 U.K. wrestlers that WWE should sign

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

1975 – Great Mephisto beat Skandor Akbar in Melbounre to win the Austra Asian title

1977 – Larry O’Dea & Mario Milano beat Butcher Brannigan & Les Roberts in Sydney to win the Austra Asian tag titles

1977 – Jim Breaks beat Bobby Ryan in Wolverhampton to win the European lightweight title

1987 – Lioness Asuka & Chigusa Nagayo beat Bull Nakano & Condor Saito to win the All Japan annual tag team tournament

1992 – Jimmy Snuka beat Tony St Clair in Hannover to win the British Commonwealth title

1996 – Ultimo Dragon beat Great Sasuke in Tokyo to win eight different junior heavyweight championships

1996 – Yoji Anjo & Bam Bam Bigelow & Hiromichi Fuyuki beat Nobuhiko Takada & Yuhi Sano & Masahito Kakihara in Osaka to win the WAR six man titles

1997 – Rhino Richards (Rhyno) & Jean Pierre Lafitte (Carl Ouellet) beat Tony St. Clair & Christian Eckstein in Hannover to win the CWA at titles

1999 – Jushin Liger beat Kendo Ka Shin in Tokyo to win the IWGP jr. title

2010 – Satoshi Kojima beat Togi Makabe in Tokyo to win the IWGP heavyweight title