Thursday Update: Jeff Jarrett on wXw card, ROH and TNA ratings, Smackdown

WWE Smackdown airs at 8 PM EST on Syfy. Here’s the spoilers if you just can’t wait, but expect Kevin Owens, the Dudleys and the New Day’s rivalry to continue, and other Rusev vs. Dolph Ziggler match but with a twist of Summer. We’ll have Steve Kahn’s report on the show up later tonight.

If you missed any of the wrestling shows from last night and need recaps, here’s WWE NXT, here’s Ring of Honor, and here’s TNA Impact Wrestling. There was no TUF last night due to the MLB playoffs running on FS1.

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s NXT show in Cocoa Beach, FL at Dave Meltzer Tomorrow has WWE in Merida, Mexico with Undertaker and Ric Flair appearing, as well as another NXT show in Tampa.

Smackdown tonight from Cincinnati

Roman Reigns vs. Bo Dallas

Cesaro & Neville vs. King Barrett & Sheamus

Kevin Owens vs. Zack Ryder non-title

Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev with Summer Rae as referee

Titus O’Neil & Darren Young vs. Braun Strowman & Luke Harper

Charlotte vs. Alicia Fox non-title

Dudleys & Dean Ambrose vs. New Day

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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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thursday Daily Update

  • The 9 p.m. TNA Impact was way down from last week, doing 242,000 viewers, its lowest to date for the 9 p.m. slot.  The replay did 85,000.  The overall total of 327,000 was also its lowest to date.  Not a good sign for the new format.
  • ROH did 174,000 viewers at 11 p.m., its second best in the slot, for the Jay Lethal vs. Takaaki Watanabe match.
  • There was an interesting listicle plugging Evolve on WWE.com today, pushing ‘the 5 Evolve wrestlers you need to know’. Of that group, Timothy Thatcher, Johnny Gargano, Tracy Williams, Anthony Nese, and Zack Sabre Jr. were featured. (Thanks to Matt Mann)
  • FS 1 preempted UFC for baseball playoff coverage and the Kansas City vs. Houston game may have been the most-watched show in the history of the station with 5.94 million viewers.
  • John Cena vs. Seth Rollins in 30:00 Iron man matches for the U.S. title will headline the weekend house show on Saturday night in Lubbock and Sunday night in Abilene.
  • Jeff Jarrett has been booked as Alberto el Patron’s replacement for the SWE and wXw shows this weekend in Germany, taking on Absolute Andy. (Thanks to Markus Gronemann)
  • As a follow-up, Patron addressed the wXw comments and put the blame on the promoters.
  • Former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts is moderating a VIP meet and greet for the band Tool the day before their show at the Monster Mash Festival in Tempe, AZ. Here’s all the info. Tool drummer Danny Carey actually proposed to his wife at the 2013 Royal Rumble. (Thanks to Jeff Hamlin)
  • Remember P.N. News? Here’s a look at what he’s up to prior to his upcoming appearance for All Star Wrestling overseas. (Thanks to Lee Wall)
  • Remember Marc Mero? He visited Glen Cove, NY, students recently for an inspirational talk.
  • Here’s a feature on Japanese wrestling and Chigusa Nagayo’s Marvelous promotion doing some work with New York Wrestling Connection for a show this Sunday in Elmhurst, NY. (Thanks to Mike)
  • Here’s a tribute to British wrestler Jack Taylor who passed away last week at the age of 83.
  • The Minoru Suzuki vs. Kazushi Sakuraba and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Togi Makabe matches from last year’s Tokyo Dome will be airing on tomorrow night’s New Japan on AXS show.
  • Jerry Lawler vs. Terry Funk, plus appearances by Lance Russell, Bill Dundee, The Rock & Roll Express, Rocky Johnson and more legends of that era will be at the USA Championship Wrestling show on 10/24 in Jackson, TN at the Oman Arena.
  • Chris Hero’s visa situation has been taken care of.  He’ll be missing the first three shows of the upcoming NOAH tour but will be there the rest of the tour.
  • WWE stock today was up 43 cents to $19.79 per share.
  • Between the federal elections and the Toronto Blue Jays having a playoff game, Raw is expected to do a terrible number this Monday in Canada. Monday’s game did 4.38 million viewers, the most watched show since Sportsnet launched in 1998.  That number in Canada would be like a baseball game doing 40 million viewers in the U.S. (thanks to Ryan Pike and John Pollock) 
  • Francisco Trevino, who lost to Sage Northcutt at UFC 192 on 10/3, tested positive for marijuana and he was suspended for three months pending a hearing before the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
  • Michael Bisping underwent elbow surgery yesterday.  No word on a recuperation period.
  • Titan FC has signed Sean Wheelock, the former Bellator announcer, to be its lead broadcaster.  Titan FC airs on UFC Fight Pass.  Wheelock’s first show will be 12/18.
  • New Japan has a show on Sunday in Taiwan at the National Taiwan University Gym headlined by Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi vs. Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi, plus Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto & Captain Taiwan.
  • There is a TV taping for New Generation Wrestling on 11/1 in Liverpool at the Olympia at 4:30 p.m. for Challenge and Bay TV.  Nigel McGuinness will be appearing at the show and there will be a private VIP showing of his documentary before the show.  Check out the story
  • Luke Thomas of MMA Fighting will debut a new show called The Luke Thomas show on XM Rush Ch. 93 that will air every Friday from 4-6 p.m., covering news, sports and politics.
  • In Your Face Wrestling on 11/7 in Delanson, NY at the Duanesburg Area Community Center featuring a Q&A with Road Warrior Animal.
  • An interesting add to NWAClassics.com is a match with Ricki Starr vs. Duke Keomuka this week.  Also added were Tommy Rogers vs. Dutch Mantell and Tommy Rogers vs. Eddie Gilbert
  • Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat did an autograph signing last weekend in West Virginia that drew 800 to 900 people.
  • On the WWE Network’s preview of the Sting DVD, he did mention that he was in TNA for several years before coming to WWE.  WWE usually avoids TNA references. (thanks to Jared Sanchez).
  • On Fight Pass, Bas Rutten will be hosting a history of Pancrase special that will debut at the end of the month, before the next Pancrase show on Fight Pass on 10/31.  On 10/27, Bas Rutten talks about his eight favorite fights he was in.  November on Fight Pass will be built around Miesha Tate.  
  • CWE will be debuting the tag team of Brett Gakiya & CJ Esparza, Zero Gravity, on its 12/2 to 12/4 tour in Yorkton, Brandon and Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Chase Owens will also be on that tour.
  • Ricky Steamboat will be appearing on Friday and Saturday at the Fan Boy Expo Comic Con in Knoxville at the Convention Center.  He’s also appearing for NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Elizabethton, TN at the High School.
  • CMLL on Monday night in Puebla:  Arkalis & Milenium & Zaeta Roja b Ares & Espiritu Maligno & Sauron, Cancerbero & Fuerza Chicana & Raziel b Black Tiger & Magnus & Oro Jr., Angel de Oro & Stigma & Stuka Jr. b Puma King & Tiger & Virus, Lestat b Molotov in a mask vs. mask match, Marco Corleone & Maximo & La Sombra b Euforia & Mr. Niebla & Shocker, Volador Jr. b Mephisto to retain NWA Historic welterweight title
  • CZW on 10/17 in Laval, Quebec at the Scrach a Laval with Matt Tremont vs. PCP Crazy FN Manny for their world title.
  • Stardom from Japan, the top women’s group, is running shows on Friday and Sunday in the Los Angeles area.       
  • Great North Wrestling on 11/27 in Rockland, ONT at the Arena Jean Marc Lalonde featuring Hannibal and Bushwhacker Luke.
  • Tommy Dreamer headlines for All-Star Wrestling on 10/23 in Surrey, BC at the Alice McKay Building at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
  • Sinn Bohdi’s Freakshow Wrestling on 10/16 at the Las Vegas Country Saloon, 10/17 in East Los Angeles at the Underground Auditorium. and 10/18 in Hemet, CA at the Wheelhouse.
  • The Judo Grand Slam in Paris takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Accor Hotels Arena.  Both shows will be before sellout crowds of 10,000 fans and 505 judokas from 89 countries will appear including U.S. gold medalist Kayla Harrison.  There will be a free live stream of the matches all day both days at www.ippon.tv
  • Rock Solid Wrestling on 11/8 in Sudbury, ONT at the LoEllen Secondary School featuring Cody Deaner and The Flatliners off The Amazing Race Canada. 
  • Biggie Biggs vs. Jon Dahmer plus LuFisto headline 10/17 in Bridgeton, NJ at the Alms Center for IWA Vintage Pro Wrestling.
  • Viva La Lucha on 10/30 in Arcadia, FL at the Turner Agri-Civic Center featuring Silver King, Rey Bucanero, El Hijo de L.A. Park, Damian 666, Bestia 666, Trina Michaels, Extreme Tiger, Rey Hours, Willie Mack, Ivelisse Velez, Jessicka Havok, Lince Dorado and more.
  • 35 years ago today, Dusty Rhodes beat The Sheik via count out before a sellout 4,877 fans in Miami Beach.   
  • A documentary, Lucha Mexico, will be debuting on 11/13 at the SVA Theater in New York at 9:45 p,.m.  The documentary is about Shocker and bodybuilder Jon “Strongman” Anderson competing in CMLL years back, and also features people like Blue Demon Jr.,Perro Aguayo Jr. and Tony Salazar.
  • WWE announced a live show on 4/22 in Paris at the Accor Hotels Arena.
  • A story on Becky Lynch getting to WWE
  • How wrestling impacted Vikings coach Mike Zimmer
  • Team Alpha Male’s Cody Garbrandt weighs in on T.J. Dillashaw leaving the team
  • Jerry Lawler talks Smackdown going live, the Andy Kaufman angle and more

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

1967 – El Nazi beat Mil Mascaras in Mexico City to win the Mexican national light heavyweight title

1990 – Emilio Charles Jr. beat Dandy in Mexico City to win the vacant Mexican national middleweight title

1993 – Juventud Guerrera beat Rey Misterio Jr. in Monterrey to win the WWA lightweight title

1996 – Black Warrior beat Dandy in Mexico City to win the NWA light heavyweight title