We’ve got two new long audio shows up today. Last night we did part two of the Hall of Fame with historian/wrestler Matt Farmer, which is a series we’re doing every Wednesday night, plus lots more on the latest news, and today we had an interview with Bob Backlund talking all kinds of different subjects including his long WWF title run, Mr. Backlund, training at 66 and much more.
Thanks to everyone for their comments on the new issue of the Observer, notably the lead story and the Von Erich story. People are sleeping on the lead TNA story but it’s the one with the most significant ramifications of anything this week.
We’re looking for reports on tonight’s NXT show in Citrus Springs, FL at Dave Meltzer We’re also looking for reports on tomorrow night’s NXT show in Gainesville, FL.
Smackdown tonight on Syfy at 8 p.m.
Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns non-title
Lucha Dragons vs. The Ascension vs. King Barrett & Sheamus vs. Dudleys
Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz in a trick or treat street fight
Natalya vs. Paige
R-Truth vs. Alberto Del Rio
Ryback & Cesaro & Dean Ambrose vs. Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman & Luke Harper
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Figure Four Weekly:
Figure Four Weekly (10/26/15): Analyzing some the favorites for the Hall of Fame
A look at some of the favorites to get into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame this year including Brock Lesnar, Carlos Colon, & more.
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Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Check out the latest issue: Wrestling Observer Newsletter October 26, 2015: Raw ratings woes continue, More Eric Bischoff notes
The lead story is how the Alberto Del Rio deal went down, with full details, including financials that even blew away those in WWE and those who used to negotiate these deals. We look at how in demand he was, including by organizations you wouldn’t even know, an angle he shot for MMA that was kept secret and will never probably see the light of day on television, and how this affects AAA, where he is their world champion.
We look at the ramifications of this on WWE, AAA, how the deal was put together, how he positioned it to AAA, how AAA has taken a huge talent hit, when the deal was really put together, how Del Rio was scheduled to main event AAA’s next major show against what top U.S. star in a hair match, and his dates advertised in Mexico. We look at other promotions that wanted him, Konnan talking about how the Myzteziz and Del Rio situation affects AAA, the Zeb Colter deal, how Lucha Underground and Del Rio fell apart as well as his huge money MMA offer just recently.
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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.
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THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
On the upcoming WWE European tour, Randy Orton has been pulled, leaving the Roman Reigns part of the tour’s top matches as Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose & The Usos vs. Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman & Luke Harper. There’s our answer on when the Usos would be back healthy again.
Tyler Breeze is on the Seth Rollins part tour, facing Rusev & Dolph Ziggler in a three-way, but that’s going to be changed because Rusev is out until the end of November due to a biceps rupture suffered at Tuesday’s Smackdown taping. WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. Dudleys is advertised for that tour. (thanks to Tom Griffiths)
WWE has announced a WrestleMania 32 free public party on 11/5 at 6 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Steve Austin, Lita, Booker T, Lana, Corey Graves, Mark Henry, executives of the Dallas Cowboys, and Arlington mayor Jeff Williams will be there.
There was a big WWE stock drop today, down $2.56 per share and closing at $17.39. This is why. We’ll have a post by Chris Harrington later on tonight, talking about today’s news.
WWE Champion Seth Rollins, Wade Barrett, and Ryback are going to host one-hour workout sessions for fans in the United Kingdom next month. Yes, you read that right. You can buy tickets on Ticketmaster.co.uk by searching ‘A Unique Training Experience With WWE’. If anyone reading this attends the event(s), we want a full recap.
For those into NASCAR and WWE comparison, this Sacramento Bee columnist tied them together.
Luckily, Ronda Rousey’s anger wasn’t taken out on Scott Van Pelt.
Photo: Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images
MMA
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UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey didn’t take to kindly to a question about her relationship with Travis Browne today.
Kurt Angle’s big statement during Bellator’s conference call today? He’s excited to be coming to the Fan Fest next week. Sigh.
Speaking of ‘sigh’, we’re told from our friend Paul in Parkland, FL, that Kimbo Slice was a no show at the CCW show in Coral Springs, FL, last week. There was no reason given for the no-show.
King Mo vs. Stevie Richards will headline a Halloween show tomorrow night at the American Top Team Gym in Coconut Creek, FL. It’s a free pro wrestling show at the famous MMA gym.
The Nevada Athletic Commission handed Rousimar Palhares a two year suspension and fined him $40,000 due to his eye gouging and holding a submission too long in his 8/1 WSOF fight with Jake Shields. Palhares said he didn’t know Shields was tapping and couldn’t see ref Steve Mazzagatti call the fight. This was, at least, the fifth time in recent years that Palhares has held submissions on too long.
Also at the NAC’s monthly hearing: Caio Magalhaes was suspended for six months and ordered to do 40 hours of community service for spitting blood on both Josh Samman and ref John McCarthy on the 7/12 UFC show. After telling Nevada officials that he spent $17,000 on fight camp expenses and only made $20,000 for the fight, they chose not to fine him. Stories like that make you understand why a lot of people are so adamant about the fighter pay issue.
Complete insanity alert: Shinya Aoki is headlining the 12/29 Rizin show at the Saitama Super Arena against Kazushi Sakuraba. Two days later on New Year’s Eve, Aoki, who fights at 155, is scheduled to face Montanha Silva, who is about 6-foot-10 and 315 pounds.
Spike announced Road to Bellator 145 – Part 1 for Thursday at 11:30 PM EST and PST with part 2 running Monday night at 11:30 PM EST and PST. This is the show headlined by featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull vs.Daniel Straus, and lightweight champion Will Brooks vs. Marcin Held, plus Bobby Lashley vs. James Thompson. If Thompson wins, does he get to join the TNA tournament?
Ross Pearson vs. Francisco Trinaldo has been added to the 1/17 UFC FS1 show in Boston.
Fight Night 12 on 11/22 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles at 5 p.m.
Other Wrestling:
Oscar of WWF’s Men on a Mission fame is doing a shoot DVD taping this Monday night at 7 PM for MWF in Melrose, MA, talking mid-90s WWF New Generation. Here’s an IndieGogo for how you can contribute, and visit BostonWrestling.com for details on how you can attend Monday.
Al Snow & Tommy Dreamer will be at Mecca Pro Wrestling in Cornwall, Ontario, on 11/21 at the Agora Center. The event will help benefit a local charity.
Speaking of Dreamer, he gave an interview recently talking about Alberto Del Rio, the Dudleys, House of Hardcore and more.
Lucha Underground ring announcer Melissa Santos did an interview talking about her favorite LU moments, season 2, cookies, and more.
A strong contender for 2015 Match of the Year the 1/4 NJPW match with Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi, airs Friday night on NJPW on AXS TV. Bryan Rose will have a recap after the show.
Speaking of Ibushi, he’s out of action right now for reasons that haven’t been fully explained. Hopefully everything works out for him because he is an amazing talent.
If you want to attend Lucha Underground tapings at the Temple in Boyle Heights, email here with your name, age of each person in your group, phone number, email address and the desired date of attending the filming. They only have 300 seats and all seats will be taken so you have to order now. They are only taking reservations now for 11/14, 11/15, 11/21 and 11/22. Tapings begin in the early afternoon and you have to stay for the entire taping.
Update on the situation from a few days ago where George Murdoch and Canada’s CWE where Murdoch had canceled off an August tour after getting a deposit from the promotion and not returning the deposit. After the story was reported on earlier this week, Murdoch has returned the deposit.
Charlie Haas vs. Chase Owens has been signed for a 12/2 show in Yorkton, Saskatchewan for CWE.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix on 1/14 in Council Bluffs, IA at the National Guard Armory.
Big Time Wrestling from Saturday night in Lynn, MA before 500 fans: Slyk Wagner Brown b Antonio Thomas, Danny Miles b Todo Loco, Kevin Nash b Sean Burke, Eddie Edwards b Chris Dickinson, Shelley Martinez b Alexis Neveah, Flex Armstrong DDQ Bam Show, Scotty 2 Hotty & The Godfather (former WWE star) & Mini John Cena & Ted Gooz b Jack Maverick & The Surgeon & Big Bear & ?
Lewis Hamilton on training pro wrestling with Mistico.
Zombie Wrestling tomorrow night at the Lithuanian House in Toronto.
Wild Bill vs. Jeff Connelly in a mask vs. hair match headlines on 11/21 in Kingsport, TN for NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling at the Civic Auditorium. The show also has Jax Dane vs. Arrick Andrews for the NWA world title, Jason Kincaid vs. Ray Rowe of ROH for the Southeastern title and Kid Kash vs. Chase Owens.
CZW on 11/7 in Dayton in what is billed as Jake Crist’s last match at 1106 East Third St., plus Matt Tremont vs. D.J. Hyde for the CZW title.
Congrats to Deathproof Wrestling for raising $1,700 for Wellspring, a charity that helps women battling breast cancer this past Sunday.
Dynamo Pro Wrestling on 11/7 in Fenton, MO at the Stratford Bar & Grill with former NOAH wrestlers Jon Webb & Jack Gamble, plus Ricky Cruz and Jake Dirden.
Daniel Puder is running a show in Miami.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1966 – Spyros Arion beat The Destroyer (John Hill/Guy Mitchell/Jerry Valiant) in Melbourne to win the IWA heavyweight title
1978 – Ray Mendoza beat El Solitario in Naucalpan to win the UWA light heavyweight title
1992 – Cassandro beat Lasser in Toluca to win the UWA lightweight title
2000 – Minoru Tanaka beat Masayuki Naruse in Tokyo to win the IWGP jr. title