November 2020 – Page 8

Impact Wrestling star DJZ recently appeared as a guest on the TSJ101 Sports radio show for an interview. Featured below are some of the highlights.

On where he feels Impact Wrestling dropped the ball with the BroMans gimmick: “I think they dropped the ball by splitting us up and not giving us have a big babyface run in the early part of 2015. I needed to step my game up and prove my value after the BroMans broke up, so I started working harder in the ring and in the gym. Management took notice and started putting me in positions to succeed, and I succeeded. So I was eventually rewarded with an X-Division title run that never really took off due injuries and the Team X Gold concept.”

On the status of his Z&E tag-team with Andrew Everett: “I enjoy teaming with Everett very much. Our team isn’t broken up either. We are still teaming up on the independent scene and internationally in the near future.”

Check out the complete DJZ interview at TSJ101Sports.com.

Paul Heyman To Become Roman Reigns’ Manager After Brock Lesnar Leaves?!

Former WWE Tough Enough contestant Brian “The Spartan Swinger” Danovich has passed away at age 38.

The cause of death of the former Tough Enough competitor, who appeared on the fourth season of the WWE show, is still unknown.

The official Facebook page for Brian Danovich posted the following statement regarding the passing of the pro wrestler:

Danovich’s sister then wrote the following response to a three-day-old post on her brother’s page, shedding some more light on the situation:

“It breaks my heart that I couldn’t help you. I really tried. I thought the rehab would work this time. I thought that the changes and new things ahead were something that you would look forward to and help you through this rough time. I think it was just too much for you to take. Change is hard. Sometimes it’s enough to make us give up. I’m sorry you felt that you had no other choices. I’m sorry that you felt giving up was your only option. And I’m sorry I wasn’t a better sister to help prevent this horrible tragedy. I hope you have now found the peace that you were always searching for in life. Rest in peace, my sweet and loving baby brother.”

What Did Vince Tell Rousey RIGHT Before Her WM34 Entrance? (Full Story)

— Appearing on the Sam Roberts Podcast, Daniel Bryan spoke of his future plans and indicated that when his contract expires next month, he is very likely to remain with WWE.

“I think at this point it would be 90-plus percent. It’s very likely I’ll re-sign with WWE.”

— There has been much speculation on Bryan’s status moving forward for many years as he had previously hinted that he likely would not re-sign with WWE if he wasn’t cleared to return to the ring by the company’s medical staff. That obviously happened earlier this year, which pretty much got rid of the biggest single obstacle preventing the two sides from agreeing to a new deal.

— There are also some other points to work out, including Bryan’s desire to work a more limited schedule, which he noted in the podcast by saying that there are still some details left to work out, but as of the first week of August, he had not signed any extensions or contract (which is contrary to what was reported online last month).

– The official WWE website has a new poll asking fans which of RAW’s three new “fighting champions” will keep their title the longest. As of right now, 56 percent of fans have voted for RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey. In second place is WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns with 29 percent. Coming in last place is WWE Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins, who received 15 percent of the votes. Cast your vote in the poll today by heading over to WWE.com.

– Speaking of Rousey, the new RAW Women’s Champion is featured in the following video, which shows fans a glimpse into her first photo shoot as champion. Additionally, below is a video showing Rousey receiving custom side plates on her title belt.

The creativity of fate never ceases to amaze me… I do not take this responsibility lightly. I will devote every fiber of my being to carry on and elevate the legacy of the scores of women who gave their bodies and hearts to the @wwe to get us this far. #rawwomenschampionship pic.twitter.com/gUTMVDQyKO

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) August 20, 2018

With less than a week to go before the highly-anticipated ALL IN event this Saturday, the promoters of the event have released a new preview video dubbed Cody & Aldis Face To Face.

The video comes as part of the previously reported four-part mini-documentary series leading up to Saturday’s big show at the Sears Center Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

In the video, which you can check out below, fans can watch as Nick Aldis and Cody go face-to-face at this past weekend’s Ring Of Honor television taping in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Make sure to join us here this Saturday for live play-by-play results coverage of the ALL IN show.

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DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

WWE notes: Front office changes, $39 million lawsuit settlement
WWE announces dual-brand battle royal for Survivor Series pre-show
Contract signing, Daniel Bryan vs. Jey Uso set for WWE SmackDown
NJPW BOSJ results: Hiromu Takahashi vs. BUSHI

Latest Audio:

WOL: AEW vs. NXT ratings surprises, Smackdown tonight, Undertaker Cameo, more! 11/20
JNPO: Christian Casanova is ready for his big moment 11/20
Wrestling Weekly: Zelina Vega and unions in wrestling 11/20
B&V: Bryan and Vinny review AEW and NXT head-to-head! 11/19

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WON NEWSLETTER: November 23, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Unionization in pro wrestling, Survivor Series changes

A look at the issues involving the firing of Thea Budgen aka Zelina Vega, as well as a number of historical stories regarding issues with talent and management is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We explain why the ending was inevitable based on the circumstances, look at WWE and SAG AFTRA, Andrew Yang, Gabrille Carteris and the different players involved in the story. We look at what wrestlers and fighters earn as compared to other top athletes and why the discrepancy, what the Saudi Arabia flight story showed, what is fair for WWE to do and what isn’t, complaints by talent regarding an exemption, as well as a number of historical stories related to the topic that feature such names as Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Superstar Billy Graham, Ivan Koloff (twice), Johnny Valentine and many others.

Also in this issue:

Update to the Survivor Series card with changes and injury notes.

WWE’s move to Tropicana Field in a few weeks.

New Japan’s Super Juniors and tag team tournaments, this week’s schedule and updates.

Seth Rollins’ schedule, Alexa Bliss engagement, NXT Takeover notes, lots of WWE injury updates, Undertaker answers retirement questions, Miz talks why he moved to Texas, description of new President Nick Khan, how WWE & AEW did compared to other sports this past week, WWE and AEW ratings in Canada and England, WWE market value and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network for the past week.

Saturday’s UFC show, the background and match-by-match coverage.

Dragon Gate’s Kobe World show, the biggest show of the year from Japan’s second largest company.

Why television networks should be interested in purchasing UFC or WWE outright as far as a long-term investment that will pay off in the long run.

Television business, with ratings breakdowns in every segment for Wednesdays and every category for other shows, looking at stats not available elsewhere to get the deepest read into how shows are doing, what categories are doing well and how shows compare with previous weeks and one year ago.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

For this weekend, we are going to have shows the next four nights. Garrett Gonzalez and I will be back for a Friday night show tonight. Bryan and I will have shows on Saturday after the UFC PPV show and Sunday after Survivor Series, plus Monday night after Raw.

Even though Dana White said he believes Khabib Nurmagomedov is going to fight again, Nurmagomedov said this past week that he’s done. White told TMZ that he would bet that Nurmagomedov would fight again, against the winner of either the Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor fight or the winner of Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson. White also said he’s got nothing planned for Jon Jones. “When he’s ready, all he’s gotta do is let us know…but we have no inclinations whatsoever that his guys is coming to fight.”

There was some house cleaning at WWE today. John Brody, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Sales and Partnerships is now gone. Mark Kowal, who was the Controller and Principal Accounting Officer is also gone, and has been replaced by Karen Mullane. Mullane comes in with a $415,000 per year salary. a $61,500 signing bonus and $166,000 worth of stock.

UFC 255 tomorrow night:

ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. Eastern:

Louis Cosce (170.0) vs. Sasha Palatnikov (170.5)
Kyle Daukaus (185.5) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (184.5)
Alan Jouban (170.5) vs. Jared Gordon (171)

ESPN 2 AND ESPN + at 8 p.m:

Daniel Rodriguez (170.5) vs. Nicolas Dalby (170)
Antonina Shevchenko (125) vs. Ariane Lipski (126)
Joaquin Buckley (182.5) vs. Jordan Wright (185)
Brandon Royval (125.5) vs. Brandon Moreno (125)

PPV at 10 p.m:

Mauricio Shogun Rua (205.5) vs. Paul Craig (205.5)
Katlyn Chookagian (125.75) vs. Cynthia Calvillo (124.5)
Mike Perry (175.5) vs,. Tim Means (171)
Valentina Shevchenko (124.5) vs. Jennifer Maia (124.5) for the women’s flyweight title
Deiveson Figueiredo (125) vs. Alex Perez (124.5) for the men’s flyweight title

Perry missed weight by 4.5 pounds and forfeits 30 percent of his purse to Means. I have no clue why UFC is booking Perry, and worse, what he’s doing on the PPV while Royval vs. Moreno are not.

AAA is finalizing a date for TripleMania this year. It will be within a few weeks because the year is coming to a close. It’s not scheduled for 12/26 as has been reported in some places, or at least wasn’t as of yesterday.

New Japan is back for tag team tournament night on Sunday morning at 3 a.m. Eastern, or midnight Pacific late Saturday night from Saku:

Yuji Nagata & Yota Tsuji vs. Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma
Sanada & Shingo Takagi vs Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare s. Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Evil & Yujiro Takahashi
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Jeff Cobb & Great O’Khan
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs.; Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr.
WWE
A correction from something printed earlier. The WWE will be moving out of the Amway Center in Orlando after the 12/7 Raw, not after the 12/4 Smackdown. So they will be going directly from the Amway Center on 12/7 to Tropicana Field in St Petersburg on 12/11. They can run there until at least mid-March it looks like.
For Smackdown tonight, Drew McIntyre appears on the show for a contract signing for his bout with Roman Reigns. Also announced are Daniel Bryan’s return against Jey Uso and Seth Rollins vs. Murphy.
Undertaker’s Tik Tok debut.
The Bellas and Daniel Bryan have moved from Phoenix to the Napa Valley in California This story touches on them being in Northern California when we were engulfed by smoke. (thanks to Barry Werner)
Denise Salcedo interviews Leon Ruff.

UFC
UFC is dedicating its 12/5 show to the Stuart Scott Fund. Scott had a strong connection with MMA. Viewers will be able to make donations to v.org/ufc
Raoni Barcelos has pulled out of a 12/5 fight with Merab Dvalishvili. The Nevada State Athletic Commission would not clear Barcelos to fight because he fought in early November.
AEW
Chris Jericho on Konnan’s podcast.
OTHER
Highlights from last night’s Bellator show. A.J. McKee is the real deal right now.
Invicta tonight from Kansas City on UFC Fight Pass was to be headlined by Emily Ducote vs. Montserrat Ruiz for the strawweight title. Both fighters made weight but enhanced safety standards forced the postponement of the fight. So the main event is now two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison (7-0) making her debut at 145 against Courtney King (4-1). Harrison, who competed in the Olympics at 171 pounds, said the last time she weighed 145 was at the age of 17.
A review of the documentary “You Cannot Kill David Arquette. (thanks to Lee Wall)
Kevin Eck’s weekly ROH news.
On Week By Week with guest host Ian Riccaboni, hear EC3’s response to Jay Briscoe’s challenge and the latest news on Final Battle 2020.
International Wrestling Australia has its first live event since March tomorrow in Sydney at St. Johns Park Bowling Club. IWA is Australia’s longest-running pro wrestling promotion, having run 22 years. It has run more shows than any other promotion over the years, and in more different venues. (thanks to Kirk Beattie)
CWE announced a Johnny Devine training camp on 12/5 and 12/6 in Winnipeg. He noted that he’s helped the careers of Jinder Mahal, Josh Alexander and Kaito Kiyomiya. For more info you can contact [email protected]
Konami will be missing this weekend’s Stardom shows due to a fever. The company immediately removes everyone from the weekend with a fever these days.
NFC on 12/11 at District in midtown Atlanta in a Toys for Tots benefit show. They ask everyone to bring an unwrapped toy to the show with them. There will be 12 MMA fights.
EPW on 12/5 in Perth, Western Australia at the Gate One Theatre. This is the company’s first show since March. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)

Daily Pro Wrestling History: CM Punk wins WWE title at Survivor Series 2011

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SEAN ‘X-PAC’ WALTMAN TALKS ABOUT THE NWA OFFERING HIM A SPOT ON THEIR UPCOMING SHOW, NEVILLE HEADING TO DRAGON GATE AND MORE. HE ALSO WELCOMES SCOTT NORTON ONTO THE SHOW.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE- Los Angeles
X-PAC 12360

Get it on YouTube: here or download the podcast version on iTunes here or download the podcast version for Android here.

Sean ‘X-Pac’ Waltman Thoughts on Working For The NWA

After Dave {Lagana} came on the show he mentioned to me if I was interested in participating and I put some serious thought into it. And I am just not sure right now, not that I won’t be in the future. Just like with the Battle Royal {from All In}. Maybe sometime in the near future, I’ll feel comfortable doing that. I am comfortable going and having matches but on a bigger stage and that many people watching I’d want to be sharper. {Would You want to Face Cody? } Of course in my mind I would but I’d have to have some singles matches before I even think about that. Before I even seriously considered it. I talked to Nick Aldis in private about it or he mentioned it to me and when he did I thought about it. And I am like I don’t think I can do it, you know, do it justice at that time. I am grateful for that and it’s flattering and it makes me feel good.

Sean ‘X-Pac’ Waltman Thoughts on Neville Returning To Dragon Gate
I am guessing that he’s not gonna put all his eggs in one basket, the thing these days is not to do that, it’s too have a lot of different things going on. That’s just not wrestling folks that’s life these days, anything you’re doing, diversify. Do not give one particular entity all the power…. Anywhere that he shows up is a huge positive for whatever promotion he turns up in… The only reason you’re not talking about him as the best in the world is because he hasn’t wrestled in a while. Watch him enter that conversation rather quickly moving forward.

Sean ‘X-Pac’ Waltman’s Thoughts on Jazz and the NWA’s Women’s Title

Even if it’s just there to pass the torch to someone else, I haven’t seen her {Jazz} lately but I can imagine that she can still go. If that’s the case and she can still go, then maybe let’s keep it on her for a minute. It’s compelling because she has a story. And that’s what so great about the ’10 Pounds of Gold’ and as Dave {Lagana} was talking about when he was on the show a few weeks back, the way they’re presenting the NWA product is so different and so cool.

Scott Norton Credits Masa Saito For Success in Japan

Masa he made my career. He told me when I came to Japan, “You trust me, Scott?” and I said I do. He says, “You listen to me and I’ll take you brother, right to the top.” And as long as Masa is there I was his guy, man. And I mean he never lied to me and you know that doesn’t work in this business. Masa was a friend. He was my sensei man he taught me everything… Years later when Masa retired he picked me for his retirement match. That was an honor, brother. In Japan to me that was unbelievable. And it was a hell of a match, a huge a fair. It was just a big deal what he did for me in my career. And he put me over in his retirement match. He did for me what no one else possibly could have. That’s why I always stayed true to Japan.

Scott Norton Talks About His New Book And His Future in Wrestling
I finalized the book about a year ago it’s called Scott Norton’s Strong Style it’s about my life story and everything… Beginning of next year it’s finally going to happen and I am super excited about it… Hopefully one day I step back in the ring over in Japan and it’s all come together at the same time and it will be good brother. I mean I am kinda just buying my time right now, trying to time everything out and I am staying busy as I can in the ring. And next year is gonna be a big year for me, it’s gonna be a lot of fun.

Get it all on this week’s brand new episode of Westwood One’s X-Pac 12360. Two words for you…DOWNLOAD IT

WWE Paying HBK & Brock Lesnar $3 MILLION For ONE Match At WWE Crown Jewel PPV

Toronto was the latest city to be hit by weather extremes on Monday when thunderstorms drenched the area with the most rainfall in a single day in the city’s recorded history.

The amount of rain that fell over two hours was the amount the city normally receives for the entire month of July, The Toronto Star reported.

Nearly five inches (126 mm) of rain was recorded at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Monday, breaking the 1954 record when Hurricane Hazel drenched the city. The downtown area got slightly less at about 3.8 inches (97 mm).

The resulting flash flooding in Canada’s largest city wiped out power for around 300,000 area residents and left commuters stranded for hours.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said on Tuesday that the city’s power system is “hanging by a thread.”

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For much of the four years I covered the conflict in Bosnia, the guys whom we caught burning down villages, looting, smacking around women and the elderly, and terrorizing children would always be furious when we showed up.

“Why do you write about us?” they often spat, displaying a much wider and pointed fluency in English than will be repeated here. “The other guys are doing the same things.”

“Yes, they probably are,” we would say. “But you got caught, so we are writing about you.”

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For centuries, “blame it on the other guy” has been a mantra of politics, sports, business, relationships — in fact, most aspects of life.

The old admonition of “if you can’t anything good about someone, be silent” has been turned on it head: now, if you, cannot say anything positive about your position or defend your words or actions, accuse the other person.

Yet there are times when standing up for what you have done, being clear on what you hope to accomplish and acknowledging where you made a mistake should count. It should matter.

For the most important job in the world, that of president of the United States, it does count and matter. This election — for the most part, a sordid late-night movie offering with casts of characters that even defy central casting — has given the bullyboys of Bosnia a run at finger-pointing and evasion.

Just when we need someone to step up as the 2016 campaign comes to an end, we are all falling down. The country is likely to follow.

In the presidential debates and on the campaign trail, the nominees of the two largest parties have shed even the pretense of offering an agenda for the future, ideas on how to get the country out of its various messes, or surprising citizens with a new, captivating idea.

Their vitriol has exceeded anything in recent presidential politics.

Worse yet, the red-meat discourse has opened the floodgates to the hatred that apparently has been waiting for this moment.

And, of course, “Why do you write about us?” has become a routine complaint. (Of course, in the primary, the complaint was “Why do you write about him or her and not us?”)

Here, the sides find common ground. Both point to the media as being unfair, a tactic well-honed around the world when those seeking power have a paucity of positions.

In the second debate, it took a citizen sitting in the audience to squeeze in a question about civility. Surprise of surprise, both candidates rose to the challenge and managed to say something nice about the other.

Thank goodness.

But aside from that respite, this has been an election year when, each time someone ponders aloud, What could happen next?, something does. Even the finger-pointing has reached new levels. Now the additional bursts of “he said, she said” have joined the choir.

Facts provoke the most pushback. Confronted with true, clear facts, there is almost never an acknowledgment. Instead, there is the quick pivot — again, pointing out the other person’s faults.

The damage has been done. The cauldron of hatred, envy, greed, jealously, racism and sexism — once checked by laws, pubic weight, good manners and a willingness to listen with an open mind — is bubbling furiously.

I met current Democratic nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE in 1987, sitting next to her for an hour as her husband, then the governor of Arkansas, addressed the National Press Club.

We had a delightful conversation, mostly about how to improve education in our country. It has been almost 20 years of watching her make good on some of those areas she outlined that day. She and her husband have always been professional with me and often funny.

I met current Republican nominee Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE in 1999 when he was teasing about seeking the Reform Party presidential nomination. My interview with him in Trump Towers was to be 30 minutes, but because I actually stumped him with the first question and he was at a loss for words — imagine that! — I was invited to stay longer.

So I remained for 90 minutes. The only interruption was a quick pop-in hello to him from the young daughter of a friend; her name was Paris Hilton. He offered to make me White House press secretary if he won. I interviewed him in the years that followed and he has always been generous with his time, of good cheer, and has asked about my family and gave good copy.

I’ve covered them both.

I liked them better before.

“Why do you write about us?” I ask myself the same question, but for different reasons.

Squitieri is an award-winning reporter and communications veteran and an adjunct professor at American University and Washington and Jefferson College.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.

It looks like the injury bug has struck Seth Rollins once again.

During an angle on last night’s RAW, “The Architect” was thrown off the entrance stage and crashed into the side of a police van, smashing against the window.

Photos leaked online that showed Rollins had a large cut on his arm from the bump. There is no word yet regarding the severity of the injuries Rollins sustained.

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Check out the photos and videos of Rollins getting injured at RAW last night by clicking here. For complete WWE RAW results from last night, click here.

Brandi Rhodes Reveals Special Moment She Shared With Cody At ALL IN (Photo)

DJZ On Impact Wrestling Dropping The Ball With One Particular Gimmick

WWE Tough Enough Contestant Brian Danovich Passes Away