Happy Birthday Hulkster
Today is Hulk Hogan’s 63rd birthday. In a trivia note, the first recorded Hulk Hogan match took place August 9, 1977 in Fort Pierce, FL where Terry Bollea, under the mask as Super Destroyer, was a sub for Wolfman John Smith and lost to Don Serrano, who was like half his size. The main event on that show was Jack Brisco vs. Pat Patterson and Jerry Brisco wrestled Buddy Roberts. That was the B show that night, as the A show was at the Armory in Tampa with Dusty Rhodes & Rocky Johnson vs. Ivan Koloff & Ernie Ladd, Superstar Billy Graham vs. Steve Keirn for the WWWF title, Pedro Morales vs. Tank Patton, Don Muraco vs. Dutch Mantel and Mike Graham vs. Mike York.
We’re looking for reports on the NXT show tonight in Tampa, the TNA tapings tonight in Orlando (stuff that isn’t on Impact tonight), and the WWE show tomorrow in Adelaide, Australia to [email protected].
This weekend we’ll be doing polls for all three New Japan shows at Sumo Hall, with thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected].
TNA IMPACT TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. ON POP TV
Bobby Lashley vs. James Storm for TNA, X Division and King of the Mountain titles
Eddie Edwards & Ethan Carter III vs. Moose & Mike Bennett
Debut of Aaron Stevens (Damian Sandow)
FRIDAY MORNING AT 5:30 A.M. FROM SUMO HALL ON NEW JAPAN WORLD (THIS SHOW IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH)
Yoshitatsu & Captain New Japan vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe
Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi & Juice Robinson & David Finlay
Katsuyori Shibata & Michael Elgin & Satoshi Kojima & Kushida vs. Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi & Katsuhiko Nakajima & Atsushi Kotoge
Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Bushi & Jay Lethal vs. Kenny Omega & Tanga Roa & Yujiro Takahashi & Hangman Page
Seiya Sanada (3-5) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan (2-6)
Tomohiro Ishii (3-5) vs. Togi Makabe (4-4)
Tama Tonga (3-5) vs. Bad Luck Fale (5-3)
Hirooki Goto (5-3) vs. Naomichi Marufuji (5-3)
Hiroshi Tanahashi (5-3) vs. Kazuchika Okada (5-3)
The winner of the A block goes to the finals on Sunday. Essentially how this will be decided is whoever ends up with a 6-3 record by winning will be matched up based on win-loss record against those who also have that record.
If Fale wins, he probably goes to the finals based on wins over Marufuji, Tanahashi and Okada
If he doesn’t, if Goto wins, unless Tanahashi & Okada draw, he’s not advancing
If Marufuji wins, he goes to the finals if Tanahashi & Okada draw or if Okada wins
If Okada wins, Fale and Marufuji both have to lose for him to advance
If Tanahashi wins, as long as Fale doesn’t win, he will advance
THE ROUND-UP
PROGRESS joins loaded WWN WrestleMania weekend schedule
Damien Sandow: ‘TNA just seemed like the perfect spot for me’
ESPN.com expands WWE coverage with new dedicated section
NXT & CWC video highlights: ‘Please sign Cedric’
Georges St-Pierre: ‘I’m starting the USADA process to be tested’
Figure Four Weekly: Figure Four Weekly 8/10/2016: WWE attempts to get concussion lawsuit thrown out – Last week, WWE filed a motion for summary judgment to throw out the concussion lawsuit that Vito LoGrasso (Big Vito) and Evan Singleton (Adam Mercer) had brought against the company. In the process, they filed numerous exhibits as part of an appendix to the motion and its statement of facts, containing everything from the full transcripts… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
F4W YouTube Page: Tons of clips and full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: August 15, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Gigantic Summerslam weekend preview, McGregor vs. WWE, tons more –
WWE’s SummerSlam and UFC 202 anchor one of the biggest weekends for major shows of this or almost any other year. The four major events will be a Ring of Honor PPV featuring New Japan stars on 8/19, UFC 202 and NXT Takeover on 8/20, and SummerSlam and the finals of the Super J Cup on 8/21.
UFC 202 will be the biggest show as far as mainstream interest goes, since Conor McGregor is headlining against Nate Diaz. The show, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, is far from the deepest when it comes to name value, but has the rematch of the biggest grossing PPV event in company history on top. Besides Diaz vs. McGregor, and a match who will determine who gets the next shot at light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, with Anthony Rumble Johnson (21-5) facing Glover Teixeira (25-4), it’s very much an ordinary show… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
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 Dave Meltzer, or by using Paypal directing funds to [email protected].
Rates for the United States are $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 [email protected]. 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.)
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Wrestling Observer Newsletter BACK ISSUE: July 5, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF King of the Ring review, NJPW names new president, more – In its first PPV show since the ill-fated Over the Edge and the bevy of lawsuits filed since that time, there was some noticeable changes in the World Wrestling Federation for King of the Ring… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
We did a new show today talking with Larry Matysik about his upcoming book which will compare and contrast Sam Muchnick and Vince McMahon. The show should be up on the site today.
Not including last night, the Olympics are averaging 29,880,000 viewers between NBC, NBC Sports, Streaming and other television. At the same point in 2012, through NBC only, the average was 35,140,000 viewers just on NBC alone. Even though most of the coverage in prime time has been live as compared to taped in 2012, in the 18-49 demo, the drop is 27 percent. Streaming alone is way up, but not even close enough to make up the difference in lost television viewership. The London Olympics, where everything was on tape, was the highest rated for a non-U.S. Olympics. NBC’s ratings are about the same as they were in 2008. It’s more about how high London was on tape and that not mattering, than actual ratings being low. But going live hasn’t seemed to have made any kind of a positive difference.
Kayla Harrison, 26, a former training partner of Ronda Rousey, who has talked about getting into MMA, captured the gold medal earlier today in Rio de Janeiro in judo in the 171 pound weight class. Harrison beat France’s Audrey Tcheumeo to win her second gold medal, after she also won in 2012. She joins only Jimmy Pedro (her current coach and Rousey’s former coach) as the only American two-time judo gold medal winners. Pedro won on 1996 and 2004.
A very good story on Drew Galloway and his plight in WWE and his own thoughts on his career is here.
Damien Sandow talks signing with TNA.
WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT
An interview with Big Cass is here and another here.
There will be a Raw on 10/3 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale on 8/19.
An interesting business note regarding WWE and ESPN is that ESPN just purchased 33 percent of BAMTech for $1 billion. BAMTech is MLBAM, the group that streams the WWE network. (thanks to Jarrod Rollins)
A Dwayne Johnson project called “Clash of the Corps,” a marching band reality show produced by Johnson’s Seven Bucks Entertainment, debuts on 10/15 on Fuse TV.
One person with WWE noted to us to please tell independent talent to either stay off social media or watch what they post. It was noted WWE is very actively scouting indies right now and looking for people who are good but not with the WWE look as the mentality is completely different from two years ago about what type of people they are interested in. It was noted that there have been people recently were shot down based on content of recent tweets.
The WWE says it has plans to introduce LGBTQ characters into their shows. More on that story here.
Alberto Del Rio and Paige are at the venue for the Combate Americas show today in Los Angeles at The Exchange. There is talk of Frank Shamrock doing something at the show as well.
Ultimate Fighting Championship / Mixed Martial Arts
Jon Jones accepted a plea deal for his drag racing charge from earlier this year. He was given a 90 day suspended sentence, ordered to complete an aggressive driving course and pay a $143 fine. The incident took place March 24th in Albuquerque, where he trains.
UFC and Talion Sports Entertainment Inc. and Stephane Patry have signed a deal where UFC has acquired the TKO MMA Fight Library and will also broadcast their upcoming shows on Fight Pass. The first show of the new deal will be 11/4 in Montreal at the Cite des Arts du Cirque. The tape library includes early career fights of Georges St-Pierre, Patrick Cote, Mark Hominick, Sam Stout, Steve Bosse, Urijah Faber, Rich Franklin and Sean Sherk.
The Combate Americas show tonight airing on UFC Fight Pass and the Fight Network, is previewed by Ace Fontaine of MMAdraws.blogspot.com.
If you’re just dying for some more MMA, there is also a BRACE show on UFC Fight Pass on Saturday as well as a ONE Championships iPPV.
Joe Warren (13-5) vs. Sirwan Kakai (12-4) at bantamweight and Derek Campos (16-6) vs. Djamil Chan (12-2) at lightweight have been added to the 9/16 Bellator show in Cedar Park, TX.
The complete “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” SPIKE TV Main Card which takes place on August 26 in Anaheim, CA at the Honda Center, and will air on SPIKE at 10 p.m. ET/9:
Lightweight No. 1 Contender Main Event: Benson Henderson (23-6) vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (25-3)
Lightweight Co-Main Event: Saad Awad (19-7) vs. Derek Anderson (13-2)
Flyweight Feature Bout: Lena Ovchynnikova (11-4) vs. Jaimelene Nievera (4-1)
Featherweight Feature Bout: A.J. McKee (4-0) vs. Henry Corrales (12-3)
MISCELLANEOUS
An interview with Bob Holly discussing the class action concussion suit against WWE, a pretty revealing look at their Wellness Policy, the Holly Family Christmas skit that never happened, addressing the story that he “sandbagged” Brock Lesnar, getting passed over for the Battle of the Billionaires against Bobby Lashley, why he thinks Dolph Ziggler should be champion right now and more. The link is here.
Former ESPN producer Gus Ramsey joined the new Winter Palace Podcast to talk about helping create the Edge & Christian show for the WWE Network.
Former TNA X Division and Tag Team Champion Robbie E was the latest guest on the Pancakes and Powerslams Show. Robbie had much to say about his former manager, as well as his time as an extra for the WWE, and TNA career.
Stan Hansen talks about his experiences working with Hulk Hogan in Japan and on the No Holds Barred Movie as well as why he never joined WWE full time in the late 80’s in this clip.
Tully Blanchard gives his thoughts on Paul Roma and Sid’s WCW Horsemen memberships as well as his refusal to job to Terry Funk at the Slamboree PPV in the mid 90’s at this link.
Bruce Hart discusses a brutal Stampede Wrestling backstage fight involving Brian Pillman at this link.
Dave Meltzer talks about how legal situations effect certain wrestlers WWE Hall of Fame Status’s and not other as well as if he thinks Hulk Hogan will ever be back on good terms with the company here. (thanks to Anthony Ambros)
Jim Ross talks doing the show here.
Will Ospreay vs. Noam Dar vs. El Ligero on WCPW’s free Loaded TV show this past week.
A movie called “The Fight Within” debuts tomorrow night in 28 markets. The synopsis of the movie is Logan Chandler (John Major Davis) is a rising star in MMA, but when his father, a former MMA star, dies while training him, he quits and loses touch with himself. He finds a romance and tries to start a new life. But he is tested when a local star who he beat wants revenge on him in an MMA match.
There was a scary incident on the 7/27 What Culture show in the main event with Doug Williams vs. Aaron Stevens (Sandow). Williams climbed to the top rope and then fell off, landing head first on the ground. Williams on Twitter said that due to a pinched nerve, it caused a loss of strength in his left leg and it just gave out on him while he was on the top rope. The injury is at the15:50 mark (thanks to Ian Hamilton)
New England Championship Wrestling presents the 2016 Iron Maiden Championship tournament on Saturday night in Wakefield, MA at the Americal Civic Center. It starts with four singles matches with Nikki Valentine vs. Mistress Belmont, Alexxis Neveah vs. Solo Darling, Sonya Strong vs. MJ Jenkins and Vanity VikSin vs. Tequila Rose. The winners then square off in a 30 minute four-way match and whoever wins the most falls in 30 minutes will be declared the Iron Maiden champion.
With Sandow on Impact this week, he pulled out of his bookings in California on Friday and Saturday night. Tommy Dreamer takes his place on Friday night in Newark, CA at the Pavilion and Saturday in Modesto, CA at John Hudson Field. Bret Hart and Santino Marella are the headliners on both shows.
AAW on 8/19 in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street has John Morrison vs. Sami Callihan, Eddie Kingston & Homicide vs. Mason & Devin Carter, Chris Hero vs. Shigehiro Irie, Team Tremendous vs. Andrew Everett & Trevor Lee plus AR Fox, Jack Evans, Moose, Kimber Lee, Kongo Kong and Ricochet. They also run 9/1 in Berwyn, IL with Pentagon Jr. vs. Tommaso Ciampa plus Tommy End, Drew Galloway, Zack Sabre Jr., Fenix, Cedric Alexander, Chris Hero, Sami Callihan, Michael Elgin, Silas Young and Colt Cabana.
PWA on 8/20 in Bradford, ONT
Ringside with Jim Ross and Friends on 4/1 and 4/2 in conjunction with WrestleMania in Orlando has shows at Plaza Live in Orlando at 2 p.m. both days. Tickets go on sale on 8/22 at Noon at www.ticketfly.com. Seats start at $25.
Absolute Intense Wrestling on 8/26 in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with Josh Prohibition vs. Nate Webb, Tommy End vs. Ray Rowe, Chris Hero vs. Louis Lyndon, Facade vs. Teddy Hart, Shigehiro Irie vs. Eddie Kingston, Alex Daniels vs. Triton vs. Matt Cross vs. Laredo Kid, Britt Baker vs. Crazy Marty Dobson and more.
ONE returns to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 9/2 at the Stadium Negara with Ev Ting vs. Rob Lisita in the main event. Ting is from Malaysia.
Conflicto Internacional on 9/10 at Teatro Teleton in Santiago, Chile is headlined by Sean Waltman.
Empire State Wrestling on 9/20 in North Tonawanda, NY at the St. Johnsberg fire Hall is headlined by Raven.
All Star Wrestling on 9/23 in Surrey, BC at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds Alice McKay Building featuring Short Sleeve Sampson in a TLC match.
Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 9/23 in Oshawa, ONT at the Mason Temple.
Amaro Promotions on 9/25 in Berwyn, IL ha a show with Pentagon Jr., Mosco X-Fly, El Hijo de Dos Caras, Extreme Tiger, Juventud Guerrera and Aero Boy.
WCPW announced a 10/6 iPPV show from Newcastle, England headlined by Kurt Angle vs. Cody Rhodes. Jim Ross, Jim Cornette and Alex Shane are being brought in as the announce team. They must have some money to get Cornette to fly to England.
MPW on 10/22 in Cornwall, ONT at the Nav Centre Nav.
RESULTS: CMLL from Sunday in Guadalajara: Destructor b Micro, Alteno & Capitan Cobra b Mr Brisa & Diplomatico, Cosmos & Maagico & Metatron b Demonio Rojo & Gitano & Gran Kenut, Flash II & Star Black & Vaquero Jr. b Cuatrero & Forastero & Sanson, Carlo Roggi lost an elimination match and his a hair against Johnny Dinamo, Mr. Apolo, Evola, Exterminador, Randy, Yacqui and El Hijo del Javier Cruz
RESULTS: CMLL from Monday in Puebla: Akuma & Espiritu Maligno & Inquisidor b Centella Roja & Millenium & Paris, Arkangel de la Muerte & Espanto Jr. & Policeman b Arkalis & Pegasso & Tigre Rojo Jr., Ares & Virus & Bobby Z b Black Tiger & Stigma & Titan, Atlantis & Mascara Dorada & Mistico b Cavernario & Felino & Mr. Niebla-DQ, Shocker & Sharly Rockstar b Marco Corleone & Ultimo Guerrero. Shocker pinned Guerrero set up a match for Guerrero’s NWA Historic middleweight title (thanks to Kris Zellner)
RESULTS: Canadian Wrestling Elite from last night in Roseau River, Manitoba: Kevy Chevy b Jeremy Joseph, Kevin Cannon & Rob Stardom b Wildman Firpo & Shadow Xtreme, Danny Duggan b Rick Matthews, Mentallo b Travis Cole, Tyler Colton b Carlito. Next show is 8/20 at the Arborg Summer Street Festival.
TODAY IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HISTORY (8/11): Masahiro Chono wins first G1 Climax
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