Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.
Raw last night, built around the Sasha Banks Women’s title win over Charlotte, did its best numbers since the NFL season began.
While 2.79 million viewers during football season would have been viewed badly if you said that’s where things would be one month ago, it solidly beat the 2.68 million number of the first two weeks of football season and last week’s low point of 2.46 million viewers going against the presidential debate.
The audience did drop in the third hour, which was at the same range of the show two weeks ago. Since last week’s rating really should be thrown out because of the unusual circumstances, as compared to two weeks ago, the first two hours were up, which made the difference.
Also encouraging is that it did a better number against the most-watched Monday Night Football game of the season, as the New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings game did 13.16 million viewers, and New York market teams usually hurt Raw ratings more than teams from any other city.
Raw was fourth for the night on cable, training the football game, SportsCenter after football and The O’Reilly Factor.
The three hours were:
8 p.m. 2.88 million viewers 9 p.m. 2.87 million viewers 10 p.m. 2.64 million viewers
TNA taped television Monday in Orlando, FL, with the highlight being Eddie Edwards beating Bobby Lashley for the TNA title.
There was a brief meeting with talent. Dixie Carter (sans Billy Corgan) spoke to talent which were concerned because nothing was told to them about the current situation with the company. Little was said at the meeting as Carter said nothing new has been completed regarding negotiations so there wasn’t any major news.
She denied it when asked if WWE had purchased the tape library, but did say WWE had wanted to purchase the company and the tape library and she wouldn’t let that happen.
For this Thursday’s show:
– There was a Fact of Life segment with Eli Drake and EC 3 as the guest, seemingly building tension between them.
– All the TNA champions came out: The Hardys, Gail Kim, Bobby Lashley, DJ Z and Aron Rex. All spoke about why their title was the most important one in the promotion. Billy Corgan then announced that all the champions would defend on tonight’s show except DJZ, because they had an X Division match next.
It’s notable that nothing was taped with the Hardys in front of the people, so they may have done something on location for the show.
– X-Division Champion DJ Z & Mandrews & Braxton Sutter beat Marshe Rockett & Trevor Lee & Andrew Everett
– Cody & Brandi Rhodes were out. Cody said that he was getting a TNA title shot, so Mike Bennett & Maria came out. This led to a brawl and setting up a Cody vs. Bennett match for next week.
– Knockouts Champion Gail Kim beat Sienna to retain. Sienna, Laurel Van Ness and Maria all attacked Kim after the match.
– Grand Champion Aron Rex beat Baron Dax via second round submission to retain
– Eddie Edwards beat Bobby Lashley to win the TNA World title.
For the Thursday, 10/13 show:
– X-Division Champin DJ Z beat Marshe Rockett to retain
– Cody (w/Brandi Rhodes) beat Mike Bennett (w/Maria)
– Grand Champion Aron Rex beat Jessie Godderz via pin in the third round to retain. They teased a Rex turn here.
– Lashley attacked Edwards and gave him a beating.
– Knockouts Champion Gail Kim beat Maria to retain in a no DQ match. Maria also lost her power as part of the stipulation to the match.
– Moose beat EC 3
Tonight (Tuesday) has Edwards vs. Cody Rhodes for the title and Moose vs. Lashley. Send in reports to [email protected].
Eddie Edwards won the TNA title tonight at the Impact tapings in Orlando, FL, for the show that will be airing on Thursday night.
The storyline for the show was that every title would be defended.
Lashley was told he could pick his opponent, with his choices either being a rematch with Ethan Carter III, a match with Edwards or Moose. Lashley picked Edwards and said it was because it would be the easiest match.
We don’t have details past that there was a big post-match celebration for the Edwards win.
The other title matches saw DJZ defeat Marshe Rockett to keep the X title, Aron Rex beat Jessie Godderz to keep the Grand Championship and Gail Kim beat Maria Kanellis in a Bound for Glory rematch to retain the Knockouts title.
Also on the tapings, it was announced that Cody Rhodes would receive a title shot. Edwards vs. Cody will be taped tomorrow night for the title.
Publications around the world have been coming up with All-century teams or best of the century performers in all forms of sports and entertainment. Many lists will probably be coming out for pro wrestlers as well. The biggest problem with such lists is comparing entirely different performers who are doing entirely different businesses. Sure, baseball, football and basketball have changed. The players are bigger. The rules have been tweaked, but they are essentially the same game. Pro wrestling re-invents itself constantly and trying to compare and rate Steve Austin against Strangler Lewis is not only difficult, but in reality, impossible and maybe even stupid.
Alberto El Patron no-showed last night’s AAA Heroes Inmortales show at Arena Monterrey, where he was scheduled to team with Psycho Clown and face Dr. Wagner Jr. & Pagano.
Alberto was considered the big draw at one of AAA’s biggest shows of the year, and the claim was that as late as the morning of the show he was in contact with the promotion and said he would be there. When the word got out that he was not going to be there, there were expectations that he’d make a surprise appearance on the TNA Bound for Glory PPV, since it’s well known TNA has been recruiting him hard. But that didn’t happen either.
The main event was changed to a three-way with Psycho vs. Wagner vs. Pagano.
AAA’s press release, translated into English and with paragraph breaks added, read:
“Lucha Libre AAA WorldWide announced that for reasons outside the company’s control, Alberto “El Patron” was not present for Heroes Inmortales X, which took place today. This, despite having confirmed his presence in advance and even this morning.”
“We regret the lack of commitment of Alberto, as he disrespected the Mexican public that has supported him throughout his career, to turn him into one of the leading figures of Lucha Libre in Mexico, and internationally. For Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, it is important to offer the bet shows of international quality, in addition to strengthening Lucha Libre, which is an important part of our culture.”
Amid turmoil over a potential sale of the company, TNA presents its biggest event of the year on Sunday night with Bound for Glory live on pay-per-view from the Impact Zone in Orlando, FL.
We’re looking for your thoughts on he show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected] We’re also looking for your thoughts on the ROH All-Star Extravaganza show.
While much of the focus has been on whether or not TNA would be sold before the show, the PPV will be headlined by a TNA World Championship match pitting Bobby Lashley against Ethan Carter III with no holds barred.
The PPV will also feature the finals of the Grand Championship tournament. Drew Galloway was originally scheduled to face Aron Rex for the newly created title, but Galloway was replaced by Eddie Edwards after having to pull out of the match due to an injury.
The next chapter in the Broken Matt and Jeff Hardy saga will also take place as the Hardys battle Decay in the “Great War.” And Cody Rhodes will make his first appearance in a TNA ring.
**********
X DIVISION CHAMPION DJ Z VS. TREVOR LEE
Very good opener where they did the modern X style with dives and reverse huracanrana spots. They traded three dives early. DJ Z kicked out of a powerslam. The finish saw DJ Z hit the Canadian Destroyer and the ZDT with a jumping DDT for the pin.
– McKenzie Mitchell is backstage with Drew Galloway. She’s very unconvincing. He said he doesn’t feel very good, and the doctor told him “a little to the left or a little to the right” and he would have been out for a year. He said he chose to fight but the company said no. He said he asked to hold back the tournament final and they said no. In reality, he knew he couldn’t wrestle tonight. He then said Billy Corgan is buying the company.
10 MAN GAUNTLET MATCH FOR A TNA TITLE SHOT
Eli Drake won the match by throwing Jessie Godderz and Tyrus over the top to win. So, he has a title shot whenever he wants…but has to give the promotion one week.
The match wasn’t good at all as nothing much happened. Rockstar Spud, Grado (who lasted about two seconds), Mahabali Shera, Robbie E, Baron Dax, Basille Baraka and Braxton Sutter were also in the match. There were no highlights.
– Jeremy Borash called out Robert “Batista” Irvine. He said he and his kids are here for Gail Kim’s induction into the Hall of Fame and tonight, he’s Mr. Gail Kim, not Robert Irvine. Maria Kanellis showed up with Mike Bennett. Irvine told them that tonight will be a bad night for both of them. Maria said she was the greatest Knockouts champion of all-time, while Mike said that Maria was the greatest female wrestler of all-time and he was the best pro wrestler in the world.
MIKE BENNETT VS. MOOSE
Moose won with a tree slam off the rope and the discus clothesline. They traded moves back and forth. The crowd was into the “Moose” chant but not the match. Even when Bennett used a piledriver and Moose kicked out, there wasn’t any pop. It was an okay match.
– We got an Aron Rex interview and said the Grand Championship title is going to revolutionize the way the sport is viewed. He talked about how he and Eddie Edwards were trained by the same guy. After the interview, Josh Mathews did mention Killer Kowalski even though Rex didn’t.
ARON REX VS. EDDIE EDWARDS IN THE FINALS FOR THE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
This will be a five minute round match instead of a three minute round match. Rex won the match winning the first and third rounds. Borash is doing a UFC style interview. (I just hope Rex doesn’t thank Jesus Christ or say he’ll face whoever Joe Silva and Dana White puts him against.)
Match was average at best, but this format didn’t work. It’s good to tell jokes while watching it, but it didn’t help for the crowd. Edwards wasn’t bad but they never built any crowd momentum. After the third round, when Jeremy Borash went to read the scorecards, the graphics listed 30-27 for Rex even before Borash announced it as a split decision for Rex.
GAIL KIM HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
Christy Hemme returned for the ceremony. They piped in fake crowd noise as she did an interview. Hemme introduced Taryn Tarrell, expecting her second child. Terrell said Gail Kim was a career maker, that she was a beginner and Kim gave her matches she could be proud of. She said she was the greatest woman wrestler of all-time. This got barely even polite applause.
Awesome Kong showed up, looking totally different like she’s lost a lot of weight. Kong said Kim was awesome and elevated every opponent to their best level possible and said how proud she was. Dixie Carter was out next. She said Gail was the perfect combination of beauty, brains, athletic ability, and unselfish. Chef Irvine, no relation to Chris Jericho, was shooting photos from ringside.
Dixie said she defined a generation of woman wrestlers and made the Knockouts the greatest women’s division of all-time. (Yes, TNA Knockouts and early 90s All Japan women is a close call.) The talking heads in the video were Hemme, Josh, Jeremy Borash, Pat Kenney, Dixie, Jade, Madison Rayne, Al Snow and Billy Corgan,
Corgan said Kim vs. Kong changed the way people think about women wrestlers around the world. This was easily the best thing on the show so far.
Gail Kim came out. Fans are chanting “You deserve it.” (Why are they piping in fake crowd noise? You’d want the crowd quiet and respectful.) She said wrestling has brought her creativity, self confidence, strength, fearlessness, and true passsion. She started thanking people, Ron Hutchinson, Rob Etcheverria, Fit Finlay (people popped for that name), Scott D’Amore, Pat Kenney/Simon Diamond, the crew, the production people, seamstresses, make-up people, “You make my job not a job. I love my life.”
She thanked Dixie Carter, Dutch Mantell, Jeff Jarrett, her stepdaughters, her goddaughter and her husband which got a big pop. “I’ve never met someone so inspiring and motivating as you.” She thanked Trish Stratus, Molly Holly, Victoria, Jazz and all the women she learned from. “They’re my sisters and I appreciate that I could share a locker room with these wonderful women.” Then she gave a special shoutout to Molly: “She’s the reason I’m in this business and why I got this opportunity. She taught me to be a good person in the ring or outside of the ring. She said if you’re a good person, success will follow.”
This was as well done as it could have been.
MATT & JEFF HARDY VS. TNA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS ABYSS & CRAZZY STEVE IN THE GREAT WAR
This was something.
The Hardys won the titles when Jeff came off the top of a 15 foot ladder with a swanton onto Steve through two tables for the pin. A lot of this match was pre-taped stuff out of the building which included Matt brawling with Abyss in the park in the back of a pickup truck, and Vanguard 1 blowing mist in Rosemary’s eyes. Matt made a barbed wire board sandwich with Abyss, and came off the top rope with an elbow on him.
Jeff had some magic water poured on him that allowed him to disappear and throw pumpkins at Steve. (Get it, smashing pumpkins?) Jeff showed up as a bunch of different characters. They came back in the ring, and Rosemary did a coast to coast dropkick into a garbage can like she was RVD. At another point, Rosemary gave Abyss “Janice”, but Matt set Janice on fire and threw the board out of the pickup truck. That may have been the idea that Janice and the Carters are dead. Who knows? Hopefully they won’t get mad at Matt’s ideas and threaten to sue.
– Bobby Lashley interview.
KNOCKOUTS CHAMPION MARIA KANELLIS VS. GAIL KIM
Maria said her hand was broken and the doctor wouldn’t clear her. Allie then said she must have misread it and she was cleared. Maria got mad about that. Anyway, the match started.
This match was pretty bad. Maria is just so limited. Mike Bennett threw a hand brace into the ring, and Maria used it but Kim kicked out. Allie got the brace and Maria wanted it again. She threw it over Maria’s head to Kim. Kim teased handing it to Maria, but instead threw it out of the ring. Kim used Eat Defeat, which Maria sold badly or it missed, for the pin.
– Bennett said he was shutting the show down and nobody could stop him. Cody & Brandi Rhodes showed up. Cody was really over to the crowd. Maria yelled at Cody and told him to go back to WWE. Brandi got in her face, and Maria attacked her. Brandi threw a knee. Cody & Bennett brawled. Cody used the disaster kick on Bennett and they left the ring.
TNA CHAMPION BOBBY LASHLEY VS. ECIII
They laid this out as a big show main event where each guy kicks out of big moves. Lashley won clean with a spear off the middle rope and nearly landed on his head when delivering the move. ECIII had kicked out of two spears earlier. He hit the One Percenter, did a spear, and also used a splash off the top rope.
The problem is these two didn’t work together well at all. They weren’t in the right position a lot, and the selling in a lot of cases looked mechanical. The crowd wasn’t much into it either. Even with all the kicking out of big moves, this wasn’t a good match and didn’t feel like a big show main event.
There was no Alberto del Rio at the finish even though he evidently no-showed the AAA show tonight.
We’ll have a full recap of the show on tonight’s Wrestling Observer Radio.
Bobby Lashley vs. Ethan Carter III in a no rules match for the TNA title
Aron Rex vs. Eddie Edwards in the finals for the Grand championship
Matt & Jeff Hardy vs. Abyss & Crazzy Steve in the Giant War for the tag team titles
Maria Kanellis vs. Gail Kim for Knockouts title
Mike Bennett vs. Moose
Zema Ion vs. Trevor Lee for the X Division title match
Rumble Gauntlet for a TNA title shot
Gail Kim Hall of Fame ceremony
AAA HEROES INMORATLES TONIGHT AT ARENA MONTERRY (this show is unavailable in the U.S.)
Aerostar & Drago vs. Laredo Kid & Super Fly vs. Monsther Clown & Murder Clown vs. Damian 666 & Nicho in a ladder match for the AAA tag titles
Antonio Pena Cup elimination match
Gran Apache & Mary Apache & Faby Apache vs. Averno & Chessman & Ricky Marvin
El Hijo del Fantasma & El Texano Jr. & La Parka vs. Mesias & ? & ?
Johnny Mundo vs. Garza Jr. for the Latin American title
Australian Suicide vs. Daga in a mask vs. hair match
Alberto El Patron & Psycho Clown vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. & Pagano
We’re looking for your thoughts on Friday’s ROH PPV as well as today’s TNA PPV with thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected].
We’re also looking for reports on today’s WWE show in Ontario, CA and yesterday’s WWE show in Las Vegas to [email protected].
Raw will be Monday night from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks for the women’s title and T.J. Perkins vs. Brian Kendrick for the cruiserweight title have been announced for the show. Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson are celebrity guests for Monday’s show. There is also a Smackdown house show in Palm Springs, CA on Monday.
Tuesday has Smackdown tapings in San Diego.
The Raw crew heads to Santiago, Chile for a Wednesday show.
Figure Four Weekly, 9/26/2016: The unlikely story of TJ Perkins (Part II) – When T.J. Perkins went to Florida Championship Wrestling without a WWE contract in 2009, it was a very different picture from how Ohio Valley Wrestling treated non contract talent before FCW took over for it as the primary developmental promotion. 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, Oct 3, 2016:TNA at a crossroads, WWE Clash of Champions review, more – Details on the tumultuous situation TNA is in, a review of WWE Clash of Champions, more… With Bound for Glory and television tapings scheduled this week, the expectation was that TNA would be sold by now, although that’s been the feeling for weeks and at press time it still hasn’t happened… WWE’s first Raw-exclusive PPV, the Clash of Champions, was a mostly good show, but because they are running so many PPVs, it had the feeling of ordinary and not at all special… The first fight between UFC champions in different weight classes in nearly eight years will headline the company’s 11/12 debut in Madison Square Garden, which, unless a rash of injuries crop up, is the deepest card in terms of talent in company history… 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 in 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.)
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking TNA Bound for Glory, UFC in Portland and all the latest news. You can send e-mail questions to the show at [email protected].
An update to UFC fighter Josh Samman battling for his life and being in critical condition. His roommate and best friend, Troy Kirkingburg, 28, was pronounced dead when police arrived at their place. Nothing has been stated officially regarding the background of what happened other than it was not foul play. Charlene Cristobol, the TV anchor for the local CBS station in Tallahassee, FL was the fiance of Kirkingburg and said, “I am extremely heartbroken over the loss of the man who will always be the love of my life. I thank everyone for their support, but ask for privacy for his family and me as we mourn our loss.” Here is the story.
There’s nothing new to report on the TNA front. What we do know is that the money that allowed them to pay for the downlink, so the PPV could be broadcast, came in on Thursday, but who is funding this is still unknown. As of a few hours ago, nobody still knew anything. The X Division title match on the show tonight will be DJZ vs. Trevor Lee. Cody Rhodes is also scheduled to be at the show.
The UFC 205 tickets at Madison Square Garden were a mess in the sense that fans couldn’t get tickets except at $1,000 or more as scalpers got almost everything. Right now, out of all the tickets available on stubhub, only 26 are priced at less than $1,000. The new thing seems to be is to get ticket brokers to pay big prices for a high-demand event, and then they can unload them, usually at more than face value.
The New Kingdom team in ROH is Matt Taven with Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan of Northeast Wrestling, who are getting a push since they beat the Young Bucks & Adam Cole as part of the trios tournament.
WWE
Sara Lee was cut by WWE because she’s pregnant with the baby of Cory Weston, who is wrestling in developmental as Beautiful Blonde Blake, the former Blake of Blake & Murphy fame.
Added to the Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament are HoHo Lun & Bin Wang and Rich Swann & No Way Jose.
This is a gem, Vince McMahon hosting an interview for a Don Owen house show in Seattle in the early 80s with a Ric Flair vs. Buddy Rose main event.
A Jerry Lawler documentary will air on the WWE Network tomorrow night after Raw.
In promoting the show Total Bellas, here is a Bellas modeling event in the New York Daily News. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
VARIETY
Football pretty much dominated Google searches over the weekend. Last night’s UFC show, as good as it was, with no big-name star power, had less than 20,000 searches and didn’t even crack the top 20. Nothing from ROH or TNA, although one wouldn’t expect either of them to crack the numbers.
Lucha Underground’s PJ Black suffered two broken ankles in a base jumping accident. He was in South Africa, where he is from, working for the World Wrestling Professionals promotion.
Danny Demanto broke his leg really bad at last night’s Jersey All Pro Wrestling show in Bayonne, NJ. He missed a moonsault, totally overshooting his mark and crashed into the guard rail. The show had to be stopped for more than 30 minutes. (thanks to Paul Sosnowski and Victor Cirilo)
Kamaitachi’s injury last night was a sprained ankle in his match against the debuting Sho Tanaka, which was a dark match at the ROH TV tapings in Lowell, MA. It doesn’t appear to be too bad we’re told.
Hanson needed five stitches from a head cut from the tapings yesterday.
Freelance Wrestling from the Chop Shot in Chicago on Friday night before a sellout 300 fans: Space Monkey & Rey Furia won four-way over Roscoe East Lisa, Superiority Complex and Arik Cannon & Ariya Daivari, Joey Ryan b Shigehiro Irie, Christian Rose won eight-way over Suge D, Mr. 450 Hammet, Steven Wolfe, Kenny Sutra, Triton (CMLL), Don Cruz and Gringo Loco in an excellent match, NWords b Zero Gravity, Craig Mitchell b Isaias Velasquez, Jeff Cobb b Jake Something, Mustafa Ali b DJZ to keep the Freelance title with a Spanish fly in a great match (during the match, DJZ said “F*** the cruiserweight classic” and Ali said “F*** the X Division”), Ethan Page b Robert Anthony over the Ego nickname when Page walked out of the cage to win. Frank the Clown managed Page. Next show is 10/27. (thanks to Lance LeVine)
WXW has its World Tag Team League show from Friday night in Oberhausen, Germany before 370 fans: Tengkwa b Vinnie the Beast, Walter & Timothy Thatcher b Tyler Bate & Trent Seven, Zack Sabre Jr. & Marty Scurll b Absolute Andy & Marius Al-Ani, Leah Vaughn b Alexis Rose, Pete Dunn b The Mac to win the Shotgun title, Chris Hero & JT Dunn b Ilja Dragunov & Julian Nero, Speedball Mike Bailey b Bad Bones John Klinger, Jack Evans & Angelico b David Starr & Shane Strickland. (thanks to Timo Knopf)
WXW World Tag Team League from yesterday in Oberhausen, Germany before 500 fans: Ilja Dragunov & Julian Negro b Absolute Andy & Marius Al-Ani, Pete Dunne b Francis Kaplan to retain the Shotgun title, Tyler Bate & Trent Seven b Jack Evans & Angelico, Zack Sabre Jr. & Marty Scurll d Chris Hero & JT Dunn over 30:00, Bad Bones John Klinger b Dirty Dragan, David Starr & Shane Strickland b Walter & Timothy Thatcher. The Sabre match was apparently incredible. (thanks to Timo Knopf)
Dick Togo will be working the 5/11 Evolve show in Melrose, MA.
Zack Sabre Jr. will wrestle Fred Yehi on the 10/15 Evolve show in Orlando and face Tracy Williams on the 10/16 Evolve show in Ybor City, FL.
Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in Swansea, IL before 500 fans: Moondog Rover b Freddy Fury, Bobby D b Daniel Gunner, Ace Hawkins b Jimmy D, Ace Hawkins b Gary Jackson-DQ, Ron Powers NC Attila Khan, Curtis Wyld & Dave Vaughn b Sean Vincent & Big Jim Hoffarth, Ken Kasa b Waco. (thanks to Larry Matysik)
Dreamwave Wrestling from last night in LaSalle, IL: Spears & Beers b The Dynasty to keep the tag titles, Little Guido b Joey Ryan, Stephen Wolfe won a four-way, Hammerstone b Jeff Cobb, Ariya Daivari b Arik Cannon, Ruffbecks b Brubaker & Rockett, Cody Rhodes b AR Fox (great reaction to both, back and forth good match), Suge D b Zicky Dice, Mustafa Ali b Mr. 450 Hammet in a great match to keep the Dreamwave title. Daivari attacked Ali after for the match. Rhodes said that AR Fox will be a massive star some day and deserves to be on Raw, Summerslam and WrestleMania. (thanks to Jared Walsh)
The I Believe in Wrestling promotion has an iPPV on 10/15 at www.WWNLive.com for $4.99 with Larry Zbyszko and Mister Saint Laurent calling the action. Seth Petruzell, a WWE coach best known for knocking out Kimbo Slice on CBS, will make his pro wrestling debut on the show, plus Raquel (TNA) and Thea Trinidad (formerly in TNA) will be on the show.
I Believe in Wrestling from last night in Orlando: CT Brown b Chico Adams, Thea Trinidad b Raquel, Teddy Stigma b Li Bryan, Tyranus & Leo O’Farrell & Ricky Anderson b JD Amazing & Rey Xion & Faris Sibai, Kaci Lennox b Raegen Fire, Aaron Epic b Jon Cruz, Rhett Giddins won three-way over Mike Reed and Jon Hess to keep the Florida title. Next show is 10/15 for a joint show with Evolve at the Dr. Smith Neighborhood Center. (thanks to Al Haft)
Best in the West on 10/16 at 6 p.m. has a students show at their school at 5494 E Laoma Ave. in Fresno with tickets at $5. Best in the West now has local TV on KAIL-TV53 in Fresno at 10 p.m. on Sunday. They will be taping TV on 11/13 in Merced, CA at the American Legion Post. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
Lucha Xtreme TV from last night i Fresno: Big Dogg & Skitzo b Chris Mira & Dark Usagi, Brandon Groom b Homicide. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
The Big Guy (fka Ryback) will headlined on 10/30 for Revolution Pro Wrestling at the Portsmouth Guild Hall.
The former Ryback is also booked on 10/14 in Cresskill, NJ and 10/15 in Brooklyn.
Global Force Wrestling and Maximum Pro Wrestling last night in Timmmins, ONT before 550 fans: Phil Atlas b Idris Abraham, Joe Coleman b Tornado, Brent Banks b Tarek, Jeff Jarrett & Cody Deaner b The Fraternity, Sonjay Dutt retained his NextGen title Tyson Dux and Black Bushido, Cat Power & KC Spinelli b Lisa Marie Varon & Alexis Nicole, Chris Mordetzky (Chris Masters) b Kongo Kong in a falls count anywhere match.
The complete Gold Rush Pro Wrestling show from last night here.
There were no serious injuries suffered in Friday’s Ladder War tag team title match between The Addiction (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian), Young Bucks and Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) at ROH All-Star Extravaganza 8.
The match has to be considered one of the best ladder matches in history.
In winning the ROH tag team titles, the Young Bucks simultaneously hold the ROH belts, the PWG belts and the IWGP jr. tag titles and after the match, declared themselves the greatest tag team of all-time.
The crowd gave Daniels & Kazarian a big ovation when it was over, particularly Daniels for doing what he did at 46 years old. That turned into part of the match’s storyline after Daniels did one of the best interviews of the year on ROH TV building the bout.
Daniels & Kazarian did go to the emergency room after the show due to their hardway cuts. Kazarian needed both stitches and staples, while Daniels also needed stitches, but there were no other significant injuries.
ROH returns to pay-per-view with All Star Extravaganza VIII tonight from Lowell, MA.
We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected] We’re also looking for your thoughts on the TNA Bound for Glory show this Sunday.
In one of three title matches on the show, The Addiction are set to defend their ROH World Tag Team Championship against The Young Bucks and Motor City Machine Guns in a triple threat ladder war match. And Michael Elgin will be one of many stars from New Japan Wrestling appearing on the PPV as he challenges Adam Cole for the ROH World Championship.
Also on the PPV, Bobby Fish will defend his TV title against Donovan Dijak, Dragon Lee will make his ROH debut against a familiar opponent in Kamaitachi, and the six-man tag tournament will kick off with first round action.
Our live coverage starts at 9 p.m. ET. The full card for the show is:
The Addiction defending their ROH World Tag Team Championship against The Young Bucks and Motor City Machine Guns in a triple threat ladder war match
Adam Cole defending his ROH World Championship against Michael Elgin
Bobby Fish defending his ROH World Television Championship against Donovan Dijak w/ Prince Nana
Tetsuya Naito w/ EVIL vs. Jay Lethal
Kamaitachi vs. Dragon Lee
Hangman Page vs. Kyle O’Reilly
KUSHIDA, Jay White & ACH vs. The Briscoes & Toru Yano in a six-man tag tournament first round match
ANX (Kenny King & Rhett Titus) w/ Caprice Coleman vs. Shane Taylor & Keith Lee vs. Dalton Castle & Colt Cabana vs. War Machine (Ray Rowe & Hanson) in a four corner survival match for a future shot at the ROH World Tag Team Championship
**********
By Dave Meltzer
BOBBY FISH VS. DONOVAN DIJAK FOR TV TITLE
Basic match. Fish spent most of the match working on Dijak’s right knee. Dijak was the big hometown favorite with the crowd. Dijak hit Feast Your Eyes, which is like a GTS, but then started selling the knee again. When he went for the pin, Fish got his foot over the rope. Later, Dijak went for Feast Your Reyes, but while on Dijak’s shoulder, Fish got the choke. He let go, got the choke a second time and Dijak went out and the match was stopped.
KENNY KING & RHETT TITUS VS. KEITH LEE & SHANE TAYLOR VS. DALTON CASTLE & COLT CABANA VS. RAY ROWE & HANSON WITH THE WINNERS GETTING A TITLE SHOT
Castle & Cabana won when Castle pinned Titus clean with the bang a rang. The crowd loved the last few minutes when Lee did a running flip dive at about 340 pounds and Hanson followe dwith a flip plancha. King did a twisting dive as well. Lee & Taylor remind me of The Head Hunters as huge guys who are shockingly agile.
DRAGON LEE VS. KAMAITACHI
This was a match with a lot of incredible moves, although Lee seems to have a messed up right shoulder. The crowd didn’t seem to know the guys, their moves or the story of them being long-time rivals, but did seem pretty impressed with “Fight Forever” chants. This wasn’t at the level of their Mexico City or Tokyo matches. Lee won surprisingly, since Kamaitachi is the regular, using the Phoenix plex. Lee did a tope and running tope con hiro, Kamaitachi did the senton outside the ring, Lee did the leap over the top rope into a huracanrna on the apron. Kamaitachi did a running jump over the barricade dropkick from the seats to ringside.
KYLE O’REILLY VS. HANGMAN PAGE
This was clearly meant to put O’Reilly over strong since he’s probably getting the next title shot. The match didn’t have as much reaction as you’d want. Page worked over the shoudler most of the way until O’Reilly got the armbar for the submission. After the match, Page attacked O’Reilly and threw his shoulder into the barricade and then put a chair around his shoulder and threw him into the post.
Silas Young did an interview. He said he and Beer City Bruiser couldn’t find a partner so they aren’t in the trios tournament. Young said when he started in ROH he was happy just to be in ROH with the best athletes. Now he wants the ROH world champion. Noted he won the Honor Rumble, starting first and going thorugh 25 guys. Said he gets the shot Oct. 22 in Lakeland, challenged Elgin, Cole or God himself. Pretty sure God isn’t under contract to ROH.
MARK & JAY BRISCOE & TORU YANO VS. ACH & KUSHIDA & JAY WHITE IN THE TRIOS TITLE TOURNAMENT
This was real good with an upset finish as Kushida did a flip plancha onto the Briscoes and then ACH pinned Yano with the 450. ACH, Kushida & White all looked really good here. They pushed it big when White kicked out of the froggy bow elbow by Mark. Not sure if the crowd micing isn’t good because the wasn’t that strong or at least seemed that way. Yano did his usual comedy including taking off the padding of the top turnbuckle in the heel corner. Both White and Yano took bumps into the corner. ACH and Mark also did dives and pretty much everything looked crisp.
TETSUYA NAITO VS. JAY LETHAL
Another surprise finish as Lethal won clean with the Lethal injection. This will set up an IC title match in the future. At one point Lethal had Naito beat with the crossface when Evil pulled the ref out of the ring and interfered. Lots of near falls and a very good match. A lot of smooth wrestling back and forth and good counters. The crowd was into it by the end but it was tough early.
ADAM COLE VS. MICHAEL ELGIN FOR THE ROH TITLE
Cole won after two superkicks, a shining wizard to the front and other to the back and won with the brainbuster. Very physical Japanese style match. Most of the match was Cole working over Elgin’s bad knee that was the storyline fromthe Japan tour. At one point Elgin used his finishing sequence with a power bomb into the buckles and went for the Elgin bomb but Cole turned it into a reverse huracanrana. Elgin at one point used Cole’s Canadian Destroyer.
THE ADDICTION VS. THE YOUNG BUCKS VS. MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS FOR TAG TITLE IN A LADDER MATCH
This match was just unbelievable. The Young Bucks won the belts after Nick came off the top of the ladder with an Indy take where Matt tombstoned Kazarian off the top through atable. They went through a million tables. Daniels and Kazarian both bled. Kazarian had a nasty cut with his scalp split and Daniels bled like crazy. Both Kamaitachi and Jay White got involved with Kamaitachi saving things at one point as The Young Bucks had it won. There were far too many highlights here. The crowd at the end was very sympathetic to Daniels after the great promo he did with the idea that if he lost the title that would probably be the last time he’d hold a title. I just hope nobody was hurt badly because this really was equal to the Edge & Christian vs. Dudleys vs. Hardys match. The whole crowd was standing for most of the match.
Multiple sources since this morning have confirmed that the 2017 Royal Rumble will be held in San Antonio.
It would mark the 20th anniversary of the biggest Royal Rumble live event in history, the 1997 version that was held in San Antonio at the Alamodome, and drew 60,525 fans, with 48,014 paid, built around Shawn Michaels vs. Sycho Sid, with Michaels regaining the WWF title in his home city.
The announcement is expected to take place this coming week.
Steve Austin won that Royal Rumble, which had a heavy influence of AAA and Mexican talent, including legends like Mil Mascaras, Canek, Perro Aguayo, Perro Aguayo Jr., Latin Lover, Hector Garza, Pierroth, Fuerza Guerrera, Blue Demon Jr. and Octagon appearing on the show.
The 2017 Royal Rumble will be a combined-brand PPV, so presumably 15 of the wrestlers will be from Raw and 15 will be from Smackdown and the winner will challenge for his brand’s title at this year’s WrestleMania.
UPDATE: WWE officially announced on Friday afternoon that the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX would host the 2017 Royal Rumble on January 29th.
In honour of Hispanic Heritage month, David Garcia has created a special video tribute to our divine Hispanic emperor Bryan Alvarez. It is an amazing video that pays homage to “one of the most forgettable performers to set foot in any ring…” If you haven’t had your fill of Bryan “Super Chico” Alvarez after that three minute clip, check out The Death of WCW by Bryan Alvarez and RD Reynolds! It is now available as an audiobook through Amazon.com and Audible. Bryan did the narration for the book and it runs almost fifteen hours, so grab yours today!
For this coming weekend, we’ll be doing polls on the ROH PPV tomorrow night and the TNA show on Sunday, if the latter takes place. Send poll opinions to: [email protected]
NXT runs tonight in Lakeland, FL.
IMPACT TONIGHT ON POP TV
DJZ vs. Eddie Edwards for X division title
Laurel Van Ness (Chelsea Green) vs. Madison Rayne
Reby Hardy vs. Rosemary
EC 3 & Moose & Aron Rex & Gail Kim vs. Bobby Lashley & Drew Galloway & Mike Bennett & Maria Kanellis in a Lethal Lockdown match with the winning team getting to pick the stipulation for Sunday’s Lashley vs. EC 3 TNA title match.
Figure Four Weekly, 9/26/2016: The unlikely story of TJ Perkins (Part II) – When T.J. Perkins went to Florida Championship Wrestling without a WWE contract in 2009, it was a very different picture from how Ohio Valley Wrestling treated non contract talent before FCW took over for it as the primary developmental promotion. 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, Oct 3, 2016:TNA at a crossroads, WWE Clash of Champions review, more – Details on the tumultuous situation TNA is in, a review of WWE Clash of Champions, more… With Bound for Glory and television tapings scheduled this week, the expectation was that TNA would be sold by now, although that’s been the feeling for weeks and at press time it still hasn’t happened… WWE’s first Raw-exclusive PPV, the Clash of Champions, was a mostly good show, but because they are running so many PPVs, it had the feeling of ordinary and not at all special… The first fight between UFC champions in different weight classes in nearly eight years will headline the company’s 11/12 debut in Madison Square Garden, which, unless a rash of injuries crop up, is the deepest card in terms of talent in company history… 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 in 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.)
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
Billy Corgan was on the Dan LeBatard show on ESPN and said he doesn’t believe a WWE purchase of TNA is going to happen and said there was a standoff among different sides as far as what is going to happen. He said that since he’s a part owner, he’d know if a WWE deal was going to happen. He couldn’t answer when asked if Bound for Glory would happen on Sunday past saying he doesn’t believe people want to do something that would put people out of work. Corgan is attempting to finalize ownership of the company this week but it’s been a slower process than hoped for.
Kota Ibushi has not signed with WWE. He has agreed to work dates in the tag team tournament and is open for taking any dates in WWE, but at this point not willing to sign a full-time deal.
WWE had a victory in court this past week in getting the concussion class action suit (the one headed by James Laurinaitis, Jimmy Snuka, Paul Orndorff, Butch Reed and 50 other former wrestlers) transferred to Judge Vanessa Bryant’s court. Bryant has in the past made favorable rulings for WWE’s on other concussion suits regarding cases being time barred. Based on her own past rulings, virtually every case would be thrown out. They are also trying to get the Buff Bagwell/Raven case regarding WWE Network royalties transferred to Bryant’s court. (thanks to Chris Harrington)
Paige will be undergoing neck surgery so is likely to be out of action for some time. She tweeted that she had two different surgery options.
John Cena, Daniel Bryan and the Bella Twins will all be on The Today show tomorrow during the 9 a.m. hour to promote the debut on 10/5 of Total Bellas on E!
WWE
Regarding Royal Rumble, the announcement is expected to take place this coming week of the location. The cities mentioned the most are San Antonio and Los Angeles. WWE officials have consistently denied Los Angeles to us.
BOOM Studios new WWE comic book series will be launching in January. The first story will be about Seth Rollins trying to win the WWE championship.
Tickets for Smackdown TV tapings on 12/6 in Houston at the Toyota Center are available on a pre-sale all day today until 10 p.m.
NXT tickets are on sale now for 12/17 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas with the code NXTLIVE.
Clash of the Corps, a Fuse TV show with Dwayne Johnson as Executive Producer, debuts on Wednesday night at 11 p.m. The show will feature eight 30 minutes episodes about Drum Corps International battles. Johnson will host a Facebook viewing of the first episode on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
UFC
Former Bellator heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov faces Timothy Johnson on the 11/19 show in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Volkov lost the title in 2013 to Vitaly Minakov and was just signed by UFC.
Gabriel Gonzaga has said that he is retiring. He said that he would fight if somebody made an offer in excess of $100,000 to him, but since he doesn’t believe that will happen he’s retiring.
Cezar Ferreira vs. Jack Hermansson has been added to the 11/19 show in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Yes there are shows in Belfast and Sao Paulo on the same day. That day also includes a Bellator show and an NXT Takeover show.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Jake Ellenberger has been announced for a 12/3 show in Las Vegas at The Palms Hotel. That’s the same show that will feature Demetrious Johnson defending the flyweight title against the winner of the current season of The Ultimate Fighter.
MISCELLANEOUS
Revolution Pro announced an 11/10 show at Bethnal Green in London featuring Chris Hero vs. Tomohiro Ishii.
Scott Coker was on Eric Bischoff’s podcast and asked about Ryback in Bellator and said: “I can comment on it and really it’s a very short conversation because their management did reach out. We had a very brief conversation. I’m not sure where it’s at but I don’t think it went very far. If they don’t have some type of background in either Jiu Jitsu or collegiate wrestling or Thai boxing or a combat sports background, it’s tough for them. It’s like someone from a martial arts background trying to be a pro wrestler. If you’re not schooled and don’t go through the education process of how to do it, then you’re going to have a hard time. I think that’s what you saw with the C.M. Punk situation.”
Southern States Wrestling on Saturday night in Bradshaw, WV at the Fall Festival.
Jim Duggan headlines for Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 10/23 at the Royal Canadian Legion 3 in Oshawa, ONT.
Smoky Mountain Wrestling on 10/8 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with Jason Kincaid defending the Southeastern title against Chase Owens.
All-Star Wrestling on 10/7 in Cloverdale, BC at the Alice McKay Building has a Girls Gone Wrestling event headlined by a 10 woman Battle Royal.
Xcite Wrestling on 9/30 and 10/1 in Binghamton, NY at the American Legion Post 125 featuring Greg Skipper, Robbie E, Sean Carr, Gregory Iron and more.
Allie from TNA vs. Rosemary in a cage match headlines 10/22 in Toronto at the Franklin Horner Community Centre. Also on the show is Xandra Bale vs. Leva Bates, Jade vs. Jennifer Blake and Vanessa Kraven vs. Veda Scott.
Hall of Famer Manami Toyota, perhaps the greatest woman wrestler of all-time, will headline for XWA in Colchester, Essex, England on 11/27 at Charter Hall.
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Blue Demon Jr., Brian Cage vs. John Hennigan (Johnny Mundo), Fenix vs. Laredo Kid and Taya vs. Sexy Star headline an 11/11 show in Midland, TX at the Hacienda Event Center.
Justin Credible will be doing a seminar on 11/19 from 10 a.m. to Noon in Williamstown, NJ. It will be held at the OTW Arena at 1041 Glassboro Rd #C-1. The price is $30 and you can make reservations to 856-513-6901.
CWE tonight in Gladstone, Manitoba at the Community Center with Nick Aldis vs. Bobby Collins plus Anderson Tyson Moore & Jason Kincaid vs. Chase Owens & Tony Kozina.
Metro Pro Wrestling on 10/8 in Kansas City at the Turner Rec Center with an eight man elimination tag team match. Colt Cabana, Mike Sydal, Jake Dirden, Rory Fox and Jon Webb appear.
Shinya Aoki defends the One lightweight title against Eduard Folayang on 11/11 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The show will also feature featherweight champion Marat Gafurov vs. Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia, the former champion.
OTW is putting on a benefit show for Lowlife Louie Ramos and his family called “Thank You Louie” on 10/30 in Williamstown, NJ at the Old Time Wrestling Arena. On 9/24, Louie Ramos suffered a broken rib and a collapsed lung in a match and is also having to miss several weeks of work. 100% of the proceeds go to the Ramos family.
Legacy 82 on 11/11 in Oklahoma City at the Firelake Arena headlined by Cortez Coleman vs. Rafael Lovato Jr.
A TV piece on the new Dick the Bruiser biography is here.
A new Matt Hardy in character interview trailer is here.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix on Saturday night in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge with Al Snow as the headliner.
Absolute Intense Wrestling announced the Double Dare tag team tournament on 11/4 and 11/5 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Cleveland.
The NWL, a promotion headed by Chris Gough and Scott Bowden, has announced new talent of Logan & Sterling Riegel (who will wrestle as Jet & Jax Royal).
WOW Women of Wrestling tape TV tonight in Los Angeles at the Belasco Theater at 6 p.m. Santana Garrett, Amber Gallows and Barbie Hayden are all scheduled to appear.
GFW runs on Saturday night in Timmins, ONT with Jeff Jarrett, Cody Deaner, Chris Masters, Sonjay Dutt, Lisa Marie Varon and more; and Sunday in Mississauaga, ONT at the Dan Kolov Arena with Jarrett vs. Kongo Kong with Scott D’Amore handcuffed to Santino Marella at ringside, plus Cody Dreamer, Sonjay Dutt, Tyson Dux, Chris Masters and Lisa Varon.
Adrian Street’s record is here. This featured some of the songs he entered the ring to and performed in the 70s and 80s
A Vampiro interview on The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling is here.
CWF presents Live Pro Wrestling at CWF Studios on 20 Hartzel Rd in St Catharines, ON. 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Empire State Wrestling’s event will be in Salamanca, NY on September 30, 2016 featuring former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Adam Rose. Direct all inquiries to [email protected].
FIP returns to Orlando, FL at Gods & Monsters with a huge title match. It will be FIP World Heavyweight Champion Fred Yehi defending against the former champ, Caleb Konley. Yehi defeated Konley in a controversial match to win title, now Konley will get his rematch. Go to www.FullImpactPro.com for more info.
Cross Body Pro Wrestling Academy “The Beginning“! 69 Agnes St in Kitchener! Tickets are $10 and will be available at the gym.
VCW SOCKTOBERFEST: Super Wonder Gallery, 876 Bloor St W, 7pm Doors 8pm Bell, $15 in advance at Sonic Boom Records & CD”s and Eventbrite.com
HPW Wrestling in Columbus, IN, featuring Jimmy Valiant’s final appearance with the promotion.
MCW Presents “Autumn Armageddon 2016” Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, 7:30PM Bell Time, Doors open at 6:00, 24801 Three Notch Road, Hollywood, MD 20636 – A Special Meet & Greet with WWE Hall Of Famer Scott Hall and all of the stars of MCW Pro Wrestling. Pre Show Meet & Greet stars at 6:30PM. You MUST have an event ticket in order to enter the pre show meet & greet.
Sunday 10/2
Destiny wrestling teams up with Global Force to present
Northland Wrestling presents the Miller Memorial Cup: 3 PM – 6 PM École publique Odyssée 7e-12e année, 480, av. Norman, North Bay, Ontario P1B 0A8 – A portion of proceeds from this event will be donated to the athletes of the Special Olympics in North Bay.
GWN Championship Wrestling: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM, Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 241 Kenilworth Avenue North, Hamilton, Ontario.
NWX presents Live Pro Wrestling CWF Training Facility 2:30 PM – 5 PM, 20 Hartzel Rd, St Catharines, Ontario, call 289-687-5610 for tickets. Holden Albright vs. Joey Paradice (c) – Hardcore Match for the NWX Northern Lights Heavyweight Championship.
With the company’s future hanging in the balance, this issue looks at where TNA stands going into Bound for Glory, with updates on sale talks, who owns what, who is involved and what the key problems are regarding why the sale hasn’t been made.
The story looks at who the owners are right now, the status of the key players involved, the problems with buying the company, how this is similar to the end of WCW, why Toby Keith never ended up with the company, how they lost Spike TV, the status of television money going from station-to-station, along with a lot of comments from Billy Corgan regarding what he’d like to do if he could buy the company, and what changes he would make. Plus, look at the Bound for Glory lineup, and what questions there are regarding the show including an update on Drew Galloway.
There is also a look at the first Raw-only WWE PPV, including a look at the next PPV, the main stories on the show, the business aspect of the show that is telling that nobody is talking about, along with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
The latest observer also has a look at UFC 205, and why this could be the biggest show in company history. Examine the press conference, everything that went down leading to the announcement of McGregor vs. Alvarez as the main event, Jose Aldo being furious and wanting to quit the company, just how big this is already trending, how UFC is now almost guaranteed to set revenue and PPV records this year, the return of Ronda Rousey talked about, McGregor talks his own earnings and more on the lineup of the first UFC show in Madison Square Garden.
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, or use Paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
RATES: 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 [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. Get $1 off in every price range if ordering by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228).
SPECIAL: Get one free classic issue of your choice if you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, or get two free classic issues with a 40 issue subscription!
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
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.
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues must 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. There is 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 obituary 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.
Also in this issue:
Why another star left CMLL
More on problems with CMLL and Elite
A look at the Reyes de Aire tournament and how business has been
A look at Matt Taven’s final show at Arena Mexico
Elite gets a U.S. television outlet
Also notes on Elite getting a Canadian TV deal
Big celebrity heading to AAA’s big show
What fell through regarding AAA signing a big surprise for this weekend’s Heroes Inmortales show
What this week said about the attempts to rebuild NOAH
Complete details of Jim Ross & Josh Barnett calling Wrestle Kingdom 10 on AXS starting this week
Notes on Stardom’s five star tournament
Notes on a new Japanese market start up
Update on Tammy Sytch
Update on the WWC Aniversario cards and storylines including major U.S. stars coming
Kurt Angle talks pill addictions and how bad he once was
A look at the big show put on by The Crash and the grandstand challenge for a major match that will never happen
Major stars quits AAA
WWE star faces Lucha Underground star
Biggerst indie show in England in 35 years and who was on it
RPW owner arrested
Vince Russo looks to be back in the industry
Note on the AAW tournament
UFC fighter with a pro wrestling background
More on the revival of GLOW
Interest in El Santo
Nostalgia show in old Mid Atlantic arena
Former WWE & TNA star training for bodybuilding contest
Eric Van Wagenen talks Lucha Underground going forward
More on ROH All-Star Extravaganza and TV tapings the next day
Jay Lethal as this year’s Iron Man
Notes on major stars headed in as ROH regulars
More on Cody Rhodes in TNA
Bobby Lashley’s next fight
TNA star getting acting gigs
Dana White’s ownership stake in UFC right now
Update on Brock Lesnar and his suspension
What WME IMG is hoping for out of TV when the current contract is up
TJ Dillashaw offers $100,000 side bet on title match to Cruz
RATES: 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 [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. Get $1 off in every price range if ordering by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228).
With Bound for Glory and television tapings scheduled this week, the expectation was that TNA would be sold by now, although that’s been the feeling for weeks and at press time it still hasn’t happened.
This puts the company in a tough position because Dixie Carter is still the majority owner of the company, with 70 percent of the stock, but has no money to fund this coming week’s shows.
This has been the case for every set of tapings going back several months, where in the end, either Aroluxe at first, and Billy Corgan of late, have funded the tapings in exchange for ownership. We’ve also heard word that Fite TV also has a stake in the company.
In a number that you can basically throw out as not being indicative of much of anything, WWE Raw did set its all-time low mark last night doing 2.46 million viewers.
The rating itself, not yet in, is a virtual certainty to be the lowest in the history of the show, and lowest for any WWE wrestling television show ever on Monday night dating back to the Prime Time Wrestling era.
Raw had done 2.68 million viewers on average the previous two weeks which is more indicative of where the audience is. The Clinton/Trump debate across all television platforms did about 81 million viewers and hurt other programming a lot worse than wrestling.
Monday Night Football, for example, did 8.05 million viewers, down from 12.14 million and 12.96 million the previous two weeks.
It will likely be the lowest rating for the for a long time, but the circumstances or judging anything by it are as silly as saying the NFL is dying because it dropped 34 percent in one week. Raw was down eight percent, but it would have been a lot worse had the debate started at 8 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.
When just factoring in the last two hours the drop was 14 percent, still less than half of the drop of football. I’d say that a number next week or during football season of 2.6 million would be a far worse sign than this number, but it will hold a record for a long period of time.
With all the debate coverage, Raw was 17th for the night on cable.
The three hours were:
8 p.m. 2.85 million viewers 9 p.m. 2.38 million viewers 10 p.m. 2.20 million viewers
Late Monday night, UFC officially announced Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor for the UFC lightweight title as the main event of UFC 205 in Madison Square Garden on November 12th.
Early Tuesday morning, UFC president Dana White confirmed on the Boomer & Carton radio show that Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero has also been signed for the show which should complete the entire card. This is Weidman’s first fight since losing the middleweight title to Luke Rockhold earlier this year.
This will be the most loaded show that McGregor has ever headlined with the story that he will attempt to become the first fighter to win UFC championships in two weight classes at the same time.
Just last week, Alvarez turned down a match with Khabib Nurmagomedov. UFC announced that McGregor was injured and wouldn’t be able to return in time for an MSG fight. Shortly after that announcement, however, McGregor said he would be available and wanted the Alvarez fight.
UFC is holding a press conference in Madison Square Garden Tuesday at 6 PM EST where McGregor, Alvarez, Weidman, and more are expected. We’ll have that for you here on the site.
The entire card as it stands now:
– UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez vs. UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor
– UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson
– UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
