Tag: AJPW

Daily Update: Santos Escobar, Josh Alexander, AJPW deathmatch

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

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JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

  • Experience with OnLamp (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
  • Possible experience with AWS (s3 specifically), Dreamhost, UI development
  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
  • Javascript also a huge plus

While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

This is not just for projects related to F4WOnline.

  • Send all inquiries to [email protected] with title WEB DEVELOPER.
  • If you have inquired before, please send your information again. 

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WON NEWSLETTER: January 25, 2021 Observer Newsletter: Why a quarantine policy could affect wrestling & MMA

We’ve got a double issue of the Observer out this week with notes on how President Biden’s new policies on international travel will affect wrestlers and fighters from different countries.

Also in this issue:

The new WrestleMania plans, including how the Super Bowl plays into it, the time frame for the shows for both nights, the inside hopes for attendance and how the dynamic is different this year as to what gets announced.  We also look at the decision making in regards to Dallas and Los Angeles, update the Royal Rumble and also have notes on match plans.

Coverage of Impact Hard to Kill, with notes on the key angles, the departure of Madison Rayne, Taya Valkyrie and Ethan Page, Page’s scathing words after his departure, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Dwayne Johnson’s new TV show about his life, new WWE signees, Dusty Rhodes men’s and women’s tournament, Kofi Kingston talks his injury, WWE television personality gets an ESPN TV show, A.J. Styles talks retirement, lawsuit update, where wrestling shows ranked with network sports, who is looking for new entrance music, what aspect of WWE’s major events are they trying to sell, why Raw will have two very tough dates for competition soon, as well as the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

Coverage of both UFC shows over the past week and the story behind Max Holloway’s setting records.

A story on the life of Paul Varelans, an early star of UFC and MMA around the world, as well as his different forays with four different pro wrestling companies as well as his infamous angle with Taz in ECW. For the first time, Missy Hyatt talks publicly about the situation plus comments from all involved. We look at the tournament days of UFC, crazy street fights, and much more.

A story on the life of Guy Hauray, the voice of WWF in France for a generation. 

A story on famous carnival shooter and pro wrestler Dick Cardinal, who was the oldest living pro wrestler at the time of his death. 

History of the biggest draws in pro wrestling each year from 1916 to 2020, including what wrestlers were No. 1 for the most years. 

Win-loss record of every WWE talent in 2020 including who wrestled the most dates, who never lost, who never won and more.

Television ratings of the past week, segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown.

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].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • This week’s guests on The Bump included Charlotte Flair, Santino Marella, and Tegan Nox.
  • Goldberg, Hulk Hogan, Daniel Bryan, and Sam Gradwell will be the guests for a special Sunday edition of The Bump prior to the Royal Rumble.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include the entire 2012 Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins & Murphy vs. Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens from the January 27, 2020 episode of Raw, and Bayley vs. Lacey Evans from Royal Rumble 2020.
  • Denise Salcedo spoke to Peyton Royce regarding the Royal Rumble and Billie Kay’s current role on SmackDown.
  • Goldberg is on this week’s episode of After the Bell with Corey Graves.
  • Sports Illustrated talked to Santos Escobar on his current run in NXT as Cruiserweight champion. He told them that his ultimate goal is to meet Vince McMahon. “There is one thing I haven’t been able to do, and that is meet Vince McMahon,” he said. I’m committed to this industry, and that is a lifetime commitment. I was born and raised to do this. I think Vince McMahon is a genius, and I want to meet him. That, to me, is an immediate goal. He will either like me or hate me, but I will discuss my background with him and what I bring to the table. I need to discuss that with Vince McMahon, and that is one of my most immediate goals.”
  • Drew McIntyre spoke to The Telegraph Online about his upcoming match against Goldberg this Sunday. 
  • The Rock talked to Deadline about the upcoming Young Rock TV series.
  • Charlotte Flair spoke to Sports Illustrated on her return to WWE following a six-month hiatus.

Other Wrestling

Daily Pro Wrestling History: The Rock wins WWE title at Royal Rumble 2013

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: Renee Paquette, Killer Khan, AJPW/NJPW Giant Baba show

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

  • Experience with OnLamp(Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
  • Possible experience with AWS(s3 specifically), Dreamhost, UI development
  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
  • Javascript also a huge plus

While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

This is not just for projects related to F4WOnline.

  • Send all inquiries to [email protected] with title WEB DEVELOPER.
  • If you have inquired before, please send your information again. 

Latest Free YouTube Video: 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

WON NEWSLETTER: December 7, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Death of Pat Patterson, AEW/Impact, more

The most detailed look at the life and career of Pat Patterson, from his childhood in Montreal, through his being Vince McMahon’s assistant, and everything in between, is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

This will likely go down as one of the best issues in history, with the stories on Patterson and Bobby Lee, the guy you never heard of who set box office records in the summer of 1978.

We look at Patterson’s career highlights, comments from some of the biggest names in the history of the business, where he got the name from, finding out he wa gay, his start in Boston, how Mad Dog Vachon made his career, the days in San Francisco, the greatest tag team of the era, being in the middle of the Cow Palace vs. HIC feud, his first encounter with Mae Young, Pretty Boy Patrick Patterson, the different stages that led to the Texas Battle Royal, the Cow Palace Battle Royal and the Royal Rumble.

We look at the character of Roy Shire, matches with the likes of Ray Stevens, Bob Backund and Sgt.Slaughter, the birth of the Intercontinental title, tours of Japan, the Quebec Dream,  and WWE honoring him in Montreal.

Also in this issue:

Kenny Omega winning the AEW title, Sting coming, Don Callis and Impact Wrestling, and full coverage of AEW’s Winter is Coming.

The life and career of Bobby Lee, who made himself a legend in two months, and then how it all  ended.

Agovernmental rule now protecting talent from having to adhere to the rules the rest of us go by, notes on Tribute to the Troops, notes on new WWE signings including one of the highest level athletes they’ve ever signed, update on a lawsuit against the company and how they are trying to get out of it, Talking mack, Slammy Awards, foreign ratings, how WWE & AEW are doing in the sports ratings, Broken Skull Sessions, Undertaker talks about ling to Shawn Michaels, top Exec makes more than $1 million in stock sale, and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

A feature on Jimmy Rave as his career comes to an end.

This year’s TripleMania show as well as a look back at the main events of every show to date.

Saturday’s UFC show with match-by-match coverage, business notes and ramifications of the key matches.

Television business, 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].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Drew McIntyre, Goldberg, Johnny Gargano, Mojo Rawley, and actor Joe Manganiello were on The Bump this week. Kevin Owens and Ric Flair will be on next week’s show.
  • Reigns responded on Twitter after Goldberg called him out on The Bump: “I never wait in line. I am the attraction and I choose who’s next. And that’s Kevin Owens.“
  • A NXT TakeOver dark match, pitting Legado del Fantasma vs. Curt Stallion, Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis, and August Grey has been uploaded to NXT’s Facebook account.
  • PWInsider reported that a “all hands on deck” meeting was held this past Tuesday. The meeting was mostly to introduce new President and Chief Revenue Officer Nick Khan. Employees were also told that the new WWE HQ was moving along slowly, but surely.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube today include Batista vs. Kane in a Last Man Standing match from the December 14, 2007 edition of SmackDown, Mickie James vs. Alexa Bliss from WWE TLC 2017, and Steve Austin vs. Vince & Shane McMahon from King of the Ring 1999.
  • WWE has applied to trademark the name ‘Karen Kwan’.
  • Johnny Gargano spoke to ComicBook on winning the North American title this past weekend and the Austin Theory reveal.

Other Wrestling

  • Impact has uploaded last night’s episode of Impact Wrestling in full on their YouTube page.
  • Renee Paquette on The Bella Twins’ podcast talked about her leaving WWE (h/t WrestlingNews.Co): “It’s good now. I think as soon as I came to terms, I realized it is time to go. I’ve done everything that I could possibly do here. I had a great run. It was awesome. But for the other things I wanted to do in my career, I didn’t really see it happening there. Just with everything the way it lined up with the Covid stuff happening, me getting sick, not that had to do anything with my decision, but it was just like everything was weird for a while.”
  • Chris Jericho talked to Dave Meltzer on Talk is Jericho regarding Pat Patterson.
  • AJPW and NJPW will hold another Giant Baba memorial show on February 4 at Korakuen Hall. The show will be promoted by Kyohei Wada and Fumihito Kihara.
  • Thecubsfan has translated a Mas Lucha interview with Dorian Roldan where he talked about leaving Twitch. He said that their deal with Twitch ended at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and feels they will reach more people with YouTube. He also said he expected to talk to the heads of AEW soon, and when asked about the AEW/Impact deal, he said to ask him again in a month. 
  • Kristen Ashly of Bell to Belles talked to NXT UK’s Jinny on her feud with Piper Niven.
  • Killer Khan has been accused of a hit and run on a bicycle. Khan has been accused of striking a woman in her twenties on his bike and fleeing the scene. The woman suffered a broken tooth among other injuries.
  • PWInsider is reporting that Joseph R. Meehan’s (Joey Ryan) attorneys have been given until December 29 to file pleadings to convince the court as to why the lawsuits, which have had little movement since being filed, should continue.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Chris Jericho becomes first WWE Undisputed Champion

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: Tony Khan, Zeus, EC3

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: November 2, 2020 Observer Newsletter: WWE Q3 financials, more

An in-depth look at WWE finances and the company going forward is the lead story of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Our lead story not just looks at the investors call this week, but goes through financial details and what they mean from the call, and looks at the landscape as well as things said that were misleading.

The new issue also covers:

TV ratings, streaming, value of the Thunderdome setting, Nick Khan’s debut on the call and his main comments, Vince McMahon talks his new management team, WWE numbers, new programming, plight of furloughed employees, company market value, cutbacks in expenses, Saudi Arabia, costs going up next month, how many people view the free tier of the WWE Network, Vince talks ratings, network subscriptions in the U.S. and abroad, how much money the company makes from television, and unique notes about merchandise sales.

Daniel Bryan’s statements regarding his career, how much longer he wants to do this, what he’s said about his own athletic ability, where he can be valuable and Roman Reigns’ opponens.

Hell in a Cell, a look at Survivor Series, changes from last year, the top of Raw, Money in the Bank, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Khabib Numragomedov’s last fight, Dana White talks if he will retire, Khabib says he will, plus UFC 254 with match-by-match coverage and poll results.

WWE talent and Twitch and comments by Paige, update on Thunderdome location after the end of November and why they have to move, we update the latest COVID outbreak in WWE, why Matt Riddle got a name change, brutal WWE match this past week, where wrestling stands in sports ratings, Canadian and U.K. ratings, donors to Trump and Biden’s campaign,why little was announced ahead of time for Smackdown, new names for lots of WWE talent, what former wrestler is WWE trying to keep from using his WWE name, and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

Impact’s Bound for Glory.  We look at the situation with Kylie Rae, the injuries, Ken Shamrock in the Hall of Fame and his relationship with Dwayne Johnson, Mick Foley and Bret Hart, Shamrock’s background plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

TripleMania press conference, the matches announced, the unique new promotional tie-in with Marvel and the first show announced with no date and why.

Detailed look at the 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].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • This week’s episode of The Bump features former Tough Enough winner Maven, Elias, Pat McAfee, and the NXT Tag Team champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch.
  • Mustafa Ali is the guest on this week’s episode of After the Bell with Corey Graves.
  • The company has abandoned their attempt to trademark the name Cody Rhodes, HeelByNature reported.. Cody Runnels was rejected last year from attempting to trademark the name after WWE’s failed to renew the rights on time. Additionally on October 30, Cody dropped trademark applications for ‘Slamboree’ and ‘The Match Beyond’.
  • The free matches added to WWE’s YouTube today include Triple H vs. Edge vs. Vladimir Kozlov from Survivor Series 2008 and The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar vs. The Big Show from the August 28, 2003 episode of SmackDown.
  • Goldberg, Lita, Ultimate Warrior, The Usos, Eddie Guerrero, Trish Stratus, and Booker T will be added to the WWE Battlegrounds roster on November 6.
  • WWE PC’s YouTube page has Kacy Catanzaro recreating her favorite Royal Rumble moment.

Other Wrestling

  • Tony Khan talked to PWInsider about Alex Reynolds being knocked out in a recent match: “Yeah, you know, we’ve been recently doing everything we can to work on our protocols and make this as safe as possible work environment. I’ve added another independent neurologist to the staff. We’ve added an independent doctor at all the shows in addition to our staff medical team and we’re adding extra support. I’ve added a two-way feature where the referees can talk back to us if there are injuries so that the referee, you know, not all communication is going one way, and I’ve encouraged the referees to let us know what’s going on.”
  • AJPW announced that Zeus has tested positive for COVID-19. He will remain isolated in a hotel in Osaka until November 11. Their international Twitter account noted that there was no close contact with other AJPW wrestlers.
  • Miro was a guest this week on Talk is Jericho.
  • Fightful Select is reporting that EC3 has finished with Impact Wrestling for the time being and is now working for Ring of Honor through the end of the year.
  • TSN has an interview with Eddie Kingston, who talks about signing with AEW and his match with Cody.
  • Matt Hardy posted a video hyping his Elite Deletion match taking place at Full Gear against Sammy Guevara.
  • Highspots will have a live meet and greet with Rhino and Heath this Thursday night at 7 pm EST.
  • MJF was interviewed by Wrestling Inc. on his chemistry with Chris Jericho and his storyline with The Inner Circle.
  • Lio Rush will take part in a Paul Bearer holiday headlocks toy drive that will take place on November 5.
  • The latest Aces High column has Hiroshi Tanahashi reflecting on Shinsuke Nakamura’s early career.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Dean Malenko wins ECW TV title

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: Champion Carnival, Sarah Stock, Usman-Burns

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: October 5, 2020 Observer Newsletter: NJPW shakeup, WWE talent and 3rd party deals, more

We’ve got a double issue this week of the Observer with the full rundown of Harold Meij being out in New Japan, WWE’s social media policy as it relates to talent, and extensive G-1 coverage.

Our lead story looks at the Harold Meij era of New Japan, how he got there, the turmoil behind-the-scenes, why he’s leaving, his last words to his fan club, why the guy who handled running a wrestling company during a pandemic is out while in the pandemic and a lot of behind-the-scenes stories regarding New Japan and AEW never making a deal, and whether this can change things, and what the key issues are. The changes he made to the company, the business record and issues in dealing with talent and others and the inherent issues of a non-Japanese person in charge of a major Japanese company. This is the most inside version of what happened there since 2018 and from people who know the situation the best.

Also in this issue:

WWE’s latest when it comes to talent and social media, WWE policy, Andrew Yang and why this could be the worst time to make these decisions.

WWE Clash of Champions, NXT Takeover, Hell in a Cell, the COVID issues in AEW & WWE and how they spread, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

G1 Climax tournament, with standings, best matches, behind-the-scenes,why crowds aren’t quick to sell out, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of every show.

XFL start, changes in WWE tapings and why 205 Live will be taped with NXT ad not Smackdown, we look at declines in WWE interest and reasons why WWE draft dates, Reigns vs. Rock, Reigns talks C.M. Punk, new Dwayne Johnson TV show looked at, new WWE signings, update on WWE injuries, one of the top college wrestlers already publicly talking about going to WWE, more on TV ratings in U.S. and Canada, former TNA champion talks how close he came to joining WWE, Cena starring in new movie, Zayn talks politics, Rusev talks problems with WWE creative, update on Raw Underground, where tribal chief comes from, WWE market value and the most watched shows on WWE Network over the past week.

UFC 253, with business notes, the main themes of the show plus match-by-match coverage and poll results.

The treatment of women in pro wrestling with notes from a recent BBC article with thoughts from several women involved.

87th anniversary show of CMLL, and the plight of Lucha Libre with no fans.

Jerry Lawler 50th anniversary show.

2020 Hall of Fame ballot in each category, with the top candidate, last year’s highest that haven’t gotten in, as well as a list of those who have been elected in the past five years.

Smackdown and AEW ratings based on the same opposition, as well as network vs. cable when it comes to other sports.

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].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio talking Takeover, UFC, Impact and all kinds of other stuff. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family of Jim Valley, who has been battling hard against a series of devastating illnesses.Thanks to people here we’ve raised more than $31,000 in less than two days. Special mention to both Chris Jericho and Tony Khan for their generous donations here, and not limited to here, and this is something both have done many times for various cases of people in and around wrestling that they don’t often get credit for.

The scheduled Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns fight on 12/12 is being moved back to early 2021. Usman needs more time to get ready.

No official update on the conditions of Finn Balor or Kyle O’Reilly coming out of last night’s match. Balor was feared to have suffered a broken jaw. WWE reported O’Reilly had some broken teeth.

Zeus beat Kento Miyahara earlier today to win the Champion Carnival tournament.

Sarah Stock, the former Dark Angel, was arrested on Sunday in Evansville according to PWInsider on charges of aggravated battery, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public intoxication with alcohol and booked at 4:25 a.m. Sunday morning. She has been released. Stock has been traveling around the country since she was released by WWE where she was working as a coach at the Performance Center.

Scott Norton underwent surgery for a second knee replacement in Houston.

WWE

  • With the Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots game airing on CBS along with ESPN’s Atlanta Falcon vs. Green Bay Packers game head-to-head, Raw has the toughest competition in a long time for any one night.  Thus far the show has The Street Profits & Drew McIntyre vs  Randy Orton & Dolph Ziggler & Bobby Roode, Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax will have the tag title match scheduled for the last PPV against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan and Bray Wyatt returns to Raw for a confrontation with Kevin Owens. There is also a New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball playoff game. There is no post-PPV bump. to rely on this week nor are they bringing back stars from the past.
  • Bayley has now hit 500 days as Smackdown women’s champion.
  • NXT Takeover didn’t trend last night on Google.  The Takeovers almost never do, and on a football Sunday, it was almost a lock that it wouldn’t.

AEW

  • Trent is attempting to trademark the name Trent Baretta. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • G-1 continues tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. from  Hiroshima:
    Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
    Hirooki Goto vs.  Toru Yano
    Sanada vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
    Evil vs. Juice Robinson
    Tetsuya Naito vs Yoshi-Hashi
    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. KENTA
  • G-1 on Wednesday at 3 a.m. Eastern from Hiroshima:
    Tsuji vs.Gabriek Kidd
    Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi
    Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb
    Will Ospreay vs. Minoru Suzuki
    Jay White vs. Taichi
    Shingo Takagi vs. Kota Ibushi
  • Major League Wrestling has made a deal with the Sports Channel Network (Ch. 266 on Freeview) for broadcast in the U.K. and Ireland.
  • Alex Marvez has compiled a book that lists every match of Chris Jericho’s 30-year-career.
  • An attempt to bring Shoot Pro Wrestling as a new style is at 1:01:30. SPW is a hybrid-wrestling show that showcases a variety of pro wrestling styles, most ESPECIALLY shoot-style. It was done with new, mostly unknown talent and co-promoted with local promotion Primos Premier Pro-Wrestling.
  • Brandon Thurston has a 29-page business report on the U.S. pro wrestling business. It is also on the Wrestlenomics Patreon page.
  • Luc C. Vu, who drove the vehicle that ran into Matt Palacios (Matt Travis) pleaded guilty to reckless driving, failure to exercise due car, causing serious injury and failure to yield to a bicycle, in a report by PWInsider.  His driver’s license was suspended for six months and he was fined $250.  That seems way too light for a manslaughter case.
  • Masked Republic’s Expo Lucha convention and expo takes place streaming on 10/10 at 1 p.m. Eastern. There will be six hours of free content on The Expo Lucha Facebook page, the Lucha Central YouTube channel and Masked Republic Twitch channel.  They will air Penta & Fenix & Mr. Aguila vs. Brian Cage & TJP & Jack Evans, with Lita managing Aguila as she did in her first WWE gig.  There will also be an interview with Konnan.
  • Impact for tomorrow night:
    Tommy Dreamer vs Brian Myers
    Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz vs. Taya & Rosemary
    Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley vs.  Ace Austin & Mad Man Fulton
  • Dragon Gate’s Korakuen Hall show airs live on Wednesday. The main event is Yamato & Kzy & Ben K & Kota M<inoura of Dragon Gate vs. R.E.D. of Eita & BxB Hulk & Kota Minoura & Kai.
  • XICW ran its 20th anniversary show and 300th show overall on Pontiac, MI last night:  Soutalker b LJ Lawrence, El Ridiculoso b Willie Watts, Jumai Kyng b Mongo, Jumai Kyng b Billy Ray Daniels, TJ Meyer b Jumai Kyng, Justin Dream b TJ Meyer, Justin Dream b Mad Man Fulton, Mysterious Movado b Sam Beale, Rhino & Heath b DBA & Jaimy Coxxx to win tag titles, The Hallow b The Purge, Dread King Logan b Jake Crist, DBA NC Mr. Insanity in a cage match, Aaron Orion & Tommy Vendetta & Jack Price & Isiah Broner b Malcolm Monroe II & Dre Jacobs & Adam Wick & Alex Weir in a War Games match (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • CWE on 12/4 in Winnipeg at Rookies Sports Bar with attendance limited to 100 people and masks recommended. 
  • Effy debuts on the UWN PPV show tomorrow night.
  • A story on Gerald Brisco and retirement.
  • David Arquette on the Two Man Power Trip podcast.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: First Hell in a Cell match

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: TakeOver notes, Tracy Smothers, N1/Champion Carnival

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: October 5, 2020 Observer Newsletter: NJPW shakeup, WWE talent and 3rd party deals, more

We’ve got a double issue this week of the Observer with the full rundown of Harold Meij being out in New Japan, WWE’s social media policy as it relates to talent, and extensive G-1 coverage.

Our lead story looks at the Harold Meij era of New Japan, how he got there, the turmoil behind-the-scenes, why he’s leaving, his last words to his fan club, why the guy who handled running a wrestling company during a pandemic is out while in the pandemic and a lot of behind-the-scenes stories regarding New Japan and AEW never making a deal, and whether this can change things, and what the key issues are. The changes he made to the company, the business record and issues in dealing with talent and others and the inherent issues of a non-Japanese person in charge of a major Japanese company. This is the most inside version of what happened there since 2018 and from people who know the situation the best.

Also in this issue:

WWE’s latest when it comes to talent and social media, WWE policy, Andrew Yang and why this could be the worst time to make these decisions.

WWE Clash of Champions, NXT Takeover, Hell in a Cell, the COVID issues in AEW & WWE and how they spread, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

G1 Climax tournament, with standings, best matches, behind-the-scenes,why crowds aren’t quick to sell out, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of every show.

XFL start, changes in WWE tapings and why 205 Live will be taped with NXT ad not Smackdown, we look at declines in WWE interest and reasons why WWE draft dates, Reigns vs. Rock, Reigns talks C.M. Punk, new Dwayne Johnson TV show looked at, new WWE signings, update on WWE injuries, one of the top college wrestlers already publicly talking about going to WWE, more on TV ratings in U.S. and Canada, former TNA champion talks how close he came to joining WWE, Cena starring in new movie, Zayn talks politics, Rusev talks problems with WWE creative, update on Raw Underground, where tribal chief comes from, WWE market value and the most watched shows on WWE Network over the past week.

UFC 253, with business notes, the main themes of the show plus match-by-match coverage and poll results.

The treatment of women in pro wrestling with notes from a recent BBC article with thoughts from several women involved.

87th anniversary show of CMLL, and the plight of Lucha Libre with no fans.

Jerry Lawler 50th anniversary show.

2020 Hall of Fame ballot in each category, with the top candidate, last year’s highest that haven’t gotten in, as well as a list of those who have been elected in the past five years.

Smackdown and AEW ratings based on the same opposition, as well as network vs. cable when it comes to other sports.

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].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio talking Takeover, UFC, Impact and all kinds of other stuff. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]. Garrett Gonzalez and I did a show yesterday with Mike Tenay talking news and the Hall of Fame. This is probably the best received show we’ve done in a long time and as good a wrestling history show as you’ll hear anywhere. We will also have a second show that will be up this coming Friday.

A Go Fund Me has been set up for the family of Jim Valley, who has been battling hard against a series of devastating illnesses.

Thanks to everyone who has ordered my new 1997 Wrestling Observer Yearbook. The success in week one has been such that I’d think it’s a lock there will be a second one released.  Right now the book is No. 1 among wrestling books on Amazon as well as No. 1 for kindle on Amazon. You can get the physical book at amazon in the U.S.or the kindle version or physical book in the U.K. at www.WrestlingObserverBook.com

Notes on tonight’s NXT Takeover and odds are from www.BetOnline.ag The show will be from the Performance Center, now called the Capitol Wrestling Center.  There will be 100 fans at the show.  It will also be the first time an NXT show is on PPV, priced at $54.99, so they are pricing their show more expensively than AEW, ROH or Impact do, but less than UFC does..

Here is a look at the location.

We have polls up today for NXT Takeover, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected] as well as for Thursday’s G-1 show in Niigata and tomorrow’s G-1 show. 

  • Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly for the NXT title.  This would not surprise me to be among the best WWE matches of the year given the talent involved and the nature of the show.  Balor is listed as a -700 favorite.
  • Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae for the women’s title.  They are coming off a great match at a prior Takeover before Shirai was champion.  Shirai is the -170 favorite to retain.
  • Damien Priest vs. Johnny Gargano for the North America title.  This also looks like a great match on paper with Priest as a -160 favorite.
  • Santos Escobar defends the cruiserweight title against Isaiah Scott.  Also looks good on paper with Escobar a -180 favorite.
  • Velveteen Dream vs. Kushida – Dream is listed as a -150 favorite.

This is a very strong show on paper.  Not sure what the interest level will be for NXT on a standalone Sunday against the NFL, but that was the call they made.

Mikey Whipwreck noted that Tracy Smothers, who has been battling cancer for some time, is now hospitalized with heart related issues. Best of luck to Smothers. He was one of the real underrated wrestlers of the 90s. 

Kento Miyahara vs. Zeus in the finals of the All Japan Champion Carnival tournament takes place tomorrow morning from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Kaito Kiyomiya beat Go Shiozaki earlier today to advance to the finals of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N-1 tournament which takes place on 10/11 in Osaka. He will face Katsuhiko Nakajima, who beat Naomichi Marufuji to win the B block. The winner of the Carnival will then face Go Shiozaki for the Triple Crown title. 

WWE

  • With the Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots game airing tomorrow night on CBS along with ESPN’s Atlanta Falcon vs. Green Bay Packers game head-to-head, tomorrow will actually be even tougher competition for Raw than last week. There is also a New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball playoff game. There is no post-PPV bump. to rely on this week nor will anything short of Steve Austin, Undertaker, Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey be an effective hot shot after playing the big nostalgia card last week. 
  • WWE pulled Big Show from the Cauliflower Alley Club’s virtual convention on FITE TV to raise money for wrestlers in need to sell the injuries from Monday. Which is notable with Shawn Michaels on Wednesday of this past week not selling them nor pulled.  Mark Henry replaced him. 

UFC

  • Alejandro Perez tested positive for COVID ad he’s out of his fight wth Thomas Almeida that was scheduled for 10/10.  The UFC is looking for a new opponent for Almeida.
  • Muslim Salikhov has pulled out of his 10/17 fight with Claudio Silva.  No reason was given.  James Krause will now face Silva on that show. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • G-1 tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. on New Japan World from Takamatsu
    Gabriel Kidd  vs. Yuya Uemura
    Shingo Takagi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
    Jay White vs. Jeff Cobb
    Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki
    Tomohiro Ishii vs. Taichi
    Will Ospreay vs. Kota Ibushi
  • A really great look at modern candidates, the WON Hall of Fame, and how people don’t get credit for their work in smaller promotions  It also makes a case for where modern people should rank. 
  • This was not a big week for mainstream interest in combat sports given everything with the president, NBA playoffs, football in general and such. The only thing all week that trended was Holly Holm yesterday off the UFC show with 200,000 for the No. 4 position on the day.
  • Stardom ran its big PPV show in Japan yesterday in Yokohama:  AZM b Starlight Kid to keep the High Speed title, Mira Shirakawa b Hanan, Riho & Saya Iida b Sumire Natsu & Yuma Manase, Natsupoi (Natsumi Maki b Death Yama-San, Bea Priestley b Momo Watanabe to win the vacant SWA title, Saki Kashima & Natsuko Tora b Jungle Kyona & Konami meaning the Tokyo Cyber Squad must disband, Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani b Maika & Himeka to keep the Goddesses of Stardom tag titles, Giulia b Tam Nakano to keep the Wonder of Stardom title, Mayu Iwatani b Syuri to keep the World of Stardom title (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • CWE from Friday night in Winnipeg:  Shaun Martens b Cliff Corleone to keep the Grand championship, EZ Ryder b Mercury in a Tequila Sunrise match (both had to get wasted on tequila before the match started, which sounds perfectly responsible), Sammy Peppers b Scott Ripley, Bobby Schink b Chad Daniels, Roy Cheeks b Bryce Bentley, Mentallo b Danny Duggan, Johnny Malibu b Adam Knight, Mike Mission & Tyler James & Kevy Chevy b Dick Blood & Jude Dawkins & Adren Burton in a fan bring the weapons match, AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle b Bobby Collins & Rob Stardom in a no DQ match to win the CWE tag team titles.  Next show is 10/17 in Glastone, Manitoba.  CWE champion Vincent and jr. champion Jimmy Jacobs have both been stripped of their titles since they can’t get into the country due to COVID.  They will get title shots to win them back when the situation changes.  The CWE title will be decided in an eight-man tournament on 11/6 in Winnipeg.  An announcement will be made in the future regarding how the jr. title vacancy will be filled.
  • The UWN’s PPV show on Tuesday night has D’Angelo Dinero & Watts vs. Zicky Dice and a mystery partner, Bryan Idol vs Levi Shapiro and Caster Show vs. Chris Dickinson.’
  • Grant Zwarych is selling his collection of Stampede Wrestling programs from the 80s that include stuff with Owen Hart, Jushin Liger (as Keiichi Yamada), Bret Hart, Chris Benoit, Hiroshi Hase, Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, Bran Pillman, The Stomper, Toshiaki Kawada, Shinya Hashimoto and many others at [email protected]
  •  An interview with Marty Jannetty where he goes into detail on the alleged killing he says he was involved with.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: SmackDown’s Fox premiere

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: CMLL outbreak, Japan tournament schedule, Raw

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: September 21, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Stacked NJPW G-1, more

With a huge feature on the crazy story of the original Hollywood Blonds tag team with the death of Jerry Brown, we’ve got a double issue this week of the Observer up on the site right now. 

Our lead story looks at this year’s G-1 tournament looking at every card, the stories going into the card, the restrictions, the odds, and the new Will Ospreay, start time for every show, complete lineups, comments by Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley regarding this year’s new format. 

Also in this issue:

Update on WWE Clash of Champions, with the matches announced, updates on titles not yet announced with matches and keys to the show.

The situation with Matt Riddle and Samantha Tavel.

Daniel Cormier getting COVID and a new UFC product being pushed.

Changes at the USA Network, Sasha Banks with a major acting gig, Update on Jeff Hardy, details behind the Paul Heyman/Roman Reigns pairing, new contracts signed in WWE, wrestler teases gimmick change, Mandy Rose angle, law being talked about reglated to the Sonya Deville incident, Retribution update, this coming week’s WWE television, Randy Orton new business, Ivar injury update, Ronda Rousey update, Next NXT Takeover, weird TV moment, Sports & International ratings, Jimmy Jacobs talks WWE protocol and Vince McMahon, injury update, movie with WWE performers, market value of WWE and the most-watched shows on WWE Network.

This past week’s UFC show with the stories behind the show and match-by-match coverage.

New Japan’s last show this past week before G-1, held at Korakuen Hall, with the matches and angles and what is being pushed.

Our huge feature covers the life and career of Jerry Brown, who teamed with Buddy Roberts to form the Hollywood Blonds, one of the greatest heel tag team acts of all-time. This major feature looks at their beginnings, their heyday in Quebec and Florida, places they went, who they faced, as well as the other territories they went, championships they held, the second version of the Hollywood Blonds people don’t remember, the mentality of the act and some crazy Jerry Brown stories, with lots of comments from Bill Watts, who put the team together.

Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

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].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back with Wrestling Observer live tonight covering BTE, Raw, Japanese tournaments and talking Jack Brisco as well as taking e-mail questions for the show to [email protected].

Today would have been the 79th birthday of Jack Brisco, who passed away more than ten years ago. The front page has a huge story on his career.

There is a special Tuesday edition of Dynamite for one-hour before the two-hour live show in the normal time slot on Wednesday. The show will air after NBA coverage later at night with Brandi Rhodes vs. Anna Jay, Shawn Spears vs. Matt Sydal and Scorpio Sky vs. Benjamin Carter with Chris Jericho as announcer.

The CMLL 87th anniversary show takes place on Friday night and both women’s title contenders as voted by fans, Princesa Sugehit, who was to face Marcela for the CMLL women’s title, and Lluvia, set to face Metalica for the Mexican national women’s title, tested positive for COVID-19. There was an outbreak at Arena Mexico. There are lots of questions including Ultimo Guerrero, who is Lluvia’s boyfriend, who at this point is still listed for the show. The show is still happening and CMLL has announced that Lluvia and Sugehit will be getting title shots on Friday night shows when they can return.

G-1 returns on Wednesday morning on 5:30 a.m. from Sapporo:

  • Yuya Uemura vs. Gabriel Kidd
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi
  • Kazuchika Okada vs  Yujiro Takahashi
  • Minoru Suzuki vs Taichi
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Will Ospreay
  • Jay White vs. Kota Ibushi

We currently have polls going on for the first two G-1 shows from Osaka over the weekend with thumbs up, down, or middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]. We will also be doing polls for the Wednesday and Thursday shows this week. Kevin Kelly is recording English commentary and those will go up a few days later. The last three nights will have live English language commentary  

Results from today’s Champion Carnival show at Korakuen Hall:

  • A block – Jake Lee b Kuma Arashi
  • B block – Shotaro Ashino b Shuji Ishikawa
  • A block – Zeus b Suwama
  • B block – Kento Miyahara b Yuma Aoyagi

With Suwama as Triple Crown champion, Zeus may end up with a title shot. The Carnival tournament resumes on Saturday night.

The N-1 tournament starts at 5:30 a.m. Eastern from Korakuen Hall tomorrow morning with Kenou vs. Shuhei Taniguchi, Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Masa Kitamiya, Go Shiozaki vs. Kazushi Sakuraba and Naomichi Marufuji vs. Takashi Sugiura

WWE

  • Raw tonight has Keith Lee vs. Drew McIntyre; a match with Angel Garza & Andrade vs. Seth Rollins & Murphy vs. Dominik Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo for the shot at the Street Profits on Sunday’s Clash of Champions PPV, and Braun Strowman vs.Dabba Kato in Raw Underground. Mike Johnson reported the return of Tom Phillips after two weeks and that Jerry Lawler is there.  It would be no surprise to see Randy Orton get involved in the Lee vs. McIntyre match.
  • Tonight’s Monday night football game with the New Orleans Saints vs. Las Vegas Raiders will air on both ABC and ESPN. It will be interesting to see how the ratings end up and how this affects Raw doing its go-home show. Raw is not expected to do a good number tonight with the only wild card if Strowman vs. Kato has interest. 
  • WWE inked a new deal with iQlYI Sports, for streaming in China. The shows will air in both Mandarin and English and will be available starting 9/22 with Raw and Smackdown airing live.  The company will also start a subscription on-Demand service carrying the PPV shows.
  • The WWE Network is adding eight episodes of Velocity from May 25, 2002 to May 1, 2004.
  • Names announced for the NXT women’s Battle Royal for a title shot are Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, Xia Li, Shotzi Blackheart, Kacy Catanzaro, Aliyah and Kayden Carter.
  • NXT UK on Thursday has Kay Lee Ray vs. Piper Niven for the women’s title and Walter vs Saxon Huxley. The draw for the Heritage Cup tournament will also take place.
  • A story on Titus O’Neil.

UFC

  • Stevie Ray announced his retirement on Facebook. He beat Michael Johnson via decision in his last fight in October and signed a four-fight deal after, but his knees are in bad shape. He said at this stage of his life he’s not up for a year of rehab and major surgery.

AEW

  • Dark tomorrow night has
    Dark Order (Alan Angels & Preston Vance) vs. Ryzin & Xander Gold
    Ben Carter vs. Lee Johnson
    Will Hobbs vs. Serpentico
    Stu Grayson & Evil Uno vs. Fuego del Sol & Rembrandt Lewis
    Billy & Austin Gunn vs. Cruz & M’Badu
    Penta El Cero M & Rey Fenix vs. Maxx Stardom & Dontae Smiley
    Serena Deb vs. KiLynn King
    Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss vs. Kevin Blackwood & Daniel Garcia
    The Butcher & The Blade vs. Calvin Stewart & Puf
    Ricky Starks vs. Christopher Daniels
    Eddie Kingston vs Brian Pillman Jr.

MISCELLANEOUS 

  • The UWN PPV show tomorrow night has:
    Thunder Rosa vs. Priscilla Kelly for the NWA women’s title
    Eli Drake vs. Watts
    Danny Limelight vs. Kevin Martenson
    Friendship Farm vs. Real Money Brothers
  • Chris Dickinson will appear on the UWN PPV show a week from tomorrow and Serena Deeb faces Allysin Kay..  
  • CWE announced that due to the U.S./Canada border being closed as well as others not allowed in from foreign countries that their next tour will not have previously advertised Shane Douglas, Vincent, Jimmy Jacobs, Simon Marcellus Prime, The Mercenary, Koda Jacobs, Robin Lekime, Lory, Matt Taven or Silas Young. Shows in Alberta and Manitoba are limited to 100 fans but they are going to run.  However at this point with crowds much lower than break even being allowed in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Ontario, they can not host events in those provinces.  None allow crowds of more than 50 people.  It’s really notable with the size of crowds allowed in the U.S. and all our problems and how cases are so much lower in Canada yet the restrictions remain more stringent.
  • There is a BBC 3 documentary series called “Step Into the Ring” that will follow a group of aspiring wrestlers from Norwich in a reality show form, including one wrestler who has terrible vision, one with PTSD, one who is autistic and one who has Down’s Syndrome.
  • AAA has announced shows on 10/1, 10/29, 11/12 and 12/10 at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL. All shows will be limited to only 50 fans, masks are required and social distancing is required. Tickets will go on sale tonight at 8 p.m. Central time at http://aawpro.ticketleap.com Announced for 10/1 are Mance Warner, Hakim Zane (Rohit Raju), Karam, Matt Justice, Stephen Wolf, Hyan, Christi Jaynes, Gringo Loco, Steve Manders, Benjamin Carter and Travis Titan.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Goldberg wins WWE World Championship

CONTACT INFORMATION

Big Audio Nightmare: Virus scares in Japan, NOAH booking woes, more

Posted on by Adam Summers

This week’s Big Audio Nightmare is a solo affair as I guide you through a spate of COVID-19 scares in New Japan Pro Wrestling, STARDOM, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling and 2AW. I talk about what happened, what is canceled, what may be coming next, and what it could all mean for the Japanese wrestling scene.

After that, you and I go on a tour of Japan including NOAH’s terrible booking reaching a new level, great Joshi matches from Ice Ribbon’s Yokohama show, how King of DDT delivered the goods, Dragon Gate’s buzzworthy rookies vs. vets match, and a look at tournament season in NOAH, AJPW, and elsewhere.

Get all that and more on the Big Audio Nightmare with me, Adam Summers!

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Big Audio Nightmare: Everything is EVIL

Posted on by Adam Summers

Everything is EVIL!

This week’s Big Audio Nightmare is a solo affair as I am here with a complete analysis on NJPW’s extremely eventful weekend in Osaka, including EVIL turning on LIJ to join Bullet Club, where his in-ring performance this weekend stacks up with other recent champions, the presentation of NJPW overall on these two shows, and a preview of their next shows.

After that, it’s time for a tour of the Japanese scene including a very newsworthy AJPW show, a couple of great STARDOM matches, Dragon Gate’s return to Korakuen, and much more!

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Jun Akiyama moving to DDT for the rest of 2020

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jun Akiyama confirmed this morning that he will be moving to DDT, leaving All Japan Pro Wrestling for the time being.

Tokyo Sports reported that Akiyama would transfer from AJPW to DDT for the rest of the year. The report uses the word “rental” to describe the move. Akiyama will be considered a DDT talent, at least through the rest of the year. He wrote in a tweet that he felt it was time for AJPW to change, and that he would like to add his pro wrestling to the DDT roster.

DDT has since announced that a press conference between AJPW, DDT and Akiyama would be held on June 27.

Akiyama has already been wrestling for DDT for the last couple of months, appearing on their DDT TV Show cards that have been taking place during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Akiyama started his career with AJPW in 1992 and continued to wrestle there until 2000, when he joined Mitsuharu Misawa to form Pro Wrestling NOAH. He jumped back to AJPW in 2012 and has remained there ever since.

At one point, he had taken control of the promotion, becoming president in 2014. He stepped down from the position last July and the current president, Tsuyoki Fukuda, assumed the role on October 10.

AJPW reschedules Champion Carnival tournament for September

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The annual Champion Carnival tournament may still happen this year.

All Japan Pro Wrestling announced in a press conference this morning that they plan on running their annual Champion Carnival tournament in September. The tournament, which was originally supposed to run on April 6 through May 5, was canceled just days before the start of the tour. AJPW President Takeki Fukada hoped in a press conference announcing the cancelation that he hoped to run the tournament later this year.

Joel Redman, Lucas Steel and Davey Boy Smith Jr., who were all slated for the tournament, were removed from the tournament due to travel issues stemming from the spread of COVID-19. Fukada in today’s press conference said that foreigners would not be able to enter the tournament and it is likely that the tournament will be held with only Japanese wrestlers. Due to the evolving nature of the pandemic, the company did not announce a schedule.

The news comes as Japan has lifted its state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic in recent days, most notably in Tokyo. Most promotions will be able to hold events with no fans in attendance starting on June 19.

Japanese pro wrestling reps attend government coronavirus meeting

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Representatives from seven Japanese promotions joined together today to take part in a government meeting regarding how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the professional wrestling industry in Japan.

The meeting included representatives from NJPW, Stardom, AJPW, DDT, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, and World Women’s Wrestling Diana. They met with Hiroshi Hase, the former pro wrestling star who now serves as Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.

Here’s the list of those who attended the meeting:

  • Hiroshi Hase (lower house minister, Liberal Democratic Party)
  • Sports Board, Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry Representative (unnamed)
  • Takaaki Kidani (Company director, Bushiroad Group)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
  • Naoki Sugabayashi (Chairman, New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
  • Suwama (All Japan Pro-Wrestling)
  • Takenori Fukuda (Representative Director, All Japan Pro-Wrestling)
  • HARASHIMA (DDT Pro-Wrestling)
  • Akira Takahashi (Operating Executive, DDT Pro-Wrestling)
  • Naomichi Marufuji (Executive Vice President, NOAH Global Entertainment)
  • Masashi Ishiguro (Head of Public Relations, NOAH Global Entertainment)
  • Mayu Iwatani (STARDOM)
  • Katsuhiko Harada (Representative Director, Bushiroad Fight)  
  • Yuka Sakazaki (Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling)
  • Tetsuya Kouda (Representative, Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling)
  • Kyoko Inoue (World Women’s Wrestling Diana)
  • Taishi Fuwa (World Women’s Wrestling Diana)

NJPW wrote that the representatives met with Hase “with the goal of presenting a request for coronavirus testing kits for wrestlers and staff in the industry, as well as support to cover pay for wrestlers as events have canceled under Japan’s current state of emergency in reaction to the virus.” The formal proposal is available below:

The current Novel Coronavirus pandemic has seriously affected the entire professional wrestling industry, including but not limited to Bushiroad Group members New Japan Pro-Wrestling and STARDOM. 

Professional wrestling is a contact sport, and even matches without the public present is a dangerous undertaking in the current climate. We can not allow the flame of professional wrestling that has burned brightly in this country for over half a century to be exterminated. 

Therefore, we hereby make the following requests:

1. Testing kits

While we understand that top priority for medical supplies must go to those in centers on the front lines of battling this disease, if at all possible, we request that kits may be supplied to test and protect wrestlers and staff within the industry.

2.Compensation for contracted wrestlers

Not only the wrestlers under contract in our group of companies, but those in the industry at large are designated as contractors whose livelihood is therefore threatened by not being able to perform in the current climate. We ask that contracted wrestlers be met with benefits and protections befitting of full time employees.

“This formal proposal has my name signed at the bottom, but the issues covered are ones that affect the entire professional wrestling industry as well as all of sports and live entertainment,” Kidani said. “I hope that it will be accepted as such.”

NJPW’s article about the meeting said that Hase received the proposal before seeking the opinion of the wrestlers who were there. Hiroshi Tanahashi said:

While events have been canceled, our wrestlers have been training diligently and maintaining their focus for an eventual return. Yes, not being able to wrestle does make a lot of us concerned for our livelihoods, but in the world of sports, be that baseball, soccer, or sumo, I feel that professional wrestling should be the anchor. I think it should be acceptable for professional wrestling to be the last sport to return to full activity. I want people to know that when professional wrestling is back, then and only then it means truly that Japanese entertainment has properly recovered.

Mayu Iwatani said:

On a personal note, on February 19, I was scheduled to have a birthday party event, which was canceled. On March 8, we streamed a live event with no fans in Korakuen Hall, but since then there have been cancellations after cancellations. We list our occupations as professional wrestlers, but to not have matches is, of course, incredibly frustrating. If we have access to testing kits for wrestlers and staff, it can put minds at ease and help us return to active duty. Rather than sitting and waiting for an unclear point in the future, to be able to take some kind of action like we’re doing today is something I’m extremely grateful for. I hope this can help the entire industry come back strong.

The sports board representative spoke about precautions sports have taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and about a fundraising system where ticket refunds can be given back to organizations as a tax deductible donation. Hase was also quoted as saying:

Thank you to the representatives of the professional wrestling industry for sharing their plight, as well as for the explanations from official bodies today. There are measures we can enact to assist enterprises, promotions and wrestlers during these times, and I would like to continue to discuss them further. This situation will not last forever. Speedy and accurate testing, effective treatment and medicinal development are all things the whole world is working together on. Professional wrestling has a huge and very important role in raising the flag of victory over COVID-19. I ask all staff members and all wrestlers to keep working to be in the best shape possible to spread joy to the fans with incredible matches very soon.

Big Audio Nightmare: How the Japanese state of emergency affected wrestling

Posted on by Adam Summers

In this week’s solo Big Audio Nightmare, I take you through the latest wrestling news in Japan including the state of emergency declaration and how it is affecting wrestling companies throughout the country.

From an in-ring perspective, I look at a shockingly great tag team match from one of the last shows to happen in front of a Japanese crowd, All Japan’s 60 minute empty arena match of the year candidate, NOAH’s ongoing Global Tag League, and more.

Then, we wrap things up with a look way back to the late 70s and early 80s appearances of Ric Flair in AJPW.

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AJPW cancels Champion Carnival tournament

Posted on by Bryan Rose

All Japan Pro Wrestling’s Champion Carnival tournament will not go on as scheduled.

It was announced today that the tournament will not be taking place in April due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It was scheduled to start on April 6 at Korakuen Hall, with the finals taking place on May 5 at the same arena.

The president of AJPW, Tsuyoki Fukuda, said in the press conference announcing the cancellation that he will “make every possible effort” to run the tournament this year.

Before the cancellation, a number of changes were already being made due to the fast moving nature of the pandemic. Davey Boy Smith Jr., Lucas Steel, and Joel Redman were all previously announced for the tournament. However, they were pulled following travel restrictions imposed by the Japanese government.

The Champion Carnival tournament has been held every year since 1991, with the tournament originally starting in 1973. Kento Miyahara won last year’s tournament, defeating Jake Lee in the finals.

Big Audio Nightmare: Miyahara-Suwama, COVID-19’s continued impact

Posted on by Adam Summers

The Big Audio Nightmare is back this week with continuing coverage of COVID-19’s impact on the world of professional wrestling in Japan and on all of our lives in general.

In this week’s full show, Adam Summers and Mike Sempervive take you through the latest wrestling news in Japan like what shows are happening, what shows have been canceled, and what may lie ahead.

The guys also take a look at the very noteworthy AJPW and STARDOM shows at Korakuen Hall, while tentatively looking forward this weekend’s empty arena Pro Wrestling NOAH show and much more.

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October 7, 2002 Observer Newsletter: Keiji Muto becomes AJPW President, more

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

There is more than just symbolism in the departure of Motoko Baba from the official hierarchy of All Japan Pro Wrestling, as was made official at the company’s 30th Anniversary Party on 9/30 in Tokyo.

It marks the end of the Giant Baba era of All Japan and the beginning of the company’s foray into what some would call the modern entertainment world.

More so than the party, that was evident later that night when the company’s new television show, called W-1 (Wrestle-1), aired. The show was patterned after a television K-1 hype show, airing at 1:40 a.m. on the Fuji network. As mentioned here last week, those expecting a weekly pro wrestling show with matches saw something different. Instead, it was new company President Keiji Muto with K-1 President Kazuyoshi Ishii in a discussion about modernizing the company.

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