Impact Wrestling’s Alex Shelley injured following Bound For Glory

Alex Shelley, one half of the now-former Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions, was apparently injured on a piledriver spot at Impact Wrestling’s Bound For Glory Saturday.

Before the match started, Josh Alexander of The North gave Shelley a piledriver on the entrance ramp. He never made it into the four-way match, leaving partner Chris Sabin to go at it alone. The North eventually won the titles without pinning Sabin.

It wasn’t clear whether the spot was part of the story of the match or if Shelley was injured going into BFG and the move was a way to take him out of it. Black Label Pro announced Sunday morning that Shelley was injured and wouldn’t be appearing on their Sunday show as planned.

Shelley took to Twitter Sunday afternoon to explain what was happening:

It’s expected that Impact will give an update on Tuesday’s TV show on when Shelley might be expected to return and what might be next for Sabin.

Impact video highlights: Motor City Machine Guns win Tag Team titles

After returning at Slammiversary, the Motor City Machine Guns became Tag Team Champions on last night’s episode of Impact.

Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin defeated The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) to win the Impact Tag Team titles, ending The North’s year-plus long reign as champions. This is the second time that the Motor City Machine Guns have been Tag Team Champions in Impact Wrestling/TNA. Their first reign with the titles began in 2010.

The fallout from Slammiversary also included the return of EC3, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson’s Impact TV arrival, Eddie Edwards’ first appearance as new Impact World Champion, and an X-Division title rematch between Chris Bey and Willie Mack.

More coverage from last night —

Impact Wrestling video highlights —

A warning from EC3 kicks off the show, new opening sequence premieres

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8aQ0psLIPM

Chris Bey vs. Willie Mack for the X-Division Championship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMGg2IlXrIM

Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson arrive on Impact TV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcq0NMSeCE

Tasha Steelz & Kiera Hogan vs. Jessicka Havok & Nevaeh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LkqF8umTVI

Rhino vs. Hernandez with money on the line

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GwN5RdctZk

Eric Young interrupts new Impact World Champion Eddie Edwards

Moose vs. Fallah Bahh for the TNA title, EC3 returns

Wrestle House premieres next week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOv1zPFbLps

The North vs. Motor City Machine Guns for the Impact Tag Team titles

Motor City Machine Guns appear at Impact Slammiversary

The Motor City Machine Guns reformed tonight at Slammiversary, making their Impact return.

Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley answered The Rascalz open challenge that had been built over the course of the last several weeks on Impact. The two teams had a back and forth match, with the MCMG picking up the win with a double team maneuver.

The match was the first for Sabin since January 2019, when he was sidelined with a torn ACL while working for Ring of Honor.

Sabin and Shelley have not teamed together since 2018, when they faced The Young Bucks and Roppongi 3K in a three way match at ROH/NJPW War of the Worlds 2018. They started as a team back in 2006 for Zero1-Max,  but soon started teaming together in Impact, where they are former Tag Team champions.

Tonight’s Slammiversary event has been hyped with promises of appearances from former Impact stars. Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson have been announced for the show, as well as a “former world champion”.

Two matches announced for ROH Past vs. Present

ROH has made a pair of match announcements for their Past vs. Present event.

Members of Generation Next and Villain Enterprises are set to face off at Past vs. Present, with Alex Shelley & Matt Sydal teaming against Marty Scurll & Flip Gordon.

Shelley and Sydal weren’t in Generation Next at the same time. Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, and Jack Evans were the other members of the group.

Homicide will also take on Brody King of Villain Enterprises in a singles match at Past vs. Present.

Doug Williams, Allison Danger, Necro Butcher, Delirious, and Grizzly Redwood are other names advertised for Past vs. Present. ROH posted a video on Sunday where Jay Lethal issued a challenge to Xavier for the show. Xavier was the second-ever World Champion in ROH history.

Past vs. Present is taking place at Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, March 14. It’s part of ROH’s 18th Anniversary weekend. Sam’s Town Live is also hosting the promotion’s 18th Anniversary pay-per-view on March 13, and tickets for both shows went on sale to the general public today.

GCW adds Alex Shelley to Spring Break, DBS Jr. to Bloodsport

Game Changer Wrestling has made a couple of talent announcements for WrestleMania week.

It was announced yesterday that Alex Shelley will be in action at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 4 on Friday, April 3. This will be the first time that Shelley has wrestled at a Spring Break show or for GCW.

Shelley & Kushida teamed up in NXT’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and lost to The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) in the first round last Wednesday. WWE uploaded a video after the show where Shelley & Kushida discussed reuniting, thanked the fans, and — despite their loss — put the NXT tag team division on notice.

The Great Muta and Will Ospreay have also been confirmed for Joey Janela’s Spring Break 4.

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III is being held on Thursday, April 2. It was announced yesterday that Davey Boy Smith Jr. will be wrestling at Bloodsport.

Smith Jr. has wrestled at both of Barnett’s previous Bloodsport shows, defeating Killer Kross and Tom Lawlor.

Barnett vs. Jon Moxley is set for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III, and Jeff Cobb has been confirmed for the show as well. The event features hybrid MMA/pro wrestling-style matches that have no ropes and can only be won by knockout or submission.

Spring Break and Bloodsport are both taking place at The Cuban Club in Tampa, Florida.

WWE NXT live results: Alex Shelley & Kushida team up

Preview by Joseph Currier

The first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic concludes on tonight’s episode of NXT.

Alex Shelley will make his NXT television debut as he reunites with Kushida to take on The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) in a tournament match. Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne vs. Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster is also set.

Undisputed Era’s Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish will face either Shelley & Kushida or The Grizzled Young Veterans in the semifinals, while Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner will face either Riddle & Dunne or Andrews & Webster.

Two matches with title shot implications have been announced for tonight. There will be a battle royal to determine who will challenge Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: Portland. Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green, Dakota Kai, Vanessa Borne, Kayden Carter, Mia Yim, Santana Garrett, Io Shirai, Shotzi Blackheart, Xia Li, and Mercedes Martinez are advertised for the battle royal.

Angel Garza will defend his NXT Cruiserweight Championship in a fatal four-way match at Worlds Collide. Two of his challengers will be from NXT UK, while the other one will be decided by a triple threat match between Lio Rush, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, and Tyler Breeze on tonight’s show.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show from Full Sail opened with Keith Lee coming to the ring for a promo. Lee next week challenges Roderick Strong for the NXT North American Championship. A vocal majority of the live crowd chanted for Lee as he talked about his upcomimg title shot, and he addressed Undisputed Era. They might hold all the titles, but they have peaked — whereas Lee said he was “limitless”. This was really good promo.

When Lee vowed to win the title next week, Undisputed Era interrupted the promo. Adam Cole snarled at Lee on the microphone while flanked by Strong, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish. The heel faction jumped Lee. He fought back and cleaned house at first, but he was greatly outnumbered as the heels closed in like wolves on their prey. 

Strong hit him with a chair and Pillmanized Lee’s ankle in the chair. Tommaso Ciampa ran down to make a save. He fought off Unidsputed Era, and they soon fled the scene like frightened coyotes.

Finn Balor vs. Johnny Gargano was announced as official for NXT TakeOver: Portland.

Tegan Nox was being interviewed outside the building when Candice LeRae ran up to her for a hug. Meanwhile, Io Shirai and Mia Yim were psyching themselves up ahead of the women’s battle royal later on.

Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne defeated Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews to advance in the Dusty Classic

Riddle pinned Andrews in the conclusion of an exciting match. 

The match was just beginning when the show cut to commercial. Dunne & Riddle worked over Webster during much of the break. Webster was taking a beating when the show returned from commercial. Webster still managed to escape their clutches, and he tagged out.

Andrews ran wild off a hot tag. Dunne & Riddle bumped and fed. Webster & Andrews did stereo flip dives over the ropes to the floor. More tandem offense got them a near fall.

Webster went for a springboard, and Dunne decked him in mid-air with a punch. Dunne witha flurry on Andrews before tagging Riddle.

Setting uo tandem moves of their own, Dunne with a release suplex on Andrews. Riddle then caught Andrews in the air for a powerbomb. Riddle then hit a knee strike while Dunne also hit Andrew with a kick at the same time. Webster jumped in to break up a pinning attempt.

Riddle & Dunne maintained their aggression until Andrews executed a Northern Lights out of nowhere. He followed with a double stomp on Dunne as the show cut to commercial. No in-set this time.

The show returned from break with a hot tag to Webster. He leapt into a moonsault, hit a shotgum dropkick, springboarded into another dropkick, and then he jumped off the top turnbuckle with a somersault senton to the floor.

Riddle cut off Andrews and had him in an electric chair when Webster hit Riddle with a kick — and Andrews executed a poison rana. After a near fall on Riddle, the fans clapped along to a “tag team wrestling” chant.

Andrews delivered a tornado DDT to Dunne on the floor. Webster went for a splash, but ate a spear from Riddle instead. Andrews ate another spear, but he was able to small package Riddle for a two count.

Dunne tagged in to help deliver a double-team strike on Webster for a close near fall. Webster also caught Riddle in a cradle, but Dunne was able to bump Andrews into the referee to break the count. 

Andrews countered an X-plex into stunner. Things were looking good for his team until Riddle caught Webster on a tope. Riddle then delivered a Gotch Driver on the floor. Andrews went for a shooting star press in the ring, but Dunne clocked him with a right hand.

Dunne with a pump handle suplex that set up a knee strike by Riddle. After that combo, Riddle covered Andrews for the pinfall. 

Highlights from TakeOver: Blackpool II showed Undisputed Era attacking WALTER. Cole and his faction meet Imperium in a eight-man tag match at Worlds Collide.

Tommaso Ciampa sauntered to the ring for a promo. Ciampa said it was clear that Undisputed Era has a hit list. So does Ciampa, and Cole is at the top of that list. Ciampa wants Goldie back. He wants his life back! 

Undisputed Era hit the ring for a gang attack on Ciampa. They were beating him down when Johnny Gargano ran down to make a save. Gargano cleared the ring and cleaned house. Ciampa also struck with a Widows Bell to help clean up. The crowd chanted “DIY” as the former tag team partners seemingly had reunited — at least for a fleeting moment.

Up next is another reunion as THE TIME SPLITTERS ARE BACK!

Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) defeated Kushida & Alex Shelley to advance in the Dusty Classic

Drake pinned Shelley after the Ticket to Mayhem. Great win for the Grizzled Young Veterans. The announcers never referrred to Kushida & Shelley as “Time Splitters”, but they did talk about their history as a team. 

Shelley got to shine at the outset of the match, and then him and Kushida did stereo dives to the outside. The Grizzled Young Veterans fired up on their opponents with a RVD/Saby spot as the show cut to commercial. 

The show returned with heat on Shelley, and then Kushida launched into the ring after a hot tag. He connected with a handspring back elbow and a windup punch. He briefly caught Drake in an armbar. Double team tactics cut off Kushida. He kicked out for a two count, and then he fought off Grizzled Young Veterans. Shelley tagged in to begin a display of Time Splitter greatness.

Kushida & Shelley with combos, inlcuding a few signature ones. Kushida was perched on the top turnbuckle when Gibson shoved him to the floor. Shelley was then outnumbered as he fell victim to Gibson & Drake. Shelley went for sliced bread #2, but was countered. He took the Ticket to Mayhem, and Drake covered him for the pinfall. 

Kushida & Shelley offered handshakes after the match, but Gibson & Drake heeled on them. Gibson then cut a promo saying they are the future, and he vowed they will win the Dusty Classic.

In a pre-tape skit, Robert Stone said he pulled Chelsea Green from the battle royal tonight. She is the hottest star, and apparently too big of a star for the battle royal. Stone and Green got in a car and drove away.

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated Tyler Breeze and Lio Rush in a triple threat match

Swerve pinned Breeze to earn a spot in the fatal four way match for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship at Worlds Collide. The Cruiserweight Champion — Angel Garza — was doing guest commentary.

This was as wild and hectic as you would expect with a triple threat these days with these guys. The match was good, but it was hard to keep track of with the parade of highspots.

In the closing moments, Rush fired up on Swerve and Breeze. Rush with the Final Hour (frogsplash) on Breeze, and then the Come Up (springboard cutter) on Swerve. 

Breeze tried to steal a pin, but Swerve cut him off to deliver a package dirver for the pinfall.

Cathy Kelley was oustide the building interviewing Gargano when Ciampa approached him. They talked about teaming for “old time sake”. Undisputed Era entered the scene to confront DIY as sceurity held back the faction.

Keith Lee ran in out of nowhere to spear a security guard through some bushes. Lee then hurled another security guard onto the hood of a car. He was screaming about Strong as security tried to restrain him. He threw another guy over a table. Lee screamed threats at Strong ahead of their title match next week.

Bianca Belair won a number one contender’s battle royal

Notable returns in the this match included Kacy Catanzaro and Tegan Nox both back in action. Mercedes Martinez also returned to NXT in this match — but this time she is officially part of the NXT roster after signing with WWE. Martinez more than deserves the opportunity.

The former NXT Women’s champion — Shayna Baszler –was the final surprise entrant as she returned to Full Sail for the first time since dropping the title. 

Other entrants included Bianca Belair, Mia Yim, Io Shirai, Santana Garrett, Xia Li, Vanessa Borne, Kayden Carter, Shotzi Blackheart, Catalina, Jessi Kamae and MJ Jenkins.

The match itself was like almost every battle royal you have seen before. They did some good highspots before the show cut to commercial. After the break the field had dwindled down somewhat. The eliminations started to come more quickly from this point forward. 

Martinez did some spots with Baszler in the final minutes. Baszler eliminated Martinez from the match. Hopefully that leads to a match bewteen the two soon. Fingers crossed that happens.

The final four were Baszler, Belair, Nox and Shirai…or at least that was what we were supposed to think.

Nox fired up in the closing moments as she ran wild. Nox was climbing the turnbuckles when her nemesis Dakota Kai ran in to trip her up. Nox fell the floor and was eliminated. 

Shirai found herself trapped on the apron in a Kirifuda Clutch applied by Baszler. Blackheart suddenly rolled back into the ring to throw out Baszler. Blackheart had apparently never been eliminated. She was gloating and was then eliminated by Belair.

Shirai and Belair were left as the final two. Shirau struck with a Tiger Feint Kick, but Belair countered a moment later with a fallaway slam.

They were fighting on the top turnbuckle while they teased falling out of the ring. They also fought on the apron, and fought back in the ring.

After several exchanges, Belair had Shirai in a torture rack when she threw Shirai over the top rope to win the match. Shirai took a helluva bump on the floor, and Belair was declared the winner.

Belair is now the number one contender in the NXT women’s division. She challenges for the title at Worlds Collide. 

Daily Update: Triple H/Paige, Impact, WWE notes

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE’s top 10 matches of 2019 Joseph Currier ranks his 10 favorite WWE matches of the year.

Looking back at the year WWE has had, you get a better sense of how much talent is in the company.

Main roster television and storylines have their problems, but narrowing the list of my favorite WWE matches of the year down to 10 was still incredibly difficult. The company produces so much product and has so many great wrestlers spread across Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and NXT UK. NXT was the standout in what was a transformative year as it moved to airing live on the USA Network, but all four brands were still represented on my list.

Here are my picks for WWE’s 10 best matches of 2019:

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

WON NEWSLETTER: January 13, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Death of Pampero Firpo, Wrestle Kingdom 14 review

With coverage of WrestleKingdom, pro wrestling in Japan and the death of Pampero Firpo, we’ve got another double issue of the Observer this week.

Our lead story looks at the legacy of Pampero Firpo, one of the top stars of the 60s and 70s. We look at his character, the Randy Savage connection, the start of his career in Argentina, how he got started in the U.S. and was a star in week one, his forgotten world title win, the story behind his getting the Pampero Firpo name and the legendary boxing match it came from, his first run with Vince McMahon Sr. in 1960, his second run in 1972, the angle that turned him babyface in Detroit, and his life after wrestling working at the post office.

The issue also covers: 

The wrestling scene in Japan, wrestling around the city, the wrestling stores, the advertising, the business from the Tokyo Dome, doing two WrestleMania in two days, why it worked for New Japan and why such a great first show ended up as a handicap.  We look at what got over the biggest, probably why main roster PPVs struggle the day after blow away NXT shows, as well as tickets sold outside of Japan for he two shows and growth of the overseas audience.

New Japan’s expansion into the U.S., original booking plans for 2019, how Jericho and Tanahashi were able to do an angle involving the AEW belt, the political issues between AEW and NJPW, New Japan’s 2020 schedule, and the future of the junior heavyweights.

A pension fund suing WWE and why, with the story behind it as well as the launch of the XFL and its new rules, we’ve got DVR numbers for AEW & NXT, a wrestler who may be leaving WWE and contract status, crazy stuff  some in WWE have been brainwashed on, lots of new lineups in WWE, Punk vs. Miz, Lesnar gets honored by University of Minnesota, new WWE signing, WWE awards, Ryback’s latest issues with WWE, Canadian ratings for all the top U.S. shows, WWE and Russian television plus a rundown of the holiday season house shows.

Complete rundowns of both Dome shows, with match-by-match coverage, poll results and star ratings.

Upcoming major New Japan events.

WWE’s traditional biggest house show of the year, the holiday event in Madison Square Garden.

Compiled lists of the wrestlers with the most great matches from the past year, the past decade and over the course of a career. 

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker. 

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the 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.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

by Joseph Currier and Bryan Rose

WWE

  • Xavier Woods and Ember Moon will be part of the panel for tonight’s episode of WWE Backstage. The Usos are appearing on the show and Freddie Prinze Jr. will be the guest for the Promo School segment.
  • Triple H faced backlash yesterday after making a joke directed at Paige. When answering a question about her or Edge making a possible return to the ring, Triple H replied that he hoped they would be able to be cleared to return, saying “Edge has kids. Paige, she probably has some she doesn’t know of”. Paige wasn’t happy with the line, writing on Twitter, “Even my boss jokes about me.. no wonder you guys still do it too.”
  • John Cena is scheduled to be on the Late Late Show with James Corden on Thursday.
  • SoCal Uncensored reached out to the Department of the Navy to verify if Robert Remus, aka Sgt. Slaughter, had ever served in the Marine Corps or the Marine Corps Reserve. They got a letter back from the Navy, which said they were unable to identify Remus as a member or former member of the Marines.
  • Triple H spoke to Metro and was open to more appearances from Tyson Fury in the future.
  • Nikki & Brie Bella appeared on the latest episode of Kevin Hart’s Cold As Balls web series.
  • Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson is scheduled to try out for the XFL as a kicker on Monday.
  • WWE has filed trademarks for Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman, The Usos, Kayden Carter, AOP, Lio Rush, Mojo Rawley, Kane, and Bobby Lashley.
  • WWE uploaded a video with Nigel McGuinness, Kassius Ohno, Roderick Strong, Johnny Gargano, Jeremy Borash, and Cesaro reacting to Alex Shelley teaming with Kushida in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Other Wrestling

MMA

  • Ryan Bader on Instagram noted he is looking to fight and defend the Bellator Light Heavyweight title in April.
  • Here are the first two episodes of UFC 246 Embedded.
  • Donald Cerrone talked to ESPN about his upcoming fight against Conor McGregor.
  • Anthony Pettis told Ariel Helwani that he is looking to sue USADA as he cut his thumb on one of their bottles during a drug test shortly before his fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 241. He said that the cut was so deep that it had to be glued together.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Christian wins NWA World title

CONTACT INFORMATION

Alex Shelley teams with Kushida at NXT house show

Image: NXT

The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic won’t be the first time Alex Shelley has wrestled for NXT.

Ahead of taking part in the tournament, Shelley made his NXT debut at the brand’s house show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania tonight. Shelley & Kushida defeated The Forgotten Sons in the opening match of the event.

Shelley & Kushida won the match with their neckbreaker/moonsault combo finishing move.

It was announced on this week’s NXT that Shelley & Kushida will reunite in the Dusty Classic. They previously held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles twice as the Time Splitters in NJPW.

Kushida & Shelley will face The Grizzled Young Veterans in the first round of the Dusty Classic on NXT this coming Wednesday. A first round match between Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne and Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster is also set for the show.

The tournament began with Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish defeating Gallus and Imperium defeating The Forgotten Sons on NXT this week. 

O’Reilly & Fish will face either Kushida & Shelley or The Grizzled Young Veterans in the semifinals. Imperium will face either Riddle & Dunne or Andrews & Webster.

NXT will be at Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio for a house show tomorrow and Buffalo RiverWorks in Buffalo, New York for a house show on Sunday.

Dusty Classic matches, battle royal for Women’s title shot set for NXT

A battle royal will decide Rhea Ripley’s challenger for NXT TakeOver: Portland.

WWE has announced that a number one contender’s battle royal will take place on NXT next Wednesday, with the winner going on to challenge Ripley for the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: Portland. The Moda Center in Portland, Oregon is hosting the TakeOver special on Sunday, February 16.

Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green, Dakota Kai, Vanessa Borne, Kayden Carter, Mia Yim, Santana Garrett, Io Shirai, Shotzi Blackheart, and Xia Li have been confirmed for the battle royal.

After Yim defeated Carter on tonight’s NXT, Green appeared and knocked both down. Robert Stone (formerly known as Robbie E in Impact Wrestling) then announced Green as part of the Robert Stone Brand.

Ripley became the NXT Women’s Champion by defeating Shayna Baszler for the title three weeks ago.

Ripley kicked off tonight’s NXT and was interrupted by Toni Storm, who challenged Ripley for Worlds Collide on January 25. The segment led to NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray, Shirai, Belair, and LeRae all coming down to the ring. Ripley, Storm & LeRae then defeated Belair, Shirai & KLR after dissension between Belair and Shirai.

The first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will also conclude on next week’s NXT. Kushida & Alex Shelley will face The Grizzled Young Veterans, and Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne will take on Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster.

NXT Tag Team Champions The Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish) defeated NXT UK Tag Team Champions Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang) and Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) defeated The Forgotten Sons (Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler) in Dusty Classic first round matches tonight. 

O’Reilly & Fish will face either Kushida & Shelley or Gibson & Drake in the semifinals. Barthel & Aichner will face either Riddle & Dunne or Andrews & Webster. 

Kushida teaming with Alex Shelley in NXT’s Dusty Classic

The Time Splitters are reuniting in NXT’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

It was announced during tonight’s NXT that Kushida will be teaming with Alex Shelley in the tournament. When the list of teams was originally announced, Kushida was listed with a mystery partner.

Kushida & Shelley will face The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) in the first round of the Dusty Classic next week. Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne vs. Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster will also take place next Wednesday, with those matches completing the opening round.

The tournament began with The Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish) defeating Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang) and Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) defeating The Forgotten Sons (Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler) on NXT tonight.

O’Reilly & Fish will face either Kushida & Shelley or The Grizzled Young Veterans in the semifinals. Imperium will face either Riddle & Dunne or Andrews & Webster. 

Next week will be the first time Shelley has wrestled for NXT. He did a stint guest coaching at the Performance Center in October 2019.

Kushida & Shelley held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles twice in NJPW.

ROH Mass Hysteria results: Alex Shelley returns

ROH was at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts on Sunday night for their Mass Hysteria broadcast streamed live on HonorClub. Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana, and Caprice Coleman were the announce team for the night. The balcony was almost entirely empty in the establishing shot at the top of the show. 

Riccaboni announced that both Flip Gordon and Brody King were injured and were not allowed to compete tonight. The main event instead would be The Kingdom vs. Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham and the returning Alex Shelley.

ROH Tag Team Champions The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe) defeated The Bouncers (Brawler Milonas & Beer City Bruiser) to retain their titles

No handshake beforehand. Where’s the honor anymore? The Bouncers shoved The Briscoes and said they wanted “a fight.” They were on the floor within seconds. Bruiser did a running somersault senton onto Jay Briscoe, then ran off a different side of the apron and blockbustered Milonas. Mark did a chair-assisted tope after that, similar to how Sabu does his dives.

Milonas did a big swinging Bossman slam that livened up the crowd. Milonas is from New England, so I imagine he had a good pocket of fans there supporting him. He followed up with a stinkface.

Beer City Bruiser did a running hip attack but completely missed Jay in the bottom turnbuckle. The camera caught all of Bruiser’s behind hitting the second turnbuckle and none of Jay. Later, Bruiser did the biting spot he does in every match and screamed “I ain’t got no teeth!” at the ref. I don’t think many in the crowd got it.

I don’t know what happened midway through but Milonas put Jay Briscoe in a bear hug and then fell forward and dropped him. I guess it was a spinebuster, but it looked awful. Milonas then crushed Jay with an Earthquake splash that didn’t look fun for Jay at all. Jesus. Colt Cabana sounded floored. 

Mark Briscoe hit a Froggy Bow a few minutes later and that was that. The Briscoes were solid but the match itself not so much. They all drank beer in the ring afterwards. 

– The lights went out and the Guerrillas of Destiny’s music started playing. Guerrillas of Destiny came out and ambushed The Briscoes from behind with the IWGP Tag Team belts. Both Briscoes were bleeding from this and Tama Tonga called Jay “Chicken Little.” He was particularly great here. Riccaboni teased a rematch on commentary.

Christian Casanova defeated Jimmy Preston (w/ Jared Silberkleit)

This was pretty good. ROH is preparing for their Top Prospect Tournament and showcased these two.

These were two local wrestlers from Beyond Wrestling and other New England promotions. Silberkleit was “Human Thrill Ride” Jimmy Preston’s manager and he screamed a lot. He did the “I’m rich and you’re poor” gimmick and said Preston was a seven-figure superstar. Preston called himself a “meat missile.” Part of the crowd knew his catchphrases. 

Casanova was impressive and did some innovative flying moves, like a backwards springboard leg drop at one point and some interesting capoeira-esque kicks. Preston took the second part of this match and looked solid. He’s very athletic and all of his strikes and power spots looked crisp. 

When Casanova did La Mistica, Riccaboni and Coleman started singing “Dirty Diana” by Michael Jackson. So I guess Casanova’s version of the move is called that. He flew halfway across the ring with a flying guillotine leg drop. Silberkleit tried to interfere, but he didn’t make it through the ropes in time. Casanova got the win. 

Silas Young defeated PJ Black

Black did some really impressive moves in this, but I couldn’t pick up much story. Young made fun of people at ringside and kept referring to himself as a technical wrestler. Black did a springboard 450 and landed on his feet. Young later used Misery (a TKO) to win the match and end Black’s mini-win streak from last month.

Tasha Steelz defeated Karissa Rivera and Angelina Love (w/ Velvet Sky) in a three-way match to retain her Women of Honor title shot

Satisfactory match with paint-by-numbers booking. This felt like ROH was cramming as much Women of Honor content into 10–15 minutes as possible. 

Women of Honor World Champion Kelly Klein was on commentary for this match. Before the bell, Velvet Sky told ring announcer Bobby Cruise that he sucked and to get out of the ring, then said “Go Yankees!” like Bully Ray usually does. The crowd started shouting “What?” after everything she said.

Love got on the mic and said Steelz stole the number one contender’s match in Philadelphia. Love insisted on Steelz putting her title shot on the line in this match and Steelz agreed and even called her a “puta.” I guess that also meant that Rivera got an opportunity at the spot. 

Rivera took out both wrestlers when they were jaw-jacking. Riccaboni mentioned that her father was actually an ex-WWWF wrestler in the 70s. Love later did a jumping flatliner then locked in a Koji Clutch, but seconds later she was up doing a springboard bulldog to Rivera.

They all did a Tower of Doom at one point that got zero reaction. After Love landed a Botox Injection kick on Rivera, Steelz threw Love out of the ring and did a cutter to win the match.

Velvet Sky came into the ring and sprayed Steelz and Rivera with perfume and Love kicked them. Klein came out and chased The Allure. Klein gave Steelz a hard handshake until the lights went out again and Maria Manic came out. Coleman kept singing “Maneater” by Hall & Oates.

Manic took out Rivera until Sumie Sakai tried to save her, but Manic took her out too, then Manic laid out some male staff members. The crowd liked her. 

Kenny King defeated Dragon Lee

Decent match with a really weak finish. King stalled early on and said “Yo soy el luchador” into the camera. Lee did the Tranquilo pose. They traded really hard chops. Things heated up when the action spilled to the floor and King threw Lee over the barricade into the crowd and Lee crash landed into the front row.

King asked if the fan was okay and he no-sold it. Not sure if that was the intent of the spot but it looked cool, and if no one got hurt then all the better. 

The crowd was quiet until Dragon Lee started flying to the floor and into King feet-first with the Shibata dropkick in the corner. He was twice as explosive as King in this. They had a chop-off and really laid into each other with them.

King hit what I think was one of the best spinebusters of his life after this — and I think it’s because of how fast Dragon Lee ran into it. The crowd started banging on the barricades after this. 

King got caught up trying to do something to Lee on the top rope, so Lee was able to land the flying double stomp as King hung in a tree of woe.

Timekeeper Amy Rose, who was King’s assistant when he was “blinded” by The Great Muta’s mist in MSG, distracted Lee as he went for a running knee. While Lee was looking in Rose’s direction, King caught him with a kick and then landed the Royal Flush to win. People booed and most of the air left the room.

King got on the mic and said he was going to CMLL next month.

ROH Television Champion Shane Taylor defeated Eli Isom to retain his title

These two are very underrated. This wasn’t perfect, but it was still very good and real hard-hitting.

Isom dropkicked Taylor to the floor early and tried a pescado, but Taylor caught him. Isom sent him into the ring post and then did a suicide dive through the ropes. He tried doing another one, but Taylor countered and did a draping DDT from the apron onto the floor.

Back in the ring, Taylor laid in a ton of hard chops. The crowd would dip in and out of this. Taylor’s punches look great and Isom sold one of them like he was out on his feet and fell through the ropes. 

The first “holy sh*t” chants of the night came when Taylor hip tossed Isom from the apron to the floor. It looked crazy. Isom eventually came back with a moonsault off the second rope and later lifted Taylor up into a fireman’s carry and landed a Kryptonite Krunch for a really close two count. 

Taylor muscled his way back into the match and used a powerbomb, knee strike, and package piledriver for another extremely close near fall. Taylor spiked Isom with Greetings from 216 for the win. The crowd was on their feet for the finish. It was the best match of the night so far.

PCO & Marty Scurll defeated Bandido & Mark Haskins 

Since Flip Gordon and Brody King couldn’t wrestle tonight, ROH rearranged the card and put these four in a tag together. Scurll and Bandido were in first and had a smooth exchange that was more of a tease than anything. Haskins then talked some smack to PCO until things went to the floor, where Scurll superkicked Haskins from the apron with an assist from PCO. 

Fans loved PCO in Lowell and chanted for him quite a bit. He did a running basement dropkick to Haskins. The stories here were clearly between Scurll & Bandido and PCO & Haskins. The crowd would stay quiet until wrestlers would pull off a cool spot, waiting for the GIF moments.

Haskins and Bandido tried some interesting double team moves, but not all of them landed — particularly that assisted standing-twisting moonsault-stomp thing.

PCO later tagged in and used a string of power moves on both Haskins and Bandido. He and Scurll did the Quebecers spot — a Boston Crab and guillotine leg drop from the second rope. Bandido later took a brutal half-nelson suplex from Scurll. 

They tried doing the spot from Saturday night where Bandido was supposed to catch PCO mid-air from the ropes, but he fell over and did a powerslam instead. PCO essentially no-sold it so it didn’t look all that bad. All could be forgiven when Bandido did a top rope Spanish Fly to the 51-year-old.

Gordon distracted the ref and landed a cheap shot on Bandido, then sunk in the chicken wing for a quick tap. This was good.

Rush defeated Dalton Castle by DQ

They teased a redux of their MSG match with Rush hitting the Bull’s Horns early but instead just did a regular shotgun dropkick, then booted Castle in the face in the corner. Rush also did the spot that TK O’Ryan botched on Saturday, where Rush slingshotted himself over the ropes, landed on his feet and then did a surprise back kick. 

Castle came back shortly after this and whipped Rush into the barricades on the floor and slammed him onto the apron. 

Castle slowed things down for a while until Rush began cursing at him in Spanish. He threw a filled garbage bin at Castle on the floor. The crowd was way into Rush and cheered a lot when he threw a chair in the ring. Castle tried using the chair, but Rush punched him and it fell out of Castle’s hands.

Castle eventually used a blatant low blow and was disqualified. The crowd howled and groaned as Castle beat on Rush with a chair. What a heat killer. 

Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham & Alex Shelley defeated The Kingdom (ROH World Champion Matt Taven, Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan)

Shelley looked great for someone who hasn’t wrestled in a year. He’s still in awesome shape and didn’t look to have all that much ring rust. He did a double single-leg crab to Marseglia and O’Ryan and later used the Paradise Lock on O’Ryan and dropkicked both O’Ryan and Marseglia, who were prone. 

There was a part midway through where Lethal, Marseglia, and finally Taven did dives to the floor. Taven gets so much air on his tope. Marseglia sounded to have a good number of supporters in the crowd.

The match sort of heated up from this point. Lethal and Gresham did the Cornette Cutter for a two count. The announcers started to talk about how this was the best wrestling on the planet. 

Lethal hit the Lethal Injection and dove to the floor before Shelley tapped O’Ryan with the Border City Stretch (Rings of Saturn) to win via submission. 

Final thoughts —

This show wasn’t horrible — but it did drag. While it had a few decent matches, particularly Taylor vs. Isom and the Villain Enterprises vs. LifeBlood tag match, it didn’t feel like a must-watch show. It didn’t feel important at all, in fact, which is sad considering all the talent on the roster.

All of the momentum from G1 Supercard is gone — and it feels like NJPW ran away with it. Here’s hoping to a stronger show in Toronto next month.

Shelley challenging for ROH title at Summer Supercard, trios match set

The lineup for ROH’s Summer Supercard event is starting to take shape.

Alex Shelley will be challenging for the ROH World Championship at the show. Matt Taven is the current champion and is defending his title against Jay Lethal at ROH’s Manhattan Mayhem television tapings on July 20.

After taking a hiatus from pro wrestling in July 2018, Shelley returned at June’s post-Best in the World tapings and set up that he’d be challenging the winner of Taven vs. Lethal. Shelley, Lethal & Jonathan Gresham vs. The Kingdom (Taven, Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan) is set for ROH’s Mass Hysteria show on July 21.

A CMLL trios match has also been announced for Summer Supercard. Caristico, Soberano Jr. & Stuka Jr. will team against Barbaro Cavernario, Hechicero & Templario. Cavernario and Templario will be making their ROH debuts in the match.

Summer Supercard is being held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Friday, August 9, which is during SummerSlam weekend in the city. Summer Supercard will feature wrestlers from ROH, NJPW, CMLL, and the NWA. The show will air live on HonorClub.

Since NJPW’s G1 Climax will still be going on, none of the participants in the tournament will be wrestling at Summer Supercard.

NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis will defend his title against a member of Villain Enterprises (Marty Scurll, PCO, Brody King, or Flip Gordon) at Summer Supercard. In storyline, Scurll gets to choose which of the four Villain Enterprises members will get the title shot.

Daily Update: Cody, Alex Shelley, Dragon Lee vs. Laredo Kid set

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

We’re looking for reports on today’s WWE Smackdown show in Monroe, LA, as well as Thursday’s show in Singapore and the New Japan show in Sydney to [email protected]

We’re also looking for your thoughts on the NJPW Southern Showdown, AEW Fyter Fest and ROH Best in the World shows.  You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]” target=”_blank”>[email protected]

EVOLVE ON SUNDAY AT 8 P.M. EASTERN FROM BROOKLYN, NY AT WWW.WWNLIVE.COM

  • Brandi Lauren vs. Natalia Markova
  • Curt Stallion vs. Sean Maluta
  • Josh Briggs vs. Brandon Taggart
  • Eddie Kingston & Joe Gacy vs. AR Fox & Leon Ruff vs. John Silver & Alex Reynolds vs. winner of the opener on Saturday in a four-way non-title match
  • Anthony Henry vs. Arturo Ruas
  • Tyler Breeze vs. Anthony Greene
  • JD Drake vs. Babatunde for WWN title
  • Austin Theory vs. Roderick Strong non-title

Raw is Monday in Dallas with Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley in a falls count anywhere match and New Day vs. Viking Raiders.

Smackdown and 205 Live are Tuesday in San Antonio. 

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Stomping Grounds

After a lack of interest heading into the pay-per-view, Stomping Grounds was a show that exceeded expectations.

Given that there weren’t really any surprises at the PPV, that’s probably mostly due to expectations being set too low. Nothing on the show was dramatically better than it should have been. The PPV succeeded where most good WWE shows do. Even if the build was underwhelming, a talented roster was able to go out to the ring and have good matches throughout much of the card.

WON NEWSLETTER: July 1, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Paul Heyman & Eric Bischoff hired as WWE Executive Directors

A look at the WWE’s move to bring in Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff is the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  The story talks about what led to the moves, the questions about the moves that aren’t answered, the Heyman-McMahon history, the Bischoff decision, and how Wall Street and AEW fit into this equation.

We also look at the end of the political career of Antonio Inoki, a look at plans for Extreme Rules, business notes on ticket sales for the summer’s biggest events, the business this past week of WWE, the reaction to Seth Rollins vs. Baron Corbin, full coverage of Stomping Grounds with match-by-match rundowns, star ratings and poll results.

We also look at the retirement of Riki Choshu, a look back at his heyday, his awards, his as a headliner and booker and as a creator as well as his retirement mach.

We also look at the July 13 night of wrestling that will be loaded as far as different offerings go, with ESPN+, AXS, WWE Network and B/R Live all offering shows at the same time.  We look at how and why this happened.

We also look at changes to WWE television, why the Rollins vs. Bryan match went like it did, and what the internal feeling is about the changes.  We also look at the rounds system, 24/7 title news, declines in Raw viewership over the past year in different demos, new WWE signings, WWE injury updates, Noam Dar talks Adrian McCallum, Lio Rush update, WWE canceling shows and why, television industry exec talks wrestling and television landscape and how the mentality of TV has changed, WWE name changes, first Smackdown on FOX news updates and the market value of WWE.

We also look at all the NXT and WWE main roster events over the past week with match results, highlights and other business notes.

We’ve got full coverage of this past week’s UFC show with business notes.

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

The only thing in combat sports that made the Google search list was Francis Ngannou at No. 13 at 50,000.  The UFC show itself had 50,000 searches which is so-so to me for an ESPN show, especially with a strong top few matches.  No early ratings info and ESPN, when numbers have been strong, has sent out overnights in press releases for its boxing and UFC shows.  AEW and ROH did not crack the list.  ROH wasn’t going to.  AEW did so strongly for the PPV that I thought there was a chance they would here.

Tony Khan did a long media scrum.  It was noted that the chair was gimmicked but something went wrong.  Cody seems to be fine although he needed some staples but he didn’t have a concussion. I don’t expect you’ll see chair shots to the head going forward in AEW.  The Alex Jebailey stuff will be a once-a-year thing at Fyter Fest.  He also noted that the heavy violence like in the Jon Moxley vs. Joey Janela match will happen at times on PPV, but not on TNT.

Alex Shelley returned to ROH last night.

The first-ever singles match with Dragon Lee vs. Laredo Kid takes place this coming Friday at the All Pro Wrestling/Pro Wrestling Revolution King of Indies show in Daly City, CA.  I so wish I was going to be there, but I’ve got interviews scheduled with NJPW stars that day in Dallas.

In their first match in about 20 years, even though people have tried to make this in MMA not too many years ago, with Ken Shamrock vs. Dan Severn will take place at the end of August for BCW in Australia.  Masashi Takeda  will also be in Australia on 8/30 and 8/31.

WWE

  • Rey Mysterio talked to the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling about his return: “I suffered a recent injury at “Money in the Bank” versus Samoa Joe. Unfortunate for me because it was a big step moving forward and especially at this stage in my career at being able to capture one of the last titles that was set on my bucket list (The United States Championship) and again very important that I had a separated left shoulder and that put me out of circulation and I’ve been out four weeks now. The separation and bruised AC joint which the Doctor had predicted anywhere from four to six weeks and of course four weeks closed out from my injury and my recovery is about 80% as we speak so I am hoping that in the next two weeks I can gain that other thirty that I have left and be back in the ring by the month of July.”
  • A story on referee Charles Robinson being robbed in the Charlotte Observer (thanks to Christopher Cruise)

MISCELLANEOUS

  • The New York Post reported Ashley Massaro was set to appear in a suicide prevention video shortly before she committed suicide.
  • AAW from Friday night in Merrionette Park, IL before 450 fans:  Ace Romero & Paco Gonzalez b Ace Austin & Clayton Gainz, Kris Statlander b Priscilla Kelly, Jake Something b Trey Miguel to keep Heritage title, Jacob Fatu b Kongo Kong, Jimmy Jacobs b Mance Warner in a loser leaves town match, Josh Briggs b Nate Webb, Myron Reed b Curt Stallion, Sami Callihan b Ace Romero to keep AAW title, LAX kept AAW title in three-way over Besties in the World and Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz.  Next show is 7/13 in  Milwaukee at Turners Hall Ballroom with Jessicka Havok vs. Taya Valkyrie for the women’s title and John Morrison vs. Juventud Guerrera.
  • Pro Wrestling Eve from Friday in Brighton,UK:  Jinny & Mercedes Blaze b Kay Lee Ray & Viper, Su Yung b Erin Angel, Jordynne Grace & Nina Samuels b Rebel Kinney & Laura Di Matteo, Night Shade b Session Moth Martina, Mayu Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki b Kagetsu & Jamie Hayter-DQ, Utami Hayashishita b Yuu (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net
  • Pro Wrestlnig Eve from Saturday in London:  Yuu won three-way over Jordynne Grace and Night Shade, Charli Evans b Jetta, Arisa Hoshiki b Laura Di Matteo, Nina Samuels b Erin Angel, Utami Hayashishita & Viper b Kagetsu & Jamie Hayter, Kay Lee Ray won four-way over Su Yung, Mayu Iwatani and Millie McKenzie
  • Charlie Morgan announced her retirement today at the Pro Wrestling Eve show at York Hall due to injuries at the age of 27. (CORRECTION: This originally incorrectly stated that Charli Evans announced her retirement. It was Charlie Morgan who retired.)
  • Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in Belleville, IL:  Onslaught b Tony Chini, Billy McNeil b Jake Prater, Sean Vincent & Khayman b Sawn Santel & Mauler McDarby, Val Venis b Beastman, Malia Hosaka b Thunderkitty LaFleur, Tony Atlas & Bob Orton (managed by Baron Von Raschke) b Big Texan & Frankie D-DQ, Mecha Mercenary b Nick King, Gary Jackson & Gil Rogers b Cutis Wylde & Kowalski, Ricky Cruz & Flash Flanagan b Christopher Hargas & Damion Cortess, Attila Khan b Tommy Dreamer in an extreme rules match with Road Warrior Animal as ringside enforcer (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Friday in Omaha with a seines of three sessions at the Omaha Comic Con
    Morning show:  Con Artiest & Purple b Zac James & Xander McIntosh, Jack Darling b Kenny Jones, Chris Havius b JD Parker, Brett Bishop b Joey Daniels
    Afternoon show:  Joey Daniels b Purple, Jack Darling & Kenny Jones & JD Parker b Preston Maxwell & Zac James & Xander McIntosh, Brett Bishop b Con Artiest
    Evening show:  Purple b JD Parker, Jack Darling b Chris Havius, Branden Juarez & Kenny Jones b Preston Maxwell & Joey Daniels, Brett Bishop b Xander McIntosh, Con Artiest b Willy Sweet.
  • Pro Wrestling Phoenix from yesterday in Omaha at the Comic Con
    Morning show:  Purple b Santos Barbosa, Jimmy Wylde won three-way over Taven Whisper and JD Parker, Seto Kobara b Kenny Jones, Con Artiest b Joey Daniels, Brett Bishop b Pat Powers
    Afternoon show:  Pat Powers b Taven Whisper, Preston Maxwell b Jimmy Wylde, Brett Bishop won three-way over JD Parker and Kenny Jones, Con Artiest & Purple b Seto Kobara & Santos Barbosa, Branden Juarez b Joey Daniels
    Evening show:  JD Parker b Santos Barbosa, Jimmy Wylde won four-way over Willy Sweet, Taven Whisper and Seto Kobara, Con Artiest won ladder match over Joey Daniels, Brett Bishop, Purple, Chris Havius, Branden Juarez, Preston Maxwell and Pat Powers
  • Northeast Wrestling on 7/19 in Monroeville, PA has Iron City homecoming at Pro Sports Monroeville as a benefit for the Bruno & Carol  Sammartino Foundation.  Among those appearing are Christy Hemme, Billy Gunn, Corey Graves, Jerry Lawler, Funaki, Darby Allin, Brian Pillman Jr. and Sam Adonis.
  • Innovate Wrestling Fire on the Mountain on 8/10 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium featuring The Boys, now known as The Tate Twins.
  • Former JCP star Rocky King needs a kidney.  For more information on helping out a former star you can contact Robert Semier at 917-742-0428. 
  • RevPro from yesterday in Manchester, UK:  Gabriel Kidd & Kenneth Halfpenny & Shaun Jackson b Brendan White & Clark Connors & Karl Fredericks, Dan Magee b Hikuleo, Seleziya Sparx b Gisele Shaw, Shingo Takagi b Michael Oku, Josh Bodom & Sha Samuels won British tag title in four-way over Aussie Open, Bushi & Evil and A-Kid & Carlos Romo, Tetsuya Naito b MK McKinnan, Zack Sabre Jr. b Sanada to keep the British heavyweight title (thanks to Paul Sosnowski and Chris Kean)
  • Sabre said he was going to win G-1, but that he would cash in his title shot at Royal Quest on 8/31 in London and not at the Tokyo Dome.
  • Shine from yesterday in Woodside, NY:  Delmi Exo & Ashley Vox b Gabby Gilbert & Dementia D’Rose, Allie Recks b Naughby, Marti Belle b Madi Maxx, Natalia Markova b Avery Taylor, Brandi Lauren b Rosa Negra, Shotzi Blackheart b Aja Perera, Mercedes Martinez b Allysin Kay-DQ
  • TJP is working for PWR in October in Manila.
  • BCW from yesterday in Sydney, Australia:  Cody Swift b Sean Preston, Jonathan Preston b Vinnie Vain, Bee Boy b Gabriel Wolfe, Cody Swaft b DCT, Jonathan Preston b Bee Boy, Cody Swift b Jonathan Preston, Niki Nitro b Jasmin Vittora, Mortar b Taya Valkyrie-DQ, Carlo Cannon & Ken Shamrock b Generation Zero & John Morrison & Taya Valkyrie to keep tag titles.
  • BCW from Friday in Melbourne:  Cody Swift b Lucius Wolfe, Sean Preston b Darcy Moss, DCT b Kaz Jordan, Nick Bury d Mitch Waterman, Vinnie Vain b Sketch, Jonathan Preston b Sullivan Husk, Bee Boy b Vance Adams, Gabriel Wolfe b Jesse Hendy, Ken Shamrock & Carlo Cannon b Michael Morleone & Zenith, Mortar NC Taya Valkyrie in a match with the BCW women’s title vs. Impact women’s title, John Morrison won three-way over Cletus and Mick Moretti, Mad Dog won three-way over Mick Moretti and Big Cuz
  • SPW/MCW on 7/13 in Invercargil, New Zealand has Markus Kool vs. Slex. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • CWE from Friday night in Winnipeg:  Mercenary b Buck Gunderson, Gabriell Lestat b Vinnie DaVinci, Alix Zwicker b The System, Sam Davidson & Brian Rich won  four-way over AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle, Beri Grayson & Fuego del Sol and Tyler James & Dragneel, Bobby Schink b  Graham Bell, Adam Race b Danny Duggan-DQ, Michael Elgin b Adam Knight, Rob Stardom b Jastin Taylor, Kevin Cannon b Vance Nevada in a loser leaves Manitoba match, Kevy Chevy b Roy Gordon, Lanny Poffo & Bobby Jay b Tod Bullet & Scott Ripley.  Next show is the Super Jobbers Cup on 8/30 in Winnipeg at Rookie’s Sports Bar.
  • CWE from yesterday in Morden, Manitoba:  Jude Dawkins b Dragneel, Vinnie Valiant NC Brian Rich, Danny Duggan b Shaun Martens, Mentallo b Buck Gunderson, Alix Zwicker b Zoe Sager, Lanny Poffo & Sam Davidson b Gabriel Lestat & Jay Walker.  Next show is 11/28.
  • The Economist writes about steroid usage (thanks to Christopher Cruise)

Daily Pro Wrestling History: CM Punk wins World Heavyweight title

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