WrestleCon has added a ten-man tag team match to Thursday’s Mark Hitchcock Memorial SuperShow lineup with Atsushi Onita captaining one team and PCO captaining the other.
Their teammates will be announced the day of the show.
Team Onita v. Team PCO in a 10 Man Tag Match at the Supershow. We like surprises, so you'll have to wait til Thursday to see who else is in the match! This should be the most #WTF match of the weekend pic.twitter.com/FoXmWyBX0E
The show is set for the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas, airing live on FITE.tv.
WrestleCon announced last week that fans at the show will be given the opportunity to vote for the best match of the night with the participants receiving a $5000 bonus.
The updated lineup for the WrestleCon SuperShow is listed below:
Team Onita vs. Team PCO ten-man tag team match
Minoru Suzuki vs. Biff Busick
The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe) vs. The Rottweilers (Low Ki & Homicide)
Bandido vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Timothy Thatcher
Mia Yim vs. Athena (fka WWE’s Ember Moon)
Jonathan Gresham, Black Taurus & Ace Austin vs. Michael Oku, Rey Horus & Laredo Kid
The Rock N’ Roll Express have also been announced for the show
We are looking to grow our writing/editing team with an experienced online news writer who has a working knowledge of WWE, AEW, Impact and other organizations. MMA knowledge is a plus, but not required. This is a paid position. Email [email protected] with several links. We are not looking for inexperienced writers for this position.
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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Happy Valentine’s Day. Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about the latest news as well as covering Raw tonight on Wrestling Observer Radio.
Best wishes to former referee Mickey Jay Henson, who is in very bad shape due to COVID-related pneumonia.
As noted on the front page, Josh Alexander reported that his Impact contact is expiring. He’s working on getting a new U.S. working visa since Impact got him his current one so for the time being can’t work in the U.S. It should be noted that Brandi Rhodes on the air on Impact made reference to Alexander saying that the only reason AEW even signed Page was to get to Alexander. It should be noted that Alexander is still open to staying with Impact but they haven’t made a new deal so nothing is certain.
Raw is tonight in Indianapolis on Syfy. If you have not specifically set your DVR for the show, it may not record automatically. That also goes for tomorrow’s major NXT Vengeance Day show. Damien Priest vs. A.J. Styles for the U.S. title was the only match announced as of this afternoon. There will be a Randy Orton & Riddle “Broga” (toga) party plus Brock Lesnar and Lita appear. This is the final live show before Elimination Chamber. The number should be up from last week if only because people are more familiar, plus Lesnar is on the show.
We are looking for reports from Indianapolis with any dark matches or Main Event matches or anything else notable from a live perspective to [email protected]
Our 2021 awards issue will be out on late Thursday night/Friday morning. Everything is fully tabulated.
We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 271, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Dustin Poirier said that he will not face Conor McGregor for a fourth time. McGregor had wanted a rematch when he returned from his broken leg. Poirier did media Saturday and said he wanted to face Nate Diaz next.
The top five selling tickets over the last 24 hours in Ticketmaster shows thanks to Wrestle Tix are:
Tonight’s Raw in Indianapolis
Smackdown on 2/25 in Hershey, PA
Dynamite on Wednesday in Nashville
Dynamite on 4/6 in Boston
WWE on 3/5 in Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden had two for one tickets today. If you want them you can go to Ticketmaster and use the code HART by 10 p.m. Eastern tomorrow night. After the third lowest paid attendance in MSG in more than 80 years last time at the Garden Vince has loaded up with Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey and it’s the biggest house show lineup for the company in years.
WrestleMania and AT&T Stadium also had two for one tickets using the code WMLOVE until tomorrow at 10 p.m. They have a lot of tickets left to sell for that show.
Smackdown Friday did 2,231,000 viewers and 0.55 in 18-49, which is very good considering the Olympics. Rampage did 549,000 viewers and 0.19. The latter is low for the show but Rampage was still second on cable behind only the Olympics in the 10 p.m. time slot, and 10th for the night.
Atsushi Onita will be wrestling at the Wrestlecon show in Dallas over WrestleMania weekend. The annual Mark Hitchcock Memorial show has also announced Mark & Jay Briscoe, a farewell tour event for Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson, Bandido, Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham.
AEW
AEW will be having a presale on Wednesday for the 5/11 show just announced today from the UBS Arena in Long Island. This will be the start of the Owen Hart Cup, both a men and women’s tournament that takes place that month. The code is BELMONT
Matt & Jeff Hardy have three bookings as a team at this point once Jeff’s non-compete ends, with a 3/12 show for Big Time Wrestling in Webster, MA, 3/13 for Big Time Wrestling in Albany,NY at the Washington Avenue Armory against Matt Cardona & Brian Myers and 3/19 for the Patriotic Wrestling Federation in Clover, SC at the High School.
Dark Elevation tonight
Matt Sydal vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
John Silver & Evil Uno & Stu Grayson & Alex Reynolds & Alan Angels vs 2.0 & The Acclaimed & Daniel Garcia
Anna Jay & Tay Conti & Ruby Soho vs. Emi Sakura & Nyla Rose & The Bunny
Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky vs. Jaden Valo & Steve Pena
Dante Martin vs. Kevin Matthews
Thunder Rosa vs. Riley Shepard
Zack Clayton (Jersey Shore) vs. Serpentico.
This was taped in Atlantic City and several members of the Jersey Shore cast were at ringside.
UFC
Booker T was at the UFC 271 post-show press conference as media. He asked Dana White several questions and when Israel Adesanya saw him he popped seeing him.
OTHER NOTES
AAA Rey de Reyes on 2/19 will air live on FITE with a new set of English language announcements. The English announcement has been a disaster for years. The new team is Joe Dombrowski and Larry Dallas. Dallas has noted that he has been studying with Mike Tenay for this debut. He did a great job with Dragon Gate and was going to be there regularly until the pandemic hit.
The International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame has reached an agreement with Albany Count in New York for 1,500 square feet of space within the MVP Arena, the city’s major indoor sports complex. The location will be on the first upper level within the atrium across from the offices of the Albany FireWolves Lacrosse team and will be available to fans during events within the arena. They hope to open in the spring or the summer.
Impact sent out a press release for its Gut Check on 3/6 in Columbus, OH at the Arnold Classic. It will be at 10 p.m. for an open trout at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Lance Storm and John E. Bravo will run the camp. To enter you have to fill out a Gut Check registration form at impactwrestling.com
Defy results from Saturday night in Seattle: Joey Janela & Schaff b Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson, Adam Ryder b Derek Shaw, Jonathan Gresham b Cody Chhun to keep the ROH title, Bollywood Boyz b Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl to win the Defy tag titles in a ladder match, Trey Miguel kept the Impact X title over Titus Alexander and Guillermo Rosas, Christoper Daniels b Nick Wayne to keep the Defy interim title. This was where Darby Allin offered Wayne an AEW contract.
Phil De Fries (20-6) defends the KSW heavyweight title against Darko Stosic (16-4) in the main event of the 67th KSW show on 2/26 in Warsaw, Poland. De Fries will be making his sixth title defense. Stosic is 15-0 at heavyweight with ten knockouts, nine in the first round.
Lucha Masks has expanded from doing Lucha Masks to doing masks sold for Rob Van Dam and a number of NJPW masks, including three Bullet Club masks, two Shingo Takagi masks and one for Jay White, Tetsuya Naito, Kota Ibushi and Bushi.
MCW on Saturday in Dundalk, MD at the Flagship Cinemas Eastpoint with Lance Archer as the headline.
The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling podcast is back. Fumi Saito and Jim Valley talk about Fumi’s thoughts on The Dark Side of the Ring episode on Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling and Atsushi Onita, including stories and insight not featured in the documentary. Plus, Fumi dispels the myth that New Japan Pro Wrestling is dying or in trouble. Then we answer your questions on the culture of masked wrestlers in Japan, how would things be different had Misawa not left All Japan and created Pro Wrestling NOAH, should All Japan and NOAH do a super show, an update on Tokyo Dome construction, and much more.
Onita held a press conference on Thursday to announce the launch of Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling Explosion (FMWE), a new wrestling promotion that will borrow some of its name and logo from the legendary FMW company that Onita founded in 1989. Onita will serve as a figurehead for the company, while Hidetaka Kajiki will serve as company president. The new FMWE will hold its first show, titled “Independence Day” on July 4 in Yokohama at the Tsurumi Fruit and Vegetable Market.
“I have revived FMW,” Onita said. “The meaning of E is explosion. It is an explosion… I decided to create an organization specializing in barbed wire explosion with President Kajiki.”
Onita said that there are plans to broadcast FMWE events live, but offered no specifics as to a potential streaming platform or partner.
“We are launching this promotion to broadcast our matches live, worldwide, Onita said. “Live streaming has become a major trend since COVID-19.”
He went on to cite AEW’s recent exploding barbed wire death match as the catalyst for this revival.
“The reason is that the first explosion death match was done at FMW. When I went to America, many people asked me to have my original explosion match in America. Then I dreamed of making it happen not only in the United States, but all over the world.”
“Action, action action. Let’s do everything,” said Onita.
Tickets for FMWE Independence Day go on sale on Friday. More information on ticket sales can be found on the new promotion’s website.
The full press conference can be streamed below.
Thanks to YouTube, Google Translate and Yahoo Japan for translation help.
It appears that WWE has officially taken the first steps towards Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair all being involved in the main event of WrestleMania 35.
An angle where Vince McMahon suspended Lynch for 60 days and announced that Charlotte would be taking her place at WrestleMania closed last Monday’s episode of Raw. Charlotte aligned with Vince and fully turned heel, with Vince calling her someone with charisma, someone with charm, and someone who knows their lane and stays in it.
The show didn’t sell out, even in one of WWE’s best markets. The show had more good than bad, with the highlight being the main event, the men’s Chamber match where Daniel Bryan retained and the crowd got so strong behind Kofi Kingston in the Mustafa Ali slot that Vince McMahon changed plans for Fast Lane to put Bryan vs. Kingston on top.
The show was the brainchild of Motoko Baba, to run a big Baba celebration show in 2019, 20 years after his early 1999 death. With her passing away last year, it was her nieces and nephews who put the show together.
All but one count of Mark Hunt’s lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White and Brock Lesnar on the grounds they conspired against him to allow a juiced up Lesnar to fight him at UFC 200 was thrown out of court.
The 2020 Royal Rumble will take place on 1/26 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Most likely that would also mean Takeover on 1/25 at the Toyota Center, Raw on 1/27 and Smackdown on 1/28.
FOX this weekend started advertising 10/4 as the debut of the new Friday Night Smackdown show.
“Fighting with My Family,” the Dwayne Johnson Seven Bucks Entertainment movie about Growing Up as Paige, which has its big national release on 2/22, has gotten great word-of-mouth so far.
Chris Jericho noted that while he and Gedo are on the same page, that New Japan management hasn’t talked with him about a new deal.
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
by Bryan Rose and Dave Meltzer
WWE
Raw tonight will be at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Roman Reigns will give an update on his battle against leukemia, while Ric Flair will have a 70th birthday celebration. Reigns will kick off the show.
A new Roman Reigns shirt has also been seen in the merch stands prior to Raw. The shirt says “We Fight. We Overcome. We Believe.”
According to PWInsider, Bruce Prichard is backstage tonight, his first night back with WWE creative. Also backstage are Sting, Shawn Michaels, Becky Lynch and Charlotte.
Atsushi Onita underwent surgery for three hours on 2/21 to replace both knees. He will still be coming to the US on 4/5, but only for pictures and autographs. He’s been announced for Joey Janela’s Spring Break events WrestleMania weekend.
PWInsider is reporting that Tammy Sytch was arrested for a DWI on 2/23. She is currently incarcarated at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, New Jersey.
Tae Honma, the ace of the J@st women’s promotion in Japan is looking to do independent shows around 4/14 and 4/15. The promotion is flying her to the U.S. J@st is a break off from Reina that runs at Shinkiba first ring. Honma is coming for a tour of Mexico that starts on 4/17 with CMLL so they are looking for U.S. dates prior to the tour. Officials of the promotion would attend the shows with her and would scout U.S.,. women’s talent on those shows. They would also have Japanese media cover the shows so the promotion will get coverage in Japan, They are also looking at sending her to the U.S.,. and Mexico around June or July. For more info, contact [email protected]
USA Championship Wrestling is doing an Eddie Gilbert Tribute show on 3/9 in Jackson, TN at the Oman Arena headlined by Jerry Lawler & Doug Gilbert vs. Tommy Rich & Matt Riviera in a fall count anywhere in Madison County match, plus Jimmy Valiant and Tom Prichard will wrestle on the show and Phil Hickerson will make an appearance. The show is being taped for Pivotshare.
AAW from Saturday night in Chicago before a sellout 575 fans: Ace Perry b Sheldon Jean, Savannah Stone b Judy Threat, Gringo Loco won four-way over Jake Landers, Logan James and Aaron Orion. The first three bouts were preshow matches for their You Tube channel. Main card for Art of War: Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel b Ace Romero & Paco & Rich Swann, Sammy Guevara b Darby Allin (Guevara before the match vowed to win with a side headlock takedown, and got the pin after a low blow and a side headlock takedown), Mance Warner b Jimmy Jacobs, DJZ b Australian Suicide in a heritage title match, David Starr & Eddie Kingston & Jake Something & Curt Stallion b Mat Fitchett & Sami Callihan & Jessicka Havok, MJF b Kimber Lee, Jacob Fatu b Stephen Wolf (Fatu’s debut), Kylie Rae b Su Yung to keep women’s title, LAX won three-way elimination match over Penta 0M & Rey Fenix and champions AR Fox & Myron Reed to win the tag titles in 13:54. Fox & Reed were eliminated first. This was where the Young Bucks interfered and took out the Lucha Bros that allowed LAX to win and take the title. Next show is 3/16 in Chicago at the Logan Square Arena with Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera.
ICW from Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland before 1,000 fans: Kings of Catch b Rampage Brown & Ashton Smith to keep the tag titles, Kay Lee Ray NC Toni Storm in a women’s title match, Joe Coffey b Ilja Dragunov to keep the Zero G title, Lionheart b Angelico to keep the ICW title, Lightning won Square Go (a rumble match where the winner earns a title shot on a day they choose for up to one year throwing out Joe Hendry. Jeff Jarrett was in the Rumble. (thanks to Jordan Clark)
Progress from Sunday in London before a sellout 700 fans: Mark Haskins b Trivet & Chuck Mambo-DQ in a handicap match, Millie McKenzie b Bea Priestley, Nina Samuels b Jinny (both earn shots in a four-way later for the women’s title), Jordan Devlin b Travis Banks-DQ, Will Ospreay & Paul Robinson b Aussie Open to keep the tag titles, Trent Seven b Timothy Thatcher to keep the Atlas title, Walter b Chris Ridgeway to retain the Progress title. Seven challenged Walter to a title vs. title match in May. Next Electric Ballroom show is 3/31 with Ospreay & Robinson vs. Aussie Open in a TLC Match for the titles plus LAX vs. Jonathan Gresham & Chris Brookes. (thanks to Paul Sosnowski)
Northeast Wrestling from Saturday night in Bethany CT: Keith Youngblood & Zane Bernardo & RJ Rude b Cam Zagami & Tommy Grayson & PJ Grayson, Chuck O’Neil (the MMA fighter) b Hammer Tunia, Brian Anthony b Chris Battle, Wrecking Ball Legursky b Brian Milonas, Anthony Battle & Daniel Evans b Mike Gamble & Dexter Loux, JT Dunn b Josh Briggs, Jake Manning b Christian Casanova, Brad Hollister b Bandido to keep the heavyweight title (thanks Nick Mahmood)
Femme Fatales from Friday night in Ottawa before 350 fans: Alexia Nicole & Willow Nightingale b Veda Scott & KC Spinelli, Samantha Heights b Neveah, Jessicka Havok b Penelope Ford, Mary Lee Rose b Angie Skye, Nicole Savoy b Nicole Matthews, Kris Statlander won three-way over Mercedes Martinez and Allysin Kay. Next shows are 5/4 in Quebec City and 8/10 in Toronto, the day before SummerSlam.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix on Thursday in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge.
ESPN also has a look at Woodley and Askren’s friendship dating back to their time at the University of Missouri.
Paul Felder has been discharged from the hospital after suffering a collapsed lung during a fight two weeks ago. He’ll fly home Wednesday He talked to Luke Thomas about his injury struggles.
Luke Rockhold called out Thiago Santos on Twitter after his main event win in Prague.
Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):
Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!
Joey Janela has revealed the first name for the third Spring Break event set to take place next April, and it’s a doozy.
A video posted on Janela’s Twitter account revealed that Atsushi Onita is the first name set for the upcoming WrestleMania weekend event. No other names or an opponent for Onita have been announced.
Onita recently held a press conference announcing his return to pro wrestling. He retired once again back in October of last year following a months long retirement tour. His last match was a six man barbed wire match, teaming with KAI And Shingo Takagi to defeat Nosawa, Kazuyuki Fujita and Kendo Kashin. Onita has retired multiple times over the years, his first back in January of 1985 due to accumulating injuries.
Joey Janela’s Spring Break 3 will take place on April 5, 2019 at the White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey. Tickets will go on sale Monday at noon.
