Tag: brian christopher

Daily Update: Jerry Lawler, Becky Lynch, Junior dos Santos

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Smackville, EVOLVE & the WWE Network

Joseph Currier looks at two Network specials and what they could mean for the future of the service.

EVOLVE’s 10th Anniversary Celebration streamed on the Network opposite AEW Fight for the Fallen on July 13. Another in-ring special has also been added to the Network schedule for this month, with “Smackville” set to air this Saturday (July 27).

Smackville is similar to past specials like The Shield’s Final Chapter and WWE Starrcade. The WWE Network broadcast of Smackville will be an hour long. Kofi Kingston will defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe and Dolph Ziggler in a triple threat match, Finn Balor will face Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in a rematch from Extreme Rules, and there will be a musical performance segment with Elias.

The Smackville name is playing off the show taking place in Nashville, Tennessee and the city’s Bridgestone Arena, which is the home of the Nashville Predators. The event was just a house show prior to the special being announced, and it will still feature some untelevised matches.

Televised house shows have been something WWE has surveyed subscribers about for a long time. Smackville feels very much like a by-the-numbers house show card. After already having defeated them in his most recent pay-per-view title defenses, Kingston is facing Joe and Ziggler again. Balor has already moved on to a storyline with Bray Wyatt and is set to take some time off from WWE after SummerSlam, so it seems unlikely that he’ll be regaining the Intercontinental title. The Smackville theme should play into the Elias segment, but it’s unlikely that it will have much meaning to the larger audience.

WON NEWSLETTER: July 29, 2019 Observer Newsletter: AEW announces TV details, more

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has details on the first episode of AEW on TNT, the possible name of the show, why the host city was chosen, and potential TV competition in the first few weeks of airing. 

We detail the latest G1 Climax 29 shows, and how it compares to last year’s tournament. 

We have coverage of Jon Jones and his latest potential legal trouble.

We cover Summerslam, how the card is shaping up, and the possible return of a WWE Hall of Famer on the show. 

We look back at Saturday’s UFC show, and the business notes on the show.

We have details on Dragon Gate’s biggest show of the year, and have business notes on that as well. 

We also have coverage of a wrestling star being part of Hollywood box office history.

There’s also a run down the ratings of all the major TV shows, along with detailed demo info for the WWE shows and 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

  • SmackDown tonight will take place in Memphis, Tennessee. A non-title match between AJ Styles (with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) and Kofi Kingston (with Big E and Xavier Woods) has been announced. A tag match with Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross vs. Ember Moon and Bayley is also set. Jerry Lawler will also host the returning King’s Court with guest Trish Stratus.
  • 205 Live will have an unsanctioned match between Drake Maverick and Mike Kanellis.
  • Jerry Lawler thanked everyone who thought about Brian Christopher yesterday on the one-year anniversary of his death: “Today was a very tough day. It’s been exactly one year since my son Brian Christopher died. I want to thank everyone who thought about Brian today. We’ll never forget you, Brian.”
  • Becky Lynch told Talksport that she was initially apprehensive about teaming with Seth Rollins on TV: “Honestly, I was very apprehensive. What I didn’t want was everybody talking about the relationship. What I wanted was two bad asses, two people at the top of their game fighting side-by-side. Not for the world to be reminded every five minutes that this is Becky Lynch’s boyfriend or that’s Seth Rollins’ girlfriend. Which, of course, they didn’t do. They were the masters of subtlety…So, for that reason, I was apprehensive. But when I thought about it, I was like OK. One, we’re going to make this a badass fight, it’s going to be a great fight. No matter what, you know when you put me and Seth Rollins in a fight you’re going to get pure passion and we’re going to pull out all the stops. But in terms of having my relationship be the freaking — be the front and centre, that’s not what I’m about. That’s not what I’ve worked towards. That’s not what I wanted. I wanted to work with Seth because he’s the best in the business — you know, besides me — but working with him was awesome. He really is the absolute best.”
  • Chris Sabin is guest coaching at the WWE Performance Center this week.
  • Hulk Hogan is the guest on today’s episode of the Steve Austin Show.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena from SummerSlam 2014.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

  • A match between Alexander Volkov and Junior Dos Santos is reportedly in the works for UFC’s next event in Moscow.
  • John Makdessi has withdrawn from UFC 241. The promotion is looking for a replacement opponent for Devonte Smith.
  • Deron Winn vs. Darren Stewart is being discussed for UFC’s next Boston event on 10/18.
  • Stephen Thompson is hoping to fight in November at MSG.
  • UFC 240 prelims averaged 722,000 viewers, the worst numbers since UFC 230 with Cormier vs. Lewis.
  • Laureano Starpoli is out, Alexey Kunchenko is in as he’ll fight Gilbert Burns at UFC’s Uruguay event on 8/10.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Stan Hansen wins PWF Heavyweight Title

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jerry Lawler files lawsuit over Brian Christopher’s death

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One year after the death of Brian Christopher Lawler, Jerry Lawler has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Hardeman County, Tennessee.

The lawsuit was announced in a press release that was issued by Rosenblum & Reisman, Attorneys at Law:

“Jerry Lawler filed a lawsuit on Friday, July 26, 2019 seeking justice for Brian Lawler’s family. Lawler is seeking compensatory damages and punitive damages in an amount to be determined by a jury for the numerous failures of the county and its employees that resulted in the wrongful death of his son, Brian Christopher Lawler. Lawler is also asking the court to order Sheriff Doolen to make changes at the Hardeman County Jail to protect all inmates from future harm.”

The press release stated that the lawsuit was filed against Hardeman County, Sheriff John Doolen, and others.

Today is the one-year anniversary of Brian Lawler’s death. He died at the hospital after being found hanging in his cell at Hardeman County Jail.

After Brian’s death, Jerry Lawler expressed doubt over the ruling that it was a suicide.

Attorney Jeffrey Rosenblum told TMZ that any money awarded from the lawsuit will go to supporting Brian’s son.

Daily Update: Brian Christopher, Bound by Honor, Conor/Cowboy

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch win Royal Rumbles

For the second straight year, WWE went with two fan-pleasing choices as their Royal Rumble winners. WWE followed up on Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka’s wins from last year by having Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch win their respective Rumble matches on Sunday night. The results were entirely predictable, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t the right choices. While there are other stories that WWE can tell, top babyfaces beginning their road to WrestleMania by winning the Royal Rumble will pretty much always work. 

WON NEWSLETTER: January 28, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Future of Ronda Rousey, Royal Rumble preview, more

A quick note that the format of this issue is different due to the fact I messed up my left hand in a bicycle crash on 1/24 making typing extremely difficult.

This issue has complete Royal Rumble and NXT results with eliminations, stats, and facts, plus Dave’s comments. It also includes star ratings, NXT awards, and notes on the post show angle.

Roman Reigns is going to be in the Rock’s new movie. There were some photos of Roman Reigns last week from where he’s been filming the new sequel of the Fast and the Furious franchise, which had been kept kind of quiet. Reigns is playing Rock’s character Hobbs’ brother.

AEW released a short video with Cody Rhodes talking about signing Jungle Boy and the announcement that on February 7th, there is a Ticket Announcement Party at the MGM from Las Vegas. Brandi teased announcing more women at that event. There is a lot of talent expected at that event. CIMA is likely going to be there.

NJPW is very confident that it will not be an issue by the time the MSG G1 Supercard show comes up, with it being several months away.

From reports of the Dallas, TX Road to G1 Supercard show, Shibata’s students, Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks, and Alex Coughlin are all seemed as really good in the technical aspect, with all their basics down, as they’re being trained with the Japanese New Japan Dojo mentality. Shibata, who is the lead trainer in the US Dojo, has interpreters with him at all time during training.

Matt Sydal’s contract with Impact Wrestling ended January 1st. He should be ready in a couple of months from a minor knee surgery he got last 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.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

by Joseph Currier and Bryan Rose

WWE

  • Lawyers hired by the Lawler family have issued subpoenas to the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as part of their investigation into the death of Brian Christopher Lawler. The subpoenas are part of a civil action “to pursue a civil rights claim against Hardeman County, and the deputies that were supposed to protect Brian Christopher Lawler.” 
  • Jeremy Borash tweeted that Vic Joseph and Shawn Michaels will be calling Halftime Heat, which is taking place from the Performance Center during halftime of Sunday’s Super Bowl and airing live on the WWE Network, WWE.com and the WWE app, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. Velveteen Dream, Aleister Black & Ricochet are facing Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano & Adam Cole.
  • Killian Dain posted a tweet asking “#WHEREISSANITY ?!?”, with Alexander Wolfe quote tweeting “Sick of this” in response. The group, which includes Eric Young, haven’t been on television since December 18.
  • WWE uploaded brief footage of Ciampa backstage following the brawl that took place between the Halftime Heat teams after TakeOver.
  • WWE has highlights of The Rock and Mankind’s empty arena match from the first Halftime Heat. Today is the 20th anniversary of the match airing.
  • Corey Graves, Renee Young, and Jerry Lawler will be appearing at this year’s WrestleCon convention as guests of Northeast Wrestling.
  • Brock Lesnar took part in his first WWE photoshoot in over two years.
  • Bret Hart congratulated The Singh Brothers on getting their first action figures: “Thank you @gurvsihra_wwe and @harvsihra_wwe for the action figures. I’ve met the Singh brothers many times over the years and I always admired their ‘no-quit’ attitude. You know you’ve really made it, and it’s the indisputable truth, when you finally get to have your first action figure. Congratulations guys! You’ve made it!”

Pro Wrestling

  • A new NJPW event called Sengoku Lord will take place on 4/20 at the Aichi Prefectural gym.
  • Today is the 20th anniversary of the death of Giant Baba.
  • Brody King vs. Jay Briscoe, Marty Scurll vs. Kenny King vs. Willie Mack vs. Silas Young in a four corner survival match, and Dalton Castle & The Boys vs. Cheeseburger, Eli Isom & Ryan Nova have been added to ROH’s Bound By Honor show in Miami on February 10. The event will air live on HonorClub.
  • Masashi Takeda has been added to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport in Jersey City, New Jersey on April 4.
  • PWG uploaded the preview video for the DVD of Hand of Doom, which took place earlier this month and featured Trevor Lee’s farewell.
  • Low Ki cut a promo on Tom Lawlor ahead of their World Heavyweight Championship match on MLW Fusion Live this Saturday.
  • Impact Wrestling is partnering with the Las Vegas chapter of the NFL Alumni to advance the latter’s ‘Caring for Kids’ and ‘Care for our Own’ fundraising initiatives for charities.
  • Tickets for Jim Ross’ WrestleMania week show at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City on April 6 will go on sale at 10 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow.

UFC/MMA

  • Dana White is open to the idea of a Conor McGregor/Donald Cerrone fight in the future.
  • Marlon Moraes, who is meeting Raphael Assuncao in the main event of this weekend’s UFC on ESPN+ event, says he will continue fighting even if he doesn’t get the next title shot against TJ Dillashaw.
  • Dustin Poirier and Al Iaquinta indicated on social media that if they were to get different deals with the UFC they would be interested in fighting against one another.
  • Elias Theodorou vs. Derek Brunson is reportedly expected to be the main event of a future show in Ottawa.
  • Ross Pearson vs. Desmond Green is set for the UFC Philadelphia show on 3/30.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Edge wins 2010 Royal Rumble

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~!

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jerry Lawler pays tribute to Brian Christopher at wrestling show

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: Dinner With The King

A week after Brian Christopher Lawler’s death, Jerry Lawler returned to the ring on Sunday and paid tribute to his late son.

Lawler defeated James Ellsworth at a show for USA Championship Wrestling in Jackson, Tennessee. Lawler wore one of Brian’s vests to the ring, and Ellsworth wrote that it was the most emotional match he’s ever had: “Just wrestled the most emotional match of my career Words can’t describe the amount of respect I have for @JerryLawler It’s a true honor and pleasure to share the ring with him always”

“I think the main thing was, at least for me, it was something that Brian would have been proud of. It was something that Brian would have loved to have been a part of and, in a sense, he was,” Lawler said about the show in an interview with WBBJ TV.

“Honestly, to me, it’s almost therapeutic,” Lawler said. “Because ever since the day that I first heard the news about my son, it’s been like a nightmare.”

Lawler said he appreciates the support he’s received from the fans. WBBJ wrote that proceeds from bandanas that were sold in honor of Brian at the show will go to Hope Church in his memory.

Brian passed away at 46 years old on July 29 while in jail for a July 7 DUI. His death is believed to be a suicide, but the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations has noted that their investigation is active and ongoing.

Brian Christopher passes away at 46 years old

Posted on by F4W Staff

By Dave Meltzer and Joseph Currier

Brian Christopher (Brian Christopher Lawler) has passed away at 46 years old.

WWE announced his passing on their website: “WWE is saddened to learn that Brian Christopher Lawler, who is best known in WWE as Too Cool’s Grandmaster Sexay, has passed away. Lawler, who is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler, competed during the height of the Attitude Era. WWE extends its condolences to Lawler’s family, friends and fans.”

Christopher had been pronounced brain dead earlier this morning after hanging himself in his jail cell at the Hardeman County Jail in Tennessee. A family friend reported to us that they were waiting for Jerry Lawler to come to the hospital to say goodbye before Christopher’s life support was pulled.

Christopher was arrested for DUI on July 7 after failing to immediately stop when police tried to pull him over. He was being held on a $40,000 bond. His father and a family friend had been working on getting him to a rehab center, but Christopher didn’t know when he was going to be released from prison.

After starting his career at 16 under a mask in Tennessee, Christopher joined the WWF in 1997. He went on to hold the WWF Tag Team titles once with Scotty 2 Hotty in 2000, with the two of them part of the popular “Too Cool” trio with Rikishi.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque also tweeted about Christopher’s death: “Incredibly sad news about the passing of Brian Christopher. A tragic loss of life. Both @StephMcMahon and I are thinking of Jerry Lawler and the entire Lawler family this evening.”

Brian Christopher pronounced brain dead after suicide attempt

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

It’s hard to report on the situation with Brian Lawler given the unique circumstances.

Lawler, 46, hung himself in his jail cell at the Hardeman County jail in Tennessee and was rushed to the hospital and put on life support. He was pronounced brain dead earlier this morning.

While a family friend said that the decision was made to pull him from life support and he has passed away, and others have said the same, Randy Hales and Bert Prentice, who are at the hospital, said that he was technically not dead and that the life support had not yet been pulled. Jerry Lawler was flying back from an appearance in Raleigh, NC.

Brian Lawler had been in jail since a July 7 DUI arrest that was reported, which included him not immediately surrendering to police. He was held on $40,000 bond and bond wasn’t posted to release him.

His father and a family friend had been working on getting him to a rehab center but Brian Lawler didn’t know when he was going to be released from prison.

Lawler, who started wrestling under a mask at the age of 16, was a major star in Tennessee as “Too Sexy” Brian Chrstopher, since Jerry Lawler didn’t want to be seen publicly as someone old enough to have a son wrestling, thinking it would age him in the eyes of the public. While well known in wrestling, it wasn’t until Paul Heyman mentioned it on Raw that it was ever publicly acknowledged.

He was best known as part of “Too Cool,” a three-man crew who were a strong undercard act in the Attitude era, with Scott Garland as Scotty 2 Hotty, himself and Rikishi.

He had a number of arrests over the years and had drug and alcohol issues dating back decades. He had stints in rehab in the past and had periods where he was clean, but they never lasted.

His most recent DUI was his third, and his life had spiralled out of control in recent years.

During the last years of the USWA, he and Jerry Lawler were its two key singles stars, and he held the USWA championship on 26 different occasions, as well as the WWE tag titles with Scotty 2 Hotty.