Due to 22 consecutive daily radiation treatments to treat skin cancer, Jim Ross will be off AEW Dynamite until “hopefully” December 29th according to the legendary announcer.
Ross announced the news Thursday night on Twitter.
Due to my skin cancer care totaling 22 radiation treatments starting Monday, I will hopefully return to the announce desk on December 29 in Jacksonville.
@TonyKhan supports me on this strategy which has been a blessing.
AEW head Tony Khan tweeted in support of Ross shortly thereafter. It’s unknown who will replace Ross in the third seat alongside Excalibur and Tony Schiavone over the next month of shows.
At the end of Wednesday’s Dynamite, Ross’ sign off indicated he was going to be missing some time which he hoped would not be the case when he initially got the diagnosis earlier this month.
The 69-year-old had two spots successfully removed from his back on Monday while the radiation will address the initial diagnosis of skin cancer found in a growth above his ankle. This is Ross’ second bout with skin cancer.
The December 29th show will be a live New Year’s Smash edition of Dynamite in Jacksonville, Florida.
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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw and the rest of the news plus taking email questions you can send to [email protected]
Raw tonight is built around a product placement ad by Netflix for the movie “Red Notice” starring Dwayne Johnson with Vince McMahon, Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville interviewing Raw and Smackdown stars who are all booked for the show tonight. Vince McMahon in the past has been a big ratings draw and the fact is they are being paid for this product placement anyway. In theory ratings should be up even without Vince being the day after Survivor Series. The Monday Night game is the New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Bucs. The only match at press time announced is a handicap match with Bobby Lashley vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio. They did this match in Syracuse at the Saturday night house show and Lashley beat Dominik with the hurt lock that night.
Red Notice was the most viewed movie on day or release in Netflix history so Dwayne Johnson has another success in a different form of box office.
Survivor Series was the 10th most searched for term on Google yesterday with 200,000. That was well above AEW’s Full Gear or Saturday’s UFC show, but for Survivor Series it would be lower than would be expected. While there is a correlation, AEW’s Full Gear didn’t do well in Google searches and it looks to be the second best PPV number in company history. We’re doing polls for bothy Survivor Series and NJPW’s show in Nagoya, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
We’re also looking for reports from the Barclays Center tonight for anything not on the live show, whether that be Main Event or dark matches, as well as notes from yesterday’s RevPro and PWG shows to [email protected]
Regarding Dwayne Johnson, he is in Australia filming season two of “Young Rock” and the quarantine issues of leaving and coming back are such that he’s likely there until the end of filming. That’s why so many of the new people on the show this season will be Australian.
Jim Ross noted that surgery for skin cancer of the back was successful. He’s stitched up. He will be starting radiation next Monday. He is leaving tomorrow for Chicago so will be on Wednesday’s show.
Kenny Omega officially vacated the AAA title and cut a promo that indicated he would come back as El Hijo del Vikingo was the wrestler he had asked to do a match with. There should be an announcement shortly as to what the new main event will be for Triplemania Regia on 12/4 at the baseball stadium in Monterrey The word going around is a multiple person match for the vacant title.
New Japan’s tag tournament in Kawasaki at 4 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning on New Japan World:
Yuto Nakashima vs. Kosei Fujita
Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask vs. Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Evil & Yujiro Takahashi
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens
Minoru Suzuki & Taka Michinoku vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Great O’Khan & Aaron Henare
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano vs. Tetsuya Naito & Sanada
The next Super Juniors tournament night is Wednesday at 4:30 a.m. from Korakuen Hall
WWE
Variety has a story from a WWE symposium with advertisers with comments from Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan on the strength of the company. (thanks to Mike Kumzuk)
For the 12/10 Smackdown in Los Angeles, they are doing buy one ticket and get one ticket free in any section. Actually that show has one of the best advances for any WWE show of the next two months but obviously far from full.
The Los Angeles Times today has a story on Vaughn Anoa’i, who would be the niece of Roman Reigns and daughter of Reno Anoa’i, who wrestled as Black Pearl after being trained by Afa. She’s a high school volleyball star going to Georgetown.
NXT tomorrow has Carmelo Hayes vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Pete Dunne for the North American title, Mandy Rose vs. Cora Jade non-title, Tommaso Ciampa vs. Grayson Waller and Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro vs. Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta.
UFC
Shavkat Rakhmonov (14-0) vs. Carlson Harris has been added to a 2/5 show.
OTHER NOTES
Absolute Intense Wrestling on 11/26 in Eastlake, OH at Force Sports features Jeff Jarrett as the special guest and Psycho Clown is on the show. They have an after party at the Bogside Pub in Willowick, OH.
The world premiere of the documentary “The Flying Greek” about 60s and 70s wrestler Mike Pappas and both his wrestling career and his life after wrestling, takes place on 12/10 at the Fox Theater in Springfield, MO Madusa narrates the film. Pappas will be at the event.
KSW announced that in 2022 there will be 12 events airing in prime time in Europe and announced Viaplay as the broadcast partner in ten countries including Poland and Sweden starting with the 1218 show in Gilwice, Poland.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Survivor Series, UFC, New Japan Impact and the rest of the wrestling and MMA news with Wrestling Observer. Radio. You can send questions for the show to [email protected]
Some notes on Survivor Series, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock in the U.S. and WWE Network elsewhere. All individuals over the age of 12 will have to show proof of at least one vaccination dose. There is a vaccination spot at the Barclays Center which is open right at at 140 Flatbush Avenue. The vaccine is free.
The show is a series of brand vs. brand matches, with no titles at stake so no repercussions, past likely shooting some angles within the brands going forward. The winners and losers don’t have a lot of bearing on stuff going forward. From a television buildup standpoint, I’ve never seen a PPV in years with such little build or matches. But in the media, there has been far more non-wrestling media build for this show than any Survivor Series in history. On paper, most of the bouts themselves should be good. Nakamura vs. Priest will be starting the pre-show at 7:30 p.m.
Big E vs. Roman Reigns – Reigns is a heavy favorite at -650 since he hasn’t lost in so long and it’s clear they are building everything around him to main event WrestleMania. Kambi lists the over/under on star ratings for this match at ****1/4
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair – I think a lot of people are expecting a screw job finish for whatever reason, I guess playing off the angle from several weeks back that got botched with the idea that means they should do a screw job. BetOnLine favors Lynch at -400 while Kambi has her at -250. Kambi lists the over/under on star ratings for this match at ****
Damien Priest vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – It’s notable that Priest is a -1400 favorite at Kambi and you don’t have odds that long unless there is certainty of the result. Keep in mind that can always change. Priest is a -330 favorite at BetOnLine. Kambi lists the over/under no star ratings for this match at ***1/2
Riddle & Randy Orton vs. Usos – RK Bro is a slight favorite at -125 but other odds are -225. Kambi lists the over/under on star ratings for this at ***3/4
Finn Balor & Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins & Austin Theory & Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre & Jeff Hardy & King Woods & Sheamus & Happy Corbin – Oddsmakers are split on this ne, with Kambi at -108 for Team Raw and BetOnline at -180 for Team Smackdown. Kambi lists the over/under on star ratings at ***3/4
Bianca Belair & Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan & Carmella & Queen Zelina vs. Sasha Banks & Natalya & Shotzi & Shayna Baszler & Toni Storm – Team Raw is favored at -150. Kambi lists the over/under on star ratings at ***
25 man Battle Royal. It is a WWE Battle Royal. They are usually pretty similar. 5 Dimes’ top favorites are Omos at +160, A.J. Styles at +290, Sami Zayn at +400, Cesaro at +650 and Jinder Mahal at +800. Omos is the favorite across the board.
We’re looking for your thoughts on this show as well as the New Japan show in Nagoya from today, you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for both shows to [email protected]
For this week only three things combat sports related made the top 20 for the day in Google searches. Yesterday’s UFC show had one listing, for Miesha Tate as No. 18 with 50,000 searches. The Terence Crawford-Shawn Porter fight, which included Big E doing the walkout introduction for Porter, did 500,000 searches and was No. 2 for the day. Crawford won via tenth round stoppage and Porter announced his retirement after the fight. The other was on Tuesday with Mike Tyson at 500,000 for the No. 3 spot talking about almost dying from usage of psychedelics at a drug press conference.
Jim Ross on his podcast talked about this week as he’s getting radiation treatment tomorrow for skin cancer. He said he wants to do the Wednesday night show in Chicago. “Next week’s going to be a touch and go week for me, on Monday morning I’m supposed to get two cancer spots cut out of my back,” he said. “They say it’s only a few stitches but I’ve got to get ready to get on an airplane and they say it’s going to be bandaged. I can’t scratch them, I can’t touch them. Then after that on Monday, I have to go to my oncologist and they make me a boot. And the boot is what you slip on so the radiation machine has a target. I don’t know if it attaches or whatever, but it’s there to not give you any more radiation than you need and only on the spot that isn’t infected. I plan on going to Chicago, and on Wednesday, we’re going to kick ass.”
For last night’s UFC show, 85 percent of the media scores had Ketlen Vieira winning and 15 percent had Miesha Tate. Judge Michael Bell gave rounds one, two and five to Vieira. Judge Sal D’Amoto scored it the same. Judge Junichiro Kamijo had every round but round four for Vieira. in the semi, where Sean Brady beat Michael Chiesa, all three judges were 29-28, giving the first two rounds to Brady and third for Chiesa. 100 percent of media scores were for Brady.
WWE ran in Syracuse, NY last night: Riddle & Randy Orton & Street Profits b Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode & Omos & A.J. Styles, Liv Morgan b Carmella, Bobby Lashley b Rey & Dominik Mysterio in a handicap match, Charlotte Flair b Sasha Banks – one regular at the matches in Syracuse going for 30 years said this was atop five house show match during that period but several raved about it to us, Drew McIntyre & Viking Raiders b Roman Reigns & Usos, Shinsuke Nakamura b Jinder Mahal-DQ when Shanky interfered, Nakamura & Rick Boogs b Mahal & Shanky, Damien Priest won a four-way over Kevin Owens Finn Balor and Seth Rollins to keep the U.S. title, Becky Lynch Bianca Belair to keep the Raw women’s title.
Regarding the article in the new issue on WrestleMania ticket sales, it should be noted that the high ticket prices we mentioned were for both nights, not one night individually. Also, individual show ticket prices in a lot of the building are lower than past years due to it being two nights.
The New York Post has a story on Dwayne Johnson wanting to succeed Daniel Craig as the new James Bond. He said he wanted to play Bond, not be a Bond villain. The story noted that Peter Maivia, Dwayne’s grandfather, played a Bond villain in the 1967 movie “You Only Live Twice.” This was when Maivia was wrestling in the U.K. Maivia had a fight scene in that movie with Sean Connery.
On Friday night’s Freelance Wrestling show in Chicago, Kylie Rae, unadvertised or unannounced, showed up to wrestle in a five-way women’s match. She had been out of wrestling a few months due to a mental health issue.
Kenny Omega should be announcing that he is vacating the AAA Mega heavyweight title due to upcoming surgery and not knowing a firm date when he will be back. People have been called as replacements but the final decision is still being worked on as far as the main event title match for the 12/4 show in Monterrey at the baseball stadium.
Dalton Castle beat Dragon Lee on the weekend TV to win the ROH TV title. They have been getting the belts off Lee with the idea he’s probably done with the promotion once the year is over.
We’re looking for reports on today’s RevPro show at York Hall to [email protected] Will Ospreay defends the British heavyweight title against Shota Umino in the main event and Aussie Open defends the tag titles against Ricky Knight Jr.& Roy Knight, plus Michael Oku vs. Mike Bailey for the cruiserweight title and Alex Windsor vs. Debbie Keitel for the women’s title.
WWE
Natalya noted that her win on Smackdown was the 500th win of her WWE career, the most of any WWE woman wrestler in history.
AEW
The 2021 movie “Queenpins” that aired on Showtime Monday night had a brief clip of a character watching the start of “Dynamite and there was an AEW graphic late in the movie. There is no mention of AEW in the end credits (thanks to Harold Kruger)
The 1/12 advance for Dynamite in Raleigh is one of the weaker ones for a new market they’ve had. The last number we had was 2,507 seats out.
Eddie Kingston is booked for the 12/9 New Japan show in Los Angeles.
OTHER NOTES
Defy Wrestling from last night in Seattle before a sellout of nearly 800 fans: Lio Rush b Titus Alexander, Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl b Kaimana & Ativalu to keep the tag titles,Yuya Uemura b Sonico, Rebel Kel b Vertvixen, Nick Wayne b Joey Janela (people were raving about this match, Wayne is the 16-year-old son of the late Buddy Wayne and the match went 33:00), Mark & Jay Briscoe b Schaff & Ethan HD, Brody King b Tom Lawlor. Janela called this match the best bout of his career. Next show is 12/16 in Highland Park, CA at the Lodge Room with Brody King, Christopher Daniels and Nick Wayne and 12/18 in Seattle at Washington Hall with Eddie Kingston.
Northeast Wrestling from last night in Waterbury, CT: Eddie Kingston won over Brian Anthony & Vito in a handicap match street fight, Dan Maff & Wrecking Ball Legurski b Bear Country, Vincent b Chris Battle, Jaylen Brandyn & Traevon Jordan b Elijah Dean & Zach Nystrom, Channing Thomas b Gio Galvano, Brian Pillman Jr & Griff Garrison b Cam Zagami & Antonio Zambrano-DQ so the local tag champs retained, Zane Bernardo & RJ Rude b Tommy & PJ Grayson, Cole Karter b Brett Ryan Gosselin (thanks to Nick Mahmood)
St. Louis Anarchy from last night in Granite City, IL: Anakin Murphy b Solomon Tupu, Kody Lane b JDX, Camaro Jackson & Campbell Myers & SK Bishop b Christian Rose & Manders & Gnaris Garvin, Warhorse b Kevin Lee Davidson, Kenny Alfonso b Ace Perry, Billie Starks won four-way over Everett Connors, Thomas Shire and Greg Jovi, Victor Analog b Alice Crowley, Derek Neal b Craig Mitchell, Jake Dirden b Dak Draper, Aaron Williams b Kevin Ku, Gary Jay b Jeremy Wyatt in a street fight to win the Heritage title. Wyatt had been champion for 37 months. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Mission Pro Wrestling from last night in Conroe,TX: Amber Rodriguez b Ki Vibez, Rache Chanel b Zeda Zhang, JP Harlow b Matt Vandagriff, KiLynn King b WOAD, JennaCide b Ashley D’Amboise, Charlette Renegade & Robyn Renegade b Big Mama & Riley Matthews, Jazmin Allure b Skye Blue, Holidead b Madi Wrenkowski, Thunder Rosa b Layne Luck in a falls count anywhere match. Rosa and Dave LaGreca have been doing a feud with LaGreca was in Luck’s corner. Viletta LeGreca, Dave’s wife, was in Rosa’s corner. If Rosa won, LeGreca had to get a tattoo on his ass. If Luck won, then Rosa would have to get a tattoo on her ass. At one point Rosa speared LeGreca into a wall with hundreds of beer cans that all fell down. Rosa wrote something in magic marker on his ass after the match and then thanked him for all his coverage of Mission Pro Wrestling and they hugged in the ring. The next show in 12/11 in San Antonio. It will be a Salvation Army benefit to collect toys. Thunder Rosa & teenage son Anakin Rosa face Ashley D’Amboise & JP Harlow. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
RevPro had two shows in Huntingdon, UK yesterday
Show one: Karl Fredericks b Chuck Mambo, Yota Tsuji b Doug Williams, Aussie Open b Robbie X & Callum Newman, Alex Coughlin b TK Cooper, Luke Jacobs b JJ Gate, Mike Bailey b Connor Mills
Show two: Robbie X b Luke Jacobs, Chuck Mambo & TK Cooper b Doug Williams & Brendan White, Mike Bailey b Callum Newman, Alex Coughlin & Karl Fredericks b Kenneth Halfpenny & Shaun Jackson, Ricky Knight Jr. b Lucas Phillips, Michael Oku & Connor Mills & Shota Umino b Will Ospreay & Aussie Open
Game Changer Wrestling announced they would be doing an independent wrestling Hall of Fame event on 1/22. The first names announced were Jerry Lynn, who will be inducted by longtime friend Sean Waltman, and Homicide.
AJ Francis, formerly Top Dolla of Hit Row, noted that he collected 15 full shopping carts for canned food for homeless children at Sarah’s House in Fort Meade, MD, this weekend. Francis had noted after being let go on Thursday that this canned food drive was still going to happen.
On the latest edition of his Grillin’ JR podcast, AEW commentator Jim Ross said that according to his doctors, he is not expected to miss any time due to radiation therapy for a skin cancer growth just above his left ankle.
After getting the diagnosis last week, the 69-year-old said he has to undergo 22 radiation treatments on consecutive days, but will not need chemotherapy.
“It’s inevitable. It’s coming and I have to deal with it. I haven’t found myself buried in the minutiae of whether this is happening or that is happening,” he said. He has been dealing with this issue for over a year as the spot was getting bigger and bigger.
Ross said that according to his doctors, the plan is that he won’t miss any work which means he will remain both on AEW Dynamite Wednesdays and the November 13th Full Gear pay-per-view depending the start date of his treatments.
“It’s just a matter of dealing with the issues, gritting your teeth and moving on. That’s kind of what I’m doing,” he said. “I didn’t get the worst kind of skin cancer. Whatever that is, I don’t have it. It’s one of those deals. It’s part of the journey. I have to deal with it and I will deal with it, no doubt about it. It’s just a pain in the ass to get all these treatments.”
Ross said that while he was being evaluated, the doctors found two additional “spots” on his back that will also be removed.
This is Ross’ second round with skin cancer after a 2016 diagnosis and 2018 surgery.
Jim Ross revealed on social media today that he has been diagnosed with skin cancer.
Ross, 69, wrote on Twitter confirming that he had skin cancer, writing that radiation was likely the next step. He will still be at tonight’s AEW Dynamite event in Orlando, Florida.
“On my way to Orlando for tonight’s @AEW Dynamite,” Ross wrote. “Skin cancer confirmed. Waiting on radiologist study to determine best treatment. Likely radiation. Feeling great and ready to attack. Thanks for the support from so many.”
On Thursday, Ross wrote that he was undergoing a CAT scan for a potential skin cancer issue. He mentioned that he had been dealing with this issue for over a year. He had previously been diagnosed with skin cancer back in 2016, with surgery in 2018 taking what was left of the cancer out of his shoulder.
Ross, a longtime announcer for WWE, was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2019, he joined AEW as a commentator for Dynamite along with Excalibur and Tony Schiavone.
An amazing weekend for pro wrestling as AEW on 8/20 featured the return of C.M. Punk, while WWE the next day at SummerSlam brought back Becky Lynch and Brock Lesnar.
The Punk return was one of the most amazing television wrestling moments in history. Never before has a show been announced with simply a name, The Last Dance, just a few weeks ahead of time, in a building the size of the United Center in Chicago, and sold out instantly.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio covering all the latest pro wrestling and MMA news. Garrett and I have a great show with Tony Khan covering a ton of different AEW topics including All Out, location for one of the first if not the first UK show, and talks about roster expansion.
Tony Khan said reports that they are looking to remove Jim Ross as announcer are inaccurate. He said he’s never said that and he’s also told Ross he’s never said that. Ross has said the report was news to him.
Want to note the death of Ed Asner, one of the greatest television actors of all-time, including the portrayal of newsman Lou Grant on both The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the show called Lou Grant, which were both among the biggest hits in television of their era. Asner was 91. Asner had a pro wrestling connection. He was the star of the 1974 movie “The Wrestler,” promoted by Verne Gagne where he essentially played the role of promoter Verne Gagne while Gagne played the role of wrestler Verne Gagne. It was by no means a good movie, but if you are a wrestling fan, it was a fascinating look at the early 70s AWA during one of its hotbeds and the Verne Gagne vs. Billy Robinson babyface vs. babyface feud over the AWA title. Another pro wrestling related note is that Asner was a notable high school football star in Kansas City. I don’t know if he was a teammate or rival of Bob Orton, the grandfather of Randy Orton, who himself was a major wrestling star in the 50s, 60s and 70s. However, the two were close friends dating back to high school football, who kept in contact long after Asner became a star and talked fairly regularly until Orton’s death. When Asner would get to Minneapolis, he would look up Gagne as well.
Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley PPV is tonight from Cleveland. 60.1% of bet money bet on Paul, but 72.0% of total betters picked Woodley. Paul is the -195 favorite and as someone who is younger and has boxed, should be the favorite over Woodley, who has never boxed and is long past his prime as an MMA fighter. But Woodley should provide far more competition than Ben Askren did.
These are numbers based on the major markets for Smackdown and Rampage on Friday night. This would factor out any football pluses and minuses in the sense of being credited with or having the numbers lower by not being in the time slot because there are all markets that didn’t have NFL games on FOX affiliates last week or this week. Smackdown with the promotion of Becky Lynch and Brock Lesnar, the latter who wasn’t there, was up 15.9% in those markets in 18-49 and 13.6% in households. So huge increases and great numbers.
Friday’s Rampage, the 18-49 number based on the major markets was 54% of the prior week. The household number was 63.5% of the prior week. That would be considered good if that holds up nationally. Last week’s number wasn’t about to come close to being duplicated and may never be in that time slot. But unlike last week, where, with DVR+3 numbers figured in, Rampage was the No. 1 sports show on television for the week in either cable or broadcast, this week it will be back to normal numbers. Based on these numbers it should be below week one, not not far below week one. But again, it’s only measuring a few markets. National numbers for both shows will be available tomorrow.
People have been raving to me about today’s Stardom show from the Shiodome in Tokyo. It is up on YouTube for free and the Natsupoi vs. Starlight Kid match was said to be among Stardom’s best this year and Takuma Iroha vs. Maika was said to be very good. Sayaka Unagi vs. Rina was also praised given the level of experience of both wrestlers.
Stardom shows are going to be all singles matches for the next month to catch up on the 5 Star Grand Prix due to shows being canceled the past few weeks from COVID. Stardom also has an October show announced for Osaka Jo Hall. In addition, Hazuki ame out of retirement today and is back full-time.
As noted on the front page, there will be Stardom matches at the Wrestle Grand Slam shows at the MetLife Dome in Tokorozawa on Saturday and Sunday that will air on New Japan World. In the past, the women’s matches were only for the live show. Many big names won’t be at the show because Stardom is running regular shows on those dates.
The NWA anniversary show from the Chase Hotel in St. Louis is available on PPV and FITE today including Nick Aldis putting up the NWA title against the career of Trevor Murdoch, plus Ric Flair return to the Chase, where he had many big television matches in the late 70s and early 80s. Billy Corgan got John Goodman to do the voiceover for the opening of the show.
It was announced last night that the new International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame out of Albany, NY, which had its first induction ceremony last night, would be housed at the Times Union Center, the city’s major sports arena. The current issue goes through the large induction class that includes most of the biggest names in pro wrestling history.
WWE
The new Broken Skull Sessions with Steve Austin episode with John Cena debuts on Peacock and the WWE Network on 9/26, after the Extreme Rules PPV show.
AEW
The actress who plays the role of Carol Spade on Heels, Alice Barrett, is the cousin of AEW announcer Alex Marvez. Marvez told her to study Ann Gunkel for her role.
UFC
Ben Rothwell vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima was announced for 11/13.
OTHER NEWS
Great Muta hit Kaito Kiyomiya with a car earlier today after a pro wrestling show in Kanazawa, Japan in an angle to build a future match.
Was told that Friday’s Steve Corino vs. Colby Corino match that aired on IWTV was very emotional and worth going out of your way to see.
Insane Wrestling Revolution from Thursday night in Monroe, MI: Mysterious Movado b Sam Beale,Alex Cluckey b Nate Bock, Benjamin Boone b Kenny Urban, Trey Miguel b Cody Deaner, Dread King Logan b Rd Lee, Aaron Orion & Tommy Vendetta b DBA & Malcolm Monroe III, Darren McCarty (former NHL star with the Detroit Red Wings) b Chinstrap Jesus, Dread King Logan won three-way over Rhino and Konnor (from The Ascension). Shane Douglas managed Logan. Next show is 10/14 with Douglas & Logan vs. Tommy Dreamer & Rhino (thanks to Leonard Brand)
This week was the 30th anniversary of the death of Martin Karadagian, the promoter and top star in Argentina television wrestling history with his Los Titanes En El Ring promotion ran from 1962 to 1988. It was the most popular promotion in the history of the country and there is a long article on his career in the 2008 Hall of Fame issue of the Observer.
Crusherfest, a Milwaukee festival based on the city’s most popular wrestler, was announced for 10/9 and 10/10 at 1101 Milwaukee Ave., in South Milwaukee, the area where Crusher’s statute is located. It will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. There will be live wrestling, old wrestling stars, cold beer, food, and polka music as well as a Mr. Saloon contest.
Bill Apter talks to Tammy Sytch about a typical day in jail, future goals, & more on the Apter Chat. Taped 8/28/21 at the @IPWHF.
Lacey Von Erich’s SWE Fury ran last night in Irving, TX. Scott Steiner, Salina de la Renta, Chavo Guerrero and Teddy Long were all advertised and not there. Their scheduled 9/11 show in Hamilton, TX has been canceled.
Great North Wrestling yesterday in Kingston, ONT:
Afternoon show: Hardcore Steve b Skykes,Jeff Black b Kyle;e Boone, Miss Alexia b Frank Drouin, Shilo b Sabrina Kyle, Rene Dupree b Rex Atkins, Mike Bailey & Kristera b Jeremy Prophet & Jessica Black, Blood Hunter b Colin Street & Jason Petitclerc
Evening show: Miss Alexia b Eve, Jessica black b Kristera, Sabrina Kyle b Rough House Jeff Black, Nova b Shilo to win women’s title, Jeremy Prophet b Mike Bailey to keep Canadian title, Blood Hunter b Rene Dupree to retain GNW heavyweight title (thanks to Anthony Ambrose)
Clash Wrestling from last night in Allen Park,MI: Damian Chambers b Breyer Wellington, Natalya Markova b Nevaeh, Elk won four-way over Darian Ultra, Rick Michaels and Frank Isaac Anderson to because the first Big League Brews champion, Jake Crist won three-way over James Alexander and Ren Jones, Joe Coleman & Idris Abraham b Tommy Trznik & Cameron Sky, Josh Alexander b Juntai to win heavyweight title (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Jim Ross will conduct a sit-down interview with Darby Allin and Ethan Page on this week’s Road Rager edition of AEW Dynamite.
Allin and Page are set to face each other in a coffin match in the near future. That match had originally been slated for Road Rager, but was later postponed.
Allin and Sting have been feuding with Page and Scorpio Sky’s Men of the Year tag team, including squaring off in Sting’s first match in front of live fans since 2015 at the Double or Nothing PPV in May. Page and Sky later defeated Allin in a handicap match on the Friday, June 18 edition of Dynamite. Prior to AEW, Allin and Page feuded in Evolve in 2016 and 2017.
Here is the announced lineup for Road Rager:
AEW Dynamite: Road Rager, Wednesday, July 7, 8 p.m. Eastern time —
AEW Tag Team Championship street fight: Young Bucks (c) vs. Penta El Zero Miedo & Eddie Kingston
A new segment has been announced for next week’s AEW Dynamite.
Jim Ross will sit down with The Pinnacle. This follows events from last week’s Dynamite, where Chris Jericho defeated Dax Harwood despite the interference from the rest of The Pinnacle. Mike Tyson, who was the special ringside enforcer for the match, prevented Cash Wheeler from using Chris Jericho’s bat. That allowed Jericho to pick up the win with the Judas Effect. After the match, Jericho confirmed that Tyson was an auxillary member of The Inner Circle.
The Pinnacle and The Inner Circle have been feuding since The Pinnacle’s formation, with MJF forming a group with FTR, Tully Blanchard, Wardlow, and Shawn Spears after he was ousted from The Inner Circle. The two groups will meet in a Blood and Guts match on May 5.
Also announced for next week’s Dynamite:
Darby Allin vs. Jungle Boy for the TNT title
Hikaru Shida vs. Tay Conti for the AEW World Women’s title
On a special edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and I discuss the sudden passing of Jon Huber, better known as AEW’s Brodie Lee and WWE’s Luke Harper.
We also talked to AEW announcer Jim Ross earlier in the day to discuss the passing of Danny Hodge at 89 years old. Because of when we recorded it, there’s no conversation about Huber’s death.
Finally, we close things out with some discussion of recent news.
In part two, we talk about AEW’s young talent, new roster members like Lance Hoyt and Brodie Lee and whether or not fans can expect to see more additons to AEW in the near future, Chris Jericho’s leadership role, are Orange Cassidy and Marko Stunt killing the business, Cody’s growth as a talent and a creative force behind the scenes, what part of “Under the Black” does J.R. expect will make the most headlines and much more.
Jim’s new book “Under the Black Hat” is available this Tuesday and you can get free shipping in the 48 contiguous states United States if ordered on his website where you can also find all of JR’s sauces, jerky, and spices.
On this special two-part Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and Jim Valley talk to Jim Ross about his new book “Under the Black Hat“.
JR talks about his favorite chapters, memories of his late wife Jan, the unique challenges faced by the wrestling business in these trying times, what he learned from Bill Watts, driving around Leroy McGuirk, the maturation and improvements of the AEW product, questions he has about the TV operation going forward, his assessment of Tony Khan, and the advice he would give Vince McMahon if he were to ask Jim his opinion on how to approach WrestleMania 36.
Jim’s new book “Under the Black Hat” is available this Tuesday and you can get free shipping in the 48 contiguous states United States if ordered on his website where you can also find all of JR’s sauces, jerky, and spices.
‘Left My Wallet’ returns with the man behind Starrcast and who bleeds Alabama crimson, Conrad Thompson.
We start our discussion about the disappointing showing for Alabama in the BCS championship game, how much the loss hurt, his thoughts on Dabo Sweeney, Kyler Murray’s NFL prospects, the ten Alabama players drafted in last week’s NFL Draft, and more.
The talk then tuns to Starrcast II as part of AEW Double or Nothing weekend. The man behind the all-around wrestling experience tells what made him decide to do a second Starrcast, what changes he’s made for the second, what he learned to do and not do, the impetus that made him decide to run again, and all the amazing experiences and shows he’s bringing to to Caesars Palace during the weekend.
Finally, he talks about his newest podcast endeavor with Jim Ross and what makes the reformatted podcast improved and unique.
It’s a quick and easy listen on wrestling, football, and podcasting with the 22-year Observer subscriber and the man responsible for so many polarizing podcasts today.
Jim Ross is officially part of All Elite Wrestling.
AEW announced today that Ross has signed a three-year deal with the company and “will take on the role as Senior Advisor in what is the most lucrative deal in pro wrestling commentary history.”
The press release announcing the news also stated that Ross will “work closely with the senior leaders at AEW on their roadmap to shift and reinvent the wrestling landscape.”
Ross will appear at AEW Double or Nothing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25. Sports Illustrated reported that he’ll be calling the show.
“Helping create a new brand with AEW is heart-pounding,” Ross told Sports Illustrated. “I can’t wait to prepare. I’ve always believed I had some gas left in the tank, and today I believe it more than ever. I can’t wait to get started with this fresh and vibrant new company. Business is about to pick up.”
March 29 was the final day of Ross’ contract with WWE. He returned to WWE in 2017 but was used increasingly sparingly over the past two years.
Ross appeared on this week’s Road to Double or Nothing episode, which also announced that Alex Marvez and Excalibur will be commentators for AEW. Alicia Atout, who recently departed Impact Wrestling, will be AEW’s backstage correspondent. Justin Roberts will be their ring announcer.
The show featured Michael Nakazawa’s “farewell” to DDT, with it being announced on Being the Elite earlier this month that Nakazawa is joining All Elite Wrestling. In his video, Omega said those at AEW never forget where they came from. He announced that Nakazawa will still be allowed to work with DDT and said he’s sure the fans will see Nakazawa in DDT again.
Omega also teased potentially appearing for DDT in the future, saying “And — who knows, maybe in the future you’ll even see me too.”
DDT was Omega’s home promotion prior to him signing with NJPW in 2014.
– Jim Ross appeared on ESPN’s Outside the Lines today and was asked if he’d be joining AEW. “I don’t know. We’re talking — we’re talking,” Ross said. “I just haven’t signed anything yet. My people and their people are doing their thing.”
Ross also discussed why he’s leaving WWE. He said WWE wasn’t using him very much, he feels like he has some great years left, and he needs to get out of the house, be involved, and be on the road and around people.
Ross’ contract with WWE expires at the end of this month.
Jim Ross announced on his podcast that he is leaving the WWE at the end of the month.
Ross said on the podcast that he recently spoke to Vince McMahon, mutually agreed to part ways, noting that he would not be part of the WWE after his contract expires at the end of the month.
“I still want to play the game, I still want to stay busy,” he said on the podcast. “I will not be returning to WWE after the 29th of March.”
He said he will be moving on in a positive way and has no regrets about his run in the WWE, saying that his smartest move was joining in the WWE in 1993. He also said that he didn’t think he would be out of work long.
Ross has been in and out of the company over the last several decades, but most recently re-signed with the company in 2017, returning at WrestleMania 33 to commentate on the No Holds Barred match between Roman Reigns and the Undertaker. He also was a part of last year’s WrestleMania calling the Andre the Giant Battle Royal, and called the first Mae Young Classic tournament in 2017.
His last appearance on WWE television was as a part of a guest panel prior to the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia last April.
