This week’s two-hour Big Audio Nightmare is back to talk about everything happening in the world of Japanese professional wrestling — dominated this week by the NJPW G1 Climax tournament.
Topics include:
The final verdict on NJPW G1 Climax 33’s league play and polarizing format
An In-depth review of everything that led to the quarterfinals
EVIL reaching the semifinals and what it means for the road to Wrestle Kingdom
The baffling booking Kaito Kiyomiya in this year’s G1
G1 Final predictions
Thoughts on Stardom’s 5 Star GP, NOAH’s N1 Victory, KAIRI, AJPW, Dragon Gate, and more!
A look at how WWE & AEW are handling things like the reopening of Florida, and how Texas looks to be the place MMA companies will go to as far as putting fans in buildings is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer.
We look at the current planned date and place for WrestleMania, what sports are now allowed to do as far as live events in Florida, AEW’s current plans going forward and the new regulations in Texas.
The new issue also covers:
The Samantha Tavel lawsuit against WWE, Matt Riddle, Evolve and Gabe Sapolsky. We look at the claims and look at both sides of the story and stories that have changed. We also look at the strategy of involving WWE i the case, WWE responds to the suit, and go through the time lines and how they differ and wording of the suit. We also go through the background of the case.
History of the non-relationship of NJPW and AEW. We look at how it started, why there was heat, how the ouster of Howard Meij could change things, as well as why there were so many mentions of NJPW on this past week’s AEW show. We look at what happened in January 2019 that caused issues between the two sides, the issues with how talent was handled on the way out, and what would be the first sign if relations started opening up.
WWE draft.
G-1 tournament. We go through what style of wrestlers have been helped and hurt by the current no-cheer, no-boo environment, who has been able to get a reaction, the standings, this week’s matches, plans for the rest of the year in New Japan, plus coverage with star ratings and poll results from every show.
NXT Takeover, the show background, match-by-match coverage and poll results on the show.
Updates on the sports rights fees business and where wrestling fits in, Paige’s tweet about unions, Stephanie McMahon gets major praise, new member of WWE Board of Directors, Drew McIntyre vs. Tyson Fury update, one year anniversary of Smackdown on FOX, more on John Cena’s debut in Fast & Furious, new season of Miz & Mrs. and the time slot, Angel Garza injury update, new A&E specials on pro wrestlers coming next year, more WWE injuries, WWE UK direction, wrestling placings in sports ratings and UK rating s for WWE & AEW, Jack Gallagher talks his being released, college heavyweight wants to be managed by Pual Heyman, Miz working on a new television show, WWE new developmental signings, WWE injury updates, WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.
This past Saturday’s UFC show.
Bushiroad’s attempt at a major Stardom show this past week.
Rundown of charting the place-winners in the key Observer awards and how it relates to the Hall of Fame.
A feature on the team of Penny Banner & Lorraine Johnson, who were known for decades as being the greatest women’s tag team in pro wrestling with the death this past week of Johnson.
What sports events did the best in viewers per home while talking about AEW setting its company record in that category this week.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Our weekend show covering the WWE draft and G-1 is up on the site right now. We’ve got a ton of inside stuff regarding the draft including some picks that were scheduled as of Friday and why.
Yesterday’s G-1 show in Osaka may have been the best wrestling card of the year. For in-ring quality of matches it was.
The G-1 is back Tuesday in Shizuoka for its final week with an A card show with:
Yuya Uemura vs. Gabriel Kidd
Jeff Cobb vs. Will Ospreay
Kota Ibushi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Shingo Takagi vs. Taichi
Minoru Suzuki vs Jay White
Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii
After today’s show, Evil and Tetsuya Naito are tied for first in the B block at 5-2, with Hirooki Goto, Sanada and Zack Sabre Jr. at 4-3. We’re taking polls on the Thursday, Saturday and today’s G-1 shows, with thumbs up, down or middle, best & worst match to [email protected]
Also yesterday the Joaquin Buckley knockout of Impa Kasanganay is being talked about as one of the greatest in UFC history. There was another incredible knockout yesterday where 40-year-old Mamed Khalidov won the KSW middleweight title over Scott Ashkam in :36 in a show from Lodz, Poland.
Nothing that happened in combat sports this week had any real mainstream attention. The only thing all week from the Google search list was Buckley at No. 12 this morning but that was 20,000 searches. Yesterday’s UFC show didn’t even make the top 20. Nothing from boxing or pro wrestling did all week.
Katsuhiko Nakajima beat Kaito Kiyomiya today to win the N-1 tournament. This leads to Nakajima getting a shot at GHC champion Go Shiozaki on 11/22 in Yokohama at the Budokan.
Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport at 7 p.m. Eastern tonight on FITE TV:
Jon Moxley vs. Chris Dickinson
Homicide vs. Tom Lawlor
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Josh Alexander
Simon Grimm vs. Matt Makowski
Alexander James vs. Calvin Tankman
Erk Hammer vs. Grizzly Kal Jak
Allysin Kay vs. Killer Kelly
Lindsay Snow vs. Leyla Hirsch
Chael Sonnen will manage Jak.
WWE
The Fox WWE year-in-review special (yes, we’re in October but they are doing a season-to-season thing where the year ends at the end of September) that aired today on FOX around NFL broadcasts, meaning it will get a giant rating, will be replayed Wednesday at 4 a.m. on FS1.
MISCELLANEOUS
All Japan announced these teams for the tag team tournament that starts 11/18
Shuji Ishikawa & Suwama
Zeus & Shigehiro Irie
Jake Lee & Koji Iwamoto
Shotaro Ashino& Kuma Arashi
Ryoji Sai & Yoshitatsu
Masato Tanaka & Tajiri
Daisuke Sekimoto & Abdullah Kobayashi
Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi
Freelance Wrestling from yesterday in Indianapolis: Isaias Velasquez b Lee Moriarity, Danhausen & Warhorse b Ruffo & Yabbo-DQ, Robert Anthony b Effy to win the Legacy title, Blake Christian won over Storm Grayson, Elayna Black, Alex Zayne, August Matthews and Davey Bang, Laynie Luck b Faye Jackson, Shane Mercer won three-way over Ethan Page and Colby Corino, Kylie Rae b Josh Alexander to retain the Freelance title.
Joey Janela’s Spring Break from yesterday in Indianapolis: Rickey Shane Page b Marcus Mathers, Orange Cassidy b Rickey Shane Page, KTB & Shane Mercer b Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz, Jonathan Gresham b Lee Moriarty, Chris Dickinson & Ortiz & Santana b Jordan Oliver & Alex Zayne & Blake Christian, Tony Deppen b Alex Shelley, Lio Rush b ACH, Ricky Morton b Joey Janela, Nate Webb won the Cluster, Alex Colon b Matt Tremont in a death match
Effy’s Big Gay Brunch from yesterday: Ashley Vox & Delmi Exo b AC Mack & Ashton Starr, Still Life b Dark Starr, Manders & Levi Everett & Mance Warrner & Matthew Justice b Billy Dixon & MV Young & Josh Wavra & O’Shay Edwards, Jamie Senegal b Allie Kat, Devon Monroe won Twins gauntlet, Marko Stunt b Effy, Cassandro b Sonny Kiss
Game Changer Wrestling from yesterday in Indianapolis: Mike Outlaw won four-way over Timmy Lou Retton, Hoodfood and Zay Washington, JTG b Trey Miguel, PB Smooth & Tre Lamar won over Christian Casanova & Tasha Steelz and Angel Dorado & Air Wolf, Trish Adora b Suge D, Calvin Tankman b O’Shay Edwards, Willow Nightingale won over Marti Belle, Devon Monroe and Faye Jackson, AJ Gray b Dezmond Xavier, Lee Moriarty b ACH, AR Fox b 2 Cold Scorpio
AIW from yesterday in Indianapolis: Daniel Rockingham over Zack Thomas, Derek Dillinger and Pretty Boy Smooth, Danhausen b Mordecai, Erick Stevens b Dominic Garrini, Eric Taylor & Mikey Montgomery b Allie Kat & Levi Everett, Tre Lamar won over Lee Moriarty and Alex Shelley, Mance Warner b Mr. Brickster, Tom Lawlor b Ethan Page, Philly Collins & Marino Tenaglia b Colin Delaney & Cheech 2/3 falls to win tag titles, Joshua Bishop b Matthew Justice in a no rope barbed wire match for Absolute & Intense titles
Jarochita & Lluvia won the B block in the Mexican national women’s tag title tournament and will face Amapola & Metalica in the tournament finals on Friday night at Arena Mexico. The planned Volador Jr. vs. Bandido NWA welterweight title match from the anniversary show that was postponed when Bandido tested positive for COVID, takes place on Friday as well.
CWE announced that its 11/4 event in Oak Lake,Manitoba has been canceled due to the local health inspector not allowing the show, saying that he didn’t believe wrestling fans would follow the guidelines and ordered the promotion to hire government officials to make sure guidelines were kept that weren’t within the budget. The next show is 10/17 in Gladstone, Manitoba and they have a 10/22 show in Calgary and 10/23 event in Red Deer, Alberta. The Calgary main event is Johnny Devine vs Cody Mac.
We’ve got a double issue this week of the Observer with the full rundown of Harold Meij being out in New Japan, WWE’s social media policy as it relates to talent, and extensive G-1 coverage.
Our lead story looks at the Harold Meij era of New Japan, how he got there, the turmoil behind-the-scenes, why he’s leaving, his last words to his fan club, why the guy who handled running a wrestling company during a pandemic is out while in the pandemic and a lot of behind-the-scenes stories regarding New Japan and AEW never making a deal, and whether this can change things, and what the key issues are. The changes he made to the company, the business record and issues in dealing with talent and others and the inherent issues of a non-Japanese person in charge of a major Japanese company. This is the most inside version of what happened there since 2018 and from people who know the situation the best.
Also in this issue:
WWE’s latest when it comes to talent and social media, WWE policy, Andrew Yang and why this could be the worst time to make these decisions.
WWE Clash of Champions, NXT Takeover, Hell in a Cell, the COVID issues in AEW & WWE and how they spread, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
G1 Climax tournament, with standings, best matches, behind-the-scenes,why crowds aren’t quick to sell out, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of every show.
XFL start, changes in WWE tapings and why 205 Live will be taped with NXT ad not Smackdown, we look at declines in WWE interest and reasons why WWE draft dates, Reigns vs. Rock, Reigns talks C.M. Punk, new Dwayne Johnson TV show looked at, new WWE signings, update on WWE injuries, one of the top college wrestlers already publicly talking about going to WWE, more on TV ratings in U.S. and Canada, former TNA champion talks how close he came to joining WWE, Cena starring in new movie, Zayn talks politics, Rusev talks problems with WWE creative, update on Raw Underground, where tribal chief comes from, WWE market value and the most watched shows on WWE Network over the past week.
UFC 253, with business notes, the main themes of the show plus match-by-match coverage and poll results.
The treatment of women in pro wrestling with notes from a recent BBC article with thoughts from several women involved.
87th anniversary show of CMLL, and the plight of Lucha Libre with no fans.
Jerry Lawler 50th anniversary show.
2020 Hall of Fame ballot in each category, with the top candidate, last year’s highest that haven’t gotten in, as well as a list of those who have been elected in the past five years.
Smackdown and AEW ratings based on the same opposition, as well as network vs. cable when it comes to other sports.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio talking Takeover, UFC, Impact and all kinds of other stuff. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]. Garrett Gonzalez and I did a show yesterday with Mike Tenay talking news and the Hall of Fame. This is probably the best received show we’ve done in a long time and as good a wrestling history show as you’ll hear anywhere. We will also have a second show that will be up this coming Friday.
Thanks to everyone who has ordered my new 1997 Wrestling Observer Yearbook. The success in week one has been such that I’d think it’s a lock there will be a second one released. Right now the book is No. 1 among wrestling books on Amazon as well as No. 1 for kindle on Amazon. You can get the physical book at amazon in the U.S.or the kindle version or physical book in the U.K. at www.WrestlingObserverBook.com
Notes on tonight’s NXT Takeover and odds are from www.BetOnline.ag The show will be from the Performance Center, now called the Capitol Wrestling Center. There will be 100 fans at the show. It will also be the first time an NXT show is on PPV, priced at $54.99, so they are pricing their show more expensively than AEW, ROH or Impact do, but less than UFC does..
We have polls up today for NXT Takeover, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected] as well as for Thursday’s G-1 show in Niigata and tomorrow’s G-1 show.
Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly for the NXT title. This would not surprise me to be among the best WWE matches of the year given the talent involved and the nature of the show. Balor is listed as a -700 favorite.
Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae for the women’s title. They are coming off a great match at a prior Takeover before Shirai was champion. Shirai is the -170 favorite to retain.
Damien Priest vs. Johnny Gargano for the North America title. This also looks like a great match on paper with Priest as a -160 favorite.
Santos Escobar defends the cruiserweight title against Isaiah Scott. Also looks good on paper with Escobar a -180 favorite.
Velveteen Dream vs. Kushida – Dream is listed as a -150 favorite.
This is a very strong show on paper. Not sure what the interest level will be for NXT on a standalone Sunday against the NFL, but that was the call they made.
Mikey Whipwreck noted that Tracy Smothers, who has been battling cancer for some time, is now hospitalized with heart related issues. Best of luck to Smothers. He was one of the real underrated wrestlers of the 90s.
Kento Miyahara vs. Zeus in the finals of the All Japan Champion Carnival tournament takes place tomorrow morning from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Kaito Kiyomiya beat Go Shiozaki earlier today to advance to the finals of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N-1 tournament which takes place on 10/11 in Osaka. He will face Katsuhiko Nakajima, who beat Naomichi Marufuji to win the B block. The winner of the Carnival will then face Go Shiozaki for the Triple Crown title.
WWE
With the Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots game airing tomorrow night on CBS along with ESPN’s Atlanta Falcon vs. Green Bay Packers game head-to-head, tomorrow will actually be even tougher competition for Raw than last week. There is also a New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball playoff game. There is no post-PPV bump. to rely on this week nor will anything short of Steve Austin, Undertaker, Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey be an effective hot shot after playing the big nostalgia card last week.
WWE pulled Big Show from the Cauliflower Alley Club’s virtual convention on FITE TV to raise money for wrestlers in need to sell the injuries from Monday. Which is notable with Shawn Michaels on Wednesday of this past week not selling them nor pulled. Mark Henry replaced him.
UFC
Alejandro Perez tested positive for COVID ad he’s out of his fight wth Thomas Almeida that was scheduled for 10/10. The UFC is looking for a new opponent for Almeida.
Muslim Salikhov has pulled out of his 10/17 fight with Claudio Silva. No reason was given. James Krause will now face Silva on that show.
MISCELLANEOUS
G-1 tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. on New Japan World from Takamatsu
Gabriel Kidd vs. Yuya Uemura
Shingo Takagi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Jay White vs. Jeff Cobb
Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Taichi
Will Ospreay vs. Kota Ibushi
A really great look at modern candidates, the WON Hall of Fame, and how people don’t get credit for their work in smaller promotions It also makes a case for where modern people should rank.
This was not a big week for mainstream interest in combat sports given everything with the president, NBA playoffs, football in general and such. The only thing all week that trended was Holly Holm yesterday off the UFC show with 200,000 for the No. 4 position on the day.
Stardom ran its big PPV show in Japan yesterday in Yokohama: AZM b Starlight Kid to keep the High Speed title, Mira Shirakawa b Hanan, Riho & Saya Iida b Sumire Natsu & Yuma Manase, Natsupoi (Natsumi Maki b Death Yama-San, Bea Priestley b Momo Watanabe to win the vacant SWA title, Saki Kashima & Natsuko Tora b Jungle Kyona & Konami meaning the Tokyo Cyber Squad must disband, Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani b Maika & Himeka to keep the Goddesses of Stardom tag titles, Giulia b Tam Nakano to keep the Wonder of Stardom title, Mayu Iwatani b Syuri to keep the World of Stardom title (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
CWE from Friday night in Winnipeg: Shaun Martens b Cliff Corleone to keep the Grand championship, EZ Ryder b Mercury in a Tequila Sunrise match (both had to get wasted on tequila before the match started, which sounds perfectly responsible), Sammy Peppers b Scott Ripley, Bobby Schink b Chad Daniels, Roy Cheeks b Bryce Bentley, Mentallo b Danny Duggan, Johnny Malibu b Adam Knight, Mike Mission & Tyler James & Kevy Chevy b Dick Blood & Jude Dawkins & Adren Burton in a fan bring the weapons match, AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle b Bobby Collins & Rob Stardom in a no DQ match to win the CWE tag team titles. Next show is 10/17 in Glastone, Manitoba. CWE champion Vincent and jr. champion Jimmy Jacobs have both been stripped of their titles since they can’t get into the country due to COVID. They will get title shots to win them back when the situation changes. The CWE title will be decided in an eight-man tournament on 11/6 in Winnipeg. An announcement will be made in the future regarding how the jr. title vacancy will be filled.
The UWN’s PPV show on Tuesday night has D’Angelo Dinero & Watts vs. Zicky Dice and a mystery partner, Bryan Idol vs Levi Shapiro and Caster Show vs. Chris Dickinson.’
Grant Zwarych is selling his collection of Stampede Wrestling programs from the 80s that include stuff with Owen Hart, Jushin Liger (as Keiichi Yamada), Bret Hart, Chris Benoit, Hiroshi Hase, Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, Bran Pillman, The Stomper, Toshiaki Kawada, Shinya Hashimoto and many others at [email protected]
