A wide variety of stories are featured in this week’s double sized issue of the Observer.
Our lead story looks at how WWE and AEW have handled COVID-19, including notes on the WWE outbreak, how its TV shows changed, Jon Moxley & Renee Young, handling of masks by both companies, how WWE’s policy changed, what AEW did this past week, who missed this week’s WWE television and reasons why in many cases, WWE responds to questions about how they’ve handled things and more.
The new issue also covers:
WWE firings and suspensions based on Speaking Out, Sammy Guevara, responses by a number of people who claims against them and how different companies have reacted.
More on the suicide death of Hana Kimura, her mother speaks, what she said to a friend and what was and wasn’t staged about her role on Terrace House which led to her depression.
Motions filed by Jerry McDevitt on the Saudi Arabia situation, as well as a response by Hugo Savinovich, and what is and isn’t relevant to the lawsuit itself.
Wednesday night competition, with the ratings in all the key demos for both shows, the ratings pattern, how every quarter and match did, what lessons are learned, what’s up for next week, as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings.
New Japan Cup with notes on local television, the storylines leading to the final four, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings of the last four shows.
The television industry and sports and how this affects WWE and AEW. We look at WWE buying Evolve, Kane’s political stance on masks,.Roman Reigns talks why he’s not appearing for WWE right now, Update on the Oliver Luck lawsuit against Vince McMahon, Extreme Rules update, Kairi Sane’s future, Edge talks injury, Canadian and U.K. TV ratings, how wrestling stands in sports ratings, Becky Lynch’s push for her booking that WWE didn’t do as far as losing the title, WWE star fears another surgery, Gail Kim talks traumatic WWE matches, Mike Chiods talks his departure, The Nexxus return, WWE stock value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.
A major piece on the life and career of Killer Tim Brooks. We go from the start of his career, how he got into wrestling through his family, his first match, how he got his first break and became a main eventer, his biggest runs, his early successes in Japan, the forerunner of one of WWE’s most famous angles, his career title history, his friendship with Bruiser Brody, and his running a promotion himself.
This past weekend’s UFC show with the Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker fight of the year candidate, match-by-match coverage, plus business notes.
A feature on an all-time great pro wrestler who had a recent murder charge dropped due to dementia.
Titus O’Neil up for nomination this past year for the Muhammad Ali award.
Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Keith Lee, Jeff Hardy, Dolph Ziggler, Mark Henry, and Kacy Catanzaro were guests on today’s episode of The Bump.
2K announced that WWE 2K Battlegrounds will be released on Xbox One X, Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Google Stadia on September 18. Here is a new trailer.
Booker T will be the guest on this week’s After the Bell with Corey Graves.
Robert Stone teased yesterday that a “huge new signing” for the Robert Stone Brand will be revealed on night two of NXT’s Great American Bash tonight: “My secretary Harriet just sent the paperwork over for my HUGE new signing I’ll be revealing tomorrow on @WWENXT baby. Can ya feel it??? The #RobertStoneBrand is on the rise. I know it. @WWE_Aliyah knows it. The @USA_Network knows it.”
Nintendo announced that the SNES game Natsume Championship Wrestling will be released for their Nintendo Switch Online library on July 15. It was originally a game using the All Japan Pro Wrestling license, but that was removed prior to the North American release.
MMA
Michael Bisping revealed that commentator Paul Felder will likely be quarantined and not call this weekend’s show due to being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Robert Whittaker’s manager has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a client out of $1.15 million dollars.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 26: Felder vs. Hooker, emanating from the Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Octagon returns to New Zealand for the first time since 2017 with an exciting lightweight main event featuring two fighters looking to put themselves in the title picture.
Top-ten ranked 155-pounders headline in the five-round main event as sixth-ranked Paul Felder takes on seventh-ranked Dan Hooker in each of the man’s first UFC headline bout. Both men have won two straight fights and are looking to make a push into the top five with a win here.
The rest of the card features a mix of fighters from New Zealand and Australia as well as a few UFC veterans. Among those competing are former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Australian Jake Matthews, flyweight Kai Kara-France, and Angela Hill, who fights for the sixth time in eleven months.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 4 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
They start trading right away and Cachoeira rocks Dobson for a moment. Cachoeira then drops Dobson with a straight uppercut and it is stopped after two follow-up finishes. That was a real impressive stoppage by Cachoeira.
Official Result- Priscila Cachoeira def. Shana Dobson by knockout (punch) at :40 of Round 1
> Loma Lookboonmee (4-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Angela Hill (11-7, 6-7 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Hill coming forward to start. Lookboonmee landing more early and landing some good leg kicks. Hill lands a straight right hand and then another as Lookboonmee was landing some leg kicks. They clinch and Lookboonmee lands a body kick on the break. Lookboonmee lands a leg kick. Hill lands a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Hill gets a late takedown into side control. Hill lands some good ground-and-pound as the round ends. 10-9 Hill.
Lookboonmee comes out aggressive with kicks to start the second. Hill lands a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Hill lands an elbow as they break. Hill with a stiff jab and then lands a right hook. They clinch and Hill pushes Lookboonmee against the fence. They separate and Hill lands a right hand. Hill with a jab as Lookboonmee lands a leg kick. Lookboonmee gets a takedown and Hill looks for an armbar and now looks for a triangle choke. Hill lets go of the position and the scramble up. Lookboonmee with a teet kick to the midsection and Hill stumbles back. They clinch at the end. 10-9 Hill, 20-18 Hill.
Hill lands a right hand. Lookboonmee with a leg kick and Hill counters with an overhand right. They clinch for a moment and Hill lands a knee to the body. They are both throwing punches but nothing is landing. They trade and clinch and Hill pushes Lookboonmee against the fence. They break and Lookboonmee lands a right hand as they clinch. They break. Lookboonmee lands a combo as Hill was coming forward. Hill looks for a takedown and pushes Lookboonmee against the fence. Hill lands a hard elbow. They clinch late and Hill pushes Lookboonmee against the fence and lands some body shots. 10-9 Hill, 30-27 Hill.
Official Result- Angela Hill def. Loma Lookboonmee by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Kai Kara-France (#8, 20-8 1 NC, 3-1 UFC) vs. Tyson Nam (18-10-1, 0-1 UFC) Flyweights
They come out swinging and Kara-France is landing some good punches early on. Kara-France with some kicks as Nam is unable to land any punches. Kara-France lands a nice right hand. Kara-France lands the jab and Nam’s head snaps back. Kara-France lands a left hook and Nam lands a right hand that stuns Kara-France for a second. Nam lands some good punches. Nam lands a knee and Kara-France lands a big right hand at the end. 10-9 Kara-France.
Kara-France lands a good combo to start the second round. Kara-France with a big combination and Nam is covering up and Kara-France still coming forward landing punches. Kara-France’s nose is bleeding a little. Nam lands a right hand to the body. Nam lands a right hand. Kara-France lands a right hand. Kara-France with an uppercut as Nam is coming forward. Kara-France with an inside leg kick and ducks under a punch attack from Nam. Nam with a leg kick. They trade late. 10-9 Kara-France, 20-18 Kara-France.
Kara-France throwing punches and they trade leg kicks. Kara-France with a right hand. Kara-France lands a right hand and Nam is retreating. Kara-France lands a hard left hook. Nam with a leg kick and Kara-France lands a right hand in response. Kara-France with a kick that hits Nam’s forearm. Kara-France with a powerful leg kick. Kara-France keeping Nam at distance with the jab. Kara-France gets a brief throw on Nam to reset. Nam gets a brief takedown but they get up. Nam gets Kara-France’s back late but Kara-France breaks free. 10-9 Kara-France, 30-27 Kara-France.
Official Result- Kai Kara-France def. Tyson Nam by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Callan Potter (18-8, 1-1 UFC) vs. Song Kenan (15-5, 3-1 UFC) Welterweights
They trade early and Potter gets a takedown but Kenan scrambles to his back as they get to their feet and break. They trade and Kenan lands a right hand. Kenan with some shoulder strikes in a clinch before they break. Kenan lands a right hand. Kenan lands a combo and drops Potter and finishes it. Great finish by Kenan.
Official Result- Song Kenan def. Callan Potter by knockout (punches) at 2:20 of Round 1
> Jake Matthews (14-4, 8-4 UFC) vs. Emil Meek (9-4-1 1 NC, 1-2 UFC) Welterweights
Matthews with a hard leg kick. Matthews with the jab. Matthews gets a big takedown into the half-guard. Matthews with some left hands to the body from the top. They get to their feet and Matthews lands an elbow as they break. Matthews drops Meek with an uppercut and Matthews gets right into the half-guard. Meek throwing elbows from the bottom. Matthews with an elbow from the top and Meek has a small cut open. Matthews with some body punches from the top. 10-9 Matthews.
Matthews with an uppercut and follows it with a right hand. Matthews lands a knee right to the chin and follows it with a takedown. Matthews takes the back of Meek and is trying to set up a choke. Matthews controlling the wrist of Meek and lands some punches from the back. They get up and Meek lands some good knees and then some elbows and Matthews was in trouble. Matthews then lands a spinning elbow and they exchange in a flurry before Matthews gets a takedown. They get up and Matthews is looking for the back. They break and exchange late. 10-9 Matthews, 20-18 Matthews.
Meek with a leg kick to start the third. Matthews is looking a little tired. They are trading as the pace has slowed down. Matthews shoots for a takedown but Meek sprawls and they get up. Meek lands some good punches. Meek with a strong leg kick. Matthews grabs a single leg and Meek lands some elbows. Matthews working for the takedown against the fence. Meek with some elbows and punches as Matthews still works for the takedown. Meek with a knee before they break. They trade punches in a tie-up. Meek with a late flying knee. 10-9 Meek, 29-28 Matthews.
Official Result- Jake Matthews def. Emil Meek by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Turner landing early and Culibao lands a combo. Culibao tries a takedown but Turner ends up on top and lands some elbows. Turner back on top and lands some more elbows. They get up and clinch against the fence and Turner lands a knee to the body. Turner with another knee and elbow and then locks a guillotine choke in. Turner looking to get it locked in better but he’s in a bad position. Culibao is able to escape to his feet. They trade and Turner with a knee to the body. Turner with a spin kick to the body. 10-9 Turner.
They come out trading to start the second and Turner is pressuring Culibao around the Octagon. Culibao was circling around and injured himself during it. Turner then locks in a guillotine as they scramble. He lets go and is in mount. Turner gets the back and has the hooks in and is landing punches. This should be stopped as Turner is landing lots of punches and elbows. He’s landing more and the referee finally stops it. That was a solid performance from Turner.
Official Result- Jalin Turner def. Joshua Culibao by TKO (punches) at 3:01 of Round 2
> Kevin Aguilar (17-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (18-4-1, 3-1-1 UFC) Featherweights
They feel each other out inside the first minute. They trade right hands. Aguilar is throwing a lot but not landing much. Tukhugov with a combo. They trade right hands. Tukhugov lands a big left hook that drops Aguilar and Tukhugov starts throwing punches. Tukhugov drops Aguilar again and swamrs with punches as Aguilar is down and the fight is stopped. That was a big finish by Tukhugov.
Official Result- Zubaira Tukhugov def. Kevin Aguilar by TKO (punches) at 3:21 of Round 1
Mustafaev with a high kick early. Mustafaev with a body kick. Riddell then drops Mustafaev with a straight right hand and is landing from the top as Mustafaev scrambles for an ankle. Riddell scrambles out to his feet. Mustafaev with a takedown and then takes the back as they start to get to their feet. Mustafaev with a knee. Mustafaev gets another takedown but they get up and Mustafaev has the back. He lands two knees. Riddell trying to escape. Riddell explodes out and they break. 10-9 Riddell.
Riddell lands a big right hand to start and follows it with a leg kick. Riddell rushes forward and lands a combo. Riddell with a leg kick. Mustafaev tries a right hand but Riddell ducks under and lands a right hand and then lands a body kick. They trade punches. Mustafaev lands a hard right hand. Riddell with a body kick. Riddell just misses a head kick. They trade in close range. Riddell with a kick and Mustafaev takes him down and has the back. They get up but Mustafaev gets another takedown but he isn’t doing much with them. Mustafaev gets another takedown and Riddell gives his back as they stand. 10-9 Riddell, 20-18 Riddell.
They trade to start the third and Riddell is controlling the range. Mustafaev tries a flying knee but Riddell knocks him down with a right hand but Mustafaev gets right up and tries for a takedown. Riddell escapes. Riddell with a leg kick. Riddell gets a takedown and is now landing from the top. Riddell with some punches from the top. Riddell is cut open as they scramble up. They break and Riddell with a body kick. Mustafaev grabs a single leg and gets Riddell down but Riddell landing some elbows. Riddell stands up. Riddell throws Mustafaev to the mat and lands some and is landing body punches. Riddell ends the fight on top landing. 10-9 Riddell, 30-27 Riddell.
Official Result- Brad Riddell def. Magomed Mustafaev by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Ben Sosoli (7-2 2 NC, 0-0 1 NC UFC) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (16-6-1, 5-4 UFC) Heavyweights
They are throwing big punches early and both are landing. They both land punches. de Lima with a head kick. de Lima throwing lots of punches and some landing. de Lima knocks Sosoli down with a left hand and it is stopped as Sosoli did a faceplant. Big knockout by de Lima.
Official Result- Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Ben Sosoli by TKO (punches) at 1:28 of Round 1
> Karolina Kowalkiewicz (#14, 12-5, 5-5 UFC) vs. Yan Xiaonan (11-1 1 NC, 4-0 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
They are trading early and Kowalkiewicz lands a nice right hand. Xiaonan landing the jab. They trade in close range. They trade again and Xiaonan lands some good punches. Xiaonan with a combo. They tie up and Kowalkiewicz pushes Xiaonan against the fence. Xiaonan with a takedown. Kowalkiewicz gets her guard back. Xiaonan lands a right hand and backs off and Kowalkiewicz gets up. They tie back up against the fence. They separate. Kowalkiewicz is having trouble with her right eye. Xiaonan with a side kick. They tie up and Xiaonan with a hip toss takedown. Xiaonan with some kicks as she stands. 10-9 Xiaonan.
The doctors check on Kowalkiewicz’s eye but let her fight. They come out swinging and Xiaonan is landing lots of punches. Xiaonan with a combo as she keeps coming forward. Xiaonan with a leg kick and then lands a flurry against the fence and Kowalkiewicz initiates a clinch. Xiaonan gets Kowalkiewicz down but lets her back up. Kowalkiewicz is still covering up her eye. Xiaonan gets her back and gets a suplex but they get up. They trade and Xiaonan lands some good punches and kicks. Xiaonan with a combo. 10-9 Xiaonan, 20-18 Xiaonan.
Xiaonan coming out firing to start the third as Kowalkiewicz is still having trouble with her eye. Kowalkiewicz tries a spinning back fist but Xiaonan lands a right hand and then gets a takedown and is working from the top. Kowalkiewicz looking for a leg lock. Xiaonan landing punches as Kowalkiewicz is still looking for an ankle lock. Xiaonan escapes and is in the guard of Kowalkiewicz and landing punches. Xiaonan landed some illegal kicks but they weren’t called. 10-9 Xiaonan, 30-27 Xiaonan.
Official Result- Yan Xiaonan def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
> Jimmy Crute (10-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (14-3 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC) Light Heavyweights
Crute gets an immediate takedown and flattens Oleksiejczuk out. Crute gets the back and lands some punches and keeps the fight down. Oleksiejczuk gets to his feet. Crute gets another takedown and still has the back. They get up and Crute gets another takedown. They get up and Oleksiejczuk escapes the clinch after he grabbed the fence to block a takedown. Oleksiejczuk with a right hand and then Crute gets a big takedown and is into side control and then moves to mount. Crute looking for the kimura and Oleksiejczuk taps. Crute with the dominant first-round win.
Official Result- Jimmy Crute def. Michal Oleksiejczuk by submission (kimura) at 3:29 of Round 1
> Paul Felder (#6, 17-4, 9-4 UFC) vs. Dan Hooker (#7, 19-8, 9-4 UFC) Lightweights
Hooker with some early leg kicks. Felder slips on a spinning back fist attempt. Hooker with a right hand and Felder counters with a left hook. Hooker with another leg kick. Felder with a combo. Hooker with a snapping jab. They both land some good punches and kicks. Felder with a body kick and Hooker counters with a left hand. They trade left hands. Felder with a spin kick. Hooker trips on a leg kick and they clinch as he stands. Hooker doing a good job of circling around. Felder with a solid late combo. Close, tense round. 10-9 Hooker.
Felder’s right eye is badly swollen. They are trading punches and kicks. They trade hard punches and Hooker gets Felder’s back standing. Hooker trying to get the hooks in standing. They separate and trade calf kicks. Felder with a right hand. Felder with a spin kick to the body. Felder is turning up the volume during this round. Felder with a combo to the body in close range and just misses a spinning back fist. Felder lands a flurry and Hooker lands a combo. They trade in close and Felder with a spinning elbow. 10-9 Felder, 19-19.
Hooker with a teet kick to start the third. They trade leg kicks. Felder with a nice jab. Felder with a right hand to the body. They trade leg kicks. Felder with a left hook and follows it with an uppercut. Hooker lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks and Felder’s landed a little harder. They trade punches. Both land a jab in close. They trade leg kicks. Felder with a power leg kick and then eats a snapping jab from Hooker. Hooker with a right hand. They trade hard leg kicks. Hooker with a left hand. Hooker with a nice combo. Felder with a spin kick to the body. Hooker with a body kick. Felder looks for a takeown and they clinch against the fence. 10-9 Hooker, 29-28 Hooker.
Felder with two hard leg kicks. Felder now on the offensive as he is landing some hard punches. Hooker with a calf kick but Felder counters with a right hand. Felder lands a combo. Felder with another combo. Felder lands a left that stuns Hooker. Hooker with some leg kicks and left hands and Felder rocks Hooker with a right hand. Hooker tries a takedown and they clinch against the fence. Felder lands an elbow as they break. Hooker tries another takedown and takes the back standing. Felder lands a hard right hand after they break. Felder lands another right hand as they have a close exchange. Hooker tries again for a takedown but Felder defends. Felder with an inside elbow. 10-9 Felder, 38-38.
Both mens’ faces are a mess heading into the final round. Hooker with the jab and Felder lands a leg kick. Felder with an inside leg kick. Felder lands a right hand as Hooker circled away. They trade and Felder lands the right hand hard. Felder with another right hand that connects. Felder with another right hand. Hooker tries another takedown but Felder defends as they are clinched against the fence but they break. Hooker lands a nice combo. Felder lands a right hand. Felder with the snap jab. Hooker with the jab. Felder just misses the spinning back fist but lands a snapping jab. Felder with a hard right hand. Hooker tries a takedown and completes it with a minute left. Hooker holding Felder down and both are landing on the ground. Felder gets up but Hooker takes the back and they scramble and Hooker on top but they get up. Felder with some back elbows. Incredible fight. 10-9 Felder, 48-47 Felder.
Official Result- Dan Hooker def. Paul Felder by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
With the much-anticipated Max Holloway-Brian Ortega featherweight title clash now in moth balls due to Holloway’s sudden health issues, Saturday’s UFC 226 card got an adjustment Thursday assuming no other fights fall through due to weight cut issues.
Replacing Holloway-Ortega on the PPV portion of the show will be a potentially fun lightweight tilt between Paul Felder and Mike Perry, a fight bumped up from FS1.
Franics Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis is now the co-main event. The card is headlined by heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic vs. light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier with Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis and Khalil Rountree vs. Gokhan Saki also on the main card.
In related news, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the promotion was trying to put together Frankie Edgar vs. Jeremy Stephens for the interim featherweight title but due to a recent stem cell injection that Edgar got in his shoulder, he couldn’t be ready but was down to fight on three days notice.
By all indications, Ortega is going to wait for the Holloway fight. There were rumors that the fight could be done on the promotion’s early August PPV in Los Angeles, but that would appear unlikely until Holloway gets a clean bill of health.
