Tag: ricky morton

Daily Update: WWE tapings, Japan travel restrictions, Ricky Morton

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Are you interested in attending our annual F4W/WON convention? We will hold it during AEW Double or Nothing weekend. For more information, check this post for activities and prices.

WON NEWSLETTER: Sweeping changes due to the coronavirus Dave Meltzer looks at how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting pro wrestling and MMA.

A detailed look at how the pro wrestling and MMA industry has changed in just one week is the subject of our in-depth lead story.

We cover:

Steps taken, made, executed, and constantly changed, from WWE, UFC, AEW and every other company. 

Which companies can afford the lockdown the best, and which companies are threatened the most.

WWE, why they chose to do WrestleMania now on tape, why the move made little sense. 

Why UFC was forced to shut down shows and the steps they took to avoid it.

What AEW said and what it actually meant. 

The dangers from doctors on doing shows right now. 

Latest ideas for WrestleMania, revenue lost by not doing the show now, just how fast decisions were changing, pro wrestling vs. MMA in an empty arena, styles vs. styles in an empty arena, what does and doesn’t work, ideas to make the show more entertaining, what is and isn’t finalized for WrestleMania, and update on other planned WWE events.

We also cover:

WWE training, who were brought to the WWE & AEW taping, what was said to those working there, Dana White’s memo to the staff, why UFC had it harder to keep shows going than pro wrestling, UFC’s economic realities, different reactions of talent about shows continuing, new dates for major shows, next shows on UFC schedule, ESPN plans, Japanese government reaction, updates on Japanese shows, XFL ending the season, how the first season leaves the XFL in its quest to make it, Bellator’s reaction, MLW’s reaction, Impact’s reaction, NWA’s reaction, Independent shows, WrestleCon, U.K. groups, Mexico and other U.S. indies.

AEW’s live television show, the in and out of character remarks, Cody and Tony Khan’ reactions, and show things were handled 

A look at the career of Jushin Liger, his historical status, his early career, his becoming the best wrestler in the world, his debut with the character, who was first pegged for the role, his debut with the gimmick, his U.S. arrival in WCW, his one MMA fight, and his list of credentials.

Why WWE stock hasn’t collapsed, Shane McMahon’s income, Michelle Wilson and George Barrios’ severance packages, update on The Revival, WWE threatens small group on a frivolous case, WWE legend selling his home, last several weeks of Canadian TV ratings, Jerry Lawler talks empty arena matches, latest WWE tryout, Sonya Deville talks storyline she wanted, as well as the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

Full coverage of the UFC’s empty arena show in Brasilia, Brazil with the stories coming out of the show and match-by-match coverage.

A feature on the worst weekend in the history of the business when Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son.  We look at the Reelz television show that just came out covering the crime as well as a look at the Viceland story coming this week.  We talk about different theories, the death of Eddy Guerrero, CTE, steroids, xanax and more, WWE reaction, drug testing questions and problems and much more.

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker. 

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the 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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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about various wrestling subjects, WWE, AEW, Japan wrestling starting back and more with Wrestling Observer Radio. We’ll also be taking questions for the show to [email protected]

The WWE did tapings at Full Sail University yesterday for NXT so they will be doing new matches. Raw will be taped for the next three weeks today and tomorrow at the Performance Center.

AEW will be doing a lot of taping on Wednesday. It’s a new show with Cody vs. Jimmy Havoc and Kenny Omega vs. Sammy Guevara for the AAA heavyweight title. Given the restrictions on people allowed to be together, it is impossible to do a lumberjack match as had been advertised with Wardlow vs. Luchasaurus. 

Aleister Black vs. Bobby Lashley and Street Profits defending the tag titles against Andrade & Angel Garza were announced for WrestleMania.

Regarding talent traveling to Japan from the U.K. or U.S. or Mexico, talent can come in but they have to be quarantined for 14 days in a hotel or a home when they arrive. Davey Boy Smith Jr., for example, flies out tomorrow morning for the Champion Carnival tour and will have to stay in a hotel for 14 days. The flip side is the risk that if he goes, he may not be allowed to return. He said that he really likes Japanese culture and has friends there, so if it happens, he’s okay.

Ricky Morton on his podcast noted that he had woken up on 3/17 with a bout of Bell’s Palsy. He was very scared, but he can shut his eyes and talk and it is clearing up.

WWE

  • Mojo Rawley is now officially on Smackdown.  The idea is that with Rob Gronkowski on Smackdown, since he works for FOX, then Rawley should be there as well.

AEW

  • These are the matches on Dark tomorrow:
    Jake Hager vs. Joe Alonzo
    Colt Cabana vs Brandon Cutler
    Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall vs. Jon Cruz & Matt Sells
    Kip Sabian vs. Suge D
    Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss vs. Corey Hollis & Mike Reed
    Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky vs. Shawn Spears & Robert Anthony
  • A trailer for the movie “Power Bomb,” which includes Britt Baker and Matt Cross. (thanks to Joe Puccio) 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • A confidential settlement was reached in a lawsuit filed by Hulk Hogan against Mike “Cowhead” Calta and Matt “Spiceboy” Loyd who allegedly were the ones who leaked the sex video to the National Enquirer. Stories can be found here and here. (thanks to Terry)
  • Kento Miyahara did not set the title defense record today for the Triple Crown as he lost the title to Suwama. I haven’t seen the match yet but hope to do so later today. 
  • Branko Cikatic, who is best known for being the first-ever K-1 World Grand Prix champion in 1993, and fought on some early Pride shows in the late 90s, passed away today in Croatia at the age of 65.
  • For those wondering about the match I spoke of on the show with Garrett Gonzalez on Friday night involving Chris Benoit and Eddy Guerrero as a tag team and talking about eating Korean BBQ after, it was March 27, 1995 at the Tokyo City Gym, an easy ****3/4 match with Benoit & Shinjiro Otani vs. Guerrero & Koji Kanemoto. So no Liger in that match. The show was taped for television but that match never aired as far as I can recall, so it’s probably not on NJPW World, but it would exist in the NJPW library.  
  • Stardom holds its one-night Cinderella tournament on Tuesday at Korakuen Hall which will air live and free on YouTube early tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. Eastern. It will only air live and then be put up later on the Stardom World streaming service. There will be fans at this show.
    Momo Watanabe vs. Starlight Kid
    Jungle Kyona vs. Giulia
    Konami vs. AZM 
    Syuri vs. Jamie Hayter
    Tam Nakano vs. Saki Kashima
    Saya Kamitani vs. Natsuko Tora
    Maika vs. Utami Hayashishita
    Mayu Iwatani vs. Hana Kimura
  • World Series Wrestling pushed back its Australian tour to 11/28 to 11/30 with shows in Melbourne and Sydney.  Britt Baker will not be on the new tour dates and is being replaced by Tenille Dashwood.
  • Also, the PWA show we had results in here yesterday was from Sydney, not Melbourne (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Sirius Radio plays old Johnny Carson shows and reader Richard Orloski heard the one today, from April 26, 1985.  Carson took an audience question asking if he thought pro wrestling was fixed. He was very diplomatic but noted that throwing somebody into the ropes and having them bounce back at you wouldn’t happen in real life. Someone in the crowd said that they do get hurt for real and the blood is definitely real. Carson didn’t make fun of it.
  • A few notes regarding air travel.  From one friend who works at SFO, he said that no matter what you are told, there are flights coming in every day from all over the world.  There were people making connections who came from Taipei, Taiwan and Tokyo within minutes and there were no restrictions or quarantine going on. 
  • A Go Fund Me has been set up for a knee replacement for Koko B. Ware.
  • Regarding the Chris Benoit case that has been talked about a lot in recent days due to the Reelz and Vinceland stories, a new edition of the book CHRIS & NANCY: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling’s Cocktail of Death is now on sale at allmajorebook platforms.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13

CONTACT INFORMATION

NWA Power results: Aldis vs. Morton World title match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The show opened with a video recap of Team Morton beating Team Aldis in six-man action, earning Ricky Morton his NWA World Heavyweight title shot tonight. 

Joe Galli and Stu Bennett welcomed us to the show and then pushed the main event. 

David Marquez interviewed Robert Gibson. Gibson said Ricky is like a brother to him and he’s as happy as a kid who just got a big bag of toys that his friend gets to challenge for the title tonight. 

**********

THUNDER ROSA DEFEATED TASHA STEELZ

Steelz got a quick one count off an early dropdown tackle sequence. Rosa used a couple of quick strikes to gain the upper hand and then hit a one-legged dropkick. 

Rosa used a chinlock and then hit a series of strikes to the back of the neck and head followed by a neckbreaker. Steelz got her feet up on a charge into the corner. She came off the top rope, but jumped right into a spear from Rosa. Rosa then hit a package driver for the pin.

They didn’t have much time to work with, but this was a good match. Both of these women are super talented. Marquez interviewed Rosa after the match. He asked what Melina’s plans are for tonight. Rosa said he should ask her himself as only Melina knows.

**********

They cut to a Nick Aldis pre-taped promo. He said he saw that Marty Scurll went over his head and got himself booked on the PPV. Aldis said he did the same thing and got himself booked at ROH Free Enterprise.

Aldis called on all the NWA fans to show up at Free Enterprise wearing their NWA colors, showing their loyalty, and that he hoped Marty will meet him in the ring there. 

**********

Galli interviewed Royce Isaacs and May Valentine. Isaacs said Aldis is doing just fine. Galli brought up that Isaacs has been chickening out of matches and getting pinned a lot since Valentine came around. Isaacs said that his recent behavior has nothing to do with the fact that Valentine hasn’t slept with him yet. Valentine said there’s nothing wrong with being pure and making your man wait.

This was supposed to be comedy, but no one in the studio audience laughed. 

**********

Austin Idol, professional wrestling psychologist, told us to call 555-GET-HEAT and he would teach us how to get over and get heat. This was a positive in that it was an Idol segment without a date rape “joke.”

**********

TV TITLE TOURNAMENT QUALIFYING MATCH: TREVOR MURDOCH DEFEATED THOM LATIMER 

This was all Latimer except for the finish. Latimer beat Murdoch around ringside and then threw him back in for more of a beating. Latimer used a pop-up powerbomb for a near fall. Latimer missed a charge into the corner and Murdoch used a schoolboy for the pin. This was really more of an angle than a match.

**********

We saw a video package recapping the recent issues between Allysin Kay and Melina. Melina said she’s a living legend. 

Galli moderated a discussion between Melina and Kay. Melina was taking a while to get to the point. Kay told her to spit it out. Melina told her to sit there and f—ing listen. 

Melina said she’s giving Kay what she wants, a match. Kay wanted Melina in the ring now. Melina said no, you’ll get Thunder Rosa for the title at the PPV but only if you beat Marti Belle in a no DQ match next. 

Kay said Melina won’t be able to escape her forever. 

**********

NWA WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION ALLYSIN KAY DEFEATED MARTI BELLE IN A NO DQ MATCH

They traded strikes in the ring AND then rolled outside and continued to throw. Belle hit a rolling elbow and then dropped Kay face first on the ring steps. Belle retrieved a chair and used it to apply a camel clutch. Belle sat Kay in the chair and then missed a charge into it, somewhat selling her knee afterward. 

They fought into the audience. Kay used a chinlock on the arena steps, which, as we all know, is much more painful than a chinlock in the ring. Back in the ring, Kay threatened to use the chair on Belle. Belle begged off and then tried to grab it. Kay hit her finisher on Belle onto the chair and then got the pin. 

This was okay. Belle has improved since I saw her last. Some of the no DQ spots with the chair were a little rough. 

**********

We got a video package recapping how Morton came to challenge for the title tonight. This was well done. 

A spoof commercial for self-hypnosis VHS tapes aired. 

**********

Pope and Eddie Kingston came out for an interview with Marquez. Pope said they didn’t suffer a tough loss last week. He said he helps people and pushes them to succeed. Pope said he’s still looking for his super powers and when he finds them, he’ll bring change to the NWA. 

Kingston said they don’t lose, they learn. He won’t be taking Homicide’s place in the last chance gauntlet. He said his heart is with Homicide, Homicide is his blood.

Kingston’s promo and Pope’s delivery were both good.

**********

Kyle Davis tagged in for Joe Galli on commentary. Aron Stevens appeared at the promo desk. He invited his sensei, The Question Mark, to join him for a Mongrovian karate demonstration. The audience chanted for karate. 

Question Mark did some karate movements in the ring while Stevens described the poses and techniques. Question Mark beat up two “students,” demonstrating self-defense. 

Stevens told Question Mark that he was ready to test for his fourth degree belt. Stevens went to the ring and prepared to break a board. One of the students unmasked as Ricky Starks and hit Stevens with the board. This was good, but it went way too long.

We got a commercial for Tony Falk’s waffles and tire irons. Falk said he taught Shawn Michaels how to speak carny and his store only sells solid gold tire irons.

**********

KEN ANDERSON DEFEATED CW ANDERSON, CALEB KONLEY, JOCEPHUS, COLT CABANA, DAVE DAWSON, SAL RINAURO, QUESTION MARK & ARON STEVENS IN A LAST CHANCE GAUNTLET MATCH

The rules here were eliminations came by pinfall, submission, or being thrown over the top rope. Rather than regular gauntlet style, participants joined the match at regular intervals rather than after an elimination.

CW and Konley began with some chain wrestling. Jocephus joined the match, and immediately got tossed. Konley hit Anderson with a Liger bomb for a two count. Cabana joined the match. He hit a springboard crossbody and then hit his Dusty elbows. CW hit Cabana with a sliding lariat for a near fall. 

Dave Dawson entered the match. He hit a fall away slam on Konley. Aron Stevens entered. He climbed into the ring, then rolled to the floor, then hid under the ring. Zicky Dice came to the ring for a promo. He said he’s already qualified for the tournament, so he won’t be wrestling tonight as he’s a PPV wrestler. 

Sal Rinauro joined the match and hit a sliced bread on Cabana. Dawson hit Rinauro with a dropkick. Everyone teamed up to eliminate Dawson. 

Ken Anderson entered and used a Mic Check on Rinauro to pin him. Ken then did the same to Konley for another elimination. Cabana and Ken teamed up to work on CW. Cabana used a Superman pin on CW to eliminate him. 

Question Mark came to the ring and Stevens came out from under the ring. Mark accidentally hit Stevens with a Mongrovian Spike. Stevens did a great comedy sell of this. Mark and Stevens got tossed. 

Ken and Cabana were the final two. Ken used a schoolboy to pin Cabana. Ken continued to go after Cabana after the match. He hit a Mic Check in the ring and then another into the post. 

**********

James Storm and Eli Drake came to the promo desk for an interview. They put over Ricky Morton. Storm put over Ricky’s mullet and said Morton for president in 2020 will make the mullet great again. 

Storm led the crowd in a prayer. He asked God to bless Morton and give him the strength to kick ass tonight. They promised to kick Aldis’ ass all over the country. Storm said sorry about our damn luck. 

**********

Galli hosted a breaking news segment, running down the Hard Times show.

Matt Cross vs. Ricky Starks and ROH’s Dan Maff vs. Zicky Dice were announced for the TV title tournament. Aron Stevens vs. Scott Steiner was also announced for the show. 

Flip Gordon cut a pre-taped promo on Aldis and promised to beat him Friday.

**********

NWA owner William Corgan joined the commentary team for the main event. Corgan had Stu Bennett announce that all seconds were bannned to protect the sanctity of the main event, so Strictly Business and Robert Gibson were sent to the back. 

NWA WORLD CHAMPION NICK ALDIS DEFEATED RICKY MORTON TO RETAIN

Aldis did some stalling after the opening bell and took a stroll around the ring. 

The action started with a lockup. Aldis broke cleanly in the corner. He broke cleanly again after another lockup. Morton used a side headlock takeover and worked the headlock forever. 

Aldis asked for a knuckle lock but hit a strike instead, a classic heel move. Morton hit a back elbow and a thumb to the eye, followed by an inverted atomic drop. Aldis rolled to the floor and went for a walk, stalling again. 

Morton rolled outside. Aldis posted him and then rammed his face into the apron. Back inside, Aldis hit some stomps and right hands. Aldis came off the top rope, but right into a right hand by Morton. Aldis hit a thumb to the eye and a slam. Aldis took the Ric Flair bump off a slam off the top rope. Morton hit a hurricanrana for a near fall, then slapped on a figure four. Aldis forced a rope break. 

Morton used a DDT to roll into a small package, but Aldis reversed into his own small package and pinned Morton by grabbing the tights. 

This was slow and a very old school match, but there are still many things that Ricky Morton is great at. 

A Marty Scurll video interrupted the post-match, then a PPV hype video played before the closing credits rolled. 

**********

This show featured wrestling that ranged from okay to good, and promos that ranged from good to great. It still feels to me like the NWA is missing a hook, a unique style, or a signature star that would take this from a fine show to must-see every week. 

VIDEO: NWA Power episode 15 – ‘Generation Clash’

Posted on by F4W Staff

A clash of generations takes place tonight on NWA Power:

NWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Aldis will take on one half of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, Ricky Morton. The NWA World Heavyweight title will be on the line.

Melina will have a special challenge for NWA Women’s champion Allysin Kay, as Kay will be facing a mystery opponent of Melina’s choosing.

Matches set for today’s show include Thunder Rosa vs. Tasha Steelz and Thom Latimer vs. Trevor Murdoch in a TV title qualifying match.

Interview segments slated for this show include Ricky Morton’s longtime tag team partner Robert Gibson, Elijah Burke, Eli Drake, James Storm and Royce Issacs.

There will also be a Hard Times PPV update that will cover scenarios in case Ricky Morton becomes the new NWA World champion. The update will also cover the TV title situation and an opponent for Aron Stevens and the NWA National championship.

Hard Times, the NWA’s next pay-per-view, takes place on January 24.

NWA Power results: Strictly Business vs. Team Morton

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Editor’s Note: You can watch tonight’s episode here.

The show opened showing the debut of Scott Steiner on NWA Power from last week, and Nick Aldis’ shocking run-in at Sunday’s Ring of Honor show.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express made their way out to ringside. Ricky Morton wanted the young wrestlers to listen. He said the first thing they have always done was put the fans first, and that they paved the way for all the young guys to make millions of dollars. He said he was like the fans, though, because he had to get up before the sun was up and work hard to pay the bills to take care of his family.

Morton said they have fought the best in the world and they accept NWA World Champion Nick Aldis’ stipulations from last week: if Team Morton wins tonight’s six-man main event, Morton gets a NWA title shot. Robert Gibson said that he wasn’t going to tell yet about who was on the team, letting them wonder.

— The brackets for the NWA Television tournament were announced with two mystery spots open. Ziggy Dice was at ringside and asked, “What has Ricky Starks done to deserve being in this tournament?” Starks replied with several graphic things said about Dice’s mother and that he went toe to toe with Aldis.

NWA World Television Championship Tournament: Zane Dawson defeated Dave Dawson

Dave and Zane tried to overpower each other several times, exchanging shoulder tackles and big splashes. Zane hit a flying shoulder tackle for two. Zane hit the ropes, but Dave hit an impressive flying kick. Dave ran at Zane, but Zane moved and Dave hit the middle turnbuckle face first.

Zane ripped at Dave’s shirt and started chopping him, but Dave went after Zane’s injured hand. The referee pushed Dave away, and as his back was turned, Zane hit a huge right hand with the cast to pin Dave and advance. However, he was yelling in pain and looked like he injured his hand further.

— We got a video package focusing on the recent Colt Cabana/Ken Anderson tag team issues. Cabana said he believed in Anderson, that he believed in their tag team, and he needed to get into Anderson’s headspace so that they could get in the game. Anderson said he wasn’t bitter and believed he was in the right headspace. It seems like we have a feud developing between those two which could be fun.

Melina defeated Ashley Vox

Vox immediately hit a shotgun dropkick, but Melina countered a corner charge and hit a dropkick to Vox’s knee. Melina threw Vox into the corner, but she slipped through the middle rope and hit a head scissors. Melina bumped weird for it and botched flipping over. Vox went for a cannonball in the corner, but Melina dodged and proceeded to stomp on Vox and choke her on the ropes.

Melina ate a headbutt from Vox, but countered with a kick, and then landed another one. Vox rolled her up, but Melina kicked out and hit a few more strikes. Both women exchanged forearms, and Vox slipped behind and went for the Reel Catch, but Melina countered into a standing leg drop while doing the split for the pinfall. Melina was no good at all in this match. Vox is a great worker which helped it a lot, but she was badly exposed in this one.

Melina said her sights are on the title and called out NWA women’s champion Allysin Kay to let her know her plans for next week. Kay came out and said she was ready to fight and was ready now, but Melina said she wanted her to prepare and be ready to compete next week for the title.

— We got video footage of Nick Aldis coming to Ring of Honor, saying that they shouldn’t have come to his territory. On Saturday, he attacked Flip Gordon and targeted Villain Enterprises, calling Marty Scurll out. Aldis claimed that he was the real world’s champion. We then got footage from Sunday’s ROH show when Aldis was doing a promo and Gordon was part of a group who ran him out of the arena. Aldis called out Gordon for a match at NWA Hard Times which is now the main event of the PPV.

— The Pope came out with Eddie Kingston and Homicide, and said he was their advisor, but not manager. He wanted to help them get opportunities, pointing out that Aron Stevens was the NWA National Champion, but refused to defend his title. He had a challenge for Stevens and Question Mark, saying if they wanted to become great, they needed to take them on.

NWA National Champion Aron Stevens & The Question Mark defeated Eddie Kingston & Homicide

Kingston blocked a kick from Stevens and gave him the look of death. Stevens screamed and rolled to the outside. He came back in and Homicide tagged in and landed a chop and then a big running forearm in the corner. Homicide tried to do it again, but Stevens moved, and he crashed shoulder first into the corner, immediately causing him to sell the injury from previous weeks.

Stevens drove Homicide shoulder first into the turnbuckle and started attacking the arm viciously. Stevens continued to work over the arm with submissions and cheap shots with the ropes. Homicide hit a back body drop on Stevens, and Kingston ran in and started biting and attacking Stevens.

Question Mark came in and hit the Mongrovian Spike on Kingston, which drove him to the mat, holding his throat. As Homicide was going for the Cop Killa on Stevens, Homicide’s shoulder went out and Question Mark hit Homicide with the Spike, enabling Stevens to get the pin.

I liked the psychology of this match with the working over Homicide’s arm and him unable to hit his finisher because of it. I also like selling a throat thrust. Getting jabbed in the throat would not be something pleasant, and it makes sense to sell it.

— Aldis came out and welcomed Scott Steiner, saying that he was one of the men that mentored him when no one else would. Steiner said that the first time he saw him, he knew Aldis was going to be a world champion. Steiner said he wakes up in the morning and wants to punch people in the face. He brought out the original NWA World Tag Team Championship and talked about how he and Rick beat everyone up in front of them. He said Ricky and Robert were two people he wanted to beat up, always hated them, and that he was going to kick their asses for thinking they are the greatest of all time.

Team Morton (Robert Gibson, Eli Drake & Tim Storm) defeated Strictly Business (Tom Latimer, Royce Isaacs & Scott Steiner) to earn Ricky Morton an NWA World title shot

Latimer started the match by beating on Drake and whipping him into the corner. Drake managed to tag out to Gibson, and both men hit a double back elbow on Latimer. Gibson threw a few right hands and tagged out to Storm, who worked over Latimer’s arm. Latimer punched Storm in the throat and tagged out, but Storm caught Isaacs in a fallaway slam and a running boot.

Drake hit an elbow drop on Issacs for a two count. Isaacs pulled Drake from the middle rope, and he crashed into the top turnbuckle. Steiner tagged in and hit some chops in the corner on Drake before hitting a belly-to-belly on Drake before tagging out to Latimer. Latimer hit a back elbow for two and tagged out to Isaacs.

Isaacs hit a big back suplex on Drake and tagged out to Steiner. Steiner hit a huge overhead belly-to-belly suplex on Drake and tagged out to Isaacs who continued the assault on Drake. Drake finally managed to tag out to Gibson who hit a sunset flip on Isaacs for a two count and then locked on a sleeper hold. Chaos ensued when Latimer broke it up as everyone ended up on the outside. Drake hit a jawbreaker on Isaacs and Gibson rolled him up for the three count to earn his partner an NWA world title match next week.

This was a very simple tag match, but absolutely worked for the audience, who were into every spot and the heat of the match. Every guy was utilized to shine, and the legends weren’t embarrassed by showing how much they aged. This was very well done.

**********

I really liked this episode of NWA Power. We got the big match announcement of Gordon vs. Aldis, presumably for the NWA title should Adlis defeat Morton next week. The whole show also set up more of the TV title tournament which leads nicely into next week. This was great stuff.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Express to present AEW Tag Team titles to first champions

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AEW is set to crown its inaugural Tag Team Champions next week, and a Hall of Fame team will be playing a part in the process.

It was announced today that The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) will be appearing on next week’s episode of Dynamite. They’ll present the AEW Tag Team titles to the winners of the promotion’s Tag Team Championship tournament.

The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) are facing SoCal Uncensored (Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian) in the Tag Team title tournament finals on Dynamite next Wednesday. The episode is taking place at the Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, West Virginia.

To get to the finals, Pentagon Jr. & Fenix defeated Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy & Marko Stunt) in the first round of the tournament and Private Party (Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy) in the semifinals. Sky & Kazarian defeated Best Friends (Trenta Barreta & Chuck Taylor) and The Dark Order (Evil Uno & Stu Grayson).

Sky replaced Christopher Daniels in the tournament after an angle where SCU were attacked by The Lucha Bros right before their match against Best Friends.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Express added to NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed tour

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express have been added to the Fighting Spirit Unleashed tour.

NJPW announced this evening that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, will be part of the Fighting Spirit Unleashed tour later this month. A short video was released with Ricky and Robert talking about the upcoming tour. 

This will mark their first appearances under the NJPW banner. They previously toured with All Japan Pro Wrestling in the late eighties.

Roppongi 3K and Lance Archer were also announced for the tour. It starts September 17 in Lowell followed by the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York on September 28 and the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on September 29. The full cards for the tour have yet to be released.

NJPW is continuing to ramp up their presence in the United States, as they will return to California on November 9 in San Jose and November 11 in Los Angeles.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Express set to compete in the 2019 Crockett Cup

Posted on by Bryan Rose

One of the more prolific teams from the Crockett era are set to compete in this year’s Crockett Cup.

Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, have been announced for this year’s tournament. They’ve previously competed in the 1986 and 1987 tournaments, but failed to advance to the finals.

Already announced for this year’s tournament include The War Kings (Crimson and Jax Dane), Villain Enterprises (Brody King and PCO) and the Briscoes. Teams from both CMLL and NJPW are also expected to be announced ahead of the tournament.

An NWA World Heavyweight title match as also been announced, as Nick Aldis will defend the title against ROH’s Marty Scurll. Willie Mack, the North American champion and Jazz, the NWA Women’s champion, will also be defending their titles.

The 2019 Crockett Cup will take place on April 27 at the Cabarrus Arena in Concord, North Carolina.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express joining WWE’s 2017 Hall of Fame class

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Adding to a class that already includes Kurt Angle as its headliner, it was revealed on Monday afternoon that The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express would also be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.

The announcement that Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson would be joining the Hall of Fame was made by CBS Sports, with WWE also posting an article about it on their website. Morton & Gibson were voted into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame in 2014.

“It was a surprise,” Morton said to CBS Sports. “I had a message on my phone (from WWE) to call the number back. I think they got ahold of Robert at the time. When they called, it was just like a suckerpunch. It just knocked us off our feet.”

“It’s an honor for Ricky and me to go into the Hall of Fame,” Gibson said.

Morton & Gibson remain one of the most popular babyface tag teams of all time, with their rivalry with The Midnight Express in the 80s serving as one of the most fondly remembered periods in tag team wrestling history.

They held the NWA World Tag Team titles four times during their peak, and had a brief run in the WWF in 1998. The duo most recently appeared in TNA Wrestling as part of The Hardys’ Tag Team Apocalypto match last year.

The 2017 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set to take place on Friday, March 31st at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida as part of WrestleMania weekend in the city.