WOR: Lee Fitting, three-hour RAW, Tokyo Domes

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including RAW moving back to three hours, New Japan Tokyo Dome and WrestleDream line-ups, Tribute to the Troops is no more, Lee Fitting, ratings, the RAW report, mailbag and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: More on the death of Rey Mysterio Sr.
4:23: Raw confirmed to be three hours on Netflix debut, Lee Fitting’s name not on WWE Raw credits, no more Tribute to the Troops
9:16: JBL on Ashley Massaro allegation
15:05: Zack Sabre Jr.’s match at Korakuen Hall on Monday, new notes on Wrestle Kingdom
30:30: Ratings
33:51: WWE Raw recap & lineups for the week
50:46: Q&A

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Mercedes Mone ‘so happy’ she gets to accomplish Tokyo Dome dream

Mercedes Mone is just a couple weeks away from accomplishing one of her biggest goals in pro wrestling.

On Sunday night, Mone retained her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Hazuki in the main event of Strong Style Evolved. It was then revealed that Mone will face Mina Shirakawa in a potential double title match at Wrestle Dynasty. If Shirakawa still holds the Revolution Pro Wrestling Undisputed British Women’s Championship, that title will be on the line in addition to Mone’s NJPW Strong belt.

Wrestle Dynasty is being held at the Tokyo Dome on January 5. During an Instagram live session last night, Mone got emotional when discussing how much wrestling at the Tokyo Dome means to her. Mone said she’s so happy that she gets to accomplish this dream against Shirakawa.

“One of my biggest goals, my biggest dreams, I get to perform — I get to wrestle at the Tokyo Dome [on] January 5,” Mone said before tearing up. “I’m so frickin’ happy. I’m literally just so happy, oh my gosh. It’s so cool. It’s so cool that I still get to chase my dreams and accomplish dreams. I’m so happy.

“And I’m legit so happy it’s against Mina, who when I first went to Japan in like 2018, Hayashi-san — the guy who makes Rey Mysterio’s gear — contacted me and said, ‘Hey, I want you to meet Mina. She speaks pretty good English and she will show you around Japan.’ And I remember she messaged me, and she was just so sweet and showed me around Japan and took me to so many cool places. And now we get to wrestle each other in the new year. Man, I can’t believe the new year is like two weeks away, two and a half weeks away. And I did so much this year, and I’m so thankful. I cannot believe everything that’s happened to me within all these years.”

The Tokyo Dome is where the former Sasha Banks made her first NJPW appearance in 2023, but this will be her first time wrestling at the venue.

Mone — who also currently holds the AEW TBS title — has a chance to become a triple champion if she defeats Shirakawa at Wrestle Dynasty.

Wrestle Kingdom 19 and Wrestle Dynasty are taking place from the Tokyo Dome on back-to-back days. The latter event will feature wrestlers from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH. Shirakawa competes for both AEW and Stardom.

Shirakawa posted on social media that getting to face Mone is also a dream for her.

DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: All eyes on the Tokyo Dome

This week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show looks back to the 1930s and all the drama surrounding Madison Square Garden.

Then, we travel back in time to one of my favorite Tokyo Dome shows — the night Stan Hansen knocked one of Big Van Vader’s eyeballs out.

Finally, during the second half of the show, we begin a discussion on the evolution of the current fanbase in wrestling.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Vince McMahon Netflix series, more MSG & Tokyo Dome history

I have a great listen for you on today’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show.

Recently, I have been looking back in history at shows from Madison Square Garden and the Tokyo Dome in Japan which continues this week.

Plus, I have some thoughts on the Netflix Vince McMahon documentary series.

From Jim Londos to Akira Maeda to McMahon, this week’s show has it all.

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DragonKingKarl: How I became a court certified expert on wrestling

On this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show, I answer the question of whether I really am a court certified expert on pro wrestling.

Yes, I am! I tell you how it came about, who was involved, and more.

On this week’s show, there is more 1933 Madison Square Garden history and I begin a look at the history of pro wrestling at the Tokyo Dome in Japan which starts in 1989. Enjoy my love for Big Van Vader, Masahiro Chono, Buzz Sawyer, and the Russian wrestler invasion!

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Wrestling Observer Live: AEW Dynamite preview, NXT TV report, Ibushi, Tokyo Dome, more

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including last night’s NXT TV show, AEW Dynamite tonight, Mercedes and Trinity, Smackdown and Rampage ratings, the Tokyo Dome, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Wrestling Observer Live: RAW report, upcoming line-ups, Tokyo Dome, Seth Rollins’ contract

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including the world famous RAW REPORT, a look at all the upcoming shows over the next week, the ratings report, Seth Rollins’ contract coming due and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Keiji Muto wrestles final match at the Tokyo Dome

Keiji Muto had his final match at the Tokyo Dome on Tuesday, and it wasn’t against Tetsuya Naito.

Naito did wrestle Muto, winning with the Destino. Towards the end of the match, Muto hit multiple shining wizards, which Naito kicked out of. Muto then teased hitting the moonsault, but ultimately decided against it. Naito took control of the match and eventually picked up the win with Destino.

After the match, Naito raised his fist in the air. Muto fist bumped Naito and held the ropes open for him as Naito made his exit.

Muto then cut a promo, saying that he said one last thing he must do. He called out Masahiro Chono to a match. Chono, who did commentary for the main event, came to the ring and took off his jacket. The two proceeded to have a short match, with Tiger Hattori as a referee. Chono ended up winning with the STF. 

After a speech by one of the announcers putting over his career, Muto then made his exit. The last image shown on the video screen was the message “Pro Wrestling Love” next to images of Muto, Shinya Hashimoto, and Mitsuharu Misawa.

Muto also had a retirement show at Yokohama Arena last month for his Great Muta persona. Teaming with Sting and Darby Allin, he defeated Hakushi, AKIRA, and Naomichi Maurufuji.

Big Audio Nightmare: Wrestle Kingdom 17 review, New Year Dash, NJPW vs. NOAH

The Big Audio Nightmare is back to talk about everything happening in the world of Japanese professional wrestling over a crazy first week of the year.

This week’s topics include:

  • A full review of Wrestle Kingdom 17
  • We try to put the greatness of Ospreay vs. Omega into words
  • Thoughts on KAIRI vs. Tam Nakano
  • What worked (and what didn’t) about the Mercedes Mone debut
  • An eventful New Year Dash, including Omega and Okada teaming
  • NJPW vs. NOAH Wrestle Kingdom 17 card rundown

Much more!

Listen below of wherever you get your your favorite podcasts!

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Wrestling Observer Live: RAW report, Tokyo Dome tonight, Sasha, Naomi, tons more!

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including the Tokyo Dome tonight, RAW report from Monday with HARDENED CRIMINAL DOMINICK MYSTERIO, the dangers of getting old, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Wrestling Observer Radio: Damar Hamlin, Dana White, RAW report, Tokyo Dome press conference, more!

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including Damar Hamlin, Dana White slapping his wife the week before Dana White’s Power Slap debuts, the Tokyo Dome press conference, Spencer Churchill, NOAH show notes, the RAW report from Monday, mailbag and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: The Damar Hamlin/Jerry Lawler/Owen Hart comparisons

6:15: Dana White physical altercation with wife

10:13: Spencer Churchill passes away

18:02: Wrestle Kingdom 17 press conference

24:27: NOAH thoughts

27:15: Raw recap

44:34: Q&A

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Wrestling Observer Live: ACTION ANDRETTI vs. Chris Jericho, Dynamite recap, Tokyo Dome, NXT ratings omen

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including CHRIS JERICHO VS. ACTION ANDRETTI, our full Dynamite review including MJF vs. Ricky Starks, you can kinda sorta maybe cheer a little at the Tokyo Dome and the rules are really quite simple, NXT ratings omen, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Wrestling Observer Radio: 9 Lives of Vince McMahon and Q&A, Dynamite review, Mandy Rose, Tokyo Dome, more

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the 9 Lives of Vince McMahon and a Q&A about it, Vince’s latest allegations, what happened with Mandy Rose, Tokyo Dome line-up and notes, ratings, AEW Dynamite and NXT TV reviews, spoilers for Rampage and NXT, and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: 9 Lives of Vince McMahon thoughts, new WSJ report, mailbag questions

30:03: Mandy Rose gone from WWE

33:51: NJPW notes on cheering, Tokyo Dome, Tag League finals

48:32: Ratings

53:37: AEW Dynamite recap

1:14:20: NXT recap

1:19:30: NXT and Rampage spoilers

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Wrestling Observer Live: Mandy Rose gone, Tokyo Dome, Filthy vs. Shibata, NXT report, Dynamite, more!

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including everything we know about Mandy Rose, AEW Dynamite tonight, your NXT TV report, New Japan updates leading into the Tokyo Dome, Filthy Tom vs. Shibata, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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May 23, 2005 Observer Newsletter: TNA close to TV deal, NJPW record low Tokyo Dome attendance

We are one step and most likely just a few weeks away from having the second edition of the Monday Night Wars.

While TNA’s television situation remains up in the air at press time, the most likely scenario is that sometime, probably as early as the next few weeks, TNA will debut on WGN in a Monday night 8-10 p.m. Eastern time slot. This would give them the first hour unopposed, and a second hour would be head-to-head with the first hour of Raw. Contracts have not been signed nor has a deal been verbally closed, but a final, decision on TV, is almost surely going to be made within a week or two at the most.

TNA officials have one meeting left with Spike TV. Outwardly, Spike has continued to act as if they are not interested in a pro wrestling franchise, and feels UFC, which they’ve been able to market in a manner where ad rates per capita go for a far higher price than the negatively viewed by s the ad community pro wrestling business. Perhaps the most underpublicized story this year in wrestling is the recent socioeconomic breakdown story that showed out of 180 different prime time television shows, World Wrestling Federation shows finished 180th when it came to percentage of upper middle class and upper class viewership, a survey that more than just confirmed, but put an exclamation point on the prevailing advertising viewpoint of pro wrestling. Still, they have kept in contact with TNA, but it has always been, and still is, a longshot.

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