The first challenger for Tyrus’ NWA World Heavyweight Championship will be former champion, Matt Cardona.
The NWA revealed on Friday that Tyrus vs. Cardona will happen on the company’s next pay-per-view, although an official date for the show has yet to be announced.
A contract signing between the two will take place on the NWA’s first-ever live edition of Power on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, TN. Tickets for the show went on sale today.
Cardona won the title from Trevor Murdoch in February but was forced to vacate it in June after suffering a torn biceps. Murdoch regained the vacated title in a four-way match at Alwayz Ready but then lost it to Tyrus at Hard Times in a triple-threat match that also involved Cardona. Now, Cardona is claiming he was never pinned to lose the title and deserves a one-on-one match with the champion.
“Matt Cardona continues to argue that he is the uncrowned NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion — as even after Hard Times 3’s triple threat match that saw Tyrus crowned the new champion, Cardona has proclaimed: ‘My rematch is still required! I’ve never been pinned to lose the 10 lbs of Gold!!'” NWA’s press release reads.
“NWA President William Patrick Corgan wants to put the matter to rest once and for all, so at the first-ever NWA LIVE Powerrr in Knoxville, TN, the One-on-One rematch between NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Tyrus and former champion Matt Cardona at the NWA’s next Pay-Per-View will be set in stone during the official contract signing in the middle of the ring!!!”
🎟 TODAY @ NOON: https://t.co/Xvf0DNb0Yx! @TheMattCardona says he is the real NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champ. Even after Hard Times 3’s triple threat saw @PlanetTyrus crowned winner Matt proclaimed: I’ve never been pinned to lose the 10 lbs of Gold! The match will be made official! pic.twitter.com/Rl9WXYbmJh
NWA Power opened with Kyle Davis in the ring as he introduced Tyrus to open the show. Idolmania Sports Management all came down to the ring to celebrate their victories at NWA Hard Times 3.
Austin Idol called Davis “Kyle Doofus” and said that he and everyone else doubted Tyrus and the rest of his group. Idol cut this promo with his back to the hard camera to which Davis said, “I’m glad you found the hard cam” which made me laugh.
Tyrus put over Jordan Clearwater for winning the TV title and Cyon for winning the National title. BLK Jeez said that it was what successful men looked like. Tyrus then talked about how there were various contenders already in line for a title shot.
Tyrus also said that Clearwater and Cyon could cash in any time for a title shot, which is news to me. Clearwater needs to win seven in a row with the TV title, and I don’t think the National title has ever been cashed in for a title shot at something else. Tyrus could just be wrong, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they changed the rules and didn’t tell us.
This promo really did nothing to advance any story other than acknowledge Idolmania Sports Management had all the gold. Tyrus said a lot of nothing, but at least Idol was entertaining.
NWA World Television Champion Jordan Clearwater and Mims went to a time limit draw
Yikes, this was not good. Clearwater controlled essentially the entire six minutes and it was boring. With this kind of stipulation, you can’t spend the whole time getting heat just to go to a draw. At least let the babyface have a chance to do something to add a little excitement to it.
The first half of this 6:05 time limit match was Clearwater trying to run the clock down including poking Mims in the eyes and using basic offense to keep him grounded. Mims started to fight back with two minutes left, but Clearwater gouged the eyes again. Clearwater suplexed Mims for a near fall.
Clearwater hit a clothesline after a sunset flip attempt that he kicked out of before going to a chinlock. Mims made a brief comeback before eating a Midas touch big boot from Clearwater. Then, time ran out.
Odinson defeated Ryan Davidson
I thought Odinson was a heel, but Davidson was using heel tactics, so they may have turned him without telling us like they do several other people. Or they’re both heels. Or they just don’t know what they’re doing. This was a nothing match, mainly because the crowd was silent throughout. The confusing heel/babyface thing didn’t help.
Davidson had a brief assault on Odinson to open the match, but he was soon working Davidson over with European uppercuts. The NWA seems to want to establish Odinson as a top guy sooner rather than later, but having him lose to Thrillbilly Silas seemed to cut off any heat this match could have had.
Davidson got the heat on Odinson far too long for someone that the audience doesn’t know. The silence during that part was astonishing, and then about eight people started clapping for Odinson until he hit a nice dropkick. Odinson hit a springboard uppercut for a two count and went for a torture rack, but Davidson attacked the arm and then hit a powerslam for a two count. Odinson countered a fireman’s carry into an irish whip and hit the pounce for the win.
– May Valentine was with Aron Stevens and she asked about him being booked to face Kratos tonight. Stevens claimed he was a manager, not a wrestler, and thought it was stupid. Valentine called him the greatest pro wrestler of all time and that she didn’t want them to hurt him since he was retired. They’re still going with the Stevens/Valentine couple thing.
– AJ Cazana and Anthony Andrews were with May Valentine talking about facing the Fixers for the tag titles on NWA USA. The NWA put the graphic up for Aron Stevens instead of Andrews, which was funny. This is pre-taped, so it’s even funnier.
– Stevens came out to the ring and claimed he was protesting and asked that the fans remain silent to protest him wrestling because he was retired.
Kratos defeated Aron Stevens by DQ
A terrible DQ finish to end what could have been a decent match, but they decided to give us this instead.
Joe Galli said that Stevens would lose his manager’s license if he didn’t wrestle which no one had mentioned until now. Stevens left the ring in fear as Kratos came into the ring. Stevens attempted to load his glove before the match, but the referee forced Stevens to remove it or else be DQ’d. Stevens removed something from the glove before taking it off and put it in his pocket.
Stevens claimed he didn’t have a wrestling license, so if Kratos touched him, he would sue him. Stevens attacked Kratos from behind and then said his license was good for two years, so ring the bell. Stevens turned around into a flying knee. Kratos hit a suplex and then two masked people ran in and attacked, causing the DQ.
The masked men were clearly Rodney Mack and Marshe Rockett. Question Mark II tried to make the save, but Rockett and Mack laid them out too. Stevens put on his glove, loaded it, and punched Kratos in the face. Tim Storm claimed that they had talked about the loaded glove for months, but this is the second time as the first time was at Hard Times 3.
If this is their follow up to NWA Hard Times 3, NWA is in for some hard times. This sucked. There wasn’t a single good match on the show, and the promos were pointless.
He defeated champion Trevor Murdoch and former champion Matt Cardona in a three-way match in the main event of Saturday’s NWA Hard Times 3 event to win the championship for the first time. The finish had Murdoch giving Cardona a DDT on the cement floor. As he re-entered the ring, Tyrus grabbed Murdoch and put him in the Tongan death grip, chokeslamming him for the victory.
The end of Hard Times 3 saw Tyrus celebrating with the rest of Idol Sports Management.
Cardona, who held the championship earlier this year, had to vacate the title after injuring his biceps. Tyrus failed to capture the title in the main event of the second night of NWA 74 back in August, but received another championship match after he cashed in the NWA Television title, which he had successfully defended seven times.
Other title changes on the show included Jordan Clearwater defeating AJ Cazana to win the Television title and Kerry Morton defeating Homicide to win the NWA Junior Heavyweight title.
The NWA also announced that a live edition of their NWA Power television show will be held on January 31 from the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The NWA has announced a change to the main event of its next pay-per-view.
On this week’s episode of NWA USA, it was announced that Tyrus is cashing in his NWA Television title for a chance to become World Champion. The NWA Hard Times 3 main event will now be Trevor Murdoch vs. Matt Cardona vs. Tyrus for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.
Wrestlers who hold the NWA TV title are able to cash in the championship for a Worlds Heavyweight Championship shot after seven successful title defenses. In a promo on NWA USA, Tyrus said he’s willing to give up what he loves most for another chance to become Worlds Heavyweight Champion.
Tyrus unsuccessfully challenged Murdoch for the Worlds Heavyweight Championship at NWA 74 last month.
This June, Murdoch won the Worlds Heavyweight Championship after Cardona had to vacate the title due to injury.
It was said on NWA USA that a tournament will be held to crown a new Television Champion. Tyrus will hold the title until that happens.
Hard Times 3 is taking place in Chalmette, Louisiana on Saturday, November 12.
Nick Aldis has been removed from the NWA World Heavyweight Championship match at NWA 74.
Billy Corgan appeared on Thursday’s edition of Busted Open Radio and announced Tyrus will now challenge Trevor Murdoch on the show.
“In the case of Nick Aldis, yes, your #1 contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Trevor Murdoch in St. Louis, I’ve dealt with this man for over four years, and for every ounce of politicking you see publicly there’s about ten times worse behind the scenes,” Corgan said.
“No one stresses me out more in the NWA than Nick Aldis, no one is more highly paid than Nick Aldis and no one is more unhappy than Nick Aldis.”
Aldis won a fatal 4-way match on NWA Power this week to earn a title shot against Murdoch.
Corgan continued to criticize Aldis for a social media post he made shortly after earning the #1 contender spot.
“I told you I would out think them all. No matter what kind of goalpost-moving goes on, I find a way to win. But I’m not naive; I know there are forces who don’t want to see me as champion again, and a lot can happen between now and #NWA74…your move…,” Aldis’ tweet reads.
Corgan then announced Aldis has been removed from the title match.
“He is stripped of the #1 contendership, he will not be in the main event of NWA 74,” Corgan continued.
“Listen, why this stuff has to play out in public I don’t know but I’m just sick of it.”
Corgan then revealed Tyrus will replace Aldis in the match.
Aldis has since responded to the news on Twitter. He posted three laughing emojis.
It was also announced that Bully Ray will now face Mike Knox on the pay-per-view in a tables match.
NWA 74 is a two-night event held on August 27 & 28 from the Chase’s Khorassan Ballroom in St. Louis. It will stream live on FITE TV. The updated lineup for the show is as follows:
August 27:
10-team battle royale for the vacant NWA United States Tag Team Championships
NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Homicide defends against Kerry Morton
August 28:
NWA World Heavyweight Champion Trevor Murdoch defends against Tyrus
F4W NEWSLETTER: Rey Mysterio’s US title win Joseph Currier looks at how WWE has started to use the legendary Mysterio to his full potential.
After periods of not being used as well as he should have been, it seems like Rey Mysterio’s legendary career may get the dream final stretch that it deserves.
Mysterio was at the center of a great moment on last week’s post-Survivor Series edition of Raw. With Humberto Carrillo being attacked by The O.C. before his scheduled title shot, Mysterio won two straight matches to become United States Champion. He defeated Ricochet, Randy Orton, and Drew McIntyre in a number one contender’s fatal four-way match and then beat AJ Styles to win the US title.
Mysterio pinned Ricochet to get the immediate title shot against Styles. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson had interfered when Orton had the fatal four-way won, and Orton then helped Mysterio even the odds a bit when The O.C. got involved in the title match. Orton took out Gallows and Anderson, gave Styles an RKO after Mysterio hit the 619, and Mysterio followed up with a frog splash to win the title. Mysterio then celebrated in the ring with his son Dominik.
A look at plans as they are for the WWE’s TLC PPV is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We look at what was on the boards this week for the card, ways it may change, why zero matches had been announced nine days before the show and Vince McMahon’s philosophy regarding PPV shows these days. The new issue also covers:
Issues with ROH, from its concussion policy, to its relationship with New Japan, with comments from both Joe Koff and Harold Meij. We look at the claims regarding a concussion policy, why ROH cut off negotiations with women’s champion Kelly Klein after first offering her more than double of her prior contract and more.
The economics of WWE, PPV vs Network and which would have been better, Orlando wants big shows, Ciampa says he’d rather retire than move to the main roster, why he said it, changes with WWE Network, TV ratings in Canada and Germany, new WWE fire, WWE in sports survey, NXT the next two weeks, Raw announcing, Carmella tarts new business, stock value, most-watched shows on WWE Network, as well as a rundown of all the weekend arena dates.
New Japan tag team tournament matches of the past week.
AAA’s TripleMania Regia, the big angle shot, the usage of rival CMLL’s old heel stable, plus the return of Kenny Omega, as well as hopes to use more AEW talent on major shows coming up. We also have match-by-match coverage.
History of Starrcade, how it started, the roles of key people like Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Harley Race and Dory Funk Jr. We look at every main event in Starrcade history, and how Vince McMahon tried and failed to sabotage the first show, but succeeded in sabotaging the fifth show. We look at how Starrcade came to be, the match in 1983 that created the first Starrcade, the Flair vs. Race program and how it was built, the Roddy Piper vs. Greg Valentine angle, what killed wrestling on Thanksgiving, plus a rundown of Sunday’s show in Atlanta.
Preview of Tito Ortiz vs. Alberto El Patron, how Combate Americas came into this world, Campbell McLaren’s role in the birth of MMA, how Alberto got into pro wrestling, his MMA career before WWE, why he was not allowed to fight on the Los Angeles Coliseum show and the realities of this fight as a PPV from a business standpoint.
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.
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].
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
Addtional notes by Joseph Currier
WWE
WWE Backstage tonight will feature the return of CM Punk. Also on the show tonight is King Corbin as as well as Offset of The Migos, who will take part in the Promo School segment.
People Magazine interviewed Ronda Rousey, who said the door is open to a WWE return but is focused on her family right now: “Right now, I think my family needs my undivided attention. I’m happy to give them that. But I’m trying to figure out a way or a system or somehow that I could give both my family and WWE the best of me and not be half ass in both.”
The jobber from last night’s Erick Rowan squash on Raw was Tracer X, who also appeared on this past Friday’s episode of 205 Live, losing to Tony Nese.
Matt Hardy tweeted today: “I needed to return to @WWE to finish in the right way. I didn’t want 2010 to be my finale. I returned in the most EPIC way & repaid my debt. I waved the #WWE flag with pride & worked hard to be a model employee. My conscience is clear & I am at peace.”
Pro Wrestling
Tokyo Sports announced their annual awards today. Kazuchika Okada took the top honor of MVP of the Year for the fourth time, previously winning in 2012, 2013 and 2015. Antonio Inoki holds the record with six wins. The winners of this year’s awards are:
MVP: Kazuchika Okada (NJPW)
Best Bout: Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA from NJPW King of Pro Wrestling
Best Tag Team: Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa (AJPW)
Outstanding Performance: Kento Miyahara (AJPW)
Technique: Kota Ibushi (NJPW)
Rookie: Strong Machine J (Dragon Gate)
Women: Mayu Iwatami (Stardom)
Fox News host Britt McHenry has filed a lawsuit against both the network and former co-host Tyrus. The lawsuit says that the network has refused to investigate her claims of sexual harassment and have targeted her instead of Tyrus.
Atlantis & Atlantis Jr. & Stuka Jr. vs El Hijo del Villano III & Mephisto & Ephesto
Rush & Dragon Lee & Mistico vs. Gilbert el Boricua & Mr. Niebla & The Chris
Ultimo Guerrero vs. Ciber the Main Man
IMPACT AT 10 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT ON THE PURSUIT CHANNEL
Jordynne Grace vs. Keira Hogan vs. Madison Rayne
NEW JAPAN G-1 CLIMAX SATURDAY AT OTA WARD GYM IN TOKYO AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN ON NEW JAPAN WORLD AND 9 P.M. ON AXS TV
Kota Ibushi & Will Ospreay & Yuya Uemura vs. Evil & Sanada & Bushi
Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens vs. Lance Archer & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino & Ren Narita vs. KENTA & Clark Connors & Karl Fredericks
Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Minoru Suzuki
Shingo Takagi vs. Juice Robinson
Jon Moxley vs. Taichi
Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jeff Cobb
Jay White vs. Hirooki Goto
Saturday has WWE Raw in Springfield, MA and Smackdown in Petersburg, VA, plus NXT in Citrus Springs, FL. We’re looking on reports from all of these shows to [email protected]
UFC SATURDAY FROM THE GOLDEN WEST CENTER IN SACRAMENTO AT 5 P.M. EASTERN ON ESPN+
Benito Lopez (136) vs. Vince Morales (135.5)
Livinha Souza (116) vs. Brianna Van Buren (115)
Jonathan Martinez (136) vs. Lia Pingyuan (136)
Darren Elkins (145.5) vs. Ryan Hall (144.5)
Nicco Montano (135.5) vs. Julianna Pena (135.5)
Andre Fili (145.5) vs. Sheymon Moraes (146)
John Allen (203) vs. Mike Rodriguez (204.5)
Cezar Ferreira (185.5) vs,. Marvin Vettori (185.5)
Karl Roberson (185.5) vs. Wellington Turman (185)
Mirsad Bektic (145) vs. Josh Emmet (146)
Urijah Faber (135.5) vs. Ricky Simon (134.5)
Germaine de Randamie (136) vs. Aspen Ladd (135)
AEW FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN FROM JACKSONVILLE ON SATURDAY AT 7:30 P.M. EASTERN ON B/R LIVE IN U.S. AND FITE TV OUTSIDE THE U.S.
Sonny Kiss vs. Peter Avalon
Shawn Spears & MJF & Sammy Guevara vs. Joey Janela & Jimmy Havoc & Darby Allin
Dark Order vs. Jack Evans & Angelico vs. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus
Dr. Britt Baker & Riho vs. Bea Priestley & Shoko Nakajima
Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky vs. Pentagon Jr. & Fenix
Adam Page vs. Kip Sabian
Brandi Rhodes vs. Allie
Kenny Omega vs. Cima
Young Bucks vs. Cody & Dustin Rhodes
EVOLVE 10TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW FROM THE 2300 ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA AT 8 P.M. EASTERN ON THE WWE NETWORK
Josh Briggs vs. Anthony Greene
Shotzi Blackheart vs. Brandi Lauren
Curt Stallion vs. Sean Maluta vs. Stephen Wolf vs. Harlem Bravado
Babatunde vs. Colby Corino
Arturo Ruas vs. Anthony Henry
Matt Riddle vs. Drew Gulak
Eddie Kingston & Joe Gacy vs. A.R. Fox & Leon Ruff for tag titles
Austin Theory vs. J.D. Drake for Evolve and WWN titles
Adam Cole vs. Akira Tozawa for NXT title
MLW ON BEIN SPORTS AT 9 P.M. EASTERN
Ace Austin vs. Air Wolf
Hart Foundation vs. MJF & Richard Holliday in a ladder match for tag titles
NEW JAPAN G-1 CLIMAX LATE SATURDAY NIGHT AT 2 A.M. EASTERN (11 P.M. PACIFIC) ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Juice Robinson & Toa Henare & Yota Tsuji vs. Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma & Yuya Uemura
Jeff Cobb & Ren Narita vs. Jon Moxley & Shota Umino
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Jay White &Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
WWE EXTREME RULES ON SUNDAY AT 6:30 P.M. EASTERN ON THE WWE NETWORK
Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch vs. Baron Corbin & Lacey Evans for Universal & Raw women’s titles vs. Corbin & Evans not being allowed to challenge for titles again in Extreme rules match
Undertaker & Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon & Drew McIntyre no rules match
Kofi Kingston vs. Samoa Joe for WWE title
Ricochet vs. A.J. Styles for U.S. title
Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross for Smackdown women’s title
Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley last man standing
Daniel Bryan & Rowan vs. Big E & Xavier Woods vs. Heavy Machinery for Smackdown tag titles
Revival vs. Usos for Raw tag titles
Tony Nese vs. Drew Gulak for cruiserweight title
Aleister Black vs. Cesaro
EVOLVE FROM MELROSE, MA MEMORIAL HALL AT 7 P.M. EASTERN ON WWW.WWNLIVE.COM
Matt Riddle vs. Curt Stallion
Austin Theory & Arturo Ruas vs. Josh Briggs & Orange Cassidy
J.D. Drake vs. A.R. Fox
Joe Gacy vs. Babatunde
NEW JAPAN G-1 CLIMAX TOURNAMENT ON MONDAY FROM SAPPORO AT 5 A.M. EASTERN ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Kota Ibushi & Jushin Liger & Shota Umino vs. Will Ospreay & Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura
Tomoaki Honma & Toa Henare & Ren Narita vs. Evil & Sanada & Bushi
Hiroshi Tanahashi & KENTA & Clark Connors & Karl Fredericks vs. Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr. & Lance Archer & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Bad Luke Fale & Chase Owens
Toru Yano vs. Shingo Takagi
Juice Robinson vs. Hirooki Goto
Jeff Cobb vs. Jon Moxley
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jay White
Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi
Raw is Monday at NYCB Live (the former Nassau Coliseum).
Smackdown and 205 Live are Tuesday in Worcester, MA.
Before this week’s return to the norm, Joseph Currier looked at Heyman’s promising start in his new role.
Though it was only the beginning of him easing into the role, the first Raw of the Paul Heyman era showed promising signs for his future as executive director.
It was surprising that — during the build to a pay-per-view where the top of the card has already been announced — Heyman’s presence was so obvious. Even if WWE didn’t announce his executive director role, it still would have been easy to tell that something was different about the episode.
It started with a literal bang that doubled as a statement of intent. Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley’s falls count anywhere match kicked off the show and ended in a no contest. Strowman charged at Lashley, with explosions going off as they crashed through the stage. The angle was treated with complete seriousness. Corey Graves even let out an uncensored “holy sh*t” on commentary.
A look at Paco Alonso and his role in running the most traditional of all pro wrestling promotions, and what happens next with CMLL, is the lead story i the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at Alonso’s death, an update on who will be running the company, how things will stay the same, what could change, the 2008 Hall of Fame election, and the career of Alonso as a promoter including the wrestlings wars he was in and the boom periods he presided over. We also look at where things stand and why Alonso is the only promoter with so much tenure in the business who has never lost money promoting wrestling.
We look at the first show of the G-1 Climax tournament, including unique aspects of the crowd, the business notes and what was good and bad about the crowd, this week’s G-1 bouts, Dallas coverage with star ratings and poll results and will AEW and NJPW promote together any time soon.
We also look at a Saturday with five major shows, running down all of them and the story behind the change in WWE policy.
We also look at Dwayne Johnson and Conor McGregor earnings, Reigns winning award, new signings, Reigns talks why AEW isn’t competition, WWE’s latest network strategy, ideas that were nixed of late that were pitched, Eric Bischoff update, Stock price notes, new WWE television show, most-watched shows of the week on WWE Network as well as a rundown of all the arena events of the past week with results, highlights and business notes.
We’ve got full coverage of UFC 239, with all the different stories that came out of the show, the judging of Jones vs Santos, the future of several fighters, all of the business notes regarding the show as well as match-by-match coverage, fighter pay, and poll results.
We also look at the changes in All Japan Pro Wrestling and what it means going forward.
We also have coverage of the Impact PPV show, where Impact stands, how the PPV did, the crossover in buyers of Impact with other companies as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
We also run down the ratings of all the major TV shows, along with detailed demo info for the WWE shows.
We also have the 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.
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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.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
Brian Cage and Melissa Santos of Impact Wrestling were married yesterday. That’s the reason there were two Bar Wrestling shows this past week, so the guests could work while in town. A lot of Impact talent was at the wedding. Among the names there were Joey Ryan, Keira Hogan, Sami Callihan, Jessicka Havok, Nevaeh, Jake Crist, Su Yung and rich Swann. Many of them, including Cage and Santos, are wrestling tonight in Baldwin Park, CA at the American Legion with Tessa Blanchard vs. Daga, Joey Ryan vs. Keira Hogan and a dollar dance with Santos.
The Aspen Ladd weigh-in situation earlier today in Sacramento was very scary. She was shaking and having a hard time walking as she went to the scale. She made weight, with a pound to spare,which was irresponsible of her team for her to cut that extra pound. This is a tragedy waiting to happen. Even though she was in that condition, she was cleared to fight tomorrow night. Hopefully nothing bad happens. Because if something bad does, this was far too public of a situation.
Here are the star ratings that you can bet over/under at Kambi for Sunday’s Extreme Rules show:
Roman Reigns & Undertaker vs. Drew McIntyre & Shane McMahon ***1/2
Bryan & Rowan vs. E & Woods vs. Heavy Machinery ***1/2
Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross **
Kofi Kingston vs. Samoa Joe ***1/2 (thanks to David Taylor)
If there isn’t enough this weekend, The Fights Only MMA awards from last week will air at 9 p.m. Eastern tonight on CBS Sports Network. Dolph Lundgren hosts the show.
The Huffington Post has a story about George Murdoch, the former Brodus Clay and Titus, and his text message to former Fox Nation co-host Britt McHenry. They were on a show together until this story surfaced in April, noting Murdoch had sent inappropriate text messages to McHenry in late 2018 through January of this year. Murdoch was not suspended and is still with the company, although he’s been moved to a different show. I really don’t see how they didn’t can him over this. Really, with the nature of the messages, it looks bad that he’s still there.
WWE
WWE is looking for women to be part of their “Fight Like a Girl” reality show that Stephanie McMahon will star in. The show has a woman and a WWE wrestler who helps them through struggles in life.
UFC
Lina Lansberg vs. Macy Chiasson and Ion Cutelaba vs,. Khalil Rountree Jr. have been added to the 9/28 show in Copenhagen, Denmark.
MISCELLANEOUS
Brian Cage vs. Michael Elgin in a street fight for the Impact title was announced for the 7/19 tapings in Windsor, ONT.
Cage has pulled out of 7/26 and 7/27 Defy shows in Seattle due to injury. Christopher Daniels will take his place in the Super 8XGP and meets Schaff in the first round of the show.
Ace Austin vs. Austin Aries has been added to the 7/25 MLW show at the Melrose Ballroom in New York
AAW runs tonight in Milwaukee at the Turner Hall Ballroom. Sami Callihan vs. Jacob Fatu headlines. They were close to sold out but there are $25 tickets left.
C4 Wrestling on 8/14 at St. Anthony’s Hall in Ottawa, ONT. Cody Rhodes will be at the show.
Greektown Wrestling on 8/8 in Toronto at 310 Danforth Ave.
CWE tonight in Craven, SK at the County Thunder Craven Festival with a free show with festival admission.
USA Championship Wrestling tomorrow night in Jackson, TN at Oman Arena with Doug Gilbert vs. Matt Riviera in a bunkhouse match, plus Tracy Smothers, Road Dogg, Bob Armstrong and Bill Dundee will be in attendance.
CWF on 7/27 in Niagara Falls, ONT at the Scotiabank Convention Centre with Tatanka, Cody Deaner,Sinn Bodhi and more.
Pro Wresting Ontario on 7/27 in Burlington, ONT .,
PWA on 7/26 in Kitchener, ONT at the Alpine Club with the Voros Twins.
Smash vs. Progress on 8/7 at 8 p.m. at the Mid Town Event Theatre in Toronto with Chris Brookes, Jordan Devlin and Toni Storm.
Neither Dann nor Emily Read, the promoters of Pro Wrestling Eve in the U.K. will be at their show this weekend. The reason was due to Emily’s mental health situation. We wish the best for both her and everyone in this situation.
An NWA video with James Storm vs. Colt Cabana for the National title.
