Even though the show is five months away, Wrestlemania 23 on 4/1 at Ford Field in Detroit is now the all-time record holder for the largest gate in North American and WWE pro wrestling history.
The company sold out its first allotment of nearly 50,000 tickets on 11/11, when they were put on sale to the general public, even with no matches announced, hinted or even planned out. There had also been a two week pre-sale. The current advance is $4,350,000, which breaks the all-time record set of $3,846,033 set on March 17, 2002, for Wrestlemania X-8 at Sky Dome in Toronto, headlined by Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock.
There will be about 28,000 more tickets put on sale at different intervals over the next several months, and are also likely to be sold quickly upon release. Ford Field is being set up for 78,000 fans, so this will end up being one of the three biggest crowds in company history and five biggest crowds in what is at least verifiable pro wrestling history.
Our annual WrestleMania issue of the Observer is out this week with full coverage of pro wrestling’s biggest event.
We go through all the news of the show, including the booking, the title changes, the finishes, the direction, what did and didn’t work, the difference between the two nights, after four examples how does two shows work vs one, the big money WrestleMania main events, the returns, the celebrities and business notes on the show. We also look at next year.
Also in this issue:
Match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results from both nights of WrestleMania and both nights of Takeover, to see how people saw all four of the WWE’s big events.
Stone Cold Broken Skull Sessions with Chris Jericho. We talk about the stories told, Jericho’s career, what they did talk about and what was avoided, how this went against usual McMahon policy and why we probably won’t be seeing another show like this very soon. We look at what was said about AEW, New Japan, WWE, some of Jericho’s frustrations with WWE that he talked about, the formation of AEW and much more.
The sale of FITE TV to Triller and why it happened this week.
Anthem Entertainment’s purchase of Invicta, plans for Invicta on AXS, and a sale that was talked about for Invicta that didn’t happen.
WWE cuts, person by person, their strengths and weaknesses and where they would fit in.
WWE international plans, hiring of Adnan Vink as an announcer, new members of the WWE Board of Directors, how much WWE’s top executives earned in 2020 and where it came from, Edge and Paul Heyman building Mania, changes in WWE announcing, WWE International numbers and where Raw & Smackdown rank with sports shows of the past week. We also look at WWE’s most-watched streaming clips and a star about to return, as well as the current market value of WWE.
Coverage of Saturday’s UFC show, comments on the winning fighters and upcoming booking, along with business notes on the show.
A feature on John Da Silva, who was the biggest babyface and a national hero in New Zealand in the 70s.
More on Ethel Johnson and sister Babs Wingo, who integrated women’s pro wrestling in the Billy Wolfe stable in 1951.
More detail on ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Our weekend show with Bryan Alvarez and I is up on the site right now covering last night’s Triller show, the UFC, Smackdown and WWE cuts. Garrett Gonzalez and I also have a Friday night show talking about the news of the last week.
The Triller show was ridiculously popular, even as totally unprofessional as it was. Right now it appears there were 7.2 million searches on Google, which is gigantic, basically that beats anything in combat sports except for Ronda Rousey’s biggest fights or something like McGregor-Mayweather. Both days of WrestleMania combined did 750,000. AEW Revolution did 200,000 as a comparison. The UFC show last night head-to-head had 200,000 last night with Robert Whittaker, Tracy Cortez and Jeremy Stephens all cracking the top 20. For the rest of the week, WWE releases had 20,000 searches on Friday. Bad Bunny causing a Ticketmaster crash had 1 million searches on Thursday. Jake Paul had 100,000 searches on Tuesday.
A&E is airing two WWE-themed shows tonight. At 8 p.m. will be the first of the eight weeks of WWE profiles, covering Steve Austin. At 10 p.m. will be the new show starring Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon covering looking for WWE treasures. The Andre the Giant HBO documentary was the lead-in. Jason Hehir, who did The Last Dance and the Andre HBO documentary did the Austin show.
The Ultimate Fighter returns after a few years on ESPN+ on Tuesday nights starting 6/1. Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega will coach, to build to a featherweight title match. These are the cast of fighters:
Men’s bantamweights:
Daniel Argueta (5-0)
Brady Hiestand (4-1)
Dustin Lampros (5-0)
Vince Murdock (11-6)
Mitch Raposo (5-0)
Joshua Rettinghous (16-5)
Liudvik Sholinian (9-1)
Ricky Turcios (10-2)
Men’s middleweights:
Aaron Phillips (5-1)
Andre Petroski (5-1)
Bryan Battle (4-1)
Ryder Newman (3-1)
Tresean Gore (3-0)
Miles Hunsinger (7-0)
Kemran Lachinov (10-3)
Gilbert Urbina (6-1)
Greg Schimizzi, a longtime Michigan area timekeeper, passed away on Friday after battling a chronic illness. He had worked on area shows for decades.
Regarding the close scores in a number of last night’s UFC fights, here are media scores:
Tracy Cortez got 54% of media scores to 38% for Justine Kish and 8% even. Cortez won via split decision.
Luis Pena got 31 percent of the media scores to 69 percent for Alexander Munoz, however Pena won the split decision
Alexander Romanov got 0% of judges’ scores even though he won a split decision over Juan Espino. Espino got 75 percent and 25 percent had it as a draw.
Jessica Penne won a split decision over Loopy Godinez. Media scores had 35 percent for Pena and 65 percent for Godinez.
OTHER NOTES
SWE Fury April 17th house show results: SWE Fury had a small card after a charity rodeo event April 17th in Belton TX at the Bad Dog Rodeo Arena, SWE Fury TV Champion Rodney Mac and Texas Champion The Blood Hunter fought to a no contest in a bunkhouse match when Blood Hunters manger Salina De La Renta started lighting hay bails on fire with kerosene fluid referee James Beard threw the match out, Rudy Gonzalez won a 20 man Battle Royal and Moonshine Mantell defeated a local. Blood Hunter also rode a bull to open the rodeo. The next SWE event is a FITE TV PPV and SWE Fury TV taping this Friday at Southern Junction in Irving TX featuring Sabu, Big Cass, Melina, Gangrel, The Boogeyman, Mark Henry among other stars. More info at SWEFury.com
A story on the C.M. Punk movie “Girl on the Third Floor”. (thanks to Chuck Langerman)
EPW from last night in Perth, Western Australia: Aaron hawk b Davis Storm to win EPW Coastal title, Julian War b Kaz Jordan, Del Cano & Zenith won over Stella Nyx & Chadwick Johnson, Casey Johns & James Hartness and Dan Moore & Jesse Lambert, Damian Slater b Bruno Nitro, Marcius Pitt b Gavin McGavin, Kiel Steria b Tyler Jacobs, Mikey Nicholls b Robbie Eagles to retain EPW title. Was told this show was tremendos and Pitt vs. McGavin was a great match. Next show is 6/12 with Slater vs. Mchael Morleone in a submission match and Edith Night vs. Casey Johns in a street fight.
Deathmatch Downunder from last night in Melbourne, Australia: JXT & FOX b Kid Valiant & Zane Zodiac, Aysha & Murdoch b Mitchell Wright & Hector Jones, Jake Navara b Magnificent Mitchell, Caveman Ugg b Tommy Knight, Joel Bateman b Atlas Whittaker in a light tube death match, Callen Butcher & Michael Weaver & Zuzu the Clown b Gweedo & York & Mike Kaos in a fans bring the blocks death match, Tyson Baxter b Shazza McKenzie, Gore b Ritchie Taylor, Aysha & Murdoch b JXT & FOX to become the first tag team champions in tournament final (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Pro Wrestling Diana from today in Kanagawa: Dash Chisako & Hanako Nakamori b Nanami & Nagisa Nozaki, Madeline & Asuka (Venny) b Andras Miyagi & Ami Miura, Jaguar Yokota & Shinobu Kandori b Kaoru Ito & Takako Inoue, Haruka Umesaki & Miyuki Takase b Ayame Saasamura & Rina Shingaki to win the Diana tag team titles, Kyoko Inoue b Ayako to to win the Diana title. Bull Nakano made a surprise appearance to put the belt around Inoue’s waist.
Tokyo Joshi Pro from yesterday in Tokyo at Korakuen Hall: Marika Kobashi & Seana Shiori b Moka Miyamoto & Arisu Endo, Miu Watanabe & Raku & Pom Harajuku b Yuna Manase & Mahiro Kiryu & Haruna Neiko, Miyu Yamashita b Hikari Noa, Mirai Maiumi & Suzume won three-way over Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki and Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao, Yuki Kamifuku b Nao Kakua to keep International Princess title, Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel b Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino to win the Princess tag team title, Rika Tatsumi b Maki Itoh to retain Princess of Princess championship
Stardom from yesterday in Takazaki: Mina Shirakawa b Lady C, Tam Nakano & Unagki Sayaka b Konami & Rina, Maika & Himeka & Natsupoi b Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani & Hina, Giulia & Syuri d Momo Watanabe & AZM 15:00, Fukigen Death & Natsuko Tora & Ruaka b Mayu Iwatani & Starlight Kid & Hanan (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
An in-depth look at WWE finances and the company going forward is the lead story of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Our lead story not just looks at the investors call this week, but goes through financial details and what they mean from the call, and looks at the landscape as well as things said that were misleading.
The new issue also covers:
TV ratings, streaming, value of the Thunderdome setting, Nick Khan’s debut on the call and his main comments, Vince McMahon talks his new management team, WWE numbers, new programming, plight of furloughed employees, company market value, cutbacks in expenses, Saudi Arabia, costs going up next month, how many people view the free tier of the WWE Network, Vince talks ratings, network subscriptions in the U.S. and abroad, how much money the company makes from television, and unique notes about merchandise sales.
Daniel Bryan’s statements regarding his career, how much longer he wants to do this, what he’s said about his own athletic ability, where he can be valuable and Roman Reigns’ opponens.
Hell in a Cell, a look at Survivor Series, changes from last year, the top of Raw, Money in the Bank, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Khabib Numragomedov’s last fight, Dana White talks if he will retire, Khabib says he will, plus UFC 254 with match-by-match coverage and poll results.
WWE talent and Twitch and comments by Paige, update on Thunderdome location after the end of November and why they have to move, we update the latest COVID outbreak in WWE, why Matt Riddle got a name change, brutal WWE match this past week, where wrestling stands in sports ratings, Canadian and U.K. ratings, donors to Trump and Biden’s campaign,why little was announced ahead of time for Smackdown, new names for lots of WWE talent, what former wrestler is WWE trying to keep from using his WWE name, and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.
Impact’s Bound for Glory. We look at the situation with Kylie Rae, the injuries, Ken Shamrock in the Hall of Fame and his relationship with Dwayne Johnson, Mick Foley and Bret Hart, Shamrock’s background plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.
TripleMania press conference, the matches announced, the unique new promotional tie-in with Marvel and the first show announced with no date and why.
Detailed look at the television business, with ratings breakdowns in every segment for Wednesdays and every category for other shows, looking at stats not available elsewhere to get the deepest read into how shows are doing, what categories are doing well and how shows compare with previous weeks and one year ago.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
We’ve got two new shows up this weekend. I did a show late Friday night with Garrett Gonzalez talking about all the news of the past week including the Vince McMahon documentary, finances, Wednesday ratings and today’s show with Bryan Alvarez talking Smackdown, UFC and the rest of the news.
After last night’s UFC show ended, Israel Adesanya told Megan Olivi that he wanted to fight Jon Jones in 2021 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas when fans can return. He told Olivi it would be the biggest fight in history. He noted that he and Robert Whittaker hold the company’s all-time attendance record of 57,127 fans in Melbourne at UFC 247.
Regarding Anderson Silva, MMA Fighting translated a statement he made regarding retirement that read:
Good morning, my people. Today is a different day for a simple reason, say goodbye to an entire life dedicated to my sport. Yesterday was so special, I went there to do what I love. I didn’t imagine I would be as happy as I am now. Even in defeat, I’m feeling at peace.
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, my team, my family, my friends, and everyone who watched the fight, know that it was always a great honor to fight all these years with your support.
I want to thank the God for granting me the gift of the fight! Thank you my people for all understanding, for all your support and for all your amazing moments that we live in this sport together!
I hope I left it in memory and in the heart of each of you a little of who I am, that you can overcome difficulties, every second of uncertainty and to overcome obstacles in your lives!
Never think about giving up, as hard as things get at some point; know that I leave all my love, all my respect for you!
Anderson Silva was the seventh most searched term on Google yesterday with 200,000. Earlier this morning Greg Hardy was No. 14 for today at 20,000. Sean Connery was at 10 million which is a monster number. Nothing from last night’s boxing or anything from WWE or anything else from combat sports registered this week.
More notes from last night’s show. Charles Ontiveros was taken to the hospital after a hard slam in the fight with Kevin Holland. He felt his neck popped and told the ref he was submitting. He was taken out on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital. Dana White said they examined him and said he’s okay. He’ll have a stiff neck but he’s healthy.
The lineup for the Best of the Super Juniors tournament will be announced at tomorrow morning’s New Japan show at Korakuen Hall. Keep in mind with the time change, the Korakuen Hall shows now start at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time. The lineup has Yota Tsuji vs. Gabriel Kidd, Kazuchika Okada & Yuya Uemura vs. Will Ospreay & Great O’Khan, Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Jay White & KENTA & Chase Owens, Tetsuya Naito & Sanada vs. Evil & Yujiro Takahashi and Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. defend the IWGP tag titles against Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi.
The Ultimate Fighter will be returning as a series on ESPN+. UFC announced yesterday they are taking remote casting applications through 11/13 for male bantamweights and middleweights. The coaches have yet to be announced. They wanted Conor McGregor to coach. ESPN+ has also made a deal where every episode of the previous 28 seasons will be available shortly on the streaming service. Application information is to contact Gary DeFranco at [email protected] The show will begin airing in March.
WWE
There was no meeting on Friday regarding the situation with talent and Twitch.
With the signing of Rampage Brown for the U.K. division, the company has taken out a trademark for his name.
The worked injury story on Daniel Bryan from the Friday attack by Jey Uso is bruised kidneys and strains and contusions throughout his thoracic and lumbar regions.
Felipe Colares, who was scheduled to face Gustavo Lopez on this coming Saturday’s show in Las Vegas, tested positive for COVID. Colares said he had no symptoms. UFC is looking for a new opponent for Lopez.
AEW
At last night’s show, UFC announced Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos as the main event of the 11/14 show. Dos Anjos is returning to lightweight. This fight was scheduled for 10/24 but dos Anjos tested positive for COVID and it was moved back.
There’s no word how the lockdown in the U.K. affects the status of PAC, who will be appearing in some form on Wednesday’s television show.
Billy Gunn, who wrestles on Wednesday’s Dynamite, turned 57 today.
As of right now, the “Get In” price for Saturday’s Full Gear show on Stubhub is $90.
Lei’d Tapa, who was pushed years back in Impact, debuts on Dark Tuesday but it’s against KiLynn King so unless most debuts and tryouts where the person coming in gets to put over an AEW wrestler, she looks to be winning. Tapa was in Impact 2013-2015 and worked one match in NXT in 2017. She also is 2-0 as a boxer and 0-2 as an MMA fighter, both in Japan, including appearing on the New Year’s Eve Rizin show losing to Gabby Garcia.
Dave Dutra, a longtime top Northern California indie guy, like Will Hobbs, debuts against Ricky Starks.
MISCELLANEOUS
A couple of notes on different pro wrestling related books that I’ve seen. Randy Hales has a new book out called “Living the Dream: Memphis Wrestling” talking about his life from childhood being around Jarrett Promotions and the characters there, including as the company’s General Manager, as well as his experience in running Power Pro Wrestling after the USA folded. Rock Rims has a new book called “Legends and Icons: A History of the Olympic Auditorium and Southern California Professional Wrestling” which is a great piece on the history of Southern California wrestling from 1900 to the closing of the LeBell NWA office in 1982. James Romero has a book called “Dwayne The Rock Johnson: The People’s Champion – from WWE to Hollywood” that will be released on 11/29. My own new book The 1997 Wrestling Observer Yearbook, covering one of the most important years in the history of pro wrestling is also available, a book that covers in detail every major news story from the year, and there were a lot of them, including all the politics in a year that changed the face of both pro wrestling and MMA. All of these books are at amazon.com in the U.S.
Impact announced Turning Point, an Impact Plus exclusive, for 11/14. They will likely start promoting the show this Tuesday.
JR Kratos will debut with New Japan Pro Wrestling this coming Friday teaming with Rust Taylor vs; Jeff Cobb & Rocky Romero on the show from California. Kratos and Cobb have worked together in Northern California for years and are best friends..
There is advertising for 30 spots available to be in a movie with Rob Van Dam and Effy which may be called “Fist Combat.” They are looking for people to be in the audience for the main event wrestling scene in a wrestling movie. Ten of the 30 will get a line in the movie. It will be filmed on 11/9 in downtown San Diego. The cost is $100 per person and there are 18 spots said to be left and with it you get to meet the cast on set and get photos with them, an autographed movie poster and two tickets to the premiere in the spring. For more info you can go to venmo.com/fistcombattv Besides Van Dam and Taylor Gibson (Effy), other names listed in the cast are MMA Roasted Host Adam Hunter, Matt Sydal, Mariachi Loco, Katie Forbes, Sabu and the famous Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong fame.
wXw aired a very touching tribute to Karsten Beck on its YouTube channel. A lot of the talent and office members talked about him and their experiences with him along with his battle with cancer. Tassilo Jung talked about how he met Beck for dinner in August and the cancer was advanced and he was in rough shape. People talked about his sense of humor, his hard work mentality, going from being an overweight teenage fan with no athletic talent to becoming the face of the company and how Vince Russo talked wXw from what was planned as a short world title run into a much longer run. They are also releasing a tribute T-shirt with proceeds going to German cancer aid (thanks to Markus Gronemann)
Innovate Wrestling returns on 11/7 at the SOM Studios in Chuckey, TN.
One of our best correspondents, Markus Gronemann, has had a personal tragedy with the death of his grandmother and is looking to raise money to help pay for the funeral via Go Fund Me.
A Go Fund Me for funeral costs for Tracy Smothers has been set up.
It’s a whole new season and Conor McGregor is the reason, as he and Urijah Faber go toe to toe as coaching foes on The Ultimate Fighter. They won’t duke it out after the season is done, but there’s still pride on the line, not to mention Conor’s reputation as the newest badass on the block.
Join us each episode for “The Notorious Quote of the Week” as Conor puts his mouth where UFC’s money is! We’ll also spice things up with some predictions for week two about who could go all the way this season – two “Fighters to Watch” for each recap.
The Notorious Quote of the Week: “Man Urijah is an absolute p—y. Stop being a p—y. Man up and make the fight (with Dillashaw). You’ve got nothing else left.”
Last week U.S. fighter Ryan Hall beat European fighter Frantz Siloa to retain control for Team Faber. This week’s fight is Sascha Sharma (Team Europe) vs. Chris Gruetzemacher (Team U.S.). Here we go!
Martin Svensson is sporting a black eye at the same time he’s saying the training is going really well. I’ve got him on my “Fighter to Watch” list this week because of the amount of energy he expends in the workout sessions.
Apparently the Team McGregor strategy is to have a light workout in the morning without their coach, then an intense session with technical instruction including McGregor in the evening. Dana White says he acts like he doesn’t give a f— when the truth is that he really does.
Chris Gruetzemacher says his dad was shot and murdered when he was only five. It’s part of what made him focused and convinced him to be a fighter, and make the most of his athletic ability while he still has the time to. He’s my other “Fighter to Watch” this week.
Sascha Sharma talks about how his dad emigrated from India to Germany decades ago, and how he had an infection in childhood that left him paralyzed for a time. He had to train to walk, he had to train martial arts to feel better, and after that he couldn’t give it up.
Faber comes over to the TUF house to watch the T.J. Dillashaw fight where he finished Renan Barao standing, beating Barao for the second time (July 25, 2015). Afterward Sharma is 155 and Gruetzemacher is 154.5 on the scale. Dana thinks Gruetzemacher has it in the bag because he trains with Benson Henderson.
* Lightweight: Chris Gruetzemacher (USA) vs. Sascha Sharma (Europe)
Sharma is in the gray trunks and “Gritz” as Faber calls him is in the blue. Sharma pushes Gritz into the fence as McGregor calls for him to throw knees and to be patient in the fight. Gritz takes him to the ground and Sharma goes for a triangle submission – but Gritz breaks it and lands a couple of hard and heavy rights on the ground. Sharma gets up and pushes Gritz into the fence again. Sharma single legs him to the ground but can’t keep him down. 2:30 gone. These two are going really hard for what looks to be a long fight with a half hour of TV time left. Sharma pulls guard at 3:15 then tries to land upkicks but Gritz talks the half guard to land elbows. Gritz is passing furiously and Sharma is scrambling furiously – an intense amount of energy is being expended on both sides. Gritz ends up on top in guard and Sharma tries to get a triangle or armbar again but can’t. On to R2!
Sharma lands a right hand and shoots immediately to open R2, but when he can’t get it he flops to his back hoping to suck Gritz in. Gritz is more than happy to get on top and throw some elbows, then take a full mount at 51 seconds, but Sharma is able to escape it – not without getting bloodied. McGregor loses his cool when he goes to his back again and starts screaming “Stay on your f—ing feet!” Sharma rolls and Gritz nearly gets an armbar out of it. McGregor is screaming at Sharma to “end up on top out of it” and he does. Sharma gets swept though and Gritz is in side control. McGregor: “You need to find your patience in there. A patient man always prevails.” Sharma manages to hold on and go for some upkicks when Gritz repositions, but Gritz gets big damage late and a mount too.
Dana White announces a sudden victory third round and McGregor screams at him to stay on his feet before we go to commercial.
Sharma ignores McGregor’s advice and goes to the ground immediately, causing an exasperated McGregor to scream “WHAT THE F—?!” Gritz spins to take the back while throwing rights, but Sharma tries to trap his head for a choke. He’s too exhausted to lock it on though and Gritz gets on his back again throwing rights at his head. It’s a war of attrition and Gritz is winning. He passes to side and takes the back again. McGregor screams “up on your feet” but he’s too whipped to even try. Gritz pushes him back down into half guard. McGregor realizes they’ve lost the fight even with two minutes left. Faber: “Don’t do anything too crazy just keep eating him up.” INDEED. Sharma spins on top with just over a minute left. Gritz motions like he’ll stand up but sweeps with a half minute left. McGregor: “Very very poor. My God.” Sharma is a bloody mess.
McGregor: “When he shot from the bell in the t’ird round and then pulled guard, there’s nothing more you can do. There’s nothing more you can do for the kid. There’s only so much words can do.” He accuses Sharma of “crumbling under the pressure.” All three judges score the third 10-9 for Gritz which makes Team U.S. 2-0 so far. Faber: “For not being emotionally invested you sure got emotionally invested.” Faber announces Tom Gallicchio (USA) vs. Marcin Wrzosek (Europe). Join us next week!
