THE ROUND-UP
Why NXT should have taken over SmackDown – According to Will Cooling, a better idea than making SmackDown into a second brand, WWE should have used the second brand they already have.
Brock Lesnar and Jon Jones get potentially good news from USADA – Because Clomiphene is a “specified substance” under the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) code, a reduced sentence could be in the future for both men.
Bret Hart hopes Seth Rollins will improve ‘before someone gets killed’ – Hart speaks out against Seth Rollins’ reckless wrestling style, having now injured both Sting and Finn Balor with a similar move.
Daniel Bryan & The Miz get into heated exchange on Talking Smack – It’s definitely worth watching as it gets very heated and Daniel Bryan walks off. Some are speculating that Miz went off script and that this was a shoot. That seems unlikely, but it certainly seemed like Miz was getting some frustrations out. As is true in all of wrestling, stories based on a kernel of truth tend to garner the greatest fan response. This appeared to have more than a kernel’s worth in it.
WWE SmackDown live results: AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler, new belts introduced – Polarizing new championships belts have some people scratching their heads as to why WWE needs a second set of tag-team champions.
Figure Four Weekly: August 17, 2016; Buff Bagwell sues WWE for unpaid Network royalties – When Rene Dupree’s lawsuit against WWE over WWE Network royalties was quickly dropped a few months ago, the question coming out of it was not if there would be another such lawsuit, but when and with whom as the next plaintiff would be. The answers? August 9th and Marcus “Buff” Bagwell… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
F4W YouTube Page: Tons of clips and full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: August 29, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: UFC sale final, Summerslam results and fallout, more – Lorenzo Fertitta, the CEO and person who historically should be remembered as perhaps the most important figure in making MMA into a worldwide sport left the office for the final time on 8/17.
The UFC staff was all told to come for a meeting, and as it turned out, the guest of honor was busy at first and they had to regroup and come back later. Fertitta, 48, took a $2 million investment in 2001 to a $4 billion sale 15 years later. Aside from making a killing in business, he saved a sport that was on its deathbed in the U.S. The sale was officially completed with the money changing hands this past week, a similar letter to the one above was sent to all company employees, and the new era of UFC began with UFC 202… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
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 Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
Rates for the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to [email protected]. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
WON BACK ISSUE: July 26, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Governor Jesse Ventura to referee SummerSlam main event, NSAC to evaluate UFC, tons more – With the official announcement of Jesse Ventura’s participation in SummerSlam as the referee for the main event came the expected debate over his involvement… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
Forbes.com listed Dwayne Johnson as the highest paid actor in the world, saying between his cut of Fast & Furious 7 and San Andreas, he earned $64.5 million between June 2015 and June 2016.
Donald Cerrone’s free agency ended before it started as he signed a new eight fight deal with UFC. Cerrone had one fight left on his contract after his win on Saturday night over Rick Story. MMA Junkie first reported the news.
Dana White and Kurt Angle were the guests on today’s Ric Flair show at www.MLWRadio.com. White talks Ronda Rousey, CM Punk an Brock Lesnar.
In the new Observer, in the note on the taking down of gifs from SummerSlam by WWE, this is technically how it was explained to me. WWE hired a third party vendor, SMTS, to remove any streaming video from the show and SMTS was able to match any WWE copyrighted content that was on Twitter and the accounts were suspended.
Impact airs tonight at 8 p.m. on Pop TV with Ethan Carter III vs. Drew Galloway with Aron Rex as referee and a Battle Royal for a shot at the X Division title.
Here are a few notes regarding recent questions from Wrestling Observer Radio:
At WrestleMania 14, the Shawn Michaels reference to Earl was because Earl Hebner was hospitalized at the time with a brain aneurysm.
Another question asked about whether wrestlers get any royalties if people by their entrance music, that would be not the case as the royalties would go to the writer.
WWE
NXT is being taped tonight in Winter Park, FL. The Cruiserweight Classic matches up through the finals will be taped tomorrow night also at Full Sail University.
A major story on Stephanie McMahon is here.
An interview with Bill Goldberg is here.
NXT tickets went on presale today for shows on 10/6 in Norfolk, 10/7 in Richmond, VA and 10/8 in Baltimore with the password: NXTLIVE
UFC
Dominick Cruz was on the Dan LeBatard show in ESPN radio talking about UFC 202. When guest host Izzy Gutierrez put over how McGregor was the first guy to go up two weight classes and said “it’s not something you’ve done,” Cruz said, “If you do the research, I actually have done it” noting the first three fights of his career were at 155. Cruz went on to bury Cody Garbrandt. (thanks to Jeff Parker)
The Alaska Fighting Championships have signed a deal to air their shows live on UFC Fight Pass. The first show will be on 9/28. UFC has also acquired the AFC Fight Library, which includes early fights of Demetrious Johnson and Rich Franklin.
Mirsad Bektic vs. Arnold Allen has been added to the 10/8 UFC 204 show in Manchester, England.
MISCELLANEOUS
Shawne Merriman was working with Spike and Bellator today for the media day at the Honda Center in Anaheim to promote tomorrownight’s show headlined by Benson Henderson vs. Patricio Pitbull Freire.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix tonight in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge headlined by Branden Juarez vs. Michael Elgin vs. Hype Gotti for the PWP championship.
Jimmy Yang comes out of retirement tomorrow night at the AIW show in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Yang will replace the injured Chris Hero. It will be Yang’s first match in more than three years. Also on the show is Nate Webb vs. Josh Prohibition, Tommy End vs. Ray Rowe, Facade vs. Teddy Hart, Shigehiro Irie vs. Eddie Kingston, Alex Daniels vs. Matt Cross vs. Laredo Kid vs Triton (CMLL), Tracy Williams vs. Michael Elgin, B.J. Whitmer vs. Shawn Schultz, Britt Baker vs. Crazy Mary Dobson and more.
Evolve on 9/10 in Deer Park, NY has Gargano vs. Sabre Jr., Galloway vs. Gulak, Dustin vs. Tracy Williams, Jigsaw vs. Fred Yehi, Riddle vs. Tony Nese, Perkins vs. Allin and Page vs. Dan Barry.
Evolve on 9/11 in Woodside, NY at La Boom has Johnny Gargano & Cody Rhodes vs. Drew Galloway & Chris Hero in Gargano’s last Evolve match, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet, Matt Riddle vs. TJ Perkins, Dustin vs. Drew Gulak, Tony Nese vs. Darby Allin and Ethan Page vs David Starr. Joey Styles will also be appearing.
Travis Allen, who fought for United Combat League in Chicago, was fatally shot yesterday before 11 a.m. in Englewood, IL. Allen, who was 28, was with two other people when someone opened fire at his car. He and his two friends got out of the car and started running, but the shooter followed Allen into an alley and shot him several times. He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Allen was in training for a fight on 9/24 at the Civic Center in Hammond, IN.
A story on how the University of Virginia football team is using DDP Yoga for conditioning is here.
A story on Ted DiBiase becoming a minister is here.
Zack Sabre Jr. talks his future.
Kevin Eck interviews Matt Hardy.
Here is a preview of an interview with Santino Marella.
Ignite Wrestling on 9/24 in Vero Beach, FL at the IG Center features Dave Crist.
Superkick’d Wrestling on 9/16 at The Great Hall in Toronto.
Rockstar Pro Wrestling iPPV on 9/2 From Dayton, OH at the Rockstar Pro Arena with Sami Callihan vs. Dave Crist, Dezmond Xavier vs. Zachary Wentz vs. Matt Cross and more.
All Pro Wrestling on 9/16 in Daly City, CA at the Bayshore Community Center features Sabu vs. The Almighty Sheik, Willie Mack & B-Boy vs Reno Scrum, plus Jody Kristofferson, JR Kratos, Marcus Lewis and Dylan Drake in a four way for the Universal title.
Smash Wrestling on 8/21 in Pickering, ONT: The Muscle b Sebastian Suave, Brent Banks b Scotty O’Shea, Kevin Bennett b Tyson Dux, Rosemary b Allie, Jesse Amato b John Greed, Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Gabriel Fuerza won three-way over Pepper Parks & Mike Rollins and The Fraternity, Mark Haskins b Tarik. Next show is 9/17 with Haskins vs. Banks. 9/18 has Banks vs O’Shea in a fans bring the keyboards match plus Mark Andrews vs. Kevin Bennett.
The BBC conducted a poll on film critics around the world on the best movies of this century. Of the top 100, two featured pro wrestlers. No. 19 was Mad Max: Fury Road that had Nathan Jones, and No. 33 was The Dark Knight which featured Tiny Lister (thanks to James Stanios)
559 Fights has its 50th show on 9/2 in Visalia, CA at the Convention Center.
AAW on 9/1 in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club with Pentagon Jr. vs. Tommaso Ciampa for the AAW title and Chris Hero vs. Tommy End, plus Drew Galloway, Zack Sabre Jr., Fenix, Cedric Alexander, Sami Callihan, Michael Elgin, Silas Young and Colt Cabana.
AAW on 10/7 in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street and 10/8 in Berwyn, IL a the Eagles Club has the Jim Lyman tournament with Drew Gulak, Chuck Taylor, Silas Young, Kamaitachi, Josh Alexander and Brian Cage announced.
ChuteVerks LLC announced it will be promoting live shows aimed at the English and Spanish markets with the debut on 10/12 in Yakima, WA at the Sundome. Rey Mysterio Jr., MVP and Konnan will appear on the first show.
Orlando Pro Wrestling last night in Orlando: CT Brown b Sean Harley, Russell Payne & Ricky Anderson b Miguel Mason & Rob Van Achen, Chico Adams b Li Bryan, Aaron Epic b Aaron Bradley, Mike Reed b Braydon Knight, Santana Garrett & Raquel b Raegen Fire & Mila Naniki (thanks to Al Haft)
Cross Body Wrestling on 10/1 in Kitchener, ONT at the Cross Body Pro Wrestling Academy with Mike Rollins vs. Alessandro Del Bruno.
CCW on 9/15 at 6:30 PM. a the Parkhill Fall Fair Opening has Cody Deaner vs. Jake O’Reilly for the CCW title.
There will be a Legends of Wrestling and sports convention on 2/18 in Winnipeg. Announced so far are Howard Finkel and former Blue Bombers star Troy Westwood, who has done pro wrestling in the past.
A new Jim Cornette project is here.
SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR
AUGUST
26 – Northeast Wrestling, “Wrestling Under the Stars”: Wahconah Park in Pittsfield, MA Bell time is 7 p.m. Autograph session at 4 p.m. Plus, Cody Rhodes with Brandi Rhodes vs. Michael Bennett, Mick Foley, Jeff and Matt Hardy, Jushin “Thunder” Liger, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Mandy Leon, and more.
26 – We Watch Wrestling, LIVE podcast recording: The Wythe Hotel 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249. Tickets.
26 – All Star Wrestling; Cloverdale, BC at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds Alice McKay Building. Doors at 630pm, Cloverdale Fair Grounds. Alice McKay Building, 6050 A, 176 St. Surrey, British Columbia V3S 4E7
26 – Absolute Intense Wrestling; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 1355 W. 70th St. Cleveland, OH
26 – Conflict Wrestling, Black or White; 7 PM – 10 PM, Moose Lodge, 655 Wabanaki Dr, Kitchener, Ontario N2C 2G3. Tickets.
26 – Bellator 160; The Pond in Anaheim, live on Spike TV, Benson Henderson vs Patricio Pitbull Freire
27 – ROH: Field of Honor; Brooklyn, NY, MCU Park, ROH World Championship 4 Corner Survival: Jay Lethal (c) vs. Adam Cole vs. Tetsuya naito vs. Hiroshi. Tickets.
27 – Northeast Wrestling: FREE show on 8/27 at 11 a.m. New Windsor Community Day, Kristi Babcock Memorial Park (660 Mt. Airy Road, New Windsor, NY 12553).
27 – Northeast Wrestling “Wrestling Under the Stars 5″: Dutchess Stadium, Wappingers Falls, NY. Bell time is 7 p.m. with an autograph session at 4 p.m. Kurt Angle vs. Cody Rhodes and Jushin “Thunder” Liger vs. Jeff Hardy, Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Brooklyn Brawler. Tickets.
27 – Battlearts: Summer Heat; 4880 Tomken Road, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 1J8
27 – LuchaTO at the Benelife Wellness Centre, 68 Tycos Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M6B 1V9, with Lince Dorado and a grappling exhibition.
27 – UFC FIGHT NIGHT, Maia vs. Condit: Vancouver, BC.
28 – Northeast Wrestling “Thunder”: The NEW Arena (40 Peck Road) in Bethany, CT at 4 p.m. Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Callihan. Jushin “Thunder” Liger vs. Travis Gordon. War King Hanson vs. Kamaitachi. TK ‘O Ryan versus Brian Anthony. Northeast Wrestling Tag Team Champions The Battles versus So Over. DIJAK and more. Tickets.
28 – Steel City Pro Wrestling: End Game; 222 Queenston Rd, Hamilton, ON L8K 1G6, Canada
28 – Destiny wrestling: Summer Heat; Battlearts Wrestling Academy. Featuring MOOSE!
SEPTEMBER
1 – AAW; Berwyn Eagles Club, 6309 W 26th St Berwyn, IL, 7:30pm Bell Time
2 – MOONSHINE BRANDED WRESTLING: Italo-Canadian Hall, 1101 DiPietro Street, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. Doors at 6:00pm bell time 7:00pm. Tickets.
3 – UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett; Hamburg, Germany
3 – UIPW: Los Angels at the Clela Arena at 826 Clela Ave. in East Los Angeles with Teddy Hart & Coa Azul vs. Psicosis & Mariachi Loco
3 – ACE Collision Course: Morgan Jr. Arena, Wallington, NJ, MAIN EVENT: ACE Heavyweight Championship: TJ Marconi (c) vs Archadia
3 – Hoosier Pro Wrestling in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Arena
6 – SMASH-WRESTLING, Oshawa Music Hall, 39 King St E, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1B2. Tickets.
10 – CZW in Voorhees, NJ at Flyers Skate Zone with a doubleheader with a WSU Women’s show at 4 p.m. that day and the men’s show at 8 p.m.
10 – Pure Wrestling Association: COWEX – Duncan, British Columbia
10 – New England Fights 25: HEROES & VILLAINS; Lewiston, MA. Tickets.
10 – Barrie Wrestling: Back to School 3; 49 Ferris Lane, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
10 – UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem; Cleveland, Ohio
16 – ROH: Reloaded Tour; Pittsburgh, PA, Stage AE, 7:30 pm. Tickets.
16 – Pure Wrestling Association: Lake Cowichan, British Columbia
16 – Smash vs Progress: Uncensored; Oshawa Music Hall, Oshawa, Ontario. Must be 19+ to attend.
16 – Pure Wrestling Association: Private Event in Ontario
16 – SuperKickd’d Pro Wrestling at 7:30 PM – 10 PM, The Great Hall Toronto, 1087 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1H3
17 – ROH: Reloaded Tour; Lockport (Buffalo), NY, 7:00 pm. Tickets.
17 – NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium
17 – Pure Wrestling Association: Alpine Club, Kitchener, Ontario
17 – Pure Wrestling Association: Courtenay, British Columbia
17 – UFC Fight Night, Poirier vs. Johnson: Hidalgo, Texas, State Farm Arena
17 & 18 – SMASH VS PROGRESS: Smash Wrestling welcomes our friends from Progress Wrestling. Mark Haskins and Jack Gallagher (Cruiserweight Classic), Zack Sabre Jr. Mark Andrews and more will be part of the Progress Wrestling team in a Smash vs. Progress Canada vs. UK show in Toronto at the Franklin Horner Community Center.
18 – Pure Wrestling Association: Gold River, British Columbia
18 – Alpha-1 Wrestling presents #Matrats2
22 – NXT; Toronto, Ontario at the Mattamy Athletic Center (the former Maple Leaf Gardens)
22 – All-Star Wrestling: 7:30 PM, Abbotsford Arts Center, 2329 Crescent Way, Abbotsford, BC V2S 3M2, Canada, tickets.
22- Big Time Wrestling in Morganton, NC at the Collette Rec Center features a meet & greet at 6 p.m. before the live show. Appearing are Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Cody Rhodes, Magnum T.A. and Trevor Lee.
23 – Big Time Wrestling in Raleigh, NC at Dorton Arena features Flair and Steamboat together at Dorton Arena for the first time in 28 years, plus Jeff & Matt Hardy, Cody Rhodes, Nasty Boys, Sabu, Magnum T.A., Ivan Koloff, Jimmy Valiant, Gangrel and Shane Helms with the meet & greet at 6 and show at 8.
23 – Invicta FC: Live from Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. Interim Flyweight Champion Jennifer Maia Defends Against Roxanne Modafferi
23 – NXT; St. Catherines, Ontario at The Meridian Centre
23 – Absolute Intense Wrestling: A Farewell to Johnny Gargano – 1355 West 70th St. Cleveland, OH – Tickets.
23 – Pure Wrestling Association: Parksville, British Columbia
23 – Pro Wrestling Eclipse takes a short trip to downtown Oshawa and visits the Oshawa Mason Temple. All tickets purchased on July 24 that list the venue as the Oshawa Legion will be honoured.
24 – Big Time Wrestling in Spartanburg, SC at the Memorial Auditorium with the meet and greet at 5:30 and show at 7:30 with Flair, Steamboat, Hardys, Rhodes, Nasty Boys, Sabu, Magnum T.A., Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Gangrel and Trevor Lee.
24 – MCW Legends Convention at the MCW Arena in Joppa, MD at 10 a.m. featuring Bret Hart, Jimmy Hart, Howard Finkel, Honky Tonk Man, Hillbilly Jim, Paul Orndorff, Greg Valentine, Jim Ross, Bill Apter, Brutus Beefcake, Bob Orton, Tito Santana, Jim Neidhart, Tammy Sytch, Magnum T.A. and even Dennis Stamp.
24 – Rock Solid: Anarchy in Angus 14: A Nightmare on Mill Street, 7pm – 10pm, Angus Recreation Centre, 8527 County Rd. 10, Angus, Ontario. Tickets.
24 – Pure Wrestling Association: Campbell River, British Columbia
24 – ROH: Reloaded Tour; Duluth (Atlanta), GA 7:00 pm, tickets.
24 – NXT in Kitchener, Ontario at The Air
24 – Elite Canada Championship Wrestling: New Westminster, Sapperton Pensioners Hall
318 Keary St, New Westminster, BC, 7:30pm Bell Time, doors at 7pm. Tickets.
25 – CWE: Nick “Magnus” Aldis defends the GFW title against Matt Hart of the Hart Family in Calgary.
25 – Rizin: Former K-1 kickboxer Minoru Kimura will make his MMA debut against former Pride fighter Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett (29-30-2)
25 – Pure Wrestling Association – TBA – British Columbia
30 – ROH: All-Star Extravaganza Weekend Day 1; Lowell (Boston), MA, Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 9:00 pm (PPV)
Daily Pro Wrestling History (08/25): WWE SummerSlam 2002
Please send feedback to [email protected]
Please send show results and news tips to [email protected]
Please send Wrestling Observer Radio questions to [email protected]