THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
Alberto del Rio gets into backstage brawl Sunday night in Mexico
WWE’s True Story Of The Royal Rumble DVD set is worth the look
ROH TV tapings results: The Decade of Excellence tournament kicks off
UFC’s Conor McGregor gets California boxing license, more states to come?
EVOLVE 74 recap: Catch Point put their tag team titles on the line
NJPW World Tag League finals live results: The winners are crowned
AUDIO
WOL: UFC 206, Chris Jericho, Chris Hero, Booker T running for office, more! 12/11
AD: Monsters and mysteries of New Mexico 12/11
DragonKing Dark 44: The White Thang 12/11
WOR: UFC double-feature, Jones, GSP, VICE article, AJ Styles, tons more! 12/11
We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 206 and New Japan’s tag team tournament finals so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected].
Raw is tonight in Philadelphia with the only match announced being New Day going for the tag team title record which they’ll have if they retain against Sheamus & Cesaro and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson. Emmalina after all the build finally debuts. And it’s the go-home show for Roadblock End of the Line.
We’re looking for reports from Philadelphia with the non-Raw matches, Main Event stuff, dark matches and anything else not evident from the live show, as well as reports from the Smackdown show in Roanoke, VA and NXT show in Sydney, Australia to [email protected].
We’re also looking for reports on the WWE Saturday night show in Norfolk, and yesterday’s show in Greenevile, NC to [email protected].
Tuesday has Smackdown, Tribute to the Toops and 205 Liver all being taped in Washington, DC. Randy Orton returns to the tour on that show.
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 12/05/2016: More history of pro wrestling in California
As 1979 went on, additional problems started to develop for promoters in California, but especially for Roy Shire in Northern California. Both wrestlers and promoters alike were revolting in different ways, and while the former was nothing new, the latter was a bit out of the ordinary. Shire had slowly been pulling out.. Subscribers click here to continue.
WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: December 12, 2016 Linda McMahon given Trump cabinet position, WWE TLC review, more
A look at Linda McMahon being named to Donald Trump’s cabinet is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer newsletter. Find out what has been said that is totally misleading about her background, the background of Vince McMahon buying the WWF, her previous comments on Trump and others from wrestling who have been in similar positions.
This issue contains TLC show run down, with poll results, match-by-match coverage with star ratings, notes on the next set of Smackdown angles, where Raw is going for the next PPV and business notes on the show.
News on the Jerry Lawler and Lita situation, an update on the Jimmy Snuka manslaughter case, lots of WWE Network news and new surveys, John Cena and Dwayne Johnson updates on work outside of wrestling, new bookings for Brock Lesnar and Bill Goldberg, notes on two athletes WWE is looking at signing, Olympic gold medalist getting a tryout, WWE star gets engaged, former WWE stars returning, WWE product commercial awarded, update on several injuries, and a look at the most watched shows on the WWE Network this past week, all in this big issue of the Observer.
Also, check out the business notes regarding all the WWE and NXT live arena events held around the world over the past week, including highlights of every show.
Have a look at ROH’s biggest event of the year, Final Battle, with a look at the show, contract updates, the story behind the Young Bucks vs. Hardys match, why Cody Rhodes turned, business notes and star ratings.
Coverage of the UFC TUF finale and the Demetrious Johnson vs. Tim Elliott title match, how close the Joseph Benavidez vs. Henry Cejudo fight really was, business notes on the show, and how much everyone on the show earned, all inside this issue.
Lastly, there are details on the ratings for all the national shows over the past week, including breakdown of who was watching all of the WWE shows, plus results of the major league arena events held all over the world this past week, as well as notes on the various TV shows… Subscribers click here to continue.
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 Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in 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: November 15, 1999: ECW November to Remember review, Dynamite Kid book, more – The most publicized story ever in North American pro wrestling, the tragic death of Owen Hart on 5/23, is brought vividly back to life with the documentary “The life and death of Owen Hart.” The one-hour piece, debuted in Ontario on TVO on 11/3, in the rest of Canada on 11/6 on the A Channel and will be part of A&E’s bio week on pro wrestling, with an 11/16 showing… Subscribers click here to continue.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Raw, Alberto El Patron, New Japan Wrestle Kingdom and the rest of the news with Wrestling Observer Radio. You can send questions to tonight’s show to [email protected].
Matt Sydal has returned to the U.S. and will start his career going forward after being held in Osaka, Japan since his 9/23 arrest.
ROH announced that Nigel McGuinness was no longer the figurehead authority person with the promotion as he’s another one expected to be WWE bound for a coaching position.
The Nevada Athletic Commission will have a hearing on Brock Lesnar’s drug test failure on Thursday, as well as Nate Diaz’s hearing for the bottle throwing incident back in August. Jon Jones’ drug test failure is on the agenda but it’s already been reported they’ve come to an agreement on that case where Jones will get the same suspension he already got from USADA, a one year suspension, and no fine.
Jim Ross will be on Wrestling Observer Live tomorrow making an announcement regarding New Japan Pro Wrestling. It will not be on PPV or a live broadcast of Tokyo Dome as the exclusive English language live show will be on New Japan World with Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino as announcers.
WWE
The expected Rich Swann vs. Brian Kendrick vs. TJ Perkins three-way match for the cruiserweight title is official for Sunday’s PPV show in Pittsburgh.
WWE will be filming a WWE Ride Along show with Seth Rollins and Cesaro after Raw tonight. They will follow them driving from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. A lot of the Raw talent will be working tomorrow night’s show because they will be taping Wednesday night’s Tribute to the Troops show on USA on Tuesday night.
WWE is looking for a Vice President of Photography.
In a note from yesterday’s update, even though Booker T announced he would be running for Mayor of Houston in 2020, that would be impossible and if he’s doing so, it’ll have to be 2019 because that’s when the next election is. (thanks to Bob Nowak)
Alex Marvez has a piece on Ric Flair.
Mick Foley announced today that he’s down to 236.7 pounds, which is the lightest he’s been in probably decades. Congratulations to him. The number is key because when he decided to start losing weight, he was 337 pounds, so this makes 100 pounds plus lost.
There are still front row seats available for the NXT show in Riverside, CA on Thursday night which is a stop for the crew on the way back from Australia, where the final show is tomorrow.
UFC
Jose Aldo did an interview speaking with the Brazilian media today and Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com was there and he said that he would be facing Max Holloway on the 2/11 show in Brooklyn. Brooklyn tickets go on sale this week so UFC needs to have some top fights to announce.
Tony Ferguson was on Submission Radio toady and said he can make 145 pounds and is looking for titles at 145, 155 and 170 and said that Conor McGregor was a paper champion and picking his opponents.
MISCELLANEOUS
Combat Zone Wrestling Cage of Death 18 before a sellout crowd in Voorhees, NJ on Saturday night. Dave Crist won over Alexander James, AR Fox, Jimmy Lloyd, Tim Donst, Tony Deppen and Zachary Wentz, Greg Excellent b Homicide, Dave McCall & Nate Carter b Johnny Yuma & Kevin Martenson, Shane Strickland (Killshot in LU) b Dezmond Xavier, Angel Ortiz & Mike Draztic b Dan Maff & Monsta Mack to win the CZW tag titles, Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz b Angel Ortiz & Mike Draztic to win the tag titles, Lio Rush b Sami Callihan, Joe Gacy b Jonathan Gresham, Rickey Shane Page b Danny Havoc, Dale Patricks & Devon Moore & Drew Blood won cage of death match over Conor Claxton & Jeff Cannonball & Joey Janela. The match featured weaponis, glass, barbed wire, chairs, tables and a scaffold. They return on 1/17 in Flyers Skate Zone. It should be noted that they also collected 450 toys for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and other locations including the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, NJ.
World Series of Fighting is offering four tickets for the price of three for its 12/31 afternoon show at The Theater in Madison Square Garden. You can get them by using the code TMWSOF. The show starts at 1 p.m. local time and will air live on NBC, with Justin Gaethje vs. Joao Zeferino for the lightweight title, Jon Fitch vs. Jake Shields for the welterweight title and David Branch vs. Louis Taylor for the light heavyweight title.
Tier 1 Wrestling from Saturday in Queens, NY: Sonny Kiss won four-way for a title shot over Caleb Konley, Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz, Breakfast Club won tag team turmoil, Mike Law b Chase Brown, Tim Hughes & Marc Haus b Ian Maxwell & Movie Mike, Breakfast Club b Cutthroat Kids, Sonny Kiss b Rude Boy Riley to win title, Darius Carter b Sonny Kiss to win title.
International Big Time Wrestling in Chesterfield, MI on Saturday night in a benefit show to raise money for Rudy “Rude Boy” Hill who recently had open heart surgery. Rod Street b Maltese Tiger, Heidi Katrina b Black Acumen, Lance Poindexter & Louis Lambda & Little Fred b Creep & CJ Anderson & Mike White, Chuck Wagon b Mr. Fitness, Frank Isaac Anderson b Movado, Bobo Brazil Jr. & Malcom Monroe III b Mad Man Pondo & Mosh Pit Mike, Alcatraz b Kef Sweat. (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling with Hunger on Saturday night in Port Coquitlam, BC.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix on 12/14 in Omaha, NE at the Waiting Room Lounge.
Chaotic Wrestling on Wednesday night in Nashua, NH at Chunky’s Cinema Pub for a show that will air on FITE TV with the retiring Brian Fury vs. Chase Del Monte, Travis Gordon vs. Hanson and more.
TCW from Sunday in I’alberto, Milan, Italy: La Pasta & Claudio Campari b Rocco Gioiello & Kevin Dopa, Sami Grayson & Backlash b Marieddu & Break Bones, Darkness II b Fenice Rossa, Marchese b Scnadalo, Marchese b Apollo, Carlo Birra b Pain e Antonono Bellavita. (thanks to Alessio Garbini)
Today in Professional Wrestling History (12/12): Hiroyoshi Tenzan wins the IWGP title
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