UFC 199: Rockhold vs Bisping
The experiment with earlier weigh-ins went well from a fighter perspective today. Just about everyone weighed in before Noon so the weigh-ins at 7 p.m. Eastern time on television are just for show. The fighters were, as a rule, far happier, to the point almost everyone wants the early weigh-in rule to stay in place going forward.
The odds tumbled down for Luke Rockhold when word got out he suffered a torn MCL early in camp and has done no grappling training.
These are the odds from 5Dimes
Luke Rockhold -660
Michael Bisping +540
Dominick Cruz -430
Urijah Faber +380
Max Holloway -310
Ricardo Lamas +280
Hector Lombard -400
Dan Henderson +355
Dustin Poirier -192
Bobby Green +177
Rockhold was a pretty consistent -1100 favorite two days ago. Cruz was -500 to -600, so his odds have closed slightly as well.
We’re looking for live reports on these shows tonight to [email protected]
*WWE in Odessa, TX (Roman Reigns, A.J. Styles, Seth Rollins, Alberto De Rio, Charlotte, Rusev, Usos, Kalisto, Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, Baron Corbin)
*NXT in Nashville
*NXT in Crystal River, FL
*ROH in Collinsville, IL (Jay Briscoe & War Machine vs. Jay Lethal & Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian, Adam Cole vs. Kamaitachi, Roderick Strong vs. Silas Young vs. Stevie Richards vs. Moose)
NEW JAPAN WORLD FRIDAY NIGHT ON AXS TV AT 8 P.M. FOR A TWO HOUR G-1 SPECIAL
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito
A.J. Styles vs. Kota Ibushi
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Togi Makabe
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Michael Elgin vs. Tomoaki Honma
Yuji Nagata vs. Karl Anderson
LUCHA LIBRE WORLD CLUB FRIDAY NIGHT FROM PUEBLA ON IPPV AT www.Internetvluchalibreworldcup.tv
CMLL FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME AT www.clarosportscom/en-vivo02/
Shockercito & Ultimo Dragoncito vs. Pequeno Olimpico & Pequeno Violencia
Fuego & Pegasso & Triton vs. Fujin & Raijin (Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu & Okumura
Estrellita & Marcela & Princesa Sugei vs. Amapola & Dallys & Zeuxis
Rey Cometa & Stuka Jr. & Titan vs. Cavernario & Felino & Mr Niebla
La Mascara vs. Pierroth
Atlantis & Marco Corleone & Valiente vs. Negro Casas & Shocker & Ultimo Guerrero
RESURRECTION FIGHTING ALLIANCE TONIGHT FROM COSTA MESA, CA AT 10 P.M. EASTERN ON AXS
Jason Gonzalez (155.8) vs. Chris Padilla (154)
Mario Israel (135.8) vs. Albert Morales (134.6)
Nick Barnes (169.4) vs. Jose Diaz (169.4)
Karen Darabedyan (155.2) vs. Christos Giagos (154.8)
Vinicius Zani (135.4) vs. Joe Murphy (137.2)
Jamall Emmers (154.8) vs. Thiago Moises (155) for the lightweight title
Saturday night we’re looking for reports from:
*WWE in Lubbock, TX (Roman Reigns, A.J. Styles, Seth Rollins, Alberto Del Rio, Charlotte, Rusev, Usos, Kalisto, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Cesaro)
*WWE in Tulsa (Kane, Big Show, Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Paige, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys, Apollo Crews, Sheamus, New Day, Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman)
*NXT in Atlanta at Center Stage
*NXT in Fort Pierce, FL.
*ROH in Indianapolis at the Harvest Pavilion (Adam Cole & Adam Page vs. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley, Jay Lethal vs. Mark Briscoe non-title, Moose vs. Jay Briscoe, Roderick Strong vs. Kamaitachi vs. Jason Kincaid vs. ACH vs. Lio Rush vs. Will Ferrara)
UFC 199 SATURDAY FROM THE FORUM IN LOS ANGELES
Fight Pass at 6:15 p.m.
Maestro Dong Hyun Kim vs. Polo Reyes
Kevin Casey vs. Elvis Mutapcic
Luiz Henrique da Silva vs. Jonathan Wilson
Tom Breese vs. Sean Strickland
FS 1 at 8 p.m.
Jessica Andrade vs. Jessica Penne
Beneil Dariush vs. James Vick
Clay Guida vs. Brian Ortega
Alex Caceres vs Cole Miller
PPV at 10 p.m.
Dustin Poirier vs. Bobby Green
Dan Henderson vs. Hector Lombard
Max Holloway vs. Ricardo Lamas
Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber for bantamweight title
Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping for middleweight title
NEW JAPAN WORLD SUNDAY AT 3 A.M. EASTERN TIME FROM GUNMA
Ryusuke Taguchi & Jay White vs. Yoshi-Hashi & Rocky Romero
Yuji Nagata & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Manabu Nakanishi & David Finlay & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Katsuyori Shibata & Kushida & Juice Robinson & Captain New Japan & Matt Sydal
Tiger Mask vs. Trent Baretta
Will Ospreay vs. Jushin Liger
Bobby Fish vs. Chase Owens
Ricochet vs. Volador Jr.
Satoshi Kojima & Michael Elgin & Yoshitatsu vs. Kenny Omega & Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi
Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Seiya Sanada & Bushi
LUCHA LIBRE WORLD CUP SUNDAY FROM PALACIO DE LOS DEPORTES IN MEXICO CITY ON IPPV AT www.internetvluchalibreworld.cup.tv
Sunday we’re looking for reports from:
*WWE in Amarillo (Roman Reigns, A.J. Styles, Seth Rollins, Alberto Del Rio, Charlotte, Rusev, Usos, Kalisto, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Cesaro)
*WWE in Lawton, OK (Kane, Big Show, Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Paige, Enzo, Cass, Dudleys, Apollo, Crews, Sheamus, New Day, Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman)
*ROH in Columbus, OH at the Ohio Expo Building (Jay Briscoe vs. Roderick Strong, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian defend the tag title against War Machine, Adam Cole vs. Lio Rush, Dalton Castle vs. Kamaitachi)
NEW JAPAN WORLD MONDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME FROM SENDAI (English language commentary)
Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Tetsuya Naito & Seiya Sanada & Evil
Volador Jr. vs. Will Ospreay
Ricochet vs. Chase Owens
Bobby Fish vs. Tiger Mask
Jushin Liger vs. Trent Baretta
Matt Sydal vs. David Finlay
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Rocky Romero
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Gedo
Kushida vs. Bushi
Raw will be Monday in Oklahoma City. John Cena, Seth Rollins and Chris Jericho are all booked on the show along with the usual regulars.
NEW JAPAN WORLD TUESDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME FROM SENDAI (English language commentary)
Best of the Super Juniors championship match
NXT TAKEOVER THE END ON WEDNESDAY AT 8 P.M. FROM FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY IN WINTER PARK, FL
Andrade Cien Almas vs. Tye Dillinger
Asuka vs. Nia Jax for women’s title
Jason Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder for tag titles
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Austin Aries
Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor cage match for the NXT title
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday in Wichita. John Cena is not scheduled but Seth Rollins and Chris Jericho are scheduled.
THE ROUND-UP
Dana White: No Rousey on MSG show, McGregor vs. Diaz rematch might not happen
TUF 23 recap: Party bus, Boyz II Men reference & a fight
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
Figure Four Weekly 5/30/2016: Big Vito’s deposition – If you thought Evan Singleton’s deposition went badly for the plaintiffs in the WWE concussion lawsuit, then that appears to be nothing compared to what happened a week later during Vito LoGrasso’s deposition on May 18th. Given the back and forth over LoGrasso claiming that head injuries caused partial deafness when, in the past, he had spoken of having a hearing impairment since birth, the deposition promised to be interesting. It over-delivered.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
READ IT HERE: June 6, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: More details on WWE brand split, Jimmy Snuka found incompetent, more
A huge double issue of the Observer is out this week, including the real catalyst behind the WWE brand split, a breakdown of the roster, justice denied again in the Jimmy Snuka case, Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay and the Super Juniors tournament plus a full rundown, the story behind Bill Goldberg and the WWE video game and the Brock Lesnar tease, famous boxer vs. pro wrestler fights, WWE schedule and injury rates, business rundowns from the past two months for WWE & TNA, updates on cable stations that carry wrestling and MMA, and one of the greatest territorial business runs in history in the life and career of Cowboy Frankie Laine.
Our lead story looks at the WWE brand split, why it happened, what is known that isn’t a secret, ads out post brand split, plans for the split two months ago and what the ad department was told then, what different arenas have been told this week, thoughts behind decisions having too be made, plus a roster rundown on what positions WWE is strong and weak in, and where NXT talent should fit in and who is ready, or who can fill a slot.
There is also an update on the Jimmy Snuka situation, with a realistic view if there will be a trial and what the time frame is and what happens next.
This issue also looks at the Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet match, Vader’s reaction, Super Juniors standings and rundowns of the shows plus looking at where things are going.
Updates on Money in the Bank, stars returning to television soon, how the NBA & NHL playoffs coincide with wrestling the next two weeks, an update on NXT, lots of WWE performers off TV for the next several weeks, notes from lawsuit depositions that are eye opening, Cena getting a gigantic endorsement deal, Rollins return news, injury updates, lots of Dwayne Johnson news, WrestleMania in the future notes, notes on how little talent gets told in advance about things, who watches what on WWE network, plus we’ve got rundowns of every WWE & NXT events over the past week and business notes on the shows, all included in in this issue.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL PREVIEW.
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Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: April 26, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Davy Boy Smith recovering in the hospital, UFC to be sanctioned by Nevada State Athletic Commission, more. This past week has seen Davey Boy Smith, going stir crazy in a Calgary Hospital, attempt to start battling back after the worst year in his life.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
The AAA World Cup debuts on iPPV tonight
The first round matches are tonight and the semifinals and finals of the men’s division are Sunday and finals of the women’s divsion are Sunday.
Men’s teams:
Team NOAH: Taiji Ishimori & Naomichi Marufuji & Maybach Taniguchi
Team Ouduo/Zero One: Akebono & Masato Tanaka & Ikuto Hidaka
Team AAA: Pentagon Jr. & El Texano Jr. & Psycho Clown
Team Lucha Underground Mexico: Rey Mysterio Jr. & Dragon Azteca Jr. & Dr. Wagner Jr.
Team Lucha Underground U.S: Johnny Mundo & Brian Cage & Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Team TNA: Ethan Carter III & Tyrus & Eli Drake
Team International: Mil Muertes & Apolo & Rockstar Spud
Women’s teams:
Team Japan Wave & Oz Academy: Aja Kong & Yuki Miyazaki & Natsu Sumire
Team Mexico: Lady Apache & Fabi Apache & Mari Apache
Team U.S: Santana Garrett & Cheerleader Melissa & Sienna
Team Canada: Taya & Allie & K.C. Spinelli
Josh Matthews is in Puebla right now so he will be the lead announcer on the English broadcast. Weird when they already have Chris Cruise as the English language voice of AAA, not to mention Mike Tenay available.
So here’ the crazy thing about the show. I have received all kinds of promotional material and nowhere does it say the starting time. We were told it starts at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time tonight.
A funny part of the promotion is how little the competitors were briefed. Rey Mysterio Jr. didn’t do the media day yesterday and the media was most interested in him. Tyrus was said to have hid in he back. Psycho Clown talked about looking forward to facing Takayama, except Takayama (who was in the World Cup last year) isn’t even in the tournament. The Team Mexico women said that the three Japanese women were real fighters while saying that the U.S. and Canadian teams were pretty girls.
WWE
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, which features Sheamus, as well as Stephen Amell, debuts at the theaters tonight.
Scott Garland (Scotty 2 Hotty) was helping train the wrestlers this week at the Performance Center.
Karl Anderson talks wanting to face Randy Orton
Brian Fritz talks to Dolph Ziggler about Swerved Season 2 which premieres Monday after Raw on the WWE Network, who is the worst WWE talent at taking a joke, the upcoming brand split and how the current era compares to others in WWE history.
You can also listen to the interview on the Between The Ropes podcast
UFC
The latest from UFC 199, with what happened at the press conference, Luke Rockhold and Dominick Cruz promoting their fights and more
Esquire Magazine has a story on Nate Diaz
The Fight Pass schedule for the next few weeks for live events:
6/4 EFN headlined by Ilja Skondric vs. Alexey Stoyan from Russia
6/4 Prelims before UFC 1999
6/4 Cage Warriors from England with Jack Marshman vs. Ali Arish
6/10 Titan Fighting Championships headlined by J.Z. Cavalcante vs. Pat Healy
6/11 Pancrase from Japan headlined by Hatsu Hioki vs. Yojiro Uchimura
6/17 Brace MMA with Kieran Joblin vs Greg Atzori
6/19 Vale Tudo Japan
6/24 Victory FC with two title fights
6/24 Glory 31 with Zack Mwekassa vs. Mourad Bouzidi
MISCELLANEOUS
Jim Ross will be broadcasting boxing on Saturday night on CBS Sports Network from Cancun, Mexico.
Northeast indie wrestler Cam Zingami talks the American Grit TV show he’s been on and John Cena
The German Wrestling League debuts on TV at 10 p.m. tonight on Fightbox HD. The GWL is Alex Wright’s promotion. The show will replay at 6:10 p.m. on Sunday.
NWAOnDemand.com has unearthed a match from the 60s with Johnny Valentine vs. Wild Bull Curry. I have a copy of this match and I’ll just say it is fascinating to watch. You’ll see very quickly why the top wrestlers of that era like The Funks and Jack Brisco all listed Valentine as one of the five best.
There is a match from Progress Wrestling with Hero vs. Tommy End that people are raving about.
Konnan talks rapping, music and WCW
Harley Race’s WLW television show
On this edition see action in the WLW Junior Heavyweight Championship Tournament as Jon Webb faces Kyle Roberts in the semi-final round.
Harley Race’s WLW-TV is hosted by Leland Race and Brian Thompson.
A video of Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer talking ECW
EVENTS
TONIGHT – There is a big show at the Auditorio in Tijuana tonight with L.A. Park vs. Rush vs. Cibernetico and Extreme Tiger & Mistico & Rey Hours (Dragon Azteca Jr.) vs. Mr. Aguila & El Hijo del L.A. Park & Mephisto plus a TLC match with Mortiz vs. Aero Boy.
TONIGHT – Rockstar Pro Wrestling has an iPPV tonight at 7 p.m. from the Rockstar Pro Arena in Dayton, OH with Sami Callihan vs. Aaron Williams vs. Ethan Page plus Gregory Iron & Zach Gowen as a tag team and Jessicka Havok vs. Samantha Heights.
TOMORROW – ECWA on Saturday night in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Community Center with Sean Carr vs. Papadon
TOMORROW – UFC 199 from the Forum in Los Angeles with Michael Bisping getting his first title opportunity of his career battling Luke Rockhold for the middleweight belt
TOMORROW – In celebration of Metro Pro’s Sixth Anniversary, Demolition (Ax & Smash) will be in action on Saturday, Turner Recreation Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The event address is: 831 S. 55th St., Kansas City, KS 66106 – Tickets can be bought in advance.
TOMORROW – Aerostar vs. Flamita vs. Laredo Kid vs. Septimo Dragon headline tonight in Benbrook, TX at the Camp Bowie Bingo Hall. The same promotion has a tag match tomorrow night in Houston at the Atlantico Hall with Aerostar & Laredo Kid vs. Flamita & Ultimo Ninja.
TOMORROW – CWE in Morden, Manitoba at the Morden Block Party Street Festival has a free show with a 1 p.m. start time.
SUNDAY – AAA’s Victoria World Cup men and women’s trio tournament finals at Los Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City which will be a live iPPV show
SUNDAY – Silver Star Promotions at the 4 Ever Arena in Fort Worth has Caristico & El Hijo del Fishman vs. Silver Star & Psicosis Jr.
June 7 – New Japan Best of the Super Juniors finals from Sendai live on New Japan World
June 8 – NXT Takeover from Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL featuring Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor in a cage match plus a loaded lineup that includes American Alpha vs. The Revival and probably Shinsuke Nakamura vs Austin Aries, which could be WWE’s match of the month.
June 11 – ECCW Port Coquitlam, BC at the Elks Hall #49.
June 11 – NECW presents the 2016 IRON 8 Championship, Saturday Night, June 11 in Wakefield, MA
June 12 – TNA Slammiversary headlined by Drew Galloway vs. Bobby Lashley for the TNA title from Orlando
June 12 – Revolution Pro Wrestling in London, England headlined by Kurt Angle vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
June 17 – AAW “Killers Among Us” features Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Johnny Gargano, Drago vs. Chris Hero, and more at 115 Bourbon Street (3359 w 115th Street Merrionette Park, IL) All Ages Event – Tickets available.
June 18 – UFC in Ottawa: Rory McDonald vs. Stephen Thompson
June 18 – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.” Tickets for “NEF 24” are on sale now.
June 19 – New Japan Dominion, one of the company’s biggest events of the year, featuring Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada in an IWGP title match and Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi in a ladder match for the IC title
June 19 – WWE Money in the Bank from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
June 24 – ROH Best in the World from Concord, NC with Jay Lethal vs. Jay Briscoe for the ROH title
June 24 – Isao Kobayashi vs. Justin Lawrence will appear on Spike.com as the top prelim fight Bellator Dynamite show in St. Louis. This will be a combination MMA and kickboxing show.
June 25 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple
June 26 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple
July 2 – Stars of Wrestling from Alameda, CA at the Alameda Point Gym has Bobby Lashley, Carlito and The Boogeyman appearing.
July 2 – NWA Cajun Heat in Morgan City, LA at the Municipal Auditorium with Jax Dane vs. Mustang Mike for the NWA title, Rob Conway vs. Rodney Mack and an appearance by Kevin Nash.
July 7-11 The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas, EdinSanAntonio has all the information up on Facebook, or email him at [email protected].
July 9 – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fund raising event to raise money for the Godson of Jeremy Elliott, who Hero will wrestle. Elliott’s Godson is a patient at the CPRI Treatment Center.
July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY.
August 13 – Rey Mysterio Jr. will headline a show at Montgomery High School in San Diego, his alma mater, for Viva La Lucha promotions. Also appearing are Konnan, Psicosis, Johnny Mundo, Teddy Hart and TJ Perkins.
Today in Professional Wrestling History:
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