mobanmarketROH Fallout
The finish of the ROH show last night was an attempt to really put over the Bullet Club strong, both for Japan and the U.S. market. This should answer any questions about New Japan’s willingness to sell rights to the name.
Jushin Liger is being held off tonight’s show in Dearborn after being dropped on his head with Celebrity Rehab in the match with Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian last night.
For what it’s worth, we’ve gotten a number of live reports from Chicago and all said the crowd was super hot, so the problem wasn’t a dead crowd but poor audience micing because it came across dead and hurt the show a lot.
We’re looking for your thoughts on last night’s ROH War of the Worlds show so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com
We’re also looking for reports from Raw tonight in Omaha with the Superstars matches, dark matches and anything else not evident from the live show at dave@wrestlingobserver.com
We’re also looking for reports from tonight’s ROH show in Dearborn, MI as the tour with New Japan continues.
The lineup has:
Jay Lethal & Tetsuya Naito vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly
Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian
War Machine vs. Kazuchika Okada & Gedo non-title
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Moose
Kushida vs. Dalton Castle non-title
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin vs. Rhett Titus & Kenny King
Matt Sydal & ACH vs. Silas Young & Beer City Bruiser.
Tuesday: Smackdown and Main Event will be taped in Des Moines, IA.
Wednesday: ROH will be taping television in Toronto at the Ted Reeve Arena (Jay Lethal vs. Donovan Dijak, Matt Sydal vs. Kazuchika Okada, Young Bucks & Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & Yoshitatsu, Kushida vs. Kyle O’Reilly, Tetsuya Naito vs. Moose, Tomohiro Ishii vs. Will Ferrara).
THE ROUND UP
ROH Global Wars 2016 live results: Jay Lethal vs. Colt Cabana; loads of NJPW stars
EVOLVE 61 results: WWE Cruiserweight Classic qualifying matches; big surprise appearance
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new 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 5/2/2016: Hulk Hogan suing Gawker – Hulk Hogan is suing Gawker a second time, this time for leaking the contents of sealed documents to the tabloids. Find out all the details in this weeks issue of Figure Four Weekly.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
READ IT HERE: May 9, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE Payback review, Hulk Hogan suing Gawker, tons more
The claimed new era with Shane and Stephanie McMahon on Raw, fallout of Payback, lineup for Extreme Rules and current WWE situation is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. There is also a detailed story on Hulk Hogan’s latest lawsuit and his claims of how the sex tape went from Bubba the Love Sponge to the National Enquirer, including details of Hogan being blackmailed by people with the tape and the FBI sting operation regarding the tape and why it didn’t end there.
Next there is a detailed look at Ryback’s situation with WWE, New Japan’s Dontaku show and the Super Juniors tournament, the economic value of Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor to a show, and plans for a new PPV show next month.
The lead story updates the status of Shane McMahon, the story behind Payback and how it leads to Extreme rules, the injury to Enzo Amore, the booking that gets almost nobody over and the match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
As it regards the Hogan story, this issue examines all the players involved, his latest lawsuit and more details on the FBI sting operation regarding the sex tape.
Ryback’s complaints about WWE, how things went down in his meeting with Vince McMahon, notes about WWE contracts, how wrestlers are paid in WWE and why that isn’t the case anywhere else, his philosophy about everyone being paid the same and more, all in the latest Observer issue.
Finally, more on the Adam Rose situation, changes to the WWE Network, notes on a WWE network survey, notes on Camp WWE, how the show changed and why, notes on some WWE firings this past week, as well as new hirings, update on WrestleMania 2018, Paul Heyman reality show update, Bruno Sammartino honored, notes on contract situation with different talent, DVD plans for the next 18 months, injury updates and returns, fallout of Ric Flair TMZ as well as notes regarding his podcast and other future Flair projects, notes on the next Takeover lineup, update on Bryan Danielson, More on the cruiserweight tournament, lots of WWE business updates and a former giant Olympian talks about his WWE offer and plans of eventually going there. All this and much more in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL PREVIEW
Current subscribers click here to continue reading.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer.
You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.
Rates are:
For the United States, it is $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 moonsault@mediaplusint.com 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 get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
All the news from the ESPN coverage of the drug deaths in professional wrestling, and more will be in the latest back issue. Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: March 29, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ESPN program on drug deaths in the pro wrestling industry, ECW Living Dangerously review, more. There is also a full break down of ECW’s Living Dangerously PPV, plus tons of news and notes.
MONDAY UPDATE
Nothing in specific advertised for Raw tonight for week two of the Shane McMahon/Stephanie McMahon era. This week’s rating is going to be telling because there’s no advertised reason for this week’s level to be higher than it would normally be. It’ll hit Extreme Rules hard because there are only two Raws left before the PPV on 5/22 in Newark, NJ.
Rusev will challenge Kalisto for the U.S. title at Extreme Rules, as last week’s Raw made clear,
John Cena was on Good Morning America today plugging his return on the 5/30 Raw. He said that most people go through rehab three times a week after surgery, but he went three times a day. He was up to bench pressing 375 this past week.
There is a very newsworthy back issue of the Observer up today covering not just the 1999 WrestleMania, but also an in-depth ESPN investigation of pro wrestling that went on that year, as well as the fallout of an appearance on Fox news of Vince McMahon that was also talked about in last week’s back issue.
The WWE’s quarterly business conference takes place tomorow morning at 11 a.m. Eastern time where they will announce first quarter financial numbers.
WWE
Dana Brooke is backstage at Raw today in Omaha. While that doesn’t mean she’ll be on Raw, the plan is for her to be the next female performer brought to the main roster imminently.
Kevin Owens and Tyler Breeze already reached their goal of $30,000 Fort McMurray, Alberta. They were at $35,709 the last we checked. The new goal is to reach $100,000 over the next 19 days.
Breeze was working the NXT tour in Oklahoma this past week but don’t read anything into that about his being sent back down. He’s actually got an angle for the first time in a while on the main roster.
Kofi Kingston was given the weekend off, but he is scheduled for Raw tonight.
Damien Sandow is taking bookings at BookingDow@gmail.com.
UFC
Gegard Mousasi said that he was vindicated when he said that Lyoto Machida greased and used PEDs after their 2014 fight. He said he’s been harassed by Machida fans ever since, and said they are morons who are afraid of the truth. Machida recently admitted using DHEA and was pulled from his fight last month on FOX with Dan Henderson.
Combate Americas runs tonight from the Los Angeles Exchange and live on Fight Pass at 9 p.m. Eastern. The final hour of the show will be on NBC Universo in Spanish.
Idris Wasi (2-5, 205) vs. Julian Marquez (2-1, 205.6)
Andrew Olivera (0-0, 124.9) vs. Benji Gomez (4-5, 126)
Dario Mobley (5-5, 199.9) vs. Joseph Vidale (2-1, 189.7)
Mauricio Diaz (2-1, 136) vs. Cristobal Chavez (1-0, 135.5)
Jacob Rosales (1-2, 154.3) vs. Andrew Lagdaan (2-1, 154.2)
Gustavo Lopez (5-1, 135.9) vs. Saul Elizondo (6-6, 135)
Ray Rodriguez (9-4, 145) vs. Art Arciniega (14-6, 146)
Paulina Granados (2-2, 105.4) vs. Stephanie Alba (3-0, 106)
Ricky Palacios (6-1, 137.8) vs. Brandon Royval (3-1, 134.7)
MISCELLANEOUS
In preparing for Saturday night’s head-to-head UFC on PPV vs. Bellator on Spike, with Bellator running in San Jose, there will be a meet and greet on Friday night in San Jose at 8 p.m. at Dave & Buster’s at the Great Mall which will include Royce Gracie, Mark Coleman, Liam McGeary, Cung Le, Randy Couture and Stitch Duran.
This is the angle from Saturday night’s Evolve show involving the debut of Ethan Carter III to the promotion joining with Drew Galloway and cutting the anti-WWE promo.
AAA Take No Prisoners from Friday night in Merrionette Park, IL before 600 fans: Heidi Lovelace b Kimber Lee, Dave Crist won over CJ Esparza, Conor Braxton, Markus Crane, Alex Daniels and Dezmond Xavier, Jessicka Havok b Candice La Rae, Silas Young b Donovan Dijak, Devin & Mason Cutter & Buck Nasty b Dan Barry & Chuck Taylor & Colt Cabana, Pentagon Jr. b Fenix (these two tore down the house, fans threw money into the ring and the two hugged and Fenix said that Pentagon Jr. was the best wrestler in the world), Michael Elgin b Juice Robinson, Davey Vega & Mat Fichett b AR Fox & Moose to retain the AAW tag titles, Sami Callihan b Tommaso Ciampa to retain the AAW title via submission. The next show is 6/17 at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park with Sami Callihan & Dave Crist vs. Eddie Kingston & Homicide, plus Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Chris Hero, Trevor Lee, Andrew Everett, Cedric Alexander, Drew Gulak, Silas Young, AR Fox, Moose, Candice LaRae and Drago (thanks to Qumar Zaman).
Rock Solid Wrestling from Saturday night in Port Perry, ONT: Tyler Tirva b Chunk E Fresh, Jim Duggan & Travis Lapage b Notorious TID & Markus Ryan, Jake O’Reilly b Tornado, Rosemary (TNA) b KC Spinelli, Anthony Darko b Scotty the Body, Cody Deaner b Johnny Devine to retain the Canadian title (thanks to Steve Ashe)
NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling from Friday night in Kingsport, TN: Jeff Connelly & Bryan Montgomery & Onslaught b Ken Dixon & Joe Keyes & Rob Locke, Sigmon & Elliott Russell b Skylar Kruze & Gavin Daring to win the NWA U.S. tag team titles, Facade b Gory, Travis Lee b Wild Bill-DQ, Vince Brent b Nick Hammonds, Jason Kincaid d Michael Elgin 30:00 to retain the Southeastern title, Eric Darkstorm b Ali Shabazz, X-Pac & Chase Owens b Chris Richards & Jordan Kage
A movie called “Church” featuring a number of wrestlers including Sinn Bohdi, Tommy Dreamer, Johnny Mundo, Gangrel and Maria Kanellis and produced by Tim Chizmar and Oscar winner Jeryd Pojawa is trying to get funding through kickstarter.
Today in professional wrestling history: SMW Volunteer Slam; Giant Baba vs. Bruno Sammartino
Please send feedback to FeedBack@WrestlingObserver.com
Please send show results and news tips to NewsTips@WrestlingObserver.com
Please send Wrestling Observer Radio questions to MailBag@WrestlingObserver.com