mobanmarketWe’re looking for reports on today’s WWE house show in Abbotsford, BC, headlined by Roman Reigns vs. Rusev.
Raw will be Monday in Seattle. Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are scheduled on the show.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday in Portland, OR. Chris Jericho vs. A.J. Styles is on the show.
Thanks to everyone who did a great job of correspondent work at the shows this weekend including Adam Kirby, Alex Keeling, Jai, Thomas Green, Lee Thomas, Kody Ludwig, Tyler Kemmerer, Ross Hart, Craig Freeman, Todd Bergman, Lou Pickney, Josh Baker, Sean Moore, Dan Thompson and everyone else.
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Figure Four Weekly
Figure Four Weekly 2/1/2016: Weekly Hogan/Gawker update
A look at the past weeks developments in the Hulk Hogan and Gawker lawsuit.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: February 8, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Bret Hart diagnosed with cancer, Nakamura’s final NJPW match
The new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter looks at Bret Hart’s battle with cancer, his discussions about it, and updates on the situation. The most detailed coverage of the last month of Lucha Underground’s second season, backstage news, season three, lots of business notes. Full coverage of all the Ultima Lucha 2 matches and direction. Nakamura’s final day with NJPW, where Nakamura and New Japan go now, his background and building the IC title, the next two New Japan PPV shows to this weekend’s biggest event.
Fast Lane and WrestleMania, what’s up with Undertaker, WWE injury updates, the next WWE Network special, Licensing issue with new WWE signees, notes on the next NXT Takeover show, a look at all the TV building the next Takeover show, who led to a huge increase in demand for WWE tickets, next WWE show in Madison Square Garden update, Nakamura updates, WWE performer wants to compete in the Olympics and what former pro wrestler went back to the Olympics to medal, Lesnar’s schedule, Tough Enough winner starts out, Other Tough Enough competitors start out, change in Rumble plans, New WWE Network series based on wrestling matches, new WWE movie, WWE’s tour of Germany this coming week, more on The Rock’s segment on Raw.
A detailed look at the Awesome Kong-Reby Hardy situation in Manchester, England. Benson Henderson’s decision to leave UFC for Bellator and take a championship fight, why he made the decision, what both Dana White and Henderson said. We look at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s last major event and where it’s storylines are going.
A huge look at the life and career of Archie “The Stomper” Gouldie, one of the most memorable wrestling characters of his generation, stories about him, his gimmick, how big a star he was in his heyday, his incredibly long career title history, how he was two very different successful characters, and his most famous angles and biggest bouts. We also have a lot of comments from people who knew him, including how he changed the life and career of J.J. Dillon. The life and career of the original Espectrito, the best heel mini of his generation including when he main evented the Los Angeles Sports Arena, a rarity for a mini.
We also look at Saturday’s UFC , what’s next for the winners, thoughts on Sage Northcutt, as well as business notes on the show and match-by-match coverage.
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Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE – February 15, 1988 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: A Tale of Two Hebners: All the details on Hulk Hogan losing the WWF title to Andre the Giant in a historic angle, plus tons of news and notes.
SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE
Kevin Greene, who did a number of high profile matches for WCW in the 90s and actually had great potential as a pro wrestler, was elected into the NFL Hall of Fame. Greene still has the third most sacks in NFL history and coached for the Green Bay Packers when they won the Super Bowl several years ago. Here is the article.
Lucha Underground is releasing four digital comic books, with the first out right now and the other three out over the next six weeks, free on-line.
Mike Mooneyham, a longtime friend and author of the longest running wrestling column in the country, is retiring from the Charleston Post-Courier but the column will be continuing Read that story here.
Chris Nowinski was in USA Today over the weekend heavily critical of the NFL’s treatment of concussions., saying he doesn’t think the NFL is making a good faith effort to study the effects of concussions.
Even with the Super Bowl and everything related to it, the tenth most searched item on Google today has been Johny Hendricks with 50,000. Maybe people were wondering what happened to him.
WWE
A video of A.J. Styles who turned to DDP Yoga for help on his bad back (thanks to Ross Blair).
At last night’s house show in Penticton, BC, they did a double turn in the Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze match, but that was only for the house.
Enzo & Cass worked the house show in San Jose last night, as did Brock Lesnar. Lesnar is scheduled for Raw tomorrow, but not for Smackdown this week.
A new episode of Ride Along airs after Raw tomorrow night with Sheamus, King Barrett, Renee Young, Summer Rae and R-Truth.
The first NXT show from the University of Central Florida gym that was taped on 1/21 will air on Wednesday
Bret Hart tours Calgary
Here is a story on the New Day saying that are revolutionizing the business
UFC
The flying knee finish by Diego Rivas on Noad Lahat on last night’s show not only won him a $50,000 bonus but was shown over and over as one of ESPN’s Top Plays of the day. (thanks to Daniel short)
In predictions last night, Me, John Pollock, Mike Sempervive, Mike Sawyer and Ryan Frederick all went 4-1, only missing the main event in most cases. Josh Nason, Steve Juoin, David Bixenspan and Frontrow Brian were 3-2 and Paul Fontaine was 1-4.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Sky News app on Friday had the story of the death of Axl Rotten as the fourth leading story in the Showbiz section
Mike Tyson talks pro wrestling and Vince McMahon in a video preview of Mike Tyson in the Nine Legends film. The full film is streaming now at www.ninelegendsfilm.com
Absolute Intense Wrestling on Friday night in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with Ethan Page vs. Josh Prohibition, Jock Samson & Tracy Smothers & Bunkhouse Buck (managed by Col. Rob Parker) vs. Dick Justice & Marion Fontaine & Colt Cabana (managed by Missy Hyatt), Alex Shelley vs. Candice LaRae, Heidi Lovelace vs. Veda Scott for the women’s title, Brian Myers vs. Tim Donst and more.
Scott Steiner will be doing talk shows next month in the U.K. He’s appearing 3/21 in London at The Garage, 3/22 in Manchester at the Comedy Store, 3/23 in Glasgow at The Classic Grand and 3/24 in Belfast at The Empire. Tickets are on sale here.
The Globe tabloid ran an article destroying Hulk Hogan and the company that hired him as a spokesman.
Preston City Wrestling on Friday in Preston, England before 400 to 500 fans: Ken Anderson b Luther Ward, Rampage Brown b Chris Dickinson, Drew Galloway b Martin Kirby, Noam Dar b Timothy Thatcher, Matt Hardy b Lionheart, Billy Gunn b Joey Hayes, T-Bone b Tajiri, Iestyn Rees & Sha Samuels b Dave Rayne & Dave Mastiff, El Liger b Bubblegum. Galloway’s match only took a few seconds. Dar & Thatcher was solid. Gunn got a good reaction. Liger vs. Bubblegum was the match of the night. (thanks to Jan Buxton)
Preston City Wrestling had two shows yesterday:
Afternoon show: Tajiri & Luther Ward & Sammy D b Joey Hayes & Martin Kirby & Bubblegum, Drew Galloway b Ken Anderson, Lionheart b Dave Rayne, T-Bone b Billy Gunn, Noam Dar b El Ligero, Iestyn Rees b Chris Dickinson, Rampage Brown b Matt Hardy via DQ
Evening show: Matt Hardy b Luther Ward, Lionheart b Charlie Garrett, Drew Galloway b Noam Dar, Rampage Brown b T-Bone, Billy Gunn & Ken Anderson & Tajiri (calling themselves The New Age Assholes) b Joey Hayes & Martin Kirby & Dave Rayne, Chris Dickinson b El Ligero, Bubblegum b Iestyn Rees, Rampage Brown b Drew Galloway to win Road to Glory tournament, Sha Samuels b Dave Mastiff to win the PCS title. Galloway “injured” Dar’s arm in the afternoon show to lead to a short win in he evening show. Galloway was sick all weekend but still had two of the best matches with Anderson and Brown. Billy Gunn was announced as returning in June.
Championship Wrestling Entertainment from Friday night in Fort Pierce, FL: Slade Porter & Josh Parker b Richard Delicious & Derek Steele, El Hero Byronico b Chico Adams, J-Dawg Brooks & Mad Dawg Wilson b Jamal King & Jay Prince, Shaniah Ariyana b Dominque Fabiano, Rhett Giddins won over Braydon Knight, JB Cool and Craig Classic, Raquel (TNA) b Shaniah Ariyana, Lince Dorado & Jon Cruz b Ace Andrews & Rex Bacchus=-DQ, Rhett Giddins won three-way over Tyranus and Irish Jack with Alex Porteau as referee. Next show is 3/18 with Giddins vs. Tyranus and Santana Garrett (thanks to Al Haft)
IWF has shows at the IWF Centre in Nutley, NJ on 2/13 and 2/20 at 7 p.m. and 2/26 at 8 p.m. They also announced a 4/16 show featuring Tito Santana.
The Economist talks pro wrestling in election coverage here.
Sean Carr was announced as joining John Skyler, Papadon and Davey Richards in this year’s ECWA Super 8 tournament on 4/23 in Woodbury Heights, NJ. Well, with Richards’ knee injury, that is questionable in his case.
NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on Saturday night in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with Jason Kincaid vs. Vince Brent for the Southeastern title and NWA champion Jax Dane vs. Toby Farley.
CCW Winter Fallout on 3/6 at the Wish Centre in Chatham, ONT at 2 p.m.
Future Pro Wrestling from yesterday in Sutton, Surrey, UK before 250 fans: The Warden b Earl Windsor, Ryan Smile b Will Ospreay (crowd gave them a standing ovation), London Riots b GZRS, Jimmy Havoc b Paul Robinson to retain FPW title, Darrell Allen won Rumble (thanks to Darren Rogers)
Stardom from yesterday in Tokyo: Yoneyama b Azumi, Haruka Kato b Starlight Kid, Keitlin Diamond b Hiromi Mimura, Hiroyo Matsumoto b Alez Lee, Santana Garrett & Kellie Skater & Evie & Viper & Chelsea Green b Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani & Kairi Hojo & Momo Watanabe & Jungle Kyona
Marty Jannetty appears on 3/12 for In Your Face Wrestling in Albany, NY at the Polish Community Center. Also appearing are Kevin Nash, Scott Norton, Bob Holly and Cody Deaner. The convention will be 2-6 p.m. with a wrestling show at 7 p.m.
Dynamo Pro Wrestling from last night in Fenton, MO”: Jack Gamble & Jon Webb b Danny Adams & Paco Gonzalez, Billy McNeil b Brandon Aarons, Ozzie Gallagher b Rocket Mapache, Evan Morris b Jayson Khaos, Kiyoshi Shizuka b Shorty Biggs, Outtkast won three-way over Elvis Aliaga and Jayden Fenix, Mike Sydal b Kevin Lee Davidson, Lucy Mendez b Heather Patera, Jake Dirden won four-way over Ricky Cruz, Brandon Espinosa and Mike Outlaw (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno: Chat Douglas b Fantastico, Guerrero de la Muerta (formerly Kevin El Devino) b Anthony Idol-DQ (thanks to Jon Southerland)
NSPW from last night in Quebec City before 472 fans: Matt Angel b Brad Alekxis, Surfer Mitch & Dru Onyx & Shayne Hawke b Alex Price & Dead End, Pee Wee & Judas b Handsome Jean Frais & Jay Phenomenon, Travis Toxic b Michael Style, Frankie the Mobster b Giovanni, Heavy Metal Chaos & Scott Parker b Kickin n Stompin & Shane Matthews, Marko Estrada b Chris Hero to retain the NSPW title. Next show is 3/12 with Frankie the Mobster vs Travis Toxic for the No. 1 contender spot (thanks to Patric Laprade)
Hoosier Pro Wrestling from last night in Columbus, IN: Lightning Bolt won Battle Royal, Psycho Sytt & Scarecrow b Butcher Manson & Tim Lutz, Dynamite Dillen b Nate Steele, Van Zants won tag titles from Cowboy Marc Houston & Big Country Clint Poe, Amazing Maria b Haley Shadows, Lightning Bolt b TJ Kemp (who thanked the fans for 14 years of support and said he was going to be gone for a while), Timmy Danger NC Flash Flanagan in a strap match. Next show is 3/5 with Vic the Bruiser & Timmy Danger vs. Flanagan (thanks to Jerry Wilson)
Chikara Pro was featured in an article this weekend on Rolling Stone’s website. “Part badass B-movie, part sugary Saturday morning cartoon, it’s wild, weird and everything WWE isn’t. And that’s precisely the point.” (thanks to Paul Sosnowski)
Super Fight League on 2/20 in Tacoma, WA at the Emerald Queen Casino.
WSWF from last night in Yuba City, CA before a sellout 240 fans to honor Darren “Mike” Dean: JJ King & Rik Luxury b Christian & Airon Skye, Scooter McGavin b Victor Sterling, Joe DeSoul & Eddy Vega b Drake Frost & Sir Samurai-DQ, Ethan White b Reggie Bright, Nathan Brick b MPT. (thanks to Jim Davis)
Former WWE announcer and ”Fabulous Rougeau Brother” Raymond Rougeau talks about his experiences with WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior as an announcer as well as in the WWE dressing rooms as a wrestler.
ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY: 2/7 IWA Mid South champion CM Punk jobs to Chris Hero