Bryan Alvarez:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dave Meltzer:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
We're going to do polls this weekend on both tonight's Dragon Gate USA PPV as well as tomorrow's ROH iPPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
We're also looking for reports on tonight's WWE shows in Toronto, ONT and Aberdeen, Scotland, TNA show in Canton, OH (Mr. Anderson vs. The Pope main event), ROH from Plymouth, MA, Shine Fights from Newkirk, OK and MFC show in Edmonton.
MFC tonight on HDNet:
Antonio McKee (154.4) vs. Luciano Azevedo (154.2) for the lightweight title. McKee said if he doesn't win by a clean finish he will retire
Douglas Lima (170.8) vs. Ryan Ford (169.4)
Jesse Taylor (185.0) vs. Tom Watson (182.8)
Mike Nickels (204.2) vs. Dwayne Lewis (104.6)
Solomon Hutcherson (185.0) vs. David Heath (184.6)
Shine Fights on PPV (inDemand)
One-night lightweight tournament first round matches
Drew Fickett vs. Charles Krazy Horse Bennett
Rich Crunkilton vs. Carlo Prater
James Warfield vs. Kyle Baker
Shannon Gugerty vs. Dennis Bermudez
Dragon Gate USA on PPV (inDemand)
Cima vs. Johnny Gargano
Arik Cannon vs. Adam Cole vs. Chuck Taylor vs. Ricochet
Naruki Doi vs. Drake Younger
Scott Reed vs. Rich Swann
Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw & Masato Yoshino & Hallowicked vs. Gran Akuma &
Jon Moxley & Yamato & Akira Tozawa in an elimination match
BxB Hulk vs. Masaaki Mochizuki for the Open the Freedom Gate title.
Tomorrow night has ROH Glory by Honor from the Manhattan Center featuring Tyler Black vs. Roderick Strong for the ROH title in a no DQ match, Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas, Kevin Steen & Steve Corino vs. El Generico & Colt Cabana in a double chain match, Christopher Daniels vs Austin Aries, Eddie Edwards vs. Shawn Daivari in a TV title match and more. The show will air on Gofightlive.tv on iPPV and you can order it through the ad on the side of this page underneath the polls.
WWE also has a house show in Hamilton, ONT for Raw and Minehead, England for Smackdown tomorrow night and TNA runs in Toledo. There is also a Shark Fights PPV from Amarillo (Trevor Prangley vs. Keith Jardine, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Houston Alexander, Paul Daley vs. Jorge Masvidal, Danillo Villefort vs. Joey Villasenor, Brock Larson vs. Tarec Saffiedine).
Sunday has a WWE house shows with Raw in Peterborough, ONT and Smackdown in Skegness, England to end the tour and TNA ends its tour in Windsor.
Raw on Monday night is from Cincinnati with Chad Ochocinco as the guest host, John Cena vs. Randy Orton as the main event and a Raw Roulette gimmick.
Smackdown and NXT will be taped on Tuesday night in Detroit at the Joe Louis Arena.
Smackdown tonight has:
* Taker vs. CM Punk in Taker's first TV match since being put in a vegetative state
* Drew McIntyre vs. Kaval
* Jack Swagger vs. MVP
* Matt Hardy vs. Alberto Del Rio
* Kofi & Chris Masters vs. Dolph Ziggler & Chavo
We have one of the most extensive looks at the two different parts of the same problem--the real problem which is long-term health issues in pro wrestling, as well as the immediate political offshoot of the issue, the press reaction to Linda McMahon's senate run pertaining to these issues, as one of the lead stories in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The issue also covers TNA building Bound for Glory and the No Surrender show, the CMLL anniversary show, more on the history of the MMA linear championships as well as an update on the WWE PPV business.
We also look at HHH's new role in the company and what it means in the big picture, as well as a look at WWE's future star power, the "death clause" in WWE contracts and what other companies have them, as well as how the story has also become a political issue. We also look at WWE's rights of termination, unwritten rules of termination and exceptions to those rules, an update on the Night of Champions PPV with the lineup, as well as updates on company web business and the company's most successful DVD releases of 2010.
We also have more on the new NXT show, including what happened with the giant and a background look at her replacement, Kaitlyn, as well as tons of backstage news from the taping of the first show including reactions.
The issue will be on the site today. We will have the second issue on the site tomorrow from June 1993. All are available right now for web site subscribers in the Wrestling Observer listings on the top of the page. You can also get the Observer delivered by mail, with details below. For those who are web site subscribers, not only do we have issues once and in big news weeks, twice every week, but also release one back issue per week, covering 1993.
We look at a lot of the media coverage in the past week of WWE as it pertains to the McMahon campaign, including a look back at the problems and ideas as to why they haven't been addressed. We also look back at a lot of WWE history, including the Chris Benoit aftermath, Signature Pharmacy story, and ask a lot of questions regarding WWE. There's also talk from Lance Cade's father, details on how WWE takes care of talent while hurt, warning signals in many of the recent deaths, possible upgrades to certain policies, and some suggestions. WE also look at the company's rehab program, addictions to OxyContin, Mick Foley talks about Linda McMahon and Luna Vachon, whether wrestling is picked on or gets a free pass and why the same problems don't seem as plentiful in other countries.
We also look at TNA's building of Bound for Glory, behind the Angle vs. Hardy matches, the future of Hulk Hogan with his back injury, as well as complete coverage of the No Surrender show.
We look at heavyweight and lightweight title history in MMA, as well as Money in the Bank's success as a concept PPV and how business was compared to the same time last year.
We also look at the ratings for every national MMA and pro wrestling television show in the U.S., as well as the segment-by-segment numbers for the major shows.
We also have our weekly results from the major league arena events held around the world as well as the major TV show reviews.
The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.
Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and has the most complete look at the business as a whole anywhere. The Observer is now in its 28th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling industry as well as the MMA industry, from bookers, to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest current names, both on camera, and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed as long as 20 years or more straight. They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world and an accuracy from having the most inside sources that can't be found on the web. Everyone from Wall Street to the major offices to the TV networks in U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in the business. 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. Just send your Visa or Master Card order with your name, address, phone number, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can order by faxing that information to 408-244-3402. You can also subscribe via paypal at www.paypal.com and using the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it address or subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228.
Rates are:
For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 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.
-- Punk vs. Big Show has been added to Night of Champions.
-- John Cena's Legendary starts its limited run in theatres today. It's gotten mixed reviews, leaning towards positive, and will be released on Blu-Ray and DVD in a few weeks.
-- New York Post gives the movie three stars and says it's actually a pretty good little sports movie. Review here
-- USA Today is not as kind, giving it ** out of ****. Review here
-- Floyd Mayweather Jr. was booked into the Clark County Detention Center today on charges of grand larceny. As noted yesterday he was involved in a supposed domestic dispute and police were wanting to question him.
-- Chad Ochocinco of the Cincinnati Bengals and VH-1 is the guest host on Raw Monday.
-- Dragon Gate USA "Enter The Dragon" premieres on pay-per-view tonight at 10pm EST. on iN DEMAND, TVN and Bell ExpressVU. Tonight's premiere on iN DEMAND will be on their secondary PPV channel. iN DEMAND will show "Enter The Dragon" this Saturday on its primary PPV channel at 11am, 4pm and again on its secondary PPV channel at 6pm EST. Line-up:
1. Open The Freedom Gate Title Match: BxB Hulk defends vs. Masaaki Mochizuki
2. 8 Man Elimination Match: Masato Yoshino, Mike Quackenbush, Hallowicked & Jigsaw vs. YAMATO, Jon Moxley, Akira Tozawa & Gran Akuma
3. Tryout Winner Match: Rich Swann vs. Scott Reed
4. Special Attraction Match: Naruki Doi vs. Drake Younger
5. Four Way Freestyle: Adam Cole vs. Arik Cannon vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Ricochet
Dave has a review of the show up elsewhere on the site. I thought the four-way was a **** match, though if you rate just based on fun, it was ********** easily. There is a preview of the match here
-- There is a coupon for $5 off tomorrow EVOLVE show tomorrow in Rahway, NJ (Munenori Sawa vs. Bryan Danielson) elsewhere on the front page.
-- You can order Glory by Honor IX on gofightlive.tv right now by clicking here. Should be a great show. Line-up:
1. Tyler Black vs. Roderick Strong in a no DQ match for the ROH Title in presumably Tyler's last match with the company
2. Kings of Wrestling vs. Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas for the tag titles
3. Kevin Steen & Steve Corino vs. Generico & Colt Cabana in a double chain match
4. Eddie Edwards vs. Daivari
5. Austin Aries vs. Chris Daniels
-- Scott wrote in with this: I was listening to Hulk Hogan on Bubba The Love Sponge today (Friday Sept. 10, 2010). Hogan told a story about wrestling Antonio Inoki in 1984 in Japan. He claims that Inoki suggested they have a shoot match and Hogan wasn't sure if he was being serious until they had their match. Hogan said that after a few low blows during the match he realized that Inoki was shooting on him and he retaliated and dumped Inoki on his head and later knocked him unconscious out of the ring. He goes on to say that the Japanese wrestlers came into the ring to attack Hogan for what he done and the Japanese fans was throwing things into the ring and the American wrestlers had already left the arena so they where not there to help Hogan out with the Japanese wrestlers. As this was going on Hogan claims they have to put a shot of adrenaline into Inoki's heart to revive him. Hogan says he escaped and that he got so many death threats from people. He says he went to the American Embassy to get out of the country but the Japanese would not let him leave the country so the American Embassy moved him from hotel to hotel to avoid the Japanese from finding him and possibly killing him. Later on Hogan said that Inoki suggested he come to the hospital to visit him and publicly apologize on Japanese TV for everything and he agreed and after he apologized they allowed Hogan to leave Japan to return to the states. For the record, the entire thing was worked. Inoki had diabetes and needed to take time off so they booked a very convincing injury angle that was actually covered in Japan as legit. But nobody attacked Hogan and there were no death threats and the rest of the story is total b.s.
-- Mark Cuban is on Inside MMA on HDNet tonight promising a huge announcement.
-- Aloisa has her first interview since being cut by WWE here. Maybe I'm wrong but my gut is that she probably shouldn't be talking so much so soon. Anyway, she talks about being removed from the show, still being under contract to WWE, being challenged on Twitter by Beth Phoenix, and more.
-- She has another interview with Brian Fritz here
-- Q&A with Cary Silken here talking the evolution of Ring of Honor, this weekend's show, and more.
-- David Lagana has a post on the Heyman Hustle here talking the history of ROH and whether this weekend is the end (it's not).
-- Mick Foley has a long post here giving his thoughts on Linda's Senate run
-- The way it will be explained on NXT from now on is that the winner gets a championship match, but that's it. They're dropping the part about how the winner gets a contract since most of the competitors are going to end up on Raw or Smackdown anyway when its over.
-- Joey Ryan on his Twitter said his shoulder was all messed up after Battle from LA and the doctor told him he shouldn't wrestle for 30 days. Luckily for him, 30 days is up shortly before the next PWG show.
-- Chokehold hero thwarts bank gunman. A guy described as an "apparent WWE fan", decided to thwart a robbery attempt with a sleeper hold. Keep in mind the robber had a semi-automatic weapon. I don't recommend trying to make the save in a situation like this.
-- WWE and TNA are both running Orlando head-to-head on November 22nd with Raw at the Amway Center in Orlando and TNA at the Impact Zone.
-- TNA starts tonight in France on Ma Chaine Sport at 8 PM. They'll be airing Impact in its entirety plus the PPVs on the Video on Demand channel of Ma Chaine Sport.
-- Craig Winn writes: David Haye is goin the Chael Sonnan route by goin on all the UK sports channel and slagging off Audley Harrison! Public not buying into it yet but has until November!
-- New Maryse photospread here.
-- There is a new Slammin Stan podcast up here talking a ton of lucha libre history, wacky people getting into the wrestling business, cult movies, and more.
-- Colt Cabana's latest podcast is up here with an interview with former ROH booker Adam Pearce.
-- Indy valet Trina Michaels makes her Florida debut tomorrow for the promotion ICW in Miami. Details are at www.indycw.com
-- Tonight is the final show for Firestorm Pro Wrestling at 8 p.m. at the Phantasy Theater in downtown Lakewood, Ohio. All of the winners of the singles matches will go into a six-way bout with champ "Big League" John McChesney to determine the final Firestorm champion. Colin Delany and Matt Cross will be there.
-- Great North Wrestling comes to Florenceville-Bristol NB this Saturday September 11th and to Plaster Rock NB on September 12. The events will feature The Honky Tonk Man and "The Genius" Lanny Poffo as well as Hannibal and the 7 foot tall Darko (who is close to signing with WWE.) For more information visit greatnorthwrestling.com
-- GOUGE presents Fall Out, Saturday September 11, 2010 7PM (doors open at 6PM), MVP Sports Factory - Wake Forest, NC, 1839 S Main St, Wake Forest, NC
-- Ed, Craig and Cutrer talk to KIZARNY tonight on Over the Top Radio here
-- September 11, the Colorado State University-Pueblo athletic department will host "Bring the Thunder MMA," the first Mixed Martial Arts event to take place at Massari Arena. The event will benefit CSU-Pueblo's athletics program. The co-main events feature Cameron Dollar vs. Brett Roller and Eliot Marshall vs. Adriano Camolese Colorado's own Shane Carwin who is currently ranked as the 3rd best Heavyweight in the World will be making a special appearance for the Bring the Thunder MMA event on September 11, 2010 at 7:30pm Saturday night.
-- If anyone has a copy of the Raw following the Vince/Limo angle from ‘07, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as we have someone looking for it.
Send us a news tip: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news from this site or from our newsletters, please include a link to www.wrestlingobserver.com
For the most in-depth and detailed news and analysis on pro-wrestling and MMA, always turn to Wrestlingobserver.com/Figure Four Weekly Online, the #1 website of its kind on the Internet. Members receive online access to both the Wrestling Observer and Figure Four Weekly newsletters and growing archives, Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer three times per week, the popular Bryan and Vinny Show twice per week, additional radio shows including Figure Four Daily with Alvarez, Mike Coughlin's Five Star Radio, the Dr. Keith Lipinski Show, The Adam and Mike Big Audio Nightmare, Tough Talk and the Karl Stern Wrestling History Show, the infamous BOARD, and more! Members also have full access to the thousands of hours of audio in our radio show archives which date back to 2005. For your convenience, we offer secure online payments using your VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card or PayPal account. Don't miss out on the fun, sign up now! Don\'t miss out on the fun, sign up now!
Want full access? QUICK AND EASY $10.99 SIGNUP!
