Daily Update: UFC, Victor Conte, NJPW
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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter
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- February 18, 2008 Observer Newsletter: WWE SmackDown leaving The CW, police report on Chris Benoit murders released
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Monday Update
–We’ll be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio to talk about Raw, fight fixing, New Japan’s show yesterday, and stuff in this report.
–The UFC has issued a statement regarding the Isaac Dulgarian vs. Yadier Del Valle fight which has led to allegations Dulgarian threw the fight It should be noted Ariel Helwani today said that UFC before the fight confronted Dulgarian after finding out all the betting on Dulgarian to lose in the first round (which happened) and he assured them there was nothing to it. Dulgarian was fired after all the allegations of a fixed fight came out. The UFC statement said, “Like many professional sports organizations, UFC works with an independent betting integrity service to monitor wagering activity on our events. Our betting integrity partner, IC360, monitors wagering on every UFC event and is conducting a thorough review of the facts surrounding the Dulgarian vs. del Valle bout on Saturday, November 1. We take these allegations very seriously and along with the health and safety of our fighters, nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport.”
–Victor Conte, a steroid and PED guru who served time, and then said he had come clean, and worked later with a lot of MMA athletes and some pro wrestlers, passed away this morning at the age of 75. He had been battling pancreatic cancer. He worked with legendary athletes Barry Bonds and Marion Jones, and worked with Patrick Arnoldto popularize the cream and the clear, steroids that would pass tests that wrestlers and athletes used during that period. He was aswo in the 70s part of the legendary band Tower of Power.
–New Japan has a press conference tonight at midnight Eastern and 9 p.m. Pacific for the Tokyo Dome show and likely announcing the tag team tournament as well.
–In the Jake Paul story after Gervonta “Tank” Davis was sued for assault by an ex-girlfriend and looks to be out of the match (that hasn’t been officially said, but it’s well known they are talking to replacement fighters), Francis Ngannou said he was insulted by Paul’s offer,. He said he was disrespected and wasn’t interested. A new name brought up as a possible replacement is undefeated and retired former champion Andre Ward. Paul’s fight now seems likely for December on a Saturday night.
–If you want to see some beautiful stuff, watch the second half of yesterday’s Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yota Tsuji match, and even more, the post-match. In one fell swoop we had the passing of the torch from legend to protege, the protege vowing to be the new top star, the tearful farewell and the new young heel issues a challenge for a house show match this coming Saturday night. Every element of past and present, with some future thrown out there. There is a major back story for Tanahashi vs. Tsuji as well as for Saturday’s Tanahashi vs Yuto-Ice “Ace vs. Ice” singles match.
–Raw tonight is in Rio Rancho, NM Rio Rancho, NM. They will be starting the build for Survivor Series. They also will have some more news hopefully on the John Cena tournament. CM Punk will be there talking about his title win on Saturday. AJ Styles & Dragon Lee defend the tag titles against Finn Balor & JD McDonagh. Stephanie Vaquer & Nikki Bella face Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez, plus Penta vs Grande Americano and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Asuka & Kairi Sane The show will be sold out in a 6,500 seat building.
–Mustafa Ali said he was injured while wrestling in Berlin this past weekend. He said that he won’t be missing any dates but will be doing extensive rehab.
–New Japan has put up on the World web site a conversation with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega that was taped when Omega went to Japan. Omega was the surprise guest on a show billed as Tanahashi talks to a former Wrestle Kingdom main event opponent.
–Chelsea Green & Ethan Page won the AAA mixed tag titles last night in Monterrey from Mr. Iguana & La Hiedra in a match where Lola Vice interfered. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. beat El Hijo del Vikingo in the main event and was attacked by Page after. Wagner defending the Latin American title against Page will take place on 12/20 at the new Arena Guadalajara. After Angel & Berto lost to Dave the Clown & Murder Clown they teased issues between the two of them.
–Tonight at Arena Puebl;a has Mistico vs. Yutani and Mascara Dorada & Neon & Stigma vs. Hechicero & Okumura & Voador Jr.
–After losing her World of Stardom match to Saya Kamitani earlier today, Momo Wtanabe said she will be taking time off to heal her injuries, notably a knee injury. Syuri challenged Kamitani for the Tokyo Dome on 1/4 in a match that will be Kamitani putting up the New Japan Strong title against Syuri’s IWGP women’s title. Kamitani will defend the World of Stardom title on 12/29 at Sumo Hall against Saori Anou. I was told Kamitani vs. Watanabe and Konami vs. Starlight Kid where Konami won the Wonder of Stardom title were off the charts.
–Trey Miguel made a surprise appearance at the Championship International Wrestling show last night in Toledo saving Phil Nitro Monohan from Shane Stevens and The Next Level (thanks to Paul Meade)
–The Raven Effect documentary on the life of Scott “Raven” Levy will be released on Blu Ray by ETR Media. Names listed in the video are Raven, Billy Cofrgan, Rob Van Dam, Chris Jericho, DDP, Bubba Ray dudley, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, Perry Saturn, Kevin Sullivan, Blue Meanie, Shane Dougls, Lodi, Brian Meyers, D-Lo Brown, Buff Bagwell, Sami Callihan, Moose and Scott D’Amore.
–NXT tomorrow has Je’Von Evans vs. Saquon Shugars, Fatal Influence vs Tatum Paxley & Izzy Dame & Lola Vice and the start of a tournament for the vacant Speed title.
–Nick Kozak, who is one of the oldest still living wrestlers in the world, turns 93 today. Kimberly Anthony, the Dirty White Girl, turns 57. Dawn Marie turns 55. Jackie Gayda Haas turns 44. Ariane Andrew (Cameron) turns 38. Sputnik Monroe passed away 19 years ago today. (thanks to Tony Richards)
Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.