WWE NO MERCY FROM SACRAMENTO
*A.J. Styles vs Dean Ambrose vs. John Cena for WWE title – For the first time, because of the Clinton/Trump debate, they are putting the main event of a show that is the clear cut main event in the opening segment at 8 p.m. This in many ways is a one match show. Styles has never failed to deliver in big matches for a long time, and Cena always works hard. In a lot of ways you can watch the first match and there isn’t much else of major importance past the Miz vs. Ziggler match due to the angle. Right now Styles is a 17-to-1 favorite but it should be noted that no smart money has come in on tonight’s show as of this writing, so the odds mean little.
*The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler IC title vs. career – Cable companies have been given a preview of Tuesday’s show which we’ll have later in the update that would seem to indicate Ziggler losing. We do also know that if he does, it’d be an angle in some form since he’s being advertised on shows next month, although I suppose the right hand and left hand in that company aren’t always in synch. Miz is listed as a -160 favorite but that number only indicates people don’t know.
*Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt – Match should be fine. The angle was kind of silly. Orton is listed as a -185 favorite right now.
*Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. Usos for tag titles – The Usos are -300. Slater & Rhyno are pretty much a gimmick team that they have no long-term plans for, and the big feud was always to be Usos vs. American Alpha.
*Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss for women’s title – This match is not expected to be taking place even though still advertised.
*Nikki Bella vs. Carmella – It is also possible this won’t take place. If Lynch isn’t on the show and they need a title match, Nikki Bella is the most likely new opponent for Bliss. The only other options are Eva Marie and Naomi in the title match.
*Jack Swagger vs. Baron Corbin – Since Swagger won the TV match as a surprise, that would favor Corbin and he is listed at -975. Corbin is winning at all the house shows, and the company’s usual directive is not to put heels over at the house shows unless they see the heel as a much bigger star, or the heel has a title.
Honestly, this looks like the weakest on paper WWE PPV in a long time. The main event will almost surely be good to great. Miz vs. Ziggler was a good match last month and with the stakes higher, should be a bigger match this month. With Styles in the opener, Miz and Ziggler are most likely to close the show.
NEW JAPAN KING OF PRO WRESTLING FROM SUMO HALL IN TOKYO AT 2:45 A.M. EASTERN TIME LATE SUNDAY NIGHT AND11:45 P.M. LATE SUNDAY NIGHT PACIFIC TIME ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Tiger Mask vs. Red Mask
Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi & Will Ospreay vs. Adam Cole & Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi & Bobby Fish vs. Toru Yano & Jado & Rocky Romero & Baretta
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Go Shiozaki & Maybach Taniguchi & Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masa Kitamiya
Young Bucks vs. Ricochet & David Finlay for IWGP jr. tag titles
Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Roa for IWGP tag titles
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & Kushida & Jay Lethal vs. Tetsuya Naito & Seiya Sanada & Evil & Bushi
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kyle O’Reilly for Never open weight title
Kenny Omega vs. Hirooki Goto for 1/4 IWGP title match
Kazuchika Okada vs. Naomichi Marufuji for IWGP heavyweight title
On paper from the Bucks match on, with the exception of the Briscoes match, this looks great. Okada vs. Marufuji was one of the best matches of G-1. Omega vs. Goto is a G-1 final rematch and that was tremendous. O’Reilly vs. Shibata is a rematch of a great ROH match. The eight-man is likely to set up a few matches on the November PPV in Osaka. New Japan Sumo Hall shows are almost always good and this is a deep lineup.
Raw will be Monday night from the Oracle Arena in Oakland. There will also be a Smackdown brand house show on Monday night in Reno, NV.
Smackdown will be Tuesday night in San Jose at the SAP Center.
We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s No Mercy, tonight’s King of Pro Wrestling and last night’s UFC 204, with thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected].
We’re also looking for reports on yesterday’s WWE show in Quito, Ecuador.
Figure Four Weekly 10/4/2016: Comparing ECW to TNA – With its constant scrambling for money, TNA is starting to resemble a much more beloved promotion: ECW. While ECW was not entirely solvent going back to at least 1999, when stories of bounced checks were hitting the wrestling newsletters, the situation got especially dire in the last year or so of the company’s existence. After shutting down in January 2001, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 4th… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
F4W YouTube Page: Tons of clips and full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Oct 10, 2016: The saga of TNA continues, Goldberg rumors, more – Exactly who funded the Bound for Glory PPV and tapings this week? TNA President Billy Corgan did media interviews during the week and couldn’t give a direct answer as to whether the tapings would take place… Bill Goldberg will be appearing on 10/5 on ESPN SportsCenter and clips were shown during Raw of Goldberg battling Brock Lesnar in ads for the WWE 2K 17 game. This is not coincidental because as things stand right now, Goldberg will face Brock Lesnar in a singles match as the big match at the 2016 Survivor Series on 11/20 in Toronto… Sasha Banks’ WWE Raw women’s title win over Charlotte, positioned as the main event and focal point of the 10/3 Raw in Los Angeles, was done to set the two up in the WWE’s first-ever women’s Hell in a Cell match. The show will take place on 10/30 at the TD Garden in Boston, on a show that will have two Cell matches… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
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WON Back Issue, September 13, 1999: Best wrestlers of each decade, plus tons of news – The television season of wrestling overexposure began this past week with both good and bad news. But when the numbers came in, virtually all the good news was limited to the World Wrestling Federation. Subscribers click here to continue reading.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight covering No Mercy and taking your quesetions for the show at [email protected]. We have a show up right not that previews tonight’s PPVs, both WWE & NJPW and looks at last night’s UFC show.
Dan Henderson reiterated after his loss to Michael Bisping that he’s retiring. As far as the media scores went, this tells you that the fight could have been fairly judged either way with the key rounds being two and five. Of media scores, 56 percent had it for Bisping, 24 percent had it even and 20 percent had it for Henderson. It wasn’t a robbery in the slightest. It was a close fight.
Becky Lynch missed last night’s show and is expected off the road for a short period of time due to a perosnal health issue that is not serious. The stories going around of a neck injury have been denied to us. She may be hurt in the sense everyone is hurt, but that’s not the issue. Like last month with Randy Orton, WWE has not responded to questions and is still advertising her match. They seem to be the only company left that still operates like that as even AAA when finding out about Alberto at the last minute sent word out immediately of exactly how the card would be changed. Admittedly, New Japan wasn’t exactly forthcoming on Matt Sydal right away but did announce before the show about him not being there and announced the card changes as well. With WWE, we don’t know the new card for certain, although the options are pretty limited, or if they are keeping the title on Lynch or putting the title up in a new match. For what it’s worth, the only women on last night’s show in Portland, OR that aren’t in matches announced for tonight are Natalya and Naomi.
The new Golden 1 Center is expecting 12,000 fans for tonight’s WWE NO Mercy show, which just opened this past week. The opening of the new arena really helped draw the card tonight. The building was also told the show would end at 7:30 p.m. local time, which is much earlier than Raw shows have been ending.
UFC 204 had 500,000 searches which is the normal number. We had less feedback than usual and it felt like less of a buzz to me than any show so far this year, but that number indicates there was a lot of interest. For the weekend, it was behind only Trump, ESPN, Hurricane Matthew and The Girl on the Train as the most searched for items in the U.S.
WWE
Regarding Miz vs. Ziggler, the preview for Tuesday’s Smackdown that was sent to cable companies is, “From San Jose, including the three-way battle for world championship; and a look at Dolph Ziggler’s exit from WWE.”
Another company cable guide’s listing for Tuesday is, just “A look at Dolph’s career as he exits WWE.” (thanks to Jon Southerland)
Noam Dar starts full-time this week with WWE and is at least scheduled to be backstage at Raw.
An interview with Big Show is here.
UFC
This is how the predictions went from last night:
5-0 Me
4-1 Mike Sempervive, Ryan Frederick, Paul Fontaine
3-2 Josh Nason, Mike Sawyer, Steve Juon, John Pollock, David Bixenspan, Frontrow Brian
MISCELLANEOUS
Eric Van Wagenen, the executive producer of Lucha Underground, is at the New York Comic Con and talked about touring and merchandise coming up for the product. Talent was given some October touring dates a month ago, but not as definite, and we’re here in October and obviously they aren’t happening.
Lucha Ilimitado takes place on Wednesday night in Yakima, WA at the Sun Dome with Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Jeff Hardy, plus the American debut of Santo Jr., the son of El Hijo del Santo, teaming with his father against Juventud Guerrera & Psicosis, and MVP vs. Sami Callihan as the top matches. For a preview you can go here.
AAA from last night in Berwyn, IL in the finals of the Jim Lynam Memorial tournaemtn: Chris Hero b Mat Fitchett, Prince Ali b Rey Fenix, Zack Sabre Jr. b Jeff Cobb, ACH b Chuck taylor, AR Fox won three-way over Brian Caeg and Drew gulak to keep the Heritage title, Chris Hero b Prince Ali, Zack Sabre Jr. b ACH, Silas Young & Davey Vega b Kongo Kong & Marcus Crane, Jake Crist & Sami Callihan b Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix (Callihan pinned Pentagon and the AAW singles title was at stake in this match), Chris Hero b Zack Sabre Jr. to win the tournament. (thanks to Michael Blanton)
If you remember the movie “Warrior” from 2011 where, among other things, Kurt Angle played the role of Fedor Emelianenko, director Gavin O’Connor is talking about doing a sequel. Even though the movie was a box office flop to the tune of only doing $14 million, and was a big money loser, O’Connor said he thought the movie came too early beause MMA is more popular now than five years ago, and that he felt there were rabid fans of the first movie more than anything he’s ever done.
I Believe in Wrestling on 10/15 at 5 p.m. Eastern at the Dr. Smith Neighborhood Center at www.WWNLive.com will feature Raquel of TNA, appearances by Mister Saint Laurent and Larry Zbyszko, wrestling by Thea Trinidad and the pro wrestling debut of Seth Petruzelli, a former UFC fighter who once headlined CBS against Kimbo.
C.M. Punk was at the New York Comic Con as a moderator in the Marvel Comics panel. He said he had put on 30 pounds since his UFC fight. Sting was also there unadvertised promoting the new WWE Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line. Also there were Ric Flair, Mick Foley, Road Warrior Animal, Jim Duggan, Jimmy Hart, Ted DiBiase and Jerry Lawler among many others. DiBiase has lost some weight according to reports. (thanks to Paul Paster and others)
The debut of the Sabotage promotion on Friday night in Covina, CA featuring two stars from Stardom in Japan: Raze & Shotzi Blackheat b Christi Jaynes & Safari Reign, Delilah Doom b Desi De Rata, Sage Sin over Ray Lyn and Keneisha Moon, Holidead & Thunder Rosa b Mariachi Loco & Lil Cholo to keep the Western States tag titles, Andy Brown & Maritza Janett b Tommy Wilson & Ashley Grace, Diosa Athena b Heather Monroe, Yoko Bito & Kairi Hojo b Kat Von Heez & Kaitlin Diemond, Taya b Thunder Rosa to keep the AAA Reina de Reinas title. (thanks to Scott Bryant)
Alpha 1 Wrestling on 10/23 in Oshawa, ONT at 219 Olive Road.
Braxton Sutter of TNA headlines for Empire State Wrestling on 10/22 in Olean, NY at Good Times of Olean.
Hogtown Pro Wrestling on 11/11 in Toronto at 876 Bloor St. West headlined by Mike Bailey.
Lucha Xtreme TV from yesterday in Fresno: The show now airs at 11 a.m. instead of late Saturday night: Anthony Idol b Chris Nail, Donny Suarez b Shadow James, Homicide b Brandon Groom. Next live show is 10/16 at the Big Fresno Fair at 7 PM. at the Pavilion Stage headlined by Homicide vs. Groom for the championship. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
Mid Missouri Wrestling Alliance from last night in St. Louis: Barackus b Big Jim Hoffarth, Matt Kenway & Jason Roberts b Brandon Espinosa & Ace Hawkins to win tag titles, Everett Connors b J-Ma Swagg, Danny Adams b Brian James to win TV title, Da’Marius Jones b Kevin Lee Davidson, Moondog Rover & Damion Cortese b Jimmy D & BT Daramola, A.J. Williams b Gary Jackson. Lacey & Hollie Von Erich, the daughters of Kerry Von Erich, were there to accept his St. Louis Hall of Fame induction. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Wrestlemerica from last night in Barnesville, GA before 225 fans: Clang & Bang b Damian Bennett & Stunt Marshall, Jay Romero b Logan Stevens, Iceberg NC Scotty Beach, Iceberg & X-Pac b C.J. Awesome & Scotty Beach, Fry Daddy b David Tita, Tyson Dean b Zane Stevens. They announced Adam Rose on the 11/12 show. (thanks to Kris Zellner)
Kenta Kobashi made a surprise appearance at today’s All Japan show at Korakuen Hall. (thanks to John Carey)
CZW from last night before a larger than expected crowd in Voorhees, NJ. A few guys driving in from Kentucky missed the show because their car broke down. Alexander James b Nathan Cruz, Frankie Pickard b Jimmy Lloyd and Dan O’Hare, Da Hit Squad b Rick Cataldo & Eddy McQueen (they do a drag parody of the Bella Twins as The Fella Twins), Joe Gacy b BLK Jeez, Josh Crane & Dale Patricks b Devon Moore & Conor Claxton, Chris Dickinson & Mike Draztik & Angel Ortiz b Dave Crist & Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz, Joey Janela b Lucky 13, Jonathan Gresham b Homicide to retain CZW title in a great match. Homicide won and was declared new champion but Gresham’s leg was on the ropes and it was restarted and Gresham won after a low blow. Danny Havoc won four-way high stake tangled web match over Ricky Shane Page, Tim Donst and Alex Colon after a superplex through carpet strips a bed of nails and a bared wire spider web. Next show is 11/19 for Night of Infamy with Matt Tremont & Jeff Cannonball vs. Young Dragons, and 12/10 for the annual Cage of Death show. (thanks to Bob Magee)
Mecca Pro Wrestling on 10/22 in Cornwall, ONT at 1950 rue Montreal Rd.
Hoosier Pro Wrestling’s 18th anniversary show on 11/5 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
Here is a story on Short Sleeve Sampson of Syracuse, NY working an indie show in Wichita Falls, TX in front of some of his cousins that he only last month found out about.
A trailer for a Matt Hardy interview is here.
Today in Wrestling History (10/9): Nick Bockwinkel recaptures AWA gold
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