THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
UFC Fight Night 113 live results: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio
WWE Pensacola, FL, live results: Nakamura vs. Ziggler
WWE Huntington, WV, live results: John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
NXT Portland, OR, live results: Bobby Roode vs. Roderick Strong
NXT Gainesville, FL, live results: Kassius Ohno vs. Hideo Itami
AUDIO
FREE DragonKing Dark: Charlemagne and his UFOs 7/16
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Marathon: An interview with Karl 7/15
DR. KEITH PRESENTS: Grade One Season!!! 7/15
We’re looking for your thoughts on the first day of G-1, so please leave a 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 tonight’s Raw show in Lexington, KY, headlined by John Cena and Smackdown in Tallahassee, FL.
NEW JAPAN G-1 OPENING NIGHT ON SAPPORO AT THE HOKKAIDO SPORTS CENTER AT 2 A.M. LATE SUNDAY NIGHT EASTERN
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Jushin Liger vs. Michael Elgin & Juice Robinson & David Finlay
Minoru Suzuki & Taichi & Desperado vs. Kenny Omega & Tama Tonga & Chase Owens
Seiya Sanada & Bushi vs. Evil & Hiromu Takahashi
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Toru Yano & Jado
Yuji Nagata vs. Yoshi-Hashi
Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale
Hirooki Goto vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi
Some interesting tag matches as the top three are all matches you’d never see on a regular show. Suzuki vs. Omega is to tease their 7/20 singles match main event.
Monday has Raw TV in Nashville. The Kurt Angle mystery is supposed to be solved on Monday night plus Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns for the SummerSlam title match is on the show. No Brock Lesnar this week at least at this point. There is also a Smackdown house show in Columbus, GA. John Cena will be on that Smackdown show.
Tuesday has the go-home Smackdown show from Birmingham, AL plus 205 Live. Announced is that they will be bringing the Punjabi Prison to TV, plus Drew Gulak vs. Mustafa Ali in a 2/3 fall match and Jack Gallagher vs. Brain Kendrick are scheduled.
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 7/10/2017: What’s next for Samoa Joe?
While the question of whether that was actually a double-turn with Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman was the most interesting question coming out of Great Balls of Fire, the biggest long-term issue may be what’s next for Samoa Joe after his main event with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar vs. Joe offered few surprises, mostly delivering on what everyone thought it would be. Joe was a credible threat to Lesnar (despite having to cheat to get most of his offense) before losing in about six minutes. The match felt like the big fight that it was built up to be and Joe more than held his own.
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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: July 10, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW in Long Beach reviewed, TNA becomes GFW, tons of news
New Japan’s expansion into the U.S. with the shows over the weekend in Long Beach is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Look through the business of the show, the positives, the negatives, the complaints about using ex-WWE talent, the U.S. title tournament, views on the U.S. title, as well as the New Japan plans for early 2018 in the U.S.
Read about examples as to why the early success may not lead to long-term success, indications of how well the show did, where the show was the strongest, which wrestlers had the most mainstream interest on the show, the Omega vs. Rhodes dynamic, and all the controversy regarding the announcing is covered. Plus, there is match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of both the shows.
Check out Impact’s rebranding to GFW, the good and the bad of the Slammiversary show, the interesting politics involved, the debut of DeAngelo Williams as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
This issue talks the WWE security breach reported by Forbes, MSG notes, ideas for big events in 2018 in WWE, new TV show idea, Iron men of 2017 plus who never wins and who never loses, lots of updates on the Mae Young Classic, why Randy Orton will be out for a couple of weeks, experiences of a woman on the WWE writing team, plus the most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week, WWE company market value, and notes on all the WWE and NXT arena events the past week with highlights and business notes.
Also inside, notes on the pending case against Jim Breaks, the death of his ex-girlfriend, and the details of the case, and notes on the career of Vic Faulkner of the Royal Brothers tag team, who passed away this past week.
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ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $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 [email protected]. 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 choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
WON BACK ISSUE: June 19, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Goldberg turns heel at Great American Bash, All Japan changes, more
In a week where the entire landscape of the pro wrestling industry is expected to change, the first tree to fall, All Japan Pro Wrestling, at least in the form it has been for the past 28 years, is no more.Tokyo Sports confirmed on 6/12 that the long-rumored split talked about in this publication had started with Mitsuharu Misawa, the President and top star of the company, resigning on 5/28. The news was kept quiet by all parties until the end of the tour and they were hoping to keep it quiet for several more days in an attempt to present a smoother public transition.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about Talking Smack, the Mae Young Classic, UFC, Mayweather-McGregor, CMLL and taking your questions to [email protected].
Donshay White, an amateur MMA fighter, died last night after a bout in Louisville. White, 37, collapsed after a fight for the Hardrock MMA promotion at Expo Five. The fight was stopped. He walked from the ring backstage, but became unresponsive backstage. He was given CPR and transported to KentuckyOne Health Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, where he died. His cause of death was unknown according to WAVE Television in Louisville. (thanks to Steve Williams)
G-1 starts at 2 a.m. Eastern and 11 p.m. Pacific tonight. The first show is in English and it’s free on New Japan World. The English announce team will be in Japan until next Saturday so the first four shows will be in English. From then on it’s only in Japanese until the three Sumo Hall shows at the end of the tour.
If you are a fight fan, I strongly urge you to watch the Derek Campos vs. Brandon Girtz fight from Friday night’s Bellator show, particularly if you vote in awards. If you aren’t a fan of blood, I urge you even more to skip that fight, because it was very graphic.
Rolling Stone has a video feature on The Young Bucks, who don’t like Rip Rogers and scoff at those who think they have no psychology.
WWE announced Dean Ambrose will open Raw with an interview, likely leading to teaming with Seth Rollins in some form.
WWE
Randy Orton finished shooting the movie “Changeland” yesterday.
Charlotte, Nikki & Brie Bella, Sasha Banks, Bayley and Renee Young will be at the San Diego Comic Con doing a panel at 1 p.m. on 7/20. they will be at the Mattel booth and new Charlotte and Banks action figures will be released.
The company is pushing some sort of a tease of Cris Cyborg with Becky Lynch at SummerSlam. It’s clearly something worked out between the two of them which the company is involved with.
Lio Rush’s final independent match before he starts with WWE will be on 8/12 for MCW in Joppa, MD. His last indie match will be in the same building where he started training only a few years ago.
A story about the issues with WWE security on some of its market research being compromised.
MISCELLANEOUS
There is a Go Fund Me for Rex Bacchus, a Florida based independent wrestler who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and has missed a lot of work due to being hospitalized on four separate occasions and has been in the hospital for three weeks where they’ve removed 25 cm of his small intestine to clear a blockage. He’s also suffering from stage two colon cancer. He will need both surgery and chemo and won’t be able to work for some time.
Also at the San Diego Comic Con for the Headlocked Comic book include Ric Flair, John Morrison and Cryme Tyme.
Northeast Wrestling from Friday night in Danbury, CT: Flip Gordon b Brad Hollister, Wrecking Ball Legursky b American Sumo, Vinny Marseglia DCOR Vik Dalishus, Jack Swagger b Donovan Dijak, Adira b Karen Q, Adrenaline Rush b Amazing Graysons (managed by Robbie E), Brian Anthony b Chris Battle, Cody Rhodes b Ricochet to keep NEW title (said to be a great main event. (thanks to Nick Mahmood)
Northeast Wrestling from last night in Troy, NY: Bobby Fish b Donovan Dijak, High Adrenaline b Wrecking Ball Legursky & Brad Hollister, Brandi Rhodes b Tessa Blanchard, Jeff Starr b Vik Dalishus, Ricochet b Flip Gordon, fireworks b Chris Bell, Rey Mysterio Jr. b Vinny Marseglia, Cody Rhodes b Jack Swagger to keep NEW title. (thanks to Abby Maldonado)
AAW from last night in Merrionette Park, IL before 522 fans: John Morrison b Colt Cabana, Samantha Heights b Scarlett Bordeaux, Paco Gonzalez & Trey Miguel & Stephen Wolf b Danny Adams & Curt Stallion & Jake Holmes, ACH b Myron Reed, Jake & Dave Crist b War Machine, Penta 0M & Shane Strickland b Trevor Lee & Garza Jr., Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz b Jeff Cobb & AR Fox to win the AAW tag titles, Matt Riddle b Mat Fitchett, Chuck Taylor b Davey Vega, David Starr b Eddie Kingston in an I Quit match, Sami Callihan b Keith Lee to keep the AAW title. Next show is 8/5 in LaSalle, IL with ACH vs. Fitchett, Bob Holly vs. Lee plus Callihan & Crist Brothers vs. AR Fox & Rey Fenix & Juventud Guerrera. Cody Rhodes debuts on 8/31 in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club. That show is already sold out nearly two months in advance. (thanks to Qumar Zaman)
A documentary on the U.K.-based Pro Wrestling Eve promotion.
A story on Brian Pillman Jr. training at OVW.
CWE from last night in Winnipeg: Logan Reid b Tyler Colton, Mike Mission b Bobby Schink, Jacob Creed b Robbie Green, Brandon Rich b Adam Knight, Dragneel b Spunk, Bobby Collins b Jack Lyndon, Agent Red b Tyler Rose, Kevy Chevy b Wildman Firpo, A.J. Sanchez & Rob Stardom b Danny Duggan & Vig V, Kevy Chevy won Lethal Lottery match.
NWL from last night in St. Peters, MO: Jeremy Wyatt b Skyler Beckett, Jack Foster b Brother Castle, Christian Rose b Thor Theriot, Dingo b Michael Strider, Mikey McFinnegan & Zakk Sawyers b Blaine Meeks & Jet Royal, Dak Draper b Mike Outlaw, Cornell Douglass b Tommy Dreamer, Gary Jay b Maverick-DQ. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Best of the West TV from last night in Fresno: Kenny K over Steve Treasarro, Manny Faberino and RJ Cruz, Midnight Marvels b Jesse Poole & Danny Rocket, Wiseguy b Karl Fredericks. Next live show is 8/19 at Fresno City College at 6 p.m.
Lucha Xtreme TV from yesterday in Fresno: Rage b Hunter Freeman, Homicide b Anthony Idol, Coa Azul b Mike Camdon. Next show is 7/29 in Fresno at Chuchanski Stadium after the Fresno Grizzleys baseball game. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
A Trump story with a pro wrestling reference. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
F4W Online / Wrestling Observer Vegas Convention Event Info
August 17-21; All times are TBA; Full information on the group Facebook page; Activities subject to change
For ticketing information go to https://f4wvegas.brownpapertickets.com/
Thursday: Meet at the High Roller for Bowling at the Link; Party at Carnival Court at Hurrah’s
Friday: Kiss Mini Golf tournament at the Rio; Dinner at Texas de Brazil; Suite party (location TBA)
Saturday: Burgers with Granny for lunch; Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Stephan Bonnar & Phil Baron, and co-main events: 3-way match with Leva Bates vs. Mia Yim vs. Hudson Envy, and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Thomas Santell (f.k.a. Antonio “The Promise” Thomas); NXT viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
Sunday: SUPER CHINA BUFFET DAY at the Wicked Spoon Buffet at 1pm; SummerSlam viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
Monday: Goodbye lunch at Chen Chen at NY NY
All website members will also receive a 15% discount on any purchases from the Las Vegas Fight Shop for the entirety of the convention
Texas de Brazil, Wicked Spoon, NXT and Summer Slam will all be sign up and pre-paid events, prices and collection begin in mid July~!
Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!
CONTACT INFORMATION
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