THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
NJPW’s Tomoaki Honma returning to the ring
NJPW Best of the Super Juniors finals are set
ROH NYC TV taping results: Bullet Club teases All In 2
WWE Waco & Baton Rouge live results: SAnitY debuts
NJPW Best of the Super Juniors live results: Block finals
NJPW Best of the Super Juniors night 12 results: KUSHIDA vs. Dragon Lee
THE LATEST AUDIO
WOL: Money in the Bank, Best of the Super Juniors, Gregory Iron interview, more! 6/3
Wrestling Weekly: Justin Credible joins Les & Vic 6/2
WOR: Rockin Rebel, CM Punk trial, UFC Fight Night, more 6/2
We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s New Japan Best of the Super Juniors tournament as well as tomorrow’s show at Korakuen Hall, so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle along with a best and worst match for both shows, as well as your pick for best match of the tournament and tournament MVP to [email protected].
We’re also looking for reports on today’s AAA Verano de Escandalo show, the Impact tapings in Windsor, ONT both Friday & Saturday, tonight’s Impact show in Mississauga, ONT, and toady’s WWE house shows in Lake Charles, LA and Arlington, TX to [email protected].
AAA VERANO DE ESCANDALO FROM MONTERRY, MEXICO ON THE AAA TWITCH CHANNEL TONIGHT AT 7 P.M. EASTERN TIME
Arkangel Divino & Dinastia & El Hijo del Vikingo & Star Fire vs. Anez & Belial & Lady Maravilla & Ultimo Maldito
Lady Shani & Mamba & Pimpinela Escarlata vs. Black Danger & Hiedra & ?
Drago vs Sammy Guevera vs. Aerostar vs. Australian Suicide vs Darby Allin
Pagano & La Mascara & Maximo vs. El Texano Jr. & Juventud Guerrera & Killer Kross
El Hijo del Fantasma & Psycho Clown vs. Brian Cage & Rey Escorpion
Carta Brava Jr. & Mocho Cota Jr. & Tito Santana vs. Averno & Chessman& Super Fly in a triple hair vs. hair match
Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. for the AAA Mega heavyweight title
NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS ON MONDAY AT 5:30 A.M. FROM KORAKUEN HALL ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Taiji Ishimori vs. Hiromu Takahashi for the tournament championship.
Raw is Monday in Houston with Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Roode, Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens, Nia Jax vs. Natalya in a non-title match plus a tag team Battle Royal for the top contender spot for tag champs Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt. Smackdown has a house show on Monday night in Laredo, TX.
Smackdown and 205 Live will take place on Tuesday night in Corpus Christi, TX with Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch and Jimmy Uso & Naomi vs. Aiden English & Lana as well as a contract signing for the A.J. Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura last man standing match.
F4W NEWSLETTER: An early look at how April’s NXT call-ups have fared
Over a month removed from the days after WrestleMania and the Superstar Shakeup, the most recent round of NXT call-ups have been — at best — a mixed bag in their first few weeks on the main roster. As has become tradition, the post-WrestleMania episodes of Raw and SmackDown saw new arrivals from NXT: Ember Moon, No Way Jose, The Authors of Pain, and Peyton Royce & Billie Kay. The wave continued the next week, with Drew McIntyre joining Raw and Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega and SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe & Killian Dain) being announced as the newest members of SmackDown.
WON NEWSLETTER: (June 4, 2018): More details on Raw and Smackdown TV deals, more
An update on both the WWE & UFC television deals with how they went down and were intertwined in more details is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Look at actual finalization of the deals, how the contracts pay out, when the numbers figured and reported on actually come into play, and who negotiated the WWE’s deal. Also look at what UFC had offered for both shows and just how differently things worked out.
Look at what both deals mean for the long-term perception of WWE and UFC, and the difference in air time on television between the two properties.
Find out the new value of WWE, and one analyst talks about what he feels the stock value will be when the new deals come into play. Look at different estimates of WWE profit margins with the new deal, update UFC profit margins, and a look at the future.
This issue also has an update on news on both Money in the Bank, Extreme Rules and the return of Brock Lesnar.
Also, rundown week two of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament with match-by-match coverage, standings, schedule and star ratings for every show.
Have a look at the Dr. Christopher Amann lawsuit against C.M. Punk and Colt Cabana and early testimony, the Mauro Ranallo documentary, what was the key to Ranallo’s career, the U.K. tournament and slow ticket sales, and John Cena’s message to the locker room.
Look at what appears to be the final pro wrestling show at American Legion Post 308 in Reseda.
This issue runs down Io Shirai signing with WWE, the story behind it, her departure from Stardom, who she is, her link to Asuka, and two other Stardom women who are WWE-bound.
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.)
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking New Japan Best of the Super Juniors, the C.M. Punk trial, and the latest news. You can send e-mail questions to the show at [email protected].
The police investigation in the death of Chuck “Rockin Rebel” Williams and wife Stephanie Burtnett Williams has said that based on the initial investigation, the belief is that Chuck shot Stephanie and killed her, and then he shot and killed himself.
Tomoaki Honma came out during today’s New Japan show and announced he would be wrestling starting on the 6/23 New Japan show in Yamagata. His recovery is remarkable since he was wheelchair bound for a long time, but he is much lighter and while he can get around walking, he looked labored in doing so.
Today’s Best of the Super Juniors show was one of the more enjoyable shows of the year. It really felt more like a PWG show than anything outside of PWG with the great wrestling and hot crowd in every single match and the wide variety of styles.
Nothing in pro wrestling or MMA made the search list on Google over the weekend. Neither the UFC show nor the Bare Knuckle boxing show had enough mainstream interest to make the list.
In the movie charts this week, Avengers was No. 4 at an estimated 10.4 million in week six. Rampage was No. 14 at $598,000 and Blockers with Cena seems to be gone.
Impact announced TV tapings at the Rebel Complex in Toronto on 8/12 and 8/13.They are also running the building for the Slammiversary PPV on 7/22. In Impact last night, Homicide & Hernandez returned as a team, managed by The King (Eddie Kingston) to feud with the new LAX and Konnan.
WWE
Sanity debuted last night at the Smackdown house show in Waco, TX, losing via DQ to Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows. Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe worked as the team and Killian Dain’s interference led to the DQ.
MISCELLANEOUS
AAA has one of its biggest events of the year, Verano de Escandalo, tonight at the Plaza Monumental Bullring in Monterrey. It’s live on Twitch and there are likely to be a lot of surprises on the show as this is the first show with Konnan fully in charge as booker. Rey Fenix is at the show, which is notable since he’s working Arena Mexico this coming Friday. Jeff Jarrett is also at the show. There are some midcard guys from the Elite promotion who are backstage
AAW in Rockingham, Western Australia last night: Ajax b Leon Tully, Seth Kincaid b Craven, Andrew Carter b Chris Target, Deli Dud Singh & Eric Owens b Mike Massive, Roxy Ryot b Allyson Cruz to win women’s title, Masdek Oz b Julio Garcia & Marco Garcia to win tag titles, Felix Young b Roxy Ryot to keep No Limits title,Seth Kincad b Andrew Carter to win vacant AAW title.
EPW from earlier today in Perth, Western Australia: Julian Ward b Lochy Hendricks, Dan Steel b Jordan Bhsip, Garvin McGavin won three-way over Kie Steria and Damian Slater, Hayden Zenith & Allyson Crux & Scotty Ryan b Taylor King & Jack Edwards & Tipene, Alex Kingston & Logan Grey b AZ Vegura & Jay Taylor, Garry Schmidt b Cal Cousins, Michael Morleone b Marcius Pitt to keep EPW title. Julian Ward vs. Gavin McGavin in a last man standing match headlines the 6/16 show, plus Michael Morleone defends against Carlo Cannon.
Marcius Pitt and Damian Slater were announced for the House of Hardcore show in Perth on 7/11.
IWA from Friday night in Sydney: Matt Roges b Headhunter Rig, Matty Walhberg b Jax Jordan, Mick Moretti b Brad Alexander & Will Kiedis in a handicap match, Gino Gambino b Jackson Kelly-DQ, Headhunter Rig won Rumble to win the Super Contenders Cup. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
World League Wrestling from last night in Troy, MO: Jack Gamble b Superstar Steve Fender, Jayden Dominic Rose b Kyle Roberts, Jon Webb b Brandon Espinosa, Stacy O’Brien b Heather Patera-DQ, Rex Fults b Jaden Roller in a lumberjack match. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Stardom from yesterday in Sapporo: Tam Nakano won three-way over Leo Onozaki and Shiki Shibusawa, Starlight Kid d AZM in a Future of Stardom title match, Hazuki & Natsu Sumire b Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora, Momo Watanabe & Io Shirai & Konami b Toni Storm & Deonna Purrazzo & Zoe Lucas, Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima won the tag titles over Kagetsu & Hana Kimura. Kimura was carried out of the ring after the match although she is headed to Mexico and will be doing the next ROH PPV. (thanks to Jake Koch)
GOUGE from yesterday in Raleigh, NC: The Goat b Chris Taylor, Otto Schwanz b Waylon Maze, Snooty Fox b Cap. Blacks Merica, Seymout Snott & Abdominal CPA b Old & Tame, Alas de Angel & Dred b Chicano Power & Big Bite, Jimmy Jack Funk Jr. b Blade Brown.
I Believe in Wrestling Florida J Cup tournament from Friday night in Orlando: Aaron Epic b Johnny Vandal, Troy Hollywood b Maxx Stardom, Chasyn Rance b British Wolf, Seprentico b Justin Black, Raegan Fire b Sofia Castillo (non-tourney), Troy Hollywood b Aaron Epic, Serpentico b Chasyn Rance, Axx Clover & Jason Dugan & Jay Sky & Mike Reed & Carlos Gabriel & Deon James & CT Brown & Richard King & Fantasma de Venom & Mike Austin (non-tourney), Serpentico b Troy Hollywood to win tournament. Next show is 7/6 at the team Vision Dojo headlined by Aaron Epic vs. Axx Clover. (thanks to Al Haft)
Rise has announced Delilah Doom, Deonna Purrazzo, Shotzi Blackheart, Madison Eagles, Tessa Blanchard, Thunder Rosa, Dust, Raven’s Ash, Karen Q, Rae Lyn, Kris Wolf, Su Yung, Chelsea Green and Britt Baker as well as Rosemary as a manager for its 7/7 and 7/8 shows. The 7/7 show airs live on Twitch and 7/8 will be a TV taping.
A Rico Verhoeven fight last night for Glory in Holland did 305,000 viewers on Ziggo Sport. (thanks to Henk Mulder)
Hoosier Pro Wrestling from last night in Columbus, IN before 170 fans: Scarecrow b Zach Pittman, Mad Dog b Knight Shadow, Duke the Nuke b RuduRav Lamatta, Buck Sexton & Dynamtie Dillen b Fireball & War Machine to keep tag titles, Ace Jackson b Tim Lutz to keep cruiserweight title, Flash Flanagan b Kenny KageDQ, Omega Pitbull b Vic the Bruiser in a last man standing match, Duke the Nuke b Omega Pitbull to win the Tri-States title. Next show is 6/30 at the Aaron Sales Parking Lot in Columbus, IN in a food drive show. Attendance is free with six or more cans of food. Bring your own lawn chairs. No coolers. (thanks to Jerry Wilson)
Lions Pride Sports from last night in Hamilton, TX: Lance Hoyt (Archer) b Mike Dell to win the LPS title due to interference from Bruce Tharpe, plus Jerry Lawler & Nobe Bryant b Brent McKenzie & Franco D’Angelo, Hyan b Angel Blue, Hyan & Max Castellanos b Johnny Swole & Brysin Scott & Angel Blue. (thanks to Steve Fullhart)
IMPACT Wrestling Executive Vice President Don Callis joined Dave and Bully and discussed Eli Drake, Tessa Blanchard and more. Watch it here.
On Tessa Blanchard:
“Love her. I just think she’s… I’m not even going to say she’s a great Knockout but she’s a great wrestler. It’s always those gender issues with respect to wrestling. It’s the man’s match, the woman’s match. Sometimes when you start talking about matches in the context of just ‘No, that was my favourite match’ and I had that back in the day when Gail Kim and Awesome Kong were working together. That was my favourite match, not just my favourite Knockouts match, that was just my favourite match of the night. And I think Tessa has the potential to be one of those transformational performers where it’s not about Knockouts match, non-Knockouts match, it’s just about her being a great wrestler. I like everything about her. She’s just so polished, she’s got a great mean streak and she’s got something that’s rare in the business, she’s got a fifth gear that she could kick into.”
On who he is most emotionally invested into as a fan:
“I’m pretty emotionally invested as a fan in Brian Cage and what’s gonna happen with Brian Cage. I think we’ve just really scratched the surface of establishing him as a monster and people always say Goldberg and at the start of this, my reference in booking meetings was always 911. I was like, ‘This is how we need to bring this guy out. It needs to be a slow build etc.’ So I think what’s really interesting to me as a wrestling fan is I want to get to know more about Brian Cage. We’ve seen him destroy people, we’ve seen he’s not just a big muscle guy, now we’ve seen him flying around with the best of them. I want to get to know Brian Cage the personality, ’cause he hasn’t talked yet. And I think that makes him for me as a fan, those are the guys that I was always like, ‘I wanna know more about what’s going on behind the curtain here’. That would be a guy I would be invested in and on the Knockout’s side, how can you not as a fan be fascinated by Su Yung. The look that she has, the presence, the stuff that she does, very Muta-esque, and I was a big Muta mark back in the day. So those would be the two if I were watching the product that I’d go, ‘I need to see more of this’.”
On Eli Drake:
“I remember talking to Paul Heyman one night at a Denny’s, and Bully may have even been there for this one. And I remember I didn’t get a lot of time with Paul because I was always flying in for a couple of days and flying out, and I just had the sense, ‘I need to pick this guy’s brain, he’s such a resource’ and I remember saying to him, ‘Who’s the greatest… you know we’re talking about managers, I think Bobby Heenan and Jim Cornette are the two greatest managers of all time’ and he looked at me and he went, ‘Yeah?’, I go, ‘You don’t think so?’ and he goes, ‘Well the problem with those two is they’re too entertaining. So how are they heels?’. And Bobby Heenan was arguably one of the most talented people ever in the business, and I thought about that and I thought, ‘Yeah’. And I think that with Eli. To use a baseball analogy, he’s a five tool player. But one of the things about Eli and I’ve said this to him, ‘You’re so damn entertaining on the mic that it’s easy for guys like that to slide into becoming a babyface. So it’s almost like you’re so good that maybe you need to be not quite that good and not quite that entertaining.'” (thanks to Himanshu D)
Daily Professional Wrestling History: Misawa vs. Kawada in an all-time classic
12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention
Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!
This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events.
This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Gladys Gibson Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Hudson Envy & Shotzi Blackheart, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Kris Wolf will also be appearing along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Poll opinions: [email protected]
Feedback: [email protected]
Show results and news tips: [email protected]
Wrestling Observer Radio questions: [email protected]
Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!