By Dave Meltzer
[email protected]”>[email protected]
We’re looking for reports on today’s three WWE shows, an afternoon show in Leeds, England headlined by Roman Reigns vs. Big Show, then most of that crew goes to Manchester, England for a Sunday night show where they will be joined by John Cena vs. Rusev. The other crew headlined by Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton will be in Cardiff, Wales.
Raw is Monday in London at the O2 Arena. The show is going on as we write this.
Tuesday has Smackdown tapings in London at the O2 Arena. There is also a house show on Tuesday in Bornemouth, England. The Smackdown headliners are scheduled as John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, Big Show, Bray Wyatt and Dolph Ziggler. The house show has Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Ryback, Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper and Kane.
Wednesday there is a WWE show in Warsaw, Poland (Roman Reigns vs. Big Show, Daniel Bryan, Bad News Barrett, Sheamus) and Hamburg, Germany (John Cena vs. Rusev; Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton).
Thursday has shows in Budapest, Hungary (John Cena vs. Rusev, Roman Reigns vs. Big Show) and Toulouse, France (Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton).
Friday has shows in Dortmund, Germany (Roman Reigns vs. Big Show and Antwerp, Belgium (John Cena vs. Rusev, Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton).
The move of Smackdown, notes on the new season of Tough Enough, the retirement of A.J. Lee, a major UFC hire outside the cage in regard to the drug policy, behind the judges ruling on the Rampage Jackson case, the story behind the forgotten Ric Flair/Harley Race title change and the story of Steve Rickard, the New Japan PPV, G-1 and more, WWE PPV numbers, WrestleMania 32, Austin and WWE truth vs. fiction, and tons more are covered in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The new issue is up on the site at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/41993-april-13-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-smackdown-to-usa-network-aj-lee-retires-ufc-drug-czar-death-of-steve-rickard-and-much-more
Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show on the history of the site are at http://www.f4wonline.com/member/signup.php
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected]”>[email protected]
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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.
The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.
Our lead story looks behind the move of Smackdown to the USA Network, what it means to USA and Syfy as far as the change goes, why NBC Universal and WWE are partnering to change the perception of wrestling, notes on the return of Tough Enough, and another Dwayne Johnson deal.
We also look at why A.J. Lee left WWE, a look at her last year with the company, her controversy before her return, her early days with the company and her most famous storylines.
We also look at the UFC fire of Jeff Novitzky and why this could lead to significant changes in the sport.
We go through all the details of the Rampage Jackson legal case and why the judge ruled against him fighting on 4/25. We look at the key argument points on both sides, how much money Jackson neared in UFC and Bellator, what happened with Jackson and pro wrestling, what this says about the larger lawsuit and why decisions Jackson is going to have to make regarding his career.
We look at how this affects the next UFC PPV show and why it’s the weakest of the year
We also look at WrestleMania 32, how the Rousey/Rock angle at WrestleMania 31 came to be, links with Rousey and Dwayne Johnson, Extreme Rules notes, Roman Reigns future, new WWE negotiations, and Scott Steiner says what his version if of what happened and why with Hulk Hogan’s wife.
We also have more on legal action against WWE, a Daniel Bryan pitch for a huge match that won’t go anywhere, Bryan talks about things management has told him,. Steve Austin/WWE update, what happened with Tough Enough and the podcast on the network, Jericho’s podcast with John Cena and notes and highlights, the WWE no blood policy, indie star starts in Orlando, new WWE movies, and notes on the European tour.
We also look at ESPN covering WWE, a new DVD release, Editing from the weekend, and tons of developmental news including details of new wrestlers who have just debuted with the company.
We look at the heyday of wrestling in New Zealand and Steve Rickard. We look at his career around the world, and most notably in New Zealand. We look at what wrestling legends Rickard started and how he found them. We look at the stars who worked the New Zealand territory during its heyday, as well as the background of the two Flair/Race title change matches that history has forgotten.
We’ve got full coverage of the New Japan Invasion Attack PPV show and the great A.J. Styles vs. Kota Ibushi main event. We’ve got poll results as well as star ratings and business notes on the show. We look at the new audience for New Japan, the title changes, as well as the next three events on New Japan World including the next New Japan PPV event.
We also look at last week’s UFC show in Fairfax, VA, and what the early start time meant as far as ratings.
We also have updates on WWE on PPV with Fast Lane’s numbers.
The Observer is the world’s most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.
We also have our regular features such as the most complete look at ratings, plus results of the major house show events each week in pro wrestling and MMA, and complete inside rundowns of all the TV shows.
Also in this week’s issue:
–The firing of Mr. Niebla and him being brought back
–A story about a wrestler who allegedly attacked an announcer
–AAA’s tribute shows for Perro Aguayo Jr.
–Two of the largest and most famous pro wrestling families are linked with an engagement.
–Wrestle-1 title changes hands
–Dragon Gate title change
–Legends coming to big Dragon Gate shows
–Unique main event and stips for upcoming Dragon Gate major show
–Champion Carnival tournament begins
–Update on how New Japan World is doing
–New Japan talks about increase in popularity of women
–Olympic gold medalist who was expected to be major MMA star announces retirement
–How Antonio Inoki made worldwide news with a crazy story
–Update on Kenta Kobashi
–FMW coming back
–A Hall of Famer challenges another to a barbed wire match, but this is not your normal challenge
–Genichiro Tenryu retirement tour
–Notes on last week’s PWG show as well as next week’s show
–Monster Mafia member moons Four Horsewomen
–A wrestler worth going out of your way to see
–Lawler vs. Dundee fund raiser
–Death of Roller Games promoter Bill Griffiths Sr. and the heyday of the league
–Bischoff and Prichard talk more Monday Night Wars
–One of the greatest heels you probably never saw
–Bischoff talks the Nick Patrick count in Hogan vs. Sting
–Bischoff talks about challenging Vince to a fight
–Cauliflower Alley Club honorees
–Promotion looks too be down for the count and did piracy lead to it
–AGON Wrestling with Olympic hopefuls
–Hodge trophy winner
–Former WWE star expecting child
–What is next for Lucha Underground
–Lucha Underground tribute to Perro Aguayo
–Jay Lethal passes one year as ROH TV champion
–A look at the next month of ROH television and plans for the next PPV show
–TNA returning to live PPV
–More on TNA getting TV in Canada
–Angle talks about his attempt to talk with Vince McMahon when his TNA deal was up
–Some TNA injuries
–UFC lawsuit against New York State thrown out and why
–Fighter retires after finding out he’s had 30 concussions
–The crazy fight with Ronda Rousey and Walmart
–UFC’s thoughts on creating its own WrestleMania week
–Dana White on the WWE Network
–Notes on Ultimate Fighter Brazil
–Lots of new UFC fights
–Highest paid athlete of all-time
–MMA death
–Update on UFC legend and a recent arrest for brawling
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.
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
Our most requested issues in our history are:
*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)
*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)
*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)
*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a
*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)
*July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)
*February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)
*May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)
*January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)
*February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)
*March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)
*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)
*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)
*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)
*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)
*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)
*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)
*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)
*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)
*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)
*February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)
*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)
*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)
*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)
*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)
*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)
*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)
*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)
*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)
*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)
*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)
*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)
*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)
*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)
*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)
*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)
*October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)
*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)
*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)
*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)
*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)
*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)
*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)
*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)
*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)
*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)
*November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)
*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)
*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)
*January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)
*March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)
*March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)
*March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)
*April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)
*July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)
*October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)
*November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .
*December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)
*January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)
*March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)
*April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)
* September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)
* September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)
* September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)
You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.
We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..
To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.
SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE
–Bryan and I will be back tonight to talk Raw, TNA and the latest news with Wrestling Observer radio late tonight. You can also send questions to the show to [email protected]
–Today is the 18th anniversary of Barely Legal, the first ECW PPV from Philadelphia, which was a huge deal at the time.
–A.J. Larocque, better known as A.J. Sanchez, a longtime Winnipeg independent wrestler was in a head-on crash on 3/21, which resulted in a shattered pelvis, broken hip, broken wrist, broken nose and ripped eyelid and part of his scalp was ripped up, when his head went through a windshield. He’s still hospitalized and bedridden. Sanchez was champion for Premier Championship Wrestling in Winnipeg. Mick Karch has started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay medical bills at www.gofundme.com/qhp54aa since the injury leaves him out of work for a long period of time. He said he hasn’t asked the doctors if he’ll ever be able to wrestle again, saying he’s in fear of what the answer will be. The Winnipeg Sun had a story on him yesterday.
Story is at
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/04/12/local-wrestler-aj-larocque-recovering-after-frightening-collision
–Very good story on Christy Mack’s trying to recover from the beating from Jon “War Machine” Koppenhaver which was a national news story months back
http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12627754/the-tragic-love-story-christy-mack-mma-fighter-war-machine
–Smackdown in Canada this week will be airing at 7 p.m. Thursday both this week and next week due to NHL playoffs.
–At the MTV Movie Awards last night Amy Schumer dressed up like a Luchador in a gag where she thought “Foxcatcher” was about pro wrestling. She then cut a pro wrestling promo.
–Lance Storm and I will be doing our first show together in several years on Wednesday.
–WWE will be releasing a documentary on Ultimate Warrior tomorrow called Always Believe on DVD. It’ll also have Warrior matches against Honky Tonk Man, Demolition Smash, Isaac Yankem (Kane), Rick Rude, Andre the Giant, Rick Martel and Papa Shango.
–Every Raw in 1998 has now been added to the WWE Network.
–Michael Cole was back on Raw today. They originally were going to bring him back Monday but that turned into a controversial issue so the decision was made to hold him off TV for another week.
–Bad News Barrett accepted John Cena’s Open Challenge for the U.S. title early on Raw.
–WWE announced its next investment call will be on 4/30. This isn’t as big a deal as usual since the big news is the network number as of 3/31, which has already been announced.
–A correction from yesterday, the next ONE Championship show will be 4/24 starting at 8 a.m. Eastern time from Manila headlined by Ben Askren, who is the company’s biggest star. We had said the next show was on 5/22 in Kallang, Singapore.
–The new season of Ultimate Fighter starts on 4/22 on FS 1 and on TSN in Canada.
–Bret Hart was at a dinner in Houston last night to celebrate the 100th birthday of Aushwitz and Russian Gulas survivor David Mitzner.
–Hulk Hogan was announced by the Susan G. Komen Foundation as the Grand Marshal of its 2015 Washington, DC Race for the Cure event that takes place on 5/9 at the National Mall. Hogan and Layla El (whose mother died from breast cancer very young) have created a Team WWE at the race.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL(thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1970 – Albert Wall beat Steve Veidor in Nottingham to win the vacant British heavyweight title. That may have been when Billy Robinson finally vacated it.
1980 – Antonio Inoki beat Tiger Jeet Singh in Naucalpan to win the UWA heavyweight title
1983 – El Satanico beat El Jalisco to win the NWA middleweight title
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1989 – Mariko Tsurugi & Devil Masami beat Miss A (Dynamite Kansai) & Harley Saito in Tokyo to win the JWP tag title
1991 – El Egipicio beat Rayo de Jalisco Jr. in Puebla to win the Mexican national heavyweight title
1997 – Steele (Sean Morley aka Val Venis) beat Rayo de Jalisco Jr. in Mexico City to win the CMLL heavyweight title
2002 – Genichiro Tenryu pinned Keiji Muto to win the vacant Triple Crown title and Kendo Ka Shin beat Masa Fuchi to win the jr. title and Arashi & Nobutaka Araya beat Mitsuya Nagai & Shigeo Okumura to win the All-Asia tag titles
2002 – Etsuko Mita beat Yoshiko Tamura in Tokyo to win the NWA Pacific women’s title
2007 – Yuji Nagata beat Hiroshi Tanahashi in Osaka to win the IWGP title
2008 – Anthony W. Mori beat Masato Yoshino in Tokyo to win the Open the Brave Gate title
2011 – Yuji Nagata beat Seiya Sanada to win the Champion Carnival tournament
–Northern Wrestling Federation from Friday night in Cincinnati before 700 fans: Brody Cormick & Big League b Jordan Lachey & Jeff Richards, Kyron b Pepper Parks, T-Money won Battle Royal to become Tri-State champion, Chris Harris b Anthony Bryant, Jeremiah & Ricky Cardinal b Karl Anderson & Rocky Romero, Abyss b Samson in a Monster’s Ball match, Rob Williams won eight-way cage match over Angel, Jay Donaldson, Virus, Titan, Pompano Joe, Matt Stephens and Nasty Russ, Nasty Russ b Rob Williams to win the NWF tie in a cage match. Next show is 4/18 in Fairfield, OH.
–Furious 7 was No. 1 in Australia for the second straight week. Well, it was No. 1 everywhere for the second straight week.
–Ric Flair appears 4/24 for Maryland Championship Wrestling at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD for a meet and greet. They also have a show on 4/18 in Windber, PA at the Community Building headlined by Matt Hardy & The Bruiser vs. King McBride & Ken Dixon in a TLC match.
–Brian Fritz at Sporting News on WWE’s new signees
http://www.sportingnews.com/sport/story/2015-04-13/wwe-new-class-performance-center-nxt-recruits-uhaa-nation-kenneth-crawford-thomas-kingdon-levis-valenzuela?eadid=emailmw
–An article feeling WWE stock is undervalued and Wall Street doesn’t understand the network potential
http://seekingalpha.com/article/3065926-fear-strikes-at-the-wwe-network-causing-investors-to-go-psycho?source=email_rt_article_readmore&auth_param=u9jbf:1ainl5r:37e0a4a9fcc2670e387129ea5421f15d&uprof=45&dr=1
–A story on Ric Flair doing a speaking tour of the U.K. at
http://www.nottinghampost.com/WWE-legend-Ric-Flair-ready-meet-fans-East/story-26313893-detail/story.html
–A story on Chris Jericho’s new web series at
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/wwe-star-chris-jerichos-web-788370
–Shimmer results from yesterday in Berwyn, IL:
Show No. 74
Crazy Mary Dobson b Portia Perez
Thunderkitty b Angelus Layne
Saraya Knight won four-way over Kay Lee Ray, Kimber Lee and Mia Yim
Yumi Ohka b Nicole Savoy – Outstanding match
Candice LaRae b Cherry Bomb
Jessicka Havok b Veda Scott
Evie & Heidi Lovelace b Courtney Rush & Xandra Bale
Athena b Vanessa Kraven-DQ due to interference from Tessa Blanchard
Cheerleader Melissa b Akino – Outstanding match. The two noted before the match this is the first time they’ve wrestled in 13 years
Nicole Matthews b Madison Eagles to retain Shimmer title
Dynamite Kansai & Aja Kong & Kyoko Kimura & Mayumi Ozaki b Kellie Skater & Tomoka Nakagawa & Hiroyo Matsumoto & Misaki Ohata in a no DQ match. Great match. Fuyuki Makata did the ring introductions and Kong spit at the crowd when they cheered for her.
Show No. 75
Shazza McKenzie b Marti Belle
Miss Natural b Crazy Mary Dobson
Akino b Kay Lee Ray
Jessicka Havok b Melanie Cruise
Courtney Rush b Xandra Bale
Misaki Ohata b LuFisto
Athena b Tessa Blanchard
Nicole Savoy b Mia Yim
Cheerleader Melissa b Candice LaRae
Cherry Bomb & Kimber Lee b Evie & Heidi Lovelace to retain tag tiles
Madison Eagles b Saraya Knight
Kellie Skater & Tomoko Nakagawa b Nicole Matthews & Portia Perez in Nakagawa’s retirement match (thanks to Martin Bentley and Craig Russell)
–Joe Schilling and Phil Baroni have been going back and-forth on twitter. Baroni said he’d be willing to fight Schilling tomorrow. Schilling then offered 5/8 in San Diego, and Baroni said not that soon and he needed more time to prepare. Well, Baroni was thinking MMA and then Schilling wanted it in kickboxing so it really does make sense.
–Lucha Libre on 4/26 in El Paso at the Houchen Community Center with Cassandro, Puma King and Bobby Zavala.
–Lucha Libre Mexicana on 5/9 at the Olympic Theater in Chicago with El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada & La Mascara vs. Mr. Aguila & El Hijo del Espectro. (thanks to Kris Zellner)
–Mil Mascaras & Dos Caras (Sr.) & Rayo de Jalisco Jr. vs. Cien Caras Jr. & El Hijo del Solitario & Scorpio Jr. headlines on Sunday in Tijuana at Auditorio Municipal.
–On 5/15 in Tijuana, they are doing a family feud match with Dr. Wagner Jr. & Dr. Wagner III & Silver King (Wagner Jr’s brother) vs. L.A. Park & El Hijo del L.A. Park & Super Parka (Parks’ cousin).
–XICW from yesterday in Warren, MI: DBA won Battle Royal, Caleb Stills b Idris Abraham, Father Time b Mark Gjoka, Austin Manix b Movado, Owen Travers b Mad Dragon Hakeem Zane, MK Ultra b Willie Watts, Joe Coleman b Malcolm Monroe III, Orlando Christopher b Jeff Brooks, Painkillers b Zach Gowen & Jamey Coxx, Rhino b DBA (thanks to Leonard Brand)
–Premier Wrestling on 6/7 in Gilroy, CA at the IFDES Lodge-Portuguese Hall at 5 p.m. with JR Kratos (6-2) defending the heavyweight title against Dylan Drake (4-3). tickets go on sale on 5/1 at www.premierwrestle.com
–The new issue of the National Enquirer has a photo of The Rock and Stephanie McMahon going face-to-face from WrestleMania.
–Ring Warriors taped TV on Sunday in Miami, apparently for something overseas (thanks to Paul Kacprzak).
–One of our readers noted that her subscription to the WWE Network expired after six months and it was not automatically renewed (like it had been earlier). So when she signed up, she got April free.
TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)
12:05 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten most Thunderous returns ever in WWE History, as voted by the WWE Universe.
1:05 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS The Bellas clash as Brie’s wedding fastly approaches and Nikki avoids telling John about her previous marriage.
2:06 AM ET
WWE NETWORK EXCLUSIVE The action continues with exclusive interviews, matches and fallout LIVE from Monday Night Raw.
2:11 AM ET
FIRST LOOK: ALWAYS BELIEVE A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Ultimate Warrior: Always Believe!
2:35 AM ET
WWE MUSIC POWER 10 The premiere edition of WWE’s all new top ten music countdown series. This week: the music of WrestleMania 31!
3:05 AM ET
WCW BEACH BLAST 1992 Cactus Jack collides with Sting in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Rick Rude vs. Ricky Steamboat in a 30 minute Ironman match and more.
6:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten most Thunderous returns ever in WWE History, as voted by the WWE Universe.
7:00 AM ET
FIRST LOOK: ALWAYS BELIEVE A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Ultimate Warrior: Always Believe!
7:30 AM ET
WWE MUSIC POWER 10 The premiere edition of WWE’s all new top ten music countdown series. This week: the music of WrestleMania 31!
8:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS The Bellas clash as Brie’s wedding fastly approaches and Nikki avoids telling John about her previous marriage.
9:00 AM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten most Thunderous returns ever in WWE History, as voted by the WWE Universe.
10:00 AM ET
FIRST LOOK: ALWAYS BELIEVE A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Ultimate Warrior: Always Believe!
10:30 AM ET
WWE MUSIC POWER 10 The premiere edition of WWE’s all new top ten music countdown series. This week: the music of WrestleMania 31!
11:00 AM ET
TOTAL DIVAS The Bellas clash as Brie’s wedding fastly approaches and Nikki avoids telling John about her previous marriage.
12:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten most Thunderous returns ever in WWE History, as voted by the WWE Universe.
1:00 PM ET
FIRST LOOK: ALWAYS BELIEVE A First Look to watch exclusive content from WWE Home Video’s latest release, Ultimate Warrior: Always Believe!
1:30 PM ET
WWE MUSIC POWER 10 The premiere edition of WWE’s all new top ten music countdown series. This week: the music of WrestleMania 31!
2:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH Special Guest John Cena offers advice. The remaining contestants learn a lesson about courage before another potential elimination.
3:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH Big Show stops by to offer advice to the contestants as the trainers begin to separate the pack by putting them through physical challenges.
4:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR An industry icon’s transformation propels Nitro to prominence, and forever changes sports entertainment history.
5:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten biggest backstabs ever in WWE history, as voted by the WWE Universe.
6:00 PM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Hulk Hogan: Ultimate Anthology chronicles the Hulkster’s amazing career and spotlights some of his classic matches.
8:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH Big Show stops by to offer advice to the contestants as the trainers begin to separate the pack by putting them through physical challenges.
9:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR An industry icon’s transformation propels Nitro to prominence, and forever changes sports entertainment history.
10:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the top ten biggest backstabs ever in WWE history, as voted by the WWE Universe.
11:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH Big Show stops by to offer advice to the contestants as the trainers begin to separate the pack by putting them through physical challenges.