Daily Update: Kofi Kingston, John Cena, Bound for Glory
July 15, 2020 | News | No Comments
THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
NXT TV taping spoilers: The Undisputed Era continues
GFW Impact results: Bobby Lashley makes his decision
Lio Rush makes his debut at NXT TV tapings
WWE Melbourne & Sydney live results: Reigns vs. Strowman
AUDIO
WOL: NXT Women’s Title, Jon Jones, NXT taping notes, tons more! 9/15
Wrestling Weekly: Owens, Strowman, Tessa Blanchard, mailbag 9/15
B&V&G: NXT, Lucha Underground, Granny’s Wrestling Report, more! 9/15
We’re looking for reports from the WWE house shows on Saturday with Raw in Brisbane, Australia for the final night of the tour, and SmackDown in Osaka, Japan to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.
For this weekend, we’ll be doing polls on the NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima show and the CMLL Anniversary show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.
NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT ON AXS TV
Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi
NEW JAPAN DESTRUCTION IN HIROSHIMA AT 5 A.M. EASTERN TIME SATURDAY ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Jado
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Bad Luck Fale & Leo Tonga
Rocky Romero & Baretta vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens in Romero & Baretta’s final match as a team
Togi Makabe & Michael Elgin & Kota Ibushi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka & Taka Michinoku
Ricochet & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi for IWGP jr. tag title
War Machine vs. Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa for IWGP tag titles
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & Will Ospreay & Gedo vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Seiya Sanada & Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi
KUSHIDA vs. El Desperado for the Junior Heavyweight title
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. for the IC title
CMLL ANNIVERSARY SHOW ON SATURDAY AT 6 P.M. EASTERN ON IPPV
Blue Panther Jr. & The Panther & Stuka Jr. vs. Dragon Rojo Jr. & Hechicero & Polvora
Diamante Azul & Marco Corleone & Valiente vs. Cuatrero & Forastero & Sanson
Negro Casas & Felino & Cavernario vs. Sam Adonis & Rush & Kraneo
Princesa Sugehit vs. Zeuxis in a mask vs. mask match
Caristico & Flip Gordon & Volador Jr. vs. Satoshi Kojima & Mephisto & Ultimo Guerrero
Gran Guerrero vs. Niebla Roja in a mask vs. mask match
UFC SATURDAY NIGHT ON FS1 AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TIME FROM THE PPG ARENA IN PITTSBURGH
Gilbert Burns (156) vs. Jason Saggo (156)
Uriah Hall (186) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (185)
Anthony Hamilton (255.75) vs. Daniel Spitz (244)
Tony Martin (156) vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier (155)
Zu Anyanwu (263.5) vs. Justin Ledet (244.5)
Sergio Morales (171) vs. Kamaru Usman (169.75)
Gregor Gillespie (155.5) vs. Jason Gonzalez (156)
Hector Lombard (186) vs. Anthony Smith (186)
Mike Perry (170.5) vs. Alex Reyes (167.5)
Luke Rockhold (185.5) vs. David Branch (186)
The WWE weekend tour with the SmackDown brand ends Sunday in Shenzhen, China.
Raw will be Monday night in San Jose at the SAP Center. As of right now, neither Brock Lesnar nor John Cena are scheduled for the show, which features Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax. Very much unlike usual protocol to have two of the PPV main eventers not scheduled for the go-home Raw for No Mercy.
SmackDown and 205 Live are taped Tuesday night in Oakland. A.J. Styles vs. Baron Corbin for the U.S. title is scheduled for the show.
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 9/11/2017: Is the WWE main roster ready for Asuka?
With her vacating the NXT Women’s Championship and the storyline of both brands negotiating for her to join them, it appears that it won’t be very long until Asuka arrives on the main roster. That segment with her relinquishing the title aired on NXT TV last week, with there having been no announcement of how the next champion will be decided. But whoever it is, whether it’s someone currently in NXT or one of the Mae Young Classic finalists, they’ll have a difficult time living up to the standard that Asuka set.
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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: September 18, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Vince McMahon returns to TV, Mae Young Classic finals, more
The return of Vince McMahon for an angle with Kevin Owens and the copying of the Okada-Shibata spot is the lead in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. This issue has a run through of the next few WWE PPV shows.
Look at the mechanics behind it, the double standard involved and the WWE’s attempt to heat up the product as football season starts.
Read a full rundown of the Mae Young Classic finals including thoughts on all 32 competitors, who has signed, who is likely to be signed, and who isn’t likely to be signed. Plus, look at business notes on the tournament, both on where the shows stood in WWE Network ratings and public interest as compared with the early weeks of the cruiserweight classic, as well as some very interesting notes about what caused the peaks of interest.
This issues has an update on the condition of Big Show, why Asuka is going to Raw, WWE headed to India, Mick Foley’s knee replacement, Foley’s next book, Ric Fair’s next book, return of injured wrestler, market value of WWE, plus notes on the weekend NXT shows and the first show of the Raw overseas tour.
Coverage of UFC 215, what happened to Ray Borg, the judging of Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko, what Shevchenko did wrong, how close a fight it really was, plus business notes on the show and match-by-match coverage with poll results.
Check out New Japan’s first big show since G-1 ended, the Destruction in Fukushima, and what went wrong, why it went wrong and the main event booking, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Details on the ratings for all the national shows over the past week, including a breakdown of who was watching all of the WWE shows, plus results of the major league arena events held all over the world this past week, as well as notes on the various TV shows.
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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 Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.
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WON BACK ISSUE: August 21, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Steve Austin to return, WCW Thunder canceled, more
Steve Austin this past week received medical clearance from Dr. Lloyd Youngblood to return to active wrestling in eight weeks, most likely at the October PPV. Austin, who had been on the sidelines since November and had neck surgery in January that put his career in jeopardy, got what was regarded as a cautious okay after exams on his neck on 8/10 and on his knees on 8/12. After the neck exam, Youngblood suggested he stay out another two months to be on the safe side.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
Kofi Kingston appeared to have been injured at last night’s show in Honolulu. He slipped off the top rope during a tag title match against Baron Corbin & Dolph Ziggler and limped the rest of the way and needed to be helped to the back. Those in WWE say he has been cleared and will be working the rest of the weekend.
John Cena is scheduled for the Sunday show in Shenzhen, China. That’s a SmackDown brand show. He didn’t work any of the other overseas dates.
The Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin fight will be available on iPPV through FITE TV, which also has free buildup content. The undercard starts at 6 p.m. and the main cad at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
The documentary “Tough Guys,” which is about the first MMA promotion ever in the U.S., which started in 1980, and was banned by the Pennsylvania legislature shortly thereafter (due to a death in a boxing match that garnered pub at the time, even though the boxing promotion that had the death still runs today) airs at 9 p.m. tonight on Showtime. We’ve written about this promotion back in the 7/31 Observer and how the idea started with two martial arts teachers wondering who would have won a fight between a prime Muhammad Ali, Bruno Sammartino or Bruce Lee.
GFW’s Bound for Glory on 11/5 is being moved from Orlando where it was originally scheduled. A new location will be announced on Monday. PW Insider reported it as Toronto.
WWE
Lacey Evans (Macey Estrella) noted that her home was flooded and she suffered major losses due to Hurricane Irma. She said the worst was that all of her photos of her father were damaged and that was all she had of him.
The next WWE show in Anaheim at the Honda Center is 12/3.
The advance for Monday’s Raw in San Jose is very disappointing.
The WWE Network Flashback Friday today is about Bill Goldberg.
Reliance Games announced a multi-year agreement with the WWE to develop a mobile game featuring WWE Superstars and Legends including Dwayne Johnson, The Undertaker, Steve Austin, Goldberg, John Cena, HHH, Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.
Charlotte Flair will be touring and promoting a new autobiography of herself and her father which comes out Tuesday at these locations:
9/21 in Ridgewood, NJ at Bookends at 7 p.m.
9/27 in Orlando at Barnes & Noble at 7 p.m.
9/28 in Tampa at Barnes & Nobles at 7 p.m.
9/30 in Boise, ID at Barnes & Nobles at 3 p.m.
Titus O’Neil on a variety of issues not related to wrestling. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
UFC
The UFC fight with Felipe Arantes vs. Luke Sanders (who is the boyfriend of Becky Lynch) scheduled for tomorrow’s show has been canceled when Arantes pulled out due to illness. That leaves the show with ten fights, all of which will be on FS 1.
How many indictments of journalism can be found in this story?
On the flip side, Dana White on Twitter with a new promotional campaign. In noting tickets go on sale today for the 11/4 show in Madison Square Garden, he wrote, “For those of u who give a sh*t, tickets for UFC at MSG go on sale today.”
The Fight Network in Canada will be carrying the UFC prelims starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow. They are also carrying Combate Americas at 9:30 p.m. tonight from Redlands, CA (Jose Estrada (3-1) vs. Izic Fernandez (2-3) and the ONE show starting at 9:30 a.m.tomorrow morning from Jakarta, Indonesia headlined by Kairat Akmetox (23-1) vs,. Geje Eustaquio (9-5).
Three new fights have been announced for the UFC show on 10/28 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The new bouts are Hacran Dias vs. Jared Gordon, Elizeu Zaleski vs. Max Griffin and Luan Chagas vs. Niko Price.
MISCELLANEOUS
AXS TV has an all-night G-1 2017 marathon. There will be a new show airing at 8 p.m. with the Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi match which was one of the best of the tournament. The first five G-1 episodes will then air from 11 p.m. Eastern to 4 a.m.
Tickets are on sale now for ROH Final Battle on 12/15 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.
Bill Goldberg, Christian, Kevin Nash, Rosemary, Bully Ray, Joey Matthews, The Sprit Squad, Tony Atlas, Mandy Leon, Jillian Hall, Virgil, Francine, Brian Christopher, Madison Rayne, Gary Michael Cappetta, Robert Fuller, Henry Godwinn and Bill Apter are scheduled for MCW on 9/30 in Joppa, MD. They will be at the convention from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. There is also a live show at 6:30 p.m. that night.
This was a pretty well known story in the 70s regarding Steve Keirn and his father, who was a POW in Viet Nam for seven years, which was used on Florida television by Eddie Graham to help get him over as a top babyface.
Former UFC fighter Gabriel Gonzaga will be making his debut as a pro boxer on 10/28 in Worcester, MA for the New England’s Future 4 card promoted by Riviera Promotions Entertainment at the DCU Center. Gonzaga, 38, was 17-11 in MMA, but did not look good on the way out. Gonzaga’s opponent is listed as Alando Pugh, who has a 1-10-1 record as a boxer with nine of those losses coming via knockout.
The Sunday Bytown Championship Wrestling show in Ottawa at the Robert Guertin Centre which featured the Young Bucks & Ethan Page has been canceled.
AAW on 10/7 in LaSalle, IL at the Knights of Columbus has Penta 0M vs. Rey Fenix for the AAW heavyweight title, plus first round matches for the AAW women’s title with Candice LeRae vs Britt Baker and Rachael Ellering vs. Allysin Kay (Sienna), Michael Elgin & Myron Reed vs. Keith Lee & Shane Strickland, Brubaker & Jake Something vs. Zero Gravity plus Sami Callihan, AR Fox, Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz, Chuck Taylor, Eddie Kingston and more.
On 10/13 in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club, some first round matches are set for the Jim Lyman Memorial tournament with Michael Elgin vs. Penta 0M, AR Fox vs. Dezmond Xavier, DJZ vs. Andrew Everett and Mark Haskins vs. Eddie Kingston, plus Zach Sabre Jr & Matt Riddle vs. Keith Lee & Shane Strickland. Also in the tournament will be Mat Fichett ACH, Brian Cage, Myron Reed, Jeff Cobb, Sami Callihan, Zachary Wentz and Curt Stallion.
In Monday’s update when listing the CKCW results from Cleveland, we didn’t list Shane Taylor winning the CKCW title from J-Rocc in 26:25 in a teacher vs. student match. It was Taylor’s first match in his hometown of Cleveland in six years. (thanks to Jeff Gorman)
AIW tonight in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel featuring an appearance by Dean Malenko. Top matches are Tim Donst vs. Luis Lyndon vs. Tracy Williams, Tom Lawlor vs. Dominic Garrini, Joey Janela vs. Sonjay Dutt and To Infinity & Beyond vs. Colt Cabana & Grado.
Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 10/7 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds featuring Jimmy Valiant vs. Doink the Clown.
Pro Wrestling Revolution on 11/3 at San Francisco State University in San Francisco has Ultimo Dragon, Taya Valkyrie, Nicole Savoy and Kikutaro.
Rockstar Pro Wrestling tonight at the Rockstar Pro Arena with wrestlers from Mexican groups Mas Lucha and Chilanga Mask. Trey Miguel vs. Aero Boy is the main event. Also Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Zachary Wentz, Draztick Boy vs. Nate Wings and Fly Star vs. Pompano Joe.
Flo Slam is broadcasting Shine women’s wrestling tonight from Ybor City, FL as well as ACW tomorrow in Port Richey, FL and Style Battle on Sunday from Port Richey, FL.
The Shine show has LuFisto defending her title against Ivelisse and Holidead, Priscilla Kelly vs. Jordynne Gracie and Rosa Negra vs. ACR.
ECWA has its 50th anniversary show tomorrow night in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Woodbury Heights Community Center. Azrieal vs. Bobby Shields is the main event.
Legacy Fighting Alliance on 10/13 on AXS TV is headlined by Matthew Frinci (11-2) from Australia against Curtis Millender (12-3) at welterweight and Joey Miolla (-2) vs. Vinicius Zani (10-4) at bantamweight.
IPW UK announced a big show in London on March 18, 2018 at the Clapham Grand. With no matches or talent announced, all ringside seats sold out in three hours and most of the balcony sold out quickly as well.
Innovate Wrestling on 9/30 in Bristol, TN at the VFW.
Jerry Lawler and Chavo Guerrero Jr. headline for Wrestle Raise III on Saturday night in Hot Springs, AR at the Convention Center.
A photo essay from Big Time Wrestling and Central Pa Wrestling shows. It landed in a Penn State football preview publication called The Obligatory Gridiron Annual.
Hulk Hogan calling people complaining about Hurricane Irma crybabies. (thanks to Chris Cruise)
The movie “100 Acres of Hell” which stars and was produces by Gene Snisky, a former WWE star and also features Sam Anoa’i, will premiere at the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival on 10/1 at the Proscenium Theater at the Drake.
NFC on 9/22 at Center Stage in Atlanta features an MMA show featuring undefeated Eli Wynter vs. Jared Gooden.
NWL is holding a tournament to crown its first tag team champions. They will start the tournament at the TV tapings in Overland Park, KS tonight with Sharkbait & Jack Foster vs. Michael Strider & Ace Steel.
Lucha Libre featuring Rey Mysterio Jr. tonight at 8 P.M. at the Sycuan Casino in San Diego.
New Zealand media covering Travis Banks beating Pete Dunne for the Progress title this past week.
Today in Professional Wrestling History: WCW vs. NWO at Fall Brawl 1996
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