Submitted by Murdo MacKenzie

Sold out show tonight. Stacked card, hot crowd, and hot building.

Marty Scurll def. Noam Dar via submission (chicken wing) at 17:22

They started with some good ol’ World of Sport style catch as catch can wrestling. Dar got the upper hand early. Scurl played the ‘villain’ really well while Dar was the babyface. Yet, the crowd is 50/50 for both guys. This was a very good match. I’m a big fan of the ‘villain’ gimmick. Scurll has lots of nice little spots that work the gimmick perfectly. Example: setting up the superkick, then just as he calls for it, he faints and stiff kicks his opponent’s shin. Great stuff.

Pete Dunne def. Martin Stone after hitting a pump handle fallaway slam at 12:28

Dunne is the British Cruiserweight Champion but the belt is not on the line this evening. This was very much a tough guy, punch/kick match. A good match. After, Stone cut a promo to say thank you to the fans for supporting him. Despite him not living in the UK, he will always be a British wrestler. He puts over Dunne as well.

– Big Damo submitted Big Daddy Walter at 13:30

This a battle of the big guys with both wrestlers trying to…well, I guess out ‘big’ the other guy. This match was ok for a big guy brawl.

– Shibata vs. Zack Sabre Jr announced for the Rev Pro Summer Sizzler in July.

– Will Ospreay def. “Speedball” Mike Bailey after hitting the Springboard stunner at 17:25

Incredible reaction for Ospreay with chants of “You deserve it”. He’s truly given a ‘heros return’ ovation. They worked a karate vs wrestling/lucha story for the match. “They are artists” chants along with “F*ck you Vader” chants. Ospreay hits a Vader bomb at one point. Looks like that’s a new part of his arsenal.

Ospreay gets on the mic and thanks the UK fans and Rev Pro for being his home. He puts over Rev Pro booker Andy Quildan for always believing in him. Osprey states even though he’s only been wrestling for 4 years, this style will take a toll on his body and he most likely won’t work as many dates next year. However, he’ll always find time to come back home to Rev Pro. Nice touch.

Josh Bodom def. Chris Hero at 17:33

Bodom wins after the ref takes a bump from a hero stumble. Bodom hits a low blow while the ref is down and then a spinning back fist for the win.

Redman & Garrett def. British Tag Team Champions The Revolutionists at 8:46 to win the titles

This match started out pretty good with a nice top rope dive from Garret onto James Castle by the entrance, but the match went a bit crazy when all 4 guys were having a free for all in the ring including double pins. Not sure if the match was a NO DQ or tornado rules but it ended in a bit of a mess with Redman & Garrett picking up the victory and becoming NEW Undisputed British Tag Champions

Kurt Angle def. Zack Sabre Jr via submission at 9:03

Big reaction for Sabre, huge reaction for Kurt. They played Kurt’s WWE theme and the fans chanted, “You suck”. They begin by trading holds and reversals with Zabre getting the better of Angle and subsequently Angle taking charge. Dueling chants throughout the match. The match started at a slow pace with the expectation that they were building to something special. However, they quickly went to near falls/submissions. After a trio of rolling German suplexes, Angle clamped on the ankle lock and it was over.

Mutual respect at the end. Angle cuts a promo to say he was amazed at the level of talent at Rev Pro this evening and thanked the fans. He put over Sabre as one of the best guys on the indie scene. He than apologised for not being able to go at 100% , but he has a knee injury. He said he would be back and we will see him again, “Oh it’s true”, etc.

This show is available on RevPro’s OnDemand service on Tuesday for those wanting to check it out.

Depending on how you look at it, either today or yesterday was the 40th anniversary of Ali vs. Inoki. The show took place on June 25 in the U.S., but it was June 26 in Japan where the match took place live due to the time difference. In something amazing, nobody has heard this until this past weekend, but this is Bill Apter with Bruno Sammartino from the dugout of Shea Stadium watching the Ali vs. Inoki match together and their comments. Josh Gross has a piece in Newsweek on that match as well. 

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We’re doing one poll this weekend for tonight’s ROH show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected].

We’re looking for reports on WWE’s house show on Saturday night in Boston (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Rusev, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Alberto Del Rio, Usos, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson) and Saturday’s ROH TV tapings in Concord, NC (Kyle O’Reilly challenges for the ROH title, Silas Young & Beer City Bruiser challenge for the tag titles, Briscoes vs. Young Bucks in a battle of the IWGP tag team champions vs. IWGP jr. tag team champions, Jay White vs. Kamaitachi and Roderick Strong vs. Dalton Castle) to [email protected].

Sunday has two WWE shows, with one crew in Orlando (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Usos, Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Austin Aries) and the other in Jacksonville (Big Show, Kane, Rusev, Charlotte, Natalya, Enzo, Cass, Kalisto, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, New Day). Ultima Lucha 3 is a being taped in Los Angeles on Sunday with Johnny Mundo vs. Prince Puma title vs. career as the main event, Fenix vs. Marty the Moth mask vs. hair and a ladder match for the Gift of the Gods title with Son of Havoc vs. Pentagon Jr.

NEW JAPAN FROM KORAKUEN HALL LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME MONDAY MORNING

Ryusuke Taguchi vs. David Finlay
Manabu Nakanishi & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba & Rocky Romero & Baretta
Satoshi Kojima & Matt Sydal & Yoshitatsu vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Hangman Page & Chase Owens
Katsuyori Shibata & Yuji Nagata & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma & Juice Robinson
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Seiya Sanada & Evil
Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay vs. Tetsuya Naito & Bushi

        This is a big show because the G-1 Climax members and main event matches will be announced during intermission.

Raw is Monday night in Tampa and is the only show of the week with John Cena scheduled.

Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Tampa, with a skeleton crew because a number of wrestlers are laving after Raw for Honolulu.

There will be a tour of Japan and Hawaii that starts Wednesday night in Honolulu (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Usos, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, A.J. Styles, Chris Jericho).

THE ROUNDUP

Daily Pro Wrestling History (06/25): Rock pins Vince McMahon to win WWE title
NXT TV tapings spoilers: Finn Balor vs. Shinsuke Nakamura; AA vs. Revival 2/3 falls
ROH Best In The World live results: Jay Lethal vs. Jay Briscoe; Addiction vs. MCMG  
Bellator Dynamite 2 live results: Rampage Jackson vs. Satoshi Ishii; Michael Chandler vs. Patricky Pitbull  
The Week In British Wrestling: After beating a Hero, Marty Scurll tries to avoid the End

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​The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11. Ed in San Antonio has information on Facebook, or you can email him at [email protected]. It’s always a fun time, so hurry up and make your plans to join Dave Meltzer, Bryan Alvarez, Vinny, Granny, Ed, Peach, Dez, Dr. Lucha, Rodney, Sr. Jaialai, “Filthy” Tom, and the rest of the group in beautiful Las Vegas this July. Plus… some extra secret surprises.

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​If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!  

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Figure Four Weekly

READ IT HERE: Figure Four Weekly 6/20/2016: Never trust Nigerian investors – Growing up as a way-too-hardcore-for-my-age wrestling fan, I looked forward to watching whatever flavor of wrestling from the Dallas Sportatorium was on ESPN and in syndication at the time. The ESPN show was perfect for kids who loved pro wrestling: It aired at 4 p.m. eastern time, so it was perfect for after-school viewing… Subscribers click here to continue reading. 

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter

READ IT HERE: June 27, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Roman Reigns suspended, Money in the Bank review, more – Details on the suspension of Roman Reigns after a wellness policy violation, Money in the Bank reviewed, more…

A look at the prospective UFC sale is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue looks at the main bidders, what kind of money is being bid, how much the Fertittas have made from the endeavor, the situation with Dana White, what is and isn’t expected to change, why the sale is coming now and who exactly owns what percentage of the company, plus a look at just how deep the UFC 200 show is.

Pluse there is a major story on the gamble of Brock Lesnar in UFC 200, the most in-depth look at the Ariel Helwani situation that you’ll find anywhere, full coverage of NXT Takeover, UFC 199, WWE Money in the Bank, and the details of TNA’s struggle to stay alive, its PPV and its future. There is also a breakdown on the WWE cruiserweight classic, and monthly WWE and TNA business figures.

This issue looks at Michael Bisping’s unlikely title win, all the ramifications of the Lesnar deal, what it shows about WWE, a look back at the last time WWE risked one of their stars against an outsider without scripting, how Ariel Helwani got to be a star reporter and how that played into what happened last week, and what aspects of the story that are really more important that haven’t been covered or have been overlooked.

Inside this week, there is also a look at the death of a key WWE musician, more on what Ali learned from pro wrestling, Bryan Danielson attends WWE event, Bobby Roode’s debut, notes on SummerSlam, new WWE executive hire, new WWE announcer, WWE looking for new members of creative, who is expected to return shortly, another animated WWE movie, update on Paul Heyman plus a full rundown on all the WWE & NXT live events this past week and business notes on the shows.

Subscribers click here to continue reading.

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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 Dave Meltzer.

You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
 
Rates are:
 
For the United States, it is $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 get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40-issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues. 

Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: May 10, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fans celebrate life of Giant Baba at Tokyo Dome, PRIDE 5 recap, more. The final chapter in the career and life of Shohei Baba took place on the biggest show he ever main evented and the biggest show he ever promoted–some three months after his death.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight with our weekend Wrestling Observer radio show. Without a major show to cover today, we’ll have more time for questions so you can send them to [email protected]. We’ll also be talking the Sandra Toffoloni interview on Talk is Jericho and any questions on that subject will get priority.   

The complete G-1 Climax tournament roster, blocks and main matches will be announced early tomorrow morning during intermission at the Korakuen Hall show. Regarding some names people may speculate on, Kyle O”Reilly, Roderick Strong and Adam Cole are all booked at the 7/29 PWG show which tells you they will not be in G-1. I believe Cole will debut during this tour on the Sumo Hall shows at the end but not be in the tournament.

As noted all weekend, Shinsuke Nakamura & Finn Balor face Austin Aries & Samoa Joe at today’s WWE house show in Orlando. Nakamura and Asuka will then be brought to TV this week, although my guess is if either appears it would be in a dark match, and after Raw will be going to Honolulu and then to Japan. Today would be Nakamura and Aries’ first WWE appearance. Balor has done shows already, as has Joe, with Joe having the match with Tyson Kidd which led to Kidd’s near fatal broken neck a year ago.

The Johnny Mundo vs. Prince Puma title vs. career match is being taped this afternoon in Los Angeles as the main event of Ultima Lucha 3. Other matches taped today are Pentagon Dark vs. Son of Havoc in a ladder match for the vacant Gift of the Gods title, Drago & Steve Pain & Luchasaurus defend the trios titles, Mantanza Cueto vs. Dragon Azteca Jr. in a cage match, Sexy Star vs. Taya last woman standing, and a three-way with Mil Muertes vs. Cage vs. Jeremiah Gray (Sami Callihan).

Michael Elgin won the Elite tournament beating Volador Jr. in the finals last night at Arena Mexico. This is not the CMLL Grand Prix, which is an iPPV taking place this coming Friday that Elgin is also in.  Elgin last night beat Lio Rush, Bram and then Volador Jr. to win.

WWE

Central Intelligence with Dwayne Johnson was No. 3 at the box office this weekend, estimated to do $18.4 million, behind Finding Dory and Independence Day:  Resurgence. 
So the Elite vs. New Day feud actually started this past weekend in Orlando as Xavier Woods, the WWE’s video game superstar faced Kenny Omega, the video game superstar of New Japan at the Wyndham Orlando Resort.  They battled in the Street Fighter V game and Omega won a game that was streamed live on the Capcom Fight’s Twist channel.  Both The New Day and Elite have tried to do a viral build for a match that in theory would be politically impossible, as well as make remarks on both New Japan shows and WWE shows that manage to slip through the cracks. 
WWE signed another female interviewer, Carly Arnolt, who comes from Fox59 in Indianapolis where she was a sports reporter.
The reason Zumbi wasn’t in the WWE cruiserweight tournament and instead did the Elite tournament is that WWE didn’t get his visa issues done in time. Paul Levesque talked that they would like to give him another shot, and also talked of the cruiserweight classic as being an idea they can repeat.  
WWE is banning bags from this point forward at NXT tapings at Full Sail University.
An article on Dwayne Johnson’s movie career is here.
Former WWE television announce Bill Cardille, 87, out of Pittsburgh, is now battling cancer.

UFC

Mark Hunt on Inside MMA talking his fight with Brock Lesnar is here. 

MISCELLANEOUS

Vader vs. Will Ospreay was announced yesterday for an 8/12 show in York Hall in London.  That stems from a unique angle, where Vader kept knocking the Ricochet vs. Ospreay match. Ospreay then did the Vader reverse splash in almost all his matches and say it was “Vader time.” Vader got a series of dates in the U.K. out of it.
Jim Ross is involved in promoting an OklaMania show on 7/17 in Oklahoma City at the Cox Convention Center. Among those appearing and doing autographs will be Sting, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Jerry Lawler, Jim Duggan and Jim Cornette.
An update on the painkillers scandal at the University of Minnesota’s wrestling team and J Robinson is here.
Jessie Godderz has been on CBS All Access of late along with Jeff Schroeder, another Big Brother competitor, analyzing the current season of the show.
Tyrus from TNA was on the Fox News Channel yesterday at 10 p.m. on The Greg Gutfeld show. (thanks to Jake Koch)
Glory announced a 7/22 show at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk.
For those who are history buffs, June 25 was the unofficial Texas death match day in Florida wrestling. Among the big ones were Steve Keirn & Bob Backlund vs. Bob Orton Jr. & Bob Orton Jr. (1976 Fort Lauderdale), Dusty Rhodes vs. Don Muraco (1980, Miami Beach), Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) vs. The Assassin (1981, Melbourne). There were also eight world title matches in Florida on that date that we have records of, including Lou Thesz vs. Sammy Steamboat (1965, Miami Beach), Dory Funk Jr. vs. Ciclon Negro (1969 Miami Beach), Jack Brisco vs. Bob Roop (1975 Miami), Harley  Race vs. Jack Brisco (1977 St. Petersburg), Harley Race vs. Jack Brisco (1979 West Palm Beach), Harley Race vs. Barry Windham (1983 Orlando), Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes (1984 West Palm Beach) and Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger (1986 Miami Beach). (thanks to Barry Rose)
Great North Wrestling from last night in Pembroke, ONT before 300 fans:  Hannibal b Maximus Testosterone (a strongest man in the world type guy), Nikolai Volkoff b Messiah, Bruiser b Freak Nelson & Madman Taylor, Jeremy Prophet b K-Nine, Lady Yasmine b Flow Riley, Soa Amine won handicap match. (thanks to Anthony Ambros)
Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno: El Spirito b Dark Usagi, Tommy Wilson b Chris Nar, Homicide b Anthony Idol (thanks to Jon Southerland)
Besides seeing Ali vs. Inoki 40 years ago yesterday, going back 42 years ago today, I was at the Miami Beach Convention Center for a sold out show headlined by Dusty Rhodes & Don Muraco beating Giant Baba & Pak Song in the main event. To protect Song, the top heel, and Baba, who wasn’t about to do the job, they had the Korean Assassin (another notable Japanese star, although pretending to be Korean, Shozo Kobayashi, run in and Dusty actually pinned him). Other matches were Bob Armstrong over Buddy Colt in a North American title match (Armstrong won quickly), Ron & Robert Fuller over Jerry Brisco & Bill Watts (Watts turned on Brisco), Bobby Duncum over Bob Roop, a babyface Kevin Sullivan & Tony Charles over the Hollywood Blonds (which was a great match), Korean Assassin over Tom Jones, and Pat Barrett drew The Samoan (Reno Tuufuli).
Rey Mysterio Jr. returns to the WWC in Puerto Rico on 7/16 in Bayamon in a three-way match with Carlito and a mystery third person for the Universal title.
Another find from the past, this was a 1972 episode of The Great American Dream television show, which predated Dusty Rhodes using that name. Roller Derby star Ann Calvello at 42 shows up at the 5:00 mark of the show 

Shimmer results from matches taped yesterday in Berwyn, IL:

Volume 82

LuFisto b Vanessa Kraven
Shayna Baszler b Solo Darling
Viper b Heidi Lovelace
KC Spinelli & Xandra Bale b Crazy Mary Dobson & Samantha Heights
Shazza McKenzie b Evie
Nicole Matthews b Nixon Newell
Tessa Blanchard b Thunderkitty
Kellie Skater b Courtney Rush (Rosemary in TNA)
Nicole Savoy b Ryo Mizunami to retain the Heart of Shimmer title
Cherry Bomb (Allie in TNA) & Kimber Lee b Kay Lee ray & Mia Yim (Jade in TNA) to retain the Shimmer tag titles
Madison Eagles b Arisa Nakajima-DQ to retain the Shimmer title

Volume 83

Veda Scott b Crazy Mary Dobson
Heidi Lovelace b Taylor Made
Nicole Matthews b Shazza McKenzie
Jessicka Havok over Allysin Kay, Mia Yim and Yumi Ohka
Kay Lee Ray b Rhia O’Reilly
Tessa Blanchard b Evie
Nicole Savoy b Shayna Baszler to retain the Heart of Shimmer title
Cherry Bomb & Kimber Lee b K.C. Spinelli & Xandra Bale to retain the tag title
Kellie Skater b Ryo Mizunami
Madison Eagles b Viper to keep the summer title

They are taping two more DVDs today, including Eagles vs. Skater for the Shimmer title, Cherry Bomb & Kimber Lee vs. Evie & Heidi Lovelace vs. Kay Lee Ray & Mia Yim vs. Spinelli & Bale for the tag titles in an elimination match. (thanks to Martin Bentley)

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Click:Redispersible latex powder RDP

Welcome to our live coverage of UFC 200 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, — the conclusion of UFC’s International Fight Week and the biggest card in UFC history with two title fights, the return of a huge star, and an icon coming in on short notice. 

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate defends her title for the first time against challenger Amanda Nunes in the main event, leading many to speculate that Ronda Rousey may be floating around the venue to challenge the winner tonight. In the co-main event, it is the return of WWE superstar and former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar as he takes on hard hittin’ Mark Hunt.

In other action, light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, originally scheduled to headline against Jon Jones, now faces Anderson Silva, who took this fight on two days notice, in a non-title bout. Also, former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo takes on former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in a rematch of their UFC 156 battle from February 2013 with the interim UFC featherweight champion on the line.

We’re looking for your thoughts on this show so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

Additonal content: UFC 200 DFS Playbook | Our Picks | Wrestling Observer Radio | Wrestling Observer Live

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PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT)

– JIM MILLER (25-8 1 NC, 14-7 1 NC UFC) VS. TAKANORI GOMI (35-11 1 NC, 4-6 UFC) | Lightweights

First round:  Miller connected with a left.   Gomi went for a kick.  Miller took him down off the kick and immediately got his back.  He’s working for a choke.  Miller has a body triangle.  Miller now throwing hard punches from back position over and over and it’s over.  2:18

– (#8) GEGARD MOUSASI (38-6-2, 5-3 UFC) VS. (#15) THIAGO SANTOS (13-3, 5-2 UFC) | Middleweights

First round:  Head kick by Mousasi.  Mousasi with a left jab.  Low kick by Mousasi and Santos back with a low kick.  Mousasi with a jab.    Mousasi  got the jump on him and landed a lot of punches, took him down and got his back.   Mousasi  working for a choke but doesn’t have it.  Mousasi  took him down again.  Mousasi in side control.  Mousasi landing punches.  Santos up, Mousasi nailed him with a hard right and a hard left that put him down and it was over.  4:32

– DIEGO SANCHEZ (26-8, 15-8 UFC) VS. JOE LAUZON (25-11, 12-8 UFC) | Lightweights

First round:  Body kick by Sanchez.  Sanchez with a flurry.  Low kick by Sanchez.  Lauzon knocked Sanchez down twice and Sanchez is back up.  Lauzon is just killing him with punches.  Sanchez was stunned and was taking several hard flush shots and it was stopped.  Lauzon’s boxing was just on point.  1:26

PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 8 PM ET/4 PM PT)

– SAGE NORTHCUTT (7-1, 2-1 UFC) VS. ENRIQUE MARIN (8-3, 0-1 UFC) | Lightweights

First round:  Northcutt  fighting karate style.  He threw a high kick.  Marin landed a right.  Nice high kick by Northcutt.  Marin had him pinned against the fence.  Marin took him down.  Northcutt went for a kneebar.  Northcutt reversed to the top.  Northcutt has his back.  He’s working for a choke.  Marin turned.  Marin  got Northcutt’s back.  He flipped him off and is on top.  Northcutt with a few hard punches.   Marin back on top.  10-9 Northcutt.

Second round:  Northcutt with a right.  They traded punches.  Northcutt took him down but Marin reversed and got to the top.  Marin in side control.   Northcutt working for an armbar.  Marin sat on his face and working for an armbar.  Northcutt is in the armbar.  He escaped out of it.  Marin sitting on his face again trying to set up a Kimura.  Northcutt is in trouble again.  Northcutt reversed to the top out of it.  Norrthcutt dropped elbows at the end of the round.  Marin so 19-19.  The crowd loved this round.

Third round:  Both trading punches dtraidng punches.  Marin took him down again.   Nothing is happening against the fence.  Marin is working for a takedown.  Norhcutt blocked and is going for a choke.  Marin out of it.   Marin just took him down.  Marin got his back.  Northcutt threw him off and now he’s on top.  Close round, win or lose a bad showing for Northcutt.  I did have Northcutt winning 29-28 but third could go either way,.

Scores:  All three had it 29-28 Northcutt.  Most fans cheered the decision, I thought they’d boo just because Marin was such an underdog. 

– (#1) T.J. DILLASHAW (12-3, 8-3 UFC) VS. (#3) RAPHAEL ASSUNCAO (23-4, 7-1 UFC) | Bantamweights

First round:  Not much happening here.  Dillashaw tried  a kick but Asscuncao caught the leg.  Assuncao landed a punch.  Head kick by Dillashaw.  Another head kick by Dillashaw.  Assuncao with head kick.  Dillashaw 10-9

Second round:  Low kick by  Assuncao.  Dillashaw tried a takedown but it was stopped by Assuncao.  Assuncao may have a broken nose.  Spin kick by Assuncao landed short.  Dillashaw with a body kick.  Assuncao with a takedown but Dillashaw right back up.  They’re stopping the fight to look at Assuncao’s nose.  The doctor let him continue.  Dillashaw dropped him with a right and went for a guillotine but Assuncao got right out.  Right by Dillahsaw.   Dillashaw 20-18.

Third round:  Body kick by Dillashaw.  Crowd has been quiet this entire fight.  Front kick by Assuncao.  Right by Dillashaw.  Dillashaw went for a takedown but didn’t get it.  Body kick by Dillashaw.  Assuncao’s kicks  are being blocked and Dillashaw missed a kick.  Assuncao tried tried a takedown but Dillashaw easily evaded it.  Body kick by Assuncao.  Dillashaw with a nice right counter.  Dillashaw got the takedown.  Dillashaw 30-27.  He won but didn’t look very impressive in doing so.

Scores:  All three had it 30-27 for Dillashaw.

– (#6) JOHNY HENDRICKS (17-4, 12-4 UFC) VS. (#12) KELVIN GASTELUM (11-2, 6-2 UFC) | Welterweights

First round:  Hendricks missed weight by ¼ pound.  Physically he doesn’t look close to the same guy as fought GSP.  Gastelum landed a left.  Gastelum with a low kick.  Gastelum landing all kinds of low kicks.  Gastelum with a left.  Right by Gastelum.  Left by Gastelum. Hendricks  landed a few.  Low kick by Gastelum. Gastelum landing all kinds of punches.  Hendricks is a different guy.  Gastelum is just nailing him.  Gastelum landed  a hard punch but Hendricks back with some good punches.  Body kick by Hendricks.  Gastelum 10-9.

Second round:   Hendricks with some counter shots and went for a takedown.  Hendricks behind him  but Gastelum escaped.  Hendricks pushed him into the fence.  Gastelum landed a good left.  Spin kick by Gastelum.  Knee by Hendricsk.  Gastelum with a knee to the head and punches.  Hendricks dancing away.  Hendricks landed the left.  Gastelum landed the left.  Both traded punches.  Gastelum 20-18.

Third round:  Gastelum is chasing Hendircks throwing punches.  Knee by Hendricks.  Gastelum chasing him around the cage.  Hendricks back throwing.  Gastelum moving forward  and mostly missing.  Gastelum landed a nice left.  Body kick by Gastelum  Body kick by Hendricks.  Hendricks got the takedown but Gastelum right back up.  Gastelum  with elbows.  Hendricks couldn’t get a takedown.  Gastelum tried for a takedown and couldn’t get it.  Big exchange late that lit up the crowd.  Gastelum 30-27.

Scores:  29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 Gastelum

– (#3) CAT ZINGANO (9-1, 2-1 UFC) VS. (#5) JULIANNA PENA (7-2, 3-0 UFC) | Bantamweights

First round:  Zingano pushed her into the fence and took her right down.  Pena back up.  Another takedown by Zingano.  Pena back up.  Pena got a takedown.  Zingano reversed to the top.  Zingano dropped an elbow.  Pena up and landed some punches.  10-9 Zingano.

Second round:  Zingano with a body kick and a hip toss takedown.  Beautiful belly-to-belly by Zingano.   Pena reversed to the top in side control.  Pena with a crossface.  Pena got her back.  Pena is working for a choke.  Pena is holding her in back position with a body triangle.  Pena’s round so 19-19 after two.

Third round:  Nice trip takedown by Pena.  Pena stayed on top.  Pena worked for a choke but didn’t have it.  Pena with a body triangle.  Pena with a few punches fro back position. She’s landing more punches now.  Zingano reversed with nine seconds left.  Pena 29-28, no other score possible

Scores:  All three had it 29-28 Pena 

MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

– (#2) CAIN VELASQUEZ (13-2, 11-2 UFC) VS. (#7) TRAVIS BROWNE (18-3-1, 9-3-1 UFC) | Heavyweights

First round:  Velasquez got a big pop.  Browne landed  a right .  Velasaquez with low kicks.  More low kicks by Velasquez.  Knee by Bowne.   Velasquez couldn’t take him down but has him against the fence.  Velasquez moving forward.  Velasquez moved in with punches.  Spin kick by Velasquez and he’s pounding on him.  Velasquez dropped him with a right.  Velasquez landing punches on the ground.  Vealasquez working for a choke but doesn’t have it.  Velasquez throwing punches while having back control.  Browne back up.  Trading punches.  Velasquez with more punches and a knee.  Velasquez took him down and pounding on him.  Velasquez threw punches on the ground and it was stopped.  Fantastic performance by Velaquez here.  4:57

Velasquez didn’t say much in his interview.  He should have challenged directly for the title after that win.

– INTERIM UFC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: (#1) JOSE ALDO (25-2, 7-1 UFC) VS. (#2) FRANKIE EDGAR (20-4-1, 14-4-1 UFC)

First round:  Edgar the more popular of the two.  This is a heavy American crowd instead of Brazilian crowd.   Nice right by Aldo.  Left by Aldol  Big let’s go Frankie cdhant.  Low kicks by Edgar.  Edgar in with punches and a low kick.  Aldo with a right.  Both traded.  Edgar almost took him down. Edgar with a body kick.  Edgar with a right.  Both tried spin kicks at the same time.  Aldlo cracked him with a right.  Knee by Aldo.  Wild finish with both missing shots.  Great round.  Very close.  Aldo 10-9.

Second round:   Aldo with a right and Edgar with a body kick.  Left by Aldo.  Aldo with a knee, Edgar tried a takedown but Aldo nearly threw him down.  Right by Edgar.  Edgar bleeding from the right eye.  Head kick by Edgar blocked.  Edgar with a right.  Edgar tried a takedown but didn’t get it.  Edgar tried another takedown and didn’t get it.  Left by Edgar.  Left and right by Aldo.  Big right by Edgar staggered him.  Best punch of the fight.  Left by Edgar.  Edgar 19-19

Third round:  Edgar with a left.  Low kick by Edgar.  Right and left by Aldo.  Both trading punches. Edgar tried a takedown but didmn’t get it and punched on the exit.  Edgar pushed him to the fence.  Edgar with knees to the thigh.  Edgar hurt him with two rights.  Aldo with a hard right.  Edga back with a hard right.  Hard knee by Aldo.  Edgar’s right eye is looking bad.  Edgar fighting for a takedown and can’t get it.  Edgar got two punches in on the exit.  Right by Edgar.  Left by Aldo.  Knee by Aldo.  Edgar 29-28

Fourth round:  Edgar is still the aggressor.  Right by Aldo.  Slower round than the first three.  Low kick by Edgar.  Right and head kick by Edgar.  Right by Aldo.  Aldo with another.  Aldo landing good shots.  Edgar bleeding bad from the right eye now.  Aldo with a left jab.  Aldo dropped him momentarily with a left and hit a knee.  Aldo’s round 38-38 going into the fifth.

Fifth round:   Low kick by Aldo.  Aldo with a left.  Left by Aldo.  Aldo with a nice kick.  Left by Edgar.  Right by Aldo.  Right by Aldo.  Edgar with a low kick.  Edgar hurt him with a right.  Aldo with a right.  Very close round.  Aldo landed the better stuff but he was backpedaling a lot late and that could cost him.  Aldo 48-47.

Scores:  49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 Aldo.  Lots of loud booing the decision. 

– DANIEL CORMIER (17-1, 6-1 UFC) VS. (#5 MW) ANDERSON SILVA (33-7 1 NC, 16-3 1 NC UFC) | Light Heavyweights

First round:  Silva got a huge reaction, much more than  Cormier.  Body kick by Cormier.  Cormier took him right down.  Cormier with some body and head punches.  Elbow and punches by Cormier.  Cormier with body punches.  Elbow by Cormier.  Another elbow by Cormier.  Cormier with more punches and elbows.  10-8 Cormier.

Second round:  Sivla with a jumping body kick. Cormier with a nice right.   Head kick by Silva.  Takedown by Cormeir.  He landed in side control.  Cormier is back on top.  Cormier landing  punches.  Clormeir landing a lot of punches form the toip.  Cormier with short elbows.  Cormier landing punches.  John McCarthy stood them up.  That was a bad call because Cormier was hurting him on the ground but the crowd was brutal to the ground, very much like the Lesnar vs. Mir II fight reaction.  Cormier with a right.  Hard knee by Silva.  Left by Silva.  Body kick by Cormier.  Body kick and low kicki by Silva.  The crowd is booing like crazy whenever Cormier neutralizes Silva.  Cormier 20-18

Third round:  Low kick by Silva.  Body kick by  Silva.  Big right by Cormier.  Cormier with a takedown.  The crowd is ridiculous.  Crowd booing like crazy.  Cormier busy with punches from the top.  Cormier with body shots.  Loud stand them up chants.  Cormier busy landing all kinds of punches   McCarthy ordered a standup with 2:00 left.  Low kick by Cormier.  Silva with a low kick and a body kick.  Cormier 30-26.

Scores:   All three had it 30-26 Cormier.  Fans booed the decision bad but it was clear. 

The crowd booed Cormier’s interview heavily.  He said how difficult it was, he trained for someone else, praised Silva for being the greatest ever and still pretty much booed.  The crowd cheered Silva. 

– BROCK LESNAR (5-3, 4-3 UFC) VS. (#8) MARK HUNT (12-10-1, 7-4-1 UFC) | Heavyweights

First round:  Lensar shot for a takedown.  Hunt back up.  Lesnar took him down a second time.  Lesnar in side control.  Lesnar with punches.  Knee to the body and punches by Lesnar. Lesanr hurt with punches.  Lesnar took him down again into mount and more punches.  10-9 Lesanar.

Second round:   Hunt with a right.  Humt blocked the takedown.  Lesnar tried another takedown but Hunt escaped.  Hunt with an uppercut.  Hunt with a right.  Hunt with another right.  Hunt missed a right.  Lesnar with a left. Lesnar going for a takedown.  Hunt punching the body.  Close round for Hunt 19-19.

Third round:  Hunt landed a hard right.  Lesnar took him down.  Lesnar landing punches on the ground.  Lesnar landing lefts on the ground.  Fans boooing.  Lesnar landing hard lefts from the top.  Lesnar now in full mount.  Lesnar landing a lot of punches.  10-8 round for Lesnar, should win 29-27.

Scores:     All three had it 29-27 for Lesanr.  Everyone cheered Lesnar.

He said it took him a while to get acclimated, he thanked the fans.  He thanked the Armed Forces and told people of all nationalities to stand together. 

– UFC WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION MIESHA TATE (18-5, 5-2 UFC) VS. (#4) AMANDA NUNES (12-4, 5-1 UFC)

First round:  Tate got a nice reaction, not nearly as big as Silva.  Nunes with a  low kick. 

Tate took he down but Nunes back up.  Nunes with punches.  Tate went for a takedown, got reversed and Nunes landed a knee.  Nunes conneciting with great punches.  Nunes is destroying her standing.  Nunes pouded away, landed a hard kick.  Tate is all busted up.  Nunes got her back and landing punches.  Nunes got a choke and Tate tapped out.  Tate got destroyed here.   3:16

The show begins with a recap of season two’s big events, including Vampiro being on medication, the rise of Rey Mysterio Jr., and the possible fall of Dario Cueto’s empire.

Backstage, Vampiro asks Pentagon Jr. if he’s ready and Pentagon says yes. Vampiro says he sees fear and must destroy the man who was destroyed. He sends Pentagon into a cave, where there are many versions of Pentagon, who all get their asses kicked.

Vampiro tells him to find the darkness within, and then gets destroyed by Pentagon, who is now Pentagon Dark. The trios title match is our opener tonight.

Aerostar, Drago, & Fenix vs. Trios Champions Johnny Mundo, PJ Black, & Jack Evans for the titles

Drago lands some slick kicks and a big DDT. Mundo is legal, but Black runs in and misses a moonsault. Aerostar hits a corkscrew dive mid-ring and a double jump corkscrew dive. Evans gets a hot shot and thumbs Aerostar in the ass.

Tons of flying gets stopped by the heels slowing things down and cheating a bit, then Evans hits a running nut shot to Fenix. Aerostar hits a Mexican destroyer off the top to Mundo and then dives off of Fenix onto the pile on the floor. A Fenix frog splash gets two and Mundo fouls him.

Belt shots aplenty for the heels, who celebrate far too early and play air guitar while actual guitar plays in the background. Another belt shot gets a near fall for the heels. Angelico returns and crotches Mundo, while Black gets kicked outside and eats a big dive.

Flying trust fall by Aerostar takes out Black and Evans. Angelico breaks a crutch on Mundo and Fenix hits the Fenix Driver to win it! Fenix is now the first triple crown champion in company history.

Black Lotus vs. Dragon Azteca Jr.

Lotus uses her speed to pull Azteca down by his mask and hits an armdrag. Azteca hits a big kick on the apron, but misses a flip dive and eats an enzuigiri. Azteca responds by tossing her hard into the barricade. She is tossed in and hits a basement dropkick, then a series of kicks.

Azteca goes up top, but Pentagon Dark comes down in new all-black gear and threatens to snap her arm. He does it before doing the same to Azteca. Vampiro says this is the formal introduction for Pentagon Dark, and it’s a great way to have him regain his season one badass vibe.

Pentagon Dark says he is here to destroy. And he has destroyed Ian and brought Vampiro back. Pentagon Jr. is dead and has been replaced by Pentagon Dark. He swears to destroy Matanza Cueto tonight. This ruled!

It is now time for the Lucha Underground title match, as Dario brings Matanza down.

Pentagon Dark vs. Lucha Underground Champion Matanza Cueto for the title

Pentagon brings the fight and chops away on the floor before kicking Matanza down. Matt Striker talks about Pentagon Jr. being destroyed by Matanza, before Vampiro says he is dark now. Pentagon hits an AA on the floor. Holy smokes, that looked tough to hoist that big mutha up.

Pentagon chops the daylights out of his chest, then more leg kicks. Matanza charges the post but misses. Pentagon chops away and gets a chair from Vampiro, before playing it like LA Park and hitting him in the back.

Dario yells at Matanza to recover for the family. Matanza tries to reverse a whip into the chairs, but that gets reversed and Striker hypes up how no one has done what Pentagon Dark has done so far.

Matanza gets tossed into more chairs, damn are they ever putting this character change over perfectly. Matanza is literally a murderer in this story, but Pentagon Dark has found a place inside him that allows him to dismantle Matanza.

Pentagon sets him up for shattered dreams, but he hits a monkey flip , it’s a shame too since Striker’s “monster’s balls” line was on point. Matanza finally gets something going after tossing his head into a corner-mounted chair. Matanza hits a standing moonsault and then a standing shooting star press for two.

Rewind German suplex gets nothing because shoulders aren’t down. Matanza hits a backflip fallaway slam for two. Pentagon grabs another chair and smacks Matanza’s head.

Pentagon hops off the second rope into a Mexican destroyer before Vampiro casually shows off a barb wire bat. Dario pushes Pentagon out of the way to avoid the bat shot and Pentagon tries to snap his arm, but Matanza hits him with the bat. Wrath of the Gods wins it for Matanza! Vampiro comes in but gets shoved off. 

Taya vs. Ivelisse

Ivelisse dominates in the corner with forearms but gets tripped on the apron. Taya gets chucked into a chair and kicked at. They fight on the barricade and Ivelisse dives off of it onto Taya. They go back into the ring after a ton of brawling in the crowd.

Ivelisse hits a snap German suplex and a sunset flip bomb, but the lights go out and Catrina shows up. Catrina has a new look and hits Madison Rayne’s Rayne Drop, then Taya hits a northern lights suplex and a double stomp to win.

Prince Puma’s history is recapped from episode one with Konnan putting him over. Rey Mysterio Jr. comes out in his El Rey gear that he also wore at URFight, while Puma is in darker black, red, and yellow gear.

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Prince Puma

Puma’s tumbling exchange around Mysterio keeps the speed fast while Mysterio can stay fairly grounded. Mysterio gets a brief edge off an armdrag and they staredown. Mysterio goes for a spinning headscissors, but Puma flips out of it!

They mirror each other with kicks, but Mysterio gets a sick running kick for two. Mysterio goes for a deja vu rana, but Puma holds on and does a double knee gutbuster, then locks on a sick standing bow and arrow.

Mysterio sends him over the top with a headscissors, where they roll, and then Mysterio sends him into the ring apron with another headscissors. Mysterio gets the slip’n slide dive to the floor. Mysterio gets the Thesz press off the top and gets two off a second rope crossbody.

Puma elbows him, but eats a modified 619, then Puma gets the northern lights suplex and the brainbuster for two. They fight up top and Mysterio hits a rewind rana. It’s amazing to see him bust out new stuff at this point.

That only gets two, which Vampiro says is due to him not hooking a leg. Puma lands some European uppercuts, while Mysterio goes for the wheelbarrow bulldog that Puma turns it into a lumbar check and a blue thunder bomb for two!

Puma ducks a 619 and gets tons of boos when he puts Mysterio into the 619 position. The 323 hits and Puma follows it up with a springboard 450 for two! Puma hits the modified GTS and gets two. Corner dropkick hits, but Puma misses the 630 after giving Mysterio a moment to heal.

Mysterio hits a snap rana for two, then hits a 619, and wins with the springboard rana! 

Striker sends the show off before Pentagon Dark hits Vampiro with the bat and superkicks Striker. Vampiro gets sliced open with the bat and Pentagon throws him into the ring to say that he is the new master. He licks Vampiro’s blood and says it feeds him before KOing Vampiro with a basement dropkick.

Vampiro is left bloody, but before the show goes off the air, the cops take Dario away.

This wasn’t quite as amazing as the original Ultima Lucha show, even with it having four hours of content instead of three. 

Mysterio vs. Puma was outstanding, but everything else was largely just there outside of Pentagon Dark vs. Matanza standing out as a great hardcore brawl, though it was hurt by the season having tons of them.

Screenshot Gallery – 

http://www.imagebam.com/gallery/yp1oms4staa3ilp5ydxffxw73ovno7rm

Submitted by Scott Keeler from the Kimmel Arena

– Golden Truth defeated Breezango

Nice pop for Golden Truth, especially for R-Truth who was raised in nearby Charlotte. A really solid opening match. R-Truth got the blind tag and performed a sunset flip into the ring on Tyler Breeze for the pin.

– Jack Swagger defeated Curtis Axel

Decent match. Swagger made Axel submit with the ankle lock.

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Axel got on the mic and said Swagger should’ve been disqualified for slamming his ankle into the ring post. He said he’s frankly pissed off about being the final pick in the draft and challenges anyone in the locker room to another match.

– Kane defeated Curtis Axel

Hellfire and brimstone music hit and out came Kane. Kane no-sold a microphone to the head shot by Axel, then hit the chokeslam and got the pin in about 15 seconds.

– Enzo & Big Cass defeated The Dudley Boyz

Big pop for Enzo and Cass who did their normal pre-match thing, which the crowd was really into. Long match with lots of comedic stalling, but it did not affect the crowd. Enzo hit an extremely short Bada Boom Shakalaka on Bubba Ray for the pin.

– Dolph Ziggler defeated Baron Corbin

While the crowd wasn’t into it much, it was a great match. Little to no reaction for Corbin, but he worked hard to catch — and finally received — heat. Crowd popped for Ziggler’s superkick and pinfall.

Ziggler cut a promo about SummerSlam. He said how much he respects Dean Ambrose, but he’s coming to take his title.

– Cesaro & Neville defeated The Vaudevillains

Another terrific match. After teasing it two previous times, Cesaro finally got Simon Gotch in the swing for 20 rotations. Then Neville hit the Red Arrow on him for the pin.

– Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch defeated Dana Brooke & Summer Rae

After about a 10-minute intermission, the crowd came alive for both Becky and Sasha. Probably the biggest pops of the night to that point.

Not the greatest match, but better than I anticipated as Sasha and Becky carried Dana and Summer pretty well. Sasha reversed Summer’s roll-up attempt into the Bank Statement for the submission win.

– Kalisto defeated Alberto Del Rio

Basically did the same things we’ve seen from them in the past. Okay reaction. Kalisto got the roll-up pin.

– WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose defeated Chris Jericho in an Asheville Street Fight to retain his title

Jericho came out to a loud mix of boos and cheers, then drew massive heat for repeatedly saying how happy he was to be back in “Nashville.” After the third “Nashville” reference, ring announcer whispered in his ear and he said “Oh Asheville, no wonder this place is a dump,” etc. 

Ambrose came out to a loud ovation. While billed a street fight, they really only left the ring to get weapons from underneath. Both gave and received kendo stick shots and chair shots. Jericho nearly got Ambrose in the Walls of Jericho, but Ambrose flipped him out. Jericho later hit the Codebreaker, but Ambrose kicks out.

Ambrose set up a table in the corner, then reversed the whip into it and Jericho broke the table. Ambrose hit Dirty Deeds for the win.

Post-match, Ambrose spent about 10 minutes taking selfies, signing autographs, and high-fiving everyone around the perimeter of the ring and stage.

Overall, a really fun show. It was my first house show in many years and I was impressed with how quickly one match followed the other with very few interruptions for ads, etc.

Raging wildfires have killed at least 74 people and injured scores more as flames swept through a small resort town near Athens.

Emergency crews found one group of 26 victims, including families with children clasped in a last embrace as they tried to flee the flames. They were huddled together in a field just 30 metres from the sea near Mati in the region of Rafina, eastern Greece.

Nikos Economopoulos, head of Greece’s Red Cross, told Skai TV: "They had tried to find an escape route but unfortunately these people and their kids didn’t make it in time. Instinctively, seeing the end nearing, they embraced."

Interior Minister Panos Skourletis described the wildfires as a "Biblical disaster", according…

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New Japan Pro Wrestling held a press conference earlier today to announce its annual King of Pro Wrestling show — the biggest show that takes place between the G-1 finals in August and the Tokyo Dome show in January.

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The show takes place on October 10 at Sumo Hall in Tokyo with a main event of Kazuchika Okada vs. Naomichi Marufuji for the IWGP heavyweight title. While the main event was known, the rest of the show was held back due to angles and match results of the three Destruction shows.

It’s notable that they are focused on five major matches and instead of a loaded show, the rest of the crew will continue in multiple person matches. That means the IC title, among other things, as well as Hiroshi Tanahashi, are not focused on.

Kenny Omega will defend his briefcase and January 4 title shot against Hirooki Goto, which is an interesting pick. Normally, he’d wrestle somebody who beat him during G-1 as opposed to the person he beat in the finals, but the feeling is the final match was so spectacular that they’ve put Goto in the spot.

The other three title matches are Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kyle O’Reilly for the Never openweight title, Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Roa for the IWGP tag team titles and The Young Bucks vs. Ricochet & David Finlay for the IWGP jr. tag team titles. Finlay takes the place of Matt Sydal, and has become Ricochet’s regular tag team partner.

The rest of the show is multiple person matches, likely to set up angles for the November show in Osaka:

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & Kushida & Jay Lethal vs. Tetsuya Naito & Seiya Sanada & Evil & Bushi
Manabu Nakanishi & Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Go Shiozaki & Maybach Taniguchi & Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masa Kitamura of Pro Wrestling NOAH
Bobby Fish & Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Toru Yano & Jado & Rocky Romero & Baretta
Will Ospreay & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Adam Cole & Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi

Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) said on Monday it had won all 125 parliamentary seats up for grabs in a general election a day earlier that critics said was neither free nor fair.

Cambodia woke to another chapter of rule by strongman Hun Sen a day after an election that was heavily criticised by rights groups, the United States and other Western countries.

"The CPP won 77.5 percent of the votes and won all the parliamentary seats," CPP spokesman Sok Eysan told Reuters by telephone. "The other parties won no seats."

The White House said it would consider steps, including an expansion of visa restrictions placed on some Cambodian government members, in response to "flawed elections" in which there was no significant challenger to Hun Sen.

Critics say the election was a backward step for democracy in Cambodia following the dissolution last year of the main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) and the jailing of its leader, Kem Sokha, on treason charges.

Former CNRP president Sam Rainsy, who lives in exile, said the election was a "hollow" victory for Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge commander who has ruled Cambodia for nearly 33 years.

The United States has imposed visa curbs on some Cambodian government members over a crackdown on critics and levied sanctions in June on a high-ranking official close to Hun Sen.

The European Union has threatened Cambodia with economic sanctions.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Sunday’s vote "failed to represent the will of the Cambodian people".

"The United States will consider additional steps to respond to the elections and other recent setbacks to democracy and human rights in Cambodia, including a significant expansion of the visa restrictions announced on December 6, 2017," Sanders said.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said the White House statement was an attempt to intimidate Cambodia.

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"This is against the Cambodians who went to vote to decide their own fate," Phay Siphan told Reuters.

Even as the West criticised the process, Hun Sen still has one important ally, China, which offered warm congratulations for a smooth election.

China has poured billions of dollars in development assistance and loans into Cambodia through bilateral frameworks and its Belt and Road initiative to build a new Silk Road.

"I believe that the Cambodian parliament election is an internal matter for Cambodia," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing in Beijing on Monday.

"We hope that the international community can provide constructive help for Cambodia to remain stable and achieve development."

The CNRP acalled on the international community to reject the result of the election. "29 July 2018 marked the death of democracy in Cambodia, a dark new day in recent history," said CNRP vice president Mu Sochua. "The result announced by the CPP and the National Election Committee must be fully rejected by the international community."

The Saudi-led coalition has denied carrying out an air strike that killed at least 26 people in the contested Yemeni port city Hodeidah, as the World Health Organisation warned that the devastated country is on the verge of a new cholera epidemic.

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Health officials had said a coalition air strike on Thursday killed 26 people in a fishing port and a market in Hodeidah, which has seen heavy fighting since the the launch of an offensive to seize the strategic port on June 12 from Houthi rebels.

The attack also damaged the Al-Thawra hospital, Yemen’s largest, on which hundreds of thousands of people rely, according to a UN official.

The coalition’s spokesman Turki al-Malki blamed the Iranian-backed rebels for the carnage. 

"Coalition did not carry out any operations in Hodeidah today… Houthi militia are behind killing of civilians in Hodeida," he told a Saudi-owned broadcaster. 

The Red Sea port acts as a lifeline for supplies which if disrupted could lead to famine. The Houthis have offered to hand it over to international management but the Saudi-led coalition, which launched the war in 2015 to stop the rebels from taking over the country, insists that they withdraw from the coast.

The war had devastated the already impoverished country, and on Friday WHO warned that another cholera epidemic could ravage Yemen.

"We had two major waves of cholera epidemics in recent years and unfortunately the trend data that we’ve seen in the last days to weeks suggests that we may be on the cup of the third major wave of cholera epidemics in Yemen," WHO emergency response chief Peter Salama told reporters. 

More than a million cases of cholera had been reported between 2016 and 2018, the worst epidemic in recent memory. 

Thursday’s bombings took place after Houthi attacks on crude oil tankers in the Red Sea forced Saudi Arabia to halt oil exports through a Red Sea channel. The rebels on Tuesday had announced they would stop the attacks to give peace talks a chance.

The United Nations said it was planning to invite the adversaries to talks in Geneva on September 6 to discuss confidence building measures,

"I am very conscious that each day costs lives which might have been saved," said UN Mediator Martin Griffiths at a Security Council briefing.

The war has had an especially devastating effect on children, with a child dying every 10 minutes from a preventable disease, UNICEF director Henrietta H Fore said in a July report.