Plenty of talented United Kingdom wrestlers have competed for WWE in recent years. The likes of Tyler Bate, Trent Seven, Pete Dunne, and Mark Andrews have all competed in incredible matches in NXT lately. It looks like WWE will officially be adding another British wrestler to the NXT roster very soon. According to PWInsider, WWE has signed Danny Burch to an NXT contract. Burch had already been a member of the NXT roster but was released back in 2015. However, WWE apparently decided to bring Burch back last month, and the British grappler has finished up his independent wrestling dates. He gave a farewell address during last night’s Beyond Wrestling event and will now be back on NXT permanently.
Braun Strowman has truly managed to rise as a true main eventer in WWE over the past few months. In fact, the company just had Strowman win the 50-man Royal Rumble match in the main event of the Greatest Royal Rumble show in Saudi Arabia last week. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio show has reported that WWE has some major plans for “The Monster Among Men.” After losing a Steel Cage match and receiving another loss at the hands of Brock Lesnar recently, it was reported that Roman Reigns is likely finished as number one contender to the Universal Championship at the moment. However, it looks like Strowman may be next in line for the title.
One of the most surprising rising stars in WWE at the moment has got to be Raw Superstar Elias. “The Drifter” has managed to impress audiences with his weekly shtick, and it looks like he has become popular enough for WWE to develop some major plans around him. The latest Wrestling Observer Radio program claims that Elias is viewed as one day being a top star in WWE by several different officials in the company, but those officials are reportedly not impressed with some of his in-ring work. If Elias can improve on that and maintain the popularity that he has right now, then the belief is that he may very well be pushed as a true main event act in the company over the next few months.
Bas Rutten was announced as joining the 2015 class being inducted into the UFC Hall Of Fame during International Fight Week on July 11. UFC President Dana White made the announcement during Friday’s edition of Inside MMA on AXStv, which Rutten co-hosts with Ron Kruck.
Rutten will be inducted into the pioneers era wing of the UFC Hall Of Fame as a fighter who made his debut during the pioneers era of mixed martial arts. He joins fellow inductees Jeff Blatnick in the contributors wing, and Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg in the fight wing, commemorating their bout at UFC 52 in 2005. An additional inductee, who will go into the modern era wing, will be announced on Saturday during UFC 187.
Rutten was a former King Of Pancrase, and he fought in the UFC just twice, defeating Tsuyoshi Kohsaka at UFC 18 in January 1999, and then defeating Kevin Randleman at UFC 20 in May 1999 to become the UFC Heavyweight Champion. He would later vacate the championship and fight just once more in his career, a win over Ruben Villareal in July 2006 in his final bout. Rutten has since transitioned into acting, along with his hosting duties on Inside MMA.
He will join Royce Gracie, Dan Severn and Chuck Liddell in the pioneer era wing.
1939 – In Kansas City, Kansas; Prospector Pete beat Steve Brody 2 out of 3 falls, Walter Sirois beat Stanley Buresch, Ede Edner (Ebner) beat Don George and Mike Chacoma beat Dale Wayne. (promoter: George D. Simpson)
1945 – Bobby Bonales defeated El Santo to win the Mexican National Middleweight Title; In Wichita, Kansas; Lord Albert Mills defeated Ray Eckert in 2 out of 3 falls to earn a match next week with Orville Brown. Also, Lee Wykoff beat Jim Parker, Jack Hader beat Bob Hayford and Gene Blakely defeated Pat O’Dowdy.
1948 – Sandor Szabo wins the Minneapolis World Heavyweight Title defeating Bronko Nagurski in Minneapolis, Minnesota; The Green Shadow defeated Herb Welch for the Tennessee World Junior Heavyweight Title in Nashville, Tennessee
1950 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas; NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz defeated Bill Longson 2 falls to 0, Sonny Myers beat Lee Henning 2 out of 3 falls, also Dutch Hefner beat Pete Peterson.
1956 – Buddy Rogers defeated Pepper Gomez for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.
1957 – In Kansas City, Kansas; For the Central States Title, Bobby Bruns went to a time limit draw with Richard Brown, Mike Clancy beat Angelo Savoldi and Wild Red Berry beat Joe Costello
1960 – Édouard Carpentier and Sandor Szabo defeated Art Michalik and Legs Wilson in Los Angeles, California to win the NWA International TV Tag Team Title.
1962 – Jack Donovan and Jackie Fargo defeated The Mysterious Medics for the Gulf Coast NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Dothan, Alabama
1966 – René Goulet and Pepper Martin defeated Tony Borne and Prof. Hiro to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.
1968 – In Chicago, Illinois; AWA Tag Team Champions Mitsu Arakawa & Dr Moto beat Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher, Dr X beat Mighty Igor Vodik via dq, Bill Watts drew Larry Hennig and Rene Goulet beat Harley Race.
1971 – Brian Maxine defeated Clayton Thomson in Croydon, England for the British Middleweight Title
1972 – At Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas; Omar Atlas fought Roger Kirby to a draw, Black Angus (w/ Percival A. Friend) defeated The Viking and Harley Race defeated Rufus R. Jones
1973 – The Samoans (Tio Tio and Reno Tufuuli) defeated Mike Graham and Kevin Sullivan to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in St. Petersburg, Florida; Bull Ramos and Clay Spencer (Ken Mantell) defeated Steven Little Bear and Dutch Savage for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title; Black Gordman and Goliath defeated Rey Mendoza and Raul Reyes to win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title
1974 – Jim Dalton and Bruce Swayze defeated Carlos Colón and José Manuel Pérez for the WWC North American Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
1975 – Bobby Hart and Larry O’Day defeated The Missouri Mauler and Steve Rackman to win the NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Title in Sydney, Australia; Tauro defeated Dardo Aguilar for the Mexican National Lightweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico; In Milwaukee, Wisconsin; AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Verne Gagne & Billy Robinson via dq. Also, Dusty Rhodes beat Baron Von Raschke dq, Ivan Putski beat Boris Breznikoff and Greg Gagne beat Rene Goulet.
1976 – Jim Breaks defeated Bobby Ryan to win the British Lightweight Title in Wolverhampton, England
1978 – Tor Kamata defeated Giant Baba for the AJPW PWF Heavyweight Title in Akita, Japan.
1979 – Ron Garvin won the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title, defeating Alex Smirnoff in Knoxville, Tennessee; El Halcón defeated José Lothario defeat Mark Lewin and The Spoiler to win the NWA American Tag Team Title in Houston, Texas; At the Omaha, Nebraska Civic Center; Greg Gagne (sub Verne Gagne) & Mad Dog Vachon beat Pat Patterson & Nick Bockwinkel, Bobby Duncum beat Doug Gilbert, In a Posedown, Paul Ellering beat Jesse Ventura and Super Destroyer Mark II (Sgt. Slaughter) beat Joe Scarpello.
1981 – Bill Dundee defeated Stan Lane for the Mid-America NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee; Jimmy Golden defeated Ken Lucas to win the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title in Birmingham, Alabama.
1983 – Lioness Asuka won the AJW Singles Title from Kaoru Matsumoto in Omiya, Japan. At the same event, Jaguar Yokota defeated La Galactica for the WWWA World Singles Title
1984 – In St. Louis, Missouri; NWA Champion Ric Flair went to a time limit draw with Kerry Von Erich, Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan beat Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan, Wahoo McDaniel beat Kamala via dq and Jim Duggan beat Luke Graham.
1985 – Black Bart defeated Ron Garvin to win the NWA National Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia; Invader III defeated Denny Brown for the vacant WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title
1986 – Marty Jannetty defeated The Shadow (Jaymie Knight) to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title in Marshalltown, Iowa
1987 – Jeff Jarrett won the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title from Moondog Spot in Memphis, Tennessee
1990 – Kerry Von Erich defeated Matt Borne in Dallas, Texas to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title; El Dandy defeated Angel Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico for the NWA World Middleweight Title
1991 – TNT (Savio Vega) defeated King Kong to win the WWC Television Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico; The Billion Dollar Babies (Mike Samson and G.Q. Stratus) defeated G.Q. and T.D. Madison (Tommy Dreamer) for the IWCCW Tag Team Title in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
1995 – Latin Lover and Panterita del Ring defeated Fuerza and Juventud Guerrera to win the Mexican National Tag Team Title in Texcoco, Mexico.
1996 – Pitbull #2 defeated ECW World Television Champion Shane Douglas to win the title in Philadelphia, PA; Brian Christopher defeated Jerry Lawler to win the USWA Heavyweight Titles in Memphis,Tennessee; Caveman Broda defeated Bobby Collins for the Canadian Wrestling Federation Light Heavyweight Title in Dugald, Manitoba.
2007 – At the OVW Summer Sizzler Series event in Louisville, Kentucky; ODB defeated OVW Women’s Champion Katie Lea to win the title, also Jay Bradley defeated Paul Birchill and Idol Stevens in a three-way match to win the vacant OVW Heavyweight Title.
2008 – Edge defeated the Undertaker in a Tables, Ladders & Chairs match for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship
The latest Pro Wrestling Illustrated Podcast features a lengthy interview with ROH tag team champ Kazarian. In it, Kazarian talks about working an upcoming tag team match with all three of his groomsmen, whether WWE has a stigma toward ex-TNA talent, what modern wrestlers could learn from the Ultimate Warrior, and more.
The PWI Podcast is available for download on iTunes or can be streamed at pwi-online.com.
In this highlight, Kazarian recalls the time in 2009 when Dixie Carter held a meeting with the entire roster to tell them they needed to “step up,” then decided to air the meeting on television.
“That was just one of many of those types of meetings we had. I remember them making decisions to show that on TV, to give fans a glimpse into the reality that goes on. And I remember everybody—just everybody—thinking that was a rotten idea, except the people who produce the television show . . . That wasn’t the first time we were told that. We were told that by her. We were told that by Vince Russo. We were told that the reason our house shows don’t draw is because none of us are names–that we’re not draws . . . Well, we’re not names because, a lot of times, you’re writing really, really terrible stuff.
“And you’re doing really stupid things to guys like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe, who have the potential to be huge names, but are a little bit handcuffed. So, yeah, a lot of the blame was always put on the wrestlers. And we were left shaking our heads, like, ‘Is it our fault?’ We didn’t think so. There was always that call to arms to step up. And, for the most part, it was never the wrestlers that needed to step up.’
– WWE I-C Champion Ryback b Bray Wyatt with the Shell Shock. Ryback’s family was sitting front row.
– Lucha Dragons b The Ascension
– Fandango b. Adam Rose w/Rosa Mendes. Rose got on the mic and stated win was a fluke, challenging anyone to next match.
– Jimmy Uso b. Adam Rose. Less than 45 secoonds via splash.
– Paige b Naomi w/Tamina
– Sheamus b Dean Ambrose with brogue kick.
– Jack Swagger b Brad Maddox with The Patriot Lock
– Chris Jericho b Luke Harper via code breaker. Jericho in great shape.
– WWE Champion Seth Rollins b Roman Reigns in a last man standing match thanks to interference by Bray Wyatt. Wyatt and Rollins put a beating on Reigns until Sheamus does a false cash in of the MITB briefcase. Ryback and Ambrose made the save, babyfaces celebrate with fans ringside.
Worst Match: Naito and Honman vs. Fale and Takahashi
This may have been a better show than the Tokyo Dome show. Amazing show even being over 4 hours long
Young Bucks vs. RPG Vice vs. reDRagon:
It was every triple threat/fatal 4 way match with any combination of these teams which means it was great. *** 3/4 stars
Tetsuya Naito and Tomoaki Honma vs. Bullet Club
Pretty much the beginning of a storyline with the Naito turning heel. I guess it was an effective start to the storyline cause I completely forgot Takahashi and Fale were ever in the match. ** stars
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Katsuyori Shibata:
This was a technical wrestling masterpiece. Good idea putting Shibata over since he’s the one going to G1. **** 1/4 stars
Kenny Omega vs. KUSHIDA:
Fantastic match with fantastic psychology and selling. Aside from his corny heel antics Omega is such an underrated talent. **** 1/2 stars
Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii:
This is the feud of the year and i’m disappointed they’re in seperate blocks in the G1. These two beat the hell out of each other. Makabe’s chest and neck halfway through the match were beet red. Sick chops, suplexes and lariats a true slobberknocker if you will. **** stars
Matt Taven and Brian Caraway Jr vs. Gallows and Anderson
A pretty good Americanized match. Taven is another underrated talent while Mike Bennett is Mike Bennett. Anderson and Gallows looked good and like the Shibata/Sakuraba match good idea to put the belts on the Bullet Club since both are in the G1. ** 3/4 stars
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Toru Yano
A typical Yano match in that you’re always ready for the surprise finish and there were a ton of them. Tanahashi got the best match out of Yano and you would think this would end the feud but they’re facing each other in G1. THIS. FEUD. MUST. CONTINUE. ** 3/4 stars
Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura:
Nakamura, charisma wise, is so far ahead of everybody else it’s scary. Great physcial match with a great ending sequence with Goto blocking all of Nakamura’s signature moves and winning. Judging by the video package before and after the match I’m thinking Goto wants to win G1 and unify both the Intercontinental title and Heavyweight title. Good luck with that. **** 1/4 stars
AJ Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada:
No pun intended but this match was phenomenal. Great back and forth match. Red Shoes needs to win Best Non Wrestler just for him telling AJ and the Bullet Club to suck it and the BC selling his crotch chops. Ending of the match with all the reversals was great and the finish left no doubt that Okada was the better man. **** 3/4 stars
Josh Hayes
WWE Beast in the East @ Tokyo Sumo Hall
Thumbs Up. Nice show overall. Just a spot show but a good one. The commentary here was better than in any other WWE programming, although that’s not much of a compliment, probably because it was just two people reacting to each other instead of randomly waiting for someone’s turn and also because there was no need to wait for Vince’s input to say something. Still, Cole blew some names and implied that Sumo Hall was bigger than Budokan. Best Match: Balor vs Owens Worst Match: None
1. Jericho vs Neville. Excellent opener. Great storytelling and execution. Jericho’s work was great, he started like a total babyface but was able to “turn” just by doing little things in the ring. Sad that Neville has no role on the roster. ****1/4
2. Nikki vs Paige vs Tamina. Just an above average Divas match. **1/2
3. Lesnar vs Kingston. The return of the old fashioned Squash. Nothing wrong with it but Kofi, as a tag titles challenger in the mid card, was the wrong choice for that. (N/R)
4. Balor vs Owens. Great match all the way. So far Owens has been on fire with great matches in every ppv/special. Balor needs to change the name of his finisher; also, nobody should be kicking out of the Bloody Sunday. ****1/2
5. Cena & Ziggler vs Barrett & Kane. Why this was on last? Didn’t make any sense. It was good but it went forever for no good reason. ***
Leonardo Mendez
San Sebastian, PR
Thumbs way up
Best match: Shibata/Sakuraba and Okada/AJ (tie)
Worst match: Bucks/reDRagon/RPG Vice
I’ve been harsh when it comes to New Japan this year, but this show was pretty damn good save for one particular match.
The preshow tag match was good, way better than usual. The Jr. Tag Title match was horrendous. I swear I’ve seen every single thing they did a million times and this style of wrestling where everything looks clearly choreographed and doesn’t come off as an actual contest does absolutely nothing for me.
The Naito tag was fine for what it needed to be, nothing really noteworthy there outside of Honma winning. Shibata/Sakuraba was a masterpiece and a perfect example of what strong style wrestling is. KUSHIDA/Omega had a really hot finishing stretch but kind of plodded early. Still a very good match.
Ishii/Makabe was the usual slugfest which while I enjoy it, I’ve seen them do this three times this year. I’ve had enough. Wasn’t into the Kingdom/BC match but it wasn’t offensive at all. Tanahashi/Yano was fun if not actively good.
Goto/Nakamura had an incredible finishing run, even better than Omega/KUSHIDA earlier in the show. It was slow early but got really great the deeper into the match they got. Very much a fitting IC Title match given the venue and the importance of the show.
AJ/Okada was excellent, the perfect main event for the show. The Bullet Club interference is beyond played out but once they got past that phase in the match, this got pretty damn great. Not sure I’d rank this above the G1 match from last year but it ain’t too far off. As I said, the perfect ending to a damn good show.
Ricky Schmidt
Thumbs In The Middle
Best Match: Sakuraba v. Shibata
Worst Match: The Kingdom v. The Bullet Club
Opener was flat and sort of set the tone for much of the show. Without Sak and Shibata showing up and having a hell of a match, the last few minutes of the I-C title match, and AJ being AJ (i.e. the best wrestler on Earth) in the main event, this show would have been bad. It’s seriously hard to understate how much of an unmitigated disaster the middle portion of the show was, including Makabe throwing some of the worst strikes in wrestling history in a match that was a total waste of Ishii, a terrible tag title match that accomplished nothing, and the tiresome Yano v. Tanahashi blow off. I was happy to see Kushida win the junior title match in an excellently paced match, but building the match around legwork when Kushida apparently only knows how to execute kick based offense was a poor choice. I did enjoy the Naito quasi-heel act even if that match was just sort of there.
The big takeaways I have coming out of the show is that I don’t care about the Never title at all as long as Makabe is holding it, having a jr. tag title is pointless when the real tag division is a joke and it would be just as easy to plug the good junior teams into that spot, and there is no point in watching the first two thirds of any Goto match.
Dylan Hales
Charleston, SC
Hi Dave,
As a UK fan it was great to get a PPV or event or whatever we are calling them these days at time when we are actually awake!
Beast in the East Special
Thumbs Up
Best Match – Owens vs. Balor
Worst Match – Divas 3 way
Great show. Lots of subtle differences from normal WWE television. Commentary was much better than normal but that isn’t saying much. Jericho/Neville was a great opener and really fun to watch but I thought that Neville should have won. I’m sure Jericho would have no issues putting him over. The Diva match was awful. Paige needs to be taken to one side and told to shut up. Her spot calling is becoming ridiculous. Tamina was just a mess.Anything with Bella’s is just change the channel heat. The sooner this division is rebuilt the better. Lesnar was better than I expected. He is a star in a sea of mediocrity. Everything he does just looks brilliant and he needs to be protected. NXT title match was fantastic. Owens was such a great heel from his little ad libs to chucking the flowers. Finn Bálor IS A STAR. He needs to be brought up soon. This show made him look like a million dollars. As someone said on r/squaredcircle the image of Finn being showered in streamers will close out his DVD in a few years time. Clean finish as well. They have done everything right here. Then we went into full house show mode. Bit of nonsense really. Crowd were into Cena and on a normal house show of course this would be the main event but maybe they should have made allowances for it being broadcast and put NXT as the main event.
—
Paul Cargill paulcargill.com
Dave,
Thumbs up for the WWE Beast from the East. It was an entertaining show, and the fact of the matter is that guys step it up more when it is a PPV or super-show. That is the problem with people like TNA right now giving away their best matches on TV. With the post-production, commercials, etc, it just doesn’t allow room for memorable matches to be as memorable. They just never have the same feel.
Balor vs Owens was great as was Lesnar taking us all on a trip to Suplex City. Also great to see Jericho back, with even more midlife crisis tattoos than before. Seriously, who starts covering themselves with tattoos in their forties? Now all he needs is an earring and new Corvette and he’ll be a walking cliche.
I kind of skipped over the main event since it was meaningless, and instead watched the Prince Devitt special which was quite good. I am glad to see them talking about Dragon Gate and New Japan.
Best Match: Balor vs. Owens Worst Match: Divas
Matt Wright
Hi guys,
Thumbs way up!
This was a great show. Not only the wrestling was good, but I also liked the venue and the backgrounds (and such) that they did in a vintage Japan style. Those shots with the castle were beautiful. Ow, I almost forgot the crowd: no quiet wrestling fans here in Osaka!
I liked the Komatsu/Dorada sequence, rest of the match was just a decent watch for this kind of matches.
YOUNG BUCKS DEFEND IWGP JR. TAG TITLES AGAINST ROCKY ROMERO & BARETTA AND BOBBY FISH & KYLE O’REILLY
Enjoyable, Baretta and Romero surprised me. Didn’t know that they were this good.
BAD LUCK FALE & YUJIRO TAKAHASHI VS. TETSUYA NAITO & TOMOAKI HONMA
Click Here: COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 2019
Naito and Honma were acting great, they (and the crowd) really made this match work.
KAZUSHI SAKURABA VS. KATSUYORI SHIBATA
Expected nothing, but they delivered big time. Great mix of strikes, holds and grappling. Didn’t know that Sakuraba could dive like that…
KENNY OMEGA VS. KUSHIDA
Another good match. Omega was a great heel, but this was KUSHIDA’s party. His selling was sublime, you really had to be a die hard Omega fan if you still rooted for the heel.
TOGI MAKABE VS. TOMOHIRO ISHII
Quality match, didn’t expect Ishii to lose. Don’t know if Ishii was legit hurt or that his selling is that good.
MICHAEL BENNETT & MATT TAVEN VS. KARL ANDERSON & DOC GALLOWS
Took my time to eat breakfast so i missed a bit of this match. I think my timing wasn’t bad, because from what i saw, this clearly was the least enjoyable match of the day.
HIROSHI TANAHASHI VS. TORU YANO
Not good, but i was fun for what it was. Yano was on fire with all his shenanigans and Tanahashi reacted aptly.
HIROOKI GOTO VS. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
I was getting a bit tired (lack of sleep), but when they shifted gears I was wide awake again. Good result to get Nakamura in the heavyweight title again. Nakamura and Goto are in the same G1 block so Shinsuke could get his revenge without Goto losing his belt.
A.J. STYLES VS. KAZUCHIKA OKADA
This picked up after Red Shoes cleared the house. It was a great back and forward match after that with some smart reversals. The ending was a perfect way to finish this fantastic event.
BEST: I want to give this one to Sakurabe/Shibata, although I think there were better matches tonight. So why do I choose this match? They exceeded my expectations and made me love this kind of match that I usually don’t appreciate as much as I should. WORST: Kingdom/BC Tag, it wasn’t as bad as the last time they faced each other, but it was the least enjoyable match for me.
Greetings from The Netherlands,
Bob Walrave
WWE Beast In The East Thumbs Up Best Match – Balor vs Owens Worst Match – Divas 3 Way
A good show highlighted by a great Owens/Balor match with the right ending. Brock squash was fun and Neville/Jericho was good but at this stage Neville should have gone over but Jericho does have a more pronounced history in Japan but still. And while the main event was fine but really it either should have just been for the live crowd or have been put on before the Lesnar match and the Balor match as felt completely pointless.
NJPW Dominion Thumbs Up Best Match – Okada vs AJ Worst Match – Kingdom vs Bullet Club
Fantastic show as just about every big New Japan show is and as an Australian having 2 good shows in 2 nights back to back in prime time is a refreshing change for us down here. So many choices for best match as Shibata/Saku , Kushida/Omega , Makabe/Ishii , Goto/Nakamura and AJ/Okada were all great matches and all in different ways which you never see in WWE.
As much as I love watching Makabe and Ishii beat the shit out of each other can they please move on to different feuds as 7 months feuding has felt like 7 years (well maybe not that long) but please no more for awhile. Ditto the Kingdom/Bullet Club stuff as the crowd isn’t into it and the matches just haven’t clicked either with the Americanized style and also thankfully this should be the end (past a G-1 match) of Tanahashi and Yano. Time for Tanahashi to move back with the main eventers and Yano to do his comedy schtick in the midcard.
And G-1 looks like it’ll be Tanahashi or AJ taking on Shinsuke in the final which I’m predicting leads to Okada vs Nakamura for the IWGP title at the Tokyo Dome next January.
David Pender
beast in the east – thumbs in the middle. good show but main event sucked and bit of a filler. best match – balor – owens was fantastic. worst match – cena tag
dominion – WHAT A SHOW – thumbs up, at least three +4* matches on the show. thumbs right up. best match – styles vs okada worst match – karl anderson + doc gallows vs bennet + taven
gotta say the shibata match was so good. so different than anything i’ve ever seen, yet captivating. if okada/styles hadn’t blown up the show with the main event that was getting hte top match.
1940 – Kansas City, Kansas at Memorial Hall; Orville Brown beat Don McIntyre, Ralph Garibaldi beat Steve Brody in 2 of 3 falls and Earl Wampler defeated Jim Reeder
1943 – Waterloo, Iowa; Ed (Strangler) Lewis beat John Grandovich, Johnny Seals beat Leo McGuirk (Leroy McGuirk) and Jack Kennedy beat Big Boy Mully
1961 – Minneapolis, Minnesota; AWA US Champion Gene Kiniski no contest Hard Boiled Haggerty, Wilbur Snyder beat Stan Kowalski, Mr. M beat Roy McClarty, Karl Krauser (Karl Gotch) beat Tiny Mills and Dale Lewis drew Bob Geigel. Attendance was 5,051
1963 – Amarillo, Texas; AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Dory Funk Jr in 2 out of 3 falls, Joe Blanchard & Dory Funk Sr & Ricky Romero beat Sputnik Monroe & Art Nelson & Tokyo Tom in 2 out of 3 falls and Masked Rasputin beat Jose Lothario by countout; In Kansas City, Kansas; Bob Geigel beat Rock Hunter 2 falls to 1, Handicap Match, Mongolian Stomper beat John Fogarty and Jose Ramirez and Larry Hamilton (Missouri Mauler) beat Jim Grabmire dq
1970 – St Paul, Minnesota; Dq Rule Waived; Blackjack Lanza beat Dr X and unmasked him to reveal Dick Beyer, No dq match, Larry Hennig & Lars Anderson beat The Crusher & Bad Boy Bullinski on a 3rd fall countout, Pepper Gomez beat Butcher Vachon, Edouard Carpentier beat Dave Cox, Paul Diamond beat Jack Daniels and Bill Howard beat Frank Hickey. Attendance was 8, 758
1974 – Kansas City; Bad News Beach & The Viking defeated Bob Orton & Don Fargo, Boxing match; Dr. Ken Ramey defeated Bill Kersten, Texas Death Match; Killer Karl Krupp defeated Mike George, Bob Brown defeated Lord Alfred Hayes and Pat O’Connor & Bob Geigel defeated The Interns
1982 – St. Paul, Minnesota; Otto Wanz defeated Nick Bockwinkel for the AWA World Heavyweight. Also, Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum & Jesse Ventura no contest Baron Von Raschke & Curt Hennig & Brad Rheingans, AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Rick Martel & Tito Santana, Steve Olsonoski beat Jacques Goulet, Bobby Heenan beat Ray Stevens by dq and Buck Zumhofe beat Kenny Jay
1982 – Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) won a one night tournament to capture the Georgia National Heavyweight Title over Paul Orndorff in the finals in Atlanta, Georgia. Also on the card, the Samoans (Afa and Sika) defeated the Freebirds to win the National Tag Team Titles.
1988 – The Ultimate Warrior defeated The Honky Tonk Man to win the Intercontinental Title win in the fastest time ever at SummerSlam in Madison Square Garden.
1992 – Davey Boy Smith defeated Bret Hart to win the WWF Intercontinental Title at SummerSlam in Wembley, England.
1994 – Razor Ramon defeated Diesel to win the WWF Intercontinental Title at SummerSlam in Chicago, Illinois and WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart defeated Owen Hart in a steel cage match.
2000 – Al Snow defeated Perry Saturn for the WWF European Heavyweight Title in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
An Islamic State suicide bomber killed 57 people including women and children and wounded dozens outside a voter registration centre in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday in the latest attack on election preparations.
The assaults underscore growing concerns about security in the lead-up to legislative elections scheduled for October 20, which are seen as a test-run for next year’s presidential poll.
"It happened at the entrance gate of the centre. It was a suicide attack," Dawood Amin, Kabul police chief, told AFP.
Both the health and interior ministries confirmed the latest toll for the attack, which was claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) via its propaganda arm Amaq.
After initial reports, the death toll from the blast rose to 57 on Sunday afternoon, with 119 others wounded, a public health officer said.
The centre in a heavily Shia-populated neighbourhood in the west of the city was also being used by people to register for national identification certificates, which they need to sign up to vote.
Sheets of paper and passport-sized photos lay scattered amid shattered glass and pools of blood on the street near badly damaged cars – grim evidence of the force of the blast that drew international condemnation.
"This senseless violence shows the cowardice and inhumanity of the enemies of democracy and peace in Afghanistan," US ambassador John Bass wrote on Twitter.
Nato also condemned the bombing.
The last major attack in Kabul was on March 21 when an Isil suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd celebrating the Persian New Year holiday and killed at least 33 people.
Afghans stand outside a voter registration center after the deadly attack Credit:
AP Photo/Rahmat Gul
Ariana TV showed angry crowds shouting "Death to the government!" and "Death to the Taliban!"
A wounded man in a hospital bed wept as he told the network: "I don’t know where my daughters are. God damn the attackers!"
A witness to the attack named Akbar told Tolo TV: "Now we know the government cannot provide us security: we have to get armed and protect ourselves."
Photos posted on social media purportedly of the scene showed several bodies on the ground and a badly damaged two-storey building.
Elsewhere, a roadside explosion in the northern province of Baghlan on Sunday killed six people, including three women and two children.
President Ashraf Ghani condemned both attacks as "heinous".
Afghanistan began registering voters on April 14 for the long-delayed legislative elections.
Officials have acknowledged that security is a major concern because the Taliban and other militant groups control or contest large swathes of the country.
Afghan police officers inspect the scene of the attackCredit:
Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Afghan police and troops have been tasked with protecting polling centres, even as they struggle to get the upper hand against insurgents on the battlefield.
Militants on Friday launched rockets at a voter registration centre in the northwestern province of Badghis.
At least one police officer was killed and another person was wounded, officials said, blaming the Taliban.
On Tuesday gunmen attacked a voter registration centre in the central province of Ghor, kidnapping three election workers and two policemen.
An Afghan security forces mamber stands guardCredit:
REUTERS/Omar Sobhani
Over the next two months, authorities hope to register up to 14 million adults at more than 7,000 polling centres for the parliamentary and district council elections.
Officials have been pushing people to register amid fears a low turnout will undermine the credibility of the polls.
Since the Persian New Year attack a tense calm has permeated the Afghan capital as people brace for the Taliban’s launch of its customary spring offensive.
The Taliban are under pressure to take up Mr Ghani’s peace offer made in February but so far the group has given only a muted response.
Some Western and Afghan officials expect 2018 to be a particularly bloody year.
General John Nicholson, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, told Tolo TV last month that he expected the Taliban to carry out more suicide attacks this fighting season.
Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in commit to denuclearisation
North’s leader declares ‘a new history begins now’
President Moon praises Kim’s ‘bold and courageous’ move
Moon will travel to Pyongyang for another meeting later this year
Kim vs Moon: An heir to a dynasty and a child of refugees
Could North Korea summit really convince Kim to give up his nuclear weapons?
How Kim Jong-un pulled off a canny PR coup
Hailing a “new era of peace”, North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, sealed their talks on Friday with a joint declaration, and a bear hug, reaffirming their commitment to complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
The historic summit also agreed to push for three or four-way talks involving the US and China to replace the Korean armistice with a peace treaty.
In his first ever speech to the world, standing outside the Peace House on the demilitarised border zone, Kim Jong-un first thanked Mr Moon and the South Korean people for their warm welcome.
“It took a long time for the two Koreas to come together and to hold hands and we have long waited for this moment to happen, all of us,” he said.
“As I stand here today I can see that South and North Koreans are the same people, they cannot be separated. We are compatriots… We should not be confronting each other, we are the same people and should live in unity. I hope we will be able to live very peacefully in the future, as soon as possible.”
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands after delivering a joint statement during the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
He pledged his support for “permanent peace”, adding “we will adopt the Panmunjom declarations while the whole world is watching us. I believe the declaration…will never let us repeat our past mistakes.”
Kim expressed hope that one day South and North Korean citizens would be able to use the same road that he had to reach the summit.
“Panmunjom is a symbol of pain and suffering and division but it will turn into a symbol of peace. Using one language, one culture, one history South and North korea will be reunited as one country, thus enjoying everlasting peace and prosperity," he said.
President Moon praised the “precious agreement and declared a “new era of peace”, pledging “there will be no more war on the Korean peninsula.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in stroll together at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea, FridayCredit:
Korea Summit Press Pool
“Today Chairman Kim and I have decided that complete denuclearisation will be achieved and that is our common goal,” he said.
In the actual declaration the two leaders vow “that they will not use any form of force against each other” and agree to strictly abide by the agreement.
The South and the North have also agreed to “gradually realise arms reduction when their military tension is removed and trust is practically established."
The two sides also agreed to set up a liaison office, continue future talks and reintroduce the long-stalled reunions of families separated by the division of the two Koreas.
After announcing their declaration, Kim and Mr Moon joined their wives, Ri Sol-ju and Kim Jung-sook for a banquet.
“I’m happy to hear from my husband that the summit was a success,” said Ms Ri.
Both Kim and Moon will seek meetings with the United States and possibly China – both of them parties to the ceasefire – "with a view to declaring an end to the War and establishing a permanent and solid peace regime", the statement said.
Kim Jong-un holds historic summit with South Korean president – in pictures
Moon would visit Pyongyang "in the fall", the two leaders said, agreeing also to hold "regular meetings and direct telephone conversations".
There would also be a reunion of families left divided when the Korean War ended, one of the most emotive issues for the people of the two countries.
World leaders reacted positively to the summit, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calling it "good news".
Donald Trump also reacted positively to the meeting, saying: "After a furious year of missile launches and Nuclear testing, a historic meeting between North and South Korea is now taking place. Good things are happening, but only time will tell."
Korean detente How did we get here?
In typical fashion, he followed it up with a Tweet that read: "KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!"
The two men shook hands as they met for the first time at 9.30am local time, and Kim became the first North Korean leader to cross over to the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone since the Korean War ended in 1953.
Kim emerged from the Panmungak, the North’s symbolic building 80m north of border, with a large entourage including his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong.
Having embraced his counterpart on the border, which is marked out with slabs, the pair set about solving world peace.
After initial talks Friday morning, they broke for lunch in their respective countries before re-emerging for a ceremonial tree planting ceremony, which was laden with symbolism.
Kim Jong-un's message in the guest book: 'A new history begins now – at the starting point of history and the era of peace'Credit:
Getty
Kim and Moon planted a pine tree – standing for peace and prosperity – with soil and water from both countries.
The tree is said to have been seeded in 1953 – the year the Korean War ended.
They sat around an oval table, to symbolise there should be no distance between the two countries, and it measured 2,018mm to mark the year.
Other symbolic gestures included custom-made furniture, a walk over a footbridge and the food on the menu at Friday night’s banquet – attended by the leaders’ wives.
Kim left in a limousine, which was the subject of one of the more light-hearted moments of the day.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un departs after the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
Earlier on Friday, a team of bodyguards surrounded the Mercedes and started walking alongside it as it moved away, but as the vehicle picked up pace they jogged in unison to keep up with the car.
As the North Korean leader left to cross the border, he waved out of the window having left the banquet to bring the historic day to an end.
The images, broadcast live around the world, were highly emotional for the divided Korean peninsula, which never formally ended the Korean War of 1950-53.
Korea summit | Read more
In a vast press room a few miles from the location of the talks in Panmunjom, South Korean journalists gasped and applauded.
But on the streets of South Korea, protesters burned North Korean flags, and as the talks prepare to resume, little has been revealed of actual progress towards resolving one of the world’s most pressing security threats.
Trump says 'good things are happening, but only time will tell'
Donald Trump has reacted positively to the meeting of Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in.
On Twitter Friday morning, he said: "After a furious year of missile launches and Nuclear testing, a historic meeting between North and South Korea is now taking place.
"Good things are happening, but only time will tell."
In typical fashion, he followed it up with a Tweet that read: "KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!"
Kim Jong-un's bodyguards jogging alongside their leader's limouside
Here’s a look back at the incredible moment the North Korean leader’s security team ran alongside the Mercedes carrying Kim Jong-un.
The dictator can be seen getting in the car and the team of suited bodyguards start walking alongside the limousine.
But as the car picks up pace, so do the guards, running in unison alongside it.
The symbolic menu for Kim and Moon's banquet
A banquet and farewell ceremony is now underway before Kim returns to the North.
Pyongyang’s delegation will include Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong, one of his closest advisers, who attended the Winter Olympics in the South in February as his envoy.
The North’s ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam, who accompanied Yo Jong to the Games, will also be part of the group, as will its foreign and defence ministers.
Here us a look at what’s on the menu:
What’s on the menu at the Korean summit | Symbolism explained
Japanese Prime Minister welcomes summit and urges Kim to take 'concrete action'
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has welcomed the historic summit, urging Pyongyang to take "concrete action" on the peninsula’s denuclearisation and other issues.
"Today President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong Un held earnest discussions about North Korea’s denuclearisation. I want to welcome that as a positive move toward comprehensive resolution of various issues concerning North Korea," Abe told reporters in Tokyo.
"We strongly hope that North Korea will take concrete action through this meeting and a summit between the US and North Korea," he added.
The Kremlin praises Korea summit as 'very positive news'
Russia on Friday praised a landmark summit between the leaders of the two Koreas as "very positive news", saying direct dialogue on the divided peninsula was promising.
"This is very positive news," President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"Today we see that this direct dialogue has taken place (and) it has certain prospects," he said.
The official talks come to an end as guests begin to arrive for banquet
The wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived Friday for a banquet following a historic summit between North and South Korea, live TV pictures showed.
Ri Sol-ju has recently gained a growing political profile, accompanying Kim to key events at home and abroad.
Kim Jong-un insists he will not repeat the mistakes of the past
Kim Jong-un vowed the Koreas would promote peace and not repeat the mistakes of the past. Kim Jong-un and and Moon Jae-in have sealed their talks with a joint declaration, and a hug, reaffirming their commitment to the realisation of complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and pledging to turn their armistice into a peace treaty this year.
The Panmunjom declaration to achieve “peace, prosperity and unification in the Korean Peninsula” also pledges to resume family reunions and “halt all hostile acts”.
Kim Jong-un insists he will not repeat the mistakes of the pastCredit:
KBS via APTN
In an unprecedented speech to the world, Kim Jong-un vowed the Koreas would promote peace and not repeat the mistakes of the past.
President Moon declared a “new era of peace” had opened.
The North Korean leader promised to ensure that the agreement reached with the South would be implemented, unlike previous pledges.
The two Koreas will closely co-ordinate to ensure they did not "repeat the unfortunate history in which past inter-Korea agreements…fizzled out after beginning," Kim said after the summit.
"There may be backlash, hardship and frustration on our way," he added, "but a victory cannot be achieved without pain."
Kim and Moon affirm commitment to denuclearisation of Korean peninsula
After talking privately this afternoon, the leaders of both countries have committed to a denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.
The pair embraced as it was announced the two Koreas are to seek a peace ‘regime’ to end the Korean War.
Moon also announced that he would visit Pyongyang later this year.
"South and North Korea confirmed the common goal of realising, through complete denuclearisation, a nuclear-free Korean peninsula," they said in a joint statement.
Kim Jong un addresses the world. Not a sight you see often pic.twitter.com/dUsQGrHOfx
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
Kim and Moon begin second round of talks… alone in the woods
The second round of talks are underway in Panmunjom after a morning of handshakes and discussion.
After the leaders planted a symbolic tree on the Military Demarcation Line, the pair retreated into the woods for their private talks.
Early indications suggest South Korea’s Moon is doing much of the talking, with Kim listening on behalf of North Korea.
Looks like Moon is doing most of the talking during this one-on-one meeting in the woods while Kim keeps smiling and nodding in a pretty respectful manner. They've been sitting there & talking for nearly half an hour now. #InterKoreanSummit pic.twitter.com/wuB8rZtWGH
— Hawon Jung (@allyjung) April 27, 2018
Boris Johnson skeptical about North Korea toning down nuclear ambitions
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is welcoming the summit between the two Koreas but says he does not expect any great breakthrough that might curb North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
Mr Johnson told reporters at Nato headquarters: "I am very encouraged by what’s happening."
But he added: "I don’t think that anybody looking at the history of North Korea’s plans to develop a nuclear weapon would want to be over-optimistic at this point. But it is clearly good news that the two leaders are meeting. Absolutely."
China hails 'courage' of the Korean summit
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying hailed the “courage” of Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae-In, as the two leaders continued talks this afternoon, Jamie Fullerton reports from Beijing.
"We applaud the Korean leaders’ historic step and appreciate their political decisions and courage,” Hua said during a regular press briefing.
China, North Korea’s only political ally, borders the isolated country so is particularly keen for peace on the Korean peninsular. Kim visited Beijing last month for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping: the first time the North Korean leader had met a head of state in person.
Earlier today Chinese state media called for the leaders to keep talks on track, saying: “As a main stakeholder, China has been dedicated to the development of peace on the Korean Peninsula and proposed a ‘dual-track’ approach – advancing denuclearisation and meanwhile establishing a peace regime, to relevant parties.
“It has urged all parties involved to promote smooth talks between the South Korean and DPRK [North Korea] leaders as well as the DPRK and US leaders in order to reach a political settlement on the Peninsula.”
The leaders re-emerge and the symbolic tree planting begins
In a summit already overloaded with symbolism, Kim Jong-un and President Moon Jae-in opted for a time-old favourite ahead of a second round of talks by jointly “planting” a tree, or at least throwing fresh soil at the roots of an existing pine, and freshening it with some water.
Kim kept Mr Moon waiting for a few minutes before dashing to the spot in his black Merc, this time causing his 12-strong security team to speed up from a relaxed jog to a mini-sprint.
Donning white gloves, the two leaders shoveled soil from South Korea’s Mount Halla and the North’s Mount Baekdu onto the base of a beautifully scuplted dome-shaped tree, before using green watering cans to freshen the ground with water from the South’s Han river and the North’s Taedong.
Leaving their aides behind, they strolled alone towards a nearby, 50m blue wooden footbridge, before sitting down to chat on a bench with a woodland backdrop.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attend tree planting ceremony during the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
The ceremonial planting on the Military Demarcation Line laden with symbolism, with the pine tree standing for peace and prosperity in an area synonymous with confrontation and division over the past 65 years.
The pine is a transplanted specimen said to have been seeded in 1953 – the year the Korean War ended.
After the tree planting is concluded, the second round of talks will continue.
Not exactly "planting" a tree but you get the point pic.twitter.com/SXYluJ45gg
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
The picture that tells a thousand words
There has been a lot of emphasis on the unscripted moment Kim took Mr Moon’s hand and led him across the border to North Korea. The highly symbolic – and unplanned – moment is likely to have raised the blood pressure of security on both sides. But it made for this memorable picture.
What a photo. This is actually the unscripted moment Kim encouraged Moon to step briefly into the North, the press pool were all on the South side, hence their backs are turned to the cameras. pic.twitter.com/pgOpydLmo4
— Jerome Taylor (@JeromeTaylor) April 27, 2018
Break in proceedings
The summit will not officially resume until 4.30pm (8.30am GMT), a South Korean presidential spokesman has announced. It will begin with the ceremonial planting of a pine tree using soil and water from both countries, to symbolise "peace and prosperity”, and the two leaders will then walk across a footbridge over the official border line.
The next round of talks will be concluded with the signing of a joint declaration, the content of which is still being thrashed out.
At 6.30pm (10.30am GMT), a lavish banquet attended by Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju and Mr Moon and his wife Kim Jung-sook will be preceded by a musical extravaganza featuring stringed instruments and songs from both North and South.
The songs will include a rendition of From Seoul to Pyongyang, about the reunification of the peninsula.
North and South 'discussed denuclearisation and permanent peace'
After the first round of talks, Mr Moon’s spokesman has revealed that the two leaders have discussed denuclearisation and a permanent peace on the Korean peninsula.
"The two leaders had a sincere and frank dialogue over the denuclearisation and the establishment of permanent peace of the Korean peninsula and development of inter-Korea ties," said Yoon Young-chan.
The leaders are expected to continue negotiations after their break for lunch on their respective sides of the border, before they dine together at a banquet on the southern side later this evening.
Mr Yoon has also confirmed that Kim’s wife, Ri Sol-ju, will come to Panmunjom at 6.15pm for the official banquet.
We have more on the rise Ms Ri, from cheerleader to North Korea’s ‘first lady’ here
Activists burn North Korean flags
South Korean conservative activists have set fire to North Korean flags during a rally against the summit talks between the leaders of the two Koreas, AP reports.
Hundreds of activists gathered near the border village of Panmunjom to protest against the talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
They set on fire two paper North Korean flags with the images of Kim and his late father and grandfather.
They also chanted slogans including "Step down, Moon Jae-in!"
A conservative activist prepares to display partially burnt images of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung (L), Kim Jong Il Credit:
AFP
Honour guard outrage
The decision to greet Kim Jong-un with an honour guard after he stepped across the border into South Korea has been condemned by conservatives, who have described it as a “humiliation” to service personnel who are protecting the nation.
The honour guard was made up of representatives of the three branches of the military, army, navy and air force. Moon Jae-in, the South Korean president, is a former member of the special forces and saluted as he inspected the guard. Mr Kim, however, looked straight ahead as he walked along the red carpet.
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un (L) walks with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in (R) past a guard of honourCredit:
AFP
Conservatives began a petition on the website of the Blue House against the decision even before Mr Kim crossed the border, quickly attracting more than 1,000 signatures.
“The event will not enhance the morale of South Korean soldiers”, one signatory said in a comment, according to The Korea Times.
"The decision is a humiliation to 600,000 South Korean soldiers who serve their military duty to protect the South from possible attack by the regime”.
"It is absurd for the South Korean military to hold an honour guard for a third-generation dictator of the regime at a time when soldiers from the South carry out military operations to fight against North Korea", the poster added.
Kim 'willing to go to the Blue House any time'
Kim Jong-un and President Moon mixed small talk with grand statements about working together to make the world a better place in their introductory remarks, according to Yoon Young-chan, senior secretary of communication in the South’s presidential office.
Mr Yoon confirmed that Mr Moon’s decision to step north of the border, while holding hands with Kim, had been entirely unplanned, and offered a read-out of their comments to each other, writes Nicola Smith.
“You have come to the South, when I will be able to come to the North?” Mr Moon asked as he first shook hands with Kim across the ten centimetre high concrete block marking the Military Demarcation Line along the border.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un suggests Mr Moon crosses into the NorthCredit:
Bloomberg
“Maybe now is the right time for you to enter North Korean territory?” quipped Kim, and Mr Moon stepped across.
As they watched a short performance by a military guard, Kim added that he would like to see the full version, and would be “willing to go to the Blue House any time”, referring to the presidential palace in Seoul.
The two leaders then took part in a spontaneous photo-op with their entire delegations before heading into the Peace House to talk about specially chosen paintings of South and North Korean scenery that depicted communication between both sides.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, shanks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Peace House at the border village of Panmunjom Credit:
AP
Kim thanked Mr Moon for the detailed thought that had been put into greeting him.
The two leaders indulged in small talk about their journeys to the border, and Kim appeared to be relaxed after initially looking nervous as he cross the border on live TV.
He teased Mr Moon about his sleeping habits, saying he had heard that he had a habit of waking up early. “I will make sure that I won’t wake you up early,” he said, in a light-hearted reference to his notoriously early missile tests of the past.
Taking a more serious tone, he commented on the suitability of their meeting place, which had been a “place of conflict”, adding that he hoped they could “heal the pain” of division. Improvements would come “if we hold our hands together and deal with things together,” he told Mr Moon.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, second from right, talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-inCredit:
AP
“Let’s meet often and determine ourselves to never go back to the start. Let’s create a better world for everyone,” said Kim. “We come here to put an end to confrontation. We are here together to come up with a good solution.”
The South Korean president expressed his hope that his government could keep up with the pace of diplomacy, and also his wish to see the North’s Mount Paektu some day.
He offered his condolences about the train crash that killed dozens of Chinese tourists earlier this week, and also made Kim’s younger sister blush by telling her she was now a celebrity in the South.
Details emerge of moment Moon crossed into North briefly
Blue House spox on how that unscripted moment happened: Moon said to Kim, "When do I get to visit the North? And KJU said, why don't you just come over to the North side now?" And that's what led to them popping over to the North for a few moments.
— Elise Hu (@elisewho) April 27, 2018
You have to be fit to be one of Kim's bodyguards
Kim's security detail gets a work out as he leaves the Peace House after the first round of talks pic.twitter.com/T3jl5kSA3j
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
The Guard Command, the military unit tasked with ensuring the safety of the leadership, is an elite institution close to the centre of North Korean power – it provides the centrepiece display of the annual kimjongilia and kimilsungia flower festivals in Pyongyang to honour Kim’s father and grandfather.
Ri Yong-guk, a defector from the North who served on a security detail for Kim Jong-il, wrote in a 2013 memoir that as many as six different layers of security guards protected the leader on trips to the countryside to inspect military units, plants or farms.
"It is one of the world’s tightest security blankets through which even a single ant would find it hard to go," he wrote.
Lunch break
That’s the morning session of talks over. Kim Jong-un is heading back across the border for lunch before returning for a second round of talks in the afternoon.
First round of inter-Korean talks over. 12 bodyguards run alongside car carrying KIm Jong Un back to NKorea for a break. 2 leaders will meet again in the afternoon. pic.twitter.com/oQLyMpMpmQ
— Kim Gamel (@kimgamel) April 27, 2018
Going home?
A North Korean woman who claims to have “mistakenly” defected to South Korea in 2011 says she hopes the summit between the two nations’ leaders may enable her to return to Pyongyang before the end of the year, writes Julian Ryall.
“I was so nervous counting the days to the summit,” Kim Ryon-hui said in an interview with The Korea Herald. “I believe I will be able to go back to Pyongyang within this year, maybe in June.
“Is my anticipation too high?” she asked.
Ms Kim was a dressmaker in North Korea and has claimed that she was talked into travelling to South Korea by a Chinese smuggler who said she would be able to make a large amount of money in a short period of time and then return to the North.
Under South Korean law, however, it is illegal for citizens to travel to the North and Ms Kim’s requests to be repatriated have all been refused.
Kim's sister in the spotlight
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has given his younger sister a place at the negotiating table for the first North-South Korea summit in more than a decade.
Kim Yo-jong has emerged as the most visible member of the regime after her brother – since she became the first member of the ruling North Korean family to travel to the South in early February for the Olympics.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, walks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his sister Kim Yo-jong Credit:
AP
She was in Kim’s delegation as he walked across the line that divides the two Koreas on Friday morning and took a seat beside him as he started his first round of talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
The only other North Korean official present was former intelligence chief Kim Yong-chol, the top official in charge of relations with the South.
Read more about Kim’s sister
North Koreans left in the dark
If you’re wondering whether North Koreans are glued to their screens watching these historic developments unfold … they’re not.
North Korean state TV continuing to broadcast very different footage to the livestream in South Korea pic.twitter.com/isBNOmkaNh
— Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) April 27, 2018
'I hope for … bold agreement'
South Korean President Moon Jae-in told Kim Jong-un that he hoped to see a "bold agreement" as they began their summit on Friday.
"I hope we engage in frank talks and reach a bold agreement so that we may give a big gift to the whole Korean people and the people who want peace," Moon said.
'Candid talks for good results'
Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in’s opening comments have been broadcast live from the meeting room at the Peace House where they will conduct talks, writes Nicola Smith.
Kim spoke first, on the optimistic note that “this is a starting point for us, I believe we’ll make a new beginning.” He urged “candid talks for good results” that would be “future-orientated”, adding, “I hope we don’t go back to square one.”
He also expressed hope that President Moon would enjoy the cold Pyongyang noodles that would be served at this evening’s banquet.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attend the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
President Moon replied that he felt “really good” about the day ahead but noted that “we have a huge burden on our shoulders” and “huge expectations” ahead.
He praised Kim for his “courageous and bold decision” to come to the talks. “Why don’t we make bold and courageous decisions to amicably talk about peace,” he said.
'Great expectations'
Kim Jong-un has kicked off the talks expressing hope of some agreements.
Kim Jong Un: "It has taken 11 years for this to happen. Walking here I wondered why it has taken so long. There are a lot of expectations, and I hope there can be agreements that fulfill those great expectations" pic.twitter.com/1dKmomJWN7
— Joseph Kim (@josungkim) April 27, 2018
On a lighter note, he also joked about how far the cold noodles have had to come today.
The surprise moment
It almost all went to script – but watch closely. Kim Jong-un invites South Korea's Moon Jae-in onto the North Korean side for a photo. There are gasps and applause. Japanese media say that wasn't part of the plan. #interkoreansummit What other surprises are in store? @abcnews pic.twitter.com/WtYGxckPNy
— Jake Sturmer (@JakeSturmer) April 27, 2018
Talks have begun
As talks get under way, here’s the scene inside the room. Sat to the left of Kim Jong-un is his sister, Kim Yo-jong.
Screen on the press room goes live again as the talks begin in the Peace House pic.twitter.com/LroQUMVURL
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
US hopeful ahead of talks
The United States is hopeful the talks between the two Korean leaders will make progress on achieving peace and prosperity.
In a statement, the White House said it looked forward to continuing discussions with South Korea in preparation for the planned meeting of President Donald Trump and Kim in the coming weeks.
On the occasion of Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in’s historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, we wish the Korean people well. We are hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean Peninsula. The United States appreciates the close coordination with our ally, the Republic of Korea, and looks forward to continuing robust discussions in preparation for the planned meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks.
'A new history begins'
Kim Jong-un has signed the guestbook with a message of peace, saying a "new history begins now ….the age of peace".
"새로운 역사는 이제부터. 평화의 시대, 역사의 출발점에서" ㄷㄷㄷㄷ 핵소름 ㄷㄷㄷ pic.twitter.com/ozGCaz2NaT
— 챠미동 (@5910Duck) April 27, 2018
Where's Kim Yo-jong?
North Korean watchers have been pouring over the images emerging, scrutinising every detail.
Kim’s sister Kim Yo-jong stayed away from the spotlight, but stayed in the background.
Kim Yo Jong is just wandering around #interkoreansummit pic.twitter.com/VjfY6OzSRl
— NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) April 27, 2018
She also handed the pen to Kim to sign the guestbook.
Kim Jong-un takes a ceremonial pen from his sister, lets out a smoker's cough after a long walk, starts an inscription. pic.twitter.com/l5sYPu7Vuu
— Adam Cathcart (@adamcathcart) April 27, 2018
Some speculated that Kim Jong-un appeared nervous.
Kim Jong Un looks a little nervous in some of these shots, seems to be breathing heavily.
— Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) April 27, 2018
The two leaders also posed for photos beside a painting of the Bukhansan mountain in Seoul.
Selfie time, beside a painting of the Bukhansan mountain in Seoul, in the Peace House in Panmunjom pic.twitter.com/tebiJUBacT
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
Hopes high for summit
Abraham M Denmark, director of the Asia programme at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in DC, says the summit could produce "an ambitious and very positive outcome".
Both Moon & Kim are doing their best to appear friendly and open for this historic meeting. Expect an ambitious and very positive outcome, setting the stage for a critical summit between Kim and President Trump. https://t.co/bnwyjqhB8J
— Abraham M. Denmark (@AbeDenmark) April 27, 2018
After much pomp and fanfare, the two leaders appear to have gone into the room for talks.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in at a welcome ceremony at the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of PanmunjomCredit:
Reuters
The two leaders take part in the red carpet ceremony at the DMZCredit:
Reuters
Kim goes off script
There has already one moment that was unplanned. After crossing into the South, Kim Jong-un invited Mr Moon Moon to cross back over the demarcation line to the North side to shake hands again – an unscripted moment in an otherwise highly choreographed display.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in walk across the military demarcation line ahead of the inter-Korean summitCredit:
Reuters
View from the press room
Nicola Smith, the Telegraph’s Asia correspondent, is in the press room for the summit.
History is made in Panmunjom as North and South Korean leaders greet each other for the first time pic.twitter.com/ypsWIFCYD9
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
And they're off, the start of a long day of negotiations on the light topics of denuclearisation and ending the Korean War pic.twitter.com/wtFyPZKayi
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
View from the press room as the Korean leaders inspect a guard of honour pic.twitter.com/FyxD6GiGDW
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) April 27, 2018
The historic handshake
Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in have finally met.
The Korean leaders smiled broadly as Kim walked across the border and shook Mr Moon’s hand.
A happy handshake pic.twitter.com/I9yiDLI5Uw
— Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) April 27, 2018
Kim Jong-un arrives at border
Kim’s ready! pic.twitter.com/Iwpmh3tki9
— Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) April 27, 2018
'Big gamble, huge stakes'
It’s hard to know what to expect from today in the way of results. But there’s a sense among experts that we could see some real progress.
Abraham Denmark, director of the Asia programme at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in DC, says it’s "pretty exciting".
"Possibility of fundamentally changing East Asia forever. Big gamble, huge stakes, happening right before our eyes."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrives for the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, in this still frame taken from videoCredit:
Reuters
Moon arrives
South Korean television shows that President Moon Jae-in has arrived at Panmunjom.
President Moon Jae In is arriving at Panmunjom for the #InterKoreanSummit#남북정상회담 https://t.co/aVgnH1u0Hj
— JP 🐨 (@agirlinthepark) April 27, 2018
Red carpet awaits the leaders
The scene has been set at the DMZ.
There's the red carpet at Panmunjon, waiting both Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un for the #KoreaSummit pic.twitter.com/geZyAm32ta
— Martyn Williams (@martyn_williams) April 26, 2018
And for a more in depth look at the venue, have a read of this.
Inside Panmunjom the DMZ truce village – Korea
Leaders on their way to the border
We’re about half an away from Kim’s arrival at the border.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has left Seoul’s presidential palace for the high-stakes summit.
Mr Moon briefly stepped out of his black limousine and cheerfully shook hands with hundreds of supporters who waved white South Korean flags and raised banners with messages including "Please Achieve Successful Denuclearization."
Hundreds of members of the Korean Veterans Association arrived on buses from different parts of the nation hours earlier to send off Moon’s motorcade.
A convoy transporting South Korean President Moon Jae-in leaves the Presidential Blue House for the inter-Korean summit in SeoulCredit:
Reuters
A controversial "biohacker" who once injected himself with an untested herpes vaccine has been found dead.
Aaron Traywick’s body was discovered in a spa in Washington DC on Sunday, police said.
Mr Traywick, 28, was thought to have been using a sensory flotation tank at the time.
He was the chief executive of Ascendance Biomedical, a biohacking company whose staff are known for testing experimental therapies on themselves.
The company’s goal is to make “cutting-edge biomedical technologies available for everyone” and claims to have the ability to cure HIV, Aids and Herpes.
However there is no independent proof to back up the claims.
Aaron Traywick had stirred debate within the biohacking community
Mr Traywick had lost touch with his colleagues at the company in recent weeks, amid disagreements over the company’s direction, according to Vice News.
Officials said there was no evidence to suggest Mr Traywick had died in suspicious circumstances.
A police spokeswoman has said no evidence has been found to suggest foul play.
Mr Traywick garnered a name for himself when he publicly injected himself with what he said was a potential herpes treatment.
Biohacking refers to individuals’ efforts to alter their own biology by a variety of means including lifestyle and diet changes as well as unconventional therapies.
“Aaron was a passionate visionary. He seemingly never tired as he brought people together to work on some of the most imposing challenges facing humanity,” his friend colleague Tristan Roberts told Vice News.
“While many in the biohacking scene disagreed with his methods, none of them doubted his intentions. He sought nothing short of a revolution in biomedicine; the democratisation of science and the opening of the flood gates for global healing.”