On the day he was officially released from WWE, the legal team of Eric Arndt (aka Enzo Amore) released a statement via Arndt’s Twitter account:

“Over the last two days, Philomena Sheahan has made multiple public allegations against Eric Arndt (also known as Enzo Amore with the WWE), including allegations of sexual misconduct concerning an October 2017 incident in Phoenix. Mr. Arndt fully and unequivicoally denies these accusations. He is cooperating with the authorities in this matter and looks forward to having it resolved in a timely manner. Neither Mr. Arndt nor his counsel will be making any further public comments on this matter.”

On Monday via Twitter, Sheahan accused Arndt of raping her on October 19th. Phoenix police confirmed they responded to a call from the local hospital on October 23rd for an incident that reportedly occurred on the 19th. Sheahan spoke with TMZ and told her side of the story which was very graphic and troubling.

WWE released Arndt Tuesday after initially suspending him.

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

Cyborg Justino helps save the day for March’s UFC 222
CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson reportedly being discussed for UFC 225
WWE 205 Live update: Next week’s matches, HHH reportedly in charge
NJPW Strong Style Evolved to air live on AXS TV
NJPW Road to New Beginning recap: SANADA-EVIL vs. Okada-Goto
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Dolph Ziggler returning to WWE SmackDown next week
WWE 205 Live results: Roderick Strong faces Hideo Itami
Triple threat main event announced for WWE Fastlane
WWE Mixed Match Challenge live results: Goldust-Rose vs. Uso-Naomi
Jason Jordan undergoes ‘minimally invasive’ neck surgery
WWE SmackDown live results: Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn

THE LATEST AUDIO

WOL: HHH and 205 Live, Court Bauer talks MLW, Smackdown, more! 2/7
B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 2/6

---

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Rousey’s arrival highlights big Royal Rumble Weekend 

The most newsworthy week in recent WWE history capped off with Ronda Rousey appearing at the end of the Royal Rumble on Sunday night. Instead of participating in the women’s Royal Rumble match itself, Rousey closed the show with an appearance that initially did little to reveal what’s next for her in WWE. She came out to “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett, her old UFC walkout song, while wearing one of Roddy Piper’s leather jackets. 

---

WON NEWSLETTER: February 5, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Rebirth of the XFL, Ronda Rousey signs WWE contract

Coverage of some of what will be the biggest stories of the year is in a giant news double issue of the Observer this week.

Our lead story covers the WWE PPV appearance of Ronda Rousey, the plans for her, her training, why this was the perfect timing for WWE, a look at other fighting celebrities in pro wrestling, where she is most valuable to the company and thoughts on if she’ll be a success or not, including what has to be guarded against.

This issue contains the most in-depth look at the old XFL, Vince McMahon’s new XFL, what went wrong the first time, and whether the 180 degree about-face will work. Also, look at the differences in the landscape between then and now, and what the real keys are to success or failure.

Detailed coverage of the Royal Rumble, including a chart on both Rumble matches, records for the Rumble, business from the Rumble, who put the Rumble together, notes on the surprises, Rey Mysterio and his current situation, changes made the day of the show, plans for Elimination Chamber an updated WrestleMania card, and match-by-match coverage with poll results and star ratings.

Read about the Takeover show in Philadelphia, what did and didn’t work, business notes, probable directions coming out of it with match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

Look at the making of the Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic fight and UFC’s plans for as many as three champion vs. champion matches on the July show. Also look at the Cormier/Cain Velasquez dynamic with both men commenting as well as the new season of Ultimate Fighter.

Have a look at New Japan Pro Wrestling, with the Omega-Cody angle, a twist that wasn’t on television in Sapporo, ticket sales for Long Beach and putting that into perspective, an update on Hiroshi Tanahashi and when he’s scheduled to return, the Bullet Club breakup angle, the three different incredible sell jobs of the weekend and how they are different, the business from the two Sapporo events, the lineup for this week’s New Japan World live shows, and coverage of both Sapporo shows, with star ratings and poll results.

---

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected]. 
 
Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to [email protected]. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)

If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

WON BACK ISSUE: January 22, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fusient Media to buy WCW, sale of UFC, more

After nearly a full year of various rumors, negotiations, and several near finalized deals, the sale of World Championship Wrestling by Time Warner to Fusient Media Ventures was officially announced on 1/11, literally hours before the announcement that the final step of the Time Warner/AOL merger had been cleared. Fusient Media Ventures, a one-year-old company headed by Brian Bedol and Stephen Greenberg, who are best known for starting up the Classic Sports Network, and then selling it to ESPN where it became ESPN Classics, for $175 million, is the parent company. 

---

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE
Big Show appeared on Busted Open Radio yesterday and revealed that he battled a surgical infection following the hip surgery he underwent last year. He said if the infection had stayed or gotten worse, he would have needed a full hip replacement that would have likely ended his in-ring career. He said things are looking good right now, but it will be touch and go for another 6-8 months to make sure the infection doesn’t come back.
Whether the ranking system will be factored into on-screen storylines much going forward remains to be seen, but the first SmackDown Top 10 List was revealed on last night’s show:
AJ Styles
Charlotte Flair
Shinsuke Nakamura
Naomi
Bobby Roode
The New Day
The Usos
Becky Lynch
Randy Orton
Tye Dillinger

Naomi & Jimmy Uso advanced to the second round of Mixed Match Challenge last night by defeating Mandy Rose & Goldust. Naomi & Uso will next be in action during week eight of the tournament, where they’ll face Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman. Lana & Rusev vs. Bayley & Elias is next week’s match.
Live viewing for Mixed Match Challenge peaked at over 70,000 viewers last night, which is up from last week. The episode currently has over 1.4 million total views on Facebook. The premiere episode has 1.9 million views, with the next two weeks at 1.7 million.
Shelton Benjamin tweeted that he had been unknowingly driving around for the last four days with a loaded gun that was left in the glove compartment of his rental car: “Thank you @Budget (LIT) for your great service of putting my reputation, freedom and quite possibly my life in jeopardy I’ve unknowingly been driving your car around the last 4 days with a F’N LOADED GUN in the Glove compartment!!”
Following a Daily Beast article that revisited a groping allegation against Vince McMahon from 2006, David Bixenspan spoke to one of the witnesses that was named in the police report.
Brock Lesnar vs. The Miz is being advertised for Raw’s house show at the Target Center in Minnesota on March 9th.
Wrestling DVD Network reported that “Shane McMahon’s Craziest Matches” has been dropped from the 2018 DVD release schedule.
The Orlando Sentinel has an article on Montez Ford and him giving back to the community.
CNN Money ran a positive article on WWE business ahead of TV rights negotiations.
Bloomberg also posted a story about the rights negotiations being a test for WWE business.
Pro Wrestling
Kenny Omega teaming with Guerrillas of Destiny against Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero will main event NJPW’s show at Festival Hall in Melbourne, Australia on February 17th.
NJPW held press conferences for Saturday’s three title matches, with Kazuchika Okada defending his IWGP Heavyweight Championship against SANADA, EVIL challenging for Hirooki Goto’s NEVER Openweight title, and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay facing off with Hiromu Takahashi.
Matt Riddle vs. Daisuke Sekimoto in a first-time ever match has been announced for EVOLVE 103 in New Orleans on April 6th.
DJZ will be wrestling exclusively for EVOLVE and at the WWN Supershow during WrestleMania week.
Tenille Dashwood (formerly known as Emma) appeared on Killing the Town with Lance Storm and Don Callis for her first post-WWE interview.
Stardom announced Meiko Satomura vs. Toni Storm for Korakuen Hall on February 18th.
Rosemary tweeted that she appreciates everyone’s support after she suffered what appeared to be a leg injury over the weekend. She wrote that she’ll provide more information when she has it.
Eddie Edwards talked Boston sports, this year’s Super Bowl, and some pro wrestling on Antonio Thomas’ podcast.
UFC/MMA
Nate Diaz told ESPN that he thinks Tyron Woodley is the best option for his return fight: “I’m getting to the point where I’m sick of not fighting. I’m not getting any younger, I put that tweet out saying I wanted to fight in May or June, but I didn’t say who because I was weighing my options. And now, Woodley is my best option.”
On UFC Tonight, Dana White said Woodley vs. Diaz isn’t happening and they’re trying to make Woodley vs. Rafael dos Anjos.
Dos Anjos claimed that Woodley wants to face Diaz because he’s looking for an easy opponent.
The UFC uploaded the first episode of Embedded for Saturday’s pay-per-view.
Damon Martin tweeted that Amanda Nunes vs. Raquel Pennington is being discussed by the UFC. Martin wrote that he hasn’t heard a date for it but mentioned UFC 224 in Brazil as a possibility.
The Orlando Sentinel spoke to Jeremy Stephens about facing Josh Emmett on short notice in the main event of UFC on FOX 28 later this month.
Ariel Helwani interviewed Rose Namajunas about facing Joanna Jedrzejczyk again, Ronda Rousey signing with WWE, and more.
Rampage Jackson mentioned Wanderlei Silva as a potential opponent for his next fight.

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Ted DiBiase & IRS win WWF Tag Team titles

---

WRESTLING OBSERVER / F4W – WRESTLEMANIA 34 in NEW ORLEANS

Here we go again! It’s back to New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 and a huge weekend of spectacular professional wrestling related fun and wackiness. EdinSanAntonio Productions along with the Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Empire~! is proud to present the annual Wrestlemania weekend trip details. This huge weekend includes a number of website “members only” events. Below are the two events currently scheduled. Click here for full event details. 

WOR Podcast Taping: Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE MAILBAG~!

WHAT: Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE Podcast Recording with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez
WHEN: Friday, April 6th, 2018 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m. for VIP ticket holders and at 9:15 a.m. for general admission)
WHERE: The Bourbon Room, Royal St. Charles Hotel in downtown New Orleans; 135 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

WO/F4W Brunch: Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Oberver BRUNCH~!

WHAT: All you care to eat brunch buffet on the morning of Wrestlemania 
WHEN: Sunday, April 8th, 2018 – T11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Court of Two Sisters restaurant in downtown New Orleans; 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130

---

CONTACT INFORMATION

Poll opinions: [email protected]
​Feedback: [email protected]
Show results and news tips: [email protected]
Wrestling Observer Radio questions: [email protected]

Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!

​

1939 

– Jim Londos is awarded the Maryland version of the World Heavyweight Title by the Maryland State Commission

1944 

Tampa, Florida:
– Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Rollend Kirchmeyer to win the Florida Heavyweight Title 

1951 

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada:
– Sky Hi Lee defeated Al Mills to win the Calgary NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title 

1952 

Dallas, Texas:
– Duke Keomuka and Mr. Moto defeated Ray Gunkel and Miguel Guzman for the NWA Texas Tag Team Titles

1957 

Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Guy and Joe Brunetti defeated Ivan and Karol Kalmikoff for the Minneapolis NWA World Tag Team Titles

1958 

Mobile, Alabama:
– Don and Jackie Fargo defeated Lee Fields and Lester Welch to win the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Titles

1959

Kansas City, Kansas:
– Edouard Carpentier beat Bob Geigel 
– Dino Bravo and Bob Ellis beat Lee Henning and The Mighty Atlas 
– Sonny Myers beat Rip Hawk 

1963

Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Crusher beat Hercules Cortez by DQ
– AWA Tag Team Champions Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff beat Moose Evans & Dick Steinborn in 2 out of 3 falls
– Rocky Hamilton beat Duke Hoffman
– Jack Pesek beat Stan Kowalski

1966

Chicago, Illinois:
– AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat WWA Champion Dick the Bruiser by countout
– Verne Gagne & Wilbur Snyder beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race by DQ
– Chris Markoff beat Guy Mitchell
– Moose Cholak beat Huey Long
– The Assassin beat Jose Betancourt
– Santiago Acosta drew Angelo Poffo

1967 

St. Paul, Minnesota:
– Verne Gagne won the AWA World Heavyweight Title (on his birthday) by defeating Mad Dog Vachon
– Ernie Ladd & Earl Maynard beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race by DQ
– Killer Kowalski beat The Crusher by DQ
– Doug Gilbert drew The Alaskan
– Eddie Sharkey beat George Gadaski
– Bob Boyer beat Jose Quintero

1969 

Mobile, Alabama:
– Bob Kelly and Ramon Perez defeated Mitsu and Sugi Sito to win the  NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Titles

1971

Los Angeles, California:
– Vivian Vachon defeated Betty Nicoli for the NWA California Women’s Title 

1973

Madison Square Garden:
– AWA World Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne defeated Eddie Graham (subbing for Ray Stevens)
– WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales defeated King Curtis Iaukea

1975

Miami, Florida:
– Bob Roop & Mongolian Stomper defeated Dick Slater & Johnny Weaver (sub for Bill Watts) 
– Harley Race defeated Bob Armstrong 
– Tony Parisi & Dominic DeNucci & “Irish” Pat Barrett defeated The Patriots & The Red Menace 
– Mike Graham defeated Jim Dillon by DQ
– Johnny Weaver defeated Randy Tyler by DQ
– Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Jay Clay 

1976

Fort Myers, Florida:
– Florida Tag Titles: Bob Roop & Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Steve Keirn & Mike Graham 
– Andre The Giant defeated King Curtis 
– Ft. Myers Championship: Tom Jones (sub for Cyclon Negro) defeated Roger Kirby 
– Mike Graham & Steve Keirn defeated George McCreary & Rock Hunter 
– Jerry Brisco defeated Karl Von Steiger 

1978

St. Louis, Missouri:
– Dick Murdoch defeated Ted DiBiase for the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title 

1979

Memphis, Tennessee:
– Robert Gibson beat The Destroyer
– Mike Stallings pinned Danny Davis
– Jimmy Golden pinned Gorgeous George, Jr
– Tommy Gilbert & Buzz Sawyer beat The Assassins via DQ
– Bill Dundee & Robert Fuller beat Dennis Condrey & Don Carson to win the Southern Tag Team Titles
– The Mongolian Stomper beat Bob Armstrong
– Jerry Lawler beat Southern Champ Toru Tanaka via DQ

Wichita, Kansas:
– Bryan St. John and Randy Alls (Randy Rose) win a tournament for the NWA Central States Tag Team Titles

1980

Tampa, Florida:
– Florida Title: Super Destroyer defeated Manny Fernandez by DQ
– Special Challenge Match: Jack Brisco & Jim Garvin defeated Nikolai Volkoff & Bugsy McGraw 
– Leroy Brown defeated Jerry Brisco 
– Twin Devils defeated Hector Guerrero & Terry Taylor 
– Bryan St. John defeated Bubba Douglas 
– Geoff Portz & Frank Monte drew Gordon Nelson & Barry Windham

1981

Kingston, Ontario, Canada:
– Angelo (King Kong) Mosca pinned Hossien Arab
– Mad Dog Vachon and Dewey Robertson beat Bob Duncum and Kurt Von Hess
– Sweet Ebony Diamond over Swede Hanson on a count out
– Frankie Maine and Billy Red Lyons went to a draw
– Tony Parisi pinned Ron Ritchie

1985

Tampa, Florida:
– The PYT Express (Norvell Austin and Koko Ware) defeated Jay and Mark Youngblood for the Florida NWA United States Tag Team Titles

1988

Dallas, Texas:
– Terry Taylor defeated Matt Borne for the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title

St. Joseph, Missouri:
– Masahiro Chono defeated Mike George to win the World Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Title 

1990

Memphis, Tennessee:
– King Cobra beat The Soultaker via DQ
– Dutch Mantel beat Rockin’ Randy
– Tony Anthony & Robert Fuller beat Steve Doll & Rex King via DQ
– Jeff Jarrett & Bill Dundee drew Terrance Garvin & Billy Joe Travis
– Jimmy Valiant beat Jerry Lawler to win the USWA Unified World Title

1993

Mexico City, Mexico:
– Heavy Metal defeated Rey Misterio, Jr. for the Mexican National Welterweight Title

Dallas, Texas:
– The Ebony Experience (Stevie Ray and Booker T) defeated The Bad Breed (Axl and Ian Rotten) to win the Global Wrestling Federation Tag Team Titles
– Calvin Knapp defeated Alex Porteau for the GWF Light Heavyweight Title

Williamsborg, Kentucky:
– Tim Horner defeated the Nightstalker 
– Jimmy Golden defeated Bobby Eaton via disqualification 
– Brian Lee defeated Kevin Sullivan 
– Tracy Smothers defeated SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy 
– Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated SMW Tag Team Champions Stan Lane & Tom Prichard

1994

Johnson City, Tennessee:
– Bobby Blaze defeated the Hornet
– The Moondogs fought the Bruise Brothers to a double disqualification
– SMW US Jr. Heavyweight Champion Chris Candido pinned Tracy Smothers after hitting him with a weigh scale (following the entrances, 
  Candido demanded that Smothers be weighed to see if he was within the 230lb weight limit)
– SMW Tag Team Champions Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray defeated Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson (Jim Cornette was hung in a cage above the 
  ring for the duration of the bout)
– SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy defeated Brian Lee in a chain match

Columbia, South Carolina:
– Jim Steele pinned the Gambler 
– Craig Pittman pinned Brian Anderson 
– 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Tex Slazenger & Shanghai Pierce
– Arn Anderson pinned Paul Orndorff 
– WCW TV Champion Lord Steven Regal pinned Dustin Rhodes
– Sting pinned WCW US Champion Steve Austin in a non-title match
– WCW World Champion Ric Flair pinned Vader

Portland, Oregon:
– Colonel DeBeers defeated Bruiser Brian for the Championship Wrestling USA Television Title

Morristown, Tennessee:
– Mike Samson defeated Wayne Rogers for the Southern States Wrestling Heavyweight Title 

1995 

SMW Sunday Bloody Sunday II: Knoxville, Tennessee:
– Bobby Blaze defeated Brian Logan
– New Jack & Mustafa defeated Scott Armstrong & Tracy Smothers
– SMW Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Al Snow & Unabomb via disqualification
– Boo Bradley defeated Chris Candido in a loser leaves town dog collar chain match
– Bobby Blaze defeated SMW Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler to win the title
– SMW Heavyweight Champion Bobby Blaze defeated Buddy Landel
– Jim Cornette, Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray defeated New Jack, Mustafa, & D-Lo Brown (Bob Armstrong was the guest referee for the 
  bout)

1997

Berlin, Germany:
– Davey Boy Smith pinned Owen Hart to become the first WWF European Champion in a tournament final
– WWF Intercontinental Champion Rocky Maivia defeated Vader (with Paul Bearer) by disqualification 
– Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Bret Hart by disqualification
– WWF Champion Sycho Sid pinned Mankind (with Paul Bearer)

1999

Mexico City, Mexico:
– Bestia Salvaje and Scorpio, Jr. defeated Negro Casas and El Hijo del Santo to win the CMLL World Tag Team Titles

2000

Cincinnati, Ohio:
– Tommy Dreamer and Masato Tanaka defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions The Impact Players (Justin Credible and Lance Storm) to win the titles
– Sabu defeated Scott D’Amore
– ECW World Heavyweight Champion Mike Awesome defeated Rhino to retain the title

Newark, Delaware:
– Christopher Daniels defeated Scoot Andrews to win the Super 8 Tournament 

Los Angeles, California:
– Chris Candido defeated XPW World Heavyweight Champion Damien Steele in a Falls Count Anywhere match to win the title 

2002

Boston, Massachusetts:
– Goldust defeated Maven for the WWF Hardcore Title 

2005

Throwback Night: Memphis, Tennessee:
– In a 14-man tag team match, Bill Dundee, King Mabel, Cory Macklin, Chris Michaels, MW Southern Tag Team Champions Too Cool II (Tim Grind and Flex) and Kevin White defeated Masked Doom, Nicholas Doom, Jamie Dundee, Reggie B. Fine, Jimmy Hart, Jerry Lawler and Mordecai
– Too Cool II (Tim Grind and Flex) defeated Team Canada (Johnny Devine and Eric Young), when Grind pinned Devine, to win the MW Southern Tag Team Titles
– Brian Christopher and Shock defeated Kid Kash and Koko B. Ware
– Kevin White defeated Jamie Dundee by disqualification
– Bill Dundee pinned Simon Dean
– Derrick King pinned Johnny Dotson in a loser-leaves-town match
– Jimmy Hart and Jerry Lawler fought Memphis Wrestling promoter Cory Macklin and King Mabel to a no contest

2006 

Dundalk, Maryland:
– The James Gang (B.G. James & Kip James) defeated MCW Tag Team Champions The Slackers (Chad Austin & Dino Divine) and The Holy Rollers (Earl The Pearl & Rich Myers) in a three-way match to win the titles

2011

ROH 9th Anniversary Show: Chicago, Illinois:
– El Generico defeated Michael Elgin
– ROH World Title Match/Barrio Streetfight: Roderick Strong defeated Homicide to retain the title
– ROH World Tag Team Title Match: Kings Of Wrestling defeated All Night Express to retain the titles
– World TV Title Match, 2/3 Falls with a 30 Minute Time Limit: Christopher Daniels and Eddie Edwards wrestled to a draw
– Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin defeated Jay & Mark Briscoe

>

---

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

---

Life in the United States will be increasingly altered by the effects of climate change, a landmark US government report has warned.

Produced every four years, the National Climate Assessment is compiled from reports produced by more than a dozen government agencies and departments.

"Climate change is transforming where and how we live and presents growing challenges to human health and quality of life, the economy, and the natural systems that support us," the report says.

That includes worsening air pollution causing heart and lung problems, more diseases from insects, the potential for a jump in deaths during heat waves, and more debilitating allergies.

This year’s report, issued on Friday, will be uncomfortable reading for President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly dismissed warnings of the dangers.

On Thursday he tweeted: "Brutal and Extended Cold Blast could shatter ALL RECORDS – Whatever happened to Global Warming?"

Brutal and Extended Cold Blast could shatter ALL RECORDS – Whatever happened to Global Warming?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 22, 2018

Yet the report from his own government concludes, definitively, that climate change is real, increasingly worrying, and economically potentially devastating.

"With continued growth in emissions at historic rates, annual losses in some economic sectors are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century – more than the current gross domestic product (GDP) of many US states," the authors write.

They content that extremes of weather "have already become more frequent, intense, widespread or of long duration."

The federal report says the last few years have smashed records for damaging weather in the US, costing nearly $400 billion since 2015.

"Warmer and drier conditions have contributed to an increase in large forest fires in the western United States and interior Alaska," they state.

Human health and infrastructure are at risk, they write. The availability of water is being threatened, coastlines altered, and industries such as farming, fisheries and energy becoming more expensive.

If greenhouse gas emissions are sharply curbed, projections of further damage could change, even though many of the impacts of climate change – including more frequent and more powerful storms, droughts and flooding – are already under way.

"Future risks from climate change depend primarily on decisions made today," it said.

Scientists behind the report spoke of their shock at some of the findings.

"We are seeing the things we said would be happening, happen now in real life," said Katharine Hayhoe of Texas Tech University, who co-authored the report.

"As a climate scientist it is almost surreal."

Donald Wuebbles, another co-author and a University of Illinois climate scientist, said: "We’re going to continue to see severe weather events get stronger and more intense."

The Western states of the US were at particular risk, the report claims.

"There’s real concern about how the West will be able to manage this increasing occurrence," said report co-author Kristie Ebi, a University of Washington public health professor. She said global warming is already harming people’s health, but it will only get worse.

The decision to release the report on Black Friday – two weeks before schedule – was seen by some of the authors and critics of the Trump administration as an attempt to avoid it being noticed.

Andrew Light, another co-author and an international policy expert at World Resources Institute, described it as "a transparent attempt by the Trump Administration to bury this report and continue the campaign of not only denying but suppressing the best of climate science."

The White House immediately dismissed the report’s findings.

Lindsay Walters, a spokesman for the White House, said the new report was "largely based on the most extreme scenario."

She added that it "contradicts long-established trends by assuming that there would be limited technology and innovation, and a rapidly expanding population."

The government’s next update of the National Climate Assessment – due in four years time – will, she said, "gives us the opportunity to provide for a more transparent and data-driven process that includes fuller information on the range of potential scenarios and outcomes."

The storyline for Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania took another turn as Vince McMahon got involved on Raw tonight.

Though it was advertised that Lesnar would finally be going face-to-face with Reigns, Kurt Angle opened the episode by announcing that Lesnar wouldn’t be making it to tonight’s show. Reigns came out and reiterated that Lesnar doesn’t respect WWE or its fans, then turned his attention to Vince. Reigns called Lesnar “Vince’s boy” and said anyone else would be punished for not showing up.

Reigns said Vince didn’t have the courtesy or the respect to tell him what was happening tonight when he walked by him. After saying he wouldn’t be disrespected by him, Reigns headed backstage to confront Vince.

The segment continued with them meeting off-camera in Vince’s office. Reigns didn’t answer Renee Young’s questions after, but Vince gave his word that Lesnar will be on Raw next week and said Lesnar vs. Reigns will be happening at WrestleMania. Vince also “temporarily suspended” Reigns.

As Dave Meltzer reported, the goal for the build to WrestleMania is to get Reigns cheered to lead to his win and for the angle to feel like as much of a shoot as possible. The storyline began when Reigns claimed that Lesnar “no-showed” Raw two weeks ago.

>

---

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST (ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…
Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast – Mailbag w/Bruce Mitchell talking current breaking news topics

(Search “wade keller” to subscribe in podcast app or CLICK HERE to subscribe in Apple Podcasts.)

---

A convicted murderer has confessed to 90 murders spanning four decades, making him one of America’s most prolific serial killers.

Samuel Little, 78, is already serving a life sentence after being convicted of killing three women in 2014 but is now being investigated in connection to dozens more unsolved cases.

In a report released this week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Little was able to evade detection by preying mainly on drug addicts and prostitutes in a murder spree that stretched from coast to coast.

A former boxer, Little would stun his victims with a powerful blow before strangling them, meaning many of the deaths were attributed to drug over doses or natural causes, the agency said.

A large number of the murders were also committed in the 1970s and early 1980s, before DNA profiling was common practice. 

The FBI is now working to match his confessions to the deaths of 34 women from 1970 to 2005. Little, also known as Samuel McDowell, was arrested at a homeless shelter in Kentucky in 2012 and taken to California where he was wanted on a drugs charge. 

Once there, DNA evidence linked him to three murders in Los Angeles between 1987 and 1989. All three women were beaten and strangled. 

Little was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 2014 but transferred to a Texas prison in connection with an investigation into another murder.

Bobby Bland, a district attorney in the state, said Little eventually confessed to the 1994 murder of Denise Christie Brothers in Odessa, Texas.

Shortly afterwards, a Texas ranger was able to gain Little’s trust and the killer began confessing to dozens of other murders committed between 1970 and 2005. 

A total of 90 murders in all, of which law enforcement has so far verified 34 killings.

"Little will be confirmed as one of, if not the most, prolific serial killers in US history," Mr Bland said.

The deadliest known US serial killer is believed to be Gary Ridgway, the so-called "Green River Killer" convicted of 49 murders who is serving a life sentence in Washington state.

According to the FBI, Little "remembers his victims and the killings in great detail" but is "less reliable, however, when it comes to remembering dates."

“Talking with him, you can hear he actually gets excited about describing his homicides and describing how he strangled his victims,” Bernie Nelson, a police detective, told the Washington Post. 

“He looked you right in your eye and said he couldn’t help himself. He’s a monster.”

The FBI said Little is in poor health and is likely to spend the remainder of his days in prison in Texas.  

More of WCW’s long running Saturday night program is coming to the WWE Network next week, a new report indicates.

Episodes from 1992 through 1994 will be uploaded to the Network starting on April 2, WWE Network News reports. It will be seperate from the World Championship Wrestling shows that have already been uploaded, which has episodes from 1985 through 1989. World Championship Wrestling was rebranded into WCW Saturday Night on April 4, 1992, so that may be the starting point. WWE Network News estimates that up to 100 hours of content will be uploaded. 

Saturday Night was WCW’s flagship show until 1995 when WCW Nitro was introduced and changed the wrestling world forever with a live program that rivaled WWE Raw for years. With the addition of WCW Thunder three years later, Saturday Night eventually became a meaningless “C-show” program that largely featured WCW’s midcard and Power Plant trainees. The show continued to run until 2000, when it was turned into a recap show and ultimately cancelled altogether on August 19, 2000.