The go home WWE RAW is happening in a few minutes follow along here with Jeff Hamlin’s live coverage and check out the notes from Dave Meltzer on tonight’s show!
We’re looking for your thoughts on yesterday’s New Beginnings in Niigata as well as Thursday’s New Beginnings in Osaka so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer
We’re also looking for reports on yesterday’s WWE show in Bakersfield, CA to [email protected] as well as dark matches, Superstars matches or anything else not evident from the live TV show from tonight’s Raw.
Raw is at the Honda Center in Anaheim, for what will be the first sold out Raw event of 2016. No Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman on to the go-home show for Fast Lane.
Lesnar will make his first appearance on Smackdown since 2004 at the Tuesday tapings in Ontario, CA.
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Figure Four Weekly
Figure Four Weekly 2/1/2016: Weekly Hogan/Gawker update
A look at the past weeks developments in the Hulk Hogan and Gawker lawsuit.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: February 15, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Daniel Bryan retires
The newest issue of the Wrestling Observer is one of the best of the year. A very detailed look at the end of Bryan Danielson’s career and retirement. Looking back at sports, pro wrestling and the ramifications that are and are not being talked about. Danielson’s retirement is a big story, both his short and long term impact on pro wrestling. How his story will act as a catalyst for change not only within pro wrestling but all contact sports. If you are a wrestling fan, a sports fan or a science fan, this may be the most important issue of the year.
Bryan Danielson’s retirement speech, career highlights, home town, character both in and out of the ring, booking, the crazy way he ended up as champion for the first time, the birth of the “Yes” chant, the build to WrestleMania 30 & 31, the various exams, why he wanted to continue wrestling and WWE didn’t, his goals outside of WWE and why he changed his mind in the last few weeks.
The quandary he was in about continuing his career, how his career began, the formation of ROH and the changing landscape of independent wrestling, the changing ideas of what a pro wrestling headliner can look like, the first time I ever saw him wrestle while sitting with Red Bastien and Nick Bockwinkel
The suspension of Titus O’Neil, a longtime WWE star talking about going into another sport, another star looking at retiring soon, lots of WrestleMania plans including an early summer major match, Steve Austin’s WrestleMania status, update on promotion of Stephanie McMahon, star who may be interested in returning, Fast Lane, A.J. Styles talks his beginnings in WWE and how hard he tried to hide the Royal Rumble story, how DDP figured in Styles’ return, Linda McMahon forms a new company, Roman Reigns in Raw main events, WWE cuts five in developmental, new WWE books. New announcer hired, Update on many Tough Enough competitors from the past season, plans for a WWE show taped this summer, international star WWE has interest in, as well as a look at all the weekend house shows from WWE & NXT with business notes.
PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected]
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Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: Jan 11, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Finger Poke of Doom, Awards results, Sam Muchnick passes away
Details on World Title changes in 3 promotions including the Finger Poke of Doom, full results of the Observer Awards, plus tons more.
MONDAY UPDATE
UFC has signed both Alistair Overeem and Aljamain Sterling, who had both allowed their contracts to expire to get offers from other companies. UFC had the right to match the offers. Sterling noted on The MMA Hour today with Ariel Helwani that he had signed a long-term deal and was happy with it.
Congratulations to Brooke Adams, formerly Brooke Tessmacher in TNA, announced that she is expecting her first child.
Really big back issue up on the site, the 1998 Awards issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, plus the life and Times of Sam Muchnick and one of the most talked about nights in Monday Night Wars coverage with the Fingerpoke of Doom and Mick Foley’s first WWF title win
John Lineker is out of Sunday’s fight with Cody Garbrandt, which was a significant bantamweight division fight, on UFC FIGHT NIGHT headlined by Cerrone vs Oliveira. Lineker contracted dengue fever, a disease caused by a mosquito bite. No word on whether Garbrandt will remain on the card or the fight will be moved to another show.
There is a change in the ROH/New Japan lineups on the front page. Adam Cole will not be making the trip to Japan due to family issues. We don’t have an update on how that will change the announced cards.
Spike TV airs “Unrivaled: Royce Gracie,” at 11 p.m. tonight, a 30 minute special looking at his career and building Friday night’s rematch, 21 years in the making, with Ken Shamrock.
WWE
John Layfield has been announced as the Ambassador of Beyond Sport, a global organization that pushes sports for social changes. He has been affiliated with the group.
The Stone Cold Podcast with Big Show as guest will air live after Raw tonight.
The episode of “Supernatural” with The Miz will air on 2/24 at 9 p.m. on CW.
An episode of “Pawn Stars” which includes bidding on a WWE Hall of Fame ring will air on 2/24 on The History Channel.
An episode of “Ridiculousness” with Page airs tonight at 11 p.m. on MTV.
MISCELLANEOUS
The World Series of Fighting has announced these dates on NBC Sports Network
2/20 in Garden Grove, CA at the Next Level Sports Complex (Marlon Moraes vs. Joseph Barajas for the bantamweight title)
3/12 in Greeley, CO at the Bank of Colorado Arena
4/2 location to be announced
6/17 in Manshantucket, CT at the Foxwood Resort Casino
7/30 in Springfield, MA at the MassMutual Center
Global Force Wrestling is selling its original women’s title belt on Ebay at http://www.ebay.com/itm/121894134132
This is not a sign of anything as they are making a new belt.
KDW from Saturday night in Rochester, NY: Maximo Suave won four-way over Marc Hauss, Chris Cayden and Mike Skyros, Drake Evans b Jake Flyier, Mattick b Cloudy, Wet Bandits b Interstate Education System, Cheech b Frank Burlington, Rik Matrix b Garrett Holliday, Sweet Intensity won over Vanguard 2.0, Tigerslayer 08 and Homewreckers to become tag team champions, Victor Lord won three-way over Jeremy Jensen and Jacoby Riddick, Jeremy Jensen won Battle Royal, Hellcat b Ryan Cassidy (thanks to Todd Brantley)
AAW on Friday night in Merrionnette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street with Eddie Kingston defending the AAW title against Sami Callihan, AR Fox defends the AAW Heritage title against Matt Cage, Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano vs. Chris Hero & Drew Gulak, Abyss & Kongo Kong vs. Ryan Boz & Russ Jones in a Monsters Ball match plus Trevor Lee, Candice LaRae and others.
There will be a talent evaluation camp headed by Gerald Brisco of WWE in conjunction with the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame ceremonies in Waterloo, IA. The event will take place at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center on 7/22 at Noon. Each wrestlers will get to wrestle a full match with introductions. After the matches are over, Brisco, J.J. Dillon and others will talk with the group and evaluate everyone. The best from the tryouts will get to work a show that night. To be considered, send a resume and photo along with height, age, and a description of your in-ring experience to Troy Peterson at [email protected] Besides myself, among those scheduled for that weekend include Bob Backlund, Jim Ross, Dan Gable, Lex Luger, Larry Hennig, Baron Von Raschke, Bruce Mitchell and many others.
St. Louis Anarchy from last night in Alton, IL: Steve O Reno b Buddy Collins, Andy Dalton b Stephen Wolf, Zakk Saweyrs & Mikey McFinnegan b Nick Iggy & Kerry Awful, Ricky Starks b Roy Lewis, Davey Vega b Trik Davis, Christian Rose b Gerald James, Matt Cage b Alex Castle in a last man standing match, Paco Gonzalez b Mike Outlaw, Chris Hero b Jojo Bravo, Evan Gelistico & Danny Adams & Everett Connors & Austin Blackburn b Devin & Mason Cutter & Alexandre Rudolph & Jake Parnell in an elimination street fight (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Former Florida womens’ champion Sherri Lee made it through surgery earlier today and is said to be resting comfortably. (thanks to Barry Rose)
Maryland Championship Wrestling on 2/27 in Hollywood, MD at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department. There will be a 6 p.m. Meet and Greet with Mick Foley, plus a full card that night.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Saturday night in Council Bluffs, IA: Purple b Joey Daniels, Con Artiest b Brandon Wallace, Zac James b Pat Powers, Mad Dog McDowell & Jon West b Jake & Ryan King, Paul Daniels b Dalton Lee Roth, Arik Cannon won four-way over Mark Sterling, Pat Powers and Branden Juarez. Next show is 2/25 in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge.
CZW on 3/26 in Voorhees, NJ at Flyers Skate Zone with Sami Callihan vs. Masada, Mike Bailey vs. Jon Gresham and AR Fox vs. B-Boy.
NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on 3/24 in Kingsport, TN for Spring Breakout as all students K-12 can attend the show for free, and the fans can book the show. All the champions will face challengers that will be determined by an on-line vote.
ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY: Rock wins WWF Championship in ladder match