Daily Update: CMLL, Bayley, Eric Young debut, WWE Payback
No WWE shows this weekend until Sunday’s PPV. No UFC this weekend either as its next show will be a Sunday morning show on 5/8 from Rotterdam, Holland.
Also, New Japan on AXS is on hiatus for the next few weeks and will return on 5/27 with the start of the 2015 G-1 Climax tournament.
CMLL ARENA MEXICO 60TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW LIVE AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN AT www.clarosports.com/en-vivo02/
Flyer & Star Jr. vs. Cancerbero & Raziel
Marcela & Princesa Sugei & Skadi vs. Amapola & Dallys & Zeuxis
Blue Panther & Stuka Jr. & Brazo de Plata vs. Bobby Z & Hechicero & Kraneo
Rey Cometa vs. Cavernario
Angel de Oro & Mascara Dorada & Volador Jr. vs. Ephesto & Felino & Rey Escorpion
Mistico & Mephisto vs. Caristico & Cibernetico in the finals of the Parejas increibles tournament
The tournament is usual rivals forming a team. As far as I know, this is the first time that Caristico, who made the Mistico name famous a decade ago, faces the new Mistico.
We’re looking for reports on Saturday night’s ROH show in West Warwick, RI (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe, Jay Lethal vs. Vinnie Marseglia for ROH title, Rhett Titus & Kenny King vs. Young Bucks, Kamaitachi vs. ACH, Christopher Daniels vs. Lio Rush, Frankie Kazarian vs. Moose, Joey Daddiego vs. Donovan Dijak, Taeler Hendrix vs. Sumie Sakai, Veda Scott vs. Jenny Rose vs. Mandy Leon). Matt Taven will also be making his first ROH appearance since his knee injury in some form.
WWE PAYBACK ON SUNDAY ON THE WWE NETWORK STARTING AT 7:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME FROM THE ALLSTATE ARENA IN CHICAGO
Roman Reigns vs. A.J. Styles for WWE title
Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
The Miz vs. Cesaro for IC title
Charlotte vs. Natalya for women’s title (Ric Flair and Bret Hart in the corners)
Enzo & Cass vs. Vaudevillains for a tag team title shot
Kalisto vs Ryback for the U.S. title (preshow match at 7:30 p.m.)
Raw will be Monday night in St. Louis at the Scottrade Center.
WRESTLING DONTAKU ON TUESDAY MORNING AT 5 A.M. EASTERN TIME FROM THE FUKUOKA INTERNATIONAL CENTER ARENA ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Captain New Japan & Juice Robinson vs. Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi
Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Jay White & David Finlay vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi & Will Ospreay & Gedo
Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta vs. Matt Sydal & Ricochet for IWGP jr. tag titles
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & Yoshitatsu vs. Kenny Omega & Young Bucks for Never six man tag titles
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa for IWGP tag team titles
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Yuji Nagata for Never title
Kushida vs. Jushin Liger for IWGP jr. title
Hirooki Goto vs. Evil
Kazuchika Okada vs. Seiya Sanada
Tetsuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii for IWGP heavyweight title
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night at the Sprint Center in Kansas City.
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Figure Four Weekly 4/25/2016: Concussion lawsuit update – All the inside information you would ever want to know about concussion lawsuits.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
READ IT HERE: The death of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer and the saga of Conor McGregor and UFC
The life and career of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer and the saga of Conor McGregor out of UFC 200 and Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier as the new main event are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. There is also an update the TNA situation, with tons of notes on the future of TNA and Lucha Underground and one of the best wrestlers in the world joins ROH.
The lead story looks at the life of Joanie Laurer. The story examines the circumstances of her death, the publicity it received, the media coverage that never looked past the surface and was almost totally lacking context regarding her role in wrestling, and her post wrestling life. The story also looks at her start in pro wrestling, how she got into WWE, her role in the ascension of HHH to the top of the card, how she was booked, how the relationship with HHH benefittted her, and just how hot pro wrestling was during that time period.
A look back at her IC title win and the back story, and why her title reign was so short along with a look at her run with Eddy Guerrero, doing Playboy, her departure from WWE, why she never lost the women’s title, her most-watched match of her career and it wasn’t in WWE, the attempt to make her a star in Japan, the WWE Hall of Fame and her life after wrestling, all in this issue.
This issue examines how Conor McGregor managed to get himself off the biggest UFC event of the year, how his strategy backfired, the UFC press conferences, the new Cormier vs. Jones fight, business notes for UFC 200 as well as a rundown of UFC 197, with all the business news, match-by-match coverage, pay records and poll results.
In this issue, there is a look at the upcoming Payback show, notes about the angle for power, the NXT title change, the return of John Cena, Bret Hart talks return to WWE, update on WWE Board of Directors, update on the concussion lawsuits and counter suits, WWE trying to make moves to Japan, WWE with new movie partnership, WWE wins awards and the update on the Global cruiserweight series. Finally, there is also a look at the Adam Rose suspension, a new WWE book, plus details on all the NXT shows over the past week as well as the complete WWE European tour.
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If you wanted to know just how big Giant Baba was to people who grew up in the 60s and 70s, the latest back issue will explain.
Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: February 15, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Reaction to the death of Giant Baba, 2 wrestlers have heart scares, plus tons more A look at the surprising public reaction to the death of Giant Baba, 2 wrestlers have heart attack scares, plus tons of news and notes.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
UFC 200 tickets went on sale to the public today. The 20,000 seat T Mobile Arena is not sold out, but there is nothing available for less than $500 and most left is at $650. There are less then 1,500 seats left.
The Wrap has reported that Left/Right Productions will be working with Paul Heyman on a reality show on his life outside of wrestling. Heyman runs a New York based advertising and marketing firm called the Looking4Larry Agency. Heyman and cohort Mitchell Stuart will produce the series following the two around the country producing ad campaigns. The story said a few British networks and Lions gate were interested in the project. The show will be about a single parent with two children working two entirely different jobs and never sleeping.
Sad to report the news of the death of Harry White, who was a longtime friend and subscriber and former commissioner of several independent groups out of St. Louis. The Steve Martin look alike was one of the funniest men in pro wrestling during the 90s. He was a regular at NWA & WCW shows in the 80s and 90s and fan conventions as well as the Cauliflower Alley Club.
Eric Young debuted at the NXT tapings last night and has a match with Samoa Joe that will take place on the show that airs on Wednesday night.
A suspect is in custody after threatening to blow up the offices of Baltimore’s FOX affiliate after being shot by police. He was wearing a white panda suit, a surgical mask ad sunglasses. The suspect was not armed with a bomb, but had candy bars wrapped in plastic. He lit a car on fire before going into the building. The offices, which also house the corporate offices of ROH, were evacuated at one point.
WWE
The Bayley injury thing last night at the NXT tapings was an angle.
The WWE Network has released a Chyna Collection featuring a lot of her matches and angles.
WWE has released another announcer today, Arda Ocal, a longtime fan and MMA and pro wrestling announcer, who used the name Kyle Edwards.
UFC/MMA
The build to UFC 200 with UFC Embedded today featuring behind the scenes from Good Morning America
The first episode of UFC 200 Embedded from Las Vegas
UFC and Wrestling Canada Lutte have formed a partnership to help promote amateur and Olympic wrestling in Canada. The UFC will support both the development and promotion of amateur wrestling in Canada.
Fight Pass will be airing a Titan FC show on Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time from Miami’s Miccosukee Resort with the top two fights being Steve Carl (22-4) vs. Belal Muhammad (8-0) and Yosdenis Cedeno (10-5) vs. Jason Novelli (11-1).
Sage Northcutt was released from the hospital after battling an MRSA staph infection. He will start training for his UFC 200 fight with Enrique Marin.
Glory 30 takes lace on 5/13 at the Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, CA headlined by Simon Marcus defending the middleweight title against Dustin Jacoby and the debut of Tiffany van Soest, as well as Joe Schilling vs. Jason Wilnis. Part of the show will air on UFC Fight Pass and part will air on ESPN.
MISCELLANEOUS
AAA is taping television tonight at Arena Xalapa with Electroshock & La Parka vs. Brian Cage & Mesias, The Psycho Circus vs. Damian 666 & Nicho & Pagano, Averno & Chessman defending AAA tag titles against Argenis & Australian Suicide and two matches where the winner gets into the Lucha Libre World Cup with Pentagon Jr. vs. Daga vs. Joe Lider and Garza Jr. vs. El Texano Jr. vs. Taurus.
Because Saturday is kids day in Mexico, which is the biggest day of the year for attendance in that country, there are a ridiculous number of shows on both Saturday and Sunday throughout the country. I believe magazine listings alone, which would be shows with name talent, add up to about 140 live events and that doesn’t include smaller shows.
Former TNA announcer Don West is starting a new job doing a weekday sports talk show on KPQ Newsradio 560 in Washington.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix last night in Omaha: Mark Sterling b Dalton Lee Roth, Cuco Santiago b Ajax Adams, Con Artiest b Robert Storm, Pat Powers b Purple, Darren Russell NC Preston Maxwell, Preston Maxwell & Joey Daniels b Darren Russell & Zac James, Branden Juarez b Devin Carter. The next show is the 11th anniversary show on 5/12 in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge headlined by Colt Cabana.
The NWA/IHWE Parade of Champions event taped on 3/31 in Fort Worth will be airing on Fite TV starting on 5/4 at 8 p.m It will be available for the next 90 days for $9.99 with a show that features Jax Dane, Ray Rowe, Charlie Haas, Jim Cornette, Rob Conway, Matt Riviera, Lance Hoyt, Steve Anthony, Amber Gallows, Veda Scott and Tim Storm.
There is no Combate Americas live show on Monday night. The show that airs on Monday night was taped this past Monday. The next live show is 5/9 at the LA Exchange in Los Angeles.
Vico Game Studio is working on a CHIKARA Action Arcade Wrestling game.
CMLL on Tuesday night in Guadalajara: Rafaga & Carlo Roggi b Explosivo & Metatron, El Hijo del Signo & Malefico & Metalico b Reycko & Robin & Soberano, Cuatrero & Escandalo & Sanson b Hombre Bala Jr. & Pegasso & Super Halcon Jr., Vangellys won Torneo Cibernetico over Gallo, Blue Panther Jr., Omar Bruentti, Fuego, Gallo, The Panther, Disturbio, Tiger, Virus and Bobby Z, Marco Corleone & Maximo Sexy & Rey Escorpion b Atlantis & Euforia & Kraneo in an incredible partners match.
AAA at the baseball stadium in Celaya on Wednesday night: Fabi Apache & Dinastia b Hiedra & Mini Psycho Clown, Monsther Clown & Murder Clown b El Hijo de Pirata Morgan & Taurus, Electroshock & Psycho Clown b Chessman & El Texano Jr., Bengala & La Parka b Parka Negra & Pentagon Jr. ****Bengala was a sub for Octagon Jr, who as noted in yesterday’s report, has left the promotion and decided against working out his notice.
EVENTS
4/29 All Star Wrestling on in Surrey, BC at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
4/29 Big Time Wrestling on Friday night in Prince George, VA at the High School includes a meet and greet at 6 p.m.with Mick Foley, Road Warrior Animal, Billy Gunn, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson and The Barbarian. The same crew works Saturday night in Bluefield, WV at the Auditorium.
4/30 Jake Roberts has a talk show on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. in Salem, OR at the Capitol City Theater.
4/30 Pro Wrestling in Santa Cruz, CA at the VFW Hall on 7th ave. This show is 21+ and will have 7 matches. For tickets go to ComedySuplex.com.
4/30 AIW Girls Night Out in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Heidi Lovelace vs Crazy Mary Dobson, Gail Kim vs. Lufisto, Kelly Klein vs. Marti Belle, Maria Manic vs. Cristina Diamond plus Shayna Baszler, Mia Yim (Jade) and more.
4/30 Legacy Wrestling in Manheim, PA, with Johnny Gargano, Koko B. Ware, Dave Crist, Candice LeRae, and more.
5/1 IWA Mid South on Sunday in New Albany, IN at the Pride Bar & Lounge with Kongo Kong vs. Reed Bentley as the main event.
5/6 Evolve in Baltimore
5/6 AAW in Merrionette Park, IL, featuring Sami Callihan vs. Ciampa, Pentagon Jr. vs. Fenix, Michael Elgin vs. Matt Cage, Moose, Silas Young, AR Fox, Donovan Dijak, Kimber Lee, and tons more.
5/6 Dem Great North Wrestling in Ottawa, Canada
Tatanka headlined by River City Wrestling on 5/6 in Cibolo TX at the Old Main Ice House. Hernandez is also on that show.
Northeast Wrestling runs 5/6 in Schenectady, NY at the Armory with Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Booker T, Mike Bennett, Maria Kanellis, Hanson and Eddie Edwards. They also run 5/7 in Waterbury,CT a the Waterbury PAL Building with Matt Hardy, Hanson, Kamaitachi, Mike Bennett, Maria Kanellis and Dijak. Among the matches in Waterbury are Hanson vs. Ron Zombie, Matt Hardy vs. Brian Anthony and Kamaitachi vs. JT Dunn.
5/7 Dynamo Pro Wrestling in St. Louis at the Cinco de Mayo Festival on the corner of Ohio and Cherookee St.. Matches will take place at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. with free admission. They will also air an evening show at 7 p.m. at Stratford Bar & Grill at 800 S. Highway Dr. in Fenton, MO.
5/7 Evolve in Queens at La Boom
5/7 UWC in Wrightstown, NJ at Kelly’s Bar and Banquet Hall.
5/7 CHIKARA in Philadelphia at the Wrestle Factory.
5/7 New England Championship Wrestling on 5/7 in Wakefield, MA with all the titles on the line.
5/7 Hoosier Pro Wrestling in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
NWA Collision Course on 5/7 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with Chase Owens & X-Pac vs. Jordan Kage & Chris Richards, Jason Kincaid vs. Michael Elgin and more.
Maryland Championship Wrestling on 5/13 in Joppa, MD with MCW vs. Global Force Wrestling at the MCW Arena headlined by Nick Aldis vs. Brian Myers for the GFW title and Jeff Jarrett & Punk Rock All-Stars vs. Ken Dixon & The Ecktourage. There is also a GFW Next Gen title match with Sonjay Dutt vs. DJ Zema Ion vs. Lio Rush.
5/27 Promociones El Cholo runs Tijuana at the Auditorio with Atlantis & Caristico & Valiente vs. Cibernetico & Sharly Rockstar & Ultimo Guerrero as the main event.
5/28 CWE on 5/28 in Thunder Bay, ONT has Frankie Kazarian, Silas Young, Jason Kincaid, Chase Owens and Lio Rush.
Smash Wrestling on 6/11 in Oshawa, ONT.
Today in professional wrestling history:
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