As noted on the front page, Dana White has said there have been no talks with Conor McGregor regarding UFC 200 and that McGregor is not back on the show. McGregor is becoming the boy who cried wolf with his tweet last night that they had settled their differences and he was back on the show. Apparently he woke up and decided that if he said that it would put fan pressure on UFC to put him back on the card. While it’s best for everyone for him to be back on the card, taking that tactic made McGregor look really bad. Some advice from Sam Muchnick – Save your lies. The Los Angeles Times story by Lance Pugmire breaking today’s news can be read here.
John Kavanagh, McGregor’s coach, was on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour today and said he’s 51 percent optimistic and 49 percent pessimistic regarding McGregor being put back on UFC 200. Kavanagh said that he hadn’t seen McGregor since his tweet so he didn’t have an explanation for what McGregor did, but pushed the idea that UFC shouldn’t upset the fans who want to see the fight.
We’re looking for your thoughts on Saturday night’s UFC 197, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected].
We’re looking for reports from tonight’s Raw in Hartford with Superstars and dark matches and anything else not evident on the live show to [email protected]. The only thing announced is Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows vs. The Usos. It’s the go-home Raw for Sunday’s Payback show.
We’re also looking for reports on the WWE show in Malaga, Spain on Saturday.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Manchester, NH.
NEW JAPAN FROM FUKUOKA’S HAKATA STAR LANES LIVE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD ON WEDNESDAY AT 6 A.M.
Captain New Japan & David Finlay vs. Juice Robinson & Jay White
Manabu Nakanishi & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yoshi-Hashi & Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma & Yoshitatsu vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga & Tanga Roa
Katsuyori Shibata & Kushida vs. Yuji Nagata & Jushin Liger
Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo vs. Tetsuya Naito & Seiya Sanada & Bushi & Evil
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale
Kenny Omega vs. Michael Elgin for IC title
THE ROUNDUP
TNA Impact Wrestling taping results: Drew Galloway vs. Matt Hardy; Jeff Hardy ladder match
Conor McGregor claims he is back on UFC 200
Angelico possibly injured during Lucha Underground tapings
Why Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks should headline a WWE PPV in 2016
ROH TV results: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Roderick Strong from Honor Rising
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Figure Four Weekly 4/18/2016: The media’s involvement in the Hulk Hogan/Gawker lawsuit verdict – All the inside information you would ever want to know about how NOT to release a sex tape.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
READ IT HERE: APRIL 25, 2016 WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: CONOR MCGREGOR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT, TNA SALE IMMINENT
In this week’s Observer the Conor McGregor/UFC issue as it relates to UFC 200, and the future and possible sale of TNA are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The top story runs down how the McGregor situation went down, how much money is at stake for the UFC if McGregor isn’t on the show, Dana White’s claims, a look at the most likely replacement fights and evaluating them, the possible UFC 200 momentum, as well as a rundown of UFC plans for what was expected to be the biggest weekend in its history.
The second big story has to do with the potential sale of TNA to Aroluxe, the company looking at buying them, and the moves Dixie Carter has tried to make, where things stand, a look at the business of TNA and what is needed to turn it around, and more.
There is also an update on the condition of Bray Wyatt, a look at the next WWE PPV show, Notes on the Total Bellas TV show, update on Total Divas and how badly this season declined in audience, more on the WWE drug test failuers, more on Undertaker pulling out of the European tour and HHH wrestling on it, an update on Steve Austin, an update on the Global cruiserweight tournament, Brock Lesnar’s next match, how WWE affects the USA Network overall, former major star honored in Chickasaw nation Hall of Fame, upcoming major NXT dates, Bret Hart talks current WWE, Ryback talks WrestleMania, and notes on the November European tour including why TV location is so notable.
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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.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
John Cena’s return to the promotion after shoulder surgery, not including his cameo at WrestleMania, will be on the 5/30 Raw in Green Bay according to a tweet he sent out.
Speaking of Cena, he will be attending President Obama’s White House Correspondence Dinner on Saturday night with Nikki Bella.
There will be what is said to be “exciting news” from a “ground breaking study” related to brain health testing with Dr. Charles Bernick of the Cleveland Clinic that will be announced in Washington, DC at the U.S. Senate Armed Services Room tomorow at 12:15 p.m. Among those who will be appearing as Bernick talks about new Nevada State Athletic Commission requirements related to testing are Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Larry Holmes, Herschel Walker, Paulie Malignaggi, Austin Trout (former world junior middleweight boxing champion), Phil Davis, Scott Coker and Kevin Kay (President of Spike TV).
CMLL TV debuts in Canada on The Fight Network on 5/5 in a Thursday at 9 p.m. weekly time slot for a one hour show.
Deadline Hollywood reported on a deal with WWE Studios and Maandi Media DMM, a production company owned by Wesley Snipes, for a multi-film deal. The first movie is “Temple,” which is currently being filmed with Snipes, Anne Heche and Seth Rollins as the stars. WWE Studios is partnering both Maandi Media and Gene Simmons (KISS) Erebus Pictures on the movie. Snipes and WWE Studios will be doing a second movie this year. WWE will have the worldwide distribution rights and use all of its platforms to promote these movies.
WWE
The company today announced the appointment of Jay Li as Vice President and General Manager of WWE in greater China. He will work out of the Shanghai office. He will run WWE business in China. Li most recently worked for Skullcandy Inc. as its General Manager for China and established the brand in the country after working at Li Ning Company, China’s leading sporting goods company.
Today is either the last day, or the next to the last day of the current WWE tour as the talent flew into Hartford yesterday from Spain and Scotland. Some will finish up working straight from 4/11 today, and some finish up tomorrow. There are no shows this coming weekend except for the Payback show on Sunday in Chicago.
Some new European date for the November tour that weren’t reported last week are:
11/2 in Frankfurt, Germany
11/3 in Munchen, Germany
11/8 in Oberhausen, Germany
11/9 in Berlin
11/11 in Vienna, Austria
Chris Jericho was on Talking Dead last night.
Bret Hart said that he’s doing Payback to honor Natalya but has no desire to be there and do TV right now. Hart noted he’s just had surgeries on his wrist and prostate but said to Total Wrestling Magazine it would be great to put Ric Flair in the sharpshooter.
Expect tons of promotion this week for Camp WWE, which debuts on Sunday.
Summer Rae throws out the first pitch at the Chicago Cubs game on Saturday to help publicize the Payback show the next day. Charlotte & Ric Flair will throw out the first pitch of the Cubs game on Sunday afternoon for the same purposes.
UFC
Paddy Holohan announced his retirement today from UFC.
In UFC predictions from Saturday night, David Bixenspan went 5-0, picking Edson Barboza over Anthony Pettis. Josh Nason, myself, Mike Sempervive, Front Row Brian, Steve Juon, Mike Sawyer, Ryan Frederick and John Pollock all went 4-1 while Paul Fontaine went 3-2.
MISCELLANEOUS
Just a reminder that New Japan on AXS TV is pre-empted on Friday night by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. They will start airing matches from the 2015 G-1
Climax tournament on 5/6 and it’ll be G-1 coverage for several straight weeks. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
Some new names are in TNA. Besides Allysin Kay in as Sienna, there is Laura Dennis as Allie, Pepper Parks as Braxton Sutter, Tom LaRuffa/Sylvester Lefort as Basile Baracca and Mikael Vierge/Marcus Louis as Baron Dax.
Tomorrow’s Impact show on Pop TV features Drew Galloway vs. Tyrus for the TNA title, Bobby Roode (one of final TNA appearances) & James Storm vs. Crazzy Steve & Abyss for the tag titles, Eric Young (one of final TNA appearances) vs. Bram for the King of the Mountain title and Mike Bennett vs. Ethan Carter III no DQ.
Here is a story about USADA making exemptions for testosterone use to older amateur athletes is in the Wall Street Journal.
In a correction from yesterday, we listed Pentagon Jr. being booked for the FCW show on 4/30 in San Diego. He was originally but has since been taken off advertising. The promoter said AAA pulled him from the show. Pentagon Jr. in a video apologized and blamed it on miscommunication. Jeff Cobb was also booked for the show. An update is that he won’t be able to wrestle on the card. Willie Mack is also on that show. (thanks to Steve Bryant)
Wrestling Invades America from yesterday in Swansea, IL: Prince Moses b Da’Marius Jones, Tyler Copeland b LaMarcus Clinton, Adam Caster & Tony Kozina b Stevie Fierce & Rob Matter, Brandon Espinosa b Everett Connors, Leone Mephisto won three-way over Ace Hawkins and Billy McNeil, Kevin Lee Davidson NC Brandon Aarons (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
In Your Face Wrestling from Saturday night in Massena, NY: Liam McFerrin b Sebastian Kelly, Mystify b Rya Rogan, Hellcat & Mattick b Eric Emanon & Thomas Brewington, Eve the Black Widow b Justin Berry, Drake Evans b Garrett Holiday, Dewey Murray b Wet Assassin, Rob Rage b Jaxson Jarvis, Payne the Hellraiser b Jay Freddie, Tommy Dreamer & Shooter Storm b Myzery & Damien
WXW had a big weekend with bringing in Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, Gangrel, Nigel McGuinness and Road Warrior Animal for shows.
Friday night in Hamburg before a sellout 500 fans: Mike Schwarz b Scotty Saxon, Michael Dante & Tommy End b Ilja Dragunov & Julian Negro to win the tag titles (Adam Polak and Dirty Dragon were helping the champions until Animal evened the score), Sonjay Dutt b Black Fire to keep the GFW NEX GEN title, Zack Sabre Jr. b Bobby Gunns, Axel Dieter Jr. b Sasa Keel, Marty Scurll b Will Ospreay (another sensational match said to be the best in the promotion of the year), Big Daddy Walter b Gangrel, Da Mack (not Willie Mack) b Kim Ray for the Shotgun title with McGuinness as ringside enforcer, Jeff Jarrett & Bad Bones John Klinger b Emil Sitoci & Jurn Simmons when Jarrett hit Simmons with his guitar.
Saturday night in Oberhausen before 500 fans: Kevin Roadster b Shooter Ryan Ray, Michael Dante & Tommy End b Axel Deiter Jr. & Da Mack to keep the tag titles, Emil Sitoci b Rotation, Big Daddy Walter b Mike Schwarz in a falls count anywhere match, Ilja Dragunov & Julan Negro b Gangrel & Black Fire, Bad Bones John Klinger b Sonjay Dutt in a non-title match, Zack Sabre Jr. b Marty Scurll (worked a European style face vs. face match, their first singles match ever in Germany), Jurn Simmons b Jeff Jarrett to keep the wXw title (thanks to Markus Gronemann)
There were wrestling matches as part of the Earth day Birthday 23 in Orlando on Saturday before 20,000 people at the activities. Santana Garrett won the Earth Day Birthday title in a tournament. She’s leaving for Stardom and also heads to England, Spain and France after Japan and is booked for Mexico in June and Chile in August where she holds the championship for the promotion there.
House of Hardcore on 5/7 in Niagara Falls, ONT with Bobby Roode vs. Eric Young with Jimmy Korderas as referee, Tommy Dreamer & Mickie James vs. Pepper Parks & Cherry Bomb, R.J. City vs. Alex Reynolds vs. Tony Nese, Moose vs. Rhino, Colt Cabana vs. Chris Hero, Bull James vs. Eddie Kingston, Cody Deaner vs. ? and more. Dreamer is also doing a Q&A and meet and greet on 5/6 in St. Catherines, ONT.
Big Time Wrestling on 5/7 in Greely, ONT.
L.A. Park vs. Blue Demon Jr. takes place on 5/7 for FMLL in El Monte, CA at Florentine Gardens on a show that also includes Solar vs. Negro Navarro.
Laredo Kid & Psycho Clown vs. El Texano Jr. & Violento Jack headlines 5/6 in Benbrook, TX at the Camp Bowie Bingo Hall. (thanks to Kris Zellner)
WWN has announced a seminar and tryout on 6/10 in Ybor City, FL. Gabe Sapoksly will also be doing a seminar that weekend for people who want to work behind the scenes in promoting wrestling and are looking at how to break in.
Tiger Jackson talks about being in the dressing room when Bruiser Brody was murdered.
Today in professional wrestling history: Patera wins Missouri State Title; NWA and WWF Champion on same card
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