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2HOMERADIO ARCHIVENEWSLETTER ARCHIVETHE BOARDNEWSUFC NEWSWWE NEWSJAPAN NEWSROH NEWSTNA NEWSMEXICO NEWSINDIE NEWS
3
4DECEMBER 25, 2017 WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: VINCE MCMAHON FOOTBALL MYSTERY, WOMEN'S ROYAL RUMBLE, TONS MORE
5BY OBSERVER STAFF | STAFF@WRESTLINGOBSERVER.COM | @WONF4W
6TWITTERFACEBOOKGOOGLE+
7Wrestling Observer Newsletter
8
9PO Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228 ISSN10839593 December 25, 2017
10
11 
12
13WWE CLASH OF CHAMPIONS POLL RESULTS
14
15Thumbs up 83 (44.6%)
16
17Thumbs down 47 (25.3%)
18
19In the middle 56 (30.1%)
20
21 
22
23BEST MATCH POLL
24
25Four-way tag title 84
26
27Ziggler vs. Roode vs. Corbin 47
28
29Styles vs. Mahal 40
30
31 
32
33WORST MATCH POLL
34
35Charlotte vs. Natalya 82
36
37Harper & Rowan vs. Breeze & Fandango 79
38
39Zayn & Owens vs. Nakamura & Orton 15
40
41 
42
43ROH FINAL BATTLE POLL RESULTS
44
45Thumbs up 149 (81.4%)
46
47Thumbs down 2 (01.1%)
48
49In the middle 32 (17.5%)
50
51 
52
53BEST MATCH POLL
54
55Jay Lethal vs. Marty Scurll 86
56
57Young Bucks & Page vs. Gordon & Lee & Titan 41
58
59Matt Taven vs. Will Ospreay 23
60
61 
62
63WORST MATCH POLL
64
65Sabin & Shelley vs. T & Baretta 60
66
67Briscoes vs. Bully & Dreamer 31
68
694-way TV title 29
70
71Dalton Castle vs. Cody 13
72
73Based on e-mails and phone messages to the Observer as of Tuesday, 12/19.
74
75 
76
77A tweet by Brad Shepard about Vince McMahon restarting the XFL has led to confirmation of McMahon starting his own holding company and registering football-related names in September.
78
79Shepard wrote that an announcement would be made on 1/25 for the rebirth of the XFL, the brainchild of Vince McMahon that turned into a co-ownership with NBC. The league lasted one season, 2001, and when all was said and done, both partners had lost a total of $137,988,000.
80
81Because the XFL is sometimes referred to as the greatest professional sports failure of all-time, the initial reaction was that reviving it would be a terrible idea. McMahon actually teased it in the closing seconds of the “30 for 30" special on the league that aired on ESPN.
82
83But the landscape is completely different now than it was at that point in time. The XFL business model was the idea of building a football brand and making money through things like live ticket sales, merchandise and sharing in television ad revenue. With ticket sales disappointing and ratings far lower than promised, the losses piled up. The truth is that McMahon wanted to keep the league going for a second season, and even when NBC pulled out due to doing record-low ratings for the network, he was willing to continue with UPN and TNN (now Spike) as his broadcasters even though it didn’t seem prudent at the time. But when UPN also pulled out, at that point he felt he had no choice but to fold operations.
84
85Since 2001, television rights fees for live sports have skyrocketed. There were some who feared that the bubble had burst, but the feeling in the industry is the next two key contracts coming due, UFC and WWE, will both end up getting significant increases, which is the key to WWE’s stock increase in recent weeks. Another note is that what were horrible numbers that the XFL delivered on NBC on Saturday night’s don’t look nearly so bad by today’s standards.
86
87Even though the amount of football content already out there is far greater, and there doesn’t appear to be any public demand for more, there are more and more places, more television stations, as well as new over-the-top streaming services that are paying for content.
88
89The big question is whether anyone would be willing to pay significant money for a football league without a track record, or if McMahon were to start a league and just look to put it on the air for a low price for one year to prove he can do numbers and then look to see if there is real money interest. It would appear to be impossible to do a league of any significance just based on live event and merchandise numbers.
90
91After the Shepard tweet, David Bixenspan of Deadspin got a comment from WWE, which confirmed McMahon at least had least interest in his getting into football, and that McMahon had formed a new company.
92
93“Vince McMahon has established and is personally funding a separate entity from WWE, Alpha Entertainment, to explore investment opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscapes, including professional football Mr. McMahon has nothing further to announce at this time.”
94
95Chris Harrington researched and found that Alpha Entertainment LLC, a Delaware company, was registered on 9/6 and at the end of the month, that company. Another company, called VKM Ventures (Vince’s initials) applied for trademarks to UrFL, URFL, UFL, United Football League (a name for a minor football league that Mark Cuban ran at one point but Cuban had given up keeping the rights to) and “For the Love of Football.” Bixenspan found that VKM Ventures and Alpha Entertainment were the same company. From a timing standpoint, McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment would have predated Chris Jericho’s usage of Alpha in his Twitter war and eventual Alpha vs. Omega tagline for his Tokyo Dome match.
96
97The timing of the trademarks coincided with Donald Trump’s criticism of the NFL. Some are tying that together, and with Linda McMahon in the cabinet, it’s hard not to speculate on connecting those dots. Whether there is anything to them is another issue.
98
99UrFL would seem to stand for Your Football League, which sounds like a marketing idea of appealing to people to rebel against the NFL with the idea that the fan base loves football but doesn’t like the direction the major league is going. That may be relying on thinking that football’s ratings decline this season is about a public that loves football but is tired of the NFL’s product. What’s notable is that same line of thinking could have been used in 2015 and 2016 when WWE’s own ratings were declining at a fast rate, but they’ve since solidified. There are a lot of theories about the ratings decline in the NFL, but it could be simply too much product as opposed to football fans being mad at the NFL, which seems to be what they are counting on.
100
101But football is a very different industry, given there is also the college game. If McMahon’s new company was to use the XFL name, he would have to buy trademarks from the public WWE company and that would open up a lot of questions about conflict of interest.
102
103The new registered names indicate he’s at least strongly thinking of not using the XFL name, which among the older sports media and fans has a connotation of a failed joke.
104
105Still, WWE itself started re-registrations on the XFL trademarks one year ago. At the time it was thought that the company would use it to market XFL retro merchandise due too publicity from the release of the “30 for 30" special on the league on ESPN.
106
107In addition, it has been made clear that if this league starts up, it will be Vince McMahon’s new company, with his own money, funding it, and not the public WWE. WWE stock, hovering at its highest point since right after it first went public, would plummet if the company announced it was starting up a football league based on the track record of the XFL, and everyone else who has tried to compete with the NFL. The stock was hit badly during the XFL season.
108
109Another major question is how does this affect the WWE.
110
111Shepard, in an interview on Corrigan’s Corner, said, “Even though it will be proposed as a separate entity, very much in reality, behind the scenes, it will be Vince McMahon and WWE helping make this successful. On paper, it has to be separate. But Vince will be very much behind it. And I’m told it was a similar situation with Linda’s Senate run as well.”
112
113Several sources, both in the company and those with ties to arena football, have also talked about the possibility of the new league being an arena league as opposed to a stadium league. There are a number of small-time arena football leagues all over the country, although that game has declined greatly in popularity in recent years. McMahon through WWE obviously has a longtime working relationship with nearly every large and mid-sized arena in any city of any size in the U.S.
114
115Still, from the trademarks, it would indicate the approach is to play small-time underdog against the big bad NFL, a similar role that ECW and indies today have taken in McMahon’s own field. Arena football would on paper appear to not give McMahon the level of attention he desired because it’s considered by many as a gimmick game past its peak.
116
117The key in his mind has to be more and more television stations and OTT companies looking for content, and he’d provide football content to people who don’t want to get into a bidding war for the NFL.
118
119It’s not just a television world now, and going forward, it will be even less of one. If McMahon is keeping it separate, he couldn’t use his own WWE Network as the platform, and it would make no sense to do so because the only way to make this concept work is rights fees, and minor league football whose only exposure would be to wrestling fans has no chance. But will he be able to get significant rights fees with an unseen start-up product with no track record based on just the fact he’s Vince McMahon in an industry he failed badly in before?
120
121Another change from 2001 is that unlike then, when WWE was on fire as far as mainstream interest at a level that probably hadn’t been seen in the last 60 years, that isn’t the case now. McMahon was considered the master of being able to draw young viewers to television and even though his non-wrestling ventures almost all failed, at that point the perception was he had a Midas touch when it came to television. While he is obviously still respected and his company is financially bigger (due to those rights fees), I can’t see him getting nearly the attention this time, which allowed him to at least start off strong before the plummet came. Also if this is separate from WWE, he’d be limited in how much promotion of it he could do on his wrestling shows, unlike 2001 where he promoted it like crazy to his wrestling fan base.
122
123Both privately and publicly, both during the first XFL season and after its failure, McMahon put a lot of the blame on the NFL wanting to squash him. He blamed the NFL as well as the major market media which wrote negatively about his product from the start. Perhaps at 72, he’s looking at a way to erase the laughing stock on his record and have the last laugh.
124
125Another very important aspect of the story is that if McMahon, who spends 24/7 on pro wrestling, starts new business ventures, whether they be football or otherwise, what will that mean to wrestling? Does this mean he will transition the key creative responsibility to Paul Levesque? At the very least, Levesque and others would have to pick up the slack. Those in WWE in early 2001 when the company was involved with both football and wrestling at the same time were working themselves past exhaustion, including McMahon himself, and he’s now 17 years older.
126
127There has always been fear in the stock market and among stockholders as to what would happen to WWE without McMahon. Some feel the creative would improve with Levesque, and those who know both have constantly told me they believe it would be better without the McMahon idiosyncracies and noted the Levesque big picture philosophy is pretty similar to mine. But it’s still unproven. But WWE is a machine and it would take a catastrophic level of stupidity in this climate to take the company down, and if anything, Levesque has shown his style of booking in NXT has overall built the brand up, even with its biggest names constantly cycling up to the main roster. He would not book WWE like NXT, nor should be because one has to appeal to a wider fan base. But it’s pretty clear from NXT that he doesn’t do anything wacky or stupid, that would alienate the fan base like WCW did on its way out.
128
129At press time, none of this seemed to have any effect on the price as it closed at $32.72 per share and the company was valued at $2.523 billion. In theory, the football league being kept separate should alleviate concern from shareholders, but McMahon potentially overworking himself or delegating more to others is very significant to the future of the company. I think the machine is such that delegating more to Levesque probably shouldn’t be a concern in the least, but Wall Street has always tied WWE stock with the idea of Vince McMahon as key in the value.
130
131WWE officially announced its first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match for 1/28 in Philadelphia with an end-of-Raw announcement by Stephanie McMahon.
132
133The announcement was very WWE, in the sense that there was a post-main event brawl with all the women on the Raw roster involved. Then Stephanie came out and everyone stopped. She made the announcement (the women weren’t told officially what it was although it wasn’t exactly difficult to figure out).
134
135All the women who had just been fighting were now together as friends like the play had just ended and they were taking their bows together holding hands waiting to get the Cheerleader of the Year award with Stephanie as the principal about to make the announcement. Stephanie’s insistence on doing these segments in high heels makes her bigger than all the women except Nia Jax and even she doesn’t comparatively look like a monster. It’s actually the opposite of the 70s and 80s when Vince McMahon was bigger than a lot of the talent so they’d have the talent stand on a platform next to him so a guy who was 5-foot-10 and 220 looked 6-foot-3 and 255 and a 6-foot-3 guy looked like Andre, and Andre looked like he really was the 8th Wonder of the World. That’s probably the perfect analogy for the difference in the business where it was about making the wrestlers the stars and now it’s all about the brand and the benevolence of the owners allowing the lucky wrestlers to have a place where they can work.
136
137When it was over, the women were all standing there together when Stephanie told the fans to chant “Yes,” which the Providence crowd did enthusiastically.
138
139To its credit, the company has hyped it up like crazy, with major publications doing stories on it, and WWE going so far to call it a breakthrough for women in general. The women’s Rumble does feel bigger than it would have they had approached the announcement differently, and they are promoters, and the job is to make things seem as big as possible.
140
141Wrestling has always been like that, as the Rumble’s historical predecessor, the Cow Palace Battle Royal, in the 70s, used to feature interviews with Pepper Gomez (Mexican), Peter Maivia (Samoan) and Rocky Johnson (Canadian although billed from Detroit to be a more authentic African American in that era) all talking about how great it would be for someone of their ethnicity to win the Battle Royal. Still, just as that was silly in 1972, with the idea a match is so important that it’s of worldwide cultural significance, it’s even sillier that in 2017, a wrestling match is some kind of a progressive breakthrough for women.
142
143It was almost comical sending Charlotte Flair out there to talk about this in her interview direction that actually more than anything made it appear women were second-class citizens and the ahead-of-the-curve WWE was helping them all take a giant step. What’s next? Being able to vote? Being able to star in movies? Being able to run companies? She also noted that this breakthrough actually started with the fans, because they wanted women to have a chance and this was their crowning moment of all that work.
144
145But silliness aside, at this point the women’s division has to be treated as close to equal. It’s not equal until it’s economically equal, and that would mean the women’s title regularly headlining PPV shows and women performers earning similar money as the top men. And it’s not like I’m advocating for that. This is a business and ultimately in an entertainment business, it is the fans demands that should create who is on top. If a woman performer gets a bigger reaction than any of the men, sells more merchandise, drives bigger quarter hours, of course she should be the face of the company. But that’s easier said than done. But it’s not impossible for a woman performer to outdraw the men. Unlike UFC, WWE hasn’t had its Ronda Rousey yet.
146
147Well, it is about to have the actual Ronda Rousey, but whether WWE, with its ability to protect their stars in booking, can make its version of Rousey into the level of star that she already was in UFC, is an interesting question. Some of that depends on their own creative and how determined they are to make it work. A lot depends on the unpredictable fan base. And some depends on Rousey herself, who will be put out in the spotlight, having to work and talk at a better than competent level while not having nearly the experience at this game and how fans will react to her. Rousey was over like crazy in her lone WWE appearance in the ring at WrestleMania in Santa Clara nearly three years ago. But she was on top of the world in UFC at the time. Her UFC drawing power actually grew bigger after that appearance, but she lost, went into seclusion, cut way back on media, and while still famous, is not 2018's hot star like she was in 2015.
148
149Rousey’s name has come up regarding the Rumble. There are rumors and talent has talked about it, but nothing is official past she has been training regularly at the Performance Center. The Rumble is a place to debut her if she’s ready, but everything is a risk before a live crowd. It’s Philadelphia, which is also unpredictable. If the decision is made to debut her there, she should win on paper, because nothing will get the women’s Rumble over as a major annual event more to the mainstream than the stories of Rousey debuting and winning, leading to a championship match against Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss or someone else. A Rumble match is also a good spot to debut because you can be protected in spots better because there would be a lot going on and a lot of people in the ring who can carry the action. Of course, if the story is Rousey debuting, winning and 15,000 plus fans booing the hell out of her and amplifying any minor mistakes (or major ones), that’s not quite as good of a story for WWE.
150
151The WWE announced that the Rumble, with no number of participants specified, would lead to the winner getting a title shot at Mania, just like with the men. Flair, in her interview on Smackdown putting the match over, noted she wouldn’t be in it as champion.
152
153The only thing we do know is that Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir are no longer training for pro wrestling at this time, and were until not too long ago. That would seem to indicate the Four Horsewoman vs. Four Horsewoman idea for Rousey’s debut has been changed. Another indication is that Shayna Baszler is being pushed as a major debut in NXT, for a regular spot, and if they were doing that program, they should debut on television with an association together like originally happened at the Mae Young Classic tapings.
154
155Rousey has been training for a long enough period of time that she’s got to be a lock for WrestleMania this year unless something unforeseen happens or some type of entertainment offer comes up to delay it. Between the unbeaten streak and switching to an armbar finish from the Asuka lock or the head kick, Asuka seems like she’s the one being groomed. Asuka is also the best female worker, and when she’s on, is right near the top, male or female, even if she hasn’t shown it as much in the last six months. But the idea of Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair, the daughter of Ric Flair, has the most mainstream marquee value, and Rousey is all about two things. The first is bringing in curiosity seekers and her fighting fan base to follow her into WWE, and using her name value to in some form give the rub to someone in WWE who can be the face of the female division. A lot depends on how long she’s committed because a long-term deal should end with a loss to the right person, and she shouldn’t be losing early. A one-time deal changes the dynamic.
156
157There’s really no negative thing to say about women having their own Rumble, and Money in the Bank ladder match. The only thing is time constraints, as the men’s Rumble usually goes around one hour, and a women’s version, if there are 20 participants, should go close to 40 minutes. That takes up a ton of time, but they used to do the main show in three hours, and now they have four, and Rumble shows usually only have a few matches other than the Rumble.
158
159It’s not a good idea to do them in a row, but if Rousey is on the show, it shouldn’t open either. Even if she’s not, I wouldn’t want to open the show with something hyped so big.
160
161The Brock Lesnar vs. Kane vs. Braun Strowman Universal title match for the PPV was made official as well on Raw. There’s no obvious opponent right now for A.J. Styles.
162
163Tom Zenk, a one-time rookie of the year who never reached the levels of his apparent potential, passed away on 12/9 at the age of 59.
164
165Zenk’s cause of death has not been determined by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office. He passed away at the North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, MN, the Minneapolis suburb he grew up in.
166
167Zenk was probably best-known for his tag teams with Rick Martel in WWF in 1986-87, a pair groomed to be WWF tag team champions, but Zenk suddenly quit the promotion, and his 90s tag team with Brian Pillman in WCW, when he wrestled as “The Z Man,” and they held the U.S. tag team titles.
168
169A former Mr. Minnesota winner in bodybuilding in 1981, Zenk was good looking, had good size, and good athletic ability, in particular great leaping ability. But he never connected with the fans at the level he was expected to. Some of it was attitude, because he was taught early on that wrestling was a con game and “easy money.” With that mentality, he never took the next step and worked as hard as others with less gifts. He fervently believed with his looks that he could attract women fans and thus should have been pushed, and when he wasn’t, would often shut down.
170
171Once, toward the latter stages of his WCW run in the 90s, when he was no longer being pushed, his mentality was that if they were going to treat him as a jobber, he was going to look like one. He stopped using steroids, and not only that, stopped training except for a few push-ups and things like that. He dropped about 35 pounds, saying that it would be stupid to look like a main eventer when he was always losing.
172
173In recent years, he had been something of a recluse. He was a regular on our Eyada radio show after his career was over. He told hilarious stories and was actually among the show’s most popular regular guests. But in time, his mentality was that since wrestling was a work, he could get attention by saying anything, whether the stories were true or not didn’t matter. This led me to no longer book him, even as popular as he was on the show. Still, we stayed in touch for years, but at one point, he was saying things really outrageous on other shows about Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon, and that got him legal threats from WWE, and he disappeared at that point.
174
175It appeared he didn’t keep in contact with anyone in wrestling. Aside from a series of arrests in 2005, it was as if he disappeared. He had a September  29, 2005 arrest for a DWI, third degree property damage, and stalking and harassing, He had an October 19, 2005, arrest for disorderly conduct and terrorist or harassing phone calls. He followed with a November 20, 2005, arrest for harassment and stalking. 
176
177TOM ZENK
178
179 
180
181CAREER TITLE HISTORY
182
183 
184
185NWA UNITED STATES TAG TEAM: def. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin in finals of eight-man tournament February 12, 1990 Gainesville, GA; lost to Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane May 19, 1990 Washington D.C.
186
187 
188
189NWA WORLD TV CHAMPION: def. Arn Anderson December 4, 1990 Gainesville, GA; lost to Arn Anderson January 14, 1991 Marietta, GA
190
191 
192
193WCW WORLD SIX MAN TITLES: w/Dustin Rhodes & Big Josh def. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin & Badstreet (Brad Armstrong) August 5, 1991 St. Joseph, MO; lost to Terrence Taylor & Richard Morton & Thomas Rich October 8, 1991 Montgomery, AL
194
195 
196
197INTERNATIONAL TAG TEAM (Quebec): w/Dan Kroffat (Phil LaFon) def. Bill Irwin & Dan Johnson (subbing for Scott Irwin in match) August 12, 1986 Quebec City; lost to Richard Charland & Sheik Ali (Steve Pettipas) October 13, 1986 Montreal
198
199 
200
201NWA PACIFIC NORTHWEST HEAVYWEIGHT: def. Bobby Jaggers January 21, 1986 Portland, OR; lost to Bobby Jaggers March 9, 1986 Findley, WA
202
203 
204
205NWA PACIFIC NORTHWEST TAG TEAM: w/Scott Doring def. Mike Miller & Moondog Moretti December 14, 1985 Portland, OR; lost to Rip Oliver & Bobby Jaggers January 26, 1986 Salem, OR
206
207 
208
2091984 WRESTLING OBSERVER ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - tied with Jushin Liger
210
211His name never came up aside from the constant questions about whatever happened to him. It wasn’t until eight times after he had died, when a death notice ran in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, that anyone in wrestling
212
213was aware that he had died.
214
215Zenk was born November 30, 1958. His father was a pharmacist who owned his own drug store.
216
217Robbinsdale High may have produced more wrestlers than any high school in the country. Verne Gagne in the 40s and Larry Hennig in the 50s were both football and wrestling stars at the school and went on to pro wrestling legendary status, and several of his classmates became stars.
218
219Four members of the Class of 1976 at Robbinsdale High ended up in pro wrestling, Zenk, who because of the birthday cutoff was one of the youngest in his graduating class, two best friends, Richard Rood (Rick Rude) and second generation wrestler Curt Hennig, and Dean Peters, who wrestled as Brady Boone.
220
221Zenk was a good, but not exceptional soccer player in high school. Even when smaller in high school, and he was only 5-foot-8 and 135 pounds when he graduated, he lifted weights and had a great physique for a high school kid, naturally ripped to shreds and with good proportions. That aspect always came easily for him. He grew to be 6-foot-2 and more than 230 pounds and was able to maintain enough of his contest-winning physique while on the road even without training that hard, drinking significantly and often heavily, and without stressing over his diet. Some of that was due to regular steroid usage, although he was not out of control in that regard, but mostly because he had exceptional genetics.
222
223The mortality rate of pro wrestlers hit him hard, as he was from the 80s and 90s period where the recreational drug and steroid use was at an all-time high. By the time he was 43, he was the only wrestler from the Class of ‘76 still alive, as Peters had died in an auto accident. Rood overdosed on a number of drugs which Zenk continually would bring up thinking it was suicide, even though it was ruled accidental, noting the toxic levels of multiple drugs in his system. Hennig suffered a heart attack in a hotel room while in Florida for an independent show. Hennig passed away after using cocaine, but it was not a usual cocaine overdose. In actuality, his lifestyle had left him with a heart that was in bad shape, with steroids as a significant factor, and the usage of cocaine one night put the heart over the edge.
224
225It was the Hennig death, the last one, that hit him hardest. He started talking about Leonice, Hennig’s wife, who he knew from childhood. He talked about pulling her pigtails when he sat behind her in first grade, and suddenly, way before her time, she was a widow with several children, and he was the only surviving pro wrestler from his high school class. While he had been out of the business regularly for seven years when Hennig passed away, Zenk at the time was still in the wrestler mode of living like it was high school, drinking and chasing women without a care of settling down, with his car having his custom “Z-Man” license plate. Plus, he recalled that in high school, when bigger kids were picking on him, that Hennig had pulled them off him and saved him.
226
227“I used to help him out with the guys that used to beat up on him,” said Hennig before his death. “I used to slap the guys off of him. He was 135 pounds. I went away and started in wrestling and then all of a sudden there he was, and man had he changed. I couldn’t believe it was the same Tom Zenk.”
228
229While in high school, also in school but a year younger were John Nord, who became Nord the Barbarian and The Berzerker in an attempt to copy his hero, Bruiser Brody, Barry Darsow (Demolition Smash/Krusher Khruschev) and Scott Simpson (who became Nikita Koloff).
230
231Still, the four from 1976 all found different paths to pro wrestling. Hennig, as the son of Larry Hennig, had an in with Gagne, who trained him and sent him on his way. It was clear from very early on that he was going to be a big star if given the chance as he had a natural aptitude for the business. Rood, who became one of the best heels of the past 30 years, was a champion arm wrestler and night club bouncer. Even though Rood and Hennig were childhood friends, and their fathers were also good friends, that connection didn’t open the doors of wrestling to him. Rood was part of a group of big weightlifters and noted area tough guys including Joe Laurinaitis (Animal), Mike Hegstrand (Hawk) and Darsow, who worked as bouncers at Gramma B’s, along with retired wrestler Eddie Sharkey. They convinced Sharkey to train them for pro wrestling. While all started out starving in territories, the Road Warriors became huge attractions in 1983 in Georgia, and Ole Anderson, looking at using new and less expensive talent to save money, booked the other two, who became stars a few years later, Roode in Memphis against Jerry Lawler and Darsow in Mid South as an American who became a Russian sympathizer teaming with Nikolai Volkoff.
232
233Zenk went to college to study communications. At the same time, as he grew, found steroids and is body responded quickly, he started competing in bodybuilding. In 1980, he placed third in the Mr. North Country contest. In 1981, he won Mr. Twin Cities. Later that year he won Mr. Minnesota, winning the heavyweight division, the overall and getting the Most Muscular award.
234
235Zenk, even in his mid-30s, was able to drink all night and keep a small waist and never dieted hard. But he was open that at the contest level, it was all about the steroids, as when he became friends with Scott Doring, who got reached the national level in bodybuilding before becoming a pro wrestler, and they became partners in Oregon, Doring told him at the national level, it’s all about the drugs.
236
237While at a contest, Zenk met Joe Laurinaitis, who saw him and thought with his look, he could be a great “white meat babyface.”
238
239“They were all making a good living off wrestling,” he said. “It seemed a good way to make some money off my body and looks.”
240
241Zenk loved the term, basically a babyface designed to attract women to shows, and even titled his unpublished autobiography, “White Meat Babyface.”
242
243Zenk trained with Sharkey, and started his career working independent shows for him in the Midwest for a company called Pro Wrestling USA in early 1984, but that company didn’t last long.
244
245After it folded, Sharkey sent him down to start his career with Bill Watts and Mid South Wrestling in April 1984. On April 7, 1984, just days into his real major league career, he was in the second match, beating veteran Jerry Gray, on the second biggest Superdome card up to that point in history, and really the third biggest ever, the famed “Last Stampede,” headlined by Cowboy Bill Watts & Stagger Lee (Junkyard Dog) beating The Midnight Express managed by Jim Cornette before 25,000 fans paying $176,000. He told Watts after a week in the territory that his father was undergoing heart surgery, so he needed to go home. He never came back and Watts openly called him a flake.
246
247He got a break at home a few months later in the AWA, where he mainly worked underneath, but showed a lot of promise to the point he ended up tied in the 1984 balloting for Rookie of the Year with Keiichi Yamada, who is better known now as Jushin Liger.
248
249Nick Bockwinkel, who was one of the AWA’s top stars, told Rick Martel, who was the AWA champion at the time, that Zenk reminded him of a younger version of Martel, with his speed, looks and good leaping ability. In reality Martel was only two years older than Zenk (although Zenk maintained Martel lied about his age), but he had started wrestling as 16 and was a 12-year veteran while Zenk was just starting. People told Martel that Zenk, when he started out, was trying to copy him.
250
251Zenk had already been told by people in the gym that he looked like Martel, as the pro wrestlers in that era were huge stars in the Twin Cities.
252
253“I saw some of the moves he made and I always took bits and pieces from the people I respected,” said Zenk. “And I did respect Rick. I still respect Rick. He was a great worker by today’s standards. He got screwed over. What is DDP compared to Rick? Yet Rick never made $1 million (a year) like DDP.”
254
255Martel, who had points in the Montreal-based International Wrestling promotion, suggested Zenk come with him there, where he could get more of a push and then come back to the AWA with experience. He started there in May, 1985. He was there a few months, was back with the AWA, and then Martel got him booked with Don Owen in Oregon in October.
256
257Zenk loved working for Owen. He was paid well, and fair, the trips weren’t bad, he was home every night, and Oregon was a place where women flocked to white meat babyfaces, especially when they were pushed. He always expressed that the 1985-86 period he was there was perhaps the most fun of his career, as he was a regular headliner, holding both the singles and tag team titles, and did long matches where he could learn from the veterans on the crew.
258
259“Don Owen was a man of his word. Don Owen was a saint,” he said to Northwest historian Mike Rodgers.
260
261Martel called him to come back to Montreal, as the Rougeau Brothers, two of the key babyfaces with the promotion, had just signed with WWF. So they needed someone who could be a top babyface and had heard Zenk was successful in the spot in Oregon.
262
263He was brought back in March, 1986, with a big push, immediately put over by established heels Frenchy Martin and Richard Charland, and even bigger, Bockwinkel, one of the biggest stars in wrestling, went to time limit draws with him in both Montreal and Quebec City. Martel wanted to establish Zenk & Dan Kroffat (Phil LaFon, who later became well known as Doug Furnas’ tag team partner in Japan and Mexico, and later the U.S.) as the top babyface tag team for a program with The Long Riders, Bill & Scott Irwin, which included a few months as International tag team champions.
264
265His biggest match was part of a huge show in Quebec City on July 22, which drew 15,297 fans to the Quebec City Coliseum for a triple main event of Ric Flair vs. Martel for the NWA title, Dino Bravo vs. Samu and the Road Warriors & Zenk vs. Steve Strong (Steve DiSalvo, the second Steve Strong) & The Irwin Brothers.
266
267Zenk & Kroffat lost their titles on October 13, 1986, in Montreal, on the Mad Dog Vachon retirement show, to Charland & Sheik Ali (Steve Pettipas).
268
269International Wrestling was falling on hard times for a number of reasons, and Martel began talking to Vince McMahon.
270
271“I secretly went to see Vince and I proposed forming a tag team with Tom Zenk under the name the Can-Am Connection. He (Zenk) told me, `Rick, you have the magic wand. I trust you.’”
272
273One month after leaving International Wrestling, Zenk & Martel would be back at the Montreal Forum, working the main event, before 11,667 fans, of a WWF show against tag team champions Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith. Kid & Smith were WWF’s top babyface team, but in Montreal, they were the heels. They tore the house down, but because the Bulldogs were a babyface team, it was the only time they wrestled.
274
275But before starting full-time on the road, Martel had booked them into the 1986 Real World Tag League tournament with All Japan. They finished tied for sixth, but only lost one tournament match, to Jumbo Tsuruta & Genichiro Tenryu, the eventual tournament winners, going to no contests with Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu, Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase and Giant Baba & Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa).
276
277Martel said that Zenk changed during the WWF run. But Martel has looked back 30 years and wonders if he wasn’t partially to blame.
278
279“Ever since I had been fired by Jim Barnett (Barnett fired Martel in the 70s in Georgia for talking about his pay with other wrestlers), I decided not to discuss money matters with other wrestlers,” he said. “I did the same thing with Tom, and he put it in his head, or some other people put it in his head, that I made more than him. But as far as Vince was concerned, if you were in a tag team, you earned the same amount of money.”
280
281Don Callis reiterated that, noting that years later, he and Martel were about to go to WWF as a tag team called “The Models.” Callis figured that since Martel was a big star, and he didn’t have a big name, that Martel would make more, but Martel was insistent, because of what happened with Zenk, that if they were a team, they would be paid the same. As it turned out, The Models were never a team in WWF since Martel got a better offer and went to WCW as a singles wrestler.
282
283Martel later claimed that he and the McMahons helped Zenk by his first house. Zenk claimed that the office was constantly pushing him to buy a house in Florida, and felt it was because if you had a big monthly house payment, you couldn’t afford to leave. They did help him get the house, but he claimed they tried to push him to get a more expensive house, which he thought was suspicious.
284
285The Can-Am Connection was a hot babyface tag team at the time. The Can-Am Connection opened WrestleMania III, at the time the biggest pro wrestling event in North American history, at the Pontiac Silverdome before 78,000 fans, beating Bob Orton Jr. & Don Muraco. The plan was for them to beat The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart) for the championship. Zenk made $10,000 for the show, a figure he thought to be unfairly low given it was the biggest grossing pro wrestling event ever up until that time.
286
287Suddenly, Zenk quit the promotion. The story of him quitting was a big deal. He always claimed that the money wasn’t good, particularly because of the schedule and the road expenses, and didn’t like the manipulations and dominance games being played. He claimed he found out Martel made more than he did, which Martel always denied. There were all kinds of malicious rumors spread by those in the company about him after quitting, including trying to insinuate he was gay. Martel’s version is Zenk got a big head, and refused to abide by the company dress code. He said he was getting heat over Zenk, confronted him about it, and Zenk the next day sent him a memo saying he was quitting. Zenk admitted that Terry Joyal, better known as Terry Garvin, one of the people in talent relations, was on his case regarding how he dressed outside the ring.
288
289Vince McMahon then sent Martel and Jack Lanza to Zenk’s house to try and convince him to come back. He refused. Then they asked him to return and do an angle where he’d be injured and written off, but he refused that as well. The company buried Zenk on television, calling him a quitter, which is something they weren’t doing at the time as the rule was in those days if somebody left, you pretend they never existed in the first place. Tito Santana was then put in his spot as the tag team called Strike Force. Even though Santana was a better wrestler than Zenk, for whatever reason, the team was never as hot, even though they got the promised push and a tag team title reign.
290
291Zenk always insisted Martel made more, because after that first All Japan tour, he said they were both offered $5,000 per week to become a regular pushed tag team. He was averaging $2,500 a week in WWF, and with road expenses, his take-home pay would have been well under half of what he could make in Japan. He claimed that he and Martel agreed if they weren’t making $5,000 a week in WWF after six months, they’d leave and go to Japan. But Martel wouldn’t go, and he couldn’t figure out, based on what they were making, how you could turn down that offer.
292
293“I didn’t know how much Vince was paying Rick, but in the back of my mind was the nagging question, `Why wouldn’t Rick want to be tag team champion in All Japan unless he had a better deal in WWF–better than the one I had.”
294
295Zenk’s problems with the McMahons got worse. After leaving WWF, he wanted to return to All Japan. WWF threatened to sue him for breach of contract and asked for damages that would have destroyed him financially. He worked some the next few years with All Japan, forming a tag team with Johnny Ace (John Laurinaitis), who he really liked and tried to teach as much as he could about the wrestling to.
296
297He worked from 1989 to 1994 with WCW, with varying degrees of a push. When Ric Flair, who was the booker at the time, and Jim Herd pushed to bring him in from Japan, they told him they were going to make him one of the four top new stars in the company with Sting, Lex Luger and Pillman.
298
299At one point he was TV champion, and he and Pillman had a good run as a tag team working with The Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin) and The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane). Because he was bigger, in a size oriented business, Zenk would have under normal circumstances at that time been the star of the team, but it was really Pillman.
300
301Zenk always was negative about the hierarchy in WCW, complaining that Dustin Rhodes (the son of Dusty, who was booker at times) or Erik Watts (the son of Bill, who was running the company) got bigger pushes than he did. He often complained that in wrestling you are supposed to be judged by how well you draw, but they built the company around Sting, and were dying, but wouldn’t give anyone else a chance.
302
303He was making $156,000 a year, a contract he always credited me with getting him since we discussed what to say in negotiations and what to ask for, including telling that to talent, which got some people mad because the rule of thumb in those days was that you weren’t supposed to admit talking to me, and he not only admitted it, but told everyone that if they wanted to keep up on their business, they needed to subscribe.
304
305He also rubbed people the wrong way because he and Pillman were “chick magnets,” and while Pillman did his stuff and really didn’t talk much about it, Zenk would talk about how they got more women then the main event babyfaces while complaining about not being pushed more. The reality is Zenk, because he wasn’t strong on interviews and had the “easy money” attitude, he was talented enough to be a solid worker, but never pushed himself like Pillman did to go to the next level, nor did he connect with the fans at the main event level. Once he and Pillman even went at it and Pillman tackled him into a wall.
306
307“The bookers knew I could talk,” he said in an interview with The Armpit. We all saw each other out at night clubs, bars, cutting promos. But it was only the top spots that got to show personality. They were all guarded and very close. Angles were never discussed with the rest of us. Pillman and I were split up one day, no notice, no discussion, no sense, all politics.”
308
309He and Pillman tore it up in a great match at the 1992 WrestleWar PPV, and then never wrestled each other again.
310
311“I’m very proud of the match, so was Brian,” he said. “We laughed at how stupid the office was for not booking a rematch. But then Watts and Dusty had their children to look after.”
312
313He claimed the people in power in WCW squandered a lot of top talent, specifically noting himself, Steve Austin, Paul Levesque, Mick Foley, Pillman, Shane Douglas and Johnny Ace, saying they were almost the lost generation.
314
315At the end, he was getting no push at all, wouldn’t train because of it, and got into trouble.
316
317During the summer of 1994, he was, against his will, used as a government witness in Vince McMahon’s trial for distribution of anabolic steroids to wrestlers. While he didn’t like McMahon, that was for within wrestling, not outside wrestling, saying his father taught him, “you don’t shit where you eat.”
318
319Still, under oath, he had to talk about the steroid use in the company when he was there, which was plentiful, as well as his own use, causing McMahon’s attorney, Laura Brevetti, to try and discredit him saying he was a steroid user (as was almost everyone in that era) who would go into a garbage can to get more steroids, a line he repeated over and over.
320
321After leaving WCW, he did a few more tours with All Japan, reforming his team with Laurinaitis after several years. Although he did some independent shows over the next few years, Zenk’s last real major league match was at the All Japan’s 22nd anniversary show on October 22, 1994 at Budokan Hall, in a six-man tag team match to put over legends as Baba & the ill with liver issues Tsuruta & Dory Funk Jr. beat he & Johnny Smith & The Eagle (Jackie Fulton).
322
323For reasons nobody is clear about, for more than a decade, he stayed away from wrestling and those in it. Most of the wrestlers from his era were able to pick up extra money doing conventions from time-to-time and he didn’t make himself available. There were reports that he was working at a law office in the Twin Cities.
324
325“Wrestling provided the money and lifestyle I liked, a single guy womanizing night to night, town-to-town, the best year’s of my life.”
326
327Showtime Sports, one of the co-promoters of the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor boxing match on 8/26, reported final PPV numbers for the show was 4.3 million within North America. That figure, mostly at $99.95 per order, including traditional PPV distribution as well as Showtime and UFC Internet PPV.
328
329The number puts it in a strong second place of all-time, trailing only the 4.6 million for the 2015 Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight. The third place fight was the 2007 Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya fight, which did 2.48 million buys.
330
331Showtime reported total revenue from the show, which was PPV revenue, ticket sales, sponsorship revenue and international distribution or PPV, exceeded $600 million. To put that figure into perspective, in one night this generated more money than 11 months of UFC or nine months of WWE.
332
333The number also officially makes the 6.7 million buy number that Dana White claimed at first (but even this past week he told ESPN the worldwide number was 6.5 million) as seemingly impossible. There were about 1 million buys in the U.K., which gets the number to 5.3 million, and there is PPV in other places like Australia, but the total would end up being well below six million. Still, on a worldwide basis it is likely to be very close to even with Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, which did 700,000 buys in the U.K.
334
335Mayweather vs. McGregor ended up being the third most searched for sporting event in the world in 2017.
336
337After Floyd Mayweather Jr. last week said UFC had offered him a deal that could be worth $1 billion for four fights and he was thinking of taking it, Dana White has said Mayweather is thinking of doing MMA.
338
339White told ESPN that they were in talks. “It’s real.” “We’re interested in doing something with Floyd. Everything is a realistic possibility. Mayweather vs. McGregor f***ing happened. Anything is possible.”
340
341Mayweather had done an interview with Fight Hype, where he said, “They just called me not too long ago and asked me t come back. I can come right back. If I wanted to, I can come right back to the UFC, I can go fight in the Octagon. I can do a three-or-four fight deal in the Octagon and make a billion dollars.”
342
343But Mayweather later denied it, saying it was just hypothetical that he could make that money but he would never fight in UFC.
344
345Joe Rogan said he asked White about it and White said Mayweather is seriously considering it and would get killed in MMA. It was interesting when Firas Zahabi, the manager of GSP, said GSP will fight again but only wants superfights and mentioned Mayweather and McGregor as possible opponents.
346
347I do think Mayweather vs. McGregor in MMA could do big business, but not nearly the business of the boxing match because freak show business is usually a one-time per match-up and the one time already happened.
348
349Mayweather in MMA for the first time against a major star (and I really think GSP is too big for him to take that fight and aside from McGregor, nobody else is a big enough star to do business justifying a $250 million payday) will do really big. But after his first loss, it’s done as far as enough business to justify anywhere near that kind of money.
350
351And really even te first time, if you’re looking at $250 million, you’re needing way over three million buys to make that work. I’m not sure that’s a lock even for the first one, but a four-fight deal has a real chance to devastate the company economically unless everything is tied to percentages and there are no big money guarantees
352
353 
354
355WWE’s final PPV show of the year, the Smackdown brand Clash of Champions on 12/17 at the TD Garden in Boston, got mixed reviews.
356
357I thought the show was largely good. Only one match was great, and as far as interest went, it felt like a one-match show, built around Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs. Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura, where Owens & Zayn had to win or they would be fired. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were both referees. It was really the stipulations and the referees, not the participants, that were the key to the interest.
358
359And as far as the match went, the participants were clearly playing second fiddle and just providing background vocals for the lead singers, McMahon and Bryan. Everyone expected that Bryan would count Orton or Nakamura’s shoulders down, allowing Owens & Zayn to stay with the company. And that’s what happened, but it was done in a compelling fashion.
360
361McMahon and Bryan were having mild issues throughout the match, arguing about who was to count, until they agreed to each have half the ring. The match appeared over when Orton hit an RKO on Zayn. McMahon went to count, but Owens, in going for the save, knocked Bryan down and he fell on McMahon, blocking the count.
362
363Later, Zayn rolled up Orton, and McMahon dove to Bryan’s side of the ring and made the count, and held up at two, rather than counted three. The match ended when Zayn did a schoolboy on Orton and Bryan dove into McMahon’s half of the ring and did an extremely fast count (no Nick Patrick here) for the pin. The only thing notable from the crowd reaction is that when McMahon held up his count, even though he was helping the supposed babyfaces, the crowd booed him, and they didn’t boo Bryan when he helped the heels.
364
365Most of the matches were good. The match with Bryan and Shane told the story it was supposed to, a good story and the match wasn’t designed to take the focus away from the referees. So in that sense, the match really wasn’t going to be very good and the finish inherently had to be a screwjob. Charlotte vs. Natalya’s lumberjack match also went as expected, but in their case, the stip wasn’t necessary and greatly took away from the presentation. The three-way U.S. title and four-way tag titles were the best matches on the show and the title match on top wasn’t usual PPV main event level, but Styles was great.
366
367The show drew 11,000 fans.
368
369The highlight was the four-way tag team title match, both the best match and also the one most notable because of how much the fans were behind Rusev, and to a lesser extent, Aiden English. Given that tag titles are basically pass-around belts anyway, it wouldn’t have been a bad idea to call an audible as it just felt like the right time for a title change. But that wasn’t in the cards.
370
371A.J. Styles beat Jinder Mahal via submission with the calf crusher in what felt like the blow-off of their program. Most of the match was Styles selling his ribs. It was good, but felt long and the program feels like it’s run its course.
372
373The big surprise was Dolph Ziggler winning the U.S. title with +1035 odds. The key is not so much his winning but that the odds never wavered over the last few days. That either means the decision was last minute or very few were aware of it, because those are gigantic odds to bet on to make easy money. Even with Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker at WrestleMania, which was supposed to be a situation where nobody but six people or so were aware of the finish, somehow there was late betting on Lesnar winning.
374
375Ziggler appeared to have vacated the title at TV two nights later, and he’s involved in a new storyline angle that looks to be built around him disappearing again, although they just did that with him earlier this year.
376
3771. Mojo Rawley pinned Zack Ryder in 7:09. This was better than most pre-show matches due to Rawley’s aggression. He dominated most of the match and taunted Ryder about not having a killer instinct. Rawley won with a running punch. The most notable thing about this match was a promo Rawley did on the WWE web site for it, which was the best promo he’s done in his life, unless you include some touching PSA’s he did in NXT. Had it been on television, it would have been among the best promos in months. It was another example of how there are guys on the roster who would probably be good and great promos if they weren’t scripted and forced to use all the contrived buzzwords. **3/4
378
3792. Dolph Ziggler won a three-way to win the U.S. title over champion Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode in 12:05. This was a well-paced good match that the crowd got into. There was a series of big moves, including Ziggler with a famouser on Roode but Corbin saved. Roode did a uranage on Ziggler but Corbin then gave Roode a deep six. Corbin missed a charge and went shoulder first into the post. Roode hit the Glorious DDT on Ziggler and threw Corbin out of the ring, but Corbin pulled Roode out of the ring. Corbin used a choke slam into a backbreaker on Roode and then set up the End of Days on Roode. But Ziggler hit him with the zig zag and got the pin. ***½
380
3813.Usos retained the Smackdown tag titles over Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable, Kofi Kingston & Big E and Rusev & Aiden English in 12:53. Fans were chanting “Rusev Day” loudly and the crowd was really into English singing. When he was done, the crowd was chanting “encore.” Benjamin & Gable then interrupted to no reaction. New Day came out last throwing pancakes into the crowd. Instead of two men in the ring, they had four, one from each team. But it was no DQ, so it made no sense why anyone would wait on the apron for a tag and not be involved. Really the early part where there were two sets of fights in the ring was too unwieldy and a bad idea. Jey did a dive on E and English. Benjamin jumped to the top with a belly-to-belly superplex on Jimmy and threw him more than halfway across the ring. Lots of big moves and near falls and the crowd was hotter for this match by a significant degree compared to everything else on the show. Benjamin had Kingston pinned but English pulled Benjamin out of the ring. Rusev kicked Gable and English power bombed Gable, but he kicked out. Rusev had the accolade on Gable and the crowd heavily cheered for the title change. The fans booed Big E for breaking that one up. Rusev got the accolade on E and the fans booed as E tried to power out. Gable broke it up by giving Rusev a high German suplex and then a rolling reverse cradle into a German suplex on English and Big E. Gable looked great here, and while Rusev was the star to the fans, Gable was the in-ring star of the match. But Gable was pinned after two superkicks by Jimmy and splash off the top by Jey. ****1/4
382
3834. Charlotte Flair retained the women’s title over Natalya in a lumberjack match in 10:31. The match was all about the interference. All the lumberjacks but Naomi were heels, with Lana, Tamina, Carmella, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan. Natalya would throw Charlotte out and all the heels would attack her. Naomi did a springboard plancha at one point ont all the heels as they were beating up Charlotte. Tamina superkicked Charlotte, leading to a sharpshooter. But the heels then pulled Charlotte out of the ring and put the boots to her. Everyone was fighting everyone. Carmella got in the ring and teased cashing in with Charlotte hurt, but the Riott Squad attacked her. The crowd booed this because they wanted to see the cash-in. Morgan and Lana were having all kinds of problems fighting each other. Luckily everyone else was brawling so I think most missed it but it was bad. Charlotte then went to moonsault from the top rope to the floor onto everyone but actually landed short or they were out of position. Charlotte ended up getting the figure eight for the submission. Next was a weird promo. Natalya was being interviewed in ring. She said she did nothing wrong and once again Charlotte used her family’s name to cut corners. She started crying and said how she’s carried the women’s division for ten years but said everyone turned their back on so she’s turning her back on them and walked off crying. People thought it was a retirement speech but that wasn’t the idea. The idea was just to get her to cut a heartfelt emotional promo. All the interference just killed the match. *1/2
384
3855. Harper & Rowan beat Tyler Breeze & Fandango in 1:56. Not much to it. Harper & Rowan pinned Fandango after a double crucifix bomb. It was all-action. *
386
3876. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn beat Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton in 21:34. It was funny when Shane early in the match lost his earpiece and became frustrated with the whole situation. Shane and Bryan were arguing. Owens yelled at Shane for counting slow. Nakamura hot tagged in and used a flying armbar on Owens. Owens cradled him from there and Bryan counted the pin. Shane got mad at Bryan for counting. At one point Orton crotched Owens on the top rope and Bryan yelled at him saying that’s not legal. Owens splashed Nakamura through one of the announcers tables. Orton hit the draping DDT on Zayn and by this point Shane was cheerleading him, when Owens hit the RKO on Zayn and Owens knocked into Bryan who fell on Shane, stopping the count. Shane freaked out on Bryan for breaking the count. Orton hit an RKO on Owens. Zayn and Orton were trading near falls. Shane then held up his count at two when Zayn had Orton beat. Orton went for the RKO on Zayn, who escaped, got the schoolboy, and Bryan counted fast for the win. Even though it was a fast count for the heels and the heels won, most of the crowd was loudly chanting “Yep, yep, yep.” ***1/4
388
3897. A.J. Styles retained the WWE title beating Jinder Mahal in 22:56. There were dueling chants at first, so people were into this at a main event level. Mahal dropped Styles’ ribs on the top rope and most of the match saw Mahal work over the ribs. Mahal came off the top rope into a dropkick by Styles. But Mahal went back to working on the ribs. The middle portion of the match felt long. Styles was great in his selling but the crowd was down for minutes on end and it felt boring in the middle. Styles was on fire in his comeback. He escaped a Khallas off the ropes and hit a Pele kick, followed by a springboard 450. The Singhs broke up the pin attempt. Styles did a forearm over the top outside the ring on Samil, and then used a Styles clash on the floor on Samir. Mahal hit a running knee and the Khallas, but Styles kicked out. Since nobody had kicked out of the Khallas on this run (Lesnar almost surely would have had that match happened as originally planned), it was a good spot. Mahal tried to then beat Styles with his own Styles clash, but Styles escaped and got the calf crusher on, and pulled him to the center of the ring for the submission. ***1/4
390
391The complete Tokyo Dome card was announced after the conclusion of the two Road to Tokyo Dome shows this past week.
392
393With the exception of a new Never Open six man tag team title gauntlet match, really the whole card was pretty much known last week.
394
395The show will begin at 2 a.m. Eastern time the late evening of 1/3 or morning of 1/4, however you want to phrase it, in the U.S., with the annual Rumble match. Usually only a few, if any participants are announced. The match is never good when it comes to wrestling and the highlight is they usually bring out several of the 80s and 90s stars as surprises.
396
397The main card, which starts at 3 a.m., is as follows:
398
3991) Sho & Yoh defend the IWGP jr. tag titles against the Young Bucks.
400
4012) New Never trios champions Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Bad Luck Fale will defend the titles in a five-team gauntlet match. The other four teams will be Ryusuke Taguchi & Juice Robinson, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & Baretta, War Machine & Michael Elgin and Zack Sabre Jr. & Takashi Iizuka & Taichi/
402
4033) Kota Ibushi vs. Cody in what is now just a regular singles match since Cody is no longer the ROH champion.
404
4054) Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. defend the IWGP tag team titles against tournament winners Seiya Sanada & Evil.
406
4075) Minoru Suzuki defends the Never Open weight title against Hirooki Goto in what appears to be a hair vs. hair death match.
408
4096) Marty Scurll defends the IWGP jr. title in a four-way against Hiromu Takahashi, Will Ospreay and Kushida.
410
4117) Hiroshi Tanahashi defends the IC title against Jay White. Third from the top is the lowest Tanahashi has been on a Tokyo Dome show since 2010.
412
4138) Kenny Omega defends the U.S. title against Chris Jericho in a no DQ match.
414
4159) Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP title against Tetsuya Naito.
416
417Some notes regarding the matches. Yoshi-Hashi looks like the biggest name in the Rumble. The wrestlers who are not at the Tokyo Dome are doing a card the day before at 10 p.m. Eastern as part of a Fan Fest at Differ Ariake. The theme is to get the younger wrestlers in with veterans to help them learn, so it’s Jushin Liger & Tetsuhiro Yagi vs. Tiger Mask & Ren Narita, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Tomoyuki Oka vs. Satoshi Kojima & Katsuya Kitamura and Yuji Nagata & Hirai Kawato vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Shota Umino. One would expect most of these wrestlers also in the Rumble.
418
419War Machine’s final match with the promotion is in the trios gauntlet match (or possibly New Year’s Dash the next day) as they officially informed New Japan management that they were leaving.
420
421War Machine looks to be headed to WWE, most likely NXT at first, where they would probably have a great program with Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly. They have not signed a contract with WWE and have not completed medicals yet based on what we are told and many of people have fallen out in that process.
422
423They had told other promoters that they weren’t taking any indie dates after early next year and actually alerted ROH several months back not to make plans for them for 2018.
424
425They were in serious talks last year about going to WWE. I believe one member wanted it more than the other but I was under the impression they were going, but that was when WWE had that legal issue with ROH and WWE backed off on signing anyone from ROH until it had been cleared up, and when it was, they opted to stay with ROH and New Japan through the Tokyo dome show.
426
427Ray Rowe’s girlfriend is Sarah Logan in WWE and if you look at their respective schedules, that’s got to be tough right now and also a factor, although with her on the main roster and the likelihood that they would be in NXT, that dynamic wouldn’t change all that much
428
429 
430
431Those at New Japan were under the impression it was up in the air and that they were weighing options until they confirmed it to them this past week that they were finishing up.
432
433This would open up Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb as a tag team for their position as semi-regulars as a leading heavyweight tag team, but Elgin’s situation is also questionable, and Bushiroad management didn’t want Matt Riddle because of the stigma of marijuana use in Japan.
434
435The Elgin situation, which is an offshoot of the situation with a woman fan of his promotion who accused another wrestler in the promotion of raping her months ago. He spoke to the wrestler who denied it. The woman and the wrestler were in a relationship in the past but were no longer in the relationship. In November, Elgin did fire the wrestler and she went public releasing text messages from Elgin that made him look bad, as he’s married and included him essentially saying to leave him alone unless she wants to do stuff sexual with him, and if so, he wanted it very clear in written form she was consenting to it given the situation. There is far more to the story including Elgin and the other wrestler contacting lawyers, allegations that in the real back-and-forth context of the messages. One person very close to the situation who is not any of the three parties but knows the situation intimately and has seen the texts said they give a very different impression when viewed in context and unedited. There has been talk of legal action.
436
437It’s a weird case because the idea of legal action would be to win damages if there are grounds for such, but if someone has no money, the other parties, and theoretically this would go both ways, would be spending a lot of money with nothing in return. At the same time, there are damaged reputations at stake, but the court system is slow and before anything would get out that would give more information to the story, the story itself will have blown over. The woman never filed any legal charges against the other wrestler even though Elgin repeatedly urged her to do so if there were legitimate grounds.
438
439That has resulted in Elgin not being used by several U.S. independent promotions, some by their choice and others him pulling out of because he realizes it would cause a lot of issues with any promotion he works for right now. He also claims to be in the process of trying to sell his Glory Pro promotion in St. Louis.
440
441When it comes to New Japan, none of those accusations are an issue because there are no legal actions or claims against Elgin. However, in what is also unique about this, Elgin and the woman were still in contact even as of a few weeks ago, because there were text messages that the woman released of Elgin talking about Cobb during the recently-completed tag team tournament, which she then released, which seems at that point like the worst judgment on his part.
442
443The woman asked Elgin about Cobb and if he smelled nice because he looked like he would smell nice, and Elgin wrote “Not really liking him as a tag partner and don’t smell him.” He said Cobb canceled dinners with sponsors to hang out with War Machine (who Cobb was hanging out with on the tour). One New Japan source denied the story about Cobb blowing off sponsors and there was a lot of negativity among the talent when they saw this because most of the crew liked Cobb and saw it as Elgin backstabbing him. Elgin obviously thought it was a private conversation not meant to get out. It was even touched on in commentary when Don Callis talked about how great a team Elgin & Cobb could be if they could just get along. Elgin also said about Cobb, “He’s okay, not over because no fire. And he doesn’t understand it here that’s why I’m over. I’ve been here for almost three years.”
444
445Cobb is expected back for the promotion later in 2018.
446
447Elgin’s contract with New Japan ends on 1/31 and they are not canceling any of his previously planned bookings. He’s working the Dome, and presumably New Year’s Dash (a show where the card isn’t announced ahead of time). After that, the situation is up in the air and a decision will have to be made.
448
449The company had a press conference on 12/18 and announced that Omega vs. Jericho would now be a no DQ match. It’s weird because New Japan almost never does Dqs anyway, and when it does it’s mid-card Suzuki matches and referees let guys to anything including knocking them down. But much of this program seems to be Jericho’s brainchild and he’s trying to stand out on the show with the idea of an extreme brawl, since New Japan rarely does matches like that. An issue is that historically, those kind of matches haven’t translated well to heat at the Tokyo Dome, but it’s been a long time since it has been tried and not with people so high profile.
450
451As far as the main event goes, the past week was booked almost like a big WWE match with the back-and-forth each guy gets a turn to stand out booking. The 12/17 Korakuen Hall show, drawing a sellout of 1,738 fans, had Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Naito & Hiromu Takahashi as the main event. Okada used his new cobra clutch submission on Takahashi. He refused to break the hold and put Takahashi out. Naito tried to break it up, but Okada left Naito laying by hitting him with a tombstone piledriver and a rainmaker.
452
453The next day it was Naito & Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi over Okada & Sho & Yoh, ending when Naito used destino on Yoh. After the match, Naito cut a promo and offered a handshake before their big match. The two were in the press all week going back-and-forth, using Naito’s MVP win as a key storyline, while Okada noted that whenever he faced Tanahashi at the Dome, it was always the clear main event, but both times with Naito, it wasn’t the clear main event and he intimated that had to do with Naito. The first time it actually did, but this time obviously it was because Omega vs. Jericho was considered such a major match and was no reflection on Naito, who is clearly over enough to headline solo and Okada vs. Naito is going on last.
454
455When Okada went to shake his hand, Naito attacked. Okada made a comeback and got Naito in the cobra clutch, but this time Naito was able to escape it and hit the destino, so the final confrontations have shown Okada can counter destino into the cobra clutch, but now Naito also can counter the cobra clutch into destino.
456
457Also on the 12/18 show, Tanahashi came out and things didn’t look good considering it was just over two weeks away from the show. He was walking very gingerly and had major trouble climbing up the ring steps. He cut a short promo and White came out. The major take is that Tanahashi would not take off his long-sleeved shirt and he looked much smaller. They got into a brawl, which wasn’t pretty as Tanahashi had barely any steadiness on his feet so his worked blows didn’t look good, but when White took out his bad knee, his selling was beyond world class. White laid him out with Sister Abigail, and then put him in a crucifix position and threw elbows as in an MMA fight until Tanahashi was knocked out. White then put a cross necklace over Tanahashi’s body. I know the idea of the angle is Tanahashi has to sell because people don’t see White as his level, but in his trying to do that angle, it made one really wonder how he’s going to pull this match off. Then again, Tanahashi probably hasn’t failed in a big stage singles match in so long nobody can ever remember the last time.
458
459Fale & Tonga & Loa won the Never six man titles on the 12/17 show over Evil & Sanada & Bushi in 15:21 when Fale gained his revenge on Bushi using the grenade.
460
461Dalton Castle (Brett Giehl), 31, captured the ROH title from Cody in the main event of the company’s traditional biggest event of the year, Final Battle, on 12/15 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.
462
463The title change shocked those in attendance, who when it happened, but it was likely planned months in advance. There had been plans a long time back, about the time we first reported on this as the main event, that Castle was winning. As time went on, given how entrenched Cody had become as champion and with the announcement of his defending at the Tokyo Dome, I don’t think anyone expected the title change, but apparently the plans had not changed. But this was not a last-minute change.
464
465Castle was set up for a number of new opponents at TV the next day, with Cody being among them. Just for his profile and that business has been strong with him as champion, I’d only guess Cody will have it back at some point. The one thing he needed was a strong new championship contender for 2018 and perhaps by losing clean to Castle, that’s a way to have that.
466
467The show sold out farther in advance than any ROH show ever in New York, with 1,800 fans. It was largely well received. To me, it was a fun show, as the matches were all different and almost everything was good.
468
469Jay Lethal was established as a top contender for the title beating Marty Scurll. The story was that Scurll wanted Lethal to go back to his old heel persona and Lethal refused. The idea was that Lethal couldn’t beat Scurll, got frustrated, and used a low blow and did win. But he was mad that he won because by doing the low blow, he confirmed that Scurll was correct.
470
471Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley retained the tag titles over Baretta & Chuckie T in a finish so weird you almost had to do a double take. Chuckie T gave Sabin a piledriver and Sabin immediately then gave Baretta a sunset flip for the pin. There was no pause at all, as Sabin took the piledriver, bounced to his feet and did the move.
472
473Bully Ray, after his match where he was pinned, teaming with Tommy Dreamer in a street fight against Mark & Jay Briscoe, took off his boots and left them in the ring, doing the amateur wrestler version of retirement. Before the match he had outright said he was retired due to concussion injuries (that part being storyline in the sense that was part of the angle) but then came back with the idea this was his final match. His taking his boots off wasn’t shown on the PPV since they were airing a video package and they were behind on time at that point. Bully Ray is continuing with the promotion but won’t be wrestling for a while.
474
475Besides War Machine, the situation with Will Ospreay is up in the air. War Machine actually beat Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian on their last PPV show with the promotion, even though Daniels & Kazarian were being groomed for a trios title program (Young Bucks & Hangman Page vs. Daniels & Kazarian & Scorpio Sky, as the group SoCal Uncensored) and shot the angle later in the show.
476
477Ospreay’s contract expired and he’s already been announced as working for Evolve, which is a rival group, on 4/5 and 4/6 in New Orleans, with Gabe Sapolsky telling Sports Illustrated that it’s 90 percent he’ll have a match on 4/6 with Matt Riddle. Ospreay lost to Taven on the PPV and Jay Lethal at TV the next night. His ROH run was a disappointment, not in match quality, but because he wasn’t around enough to be in as many different big matches. When you add that to the loss of Jay White, who was always going back to New Japan, but usually excursions are longer than his ended up being, that’s a decent amount of strong talent lost in a short period of time.
478
479Ospreay said that his contract has expired and he didn’t renew but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be working for ROH going forward. But he did say he felt like he was working too much and wants to concentrate on mainly working New Japan. He said he would be in the U.S. for WrestleMania weekend and got an offer from Gabe Sapolsky to do two shows so he took it. But it is key that if he was in for Mania weekend he was working for WWN, since ROH has one of its biggest shows of the year that weekend. Ospreay also noted on his plan to move to Australia that it’s not looking good as he would need a permanent visa to buy a house, so it’s looking to be just visiting there until he can get that taken care of. ROH wanted to book Ospreay on every date he was not working in Japan, but he didn’t work as much in the U.S. as ROH hoped for. WWN also wants to use him for as many dates as possible, but right now he’s only committed to the two shows.
480
481They also announced a tournament for the newly-created Women of Honor championship, which would start on 1/20 in Nashville, which is the company’s first show of the new year.
482
483They brought out Brandi Rhodes, Deonna Purrazzo, Jennny Rose, Jessie Brooks, Kelly Klein, Mandy Leon, Stella Gray, Sumie Sakai and Stardom’s Mayu Iwatani. They also announced that other women from the Stardom promotion would be in the tournament.
484
485A. In a dark match, The Dawgs, Will Ferrara & Rhett Titus, beat Cheeseburger & Delirious (booker Hunter Johnston).
486
487B. In another dark mach, Jonathan Gresham pinned Josh Woods.
488
4891. Matt Taven pinned Will Ospreay in 10:43. Ospreay did a running flip dive over the top and Taven did a running dive over the top both in the first 30 seconds. The crowd was super hot for that, and they stayed into the match but I don’t know if they ever got that hot again. Taven has worked a decent amount of CMLL of late and Ospreay loves Lucha Libre so they worked together great. Lots of great moves. Vinny Marseglia and TK O’Ryan interfered and Ospreay was beaten down. He came back with a springboard shooting star press to the floor on both, but then Taven kicked him in the back of the head. Ospreay used a Spanish fly off the top rope and Robinson kick, and then went for the Oscutter, but Taven blocked it and used the headlock DDT. Great match. The idea here was to build Taven as a title contender for Castle, so he should have won. Great opener. ***3/4
490
4912. War Machine beat Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian in 9:27. Another really good action-filled match. Lots of near falls including Daniels & Kazarian doing celebrity rehab on Hanson onto top of Rowe. After tons of near falls, Hanson did a springboard double back handspring on both of them and then hit a tope on Kazarian. Daniels was then pinned clean after fallout. ***½
492
4933. Jay Lethal pinned Marty Scurll in 15:57. Both shook hands. As far as storytelling went, this was the best match on the show. Lethal hit a tope and the announcers kept talking about how he does three in a row, which he usually does. Then he didn’t do anymore. Lethal also used a torture back. Scurll got his chicken wing but Lethal turned it into a cradle for a near fall. There was a comedy spot where Scurll brought in a chair behind the refs back and then threw the chair to Lethal and Scurll went down, trying to get a DQ call. Lethal then put the chair around his own head and went down with the idea the ref would turn around and see the evidence of the chair wrapped around his neck. The spot got over big to the live crowd. The crowd is into irony and Eddy Guerrero got that stuff over. Scurll brought in an umbrella but Lethal got it from im. Scurll then got another umbrella and hit Lethal and gave him a piledriver, but Lethal kicked out. Ref Todd Sinclair kicked the umbrella out of the ring, and with his back turned, Lethal gave Scurll a low blow and the Lethal injection for the pin. ****
494
4954. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelly beat Chuckie T & Baretta in 9:45. Sabin & Shelley did all kinds of dives. Baretta did a running flip dive. Lots of comedy as well. Sabin hit another tope. Baretta used a diamond cutter on Shelley o the floor. Chuckie then piledrove Sabin, who bounced up right into the sunset flip on Baretta. Aside from the weird finish, the action was good, but it didn’t have the heat the prior bouts did. **3/4
496
4975. Silas Young won a four-way elimination match to win the TV title over champion Kenny King, Punishment Martinez and Shane Taylor in 17:24. Another good all-action match. They opened with more dives, as Young used a plancha and King used a twisting dive onto Young and Taylor. Martinez, who is billed at 6-foot-7 and has real star potential, then did a springboard flip dive onto everyone. They traded big moves until King hit a Royal Flush on Taylor to eliminate him at 9:06. King did a blockbuster off Young’s shoulders on the floor onto Martinez. Young hit King with a beer bottle and pinned him at 12:54. So there’s broken glass all over the ring and the ref was trying to clean it up. One would think the broken glass would be a clue. It came down to Martinez and Young. Martinez choke slammed Young and went for the pin. Beer City Bruiser pulled Young out of the ring. Martinez went for a dive over the top but his ribs crashed into the barricade. Martinez sold the ribs for the rest of the match. Martinez went for a power bomb on the apron but his ribs gave out. Young drove his ribs into the barricade and threw knee after knee to the ribs until getting the pin with mizery. I just thought the idea of the rib injury and the relentless attack of non-stop knees building to the finish was simple but great. ***½
498
4996. Mark & Jay Briscoe beat Tommy Dreamer & Bully Ray in a street fight in 16:15. This was a weapons match brawl. Bully used a crossbody off the apron. There were the usual garbage can spots. Jay whipped Bully into the post and did a great tope. Lots of chair shots. Dreamer & Bully pulled out Star Wars light sabers against the kendo sticks of the Briscoes. Dreamer & Bully did simultaneous Dusty Rhodes flip, flop and fly spots and bionic elbow. They are both huge Dusty Rhodes fans but still weird to see Dreamer wearing polka dots in his tribute on a show that Cody was on. There were ECW chants. Dreamer brought in a kitchen sink. Bully juiced and Jay used a cheese grater on the cut. Dreamer used a Death Valley bomb off the apron through a table and they really pushed Louie Spicolli’s name and the crowd even chanted Spicolli. Bully used kendo sticks to Jay’s head. Bully came off the top rope with a splash through a table but Jay kicked out. Bully started pouring lighter fluid on another table. However, the Briscoes did a clumsy 3-D on Bully through the table, which didn’t break. Mark then immediately went to the rope and dropped an elbow putting Bully through a table and was pinned. So the idea was for Bully to lose when the Briscoes did the Dudleys own move on them even if it didn’t turn out that way. ***1/4
500
5017. Young Bucks & Adam Page retained the six-man titles over Dragon Lee & Titan & Flip Gordon in 14:54. This match was cut back about four minutes at the last second due to them being late on time, so they had to greatly change a lot in the ring. Good stuff early with Lee and Nick. Titan did his walking on his hands and head scissors spot. Then came a spot where everyone individually did a simultaneous missed dropkick, one by one. After that, all six threw a dropkick at the same time. This became polarizing when a GIF hit the Internet. The double missed dropkick spot has been around wrestling since the 60s, but not a four tiered approach. The crowd exploded for it especially after it was over. Over analysis of a 25 second spot early in a match is always ridiculous in a world of tower of doom spots that are great the first time, ridiculous the 50th time, but will be done until the long after the day they no longer get a pop, and they are still getting one as well. Then it was all kinds of great moves. Lee & Gordon did running flip dives while Titan did a top rope Asai moonsault all at the same time. Lee looked tremendous here and Page has improved greatly in the last six months. Page did a dropkick on Lee and after kick off, flipped himself and landed with a moonsault on Titan. Page also did a crazy moonsault to the floor onto everyone. Gordon was doing one matrix spot after another to avoid superkicks. Gordon is unbelievable as far as athletically goes and if he learns to connect with the crowd will be a huge deal. But he does have that weakness in the sense he does things nobody else can do but doesn’t get the reaction others would get. He did a springboard flip dive with one foot instead of both and a 450 landing on his feet when Page moved. Page & Matt did a double-team shooting star Meltzer driver off the apron to the floor. Page had Lee and Gordon both in the rites of passage and Matt & Nick came off the top rope with a double indy taker and Matt pinned Gordon. After the match, Daniels & Kazarian & Scorpio Sky hit the ring. Scorpio Sky was doing commentary and it was pushed he was Gordon’s friend, but he turned on Gordon and the new threesome beat up both teams. ****1/4
502
5038. Dalton Castle pinned Cody in 12:52 to win the ROH title. Cody had bleached blond hair. He tried the Goldust punch off his back but Castle got him in an armbar. Brandi interfered at one point. Cody used the LeBell lock as part of his hoping to build for a Bryan Danielson feud next year. Cody power bombed Castle through a table. Cody grabbed a chair but one of The Boys took the chair. Brandi used a plancha on both of The Boys and ref Todd Sinclair kicked them all out. Cody went for a disaster kick but Castle caught him with an overhead suplex. Cody tried to crotch Castle on the post, but Castle using his legs, pulled Cody head first into the post and he juiced. Cody used a disaster kick knocking him off the apron to the floor, but Castle used a German suplex on the floor. Cody knocked down the ref. Castle used his Julie Newmar submission and Cody was tapping, but no ref. Cody hit the crossroads and Castle kicked out. Castle then used the bangarang and pinned Cody clean in the middle to end the show. ***1/4
504
505Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos won a convincing five-round decision over former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler on the final UFC on FOX show of the year.
506
507The win seemingly puts dos Anjos as the top contender for Tyron Woodley’s welterweight title. However, Woodley will be undergoing surgery for a torn labrum suffered in his fight with Demian Maia, and will be out for several months. Dos Anjos said that after three fights in the last six months, he’s ready to sit and wait for him.
508
509The show featured one outstanding fight, on the prelim card with Julian Marquez beating Darren Stewart. The four-fight live FOX show was good action, with a compelling main event, two quick finishes, and an action fight with Santiago Ponzinibbio beating Mike Perry delivering.
510
511The 12/16 show at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg drew 8,862 fans and a $1,005,273.75 Canadian gate, which translates into $783,711 U.S. based on the current exchange rates.
512
513Ratings were a mixed bag and really a sign of the times. The 1.26 rating and 2,107,000 viewers on FOX was the fourth lowest rated special since UFC got on the network in 2011. The peak rating for the last three rounds of the dos Anjos vs. Lawler main event was 3,071,000 viewers. The show also did 15,521 viewers streaming.
514
515But it was also the most viewers any UFC event has had on television since January. It was also head-to-head with the NFL, a killer for sports ratings. However, last year’s show on a similar weekend averaged 3,178,000 viewers, so it was down 34 percent year-to-year, although that number for the Michelle Waterson vs. Paige VanZant fight and Urijah Faber’s retirement was unusually high.
516
517FOX was the highest rated broadcast network in Men 18-34, Men 18-49, Overall 18-49 and Overall 18-34, and in those demos beat everything on television except the NFL game on the NFL Network.
518
519The prelims, airing 5-8 p.m. on FS 1, headlined by Jan Blachowicz vs. Jared Cannonier did 456,000 viewers. The prefight show did 121,000 viewers and the postfight show did 115,000 viewers.
520
521The $50,000 performance bonuses went to Julian Marquez and Darren Stewart for fight of the night and Alessio DiChirico and Nordine Taleb for individual performances.
522
5231. Jordan Mein (30-12) beat Erick Silva (19-9-1) on scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26 in a welterweight fight. A few years ago, people would have picked these two to be at near championship level by this point, as opposed to being in the opener. Silva changed physically and Mein goes back-and-forth about retiring. The first round saw the crowd go nuts with a crazy punch exchange, and Mein winning the round. Mein took him down in the second round and landed hard elbows, and Silva was bleeding from the nose. In the third round, Mein was on top holding Silva down most of the way, and had a choke just as time ran out.
524
5252. Alessio DiChirico (11-2) beat Oluwale Bamgbose (6-4) at 2:14 of the second round in a middleweight fight. Almost nothing happened in the first round and the crowd was booing. DiChirico at least got a takedown. Most of the round was Bamgbose keeping his distance and circling away from action. In the second round, Bamgbose continued to keep his distance until referee Herb Dean warned his corner. His corner told him to get in there and fight. DiChirico then knocked him cold with a right knee to the temple, and Bamgbose went face down to the ground.
526
5273. John Makdessi (15-6) beat Abel Trujillo (15-8, 1 no contest) on straight 30-27 scores in a lightweight fight. Trujillo looked a lot smaller and less puffy than in the past. He was also less aggressive. The story was he had become a vegetarian and was more cautious in his approach. The first round was slow until Makdessi dropped him with a right. Makdessi also did both an eye poke and a groin strike in the first round. In the second round, Trujillo tired for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Makdessi’s striking was more accurate and Trujillo was swinging and mostly missing. In the third round, Makdessi got another knockdown. Makdessi again landed more strikes while Trujillo just pushed him into the fence.
528
5294. Nordine Taleb (14-4) beat Danny Roberts (14-3) in :59 in a welterweight fight. Taleb landed a right high kick that ended the fight,.
530
5315. Chad Laprise (14-2) beat Galore Bofando (5-3) in 4:10 of a welterweight fight. Bofando came out and dropped Laprise and hurt him with punches on the ground. He was throwing crazy shots but Laprise was defending well on the ground and got up. Laprise then took Bofando down, moved to side control, then mount and landed all kinds of punches until it was stopped. Really good fight.
532
5336. Julian Marquez (7-1) beat Darren Stewart (7-3, 1 no contest) at 2:42 of the second round in a middleweight fight. Stewart opened with a takedown but Marquez was back up. Both were swinging and Stewart got another takedown. Marquez landed elbows as Stewart went for a takedown. Stewart started landing all kinds of punches and knees. Marquez came back with knees and Stewart took him down again. Stewart got another takedown but Marquez worked for a Kimura on the ground. In the second round, Marquez went for a guillotine. He let it go and threw hard knees. Stewart came back with punches. Both continued in a wild exchange and Stewart shot in and Marquez grabbed a guillotine for the submission. In his post-fight interview, Marquez challenged Woodley to a “beard-off,” and also threw out names like Zak Cummings and James Krause, and then challenged the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Luke Rockhold for the title, which is a long way from happening.
534
5357. Jan Blachowicz (21-7) beat Jared Cannonier (10-3) on straight 29-28 scores in a light heavyweight fight. First round was slow with Blachowicz winning. Blachowicz got a takedown in the second round and scored a knockdown into side control. Cannonier got a late takedown. Cannonier needed a finish to win. He landed a several big punches , before Blachowicz took him down and got his back.
536
5378. Glover Teixeira (27-6) beat Misha Cirkunov (13-4) in 2:45 of a light heavyweight fight. Cirkunov was landing good punches and Teixiera wasn’t looking good early. Then Teixeira took him down, got his back and was landing punches from back position until it was stopped. Teixeira said that Daniel Cormier had told him if he won impressively he’d get a title shot. Cormier said he’d love to face him after he beats Volkan Oezdemir. The problem is that Alexander Gustafsson solidly beat Teixeira when they fought and they would be the two leading contenders at this point unless Jon Jones can overturn his suspension.
538
5399. Santiago Ponzinibbio (27-3) beat Mike Perry (11-2) on straight 29-28 scores in a welterweight fight. This fight looked good on paper and lived up to it. The crowd was way behind Perry, chanting his name. Perry dropped him with a right and landed body kicks and a hard right. Ponzinibbio managed to take Perry down late in the round. Both were landing good shots in the second round and both were bleeding. Ponzinibbio started taking over as he continued to land and make Perry miss. Good action round. They were even going into the third. Perry landed punches until Ponzinibbio dropped him with a spinning backfist. Ponzinibbio also got three more takedowns and landed big punches late to solidly win the round and the fight.
540
54110. Josh Emmett (13-1) beat Ricardo Lamas (18-6) in 4:33 of a featherweight fight. Emmett missed weight, coming in at 148.5. But I’d still put him in next with Brian Ortega in a title eliminator. Emmett was dominating the stand-up game and knocked Lamas out with a left. Both threw at the same time and Emmett landed first.
542
54311. Rafael dos Anjos (28-9) beat Robbie Lawler (28-12, 1 no contest) on straight 50-45 scores in a welterweight fight. Lawler was able to take a lot of punishment here without being stopped, but he never could get much offense going. Dos Anjos took out his leg with low kicks and Lawler was hurting from the second round on. The first round saw dos Anjos landing low kicks. Dos Anjos landed a lot of knees, and a body kick. Lawler got some knees and punches late. In the second round, both were swinging and dos Anjos was landing better shots. Dos Anjos had him hurt and was throwing punch after punch but Lawler wouldn’t go down. Dos Anjos got a takedown. It appeared dos anjos was tired and Lawler started landing punches and also landed a knee to the body. In the third round, Lawler was landing to the body. Dos Anjos took him down. Dos Anjos knocked him down and landed elbows from the top. In the fourth round, Lawler’s knee was clearly hurt. Dos Anjos used body kicks and punches. He continued to dominate with punches and a high kick as well as a jumping knee. Lawler was limping in the fifth round and dos Anjos started kicking the right leg, and then took Lawler down. They were stood up and dos Anjos landed hard punches . Lawler tried to get a desperation finish and threw wild punches but was missing. Dos Anjos used a jumping knee and more punches to close the fight.
544
545Wally Yamaguchi, who was one of the most influential figures in Japanese wrestling in the 80s and 90s, suffered a serious stroke this past week which was life threatening.
546
547Wally, whose real name was Yusuke Yamaguchi, 59, was one of the key men in charge of Gong Magazine in the 80s and 90s. Because Japan was such a heavy reading country, the value and importance of wrestling magazines was far greater there than in the U.S. The full-color magazines came out weekly and were prominently displayed at every train station and all over the country, very similar to the local daily newspaper in the U.S.
548
549Because he and his brother, Shunsuke (who is a broadcaster with WWE currently and came to the U.S. first as one of the leading Japanese magazine photographers in the 80s) grew up going to a bilingual school, they both spoke perfect English as well as Japanese. Wally parlayed that and a love of wrestling from childhood to be a key figure who would socialize with all of the top American wrestlers when they came to Japan and would take care of them, take them around town, out for meals, to bars and became close friends with most of them. He was practically the right-hand man for Giant Baba in the 80s and he knew everything going on in the Japanese wrestling business and its history.
550
551Yamaguchi started as a teenager as the head of the huge Mil Mascaras Fan Club in Japan in the 70s, and the leaders of that fan club ended up becoming the most influential wrestling writers in Japan of the next generation.
552
553In the U.S., he’d be best known as Yamaguchi-san, the manager of Kaientai, in WWF in the late 90s. At the time, besides being a television character, he worked full-time behind-the-scenes for WWF as the company’s liaison to Japan.
554
555He was also instrumental in starting FMW. I don’t know all of the circumstances, but something happened with his relationship with Baba. He worked with Atsushi Onita in promoting the early FMW shows before the promotion took off. He also had strong ties to women’s wrestling, and was at one point married to a woman wrestler. Later, he worked regularly as a referee on independent shows.
556
557He was in a coma, but came out of it over the weekend. According to Fumi Saito, a Japanese reporter, who visited him in the hospital, he was breathing on his own and he couldn’t move the right side of his body, but his left side was okay. He couldn’t talk, but he was able to listen. Saito said that he held Yamaguchi’s left hand and asked him to squeeze, and he squeezed back right away.
558
559Reporters from Gong, past and present, have been visiting him every day.
560
561He had suffered a serious heart issue in early December of 2016 while on a train in Tokyo. He did referee on an independent show that Jimmy Suzuki produced but had health issues and apparently has been suffering from health problems for a number of years.
562
563Tetsuya Naito added two more major awards, in fan voting for both Japanese MVP and Most Popular wrestler in the new Weekly Pro Wrestling readership awards announced this week.
564
565While New Japan dominated the awards winning every category they were eligible in, there was a rare WWE winner as Asuka was named Japanese Women’s MVP. In that category, numbers two through five were Io Shirai, Chihiro Hashimoto, Kairi Hojo (Sane) and Mayu Iwatani.
566
567The top ten in the Japanese MVP awards were Naito, Kazuchika Okada, Shuji Ishikawa, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kento Miyahara, Ryusuke Taguchi, Minoru Suzuki, Kenou and Jiro Kuroshio.
568
569The Foreign MVP was Kenny Omega, which was a landslide as he got significantly more votes for this award than anyone got for and almost four times as many as second place Joe Doering. From there it was Will Ospreay, Ricochet, Toni Storm, Eddie Edwards, Juice Robinson, Violento Jack, Michael Elgin and Quiet Storm.
570
571Most of the races were relatively close in the sense there were no standout winners besides Omega and the two awards going to Naito. In MVP, Naito’s 1,582 first place votes outdistanced the 1,013 for Okada, and Ishikawa in third got only 210, so it was the clear two-man race.
572
573Match of the year went to Okada vs. Omega from 1/4 at the Tokyo Dome, followed by Omega vs. Naito G-1 final, Omega vs. Okada at Dominion, Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi on 11/6, Yamato vs. Masaaki Mochizuki from Dragon Gate on 9/18, Tanahashi vs. Naito from Dominion, Tanahashi vs. Naito from the G-1 Climax A block finals, Okada vs. Evil from the G-1 Climax tournament and Kenou vs. Go Shiozaki on 11/19. The most notable thing on this list is that the magazine reading fans wouldn’t vote for Okada vs. Katsuyori Shibata, which I have to believe is due to the career ending injury to Shibata. It’s been talked about in other places, but it also appears that with so many great matches in the year, more than ever before and many which didn’t even make the top ten, that Omega and Okada and to a lesser extent Tanahashi and Naito were actually hurt even with their high placings due to a splitting of the vote, particularly when it’s all first place votes. A Tokyo Dome main event is going to be remembered better than a Dominion match, and a 60 minute Dominion match will be remembered better than a B block final. The only thing I can come up with similar to Omega vs. Okada this year is Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat in 1989, which in the Observer balloting took top three, but we also had voting for three slots, not one, and the competition wasn’t anywhere near as tough that year.
574
575For tag team of the year, the top ten were Sho & Yoh, War Machine, Cima & Dragon Kid, Daichi Hashimoto & Hideyoshi Kamitani, Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr., Harashima & Naomichi Marufuji (the DDT champions), Hayata & Yo-Hey from NOAH, Jun Akiyama & Takao Omori from All Japan, Taguchi & Ricochet and Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa.
576
577For Rookie of the Year, the winner was Katsuya Kitamura, followed by Tomoyuki Oka, Yuya Aoki of Big Japan, Yusuke Okada and Shota Umino.
578
579The top ten Most Popular were Naito, Tanahashi, Okada, Hiromu Takahashi, Nakamura, Omega, Ibushi, Shibata, Marufuji and Suzuki.
580
5812016 BUSINESS YEAR IN REVIEW
582
583 
584
585BIGGEST EVENTS AND TOP DRAWS
586
587 
588
589Period covered here is December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2016
590
591 
592
593Last year due to time constraints we never did the annual business year in review. For historical purposes, Pat Laprade did the research for both last year and will be doing it again for this year.
594
595 
596
597LARGEST ATTENDANCE
598
599 
600
60180,709* (93,770 total) - 4/3 WWE WrestleMania Dallas AT&T Stadium (HHH vs. Roman Reigns)
602
60351,240 - 9/17 Golden Boy Dallas AT&T Stadium (Canelo Alvarez vs. Liam Smith)
604
60545,207* - 5/14 UFC 198 Curitiba, Brazil Arena de Baixada (Stipe Miocic vs. Fabricio Werdum)
606
60729,000** - 1/4 Wrestle Kingdom Tokyo Dome (Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada)
608
60920,742* - 11/12 UFC 205 New York Madison Square Garden (Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez)
610
61119,270* - 3/20 NCAA Division I tournament finals New York Madison Square Garden (Kyle Snyder vs. Nick Gwiadzowski)
612
61319,147* - 3/20 NCAA Division I tournament top eight consolation rounds New York Madison Square Garden
614
61518,785* - 9/10 UFC 203 Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena (Stipe Miocic vs. Alistair Overeem)
616
61718,365* - 12/31 Rizin Saitama Super Arena (King Mo Lawal vs. Jiro Prochochazka)
618
61918,309* - 3/19 NCAA Division I tournament evening session New York Madison Square Garden
620
62118,163 *** - 12/12/15 UFC 194 Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena (Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo)
622
62317,899* - 3/19 NCAA Division I tournament afternoon session New York Madison Square Garden
624
62517,805* - 3/18 NCAA Division I tournament evening session New York Madison Square Garden
626
62717,761* - 3/18 NCAA Division I tournament afternoon session New York Madison Square Garden
628
62916,734* - 2/27 UFC Fight Night London, England O2 Arena (Michael Bisping vs. Anderson Silva)
630
63116,691**** - 7/9 UFC 200 Las Vegas T Mobile Arena (Amanda Nunes vs. Miesha Tate; Brock Lesnar vs. Mark Hunt; Daniel Cormier vs. Anderson Silva)
632
63316,178 - 11/19 Rutgers vs. Princeton Piscataway, NJ High Point Solutions Stadium
634
63516,000 - 9/2 CMLL 83rd anniversary show Mexico City Arena Mexico (Dragon Lee vs. La Mascara mask vs. mask)
636
63716,000* - 10/8 UFC 204 Manchester, England Manchester Arena (Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson)
638
63915,587 - 6/4 UFC 199 Los Angeles Forum (Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping)
640
64115,128* - 8/21 WWE SummerSlam Brooklyn Barclays Center (Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton)
642
64315,000 - WWE Survivor Series 11/20 Toronto Air Canada Centre (Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg)
644
645 
646
647*Denotes sellout crowd
648
649**Paid attendance was 25,204
650
651***Includes 2,515 on closed circuit at MGM Grand Hotel
652
653****Tickets were sold for a Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones main event
654
655 
656
657MOST MAIN EVENTS DRAWING MORE THAN 10,000 FANS
658
65927 - Roman Reigns
660
66117 - Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins
662
66314 - A.J. Styles, Kevin Owens
664
6658 - Sheamus
666
6676 - John Cena, Bray Wyatt, Chris Jericho, Sami Zayn
668
669 
670
671This is John Cena’s 11th year in the top ten overall. That moves him ahead of Yvon Robert and The Crusher, who were top ten for ten years. He’s not tied with Whipper Billy Watson.
672
673Those still ahead of Cena are Jim Londos (21), Lou Thesz (21), Bruno Sammartino (19), Strangler Lewis (18), Ric Flair (18), Hulk Hogan (18), Joe Stecher (14), Dick the Bruiser (14), Andre the Giant (14), Argentina Rocca (13), Killer Kowalski (13), Bill Longson (12) and Buddy Rogers (12).
674
675 
676
677ESTIMATED NORTH AMERICAN PPV BUYS
678
679 
680
6811,500,000 - 8/20 UFC Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
682
6831,317,000 - 3/5 UFC Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
684
6851,200,000 - 11/12 UFC Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez
686
6871,200,000 - 12/12/15 UFC Conor McGregor vs Jose Aldo
688
6891,009,000 - 7/9 UFC Amanda Nunes vs. Miesha Tate/Brock Lesnar vs. Mark Hunt/Daniel Cormier vs. Anderson Silva
690
691600,000 - 5/7 Golden Boy Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan
692
693450,000 - 9/10 UFC Stipe Miocic vs. Alistair Overeem; C.M. Punk vs. Mickey Gall
694
695450,000 - 4/9 HBO Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley
696
697322,000 - 4/23 UFC Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux
698
699320,000 - 6/4 UFC Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping
700
701300,000 - 9/17 Golden Boy Canelo Alvarez vs. Liam Smith
702
703290,000 - 10/18 UFC Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson
704
705240,000 - 7/30 Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley
706
707220,000 - 1/02 Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit
708
709217,000 - 5/14 Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic
710
711160,000 - 11/19 HBO Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward
712
713 
714
715CROWDS OF MORE THAN 15,000
716
717 
718
7192016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
720
721WWE 3 5 3 4 10 10
722
723CMLL 1 0 1 2 0 1
724
725AAA 0 1 1 1 1 0
726
727UFC 8 7 3 4 12 5
728
729NJPW 1 1 2 1 1 1
730
731NCAA 7 7 3 6 6 --
732
733 
734
735UFC PPV BUYS BASED ON DECEMBER TO NOVEMBER
736
737 
738
739Shows Buys Average
740
7412007 10 4,666,000 466,000
742
7432008 13 6,885,000 530,000
744
7452009 13 7,755,000 595,000
746
7472010 15 8,970,000 598,000
748
7492011 15 5,950,000 397,000
750
7512012 13 6,025,000 463,000
752
7532013 13 5,470,000 420,770
754
7552014 12 3,825,000 318,000
756
7572015 13 6,515,000 501,154
758
7592016 12 8,440,000 703,333
760
761 
762
763UFC AVERAGE GATE OF NORTH AMERICAN PPV SHOWS
764
765Shows Total Average
766
7672007 10 $26,700,350 $2,670,035
768
7692008 10 $32,857,231 $3,285,723
770
7712009 11 $34,005,156 $3,091,378
772
7732010 14 $40,841,459 $2,917,247
774
7752011 14 $43,838,517 $3,131,394
776
7772012 9 $31,125,774 $3,458,419
778
7792013 12 $35,386,997 $2,948,916
780
7812014 10 $24,416,991 $2,441,699
782
7832015 10 $31,483,113 $3,148,311
784
7852016 10 $64,272,212 $6,427,221
786
787 
788
789$2 MILLION GATES
790
791 
792
793$17,700,000* - 11/12 UFC 205 New York Madison Square Garden (Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez)
794
795$17,300,000* - 4/3 WWE WrestleMania Dallas AT&T Stadium (HHH vs. roman Reigns)
796
797$10,746,348**** - 7/9 UFC 200 Las Vegas T Mobile Arena (Amanda Nunes vs. Miesha Tate, Brock Lesnar vs. Mark Hunt, Daniel Cormier vs. Anderson Silva)
798
799$10,131,999*** - 12/12/15 UFC 194 Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo
800
801$8,197,628 - 3/5 UFC 196 Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena (Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz)
802
803$7,269,010 - 8/20 UFC 202 Las Vegas T Mobile Arena (Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz)
804
805$6,411,584 - 4/9 HBO Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena (Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley)
806
807$2,600,000 - 9/10 UFC 203 Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena (Stipe Miocic vs. $2,168,675 - 6/4 UFC 199 Los Angeles Forum (Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping)
808
809$2,024,666***** - 4/23 UFC 197 Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena (Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux)
810
811$2,003,986 - 1/02 UFC 195 Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena (Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit)
812
813$2,000,000* - 2/27 UFC Fight Night London, England O2 Arena Michael Bisping vs. Anderson Silva’
814
815 
816
817*Broke UFC record for largest gate. Broke MMA record for largest gate. Broke Madison Square Garden record for largest gate for any event in history
818
819**Broke WWE record for largest gate. Broke pro wrestling record for largest gate.
820
821***Technically broke world record for combat sports for largest gate headlined by a woman’s fight (although the woman’s fight was not the real big draw on the show). Tickets sold for an original Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier main event
822
823****Includes $125,750 in closed circuit at the MGM Grand
824
825*****Tickets sold for an original Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier main event
826
827Cory Gibson did research on the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame and the 20 years of balloting and there were some notes on this to look at.
828
829One thing should be noted that if the cut-off line was 50 percent, the people who would be in but aren’t would be Dick Murdoch (off the ballot now), Jesse Ventura (off the ballot now), Cien Caras, Enrique Torres, Los Misioneros de la Muerte (El Signo & El Texano & Negro Navarro), Jim Crockett Sr., Villano III, Fabulous Moolah (off the ballot now), Don Frye, Gary Hart, Howard Finkel, Jimmy Hart, Gene & Ole Anderson (off the ballot now), Kiyoshi Tamura, L.A. Park, Volk Han (off the ballot now), Karloff Lagarde, Bill Apter, Don Owen, Jerry Jarrett, Johnny Saint, Yuji Nagata, Ultimo Guerrero, Blue Panther, Killer Karl Kox, Kinji Shibuya (off the ballot now), and Wilbur Snyder (off the ballot now).
830
831You could make an argument for all of those names as belonging, some more than others. 60 percent was just an arbitrary number. My gut after 20 years is that 70 percent is too high and too difficult but I’m not sure about 50 percent being right because it feels like too many inductees would get in each to where it wouldn’t mean as much.
832
833Of those, based on current balloting trends, most of those names still under consideration would seem to be contenders to get in going forward with the exception of Tamura, who is almost the classic case of why great workers almost have to be considered during their time as opposed to later because styles change and watching matches from years ago using the standards for a different time give one an inaccurate perspective of that time. Plus, styles change and Tamura is the classic example of that, as he worked a style that no longer exists.
834
835Tamura as a worker was the equal of in the ring of the primarily workrate candidates such as Eddy Guerrero and Chris Benoit, but because the style he worked went out of vogue and his promotion folded, he, like Volk Han, didn’t fare as well. Historically the candidates based on ring work have to get in close to their prime or they won’t get in, while people with big names and were pushed, whether successful with the pushes or not, seem to fare better the farther you get away from their primes.
836
837None of these would be bad candidates and if you get 50 percent, obviously you have a case. The question is just where you want to draw the line as to how select it is to be a Hall of Famer.
838
839Historically, the top ten vote getters in our 20-year voting history were Kenta Kobashi (98 percent in 2002), Jushin Liger (95 percent in 1999), Kazushi Sakuraba (86 percent in 2004), The Rock (86 percent in 2007), Bryan Danielson (80 percent in 2016), Mick McManus (78 percent in 2000), Manami Toyota (77 percent in 2002), Steve Austin (77 percent in 2000) and Brock Lesnar (76 percent in 2015).
840
841Of those, Kobashi, Liger, Sakuraba, Rock, Toyota and Austin scored their numbers on their first year on the ballot. It feels like it is impossible to ever get 100 percent given The Rock and Kobashi didn’t, and really Liger as well, as they are as close as you get to no-brainers. Austin would be a no-brainer but he was still in his run and would have gotten a higher figure years later.
842
843Others who got in on their first ballot were Woman wrestling promoter Takashi Matsunaga, Dos Caras, Akira Hokuto, John Cena, Jim Ross, Shinsuke Nakamura and Kurt Angle.
844
845The next no-brainer candidate in their first year would be Kazuchika Okada in 2019.
846
847Those who made it on the second ballot were Danielson, Shinya Hashimoto, Lioness Asuka, Keiji Muto, Kent Walton, HHH and Hiroshi Tanahashi.
848
849Those who were off the ballot for not getting ten percent of the vote, put back on, and then made it were Perro Aguayo Jr., Hans Schmidt, Mark Lewin, Lou Albano, Bill Miller, Steve Williams, Sting, Konnan, Masa Saito, Masahiro Chono, Masakatsu Funaki, A.J. Styles, King Curtis Iaukea, Atlantis and Pedro Morales. Aguayo Jr. already had the credentials but was so young that he didn’t get support, but after his death, similar to Eddy Guerrero, people voted given that nothing was going to change and his career was over.
850
851Those who were on the ballot at least ten times before being voted in were Lewin, Sting, The Assassins (Joe Hamilton & Tom Renesto), Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson), Morales, Ivan Koloff and Carlos Colon (who made it in on his 17th ballot).
852
853The list of those who were on the ballot once and did less than ten percent and didn’t return were Sangre Chicana (2017), Fishman (2016), Big Show (2015), Bob Geigel (2015), Jan Wilkens (2014), John DaSilva (2014), Emil “King Kong Czaya (2013), Bob Armstrong (2013), Count Billy Varga (2013), Dutch Savage (2013), Rip Hawk (2013), Buddy Rose (2012), Chief Jay Strongbow (2012), Jeff Hardy (2012), Kane (2012), Marty Jones (2012), Ray Gunkel (2011), Cibernetico (2010), Yukon Eric (2010), Fit Finlay (2008), Rob Van Dam (2007), Dudleys (2007), Universo 2000 (2007), Booker T (2006), Davey Boy Smith (2006), Lonnie “Moondog” Mayne (2005), Yoshihiro Takayama (2005), Fuerza Guerrera (2003), Black Gordman & Great Goliath (2004), Great Sasuke (2004), Bas Rutten (2000), Barry Windham (1998), Jake Roberts (1998), Kevin Nash (1998), Lex Luger (1998) and Scott Hall (1998).
854
855Others off the ballot, either for the 15 year rule or getting less than ten percent of the vote are Seiji Sakaguchi, Gorilla Monsoon, Gran Hamada, George Gordienko, Jimmy Snuka, Owen Hart, Hector Garza, Ken Shamrock, Masahiko Kimura, Dick Hutton, Tiger Jeet Singh, Jose Lothario, Eric Bischoff, Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy, Batista, Jim Breaks (taken off since he is still charged with the murder of his ex-girlfriend), Don Muraco, Ken Patera, Rick & Scott Steiner, Rick Rude, Giant Haystacks, Ron Wright, Cyclone Negro, Chyna, Pepper Gomez, Curt Hennig, Tim “Mr. Wrestling” Woods and Paul Orndorff.
856
857Smackdown on 12/19 did 2,578,000 viewers, up 3.9 percent from the prior week, which is likely due to the intrigue coming off the Clash PPV angle with Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon.
858
859The show was fifth for the night on cable.
860
861The show did a 0.53 in 12-17(up 3.9 percent), 0.60 in 18-34 (up 3.4 percent), 0.90 in 35-49 (up 7.1 percent) and 1.13 in 50+ (up 4.6 percent).
862
863The audience was 62.3 percent male in 18-49 and 58.1 percent male in 12-17.
864
865Raw on 12/18 did a 1.94 rating and 2,776,000 viewers (1.56 viewers per home), with the rating up 2.6 percent and viewers up 3.6 percent from the prior week.
866
867The increase is likely because the NFL game with the Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers did 9,411,000, down 20 percent from the prior week.
868
869The first two hours did normal numbers for football season, but the third hour drop was huge. Given there were some very long matches involving not particularly over talent, and a number of people worked twice, both things that usually hurt numbers, it wasn’t too bad overall. The turn-off number was huge as the third hour did the second lowest third hour since June, and 20 percent of the audience watching the first hour was gone by the third, with declines across the board. The first-to-third hour declines were 14 percent for women 18-49, 15 percent for men 18-49 (unusually high), 14 percent for girls 12-17, nine percent for boys 12-17 and 21 percent for those over 50, which is the majority of the audience.
870
871The big decline shouldn’t be a surprise, because after a big star match with Jason Jordan & Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose vs. Sheamus & Cesaro & Samoa Joe, they had a Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. Revival match and the main event was a women’s six-person match. Obviously it was put there to end the show with the women’s Rumble announcement by Stephanie and you want to make that seem like a huge deal.
872
873Raw was fourth for the night on cable.
874
875The first hour did 3,085,000 viewers. The second hour did 2,803,000 viewers. The third hour did 2,470,000 viewers.
876
877The show did a 0.61 in 12-17 (up 1.7 percent from last week), 0.75 in 18-34 (up 5.6 percent), 1.05 in 35-49 (up 5.0 percent) and 1.13 in 50+ (up 1.8 percent).
878
879The audience was 60.2 percent male in 18-49 and 69.4 percent male (unusually high) in 12-17.
880
881Bellator on 12/15 in a taped show from Newcastle, UK, headlined by Michael McDonald’s debut, did 511,000 viewers, which is up from most of the recent shows. With +3, they did another 60,000 viewers and the peak rating was 737,000 viewers.
882
883The final show of WWE week, Tribute to the Troops on 12/14, did 1,401,000 viewers. The number was similar to last year, when the show did 1,383,000 viewers, but prior to last year the show never did less than 1.8 million viewers. But the show isn’t about ratings, although it did kill Impact as the two shows went had-to-head. It finished 26th on cable for the night.
884
885The show did a 0.33 in 12-17, 0.33 in 18-34, 0.51 in 35-49 and 0.58 in 50+. It was 60.2 percent male in 18-49 and 65.2 percent male in 12-17.
886
887Impact did 161,000 viewers, and worse, did an 0.02 rating in the 18-49 demo and wasn’t even in the top 150 first-run shows in the key demo for the night.
888
889NXT on USA on 12/13 did 841,000 for its first airing as part of WWE Week. For a comparison, the last season of Tough Enough was doing right a 1 million viewers in 2015 and never brought back, so on paper this would feel like a number that would not be a good sign for USA to pay significant money for. But standards have changed and anything is possible. During the third quarter, the USA Network averaged 1.46 million viewers in prime time, and because of wrestling’s low ad rates, the feeling is you only want wrestling if it delivers a number that will boost your prime time average significantly. If you take Raw & Smackdown out, the USA average falls to 1,041,000 so the network needs them keep their average, but unless a wrestling show does well over 1.5 million viewers, it’s not beneficial.
890
891NXT was out of prime time which is a factor. On paper it would look like the number wasn’t large enough. If it had done 1.5 million or more viewers, I’d think that would be different.
892
893The audience patterns were typical for WWE with the strongest skew being over 50, as it did a 0.20 in 12-17, 0.24 in 18-34, 0.30 in 35-49 and 0.33 in 50+. The audience was 61.8 percent male in 18-49 and 70.0 percent male in 12-17, so based on usual company programming this lacked interest per usual audience makeup in teenage girls.
894
895Total Divas on 12/13 did 517,000 viewers, down eight percent from the prior week. It was the third lowest rated episode in the history of the series.
896
897For a comparison with NXT, Total Divas did a 0.15 in 12-17, 0.21 in 18-34, 0.23 in 35-49 and 0.16 in 50+, with 58.1 percent women in 18-49 and 72.9 percent women in 12-17.
898
899Raw on 12/11 did a 1.89 rating and 2,678,000 viewers (1.54 viewers per home).
900
901The 12/9 Bellator show that went against ESPN’s second biggest boxing match of the year and UFC from Fresno, that did the all-time prime time low, with +3 DVR viewership grew from 394,000 viewers to 436,000 and the show peaked at 672,000 viewers.
902
903This is the third and final issue of the current set. If you’ve got a (1) on your address label, that means your subscription with this double issue.
904
905Renewal rates for the printed Observer in the United States are $12 for four issues (which includes $4 for postage and handling), $22 for eight, $31 for 12, $40 for 16, $60 for 24, $80 for 32, $100 for 40, $130 for 52 up through $160 for 64 issues.
906
907For Canada and Mexico, the rates are $13.50 for four issues (which includes $6 for postage and handling), $24 for eight, $34 for 12, $44 for 16, $66 or 24, $88 for 32, $110 for 40 issues, $143 for 52 and $176 for 64.
908
909For Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to Moonsault, P.O. Box 3075, Barnet, Herts EN4 9YR, England, or by sending e-mail orders to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. Rates are £9 per set of four issues. U.K. readers ordering at least six sets can get them for £8.50 per set.
910
911For the rest of the world, the rates are $15.50 for four issues (which includes $9 for postage and handling), $30 for eight, $43 for 12, $56 for 16, $70 for 20, $84 for 24, $98 for 28, $140 for 40 issues and $182 for 52 issues.
912
913You can also get the Observer on the web at www.wrestlingobserver.com for $10.99 per month for a premium membership that includes daily audio updates, Figure Four Weekly, special articles and a message board. If you are a premium member and still want hard copies of the Observer, you can get them for $8 per set in the U.S., $9 per set in Canada and $11.50 per set for the rest of the world.
914
915All subscription renewals should be sent to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228. You can also renew via Visa or MasterCard by sending your name, address, phone number, Visa or MasterCard number (and include the three or four digit security code on the card) and expiration date to Dave@wrestlingobserver.com or by fax to (408)244-3402. You can also renew at www.paypal.com using dave@wrestlingobserver.com as the pay to address. For all credit card or paypal orders, please add a $1 processing fee. If there are any subscription problems, you can contact us and we will attempt to rectify them immediately, but please include with your name a full address as well a phone number you can be contacted at.
916
917All letters to the editor, reports from live shows and any other correspondence pertaining to this publication should also be sent to the above address.
918
919This publication is copyright material and no portion of the Observer may be reprinted without the expressed consent of publisher/writer Dave Meltzer. The Observer is also produced by Derek Sabato.
920
921Fax messages can be sent to the Observer 24 hours a day at (408) 244-3402. Phone messages can be left 24 hours a day at (408) 244-2455. E-mails can be sent to Dave@wrestlingobserver.com
922
923RESULTS
924
925 
926
92712/3 Anaheim, CA (WWE Raw - 4,000): Bray Wyatt b Matt Hardy, Rhyno & Heath Slater & Apollo Crews b Curt Hawkins & Curtis Axel & Dash Wilder, Asuka b Alicia Fox, Finn Balor b Karl Anderson, Mickie James ref: Bayley & Sasha Banks b Nia Jax & Alexa Bliss, Cruiserweight title: Enzo Amore b Kalisto, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose b Cesaro & Sheamus & Samoa Joe
928
92912/3 Monterrey, Mexico (WWE Smackdown): Shinsuke Nakamura b Sami Zayn, Mojo Rawley & Erick Rowan b Zack Ryder & Tye Dillinger, Four-way for U.S. title: Baron Corbin won over Sin Cara, Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode, Randy Orton b Rusev, Women’s title: Charlotte Flair b Natalya, Three-way for tag titles: Usos won over Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable and Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, WWE title: A.J. Styles b Jinder Mahal
930
93112/3 Kochi (New Japan - 1,665): Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Hirai Kawato b Shota Umino & Tetsuhiro Yagi & Ren Narita, Tomohiro Ishii & Baretta & Chucky T b Ray Rowe & Hanson & Henare, Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. b Togi Makabe & Tomoyuki Oka, Hirooki Goto & Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi b Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka & Desperado, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Hangman Page & Yujiro Takahashi & Leo Tonga b Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb & David Finlay & Katsuya Kitamura, Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens b Juice Robinson & Sami Callihan, Evil & Seiya Sanada b Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima, Tetsuya Naito & Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi b Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay & Gedo
932
93312/3 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (Pro Wrestling NOAH - 784): Go Shiozaki b Leona, Akitoshi Saito & Masao Inoue b Yoshinari Ogawa & Sheldon Jean, Hayata & Yo-Hey & Tadasuke b Hajime Ohara & Hitoshi Kumano & Seiya Morohashi, Atsushi Kotoge & Cody Hall b Katsuhiko Nakajima & Hi69, Masa Kitamiya won four-way over Quiet Storm, Maybach Taniguchi and Mitsuya Nagai, Naomichi Marufuji & Minoru Tanaka b Mohammed Yone & Daisuke Harada, Eddie Edwards & Moose b Kenou & Takashi Sugiura
934
93512/3 Hiroshima (All Japan - 518 sellout): Atsushi Aoki & Rey Paloma b Yusuke Okada & Takeshi Okada, Ultimo Dragon & Atsushi Maruyama b Koji Iwamoto & Yuma Aoyagi, Joe Doering & Taiyo Kea & Masa Fuchi b Tajiri & Kai & Yohei Nakajima, Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa b Naoya Nomura & Hikaru Sato, Jun Akiyama & Takao Omori b Ryoji Sai & Masakado, Kento Miyahara & Yoshitatsu b Zeus & The Bodyguard
936
93712/3 Sapporo (Dragon Gate): Ben K b Kaito Ishida, Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino b Genki Horiguchi & Jason Lee, Susumu Yokosuka b Shun Skywalker, Masaaki Mochizuki b U-T, Ryo Saito & Big R Shimizu b Shingo Takagi & Yasushi Kanda, Yamato & Yosuke Santa Maria & Kagetora b Cima & Gamma & Don Fujii, Early Christmas tag tourney finals: T-Hawk & Eita b BxB Hulk & Kzy
938
93912/3 Ecatepec (The Crash - 3,000): Black Metal & Latigo & Tiago b Astrolux & Kalibus & Torito Negro, Women’s title: Keyra b Lacey Lane, Astrolux & Jack Evans & M-ximo b Bestia 666 & Luke Hawx & Mr. 450, Daga & Rey Fenix b Skayde & Solar, Rey Mysterio Jr. & L.A. Park & Penta 0M b Carlito & Garza Jr. & La Mascara
940
94112/4 Los Angeles Staples Center (WWE Raw/Main Event TV tapings - 9,000): Akira Tozawa b Brian Kendrick, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson b Heath Slater & Rhyno, IC title: Roman Reigns b Jason Jordan, Paige b Sasha banks, Drew Gulak won four-way over Tony Nese, Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali, Asuka b Alicia Fox, Finn Balor b Bo Dallas, Tag titles: Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins b Cesaro & Sheamus-DQ, No DQ for tag titles: Sheamus & Cesaro b Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins
942
94312/4 Fukuoka (All Japan - 580): Masa Fuchi & Hikaru Sato b Yohei Nakajima & Atsushi Maruyama, Naoya Nomura & Yuma Aoyagi & Yusuke Okada b Ultimo Dragon & King & Koji Shimizumi, Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa & Atsushi Aoki b Joe Doering & Taiyo Kea & Koji Iwamoto, Ryoji Sai & Masakado b Manabu Soya & Black Tiger VII, Zeus & The Bodyguard b Tajiri & Kai, Kento Miyahara & Yoshitatsu b Jun Akiyama & Takao Omori
944
94512/5 San Diego (WWE Tribute to the Troops a.m. show): Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose b Cesaro & Sheamus & Samoa Joe, Paige & Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville b Bayley & Sasha Banks & Mickie James, Non-title: Charlotte Flair b Rudy Riott, New Day & Usos b Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable & Rusev & Aiden English, A.J. Styles & Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura b Jinder Mahal & Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
946
94712/5 San Diego (WWE Smackdown/205 Live TV tapings - 5,000): Tye Dillinger b Mike Kanellis, Aiden English & Rusev b Big E & Kofi Kingston, Harper & Rowan b Adam James & Josh Carr, Non-title: Bobby Roode b Baron Corbin-DQ, Non-title: Charlotte Flair b Tamina, Randy Orton b Sami Zayn, Cedric Alexander b Noam Dar, Brian Kendrick b Gran Metalik, Rich Swann b Tony Nese, WWE title: A.J. Styles b Jinder Mahal
948
94912/5 Oita (New Japan - 1,120 sellout): Katsuya Kitamura b Tetsuhiro Yagi, Hangman Page & Yujiro Takahashi b David Finlay & Tomoyuki Oka, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Liger b Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Shota Umino, Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Takashi Iizuka & Desperado b Ray Rowe & Hanson & Juice Robinson & Sami Callihan & Hirai Kawato, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe & Henare b Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens & Leo Tonga, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano b Baretta & Chucky T, Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb b Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa, Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Seiya Sanada & Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi b Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Will Ospreay & Gedo
950
95112/5 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (Dragon Gate - 1,850 sellout): Shachihoko Boy b Punch Tominaga, Cima & Gamma & Problem Dragon & Kaito Ishida b Big R Shimizu & Ben K & Jason Lee & Shun Skywalker, Genki Horiguchi & Yosuke Santa Maria b K-Ness & Yuki Yoshioka, Kzy & U-T b Yasushi Kanda & Takashi Yoshida, Yamato & BxB Hulk & Kagetora b Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino & Susumu Yokosuka, Ryo Saito b Shingo Takagi, T-Hawk & Eita & Lindaman b Masaaki Mochizuki & Don Fujii & Cima
952
95312/5 Shunan (All Japan - 571 sellout): Masa Fuchi & Hikaru Sato b Atsushi Aoki & Rey Paloma, Yoshitatsu b Black Tiger VII, Jun Akiyama & Takao Omori & Ultimo Dragon & Tsuchiya Crazy b Yohei Nakajima & Koji Iwamoto & Atsushi Maruyama & Yusuke Okada, Joe Doering & Taiyo Kea b Ryoji Sai & Masakado, Kento Miyahara & Naoya Nomura & Yuma Aoyagi b Manabu Soya & Tajiri & Kai, Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa b Zeus & The Bodyguard
954
95512/5 Yokohama (Pro Wrestling NOAH - 321 sellout): Tadasuke & Yo-Hey b Taiji Ishimori & Sheldon Jean, Masa Kitamiya & Kazma Sakamoto & Masao Inoue b Hajime Ohara & Hitoshi Kumano & Cody Hall, Go Shiozaki & Atsushi Kotoge b Katsuhiko Nakajima & Hi69, Mitsuya Nagai b Akitoshi Saito, Minoru Tanaka & Yoshinari Ogawa b Daisuke Harada & Hayata, Mohammed Yone & Quiet Storm b Maybach Taniguchi & Moose, Eddie Edwards & Naomichi Marufuji b Kenou & Takashi Sugiura
956
95712/5 Mexico City Arena Mexico (CMLL): Coyote & Espanto Jr. b Retro & Sangre Imperial, Fiero & Oro Jr. & Starman b El Hijo del Signo & Nitro & Raziel-DQ, Fuego & Pegasso & Stigma b Disturbio & Tiger & Universo 2000 Jr., Niebla Roja & Stuka Jr. & Titan b Cuatrero & Forastero & Sanson, Johnny Idol & Okumura & Sam Adonis b Mistico & Valiente & Volador Jr., Ultimo Guerrero b Rush
958
95912/6 Yokohama (Dragon Gate - 300 sellout): Shachihoko Boy b Yuki Yoshioka, Susumu Yokosuka & Kagetora & Ben K b Cima & Gamma & Hyo Watanabe, BxB Hulk b Punch Tominga, Masaaki Mochizuki & Kzy b Ryo Saito & Big R Shimizu, T-Hawk & Eita b Yamato & Genki Horiguchi, Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino & Jason Lee b Shingo Takagi & Yasushi Kanda & Lindaman
960
96112/6 Tsuyuhashi (Pro Wrestling NOAH - 210): Atsushi Kotoge & Taiji Ishimori & Hi69 b Hajime Ohara & Hitoshi Kumano & Junta Miyawaki, Masa Kitamiya & Masao Inoue b Cody Hall & Sheldon Jean, Hayata & Yo-Hey b Yoshinari Ogawa & Leona, Mitsuya Nagai & Yuko Miyamoto b Katsuhiko Nakajima & Akitoshi Saito, Maybach Taniguchi & Minoru Tanaka b Mohammed Yone & Daisuke Harada, Naomichi Marufuji & Moose b Quiet Storm & Tadasuke, Eddie Edwards & Go Shiozaki b Kenou & Takashi Sugiura
962
96312/7 Takamatsu (All Japan - 212): Atsushi Maruyama won three-way over Yohei Nakajima and Ultimo Dragon, Joe Doering & Taiyo Kea & Kotaro Suzuki b Hikaru Sato & Koji Iwamoto & Yusuke Okada, Daichi Hashimoto & Hideyoshi Kamitani b Ryoji Sai & Masakado, Zeus & The Bodyguard b Manabu Soya & Black Tiger VII, Tajiri & Kai b Jun Akiyama & Takao Omori, Kento Miyahara & Yoshitatsu & Naoya Nomura & Yuma Aoyagi b Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa & Atsushi Aoki & Masa Fuchi
964
96512/7 Izumiotsu (Pro Wrestling NOAH - 208): Hajime Ohara b Junta Miyawaki, Yoshinari Ogawa & Leona b Hitoshi Kumano & Masao Inoue, Mitsuya Nagai & Yuki Miyamoto b Cody Hall & Sheldon Jean, Go Shiozaki & Atsushi Kotoge & Hi69 b Masa Kitamiya & Hayata & Yo-Hey, Quiet Storm & Daisuke Harada DCOR Maybach Taniguchi & Minoru Tanaka, Naomichi Marufuji & Moose & Tadasuke b Mohammed Yone & Akitoshi Saito & Taiji Ishimori, Kenou & Takashi Sugiura b Eddie Edwards & Katsuhiko Nakajima
966
96712/7 Edinburgh, Scotland (Discovery Wrestling - 1,000): Kenny Williams b Liam Slater, Lumberjack match: Christopher Saynt b Michael Chase, Women’s title: Sammii Jayne b Kay Lee Ray, ROH title: Cody b BT Gunn, Marty Scurll b Flip Gordon, Aspen Faith & Lewis Girvan won four-way over The Young Bucks, Jackie Polo & Mark Coffey and Gene Munny & Rob Cage, Joe Hendry b David Star, Joe Coffey b Matt Cross
968
96912/14 Birmingham, AL (WWE NXT - 1,200): Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight b Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake, Vanessa Borne b Aliyah, Brennan Williams b Kona Reeves, Tag titles: Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly b Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins, Aleister Black b Buddy Murphy, Women’s title: Ember Moon b Bianca Blair, NXT title: Andrade Cien Almas b Kassius Ohno
970
97112/14 Orlando (WWE NXT - 300): Lio Rush b Cezar Bononi, Shayna Baszler b Dakota Kai, Dan Matha b Chad Lail, Lars Sullivan b ? Ealy, Hideo Itami b Fabian Aichner, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville b Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan, Danny Burch b Adrian Jaoude, Authors of Pain b Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli
972
97312/15 Manchester, NH (WWE Raw - 3,400): Finn Balor b Bray Wyatt, Cruiserweight title: Enzo Amore b Kalisto, Asuka b Dana Brooke, 3 on 4: Heath Slater & Rhyno & Titus O’Neil b Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel & Goldust & Curt Hawkins, Braun Strowman b Samoa Joe, Mickie James ref: Bayley & Sasha Banks b Alicia Fox & Nia Jax, Jason Jordan b Elias, Tag titles: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose b Sheamus & Cesaro-DQ
974
97512/15 Memphis (WWE NXT - 700): Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight b Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake, Bianca Belair b Aliyah, Buddy Murphy b Brennan Williams, Tag titles: Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly b Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford, Aleister Black b Kona Reeves, Ember Moon b Vanessa Borne, NXT title: Andrade Cien Almas b Kassius Ohno
976
97712/15 Cocoa, FL (WWE NXT - 200): Adrian Jaoude b Cezar Bononi, Liv Morgan b Dakota Kai, Chad Lail b Tian Bing, Lars Sullivan b ? Ealy, Lio Rush b Fabian Aichner, Danny Burch b Christopher Dijak, Shayna Baszler b Abbey Laith, Authors of Pain b Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli
978
97912/15 Mexico City Arena Mexico (CMLL - 5,000): Star Jr. & Starman b El Hijo del Signo & Templario, CMLL minis title: Shockercito b Mercurio, Lady Maravilla & Marcela & Princesa Sugehit b Amapola & Dallys & Reyna Isis, Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja & Rey Cometa b Cuatrero & Forastero & Sanson, Ephesto & Mephisto & Sam Adonis b Cavernario & Mr. Niebla & Polvora, Mistico & El Terrible & Volador Jr. b Caristico & Soberano Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero
980
98112/15 Neza (The Crash - 1,200): Kalibus won four-way over Black Metal, Lunatik Extreme and Demonio Infernal, Pegazus & Tromba b Sky Man & Torito Negro, Latigo & Tiago & Toxin b Aramis & Astrolux & Black Boy, Women’s title: Keyra won over Christi Jaynes, Lacey Lane and Mima Shimoda, Bandido & Laredo Kid b Neza Kid & Septimo Dragon, LWA title: Daga won three-way over Micke Segura and Willie Mack, Mecha Wolf 450 & Sammy Guevara b Flamita & Rey Fenix, Blue Demon Jr. & M-ximo & Penta 0M b Bestia 666 & Garza Jr. & Heavy Metal
982
98312/15 Kariya (Dragon Gate - 500): Masaaki Mochizuki & Susumu Yokosuka & Ryo Saito b Yamato & Kzy & Yosuke Santa Maria, Eita b Genki Horiguchi, Masato Yoshino & Jason Lee b Gamma & Hyo Watanabe, BxB Hulk & Kagetora b T-Hawk & Lindaman, Naruki Doi & Big R Shimizu & Ben K b Shingo Takagi & Takashi Yoshida & Punch Tominaga
984
98512/15 Hirosaki (Pro Wrestling NOAH - 160): Masao Inoue b Junta Miyawaki, Katsuhiko Nakajima b Yo-Hey, Mitsuya Nagai & Cody Hall b Maybach Taniguchi & Akitoshi Saito, Daisuke Harada & Tadasuke b Minoru Tanaka & Sheldon Jean, Kenou & Takashi Sugiura b Masa Kitamiya & Hitoshi Kumano, Mohammed Yone & Quiet Storm b Naomichi Marufuji & Hi69, Eddie Edwards & Moose & Taiji Ishimori b Go Shiozaki & Atsushi Kotoge & Hayata
986
98712/16 Syracuse, NY (WWE Raw - 3,700): Finn Balor b Bray Wyatt, Cruiserweight title: Enzo Amore b Kalisto, Asuka b Dana Brooke, Rhyno & Heath Slater & Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews b Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas & Goldust & Curt Hawkins, Braun Strowman b Samoa Joe, Mickie James referee: Bayley & Sasha Banks b Alicia Fox & Nia Jax, Jason Jordan b Elias, Tag titles: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose & Sheamus & Cesaro-DQ
988
98912/16 Portland, ME (WWE Smackdown - 2,800): Four-way for tag titles: Usos won over Big E & Xavier Woods, Rusev & Aiden English and Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable, Sami Zayn b Sin Cara, Harper & Rowan & Primo & Epico Colon b Tyler Breeze & Fandango & The Ascension, Shinsuke Nakamura b Kevin Owens, Lumberjack match: Charlotte Flair b Natalya, Three-way for U.S. title: Baron Corbin won over Bobby Roode and Dolph Ziggler, WWE title: A.J. Styles b Jinder Mahal
990
99112/16 Little Rock, AR (WWE NXT - 350): Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight b Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake, Aliyah b Vanessa Borne, Kona Reeves b Brennan Williams, Tag titles: Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly b Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford, Aleister Black b Buddy Murphy, Women’s title: Ember Moon b Bianca Belair, Non-title: Kassius Ohno b Andrade Cien Almas, NXT title: Andrade Cien Almas b Kassius Ohno
992
99312/16 Largo, FL (WWE NXT - 300): Danny Butch b Dan Matha, Shayna Baszler b Jessie Elaban, Babatunde Aiyegbusi b Cezar Bononi, Adrian Jaoude b Shane Thorne, Authors of Pain b Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli, Lars Sullivan b ? Ealy, Dakota Kai & Rhea Ripley b Reina Gonzalez & Sage Beckett, Hideo Itami b Fabian Aichner
994
99512/16 Philadelphia (ROH TV tapings - 800): Bob Evans & Tim Hughes b Ryan Nova & Eli Isom, Jessie Brooks b Gabby Ortiz, TV title: Silas Young b Simon Grimm, Mark & Jay Briscoe b Ryan Nova & Eli Isom, Marty Scurll b Flip Gordon, Brandi Rhodes b Stella Grey, Jay Lethal b Will Ospreay, Kenny King b Brian Milonas, Dalton Castle & The Boys b Matt Taven & TK O’Ryan & Vinny Marseglia, Mandy Leon & Deonna Purrazzo b Jenny Rose & Sumie Sakai, Tag titles: Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley b Rhett Titus & Will Ferrara, Jonathan Gresham b Josh Woods, Punishment Martinez b Mike Dobbs, Shaheem Ali & Leon St-Giovanni b Ray Rowe & Hanson, Young Bucks won three-way over Dragon Lee & Titan and Baretta & Chuckie T, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky b Cody & Adam Page & Marty Scurll
996
99712/16 Tlaxcala (AAA TV tapings): Reinas de Reinas title: Lady Shani DCOR Faby Apache, Dave the Clown & Mr. Aguila b La Parka & Pagano, Tag titles: Dark Cuervo & Dark Scoria won three-way and the titles over champions Monsther & Murder Clown and Histeria & Psicosis, Aerostar & Drago & Raptor won four-way over Averno & Chessman & Super Fly and Argenis & Bengala & Mascara de Bronce and Carta Brava Jr. & Mocho Cota Jr. & Tito Santana, Rey Escorpion & Texano Jr. b El Hijo del Fantasma & Psycho Clown, El Hijo del Dr Wagner Jr. b Hernandez
998
99912/16 Hiroshima (Dragon Gate - 600): Shingo Takagi & Yasushi Kanda & Lindaman b Naruki Doi & Big R Shimizu & Ben K, Masaaki Mochizuki b Hyo Watanabe, Kagetora & Jason Lee b Susumu Yokosuka & Genki Horiguchi, Masato Yoshino & Shachihoko Boy b Ryo Saito & Yosuke Santa Maria, Yamato & BxB Hulk & Kzy b T-Hawk & Eita & Punch Tominaga
1000
100112/16 Kitakami (Pro Wrestling NOAH - 275): Yoshinari Ogawa b Masao Inoue, Mitsuya Nagai b Sheldon Jean, Hi69 b Hitoshi Kumano, Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masa Kitamiya b Akitoshi Saito & Tadasuke, Mohammed Yone & Quiet Storm b Maybach Taniguchi & Taiji Ishimori, Kenou & Takashi Sugiura b Moose & Cody Hall, Eddie Edwards & Daisuke Harada & Hayata & Yo-Hey b Naomichi Marufuji & Go Shiozaki & Atsushi Kotoge & Minoru Tanaka
1002
100312/17 Allentown, PA (WWE Raw - 4,100): Finn Balor b Bray Wyatt, Cruiserweight title: Enzo Amore b Kalisto, Asuka b Dana Brooke, Heath Slater & Rhyno & Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews b Curtis Axel & Goldust & Curt Hawkins & Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman b Samoa Joe, Mickie James ref: Sasha Banks & Bayley b Nia Jax & Alicia Fox, Jason Jordan b Elias, Tag titles: Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins b Sheamus & Cesaro-DQ
1004
100512/17 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (New Japan - 1,738 sellout): Shota Umino b Tetsuhiro Yagi, Katsuya Kitamura b Ren Narita, Hirai Kawato b Tomoyuki Oka, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado & Taka Michinoku b Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Henare, Togi Makabe & Kota Ibushi b Yujiro Takahashi & Leo Tonga, Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano b Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka & Taichi, Satoshi Kojima & Kushida & Masked Horse (Ryusuke Taguchi) b Rocky Romero & Sho & Yoh, Never six man titles: Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa b Evil & Seiya Sanada & Bushi, Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi b Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi
1006
100712/17 Mexico City Arena Mexico (CMLL): Astral & Magnus b Akuma & Grako, Drone & Guerrero Maya Jr. & Rey Cometa b Misterioso Jr. & Tiger & Warrior Steel, Raziel won Cibernetico over Templario, Fiero, Starman, Oro, El Hijo del Signo, Nitro, Cancerbero, Star and Pegasso, Angel de Oro & Soberano Jr. & Stuka Jr. b Felino & Forastero & Okumura, Euforia & El Terrible & Ultimo Guerrero b Caristico & Dragon Lee & Niebla Roja
1008
100912/17 Yokohama Bunka Gym (Big Japan - 2,204): Tatsuhiko Yoshino & Kota Sekifuda b Kazumi Kikuta & Yuki Morihiro, Kendo Kashi & Tsutomu Ooosugi & Hercules Senga b Minoru Fujita & Shu & Kei Brahman, Shinobu & Yoshihisa Uto & Takuya Nomura b Ryuichi Kawakami & Kazuki Hashimoto & Yuya Aoki, Yuko Miyamoto & Isami Kodaka & Ryuichi Sekine, Tag titles: Abdullah Kobayashi & Ryuji Ito b Takyuki Ueki & Toshiyuki Sakuda, Six-man titles: Daisuke Sekimoto & Kohei Sato & Hideyoshi Kamitani b Ryota Hama & Yasufumi Nakanoe & Shogun Okamoto to win titles, Strong heavyweight title: Daichi Hashimoto b Hideki Suzuki to win title, Death match title fluorescent light tuber tree and glass board match: Masashi Takeda b Masaya Takanishi
1010
101112/17 Nagoya (Dragon Gate - 1,500 sellout): Lindaman b Hyo Watanabe, Genki Horiguchi & Yosuke Santa Maria & U-T b Gamma & Problem Dragon & Kaito Ishida, Takashi Yoshida b Ben K, T-Hawk & Eita & Yasushi Kanda b Cima & Susumu Yokosuka & Kagetora, Masaaki Mochizuki & Yamato & BxB Hulk & Kzy b Ryo Saito & Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino & Jason Lee
1012
101312/17 Saitama (All Japan - 573): Yuma Aoyagi & Koji Iwamoto b Kai & Ishinriki, Mr. Christmas (Jun Akiyama) & Ultimo Dragon & Carbell Ito b Masa Fuchi & Osamu Nishimura & Yusuke Okada, Atsushi Aoki & Hikaru Sato & Takahisa Matsumoto b Yohei Nakajima & Kotaro Suzuki & Keiichi Sato, Takao Omori b Black Tiger VII, PWF jr. title: Tajiri b Atsushi Maruyama, Joe Doering b Naoya Nomura, Kento Miyahara & Yoshitatsu & Zeus b Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa & Ryoji Sai
1014
101512/17 Hachinohe (Pro Wrestling NOAH - 242): Hi69 b Sheldon Jean, Akitoshi Saito & Masao Inoue b Cody Hall & Junta Miyawaki, Hayata & Yo-Hey b Katsuhiko Nakajima & Hitoshi Kumano, Go Shiozaki & Atsushi Kotoge & Minoru Tanaka b Masa Kitamiya & Daisuke Harada & Tadasuke, Maybach Taniguchi DCOR Mitsuya Nagai, Mohammed Yone & Quiet Storm b Naomichi Marufuji & Moose, Kenou & Takashi Sugiura b Eddie Edwards & Taiji Ishimori
1016
101712/18 Providence, RI (WWE Raw/Main Event TV tapings - 8,000): Kalisto b Ariya Daivari, Apollo Crews b Curt Hawkins, Seth Rollins b Jason Jordan, Handicap match: Finn Balor b Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas-DQ, Finn Balor & Hideo Itami b Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas, Cedric Alexander b Drew Gulak, Asuka b Alicia Fox, Samoa Joe & Sheamus & Cesaro b Jason Jordan & Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose, Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson b Heath Slater & Rhyno, Bayley & Sasha Banks & Mickie James b Paige & Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose-DQ
1018
101912/18 White Plains, NY (WWE Smackdown - 3,500 sellout): Three-way for tag titles: Usos won over Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin and Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, Shinsuke Nakamura b Sami Zayn, Rusev & Aiden English b Zack Ryder & Sin Cara, Harper & Rowan & Primo & Epico Colon b Tyler Breeze & Fandango & The Ascension, Randy Orton b Kevin Owens, Lumberjack match for women’s title: Charlotte Flair b Natalya, Three-way for U.S. title: Dolph Ziggler won over Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode, WWE title: A.J. Styles b Jinder Mahal
1020
102112/18 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (New Japan - 1,721 sellout): Shota Umino b Ren Narita, Tomoyuki Oka b Tetsuhiro Yagi, Katsuya Kitamura b Hirai Kawato, Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Kushida & Masked Horse (Ryusuke Taguchi) b Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi & Desperado & Taka Michinoku, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano b Togi Makabe & Henare, Evil & Seiya Sanada b Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Kota Ibushi b Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Leo Tonga, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi b Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka-DQ, Tetsuya Naito & Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi b Kazuchika Okada & Sho & Yoh
1022
102312/19 Newark, NJ (WWE Smackdown/205 Live TV tapings - 9,000): Tyler Breeze & Fandango & Zack Ryder b Primo & Epico Colon & Mojo Rawley, Non-title: Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable b Usos, Charlotte Flair & Naomi b Sarah Logan & Ruby Riott, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods b Rusev & Aiden English, Randy Orton & A.J. Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura b Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn & Jinder Mahal, Kalisto & Gran Metalik b Brian Kendrick & Jack Gallagher-DQ, Hideo Itami b Colin Delaney, Cedric Alexander b Drew Gulak, Street fight: Bobby Roode b Baron Corbin
1024
102512/19 Mexico City Arena Mexico (CMLL - 2,500): Artillero & Coyote b Bengala & Sonic, Mercurio & Pequeno Nitro & Pierrothito b Fantasy & Shockercito & Ultimo Dragoncito, Amapola & Dallys & Reyna Isis b Marcela & Princesa Sugehit & Sanely, Blue Panther & Mistico & Valiente b Johnny Idol & Mr. Niebla & Okumura, Volador Jr. b Sam Adonis, Pierroth & Rush & El Terrible b Cavernario & Negro Casas & Ultimo Guerrero
1026
1027 
1028
1029Special thanks to: Allan Albert, Alian Alvarez, Bryan Alvarez, Konrad Augustin, Kenneth Baez, Travis Banks, Andre Baptista, Kirk Beattie, Howard Begley, Calvin Berry, B.J. Bethel, Jason Blevins, Guy Bogard, Nathan Bones, Leonard Brand, Craig Broadfoot, Cody Bridgewater, Brad Brown, Steve Bryant, Jeff Bulger, Ian Byrne, Ryan Cahela, Brandon Cain, Graeme Cameron, John Carey, Matt Carlins, Andrew Carrig, Kelvin Chen, Austin Chlapecka, Jordan Clark, Tim Clay, Rick Cobos, Hector Coli, Tony Cottam, Kyle Craig, Marcello Crowe, Matt Dagnall, Derek Daniels, Thomas DeCenso, David Defvenberg, Mike Doucette, Alex Douglas, Sammy Eanes, Tony Earnshaw, Ryan Ebelhar, Kain Emmons, Sam Fain, Blair Farthing, Tommaso Fatichi, Miguel Ferreira, Emmanuel Figueroa, Austin Fisher, Chris Flowers, Mike Flynn, David Foltz, Charles Garbutt, David Garcia, Chris Garvey, Antonio Garza, Jose Gonzalez, Ronald Grant, Liam, Greig, Matt Griffin, Ian Hamilton, Sean Harrell, Ross Hart, Spencer Hart, Patrick Hayes, Brian Henke, Anna Holcombe, Mark Jacques Rakheem James, Matt Jekanowski, Joe Kazmer, Richard Kelly, Jake Koch,, Mike Kuzmuk, Michael Langan, Joel Legasse, Jim Lemond, Joe Lemon, Nathaniel Lewis, Roy Lucier, Stephen Lyon, Nick Mahmood, John Mannix, Paul Matyasovky, Zane Martin, Paul Martinovic, Mark Matarozzo, Paul Matyasovsky, Dan Mayhugh, Nathan McCarter, Yury Mendez, Travis Mickey, Kevin Milem, Jason Mol, Nick Mongelli, Juan Montes, Guillermo Monti, Eric Morrison, Chris Murray, Michael Musiani, Stew Myrick, Bob Nichnadowicz, Sebastian Niles, Mori Ono, Steve Ogilvie, James Peklicz, Euan Pirie, Eric Place, Ken Raftery, Noel Rattigan, Liam Renner, Austin Renz, Brian Reznick, David Rude, Devin Ryan, Wayde Sailas, Austin Schauer, Tim Schulte, Robert Sce, Shikhar Sharma, Logan Shaw, Chris Silva, Gareth Smith, Shane Smith, Joao Soares, Edgar Sosa, Mike Spears, James Stanios, Colin Steele, Chuck Stevens, Chance Stokes, Brian Streleckis, Phil Sturm, Stefano Tateo, Brandon Telford, Miguel Traslavi, Greg Valko, Alberto Valenzuela, Zachary Watts, Adam Waybright, Jakob Wiestpfahl, Kyle Willard, Chris Williams, Matt Willence, Trae Wisecarver, Ryan Woodrow, Marcus Wren, Jeff Zinger
1030
1031CMLL: The 12/15 show at Arena Mexico featured a rematch from last week with Mistico & El Terrible & Volador Jr. beating Caristico & Soberano Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero. Once again, Mistico and Volador worked as rudos. They drew 5,000 fans so even with this unique main event program that haven’t even built back to normal numbers after WWE had their big show at high ticket prices. The match turned into a series of low blows and unmasking but in the confusion, Volador pinned Caristico. Caristico then wanted a mask vs. hair match and Volador blew him off like a heel, saying that Caristico’s mask means nothing and that if he was going to put up his hair, it would to win something important, like Ultimo Guerrero’s hair. The semi saw Mephisto & Ephesto & Sam Adonis beat Cavernario & Mr. Niebla & Polvora. This was supposed to continue the Adonis vs. Negro Casas feud, but Casas is hurting pretty bad. He pulled out and was replaced by Shocker, but then Shocker missed the show due to his father passing away and Polvora replaced him. 
1032
1033The 12/22 show has Caristico vs. Volador non-stip singles match. They also have yet another Cibernetico, which is the all-rudo Leyenda de Azul Cibernetico with Rush, Mr. Niebla, Ultimo Guerrero, Terrible, Shocker, Sanson, Kraneo, Euforia, Mascara Ano 2000, Rey Bucanero, Gran Guerrero, Forastero, Pierroth, Hechicero, Misterioso Jr. & Vangellys. The main event indicates a change by Paco Alonso, because he had always refused any suggestions to match those two up in a singles program. Only two weeks ago someone in the promotion had noted that they wouldn’t even allow them against each other in trios matches outside of CMLL
1034
1035The Christmas special at Arena Mexico is a one-match cage of death show with Star Jr., Nitro, Oro Jr., Templario, Starman, Cancerbero, Fiero, El Hijo del Signo, Pegasso and Raziel, with the last man left in the cage losing his mask
1036
1037The company is already pushing Christmas with a cage of death and New Year’s with Adonis vs. Casas hair vs. hair as the big shows, so even though that’s a major singles match, you can’t draw the casual fans that many times in a short period of time. Casas returned 12/19
1038
1039For the holidays, they are running both 12/25 and 12/26 and Jan. 1-2 at Arena Mexico, but the 1/5 Friday show is being moved to 1/6 because of Three Kings Day. The 1/6 show will be loaded with singles matches from the biggest feuds of 2017.
1040
1041The 12/19 show was an earthquake victims benefit show that got a lot of extra press, but drew 2,500, which was up from a usual Tuesday but probably not what they would have expected. They had a battle of heels on top with Rush & Pierroth & Terrible beating Casas & Cavernario & Ultimo Guerrero, plus a Volador Jr. over Sam Adonis singles match.
1042
1043AAA: AAA has voting going on for Wrestler of the Year, with El Hijo del Fantasma, Dr. Wagner Jr., Pagano, Psycho Clown and La Parka as the candidates. Johnny Mundo, who held the AAA heavyweight title most of the year and is still champion, and at one point held the heavyweight title, the Latin American title and the cruiserweight title at the same time, and defended them in three different matches on one of the biggest shows of the year, is not a candidate. I guess they’re afraid their fan base might consider that and vote for him and clearly they want a regular to win
1044
1045The 12/16 TV tapings in Tlaxcala ended up with a main event of El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., who is getting the big push, beating former TNA star Hernandez where the winner could pick the stipulation in the upcoming Guerra de Titanes title match where Mundo defends against Dr. Wagner Jr. When Wagner Jr’s son won, he announced that the Wagner family’s stip will be Vampiro as referee for the match. So that probably means Vampiro will screw either Wagner or Mundo in the match, and knowing swerve booking, since they picked him, it’ll be Wagner that he screws, but that would also turn him heel. Rey Escorpion & El Texano Jr. beat El Hijo del Fantasma & Psycho Clown when heel ref Tirantes helped Texano pin Fantasma. Dark Cuervo & Dark Scoria won the AAA tag titles in a three-way over Monsther Clown & Murder Clown and Histeria & Psicosis.
1046
1047THE CRASH: After Arolucha announced a 1/20 date in Lubbock, it is going to be very interesting since Crash is running that night as well in Tijuana. The Tijuana full card isn’t announced but Daga & Penta 0M & ? Vs. Mecha Wolf 450 & Bestia 666 & Garza Jr. is the announced main event and Matt Riddle is debuting on the show. With the exception of Bestia 666, all of the main event names were on the first Arolucha show, so wouldn’t be able to be in Lubbock. Penta has made it clear he’s working Tijuana. So the top talent will have to make a choice. Arolucha also announced its first house show would be 1/19 in Amarillo
1048
1049Plus, from mid-February until late March a lot of the key guys like Penta 0M and Rey Fenix working for both groups won’t be available because of the Lucha Underground tapings. The company announced Rey Mysterio Jr., Penta0M, Rey Fenix, Rush, Torito and Demus 3:16 as the headliners for their New Orleans show over WrestleMania week
1050
1051They ran two shows on 12/15 and neither drew very well. On 12/15 in Neza before 1,200 fans, the main event was Blue Demon Jr. & M-ximo & Penta 0M beating Bestia 666 & Garza Jr. & Heavy Metal. The semi was scheduled as Ricochet (in his last match with the promotion) & Sammy Guevara vs. Fenix & Penta 0M. Penta was moved up to the main event. Ricochet missed the show saying there was a mix-up on the flight. He cut a video saying it was all his fault, not the fault of the promotion and he apologized and said he’d try and make it up to them. The problem is that he’d have to do that quickly since he’s headed to WWE soon. It ended up as Mecha Wolf 450 as a replacement beating with Guevara over Flamita (who replaced Penta) & Fenix. Trevor Lee also missed the show, apologizing by saying he was very sick and couldn’t make it. Given that this is a paranoid business, there are those within the promotion seeing two no-shows at the last minute, both of guys who were originally booked on the show by Konnan, and see that as something other than a coincidence. They also ran Tezuitlan, near Puebla, and didn’t draw well at all there. Crash got a lot of negativity because both Lee and Ricochet posted they weren’t coming and their reasons but Crash never alerted anyone through social media. Fans were asking them hours before the show about Ricochet not coming and the promotion never responded. They did post signs near the ticket window saying Ricochet wouldn’t be there due to travel problems, but never mentioned Lee not being there. The thing is once people are already at the building, they’re probably buying tickets but if they know in advance, they may not come, and Mexico is a heavy walk-up. At the same time, the promotion isn’t drawing well and when you aren’t drawing well, you do things you may not do when you are drawing well. And it’s not like this isn’t common throughout wrestling.
1052
1053ALL JAPAN: I was told the 12/12 tag tournament finals with Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa vs. Daichi Hashimoto & Hideyoshi Kamitani is in the ****½ range and the Suwama & Ishikawa vs. Miyahara & Yoshitatsu wasn’t too far off that
1054
1055. The annual first two shows of the year are back at Korakuen Hall on Jan. 2 & 3. The first show features the annual Battle Royal, a tradition that dates back probably 35 years, plus Kotaro Suzuki will challenge for the jr. title and Joe Doering defends the Triple Crown against Zeus. The second show has the Jun Akiyama & Takao Omori World tag team title defense against new tag team of the year and tournament winners Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa
1056
1057On 1/6 in Nagoya, All-Asia tag champs Naoya Nomura & Yuma Aoyagi defend against Akiyama & Omori. I’ve never heard of the world tag team champions challenging for the All-Asia belts, since historically the world belts were main event belts and the Asia belts were undercard belts
1058
1059In addition, the Asia heavyweight title belt is being brought back. This belt started in 1955 in JWA when Rikidozan beat King Kong Czaja and was kind of forgotten when Rikidozan won the International title. It was brought back in 1968 by Kintaro Oki and was the main singles title in South Korea until Oki lost to Giant Baba in 1977, and then it was forgotten about again. Oki was billed as champion in Korea again until around 1985, when he retired. However, the original Asia title belt that was used from 1955 to 1963 was owned by Rikidozan. Mitsuo Momota, who is Rikidozan’s son, was in possession of the original physical belt which is being brought back and there will be an eight-man tournament featuring wrestlers from Japan, South Korea, China, Mongolia, Singapore and Thailand on 1/21 in Seoul. The title looks to become the new major singles title for Land’s End, which is Ryoji Sai’s promotion
1060
1061Tajiri retained the PWF jr. title over Atsushi Maruyama in 9:00 with a small package on 12/17 in Saitama before 573 fans. On that show, Jun Akiyama did his annual rendition of the masked man Mr. Christmas in an undercard match.
1062
1063PRO WRESTLING NOAH: With DJZ out of action due to blown discs in his back, he’s off the tour. Taiji Ishimori will now defend the X title against Andrew Everett on the 1/6 show at Korakuen Hall.
1064
1065NEW JAPAN: Chris Jericho and Tetsuya Naito have been trading barbs in the media and on social media. Jericho said to Sports Illustrated that he wasn’t doing WrestleMania this year. There were those in WWE skeptical of that, even with Fozzy having a concert the same night as Mania. New Japan was under the impression he was going back to WWE shortly after 1/4 and it was a two-shot thing (Jericho is booked on New Year’s Dash on 1/5 at Korakuen Hall). Jericho himself is keeping quiet and always does on his own schedule, and it’s really up to him. The original deal was just for the one match with Omega, but he is a free agent and if he’s having fun and feels there is more he can do, he can always extend it. The concert schedule would make one think he’s probably not doing of hitting it hard 2/28 to 4/8 would seemingly make it impossible to run a major angle for Mania, but would not rule out Rumble. At the same time, unless there is a good storyline that wouldn’t be a Mania storyline, I’m not sure any need for him to do Rumble just to do his usual job of being in for a long time and then being gone until after Mania. New Japan’s next really big show would be Sakura Genesis in April at Sumo Hall, but that date won’t be announced until the 1/4 show
1066
1067Jim Ross and Josh Barnett have both signed new one-year deals with AXS Fights for 2018. Both deals were expected. Ross hasn’t been used by WWE since the Mae Young Classic since he was hired for the U.K. show which hasn’t gotten off the ground. What’s notable is that Vince McMahon essentially had the ability to block it because of Ross’ contract with WWE, and helped make the deal happen. Ross had talked on his podcast like it was almost a done deal for some time and both sides pretty much have gone with that impression but contracts hadn’t been finalized until recently
1068
1069Tetsuya Naito’s second straight MVP award puts him in a select category. Only four prior wrestlers have ever won the MVP award twice in their careers, Antonio Inoki, Jumbo Tsuruta, Genichiro Tenryu and Kazuchika Okada. It’s amazing when you think of names like Giant Baba (most notable), Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Keiji Muto, Tatsumi Fujinami, Shinya Hashimoto and Hiroshi Tanahashi never having won the award twice. A key reason Naito got the award over Okada is that the feeling was he was the bigger drawing card of the two, sold more merchandise and got the bigger crowd reactions, and the feeling that even though Okada was pushed as the biggest star and had better matches, that Naito was more valuable to the growth of the company. They’ve been pushing Naito winning the award over Okada as part of the build to the match
1070
1071New Japan held a press conference on 12/15 with Naito about winning the award, noting that all three men under consideration (Naito, Okada and Kenny Omega–with Okada’s credential being listed as his holding the title all year and Omega because of the quality of his matches). At the press conference, the reporter from Tokyo Sports hosting said it came down to a lot of debates among the three, but the ultimate debate was Okada’s high performance level vs. Naito’s high popularity. But Naito changed the subject and talked about the double main event billing of Omega vs. Jericho. This fits into his storyline so it’s pretty much a work, but he said there is only one main event and the other is the semifinal, and that they are the semifinal to his main event. He said that for New Japan, the main event of the Tokyo Dome is very significant, but because of name recognition (he would never say Jericho’s name), they are calling it double main event. He said he understands “the big name” is important and for worldwide interest you have to take advantage of his name, but he felt the point of using him was to showcase New Japan Pro Wrestling and that should be the point and they should be pushing what they do every day (interestingly his working reaction is the same as the legit reaction of some WWE talent when they bring in the superstars for Mania and the full-timers work lower on the card than the guys who aren’t full-timers, but not understanding the key to doing the biggest show is showcasing something that isn’t part of the other big shows or the weekly business). He then blamed the company (his gimmick is anti-establishment) for pushing the idea the other company overseas is a big deal, saying they didn’t learn a thing from Nakamura leaving and them congratulating him on leaving. He said as long as they have that attitude, New Japan will never be the No. 1 company in the world (of course the reality is they can’t be, it’s impossible, the gap is too big and American culture exports a million times better on a worldwide basis than Japanese culture). He said no matter how hard the wrestlers work, they’ll never be the No. 1 company in the world with this attitude. He also said it was very disappointing that he didn’t win match of the year, but said that it was in December that the voting took place and Omega vs. Okada that won was in January, a long time ago, so it must have been great for people to think of it at that level for so long. His argument for winning MVP is that he won G-1, and Okada and Omega were both in G-1, and Okada didn’t even make the finals
1072
1073There was another fan voting in Japan for Match of the Year and Wrestler of the Year this past week. In Wrestler of the Year, Omega not only won, but got twice the number of votes of Naito, with Okada third, Hiromu Takahashi fourth and Hiroshi Tanahashi fifth. For match of the year, it was the Dominion 60:00 Omega vs. Okada that won, followed by the Tokyo Dome Omega vs. Okada, then the Naito vs. Omega G-1 final, Okada vs Shibata and fifth was Okada vs. Evil from the G-1 Climax tournament
1074
1075Those close to Sami Callihan claim he was never told by management to stop kissing guys and that some of the Japanese veteran wrestlers called for the spot at some of the house shows during the tag team tournament. We were told that one of the wrestlers complained to management and a company official said he was told not to do it and everything was taken care of but maybe he wasn’t told
1076
1077The Young Lions tournament ends with New Japan’s final show of the year, the Young Lion’s Project show at Shinjuku Face on 12/21. Going into the final day, Katsuya Kitamura, with a 4-0 record, is in first place, while Tomoyuki Oka and Hirai Kawato are 3-1. Shota Umino is 2-2 while Ren Narita and Tetsuhiro Yagi are 0-4. Oka vs. Kitamura, which most expected going in would decide the championship, will be on the 12/21 show. If Kitamura wins, he takes the tournament. If Oka wins and Kawato wins, they’ll need a playoff since it’ll be a three-way tie and all three would have a 1-1 record against each other. If Oka wins and Kawato loses, then Oka wins since he’d have beaten Kitamura when they were the two tied for first
1078
1079So many have seen the photos of Don Callis being wheeled through the Fukuoka, Narita, and perhaps even the Vancouver Airport in selling the Chris Jericho codebreaker. But there’s actually more to the story. Callis did the angle shortly after cracking his rib. What happened is Callis was at ringside announcing but had to go backstage with Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho to secretly set up the angle. So he told Minoru Suzuki to do something to scare him away. The idea is that very American announcer plays up Suzuki as being psychotic so it was a believable way to exit. So Callis ran away. In doing so he crossed paths with Lance Archer, who was making his entrance. Wanting to sell Archer’s wild Stan Hansen-style entrance, Callis ran away again, with the idea of hurdling over the guard rail to get away from Archer. But the guard rail that he thought was heavy metal was actually much lighter and flimsier plastic and when trying to hurdle over it, it collapsed and he took a real bump. Then he went backstage to set up the other bump. But it made selling the pain from the codebreaker far more natural to everyone.
1080
1081OTHER JAPAN NOTES: Big Japan did its year-end major show on 12/17 at the Yokohama Bunka Gym before 2,204 fans. In their death match championship mach, Masashi Takeda beat Masaya Takanishi in 17:44 by putting him through fluorescent light tubes. The match was a fluorescent light tube tree and glass board death match. In the Strong division (Big Japan essentially has two divisions, the strong division that has really great strong style wrestling led by Daisuke Sekimoto, and the death match division), Daichi Hashimoto won the title with a DDT on Hideki Suzuki in 14:45. Sekimoto & Kohei Sato & Hideyoshi Kamitani won the six-man titles over Ryota Hama & Yasufumi Nakanoue & Shogun Okamoto when Kamitani pinned Hama after a lariat in 13:18
1082
1083On the 1/14 Power Hall show promoted by Riki Choshu at Korakuen Hall, Gota Ihashi of DDT was added to the main event teaming with Riki Choshu & Kota Ibushi against Tatsumi Fujinami & Taka Michinoku & Daisuke Sekimoto. Jay Bradley is also coming in to replace DJZ on the show.
1084
1085HERE AND THERE: Add WWN to the groups that are adding a streaming service. Club WWN will be a $9.99 monthly service for VOD access to 360 events from the WWN parent company which includes Evolve, Shine FIP, Style Battle and old Dragon Gate USA shows. You can get the first month free if you sign up before 1/31. This will not include live events, but members can order live events for half-price, which means $5 live or $7.50 for live and VOD. All live events will be part of the streaming package roughly two weeks after they take place.
1086
1087.. Melina Perez, 38, who worked with WWE from 2004 to 2011, said on Facebook that she had previously been raped. She didn’t mention who, where or when. Perez met John Hennigan (Morrison, Impact, Mundo) when both were trying out for Tough Enough and had a long relationship with him through OVW and later WWE, as they were put together with Joey Mercury/Matthews, as the MNM tag team act that got rave reviews in developmental and didn’t do as well on the main roster. She and Hennigan were together pretty much the entire period they were in WWE and even after she was fired. Batista also claimed in his autobiography to have had a relationship with her. She was fired by WWE in 2011. Perez said, “Been raped, been grabbed, been cornered and told things that a guy wants to do even though I told him to stop. All unwanted. All made me feel helpless, uncomfortable and scared of what’s going to happen next. Different levels but all wrong regardless. Granted, being cornered to get harassed and being grabbed didn’t make me to want to commit suicide like rape did, but all were life altering. All made me feel like I had no power, I wasn’t safe, I had no value and I wasn’t a human being, that I was simply a thing, my worth, my purpose, my existence altered. If I say anything, I’m a liar, exaggerating or looking for attention. So many suffer this helplessness in silence, which I dif for ears. I’m not looking to point fingers. I want to educate people on the subject, be here for victims and get those suffering in silence on the path to recovery. Sexual assault doesn’t just happen to women.
1088
1089Taz has expanded his role as a radio personality to being the co-host of the CBS Sports Radio drive-time show, called Taz and Moose, that will air 6-9 a.m. weekdays Eastern time starting on Jan. 2. Moose is Marc Matusis, who had worked at CBS Sports Radio doing a show called Moose & Maggie on Saturday mornings
1090
1091April Mendez (A.J. Lee) is working as a writer and executive producer on a television project based on her autobiography, “Crazy is My Superpower.” The book is about her overcoming mental health issues. Jeff Fisher and EIJE/Sokolow, who are behind NatGeo’s “Genius” show, are working to use her book as a theme for a scripted fictional television show
1092
1093Macaulay Culkin, who is a big fan and has been to a number of WWE shows, did an angle at Joey Ryan’s Bar Wrestling show in Baldwin Park, NY, on 12/14. Culkin did a wrestling spot for a YouTube series he’s planning to launch where Culkin reprised his “Home Alone” character Kevin by throwing marbles on the floor as well as a bucket tied to string to hit a wrestler in the face while fans chanted “Culkin” and “Home Alone” during the main event where Ryan & Candice LeRae & Santa Claus (Dick Justice) beat Peter Avalon & Ray Rosas & Swoggle
1094
1095A promotion called Generacion XXI ran 12/18 in Irapuato, Mexico and drew 5,000 fans for a show with Fenix & Penta 0M & Blue Demon Jr. vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. & L.A. Park & El Hijo de L.A. Park
1096
1097.There had been behind-the-scenes buzz that the remake of the Elite promotion hadn’t been paying talent, but nobody had said anything publicly until 12/19 when Garza Jr. said that he, Fuerza Guerrera, Bandido and Charly Manson hadn’t been paid. Two hours later an Elite official claimed Garza was lying and that he had been paid in advance and threatened legal action. He posted a series of text messages he had sent asking for his money. Then the other guy posted a check with the name and date blacked out for 650 pesos which is $34. I mean, that couldn’t have been more incriminating if they had tried. Garza talked about how ridiculous that was to make anyone think he’d work a show for 650 pesos and told people not to work their Christmas show. Then they threatened to sue Garza and would use their contacts to get him fired from Impact which I can’t even imagine happening
1098
1099Ruben “Pato” Soria, a long-time star in Guadalajara and the father of Shocker, passed away on 12/15 after a battle with cancer at the age of 75. Soria, born Gregorio Soria, was trained by Diablo Velasco and started wrestling in 1963 as a tag team with Javier Escobedo. Escobedo was thought to be someone who would be among the biggest stars in Mexico, but died in an auto accident on February, 1964. After wrestling, he trained wrestlers and promoted shows in Guadalajara through 2011. A few months ago doctors had discovered a tumor in his spine after he had felt a sharp pain hin his back to the point he was paralyzed from the waist down
1100
1101Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer,87, was in the hospital of late and apparently it was serious, but he is out now and vowing to come to the Cauliflower Alley banquet in 2018 as he does every year. Beyer is pretty much the last name from his generation still attending as most from that era have either passed away or unable to travel that far
1102
1103Evolve announced Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Darby Allin (who some indie promoters see as a potential breakout star) for the Evolve title on 1/13 in Queens, NY and a non-title match with Sabre vs. Walter the next day in Brooklyn
1104
1105A promotion in Canada is promoting a Bobby Heenan Memorial Ham n’ Egger Classic show, which Cindy Heenan has no idea is happening
1106
1107Tanea Brooks, 39, who was Rebel and Tanea in TNA from 2013 to 2016 and has continued to work indies while continuing to train at OVW and worked a few Stardom tours last year was engaged on 12/16. I believe the engagement came while she was on a Norwegian cruise. Brooks got into wrestling because before Christy Hemme got into wrestling, she and Brooks were part of a dance troupe called “The Purrfect Angels.” Brooks background included starting as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader during the 1996 season and she was put on the cover one year of the cheerleaders nationally-marketed calendar. She also played in the old Lingerie Football League, the same league that Danielle Moinet (Summer Rae) was the top star in. She was first brought in as the sister, and then changed to the girlfriend, of Knux (Mike Knox) as part of a group called The Menagerie with Crazzy Steve. She was put into the ring with on a national stage with virtually no training or experience, and quickly broke her arm. To her credit, she’s been training every since
1108
1109While the U.S. scene has modernized where guys get Christmas off, Mexico is still like the old days. Penta & Fenix are both working three shows that day
1110
1111Historian Graeme Cameron noted in regard to Mark Lewin getting inducted into the Hall of Fame noted that Libnan Ayoub’s new DVD on World Championship Wrestling noted Jim Barnett would take booker Mark Lewin’s advice on who to use. If Lewin didn’t like someone, he would discredit them and advice Barnett not to use them. That’s why they got John Hill as The Destroyer instead of Dick Beyer. The DVD also blamed Lewin for holding down of the local talent. One story talked about how Lewin would run down the Australian wrestlers in the dressing room when Sheik Wadi Ayoub (the father of DVD producer Libnan Ayoub) confronted him saying he was an Australian wrestler and the people Lewin was running down were his friends, and if he ever heard Lewin talk like that again, he’d beat the crap out of him. In order, the top main most main events during the WCW heyday were Spyros Arion, Mario Milano, Killer Kowalski & Lewin, Dominic DeNucci, Killer Karl Kox, King Curtis Iaukea, Skull Murphy, Wahoo McDaniel and Ray Stevens. The DVD indicated that Barnett was looking to sell the promotion in 1972 after the Labor Party took control of the government and introduced new tax and business ownership laws regarding businesses owned by foreigners. Barnett himself pretty much told me the same thing, that a change in tax laws was a key reason for him selling, although another was that Eddie Graham wanted him running Georgia since the NWA was at war with Ann Gunkel and Barnett was a cutthroat businessman. They said it took him two years to find a buyer. One reason profits were down is that the old Sydney Stadium was closed down, so they had a smaller capacity building and Sydney was a key market. The new law passing also ate into profits. Jim Oates, who was the money behind Barnett’s Australia purchase (he and Barnett were friends from college and Oates was Barnett’s money man while Barnett was always telling people he came from a rich family and was loaded when in reality Barnett lived like a rich man and spent money like a rich man but it was wrestling company money and he himself was no rich at all which was one of wrestling’s great cons as everyone both in and out of wrestling thought he was), told me that Australia was great but they stayed one year too log. While many remember “The War” between Lewin’s People’s Army and Big Bad John’s heel army as the hottest period ever for Australian wrestling with all the bloodbath matches, Barnett & Oates both said it was not a profitable period. There was talk that Barnett tried to sell it to Al Costello and Peter Maivia in 1972, and then to Roy Welch and Buddy Fuller. Welch and Fuller brought in Tennessee stars in 1972 and 1973. Lewin and Iaukea refused to work with Welch and Fuller as Iaukea didn’t want to work with what he considered a much lower caliber of wrestlers, so it was mostly Arion and Milano as stars. The Tennessee style didn’t get over and Welch and Fuller were out of the picture. Barnett next offered it to Eddie Graham, who came to Australia to check things out in 1973, but he decided against buying it. Graham instead suggested Tony Kolonie, a boxing promoter from Hawaii, buy it, which he did. Kolonie took over a promotion burned out by the war era and he also had no experience running a wrestling company, let alone a national promotion. He sold to Ron Miller & Larry O’Dea one year later and Kolonie ended up living in Sydney for years running a shop. The promotion wasn’t doing well and the promotion was about to die when the TV show was canceled, although even with TV its days were numbered. Wrestling was canceled because the owner of The Nine Network, Kerry Packer, could put his pet project, World Series Cricket in the time slot. Packer was actually a wrestling fan, and the feeling is if he thought the station could make money with wrestling, he’d have just moved it to a new time slot
1112
1113Pete Polaco, 44, better known as Justin Credible was in the ring in a weird situation on a 12/15 show in Enfield, CT for Blitzkrieg Pro Wrestling and got into an argument with the promoter which didn’t seem like part of the show, but who knows. If the storyline idea was that he’d look like he was messed up and the promoter would yell at him over it to get attention, well, they did. Polaco has had significant issues in the past. He stumbled in the ring and started talking and slurring his words. The promoter came out and yelled at him while people called him drunk and the promoter pretty much said he showed up that way. He said some stuff like he was there to honor the promoter. The promoter said he paid him to come out and Polaco said it was only $150. Polaco then apologized after the fact saying he embarrassed himself and his family and said he was going to therapy through the WWE Wellness policy, had a bad night, thought he through he could drink and realizes that it was too early to go back (to wrestling) and he f***ed up. He said Diamond Dallas Page told him to make a video and track his progress and that good stuff will come out of this like Jake Roberts and said he wants to redeem himself for himself and his family and the people who do care about him. He said he’s fallen and he’s fallen hard and he’s going to pick himself back up. Said he was going to work with Page and said he was on the phone with Sean Waltman for an hour when he was crying and thinking of killing himself. He said he was going to come back right and thanked WWE, Paul Levesque, Brian James, Stephanie, Vince, Waltman and Page for their help and said he’s not going to screw up again. The Patch, a local paper wrote a story on it noting that more than a dozen of the wrestlers came out in case things got out of hand, but Polaco left the show with his wife and it caused a 25 minute delay to the show. The newspaper story said his wife also appeared to be under the influence. It said when he arrived he was unable to walk straight, was slurring his words and smelled of alcohol and asked if you could use a blade to cut himself while he did the promo
1114
1115Colby Covington of UFC will be appearing on the 2/3 Wrestle Pro show in Rahway, NJ. Covington has made himself into a major controversial figure in UFC, this past week for putting spoilers out on “Star Wars” on Twitter
1116
1117Teddy Hart (Ted Annis, 37, was released from custody this past week and was back wrestling over the weekend). He worked with Joey Ryan on a show in Feasterville, PA. Hart had been in custody in Texas on charges of a hazardous traffic violation, attempting to evade a lawful arrest and operating a vehicle without consent of the owner. His charges were dropped
1118
1119A rare U.S. appearance of the Great Muta will be for PCW on 1/19 in Wilmington, CA. Muta & Penta 0M headline the show against Johnny Ultra (John Morrision/Mundo/Impact/Hennigan) & Sami Callihan
1120
1121Sawyer Fulton, released by WWE, told the Pancakes and Powerslams podcast that he has nothing bad to say because he learned so much and grew so much there. But he said if he was asked to come back, he wouldn’t want to because he wants to wrestle in Mexico and Japan and has already taken Spanish and Japanese lessons. He said his goal is to become a great pro wrestler which for him means getting the most different experience possible. Another top tier athlete who was cut some time back, Clayton Jack (who used the name Cal Bishop in NXT but got no push, and like Fulton, was cut after injuries) is also not wrestling on the indie scene.
1122
1123LUCHA UNDERGROUND: The wrestlers under contract have had to start cancelling their indie weekend dates from mid-February through late March.
1124
1125ROH: Even though they won on the PPV, and I’m not sure why that would be, War Machine’s final show with the promotion was the 12/16 TV tapings in Philadelphia where they did a surprising loss to Coast 2 Coast (Shaheem Ali & Leon St-Giovanni) were Coast 2 Coast could never team up again unless they won. Notably while this was advertised as the stip before the match, it was not announced to the fans at the show and may not have been announced for TV
1126
1127The final show of the year was the TV taping on 12/16 in Philadelphia before 800 fans, which was a little sort of full. The event lasted more than five hours with 16 matches and lots of interviews. In what appeared to be a dark match, Tough Guy Inc., which was Bob Evans & Tim Hughes, beat Ryan Nova & Eli Isom (two guys from the ROH training school). Jessie Brooks beat Gabby Ortiz with a Tiger suplex in a match where the winner would qualify for the tournament for the Women of Honor championship. The first hour opened with Dalton Castle & The Boys out. Fans chanted “You deserve it” at him. He talked about winning the title and said how coming to ROH wasn’t a mistake. He said he’s not a big fish in a small pond but a megalodon swimming thought he entire ocean. Jay Lethal came out to challenge him. They did a thing where the Boys acted like they were chairs and Castle invited Lethal to sit down, and Lethal thought that was too weird. After Castle agreed Lethal would be at the front of the list, Punishment Martinez attacked Castle and gave him a choke slam. Silas Young retained the TV tile beating Simon Grimm (Simon Gotch) withy misery. After the match, Kenny King came out and yelled at Young for eliminating him from the title match by using a beer bottle. Young said that is how the business works. King said he knows he can get a rematch, but since he’s had eight beers already, he was right now just looking for a fight. He then came to the ring and spit beer in Young’s face and it turned into a pull-apart. Mark & Jay Briscoe beat Nova & Isom. This was a squash match. Jay did a promo saying that they had just ended Bully Ray’s career and now they’re coming after the Motor City Machine Guns and the tag team titles. Marty Scurll beat Flip Gordon in what appeared to be the first show main event using the last shot. One of the best matches on the show. Scurll won with the last shot, which was Adam Cole’s old finisher. Brandi Rhodes beat Stella Grey with the final cut in a match taped for the Internet. Rhodes was very over. Karen Q was doing commentary and made fun of Rhodes after the match. Rhodes is now in the WOH tournament. The second hour opened with Lethal beating Ospreay. A very good match as expected. Scurll came out but didn’t interfere. Lethal countered the Oscutter into an Ace crusher for the clean win. It does make booking sense for Lethal to beat Ospreay given he’s being groomed for a title shot, but it still feels like Ospreay loses too much here and everywhere, but he’s also not working a regular schedule here. King beat Brian Milonas with a blockbuster. After the match, King challenged Young. They started a fight and it ended up with Young, Beer City Bruiser and Milonas all beating down King, so it looks like Milonas is going to be part of their group and working more frequently. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky came out. Daniels & Kazarian called Scorpio Sky the hottest new talent in ROH and they are using the name So-Cal Uncensored. I hope they contacted Steve Bryant about it, since Bryant has had a web site with that name since the beginning of time. Joe Koff came out. He’s becoming more of a TV character. He said that he knows the fans don’t want to see him, but they don’t want the most disruptive wrestlers. He threatened to fire Daniels & Kazarian & Sky. Kazarian wanted to kick Koff’s ass but Daniels said not to and that when he was ROH champion, he’d discuss big plans for ROH. He said that if Koff fires him, he may start giving his big plan ideas to his good friend Don Callis (interesting that name was mentioned as Callis I’m pretty sure would be looking for ROH & Impact trading talent) and mentioned that one of his best friends is named A.J. and A.J. has the ears of top executives in another company. Koff said that instead of firing them, he’s talked to the attorneys and said that Daniels & Kazarian’s contracts expire at the end of 2018, and told them that after next year’s Final Battle, both are done. Castle & The Boys beat Matt Taven & Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan in the second hour main event. Castle hit a tombstone on Taven and the bangarang on O’Ryan. The Boys did a double dive on Taven & O’Ryan and Castle used the Julie Newmar submission on Marseglia. After the match, The Kingdom jumped Castle & The Boys and Taven laid out Castle and held up the title belt, so add Taven to the list with Cody, Martinez and Lethal as future title challengers. Next was another women’s match for the Internet with Mandy Leon & Deonna Purrazzo beating Jenny Rose & Sumie Sakai when Leon pinned Rose with a victory roll. Kelly Klein was on commentary. Crowd was into it. Purrazzo did a promo after saying that Klein had just gotten back from working in Stardom but nobody missed her and Purrazzo said she’s been undefeated he last 30 days. Purrazzo talked about the title tournament and threatened to break Klein’s arm and called her a bitch. Mayu Iwatani came out during this segment and made belt motions. For show three, Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley kept the tag titles beating The Dawgs, Rhett Titus & Will Ferrara by pinning Ferrara. Match was okay, nothing more. The Briscoes came out to challenge Sabin & Shelley after. Jonathan Gresham pinned Josh Woods. Crowd wasn’t into this match. Cody came out and said that Castle was the better man at Final Battle, but said he’s got a rematch coming and he still has the ring. Taven came out and said that Cody has been exposed in ROH, he lost the title, he’s built his career on his father’s name and he can’t even use that. He couldn’t do things on his own so he joined the Bullet Club and made fun of him bleaching his hair. Cody said his hair got a bigger reaction than anything Taven has done in his career. He told Taven to kiss the ring. Taven kissed it, and then gave Cody a low blow. Fans chanted “You still kissed it” as Taven, while Cody said how Brandi won’t be happy about that low blow. Punishment Martinez won a squash over Mike Dobbs with a choke slam. Fans chanted “Fat Jesus” at Dobbs. Martinez called out Castle. Castle came out. He dared Martinez to punch him. Martinez threw, Castle ducked and laid Martinez out with an overhead suplex. Martinez jumped back in the ring and they had a staredown. Shaheem Ali & LSG beat War Machine in a huge upset. Obviously this was War Machine’s big loss on the way out, to give credibility to Coast 2 Coast as a new significant team. War Machine threw them around but Coast 2 Coast kept kicking out. Coast 2 Coast messed up their Coast 2 Coast dropkick the first time, but since this is taped TV, that can be edited so they did it again. Ali kicked out of Fallout. Ali pinned Rowe with a schoolboy. War Machine congratulated them after and basically said farewell to the crowd. Fans were shocked by how all of this went down. Young Bucks won a three-way over Baretta & Chuckie T and Dragon Lee & Titan using the Meltzer driver on Titan. Great match. Best Friends did a lot of comedy and Lee & Titan did the flying. Daniels & Kazarian & Scorpio Sky hit the ring to attack the Young Bucks. Adam Page chased them off with a chair. Lots of fans left after this, as it was really late and people were waiting to see the Young Bucks. Bully Ray came out holding his boots. He said Final Battle was his Final Battle. He said he was born in New York City, but as a pro wrestler, he was born in this arena in Philadelphia in October 1995. He laid down his boots in the ring and thanked the crowd. All the babyfaces came out. Lethal said he’s known Bully Ray for a long time. He said a lot of people had their guard up when he came to ROH, but he saw how Bully ray would help out and listen to everyone in the locker room and helped them get better and to him that makes him a legend and thanked him for everything. This segment was done really well. Daniels & Kazarian & Scorpio Sky beat Cody & Page & Scurll when Sky pinned Page with a high knee. This makes sense as they beat Page (who is one-third of the trios champions) to set up the inevitable challenge for Bucks & Page. The Kingdom was also out watching. Page may have hurt his ankle doing the top rope moonsault to the floor. After the match, probably for Being the Elite, Cody challenged Kazarian to a posedown. They agreed. Somehow this led to fans chanting for announcer Ian Riccaboni to get involved. Kazarian posed and was booed. Cody was cheered. Riccaboni took off his shirt and the crowd went crazy and he was declared the win. Cody challenged Kazarian to a push-up contest. Cody won when he wiped Kazarian’s arm and caused him to fall. There was another brawl leading to the Young Bucks superkicking all the members of SoCal Uncensored. Daniels & Kazarian were both in submission moves while Scurll started singing a Backstreet Boys song. Brandi then laid out Kazarian for a big pop to end the show.
1128
1129IMPACT: David Sahadi was let go early last week by TNA as a producer and director after 13 plus years and will be replaced by Michael Vedder. Vedder had been with TNA many years back and was tight with Scott D’Amore. Sahadi joined TNA in 2004 after a long period working with WWE on a three month contact. He worked full-time in post-production until March 2006, when he was named Director of Impact. Over the years he had taken five different pay cuts, four with the old regime and one with the new to help out due to the money issues the company had. He was also owed between $24,000 and $39,000 at the time of the sale to Anthem, which he never pushed for with the idea of wanting to work with the new ownership group with a clean slate and the idea that if and when things turned around that would be remembered. It was noted that he had been a real team player throughout the Dixie Carter regime, but it’s not a new regime that is having to make budget cuts everywhere
1130
1131Impact this week will be a Best of 2017 show. Those shows usually don’t do well in the ratings.
1132
1133UFC: The FOX/Disney $52.4 billion sale went through. There are several effects this has immediately on UFC. The big question, regarding contract negotiations, is unknown. FOX retained FS 1, but not its regional sports networks, nor FX or FXX. FS 1 has not been a success overall as competition to ESPN, but UFC has been its staple programming, particularly most Wednesday and Saturday nights. Losing UFC would hurt the network badly, unless they picked up WWE, which, if UFC leaves FS 1, could put WWE in a great position. There is still the question of a U.S. sports network devoting that much time to pro wrestling and they may not want to do that, but the five hours of WWE greatly would improve their prime time network average rating. Still, from an advertiser standpoint, a WWE deal would be a money loser because the ad rates are such that you would be paying far more for the programming than you could recoup on advertising. Plus, WWE ratings will decline with a move from USA to FS 1, not a ton, but somewhat. From a UFC standpoint, the key immediate notes is that on nights when they have programming but FS 1 has football or baseball, previously they’d move the fights to FX or FXX. Now they would have to move the fights on FS 2, a far lower profile station and doesn’t have nearly the clearance. The second is that UFC hype shows would air in filler time on the Fox regional sports networks, and that would probably discontinue
1134
1135The crazy court case between Michael Bisping and former manager Anthony McGann of the Wolfslair team in the U.K. ended with Judge Richard Salter ordering Bisping to pay McGann more than $400,000 in owed unpaid percentages of his earnings between 2005 and 2011. Salter noted that even though he ordered Bisping to pay the money, that he wasn’t impressed with McGann. Among the highlights of their two-week trial included a scuffle in the waiting area between the two and the judge told both that if it happened again, it would not be tolerated. The judge said that McGann had greatly exaggerated the money owed and submitted fake documents and fake evidence. But he also castigated the behavior of Bisping. The judge also noted that both sides run up legal bills that were ridiculously high considering the amount of money they were fighting over. Salter said that even though Bisping denied it, he did sign a contract with McGann to be his manager in 2005 and he was entitled to a percentage of Bisping’s earnings. But the judge said that McGann’s evidence was, in his belief, plainly untruthful and that some invoices presented were “recent fabrications.” He said that Bisping was the more honest witness, but said both were “tailoring and trimming evidence.” The judge also said that Bisping was a knowing participant in the fraudulent activity McGann used in 2010 and 2011 in overstating Bisping’s training defenses before fights in Australia to avoid taxes. He also said it would an affront to justice to order Bisping to pay McGann’s legal bills, nor McGann to pay Bisping’s legal bills
1136
1137The UFC 218 show, or at least a few fights from the show, will be airing on FS 1 in a Christmas Eve special from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The situation was almost duplicate of last year, where an early December PPV show was one of the year’s best shows, but not that many people saw it because of the low buy number. This year’s 12/2 show had Max Holloway’s featherweight title against Jose Aldo, as well as a knockout of the year contender with Francis Ngannou’s win over Alistair Overeem, as well as one of the best fights of the year with Eddie Alvarez’s win over Justin Gaethje. The original idea was to put the three main events from UFC 217 (GSP vs. Michael Bisping, T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt and Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk) on Christmas Eve but give Ngannou headlining the 1/20 PPV and wanting as many people as possible to see that knockout, the decision was made to go with this
1138
1139. This week’s Conor McGregor story is that he said he wants a real fight in UFC next, not a boxing match. Of course this can change next week. When asked about WWE, he said, “F*** WWE.” It wouldn’t shock me that at some point McGregor may be something with WWE, but it’s not as much of a lock as some think because right now he’s way out of their price range. There may come a day where they think he’s worth $2 million and he’s willing to work a shot for $2 million, but after getting $100 million or $140 million or whatever he made, he’s above what it is looks to be viable to pay him for WrestleMania without Mania being a big money loser. Besides, last year may have been the year, and those negotiations went nowhere because they were so far apart on price, and McGregor’s bank account is bigger and asking price is bigger now. Plus, with Ronda Rousey training for WWE, it’s overkill booking both on the same show
1140
1141Firas Zahabi, the head trainer for Georges St-Pierre, said that GSP would be coming back to fight when he gets healthy, and threw out the names McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, saying he would want major high profile fights. Mayweather isn’t about to happen. St-Pierre said that he would never challenge McGregor personally because he doesn’t like the idea of calling out somebody smaller than he is (there’s probably 15 pounds difference in the real walk-around weight of both guys). But he would obviously accept the fight, which should be the biggest PPV in UFC history if it was put together. Of course, the problem is McGregor is still lightweight champion and hasn’t defended that title. Another superstar vacating a title isn’t a good thing, but with so many titles it was a given it would end up like boxing where the titles mean nothing and it’s all about matching up the biggest personalities who are at least close enough to the same size to make it work
1142
1143Pietro Menga was the latest in what seems to be a far too regular pattern of fighters hospitalized the day before they are supposed to fight. Menga’s kidneys shut down as he was trying to make weight for his fight on the 12/16 Winnipeg show with Tim Elliott. Menga agreed to take the fight, where he had to make 126 pounds, on two weeks notice. At the time, he weighed 155 pounds. So he started dieting before the hard cut. A 155 pound body isn’t meant to get to 126 in 13 days. He got to 131 when his kidneys shut down. He was actually still willing to fight at 135 but Elliott turned that down. Elliott was then mad that he only got his show money but not his win money, but UFC appeased that by paying him his show money and then booking him to fight Mark De La Rosa on the 12/30 show in Las Vegas. But as a general rule, if a fighter makes weight and his opponent doesn’t fight, it should be viewed as a win via forfeit as far as pay is concerned since the show was already budgeted with that expenditure and the guy who doesn’t fight isn’t getting paid at all. But there needs to be more care with the idea of booking a 155 pound guy at flyweight two weeks out. You can only have so many almost weekly warnings because if and when the tragedy happens from this, nobody can say they weren’t warned. The problem is, fighters want to fight in UFC and I could see them lying about their weight and things like this happening. But still, the matchmakers need to ask and be reasonable about how much a guy can cut in these short notice situations. The morning weigh-in is also turning into a disaster. It sounded like a good idea. I was in favor of it at first. But the facts are facts. More people are ending up hospitalized and far more fights are falling through than from the old system of late afternoon weigh-ins
1144
1145Fabricio Werdum failed to appear for his court date on the assault charge for throwing a boomerang in the face of Colby Covington in November. Werdum was then declared guilty of the charge and fined $600
1146
1147UFC officially announced Jeremy Stephens vs. Doo Ho Choi as the main event for the 1/14 show in St. Louis. The belief is that they were looking for another match as the main event and this would be the No. 2 fight, but it never materialized. Also, because that fight didn’t materialize and to strengthen the show, a Kamaru Usman vs. Emil Meek welterweight fight was moved from the 1/20 show in Boston up a week. Usman vs. Meek was first scheduled for 12/30 in Las Vegas but Meek had a visa issue that he wasn’t able to take care of so they moved him off that show. Usman, who is 11-1, has been clamoring for top ten competition. Meek gained notice with a 45 second knockout win over Rousimar Palhares in Europe, which got him a UFC deal
1148
1149Andre Fili vs. Dennis Bermudez, Mirsad Bektic vs. Godofredo Pepey and Niko Price vs. George Sullivan have been added to the 1/27 show in Charlotte
1150
1151Damien Brown faces Maestro Dong Hyun Kim (the less famous of the two Dong Hyun Kim’s on the roster) and Tui Tuivasa (a heavyweight who is 6-0 with six first round knockouts) vs Cyril Asker have been added to the 2/11 show in Perth, Australia
1152
1153.
1154
1155BELLATOR: Bellator will start on Viacom International Media Network Asia starting in January on its Paramount Channel (not to be confused with the channel of the same name in the U.S. that Bellator is also on). The station reaches Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan
1156
1157The final show of the year, and what is billed as the last show on Spike (which is being rebranded as The Paramount Network next month) was built around the debut of Michael McDonald (18-4), who won a three round decision over Peter Ligier (8-2-1) in Newcastle, UK on straight 30-27 scores. Another former UFC fighter, Valerie Letourneau (9-6) won a decision over Kate Jackson (9-3-1) on straight 30-27 scores. Mohammad Yahya (4-1) beat Ash Griffiths (4-5) via TKO in 3:26. Philip DeFries (14-6, 1 no contest) beat former Pride star, 39-year-old journeyman James Thompson (20-17, 1 no contest) via guillotine in 1:33 and Jeremy Petley (12-8) beat Lewis Monarch (9-3) via split decision
1158
1159Bellator is now off until the 1/20 show at the Forum in Los Angeles with Douglas Lima defending the welterweight title against Rory MacDonald and Chael Sonnen vs. Rampage Jackson in the first round of the heavyweight title tournament
1160
1161Darrion Caldwell defends the bantamweight title against Leandro Higo on 3/2 in Thackerville, OK.
1162
1163OTHER MMA: Robert Follis, 48, the well-known head coach at Xtreme Couture Gym in Las Vegas, passed away on 12/16 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Follis went back about 20 years to the original Team Quest Gym in Gresham, OR, where Randy Couture, Dan Henderson and Matt Lindland were all training for both MMA to make money as a way to finance themselves to make the 2000 Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team. Unfortunately, doing MMA gives you different tendencies that Greco-roman and only Lindland made the team, and got the silver medal before going back into fighting. He was the one doing little fighting at the time while Couture and Henderson were making good money fighting. The gym is also where Chael Sonnen, Ed Herman and Nate Quarry got their starts. Follis had been working as a coach at Xtreme Couture since 2013 while Couture brought him in from Oregon, but had quit a few weeks ago. Randy Couture told MMA Fighting that he knew Follis was having difficulty dealing with the death of his brother and was suffering from depression. Follis had been the head coach for fighters like Miesha Tate, Bryan Caraway and Kevin Lee.
1164
1165The two Rizin shows on 12/29 and 12/31 will both be on iPPV through FITE TV in their entirety while the main card of the 12/31 show will be on traditional PPV as well. For the U.S., the FITE TV start times for shows that will likely go five or more hours would be 1 a.m. Eastern on the early morning of 12/29 and 12/31, or 10 p.m. Pacific on 12/28 and 12/30, and lasting pretty much all night long. The actual PPV broadcast (cable companies and Dish will carry, DirecTV is not carrying it, and in Canada it will be on SaskTel and Telus, will start at 5 a.m. Eastern meaning the first four hours of the New Year’s Eve show won’t air. Both the traditional PPV and the iPPV versions will be priced at $19.95. The two days will feature tournaments in the women’s super atomweight and men’s bantamweight divisions. Two fights on New Year’s Eve will include Mirko Cro Cop against 90s pro wrestling and MMA star Tsuyoshi Kosaka, and Takanori Gomi vs. Yusuke Yachi
1166
1167Marlon Sandro, 40, a former champion of the Sengoku promotion and a former Bellator star allegedly injured fiancee Tayssa Wuensche on 12/14 in Rio de Janeiro. Friends of Wuensche posted that Sandro attacked her while she tried to get into a taxi at 4 a.m., throwing her on the ground and injuring her arm and knee and then choked her out in the middle of the street and hit her multiple times when she woke up. Wuensche (who was Jose Aldo's translator for his fight in Detroit with Max Holloway on 12/2) said to MMA Fighting that she would not press charges because she cares too much about him and his kids. Andre Pederneiras of Nova Unioa said that Sandro has been kicked off the team.
1168
1169WWE: The angle on television involving Ambrose and the elbow injury was to cover for a legit injury, which was later diagnosed as a high-grade partially torn triceps tendon. It was a 50 percent tear as opposed to a full tear, so recovery won’t take as long as a full tear is usually six months plus. While the story of how he got the injury, in the television match, was a work, the injury was legit. Dr. Jeffrey Dugas in Birmingham, who has become the WWE’s go-to guys on most surgeries, gave him an MRI which indicated the triceps tear and not the elbow injury that they had suspected. He underwent surgery on 12/19. The surgery was considered successful but at press time it was too early to determine when he would be able to return. He had an arm brace to protect him in his television match where they shot the first part of the angle, which was him selling the elbow after being among those hit by a tope by Rollins. Referee John Cone acted as if it was an injury, and the spot did set up the finish where Sheamus gave Rollins a brogue kick in the six-man tag match of Sheamus & Cesaro & Joe vs. Rollins & Ambrose & Jordan. Ambrose sold it well, acting like he was pissed he knew he was going to miss time and was hurt, but also selling like he was in a pin. The injury may date back to the TLC PPV on 10/22 in Minneapolis when he took a bump on a table that didn’t break. His right elbow swelled up immediately. He kept working on it and hadn’t missed a show. It must have gotten worse this past week. Ambrose has been the company’s iron man in recent years, as of all the headliners, he’d worked more dates and had less injuries than anyone else. They found out about it on 12/18 and when he got to television they decided to rewrite several segments in the show to explain his injury. We don’t have a word on how long he’s expected out of action
1170
1171Right now, the plan is to move Jordan up the cards in the spot Ambrose had when they start back after Christmas. The MSG show on 12/26, for example, now has Reigns vs. Cena for the IC title, Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Jordan & Rollins in a cage match for the tag titles, Kane vs. Strowman, Balor vs. Joe, Matt Hardy vs. Wyatt, Banks & Bayley & James vs. Paige & Deville & Rose and Amore vs. Alexander for the cruiserweight title
1172
1173If you think USA is going to give up WWE programming easily, its streak of being No. 1 overall in prime time reached 12 years this year. Without WWE on both Mondays and Tuesdays, that doesn’t happen
1174
1175Dwayne Johnson was interviewed by Variety and again said he was interested in running for President, but in 2024 rather than 2020. He felt he just had too much on his plate to think about getting into the race in 2020. “When you look at my slate as we’re developing and shooting into 2019 and 2020, the slate goes deep into 2021, so it feels like the realistic consideration would be 2024.” Johnson was critical of President Trump without mentioning him by name, saying that he wishes our leaders would exhibit pose, perspective and the ability to bring our country together during tough times, and he doesn’t feel the president is doing that. He also said that NFL players kneeling during the national anthem is not a time to shut them out of the White House, it’s the time to actually open the doors and bring those players in so our President and staff can understand the situation face-to-face, so change and positive progress can happen, and that’s not happening
1176
1177Right now the post-WrestleMania PPV schedule for 2018 is Backlash (Raw) on 5/6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ; 5/27 Payback (Smackdown) at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore; 6/17 Money in the Bank (both brands) at the All-State Arena in Chicago; 7/15 Battleground (Raw) in Pittsburgh; 8/19 SummerSlam (both brands) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn; 9/16 Extreme Rules (Raw) in San Antonio; 9/30 Hell in a Cell (Smackdown) in Nashville; 10/21 TLC (Raw) in Boston; 11/18 Survivor Series (both) in Los Angeles at the Staples Center and 12/16 Clash of Champions (Smackdown) in San Jose. Based on the current schedule, that means no Smackdown exclusive shows between 5/27 and 9/30. We’re also told that this schedule is not locked in stone and there may be some changes. Also, as of right now, there is an added Takeover show on 6/16 in Chicago, so there are five scheduled this year instead of four and Money in the Bank is now going to be positioned as one of the “big five” instead of the old “big four” events
1178
1179Dave Bautista, who turns 49 next month, is very serious about going back for a relatively lengthy (six months to a year) final full-time run. He doesn’t need to do it but it appears it’s something he wants to do. He’s doing well in Hollywood but the problem is if you sign with WWE, they own your contract and if something comes along, the company wanting him will have to negotiate with WWE, which makes the deal more difficult. As far as doing a thing like Goldberg or Lesnar where he works a few dates as a big attraction, that makes all the sense in the world, but he’s talking a more regular schedule. The last time he was in WWE, he noted how much more he enjoyed doing house shows than television, so that may play into it, but he didn’t work a full house show schedule. Plus, I’m not sure what you would do if he’s there for a year as a weekly character. Jericho can get away with it, but Jericho is a far more versatile performer and more entertaining, and also Jericho doesn’t care about winning and losing and is fine working midcard away from the title scene as long as he can be creative, since he has the mentality he’ll get anything he’s in over
1180
1181Speaking of Batista, at one point he was talked about for the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame, but the feeling is if he’s coming back, that would be delayed, but he’s not on the list. Brad Shepard, who broke the XFL story, listed five people as being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year as Bill Goldberg, The Dudleys, Bam Bam Bigelow, Kid Rock and Ivory. The XFL story was legit, even if it could be another name used. The list seems believable to me since we’d heard Goldberg as the probable headliner for some time, as well as the Dudleys names being talked about. We had not heard the other names. We’d been told many in the company were wanting Jim Johnston, but they’ve never inducted a guy who wasn’t on-camera talent (even James Dudley, who worked closely with Vince’s father dating back to the 50s, did have a run as a manager and was inducted as a “manager extraordinaire” as Vince put it even though almost nobody even remembered his brief role as a performer). I don’t know that it can’t happen, and obviously it should happen given the importance of entrance music and the iconic nature of many of the tunes he put together, but the political nature of his being gone this year would seem to make that awkward
1182
1183Mahal in a video confirmed that he tore his labrum in his right shoulder back in September but continued to work on it, but he had to cut way down on the amount of weight he could use, although he said he’s okay now. Still, his body looks very different today from when he first won the title and before when the decision was made to push him
1184
1185Reigns, who had the weekend off in something planned months ago, which is why he wasn’t at Raw, got a lot of people talking with his remarks on the debut of the Corey Graves “Straight to the Source” show where he claimed to be the best in the world. “You know, I’m the best performer in-ring in the world right now. You can go to my matches and my pay-per-views over the last three years and you can say I’m an idiot or you can be like, `Man, he’s got a point.’ You know what I mean? I didn’t come here for any other reason.
1186
1187There are things going on behind-the-scenes in Edmonton with people working on getting the ban of pro wrestling in the city overturned. It is completely ridiculous. Really, the ban on MMA and boxing is as well, but particularly MMA since the death happened in boxing. This is right up there with the stupidity many years ago in Massachusetts when somebody died doing a moonsault to the floor in a pro wrestling match, and the local politicians used that as the reason to not allow MMA in the state, while still allowing pro wrestling. Or in the mid-90s when one of the key things that kept ECW off PPV for a while was the John McCain inspired pressure on cable companies to no longer carry UFC events, and ECW was grouped with UFC because the No. 2 promotion in MMA at the time was called Extreme Fighting and people thought if Extreme Fighting was banned than so should Extreme Championship Wrestling. The commission had a meeting with promoters from boxing and wrestling complaining about the ban. Sean Dunster, a local independent promoter with Monster Pro Wrestling said that he was being punished for something that has nothing to do with his sport. The commission said they were blind sided themselves by the decision made by the City Council
1188
1189Crews is working a 2/10 date for Preston City Wrestling in the U.K. as part of their Road to Glory tournament that will also include Zack Sabre Jr. The big surprise is that the entire event, including Crews’ match, will be streaming on Powerbomb.tv, which is a first since WWE hasn’t allowed its performers, or even interviews with Regal on Evolve shows, to stream, and Evolve seemed to have a lot closer relationship with WWE then PCW. Powerbomb.tv is advertising it but I’m still wondering if they’ll really be able to do that. The story behind it is that Steve Fludder, the Preston City promoter, has an exclusive with an arena in Blackpool that WWE wants to run in. So it was a deal that they would offer him Crews in exchange for PCW to allow WWE to run the building. In addition, Oney Lorcan will be appearing at the 12/31 Beyond Wrestling show in Worcester, MA. But he was not allowed to wrestle on the show, and will be doing an autograph session and making an appearance (which is more than what WWE usually allows talent to do as the usual rule is the talent can’t sign autographs until the ring is set up and can’t be part of the show if there is a ring set up). It’ll be the William Regal rule in the sense he’ll be there but it can’t be streamed
1190
1191Regarding Rich Swann, he and his wife, Vannarah Riggs (who wrestles as Su Yung) were back together by midweek if not earlier and were said to be doing well. Friends knew and she made it public writing on Facebook, “I can not wait to see my husband tomorrow. After such an awesome weekend of wrestling debuting in two different promotions across America, nothing would be better than to see his face.” I would suspect that she won’t be pressing charges. Ian Pickens, Swann’s attorney told Alex Marvez at The Sporting News that no charges have been officially filed and that the state attorney will make their decision on whether to file the charges. If no charges are filed legally, WWE may bring him back, but I don’t know if that would be a certainty. In theory, no charges should mean the slate is clean and he should return, but given the time we’re living in, they could simply decide not to use him
1192
1193Matt Hardy vs. Wyatt has been added to the three 205 Live shows from 1/19 to 1/21 in Kingston, RI, Lowell, MA and Poughkeepsie, NY, as the new main event. That pretty much tells you that they weren’t happy with the ticket sales for the show. The three shows were said to be an experiment and there are no other dates announced, although the original idea was to use the January and February tours as the experiment and go forward from there
1194
1195Jax did an interview with Lilian Garcia’s podcast and said that for the first time openly she was willing to talk about an abusive relationship she was in. “I’ve only been in like one real relationship in my life, and it really sort of ended when I got this job...and it was similar to what I grew up with...my mom saw it coming and she kept trying, and trying to pull me away.” When Garcia asked if she still feels the scars, she said, “I don’t think they ever leave...the first time somebody puts their hands on you in a violent manner, or hits you in the face and you have to deal with lying to your family about it, you know, my brothers, they might find out now. I don’t think the ever knew why I came home with a fat lip, or like why my neck was all red.” Jax was in tears when she recited the story. 
1196
1197Paul Levesque gave his explanation for his character beating Mahal in India, saying, “One thing that people forget is the first time I went to India to perform was in 1996. I’ve been on their TV for a really long period of time. There are certain guys there, in that market, who transcend the business for them. When we were talking to our television partners there about the marketing for the event, it was one of the things that kept coming up. It’s why I was put on the card. I haven’t been there in a long time. I was excited and really happy to hear the reaction. It’s sort of what we expected. We know what resonates in markets and we can see it in our numbers and see it in the research that or partners have done as well as on social media. When we were over there a few month ago, having business meetings, to hear the people who are running television studios or Internet companies say to me, `I watched you when I was a teenager. You were like the biggest guy in the world.’ I met a massive Bollywood star the other day who told me that I was his entire childhood. He got suspended from school for telling someone to `suck it.’ At a time in 96 when there were like three channels there, we were on one of them all of the time.” The crazy thing about this is if you used that logic, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair should have never lost a match in WWE or at the very least, Flair should have never lost in his old territory by that logic, because it doesn’t matter who he was in with, nobody could have possibly been more popular. In fact, it’s very rare that a rising star will get a bigger reaction that a part-time legend because the legend is special. I think that’s a great reason to not abuse a legend and not rob him of dignity in front of fans to make them said, but that’s not a reason to never beat them, especially if they are in with someone you are grooming for the future. Plus, if he’s not a big enough star to beat HHH after spending months as WWE champion, what does that inherently tell you about the value of being world champion
1198
1199The company inked its first television deal in Mongolia this past week. A two-hour edited version of Raw, as well as Smackdown, will air on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. on SPS Sports, a leading sports station in the country
1200
12011B Sports in South Korea renewed its television deal with WWE for a 13th year. The change is that starting with the new year, South Korea will get Raw and Smackdown live, which would be at 10 a.m. local time on Tuesdays and Wednesday’s respectively. Raw and Smackdown will also replay on Saturday and Sunday night, respectively at 10 p.m. in prime time, and the station will continue to carry all the PPV shows as television shows. That tells you the streaming network business must be nothing in South Korea as they are allowing the No. 1 attraction on their streaming platform to air on free television in that country
1202
1203All the stuff last week about creating history when Bliss and Banks wrestled in Abu Dhabi was untrue as it turns out. There have likely been women wrestling on independent shows in Abu Dhabi before, but even if not, TNA ran on November 29, 2010 in Abu Dhabi and one of the matches on the show was Madison Rayne & Sarita vs. Velvet Sky & Angelina Love. The funny thing is Sarita actually works for WWE now as a coach so they should be aware of that. But they write their own history all the time. On television this week, Stephanie McMahon, when pushing the narrative, changed it from the first time women had wrestled in the Middle East to the first time WWE women had wrestled. If you consider Egypt part of the Middle East, and almost everyone does, that wouldn’t be correct either as WWE has had a women’s match in Egypt. So by the time Smackdown rolled around, it had been qualified again to the first women’s championship match in the Middle East
1204
1205Cena was in two of the top six movies at the box office this weekend. “Ferdinand,” the animated movie that he is the voice of the lead character of, was No. 2 at $13,401,586 in North America and another $6,190,081 overseas, a distant No. 2 to “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” which topped $220 million in North America alone another $231 million overseas putting it at No. 5 for biggest opening weekend of all-time. That isn’t good at all for “Ferdinand” since it had a $111 million budget. “Daddy’s Home 2,” where he has a role was No. 6 at $3,812,824, and at this point, six weeks in, has done $96,592,806 in the U.S. and $61 million overseas. The movie “Blockers” that Cena and Leslie Mann will star in, about a group of parents trying to stop their daughters from having sex on prom night, is scheduled for a 4/6 release date
1206
1207At Clash of Champions, there had two robot cameras that were there to test out virtual reality broadcasting that they are working on debuting
1208
1209Dwayne Johnson’s “Jumanji” opens this weekend
1210
1211Cena returns on the 12/25 Raw show in Chicago. He won’t be on Smackdown since he’s working the Raw house show on 12/26 in Madison Square Garden
1212
1213Orton will have a much lighter schedule in the first quarter of the year. He’s not advertised on any shows between 2/6 and 4/9, although I’d expect him at WrestleMania at the very least. He’s also not advertised for the May European tour. According to those close to him, he’s really happy with his life right now because they give him a lot of time off (by the standards of a WWE wrestler) as he gets a lot of house show weekends off, but he’s still kept near the top and makes several million per year
1214
1215Dar had surgery this past week for a torn meniscus and is expected to be out of action about five months
1216
1217Enzo was on TMZ this past week as apparently his Delaware drivers license is signed to look like a penis. Apparently he’s been getting calls from the state telling him to have a real signature and he’s refusing to change it saying that’s how he’s been signing his name since grade school. I’m extremely skeptical of that one
1218
1219On he 12/16 show in Largo, FL, where Itami beat Fabian Aichner in the main event, they had a big deal after the match where all the talent on the show picked Itami up on their shoulders since it was his final match in NXT
1220
1221WWE has filed a claim for $6,105.40 against Scott Levy (Raven) and Marcus Bagwell (Buff Bagwell) for costs of depositions and transcripts in the lawsuit that was dropped. As noted, the case was dropped with no money going to Levy and Bagwell and before the case itself was discussed based on the WWE filing a countersuit against Levy and him backing off, and statements made by Bagwell which basically ruined his case
1222
1223Lesnar is booked for a 3/30 house show in Boston. His next TV appearance is 1/1
1224
1225The most-watched shows for the week on WWE Network were: 1. Clash of Champions; 2. Clash of Champions Talking Smack; 3. Clash of Champions pre-show; 4. NXT on 12/13 (notable because this was the show that aired on USA, and based on its placing, it likely did the same or more viewers even though it aired on USA); 5. Table for 3 with Balor and Hardys; 6. 205 Live from 12/12 (up from usual); 7. This Week in WWE; 8. Replay of a Raw episode from about a month ago; 9. Ride Along with Breeze & Fandango; 10. WWE Main Event (which almost never cracks top 20)
1226
1227.. Notes from the 12/18 Raw show. Even with the return of the Revival and the debut of Itami, it felt like a limited crew given Jordan, Rollins, Axel, Dallas and Balor all did two matches on the same show. The women were put in the main event slot so Stephanie could end the show with the women’s Royal Rumble announcement. The non-Rumble main event announcement came in the first segment which was the only time Lesnar, Heyman, Strowman and Kane appeared. It seemed like a waste to gave Heyman there and him not getting to cut any kind of a substantial promo and Lesnar jut laid both guys out and that was it for him. But they do have a long time to build that three-way up. The show drew a near sellout of 8,000 fans. For Main Event, Kalisto pinned Daivari with the Salida del sol and Crews pinned Hawkins with his power bomb. Raw opened with Angle out and he said Lesnar was there and by the end of the night he’d announce Lesnar’s opponent at the Rumble. The end of the night turned out to be a few minutes later. Strowman stormed out and said he earned the shot at Lesnar since he was the last man standing with Kane last week. Kane came out and said that nobody is getting in front of him. He said that Strowman and Undertaker both couldn’t beat Lesnar but Lesnar has never beaten him. It’s weird how both of those guys were together in the same company and both huge guys and aside from once or twice early on, and I think never on television, they never have wrestled each other. Kane and Strowman were about to go at it when Heyman came out. Lesnar came out with him with the belt. Angle then quickly said it would be a three-way, hurrying to get out of the ring before the brawl started. The brawl was short and it was Lesnar’s turn as the clotheslined Strowman over the top and gave Kane an F-5 and left. It took him two tries to get Kane up as Kane didn’t go up well for him. Both were laid out but Kane sat up. That was it for all of them on the show. They had announced Joe vs. Rollins. Jordan came out and said he wanted the match with Joe for two weeks. Joe came out and said he feels like he’s the belle of the ball since all the popular boys want to dance with him. As bad as that line sounds, his delivery made it work. Joe suggested Jordan face Rollins and that the winner would get to be put too sleep by him. Rollins wanted Joe and said that Jordan can look for his daddy’s approval somewhere else. Jordan shoved him down. So it turned into Rollins beating Jordan in 19:41. Long good match. But it didn’t have a ton of heat. Jordan looked good down the stretch including a spot where Rollins did a springboard into a Northern lights suplex and then did a second one. That turned the crowd on and the crowd was very into it the last few minutes. Rollins threw Jordan into Joe and Rollins superkicked Joe. After some more near falls, Rollins hit the knee for the pin. Rollins attacked Joe after the match but Joe came back and hit the uranage on Rollins and was ground-and-pounding him. Joe also clotheslined Jordan before leaving. Rollins, Ambrose and Jordan all came to Angle and they all wanted a match with Joe later in the show. Angle then said you’ll all get him, and announced the three of them as a team against Joe & Sheamus & Cesaro. Wyatt did a taped interview talking about the Great War coming. The Great War is one of the terms Hardy used in Impact for his broken universe. Balor beat Axel & Dallas via DQ in 5:33 for double-teaming. Axel’s nose was busted up during the match. Itami made the save with kicks on both guys. They pushed the idea Balor and Itami were long-time good friends. While they were both major stars in Japan, it was with different companies, although they were linked together at times in NXT, which was brought up. Balor & Itami beat Axel & Dallas in 4:40. Itami did the hot tag and did the busaiku knee to Axel. Corey Graves noted that move, associated with Daniel Bryan, was actually Itami’s move first. Itami pinned Axel with the GTS, which is also a move he invented. The move got a decent pop, but nothing close to the pop he’d get when he used it in NXT. They made it clear he was on the 205 Live roster going forward. Alexander did a generic babyface interview for his match with Gulak. Enzo & Gulak did an interview as well, not saying much. Alexander pinned Gulak in 12:50 with the lumbar check. Everything they did looked good and Alexander did some cool things, but 205 Live continues to be a heat killer. Enzo walked off in the middle of the match because he got a text message from Jax. The story is he’s got the hots for her to the point he doesn’t even care to see who is going to be the top contender for the title. Enzo and Jax were backstage. She mentioned something about his friend Drew. Enzo said Drew wasn’t his friend, he works for him. Gulak showed up with tissue in his nose since he busted it open during the match as well. Gulak told Enzo he lost and let the Zo train down. Enzo just wanted him to leave because he was hitting on Jax, but she left and said another time. So he blew it for Enzo who wasn’t happy. Asuka beat Fox with an armbar in 3:39. Crowd was quiet. Funny line at the end was Booker T saying as Asuka did the finish, “that’s the coup d’etat” instead of the coup de grace. Unless Asuka is trying to take over a third world country or something. Joe & Sheamus & Cesaro beat Jordan & Rollins & Ambrose in 13:09. They worked on Jordan. Good match. Rollins backdropped Cesaro on the floor. Rollins hit a tope on everyone. The tope spot was designed for Ambrose to get hurt on. It’s notable because if Ambrose does go heel at some point in the next year, he can blame his injury on Rollins. Ambrose was selling the elbow and ref John Cone reacted to it like you would for a real injury and called out medical personnel. Ambrose was selling it like it was a pro wrestling sell but also like it was serious. Amidst all the confusion, Sheamus hit the Brogue kick on Rollins. Cone jumped in to count the pin and then went back to tending to Ambrose. They showed Stephanie arriving in a limo. Matt Hardy was playing chess against a goldfish in a bowl. He talked about going to war with Wyatt and the Queen Sister Abigail. This stuff will work as long as he’s given TV time to get it over and they don’t book him like an prelim guy. The crowd loves to chant “delete” and they’ve been waiting for this gimmick. Backstage, Joe, Cesaro & Sheamus beat down Rollins while Ambrose had ice on his elbow. Joe threw a huge crate on Ambrose’s arm and he was selling it big. They later said Ambrose had been taken to a medical facility. The Revival was back as Dawson was cleared after his torn biceps. They beat Slater & Rhyno in 3:04. They showed O’Neil & Crews watching with Dana Brooke. Brooke was all dressed up like she was a secretary taking notes with them, although she was in her full gear for no apparent reason not that long after. They used the shatter machine on Slater for the pin. Angle then told Slater & Rhyno that they need to toughen up if they want more opportunities in the new year. Slater talked about how he can’t be fired as it’s Christmas, he’s got kids and he’s got a swimming pool. Rhyno said that they need to change. It sounded like they were going to do a series of vignettes with Rhyno & Slater designed to toughen up Slater. Slater is good in vignettes and Rhyno is good at the low-key humor and the crowd likes Slater in that role. Elias came out. He got heat talking about Tom Brady since they were in New England. He brought up deflating footballs and manipulating the rule book. He said Brady wasn’t a legend and he was a legend. He was about to sing a song about Roger Goodell when Banks’ music played. Then he was about to sing when James’ music played, and the same happened with Bayley. He left and Bayley wanted a hug but he blew her off. I wonder if that will mean something down the line. Bayley & Banks & James beat Paige & Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville via DQ in 3:06. This was weird. The idea was that Absolution was going to take out Bayley & James and then triple-team Banks for the DQ. They had already done that finish with Balor earlier in the show. The thing is, they didn’t show any beatdowns and while Bayley and James were outside the ring selling, it felt like they had just disappeared. They continued to beat her down until Jax made the save. Why Jax would save Banks it unclear. Jax was beating up Deville and Rose until Paige chop blocked her knee and gave her a shining wizard. They beat down Jax until Bliss, Fox, Brooke and Asuka ran down. Suddenly Bayley ran down with them. She had been around the ring but it looked like she had disappeared and somehow was backstage and came back doing the run-in. After being laid out for minutes, suddenly Bayley & James were fine. Then Stephanie came out and everyone stopped fighting while she announced the women’s Royal Rumble. 
1228
1229Notes from the 12/19 tapings in Newark, NJ. I thought this was a good show. The Shane/Bryan dynamic was done really well in the sense that both are still clearly presented as babyfaces but you can see the tension building. The crowd was clearly behind Bryan more but they didn’t boo Shane, even though Bryan was the one who helped the heels win. Deep down it appeared the crowd didn’t want Owens & Zayn gone in the end. They also had a strong six-man main event. They drew 9,000 fans, way above usual for a Smackdown taping. Breeze & Fandango & Ryder beat Primo & Epico Colon & Rawley in 6:00 in the opening dark match. Smackdown opened with Bryan out. He called the women’s Rumble a turning point in WWE history and announced the TV main event. Shane came out and while tense, they never yelled at each other and each explained their side of the story from the tag match at Clash of Champions. Shane said when Orton hit Zayn with a beautiful RKO, he knew it was the finish and Owens & Zayn were gone, but Bryan tripped and fell on him. Bryan said it was an accident and Shane said he watched the tape and saw that it was. He said when Zayn had Orton pinned with a cradle, he counted two, and then had visions of Owens beating up his father, Zayn screwing him in the Hell in a Cell match and Owens & Zayn turning on Team Smackdown at Survivor Series, his emotions got the best of him and he wouldn’t count three. He then asked Bryan why he fast counted. Bryan said that he did what he did to protect Shane from himself, which he explained was that Smackdown was supposed to be the land of opportunity for everyone, not just Shane’s favorites. I really didn’t understand that explanation but the crowd started chanting “Thank You Daniel,” as he explained why he screwed the babyfaces out of a match. That wasn’t a surprise because Bryan came across so likeable in his explanation, but in other ways was still surreal. Bryan said that Shane may not like Owens & Zayn, but he threatened to take their livelihood away from them and that he promised everyone a fair opportunity. Shane said that he understands why Bryan may have empathy for Owens & Zayn, but to be careful because they are going to stab him in the back. Bryan said he believed he and Shane have a joint vision for Smackdown as the land of opportunity for everyone, but if Shane has a different vision, it’s his prerogative and he can fire him right now. Bryan explained he didn’t want to see Shane turn into Mr. McMahon. Shane said he respects Bryan, shook his hand, left and told Bryan to run the rest of the show. Benjamin & Gable beat Usos in 7:42 when Gable pinned Jey with a clothesline off the top while Benjamin held Jey in the top of the power bomb position. Real good for the time they were given. These teams work together great. Charlotte came out to put over the Rumble. She talked about how she’ll face the winner of the Rumble at Mania. This was so comical because of how they tried to put this over as a cultural breakthrough. Naomi came out and vowed to win the Rumble and face Charlotte at Mania. The Riott Squad came out. Naomi called them “Chickenheads,” which got a chant of “Chickenheads” from the crowd. Naomi acted at least like she didn’t expect that and started to laugh. This turned into a tag match as Charlotte & Naomi beat Sarah Logan & Ruby Riott in 3:34 when Naomi pinned Logan with the rear view. Logan was still selling on the ground for a while and Naomi stepped over her. That felt a little soon not necessarily for the clean loss, as it is 50/50 booking, but the basic stepping on someone after the match like they are garbage spot surprised me this early in the game. The New Day was backstage with Christmas outfits on and tons of pancakes. Rusev & English came to greet them dressed as Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman. English was doing some singing and sung a challenge for a match later. Ziggler came out for an interview. They showed clips of all of his U.S., IC and World title wins. He said that the fans don’t deserve him, put the belt on the ground and walked off. The impression they wanted to leave you with was he was vacating the title and quitting. This is a new storyline for him and he’s not going anywhere, but they may be doing a storyline to try and convince you that he is leaving. Bryan was on the phone when Owens & Zayn came in with a bottle of champagne. Bryan told them he doesn’t drink. Owens & Zayn said they knew why he did what he did, and that Bryan always wanted to get back at Orton, because Orton was the centerpiece of the authority when they were screwing with Bryan all the time. Owens said it worked out because Bryan got the last laugh on Orton and they got the last laugh on Shane. Bryan told them they were completely delusional and if they don’t stop gloating he may fire them himself. Kingston & Woods beat Rusev & English in 8:42. This was meant as pure Christmas comedy. Both teams wrestled in their Christmas outfits. New Day was throwing T-shirts into the crowd in the middle of the match. The match built to a pie in the face spot with English. Rusev took the New Day pancakes and sprayed all kinds of whipped cream all over them. Kingston & Woods did a double-team flapjack on English with his face going into the whipped cream. So he had it all over his face, stumbled into the ring and Woods pinned him with a rope walk elbow drop. Orton & Nakamura & Styles beat Owens & Zayn & Mahal in 15:21. This was real good. Nakamura at one point pulled Zayn’s chest hairs. This was the best Nakamura has looked in a while, particularly in with Zayn. They’ve got real chemistry together. There were “Yep” signs for Owens & Zayn all over ringside. Styles looked great, including a spot where he did a Pele kick on Mahal and flying forearm over the top ont Owens. Samir Singh attacked Nakamura right in front of the ref. He didn’t DQ the heels like has been done over-and-over of late, but kicked them out. They left for a second and came back. But Orton gave the Singhs a double draping DDT and Styles hit the phenomenal forearm on Owens, and Nakamura pinned Zayn with the Kinshasa. 205 Live opened and Nigel McGuinness pushed that Itami’s debut was the biggest arrival in 205 Live history. Kalisto & Metalik beat Gallagher & Kendrick via DQ in 8:54. Kalisto & Metalik did a double dive spot. The crowd was dead and the match was boring. Metalik was selling his leg, so from a psychology standpoint it was a standard tag match, but I’m not sure the rationale of a cruiserweight division or using the best flying talent and having them work big guy standard tag matches. It’s like the mentality is that instead of giving people a variety of matches with all the different style talent, it’s that everyone fits into their template of a match no matter what their actual performing strengths are. I mean, that is the case with every company to a degree, but this mach didn’t get over, was boring, and you had all good talent in it. The DQ was for Kendrick stomping on Kalisto when he wasn’t the legal man in the match, a crappy finish to end a nothing match. Post-match saw the heels continue the beatdown with Kendrick dropkicking the ring steps into Metalik’s knee, driving it into the post, so they are giving him a knee injury gimmick. The first Enzo interview segment saw him yell at Gulak and Daivari for not stopping Alexander from getting a title match. Gulak took a the blame for it. Daivari then said that he agreed, it was all Gulak’s fault which was funny. Gulak said he would ground Alexander for good in their main event bout and would utterly annihilate him. Itami pinned Colin Delaney in 1:51 with the GTS. McGuinness tried to put him over as being one of the scariest wrestlers he’s ever faced and putting over the power of his kicks. But the kicks came across as ordinary. Crowd didn’t react much to this at all, not even for the finish. Enzo did his second interview. Alexander came out. Enzo talked about how Alexander failed and is getting a second opportunity but he wouldn’t need a second opportunity because he gets the job done. Alexander said that Enzo lives in a fantasy world but in the real world, there’s only one word to describe him. Enzo said “champion.” Next, Enzo & Gulak were in the ring for another interview. Alexander pinned Gulak again in 11:50. Like the prior night, this was a technically good match but the crowd didn’t care. It was so bad they were chanting “Bobby Roode,” wanting Roode, who was being pushed for the dark match next and it was getting laet. Then they started chanting “delete” at the match even though the guys were working a solid match. Alexander did a new move, a flip dive where he ended up kicking Gulak. It got good enough that by the end, the crowd started getting into it. But after a serious match, they did a comedy finish. Alexander hit Gulak up for a superplex. Gulak knocked Alexander off the rope. Suddenly Gulak, whose gimmick is that he hates flyers, was standing on the middle rope. Instead of climbing down, his knees started shaking and he got all scared. Alexander then attacked him and hit the lumbar check for the pin. The dark main event saw Roode pin Corbin with the glorious DDT in a street fight
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1231Notes from the NXT TV show on 12/13. This was the show that was on USA. The TV version had some minor differences from the WWE Network version and I ended up watching some on both. I thought the show was overall good if you were a first-time viewer, and for WWE, the goal should be to introduce the characters on TV and push that the only way to see this show weekly is on the network. It came off well-produced, the announcing dynamic with Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness and Percy Watson is very different from Raw or Smackdown. Ranallo’s excitement level when watching on TV is even more of a contrast to Tom Phillips and Michael Cole. They did a lot of videos introducing different characters. Andrade Cien Almas beat Fabian Aichner in 2:14. Almas & Zelina Vega came across like a big-time act together. This match was as good as you’re going to get given the time constraints. Aichner looked tremendous, with a crazy springboard plancha and a great looking tornado DDT for a near fall. Vega distracted Aichner and Almas knocked him off the top rope to the floor, threw him into the steps and used the hammerlock DDT for the pin. Aichner should be getting at least a look if not a push off this performance as the crowd went nuts for him. Sanity did an interview. The focused on showing the stitches in Wolfe’s head from War Games. Authors of Pain beat Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan in 1:15. Akam took out Lorcan with a Death Valley bomb into the turnbuckles. AOP did the super collider power bomb and Lorcan was pinned after the last chapter. Lorcan & Burch came out fast to the crowd was into it for its duration. Ember Moon beat Peyton Royce in 5:24 with the eclipse. Moon laid both out with a plancha during the match. Kay attacked Moon after and eat her down. The last spot was Royce bulldogging Moon on Kay’s knee. Nikki Cross made the save. They called it like Cross wanted a title shot so this could be a four-way for the Rumble Takeover. Main event was Aleister Black pinning Adam Cole in the tournament (that Johnny Gargano ended up winning) for the shot at Almas at Takeover Philadelphia. Good match which the crowd was into. Cole came off the ropes with a kick to the head. Black kicked out of a backstabber. They traded near falls until Cole went for a superkick, Black caught his foot and then Black delivered black mass for the pin in 8:56. They announced Fish & O’Reilly vs. Sanity for the tag titles and Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate for the U.K. title on the 12/20 show
1232
1233This was the last week of NXT house shows for the year. They are back the first week of January. The first out-of-Florida NXT show was 12/14 in Birmingham, at Boutwell Auditorium, which was the weekly home for regional wrestling in that city in the territorial days, which drew a healthy crowd of 1,200. Steve Corino was the producer over the weekend and he pushed the idea that he wanted the matches different every night, so if guys were working with each other multiple times, he didn’t want the same match, not did he want the same mic work. Heavy Machinery beat Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler. Vanessa Borne pinned Aliyah. Zelina Vega and Kassius Ohno did a segment to set up Andrade Cien Almas vs. Ohno for the title in the main event. Brennan Williams pinned Kona Reeves. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly retained the tag titles over The Street Profits. Aleister Black pinned Buddy Murphy. Ember Moon retained the women’s title pinning Bianca Belair. After the match, Borne came out to confront Moon and set up a title match the next day in Memphis. I guess it’s good for experience to do this, but it’s not like fans in Birmingham are going to drive to Memphis to see an NXT show. Almas pinned Ohno to keep the title in the main event
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1235The 12/15 show in Memphis drew 700 and opened with Heavy Machinery over Blake & Cutler in a heavy comedy match. Belair beat Aliyah in a one-sided match. Ohno came out and talked about Memphis wrestling history and that he wants to add to that history by becoming champion here. Zelina Vega turned down his request for a title match. Vic Joseph then told the fans that they can vote on twitter as to whether Ohno gets a title shot. Murphy pinned Brennan Williams. Fish & O’Reilly retained the tag titles over Street Profits using the tights. Both teams were really over and Ford came across like a big star. Black pinned Kona Reeves. Reeves is doing a gimmick of a pretty boy actor. Moon pinned Borne to retain the title. Good match. Belair came out and issued a challenge for the title the next night in Little Rock. Almas pinned Ohno in the best match on the show. Hard hitting and good story telling. Vega went to throw powder but dropped it on the apron. But Ohno was distracted and Almas won
1236
1237. The final show was 12/16 in Little Rock before 350 fans. Heavy Machinery beat Cutler & Blake. Aliyah pinned Borne. Ohno did a promo and wanted a shot at the NXT title. Vega came out and said that he hasn’t earned a title shot so the main event would be a non-title match. Reeves pinned Williams. Fish & O’Reilly retained over the Street Profits. Black pinned Murphy with black mass. Moon pinned Belair. Borne attacked Moon after the match and Aliyah made the save. Ohno pinned Almas with an elbow in a non-title match. This led to the announcement of an immediate title match. This ended when Vega did the huracanrana on Ohno and Almas hit the hammerlock DDT to win
1238
1239The first Florida NXT show of the week was 12/14 in Orlando before 300 fans. Lio Rush pinned Cezar Bononi after a frog splash. Shayna Baszler beat Dakota Kai via choke. Dan Matha pinned Chad Lail using a codebreaker. Jessie Elaban (a former fitness competitor and volleyball player), who is doing a naive childlike gimmick, interviewed Sage Beckett. Beckett cut a promo wanting a title shot at Ember Moon. Lars Sullivan used the freak accident to beat one of the Ealy Twins. The crowd chatted “one more time” so he slammed the other twin. Then he slammed both at the same time. Hideo Itami pinned Fabian Aichner with the GTS. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville beat Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan when Rose pinned Riott after Angel’s wings. Danny Burch beat Adrian Jaoude via crossface submission. Authors of Pain beat Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli using the last chapter
1240
1241The second show was 12/15 in Cocoa, FL, before 200 fans. Jaoude beat Bononi. Morgan pinned Kai. Lail beat Tian Bing. Sullivan again beat one of the Ealy Twins. Lio Rush pinned Aichner. Burch beat Christopher Dijak. Baszler beat Abbey Laith. Main event saw Authors of Pain beat Moss & Sabbatelli
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1243The final show was 12/16 in Largo, FL before 300 fans. Burch pinned Matha. Baszler beat Elaban. Babatunde Aiyegbusi beat Bononi. Jaoude beat Shane Thorne of TM 61. Authors of Pain beat Moss & Sabbatelli, Sullivan again beat one of the Ealy Twins doing the same thing as the first two nights. Kai & Ripley beat Reina Gonzalez & Sage Beckett. Main event was Itami over Aichner and then they did the big goodbye fro Itami.
1244
1245. Raw opened on 12/15 in Manchester, NH, before 3,400 fans.
1246
1247Reigns had the weekend off so the cards were changed from usual and the tag title was in the main event position. 12/16 in Syracuse, NY drew 3,700. 12/17 in Allentown drew 4,100
1248
1249Smackdown opened on 12/16 in Portland, ME, before 2,800 fans. 12/18 in White Plains drew a sellout of 3,500 fans. Even on a Monday opposite Raw the Westchester County Center, a building they’ve run forever, drew big
1250
1251In Manchester, Balor pinned Wyatt to open with the coup de grace in 13:00. The crowd was hot for this match and it was said to be the best match of the show. Amore kept the cruiserweight title over Kalisto with the Jawdunzo in 10:00. One of Enzo’s hair extensions (no his hair isn’t real) fell out during the match. Amore got the crowd to turn on him by doing an anti-New England and anti-Patriots promo. The match was almost all stalling. Asuka beat Brooke with the Asuka lock in 7:00. Brooke got very little offense. O’Neil & Slater & Rhyno beat Dallas & Axel & Goldust & Hawkins in a 3 on 4 match when Rhyno pinned Hawkins after a spinebuster in 14:00. Rhyno was really over with lots of “ECW” chants. Strowman pinned Joe in their first-ever singles match in 10:00. The crowd was split but a slight edge to Strowman. Strowman tore his shirt like Hogan did a Hogan routine of teasing throwing it in the crowd. Bayley & Banks beat Fox & Jax with James as referee when Banks made Fox submit to the bank statement in 12:00. The crowd wasn’t into this match, and particularly not into Bayley. Jordan pinned Elias with a small package in 6:00. Elias heeled on Manchester before the match. Main event saw Ambrose & Rollins beat Cesaro & Sheamus via DQ in a tag title match when Sheamus hit Ambrose with a chair in 20:00. After the match the heels attacked until the faces made the comeback, ending with Ambrose using Dirty Deeds on Sheamus
1252
1253Syracuse was the same show as Manchester except that Crews was on the show so the three-on-four was a four-on-four
1254
1255Allentown was the same show as Syracuse. 
1256
1257Smackdown opened in Portland featuring matches to get people ready for the PPV. It opened with the same PPV four-way with Usos over English & Rusev, Big E & Woods and Benjamin & Gable. They did the superkick party on everyone and one of them splashed Gable off the top for the win in 12:00. Rusev got a lot of cheers but a mixed reaction overall. Zayn pinned Sin Cara after a Helluva kick after crotching him. There was a Fashion Files segment shown on the screen where The Ascension talked about facing clones (meaning the Colons). Harper & Rowan & Colons beat Breeze & Fandango & Ascension. I just realized this program is ruining the Colons losing streak. Very little reaction to this match. Harper pinned Breeze after the double crucifix bomb. Harper & Rowan then beat up everyone, including the Colons, after the match. Nakamura pinned Owens with the Kinshasa. Zayn came out and interfered and Sin Cara made the save and Nakamura got the pin right after. Said to be the best match on the show. Long match as well. Charlotte beat Natalya to keep the title in a lumberjack match using the figure four. Of course the lumberjacks interfered. The crowd was into it from start-to-finish. Great near fall with Natalya using the Batista bomb. Corbin won the three-way over Roode and Ziggler by pinning Ziggler. Lots of stalling early by Corbin which took the crowd out of the match. The crowd would get into it whenever Roode was on offense. There were big reactions also when Roode kicked out of the deep six and the zig zag. Styles beat Mahal to keep the title. Match was said to be boring and the live crowd even chanted “boring” during the match, turning on it. Styles won with the phenomenal forearm and after gave one of the Singhs the Styles Clash
1258
1259White Plains was somewhat similar, but with Orton added, that meant a few changes. The tag title was a three-way with Usos over Gable & Benjamin and Kingston & Woods, with English & Rusev moved to beating Ryder & Sin Cara in another tag match. It was the same Usos splash off the top on Gable finish. Nakamura pinned Zayn with the Kinshasa in a good match. They did the same Breezango & Ascension vs. Colons & Bludgeon Brothers match and post-match with Breeze getting pinned with the double choke slam. They did a video before the match of a backstage discussion where they make fun of the Colons. Breezango said they were facing the Bludgeon Brothers and their clones. Then The Ascension said they were fighting the Bludgeon Brothers and their cologne. Orton pinned Rusev with the RKO countering the pop up power bomb in 15:00 in what was said to be the best match of the night. Zayn tried to interfere and Orton powerslammed him. Charlotte beat Natalya with the figure eight in the same lumberjack match. Ziggler won the three-way to keep the title over Roode and Corbin. Said to be a good to great match. Ziggler came out to zero reaction, no boos nor cheers. Roode got a huge reaction. Roode hit the DDT on Corbin and went for the pin, and then Ziggler threw Roode out of the ring and got the pin. Styles again beat Mahal with the phenomenal forearm in the main event. Lots of outside interference but the crowd was totally into Styles and match was good.
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