By Dave Meltzer
[email protected]”>[email protected]
We’re looking for your thoughts on today’s Wrestling Dontaku show with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]”>[email protected]
We’re looking for reports on last night’s NXT show at at [email protected]”>[email protected]
PRO WRESTLING NOAH GLOBAL TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT FINALS from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo last tonight/early tomorrow
B BLOCK
Super Crazy & Mitsuhiro Kitamiya (0-4) vs. Shelton Benjamin & Brian Breaker (2-2)
Akitoshi Saito & Quiet Storm (1-3) vs Chris Hero & Colt Cabana (3-1)
Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (3-1) vs. Mohammed Yone & Daisuke Ikeda (3-1)
A BLOCK
Maybach Taniguchi & Maybach #2 (0-4) vs. Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste (3-1)
Takashi Sugiura & Masato Tanaka (3-1) vs. Daisuke Sekimoto & Kazuki Hashimoto (1-3)
Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka (3-1) vs. Naomichi Marufuji & Katsuhiko Nakajima (3-1)
Raw will be Monday in Montreal, which is also Pat Patterson Appreciation Night.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday in Ottawa.
Part one of the life and times of Verne Gagne is the lead story on a jam-packed issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that is out today. We’ve also got the most detailed look at the Jon Jones situation, the UFC light heavyweight title, as well as Ronda Rousey in WWE, Extreme Rules coverage, Payback notes, UFC 186, the life of Ashura Hara and four former wrestling personalities get elected to public office in one week.
The new issue is up on the site at http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/42311-may-4-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-verne-gagne-bio-part-1-jon-jones-stripped-of-ufc-title-bios-of-ashura-hara-a-rudy-reyna-a-much-more
Web site subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show on the history of the site are at http://www.f4wonline.com/member/signup.php
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected]”>[email protected]
You can also order at www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected]
Rates are:
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to [email protected] For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.
Our lead story looks back at the wrestling career of Verne Gagne, one of the most noteworthy pro wrestling of the 20th century. We look at the booking of Gagne, the story of the promoter who promised Gagne an all-time attendance record for a title defense and he turned the match down and why, we look at the end of his career, Sports Illustrated ranking him as an athlete, his football career, his involvement in one of the biggest college wrestling matches of all-time, how Gagne spoiled the first Cael Sanderson record, Gagne and the Olympic games, starting as a pro wrestler, his rise to the top, his winning the world jr. title, and why he never won the NWA world heavyweight title. We look at the creation of the AWA title, when the world title started getting fractured and why, the ironies of both Verne Gagne and Roy Shire as promoters, the expansion of the AWA, the AWA lifestyle, the biggest AWA angles, and Gagne vs Billy Robinson.
We also look at his training wrestlers, the Hogan era and the peak of the AWA.
We also have full details of the Jon Jones story, both why he got suspended and complete police records as to what happened this past week with his auto accident. We look at his losing sponsors, Cormier vs. Rumble Johnson, UFC’s position, and Cormier talks his title shot.
We also have more on Dana White’s comments on Ronda Rousey in WrestleMania and the WWE’s reaction, as well as UFC fighters doing pro wrestling in recent years.
We’ve got a full rundown of the Extreme Rules PPV, a look at Payback, plus match-by-match ratings and poll results from the show.
We also look at the Daniel Bryan situation, who is being groomed for a unique babyface push to stardom, disappearing of the curb stomp, next NXT special, Samoa Joe and WWE, Furious 7 box office marks, NXT on tour, a TV documentary on one of the biggest shows in WWE history coming, and notes on talent cut this past week by WWE.
We also look at the Demetrious Johnson conundrum, the flyweight division, the business of UFC 186 and match-by-match coverage.
We look at the career of Ashura Hara, including his biggest matches, why his career at the top in All Japan suddenly ended, his appearance in G-1, his rugby background, his IWE start, some of his famous matches and the 1987 tag team tournament.
We also look at four pro wrestlers elected to public office this past week.
We also have a bio on exotico star Rudy Reyna, including his start in pro wrestling, how much of a shoot his act was, his health issues and career highlights.
The Observer is the world’s most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.
We also have our regular features such as the most complete look at ratings, plus results of the major house show events each week in pro wrestling and MMA, and complete inside rundowns of all the TV shows.
Also in this week’s issue:
–More on the World Cup tag team tournament
–New major AAA shows
–AAA & Lucha Underground notes
–Top promotion star breaks nose and gets teeth knocked out
–Dragon Gate builds to one of its biggest events of the year on iPPV
–Update on New Japan World
–Kidani talks New Japan pay
–How business is going with New Japan
–New Japan big show rundown
–Update on Jeff Jarrett and Global Force Wrestling
–Different names being talked about
–Jarrett and Eric Bischoff and Jarrett’s reactions to stories
–Bischoff history
–Missy Hyatt charges dropped story
–Bill Goldberg says he’ll wrestle again and more notes on the subject
–A look back at Bill Goldberg in WWE and why it didn’t work
–Why Goldberg’s career in Japan ended
–Funny note on Kevin Nash
–Japanese star looking at working indie dates in the U.S.
–More notes on the future of Lucha Underground
–How close are they to being No. 2 in the market
–Notes going into the second season
–Why there is a premium on guys who can wrestle well
–Update on Adam Cole in ROH
–Notes on the booking of the ROH/New Japan shows
–Notes on the broadcasting of the entire tour
–ROH final show before the New Japan tour
–Notes on Jeff Hardy’s injury
–ROH star returns from injury
–Lots on Billy Corgan signing with TNA and his thoughts on wrestling creative
–Wrestling stars get engaged
–Rampage Jackson talks TNA
–Another longtime performer out of TNA
–Taryn Terrell heel turn notes
–UFC on FOX ratings notes
–Notes on the Reebok sponsorship in UFC
–Reaction to those numbers
–UFC fighter sues another UFC fighter over a sponsorship deal gone bad
–UFC signs one of the best wrestlers in the world as a project
–Lots of new UFC fights
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
Our most requested issues in our history are:
*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)
*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you’ll know exactly what was said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)
*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)
*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)a
*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)
*July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)
*February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)
*May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)
*January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)
*February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)
*March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)
*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)
*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)
*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)
*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)
*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)
*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)
*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)
*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)
*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)
*February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)
*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy’s win over Brock Lesnar)
*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)
*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)
*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair’s book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)
*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair’s book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)
*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)
*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)
*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)
*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)
*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)
*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)
*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)
*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)
*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)
*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)
*October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)
*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)
*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year’s Eve 2005 coverage)
*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)
*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)
*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)
*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)
*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)
*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)
*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff’s book and how the industry was changed forever)
*November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)
*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn’t click)
*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride’s offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)
*January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)
*March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)
*March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)
*March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)
*April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are calling one of the best issues in history)
*July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)
*October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)
*November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women’s wrestling) .
*December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)
*January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)
*March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)
*April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair’s meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)
* September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)
* September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)
* September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)
You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.
We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..
To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.
SUNDAY’S NEWS UPDATE
–Bryan and I did our weekend show last night covering Mayweather-Pacquiao and the latest pro wrestling news. We’ll be back tomorrow night. You can send questions for tomorrow’s show to [email protected]
–ESPN over the weekend covered the death of Verne Gagne.
–So as far as interest level of Mayweather-Pacquiao with other big events. There were about 12,090,000 searches, or about 12 times that of WrestleMania and six times as many as the last Ronda Rousey fight. The last UFC PPV show ended up with 50,000 while Extreme Rules had 200,000.
–Mayweather vacated all of his championships after the fight.
–The WWE Network has a Cinco de Mayo special on Tuesday at 6 p.m. features great Mexican stars Los Matadores. Yes, indeed, who have already been outed by the Prime Time Players as not being from Mexico. The show is billed as a “Look at the History of Lucha Libre in the United States.” Yes, I expect all kinds of talk about Blackie Guzman, Rito Romero, Perro Aguayo and Ray Mendoza. But seriously, we probably will get Eddie Guerrero and his family along with Mil Mascaras.
–Bob Ryder sent out a tweet that TNA’s Slammiversary show, which will be on PPV on 6/28, will also be on iPPV.
–I’ll be guest on the second episode of Ric Flair’s podcast. The first episode will have Kurt Angle as guest.
–Furious 7 fell to No. 3 at the box office this past weekend, doing an estimated $6.11 million, behind The Avengers: Age of Ultron ($187.66 million) and The Age of Adaline ($6.25 million).
–TMZ ran a piece about Scotty 2 Hotty passing his real estate exam and moving to a new career and is looking for a new house for Mick Foley. He said he likes his new career better than his last one as a fire fighter.
–Heard from a couple of people who work at cable company’s about how calls were constantly coming in for the PPV right up until the fight itself started, and even into the first few rounds.
–Ewerton Teixeira (no relation to Glover), a former K-1 World Grand Prix champion from Brazil, has signed with Bellator.
–Michelle Beadle on Twitter wrote:
“I’ve loved WWE for a long time, but HHH and his love for a serial abuser is too much. I’m turning in my fan card. #WasFunWhilteItLasted.”
–The serial abuser in question is Floyd Mayweather, given there are a lot of serial abusing celebrities out there that people are fans of.
–CZW will be releasing a DVD called “Bleeding Back & Yellow” about Matt Tremont on 5/9, with the idea of it being a day in his life.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)
1975 – Missouri Mauler & Steve Rackman beat Larry O’Dea & Ron Miller in Melbourne to win the Austra Asian tag title
1975 – Giant Baba beat Gene Kiniski in the finals of the Champion Carnival tournament
1995 – Sabu beat Koji Kanemoto in Fukuoka to win the IWGP jr. heavyweight title at the Fukuoka Dome
1997 – Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi beat Kensuke Sasaki & Riki Choshu in Osaka to win the IWGP tag team titles
2004 – Shocker beat Vampiro in Mexico City to win the NWA light heavyweight title
2006 – Taiyo Kea beat Satoshi Kojima in Tokyo to win the Triple Crown
2006 – Koji Kanemoto beat Tiger Mask in Fukuoka to win the IWGP jr. title
2010 – Togi Makabe beat Shinsuke Nakamura in Fukuoka to win the IWGP heavyweight title and Wataru Inoue & Yuji Nagata beat Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson to win the IWGP tag team titles
2013 – A.J. Styles beat Kazuchika Okada to win the IWGP heavyweight title, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan won a four-way to win the IWGP tag title over Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer, Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka and Manabu Nakanishi & Strongman, while Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov beat Alex Shelley & Kushida to win the IWGP jr tag titles
–Randy Couture will be throwing out the first pitch at Tuesday’s Chicago White Sox game. (thanks to David Kaplan)
–Thanks to everyone who helped out with coverage of all the weekend WWE shows.
–Great Canadian Championship Wrestling on 6/8 in Oshawa, ONT at the Harmony Creek Community Hall.
–Mid Missouri Wrestling Alliance from last night in St. Louis: Kevin Lee Davidson b Andrew Wilder, J-Mal Swagg b Clownman Jacko, Everett Connors b Sean Orleans 2/3 falls, Da’Marius Jones b Brandon Espinosa, J-Mal Swagg b Danny Adams, Gary Jackson d Evan Gelistico, LaMarcus Clinton b Austin Blackburn, Da’Marius Jones & Barackus b Brandon Espinosa & A.J. Williams (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
–Ben Smith vs. Gilbert Smith for the RFA welterweight title headlines the 6/5 show in Broomfield, CO, at the First Bank Center which airs live on AXS TV.
–A.J. Styles vs. Chase Owens headlines 5/9 for Collision Course for Smoky Mountain Wrestling at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium. Also on the show include Rob Conway, Matt Taven and Jax Dane, plus Bruce Tharpe makes his Smoky Mountain Wrestling debut, and there is a 20 man Battle Royal for a shot at the TV title.
–Dynamo Pro Wrestling from last night in Fenton, MO: Michael Magnuson b Outkast, Brandon Aarons b Justin D’Air, Evan Moris & Keon Option b Danny Adams & Ozzie Gallagher, Elvis Aliaga b Mason Conrad, Ricky Cruz b Brandon Espinosa, Dave DeLorean & Jayden Fenix b Rocky Mapache & Jackal, Jake Dirden b Mike Outlaw to win the DPW title.
–The Day in Connecticut has a story about Linda McMahon canceling an interview with the reporter. McMahon is working on a project that will be launched in upcoming months. She has an office in Stamford, CT, for a company called “McMahon Ventures,” which sounds like a Venture Capital company she’s going to run. Or she’s promoting a 1960s surfer band.
–Lucha Xtreme from last night on Fresno TV: Kevin El Devinio b Warrior Malosiaga, CB 3 b Elemnto, Johnny Plinko b Marcus Eriks, Brandon Pinion b Manny Fernandez. The next show is 5/24 in Fresno at Grizzles Stadium after the Fresno Grizzlies game. No matches are announced but it will be an iPPV. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
–NWA Mid South from last night in Dyresburg, TN: The Posse & Jason Peter Rose b Dale Wylde & EMT #2 & Alucard, Greg Anthony b Kincaid, Jeremy Moore & TJ Lightning, Matt Riviera b Elliott Russell to keep Western States title, Tim Storm b Jason Peter Rose, Steve Anthony b Roderick Strong to retain NWA jr. title. JJ Dillon managed Riviera and Anthony and this will be release on DVD. Next show is 6/20 with Anthony defending the NWA jr. title against Seiya Sanada, plus Savio Vega is coming in and Chris Cruise will announce.
–Maryland Championship Wrestling from last night in Waldorf, MD: G-Fed b Hoss Haggod, The Entourage over Sudden Impact, Punk Rock All-Stars and Dixon Line Security, Fenix Fury b Andrew Steel, Drolix & Napalm & Solo b Hell Cats & Rikishi, Paul Jordane b Mustafa Aziz Daniels, Amber Rodriguez b Sera Feeny, Brando Scott b Chuck Lennox, The Bruiser & Jerry Lawler b Ryan McBride & Ken Dixon & Justin Schlegal. Next show is 6/19 in Glen Burnie, MD with Mick Foley, Lisa Marie Varon, Mickie James and Tessa Blanchard.
–An interview with Jacques Rougeau Jr. at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7-3oaRlk7U
–Hulk Hogan talks wrestling at next year’s WrestleMania at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=627&v=IeSD2Fg5v7c
Hulk Hogan Says He Plans To Wrestle At WrestleMania 32 And Wants A Piece Of Rusev
–Story on UFC’s Alexis Davis finding out after her fight with Sarah Kaufman about her young niece’s health issue
http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/5/3/8523465/tragedy-strikes-alexis-davis-the-morning-after-her-ufc-186-win
–Trailer for a new documentary on older school wrestling with Bret Hart, Roddy Piper, Scott Hall, Jake Roberts, Terry Funk and Ted DiBiase at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFfumpGH_nU
TODAY’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDLE
8:00 PM ET
WWE PAYBACK 2013 John Cena defends the WWE Championship against Ryback in a 3 Stages of Hell Match. CM Punk returns to take on Chris Jericho.
11:00 PM ET
WWE PAYBACK 2013 John Cena defends the WWE Championship against Ryback in a 3 Stages of Hell Match. CM Punk returns to take on Chris Jericho.
TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE
2:00 AM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio and former NBA star John Salley are on hand to offer advice about teamwork to the dwindling group.
3:00 AM ET
WWE NXT After the brawl erupted last week, NXT Champion Kevin Owens addresses the NXT Universe about Sami Zayn.
4:00 AM ET
WWE SUPERSTARS This week, we have tag team turmoil when the Prime Time Players face off with Los Matadores. Plus, The Lucha Dragons battle The Ascension.
5:00 AM ET
OLD SCHOOL Old School WWE card from the Boston Garden features Davey Boy Smith and Pedro Morales vs Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine.
6:00 AM ET
WWE PAYBACK 2013 John Cena defends the WWE Championship against Ryback in a 3 Stages of Hell Match. CM Punk returns to take on Chris Jericho.
9:00 AM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio and former NBA star John Salley are on hand to offer advice about teamwork to the dwindling group.
10:00 AM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING The Greatest Superstars of the 21st century profiles 15 superstars that dominated the ring for the first decade of the 2000s.
11:30 AM ET
THIS WEEK IN WWE This Week… Seth Rollins goes to extremes to remain Champion, the King of the Ring Tournament is back, and it’s a WWE whirlwind in Europe.
12:00 PM ET
WWE PAYBACK 2013 John Cena defends the WWE Championship against Ryback in a 3 Stages of Hell Match. CM Punk returns to take on Chris Jericho.
3:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR WCW signs international superstars to bring an innovative, high-flying brand of excitement to Monday Nitro.
4:00 PM ET
TOUGH ENOUGH WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio and former NBA star John Salley are on hand to offer advice about teamwork to the dwindling group.
5:00 PM ET
WWE NXT After the brawl erupted last week, NXT Champion Kevin Owens addresses the NXT Universe about Sami Zayn.
6:00 PM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Brie regrets quarreling with her husband when he delivers devastating news. Nikki’s secret has John fearing the end of their relationship.
7:00 PM ET
THIS WEEK IN WWE This Week… Seth Rollins goes to extremes to remain Champion, the King of the Ring Tournament is back, and it’s a WWE whirlwind in Europe.
7:30 PM ET
RAW PRE-SHOW From WWE Studios in Stamford Connecticut. Scott Stanford, David Otunga and Corey Graves cover all the events leading up to Monday Night Raw.
8:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR WCW signs international superstars to bring an innovative, high-flying brand of excitement to Monday Nitro.
9:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting Down the Top Ten Most Imposing Superstars ever in WWE history.
10:00 PM ET
TOTAL DIVAS Brie regrets quarreling with her husband when he delivers devastating news. Nikki’s secret has John fearing the end of their relationship.
11:06 PM ET
WWE NETWORK EXCLUSIVE The action continues, live from Raw!
11:11 PM ET
WWE 24 In this edition of WWE 24, we reveal the personal story of this rising star, his family and his memorable experience at Wrestlemania 31.
11:36 PM ET
FIRST LOOK THE ROAD IS JERICHO A first look at Jericho’s new home video! Jump in a limo and ride with Chris as he shares his favorite stories while traveling the country.