For those curious as to how USADA and UFC will be handling Brock Lesnar and PED testing, we’ve got a lot more on the story here. Basically, since the USADA drug testing standards were not in place when Brock Lesnar announced his retirement from UFC in 2011, he will not have to fulfill the 4 months of pre fight testing. He is being treated like a newly contracted fighter, who just happens to have a fight in a month. So he has only been eligibile for testing since last Friday. However, since he has been under contract to WWE in the last 5 years, he has theoretically been tested and clean since his 2011 retirement.
Muhammad Ali’s funeral takes place in Louisville tomorrow. It was the will of Muhammad Ali to have a free funeral for all to attend, because he really was the people’s champ. The city of Louisville made 15,000 tickets available for free to people who registered, and those tickets were claimed within an hour. The sad part is that many of those tickets are now for sale on the secondary market for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Ali had been clear with his people that when the time came, he wanted everyone to have a chance to share in the memories and legacy that he left for all of us, for free, not for profit, because above all else, Ali stood for freedom.
[Dan Velten]
THE ROUND-UP
TNA Impact Wrestling results: Slammiversary go-home show with Broken Matt Hardy
WWE Smackdown spoilers: The Club vs. Enzo & Cass; Chris Jericho vs. Dean Ambrose
WWE interested in UFC’s Paige VanZant for SummerSlam
WWE Raw ratings slightly up from last week
WWE Superstars results: ‘The Demonic’ Viktor vs. Jack Swagger, plus Paige in action!
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
Figure Four Weekly 6/9/2016: Will Christopher Nowinski testify in WWE concussion lawsuit? – The latest battleground in the WWE concussion litigation is whether or not Christopher Nowinski can be compelled to testify. Issues cited in a WWE opposition to the plaintiffs’ effort are included in the lawsuit.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
READ IT HERE: June 6, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: More details on WWE brand split, Jimmy Snuka found incompetent, more
A huge double issue of the Observer is out this week, including the real catalyst behind the WWE brand split, a breakdown of the roster, justice denied again in the Jimmy Snuka case, Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay and the Super Juniors tournament plus a full rundown, the story behind Bill Goldberg and the WWE video game and the Brock Lesnar tease, famous boxer vs. pro wrestler fights, WWE schedule and injury rates, business rundowns from the past two months for WWE & TNA, updates on cable stations that carry wrestling and MMA, and one of the greatest territorial business runs in history in the life and career of Cowboy Frankie Laine.
Our lead story looks at the WWE brand split, why it happened, what is known that isn’t a secret, ads out post brand split, plans for the split two months ago and what the ad department was told then, what different arenas have been told this week, thoughts behind decisions having too be made, plus a roster rundown on what positions WWE is strong and weak in, and where NXT talent should fit in and who is ready, or who can fill a slot.
There is also an update on the Jimmy Snuka situation, with a realistic view if there will be a trial and what the time frame is and what happens next.
This issue also looks at the Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet match, Vader’s reaction, Super Juniors standings and rundowns of the shows plus looking at where things are going.
Updates on Money in the Bank, stars returning to television soon, how the NBA & NHL playoffs coincide with wrestling the next two weeks, an update on NXT, lots of WWE performers off TV for the next several weeks, notes from lawsuit depositions that are eye opening, Cena getting a gigantic endorsement deal, Rollins return news, injury updates, lots of Dwayne Johnson news, WrestleMania in the future notes, notes on how little talent gets told in advance about things, who watches what on WWE network, plus we’ve got rundowns of every WWE & NXT events over the past week and business notes on the shows, all included in in this issue.
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Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: May 3, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Rick Rude, WWF Backlash review, more. A look at the life and career of Rick Rude, a review of WWF Backlash, plus tons more.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
Tonight is big night for NXT as they run their latest TakeOver special event on the WWE network. We have a full preview from our own Arya Witner here. The full card is as follows:
NXT TAKEOVER THE END ON WEDNESDAY AT 8 P.M. FROM FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY IN WINTER PARK, FL
Andrade Cien Almas vs. Tye Dillinger
Asuka vs. Nia Jax for women’s title
Jason Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder for tag titles
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Austin Aries
Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor cage match for the NXT title
Nakamura will make his way back to Japan on the WWE main roster. At this point he is scheduled for matches against Kevin Owens and Bray Wyatt. We have more on that story here.
Former UFC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has announced that he will moving down a weight class and hopes to make his featherweight debut in August. I guess Pettis didn’t think there was a big enough log jam at 145 and needed to wedge himself in there. Pettis is on a 3 fight losing streak at 155, with losses the champion Raphael Dos Anjos, Eddie Alvarez, and Edson Barboza.
Frankie Edgar is opening up the largest UFC Gym in New Jersey, located in North Brunswick. They are hosting a grand opening at the 25,000 square foot facility this Saturday from 9am-4pm with Edgar, Matt Hughes, Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza, Renzo Gracie, and Rafael Natal.
WWE & Other Wrestling
The Shockmaster is coming to San Diego Comic Con….kind of.
Our Kyle Johnson thinks Samoa Joe can be the next great WWE monster with some help from Brock Lesnar.
Here’s a review of the upcoming Pat Patterson book and an interview with co-author Bertrand Hebert.
Jerry Lawler talks about the impact Muhammad Ali had on him.
Here’s an article on Hacksaw Jim Duggan doing celebrity charity work for police officers.
Here’s a look inside the Mid-South Coliseum as a group is trying to save it. According to this piece, it’s been 10 years before people have been able to see inside.
The Buffalo wrestling scene and the late Ilio DiPaolo is featured in this article.
Pro Wrestling Tees and TNA Wrestling announced a partnership on Wednesday.
WWE has just added a new fleet of production trucks to their fleet. With SmackDown running live soon, it was time for an upgrade.
UFC
Here’s an in-depth look at tonight’s TUF fight from our Steve Juon.
Kimbo Slice’s death was all over the Sun-Sentinel here and here, and the Miami Herald here, here, and here.
FITE.tv put up some Muhammad Ali docs as well as some Jim Ross interviews with some regional MMA fighters from shows their air.
With no UFC or Bellator, the biggest show of this weekend is probably Titan FC 39 on UFC Fight Pass. The show starts at 7 pm eastern on Friday with three title fights. Former Strikeforce, Dream and WSOF fighter Gesias Cavalcante square off for the vacant lightweight title in the main event. Featherweight champion Andre Harrison defends his belt in the co-main and former UFC fighters Dhiego Lima and David Michaud fight for the vacant welterweight title as well.
Lightweights Nick Hein vs Tae Hyun Bang have been added to the Sept 3rd UFC show in Hamburg.
Nordine Taleb has been pulled from his fight with Alan Jouban, scheduled for the July 7th show in Las Vegas. That’s the first of 3 straight nights for UFC in conjunction with International fight week. UFC will likely be looking to find a replacement to face Taleb
EVENTS
TODAY – NXT Takeover from Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL featuring Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor in a cage match plus a loaded lineup that includes American Alpha vs. The Revival and probably Shinsuke Nakamura vs Austin Aries, which could be WWE’s match of the month.
June 10 – Maryland Championship Wrestling is hosting Jimmy’s Seafood Slamboree in Joppa, MD, with a meet and greet featuring Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Damien Sandow, JOHNNY CRAB CAKES, and more. Sandow and Colt Cabana are working the show as well.
June 11 – Kayfabe Dojo Wrestling runs at Pineapple Jack’s in Rochester, NY, for a 4 PM show
June 11 – ECCW Port Coquitlam, BC at the Elks Hall #49.
June 11 – NECW presents the 2016 IRON 8 Championship, Saturday Night, June 11 in Wakefield, MA
June 11 – Lex Luger will appear in Gray, TN at the Daniel Boone High School for the Fountain of Life Bible Church’s Car and Bike show at 6 p.m. The show is free. There will be a wrestling card in conjunction with the show.
June 11 – The UWC returns to Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ 08562. For more information, call 609-792-9328 or like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UWCFanCave.
June 12 – TNA Slammiversary headlined by Drew Galloway vs. Bobby Lashley for the TNA title from Orlando
June 12 – Revolution Pro Wrestling in London, England headlined by Kurt Angle vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
June 17 – Absolute Intense Wrestling at Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH at Tequila Jaxx with Joey Janela vs. Facade, Shayna Baszler vs. Veda Scott, Laredo Kid, B.J. Whitmer and more.
June 17 – AAW “Killers Among Us” features Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Johnny Gargano, Drago vs. Chris Hero, and more at 115 Bourbon Street (3359 w 115th Street Merrionette Park, IL) All Ages Event – Tickets available.
June 18 – UFC in Ottawa: Rory McDonald vs. Stephen Thompson
June 18 – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.” Tickets for “NEF 24” are on sale now.
June 19 – Steel Pro Wrestling runs at the KoC in Hamilton, ON.
June 19 – New Japan Dominion, one of the company’s biggest events of the year, featuring Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada in an IWGP title match and Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi in a ladder match for the IC title
June 19 – WWE Money in the Bank from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
June 24 – ROH Best in the World from Concord, NC with Jay Lethal vs. Jay Briscoe for the ROH title
June 24 – Isao Kobayashi vs. Justin Lawrence will appear on Spike.com as the top prelim fight Bellator Dynamite show in St. Louis. This will be a combination MMA and kickboxing show.
June 25 – Great North Wrestling returns to the Pembroke Memorial Centre, featuring Nicolai Volkoff. Tickets available here.
June 25 – The UWC returns to Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ 08562. More information here.
June 25 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple
June 26 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple
July 2 – Stars of Wrestling from Alameda, CA at the Alameda Point Gym has Bobby Lashley, Carlito and The Boogeyman appearing.
July 2 – NWA Cajun Heat in Morgan City, LA at the Municipal Auditorium with Jax Dane vs. Mustang Mike for the NWA title, Rob Conway vs. Rodney Mack and an appearance by Kevin Nash.
July 7 – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
July 7-11 The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas, EdinSanAntonio has all the information up on Facebook, or email him at F4Wfan@hotmail.com.
July 9 – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fund raising event to raise money for the Godson of Jeremy Elliott, who Hero will wrestle. Elliott’s Godson is a patient at the CPRI Treatment Center.
July 17 – Premier Wrestling at the IFDES Lodge and Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA with Joe Graves (5-1-1) vs. Gabriel Gallo (5-0-1) for the Premier title plus the Premier Women Athletes title with Raze (3-2) vs. Shayna Baszler (1-0), Jeff Cobb (6-6-1) vs. JR Kratos (9-3-1), Nicole Savoy (3-3) vs Desi de Rata (0-0) and Alexander Hammerstone (2-0) vs. Douglas James (1-0). Tickets are available at www.premierwrestle.com.
July 22 – Rachel Ellering appears for Ignite Wrestling in Fort Pierce, FL at the National Guard Armory on a show with Lince Dorado, Mr. 450 Hammet, Lio Rush, Martin Stone, Los Ben Dejos, and more.
July 23 – Chikara Pro announced a doubleheader event at Toronto’s Franklin Horner Community Center
July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY.
August 13 – Rey Mysterio Jr. will headline a show at Montgomery High School in San Diego, his alma mater, for Viva La Lucha promotions. Also appearing are Konnan, Psicosis, Johnny Mundo, Teddy Hart and TJ Perkins.
Today in Professional Wrestling History: Triple H wins King of the Ring; Samoa Joe wins TNA King of the Mountain
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