THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
WWE NXT results: Candice LeRae vs. Zelina Vega
Paul Jones passes away at 75
WOR: The Bruno Sammartino interviews
THE LATEST AUDIO
WOL: Sammartino, Paul Jones, Dave Meltzer interview, Lesnar’s reign, more! 4/19
Left My Wallet: Gillberg, Remembering Bruno 4/19
Wrestling Weekly: Remembering Bruno Sammartino and Paul Jones 4/19
We’re looking for reports on today’s WWE Raw show in Cape Town, South Africa and tomorrow’s show is Pretoria, South Africa, as well as tonight’s NXT shows in Washington, DC and Sanford, FL to [email protected].
IMPACT TONIGHT ON POP TV AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TIME
Johnny Impact vs. Kongo Kong
Braxton Sutter & Su Yung vs. Fallah Bahh & Keira Hogan
ALL JAPAN CHAMPION CARNIVAL FROM OSAKA AT 5:30 A.M. FRIDAY MORNING ON THE ALL JAPAN STREAMING SERVICE
Zeus vs. Naomichi Marufuji
Yuji Hino vs. The Bodyguard (listed, not sure if Bodyguard will be able to wrestle due to his injury)
Naoya Nomura vs. Ryoji Sai
Joe Doering vs. Shingo Takagi
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking ahead to the Greatest Royal Rumble
With WrestleMania 34 just barely in the rearview mirror, WWE’s second stadium show of the month is already under two weeks away. The Greatest Royal Rumble will take place at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday, April 27th and air live on the WWE Network at noon Eastern time. The card already has seven matches confirmed: a 50-man Royal Rumble, Brock Lesnar defending the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns in a steel cage, John Cena vs. Triple H, The Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho in a casket match, Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins defending against The Miz, Finn Balor, and Samoa Joe in a ladder match, The Usos challenging for The Bludgeon Brothers’ SmackDown Tag Team titles, and a match to decide the new Raw Tag Team Champions. The WWE, United States, and Cruiserweight Championships will also be on the line.
WON NEWSLETTER: April 24, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The death of Bruno Sammartino
A look back at the life and career of Bruno Sammartino is the focus of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This is the most in-depth look at both his life inside and outside the ring, talking his career, his biggest matches, his conflicts with Vince McMahon and his father, the Phil Donahue show, his biggest feuds, how he got started, his weightlifting and the amazing story of his life as a child in Italy, and growing up to be one of the strongest men in the world.
Read about Sammartino’s appeal, his health issues, his family, the amazing story of his mother, why he refused to let Hollywood studios do a movie on his life, his learning to lift weights, his high school yearbook and goals, what he did out of high school, notes on two of his most famous early matches, how he first got noticed in Pittsburgh and got NFL and wrestling offers.
Have a brief look at the career of Paul Jones, who also passed away this past week.
The break down of both Raw and Smackdown after the Superstar shakeup, looking at the depth charts, what categories are strong, what categories are weak and what changes can be made, all inside this issue.
Read the update on the Greatest Royal Rumble show and the ethical questions the show has brought up.
Look at the John Cena/Nikki Bella story, Ronda Rousey and Daniel Bryan working house shows, Bobby Lashley news, Chris Jericho talks New Japan, Jericho vs. Undertaker prior matches, Cena and Rock movie box office, Next week’s WWE TV, beers named after two different wrestling legends, NXT big show lineups, and the name change of a WWE wrestler.
There is also an update on the UFC television contract talks.
Plus, this issue has the weekly coverage of all the ratings of the major shows, detailed notes on who is watching all the WWE shows, results from the major league events held around the world, the major TV show rundowns, and the results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
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If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
Thanks everyone for the nice words about the new issue and the story on Bruno Sammartino.
Madison Square Garden’s marquee honored Bruno Sammartino yesterday.
There are Sammartino stories in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, BBC News, NBC News, Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Times, ABC News, and Washington Post.
This is from the Pittsburgh TV coverage which opened with this last night as the lead story. Plus more coverage here.
Here is more Sammartino footage:
vs. Fred Blassie 1964
vs. Giant Baba 1967 Tokyo
vs. Ivan Koloff 1971 MSG title loss
Bruno and Dick the Bruiser vs. Valliant Bros 1970s Chicago
Bruno and Dick the Bruiser vs. Ernie Ladd and Baron Von Raschke 1973
vs. Stan Stasiak 1973 regains title MSG
vs. Spiros Arion 1975 MSG
vs. Spiros Arion Greek Death Match 1975 MSG
vs. Billy Graham 1975 MSG
vs. Waldo Von Erich 1975 MSG
vs. Ivan Koloff 1975 MSG Cage Match
vs. Superstar Graham 1976 MSG
vs. Ernie Ladd 1976 MSG
vs. Stan Hansen 1976 MSG Cage Match
vs. Nikolai Volkolff 1976 MSG
vs. Bruiser Brody 1976 Boston Garden
vs. Ivan Koloff 1976 Boston Russian Chain Match
vs. Ken Patera 1977 MSG
vs. George Steele 1977 MSG
vs. Superstar Graham 1977 Baltimore title loss
vs. Superstar Graham 1977 rematch after loss MSG
vs. Ken Patera 1978 Philadelphia
vs. Superstar Graham 1978 Philadelphia cage match
vs. Superstar Graham 1978 MSG (meet as past champions)
vs. Bruiser Brody 1981 Japan
Bruno and David Sammartino vs. Beefcake and Johnny Valiant 1985 MSG
Piper’s Pit with Bruno 1985 MSG
vs. Roddy Piper 1985 Boston
Bruno and Orndorff vs. Piper and Orton 1987 Philadelphia
vs. Randy Savage 1987 Boston
vs. Honky Tonk Man 1987
Great compilation of Bruno matches from WWE (Volkoff, Von Raschke, Patera, Kowalski, Roddy Piper)
Another great compilation
WWE Hall of Fame clips for Bruno
WWE Network Clips
vs. Waldo Von Erich at MSG where Bruno wrestled with broken arm
Sammartino: The Legend Lives (various match clips throughout career)
WWE Old School page (75 MSG vs. Arion, 76 MSG vs Graham, 76 MSG cage vs. Hansen, 76 MSG vs. Volkoff, 77 MSG vs. Graham, 77 MSG Texas Death vs. Patera, 78 Philly vs. Patera, 78 MSG vs. Graham, 80 MSG vs. Zbyszko, 86 Boston Garden cage match vs. Piper). (thanks to Steve Helwagen)
Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that Harry Smith (Davey Boy Smith Jr.) is wanted for battery in connection with the incident where he threw coffee into the face of Jake Roberts during an argument on 4/7 at WrestleCon. Roberts told police that he attempted to shake hands with Smith, at which time an argument took place, Smith allegedly threw a cup of coffee at his face and fled the scene.
John Gaburick is back working for WWE, working on pre-production in Saudi Arabia for the greatest Royal Rumble event.
Impact’s Redemption show on Sunday will be available in the U.K. on the Global Wrestling Network, which is the company’s $7.99 monthly streaming service. Redemption will air on Wednesday for U.K. subscribers.
Roman Reigns was bloodied up in his match today in Cape Town, South Africa against Samoa Joe.
Brooke Hogan is appearing on the MTV reality show “The Challenge” that Miz is hosting.
WWE has gotten an emergency restraining order against Armando Alejandro Montalvo, who is the guy who was shot years ago in front of the Performance Center in Orlando. He was released and was banned from going near the Performance Center, but he then went to Full Sail and caused trouble in front of a taping. The WWE claimed he was harassing employees at the NXT taping last month and then on 4/4 posted an Instagram message threatening wrestlers and staff and claiming that he will use his own semen in a biological prank. TMZ Sports originally reported this.
UFC
MMA Fighting reported on an Islam Makhachev vs. Kajan Johnson lightweight bout on 7/28 in Canada, most likely but not officially in Calgary.
Alexander Gustafsson announced that he has signed a new contract with UFC.
MISCELLANEOUS
Jeff Cobb vs. Jake Hager (Jack Swagger) will be on the MLW 5/3 TV tapings in Orlando at Gilt Nightclub.
MLW has put last week’s Shane Strickland vs. Matt Riddle match to determine the company’s first champion on YouTube for free.
Progress and EPW had joint show yesterday in Perth, Western Australia before around 625 fans: Travis Banks & Julian Ward b Logan Grey & Alex Kingston, Scotty Ryan b Jay Taylor, Gavin McGavin won over Tyler Jacobs, David Nero and Lord Jonathan Wimbledon, Marcius Pitt & Damien Slater b Tyler Bate & Trent Seven, Toni Storm b Allyson Cruz to keep the Progress women’s title, Pete Dunne b Davis Storm (said to be the match of the night), Don Michael Morleoe b Jimmy Havoc to keep the EPW title. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
PWMS from Saturday night in Dyresburg, TN: Matt McNamara won six person meal ticket ladder match, The Posse b Brandon White & Johnny Morton, Matt Riviera b Kid Wrestling, Greg Anthony & Matt McNamara b Rock & Rap Express to win tag team titles, Dale Wylde b Josh Matthews in a last man standing match to keep the Unified heavyweight title. This group runs every Friday in Ripley, TN at the Power Pro Arena and every Saturday in Dyresburg, TN at the Herb Welch WretlePlex.
IWA Mid South has an all-women’s show tonight in Memphis, IN, with a tournament to crown a new women’s champion. Names involved include Delilah Doom, Shotzi Blackheart, Su Yung, Hudson Envy, Ruby Raze, and Kikyo, plus a non-tournament match with Rain vs. Shazza McKenzie.
Rise is doing a 7/7 co-promoted show with Impact called “Rise of the Knockouits” with Delilah Doom, Thunder Rosa, Shotzi Blackheart, Britt Baker, Chelsea Green, Dust, Melanie Cruise, Karen Q, Ray Lyn, Kylie Rae and Miranda Alize.
Two of the best wrestlers in the world, Jordan Burroughs of the U.S. and Frank Chamizo of Italy, will be in the main event of the 5/17 Beat the Streets wrestling event at Pier 17/Seaport District in Manhattan. Burroughs is the current world champion at 162 pounds while Chamizo is world champion at 154. Burroughs is 7-0 at the annual Beat the Streets events.
Total Wrestling Federation on 4/28 in Modesto, CA at the Eagles Hall with Vinnie Massaro vs. Joe Gamble plus Phil Baroni in an open challenge.
Lucha Xtreme on 5/5 with a free TV taping at the Tioga Sequoia Brewing Company in Fresno, CA, at 9 p.m.
Wrestling for Charity on 5/12 in Porterville, CA at the High School with Julio Pedroza vs. Grizzly Kal Jack (Cal Bishop from NXT) and Katrina (Katie Leigh) vs. Tab Jackson.
Best of the West on 5/19 with a live TV taping at the American Legion Post in Merced, CA.
World Class Big Time Wrestling on Saturday night in Circleville, OH with Abyss vs. The Barbarian and Bobby Fulton and son Fargo Fulton vs. Cody Hawk &Sean Casey.
wXw from Saturday night in Dresden, Germany before 520 fans: Marcus Monere & Matt Buckna & Rick Baxxter b Dynamite Dave & Otto Stalh & TinoX, Avalanche & Julian Nero b Francis Kaspin & Jay Skillet and LAX, Killer Kelly b Audrey Bride, Da Mack b TKO, Absolute Andy b Marius Al-Ani, Mark Davis won four-way over Alexander James, Ivan Kiev and Lucky Kid, Ilja Dragunov b Walter. They have shows on 4/20 in Gutersloh, Germany and 4/21 in Frankfurt Germany with LAX and David Starr the first night and Zack Sabre Jr and David Starr the second night. (thanks to Markus Gronemann)
German Hardcore Wrestling, Classic Wrestling Entertainment and Championship of Wrestling are doing a joint show on Saturday and Sunday in Birkenau, Germany with Ken Anderson (second night only), Raven, Chris Masters, Rene Dupree, Gangrel (second night), Marty Scurll (first night) and Bad Bones John Klinger.
Revolution Pro Wrestling on Sunday in Southampton has Josh Bodom vs. Kip Sabian vs. Dan Magee.
Daily Professional Wrestling History: Randy Savage wins WCW World title
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