In celebration of yesterday’s Fourth of July holiday, John Cena posted a video on his Twitter account celebrating the diversity of America in conjunction with advocacy group Love Has No Labels. The full version of the PSA was later uploaded online.
Cena also brought a pediatric cancer survivor into the ring to celebrate overcoming the disease after Raw went off the air last night.
The Raw rating will be in later than normal due to the holiday weekend, but given the poor reception to the food fight and the lackluster booking, it is expected that it will be the lowest rated Raw program of all time.
Smackdown is tonight in Toledo. No John Cena or Seth Rollins advertised. Dean Ambrose, A.J. Styles and Kevin Owens are the top names advertised.
THE ROUNDUP
Off-air notes from WWE Raw plus Superstars spoilers
New Japan on AXS report: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in the G1 finals
WWE RAW Hits & Misses: Food fighting, phoned-in writing, and a Boss defined
Drama. Tragedy. The Titanic: Just another night in Japan’s DDT promotion
UFC International Fight Week/F4W convention: All you need to know!
The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11. Stay up to date on all the latest wackiness by following Ed in San Antonio on Facebook. Plus, follow us on @WONF4W or @BryanAlvarez. We will be live tweeting from all the events. Use #F4WVegas to get in on the fun.
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
READ IT HERE: Figure Four Weekly 6/27/2016: WWE concussion lawsuit update, more – The latest information in WWE’s concussion lawsuit.
Subscribers click here to continue reading.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
READ IT HERE: July 4, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW G1 tournament preview, Ali vs. Inoki anniversary, more – A preview of NJPW’s G1 tournament, notes on the anniversary of Ali vs. Inoki, plus tons more.
It’s a double issue week featuring a look back 40 years at what was the biggest undertaking up to that point in pro wrestling history, and Inoki vs. Ali match, how it came together, what happened that night, coverage of the upcoming G-1 Climax tournament, coverage of Ultima Lucha 3 and details on where the company stands, full coverage of the WWE cruiserweight classic, ROH Best in the World coverage as well as a look at those coming and going from the promotion, the death of Ryan Jimmo, the life and times of Gypsy Joe, and far more about the fallout of the Roman Reigns suspension.
The lead story details this years G-1 tournament including what will air in English, newcomers to the tournament, some interesting political news regarding who is and isn’t in it, as well as a complete lineup for every show.
This issue looks at the background of Ali vs. Inoki, the first time boxer vs. wrestler with major stars came close to happening, boxing champions who did wrestling and wrestlers who faced boxers including involving one of the all-time greats, Thesz vs. Marciano talk, and the two best known mixed matches prior to Ali vs. Inoki in the U.S.
There is also a look at Japanese pro wrestling in the 70s and how that led to the match, the business of Billy Robinson involving Inoki vs. Baba, how Inoki was being marketed, and the attempts to put together Ali vs. Bruno Sammartino and how that led to this.
The goals of Ali vs. Inoki for the New Japan side, the pro wrestling angles, just how big the match was why the match wasn’t a work, where Ali’s career stood at the time, media coverage, how the terrible rules were the reason the fight, Sammartino’s broken neck and return, Stan Hansen becoming a superstar in Japan, and why Ali vs. Inoki was not a success in much of the U.S, and much more in this issue of the Wrestling Observer.
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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 Dave Meltzer.
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Wrestling Observer Newsletter BACK ISSUE
READ IT HERE: May 31, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Owen Hart – The life and death of Owen Hart, details on WWF Over the Edge, plus tons of news.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
To promote Tuesday night’s Hardy vs. Hardy: The Final Deletion spectacle, TNA has uploaded video of several people in the wrestling and film industries reacting to the match.
Ring of Honor announced IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada, IWGP Intercontinental Champion Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi for their August 19th Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view and August 20th TV taping in Las Vegas.
Ring of Honor World Champion Jay Lethal will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Wednesday night’s Tampa Bay Rays game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Cody Rhodes will now face Zack Sabre Jr. in his first match since leaving the WWE on August 19th at Evolve 66 in Joppa, MD after Johnny Gargano was removed from the show because of another commitment. Also announced was Rhodes vs. Chris Hero at Evolve 67 in Brooklyn, NY the next night.
Will Ospreay will face Mark Haskins in a number one contender’s match for the PROGRESS championship at the promotion’s July 31st show at the Electric Ballroom in London.
WWE and Professional Wrestling
WWE Network has added the Colorful Characters, Cruiserweight Anthology and this month’s New Classic Content collections for July.
Chris Harrington has a piece looking at what potential implications the Brexit could have for WWE
UFC and other Mixed Martial Arts
Conor McGregor’s interview for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue was one of the lead stories on ESPN’s website Tuesday. McGregor talks about dreaming of becoming a fighter, his fighting style and how he would have fared if he had chosen boxing as a career.
After an injury to Linton Vassell, Francis Carmont will now face Lukasz Klinger on the main card of Bellator 158 on July 16th at the O2 Arena in London. Bellator also announced that James Mulheron will face London native Neil Grove on the show’s prelims.
World Series of Fighting announced that they have signed bantamweight Jesse Brock to a multi-fight agreement.
Forrest Griffin and Dan Hardy will hold a party for UFC Fight Pass subscribers at The Pool at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa on July 6th at 6:30 p.m. PT.
Miscellaneous (results, podcasts, amateur wrestling, plugs)
Cody Rhodes will be the first guest on Ric Flair’s new podcast this Wednesday. The show will be available on http://www.MLWRadio.com, iTunes, Stitcher and at RicFlairShow.com.
Prior to his appearance at this weekend’s Heroes & Villains fan fest, Rhodes did his first interview since leaving WWE with the Walker Nation podcast. Rhodes talks about preferring the developmental model of OVW to NXT, falling briefly out of love with wrestling after losing to the Big Show at WrestleMania 28, never winning the Money in the Bank briefcase despite being told twice that he was going to and working with WWE to write a book about his father.
Adam Cole was on the Chad Dukes Wrestling Show this week talking about joining the Bullet Club, being on Cody Rhodes’ list of desired opponents and the Will Ospreay vs. Vader controversy.
Former NWA World Champion Ronnie Garvin was interviewed by Great North Wrestling’s The Hannibal TV and detailed a real fight he once had with “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
RESULTS
GOUGE Wrestling on July 4th in Raleigh, NC: Timmy Lou Retton b Zane Riley in a wave the flag match to retain the GOUGE Title, Roni Nicol b Maddi Max, Waylon Maze & Juan Jeremi b Mickey Gambino & Jimmy Jack Funk Jr. to win the GOUGE Tag Team Titles, Seymour Snott b Chet Snerling, Noise Pollution b Otto Schwanz & El Dinero Blanco, Livid the Clown b Mamma’s Boy, No Direction b Johnny Flawless & Victor Andrews, Old School b Ryker Flamingo
SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR
July 7-11 The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas, EdinSanAntonio has information up on Facebook, or email him [email protected]. Keep up with all the action on Twitter by following @WONF4W, @BryanAlvarez, @DaveMeltzerWON, @FO_VVerhei, @EdinSanAntonio, @PaulAceFontaine, @FilthyTomLawlor or @PeachMachine. Use #F4WVegas or search for us on our group FaceBook page. You can also follow Granny’s adventures on FaceBook.
July 7 – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
July 7 – UFC Fight Night Las Vegas at MGM Grand. Rafael Dos Anjos vs Eddie Alvarez for the UFC lightweight title
July 8 – The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Claudia Gadelha for the UFC strawweight title
July 9 – UFC 200 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight title; Brock Lesnar vs Mark Hunt; Miesha Tate vs Amanda Nunes for the UFC women’s bantamweight title; Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar for the interim UFC featherweight title
July 9 – Pure Wrestling Association “Summer Assault” 11 Year Anniversary – Alpine Club, 464 Maple Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario
July 9 – All Pro Wrestling + Fit of Mind present: #MalaceInThePalace from the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, CA.
July 9 – Upstate Pro Wrestling in Rochester, NY, features Ethan Page, HC Loc, a triple threat match main event, and more.
July 9 – Acclaim Pro Wrestling presents: Star-Mageddon 6!
July 9 – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fundraising event.
July 13 – UFC Fight Night in Sioux Falls, SD. Michael McDonald vs John Lineker
July 16 – In Your Face Wrestling Presents: “Malicious Intent” – Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY www.iyfwrestling.com
July 16 – Bellator 158 : London featuring Paul Daley vs Douglas Lima, Michael Venom Page, Linton Vassell and Matt Mitrione
July 17 – Lucha by the Water ft Blue Demon Jr! – Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8, 3-6 pm. Tickets here.
July 17 – Premier Wrestling at the IFDES Lodge and Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA with Joe Graves vs. Gabriel Gallo for the Premier. Tickets at www.premierwrestle.com.
July 22 – 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 22 – AIW runs on 7/22 in Cleveland, OH, with Ethan Page vs. Josh Prohibition vs. Josh Alexander, and Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae vs. Ethan Carter III & Karlee Perez
July 22 – The Lou Thesz Hall of Fame weekend show in Waterloo, IA, featuring Ricochet vs. Sami Callihan, Wes Brisco, B. Brian Blair, Jessika Havok, Tessa Blanchard, a steel cage match and more – This is the weekend Dave Meltzer will be honored.
July 22 – Bellator 159 from Mulvane, KS. Darrion Caldwell vs Joe Taimanglo. Melvin Guillard vs David “Caveman” Rickells
July 23 – Live Pro Wrestling, Glengarry Sports Palace, 170 McDonald Blvd. Alexandria, Ontario
July 23 – UFC on FOX from Chicago – Holly Holm vs Valentina Shevchenko.
July 23 – Chikara Pro announced a doubleheader event at Toronto’s Franklin Horner Community Center.
July 23 – AAW in Merrionnette Park, IL, with Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr., Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll; Tommaso Ciampa; Fenix; Johnny Gargano, and plenty more. Here’s what you missed on their last show.
July 23 – Masters of Ring Entertainment in Wilmington, NC, as part of Pro Wrestling Fan Expo 3 will feature Jeff Jarrett vs. ECIII vs. James Storm, announced by Jarrett in this video.
Merritton Community Centre 7 Park Ave St. Catharines, ON
July 24 – Crossfire Wrestling – Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Avenue St. Catharines ON, for our 5 year Anniversary show “BRING THE HEAT V”
July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY
July 30 – WSOF 32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 – Live on NBCSN from Everett, Washington. Also featuring Ben “Phoenix Jones” Fodor vs Caros Fodor in a brother vs brother fight
July 30 – Smash Wrestling – Oshawa Music Hall, 39 King St E, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1B2
July 31 – BATTLEWAR 36; Les Foufounes Électriques, 87 Sainte-Catherine Street East
Montreal, QC
Aug 21 – Chavo Guerrero Jr. will appear for Smash Wrestling on in Pickering, Ontario at Super Showdown lV.
TODAY IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HISTORY: Great American Bash 1986; Gordy/Williams win WCW World Tag Team Titles; Val Venis wins WWF IC Title
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