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Daily Update: WWE house shows, Cody Rhodes, Mr. Pogo

By Dave Meltzer | @davemeltzerWON | Jun 23, 2017 5:20 pm

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

For this weekend, we'll be doing two polls, for the ROH PPV show tonight and the Bellator show tomorrow night. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

NXT will be taping television tonight at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL. That's the show Mauro Ranallo will return for. Among the matches being taped tonight is a Falls Count Anywhere match with Asuka vs. Nikki Cross for the women's title and a Bobby Roode vs. Roderick Strong match. 

There are no Raw house shows this weekend. They are working Monday in Los Angeles and then the crew goes overseas for shows in Singapore and Japan before returning for the 7/3 show in Phoenix. The SmackDown crew starts up on Saturday night in Vancouver. We aren't doing polls for the Monday and Tuesday New Japan shows, but will be doing them next week for both nights in Long Beach.

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING ON AXS TV AT 7 P.M. EASTERN

  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ricochet for IWGP jr. title
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Juice Robinson for IC title
  • Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale for IWGP heavyweight title

ROH BEST IN THE WORLD PPV FROM THE LOWELL MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM AT 9 P.M. EASTERN TIME

  • Kris Wolf & Sumie Sakai vs. Deonna Purrazzo & Mandy Leon (pre-show dark match) 
  • Frankie Kazarian vs. Hangman Page in a strap match
  • Jay Lethal vs. Silas Young
  • Matt Taven & Vinny Marseglia vs. Ultimo Guerrero & El Terrible
  • Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley & Jay White & Jonathan Gresham vs. Caprice Coleman & Kenny King & Shane Taylor & Rhett Titus (losing team has to split up)
  • Bully Ray & Briscoes vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys for ROH six-man titles
  • Kushida vs. Marty Scurll for ROH TV title
  • Young Bucks vs. War Machine for ROH tag titles
  • Christopher Daniels vs. Cody for ROH title

LEGACY FIGHTING ALLIANCE AT 9 P.M. EASTERN FROM DALLAS ON AXS TV

  • Colbey Northcutt (0-0) vs. Courtney King (0-0).
  • Jerome Rivera (7-0) vs. Roberto Sanchez (6-0) face off for the inaugural flyweight title
  • Brendan Allen (7-1) vs. Eryk Anders (7-0) for the LFA middleweight title

CMLL FROM ARENA MEXICO LIVE AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME

  • Robin & Flyer vs. Arkangel de la Muerte & Disturbio
  • Shockercito & Stukita & Electrico vs. Mercurio & Pequeno Nitro & Pequeno Violencia
  • Estrellita & Marcela & Princesa Sugehit vs. Dallys & Zeuxis & Amapola
  • Vangellys vs. Pierroth
  • Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja & Dragon Lee vs. Negro Casas & Rey Bucanero & Gran Guerrero
  • Volador Jr. & Marco Corleone & Diamante Azul vs. Euforia & Rush & Cavernario

Saturday has the SmackDown crew in Vancouver, BC and the NXT crew in Gainesville, FL. We're looking for reports from both shows to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

BELLATOR MMA FROM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ON SATURDAY NIGHT

Spike TV at 8 p.m. Eastern

  • Heather Hardy (125.2) vs. Alice Yauger (125.6)
  • Neiman Gracie (170.4) vs. Dave Marfone (170.4)
  • James Gallagher (144.4) vs. Chinzo Machida (146)
  • Phil Davis (204.8) vs. Ryan Bader (204.4) for Bellator light heavyweight title

PPV at 10 p.m. Eastern

  • Zach Freeman (155.8) vs. Aaron Pico (156)
  • Michael Chandler (153.8) vs. Brent Primus (154.2) for lightweight title
  • Douglas Lima (170) vs. Lorenz Larkin (169.8) for welterweight title
  • Fedor Emelianenko (236.4) vs. Matt Mitrione (256.6)
  • Chael Sonnen (205.8) vs. Wanderlei Silva (205.8)

Sunday has the SmackDown crew in Everett, WA and ROH TV tapings in Lowell, MA (Ultimo Guerrero vs. Matt Taven, War Machine vs. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley, Bully Ray & Briscoes vs. Young Bucks & Hangman Page, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Kelly Klein vs. Karen Q, Mandy Leon vs. Jenny Rose)

UFC ON SUNDAY FROM OKLAHOMA CITY AT THE CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CENTER

Fight Pass at 5:30 p.m. Eastern

  • Johnny Case vs. Tony Martin
  • Jeremy Kimball vs. Josh Stansbury
  • Jared Gordon vs. Michel Quinones

FS2 at 7 p.m. Eastern

  • Darrell Horcher vs. Devin Powell
  • Carla Esparza vs. Maryna Moroz
  • Vitor Miranda vs. Marvin Vettori
  • Clay Guida vs. Erik Koch

FS1 at 9 p.m. Eastern

  • B.J. Penn vs. Dennis Siver
  • Alex Garcia vs. Tim Means
  • Joachim Christensen vs. Dominick Reyes
  • Felice Herrig vs. Justine Kish
  • Tim Boetsch vs. Johny Hendricks
  • Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Lee

NEW JAPAN FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL ON MONDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN

  • Shota Umino vs. Tetsuhiro Yagi
  • Tomoyuki Oka vs. Katsuya Kitamura
  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi & Taka Michinoku vs. Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Hirai Kawato
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & Jado
  • Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr & Desperado
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe & Juice Robinson & Ryusuke Taguchi & David Finlay vs. Evil & Seiya Sanada & Tetsuya Naito & Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Yoshi-Hashi for Never Openweight title

Raw will be Monday night from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman return for the show and there will be a confrontation between Goldust and R-Truth. There is also a SmackDown brand house show in Bakersfield, CA on Monday night.

NEW JAPAN FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL ON TUESDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME

  • Shota Umino vs. Tetsuhiro Yagi
  • Tiger Mask & Hirai Kawato vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taka Michinoku
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Tomoyuki Oka vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Liger
  • Togi Makabe & Katsuya Kitamura vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Juice Robinson & Ryusuke Taguchi & David Finlay vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Seiya Sanada & Hiromu Takahashi
  • Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Gedo vs. Minoru Suzuki & Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Taichi & Desperado
  • Kushida vs. Bushi for IWGP jr. title

SmackDown and 205 Live take place on Tuesday in San Diego. The SmackDown show will feature the Usos vs. Mojo Rawley & Zack Ryder in a non-title match, Naomi vs. Lana for the women's title, Sami Zayn vs Baron Corbin and a women's Money in the Bank ladder match rematch.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 6/19/2017: Looking back at the Cruiserweight Classic one year later 

Last week brought the announcement of the first four wrestlers who will be participating in WWE's Mae Young Classic this summer. Toni Storm, Princesa Sugehit, Lacey Evans, and Sarah Logan will help make up a diverse 32-competitor field from all around the world. It was this time last year that similar announcements were being made for an almost identical project. And while WWE hopes that the Mae Young Classic will further the cause of women's wrestling, last year's cruiserweight tournament still leaves behind an undefined legacy.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: June 26, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Money in the Bank review, G1 announcement, more

A look at what is next on the horizon for WWE and coverage of Money in the Bank is the lead of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Look at what the plans were for SummerSlam and the Universal title headed through WrestleMania.

Coverage of Money in the Bank, with notes on the finishes, business notes, match-by-match coverage, poll results and star ratings, inside.

Have a look at the 2017 G-1 Climax tournament, who got in and who was on the bubble who didn't make the list, and what to look for when the blocks are announced.

An update on the accident involving Matt Hughes, an update on his health and a look back at his career, is inside.

A feature on Buddy Wayne, one of the best wrestlers in the Northwest during a period of time, why he was never a major star, and a number of people in wrestling comment about him and his career, all in this issue.

Find out about Conor McGregor mentions on Raw, Daniel Bryan looks at changes he'd like to see WWE make and his thoughts on Matt Riddle and Kenny Omega, a look back at what happened behind the scenes regarding the Money in the Bank ladder matches, how Daniel Bryan got his title, why Dolph Ziggler lost his title right away and who was supposed to win that didn't. Also, look at Shawn Michaels talking about current talent, former developmental wrestler critiques the TV, update on Kairi Hojo in WWE, the birth of Ric Flair, and a list of those at this week's WWE tryouts.

Check out the value of WWE stock, plans for upcoming TV's and the most-watched WWE network shows over the past week, and also look at all the WWE & NXT arena events over the past week with results and business notes.

Subscribers click here to continue.

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 Dave@WrestlingObserver.com. 
 
Rates in the United States are $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 moonsault@mediaplusint.com. 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.)

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.

WON BACK ISSUE: May 29, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF Judgment Day review, Super J-Cup, more

It took a lot of guts in this day and age to attempt a 60:00 match. Nowadays, it's considered gutsy to put on a 10:00 match on television and you never see anything but PPV main events last more than 20:00. The participants, Rock and HHH, went 36:28 at Wrestlemania. Several times during the broadcast of this show it was noted that both of their longest matches was a 30:04 PPV draw in 1998 which was a ***1/4 match.

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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering the ROH PPV, NXT taping and the rest of the news including Mauro Ranallo for Wrestling Observer Radio. We'll also have a show tomorrow night after Bellator and Sunday night after UFC, as well as Monday night after Raw.

Regarding the death of Tetsuo Sekigawa, also known as Mr. Pogo and tons of other different names, Pogo passed away on the operating table at about Noon today Japanese time. He was having a major operation on his lower back at a hospital in Gunma. During the operation, he had a number of health complications after being given anesthesia, including a heart issue and then had a stroke. He was moved to a larger hospital and was put in ICU and then passed away.

Cody Runnels tonight will attempt to be the first member of the Rhodes family to win a somewhat major pro wrestling world title in 31 years, since Dusty Rhodes beat Ric Flair at the great American Bash in Greensboro. If he wins, the 7/1 Okada vs. Cody match will be a very rare battle of world champions from major promotions.

For this weekend, A.J. Styles, Randy Orton and Dolph Ziggler aren't scheduled for the SmackDown shows in Vancouver on Saturday and Everett, WA on Sunday. Styles and Orton are scheduled for Bakersfield on Sunday and TV on Tuesday in San Diego.

The movie Blade Runner 2049, which features Dave Bautista, opens on 10/6 in the U.S. at theaters and 10/5 in Australia. (thanks to James Stanios)

WWE

  • Brock Lesnar has been added to the 7/29 house show in Detroit at the Joe Louis Arena, which is WWE's final event ever at the building. Yes, I know the previous event was advertised as the final event as well.
  • With all the people being gone, and this could change, but the planned main events for the Saturday and Sunday WWE SmackDown shows are Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the title.
  • WWE and ESPN have released incorrect information about Taynara Conti and her judo background. They claimed that she competed in the 2016 Olympic trials in Rio de Janeiro and just missed making the team, but her thunderous throws helped put her on the radar to WWE talent scouts. It was actually photo shoots Melo did on the beaches which put her on their radar and there were no Olympic trials in Rio, nor was she ever on the Brazilian national judo team, nor was she an elite level judoka. She was a woman with a good look who competed in judo. (thanks to Mark Pickering)

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Metro US and Newsday have more publicity for Netflix's "GLOW" series.
  • Here's a story on tomorrow night's Bellator show.
  • Glory Pro Wrestling on 7/9 at 3 p.m. in Belleville, IL at the Fairgrounds has Cody Rhodes vs. Michael Elgin, Dijak vs. Naomichi Marufuji, AR Fox vs. Myron Reed for the Glory title plus DJZ, Louis Lyndon and more.
  • Lucha Libre World from yesterday in Manchester, UK at the Albert Hall: Diablesa Rosa won over Lagata de Plata, Nordico Fuego and Muneca de Plata in a four-way, Extreme Tiger b Laredo Kid, Cassandro & Cassius b El Hijo del Fishman & Neo Britanico, El Hijo del Santo & El Santo Jr. b Silver King & Bandido Luchador. (thanks to Sean Doherty)
  • NFC on 6/30 in Kennesaw, GA at the Electric Cowboy is headlined by Clay Harvison vs. Brandon Longano. They also run on 7/22 at the Infinite Energy Forum in Duluth, GA with Jared Scoggins vs. Cody Durden and 8/4 at Center Stage in Atlanta.
  • Chicago-based musician Double Murder Suicide has released an album called "Razor's Edge Suitcase," which is a tribute to Scott Hall. All proceeds from the sale of the $3 album go to the Cauliflower Alley Club benefit fund.
  • Professional Fighters League athletes Kayla Harrison (two time judo gold medalist), Andre Harrison, Lance Palmer, Ray Sefo and legend Randy Couture will be at the Daytona International Speedway's Coke Zero 400 weekend with an autograph signing on 6/30 at the UNOH Fanzone at 5:30 p.m.
  • They will also be running four live fights at about 10:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. The race will air first, followed by the fights, which are headlined by Jon Fitch vs. Brian Foster.
  • Canada Day Carnage on 7/1 in Cambridge, ONT at Riverside Park with matches from Noon to 9 p.m. at Riverside Parkland
  • River City Wrestling on 7/14 at the Turner Club in Kirby, TX wit L.A. Park & El Hijo del L.A. Park vs. Hernandez & Michael Faith as the main event, plus Ethan Carter III vs. Abyss.

Today in Pro Wrestling History: Austin 3:16

F4W Online / Wrestling Observer Vegas Convention Event Info

August 17-21; All times are TBA; Full information on the group Facebook page; Activites subject to change 

  • Thursday: Meet at the Big Shoot for Bowling at the Link; Party at Carnival Court at Hurrah's
  • Friday: Kiss Mini Golf tournament at the Rio; Dinner at Texas de Brazil; Suite party (location TBA)
  • Saturday: Burgers with Granny for lunch; Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Stephan Bonnar & Phil Baroni; NXT viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Sunday: SUPER CHINA BUFFET DAY at the Wicked Spoon Buffet at 1pm; SummerSlam viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Monday: Goodbye lunch at Chen Chen at NY NY

Texas de Brazil, Wicked Spoon, NXT and Summer Slam will all be sign up and pre-paid events, prices and collection begin in mid July~!

Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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