By Dave Meltzer
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We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's Money in the Bank show to you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to
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.
We're also looking for reports on last nights' WWE show in Bangor, ME and tonight's TNA show in Lakewood, NJ at First Energy Park with Bobby Lashley vs. Eric Young for the TNA title, Bully Ray vs. Ethan Carter III, Angelina Love & Velvet Sky vs. Gail Kim & Madison Rayne, Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards vs. DJ Zema Ion & Jessie Godderz for tag titles, Seiya Sanada vs. Manik vs. Tigre Uno plus an appearance by Kurt Angle.
Money in the Bank is on PPV tonight and we'll have live coverage of the show on the site.
*Ladder match for vacant WWE title: John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Kane, Cesaro, Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio - Based on information that has gotten out, some of which WWE directly released and some of which was in the form of advertising, it looks like Cena, Reigns and Orton are the favorites here, with Wyatt as something of a dark horse. There are a lot of different ways this can go as they still have next month's show in Tampa to sort things out regarding who faces Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. The people want Reigns based on WWE's own internal polling, but the question is do they want to do that this early? Cena would make sense as a backup, but another issue is Cena is flat to a degree because of the Bray Wyatt program and the Batista example shows that fans can turn on someone bad if they want something and something else is given to them. Then again, Reigns doesn't have nearly the momentum Daniel Bryan had.
*Money in the bank ladder match: Seth Rollins, Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, Rob Van Dam, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler & ? (Bad News Barrett is listed but he suffered a shoulder separation on Tuesday, no word if there will be a replacement or not) - Rollins looks to be the favorite with Ambrose as the second choice and maybe Ziggler as a dark horse if they want to surprise people and have the fans react since Ziggler is over far more than his push. Again, there are a lot of ways this can go, but in the end, I sense it should be Ambrose and Rollins and somehow Ambrose gets screwed.
*Usos vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan for tag titles - Unless Wyatt wins Money in the Bank, I sense a real good chance for a tag title change. Even if he does, you could have the Wyatts with all the belts getting them over as a stronger heel unit. Either way, the timing looks good to me for a title change.
*Paige vs. Naomi for Divas title - Naomi was originally to get the belt some time back, so there is a chance it happens here. Cameron is probably going to play into the finish, so if it's about a Naomi/Cameron split, the obvious end game is Cameron costs Naomi the match. But it could also be Cameron hands her the win in some form, and she doesn't take it. But Cameron was strong in the TV angle so that would seem to get her involved here. I hope this isn't booked in the death spot between the two ladder matches because Paige and Naomi do have a shot at having a real good match.
*Goldust & Stardust vs. Curtis Axel & Ryback - Should be a showcase for Goldust & Stardust. Given Boston, I think there's a good chance they really go for Cody's new gimmick.
*Big E vs. Rusev - They've been doing house show matches where Big E gets a lot of offense in and gives Rusev his toughest test. I sense they'll go longer than last month and have a better match since they've worked together many times since. And last months, given the time they were given, wasn't bad at all.
*Layla vs. Summer Rae with Fandango as referee - The idea here is who does Fandango favor and end up with.
*Daniel Bryan interview on the pregame show.
The Money in the Bank show over the last few years has been one of the best shows of the year. Given two ladder matches, with strong talent in both, I expect this to be no different. Plus, the uncertainty about the main event is a plus. Guys like Ziggler, Kingston, Rollins Ambrose and even Van Dam, who won't want to be shown up, all in the same ladder match, particularly since Ziggler and Kingston rarely get chances to be showcased to this level on a big show these days, makes me think that match will steal the show. The tag title match is probably going to be very good to great as those teams have chemistry. WWE is on a strong run of PPVs anyway, but on paper, this is one that looks worth going out of your way to see.
Raw will be Monday night in Hartford, CT.
Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday night in Newark, NJ at the Prudential Center
The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, with the latest on Money in the Bank, WWE injury updates, ROH Best in the World, New Japan Dominion, an article on TNA going to New York, and the G-1 Climax tournament is up on the web site.
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The lead story previews King of the Ring, as well as talks SummerSlam possibilities, why certain people are more or less likely to headline, what's next for Brock Lesnar, long-term for Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt, the Bad News Barrett injury and card.
We also look at the first live ROH PPV show. We note the production issues, what happened at the end, what former WWE star was originally booked on this show and what role he was to have, as well as why it didn't happen. We look at why book a title change, if there will be another show, and notes on the wrestlers ROH introduced.
We also have our usual coverage of the show with poll results, match-by-match coverage and star ratings.
We also look at TNA venturing to New York, the reality of pro wrestling on television right now, TNA morale, the Pennsylvania tapings, a look at future television shows and plans, why Raw abandoned the Manhattan Center, the six-sided ring vs. four-sided ring, a look at the Eric Young title reign and Bobby Lashley as champion, and what is missing.
We also look at the Extreme Rules PPV numbers and what it says about network viewership as well as the future. We've also got more on Mania ticket sales and how the WrestleMania DVD has been doing.
We also look at the farewell of Vickie Guerrero, her career in WWE, her awards and her final angle.
We also look at a big angle she was in that was dropped cold
We've got an update on Batista, WrestleMania payoff notes, funny Pat Patterson coverage, WWE awards, return of Bret Hart to Raw, WWE stars in sports Hall of Fame, Batista talks the reaction on his return, Brodus Clay talks his departure and WWE video game notes.
We also look at developmental, lots of injuries, Australia tour and upcoming lineups, Rose Buds, Eva Marie and her wedding, plus business notes from the past week and highlights of all the WWE shows over the past week.
We've got a feature on the 2014 G-1 Climax tournament with the bracketing and lineups, as well as lessons from last year, why the A block is a killer, iPPV notes on the biggest shows and a look at New Japan's second biggest show of the year on 8/10.
We also look at the New Japan Dominion PPV, including the killer early matches, business notes, a full match-by-match rundown with star ratings as well as the lineup for the next two iPPV shows before G-1.
We've got a look at Scott Coker returning as a promoter to head Bellator. We look at changes expected to happen, why the changes were made, the origins of the tournament format, the schedule, how long talks had taken place for the change, and why what worked for Coker in the past will be almost impossible to duplicate today.
We also look at changes that can be made and future PPVs.
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.
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Also in this week's issue:
--Busca en un Idolo finals
--Updates from Arena Mexico
--The La Sombra vs. Volador Jr. double title match
--Arena Mexico main events on U.S. television
--Cage of death leads to an unmasking
--Notes from the most recent AAA taping as well as upcoming matches
--Dragon Gate gears for one of its biggest shows with multiple title matches
--Latest angles
--A major show planned for August
--Wrestle-1's top matches for next week at Sumo Hall
--Who will be in TNA title match
--TNA star faces Great Muta in main match
--European champions headed to Wrestle-1
--Where the idea of using European champions came from
--Several upcoming title matches
--New Japan and Big Japan stars coming to major NOAH show this coming week
--Will the GHC title change hands
--New Japan stars at NOAH show
--Hiroshi Tanahashi 15th year anniversary match
--New Japan stars headed to Europe
--New Japan injury note
--Former ECW champion needs emergency surgery
--25th anniversary show for Kintaro Kanemura
--Lineup for 2014 Fire Festival from Zero-One
--Notes on the career of Don Greene, a Tennessee star from the heyday of Memphis wrestling
--Notes on the original Heavenly Bodies tag team
--Jerry Jarrett talks Don Greene
--Unique reason career heel went face
--Notes on the death of Larry Nelson
--How Nelson got into wrestling
--How Nelson got a noteworthy figure into broadcasting
--What Nelson has been doing after wrestling
--Notes on Global Force Wrestling
--What they need for survival
--Battle of Los Angeles 2014 notes
--Key contract issues in ROH
--Frankie Kazarian ROH notes
--Matt Hardy indie scene notes
--Bully Ray talks his own love life
--Tommy Dreamer angle in TNA
--Hernandez talks his release
--TNA stars ready to return
--Notes on all the TNA TV through mid-July
--A look at 3 different TNA title changes
--More on UFC stars Espy nominations
--Who has the best chance of winning
--Update on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
--Notes on a UFC double-shot this week
--What's at stake in the biggest fights
--Looking at UFC 175
--Update on Daniel Cormier and Junior Dos Santos returning from injuries
--Why Cormier is not getting surgery until after July 5th
--UFC releases a major name for the last decade and why he never reached the stardom expected
--Chael Sonnen talks retirement
--Why Sonnen competes at Metamoris
--Dan Henderson's next move
--John McCarthy talks problems with judging
--Former UFC legend mends fences and will return at UFC sponsored event next week
--UFC injury updates
--UFC signings and lots of new fights
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*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)
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*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)
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*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)
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*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)
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*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)
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SUNDAY'S NEWS UPDATE
--I want to apologize for last night's show. Unfortunately the sound levels between Mike Sempervive and I were out of whack and he didn't realize it until well into the show. Believe me, when it comes to things like that, nobody hates it more than I do. Bryan and I will be back tonight talking WWE, TNA, Chael Sonnen and all the other news after Money in the Bank. Questions can always be sent to the show to
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--A few updates regarding Chael Sonnen as I didn't have all the info when doing the radio show last night. This was a second drug test, not the first one. He would have done both a blood and urine test,. unannounced, on June 5 and the results came in a few days ago and the story broke yesterday. He tested positive for Anastrozole and HCG, both of which he's admitted using, as well as HGH and EPO. Those are drugs that the standard tests will never catch you using, and people are virtually never caught for HGH (only two people in the Olympics in 2012 failed and that's with what was believed to have been rampant use). While the Olympics and cycling test for those drugs, most major sports test rarely if ever. MMA fighters have been tested for it in the past but it's rare and none have ever been caught. So this was a real surprise, not that he did it, because it's no secret it's used, but nobody in the past has ever gotten caught. Sonnen's hearing will be July 23. This is the most important UFC drug test failure in years, both because of what turned up.
--Also, a clarification as Fox Sports Live did mention the Sonnen drug test very late in the news show at 2 a.m. I had seen a lot of the show when we did the show last night but not all of it. It was mentioned briefly. It should have been the lead story.
--I can't tell you how sad I am to report that Audrey Russell, the wife of the Hall of Famer Lance Russell (one of my all-time favorite people in wrestling, both as an announcer and as a person) passed away last night on the couple's 67th wedding anniversary. It was not a surprise as her health had been failing. I haven't been able to get her voice out of my head since hearing the news. We wish Lance only the best.
--Suwama beat Takao Omori in Sapporo earlier today to win the Triple Crown. At one time, this was the one of the most important belts in pro wrestling. that is no longer the case.
--The updated odds for the PPV don't really have anything noteworthy. John Cena is the favorite for the main event but it's not odds so large that you can see a swing of late money.
--I don't know if this is a first or not, but TLC 2013 is up on Netflix, which may be a first for a WWE PPV. Also up on Netflix is the Shawn Michaels: Mr. WrestleMania DVD, The Ultimate Warrior DVD from April and the Best of Raw and Smackdown 2013 (thanks to Evan Frank)
--Pat Patterson "coming out" made Time Magazine in the milestones section listing him as "Opened Up" for revealing he was gay on Legends House.
--The advertised dark match at most of the upcoming WWE TV tapings is John Cena & Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins & Bray Wyatt & Randy Orton.
--Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge premieres a week from tonight in the 9 p.m. time slot on CMT.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY (thanks to Graeme Cameron and Brian Hoops)
1973 - Kim Sung Ho beat Alfonso Dantes in Mexico City to win the NWA light heavyweight title which at the time was the most prestigious belt in Mexico
1986 - Stan Hansen refused to drop the AWA title to Nick Bockwinkel on this night in Denver to Bockwinkel was awarded the title. Hansen took the belt to Japan since he was scheduled to defend it there and was billed as champion by Giant Baba on the next tour. With no further defenses, Stan sent the belt back, but not before his truck had run over it a number of times
1992 - Tom Prichard beat Brian Christopher in Memphis to win the Southern title
1998 - Steve Austin beat Kane in Cleveland to win the WWF title
1999 - The Hardys beat Faarooq & Bradshaw (Ron Simmons & JBL) to win the WWF tag titles in Fayetteville
2003 - Magnum Tokyo beat Cima in Kobe to win the Ultimo Dragon Gym title and Masaaki Mochizuki & Kennichiro Arai & Dragon Kid beat Susumu Yokosuka & Genki Horiguchi & Ryo Saito to win the UWA trios titles
2009 - The comedy DDT Iron Man title changed hands six times, including being held by a sex doll, a desk, a dish, a bowl of rice, a bowl of curry and a pork cutlet.
--Primo Carnera, a former boxing champion who became a major draw in pro wrestling long after boxing, was 60 when he passed away on this day in 1967. Steve King, a WWF prelim wrestler in the 70s and 80s, was 49 when he passed away on this day in 1998. Walter Johnson, who played for the Cleveland Browns and was a great football player, but not much as a wrestler, was 56 when he passed away in 1999.
--Steve Austin will be on the MMA hour with Ariel Helwani on Monday.
--Darren Young was on the Pridecast live today doing Gay Pride media.
--Tickets for Raw on 7/21 in Miami must not be doing great as they are offering one free ticket for every three purchased as a deal.
--CWE on 7/13 in Winnipeg at the RBC Convention Centre
--Preston City Wrestling from yesterday in Preston, England in an outdoor free show before nearly 4,000 fans: Martin Kirby b Noam Dar, Dave Mastiff b Zack Gibson, Kris Travis b El Ligero, Mad Man Manson & Danny Hope b Lana Austin & Jenna, Bubblegum b Dean Allmark to keep the cruiserweight title, Team single b Chris Masters & Dave Rayne in a match that saw them brawl into the street, Joey Hayes b Carlito to keep the PCW title, Carlito & Masters & Rayne & Allmark b Hayes & Team Single & Bubblegum. Next show is 8/1 with Hayes vs. Masters for the PCW title and Michael Elgin vs. Kris Travis. (thanks to Stephen Lyon, Martin Bentley and others)
--TNA for its 7/11 show in Jamestown, NY, has been advertising on the ROH TV show in Buffalo (thanks to Dan Petucci)
--APWA from last night in Shinnston, WV: Amber Lea West b Fantasia-DQ, Turkana Death Warrior b Demonio, Ricky Reyes won three-way over Silencer and Viper, Jerry Bishop b JV Insanity, Onyx & Degat & Mike White b Barbarian & Turkana Death Warrior & Don West (not the former TNA announcer) (thanks to Jon Villareal)
--Skull Wrestling Promotions on 7/12 in Rochester, NY at the Eagles Club
--Dynamo Pro Wrestling from last night in Glen Carbon, IL: Billy McNeil b Brandon Gallagher, Mark Sterling b Jackal, Bradley Charles b Mike Outlaw, Shawn Santel & Mauler Mcdarby b Dash Rando & Cavana Fantastic, Ken Kasa b Mike Sydal, Ricky Cruz b Outtkast, Jeremy Wyatt b Brandon Aarons, Outtkast & Billy McNeil & Mike Sydal b Ricky Cruz & Ken Kasa & Jeremy Wyatt (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
--Prairie Wrestling Alliance from last night in Calgary: Andy Anderson & Akbar Shabaz b Rage & Fury, Brody Malibu b Fabian Ribiero, Duke Durrango & Chris Steele b Curry Man & Dylan Knight, Kenny Striker b Chase Patrick with Lita (WWE superstar) as referee, Marky won six-way ladder match, Michael Richard Blais b Christopher Daniels, Brandon Von Danielson b Azrael (thanks to Dwayne Soper)
--GOUGE from last night in Raleigh, NC: KFC b Wallabee Joe, Seymour Snott DCOR Gluteus Maximus, Team Sexxy b Encore & Ryan Miller, Mickey Gambino b Timmy Lou Retton, Jimmy Jack Funk Jr. b Otto Schwanz-DQ. Next show is 7/4.
--In Your Face Wrestling from last night in Ballston Spa, NY: Elite Terrell b Dex Chase, Ronnie Ribs b Lance Madewell, Prince Ashul-Naul d Ian Daniels, CJ Scott b Fronz Roddy, Liam McFerrin & Drake Evans b Jamar Justice & Gabriel Soul, Elite Terrell b Ronnie Ribs-DQ, Eric Eamanon b Tyler Vincent, Elite Terrell b CJ Scott to win the Coronation Cup, Vigo & Sgt. Fury b Ricky Williams & Chip Stetson. Next show is 8/9.
--Hoosier Pro Wrestling from last night in Columbus, IN before 275 fans who donated 2,000 cans of food for the local food banks: Stompin Steve & Sabotage Styles b Cooter & Fiji Wildman, TJ Kemp b JKO Jr., Troy Van Zant b Tom Van Zant, Drax O'Brien b Lightning Bolt, Ricky Ruckus & Donny Idol b Fast Eddie & Cooter & Wicked Clown, ? b JKO in a street fight (thanks to Jerry Wilson)
