UFC 196: Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
Today was the press conference for UFC 196: Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz. It didn’t dissapoint all the way to the end. Conor as always in love with himself and self-promoting said he would love to fight himself “Imagine the numbers that would do, if there were two of me?” McGregor also said he would eat Diaz’s carcass in front of “his little gazelle friends”. Diaz when asked if being a part of the main event of his first UFC PPV felt any different: “I get paid better”. During the stare down portion of the fight Diaz came out with his right fist very close to McGregor’s face. After a few seconds Conor slapped Diaz’s fist away and a scuffle ensued. This fight can’t come soon enough for sure.
Let’s not forget what should also be a memorable fight happening Saturday as well. Holly Holm in her first title defense against Meisha Tate said she was open to an immediate rematch with Ronda Rousey but “just didn’t want to wait too long to fight.” Tate commented on the lead-up to this fight: “I’ve really enjoyed the lead-up with these two. They’re over here flipping each other off under the table and Holly and I are making each other friendship bracelets”. Holm didn’t seem to react at all to this joke, though she may not have heard it. You can watch the press conference here.
(Thanks to Puncher’s Chance Media for the awesome press conference pictures!)
For this weekend, we’ll be doing a poll for the UFC PPV show.
We’re looking for reports on the Global Force Wrestling show from yesterday in Exeter, England, today in London and tomorow in Coventry, England at the Sports Connection.
SMACKDOWN TONIGHT FROM ATLANTA
Usos vs. Sheamus & Rusev
Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz
Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
A.J. Styles vs. Kofi Kingston
Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose non-title
THE QUARTERFINALS OF THE NEW JAPAN CUP ARE AT KORAKUEN HALL IN TOKYO ON NEW JAPAN WORLD AT 4:30 A.M. FRIDAY MORNING EASTERN TIME
Michael Elgin vs. Bad Luck Fale
Tama Tonga vs. Hirooki Goto
Satoshi Kojima vs. Toru Yano
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new 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 2/22/2016: All the latest on the Hulk Hogan Lawsuit
All the latest details on the Hulk Hogan/Gawker lawsuit.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
SUBSCRIBERS READ IT HERE: March 7, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: TNA seeking investors, UFC 196 preview, plus tons of news
A look at TNA’s financial situation, a preview of UFC 196, a review of Ring of Honor’s 14th Anniversary PPV, plus tons of news.
The status of TNA as they are looking for more funding is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. The strange situation with no announcements of future shows, the next planned TV tapings, what talent has been told, ratings, previous sales talks, what happened to the TNA fanbase and where they made the wrong moves, how badly the business fell the last U.K. tour.
The build and business of UFC 196, why so many tickets are suddenly available, what is unique about the event’s promotion, Diaz vs. dos Anjos as a PPV, the value of the title, previous biggest PPV headlined by a non-title match, breaking down the McGregor vs. Diaz fight and where both would go next.
The build to WWE’s Roadblock show, a look at the attempts to build Dean Ambrose, and the state of WWE main events after WrestleMania.
The salaries of the leading corporate officers in WWE, what Vince McMahon really makes in ways that aren’t directly listed, who owns what percentage of the company and where Shane McMahon stands corporately. Shane McMahon’s attempts to buy sports franchises, his training for the Undertaker match.
Full coverage of Anderson Silva vs. Michael Bisping, how the middleweight division was hurt financially by the result, judging,
Full coverage of ROH 14th anniversary show and NJPW’s plans for the U.S. market
A lengthy feature on the The Fabulous Freebirds, the latest inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame, looking back at their heyday and the careers of Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes, Jimmy Garvin and all the other Freebirds over the course of the years. Why The Freebirds didn’t make it in WWF, and what broke the original group up and more!
Click Here: All Blacks Rugby Jersey
PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW
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
You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected]
Rates are:
For the United States, it is $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 [email protected] 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 get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: Jan 18, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Giant Baba retires, ECW Guilty as Charged review
Details on the retirement of Giant Baba, a full rundown of ECW Guilty as Charged, plus tons of news.
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
Dada 5000 reported today on Facebook that he was released from the hospital.
Dwayne Johnson along with 26 others including Lee Iacocca, Jonathan Frakes (Commander Ryker on Star Trek: The Next Generation) and basketball announcer Billy Packer will be among the first class of the Bethlehem, PA Hall of Fame. The names were announced today and there will be an induction ceremony on 6/25 for the city’s 275th anniversary. Johnson grew up all over the country, but ended up in Bethlehem during high school and played high school football there, earning Parade All-American honors and being a highly recruited lineman. The Story is here. Johnson also announced that David Hasselhoff would be part of the new “Baywatch” movie that he’s working on this year.
At today’s New Japan show, it was announced that Will Ospreay will debut by challenging Kushida for the IWGP jr. title on 4/10 at Sumo Hall on the Invasion Attack PPV show. Ospreay was shown on video, introduced by Kazuchika Okada, and will be part of the Chaos stable, which means he’ll be treated as a regular and a player..
Michael Hayes was on Ric Flair’s podcast and said that Buddy Roberts Jr., the son of Buddy Roberts, and Terry Ray Gordy Jr., the son of Terry Gordy, who were both pro wrestlers and Gordy was in WWE as Jesse years back, will be accepting the Hall of Fame awards for their father.
A video for Missy Hyatt’s wedding to Dick Justice at and AIW show on 3/18
Matches added to the next ROH show which is 3/12 in Philadelphia are The Young Bucks vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs. Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin, The Briscoes & Cheeseburger vs. War Machine & Moose and Kenny Omega vs. Dalton Castle.
Jeff Jarrett had a meeting today with BT Sports in the U.K. Jarrett has had ongoing dialogue with BT, the station that has the U.K. UFC contract, for several months.
WWE
Cricket Wireless and WWE have agreed to a multi-year sponsorship where Cricket Wireless will be part of WWE’s biggest shows of the year including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble and Payback, as well as sponsor the WWE network. Dolph Ziggler already did a commercial spot for them.
Rolling Stone talks to Pete Gas about growing up as friends with Shane McMahon in high school and his pro wrestling career
NXT is running tonight in Columbus, OH as part of the Arnold Fitness Expo, and also running in Cleveland this week.
WWE stock was up 38 cents per share today to close at $17.69.
MISCELLANEOUS
From what we understand, European customers were having trouble with today’s streaming of the New Japan first round of the New Japan Cup show earlier today from the Ota Ward Gym in Tokyo.
Fite TV is doing a number of shows this weekend:
Friday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern will be LA Fight Club Boxing from Golden Boy from the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles which is free
Friday at 8 p.m. will be TNA Jokers Wild (also on regular PPV) for $14.99
Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards vs. Crazzy Steve & Abyss
Eric Young & Bram vs. Trevor Lee & DJ Zema Ion
Tigre Uno & Mark Andrews vs. Robbie E & Jessie Godderz
Mahabali Shera & Rockstar Spud vs. Aiden O’Shea & Grado
Tyrus & Jade vs. Bobby Lashley & Gail Kim
Matt Hardy & Will Ospreay vs. Eli Drake & James Storm
Mike Bennett & Drew Galloway vs. Big Damo & Jimmy Havoc
The winners face off in a Battle Royal
Saturday USFFC 26 from Greenville, SC at 6 p.m for $14.99 headlined by Tanner Saraceno from Tough Enough in an MMA fight.
Kevin Nash announced that he would be donating his brain for CTE research to Boston University’s Concussion Legacy Foundation.
A wrestler with mat herpes is attempting to get the California state high school wrestling championships canceled
AAW on 3/18 in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club with Ricochet vs. Sami Callihan, Jack Evans vs Tommaso Ciampa, AR Fox vs. Davey Vega, plus Chris Hero, Silas Young, Colt Cabana, Drew Gulak, Moose, Dave Crist and more. They also run 4/9 in Chicago at the Logan Square Auditorium with Callihan vs. Ciampa plus Zack Sabre Jr., Hero, Timothy Thatcher, Andrew Everett, Trevor Lee, Young, Johnny Gargano, Heidi Lovelace, Jessicka Havok, Kimber Lee, Candice LaRae and The Hooligans.
MFPW on 2/27 in Paulsboro, NJ: Major McClendon b Matthew Omen, Cody Vance b Jason Daniels, Shaheem Ali b Damian Adams, Cliff Compton b Kongo, Punisher Martinez b TK O’Ryan, Nick Comoroto b Clutch Adams, Kongo & Nick Comoroto b Cliff Compton & Clutch Adams, Leon St. Giovanni won three-way over Anthony Bennett and Nick Westgate, Chad Kensington & Royal Money b Steve Gipke & Tony Scorese, Deonna Purrazzo d Miranda Vionette, Abyss b QT Marshall. Next show is Saturday night in Paulsboro.
Action Packed Wrestling in Huntington, WV on 3/20 at the Roll-A-Rama with Jason Kincaid and Cedric Alexander.
Beyond Wrestling on 2/28 in Providence, RI: Da Hit Squad b Team Tremendous, Shynron b Smiley, Veda Scott b Jordynne Grace, Kobe Durst b Space Monkey, Sugar Dunkerton b Ethan Page, Bryan Fury b Eddie Edwards, Jonathan Gresham b Chris Hero, Evil Uno b Pinkie Sanchez, Matt Riddle b Mike Bailey, Donovan Dijak b Sami Callihan (thanks to Chris Silva)
Resurrection Fighting Alliance on 4/15 in Sioux Falls, SD at the Sanford Pentagon headlined by Rafael Viana vs. Sioux Falls’ Devin Clark for the light heavyweight title. This show will air on AXS TV.
American Combat Wrestling on Saturday night in New Port Richey, FL at the All Sports Arena with Lince Dorado, Josh Hess and Martin Stone.
Evolve runs 5/6 in Joppa, MD at the Joppa Market Place.
Fred Yehi has signed a contract with the WWN family.
Evolve on 3/20 in Brooklyn at the American legion Floyd Bennett Post 1060
Drew Galloway & Johnny Gargano vs. Team Tremendous for the tag tea title
Timothy Thatcher vs. Caleb Konley for the Evolve title
Matt Riddle vs. Chris Hero
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Drew Gulak
Sami Callihan vs. Tracy Williams
TJ Perkins vs. Mike Bailey
Ethan Page vs. Fred Yehi
Jim Cornette is doing a show on Saturday night at 11 p.m. at the Laugh It Up Comedy Club in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 3/13 in Oshawa, ONT at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43
Funkdafied Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Warsaw, IN: Cletus Farmer won Battle Royal, Jon Hudson b Anthony Toatele, Ray Orndorff b Cosmo, Legion won three-way over Matt O’Hare & Alexander Kirk and The Fellowship & Gabe the Brave, Roger Lanier won three-way over Jacob Brown and Drax O’Brien, Robbie E b KC Huber, Jack Thriller b JD Smooth, Kongo Kong won over Dru Skillz and Brutus Dylan, Demolition Ax & Smash & Lightning Bolt Johnson b Rod Street & Deputy Dave & Tank (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Maryland Championship Wrestling on Sunday in Joppa, MD at the MCW Arena featuring Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Booker T, The Nasty Boys and more for a 4:30 p.m. meet and greet and 5:30 house show.
Wrestling Revolver on 6/10 in Clive, IA at the Seven Flags Event Center with Michael Elgin, Johnny Mundo, Billy Gunn, Rhino, Bob Holly, Sami Callihan, Tommy Dreamer, Bull James (Dempsey), Jessicka Havok, Scotty 2 Hotty, Trevor Lee and Jack Evans.
Acclaim Pro Wrestling on 3/5 in Ottawa at the Dom Polski Polish Combatants Centre.
Big West Wrestling on 3/18 in Kelowna, BC at the Lake City Bowling & Billiards.
Joey Ryan was in the Huffington Post claiming he’s battling against homophobia in pro wrestling
A news story on wrestling belt maker David Millican
A story on New Japan working on the new Tiger Mask anime
This guy on Chopped on the Food Network last night said he was a former pro wrestler
ON THIS DAY IN WORLD PRO WRESTLING HISTORY: Sting wins the TNA World Title
Recent Comments