RESULTS
EMLL 5/29 – Arena Mexico
1. Caligula & Messala beat Astro Boy & Trueno
2. Arkangel de la Muerte/Loco Max/Polvora defeated Los Angeles Celestiales (Angel Azteca Jr./Angel de Oro/Angel de Plata)
3. Lightning Match: Pegasso beat Hooligan
4. El Poder Mexica (Black Warrior/Dragon Rojo/Sangre Azteca) defeated Mascara Dorada/Maximo/Valiente
5. Dos Caras Jr./NO LIMIT (Tetsuya Naito & Yujiro Takahashi) beat Hector Garza/La Sombra (subbing for Shocker)/Volador Jr. and Garza got stretchered out. I hope Shocker had a good reason for no-showing.
6. CMLL Middleweight Title: Averno defeated Blue Panther after Ephesto distracted him to retain his title in a long match.
UPCOMING SHOWS
EMPRESA MEXICANA DE LUCHA LIBRE
5/31 – Arena Coliseo
1. Bengala & Principe Valiente vs. Kid Tiger & Puma King
2. Guerrero Maya Jr. (supposedly Multifacetico from IWRG)/Hijo del Ultraman/Starman vs. Escandalo/Rene Guajardo Jr./Vangelis
3. Fabian el Gitano/Flash/Stuka Jr. vs. Euforia/Nosferatu/Virus
4. Sagrado/Shocker/Valiente vs. Los Guerreros del Atlantida (Atlantis/Rey Bucanero/Ultimo Guerrero)
5. Hector Garza/Hijo del Fantasma/La Mascara vs. Dos Caras Jr./NO LIMIT (Tetsuya Naito & Yujiro Takahashi)
5/31 – Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara
1. Thunder Boy & Virgo vs. Acertijo & Azazel
2. Casanova & Nube Roja vs. Asesino Negro & Mr. Rafaga
3. Metal Blanco & Neutron vs. Rey Trueno & Mr. Trueno
4. Blue Panther/Maximo/Mictlan vs. El Poder Mexica (Black Warrior/Dragon Rojo/Sangre Azteca)
5. Mistico/La Sombra/Volador Jr. vs. La Peste Negra (Felino/Negro Casas/Mr. Niebla)
6/1 – Arena Puebla
1. Blue Center & Iron vs. Espiritu Maligno & Siki Osama
2. As Jr./Black Tiger/Principe Valiente vs. Rene Guajardo Jr./Kid Tiger/Puma King
3. Angel de Oro/Angel de Plata/Mascara Dorada vs. Euforia/Nosferatu/Vangelis
4. Los Guerreros del Atlantida (Atlantis/Rey Bucanero/Ultimo Guerrero) vs. Los Hijos del Averno (Averno/Ephesto/Mephisto)
5. Hector Garza/La Sombra/Volador Jr. vs. La Peste Negra (Felino/Negro Casas/Mr. Niebla)
6/2 – Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara
1. Quazar vs. Milenio
2. Hierro vs. Angel del Mal
3. Metatron vs. Infierno
4. Ceusis & Lluvia vs. La Seductora & Magnifica
5. Dark Angel & Lady Apache vs. Amapola & Princesa Blanca
6. Occidental Tag Titles: Damian el Terrible & Hijo del Texano (c) vs. Mictlan & Shocker
6/2 – Arena Mexico (Fan Appreciation Show)
1. Bracito de Oro/Electrico/Mini Fantasy vs. Pequeno Black Warrior/Pequeno Violencia/Universito Dos Mil
2. Horus (new gimmick)/Pegasso/Rey Cometa vs. Arkangel de la Muerte/Escandalo/Shigeo Okumura
3. Caballera contra Caballera: Shockercito vs. Pequeno Damian 666
4. Blue Panther/Hijo del Fantasma/Sagrado vs. Los Hijos del Averno (Averno/Ephesto/Mephisto)
5. Mistico/La Sombra/Volador Jr. vs. La Peste Negra (Felino/Negro Casas/Mr. Niebla)
6/5 – Arena Mexico
1. Astro Boy & Bengala vs. Caligula & Messala
2. Dark Angel/Marcela/Sahori vs. Amapola/La Nazi/Princesa Blanca
3. La Mascara/Metro/Sagrado vs. Heavy Metal/Misterioso II/Shigeo Okumura
4. Torneo Cibernetico por CMLL Universal Title – Block A – Participants: Hijo del Fantasma/Mascara Dorada/La Sombra/Averno/Black Warrior/Dragon Rojo/Hijo del Texano/Sangre Azteca
5. Hector Garza/Shocker/Volador Jr. vs. Dos Caras Jr./NO LIMIT (Tetsuya Naito & Yujiro Takahashi)
INDEPENDENT
5/31 – Arena Coliseo de Coacalco
1. Aleph & Fire Fox vs. Drack & Espejismo
2. Cyrus & Guman vs. Betos Boy & Sangre Latina
3. Daga/Eterno/Lobo Metalico vs. Black Jaguar/Maldito/Niebla Negra II
4. Latino vs. Niebla Negra I
5. Angelico/Brazo de Plata/Tony Rivera vs. Hooligan/Magnifico/Misterioso II
5/31 – Arena la Rosita del Torreon
1. ?
2. ??
3. ???
4. Angel Azteca Jr. & Tony Rivera vs. Cien Caras Jr. & Hijo del Mascara Ano Dos Mil
5/31 – Auditorio Municipal de Zumpango
1. ?
2. Mari Apache/La Parkita/Pimpinela Escarlata vs. Cinthia Moreno/Mini Chessman/Polvo de Estrellas
3. Elegido & Marco Corleone vs. Electroshock & Zorro
5/31 – Centro Recreativo de Salina Cruz
1. Mascarita Sagrada & Octagoncito vs. Mini Histeria & Mini Psicosis
2. El Mexicano/Fabi Apache/La Hechicera vs. Black Abyss/Sexy Star/Tiffany
3. Alan Stone/Charly Manson/Super Fly vs. The Psycho Circus (Killer Clown/Psycho Clown/Zombie Clown)
4. El Mesias & La Parka Jr. vs. Konnan & Kenzo Suzuki
INTERNACIONAL WRESTLING REVOLUCION GRUPO
5/31 – Arena Naucalpan
1. Exodia & Galactik vs. Chico del Barrio & Mixteco Jr.
2. Chico Che/Freelance/Turbo vs. Avisman/Black Thunder/Tetsuya Bushi
3. Angelico/Olimpico/Zatura vs. Negro Navarro/Las Traumas I y II
4. Fuerza y Juventud Guerrera/Veneno vs. Black Terry/Cerebro Negro/Dr. Cerebro
MONTERREY
5/31 – Arena Coliseo de Monterrey
1. Mini Hombre sin Miedo & Mini Laredo Kid vs. Mini Black Mamba & Mini Rio Bravo
2. Kaientai & Lord Byron vs. Aguila Extrema & Dralion
3. Hombre sin Miedo/Silver Star/Street Boy vs. Black Mamba/Golden Boy/Simbolo Dos Mil
4. Aero Star/Gato Eveready/Laredo Kid vs. Cuervo/Escoria/Ozz
5. Alex Koslov & Rocky Romero vs. Chessman & Silver King
5/31 – Arena Solidaridad
1. Chico de Barrio vs. Mini Hator
2. Axl & Chico de Cristal vs. Neon & Rey Morgan
3. Orquidea Negra & Chica de Arabia vs. Red Flamer & Tormento Negro
4. Los Divos (Bengali/Cats/Raiden) vs. Furor/Halcon Galactico/Misterio
5. Mascara Sagrada/Mosco de la Merced/Zumbido vs. Antifaz del Norte/Viernes 13/Voltaje Negro
6. Steel Cage Match where the loser lost their hair or mask – Participants: Aventurero/Los Diluvio Negros I y II/Apolo Estrada Jr./Estrella Dorada Jr./Hator/Monje Negro Jr./Vaquero Romo
_________________
domenica 31 maggio 2009
NJPW "DISSIDENCE", 5/6/09 links!
NJPW "DISSIDENCE", 5/6/09
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
2,005 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House
Jushin Liger, Koji Kanemoto & AKIRA vs. Mitsuhide Hirasawa, Kazuchika Okada & Nobuo Yoshihashi
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G97KEJF2
Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Milano Collection A.T. & Taichi
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=16FP73AR
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Karl Anderson & Jado
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=94LJQZGM
Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Super Strong Machine vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Giant Bernard
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V5R2YQU0
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask © vs. Black Tiger
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OFOVXAYS
Special Singles Match ~ Rule of Dissidence: Hirooki Goto vs. Takao Omori
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ASUGDLDZ
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Wataru Inoue vs. Tomohiro Ishii
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GB74CCYD
IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi © vs. Manabu Nakanishi
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M0Z95N85
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
2,005 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House
Jushin Liger, Koji Kanemoto & AKIRA vs. Mitsuhide Hirasawa, Kazuchika Okada & Nobuo Yoshihashi
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G97KEJF2
Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Milano Collection A.T. & Taichi
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=16FP73AR
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Karl Anderson & Jado
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=94LJQZGM
Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Super Strong Machine vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Giant Bernard
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V5R2YQU0
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask © vs. Black Tiger
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OFOVXAYS
Special Singles Match ~ Rule of Dissidence: Hirooki Goto vs. Takao Omori
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ASUGDLDZ
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Wataru Inoue vs. Tomohiro Ishii
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GB74CCYD
IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi © vs. Manabu Nakanishi
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M0Z95N85
sabato 30 maggio 2009
Ken Kennedy-WWE Update
Come già noto Ken Kennedy, vero nome Ken Anderson, è stato rilasciato dalla WWE.
Dopo il 10 man tag di Raw, Kennedy aveva trovato in Randy Orton la persona alla quale non voltare le spalle dopo averlo fatto cadere sulla testa nell'esecuzione errata del back suplex. Infatti, riguardando l'episodio si vede un Orton dallo sgaurdo furioso nei confronti di Kennedy. Circa 5 minuti più tardi, nella fase in cui i wrestlers hanno eseguito le loro finisher, Orton ottiene il cambio, afferra Kennedy e sferra una potente RKO; subito dopo Kennedy accusa dolori alla vita.
Essendo stato questo l'ennesimo infortunio, essendo avvenuto nel suo primo match di ritorno ed avendo rischiato di infortunare seriamente Randy Orton, il managmente ha deciso di interrompere i rapporti lavorativi con Kennedy.
Dopo il 10 man tag di Raw, Kennedy aveva trovato in Randy Orton la persona alla quale non voltare le spalle dopo averlo fatto cadere sulla testa nell'esecuzione errata del back suplex. Infatti, riguardando l'episodio si vede un Orton dallo sgaurdo furioso nei confronti di Kennedy. Circa 5 minuti più tardi, nella fase in cui i wrestlers hanno eseguito le loro finisher, Orton ottiene il cambio, afferra Kennedy e sferra una potente RKO; subito dopo Kennedy accusa dolori alla vita.
Essendo stato questo l'ennesimo infortunio, essendo avvenuto nel suo primo match di ritorno ed avendo rischiato di infortunare seriamente Randy Orton, il managmente ha deciso di interrompere i rapporti lavorativi con Kennedy.
Ric Flair-WWE/ROH Update
A causa del suo ritorno in WWE, Ric Flair d'ora in avanti non apparirà più negli show trasmessi televisivamente dalla ROH su HDNet.
TNA House Show in Colorado
TNA results from Pueblo, Colorado:
*TNA X-Division champ Suicide defeated Consequences Creed.
*Eric Young defeated Brutus Magnus.
*TNA Knockouts champ Angelina Love defeated Awesome Kong.
*Abyss beat Matt Morgan.
*Samoa Joe defeated Scott Steiner.
*TNA Tag Team champs Team 3D defeated The Motor City Machineguns in a Tables Match.
*TNA X-Division champ Suicide defeated Consequences Creed.
*Eric Young defeated Brutus Magnus.
*TNA Knockouts champ Angelina Love defeated Awesome Kong.
*Abyss beat Matt Morgan.
*Samoa Joe defeated Scott Steiner.
*TNA Tag Team champs Team 3D defeated The Motor City Machineguns in a Tables Match.
Nuovo match per Slammiversary
Oltre al King Of The Mountain match per l'heavyweight title, a Slammy si terrà anche un King Of The Mountain match per l'X Division title.
WWE Superstars Rating
La scorsa edizione di WWE Superstars ha registrato un 0.8 household rating. Essendo un 0.76 arrotondato, questo è il numero più basso ottenuto dallo show.
Fedor vs. Barnett ufficiale
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett sarà il ME dello show Trilogy della Affliction e si terrà all'Honda Center in Anaheim.
giovedì 28 maggio 2009
Annunciati i coaches di Ultimate Fighter 10
Ultimate Fighter 10: Heavyweights
I coaches saranno Quinton Jackson e Rashad Evans. Lo show andrà in onda il 16 Settembre.
I coaches saranno Quinton Jackson e Rashad Evans. Lo show andrà in onda il 16 Settembre.
Raw Ratings
Lo show ha ottenuto un 3.2 di rating. Come si può vedere lo sketch orribile sulla NBA ha fatto perdere molti telespettatori per l'intera prima ora.
9:00 3.28
9:15 3.15
9:30 2.99
9:45 2.90
10:00 3.26
10:15 3.42
10:30 3.29
10:45 3.31
Overrun 3.81
9:00 3.28
9:15 3.15
9:30 2.99
9:45 2.90
10:00 3.26
10:15 3.42
10:30 3.29
10:45 3.31
Overrun 3.81
mercoledì 27 maggio 2009
Lucha Report 26/5
NEWS
Lizmark told Diario Record yesterday that he would be retiring from wrestling after 33 glorious years on July 4th at the Luchas 2000 Anniversary show at Arena Coliseo. Lizmark said that the fans made him what he was as they took to him very quickly and with their support he became what he is today. Lizmark said that he is 59-years-old and after heart problems he knows that he can’t compete on a top level anymore which is something he prided himself for and it is troubling. Lizmark said that maybe his only regret in his career was going to AAA but he felt like it was the right thing to do at the time although looking back in retrospect he felt like he disappointed EMLL who made him a star. Lizmark went on to say that like as a wrestler is like being a bullfighter because you enjoy the adjuration of the fans and they motivate you to face your enemies whether it being a bull or another wrestler but now it’s time to say goodbye and thanks the fans for all of their support over the years.
RESULTS
AAA 5/25 – Auditorio Municipal de San Bernardino Contla de Tlaxcala (TV taping)
1. Gato Eveready/Fabi Apache/Mascarita Sagrada/Pimpinela Escarlata beat Billy Boy/Sexy Star/Mini Histeria/Polvo de Estrellas
2. Alan Stone/Crazy Boy/Extreme Tiger defeated El Poder Norte (Rio Bravo/Tito Santana/Tigre Cota) – Konnan demanded that Alex pick one of the winners here after the match for a shot at his AAA Cruiserweight Title at Triplemania so he decided to pick all 3 guys and they will have a 4-way hardcore match.
3. Jack Evans & Vampiro beat Chessman & Teddy Hart – These four men finalized the big 10-man tag at Triplemania for control of AAA. Evans was stretchered out during the match but would return to help Vamp win and was welcomed with open arms by the AAA army afterwards.
4. Escoria/Ozz/Zorro defeated Charly Manson/Rocky Romero/Sean Waltman
5. Electroshock/Konnan/Silver King beat Dr. Wagner Jr./Alex Koslov/La Parka Jr. when Electro went over Koslov clean.
EMLL 5/24 – Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara
1. Angel del Mal & Relampago Azul beat Hierro & Skaxy
2. Drago & Rafaga defeated Metatron & Palacio Negro
3. Leon Blanco & Magnum beat Asesino Negro & Infierno
4. Neutron/Stuka Jr./Virgo defeated Mr. Trueno/Vangelis/Virus
5. Black Warrior/Damian el Terrible/Hijo del Texano beat Blue Panther/Mascara Dorada/Sagrado
6. La Peste Negra (Felino/Negro Casas/Mr. Niebla) defeated Hector Garza/Mistico/Shocker when Negro fouled Mistico behind the ref’s back.
Monterrey 5/24 – Arena Coliseo de Monterrey
1. Euforia & Virtual X beat Aguila Azteca & Epidemius
2. Northern Tag Titles: Los Amos de la Tortura (Ejecutor & Mr. Secuestro) defeated Iron & TDN to retain their titles.
3. Lumberjacks w/straps: La Hechicera & Mascarita de la Muerte beat Cinthia Moreno & La Parkita
4. Karis la Momia/May Flowers/Pasion Kristal defeated El Poder Norte (Rio Bravo/Tito Santana/Tigre Cota)
5. Mascara Divina & Ultimo Gladiador beat Dance Boy & Espiritu
UPCOMING SHOWS
INDEPENDENT
5/27 – Arena Coliseo de Acapulco
1. Sensei & Trueno vs. Kid Tiger & Puma King
2. Lady Apache/Marcela/Sahori vs. Amapola/La Nazi/Princesa Sugei
3. Negro Casas/Mr. Niebla/Rey Bucanero vs. Los Hijos del Averno (Damian el Terrible/Ephesto/Hijo del Texano)
4. NWA Welterweight Title: La Sombra (c) vs. Mephisto
5. Hector Garza/Mistico/Shocker vs. Atlantis/Dos Caras Jr./Ultimo Guerrero
Lizmark told Diario Record yesterday that he would be retiring from wrestling after 33 glorious years on July 4th at the Luchas 2000 Anniversary show at Arena Coliseo. Lizmark said that the fans made him what he was as they took to him very quickly and with their support he became what he is today. Lizmark said that he is 59-years-old and after heart problems he knows that he can’t compete on a top level anymore which is something he prided himself for and it is troubling. Lizmark said that maybe his only regret in his career was going to AAA but he felt like it was the right thing to do at the time although looking back in retrospect he felt like he disappointed EMLL who made him a star. Lizmark went on to say that like as a wrestler is like being a bullfighter because you enjoy the adjuration of the fans and they motivate you to face your enemies whether it being a bull or another wrestler but now it’s time to say goodbye and thanks the fans for all of their support over the years.
RESULTS
AAA 5/25 – Auditorio Municipal de San Bernardino Contla de Tlaxcala (TV taping)
1. Gato Eveready/Fabi Apache/Mascarita Sagrada/Pimpinela Escarlata beat Billy Boy/Sexy Star/Mini Histeria/Polvo de Estrellas
2. Alan Stone/Crazy Boy/Extreme Tiger defeated El Poder Norte (Rio Bravo/Tito Santana/Tigre Cota) – Konnan demanded that Alex pick one of the winners here after the match for a shot at his AAA Cruiserweight Title at Triplemania so he decided to pick all 3 guys and they will have a 4-way hardcore match.
3. Jack Evans & Vampiro beat Chessman & Teddy Hart – These four men finalized the big 10-man tag at Triplemania for control of AAA. Evans was stretchered out during the match but would return to help Vamp win and was welcomed with open arms by the AAA army afterwards.
4. Escoria/Ozz/Zorro defeated Charly Manson/Rocky Romero/Sean Waltman
5. Electroshock/Konnan/Silver King beat Dr. Wagner Jr./Alex Koslov/La Parka Jr. when Electro went over Koslov clean.
EMLL 5/24 – Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara
1. Angel del Mal & Relampago Azul beat Hierro & Skaxy
2. Drago & Rafaga defeated Metatron & Palacio Negro
3. Leon Blanco & Magnum beat Asesino Negro & Infierno
4. Neutron/Stuka Jr./Virgo defeated Mr. Trueno/Vangelis/Virus
5. Black Warrior/Damian el Terrible/Hijo del Texano beat Blue Panther/Mascara Dorada/Sagrado
6. La Peste Negra (Felino/Negro Casas/Mr. Niebla) defeated Hector Garza/Mistico/Shocker when Negro fouled Mistico behind the ref’s back.
Monterrey 5/24 – Arena Coliseo de Monterrey
1. Euforia & Virtual X beat Aguila Azteca & Epidemius
2. Northern Tag Titles: Los Amos de la Tortura (Ejecutor & Mr. Secuestro) defeated Iron & TDN to retain their titles.
3. Lumberjacks w/straps: La Hechicera & Mascarita de la Muerte beat Cinthia Moreno & La Parkita
4. Karis la Momia/May Flowers/Pasion Kristal defeated El Poder Norte (Rio Bravo/Tito Santana/Tigre Cota)
5. Mascara Divina & Ultimo Gladiador beat Dance Boy & Espiritu
UPCOMING SHOWS
INDEPENDENT
5/27 – Arena Coliseo de Acapulco
1. Sensei & Trueno vs. Kid Tiger & Puma King
2. Lady Apache/Marcela/Sahori vs. Amapola/La Nazi/Princesa Sugei
3. Negro Casas/Mr. Niebla/Rey Bucanero vs. Los Hijos del Averno (Damian el Terrible/Ephesto/Hijo del Texano)
4. NWA Welterweight Title: La Sombra (c) vs. Mephisto
5. Hector Garza/Mistico/Shocker vs. Atlantis/Dos Caras Jr./Ultimo Guerrero
Altri dati sui rating dell'ultimo Impact
TNA Impact earned a 1.1 cable rating on 5/21 -- a 0.89 in M18-49, a 0.64 in P18-49, a 0.91 in M18-34, and an average audience of 1.5 million viewers.
NJPW links!
Goto vs. Nakanishi, 4/22
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T62U2AAT
IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs Manabu Nakanishi (JOINED IN PROGRESS, FULL VERSION AIRS SOON)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=57T10F2H
_________________
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T62U2AAT
IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs Manabu Nakanishi (JOINED IN PROGRESS, FULL VERSION AIRS SOON)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=57T10F2H
_________________
Full DREAM 9 report
Full DREAM 9 report from last night
Olympia DREAM 9, Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan 05/26/2009
Oh God it's the K-1 commentators with the Aussie guy. Least Guy Metzger is in the other chair. Sellout house @ 18K+.
Super Hulk (it's embarrassing just to type that) GP Opening Round
Ikuhisa Minowa (195.8) vs. Bob Sapp (319)
Okay, that's actually really light for Sapp. Has he been *gasp* TRAINING? He's always tended to pretty much run over small Japanese submission wrestlers and I guess he's likely to this time too, unless Minowa can latch onto an ankle or something, and doesn't try sprinting laps around the perimeter of the ring like he did against Zulu Jr., which only gassed HIM out.
Telecast jumps right into this fight. Sapp bowls Minowa over into HG and actually tries a Kimura. Minowa gives up his back but reverses into Sapp's guard. Minowa grabs a leg and sinks the ankle lock and it's over.
Choi Hong Man (330) vs. Jose Canseco (253)
Gimme a break. Choi has looked horrible since he had the operation, can't move in the ring any more, punches look like spaghetti, doesn't fight like the same guy who fought Fedor... but Canseco got KOed by a football player and couldn't whup Danny Partridge. In a fight with one minute rounds with 90 seconds rest. Neither guy had any actual training for this fight btw, both just worked on their own (or didn't).
Dear God here we go. Jose in to 'Wild Thing' billed from Cuba (his video shows Castro) and carrying the bat. His corner is his GF. They say he's getting six figures for this. Think he coulda paid for some training and cornermen, wouldn't ya. Here's Choi.
Hey, Canseco ain't doing that bad. Moving around and actually landing a little and staying out of trouble... for almost 1 minute 36 seconds till he stumbles and Choi drops him and pounds him out. Canseco better than expected though.
Jan “The Giant” Nortje (352) vs. Sokoudjou (224.4)
Sok 20 pounds heavier than we saw him before, which may just be not cutting, but... you know. Nortje is a big fat guy who CAN punch well enough to have KOed Sapp, which means... uhh, nothing. I think we see the magical return of Super Sok under Japan's Red Sun. *TIIIIIIIMBEEEERRRRRRRRRR*
Here comes Nortje. Sefo in his corner. His music has more 'fucks' in 4 bars than Dana White says in a month. 6'11 and career heaviest but was 400+ a little while back. 2-5 in MMA, 9-18 in K1, 10-0 (9) in boxing. Here's Sok. Lions roaring and drums. Right knee taped.
Jan lefty. Misses a kick bad. Sok body kicks and shoots to a body lock. Wanted a leg dive but nada. Nortje grabs the rope twice and lands a knee. Ref break. Sok heavy leg kick. Again. Again. Overhand right and shoots. Nortje grabs the rope again. Sok takes him down anyway. G&Ps him out. Keeps it up a little after the stoppage, almost like... roid rage. Near riot in the ring as Sefo charges in. Super Sok is reborn. Whatta shock.
Gegard Mousasi (217.8) vs. Mark Hunt (292)
Mousasi THIRTY pounds heavier than we last saw him in MMA, but you know what? He's a big, tall guy and will have everything but weight on Hunt. Mousasi coming off a KO win in kickboxing over highly rated K-1 fighter Musashi on the same card where Hunt was 1 punch KOed by middleweight Manhoef and he's in no better shape now. Hunt claims he's going to sub Mousasi. This is probably a joke. These guys are the favorites to win the whole thing. Which I expect Mousasi will.
Here's Hunt. Looking less sloppy than before in spite of the weight. 4 losses in a row. Here's Mousasi. Gets a nice pop. No visible extra weight.
Both righty. Mousasi quick right lead/leg trip KD into SM. Tries for a Kimura. Drops body shots and elbows and knees to the body. After the arm again. Hunt taps. It's over. Wow. Mousasi looks even better than expected.
GP will conclude New Years Eve. It will be Minowa vs. Choi and Mousasi vs. Sok in the semis (too bad as that should be the final). Not as much of a zoo as it could have been.
The Aussie guy keeping the bad jokes to a minimum. He's not bad when he plays it straight. Metzger very good considering he's a DREAM office suit and total shill.
Okay now the arena intro to the card. Guess the SH didn't count which is sorta sensible. Cool video. 'Let Us Entertain You'. Kid's shirt keeps changing as he walks through all the fighters and it ends on him. Again, cannot beat DREAM's production. Ends on the changing graphics on his back tats. Very cool.
Now is the opening ceremony. Screeching Woman in rare form. Huey, Louie and Dewey babble over it, of course.
Superfight (non tourney): Tatsuya Kawajiri (154) vs. J.Z. Calvacante (154)
Now we get serious. This is a great fight on paper. Kawajiri also blasted out a top kickboxer in a kickboxing match on that same card and had a string of great fights last year. JZ has been out injured for over a year and I suspect the ring rust may be the margin of defeat for him here, even though I think he's the more skilled fighter. Kawajiri refused to shake JZ's hand at the weigh ins.
Here's JZ. Radiating 'I'm In Shape'. Jorge Santiago in the corner. Here's Kawajiri. House rocks with his entrance. Massive pop. JZ slightly favored. They do touch gloves. All three commentators pick JZ.
Both righty. JZ more accurate early. Catches a kick and nails him with a left hook. Kawajiri shoots, nada. JZ pills guard with the Guillotine. Kawajiti makes his knees,. JZ rains knees and pulls guard again. Doesn't really have the choke. Kawajiri pops out. HG. JZ stifling Kawajiri's G&P. FG. JZ upkicks. Elevates. Kawajiri still on top. Warned for back of the head. Passes to SM. JZ regains FG. Keeping Kawajiti's shots to a minimum. JZ scrambles up but taken back down. JZ tries Rubber G. Nada. Ref break. Both get yellow cards and will lose 10% of their payoffs. Kawajiri finding the range standing. Beating JZ to the punch. JZ jabs and shoots, nada. Clinch. Kawajiri short knees. Ref break. JZ jabs. Evades a 2-1. Kawajiri finding the range again. JZ high kick. Eats a combo. Kawajiri shoots and gets it. JZ trying Rubber again. Kawajiri pulls up and pounds at the bell. He's ahead at this point.
Aoki, Akiyama and Uno ITH. Aussie panders to Sherdorks by calling Akiyama 'Sexiyama' (there's this whole 'having so much fun pretending we're gay that it makes you wonder' thing over there, don't ask).
Kawajiri sharpshooting. Shoots. Sorta half pulls guard and half gets taken down. HG. Kawajiri tries to mount, JZ out the back door. Up. Clinch. Ref break. Kawajiri landing, good body shot, double leg. Mounts. Thumping away. Center reset. JZ regains HG. Kawajiri passes to side. Drops little shots.
Fight never really took off. JZ was way rusty and Kawajiri reverted to his Middle Period TD/L&P/Lather Rinse Repeat style rather than the Kill Or Be Killed that made his fights in 2008 FotY candidates. Kawajiri should get the UD and does and cuts his promo. Will fight Masato in K-1 in July 13. The commentators all suddenly develop 20/20 Ring Rust Hindsight.
Featherweight GP Quarterfinal Round:
Abel Cullum (137.9) vs. Hideo Tokoro (137.9)
Tokoro subbed back in after losing his first round fight when DJ was injured beating him. If Cullum can repeat his first round performance he should win this, but Tokoro is always tough.
Here's Tokoro's vid. Yeah, janitor, yada yada. Here's Abel. Working the cowboy gimmick again. Comes in as the underdog. Tokoro in. Head shaved, no more anime hair. Aussie guy lies or fucks up and says Tokoro beat DJ in the qualifier. Wrong.
Both righty. Cullum landing long range punches, Tokoro landing low kicks. TD Abel, Tokoro scambles up and lands a knee. Big knee drops Cullum. Tokoro gets a Triangle. Abel ainl;t tapping. Tokoro traps a foot. Now an arm. Loses it, Cullum is out. Riding. Kneeing and pounding. Tokoro reverses. Gets bacl. Mount. Tries top triangle. Abel escapes. Tokoro rides. Cullum turns in into Tokoro's FG. Cullum pounds the body. Idiot commentator #2 says 'body shots are a waste of time'. Tokoro up and out. Cullum landing head shots. Trade low kicks. Cullum pounds a body shot. Double leg into FG. Tokoro tries Omaplata. Nada. Tokoro in Cullum's FG now. Stands out, drops in, Cullum rolls to knee bar. Tokoro counters with head kick and reverses to half nelson. Cullum tried Omaplata. Tokoro gets SM but loses it. Both after leg dives niow. Tokoro grabs the rope to avoid TD and Abel runs him and slams him. Abel gets the ride. Tokoro reverses to mopunt. Cullum sits out. Tokoro tries a sliding knee, nada. Abel tries knee bar, nada. Pounds from the top at the bell. That was an even round and one of the best rounds of the year. Commentators can't seem to decide whether they were predicting a fight like this or not.
Cullum is cut over the eye. Maybe off the sliding knee. Cullum shoots and we're back to the races. Tokoro scrambles to mount, tries arm bar. Knees the head from SM. Cullum gets to 4 point. Tokoro has a choke, loses it. Gets it again and Cullum taps. Great great fight. Aussie guy CYAs and mistranslates (or rather misrepeats what he's being given in his headset because he does not understand Japanese) Tokoro's promo when he thanks DREAM for reinstating him in the tournament despite losing the first fight.
Here's Kruck in the studio with a promo on Joe Warren. Too bad he isn't calling the card. Warren was suspended from amateur wrestling for 2 years for doping violations. Cops to it, no BS. He went pro. Guy couldn't be more confident.
Review of the previous GPs. This is the arena intermission. Some of the DREAM 10 fighters cut promos in the ring. Card will include Filho (*sigh*) vs. Manhoef and Shaolin vs. Aoki. Aoki stripping in the ring and throwing clothes to the audience. Commentators working very hard to diss American MMA. I agree with some of what they say but please. UFC is still the only real majors in the sport. Everybody else is competing for 2nd.
Maeda has been less impressive since losing the WEC title fight to Torres. Makes me wonder about Torres' P4P status, as does his last fight, but I digress. Maeda still figures to win this.
Here's the vid. For some reason set to the Italian Wedding Dance Version of the Godfather theme. Maeda in first. Have to say the Aussie guy does very good career capsules on each fighter as they do their entrances.
Maeda is lefty. Low kick. Catches a kick and TDs and drops shots from standing. Drops into HG. Takaya hanging close. Maeda drops shoulders. Taksya squirms out and up, eats a couple knees. Takaya combo. Maeda slips on a high kick. Lands a jab and left lead. Glove tape coming loose. Takaya right lead raises a lump. Maeda getting wild. Jump knee short, into clinch. Maeda TD. HG. Elbows the thigh. Postures up and drops a right. Still trying to pull out of the HG. Rams a couple knees to the head and Takaya scrambles up and lands a combo and a low kick. Maeda counters back. Starting to land. Takaya counters back. Left hook Takaya, knee Maeda, right Takaya, Meada gets a TD into mount. Takaya is cut. TO. Restart in mount. Takaya regains HG. Stands and drops rights. Upkick Takaya and Maeda drops back into FG. Takaya tries to scramble but Maeda back on top in HG. TO and yellow card to Takaya. Crocodile Dummy shpritzes 'Sexiyama' again. While he's busy pandering, Takaya drops Maeda with a right and G&Ps and the ref steps in.
Masakazu Imanari (138.6) vs. Bibiano Fernandes (138.2)
Hard one to call too but I think Fernandes' BJJ and work ethic and all round game will be too much for Imanari's L&P and leglocks.
Here's the vid. Here's Imanari picking his nose. Classy. Whatever. Fernandes in first. His only losses are to Kid and Urijah. Here's Imanari. Aoki with him. I think his music is Sade and Screeching Woman sings his intro along with it which is kinda... but then you remember what she looks like...
... uhh, anyway, we have a fight here. Imanari lefty. Fernandes immediately catches a kick and scores a flash TD. Imanari telegraphing his punches badly. Fernandes TD and pounds away and gets out before Imanari can grab anything. Another TD. bang bang, back off, take him back down, backs off and kicks the legs. Ref standup. Another TD, bang, back off. Very smart fight. And yet again. Kicking the legs. Imanari should hget a yellow card. Ref standup. Fernandes drops him with right hand. More leg kicks. Another standup. Low kick Fernandes. Imanari misses his again. Imanari telegraphs a left hand and misses. Another flash TD. TO, both warned for inaction. Low kick, left hook body kick Fernandes. Another TD. More leg kicks. Ref standup. Yellow card to Imanari. Fernandes blocks a jump knee and gets SM. Knees the head. Bangs the ear. Knees body and head. Imanari knees the body from the bottom. Bibi bangs the ear. He's way ahead.
Fernandes catches a kick and low sweep flash TD. Imanari just sits down and Fernandes kicks him in the ass. Another TD and low kick from Fernandes. Imanari getting weird, risking a DQ. Low kick Bibi. Imanari playing the fool. Hard low kick Bibi. Another. Another TD and more low kicks. Bibi drops in and almost gets leglocked and pulls out. Clinch. Another TD. More legkicks. Imanari actually butt scooting. YELLOW CARD TO FERNANDES? BULL SHIT. Bibi sharpshooting. Another TD. SM. Stands out, Another TD. Ref standup. Bibi overhand right and another TD. Fernandes by a mile. Judges agree. Imanari should be suspended.
Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto (136.8) vs. Joe Warren (136.8)
This is probably the longest odds on the card and just maybe the livest underdog. Kid is an icon in Japanese MMA but has been out injured (and/or politicked for participating in 'marijuana parties') for a long time, and Warren even though only in his second fight is a world class wrestler out of Team Quest and wrecked the heavily favored ex WEC champ Chase Beebe in the first round of the tourney. If Kid is 100% or close he should just be too all round and have too much experience but if ring rust is there he could be in for a rude awakening.
Vid showing Kid's operation. Ick. '512 Days'. Guess that's how long he's been out. Here's the highlight reel. Here's the broken arm when he tried for the Olympics. More operation. Here's rehab. Here's Warren. Pretty good highlight reel for one fight. Guess that's all the time he gets. Here's Kid hopping up the stairs on the bad leg. So on.
Here we go. Kid in first. Commentators have thankfully shut up for a couple whole minutes now. Major production here on Kid's entry. Huge pop. Here's Warren. They give him production parity, at least. Kid bopping to Warren's music. 'Shoots arrows' at Warren as he gets in the ring.
Warren visibly bigger. Kid lefty. Trade kicks. Front kick Kid. Misses one a slips. Warren shoots. Clinch. Warren knees and uppercuts. Kid knees the body. Warren TD into FG. Warren stands and drives a knee to the lower back. Drops a couiple short shots. Kid just playing defense. Warren slams. Goes body head. Body body head. Knee. Kid pushes him off and Joe drops back in. Another slam and another. Kid cut. And gets a yellow card. Kid kicking and jabs. Right hook. Warren shoots and clinches. Kid kicks body and leg, Right hook as Joe charges. Low kick. Clinch. Kid knees body and leg. Trade body kicks. Kid right as Joe charges. Left. Body kick. Joe taking Kid's best shots. Any one of these is usually a KO. 'Pwning'. Shut up. Warren knees off Thai clinch. Kid knees. Warren knees and uppers. Break. Body kick Kid. Kid low kick. Warren high knee and knee from clinch and right hand and breaks. Front kick Joe. Front kick Kid. Joe gets a half slam into FG. Kid tries high guard. Warren drops a right. Pounds the body. Grinds the forearm. Kid traps an arm, Joe bangs with the other arm. HG. Kid cut in couple places. Close round. Joe acquitting himself REAL well.
Fight is up for grabs. Joe needs a KO to win the decision probably though. Low kick Kid. Joe shoots and eats a right hook. Shoots again. Hard knee by Kid. Joe just keeps coming. Eats a left. Eats a right. Keeps coming. Hooks and uppers from clinch. Knees again. Body kick Kid. Warren eats another upper and gets the TD. Reset in center. Warren drives up and postures to pound. Kid tries an arm bar and Joe knees him in the butt so hard it breaks it. Ref standup. Joe drives again and eats a right hook. Clinch. Joe sorta grabbing trunks. Break. Kid low kick. Joe shoots behind a straight right. Clinch. Kid knees. Joe knees. Joe power TD into HG. Grinds the forearm. Pounds down. PASSES GUARD. Kid tries an arm bar. Joe knees him off.
Fuck. This is CLOSE. I'm sure Kid gets the benefit of the doubt but I'd call this a draw.
Decision... Warren... Yamamoto... WARREN WINS BY SD!!!!!! And Kid didn't look THAT damn rusty, either.
Another intermission before the main, allowing for some highly redundant analysis. Mayhem Bully. Yeah we get it.
Vacant DREAM Middleweight Championship: Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza (184.1) vs. Jason 'Mayhem' Miller (184.8)
Mousasi vacated the tile to go up in weight after beating Jacare in the finals of the tourney via upkick KO. Jacare tooled Mayhem by UD in the semis in a very entertaining grappling extravaganza. Mayhem is a very good grappler. Jacare is one of the best grapplers in the world. I don't see this going any different than their first fight unless Mayhem can make it a stand up war, which he may not win either, but Jacare's chin is a big question mark after the Mousasi loss.
Here's the vid. Both displaying their dancing chops. Fight and training footage on both. More dancing. This is entertaining as hell.
Mayhem in first. What's he gonna do this time? No mask? Boo. Silver track suit. But does lead a dance routine with a dozen Japanese girls in schoolgirl uniforms. WAR PEDO! Vaults over the top rope to a big pop.
What's Jacare got this time? Not Marley. Kinda slow funk samba. Not getting the crowd gatoring as much as usual. Music's a little too slow. Has of course been training with Anderson.
Title fight so national anthems first. As usual in Japan, recorded, instrumental and as brief as possible. I could gladly live the rest of my life without live national anthems. Mayhem snaps a salute. Jacare and his corner actually sing theirs.
Here's the official presentation for the title fight. Mousasi in and relinquishes the belt.
Here we go. Miller says he will fight smarter this time. Both righty, both open jabbing. Miller jabs, Jacare low kicks. Miller right lead, Jacare flash TD. Clinch. Miller cut. Knees the leg. Warned a second time for grabbing the rope. Jacare hook hook high kick counter right. Miller short with uppers. Catches a kick and dumps Jacare. Kicks him in the head illegally and opens a deep cut in the hair line. Doctor checking. Yellow card to Mayhem. Dummy # 2 says it was 'unintentional' BULLSHIT. OBVIOUSLY intentional. Kick was launched WAY after the TD. Mayhem getting his cut worked on meanwhile. The fight is NOT stopped. TD Jacare. Mayhem up. Cut bleeding bad. TO again. I think this is over. Yup. This is gonna be a DQ or an NC. Words pass between them. Jacare is pissed and wants to fight and is having to be held back. Foul is called unintentional and it's a NC and the title remains vacant.
Well, THAT blew. Overall good card though. Mousasi looking like he will be competitive at heavyweight, Warren upsetting Yamamoto, and the great fight between Tokoro and Cullum are the stories here.
Olympia DREAM 9, Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan 05/26/2009
Oh God it's the K-1 commentators with the Aussie guy. Least Guy Metzger is in the other chair. Sellout house @ 18K+.
Super Hulk (it's embarrassing just to type that) GP Opening Round
Ikuhisa Minowa (195.8) vs. Bob Sapp (319)
Okay, that's actually really light for Sapp. Has he been *gasp* TRAINING? He's always tended to pretty much run over small Japanese submission wrestlers and I guess he's likely to this time too, unless Minowa can latch onto an ankle or something, and doesn't try sprinting laps around the perimeter of the ring like he did against Zulu Jr., which only gassed HIM out.
Telecast jumps right into this fight. Sapp bowls Minowa over into HG and actually tries a Kimura. Minowa gives up his back but reverses into Sapp's guard. Minowa grabs a leg and sinks the ankle lock and it's over.
Choi Hong Man (330) vs. Jose Canseco (253)
Gimme a break. Choi has looked horrible since he had the operation, can't move in the ring any more, punches look like spaghetti, doesn't fight like the same guy who fought Fedor... but Canseco got KOed by a football player and couldn't whup Danny Partridge. In a fight with one minute rounds with 90 seconds rest. Neither guy had any actual training for this fight btw, both just worked on their own (or didn't).
Dear God here we go. Jose in to 'Wild Thing' billed from Cuba (his video shows Castro) and carrying the bat. His corner is his GF. They say he's getting six figures for this. Think he coulda paid for some training and cornermen, wouldn't ya. Here's Choi.
Hey, Canseco ain't doing that bad. Moving around and actually landing a little and staying out of trouble... for almost 1 minute 36 seconds till he stumbles and Choi drops him and pounds him out. Canseco better than expected though.
Jan “The Giant” Nortje (352) vs. Sokoudjou (224.4)
Sok 20 pounds heavier than we saw him before, which may just be not cutting, but... you know. Nortje is a big fat guy who CAN punch well enough to have KOed Sapp, which means... uhh, nothing. I think we see the magical return of Super Sok under Japan's Red Sun. *TIIIIIIIMBEEEERRRRRRRRRR*
Here comes Nortje. Sefo in his corner. His music has more 'fucks' in 4 bars than Dana White says in a month. 6'11 and career heaviest but was 400+ a little while back. 2-5 in MMA, 9-18 in K1, 10-0 (9) in boxing. Here's Sok. Lions roaring and drums. Right knee taped.
Jan lefty. Misses a kick bad. Sok body kicks and shoots to a body lock. Wanted a leg dive but nada. Nortje grabs the rope twice and lands a knee. Ref break. Sok heavy leg kick. Again. Again. Overhand right and shoots. Nortje grabs the rope again. Sok takes him down anyway. G&Ps him out. Keeps it up a little after the stoppage, almost like... roid rage. Near riot in the ring as Sefo charges in. Super Sok is reborn. Whatta shock.
Gegard Mousasi (217.8) vs. Mark Hunt (292)
Mousasi THIRTY pounds heavier than we last saw him in MMA, but you know what? He's a big, tall guy and will have everything but weight on Hunt. Mousasi coming off a KO win in kickboxing over highly rated K-1 fighter Musashi on the same card where Hunt was 1 punch KOed by middleweight Manhoef and he's in no better shape now. Hunt claims he's going to sub Mousasi. This is probably a joke. These guys are the favorites to win the whole thing. Which I expect Mousasi will.
Here's Hunt. Looking less sloppy than before in spite of the weight. 4 losses in a row. Here's Mousasi. Gets a nice pop. No visible extra weight.
Both righty. Mousasi quick right lead/leg trip KD into SM. Tries for a Kimura. Drops body shots and elbows and knees to the body. After the arm again. Hunt taps. It's over. Wow. Mousasi looks even better than expected.
GP will conclude New Years Eve. It will be Minowa vs. Choi and Mousasi vs. Sok in the semis (too bad as that should be the final). Not as much of a zoo as it could have been.
The Aussie guy keeping the bad jokes to a minimum. He's not bad when he plays it straight. Metzger very good considering he's a DREAM office suit and total shill.
Okay now the arena intro to the card. Guess the SH didn't count which is sorta sensible. Cool video. 'Let Us Entertain You'. Kid's shirt keeps changing as he walks through all the fighters and it ends on him. Again, cannot beat DREAM's production. Ends on the changing graphics on his back tats. Very cool.
Now is the opening ceremony. Screeching Woman in rare form. Huey, Louie and Dewey babble over it, of course.
Superfight (non tourney): Tatsuya Kawajiri (154) vs. J.Z. Calvacante (154)
Now we get serious. This is a great fight on paper. Kawajiri also blasted out a top kickboxer in a kickboxing match on that same card and had a string of great fights last year. JZ has been out injured for over a year and I suspect the ring rust may be the margin of defeat for him here, even though I think he's the more skilled fighter. Kawajiri refused to shake JZ's hand at the weigh ins.
Here's JZ. Radiating 'I'm In Shape'. Jorge Santiago in the corner. Here's Kawajiri. House rocks with his entrance. Massive pop. JZ slightly favored. They do touch gloves. All three commentators pick JZ.
Both righty. JZ more accurate early. Catches a kick and nails him with a left hook. Kawajiri shoots, nada. JZ pills guard with the Guillotine. Kawajiti makes his knees,. JZ rains knees and pulls guard again. Doesn't really have the choke. Kawajiri pops out. HG. JZ stifling Kawajiri's G&P. FG. JZ upkicks. Elevates. Kawajiri still on top. Warned for back of the head. Passes to SM. JZ regains FG. Keeping Kawajiti's shots to a minimum. JZ scrambles up but taken back down. JZ tries Rubber G. Nada. Ref break. Both get yellow cards and will lose 10% of their payoffs. Kawajiri finding the range standing. Beating JZ to the punch. JZ jabs and shoots, nada. Clinch. Kawajiri short knees. Ref break. JZ jabs. Evades a 2-1. Kawajiri finding the range again. JZ high kick. Eats a combo. Kawajiri shoots and gets it. JZ trying Rubber again. Kawajiri pulls up and pounds at the bell. He's ahead at this point.
Aoki, Akiyama and Uno ITH. Aussie panders to Sherdorks by calling Akiyama 'Sexiyama' (there's this whole 'having so much fun pretending we're gay that it makes you wonder' thing over there, don't ask).
Kawajiri sharpshooting. Shoots. Sorta half pulls guard and half gets taken down. HG. Kawajiri tries to mount, JZ out the back door. Up. Clinch. Ref break. Kawajiri landing, good body shot, double leg. Mounts. Thumping away. Center reset. JZ regains HG. Kawajiri passes to side. Drops little shots.
Fight never really took off. JZ was way rusty and Kawajiri reverted to his Middle Period TD/L&P/Lather Rinse Repeat style rather than the Kill Or Be Killed that made his fights in 2008 FotY candidates. Kawajiri should get the UD and does and cuts his promo. Will fight Masato in K-1 in July 13. The commentators all suddenly develop 20/20 Ring Rust Hindsight.
Featherweight GP Quarterfinal Round:
Abel Cullum (137.9) vs. Hideo Tokoro (137.9)
Tokoro subbed back in after losing his first round fight when DJ was injured beating him. If Cullum can repeat his first round performance he should win this, but Tokoro is always tough.
Here's Tokoro's vid. Yeah, janitor, yada yada. Here's Abel. Working the cowboy gimmick again. Comes in as the underdog. Tokoro in. Head shaved, no more anime hair. Aussie guy lies or fucks up and says Tokoro beat DJ in the qualifier. Wrong.
Both righty. Cullum landing long range punches, Tokoro landing low kicks. TD Abel, Tokoro scambles up and lands a knee. Big knee drops Cullum. Tokoro gets a Triangle. Abel ainl;t tapping. Tokoro traps a foot. Now an arm. Loses it, Cullum is out. Riding. Kneeing and pounding. Tokoro reverses. Gets bacl. Mount. Tries top triangle. Abel escapes. Tokoro rides. Cullum turns in into Tokoro's FG. Cullum pounds the body. Idiot commentator #2 says 'body shots are a waste of time'. Tokoro up and out. Cullum landing head shots. Trade low kicks. Cullum pounds a body shot. Double leg into FG. Tokoro tries Omaplata. Nada. Tokoro in Cullum's FG now. Stands out, drops in, Cullum rolls to knee bar. Tokoro counters with head kick and reverses to half nelson. Cullum tried Omaplata. Tokoro gets SM but loses it. Both after leg dives niow. Tokoro grabs the rope to avoid TD and Abel runs him and slams him. Abel gets the ride. Tokoro reverses to mopunt. Cullum sits out. Tokoro tries a sliding knee, nada. Abel tries knee bar, nada. Pounds from the top at the bell. That was an even round and one of the best rounds of the year. Commentators can't seem to decide whether they were predicting a fight like this or not.
Cullum is cut over the eye. Maybe off the sliding knee. Cullum shoots and we're back to the races. Tokoro scrambles to mount, tries arm bar. Knees the head from SM. Cullum gets to 4 point. Tokoro has a choke, loses it. Gets it again and Cullum taps. Great great fight. Aussie guy CYAs and mistranslates (or rather misrepeats what he's being given in his headset because he does not understand Japanese) Tokoro's promo when he thanks DREAM for reinstating him in the tournament despite losing the first fight.
Here's Kruck in the studio with a promo on Joe Warren. Too bad he isn't calling the card. Warren was suspended from amateur wrestling for 2 years for doping violations. Cops to it, no BS. He went pro. Guy couldn't be more confident.
Review of the previous GPs. This is the arena intermission. Some of the DREAM 10 fighters cut promos in the ring. Card will include Filho (*sigh*) vs. Manhoef and Shaolin vs. Aoki. Aoki stripping in the ring and throwing clothes to the audience. Commentators working very hard to diss American MMA. I agree with some of what they say but please. UFC is still the only real majors in the sport. Everybody else is competing for 2nd.
Maeda has been less impressive since losing the WEC title fight to Torres. Makes me wonder about Torres' P4P status, as does his last fight, but I digress. Maeda still figures to win this.
Here's the vid. For some reason set to the Italian Wedding Dance Version of the Godfather theme. Maeda in first. Have to say the Aussie guy does very good career capsules on each fighter as they do their entrances.
Maeda is lefty. Low kick. Catches a kick and TDs and drops shots from standing. Drops into HG. Takaya hanging close. Maeda drops shoulders. Taksya squirms out and up, eats a couple knees. Takaya combo. Maeda slips on a high kick. Lands a jab and left lead. Glove tape coming loose. Takaya right lead raises a lump. Maeda getting wild. Jump knee short, into clinch. Maeda TD. HG. Elbows the thigh. Postures up and drops a right. Still trying to pull out of the HG. Rams a couple knees to the head and Takaya scrambles up and lands a combo and a low kick. Maeda counters back. Starting to land. Takaya counters back. Left hook Takaya, knee Maeda, right Takaya, Meada gets a TD into mount. Takaya is cut. TO. Restart in mount. Takaya regains HG. Stands and drops rights. Upkick Takaya and Maeda drops back into FG. Takaya tries to scramble but Maeda back on top in HG. TO and yellow card to Takaya. Crocodile Dummy shpritzes 'Sexiyama' again. While he's busy pandering, Takaya drops Maeda with a right and G&Ps and the ref steps in.
Masakazu Imanari (138.6) vs. Bibiano Fernandes (138.2)
Hard one to call too but I think Fernandes' BJJ and work ethic and all round game will be too much for Imanari's L&P and leglocks.
Here's the vid. Here's Imanari picking his nose. Classy. Whatever. Fernandes in first. His only losses are to Kid and Urijah. Here's Imanari. Aoki with him. I think his music is Sade and Screeching Woman sings his intro along with it which is kinda... but then you remember what she looks like...
... uhh, anyway, we have a fight here. Imanari lefty. Fernandes immediately catches a kick and scores a flash TD. Imanari telegraphing his punches badly. Fernandes TD and pounds away and gets out before Imanari can grab anything. Another TD. bang bang, back off, take him back down, backs off and kicks the legs. Ref standup. Another TD, bang, back off. Very smart fight. And yet again. Kicking the legs. Imanari should hget a yellow card. Ref standup. Fernandes drops him with right hand. More leg kicks. Another standup. Low kick Fernandes. Imanari misses his again. Imanari telegraphs a left hand and misses. Another flash TD. TO, both warned for inaction. Low kick, left hook body kick Fernandes. Another TD. More leg kicks. Ref standup. Yellow card to Imanari. Fernandes blocks a jump knee and gets SM. Knees the head. Bangs the ear. Knees body and head. Imanari knees the body from the bottom. Bibi bangs the ear. He's way ahead.
Fernandes catches a kick and low sweep flash TD. Imanari just sits down and Fernandes kicks him in the ass. Another TD and low kick from Fernandes. Imanari getting weird, risking a DQ. Low kick Bibi. Imanari playing the fool. Hard low kick Bibi. Another. Another TD and more low kicks. Bibi drops in and almost gets leglocked and pulls out. Clinch. Another TD. More legkicks. Imanari actually butt scooting. YELLOW CARD TO FERNANDES? BULL SHIT. Bibi sharpshooting. Another TD. SM. Stands out, Another TD. Ref standup. Bibi overhand right and another TD. Fernandes by a mile. Judges agree. Imanari should be suspended.
Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto (136.8) vs. Joe Warren (136.8)
This is probably the longest odds on the card and just maybe the livest underdog. Kid is an icon in Japanese MMA but has been out injured (and/or politicked for participating in 'marijuana parties') for a long time, and Warren even though only in his second fight is a world class wrestler out of Team Quest and wrecked the heavily favored ex WEC champ Chase Beebe in the first round of the tourney. If Kid is 100% or close he should just be too all round and have too much experience but if ring rust is there he could be in for a rude awakening.
Vid showing Kid's operation. Ick. '512 Days'. Guess that's how long he's been out. Here's the highlight reel. Here's the broken arm when he tried for the Olympics. More operation. Here's rehab. Here's Warren. Pretty good highlight reel for one fight. Guess that's all the time he gets. Here's Kid hopping up the stairs on the bad leg. So on.
Here we go. Kid in first. Commentators have thankfully shut up for a couple whole minutes now. Major production here on Kid's entry. Huge pop. Here's Warren. They give him production parity, at least. Kid bopping to Warren's music. 'Shoots arrows' at Warren as he gets in the ring.
Warren visibly bigger. Kid lefty. Trade kicks. Front kick Kid. Misses one a slips. Warren shoots. Clinch. Warren knees and uppercuts. Kid knees the body. Warren TD into FG. Warren stands and drives a knee to the lower back. Drops a couiple short shots. Kid just playing defense. Warren slams. Goes body head. Body body head. Knee. Kid pushes him off and Joe drops back in. Another slam and another. Kid cut. And gets a yellow card. Kid kicking and jabs. Right hook. Warren shoots and clinches. Kid kicks body and leg, Right hook as Joe charges. Low kick. Clinch. Kid knees body and leg. Trade body kicks. Kid right as Joe charges. Left. Body kick. Joe taking Kid's best shots. Any one of these is usually a KO. 'Pwning'. Shut up. Warren knees off Thai clinch. Kid knees. Warren knees and uppers. Break. Body kick Kid. Kid low kick. Warren high knee and knee from clinch and right hand and breaks. Front kick Joe. Front kick Kid. Joe gets a half slam into FG. Kid tries high guard. Warren drops a right. Pounds the body. Grinds the forearm. Kid traps an arm, Joe bangs with the other arm. HG. Kid cut in couple places. Close round. Joe acquitting himself REAL well.
Fight is up for grabs. Joe needs a KO to win the decision probably though. Low kick Kid. Joe shoots and eats a right hook. Shoots again. Hard knee by Kid. Joe just keeps coming. Eats a left. Eats a right. Keeps coming. Hooks and uppers from clinch. Knees again. Body kick Kid. Warren eats another upper and gets the TD. Reset in center. Warren drives up and postures to pound. Kid tries an arm bar and Joe knees him in the butt so hard it breaks it. Ref standup. Joe drives again and eats a right hook. Clinch. Joe sorta grabbing trunks. Break. Kid low kick. Joe shoots behind a straight right. Clinch. Kid knees. Joe knees. Joe power TD into HG. Grinds the forearm. Pounds down. PASSES GUARD. Kid tries an arm bar. Joe knees him off.
Fuck. This is CLOSE. I'm sure Kid gets the benefit of the doubt but I'd call this a draw.
Decision... Warren... Yamamoto... WARREN WINS BY SD!!!!!! And Kid didn't look THAT damn rusty, either.
Another intermission before the main, allowing for some highly redundant analysis. Mayhem Bully. Yeah we get it.
Vacant DREAM Middleweight Championship: Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza (184.1) vs. Jason 'Mayhem' Miller (184.8)
Mousasi vacated the tile to go up in weight after beating Jacare in the finals of the tourney via upkick KO. Jacare tooled Mayhem by UD in the semis in a very entertaining grappling extravaganza. Mayhem is a very good grappler. Jacare is one of the best grapplers in the world. I don't see this going any different than their first fight unless Mayhem can make it a stand up war, which he may not win either, but Jacare's chin is a big question mark after the Mousasi loss.
Here's the vid. Both displaying their dancing chops. Fight and training footage on both. More dancing. This is entertaining as hell.
Mayhem in first. What's he gonna do this time? No mask? Boo. Silver track suit. But does lead a dance routine with a dozen Japanese girls in schoolgirl uniforms. WAR PEDO! Vaults over the top rope to a big pop.
What's Jacare got this time? Not Marley. Kinda slow funk samba. Not getting the crowd gatoring as much as usual. Music's a little too slow. Has of course been training with Anderson.
Title fight so national anthems first. As usual in Japan, recorded, instrumental and as brief as possible. I could gladly live the rest of my life without live national anthems. Mayhem snaps a salute. Jacare and his corner actually sing theirs.
Here's the official presentation for the title fight. Mousasi in and relinquishes the belt.
Here we go. Miller says he will fight smarter this time. Both righty, both open jabbing. Miller jabs, Jacare low kicks. Miller right lead, Jacare flash TD. Clinch. Miller cut. Knees the leg. Warned a second time for grabbing the rope. Jacare hook hook high kick counter right. Miller short with uppers. Catches a kick and dumps Jacare. Kicks him in the head illegally and opens a deep cut in the hair line. Doctor checking. Yellow card to Mayhem. Dummy # 2 says it was 'unintentional' BULLSHIT. OBVIOUSLY intentional. Kick was launched WAY after the TD. Mayhem getting his cut worked on meanwhile. The fight is NOT stopped. TD Jacare. Mayhem up. Cut bleeding bad. TO again. I think this is over. Yup. This is gonna be a DQ or an NC. Words pass between them. Jacare is pissed and wants to fight and is having to be held back. Foul is called unintentional and it's a NC and the title remains vacant.
Well, THAT blew. Overall good card though. Mousasi looking like he will be competitive at heavyweight, Warren upsetting Yamamoto, and the great fight between Tokoro and Cullum are the stories here.
martedì 26 maggio 2009
lunedì 25 maggio 2009
DDT "MAX BUMP 2009", 04.05.2009 Links!
DDT "MAX BUMP 2009", 04.05.2009 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,703 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House
Satoru Taniguchi Debut Match: Satoru Taniguchi vs Sasaki&Gabbana
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MD2AA9T5
UWA Trios Title - Italy vs. France War Final Match: Francesco Togo, PIZA Michinoku & Antonio Honda (c) vs Takao Omori, Daisuke Sekimoto & Louie Takanashi 14th
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BFEVAJS2
KO-D Tag Team Title: Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega (c) vs Danshoku Dino & Yoshihiko
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IR03S1R5
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,703 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House
Satoru Taniguchi Debut Match: Satoru Taniguchi vs Sasaki&Gabbana
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MD2AA9T5
UWA Trios Title - Italy vs. France War Final Match: Francesco Togo, PIZA Michinoku & Antonio Honda (c) vs Takao Omori, Daisuke Sekimoto & Louie Takanashi 14th
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BFEVAJS2
KO-D Tag Team Title: Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega (c) vs Danshoku Dino & Yoshihiko
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IR03S1R5
domenica 24 maggio 2009
Samoa Joe intervistato da ESPN
ESPN: Quando hai iniziato la tua esperienza nel pro wrestling, come era diversa la presenza di pubblico rispetto ad oggi in TNA? Stiamo parlando di palestre?
Joe: Magari palestre. Parliamo di sale lavanderie in cui presenziavano 15-20 persone quando andava bene. Era orribile, ma contunuavo comunque. Per me era un qualcosa da fare nei weekends. In seguito uno scout dal Giappone mi vide e mi propose un tryout match; firmai il contratto e così andai per 3 anni in Giappone.
A quel punto incominciai a guadagnare un bel pò di soldi e da lì la chiamai carriera.
ESPN: Quando vi è più pubblico agli shows è più facile regalare bei match grazie all'adrenalina ed all'energia che si respira?
Joe: Assolutamente. Quando sei in un luogo con pochissimi spettatori puoi addirittura sentire le loro conversazioni. Questa è la parte peggiore. Ti trovi sul ring e puoi sentire benissimo due persone conversare, e non parlano nemmeno a voce alta, ma puoi capire che stanno discutendo su dove si trovi il locale Denny più vicino. E' totalmente diverso stare in un posto dove ci sono 20.000 fans che gridano il tuo nome.
ESPN: Qual'è la conversazione più strana che ti è capitata di ascoltare?
Joe: Una volta c'era una signora adulta e sua figlia; credo che sua figlia fosse incinta e abbia confessato la cosa allo show. Sta di fatto che la madre iniziò a chiederle con toni pesanti come avesse potuto fare una cosa del genere, eccettera. Ad un certo punto sto per ricevere una batosta in testa e dico "Voi due non potete rimandare la discussione a dopo lo show?". A quel punto tutti si girarono verso di loro. Fu pazzesco.
ESPN: Qual'è il tuo stile? Per chi non ti ha mai visto lottare come descriveresti il tuo modo di combattere sul ring?
Joe: Il mio stile è rimasto abbastanza lo stesso da quando ho iniziato. E' molto basilare, semplice, ma mentre alcuni cercano un fantasioso modo per uscire da una presa e per effettuare un back flip, io credo nei pugni in faccia. Non c'è niente di più esplicito.
ESPN: Di recente hai apportato dei cambiamenti come il face paint. Perchè?
Joe: Sai un cosa, è solo un'estensione del personaggio. Questa è la cosa grandiosa del pro wrestling, puoi prendere il personaggio e spingerlo sempre più oltre non essendoci confini e limiti stabiliti. Mi conoscevano in questo mondo come un personaggio aggressivo, ora sono over the top. Vedremo fino a che punto.
ESPN: Cosa rappresenta il face paint?
Joe: E' l'equivalente dello stemma di famiglia. Nella cultura Samoana i disegni hanno significati diversi, ma se si guardano nel dettaglio i tatoo sul braccio di The Rock, c'è un sacco di storia della famiglia. E' la stessa cosa con me. Mi sono consultato con parenti ed altre persone e lo abbiamo realizzato.
ESPN: Qual'è il tuo preferito face paint nella storia del wrestling?
Joe: Hakushi. Lottava anni fa nella WWF. Andava in scena col viso ed il corpo pieno di simboli che sarebbero dovuti essere dei proverbi Buddisti. Questo era il mio preferito di tutti i tempi.
ESPN: Sappiamo che fai parecchi scherzi nel backstage TNA. Qual'è stato il tuo migliore?
Joe: Abbiamo questo ragazzo che si chiama Consequences Creed. E' molto giovane e lo considero il miglior atleta al mondo. E' incredibilmente atletico, ma è nuovo e quindi dobbiamo divertirci un pò a sue spese.
Al suo primo giorno era parecchio disordinato con la sua roba e quindi abbiamo deciso di rubargli le mutande dalla sua valigia e lo abbiamo mandato in missione per gli Studios a ritrovarli.
La ricerca consisteva anche nel cantare la theme dei Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles alle ragazze della TNA; non gli avevamo detto qual'era quella giusta, quindi ha dovuto cantare fino a che non l'ha trovata, ottenendo così un nuovo indizio.
Dopo è dovuto andare al catering e fare l'ordine giusto per ottenre l'indizio successivo.
Poi ha dovuto imparare e cantare la Notre Dame fight song ad un nostro ex agents che è un grande fan di Notre Dame.
Gli sono volute 4-5 ore per riavere la sua roba indietro.
ESPN: Sei stato un consigliere per lo sviluppo del videogame "TNA Impact!". Non è riuscito come si sperava. Come mai?
Joe: Onestamente non è venuto come noi volevamo. Bisogna comprendere che il processo di creazione di un gioco è un processo finanziario, ed il tempo che serviva per svilupparlo è stato tagliato di netto.
Sono stati tagliati 3 mesi perchè la Midway aveva necessità di farlo uscire, dopo aver spostato la data già varie volte. Sono contennto di dire, comunque, che abbiamo appena finito la sessione di motion-capture, un brainstorming ed abbiamo visto un'anticipazione e pare meraviglioso. Sono state inserite varie features che i fans avrebbero voluto alla prima uscita. Credo che rimarranno piacevolmente sorpresi.
ESPN: Continui a giocare un sacco con XBox Live?
Joe: Oh sì. Abbiamo avuto una lunga sessione l'altra notte con "Left 4 Dead". Sono incavolato per il fatto che "MLB The Show" non sia su Xbox360. Tutti i miei amici hanno la 360.
ESPN: Quando la TNA ti propone una storyline, un angle, puoi rifiutarlo o devi per forza accettare determinate scelte? La Nation Of Violence è una tua idea o ti è stata proposta?
Joe: Onestamente, come ogni altro lavoro, sono pagato per convertire ciò che mi viene fornito e farlo nel meglio delle mie abilità. Credo sia una cosa che parecchi wrestling fans non capiscano. Sono convinti che questi grossi pro wrestlers possano imporre a chiunque la loro volontà, ma il miglior pro wrestler al mondo riceve qualcosa e lo fa suo. Qui è dove entro nel processo creativo. Una volta che mi si dà qualcosa è mia responasibilità farlo funzionare al meglio. Questa è sempre stata la mia mentalità in questo mestiere. Sono pagato molto bene per andare là fuori e dare il meglio di me con ciò che mi è dato. La Nation Of Violence: questo nome è una mia idea. Loro avevano un paio di altri nomi, che non mi ricordo più e che non mi piacevano. Se lo avessero voluto avrebbero potuto usare comunque uno di quei nomi; fortunatamente sono venuti da me per delle idee e lì ho proposto il nome Nation Of Violence. La gente non ne conosce il significato, ancora, ma con l'andar del tempo la spiegazione di Nation Of Violence sarà molto chiara.
ESPN: Sarà una nazione in cui sarai supportato da altri wrestlers?
Joe: Questo è il motivo per cui devi seguire lo show e scoprirlo. Non si può svelare troppo. Tutti vanno su internet perchè Impact è registrato, ma non comprendo il perchè i fans leggano gli spoiler di uno show televisivo. E' meglio leggerlo che vederlo? Io dico sempre, date tempo al tempo. Tutto accadrà coi suoi ritmi. Ma col pro wrestling ogni possibile curiosità è nulla. La cosa divertente è che ho l'account su Twitter e MySpace nei quli in molti mi parlano di cose che ancora devono succedere in TV. E' come se lo avessero già visto, ma non è così. Per capire veramente cosa accade bisogna prima guardarlo.
UFC 98 round by round live coverage from Las Vegas
Welcome to our live coverage of UFC 98 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's show, so please leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
George Roop vs. Dave Kaplan opens the show
Kaplan looks ridiculous. He looks like a bleached blond luchador from the late 80s, or maybe the late 90s if you remember the original Los Guapos. Apparently with the red trunks and bleached blond hair he was trying to be early 80s Ric Flair, and I thought he was closer to Scorpio Jr. All standing. Kaplan threw a nice right. Both trading low kicks. Kaplan bleeding from the bridge of the nose. More trading and Kaplan getting the better of it. Roop much taller, just nailed Kaplan with a high kick. Kaplan connecting with a lot of low kicks. roop connected with a good right. Kaplan got the taakedown at the end of the round. and did some ground and pound but Roop threw an up kick and was back to his feet. Roop 10-9
Roop tried a flying knee, missed and Kaplan took him down. Kaplan struggling to do something on the ground but got hit with an up kick. Now's he's on top and holding Roop down. Roop throwing elbows from the bottom and Kaplan let him up. Body shot by Roop. Kaplan now has that bleached blond with with blood in his hair look going. Kaplan trying a takedown and struggling with it. He finally completed the takedown. Roop is still doing more damage from the bottom and kicked Kaplan off. Roop connecting with punches using his longer reach. Roop using his reach to control the stand-up. Kaplan tring a takedown again. He got him down after another struggle. Kaplan at least trying punches to the body and head on the ground but Roop still landing more. Roop 20-18
Serena Deep signed with WWE. Another OVW product.
Nice single leg takedown by Kaplan. Got full mount this time. Roop kicked him off and landed a punch and kick. Kaplan shot with no set up and got stuffed. They were both trading punches and kicks in the last 20 seconds. Roop had a nice uppercut just before the bell. I've got 30-27 but most at ringside have 29-28 for Roop. Good fight, but unlikely to air on the live show due to going three rounds.
29-28 Kaplan, 30-27 Roop 30-27 Roop. Crowd booed the decision a little.
10,000 tickets sold in Philadelphia for 8/8 after first day of sales to the general public, although most of those were bought at the presale.
Brandon Wolff vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Body kick by Wolff followed by a punch. Now they're locked up. Both trying to throw the other with no luck. Wolff got the taekdown but Yoshida reversed on the way down and has a guillotine. Wolff flipped on top but couldn't get out and tapped from the guillotine.
There are not a lot of people in the crowd right now. The cheap seats are somewhat full and I'm sure they'll be packed. The mid-level section is kind of empty.
Earler today, Bryan Alvarez, seconded by Bryan Danielson, drew with Dan Peach Veltan, seconded by Roderick Strong, over three rounds in a grappling match
Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
KS is a guy more popular than you'd think. He got a big reaction at weigh-ins and the first real pop coming out. Real big pop, it may be being from Canada and Canadian fans because they popped at the mention of Winnipeg.
Each man has kicked the other low by accident in the early going. Gusmao is quicker on the stand-up.. Gusmao using the kicks to keep KS away. KS getting leg kicked and jabbed as he went for a takedown. Now trading and KS rocked him with a good punch. KS rocked him again when he got inside with a left and put him away with a right to the jaw. He's over like a star. The fight should make TV. Entertaining fight with a good finish. KS was campaigning for best KO bonus in his post-match promo.
Kyle Bradley vs. Philippe Nover
Nover out with a punch. Bradley threw him down hard, punched the hell out of him, didn't stop. Yves Lavigne stopped the fight.
Nover was right up like nothing had happened and the crowd is ready to lynch Yves Lavigne. Bradley was really lucky because he thinks he broke his hand.
What happened was after Nover was thrown down, there were wild punches thrown by Bradley that didn't hit and one punch did stun Nover and then Bradley kept throwing and missed wildly on all of them. Lavigne jumped in but Bradley didn't stop and Nover then kicked Bradley off and was right up.
Bradley asked why people were booing him, so they booed him tons more for asking.
This match will not air on television almost for sure. People will be too mad about the finish even though you can make an argument Nover went limp for a split-second.
Crowd is filling in pretty well. Plenty of empty blocks but Las Vegas crowd can't be judged until 7 p.m. Pacific
Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
Hague got a big pop. The best home town to have is somewhere in Canada. Edmonton, Winnipeg, it's all the same.
This isn't going to last long most likely. Both guys throwing hard shots early. Hague is way bigger but Barry has better movement. Barry kicked him with a high kick and the guy didn't even go down, but he was bleeding from the nose pretty quick. Hague recovered and took Barry down and got his back. Hague with a guillotine and Barry tapped. Place went crazy. Entertaining 1:42 fight. This will make TV if there's time. Best match so far.
Hague got over big in the post-match, saying he thinks he got his nose busted from a left, but wants to go out and drink some beers.
Brock Larson vs. Mike Pyle
Pyle was doing a Van Damme movie in Bulgaria barely a week ago so has done no hard training after being thrown in at the last minute. Larson made the agreement that whatever weight Pyle could get to would be the weight they'd fight at. Pyle got down to 172.
Fans started booing in 42 seconds. Larsons charged and got Pyle down. Pyle tried an armlock, and then an ankle lock and then a kneebar. Larson got out of all of them. Hard punches by Larson on the ground. Up kick by Pyle. More punches by Larson. Body punches by Larson. Larson got an arm triangle choke quickly. That's a good win for Larson, not that he beat him, but that he got it by submission that quick.
Larson noted he trained with Hughes and Sherk for this fight which was a big help.
In the opening, the crowd didn't boo Hughes or Serra. Hughes was cheered more. None of the big four on this show got anywhere near a superstar reaction when their faces were on the screen although the most cheers were for Hughes. Crowd is pretty pumped for the idea of just it beig a UFC big show in Las Vegas, but clearly none of the matches are that special to the live crowd.
Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar
Nobody booed Sherk. They are boxing right now. Edgar just scored with a nice flurry. Sherk moving forward but Edgar has better movement. Edgar is doing beter and Edgar went for the takedown which won't be easy. Trading knees from the clinch and Edgar got the last punch in. Sherk throwing more but Edgar's connection percentage is higher. Edgar threw a punch and Sherk looked like he slipped down. Edgar grabbed a guillotine. Sherk just powered out. Sherk throwing a lot but they aren't landing and Edgar then counters and connects but doesn't havge the poer to hurt Sherk. Sherk snuck in a punch. Great exchange late. I'd give the round to Edgar 10-9. Great round.
More of the same. sherk swingibng with power but not hitting and Edgar countering with good shots that aren't hurting Sherk. Edgar ducked a punch and thought takedown but Sherk through him off with easse. Sherk starting to land. Edgar put Sherk down with a knee but Sherk right back up. Edgar with low kick. This is like Sherk-Griffin except Sherks' foe is doing a lot better boxing. Edgar just connected with a couple of shots. Sherk hasn't tried a takedown which he really should have at least attempted to try and win the round. Big exchange and Sherk did better in that one. Accidental low kick by Edgar. Edgar tried a takedown, couldn't ge it up threw a knee and landed a good jab. Great round again. Very hard to call. At press row they have Edgar up 20-18. It's possible 19-19 but 20-18 more likely.
Sherk got off first in round three. Frankie chant pretty loud right now. Sherk finally went for a takedown and got it with ease. If he did this in round two he may have taken the fight. Edgar back up. Sherk cut near the left eye. Both went for a takedown at the same time and both backed off. Edgar landed a good punch. Tried a takedown but this time Sherk hit a knee to back him off. Sherk tried a takedown, Edgar slipped away and nailed Sehrk with a punch. Traded some more. Edgar with a good series of punches. Sherk went for a takedown and Edgar grabbed a guillotine and held it until the bell. That pretty much won round three for him so I've got 30-27, but Sherk is the bigger star. Everyone in the crowd seemed to think Edgar won. Best fight so far on the show.
All three have it 30-27 has to be Edgar and it is.
There are probably 13,000 here but more empty seats than I've seen at a UFC in Las Vegas in a few years. Understandable given everyone knows 7/11 is the big show.
Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
Sonnen weighed 221 on 5/2. This fight is at 185. Fans booed Yves Lavigne heavy because of the Nover stoppage. Sonnnen looks a lot bigger. He looks 205-210 and cut at that weight. Sonnen walked right into a guillotine. This thinbg is tight and Sonnen is turning a bright red. I can't believe Sonnen got out of that one . Sonnnen with a few punches from the top. Miller thinking kneebar. Sonnen blocked and hammering him with elbows from the top. Sonnnen landed short elbows and some big punches from the top. Sonnen 10-9
Sonnen slammed him down hard right into a guillotine but this wasn't as tight and Sonnen escaped. Sonnen connected with weak punches, but got one good one in. He's doing just enough to keep it from being stood up but not doing any damge. He's mostly putting his hand over Miller's mouth using that to tire him. Armbar coming. Sonnen punching and got out. Sonnen with a good forearm shot and a second one on the ground. Crowd booing the lack of a stand-up. Sonnen 20-18
Miller needs a finish here. Miller connected with some punches. Another takedown by Sonnen. Short elbow and some weak punches by Sonnen. Once again doing just enough to keep from being shood up. Crowd booing but you can't stand them up when Sonnen is still throwing punches and elbows. Dull fight, though. Crowd booing again because Miller just can't get anything going and Sonnen is just holding him down and scoring points with no attempt to finish. Miller thought armbar but Sonnen saw it and blocked it easily. Last 30 seconds. Crowd booed the fight pretty heavy when it was over. Has to be 30-27 Sonnen.
All three judges have it 30-27 Sonnen. Crowd cheered some and booed a little. Nobody thought bad call but this was the worst fight of the night.
Xaver Foupa-Pokam (Professor X) vs. Drew McFedries.
McFredries tagged himright away,knocking him down twice and Yves Lavigne stopped it. McFedries wouldn't stop because Professor wouldn't stop holding his leg. Just the fact he was holding on so hard may be say something about the stoppage but nobody argued it. Only 37 seconds. Place came unglued. Drew was a little too excited.
Pretty bad when the only celebrities shown so far are B.J. Penn and Holly Madison. Mike Tyson is in the second row, so he'll be shown at some point.
Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
Crowd popped real big when the Hughes-Serra graphic was on the screen. Serra is so smart. He's coming out to the original Rocky theme so nobody is about to boo that. I guess the Star Spangled Banner wasn't available. Hughes isn't being booed either. Serra got more cheers but that was more the music. Hughes also isn't playing to the crowd at all where Serra did. Hughes is so stone faced somber. Hughes clearly has been lifting harder than in years because his back is huge and he's ripped. When Hughes got in the cage he got a lot more cheers now than Serra.
When Serra was introduced, he was booed a lot. Hughes clearly the crowd favorite, although some light booes. I'd say 75-25 to 80-20.
Serra chant started but booed out quickly. Hughes chant. Serra decked him with an accidental head-butt. Not sure if there was a punch in there as well. Hughes was hurt. Hughes got a takedown but Serra throwing hard punches. Hughes looks worried because he's hurt. Hughes is cut near the right eye. Hughes bulled him into the fence and throwing knees. Serra did a good job blocking that takedown and Hughes looks tired. Body kick by Hughes and he got a clinch. Hughes took Serra down with 93 seconds left. He's got Serra's back. and working for a choke. If he does submit Serra that'll be big. Serra scrambled out. Crowd going crazy at this point. Loud Hughes chant. Serra 10-9
Hughes got a jab in. Serra chant again booed out heavy. Serra clipped Hughes with a punch. Good knee up the middle by Hughes. Hughes with another takedown. Hughes with hard punches to the ribs. Hughes working the ribs. Serra is showing nothing so far. Serra tried a sweep and got a few punches to the face for his trouble. He's throwing hard body punches over and over. Serra is doing nothing but taking them and looking at his corner. Hughes got booed as he put his hands over Serra's mouth. Mazzagatti ordered a stand up. Serra playing to the crowd big. Hughes round 19-19.
Serra has bruising around the left eye. Hughes with a knee. Hughes locked him up and threw Serra down again. Hughes is back to pounding on Serra's ribs. Fans want a stand-up as Serra is holding guard and not much happening. Serra tried an armbar but Hughes got out of it easily. Fans want a standup again and honestly, it's time. Mazzagatti called it maybe ten seconds late. 97 seconds left. Hughes got the punch as Serrra came in. Serra stuck out his chin but Hughes didn't go for the bait. Hughes locked him up. Serra blocked a takedown and on top. Now Serra throwing punches to the head and body. It's over. They hugged. They each held the others' hand up. Serra could get this. Real hard round to draw, but honestly Hughes had more offensive time even thogh Serra ended up on top when it was over. Hughes 29-28
Most at press row leaning toward Hughes. All three have it 29-28 Hughes. Serra looked real disappointed. Serra looked unhappy with it.
Bad blood was a motivating factor. Hughes said he got hit pretty good and couldn't remember if he got knocked down at the end of the first round until his corner told him between rounds. He fought as a lefty to stay away from his left hand. Joe Rogan asked him about Thiago Alves and Georges St. Pierre. His contract is up but he said he's a free agent. He'd like to fight one more time.
Matt Serra was booed heavy when it was over. "I wanted to finish him off but he's been hit a lot, he's a tough dude, he's got a good chin. As a fighter regardless of what I thought of him, he's a Hall of Famer, I really wanted this win, I trained really hard for this one. Lightweight's rough. I haven't had pasta in 3 months. I'm dying. I'm here for exciting fights. I think this was a fun fight.
After Sherk lost, he disappeared wearing his gloves and trunks, left the building and apparently went running down the street and was allegedly seen near the Hard Rock. He didn't say anything to anyone. He is back in the building now.
Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
Crowd not nearly as hyped for this as for Hughes-Serra. Machida got a reaction, all cheers. Evans was booed some but mostly cheered and probably 90-95% as loud as Machida.
Evans is backing away like Machida used to. He's trying to draw Machida in and Machida isn't going for it. At 90 seconds they started booing with nothing happening. Machida threw a kick at 1:55 in which was the first move. Evans came in throwing punches none of which came within a foot of Machida. Machida landed a second body kick. Now he landed a punch. Knee by Machida after Evans mised a punch. Mchida knocked him down with a body kick and a left to the chin and did some punching before he let Evans up for 40 seconds left. Lyoto throwing kicks that are blocked but they'll take their toll on the forearm if that keeps up. 10-9 Machida
Evans hasn't done anything so far. Whatever the secret game plan is, it's still a secret. Hard body kick by Machida. He went for a takedown and then backed off when he didn't get it. Good trade of punches. Machida conneced with a few and Evans came back with a few which was his first real offensive move. Machida throwing the kicks Evans was blocking with his forearm. Evans did a low kick. Missed another one. Evans came in and Machida decked him. He's punching him a lot on the ground, Machida threw himn down. Evans is in a lot of trouble against the cage. A right connected hard on the jaw, followed by some glancing blows and a left to the jaw finished him, putting Evans to sleep.
"Karate is back. If you have a dream, go hard, it's possible." Then he plugged his after party.
George Roop vs. Dave Kaplan opens the show
Kaplan looks ridiculous. He looks like a bleached blond luchador from the late 80s, or maybe the late 90s if you remember the original Los Guapos. Apparently with the red trunks and bleached blond hair he was trying to be early 80s Ric Flair, and I thought he was closer to Scorpio Jr. All standing. Kaplan threw a nice right. Both trading low kicks. Kaplan bleeding from the bridge of the nose. More trading and Kaplan getting the better of it. Roop much taller, just nailed Kaplan with a high kick. Kaplan connecting with a lot of low kicks. roop connected with a good right. Kaplan got the taakedown at the end of the round. and did some ground and pound but Roop threw an up kick and was back to his feet. Roop 10-9
Roop tried a flying knee, missed and Kaplan took him down. Kaplan struggling to do something on the ground but got hit with an up kick. Now's he's on top and holding Roop down. Roop throwing elbows from the bottom and Kaplan let him up. Body shot by Roop. Kaplan now has that bleached blond with with blood in his hair look going. Kaplan trying a takedown and struggling with it. He finally completed the takedown. Roop is still doing more damage from the bottom and kicked Kaplan off. Roop connecting with punches using his longer reach. Roop using his reach to control the stand-up. Kaplan tring a takedown again. He got him down after another struggle. Kaplan at least trying punches to the body and head on the ground but Roop still landing more. Roop 20-18
Serena Deep signed with WWE. Another OVW product.
Nice single leg takedown by Kaplan. Got full mount this time. Roop kicked him off and landed a punch and kick. Kaplan shot with no set up and got stuffed. They were both trading punches and kicks in the last 20 seconds. Roop had a nice uppercut just before the bell. I've got 30-27 but most at ringside have 29-28 for Roop. Good fight, but unlikely to air on the live show due to going three rounds.
29-28 Kaplan, 30-27 Roop 30-27 Roop. Crowd booed the decision a little.
10,000 tickets sold in Philadelphia for 8/8 after first day of sales to the general public, although most of those were bought at the presale.
Brandon Wolff vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Body kick by Wolff followed by a punch. Now they're locked up. Both trying to throw the other with no luck. Wolff got the taekdown but Yoshida reversed on the way down and has a guillotine. Wolff flipped on top but couldn't get out and tapped from the guillotine.
There are not a lot of people in the crowd right now. The cheap seats are somewhat full and I'm sure they'll be packed. The mid-level section is kind of empty.
Earler today, Bryan Alvarez, seconded by Bryan Danielson, drew with Dan Peach Veltan, seconded by Roderick Strong, over three rounds in a grappling match
Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
KS is a guy more popular than you'd think. He got a big reaction at weigh-ins and the first real pop coming out. Real big pop, it may be being from Canada and Canadian fans because they popped at the mention of Winnipeg.
Each man has kicked the other low by accident in the early going. Gusmao is quicker on the stand-up.. Gusmao using the kicks to keep KS away. KS getting leg kicked and jabbed as he went for a takedown. Now trading and KS rocked him with a good punch. KS rocked him again when he got inside with a left and put him away with a right to the jaw. He's over like a star. The fight should make TV. Entertaining fight with a good finish. KS was campaigning for best KO bonus in his post-match promo.
Kyle Bradley vs. Philippe Nover
Nover out with a punch. Bradley threw him down hard, punched the hell out of him, didn't stop. Yves Lavigne stopped the fight.
Nover was right up like nothing had happened and the crowd is ready to lynch Yves Lavigne. Bradley was really lucky because he thinks he broke his hand.
What happened was after Nover was thrown down, there were wild punches thrown by Bradley that didn't hit and one punch did stun Nover and then Bradley kept throwing and missed wildly on all of them. Lavigne jumped in but Bradley didn't stop and Nover then kicked Bradley off and was right up.
Bradley asked why people were booing him, so they booed him tons more for asking.
This match will not air on television almost for sure. People will be too mad about the finish even though you can make an argument Nover went limp for a split-second.
Crowd is filling in pretty well. Plenty of empty blocks but Las Vegas crowd can't be judged until 7 p.m. Pacific
Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
Hague got a big pop. The best home town to have is somewhere in Canada. Edmonton, Winnipeg, it's all the same.
This isn't going to last long most likely. Both guys throwing hard shots early. Hague is way bigger but Barry has better movement. Barry kicked him with a high kick and the guy didn't even go down, but he was bleeding from the nose pretty quick. Hague recovered and took Barry down and got his back. Hague with a guillotine and Barry tapped. Place went crazy. Entertaining 1:42 fight. This will make TV if there's time. Best match so far.
Hague got over big in the post-match, saying he thinks he got his nose busted from a left, but wants to go out and drink some beers.
Brock Larson vs. Mike Pyle
Pyle was doing a Van Damme movie in Bulgaria barely a week ago so has done no hard training after being thrown in at the last minute. Larson made the agreement that whatever weight Pyle could get to would be the weight they'd fight at. Pyle got down to 172.
Fans started booing in 42 seconds. Larsons charged and got Pyle down. Pyle tried an armlock, and then an ankle lock and then a kneebar. Larson got out of all of them. Hard punches by Larson on the ground. Up kick by Pyle. More punches by Larson. Body punches by Larson. Larson got an arm triangle choke quickly. That's a good win for Larson, not that he beat him, but that he got it by submission that quick.
Larson noted he trained with Hughes and Sherk for this fight which was a big help.
In the opening, the crowd didn't boo Hughes or Serra. Hughes was cheered more. None of the big four on this show got anywhere near a superstar reaction when their faces were on the screen although the most cheers were for Hughes. Crowd is pretty pumped for the idea of just it beig a UFC big show in Las Vegas, but clearly none of the matches are that special to the live crowd.
Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar
Nobody booed Sherk. They are boxing right now. Edgar just scored with a nice flurry. Sherk moving forward but Edgar has better movement. Edgar is doing beter and Edgar went for the takedown which won't be easy. Trading knees from the clinch and Edgar got the last punch in. Sherk throwing more but Edgar's connection percentage is higher. Edgar threw a punch and Sherk looked like he slipped down. Edgar grabbed a guillotine. Sherk just powered out. Sherk throwing a lot but they aren't landing and Edgar then counters and connects but doesn't havge the poer to hurt Sherk. Sherk snuck in a punch. Great exchange late. I'd give the round to Edgar 10-9. Great round.
More of the same. sherk swingibng with power but not hitting and Edgar countering with good shots that aren't hurting Sherk. Edgar ducked a punch and thought takedown but Sherk through him off with easse. Sherk starting to land. Edgar put Sherk down with a knee but Sherk right back up. Edgar with low kick. This is like Sherk-Griffin except Sherks' foe is doing a lot better boxing. Edgar just connected with a couple of shots. Sherk hasn't tried a takedown which he really should have at least attempted to try and win the round. Big exchange and Sherk did better in that one. Accidental low kick by Edgar. Edgar tried a takedown, couldn't ge it up threw a knee and landed a good jab. Great round again. Very hard to call. At press row they have Edgar up 20-18. It's possible 19-19 but 20-18 more likely.
Sherk got off first in round three. Frankie chant pretty loud right now. Sherk finally went for a takedown and got it with ease. If he did this in round two he may have taken the fight. Edgar back up. Sherk cut near the left eye. Both went for a takedown at the same time and both backed off. Edgar landed a good punch. Tried a takedown but this time Sherk hit a knee to back him off. Sherk tried a takedown, Edgar slipped away and nailed Sehrk with a punch. Traded some more. Edgar with a good series of punches. Sherk went for a takedown and Edgar grabbed a guillotine and held it until the bell. That pretty much won round three for him so I've got 30-27, but Sherk is the bigger star. Everyone in the crowd seemed to think Edgar won. Best fight so far on the show.
All three have it 30-27 has to be Edgar and it is.
There are probably 13,000 here but more empty seats than I've seen at a UFC in Las Vegas in a few years. Understandable given everyone knows 7/11 is the big show.
Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
Sonnen weighed 221 on 5/2. This fight is at 185. Fans booed Yves Lavigne heavy because of the Nover stoppage. Sonnnen looks a lot bigger. He looks 205-210 and cut at that weight. Sonnen walked right into a guillotine. This thinbg is tight and Sonnen is turning a bright red. I can't believe Sonnen got out of that one . Sonnnen with a few punches from the top. Miller thinking kneebar. Sonnen blocked and hammering him with elbows from the top. Sonnnen landed short elbows and some big punches from the top. Sonnen 10-9
Sonnen slammed him down hard right into a guillotine but this wasn't as tight and Sonnen escaped. Sonnen connected with weak punches, but got one good one in. He's doing just enough to keep it from being stood up but not doing any damge. He's mostly putting his hand over Miller's mouth using that to tire him. Armbar coming. Sonnen punching and got out. Sonnen with a good forearm shot and a second one on the ground. Crowd booing the lack of a stand-up. Sonnen 20-18
Miller needs a finish here. Miller connected with some punches. Another takedown by Sonnen. Short elbow and some weak punches by Sonnen. Once again doing just enough to keep from being shood up. Crowd booing but you can't stand them up when Sonnen is still throwing punches and elbows. Dull fight, though. Crowd booing again because Miller just can't get anything going and Sonnen is just holding him down and scoring points with no attempt to finish. Miller thought armbar but Sonnen saw it and blocked it easily. Last 30 seconds. Crowd booed the fight pretty heavy when it was over. Has to be 30-27 Sonnen.
All three judges have it 30-27 Sonnen. Crowd cheered some and booed a little. Nobody thought bad call but this was the worst fight of the night.
Xaver Foupa-Pokam (Professor X) vs. Drew McFedries.
McFredries tagged himright away,knocking him down twice and Yves Lavigne stopped it. McFedries wouldn't stop because Professor wouldn't stop holding his leg. Just the fact he was holding on so hard may be say something about the stoppage but nobody argued it. Only 37 seconds. Place came unglued. Drew was a little too excited.
Pretty bad when the only celebrities shown so far are B.J. Penn and Holly Madison. Mike Tyson is in the second row, so he'll be shown at some point.
Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
Crowd popped real big when the Hughes-Serra graphic was on the screen. Serra is so smart. He's coming out to the original Rocky theme so nobody is about to boo that. I guess the Star Spangled Banner wasn't available. Hughes isn't being booed either. Serra got more cheers but that was more the music. Hughes also isn't playing to the crowd at all where Serra did. Hughes is so stone faced somber. Hughes clearly has been lifting harder than in years because his back is huge and he's ripped. When Hughes got in the cage he got a lot more cheers now than Serra.
When Serra was introduced, he was booed a lot. Hughes clearly the crowd favorite, although some light booes. I'd say 75-25 to 80-20.
Serra chant started but booed out quickly. Hughes chant. Serra decked him with an accidental head-butt. Not sure if there was a punch in there as well. Hughes was hurt. Hughes got a takedown but Serra throwing hard punches. Hughes looks worried because he's hurt. Hughes is cut near the right eye. Hughes bulled him into the fence and throwing knees. Serra did a good job blocking that takedown and Hughes looks tired. Body kick by Hughes and he got a clinch. Hughes took Serra down with 93 seconds left. He's got Serra's back. and working for a choke. If he does submit Serra that'll be big. Serra scrambled out. Crowd going crazy at this point. Loud Hughes chant. Serra 10-9
Hughes got a jab in. Serra chant again booed out heavy. Serra clipped Hughes with a punch. Good knee up the middle by Hughes. Hughes with another takedown. Hughes with hard punches to the ribs. Hughes working the ribs. Serra is showing nothing so far. Serra tried a sweep and got a few punches to the face for his trouble. He's throwing hard body punches over and over. Serra is doing nothing but taking them and looking at his corner. Hughes got booed as he put his hands over Serra's mouth. Mazzagatti ordered a stand up. Serra playing to the crowd big. Hughes round 19-19.
Serra has bruising around the left eye. Hughes with a knee. Hughes locked him up and threw Serra down again. Hughes is back to pounding on Serra's ribs. Fans want a stand-up as Serra is holding guard and not much happening. Serra tried an armbar but Hughes got out of it easily. Fans want a standup again and honestly, it's time. Mazzagatti called it maybe ten seconds late. 97 seconds left. Hughes got the punch as Serrra came in. Serra stuck out his chin but Hughes didn't go for the bait. Hughes locked him up. Serra blocked a takedown and on top. Now Serra throwing punches to the head and body. It's over. They hugged. They each held the others' hand up. Serra could get this. Real hard round to draw, but honestly Hughes had more offensive time even thogh Serra ended up on top when it was over. Hughes 29-28
Most at press row leaning toward Hughes. All three have it 29-28 Hughes. Serra looked real disappointed. Serra looked unhappy with it.
Bad blood was a motivating factor. Hughes said he got hit pretty good and couldn't remember if he got knocked down at the end of the first round until his corner told him between rounds. He fought as a lefty to stay away from his left hand. Joe Rogan asked him about Thiago Alves and Georges St. Pierre. His contract is up but he said he's a free agent. He'd like to fight one more time.
Matt Serra was booed heavy when it was over. "I wanted to finish him off but he's been hit a lot, he's a tough dude, he's got a good chin. As a fighter regardless of what I thought of him, he's a Hall of Famer, I really wanted this win, I trained really hard for this one. Lightweight's rough. I haven't had pasta in 3 months. I'm dying. I'm here for exciting fights. I think this was a fun fight.
After Sherk lost, he disappeared wearing his gloves and trunks, left the building and apparently went running down the street and was allegedly seen near the Hard Rock. He didn't say anything to anyone. He is back in the building now.
Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
Crowd not nearly as hyped for this as for Hughes-Serra. Machida got a reaction, all cheers. Evans was booed some but mostly cheered and probably 90-95% as loud as Machida.
Evans is backing away like Machida used to. He's trying to draw Machida in and Machida isn't going for it. At 90 seconds they started booing with nothing happening. Machida threw a kick at 1:55 in which was the first move. Evans came in throwing punches none of which came within a foot of Machida. Machida landed a second body kick. Now he landed a punch. Knee by Machida after Evans mised a punch. Mchida knocked him down with a body kick and a left to the chin and did some punching before he let Evans up for 40 seconds left. Lyoto throwing kicks that are blocked but they'll take their toll on the forearm if that keeps up. 10-9 Machida
Evans hasn't done anything so far. Whatever the secret game plan is, it's still a secret. Hard body kick by Machida. He went for a takedown and then backed off when he didn't get it. Good trade of punches. Machida conneced with a few and Evans came back with a few which was his first real offensive move. Machida throwing the kicks Evans was blocking with his forearm. Evans did a low kick. Missed another one. Evans came in and Machida decked him. He's punching him a lot on the ground, Machida threw himn down. Evans is in a lot of trouble against the cage. A right connected hard on the jaw, followed by some glancing blows and a left to the jaw finished him, putting Evans to sleep.
"Karate is back. If you have a dream, go hard, it's possible." Then he plugged his after party.
sabato 23 maggio 2009
Lucha Report 21/5
NEWS
EMLL announced today that Hijo del Fantasma, Stuka Jr., Dragon Rojo, & Sangre Azteca will be doing a lucha expo from June 10th to 14th in Switzerland.
EMLL also announced the creation of the CMLL Universal Title and the tournament will begin on June 5th as there will be a Torneo Cibernetico featuring every belt holder in the promotion to determine the true champion of champions. The tournament starts with the A Block on June 5th then the B Block on June 12th followed up by the finals on June 19th. The participants will be the following:
Ultimo Guerrero = CMLL Heavyweight Champion
Rey Bucanero = CMLL Lt. Heavyweight Champion
Hijo del Texano = NWA Lt. Heavyweight Champion
Averno = CMLL & NWA Middleweight Champion
La Sombra = NWA Welterweight Title, CMLL Tag Champion
Negro Casas = CMLL Welterweight Champion
Sangre Azteca = Mexican National Welterweight Champion, Mexican National Trios Champion
Mascara Dorada = CMLL Super Lightweight Champion
Volador Jr. = CMLL Tag Champion
Hector Garza = CMLL Trios Champion
Hijo del Fantasma = CMLL Trios Champion
La Mascara = CMLL Trios Champion
Black Warrior = Mexican National Trios Champion
Dragon Rojo = Mexican National Trios Champion
Hijo del Santo stated today that he will only be returning to AAA for Triplemania on June 13th at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City because like he said on Monday, his main goal is to return AAA to the family of Antonio Pena. Santo said that he will continue as an independent contractor and has no plans to become tied down to any organization.
RESULTS
Promociones Cantu 5/18 – Arena Cuatro Caminos de Nuevo Laredo
1. ?
2. ??
3. Aero Star/Crazy Boy/Ultimo Gladiador beat El Poder Norte (Rio Bravo/Tito Santana/Tigre Cota)
4. Charly Manson/Elegido/Hombre sin Miedo defeated Black Abyss/Silver King/Sobredosis
5. Steel Cage Match where the last person eliminated gets shaved: Black Mamba took May Flowers hair. Other participants: Polvo de Estrellas/Jesse/Yuriko/Pasion Kristal
UPCOMING SHOWS
EMPRESA MEXICANA DE LUCHA LIBRE
5/22 – Arena Mexico
1. Principe Valiente & Trueno vs. Ramstein & Semental
2. Los Angeles Celestiales (Angel Azteca Jr./Angel de Oro/Angel de Plata) vs. Dr. X/Escandalo/Hooligan
3. Lightning Match: Pequeno Olimpico vs. Universito Dos Mil
4. Hijo del Fantasma/La Mascara/Mascara Dorada vs. El Poder Mexica (Black Warrior/Dragon Rojo/Sangre Azteca)
5. Blue Panther/La Sombra/Volador Jr. vs. Los Hijos del Averno (Averno/Ephesto/Mephisto)
6. Hector Garza/Mistico/Shocker vs. Dos Caras Jr./Negro Casas/Ultimo Guerrero
INDEPENDENT
5/22 – Palenque de la Feria de Chilpancingo
1. ?
2. Atomic Boy & Mascarita Sagrada vs. Mini Abismo Negro & Mini Psicosis
3. La Fuerza Aerea (Aero Star/Laredo Kid/Super Fly) vs. The Psycho Circus (Killer Clown/Psycho Clown/Zombie Clown)
4. Elegido/Gronda II/Sean Waltman vs. Teddy Hart/Konnan/Luchador Sorpresa
5/22 – Plaza de Toros de Uruapan
1. ?
2. ??
3. Mari Apache & La Parkita vs. Cinthia Moreno & Mascarita de la Muerte
4. Alan y Chris Stone vs. Cuervo & Ozz
5. Charly Manson & Alex Koslov vs. Chessman & Electroshock
PROMOCIONES MOCHIS
5/22 – Polideportivo Centenario de Los Mochis
1. Dark Fire vs. Americanista
2. Pacific Coast Welterweight Title: Tony Golden (c) vs. Black Metal
3. Argonauta & Sol de Oriente vs. Dextroy & Estruendo
4. Gran y Fabi Apache/Mascarita Divina vs. Oriental/Sexy Star/Mini Histeria
5. El Mesias & La Parka Jr. vs. Nicho el Millionario & Silver King
EMLL announced today that Hijo del Fantasma, Stuka Jr., Dragon Rojo, & Sangre Azteca will be doing a lucha expo from June 10th to 14th in Switzerland.
EMLL also announced the creation of the CMLL Universal Title and the tournament will begin on June 5th as there will be a Torneo Cibernetico featuring every belt holder in the promotion to determine the true champion of champions. The tournament starts with the A Block on June 5th then the B Block on June 12th followed up by the finals on June 19th. The participants will be the following:
Ultimo Guerrero = CMLL Heavyweight Champion
Rey Bucanero = CMLL Lt. Heavyweight Champion
Hijo del Texano = NWA Lt. Heavyweight Champion
Averno = CMLL & NWA Middleweight Champion
La Sombra = NWA Welterweight Title, CMLL Tag Champion
Negro Casas = CMLL Welterweight Champion
Sangre Azteca = Mexican National Welterweight Champion, Mexican National Trios Champion
Mascara Dorada = CMLL Super Lightweight Champion
Volador Jr. = CMLL Tag Champion
Hector Garza = CMLL Trios Champion
Hijo del Fantasma = CMLL Trios Champion
La Mascara = CMLL Trios Champion
Black Warrior = Mexican National Trios Champion
Dragon Rojo = Mexican National Trios Champion
Hijo del Santo stated today that he will only be returning to AAA for Triplemania on June 13th at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City because like he said on Monday, his main goal is to return AAA to the family of Antonio Pena. Santo said that he will continue as an independent contractor and has no plans to become tied down to any organization.
RESULTS
Promociones Cantu 5/18 – Arena Cuatro Caminos de Nuevo Laredo
1. ?
2. ??
3. Aero Star/Crazy Boy/Ultimo Gladiador beat El Poder Norte (Rio Bravo/Tito Santana/Tigre Cota)
4. Charly Manson/Elegido/Hombre sin Miedo defeated Black Abyss/Silver King/Sobredosis
5. Steel Cage Match where the last person eliminated gets shaved: Black Mamba took May Flowers hair. Other participants: Polvo de Estrellas/Jesse/Yuriko/Pasion Kristal
UPCOMING SHOWS
EMPRESA MEXICANA DE LUCHA LIBRE
5/22 – Arena Mexico
1. Principe Valiente & Trueno vs. Ramstein & Semental
2. Los Angeles Celestiales (Angel Azteca Jr./Angel de Oro/Angel de Plata) vs. Dr. X/Escandalo/Hooligan
3. Lightning Match: Pequeno Olimpico vs. Universito Dos Mil
4. Hijo del Fantasma/La Mascara/Mascara Dorada vs. El Poder Mexica (Black Warrior/Dragon Rojo/Sangre Azteca)
5. Blue Panther/La Sombra/Volador Jr. vs. Los Hijos del Averno (Averno/Ephesto/Mephisto)
6. Hector Garza/Mistico/Shocker vs. Dos Caras Jr./Negro Casas/Ultimo Guerrero
INDEPENDENT
5/22 – Palenque de la Feria de Chilpancingo
1. ?
2. Atomic Boy & Mascarita Sagrada vs. Mini Abismo Negro & Mini Psicosis
3. La Fuerza Aerea (Aero Star/Laredo Kid/Super Fly) vs. The Psycho Circus (Killer Clown/Psycho Clown/Zombie Clown)
4. Elegido/Gronda II/Sean Waltman vs. Teddy Hart/Konnan/Luchador Sorpresa
5/22 – Plaza de Toros de Uruapan
1. ?
2. ??
3. Mari Apache & La Parkita vs. Cinthia Moreno & Mascarita de la Muerte
4. Alan y Chris Stone vs. Cuervo & Ozz
5. Charly Manson & Alex Koslov vs. Chessman & Electroshock
PROMOCIONES MOCHIS
5/22 – Polideportivo Centenario de Los Mochis
1. Dark Fire vs. Americanista
2. Pacific Coast Welterweight Title: Tony Golden (c) vs. Black Metal
3. Argonauta & Sol de Oriente vs. Dextroy & Estruendo
4. Gran y Fabi Apache/Mascarita Divina vs. Oriental/Sexy Star/Mini Histeria
5. El Mesias & La Parka Jr. vs. Nicho el Millionario & Silver King
Dragon Gate Inifinity 131 Link!
Dragon Gate "LIVE GATE 2009", 4/30/09
Hyogo Art Theater dB Kobe
417 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2EIW6HO2
Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino & BxB Hulk vs. Susumu Yokosuka, Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson
Shingo Takagi, Dragon Kid & Akira Tozawa vs. CIMA, Gamma & KAGETORA
Hyogo Art Theater dB Kobe
417 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2EIW6HO2
Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino & BxB Hulk vs. Susumu Yokosuka, Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson
Shingo Takagi, Dragon Kid & Akira Tozawa vs. CIMA, Gamma & KAGETORA
Osaka Pro "OSAKA PRO STORY #46 ~ OSAKA PRO 10TH ANNIVERSARY" Links!
Osaka Pro "OSAKA PRO STORY #46 ~ OSAKA PRO 10TH ANNIVERSARY", 29.04.2009 (sky-A)
Matsushita IMP Hall
909 Fans
Men's Club Offer Match: MEN's Teioh, Tsutomu Oosugi & Hercules Oosenga vs Atsushi Kotoge, SUSUMU & Daisuke Masaoka
http://www.mediafire.com/?yrluyvwmz4b
Independent Jr. Heavyweight Title: Makoto Oishi (c) vs Daisuke Harada
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=983MCRUK
KANSAI Weekly 1st Issue 10th Anniversary Celebration: Jaguar Yotoka, Ebessan III & Kyusei Ninja Ranmaru vs Takaku Fuke, Miracle Man & Kanjuro Matsuyama
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M1HOECD2
Special Six Man Tag Match: Billy Ken Kid, Tsubasa & Asian Cougar vs Dick Togo, Tigers Mask & Black Buffalo
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PS1LQB36
Special Singles Match: Kuishinbo Kamen vs Ebessan
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QLREKPFL
Matsushita IMP Hall
909 Fans
Men's Club Offer Match: MEN's Teioh, Tsutomu Oosugi & Hercules Oosenga vs Atsushi Kotoge, SUSUMU & Daisuke Masaoka
http://www.mediafire.com/?yrluyvwmz4b
Independent Jr. Heavyweight Title: Makoto Oishi (c) vs Daisuke Harada
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=983MCRUK
KANSAI Weekly 1st Issue 10th Anniversary Celebration: Jaguar Yotoka, Ebessan III & Kyusei Ninja Ranmaru vs Takaku Fuke, Miracle Man & Kanjuro Matsuyama
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M1HOECD2
Special Six Man Tag Match: Billy Ken Kid, Tsubasa & Asian Cougar vs Dick Togo, Tigers Mask & Black Buffalo
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PS1LQB36
Special Singles Match: Kuishinbo Kamen vs Ebessan
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QLREKPFL
KENTA PRODUCE, May 17th Differ Ariake Links!
KENTA PRODUCE, May 17th Differ Ariake
KENTA vs Jun Akiyama
http://www.netload.in/dateiTLcym1j9dP.htm
mirror: http://rapidshare.com/files/235702216/KENTA_vs_Jun_Akiyama_17-May-09.avi
Takeshi Morishima & Takashi Sugiura vs Takeshi Rikio & Mohammed Yone
http://netload.in/dateiu1LQ0nD3Iu.htm
Kenta Kobashi vs Genba Hirayanagi
http://netload.in/dateiTDc6xG8NC5.htm
KENTA vs Jun Akiyama
http://www.netload.in/dateiTLcym1j9dP.htm
mirror: http://rapidshare.com/files/235702216/KENTA_vs_Jun_Akiyama_17-May-09.avi
Takeshi Morishima & Takashi Sugiura vs Takeshi Rikio & Mohammed Yone
http://netload.in/dateiu1LQ0nD3Iu.htm
Kenta Kobashi vs Genba Hirayanagi
http://netload.in/dateiTDc6xG8NC5.htm
AJPW "RISE UP TOUR 2009", 5/17/09 links!
AJPW "RISE UP TOUR 2009", 5/17/09
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,450 Fans
Masanobu Fuchi vs. Nobutaka Araya
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BWZXRK96
Minoru & Joe Doering vs. Shuji Kondo & Ryota Hama
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1NTU3CU6
Zodiac vs. Taiyo Kea
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L3KEG6ZM
KAI & Hiroshi Yamato vs. Seiya Sanada & Manabu Soya
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6UJJV9C0
TARU, Hate & Toshizo vs. Osamu Nishimura, Kaz Hayashi & Phil Atlas
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GNM8BA9H
Minoru Suzuki & MAZADA vs. Yoshihiro Takayama & NOSAWA Rongai
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O286ZZI0
Masayuki Kono All Japan Pro-Wrestling Return Match: Satoshi Kojima & Suwama vs. Keiji Muto & Masayuki Kono
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LJ3WR6JC
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,450 Fans
Masanobu Fuchi vs. Nobutaka Araya
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BWZXRK96
Minoru & Joe Doering vs. Shuji Kondo & Ryota Hama
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1NTU3CU6
Zodiac vs. Taiyo Kea
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L3KEG6ZM
KAI & Hiroshi Yamato vs. Seiya Sanada & Manabu Soya
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6UJJV9C0
TARU, Hate & Toshizo vs. Osamu Nishimura, Kaz Hayashi & Phil Atlas
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GNM8BA9H
Minoru Suzuki & MAZADA vs. Yoshihiro Takayama & NOSAWA Rongai
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O286ZZI0
Masayuki Kono All Japan Pro-Wrestling Return Match: Satoshi Kojima & Suwama vs. Keiji Muto & Masayuki Kono
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LJ3WR6JC
UFC 98 weigh-in
UFC 98 weigh-in notes and more
By Bryan Alvarez
Before the weigh-ins they had a Frank Mir Q&A with members of the UFC Fight Club. Mir looked to be in great shape. This was pretty much a 100% pro-Mir crowd. Mis is great in his role and the Countdown show for that fight should be fantastic, provided Brock actually allows them access. I do wish Brock would have been there because tons of people kept asking about Fedor. Seriously. One Fedor question after another. And for those wondering, Mir knows all of Fedor's weaknesses and how to exploit them.
Also, for conspiracy theorists who think one of the reasons Mir postponed the fight is because Rena Mero is due sometimes around July 10th, Mir's wife just happens to be giving birth to their fourth child in early June.
After the Mir Q&A they aired the entire Countdown special for the show. It was great, and if you haven't seen it you can check it out prior to the PPV tomorrow. Machida, who is the 2-1 favorite last I checked, is put over as the guy who is using karate as his base, and whose father trained him since childhood and knows his son will be the next world champion. The stuff with Serra and Hughes was also awesome, with Serra being just about the best heel you've ever seen and Hughes as the cocky aging badass farmboy who is out for revenge. So yeah, this is doing more than 380,000 buys.
Weigh-ins begin at any moment. If my Internet dies I'll return with full results a bit later on. Dave and I are probably doing an audio show later tonight hyping up the show, then tomorrow we'll be back very, very late Pacific time with a post-show report. And a report on Joe Rogan's stand-up routine, which we'll be attending later tonight as well.
1. Dave Kaplan (156) vs. George Roop (154).
2. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (171) vs. Brandon Wolff (170).
3. Andre Gusmao (206) vs. Krzystof Soszynski (206). Krzystof got a big pop.
4. Phillipe Nover (156) vs. Kyle Bradley (156). Nover wore sunglasses and was ripped to shreds.
5. Pat Barry (237) vs. Tim Hague (263). Hague is a big dude.
6. Brock Larson (171) vs. Mike Pyle. Pyle is a last minute replacement so he's weighing in later this evening and the results will be up at UFC.com.
7. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (186) vs. Drew McFedries (185). McFedries is a 185-pound mastodon.
8. Frankie Edgar (155) vs. Sean Sherk (156). Sherk got a big babyface pop, so fans have forgotten the steroid failure, or think it was bullshit. He certainly looked natural here.
9. Chael Sonnen (186) vs. Dan Miller (185).
10. Matt Hughes (170) vs. Matt Serra (171). Big ovation when this one was announced. Serra got a mix of cheers and boos but mostly boos. Fans did laugh every time he called Hughes a dick (or cock or cocksucker or prick or asshole) during the Countdown show. Hughes also got a mix of cheers and boos but mostly cheers. The funny thing was that the boos for both men were coming from the exact same part of the building. Hughes physically looked great. Neither guy shook hands after the staredown.
11. Rashad Evans (205) vs. Lyoto Machida (204). Machida got a reaction but not a superstar reaction. Rashad got the closest thing to a superstar reaction of anyone. I should note that the reactions this evening weren't in the same stratosphere as during the BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre weigh-in. Rashad looked a little flat, like he could have lost another five or ten pounds if he needed to.
Rogan interviewed the main eventers afterwards. Lyoto, in broken English, said he'd trained really hard for this fight and was calm. He said he wasn't worried about Rashad's technique, he was worried about his own. "Please, uh, cheer for me tomorrow!" he concluded. Rashad didn't have much to say but he was booed louder here than during the actual weigh-in. That's interesting.
By Bryan Alvarez
Before the weigh-ins they had a Frank Mir Q&A with members of the UFC Fight Club. Mir looked to be in great shape. This was pretty much a 100% pro-Mir crowd. Mis is great in his role and the Countdown show for that fight should be fantastic, provided Brock actually allows them access. I do wish Brock would have been there because tons of people kept asking about Fedor. Seriously. One Fedor question after another. And for those wondering, Mir knows all of Fedor's weaknesses and how to exploit them.
Also, for conspiracy theorists who think one of the reasons Mir postponed the fight is because Rena Mero is due sometimes around July 10th, Mir's wife just happens to be giving birth to their fourth child in early June.
After the Mir Q&A they aired the entire Countdown special for the show. It was great, and if you haven't seen it you can check it out prior to the PPV tomorrow. Machida, who is the 2-1 favorite last I checked, is put over as the guy who is using karate as his base, and whose father trained him since childhood and knows his son will be the next world champion. The stuff with Serra and Hughes was also awesome, with Serra being just about the best heel you've ever seen and Hughes as the cocky aging badass farmboy who is out for revenge. So yeah, this is doing more than 380,000 buys.
Weigh-ins begin at any moment. If my Internet dies I'll return with full results a bit later on. Dave and I are probably doing an audio show later tonight hyping up the show, then tomorrow we'll be back very, very late Pacific time with a post-show report. And a report on Joe Rogan's stand-up routine, which we'll be attending later tonight as well.
1. Dave Kaplan (156) vs. George Roop (154).
2. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (171) vs. Brandon Wolff (170).
3. Andre Gusmao (206) vs. Krzystof Soszynski (206). Krzystof got a big pop.
4. Phillipe Nover (156) vs. Kyle Bradley (156). Nover wore sunglasses and was ripped to shreds.
5. Pat Barry (237) vs. Tim Hague (263). Hague is a big dude.
6. Brock Larson (171) vs. Mike Pyle. Pyle is a last minute replacement so he's weighing in later this evening and the results will be up at UFC.com.
7. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (186) vs. Drew McFedries (185). McFedries is a 185-pound mastodon.
8. Frankie Edgar (155) vs. Sean Sherk (156). Sherk got a big babyface pop, so fans have forgotten the steroid failure, or think it was bullshit. He certainly looked natural here.
9. Chael Sonnen (186) vs. Dan Miller (185).
10. Matt Hughes (170) vs. Matt Serra (171). Big ovation when this one was announced. Serra got a mix of cheers and boos but mostly boos. Fans did laugh every time he called Hughes a dick (or cock or cocksucker or prick or asshole) during the Countdown show. Hughes also got a mix of cheers and boos but mostly cheers. The funny thing was that the boos for both men were coming from the exact same part of the building. Hughes physically looked great. Neither guy shook hands after the staredown.
11. Rashad Evans (205) vs. Lyoto Machida (204). Machida got a reaction but not a superstar reaction. Rashad got the closest thing to a superstar reaction of anyone. I should note that the reactions this evening weren't in the same stratosphere as during the BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre weigh-in. Rashad looked a little flat, like he could have lost another five or ten pounds if he needed to.
Rogan interviewed the main eventers afterwards. Lyoto, in broken English, said he'd trained really hard for this fight and was calm. He said he wasn't worried about Rashad's technique, he was worried about his own. "Please, uh, cheer for me tomorrow!" he concluded. Rashad didn't have much to say but he was booed louder here than during the actual weigh-in. That's interesting.
WWE Hall Of Famer presenzia ad un house show TNA
WWE Hall Of Famer della classe 2009 Terry Funk, ha fatto parte dell'house show TNA in Amarillo Texas, vecchio territorio della famiglia Funk. Terry ha ricoperto il ruolo di guest enforcer nel ME fra Scott Steiner e Samoa Joe, con l'ultimo uscito vincitore.
Confermato il rilascio di un wrestler TNA/nuova Knockout
Jeremy Borash, attraverso la sua pagina Twitter, ha confermato il rilascio di Shane Sewell.
Sempre Borash, ha scritto che la TNA ha messo sotto contratto una lottatrice "ben conosciuta".
Sempre Borash, ha scritto che la TNA ha messo sotto contratto una lottatrice "ben conosciuta".
giovedì 21 maggio 2009
Line Up per i prossimi house shows TNA
Thursday 5/21 in Oklahoma City at the Brick Towns Event Center:
*Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner
*Beer Money, Inc. vs. Lethal Consequences
*Abyss vs. Matt Morgan
*Also scheduled to appear are TNA champion Mick Foley, X Division champion Suicide, Rhino, TNA Knockouts shampion Angelina Love, Sheik Abdul Bashir, Homicide, Taylor Wilde, and more.
Friday 5/22 in Amarillo, Texas as the Amarillo Civic Center:
*Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner
*Beer Money, Inc. vs. Rhino and Abyss
*TNA Knockouts champion Angelina Love vs. Taylor Wilde
*TNA X Division champion Suicide vs. Consequences Creed
*Also appearing are TNA champion Mick Foley, Matt Morgan, Sheik Abdul Bashir, Homicide, Jay Lethal, and more
*Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner
*Beer Money, Inc. vs. Lethal Consequences
*Abyss vs. Matt Morgan
*Also scheduled to appear are TNA champion Mick Foley, X Division champion Suicide, Rhino, TNA Knockouts shampion Angelina Love, Sheik Abdul Bashir, Homicide, Taylor Wilde, and more.
Friday 5/22 in Amarillo, Texas as the Amarillo Civic Center:
*Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner
*Beer Money, Inc. vs. Rhino and Abyss
*TNA Knockouts champion Angelina Love vs. Taylor Wilde
*TNA X Division champion Suicide vs. Consequences Creed
*Also appearing are TNA champion Mick Foley, Matt Morgan, Sheik Abdul Bashir, Homicide, Jay Lethal, and more
Billboard Top 10 Recreational Sports DVD list
Here is this week's Billboard Top 10 Recreational Sports DVD list.
1. WWE: Greatest Stars Of The 90s
2. UFC: Best Of 2008
3. UFC 92: Nogueira Vs. Mir
4. TNA: Jeff Jarrett: King Of The Mountain
5. NFL: Super Bowl XLIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers
6. WWE: The Best Of Raw: 15th Anniversary 1993-2008
7. Bluetopia: The LA Dodgers Movie
8. WWE: Viva La Raza: The Legacy Of Eddie Guerrero
9. Pride: Final Conflict Absolute
10. TNA: Cross The Line Vol. II
1. WWE: Greatest Stars Of The 90s
2. UFC: Best Of 2008
3. UFC 92: Nogueira Vs. Mir
4. TNA: Jeff Jarrett: King Of The Mountain
5. NFL: Super Bowl XLIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers
6. WWE: The Best Of Raw: 15th Anniversary 1993-2008
7. Bluetopia: The LA Dodgers Movie
8. WWE: Viva La Raza: The Legacy Of Eddie Guerrero
9. Pride: Final Conflict Absolute
10. TNA: Cross The Line Vol. II
mercoledì 20 maggio 2009
Raw Rating
L'edizione post ppv di Raw ha totalizzato un 3.6 di rating, in aumento rispetto alle settimane precedenti.
martedì 19 maggio 2009
Ex UFC Champ pronto al debutto nella Strikeforce
Andrei Arlovski debutterà su Showtime il 6 Giugno per lo show della Strikeforce al Scottrade Center,St. Louis. Arlovski affronterà l'imbattuto Brett Rogers (10-0).
Ritorno in UFC
Dana White ha confermato che Mirko Cro Cop tornerà in UFC in occasione dello show in Cologne, Germania del 13 Giugno; Cro Cop affronterà Mostapha Al Turk.
Jeff Hardy Update
Ad oggi, Jeff Hardy lascerà la WWE una volta che il suo contratto arriverà alla scadenza. La WWE gli ha proposto vari tipi di nuovi contratti ma il wrestler li ha rifiutati tutti essendo suo volere prendersi del tempo per sè.
lunedì 18 maggio 2009
Dettagli sul rating dell'ultimo Impact!
TNA Impact earned a 1.2 cable rating on 5/14 -- a 0.95 in M18-49, a 0.67 in P18-49, a 0.91 in M18-34, a 0.84 in M18-24, and an average audience of 1.6 million viewers
Qtr hours:
1.01
1.16
1.23
1.19
1.37
1.29
1.31
1.30
------------------------------
The May 14 edition of TNA Impact from last Thursday night averaged a 1.23 rating, which was up 3.5 percent from last week's 1.19 rating. The show's ratings increase was impressive since it was head-to-head against the most-watched NBA game ever on ESPN between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Even more impressive is that the second hour of the broadcast averaged a 1.32 rating compared to a 1.15 rating for the first hour of the show.
The show peaked in the fifth quarter hour with a 1.37 rating for an Awesome Kong squash over Kip James and the beginning of the British Invasion vs. Amazing Red & Suicide match. The quarter-hour benefited from having only one commercial and starting with actual wrestling at the top of the second hour instead of a commercial, which has been a bad habit in the past.
Looking at the long-term ratings, the May 14 episode was still down compared to the previous five and ten weeks of TV. TNA is in a valley right now due to the NBA Playoffs, but should rebound nicely in two weeks when the Playoffs are off cable TV.
Compared to the previous five weeks of TV, viewership was down 7.7 percent. Compared to the previous ten weeks, the show was down 10.7 percent. Against the entire year, the show was down 5.9 percent.
Caldwell's Analysis: Really impressive numbers from TNA last week considering they were up against the most-watched NBA game ever on ESPN. Rockets-Lakers Game 6 was viewed by 7.5 million viewers right in the middle of the Impact broadcast, but TNA held strong in the male demos to increase the second hour rating very nicely. I believe the key is having action in the ring at the top of the second hour to entice viewers to stick around for the rest of the hour. Starting the second hour with a commercial break is not the way to go.
Qtr hours:
1.01
1.16
1.23
1.19
1.37
1.29
1.31
1.30
------------------------------
The May 14 edition of TNA Impact from last Thursday night averaged a 1.23 rating, which was up 3.5 percent from last week's 1.19 rating. The show's ratings increase was impressive since it was head-to-head against the most-watched NBA game ever on ESPN between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Even more impressive is that the second hour of the broadcast averaged a 1.32 rating compared to a 1.15 rating for the first hour of the show.
The show peaked in the fifth quarter hour with a 1.37 rating for an Awesome Kong squash over Kip James and the beginning of the British Invasion vs. Amazing Red & Suicide match. The quarter-hour benefited from having only one commercial and starting with actual wrestling at the top of the second hour instead of a commercial, which has been a bad habit in the past.
Looking at the long-term ratings, the May 14 episode was still down compared to the previous five and ten weeks of TV. TNA is in a valley right now due to the NBA Playoffs, but should rebound nicely in two weeks when the Playoffs are off cable TV.
Compared to the previous five weeks of TV, viewership was down 7.7 percent. Compared to the previous ten weeks, the show was down 10.7 percent. Against the entire year, the show was down 5.9 percent.
Caldwell's Analysis: Really impressive numbers from TNA last week considering they were up against the most-watched NBA game ever on ESPN. Rockets-Lakers Game 6 was viewed by 7.5 million viewers right in the middle of the Impact broadcast, but TNA held strong in the male demos to increase the second hour rating very nicely. I believe the key is having action in the ring at the top of the second hour to entice viewers to stick around for the rest of the hour. Starting the second hour with a commercial break is not the way to go.
Elite Ric Flair-WWE Update
Ric Flair e la WWE sono giunti ad un accordo verbale; il Nature Boy apparirà nei programmi WWE per le prossime 4/6 settimane.
Ad oggi non c'è alcun contratto firmato.
E' possibile che il ritorno di Flair possa avvenire al ppv di Giugno Extreme Rules, anche se ad oggi Vince non è molto favorevole all'idea di Flair nuovamente attivo come wrestler.
Flair è tornato in WWE per due motivi:
1. La WWE non vuole far tornare di già HHH e così ha deciso di puntare su Flair per riemire il vuoto.
2. Flir è in una brutta situazione finanziaria, sia per aver sperperato soldi nel corso del tempo, sia per le spese di divorzio.
I suoi bookings in Ring of Honor non subiranno cambiamenti così come gli altri eventi di autograph signing.
Ric Flair ha ricevuto una proposta molto sostanziosa per combattere in Giappone.
Ad oggi non c'è alcun contratto firmato.
E' possibile che il ritorno di Flair possa avvenire al ppv di Giugno Extreme Rules, anche se ad oggi Vince non è molto favorevole all'idea di Flair nuovamente attivo come wrestler.
Flair è tornato in WWE per due motivi:
1. La WWE non vuole far tornare di già HHH e così ha deciso di puntare su Flair per riemire il vuoto.
2. Flir è in una brutta situazione finanziaria, sia per aver sperperato soldi nel corso del tempo, sia per le spese di divorzio.
I suoi bookings in Ring of Honor non subiranno cambiamenti così come gli altri eventi di autograph signing.
Ric Flair ha ricevuto una proposta molto sostanziosa per combattere in Giappone.
domenica 17 maggio 2009
ROH TV report May 16
ROH TV report
Ring of Honor Wrestling
HD Net
May 16
rob mccarron
This week, we're geared up for the rematch we've been waiting for since sometime last month, I think... can't remember, but I'm sure we've been waiting for it for a while. Albright, Brent will take on Castagnoli, Claudio
We start off with The Hog and Prazak, who sports hair that reminds me of the top you'd give a Create-A-Wrestler in WWF Know Your Role video games. They welcome us to the show and send us right to our first match, THE REMATCH!, between Albright and Claudio.
Promo from Albright: Oh, he's been waiting for this match, too! Waiting is OVAH~!
1) Brent Albright vs Claudio Castagnoli
Referee: Todd Sinclair
- The Hog tells me that Albright has been waiting one month for this rematch, so that is settled. Albright attacks before the bell, starting this match off hot. Nearfalls early, however, so I can't tell if Albright wants to harm Claudio for revenge, or just beat him quickly for a W. Crowd is quiet for a big grudge match. Match breaks down to the outside after some quick pin attempts, with forearms beings traded between the battlers, before heading back inside with Claudio gaining momentum. Prazak at one point chuckled in a evil manner when Claudio ground the ropes into Albright's eyes. Match would head to the outside a second time, but that would be brief before coming back in, with, again, both men trading strikes. Claudio would get the better of the exchance with an eye poke, to which The Hog responded by saying if that's how it's done in Europe, he would not like to go there. Finish comes when Claudio has Albright pinned, but tried to use the ropes again (similar to how Claudio won the first contest). ROH Senior Official Todd Sinclair saw the illegal hold of the ropes, stopped his pinfall count, and as Claudio argued, Albright got up. Tilt-A-Whirl into a crowbar armbar! This match is...OH NO! Prince Nana and Ernie Osiris out to ringside, Ernie throws a shoe! The shoe flies, distracts the ref and Albright, Claudio hits a kick to the balls, makes the cover, ref is back and counts the pinfall. Claudio wins with help from his pals in the Embassy!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli via pinfall (kick to nuts)
- Post match, Claudio brings a chair in to use against Albright, but Colt Cabana makes the save to absolutely no crowd reaction. Claudio runs off, holding his head up high as Albright gets to his feet with Colt by his side.
- No Kyle Durden, but we get Kevin Steen with a mic and El Generico by his side. Steen warns Kenneth King and Rhett Titus that they will lose!
2) Dark City Fight Club of Jon Davis & Kory Chavis vs Grizzly Redwood & Alex Payne
Referee: Bryce Remsburg
- Before the match begins, we see a graphic promoting ROH's TWITTER account at twitter.com/ROHonHDNet. A quick trip over to that page shows ROHonHDNet with over 1,200 followers as of this writing. One of the latest tweets says to follow Mr. Claudio Castagnoli, who also recently tweeted "I just wore a fox mascot mask while playing chairguitar in the ring. What a great day!" Anyway, on to the match... such as it was. Total squash, as the DCFC wins with their doubleteam combo within a minute.
Winners: Chavis & Davis via pinfall (powerbomb/neckbreaker)
- BUZZWORDS: We see a rivalry edition, as The Necro Butcher & Delirious start us off with their buzzwords, followed by Jimmy Jacobs & Brodie Lee with theirs. Next week, Lee & Jacobs vs Delirious & Necro.
- The Hog and The Praz tell us that Ric Flair will be appearing at this month's (yes, the end of May already) TV Tapings at the Arena in Philadelphia.
- Ric Flair enters the ring again. Someone actually throws a roll of streamers at Flair, and it hits him in the head. He takes the microphone from Robert Cruise. Flair says that there is a lot of controversy on who should get the next ROH Title shot. A fan yells out, "You should!", and Flair responds by saying "I know I should get it." Well, he's right. Brief "Next World Champ" erupts. Jerry Lynn makes his way to the ring, as Flair wnats him present when he announces who his opponent will be for the first title match on HDNet. Prazak's pick to click is Danielson, while the Hog selects Tyler Black. Before Flair can spit it out, Tyler Black an entrance to the ring. Hog and Prazak suspect he's the man Ric picked. NOT THE CASE! Danielson quickly follows with his entrance. The Hog is confused, and he admits it. Austin Aries then makes his way to the ring right away. Flair, during these segments, does not act at all like it's a big deal and acts quite disinterested. You would see more excitement from this man on WWE, that's for sure. Flair goes on to announce Lynn's opponents as Aries...versus Black...versus (at this point, Flair looks to his notes to remember the following name) Bryan Danielson. Four way for the title coming up on a future episode of ROH on HDNet.
- Interview with Titus & King. Titus is addicted to SexSess. True story.
3) Jay Briscoe vs Sami Callihan
Referee: Bryce Remsburg
- Sami is making his third appearance on HDNet, and it seems that Prazak had to mention that his nickname is "The New Horror" to combat the massive "The New Whore" madness. Bryce is the ref, and no women, so we know it's a squash upcoming . Briscoe controls throughout, at one point leading Hog to claim that Briscoe may have the advantage in this match. Really? Callihan got a brief comeback, but was quickly ended with a big boot, lariat, and Jay Driller for the win. Slap the porpoise, it is over, kids.
Winner: Jay Briscoe via pinfall (2x Underhook Piledriver)
- Post match interview with Durden & Briscoe. Briscoe has two words for ya: "Man Up!"
4) Rhett Titus & Kenny King vs Kevin Steen & El Generico
Referee: Paul Turner
- This match is non-title. Lots of teamwork from both teams, as King and Titus are a regular team on the house show circuit for ROH and have appeared together on past episodes. First match on HDNet for the generic luchadore, and he showed in this match many of the factors that have made him one of the most popular wrestlers amongst ROH fans. King & Titus had control much of the early going, using doubleteam tactics, ref distractions, and illegal moves to stay on top. King & Titus are certainly cocky during this one. They get the heat on Generico, until Generico manages to escape the doubleteam action, tag in Steen, who promptly comes back against the two opponents. Match breaks down following, with wrestlers flying all over, nearfalls, and Generico and Titus winding up left inside. Generico tries to hit a Yakuza, but while winding up, King with a leg lariat to break up Generico's momentum. Lots of awesomeness follows, with close nearfalls by Titus & King and so forth. King & Titus get cut off through, Titus ends up in a Tree of Joey Lawrence. Steen hits a rolling cannonball, followed by Generico's Somersault Van Terminator, and while Titus is out, they focus on King hitting the Package Piledriver/Brainbuster combination for the win.
Winners: ROH TV Tag Team Champions Kevin Steen & El Generico via pinfall (Package Piledriver/Brainbuster)
- Post match, the American Wolves attack Steen & Generico, finishing by putting Generico through a table! They then grab the belts, pose around the ring, as we end our show.
Next week...
The American Wolves comment on their post match beatdown of the tag champs, Kenny King vs Kenny Omega vs Jay Briscoe and The Necro Butcher vs Brodie Lee.
Ring of Honor Wrestling
HD Net
May 16
rob mccarron
This week, we're geared up for the rematch we've been waiting for since sometime last month, I think... can't remember, but I'm sure we've been waiting for it for a while. Albright, Brent will take on Castagnoli, Claudio
We start off with The Hog and Prazak, who sports hair that reminds me of the top you'd give a Create-A-Wrestler in WWF Know Your Role video games. They welcome us to the show and send us right to our first match, THE REMATCH!, between Albright and Claudio.
Promo from Albright: Oh, he's been waiting for this match, too! Waiting is OVAH~!
1) Brent Albright vs Claudio Castagnoli
Referee: Todd Sinclair
- The Hog tells me that Albright has been waiting one month for this rematch, so that is settled. Albright attacks before the bell, starting this match off hot. Nearfalls early, however, so I can't tell if Albright wants to harm Claudio for revenge, or just beat him quickly for a W. Crowd is quiet for a big grudge match. Match breaks down to the outside after some quick pin attempts, with forearms beings traded between the battlers, before heading back inside with Claudio gaining momentum. Prazak at one point chuckled in a evil manner when Claudio ground the ropes into Albright's eyes. Match would head to the outside a second time, but that would be brief before coming back in, with, again, both men trading strikes. Claudio would get the better of the exchance with an eye poke, to which The Hog responded by saying if that's how it's done in Europe, he would not like to go there. Finish comes when Claudio has Albright pinned, but tried to use the ropes again (similar to how Claudio won the first contest). ROH Senior Official Todd Sinclair saw the illegal hold of the ropes, stopped his pinfall count, and as Claudio argued, Albright got up. Tilt-A-Whirl into a crowbar armbar! This match is...OH NO! Prince Nana and Ernie Osiris out to ringside, Ernie throws a shoe! The shoe flies, distracts the ref and Albright, Claudio hits a kick to the balls, makes the cover, ref is back and counts the pinfall. Claudio wins with help from his pals in the Embassy!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli via pinfall (kick to nuts)
- Post match, Claudio brings a chair in to use against Albright, but Colt Cabana makes the save to absolutely no crowd reaction. Claudio runs off, holding his head up high as Albright gets to his feet with Colt by his side.
- No Kyle Durden, but we get Kevin Steen with a mic and El Generico by his side. Steen warns Kenneth King and Rhett Titus that they will lose!
2) Dark City Fight Club of Jon Davis & Kory Chavis vs Grizzly Redwood & Alex Payne
Referee: Bryce Remsburg
- Before the match begins, we see a graphic promoting ROH's TWITTER account at twitter.com/ROHonHDNet. A quick trip over to that page shows ROHonHDNet with over 1,200 followers as of this writing. One of the latest tweets says to follow Mr. Claudio Castagnoli, who also recently tweeted "I just wore a fox mascot mask while playing chairguitar in the ring. What a great day!" Anyway, on to the match... such as it was. Total squash, as the DCFC wins with their doubleteam combo within a minute.
Winners: Chavis & Davis via pinfall (powerbomb/neckbreaker)
- BUZZWORDS: We see a rivalry edition, as The Necro Butcher & Delirious start us off with their buzzwords, followed by Jimmy Jacobs & Brodie Lee with theirs. Next week, Lee & Jacobs vs Delirious & Necro.
- The Hog and The Praz tell us that Ric Flair will be appearing at this month's (yes, the end of May already) TV Tapings at the Arena in Philadelphia.
- Ric Flair enters the ring again. Someone actually throws a roll of streamers at Flair, and it hits him in the head. He takes the microphone from Robert Cruise. Flair says that there is a lot of controversy on who should get the next ROH Title shot. A fan yells out, "You should!", and Flair responds by saying "I know I should get it." Well, he's right. Brief "Next World Champ" erupts. Jerry Lynn makes his way to the ring, as Flair wnats him present when he announces who his opponent will be for the first title match on HDNet. Prazak's pick to click is Danielson, while the Hog selects Tyler Black. Before Flair can spit it out, Tyler Black an entrance to the ring. Hog and Prazak suspect he's the man Ric picked. NOT THE CASE! Danielson quickly follows with his entrance. The Hog is confused, and he admits it. Austin Aries then makes his way to the ring right away. Flair, during these segments, does not act at all like it's a big deal and acts quite disinterested. You would see more excitement from this man on WWE, that's for sure. Flair goes on to announce Lynn's opponents as Aries...versus Black...versus (at this point, Flair looks to his notes to remember the following name) Bryan Danielson. Four way for the title coming up on a future episode of ROH on HDNet.
- Interview with Titus & King. Titus is addicted to SexSess. True story.
3) Jay Briscoe vs Sami Callihan
Referee: Bryce Remsburg
- Sami is making his third appearance on HDNet, and it seems that Prazak had to mention that his nickname is "The New Horror" to combat the massive "The New Whore" madness. Bryce is the ref, and no women, so we know it's a squash upcoming . Briscoe controls throughout, at one point leading Hog to claim that Briscoe may have the advantage in this match. Really? Callihan got a brief comeback, but was quickly ended with a big boot, lariat, and Jay Driller for the win. Slap the porpoise, it is over, kids.
Winner: Jay Briscoe via pinfall (2x Underhook Piledriver)
- Post match interview with Durden & Briscoe. Briscoe has two words for ya: "Man Up!"
4) Rhett Titus & Kenny King vs Kevin Steen & El Generico
Referee: Paul Turner
- This match is non-title. Lots of teamwork from both teams, as King and Titus are a regular team on the house show circuit for ROH and have appeared together on past episodes. First match on HDNet for the generic luchadore, and he showed in this match many of the factors that have made him one of the most popular wrestlers amongst ROH fans. King & Titus had control much of the early going, using doubleteam tactics, ref distractions, and illegal moves to stay on top. King & Titus are certainly cocky during this one. They get the heat on Generico, until Generico manages to escape the doubleteam action, tag in Steen, who promptly comes back against the two opponents. Match breaks down following, with wrestlers flying all over, nearfalls, and Generico and Titus winding up left inside. Generico tries to hit a Yakuza, but while winding up, King with a leg lariat to break up Generico's momentum. Lots of awesomeness follows, with close nearfalls by Titus & King and so forth. King & Titus get cut off through, Titus ends up in a Tree of Joey Lawrence. Steen hits a rolling cannonball, followed by Generico's Somersault Van Terminator, and while Titus is out, they focus on King hitting the Package Piledriver/Brainbuster combination for the win.
Winners: ROH TV Tag Team Champions Kevin Steen & El Generico via pinfall (Package Piledriver/Brainbuster)
- Post match, the American Wolves attack Steen & Generico, finishing by putting Generico through a table! They then grab the belts, pose around the ring, as we end our show.
Next week...
The American Wolves comment on their post match beatdown of the tag champs, Kenny King vs Kenny Omega vs Jay Briscoe and The Necro Butcher vs Brodie Lee.
TNA Epics Week 1 report
TNA Epics TV report
TNA Epics Week 1
TNA Epics starts with a clip of Elix Skipper’s cage walk. It then
showed a series of pictures and clips the 1st of which were pictures
of Hulk Hogan, Sting and Roddy Piper. Other scenes included clips of
Sabu, Jeff Hardy, the cage walk (again), Jeff Jarrett, Road Warrior
Animal, Raven, Jeff smashing the guitar over Hulk’s head, Bobby
Lashley’s finger point (obviously one of the most epic moments in the
history of TNA) and more. I am to presume that this is the opening
video package.
Mick Foley greets us it is his pleasure to welcome us to TNA Epics.
Mick tells us that the theme of this show is cage matches – should be
good as long as they do not show that awful blindfold match. The first
match is a match that I have never seen before:
AMW vs Triple X at Turning Point 2004: I can’t believe that it took me
5 minutes to work out that triple x were the heels – whoops. They get
the heat. Chris Daniels has a huge cut on his head and the mat is
splattered with blood – it really is something else. The announce team
has just mentioned that the losing team has to disband which is
something that Mick Foley neglected to tell us. About 6 minutes in
Elix Skipper has one of AMW handcuffed to a turnbuckle and now we go
to break.
I’m not sure how it is in the US but for every 30 Minutes of
Television there is adverts about ten minutes in and at the end so for
one hour of TV we have three ad breaks 10 min, 30 min and 40 min in.
So, Virgin OD utilized to skip the ad break we rejoin the action with
Chris Harris handcuffed and James reaching to give him the key. He
releases himself from the cuffs and makes the comeback. I think this
is the start of the cage walk spot – nope. Elix climbed the cage and
then got slammed from the side of it by James Storm for a two. Angels
wings on Storm for two. Daniels tries to climb the cage with Harris
but Harris kicks him down while Elix Skipper climbs another buckle.
The crowd is chanting please don’t die. That move no matter how
reckless is still amazing. Daniels then dives from the top of the cage
with an elbow onto Harris. I think I heard Bryan once say that this
was the only TNA PPV that he didn’t see – If the rest of the PPV was
as god as this match then he really missed out. There was a quadruple
stacked superplex spot from the top rope. Harris is cut open also.
There is a hilarious chant “Best match ever” Haha. Harris has now
handcuffed Daniels to the turnbuckle – that’s a good story right
there: revenge. AMW hit the powerplex on Elix Skipper for the three
count and I swear, the very second it ends it’s to the back with Mick
Foley.
We are told by Mick that the next match is Christopher Daniels and AJ
Styles versus LAX after the break.
Bound For Glory 2006 Daniels and AJ vs LAX: It has just been mentioned
that Konnan is on the outside. As a side note, I really enjoyed
Konnan’s RAW report. LAX are the bad guys I think. AJ hits the steel
as Homicide moves and tags in Hernandez. Another Ad break – I think,
It’s a TNA promo set to some awful music. All the main event mafia and
front line are shown standing in the ring. We then see clips of
mid-carders doing moves in the chorus. There was a long period of time
where they showed Mick Foley and Sting staring each other down. We
have now seen four clips - actually make that five clips of Christian
getting beaten up including a Pele kick by AJ and getting thrown off a
ladder in a cage or something like that. I don’t know if that was
intentional of not but it certainly is interesting. There were no
adverts, the match was simply interrupted for a promo video promoting
nothing. Konnan gives homicide a fork and he uses it on Chris Daniels.
Homicide hides it in his boot. Daniels counters a top rope move into a
hip toss and tags in AJ. Daniels uses the fork on Homicide and AJ and
Chris take turns using the fork. TNA chant after a Pele kick on
Hernandez. AJ climbes up to the top rope and then higher to the cage.
Please don’t die chant. Quadruple superplex spot but AJ hangs on and
dives from the top rope onto Hernandez. TNA chant and a pin but
homicide makes the save. Hernandez is on top of the cage and dives but
Daniels moves. They find a woman with a scared look on her face which
tell me that the camera men are not totally inept. Daniels get choked
with a coat hanger by Konnan. This is awesome chant. Homicide hits the
gringo killer on AJ to win the NWA titles for LAX.
Back in studio, Mick Foley has his hands over his eyes “Is it safe to
look? Is it over?” If this was RAW, Michael Cole would be having a
hernia. Up next is the first ever six sides of steel barbed wire match
Christian vs Rhino.
Christian Cage vs Rhino TNA Impact 2006: This is from the TNA 2 hour
special. The commentators inform us that “it was in the four corners
pole match that Rhino gained the possession of the key to the cage
door.” You can’t make something like that up. He also won a straight
jacket while Christian won bolt cutters and two steel chairs. The
question of the match is “When will they ask for the weapons from the
referee?” my question is : “Who booked this crap?”. Nevermind. They
have a chop exchange and some filler and then there are adverts –not
on my TV but in the original footage, we just cut straight to the two
men on the top rope. Christian is bleeding and he hits a top rope
unprettier on Rhino. He then places Rhino in the straight jacket.
Christian’s face is the absolute epitome of crimson mask. Christian
asks for the steel chair and tries to hit Rhino but he kicks them into
Cage’s face and makes a comeback. Rhino misses a conchairto on
Christian and hits him with some chair shots. Rhino then reverses and
unprettier onto two chars he then Gores Christian through the cage and
therefore Christian wins by default as his feet touch the floor first.
Mick Foley wishes us goodbye.
Match Results:
America’s Most Wanted beat Triple X
Latin American Exchange beat AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels
Christian Cage beat Rhino
My Thoughts:
A very enjoyable show with two very good matches and one ok one. The
show suffered from decreasing match quality as it went along. Mick
Foley was a very animated host and I would certainly watch again.
TNA Epics Week 1
TNA Epics starts with a clip of Elix Skipper’s cage walk. It then
showed a series of pictures and clips the 1st of which were pictures
of Hulk Hogan, Sting and Roddy Piper. Other scenes included clips of
Sabu, Jeff Hardy, the cage walk (again), Jeff Jarrett, Road Warrior
Animal, Raven, Jeff smashing the guitar over Hulk’s head, Bobby
Lashley’s finger point (obviously one of the most epic moments in the
history of TNA) and more. I am to presume that this is the opening
video package.
Mick Foley greets us it is his pleasure to welcome us to TNA Epics.
Mick tells us that the theme of this show is cage matches – should be
good as long as they do not show that awful blindfold match. The first
match is a match that I have never seen before:
AMW vs Triple X at Turning Point 2004: I can’t believe that it took me
5 minutes to work out that triple x were the heels – whoops. They get
the heat. Chris Daniels has a huge cut on his head and the mat is
splattered with blood – it really is something else. The announce team
has just mentioned that the losing team has to disband which is
something that Mick Foley neglected to tell us. About 6 minutes in
Elix Skipper has one of AMW handcuffed to a turnbuckle and now we go
to break.
I’m not sure how it is in the US but for every 30 Minutes of
Television there is adverts about ten minutes in and at the end so for
one hour of TV we have three ad breaks 10 min, 30 min and 40 min in.
So, Virgin OD utilized to skip the ad break we rejoin the action with
Chris Harris handcuffed and James reaching to give him the key. He
releases himself from the cuffs and makes the comeback. I think this
is the start of the cage walk spot – nope. Elix climbed the cage and
then got slammed from the side of it by James Storm for a two. Angels
wings on Storm for two. Daniels tries to climb the cage with Harris
but Harris kicks him down while Elix Skipper climbs another buckle.
The crowd is chanting please don’t die. That move no matter how
reckless is still amazing. Daniels then dives from the top of the cage
with an elbow onto Harris. I think I heard Bryan once say that this
was the only TNA PPV that he didn’t see – If the rest of the PPV was
as god as this match then he really missed out. There was a quadruple
stacked superplex spot from the top rope. Harris is cut open also.
There is a hilarious chant “Best match ever” Haha. Harris has now
handcuffed Daniels to the turnbuckle – that’s a good story right
there: revenge. AMW hit the powerplex on Elix Skipper for the three
count and I swear, the very second it ends it’s to the back with Mick
Foley.
We are told by Mick that the next match is Christopher Daniels and AJ
Styles versus LAX after the break.
Bound For Glory 2006 Daniels and AJ vs LAX: It has just been mentioned
that Konnan is on the outside. As a side note, I really enjoyed
Konnan’s RAW report. LAX are the bad guys I think. AJ hits the steel
as Homicide moves and tags in Hernandez. Another Ad break – I think,
It’s a TNA promo set to some awful music. All the main event mafia and
front line are shown standing in the ring. We then see clips of
mid-carders doing moves in the chorus. There was a long period of time
where they showed Mick Foley and Sting staring each other down. We
have now seen four clips - actually make that five clips of Christian
getting beaten up including a Pele kick by AJ and getting thrown off a
ladder in a cage or something like that. I don’t know if that was
intentional of not but it certainly is interesting. There were no
adverts, the match was simply interrupted for a promo video promoting
nothing. Konnan gives homicide a fork and he uses it on Chris Daniels.
Homicide hides it in his boot. Daniels counters a top rope move into a
hip toss and tags in AJ. Daniels uses the fork on Homicide and AJ and
Chris take turns using the fork. TNA chant after a Pele kick on
Hernandez. AJ climbes up to the top rope and then higher to the cage.
Please don’t die chant. Quadruple superplex spot but AJ hangs on and
dives from the top rope onto Hernandez. TNA chant and a pin but
homicide makes the save. Hernandez is on top of the cage and dives but
Daniels moves. They find a woman with a scared look on her face which
tell me that the camera men are not totally inept. Daniels get choked
with a coat hanger by Konnan. This is awesome chant. Homicide hits the
gringo killer on AJ to win the NWA titles for LAX.
Back in studio, Mick Foley has his hands over his eyes “Is it safe to
look? Is it over?” If this was RAW, Michael Cole would be having a
hernia. Up next is the first ever six sides of steel barbed wire match
Christian vs Rhino.
Christian Cage vs Rhino TNA Impact 2006: This is from the TNA 2 hour
special. The commentators inform us that “it was in the four corners
pole match that Rhino gained the possession of the key to the cage
door.” You can’t make something like that up. He also won a straight
jacket while Christian won bolt cutters and two steel chairs. The
question of the match is “When will they ask for the weapons from the
referee?” my question is : “Who booked this crap?”. Nevermind. They
have a chop exchange and some filler and then there are adverts –not
on my TV but in the original footage, we just cut straight to the two
men on the top rope. Christian is bleeding and he hits a top rope
unprettier on Rhino. He then places Rhino in the straight jacket.
Christian’s face is the absolute epitome of crimson mask. Christian
asks for the steel chair and tries to hit Rhino but he kicks them into
Cage’s face and makes a comeback. Rhino misses a conchairto on
Christian and hits him with some chair shots. Rhino then reverses and
unprettier onto two chars he then Gores Christian through the cage and
therefore Christian wins by default as his feet touch the floor first.
Mick Foley wishes us goodbye.
Match Results:
America’s Most Wanted beat Triple X
Latin American Exchange beat AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels
Christian Cage beat Rhino
My Thoughts:
A very enjoyable show with two very good matches and one ok one. The
show suffered from decreasing match quality as it went along. Mick
Foley was a very animated host and I would certainly watch again.
Strikeforce Challengers Series on Showtime report
Strikeforce Challengers Series on Showtime, Savemart Center, Fresno, CA 05/15/2009
By Crimson Mask
Mauro and Quadros on the call. Quadros looks like there has been a shortage of fresh human blood lately. Oh wait here's Milletich too. Save America, Pat.
Ben Holscher vs. Cody Canterbury, Ousmane Thomas Diagne vs. Kaleo Kwan, Fabricio Camoes vs. Torrance Taylor, and Spencer Herns vs. Chad Sutton are dark matches.
Bao Quach (15-9-1, 145.8) vs. Tito Jones (6-2, 145.6) opens the telecast.
Tito lefty. Urijah in his corner. Not much action early. Quach circling and banging the occasional low kick. Natives restless. Jones gets his hands working a little. Jones charges and they clinch and trade knees till the bell. Quach 10-9.
Quach keeps circling and banging the low kicks. Jones getting frustrated. Quach high kick misses. Jones lands an occasional counter. The low kick is the whole story here. Quach 10-9.
Jones lands a right lead and charges and scores a KD with another. Jones goes for a choke and misses. Quach up and on his bike, still looks rocky. Jones scores another KD with a lead right hook. Quach up, Jones stalking and bangs the liver but he's throwing singles. He's letting Quach off the hook. Quach starting to get his kicks off. Misses one badly and slips but Jones doesn't capitalize. Fight reverts to the original pattern. Jones catches a kick and lands a long left. Jones misses a flying knee at the end. I call that Jones 10-8 and have this a 28-28 draw.
Scores... 29-28 X 3 Quach. Gotta call bullshit here. No way that last round was a 10-9. 10-7 if anything other than 10-8. Crowd calling bullshit also, with great force. Shift in tide made it an interesting fight. I notice in the postfight that Quadros is going bald and attempting a combover, as if he didn't look creepy enough already.
Anthony Ruiz (21-12, 205.2) vs. Aaron Rosa (11-2, 205.4)
Crowd still booing as they set up Ruiz vs. Rosa. I think Ruiz sucks and he's boring. They should use his fight vs. Southworth at Guantanamo. I'd rather be waterboarded any day than have to watch that again. Rosa's kinda fun to watch. 6 years younger and taller but giving up reach. He should be able to take Ruiz. Let's hope so.
Rightys. Trading early. Ruiz shoots, clinches, knees the legs. Rosa throws the occasional knee and uppercut but has more power. Both tee off again. Ruiz lands a forearm and Rosa bangs back with an upper. Ruiz shoots again and Rosa stuffs it again. Knees the body. Ruiz pushes him against the fence. Zzzz. Rosa tries a Cornish Hype off a whizzer, nada. Rosa shoots and slams Ruiz. Mount. Ruiz gives his back. Rosa pounds. Ruiz turns back and forth and gives up his back again and defends but Rosa locks in the body triangle and the RNC and Ruiz starts doing the chicken and goes nighty night.
Lavar 'Big' Johnson (11-3, 246.4) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (4-2, 250.5)
Jeez they're doing Quadros' scripted setups again like they did on Elite, and boy do they suck. He's the Larry Merchant of MMA. These guys are both big bangers with almost all wins by KO and this figures to be short but fun while it lasts. Johnson is older, taller and has the reach with weight about even.
Rightys. Both look in great shape for big guys. Carl shoots and Lavar sidesteps and nails him coming in with the right uppercut up under the arm and that's all she wrote. He's OUT. One Punch KO. This cat can HIT. Time: 18 seconds.
Mauro interviews Scott Smith. Good interview. Asks a couple tough questions (ie 'Your style does not lend itself to longevity, are you comfortable with that?'). Setting up the fight with Nick Diaz which should be a lot of fun to watch.
Sarah Kaufman (8-0, 135) vs. Meisha Tate (6-1, 135.4)
Kaufman's 8-0 = 8 KOs. Stats are very close. Kaufman subbing for Kim Couture who I suspect we've seen the last of (since Randy is divorcing her) and no great loss.
Rightys. Kaufman showing more punching power and accuracy and nullifying Tate's grappling. Tate gets a double leg TD at the end of the round. Kaufman 10-9.
Kaufman sharpshoots and Tate takes her down into HG and pins the arm and pounds. Kaufman gains FG and keeps close. Tate gets her back near the end of the round. Tate 10-9.
Kaufman sharpshoots and stuffs the TD twice. Three times. Tate switches momentarily. Four times. Five times. Kaufman sitting on her banging away. Kaufman finishes strong. 10-9. Should be 29-28 straight across and is. Decent fight.
Billy Evangelista (9-0, 157.5) vs. Mike Aina (11-6-1, 157.2)
K here's the main. This is at catchweight by agreement 'after' both missed weight by a couple pounds. Aina got robbed against Diaz and has an edge in reach with everything else very close.
Rightys. Trading low kicks. Punches coming up short. Evangelista shoots, nada. Clinch. Trading knees and body shots. Break and trade punches, Evangelista shoots and gets the double but Aina pops right back up. Clinch. Trading knees. Evangelista lands an elbow. He's busier. His knee goes low but at the bell and no major damage. Evangelista 10-9.
Trading at mid range. Aina stuffs a shot. Evangelista getting the low kicks in. Clinch. Nada. Trading jabs. Evangleista gets the TD. Aina tries to fence walk and gets hammered back down. FG. Evangelista hammering him. Raises up and stands, pounding down. Aina tries to scramble up and Evangelista nails him with an illegal knee to the head while he's still grounded. Aina is down hard. Doctor is in. Looks like a possible broken jaw. Doctor calls it. Guess this will be an NC? Nope. It's a DQ. Aina wins..
Quadros tells Evangelista 'You remain undefeated.' Uhhh, no, Drac. A DQ loss is a loss. Replay shows the knee may have hit the arm and rammed it into the jaw, which would make it a legal shot.
Okay card. Anticlimactic endings in the main and questionable decisions always drag a card down. Mauro + Quadros = overkill. Quadros by himself = overkill for that matter, he adds nothing and somebody please tell him to stop smiling into the camera, he looks like he's about to give Little Jenny some candy. Mauro who is at least entertaining did a good job emceeing and dividing the time up evenly, but the problem with that is Milletich should be doing at least 50% of the talking by himself. The presentation especially the scripted, rehearsed (and fooling nobody) prefight setups is a little too close to Elite which we would all like to forget.
By Crimson Mask
Mauro and Quadros on the call. Quadros looks like there has been a shortage of fresh human blood lately. Oh wait here's Milletich too. Save America, Pat.
Ben Holscher vs. Cody Canterbury, Ousmane Thomas Diagne vs. Kaleo Kwan, Fabricio Camoes vs. Torrance Taylor, and Spencer Herns vs. Chad Sutton are dark matches.
Bao Quach (15-9-1, 145.8) vs. Tito Jones (6-2, 145.6) opens the telecast.
Tito lefty. Urijah in his corner. Not much action early. Quach circling and banging the occasional low kick. Natives restless. Jones gets his hands working a little. Jones charges and they clinch and trade knees till the bell. Quach 10-9.
Quach keeps circling and banging the low kicks. Jones getting frustrated. Quach high kick misses. Jones lands an occasional counter. The low kick is the whole story here. Quach 10-9.
Jones lands a right lead and charges and scores a KD with another. Jones goes for a choke and misses. Quach up and on his bike, still looks rocky. Jones scores another KD with a lead right hook. Quach up, Jones stalking and bangs the liver but he's throwing singles. He's letting Quach off the hook. Quach starting to get his kicks off. Misses one badly and slips but Jones doesn't capitalize. Fight reverts to the original pattern. Jones catches a kick and lands a long left. Jones misses a flying knee at the end. I call that Jones 10-8 and have this a 28-28 draw.
Scores... 29-28 X 3 Quach. Gotta call bullshit here. No way that last round was a 10-9. 10-7 if anything other than 10-8. Crowd calling bullshit also, with great force. Shift in tide made it an interesting fight. I notice in the postfight that Quadros is going bald and attempting a combover, as if he didn't look creepy enough already.
Anthony Ruiz (21-12, 205.2) vs. Aaron Rosa (11-2, 205.4)
Crowd still booing as they set up Ruiz vs. Rosa. I think Ruiz sucks and he's boring. They should use his fight vs. Southworth at Guantanamo. I'd rather be waterboarded any day than have to watch that again. Rosa's kinda fun to watch. 6 years younger and taller but giving up reach. He should be able to take Ruiz. Let's hope so.
Rightys. Trading early. Ruiz shoots, clinches, knees the legs. Rosa throws the occasional knee and uppercut but has more power. Both tee off again. Ruiz lands a forearm and Rosa bangs back with an upper. Ruiz shoots again and Rosa stuffs it again. Knees the body. Ruiz pushes him against the fence. Zzzz. Rosa tries a Cornish Hype off a whizzer, nada. Rosa shoots and slams Ruiz. Mount. Ruiz gives his back. Rosa pounds. Ruiz turns back and forth and gives up his back again and defends but Rosa locks in the body triangle and the RNC and Ruiz starts doing the chicken and goes nighty night.
Lavar 'Big' Johnson (11-3, 246.4) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (4-2, 250.5)
Jeez they're doing Quadros' scripted setups again like they did on Elite, and boy do they suck. He's the Larry Merchant of MMA. These guys are both big bangers with almost all wins by KO and this figures to be short but fun while it lasts. Johnson is older, taller and has the reach with weight about even.
Rightys. Both look in great shape for big guys. Carl shoots and Lavar sidesteps and nails him coming in with the right uppercut up under the arm and that's all she wrote. He's OUT. One Punch KO. This cat can HIT. Time: 18 seconds.
Mauro interviews Scott Smith. Good interview. Asks a couple tough questions (ie 'Your style does not lend itself to longevity, are you comfortable with that?'). Setting up the fight with Nick Diaz which should be a lot of fun to watch.
Sarah Kaufman (8-0, 135) vs. Meisha Tate (6-1, 135.4)
Kaufman's 8-0 = 8 KOs. Stats are very close. Kaufman subbing for Kim Couture who I suspect we've seen the last of (since Randy is divorcing her) and no great loss.
Rightys. Kaufman showing more punching power and accuracy and nullifying Tate's grappling. Tate gets a double leg TD at the end of the round. Kaufman 10-9.
Kaufman sharpshoots and Tate takes her down into HG and pins the arm and pounds. Kaufman gains FG and keeps close. Tate gets her back near the end of the round. Tate 10-9.
Kaufman sharpshoots and stuffs the TD twice. Three times. Tate switches momentarily. Four times. Five times. Kaufman sitting on her banging away. Kaufman finishes strong. 10-9. Should be 29-28 straight across and is. Decent fight.
Billy Evangelista (9-0, 157.5) vs. Mike Aina (11-6-1, 157.2)
K here's the main. This is at catchweight by agreement 'after' both missed weight by a couple pounds. Aina got robbed against Diaz and has an edge in reach with everything else very close.
Rightys. Trading low kicks. Punches coming up short. Evangelista shoots, nada. Clinch. Trading knees and body shots. Break and trade punches, Evangelista shoots and gets the double but Aina pops right back up. Clinch. Trading knees. Evangelista lands an elbow. He's busier. His knee goes low but at the bell and no major damage. Evangelista 10-9.
Trading at mid range. Aina stuffs a shot. Evangelista getting the low kicks in. Clinch. Nada. Trading jabs. Evangleista gets the TD. Aina tries to fence walk and gets hammered back down. FG. Evangelista hammering him. Raises up and stands, pounding down. Aina tries to scramble up and Evangelista nails him with an illegal knee to the head while he's still grounded. Aina is down hard. Doctor is in. Looks like a possible broken jaw. Doctor calls it. Guess this will be an NC? Nope. It's a DQ. Aina wins..
Quadros tells Evangelista 'You remain undefeated.' Uhhh, no, Drac. A DQ loss is a loss. Replay shows the knee may have hit the arm and rammed it into the jaw, which would make it a legal shot.
Okay card. Anticlimactic endings in the main and questionable decisions always drag a card down. Mauro + Quadros = overkill. Quadros by himself = overkill for that matter, he adds nothing and somebody please tell him to stop smiling into the camera, he looks like he's about to give Little Jenny some candy. Mauro who is at least entertaining did a good job emceeing and dividing the time up evenly, but the problem with that is Milletich should be doing at least 50% of the talking by himself. The presentation especially the scripted, rehearsed (and fooling nobody) prefight setups is a little too close to Elite which we would all like to forget.
Maximum Fighting Championships live coverage from Edmonton w/Lashley
Maximum Fighting Championships live coverage from Edmonton w/Lashley,
Welcome to our live coverage of the Maximum Fighting Championships from Edmonton's River Cree Casino.
Mike Cook wore a mask at the weigh-ins, which apparently did not amuse Mr. Lashley.
Light heavyweights: Marvin Eastman vs. Aron Lofton opens the show.
First round uneventful. Lofton worked from the top for a guillotine and the bottom for a Kimura. Eastman did some punching on the ground and got a high slam with 25 seconds left. I'd give it very close 10-9 to Lofton.
Eastman got a takedown and threw hard elbows on the ground, cutting Lofton's left eye. Lofton's head was outside the ropes to he was kind of trapped, and couldn't defend the elbows and forearms until ref John McCarthy stopped the fight early in the round. Time was :59.
Lofton had a nasty cut under the left eye near the cheekbone.
Light heavyweights: Mychal Clark vs. Ryan Jimmo
First round was slow, particularly since Jimmo has seven first round finishes. Jimmo had two takedowns. Clark reversed one of them, but Jimmo reversed back and got a few shots in late. Jimmo 10-9.
Another slow round. Jimmo mostly controlled on the ground. There was a nice scramble. But nobody had anyone in trouble. 20-18 Jimmo
Jimmo got two more takedowns and controlled things the entire round. He did some punching on the ground but dull fight overall. I've got 30-27 Jimmo.
Straight 30-27 scores for Jimmo. Not the most difficult fight in history to call.
They announced Jason MacDonald, who was just cut by the UFC, is coming in and looking to get the middleweight title.
Lightweights: Andrew Buckland from Calgary vs. John Alessio
Alessio came out to Tom Sawyer by "Rush" which was a big deal when Kerry Von Erich used it as his entrance music in 1982.
Alessio hurt Buckland with a punch, went to the ground and controlled him before getting the choke at 2:53. This promotion plays the guy's music after a win like in pro wrestling. Luckily the winners so far have picked good music. Buckland has an egg-sized hematoma under his left eye. The eye was probably going to close if the fight went any time.
Light heavyweights: David Heath vs. Travis Galbraith
In continuing the theme of using very old pro wrestling entrance music, Heath came out to RVD's entrance music from the ECW era.
Probably the best round so far. All standing. Heath connected more with punches but Galbraith scored with a nice high kick. Good flurry at the end including a strong punch by Heath. 10-9 Heath
Good second round, particularly a good comeback by Galbraith after Heath had hurt him. Again all standing. Edge this time to Galbraith so I've got it 19-19 going into the third.
It slowed late in the round. Close round and nobody really took over at the end. Galbraith kneed Heath in the groin and also did an accidental eye poke. Heath complained to the ref a couple of times. I'd go slightly in favor of Heath 29-28 but this could go either way and Galbraith is the home town fighter, being from Edmonton.
29-28 Galbraith 29-28 Heath 29-28 Galbraith. Heath at first was about to walk out, but remembered and shook Galbraith's hand. Not my choice but I can't call something that close a bad decision.
Heavyweights: Bobby Lashley vs. Mike Cook
Lashley came in at 249. Cook is 234. Cook said Lashley will shit in his pants when he gets hit. Cook came out doing the Hogan ear cup and a Rey Mysterio mask. Looks kind of weird a 6-3 with a Mysterio mask. Cook is a 6-1 underdog. They said he already has a victory over former WWE fighter Daniel Puder. Actually, I was at that match and Cook lost via choke, and that was with Cook biting Puder's fingers when he tried the choke. Cook is from Frank Shamrock's camp. Now they are saying Lashley is a 10-1 favorite.
Lashley is a lot smaller than you'd think. His head is actually in proportion to his body. Cook is listed at 6-2, Lashley was slightly shorter. Cook refused to touch gloves.
Lashley jumped in and went for a guillotine and it's over. Boy did he make Cook look bad. Time was 24 seconds.
Emanuel Newton vs. Trevor Prangley for the MFC light heavyweight title headlines the show
Mostly a takedown battle standing. Newton got three takedowns to one for Prangley. Both would get up right after the takedowns. Nobody landed strong shots. Prangley looked like he was moving real slow late in the round and this is a five-rounder. 10-9 Newton.
Good round. Prangley connected with several body shots. Newton got a takedown but Prangley got up with little damage. Prangley back with more body shots and got a takedown midway through the round. Prangley scored with good ground and pound. But Prangley had his hands on his hips at the end of the round looking gassed. Prangley's round making it 19-19.
Close round, all standing but Prangley took a big lead. Newton was docked a point for a knee to the groin and John McCarthy deducted without a warning. Good trading of blows back-and-forth but Prangley's striking was crisper and he came on strong in the last minute. 29-27 Prangley
Another close round. Both looked tired and it was slow paced. The best blow was Prangley's with a knee as Newton was getting up from a takedown. This one could go either way. I'd almost go even. Newton came on in the final seconds but I go Prangley now 39-36. The announcers are calling it like it's even going into the fifth but I don't see it.
Slow round but Prangley controlled the round as almost every good blow that landed came from Prangley. Newton was bleeding from the bridge of the nose. Prangley did a kick to the groin and John McCarthy stopped it and didn't call for a penalty point. Prangley threw a kick to the jaw that put Newton down and hurt Prangley's foot or ankle, as he was limping, right as time expired. Definitely Prangley's round so I've got it 49-45 and a title change.
Final scores: 48-46. 49-46, 49-46 for Prangley. Newton was furious but it was kind of obvious.
Welcome to our live coverage of the Maximum Fighting Championships from Edmonton's River Cree Casino.
Mike Cook wore a mask at the weigh-ins, which apparently did not amuse Mr. Lashley.
Light heavyweights: Marvin Eastman vs. Aron Lofton opens the show.
First round uneventful. Lofton worked from the top for a guillotine and the bottom for a Kimura. Eastman did some punching on the ground and got a high slam with 25 seconds left. I'd give it very close 10-9 to Lofton.
Eastman got a takedown and threw hard elbows on the ground, cutting Lofton's left eye. Lofton's head was outside the ropes to he was kind of trapped, and couldn't defend the elbows and forearms until ref John McCarthy stopped the fight early in the round. Time was :59.
Lofton had a nasty cut under the left eye near the cheekbone.
Light heavyweights: Mychal Clark vs. Ryan Jimmo
First round was slow, particularly since Jimmo has seven first round finishes. Jimmo had two takedowns. Clark reversed one of them, but Jimmo reversed back and got a few shots in late. Jimmo 10-9.
Another slow round. Jimmo mostly controlled on the ground. There was a nice scramble. But nobody had anyone in trouble. 20-18 Jimmo
Jimmo got two more takedowns and controlled things the entire round. He did some punching on the ground but dull fight overall. I've got 30-27 Jimmo.
Straight 30-27 scores for Jimmo. Not the most difficult fight in history to call.
They announced Jason MacDonald, who was just cut by the UFC, is coming in and looking to get the middleweight title.
Lightweights: Andrew Buckland from Calgary vs. John Alessio
Alessio came out to Tom Sawyer by "Rush" which was a big deal when Kerry Von Erich used it as his entrance music in 1982.
Alessio hurt Buckland with a punch, went to the ground and controlled him before getting the choke at 2:53. This promotion plays the guy's music after a win like in pro wrestling. Luckily the winners so far have picked good music. Buckland has an egg-sized hematoma under his left eye. The eye was probably going to close if the fight went any time.
Light heavyweights: David Heath vs. Travis Galbraith
In continuing the theme of using very old pro wrestling entrance music, Heath came out to RVD's entrance music from the ECW era.
Probably the best round so far. All standing. Heath connected more with punches but Galbraith scored with a nice high kick. Good flurry at the end including a strong punch by Heath. 10-9 Heath
Good second round, particularly a good comeback by Galbraith after Heath had hurt him. Again all standing. Edge this time to Galbraith so I've got it 19-19 going into the third.
It slowed late in the round. Close round and nobody really took over at the end. Galbraith kneed Heath in the groin and also did an accidental eye poke. Heath complained to the ref a couple of times. I'd go slightly in favor of Heath 29-28 but this could go either way and Galbraith is the home town fighter, being from Edmonton.
29-28 Galbraith 29-28 Heath 29-28 Galbraith. Heath at first was about to walk out, but remembered and shook Galbraith's hand. Not my choice but I can't call something that close a bad decision.
Heavyweights: Bobby Lashley vs. Mike Cook
Lashley came in at 249. Cook is 234. Cook said Lashley will shit in his pants when he gets hit. Cook came out doing the Hogan ear cup and a Rey Mysterio mask. Looks kind of weird a 6-3 with a Mysterio mask. Cook is a 6-1 underdog. They said he already has a victory over former WWE fighter Daniel Puder. Actually, I was at that match and Cook lost via choke, and that was with Cook biting Puder's fingers when he tried the choke. Cook is from Frank Shamrock's camp. Now they are saying Lashley is a 10-1 favorite.
Lashley is a lot smaller than you'd think. His head is actually in proportion to his body. Cook is listed at 6-2, Lashley was slightly shorter. Cook refused to touch gloves.
Lashley jumped in and went for a guillotine and it's over. Boy did he make Cook look bad. Time was 24 seconds.
Emanuel Newton vs. Trevor Prangley for the MFC light heavyweight title headlines the show
Mostly a takedown battle standing. Newton got three takedowns to one for Prangley. Both would get up right after the takedowns. Nobody landed strong shots. Prangley looked like he was moving real slow late in the round and this is a five-rounder. 10-9 Newton.
Good round. Prangley connected with several body shots. Newton got a takedown but Prangley got up with little damage. Prangley back with more body shots and got a takedown midway through the round. Prangley scored with good ground and pound. But Prangley had his hands on his hips at the end of the round looking gassed. Prangley's round making it 19-19.
Close round, all standing but Prangley took a big lead. Newton was docked a point for a knee to the groin and John McCarthy deducted without a warning. Good trading of blows back-and-forth but Prangley's striking was crisper and he came on strong in the last minute. 29-27 Prangley
Another close round. Both looked tired and it was slow paced. The best blow was Prangley's with a knee as Newton was getting up from a takedown. This one could go either way. I'd almost go even. Newton came on in the final seconds but I go Prangley now 39-36. The announcers are calling it like it's even going into the fifth but I don't see it.
Slow round but Prangley controlled the round as almost every good blow that landed came from Prangley. Newton was bleeding from the bridge of the nose. Prangley did a kick to the groin and John McCarthy stopped it and didn't call for a penalty point. Prangley threw a kick to the jaw that put Newton down and hurt Prangley's foot or ankle, as he was limping, right as time expired. Definitely Prangley's round so I've got it 49-45 and a title change.
Final scores: 48-46. 49-46, 49-46 for Prangley. Newton was furious but it was kind of obvious.