UFC’s 3 shows in 3 nights!
Tomorrow starts three UFC events in three nights. Starting with UFC Fight Night 80 which features Paige VanZant vs Rose Namajunas in the main event tomorrow night, UFC’s new golden boy Sage Northcut is also on the card. Friday night is the finale of TUF 22, with the main event between featherweight contenders Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes. Then of course, Saturday night features UFC 194 with interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor vs. featherweight champion Jose Aldo for the undisputed title while current middleweight champion Chris Weidman takes on #1 contender Luke Rockhold — two very competitive title fights headline what is also a very stacked card. Uriah Faber headlines the FS1 portion of the card against Frankie Saenz. Gunnar Nelson takes on jiu jitsu master Damien Maia. Really is a must see card.
NXT at 8:00 p.m. ET on WWE Network is headlined by Finn Bálor & Apollo Crews vs. Samoa Joe & Baron Corbin. This is the go-home show for next week’s NXT TakeOver: London.
UFC Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 2 (not a typo; everything else is on Fox Sports 1 tonight) is the last show before this week’s triple header. Hosts Kenny Florian and Daniel Cormier break down and preview the epic weekend featuring THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE and two title fights at UFC 194. Karyn Bryant and Ariel Helwani provide reports.
UFC Ultimate Insider at 9:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is the show that premiered earlier in the week. Watch Randa Markos’ story of her remarkable journey from war torn Baghdad, Iraq to Montreal, Canada where she now trains under the tutelage of legendary coach Firas Zahabi and UFC icon Georges St-Pierre. Then, ride along with Myles Jury as he returns to his hometown outside Detroit, Michigan for hard hitting memories, while adding fuel to his championship dreams. Next, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is mic’d up at UFC 190, as teammate and top strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha attempts to dispatch Jessica Aguilar and solidify a title shot. Finally, UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman sits down with Jon Anik at his gym in Long Island, New York to discuss future plans and upcoming opponent Luke Rockhold’s pre-fight antics.
UFC Fight Flashback at 9:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is a rerun of Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes II episode to hype this weekend’s main events.
The Ultimate Fighter at 10:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 is titled “Here For Myself.”. Moving into the semifinals, one squad’s training session turns a little more intense. Urijah surprises Team USA by bringing in UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo as a guest coach, who shows the fighters some jiu-jitsu. In the final Team McGregor training session, Conor reflects on his experience, being grateful for the opportunity. As the fighters arrive for the fight, Conor is shocked Aldo is in attendance. A few words are exchanged before the focus shifts to the fights. After two exciting semifinals, the final is set, and fighters square off. Then, McGregor and Aldo have their own face-off, ready to do battle in their title fight.
ROH at midnight ET/PT on COMET has a main event of Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. The Young Bucks. Reminder: If you don’t get COMET, ROH puts the TV show up for free on their website on Thursday.
Figure Four Weekly
Figure Four Weekly (11/23/15): Lots of Updates in Hulk Hogan-Gawker case
Lots of news including a win for Gawker, the new police report, the remaining mysteries of the case, what Bubba the Love Sponge is saying, and more.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Mick Foley’s talk on WWE creative and a look at all the new moves WWE tried this week on television is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We look at the changes WWE attempted after a week of record low ratings, as well as the fan questionnaire sent out, what can be learned from it, and why they are asking exactly the wrong people.
We also look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current WWE business, as well as why the ratings may be important, but other factors are probably more important,when it comes to WWE’s next television deal. We look at the different potential changes in the landscape look at what aspects of business are and aren’t improving, as well as WWE’s business in the big picture.
He also update the situation with A.J. Styles, and the New Japan tag team tournament with standings and notes on the tournament matches over the past week.
We also look at the TLC PPV update, more on La Sombra in WWE, questions about all the shoulder injuries, WWE security at live shows, Cena movie release, Brad Maddox firing, Maddox’s WWE history, talents WWE has shown interest in, WWE overseas tour lineup and WWE weekend live event notes and business.
We have a look at the debut of the new Rizin promotion, major announcements for the first weekend of shows, the tournament, just how big Bob Sapp vs Akebono was the first time.
We also have a story on the domestic abuse claims by the girlfriend of Tomoaki Honma, and his response.
We look at the realities of the free agency of Benson Henderson, judging of the key fights, as well as full rundown of UFC’s debut in South Korea this past week.
We’ve got notes of TNA’s canceled tour of India, notes on the death of Tommy Gilbert and El Bello Greco, along with a feature on Stan Holek, a member of two of the most decorated tag teams of the 50s and 60s, the Lisowski Brothers with Crusher and the Neilson Brothers with Art Neilson. We look at the unique reason why all of his success was as a tag team wrestler, his biggest rivals, and his 13 runs as world tag team champion.
We’ve got a feature on the retirement of Act Yasukawa and the sad reason it happened.
We’ve also got the awards ballot for the 2015 awards and information on how well Hell in a Cell did this year on PPV.
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The Latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter: December 7, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE attempts to right the ship, New Japan tag league update, more
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WWE
Sting said on Ric Flair’s newest podcast episode (ep #32) that he needs neck surgery. Key quote (h/t Geno Mrosko at Cageside Seats for the transcription): “Yeah, MRI’s and neurologists have been looking at it, Dr. Maroon out of Pittsburgh, he’s looked at it. He’s telling me that I’ll have to have a surgery. The dust only in the last couple weeks has kind of started to settle a little bit for me, just trying to get so much done in life but now it’s time to go get this thing taken care of. No, I’m hoping [they don’t have to do a fusion surgery]. I know that’s one of the techniques that they use and I’m not sure if Dr. Maroon will have to do that or not. I’ve got two spots in my neck that are troublesome. I guess it’s called cervical spinal stenosis. That’s what it is. I have two areas in my neck where the spinal canal, which holds the spinal cord, it’s kind of choked off in two different locations. Lucky that a catastrophe didn’t happen that night, long story short. I’ve gotta go get it fixed. I guess John Cena had something very similar, he had his fixed, and Dr. Maroon has done several of the WWE guys up there and all with great success.”
Jimmy Snuka’s trial date was set yesterday for March 22, 2016. Coincidentally, it’ll start right as the Hulk Hogan/Gawker civil trial ends.
UFC/MMA
Today’s UFC 194 and TUF Finale press conference. Conor McGregor is there, it can’t be bad right?
We also have the weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night
The White House’s official response to the Nick Diaz petition is every bit as useless as you’d expect. This is the key portion: “The federal government plays no role in the disciplinary actions taken by state athletic commissions, so we are not in a position to address the specific request raised in your petition. State authorities — in this case, the Nevada Athletic Commission — will generally be the best source for information about those kinds of issues.”
Rizin Fighting Federation announced today that the Bob Sapp-Akebono match on New Year’s Eve will be held under shoot boxing rules (kickboxing with takedowns and standing submissions, but no groundfighting). This release also gives an opponent for King Mo and explains some of the other whacky matches/fight taking place on the Rizin shows.
On the same day as UFC 194 in Vegas, there will be a World MMA Expo in New York. They are advertising Jon Jones, Anderson Silva and Eddie Alvarez from UFC all appearing at the show. WSOF figurehead Ray Sefo will make an announcement regarding company plans in 2016. WSOF Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion David Branch will host a one hour Q and A and there will be amateur MMA fights held at the end of the expo, which will be held at the Jacob Javits Centre. More information is available at http://mmaworldexpo.com/
Combate Americos, the new MMA organization featuring Latino fighters, announced today that Rey Misterio will serve as an “ambassador”, seemingly filling the role previously held by Alberto Del Rio. In addition, Konnan will be doing color commentary for their next show, which airs on NBC Universo next Wednesday, December 16th at 11 pm eastern/8 pacific.
Other Wrestling
Jeff Jarrett talks to Under the Mat Radio.
Bill Goldberg, in a rare live appearance, leads a cavalcade of Legends and current pro wrestling stars coming to South Florida for a Fan Fest and Live Event on Saturday, January, 23, 2016 at the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming’s Entertainment Dome brought to you by Legends of Wrestling. Joining Goldberg is TNA Wrestling’s Kurt Angle, “Hardcore Legend” Mick Foley, “Big Sexy” Kevin Nash, Ricky Steamboat, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner, “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, Koko B. Ware, Butchwacker Luke, “Leaping” Lanny Poffo, Tommy Dreamer, Chavo Guerrero, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Mr. Anderson, Gagrel, and Legendary tag team, The Nasty Boys with more to be announced. There will be a Meet & Greet Experience at 4pm with an extremely limited amount of tickets available. This is sure to sell out. You will receive a photo AND one signed item of your choice with ALL of the Legends and Stars at this event. At 7:30 the Live Event will begin with 6 matches with appearances by ALL the Legends and Stars of the Event. Tickets start at $35.
Fire Pro Podcast this week looks at Slamboree 2000, a dull show highlighted by a stupid main event angle here.