89. 5 million as a startup amount and NOW got $480,000, and once they’ve blown through that, he’s done. 2022-03-05 07:34:36. It’s like Wrestlemania, but for NEWS. It’s the Observer issue so huge that Dave has to post it to the archives TWICE to make sure! So yeah, Flair got fired, let’s get back into it! – The Flair firing actually made the national news, with papers throughout the country picking up the story, with all coverage being sympathetic to Flair. 1985. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 11. ”) 3. These words open the issue this week, because Wrestlemania IV is in the books and, well, it was not pretty. 19. 18. By Scott Keith on 22nd September 2023 Wrestling Observer Flashback – 12. 0. – The WWF announced that the Wrestling Classic did about 60,000 buys on PPV, which was 200,000 less than their announced projections. Thankfully, the Observer archives are fixed, so let’s get back into the swing of things again. 23. 14. 06. 6. 96 You know, for someone so washed up and done as a top guy, Ric Flair sure keeps winning World titles, doesn’t he? – Let us take you back to 1989, as Ric Flair came off a big year with memorable matches against Rick Steamboat and Terry Funk, but the year was a failure for Turner. OK, let’s try this one more time. Publication date. – Another quiet week in the world of wrestling, as we’re waiting for Starrcade and Superdome results. The TNT show is dropping rapidly, which shows that the new audience of freakshow fans is far less than the loyal wrestling fans who choose not to watch that one. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 02. 19. Newsletter, Magazine, Wrestling, WWF, WCW, All Japan, New Japan. Well, that probably won’t happen again for a while. Gene Anderson, founding member of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew tag team died. Wrestling Observer Flashback–08. 28. 96 (Part Two) – In the top story, “Sycle” Sid won the WWF title in the main event of the Survivor Series. 19. Also, be sure to check out the SquaredCircle subreddit, where some dude is RIPPING OFF MY. Wrestling Observer Flashback–03. 0 number predicted by. Guys, it sounds like the Diamond Studd will soon be appearing in WCW again! We’ll see how that goes for them. Scanner. 1986 Wrestling Observer Yearbook. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 08. 96. Here’s a shocking story to start this week’s issue: Dave is a really big fan of New Japan Pro Wrestling. A January 1966 issue of Vue magazine featuring Bill Hook and his octopus-wrestling adventures in Victoria, B. At the latest WWF tapings, a guy named Mantaur debuted. 21,499 likes · 18,642 talking about this. – While the World title may not change hands, the US title certainly will, since post-Clash TV direction has Steamboat winning the title and suffering a shoulder injury in the process. By Scott Keith on 19th March 2016. – To Mexico, where it looks like EMLL is about to split. Just like in the old days, it’s a NEWSFLASH to start the issue! Well, a results flash, actually, as the Tokyo Dome show came in too late for a proper review. 96. But don’t be fooled by the Slow News, as two major promotions actually reach their finales this week, although we didn’t realize it at the time. Basically Vince sent his PR people to the magazine to produce what Phil Mushnick of the New York Post (no relation to Sam or Irv, Dave notes, although we’ll get to know Phil very well in later years) called a “six page. The previous record was 69,000 for the Big Event. Although this one is dated after the Bash ‘90 PPV, the issue is written before. 88. So in fact apparently there was a shitload of wrestling fans in Chicago that weekend ready to spend money, but advantage Verne on that night. – The new Stampede Wrestling has already taken all but one of the WWF’s TV clearances in Western Canada, so this doesn’t seem to be a winning venture for Vince. ”. 96. Survivor Series!World Wrestling Federation presented a live pay-per-view event special live from Hartford, Conn. Inoki pinned Leon Spinks in the eighth round of whatever their match was supposed to be, cradling him after a double-leg and getting a five count. – Dave gets a funny bit when he notes that ever since taking over as booker, Dundee has suddenly gained amazing recuperative powers in his matches. 96. – Over in Japan, the first ever 24 hour wrestling and martial arts network, called “Fighting TV Samurai”, launched. Wrestling Observer Flashback–02. 96 Can I make it more than two weeks in a row? TUNE INTO NITRO TO FIND OUT! – In our top story this week, UFC presented the Ultimate Ultimate 2! Dave is really into this shit all of a sudden. But this week, we’ve got Summerslam to attend to. 96. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 10. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 10. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 04. Mr. Davey Boy Smith (“Athletically the best in the business. I know, I know, what a bombshell. It's a recap of the old issues of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We’ve gotta skip all of November due to more gaps, but at least I can now promise that everything from now on is 100% complete! And we didn’t miss Starrcade. 21. 8 this week. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 03. – In Mid-South, we get the first Observer mention of young rookie Sean Michaels in Mid-South, as he pins Jack Victory. Hogan! Starrcade ‘87 v. 29. 89. The 85 issues are quite a trip, since it’s a very different writing style than even these ones. Crockett! Dusty v. 96 September 9, 2023; Morning Daily News Update September 9, 2023; Mike Reviews WWE Capitol Punishment 2011 September 9, 2023; Question September 9, 2023; Jey Uso trade to Raw September 9, 2023; Weekend Wrestling! September 9, 2023Wrestling Observer Flashback–12. – And now, a turning point for the Observer, although we didn’t know it at the time, as Dave announces that he’s taken a job with the National, writing a wrestling column for the paper. 27th May 2016 by Scott Keith. Dave sarcastically notes that “it sure turned Brett Sawyer. 90. – But first, the lead story is the rapid descent of UWFI, as they have reached out in desperation to New Japan for a combined show at the Tokyo Dome on 10/9 and maybe more after that. 23, because for every viewer gained on Nitro, there was a viewer lost on Saturdays and it kind of averaged out. – Hachiro Tanaka, the money guy behind SWS and WAR and a bunch of other groups, is reportedly tired of losing money in the wrestling business and wants out, according to the Takano brothers. – Two major World title changes since the last issue as well, with Vader winning the WCW World title back from Ron Simmons on 12/30 in Baltimore, and Great Muta beating Masa Chono to win the. The Twin Towers beat the Rockers at 8:02 when Akeem splashed and pinned Michaels. 94. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 02. Apparently Bret Hart’s negotiations with WCW were so potentially fruitful that someone else is wanting to give it a try. 94. And now it’s time for the issue that kicks off one of the biggest stories in the history of wrestling, although we didn’t realize it at the time. – The sudden fall of the company seems to stem from the ridiculous circus that was the Yoji Anjyo grandstand challenge to Rickson Gracie, with fans believing that Takada should have called out Gracie for the honor of the company. – Mexico’s wrestling companies are gearing up for a full-scale strike of wrestlers and referees, with syndicate head Manny Guzman calling for job action over EMLL’s network TV deal. – Van Hammer won the arm wrestling tournament, beating Ron Simmons in the finals, which Dave interprets as continuing his newfound push. By Scott Keith on 20th September 2016. – Also on the show, Scott Norton & Tony Halme won the IWGP tag titles from the Steiner Brothers in kind of a stinker. – Eddie Gilbert was found dead in his apartment in Puerto Rico on 2/18, at age 33. By Scott Keith on 27th October 2016. The WWF drew 16000 and Crockett drew 3000, so point to Vince on that one. But I think it’s a pretty famous case of hotline sleaze related to Blackwell’s death. 95. – Brad Armstrong will be coming back again, this time as the Candy Man, who throws candy to the kids as his gimmick. 04. – There’s very little going on due to Christmas, but Jerry Lawler did regain the USWA title from Koko B. 94. 60 and 0. It’s a patented Slow News Week as we head into Summerslam, but the issue is still 10 pages. Sorry. Wrestling Observer Live: RAW report, War Games, Randy Orton, ratings and more By Bryan Alvarez Nov 21, 2023 DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The history of. Wrestling Observer Flashback–08. Ah, wrestling, where one guy can beat up another guy for real and flush his head in the toilet for riding with his ex-girlfriend and people are just like “Eh,. Wrestling Observer Flashback–09. By Scott Keith on 5th February 2016. (This is why. This got the most heat of the night from all the sumo fans, because they’re not hardcore wrestling fans and just knew Kitao as the “bad boy”, and thus booed the shit out of him and cheered everything Earthquake did. 22. 91. They even flew in Steve DiSalvo as part of the ring crew to. 96. 90. Most of the match was Hunter working the arm and going for a cross-armbreaker, which neither Vince nor Jerry had any idea how to call. ) – The rumor mill continues to churn around the idea that Dusty Rhodes and his $300,000 / year salary will be cut at the end of the year. – Antonio Inoki is trying to get into the boxer v. 86. Main event is. He apparently gave WAR $1. 05. 93. Well, sort of. Wrestling Observer Flashback–11. Pillman tried a crucifix and Wright reversed it for the pin. Couldn’t do this one last night, because Daredevil is a thing that exists. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 12. 01. 95. Steve Jennum was put into the finals as a last-minute. 1. By Scott Keith on 9th November 2017. While it seemingly wasn’t a major milestone in his life at that. Continue reading Rants. It's great historical reading of the rise and fall of wrestling's biggest boom period. Ric Flair (“He’s slowed down a bit”) 2. -. D if wrestling was fake and got slapped around pretty good as a result. Instead, in the wake of a disappointing buyrate, the decision was made to concentrate on doing better tournaments. Topics. 92. 01. Unfortunately, he was the furthest thing from an. I know, I know, I’ll give you a minute to let it sink in. By Scott Keith on 29th August 2016. By Scott Keith on 27th October 2016. And since “long term thinking” these days is “three. Dave runs down the TV shows over the past month and it’s all classic stuff, like the Magnum TA-Mr. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 08. I feel like that can’t be a coincidence. 28. – So, Dave says goodbye and announces that this is the final issue of the Observer. Guess it’s time for another one of these. 90. Whoa oh, whoa oh, it’s Wrestlemania. Eaton did a scary kneedrop from the top rope to the ramp outside the ring for the highlight of the match. 22. Bruiser Brody (“Nobody gives an aura of violent realism. 21. – In the top story of the week, and in fact one of the top stories in wrestling history, Ric Flair was fired from WCW effective immediately when negotiations fell through. 11. 05. The New Foundation beat the Orient Express in 17:18. 09. (Clearly Wrestlemania had not become the thing it is today, because $429 barely gets you a nosebleed seat at this point. Wrestling Observer Flashback–05. Wolf, where. 28. Wrestling Observer Flashback–02. 03. But it probably bombed because it was clearly a throwaway show. Andre started in the sport at the age of 12, already 6’3”, and fell in with a. Shinjiro Otani retained the UWA junior heavyweight title pinning El Samurai. Wrestling Observer Flashback–06. 95. 1. 19 as I try to get as much done as possible in advance. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 10. Jerry Lawler in a cage match where the loser gets his head shaved. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 07. 95. The Road Warriors beat the Midnight Express in a scaffold match in 3:00, which kind of ruins their videotape business, Dave thinks. 07. 95. Spoiler: Dave gives WarGames 3/4. – Speaking of wanting to be in business with them, Jimmy Hart debuts in March as Greg Valentine’s manager, and King Kong Bundy debuts to have terrible matches with Hogan. 2. Nasty Boys retained the tag titles over the Bushwackers in 6:46. 04. The idea is to combine a bunch of small promotions into the Global Wrestling Federation, with offices in five different regions, including Jarrett now officially going back into Dallas to run the USWA there again. Wrestling Observer Flashback–03. By Scott Keith on 15th March 2021. The PPV showdown of 1987 is upon us! It’s Vince v. 16. They’re exclusively running small towns on the far Northern island of Japan, and mostly using lucha libre guys, which the mainstream papers didn’t really get. A total brawl with great heat, although the DQ was called for no apparent reason. 5. By Scott Keith on 1st June 2019. ”This is horrible, Gorilla. Ric Flair pinned Butch Reed in 14:13 to earn a tag title shot at Starrcade. I’ve noticed a sudden uptick in 1985-related questions on the Wrestling Observer radio show lately. 95 I love that the teaser for this one on the site is “Hotline sleaze award winner” because really it could be ANYTHING coming out of Mean Gene’s mouth. 5 to a 2. 95. – In the Deep South, the main guys are Wrestling II and Tommy Rich, and they run out of Georgia. Everything is confusing and it’s all centering on the AWA. 95. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 03. ark:/13960/s2tmw3h1hz8. 16. By Scott Keith on 3rd October 2019. com & WrestlingObserver. 94 So it turns out that WCW’s record buyrate for Halloween Havoc wasn’t quite what they anticipated… – The buyrate for Havoc 94 currently sits at 0. The biggest story of the week is actually buried way down. Dusty missed a blind charge and got pinned by Ted for the finish, ending his WWF career. 94. Wrestling Observer Flashback–06. 06. 95. 23. 23. Michaels worked his ass off, although it came out later that he was hungover and stoned at the time. 88. Internet Archive HTML5 Uploader 1. – In an understatement, Dave notes that the babyface side in the WWF is in a state of disarray, what with Scott Hall about to jump to WCW in late May once all his contractual stuff ends. The low buyrate is being. – Vince McMahon is apparently planning to sue Sgt. When it comes to catching and wrestling a giant. This group will likely merge in and out with SWS and make appearances on their shows, and will have the pro wrestling ga-ga that Fujiwara wanted to work into the UWF promotion originally. 06. 96 Stop me if you’ve heard this one before… – After 15 years of being the world’s biggest babyface, Hulk Hogan turned heel in the main event of WCW’s Bash at the Beach PPV in an angle that Dave thinks will be “remembered for years”. – Dave proclaims that no promotion is any hotter here in 1996, with more mainstream popularity, than NJPW is. 02. – Anyway, moving on…. Oh, and WCW tried to make a mini-movie and it didn’t go very well. NEXT WEEK: The Monday Night War begins. 28. This week is one of them. And now it’s time for the issue that kicks off one of the biggest stories in the history of wrestling, although we didn’t. And NOW the main event! Hog Wild 96 and the introduction of the Observer Hall. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 05. Wrestling Observer Flashback–08. Let’s take a break from being nostalgic for 1998 and be nostalgic for 1994 again for a bit! – It’s been quiet in the wrestling world leading up to Halloween Havoc, Dave notes. – In the top story, Titan Sports filed a lawsuit against World Championship Wrestling on 6/20, stemming from the invasion angle with Hall and Nash. It’s time for SUMMERSLAM! But first, the WWF is messing with their PPV schedule again. There are moments when you can pinpoint exactly when a major promotion started to go completely off the rails. 95. He literally stole Verne’s TV slot out from under him (the AWA wasn’t even told by the station until the day the show was supposed to air!) and Verne’s big show at the Cow Palace in March as a complete debacle due to scheduling. At 4:00, Warrior splashed Demolition Axe. -. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 11. – The Wrestling Classic, scheduled to be the first ever nationally available PPV show, will feature a 16 man tournament, plus Hogan v. Brian Pillman pinned Badstreet with a flying bodypress in the light heavyweight tournament semi-final at 6:52. Dave is pretty sure Gonzalez will draw as long as he’s never allowed to touch anyone ever. Wrestling Observer Flashback–07. The first wrestling move of the match came at 10:00, which was Hogan no-selling the powerbomb and making his comeback. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 12. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 11. Buyrate looks to be between 0. By Scott Keith on 14th August 2016. I’m not. And now, for the first time I can remember, the UFC gets the lead story. *1/4. – The biggest question coming out of Wrestlemania XII is the future of Bret Hart, as he’s expected to finish the tour of Germany and then go on a hiatus until the end of the summer. C. – Bam Bam Bigelow is trying to get into the WWF, but word from on high is that he’s “too inexperienced”. *. 2. – The top story is the apparent end of Pacific Northwest Wrestling, as the TV show was abruptly cancelled by the TV station after 38 years on the air. Wrestling Observer Historical Pieces. This was the one and only match in the whole tournament that actually showed why the division could. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 09. 95. 01. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 09. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 12. – Speaking of New Japan, they sold out 5 consecutive nights at Sumo Hall for the G1 Climax, ending with IWGP champion Keiji Muto becoming the first reigning champion to win the tournament, taking out Shinya Hashimoto in the finals. – In the top story, the UFC has decided to drop the superfight concept after the debacle that was Shamrock v. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 08. 03. 94. 23. 09. It’s time for the CLASH OF CHAMPIONS, a flying elbow to the wrestling business that should have revived it! But first, a pretty major death to kick off the issue. Just for fun, here’s Dave’s Summer 1984 Rankings. – The first Saturday Night show is going to be taped on 10/3, and Dave expects to heavily feature the freakshow wedding of Uncle Elmer, which will likely be even worse than the Paul Vachon wedding. I must now face the eternal dilemma of sports fan who has lost their team in the playoffs: Do you cheer for the bastards that eliminated them because they earned it. Wrestling Observer Flashback–10. Continue reading. 28. 2 million, making it the largest gate in pro wrestling history. Wrestling Observer Flashback–09. 7. 3. 12. 1985 Wrestling Observer Yearbook. By Scott Keith on 9th September 2016. Scanner. Papa Shango ran in for the DQ, and Ultimate Warrior made the save, complete with entrance music. 04. 96. 11th January 2017 by Scott Keith. 30. – Dan Severn won the Ultimate Ultimate on 12/16 in Denver after all the controversy over the show, beating Oleg Taktarov in the finals via unanimous decision. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 11. – Flair defended the World title on a pair of Mid-South shows in Oklahoma, but there’s no plans or indications of Watts joining the NWA. WWE News. Daprice did every issue for the 90's through 2001. 95 Guys, I don’t think this UFC thing is gonna be around much longer if lawmakers have their way! – The debate over whether UFC and the other events like it should be banned has been raging in the press and the city of Denver has become a hotspot for the controversy. It was basically just a backdrop for the Virgil babyface turn. To the news!This is up for them, and Dave notes what a great night for wrestling that Thanksgiving really is, because even Central States almost drew money! Later, he corrects a previous title change, noting that Art Crews actually won the TV title from Gary Royal on 11/27 in Ft. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 03. (1) Ultimate Warrior & Legion of Doom & Texas Tornado (Kerry Von Erich) beat Team Demolition & Mr. We’re almost there! One week left! – It’s almost time for the new fall season of wrestling, and it’s a big one. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 02. Nasties sold well at least. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 10. Also, the Rock & Wrestling Connection was all his idea and he had to convince Vince to play “Eye of the Tiger” as his entrance theme in 1984. Back on track after our detour back to March yesterday. Regardless of everything else, the #1 rule of wrestling in situations like this is that you ALWAYS have the babyface’s hand raised at the end of the show if you pull a major bait-and-switch like this. I guess I’ll just be typing one-handed. Also, the fears about Sting winning the IWGP title from Muta proved unfounded, as Muta retained in a disappointing match where he was trying to be The Great Muta instead of Keiji Muto. Wrestling Observer Flashback–02. 86. Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. ” notes Dave. Flair’s contract was scheduled to be terminated as of 08/01, and Flair was scheduled to drop the WCW World title to Barry Windham on 7/1 in Macon, GA. 96. The government side says it’s for “tactical reasons”, while the WWF. 07. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 08. 20. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 01. By Scott Keith on 12th June 2016. 96 IT’S TIME. window replacement in Elkhart, IN. – Moving on, Joe Pedicino has purchased Jerry Jarrett’s syndicated TV network with the millions of dollars he’s got coming from Nigeria. 25. The 2023 class of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame adds seven new members in a year where there were no blow away vote getters but a number. It’s the year end awards issue! Lots to argue about here, I’m sure. – Actually, first it’s a bit of political talk, as Hiroshi Hase won election to the senate in Japan. Wish me luck! – The top story is Dave being confused by a unique gimmick match in Memphis, with Austin Idol v. Perfect won a battle royale in 12:55. Collection. Rude/Vader tag match, the highest rating for any wrestling match on TV in more than a year. Tickets are 45,000 yen, which translates to $429, aka the most expensive wrestling tickets in history. on November 22, 1990 – “Survivor Series ’90. Wrestling Flashback publishes wrestling list videos, top 10’s, the history of classic. 90. 96 Remember how in last week’s issue, Kevin Nash had until the weekend to make up his mind about leaving…? – In the top story, Kevin Nash officially gave notice to the WWF that he’d be accepting an offer from WCW, via phone call to Vince McMahon on 3/5. Ocr. This hold up comes on the heels of two other major stories: Hennig is supposed to be heading to WWF, meanwhile. 4. Addeddate. 15. Warlord won a battle royale by tossing out Ricky Steamboat. Until then, there’s the Clash! – Dave was in Japan for DreamSlam (very short version: It was an amazing show) and missed the Clash of Champions from Jacksonville, but to say it wasn’t well received would be an. Collection. 09. It’s week 3 of the WWF title being held hostage by Diesel! But don’t worry, this can’t possibly last very long. 27. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 07. 25. Wrestling Observer Flashback – 07. Despite the strained relationship, Florida still bills itself as NWA wrestling. Rants. Well it’s been two months. 77, or about the same as Starrcade. George Scott has been fired as booker and replaced by the duo of Gary Hart and David Manning, so things are at least booked better now. Specifically, advertisers look at stuff like this and use it to justify their already terrible ad rates for pro wrestling shows. And now, Dave would like to talk about PPV.