dave@wrestlingobserver.com
We're looking for reports on today's WWE Raw show in Buffalo and Smackdown show in Raleigh at dave@wrestlingobserver.com
Monday is the live Raw in Hartford, with Sheamus vs. John Cena for the WWE title, Timbaland as guest host, and it's a go-home show of sorts to build the debut of Bret Hart on 1/4. There will be a Smackdown house show in Charlotte on Monday night.
Smackdown and ECW are taped on Tuesday in East Rutherford, NJ at the Izod Center. Raw will run in Manchester, NH.
Wednesday night is a tri-branded show in Syracuse at the Carrier Dome.
The first Japanese New Year's Eve show that will air live to the U.S. is on Wednesday night/Thursday morning at 3 a.m. Eastern (midnight Pacific) from the Saitama Super Arena.
With detailed looks at UFC, TNA and Strikeforce going forward, we've got two issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter coming out next week.
We've got updates on who has signed with TNA and what is holding up other signings. We look at the plans for the next several months in both UFC and Strikeforce, including the main matches planned, as well as exclusive info on a number of UFC live events including major market debuts and the beginning of different TV deals.
We look at the big shows from recent weeks and business, including UFC 107, WWE Tribute to the Troops, WEC and Strikeforce's most recent shows, as well as show reviews and poll results.
The first issue of next week is available now to premium subscribers on the web site. The second will be available tomorrow. You can also get the Observer mailed to your home with details below.
We look at the lessons UFC 107 seems to have taught, where the show did well, and updates on Brock Lesnar.
We rundown Strikeforce Evolution and why it was one of the best shows of the year, looking at the Cung Le vs. Scott Smith and Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson matches as well as how Strikeforce has changed and how the crowds have changed, and why San Jose will likely never draw what it has done in the past.
We look at the booking of future Strikeforce events, the appealing to the hardcores and masses to extremes, along with lots of matchmaking ideas. We look at how every match on the show drew ratings wise and how much the fighters earned on the show.
We look at the final pro wrestling PPV event of 2009, TNA's Final Resolution, looking at the key stories, match-by-match coverage and star ratings.
We also have full coverage of the 2009 Super J Cup.
We've got a feature on Tommy Dreamer's career with his leaving WWE, including his glory days and role in the original ECW as well as his WWE tenure.
We've got more on WWE signing its new video game deal and how the 2010 game is doing, more on Mike Tyson in WWE and the 1/11 head-to-head showdown with UFC, an update on Jim Ross' contract situation and his decision making process, an update on Shane McMahon and why there was controversy about Barack Obama appearing on Tribute to the Troops.
Linda McMahon also talks her family's bankruptcy in the 70s, more on her background, a look back at the original WWE booking meeting plans when it came to trying to get Bret Hart to wrestle in the 2006 WrestleMania, as well as a dream match for that show, and a nightmare match, that never happened.
We also look at a new name surfacing for the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame.
We also look at the controversial issue of people streaming PPV shows on the Internet, including Lorenzo Fertitta's testifying before Congress on the subject. We look at the hearing and the various facts of the subject, including if it is costing producers money, long-term effects, is the psychology of those defending streaming valid in the business world. We look at the viewing habits of PPV events, what percentage of UFC revenue comes from PPV, Lorenzo Fertitta's estimates of the number of people who streamed the show illegally, Justin.tv's role in all this and Fertitta's response.
We also have our updated WWE and TNA business charts, looking at live attendance, live gates, sellouts, television ratings and PPV numbers so you can see if the companies are going up, down or staying even.
We also have a look at the ratings for all the major pro
wrestling and MMA shows on television over the past week.
We also have our usual weekly features such as the results of the
biggest matches of the week and rundown of the major television shows.
The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering
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Also in this week's issues:
–Business in Mexico
–Future of the world's oldest wrestling promotion
–Unique CMLL tournament
–Juventud Guerrera resurfaces
–Mexico ratings
–Final AAA TV tapings of 2009
–More on Guerra de Titanes
–What wrestler refused to adhere to the stipulations of a match
–Return of Booker T and it's not where you'd expect
–All Japan upcoming title matches
–Former WWE star debuting with All Japan
–Notes on NOAH's 2010 tag team tournament
–A huge match with major stips scheduled for October
–More awards for 2009
–Quebec wrestling Hall of Fame
–Famous California wrestling story
–Mainstream acceptance of UFC
–Highest rated non-Japanese MMA match
–Edge talks his future
–What wrestlers appeared the most at the Spectrum
–Former WWE wrestler rips the promotion and how it looks at talent
–MVP talks about his fondness for pot and his trip to Iraq
–Behind the Michael Cole remarks on Jim Ross
–Business notes on all the 2008 PPV events
–WWE developmental news updates
–TNA's promotion of Jan. 4
–Discussion of Scott Hall in TNA
–People coming and going from TNA
–Updates on Bobby Lashley's MMA career and pro wrestling career
–What happened with TNA in Australia
–New TNA television show
–TNA vs. ECW
–Why TNA contacted the AAA office about one of its wrestlers
–Business notes on Ultimate Fighter finals
–Advance business at upcoming major UFC events
–Notes on the UFC's debut on Versus and the first main event
–Sites for a number of upcoming UFC events
–Notes on the next WEC show
–Changes in upcoming UFC lineups
–More on airing prelims on free TV before PPV shows
–B.J. Penn talks his new contract terms
–Pride returns to television
–Penn's trainer accuses GSP of steroids
–Firing of UFC ring card girls
–Date of Vancouver debut
–Former NCAA champion signs with UFC
–Former UFC fighter goes crazy and drives into the front of a casino
–Updated New Year's Eve matches
–Update on Sakuraba
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*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous
wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a
history of in-ring double-crosses)
*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation
right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was
said–the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural
broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but
everything that was said between the two about the match that was going
to take place that same night)
*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon
steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article
and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)
*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner
networks)
*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such
great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)
*July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid
trial)
*February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)
*May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career
ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our
history)
*January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career
and life of The Sheik)
*February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people
who worked with him and where he stands historically)
*March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino,
Backlund and Backlund era)
*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally,
the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk
Hogan)
*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth, and the rise of fall of
Lex Luger)
*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say
was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)
*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals
and friends)
*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the
plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the
night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined
for a joint show and what happened)
*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the
controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as
historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)
*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the
seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s,
Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding
world title and much more)
*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of
Road Warrior Hawk)
*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)
*February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story,
Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)
*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock
Lesnar)
*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the
company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the
business changed)
*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best
and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and
Wrestlemania history books)
*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and his
background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)
*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments on
Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)
*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)
*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year
with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund,
Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez–this counts
as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately,
due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)
*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details
of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in
pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)
*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle
and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the
history of TNA)
*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)
*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a
look at their Hall of Fame)
*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)
*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW,
as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and
behind the scenes of both shows)
*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at
the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings,
Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental
territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized
issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul
Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)
*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)
*October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)
*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double
issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on
its own, $7 overseas)
*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New
Year's Eve 2005 coverage)
*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)
*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller
Derby–many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)
*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame
week)
*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class
Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)
*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame
inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and
Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from
the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working
in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7
overseas)
*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of
Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him
tick as his real objectives)
*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff's book and how
the industry was changed forever)
*November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How
Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro,
Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania
planned celebrity away)
*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged
McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and
why it didn't click)
*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion and
Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why
there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real
reasons the company fell apart)
*January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8
overseas)
*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bam Bigelow)
*March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)
*March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)
*March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)
*April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage–which many are
calling one of the best issues in history)
*July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his
influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)
*October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas
including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)
*November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S.
women's wrestling) .
*December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at
the Greensboro Coliseum)
*January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8
overseas)
*March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)
*March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)
*April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks
of Flair's meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on
its own, $8 overseas)
*August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers
and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)
*September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8
overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)
*September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)
*September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our
most in-depth bios)
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To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a
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can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.
–According to the New York Daily News, the problems between Time Warner and FOX is that FOX wants Time Warner to pay $1 per month per customer to get FOX's network of stations including FOX, FX and MyNetwork TV. Time Warner is refusing and is threatening to pull all the stations off the air on Friday, which would mean Sunday NFL games are off Time Warner homes, which would be disastrous. This would also include Smackdown this coming Friday night. FOX has taken out ads in several markets saying that Time Warner is trying to deprive its customers of shows like House. Smackdown is listed in several ads, including many spots with wrestlers addressing the possible loss of Smackdown. (thanks to Mike Omansky)
–Ole Anderson was released from the hospital this morning. He had actually been in for a week with an infection in his legs. It was thought he would be in longer but antibiotics did the trick.
–In the U.K. there was a show called the 2009 Most Annoying People. Hulk Hogan was listed at No. 85 due to all the comments he made regarding his ex-wife and the O.J. Simpson comments (thanks to Nathan Ganley)
–For the week ending 12/13, the live showing of UFC 107 did 35,000 viewers in the U.K., which doesn't sound like much, but it was the second-most watched television show on ESPN U.K. for the week. A replay in prime time the next night was No. 9 with 13,000, the Countdown show did 14,000 and an episode of Unleashed had 13,000. It's really amazing how few people watch UFC on ESPN, and really, how few watch WWE as well, and how well both draw when they run shows there. (thanks to William Cooling)
–Next week's Vintage Collection on The Score in Canada will air immediately after Smackdown on Friday night because of all the Bowl games on Saturday (thanks to Stephen Gray)
–Brooke Hogan is now doing an endorsement for ParaSlim, at http://www.paraslim.com/spotlight.html about something that apparently keeps her weight under control.
–In the deja vu department, Bubba the Love Sponge and Hulk Hogan are doing a Hogan parade on 1/3 at Margaritaville at City Walk at Universal Studios in Orlando. It'll be taped for Impact the next day. Kind of like when WCW signed Hogan in 1994.
–Also in deja vu, Dana White had an article in today's Las Vegas Sun saying that UFC will be the biggest sport in the world by the year 2020. The funniest part of this is not the idea that UFC could overtake soccer on a worldwide basis in ten years, but that the reaction on MMA boards is, how Dana White is an idiot trying to claim the sport was UFC. THE SPORT ISN'T UFC. IT'S MMA. Anyone want to let them know MMA is a term made up by New Japan Pro Wrestling's Hisashi Shinma in the 70s, and that UFC debuted in 1993, and the term MMA wasn't even used in the U.S. until years later, when Jeff Blatnick tried to get all the reporters to switch from calling it NHB (figuring that would hurt in getting sanctioned) to MMA (unaware of it being a pro wrestling term).
–Latest on Mayweather-Pacquiao at http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4772853
–Jeff Joslin, a former UFC fighter, talks about his battles with concussions at http://jeffjoslinmania.com/2009/12/boxing-mma-ufc-concussion-story/
–Jim Ross wrote on the death of George Michael and his interaction with the D.C. sportscaster, on Mayweather-Pacquiao and more at http://www.jrsbarbq.com
–We will be back with Wrestling Observer Radio's weekend edition tonight. If you've got any questions on pro wrestling or MMA, we'll get to as many as possible tonight. You can go to the home page for how to submit questions to the show.
–Mike Mooneyham talks the late Bronko Lubich at http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/dec/27/wrestling-heel-was-hero-ma ny/
Really good article worth going out of your way to read, talking about working Charlotte, his closeness with the Von Erich brothers, and Lubich's own family.
–The USA Weekender has a note on Jesse Ventura, saying he wouldn't go back to politics now, but can't say that he wouldn't in a few years.
–Poll on Smackdown from Friday:
Excellent 20.6%
Good 44.0%
Average 19.9%
Fair 5.0%
Poor 10.6%
32.2% of those responding didn't see the show
–Who do you expect to hold their title the longest?
Georges St. Pierre 45.7%
Anderson Silva 21.8%
B.J. Penn 13.6%
Brock Lesnar 12.3%
Gegard Mousasi 2.9%
Lyoto Machida 2.9%
Jamie Varner 0.4%
Jose Aldo Jr. 0.4%
Alistair Overeem 0.0%
Brian Bowles 0.0%
Gilbert Melendez 0.0%
Jake Shields 0.0%
–Who would you consider the MMA fighter of the decade?
Fedor Emelianenko 32.7%
Randy Couture 21.4%
Chuck Liddell 15.3%
Georges St. Pierre 12.5%
Anderson Silva 6.0%
Wanderlei Silva 3.6%
Kazushi Sakuraba 3.2%
Matt Hughes 3.2%
B.J. Penn 0.8%
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira 0.4%
Mirko Cro Cop 0.4%
Quinton Jackson 0.4%
–What do you consider the best promotion of the decade?
UFC 47.2%
WWE 30.4%
Pride 7.3%
TNA 7.3%
Pro Wrestling NOAH 4.2%
New Japan 2.1%
CMLL 0.7%
AAA 0.3%
Dream 0.3%
–AAW from Saturday night in Berwyn, IL: Hybrids b Gunner Franks Kevin Priegel, Jay Bradley over Shiima Xion, Knight Wagner and Krotch in a four-way, Faith in Nothing NC Zero Gravity, Tweek Phoenix b Chan Clan, Josh Raymond Christian Able b Flip Kendrick Louis Lyndon, Mason Beck b Dan Lawrence, Colt Cabana b Arik Cannon to keep AAW Heritage title, Jimmy Jacobs Tyler Black Shane Hollister b Silas Young Irish Airborne. Next show is 1/22 with Silas Young defending the AAW title against Jacobs, Davey Richards vs. Super Crazy, Tyler Black vs. Hollister and more (thanks to Mike Petkovich)
–Great Canadian Wrestling New Years Evil on 1/9 at the Legion in Oshawa, ONT headlined by Derek Wylde
–Big Time Wrestling has added Rick Fuller to the 1/2 show in Webster, MA at Town Hall, which also includes Jim Duggan, Spike Dudley and John Walters
–WEC announcer Todd Harris was doing sideline reporting yesterday on ESPN for the USC vs. Boston College game from San Francisco (thanks to Josh Nason)
–Wednesday night from Leon: Relampago Scud b Krimen Maquina Infernal, Lluvia Marcela b Amapola Princesa Sugei, Brazo de Platino Brazo Cibernetico Super Brazo b Demonio Negro Escandalo Loco Max, Mascara Dorada Maximo Valiente b Dragon Rojo Euforia Misterioso Jr., Hector Garza Mistico Brazo de Plata (dressed as Santa) b Mr. Niebla Ultimo Guerrero Rey Bucanero. Garza challenged Guerrero for his CMLL heavyweight title after pinning him to win the deciding fall
–Wednesday night from Celaya: Aero Star Fabi Apache b Billy Boy Cinthia Moreno, Psycho Circus b Argenis Gato Eveready Super Fly, Crazy Boy Extreme Tiger b Dark Escoria Nicho, Dr. Wagner Jr. Silver King b Elegido La Parka
–Today in Guadalajara has Porky La Mascara Volador Jr. vs. Averno Mephisto Ephesto. Arena Mexico today has Mascara Dorada Mistico Toscano vs. El Terrible Felino El Texano Jr. Arena San Juan Pantitlan has Konnan vs. Cibernetico vs. Silver King. Tampico has an NWA world heavyweight title match with Blue Demon Jr. vs. El Hijo del Santo vs. El Hijo del Rey Misterio (thanks to Kris Zellner)
–Minnesota announcer Mick Karch is about to release a DVD called Bodyslams and pinfalls at vinyl.forever@yahoo.com
