We're looking for reports from Wednesday night's WWE tapings in Laredo with the NXT and Superstars matches and any more Smackdown details, tonight's Raw house show in Tallahassee, FL (Sheamus vs. Randy Orton, John Cena Chris Jericho John Morrison vs. Nexus, Miz vs. Evan Bourne) as well as from tonight's TNA house show in Winston-Salem, NC (RVD vs. A.J. Styles with Mick Foley as referee, Beer Money vs. Ink Inc., Madison Rayne vs. Angelina Love for Knockouts title) at dave@wrestlingobserver.com
Saturday night has the start of the Smackdown tour with a big show at the Ace Arena in Sydney, Australia, plus Raw is in Daytona Beach and TNA is in Fayetteville, NC.
The biggest show of the weekend is UFC's second event on Versus starting at 9 p.m. Sunday night from the San Diego Sports Arena. The show is headlined by Jon Bones Jones vs. Vladimir Matyushenko, Mark Munoz vs. Yushin Okami, John Howard vs. Jake Ellenberger, Takanori Gomi vs. Tyson Griffin and Paul Kelly vs. Jacob Volkmann as the live fights. Also on the show is DaMarques Johnson vs. Matt Riddle, James Irvin vs. Igor Pokrajac, Brian Stann vs. Mike Massenzio, Thiago Tavares vs. William Freire, Darren Elkins vs. Charles Oliveira and Rob Kimmons vs. Steve Steinbeiss.
Also on Sunday is a Smackdown house show in Melbourne, Australia at the Rod Laver Arena, a Raw house show in Fort Myers, FL, and a TNA house show in Concord, NC.
There is no Raw taping on Monday as the show was taped last Monday in San Antonio. The Raw lineup is:
*Edge vs. Wade Barrett
*Gail Kim Eve Torres Natalya vs. Alicia Fox Jillian Hall Tamina
*Goldust vs. Sheamus
*John Cena vs. Chris Jericho – Loser Must Leave the Raw team
*Great Khali vs. Ted DiBiase
*Randy Orton vs. The Miz
The Countdown to UFC 117 will air after Raw on Monday night on Spike at 11 p.m.
No Smackdown taping on Tuesday.
Smackdown's tour down under continues Monday night in Brisbane, Tuesday night in Adelaide, Wednesday night in Perth and Thursday in Auckland, New Zealand.
We're looking for reports on all of these shows throughout the next several days.
Smackdown tonight:
*Christian vs. Drew McIntyre
*Big Show vs. Luke Gallows
*Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler
*Michelle McCool vs. Tiffany for the women's title (Yes, I know Layla is champ, but both claim to be champs and well, sometimes there is a need to copy from the success of how TNA handles its women's titles)
*Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger
Plus Kane reveals who Undertaker told him was the guy who attacked him. But Kane lied.
HDNet has its all night MMA starting at 8 p.m. Eastern, with Dream Featherweight Grand Prix, 8:30 is Fighting Words with Randy Couture (this show has some good interviews), Inside MMA at 9 p.m. and Michael Schiavello interviews Mayhem Miller at 10 p.m. I know Miller cuts a big promo on Nick Diaz during the interview.
MTV2 tonight has the third episode of Lucha Libre Masked Warriors at 10 p.m. Eastern
A look at both the best of the last decade and the Hall of Fame is our lead story in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We go through the awards for the last decade and look at the Wrestler of the Decade, MMA Most Valuable of the Decade, Most Outstanding Wrestler, Best Box Office, Best Tag Team, Best on Interviews and Most Charismatic, and also go through the best of the 90s with a lot of thoughts of how people are perceived, changes in the industry, why it is so much harder for modern wrestlers to be considered superstars and why.
We look at the Hall of Fame candidacy of the top wrestlers of the past decade, the top wrestlers of the 90s, Chris Benoit's effect on the Hall of Fame, how much tag teams have changed, Best Workers and Best Drawing cards from the past two decades.
This week's issue, as well as the back issue from May 1993, are available right now for web site subscribers in the Wrestling Observer
listings on the top of the page. You can also get the Observer delivered by mail, with details below. For those who are web site subscribers, not
only do we have issues once and in big news weeks, twice every week, but also release one back issue per week, covering 1993. That was one of the most important year in wrestling history due to the emergence of new companies like UFC, Pancrase, ECW, Michinoku Pro and K-1 which all revolutionized the industry.
listings on the top of the page. You can also get the Observer delivered by mail, with details below. For those who are web site subscribers, not
only do we have issues once and in big news weeks, twice every week, but also release one back issue per week, covering 1993. That was one of the most important year in wrestling history due to the emergence of new companies like UFC, Pancrase, ECW, Michinoku Pro and K-1 which all revolutionized the industry.
We also look at Dragon Gate USA's most recent PPV taping, looking at the matches, Bryan Danielson, Bryan Danielson and WWE going forward and when and what to expect from their next PPV.
We also have a follow-up on Ricky Steamboat and plans for his future. We've got an update on SummerSlam and notes on what is being debated for the main event. We look at a program change and where a new WWE program is going. We also look at the WWE Hall of Fame class for 2011 and names expected as well as the name looked at as the main eventer. We've got notes on WWE's promotion of SummerSlam, including who they are targeting and an interesting note on who they aren't targeting. We've got an update on yet another WWE video game franchise expected to be released in the next year. We have a look at WWE vs. UFC head-to-head on television next week as well as what announcers were ordered not to say on the taped Raw show.
We look at the WWE PPV schedule for much of 2011. We've got notes on Linda McMahon's campaign, why she didn't appear for the debate this past week, comments from her opponents and what they are targeting about her.
We've got notes on a number of Bret Hart matches scheduled including two on the same show, WWE recruiting new women, former WWE writer jokes about a current top star who used to get buried in meetings. Randy Orton talks Bryan Danielson, what WWE wrestlers have worked the most matches this year, who have the most wins and who have the most losses, as well as a look at tag teams.
We look at new WWE signings and why they are being aggressive right now in getting new wrestlers, as well as a problem relating to the NXT shows. We also look at one of the biggest stars of the past 20 years talking openly about wanting to return and why the next WrestleMania would be the most logical place to do so and the ups and downs of the move.
We also look at the big story on Vince McMahon in the Connecticut Post, Vince talks steroids, Dawn Marie talks her use of steroids and Vince talks about his future, slowing down and why the WWE is not Vince's company. Vince also talks about the end of the Mr. McMahon character. The newspaper follows with an editorial critical of the McMahons on the steroid issue.
We have an update on Shawn Michaels, WWE writers talk about changes, lack of managers, and Miz talks about his start in the business and his real thoughts about Bryan Danielson.
Jim Ross talks about his trip to developmental, a former top college football player starts in WWE camp, and lots of notes from developmental including a television star from an overseas country who looks a lot like a recently retired WWE star is getting the big push in developmental. We also look at a sports honor received by a former WWE star, notes on two of WWE's top executives selling their stock and how much they are worth, Ted DiBiase talks about his son doing is gimmick, as well as business notes from the last week and what was done on the road.
We also have a look at the tiny promotion which outdrew most of the major groups this past week with a show featuring a lot of big promotion top stars, and background on the group, including two wrestlers over 60, a former WWE star, and one of the best wrestlers in the world today and his injuries.
We also look at an update on the Paul Heyman TNA situation and where it stands, as well as the cost TNA has incurred with its attempts to grow the promotion, and details of Heyman's new business venture.
We also have our usual weekly features such as the results of the biggest arena matches of the week and rundown of the major television
shows.
shows.
The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering
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pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.
Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus
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every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and has
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The Observer is now in its 28th year of being the leading insider
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pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential
names in the pro wrestling industry as well as the MMA industry, from
bookers, to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the
biggest current names, both on camera, and behind the scenes, along with
thousands of readers in all 50 states and 30 countries subscribe. Many
have subscribed as long as 20 years or more straight. They get the most
detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world and
an accuracy from having the most inside sources that can't be found on
the web. Everyone from Wall Street to the major offices to the TV
networks in U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in
the business. If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you
can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a
40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you
today. Just send your Visa or Master Card order with your name, address,
phone number, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to
dave@wrestlingobserver.com or you can order by faxing that information to
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subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by
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Also in this week's issue:
–A look at the upcoming tournament of champions, 16 different belt holders over three weeks in a single elimination tournament
–Legend files suit against major promotion over being featured in a DVD, then goes to promoter's face and insults him over the weekend and public reaction
–A look at AAA's biggest summer event
–The real reason promotion is staying closer to home
–Police investigating death threats against the family of one of pro wrestling's biggest names
–An interpromotional alliance already starting to crumble
–The crazy reason why a major angle scripted for a weekend television taping never took place
–A look at All Japan's next big show including former WWE wrestlers challenging for the tag team title
–Japanese star returns to the country in a new promotion to challenge Hall of Famer on big show
–NOAH vs. New Japan on NOAH's big weekend show
–Interpromotional tag title match announced
–Jim Cornette returns to OVW
–Lots of new info on the Sean Davis Project, lots of new wrestlers named as being part of it
–What young wrestler they want to groom for stardom
–What major stars have signed
–What kind of money is being earmarked in contracts
–Ways this new group is different from when TNA started up
–Former wrestling promoter running for local public office getting major bad publicity
–Notes on Manami Toyota coming to CHIKARA
–A look at the Evolve group
–Linda Bollea's engagement
–Tyler Black hints about future
–A match of ROH tag champs vs. WWE tag champs being talked about
–A look at the ROH weekend events
–Major mistake TNA has made in marketing next PPV
–Lots of names announced for the show
–More names having turned down the show
–Notes on the Impact show said to be booked like a PPV and lineup
–Hulk Hogan looks to a new venue
–ODB talks leaving the promotion
–Update on TNA injury situation
–Why TNA wrestler has heat
–TNA star linked to movie
–Update on Reid Flair
–A look at TNA weekend house shows
–A look at the next few weeks of TNA television
–UFC loading up a fall show
–Notes on Anderson Silva's future
–Lots of new match ups and injuries in UFC
–Update on Quinton Jackson's next match
–Two fighters prove themselves as local draws
–Other fighters prove not to be
–More on the decline in UFC video game sales
–Urijah Faber's return update
–Former WWE announcer hosts MMA show
–Another former pro wrestling star/MMA fighter linked to Strikeforce, but not having signed
–A look at the Challengers series show
–Fighter known as boring vows to retire if he doesn't finish his next opponent
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues can get free issues from
the last 18 years. You can get 2 free back issues by ordering 40 or more
issues and one for 24. Let us know which stories you are most interested
in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've
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coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every
major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings
and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits
into those descriptions over the past 18 years, as well as our biggest
issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial
issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue. Our most requested issues in
our history are:
*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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)
*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock
Lesnar)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on
its own, $7 overseas)
its own, $7 overseas)
*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New
Year's Eve 2005 coverage)
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)
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)
week)
*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class
Championship Wrestling–the most unreal story ever in wrestling)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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) .
women's wrestling) .
*December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at
the Greensboro Coliseum)
the Greensboro Coliseum)
*January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8
overseas)
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)
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)
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)
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)
most in-depth bios)
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latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about
the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz,
Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk,
Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry
Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods.
To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a
$60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer
articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that
is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is
$12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs
to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You
can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.
$60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer
articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that
is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is
$12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs
to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You
can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.
–Zuffa Sports filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Pavia Holdings, LLC (MMA Agents) and Bellator Sport Worldwide, LLC, and assorted John Does, claiming theft of trade secrets. The lawsuit revolves around Zuffa getting a hold of a pair of e-mails that appear to be between Ken Pavia, the head of MMA Agents and an agent with about 50 fighters, most well-known, as clients, and Bjorn Rebney, the CEO of Bellator. Both e-mails were sent on 7/4, the day after the Lesnar vs. Carwin fight. Zuffa claims Rebney wrote to Pavia, You've been great about sending us `all' of the seminal docs from the UFC, so that we can redo them and implement them for Bellator, and later asked for more information regarding how UFC uses them and Then I'm going to have our team Monday retype them and we will sufficiently alter them such that they will appear to be ours and not theirs. The suit also contains a response allegedly from Pavia saying May take 24 hours to organize and some forms go to the guys in my office. Zuffa is seeking both actual and punitive damages. Kevin Iole has the story in the UFC section at http://www.yahoo.com/sports/
–I also have a story in the section on Sunday's Mark Munoz vs. Yushin Okami fight.
–Spike TV officially announced this lineup for the 8/12 episode of Impact, which will be taped on 8/9, it's basically what was first scheduled for the 8/8 PPV show. The matches will have to be done much shorter as it's an 88 minute show instead of nearly three hours.
*RVD vs. Abyss for the TNA world title
*Kurt Angle vs. A.J. Styles (not billed as a TV title match)
*Madison Rayne vs. Angelina Love for the Knockouts title
*Jeff Hardy vs. mystery opponent
*Pope vs. Matt Morgan vs. Mr. Anderson
*Motor City Machine Guns vs. Beer Money for the tag titles in the final of the best of five
*Shannon Moore Jesse Neal vs. Generation Me for the No. 1 contendership for the tag titles
–New names announced for the 8/8 TNA PPV are Axl Rotten Balls Mahoney
–Tyler Black vs. Davey Richards for the ROH title was announced for 8/28 in Charlotte at the Metrolina Trade Center
–Gabe Sapolsky talks about his Evolve promotion and the Bryan Danielson vs. Bobby Fish match at http://heymanhustle.craveonline.com/articles/news/104943-bryan-danielson-evolve
–As noted last night, Bobby Heenan suffered a fractured hip, shoulder and pelvis in two falls in recent weeks and will be undergoing shoulder surgery on Wednesday. He will not be able to appear at the NWA Legends Convention 8/5 to 8/8 in Charlotte. There are nearly 100 current and former stars scheduled to appear from 8/5 to 8/8 at the Charlotte University Place Hilton. Among the names appearing are Harley Race, Terry Funk, Dory Funk, Ted DiBiase, Kamala, Greg Valentine, Danny Hodge, Tony Atlas, Mr. Wrestling II, Jerry Brisco, Tully Blanchard, Jim Ross, Sting, Jim Cornette, Mae Young, Sid Vicious, Chief Jay Strongbow, Tammy Sytch, Mickie James and Shelton Benjamin. Jim Ross will be appearing hosting a barbecue at the hotel on 8/5. There will be Hall of Heroes inductions of Joe Blanchard, Danny Hodge, Mr. Wrestling Tim Woods, Mr. Wrestling II, Reggie Parks, Billy Robinson, Greg Valentine and Johnny Valentine. Ross will be inducting Hodge. There will also be a Bryan Danielson vs. Adam Pearce NWA title match, and a wrestling show that will include 80s star Mike Jackson and legendary manager Skandar Akbar.
–JBL, on twitter, wrote, My last test was today, after 3 months of worrying and doctor visits, I got a clean bill of health today and no sign of cancer!!! Great news for him.
–A rematch of the Rafael Marquez vs. Juan Diaz boxing match, billed as Fight of the Year: The Rematch, will air Saturday night in Las Vegas for an assortment of world lightweight titles,on PPV. It will also be broadcast in 270 movie theaters around the country and for info on that you can go to http://www.FathomEvents.com Before the PPV starts, they will be broadcasting some undercard fights starting at 7 p.m. Eastern for free on the PPV channel in some systems.
–Alex Marvez catches up with 70s and early 80s star Killer Tim Brooks, who was Roddy Piper's tag team partner in Oregon when Piper first went babyface to feud with Buddy Rose Ed Wiskoski, and a Texas journeyman tough guy at http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/55479
–A story on Eli Cottonwood's background as a basketball player is at http://www.riverfallsjournal.com/event/article/id/95787/
–Who do you expect to be the heel to the live crowd in the Silva vs. Sonnen match?
Anderson Silva 83.4%
Chael Sonnen 16.6%
–Who would you pick No. 1 in NXT right now?
Kaval 49.6%
Alex Riley 15.1%
Husky Harris 14.8%
Michael McGillicutty 12.6%
Percy Watson 5.9%
Lucky Cannon 2.0%
–Who do you expect to end up as the biggest star of the NXT crew?
Alex Riley 30.5%
Michael McGillicutty 23.2%
Kaval 21.7%
Husky Harris 12.6%
Eli Cottonwood 5.3%
Percy Watson 4.8%
Titus O'Neil 1.5%
Lucky Cannon 0.5%
–Which of these wrestlers do you see as the strongest Hall of Fame candidate?
Chris Jericho 58.2%
John Cena 22.5%
Mistico 5.4%
Bryan Danielson 4.7%
Edge 3.6%
Samoa Joe 3.2%
Yuji Nagata 1.9%
Hiroshi Tanahashi 0.4%
–The Baltimore Sun wrote a small piece on cornerback Fabian Washington of the Ravens, who has written that he's going into Ric Flair mode this year. He explained that he meant he would always be wired and exciting, and he was going to borrow Flair's identity. Thank God he explained that. Saying he's going to emulate Ric Flair this year could also mean an awful lot of different things.
–UFC's Matt Brown will be appearing as a guest at the Rock N Rumble show on 8/28 in Cleveland at the Nautica Pavilion.
–Eddie Edwards will be appearing for the Millennium Wrestling Federation on 9/18 in Melrose, MA at Memorial Hall on a show that also includes Bryan Danielson, Boogeyman, Homicide, Iron Sheik, Jay Lethal, Matt Borne (as Doink the Clown) and Paul Bearer. They are actually going to be taping an interview for DVD with Boogeyman on 9/19 at the MWF Studios. That would be, well, different.
–80s wrestler Pat Rose (a good prelim worker) has started a radio show on WPLZ 95.3 FM in Chattanooga at 7 a.m. on Saturday mornings starting 8/7. Rose ended up becoming more successful is a pro fisherman after leaving wrestling.
–The Polish KSW Federation announced today that Alexander Emelianenko had a verbal agreement to appear on an upcoming show.
