Bryan Alvarez:
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Dave Meltzer:
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We're looking for your thoughts on Sunday night's TNA Victory Road PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
We're also looking for reports from Friday night's Raw house show in Macon and Sunday's Raw house show in Florence, SC.
Tonight has Smackdown in Richmond featuring C.M. Punk vs. Rey Misterio in a non-title match. TNA is taping Monday through Wednesday in Orlando.
All subscriptions to the newsletter and web site for more than one month will include what is traditionally our most talked about and best selling issue of the year, the 2009 Hall of Fame issue. Starting this coming week in the Observer we are doing an historical look at the biggest draws in history and in looking at those numbers, a number of names come up as potentially overlooked candidates. We'll have more in that direction over the next few weeks as well as a Hall of Fame preview issue after all the ballots are cast but before the Hall of Fame issue itself. So several special issues are coming over the next six weeks.
A look back at UFC 100 weekend, the Brock Lesnar controversy, early PPV numbers, live numbers and other facts and figures on the show, along with full coverage of the show, as well as a history piece on Japanese women's wrestling history are among the main stories in today's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The issue is available today for subscribers to the web site.
Our lead story looks at the biggest week in the history of MMA in North America. We talk about not only UFC 100, but what was going on in Las Vegas, the fan expo, the Hall of Fame ceremony, early PPV returns, a list of the biggest PPV events in the history of the genre, and tons of other business notes coming out of the show.
We also look at the reaction to Brock Lesnar, the mocking of him, what happened, with tons of comments from different people regarding what happened. We look at the press conference, Fedor, match-by-match coverage, pay for everyone on the show, and poll notes on the show.
We also have a look at the 70s and 80s phenomenon of Japanese women's wrestling and a look back at the Matsunaga Brothers and whether they should be in the Hall of Fame.
We look at the peak of business, the biggest women's wrestling show in history and what the day was like, a look at the brothers themselves, the history of their world championship, the legend of Mildred Burke, the first big women's star in Japan, the peak of The Beauty Pair and the Crush Gals and the marketing concept behind them, the peak of the Crush Gals, how the next generation was different and what killed women's pro wrestling in Japan.
We also have an update on the future of Jeff Hardy, Edge, changes in WWE creative, Jerry Lawler's mayoral race, return of Shawn Michaels and Undertaker, John Cena's wedding, the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame, more on the business of this year's Wrestlemania, update on Night of Champions, new WWE signing, best selling DVDs, and update on web site business.
We've got an update on WWE marketing success toward Hispanics, Lita and Torrie Wilson talk about their thoughts on the company and doing Wrestlemania and where their lives are going, new PPV locations, updates on some new wrestlers, more on Miz vs. Morrison, as well as the end of the last overseas tour.
We also look at what will probably be the only major show this year that will have both TNA and WWE talent on the same bill.
We also have our usual results from the major league arena events held around the world of the past week as well as the major TV reviews.
We've got our usual in-depth look at the ratings of all the major WWE, TNA and UFC television shows this past week. We look at segment-by-segment of Raw and Impact as to what segments gained and lost viewers.
The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.
Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and has the most complete look at the business as a whole anywhere.
The Observer is now in its 27th year of being the leading insider 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can order by faxing that information to 408-244-3402. You can also subscribe via paypal at www.paypal.com and using the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it address or subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228. We also have a look at Waldo Von Erich, who passed away this past week, and his rivalry with Bruno Sammartino, Bill Watts and others.
We also have our usual weekly features, including the most detailed look at the ratings of the major shows, including what segments gained and lost viewers, results from the major league arena events over the past week, and the major TV show reviews.
Also in this week's issue:
--More on the deaths of La Parkita and Espectrito II and a new twist
--Latest talk of the Anniversary show main event for CMLL
--After a big retirement ceremony, a Hall of Famer does, what else, but come out of retirement
--One of 90s biggest stars suffers broken back in a strange non-wrestling related incident
--AAA international business
--AAA idea for a new television show
--Update on changes in Pro Wrestling NOAH in the wake of the Misawa death
--A look at NOAH's junior heavyweight tag team tournament
--G-1 Climax tournament news
--Former WWE stars as tag team in Japan
--Misawa related news in sports like sumo and baseball
--90s superstar returns to wrestle in Japan
--Inventor of one of today's most popular holds announces retirement
--Build to a mask vs. mask match between two of the biggest name masked stars of the last 20 years
--The ultimate wrestling fan fest
--RVD debates about legalization of pot
--Lou Thesz Hall of Fame induction ceremony news and a look at the legends who were inducted
--Update on Brian Blair situation
--Former WWE star sentenced to jail
--Hulk Hogan and The Rock updates
--ROH business changing
--New ROH matches for upcoming shows
--ROH star wrestles all-time technical wrestling legend
--Update on TNA PPV shows
--TNA vs. WWE head-to-head PPV vs. TV taping
--What TNA was able to avoid on all but one PPV date for the rest of the year
--Update on TNA Victory Road show
--Foley concerned about his match with Angle
--Hogan talks TNA
--Funny Angle comments
--A look at Angle's movie efforts
--Angle talks Vince McMahon and Dixie Carter
--TNA hiring and TNA firing
--TNA house show coverage
--UFC star arrested on two felony counts
--Rival promoter gets access to UFC books
--Story behind Mirko Cro Cop coming back to UFC
--Changes made to get him into the mix
--What match is planned to be promoted as the biggest grudge match of 2009
--Lots of new UFC matches
--Dana White gets honored
--More talk of UFC international expansion
--Dana White responds when asked about fighting Tom Atencio
--Lorenzo Fertitta talks Fedor
--UFC magazine sales
--Next featherweight title fight
--Video game wars
--Ultimate Fighter TV show update
--Observer poll on greatest matches in UFC history
--TV show this week draws huge rating and why it did so
--K-1 Max World Grand Prix finals bracketing
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major story (ies) of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got 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 11 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)
*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)
You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.
Rates are:
For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 .
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our 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.
-- Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem, who hasn't fought in Strikeforce since 2007, is off the August 15th show after re-injuring his hand in training. The fight with Fabricio Werdum is off at this point and a replacement bout will be announced soon.
-- The audio of the mystery caller to Bubba the Love Sponge that started all of this TNA controversy was up on Youtube last night but has since been pulled.
-- As noted last night, Kofi Kingston vs. Carlito vs. Big Show vs. Jack Swagger vs. MVP vs. The Miz for the US Title has been added to Night of Champions.
-- Also, as talked about last night, as far as we know there are no problems with Evan Bourne. He was scheduled to work the match with Brian Kendrick last night that Jerry Lawler ended up working, and somehow isn't in the above Six Pack Challenge. The comedy is that we're told he was never supposed to have been part of the feud in the first place despite being such an integral part of it for weeks. He did tape a match for Superstars and last we heard the feud with Kendrick was scheduled to start this coming Monday. But you know how those things go.
-- Tommy Dreamer and Christian are guests on the Abraham Washington show on ECW tonight. That's the only thing they've announced. Keep in mind that ECW last week beat TNA in both the rating and the viewership with this cast of characters.
-- You can check out Got Fight?: The 50 Zen Principles of Hand-to-Face Combat
-- Jim Rose's Circus, which featured appearances by Jake Roberts and the former Kizarny, has been postponed after Kizarny whalloped Rose in the head with a chair. Kizarny, aka Original Sinn, talks about the situation on today's Figure Four Daily, which is available right now for members.
-- Christy Hemme should be returning to TNA at this set of tapings.
-- Massachusetts Senate Bill 998, sponsored by Senator James Timilty, passed today, which regulates MMA in the Commonwealth. Thanks to Alex Gray.
-- What was the best TV show of the past week
Smackdown 40.7%
Impact 15.3%
ROH 11.7%
Dream 9.3%
Raw 9.0%
AAA 4.2%
K-1 Max 4.2%
ECW 3.0%
Superstars 2.7%
With the exception of UFC and WWE, which company will draw the largest
live crowd of the year in the U.S.?
Strikeforce 36.7%
AAA 27.5%
Affliction 17.8%
TNA 13.1%
ROH 3.0%
NWA 1.9%
-- Smackdown did a 1.8 last week and Superstars did an 0.9.
-- New issue of Figure Four Weekly is up right now for members with lots of notes on the ongoing Kurt Angle/Karen Angle/Jeff Jarrett real-life drama, plus a look at TNA Victory Road, the worst PPV from a major company in ten years featuring a legitimate -***** match. Click the Figure Four icon on the front page to check it out.
-- The former Lita has an interview here where she talks about how she doesn't miss WWE at all.
-- Delirious as a LUMBERJACK. Also, Chris Hero cuts a promo on Lance Storm.
-- Whoopi Goldberg and Joe Rogan on the same page with this one
-- WWE will tape it's "A Decade Of Smackdown" special on September 29th, 2009 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The special airs October 2nd, 2009 at 8 PM on MyNetworkTV. Superstars from all three WWE brands will be part of the special. Thanks to Devin Cutting.
-- WWE returns to the Civic Center in Columbus, Georgia on October 17th, 2009. Tickets go on sale September 11th, 2009 at 10 AM. This is the first WWE event in Columbus since June of 2007.
-- For Time Warner customers in New York, the Mun2 Spanish channel, which shows replays of Raw and ECW, will be switched to channel 42 from channel 126 as of August 19th. Thanks to Jef Sheridan.
-- "Surviving The Dungeon: The Legacy Of Stu Hart", a film by Blake Norton about his life and times in Calgary several years back, is available for pre-order at RFVideo.com.
-- Headlocked writer/creator, Michael Kingston,will be at San Diego Comic Con as a special guest of Haven Distributors (Booth 1902). He will twittering all weekend from the convention as well as from the after hours party featuring TNA wrestlers. You can follow him here
-- Alan Lee writes: On the Colbert Report's Monday edition, Stephen Colbert parodied the Lesnar Coors debacle by drinking a sip from each of his sponsors: Bud, Coors, and PALM-OLIVE~!
-- Fog City makes its return July 25th, 2pm to the DNA lounge in San Francisco for a night of wrestling action. In the main event Dylan Drake takes on the big man Malachai. Also in action “the Hardcore Femme Fetal” Lufisto, and the Dirty Sexy Riderz. or those who can not make the live show this event will stream live for free from fogcitywrestling.com.
-- Summer Sizzler Weekend Day 1, Saturday, July 25, 2009, 7:30 pm, IWF Centre, 32 Willow Way, West Paterson, NJ. Day two is, well, the next day.
-- Peter Paulson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it has two 2nd row tickets to Dragon Gate this weekend and cannot make the show. He's asking face value, $100 for the two.
-- Wrestling at the Meadowview Convention Center Friday with appearances by Ric, Reid and David Flair, Ricky Morton and Bobby Eaton. More info at www.jtsportevents.com. The link includes a promo about the show with Ric Flair.
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