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Spike has three hours of UFC tonight. From 9-11 p.m. will be a replay of the April show from Nashville headlined by Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann in one of the best matches of the year. It also features Junie "Mr. Ratings" Browning as he faced Cole Miller. Unleashed at 11 p.m. has Dave Strasser vs. Karo Parisyan and Renato Sobral vs. Travis Wiuff
An update and detailed look at TNA and the Jeff Jarrett/Kurt Angle situation, where reality begins and its repercussions is the lead story in Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue, available right now to premium members of the site, is a jumbo-sized issue, which also looks at Affliction's issues with Josh Barnett out, more records set by UFC 100 and where total revenues for the event would fall in comparison to the biggest Wrestlemania shows, and how this affects UFC future PPV numbers. We also have a Victory Road rundown, a feature looking at the Brock Lesnar double standard among MMA fans, as well as UFC stars wanting to be the next one to rock the Brock. We also have a look at downside guarantees of WWE talent, highs, lows and average in a look at WWE profits so far this year.
We've also got more on the departure of Jeff Hardy, the current planned main event for SummerSlam, updates on returns of Shawn Michaels and Undertaker, an update on Edge's recovery and on the WWE's next major television special.
Our lead story talks about the situation with Jeff Jarrett and Karen Angle, the TNA business structure, what Kurt was saying about the situation in the dressing room to the wrestlers this past week, the work vs. shoot angle and how much of this is real, how the dressing room is viewing this, how Victory Road was affected and the mentality behind putting all the heels over clean in the big matches on the show.
We also look at how the story went public with Bubba the Love Sponge and the internal reaction.
We have more notes on Josh Barnett testing positive and being pulled out of the Affliction show, Bobby Lashley's comments on being offered the fight and how this affects business.
We've got a complete rundown of UFC 100 business updates, including yet another company record set and where it is looking at falling on the all-time list of the biggest PPV shows in North American history.
We've got full coverage of Victory Road, the worst match in years, the booking of the show, the Bobby Lashley promo as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings, and poll results on the show.
We also have a WWE business feature looking at actual profits based on division so far this year. We look at how profits have changed over the past year and what categories are up and what categories are down. We look at the economy's affect on merchandise, what move the company did that saved them millions of dollars, what categories are down, how one division is down almost in half in sales and why even so, it is still more profitable than it was a year ago, as well as the total downside guarantees for all the wrestlers on the roster, including the variance from top to bottom and the overall average downside for the current roster.
We also have a feature on the double standard of some MMA fans when it comes to Lesnar, as well as comments from fighters on Lesnar beating Mir.
We also have coverage of the Dream show with the welterweight title tournament.
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.
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
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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 look at Tom Atencio talking about the future of Affliction, an Olympic silver medalist signing for MMA, tourism for Wrestlemania in Phoenix, the ZZ Top segments on Raw, why original ideas for this week's Raw show were changed, Billy Graham selling Hall of Fame ring, best selling DVDs, and a WWE roster player talks about going back to college after his career is over.
We also have notes on why JBL is not affiliated with WWE right now, a WWE star doing a local television ad, an interesting name surfacing at WWE weekend house shows, new WWE names tabbed for a commercial campaign, Jim Ross talks Lesnar and how the viewpoint among many in WWE on Lesnar has done a 180 in recent weeks and why. We also look at new names planned for characters, the story behind the Pretty Ricky idea, as well as notes on the weekend WWE live events.
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. We also have results from the major league arena events held around the world as well as the major TV show rundowns.
Also in this week's issue:
--A new U.S. national television show deal signed for an international pro wrestling group and when the first tapings are
--As he turns 70, we talk about the birth of the character of Mil Mascaras
--A look at the next CMLL major show
--A look at all the AAA booking turns
--A look at IWA's 10th anniversary show including TNA stars and former WWE stars appearing
--An unbelievable main event tag team for 2009
--A look at the Dragon Gate 10th anniversary show
--A look at Dragon Gate's first U.S. PPV show
--Update on NOAH's Junior heavyweight tag team tournament featuring some of the best matches in the world right now
--Notes on New Japan's big weekend show including some surprising booking twists including a former WWE star challenging for the IWGP title
--A retirement match announced of a one-time Hall of Fame candidate
--An incredibly crazy move
--A new touring idea of early 80s nostalgia matches
--Pro wrestling star turning to becoming a heavyweight pro boxer
--Wrestling Hall of Famer gets national beer ad that will play on the big networks
--Update on some of the biggest wrestling events by year, updating the story form a few weeks ago
--Notes on Ron Simmons and the College Football Hall of Fame
--Notes on a new book on Memphis wrestling
--Former WWE star suspended for failing a drug test
--NWA Hall of Fame news
--A look back 25 years and the anniversary of a major event and turning point in the history of the industry
--A look at a new book on arguably the greatest U.S. woman wrestler in history
--The night a major world championship changed hands in a completely legitimate match
--More on future of TNA video game
--Search for Kevin Nash's new diva
--TNA announcing situation
--A look at the next several weeks of TNA television
--Who and why is being groomed for a major singles push that had been buried in the middle for years
--Where does Bobby Lashley fit in
--First time IWGP tag titles ever change hands outside of Japan
--Dana White talks about a pending big deal
--ESPN and MMA
--Why Dan Henderson vs. Rich Franklin was signed again
--The pros and cons of that match
--Georges St. Pierre talks more about what he needs to do to fight Anderson Silva
--More on UFC business revenues
--Update on UFC video game sales
--UFC game sales vs. EA's new boxing game sales
--The Tito Ortiz about face and what's going on with him and UFC
--Update on Canadian interest in MMA
--Ridiculous comments on MMA
--Mirko Cro Cop gives his side of what went down in his contract situation
--Fighter says he's been promised next title shot
--UFC steroid test results
--Who UFC is pushing for the Mexico market
--Thoughts on MMA fighters nominated for Espy awards
--Lots of new UFC matches finalized over the past week
--Former world boxing champion signs with K-1
--Update on Lavar Johnson and arrest of one of the people involved in the shooting
--Fedor's stardom
--Olympic silver medalist signed
--One of the hottest MMA cities in the world, update on regulation and UFC plans
--Former amateur superstar faces MMA legend
--Show that first put MMA on is now canceled
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
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. 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
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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.
--As of 8 p.m. Eastern time, here is how things stand. Affliction has made no decision regarding who will face Fedor Emelianenko. Mike Aframowitz of Strikeforce has been quoted as saying they will not approve of either Brett Rogers or Fabricio Werdum, although Affliction has not shut the door on trying to get approval for Rogers and Rogers people haven't been told Strikeforce won't clear him for the fight. Both Strikeforce and Showtime would have to clear either Werdum, who is scheduled on Strikeforce's 8/15 show, or Rogers. Rogers and Vitor Belfort are known to be both still in play. Tank Abbott wants to be in play although I wonder if Affliction would want to go in that direction. He'll mean more for ticket sales in Orange County and PPV than any alternative. The flip side is he's Tank Abbott in his 40s. One would think a decision is going to be made shortly.
--Jeremy Priven of Entourage will be hosting Raw on 8/3
--TMZ.com reported that the Los Angeles City Attorney has decided to file charges against Roddy Piper for one count of a misdemeanor DUI and one count of driving without a valid license in an arrest on 7/2 in Hollywood. Piper faces a maximum six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
--In the cable ratings for last week, USA was No. 1 at 2.4. Syfy was No. 10 at 1.0 and Spike was No. 24 at 0.6, which is the lowest rating for a week I've heard of Spike getting in years. Raw was No. 7 and No. 16, behind Home Run Derby (6.0), The Closer, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Home Run Derby pregame show and Spongebob ahead of hour No. 2. There were eight more SpongeBob episodes ahead of hour No. 1. Raw was No. 5 and No. 10 in 18-34 and No. 5 and No. 6 in 18-49
--In the U.K., for the week ending 7/12, Raw did 39,000 viewers live and 40,000 in the Thursday night replay. Smackdown did 33,000 on Friday night and 38,000 for a Saturday morning replay. A replay of Impact on Bravo 2 did 8,000 viewers. Impact the prior week in its first airing did 50,000 viewers, beating all other wrestling shows. (thanks to Ian Hamilton)
--To show how UFC's changed attitude toward the Affliction promotion, Spike TV released its schedule for next week and there is no UFC programming on 8/1
--A woman has been arrested in Mexico over the death of Espectrito II and La Parkita. Prosecutors believe a 65-year-old woman was one of two women who spiked the wrestlers' drinks and killed them s part of a robbery attempt. Police were able to get Surveillance camera footage showing two women leaving the hotel, one of whom was arrested. The woman admits she was in the room with the two wrestlers for 20 minutes but denies drugging them. Story is at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/Americas/8162991.stm
--A new national GSP TV commercial for Canada at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-VlpCxyZaA
--A story by Steve Brunt in the Globe and Mail on legalizing MMA in Ontario is at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/letting-them-bleed/article1223184/
--Poll on Raw from Monday
Excellent 2.7%
Good 6.1%
Average 16.8%
Fair 14.8%
Poor 59.6%
16.7% of those responding didn't see the show. I see people hated this one.
--Five years from now, which will be more popular
WWE 25.7%
UFC 48.7%
About the same 25.6%
--Zack Ryder's awesomeness
Profound 51.3%
Nonexistent 48.7%
--How was ZZ Top as celebrity guest hosts
Good, made the show better 3.4%
Okay, didn't hurt the show 32.2%
A negative, didn't work 64.4%
--Shawn Michaels turned 44 today. Best wishes for a Happy Birthday to one of the best performers the industry has ever seen.
--Superstars lineup for tomorrow is John Morrison vs. Kane, Christian vs. William Regal and Evan Bourne vs. Brian Kendrick. Morrison won the only Superstars match taped last night when Kane threw a chair at him for the DQ. Khali came out again. Similar post-match with Khali to the Friday night Kane vs. R-Truth match.
--A story on MVP hosting kids who demonstrated good behavior in Dade County who were youth offenders and giving them a backstage tour at Smackdown last week is at http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,14205_5438703,00.html He talked with them telling them how he was able to change his life and encouraging them to do the same.
--Bison Smith vs. Franky the Mobster was added to Saturday night's ROH show in Toronto. They have shows both Friday and Saturday night.
--Jim Cornette talks of UFC 100 as an amazing pro wrestling event and how if anyone in wrestling isn't following the UFC business, they are insane at http://whosslammingwho.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2009-07-21T04_22_24-07_00 (thanks to Matt Daniels)
--Mike Quackenbush was added to the 9/6 Dragon Gate show in Chicago at the Congress Theater
--CZW on 8/8 in Philadelphia at the Arena headlined by a tangled web match with Drake Younger & Scotty Vortekz vs. Jon Moxley & Sami Callihan
--Xtreme Kombat League (XKL) presents its first "sports entertainment event" (their words, not mine) on 8/15 at Eastern Michigan University's Convocation Center in Ypsilante. It's an MMA group that will be taped for a reality TV show and start a tournament which they claim will conclude in Dubai
--HPW on 8/1 in Columbus, IN at the Fairgrounds
--TNA wrestlers Kurt Angle, Suicide, Daniels, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley will be in San Diego this weekend at the San Diego Comic Con. Headlocked writer Michael Kingston will also be there.
--A CBC Vancouver web site poll regarding whether they want MMA legalized in the city ended up with 68% yes and 32% no (thanks to Jamie Templeman)
--Update on Massachusetts regulating MMA is at http://www.patriotledger.colm/homepage/x1767085570/ UFC has apparently targeted summer 2010 for a debut in the market.
--TNA has a house show on 10/9 in Lacrosse, WI at the Lacrosse Center (thanks to Devin Cutting)
--Bobby Lashley is launching The Lashley Network at http://www.lashleynetwork.com of affiliated web sites including his personal web site, and his nutrition store.
--Saturday night in Puebla before 6,000 fans: Crazy Black & Factor X & Milenium & Relampago b Amenaza Nortena & King Dark & Perverso & Rey Infierno, Gato Eveready & Estrellita & Pimpinela Escarlata b Rio Bravo & Cinthia Moreno & Yuriko, Tito Santana & Tigre Cota b Mascara Divina & Ultimo Gladiador, Extreme Tiger won Abismo Negro Cup, Cibernetico & Elegido b Chessman & Kenzo Suzuki
--Saturday night in Monterrey: Dransser & Scravos & Solovino b Angel Espacial & Halcon Peregrino & Rey Imagen, Gato Fantasma & Mongol Chino Jr. b Coco Viper & Memo Valle, Coliseo 2000 & Dark Shadow & Gato Volador b Centurion Negro & Karonte & Mongol Chino-DQ, Rey Hechicero & Silver Star & Tigre Universitario b Caifan Rockero I & Potro & Vaquero Romo, Mistico & Blue Panther b Ultimo Guerrero & Mr. Niebla (thanks to Kris Zellner)
--There was a 17-fight show by King of the Cage Canada on Saturday night in Edmonton that did 4,000 fans and a $120,000 house
--Kimo Leopoldo is still not dead. But he wants to sue the clown on MMA.tv who started the rumor. The whole deal was an attempt to see if he started a farfetched rumor, how many media outlets would by it. And quite a few did, most notably TMZ and the New York Daily News. Has anyone issued apologies? He said his family members were upset reading the rumor. One of the reasons the rumor garnered so much steam is that he slept yesterday till noon before being woken up.
--UFC announced the complete show for 8/8 in Philadelphia. The show was close to sold out the last time I checked.
*B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian for the lightweight title
*Forrest Griffin vs. Anderson Silva
*Amir Sadollah vs. Johny Hendricks
*Kendall Grove vs. Ricardo Almeida
*Josh Neer vs. Kurt Pellegrino
*Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
*Tamdan McCrory vs. John Howard
*Alessio Sakara vs. Thales Leitis
*Matt Riddle vs. Dan Cramer
*George Sotiropolous vs. Robert Emerson
*Danillo Villefort vs. Jesse Lennox
--The San Francisco Chronicle earlier this week, in talking about Brock Lesnar, said that just because someone can beat somebody else up, "doesn't mean they're an athlete."
--Inducted last week into the New England Hall of Fame were:
Jason Sanderson (by Jeff Costa)
Dave Padula (by Jose Perez)
Sheldon Goldberg
Bobby Riedel (by Jimmy Hart, Ted DiBiase and Dickie Rodz)
Gino Martino (by Anthony Rufo)
Ox Baker (by Travis Funk and Jason Sanderson)
Paul Lauzon (by Shane Simons and Derek Mulhan)
Power Company Twins
Slick Willie Jackson (by Tommy Deegnan)
Steve Bradley (posthumously by Alex Arion)
Jim Kettner
Robbie Ellis won entertainer of the year
--Florida Wrestling Association on Saturday night at the Volusia Speedway Park in Deleon Springs, FL
--NWA MSW TV taping tomorrow night in Ghent, WV at the Fire Department Building
--Jose Canseco fights again on Friday night on PPV at http://www.TVbydemand.com against Bill Simmons, and that's not the ESPN writer. The show will be in Aston, PA at the Ice Works Skating Complex
--Anyone who buys $300 worth of tickets for Friday night's Wild Bill's Fight Night in Duluth, GA will get a free pair of autographed Wanderlei Silva MMA gloves. The offer is valid today and tomorrow if you call 404-626-2126. Silva appears as a guest at the show headlined by Dave Mewborn vs. Dave Vitkay Silva is doing a seminar at LA Boxing in Marietta on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. For more info call 770-926-KBOX
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