WED. UPDATE: MORE ON FEDOR; RATINGS; WWE SUMMERSLAM PROMOTIONS; BATISTA DVD; IMPACT; UFC COUNTDOWN

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        We're still looking for reports on the WWE house shows on Friday night in Salisbury, MD and Saturday night in Wildwood, NJ, as well as the Friday night TNA house show in Monroe, LA.

 

        Tonight on Spike will be the April 2, 2008 Fight Night show replayed from 9 p.m. until midnight, featuring Kenny Florian vs. Joe Lauzon, Karo Parisyan vs. Thiago Alves and Matt Hamill vs. Tim Boetsch.

 

        With the fall of Affliction and what transpires from it, along with a piece on the biggest drawing cards in history, with a unique look by comparing them with their eras to get a somewhat surprising look at who the most dominant long-term drawing cards have been in the history of the industry, we've got two issues of the Observer coming out next week.  We also have a piece on what may have been the most hated tag team in pro wrestling history, full coverage of the WWE Night of Champions show, a look at the debut of Dragon Gate USA on PPV and an update on the TNA internal situation involving Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett.

 

        The first issue is available right now on the web site to premium members.  The second issue will be available tomorrow on the site.

 

        The lead story goes in-depth with the folding of the Affliction promotion, how it unraveled, the Josh Barnett test failure, background of drug testing fighters dating back to the original test failures and the irony of that.  We look at the talks for a new opponent for Fedor Emelianenko, comments from Barnett on the test failure, and where four different pro wrestlers fit into the talks.

 

        We look at a lot of the Affliction contracts, a look at the different fighters whose futures are in play and the matches from the Affliction show that have already been picked up by UFC and Strikeforce.  We look at the different fighters.

 

        We look at the possibilities for Fedor Emelianenko going forward with both UFC and Strikeforce, the reports of a UFC deal, and the ramifications of Josh Barnett testing positive even though not being licensed.

 

        We look at what caused Affliction to fail, when talks began with UFC, and how this affects UFC, where the Affliction fighters go, its affect on Strikeforce, and a look at the future of both Emelianenko and Barnett.

 

        Our other lead story is the most in-depth look at the biggest drawing cards over the last 100 years of history in pro wrestling.  We look at what pro wrestlers were the biggest drawing card in the world the most number of years, including the surprising No. 1.  We also look at the two most overlooked historical figures when it came to drawing big crows.  We look at the biggest drawing tag teams in history, the biggest draws not in the Hall of Fame, as well as the wrestlers with the most number of years as top ten draws, and the biggest draws in history.

 

        We also have more on the TNA behind-the-scenes issues and the fallout of Jeff Jarrett being sent home, how it has affected creative, more on Jeff Jarrett and Karen Angle, and what would happen if TNA were to change the type of product it presents.

 

        We've got full coverage of WWE's Night of Champions, with a look at the title changes, decisions made and changed the day of the show, business notes on the show, match-by-match coverage with star ratings as well as poll results on the show.

 

        We look at the WWE talent situation, the death of former WWE developmental wrestler Damian Steele, a new tag team being talked about, confusing booking as well , an update on Gerald Brisco, and the story behind a commercial that is still airing.  We also have a lot of developmental notes.   

 

        We've got a feature on what may have been the most hated tag team in pro wrestling history, and a look at their actions and the gimmick in several territories where they became famous.

 

        We also have a look at the 2009 edition of the G-1 Climax tournament including the lineups for every show.

 

        We also have more on Ring of Honor moving to Monday night, as well as the first Dragon Gate USA PPV taping.  We've got a look at the next two shows planned, how the first show did from a business standpoint, as well as match-by-match coverage and details of when and in what form the first PPV show will air.

 

        We also have a feature on AAA's second biggest show of the year.

 

        We have a look at what could be the final weekend of the career of Lance Storm, as well as his thoughts on it.

 

        We have all of our usual regular features including results of the major arena events over the past week, details on the television ratings of all the national shows as well as the major television show reviews.   

 

        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.      

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     Also in this week's issue:

 

--The settlement of the Hogan family divorce case

 

--A newcomer starting imminently with TNA with a new name

 

--Notes on TNA's claims about Bobby Lashley

 

--Update on A.J. Styles

 

--Notes on the best-of-three Styles vs. Matt Morgan series

 

--Funny note on Taz's first interview

 

--Notes on the Foley/Nash segment on the go-home show

 

--Updated plans on the Hard Justice PPV

 

--Notes on the next TNA European tour

 

--TNA at the San Diego Comic Con and what transpired

 

--Update on Lashley plans including his next fight

 

--Notes on TNA weekend house shows

 

--Notes on the most recent TNA television tapings

 

--Update news on UFC 100 buy rate

 

--Comparisons to Wrestlemania

 

--Most successful markets for UFC 100

 

--UFC and ESPN

 

--Update on the Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson fight

 

--Thoughts on Internet response to fights and changing booking over it

 

--Update on Tito Ortiz and UFC

 

--White gets awarded

 

--Portland ticket sales

 

--Potential new rules and regulations in Nevada that will be discussed at the next commission meeting

 

--Notes on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show

 

--Notes on UFC financials

 

--How the UFC video game has affected THQ's financial fortunes

 

--How many units have been shipped thus far and where it ranks in the U.S. and U.K.

 

--Lots of new UFC fights being talked about

 

--Update and details of new MMA regulations being discussed in Massachusetts and what the timetable is for a Boston debut

 

--Michael Bisping talks the last punch from Dan Henderson

 

--Miguel Torres talks money and Brock Lesnar, and marketing of fighters

 

--Fallout of UFC 100 being on television in Mexico

 

--World title change in Mexico

 

--Notes on Arena Mexico show

 

--Former ECW, WWE and WCW star heads to Mexico to face L.A. Park

 

--A look at the annual wrestling expo in Mexico

 

--A look at the Hustle Aid with the reuniting of a tag team that was on 1979's biggest show

 

--The supposed retirement of a Hall of Famer, as well as a new actor being brought in as a regular character in a Japanese promotion

 

--Update on All Japan and Pro Wrestling NOAH's junior heavyweight tournaments

 

--Akira Taue talks his first tour as President of Pro Wrestling NOAH

 

--Notes on the two Misawa Memorial shows planned

 

--Pro wrestling star places in bodybuilding contest and a look back at pro wrestling superstars who competed in bodybuilding while active

 

--Ric Flair talks Bret Hart

 

--New Ric Flair TV commercial being filmed

 

--A look at the biggest wrestling convention ever in the Carolinas and one of the biggest ever

 

--Details of ICP's 10th annual Gathering of the Juggalos featuring a ton of former WWE and WCW wrestlers

 

--Torrie Wilson talks about appearing on the network reality show

 

--Former headline pro wrestler talks running for mayor of Tampa

 

--Update on ROH shows in Toronto

 

--Updates on the Strikeforce show on 8/15

 

--A look at the big boxing vs. UFC showdown

 

--Fallout of the made up story on Kimo's death, who created it, legal action planned and TV pundits talk about the viability of such a lawsuit

 

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--At today's Fedor Emelianenko press conference, nothing really new was said other than Fedor will be a headliner in the new EA Sports video game.  They also announced both Renato Sobral and Gegard Mousasi were in the game.  Dana White had said that anyone who is in the EA game with the exception of Randy Couture, will never fight in UFC.  Just by how everything sounded, it seemed like nothing had changed regarding UFC negotiations.  They insisted Fedor would not fight unless it was a co-promotion with M-1 Global.

 

--Regarding Lance Pugmire's report, Pugmire wrote that the UFC and Fedor negotiations are dragging and will likely not finish by Friday.  He later wrote "second source close to Fedor Emelianenko confirms intense negotiations between fighter and UFC, declines to say it'll be done by Friday.

--The only thing we can say on the subject is that two different sources have told us negotiations between UFC and Fedor have fallen through again.

--ECW last night did a 1.3 rating. 

 

--CNBC will have a one-hour feature on the business of UFC at 10 p.m. tonight

 

--USA blew away the competition last week in the cable ratings with a 2.7 prime time average to 1.8 for Fox News Channel.  Raw was No. 7 and No. 9 for the week.  Top rated shows were The Closer, Burn Notice, NASCAR Spring Cup, Royal Pains, Law & Order CI and an episode of NCIS.  In 18-34, Raw was No. 4 and No. 6.  In 18-49 it was No. 2 and No. 5.

 

--WWE announced a business partnership with 7-11 and Pepsi Max.  SummerSlam will be promoted at 7-11 stores with cups with five cups with five different WWE stars on them in a campaign at more than 5,400 locations starting on Saturday.  A Kelly Kelly TV ad will air throughout August and WWE is buying time on various sports events.  Pepsi Max will have its FANtasy tour truck at the Fan Axxess in Los Angeles and give people free Pepsi Max drinks.

 

--Lineup for Superstars tomorrow night is John Morrison vs. Tyson Kidd (said to be great), Randy Orton vs. Primo Colon and Yoshi Tatsu vs. William Regal

 

--Brooke Hogan was on Howard Stern today.  Mostly talking about the first time she did it with her boyfriend (she admitted to doing it earlier than when they were marketing her as a virgin) and her getting breast implants, as well as her relationship with mom.  

--U.K. ratings for the week ending 7/19 saw Raw do 36,000 viewers live and 48,000 in the Thursday prime time replay.  Smackdown did 54,000 in the first Friday night airing and 29,000 in the Saturday replay (thanks to Ian Hamilton)

 

--Another note that tomorrow's Impact will go about five minutes past the two hour mark so if you are setting up a DVR, make sure to record an extra five minutes.  They are advertising this heavy on MMA web sites around Bobby Lashley doing an interview.

 

--Spike will be replaying the Countdown to the 100 greatest UFC matches of all-time next week, leading to UFC 101.  The Penn vs. Florian/Anderson Silva vs. Griffin Countdown show will air on Tuesday night at 11 p.m.   

 

--This is a story, regarding cancer experts noting tanning bads are a major cancer risk, that everyone in the wrestling community should at least be aware of, not that it will change anything.  An analysis of 20 different studies shows skin cancer risk jumps 75% on people who start using tanning beds before the age of 30.  They say tanning beds are equal to use of tobacco and Hepatitis B as far as cancer risks.  Story is at http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_8559/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=kYtz3OgA

 

--WEC has announced a live Internet broadcast for $9.99 worldwide for the 8/9 Miguel Torres vs. Brian Bowles show at WEC.tv and UFC.com web sites.  They are gearing this largely for MMA fans in Japan and the U.K., where the show is not available on television.

 

--ROH announced that the first Monday night show on 8/17 will be headlined by Tyler Black vs. Nigel McGuinness.  This coming Saturday's main event is Jay Briscoe vs. Roderick Strong vs. D-Lo Brown.  The 8/8 main event is El Generico vs. Davey Richards. And the 8/24 TV main event is Austin Aries vs. Roderick Strong.  (thanks to http://twitter.com/ROHonHDNet)  

 

--There is a C.M. Punk interview at http:www.thesun.co.uk in the pro wrestling section.  He says little of note, although mentioned he and Samoa Joe hung out together at Joe's house in Florida recently, that Joe, A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels would be welcome in the WWE locker room, that he was confused why Mr. Kennedy and Umaga were let go and that he's happy in WWE, saying there is no competition and if you want to be a top class pro wrestler in the U.S., you have to be working for WWE.        

 

--Matches on the new Batista DVD will be:
Leviathan vs. Doug Basham in OVW

Batista vs. Kane (2002 Armageddon)

Batista vs. Shawn Michaels (2003 Armageddon)

Batista & Ric Flair vs. Dudleys (2004 Royal Rumble)

Batista vs. Chris Jericho (2004 Vengeance)

2005 Royal Rumble

Batista vs. HHH (2005 Wrestlemania)

Batista vs. HHH Hell  in a Cell (2005 Vengeance)

Batista vs. JBL No Holds Barred (2005 SummerSlam)

Batista vs. Eddie Guerrero (2005 No Mercy)

Batista vs. King Booker (2005 Survivor Series)

Batista vs. Booker vs. Finlay (2006 Smackdown TV match)

Batista vs. Undertaker (2007 Wrestlemania)

Batista vs. Edge cage match (2007 One Night Stand)

Batista vs. Undertaker (2007 Cyber Sunday with Steve Austin as referee)

Batista & HHH & Ric Flair vs. Randy Orton & Edge & Umaga (2007 Raw)

Batista vs. John Cena (2008 SummerSlam)

Batista vs Randy Orton (2008 Armageddon)

 

--John Cena continues to get mentioned on WSCR radio in Chicago since very time Alfonso Soriano hits a home run and does the "You can't see me" deal with his hands, they bring it up.  He was doing it as he ran the bases when he hit a game winning grand slam home run earlier this week.  Most of the time Cena is brought up, it is to make fun of him, with lines like, "What does you can't see me?" mean and retorts like "What does that mean?  I can see you and your steroids just fine."  Most of the callers are negative about it, saying it looks stupid, but others say they don't really care. (thanks to Aaron Joseph)

 

--Jeff Hardy vs. C.M. Punk in a cage match is being advertised (likely as the dark match) for Tuesday's Smackdown tapings at the Nassau Coliseum.

 

--Poll on Raw

Excellent 8.6%

Good 34.2%

Average 26.8%

Fair 9.8%

Poor 20.6%

        15.1% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Who do you expect to win this fight?

B.J. Penn 59.1%

Kenny Florian 40.9%

 

--Is there a relationship between the decline in interest in WWE and the ascent of UFC?

There is a significant relationship between the two 23.2%

There is a relationship, but it's not the primary reason for WWE's decline in popularity 60.9%

No relationship at all 15.8%    

 

--EWF on 8/15 in Converse, IN at the Borderman Gym headlined by Brutus Beefcake and Rosey

 

--Pro Wrestling Riot on 8/15 in Mississauaga, ONT at the Tempo Auditorium

 

--CHIKARA on Friday night in Reading, PA features Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw vs. Gran Akuma & Icarus and The Colony vs. The Order of the Neo Solar Temple at the Riverside Beneficial Association

 

--Insanity Pro Wrestling on 8/1 in Indianapolis at the Fountain Square Salvation Army Corps headlined by C.J. Otis vs. Jesse Emerson and Jimmy Jacobs vs. Aaron Williams

 

--HPW in Columbus, IN on 8/1 at the 4-H Fairgrounds headlined by Diceman Ronnie Vegas vs. Pastor Pain, plus the return of Flash Flanagan

 

--A.J. Wolven at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is selling his collection of wrestling tapes

 

--XPW's 10 year anniversary show on 8/22 in Los Angeles has announced Supreme vs. Angel in a King of the Death match title match as the main event. Angel said that if he loses, he will never do another death match.  More matches will be announced this week.  The show is at 2 p.m. at 6655 Santa Monica Blvd.

 

--Pro Wrestling Fusion on Saturday night in Temple Terrace, FL headlined by Steve Madison vs. The Sheik.  They also have the Beach Street Bash on 8/22 in Daytona Beach at the Coliseum headlined by Steve Madison vs. Francisco Ciatso, which also includes Awesome Kong vs. Sumie Sakai, To Cold Scorpio, The Dark City Fight Club and The Shane Twins.     

 

--IWC No Excuses 5 on 8/1 in Elizabeth, PA at the Court Time Sports Center featuring appearances of Ivan Putski, Jimmy Snuka and Paul Orndorff.  Snuka & Michael Facade & Jimmy Vegas face Lord Zoltan & Shane Taylor & Logan Shulo.  Main event is Shiima Xion back from Mexico vs. John McChesney.  Ricky Reyes, who had been advertised, will not be appearing due to visa issues.

 

--IWC promoter Norm Connors announced that he will be retiring as a promoter at the end of this year.

 

--Perros Del Mal have a show on 8/30 at 6 p.m. in Chicago at the Congress Theater featuring Perro Aguayo Jr. & Damian 666 vs. L.A. Park & Blue Demon Jr.

 

--FMLL on 8/9 in Stockton at the Civic Auditorium featuring L.A. Park, Atlantis, Super Porky, Felino, and Huracan Jr. for a 6:30 p.m. start.  Figures it's a weekend I'm on the road. 

 

--Frank Shamrock has a book signing for his "Mixed Martial Arts for Dummies" book on 8/11 at Borders Book Store at 356 Santana Row in San Jose from 7-9 p.m. 

 

--Mick Foley and Trina Michaels are building to their first meeting at a wrestling show on a Saturday night indie event for River City Wrestling in San Antonio. A Michaels promo is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtAORQwcKbA

 

What did you think of Thursday night's Impact?

• Excellent
• Good
• Average
• Fair
• Poor
• Didn't see the show

 

What are your thoughts regarding TNA taping out of Orlando?

• It will help ratings long-term
• It makes for a better show but won't move ratings
• It won't move ratings but will build house shows and PPV because people look more like stars
• Makes no difference in reality even though it's a better look

 

On Friday nights in March which show are you most likely to watch?

• Smackdown on Syfy
• Ultimate Fighter on FX
• Bellator on MTV 2
• Best of Ultimate Fighter on Spike

 

What are your plans for Saturday night?

• Watching UFC 143 on PPV at yhome
• Watching UFC 143 on an illegal stream at home
• Watching UFC at a friends house or party
• Watching UFC at a movie theater
• Watching UFC at a bar or restaurant
• Not watching because of other plans
• Not watching because card doesn't interest me
• Not watching because I don't watch UFC shows