Bryan Alvarez:
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Dave Meltzer:
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We've got a busy weekend with the big shows being Strikeforce tomorrow night on Showtime, with the Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg main event, and TNA Hard Justice on Sunday from Orlando headlined by Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan vs. Sting for the world title, Mick Foley vs. Kevin Nash for the Legends title, Scott Steiner & Booker T vs. Team 3-D for the TNA tag team titles, Doug Williams & Brutus Magnus vs. Beer Money for the IWGP tag team titles, Homicide vs. Samoa Joe for the X title, a tag team title for the women's singles title with Angelina Love & Velvet Sky vs. ODB & Cody Deaner, Hernandez vs. Rob Terry, Abyss vs. Jethro Holliday and an X Division escape the cage match for a title shot featuring the debut of Pope D'Angelo Dinero, formerly known as Elijah Burke.
We're looking for reports on tonight's WWE Raw house show in Cedar Rapids, IA and the TNA TV tapings in Philadelphia (first hour main event is Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Briscoes, second hour main event is KENTA & Bryan Danielson & Roderick Strong vs. Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards & Chris Hero, and third hour main event is a cage match with Brent Albright vs. Claudio Castagnoli) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tomorrow night, besides the TV showdown with Showtime vs. Spike, is a Raw house show in Peoria, a Smackdown house show in Mankato, MN and the second night of the ROH tapings including a tag team gauntlet match, KENTA vs. Chris Hero and Strong vs. D-Lo Brown.
Sunday has TNA Hard Justice, a Raw house show in Cape Girardeau, MO and a Smackdown house show in Sioux City, IA.
Monday has the live Raw in St. Louis featuring Freddy Prinze Jr., and a main event of John Cena & Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho & Big Show. TNA is also taping in Orlando and there is a Smackdown house show in Lincoln, NE. Tuesday has Smackdown & ECW taping in Kansas City featuring C.M. Punk & David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd vs. Matt & Jeff Hardy & John Morrison as the Smackdown main event. There is also a second night of TNA tapings in Orlando.
Smackdown tonight has:
* Jeff Hardy vs. Harry Boy Smith and Tyson Kidd in a handicap match
* CM Punk vs. John Morrison
* Finlay vs. Dolph Ziggler
* Layla vs. Melina
* Big Show vs. JTG
A look at the Fedor Emelianenko sweepstakes and the front office turmoil in TNA are the two lead stories in this coming Monday's jumbo-sized issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
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.
The issue is available right now on the web site to premium members.
The main story is the most in-depth look anywhere at the situation with Emelianenko, with notes from all sides. We look at the offers, what they were really worth, how it affects Emelianenko's management, his legacy and all parties including asking if the winner of the sweepstakes is really the loser.
We look at the Strikeforce contract, the Showtime deal with Strikeforce, the meeting with UFC and Emelianenko's management, and the Brock Lesnar fight that isn't happening. We look at the keys to this deal working, his most likely opponents, the key to his drawing power and who appear to be the big winners, and what the risks involved are.
We look at the coverage of the signing, what exactly M-1 Global is, MMA in Russia, Emelianenko's U.S. drawing power, who is Scott Coker, who owns Strikeforce and its backing. We look at the television ratings lessons of Strikeforce on Showtime and CBS, what mistakes were made by UFC and thoughts on the landscape of MMA in the U.S. one year from now.
We also look at the firing of Dutch Mantel and Savio Vega and the bigger picture for TNA. We look at what departments this affects and what people on the roster are considered Jarrett allies, and their positions. We look at how things recently got worse between Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle. We look at the goals of the most recent television taping, as well as thoughts on Kurt Angle, Paul Heyman, Kevin Nash, Jim Cornette and others being put in a creative position.
We also have two months worth of WWE and TNA business charts, looking at attendance, gate, sellouts, TV ratings and PPV numbers, including how Wrestlemania ended up faring as compared with last year, and what aspects of the business have shown significant increases, and what aspects are showing decreases.
We also have a look at TV viewership of the major shows for every month this year, including ECW vs. TNA.
We also have an update on the SummerSlam lineup and what changes were made over the past few days, Shaquille O'Neal, the release of Brian Kendrick, an update on Tony Atlas, a look at Jerry Lawler running for mayor, the departure of a decade-long veteran and when, more on Jeff Hardy, lots of injury updates, who was getting praised for their work at recent TV tapings, fallout of Christian vs. Ryder, guest hosts planned for upcoming episodes of Raw, the IC title situation and also the return to Edmonton.
We also have notes on non-wrestling acting gigs for two WWE stars, a second generation wrestler getting a new name, as well as business notes from the weekend and reviews of all the house shows.
We also look at the signing of Tito Ortiz and his history with UFC, thoughts on the new main event for UFC 103 with Dan Henderson vs. Vitor Belfort, and more notes on new talent in the promotion and where the Affliction fighters are winding up.
We also have a look at the legacy of what may have been the most hated heel tag team act in wrestling history, a look back at the Von Brauners and manager Saul Weingeroff and their legacy of 25 different world tag team titles. We look at the gimmick, we look at the stars they put on the map by feuding with them including Eddie Graham, Bill Watts and Fritz Von Erich, the different members of the team and their record.
We also have our usual weekly features, including a detailed look at the ratings of all the major shows, including segment-by-segment and in the key demos. We also have results from the major league arena events as well as reviews of the major national TV shows.
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.
Also in this week's issue:
--A look at CMLL's annual Infierno en el Ring show
--Something talked about that is imminent that will greatly change the face of pro wrestling in Mexico
--Update on business of El Hijo del Santo
--A major promotion featuring several of the biggest stars of the last 30 years in trouble
--Dragon Gate to crown a U.S. based champion
--Dragon Gate tag titles rules
--One of the most famous MMA matches in history getting rematched in a few weeks in pro wrestling
--All Japan Jr. tournament news
--Major NOAH show
--Misawa Memorial Show news update
--20th anniversary show for longtime mid-card stars
--Former world champion to play a movie role of a previous wrestling legend and his change in style starting in a few weeks because of it
--Antonio Inoki talks politics
--DDT at Sumo Hall
--Vader as promoter
--Death of promoter looks to bring back famous promotion
--OVW trouble
--Wrestling Hall of Famer honored by his college
--80s WWF headliner knocked out in double-cross
--Update on Nick Bockwinkel
--Update on the future of Sting
--Latest Kurt Angle claim
--Bobby Lashley's next fight will be against a former New Japan and WWE wrestler
--Notes on the rule making meeting of the Association of Boxing Commissioners regarding MMA, including different rules for amateurs, regulations for women, and what is and isn't an illegal blow
--Ticket sales for upcoming UFC events
--Frank Mir talks Brock Lesnar again
--New UFC fights
--Return of Sakuraba
--All kinds of Strikeforce updates
--A look at Gina Carano
--A look at the Kimo death hoax
--A look at what is being talked of as one of the year's best shows
--Promotion justifies using drug test failures
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.
-- There is an article here where a source claims Linda McMahon is interested in running for the U.S. Senate. It notes that she has plenty of money behind her to campaign. She'll need it, seeing as to how her political experience consists entirely of getting onto the Board of Education and doing horrible skits on Raw. The WWE corporate site has confirmed this story. Thanks to Dan Wahlers and others.
-- Phil Baroni has signed with UFC. Yes, indeed.
-- Matt Lindland, meanwhile, has signed with Strikeforce.
-- Fabricio Werdum vs. Mike Kyle has been moved to the main card tomorrow night since Nick Diaz vs. Jay Hieron is canceled.
-- EA Sports has a press conference tomorrow in San Jose where they will be announcing that Randy Couture will be the headliner for their new MMA game. This deal was signed long ago, before Randy and UFC made up, but you can imagine what Dana White thinks of this whole situation.
-- The Strikeforce weigh-ins will be airing live on HDNet at 7 EST.
-- The Pro Wrestling Illustrated family of magazines have just been sold back to Kappa Publishing.
-- Tonight is the 100th episode of Inside MMA on HDNet.
-- Devin Nicholson writes: This incident happened today during an appearance on Ottawa's "Daytime" talk show to promote Friday's Wrestling Supershow event in Ottawa Ontario and the Earl Armstrong Arena. During the show Abdullah the Butcher decides for some reason to smash a plate over one of the hosts head resulting in multiple cuts. Here is the link.
-- TNA had 30:19 of wrestling last night.
-- Heath Slater beat Tyler Reks last night to win the FCW Heavvyweight title.
-- Jushin Liger will be heading to CMLL for most of September, which means he will most likely appear on the 76th Anniversary Show. Thanks to Kris Zellner.
-- On the episode of Big Brother that aired last night, the contestant who got evicted, Jesse, said it was OK that he got kicked out because he wanted to be a pro-wrestler. He then did a bunch of Hulk Hogan poses. He's said to look like a bodybuilder with a great physique, but he isn't that tall. Russell, who is an MMA fighter, is still in the house.
-- Apparently the December 27th WWE house show in Reading, PA has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict.
-- In the bad timing department, there is an Internet-only MMA PPV running Saturday night head-to-head with Carano vs. Cyborg and the UFC 100 replay on Spike. It's $9.99 at fight5.com and features Thomas Wildman Denny, Daniel Puder, Gabe Reudiger, and others. There is also a dude named Dustin Rhodes working the show.
-- M-1 Global also has shows in Hilversum, Holland on Saturday and Sunday, which you can order on the Internet at M-1Global.com. Well, unless you are in the US or South Korea, apparently.
-- An update on B Brian Blair: He's running for a State House seat
-- Gary Mehaffy writes: Last night (Thursday) here in the U.K. marked the first programme in British TV presenter/comic Just Lee Collins' new show, where he has 4 weeks to fulfill a lifelong dream. The first of those dreams was to become a Lucha Libre wrestler. The main part was him being trained by CMLL's Cassandra. Along the way he met some British wrestlers for advice (do the women allow themselves to get out of character? Or maybe one of them just is a jackass in real life!) as well as a little training with LDN. He received advice from Silver King whilst in Mexico as well as meeting Santo, for whom he had the utmost respect. Cassandra came across superbly well in the whole piece as a trainer and as a genuinely nice guy. It culminated with them performing a short, and obviously rehearsed, match (at Lucha Libre Londo 2008) before Cassandra unmasked 'El Glorioso' revealing him to be Justin. He approached the whole process with respect and humility and as such the show, the wrestling and especially Cassandra came across really well.
-- G-1 stats. For Block B it's Tanahashi with 5 points, Makabe with 5, Yano with 6, Bernard with 5, Tanaka with 7, Omori with 4 and Tajiri with 4. For Block it's Tenzan with 4, Nagata with 5, Nakanishi with 6, Goto with 6, Nakamurawith 10, Iizuka with 0 and Sugiura with 5. August 16th at Sumo Hall has the winner of Block A vs. 2nd place in Block B and the winner of B vs. 2nd place in Block A, plus the finals.
-- Who is the strongest modern Hall of Fame candidate from the U.S.
Chris Jericho 21.9%
Curt Hennig 14.1%
Fabulous Moolah 14.0%
Midnight Express 13.2%
Rey Mysterio 12.5%
Edge 5.4%
Ivan Koloff 3.4%
Dick Murdoch 2.9%
Rock & Roll Express 2.9%
Jimmy Snuka 2.6%
Gary Hart 1.9%
Who is the strongest candidate from Mexico on this year's ballot?
Konnan 47.6%
Blue Panther 14,6%
Dr Wagner Sr. 12.8%
Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero 12.4%
Vampiro 6.9%
Atlantis 3.2%
Villano III 1.4%
Karloff Lagarde 1.1%
Who is the strongest historical candidate on this year's ballot?
John Tolos 37.4%
Red Bastien 15.3%
Hans Schmidt 12.6%
The Assassins 11.5%
Wilbur Snyder 11.2%
Bill Miller 9.6%
George Gordienko 1.4%
Enrique Torres 1.1%
Who is the strongest Japanese candidate on this year's ballot?
Kensuke Sasaki 48.4%
Masa Saito 20.6%
Seiji Sakaguchi 10.3%
Gran Hamada 7.8%
Volk Han 7.3%
Kiyoshi Tamura 5.8%
-- A story on Tommy Dreamer and his family is up here.
-- New interview with Mike Quackenbush of Chikara up here
-- A look at the authors of the WWE Encyclopedia up here
-- Jim Ross has a new blog up here where, among things, he speculates on future Raw guest hosts. I found the Nancy Grace suggestion hilarious.
-- Alex Marvez looks at Eric Young's heel turn here
-- Really good interview with Randy Orton up here
-- Story here on the late Karl Von Hess.
-- Stewart Allen has a new podcast up here where the slant is they'll only be talking about women's wrestling. I hope Jim in Virginia from WOL is reading this.
-- Big Time Wrestling Sunday at 6 PM at Roll Haven of Owosso, 119 N Delaney RD, Owosso, MI 48867. They're also doing a meet and greet tonight.
-- Ed and Curter are doing a show tonight breaking down the PWI 500. I am not making this up. Link is here.
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