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We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's UFC Ultimate Fight Night, 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 will have live Fight Night coverage up on the site all night.
Tonight's lineup
Prelim fights
Ryan Jensen (186) vs. Steve Steinbeiss (185.5)
Brock Larson (171) vs. Mike Pierce (169.5)
Justin Buchholz (155.5) vs. Jeremy Stephens (155.5)
C.B. Dollaway (186) vs. Jay Silva (185)
Mike Pyle (170) vs. Chris Wilson (171)
Steven Cantwell (206) vs. Brian Stann (205.5)
Live TV fights
Tim Credeur (186) vs. Nate Quarry (184)
Carlos Condit (171) vs. Jake Ellenberger (170.5)
Roger Huerta (156) vs. Gray Maynard (155.5)
Nate Diaz (156) vs. Melvin Guillard (155)
Spike has a marathon of UFC programming, running the Greatest 100 Fights of all-time feature for five hours leading into the Fight Night which starts on TV at 8 p.m. Eastern. Season ten of Ultimate Fighter, expected to be among the highest rated seasons in history, starts at about 10 p.m., featuring Rashad Evans, Quinton Jackson and Kimbo Slice.
We've got one of our biggest non-double issues of the year of the Observer coming out Monday, and will be following it up next week with our Hall of Fame issue, our most talked about issue of the year, and the most purchased back issue most years.
Our lead story is the most detailed look available regarding Jeff Hardy, his arrest, how his friends are viewing it, details of the law and why the charges are what they are, what on paper has area lawyers thinking he's in a lot of trouble, future in pro wrestling, WWE reaction, what led to the Sunday Breaking Point interview and how that is being reacted to by some internally.
We look at why Jeff Hardy never followed up with a public statement, how this affects his other projects, a look back at how he got started in wrestling and his history with behavior that has caused him to get dropped by both WWE and TNA in the past. We look at Hardy's popularity, when it peaked, why he was being used in the world title picture even with two strikes against him, the publicity of the story and more.
We also have a huge story on the new Hulkamania promotion, including both short and long-term plans, who is on board, a look at Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff's past, why Hogan brought in Flair as his opponent, plans outside of wrestling for the two to work together, WWE reaction, who Hogan & Bischoff are working with, Hogan's name value in Australia and visibility leading to the tour.
We also look at Hogan from a legal front, the Graziano lawsuit, selling of his homes, divorce settlement, suing his lawyers and much more.
The issue is available today on the web site for premium members as is a back issue from 1992, put up this week for premium members on the site.
We also have notes on an ongoing power struggle with several veteran wrestlers careers currently at stake and the arguments on both sides on how to handle financial issues.
We look at Kurt Angle's case with Trenesha Biggers (Rhaka Khan) and why most of the charges were dropped.
We also look at what could be the biggest head-to-head battle of the year coming in a few months and how a U.S. station may have to make a choice on which big show to carry. This includes the debut of a national hero going against a traditional television blockbuster.
We've got our usual coverage of the WWE Breaking Point, with poll results, star ratings, why the Morrison match was dropped, the booking of the Undertaker match, what the early business trends show as well as match-by-match coverage.
We also have part two of our look at the 2009 Hall of Fame ballot. In this issue, we run down names like Seiji Sakaguchi, Kensuke Sasaki, Hans Schmidt, Sgt. Slaughter, Jimmy Snuka, Wilbur Snyder, Sting, Kiyoshi Tamura, John Tolos, Enrique Torres, Vampiro, Villano III, Dr. Wagner Jr., Dr. Wagner Sr., Mr. Wrestling, Mr. Wrestling II, Lou Albano, Jim Crockett Jr., Gary Hart, Jerry Jarrett, Gorilla Monsoon, Dr. Alfonso Morales, Don Owen, Roy Shire and Jesse Ventura.
We also have a look at a tournament coming next week where fighters from UFC, WEC, Dream and Sengoku join Olympians in wrestling and one of Strikeforce's biggest stars. We look at why so many of the biggest names in the sport, including Cris Cyborg, Urijah Faber, Gabriel Gonzaga and Ben Askren are headed to Spain.
We've got a look at Linda McMahon running for senate.
We've also got notes on the WWE Royal Rumble date change, story behind someone who was a major part of the organization for more than a dozen years leaving, Vince McMahon talks Chris Benoit, Mr. Kennedy on Randy Orton, a look at the decision to switch to one tag team and if it would make sense to have a similar singles champ working both brands, next three-hour Raw, Vince McMahon and announcers, Rey Mysterio update, Jim Ross honored, Show/Khali update, new PPV concepts, and a rundown on the WWE cuts over the past week. We also have notes on WWE injuries, WWE filming round tables, a new giant WWE was looking at, tons of new name changes as well as WWE house show rundown for the weekend.
We also look back at Kerry Brown, who passed away this past week, looking at his life and career, including his days as a Montreal headliner against some of the biggest names of the past 25 years, his battles with drinking, dressing room brawl, Stampede Wrestling and the early careers of Lance Storm & Chris Jericho that involved him.
We also have our usual weekly features such as the results from the major league events held around the world over the past week, and rundown of the major television 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
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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
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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.
Also in this week's issues:
--First-ever Jushin Liger vs. Mistico meeting and where the angle is going
--Major city may lose one of its weekly big shows
--Former WWE star talked with about going to Pena Memorial show but falling through
--All Japan, New Japan and NOAH all have Korakuen Hall shows this week and how each group did
--Update on the Misawa Memorial shows in Tokyo and Osaka
--A look at Masahiro Chono's 25th anniversary show featuring many legends and current stars and a dream trio main event
--Son of Hall of Famer, now 17, makes debut on memorial show for his father
--Second youngest boy ever signed by Japanese promotion set to debut in a few weeks
--Patrick Swayze wrestling connection
--One of the most talked about wrestlers of the 90s featured in a new book on football called "Schoolboy Legends."
--Update on Tyler Black and his contract
--A look at ROH TV tapings
--Notes on firing of Jim Cornette and B.G. James by TNA
--Update on Angelina Love visa situation
--Jenna Morasca lashes out at TNA
--Jeff Jarrett's promotional tour of Australia
--Update on Bobby Lashley's next MMA fight
--A major note on who watches Ultimate Fighter and how it differs from WWE
--Updates on all the major UFC events
--Update on new UFC international television deals
--Ticket sales for all the upcoming shows
--Faber talks about going to UFC
--Bob Sapp's absolutely insane schedule with pro wrestling, kickboxing and MMA between now and the end of the year
--Update on Sapp and a major U.S. pro wrestling organization
--Two-time Olympian's MMA debut
--Former NCAA champ suspended for five months in MMA
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 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.
--Today's big news was Linda McMahon announcing her run for the U.S. Senate as a Republican in Connecticut. CNN covers it at http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/16/a-cage-match-in-connecticut/ One of the keys of her campaign is she will not accept special interest group money and that individual contributions will be limited to $100. She is using the money her family has made from wrestling to largely finance the campaign. The local Stamford Advocate has a story at http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/ci_13344658 The Hartford Courant's coverage is at http://www.courant.com/news/politics/ Her campaign web site is at http://www.linda2010.com
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