MON. UPDATE: ROH TITLE & UFC W/RAW TV TONIGHT; RATINGS; ALBANO; HEYMAN INTERVIEW; MORE TNA PPV NEWS


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        We're looking for your thoughts on last night's TNA Bound for Glory PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
        We're also looking for reports from Jacksonville tonight and Raw, with the dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident on the live show.  HHH vs. John Cena is tonight's main event and Snoop Dogg is the guest host.
 
        Countdown to UFC 104 airs tonight after Raw on Spike.
 
        ROH tonight on HDNet:
*Jerry Lynn vs. Kenny King
*Sal Rinauro vs. Nigel McGuinness
*Colt Cabana vs. Claudio Castagnoli
*Austin Aries vs. Bryan Danielson for ROH title
 
        Tuesday has Smackdown & ECW tapings in Columbia, SC and TNA Impact tapings in Orlando.  Top matches include A.J. Styles & Daniels vs. Kevin Nash & Samoa Joe, Amazing Red vs. Homicide for the X title, British Invasion vs. Beer Money in a cage match for the tag titles and Jay Lethal & Consequences Creed vs. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley in an Ultimate X match with the winning team getting a contract to challenge for the TNA tag titles at Turning Point on 11/15.
 
        A second Impact, for 10/29, which means probably a bunch of Halloween skits, will be taped on Wednesday night in Orlando.        
 
        A look at who are the biggest and most popular names in wrestling, MMA and boxing in 2009, as well as a comparison to 2008 leads off today's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  The list is derived from web activity based on the major names, and is interesting to note in the sense everyone has a list of where they think people rate, including promotions.  
 
        We look at the surprises, as well as what this tells us in advance about what in some ways when it comes to long-term is the most important show remaining in 2009, which is the Strikeforce debut on CBS on 11/7 and where Fedor does or doesn't stand.
 
        We also have a look at how the last few weeks if you attended the two major shows, it would appear Japanese pro wrestling has made a comeback.  We look at why that probably isn't the case, as well as look at notes on the 25th anniversary of the pro debut of Masahiro Chono.  We look at Chono's career highlights, as well as look at New Japan's next major events, and what major Japanese celebrity was part of the show including what WWF champion was created based on this celebrity. 
 
        We've got an update on the Bragging Rights PPV and the Bound for Glory PPV with new matches, new stips and how WWE changed from the original direction.  We look at the promotion of the Raw vs. Smackdown match and Cena vs. Orton match.
 
        The issue is available right now on the web site for premium subscribers.  It is also available to be delivered to your home with subscription details below.  
 
        We also have thoughts on the divas shuffling of the deck, and why this should lead to several turns in upcoming weeks.  We have notes on a future guest host, Maria Menounos talking about her appearance on Raw, a lot of thoughts on the AP story including comments that have had a lot of people laughing at Vince McMahon, McMahon acknowledging the emergence of UFC is affecting the product, as well as more in detail on the most interesting part of the WWE new direction story that is being missed.
       
        We've got notes on the upcoming Smackdown tour of Mexico, changes in PPV names, possibility of WWE doing War Games, who is behind the push of  Drew McIntyre and why.  We also look at the plight of Jack Swagger, MVP and The Miz on Raw.
 
        We've got a lot more on the first salvo of criticism by Republican party leaders to Linda McMahon, as well as what her opponents in the senate race are saying.  We also look at some of the early television commercials Linda McMahon has done.
 
        We've got a long series of stories regarding Booker T and his future, including the different thoughts addressed within WWE regarding him coming in as well as what seems to have led to the end of his tenure in TNA.  We look at the differences in expectations in WWE and TNA, the potential of Sharmell and plenty of other issues regarding Booker including issues rarely talked about from his last WWE run.
 
        We have more notes on Big Show's new movie.
 
        We also look at ethnic audience differences when it comes to interest in WWE and UFC PPV events.  We look at WWE combating TNA and the Hogan tour in Australia, as well as a part-time WWE wrestler talks about wanting one last match with his most famous rival.
 
        We also have a look at Steve Austin, talking about his WWE career, his favorite wrestler of all-time, his favorite match he was ever in, and his thoughts on his acting career, Vince Russo, Ed Ferrara and even ROH.
 
        We also look at the WWE media situation in the U.K. and how a petty squabble has changed things as well as looking at that squabble.
 
        We look at several new people signed of late by WWE, noting the new trend of what they are looking for.  Dolph Ziggler talks about his drug suspension as well as his days as an amateur wrestler, some funny commentary looking back from more than a decade ago, Ted DiBiase responds to criticism of his working in WWE after all the things he had said in the past, as well as a look at the weekend WWE arena events.
 
        We have more on the near death experience in recent days of a popular former WWE woman star, the death of Harley Race's wife, B.J. Race, and the son of a Hall of Famer who at one time was one of the most heavily recruited high school football players in the country who is about to debut as a pro wrestler.
 
        We also look back in history about a former pro wrestler who is little remembered in football but actually was one of two people who broke the color barrier in the NFL and was talked about in this week's Sports Illustrated.
 
        We have a ton of behind-the-scenes notes from TNA regarding not only Booker T, but the future of several of the older wrestlers.  We also look at TNA and the price of its PPVs, we've got an update on Kurt Angle's legal situation, an update on the creative team, an update on Bobby Lashley in MMA and plenty of stories regarding Lacey Von Erich.
 
        We also have a look at the WEC show from the weekend, including TV audience, and questions about judging coming out of the Donald Cerrone vs. Ben Henderson main event.   

         We also have a look at the ratings for all the major pro wrestling and MMA shows on television over the past week.
 
        In this case, we also have details on what segments hit and missed on TNA, as well as how a TNA vs. WWE head-to-head battle did, and interesting notes on where WWE, TNA and UFC's audiences over the past week changed very notably from the prior week. 
 
    We also have our usual weekly features such as the results of the
biggest matches of the week and rundown of the major television shows.
 
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Also in this week's issue:
 
--Former WWE star being talked about as returning to Mexico
 
--How CMLL business has been doing and the latest lesson of the long-term of price discounting
 
--Big stipulation matches being teased
 
--Charly Manson talks about leaving AAA
 
--AAA fires a former major draw
 
--A new promotion gets major national television and is trying to raid other promotions for talent
 
--A look at the first TV taping from that group including the big angle shot
 
--Former TNA star wins overseas top title
 
--Update on the next Dragon Gate USA show
 
--Hustle brings in new celebrity star, how the big show does with him
 
--A return of the oldest annual tradition in pro wrestling that dates back to 1977
 
--Return of Naomichi Marufuji
 
--A look at the NOAH jr. heavyweight tournament and the G-1 Climax tag team tournament
 
--Dream match signed for later this month
 
--Update on Bobby Heenan
 
--Update on bidding for Ric Flair's old world title belt
 
--One of biggest U.S. stars of 80s writing an autobiography
 
--Hulk Hogan update
 
--Son of 80s star now a college football starting quarterback
 
--Sad story of a murder of an independent pro wrestler
 
--Update on Eddie Edwards and ROH tag team titles
 
--What ROH did at weekend shows that I've never heard of from a TV promotion
 
--Former ECW star coming to RH TV
 
--Wrestling personality gets engaged
 
--Mick Foley talks politics, Linda McMahon, health care and gives details on his next pro wrestling book
 
--Jeff Jarrett/Kurt Angle update
 
--Jim Cornette talks TNA and ROH
 
--TNA Global Impact notes
 
--What team has really held more world tag team titles than any team in history
 
--TNA house show news
 
--A look at upcoming UFC PPV events
 
--Junie Browning attempts to kill himself, and UFC signs new fighter shortly after he also attempted suicide
 
--Mirko Cro Cop talks suicidal thoughts after his last match
 
--UFC conducting seminars with all fighters under contract and why
 
--Notes on Ultimate Fighter
 
--Notes on ticket sales for upcoming UFC events
 
--Notes on UFC running in new markets and getting legalized and regulated
 
--Lorenzo Fertitta talks about which fighter he thinks can be the mainstream star to really push the company up next year
 
--What NBA team paid significant money to get UFC into its arena
 
--UFC goals for next year
 
--UFC magazine's first issue sales vs. WWE magazine sales of late
 
--Rashad Evans talks next fight
 
--Brock Lesnar builds up Shane Carwin fight
 
--The nephew of what former pro wrestling superstar is Lesnar's main coach
 
--MMA awards notes
 
--CBS promotional plans for Fedor and the next show
 
--The complete CBS lineup and thoughts on its marketability, as well as how live tickets are doing
 
--Strikeforce signs a former wrestling champion
 
--Notes on the Dream ratings in Japan and the boxing lead-in
 
--Celebrity scheduled to debut in a month fighting MMA
 
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--Impact on Thursday did a 0.9 rating.  We don't have details but keep in mind that the third hour likely dragged down the overall average.
 
--A few notes for those who haven't been on the site over the last few days.  We have two new tremendous interviews up, both on the subject of Lou Albano, one with Bruno Sammartino and the other with Paul Heyman.  They are both very entertaining for very different reasons.  Plus Wednesday we'll have the new Observer up which will include major stories on both the life and times of Albano, as well as the Shane McMahon situation.
 
--Cyndi Lauper was on Howard Stern today with Sharon Osbourne plugging them working on Celebrity Apprentice.  She said Lou Albano was like a father to her and noted how Albano helped her become famous.  Lauper, Maria Kanelis and others were flipping burgers at Burger Heaven in Manhattan earlier today as part of filming of the Apprentice show. (thanks to Jeff Cohen, Ron Schineller and others)
 
--Albano's death is mentioned in the new issue of Time Magazine.
 
--WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 goes on sale after midnight tonight at many stores.  If you pre-order at Gamestop, Steve Austin will be in the game.  
 
--Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Zelg Galesic and a battle of former New Japan stars with Tokimitsu Ishizawa (Kendo Ka Shin) vs. Katsuyori Shibata have been added to Sunday's Dream show at Osaka Castle Hall, which will air very late Saturday night (a few hours after UFC ends) on HDNet.  It is the first time a major Japanese MMA promotion has done MMA fights in a cage. 
 
--The Heyman Hustle at http://heymanhustle.craveonline.com/ has a photo of Pete Rose and Ric Flair taken on Saturday at the Big Apple Comic Con in New York.  
 
--Kim Couture worked the angle with Tara from last night's Bound for Glory on her Twitter account, acting like she wants a fight in Strikeforce.  There is zero buzz in either the pro wrestling world or the MMA world coming off the angle.  They tried to play it too cute, and in panning the cameras away and not identifying, virtually no wrestling fans really knew or cared.  Plus, it's not like Kim Couture is any kind of an MMA name or real celebrity.  I suppose it'll be acknowledged on TV on Thursday. 
 
--Paul London was also at the Bound for Glory show last night as well as Brian Kendrick, Rob Van Dam and Chuck Palumbo.
 
--At the end of the show, the stage manager was going ballistic because Sting wasn't facing the hard camera when he did his promo and they kept motioning for him to turn around.
 
--Chris Jericho was pulled from his advertised appearance at last night's house show in Mexico City to make sure he got to Jacksonville today for Raw.
 
--Do you think losing Shane McMahon will be a big deal to WWE?
Yes 53.8%
No 46.2%
 
--What was the best TV show of the past week?
Impact 38.5%
Smackdown 25.0%
ROH 13.2%
Raw 11.2%
Inside MMA 4.7%
AAA 3.2%
ECW 2.4%
Superstars 1.8%
--Who is the best wrestler of these Hall of Famers?
Ric Flair 46.8%
Chris Benoit 27.2%
Eddie Guerrero 18.8%
Ted DiBiase 7.3% 
 
 
--There is a note on Dwayne Johnson playing the president at http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/johnson-fulfills-obama-amibition-1119425  Johnson says since he has been playing Obama, he wants Obama to play him in a movie about his life.  He's going to need to gain about 60 pounds and I'm not exactly sure how he's going to be able to get Johnson's body at his age.
 
--Comedy Central sent out a press release on South Park doing a WWE themed show on 10/21 at 10 p.m.  The theme of the show is the boys go to a WWE show, and then sign up for wrestling at school, but find out it's not the same thing.
 
--The Connecticut Law Tribune has a piece on WWE going after the Philadelphia Wine School for the "Sommelier Smackdown" event at http://www.ctlawtribune.com/getarticle.aspx?ID=35252  The story is that the Wine School is trying to register the phrase and WWE is opposing it, which is how WWE found out about it and decided to try and get the Wine School to drop using Smackdown in the phrase. 
 
--A story on Katie Piper, who had sulphuric acid thrown in her face by an MMA fighter whose father was well known pro wrestler Danny Lynch, will air on Ch.4 in the U.K. on 10/29 at 9 p.m.
 
--Mike Wessel of this season's Ultimate Fighter was furious in an interview at http://www.heavy.com/post/tuf-10s-mike-wessel-lord-of-the-flies-1010/  He's mad because Kimbo's friends and family were allowed to see him fight, while he wasn't even allowed to talk with his wife who was battling cancer, and he also cut a promo on Quinton Jackson being a bad coach.
 
--Timing of the clips isn't the best as just weeks after WWE did an Undertaker never submitted in a match in history storyline, Vintage Collection showed him submitting in a match with Mankind (thanks to Phil Lawrence)
 
--NWA Anarchy TV tapings from Saturday night in Cornelia, GA before 120 fans:  Skirra Corvus d Hayden Young, Jacob Ashworth NC Cory Hollis, J.T. Talent & Drew Pendleton b Kirby & T.J. Mack, Seth Delay & Mike Posey b Bo Newsome, Shaun Tempers b Aden Chambers, Caprice Coleman b Jimmy Rave, Mikal Judas & Caprice Coleman b Phil Shatter & Kimo. 
 
--Mikal Judas and Phil Shatter are booked as extras for Raw tonight.  Interestingly, Judas and Shatter are also booked to play security guards for TNA on the Tuesday and Wednesday night tapings this week.
 
--C4 Wrestling on Saturday night in Ottawa before 160 fans:  J Rukin won four corners over Stupefied, Sabian and Michael Elgin, Rahim Ali b Jagged, Bash Bison over Deeno and Chaz Lovely, Sexxxy Eddy b Shane Matthews, Dan Paysan & Jimmy Stone b Mike Rollins & Josh Alexander, Tyson Dux b Michael Von Payton, Player Uno won three-way over Hallowicked and Kushida, Kevin Steen b Claudio Castagnoli 
 
--World League Wrestling on Saturday night in West Plains, MO before 227 fans:  Jason Jones b Trent Stone, Bao Nguyen b Jack Gamble, Ryan Drago b Cancun Kid, Becca Swanson (a woman whose best competition bench press is 70 pounds more than Mark Henry) & Trent Stone & Jack Gamble b Amy Hennig (Curt's daughter) & Jason Jones & Bao Nguyen with Trevor Murdoch as referee, Brian Breaker b Mark Godeker.  Honky Tonk Man also appeared. (thanks to Matt Murphy)
 
--An article on indie wrestling including Colt Cabana at http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/berwyn/news/x1693436051/-Massacre-matches-local-taelnt-with-big-league-taste (thanks to Jerome Cusson)
 
--Dragon Gate USA has a video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw47TGsKfpw from the 9/6 show in Chicago featuring the Young Bucks and Jimmy Jacobs
 
--Ghost Hunters on SyFy6 on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. investigates the Congress Theater in Chicago to find out if it's haunted.
 
--Mike Motley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking to get in touch with Cory Van Kleeck
 
--Terry Funk will be guest referee on 11/6 in Milton, WV for a Big Japan world heavyweight title match with Miyamoto vs. Mad Man Pondo for IWA East Coast's 5th anniversary show at the Pumpkin Park.  Eugene vs. Tracy Smothers plus Zach Gowen also on the show.  There will also be a Masters of Pain Hardcore tournament on 11/7 in Huntington, WV (thanks to Scott Milam)
 
--ISPW on Saturday night in Freehold, NJ at the ISPW Arena with Manu vs. Danny Inferno, Judas Young vs. Rick Fuller, plus Nunzio, Julio Dinero, Danny Doring, Ace Darling and Crowbar
 
--Drunkcast on Lou Albano at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Edward-Loredo
 
--Vader will be signing autographs on the 11/8 Mid South Wrestling Alliance show in Midwest City, OK
 
--Florida Championship Wrestling on 10/30 in Punta Gorda, FL at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center with an autograph session with Evan Bourne and Hornswoggle, as well as a costume contest emceed by Abraham Washington.
 
--Time Warner on Demand has a 12 minute free preview of the second Dragon Gate PPV and also the 2008 A.J. Styles vs. Sting match from Turning Point (thanks to Suju Abraham)
 
--RWF on 10/23 in Ashton, IL at the Mills & Petrie Memorial Building featuring Steve Corino, MsChif, Silas Young and Kyle O'Reilly
 
--Liberty Wrestling Organization on Saturday night in Lodi, NJ at the Boys and Girls Club
 
--A story in the Edinburgh Evening News on a local indie show that features Kevin Thorn is at http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/latestnew/Student-to-take-on-WWE.5740176.jp  It claims Thorn wrestles weekly in front of crowds of 80,000.  It treated wrestling as a shoot noting local wrestler Chris McPhillips, who uses the name Ron Jeremi, holds a win over Drew McIntyre.  He said he used to watch Thorn at WrestleMania but would have to use speed against him because he doesn't have the size to beat him.

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