WED.UPDATE: Hogan media, Dragon Gate at Mania week, Carwin talks Lesnar, WWE survey, Ross update


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        There are two hours of Unleashed from 8-10 p.m. on Spike with Jon Fitch vs. Luigi Fiorvanti, Matt Serra vs. Georges St. Pierre, Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn and St Pierre vs. Penn, followed by Ultimate Fighter at 10 p.m. and replayed at 11 p.m.
 
        A look at Shane McMahon's departure from WWE with comments from several people who have worked with him in recent years, possible future, and analysis is the lead story in this week's  issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 
 
        The issue looks at his resignation, the reaction of Vince McMahon, and possible reasons why this is taking place now.  We also look back historically at several different times when Shane McMahon was expected to run a promotion and that in all cases for a variety of different reasons it never materialized.  We look at what league he is in financially when it comes to being able to start a franchise.
 
        We look at what he would and wouldn't bring to a new venture, reactions to his job running a division from both the inside and outside, and a look at people in other businesses in similar situations.
       
        Monday's issue is available right now to web site subscribers.  You can also get the Observer by mail subscription with details below.
 
        We have a huge feature on the life and times of Lou Albano that will be out next week.
 
        We've got a look at where TNA stands after Bound for Glory, including the pros and cons of the current direction.  We look at the problems continuing with the company's inability to get paying customers, even to its biggest show of the year.
 
        We look at the Kim Couture angle and why it's doomed to fail, the injuries on the show, how everything builds to Turning Point as well as a TNA major main event scheduled for after.
 
        We've got notes on the signing of Nigel McGuinness and how it happened and why he is in the main event picture so quickly, as well as notes on the short-term direction of Kurt Angle and Mick Foley.
 
        We also have an updated Turning Point lineup, match-by-match coverage with star ratings for Bound for Glory as well as poll results on the show.
 
        We also have the story behind the changing of the main event at Bragging Rights.  We also look at the funny story to some, but not to at least one of the participants who ended up not there, regarding the match where the Smackdown team changed.
 
        We've got notes on Jerry Lawler's reaction to the Memphis mayoral race, one of the last significant business deals put together by Shane McMahon that will affect PPV buys, Maria Menounos talks about being a wrestling fan, notes on the change to Kofi Kingston, John Cena being pulled from house shows soon, several WWE surveys regarding PPV numbers being down as well as the effect of MMA.
 
        We've got a major story on Linda McMahon's political campaign, including the early days and involvement of pro wrestling, as well as new places her comebacks have made her vulnerable to opposition.
 
        We also have notes regarding two Hall of Famers who are in talks about guest hosting Raw and updates on time frames they are looking at.  We've got funny notes on WWE booking, updates on FCW, Punk talking about who he wants to face at WrestleMania and hints at a stipulation, as well as a rundown on all the weekend WWE events, including some huge shows in Mexico.  We also have notes on how WWE has changed the Mexico landscape and scary numbers for the locals with the new ratings being released.
 
        We also look at names announced for what will be most likely the most-watched television event of the year worldwide, the annual New Year's Eve Dynamite show.  We look at who has been chosen for the main event, what matches are scheduled and what four major pro wrestlers are headlining.
 
        We have an update on Jim Ross, notes on his Bell's Palsy attack as well as a look back at his past history with the malady, how it has affected his career, a look at his career dating back 35 years, and how, in various situations, he was brought back after the decision was made to take him off announcing, including what two wrestlers got him back in 1999, and how fan reaction at a show literally saved his job two years ago, update on his negotiations, as well as why he ended up with WWF and the strange circumstances of the announcement.
 
        We've also got the updated business charts for WWE and TNA, looking at the summer with live attendance, gates, ratings of all the major TV shows, and PPV buys for both companies, so you can see where things are up and where things are down.  We look at the first month where WWE showed a PPV increase, but how it is tempered by SummerSlam numbers.
 
        We also look at a new promotion debuting in April that already has a three-pronged television deal for MMA, which will include weekly two-plus hour live shows on national television, as well as a major network recap show.  We look at the schedule, as well as the viability of the project, and the format.
 
        We've got a story on the death of longtime Japanese journeyman wrestler Ryuma Go, including how and why he got one of the biggest reactions on what can be argued was the biggest show, in terms of talent, in pro wrestling history that took place in 1995.  We look at a wrestler who started at the age of 15, and went all over the world, and at one time was a cult television star in Japan.  We also look back on his most famous program, where he ended a famous winning streak in a match 30 years ago this month that is still widely remembered in Japan.
 
         We also have a look at the ratings for all the major pro wrestling and MMA shows on television over the past 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 returning in two weeks to Mexico
 
--CMLL brings back one of the most well known Luchadores
 
--Grizzly murder of a wrestler
 
--Latest from AAA TV tapings
 
--Notes on first Perros Del Mal show
 
--A national sports hero coming in for a managing role on a big show
 
--Former star from another sport now holds title belts in two different promotions simultaneously
 
--Notes on the Misawa Memorial show
 
--Update on NOAH junior heavyweight tournament including a huge upset featuring an ROH star beating one of the top stars in the world
 
--Update on New Japan tag tournament
 
--One of the two or three biggest stars of the last 30 years has secret surgery
 
--Hall of Fame wrestler announces this week he is running for Governor
 
--Notes on former indie wrestling star making his pro boxing debut soon
 
--Bill Goldberg and others in a look at the most requested wrestlers by overseas promoters
 
--More on the funeral and death of B.J. Race
 
--A women who has lifts in some cases ahead of those of Mark Henry is now a pro wrestling champion
 
--Son of 90s legend scheduled to debut in two weeks
 
--Updated talk on the effect of concussions in sports and Chris Nowinski talks about WWE 
 
--Torrie Wilson updates an explains her recent hospitalization
 
--Update on Hulkamania ticket sales
 
--How WWE is forcing changes to the tour
 
--Notes from Hulk Hogan's new autobiography with some interesting stories
 
--Third generation wrestler and brother of WWE star looks to be starting as a pro wrestler
 
--Update on Boogeyman
 
--New ROH matches
 
--Where TNA has its most popularity
 
--Notes on how TNA and Jakks Pacific are pushing their new product line
 
--Notes on next round of TNA action figures
 
--Update on Mr. Kennedy
 
--Sting talks retirement
 
--Notes on TNA Impacts and where they lead
 
--UFC plans for 2010
 
--Notes on the UFC debut in Australia
 
--Is UFC for sale?
 
--Update on UFC and Dan Henderson as well as where all the 1/2 main events stand
 
--Notes on the UFC show lineup going head-to-head with Raw, including a potential major counter by WWE
 
--Lots of new UFC matches signed
 
--Former UFC star talks about steroid use of early MMA names
 
--Notes on big shows in Japan on U.S. TV
 
--One of the most horrid crimes ever by a fighter and a television show coming next week detailing it      
 
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--Hulk Hogan will barely mention TNA again tonight on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  Then he heads to Chicago tomorrow and Minneapolis on Friday for book signings.  Tomorrow night he'll be at Borders at 830 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago.  He's also on the Joy Behar show on HLN tonight.
 
--Dragon Gate USA officially announced shows on 3/26 and 3/27 at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix for WrestleMania weekend, which means both ROH and Dragon Gate USA will be running essentially head-to-head. 
 
--WWE has another web site detailed questionnaire talking about the Bragging Rights PPV, as to whether you bought it, why you did or didn't
 
--In adding to the Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin story, Carwin said on his web site that he had a strain of the swine flu in recent weeks, lost 15 pounds and pulled some muscles in his leg, but unlike Lesnar, he never once considered pulling out of the fight.  Carwin said Lesnar pulling out gives him more training time and "It is a blessing if you want to know the truth."
 
--Erin Toughill has withdrawn from the 11/7 Strikeforce show in Chicago due to an undisclosed illness.  Toughill was going to face Marloes Coenen in a match to determine the next opponent for Cris Cyborg's women's championship.  
 
--Transcript of Hogan on Larry King last night at http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0-910/27/lkl.01.html
 
--THQ announced today that is has notified WWE they were extending negotiations for the WWE video game franchise license through the end of the year for a renewal through December 31, 2014.
 
--There is now talk Georges St. Pierre may not be ready until March for his next fight.
 
--Austin Aries vs. Kenny Omega is set for 11/14 in Toronto for ROH.  Also on the show is Tyler Black vs. Roderick Strong, while 11/13 in Detroit has Black vs. Claudio Castagnoli.  On the 11/5 TV tapings in Philadelphia they've added Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe plus a title defense by Aries.
 
--On his blog, Jim Ross wrote that he underwent a battery of tests yesterday seeing a variety of doctors, but has no results back yet.
 
--A story on Kyle Busch playing heel on Raw is at http://www.thatsracin.com/140/story/21408.html  It noted that as part of the promotion that Jerry Lawler was going to the Texas race when Logano and Busch drive WWE themed cards to promote the Smackdown vs. Raw video game  
 
--An interview with Traci Brooks talking Playboy is at http://www.pwmania.com/interviews.php?page=traciplayboy
 
--Jesse Ventura's new TV show on TruTV called "Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura" debuts on 12/12 at 10 p.m.
 
--US Airways has WrestleMania ticket packages available at http://www.usairwaysvacations.com/specials/wwe-phx.html?c=00754_hd
 
--An update on former WCW wrestler El Gigante (Giant Gonzalez in WWF) is at http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/offTheCourt/p/newsid/34688/arti.html  Gonzalez is wheelchair bound now at 43, and needs kidney dialysis
 
--What do you think of TNA signing Hulk Hogan?
Good for short-term and long-term 25.4%
Good for short-term, bad for long-term 51.0%
Bad for short-term and long-term 23.6%
 
--What November show are you most interested in?
November 7 Strikeforce - Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers 33.4%
November 21 UFC - Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin 21.0%
November 15 Turning Point - Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles vs. Daniels 19.3%
November 22  Survivor Series 17.5%
November 14 UFC - Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera 5.3%
November 18 WEC - Mike Brown vs. Jose Aldo Jr. 3.1%
November 6 Strikeforce Challengers Series 0.4%
November 20 Strikeforce Challengers Series 0.0%
 
--Who is the best wrestler of these Hall of Famers?
Ric Flair 69.3%
Dynamite Kid 30.7%
 
--Who is the best wrestler of these Hall of Famers?
Bret Hart 62.0%
Kurt Angle 38.0%
 
--What was the best TV show of the past week?
Impact 29.6%
Smackdown 22.3%
Ultimate Fighter 14.6%
ROH 9.7%
Raw 8.3%
Dream 5.3%
ECW 4.9%
AAA 3.4%
Inside MMA 1.0%
Superstars 1.0%
 
--What was the best of the three weekend major shows, WWE Bragging Rights, Dream and UFC 104?
Only saw UFC 18.8%
Only saw WWE 13.5%
Didn't watch any of the three shows 36.4%
Saw UFC & WWE, WWE best 8.5%
Saw UFC & WWE, UFC best 8.2%
Saw all three, UFC the best 1.3%
Saw all three, WWE the best 2.8%
Saw all three, Dream the best 5.0%
Saw UFC & Dream, UFC the best 3.4%
Saw UFC & Dream, Dream the best 1.9%
Saw WWE & Dream, WWE the best 0.3%
Saw WWE & Dream, Dream the best 0.0% 
 
Notes from this is 50.1% watched UFC 104
39.6 watched Bragging Rights
 
Of those who watched UFC 104, 51% watched Bragging Rights
Of those who watched Bragging Rights, 65% watched UFC 104.  That's tons more crossover than one would have expected 
 
--Poll on Raw
Excellent 8.9%
Good 28.0%
Average 24.7%
Fair 14.3%
Poor 24.1%
        23.6% of those responding didn't see the show
 
--Poll on Raw
 
 
--CMLL on Sunday in Guadalajara:  Cuca b Nube Roja Jr., Nube Roja & Thunder Boy b Metatron & Virgo, Angelo & Palacio Negro b Angel del Mal & Exterminador, Egipcio & Infierno b Asesino Negro & Leon Blanco-DQ, Dark Angel (Sarita) & Lady Apache & Lluvia b Princesa Blanca & Princesa Sugei & Raven Hiroka, Mistico & Strong Man & Toscano b Atlantis & Negro Casas & Ultimo Guerrero-DQ (thanks to Kris Zellner)
 
--CZW Tournament of Death from Sunday in Townsend, DE:  Sami Callihan b Danny Havoc in a Caribbean Pits of Death match, Thumbtack Jack b Jon Moxley in a four corners of Hell dog collar death match, Masada b Brain Damage in a New Age Texas death match, Nick Gage b John Zandig in a Pane in the Glass death match, Scotty Vortekz over Greg Excellent & Rich Swann, Thumbtack Jack b Sami Callihan in an Transylvania Death match (Casket match), Masada b Nick Gage in a Home Run Derby Death match, Devon Moore b xOMGx, Thumbtack Jack b Masa in a House of Pain Death match    
  
--Wreck MMA on 12/12 at the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau, Quebec
 
--The annual Blizzard Brawl in Waukesha, WI takes place on 12/5 at the County Expo with Al Snow vs. B.G. James vs. Kip James with Mick Foley as referee, plus Mr. Ken Anderson (Kennedy) vs. Mr. A.E. (My name used to be Armando Alejandro Estrrrraaada) the Demolition vs. The McCoys.  Plus Lance Allan, the local sports anchor, faces Gillberg and King Kong Bundy is on the card.
 
--Shane Carwin talks about Brock Lesnar at http://www.fightline.com/news/mma/2009/1026/455843/shane-carwin/index.shtml 
 
--CHIKARA on 11/21 in Easton, PA at the Palmer Center has Jigsaw vs. Gran Akuma and Player Dos vs. Yujiro Kushida plus a loser leaves town match with Hydra vs. Tim Donst
 
--Brutal Bob Evans is attempting to set a record for the most consecutive 60 minute matches in one week in New England history.  He will do six different Iron Man matches billed as Iron Week.  He will do an Iron Man match with Dan Freitas on 11/15 in Fall River, MA, face Billy King on 11/16 in Springfield, MA, face Matt Taven on 11/17 in Quincy, MA, face Nick Westgate on 11/18 in Taunton, MA, face Brian Fury on 11/19 in Lowell, MA and face Mike Bennett on 11/20 in Carver, MA  
 
--Frank Shamrock will be signing copies of his book "Mixed Martial Arts for Dummies" on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Borders in Schaumburg, IL
 
--This is the final week for Victory Garden' Theater's acclaimed play, "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" about an indie wrestler.  For more info go to http://victorygardens.org/content/node/1321 in the Chicago area.  I've had wrestling fans attend it and rave about it. 
 
--3XWrestling on 11/20 in Des Moines has a show at the Social Club with $1 off tickets with a toy donation for Toys for Tots, headlined by Rory Fox vs. Jeremy Wyatt 
 
--Flip Kendrick, Dave Cole, Marion Fontaine and Louis Lyndon have been added to the 2009 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup tournament on 11/20 in Brooksville, FL and 11/21 in Crystal River, FL  
 
--HPW Wrestling on 11/7 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds has the company's 11th anniversary show featuring a bikini contest plus Diceman Ronnie Vegas & April Hunter vs. Pastor Pain & Koa Marie
 
--Pavelich Sports has Heat XC Hysteria MMA on 11/6 in Edmonton at the River Cree Resort and Casino
 
--Tony Condello is doing a Kerry Brown tribute show on 11/10 in Winnipeg at the Skyview Ballroom at the Marlborough Hotel.  There will be a Kerry Brown Memorial Rumble and the show is to help raise funds to assist his family with expenses
 
--Headlock for Hunger and NWWA Pro Wrestling will be doing a 73-hour show from 11/21 to 11/24 called Headlocks for Hunter.  The goal is to run the longest continuous pro wrestling show ever, and the goal is to raise a minimum of 2,000 pounds of food for the Oregon food banks
 
--Roy Englebrecht promotions is trying to put together the Professional Mixed Martial Arts League, a minor league type promotion that would have eight teams in Southern California and Nevada.  Englebrecht's experience, besides promoting boxing and MMA is running the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a successful minor league baseball team.  The idea is to have a league draft, teams in eight counties (San Diego, two in Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino and Las Vegas) and d monthly shows starting in February with four home matches and four away matches, with playoffs from October through December.  Basically IFL on a smaller sale, with the idea of fighters making $10,000 to $25,000.  For more info you can contact Englebrecht at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to http://www.pmmal.com
   
--Steeltown Pro Wrestling on 11/21 in Selkirk, Manitoba
 
--Ed, Cutrer and Craig are joined by Bobby Dempsey at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Edward-Loredo
 
--A review of Irv Muchnick's book on the Benoit murders is at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Benoit/2009/10/22/11493831.html
 
--CZW on 11/14 in Philadelphia at the Arena is headlined by B-Boy vs. Dan Maff
 
--Irv Muchnick will be on WOC-Am in Davenport, IA at 8:20 a.m. tomorrow
 
--There is a Super Rizz Memorial Cup tournament to celebrate D.J. Rizz, who died in August at the age of 26 in an auto accident.  The show will be on 11/21 at Liberty High School in Brentwood, CA to benefit the Jason Lee Smith (his real name) scholarship fund and trust fund for his two-year-old daughter.  In the tournament are Rik Luxury, Chupacabra, Funnybone, Adam Thornstowe, Dante, Mike Hayashi, Johnny Plinko and Mike Rayne.

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