SUN. UPDATE: Survivor Series notes, WWE TV this week news; UFC last night; Big indies; UFC eyes TO
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We're looking for your thoughts on last night's UFC 106 and tonight's Survivor Series, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to
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Tonight's lineup:
*John Cena vs. HHH vs. Shawn Michaels for the WWE title - Nobody seems to think Michaels has a chance. But there doesn't seem to be a lot of interest if it's Cena or HHH winning. To say the side needs a shakeup is an understatement. Still, probably a very good match here.
*Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho vs. Big Show for the World title - Jericho really should win, but he's got the tag title and they've made the tag titles the most meaningful in years, plus it gets him on both shows. Most seem to see that as meaning Undertaker retains. Undertaker vs. Batista seems like a natural direction at this point.
*Rey Mysterio vs. Batista - Traditional booking would be that Batista goes over at the end of this program to challenge for the title. But I don't see this as being a one-match program, and given that, either man can win here and almost surely it should be booked a fluke style win to keep the program going.
*Team Orton (Randy Orton & Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes & C.M. Punk & William Regal) vs. Team Kofi (Kofi Kingston & MVP & Mark Henry & R-Truth & Christian) - There are a lot of ways to book this, but the key thing is that Kingston should either win at the end, or if he doesn't win, he should go out with a double DQ, taking Orton out with him. A Kingston lost via pinfall in this match would hurt the momentum they've created for him. Christian should also be eliminated by someone who then starts a title program with him. The match looks like a collection of programs, Orton vs. Kingston, DiBiase & Rhodes vs. MVP & Henry, Punk vs. Truth and Christian vs. Regal.
*Team Morrison (John Morrison & Matt Hardy & Evan Bourne & Shelton Benjamin & Fit Finlay) vs. Team Miz (The Miz & Drew McIntyre & Sheamus & Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger). Probably see the heel team going over here since the guys they don't want to beat right now under normal circumstances would be McIntyre & Sheamus. Coming off TV, I can see Ziggler taking out Morrison, but it may be too late for that. With the exception of Morrison, the face side looks like a team there to help put the other team over.
*Team Mickie James (Mickie James & Melina & Eve Torres & Gail Kim & Kelly Kelly) vs. Team McCool (Michelle McCool & Alicia Fox & Beth Phoenix & Jillian Hall & Layla)
When you look at the show on paper, it looks to be a strong, but I'm not sure about it doing much business. The build for the main event has been mystifying, and the strongest programs have been Orton vs. Kingston and Mysterio vs. Batista.
We will have live Survivor Series coverage on the site at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
We're also looking for reports from the Battle of Los Angeles shows in Reseda, CA from last night and Friday night.
There will be a three-hour Raw on Monday from Hershey, PA with all three brands there and Jesse Ventura as the guest host. The advertised main event is DX & Cena vs. JeriShow & Orton. Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Bridgeport, CT at the Harbor Yards with Undertaker vs. Batista vs. Punk as the announced dark match.
The second city of the Hulkamania tour will be on Tuesday night in Perth.
We've got a lead story on Brock Lesnar, what exactly happened with him over the past two weeks, the UFC heavyweight title picture, as well as a look at the new main event level matches UFC has put together over the past week in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The issue also has full coverage of UFC 105 from Manchester, TNA Turning Point, more on the death of Adam Firestorm, Raw in Madison Square Garden and much more.
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We have an update on Lesnar's condition, a look at the heavyweight division, the snake-bit UFC with so many headliners out at the same time, and updates on Shane Carwin, Quinton Jackson, Randy Couture, Cain Velasquez and more.
We also look at the Hogan effect on TNA, including several wrestling personalities that have been recruited to come in, exactly who is really in charge, as well as a look at Turning Point, one of the company's best PPV shows in years due to the Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe and A.J. Styles vs Samoa Joe vs. Daniels headline matches. We also have match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results from the show.
We also look at UFC 105, including the Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera judging, the business notes on the show, comparisons to the CBS show the week before, and how every match on the show did in ratings. We also talk about UFC in the U.K., how over Couture was with the fighters, as well as match-by-match coverage with poll results.
We also have a look at Hulk Hogan's latest autobiography, and some of his stories and what does and doesn't make sense out of them, as he talks his career, his marriage, his childhood and his future.
We also have more on the WWE's new deal with the USA Network, the WWE business on its recent European tour, future guest hosts, lots more on the Linda McMahon campaign including where she is polling in her race for next year, as well as people critical of her due to the content of wrestling, her campaign's response, as well as Superstar Billy Graham being involved in campaigning against McMahon.
We also have more notes on where things stand with a WWE Channel, as well as notes on similar channels, as well as WWE in the U.K., on television, John Cena's next movie, another top babyface injured and who in particular needs to be pushed because of it, an update on Gerald Brisco, talk of the WrestleMania main event for next year, a wrestler expected back in the next two weeks, update on Matt Cappotelli, WWE Hall of Fame, health of Jim Ross, new announcing situation, where Bryan Danielson stands with WWE, former developmental wrestler returns with a new role, house show changes, update on Edge, as well as tons of notes regarding new wrestlers in developmental including two wrestlers who competed at this year's NCAA tournament.
We also have a look at all the shows of the last week on the WWE European tour.
We've got notes on the death of Orig Williams, perhaps the most famous wrestler to come out of Wales, as well as a story on the death of Adam Firestorm, and similarities of his death with many other wrestler deaths in recent years.
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biggest matches of the week and rundown of the major television shows.
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--Not a lot of major news after the UFC show last night. Tito Ortiz said he had a new injury, a bulging disc in his neck, and also claimed a cracked skull, and that he did no sparring in preparation for the fight. He admitted he was totally gassed by the third round and kept complaining about both not getting the decision as well as not getting the best match bonus. Forrest Griffin suffered a broken foot in training. Despite the Josh Koscheck promo, there will be no Koscheck vs. Dan Hardy match. That's almost like TNA. We've got more on the audio up on the site.
--All three rosters are scheduled for Hershey, PA for Raw tomorrow night. Next week's Smackdown will be taped this coming Sunday night in Hampton, VA instead of on Tuesday. Also regarding Raw, and Smackdown this week, they only have a three-week build for the TLC PPV which is the final show of the year. The creative team has 14 hours of TV to write over the next week.
--We will be back tonight late after Survivor Series with another radio show, as well as a Monday night show after the three-hour Raw from Hershey.
--Maryse is scheduled to be in the building on Monday night. No word if she's scripted onto the show.
--On Google trends this afternoon, the only thing from last night's show on the list is Ortiz vs. Griffin at No. 20
--For those in the U.K. ordering Survivor Series in HD tonight and planning on recording it to your Sky+ box, the HD version will end at 48 minutes into the third hour. Some recent shows have gone longer so you may want to change your recording options to it takes another ten minutes in case the show goes long (thanks to Phil Lowe)
--Reno Riggins' Showtime All-Star Wrestling drew more than 1,000 to the Nashville Fairgrounds last night: Arrick Andrews b Chris Michaels, Rick Santel b Jamie Dundee, Drew Haskins b Gary Valiant, Kevin White b Jesse Emerson, Marc Anthony NC Hammerjack, Derrick King & J.T. Stahr b Scarboni Brothers, Kid Kash b Vordell Walker, Chase Stevens b Andy Douglas in a last man standing match in 27:49. Next show is 2/13. (thanks to Larry Goodman)
--Jersey All Pro Wrestling from last night in Rahway, NJ: Chris Dickinson b Neeno Capone, D.J. Hyde b Rich Swann, Corvis Fear d Sami Callihan, Devon Moore b Grim Reefer, Sara Del Rey b Sumie Sakai, Eddie Kingston & B-Boy b Azrieal & Bandido Jr., Hillbilly Wrecking Crew b H8 Club, Archadia b Rhett Titus, B.G. & Kip James b Southside Playaz Club, Dan Maff b Christopher Daniels to keep JAPW title. Next show is 1/23 in Rahway, NJ at the Rec Center with Masato Tanaka vs. Homicide and Dan Maff vs. Eddie Kingston which will be the company's 12th anniversary show
--Best of the recent major shows
TNA Turning Point 30.7%
Dragon Gate USA Untouchable 16.6%
Strikeforce on CBS 16.3%
WWE Bragging Rights 9.5%
UFC 105 Couture vs. Vera 8.4%
WEC 43 Cerrone vs. Henderson 6.5%
TNA Bound for Glory 5.7%
WEC 44 Brown vs. Aldo 3.8%
UFC 104 Machida vs. Rua 2.4%
--Poll on Impact from Thursday
Excellent 25.1%
Good 40.9%
Average 17.5%
Fair 5.3%
Poor 11.1%
30.5% of those responding didn't see the show
--Poll on Superstars from Thursday
Excellent 13.2%
Good 17.6%
Average 26.5%
Fair 14.7%
Poor 27.9%
59.0% of those responding didn't see the show
--Notes from last night in Crystal River, FL and the final day of the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup: Kyle O'Reilly b Craig Classic, Raymond Snow b Lou Bothan, Tony Kozina b Jaison Moore, Christopher Gray b Jerrelle Clark, Bruce Santee b Erick Stevens-DQ, Davey Richards b Egotistico Fantastico, T.J. Perkins b Shane Hollister, Johnny Gargano b Louis Lyndon, Silas Young b Jon Moxley, Richards b Perkins, Young b Gargano, Richards b Young to win tournament, Dark City Fight Club b James Gang, Ron Bass (80s star) b Sean Davis in a bull rope match (thanks to Alan Wojcik)
--From the Hogan tour in Melbourne at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPnCo_X6HMY
--The Toronto Star had a front page story yesterday at http://www.thestar.com/sports/wrestling/ufc/article/ covering UFC's attempt to get a show in Toronto
--Mick Foley on The Daily Show (funny segment) at http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-november-19-2009/gaywatch---peter-v adala---william-phillips (thanks to Denis Gorman)
--The cartoon "Planet 51," with Dwayne Johnson as one of the star voices, opened at No. 4 this weekend with $12.6 million. Not sure how that compares with expectations
--Stacy Keibler will be guest starring on "How I Met Your Mother" with Neil Patrick Harris (thanks to Jeff Cohen)
--Next Wild Bill's Fight Night will be 12/18 in Duluth, GA, as a free Toys for Tots benefit. If you stop by any donation spot and leave an unwrapped toy, you will get a free ticket to the show, or if you come to Wild Bill's that night, and bring a toy for donation. you will get a free ticket. They expect 4,500 fans at the show, the biggest crowd of the year. For a list of drop spots you can write
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--Bob Evans pulled off his six one hour Iron Man matches in the past week, which may be a first in wrestling history. On Wednesday night, Evans beat Dan Freitas 10-9. On Thursday, Evans drew Brian Fury 8-8. Friday saw Evans beat Mike Bennett 11-10. Evans noted that he suffered a back injury against Fury and that Bennett carried him for one hour on Friday night and they were able to work the match around the injury, and both got a standing ovation when it was over.
--The Age in Australia at http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/ ripped on the Hogan show, although it was more a rip on the Charles Wright Godfather remake character called Pimp Fatha and his ho's. One fan said he walked out long before the main event and a security guy told him, "Trust me, mate, we've had a few leave already."
--A correction from an update a few days ago regarding Dan Severn and looking for a home in Arizona. Severn's 3,001 square foot home in Coldwater, MI is currently on sale listed at $270,000
--Maryland Championship Wrestling has a Survivor Series party at Loafer's Sports Bar and Grill in Catonsville, MD starting at 7 p.m. There is a cover charge and there will also be food and drink specials all night long.
--USWO from Friday night in Nashville before 50 fans: Saint & Psycho Medic b Dyron Flynn & Bryan Casey, Bad Boy Dixon b Lee Cross, Kliff Hanger b Eric Hodge, Jeff Daniels b Tim Renesto, Josh Crowe & Damien Payne b Matt Korbaine & Kevin Dunn so Dunn must leave USWO, Tommy Mercer b Kid Kash-DQ, L.T. Falk b Mitch Ryder in a first blood match (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)
--Eddie Trunk's web site has a photo backstage at the Metallica concert this past Sunday at Madison Square Garden with Chris Jericho, who was able to leave the European tour a day early and make it in time for the concert.
--Mid South Pro Wrestling on 1/16 in Fort Smith, AR with Al Snow, Buddy Landel, Malia Hosaka, Steve Anthony (who recently toured for Pro Wrestling NOAH) and a win a date for Matt Riviera of VH-1's Megan Wants a Millionaire
--December to Remember autograph show on 12/12 in Carteret, NJ at the Radisson Hotel with Dory Funk, Ron & Don Harris, Steve Williams, Bill Dundee, Dan Spivey, Moondog Rex, Jack Victory, Skandor Akbar, Clarence Mason, Outback Jack, Simon Diamond, Johnny Swinger, Brad Armstrong and Tim Horner as part of the VIP package. You can also e-mail
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or call 516-473-4944 for more info. Also scheduled to appear are Stan Lane, Bobby Heenan, The Headbangers, Mike Sanders, Greg Valentine, Angelo Savoldi, Madison Rayne, Tito Santana, Rodney Mack, Spice & Chae from the Nitro Girls, Larry Zbyszko, Gerald Brisco, Brother Love, Awesome Kong, Christy Hemme, Steve Blackman, Sonjay Dutt, Jazz, Angelina Love, SoCal Val, Roxxi, Shelly Martinez and David Sammartino
--GCW on 11/28 in Oshawa, ONT at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall featuring Virgil, Robbie McAllister and Cody Deaner for a 1 p.m. show
--Thursday night in Cuernavaca: Hechicero & Jungla b Arana Jr. & Flama, Brazo Jr. & Brazo de Platino & Halcon Tarin & Super Brazo b Astronave & Demonio Negro & Ice Killer & Vampiro Metalico, Dark Angel (TNA's Sarita) & Lluvia b Amapola & Princesa Sugei, El Texano Jr. b Toscano to keep the NWA light heavyweight title, La Mascara & Mistico & Strongman b Averno & Negro Casas & Ultimo Guerrero
--Friday night in Neza in a show that ended at 12:30 a.m. as the main event came from Arena Mexico and did another show that night: Carta Brava Jr. & Vampiro Metalico b Black Ninja & Super Ninja, Brazo de Platino & Super Brazo & Turbo b Black Thunder & Demonio Negro & Ice Killer, Pequeno Damian 666 & Pequeno Warrior b Electrico & Pequeno Olimpico, Dark Angel & Lady Apache b Amapola & Princesa Sugei, La Mascara & Mistico & Volador Jr. b Felino & El Texano Jr. & Negro Casas
--Friday night in Merida: Amenaza Roja & Anubis b Aztlan & Fuego Infernal, Cobraman & Lobo Salvaje b Equinoccio & Suicida Jr., Bam Bam & Shockercito & Torito b Panther Boy Jr. & Pequeno Damian 666 & Pierrothito, Hector Garza & Maximo b Atlantis & Ultimo Guerrero (thanks to Kris Zellner)
--Today in Mexico has Guadalajara with La Mascara & Shocker & Toscano vs. El Terrible & El Texano Jr. & Vangelis. Arena Mexico has Blue Panther & Hector Garza & Mistico vs. Atlantis & Negro Casas & Ultimo Guerrero. Villahermosa has Octagon & La Parka vs. Dark Ozz & Kenzo Suzuki
--Expoland Wrestling Entertainment in Fischerville, VA on 12/12 with Claudio Castagnoli & Rhett Titus vs. J-Sinn & Lance Lude in what is billed as ROH vs. EWE, plus Sara De Rey Bobby Dempsey, Grizzly Redwood, Phil Brown and more
--BANG results from last night in Ocala, FL: Rachel Moore won three-way over Claudia Reiff and Melissa Coates, Blain Rage b Shane Chung-DQ, Johnny Magnum b Hack Meyers, Jordan Vinson & Christian Norskog b Damien Steele & Johnny Romano
--NYWC last night in Deer Park, NY: Francis Kipland Stevens & Eddie Guapo b Dirty Rednex, High Society b AMIL, Stockade b Spyder, Josh Daniels over Papadon and Quiet Storm, Maverick b Benny Martinez, Alex Reynolds & Dan Eckos b Joey Braggiol in a handicap match, John Silver Big Time Rush b King Mega & Celtic Saints (thanks to Kenny Lippe)
--IHWE from last night in Fort Worth: David Fuller b Balls Ryder-DQ, Carrion Arcane b Dave Dunnings, J.T. Lamotta b Brent Masters, Chaz Michaels b Midnight Cowboy, Livewire over Kris Haiden and Texas Red, Chris Richter NC Eric Kincaid, Team Romance b Team Slick, Chico Torres b SB1-DQ. Michael Faith debuts next week.
--Matt Dunn of
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is looking for a DVD of the Raw from Madison Square Garden
--NWS from Friday night in Holmedel, NJ: Corey Havoc & Danny Demanto & Kevin Matthews DCOR Shane O'Brien & Michael Reigns & Shock, Joey Janella won three-way over J.D. Smoothie and Jon Justice, Slayer b TNT-DQ, The Patriot NC King Nagu, Skitzo (a teacher at the high school) b Nicky Oceans, Tatanka & The Patriot (managed by a high school coach) vs. Samu & King Nagu. Next shows are 12/4 in Kenilworth, NJ and 12/5 in New Milford, CT headlined by Jim Neidhart and Spike Dudley
