SUN. UPDATE: Rock, Big advance for boxing, Promotion sets record, Kelly talks Test death


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        We're looking for your thoughts on the Dragon Gate USA 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 on last night's Dragon Gate show in Chicago, last night's Smackdown show in Hammond and today's Raw show in Champaign, IL and Smackdown show in Cleveland.
        
        The live Raw is in Columbus, OH with James Roday and Dule Hill of Psych as guest hosts.
 
        TNA has a house show on Monday in Paris, France.
 
        Smackdown & ECW are taped on Tuesday night in Cincinnati.  DX vs. C.M. Punk & Luke Gallows for the tag team titles and Drew McIntyre vs. John Morrison in a no DQ match for the IC title are the top matches.
 
        The third show of the TNA European tour is in Bournemouth, England at the International Centre on Tuesday, and they have a Wednesday show in Cardiff, Wales at the International Arena.  
 
        A note that for all people who subscribe today either on-line or to the print Observer, you will be getting our 30th annual awards issue that comes out in late January, which is our traditional best selling issue of the year.

        A look at the chaos of TNA, both the pluses and minuses early on of the new regime, the Genesis PPV and backstage craziness is the lead story of this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
        
        We look at the nature of the television, comparisons in thinking (not the same style, but the same type of mentality) as another period in wrestling history and why the similarities are there.  We look at a lot of the booking decisions, changes in matches, style of booking, the next PPV show, have poll results on Genesis and early indications on how the show did.
 
        We look at the controversy over the ring, how fan booing Hulk Hogan led to fans being told what they should and shouldn't be doing and reactions to the famous speech.  We also have match-by-match coverage with star ratings of the Genesis show, as well as notes on where things are going from here.   

        We also have an update on what is going on with Jeff Hardy.
 
        The issue  will be available on the web site today for web site subscribers.

        We also look at changes made, and other changes being talked about regarding UFC's schedule for the first half of 2010, and how boxing is impacting one of those changes.
 
        We have a biography on the life of Bob Shamrock, whose adopted sons, Ken and Frank, were two of the biggest stars in the early days of UFC.  We look at his influence on Ken's life and life's of many others.  We also look at how Bob's passion for Roy Shire's pro wrestling led to how everything ended up turning out because of Ken's influence in the history of MMA in the U.S. and Japan.  We also look at the heyday of Ken and Frank Shamrock as fighters as well as comments from others on the scene at the time.
 
        We also have a look at the Bubba the Love Sponge/Awesome Kong incident, work vs. shoot, the consensus reaction, and strange lack of punishment.
 
        We also have a feature on the second Monday night wars, which got less publicity, but had its own interesting notes about people switching from one show to the other looking at 1/11 with Raw vs. UFC Fight Night.  This is actually quite interesting because when comparing Raw vs. TNA and Raw vs. UFC head-to-head on television, the data shows some very big surprises.
 
        We also have more on the Linda McMahon senate campaign and how the entire landscape changed this past week, and her reaction to the latest poll numbers.
 
        We have a lot of changes in how WWE is doing movies, breaking with former partners and the new strategy that will lead to more releases, a change in philosophy of how wrestlers are going to be used in movies, notes on new movies and more.
 
        We've got more on the WWE Hall of Fame ticket sales, Randy Orton's version of what happened last week in Boston where an assault and battery charge went out against him, Dwayne Johnson talking about his return to WWE as well as his getting started as a pro wrestler.
 
        We've got more on the Royal Rumble, Bret Hart's angle, TV changes, more on releases and returns of major stars.  We also have notes on a performer talking about leaving at some point, the Shawn Michaels DVD, and notes on the weekend WWE house show tour.    
 
        We also have a look at what undoubtedly will be one of the best PPV shows on 2010, the Freedom Fight from Dragon Gate USA.  We've got notes on how Dragon Gate USA is doing up to this point in various different revenue streams, thoughts on the Freedom Fight tournament, the good and bad on the show, the must-see matches, and why it will be more difficult than ever to see the show for many people.
        
        We also have a complete list of every significant and some insignificant WWE stars in 2009, and their won-loss record for the year.  This also shows how many matches every major star had.
 
       We also have a look at the ratings for all the major pro
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    We also have our usual weekly features such as the results of the
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Also in this week's issue:

--TV ratings in Mexico and how wrestling compares to major NFL games there
 
--First AAA TV taping of the year
 
--One of WWC's biggest events of the year featuring main events that include current WWE performers and the battle for Puerto Rico's Wrestler of the last Decade
 
--Former world champion suffers broken arm
 
--Main event of the first Budokan Hall show of the year
 
--Tournament for GHC jr. tag team championship
 
--Imminent return to action of one of the world's best wrestlers
 
--Update on the annual NOAH tag team tournament
 
--Notes on death of former wrestler, referee and trainer Katsuhisa Shibata
 
--Retirement due to injuries of New Japan star and another two stars in bad shape physically
 
--Aftermath of the death of Tony Halme
 
--Former WWE tag champ on reality show
 
--A look at the life of 50s star Ida Mae Martinez
 
--Debut of Evolve promotion and where it is headed
 
--ROH goes into Charlotte and who is taking on the responsibility of promoting the show
 
--Eric Bischoff talks what he's learned
 
--Future TNA PPV show notes
 
--Details of Ken Anderson's NA deal
 
--Update on how everything has gone down so far regarding Bobby Lashley's proposed Strikeforce fight
 
--What changed TNA's philosophy on promoting Lashley's MMA career
 
--Abyss talks life before wrestling
 
--TV star trying to get into TNA
 
--Talk of a former TNA character returning
 
--Japanese star headed to TNA
 
--Notes on TNA weekend house shows
 
--Notes on what has been taped for upcoming television shows
 
--Business of Brock Lesnar's return
 
--More on UFC 108 business
 
--Strongest markets for the show
 
--Update on promotion of the Newark show
 
--Notes on the next UFC video game
 
--Chuck Liddell files lawsuit
 
--James Toney on his UFC negotiations
 
--More on Quinton Jackson's role in The A Team movie
 
--Thoughts on boxer vs. MMA gimmick
 
--Fighters changing weight classes
 
--Tons of new matches in preparation or finalized
 
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--The Tooth Fairy as of today is estimated to do $14.5 million this opening weekend which would put it at No. 4 in the U.S. behind Avatar, Legion and The Book of Eli.  The movie opened No. 2 in Australia with a $4.5 million opening weekend (thanks to James Stanios)
 
--Dan Rafael as espn.com reported Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey sold 20,000 tickets in the first three days they were put on sale for 3/13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX.  
 
--Jersey All Pro Wrestling's 12th anniversary show from last night before what was reported as a promotion record 1,500 fans:  D.J. Hyde b Scotty Vortkekz, Steve Corino b Azrieal, Devon Moore b Archadia, Sami Callihan b Corvis Fear, South Side Playaz Club b Osirian Portal, Sara Del Rey b Madison Rayne to keep JAPW women's title, Egotistico Fantastico won best of the light heavyweights, Bandido Jr. b B-Boy, Drake Younger b Ruckus too keep CZW title, Teddy Hart & Jack Evans b Mark & Jay Briscoe, Dan Maff b Eddie Kingston to keep JAPW title, Homicide b Masato Tanaka, Heavy Hitters won three-way over Hillbilly Wrecking Crew and H8 Club to keep JAPW tag titles.  Next show is 3/20
 
--A story on Kelly Kelly, where she talks about the death of Andrew Martin, is at http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/118744/
 
---Today's New York Daily News has a story at http://www.nydailynews.com talking about Rock breaking kayfabe by saying he couldn't skate a lick and they had to hold him up with wires for any close-up scene on the ice.  He said part of the reason he was having trouble skating, aside from the fact he'd never done it, was his torn Achilles tendon from a few years ago.  

 

--Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Obsever radio talking all the weekend news as well as taking e-mails so you can send questions to the front page and we'll get as many as we can.  

 
--There is talk of a Mistico vs. Volador Jr. singles match for Friday night at Arena Mexico.  The match wasn't announced but they shot an angle on Friday night for it.
 
--Poll on Smackdown
Excellent 15.1%
Good 44.5%
Average 16.0%
Fair 6.7%
Poor 17.6%
        26.1% of those responding didn't see the show
 
--What did you think of Best of the Pride Fighting Championships?
Excellent 47.4%
Good 23.7%
Average 13.2%
Fair 5.3%
Poor 10.5%
        58.7% of those responding didn't see the show
 
--Best of the recent shows
Dragon Gate Freedom Fight 20.5%
TNA Genesis 19.9%
WWE TLC PPV 17.0%
Strikeforce Evolution 14.6%
UFC 107 Penn vs. Sanchez 10.5%
WEC Faber vs. Assuncao 5.3%
UFC 108 Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silvan 4.7%
UFC 106 Griffin vs. Ortiz 2.3%
Ultimate Fighter Finals Nelson vs. Schaub 2.3%
WEC Aldo vs. Brown 1.2%
Ultimate Fight Night Maynard vs. Diaz 0.6%  
 
--A front page story in the Toronto Sun about UFC's popularity in the city is at http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/01/23/12588806.html
 
--A very good story as it pertains to drug testing for MMA and boxing by athletic commissions at http://www.mlive.com/mayweather/index.ssf/2010/01/usada_travis_tygart_cur rent_d.html  Tygart had ripped on WWE's version of drug testing after the Benoit murder in 2007 on a CNN special.
 
--Former two-time NCAA heavyweight champion Cole Konrad's MMA debut last night in Fargo, ND, went well, beating Gary "Chief" Hamen quickly and easily.  Training partner Brock Lesnar was with him at the show.
 
--Not much to it but a story on the WWE house show on Friday night in Cape Girardeau, MO is at http://www.semissourian.com/story/1605018.html
 
--The same paper at http://www.semissourian.com/story/1605020.html has a story on The Miz.  He said his goal for 2010 is to become a main eventer.  He said Don Johnson and Jon Heder were in the top tier of guest hosts so far.  Okay.  
 
--Lisa Varon's custom car business was profiled on Louisville Life on the Kentucky Education TV channel at http://tinyurl.com/yavyz2v
 
--CZW High Stakes this coming Saturday night at the Arena has a ladder match with The Best Around vs. Blkout, Drake Younger vs. B-Boy for the CZW title, Necro Butcher & Danny Havoc vs. Sami Callihan & Jon Moxley Eddie Kingston vs. Nick Gage, Greg Excellent vs. Drew Blood, J.C. Bailey vs. xOMGx and D.J. Hyde vs. Joe Gacy
 
--NWA from last night in Charlotte:  Jeff Lewis b J-Rod, Ace Rockwell b Jeff Lewis, Mike Posey (TNA ref) b Corey Hollis, Mikael Judas b Brody Chase, Sal Rinauro b Jimmy Rave to become No. 1 contender for the NWA jr. title, New Wave b Team Macktion, Shatter b Caprice Coleman to retain the National title (thanks to Bob Trobich)
 
--Lethal Wrestling Alliance from last night in O'Fallon, MO:  Shane Hollister b Gary the Nightowl, Skimask Malone b Jordan Lacey, Matt Cage won three-way over Markus Crane and Krotch, Mike Sydal & Brandon Aarons b Devin & Mason Cutting, Jeremy Wyatt b Billy McNeil, Donovan Ruddick b Tyler Black, Davey Vega b Pierre Abernathy (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
 
--In Mexico today, Guadalajara has Shocker & Volador Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero.  Arena Mexico has Porky & Hijo del Fantasma & Hector Garza vs. El Terrible & El Texano Jr. & Negro Casas.  Monday in Puebla has Shocker & La Sombra & Volador Jr. vs. Felino & Mr. Niebla & Ultimo Guerrero
 
--GOUGE did a fund raiser last night in Wake Forest, NC to raise money for the family of Melissa Jo Bullock Godfrey and her two children who were killed in an auto accident, to help pay for a funeral.  The show raised about $1,500 for 265 fans:  Logan Wait b Tex McBride, Otto Schwanz & Buddy Langley b Andrea the Giant & Robert Royal, Brodereck McQueen b Chris Severan, Wrestling Superstar b Red Man, Jimmy Jack Funk Jr. b Trailer Park Heat, Brawney Garvin b Masked Magician, Damien Wayne b Rex Sterling, Seymour Snott b Big Daddy Edwards  
 
--Eclectic Media Productions is handling personal appearances for Gerald Brisco and you can e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 813-960-8412
 
--Next BANG show is 2/20 in Ocala, FL at the Funking Conservatory
 
--IPW from last night in Auckland, New Zealand before 140 fans:  Jordan Invincible b Mischa Ivanoff, St. Chaos b Link Van Haggard & Kazuki, Alfred Valentine NC Dal Knox, Danny Jacobs & A-Class b Pirates & Ninjas, Liger b Lil T, Alita Capri b Britenay, Waipukaru Warrior b Les West, NZ Dream b Jon E King, Vinny Dunn b Nick Burns-DQ (thanks to Steve Ogilvie)  
 
--IWF from last night in West Paterson, NJ:  Travis Blake b Evan Schwartz, Aaron Stride & Franciz b Fady the Arabian Bull & Mr. Casino, Jennifer b Alissa, Kevin Knight b Frank Scoleri, Justin Corino b Kraig Stagg, Aaron Stride b Hugh Holiday, Jim Powers & Chachi b Chris Steeler & Damian Adams

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