Bryan Alvarez:
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Dave Meltzer:
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We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's Strikeforce show. 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 looking for reports on last night's ROH show in Los Angeles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view itTonight has Strikeforce on Showtime at 10 p.m. featuring Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis for the welterweight title, Cris Cyborg vs. Marloes Coenen for the women's title, Melvin Manhoef vs. Robbie Lawler, Bobby Lashley vs. Wes Sims and Greg Nagy vs. Herschel Walker. We'll have live coverage of the event on the site.
We're also looking for reports on tonight's PWG show in Los Angeles, TNA show in London, England and WWE tri-branded house show in Macon, GA.
Sunday is the Royal Rumble PPV, the traditional No. 2 pro wrestling event of the year. Besides the Rumble, the show has Undertaker vs. Rey Mysterio for the world title, Sheamus vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title, Christian vs. Ezekiel Jackson for the ECW title and Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James for the women's title.
Raw will be Monday in Nashville featuring appearances by Bret Hart and William Shatner. Tuesday will be Smackdown and ECW taped in Memphis.
Our traditional best selling issue of the year, the 2009 awards double sized issue, comes out this coming Monday. The issue has a complete rundown of the annual awards, as well as a feature on what may be the biggest pro wrestling news story of the year, regarding the future of Monday night television, plus in-depth on Brock Lesnar and his return, a feature on Georgiann Makropoulos, as well as future booking plans from WWE, UFC, TNA and Strikeforce.
The issue is already available on the web site for premium subscribers.
We have a rundown of the winners and top ten finishers, as well as every winner in the 30-year history of the Observer awards dating back to 1980, as well as comments on the voting and winners.
Categories are
Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award for Wrestler of the Year
MMA Most Valuable Fighter
Most Outstanding Wrestler
Most Outstanding Fighter
Best Box Office Draw
Feud of the Year
Tag Team of the Year
Most Improved
Best on Interviews
Most Charismatic
Best Technical Wrestler
Bruiser Brody Memorial Award for Best Brawler
Best Flying Wrestler
Most Overrated
Most Underrated
Promotion of the Year
Best Weekly TV show
Worked Match of the Year
Shoot Match of the Year
Rookie of the Year
Best Non-Wrestler
Best TV announcer
Worst TV announcer
Best major event
Worst major event
Best maneuver
Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic
Worst TV show
Worst Match of the Year
Worst Feud of the Year
Worst Promotion of the Year
Best Booker
Promoter of the Year
Best Gimmick
Worst Gimmick
Best Book
Best DVD
We also look at the details of Brock Lesnar's illness, Canadian Health Care, and reactions.
We look at the life of Georgiann Makropoulos, with comments from Bruno Sammartino and others.
We've got notes on the next Dragon Gate USA PPV show.
We also have notes on a possible interview theme for Smackdown in a few weeks, as well as an update on WrestleMania, Dwayne Johnson in WWE, next year's WrestleMania, Royal Rumble preview, major WWE lawsuit settled out of court, why major business analysis publication believes WWE is going up, and some major star injury updates. We also have WWE developmental notes, Royal Rumble stats, The Miz growing up, update on WWE Legends Roundtable discussions as well as highlights from all the weekend WWE live events.
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.
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 28th 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 or Master Card number and an expiration date to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 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.
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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.
-- Strikeforce weigh-ins and line-up for tonight's show:
1. Nick Diaz (169.5) vs. Marius Zaromskis (169) for the vacant welterweight title
2. Cristiane Cyborg (144.5) vs. Marloes Coenen (143.75) for the 145-pound women's title
3. Greg Nagy (210.5) vs. Herschel Walker (214.25)
4. Robbie Lawler (185.75) vs. Melvin Manhoef (185.75)
5. Bobby Lashley (252.25) vs. Wes "The Barber Beefcake" Sims (258.25)
6. Jay Hieron (170.25) vs. Joe Riggs (170.5)
7. Pablo Alfonso (139.25) vs. Marcos da Matta (139.75)
8. Hayder Hassan (170.5) vs. Ryan Keenan (168)
9. Sabah Homasi (171.5) vs. John Kelly (170.5)
10. Michael Byrnes (154.5) vs. David Zitnik (154)
11. David Gomez (144.5) vs. Craig Osley (144.75)
12. John Clarke (169.75) vs. Joe Ray (169.75)
-- Dave will be doing running live play-by-play for the show tonight, then the two of us will be up later on tonight with a rundown and analysis, plus news from backstage. We did another radio show last night talking Royal Rumble, Impact moving to Mondays, Davey Richards, and more, plus we'll be back tomorrow night after Rumble and Monday night after Raw. Four shows in four days, so if you've been looking for the perfect time to sign up, this is it. Plus you can get the Awards issue of the Observer that just came out and coverage in both Observer and Figure Four of the Road to WrestleMania.
-- The EA Sports website will be airing some of the prelims free tonight. For more info click here.
-- The Spike TV schedule for March has been released and there is no TNA show listed for Thursday the 4th.
-- TMZ showed up at a Fozzy autograph signing yesterday and Chris Jericho had them booted out.
-- Truth has been added to the official Rumble roster, which leaves five spots left. Hurricane is still off as of today.
-- There was a commercial this morning on ESPN's EPL match (on Directv) for the Elimination Chamber PPV in February. Thanks to Mark Coale.
-- Tazz on his Twitter says his doctor told him he needs a partial knee replacement.
-- WrestleMania AXXESS tickets went on sale today.
-- PWInsider is reporting that ROH filed suit against Ric Flair, accusing him of owing them over $40,000 and failing to live up to the terms of his contract.
-- Bill Douglas is officially threw with the California State Athletic Commission and will now be working as a combat sports judge.
-- WCW Is Back And Its New Name Is TNA
-- A look at the Top 10 pro wrestling entrances of all time
-- Victor Conte slams professional boxing's drug testing. Well, if anyone would know, it would be Victor Conte.
-- Lashley's nutrition website has been redesigned for tonight's show and you can check it out here.
-- Ex-pro wrestler returns to ring to pin autism
-- NYWC tonight at 435-13 Brook Ave, Deer Park, NY 11729. Bell Time 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm.
-- Cleveland All-Pro Wrestling returns to Belindas Nite Club, 9613 Madison Ave. Friday, feb. 12th at 7pm. Headlined by Mitch Ryder vs Chris Hamrick plus The Stro. Info at myspace.com/capw.
-- Insanity Pro Wrestling Proudly Presents "Insanity Pro vs Chikara Pro 2010", Saturday, February 6, 2010, The Fountain Square Salvation Army Corp, 1337 S Shelby St, Indianapolis, IN 46203. Doors Open at 6:00 PM. Bell Time 7:00 PM. Admission $10.00, Kids 10 & Under $7.00
-- HWA "All or Nothing" Results - 1/29/10: The Noble Bloods beat Utterly Fabulous, Jesse Emerson beat Aaron Williams to retain the American Luchacore Title, Tarek the Legend won a Four Way Match over "The Madness" Chris Hall, Ron Mathis, and Shank Barzini, Jon Moxley beat King Vu to retain the HWA Heavyweight Title, Dustin Rayz beat Tim Donst, Jack Verville beat Kaden Assad, Irish Airborne won a Four Way TLC Match over Drake Younger & Scotty Vortekz, The Hybrids, and Aeroform to retain the HWA Tag Team Titles. Thanks to Adam Sanders.
-- From the promoter: Mick Foley Backroom Sale At PWHF Fundraiser: Please join us on Saturday night February 20th for a fundraising benefit for the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame - the “Meet, Greet. And Eat with Wrestling Legends” dinner honoring “Chief Jay Strongbow” at the Regency House Hotel (Route 23 North) Pompton Plains, New Jersey. Also attending is the Hardcore Legend - - Mick Foley..... Not only will Mick attend the dinner, but he will also host the "Mick Foley Hardcore Backroom Sale". Starting at approximately 5 PM, Mick will have items from both his wrestling career and also personal items available for sale . In addition to the sale, Mick has also agreed to include one item from his collection free to each Dinner ticket holder. The total of all proceeds will go to the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. Legendary Ring announcer and WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel will be the Master of ceremonies for the evening. Other mat stars scheduled to attend so far include Dawn Marie, Irish Davey O’Hannon, JJ Dillon, Johnny Rodz, Pete Sanchez, Doink the Clown, WWF Refs Dick Worhley, Tom Savoldi and Billy Caputo, Irish Terry Gunn, Angelo Savoldi the oldest living pro wrestler (95 years young), and many more. Tickets for the dinner are available for $60.00 by calling 973-897-5033. Doors open at 5:00 for Mick Foley's Backroom Sale with the dinner to follow at 7:00 and the evening will also feature a Chinese auction and a 50/50 drawing, Stay tuned to www.pwhf.org for further info.
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