Bryan Alvarez:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dave Meltzer:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's Royal Rumble and last night'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 Friday 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 it
We're also looking for reports on Saturday night's PWG show in Los Angeles, TNA show in London, England and WWE tri-branded house show in Macon, GA.
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.
Rates are:
For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 .
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.
-- Line-up for tonight's Royal Rumble PPV:
1. Undertaker vs. Rey Mysterio for the World Title. I don't think anyone is giving Rey any chance of winning. In year's past I would presume this would mean they'd throw some sort of curveball in, and maybe they will, but it seems a safer bet that Undertaker retains. Both guys are in bad shape physically but I would still bet they'd have a pretty good match.
2. Sheamus vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Title. Whether Hunter wins the Rumble or not, at least as of last week Hunter vs. Sheamus for the title was on the books for WrestleMania, so one would expect Sheamus to retain here unless they want to give Orton a short run with the title, which doesn't seem to make much sense. Perhaps Legacy will screw up somehow and cost Orton the match if they decide they want to continue a storyline that has kind of started and stopped several times over the last few months (original break-up was supposed to occur around Survivor Series).
3. Christian vs. Zeke for the ECW Title. Doesn't really matter one way or another. Zeke is really green and would have to be carried in all of his programs, but he has to be carried now as well, plus Christian has held the title for quite awhile and his time may be up.
4. Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James for the Smackdown women's title. One would think that Mickie would finally get her revenge, but with her country music single and CD coming out, that's an indication to WWE that she's not fully committed to the company, and usually people like that end up on the wrong side of booking decisions.
5. Royal Rumble with Cena, Batista, HHH, Jericho, HBK, Matt Hardy, CM Punk, Shelton, Ted DiBiase, Great Khali, Cody Rhodes, Yoshi Tatsu, MVP, Chris Masters, Miz, Regal, Kofi, Kane, Truth, Mark Henry, Zach Ryder, Jack Swagger, Big Show, Evan Bourne and Carlito. That leaves five open spots. I know there are people not listed here on both brands that as of this morning weren't sure whether they were going to be in the match or not. There will probably be surprise entrants. Name that have come up (and this is speculation from fans and not any inside information that I have) including Booker T, Edge, RVD, Morrison (who did a radio interview saying he'd be in), McIntyre (who has cut promos saying he'll win), etc. Usually if they have a big Rumble surprise they'll keep him backstage hiding from even the other wrestlers so word won't get out.
-- Dave will have running play-by-play on the front page starting around 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET, and we'll both be up later on tonight with our third of four straight Wrestling Observer Radios.
-- The Rumble is one of the top three searches on Yahoo right now.
-- Dave's article on last night's Strikeforce show is up here
-- Because of my upcoming move and the need to finish the newsletter a day early, Mike Sempervive and Derek Burgan will be handling Wrestling Observer Live this afternoon on the site.
-- The Sheik defeated El Gran Apolo last night in Ft. Pierce, FL to win the NWA North American Heavyweight title.
-- "Tooth Fairy" was the second highest grossing film in Australia this week with a total gross of $7.8 million. Thanks to James Stanios
-- Super Nova (not the ECW guy) did an interview saying that reports of him signing with WWE were incorrect, but that he was waiting for them to call him back. Keep in mind the reports came from him announcing it and posing for photos with his new contract.
-- Taz said on his Twitter that if he underwent partial knee replacement as his doctor has advised he wouldn't miss any time.
-- Hurricane has been pulled from both the Rumble and TV this week. Not good for him.
-- Serena Deeb is officially on the road with WWE as of this weekend.
-- Turnbuckle dreams: Dale County grad works during week, wrestles on weekends
-- This story involves the son of former WWE star Rosie
-- Five headed to trial on conspiracy to murder Manitoba pro wrestler
-- Mike Mooneyham with a very nice bio on Georgiann Makropolous here
-- Even McMahon's foes admit WWE is good for Connecticut
-- MVP talks about the Royal Rumble here
-- XWA Goldrush Results for January 30th 2010, Morecambe Dome, Morecambe, UK: El Ligero beat Tiger Bailey, Marty Scrull and C.J Banks to win the Vacant XWA Flyweight Title, Sam Slam beat Rockstar Spud by DQ. Spud retained his XWA British Title, Stixx beat Baz Attitude, R.J Singh beat Tom Lambert, Johnny Phere won a 15 man Goldrush Rumble. This was the last ever wrestling event at the Morecambe Dome. It's held wrestling for over 30 years and is a fantastic venue. There was a tribute to The Dome in the ring following the show with a lot of the wrestlers paying their respects. It was a very emotional moment.
-- MCW will be having a WWE Royal Rumble PPV party tonight at Loafer's Sports Bar and Grill, in Catonsville, MD. Party starts at 7pm. Food and drink specials all night long. There is a cover charge. 6518 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD 21228
-- Ed in San Antonio will be doing a live Royal Rumble simulcast on his radio show starting at 6:30 PM PT tonight here
Send us a news tip: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news from this site or from our newsletters, please include a link to www.wrestlingobserver.com
For the most in-depth and detailed news and analysis on pro-wrestling and MMA, always turn to Wrestlingobserver.com/Figure Four Weekly Online, the #1 website of its kind on the Internet. Members receive online access to both the Wrestling Observer and Figure Four Weekly newsletters and growing archives, Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer three times per week, the popular Bryan and Vinny Show twice per week, additional radio shows including Figure Four Daily with Alvarez, Mike Coughlin's Five Star Radio, the Dr. Keith Lipinski Show, The Adam and Mike Big Audio Nightmare, Tough Talk and the Karl Stern Wrestling History Show, the infamous BOARD, and more! Members also have full access to the thousands of hours of audio in our radio show archives which date back to 2005. For your convenience, we offer secure online payments using your VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card or PayPal account. Don't miss out on the fun, sign up now! Don\'t miss out on the fun, sign up now!
Want full access? QUICK AND EASY $10.99 SIGNUP!
