SAT. UPDATE: PPV headliner in jeopardy of appearing at TNA show; TNA suspension;TNA move to Monday
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We're looking for reports on tonight's Raw house show in Madison, WI, the Smackdown house show in San Jose, Costa Rica and the ROH 8th anniversary show at the Manhattan Center in New York at
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The ROH show features Austin Aries vs. Tyler Black for the ROH title, Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Dark City Fight Club for the tag team titles, Roderick Strong vs. Brian Kendrick and Davey Richards vs. El Generico.
We're also looking for reports on the TNA house shows on Thursday night in Charlottesville, VA and last night in Norfolk.
Sunday is the Against All Odds PPV for TNA from Orlando headlined by A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the TNA title, Team 3-D vs. Nasty Boys and a one night-single elimination eight card stud tournament with first round matches of Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson, Abyss vs. Mick Foley, Matt Morgan vs. Hernandez, and Desmond Wolfe vs. The Pope.
Sunday also has the rescheduled Raw date at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, and Smackdown in Guadalajara. New Japan also has its first Sumo Hall show of the year with Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Manabu Nakanishi for the IWGP title, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito vs. El Terrible & El Texano Jr. for the IWGP tag team titles, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Gedo & mystery partner for IWGP jr. tag titles, Hirooki Goto vs. Masato Tanaka and Tajiri vs. Yuji Nagata.
Monday has Raw live from Des Moines with Jerry Springer as guest host, and a triple main event of John Cena vs. HHH, Kofi Kingston vs. Ted DiBiase and Randy Orton vs. Sheamus. TNA will also be taping Monday in Orlando.
Tuesday has Smackdown in Kansas City headlined by Edge's first singles match back against Batista, as well as Smackdown matches of Christian vs. Ezekiel Jackson in an Extreme rules match for the ECW title and Miz & Big Show vs. Goldust & Yoshi Tatsu for the tag titles on the final episode of the show.
One of the biggest biographies in the history of the Observer, a look at the life and career of Jack Brisco, is the subject of one of two issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter coming out this coming week.
A look at WrestleMania this year, how it's shaping up, the top matches, the Elimination Chamber preceding it and how the past several years shows have performed is among the other lead stories.
For those into wrestling history, we have one of our biggest features ever on the career of Jack Brisco. In particular, we look at one of the greatest feuds in pro wrestling history with Jack Brisco vs. Dory Funk Jr. over the NWA world heavyweight championship, the psychology behind it and go back to when that was considered the classic wrestling match worldwide. We also talk with some of the greatest wrestlers in history on Jack Brisco, as well as look back at comments about the feud, Brisco, and what was going on from other major power players in the industry at that time.
Both issues are available today for web site subscribers. For those interested in getting the Observer mailed to your home, ordering details follow.
We look at the night Dory Funk Jr. won the NWA title, the process of becoming world champion, Jack Brisco growing up, his early interest in pro wrestling, his heroes growing up, the night he teamed with his idol to win his first major title, his thoughts on Funk Jr. becoming world champion and how that day changed his career.
We look back to the first Funk Jr. vs. Brisco world title match, and how the program heated up including a record setting sellout streak, Terry Funk establishing himself as a top draw, the length and breath of the feud, his background, his personal standards, the announcing of Gordon Solie, Brisco vs. Billy Robinson, the night he was originally supposed to win the title and what happened, his debut in St. Louis, the first Brisco vs Funk Jr. match in that city, the Brisco Brothers vs Funk Brothers, setting the all-time Florida record gate, the longest matches in modern wrestling history and the setting up of his world title run.
We look at the build for Brisco vs. Funk Jr. in Houston, the title change to Harley Race, the win over Harley Race and how it was covered at the time, as well as comments from people like Dory Jr., Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross, Bill Watts and many others.
We also have major career record rundowns on Brisco, life outside of wrestling, health issues, the hotel story with Billy Robinson, outside the ring stories, behind the selling of WCW, Black Saturday, Jack's final NWA title match, how he first got over, his leaving wrestling and so much more.
This is, size wise, one of the biggest biographies in the history of the Observer, and really couldn't be fitting because Brisco was a consensus all-time great.
We also have tons more on the WWE NXT show, including different ideas talked about, as well as a reaction of someone close to the situation regarding thoughts on the currently planned direction.
We also have notes on the 2010 schedule for Shawn Michaels.
We also have a look at the end of the careers of Ron Simmons and Mark Coleman.
We've got full coverage of UFC 109, with business notes, why the TV ratings were up, early buy rate indicators, the debut of Phil Davis, plus match-by-match coverage, poll results and payoff records for the night.
We also have a detailed look at step-by-step, what happened with Davey Richards, ROH and Dragon Gate USA.
We've got a look at Ron Simmons, noting his college football success, how he got into pro wrestling, his early days in Florida, the tag team of Doom, the story behind his WCW title win and his tenure in WWE, plus a look at the first African-American stars to have held world titles.
We've got an update on WWE video game sales. We've got more on WWE WrestleMania week plans, how Serena Deeb made it to the main roster, an update on the Linda McMahon campaign for the senate, attempts for Vancouver too get WrestleMania, future of ECW talent, Fozzy and WWE new CD record sales, more on the Marella sitcom, Royal Rumble all-time records, PPV site change, Mickie James' first record, Cena knocks Hogan, update on developmental, new WWE guest hosts and house show rundowns.
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 issues:
--Talent for Dragon Gate's WrestleMania weekend shows and big show main event
--Unlikely Sumo Hall main title match
--2010 Champion Carnival tournament
--Unique pro wrestling show coming in a few weeks including world champion from rival organizations, one worked and one shoot, doing a match as well as top stars from rival organizations forming a tag team
--Wrestling Hall of Famer's governor election coming this week
--Crazy match-ups on Inoki's next show including brawler of the year against cult MMA favorite, legends match
--Dreamer goes to Japan and draws advanced sellout
--Notes on Against All Odds PPV
--What happened with Scott Steiner
--RVD in TNA update
--Notes on Foley's comedy show in Las Vegas
--Injury to TNA star
--Injury to WWE star
--Update on Bobby Lashley
--More on major lawsuit against Hogan
--New businesses Ric Flair looking to open
--Update on Honky Tonk Man in TNA
--Flair talks about his return to the ring as a wrestler in TNA
--Notes on weekend TNA house shows
--Details of WEC's first PPV
--Notes on UFC Undisputed video game for 2010
--White talks future of Ultimate Fighter
--Earliest start for a UFC PPV show coming up
--Notes on upcoming UFC schedule of events
--Pride ratings
--Tons of new matches added to upcoming shows
--Notes on Herschel Walker's Strikeforce payday
--Business notes on the show including how much the main fighters earned, how much Showtime paid for the show, and who has challenged Walker to a fight
--Former gold medalist announces retirement match at Budokan Hall
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and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)
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Hogan)
*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth, and the rise of fall of
Lex Luger)
*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say
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*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the
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*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of
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--Ken Anderson wrote on his twitter that he's having problems getting out of the Minneapolis airport today. He's waiting to fly standby but was told it's not guaranteed he could make it to Orlando until Monday. He's scheduled in the tournament on tomorrow's TNA PPV against Kurt Angle in the first round, and if he's not there, they are going to have to do some major rebooking of the show. There has to be a way I'd think where he could drive to someplace like Chicago and then fly out, even if it's first thing in the morning, and at least make it to Orlando for show time even if he may not be able to get in tonight.
--Weather issues caused Ted DiBiase to miss last night's Raw house show in East Lansing, MI
--Charles Baillergeon, a member of the famous Baillergeon brothers who did strongman acts, and later became pro wrestlers, passed away on Wednesday in Quebec City at the age of 92. There is an article on them at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/02/12/12853396.html I remember Paul and Tony Baillergeon as pro wrestling stars but Charles, who wrestled from 1949-1955, was not a major star.
--A story on TNA on Spike is at http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/other/v-print/story/1477756.html
--Even though nobody can say it publicly, the announcement by TNA on Monday is the move to Monday nights starting on 3/8. Kurt Angle actually said it last night at the house show. They will at this point be going live every other week, with them taping every other Tuesday for the next Monday.
--There is something huge in Bakersfield tonight, because it is possible tonight's dual meet between Cal State University Bakersfield vs. UC Davis will be the final meet for the longtime wrestling powerhouse in Bakersfield with the school announcing they are cutting the program. University President Horace Mitchell announced on Thursday they were cutting wrestling, men's golf, women's golf and women's tennis. Wrestling has been the most successful sport at the school, which produced world champion Stephan Neal (now a member of the New England Patriots, who beat Brock Lesnar in the 1999 NCAA finals and went on that year to win the world title) and MMA star Tito Ortiz. Coach T.J. Kerr, who was a friend of mine back in the days when Steve "Dr. Death" Williams, Bruce Baumgartner, The Banach Brothers, The Schultz Brothers, Dan Severn and Gary Albright were the stars of college wrestling, is one of the winningest coaches in the history of college wrestling. Joe Seay, the school's first coach when the program started in 1972, said the decision was sickening. "It's the most successful sport in the history of that school and you're eliminating it?" The team has won eight Division II national championships in the 28 year history of the program. Several years the team scored enough points in the Division I tournament that it would have been top ten (at least seven times) and as a Division II school, has produced more than 40 Division I All-Americans and several national champions.
--Awesome Kong won't be appearing at this point at the TNA tapings Monday and Tuesday. There are unresolved issues on her side, and TNA also has her on the suspended list.
--Poll on Impact
Excellent 20.8%
Good 37.1%
Average 15.1%
Fair 10.7%
Poor 16.4%
27.7% of those responding didn't see the show
--Poll on Superstars
Excellent 18.8%
Good 29.2%
Average 22.9%
Fair 6.3%
Poor 22.9%
68.0% of those responding didn't see the show
--Regarding the TNA move to Mondays
Good move. Even if it draws smaller ratings the perception is better than they are in the fight 28.2%
Really doesn't matter, TNA will remain at the same level of popularity, as will WWE 27.4%
Good move. Ratings will increase on Mondays 26.6%
Bad move. Even if ratings go up, it will look like they are getting killed in the fight every week 11.6%
Bad move. Ratings will decline from Thursday levels 6.1%
--Who would you want to see face Anderson Silva next?
Randy Couture 41.9%
Chael Sonnen 32.5%
Demian Maia 9.9%
Yoshihiro Akiyama 7.9%
Nate Marquardt 4.7%
Yushin Okami 3.1%
--Tonight's WWE house show in Guadalajara has been sold out for weeks.
--An interview with Chris Jericho is at http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/02/11/fozzy-singer-says-all-that-remains-s hould-name-next-album-fozzy/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook When asked who his favorite wrestler is, he said Shawn Michaels.
--Reader Ian Saul said that he's just moved from the U.K. to Saudi Arabia and that UFC is more popular in Saudi Arabia than WWE, but that WWE has PPV in Saudi Arabia while UFC's shows are on premium television and not PPV.
--A look at Vince Russo's book "Rope Opera" is at http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/other/story/1474058.html I'm going to read the book on my next flight, which will be WEC in Columbus.
--The movie "Wrong Side of Town" starring Dave Bautista will be released on DVD on 2/21. Rob Van Dam is also in the movie (thanks to Anthony Sullivan)
--Bryan Alvarez & Vinny are tag teaming tonight in the main event for Tulalip Championship Wrestling in Marysville, WA at the Pacific rim. More info is available at www.tulalipchampionshipwrestling.com
--Matrix Fights, which runs 2/27 at the Arena in Philadelphia, is looking for fighters. You have to be willing to drive to the how. You can contact matchmaker Sam Caplan at
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There are two spots remaining on the show, a 145 pound pro with less than three fights to face Brylan Van Artsdalen (making his pro debut, 6-0 as an amateur) and a 145 pound amateur to fight Ben Tichy (1-1).
--Carl Edwards talks the Daytona 500, as well as doing Raw and meeting John Cena at http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-edwards-holds-court-in-daytona/
--Good article on UFC fighter Mike Guymon, who attempted suicide in August at http://www.ocregister.com/articles/guymon-234125-amormino-says.html
--More Mick Foley with Brian Fritz at http://www.fanhouse.com/2010/02/12/mick-foley-keeping-busy-in-and-out-of- wrestling/
--On the Pride show that airs this coming Friday night at 10 p.m. on Spike, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Heath Herring, Wanderlei Silva vs. Yuki Kondo, Mirko Cro Cop vs. Ron Waterman and Sergey Kharitonov vs. Pedro Rizzo is the lineup.
--NWS on 2/26 in Madison,NJ at the High School Gym with Snitsky and Tito Santana. The two also headline 2/27 in Keyport, NJ at the St. Joseph Church Gym.
--We're sad to report the death of Brian Brewer, who wrestled as Bryan Hart, a Louisiana based pro wrestler who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 38. His death is said to be related to asthma. His funeral was today in Columbia, LA. (thanks to Scotty Loupe)
--Liberty Wrestling Organization on 2/13 in Lodi, NJ at the Boys & Girls Club
--EWF on 3/13 in Muncie, IN at the Ross Community Center headlined by Tracy Smothers
--Zach Gowen is out of action with a torn ACL
--The IWF will be featured on the WPIX in New York Morning News Show on Tuesday at 4:55 and 7:25 a.m. They run 2/19 at 8 pm. and 2/20 at 7:30 p.m. at the IWF Centre in West Paterson, NJ
--A Pro Wrestling Fan Fest in White Plains, NY takes place on 5/8 at Stepinac High School, which is the alma mater of Lou Albano. Guests include A.J. Styles, Vampiro, Butterbean, The Pope, Leticia Cline and Sabu. For more info go to ProWrestlingFanFest.com
--Jerry Springer talks being a pro wrestling fan, mentioning Argentina Rocca, Haystacks Calhoun, Gorgeous George and Ricky Starr in an article on doing Raw at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/02/11/12846336.html?cid=rsssport swrestling
--Hector Garza & Cassandro & Magno vs. Black Fish & Bestia II & Bestia Jr. headlines tomorrow at the Wild Wild West in El Paso. Garza also headlines a show today in Ciudad Juarez at Arena Ben Hur.
--wXW from earlier today in Oberhausen, Germany: Cheech & Cloudy won a gauntlet match for a tag title shot over Axeman & Ivan Kiev, Sean South & Jordan Devlin, Lazio & Thumbtack Jack and Bad Bones & Carnage, Steve Douglas b Tommy End to keep wXw title, Adam Polak b Bernd Foehr, Paul Tracey b Absolute Andy, Johnny Kidd b Johnny Saint in World of Sport rules. Kidd vs. Saint was the expected wrestling clinic and it was the first time Kidd ever beat Saint (both were stars from the 70s in the U.K. and two of the best wrestlers of that era. After winning, Kidd challenge Claudio Castagnoli to a match. Chris Hero was announced as coming in March for the 16 karat gold tournament. (thanks to Timo Knopf)
--Combat Championship Wrestling on 2/26 in St. Petersburg at 1201 22nd St. with Eric Perez (Eric Escobar), Bam Neely, Jesse Neal, Ricky Ortiz, The Sheik, Shawn Spears, Kizarny and Cuban Assassin
--Pro Wrestling Fusion announced shows on 3/6 in Tampa and 3/13 in Jacksonville. The Tampa show is at the North Tampa Youth Baseball Sports Complex featuring Big Vito
