Bryan Alvarez:
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Dave Meltzer:
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We're looking for your thoughts on Sunday night's TNA Against All Odds 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 also looking for reports from Saturday night's Raw show in Madison, WI, Saturday night's ROH show in New York as well as Sunday's Raw show in Philadelphia and Smackdown show in Guadalajara.
Tonight 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.
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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-- I'm not sure whether the full NXT concept will be revealed tonight on the final episode of ECW, but they have shot a commercial that they are in the process of editing. Variety has an article on the project here with quotes from Vince McMahon about why they're axing ECW. It says the concept is that eight superstars will be teamed up with eight rookies in a reality-show type format with FCW talent struggling to get a shot on Raw or Smackdown. The show "will have pros mentoring rookies, with egos often getting in the way, as they learn the ropes of competing in the ring in front of live audiences, creating characters and speaking on camera." So basically, Tough Enough 2010, likely with some twists. We have more on some different production ideas bandied about in the new issue of Figure Four Weekly, which is up right now for members.
-- They're not releasing the eight developmental names, but PWInsider claims the eight guys are Justin Angel (FCW Champ), Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson), Kaval (Low-Ki), Skip Sheffield, Joe Hennig, Brett DiBiase, Darren Young, Heath Slater and Michael Tarver.
-- Scheduled for the final ECW is Christian vs. Zeke for the title in an Extreme Rules match, and Big Show & Miz vs. Goldust & Yoshi Tatsu for the Unified Tag Titles.
-- The NXT group in Scotland announced that WWE was proactive in coming to them and making a deal to get the rights to the name. The Scotland NXT will be changing their name to SWA. Someone alert Lance Storm.
-- From TV Bizwire: The Monday night broadcasts of professional wrestling will return to the mats in earnest in March, when Spike TV's TNA Impact! will go up against WWE on USA Network, reports Multichannel News. Spike TV's two-hour wrestling show will air every other Monday beginning March 8 at 9 p.m., competing directly with WWE and World Championship Wrestling on USA Network. You can read it yourself and weep here.
-- TNA hired Dave Taylor as an agent.
-- Some podcast notes if you have iTunes/iTouch/iPhone, etc. Our podcast is available by typing in "Wrestling Observer" or "Figure Four Daily" into iTunes. It's updated with one free show per week, and if you sign up you can put in your username and password and it will automatically download all 10-15 member shows per week. You can also search "Wrestling Observer" in the app store for our free iPhone app. It's an early version 1.0, but people seem to like it.
-- This Sunday's FREE edition of Wrestling Observer Live is also available here. The show airs FREE and live every Sunday from 3-5 PM Pacific/6-8 Eastern on Sirius channel 122, Sports Byline, streaming on this website and even streaming on your phone. More info is up on the website here.
-- Regarding the UFC PPV numbers Dave and I were discussing on the show the other night, he has a big article on all of that up here.
-- Chris Dunshee writes: Tonight's ECW Championship match will be Christian's 65th title defense, the most title defenses in ECW history. Tazz successfully defended his title 61 times from January 15 to September 19, 1999.
-- Based on fast nationals, the Olympics in the 9-11 p.m. time slot last night did a 16.6 rating and 24 share, up 9% from the first Monday night of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
-- Jerry Springer was super over backstage last night, probably second only to Bob Barker.
-- The John Morrison Rock Star DVD is out today
-- Friendly tip to the people at FCW. They sent out a press release today saying that Ted DiBiase Jr. would be appearing at their show Friday "in Plant City, FL." I read that press release three times trying to find a location for the show, and there was nothing more specific than "in Plant City, FL." Perhaps the show is at the local Plant City, FL Elk's Lodge, or the YMCA. Find the local armory and give that a shot while you're at it. What's even better is that they don't give a location for the show, but they do give a location for where you can buy tickets for the show ("Buddy’s Home Furnishing"). So I guess if you are near Buddy’s Home Furnishing, go inside, ask for tickets, and then ask them where the show is going to take place.
-- Top 10 Indianapolis wrestling moments
-- New Japan announced today that "Strongman" Jon Anderson would be making his first tour for them in March competing for the New Japan Cup where the winner of that tournament will get a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Thanks to Kris Zellner.
-- Well, this is just ridiculous. The latest issue of Ralph Magazine in Australia has an interview with Christy Hemme, and also a list of the Toughest Blokes on Earth. Fedor Emelianenko is number 21. I would be interested in seeing the 20 guys above him. Judo Gene LeBell is 36. Brock Lesnar is 41. Nathan Jones is number 47. Really. Hulk Hogan is 55. And Randy Couture is 86. Oh, I almost forgot, coming in at number 56, one spot less tough than Hulk Hogan but 30 spots tougher than Randy Couture, is Puppet the Psycho Dwarf. I guess he was there every week in the early years of Russo-booked TNA, and if anything would toughen you up that's it. Thanks to James Stanios.
-- Dragon Gate USA will have a major announcement concerning their Phoenix WrestleMania weekend shows tonight right after the final ECW goes off the air. One would presume Tommy Dreamer, but he's booked in Japan that weekend for Tajiri's new promotion.
-- EVOLVE announced Claudio Castagnoli as appearing on the March 13th show in Rahway.
-- The viewing figures for UFC 109 in the UK were 81,000 for the pre-lims special and 68,000 for the main show. These were the fourth and fifth most watched programs on ESPN that week. Thanks to Will Cooling.
-- Dynamic Championship Wrestling returns to action at the Limestone YMCA in Springfield, OH on Saturday night February 20th.
-- A Tuff-N-Uff ring girl is doing a contest where the winner gets to take her out on a date in Vegas. Ed, this is your chance. More info here.
-- Friday night March 12th, NWS returns to Long Branch, NJ's Seashore Broadway Gym (404 Broadway, just off Route 36, minutes from the Parkway) with a 7:45pm bell time.
-- Saturday night March 13th, NWS travels just a bit north to Sayreville, NJ's Knights of Columbus Hall (775 Washington Avenue, minutes from Route 9 and the Parkway) with a 7:35pm start.
-- Pro Wrestling Ohio’s next live event takes place this Saturday night, February 20, back at the Hispanic UMADAOP Youth Center (formerly St. Michael’s Gruss Hall), located at 3115 Scranton Road, Cleveland, Ohio, 44109.
-- Nice to see all of these indies providing a location for the event, by the way.
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