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We're looking for your thoughts on last night's WWE Elimination Chamber PPV as well as Friday night's UFC 110 PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to
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We're also looking for live reports from Raw tonight in Indianapolis, with dark matches, Superstars matches and anything else not evident from the live show. Ty Murray and Jewel are co-hosts. Edge will announce which title he's going after, as if you don't already know. There has been talk of tag titles and women's title matches as of last night, but nothing finalized on either. Obviously they'll start getting into the WrestleMania lineup strongly tonight. Batista and John Cena will have a confrontation of some sorts as well.
Tuesday is Smackdown tapings from Milwaukee with Mickie James vs. Michelle McCool for the women's title with Vickie Guerrero as referee.
ROH tonight on HDNet:
Colt Cabana vs. Bobby Shields
Rhett Titus vs. El Generico
Mark & Jay Brisco vs. Young Bucks (Generation Me) for ROH tag titles
We've got an exclusive look at major WWE plans for the future, both regarding long-term plans for television, the establishment of their own network and the type of programming they are looking at as one of the lead stories in today's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The issue, with an in-depth look at WWE business, as well as where TNA stands right now, is our second largest issue so far this year.
The issue is available right now to web site subscribers. For
those interested in getting the Observer mailed to your home, ordering
details follow.
Our lead story talks about the formation, start up plans and goals of the new WWE television network. We look at Vince McMahon's history with outside ventures, how the economics work on this, as well as the future of Smackdown.
We also have a detailed look at the current WWE business, including why most categories are down in business but profits are up company-wide, why the company is so bullish on 2010 even with a 10% decline in revenue in 2009 and one category they are already getting a turnaround in and a second where they believe a new decision that was heavily criticized is already paying off.
We look at McMahon's business projections over the next three years, his view on 2009, his view on creative, how the company has benefited from Obama's policies, and McMahon's thought and my thought on what is the real barometer as to have creative is doing.
We look at where the revenues declined, both in categories and in each part of the world, including what part of the world the trends are completely different than the rest of the world. We look at every major business category, including changes in TV, changes in PPV, changes in the philosophy in home video, merchandise as well as what percentage of total revenue each category brings to the table.
We also have a year-by-year chart of the ups and downs of WWE business.
We also have a look at the PPV business, looking back at how every show over the past two years did. We look in particular at the pluses and minuses of the new philosophy of gimmick match PPVs and whether it has or hasn't worked. We look again at the UFC influence on PPV, the elimination of the Survivor Series and McMahon's thoughts on it, and why you have to look long-term at the 2009 changes in PPV.
We also look at the price increase, which gimmicks worked, as well as a look at eight new gimmick ideas for PPV in 2010 the company is looking at, why some have no chance, and why others may have a chance and why.
We also have a look at the NXT show, with McMahon's quotes, a look at Tough Enough and Ultimate Fighter, the two shows this is somewhat based on, as well as a look at all eight newcomers that will be introduced with their backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses. We look at who were the last cuts as well.
We also look at TNA moving to Monday nights permanently, the decision to go with 9 p.m., what the initial goals are, the real vs. perceived growth of the TNA product, what Hogan has said, upcoming PPV shows, as well as early indicators of how Against All Odds did. We also have coverage of the show including match-by-match rundown with star ratings and poll results.
We have more on the life and times of Jack Brisco, including notes from his funeral last week, what Jim Ross said, Brisco's first pro wrestling match, among those who attended, Brisco's life after wrestling, as well as a more detailed look at the selling of Georgia Championship Wrestling to Vince McMahon in 1984. We look at what a big deal that was in the business at the time, the reaction to it, why Brisco made the move and Brisco's thoughts years later on all the criticism he took for it.
We also have a complete list of Brisco's main events in St. Louis against the biggest names of the 70s, as well as a listing of his championship matches in Japan.
We also have coverage of the New Japan show at Tokyo Sumo Hall, including what major tag team title match is coming up, the building of a feud from Mexico into a New Japan main event, and the latest signs of where the Japanese business stands.
We also have more on WrestleMania, a new member of the WWE Board of Directors, lots more on Linda McMahon getting grilled on CNBC and how it was covered as far as her campaign, and a history of WWE drug testing. We also look at the reaction to Jerry Springer, another WWE major star looking at taking time off, as well as WWE vs. UFC web activity and how things have turned around this year.
We have notes on Mickie James attempting to become a country singer, lots of developmental news, firing of a Diva, the best selling WWE DVDs of the year, what WWE star is in a current issue of Playboy with old shots, WWE's album sales, a milestone of Mae Young, former WWE woman wrestler announces engagement, as well as notes on the WWE's Latin American tour and its domestic house shows this 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
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Also in this week's issue:
--Major title changes in Mexico
--How the Mistico vs. Volador Jr. feud has impacted business
--A new wrestling program being pushed at international conventions
--Updating the Mexico ratings over the last three weeks
--Lots of American newcomers coming to Mexico in the next few weeks
--Major star jumping ship in Mexico
--More on the Dragon Gate USA shows in Phoenix
--What Hall of Fame legend is headed to Dragon Gate for its Sumo Hall show
--First cage match in the history of All Japan Pro Wrestling
--First Budokan Hall event of the year
--TV network special being produced on the life of one of the biggest pro wrestling stars of all-time
--Hall of Famer and son will be forming a tag team for son's debut match, and renewing 1980s rivalry
--Update on Sandy Scott
--How the movie "Tooth Fairy" has done
--Former WWE star in lead role in a movie
--Fourth generation pro wrestler make debut this week
--Lots of new wrestling books coming out
--A look at the ROH 8th anniversary show
--Notes on ROH television
--Future of Jeff Hardy
--TNA ratings in the U.K.
--New mentality regarding women wrestlers in TNA
--RVD talks and updates on TNA
--Mick Foley talks TNA
--Update on Bobby Lashley
--Notes on TNA house shows and a look at TNA television over the next several weeks
--Update on Vitor Belfort
--New UFC experiment regarding its major shows starting the day before Mania
--Notes on UFC 109 business numbers and thoughts on UFC 110 and its full card
--UFC star in new national TV ad
--Some minor trouble regarding UFC overseas
--Lots of new fights signed and under discussion, as well as notes on newcomers that have been signed
--MMA fighter wedding garners major overseas attention
--More on the boxing Kameda brothers and ratings drawing power
--Longtime WCW promoter does first MMA show
--A look at a number of great wrestlers doing MMA events
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issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue. Our most requested issues in
our history are:
*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous
wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a
history of in-ring double-crosses)
*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation
right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was
said--the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural
broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but
everything that was said between the two about the match that was going
to take place that same night)
*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon
steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article
and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)
*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner
networks)
*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such
great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)
*July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid
trial)
*February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)
*May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career
ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our
history)
*January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career
and life of The Sheik)
*February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people
who worked with him and where he stands historically)
*March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino,
Backlund and Backlund era)
*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally,
the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk
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
was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)
*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals
and friends)
*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the
plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the
night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined
for a joint show and what happened)
*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the
controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as
historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)
*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the
seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s,
Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding
world title and much more)
*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of
Road Warrior Hawk)
*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)
*February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story,
Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)
*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock
Lesnar)
*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the
company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the
business changed)
*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best
and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and
Wrestlemania history books)
*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and his
background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)
*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments on
Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)
*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)
*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year
with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund,
Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez--this counts
as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately,
due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)
*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details
of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in
pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)
*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle
and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the
history of TNA)
*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)
*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a
look at their Hall of Fame)
*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)
*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW,
as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and
behind the scenes of both shows)
*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at
the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings,
Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental
territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized
issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul
Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)
*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)
*October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)
*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double
issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on
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*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New
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*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)
*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller
Derby--many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)
*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame
week)
*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class
Championship Wrestling--the most unreal story ever in wrestling)
*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame
inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and
Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from
the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working
in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7
overseas)
*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of
Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him
tick as his real objectives)
*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff's book and how
the industry was changed forever)
*November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How
Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro,
Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania
planned celebrity away)
*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged
McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and
why it didn't click)
*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion and
Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why
there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real
reasons the company fell apart)
*January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8
overseas)
*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bam Bigelow)
*March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)
*March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)
*March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)
*April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage--which many are
calling one of the best issues in history)
*July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his
influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)
*October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas
including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler
Lewis)
*November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S.
women's wrestling) .
*December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at
the Greensboro Coliseum)
*January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8
overseas)
*March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)
*March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)
*April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks
of Flair's meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on
its own, $8 overseas)
*August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers
and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)
*September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8
overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)
*September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)
*September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our
most in-depth bios)
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To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a
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--There was talk last night of claiming Shawn Michaels was in on the pyro deal that burned Undertaker, turning it into an angle. One of the things in the decision making was going to be based on if the company has an impressive looking camera angle on it. Or they may decide against using the idea at all. Undertaker legitimately had first and second degree burns on his chest and neck. Regarding the whole deal, it's now considered very lucky things didn't turn out worse for Undertaker, who worked the match in tremendous pain and refused to shorten the match. The sleeve of his jacket and a part of his had melted when the pyro guy shot off the flames early, right where he was standing.
--The Sports Illustrated web site shows video of the mishap at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/extramustard/hotlicks/02/22/hilary-duff-engaged-to-mike-comrie-undertaker-caught-on-fire/index.html
--WWE P.R. head Robert Zimmerman said the accident was a mistiming of pyrotechnics and Undertaker was allowed to perform after being cleared by the ringside physician. Zimmerman claimed Undertaker's injuries were equivalent to a sunburn. When asked if WWE will review its policies, he said, "I don't know. I haven't spoken to anyone to find out what was the cause, if it was timing, if there was something wrong with whatever. We have to go back and investigate and make a final determination."
--Ric Flair's wife, Jacqueline Beams, was relesed from custody earlier today after her arrest (see front page article) for misdemeanor assault on Ric after both came back from dinner last night.
--Melinda Morris Zanoni of Legacy Talent and Entertainment, LLC, which represents Ric Flair, made this statement regarding the incident: "Ric and his wife had an unfortunate disagreement late lst night, which led to his wife being arrested and charged with assault. Ric has done nothing wrong. The important thing to remember here is that we have some very exciting professional announcements in the near future. Ric finds this incident unsettling and is committed to correcting any issues in his personal life."
--There is a major Washington Post story on the Linda McMahon campaign at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/21/AR2010022 103981_pf.html We'll have more on that in the Observer later this week.
--Slim Jim will be the presenting sponsor of WrestleMania and will be involved in promotional activities leading to the show, as well as inking a one-year deal as a company corporate sponsor. Edge will be the main wrestler in the program including a "Live Like Edge" sweepstakes. There will also be a new Edge Slim Jim commercial that will air during Raw and Smackdown, as well as airing at all WWE live events over the next year.
--WWE has announced appearances from these wrestlers at Fan Axxess leading to WrestleMania
3/25 John Cena 6 p.m.
3/26 Undertaker, Edge 6 p.m.
3/27 Sheamus, Rey Mysterio 8 a.m., Randy Orton, C.M. Punk 1 p.m., Kane, John Morrison 7:30 p.m.
3/28 Big Show, Chris Jericho 8 a.m.
There will be cutaways for the Smackdown show that airs on 3/26 shot at Fan Axxess on 3/25. The bulk of the show will be taped on 3/22 in San Jose. The annual THQ video game challenge among the wrestlers will be on the Friday night.
---We will have our third straight night of Observer radio tonight on the site. If you've got any questions on wrestling or MMA, you can send them to the link on the front page and we'll get to as many as possible.
--Jim Ross twittered about wanting to call the Michaels vs. Undertaker match at Mania.
--A May house show in Hamilton, ONT by WWE has been moved to 9/11
--The Olympic coverage last night on ABC against the PPV between 8-11 p.m. averaged a 15.2 rating based on the fast nationals.
--A podcast of the Frank Mir interview regarding Brock Lesnar is up now at http://WXDX.com on the Mark Madden show.
--Who is MMA's best heavyweight
Fedor Emelianenko 47.2%
Brock Lesnar 38.6%
Cain Velasquez 8.6%
Frank Mir 3.4%
Shane Carwin 0.9%
Junior Dos Santos 0.8%
Alistair Overeem 0.5%
--Which of these PPVs will do bigger numbers in April
WEC with Faber vs. Aldo 64.3%
TNA Lockdown 35.7%
--Spike officially announced Matt Brown vs. Ricardo Almeida and Rory Markham vs. Nate Diaz to be the TV matches that will air on 3/27 at 9 p.m. live as the lead-in to the UFC 111 PPV from Newark, NJ.
--UFC on Spike for this week: Nothing tonight. Tuesday will have Unleashed from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. with Frank Mir vs. Assuerio Silva and Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans as the main events of each hour. On Thursday, before Impact at 7 p.m., they will be replacing the September 17, 2008, card from Omaha with Nate Diaz vs. Josh Neer and Clay Guida vs. Mac Danzig as the main events. On Friday at 7 p.m., they'll replay the July 19, 2008 show headlined by Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin. Friday night's Pride show at 10 p.m. has Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Quinton Jackson, Takanori Gomi vs. Jadson Costa, Akihiro Gono vs. Gegard Mousasi and Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Chalid Arrab.
--A note on the report on the Saturday night TNA house show in Massena, NY up yesterday. It is not correct that every match went less than 8:00. Every match went 8:00 and Abyss vs. A.J. Styles, Jeff Jarrett vs. Mr. Anderson and Beer Money vs. Matt Morgan & Hernandez all went close to 15:00. TNA's intermissions are specifically timed by an itunes playlist and went 21 minutes. TNA house shows start with Jeremy Borash getting into the ring at 7:25, the show itself always starts at 7:30, they target the main event to end between 9:50 and 10:15 with the post show autograph session ending at 10:40 p.m.
--Japanese women wrestlers Ayumi Kurhara, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Misaki Ohata and Tomoko Nakagawa will be appearing on Shimmer and Jersey All Pro Wrestling matches in April, working 4/10 and 4/11 in Berwyn, IL at the Shimmer DVD tapings and the 4/17 Jersey All Pro Wrestling show in Jersey City at the Golden Door Charter School.
--The Fox2 in St. Louis ran a story on ten-year-old Emily Murr with Myoclonus Progressive Epilepsy who got to meet John Cena at the show last night at http://www.fox2now.com/news/
--The annual WXW 16 Carat Gold tournament from 3/5 to 3/7 in Oberhausen, Germany has Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli, Ares, Erick Stevens, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, Kagetora, Munenori Sawa, Daisuke Sekimoto, Yuji Okabayashi, Johnny Kidd, Martin Stone, Paul Tracey, Big Van Walter, Adam Polak, Bad Bones and Tommy End. Cheech and Cloudy will also make the tour and get a shot at Switchblade Conspiracy for the tag team titles. The promotion also runs 3/13 in Philadelphia at the Arena with Drake Younger vs. Thumbtack Jack in a pain in the glass match, Chris Hero vs. B-Boy, Jon Moxley & Sami Callihan vs. Switchblade Conspiracy, plus Alex Shelley, Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards. This will be an afternoon show before the CZW night show.
--Brian Kendrick has been added to the Dragon Gate USA shows on 3/26 and 3/27 in Phoenix
--DDP's yoga was a feature on the Ch. 2 news in New York this morning at http://wcbstv.com/health/realguy.yoga.2.1510277.html
--There are stills of Angela Fong (Savannah) topless from the movie "Ratko: The Dictator's Son" which just came out on DVD on the The Sun web site at http://www.thesun.co.uk in the wrestling section. She did the movie before she signed with WWE.
--IPW from Saturday night in Whangaparaoa, New Zealand before 230 fans: Davey & Dils Deluxeo b Kazuki & Link Van Haggard, Evie b JPE, Jordan Invincible & NZ Dream b St. Chaos, Liger b Lil T, Pirates & Ninjas & A-Class b New Vogue, Jon E. King b Waipukarau Warrior, Mischa Ivanoff b Les West, Vinny Dunn b Joseph Kinkade (thanks to Steve Ogilvie)
--Tajiri headlined a show Saturday night in Helsinki: for FCF before 250 fans: Johnny McMetal b Gabriel Antonik, Ibo Ten won scramble match over Jean Sensation, Hector Le Chef, Jani Jarvinen and Mr. Tapaturma, Aurora Flame b Jessica Love (a transvestite wrestler), Stark Adder b Kageman Guro (by judges scorecard after going the time limit), Hieomo Ukonselka b Valentine, StarBuck b Tajiri
--AAW on 2/27 in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club has Silas Young vs. Shane Hollister for the AAW title, Colt Cabana vs. Arik Cannon 2/3 falls and Tyler Black & Jimmy Jacobs vs. Josh Raymond & Christian Able
--NWS from Saturday night in Bloomfield, NJ at the High School before 600 fans: Brittney Savage b Divina Fly, Joey Janella won three-way over J.D. Smoothie and Mikey Pacifica, Nigerian Nightmares b B. Fehrm & Illegal Outer Space Alien, Danny Demanto & Vicious Vinny b Nunzio & Dan Maff, A member of the local police department won a Battle Royal, Jim Duggan b Kevin Matthews, Devon Moore won Money in the Bank match over Nicky Oceans, Myke Quest and Corvis Fear. They have shows on 2/26 in Madison, NJ and 2/27 in Keyport, NJ with both shows headlined by Tito Santana and Snitsky
--NWA Anarchy TV tapings from Saturday night in Cornelia, GA before 130 fans: Jacoby Boykins & Marcus Howard b Aaron Lee & Chris Mayne, B.J. Hancock b Adryan Hawkins, Truitt Fields & Ace Rockwell b Brodie Chase & Seth Delay, Don Matthews b Strkykynyn, Steven Walters & Derrick Driver b Bo Newsome & Slim J, Phil Shatter b Aden Chambers, Andrew Alexander & Mike Mosley b Jacoby Boykins & Marcus Howard, Kimo b Jesse Neal, Caprice Coleman b Jeremy Vain, Jeremy Vain & Orion Bishop b Caprice Coleman & Tank, Shadow Jackson b Skirra Corvus. (thanks to Larry Goodman)
--Blue Demon Jr. vs. Adam Pearce vs. Phil Shatter for the NWA title headlines a 3/14 show in Charlotte for NWA New Beginnings
--Dynamic Championship Wrestling on 2/27 in at the Piqua, OH Sports Grill with free admission
--Kevin Sullivan vs. Necro Butcher on 3/17 in Nitro, WV at the Community Center for IWA East Coast, as well as Thumbtack Jack vs. Sami Callihan, Frightmare, Jon Moxley, Mad Man Pondo and more
--Former UFC fighter Terry Martin improved to 4-0 as a boxer with four knockouts on a Saturday night show in Indiana, beating Rodell Boler (-0-2) via first round KO in 1:21 in a cruiserweight title (thanks to Anthony Sullivan)
--Bobby Fish debuts for LWO on 3/6 in Lodi, NJ at the Boys and Girls Club
--MCPW on 3/27 in Kalkaska, MI
--UWC from Saturday night in Browns Mills, NJ: Dave Patera & Philly Madison b Twiggy Ramirez & Biggie Biggs, Rudo the Hell b Don Montoya, Chris Banks & Orphan b T-Bonz & Bill Wilkes, CB4 over Silver Bullet #1 and Silly Billy, Warhead & Adam Aces b Billy Lassiter & Ripper, Dr. Hurtz b Joe Rules, Legion b Cremator. Next show is 3/27 in Browns Mills at the Firehouse. (thanks to Jeff Bradley)
--A story on Jian and Page Magen, who run independent shows in Ontario at Twin Wrestling Entertainment at http://www.shalomlife.com/eng/6264
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