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 live reports from the Saturday night Raw show in Fresno.
Tonight will be Smackdown and NXT tapings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The most complete look at what the numbers said on Monday night is our lead story in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We look through the spin, look at the pluses and minuses of TNA's full-time move to Monday, promotional mistakes, things that can be done that would immediately, at least for the short-term, increase the ratings significantly, at what went wrong.
We look at why the tapings after Destination X are so important, as well as look at every segment of Raw and Impact on Monday, the gains and losses of viewers, and what that says about people switching channels.
We look at the departure of several people from TNA over the past week.
The issue is available on the web site today. For those wanting the print edition, there are details here on how to get it delivered to your door each week.
We also have a lengthy look at the life and career of Angelo Poffo, including a look at the early days of Randy Savage, and why it took Savage so long to become an international star. We look at one of the most heated promotional wars of all-time, a television battle that makes the Bischoff vs. Vince war seem absolutely tame in comparison, including threats and realities of actual violence between the sides, including the filing of a multimillion dollar lawsuit.
We look at the peak of Angelo's career, Randy Savage's beginnings in pro wrestling, the legend of the ICW/Jarrett feud, the debut in wrestling of Miss Elizabeth. We look at the promoter who started signing away their talent, yet ended up giving what Randy Savage would later say was the career advice that ended up changing his life in giving up an angle that would have been between two of the biggest stars of the 80s.
We look at Poffo setting the sit-up record, how he got started in wrestling, his role in the origination of the popularity of the manager character and his controversial WCW Hall of Fame induction.
We also look at the career of Jens Pulver and his role in establishing lighter weight fighters, his interview that was one of the most memorable in MMA history, as well as his future, along with a rundown of WEC 47, with poll results, details on the show and how much all the fighters got paid.
We also look at a new form of pro wrestling production that took place featuring some of the biggest stars of several different promotions that took place over the weekend.
We also have a look at how the Royal Rumble did, comparisons with UFC 109 held a week later, a look at what the price increase meant and comparisons to how the Rumble has done in the two previous years.
We update the lineup for WrestleMania, looking at where the top talent fits in, have more on Raw guest hosts, WWE web site stats, the return to Madison Square Garden, updates on Steve Austin, Bret Hart thrilled to meet a guest host, several WWE talents released talk about being gone, as well as injury updates. We also have more on senior executives getting major cash for stock selling, cutting of a Playboy model, the story of Chuck Austin and his lawsuit against WWE, update on WWE scouting as well as a look at the house shows over the weekend, with business notes and highlights.
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.
-- TNA Epics is tonight on Spike focusing on great matches in X-Division history. So it'll easily be the best wrestling show of the entire week.
-- As noted on last night's new Observer Radio, Dave and I will be adding a Tuesday afternoon show running down the ratings every Tuesday, since that seems to be the thing generating the most interest on the site these days (Tuesday was actually bigger by a substantial margin than Monday last week, which is a fascinating stat that people are more interested in the ratings than the actual head-to-head war itself).
-- Last night's Observer show is free, by the way. You can download it by clicking on the link on the right-hand side of the main page, under "Latest Free Radio Shows". We post either an Observer Radio or Bryan and Vinny Show for free once a week on Tuesday or Wednesday morning, and also the weekly Sunday Wrestling Observer Live on Sirius, the latter of which usually goes up Monday morning (you can listen to the show live at 3:00 PM Pacific Sunday afternoons). If you're not a member and love the shows, well, the site produces 10-15 new shows per week and we archive everything for members, so the day you sign up you have access to every piece of audio we've ever produced dating back to 2005.
-- We are also very happy to announce that Wrestling Weekly with Doc Young and Les Thatcher will be joining the site starting in April, and the very popular Tough Talk with Mike Sawyer and Oliver Copp will be returning in the next few weeks as well. They join Wrestling Observer Radio, Figure Four Daily, Bryan & Vinny Show, Adam & Mike Big Audio Nightmare, Five Star Radio and the Karl Stern Show already on the site.
-- Dave has a look at MMA light heavyweights here.
-- Sad to report the death of Anthony Aurelio, who wrestled as both Prince Nero and the Black Demon throughout the US and Europe, and who once held a version of the US Heavyweight Title in the early 60s. He was also a US Navy veteran of World War II. He passed away on March 6th after having spent the last decade or so in a nursing home. He was 85. I don't have a copy but I believe his obituary is running in today's print edition of the Boston Herald newspaper. Remembrances in his name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.
-- Although the entire Hart Dynasty is listed as being at WWE AXXESS head-to-head with the Hall of Fame, after Raw last night I would be stunned if they weren't in the audience for Stu's induction.
-- Frank Fronte of Tha O Show will be hosting a WrestleMania Weekend Party at McFadden's in Glendale on Friday, March 26th at 10 PM, so anyone who is going to DGUSA or ROH can make it their afterparty stop. Anyone attending from this website can tell the people at the door that they are there for the Mania party and they will get line by-pass and not have to pay the cover charge.
-- Ed in San Antonio is also arranging a Friday night dinner at Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon, 10004 N. 26th Drive, Phoenix AZ, 85021-1631. Ph: 602 / 371-8181. This will be before the ROH show on Friday night, from 5-7 PM. Craig and I will both be at this one for sure. I mean, steak is there. So hope to see everyone attending!
-- Luke writes: Just thought you’d be interested to know that TNA’s website for Destination X has a picture of Daniels vs. Red vs. Kendrick in a ladder match, but has billed the match as Daniels vs. Red vs. Kendrick vs. Kazarian. Do they actually know what they’re doing on their website?
-- Brent writes: On Monday night's TOP GEAR on BBC America, the 3 hosts were driving sports cars slowly through a desolate little village in Romania. As they passed a bunch of kids, one of them wrote "JOHN CENA" & a heart in the dust on one of the cars.
-- Dark match for tonight's Smackdown taping is Edge & Rey & Hunter & Cena vs. Batista & Sheamus & Jericho & Punk.
-- Paul writes: Umaga has a 1/4 page with picture in the new GLOBE tabloid. They cover his death report and mention the drugs in his system. Hulk Hogan was mentioned in Monday's NY Post column by Phil Mushnick
-- Denis writes: During last night's Boston Bruins-New Jersey Devils NHL game at The Prudential Center last night, as Boston's Shawn Thornton and the Devils' Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond were involved in a second period fight, Steve Austin's entrance music played.
-- Full official line-up for the March 27th UFC on Mania weekend:
1. GSP vs. Dan Hardy
2. Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin
3. Ben Saunders vs. Jake Ellenberger
4. Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Avles
5. Jim Miller vs. Mark Bocek
6. Nate Diaz vs. Rory Markham
7. Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Brown
8. Kurt Pellegrino vs. Fabricio Camoes
9. Rodney Wallace vs. Jared Hamman
10. Rousmiar Palhares vs. Thasz Drwal
11. Matt Riddle vs. Greg Soto
-- Just a quick note to those who have emailed, my Facebook was among those hacked by spammers doing the old "stuck in London and need money" routine. The account was disabled and I have no idea when I'll be able to access it again. I received an email from Facebook (presumably) saying that I should check my email account as well, since apparently many people use the same usernames and passwords for Facebook, Gmail, Hotmail, etc. Luckily I did not. So basically, if you use the same username and password for multiple accounts, including Facebook, email and this website, probably a good idea to change some of them.
-- Phil Strum has an interview with Tommy Dreamer here. He is facing Jerry Lawler at Northeast Wrestling's "WrestleFest XIV" on Saturday night at Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie at 7:30 p.m.
-- Steve Austin was trending on Twitter last night during Raw.
-- Rishi writes: Just wanted to pass along that Rogers Sportsnet will be showing the card live for those in the Ontario and East regions and on a 2 hour delay for those in the Pacific and West regions.
-- Former pro wrestler convicted on tax charges
-- Rourke quits 'Conan' remake. Doesn't say if it's the result of him breaking his arm arm-wrestling recently.
-- Congressman Bobby Rush Confirms That Investigations of WWE Are Dead
-- Ellesmere Port wrestler Buddy Ward to return to the ring at the age of 75. Remind me not to do that. The article also notes that he was married six times and has 30 kids. Remind me not to do that either.
-- Of these opponents, who would you most like to see Chuck Liddell face?
Kimbo Slice 46.1%
Tito Ortiz 19.0%
James Toney 15.2%
Randy Couture 11.1%
Rich Franklin 8.6%
Which of these people do you think is the most popular in the U.S. in
2010?
Brock Lesnar 31.1%
John Cena 27.8%
Georges St. Pierre 9.8%
Hulk Hogan 7.4%
Kimbo Slice 6.0%
Bret Hart 5.2%
Jeff Hardy 4.7%
Rey Mysterio 2.6%
Randy Orton 2.2%
Edge 2.0%
Herschel Walker 0.8%
Batista 0.4%
What do you expect to watch on Sunday?
UFC on Versus 45.7%
TNA on PPV 11.9%
Both 4.0%
Neither 27.7%
Neither, would watch UFC but don't get Versus 10.7%
-- Delirious' Pro Wrestling Respect ROH training school promotion drew 200 for their show Sunday afternoon in Burlington with Grizzly Redwood beating Ernesto Osiris, Mark Dillinger & Rob Wolf d. Christian Merino & Jared Pink, Bobby Dempsey & Harlem & Lance Bravado b Rhett Titus & Ninja & Ninja, Shane Hagadorn & Orange Cassidy d Alex Payne & Mike Sydal, Celso Rivera d. Milo Shizo, Rayna Von Tosh (hot ring girl who has been carrying out the TV Title belt of late) & Jamila Craft d Daizee Haze & MsChif via DQ, Ricky Reyes b Pelle Primeau, and Delirious b Andy Ridge. Third show will be announced soon. They are also airing the shows on gofightlive.tv for $4.95 each.
-- CZW returns to South Philly Saturday, April 10th, 2010, The CZW Arena - South Philly, 7 W. Ritner Street - Philadelphia PA. Belltime 7PM
-- Grapplers Quest, “The World’s Largest Grappling Competition” is hosting the 5th Annual East Coast Submission Wrestling, Grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships, also known as “The Beast of the East,” Saturday, March 20 at Caldwell College (9 Ryerson Avenue) in Caldwell, New Jersey
-- American Wrestling Federation Comes To The Factory Fitness Complex, 431 W. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406, 484-681-4078. Support Autism Awareness
-- Latest Drunkcast with Ed, Cutrer and BFCraig is up here. Buddy Wayne appears to bury Vinny as well.
-- The CWF will have Caprice Coleman, Chad Parham, Seth Delay (all from NWA Anarchy), and Ron Starr on the March 27th show the CWF Arena in Rockwall.
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!
