Bryan Alvarez:
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Dave Meltzer:
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We're looking for reports on tonight's TNA show in Albany, GA (RVD vs. A.J. Styles for TNA title; Jeff Jarrett vs. Mr. Anderson) and tonight's ROH show in Dayton at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Two major shows this weekend are the WEC PPV show tomorrow night from Sacramento with Jose Aldo Jr. vs. Urijah Faber for the featherweight title, Ben Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone for the lightweight title, Mike Brown vs. Manvel Gamburyan, Shane Roller vs. Anthony Njokuani and Scott Jorgenson vs. Antonio Banuelos. There will be a live special from the show at 9 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Pacific on Spike TV. The Countdown show airs at 5 p.m. Eastern (2 p.m. Pacific) and 12:30 a.m. Eastern (9:30 p.m. Pacific) tonight on Versus, as well as 8 p.m. Eastern and 5 p.m. Pacific on Spike.
ROH also runs tomorrow night in Chicago.
Sunday has the WWE Extreme Rules PPV from Baltimore, with John Cena vs. Batista in a falls count anywhere match for the WWE title, Jack Swagger vs. Randy Orton for the World title, C.M. Punk puts up his hair against Rey Mysterio, HHH vs. Sheamus in a street fight, Edge vs. Chris Jericho in a cage match, Shad Gaspard vs. JTG in a strap match and Michelle McCool vs. Beth Phoenix in an Extreme Makeover match.
One of the biggest Raws of the year takes place on Monday, the three-hour draft from Richmond, VA. The match will consist of all Raw vs. Smackdown matches, with the winning side then getting wrestlers from the other side. Impact will be a taped show.
Smackdown and NXT will be taped on Tuesday from Hershey, PA.
Smackdown tonight has
* Jack Swagger vs. John Morrison non-title
* Rey & Kane vs. Dolph & Luke Gallows (really)
* JTG vs. Mike Knox in Knox's swan song
* Matt & Truth (still alive) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntrye
* Mickie in her swan song & Beth vs. Michelle & Layla
Some weird bouts this week.
We've got two issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter out next week for those who get the issues through the mail, and one is out today on the web for web site subscribers and a second will be out tomorrow.
We have a look at what are two of the most important shows of the year, not biggest by any means, but most important to their companies and future of their companies, covering the Strikeforce event on CBS and looking at the WEC event on PPV. We look at the goals of both shows, if the WEC goals are reasonable, the business of MMA on CBS and how the show did, its future, UFC counter programming and how that affected the key demos, what demo you would expect to be strong for MMA did not watch the CBS show, the brawl, the future of one of the headliners and more.
We also have a feature with part one of a look at one of the great wrestlers of all-time, Gene Kiniski. This lengthy feature talks about his heyday, the attempt by the NWA and WWWF to merge world titles and how that led to Gene Kiniski becoming world champion, why he got the title, why he lost the title, his affect on Dory Funk's career, where he got the nickname "Canada's greatest athlete" from, his style, memories of watching him, is last matches, his most famous matches in Japan, how he first got started in pro wrestling and how his football career played into his pro wrestling career. We look at when he established himself as a worldwide star, the Vancouver territory and much more.
We also have updated notes concerning the draft with thoughts regarding tons of different talent, as well as two celebrities being talked with about guest hosting soon.
We also look at TNA's latest change when it comes to television, how well it worked, the lessons of Monday's ratings and there were several, along with segment-by-segment breakdown. We also have coverage of the Lockdown show, including business notes, poll results and star ratings for the matches. We also cover the CBS show with poll results and notes on the show.
We have an update on Jim Ross and Paul Heyman, and rumors and what is and isn't legit, as well as an update on Vince Russo in TNA.
We look at the difference in draft philosophy this year with other years, as well as more on the WWE television situation for the new season, more on Batista, HHH's next movie and several names being talked about or being wanted to do upcoming guest hosting for Raw. We also have notes on the WWE European tour, and what the next commercial free show will be partly pushed around.
We also have an in-depth look at Jim Cornette, a look at Luther Reigns and his recovery from a stroke, and when Hulk Hogan is set to wrestle again.
The issue is available today for web site subscribers and you can access this by ordering a web subscription. You can also order mail copies of the Observer with details on mail subscriptions below. We also have up this week a copy of one of the most requested back issues in our history, the biography on the late Andre the Giant at http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/13038/137/ The two issues are at http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/13103 and http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/13111
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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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.
-- Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin was also made official for July 3rd today.
-- Last night's Impact replay did an 0.7 rating and 863,000 viewers.
-- Dave has great stories on Jose Aldo and Henderson vs. Cerrone up at Yahoo today.
-- Hiroshi Tanahashi of New Japan returns to CMLL on May 7th.
-- WWE returns to the D'Coque Sports & Cultural Centre in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg on September 23rd, 2010 at 8 PM. Bet the crew is thrilled to hear that.
-- As noted yesterday, add Mike Knox to the list of those axed.
-- Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool will meet in an ‘Extreme Makeover’ match this Sunday at Extreme Rules. There will be make-up and clothes all over the ring. Sometime in the last month the TNA and WWE writing crews switched places.
-- Strikeforce announced Jacare Souza vs. Joey Villasenor and Kevin Randleman vs. Roger Gracie for the May 15th show at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
-- WWE has a Best PPV Match of 2009-2010 DVD coming out. Besides the big matches it also has the guys talking about the matches in the back afterwards. It's out in July on BLU-RAY~!
-- Total MMA by Jonathan Snowden, which is a great historical look at MMA and the rise of UFC, is now available on the Amazon Kindle. Check it out here.
-- And while you're at it, help support this site and learn everything there is to know about the Death of WCW by ordering, yes, Death of WCW
-- BJ Penn and Chael Sonnen are guests on Inside MMA on HDNet tonight.
-- Chikara announced today that Valiente and Turbo are off the King of Trios tournament this weekend, and that the company has severed ties with Jorge "Skayde" Rivera effective immediately. Given the reverence Rivera has been treated with by Chikara in the past, clearly a major blow-up of some sort occurred.
-- The tournament is a three-day affair running tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. It's one of the biggest indy weekends of the year and you can get all the information on line-ups, etc., at chikarapro.com.
-- Also, as a special gift for Chikara fans we're offering, only through today's update, this FREE LINK to Tuesday's Figure Four Daily with SUGAR DUNKERTON. He previews this weekend's events and talks a ton about life on the road as an indy worker. We got a lot of rave reviews for this one. You can download it FREE by clicking here.
-- Interview with Tyler Black up here.
-- Local Fox affiliate interview with Sara Del Ray
-- Hall and Nash discuss Lockdown here. It wasn't this week, but there are many weeks when they blogs are more entertaining than Impact.
-- Lance Storm looks at WrestleMania VII here. Lance was on Figure Four Daily yesterday and was great as always, so check it out if you haven't already.
-- New Women's World Independent MMA rankings are here
-- The Slammin Stan podcast with our good friend Vandal Drummond has a new episode up here. They talk SPACEMAN FRANK HICKEY among things.
-- Interview with Jack Swagger talking the PPV this coming Sunday up here.
-- What did you think about Wednesday's Ultimate Fighter show?
Excellent 17.2%
Good 56.6%
Average 14.1%
Fair 4.0%
Poor 8.1%
32.2% of those responding didn't see the show
Should Strikeforce get into a bidding war with UFC to keep Jake Shields?
Yes 26.7%
No 73.3%
Who do you expect to win on Sunday?
John Cena 80.9%
Batista 19.1%
Jack Swagger 58.1%
Randy Orton 41.9%
-- The United States Air Force and PCWA present Retribution at the Citizen’s Fire Company in Palo Alto, PA. Bell time is 7pm. The double main event features Count Lestat defending the PCWA Heavyweight Title against Ox Hogg in a steel cage, and Nick Destiny taking on former WWF Tag Team Champion and Hart Foundation member Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart. Intermission will feature your chance to get a picture in the ring with The Anvil. For information, tickets, and the full card visit www.pcwawrestling.com. Come meet former WWF Tag Team Champion, and member of the Hart Foundation, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart at The Powerhouse Café 6521 State Route 61 - Paxinos, PA. Call (570) 644-1119. Neidhart will be appearing from 1:30pm to 3:30pm to sign autographs and take pictures. More info available at www.pcwawrestling.com.
-- From the promoter: he Apocalypse Wrestling Federation (AWF) has announced that former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) World Welterweight Champion Carlos “The Ronin” Newton will be appearing at the AWF’s professional wrestling show at Class Act Dinner Theatre in Whitby, ON this Sunday afternoon, April 25. Mr. Newton will be on hand to present the Apocalypse Wrestling Federation championship belt to the winner of a single elimination pro-wrestling tournament to be held that very same afternoon at the dinner theatre, located at 104 Consumers Drive in Whitby.
-- The International Wrestling Cartel presents SUPER INDY IX, Saturday May 8th, 2010, Court Time Sports Center, 95 Enterprise Dr. - Suite 100, Elizabeth, PA 15037. Special Belltime: 7:00 PM
-- Al Snow will be a guest on the Drunkcast tonight here.
-- MCW presents WWE Extreme Rules PPV party. Come watch WWE WWE Extreme Rules PPV Live at Loafer's Sports Bar and Grill, in Catonsville, MD. Party starts at 8pm. Food and Drink Specials all night long. Jerry Lawler is there the day before doing a meet and greet.
Send us a news tip: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com
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