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TNA Impact tonight at 9 p.m.:
*Madison Rayne vs. Roxxi in a non-title match
*Rob Terry vs. Orlando Jordan in a non-title match
*Jay Lethal & RVD vs. Beer Money
*Shannon Moore vs. Eric Young
*X Division Battle Royal
*Jeff Hardy vs. Sting
Superstars tonight on WGN America:
*Santino Marella vs. Vladimir Kozlov
*Goldust vs. William Regal
*Chris Masters vs. Cody Rhodes
*Christian vs. Dolph Ziggler - told this was a really good match
Tonight's Bellator show on Fox Sports Network and Comcast Sports Network tonight from Grand Prairie, TX:
*Scott Barrett (263) vs. Ty Lee (257)
*Steve Carl (170.6) vs. Dan Hornbuckle (170.0) in the welterweight tournament semifinal
*Two-time Hodge Trophy winner and U.S. Olympian Ben Askren (170.4) vs. Ryan Thomas (170.5) in the welterweight tournament semifinal - something of a grudge match coming off their first match, which Askren was awarded the win when the ref ruled Thomas was out from a choke even though he wasn't out and had never tapped
*Joe Soto (145.8) vs. Diego Saraiva (145.8)
A look at changes in the TNA product, updates on feelers being sent to people to come in, long-term booking, next PPV and the latest set of changes is our lead story in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We also have a look at the life and career of Kinji Shibuya, a legendary California heel, as well as an update on Strikeforce with full coverage of its Heavy Artillery show, and Linda McMahon's campaign closes in and for the first time, she has a serious chance of becoming a U.S. senator. We look at the blow McMahon fired this past week.
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. For web site members, one of the most talked about issues in the history of the publication, and one we've gotten tons of feedback on in the past few days, "Death of a Dynasty: The Life and Times of Kerry Von Erich: is available at http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/13399/137/
Our lead story talks about changes, cuts, TNA momentum, Hulk Hogan's health, changes to the Slammiversary PPV, and how TNA is reacting to everything right now. We also look at the good and the bad of the Sacrifice PPV.
We look back at the life and career of Robert Kinji Shibuya, the plight of Japanese wrestlers in the 50s and 60s and the role they played, his career, his famous tag teams, and his life. We also look at the glory days of wrestling at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, his career title history, with a lot of stories about him both in and out of the ring, including one of the biggest stars in wrestling history who may owe his existence to Shibuya. We look this days before wrestling, his martial arts training, how he got started in wrestling, his stardom in various territories and his Cow Palace history. We also look at his role in the glory days of Los Angeles wrestling and the Shibuya & Saito vs. Gordman & Goliath feud. We look at why he was able to headline at an advanced age, and his life after wrestling.
We look at Strikeforce trying to build to the biggest fight in its history, the head-to-head ratings battle with Strikeforce and UFC, the next major upcoming events as well as coverage of the recent show in St. Louis.
We also have an update on the contract situations of Batista and Rey Mysterio, updated Over the Limit PPV lineup, plus current plans for the two main events of the Fatal Four Way PPV in June. We have an update on the injuries to Beth Phoenix and Brett DiBiase, WWE plans to improve production, unique angle with the WWE women's title and more on WWE head of legal Jared Bartie leaving the company.
We also look at the new Ted DiBiase gimmick, Jim Ross closing his restaurant, talk of reviving a former WWE television show, WWE attempting to make a new star and another WWE injury. A short-lived WWE wrestler makes some interesting comments about what he thinks WWE should provide talent as well as WWE business over the past week and highlights from all the weekend house shows.
We look at exactly what Richard Blumenthal did that her almost completely erased his lead in his race with Linda McMahon. We look at how the story broke, what happened to a candidate that did something similar, Rob Simmons press conference on Linda McMahon, McMahon firing back and more negative press for the McMahon campaign.
We've got the most complete look at the ratings, including the segment-by-segment on the commercial free Raw including what made the main event noteworthy from a ratings perspective. We also have segment-by-segment of TNA Impact, and what show set its all-time ratings record.
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 issue:
--Update on how the major interpromotional angle is doing in Mexico
--Story behind a surprise return to CMLL
--Why promotion expects business to be down
--Mexico ratings
--TripleMania celebrity note
--Dragon Gate big show notes and next major title matches
--A look at the All Japan main program
--Next GHC title matches
--Bracketing for this year's Best of the Super Junior tournament including many of the best workers in the business from outside New Japan
--90s championships being brought back
--Update on recently cut WWE wrestlers
--An update on a new name and new first taping for the next wrestling promotion that will have many time per week national television exposure as well as the top stars signed
--One of the most famous wrestlers in the world gets married
--A look at the death of Andre Baker
--A look behind the scenes at an HBO bio movie being produced on a former major pro wrestling star and his significance in culture during the time of his prominence
--Update on a public school being named after a former major wrestling star
--Notes on Jim Cornette's influence on ROH
--A look at a new wrestler signed by TNA and who she is spoofing
--Notes on TNA contracts
--What has become the most successful aspect of the current TNA business
--Abyss talks about his career and what move even he was scared about and wouldn't do again
--Abyss defends his version of Hardcore wrestling
--Kurt Angle gives thoughts after watching the product from the sidelines and talks about Mr. Anderson
--A look at the weekend TNA house shows
--A look at TNA television over the next few weeks
--UFC 113 PPV numbers and strongest cities
--Evans vs. Jackson grudge match talk
--Update on UFC at movie theaters
--WEC regular leaving
--Lots of new UFC matches
--Promotion offers Strikeforce a former UFC name and why it was turned down
--Notes on Bobby Lashley's next opponent
--Drug testing for Mayweather-Pacquiao talked about
--MMA PPV this weekend
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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
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*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)
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*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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--Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta will be making a "major announcement" on Tuesday at a press conference at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Don't jump to conclusions that they will be holding a show at the former Sky Dome, although they certainly want to. MMA is still not allowed in the province of Ontario and nothing has happened yet to where it seems like either the commission or the Canadian criminal code are on the verge of changing, which would be needed. However, if UFC had its way, yes, they would be announcing GSP vs. Koscheck for December at the Rogers Centre, and if it would be possible to put the fight there, that's where it would be. (thanks to many)
--Lots of stuff regarding the Richard Blumenthal story. Colin McEnroe in the Hartford Courant is critical of the New York Times story for omitting what they consider key parts of Blumenthal's speech (honestly I think that is grasping at straws) at http://blogs.courant.com/colin_mcenroe_to_wit/2010/05/ However, a key aspect of his story is he talked with nearly every major print political reporter covering the race, and with one exception, all of them knew Blumenthal never served and cited articles making it clear. They were the people who have covered him more in-depth from the start than anyone else, and only one out of many believed he had ever said anything that could be construed as saying he served in Vietnam. Where the Times story was apparently inaccurate was that it was regularly reported in Connecticut he was a Vietnam vet and Blumenthal allowed the myth to perpetuate. It appears, there was no myth to perpetuate in the first place.
--In a New York Times follow-up at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/nyregion/19veterans.html?ref=politics Christopher Shays, a friend of Blumenthal, said he was worried this would come out, noting how, in his mind, Blumenthal's public assertions of his military service were changing. "He just kept adding to the story, the more he told it," and said he was alarmed that he considered mentioning it to Blumenthal.
--Another story critical of the New York Times story from Media Matters is at http://mediamatters.rog/blog/201005190039 It noted that Blumenthal earlier this year in a March Senate debate clearly stated, "Although I did not serve in Vietnam, I have seen firsthand the effects of military action, and no one wants it to be the first resort, nor do we want to mortgage the country's future with a deficit that is ballooning out of control." They wrote it was unfair that the Times and those critical of Blumenthal never pointed out that just recently he unambiguously made it clear he wasn't stationed in Vietnam, the thing he's accused of lying about.
--The New York Times gave its response, while the Washington Post questioned them leaving things out at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/05/times_defending_of_cli pp.html
--The Stamford Advocate at http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/default/article/ has more on the story, with Linda McMahon's campaign accusing Blumenthal of saying he wouldn't accept money from political action committees and then did. Blumenthal's campaign claimed he never promised it.
--UFC announced another Fan Expo will take place on 8/27 and 8/28 in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center.
--The Philippine Star gave the impression Manny Pacquiao is willing to get blood tests that would allow his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. to take place. In a story today, Pacquiao only said he would not be tested before the fight on the day of the fight. In a separate story, he agreed to take blood tests as late as 14 days before the fight, but Mayweather Jr. has been insisting on a shorter window. Story is at http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=577073&publicationSubCategoryId=69
--Linda McMahon will be on Hannity at 9 p.m. Eastern tonight on the Fox news Channel (thanks to Doug Brown and others)
--On Spike, they are heavily in commercials pushing that next Wednesday's episode of Ultimate Fighter is the one you've all been waiting for, where Tito Ortiz pulls out of the fight with Chuck Liddell.
--Last night's Ultimate Fighter did a 1.0 rating, the lowest so far this season, or for that matter, in the past two seasons. It got killed by the NBA playoffs, just like wrestling has been hurt in recent weeks. The Suns-Lakers game had more than 7 million viewers last night.
--Georges St. Pierre vs. NHL tough guy George Laraque, who is 270 pounds, will have a grappling match on TSN's Off the Record TV show on Friday night at 6 p.m.
--There is a story at http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/100520/story3.shtml about the Miami-Dade Sports commission trying to get WrestleMania in 2012. The story said because Miami has the Super Bowl in 2011, WWE didn't want to bring WrestleMania there next year. 14 different cities sent bids for the next three years. WWE sent applications to 17 cities, three of which weren't interested believe it or not. The idea would be for WrestleMania to be outdoors at Sun Life Stadium, the Hall of Fame at the American Airlines Arena, Raw at the American Airlines Arena, Fan Axxess at the Miami Beach Convention Center and a concert at South Beach.
--Jerry Lawler will be starting a new promotion in Memphis that will air on Ch. 50 in the city at 11 a.m. Saturday mornings, the classic time slot for wrestling in that city. The show, called "Jerry Lawler's Memphis Wrestling," has a free TV taping tonight at The Vine on 1819 Madison Ave.
--Abyss ended up with 17 stitches in his arm from the attack by Desmond Wolfe that will air on tonight's episode of Impact.
--Weigh-ins for UFC 114 have been moved from the MGM Grand Garden Arena to the Mandalay Bay Events Center at 4 p.m.
--Takanori Gomi vs. Shane Roller in a grappling match has been added to the lineup at the UFC Expo. They will meet on 5/29 as part of the grappling show that starts at 1 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay's Fan Expo. Roller was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma State and Junior Hodge Trophy winner.
--Chris Jericho will be doing a signing at 5 p.m. on Saturday at FYE Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, MI, and Monday at 2 p.m. at FYE at the Mall of Monroe. They are to promote his new CD.
--Satoshi Ishii, the 2008 judo gold medalist in the superheavyweight division, has his third MMA fight on 6/4 in Honolulu at the Blaisdell Center against Myles Tynanes, who will be making his MMA debut.
--The movie "Kushti," produced in India, starring Great Khali, will be available on-line the same week the movie is released in India on both YouTube and Hulu. The movie is about a village in India that is obsessed by wrestling and holds wrestling matches to determine the village leaders. It comes down to a match between Khali and a 5-foot-tall man. Hopefully it's better than most of Khali's WWE matches or Roger Gracie vs. Kevin Randleman.
--There will be a Raw taping on 7/5 in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena. The presale password for tickets is TNRTV
--CHIKARA on Saturday night in Tyngsboro, MA at the Sports Complex headlined by Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw & Hallowicked & Frightmare vs. Chuck Taylor & Gran Akuma & Colin Delaney & Vin Gerard
--ROH will be doing TV tapings on Friday night and Saturday at 4 p.m. at The Arena in Philadelphia. Friday night, they will have a contract signing for Tyler Black vs. Davey Richards for the title. Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards vs. Christopher Daniels and a mystery partner will headline. Tyler Black faces El Generico on Saturday night. We're looking for reports on both weekend shows. The tapings will be dedicated to the memory of Brad Mackie, the lighting director at the prior tapings.
--K.J. Noons vs. Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett has been added to the 6/26 Strikeforce show in San Jose. The two fought three years ago on the debut of Elite XC, with Noons dominating until getting knocked out late in the first round.
--Does anyone have any info on how to get a copy of the documentary that was done on the Tony Condello Northern Canadian death tours?
--There is a story on Ted DiBiase Sr. at http://www.bonnersprings.com/news/2010/may/20/
--Weigh-ins for tomorrow night's Moosin Gods of Martial Arts show is at 6 p.m. tonight at the DCU Center Convention Center Showcase Door 1 in Worcester.
--Quote from Tim Sylvia yesterday: "I've been asked if it's been difficult finding workout partners like my opponent, who is 280 pounds with 4% body fat and gasses out after 45 seconds. Yeah, it's tough. My workout partners don't usually gas out after 45 seconds." Sylvia did say Marius Pudzianowski is a worthy opponent. Bas Rutten, Jeff Gorman and Tom Megalis are the announcers for the PPV show, which is priced at $29.95. We're also looking for reports on this show.
--For those in the U.K., Prime Time TV Ch. 480 on Sky Digital will be airing the Moosin Gods of Martial Arts show at 2 a.m. that day as a PPV (thanks to Paul McDonnell)
--The city of East Chicago, IN, has announced that 6/4 will be Miguel Angel Torres today. Torres will take part of various activities around town. Hope his week ends up better than when Sacramento had Urijah Faber day.
--IWF runs Friday night at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 pl.m. at the IWF Centre in West Paterson, NJ
--CMLL Monday night in Puebla: Ares & Barbaro I & Policeman b King Jaguar & Silver & Tigre Rojo, Arkangel de la Muerte & Dr. X & Nosferatu b Metalico & Starman & Trueno, Misterioso Jr. & Okumura & Sangre Azteca b Fuego & Metro & Rush, Taichi b La Mascara (building a mask vs. hair match), Atlantis & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ultimo Guerrero b Hector Garza & Shocker & Strongman (Garza once again turning on his partners)
--CMLL on Tuesday night in Guadalajara: Thunder Boy & Tondar b Cerveruz & In Memoria, Acertijo & Leon Blanco b Divino & Virgo, Asesino Negro & Exterminador b Hierro & Palacio Negro, Strongman & Stuka Jr. & Toscano b Ephesto & Felino & Mephisto, Maximo b Ultimo Guerrero-DQ when Olimpico did a run-in, so he's the latest to jump from Perros Del Mal to CMLL
--Monday night in Oaxaca before 2,000 fans: Rigo Cisneros & Wayuca b Apolo Jr. & Triki Traka, Endeavor & Hombre Arana & Lalo el Loco b Challenger & Chokma & Fantasma Jr., Fabi Apache & Pasion Kristal b Rain & Yuriko, Mascarita Divina & Mini Charly Manson b Mascarita de la Muerte & Mini Psicosis, Octagon & La Parka b Joe Lider & Nicho
--Monday nigh at the soccer stadium in Nuevo Laredo: Mr. Aguila & Oriental & Rossy Moreno b Juventud Guerrera & Super Crazy & Sexy Flor with referees Tirantes and Pinocho putting their hair at stake (Pinocho got his head shaved), Blue Panther & El Hijo del Fantasma & La Sombra b El Terrible & El Texano Jr. & Rey Bucanero, Volador Jr. b Mistico to keep the Mexican national light heavyweight title. Oriental and heel ref Tirantes tried to help Mistico win the title, but La Sombra interfered and unmasked Mistico, causing him to lose (thanks to Kris Zellner)
--There is a story on Eddie Kingston at http://www.fanhouse.com/2010/05/19/ talking about CHIKARA Pro and his upcoming match with Tommy Dreamer.
--Amazing Kong and Dave Penzer are both taking bookings through Bill Behrens at
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--Poll on NXT
Excellent 26.2%
Good 41.0%
Average 9.5%
Fair 7.6%
Poor 15.7%
25.5% of those responding didn't see the show
--Who should be voted off next week?
David Otunga 50.0%
Heath Slater 39.5%
Justin Gabriel 7.7%
Wade Barrett 2.8%
--How will WWE off the Limit do vs. UFC 114 in North America. Figuring Off the Limit will end up between 120,000 and 150,000 buys, let's look at how this came down:
WWE will do more buys 9.9% - Yes, UFC 114 will do less than 150,000 these people are saying
UFC will do more, but less than double 9.5% - Belief UFC 114 will do less than 240,000 to 300,000. By the way, that's inconceivable
UFC will do double, less than triple 13.6% - That's under 360,000 to 450,000
UFC will do triple, less than quadruple 7.3% - That's under 480,000 to 600,000
UFC will do four times, less than five times 8.1% - That's under 600,000 to 750,000
UFC will do five times, less than six times 9.9% - That's 600,000 range to max of 900,000
UFC will do six times, less than seven times 13.9% - That's 720,000 to 1,050,000
UFC will do seven times, less than eight times 9.9% - That's 840,000 to 1,200,000
UFC will do eight times, less than nine times 7.0% - That's 960,000 to 1,350,000
UFC will do nine times, less than ten times 2.6% - That's 1,080,000 to 1,500,000
UFC will do ten times, less than 11 times 1.1% - That's 1,200,000 to 1,650,000
UFC will do more than 11 times 7.3% - That's a minimum of probably 1,320,000
--Christopher Daniels will be signing autographs and throwing out the first pitch tonight at the Antelope Valley JetHawks baseball game, signing at 6:20 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. before the game.
--Revolucha Pro Wrestling on 6/4 in Swartz Creek, MI at the Hometown Days Festival.
--Phil Strum of the Poughkeepsie Journal noted that the Brooklyn Cyclones web site in pushing the 7/2 show at their stadium has a big photo of Hulk Hogan promoting the show, although he's not listed as appearing and has never been to a prior TNA house show.
--Pro Wrestling Phoenix has its five-year anniversary show on Saturday night in Council Bluffs, IA at the National Guard Armory with a War Games match, a ladder match and Arik Cannon appears.
--PWG on 6/11 in Reseda, CA at American Legion Post 308 features Paul London & El Generico defending the tag titles against Brian Kendrick & Kevin Steen, Brandon & Dustin Cutler & Joey Ryan vs. Young Bucks & Malachi Jackson, Brandon Gatson vs. Chris Hero, Scott Lost vs. Dragon Gate's Akira Tozawa and more.
--Platinum Championship Wrestling on Friday night in Avondale Estates, GA at the Academy Theater.
--UCW on Saturday night in East Carrolton, GA at the Rec Center features Scott Steiner, Brad Armstrong, David Taylor, Johnny Swinger, Chris Hamrick and a special appearance by Lex Luger.
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