Bryan Alvarez:
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Dave Meltzer:
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We're looking for your thoughts on Sunday night's Over the Limit PPV from Detroit, 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 on the Friday night TNA house show in Lake Charles, LA.
Smackdown and NXT are being taped tonight in Cleveland, where The Miz will have to turn on the crowd early in his promo to avoid being cheered on NXT. One more guy is getting eliminated, likely Heath Slater or Justin Gabriel.
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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-- Carlos Colon did an interview for Primera Hora in Puerto Rico saying Carlito has a problem with painkillers and that was why he was released from WWE. He blamed it on the backstabber, saying doing that move repeatedly involved 300-pound men falling on Carlito and messing up his knees and back. He said Carlito didn't think he had a problem and the whole family had flown to his home in Houston and was pressuring him to undergo the rehab WWE offered so that he would get cleaned up and get his job with the company back. Thanks to Luis Cuevas.
-- Rob Simmons, who lost out on the Republican endorsement last week to Linda McMahon, announced today that he had reluctantly decided to "scale back the campaign". He wrote, "While my name will remain on the primary ballot, in the coming months I will devote myself to helping other Republican candidates for public office who I believe will bring to Connecticut and the Nation the leadership we need at this most difficult time." So it's basically going to come down to McMcMahon vs. Richard Blumenthal in the election.
-- Jimmy & Jules Uso, the twin sons of Rikishi, and Tamina aka Sarona, were the three people who ran in last night during the Hart Dynasty match. They'd been training down in Florida Championship Wrestling.
-- WWE isn't one hundred percent sure that Orton will be ready by the Fatal Four Way PPV so they're playing it by ear. If in the next few weeks it doesn't look like he's going to be ready they'll probably shoot and angle where someone takes him out and gets the fourth spot, perhaps Jericho (which would take him out of the four way tag match) or HHH. But they're hoping he'll be ready.
-- The guy with the eyeball on Raw last night was Joe Francosi, the newest member of the creative team who used to work for Bassman’s UPW. Taking his eyeball out was how he got hired, believe it or not. That's now the second week in a row that a creative team member has appeared on the show, as Ed Koskey hosted the commercials last week.
-- Guess who will be performing live this Thursday at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club? Roddy Piper.
-- Goldust beat Dos Caras in the dark match last night.
-- The big UFC announcement today, as noted on the front page, is that the company is opening up a Toronto office that will be run by former CFL commissioner Tom Wright. They also teased that GSP vs. Josh Koscheck could take place somewhere in Canada later this year.
-- Viva La Lucha: Revolution debuts on PPV on Friday, June 11 with Blue Demon Jr., LA Park, Perro Aguayo Jr., Hijo De Rey Misterio, and others. It's available in HD.
-- WWE Heroes #3 hits newsstands and comic book stores today. In the last issue Chris Jericho and HHH were both supposedly killed by terrorists. Really.
-- "Bill Apter at Ringside with Terry Funk" went onsale today at www.kayfabecommentaries.com
-- Candace Michelle gave birth yesterday to AkiAnne Rose, who of course already has her own website on Godaddy. Really. akiannerose.com.
-- Even though Hulk Hogan is all over the posters for TNA's house show in Brooklyn on July 2nd, he's not going to be there.
-- For those going to Vegas for the Figure Four/Observer convention this year, here is the line-up courtesy Ed in San Antonio:
THURSDAY (May 27):
-11.30am – 3.15pm: Open workout @ Studio A&B (@ MGM)
-2:00pm PT: Lunch @ Fatburger
-Mid to late afternoon: Meet up at Dick's for a trip to Mike Sawyer's store (via cab)
- Evening: Official first get-together 8:30 @ Margaritaville in the Flamingo
FRIDAY (May 28):
-10:00am PT: Fan expo doors open / meet @ official ticket counter
-11am PT: Co-Ed Pool party @ MGM Grand
-1pm PT: UFC Fight Club heading to Weigh-Ins
-3pm PT: General public heading to Weigh-Ins
-4:00pm PT: Weigh-ins
-5:30pm PT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil (sharing cabs to get there)
-7:30pm PT: Suite party at Planet Hollywood Towers (DrunkCast LIVE)
-9:30pm PT: Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island
-1:00am PT:Trip to the StripClub
SATURDAY (May 29):
-10:00am PT: Fan expo doors open / meet @ official ticket counter
-Around 2pm PT: Pre-fight Lunch @ some buffet (TBD)
-3:30pm PT: Doors open at the MGM Grand for UFC 114
-4:25pm PT: First fight scheduled to begin
-6:00pm PT: Spike TV portion of the card begins
-7:00pm PT: PPV portion of the card begins
-9.35pm PT: THE BIG FIGHT
-Later: Post fight meet up at Dick's Last Resort at Excalibur
SUNDAY (May 30):
-Sometime: Pool party somewhere
-- For more info on any of this, email Ed at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
-- Atsushi Aoki & Go Shiozaki won the AAA World Tag Titles against Taiji Ishimori & Takeshi Morishima in Niigata and they will be defending at Triplemania on 6/6. Thanks to Kris Zellner.
-- Frank Shamrock and Meisha Tate of Strikeforce will be filming a rape prevention video on Friday in Los Angeles. Frank will play the rapist and Meisha will show various ways to beat his ass and protect herself.
-- Story on Ric Flair still being Ric Flair here
-- Jim Cornette is doing an interview with The Programme w/ Matt & Ben tonight at 7pm at www.mattandbenradio.com.
-- The WWE Smackdown taping on August 10th, 2010 will be held at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. Tickets go on sale June 12th, 2010. Thanks to Devin Cutting.
-- Bobby Lashley and his business partner Judith Sussman have launched a new management company representing MMA fighters. His newest fighter to sign on is UFC fighter Alessio Sakara. They have opened up a website at http://www.lashleymanagement.com
-- In your experience, when you watch WWE PPVs now, is it with more people
or less people than a few years ago?
More 6.6%
Less 68.3%
The Same 25.1%
Do you believe the rise of UFC on PPV and fall of WWE is:
Due to that exact thing 29.6%
Part of the reason but the main reason is UFC has better storylines 59.0%
Purely coincidental, one has nothing to do with the other 11.5%
Is Fatal Four Way a good PPV concept?
Yes 5.6%
No 54.2%
Depends on the television building it 40.1%
-- UCW Spring Stampede (5/22) drawing 668 at the East Carrollton Rec Center in Carrollton, GA: Glacier def. Dave Taylor, Spiral def. Chris Byson, Rob Russo/Danny Knight def. Murder One/AJ Steele via DQ, Tracy Taylor def. Laa Laa, Chris Hamrick def. Sal Rinauro, Antonio Garza def. Johnny Swinger, Scott Steiner def. Micah Taylor. UCW returns to Texas on 7/31 in Paris, TX featuring Daivari, Ryan Genesis, Rodney Mack, Jazz, and Simply Luscious.
-- MWF NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS -- Help Keep The Kids Off The Streets! Saturday, June 26th, 2010 - 6PM, Bell Time Club - 537 Ferry St. Rear (behind White Hen) - Everett, MA
-- CZW returns to South Philly Saturday, June 12th, 2010, The CZW Arena - 7PM Belltime, 7 West Ritner Street - South Philly, PA
-- Jeremy Borash is on Right After Wrestling talking TNA, the Monday Night Wars (he thinks they should have stayed on Mondays longer), and more here.
-- From the promoter: The Dangerous Women of Wrestling are presenting their biggest and largest attended women’s wrestling show, a major, must see marquee live event titled “ALL IN”, Thursday, May 27, 2010 at The Arena (former ECW Arena) 7 W. Ritner Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 687-7560. Doors open at 7pm, Show 7:30pm, Bell time 7:55pm (all times are Eastern Standard Time). “ALL IN” is being filmed in High Definition 1080i for National Television and INDEMAND and TVN URBAN Pay Per View. More information and tickets are available at www.dangerouswomenofwrestling.com. Reserved Seating tickets for Dangerous Women of Wrestling live Thursday, May 27, 2010 are now on sale online at www.dwowtixs.com or in person at The Beer Box 3350 Grant Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19114 (215) 673-7837 or at The Arena Box Office 7 W. Ritner Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 687-7560. Ticket prices: $50 Super elevated Stage VIP Seating, $30 Ringside, $25 Rows 2 & 3, $20 additional seating, $15 General Admission.
-- HPW Wrestling Summer Breakout, June 5th, 4-H Fairgrounds (Air Conditioned Bldg) Columbus, IN, Bell 7:45pm Open 6:45pm, Tickets $12, Kids 10 & Under $10, 3 and under free
-- “M-1 Selection: Americas” takes place on Saturday, June 26 at Bally’s Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
-- Former TNA referee Mike Posey is opening up a school for referees. More info here: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
-- Drunkcast has THE CANCER, who is producing the Wrestling Observer Shoot DVDs, and TCW star Bolo on his show up here. They'll have another show Friday at 7:30 PM Pacific in Vegas talking all sorts of hijinx.
-- AAW: Professional Wrestling Redefined, Friday June 11, 2010, 7:30pm, Berwyn Eagles Club, 6309 W. 26th St., Berwyn, IL
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