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        We're looking for your thoughts on last night's Dragon Gate USA iPPV, tonight's Dragon Gate USA iPPV and tonight's Strikeforce show 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 from tonight's TNA house show in London, England  (Mr. Anderson vs. Jeff Hardy for the TNA title, RVD vs. Matt Hardy, Ric Flair vs. Douglas Williams and Jeff Jarrett vs. Johnny Moss).and WWE house show in Springfield, MA.

 

        Tonight's Strikeforce lineup from San Jose's HP Pavilion

Dark matches

Sam Bracamonte (1-1, 168) vs. Armin Sarifari (0-0, 169.5)

Ricky Jackson (3-1, 164.5) vs. Niko Jackson (3-2, 166)

Anthony Dariano (1-0, 149.5) vs. Alan Perez (4-2, 151)

Jenna Castillo (0-0, 121) vs. Charlene Gellner (0-0, 118)

James Terry (8-2, 170.5) vs. Lucas Gamaza (4-1, 171)

Germaine de Randamie (1-1, 135.5) vs. Stephanie Webber (1-1, 135.75)

Ron Keslar (5-3, 179.5) vs. Eric Lawson (9-3, 180)

Bobby Stack (8-1, 154.75) vs. Isaiah Hill (4-7, 1 no contest, 155.5)

Nate Moore (6-2, 171) vs. Nathan Coy (8-3, 170.5)

Live show

Roger Gracie (3-0, 206) vs. Trevor Prangley (23-6-1, 205.25)

Herschel Walker (1-0, 220.75) vs. Scott Carson (4-1, 214)

Ronaldo Jacare Souza (13-2, 1 no contest, 184.25) vs. Robbie Lawler (18-6, 1 no contest, 184) for the middleweight title

Nick Diaz (23-7, 1 no contest, 169.5) vs. Evangelista Cyborg Santos (18-13, 169.5) for the welterweight title  

 

        Dragon Gate lineup tonight:

Jigsaw vs. Frightmare vs. Sami Callihan vs. Scott Reed vs. A.R. Fox vs. Rexx Reed

Jimmy Jacobs vs. Rich Swann

Yamato vs. Brodie Lee most likely for Open the Freedom Gate title

Austin Aries vs. Akira Tozawa

Cima & Dragon Kid vs. Chuck Taylor & Johnny Gargano in three-night tag title tournament

Masato Yoshino & Pac vs. Naruki Doi & Ricochet in three-night tag title tournament.

 

        Sunday is the Royal Rumble from Boston, which is sold out.  Three title matches besides the Rumble have Miz vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title, Edge vs. Dolph Ziggler for the World title with the spear banned and Natalya vs. LayCool in a handicap match for the Divas title.  Dragon Gate also has a PPV taping for March in Union City, NJ.

 

        Monday features Raw from Providence and TNA will be taping its heavily pushed show that airs this coming Thursday, which will include Mr. Anderson vs. Jeff Hardy for the TNA title and Jeremy Buck vs. Jay Lethal vs. ? (supposed to be Alex Shelley but he's injured) in a three-way, and the debut of "They."  And that gets more interesting by the day.

 

        Tuesday has Smackdown & NXT from the Nassau Coliseum, plus a second night of TNA tapings from Orlando.

 

        The biggest issue of the year, our annual awards issue, is up today on the web site and is also available for print subscriptions.  It's a double issue, with not only the awards winners, comments and background of the winners of all the major awards, top finishers in every category as well as a history of the Observer awards in every category dating back to 1980.

 

        The categories profiled are:

 

Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award for Wrestler of the Year

Mixed Martial Arts Most Valuable

Most Outstanding Wrestler

Most Outstanding Fighter

Best Box Office Draw

Feud of the Year

Tag Team of the Year

Most Improved

Best on Interviews

Most Charismatic

Best Technical Wrestler

Bruiser Brody Memorial Award for Best Brawler

Best Flying Wrestler

Most Overrated

Most Underrated

Promotion of the Year

Best Weekly TV show

Worked Match of the Year

Shoot Match of the Year

Rookie of the Year

Best Non-Wrestler

Best Television Announcer

Worst Television Announcer

Best Major Show

Worst Major Show

Best Maneuver

Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic

Worst Television Show

Worst Match of the Year

Worst Feud of the Year

Worst Promotion

Best Booker

Best Promoter

Best Gimmick

Worst Gimmick

Best Book

Best DVD     

 

        Besides the awards, we also have an update on Ric Flair in Germany, Kurt Angle's situation in leaving the door due to health complications with his girlfriend and a gigantic feature on WWE booking.

 

        We look at tons of WWE booking over the past year, look at what worked, didn't work, ideas positioned that never happened, and reasons why the booking hasn't been able to maintain traction even after strong angles.  We look at a lot of what Vince McMahon's influence is, who has influence over him, on the plight of guys who both were and weren't pushed in 2010.

 

        We also have a look at someone who is not known as a pro wrestler, but may have been in the U.S. one of the two most famous ex-pro wrestlers of the 20th century.

 

        We've got coverage of UFC's Fight for the Troops, with poll results, match-by-match coverage, a look at the ratings of each match and the strange ratings pattern, as well as who made themselves stars.

 

        We've got an update on Linda McMahon and the U.S. senate race, lots of notes on the Hall of Fame including more names talked about and others discussed not being in, Mania celebrities, Mania ticket sales, WWE stock update and a look at different categories when it comes to the shortfall.  We also look at the proposed Mania main event, the WWE All-Stars video game, Vince McMahon contract details, a potential multimillion dollar WWE issue, and Low Ki talks about his experience with the company.

 

        We also look at the Best of Nitro DVD, Tivo viewership and Raw update, USA wanting Raw to load up on shows soon and why, late changes in Rumble decision making, new WWE DVDs, who is expected next to be debuted on the main roster, as well as the business notes from the weekend shows and highlights of the Raw and Smackdown house shows over the past week.

 

        We've got ratings of all the national shows including how every segment on Raw and Impact did this past week.  We look in detail on the last two week's of Raw, as far as what segments did and didn't click, including what big match didn't deliver numbers, and exactly what age group turned the match off.

 

        We also have our usual weekly features with results of the major arena shows from around the world, and the major TV show rundowns and reviews.

       

        The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.
 
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Also in this week's issue:

 

--CMLL's first major show of 2011

 

--AAA's first major show of 2011

 

--What wrestler from one promotion was sitting at ringside at the show of the rival promotion in disguise

 

--The experiment in iPPVs and a look back at what happened when WWE tried something similar years ago

 

--A look at the Gaora network's 20th annual wrestling show, the All Japan and Dragon Gate joint show

 

--Another well known wrestler is going to run for public office soon

 

--A look at the CMLL & New Japan joint shows held over the weekend

 

--A look at the New Japan tour of the U.S. in May

 

--The story of the recent pro wrestling match that involved a legendary MMA fighter that went against the script, turned into a shoot, and had a surprising ending.  A look at the reaction backstage, and the story behind the story.

 

--Son of a Hall of Famer debuts in March against one of his father's biggest career rivals

 

--90s star arrested

 

--Update on a major motion picture about the 70s pro wrestling legend

 

--Wrestler claims new promotion is about to get a national TV deal

 

--Update on Torrie Wilson after wrestling

 

--Famous wrestling arena about to be closed down gets a reprieve through the end of the year

 

--Sean Waltman talks about his suicide attempt, TNA booking, and WWE in-ring style

 

--Update on more released WWE talents

 

--A look at the final ROH tapings for HDNet

 

--More notes on TNA back on U.K. television

 

--Latest on the Jeff Hardy case

 

--Major pro wrestling star becoming MMA promoter

 

--The latest wrestling Internet feuds

 

--A look at TNA's European tour

 

--Dana White talks potential biggest MMA match of the year

 

--Ticket sales for the major upcoming UFC events

 

--A look at the Zuffa lawsuit against Justin.tv

 

--How this is very important to the future of UFC business more so than any other promotion

 

--Tons of notes regarding the new season of Tough Enough, which started filming this past week, including comments from Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos, the coaching staff,  why Lesnar did the show and his thoughts on coaching.

 

--Proposed UFC fight turned down because fighter didn't want to be a heel

 

--Update on light heavyweight title

 

--Guida vs. Pettis update

 

--UFC trying to get MMA regulated in every state update on holdouts

 

--UFC changing pricing structure

 

--New UFC fights

 

--Why Bob Sapp didn't fight on New Year's and the future of K-1

 

--For Hodge trophy winner signs for tournament

 

       New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues can get free issues from the last 18 years.  You can get 2 free back issues by ordering 40 or more
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*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous
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right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was
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everything that was said between the two about the match that was going
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*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)
 
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great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)
 
*July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian
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*February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)
 
*May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career
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*March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino,
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*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally,
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*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,
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world title and much more)
 
*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of
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*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)
 
*February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story,
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*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
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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
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*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
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*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,
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*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details
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*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle
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*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
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*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
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*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at
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territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized
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*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul
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*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)
 
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why it didn't click)
 
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*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)
 
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*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)
 
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*November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S.
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*March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)
 
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--We don't have much new on the Donna Goldsmith resignation from WWE, only that everyone we talked with didn't see it coming and it was pretty much a shock.  The speculation was that it is tied too the disappointing fourth quarter in some form, but nobody really knew anything substantive.  Goldsmith has been the No. 2 person in the company since Linda McMahon left to run for Senate.

 

--There is a lesson to be learned here regarding shooting angles first and then trying to sign the guys up.  Booker T is confirmed to be in the Royal Rumble.  Kevin Nash is expected to be there as well.  Both canceled autograph signings scheduled this weekend.  Those in TNA and WWE both have confirmed Booker being expected at WWE instead of TNA on Monday.  When it comes to Nash, his name was just removed from the TNA roster (even though he had "left" the company months ago).  It is being reported he's in the Rumble and all that does make sense but we haven't had it confirmed by WWE people of that fact.  Booker T and Kevin Nash had been earmarked to start on Monday with TNA as part of  "They," which makes Monday's Impact very interesting as the only former Main Event Mafia member they can now bring in being Sting.

 

--Bryan and I will be doing radio shows late tonight covering the WWE happenings, preview to Rumble, tonight's Strikeforce show and more, and be back after the Rumble tomorrow night as well.  

 

--Chris Jericho will be appearing on Observer Radio on 2/9.

 

--Some notes from the TNA Fan Interaction from yesterday in Manchester.  The session was superbly organized with Beer Money, Ric Flair, RVD, Mickie James, Rob Terry and Jeff Hardy there.  Matt Hardy was there for a few minutes but then disappeared, saying he had to do interviews.  The cost was 25 pounds ($39.70) which included a free program (they were selling them for 12 pounds at the show). RVD was exceptionally friendly.  Flair was reserved but accommodating to everyone.  300 fans paid for it.  Most of the crowd was Males 18-30, far more adults by percentage than at a WWE show.  Dixie Carter was very friendly in posing for photos and signing autographs.  Most of the matches were standard fare but Chris Sabin vs. Kazarian for the X title and Beer Money vs. British Invasion were both very good. (thanks to Kevin Malton)

 

--Some notes from WrestleReunion.  Paul London showed up.  He had a booking elsewhere but it most have fallen through.  He was mostly at the NWA Hollywood booth with Candice LaRae, Adam Pearce, Colt Cabana, Joey Ryan and Lance Bravado.  Christina Von Eerie was said to be off night's show.  Raven and Christopher Daniels were there.  Billy Graham was there and in good spirits telling stories.  Edge, who is in Los Angeles this weekend to film retakes for his movie, was staying at the hotel and in and out.  He watched the ROH show, in particular the Kings of Wrestling vs. Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin match. (thanks to Daniel Short)

 

--Among the DVDs WWE will be doing this year are True Story of WrestleMania (March 15), Best of Nitro (May 24), Ted DiBiase (June 28), Randy Orton (September 20), 50 Biggest matches in WWE History (November 29) and Austin vs. Rock:  the Rivalry (December 13).  A complete listing of every WWE DVD release is at http://www.wwedvdnes.com/2011-223-dvd-release-dates/9140/

 

--Tonight's PWG show in Los Angeles

Cedric Alexander & Brandon Gatson & Candice LaRae & Willie Mack vs. Peter Avalon & Caleb Konley & Jake Manning & Christina Von Eerie (may be changed)

Legends Battle Royal, Rumble style intros every 30 seconds:  Terry Funk, Roddy Piper, Mike Graham, Shane Douglas, Sean Morley, Barry Orton, Bob Orton, Ken Patera, Vampiro and more. 

Shane Helms vs. Joey Ryan

Kevin Steen vs. Chris Hero

Jake Roberts vs. Sinn Bodhi in Roberts' retirement match

Cutler Brothers vs. Taylor Brothers vs. Johnny Yuma & Johnny Goodtime vs. Generation Me

Rey Bucanero vs. Mr. Aguila

Davey Richards vs. Low Ki

Claudio Castagnoli vs. El Generico for PWG title

 

--What Strikeforce match are you most looking forward to?

Nick Diaz vs. Evangelista Cyborg Santos 32.2%

Robbie Lawler vs. Jacare Souza 31.1%

Herschel Walker vs. Scott Carson 30.7%

Roger Gracie vs. Trevor Prangley 6.0%

 

--Poll on Superstars

Excellent 16.7%

Good 31.0%

Average 23.8%

Fair 4.8%

Poor 23.8%

        66.1% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Poll on Impact

Excellent 21.2%

Good 31.7%

Average 17.3%

Fair 5.8%

Poor 24.0%

        40.6% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Which February show do you have the most interest in?

UFC 126 Silva vs. Belfort 40.3%

WWE Elimination Chamber 20.6%

Strikeforce 2/12 Fedor vs. Antonio Silva 16.1%

2/26 ROH iPPV Strong vs. Homicide 12.1%

UFC 127 Fitch vs. Penn 5.6%

TNA Against All Odds Anderson vs. Jeff Hardy 5.4%

 

--Mashable, the web site that gave WWE two awards including a positive award for the Stand Up for WWE campaign, has a feature on how WWE conquered Social Media at http://mashable.com/2011/01/28/wwe-social-media/  How you can possibly do a WWE Social Media story without the names Matt Hardy and Melina is kind of beyond me.  They spoke with Brian Kalinowski (EVP, Digital Media), Mark Keys (VP, Web Production) and Corey Clayton (On-line community leader) and I guess none brought up Matt's name.

 

--A story on Scott Hall training Ricky Young and going back for psychiatric treatment is at http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/28/2038672/helping-young-helps-foremr-wwe.html    

 

--The XFL debuted ten years ago this week and there is a story about it at http://www.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/x-years-after-memories-of-the-xfl/

 

--Lance Storm does a Q&A about a number of topics, including when Kevin Nash booted him for no reason storyline was when he was getting over and how Nash reacted, Michaels vs Lesnar, Michaels vs. Rock, 50 greatest superstars DVD and more at http://www.stormwrestling.com/012811.html 

 

--Former WWE writer David Lagana talks Royal Rumble at http://iwantwrestling.com/2011/01/29/royalrumblechangeseverything/ talking about the year Vince McMahon tore both quads and the story behind the Batista/Cena finish being botched.

 

--XFO 9 tonight at 8 p.m. in Dallas

 

--Tri State Wrestling tomorrow at 2 p.m. at  Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ with $2 from every ticket donated to Autism Speaks.  Breaker Morant vs. Bobby Shields in a lumberjack match for the TWA title headlines.

 

--Jerry Lawler vs. Bill Dundee with Dutch Mantel as referee tonight at the Fairgrounds in Nashville.

 

--River City Wrestling in San Antonio is having a Royal Rumble get together at Fatso's Sports Garden at 1704 Bandera Rd.  Admission is $5 and kids under 12 are free.

 

--USWO from last night in Nashville before 101 fans:  Deathwish b Steen Roy & Kevin Dunn, Saint b Tim Renesto, Psycho Medic & Danny Copass DDQ Jamey Farrari & Panther, Chrisjen Hayme b Nick Iggy Bryan Casey b Drew Haskins-DQ, Gary Valiant b Crusher Eric Hodge, Gary Valiant b Arrick Andrews-COR Damien Payne b Wolfie D, Jocephus b Mike Woods (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)

 

--CZW on 2/12 in Philadelphia at the Asylum Arena with Drake Younger vs. B-Boy, Jon Moxley vs. Robert Anthony for the CZW title, Philly's Most Wanted vs. Briscoes for the CZW tag title, Sami Callihan vs. Alex Colon and more.

 

--Ken Wayne's New Experience Wrestling TV taping from last night in West Memphis, AR:  Dan Matthews b Greg Anthony, Stan Lee b Austin Lane, Kid Nikels & Justin Smart b Matt Riviera & Chris O'Neal.  They run every week.  Dustin Starr, who was just released by WWE, will be at next week's show.