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Also in this week's issues:
--Return of CMLL to U.S. television
--68th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Coliseo in Mexico City
--A look at the death of a wrestler turned movie villain
--Heels talk about their belief heeling is a lost art and complain why
--TripleMania date announced
--Mexico ratings
--Promotion feuding with leading magazine
--AAA starts pushing new talent
--Japanese star tries to put together an all-star charity show and major star from the last decade says he'll come out of retirement for it
--Notes on the 2011 Champion Carnival tournament
--ROH tag champs head to NOAH for its annual tag tournament
--More on New Japan coming to the U.S. for a tour
--Hall of Famer in Japan has his first match against the son of a major former rival
--Update on Jinsei Shinzaki and his plight after all the troubles he's had after the earthquake
--Update on plans for a major feature movie on one of the greatest pro wrestlers in history
--A look at Memphis Heat, business, reviews and notes about the movie and its future
--A sleazy promoter and sleazy athlete combine for a story
--Larry Zbyszko talks Chris Jericho
--More notes on Lockdown
--Update on the Bellator tournaments and future shows
--Granddaughter of one of the most famous wrestlers in history and her sex with a minor charges case comes to a close
--A look at Kurt Angle's latest arrest
--Hulk Hogan now working indies?
--Former TNA wrestler looked at regarding a return
--Plenty of TV craziness
--A look at the last weekend of TNA shows
--Updated UFC PPV estimates
--Jon Jones' drawing power
--A look at UFC's July PPV
--A very interesting statement made by Spike TV head about something they are talking about for the fall
--A look at the Thiago Silva drug case
--Update on Fedor Emelianenko
--Future of Mirko Cro Cop
--Future Spike UFC shows
--A controversy regarding medical suspensions
--Another foreign champion comes into the Zuffa fold next week
--Several UFC cuts
--Women fighters feud on the radio
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*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous
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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
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*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
its own, $7 overseas)
*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
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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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*January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8
overseas)
*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bam Bigelow)
*March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)
*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)
*March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)
*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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--Thanks to everyone for their comments about the two issues this week, particularly the early history of WrestleMania story and the TNA story.
--This is not an April Fool's joke. WWE has followed the lead by KFC. There was a meeting yesterday where the subject was to no longer be called World Wrestling Entertainment, because of Vince's decree to eliminate the word wrestling from the product, and just be WWE. A couple of sources have said the meeting ended with that directive.
--HHH will be coming to the ring to one of Metallica's biggest hits on Sunday according to the Metallica twitter (thanks to Paul Muir)
--In a smart move, the WWE sent James of American Idol a custom made spinner WWE title belt which they showed on the show last night with the name "Crazy James" on it (thanks to John Raad and others)
--If you want to see one of the best matches of last year, the Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson match from last year's Lockdown is in Time Warner on Demand right now in the Events Free Preview section.
--Awesome Kong was spotted at the Atlanta airport. Doesn't mean as much as you'd think necessarily. She signed with the company months ago and they're waiting to debut her. Everyone with the company, whether working the show or not, is brought in. Not to say she won't do a run-in, but her being there isn't necessarily something that has to do with the show.
--From a few reader reports from the Punchline in Atlanta last night where Roddy Piper & New Jack did comedy shows. There were about 200 to 250 people for Piper's show. He was said to be very entertaining telling stories about people like Ric Flair, Mad Dog Vachon, Andre the Giant and Jim Barnett. His son Colt, an MMA fighter, was brought on stage with him, as was Sgt. Slaughter, which surprised people and got a big reaction. He also passed around both dog collars from his 1983 match with Greg Valentine. He took photos and signed autographs after for no charge. New Jack's show was announced as separate, but due to a small number of ticket sales, everyone was asked to stay for his show. Maybe 40 to 60 stayed Terri Runnels, his current girlfriend, was there and enjoying the wine. She and Raven were both brought on stage. New Jack was wearing an O.J. Simpson T-shirt and at one point was cursing loudly and people could hear it because Piper wnt over his allotted time by 20 minutes. Once he started, he did a good job. New Jack & Runnels were charging for autographs and photos which would have been fine except after Piper didn't, it hurt their sales as people left when finding out about being charged for them. New Jack and Runnels were very nice to everyone after the show, though.(thanks to Shane Noles and others)
--There is a story at
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118034787?refCatId=14 on Vince McMahon's obsession for one year to make sure this show does 1 million buys (worldwide, they would probably need to hit about 600,000 in North America--last year's show did 497,000). Some interesting ideas like yesterday, including exactly how much does Facebook and Twitter increase buys, as they are relying on that for a lot of new marketing. The mentality is Dwayne Johnson and Steve Austin are there to bring back old fans, and Snooki is there to bring in fans that aren't wrestling fans. The former will work. The latter, I'm not sure someone already kind of overexposed will get people to spend money to see her do pro wrestling. Those kind of angles work better on free television, just like celebrities boxing never draws much of a paid audience, but can do very good TV ratings. That's why they pushed in the New York media this week instead of the Atlanta media for the big press conference, which was actually really smart. Bob Zimmerman, the SVP of Corporate Communications pushed that they are trying to reach an audience that wouldn't normally get Mania with Snooki. They also noted putting Santino Marella on Cake Boss was an attempt to reach women.
--Shark Fights, an Amarillo-based MMA group, has signed a deal with FUEL TV for a TV shows on Friday nights at 10 p.m. The series debuts on 4/15. The show will air taped fights from a previous show. The first two shows will be two hours in length.
--Dwayne Johnson was on HLN cable's Robin Meade show today. The Miz was also on the network.
--On Piers Morgan on CNN last night, Johnson said he was very open to the idea of doing another match. I think it's a lock he's wrestling.
--Chris Jericho appeared today on Out Q, the Gay Station on Sirius, promoting both his book, Cheryl Burke's book (she was with him) and Dancing with the Stars. They also played his music. Reader Garrett Miler said Jericho was really funny on the show.
--Devon Nicholson's story regarding not being signed by WWE after testing positive for Hep C, and also not being allowed to fight, which he blames on Abdullah the Butcher blading him in matches is at
http://netnewsledger.com/?p=6731
--You have to really give WWE credit this year for going all out on media. It's such a difference between this year and last year and it's that late buzz that makes all the difference in the world.
--APW booker John LaRocca noted that the company will be remaining on Ch. 50 in the Bay Area. KFTY on many systems has moved from cable 199 to 31, and the show has been moved to 1:30 a.m. late Friday night/Saturday morning. They were told they could keep their old time slot but would have to pay a lot more, or could have the 1:30 a.m. slot for the same rate and chose the latter option. They are trying to find sponsors to be able to afford to get the old time slot back.
--I've got a story on Josh Wilcox in the MMA section at
http://www.yahoo.com about the story of a struggling fighter now headlining his second straight show.
--Steve Austin's next movie, "Recoil," will be filming in Vancouver in mid-April. Keith Jardine will be co-starring in the movie. Paul Lazenby will once again be doing stunts including as a stunt double for Austin.
--Snooki is telling people that if she got an offer to go full-time with WWE, she would take it.
--Before the Hogan vs. Andre match in 1987, and maybe even after, until the Inoki vs. Flair match in 1995--this is reputed to be the largest crowd ever for a pro wrestling match and a video, mostly crowd shots and the crowd is gigantic, surfaced this past week on youtube from Greece. It was Jim Londos vs. Kola Kwariani on October 22, 1933, in Athens and the crowd was at the time said to be 110,000 fans at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj3QTLLBB8U Londos, for those who don't know, was probably the single biggest drawing card over the course of his career in pro wrestling history, even ahead of Hulk Hogan and Bruno Sammartino.
--The funeral for John "Sir Oliver Humperdink" Sutton will be on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus at 1114 American Blvd. West in Bloomington, MN.
--Poll on Ultimate Fighter episode one
Excellent 3.6%
Good 25.6%
Average 37.5%
Fair 17.9%
Poor 15.5%
31.4% of those responding didn't see the show
--Who would you like to see face B.J. Penn next
Nick Diaz 42.5%
Carlos Condit 24.6%
Anthony Johnson 8.4%
Thiago Alves 7.4%
Dong Hyun Kim 6.7%
Martin Kampmann 5.3%
Chris Lytle 3.2%
Brian Ebersol 2.1%
--Who should go on last?
Cena vs. Miz 78.4%
Undertaker vs. HHH 21.6%
--Best WrestleMania singles match ever
Austin vs. Bret Hart 29.3%
Undertaker vs. Michaels I 19.7%
Steamboat vs. Savage 16.5%
Michaels vs. Angle 7.9%
Hart vs. Hart 7.0%
Undertaker vs. Michaels II 5.4%
Austin vs. Rock II 4.5%
Michaels vs. Bret Hart 3.0%
Michaels vs. Ramon 2.7%
Michaels vs. Jericho 2.3%
Angle vs. Lesnar 1.8%
--Low Ki said he is being falsely advertised for a show on 4/16 in Malta. He said he is not working for the group Italian Wrestling Superstars and wrote, "The promotion has lied and used my name. If you bought tickets to see me in Malta April 16, please contact IWS for refund. The promotion has used my name to sell tickets." (thanks to Patrick Gronemann)
--NWA East tomorrow night in McKeesport, PA at the Jacob Woll Pavilion.
--Sandman, Tod Gordon and Gary Wolfe have a WrestleMania party at The Penthouse Club in Philadelphia starting at 6 p.m. Sunday.
--In Your Face Wrestling on 4/30 in Ballston Spa, NY at the Community Center.
--River City Wrestling on Saturday night in San Antonio at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Activity Center featuring Alissa Flash and the former Randy Savage girlfriend, that Gorgeous George as a referee.
--Cole Escovedo faces Tommy Vargas and former UFC fighter Gerald Harris faces Anthony Ruiz for the Palace Fighting Championships on 5/6 in Lemoore, CA.
