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Kimbo vs. Tank did 522,000 viewers on Saturday night, which is a great number for Showtime. Shamrock/Renzo Gracie, which most hardcore fans would say was a far more "appropriate" main event, did 365,000.As noted in the Smackdown spoilers, Rey Misterio is apparently getting surgery on his biceps Saturday. Unless it's some sort of swerve, which I don't think it is, that means he's out of WrestleMania and the originally proposed tag match with Floyd Mayweather. WWE has claimed a one-on-one Show vs. Mayweather match but I find that hard to believe.
My appearance on Fight Network Radio today can be downloaded for free by clicking here.
There may be a class-action lawsuit in the works against Station Casinos, owned by the Fertittas. Three former employees are claiming they were not paid promptly, paid for overtime hours, or paid for all hours worked. The class-action suit would seek damages in excess of $5 million.
Lance Storm is undergoing knee surgery tomorrow, so best of luck to him. His first post-surgery update will actually be on Wrestling Observer Live this Sunday night, so make sure you tune in for that.
Raw is 3 hours March 10th.
WWE dividends are increasing to 36 cents per share from 24. That means Vince McMahon makes another $6 million this quarter alone as main stockholder.
This happened a few days ago, but Jim LeMond writes: On "Mike & Mike" this morning, they discussed the Andy Pettite HGH press conference from yesterday and ways to dissuade youngsters from using performance-enhancing drugs. Mike Greenberg, the ESPN anchor, suggested showing kids all of his favorite wrestlers from the 80s (all dead). Mike Golic, the former NFL player, sort of scoffed at this, saying they were using the 80s drugs, and then yelled, "The new stuff they use, who has that hurt?!" Golic did say anything to dissuade kids from using steroids is good, but didn't think that would have any influence.
Figure Four Daily updates. Mike Sempervive will join us today to talk Mayweather, Buddy Wayne is on tomorrow, and Mike Quackenbush returns Friday to talk Chikara and their big King of Trios weekend. Next Wednesday we'll be joined by Missy Hyatt to talk her website, her new Youshoot video (review elsewhere on this site), and tons more.
Who does Dana call the best fighter in the world?
Sorry for the site downtime yesterday. Long story. It's actually not our fault. Our hosting company said a security upgrade was needed. We upgraded and the site died for about eight hours. This morning I woke up and it was back, and the hosting company had sent out a second e-mail saying everyone should disregard the first e-mail because if they upgraded their sites could crash. Gee, thanks.
Michael Breuer writes: Just wanted to let you know that TNA is starting to show IMPACT! and PPVs in Germany on the PPV Channel "Premiere". The IMPACT shows will be airing on the "Sport Portal" of Premiere starting this April. The PPVs will start airing in may or june live on "Premiere Direkt"
Not really news now that the format war is essentially over, but WWE will be releasing its HD events on Blu-Ray.
Tons of lucha from the last few days courtesy Kris Zellner:
February 15 – Auditorio Jose Maria Arteaga de Queretaro (TV taping)
1. Estrellita & Fabi Apache & Sexy Star beat La Diabolica & Ayako Hamada & Mari Apache
2. Cuervo & Escoria & Ozz defeated Aero Star & Gato Eveready & Rey Cometa
3. The Psycho Circus (Killer Clown & Psycho Clown & Zombie Clown) beat Alebrije & Mascara Divina & Pimpinela Escarlata
4. Bull Terrier Match: Abismo Negro defeated Mr. Niebla
5. Electroshock & Kenzo Suzuki & Zorro beat Brazo de Plata & Gronda II & Intocable
6. Steel Cage Match with the winning team gaining entry in the Rey de Reyes: Decnis & Scorpio Jr. left the cage first and was the winners. Other teams: Charly Manson & Chessman & Laredo Kid & Octagon & Extreme Tiger & Halloween – Cibernetico joined his HB brethren to destroy La Familia after the match.
February 15 – Arena Mexico
1. Astro Boy & Metalico beat Polvora & Vaquero
2. Bam Bam & Pequeno Olimpico & Ultimo Dragoncito defeated Pequeno Black Warrior & Pequeno Violencia & Pierrothito
3. Heavy Metal & Maximo & Sagrado beat Misterioso II & Shigeo Okumura & Virus
4. Blue Panther (subbing for Alex Koslov) & Grey Shadow & Marco Corleone defeated Los Perros del Mal (Damian 666 & Damian el Terrible & Hector Garza) – Garza got his ass kicked by all of Los Perros after the match.
5. Mistico & La Sombra & Volador Jr. beat Los Perros del Mal (Perro Aguayo Jr. & Averno & Mephisto) by DQ when Perrito ripped off Mistico’s mask.
February 17 – Arena Coliseo
1. Sensei & Trueno beat Messala & Zayco
2. Hooligan & Nitro & Ramstein defeated Angel Azteca Jr. & Flash & Metalico
3. Dark Angel & Luna Magica & Sahori beat Amapola & Raven Hiroka & Mima Shimoda
4. Ephesto & Olimpico & Satanico (subbing for Hijo del Texano) defeated Felino & Mascara Purpura & Valiente
5. Leono (subbing for Shocker) & Marco Corleone & Negro Casas beat Los Guerreros del Atlantida (Atlantis & Sangre Azteca & Ultimo Guerrero) by DQ when UG fouled Marco.
February 17 – Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara
1. Thunder Boy beat Milenio
2. Evola defeated Mr. Trueno
3. Metatron & Nube Roja beat Depredador & Exterminador
4. El Gallo & Metalik & Tony Rivera defeated Diamante Negro & Misterioso II & Rey Trueno
5. WWA Middleweight Title: Angel Blanco Jr. beat Maximo to retain his title.
6. Dos Caras Jr. & La Mascara & Sagrado defeated Cien Caras Jr. & Mephisto & Universo Dos Mil
February 15 – Salon Renault de Poza Rica
1. Lee Panther & Muerte Nocturna beat Magneto & Piloto Infernal
2. Byron Temerario & Dr. Cerebro defeated Piloto Suicida & Serval
3. Luna Magica & Marcela beat Amapola & Raven Hiroka
4. Dr. Wagner Jr. & Felino defeated Ephesto & Ultimo Guerrero by DQ.
February 16 – Plaza de Toros de Torreon
1. Ricky Estrada & Pentagoncito beat El Lobo & Dragoncito
2. La Bandida & Estrellita defeated La Hechicera & Rossy Moreno
3. Billy Boy & Pegasso beat El Tackle & Tony Rodriguez
4. Los Vipers Revolucion (Histeria & Mr. Niebla & Psicosis) defeated Animaniac & Extreme Tiger & Halloween
5. Brazo de Plata & Intocable & La Parka Jr. beat Espiritu & Kenzo Suzuki & Zorro
February 17 – Poliforum Zamna de Merida
1. Halcon Rojo Jr. & Los Pilotos I y II beat Drako & Panther Boy Jr. & Tormenta Negra Jr. by DQ.
2. Halcon Rojo & Lobo Salvaje & Johnny Reyna defeated Torinito & La Chona & Sexy Gemini
3. Mascara contra Mascara: Angelito Vengador beat Arkanos
4. Hijo del Anibal & Rayman defeated Hijo del Cien Caras & Mascara Ano Dos Mil Jr.
5. Relevos Increibles: Latin Lover & Blue Demon Jr. beat L.A. Par-K & Hector Garza
February 14 – Arena Naucalpan
1. Anubis beat Blasfemia
2. Las Traumas I y II defeated Angel de Oro & Soberano
3. Black Terry & Cyborg & Veneno beat Fantasma de la Opera & Freelance & Multifacetico
4. Fantasma & Negro Navarro & Ultraman Jr. defeated Black Fish & Ogun & Septiembre Negro II by DQ when Black Fish fouled Ultraman.
5. IWRG Intercontinental Tag Titles: Hijo del Cien Caras & Hijo del Mascara Ano Dos Mil beat Dr. Wagner Jr. & Silver King to retain their titles.
February 16 – Arena Solidaridad drawing 600 fans
1. Apolo Estrada Jr. & Black Diamond beat Dralion & Morvius
2. Corazon de Barrio & Hijo del Trueno defeated Androide & Pancho Tequila
3. Princesa Sugei beat Sahori
4. La Mascara & Silver Star & Valiente defeated Black Warrior & Hijo del Texano & Sangre Azteca
5. Atlantis & Nicho el Millionario & Ultimo Guerrero beat Alex Koslov & Negro Casas & Shocker
February 17 – Arena Coliseo de Monterrey
1. Iron Extreme beat Invasor
2. Animaniac & Euforia defeated Dorado Jr. & Virtual X
3. Estrellita & Rossy Moreno beat La Bandida & La Hechicera
4. Billy Boy & Karis la Momia & Sangre Chicana defeated Los Vipers Revolucion (Antifaz del Norte & Histeria & Psicosis)
5. Extreme Tiger & Halloween & Zorro beat Brazo de Plata & Elegido & Pimpinela Escarlata
February 17 – Gimnasio Nuevo Leon
1. ?
2. ??
3. Cowboy Jr. & Rey Demonio Jr. & Simbolo Dos Mil beat Los Difuntos I y II & Hijo del Espanto II
4. Bengali & Flecha Azul & Vaquero Romo defeated Gato Volador & Orientale II & Rey Apostol
5. Arkangel de la Muerte & Escandalo & Rey Hechicero beat Starman & Super Nova & Tigre Universitario
February 16 – Gimnasio Ninos Heroes de Tepic
1. Kit Relampago & Pancho Pistolas & Vaquero beat Indomable & Rayo de Plata & Supersonic
2. Chupacabras & Saddam Hussein defeated Maracame & Sobra
3. Black Diablo & Diablo Saddiel & Enviado del Diablo beat Fuerza Negra & Loco Volador & Chavo Santana
4. La Familia del Dinamita (Cien Caras Jr. & Mascara Ano Dos Mil Jr. & Universo Dos Mil) defeated Perro Aguayo Jr. & Angel Blanco Jr. & Hector Garza – Perrito attacked Garza again after the match.
KIMBO VS. TANK, the biggest fight since KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, headlines the new 26,000-word Figure Four Weekly newsletter! Maybe it doesn't seem that way, but this was a fight for the AGES, one I will tell my children about. We'll give you the history of Tank and Kimbo, how the fight came about, the myth of the streetfight, why this was a fight that can only come along once per generation, why hardcore MMA fans were upset about it, the business it did, the future of Kimbo and who he should and should not be fighting next, the lessons that can be learned by pro-wrestling, plus, of course, a complete rundown and analysis of the entire show. We've also got the story on Floyd Mayweather and how the deal with WWE came about, the mega match that was talked about but fell through, Mayweather's drawing power in 2007, his biggest fights and where he's going in the future, the plan for WrestleMania at press time, how much he's likely being made, how this compares to the Mike Tyson appearances in 1998, and more. We've got full results from No Way Out with star ratings, thoughts on all the matches, a look at the big bouts planned for WrestleMania so far, what feud does not seem to be clicking, and more. We've also got a full report of the WEC show last Wednesday, a fun show that got lost in the shuffle. In WWE news, the final report on Chris Benoit has come out and we'll go over the main points, including the drugs found in the house, how many pills he and Nancy appeared to be taking per day, what her issues with him were and what she was scared about, what she had told her friends prior to the murder/suicide, the strange things that happened the weekend it went down, including odd phone calls to 411 and strange Internet searches and phone calls by Benoit. Much of this info has never been reported before. We'll talk about the top contenders to get Smackdown, what it would cost them and whether they can afford it, and how it would affect WWE. JBL talks his comeback and his matches with Jericho, who lost a tooth in the feud and how, Hogan's latest BS, update on Cena's movie, more on the Hall of Fame, WWE house show results and how Rey hurt his arm, Austin talks about the Ric Flair retirement storyline and what his original design was (it was his idea), famous wrestler's son busted for DUI, wrestlers in rehab, Rock gets huge honor, PPV injury report, WWE doing great business, Raw ratings, and more. In TNA news we have the latest in the Pacman Jones/Tommy Urbanski case, Angle loses his title and how it all went down, other TNA losses in Japan, whether you'll see it on TV, how the vow renewal affected the ratings, what the idea was, contract notes on Joe and others, and TNA gets some good news. We have more on the Zuffa lawsuit with the former owners of PRIDE, Zuffa sues Randy Couture and why, Zuffa gets a lawsuit filed against them, how the Montreal show is doing and what the ticket prices are from scalpers, BJ Penn BURIES Sean Sherk, Liddell's next fight, the new DREAMS promotion and what it's all about, their plan for the rest of the year, big fights signed, what happened with Mirko Crocop and UFC and what his future holds, IFL loses it's TV deal and what that means for the future, a tons of upcoming events, notes on the death of Johnny Weaver, the Heyman Hustle debuts, former IWGP Champion suffers stroke-like symptoms and how his career parallels others that had similar problems, plus we've got all the news from Mexico including a review of Vampiro's new movie. Vinny also has a review of the WSX First Season box set~! The weekly newsletter, the online version of which members can read every Tuesday (we also have a hardcopy available for a few dollars more per month), has been covering all the news in the world of pro-wrestling and MMA since 1995. It is by far the biggest weekly newsletter available on the Internet (probably on any subject), and we go into far more depth on every story than any other news source you will find anywhere online. Of course, we also have full reviews of every major TV show including Raw, Smackdown, TNA, ECW, Derby City Wrestling, and Human Weapon. Of course, as a member you also get full access to ALL new and archived radio shows dating back to 2005, plus all the new and archived (320-plus issues) Figure Four Weekly newsletters dating back to 2001. To sign up, please click here, or PayPal users can use the Quick Buy link at the top of this page to be online within 60 seconds. Rates start at just $7.99 per month (27 cents a DAY), so it's a steal. Thanks for your support!
Our latest FREE radio show, the February 12 Bryan & Vinny Show, can be downloaded here.
My newest Fight Network column is here with a look at TANK VS. KIMBO. If you like the columns, they're about 1/25th the length of each issue of Figure Four Weekly, and we've got 300 back issues archived from 2002-today, all available 24/7 with an online membership to this site. See below for more info and ordering details.
Jamie Varner interview up here.
Rubber Guard Radio has interviews with Matt Farmer and F4Wonline.com's Mike Sempervive here.
Fight promoter denies link to shooting
This is really one of the best Q&A's ever
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