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We will have live coverage of the event on the site starting at about 8 p.m. Eastern time with the prelim fights.
We're also looking for reports on the WWE house show in Cheyenne, WY tonight with the Smackdown crew. Raw finishes up its Mexico tour with a show in Mexico City at Palacio de los Depotes that had about 17,000 tickets sold in advance, so will either sell out or be close to it. We're also looking for reports on the Smackdown house show tomorrow in Loveland, CO.
Raw will air live from Denver, which is sold out. Smackdown will be taped with ECW on Tuesday night in Colorado Springs.
TNA will be taping Impact on Monday and Tuesday in Orlando. Ace Young of American Idol will be doing a celebrity angle on Monday, which also has Christian Cage vs. Tomko and Rhino vs. James Storm in matches to determine who goes to King of the Mountain with Samoa Joe, Robert Roode and Booker T.
Tonight's UFC line-up (weigh-in notes are elsewhere on the site)
Shane Carwin vs. Christian Wellisch (Carwin is a heavyweight they have high hopes for as he's destroyed everyone he's faced quickly, but he came in much smaller than in the past)
Kim Dong Hyun vs. Jason Tan
Jon Koppenhaver vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Terry Etim vs. Rich Clementi
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
Ivan Salaverry vs. Rousimar Palhares (Palhares is someone who they are looking at as a star
Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic
Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes (Silva is one of the company's top light heavies who destroyed Houston Alexander last time out)
Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida
Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine
B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk for the lightweight title
Click here to jump to more news.
We have a major story with Vince McMahon talking about plans for the future of WWE in a jumbo-sized issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that comes out on Monday. Among the topics covered is his reaction to the Chris Benoit tragedy and our thoughts on it. He also talks about media coverage of the tragedy, and a new policy they are embarking when it comes to dealing with the media.
He also has strong words for Congress when it comes to any further investigating the company's drug issues, he rips on the U.S. Olympic committee and our look at those statements as well as an exclusive note on yet another new change to how the company is implementing its Wellness policy and the theory behind this latest change that will cost the company a significant amount of money and that they have yet to announce publicly. We look at how this latest change is in direct response to an issue the Benoit tragedy brought to the forefront.
McMahon also talks about the future of the company and a change in the public perception of the face of the company and why it is being done from the public reason as well as a back story reason he didn't talk about. We look at how Wall Street's belief in what makes the company is not necessarily positive in the long run eve though they are making money now, and thus what measures are being done to change how the company is viewed.
He also talks about UFC, ownership of an MMA group, his thoughts of UFC vs. WWE over the long haul.
We also have more on international expansion.
We also have McMahon talking about issues such as a Super Bowl commercial, actual WWE participation in the Super Bowl, different storylines, ideas for Wrestlemania to give it a different feel from all the other events, the brand extension, the PPV business and how his thoughts about how the business is changing a year ago have changed. He also gives his theories on changing of the in-ring product itself in the future, one of his pet peeves about how matches are worked, as well as the usage of blood going forward in WWE.
He also talks about his theory of promoting and producing wrestling.
We also have an article on William Regal's suspension, background, first suspension, how it was handled, the dressing room reaction and talk about the suspension as look at Regal going forward.
We also have our latest monthly WWE & TNA business report, covering attendance, ratings and PPV, and analysis of some very interesting numbers and what lessons they seem to be telling.
We also have full coverage of Judgment Day, including early business indications, poll results and match-by-match coverage with star ratings.
We also look at all the major shows coming over the next few weeks, looking at WWE One Night Stand, the Elite CBS special and what the ratings goals are for the show, the two UFC shows in upcoming weeks and our very negative prediction about one of the shows.
We have more John Cena comments about The Rock, steroids, plus we talk about Cena's unhappiness regarding people believing him or not and explain the big problem including an interview he did this past week that made it impossible to take things he said seriously.
We've got an update on Kurt Angle's health and injury situation and what the industry consensus seems to be regarding his neck problems.
We also have more notes on TNA and Ultimate Warrior, as well as the future of Sting in TNA and what TNA wrestler is about to get a huge national television push.
We also more evidence in the Benoit case that seems to put a time line on when WWE officials at least stopped calling and perhaps knew he was dead.
We've got more on just how big a star Khali has become in India, as well as a look back ten years to a Steve Austin interview that is really interesting today, particularly given what has happened since that tie and in the past year.
We also have thoughts on the end of the McMahon/Hogan relationship, Hogan's complaining about pay, and an interesting look at the differences in the mentality of wrestlers and fighters when it comes to pay. We also look at a WWE wrestler who apparently hooked up with a woman who was featured prominently in ads during Raw, as well as an idea batted around to get some of the younger wrestlers over.
We also have our usual weekly features including the most detailed look anywhere at TV ratings, included what segment gained and lost how many viewers so you can see what angles are and aren't working with viewers. We also have results from the major league house shows as well as the major TV show reports.
We have more on Mick Foley being hired as Smackdown announcer, why there was an eerie feeling among some of the veterans at Raw this past week.
Each usual weekly issue of the Observer ranges from 25,000 to 35,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world. Every weekly issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and has the most complete look at the business as a whole anywhere. The Observer is now in its 27th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the industry, both from bookers, to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest current names, both on camera, and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed as long as 20 years or more straight. They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world and an accuracy from having the most inside sources that can't be found on the web. Everyone from Wall Street to the major offices to the TV networks in U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in the business.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. Just send your Visa or Master Card order with your name, address, phone number, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can order by faxing that information to 408-244-3402. You can also subscribe via paypal at www.paypal.com and using the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it address or subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228.
Also in the issue:
--More thoughts from inside TNA regarding Orlando, television and PPV
--An interesting thought on when WWF and WCW were faced with a similar situation as TNA, their decisions and what transpired
--TNA injuries that haven't been acknowledged
--Kevin Nash talks TNA business
--Plans for Slammiversary
--Update on the TNA World X Cup and what international stars are tentatively booked
--A look at TNA's house shows
--The craziness of a heel who said they should put the biggest match possible in an arena for free to thank fans for their support
--A look at a new concept in judging wrestling that major U.S. names years ago came up with and TNA was considering doing at one point, but first took place in a foreign country
--A look at a new angle to create a generation of new babyface stars
--Bobby Lashley agrees to do a major show
--A 90s hardcore star talks about one last match
--Whatever happened to Stan Hansen
--Americans in hair vs. mask match in Japan
--ROH title defense in Japan
--90s legend comes out of retirement
--Cima health update
--23-year-old wrestler who showed a lot of promise looks to be retiring prematurely
--Wall Street Journal interviews wrestling promoter, giving his theory on building a promotion
--A legends event idea for the summer
--Update on Sean Waltman
--80s well known name returns to the company he was never supposed to return to
--Update on Terry Funk
--Update on former WWE wrestler Maven
--XPW reunion
--Bill Goldberg talks about approaches made to hi by TNA and why he's not going to do it
--Dragon Gate announces a U.S. show
--Update on Randy Couture legal proceedings
--News on upcoming UFC matches
--Ticket sales for Elite XC's CBS debut
--Gina Carano media notes
--Hilarious press conference notes
--Update on the debut of the Affliction promotion
--Sengoku's second show and what happened to the famous boxer they were teasing they were going to sign as well as upcoming bookings
--Pro wrestler featured on MMA TV show including a famous WWE encounter talked about
--MMA fighter and son of pro wrestler arrested on rape charge
--Yet another promotion folds
--Two mid-level promotions agree to work together
--First woman failure of a steroid test
--Major name stars have major tax problems from working in a foreign country
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major story (ies) of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue. Our most requested issues in 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 its own, $7 overseas)
*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage)
*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 Bower, 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 reasons the company fell apart)
*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)
You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.
Current rates are:
For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24. $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For the rest of the world, rates are $15 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 . If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods. To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.
--You almost have to go on the tmz.com web site for the conversation between Hulk Hogan and son Nick that is posted. I don't know how they can do damage control on this one or how they could be so stupid to talk about this when they are being taped and know the conversation will go public. In it, Hogan and Nick basically bury John Graziano, the so called second son and best friend. They come to the conclusion Graziano is in the condition he's in because he wasn't a good person and God was punishing him. Can you imagine the Graziano family hearing this. It makes everything they did in court look like a charade. Nick and Hulk are also talking about Nick starring in a reality show as soon as he's released, which Hulk tabbed, "The New Nick," where he makes a comeback after spending time in prison, discussing who can get them the most money and Hulk talking about going with Eric (Bischoff) and Jason (Hervey). If you haven't heard it, you really have to.
--Brock Lesnar's new opponent for UFC 87 on 8/9 in Minneapolis will be Heath Herring. Herring is a tons tougher opponent at this stage of the game than Mark Coleman would have been and it's a very dangerous fight for Lesnar.
--Smackdown last night did a 2.3 rating on the fast nationals and Impact on Thursday did a 1.0
--With the declining WWE ratings, there are major shake-ups planned in WWE over the next month.
--Tito Ortiz was on ESPN Sports Center running down Dana White. This has been the first time that White has really taken it on the chin from the non-MMA media. It's really clear Ortiz has made himself a sympathetic figure to the media in complaining that UFC isn't taking care of the fighters. UFC keeping its finances so secretive makes them ripe for this kind of criticism, particularly when most of the big names make the majority of their income from unannounced bonuses so if people look up the numbers that are out there, which is base pay, UFC isn't going to look good in discussions. It should make for an interesting night tonight.
--Matt Morgan has been invited by ESPN to represent American Gladiators at the ESPN Magazine Red Carpet ceremony that will be taking place in June. Morgan, who debuts in a few weeks on Gladiators ("The 7-foot Best") is being pushed hard hoping to be the savior of the season. The Hogan remarks that came out today does no favors for the already taped season.
--Since a few have asked about a comment made yesterday regarding fans booing Sean Sherk and "if they only knew," this is not whether Sherk is or isn't innocent and by the rules of the sport using steroids is cheating. But you're very much naive if you don't think a sizable percentage of mid-level and top-level MMA athletes are using performance enhancing drugs.
--Chris Jericho got busted open and needed stitches in a match with Jeff Hardy on Thursday night in Monterrey, Mexico.
--Kane got some press for appearing at the Libertarian Party national convention this week. As Glen Jacobs, he did TV commercials in the past for Libertarian candidates (I believe Ron Paul in particular). Whether you agree with the philosophy or not, he's very well-read politically and after wrestling he'd like to become a political analyst or television commentator.
--Steel City Wrestling tonight has a show in Rostraver, PA at the Ice Gardens. Bruno Sammartino will be doing an autograph session before the show and Kurt Angle is also scheduled to appear.
--B4 Wrestling in Morgansville, NC is headlined by Steve Corino {plug}
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