This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
We're looking for your thoughts on Saturday night's Ultimate Fighter finals on Spike, 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 anyone live in San Antonio tonight for Raw for any dark matches or anything else not notable from the TV show, as well as from the TNA tapings tonight in Orlando. We're also looking for reports on yesterday's WWE show in Amarillo and TNA show in Cincinnati.
Tonight is the biggest Raw at least since Wrestlemania and one of the biggest of the year. It's a three-hour special starting at 8 p.m. featuring the draft, and with the ratings hitting near all-time lows on all three brands, expectations are there will be major shakeups. Two new things on tonight's show. First, they have changed the Million Dollar Giveaway. They have cut segments from 12 to either five or six. We've heard two versions. One is that it'll be five segments and giving away $500,000 total, with $100,000 each. The other, which makes more sense, is it'll be cut to six segments, with five $100,000 giveaways and one $500,000 giveaway. Ric Flair is scheduled on the show. Virtually nobody knows anything about the draft and won't know until basically their number is called live. Everyone is nervous as most guys are happy where they are. With the exception of Umaga, who has been told for months that he was going to Smackdown in the draft, and McMahon also said it publicly at a stockholders meeting (which doesn't mean it will happen because plans constantly change), it's anyone's guess what will happen. People are expecting both major and minor names to be moved.
TNA will be taping three weeks of television today and tomorrow night in Orlando. Matches for tonight are Kevin Nash vs. Booker T, A.J. Styles vs. Consequences Creed, Christian Cage vs. Brother Ray and Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero vs. Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino in the World X Cup. A slew of singles and tag team matches in the X Cup will be taped over the two days. We're told that because they are taping three shows, things are likely to be taped out of the order of which they will appear on television. They were trying to get Visa issues taken care of for several of the foreigners so there are expected to be a few X Cup wrestlers who will only appear on PPV.
ECW and Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Houston, and WWE will be holding a Wrestlemania press conference on Tuesday.
A look at week two of the Vince McMahon Million Dollar giveaway, more details on UFC combatting Affliction and other promotions, another Crazy week with the Hogan family, TripleMania, updates on UFC business, potential biggest PPV events of the year and changes in WWE are among the headlines in today's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The issue can be accessed immediately with a premium subscription to the web site.
Our lead story looks at the million dollar giveaway, plans for next week, and in what way has this been negative for the company in ways they never figured and few are talking about. We also look at the origins of the idea, and some interesting notes about both the week one and week two ratings.
We also look at Dana White's call to put a live show on Spike head-to-head with the Affliction PPV. We look at matches signed and other matches being talked about and the theory behind certain of the matches. We look at how this relates to the pro wrestling business of the 70s and 80s and what lessons can be learned. We also look at the difference and why this specific tactic really has never been done in this manner. We look at both the pluses and minuses of the decision and a look at yet another of the craziest weekends of the year.
We look at how this could be a benefit to the Affliction promotion and how it could be a negative.
We've also got a look at the crazy week in the Hogan family, with Larry King Live, and two sides going for P.R.. We look at Hogan's explanations and what does and doesn't hold up. We look at the Graziano family response, more on Linda Bollea's problems with Hulk and now Bubba the Love Sponge even gets involved playing threatening tapes on the Hulk Hogan answering machine.
We've got Vince McMahon talking draft more on the media, an update on the ECW move to Monday, an update on the Night of Champions and Victory Road PPV events, an update on the future of Carlito, update on internal complaints not only regarding the product that were expressed at a meeting, but on mistakes made over the past 20 years that are currently plaguing the industry.
We've got some WWE injury updates, a funny interview with Chris Jericho, best selling DVDs, next MSG show, update on WWE business the past few weeks in California and overseas as well as notes from the weekend house shows.
We also have a feature on the big Friday night in Mexico City, with AAA's TripleMania and the stories behind what happened that night. We look at a planned angle with a mainstream Mexican sports star that didn't happen and the reasons why. We look at how a worked angle ended up being a shoot. We also look at how the finish of one of the major matches was changed, which made no booking sense, and the crazy reason why. We also look at the former WWE and WCW star who may be fired for what happened over the weekend, as well as U.S. stars like Bobby Lashley, Bryan Danielson, Teddy Hart and Jack Evans on the biggest AAA show of the year.
We have coverage of the Dream 4 event at the Yokohama Arena, as well as a look going forward at both the lightweight and middleweight tournaments, with match-by-match coverage as well as a look at the U.S. television product.
We also look at one of the best wrestling angles of the year, which wasn't even on a wrestling show, with K.J. Noons vs. Nick Diaz. We've got poll results and coverage of Elite XC, including an update on the second and third CBS specials.
We also cover the finish of this year's Best of the Super Junior tournament from New Japan, as well as provide an interesting update on some of the characters in the movie, "Bigger, Stronger, Faster."
We've got all the usual weekly notes including ratings of all the major national shows, including how each segment on Impact and Raw did so you can see what angles are and aren't working. We've got results from the major league house shows over the past week as well as the major TV reports.
Each usual weekly issue of the Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 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:
--A major international jump and how the company losing the names are dealing with it
--Two of Mexico's biggest names of past 25 years building a hair vs. mask match
--One of the biggest U.S. stars of the 70s resurfaces on a show in Mexico
--A new major pro wrestling promotion enters the U.S. PPV marketplace
--Sean Waltman update
--In a wrestling war, one of the top names in a promotion admits the other promotion has better wrestlers
--Japanese legends and former WWE star in a Japanese tournament
--Latest major NOAH show notes
--A look at NOAH wrestlers on shows in Europe this week
--First word on this year's G-1 Climax series
--Network bios coming in July on historical stars
--Update on injury to one of Japan's biggest stars
--Former UFC heavyweight champion faces old pro wrestling rival this past week
--Sister of Nancy Benoit talks about the Benoit situation
--Wrestling museum flood looked at
--One of wrestling's all-time biggest stars gets an award from Congress
--Cauliflower Alley Club report
--Hogan's next TV show news update
--Stacy Keibler talks career
--Update on Lex Luger
--Next ROH PPV
--Update on TNA injuries
--TNA's ambitious plans for Europe and a look at ideas and what is and isn't viable
--Notes on the TNA European tour
--More new major UFC events
--Business notes on London and advances for upcoming shows
--Loser leave town match notes
--Biggest PPV events of 2008 so far and upcoming
--Lots of news regarding Bobby Lashley
--PPV show gets canceled
--NCAA champion signs pro contract
--Update on Iron Ring
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 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 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.
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 or 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 $14.50 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.
--Randy Orton was apparently mad at our report of when he's returning, which was the date those in booking were expecting. He said he could be back as early as mid-August and that the pain in his collarbone is gone and he's on his way to a speedy recovery. He said he's using a machine that gives the break site a direct pulse from an electromagnet and helps regenerate bone growth and should speed up his recovery. (thanks to Becky Graham)
--Jake Shields vs. Nick Thompson for the Elite XC welterweight title will be on the 7/26 CBS show
-- We'll be back tonight around midnight PST with a members-only post-Raw audio update covering the draft, plus a quick Q&A. You can post questions on the board or send them to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
--JBL is releasing a second drink today called 418 Energy through his Layfield Energy company, geared toward golfers, as an energy drink and anti-inflammatory saying it will help lower golfers scores through pain relief and increased focus and energy.
--For those on the West Coast or not watching Raw, we'll update the draft as it goes on
--For what it's worth, this is our readers picks on who they most expect to be drafted among these candidates
Batista 31.4%
John Cena 25.8%
Mike Adamle 10.6% (maybe they can draft him to New Japan Pro Wrestling)
Randy Orton 9.2%
Shawn Michaels 9.0%
HHH 6.5%
Edge 4.2%
Jim Ross 3.3%
--On Saturday night, besides UFC, there was also boxing on HBO and Showtime. ESPN didn't cover the UFC or the Showtime card, with the only match of the night getting any play being the Andre Berto boxing main event on HBO.
--TERRY FUNK SPOTTING: AAW from Saturday night in Berwyn, IL: Egotistico Fantastico b Hunter Matthews, Jerry Lynn b Eric Priest, Ryan Boz b Krotch, Phoenix Twins over Danny Daniels & Trik Davis, Dan Lawrence & Silas Young b Chandler McClure & Jordan McIntyre, Keith Walker DDQ Raschke Brown, Josh Raymond b Zach Gowen, Shane Hollister & Bryce Benjamin b Darin Corbin & Ryan Cruz, Krotch won three-way over Jimmy Jacobs and Arik Cannon when Terry Funk showed up and cost Jacobs the title, Tyler Black b Marek Brave in a stairway to hell match. Next show is 7/12 with Lynn vs. Tyler Black for the AAW title
--Al Snow did a run-in at last night's TNA house show in Cincinnati doing a lights out spot and when they turned on, he was in the ring during a Curry Man vs. Robert Roode match
--More on the site today for premium members besides the latest issue of the Observer:
--Last night's Wrestling Observer Radio show with Bryan and I that includes thoughts on last night's EXC, tonight's draft and which major stars may switch to other brands, a major name that was flown in for the tapings, Impact this past Thursday night, a look at TNA booking and the upcoming X-Cup, EXC's next major show, some history regarding the Monday Night Wars, reader Q&As, and more. Members can listen to this one-hour show by clicking here.
--A Bryan & Vinny Show featuring in-depth recaps of ECW, TNA and Ultimate Fighter, plus a surprise appearance by Missy Hyatt. Members can listen to this near-90-minute show by clicking here.
--You can also download last night's Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan, Larry Matysik, Brian Fritz and I by clicking here. This is a free download available for everyone. If you enjoy the show then you'll love the members-only Wrestling Observer Radio and Figure Four Daily shows on this website. Members also have access to a huge archive of past Observer Live shows dating back to 2000 (available in the Radio Show section of the Board), and full access to every show that has been produced on this website since mid-2005. For a full rundown of the members-only content we offer and details on how to sign up, click here.
--There is an interview in English with El Hijo del Santo at http://www.thesun.co.uk Santo headlines shows on 7/4 to 7/6 at the Roundhouse in Camden, London.
--They have added two new tapings, on 6/24 and 6/27 to the Hulk Hogan Celebrity Wrestling show for CMT
--UFC TV this week on Spike will have three hours of Unleashed on Wednesday night starting at 9 p.m. with the Keith Jardine vs. Chuck Liddell, Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva, Clay Guida vs. Tyson Griffin and Forest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar. Saturday's Ultimate Fighter finals will be replayed this coming Saturday night at 7 p.m.
--CZW from Kashmir Gentleman's Club in New Jersey on Saturday: Ryan McBride b L.J. Cruz, Alex Colon & Joe Gacy b Reason & Adam Cole, Greg Excellent b EMO, Cheech & Cloudy b Andy Sumner & Drew Gulak, Ruckus b Drew Blood, Jon Dahmer b Danny Demanto, Pinkie Sanchez b Sonjay Dutt, D.J. Hyde b Z-Barr, Drake Younger b Trent Acid
--There is a story in the Manchester, England Business paper Crain's about Noel Ruane, who is the son of U.K. legend Giant Haystacks (who was Loch Ness in WCW briefly late in his career). Ruane is part of a firm doing construction projects in commercial, retail, education and health care. It mentioned his father and that he himself was just named Greater Manchester Employer Coalition business champion of the year.
--State Senator Doug Jackson of Tennessee wrote at http://www.tennesseean.com about the passage of the bill to appoint a new athletic commission which will legalize MMA events in the state.
--I have no idea what to make of this. The management team of Ultimate Warrior released a statement regarding his first match in a decade on Wednesday night in Barcelona, Spain, saying a group called the Anti-Warriors are threatening to disrupt his match on live Warrior TV (he is doing an Internet PPV live of his match). Obviously this is sort of an Internet-based angle.
--WSU DVD taping on Saturday in Boonton, NJ: Mercedes Martinez b Kacee Carlisle, Angelina Love b Portia Perez, Rick Cataldo & Roxxie Cotton b Jana & Latesha and Missy Sampson & Alere Little Feather, Awesome Kong b Cindy Rogers, Kylie Pierce b Lea Morrison, Becky Bayless b Dawn Marie, Angel Orsini b Amy Lee, Sampson & Alere Little Feather b Carlisle & Pierce, Rogers b Lea Morrison, Cotton & Cataldo b Jana & Latasha, Amy Lee b Kong-DQ, Dawn Marie & Portia Perez b Becky Bayless & Angelina Love, Angel Orsini b Mercees Martinez in a falls count anywhere match
--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia for today
47 years ago: Ray Gunkel beat Dr. Jerry Graham in a lights out match
41 years ago: Stan & Butcher Vachon beat Enrique & Ramon Torres to win the Southern tag team titles
30 years ago at the Omni: Stan Hansen & Dick Slater beat Ric Flair & Abdullah the Butcher, plus Dusty Rhodes beat Ernie Ladd and Tony Atlas & Thunderbolt Patterson beat Georgia tag champs Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff via DQ
28 years ago in Augusta: NWA champion Harley Race went to a double DQ with Tommy Rich
--Raymond Daniels, a kickboxer with an 18-0 record, makes his MMA debut on Friday night's Strikeforce show in San Jose against Jeremiah Metcalf
--A three-way with Brent Albright vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Jay Briscoe has been added to Friday's ROH show in Dayton which features the ROH vs. NWA title match with Nigel McGuinness vs. Adam Pearce
--There will be a Shimmer taping on 7/5 in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club with the return of Nikki Roxx
--Wrestling Supershow on Saturday night in Hawkesbury, ONT before 500 fans: Lanny Poffo b Damian Styles, Michael Von Patton b Jaguar, Josianne & Misty b Cherry & Danyah, Carl Oulette b Sylvan Grenier, Sid Vicious b Tiger Raj Singh, Hannibal b Abdullah the Butcher in a cage match
--Pure Wrestling Association on 7/26 in Milton, ONT at Hardball Cafe with Ricky Reyes, Sabian, Jamie D, Tyson Dux, Lanny Poffo and Tammy Sytch
--Balls Mahoney and Blue Meanie headline for NWS on 7/10 in Seaside Heights, NJ
---CHIKARA on 7/13 in Philadelphia at the Alhambra with Mike Quackenbush vs. Shane Storm and Incognito vs. Chuck Taylor plus Claudio Castagnoli
--Renegade Outlaw Wrestling on 6/27 in Amarillo at The Nat Ballroom, 6/28 in Brownfield, TX at The Alamo and 7/13 in Lubbock at Tequila Jungle
--Ox Baker and Tony Atlas both worked for Ultimate Championship Wrestling in Florida over the weekend. Ox worked in the ring, which is hard to believe because I don't think he's done that in a long time. Former WCW wrestler The Artist aka Prince Iaukea (Mike Haynor) was there and said he was training his son to be a pro wrestler (thanks to Shannon Rose) {plug}
Send us a news tip: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news from this site or from our newsletters, please include a link to www.wrestlingobserver.com
For the most in-depth and detailed news and analysis on pro-wrestling and MMA, always turn to Wrestlingobserver.com/Figure Four Weekly Online, the #1 website of its kind on the Internet. Members receive online access to both the Wrestling Observer and Figure Four Weekly newsletters and growing archives, Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer three times per week, the popular Bryan and Vinny Show twice per week, additional radio shows including Figure Four Daily with Alvarez, Mike Coughlin's Five Star Radio, the Dr. Keith Lipinski Show, The Adam and Mike Big Audio Nightmare, Tough Talk and the Karl Stern Wrestling History Show, the infamous BOARD, and more! Members also have full access to the thousands of hours of audio in our radio show archives which date back to 2005. For your convenience, we offer secure online payments using your VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card or PayPal account. Don't miss out on the fun, sign up now! Don\'t miss out on the fun, sign up now!
Want full access? QUICK AND EASY $10.99 SIGNUP!
