Bryan Alvarez:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dave Meltzer:
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 . This is the final day of this poll.
We are looking for any reports on the ECW and Smackdown shows being taped tonight in Houston, and any other notes from the WrestleMania press conference to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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.
-- Jim Ross posted his blog this morning with his thoughts on being drafted. As you'd expect, he was not a happy camper. He even revealed that he'd considered quitting last night, and thought about it until 6:00 AM this morning. He concluded that his word was his bond and he will take the Smackdown gig and do the best he can, but he noted that he's not flying to Stamford on Wednesdays to do voice-overs. You can read the whole entry here.
-- There may or may not be a supplemental draft as they have done in year's past. It has been discussed but nothing is confirmed.
-- WrestleMania press conference in Houston wasn't much today. Vince McMahon was there but never appeared before the crowd, even after the fans left and it was just media. Lots of softball questions and queries about the draft, and nothing really of substance. All the stars were there and they came out and gave soundbytes.
-- Speaking of the media, a few local Houston articles actually bought the accident last night as legit. Anyone want to take bets on whether we'll get corrections?
-- We will post the Raw rating on the front page as soon as we get it.
-- Batista and Edge are fine after clonking heads on Raw last night. Batista did get several stitches in his head afterwards.
-- As noted on last night's Wrestling Observer Radio, Melina did suffer an ankle injury taking that bump off the top rope last night. No word on the severity at press time.
-- Speaking of, here is a look at the members-only content available today on the site:
* A brand new Figure Four Weekly newsletter with a look at last night's draft in detail, what the jumps mean for each of the wrestlers, why the main names switched sides, Dana White's big announcement, a full review and analysis of the Ultimate Fighter finale and this season, all the major TV reports, and a look at the top news stories in pro-wrestling and MMA worldwide. Members can read it right now by clicking here
* A brand new Wrestling Observer Radio show with Dave Meltzer and I that was posted shortly after Raw ended, with tons of thoughts on the draft, Jim Ross, HHH, who was helped and hurt, Vince's latest demise, and tons more. Members can listen to this show by clicking here
* A brand new Karl Stern Radio Show that features an interview with PAT ROSE~!
* Later today, I will be posting a brand new Figure Four Daily Mailbag radio show with tons of Q&As from members. Members can listen to this show by clicking here
* The newest issue of the Observer will be posted tomorrow
* We will have Figure Four Daily radio shows Wednesday and Thursday, the latter of which will feature Lance Storm in his new bi-weekly role
-- For more information on what you receive as a member and how to sign up, click here. Thanks for your support!
-- In some wacky draft trivia, with Hunter being sent to Smackdown I guess that means that right now Kane is the champion of Raw.
-- The Ultimate Fighter finales drew a 1.4 rating on Saturday night and was number one on television in the timeslot in males 18-49 and males 18-34.
-- A video of Kim Couture getting crushed in her MMA pro debut this weekend is up here. She got destroyed on the first punch. She'll have to have her jaw wired shut for five weeks and won't be able to start training again until this fall. She finished the entire fight, though, and earned a lot of respect from people.
-- Latest Linda Hogan insanity from a report at www.perezhilton.com. Apparently she was driving around and saw Hulk, and came under the impression that he was heading to her house. This would be in violation of his restraining order, so she called 911 to report it. The 911 operator told her to stop following her husband around. Thanks to Jason Keebler.
-- Austin Aries & Jay Briscoe vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black in a no-DQ match has been signs for July 25th in Toronto. If Mark Briscoe is able to wrestle it will become a six-man with Necro Butcher added to the Age of the Fall team. Tickets are less than $10 right now at www.rohwrestling.com.
-- The Fight Network in Canada secured the rights today to air the one-hour undercard on the July 19th Affliction Banned show. The show will start at 5:00 PM PST, with the PPV broadcast starting and hour later.
-- Decniss and El Guapito have returned to AAA and Scorpio Jr. has also jumped. Thanks to Steve Sims.
-- Some further lucha news and notes from Kris Zellner: Dr. Wagner Jr. talked about the Casas brothers turning on him Friday night at Arena Mexico and said that they are just jealous of how much the fans at Arena Mexico love him along with how great he is in the ring. Wagner now doesn’t care what side they are on only revenge is on his mind and they will pay dearly. Wagner said that he wouldn’t mind facing them both at the same time because is very capable of beating them together since they want to attack him together. Wagner also told Mr. Niebla to watch his back because he hasn’t forgotten him either and will start his crusade of revenge on Friday night at Arena Mexico… The El Guapito saga continues as last night he joined Scorpio Jr. at Arena Naucalpan and told people that he was sticking with his boss and they would be working for IWRG.
-- Congratulations to Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson on winning the James C. Melby Journalism Award from the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. The banquet is this weekend in Waterloo, IA.
-- An audio interview with frequent F4Wonline.com contributor Derek Burgan is up here.
-- Lance Storm has his latest promoter's commentary here
-- A look at the most DVR'd Top 20 cable programs, including Raw, is here.
-- A look at the new UFC video game is up here
-- A look at what Amir took home Saturday night for winning TUF
{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!
