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        We're still looking for any reports on Monday night's Smackdown brand house show in Macon, GA at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

        The Biography Channel tonight has a one-hour special on Randy Couture at 10 p.m. Eastern tonight (it may air 7 p.m. Pacific time, check your local listings) between old specials on Andre the Giant (very good, definitely worth seeing if you never saw it) and Hulk Hogan (usual fiction).

 

        Spike has two hours of Unleashed tonight starting at 9 p.m. with Thiago Alves vs. Derrick Noble, Alves vs. Ansar Chalangov, Jason Lambert vs. Rob McDonald, Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin (so weird the idea of airing a match where a star with your leading opposition beats your current marquee division champion), Tyson Griffin vs. David Lee, Patrick Cote vs. Kendall Grove, Frank Mir vs. Antony Hardonk and Chuck Liddell vs. Keith Jardine.

 

        Full coverage of Ric Flair's departure from WWE, featuring a lot of exclusive items not yet reported anywhere including reasons why this happened and discussion of his future relations with the company is the headline story of Monday's jumbo-sized issue of the Wrestling Observer.  You can get the new issue mailed to you immediately with a new subscription, or order through the web site and read it right now.

 

        The issue also contains a feature story on the history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters and the Olympic games.  We look at both who was in, how they did, and tons of great stories regarding many individuals.  This is especially for people who are into pro wrestling history.

 

        We look at the Flair/WWE split, including how far in advance this was coming, who knew ahead of time and the things that caused it to happen.  We also look at things in Flair's life that likely played a part in his making the move.  We look at a lot of his options, as well as look at whether this is a good or bad move for him short and long-term. 

 

        As part of this story, we also look at the situation with Mick Foley and WWE and where it stands, as well as what the issues involved are.

 

        We also look at where TNA fits in to all this.  We look at how permanent the Flair departure is.  We look at the Flair relationship with Jeff Jarrett and the viability of TNA as an option for him.  We look at Flair's interest when it comes to wrestling, and what many think would make the difference.  We look at Flair's background growing up, and what was expected post-retirement and what didn't happen in regard to his future as a character.

 

        We also look at the Tito Ortiz/Affliction deal, as well as Ortiz's comments on his prospective new deal.

 

        We have one of our biggest history features in a long time with a look at pro wrestlers who have been in the Olympics, as well as MMA fighters.  We note the change in the industry as a whole which, and it's right there when you look at the piece, how MMA's viability has changed aspects of pro wrestling.

 

        We look at one active pro wrestler, one big name from the recent past and another current MMA star who going to be in Beijing and their respective roles in the upcoming games, as well as another pro wrestling superstar who attempted to have a role in the games.

 

        We look back with a feature on arguably the biggest name pro wrestler in history who was scheduled to compete in the Olympics, and the unique reason why he didn't.  We look at his background, including one of the most famous NCAA heavyweight championship matches that featured two future pro wrestling major world champions going against each other.  We look back at the college days of some of the bigger pro wrestling stars.

 

        We look at some of the greatest wrestlers ever produced in the U.S.  We also look at no less than nine pro wrestling Hall of Famers and how each of them did in the Olympics, as well as looking back at arguably the two most influential of them when it comes to pro wrestling.

 

        We also have more on the legend of Danny Hodge, including a fact about his career that has been largely forgotten.  We take a look back 52 years at his gold medal match.  We also look at the pro wrestling legend who was in the Olympics at 19 and why he never competed in the Olympics late in his prime.  We look at a couple of more major world champions who came from an Olympic background in wrestling, as well as another star who competed in the sport of rowing.

 

        We also look at a second pro wrestling star who was top ten in the world as a pro wrestler in his prime, and was in the Olympics at 19.  We look at the politics that kept him out of making what would have been a unique comeback, where one of the best active pro wrestlers in the world was attempting to get into the Olympics. 

 

        We also look back on what kept Gorilla Monsoon out of the Olympics (yes, he was a candidate), as well as look at people like Ken Patera, Badnews Allen, Chris Taylor, Baron Von Raschke, as well as perhaps the most famous Olympic wrestling photo ever and the background of probably the most famous single move in the history of Greco-Roman Olympic wrestling--that involved two future pro wrestlers.

 

        We look at the many pro wrestlers, including one of the sport's all-time legends and another of its top workers who had qualified for Olympic games but due to the worldwide politics of the time, never competed.

 

        We also look at this year's U.S. Olympic team, and what member of the team has in the past talked of going into pro wrestling after these games, and another who has talked of possibly doing MMA.  We also look at the end of the career of a Japanese Olympian who attempts to win gold some 14 years after appearing on one of the most famous pro wrestling events of all-time.  We also look at another medal favorite who WWE had tried heavily to recruit in recent years.

 

        We also look at the four active full-time pro wrestlers besides Kurt Angle and how each of them did in the Olympics, as well as a part-time pro wrestler.

 

        We look at every pro wrestler who has ever won an Olympic medal which include some famous and not so famous.

 

        We also look at the sport of MMA and the competitors in that sport who had previously been in the Olympics, as well as two new ones who are expected to start before the end of this year.

 

        We also have the quarterly WWE business report.  We look into some huge costs that are in a sense hidden in the report because they aren't figured into the profit and loss, and why the company has considerably less money right now than they did three months ago.  We look at how much money went to the McMahon family and other stockholders.

 

        We've got an update on the company movie business including some new projects.  We look at Linda McMahon's explanation for the change in how they are doing television as well as comments on the new MyNetwork TV contract.  We look at why Wall Street was disappointed even though the company continues to be profitable and grow.

 

        We have more on the McMahons Millions including its effect on other aspects of company business.  We look at what percentage of WWE business comes from outside North America, as well as which countries are key in the company's revenue streams.

 

        We look at Linda McMahon's comments about the potential of adding another touring brand.

 

        We look at how the house show business is doing.

 

        We've got an update on PPV including buys for One Night Stand and Night of Champions, as well as a look at comparisons to last year in-depth that tell a little different story than just straight releasing worldwide numbers do.

 

        We also look at the merchandise business, the TV business, the home video business including an update on the best selling WWE videos so far this year, as well as how the McMahons Millions promotion cost the company money as well as how it affected the web business.

 

        We have a lot more on the Mike Adamle decision, how it went down, who Vince McMahon is comparing Adamle with as far as being an effective TV personality as well as some on the original reaction of people.  We look at who knew and didn't know during the show, and who most people backstage thought the new G.M. was going to be.

 

        We look at the new writers initiative in WWE and more behind  it.  We look at a long-time company vet on the endangered specifies list.  We look at the company's working on signing Dos Caras Jr. and El Sicodelico Jr. and how it's going, plans for both, and why they were picked and not others.

 

        We also look at what appears to be a change in both booking and announcing philosophy.

 

        We also have notes on a long-time company star honored in a way few wrestlers ever have been, best selling current DVDs as well as a look at the company's weekend house shows.

 

        We have an update on Quinton Jackson.

 

        We also have notes coming out of the WWE's Saturday Night's Main Event show and the surprise regarding the ratings and where the audience fell so badly. 

 

        We've got poll results from both the ROH and WEC shows, as well as a look at the last WEC show including pay records for the fights.

 

        We've got our usual weekly in-depth look at the television ratings, including how each segment of the major shows did, as well as what segment showed incredible growth among teenagers, and where TNA is now growing its television audience.  We also look at the experiment of main eventing TNA with a women's match.

 

        We also have major TV show reviews and results from the major league arena events held around the world.

 

        The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.  

 

        Each 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:

 

--Serious injury puts one of the industry's biggest drawing cards on the shelf

 

--Another of the most valuable people to any promotion in the world will be out at a crucial time for a company that needs immediate success or they will be in trouble

 

--Has one of pro wrestling's biggest stars of the past 25 years priced himself out of the market?

 

--What wrestler scheduled for a push has had a large section of fans reject it and why

 

--Top star puts bad mouth on those leaving his company

 

--Update on major Japan matches

 

--Daughter of pro wrestling star starting in another pro sport

 

--Kenta Kobashi faces new crisis

 

--Dragon Gate tag team tournament

 

--American goes for five championships in Japan

 

--More on the death of a member of the cast of "Wrestling with Shadows"

 

--Update on Dragon Gate running a show in Los Angeles

 

--Update on the attempt to bring back Memphis wrestling

 

--A look at the ROH shows in Japan as well as coverage of the Hammerstein Ballroom show

 

--Lots of TNA business news

 

--New hiring with WWF & WCW background

 

--A look at the grumblings regarding creative

 

--Notes on Tomko leaving

 

--More to the story of what happened with Kevin Nash at the last taping

 

--Booking of Samoa Joe

 

--Update on Sting in TNA

 

--Major contract about to expire in TNA

 

--More on the Kurt & Karen Angle reality show TV pilot

 

--Update on TNA house show business

 

--More details on the Randy Couture court case

 

--Marketing of Lesnar's second fight

 

--Update on UFC trying to get into New York and Massachusetts

 

--Behind UFC's problems with Roger Huerta

 

--Updated UFC advances and the message they send

 

--The amazing story of a UFC employee

 

--A look at the UFC countdown show and push of Jon Fitch and Roger Huerta

 

--Update on many matches between now and the end of the year

 

--WEC signs new TV deal

 

--Steve Mazzagatti talks about his decision in the Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns fight

 

--Update on UFC show in Chicago

 

--The future of the Dream promotion

 

--Update on the next Affliction show and Fedor's injury

 

--More disappointing ratings news

 

--Background on the new man in charge of Elite XC and what happened with Gary Shaw and Doug DeLuca

 

--Next Showtime card

 

--Gina Carano's next opponent and what does it say

 

--Announcers for one promotion on PPV will be the TV announcers for a different group looking to occupy the same position

 

        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 $15.50 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.

 

 

--The reason Tazz was replaced by Matt Striker as host of ECW is because Tazz worked with Jim Ross on the Smackdown show.  The reason is that Mick Foley was selling his injuries from last week.  It was interesting that on the show they didn't explain Striker as a one-time deal and gave the impression he and Todd Grisham were there for the long haul, which may indicate Foley not coming back.  The situation was described to me as tenuous.

 

--WWE is up for several awards in the CableFAX Program awards that will be announced on 10/29 in Washington, DC.  Vince McMahon is up for their Cable Hall of Fame with Chris Berman and Sheila Nevas (president of HBO Family and HBO documentaries).  Stephanie McMahon Levesque is up for Best Writer on Cable.  Raw is up for Best show that doesn't fit into any established category.  The Vince McMahon car accident explosion is up for Best Surprise Ending.  That wasn't even this year.  Shawn Michaels was nominated for Best Actor that doesn't fit into any established category.  The WWE was nominated along with the NHL for best use of HD.

 

--Vancouver based Insight Films has signed Steve Austin for an upcoming action movie.  The company is attempting to make a deal with WWE to use more of their performers for action films.

 

--ECW remains strong doing a 1.5 rating last night

 

--WWE has a SummerFest free show on Venice Beach in California on Saturday afternoon with Chavo Guerrero vs. Funaki, Tommy Dreamer & Stevie Richards vs. The Miz & John Morrison and Carlito (the man who has disappeared since the draft) & Maryse vs. Jimmy Wang Yang & Eve Torres

 

--Mr. Kennedy suffered a dislocated shoulder at Monday night's house show in Macon, GA.  He's having an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.   

 

--Speaking of HD, the TNA studios will have one of the largest HD facilities in Nashville with five different HD edit suites.  No word on a switch to HD but one would think that it is coming relatively soon.    

 

--Raw poll for Monday's show

Excellent 19.6%

Good 51.1%

Average 11.9%

Fair 7.4%

Poor 10.0%

        17.7% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--In the U.K. for the week ending 7/27, a Great American Bash replay dew 89,000 viewers (the live show did 98,000 in the middle of the night).  Raw drew 52,000 on its Thursday replay (highest rated segment), Smackdown did 59,000, Vintage Collection got 52,000 and another Raw replay had 45,000 (thanks to Ian Hamilton)   

 

--For last week, USA was No. 1 on cable at a 2.3 prime time average to 1.9 for TNT.  Sci-Fi was No. 12 at 1.1 while Spike was No. 17 at 0.8.  As a comparison, CBS was only at 4.2 for the week, NBC at 3.7, FOX at 3.3, ABC at 2.8, Univision at 1.7, CW at 1.0 and MyNetwork at 0.6.  The value of being on network vs. cable is rapidly diminishing.  Raw was No. 6 and No. 9 overall, but No. 1 and No. 3 in 18-34 and No. 2 and No. 3 in 18-49 

 

--Bryan and I will be back with the radio show tonight.  You can always send in not only questions, but if you have current topics you'd like discussed, you can always send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we can do so, particularly on the Wednesday shows because the coverage won't be concentrated on a live event held earlier in the evening.

 

--Both ESPN for the show E:60 and Sports Illustrated have features on Lee Murray coming up.  SI as a magazine is producing its first feature film on Murray.  The ESPN piece airs on 8/12.  I was interviewed for the piece some time back.

 

--Tickets for the new TNA show in Dublin, Ireland go on sale tomorrow

 

--Midway, which produces the TNA videogame that will be released in September, posted a $34.8 million loss in the second quarter.  They are counting on the TNA game to turn around the company for the Christmas season.

 

--Today's Baltimore Sun at http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/ has a story by Kevin Cowherd who saw the ESPN Outside the Lines special on kids doing MMA.  He was appalled.

 

--Armando Garcia talks about MMA regulation at http://www.boxinginsider.com/headlines/talkin-mma-with-the-casacs-armando-garcia/

 

--Tapout on Versus tonight features the crew going to Boston for the WCF show and focuses on Dan Lauzon, the younger brother of Joe 

 

--Brian Cooper at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is selling the domain name www.BigVanVader.com  

 

--Kurt Angle vs. A.J. Styles headline a show in Asbury Park, NJ on Friday night, two days before Sunday's PPV from Trenton

 

--WWE announced a house show in Stevens Point, WI on 9/29 at the Quandt Fieldhouse, the first show in the city in more than 13 years (thanks to Devin Cutting)

 

--Tickets go on sale tomorrow in Albuquerque for the 9/20 live Showtime special.  A press conference with Joe Villasenor is scheduled for tomorrow with Villasenor and Jeremy Lappen of Elite XC 

 

--On Saturday's UFC PPV, the show will open with a dedication to the memory of Nelson Bernardo, a graphic designer for the company who passed way Monday in an auto accident, and put the office in a state of shock. (see today's Observer).

 

--UFC has given plenty of free tickets to local radio stations for Saturday's show at the Target Center.  Sales were good and the gate was at $2.2 million as of six days ago, but it wasn't going to sell out.

 

--Irv Muchnick's quest to get the complete police interview with the Wikipedia hacker in the Benoit case, which the Stamford police are trying to block, was covered in today's Stamford Advocate at http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/localnews/ci_10110827

 

--Torrie Wilson is now taking bookings at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

--Reader Bill Barnwell has an interview with the Motor City Machine Guns at http://sports.ign.com/articles/896896778p1.html 

 

--Sho 2 will be airing the CBS Elite XC special from 7/26 on 8/14 at 10 p.m.  They also will be airing Frank Shamrock matches with the Phil Baroni match (8/12 9:45), Cung Le (8/13 9:50) and Renzo Gracie (8/29 9:30)

 

--The 2007 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup DVD is available at http://wwndvd.com/store/htm  All revenue from sales will benefit two-year-old Devin Deschaine, who is battling cancer, the disease that took the life of Peterson, one of the country's top indie wrestlers of several years back

 

--Supreme Pro Wrestling on Sunday in Sacramento:  Brandon Pinion b Wise Guy,, Virgil Flynn & Adam Thornstowe & Luster the Legend b Mike Rayne & Blanchards, Mike Hayashi b Paul Isadora, Chrstina Von Erie & Scoot Robertson b John Martin & Steve Stamp, Sir Samurai b Dante, Honor Society b Drake Frost, Vinnie Massaro & Hard Cory Dayton b Wade Hess & Derek Drexil, Rik Luxury & Chupacabra b Mother Truckin Otis & Jesus Kruze, Big Ugly b British Messiah (thanks to Joshua Littell)    

 

--I Believe in Wrestling on Saturday night at the Downtown Rec Center in Orlando with Chasyn Rance & Mister Saint Laurent vs. Team Mackton for the AWA tag titles plus Larry Zbyszko and Kenny King

 

--Does anyone have contact info for Reggie Parks?

 

--Stranglehold Wrestling on Sunday in Toronto:  Rip Impact & Aaron Draven b Scotty O'Shea & Ethan Page, Bobby Clancy b Chunk Hogan in hair vs. hair, Warhed b Punker Brewski, Juggulator b Sam Hane, Cherry Bomb b Danyah-DQ, Nazi Destructors won three-way over Sound Brothers and Bump n Uglies, Elmer Fudpucker b Zach Gowen, Murder Junkies b Flatliners, George Terzis b Kris Chambers in a cage match (thanks to Steven Ashe)

--The Knoxville News had a story on C.M. Punk in the Monday paper before Raw, where Punk talked about a potential match with John Cena, saying he'd like it in Chicago, his home city.  They listed Punk at 6-3 and 225 pounds in the story.  He said his hero as a kid was Roddy Piper.

 

--KYDA Pro Wrestling on 8/15 at the Prince William County (I think Virginia) Fair and 8/17 in Dale City, VA at the VFW Hall.  Kip James, Christian York and Axl Rotten are on the 8/17 show

 

--Velocity Pro Wrestling on 8/16 in Philadelphia at the Alhambra has Billy Gunn, Spike Dudley, Sterling James Keenan, Corporal Robinson and more

 

--Upcoming CHIKARA dates are 8/9 in Reading, PA  8/10 in Philadelphia at the Alhambra, 9/6 in Easton, PA at the Palmer Community Center, 9/7 at the Alhambra and 9/20 in Streamwood, IL at the Streamwood Park District Community Center

 

--Michael Carpenter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking for a tape of Ric Flair on Got Game in Charlotte on 8/3

 

--The NWA promoters in Texas are attempting to put together a territorial system with shows in Dallas, Houston, Austin and Amarillo.  That's a lot of travel there.  The Texas heavyweight, Texas jr. and Texas tag titles will be defended now all over the state.  They are also planning on running San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Hidalgo and Beaumont  

 

--Drake Younger vs. Ruckus headlines for CZW on Saturday night at the Alhambra in Philadelphia

 

--MMAnews.com has videos with Jens Pulver, Spencer Fisher, Josh Barnett, Sean Sherk and Joe Stevenson 

 

--NWA SoCal Pro Wrestling on Saturday night in Oceanside, CA at the Boys & Girls Club with Jason Redondo vs. Johnny Goodtime and Adam Pearce vs. Tommy Wilson

 

--Brian Tramel and Brian Thompson interview Downtown Bruno Lauer about his book at www.rroradio.com at 7 p.m. tonight

 

--XICW from Sunday in Detroit:  Ty Daruis b Kid Hybrid, Gutter b Kamikaze, Anthony Rivera b Breyer Wellington, Gavin Starr & Keith Creme b Devil Dawg & Skull Ganz-DQ, Roughhouse ROB b Ooga Booga, Fifth Element b Josh Raymond, DBA & Jaimy Coxxx b Christin Able & Mo Dread, Tito Santana b Eddie Venom-DQ (thanks to Brian Gorie)

 

--LLA on Sunday in Los Angeles:  Super Viva b Atomo, Jaguar de Oro & Angel Guerrero b War Chile & Monje II, Capitan Calico & Black Metal b Vintage Dragon & Alas de Oro, Los Chivos & Neutron b Asesino Gemini & Sombra Infernal & El Mongue

 

--The Los Angeles Police Department hosted a show last night at the Lizarraga  Elementary School in Los Angeles before 500 fans:  Cimera d Jason Watts, Los Chivos & Vintage Dragon b Capitan Caliaco & Black Metal & Cyanide (thanks to Scott Broadhurst)   

 

--NWA MSW on Thursday night in Hinton WV at the Summer County Memorial Building and 8/9 in Beaver, WV at the Volunteer Fire Department

 

--Florida Wrestling Association on 8/9 at Volusia Speedway Park features wrestling and racing with Hack Myers, Mike Enos and more 

 

--Texas All-Star Wrestling on Saturday night in Humble, TX at the Bingo Hall

 

--Issue #4 of the Marvel/Icon comic "Criminal" features an essay by Bob Calhoun about the 1950 movie "Night and the City" with Mike Mazurki and Stanislaus Zbyszko