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        We're looking for your thoughts on both Saturday night's UFC 88 and last night's WWE Unforgiven PPV, 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 looking for reports on tonight's Raw tapings in Fort Wayne with dark matches and any other news from the show, attendance, etc. as well as reports from the Saturday night WWE house show in Jamestown, NY.

 

        Smackdown and ECW will be taped on Tuesday night in Milwaukee. 

 

        The biggest Wrestling Observer Newsletter of the year is out today and available currently on the web site to premium members.  It's a double-sized issue with the background of the signing of the Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar fight, as well as it being the 2008 Hall of Fame issue, and we've got part one of the life story of Killer Kowalski, as well as comments by Mick Foley on his WWE departure and TNA arrival. 

 

        The Couture-Lesnar story runs down the real reason Couture came back, business predictions, how long it has been talked about, the tournament time line, Why Brock Lesnar blew up at all the Fedor references, realities of Fedor in UFC, details of the Couture deal, how much he figures to earn if the show does 1 million buys, the location change and breaking down of the fight itself.

 

        We look at the career of Killer Kowalski, his last days and what has not come out and why, his legacy, where he was most famous, how he got started, his wrestling school and some of his students, and how quickly he became a top attraction.

 

        We also have our 2008 Hall of Fame issue, with results of the balloting, profiles on the new entrants including some amazing history of a time and place very few know about.  We also look at who came the closest to being voted in, where different people finished strongly, how all the newcomers on the ballot did, as well as who fell off the ballot.

 

        We also talk about Chris Benoit in the Hall of Fame with written comments from numerous voters as to why they voted the way they did..  We also have a breakdown of who scored the best among people active in the business, retired in the business, reporters and historians.

 

        We also look at the two new people who will be added to the ballot news year, as well as when the strongest candidates will be eligible over the next seven years.

 

        We also have a breakdown of all the members of the Observer Hall of Fame, in every category, and the year they were put in.

 

        We also have notes on the injury to Shawn Michaels and a look at the Unforgiven PPV, including changes that have been made.

 

        We've got coverage of Mick Foley to TNA, coverage of the CMLL PPV show from the weekend as well as the All Japan show at Sumo Hall featuring both the IWGP title and Triple Crown titles being defended on the same night.

 

        We also have our regular features including results from all the major league arena events over the past week as well as the major television show reports.

 

        We also have a lot of backstage details into what's going on in WWE, including why a major star is currently on a losing streak, an update on John Cena, charting the next PPV, lots of new notes on Randy Orton,. more notes on the return of a former tag team champion, who did Vince McMahon nix as far as being in the new videogame and why, and a shocking idea talked about for down the line at a booking meeting.  We also look at a wrestler in the process of being signed, the developmental news, as well as notes on all the weekend house shows.

 

        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:

 

--Sorting out the Mexico TV situation

 

--Major star on the outs with his promotion and why

 

--Juventud Guerrera's new group

 

--Debut of NWA Mexico

 

--Latest Santo mask challenge

 

--Tensions really bad in a dressing room and part of the reason why

 

--A look at what may be the best action tournament of the year

 

--A planned retirement and the person already talking about coming back

 

--Affliction star challenges Kenta Kobashi

 

--Talk of a new TV promotion

 

--Update on movie "The Wrestler"

 

--Dragon Gate in U.S.

 

--Update on Trish Stratus

 

--Notes on Tony Schiavone

 

--Next ROH PPV show

 

--Tito Ortiz talks returning to UFC

 

--Details of the return to TV of a show that had more impact arguably than any other

 

--Fighters argue about who turned down a match and while cameras are rolling, booker tells the real story

 

--Future on MMA on CBS

 

        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)

 

August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

 

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.

 

 

--We apologize for some of the web site problems over the past week.  We are in the process of switching servers this week, so there may be a few more days during peak hours where the site will be slow, and switching servers often has problems for a few days but we're working on everything being done by the end of the week.

 

--After the great response to the movie in Venice and Toronto over the weekend, a bidding war took place last night for the theatrical distribution rights to "The Wrestler."  Fox Searchlight won the U.S. rights with a $4 million bid.

 

--Either the announcers made a mistake or WWE has changed plans, as "officially" HHH is only a 12-time champion even though he was announced as winning the title for the 13th time last night.  I'd guess the latter because if it was the former, they'd have likely been yelled at on their headsets over it.  But the WWE web site lists HHH as retaining and not winning the title last night.  In a post-match interview, HHH teased defending the title against Jeff Hardy, saying he can have a title shot whenever he wants one. (thanks to Nawaf Zubari and many others)

      

--Evan Bourne pinned John Morrison with a shooting star press in the dark match last night at Unforgiven.

 

--It's funny because Urijah Faber and I were just talking about the Japanese strictness on pot laws (in reference to Kid Yamamoto) on Saturday, and today the chairman of the Japanese Sumo Association, was forced to resign because two Russian sumos tested positive for marijuana and he said he has to take responsibility for it.  Can you imagine the U.S. equivalent where Dana White or Vince McMahon would have to resign if someone failed a test for pot? 

 

--The 34 or so hours of UFC programming this week on Spike goes like this:

Unleashed from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday night featuring Anderson Silva vs. Nate Marquardt and Roger Huerta vs. Leonard Garcia

Unleashed from 11 p.m. until midnight on Thursday after Impact featuring Frank Mir vs. Antoni Hardonk and Keith Jardine vs. Chuck Liddell

Coaches Countdown featuring Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir promoting the new season of Ultimate Fighter on Thursday night at midnight and Friday night at midnight

Ultimate Fighter season 7 marathon from 9 a.m. to midnight on Friday

Ultimate Fighter season 1 retrospective on Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight with interviews done last week with many of the cast members that will be shown throughout the day giving historical hindsight on the season that basically made the promotion and the sport, as well as finishing with the Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar fight

 

--A clip of the reunion show is at http://www.spike.com/video/ultimate-fighter/3030783

 

--A funny story about C.M. Punk's arm being a product placement for Pepsi on Raw each week is at www.productplacementt.biz/

 

--Ashley Flair, the daughter of Ric, was arrested on Friday in Chapel Hill and charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer.  She was with her father and got into an altercation with police at a convenience store.  She has a court date scheduled for 10/6.  This story was reported at http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6377701

 

--Tiffany Fliehr, Ric's estranged wife did a Charlotte radio interview about Ric, and said nothing bad much at all, at www.unholymatrimonyshow.com 

 

--Shane McMahon will have a press conference in Mexico tomorrow to announce the company's new TV deals that start in October

 

--Dawn Marie will be on the Derek & Romaine show on Sirius Ch. 109 on Friday night at 6 p.m. 

 

--TNA Videogame and Mr. Perfect DVD both are released tomorrow.  Lots of interest in the TNA game due to the excellent job the company has done in promoting it.

 

--Southern independent wrestler Phil Shatter has signed with WWE 

 

--Bryan and I will be back with Wrestling Observer radio tonight covering Raw, and we'll also be answering questions so if you've got anything on pro wrestling or MMA, we'll try and get to as many questions as possible and you can send them to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for the show

 

--PWG on 9/21 at 4 p.m. at the Burbank Armory has Chris Hero vs. El Generico, Matt & Nick Jackson vs. Scott Lost & Joey Ryan, Bryan Danielson vs. Davey Richards and more

 

--Poll on who should have gotten the next light heavyweight title shot in UFC

Rashad Evans 46.4%

Wanderlei Silva 22.9%

Quinton Jackson 16.3%

Lyoto Machida 14.5%

        I guess they booked correctly, then.  

 

--Championship Wrestling on Saturday night in Kingsport, TN:  Scotty Roberts b Matt Stevens, E.Z. Money b Mathias Grimm, Steve Fury & Chris Richards b Moe Jenkins & Beau James, Ricky Morton & Nick Hammonds & Tony Givens b Scotty Roberts & 420 Hit Squad, Wayne Adkins d Chase Owens, Alyx Winters & Mr. Bolo b Robbie Cassidy & Cody Ices.  Next show is Saturday night in Greeneville, TN at the Eastview Rec Center and 10/11 in Kingsport at the Civic Auditorium

 

--Insanity Pro from Saturday night in Indianapolis:  Facade b Brett Havoc, Justin Andrews b Billy Roc, Sami Callihan b Q-Skillz, C.J. Otis b Vito Thomaselli, Shiima Xion b Dave Crist, Aaron Williams b Nate Webb, Ruckus b Jayson Quick, Vincent Nothing won five-way, Dustin Rayz & Charlton Kaz b Brandon Thomaselli & Martin Jones, Sami Callihan won three-way over C.J. Otis and Justin Andrews, Aaron Williams won three-way over Shiima Xion and Ruckus, Drake Younger NC Jake Crist, Aaron Williams b Sami Callihan.  Next show is 10/4

 

--Tales from the Darkside on Sunday on Sci-Fi had a pro wrestling episode from 1986 about a crooked promoter creating a robot to take out the top face in the promotion, who was clearly a Hulk Hogan rip off.  But in the end, the wrestler beat the robot.  Just like the Hulk Hogan/Randy Orton match at SummerSlam

 

--Hoosier Pro on Saturday night in Columbus, IN before 175 fans:  Jamie Dundee b Dylan Bostic, Cousin Cooter b Pastor Pain, Ronnie Vegas b T.J. Kemp, G.T. Vega b Colt Justice, Danny Idol b Fuji Brown, TVZ & Bobby Black b Shawn Cook & Marc Houston & Garry Cherry, Cooter Clampett b Ronnie Vegas.  Next show is 10/4 (thanks to Jerry Wilson)

 

--NWA Anarchy from Saturday night in Cornelia, GA before 175 fans:  T.K. Cross over Anthony Henry, Kareem Abdul Jamar and Chris Mayne, Jeff Lewis & Jay Clinton b Don Matthews & Bo Newsome, Malachi b Caleb Konley, Bob E & Tyler Smith over Kyle Matthews & Andrew Alexander, J.T. Talent & Drew Pendleton III, Ryan Michaels & Matt Sells and Scott McKenzie & Danny Matthews in a tag team Battle Royal, Truitt Fields b Jeremy Vain, Chad Parham & Seth Delay b Ace Rockwell & Luke Hawx, Kimo b Don Juan, Adrian Hawkins b Chip Day, Derrick Driver & Steven Walters b Bob E & Tyler Smith, Shadow Jackson b Iceberg-DQ.  Hawx was just one for a one-shot (thanks to Larry Goodman)

 

--Lance Storm answers questions at http://www.stormwrestling.com/090708.html    

 

--Jerry Lawler will be signing autographs at the Bill Heard Dealership in Columbus, GA on 9/12 from 2-4 p.m.

 

--Chris Harris returns to the Northern Wrestling Federation on Saturday night in Fort Wright, KY.  Isn't that Braden Walker's home town?  Chad Allegra (Karl Anderson in New Japan) appears for the group on 9/27 in Fairfield, OH at the UAW Hall

 

--The Perez Hilton web site is teasing a feud with Santino Marella

 

--EWA on 9/21 in Parkville, MD at the Tall Cedar Hall

 

--Great Kabuki turns 60 today, Raven turns 44 and The Barbarian turns 50.  It's also the ninth anniversary of the death of Brian Hildebrand.  He was a really good guy.  One courageous person, a great ref, but a really fun person to talk wrestling with.  Still sucks.

 

--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia:

77 years ago today:  Pete Sauer, who later became world champion Ray Steele, beat Tiny Roebuck in the main event

47 years ago:  Cowboy Bob Ellis beat The Sheik in the main event

41 years ago:  Enrique Torres beat Stan Vachon in a loser leaves town match and El Mongol beat Mr. Wrestling to win the Georgia title

36 years ago:  The Assassins beat Terry Funk & Dory Funk Sr. and Bob Armstrong beat Nick Bockwinkel

33 years ago in Griffin:"  Dusty Rhodes & Jerry Brisco no contest Dick Slater & Bob Orton while Andre the Giant beat Nikolai Volkoff

30 years ago:  Thunderbolt Patterson kept the TV title beating Ernie Ladd while Tommy Rich & Dick Slater & Mr. Wrestling II beat Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff & Stan Hansen

28 years ago in Augusta:  Mr. Wrestling I & II bet Georgia tag champs The Assassins via DQ

 

--CZW Academy Showcase on Thursday night at Kashmir Gentleman's Club in Vineland, NJ

 

--USWO from Friday night in Nashville before 63 fans:  Travis Starr b Bryan Casey, Tim Renesto b Psycho Medic, Josh Crowe and White Tiger won Battle Royal, Josh Crowe over White Tiger and Cousin Jason X, L.T. Falk & Aiden Scott b Blue Amigo & Shane Smalls, Damien Payne & New York Gangster b Saint & Jeremy Travis, Big Bully Douglas won Battle Royal, Gary Valiant won three-way over Jeremiah Plunkett and Big Bully Douglas to win USWO title (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)

 

--WSU on 10/10 in Bergenfield, NJ at the VFW Hall and 10/11 for a DVD taping in Boonton, NJ at the Darress Theater.  Cherry from WWE returns as Kara Slice, as well as Angel Orsini, Mercedes Martinez, Tammy Sytch, Missy Hyatt and Melissa Coates

 

--Shimmer is opening a women's wrestling class taught by Daizee Haze.  It will be at the ROH wrestling facility in Bristol, PA, eight classes or more per month down on Tuesday through Thursday nights for six months.

 

--Jersey All Pro Wrestling on 9/19 in Toms River, NJ at the Intermediate South Middle School on with Jay Lethal, LAX, Kenny Omega, Eddie Kingston, and James "Nunzio" Maritato, plus Rhino in a Rumble match.  Also 9/20 in Jersey City at the Golden Door Charter school with Omega, LAX, Maritato, Lethal and SATs  

 

--Great Canadian Wrestling on 9/12 in Oshawa, ONT

 

--Jerry Lawler appears on 10/4 in Lima, OH at the UAW Hall for GWA

 

--There is a U.K. independence day weekend shows in Wolverhampton, U.K. at the Civic Hall with Bryan Danielson, Al Snow, Mark & Jay Briscoe, Doug Williams, Gedo, Jado, Wataru Inoue, Nigel McGuinness and Shinsuke Nakamura.  For more info go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/content/articles/2008/09/05/wolverhampton_wrestling_08_feature.shtml (thanks to Brett Birks)

 

--Wrestlers from Big Japan Pro Wrestling will face wrestlers from CHIKARA Pro for Global Gauntlet on 10/18 in Easton PA at the Palmer Community Center and 10/19 in Philadelphia at the Alhambra

 

--Jerry Lawler and David Young headline Friday night for Prime Time Wrestling in Columbus, GA

 

--Batista was on the TV show Iron Chef last night as a guest judge.  He came off well on the show (thanks to Nomit Shah and many others)

 

--Ultimo Dragon and Jay Lethal headline for ACE Wrestling in Union  City, NJ at the ACE Arena on 9/27