Bryan Alvarez:
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Dave Meltzer:
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We're looking for your thoughts on both Saturday night's UFC 88 and Sunday 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 from the Saturday night WWE house show in Jamestown, NY, and also the Smackdown and ECW tapings tonight in Milwaukee. Please send to both 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
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.
-- Tons of stories up today about the untimely death of Evan Tanner.
-- Tanner was at his best with fans
-- Ex-UFC champ found dead in SoCal desert
-- UFC fighter Evan Tanner found dead in desert
-- Body of Missing UFC Star Evan Tanner Found in Desert
-- Mike Coughlin also has remembrances posted elsewhere on the site and Dave Meltzer will have a story in tomorrow's Observer. Dave and I also discussed his life and death on last night's Wrestling Observer Radio, which is a free download that you can access here.
-- The Ric Flair assault story is a complete mess. We've seen four different articles with four different sources, including WSOC-TV saying Ashley's boyfriend assaulted Ric; The State saying it was a fight all three were involved in; the News & Observer saying Ashley's boyfriend may be facing charges down the road and that alcohol was a factor; and the Post Chronicle claiming Ashley attacked Ric. It appears that the first three stories are largely correct, where alcohol was involved, Flair and the boyfriend got into a fight, and likely Ashley was involved somehow and then was tasered after assaulting a police officer later. The story about Ashley attacking her dad appears to be someone hearing that charges were pressed against her and tying it together incorrectly. Dave Meltzer is talking to the police today so as full a story as we can get will be in tomorrow's edition of the Observer. Flair apparently took a hell of a beating and his face was a total mess. Thanks to Devin Cutting for the articles.
-- Kurt Angle was found not guilty today on charges of drunk driving near his home in Moon Township last year. A motorist reported a car driving erratically after leaving a bar on the afternoon of September 28th and police matched the description to Kurt's car. He admitted to having driven home from the bar that afternoon and subsequently failed a field sobriety test. In the end, there were no police witnesses to him actually driving and no proof that he had actually been behind the wheel while intoxicated.
-- Today's the day. THE IMPACT VIDEO GAME IS OUT. The Playstation 2 version can be checked out here.
-- The XBox 360 edition is here.
-- WWE also released their Mr. Perfect DVD set today, which you can check out by clicking here
-- WrestleMania ticket prices: $755, $255, $155, $100, $60 and $40.
-- WWE officially announced today a deal to get Raw on Televisa/Galavision Canal 9 in Mexico starting October 5th at 3:00 PM.
-- TNA did a 1.03 rating and Raw did a 3.05.
-- Fox Searchlight pins down 'Wrestler'. More and more reports speculating that the film will get some sort of Oscar nomination. A big step up from No Holds Barred and Ready to Rumble.
-- Jim Ross has thoughts on Unforgiven here
-- Roger in Cleveland wrote in to say that he was at the Unforgiven PPV and disagreed with our assessment that the crowd was dead. He said they were hot all night and that it may have been a problem with how the audience was mic'd.
-- Raw in Reno on October 11th is billing Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk in a title match as the main event. Card subject to change. Thanks to Michael King.
-- Talk about running away with a poll:
Which of these upcoming shows are you most interested in?
UFC 91 11/15 Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture 74.1%
WWE No Mercy 10/5 8.3%
CBS Elite XC 10/4 Kimbo vs. Shamrock 5.6%
TNA Bound for Glory 10/12 5.3%
TNA No Surrender 9/13 Joe vs. Booker vs. Angle vs. Christian 2.9%
Affliction 10/11 Josh Barnett vs. Andrei Arlovski 1.4%
UFC 90 10/25 Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote 1.1%
UFC 89 10/18 Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben 1%
Dream 9/23 middleweight tournament final 0.5%
-- EK wrote in with this: Most people probably didn't notice this, but last night during Raw, a "WWE: Did You Know?" trivia item aired saying, "Raw is the longest running weekly entertainment program in history featuring more episodes than The Simspons, Seinfeld, and ER, COMBINED". I thought this didn't seem right, so I checked it out, and surprise surprise, The Simspons has 420 episodes, Seinfeld has 180 episodes, and ER has 309, which is 909 combined. Raw only has 798. So obviously, WWE are big filthy liars.
-- Now here's a strange one: Nathan Jones hit by truck. Article claims he's signed with TNA, although TNA had no comment.
-- Scorpio Jr., who has been battling health issues, told people this week that when he returns to action it will be for AAA. Thanks to Kris Zellner.
-- Kimbo Slice and Ken Shamrock are doing a media conference call this Thursday. That should be a fun one. We'll try to get audio for the website.
-- Anne-Marie Valerie, is looking for any videos burned to DVD from when she wrestled as Midnight with Harlem Heat in WCW back in 1999 and 2000. You can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
-- "Blood. The Hennig Wrestling Family" is now on sale at kayfabecommentaries.com.
-- XFC runs Saturday at the St. Petersburg Times Forum in Tampa with Gan McGee in the main event. Tickets start at $10. Apparently the last two shows in this building drew around 11,000 people, so it's quite successful. Lenny Leonard of ROH will be doing ring announcing.
-- Booker T's PWA runs the Pasadena Convention Center on September 18th with Gail Kim, Chris Masters, 2 Cold Scorpio and more in attendance.
-- Mick Foley will be a guest on Brian Fritz's Between The Ropes tonight. The program airs live from 6-8p ET on ESPN Radio 1080 in Orlando, FL and streams live online at www.BetweenTheRopes.com.
-- Tito Santana, Doink The Clown and EZ Money will be appearing at the National Wrestling League event in Martinsburg, West Virginia on October 4th. Tracy Smothers will be appearing at the Ericules Wrestling Promotions event in Louisville, Tennessee on September 11th. Thanks to Devin Cutting.
-- NWS will be brining WWE Hall of Fame legends The Iron Sheik & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine to the annual Edison, NJ Fall Family Spectacular on 9/12-9/13. They're also promising, seriously, "a famous clown".
-- Pro Wrestling Guerrilla presents Express Written Consent on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 4:00PM (please note the earlier than usual start time) at the Burbank Armory in Burbank, CA with Chris Hero vs. El Generico in a title match headlining.
-- There is an audio interview with Patrick Cote up here
{plug}
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