By Dave Meltzer

 

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        We're looking for your thoughts on the weekend ROH 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 live reports from Minneapolis tonight on the Raw taping and TNA Impact in Orlando tonight.  From Raw, we're looking for dark matches, attendance and anything else that wouldn't be evident from watching the live show.  Matches announced are Candice Michelle & Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix & Jillian Hall, Rey Mysterio & C.M. Punk & Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne vs. Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes & Manu  & Kane,  The Miz vs. JTG and Chris Jericho & Lance Cade vs. Shawn Michaels and a mystery partner. 

 

We're also looking for reports from Green Bay tomorrow night for Smackdown/ECW and the second night of TNA tapings in Orlando.

 

        We're also looking for reports on Friday's WWE house show in Innsbruck, Austria as well as Saturday night's Raw show in Paris, and Saturday night's TNA house show in Miami.

 

        An All-Star Smackdown show takes place on Tuesday in Green Bay, along with the ECW tapings.  Matches will be, all non-title, HHH vs. Chris Jericho vs. Matt Hardy in only the second time all three brands champions will face each other, Rey Mysterio & Fit Finlay & Jeff Hardy & Batista vs. Kane & MVP & JBL & The Brian Kendrick, Michelle McCool vs. Beth Phoenix, Santino Marella vs. Shelton Benjamin and Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes vs. Carlito & Primo Colon.   

 

        Tonight at the TNA tapings has the debut of Mick Foley, setting up his involvement in Bound for Glory, plus angles setting up the rest of the card.  Among the matches are A.J. Styles & Christian Cage & Jay Lethal vs. Team 3-D & Booker T, LAX vs. Motor City Machine Guns with the winners going into the Monsters Ball, Sheik Abdul Bashir defends the X title in a three-way against Eric Young and Jimmy Rave plus ODB vs. Angelina Love.  The Tuesday taping will also feature an X Division title match.  The show on Thursday will also include a very unique Kurt Angle/Jeff Jarrett angle playing off comments Angle made in the U.K. Sun last week. 

 

        A story with comments by myself and three ex-WWE writers on the state of the company as well as the writers discussing the problems on the writing side is one of two huge features in two issues of the Observer out this week.  You can access both issues right now with a premium membership on the web site, which also includes access to all radio shows. 

 

        The lead story talks about why the ratings are not the thing to be worried about right now, nor is pro wrestling in trouble, but how it is losing a valuable part of its audience. 

 

        We look at trying to predict the future.  We look at comments from Paul Heyman as well as two other ex-WWE writers regarding the problems with the writing process and what is missing, and get a totally different take on the same story from me.  We look at the lost audience, and how WWE acknowledges this audience and is trying to get it back, but why it's not working.  We look at cycles of popularity, the ups and down of wrestling over the past 40 years.

 

        We look at many elements missing from the product and examples in recent weeks of why this makes it so hard to build stories and create stars like in the past.  We look at how the current top stars relate to problems, when the audience was lost.

 

        We also look at Japan to see what we can learn about the decline in the product there.  We look back at ECW, when it worked and when it didn't, how Paul Heyman made stars and how things changed to where it stopped working.

 

        Our second major feature Steve "Dr. Lucha" Sims' feature on the 75-year history of pro wrestling in Mexico.  We look back to the real birth of pro wrestling in that country and how Mexican wrestling history has also been rewritten by the winners.  We look at how the original birth of Mexican wrestling has ties to the birth of Gracie Jiu Jitsu because of a common thread at the start.

 

        We look at the match between two of the most famous world champions of the era that took place in Mexico City before pro wrestling was supposedly ever even born in that country.

 

        We look at Salvador Lutteroth, the original great promoter in that country and the beginnings of EMLL, and what lucky break was probably the difference between success and failure.  We look at the first well-known promotional war in Mexico City, the first anniversary show and the introduction of what would be the trademark of Lucha Libre, the power of the mask.

 

        We look at the rise of El Santo, the story of how and why commissions got so much power in that country and the original creation of champions.  We look at the history of wrestling on television in Mexico and how it differs from the U.S.

 

        We look at the second major promotional war and its ramifications, including the most famous match in Lucha Libre history and what major things came out of that, including the creation of the current Arena Mexico.

 

        We look at the success of El Santo in the movies, as well as other Mexican wrestling stars who became movie stars, as well a the creation of the UWA and rise of Paco Alonso.

 

        We also look at UWA's heyday and how it changed pro wrestling in Mexico as well as the lightweight title match that shocked the business.  We look at the second TV created boom period, and the death that likely changed history and the balance of power.  We also look at the rise of Antonio Pena, and how he changed the industry.  We look at the heyday of AAA, and what caused the boom to end.  We also look at the creation of the current boom period.

 

        We also look at the economic situation of Elite XC and the ramifications of the next show in regard to the potential sale.

 

        We also have a look at what happened behind the scenes, at the show and the future of the Dream promotion, and with it, the status of MMA in Japan at a network level.

 

        We also look at Fedor Emelianenko being at the show, the story behind it, what the goal of the promotion was for his next match and where things now stand.  We look at the business of Dream 6 as well as a show rundown.

 

        We have a look at Ring of Honor and its current PPV show as well as where it stands right now.

 

        We also have a look at the biggest upset when it comes to a major show in many years as Villano V beat Blue Panther for his mask.  We

ave an interesting take of it, behind the scenes on the business aspect, as well as match by match coverage of the show that included TNA stars challenging for the CMLL trios title.

 

        We have a look at the Jeff Hardy situation and the questions WWE needs to be thinking about because of what happened.

 

        We also have updates on No Mercy and Bound for Glory, a significant upgrade coming with TNA, a top star talking about wanting time off, the return of Edge, the booking of WWE shows, early thoughts on the next Raw special, what young wrestler is being talked of as potentially one of the biggest star of al the newcomers.  We also have an update on Tivo and tape viewership of WWE programming and what percentage of late watches Raw on tape.  We have a look at the best selling wrestling and MMA DVDs, notes on house show business, upcoming DVD releases, Best of Starrcade and changes in the mentality when it come to angle pacing in WWE.

 

        We also have a look at the Hall of Fame wrestler who was asked by a major party to run for high public office, and why he turned it down. 

 

        We also have an look at the last Ultimate Fight Night, including an interesting look at how the demographic of the UFC viewership has changed rapidly in just the last few months. 

 

        We also look at all the UFC events between now and the end of the year, the buy rate of UFC 87, and an updated look on where UFC 88 seems to be coming in.

 

        We also have our regular weekly features including the most detailed look at TV ratings of the major shows from the past week, as well as the major TV show reviews.

 

        Details on how to get the printed Observer with both of these issues mailed to you immediately are here, or you can get them as part of a premium web site package.

 

        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 pro wrestling industry as well as the MMA industry, 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:

 

--Talks about multi-promotional shows

 

--Ideas floating around for a dream 80s match and why it can't take place

 

--NOAH wrestlers tour the U.S.

 

--Gambling on the results of worked pro wrestling matches--by the wrestlers themselves in what promotion

 

--Kenta Kobashi health update

 

--What foreign country promotion wants a star from 1982 in now because he was so big in another era

 

--A look at the Hogan TV show

 

--Early plans for the next Tokyo Dome show

 

--Japanese ideas for a wrestling World Cup

 

--ROH PPV taping notes

 

--TNA videogame sales updates

 

--Thoughts on new signing

 

--Kurt Angle talks more about TNA booking

 

--More on change in the front office

 

--Update on Anderson Silva and his UFC future

 

--Evan Tanner Memorial

 

--Chuck Liddell as a drawing card

 

--Best cities for interest in the last UFC show

 

--How the last UFC show ranked in interest with the other shows this year

 

--UFC thoughts on emulating the Wrestlemania concept

 

--Lesnar-Couture ticket sales update

 

--How Lesnar has been with UFC management

 

--Updated UFC ticket sales for the major upcoming shows

 

--What market UFC is even more strongly looking at after a public appearance does well

 

--Return of Shogun Rua

 

--Notes on next season's Ultimate Fighter

 

--WWE star at ringside but not shown at the last UFC

 

--Lots of new UFC matches between now and the end of the year

 

--Fights on Ultimate Fighter who have signed contracts with other promoters

 

--Behind K.J. Noons title being stripped

 

--New Elite XC signings

 

--Gina Carano weight news that may come back to bite the promotion

 

--New ideas for U.S. wrestling promotions floating around

 

--Update on Bischoff and Hogan's new project

 

--More on Sonny Siaki retiring to donate his kidney

 

--Ric Flair's overseas booking rate

 

--Where Flair lost a gig over his recent publicity

 

--More Jake Roberts stories

 

--History updates from the Kowalski issue

 

--A look at some new books on two Hall of Fame wrestlers coming out

 

--Update on Memphis wrestling

 

--Sales of non-WWE U.S. wrestling magazines

 

--The attendance heyday of Memphis wrestling

 

--TNA star undergoes surgery and out for several months

 

--Frank Trigg TNA update

 

--Funny backstage TNA swerve story

 

--Update on Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson

 

--Lyoto Machida next fight

 

--New TV pilot filmed by top MMA company

 

--MMA in the Olympics

 

--CW vs. MyNetwork TV

 

--Bobby Lashley MMA debut update 

 

        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)

 

September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

 

September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

 

September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

 

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.

 

 

--Gina Carano will appear on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:35 a.m. tonight on CBS with Melina Kanakaredes of CSI New York and Marg Helgenberger of CSI 

 

--For your amusement pleasure, Kurt Angle today in the Daily Star:  "When my contract comes up, I'm going to be doing some MMA. So there it is, straight up."  Story is at http://www.dailystar.co.uk/inthering/view/52788/Exclusive-Kurt-Angle-gets-tough-/

 

--Scripps Howard News Service has a national story and Hulk Hogan and Brian Knobs at Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball games.  The article called the two of them the faces of the franchise.  So all these years when I thought Chuck Liddell was the face of UFC, it was really those Tap Out guys, and when I thought John Cena was the face of WWE, it was really Rick the sign guy.  It noted a lot of players are copying the Brian Knobs mohawk hair style, although not the blond coloring.

 

--Elite XC has announced a press conference for Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Chairman's Club at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, FL open to the public.  All fighters will be appearing.

 

--Huge Evan Tanner article at http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20080928-9999-1c28tannerm.html

 

--The annual PWG Battle of Los Angeles will be on 11/1 at 2 p.m. and 11/2 at 5 p.m. in Burbank at the National Guard Armory.  The first date is early so if fans want to attend the TNA house show that night in Anaheim, they can.  There will be 16 men in the tournament this year, as opposed to 24 in recent year when it was a three-day tournament (thanks to Daniel Short)

 

--UFC on Spike this week has an hour of Unleashed at 9 p.m. on Wednesday headlined by Michael Bisping vs. Jason Day and Clay Guida vs. Samy Schiavo.  The first regular episode of Ultimate Fighter airs at 10 p.m. Wednesday.  There will be a UFC Fight Night airing 9 p.m. to midnight on Friday night which will air the Kenny Florian vs. Joe Lauzon fight.  UFC 86 headlined by Forrest Griffin vs. Quinton Jackson airs Saturday night at 9 p.m., going head-to-head with the Elite XC show on CBS.

 

--Todd Grisham returns to ECW announcing tomorrow night after a family emergency last week.  Hopefully everything is as good as can be in the Grisham family right now.

 

--Ratings predictions for the first Smackdown on MyNetwork

Under 1.5 11.3%

1.5 to 1.8 15.6%

1.9 to 2.2 28.0%

2.3 to 2.6 30.9%

2.7 to 3.0 8.1%

3.1 or better 6.1%

 

--Ratings prediction on the Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock match on CBS Saturday night

Under 1.5 7.6%

1.5 to 1.8 11.4%

1.9 to 2.2 12.5%

2.3 to 2.6 16.6%

2.7 to 3.0 16.3%

3.1 to 3.4 12.5%

3.5 or better 23.2%

 

--Ariel Helwani has this on mmarated.com and we've confirmed there are nothing to stories going around about Travis Lutter returning to UFC.  Lutter is facing Joe Doerksen, another former UFC fighter, on an indie show, and somehow it got reported as a UFC show.  Lutter is the only Ultimate Fighter winner who is no longer under a UFC contract.

 

--Happy Birthday today to Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon, who is one of my all-time favorite characters.  Vachon, who turns 79, was one of the great promo men of all-time.  General Skandor Akbar, who is still out many weekends doing indie shows, turns 74 today.     

 

--We will be back late tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio after Raw, talking about what happened on Raw, what happened at the Impact tapings and all the news of the day.  If you've got any questions on the shows or anything on wrestling or MMA in general you can write to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  

--For the week ending 9/14 in the U.K., Impact drew 68,000 viewers, Raw did 69,000 viewers live and 39,000 on the replay and Smackdown drew 65,000 viewers.  A prime time airing of Unforgiven drew 69,000 viewers.  (thanks to Ian Hamilton)

 

--Some notes about the switch to MyNetwork for Smackdown.  If you live in a market where it doesn't air from 8-10 p.m. (or 7-9 p.m. Central time), as has been the time slot of the show for years, let us know and we'll post it.  As noted yesterday, KRON in San Francisco will air the show 9-11 p.m.  KMYQ in Seattle will air the show 7-9 p.m.  In El Paso, it'll air from 6-8 p.m.  (thanks to Ken Hamblin and Alberto Valenzuela)

 

--The new Spin Cycle is up on the TNA website with A.J. Styles, Alex Shelley, Taylor Wilde and Curry Man talking Sting vs. Samoa Joe, Sarah Palin and O.J. Simpson.  Next week's show will have Terry Taylor, Vince Russo, Pat Kenney and Glenn Gilbertti  

 

--Paul Heyman talks Trish Stratus at http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/heyman/article1746360.ece 

 

--Edge, who I guess is still alive after being burned in Hell, resurfaced on Orlando TV a few nights ago to promote the MyNetwork move at www.myfoxorlando.com

 

--The next replay of ROH's New Horizons PPV will be Wednesday at 6 p.m. Eastern.  and Friday at 8 p.m. Eastern.  Sometimes inDemand puts them on at the complete worst time.

 

--Dublin is the place to be with TNA doing a huge advance there for January, UFC looking at a show there at the same time and WWE adding a 4/16 date to go with a sold out 4/15 date  

 

--Chris Lisanti is looking to sell all 96 of his ROH DVDs at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

--Steve Helwagen noted yesterday as the 28th anniversary of the first card that really showed the future power of cable television.  What happened is that Georgia Championship Wrestling did an angle where they asked fans to write in letters about something or other, maybe like Mr. Wrestling II deserving a rematch with Harley Race or something (I don't remember the angle).  Anyway, everyone was beyond stunned at the volume of mail they got from all over the country, but in particular, from Ohio.  So on September 28, 1980, they tested the waters, promoting a big show at the Ohio Center in Columbus, OH off Ch. 17.  The key was, they had no local television, and in those days, the belief was if you didn't have local TV, you couldn't draw.  As noted yesterday, there was a sellout crowd and thousands turned away, and pretty quickly, Ohio and Michigan were drawing bigger crowds than Georgia off Ch. 17, which at the time was still considered an Atlanta local station that just happened to be on some cable systems nationally as opposed to what TBS has since become.  Results from that show were Terry Taylor over Dennis Condrey, The Assassins over Steve Keirn & Kevin Sullivan, Andre the Giant over Masked Superstar, Mr. Wrestling II over Ivan Koloff and Dusty Rhodes beat Ole Anderson via DQ when Anderson posted Rhodes.  The reaction to Rhodes, who was mobbed, was amazing that night.

 

--Jimmy Snuka, Ro-Z and Nick Dinsmore headline for EWF on Saturday night in Marion, IN at the new location of the Grant County Family YMCA   

 

--Yesterday was the last New York Mets game at Shea Stadium and the last event at the building before it gets torn down.  In the game program, they had a photo of an Antonio Inoki vs. Larry Sharpe match from the WWF show there in 1980, identifying both by name. (thanks to Chris Wilcox) 

 

--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia:

71 years ago today:  Everett Marshall retained the NWA world title beating Dan O'Connor

64 years ago:  In a prelim match, Mae Young pinned Ann Laverne, who is the grandmother of former shootfighter/wrestler/promoter Steve Nelson

44 years ago:  NWA jr. champion Hiro Matsuda beat Greg Peterson in the main event

41 years ago:  Bobby Shane beat El Mongol to win the Georgia heavyweight title

36 years ago:  Roberto Soto kept the Georgia title going to a no contest with Argentina Apollo while Nick Bockwinkel came in from the AWA and lost via DQ to Bob Armstrong

33 years ago:  Georgia champ Nikolai Volkoff went to a no contest with Bobo Brazil, while Jerry Brisco & Mr. Wrestling II beat Bob Orton Jr. & Dick Slater

30 years ago:  Angelo Mosca beat Dick Slater in a lumberjack match to keep the Georgia title, while Georgia tag champs Rick Martel & Tommy Rich went to a no contest with Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff

28 years ago in Augusta:  Ole Anderson beat Lars Anderson in a boxing match in the main event while Dennis Condrey beat Bob Armstrong to keep the Georgia title

 

--Jerry Lawler headlines on Saturday night in Lima, OH for the GWA promotion at the UAW Hall

 

--wXw True Colors on 10/14 in Oberhausen, Germany at the T-Club has Low Ki vs. Big Van Walter plus CZW's Brodie Lee facing Martin Stone of the U.K. (thanks to Timo Knopf)

 

--Molly Holly, who hasn't been around wrestling in a while, will debut for WSU on 10/11 in Boonton, NJ at the Darress Theater for a double DVD taping   

 

--NWA Impact Zone Wrestling from The Sets in Tempe:  Paid Daily & Tyson Tyler b Jacob Herzberg & Manson, Lucha Reigns & Super Raton b Siete Viadas & Black Angel, Navajo Warrior & Ghost Walker b Khan Kussion & Mach Martinez, Octagoncito & Erica D'Erico b Piratita Morgan & Morgan, Mystico & Solar & Lucha Reigns b Fantasia & Rudy Escobedo & Dragon Negro

 

--Johnny Saint, a 70s wrestler who is one of the best technical wrestlers of the past 40 years, faces Mike Quackenbush in a six round match under old school European rules on 11/8 in Oberhausen, Germany a T-Hall. 

 

--ECWA from Saturday night in Newark, DE:  Frederick of Hollywood b Travis Blake, Leather N Lace b Logan Brothers, Dan Eckos over Billy Bax, Jason Leigh, Chase Del Monte and J.J. Cruz, Cha Cha Chance DCOR Mega, Glen Osbourne b Ace Darling, Tommy Trouble b Kermon the German, Aden Chambers b Prince Nana, Corey Blaze b Tim Richards, Mega & ChaCha Chance b Robere Shields & Gus Grand, Sean Royal b Scott Wright.  They announced the annual Super 8 tournament on 10/25 at the Newark Boys & Girls Club with Shannon Moore, Alex Koslov, Frankie Arion, Aden Chambers, Maverick, Chase Del Monte, Loca Vida and Scott Reed 

 

--Chaotic Wrestling from Friday night in Lowell, MA:  Chase Del Monte b Danny E, Psycho b Sledge, Tommy T b Kid Mikaze, Scotty 2 Hotty & Brian Fury b Brian Milonas & Scott Reed, Max Bauer b Don Chesterfield, Rick Fuller (New Japan) & Fred Sampson b Matt Spectro &* Brandon Locke, Alex Arion b Antonio Thomas

 

--Iron Sheik was on Howard Stern again this morning.  More craziness, and in particular he was mad about a waitress who had no idea who he was, but knew who Hulk Hogan was.  To hear it it's at http://www.sendspace.com/file/tad8mp

 

--Championship Wrestling on 10/11 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium 

 

--Irish Whip Wrestling from last night in Tipperay, Ireland:  Bingo Ballance b Keith Connelly, Conor Hurley b Billy Boy Meehan, Ballymun Bruiser b Captain Rooney, Rooney & Ballance b Bruiser & Meehan, Mandrake b Conor Hurley