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        Spike TV tonight has the third episode of this season of Ultimate Fighter at 10 p.m.  They also have Unleashed at 9 p.m. with Paul Kelly vs. Paul Taylor, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura, Clay Guida vs. Samy Schiavo and Michael Bisping vs. Jason Day.

 

        Versus tonight has a special called WEC's Greatest Knockouts airing at both 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time.  Matches include Rob McCullough vs. Jamie Varner (lightweight title change), Leonard Garcia vs. Hiroyuki Takaya, Yoshiro Maeda vs. Charlie Valencia, Brian Stann vs. Doug Marshall, Brian Bowles vs. Marcos Galvao and Brock Larson vs. Kevin Knabjian. 

 

        No more MSG Classics for several months on MSG cable.

 

        A look at Vince McMahon's new kick when it comes to improving the product and what he's stressing is one of the major items in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  The issue also has a look at the move of Smackdown to MyNetwork TV, the places where the time slot changes, a look at what will likely happen to the ratings and a rundown of the first taping.

 

        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 which can be ordered on the front page of the site.

 

        We have notes on the battle for PPV supremacy between WWE, UFC and HBO boxing, which includes comments from all existing parties, both insightful and sometimes funny.  We look at UFC PPV numbers so far in 2008 as well as where UFC stands when it comes to the all-time records of PPV, and what WWE record they won't be approaching.  We look at an interesting quote on what WWE's programming goals are when it comes to their audience, Lorenzo Fertitta talking about competition, and the UFC television situation.

 

        We also have an update on the UFC/Affliction wars, with the announcement of the new show, as well as Fedor Emelianenko talking about his next fight and where it will be, another champion approached by Affliction and the UFC/TNA head-to-head in Dublin.

 

        We also have updates on some major contract in TNA as well as where Sting now stands with the company heading into the company's biggest angle, perhaps in its history. 

 

        We also look at WWE's overseas business and what happened in one country seems to be duplicating in another formerly hot market.

 

        We also have notes on the all-time Japanese record tying title win of Keiji Muto.

 

        We also have notes on several major international shows over the past week including a star current pro wrestler headlining an MMA show and what American Olympic hopeful was given a gimmick patterned after what legendary pro wrestler and debuted in MMA.  We also have a look at a major MMA name who has lost 46 pounds since his last fight and surgery and what this may mean regarding his future.

 

        We also have lots of notes of matches under discussion by Affliction.

 

        We also have funny notes on sign confiscations at the last Raw taping, another former WWE employee talks about the company, another second generation wrestler in developmental who is picking things up quickly, as well as best selling DVDs, and a former WWE president talks about a new TV idea for the company.

 

        We also have our usual features including ratings of all the major shows, including details on the segment-by-segment on Raw and Impact, results from the biggest live events over the past week as well as major TV show rundowns.

 

        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:

 

--Return of Mistico

 

--Latest from Arena Mexico

 

--Wrestler claiming he's going independent as a way to save face

 

--Juventud Guerrera update

 

--What foreign stars AAA is looking at using

 

--Former TNA worker trying to get into AAA full-time

 

--Next NOAH Budokan Hall matches announced

 

--WWE match airs on big screen at NOAH house show this past week

 

--Next NOAH tour and ROH stars all over it

 

--New Japan G-1 Climax tournament update

 

--What promotion is trying to get its big name stars onto the New Japan Tokyo Dome show

 

--What pro wrestlers' gym now has a gold medal from the last Olympics in a trophy case

 

--What controversial character from the last Olympics is now being talked with about turning to pro wrestling

 

--Updates on Ric Flair and Dwayne Johnson

 

--New TV show earmarked for Jesse Ventura

 

--Notes on some of the biggest traditional indie tournament shows

 

--Pro wrestling Hall of Fame announcer to be inducted into another Hall of Fame in November

 

--Reason behind ROH postponing shows in Florida

 

--Final lineup for TNA's Bound for Glory

 

--More on TNA Impact videogame

 

--Update on live Impact from Las Vegas and more notes on it

 

--Update on Kevin Nash contract reports

 

--The Kurt Angle/Jeff Jarrett angle

 

--TNA drug testing update

 

--New TNA character and a decision has to be made about

 

--Update on international stars who have talked about coming to TNA

 

--Update on Gail Kim

 

--ROH house show business update

 

--A look at all the TV's leading to Bound for Glory

 

--How the dropping of the WEC light heavyweight and middleweight divisions is being handled regarding assimilation into UFC and the championships

 

--Dana White's surprising comments on Anderson Silva's retirement talks

 

--Lots of new UFC matches official

 

--Mirko Cro Cop health update

 

--Top Dream star talks retirement

 

--Update on negotiations by Showtime to buy Elite XC

 

--Next Elite XC card on Showtime and some details

 

--A look at one of the better MMA shows of the year

 

--A look at an Elite XC TV pilot

 

--A look at the ownership of the IFL tape library

 

        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.

 

 

--The non-spoiler lineup for Friday night's Smackdown debut on MyNetwork TV is

*Jeff Hardy & Batista & Rey Mysterio & Fit Finlay vs. MVP & Kane & JBL & The Brian Kendrick

*Shelton Benjamin vs. Santino Marella

*Chavo Guerrero vs. Mark Henry & Great Khali

*Carlito & Primo Colon & C.M. Punk vs. Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes & Manu

*Michelle McCool vs. Beth Phoenix in a lumberjills match

*HHH vs. Matt Hardy vs. Chris Jericho

        No titles are at stake on the show even though most matches involve current titleholders.  

 

--Raw on Monday did a 3.1 rating

 

--We have a story up earlier today with more details, but UFC announced UFC 93 in Dublin, Ireland on 1/17, which will be a PPV show headlined by Dan Henderson vs. Rich Franklin (fighting at light heavyweight) and Mauricio Shogun Rua vs. Mark Coleman (also at light heavyweight).  The Affliction/Golden Boy PPV show tentative for that night is almost surely going to be moved.

 

--Norman Lear, an iconic television director dating back to "All in the Family," will be doing a TV series on HBO about the territorial days of pro wrestling set in the 70s, tentatively called "Everybody Hurts."  It will be set around a family that runs pro wrestling in New York.  I wonder who that could be.  This is the first of what is expected to be copycat stuff greenlighted that wouldn't have gotten far a few months ago due to the critical success of "The Wrestler."  Aaron Blitzstein, who worked in marketing in WCW and also formerly wrote for David Letterman and FX's The Riches,, is the head writer.  He's drawing on his memories as a kid being a fan and going to matches in New York and Baltimore during the Bruno Sammartino, Superstar Graham and Bob Backlund era, with wrestlers performing on a circuit for so-so money and struggling with the economic issues of the day.  Between Lear and HBO, this actually has a chance to be good. (thanks to Ben Herndon, Jeff Cohen, Greg Sylvester and many others)

 

--WWE took out a four page ad in this month's Men's Fitness (Forrest Griffin cover) pushing HHH and Jeff Hardy and listing the MyNetwork stations in the top 100 markets. (thanks to Brendan Donohue) 

 

--The Orlando Sentinel at http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-greene0108oct01,0,7199686.column has a story on Edge, noting he's ready to return.  It really doesn't say much more.

 

--Tons of betting coming in on Ken Shamrock dropping the odds from 6-to-1 to to 13-to-4 in recent weeks.  It's still dropping over the last few days.  Ken apparently has that ability to make some people believe, despite what they've seen with their own two eyes.  Huge odds on every Saturday night fight with Jake Shields at 6-1 over Paul Daley (wow), Andrei Arlovski at 5-1 over Roy Nelson, Gina Carano at 8-1 over Kelly Kobold and Ninja Rua at 13-4 over Benji Radach.  There are interesting bets here. 

 

--Last week's Raw was No. 13 and No. 14 on cable based on total viewers, so likely lower based on households (Raw has more viewers per household than most programming on cable).  Some college football, and a lot of presidential coverage, with Monday Night Football way ahead at No. 1

 

--Jim Ross' feedback on last night's tapings is that there wasn't a lot of talk and featured good in-ring.  The eight-man tag was a long bout going three segments (usually the rule is nothing more than two segments on TV).  For more you can go to http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/jrs-back-land-cheese.  He also said Melina won't be back in the ring until January, praised Thursday night's MyNetwork Wrestlemania special, predicted Brock Lesnar to beat Randy Couture (but 50/50 he'll change his mind by fight time I'm guessing) and noted Santino Marella's interview taped last night praising Brett Favre in Green Bay will air on the wwe.com site.

 

--Ticket presale for the 12/30 Smackdown tapings at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ started today and runs until Friday night.  The password is "The Game" or "Undertaker"  Tickets to on sale Saturday morning to the public. (thanks to Mike Omansky and Dan Wahlers)

 

--Helio Gracie, who many call the father of BJJ, but the father of Royce, Royler, Rorion, Rickson, and Relson Gracie, turned 96 today.

 

--Kimbo Slice was on ESPN2's First Take today

 

--In Fort Myers, FL, the MyNetwork affiliate is a cable only station owned by Comcast and not available to those with satellite dishes or over the air.  Reader Matt Mangas said that his area isn't served by cable, so he won't be able to watch Smackdown any longer.

 

--Versus announced today that it is picking up the fourth season of The Contender, after ESPN dropped the show, starting in December, with Tony Danza as host for a 12-episode season done in Singapore.  It will feature a 16-man cruiserweight single elimination tournament.

 

--UFC will be doing an Anderson Silva TV special next Wednesday at 9 p.m. before Ultimate Fighter, airing matches with Chris Leben, Franklin, Henderson, James Irvin and Travis Lutter.  A week from Friday night will be the Mike Swick vs. Josh Burkman Ultimate Fight Night show replayed, which was hardly one to go out of your way to see.  A week from Saturday will be UFC 87 with Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch and Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring replayed starting at 9 p.m.  

 

--We will be doing another Wrestling Observer radio segment tonight on the web site with more talk about today's news, and if you've got any questions on current pro wrestling or MMA, or history, you can send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll get to as many as we can.

 

--The web site www.collegeotr.com has a story on the 10 hottest daughters of pro sports figures.  No. 1 on the list is Laila Ali.  No. 5 is Brooke Hogan and No. 6 is Stephanie McMahon.  They write that Brooke looks incredible in a bikini and Stephanie is "drop dead gorgeous, especially since she got her nose job."  No Gina Carano, whose father actually was a pro athlete as opposed to a sports entertainer and a promoter.    

 

--Ric Flair will be doing an autograph signing on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the wrestling show in Columbia, SC and the Jamil Temple

 

--Gina Carano was on KROQ's morning show a few days back, and reader Jeremy Rudometkin said she came off well.  The DJ's were harassing her about her refusal to pose in Playboy.  She said she gets along great with Kimbo.

 

--Jersey All Pro Wrestling on 11/15 in Jersey City at the Golden Doors Charter School featuring the Briscoe Brothers, Dan Maff, LAX, Tracy Smothers and Little Guido.

 

--Greg Valentine, Shannon Moore, Dennis Condrey, Ricky Morton and Stro appear on 10/14 in Kenansville, NC at the Auditorium 

 

--There is an article on last weekend's wrestling autograph convention near Philadelphia at http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-09282008-1597931.html

 

--Another TNA Impact videogame review at http://www.gametrailers.com/player/40641.html?type=flv

 

--For what it's worth, CW last week averaged a 1.86 rating in prime time, which is lower than some cable stations.  MyNetwork averaged 0.84. 

 

--The Johnny Saint (70s technical wrestling wizard) vs. Mike Quackenbush match on 11/8 in Oberhausen, Germany under old school European (rounds) rules is a rematch from a match earlier this year in Essen.  Saint was in great shape for his edge and they put on a wrestling clinic.  The crowd didn't even know Saint at first, but warmed up to him.  Johnny Kidd, another British star of the 70s, who will retire next month, will team with Robbie Brookside in the Tag World Grand Prix on 11/8 and 11/9 with a lot of CHIKARA talent. (thanks to Timo Knopf)

 

--Dory Funk & Osamu Nishimura & Johnny Magnum vs. H.C. Loc & Blain Rage & Todd Smith headlines the 10/5 BANG show at the Funking Conservatory in Ocala, FL, which also includes Shane Chung and Antonio Thomas, all on the next  All Japan tour. 

 

--Shannon Moore beat Joe E. Legend in a match to determine the WSW world title for the debut of World Stars of Wrestling on Sunday in Grandola, Portugal. Tammy Sytch also worked the show as did Jody Fleisch

 

--The Food Network had a story on Darwell's Cafe in Long Beach, MS, noting the owner, Darwell Yeager, was a former pro wrestler and they showed video of him wrestling.  I'm not familiar with him (thanks to Barry Werner)

 

--Sunday in Arizpe:  Conde Azteca Jr. & Luzbel Jr. b Negro Rivera & Siniestro, Black Star & Pee Wee b Conde Azteca & Guerrero Negro, Hijo del Anibal & Hijo del Espanto b Siniestro & Tigre Cota, Hijo del Santo & Tinieblas Jr. b Blue Demon Jr. & Super Calo

 

--Rampage Pro Wrestling on Sunday in Warner-Robins, GA before 200 fans:  Cru Jones b Micah Taylor, Vordell Walker b Lance Christian, Daffney b Tracy Taylor, A.J. Steele & J-Rod b Sal Rinauro & Kurosukaji, Shaun Banks won three-way over Kyle Matthews and Frankie Valentine (thanks to Dustin Robinson)

 

--AAA results from Sunday in Ciudad Juarez before nearly 7,000 fans:  Espectro III & Hermes b ? & Rey Halcon, Samuray & Maquina 45 Jr. b Chucky & Rey America, Pirata Morgan & Rey Guerrero & Cinta de Oro b Gato Eveready & Takeda & Magno, Psycho Circus b Brazo de Plata & Octagon & Alebrije via DQ, Cibernetico & La Parka b Kenzo Suzuki & Mesias.  Next show is 10/12 with Indie guys headlined by L.A. Park vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. (thanks to Alberto Cerda)  

 

--Bill Ash's Wrestling School in Arkansas is offering a special for $100 off a down payment for training if you bring a hard copy of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  You can call 479-880-7371 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details

 

--The Canadian Press has a story on the IWS in Montreal at http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=capress-que_extreme_wrestling&prov=capress&type=lgns

 

--NAAFS on Saturday night at Gray's Armory in downtown Cleveland featuring nationally ranked kickboxer Ryan Madigan and former TUF fighter Paul Bradley.  Their No. 1 heavyweight is named Big John Hawk, which, interestingly enough, was the name JBL used during the early part of his career.  They have a TV show on SportsTime Ohio which is on Direct TV and the Dish Networks' national sports packages airing on Sundays at 10 p.m.

 

--Raven appears on 10/25 for Fog City Wrestling in San Francisco

 

--Stevie Richards works on Saturday night in Fairfield, CT at the Knights of Columbus for Power and Glory Wrestling, working as a referee and signing autographs.

 

--Dan Severn is looking for amateur fighters for his Danger Zone MMA event on 11/1 in Goodrich, MI.  For info you can e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

--While largely known, UFC officially announced Amir Sadollah vs. Nick Catone, Josh Hendricks vs. Gabriel Gonzaga and Jeremy Stephens vs. Rafael dos Anjos for the undercard of the 11/15 Las Vegas show.  Stephens, a heavyweight wrestler, is one of Randy Couture's training partners is trying to strategize beating Brock Lesnar  (thanks to Anthony Sullivan)

 

--XICW from Sunday in Warren, MI:  Zach Gowen b Christian Able, Cousin Kurt b Jason Harris, T.D Thomas & Kamikaze b Vinny & Sonny Scarboni, Antony Rivera NC Soren Neilson, Josh Raymond b Fifth Element, Kid Hybrid and Gutter, Mo Dread b Roughhouse Rob, Keith Creme & Gavin Starr b Skull Ganz & Devil Dawg, Jaimy Coxxx b N8 Mattson, Necro Butcher won three-way over DBA and Eddie Venom (thanks to Brian Gorie)

 

--Frank Shamrock on the Unholy Matrimony show at www.unholymatrimonyshow.com talks about his father's health, fighting Ken next year, Kimbo Slice, Dana White and Evan Tanner