Bryan Alvarez:
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Dave Meltzer:
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More on the weekend:
Tonight has EliteXC from Sunrise, FL (more on that later), which Dave will be attending live, UFC 86 with Forrest Griffin vs. Quinton Jackson airs for the first time on Spike TV for free, and TNA runs Glens Falls, NY.
Sunday is WWE No Mercy in Portland, which I'll be attending live, and TNA in Plattsburgh, NY.
Monday is Raw in Seattle, which I probably will not be attending live (more on that later).
Tuesday is Smackdown and ECW in Spokane, WA.
We will be doing polls on both Saturday night's CBS show and Sunday's No Mercy, and you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle plus thoughts on best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
We are still looking for reports from TNA in Lowell, MA last night, plus reports on any of the above shows to 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 .
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 BATTLE OF THE TITANS, Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice, takes place live tonight on CBS from the BankAtlantic Center in Miami, FL. Full line-up and weights:
TV bouts:
1. KIMBO SLICE (234.5) vs. KEN SHAMROCK~! (206.5)
2. Jake Shields (169.75) vs. Paul Daley (170)
3. Andrei Arlovski (240.75) vs. Roy Nelson (262.75)
4. Gina Carano (141) vs. Kelly Kobald (141)
5. Murilo "Ninja" Rua (185) vs. Benji Radach (185)
Dark matches:
6. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (148.5) vs. Yoko Takahashi (148.5)
7. James Edson Berto (157.75) vs. Conor Heun (160.75)
8. Aaron Rosa (204.75) vs. Seth Petruzelli (205.5)
9. Mickey Gomez (170.25) vs. Lorenzo Borgomeo (170.25)
10. David Gomez (138.75) vs. Bryan Hamade (138.75)
11. Jorge Bouchat (159.5) vs. Nicolae Cury (161.25)
This is one of the most important MMA shows in history. EliteXC is bleeding money, in excess of $60 million, and if this show tanks that may be the end of the line. However, if the show does well they will likely be purchased by CBS/Showtime and kept afloat. Whether Dana White knows it or not, and you would think he doesn't given the fact that he constantly counter-programs against rival promotions, a one-horse UFC race in this country is the worst possible thing for the industry and particularly all the fighters who will have less jobs to compete for and zero leverage. For whatever it's worth, ticket sales locally have been great, it's going to be the biggest gate in EliteXC history, and the feeling from a lot of people is that the show is going to do well (including a show on our site where the majority of voters felt the show would do in excess of a 3.5 rating, which even I think is pushing it a bit).
-- Dave Meltzer and I will be back late tonight -- very late, since I'm on the west coast and can't start watching until midnight Eastern -- with an audio show running down the event in detail. He is at the show live and will be doing play-by-play on the front page as soon as the prelims begin. We may be joined by Mike Coughlin and Vinny as well depending upon how things go. Either way, definitely a show tonight and definitely another show very late tomorrow night running down the WWE No Mercy PPV from Portland, which I will be attending.
-- The show is scheduled for two hours, but EliteXC is claiming that all five TV bouts will air in their entirety and they want to air highlights of the Mrs. Cyborg fight as well, since Cyborg vs. Carano is, as strange as this sounds, the biggest fight they have after tonight. It will be interesting as CBS demanded they fit the entire show into two hours last time, and the chances of them getting all five fights in during that time slot is probably slim. Long story short, set your DVRs or TiVos for at least an extra hour.
-- Denny Burkholder has a story up here about the Gina Carano weigh-in debacle yesterday (and what a debacle it was as the goofballs holding up her towel conveniently let it slip at one point and the world nearly saw a fully nude Gina). Apparently there was a towel on her shoulders when she missed weight the second time, and once they noticed (how do you not notice that?) they removed it and she made 141.
-- There were also near-scuffles at the weigh-ins yesterday between Jake Shields and Paul Daley, and Kimbo and Ken.
-- From Angel, who is down in the Miami area: Lots of EliteXC commercials. I live minutes from Bank Atlantic Center and there seems to be a buzz at least with people i've talked to. I talked to a friend that asked if I was going to see the Kimbo fight and this was someone that isn't a MMA fan. The local CBS affiliate CBS 4 has been running a contest where someone could win tickets to the show. The contest ended earlier this week and they've been running tons of commercials including a few during Smackdown.
-- A little late for everyone, but the TNA replay this week was this morning at 9:00 AM, since UFC is airing the Rampage vs. Griffin PPV tonight head-to-head with EliteXC on CBS from 9 to midnight.
-- There is a pre-fight interview with MRS. CYBORG up here
-- Ken Shamrock is looking to SHUT HIS CRITICS UP.
-- Gina Carano is LOVING LIFE. We need segments with her on roller skates and such on WWE.com.
-- Tito Ortiz is in Florida and told MMARated.com that he will be undergoing the same back surgery that Nate Quarry had and won't be able to fight until spring 2009.
-- The Smackdown special on MyNetworkTV finished with a 1.2 rating. Still no number for the debut Smackdown. I would guess those ratings will be harder to come by than they were on CW.
-- Kevin Eck of the Baltimore sun is annoyed by Impact
-- It was 33 years ago today that a Cessna 310Q airplane carrying Ric Flair, Tim Woods, Johnny Valentine, Bob Bruggers and David Crockett crashed over Wilmington, NC. The pilot died, Flair suffered a broken back and was told he'd never wrestle again (he was back six months later), and Valentine was paralyzed. In a strange sidenote, for years wrestlers who would have been terrified during bumpy flights and bad landings weren't so worried when Ric was on board, because they figured no man could possibly go down in an airplane twice in his lifetime. Thanks to Bryan Costello.
-- Mike Omansky also notes: Today is the 45th anniversary of the first match between Bruno Sammartino and Gorilla Monsoon, which took place outdoors at Roosevelt Stadium, in Jersey City, NJ. Monsoon won on disqualification over an angered Sammartino. There had been Sammartino-Marella matches previously in other territories (Canada I believe), but not as a Manchurian giant found by Bobby Davis wading nude in a mountain stream. This is the match where tickets had been printed Sammartino-Rogers, but the Monsoon substitute was made over a month prior.
-- LAX's ROH matches will be in a four-way with Age of the Fall, Chris Hero & Davey Richards and Kevin Steen & El Generico on the 24th in Danbury, CT, and versus the Briscoes on the 25th in Edison, NJ.
-- Maria says Kelly Kelly Kelly may be next to pose for Playboy
-- In Mexico, Shocker has jumped to AAA and Dos Caras Jr. finished up with CMLL in the next week or so.
-- John Cena sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at the Tampa Bay Rays playoff game last night.
-- Bob writes: I've been reading the notes readers have been sending about MyNetworkTV affiliates. One thing not mentioned is that many cable providers who carry the station do not carry it in digital form, just analog (as is the case with Comcast in Massachusetts). This means that many viewers who are used to seeing SmackDown in HD have just taken an involuntary trip back in time. I'm watching right now, and it's painful (for some reason, it looks worse than "vintage" analog). Luckily this situation will clear itself up in February with the demise of analog over-the-air broadcasting, but it will be a long and frustrating wait until then (unless Comcast wises up in the meantime). I would, in fact, be one of those people. What is most frustrating is that we have a MyNetworkTV HD channel, but instead of airing Smackdown they aired an infomercial for a Pilates chair.
-- And Jason writes: I had noticed that my TIVO did not have Smackdown scheduled anymore to record. Using your link in the update today to find what channel it will be on, it is listed as WSAV DT (which is the secondary digital channel for that company, NBC programming runs on the analog WSAV. So that means that at least in this city, Savannah, GA, you can't get Smackdown unless you either pay for the more expensive Digital Cable package, or wait til February when everyone will get it automatically. So no Smackdown for me til Feb 09.
-- Not a great Smackdown debut in Lubbock, TX, according to Victor: Last night, Smackdown ended 11 minutes early here in Lubbock, TX, as the sit-com "According to Jim", started at 8:49 our time. The main event had just started.
-- Official results and times from the Strikeforce show last night:
1. Tyler Toner def. “Relentless” Ricky Johnson – TKO (Strikes) at 3:44, Round 2
2. Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson def. Tyra Parker – Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:20, Round 1
3. Carlos Zevallos def. Andre “The Silencer” Walker – TKO (Strikes) at 4:48, Round 1
4. Billy Evangelista def. Luke “Lil’ Hulk” Caudillo – Unanimous Decision, 3 Rounds (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
5. Donnie Liles def. Pete “The Secret” Weapon” Spratt – Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:59, Round 3
6. Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg def. Falaniko “Niko” Vitale – Unanimous Decision, 3 Rounds (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
7. Duane “Bang” Ludwig def. Sam “The Squeeze” Morgan – TKO (Strikes) at 2:01, Round 1
-- Thanks to Brian and Silvervision for the complete line-up for the Intercontinental Title DVD:
Disc 1 – 1980s
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Pat Patterson vs. Ted DiBiase
Madison Square Garden October 22, 1979
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Ken Patera vs. Pedro Morales
Madison Square Garden October 20, 1980
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Pedro Morales vs. The Magnificent Muraco
Madison Square Garden December 28, 1982
Steel Cage Match for the WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship
The Magnificent Muraco vs. Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka
Madison Square Garden October 17, 1983
Lumberjack Match for the WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship
Greg Valentine vs. Tito Santana
Madison Square Garden March 17, 1985
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Tito Santana vs. Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage
Boston Garden February 8, 1986
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage vs. Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat
WrestleMania III March 29, 1987
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat vs. Honky Tonk Man
SuperStars June 2, 1987
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Honky Tonk Man vs. Ultimate Warrior
SummerSlam August 29, 1988
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Ravishing Rick Rude vs. Ultimate Warrior
SummerSlam August 28, 1989
Disc 2 – 1990s
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Mr. Perfect vs. Bret ‘Hit Man’ Hart
SummerSlam August 26, 1991
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Bret ‘Hit Man’ Hart vs. British Bulldog
SummerSlam August 29, 1992
Ladder Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels
WrestleMania X March 20, 1994
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Razor Ramon vs. Jeff Jarrett
Royal Rumble January 22, 1995
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Rocky Maivia
In Your House: D-Generation X December 7, 1997
2 out of 3 Falls for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Triple H vs. The Rock
In Your House: Fully Loaded July 26, 1998
Good Housekeeping Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Jeff Jarrett vs. Chyna
No Mercy October 17, 1999
Disc 3 – 2000s
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle
No Way Out February 27, 2000
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Jericho vs. X-Pac
SmackDown! October 12, 2000
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy
SmackDown! April 12, 2001
WWE Intercontinental vs. European Championship Ladder Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy
RAW July 22, 2002
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Randy Orton vs. Edge
Vengeance July 11, 2004
Steel Cage Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Ric Flair vs. Triple H
Taboo Tuesday November 1, 2005
Money in the Bank & WWE Intercontinental Championship – Winner Takes All
Rob Van Dam vs. Shelton Benjamin
Backlash April 30, 2006
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Shelton Benjamin vs. Carlito vs. Johnny Nitro
Vengeance June 25, 2006
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy
Great American Bash July 22, 2007
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho
RAW March 10, 2008
Some real classics on there. For more info or to order a copy, click here
-- TVOntario in Canada will be airing Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows on October 5th at 10:30 PM and October 8th at 12:55 AM. That is an absolute must-see if you haven't yet.
-- Martin writes: There was another cut on SmackDown in the UK this week - Jeff Hardy's entrance was cut from the show, likely because WWE showed highlights of The Undertaker giving Vickie Guerrero a Tombstone Piledriver during the entrance. However, Sky showed the Tombstone in last week's show, so I guess there were complaints. After the rundown of the wrestlers appearing on the show, they cut right to Rey Mysterio's entrance.
-- NWA On Fire," the television show for the NWA promotion out of New Jersey that Mario Savoldi is now involved in, is now being shown at 10 PM right after Smackdown on the MyNetwork TV affiliate in Maine. The NWA has been on the station in various time spots since early in the summer and they have run a number of shows in Maine. Their next shows are October 9th in Augusta and October 10th in Sanford. The new time spot after Smackdown is a good one. Thanks to Dan Billings for the report.
-- Stevie Richards guest referees the main event of Battlefield: Fairfield II at the Knights of Columbus in Fairfield, CT at 7:00 PM.
-- There is a free pro wrestling event on October 11th in Glen Burnie, MD promoted by Eastern Wrestling Alliance. You can call 410-230-1868 for more info.
-- Joey Matthews is off the AAW show in Berwyn, IL tonight at the Eagles Club, and will be replaced in his title match with Tyler Black by Claudio Castagnoli. Pretty damn good replacement. {plug}
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