TUESDAY UPDATE: EliteXC insider believes payoff, Nick sprung, Hogan show, Smackdown and UFC ratings

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We are looking for reports from the Smackdown & ECW tapings tonight in Laredo, TX headlined by HHH vs. Undertaker. ECW is headlined by Mark Henry vs. Evan Bourne vs. Fit Finlay to determine who we are supposed to vote for at Cyber Sunday. Based on Raw, I guess Mark Henry will end up winning.

The aftermath of Bound for Glory and where TNA stands, as well as far more on behind-the-scenes or perhaps the most heavily covered MMA match by the mainstream media are headline stories in Monday's jumbo-sized issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue is available for web site subscribers today. To get the Observer sent by mail each week you can subscribe with details below, as well as get up to two free classic issues. We also have an update on Cyber Sunday, the WWE's involvement in a wrestling war in Mexico and how things have changed over the past week, what exactly happened with Scott Hall that has and hasn't been reported elsewhere, and one of the most bizarre criminal cases involving someone who was both an MMA fighter and a pro wrestler.

We also have notes on the debut of Hulk Hogan's new television show, why Terry Funk is furious at Steve Corino, what Bobby Lashley has been up to, Notes on the return of John Cena as well as some long-term WWE bookings plans, and what happened with Lance Cade to cause his release.

We also have a lot of notes on how it is becoming more and more clear that the economy is going to have a serious effect on the business until things stabilize.

We look at where the TNA promotion stands after its biggest show of the year. We look at early business indicators on the show, why they are taking a step backwards on PPV, the swerve attempt and if it worked, the strange Sting heel turn that has made Samoa Joe into a heel and what TNA right now is delivering that WWE won't. We've also got match-by-match coverage with star ratings as well as poll results on the show.

We also look at the aftermath of Kimbo Slice vs. Seth Petruzelli, as well as the line between sports and entertainment, legal incentives and illegal incentives when it comes to MMA, business realities that Elite XC faced, how the public has reacted due to the story being so simplified that most don't know it. We have comments from many of the particulars involved and where Elite XC goes from here, as well as the future of Kimbo Slice as a drawing card. We look at contradictory statements, the reaction from the Florida investigation into the fight, different comments by Seth Petruzelli, comments from Dana White and more background on that night that hasn't been reported.

We also have an update on Cyber Sunday, with the completed lineup and the promotion of the show.

We have an update on the wrestling war in Mexico with a major change in the television lineup after one week, ratings for week one, who the change looks to benefit, which promotion bringing up the rear not caring about TV ratings, yet another update on Dos Caras Jr. and notes on the WWE's Mexico tour this week.

We also have a match recently that Vince McMahon was raving about, as well as early notes on Survivor Series and Armageddon and the key things planned for both shows.

We also look at the booking of the return of John Cena, and different possibilities. We also look at why there are more three-hour Raws than before and the company reaction.

We also have notes on the return of Randy Orton, background of a newcomer to WWE television and some mainstream TV that WWE stars are doing.

We also have why there was a WCW like remembrance at TV this past week, as well as a look at Florida Championship Wrestling and the appearances of Ric Flair and John Cena as well as different characters being groomed for the main roster, including the tryout of a third generation wrestler. We also have notes on the best selling DVDs and notes on the weekend California house shows.

We have a look at Scott Hall's weekend, from the Fan Fest to the Iron Sheik roast, what happened, what wrestler didn't cause a scene but was also furious about the jokes about Owen Hart, as well as who missed the fan fest including one former WWE star who no-showed and never even called to say anything about it.

We also have a look at police cracking one of the most bizarre crimes involving an MMA fighter and pro wrestler that we've heard, that dates back 18 years.

We've got our usual weekly coverage with the most in-depth look at the ratings, including segment-by-segment on Raw and Impact, and how all the national pro wrestling and MMA shows did. We've got more on Smackdown's move to MyNetwork TV as well as more on how the MMA audience is a lot different from what was at first imagined.

We also have major TV show reviews as well as result from the major league arena events held around the world over the past week.

We also have coverage of New Japan's show this past week at Tokyo Sumo Hall.

The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.

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Also in the issue:

Notes on the planned returns of four of the biggest stars in modern pro wrestling

New booking direction of a company billed around feuding people who all came from the same city

Former WWE star involved in a hair vs. hair match soon

Funny story about a major drawing card in Mexico talking about what it would take to get him to go to WWE

What promotion has totally revamped how it does TV in order to compete with WWE

What angle has become the most talked about mainstream pro wrestling angle in months and where the angle is leading

Alex Koslov talks about his jump

Former TNA performer about to start in Mexico

Update on the All Japan Sumo Hall show

All Japan planning to open a new major market

Update on title vs. title match

Bret Hart's future plans

Update on Bobby Lashley's move into MMA

More on the book written by the former wife of the Ultimate Warrior

More on Hulk Hogan's new television show and funny stories surrounding the taping as well as where the idea of a judging panel judging match quality came from

Update on Shane Douglas

More on the movie "The Wrestler"

Wrestler to be starring in a Jerry Seinfeld like television show

Why Karen Angle is no longer with TNA

Update on TNA videogame

Why Johnny Devine left TNA

Update on a TNA gimmick that was promoted and now is on hold and why

The funny story of how Marcus Davis got involved in TNA

ESPN doing a major feature on former pro wrestling star

Notes on Chris Leben's background

New UFC business deals signed

Details of lots of new UFC matches on shows between now and the end of the year

The return to PPV of Rachelle Leah for one night only

Update on Tito Ortiz's back surgery

Funny story about a sudden major MMA name who had tried to get into TNA

Last Show XC card of the year and why the referee became the biggest story

Update on a new Affliction deal

Another network in talks for live MMA

Latest on the Lee Murray case

Former world champion wrestler now training quietly for an MMA career

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*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

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-- There is an article here by Tom Hamlin detailing an interview by Icon Sport founder T. Jay Thompson. Thompson says he doesn't have a smoking gun but he talked to enough people the night of the Kimbo vs. James Thompson fight to believe that Thompson was specifically paid to stand, and that if the Florida Commission wants to talk to him he'll tell them what he knows. Well, won't do much good now. I think with EliteXC filing for bankruptcy we'll get the full story sooner or later.

-- Just a note that Dave Meltzer and I did both a 15 minute breaking news audio and spent 22 minutes on Wrestling Observer Radio last night discussing the Fall of EXC, which is pretty much the MMA equivalent of the Death of WCW. If you haven't checked it out yet I strongly encourage you to do so as we've got a lot of very positive feedback on what is really a very sad story.

-- Nick Bollea was released from jail earlier this morning after serving five of the eight months he was sentenced to in the wake of the John Graziano accident. The subject is scheduled to be discussed on Showbiz Tonight this evening. If you see it, we'd love a report.

-- Goldberg, Bret Hart, and Dave Meltzer will all be on E:60 on ESPN tonight at 7:00 EST talking Brock Lesnar and his move from pro-wrestling to MMA.

-- Hogan's Championship Wrestling did an 0.4 rating. Sounds bad, but this is CMT so that's double what normal programming in that time slot does.

-- Sherdog reported today that former TUF star Luke Cummo was pulled over last week and charged with driving while impaired. He wasn't drinking, but the drugs he was taking that left him impaired have not been released. He had recently pulled out of his scheduled fight on December 10th.

-- UFC on Saturday night with Leben vs. Bisping did a 1.7 rating and 2.6 million viewers, peaking at a 2.3 and 3.4 million viewers from 11:30 to 11:45.

-- No real secret, but UFC officially announced Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans for the 205-pound title, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir for the heavyweight title in a battle of TUF VIII coaches, and Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson in their third match (Silva killed him the first two times in PRIDE) for the December 27th show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

-- Smackdown did a 2.2 in the fast nationals, which means a 2.0 or 2.1 final number most likely. Not good, still down a million viewers or so from CW.

-- WWE will release their third-quarter results on Thursday, November 6th.

-- Oliver Copp and Mike Sawyer's Tough Talk will be posted for members tonight or tomorrow. They've got a huge guest, Marc Ratner of the UFC. I'm told the show went great.

-- Also, if any of you have questions for John Capouya, author of the Gorgeous George book, email them to me ASAP at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with "Capouya" somewhere in the subject line. I'm recording right after posting this.

-- JR has a blog here about Ric Flair's considering of wrestling again.

-- In an update from this morning's new Figure Four Newsletter, Larry writes: Hey Bryan, I read your update about Red Flair's first match and it's actually happening sooner. Pro Championship Wrestling (PCW) in Chicago, Illinois is scheduled to have a show called "4Ever Flair" on November 22nd. They had just announced over the weekend that Reid Flair would make his pro debut against their former Champion Johnny Mac.

-- Speaking of Ric, he is now the storyline GM of the World Stars of Wrestling in Gondomar, Portugal. He'll be there for their show on February 28th at 8:00 PM in the Multi Purposes Pavilion. You know, if you're in the area.

-- Article on WWEKids.com

-- Hulk Hogan on the Danny Bonaduce show is up here. Thanks to Jeff.

-- There is an article here about a man who was killed last night in an MMA club in Abbotsford, BC, where many years ago I used to wrestle regularly. The man was in his 20s and killed in a stairwell. Apparently there has been an ongoing gang war in the Vancouver area over the last fifteen years, most of it centered around the local drug trade. Thanks to Roy Kendal.

-- Crumbley has a TNA theory: I was watching the video of the tease at the end of the show and I found a clue. Foley says that "what happens in Vegas will be shared with the rest of the world." What's happening in Las Vegas? TNA Impact. Therefore, leaving Orlando and taking the show on the road would be sharing it with the world.

-- Breakfast with Bruno

-- All the major Chikara results from the past few days courtesy Mark Coale:

9/18 - CHIKARA - Easton, PA - Ophidian & Amasis b Atsushi Ohashi & Shinya Ishikawa, Yuji Okabayashi b Ultimo Breakfast, Jaki Numazawa b Ultramantis Black, Hallowicked b Katsumasa Inoue, Fire Ant, Soldier Ant & Jessie McKay b Crossbones, Ryan Eagles and Madison Eagles, Daisuke Sekimoto b Brodie Lee, Ryuji Ito b Mike Quackenbush, Jimmy Olsen & Lince Dorado b Vin Gerard & Colin Delaney

9/19 - CHIKARA - Philadelphia, PA - Colin Delaney & Stigma b Tim Donst and Hydra, Lince Dorado b Icarus, Hallowicked & Delirious b Ultramantis Black & Crossbones, Jimmy Olsen b Vin Gerard, Ophidian & Amisis b Player Uno & Player Dos to win CHIKARA tag titles, Claudio Castagnoli b Daisuke Sekimoto to win gauntlet match

9/19 - Inter Species Wrestling - Montreal, Canada - Cheech and Cloudy b The McGoths, The Beast b Maximus Primal, Stinky b Moostafa, The Badd Boys b Giant Tiger and Beef Wellington, Michael Von Payton b Rush, Chicken Caesar b Jimmy Stone, Izzy Deadyet b Dan Paysan, Kevin Steen b El Generico, Twiggy & Moohammed to become ISW #1 contender

-- World Championship Fighting, which I hope is run better than World Championship Wrestling, runs November 14th at the Aleppo Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, MA with thirteen big fights.

-- Ed in San Antonio has a podcast up here with Derek Burgan from our site talking the WCCW and Horseman DVDs.

-- Rob Van Dam's latest radio show, with guests Chris Masters and Shelley Martinez among others, is up here.

-- An article on Jamie Dundee and Youshoot is up here. This man is something else.

-- And this is awesome