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We're looking for your thoughts on last night's TNA Final Resolution PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to
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We're looking for reports from both Philadelphia and Orlando tonight where Raw and Impact are being taped. Raw is three hours tonight starting at 8 p.m. Eastern, featuring the Slammy Awards, plus John Cena vs Edge in a battle of the Raw champ vs. Smackdown champ (remember when such a thing was considered a huge deal?) with neither title at stake, Batista vs. HHH in a redo of one of the last truly huge money programs in company history, Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho, IC title tournament matches with Rey Mysterio vs. Kofi Kingston and John Morrison vs. C.M. Punk, plus it's the go-home show for Sunday's Armageddon PPV. It's a three-brand mega show. All three announce teams will be there. If some of the guys come across as tired, just remember many left immediately after Raw last week for Iraq, and just got home in time for the show.
TNA has Impact tapings tonight for Thursday. The fake Sarah Palin will be there, as will Al Snow and Mick Foley has vowed to deal with Alex Shelley, plus who gets fired and who gets the title shots when the briefcases are opened. Also Eric Young vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir and Alex Shelley vs. Jay Lethal in the first round of the X Division title tournament for the title held up last night. The other first round matches will be taped on Tuesday with Chris Sabin vs. Sonjay Dutt and Consequences Creed vs. Akira Raijin from All Japan making his Impact debut. Finals will be on 1/11 in Charlotte at the next PPV.
We're also looking for reports on the WWE weekend house shows in Greenville, Florence and North Charleston and the Saturday night TNA house show in Lawrenceburg, KY.
Smackdown is taping one show in Bridgeport, CT on Tuesday, and ECW is taped on Tuesday this week because of the three-hour Raw. There is also a second Impact taping for the show airing 12/18 tomorrow night.
A lot more about the strange Vince McMahon/Hulk Hogan relationship these days, including everyone involved in Hogan's show being banned, the lawsuit against Brutus Beefcake, yet at the same time Hogan was being offered a return and why and who is believed to be behind it is one of the lead stories in today's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The issue is available right now to premium members of the web site and you can order with a web site membership, which includes about 10 issues per month, usually six new ones and four or five back issues, as well as access to 15 or more radio shows per week including Wrestling Observer Radio and Figure Four Daily. You can also order a print subscription with the info below.
We also have more regarding the background of the legal action regarding the Hogan Celebrity Wrestling TV show, and a history lesson about Vince McMahon and the word never.
We also look at the firing of Bruce Prichard, one the company's longest tenured employees, including when he came, a look at his various roles, how he was looked upon by many and what may have brought him down along with some of his booking ideas that didn't fly. We look at his present and future.
We also have an update on the Raven independent contractor lawsuit with more thoughts about it, Raven's defense response to attempts to get the case thrown out and more.
We have notes on several major upcoming WWE events, as well as more on the Smackdown schedule changes and why some weeks will tape one show and other weeks will tape two.
We also have some WWE creative thoughts on a top wrestler not with the company, more notes on Tomko's return, WWE losing a major TV outlet, Cena's popularity, lots more on the fallout of the Jeff Hardy angle, and a look at Mr. Kennedy and his latest talks about his steroid suspension after insisting he had been clean for years with details of how numerous wrestlers would get steroids during the period they were banned by the company and the loophole that was being used.
We have a Christmas season special good until 12/25 where you can get a free month of premium service on the web site, or a free month of print Observers if you order a three month or longer subscription for a friend who has never subscribed in the past. You can order as many gift subscriptions as you like and get as many months free for all subscriptions. You can order a one year subscription for a friend and get four months free for yourself. If you are ordering a premium subscription, make sure to put your friend's e-mail address and when you get your purchase receipt, contact Admin Tony at
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and include a note in the body of the e-mail or subject line noting you've ordered a gift subscription.
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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
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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
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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.
We also have an article on changes in drug testing in California, with details, why pro wrestling was an impetus in the change, where pro wrestling fits into the landscape, what rules are in the process of being changed, how extensive testing will be as well as how it is expected to change again before the end of the year. We look at different reasons fighters are using steroids, what drugs are and aren't being tested for as well as other changes in how MMA is going to be regulated in California.
We also look at the interesting character California will have to determine whether to license given his background, changes in allowable content of different drugs that will be allowed, changes in fines and suspensions, and a major star who has made a decision, that if not rescinded, could not only lead to his license being revoked but the license of several other people after a threatening letter by the commission.
We also have a lot of first hand observations of the recent WWE creative process that will surprise a lot of people, particularly the role of Stephanie McMahon. We also have a new WWE signing as well as a few more wrestlers dropped.
We also have business notes from the past week and house show details.
We also have a look at the Ultimate Fighter season, the Junie Browning dilemma and bad precedent, a scenario that happened during the filming that was edited off the show because it was considered too gross for television, as well as the future of the different fighters from this season.
We also have notes on the next WWE CD, value of Wrestlemania, best selling DVDs, tons of news from WWE developmental including much talked about second generation wrestler and thoughts on the different talent including the wrestler Vince McMahon personally said he wanted brought up with a good storyline push.
We also have notes on the new contract Donna Goldsmith signed as WWE COO.
We also have coverage of the WEC show.
We've got our regular weekly features including a detailed look at the ratings of the different shows, including why Raw was up, what rating was far more impressive than it got credit for, as well as results from the major league arena events over the past week and major TV show reviews.
Also in this week's issue:
--Update on Pierroth
--Promotion attempts to get a star with a rival promotion kicked out of the country
--One of the biggest stars suspended from major events this month and why
--A red-hot promotion has a bad house with its new major angle
--Dragon Gate's big tournament
--Two Hall of Famers who were famous tag partners work against each other for the first time in years at the end of the month on a birthday special show
--All Japan tag team tournament update
--NOAH jr. title matches
--Death of a gimmick performer who once headlined a big event against Antonio Inoki, and from a famous sports family
--Inoki's latest crazy dream match
--Another promotion feels economic crunch by canceling its next major show
--Woman Hall of Famer retirement match for later this month
--Notes on the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2009 class and people who aren't in
--Update on Bret Hart
--More crazy Hogan family news
--Ric Flair honored
--Details on the death of Charles Buffong
--Perry Saturn update
--Former WWE wrestler talks about MMA debut
-- One of the most famous WWF 80s stars is scheduled for a pro boxing debut in January in his 50s
--Updates on TNA PPV
--TNA partner having bad economic problems
--Christian Cage update
--More problems financially for UFC owners
--Lorenzo Fertitta talks about the early days of owning UFC and how they got TV
--More on UFC pay vs. boxers vs. pro wrestlers
--MMA star makes list of Most Influential Women of 2008
--Updates on Couture vs. Liddell proposed match and different issues involved as well as the future for both
--Update on UFC's first 24/7 series
--Lots of new UFC upcoming matches
--More details on the major German story on UFC
--UFC star gets magazine honors in U.K.
--Details behind recent UFC cuts
--WEC's 2009 schedule notes and what country they are heavily promoting in
--Lots more on New Year's Eve including a match they wanted that would have been almost as big as Sapp vs. Akebono
--Kimbo Slice update
--Another major promoter on the verge of going broke
--Final business numbers for Hatton's last fight as well as Strikeforce
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
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. 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
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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.
--All the Slammy Award categories are up at http://www.wwe.com but Superstar of the Year is up with Jericho, Cena, Edge, HHH, Jeff Hardy and Batista. Michaels should demand a recount. Match of the year is up between the Money in the Bank match at Mania, Royal Rumble, Michaels vs. Flair and the Undertaker vs. Edge Hell in a Cell match. Daily Variety ran a story on it, noting it's the first time they've done the show since 1997, but would like to do it as an annual special now.
--Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan won the 32nd annual Real World Tag League tournament from All Japan earlier today in Hiroshima.
--Suicide from last night's TNA show was Frankie Kazarian
--Funeral for Steve Bradley will be on Friday at 11 a.m. at the St. Joseph Church in Epping, NH. Visitation is at Brewitt Funeral Home in Raymond, MA on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. (thanks to John Callahan)
--A replay of the Ryan Bader vs. Eliot Marshall episode of TUF airs tonight at 10 p.m. Tomorrow night on Spike will be the Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva special replayed at 9 p.m., and an all-Anderson Silva special at 10 p.m. featuring five of his matches. There is so much UFC on Spike this week that we'll update as the week goes on, but there are live shows on Wednesday night from Fayetteville near Fort Bragg with Fight for the Troops, no doubt inspired by WWE's Tribute to the Troops, headlined by Josh Koscheck vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida; and the Ultimate Fighter finals on Saturday night from Las Vegas.
--Poll on if De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao will top one million buys
Yes 23.7%
No 76.3%
I'm going with yes
--Who do you consider WWE's biggest star
John Cena 57.1%
Undertaker 12.9%
Edge 7.2%
Chris Jericho 5.8%
HHH 4.4%
Shawn Michaels 4.4%
Randy Orton 4.2%
Jeff Hardy 3.9%
--Neither CMLL nor AAA aired on U.S. television this weekend, so that's why there are no reports up on the site today. Xavier Hernandez will be back either next week or the week after.
--The Cauliflower Alley Club's annual banquet will be 4/13 to 4/15 at the Gold Coast Hotel in Las Vegas. As a trivia note, Mike Tenay worked at the Gold Coast before he went full-time with WCW. Room rates are only $57. For more info go to http:www.caulifloweralleyclub.org
--Terrell Owens got Cena'd last night. In the Steelers-Cowboys game, after Ike Taylor of the Steelers stepped in front of Terrell Owens for an interception, he did the "You can't see me" (thanks to John Mabry)
--An interesting story on the background of Big Daddy V is at http://pojoslam.blogspot.com
--There is an article on Glenn Packard of Brooke Hogan Knows Best, who was actually Brooke's dance instructor when she was 13 and Hulk hired him to teach her, so all of that first episode stuff on the show where Hogan was all nervous about meeting him for the first time and finding out if he was really Gay or not was a work. NO WAY. They are filming a second season of the show and Packard and his family will be a bigger part of the show. Story is at http://www.tctimes.com/articles/2008/12/07/living/doc49369dfc8acfe5327315 46.txt
--In the grandstand challenge department, Vadim Finkelchtein, Fedor Emelianeko's manager, said they are open to working with UFC on Fedor fighting anyone. He noted Dana White had said he'd never met Fedor, and Finkelchtein said that was true (all the negotiations went through Finkelchtein) and invited Dana to St. Petersburg, Russia to meet with Fedor. He also invited Dana to come to the 1/24 PPV show. He also issued a challenge for Fedor to face Brock Lesnar. Suddenly, I have that video of Eric Bischoff training on Thunder and asking Vince McMahon to fight him at the PPV in mind.
--M-1 on 12/26 in Seattle at the Emerald Queen Hotel and Casino is the M-1 Challenge finals with Team Russian Red Devil vs. Team Holland. That is so freaking bizarre.
--We'll have another Wrestling Observer Radio show tonight covering Raw and the Impact tapings, and talking about the shows coming up. You can send any questions for the show to
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--The Mick Foley piece referenced in yesterday's report from was NY Vue, which is the magazine section of the New York Daily News, not the newspaper itself (thanks to Joe Puccio)
--Peter Bart in Variety has a take on Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler," saying that he can't ever remember a more persuasive and better orchestrated campaign ever as far as trying to get him the Best Actor award for the year. Story is at http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117996899.html?categoryid=1&cs=1
--Brock Lesnar talks about MMA to the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader at http://www.argusleader.com/article/20081208/NEWS/812080309/-1/rss0
--USWO on Friday night in Nashville before 69 fans: Psycho Medic & Shawn Hoodrich b Kevin Dunn & Super Delirious Black Ninja, Josh Crowe b Travis Starr, Jason Xavier b Lee Cross, Damien Payne b J.D. Fluffy, L.T. Falk b Nazi Terror-DQ, Shane Eden & Steven Green b Tim Renesto & Saint, Michael Jablonski b Jeremiah Plunkett in a dog collar match to win USWO title (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)
--Even though the arena advertised Undertaker vs. Big Show in a cage match for the upcoming house show in Lexington, reader Ryan Ebelhar was at a basketball game at Rupp Arena yesterday and said they were advertising Show vs. HHH in a cage match.
--NWA Anarchy from Saturday night in Cornelia, GA before 100 fans, the lowest crowd of the year: Melissa Coates b Crystal Rose, Azrael won four Adrian Hawkins, Hayden Young and Kyle Matthews, Don Juan & Chris Marval b Skitzo & Big Dogg, J.T. Talent vs. Chad Parham vs. Jeremy Vain was no contest, Mikal Judas b Phil Shatter. Next show is Season's Beatings on 12/20 (thanks to Larry Goodman)
--Former WWE manager Slick turned 65 today. Hall of Famer and Hustle Grand Prix champ Toshiaki Kawada turned 45, while Raw announcer Michael Cole turned 40. Wonder if that will be mentioned on the air tonight. TNA's Jimmy Rave turned 26.
--Prime Time Wrestling on 12/12 in Columbus, GA featuring David Young, Bull Buchanan, Sonny Siaki and Johnny Swinger
--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia:
56 years ago today: Don McIntyre beat Edouardo Perez to keep the Southern title
47 years ago: Assassin #1 beat Jerry Graham in a handcuff match
41 years ago: Oki Yama beat Avenger #2 in a mask vs. mask match, revealing him as Ramon Torres Manager Dandy Jack Crawford was claiming that Mr. Wrestling was really Tim Woods. That was almost six years before it was revealed in Atlanta that Mr. Wrestling was Tim Woods when he wrestled Harley Race for the world title at the first Omni sellout
30 yeas ago: Tony Atlas & Thunderbolt Patterson beat Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen in the main event
--Thursday night in Tejalpa: Draco & Fenix b Nahual & Zyka, Mascarita Divina & Octagoncito b Mini Abismo Negro & Mini Histeria, Estrellita & Sexi Star b Pimpinela Escaralta & Yuriko, Chris Stone & Laredo Kid b Black Angel & Dark Escoria, Konnan & Rellik & Zorro b Mesias & Octagon & La Parka
--The movie "Fighter" an MMA documentary show in the late 90s chronicling Randy Couture leaving the sport of wrestling for MMA, which was voted Best Biography, Best Documentary and Best Sports Documentary in various Film Festivals is available now on Comcast Movies VOD from now until 1/7 for $2.99. If anyone watches it, let me know how it is.
--IPW from Saturday night in Indianapolis: Aaron Williams b Cater Gray, Dave Davidson & PT Hustla b Joey Owens & Marc Houston, Osyris b Brandon Thomaselli, Carlton Kaz over Bret Havok, Vito Thomaselli and Jesse Emerson, Justin Andrews b Billy Roc, Ryan rich & Chris Hall b Jedd & Dustin Rays, Drake Younger b Jon Moxley
--Al Snow vs. Pepper Parks and MsChif vs. Ashley Lane headline 12/20 for an NWA show in Niles, OH at the Eastwood Expo Center
--NWS from Friday night in Kenilworth, NJ: Antonio Malave won three-way over J.D. Smooth and Mikey Pacifica, Rob Eckos b Nikko, Sal Sincere b Nate Mustang, Havoc & Harley b Nick Gregory & Blade Michaels, Ryan Angus b J.D. Smooth, Jimmy Snuka & The Patriot b Nicky Oceans & Corvis Fear
--For WWE Classics 24/7 in January, they will have Jerry Lawler as the legends feature, the 1995 and 1998 Royal Rumbles, 1997 King of the Ring, Monday Night Wars from November 1997, Hulk Hogan & Ultimate Warrior vs. Mr. Perfect & The Genius and Randy Savage vs. Jim Duggan in Saturday night's Main Event and more (thanks to Jeff Sheridan)
--The Detroit Free Press has an MMA article on some local fighters at http://www.freep.com/article/20081208/NEWS04/812080320
--We don't have a URL, but the London Sunday Times has an article on Lucha Libre. The Sunday Times is probably the cultural equivalent of the Sunday New York Times (thanks to Geoff Johnston)
--Sean Bratton at
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is trying to sell his books "Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels" (a great book by the way), "Brody" (the Barbara Goodish/Larry Matysik book which is very good), "National Wrestling Alliance" (a lot of good history) and "Pain and Passion: Stampede Wrestling" (one of the all-time greatest wrestling books).
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