Bryan Alvarez:
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Dave Meltzer:
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We're looking for reports from the WWE Raw show in Oshkosh (home of Hornswoggle) and the TNA show in Dublin, Ireland from last night 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 .
Today has UFC 93 from Dublin, Ireland, another TNA show also in Dublin, Ireland, Raw in LaCrosse, WI, Smackdown in Charleston, WV and ROH in Edison, NJ.
Sunday has Raw in Madison, WI and Smackdown in Lexington.
Monday has the live Raw in Chicago with the return of Vince McMahon, plus a no DQ IC title match with William Regal vs. C.M. Punk and Rey Mysterio vs. Mike Knox. Smackdown has a house show in Muncie, IN.
No Smackdown TV tapings this week because they taped two shows last week.
We will be doing polls for both the ROH PPV (line-up later in this update) and the UFC PPV this weekend. Please send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle plus your pick for best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
A note if you are not a subscriber, all both print and web site subscriptions that start today will include our special awards double issue that is coming out in a few weeks, which is traditionally our best selling issue of the year.
This coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has a brief look at famous wrestling movies, a long story on UFC's PPV business with updated numbers and plans for the next six months as far as the shows, what is planned, what has changed in the past few days, where UFC 92 fit in from various different estimates, what led to the success of UFC 92, where it was the most successful and a look at the next several PPV events.
We also have a rundown of the good and bad of TNA Genesis, including what sobering reality hit at the show, along with a match-by-match rundown, updated injury situation, star ratings for every match and poll ratings for the show.
We also have the most detailed story regarding WWE cuts, both key office people, some very well known stars, developmental talent, referees and more. We look at the reasons the cuts were done, a background on the different cuts, where the company stands right now, as well as a look at the people cut and the retirement of Victoria.
We've got the first report on how Survivor Series did on PPV, and whether or not it really is still one of the big four, and how effective the build for John Cena's return and the last day hotshot Jeff Hardy angle really were.
We've also got an update on the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame inductions.
We've also got more on fallout from the Waxman hearings on drug use in pro wrestling and a funny story about how the WWE's new standards over who they sign and which of its biggest current stars would not be able to get in today due to not making the size requirement. We also have some major media reaction to the hearings. We also note the frequency of pot test failures, as well as some interesting notes when it comes to exemptions when it comes to baseball testing.
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.
We also have updates on WWE's DVD business and web site business, as well as a wrestler in developmental being talked about for a big push right now and one of the top company stars and his contract situation.
We also have a look at the CBC television report on pay in UFC and the comments by Dana White and Randy Couture.
We also have an update on the fights in limbo due to the death of Elite XC, including where that situation currently stands and what legal action is being threatened. We speak with agents of several of the top fighters, as well as talk about the future in 2009 of MMA on CBS and Showtime.
We also have more on Hulk Hogan's pitch to get into Wrestlemania and get the match with Steve Austin, including background of the match, the Hogan-McMahon relationship, the Hogan-Rock match and where Austin stands.
We also have an update on discussions regarding MMA rules, including striking to the back of the head, downward elbow strikes, scoring, weight classes, dehydration and weight cutting, stomping on the foot, smothering, heel kicks to the kidney and knees on the ground. Several of the key athletic commissioners met to discuss unified rule changes and we've got an update on the discussions regarding all of the proposed changes.
We also have notes on Antonio Silva suing the California State Athletic Commission regarding his positive drug test, as well as the threat to have his license revoked.
We've got a story on the death of Lanny Kean, the former Cousin Junior in WWF in the 80s.
We have our usual weekly features including a detailed look at the ratings, results from the major league arena events held around the world this past week as well as the major TV show reviews.
Also in this week's issues:
--A first in the 75 year history of Lucha Libre
--One of the biggest matches in years falls apart and one participants says it was all a grandstand challenge to begin with
--AAA's first TV taping of the year
--Former WWE and TNA wrestler savages his trip to Mexico and says one of world's biggest promotions is incompetent
--A new dream match in Japan being talked about
--More cost cutting from two more of the major promotions
--A surprising moment at a Japanese show
--60-year-old long-time babyface goes heel
--Amateur national champion returns to pro wrestling this past week
--Update on Hiroyoshi Tenzan after surgery
--Nostalgia show based on glory days of Japanese wrestling
--Notes on Bruno Sammartino in Pittsburgh
--One of wrestling's biggest stars of the past 40 years has disappeared
--A look at the life of a football star who wrestled in the off season
--Update on Stevie Richards
--More on a continuing promotional fraud
--Update on ROH and HDNet talks regarding ROH's first major TV deal
--Mick Foley talks about how much wrestling he'd be expected to do
--Christy Hemme injury update
--Update on New Japan and TNA relations
--A look at the next month of TNA television
--Update on Quinton Jackson's status
--Lots on the next season of Ultimate Fighter
--Story of Roger Huerta leaving UFC
--Update on ticket sales to UFC next few PPV events
--More on promotion of Penn-St. Pierre
--Tons of new UFC matches for upcoming shows
--Update on Satoshi Ishii and UFC
--A look at the next two Spike TV specials
--More on K-1 New Year's Eve show
--Dream and K-1 Max plans for 2009 schedule
--Gilbert Yvel sanctioning update
--Affliction does new giveaway gimmick
--Freddy Roach talks about Fedor's boxing not being any good
--Promotion in serious negotiations for a U.S. major network prime time special
--Notes on new MMA book
--Looking back to when wrestlers tried to join an actors union more than 35 years ago and what happened
--Best selling wrestling DVDs
--Unlikely wrestler on the cover of a fitness magazine
--New WWE signings
--Two new books being started
--Details of weekend WWE house shows
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.
-- Weigh-ins and line-up for today's UFC show:
Prelim matches:
Dennis Siver (155) vs. Nate Mohr (156)
Thomas Egan (169) vs. John Hathaway (171)
Tomasz Drwal (203) vs. Iven Serati (204)
Eric Schafer (205) vs. Antonio Mendes (204)
Martin Kampmann (168) vs. Alexandre Barros (170)
Live show starting at 3 p.m. Eastern time:
Marcus Davis (169) vs. Chris Lytle (171)
Jeremy Horn (185) vs. Rousimar Palhares (184)
Alan Belcher (186) vs. Denis Kang (184)
Mark Coleman (206) vs. Mauricio Shogun Rua (205)
Rich Franklin (203) vs. Dan Henderson (202)
The show airs at both 3:00 PM EST and 10:00 EST in the normal timeslot. Dave Meltzer is doing live play-by-play on the front page right now. Our post-UFC radio show with Dave, Mike Coughlin and I will be taking place after the replay show, so hopefully it will be up by midnight or so Pacific Time.
-- Victoria's retirement speech from Smackdown last night is up in its entirety here.
-- I saw the ROH PPV last night and I can confirm that the last two matches, as Dave noted a few days ago, are worth double the price of admission. Both are those kinds of matches where about halfway in you're thinking, "This is really good, but I'm not sure what the hype is all about," and then they end and you think, "That was one of the best matches I've seen in a long, long time." It'll be replaying several times, including tonight at 7:00 PM if you're getting the earlier version of UFC, and tomorrow night at 8:00 PM in the traditional Sunday night PPV timeslot.
-- Alex Marvez has a good interview with ROH Champion Nigel McGuinness at this link.
-- The AP ran an article last night claiming Dr. Phil Astin was preparing to change his plea in his ongoing legal case where he is accused of conspiracy and improperly dispensing medication. He had originally pleaded not guilty. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution added that he may have reached a deal with prosecutors.
-- They announced at last night's TNA show in Dublin that the main event for tonight's event, also in Dublin, would be a rematch from the PPV with Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett with Foley as referee. So much for the Jarrett injury angle.
-- Rob Conway and Danny Davis are doing a new project where they will help critique anyone on what they need to become a better professional wrestler. The OVW Match Critique Service is service provided to the wrestling community by well-respected Ohio Valley Wrestling Owner and Head Trainer Danny Davis along with Wrestling Superstar Rob Conway for the benefit of the wrestling community. This service will provide in-depth match analysis to those who are interested in advancing their careers in the wrestling business but who are not currently enrolled in courses at Ohio Valley Wrestling! For $600 you get 12 monthly assessments. More info is up here, and we'll likely be joined by Conway on Figure Four Daily next week.
-- Ivan Trembow has an article up here about a meeting between UFC officials and the NSAC several weeks back regarding Ultimate Fighter Season 9 where the Commission also had some questions about the behavior of the contestants in the house. As a pro-wrestling fan I am all for a little insanity, because you need to boost ratings and attract new fans, and if you've just got sixteen faceless guys in a house doing nothing but training and fighting it won't be watched by anybody except the hardcore fans who are going to watch it no matter what (see: IFL). At the same time, there was some stuff in the house last season that appalled even me. Anyway, in the end Dana pretty much said nothing was going to change.
-- Gus Johnson of EliteXC fame takes over for Steve Albert as the new host of Showtime Championship Boxing. Albert had been doing the job since 1987, and will fill in for Johnson if his CBS schedule conflicts with a fight.
-- WWE Hall of Fame tickets officially went on sale this morning. There is an interview here with MEAN GENE talking the event with Brian Fritz.
-- As noted on the main page yesterday, you can add Bob Holly to the list of those recently cut.
-- Latest poll results:
What did you think of UFC Prime Time
Excellent 50.0%
Good 37.2%
Average 5.1%
Fair 1.9%
Poor 5.8%
48.0% of those responding didn't see the show. One of the best responses to a TV show ever in this poll
Who was Florida's all-time greatest wrestler
Dusty Rhodes 35.7%
Terry Funk 21.6%
Jack Brisco 15.9%
Barry Windham 6.7%
Dory Funk Jr. 6.2%
Eddie Graham 4.5%
Johnny Valentine 3.0%
Wahoo McDaniel 2.5%
Boris Malenko 1.8%
Buddy Colt 0.8%
Dick Slater 0.7%
Paul Jones 0.3%
Who do you think will win this match
Shogun Rua 68.8%
Mark Coleman 31.3%
-- There is a short article on the death of Paul E. Normous here.
-- Insanity Pro Wrestling runs Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Fountain Square Salvation Army Community Center, 1337 S Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN 46203
-- North Shore Wrestling returns to the McCarthy Elementary School (76 Lake St. Peabody MA, just a minutes off of Rt. 1 South) on February 7th, 2009 for Fury vs. Idol III. Doors open at 7:00 with a 7:30 bell time.
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