MON. UPDATE: HDNET MAKES 2ND TV DEAL OF THE DAY; RVD; FLAIR; PENN VS. ST. PIERRE; BEST FIGHTER
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We're looking for your thoughts on the weekend Royal Rumble, WEC and Affliction shows. 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 also looking for reports from Raw tonight in Cleveland, in particular the ECW TV tapings, dark matches, attendance and any other highlights from weren't on the live show. Tonight's show will be based on Elimination Chamber qualifying matches, plus Miz & Morrison vs. Cryme Tyme for the World tag team titles. We're also looking for reports on the TNA Impact tapings tonight in Orlando.
Two episodes of Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Indianapolis. Impact is also being taped Tuesday night in Orlando. We're looking for reports on all these shows.
What is traditionally our best selling issue most years, the 29th awards issue of the Wrestling Observer is available today to web site subscribers and can also be mailed today for new print subscribers. Details are below on how to order subscriptions.
The issue is a double issue, featuring the winners of our 2008 readership awards in a number of categories. We have top ten place winners, honorable mentions, as well as analysis of the voting and why. We also have a special feature with a listing of all the previous winners of the awards, many of which date back to 1980.
Categories this year are
--Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)
--Mixed Martial Arts MVP
--Most Outstanding Wrestler
--Most Outstanding MMA fighter
--Best Box Office Draw
--Feud of the Year
--Tag Team of the Year
--Most Improved
--Best on Interviews
--Most Charismatic
--Best Technical Wrestler
--Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler)
--Best Flying Wrestler
--Most Overrated
--Most Underrated
--Promotion of the Year
--Best Weekly TV show
--Pro Wrestling Match of the Year
--MMA Match of the Year
--Rookie of the Year
--Best Non-Wrestler
--Best TV announcer
--Worst TV announcer
--Best major event
--Worst major event
--Best move
--Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic
--Worst TV show
--Worst Match of the Year
--Worst Feud of the Year
--Worst Promotion of the Year
--Best Booker
--Promoter of the Year
--Best Gimmick
--Worst Gimmick
--Best Book
--Best DVD
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
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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.
This week's issue also has an update on the road to Wrestlemania, looking at the potential main event scene leading to the biggest pro wrestling event of the year. We look at the Randy Orton/Vince McMahon angle, where that leads Orton and different directions it can go as well as look at possibilities for the biggest stars in the company.
We also have updates on two major sets of negotiations that affect two of the major players this year, including who ends up with regular slots on one major network and two premium networks.
We also have more on WWE cuts, with several new names that were let go including why one of the cuts was really a surprise when it comes to timing, as well as another who was planned for a major push just a few weeks ago.
We also have more on the future of MyNetwork TV, a new WWE television show, as well as some new WWE business notes as well as an interesting note comparing the main events in WWE in 2000 with those in 2008.
We also look back at the career of Victoria in WWE, her background, how she got into wrestling, her heyday and why she left.
We've got complete coverage of UFC 93, looking at the Coleman-Rua fight and how people saw it differently, the judges scorecards if that fight had gone to a decision, business notes on the show, poll results on the show as well as a look at the upcoming new main event matches for the next few months.
We have more on WWE developmental, notes on the videogame business, notes on an international star and his negotiations, a new WWE autobiography, best selling DVDs and WWE house show news.
We also have our usual features with ratings of the national shows, results from the major league arena events over the past week as well as major TV show reviews.
Also in this week's issues:
--Paco Alonso gives rare interview, talking about departure of two of his biggest stars
--Mexico 2008 awards
--CMLL rebuilding plan
--Update on CMLL business
--International promotion announces dates at major U.S. arenas
--Notes on big shows in 2009
--A new promotion announces videogame and movie release
--Major promotion tries to expand to a new country because of the feeling in its regular country things are headed down
--Long-time star leaves New Japan
--TNA vs. New Japan matches at the next Sumo Hall show
--Return of Hiroyoshi Tenzan
--Giant Baba TV special and a look at wrestling in the 60s, 70s and 80s
--News on death of Paul E. Normous and Lanny Kean
--A look at the heyday of Bruiser Brody
--Ric Flair reality show notes
--Latest funny Hulk Hogan claims
--ROH fan reaction to changes in how they do shows
--A look at the ROH weekend shows and directions things are going
--Update on Kevin Nash, Sting and Awesome Kong
--More matches for the next TNA PPV show
--The decision making on Kip James on the PPV
--Notes on TNA European tour
--More notes on the St. Pierre vs. Penn shows including claimed cost and how many new buys needed for it to pay off
--Lessons already learned from boxing on these type of shows
--Sports Illustrated and New York Times cover MMA
--Lots of new TNA and WEC matches
--Update on sale of Pro Elite
--Freddy Roach wants to have Andrei Arlovski fight for a heavyweight boxing title soon
--HBO talks about its 2009 plans and first PPV
--Former UFC contender gets arrested twice in the same week
--Update on Ken Shamrock vs. Tank Abbott
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:
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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.
--The Score, the WWE's broadcast partner in Canada, saw several employees get memos telling them WWE is shutting down its Canadian office with the exception of the sales department. That makes at least two offices gutted in recent weeks.
--Rob Van Dam last night was only brought in for the show. It'll probably be obvious based on how it is played on TV tonight as far as if they are able to talk him into doing more than that.
--HDNet also announced today a deal with the Tampa based Xtreme Fighting Championship, airing four cards in 2009, four in 2010 and options for 2011. The first show broadcast live will be on 4/18 in Knoxville, which goes head-to-head with the UFC show in Montreal
--Paul Heyman talks Randy Orton, Cryme Tyme, and other young WWE characters at http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/heyman/article/2174008.ece
--UFC programming for this week on Spike has Unleashed on Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. featuring Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Hughes, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Tim Sylvia and St. Pierre vs. Matt Serra as the top matches. Wednesday night at 9 p.m. will be a one hour special on St. Pierre vs. Serra, followed by Part III of UFC Prime time on St. Pierre vs. Serra, which repeats at 10:30 p.m., and then the first St. Pierre vs. Penn match will air at 11 p.m. On Saturday, all three episodes of UFC Prime Time will air from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., which on the West Coast leads in directly to the PPV.
--We'll be doing questions tonight on Wrestling Observer Radio after Raw, so if you've got any questions on MMA or pro wrestling you can send them to
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--Poll on Impact from Thursday
Excellent 16.6%
Good 29.6%
Average 13.6%
Fair 10.7%
Poor 29.6%
44.2% of those responding didn't see the show
--Poll on Smackdown from Friday
Excellent 19.2%
Good 43.5%
Average 19.2%
Fair 7.8%
Poor 10.4%
33.0% of those responding didn't see the show
--Who do you think is pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world
Fedor Emelianenko 33.6%
Anderson Silva 21.3%
Georges St. Pierre 17.4%
Brock Lesnar 13.7%
B.J. Penn 6.1%
Miguel Torres 1.8%
Rashad Evans 1.5%
Frank Mir 1.4%
Lyoto Machida 1.0%
Mike Brown 1.0%
Quinton Jackson 0.8%
Shinya Aoki 0.3%
--Glenn Gilberti will be on with Mike Sawyer and Oliver Copp tomorrow previewing UFC 94
--Some pro wrestling and MMA DVDs released this week on Netflix are NWA Copa de Lucha featuring El Santo and L.A. Park, NWA Fiesta Lucha with Santo, Psicosis, Karl Anderson and Super Parka, Revolucha: Dia Del Los Muertos (with L.A. Park and Chris Sabin), Vice Guerrero: A Tribute to Eddie Guerrero; WWE Legends of Wrestling show on Heatseekers, Jerry Lawler & JYD and Ric Flair & Sgt. Slaughter, UFC 88, and Ultimate Knockouts 6 (thanks to Anthony Sullivan)
--Mentallo beat Bryan Danielson at a CWE event on Friday night in Winnipeg.
--On Sky 3 in the U.K., they had a TV special called TV's 50 Hardest (U.K. slang for toughest) Men. Steve Austin was No. 36, however the people they had commenting on the pick put down him being on the list, saying he's a good showman but questioned whether he was really tough. Mr. T and Dog the Bounty Hunter made the list as well (thanks to Lindsay Chree)
--CHIKARA results from yesterday in Philadelphia before 375 fans: Gran Akuma & Icarus b Lince Dorado & Helios, Hallowicked & Fightmare b Brodie Lee & Grizzly Redwood, Daizee Haze b Sara Del Rey, Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw b Ultramantis Black & Crossbones, Stigma & Colin Delaney b Cheech & Cloudy, Larry Sweeney & Mitch Ryder b Los Ice Creams, Eddie Kingston b Delirious, Amasis & Ophidian b Fire Ant & Soldier Ant, Jimmy Olsen b Vin Gerard to win the Young Lions Cup (thanks to Mark Coale)
--AAW from Saturday night in Berwyn, IL: Derek St. Holmes & Dewey Dawson b Rob James & Juice Robinson, Phoenix Twins b Hunter Matthews & Knight Wagner, Chandler McClure b Krotch, Josh Raymond & Christian Able b Chris Faith & Vincent Nothing, Mason Beck b Nick Brubaker, Arik Cannon won three-way over Shane Hollister and M Dogg 20, Gakiya & Esparza b Northstar Express, Tyler Black b Davey Richards, Ryan Boz b Jimmy Jacobs in fans bring the weapons. Phoenix Twins vs. House of Truth headline on 2/21
--WWC on Saturday night in Bayamon, PR: Hiram Tua b Johnny Styles, Sweet Nancy b Killer Kat, Ricky Rubio b Mr. X, Ricky Reyes b Carlitos, B.J. b Steve Corino-DQ, Ray Gonzalez b Charles Evans, Tommy Diablo DCOR Angel, Rico Suave & Huracan Castillo b Thunder & Lightning
--IWA on Saturday night in Toa Alta: Niche b Escorpion, Joe Bravo b Chris Joel, Amazona b Latin Boy, Richard Rondon b Rick Stanley, La Cruz del Diablo NC Arabian Menace, Chicano b Bacano & Balbuena & Eli Rodriguez, Los Duenos de la Malicia b Bison Smith & Miguel Perez to win the IWA tag titles
--WWC on Friday night in Carozal, PR before 400 fans: Zaifo & Diamond b ?, Killer Kat b Sweet Nancy, Ricky Rubio b Mr. X, Hiram Tua b Johnny Styles, Ray Gonzalez b Steve Corino-DQ, Ricky Reyes b Angel, Thunder & Lightning b Charles Evans & Tommy Diablo (thanks to Manuel Gonzalez)
--Devastation Wrestling on Saturday night in Pennsauken, NJ: Steve the Teacher b Robby Morrison, Angel Gonzalez b Mr. Saturday Night and Rockin Rebel, Arrogance b Bobby Piper, Victor Cojones b Alberto Liebre Jr., Kevin James b Damien Pain, Nikolai Volkoff b Sheik Sheil Ali, Lost Boys over Latin Connection and Latin Revolution, Downtown Raphael b Dr. Ruthless, Blue Meanie b Teddy Fine
--TNA's Taylor Wilde turned 23 today
--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia
91 years ago today: Strangler Lewis beat Tom Draak in two straight falls in 47:35
47 years ago: The Assassins beat Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn to win the U.S. tag team titles
41 years ago: Mr. Wrestling beat Dr. M
38 years ago in Macon: Luke Graham beat Paul DeMarco in a fence match (early name for a cage match)
37 years ago in Columbus: Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong & El Mongol beat Buddy Colt & Flash & Rocket Monroe
36 years ago: Mr. Wrestling I & II beat Sputnik & Rocket Monroe and Fred Blassie beat Norvell Austin
35 years ago in Griffin: Robert Fuller beat Gary Hart
33 year ago in Augusta: Ken Mantell and Skip Young co-won Battle Royal and Dick Slater beat The Spoiler in an I Quit match
30 years ago: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff beat Jack Brisco & Mr. Wrestling II to keep the Georgia tag titles with Dusty Rhodes as referee; and Thunderbolt Patterson beat Masked Superstar via DQ
--Shiima Xion vs. Ashton Amherst headlines for CWE on 2/20 at The Wedge in Austintown, OH
--IWC from Saturday night in Elizabeth, PA: Hollywood Balds b Micky & Marshall Gambino, Ray Rowe b Shiima Xion, Dennis Gregory b John McChesney, Irish Airborne b Sexual Harassment, Christopher Daniels b Larry Sweeney, Sami Callihan & Daffney b Delirious & Daizee Haze, Shane Taylor & Sebastian Dark & Kato & C.J. Sensation & Jimmy Vegas b Super Hentai & Michael Facade & Logan Shulo & Jason Gory & Dean Radford, Mike Lee & Charlie Dreamer b Caleb Konley & Jake Manning. Ric Flair did a signing at this show, which drew one of the largest crowds in company history.
--ESPN Classics is listing old UWF in the AWA time slot starting late Tuesday night (thanks to Jeff Sheridan)
--NWS J Cup on 1/30 in Manville, NJ at the VFW Hall featuring Kevin Nash and Kevin Sullivan. The same two headline 1/31 in Brick, NJ at the Elks Lodge
--ECWA from Saturday night in Newark, DE: Tommy Trouble over Aden Chambers, Prince Nana and Frederick of Hollywood, Rob
Eckos b Billy Bax, Heavyweights b Valedictorians, Leather N Lace b Mega & Cha Cha Chance-DQ, Nigerian Nightmare Maifu won Battle Royal, Freak Nastty b Maifu, Del Monte & Logan Brothers b Chick Magnets, Andrew Ryker b Travis Blake, Courageous Cruz b Scott Wright
--Bracketing in the Eddie Graham Battle of the Belts on 2/8 has Davey Richards vs. Chris Jones, Roderick Strong vs. Necro Butcher, Erick Stevens vs. El Generico and Austin Aries vs. Nigel McGuinness in the quarterfinals on 2/8 in Brooksville, FL at the National Guard Armory. Tyler Black vs. Delirious and MsChif vs. Mercedes Martinez are also on the show.
--USWO ATL on Saturday night at the Stadium Inn in Nashville is headlined by Nick Dinsmore vs. Chris Michaels
