WED. UPDATE: ROH CHANGES AND FIRST TV TAPING; RATINGS NEWS; PETEY WILLIAMS; CRUSHER; LILIAN GARCIA
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UFC on Spike tonight has a two hour airing of the January 16, 2006 show with Tim Sylvia vs Assuerio Silva, Stephan Bonnar vs. James Irvin, Spencer Fisher vs. Aaron Riley, Drew Fickett vs. Josh Burkman and Chris Leben vs. Jorge Rivera.
Between the most detailed coverage of what may end up being among the most important news stories of the year, the Strikeforce deals to purchase the remnants of Elite XC, and in doing so, signing contracts with both CBS and Showtime, the details of the Chris Jericho altercation with fans in Victoria with some exclusive information on the story, as well as a look at Raw from a live perspective, and some major historical features, we've got two issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter coming out next week.
The first issue is already available on the web site today and the second will be available on Friday.
We look at the Jericho story, including where the criminal aspects of the case stands, how the police in Victoria and WWE reacted, as well as notes of the behavior of the couple in question at the live show.
The Strikeforce story includes the background of Scott Coker, who with establishes himself as one of the industry's major promoters, notes on the Frank Shamrock vs. Nick Diaz main event, lots of Strikeforce plans for the year including many main event matches talked about. We look at key fighters under contract, what to watch for from UFC and the relations between the two sides, the 2009 schedule, updates on CBS and its plans, most on the debut show, and the fight between two big names that will never take place.
We also have a look at how the changes in MyNetwork TV affect WWE next season, and more, the long-term ramifications of what is going on. We've got a lot more on Linda McMahon's attempt to get on the Connecticut school board and both her supporters and her opposition comments and where things currently stand.
We also have a discussion of Steve Austin and Wrestlemania, different prospects, the current plans for him to appear on Raw and when, and the different ideas over the past several months that have been discussed for his role on the show.
We've got more on the WWE Hall of Fame, as well as the background of plans for Smackdown house shows and current plans to regularly feature an incredible tag team. We also look at a former WWE performer trying to get back in and her backers and non-backers. We look at a licensee with WWE and UFC and its problems and how it may affect products from both companies.
We've got notes on hiring of a new WWE executive, as well as an update on the business of the WWE voices CD and why there have been recent changes when it comes to arenas being booked.
We also have a look at the live Raw event in Oakland, looking at the crowd, the state of WWE, booking, reactions and a comparison with UFC events.
We look at TNA today, with reactions from Sunday's PPV and the morale and momentum of the group and differences between TNA and WWE that shouldn't be there because they have nothing to do with money. We look at changes in how things are booked, future plans, as well as full coverage of Against All Odds with match-by-match with star ratings and poll results.
We also have full coverage of UFC's Ultimate Fight Night from Tampa, with all the business notes, how every match did in the ratings, match-by-match coverage and poll results.
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We also have a number of history pieces this week. We look at many of the early legends of the pro wrestling industry, in particular, the legends of the top early century shooters. We talk about some of the best athletes in the early days of the pro game including Canadian legend Earl McCready, several Olympic gold medalists that came into pro wrestling long before Kurt Angle, junior heavyweight legend and later promoter Leroy McGuirk, West Texas legend Wayne Martin, forgotten world champion Cliff Gustafson, two-time world champion Ed Don George and the amazing story of a pro wrestler who was headlined for promoter Jess McMahon (Vince's grandfather) in another sport, where he is now a Hall of Famer.
We also look back at celebrations held in Mexico this past week regarding the 25th anniversary of the death of El Santo. In doing so, we look back at the career of the most beloved pro wrestler who ever lived, including notes from his last interview, and details of the end of his career, the last few days of his life, and the debut of his son, who was one of pro wrestling's biggest drawing cards both in Mexico as well as on the U.S. independent scene of the past quarter-century.
We also have our usual weekly features including the most detailed look at the ratings over the past week, including segment-by-segment ratings so you can see what people and things are moving ratings up and down. We also have results from the major league arena events held around the world, and have the major TV show reviews.
Also in this week's issues:
--Notes on major title changes in recent days in Japan
--Plans for continuation of pro wrestling's longest tradition that dates back to 1959
--Son of Carolinas legend in first pushed match working with major talent
--TNA new signings and people who have been cut in TNA, along with reactions of people to this news
--New angle that will end with eliminating people from the roster
--TNA talent on television outside the company
--Plans for a major international house show next month
--TNA house show rundowns
--Financial issues plague two of the highest profile promoters
--More on ramifications of Karo Parisyan's positive drug tests
--Early plans for June UFC show from Germany
--Georges St. Pierre defends himself on greasing accusation
--Reactions from UFC
--Early buy rate into on St. Pierre vs. Penn and what record is pretty much confirmed to have been set
--Update on UFC's financial situation
--A look at UFC cuts
--Head-to-head show with Wrestlemania announced
--Best selling DVDs
--New Cena ad campaign
--WWF legend forgotten suddenly reappearing and an explanation
--Two stars expected back in a few weeks
--New WWE signings
--Notes from WWE weekend house shows
--Weird mix on magazine cover
--Notes on new main event trio in Mexico getting a big push
--Thoughts on Mistico
--First match talked about for CMLL's first big show of the year and it's a big seller if it happens
--Update on AAA's U.S. tour
--Last AAA TV taping news
--Update on major star opening up talks to switch companies and why
--Former ECW champ takes major overseas title
--Joint pro wrestling and MMA show this past week which includes some MMA fighters making pro wrestling debuts
--Movie talks regarding doing a story on the life of one of pro wrestling's all-time biggest stars
--Update on box office success of "The Wrestler"
--Notes on this year's inductees in the Lou Thesz Hall of Fame and their background
--Notes on Bill Goldberg's next project
--Paul London talks his WWE days
--Sleazy boxing promoter signs former WWF stars who had a big program in the past for a boxing match
--Updates on more MMA shows that will air on national TV in the U.S., including shows from Japan
--Update on Affliction
--Freak show match being negotiated
--The latest on War Machine
--Craziest house show story of the week
--Bobby Lashley's second MMA match
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--Because of the move to HDNet, ROH is no longer going to be able to use the popular entrance music on the show. They are looking at musicians looking to create tunes for national TV and if interested, you can e-mail them at
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--El Generico is off the ROH shows 2/27 to 3/1, which means no wrestling on the first TV tapings. The cover story is a knee injury from an attack by Davey Richards.
--Sterling James Keenan joins ROH for the TV tapings on 2/28 and 3/1 at the Alhambra in Philadelphia. Kory Chavis and Jon Davis as The Dark City Fight Club will also appear at the tapings. Also confirmed are regulars Bryan Danielson, Eddie Edwards, Larry Sweeney, Jay Briscoe, Kenny King, Rhett Titus and Nigel McGuinness, as well as Cheech & Cloudy
--Paced by Burn Notice, Monk and Raw, USA was No. 1 on cable in prime time last week with a 2.5 rating to 1.9 for TNT. Spike was No. 16 at 0.9 and Sci-Fi was No. 19 at 0.8. Raw was No. 4 and No. 5 behind The Closer, Burn Notice and Monk. The second hour was No. 1 in 18-34 and 18-49
--Petey Williams, whose last match with TNA was last night, is now taking bookings for wrestling, autograph shows and seminars. Williams is a two-time X division champion, the 2004 Rookie of the Year and won best finishing move in pro wrestling three years running. Williams, as well as All Japan's Joe Doering and former All Japan and current TNA wrestler Kiyoshi can be booked at
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--There is a presale for WWE's Night of Champions on 6/28 in Sacramento, which starts at 10 a.m. Pacific time tomorrow with the password "ARCO" at http://www.ticketmaster.com Tickets to on sale Friday at 10 a.m. to the public. They expect a sellout for this show.
--We will be doing a call-in show later this afternoon on Observer Live. Watch for the web site at between 7 and 8 p.m. tonight for call-in info and topics we'll be discussing.
--In the U.K. for the week ending 2/1, Raw did 57,000 viewers live, 53,000 on a Thursday replay and 45,000 for a Friday replay. Smackdown did 71,000 on Friday night and 23,000 for a Saturday night replay. ECW did 24,000 viewers. Impact and UFC ratings were unavailable as Impact wasn't one of the higher rated shows and Setanta, which has UFC, no longer allows its ratings to go public. Although we do know the B.J. Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre match live did triple what Raw did live. (thanks to Ian Hamilton)
--Poll on Smackdown for Friday
Excellent 14.6%
Good 39.2%
Average 27.1%
Fair 9.5%
Poor 9.5%
42.2% of those responding didn't see the show
--Poll on Thursday night's Impact
Excellent 12.4%
Good 17.9%
Average 12.9%
Fair 9.0%
Poor 47.8%
43.2% of those responding didn't see the show. Second straight week in the toilet. Really, I didn't think it was that bad. Now the week before is a different story.
--Best of these events
Royal Rumble 40.0%
UFC 94, Penn vs. St. Pierre 18.9%
Ultimate Fight Night, Lauzon vs. Stephens 15.4%
Affliction Day of Reckoning 8.9%
TNA Genesis 5.7%
TNA Against All Odds 3.9% - surely people with a sense of humor
WEC Faber vs. Pulver 3.9%
UFC 93 Franklin vs. Henderson 3.3%
--Who would you consider the real home run king of A-Rod breaks Bonds' record
Hank Aaron 50.4%
A-Rod 21.8%
Babe Ruth 14.6%
Sadaharu Oh 8.9%
Barry Bonds 4.3%
For whatever this is worth, of the poll questions, we had tons more responses to this than the wrestling and MMA questions.
--Nine teams now confirmed for the CHIKARA King of Trios event from 3/27 to 3/29 at the Alhambra. There will be 16 trios total. Names in are Pinkie Sanchez & Greg Excellent & Beef Wellington as Team CZW, Necro Butcher & Toby Klein & Brain Damage as The Death Match Kings, Equinox & Lince Dorado & Helios, Willie Richardson & Trauma & Marshe Rockett, Mike Quackenbush & Jorge Rivera & Johnny Saint, Hallowicked & Frightmare & Delirious, El Generico & Nick & Matt Jackson, Arik Cannon & North Star Express and Amasis & Escorpion Egipcio & Ophidian
--JBL wrote a largely in-character blog about Alex Rodriguez and steroids, using it more to plug his own products, claiming he's invented products that are the fountain of youth. But this was too rich: "Baseball is at fault for creating an environment that allowed this to happen. WWE and the NFL didn't let that environment exist, and I think that has saved lives. Baseball turned a blind eye to it until recently." I mean, just wow.
--Affliction fighter Paul Buentello is launching a program to train police officers in new self defense tactics, called First Strike. He will be working with 30 officers in Midland, TX over two days later this month, both in the classroom and in the gym.
--Lilian Garcia will be performing on Friday night at the Gypsy Bar inside the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. Must be 21 to attend.
--Former Ultimate Fighter Mike Dolce faces Nuri Shakir in the main event for World Championship Fighting on 3/14 at the Aleppo Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, MA
--BWO on 2/21 at Bodyslam U in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
--The 2009 U.S. World team trials in amateur wrestling, for freestyle, women's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman wrestling take place on 5/30 and 5/31 in Council Bluffs, IA
--NWA Anarchy now airs on Ch. 45 KHVC in Seattle at 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon
--Texas All-Star Wrestling on Saturday night at the Humble, TX Bingo Hall
--Border City Wrestling has shows on 3/27 in Niagara Falls, ONT at the Canadian Serbian Cultural Centre, 3/28 in Windsor, ONT at Assumption High School and 3/29 in Woodstock, ONT at the Community Complex. Friday night show is headlined by The Highlanders. Saturday show features Highlanders, Kiyoshi, Joe Doering and Johnny Devine. Sunday show has Highlanders, Devine, Scott D'Amore, Doering, Kiyoshi, Cody Deaner and Tyson Dux.
--A man named Brian Blair was arrested on assault charges in New Jersey on Thursday and there is a local newspaper article on him. This is not the former WWE wrestler of the same name, as this person was 31 years old and lives in Hunterdon, NJ.
--IHWE has a Hall of Fame ceremony on 4/25 at the Sycamore Community Center in Fort Worth honoring Skandor Akbar, Ken "Slick" Johnson, Robert Baron, Rodney Begnaud (Rodney Mack) and Johnny Valentine
--There is an article on former mini star Little Brutus at
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/02/03/8252436.html He's actually Jean Jacques Girard, of Lacolle, Quebec, who is now 71 years old, and debuted in 1954 and wrestled through around 1974. He got his name as being the mini version of Brute Bernard. He praised Roy Shire and Don Owen as two of his favorite promoters to work for. He also praised Vince McMahon's father, and shocker, thought Nick Gulas was a poor payoff guy. After leaving wrestling, he worked as a police dispatcher.
--Lance Cade does an interview tomorrow night at 11 p.m. at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wsl Cade can be booked at
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--Pro Wrestling Riot on Saturday night in Port Richey, FL at the New Lakes headlined by Bruce Santee vs. 911
--Ken Shamrock turns 45 today. And he's fighting Man Mountain Mike on Friday night in Fresno. Hernandez in TNA turned 36 today.
--Today is the third anniversary of the death of one of the most famous U.K. wrestlers ever, Jackie Pallo, who passed away at the age of 80. It's also the third anniversary of the death of Ron Dobratz at 64, and second anniversary of the death of Jim Melby, at 57. Dobratz published the best wrestling newsletter of the early 70s. Melby was one of the great historians ever on pro wrestling. So much modern information is available due to the painstaking research of people like Melby and a crew of people he worked with doing record books.
--And speaking of nostalgia, Rich Tate's Atlanta history:
88 years ago today: Strangler Lewis beat Tom Draak in the main event in Savannah
43 years ago: Dick the Bruiser went to a no contest with Chief Little Eagle in what was billed as an Indian thong match. No, it's not what you are thinking. They didn't have to wrestle in womens' underwear. They pounded each other with moccasins. Eric & Karl Von Brauner won the world tag team titles beating Al Costello & Louis Tillet, while Fabulous Moolah beat Judy Grable
37 years ago: Haystacks Calhoun beat Bepo Mongol (Nikolai Volkoff) via DQ in a match billed as Battle of the giants
34 years ago in Macon: Assassin II beat Danny Little Bear in an Indian death match while Abdullah the Butcher beat Ken Patera
32 years ago: Thunderbolt Patterson & Mighty Igor beat Ole & Gen Anderson, while Abdullah the Butcher won the TV title from Black Atlas (Tony Atlas)
30 years ago in Marietta: Dusty Rhodes beat Ole Anderson via count out
29 years ago in Augusta: Kevin Sullivan beat Austin Idol in a street fight and Mr. Wrestling II beat Killer Khan
28 years ago in Columbus: Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts as The Freebirds beat Robert Fuller & Stan Frazier, while Ted DiBiase beat Michael Hayes
