WED. UPDATE: MVP GETS MORE NATIONAL TALK; LINDA BOLLEA USES HULK'S WORDS AGAINST HIM; RATINGS;FEDOR
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We will be doing our weekly call-in prime-time version of Wrestling Observer radio on the site at about 8 p.m. Eastern time today. Check the site at around that time for call-in information. We'll also be talking Smackdown tapings and the latest news.
Ultimate Fighter airs tonight at 10 p.m. on Spike and it will be immediately replayed at 11 p.m.. There will be old fights airing at 9 p.m. with Unleashed with Andrei Arlovski vs. Aaron Brink, Arlovski vs. Vladimir Matyushenko, Paul Buentello vs. Justin Eilers and Forrest Griffin vs. Bill Mahood.
The MSG cable network will be airing the first episode of the new season of Madison Square Garden wrestling classics tonight.
This coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter features part one of a two-part feature on Buddy Rose. We also run down the WWE scene in detail coming out of Backlash, the new changes with the new rosters and a look at Judgment Day.
We've also got updates on Jeff Hardy's situation, Matt Hardy's injury, full coverage of one of the best received WWE PPV shows in a long time, as well as a detailed look at the UFC middleweight and light heavyweight scene, a look at Reid Flair and his issues and Dana White teases a big surprise.
The issue is available now on the web site for premium subscribers as well as you can get the Observer via print subscription with details below.
We look at early reports on the death of Buddy Rose, including what he was best known for, his most famous programs, the legend he was compared to early in his career and his interaction with some of the biggest stars in wrestling over the past 35 years. We look at a long forgotten incident at the Cow Palace that was unheard of at the time, one would think should have gotten him blackballed out of wrestling, and in fact, did no damage to his career. We look at the paradox of Rose, what isn't reported about his appearance at the first Wrestlemania, growing up and his early career.
We examine the WWE title situation coming out of Backlash and the moves made at the show. We look at Judgment Day, where the HHH angle looks to be going, an update on Jeff Hardy's situation with WWE, match-by-match coverage, business, star ratings and poll results on the show.
We also have an update on how the swine flu has affected the wrestling scene in Mexico, and the scene in general there, and just how unusual cancelling big shows have been.
We've got notes on Reid Flair's arrest and strong thoughts regarding his situation.
We've got a feature on UFC big match booking, looking at early returns on the UFC 97 buy rate, the new major matches UFC has put together for shows this summer, how the Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin fight being put together went down and thoughts on how it will go and booking of Silva from here. We also look at talks about Anderson Silva vs. Georges St. Pierre, as well as where Fedor Emelianenko stands in the equation, as well as how these matches down the line affect the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.
We look more at the draft and who knew what, why WWE has made so many cuts even though business is profitable, we look at what leading analysts have said about the WWE business and which areas there is concern with. We also look at how much Kevin Dunn earned last year and minor good news regarding the movie "12 Rounds."
We've also got an update on Trish Stratus, a Mysterio ratings note, a funny story about how an entire movie had to be moved to accommodate a WWE wrestler's schedule, the WWE sends out one of the world's most misleading press releases, more on the Punk-Kane botched finish, Bret Hart talks about Shawn Michaels and inducting him into the Hall of Fame, what network was shooting footage at Backlash for a non-wrestling related story, and notes on the announcing at PPV shows going forward. We also have a rundown of the best selling wrestling and MMA DVDs, and a rundown of every show this past week during the lucrative European swing, including the creation of a new tag team.
We also have an update on Bobby Lashley's activities, Jeff Jarrett talks Vince McMahon, what incident that took place a decade ago in reality probably led to TNA being formed, a look back at the Jarrett-Steve Austin problems, a new role being discussed for Taz in TNA after his first role ends, more on the Lockdown crowd, notes on the debut of Sarah Stock and Amazing Red, what wrestlers were being talked about backstage about being called at the last minute for the recent TV tapings as well as Mick Foley's next book, his thoughts on being world champion and one of his favorite promos. We also have notes on the TNA weekend business.
We also have a lot more in looking at Chuck Liddell's retirement, particularly after early PPV numbers came in, and lots more Dana White controversy.
We also have our usual weekly features including ratings of all the major shows, as well as breakdowns regarding who watches, the age group that watches, and segment-by-segment for the major shows. We also have results from the major league arena events held throughout the world including the WWE European tour with every show, as well as the major TV reports.
The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.
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Also in this week's issue:
--Hall of Famer puts up mask next week
--Major injury to the namesake of a WWE superstar
--Death of former Texas territorial wrestler
--Notes on Triple Mania coming up
--A huge series of controversies regarding a main event on one of the year's biggest shows and the governing athletic commission and their explanation of the double standard
--The last round of Konnan/Juventud Guerrera publicity
--AAA looking to bring in great Japanese high flyer
--More on wrestlers leaving AAA
--Former WWE stars forming a tag team in Japan
--More on Dragon Gate's U.S. arrival
--All Japan tag tourney finals and next Triple Crown match
--Veteran star honored for 35 years as a full-time pro wrestler
--What Canadian stars got strong reviews in Japan this past week
--Update on the NOAH tag team tournament
--Rare champion vs. champion match in NOAH set for a few weeks
--Two retirements this past week
--The death of Memphis TV wrestling
--A TV station anniversary and how a local wrestling institution fit into the coverage
--Return of Terry Funk
--A major endorsement deal in the negotiating stage with Ric Flair
--Notes on the NFL draft involving the son of a pro wrestling legend, and the grandson of a 60s star from a famous family
--Former WWE diva will star on a short-term network reality show
--Promoters talk about closing their promotion
--Famous actor's son getting into pro wrestling
--Former WCW 90s star up for the post of athletic director at a major college
--Forgotten trivia about a major television actress in the 70s who it is almost completely unknown started her career as a wrestling diva, and how one of the biggest stars of this generation benefited from it as she was married to a major Hollywood director
--What ROH needs for television going forward and what the HDNet TV show has taught us
--Updates on ROH injuries
--Notes on a major ROH contract that is about to expire
--Notes on the next ROH PPV show
--A look at the weekend ROH house shows
--Jarrett talks about who he thinks will be future TNA stars
--A look at Bobby Lashley's MMA schedule
--Funny story regarding new name of TNA wrestler
--White talks more about Loretta Hunt
--Thoughts on White talking about Fedor
--White talks about sponsors
--Notes on some major media pieces coming on White
--Thoughts on the next UFC show
--An argument between two of the top light heavyweights who may fight later this year at the UFC offices
--What international superstar was in the background during the filming of Ultimate Fighter
--Lots of business news regarding UFC in Canada and the U.K.
--More new UFC matches
--TUF star cut
--Why the next Ultimate Fighter finals on Spike are going to be different from those in the recent past
--A look at the biggest international marquee MMA event in several months, updates on the lineup and the star power not announced they are working on for the show
--A look at the last K-1 show
--Update on the next few Strikeforce shows
--More on the Gina Carano contract
--Major promoter who is going to fight in June maybe on PPV
--Changes in California State Athletic Commission
--Hype shows win Emmy Awards
--Former UFC star and pro wrestling star fights this weekend
--Former Hodge trophy winner has second pro fight
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
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*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
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*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
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*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)
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*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
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*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
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*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)
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--We've got spoilers up, but the Scramble match last night in MSG for Friday night's Smackdown was changed to a four-way with a slight modification of the participants (Jericho, Mysterio, Jeff Hardy and Kane) for the Judgment Day title shot at Edge. We heard the match was great. Other Smackdown matches taped were John Morrison vs. Shelton Benjamin and a non-title Edge vs. C.M. Punk match.
--For Superstars tomorrow night, it's Carlito vs. Ted DiBiase (taped Monday) and Evan Bourne vs. Paul Burchill (as pushed on ECW) and Gail Kim & Maria vs. Michelle McCool & Alicia Fox
--MVP was talked about on The View this morning. Sherri Shepherd, who seconded MVP in his match with Dolph Ziggler, that airs on Friday night, put over MVP, saying he was a great entertainer and the two got to know each other. She noted he was single but was on the road 52 weeks a year (not quite, but he's on the road most weeks). She said the two are getting to know each other. They didn't plug when the show aired, but all the talk was positive.
--ECW last night did a 1.2 rating
--Linda Bollea now is asking for more money from Hulk because of his O.J. comments, saying she feels she's in imminent danger and needs $8,200 a month more and a $24,000 single time payment for advanced rent and security deposits because she's so fearful she has to move from Florida to California. I don't even know what to say, but I knew those remarks wouldn't look good in the divorce case.
--Poll on Raw
Excellent 8.4%
Good 26.2%
Average 29.8%
Fair 15.9%
Poor 19.7%
20.6% of those responding didn't see the show. Worse numbers than Raw usually gets
--Best current world champion
Edge 37.1%
Randy Orton 22.5%
Christian 12.2%
Hiroshi Tanahashi 9.1%
Jerry Lynn 7.4%
Mick Foley 7.0%
Jun Akiyama 3.6%
Yoshihiro Takayama 1.2%
--For the month of April, six of the seven most watched shows of any kind of cable were hours of Raw. Only a SpongeBob hour at No. 4 kept Raw from having the top six. Other hours were No. 10, 12 and 18.
--USA was No. 1 for the week with a 2.4 prime time average while TNT with NBA playoffs was at 2.3. The NFL Draft was the highest rated show last week on cable with a 4.0 rating, with Raw as No. 2 and No. 3, and a Yankees-Red Sox game No. 4 at 3.5. Raw was No. 5 and No. 7 in 18-34 and No. 3 and No. 5 in 18-49.
--In the U.K. for the week ending 4/19, Raw did 102,000 viewers live which is a huge number since the show airs in the middle of the night, which was the draft special, and 37,000 (low, I guess since most saw the first run) for the replay. Smackdown did 69,000 first run, plus 33,000 and 35,000 on the replay. No Impact number available but it was less than 35,000 viewers (thanks to Ian Hamilton)
--The first Dragon Gate USA show is off to a good start as all the $75 front row seats for the 7/25 debut show in Philadelphia sold out in two minutes and second and third row moved quickly.
--There will be an 8/4 Smackdown & ECW taping at the Nassau Coliseum, with tickets going on sale on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster. There is a presale starting tomorrow at 9 a.m. Eastern at Ticketmaster.com using the code NVMC. Tickets are $78.50, $53.50, $43.50, $33.50 and $23.50 (thanks to Devin Cutting)
--We've gotten e-mails in recent days from fans in both Fresno and St. Louis regarding lack of buzz for the upcoming Strikeforce Showtime events. Kim Couture, the biggest name on the Fresno show, pulled out of the show yesterday and they are looking for a new opponent for Meisha Tate. They are pushing the show around Billy Evangelista (who faces Hawaii's Mike Aina, who lost a close decision to Nick Diaz), who lives in Fresno, but I've heard he hasn't been visible around town promoting. It looks like they are cutting down Save Mart Center to 7,500 to 8,000 seats, but it was noted the first Strikeforce show in Fresno several years ago, headlined by Tank Abbott vs. Paul Buentello, that did get a local buzz, got only a little more than 3,000 paid and they haven't been back since. (thanks to Jeff Montelongo and others)
--Fedor Emelianenko's submission grappling exhibition match earlier today against Shinya Aoki saw Emelianenko tap Aoki with an Achilles tendon hold. Emelianenko is around 230 pounds and Aoki usually fights at 154, although his last fight was at 167. The crowd was heavily into it, but there was no scoring and it was more a training session than a real grappling match, as both fighters were joking around and clearly it was not a 100% competition.
--The Super Smash Brothers have been added to the 5/8 and 5/9 ROH shows in Boston and Edison, NJ. Added to Boston is Mike Quackenbush vs. Eddie Edwards and Sonjay Dutt vs. Bryan Danielson. Quackenbush faces Kenny King in Edison, NJ, as well as Jimmy Rave & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Delirious & Necro Butcher and Colt Cabana vs. Joey Ryan
--The complete lineup for the 6/7 WEC show in Sacramento has Mike Brown defending the featherweight title against Urijah Faber, Jose Aldo vs. Cub Swanson, Jens Pulver vs. Josh Grispi, Manny Gamburyan vs. John Franchi, Charlie Valencia vs. Kyle Dietz, Mike Campbell vs. Anthony Pettis, Scott Jorgensen vs. Antonio Banuelos, Eddie Wineland vs. Frank Gomez and Rolando Perez vs. Seth Dikun. They're expecting a big crowd with Faber challenging for the title in his home city.
--Paul London pulled out of the wXw shows this weekend in Germany due to a back injury and Claudio Castagnoli is being brought in as the replacement. Robbie Brookside is also injured so the classic Brookside vs. Johnny Kidd World of Sport (old school U.K. wrestling) is off but they are trying to find someone to face Kidd. Friday night in Oberhausen, Germany at the Turbinehalle has Bryan Danielson defending the wXw title against Castagnoli, Doug Williams vs. mystery opponent and Matt Cross is also in from the U.S. The next night has Danielson defending against Absolute Andy or Castagnoli defending against Steve Douglas, plus Johnny Kidd and John Walters. Colt Cabana will be coming in for the 7/4 show (thanks to Timo Knopf)
--The CMLL show in Guadalajara was canceled last night and they've canceled everything in that city until 5/8.
--Bison Smith scored a rare pin earlier today on Mitsuharu Misawa in the NOAH tag team tournament where Smith & Akitoshi Saito beat Misawa & Go Shiozaki
--Bubba the Bulldog from Pittsburgh will be running his first MMA show on 6/27 under the UCFC banner at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. That's a huge arena but it would be the first MMA show ever in the city. Tito Ortiz will be appearing and be in town all week promoting the show, although obviously not fighting on the show.
--The Hollywood Wax Museum is auctioning off a Hulk Hogan figure
--Iron Sheik will be on both Howard Stern and Opie & Anthony tomorrow
--Snitsky, Balls Mahoney and The Zombie headline for NWS on 5/15 in Kenilworth, NJ at the Veterans Center
--Sunday in Merida in one of the last of the wrestling events featuring major stars in the country for a while: Aztlan & Jaguar Sagrado & Lobo Salvaje Jr. DCOR Amenaza Roja & Eterno & Zar, Angel Infernal & Fuego Infernal & Imperio Dorado b Enemigo & Super Pilotos I & II Cobra Man & Lobo Salvaje & Super Piloto b Amenaza Roja & Anubis & Suicida Jr., Argenis & Dizzy b Angel Mortal & El Halcon, Sexy Star & Pimpinela Escarlata b Tiffany & Yuriko, Gronda & Mexicano & Octagon b Dark Cuervo & Dark Ozz & Kenzo Suzuki (thanks to Kris Zellner)
--Twin Wrestling Entertainment Promotes have changed the 10th anniversary show for Thursday night at The Factory in Toronto. Iron Sheik is off because he's appearing on Stern in New York, and will be replaced by Abdullah the Butcher. The same Abdullah who just had his retirement match a few weeks ago in Montreal. This is being billed as Abdullah's last match in Toronto and part of his retirement tour. Also Sonjay Dutt, Cody Deaner, Robby McAllister, Kevin Steen, Jason Sensation, Jamie D, Tyson Dux and Masayuki Kono are on the show.
--John McCarthy will officiate his first fights ever in Canada on 5/15 in Edmonton when he does the MFC show, and will be the referee of the Bobby Lashley vs. Mike Cook fight on the show.
--McCarthy's list of the biggest fights he refereed in UFC were the second and third Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell, Quinton Jackson vs. Liddell, Tito Ortiz vs. Liddell and Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock. But his all-time favorite fights he refereed were Pete Sell vs. Scott Smith, Tyson Griffin vs. Clay Guida, Guida vs. Roger Huerta and Huerta vs. Joe Camacho.
--Gary Graham at
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is looking for photos of Randy Orton from Backlash and from Raw on Monday for his Orton career record book and photo album.
--Fog City Wrestling on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco features Necro Butcher vs. King Dabada (Alofa the Samoan Tank) plus Pentagon Black and the return of Chicano Flame.
--Wolverine Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Westland, MI: Nitro b Jamie Eternal, Jamie D over Hailey Hatred and Jessicka Havok, Gutter b Adam Renolds, Jeff King b DBA, Ty Darius b Jeff Brooks, Bump N Uglies and House of Truth advanced in a tag team tournament, Sterling James Keenan b Josh Raymond. Next show is 6/28 at Skateland West with Josh Gowen
--The WFAA.com web site has a story on Baylor shortstop Shaver Hansen, the son of Stan. The Dallas Morning News is also working on a story on the younger Hansen.
--In the M-1 Challenge tapings at Differ Ariake today, taped for a Video on Demand starting 5/4 on the M-1 web site, Team Spain beat Team France 3-2, Team USA West beat Team South Korea 5-0 (USA team was David Jansen at lightweight, Fabio Negao at welter, Giva Santana at middleweight, Raphael Davis at light heavy and Shane Del Rosario at heavy, and Team England beat Team Japan 4-1
--Top Shelf Talent, current OVW tag champs, have issued a challenge to Carlito & Primo for the 5/18 show in Louisville. That's a Raw taping, so unless they are going to do a TV squash match, this may be a grandstand deal.
