THURS. UPDATE: YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE THE FREAK SHOW MATCH SIGNED; FOLEY'S FAVORITE SEGMENT; ABBY
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We're looking for reports on tonight's TNA house show in Knoxville at
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Show is Jeff Jarrett vs. Booker T, Team 3-D vs. Beer Money for the tag titles, Angelina Love vs. ODB for the Knockouts title, Abyss vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir, Consequences Creed vs. Kiyoshi, Eric Young vs. Cute Kip and Brutus Magnus vs. Shark Boy. They are doing an old SMW region tour running tomorrow night in Corbin, KY, Saturday night in Huntington, WV and Sunday in Pikeville, KY with similar lineups.
Tonight's Superstars lineup on WGN at 8 p.m. Eastern:
*Evan Bourne vs. Paul Burchill
*Gail Kim & Maria vs. Alicia Fox & Michelle McCool
*Carlito vs. Ted DiBiase
Tonight's Impact lineup on Spike at 9 p.m.
*Tag team tournament first round: Amazing Red & Suicide vs. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley
*Homicide vs. Brutus Magnus & Doug Williams
*Awesome Kong vs. Madison Rayne in stretcher match
*Abyss vs. Cody Deaner
*Samoa Joe & A.J. Styles vs. Kevin Nash & Booker T
The show includes the debut of a new British alliance of Brutus Magnus, Rob Terry and Doug Williams. They also tease who is under the Suicide mask. And there is a segment that opens the show with Mick Foley and Kurt Angle that Foley was extremely happy with, I believe. I only know he said an upcoming segment they did was one of his favorite things he's done in wrestling and this would have to be it. Still, from live reports, I was told this was not as good a show as some of the recent ones.
Spike also has two hours of Unleashed from 7-9 p.m. with Roger Huerta vs. Leonard Garcia, Clay Guida vs. Marcus Aurelio, and a one hour Royce Gracie special featuring matches with Ken Shamrock, Keith Hackney, Gerard Gordeau, Jason DeLucia, Kimo and Ron Van Clief from 1993-94.
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.
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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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
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)
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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.
--In the Ultimate freak show, the next Dream show on 5/26 announced the first round of the Super Hulk Grand Prix tournament with these matches:
*Gegard Mousasi (former middleweight champ, moving up to heavyweight) vs. Mark Hunt (290-pound kickboxer)
*Bob Sapp vs. Minowaman (former middleweight, popular gimmick performer)
*Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (light heavyweight) vs. Jan Nortje (6-8, 340 pounds)
*Choi Hong Man (7-2, 330) vs. Jose Canseco (yes, that Jose Canseco)
That's what happens when you are desperate for ratings and have no athletic commission. The show will air in the U.S. on HDNet on 5/29
--Former TNA wrestler Sonny Siaki will be donating his kidney to brother Bernard on 6/5 at Duke Hospital. Sonny was finally cleared after months of testing to be a compatible donor. Sonny largely gave up his pro wrestling career for this and we wish him and his brother the best of luck in surgery.
--With the New Orleans Hornets eliminated from the NBA playoffs last night, the WWE is free to use the New Orleans Arena for the 6/7 Extreme Rules PPV. WWE had to secure a date at a secondary arena in New Orleans in case the Hornets and NBA needed that date. (thanks to Devin Cutting)
--The first Dragon Gate USA show sold out the first three rows yesterday, which was the first day tickets were put on sale. Show is 7/25 in Philadelphia at the Arena and tickets are available starting in row four at
www.DGUSA.tv
--With Mistico and Misterioso Jr. not coming to Japan for the 5/5 Korakuen Hall show due to the Swine Flu, New Japan has signed a new main event of Hiroshi Tanahashi & Koji Kanemoto vs. Takeshi Morishima & Kota Ibushi. That's going to be awesome at the Hall.
--We've got a ton of new stuff up in the last 24 hours including the current Observer, a 1992 Observer covering one of the most amazing periods in the history of the business and actually a subject we should talk about on our next Observer radio show, our usual Wednesday call-in show where we also talk lots of WWE & Buddy Rose, and today's Figure Four Daily featuring Lance Storm and Bryan Alvarez debating the merits of TNA, which apparently turned out to be quite the show.
--With James Irvin out with a torn meniscus, UFC is working on Drew McFedries vs. Professor X, Xavier Foupa-Pokam for the 5/23 show in Las Vegas
--I'm looking for someone in the Tampa area who can supply me with weekly DVDs of Florida Championship Wrestling. It's real important to me to keep up with WWE developmental prospects.
--Poll on ECW TV show
Excellent 26.8%
Good 48.0%
Average 13.0%
Fair 4.9%
Poor 7.3%
--Who do you think will win this fight?
Anderson Silva 67.4%
Forrest Griffin 32.6%
--J.J. Dillon is doing his farewell match, and with Domenic DeNucci being 74, I don't know how many matches he's got left on a show at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf on 5/3 in Pittsburgh. Main event is DeNucci & Dr. Cody Michaels & Shane Douglas vs. Dillon & Lou Marconi & Frank Staletto, plus Brutus Beefcake vs. King Kaluha and soon to be MMA promoter Bubba the Bulldog wrestling as well. Missy Hyatt is also appearing. On the poster, the photo of DeNucci looks to be when he was about 30 from his 60s heyday.
--Iron Sheik was on both Stern and Opie & Anthony today to promote the DVD of the Iron Sheik roast. They were plying him with beer all day and Sheik ended up peeing on himself during the Opie & Anthony show.
--OVW at last night's tapings in Louisville did an angle with Bin Hamin of the heel Insurgency group drove a spike into the eye of Dean Hill, which is the strongest angle the long-time TV announcer for the group has ever done.
--IHWE on 5/17 is running the famed Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, the first time that building has run a wrestling show since a 1997 WWE show. They are doing it as part of filming of a documentary. That arena used to be the site of the wrestling show on KTVT every Saturday night during the glory days of Texas wrestling.
--The Toronto Star has an interview with Abdullah the Butcher, the ultimate worker. In the interview, he said he was 49 years old but the reporter wrote he is believed to be closer to 70. Abdullah wrestles tonight in Toronto at The Factory at
http://www.thestar.com/article/626626 Interview is definitely funny
--Midwest Combat Challenge 8 on 5/23 in Akron, OH at the Chapparell's Community Center with an MMA show
--Future Stars of Wrestling on 5/24 in Las Vegas at the Rancho Swap Meet at 4 p.m. They are offering an event package for California fans of two ringside tickets, a hotel room at Station Casino, a $50 bar tab and $25 dinner certificate plus two free $30 admissions to Badda Bing Gentleman's Club all for $130. Michael Modest, Matt & Nick Jackson, Kenny King and Derrick Neikirk are scheduled. The package is available at
www.eventbrite.com
--KFRR-FM Director of Programming Jason Squires noted to us that there is no buzz for the Strikeforce show on 5/15 in Fresno, saying there is so much local MMA it's ridiculous, noting the area has PFC, Pure Combat, Warrior's Cage and WarGods and he doesn't think anyone will draw big numbers in the market unless it's UFC.\
--GCW on 5/7 in Oshawa, ONT at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall features Jim Duggan and Robbie McAllister, plus Masayuki Kono vs. Gutter
--EWA on 7/11 at The Factory in Toronto. Show is at 6 p.m. and everyone with a ticket you can get into the Dave & Buster's UFC 100 party that will include a UFC fighter in a private room for just $5 extra. The wrestling show has Tyson Dux vs. Johnny Devine and Derek Wylde vs. Kris Chambers
--NECW on 5/9 in Benson, NC
--Jared Hawkins wrote us that he felt TNA's poor crowds at the recent Ohio swing was based on the buildings. His complaint about the Niles, OH show is he went to the show in the building last year, bought a G.A. ticket, and ended up having to stand the whole time and the ceiling was too low for the X Division wrestlers to do their thing. He said he would be more than willing to attend a TNA show but didn't want to go to the building, even though it was within walking distance of his work.
--New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame dinner banquet and induction ceremony is almost sold out. Tickets are $20 including an Italian dinner. For info contact
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. Honorees will be Jason Sanderson, Dave Padula, Sheldon Goldberg, Bobby Riedel (who is scheduled to be inducted by Ted DiBiase Sr. & Jimmy Hart although those names are not confirmed), Gino Martino, Ox Baker, Paul Lauzon, Power Company Twins, ref Slick Willie Jackson, the late Steve Bradley (inducted by friend Alex Arion), Jim Kettner (inducted by Simon Diamond) and Kevin Landry
--Insanity Pro on 5/2 in Indianapolis at the Fountain Square Salvation Army Community Center featuring Colt Cabana
--Cue Ball Carmichael sent us a message regarding his portraying the role of George "The Animal" Steele Jr. He said he's worked out a deal with Jim Myers (George Steele) to play his son, but it is not something he will do on indies. He said he would only do it on a promotion with television and that Myers has full creative control because he created the character.
--On the Dave Glover show, they talked about Kyle Maynard and his MMA fight over the weekend and said that MMA needs to now have midget matches. After the news today, I don't think we're far away from that.
--CHIKARA is sending four wrestlers, Golden Lynx, Frightmare, Ophidian and Amasis to the Chris Candido Memorial J Cup tournament on 5/16 in Manville, NJ at the VFW Hall
--There will be an MMA show at the Sun Dome in Tampa on 7/10 promoted by Tom Crowther's World Fighting Championships
--D-Lo Brown will appear on the 5/24 CHIKARA show in Philadelphia at the Arena. The show includes Fire Ant & Soldier Ant vs. Chuck Taylor & Icarus in a double hair vs. double mask match, plus Glacier & D-Lo Brown vs. Colin Delaney & Vin Gerard
--Hoosier Pro on 5/2 at the HPW Arena in Columbus, IN with Diceman Ronnie Vegas vs. Hillbilly Jed plus April Hunter manages Vegas
--Added to the 5/8 ROH show in Boston is Brent Albright & Erick Stevens & Colt Cabana vs. Jimmy Rave & Claudio Castagnoli & Joey Ryan. Also, Matt & Nick Jackson debut at the 5/29 TV tapings in Philadelphia.
