MON. UPDATE: PPV MAIN EVENT SIGNED; TV TIME CHANGE; INJURY UPDATES; BATISTA; WWE CALL-UP


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        We're looking for reports from both the WWE tapings tonight in Buffalo, with everything that isn't on the live show, as well as tonight's TNA tapings from Orlando at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
        We're also looking for reports on the weekend TNA house shows, Sunday in Pikeville, KY, as well as the Friday night show in Corbin, KY and the Saturday night show in Huntington, WV at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 
        Raw and one Superstars match will be taped tonight in Buffalo featuring Shane McMahon vs. Randy Orton.  Smackdown, ECW and two Superstars matches will be taped on Tuesday in Pittsburgh at Mellon Arena.
 
        TNA will be taping three weeks worth of TV on tonight and Tuesday in Orlando.  Tonight has a ten-man main event with Kurt Angle & Sting & Scott Steiner & Kevin Nash & Booker T vs. Jeff Jarrett & Mick Foley & A.J. Styles & Samoa Joe & "I'm not Christopher" Daniels, plus Suicide vs. Consequences Creed for the X title, Beer Money vs. Eric Young & Jethro Holiday (Trevor Murdoch) in the tag team tournament and Awesome Kong vs. Velvet Sky in a stretcher match.
 
        Today'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:
 
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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
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*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart
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*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
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*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)
 
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*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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--As noted earlier today, Dave Bautista talked retirement before the Pacquiao-Hatton fight on Saturday as well as the original plans for Wrestlemania involving the main event at http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/wrestling-wwe-ufc-mma/2009/05/wwe-exclusive-batista-intervie.html
 
--UFC this week on Spike starts tonight at 9 p.m. with the June 12, 2007 Fight Night show headlined by Sam Stout vs. Spencer Fisher, Jordan Radev vs. Drew McFedries and Jon Fitch vs. Roan Carneiro.  Tomorrow night has Unleashed at 9 p.m. headlined by Stephan Bonnar vs. Mike Nickels (a fight we just talked about last night on the show) and a replay of last week's Ultimate Fighter at 11 p.m.  The new TUF airs at 10 p.m. Wednesday and will be replayed at 11 p.m.  Also two hours of Unleashed on Thursday before Impact.  Saturday will be a TUF marathon with all six episodes so far airing from 6 p.m. to midnight
 
--A press conference was held a few hours ago in Biloxi, MS with Bobby Lashley and Bob Sapp, officially announcing their 6/27 PPV match.  Both were on hand.  Not sure if Lashley will be able to get to Orlando in time for the TNA tapings tonight.  Tom Atencio was also at the press conference and I guess his fight will be on the PPV. 
 
--Don't forget that ECW starts at 10 p.m. tomorrow night Eastern instead of 9 p.m.  New time change they'll probably hammer home pretty hard tonight. 
 
--There is a story on Michael and Dennis DiPaolo, sons of Buffalo's most famous wrestling legend, Ilio DiPaolo, who run a famous restaurant, about not going into wrestling like their father and meeting up with Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes, who did before tonight's Raw, at http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/660388.html (thanks to Tom Mehs, Mike Kuzmuk and many others)
 
--Jon Davis of ROH will be undergoing surgery this week for a severe wrist dislocation.  The Super Smash Brothers now replace the Dark City Fight Club in this coming weekends bookings. 
 
--Tyler Black's neck injury is serious enough that he's out of this coming weekend's ROH shows.  He is expected back for the next set of TV tapings on 5/29.  Chris Hero, who wasn't booked on the weekend shows, faces Jerry Lynn in Boston as a title replacement on Friday night.
 
--Robert Roode will be on Jason Agnew's new talk show The Surf on Thursday at 10 p.m. on BITE television in Canada taking phone calls.
 
--We will be back late tonight after Raw with Wrestling Observer Radio talking about tonight's Raw show as well as catching up on all the news from today.
 
--Shingo Takagi has been added to the 7/25 Dragon Gate show in Philadelphia.
 
--FCW's Sheamus O'Shaunnessy is now being booked on WWE house shows to gain big event experience
 
--The M-1 Global web site announced that Fedor Emelianenko will face Josh Barnett on a show in early August, which would be the third Affliction date.
 
--Best TV show of the past week
Smackdown 52.0%
Impact 15.9%
ROH 7.5%
Raw 6.5%
Ultimate Fighter 6.2%
Superstars 4.7%
ECW 4.4%
AAA on Galavision 2.8%
 
--Poll on the ROH TV show
Excellent 30.0%
Good 40.0%
Average 10.0%
Fair 2.9%
Poor 17.1%
        61.3% of those responding didn't see the show
 
--Thoughts on a potential Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight
It will take place and Pacquiao will win 44.1%
It will take place and Mayweather will win 31.1%
Mayweather will lose to Marquez and the fight won't happen 5.9%
Mayweather beats Marquez but avoids Pacquiao 16.3%
Pacquiao's side decides against taking the fight 2.7%
 
--WWE announced an 11/7 show in Dusseldorf, Germany at the ISS Dome  
 
--Sarah Kaufman (8-0) will replace Kim Couture, in facing Meisha Tate on the 5/15 Showtime Strikeforce event in Fresno.  Kaufman had written on the mma.tv message board when he heard Couture was out that she would be willing to take the fight, and she ended up getting it.
 
--Apolo beat Mike DiBiase (Ted's older brother) Saturday night in Tyler, TX to win the NWA North American championship
 
--In the truth in answers department, Taz answered some questions on his facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?uid=87912513335&topic=8717 and when asked who was the biggest asshole in ECW, he said it was probably him. 
 
--Chaotic Wrestling from Friday night in Lowell, MA:  Luis Ortiz b Scott Reed, Tommaso Ciampa & Max Bauer b Dr. Heresy & Orleans Goodspeed, Sledge b Evan Makropolous (did Evan Karagis marry Georgiann?), Antonio Thomas & Danny E b Mikaze & Brian Fury, Chase Del Monte b Eric Andretti, Brian Milonas b Tony Omega, Rick Fuller b Alex Arion in a lumberjack match
 
--Cole Konrad, one of Brock Lesnar's training partners, is trying out for the Minnesota Vikings.  Konrad, who also didn't play college football, is 6-3, 315 pounds now and is looking at playing offensive guard.  He's 25, a few years younger than Lesnar was when he tried out for the Vikings.  Konrad last played football as a high school freshman in Turlock, CA, but was in the New York Jets minicamp two years ago.  Konrad retired as an amateur wrestler in June after he didn't make the Olympic team.  He had talked about going into MMA but has now talked of either working in sports administration or going to law school.
 
--The Bellator show in Dayton on Friday night did 1,500 people.  Nobody got a star reaction, including Eddie Alvarez.  Alvarez and Jorge Masvidal had challenged each other to a ping pong game challenge for $500 after their fights back at the hotel, but it didn't happen because Masvidal lost.  The crowd left immediately after Alvarez's win in the main event. When Alvarez and Toby Imada did an in-ring staredown to set up their championship fight, there weren't even ten people left in the crowd.
 
--Night of Champions 2 on 5/15 in Lincolnton, NC at West Lincoln High School featuring Ric Flair and Buff Bagwell
 
--We got a report that Lars Frederiksen of Rancid didn't accompany Necro Butcher to the ring at the Fog City Wrestling show in San Francisco over the weekend as we reported, but he was there at the show.
 
--NWA Anarchy on Saturday night for a TV taping in Cornelia, GA before 120 fans:  Skirra Corvus over Chris King and Kyle Matthews, Bobby Moore & Tyler Smith b Jassco Blue & Billy Buck, Iceberg b Orion Bishop, Slim J & Bo Newsome b Seth Delay & Brodie Chase, Malachi b Azrael, Jeff Lewis & Andrew Alexander b Chrisjen Hayme & Veterano IV, Mikal Judas b Mike Mosley, Steven Walters & Derrick Driver b Mike Posey & Wes Adams to keep tag titles, Shaun Tempers b Truitt Fields to keep TV title.  (thanks to Larry Goodman)
 
--Capital City Championship Combat from Saturday night in Ottawa:  Jae Ruken b Sexxxy Eddy, 2.0 b Warriors, Bash Bison b Hunks, Rahim Alli b Beef Wellington, Shayne Hawke b Rush, Michael Von Payton b Twiggy, Kevin Steen b Sonjay Dutt, Super Smash Brothers b Flatliners (thanks to Steve Ashe)
 
--FIP from Saturday night in Crystal River, FL:  Grizzly Redwood b Shawn Osborne, Francisco Ciatso NC Caleb Konley, Bruce Santee b Damien Wayne, Chasyn Rance & Sal Rinauro b Nooie Lee & Jerrelle Clark, Kenny King b Chasyn Rance & Sal Rinauro in a handicap match, Rhett Titus b Chris Jones to keep Florida heritage title, Brad Attitude b Joey Ryan, Erick Stevens & Roderick Strong b British Lions, Davey Richards b Kenny King.  Next show is 6/6 in Crystal River with Rhett Titus & British Lions vs. Chris Jones & Sevens & Strong
 
--UCW/CGPW from Friday night in Trenton, Nova Scotia:  Riddick Stone b Dave Floyd, J.P. Simms b Jack Spade, XXL b Alexander Saint, Sexton Phoenix b Hickster, Al Snow b Gary Williams, Honky Tonk Man & Bushwhacker Luke b Chris Cooke & Hot Shot Haggerty (thanks to Steve Ashe)
 
--DWA wrestler The Regulator was rushed to the hospital Saturday night after a match in Laurel, OH.  He was injured when a ladder smashed his face after it was dropkicked into the face by Jordan Lachey.  He was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital.  It was originally reported he had a broken jaw, several missing teeth and a neck injury, and had seizures on he way to the hospital.  He was admitted to the ICU in critical condition and is expected to stay in the hospital several more days.
 
--Should TV web sites cover pro wrestling is asked at http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/05/03/televisions-red-headed-stepchild-pro-wrestling/
 
--Pat Patterson makes a rare appearance in his old stomping grounds on 5/9 in Newark, CA at the Pavilion for an autograph signing convention that includes Vader, Bret Hart, RVD, Justin Credible, Spike Dudley, ODB, Chris Masters, Paul London, Bob Holly, Kamala, Marty Jannetty and Scotty 2 Hotty
 
--XWA from yesterday in Sudbury, Suffolk before 150 fans:  Stixx b Paul Tyrell, Ashe b Kaleb Hughes, Bulk b Max Nero, Jonny Storm b Spud-COR, Bulk won Battle Royal, Sam Slam b Zebra Kid (thanks to Greg Lambert)  
 
--Xtreme Knockout 4 on 5/9 at the PCW Arena in Arlington, TX

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