We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's UFC 98, as well as tomorrow's TNA Sacrifice PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to
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We're also looking for reports on last night's WWE Raw house show in Boise, last night's TNA house show in Amarillo, as well as tonight's Raw show in Salt Lake City and Smackdown show in Rio Rancho, NM. WWE has a Smackdown house show tomorrow night in Las Cruces, NM. No Raw show tomorrow because of the pubilcity stunt deal. Please don't ask why one would cancel a Sunday night house show over all this. Tomorrow is TNA Sacrifice and we'll have more on that tomorrow. We'll have live UFC coverage on the site starting at about 8 p.m. Eastern time. Tonight's lineup: Dave Kaplan (156) vs. George Roop (154) Yoshiyuki Yoshida (171) vs. Brandon Wolff (170) Andre Gusmao (206) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (206) Philippe Nover (156) vs. Kyle Bradley (156) Pat Barry (237) vs. Tim Hague (263) Brock Larson (171) vs. Mike Pyle Xaver Foupa-Pokam (186) vs. Andrew McFedries (185) Frankie Edgar (155) vs. Sean Sherk (156) Chael Sonnen (186) vs. Dan Miller (185) Matt Hughes (170) vs. Matt Serra (171) Rashad Evans (205) vs. Lyoto Machida (204) for the UFC light heavyweight title ROH TV tonight at 8 p.m. on HDNet Eddie Kingston vs. Chris Hero Irish Airborne vs. Dark City Fight Club Kenny King vs. Kenny Omega vs. Jay Briscoe Delirious & Necro Butcher vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Brodie Lee Monday will be WWE at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Raw. The two matches advertised are a ten-man with Randy Orton & Big Show & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase & The Miz wearing Denver Nuggets uniforms against Batista & John Cena & MVP & Jerry Lawler wearing Los Angeles Lakers uniforms, and a mock match with Vince McMahon vs. Stan Kroenke. I just hope they know what they are doing. The last time I remember someone in wrestling telling us over-and-over that something a lot bigger than us is head-to-head on another channel, it didn't work out so good. The've also added Orton vs. Batista for the title in a cage match and Cena vs. Show in a cage match as dark matches because tickets aren't moving well. They will also be taping the Raw & Smackdown Superstars matches. Tuesday will be Smackdown, ECW & ECW Superstars match also at the Staples Center. Edge vs. Jeff Hardy in a cage match for the title will be the main event dark match. TNA will be taping Impact on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, doing a months worth of tapings in three days. A look at Ric Flair wrestling again at the age of 60, the Denver debacle, the UFC's own problems with an upcoming show, and some good news and bad news coming out of Judgment Day are among the lead stories in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue is available right now to premium web site members, and you can get the Observer delivered by mail with details below. The lead story covers different negotiations Flair has had regarding wrestling again, and a frank discussion of the pitfalls of doing so that people aren't talking about. We look back at the retirement at Wrestlemania, thoughts regarding this year's Wrestlemania. We also look at his latest return to WWE television and why it happened, when it was first discussed and finalized. We also update the Reid Flair situation, as well as what Flair has talked about regarding a lengthy tour and how WWE fits into all this. We also update the returns and when they are scheduled involving HHH and Shawn Michaels, and more details on the Smackdown event that was rewritten on the fly as well as WWE's talks regarding probably the most valuable wrestling videotape collection they don't own, as well as tons of comments from Randy Orton regarding his match with HHH at Wrestlemania, why Manu didn't make it, and the schedule. We also cover the double-booking incident in Denver, all the publicity that has come out of it, Vince McMahon's appearance with Jonathan Coachman, ironies about scheduling conflicts and other similar situations. We also look at experiences that happened on two occasions with PPV events that had to be moved, one about a week before the event and another literally the day before the event. We've got full coverage of both the good and bad news coming out of Judgment Day. We've got early business notes, poll results, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and more. We also have our updated business charts for WWE & TNA covering a two month period, looking at attendance, PPV and ratings to see what is up and what is down, including what TV show has taken the biggest hit, how has the WWE's lowering of ticket prices helped or hurt the gates, and whether TNA's ratings increases have led to increases in PPV or live attendance. We also look at the total viewing audience for all of the major shows, and what is a good sign for TNA with a WWE comparison. We've also got an update on UFC's problems with its June PPV show in Germany, including the bad local publicity leading to the show, Dana White's comments on it, company goals, changes in the card, the return of Mirko Cro Cop to UFC and more. We also have a feature on one of the biggest stars of the last 30 years and his return to television on a major show in a few weeks, at Triplemania. We've also got at least preliminary notes on the TripleMania card. We also have more on a former WWF wrestler charged with plotting to kill as well as his wrestling and crime background. We also have our usual weekly features including the most detailed look at the TV ratings of the national shows, major TV show reviews and results from the major league arena events held over the past week. We also have more on Bobby Lashley's last fight and TNA's PPV show. 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. 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address or subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228. Also in this week's issue: --What freak show segment was a big ratings gainer this past week --What comedy segment was a ratings killer this past week --What hasn't come out about the Smackdown ratings for the improving shows --Several new second generation wrestlers about to get in the spotlight --Big controversy over name ownership of one of the most famous monikers in the world --More on the Dr. Wagner Jr. contact situation --Hart Foundation split up --Update on pro wrestling in Puerto Rico and what Americans are working there now including a number of former ECW champions --New Dragon Gate title matches --New pro wrestling storyline where a world champion is teaming with two MMA champions for his next title defense --Former MMA fighter debuts in main event and beats top star first match in --Return from knee surgery of one of the best wrestlers in the world --Notes on KENTA's first produced show featuring heavyweight champ vs. jr. champ in a singles match --Upcoming junior heavyweight tag team tournament --Early 80s Hall of Fame dream trios team debuts --What was once one of the world's most famous wrestling arenas is once again being talked about for destruction --Notes from the Amsterdam Hall of Fame --More on the conviction of Dr. Phil Astin --Wife charged in the murder of her husband, a former pro wrestler and early fighter --Junior Hodge trophy winner from a famous wrestling family --Jesse Ventura talks Hogan --Hulk Hogan's latest story regarding this past Wrestlemania --Former wrestling promoter and referee running for public office --Another funny Billy Robinson update --RVD talks about his time in WWE and the starting of the ECW brand --Update on HDNet and Time Warner situation --Full details on TNA PPV --More on Kurt Angle doing a movie --TNA Epics TV show --Talks of TNA increasing house shows --Notes on ticket sales to Faber vs. Brown --Dana White on Tom Atencio challenging him to a fight --White on the ESPN piece --Fighter says he will refuse to fight in Nevada --New fights and changed fights --Japanese fighting star complains about his company using Canseco --Behind the Arlovski signing by Strikeforce --Where Gina Carano and Stacy Keibler finished in Maxim's hottest women on the planet --The future of Kimbo Slice as he appears to get back in bed with his former promoter --Notes on this past week's Strikeforce show --Hatton vs. Pacquiao buys --More thoughts on UFC scoring --Celebrity father wants to start MMA promotion --Former WWE wrestler goes to 7-0 in MMA --Update on former WCW promoter in MMA --Best U.S. college heavyweight in history fights this past week --Former announcer nominated for major Hall of Fame --Former Olympians doing a tag team in a shoot match --Son of 70s and 80s pro wrestling star and former amateur great doing MMA --Best selling pro wrestling and MMA DVDs --More on WWE advertising house shows --More on current model/actress training for WWE --More on WWE overseas --More on WWE PPV name change --WWE house show report New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major story (ies) of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue. Our most requested issues in our history are: *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses) *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was said--the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night) *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks) *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks) *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them) *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial) *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant) *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history) *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik) *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically) *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era) *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan) *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth, and the rise of fall of Lex Luger) *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie) *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends) *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened) *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores) *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more) *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk) *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue) *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history) *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock Lesnar) *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed) *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books) *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan) *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley) *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling) *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez--this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas) *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett) *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA) *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company) *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame) *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido) *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows) *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas) *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame) *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling) *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior) *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas) *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas) *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage) *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas) *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby--many called this the best issue of the Observer ever) *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week) *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling--the most unreal story ever in wrestling) *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas) *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives) *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff's book and how the industry was changed forever) *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away) *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn't click) *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart) *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas) *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bam Bigelow) *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business) *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome) *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd) *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage--which many are calling one of the best issues in history) *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide) *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch) *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis) *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women's wrestling) . *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum) *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas) *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver) *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart) *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair's meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas) August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics) September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio) September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner) September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios) You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas. Rates are: For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 . If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range. We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods. To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter. |
--Only notable stuff for tonight is that Matt Serra had a hard weight cut just to get to 171. Also, Sean Sherk looked noticeably different physically than in prior weigh-ins.
--Today is the 10th anniversary of perhaps the most tragic moment in pro wrestling history, when Owen Hart's harness unsnapped while he was nearly 80 feet in the air and he crashed into the ring to his death on a WWF PPV show in Kansas City's Kemper Arena.
--TNA cut referee/wrestler Shane Sewell
--Terry Funk worked the TNA show in Amarillo last night. He did the same thing Danny Hodge did the prior night in Oklahoma City. He was at ringside for the Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner match and when Steiner got in his face, he shoved Steiner down.
--Jose Canseco is in Japan, so he's really going through with the fight on Tuesday with Choi Hong-man. Canseco said he is going to take Choi down and submit him. By the way, the odds are listed as 50-1 for the fight. I wonder what the odds are of Canseco winning the entire tournament?
--We will have both the UFC post-event press conference on the site as well as a post-show radio program with Bryan and myself late tonight for premium members.
--As you can imagine, there were issues with the ticket refunds through Ticketmaster of the WWE tickets in Denver as the ticketmaster service charge was not refunded, leaving some unhappy campers. In Colorado Springs and Loveland there isn't as much of an issue. In Denver, the next show is a house show instead of Raw, so there are people who would have rather had a refund. Even though the same is true in Colorado Springs, for whatever reason, it didn't appear to be as much of an issue. Loveland will get a house show in August, but only had a house show, so they are just doing a deal where the tickets are good for the next show.
--UFC tickets to the 8/8 show in Philadelphia go on sale to the public today. As is usually the case, only the most expensive tickets were not sold in the Internet presale.
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