WED. UPDATE: TRUMP COVERAGE; ATLAS GOES HOME; RATINGS; HARDY; TNA TICKETS; NEW WWE SIGNING
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The final episode of the Ultimate Fighter season airs tonight at 10 p.m. and is replayed at 11 p.m., with James Wilks vs. Frank Lester, with the winner facing Damarques Johnson on Saturday's live final in Las Vegas.
We have another double issue of the Observer coming on Monday with part one of a two part feature on the life of Mitsuharu Misawa, the heyday of All Japan Pro Wrestling, the formation of Pro Wrestling NOAH, the end of the glory days of Japanese wrestling and a lot more.
We also look at the WWE with Donald Trump as a new character in the show, the gimmick of the commercial free Raw, the next PPV, some funny stories about what went on at the show and full coverage of a PPV level edition of Raw.
We also have notes on the Tim Sylvia-Ray Mercer debacle, the UFC Mirko Cro Cop debacle, how things went down, as well as a look at the business of UFC 99 and full coverage of the show.
We also look at the lawsuit filed by Nancy Benoit's parents, TripleMania and what happened the next night, Ring of Honor leaving PPV, Dragon Gate getting PPV and what is the same and what is different about the deals, the Ric Flair-ROH situation that went down on Saturday night, the lawsuit against Big Show and WWE on breach of contract and the latest boxing legend to do a stint in pro wrestling.
The issue is available right now for web site subscribers, and you can get a mail subscription to the Observer with information below.
A look back at the life and the tragic death of Mitsuharu Misawa is our lead story, as we look back first at one of the biggest pro wrestling events ever held, the beginning of Japanese pro wrestling and how it has changed. We look at the death of Giant Baba, the ascension of Misawa as the top star in All Japan, the last few months of Misawa's life, his all-time business record, why he won the title for the final time, what had and hadn't been talked about regarding him retiring, as well as his last match and the aftermath.
We look at what exactly happened, the decision to keep the tour going and what happened at the next few shows, coverage of the death and how it varied, Jun Akiyama's vacating the GHC title, the ascension of Go Shiozaki, Misawa in ROH, the end of the glory days of All Japan Pro Wrestling, as well as how Misawa first got into the business.
We also look at what was covered after his death as his most famous match, the background of the match and the match itself, his days as Tiger Mask, the beginnings of Pro Wrestling NOAH and the first two nights. We look at the height of the Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion and the two biggest shows in its history.
We also look back at the Misawa vs. Kawada story, their final match and the last great emotional match of Misawa's career.
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We also look at the return of Donald Trump, The Bash PPV, the Sylvia-Mercer deal, a look at what is and isn't in the lawsuit filed by the family of Nancy Benoit, as well as what was said about the steroids by Dr. Gary Wadler as well as the letter Dr. Phil Astin gave to authorities after Benoit's death.
We also look at TripleMania, the AAA vs. WWE battle, the arrest of three AAA personalities and coverage of the show.
We also look at an update on Ric Flair in ROH, where it stands, the future of the relationship and what happened on Saturday night.
We also look behind the Big Show being sued, Big Show's boxing career, why it never happened, as well as coverage of the finals of the 2009 Super Junior tournament.
We have an update on Gerald Brisco, WWE's new ideas regarding PPV, more on the releasing of Umaga, an update on the Rey Mysterio front, a house show match people were raving about, more on the farewell of Vickie Guerrero, best selling DVDs, background of two more third generation wrestlers in WWE and notes on the weekend house shows.
We also have our usual weekly features including ratings for all the major national shows, broken down with demo numbers, as well
as results from the major league arena events held around the world, and the major TV show reviews.
Also in this week's issue:
--More on CMLL's tournament of champions
--Next big New Japan show
--A look at the death of ref Ted Tanabe
--Some upcoming legends matches
--Hulk Hogan lives his life in court and on the Bubba the Love Sponge show
--Hogan divorce getting uglier
--The oldest feud in wrestling, still going strong after almost 35 years
--A look back at the 1970s and how the FCC changed how matches were being promoted
--How changes in TV ended regional wrestling
--Notes on funeral of John Tolos
--Legends of the arena update
--Longest woman's match in history
--Newcomer to ROH
--Future of Sting as a pro wrestler
--World X Cup 2009 talks
--Victoria talks leaving WWE and going to TNA
--TNA TV tapings and house show news
--Business advances for the upcoming major UFC events
--Plans for the annual year-end show
--Official sales figures of the UFC video game are in
--UFC injuries
--Masato's career closing
--More on Gina Carano vs Cris Cyborg
--Jake Shields challenges Frank Shamrock
--Update on the two proposed biggest boxing matches this year
--Daughter of pro wrestler starts MMA career
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--A number of financial web sites reported on the Trump buying Raw angle as if it was a shoot. Well, they did because WWE & USA sent out a press release like it's a shoot. It's one thing to do an angle on television, and even on a fiction driven web site, but to actually send out press releases to the media, I can't imagine that would sit well with the SEC.
--Today's Roanoke newspaper has a story on Tony Atlas returning home last night to where he grew up at http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/208656 The story noted that for the first time in his life, Atlas is buying himself a home. WWE had him do local media yesterday to promote the show. They followed him. For being 55 and former bodybuilder, his diet consisted of a full rack of ribs, and before the food arrived, he got hungry and got a hot dog. He said he was still sore from his 3:00 match a week ago with Evan Bourne. He said he's very happy in his role and just hopes he doesn't screw it up.
--Next week on Spike will have UFC matches from 8-10 p.m. Monday, a replay of Saturday night's Ultimate Fighter finals will air on Tuesday from 9 p.m. to midnight, and to replace Ultimate Fighter, they will air an old fight night a week from tonight, as well as two more hours of Unleashed on Thursday before TNA.
--UFC has launched a Japanese language web site to build for the debut of Yoshihiro Akiyama on 7/11 at http://w.ufcjapan.jp
--For the U.K. for the week ending 6/7, an Ultimate Fighter replay episode had 18,000 viewers, Raw had 46,000 viewers, Smackdown had 58,000 and ECW had 49,000 (thanks to Ian Hamilton)
--Today's New York Daily News had a mention that WWE sent out a press release about Trump buying Raw, and just said that it didn't happen. Robin Quivers on Stern this morning talked about it like it was news, until Howard was skeptical and someone on the show checked into it and said it was fake.
--Matt Hardy has gotten a clean bill of health and can start training again.
--Because of Trump, WWE was No. 4 in yesterday's Yahoo buzz index (thanks to Brian Henke)
--TNA is now offering a ticket deal for Slammiversary on Sunday at the Palace's web site. Buy a regular priced ticket (not good for the $7 seats) and you can get a second ticket for half the listed price.
--There is a crazy looking photo of Nate Marquardt on the cover of the new issue of Muscle & Fitness. What the hell is the deal with his left pec?
--Herb Dean will referee with Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir fight on 7/11
--Super Luchas reported today that Dos Caras Jr. has signed a three-year contract with WWE and will be going straight to the main roster. I think this is like Groundhog Day. Anyway, Caras Jr. claimed Friday night was his last match at Arena Mexico. CMLL must be thrilled to hear that news since they had been main eventing his feud with Shocker. He said he would use his name, but retain all rights to it, but WWE has the right to license it while he is there.
--Story on Kofi Kingston at http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090617/JUICE11/906170315/-1/NE WS04 He said his favorite wrestlers growing up were Ricky Steamboat and Owen Hart.
--In the weekly cable ratings, USA was No. 1 at 2.6, way ahead of TNT at 1.8. With that kind of a lead, they hardly seem desperate for a gimmick to be No. 1. Raw was No. 5 and No. 8 last week, with The Closer on TNT, Royal Pains (the show on after Raw, although it's the first-run that's No. 2, but those overruns should be healthy), NASCAR on TNT and Burn Notice on USA as top four. It was No. 2 and No. 4 in 18-34, with Jon & Kate Plus 8 first, and Real World Road rules No. 3. In 18-49, it was No. and No. 5. For last week, My Network's average was 0.94 and CW's was 0.82, barely beating Telefutura. Top three shows of the week were the NBA finals on ABC.
--Poll on Raw
Excellent 13.5%
Good 40.6%
Average 20.2%
Fair 10.1%
Poor 15.6%
12.6% of those responding didn't see the show
--What was the best match on Monday night
Edge vs. Punk vs. Jeff Hardy 50.0%
Rey Mysterio vs Chris Jericho 40.7%
Cena vs HHH vs. Orton vs. Show 7.9%
Battle Royal 1.4%
--What do you think of Trump on Raw
It'll be bad in the long run because he'll get bored with the gig and make few appearances 36.5%
It's been done before, will be good, but won't work that well since it's a second time 30.4%
Good short-term, will get old 25.5%
Good long-term, and it'll elevate profits of the company 7.5%
--IWF Lucha Libre on 6/27 in Denver at the National Western Complex and American wrestling on 6/28 in Englewood, CO at the Gothic Theater
--K&S Wrestlefest autograph show on 7/25 in Carteret, NJ at the Radisson Hotel has David Shults, Darren Drozdov, Bull Buchanan, Bill Irwin, Meng, Butch Reed, Mad Dog Vachon, Erik Watts, Headbanger Mosh, Mike Shaw, Maven, David Taylor, Greg Valentine, Tony Anthony, D-Lo Brown, Pat Tanaka, Akio Sato, Barry Windham, Mike Rotunda, Jake Roberts, Traci Brooks, David Flair Chris Nowinski and more,
--American Steel Cagefighting on 7/31 in Salem, NH at the Icenter with Lance Everson vs. Woody Weatherby as the main event
--NWA MSW on 6/19 in Princeton, WV at the Rec Center headlined by Stro and Gypsy Joe and 6/20 in Falls View WV at the Community Center Building
--Buff Bagwell headlines for WAR on 7/28 in Sidney, OH at the Shelby County Fair and 8/8 in Wapakoneta, OH for a show at the Auglaize County Fair headlined by Al Snow
--BWO on 6/20 at Hasbrouck Heights, NJ at the Bodyslam U school of wrestling.
--PCW on 6/20 in Oak Lawn, IL at the Pavilion features an appearance by Roddy Piper plus the Chicago debut of Ricky Steamboat Jr.
--IWA Mid South on Saturday night in Bellevue, IL at the Bellevue Plaza has Dingo vs. Ian Rotten and Keith Walker vs. Drake Younger. How many times has this promotion announced they are closing?
--
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is looking for DVDs of the dying days of Bruiser's WWA with Scott Steiner, or of George Cannon's Superstars of Wrestling group, Spike Huber's PAWA, Windy City Wrestling, Bob Luce Hall of Fame, Dark Angel's Power Slam Wrestling and Chicago Championship Wrestling
--Tom Atencio's opponent on the 6/27 Ultimate Chaos PPV (that's the show headlined by Bob Sapp vs. Bobby Lashley) will be Treasure Bay Casino card dealer Randy Hedderick, who will be making his fighting debut.
--On The Price is Right yesterday, a contestant had on a WWE spinner belt and was trying to act like Randy Savage. He won the showcase at the end, even though he behaved like the David Arquette character in "Ready to Rumble." (thanks to Steve Kelley)
--Taz talks about doing commentary on MMA and John Cena among other things at http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=87912513335&topic=9376
--During the second inning of last night's Yankees-Nationals game on WOR, they promoted Smackdown on Friday listing five names, HHH, Umaga, MVP, Undertaker and Maria. None of the five will be on Friday night's show (thanks to Ioannis Halkias)
--NHPW on 6/21 in Palmer, PA has been canceled due to building and licensing issues. You can get a refund or use the ticket for the 6/20 show in Boonton, NJ at the Elks Lodge.
--Downtown Bruno talks Ken Wayne's indies at http://rasslinriotnews.blogspot.com/
--Roddy Piper will appear and Spike Dudley & Justin Credible team against John Walters & Rick Fuller for Big Time Wrestling on Friday night in Braintree, MA at the National Guard Armory
