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FREE TODAY! Feb. 9 Observer Radio: Raw recap, Bret and Shawn angles, Hall of Fame, NXT news, mailbag

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:58:41 +0100

Wrestling Observer Radio with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez returns tonight running down yet another Raw on the road to Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania. The company has been doing a great job with both the Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels storylines, and we'll talk all of that, the rest of the matches, what worked and didn't work, and more. Plus, more on NXT, the WWE Hall of Fame, Jim Ross and Michael Cole, plus your email questions on a variety of subjects. Best of all it's FREE, so please post the link or file elsewhere and help spread the word about wrestlingobserver.com! And if you like what you hear, consider signing up for a subscription as Dave and I do 3-4 shows per week in addition to the other 10-12 brand new shows, plus members have full access to our thousands of hours of audio and hundreds of new and archived Wrestling Observer and Figure Four Newsletters. It's a steal, so sign up and join the fun! Only at wrestlingobserver.com.

Todd Martin's Raw TV report for February 8th

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:55:20 +0100

WWE Raw Report

By: Todd Martin

Email: ToddMartin4L@aol.com

Blog: toddwmartin.blogspot.com

Date: 02/08/10 from Lafayette, LA.

The Big News: Raw made it two excellent shows in a row. They’re not quite on a Washington Capitals level roll, but they’re doing well for themselves.

Show Analysis:

The show started with a fantastic package on the Bret Hart-Vince McMahon angle from last week. They then showed a NASCAR vehicle spinning in circles in the parking lot. The car came out into the arena and we were supposed to believe it was Carl Edwards, but instead it was Hornswoggle who came out of the car. Edwards then came to the ring separately.

Edwards mentioned the Saints’ Super Bowl win for a cheap pop. The crowd was very happy. He then plugged that he will be driving 500 miles in a circle next weekend, so be sure to mark down that one on your calendar. He said that John Cena is his friend, which brought out Sheamus. Sheamus demanded the last entry slot in the Elimination Chamber. Well, he is the champion. It’s unfair enough he’s thrown into a six way title defense. The last slot is the least thing they could do.

Christian then came out. He got a very nice pop. The announcers said it has been a long time since we’ve seen Christian on Raw. Does 8 weeks really qualify? Christian said that NASCAR is blowing up in Canada and that it almost makes Canadians feel okay about losing out on a WNBA franchise. Woah, hold up. Now that’s just uncalled for. The WNBA is a legitimate sport with real athletes and deserves respect. Contrary to what Ben Miller or other chauvinists may say.

They brought up that ECW would be folding and that WWE NXT would be taking its place. Sheamus thought this would mean Christian’s unemployment, so he evidently isn’t very bright. Now if he’d said that about Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft, he might be onto something. Christian said instead that the ECW guys would be free agents. Oh my god. The Instant Classic’s coming back to TNA. Hogan’s done it again! Christian challenged Sheamus to a match and Edwards made it immediately.

Sheamus beat Christian. Sheamus hit a fall away slam and clotheslined Christian to the floor. Christian came back with a springboard crossbody to the floor, missile dropkick, neck breaker and tornado DDT. Sheamus turned the tide with a big boot and abruptly hit the razor’s edge for the pin.

This was WWE making perfectly clear where ECW stands in its hierarchy. And I’m not complaining at all. Really, with the ECW title disappearing shortly and the success of the undisputed tag team titles, I say WWE should just go ahead and create one unified heavyweight champion. That should be built up so it means something, but why not shoot for a SummerSlam unification?

Backstage, Shawn Michaels suggested to Triple H that they could be a part of WrestleMania together. HHH responded that he is planning to take the singles title in the Chamber. Elsewhere, Cody Rhodes told Ted DiBiase that he thought he could have beaten Mark Henry to qualify for the Chamber. DiBiase told him to stop whining. Rhodes then asked whether DiBiase would have beaten John Cena. DiBiase said he is better than Rhodes and Cena. Randy Orton came in. He announced DiBiase vs. Cena and Rhodes vs. Orton.

Big Show and Miz beat DX and the Straight Edge Society to win the unified tag titles. Prior to the match, CM Punk said that when people celebrate Mardi Gras or Super Bowl victories they turn to drugs and alcohol because they are weak and don’t know any better. Punk said he would show why straight edge means he’s better than us. You know, upon further reflection, I’m not sure he means me. So until he specifies, I’m going to assume he means he’s showing why straight edge means he’s better than you. No offense.

Punk then did a mini-angle with Jared the Subway Guy. Hey, at least he wasn’t guest host. Punk tried to recruit him to be the spokesperson for straight edge. Jared said no so the Straight Edge society was getting ready to submarine him when DX made the save and the tag match began.

Three men were in at the same time, so the heels teamed up to beat down HHH. HHH got the tag to Michaels. Michaels went for his nip up spot but then quickly got up after remembering what happened last week. That was a nice little touch. Michaels hit an elbow off the top and sweet chin music on Punk to eliminate the Straight Edge Society.

Big Show immediately went to town on Michaels for a while. Michaels hit sweet chin music on Show and tagged HHH. HHH hit a high knee, face buster and spine buster on Miz. Michaels then tagged himself in. HHH was confused and as he spoke with Michaels about this Miz threw Michaels into HHH and rolled up Michaels for the pin. This was a good match.

Backstage, Big Show and Miz celebrated their title win. Show said that with Chris Jericho he never beat DX and with Miz he did it the first time. Show said that Miz treats him as an equal and a friend. Show was so proud in saying this like he had emotional scars from his treatment by Jericho and it came across absolutely hilarious. Miz said that together they will run WWE. Miz referred to them as Miz Show but Show said he preferred Show Miz.

Backstage, Shawn Michaels desperately asked Teddy Long to trade for him so he could be put in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber. He came across pathetic, begging and pleading. Long said the Elimination Chamber was set. Michaels started yelling and grabbing Long. HHH then came in and tried to stop Michaels.

Michaels said his career is over and gave Long sweet chin music. Carlito was in the background for this entire angle laughing and Michaels’ kick sent both Long and Carlito falling to the floor. I assume Carlito was there to break Long’s fall on the floor. If that wasn’t the idea, this was dumb because Carlito took away from the seriousness of the angle. It worked well either way, though.

Gail Kim beat Jillian Hall. This match went no time at all. Hall got in a few moves and then Kim hit her finisher “eat defeat” for the pin. After the match, Maryse again said she wanted to have a good match with Gail Kim. She then said a whole lot of stuff of French while smiling. No good disingenuous French Canadians! She laughed and offered Kim a handshake. They announced Ted DiBiase for this year’s Hall of Fame.

Cody Rhodes beat Randy Orton. Orton slapped Rhodes and Rhodes gave Orton a dropkick. Orton hit some punches and Rhodes used a side Russian leg sweep. Rhodes missed a crossbody off the ropes and Orton was setting up for the RKO when Sheamus ran out for a distraction and Rhodes hit the roll of the dice for the pin. The announcers were selling that Rhodes might be in cahoots with Sheamus but Rhodes protected Orton with a chair. There was no heat for any of this.

This Legacy breakup angle isn’t working. The problem is that WWE in the name of unpredictability hasn’t invested the fans in anything. It’s the same problem to a lesser extent with the title matches for WrestleMania. Do we want Orton to turn face on Rhodes and DiBiase? Do we want Rhodes and DiBiase to turn face on Orton? Do we want them all to turn on each other?

It’s completely unclear and without the audience being conditioned to want something, it doesn’t care what happens. This angle ought to be so simple. One guy is being manipulated and cheated by the other two. It builds up for week after week until finally he fights back and the crowd goes crazy. But I guess that’s just too much like pro wrasslin’. Shades of grey. Unpredictability. Etc.

Backstage, Carl Edwards promised something special for next week that fans would never forget. What was this monumental announcement? Singles matches with Sheamus vs. Orton, DiBiase vs. Kingston and HHH vs. Cena. Edwards acted like he had just announced Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan vs. Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle and Undertaker. The announcers then marked out like this was an unbelievable development. I was very confused.

John Cena was supposed to wrestle Ted DiBiase, but he just attacked him and applied the STF on the floor. DiBiase tapped but there was no match. An angry Cena called out Batista, but Batista didn’t show up. Cena said he thinks Vince McMahon was behind what Batista did last week so he called Vince out. Vince came out with security. Cena told Vince to come in the ring himself or he’d beat up all the security and then would be much angrier.

Vince McMahon admitted paying Batista to screw Bret Hart again. However, he said he had nothing to do with Batista attacking Cena. Cena wanted to know why and Vince suggested maybe it was because Cena eliminated Batista at the Rumble or maybe Batista just doesn’t like Cena.

Cena said that Vince is just about money. Cena said that he does it instead because he loves it. Cena then kept talking about doing it for money versus doing it for love. I like that Cena wasn’t smiling and joking, but this material was so corny. Cena managed to pull it off with his delivery anyway. Cena asked Vince if he would take the match. Vince said yes.

After another video package on what Vince did last week, Bret attacked Vince with punches. Vince ran off. He then said that he changed his mind and that there wouldn’t be a match because Bret deserved to be screwed. Bret then went after the WWE video equipment ala Montreal. He didn’t write WCW in the air, though. I’m not sure the audience understood the significance of this, but I thought it worked well and this was another strong close to the show.

Final Thoughts:

The Bret Hart-Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels-Undertaker build continues to be very good and there was some good wrestling and good supplementary angles on this show as well.

Second name announced for this year's WWE Hall of Fame

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:23:16 +0100

Ted DiBiase announced tonight, joining Antonio Inoki, who will have his acceptance party in af few hours in Japan.

Next chapter of Monday Night Wars; Life of Jack Brisco; Full story on WWE stars getting negative pub

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:08:06 +0100

dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We've got a loaded issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter out today, including a look at the life and career of Jack Brisco. We also have an update on the next chapter of the Monday Night Wars, an analysis of the situation, and looking at a lot of comments made by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. We also have news on the death of ECW, as well as exclusive notes on different ideas talked about for the new show in its place, and what the good and bad points are of those ideas.

We've got coverage of the Royal Rumble, the MMA debut of Herschel Walker, lots on the Saturday night TV ratings battle with UFC and Strikeforce and why UFC did such big numbers for a tape of a several month old show. We look at whether Walker will fight again, the future of Bobby Lashley and a show rundown.

We also have full coverage of what happened with Chris Jericho and Gregory Helms, discussing the blow-by-blow of the situation, repercussions, coverage and more.

We also have a very interesting story on the UFC brand name and how acceptable it is or isn't with some very surprising poll results.

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Our lead story talks about the legend of Jack Brisco, who he was, looking back at the early 70s, Brisco's later health problems and death, why Brisco was so popular with promoters, his amazing wrestling background as well as his football background, how he got started in pro wrestling, his early major supporters, his meeting with Billy Robinson in Australia, the rivalry with Dory Funk Jr., his two world title runs, and second part of his career as a former champion, the debut of Hulk Hogan, the turn of Dusty Rhodes and the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling to Vince McMahon.

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MON.Update: WM bid, Super Bowl, Bill Goldberg, Hot Smackdown, Raw tonight, Debate to sell PPVs

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:06:15 +0100

dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We're looking for your thoughts on Saturday night's UFC 109 PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

Raw is live tonight from Lafayette, LA at the Cajun Dome, featuring DX vs. C.M. Punk Luke Gallows vs. The Miz Big Show for the tag titles. This won't be the usual first team scoring the pinfall takes it match but an elimination match. NASCAR driver Carl Edwards will be the guest host. We're looking for reports on tonight's show with Superstars matches and dark matches.

We're also looking for reports on yesterday's WWE house show in Lake Charles, LA, as well as Saturday night's show in Alexandria, LA, and Friday night's TNA show in Wichita and ROH TV tapings in Philadelphia at dave@wrestlingobserver.com

Smackdown and the next to last episode of ECW will be taped Tuesday night in Baton Rouge (moved from New Orleans).

ROH tonight:
American Wolves vs. Young Bucks
Steve Corino Kevin Steen vs. Alex Payne Bobby Dempsey

We've got a loaded issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter out today, including a look at the life and career of Jack Brisco. We also have an update on the next chapter of the Monday Night Wars, an analysis of the situation, and looking at a lot of comments made by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. We also have news on the death of ECW, as well as exclusive notes on different ideas talked about for the new show in its place, and what the good and bad points are of those ideas.

We've got coverage of the Royal Rumble, the MMA debut of Herschel Walker, lots on the Saturday night TV ratings battle with UFC and Strikeforce and why UFC did such big numbers for a tape of a several month old show. We look at whether Walker will fight again, the future of Bobby Lashley and a show rundown.

We also have full coverage of what happened with Chris Jericho and Gregory Helms, discussing the blow-by-blow of the situation, repercussions, coverage and more.

We also have a very interesting story on the UFC brand name and how acceptable it is or isn't with some very surprising poll results.

The issue will be available today for web site subscribers. For those interested in getting the Observer mailed to your home, ordering details follow.

Our lead story talks about the legend of Jack Brisco, who he was, looking back at the early 70s, Brisco's later health problems and death, why Brisco was so popular with promoters, his amazing wrestling background as well as his football background, how he got started in pro wrestling, his early major supporters, his meeting with Billy Robinson in Australia, the rivalry with Dory Funk Jr., his two world title runs, and second part of his career as a former champion, the debut of Hulk Hogan, the turn of Dusty Rhodes and the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling to Vince McMahon.

We also analyze TNA going to Monday, WWE's reactions, and TNA's growing pains with its audience. We also look at where TNA's television audience has grown the most. We look at where Hogan and Flair are drawing hte most from, the affect on revenue streams, and surprising things said about Sting.

We look at the end of the ECW name, the attempts by WWE to market the ECW brand, and the new ideas and what the pluses and minuses of them are.

We look at the Royal Rumble, the Elimination Chamber match and the road to Wrestlemania as well as Rumble business notes.

We have more on WrestleMania 27 coming to Atlanta, and the reaction of the Atlanta media, as well as Antonio Inoki in the WWE Hall of Fame and a look at Inoki's WWF title run and the controversy that went down during that period. We also look at why WWE and TNA women's matches are different, updates on John Cena, updates on WWE developmental and the talent there, a former WWE star that has been talked with about returning, a WWE star looking at writing his second book and WWE house show notes.

We also have a look at the ratings for all the major pro
wrestling and MMA shows on television over the past week.

We also have our usual weekly features such as the results of the
biggest matches of the week and rundown of the major television shows.

The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering
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Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus
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The Observer is now in its 28th year of being the leading insider
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Also in this week's issue:

--Two stars suspended for 60 days

--A wrestling legend and movie star talks about retiring this year after more than 40 years as an active wrestler

--Why CMLL is expecting its biggest crowd in a long time this week

--Major changes expected in one of the top promotions

--Reason why you should never go too crazy when running down a promotion you've left

--What legend helped set an attendance record for a struggling group this past weekend

--Huge show announced featuring stars from several different major offices

--Kenta Kobashi health update

--Marufuji vs. Prince Devitt IWGP jr. title change

--New Japan star headed for a TNA run

--Hall of Famer to come out of retirement in April to form a tag team with his son, who will be debuting

--What pro wrestling star created the chant everyone is talking about going into the Super Bowl

--A former pro wrestling world champion who played a major part in his team being the first-ever NFL champions

--PWG's biggest show at the WrestleReunion convention with RVD, Great Muta and Jushin Liger

--Update on Gene Kiniski

--Second week box office for Tooth Fairy

--Latest wrestling convention horror story

--A look back at the golden era of Jim Barnett's World Championship Wrestling

--Update on Torrie Wilson

--Former WWE woman performer in contest to be a magazine cover model

--Thoughts on a recent wrestling book and lessons in the book

--Notes on the Davey Richards leaving Dragon Gate USA story

--ROH's lawsuit against Ric Flair

--A look at ROH's Los Angeles debut

--Kurt Angle's name comes up in a federal steroid trial

--Ric Flair's role in TNA

--RVD talks about going to TNA

--Notes on the Lockdown PPV

--Taz talks knee replacement

--Who was backstage at the last TV tapings

--Hogan talks about TNA's future

--Lots of notes on the TNA European tour

--Notes on UFC's debut in Abu Dhabi

--Update on when Brock Lesnar is looking at fighting next

--WEC PPV thoughts

--UFC video game sales

--Booking issues in UFC

--Lots of new UFC matches

--Next Strikeforce TV event

--First Dream show of the new year

--New promotion gets a multi-year television deal

--Another celebrity makes MMA debut

--Former WCW promoter has first MMA show this week

--MMA fighter becomes TV star overseas

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues can get free issues from the last 18 years. You can get 2 free back issues by ordering 40 or more issues and one for 24. Let us know which stories 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
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and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits
into those descriptions over the past 18 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
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Rates are:

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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228,
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We also 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.

--Vancouver is putting in a bid to get WrestleMania. They are earmarking either 2013 or 2014 (thanks to Devin Cutting)

--Last night's Super Bowl was the most watched show in U.S. television history. The show did a 45.0 rating and 68 share, with 106.5 million viewers. The previous most-watched TV show in history the final episode of MASH in 1983, did 106.0 million viewers. Keep in mind these are not the final numbers, but they are a pretty close indication of what the final numbers will be. New Orleans did a 56.3 rating and 82 share. DC did a 56.0 and 73 share. Nashville (54.4) also beat Indianapolis (54.2). It was the highest rating for a Super Bowl game since the Cowboys-Steelers game in 1996. In all, 153.4 million different people saw at least part of the game.

--Bill Goldberg will be making a rare pro wrestling appearance on 2/27 at a show at Camp Pendleton. He won't be wrestling on the show.

--HHH represents the WWE for Mattel at the annual Toy Fair in New York at the Galleria on Friday morning.

--They are doing a debate with Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. to help promote their PPV fight that takes place on 4/3. The debate will be at Noon tomorrow at the Hard Rock Cafe in Manhattan.

--As noted above, the DX vs. C.M. Punk Luke Gallows vs. Big Show Miz tag title match tonight on Raw will be an elimination match. They teased Gail Kim vs. Maryse for the vacant Divas title in the tournament final for tonight, but it was never announced other than the match will be coming in the next few weeks. The match was set for last week's show for the title, then pulled from the show due to not having enough time after the show was written with all the Chamber qualifiers.

--We will be back tonight after Raw with Wrestling Observer radio. You can send questions for tonight's show to the address on the front page.

--ROH announced Roderick Strong has signed a contract renewal

--Shane Douglas said he always knew Vince McMahon would screw up the ECW brand at http://www.fanhouse.com/ He also rips on TNA, his former employer, saying they have under achieved

--The Bushwhackers, who were going to do a training seminar together in the U.K. on Saturday night, were unable to come after visa issues that came up a week earlier when they and several other wrestlers were turned back and forced to fly home when coming for an autograph show. The Bushwhackers were to appear at a Friday night show in Radstock and do a seminar in Trowbridge on Saturday.

--Canadian Wrestling Elite has signed Jayme Galloway, who was the 2009 Arnold Classic Amateur Figures Overall champion. She will be starting as an interviewer and trying to learn the business.

--Tara suffered a chipped tooth over the weekend working at one of the TNA house shows.

--Terry Funk will be making appearances on Harley Race's WLW shows on 3/5 in Leavenworth, KS and 3/6 in El Dorado Springs, MO

--Josh Koscheck, who has been pushing for the idea of a match with Tito Ortiz for some time, is keeping the push going on Twitter saying, Why is Tito Ortiz such a bitch? Talking shit to Coleman right after his loss. After Chuck Liddell fucks him up, I want my shot 2 fuck him up.

--Smackdown poll
Excellent 46.8%
Good 36.0%
Average 7.2%
Fair 2.9%
Poor 7.2%
26.5% of those responding didn't see the show. Those are awesome marks.

--Which of these matches would draw the best
Couture vs. Lesnar 63.3%
Couture vs. Anderson Silva 22.8%
Couture vs. Machida/Shogun winner 13.9%

Should UFC make Couture vs. Lesnar
Yes, right match for business 30.1%
No, because Couture lost to Nogueira 69.9%

--A correction from yesterday. In the Firestorm Pro Wrestling results, the show was in Lakewood, OH and not Lakewood, CO (thanks to Jeff Gorman)

--MMA vet Yuki Kondo, who dates back to the mid-90s, beat Takenori Sato in the main event at yesterday's Pancrase show at Differ Ariake in Tokyo. Kondo won a unanimous decision. The win sets up Kondo challenging Ichiro Kanai, a teammate, for the King of Pancrase middleweight title on 4/29

--Scott Teal is having reprinted an early pro wrestling book called Drawing Heat by Jim Freedman, a book where Freedman went on the road with Dave McKigney's independent promotion in Ontario and the lifestyle of going from town-to-town, dealing with a commission giving them trouble and having to deal with the Tunneys control over the province. The book was very good for its time, which is from about 30 years ago at http://www.crowbarpress.com

--No UFC programming on Spike tonight which is rare for a Monday. They have Unleashed from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and again from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. tomorrow night. Thursday night before Impact they are going to replay the June 12, 2007, Fight Night show headlined by Spencer Fisher vs. Sam Stout. Friday night at 7 p.m. will replay the September 19, 2007 Fight Night headlined by Kenny Florian vs. Din Thomas. There will also be two hours of Pride from 9-11 p.m.. The new episode at 10 p.m. on Friday has Nobuhiko Takada vs. Rickson Gracie, Frank Trigg vs. Fabiano Iha, Quinton Jackson vs. Masaaki Satake, Phil Baroni vs. Ryo Chonan and Wanderlei Silva vs. Guy Mezger

--Tito Santana will be doing a wrestling clinic on 2/20 from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the IWF Centre in West Paterson, NJ. It will include in-ring instructions, fundamentals, interviews and Q A. Santana will also wrestle on shows on 2/19 and 2/20 at the gym. All IWF students and graduates can attend for $25. Indie wrestlers, managers and referees with one year experience can attend for $50. For more info go to www.WrestlingIWF.com Tom Prichard will be doing his 9th annual clinic at the school from 4/23 to 4/25.

--In Your Face Wrestling on 4/17 in Amsterdam, NY at the Elks Lodge

--Insanity Pro Wrestling on 3/6 in Indianapolis at the Fountain Square Salvation Army Corp headlined by B-Boy

--Rob Van Dam and Sabu have joined with Al Snow, Samu and Manu to help raise money to rebuild Samoa after last year's Tsunamis with a wrestling cruise to Bermuda. There will be Q A sessions, and a ring and matches will take place on the cruise. For more info you can call 877-258-8281 or e-mail reeceo@ptd.net Prices start at $1,045 per person and include meals, taxes and wrestling events.

--Edge appears with an autograph signing on Friday night in Melbourne, FL at the Auditorium in conjunction with an FCW show

--There are auctions from the personal collection of Georgiann Makropoulos on ebay.com under the seller name bobmul345 to raise money to pay for her funeral expenses. For more info you can contact Bobmul345@aol.com

--Kevin Sullivan vs. Necro Butcher headlines for IWA East Coast for their St. Patrick's Day Massacre on 3/17 in Nitro, WV at the Community Center on a show that also includes Frightmare, the Osirian Portal, Mad Man Pondo and Thumbtack Jack

--New England Championship Wrestling on 2/20 in Quincy, MA for a TV taping the company's new television show. They also run 2/27 in Pembroke, MA at the South Shore Field House

--NWS from Saturday night in Edison, NJ: Joey Janella b Ryan Rumble, Nigerian Nightmares b B. Fehrm Illegal Outer Space Alien, ECW Zombie b Kevin Matthews-DQ, BS Express b J.D. Smoothie J.T. Highlander, Jim Duggan Zombie b Kevin Matthews Danny Demanto, Nicky Oceans over Myke Quest, Corvis Fear and Frightmare in a TLC match. Next show is 2/19 in Woodbridge, NJ at the Elks Lodge with the Captain Lou Albano Memorial J-Cup tag team tournament, and 2/20 in Bloomfield, NJ at the High School with Duggan and Nunzio.

--The Heyman Hustle at http://heymanhustle.craveonline.com/ has photos of Randy Couture's winning after party

--U.K. wrestler El Ligero talks about the British scene and death of Mitsuharu Misawa at http://awp-vadalhoco.blogspot.com/2010/02/interview-to-el-ligero-british- top.html

--Junie Browning lost to Aaron Hall at Wild Bill's Fight Night in Duluth, GA. Browning missed weight by .8 of a pound. Bad blood started when Browning was willing to give up a percentage of his purse, but Hall refused the offer and wanted him to lose the weight. Browning then threatened to pull out of the fight at the last minute until the sides reached a compromise. During the fight, Browning complained of being fouled, a low blow and an eye poke. Browning's corner then stopped the fight after the end of the first round.

--With the mention of U.K. star Eddie Kung Fu Hamill yesterday, Brian Elliott noted he did a story on Kung Fu, who feuded with Rollerball Mark Rocco, at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/07/03/6054001.html

--Dave Prazak joins Ed and Cutrer at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Edward-Loredo

--CMLL from last night in Guadalajara: Templario b Nocturno, In Memoria b Divino, Ebola Drago b Magnum Samurai, Gallo Metal Blanco b Palacio Negro Neutron, Angel de Oro Angel de Plata b Euforia Polvora, Mascara Dorada Toscano La Mascara b Averno Mephisto Ephesto-DQ

--Maryland Championship Wrestling has its anniversary show in Dundalk, MD on 2/27 headlined by Al Snow

--CHIKARA announced for 2/27 in Reading, PA at the Goodwill Fire Company Beneficial Hall has Eddie Kingston vs. Tursas, Mike Quackenbush Jigsaw Equinox Helios vs. UnStable Brodie Lee, Claudio Castagnoli Ares vs. Dasher Hatfield Suger Dunkerton and Colony vs. Pink Ant Lince Dorado Daizee Haze

--Dreamwave Wrestling from Saturday night in LaSalle, IL before a reported sellout 615 fans: Prince Mustafa Ali b Gilbert Lewis, Hollywood Hades b Ninja Bill, Zero Gravity won eight-team gauntlet to win tag titles, Dan Lawrence b Jak Ferrik, Nick Brubaker b Steve Boz, Austin Roberts NC Steve Boz

--PWG on 2/27 in Reseda, CA at American Legion Post 308 features Kenny Omega vs. Davey Richards for the PWG title, Young Bucks vs. El Generico Chuck Taylor for the tag titles, Alex Shelley vs. Chris Hero, Chris Sabin vs. Roderick Strong and more

--APW Gym Wars from Saturday night in Hayward, CA: Dylan Drake b Cory Dayton, Vinny Massaro b Tap Out Kid, Jody Kristofferson (Kris' son) b Steve Stamp, Derek Sanders b Tyson Thompson, Larry Blackwell b Junior Morales, Vennis DeMarco b Corvus, Timothy Thatcher b Adam Thornstowe, Rik Luxury b Luster the Legend, Matt Carlos d Dave Dutra, Drake Jeckles Kristofferon Omega b Malachi Massaro DaltonFrost Sanders in an elimination match

--I Believe in Wrestling from Saturday night in Orlando: Ray Beez b Michael Patrick, Nick Fame Scott Davis b T.J. Perkins Gus Money Aaron Epic b Bobby Fonta, James Boys b Heartbreak Express, QT Marshall b Carlos Rivera, Alex Porteau b Maxwell Chicago, Chasyn Rance (from VH-1 reality show) Mister Saint Laurent b Raymond Snow Zoe. Next show is 3/6 with Snow vs. Saint Laurent and Rance vs. Zoe (thanks to Ari Goldstein)

--TWA on 4/11 at 2 p.m. in Voorhees, NJ at Flyers Skate Zone with Steve Corino vs. Tony Stetson on top

--MWF on 3/27 in Everett, MA at the Bell Tim Club with Slyck Wagner Brown vs. Brian Fury.

--Jim Cornette's first pro wrestling TV appearance on Memphis wrestling at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79XB5PzMe74 feature=related

--NCW Femmes Fatales from Saturday night in Montreal before 250 fans: Sabrina Kyle b Evelyn Fox, Eve b Kira, She Nay Nay b Karen Brooks, Anastasia Ivy Anna Monoushka b Mary Lee Rose PJ Tyler, Cherry Bomb b Mistress Belmont, Cat Power b LuFisto-DQ, Kacey Diamond b Midianne, Mercedes Martinez b Portia Perez, Cheerleader Melissa LuFisto b Kalamity Cat Power (thanks to Patric Laprade)

--New York Wrestling Connection on 2/20 at the NYWC Sportatorium in Deer Park, NY

--Force 1 Pro on 2/20 in Hammonton, NJ headlined by Sami Callihan vs. Lince Dorado at Rollway Skating Rink

More responses to Brock Lesnar

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:03:49 +0100

Paul Kacprzak’s rant about Brock Lesnar was not exactly what I expect as a “news” article on the website. I’ll grant that Lesnar’s comments aren’t the most well thought out, but I’m not exactly looking to him for opinions on public policy. Comments like “Karma is a bitch and I can see Brock having his Hulk Hogan moments in the future after years of arrogance and indifference” and “do you think that a guy like Brock would have been happy with a barium tube in his butt” are something best left to message boards or better yet, unsaid. While Lesnar is a public figure who was using that position to rant about political issues, responding in a similar manner doesn’t exactly raise the level of discourse or persuade others to your point of view.

The assertion that since Sean Morley is no longer making the big money with WWE and doesn’t hear him “yap” about how libertarian he his and that Morley surely must have changed his mind is akin to the “no atheists in foxholes” claim made by the religious right. The implication is that Morley and others who disagree with the health care changes being proposed (or other government programs) can’t possibly have a legitimate reason to oppose them and if their financial situation were to change, they would immediately be all for them. “I see players who are 20 years younger then me who will have a lifetime of health problems due to their sport” is the exact reason why many people are against the current proposals. The people who didn’t compete in those sports or even follow them are paying the subsidy.

The last paragraph is a classic false dilemma. Lesnar not publicly complaining about the various taxpayer funded amenities that he benefits from must mean he’s ok with them as long as he benefits directly and also implies that he can’t possibly disagree with one government program without disagreeing with them all. He may or may not disagree with publicly funded air traffic control, highways, or arenas. But disagreeing with the general principle doesn’t mean he can’t utilize them after the decision has been made and the money spent. His taxes pay for roads and air traffic control and the publicly subsidized arenas were approved by the voters of that area with the intent of inviting people like Lesnar to entertain them. An equivalent argument would be that Kacprzak shouldn’t work in the medical field because he’s making money from a system he thinks is flawed. That would be equally silly.

I agree with Lesnar in that I don’t like the current healthcare proposal. I will also agree with Kacprzak that Lesnar’s rant on healthcare in Canada was at best ill informed and at worst childish. Plus, I suspect Lesnar’s rant was also part pro wrestling promo. But maybe I’m giving him to much credit.

Jason Campbell

Dear Wrestling Observer,

I'm a long time wrestling fan and follower of the Observer online. The recent noise from UFC champ Brock Lesnar denegrating the healthcare system here in Canada ticks me off. The folowing is a copy of the letter I sent to Paul Heyman's website after he gave space to Lesnar to spread his ample ignorance.

Thanks for all the work you do and for covering more than just the results and entertainment of the business.

Regards,

Lindsay
_________________

With all due respect to Brock Lesnar, a good deal of the difficulties that found him in a Canadian hospital are of his own doing. As a Canadian I wouldn't trade the quality of our health care system for the corrupt, lunacy that passes for a medical system to our south. Mr. Lesnar is a very fortunate individual, he is wealthy and famous and can afford the very best of most anything he desires. More than 30 million of his fellow citizens are not so lucky. In America today the number of people with either no health care coverage or with grossly inadequate coverage is approximately equal to the entire population of Canada. But really the big, tough warrior was already ill and under doctor's care, so what does the intellectual giant do, he heads into the wilds to hunt. He toddles into the woods in a sparsely populated region of Canada and falls ill. After receiving treatment in a rural facility, this lumbering oaf has the temerity to whine like a spoiled bitch that they didn't have the very latest high tech equipment. Well I'm sure the local health facilities in every American town with a population of less than 40,000 are brimming with the very latest of high tech gear. Hell, its America and the Mayo Clinic is a franchise operation, right?

The simple fact is that Brock Lesnar exacerbated his condition by acting foolishly. He found himself in a perfectly adequate, small town facility and got scared. He got scared because he's a spoiled baby, a gigantic and dangerous spoiled baby but a spoiled baby none the less. To cover for his panic attack, he's decided that he will cover the trail of his own cowardly piddle all the way back to the Mayo Clinic with a healthy layer of the sort of ill thought bullshit we've come to expect from this ignorant behemoth. The pampered monster is no doubt used to having a luxury suite in every medical facility he might enter, sorry Brock but in Canada we provide care for everyone, regardless of status. We don't run spas, we run hospitals where people work hard and do their best. We don't operate on a privilege basis, your wealth doesn't get you more and better than the grandmother living a subsistence lifestyle. In America that grandmother would be turned away from care and would be forced to seek routine treatment at an over burdened emergency room. God bless America, if you have the dollars to do it.

Lesnar is a loud mouthed, brash buffoon whose ignorance is as deep as his shoulders are wide. He's trying to make political hay by slandering his betters. And when it comes to compassion for all the people, not just the wealthy, white and powerful, we Canadians are your betters. We don't have socialist medicine but then Brock's not exactly clever enough to parse things beyond the Glenn Beck level of rhetorical 'truth by repeated assertion', no matter how wrong the notion being repeated. We have socialized medicine, meaning that every citizen is entitled to an adequate level of care and dignity. Mr Lesnar might want to take a stroll through parts of Detroit or Gary, Indiana if he really wants to see a third world analogue, one wonders what level of health care is available there or in the projects or in South Central or any of the impoverished, battlegrounds of privation and indignity that are growing and spreading across the American landscape. Well let's face it, a spoiled pissant like Brock will never know the truth of the nation he lives in because he'll be driven past and not through such areas because he's wealthy and famous. While he's got money, the realities of those around him will never encroach on his sheltered world. So goody for Brock Lesnar.

In the mean time, tent cities are springing up, veterans are homeless and living in squalor and millions of American families, working families, are doing without even the very basic levels of health care. If a profoundly lucky man like Brock Lesnar is willing to fight to maintain that as the status quo, well then he's also a profoundly stupid man. But this Canadian is proud to support a system that looks after all of of the people, all of the time. It isn't a perfect system but it is a more economically sound and juster system than the graft, greed and gluttony of America's rapacious profit based system. I don't expect that Mr. Lesnar will decide to moderate his words with anything resembling thought unless there's an economic repercussion. But in future it would be wise to note that loud ignorance does not equal truth. And until Brock Lesnar gets over his petulant fear and juvenile tantrums it would be lovely if he shut his fat mouth about things he quite obviously knows nothing about. And it is abundantly clear he doesn't know much of anything about Canadian healthcare.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Stewart

A look at Ron Simmons' retirement show on Saturday night

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:41:03 +0100

by Larry Goodman

Purks International Championship Wrestling continued their phenomenally successful run in Cedartown last night with a show featuring Ron Simmons’ official retirement match, as well as appearances by Awesome Kong and Christy Hemme.

Attendance at the Purks Building was 900-1000. It was the fourth consecutive month Purks has drawn crowds in that range, numbers unheard of during the 12 years I’ve been covering indie wrestling in Georgia. Not coincidentally, the current run started with the decision to bring in major stars for each show - Scott Steiner, Steiner Brothers and Diamond Dallas Page consecutively. They may have had more in the building in December for Steiner Brothers, but there were few tickets given away for last night, so it was their best paid crowd thus far.

Similar to my Purks experience in December, it was a very entertaining show with a super responsive crowd. One that doesn't care all that much about the quality of the wrestling. The Cedartown fans turn out to see stars and to see them up close and personal. They want a good story. Purks wrestling delivers the goods.

Booking a monthly show presents its own unique challenges. Purks only books five or six matches. For various reasons, they ended up doing only four this time, leaving little room for fluff or deadening material. No worries. The stories kept things plenty interesting enough. The silver lining in the way the show was structured, was the way it minimized the chances of overexposing things in the ring.

Christy Hemme opened the show with the announcement that A. J. Styles was coming Purks Wrestling on March 6. There must be a hefty percentage of TNA viewers in Cedartown, because they popped huge for it. Hemme then led the crowd in a “TNA” chant.

Hemme was joined by the Purks Heavyweight Champion Bobby Hayes and his evil cronies, Terry Lawler and Alexander the Great. They all got the rub, so to speak, of being in the ring with Hemme. Television does not do her justice, and she comes across as someone with a true passion for pro wrestling. Hemme accused Hayes of having something to do with his scheduled opponent Jimmy Rave not being there. Hayes didn’t deny it and added that he wanted something to do with Hemme. She slapped him. The scene was turning dark and ugly. Air Paris (scheduled to open against Lawler in a singles) came to her rescue, one against three. He got some shots in before the heels beat him down. David Young sprinted (yes, sprinted) to the ring for the save and got a great pop. The heels bailed to ringside. Young said the more things change, the more they stay the same – the same pieces of trash still causing trouble. Young pointed out that he and Paris had both beaten Hayes, and now Hemme was whipping his tail. “I’ve never been so glad to see your ugly, fat head,” Paris said. He knew the odds were against him, but he wasn’t going to allow Hayes and Co. take advantage of a woman. Paris suggested they get a partner and make it a six man for the main event, and they would have Hemme in their corner. Very well done all the way around and a great way to use Hemme.

(1) Shaun Banks defeated Simon Sermon in a falls count anywhere - no DQ – no time limit match (10:40). This was the blow off of a feud that has been building for several months. Match wasn’t announced as falls count anywhere, but that stip became apparent soon enough. Banks skinned the cat and dropkicked Sermon, who dipped to the outside. Banks posted him and covered on the floor. Banks took a wicked looking shot into the post and Sermon got a near fall on the floor. Banks deposited Sermon head first into a giant trash barrel. Made a great visual and the crowd loved it. They brawled through the seating area a bit. Sermon hung Banks over the top rope by his do rag. They took turns bashing each other with a plastic Coke bottle. Sermon resorted to a low blow. Sermon used a chair to do a number on Banks, including an atomic drop on the edge of the chair. Sermon busted out an honest to God wrestling move, a Saito suplex. Payback proved to be hell, though, as Banks used a testicular claw to start his comeback. Banks hit two spinkicks and finished Sermon with a beauty of a top rope corkscrew elbow drop. Great stuff. Not what you would normally want in an opening match, but this wasn’t a normal show.
Postmatch, the flamboyant Sermon engaged in some catch as catch can with referee Spanky Emerson.

(2) Awesome Kong pinned Nigel Sherrod in 8:39. Too Tall Shortts was the special referee due to past humiliations suffered at the hands of Sherrod. Sherrod was doing his loud-mouth-sexiest- man-to-hit-Cedartown routine. It’s ridiculous and totally obnoxious and gets incredible heat. Sherrod warned Shortts not to stick his nose in, or risk being sent out on the short bus, cut down even shorter than he already was. Sherrod guaranteed a powerbomb on Kong. The pop for Kong’s entrance was huge. Sherrod gyrated as he stripped off his vest and licked his biceps. And I thought Rhett Titus was disgusting. Kong chopping the bejeezus out of him. Sherrod took a spin bump off Kong's clothesline. Kong squashed Sherrod with a corner freight train splash. Sherrod's shoulder tackles couldn't make a dent. The heat started when Kong charged and Sherrod pulled the ropes down to spill her out. The deal was Shortts doing super slow counts for Sherrod’s pin attempts. It didn’t make sense for Kong to need help against the likes of Nigel. Better Shortts calls it down the middle and acts amused at Sherrod’s predicament. Sherrod tried for a powerbomb. That got nowhere and Kong flattened him with a butt drop. Kong leveled Sherrod with the spinning back fist. Sherrod headed for the dressing room. Shortts bit Sherrod’s butt to send him back to the ring. Sherrod tried to fight off the Awesome Bomb, but it was no use. Kong carried Shortts back the dressing room on her shoulders. Very entertaining.

Long intermission for inring photos with Simmons, Kong and Hemme. It really helps when you can bring in stars as gracious as these people were.

Ring announcer Josh Hayes disclosed that he had received a phone call threatening him with a beatdown if he showed up, but he wasn’t backing down. I have no clue what’s up with that.

John Arden entered the ring with manager Jackie Rosedale. John said brother Adam couldn’t be there to defend the tag team titles because he had a 102 degree fever. Arden said he and his 400 pounds would defend the tag team titles alone. Rosedale insisted on a partner and brought out Sermon. Arden objected. Sermon compared Arden to a dinosaur – big size, small brain. Sermon instructed Arden to do as he was told. Arden continued to resist until he was attacked by Thomas Britain, Sermon’s partner in Exotic Ones. Arden bled, just enough to make the point. Sermon demanded the title belts. Thunder Lightning came out. Was this a title match? Only time would tell.

(3) Thunder Lightning (Chris Ganzer Chris Lightning) beat Exotic Ones (Simon Sermon Thomas Britain) to win the Purks Tag Team Titles in 11:16. T L got off to a fast start, using quick tags to keep a fresh man in at all times. Ganzer hit a flying bodypress on Sermon but Britain jumped in to break up the pin. Great cut off spot by Sermon – a jawcracker out of crucifix powerbomb position. Ganzer was the babyface-in-peril. Sermon carried the load, mostly working on Ganzer’s shoulder. Lots of crowd love for T L here. Off the hot tag, Lightning cleaned house and took Britain over the top with a huracanrana. Emerson got bumped. Arden returned to smoke Simon with a spear. T L hit a missile dropkick variation of the Hart Attack. Lightning pinned Britain.

Arden presented the belts to Thunder Lightning. He said they could hold them for now, but he and one of his brothers would get them back.

(4) Bobby Hayes Terry Lawler Alexander the Great (with Jackie Rosedale) beat Air Paris David Young Ron Simmons (with Christy Hemme) in 19:07. Paris introduced Simmons (wearing a DAMN t-shirt) as the third man for yet another great babyface pop. This Cedartown crowd is amazing. They were psyched. Simmons manhandled Lawler in a test of strength, and none of the heels wanted to mess with him. Comedy ensued with the bad guys accidentally hitting each other when Simmon ducked. A couple of good offensive spots as well – a tandem Russian legsweep by Young and Paris and Paris with a huracanrana to the floor. The heels triple teamed Simmons in their corner, but he fought his way out. Paris moved and Lawler took a flying crotch bump onto the middle turnbuckle. The crowd popped like it was a spot they had never seen before. At 10 minutes in, the heels finally got heat on Young. Crowd got behind him right away. Emerson missed a tag due to distraction, and the crowd went nuts. Young to his knees up on Alexander’s quebrada. Very hot tag to Paris. Match broke down with Simmons going after Hayes on the outside. Inside the ring, Paris DDTed Alexander. Young turned on Paris with a lariat. Young hugged Alexander, but Paris was down and didn’t see it. Young pretended to be sorry before giving Paris the spinebuster. A complete a-hole. Alexander pinned Paris. Simmons had to keep his back turned a very long time for the finish, but it still worked just fine.

Afterwards, Young said he had no problem with Simmons. His problem was with that white trash Paris. Said they weren’t friends, never were friends and never would be friends. Paris apologized to Simmons and the people for letting them down. Simmons said Young was the one that let the people down, and Paris was still a winner in his eyes and in the eyes of the people. “There’s not one word I can give you,” Simmons added.

Paris said there was one word. Everyone knew what was coming, and Simmons did a long, dramatic pause to let it build before giving them the “DAMN!” It got a long and loud pop to close the show. Simmons thanks the fans and said this was officially it for his wrestling career.

NOTES: Simmons did a Q A immediately after the show. He said he would continue to make wrestling appearances that included physical involvement, like throwing a punch, but there would be no more singles matches...Adam Arden canceled...Jimmy Rave is out of action with a broken nose...Purks is working on in bringing in a huge superstar for either April or May.

VIDEO: ROH on HDNet promo tonight with Amercian Wolves vs. Young Bucks

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:40:05 +0100

Jack Brisco legacy, Update on Monday Night Wars, End of ECW and plans for what's NXT

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:44:09 +0100

dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We've got a loaded issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter coming out Monday, including a look at the life and career of Jack Brisco. We also have an update on the next chapter of the Monday Night Wars, an analysis of the situation, and looking at a lot of comments made by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. We also have news on the death of ECW, as well as exclusive notes on different ideas talked about for the new show in its place, and what the good and bad points are of those ideas.

We've got coverage of the Royal Rumble, the MMA debut of Herschel Walker, lots on the Saturday night TV ratings battle with UFC and Strikeforce and why UFC did such big numbers for a tape of a several month old show. We look at whether Walker will fight again, the future of Bobby Lashley and a show rundown.

We also have full coverage of what happened with Chris Jericho and Gregory Helms, discussing the blow-by-blow of the situation, repercussions, coverage and more.

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Our lead story talks about the legend of Jack Brisco, who he was, looking back at the early 70s, Brisco's later health problems and death, why Brisco was so popular with promoters, his amazing wrestling background as well as his football background, how he got started in pro wrestling, his early major supporters, his meeting with Billy Robinson in Australia, the rivalry with Dory Funk Jr., his two world title runs, and second part of his career as a former champion, the debut of Hulk Hogan, the turn of Dusty Rhodes and the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling to Vince McMahon.

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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
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Rates are:

For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24,
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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 also 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
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is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is
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can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

-

SUN. UPDATE: White talks headliner being done; Bret Hart talks TNA; Christian post-ECW, Retirement

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:42:41 +0100

dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We're looking for your thoughts on last night's UFC 109 PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We're also looking for reports on today's WWE house show in Lake Charles, LA, as well as last night's show in Alexandria, LA, and Friday night's TNA show in Wichita and ROH TV tapings in Philadelphia at dave@wrestlingobserver.com

Raw will be live tomorrow night from Lafayette, LA, featuring DX vs. C.M. Punk Luke Gallows vs. The Miz Big Show for the tag titles plus Carl Edwards is guest host.

Smackdown and the next to last episode of ECW will be taped Tuesday night in Baton Rouge (moved from New Orleans).

We've got a loaded issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter coming out Monday, including a look at the life and career of Jack Brisco. We also have an update on the next chapter of the Monday Night Wars, an analysis of the situation, and looking at a lot of comments made by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. We also have news on the death of ECW, as well as exclusive notes on different ideas talked about for the new show in its place, and what the good and bad points are of those ideas.

We've got coverage of the Royal Rumble, the MMA debut of Herschel Walker, lots on the Saturday night TV ratings battle with UFC and Strikeforce and why UFC did such big numbers for a tape of a several month old show. We look at whether Walker will fight again, the future of Bobby Lashley and a show rundown.

We also have full coverage of what happened with Chris Jericho and Gregory Helms, discussing the blow-by-blow of the situation, repercussions, coverage and more.

We also have a very interesting story on the UFC brand name and how acceptable it is or isn't with some very surprising poll results.

The issue will be available today for web site subscribers. For those interested in getting the Observer mailed to your home, ordering details follow.

Our lead story talks about the legend of Jack Brisco, who he was, looking back at the early 70s, Brisco's later health problems and death, why Brisco was so popular with promoters, his amazing wrestling background as well as his football background, how he got started in pro wrestling, his early major supporters, his meeting with Billy Robinson in Australia, the rivalry with Dory Funk Jr., his two world title runs, and second part of his career as a former champion, the debut of Hulk Hogan, the turn of Dusty Rhodes and the sale of Georgia Championship Wrestling to Vince McMahon.

We also analyze TNA going to Monday, WWE's reactions, and TNA's growing pains with its audience. We also look at where TNA's television audience has grown the most. We look at where Hogan and Flair are drawing hte most from, the affect on revenue streams, and surprising things said about Sting.

We look at the end of the ECW name, the attempts by WWE to market the ECW brand, and the new ideas and what the pluses and minuses of them are.

We look at the Royal Rumble, the Elimination Chamber match and the road to Wrestlemania as well as Rumble business notes.

We have more on WrestleMania 27 coming to Atlanta, and the reaction of the Atlanta media, as well as Antonio Inoki in the WWE Hall of Fame and a look at Inoki's WWF title run and the controversy that went down during that period. We also look at why WWE and TNA women's matches are different, updates on John Cena, updates on WWE developmental and the talent there, a former WWE star that has been talked with about returning, a WWE star looking at writing his second book and WWE house show notes.

We also have a look at the ratings for all the major pro
wrestling and MMA shows on television over the past week.

We also have our usual weekly features such as the results of the
biggest matches of the week and rundown of the major television shows.

The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering
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Also in this week's issue:

--Two stars suspended for 60 days

--A wrestling legend and movie star talks about retiring this year after more than 40 years as an active wrestler

--Why CMLL is expecting its biggest crowd in a long time this week

--Major changes expected in one of the top promotions

--Reason why you should never go too crazy when running down a promotion you've left

--What legend helped set an attendance record for a struggling group this past weekend

--Huge show announced featuring stars from several different major offices

--Kenta Kobashi health update

--Marufuji vs. Prince Devitt IWGP jr. title change

--New Japan star headed for a TNA run

--Hall of Famer to come out of retirement in April to form a tag team with his son, who will be debuting

--What pro wrestling star created the chant everyone is talking about going into the Super Bowl

--A former pro wrestling world champion who played a major part in his team being the first-ever NFL champions

--PWG's biggest show at the WrestleReunion convention with RVD, Great Muta and Jushin Liger

--Update on Gene Kiniski

--Second week box office for Tooth Fairy

--Latest wrestling convention horror story

--A look back at the golden era of Jim Barnett's World Championship Wrestling

--Update on Torrie Wilson

--Former WWE woman performer in contest to be a magazine cover model

--Thoughts on a recent wrestling book and lessons in the book

--Notes on the Davey Richards leaving Dragon Gate USA story

--ROH's lawsuit against Ric Flair

--A look at ROH's Los Angeles debut

--Kurt Angle's name comes up in a federal steroid trial

--Ric Flair's role in TNA

--RVD talks about going to TNA

--Notes on the Lockdown PPV

--Taz talks knee replacement

--Who was backstage at the last TV tapings

--Hogan talks about TNA's future

--Lots of notes on the TNA European tour

--Notes on UFC's debut in Abu Dhabi

--Update on when Brock Lesnar is looking at fighting next

--WEC PPV thoughts

--UFC video game sales

--Booking issues in UFC

--Lots of new UFC matches

--Next Strikeforce TV event

--First Dream show of the new year

--New promotion gets a multi-year television deal

--Another celebrity makes MMA debut

--Former WCW promoter has first MMA show this week

--MMA fighter becomes TV star overseas

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues can get free issues from the last 18 years. You can get 2 free back issues by ordering 40 or more issues and one for 24. Let us know which stories you are most interested in and
we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got
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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
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*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New
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*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller
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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
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
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*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
moonsault@mediaplusint.com. 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 also 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.

--Dana White said last night that he thinks that was Mark Coleman's last UFC fight.

--Mick Foley was in Las Vegas doing a comedy show at the Hilton along with Bruce Prichard and Colt Cabana, and came to UFC afterwards.

--WWE has removed all mention of ECW from the road schedule after 2/22. However, Christian is being advertised on Smackdown house shows after that date.

--Bret Hart on his facebook did mention all of his family members are flights and hotel reservations to see Stu Hart inducted into the Hall of Fame. His facebook stuff is a mix of kayfabe and reality, similar to his old Calgary Sun column. He mentioned visiting with Jeremy Borash in Nashville. He said they didn't talk wrestling. Regarding any rumors he's TNA bound, Why anyone would ever think I'd let Hogan and Bischoff anywhere near my Hitman persona again is truly beyond me.

--The Rob Simmons campaign is ripping on Linda McMahon for allowing the Eugene angle to go the way it did, saying stuffing someone portrayed as intellectually disabled down a toilet isn't funny. Thank God they haven't seen watching the Piggy James segments.

--With the Super Bowl is a Chicago Tribune article on concussions in football quoting Chris Nowinski at http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0204-haugh-sup er-bowl--20100203,0,4919611.column

--Larry Matysik has a letter to the editor in today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch regarding the story they published on the death of Jack Brisco. Basically the story didn't touch on the fact Brisco was a headliner for 14 years in the city.

--Human Tornado of PWG, announced he's retiring from wrestling at age 26.

--During the Scotland vs. France Six Nations rugby union game, Mathieu Bastareaud of France scored and celebrated doing the You can't see me hand sign (thanks to Martin Bentley)

--The Six Flags amusement park in Louisville is scheduled to close on Thursday although the city is trying to keep it open. The Six Flags for years ran every other weekend OVW pro wrestling events over the summer that were headlined by many of the biggest WWE names.

--Tooth Fairy was No. 5 this week in both the U.S. and Australia. This weekend's estimate is $6.5 million.

--Phil Mushnick ripped on Rich McKay, the Falcons president, for helping promote WrestleMania next year. He noted that they are working with a drug infested product, bringing up that the Chris Benoit murders were right outside of Atlanta. It's at http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/louder_team_super_flop_eiguKnz Mx0CDTSxVehWQTM

--Lance Storm talks retirement from wrestling at http://www.stormwrestling.com/020710.html

--TNA Epics on Thursday at 11 p.m. will be a one hour show devoted to Sting

--Beth Phoenix twittered that she was pulled over while driving to Dallas and got a ticket.

--Ric Flair will be appearing at a 2/12 TNA house show in Norfolk. He's listed as managing A.J. Styles when he faces Kurt Angle.

--Prediction on buys for last night's UFC PPV
Under 250,000 10%
251-300,000 12.1%
301-350,000 21.4%
351-400,000 20.4%
401-450,000 14.6%
451-500,000 8.1%
501-550,000 5.2%
551-600,000 3.3%
More than 601,000 5.0%

--Prediction on buys for the Faber vs. Also PPV on 4/24
Under 25,000 16.6%
26-50,000 18.4%
51-75,000 16.1%
76-100,000 23.1%
101-125,000 11.4%
126-150,000 4.7%
151-175,000 4.2%
176-200,000 2.2%
201-225,000 0.2%
226-250,000 0.5%
2510-275,000 0.7%
More than 276,000 1.7%

--Who were pro wrestling's greatest brother tag team
Steiners 36.7%
Funks 29.4%
Hardys 14.5%
Briscos 9.5%
Kevin David Von Erich 3.0%
Jacques Jr. Raymond Rougeau 2.3%
Vachons 1.4%
Tolos Brothers 1.0%
Bill Dan Miller 0.8%
George Sandy Scott 0.6%
Torres Brothers 0.4%
Jacques Johnny Rougeau 0.3%

--Irv Muchnick lists four questions he thinks political reporters in Connecticut should be asking Linda McMahon at http://wrestlingbabylon.worldpress.com

--A story on Colt Cabana in the Las Vegas Weekly is at http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2010/feb/06/q-wrestlercomedian-colt-ca bana/

--WWE held a casting call for the movie Big Red this week. The movie, which will feature Randy Orton, starts filming in a few weeks. They are looking for males 13-16, no shorter than 5-8 (because who would ever pay to see a movie with someone shorter than them in a lead role?) with red or light colored hair.

--Raphaelle Boland at raphboland@gmail.com is looking for photos of old-time German wrestlers for a documentary including Fit Finlay, Rasputin, Eddie Hamill (Kung Fu), or Orig Williams (El Bandito), as well as any photos or footage of wrestlers touring Germany.

--Combat Championship Wrestling from Friday night in St. Petersburg: Los Ben Dejas b Moose Madison Bruce Santee, Titan Ultra Boy Illuminat 2 Jerks Cuban Assassin, Jesse Neal b Sinn Bohdi-DQ, Shawn Spears b Ricky Ortiz, Sean Phil Davis b Marc Mandrake Butch Long, Awesome Kong b Cookie Bates (thanks to Alan Wojcik)

--NWS from Friday night in Union, NJ: Nick Talent b Manuel Moore, Joey Janella d J.D. Smooth, Justin Blackwell Nick Gregory b Corey Havoc Major Disaster, Nigerian Nightmares b Steve Gipke Steve Scott, Jim Duggan b Danny Demanto

--Tracy Smothers headlines for EWF on 3/13 in Muncie, IN at the Ross Community Center headlined by Tracy Smothers

--The main event on 2/18 at the Auditorio in Tijuana has Shocker Strongman vs. Atlantis Ultimo Guerrero plus Hector Garza La Mascara vs. El Terrible El Texano Jr.

--CZW on 2/28 will be doing a show at the Park Avenue Banquet Hall in Philadelphia at 3 p.m. with free admission with a donation to the Boy Scouts. On 3/21, they are doing a show to benefit the victims in Haiti with a 3 p.m. show at the same location with free admission with a donation to the Haiti Relief Fund.

--Peter Stasko at petemstasko@aol.com is looking to get tapes of the ROH TV shows on HDNet

--The top matches on the CZW show on Saturday night at the Arena in Philadelphia are Sami Callihan vs. Necro Butcher in a street fight, Drake Younger vs. Devon Moore, Azrieal Bandido Jr. vs. Rich Swann Ryan McBride and L.J. Cruz Alex Colon vs. Zero Gravity

--Firestorm Pro Wrestling on Friday night in Lakewood, CO: Sassy Stephanie b Nevaeh, Shane Taylor Marcus Knight b Jedidiah McCoy Jacob McCoy, Patrick Hayes won five-way scramble over Nicky Valentino, Jason Gory, Matthew Justice and Tim Greene, Ray Rowe b Lou Marconi, John McChesney b Ray Rowe, C.J. Sensation P.J. Kinney won three-way over Irish Airborne Cut Throat Crew, Aftermatch b J-Rocc. Next show is a 30-man Rumble on 3/19, plus John McChesney vs. Ray Rowe in title vs. career

--Hoosier Pro Wrestling from last night in Columbus, IN before 160 fans: Ricky Ruckus b Damien Cole, Fast Eddie b Joe Dirt, Tom Van Zant b General Lee, Hillbilly Jed b Dave Bane, Average White Guy b Cousin Cooter-COR, Donny Idol b Troy Van Zant, T.J. Kemp Gary Gherry b Ronnie Vegas T.J. Powers (thanks to Jerry Wilson)

--IHWE from last night in Fort Worth: Mike Foxx b Sb1, Mark Vaughn b Eric Kincade, Tim Storm Apoc b Jeff Jerry Brown, Franco D'Angelo b Thomas Baker, Khris Wolfe NC Seth Shai, Dave Dunnigs b Texas Red, Brent Masters Aftershock Donovan Steele Logan b Chris Richter Balls Ryder Kris Haiden Carrion Arcane, Chico Torres b Livewire, Franco D'Angelo won Battle Royal (thanks to David Farmer)

--Every Sunday night at Rustico's in Alexandria, VA at 8:30, they will air a WretleMania. Next week will be Mania 2. Draft beer is $2 off

--There is a show on Saturday night in Bay City, MI at Sonic Skate featuring Zach Gowen and midgets

--New England Championship Wrestling on 2/27 in Pembroke, MA at the South Shore Field House with Max Bauer defending the Triple Crown against Brandon Locke

--Big Time Wrestling on 3/13 in Chicopee, MA at the Boys and Girls Club with Scotty 2 Hotty, U-Gene, Slyck Wagner Brown, Rick Fuller and Johnny Fabulous (John Cena Sr.). They also run 3/19 in Danbury, CT at the Arena with Roddy Piper, Mick Foley, Jim Duggan, U-Gene and John Walters, plus 3/20 at Town Hall in Webster, MA with Foley, U-Gene and Duggan

--POWW from last night in Fox Lake, IL before 182 fans: Scott Spade b Gage Quinn, Justin James b Cousin Eddie, Dynamite b Chris Cairo, Jimmy Blaze Mitch Blake b Vito Pauly Thomaselli, Logan Scott b Ruff Crossing, Kanoa Brandon Bishop b Sinmates-DQ (thanks to Rob Myers)

--CWE from Sunday afternoon in Winnipeg: Petey Williams b Bobby Jay, A.J. Sanchez b Jon Cutler via forfeit, Mentallo b J.J. Sanchez, Kevy Chevy b Paul Arcidi, Danny Duggan b Rick Matthews, Matt Fairland Bobby Fox b Don Douglas Billy Blaze in a tables match, Chi Chi Cruz b Brain Rich Scottie Rapper in a handicap match, A.J. Sanchez over Petey Williams, Mentallo and Kevy Chevy to become the CWE champion

Joe Babinsack looks at Shimmer volume 24

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:40:46 +0100

SHIMMER Volume 24

SHIMMER Women’s Athletes

ShimmerWrestling.com

Hotline: (630) 585- 3958

$14.95

Reviewed by Joe Babinsack

New talent on display, solid booking across the board, and top notch wrestlers displaying their abilities in the ring.

That’s far more than can be said about other, more visible promotions, and that’s most of the reason why I got a boost of enthusiasm about wrestling by watching the culmination of two dozen DVDs by one of the industry’s most consistently excellent promotions.

That the talent is all female is of little concern by me. I know I live for watching an industry where women wrestling is dismissed as eye-candy, as inferior, and often simply as a joke. I know too often my peers on the internet play the same sort of sexist games; indifferently dismissing promotions like SHIMMER; oblivious to the efforts, talent and product it produces; more interested in boosting the status quo of the mainstream rather than trying something new.

Across the board, SHIMMER is doing things right.

While it has an established roster of top notch indy talent, and names that mean something in women’s wrestling, no matter if they wrestle here or on the East Coast or on the West Coast or even in TNA, SHIMMER has been introducing new talent for most of its existence, intermixing and moving people up and down the cards.

In this DVD, we have a big time main event that happens to be a tag team match, that happens to include the top four names in the promotion, the country, the world.

While Melissa Anderson, masked or not, costumed or not, cannot seem to buy a spot in TNA, she’s on the mark here in SHIMMER. Teamed with one-time antagonist and now SHIMMER Women’s World Champion MsChif, they make up the babyface opposition to the two monsters of the promotion, perennial challenger and monster heel Amazing Kong and former SHIMMER Women’s World Champion Sara Del Rey.

I’m still not digging Sara’s weird eye makeup, but the transition from mostly face, sheer technical talent to over-the-top heel has been an impressive one. Injecting more personality, despite the crazed look and attitude, means that the matchups are more personal and the grudges have more feeling.

What I love about SHIMMER Volume 24 is that it extends the solid booking that has been the hallmark of the promotion. Each DVD is not the be-all, end-all event, it’s just another piece of the puzzle. What I mean by this is that there’s no over-the-top sense of enhancing the main event, no senseless hyping, no screaming and yelling and making more of what’s going on.

Instead, the builds are more focused, and thus more satisfying.

Winning and losing means something, and thus you know when a match is over, that the winner will move up and the loser will move down. And in this promotion, the mixture of veteran talent enhances the roster, because there is no sense of “sides” and there is no sense of veterans going over just because, and there is no established format that cannot be escaped.

More so, there is no overwriting, overbooking and no mysterious and lazy repeated finishes.

The things you can count on with SHIMEER are passionate work in the ring, dynamics that engage the viewer and all shapes and sizes of women. I’ve said it and will continue to say it, but in women’s wrestling, and especially in SHIMMER, we see the sensibilities and product that hearkens back to Old School – with current moves and workrate and evolving of the professional wrestling artform.

Newcomers to the roster include Jessie McKay, who takes on Kellie Skater. These two Aussies provide an solid opener, and establish themselves (Skater the heel, McKay called “Everybody’s Favorite Girlfriend” clearly the face) and establish the feel for the DVD, where you expect to see action and effort.

SHIMMER has stepped up with the promos and the in-between interviews and monologues between matches. The Canadian Ninjas (Portia Perez and Nicole Mathews) are a fun heel team, and there’s nothing like seeking the very cute Perez brandishing a wiffleball bat and a hockey stick to promote her No Disqualification Street Fight with Allison Danger.

The Experience is back in the house, as Lexie Fyfe Malia Hosaka take on newcomers Tenille Rayna Von Tash. Veteran heels make the babyfaces look better, and Tenille and Von Tash show some interesting potential. While Tenille is one more athletic brunette, Von Tash is a statuesque redhead reminiscent of Ditta Von Tease.

What’s interesting here is that the babyfaces don’t have to go over to look good.

Amber O’Neal is one of my favorites, a heel who knows how to work the crowd, work a match and tell a story. She takes on “Girl Dynamite” and also blonde but younger Jennifer Blake. How can Amber O’Neal ever have a bad match?

Talking about favorites, let’s talk about Mercedes Martinez (who happens to be the WSU Women’s Champion, as far as I know) and who truly is the Latina Sensation. I didn’t give Madison Eagles much of a chance, but the thing with SHIMMER is that they do feature the sort of ‘measuring stick’ matches that let you know how far the other gal has risen.

Martinez put her away, but then endorsed her as a future contender. It’s an old school staple, but when it’s done, does it ever disappoint?

Del Rey and Kong cut promos, mostly on Cheerleader Melissa, establishing the history between them all, and making sure that the history progresses beyond this DVD.

Next, Lacey’s back as a manager and she’s standing with the Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew of Rain Jetta. Managers were basically introduced into SHIMMER recently, and that’s a great addition, notably with Annie Social and her growing stable, but utilizing Lacey is also important, bringing her knowledge and mic skill to bat for her team.

Nikki Roxx Portugese Princess Ariel are their opponents.

Roxx has her hair growing back, and the makeshift team does well up against the heels. This is mostly a match to keep the MHWC strong to contend against Ashley Lane Nevaeh, but any featuring of tag team action is more than alright by me.

Speaking of hair, Serena Deeb takes on the rather uniquely named Cat Power, who is minus the mask now. Fun match, maybe a little too cutesy fun at first, but there’s nothing wrong with changing up styles.

Especially since the next two grudge matches are feeling the seriousness.

The Canadian Ninjas team would win one and lose one, but let’s watch the DVD to find out who does what. First up is Nicole Mathews taking on Daizee Haze in what is billed as a No Time Limit match. I didn’t think the gimmick was necessary, but the following match is Allison Danger taking on Portia Perez in a No DQ Street Fight, putting Danger and Perez in jeans and in a garbage style match.

I loved how the matches flowed into each other in true old school ECW fashion.

Danger/Perez featured everything that is traditionally great about SHIMMER, but introducing the hard-core style match. I wouldn’t want to see this every DVD, and certainly not escalated, but the change of pace was welcome, and it established Portia Perez as a player equal to her looks, and while I like to play down my oft annoyed attitude about Allison Danger, I do grudgingly give her props for this match.

Now as hardcore as that last match was, let’s take hard-hitting action a notch or two higher, without the crazed bloodletting or the cringe-worthy chairshots.

SHIMMER features more than just a few women who can work All Japan Level stiff, but two names that come to mind are Wesna “Croatian Panther” Busnic and Lufisto’s brand of “Hardcore Anime”.

Somehow, I believe “Panther” is a reference to the WWII era German Tank. And it is befitting.

These two ladies, and I say that with fear in my eyes, tear down the house, tear into each other and tear up any sense that women cannot put together a match far more violent than their male counterparts. I can’t name a wrestler in the WWE today who inspires me in terms of hard-hitting action like this match. Like women wrestling or not, check out this match and tell me otherwise.

What I also love is that this match, and the main event both establish challengers to MsChif’s Women’s Championship, as well as the stated number one contendership for the Tag Team Gold of Ashley Lane and Nevaeh. (I also give props for not having an ‘obligatory’ match with the Tag Team Champions.)

So we establish one contender, and we establish that Annie Social is the heel manager par excellence, and then we move into the history laden tag match between MsChif/Melissa and Del Rey/Kong.

Dynamics, to me, are vital and this is as dynamic as it gets.

Here, we have the two heel contenders and a face contender and the World Champion. In the end, the heels (plus another) put the beat down on the Champion.

In the end, it establishes the next DVD or two, because we have a tag title match slated, and we have contenders established for MsChif, and we have Cheerleader Melissa set up for one-on-one’s with any of the three heels.

More important, this main event builds upon the card. It has the hard-hitting action, the technical mastery and the heel/face interactions. It has top names, which everyone on the roster aspires to reach. It has meaningful ramifications and meaningful action.

But getting to the finish is the fun part, and these four ladies put on a show worthy of their cumulative reputations. Pro wrestling is definitely fun and enjoyable when the SHIMMER women are in the ring.

1. Jessie McKay vs. Kellie Skater
2. Lexie Fyfe Malia Hosaka vs. Tenille Rayna Von Tash
3. Amber O'Neal vs. Jennifer Blake
4. Mercedes Martinez vs. Madison Eagles
5. Rain Jetta with Lacey vs. Nikki Roxx Portuguese Princess Ariel
6. Serena Deeb vs. Cat Power
7. No Time Limit: Nicole Matthews vs. Daizee Haze
8. No Disqualification Street Fight: Allison Danger vs. Portia Perez
9. Wesna Busic vs. LuFisto
10. MsChif Cheerleader Melissa vs. Sara Del Rey Amazing Kong

Joe Babinsack can be reached at chaosonejoe@yahoo.com. Next up is Women’s Superstars Uncensored (yeah, hate the name, love the wrestling) and Glamour, Glitz Divas, and then we move out of women’s wrestling for a spell.

UFC 109 feeback

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:23:47 +0100

Best Match: Tito Ortiz's verbal run-in vs. Mark Coleman.
Worst Match: Ground ‘n’ Pound and the new decade.
Thumbs: Being held down and pounded into submission...or maybe it just passed out from boredom.

Dana White strengthens his claim as the Vince McMahon of his generation by pulling off one of Vince’s favorite blunders: plagiarizing other people’s blunders. Elevating ground ‘n’ pound practitioners numbed UFC into a malaise it barely escaped from with its life in the mid-90s. So 15 years later, Dana highlights a card with GnP guys -- one so far over the hill, he may be underground + (worse yet) some up-and-coming GnPers guaranteed a spot on future PPVs. UFC should impose a limit of one GnPer per show -- two if one of them is named Fedor or Lesnar.

Nate Marquardt has been building a rep as a charismatic and exciting fan favorite. So Dana has Chael Sonnen hump him for 15 minutes...well, 14, with Nate almost pulling it out in the last 60 seconds. Still, it wasn’t enough, and we now have Chael Sonnen in a headline PPV match to look forward to. Gee, maybe Phil Davis will be on the undercard. Former war hero and WEC champ Brian Stann could have had a big future in UFC if he’d been eased along and allowed to develop his skills. But Dana feeds him to Davis, an elite wrestler who can’t do anything on his feet or on the ground with submissions. The inevitable occurs with inevitable slowness. Davis wins and Dana further buries WEC even after he’s bought the promotion (sound familiar?) Stann looks ten years older afterwards; I’m afraid to look in the mirror, because I think I may look ten years older after watching this undercard.

Trigg-Serra could have used Shonie Carter as guest referee or a “loser has to keep his hair” stip. Miller vs. Maia could have used a kendo stick. Danzig vs. Bucholz could have used a ladder and briefcase with a contract for another fight hanging above the octagon -- and maybe an Arn Andersonn run-in just to be sure...and a blank contract as a swerve just to make sure neither of these guys gets another PPV fight.

The potential for tedium inherent in a Couture-Coleman match had me dreading it in the ‘90s. In the 10s, it just felt terribly wrong and freakish -- in a really sad and dull sort of way. About two minutes in, Coleman looked like he did the last two minutes of his Maurice Smith fight, depriving us all again of disliking him enough to take any joy in watching him get beat up (no mean feat). And Coleman’s post-match interview had me thinking Congress may create a Nowinski Commission to investigate the long-term effects of MMA fighting on brain function. But Tito saved it with a verbal run-in -- though he may have doomed us to another Mark Coleman PPV headline fight in the process. Maybe Dana will put Kevin Randleman vs. Takada on the undercard and give Nick Bockwinkel a ringside seat.

Turk Regan

My Vote: Thumbs in the Middle

Best Fight: Sonnen v. Marquardt

Worst Fight: Couture v. Coleman

Please, Dana, please: cut Mark Coleman loose so he can go to Strikeforce and take on Lashley and/or Herschel. He should make some decent paydays there and provide some suspense about the outcomes of those fights.

Howard Kleuter

Thumbs in the middle.

Best fight: Guillard-Torres

Worst fight: Beltran-Gracie

KO: Serra

Sub: Thiago (sorry, Randy)

Was anti-stoked for the card and watched the individual fights after the fact so taking it in real time:

Rolles Gracie is a disgrace. He had a visibly out of shape last minute smaller guy in front of him, he himself actually unlike most Gracies can throw a punch, and he just gassed out and pussied out and gave up his booty when the guy didn't collapse at the sight of him. Horrible. He should get his purse withheld and be suspended, not that I think we're gonna see him again in the US in MMA anyway, after that.

Davis was stepping up in class vs. Stann but the pretty much infinite gap in natural talent more than made up for it. He obviously needs to round out his game with striking technique and submissions but his wrestling is so good he can be a force in the division just on the strength of it.

Guillard vs. Torres was a great fight. Guillard is looking much more focused and disciplined, andTorres more than lived up to the rep. Amazingly Rogan and Moldberg (whose inane babbling is really getting out of hand, along with Buffer's screaming) manage to fail to recognize Jose Aldo as Torres' chief second. Guillard saved himself from a massive slam off riding Torres' shoulder in the 2nd by grabbing the fence and got away with it. Any case, great fight and about as close as it gets, with Gullard's defense countering Torres' aggression and good technique everywhere by both, and I really think Guillard won it in the last five seconds by reversing the throw in midair and coming down in mount and teeing off.

Danzig vs. Buckholz was also very good and all action, with Danzig finishing strong to cop the decision.

Unfortunately the theme of the main card should have been Night of the Living Dead. Trigg shows up with hair looking like he used that Grecian Formula shit that turns it green and with nothing and Serra knocks him cold with the first serious punch of the fight. Trigg doesn't even know what happened, just like when Kos knocked him silly, and protests afterward. He needs to retire before he gets his brains permanently scrambled. He is so far past shot it isn't even funny and everybody apparently besides him and UFC knew it a long time ago. Why they ever rehired him is amazing.

Maia surprises by outstriking Miller for three rounds, and probably would have stopped him in the 1st except for the dramatic opportunity from the low blow, but it wasn't much fun to watch.

Thiago is a strange case. His standup is mostly technically horrible, with his head up in the air and swinging wild, but he also has these slick little punch-kick combos that come out of nowhere at random, and he hits so hard and takes a shot so well that he gets away with a lot. But meanwhile his JJ is as good as it gets. That D'Arce was the quickest-acting sleeper I've ever seen---Swick was out in about three seconds. But what do you do with him now? Rematch with Kos? Fitch-Alves winner? Next title shot? (Especially with UFC's pretzel logic booking.)

Sonnen keeps Marquardt grounded for almost the whole fight. What little Nate manages to get off all does damage, but nowhere near enough. Sonnen at least manages not to cut a moronic douchebag racist promo afterwards. Have to give him props though, he fought a perfect fight and at least is staying more aggressive than he used to from the top rather than just laying. Looking forward to Anderson sending him to a nice white hospital in a nice white neighborhood.

Ten seconds into Couture-Coleman, it's clear Randy takes this any time and any way he wants to. He could have laid back at long range and boxed and ended it sooner. Coleman is a total zombie. We need a word stronger than 'slow'. He seems twenty years older than Randy. He does achieve hero status during his promo after the fight when Tito walks by the cage and yells something in which the word 'motherfucker' can be heard, and Coleman comes back to the mic with the difficult-to-argue observation 'Fuck you, Tito. You're a fucking cunt. Any time, douche bag.' Entertainment-wise, sorta saved the card, which overall pretty much lived down to expectations.

Crimson Mask

I have been looking forward to this card for awhile. As a big Coleman fan for a number of reasons this was a show I was buying no matter what. I came in knowing full well that I might see Coleman lay on Randy for 3 rounds or Randy hug Coleman against the cage for 3 rounds, so my enjoyment of this show was not hinging on the main event...

As it was, the card gets a slight thumbs up.

Best Fight: Chael Sonnen vs Nate Marquardt and Guillard vs Torres

Worst Fight: Maia vs Miller

Sonnen vs Marquardt was not the result I wanted to see, and was such a strange fight. I've never seen a guy dominate so badly but maybe be so close to losing the whole time like Chael Sonnen.. That cut was absurd and he was obviously fighting at reduced capacity in the late 2nd and 3rd rounds. But Nate was either too gassed or too beaten up to defend take downs, or create space on the ground to fight back much after the elbow that opened the cut. His two openings in the 3rd round were amazingly dramatic, and this was a strange, exciting fight.

Guillard vs Torres was just a really fun fight and Guillard caught the eye of a friend who had never seen a UFC event before and really put on a show. However, he seemed too content to be flashy and put on a show and sometimes forgot to score points on his opponent.

Trigg vs Serra was one hell of a knock out.

Maia's fight was just dull. I hope he really sticks with the Nogs and develops his boxing though.

The main event was sad to see Coleman not even try his wrestling. But Randy looked really good since even if Coleman wouldn't use his wrestling it says something to do what he did against the cage and on the ground.

When Rolles Gracie's fight wasn't shown all night until the end I expected either a boring decision or an embarrassing loss for him when it played at the end. I was sad that the latter came true because that was one of the worst showings I've seen in the UFC in awhile.

Christopher Gilleski

I give UFC 109 Relentless a thumbs in the middle
Best match: Guillard vs. Torres.
I thought the Marquadrt vs. Sonnen match was disappointing. I was expecting a more exciting fight. Sonnen is a good wrestler and he deserves the win, but I don't think he stands a chance against Silva and Marquardt does because I think Silva will just out strike Sonnen before Sonnen will get a chance to use his wrestling. Marqardt stands a better chance of answering Silva's punches and kicks with his own. The Couture/Coleman fight was what it was. Coleman should have retired after he got beat by Fedor years ago. His post-match yelling at Tito was better than his performance in the cage. Phil Davis was impressive, I'm guessing he's going to have another fight soon.
Worst match: Rolles Gracie vs. Beltran.
The submission of the night would definitely go to Thiago's choke out of Mike Swick.

Jason McNeil

Dave,

Great UFC card. I was hoping for a little more of a back-and-forth match for the main event, but it was still an exciting contest. Couture's music may now replace Dan Henderson's as the best mma entrance song.

Chael Sonnen was quite impressive. I was expecting a early knockout by Marquardt, as that has become the norm with him lately, but the exact opposite came to fruition. Great fight!

Thumbs up to the card
Best Match: Sonnen vs Marquardt
Worst Match: Serra vs Trigg, just because it ended so soon.

Matt Wright

WWE Vintage Collection TV report with second generation stars, Von Erich vs. Hennig, Rock, Ortons

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:36:18 +0100

‘WWE Vintage Collection TV Report #88 – February 7th, 2010

Shown on Sky Sports in the U.K.

By Stephen Lyon.

This week: The theme of the show was 'Families Generations'. Matches featured were Ivan Scott Putski vs Jerry Lawler Brian Christopher (Raw 1997); Rowdy Roddy Piper vs Cowboy Bob Orton Jr (SNME 1986); Randy Orton vs Hardcore Holly (Orton's WWF tv debut match in the U.S., Smackdown 2002); Rocky Maivia vs Davey Boy Smith (featuring Bret Hart Vince McMahon doing commentary together, Raw 1997); and in the main event, Mr Perfect regaining the Intercontinental title from Kerry Von Erich (Superstars, 1990). Some really good stuff this week.

Occasional Ric Flair-watch (week 5): One big change this week - the huge banner of Ric Flair that had been positioned behind Gene Okerlund on the tv set for the past 87 weeks is gone, replaced with a huge banner of the Undertaker instead. The six 'legend' banners behind Okerlund now include (from left to right): Freddie Blassie, The Undertaker, Dusty Rhodes, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Andre the Giant and Gorilla Monsoon.

I guess they didn't like that Flair/Samoa Joe confrontation on Impact this past week.

The Show:

Show opened with a video tribute to the late Jack Brisco. This was the same video that was featured on other WWE shows this past week.

1) Ivan Scott Putski defeated Jerry Lawler Brian Christopher. This rarest of matches, a father son versus father son tag team match, took place on the July 14th, 1997 edition of 'WWF Raw is War live', held in San Antonio, Texas. Announcers for this match were Vince McMahon Jim Ross. Both announcers speculated over the relationship between Lawler and Christopher, as Lawler always denied Christopher was his son on WWF tv (partly so that people didn't think the King was too old). Scott Putski was getting a big push at the time, as one of the stars of the newly-formed 'Light Heavyweight Division', and was feuding with Christopher. Father Ivan showed up one week to save his son from a beating and got into it with Lawler, setting up this tag team match, Ivan's one-off return match to the WWF after an absence of 10 years. This was a short match. The faces were dominating the heels until Lawler tripped Scott. The younger Putski confronted him, only to be jumped by Christopher. Lawler gave Scott a piledriver in the ring and had him beaten, but Christopher tagged in and wanted to get the pin. Christopher tried for a top rope legdrop, but missed. Christopher then accidentally dropkicked Lawler. Ivan finally got the hot tag and cleaned house, nailing Lawler with the Polish Power hammer to pin him. Ivan was 56 years old at the time and looked great for his age. Fun one off match.

Next came a short video on the Orton wrestling family, featuring comments from Bob Orton Sr, Bob Orton Jr, Randy Orton, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Jim Ross, talking about the successes of the family. They showed a lot of photos of all three Ortons growing up, particularly showing Randy as a child with Andre the Giant. This was a great video feature, and portrayed Randy Orton as a total babyface.

2) Rowdy Roddy Piper defeated Cowboy Bob Orton Jr (w/Jimmy Hart Don Muraco in his corner). This match was held in Los Angeles, California, taped on November 15th, 1986 to air on the November 29th, 1986 broadcast of 'WWF Saturday Nights' Main Event' on NBC. Announcers for this match were Vince McMahon Jesse Ventura. Piper had turned babyface several months earlier, and was now feuding with the trio of Adrian Adonis, Cowboy Bob Orton Jr (his former bodyguard), and Don Muraco. Muraco was wearing an anti-Piper t-shirt and kilt to mock Piper, but after he'd tried to interfere several times in this match, referee Dave Hebner sent him to the back. This match was a short brawl, with Piper in control at the start, before Orton Jr gained the upper hand. Finish of the match came when Jimmy Hart climbed on to the ring apron and held Piper for Orton Jr to punch. Piper moved, then threw Orton Jr into Hart, before rolling him for the pinfall win.

A short 'Up next' clip aired from 2002, of Vince McMahon with Stacy Keibler and a youthful Randy Orton backstage, with Orton asking McMahon for his 'first match'. McMahon put over Randy, saying, His old man was a hell of a wrestler and his grandfather was also a hell of a wrestler. You've got your opportunity, good luck kid.

3) Randy Orton defeated Hardcore Holly. This match was held in Peoria, Illinois, taped on April 23rd, 2002 and aired on the April 25th, 2002 edition of 'WWF Smackdown'. This was Orton's first appearance on WWF tv as a full-time character and wrestler, and was billed as his debut match on WWF tv. Technically, his WWF tv debut had occurred nearly a year earlier, when he lost to Billy Gunn on the May 6th, 2001 edition of 'WWF Sunday Night Heat', but that particularly match only aired internationally and was edited off the U.S. version of the show. For this Smackdown match, the announcers were Michael Cole Tazz. Orton had significantly less tattoos and was wearing shiny blue and yellow shorts, with 'ORTON' written on the back. This was a fast-paced match, with Holly playing the bully, making the rookie Orton 'pay his dues' as he dominated him, kicking him low. It's all about discipline; pay yer dues Randy! yelled Tazz on commentary. Orton nailed Holly with a dropkick, then did a cross-body block dive from the top rope on to Holly, which Holly reversed into a pin attempt of his own. Out of nowhere, Orton used a drop-toe hold on Holly, then rolled him up with a side cradle for the shock pinfall win. The crowd popped and this was portrayed as a massive upset, that even Orton was surprised by. What a tryout match by Randy Orton! shouted Michael Cole.

Next came another short video feature, this time focusing on Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson and the Rock. Comments aired from Leah Maivia (Rock's grandmother), Ata Maivia (Rock's mother), Afa, Pat Patterson, Vince McMahon, Rocky Johnson, Jerry Lawler, Dory Funk Jr, Steve Austin and Eric Bischoff. Vince talked about how Peter Maivia was tough but a nice guy. Rock talked about his father, and his vivid memory of his father Tony Atlas winning the WWF tag team titles. Ata Maivia talked about the 'Rocky Sucks' chants in 1997, and how she wanted to protect her son. This was a cool little video.

4) Rocky Maivia defeated Davey Boy Smith (w/Clarence Mason in his corner) via count out. This match was held in Albany, New York, taped on December 30th, 1996 and aired on the January 13th, 1997 edition of 'WWF Monday Night Raw'. Announcers for this match were Vince McMahon, Bret Hart and Honky Tonk Man. Surreal to watch Vince and Bret sat next to each other, doing commentary. Bret was guest-commentating just for this match, putting over the Royal Rumble ppv that was six days away. Owen Hart came out, yelling about how Davey Boy was his brother-in-law and that he wanted to stop Bret attacking Davey Boy. Bret said on commentary that he had a bad knee and was injured, and that he didn't want any trouble, that things had been good in the family over Christmas and he didn't want Owen to spoil it. Owen put his Slammy award on the announce table, then stood on guard in front of Bret, staring him out. Vince grilled Bret, asking him questions like 'Why the bad blood between you two?' and 'Aren't you uncomfortable with Owen stood right in front of you?' As for the match, there wasn't much to it. Rocky still had the Chia Pet hairstyle and the blue trunks at this point, and the fans were growing to resent his push.

Rocky had several nearfalls, before the Bulldog began to dominate him. Rocky used the Ali-shuffle (similar to his dad) and clotheslined Bulldog to ringside, going over with him too. Outside the ring, Bulldog threw Rocky into the barricades hard. Suddenly, Stone Cold Steve Austin ran out and took out Davey Boy's knee from behind. Bret stood up at the announce table, and tried to help Smith, but Owen wouldn't let him, until Bret told Owen about Austin's attack. Bret hobbled to the back in pursuit of Austin, as Owen also ran to the back after him as well. Austin mocked Bret's hobbling in the aisle. Meanwhile, Rocky beat the referee's count at nine, to roll into the ring and win the match via count out. Rocky's theme music played, music that had piped-in cheesy chants of 'Rocky, Rocky' at the start of it. No wonder this guy wasn't getting over. Owen and Clarence Mason tended to Smith as Rocky celebrated.

A recap aired from the Summerslam 1990 ppv, featuring Mr Perfect Bobby Heenan's pre-match promo with Sean Mooney. The heels were asked about taking the title match with the 'Texas Tornado' Kerry Von Erich on short notice, and both heels acted dismissively and cocky, with Heenan whistling like it was nothing, and Perfect taking Tornado lightly. The finish of their Summerslam match aired, with Tornado whipping Perfect into the ringpost, which he struck with his head, then giving him the claw and Tornado punch for the title win. Perfect's angry post-match promo aired: The lump on my head is from the post, and you Texas Tornado, I will be back for you and to reclaim what rightfully belongs to the family.

5) Mr Perfect (w/Bobby Heenan in his corner) defeated 'Texas Tornado' Kerry Von Erich to win the WWF Intercontinental title. This match was held in Rochester, New York, taped on November 19th, 1990 and aired on the December 15th, 1990 edition of 'WWF Superstars'. Announcers for this match were Vince McMahon, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Honky Tonk Man. Before the match, Ted DiBiase was in the ring, and paid off Howard Finkel to become the ring announcer for this match. Some back-story here, since this wasn't mentioned on this Vintage Collection show. The previous week on 'WWF Superstars', Dustin Rhodes had been the guest on the 'Brother Love Show' interview segment. DiBiase and Virgil came out, and DiBiase tried to buy Rhodes, saying he could be just like Virgil, then made Virgil clean both his own and Brother Love's shoes (this mistreatment of Virgil was foreshadowing the upcoming Virgil babyface turn). Rhodes, seeing the mistreatment of Virgil, turned the deal down and attacked DiBiase. The heels double-teamed Rhodes, until Kerry Von Erich made the save, and thus became an enemy of Ted DiBiase.

DiBiase did the ring introductions for this match, praising Perfect and Heenan, as Piper repeatedly said he had a bad feeling about this situation and that something wasn't right. DiBiase sat in Finkel's chair at ringside, as Von Erich clotheslined Perfect over the ropes. After a commercial break, Von Erich was in control, using an armbar. Von Erich missed with a clothesline and struck the turnbuckles in the corner. Behind the referee's back, DiBiase punched Von Erich in the face, then sat down again as if nothing had happened. Perfect nailed Von Erich with a great standing dropkick, causing Tornado to fall to the outside, where DiBiase posted him, and again sat down. Finally, the finish. The referee was bumped in the corner. Von Erich nailed Perfect with his Tornado punch and had him pinned, but there was no referee. DiBiase climbed into the ring and nailed him in the back of the head with the IC title belt. Heenan revived the referee, who then saw Perfect give Von Erich the perfectplex to win the match and regain the title. Afterwards, DiBiase announced the winner, and taunted Von Erich with that legendary laugh of his. This was a good tv match.

Show closed with Gene Okerlund announcing that the theme of next week's show would, appropriately, be 'Valentines Day in WWE'. Hopefully that means Austin vs Vince in the cage, and not the Savage Elizabeth wedding from Summerslam 1991.

Closing thoughts: Very good show this week, with a wide range of matches and features. I always love these individually themed shows, and you can always tell when some thought has been placed into the content, rather than them just putting anything on the show to fill time. Best match was probably Perfect vs Von Erich. Orton's debut was interesting, probably even more so for newer fans. Hard to believe that was nearly 8 years ago. Rocky vs Bulldog was good, mainly for the surrealness of Bret and Vince together on commentary. The Putskis defeating the Lawlers and Piper beating Orton were both entertaining matches as well.

Match Results:

1) Ivan Scott Putski defeated Jerry Lawler Brian Christopher ('WWF Raw is War live' – San Antonio, Texas: 14/07/97).

2) Rowdy Roddy Piper defeated Cowboy Bob Orton Jr (w/Jimmy Hart Don Muraco in his corner) ('WWF Saturday Nights' Main Event' – Los Angeles, California: taped 15/11/86, aired 29/11/86).

3) Randy Orton defeated Hardcore Holly ('WWF Smackdown' – Peoria, Illinois: taped 23/04/02, aired 25/04/02).

4) Rocky Maivia defeated Davey Boy Smith (w/Clarence Mason in his corner) via count out ('WWF Monday Night Raw' – Albany, New York: taped 30/12/96, aired 13/01/97).

5) Mr Perfect (w/Bobby Heenan in his corner) defeated 'Texas Tornado' Kerry Von Erich to win the WWF Intercontinental title ('WWF Superstars' – Rochester, New York: taped 19/11/90, aired 15/12/90).

Please note: I DO NOT sell DVDs or tapes of any of these shows. Sorry!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s report. For other reports like this one, be sure to check it out my website archive at http://www.classicwrestlingreports.com .

It’s no longer updated, but this website carries all of my previous WWE Classics tv reports that have been featured on the old WrestlingObserver.com website.

As always your questions, comments and thoughts are always welcomed, and you can contact me at slyon10yearsago@hotmail.com.

Until next week, have a good week.

Stephen Lyon,
St Helens, England, U.K.

Paul Kacprzak talks reaction to Brock Lesnar's viewers on health care

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:36:30 +0100

I have read several times in the Observer about UFC fighters who are injured and have no health insurance. Are you telling me that they ONLY have UFC ins for the actual fight?

What do they do for training which may take months?

If they get injured, doesn't a fighter then have a pre-existing condition when applying for health ins under existing laws?

Who covers the effects of a head injury or other injury where the problem does not show up until much later? I have X-rayed numerous professional and college level soccer, football, NHL and baseball players as well as former pro wrestlers who have severe arthritis and numerous joint problems with their bones. I am only 50 and I see players who are 20 years younger then me who will have a lifetime of health problems due to their sport.

The more I think about this, the more pissed I am at a Brock Lesner who makes millions and can do what he wants while an undercard guy making 5 K a fight does not have the same ability to get coverage as they make peanuts.

As soon as I read in the Observer that Brock had colon issues, the first thing I said to myself is that this muscle head probably drinks and eats pure protein around the clock. I wonder what he thinks of vegetarians? He was in a tiny town where there is one CT for a rural area and it may have been undergoing servicing which is normal. Where I live in South Florida with millions of people I pass by 8 CT scanners on my way to work. Different demographics.

He was diagnosed with Diverticulitis in Canada. The Mayo Clinic also recommended surgery as did the Canadians.

What did we do before CT scanners Dave? We would do a BE or barium enema under florouscopy to see the pouches in the intestine. Does this idiot know that US ins companies often refer a patient to have a BE instead of a CT because it is cheaper? Let Brock get Humana HMO basic or some other HMO and find out how that works. Under a BE the radiologist can see the problem and the solution is often surgery to remove the inflamed portion. You have a colostomy bag while you recover and then it is removed in most cases. Do you think that a guy like Brock would have been happy with a barium tube in his butt if that was offered in the tiny town if the CT scanner was down?

Brock is not a citizen of Canada, he owns property and pays property taxes. He does not pay income taxes or year round sales taxes. I have spoken to many people in Canada who do not want a system which has more people uncovered then live in all of Canada! UNDERFUNDING health care is what is issue in a place like Great Britain. Canada is NOT the model for US care as the entire industry is run via the Gov. The Right Wing does not ever mention Switzerland which is by no means a left wing state . The Swiss use 100% PRIVATE ins and caregivers where the role of the gov is to pay on a sliding scale based on income. The Japanese see more doctors and do more high tech tests then the USA does per person. We still use paper while other countries have their health history and info on Health cards which store this. Brock could have had his entire health history , including all scans done if we had electronic medical records like some other countries do.

I am tired of these idiots talking about socialism and I would tell that meathead to his face that I work in a private office where Medicare is the PAYER, not the employer . We take all sorts of ins and the idea that private ins coverage as being proposed is Socialism is idiotic. If Brock had a kid with autism, he would find that there are very few states which mandate coverage for his kids if they had that condition.

He can fly his plane and be like Sean Morley who I used to read about how Libertarian he was when he was on top and now just makes a few bucks at TNA. I do not hear him yap about how on top he is and does not worry about money and how it is your problem if you can't find a job. Sean Morley, unless he gave up his citizenship was Canadian and can get treated in Canada even if he is at th ebottom of the food chain. In Bret Hart's book you can read about how he had his surgery done under Canadian Health Ins.

I would love to see Brock and Hellwig get together and swap stories about Obama with no one present and see what they come up with. Since I started in health care 17 years ago I have been dealing with the problems of the uninsured. Let Brock be a jabroni without a plane and a ranch and see how he manages to pay for coverage as he works out daily instead of working a job where he can be laid off and lose his health ins.

Karma is a bitch and I can see Brock having his Hulk Hogan moments in the future after years of arrogance and indifference.

Let me add that Brock Lesner is an incredible athlete and has a tremendous amount of success. I do not wish to demean any of his athletic skills and competition. When he enters the world of health coverage for the uninsured whom do do not have personal physicians and advisors he is entering a world where there are are many uninsured Americans who are proud and working to support their families. There is also a large segment of Americans who lost their jobs and also lost their health insurance. There are also many Americans who are stuck in their present job and can not risk having their families uncovered so they can start a business or move to another field.

Health reform has turned into the political version of Pro - Wrestling/MMA promotion where we have imaginary villains and daily promos to generate heat and box office instead of concern over how Americans are in a backward system. I know we can do better and I am not going to be content with how we treat Americans while denouncing Canadians for actually taking care of their own.

In the real world, there is Brock Lesner and there are tens of millions who are not properly insured or underinsured. I take their side . I do not see Brock complaining about Socialism when he makes his living peforming at Taxpayer funded arenas. I do not see Brock complaining about how taxpayers fund the air traffic control system so he can fly his plane or take commercial flights and land at a tax payer supported airfields. I am sure that he enjoys driving on taxpayer funded highways and likes breathing clean air and having fresh water from taxpayer funded projects.

The end of ECW, The new era of Monday Night wrestling; Shocking news on acceptance of MMA

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:17:50 +0100