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| SAT. UPDATE: New UFC title match in serious talks; Surprise huge name on next week's Smackdown |
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A huge weekend continues today. We're looking for reports on these shows tonight: *ROH at the Manhattan Center in New York featuring the final appearance in ROH of Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness, who face off in the main event. *WWE Raw crew in Guadalajara *WWE Smackdown crew in Paris, France *TNA in Chemnitz, Germany Plus AAA has one of its biggest events of the year, the Antonio Pena Memorial show tonight at Arena Monterrey. We're also looking for reports on Thursday night's Raw house show in Guatemala City and Smackdown show in Madrid, Spain, last night's Raw house show in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico and last night's Smackdown house show in Nice, France. We're also looking for reports on the Abu Dhabi Classic in Barcelona, where many of the top fighters from UFC, Strikeforce, WEC and other promotions are competing in pure submission grappling. Tomorrow (very late tonight) is the Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial Show at Tokyo Budokan Hall with the first ever meeting of Keiji Muto and Kenta Kobashi, in a tag match with Kobashi & Yoshihiro Takayama vs. Muto & Akira Taue. Smackdown also runs a second show in Paris tomorrow. The Raw crew returns for a Monday night show in Albany, NY with Rev. Al Sharpton as guest host, plus John Cena must run the gauntlet with singles matches in a row against Chris Jericho, Big Show and Randy Orton. The 10th anniversary episode of Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Boston with Undertaker & DX & John Cena vs. Legacy & Randy Orton & C.M. Punk in the all-star main event. TNA has a show on Tuesday in Dortmund, Germany. The 2009 Hall of Fame issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, one of the largest issues in our history and what is traditionally the best selling issue of the year, will be out Monday to print readers and is available right now on the web site. The main focus of the double issue is a look at the six new members of the Hall of Fame as voted by reporters, historians, and people both in the current business and people with long histories of being in the business. Because of the size of the bios, we only have bios of three of the six new acts in this week's issue, and there will be bios in upcoming weeks of the other three new members which span periods from the 1930s through modern times. We look at what the Hall of Fame is, how people get in, a complete rundown not only of the final voting but also the top ten in each different category and an explanation as to how each guy got voted in, as well as a detailed look at why others who came close didn't reach the magic 60% mark. We also have notes on people who will not be on next year's ballots, as well as who will be added to next year's ballot. We look at the close calls, including three top active stars who almost made it and what kept them from getting in. We look at who made the biggest strides as well as the biggest drops, as well as look at the first year on for Edge. We evaluate all the new members and talk about those on next year's ballot for the first time. The highlight is our lengthy bios which talk about three very different and distinct eras in wrestling and some very unique individuals that made it in. We also have the updated list of everyone in and the year they were put in, divided into several different categories. We also look at Saturday night's UFC 103, the head-to-head battle with boxing and different numbers that are out there. We look at the business of the show, what came out of the show, and full coverage of the event. We also have an update on the first week of Linda McMahon's run for the U.S. Senate. We look at her strategy in running, as well as in the first week what stories have come out regarding pro wrestling and her candidacy. We look at financing her campaign, as well as a political strategist evaluates her chances. We also look at the retirement of Quinton Jackson, the ratings of the first episode of Ultimate Fighter and how they rank among other big shows in the history of the show. We look at Jackson's complete statement, an update on other fighters who have said similar things and what has happened, and perhaps a reason why these things happen. We look at how the show fared in Males 18-34 this past week, as well as how the Fight Night show did, and a look at how season 10 is stacking up. We also look at the return of MMA to CBS with the Fedor vs. Brett Rogers Strikeforce match, as well as a look at the signing of Herschel Walker to an MMA deal, his expected debut, and more on plans for the CBS show. We've got the most detailed look at what is going down politically in TNA, including the departures of Jim Cornette and B.G. James, the hiring of Ed Ferrara, and how everything is intertwined, including reactions from many in the company. We also look at Batista's move to Smackdown and the move being rushed, the return from suspension of Rey Mysterio, one of the biggest stars in company history in talks, feelings on the booking of three Hell in a Cell matches on one show, Hardys update, Lilian Garcia's future, Jim Ross pushes for someone who is a surprise to get into the WWE Hall of Fame, Miami bidding for Wrestlemania, notes on the 10th anniversary Smackdown show, Injury updates, Jericho talks his character, Pat Patterson's 50th anniversary of being in the business, a new signee as well as details on the WWE weekend shows. We've got a rundown of TNA's No Surrender show, including why it doesn't look like it will do well on PPV. We look at the wrestling, the booking, and match-by-match coverage with star ratings. We also have a look at CMLL's biggest event of the year, the 76th anniversary event at Arena Mexico with the Mistico putting his mask up against the hair of Negro Casas main event. We also have tons of updates on Hulk Hogan's promotion and Hogan promoting the events. We also have a look at the ratings for all the major pro wrestling shows on television over the past week, including the Batista return to Smackdown and Cedric the Entertainer on Raw battling against Monday Night Football. 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 pro wrestling and MMA all over the world. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and has the most complete look at the business as a whole anywhere. The Observer is now in its 27th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling industry as well as the MMA industry, from bookers, to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest current names, both on camera, and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed as long as 20 years or more straight. They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world and an accuracy from having the most inside sources that can't be found on the web. Everyone from Wall Street to the major offices to the TV networks in U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in the business. If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. Just send your Visa or Master Card order with your name, address, phone number, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can order by faxing that information to 408-244-3402. You can also subscribe via paypal at www.paypal.com and using the This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it address or subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228. Also in this week's issues: --Jushin Liger in Mexico including his first singles match with Mistico and what it is building to --A somewhat major star jumping promotions --A major star who announces he is leaving just days before he was supposed to be in a big show major stipulation match --GHC tag team title change --Former WWE star disappears --Update on TNA's Bound for Glory show --Update on members of the TNA creative team --Tons of news from the next few weeks of TNA television tapings --Randy Couture's contract --Chuck Liddell on Dancing with the Stars --Anderson Silva's elbow injury --Several new UFC matches Rates are: For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 . If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range. We 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 told the Los Angeles Times that he's working on Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort as the main event for 1/2 in Las Vegas for the middleweight title. --Jerry Lawler is threatening legal action if he's not included in the Memphis mayoral debate. WREG-TV, which is airing the debate, decided to limit it to the four highest polling candidates of the 25 who are running. --In a strange story, Karl Afflis, 53, the son of Dick the Bruiser, who wrestled in the 80s as Leroy Redbone, passed away yesterday morning according to his family. She had first received word of his death about a week ago, which went reported everywhere, and then a few days later, found out he was still alive. --Dwayne Johnson will be appearing in a taped segment on the 10th anniversary Smackdown this week. A WWE crew filmed the promo this past week at his home. --Satoshi Kojima won the Triple Crown earlier today from Yoshihiro Takayama --Eddie Edwards, half of the ROH tag champs, suffered a broken elbow in last night's match with Kevin Steen. Edwards & Davey Richards were scheduled to go tonight against Kevin Steen & El Generico in a ladder match title defense. --Hulk Hogan released an apology to the Hells Angels which was reported on TMZ.com this morning. He said the voice mail was a prank and "I have respect for the Hells Angels and apologize for any undue publicity they have received as a result of (whomever released the tape) seeking his 15 seconds of fame. I have also spoken to my friend and former Hells Angels member and costar of HBO's hot series 'Oz' Chuck Zito, and explained to him that there was no malicious intent.'" --Marshall Zelaznik, president of UFC U.K., in pushing the 11/14 show in Manchester, England on Sky News, said, "In five years time people will be watching UFC in the same way that the world stopped to watch Muhammad Ali fight George Foreman, that's how big this sport will be." The story claimed more than half a billion people around the world watched UFC 100, which is a statistic so completely beyond ridiculous it's not even funny. The TV piece on Sky News talked about medical experts wanting the sport banned. Dan Hardy was on the piece and said more injuries took place in training while lifting weights than in the cage. They also showed kids playing the video game. The interviewer noted that cyclists have to wear headgear but MMA fighters don't. (thanks to Darren) --We've got sketchy notes from Barcelona so far for the Abu Dhabi Classic. Of MMA names, still in the running at last report were Fabricio Werdum, Saulo Ribeiro, Jeff Monson, Xande Ribeiro, Vinny Magalhaes (who submitted Pe de Pano with a sensational flying armbar), Glover Teixeira (who beat Dean Lister on points), Andre Galvao, Keiti Nakamura, Rani Yahya, Cris Cyborg and big favorite Marcelo Garcia (who beat Rickson's son Kron Gracie). Having lost so far included Tom Erikson (first round), Ricco Rodrigues (first round loser to Tomasz Szczerek, Rodrigues got down to 217 for this tournament), Tom Lawlor (losing first round by points), Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Jeff Curran (lost first round to Ryan Hall), Megumi Fujii (huge upset losing to Hllary Williams) and Ben Askren (losing in the second round by Pablo Popovitch). Ronaldo "Jacare" Sozua beat Robert Drysdale in the Super Fight. --Steve Austin will appear on the U.K. show Soccer AM this coming Saturday morning (thanks to Paul Muir) --The Boston Globe today has a story on Kofi Kingston at http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2009/09/26/winchester_ star_reborn/ The story claims he is from Jamaica, which isn't the case, but talked about his growing up in Boston, and being trained by Mike Hollow at the Chaotic Wrestling school in North Andover. They said as a local guy, he may appear on Tuesday's Smackdown show. --Poll on Wednesday's Ultimate Fighter show: Excellent 15.8% Good 41.1% Average 29.5% Fair 5.3% Poor 8.4% 20.2% of those responding didn't see the show --Do you think Wednesday's Ultimate fighter will draw: The largest rating in the show's history 82.0% Second largest in history behind the first episode of this season 13.6% Less than a 2.04 drawn by Leben vs. Koscheck 4.4% That's amazing that high of a percentage expecting a record. Spike is certainly promoting it to try and set a record. --Best wrestler of this group Ric Flair 66.4% Terry Funk 13.4% Ultimo Dragon 11.9% Verne Gagne 4.6% Dory Funk Jr. 3.7% --Best wrestler of these Hall of Famers Eddy Guerrero 49.0% Hulk Hogan 21.0% Danny Hodge 14.8% Stan Hansen 11.5% George Hackenschmidtd 3.6% --Poll on Impact Excellent 24.7% Good 32.3% Average 15.1% Fair 6.5% Poor 21.5% 38.0% of those responding didn't see the show --Poll on Superstars Excellent 8.9% Good 28.9% Average 35.6% Fair 11.1% Poor 15.6% 62.5% of those responding didn't see the show. --Lisa Varon is still trying to get a match with Kim Couture by the end of the year. She also noted that she's sick of hearing people say to her when she talks about fighting, that "this isn't phony wrestling." She said she wants to fight at 135 pounds, which would be a drop of 15 pounds or so from her current weight. She talked about wanting to join Strikeforce. --The Miz & John Morrison appear Tuesday night at 8 p.m. on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" on MyNetworkTV --EWF on 11/7 at The Ross Center in Muncie, IN features Road Dogg & Billy Gunn as a tag team. They also have a show tonight at the Ross Center Baseball Stadium in Muncie with Scotty 2 Hotty, Kevin Thorn, Ro-Z, Zach Gowen and Jimmy Jacobs. --The EWF show tomorrow in Converse, IN at Borderman Gym has been canceled --James Weaver at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking for old New Japan tapes of their 1991-93 tag team tournament and 1992 and 1993 Super junior tournament, in particular hand held of non-TV matches. --Alex Marvez writes about Larry Matysik's book "Drawing Heat The Hard Way: How Wrestling Really Works" at http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/47150 --RingsideFest 2009 takes place on 11/21 at Caroline's Comedy Club on Broadway in New York. Appearing from WWE will be Christian, Hornswoggle, Kofi Kingston, Melina, Mickie James and John Morrison. For more info go to www.ringsidefest.com --According to www.PS3Obsession.com It's being reported that WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 will be released in the U.S. and the U.K. on 10/19. The song "You're Going Down", the theme for the Extreme Rulz PPV this past summer, will be the video game theme (thanks to Robert Coral) --The 10/10 Nashville Fairgrounds show for Showtime All-Star Wrestling is a straight Reno Riggins taping for his syndication and not a TV pilot taping. --In Your Face Wrestling on 10/1 in Ballston Spa, NY at the Community Center featuring Bobby Fish of Pro Wrestling NOAH --USWO from last night in Nashville before 48 fans: Psycho Medic b Lee Cross, Kevin Dunn b Bad Boy Dixon, Shaun Tempers b Saint, Shane Smalls b Chic Canyon, Ace Rockwell b Chuck Taylor-COR, L.T. Falk & Wolfie D b Damien Payne & Josh Crowe, Tommy Mercer b Jeff Daniels-DQ (thanks to Jimmie Daniel) --Pro Wrestling World 1 tonight in Morganville, NJ at Langan Baseball Field with an Ultimate Rumble. --Low Rider vs. Vic the Bruiser for the OVW title headlines tomorrow's show at the Davis Arena. They also start a tournament for the TV title on the 9/30 tapings. Former WWE wrestler Mike Mondo and current TNA wrestler Elijah Burke are appearing there. |
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