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It's a somewhat quiet weekend from a major show perspective, highlights by Sunday's Hell in a Cell PPV from Newark, NJ, featuring the three HIAC matches with DX vs. Legacy, John Cena vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title and C.M. Punk vs. Undertaker for the world title.

We're looking for reports on the final two shows of the TNA European tour, with a show tonight in Zurich, Switzerland and a show tomorrow night in Dublin, Ireland at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

HDNet tonight airs the Maximum Fighting Championships from Edmonton starting at 10 p.m. Eastern time. The show is filled with ex-UFC fighters headlined by Travis Lutter vs. Jason MacDonald and Antonio McKee vs Carlo Prater for the MFC lightweight title.

Saturday night is also the second Mitsuharu Misawa Tribute show that will be held in Osaka at the Furitsu Gym. The main event features the return of one of the best tag teams of the 90s, as Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue team up against Jun Akiyama & KENTA. Taue & Kawada were a dominant team during the 90s in the Real World Tag League tournament, which at the time was the biggest tag team event in the world every year. The other main event features Kenta Kobashi & Masahiro Chono forming a team for the first time, in a trios match with GHC champ Go Shiozaki against Takeshi Rikio & Mohammed Yone & Akitoshi Saito, plus GHC jr. tag champs Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Kotaro Suzuki face former IWGP jr. tag champs Gedo & Jado.

WWE Raw will be taped Monday night in Wilkes-Barre, PA, the site of where Vince McMahon did his aborted death angle in 2007, featuring Ben Roethlisberger and his Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line as guest hosts. Raw may be in for a tough night, because Brett Favre vs. The Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football will likely be one of the most watched shows in the history of cable television.

TNA will be taping on Monday night in Orlando with Mick Foley & Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan & Abyss, plus ODB vs. Tara for the Knockouts title and Kevin Nash vs. Hernandez for the Legends title.

Tuesday has ECW and Smackdown tapings in Trenton, NJ, while a second night of Impact tapings including the go-home show for Bound for Glory in Orlando.

A look at symbolic end of eras for Pro Wrestling NOAH, K-1 and Ring of Honor on shows over the weekend is our lead story in Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This issue is available right now on the website for members.

With a big week of international news, we look at all the major events including the Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial show at Budokan Hall, and its significance. We look at how K-1's show in Seoul, South Korea ended a last link to the glory days of that promotion. And we talk about the departure of Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness, with their final two matches in Ring of Honor, as well as the hiring of Jim Cornette, and that promotion going forward.

We also talk about the 9/19 PPV battle with HBO boxing vs. UFC, which updated numbers. We look at the many lessons that the weekend showed. We look at what Mayweather's camp credited his increase in drawing power to. We also look at three more major battles involving boxing, UFC, Strikeforce and WWE over the next two months as the competition for PPV dollars only increases.

We have updates on TNA's Bound for Glory with several matches not yet announced, a change with a major TNA group, reaction to Jim Cornette being gone as well as how the tapings last week went without him, and notes on the futures of Vince Russo and Jeff Jarrett, as well as an update on booking and TNA's problems with a longtime media supporter.

We also update Bobby Lashley's MMA situation including why he has no new fights scheduled, what show he's been told he's on, but probably isn't and why this would be. We also look at a note on TNA attempting to get one of the greatest wrestlers in history to make an appearance at Bound for Glory in one of its already scheduled matches.

We also look at a movie with three onetime major wrestling stars in it, including the roles they play, and have notes on TNA's international shows.

We also have notes on Dana White talking about Herschel Walker, talks regarding the return of an MMA icon to UFC and why right now it's not happening, lots of new UFC matches being signed, Tito Ortiz talks promos and pro wrestling, as well as trash talk between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin.

We also have updates on the Strikeforce show on CBS.

We've got more notes on Linda McMahon and Jerry Lawler running for office, WWE's COO talks more about the success of UFC, one of the reasons why Raw has been lackluster of late as well as why creative has so many inherent problems, a major angle that was put on hold and a lawsuit filed by a former WWF champion against the company.

We also look at the announced retirement of the person who was a major pioneer in Japanese MMA.

We also look back at Lester Welch, as well as a background of the Fuller/Welch/Golden/Fields wrestling family in the Southeast, looking back on the famous war in Atlanta. We look back at the first pro wrestling show ever held at the Omni in Atlanta, as well as the first sold out pro wrestling event at the Omni. We also look at how Lester Welch was responsible for the worked home town of one of the WWWF's biggest all-time stars.

We also have a look at AAA's Antonio Pena Memorial Show and the major storyline angle, as well as the return of a major star and what happened in negotiations with ex-WWE talent, as well as a more detailed look at the CMLL Anniversary show, as well as coverage of the last UFC Fight Night.

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.

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-- Tonight's Smackdown has already aired in Australia and they've got a new entrance video called Let it Roll by Divide the Day. You can listen to it here. Thanks to Ben Jordan Kerin.

-- For those of you in Memphis wondering what's up with Smackdown, Randy Rhea sent this in: Check this out. Last night I was setting the DVR to record Smackdown tonight off the MyNetwork Affiliate in Memphis, when I noticed it wasn't on the Menu Guide. So panicking, I checked the DirecTV Search For Shows deal on the receiver and found that starting tomorrow night, it will be airing every Saturday Night in Memphis on the CW affiliate in Memphis channel 30 starting at 7 p.m. Interesting. Just giving you the heads up.

-- We have a trailer for The Tooth Fairy with the Rock up on the main page right now.

-- WEC vice president Peter Dropick told MMA Weekly that they are planning on running a PPV in 2010.

-- For those who have asked about Bobby Heenan, he makes his first public appearance in years this weekend at an autograph signing run by Turnbuckle Promotions.  It's October 3rd and 4th in Oaks, PA at the Greater Philly Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA.

-- Full official card for UFC 104 on October 24th from the Staples Center:

Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio 'Shogun" Rua
Ben Rothwell vs. Cain Velasquez
Josh Neer vs. Gleison Tibau
Spencer Fisher vs. Joe Stevenson
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
Ryan Bader vs. Eric Schafer
Chase Gormley vs. Stefan Struve
Patrick Barry vs. Antoni Hardonk
Jorge Rivera vs. Rob Kimmons
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Razak Al-Hassan

-- And speaking of Neer, he has avoided prison time stemming from a 100 mile per hour intoxicated police chase last New Year's. He has an interesting criminal record.

-- Roy Nelson on his fight with Kimbo to USA Today: “First round was 44 punches to the face, and then Herb Dean doesn’t know how to ref, but we’ve seen that before. And then the next round was 22 punches. You could even see me yelling at Herb Dean, ‘Come on, ref.’… But the thing is, there’s a lot of people, there’s a lot of money… So I think it was more that Herb Dean was afraid to lose his job, because there's a lot of people with a lot of money that can have a lot of influence with his career.”

-- The Survivor Series poster is built around DX. Maybe the Legacy feud will continue after Hell in the Cell with one of the traditional eight-man eliminations.

-- SportFight runs tonight at the Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, Oregon with the sons of Roddy Piper and Randy Couture both fighting.

-- Tons of pictures from the new A-Team movie up here.

-- Really good interview with Jim Ross by Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun up here.

-- The Yankee charity auction for a signed WWE title belt closed at $9,450.

-- Rashad will be doing an interview with Ron Kruck on Inside MMA tonight. More like a promo on Quinton.

-- Alex Marvez has a look at the Gary Hart book here

-- Interview here with Lacey Von Erich where she explains that Angelina Love wasn't a good fit for the Beautiful People. Well, she's the one.

-- Another look at Drawing Heat the Hard Way with Larry Matysik. Order the book here.

-- Chuck Liddell will be at the AT&T Center signing autographs before the WEC show headlined by Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson on October 10th.

-- HDNet with broadcast "HDNet Fights Presents: HEIWA DREAM 11 Featherweight Grand Prix 2009, Final Round" on Tuesday, October 6 at 7:00 a.m. ET, from Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan. HDNet will also air an encore presentation of the event on Friday, October 9 at 10:00 p.m. ET. Dave and I had a huge interview with Michael Shiavello talking all the latest in Japanese MMA on yesterday's Figure Four Daily which is available for members right now.

-- Cerrone, Henderson, Will Camuzano and Damacio Page will all be doing an open workout at the Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel in San Antonio on October 7th starting at 2:30 PM.

-- Edge and Eve are listed as doing promotion for WWE in November to plug the Australian tour coming up in 2010. They'll be in the country from November 11th through 16th. Thanks to Terri Bay.

-- Eddie Edwards' elbow surgery is today.

-- Who is the best of this group of Hall of Famers?
Mick Foley 56.5%
Edouard Carpentier 23.6%
Jackie Fargo 11.7%
Earl Caddock 6.1%
Ed Don George 2.1%

What did you think of UFC's new approach to Kimbo Slice?
Brilliant 40.1%
Very good but not brilliant 25.2%
Okay, just damage control, but the aura is largely gone 29.6%
The wrong approach 5.0%

What did you think of Wednesday night's Ultimate Fighter show?
Excellent 30.1%
Good 52.3%
Average 9.0%
Fair 2.7%
Poor 5.9%
13.2% of those responding didn't see the show

What are your thoughts on tonight's Smackdown 10th anniversary show
Always watch, will watch 32.8%
Usually watch, will watch 19.4%
Sometimes watch, will watch because of Rock 14.4%
Sometimes watch, will watch because it's a special show 8.4%
Don't watch, will watch because of Rock 11.2%
Don't watch, will watch because it's a special show 1.4%
Don't watch, won't watch 12.4%

If this is indicative of a national trend, it would be huge. 52.2% usually watch and another 22.8% sometimes watch. According to this, 87.6% of those responding are watching tonight. If that's a national trend, that would be a gigantic ratings increase. But probably most aren't aware of The Rock being on the show, so it's unlikely ratings will be up as much as listed here. If you go with sometimes watch as people watching every other week, at least here, the viewership will be up 37.7% over normal levels. Of that increase 77% is due to The Rock. Hopefully they've publicized it enough.

-- Just a reminder that Chikara is still offering a two-hour, five-match sampler DVD for just $1.99 (and that includes shipping) here. It's only good until Sunday so check it out.

-- Missy Hyatt and Krissy Vaine have items up now for a charity auction here

-- There is an audio interview with Christian here in which he discusses, in part, Zach Ryder's gear.

-- Liberty Wrestling Organization Returns Tomorrow Night to Elmwood Park , NJ Featuring a Return Match and a #1 Contender's Battle Royal

-- Live American Wrestling promotions UK is holding its biggest show yet Saturday 17th October 2009 at Sixways Rugby Club, Worcester with a 4.30pm bell time.

-- No Limit Pro Wrestling Presents: FALL FURY, Friday, October 2nd, 2009, Woburn Elks Lodge, 295 Washington Street in Woburn, MA. Full Bar at the venue

-- Collector's Realm has an autograph signing with "Mr. Kennedy" and Dusty Rhodes on Saturday, November 7th from 1-3 pm at 44 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie - one block north of Vassar College.

-- Our own Dave Meltzer and Brandon Oliver will be on the Drunkcast tonight here

-- Triple X Wrestling returns to The Jolly Beggar Club in Coventry, UK on Sunday 4th October for SUMMERFEST!. The main event will ve a six man tag team match that will pit Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll & Falcon against TXW Champion Adam Shame's Tartan Army, and SHIMMER star Jetta will take on Nikki Storm in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Also appearing will be Devilman, Stixx, Paul Malen, eXodus and the Twizted Toybox. Tickets will cost £6 and doors open at 5:30pm.

-- CZW presents "SEVERED TIES", Saturday, October 10th - 730PM, The CZW Arena, 7 W. Ritner St. - South Philly, PA

-- Premier Championship Wrestling, Back to School Bash, Dylans On Pembina, Winnipeg, Mb - Mike Angels b. Kraven Sicario, Pete Chee b. Ludicrous, Joe Dixon b. Chad Tatum, Adam Knight b. JP Kaos, Scott Justice b. Chris Marxwell, Robby Royce & Anderson Tyson Moore won a Fatal Four Way over Nate Hardy & Marty Labossier, Kenny Omega & Donny Dicaprio, El Generico & Kevin Steen. Next event is Thursday Nov. 5th.