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       Somewhat quiet for a Saturday night tonight.  We're looking for
reports on the final night of the TNA European tour, with a show in
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       Besides the PPV tomorrow, Raw takes place Monday night in
Wilkes-Barre, PA with Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers
offensive line as guest hosts.  TNA tapes Impact for next Thursday, on
Monday in Orlando with Matt Morgan & Abyss vs. Kurt Angle & Mick Foley,
ODB vs. Tara for the Knockouts title and Kevin Nash vs. Hernandez for the
Legends title.

       Dream also airs late Monday night at midnight on HDNet, featuring
the final four of a feather weight tournament (first round with Joe
Warren vs. Bibiano Fernandes and Hiroyuki Takaya vs Hideo Tokoro), the
Super Hulk tournament (Bob Sapp vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Choi
Hong-man vs. Minowaman) plus Joachim Hansen vs. Shinya Aoki for the Dream
lightweight title.

       Tuesday night in Smackdown & ECW tapings in Trenton, and a second
night of Impact tapings in Orlando.

       The Hell in a Cell PPV takes place tomorrow night from Newark,
NJ:
*C.M. Punk vs. Undertaker for the world title in the Cell.  I think the
storyline may be Undertaker's had more HIAC matches than anyone, and Punk
has never had one.  It's an interesting deal just like at Breaking Point.
 Clearly, it's too soon for Punk to lose the title.  Undertaker doesn't
need the title, and with his limited schedule, you can argue he shouldn't
get it.  But Punk beating Undertaker in this match isn't going to happen
without a second straight massive screw job.  For what it's worth, and
all finishes change and the Montreal finish went back-and-forth, the
Smackdown crew seems to think Undertaker is taking it this time.
*John Cena vs. Randy Orton in the Cell.  They are coming off a great
match, but this match will have to be completely different.  It really
doesn't matter who wins, because when you look at the landscape, unless
DX breaks up, neither one has a ready-made new opponent.  Can we hear the
phrase "More rematches," anyone?
*DX vs. Legacy in the Cell.  A DX breakup could give Legacy the win.
Other than that, it would be a surprise to see DX lose two straight
matches.  Then again, it was a surprise to see them lose the submission
match.  This also will have to be completely different than their
Montreal match.  Unlike Cena vs. Orton, in this case, that's for the
better.
*Chris Jericho & Big Show vs. Batista & Rey Mysterio for the tag titles.
Jericho and Mysterio had fantastic chemistry in their feud a few months
back.  This is Mysterio's return from suspension and the dynamic looks to
be the best match Jericho & Show will have as champs.
*John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler for the IC title.  In theory, the most
important match on the show because these two are climbing.  Not as far
as titles, but the guys ahead of them on the show are staying in their
spots, win, lose or draw.  These two have a chance to elevate themselves,
or to be picked apart if something doesn't go right.  Ziggler has been
groomed for the title for months so there could be a title switch here.
*Mickie James vs. Alicia Fox for the Divas title.  At least it'll go
short.
*Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz vs. Jack Swagger for the U.S. title.  This
depends more on the Newark fans.  You know the guys will work hard and
provide action.  Whether people will care enough about it is the
question, and whether they'll be given time or not.  Miz is due for a
title win to me at this point, ahead of Swagger.  Kingston's had it for
long enough that it's probably better for him to be back in the chasing
position.
       On paper, you have six of the seven matches that should be good.
The only drawback I can see is if they have either bad finishes, or the
three Hell in a Cell matches in one night detract from the presentation,
particularly since they have the blood limitation.

      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.  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.

      The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering
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--WWE pushed that great seats are still available for tomorrow's Hell in
a Cell PPV at the Prudential center in Newark, NJ at Ticketmaster.  It's
the first time I can recall them sending out a last minute e-mailer
regarding ticket sales.  The advance for the show was strong, but it is a
good sized arena.

--WWE has sent out a preview for Bragging Rights, which takes place on
10/25 in Pittsburgh.  There will be a series of matches on the card.  The
main event will have all the undercard winners joining in a Raw vs.
Smackdown main event.  I hope it's better than it sounds, because that
doesn't sound good.  No mention in the preview of fan voting on matches,
which was part of the original plan for the show in the old Cyber Sunday
spot.  Cyber Sunday was usually the lowest bought PPV of the year, so
ditching the fan voting probably isn't the worst idea if that's the case.
 They only have three weeks, so they'll have to pretty much nail down the
top matches on Monday and Tuesday (thanks to Jeremy Chevallier of
FNLUTTE.com)

--Scott Steiner got so much heat last night in Zurich from ripping up a
Swiss flag that the amount of bottles and stuff thrown in the ring saw
Booker T and Sharmell walk out and refuse to wrestle.  You can watch the
actual scene at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dErY-092WEE

--WWE announced dark matches for November tapings in the U.K.  The
tapings will be in Sheffield.  Raw on 11/9 has DX & John Cena vs. Randy
Orton & Legacy.  Smackdown and ECW on 11/10 has Undertaker vs. C.M. Punk
in a casket match. (thanks to Martin Bentley)

--A Q&A with Jim Ross is at
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2009/10/ has an
interview with Jim Ross.  It was to push last night's 10th anniversary of
Smackdown show.  When asked about John Cena's comments on The Rock, now
that Rock was on the show, he said he thought Cena was misquoted.  Pretty
hard when all those interviews were on audio.  He talks about his move to
Smackdown and differences in the show.

--The preview for Wednesday's Ultimate Fighter reads:  "A fighter keels
over at the house, giving Kimbo hope for a comeback. A member of Team
Rashad spills the beans on their fight strategy.  And two more
heavyweights do battle as Team Rashad tries to extend its winning
streak."

--There is a story on Afa being on the phone with his brother who is in
Samoa hearing the horror of the earthquake and tsunami that wiped out his
native village.  "It was a bad scene.  It's something that I'll always
remember. It was chaos."  Two of his cousins were killed in the disaster,
Ann Tui Annandale, a resort owner who was swept away by the waves trying
to save children, and Michelle Salave'a, a high school principal.  Afa
grew up in Fagatogo, near Pago Pago, one of the hardest hit areas.  The
complete story is at
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-samoan-mourns-famly  He is
working on fund raising ideas.  He said that most of his family was able
to get to higher ground and were saved.  At one point he was actually
scheduled to return home and visit family later this week, although he
canceled the trip before the earthquake.

--Lacey Von Erich has backtracked on her quotes about Angelina Love, on
facebook saying, "Angelina Love was amazing in the beautiful people and I
hope I'd it justice."  She also wrote, "Don't believe rumors.  I think
Angelina will be missed in TNA and hope we can work together someday."
The rumors came when Lacey Von Erich did an interview with the Miami
Herald saying nobody had missed Angelina.

--Travis Lutter beat Jason MacDonald via unanimous decision in the main
event on last night's HDNet Maximum Fighting Championship show in
Edmonton.  Lutter won 29-28 across the board, with MacDonald winning the
third round of a ground battle.  Antonio McKee, as expected took down
Carlo Prater and held him down for three rounds to win a decision.  In a
battle of former UFC fighters, John Alessio beat Luigi Fiorvanti at 1:34
of round three with a knockout punch.  Mike Nickels beat Dave Heath in
another battle of former UFC fighters, with a choke at 4:02 of round
three.  In a dull fight, Ryan Jimmo beat former UFC fighter Marvin
Eastman via split decision in a fight that could have gone either way,
and was mostly in the clinch with little happening.  Former UFC fighter
Pete Spratt knocked out Nathan Gunn at 4:19 of round two.

--Poll on Impact
Excellent 24.7%
Good 31.2%
Average 15.6%
Fair 7.8%
Poor 20.8%
       46.9% of those responding didn't see the show

--Poll on Superstars
Excellent 5.9%
Good 38.2%
Average 35.3%
Fair 2.9%
Poor 17.6%
       71.9% of those responding didn't see the show.  Ouch.

--Best of this group of wrestlers:
Bret Hart 73.7%
Frank Gotch 12.4%
HHH 6.5%
Gorgeous George 4.0%
Superstar Billy Graham 3.5%

--It was announced at a show last night in Kansas City, that there will
be a third Strikeforce event for November on Showtime, this a Challengers
event on 11/20 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, co-promoted with the
local X Fights group.

--X Fight results from last night in Kansas City:  Justin Seffron b Todd
Bell via TKO from strikes in 1:07, Tuan Pham b Nate Williams by unanimous
decision at 128 pounds; Chad Vandenberg b Shad Lankford via decision at
135 pounds; Brett Stevens b John Ott via split decision at 190; Joe Wilk
b Deryck Ripley via guillotine in :40 at 155; Tyler Stinson b Brandon
Newcome via triangle at 1:57 at 170; Ramiro Hernandez b Brian Davidson
via TKO from strikes at 3:01 of the second round; Eric Marriott b Ryan
Roberts by decision at 145; Brendan Seguin b Bobby Voelker via decision
at 170.

--Roddy Piper's son, Colt Toombs, broke the nose of Matt Slosser in last
night's fight, winning a unanimous decision in their fight on last
night's Sportfight show in Oregon

--Strikeforce announced Rich Chou as its new matchmaker.  Chou has been a
regular referee for MMA matches in Hawaii, and worked in a matchmaking
capacity with J.D. Penn's Rumble on the Rock and helped with Elite XC
matchmaking.  He's moving to San Jose for the new job.

--An article on Jerry Lawler's run for mayor and a taped interview is at
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com   He talked about abolishing the school
board, doing away with the job of superintendent of schools, and having
the mayor be in charge of city schools.  He said the city needs to be run
like a business.  Hopefully not like the wrestling business.  He said the
key is that you can't spend more money than you take in.  I guess, unless
it's someone else's money.

--Scott Siegel, the huge guy who played a steroid dealer in "The
Wrestler," and was then arrested for steroid dealing, pleased guilty
yesterday to distribution of anabolic steroids.  He also pleased guilty
for trying to evade arrest.  He was not sentenced, although sentencing
guidelines would indicate 63 months in prison.  He is facing up to 20
years.  A story is at http://www.lohud.com (thanks to Dave Lane and many
others)

--Steve Austin was on the U.K.'s Soccer AM this morning, pushing the
movie "Damage," which is out on DVD there.  He talked about breaking Paul
Lazenby's nose (not mentioning Lazenby by name) while filming, talked
about giving receipts in wrestling if someone stiffs you, said he was in
real life tougher than The Rock and joked he was also a better actor.  He
said he likes Hell in a Cell matches but was too busy promoting the movie
to watch tomorrow's PPV.  He also talked about working with Vinny Jones,
working with Sylvester Stallone and Randy Couture in "The Expendables)
and said he would be attending the West Ham United vs. Fulham soccer game
tomorrow. (thanks to Paul Muir)

--Chuck Liddell was on WJRR in Orlando yesterday talking Dancing with the
Stars, fighting again, Tito Ortiz and more at
http://wjrr.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=crash.xml

--Alex Marvez talks Gary Hart's book at
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/47906

--A story in the Tampa Tribune Thursday on lottery winners mentioned Jay
Vargas, who was 19 when he won $35.3 million in a Powerball jackpot.  At
the time he lived in South Carolina.  He said he started partying like a
rock star, but for the last 18 months has toned down, and talked of him
creating Wrestlelicious, a women's wrestling project and that he's moved
to Tampa because all the wrestlers live there and that's who he needs to
keep in contact with.

--Regarding that ESPN commercial a few days back for a WEC show in
August, it is likely that someone hit the wrong key (not sure if it was
national or a local cable spot on ESPN) and thus pulled up the wrong
commercial.

--Lenny Lane is available for kids birthday parties.  He has three
different party packages available.  If you are in the Midwest, near
Golden Valley, MN, he's available and can do the party with a wrestling
ring and teaching kids basics of working in the ring.  For more info call
612-834-0769

--During Sports Center on Thursday night, when a Dodgers player tripped a
Padres player, basically doing a drop toe hold, the announcer referred to
it as a Greg The Hammer Valentine figure four leglock. (thanks to Joe
Burrows)

--Shogun Fights based in Baltimore has its debut show on 10/24 at the
First Mariner Center.  That's the same night as a UFC PPV headlined by
Shogun.  Not the best idea of scheduling.

--Live American Wrestling on 10/17 in Worcester, U.K. at the Sixways
Rugby Club headlined by Danny Boy Collins vs. Frankie Sloan, plus Johnny
Kidd vs. Johnny Saint. Dear God, get me a video of that.  Better yet,
transport them back to 1973.

--After a false star last month, WWE Superstars debuts yesterday in
Australia on Fox8 at 2:30 p.m. and will run in that time slot, followed
by Smackdown. (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

--JWA United Wrestling tonight in Sayreville, NJ at the VFW Hall

--Insanity Pro Wrestling tonight in Indianapolis at the Fountain Square
Salvation Army Corps headlined by Apollo Starr vs. Flash Flanagan plus
"Seven Thorn," who is Kevin Fertig aka Kevin Thorn

--Classic Championship Wrestling on 10/24 in Marysvile, PA at the Lion's
Club

--USWO from last night in Nashville before 55 fans:  Jason Xavier b Josh
Crowe, Shane Smalls b Bad Boy Dixon, Chic Canyon b Saint-DQ, Kevin Dunn &
Matt Korbaine b Shaun Tempers & Lee Cross, Chris Michaels b Lincoln
Moseley, Ace Rockwell b Damien Payne, Jeff Daniels b Scott Hayes (thanks
to Jimmie Daniel)

--NWS on 10/24 in North Brunswick, NJ at the Township High School Gym
featuring Lacey Von Erich, Terry Funk, Kevin Sullivan and Superstar Billy
Graham all appearing.

--There is an MMA show tonight in Grand Rapids, MI at the Orbit Room
featuring Caleb Grummet, an all-state wrestler who is 14-0, against Ray
Lopez for the Cage Combat middleweight title.  15 fights and two titles
are at stake.

--The next Maximum Fighting Championships show is 12/4 at the River Cree
Resort and Casino in Edmonton