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We're looking for reports on Saturday night's WEC show on Versus, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We're looking for reports on last night's Smackdown brand house show in Pikeville, KY. We're also looking for reports on the weekend Raw show in Toledo on Sunday, the ROH show on Saturday in Indianapolis, the Raw show on Saturday in Terre Haute and the Smackdown show in Bristol, TN on Saturday.

Tonight is the Smackdown tapings in Lexington with a bunch of matches to determine Chris Jericho's seven-man team for the Bragging Rights PPV coming up on October 25th.

An examination of the WWE major programs, where they stand, and how they are handicapped by the current PPV theme situation, is the lead story in one of two issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter coming out this week.

A second issue lead story will be the history of the golden age of pro wrestling in Northern California. We used the Hall of Fame biography on Roy Shire, who promoted pro wrestling in Northern California from 1961-1981, as a theme to look back at one of the strongest territories during those years. This is one of the biggest historical pieces we've ever undertaken, as we look back at who Roy Shire was, who Ray Stevens was, Pat Patterson, Moondog Mayne, Pepper Gomez and so many others.

The first issue is available on the web site right now to premium members. The second issue, which will be a collectors item issue, will be on the web site tomorrow. Details are below on getting the issues themselves delivered via mail.

We look at the background of Punk vs. Undertaker, what happened, why it happened, and decisions that have been changed and where things go from here. We also look at the other main event programs in the company going forward.

The San Francisco feature looks at the heyday, the many ways the wrestling industry today has been impacted by Shire as a booker, the legend of Ray Stevens, the story behind the famous Cow Palace Battle Royals that led to the Royal Rumble, a look at the most famous shows Shire put on, his biggest feuds, and a rundown of 20 years of ups and downs.

We look at Roy Shire as a wrestler in the 50s, how he got started as a promoter, the heyday of National All-Star Wrestling, one of the highest rated wrestling television shows in the country, with lots of comments from people who were around from the start. We look at Roy Shire's first show ever at the Cow Palace, Shire's first big angle, his most remembered angles, the Stevens vs. Gomez feud, Shire's philosophy of what a wrestling match was, and the ironies of his run and how that relates to Vince McMahon, Verne Gagne, Bill Watts and others who came after him.

We look at Stevens vs. Sammartino, the Texas death matches, the atmosphere during the heyday of wrestling at the Cow Palace, the end of the Ray Stevens era, the Pat Patterson era, how television shaped the history of pro wrestling in this part of the country. We look at Shire burning out as a booker, the heyday of Moondog Mayne, Bob Roop, Kevin Sullivan and Buddy Rose, attempts to buy and steal the territory and what actually killed the territory.

We look at his decision to shut down, his final show, as well as the first pro wrestling personality to pose on a Playboy cover (and it was more than 30 years before Sable) as well as the alumnus of Roy Shire's wrestling who went on to become a major television star and had one of the most successful wall posters of anyone over a ten year period.

We look at Shire's philosophy of television, as well as the big name sports star he tried to lure into pro wrestling as well as his famous feud with a boxing Hall of Fame legend. We look at his problems getting along with people, some of the most controversial issues during his run, and so many of the obstacles he dealt with. We look at his attempts to kill pro wrestling after his run was over.

We also have full coverage of the two major shows of the week. We've got coverage of the WWE Hell in a Cell show, with poll results, business notes, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and more. We also have coverage of Dream 11, looking at the good, bad, ugly, with match-by-match coverage and more on the company's next show.

We also look at Kimbo Slice and UFC setting record ratings with the Ultimate Fighter reality show. We look at just how strong the show was with Males 18-34, the records set as well as other records which were not set. We look at the change in marketing of Slice, the fight itself, Roy Nelson talks about Kimbo and his future and lessons to learn regarding marketing of Slice.

We also have a look at the SummerSlam buys, how they compare with last year both worldwide and domestic, and the key lessons of this year's show now that the numbers are in.

We also have updates on Jeff Hardy and his court situation, Rock's appearance, Linda McMahon's campaign, Undertaker's future, Jim Ross' future and things to look for, as well as a former WWE star who canceled an interview saying he was negotiating to come back, injury updates, some new WWE doctrines, more on Matt Hardy, the WWE's best selling DVDs this year, as well as updates in other business categories.

We also have a look at a new WWE signing, who was top three in the world in another sport, what former WWE star actually set up a famous Hollywood marriage, as well as the origin of the name of the current WWE star.

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 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.

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-- Wrestler's Rescue is currently accepting donations for Captain Lou Albano, who has fallen ill and is currently at home with his family under hospice care. For more info you can go to wrestlersrescue.org.

-- Full women's trade details from last night courtesy Devin Cutting:

Melina traded from SmackDown to Raw
Beth Phoenix traded from Raw to SmackDown
Mickie James traded from Raw to SmackDown
Rosa Mendes traded from Raw to ECW
Brie & Nikki Bella traded from ECW to Raw
Eve traded from SmackDown to Raw

-- Of course, it was announced that Snoop Dogg will be hosting Raw next week.

-- Dancing with the Stars did a 10.6 rating/16 share last night on the overnights.

-- WWE's next megashow will take place at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse on December 30th. Tickets starts at $15 for the 50,000-seat building, so this is quite the undertaking. Steve writes: I don't know why they are running a 50,000 seat building, a week after Christmas, when the SU students will be home on break, and they can't fill the 6,500 seat OnCenter running once a year (which they didn't even run this year; they went to the Indian casino 45 minutes away). $15 dollar tickets will help, but the economy in Syracuse is very bad, Christmas is a tough time for SU basketball and the local hockey team, and the Dome is a real pain to get to when the university doesn't open up their own parking and run shuttle buses like they do for football and basketball.

-- The latest Memphis polls show Jerry Lawler at just 4%. Not looking good.

-- Dave Meltzer has a great story here on Mike "Joker" Guymon, who months after a suicide attempt achieved his dream of being signed with UFC.

-- UFC is in the process of confirming with the NSAC a January 2nd date for their year-end show.

-- Steve Austin's Damage is number 15 on the UK DVD rental charts on its first week.

-- Shane Del Rosario vs. Brandon Cash "Money" and Luke Rockhold vs. Jesse "JT Money" Taylor have been added to the November 6th Strikeforce Challengers show in Fresno. I think that place is too small for two men named MONEY.

-- Scott writes: I live in Harrisburg, PA about 2 min from Hershey PA where the next 3 hour RAW is being taped on Nov. 23rd. They are running TV spots during the show advertising a 6 Man Tag of Legacy and Orton vs. Cena and DX. Not sure if this says Cena is winning and staying on Smackdown or not. The video in the TV spot did show Orton as Champ. I would guess that this far in advance this probably means nothing, but who knows.

-- TNA did a 1.0 rating this week.

-- Mickey Rourke, unlike Dana White, refuses to apologize for a gay slur.

-- Brian in Portland writes: Just thought I'd pass this little news tip along regarding a Mick Foley interview that occured this morning on the "Opie and Anthony". The interview should replay throughout the day on Sirius/XM 202. He was on promoting a stand up gig on Long Island. He shared a couple pretty good stories, including Foley and Kurt Angle running into Mark Coleman at an airport in Ireland and Kurt getting pissed about Coleman forgetting the date of their amateur match, Foley blowing Brock Lesnar off at a UFC Fight Night, and some details about his new book.

-- TNA will be holding a house show at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine on December 4th, 2009.

-- We will have Dr. Lucha Steve Sims on Figure Four Daily tomorrow talking about a huge upcoming week south of the border, so if you have any questions you can send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with "Dr. Lucha" in the subject line.

-- Ron writes: I'm watching the Rockies/Phillies playoff game (Bryan, that's baseball) and one of the Rockies just hit a looping single the opposite way and I swear one of the announcers described it as "a little Ric Flair to left".

-- ROH is doing a 40% off sale. Info is up here.

-- Kevin Steen suffered a knee injury this weekend but they're not sure if he'll miss any time. Eddie Edwards looks to be back from elbow surgery in about six weeks.

-- Tonight's new episode of Disaster House on the DIY Network features Mexican wrestlers destroying a house prior to renovation. They're featured in the series highlights here here.

-- Chikara is still offering a DVD sampler for $5 (which includes shipping) to all International addresses by clicking here.

-- Should WWE take Booker T
Yes, he should be brought in as a main eventer because the top of the show is stale 15.5%
Yes, but he should keep his two prior strikes 17.2%
Yes, but since he's been gone, he should start with zero strikes 12.0%
Yes, but it should be made clear his role is to make others like Goldust 25.6%
No, they shouldn't bring him in as they need to invest in youth 29.6%

Do you think WWE's move to PG has been:
A positive overall 3.9%
A negative overall 32.6%
Insignificant overall, the issue is still stars and stories 63.5%

In North America, comparing UFC 104 to WWE Bragging Rights next week
WWE will beat UFC 4.5%
Both numbers will be close 2.4%
UFC wins by less than double 5.3%
UFC by double or triple the number 29.0%
UFC by triple or quadruple the number 25.0%
UFC by four to five times the number 19.1%
UFC by more than five times the number 14.6%

Who is the best of these Hall of Famers?
Kenta Kobashi 51.4%
Jushin Liget 35.5%
Toshiaki Kawada 8.1%
Shinya Hashimoto 2.7%
Hiroshi Hase 2.3%

-- River City Wrestling will host a live pro wrestling event entitled "Battlelines III" on Saturday, October 24, at Church Triumphant, located at 339 W. Hutchins Pl in San Antonio, TX. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the event begins at 8 p.m. Marty Jannetty and Hernandez work the show.

-- Expoland Wrestling Entertainment runs this Saturday, October 17th at Augusta Expoland in Fishersville, Virginia with the Main Event of Chris Hero vs. Sabu. Former WWE star U-gene takes WWF and NWA star the Barbarian.

-- The 9th Anniversary Extravaganza of X-Treme Intense Championship Wrestling~! runs Sunday, October 18th (5:30p) at The Ritz (24300 Hoover bt. 9 1/2 & 10 Mile) in Warren, Michigan. BRAIN DAMAGE works the show.

-- BSE Pro Wrestling Devil's Night 2009, Sunday, October 25th 2009 - Bell Time 3pm. Terry Miller Recreation Center 1295 Williams Pkwy, Brampton, ON

-- PWX returns to St Thomas, Ontario on November 7th with Former TNA X Division champ Petey Williams. Bell time is 7pm. tickets are $10 in advance , $15 at the door. Kids are just $5. Tickets can be picked up at Coolz Warehouse , Henri's barber Shop or the Manx Arms all located on Talbot street.

-- Dave Meltzer talks the Hall of Fame and more on this week's Drunkcast.

-- NWA-MSW pro wrestling event, Friday Oct. 16th at the Community Building, Alderson, WV. Belltime: 7:30 pm est.

-- Liberty Wrestling Organization, Saturday Night, October 24th, 2009, Lodi Boys and Girls Club, 460 Passaic Ave, Lodi , NJ. Doors: 6:30 PM. Bell Time: 7:00 PM