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        We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's TNA Bound for Glory PPV, 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 also looking for reports on today's Raw house show in Dothan, AL and Smackdown show at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City.  We're also looking for reports on the Friday night Raw house show in Huntsville, and the Smackdown weekend house shows on Friday night in Puebla, Mexico and last night in Mexico City.

 

        We will have live coverage on the site of TNA's Bound for Glory from the Bren Events Center in Irvine, CA starting at about 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.  Tonight's lineup:

*A.J. Styles vs. Sting for the TNA title

        Raw is Monday night in Jacksonville featuring John Cena vs. HHH plus Snoop Dogg as guest host.

 

        Tuesday has Smackdown & ECW tapings in Columbia, SC and TNA Impact tapings in Orlando.  Impact will also be taped on Wednesday night in Orlando.        

 

        A look at who are the biggest and most popular names in wrestling, MMA and boxing in 2009, as well as a comparison to 2008 leads off Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  The list is derived from web activity based on the major names, and is interesting to note in the sense everyone has a list of where they think people rate, including promotions.  

 

        We look at the surprises, as well as what this tells us in advance about what in some ways when it comes to long-term is the most important show remaining in 2009, which is the Strikeforce debut on CBS on 11/7 and where Fedor does or doesn't stand.

 

        We also have a look at how the last few weeks if you attended the two major shows, it would appear Japanese pro wrestling has made a comeback.  We look at why that probably isn't the case, as well as look at notes on the 25th anniversary of the pro debut of Masahiro Chono.  We look at Chono's career highlights, as well as look at New Japan's next major events, and what major Japanese celebrity was part of the show including what WWF champion was created based on this celebrity. 

 

        We've got an update on the Bragging Rights PPV and the Bound for Glory PPV with new matches, new stips and how WWE changed from the original direction.  We look at the promotion of the Raw vs. Smackdown match and Cena vs. Orton match.

 

        The issue is available right now on the web site for premium subscribers.  It is also available to be delivered to your home with subscription details below.  

 

        We also have thoughts on the divas shuffling of the deck, and why this should lead to several turns in upcoming weeks.  We have notes on a future guest host, Maria Menounos talking about her appearance on Raw, a lot of thoughts on the AP story including comments that have had a lot of people laughing at Vince McMahon, McMahon acknowledging the emergence of UFC is affecting the product, as well as more in detail on the most interesting part of the WWE new direction story that is being missed.

       

        We've got notes on the upcoming Smackdown tour of Mexico, changes in PPV names, possibility of WWE doing War Games, who is behind the push of  Drew McIntyre and why.  We also look at the plight of Jack Swagger, MVP and The Miz on Raw.

 

        We've got a lot more on the first salvo of criticism by Republican party leaders to Linda McMahon, as well as what her opponents in the senate race are saying.  We also look at some of the early television commercials Linda McMahon has done.

 

        We've got a long series of stories regarding Booker T and his future, including the different thoughts addressed within WWE regarding him coming in as well as what seems to have led to the end of his tenure in TNA.  We look at the differences in expectations in WWE and TNA, the potential of Sharmell and plenty of other issues regarding Booker including issues rarely talked about from his last WWE run.

 

        We have more notes on Big Show's new movie.

 

        We also look at ethnic audience differences when it comes to interest in WWE and UFC PPV events.  We look at WWE combating TNA and the Hogan tour in Australia, as well as a part-time WWE wrestler talks about wanting one last match with his most famous rival.

 

        We also have a look at Steve Austin, talking about his WWE career, his favorite wrestler of all-time, his favorite match he was ever in, and his thoughts on his acting career, Vince Russo, Ed Ferrara and even ROH.

 

        We also look at the WWE media situation in the U.K. and how a petty squabble has changed things as well as looking at that squabble.

 

        We look at several new people signed of late by WWE, noting the new trend of what they are looking for.  Dolph Ziggler talks about his drug suspension as well as his days as an amateur wrestler, some funny commentary looking back from more than a decade ago, Ted DiBiase responds to criticism of his working in WWE after all the things he had said in the past, as well as a look at the weekend WWE arena events.

 

        We have more on the near death experience in recent days of a popular former WWE woman star, the death of Harley Race's wife, B.J. Race, and the son of a Hall of Famer who at one time was one of the most heavily recruited high school football players in the country who is about to debut as a pro wrestler.

 

        We also look back in history about a former pro wrestler who is little remembered in football but actually was one of two people who broke the color barrier in the NFL and was talked about in this week's Sports Illustrated.

 

        We have a ton of behind-the-scenes notes from TNA regarding not only Booker T, but the future of several of the older wrestlers.  We also look at TNA and the price of its PPVs, we've got an update on Kurt Angle's legal situation, an update on the creative team, an update on Bobby Lashley in MMA and plenty of stories regarding Lacey Von Erich.

 

        We also have a look at the WEC show from the weekend, including TV audience, and questions about judging coming out of the Donald Cerrone vs. Ben Henderson main event.   

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

 

        In this case, we also have details on what segments hit and missed on TNA, as well as how a TNA vs. WWE head-to-head battle did, and interesting notes on where WWE, TNA and UFC's audiences over the past week changed very notably from the prior 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:

 

--Former WWE star being talked about as returning to Mexico

 

--How CMLL business has been doing and the latest lesson of the long-term of price discounting

 

--Big stipulation matches being teased

 

--Charly Manson talks about leaving AAA

 

--AAA fires a former major draw

 

--A new promotion gets major national television and is trying to raid other promotions for talent

 

--A look at the first TV taping from that group including the big angle shot

 

--Former TNA star wins overseas top title

 

--Update on the next Dragon Gate USA show

 

--Hustle brings in new celebrity star, how the big show does with him

 

--A return of the oldest annual tradition in pro wrestling that dates back to 1977

 

--Return of Naomichi Marufuji

 

--A look at the NOAH jr. heavyweight tournament and the G-1 Climax tag team tournament

 

--Dream match signed for later this month

 

--Update on Bobby Heenan

 

--Update on bidding for Ric Flair's old world title belt

 

--One of biggest U.S. stars of 80s writing an autobiography

 

--Hulk Hogan update

 

--Son of 80s star now a college football starting quarterback

 

--Sad story of a murder of an independent pro wrestler

 

--Update on Eddie Edwards and ROH tag team titles

 

--What ROH did at weekend shows that I've never heard of from a TV promotion

 

--Former ECW star coming to RH TV

 

--Wrestling personality gets engaged

 

--Mick Foley talks politics, Linda McMahon, health care and gives details on his next pro wrestling book

 

--Jeff Jarrett/Kurt Angle update

 

--Jim Cornette talks TNA and ROH

 

--TNA Global Impact notes

 

--What team has really held more world tag team titles than any team in history

 

--TNA house show news

 

--A look at upcoming UFC PPV events

 

--Junie Browning attempts to kill himself, and UFC signs new fighter shortly after he also attempted suicide

 

--Mirko Cro Cop talks suicidal thoughts after his last match

 

--UFC conducting seminars with all fighters under contract and why

 

--Notes on Ultimate Fighter

 

--Notes on ticket sales for upcoming UFC events

 

--Notes on UFC running in new markets and getting legalized and regulated

 

--Lorenzo Fertitta talks about which fighter he thinks can be the mainstream star to really push the company up next year

 

--What NBA team paid significant money to get UFC into its arena

 

--UFC goals for next year

 

--UFC magazine's first issue sales vs. WWE magazine sales of late

 

--Rashad Evans talks next fight

 

--Brock Lesnar builds up Shane Carwin fight

 

--The nephew of what former pro wrestling superstar is Lesnar's main coach

 

--MMA awards notes

 

--CBS promotional plans for Fedor and the next show

 

--The complete CBS lineup and thoughts on its marketability, as well as how live tickets are doing

 

--Strikeforce signs a former wrestling champion

 

--Notes on the Dream ratings in Japan and the boxing lead-in

 

--Celebrity scheduled to debut in a month fighting MMA

 

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--There are two articles up at http://www.lohud.com talking about the life and funeral of Lou Albano

 

--The Los Angeles Times has a blog with an interview with Sting regarding tonight's Bound for Glory at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sport_blog/1009/10  He talks about how much longer he can wrestle, competing with WWE, his son playing football in college and rarely playing heel during his career. (thanks to Houston Mitchell)

 

--The Sanford Herald has a four paragraph update on Jeff Hardy.  Nothing new other than noting his hearing is 11/4 at http://sanfordherald.com/

 

--There is a video interview of Bobby Lashley at the http://www.ign.com web site where he basically says tonight's match billed as wrestling vs. MMA is not that at all.  So much for pushing the company storylines.  He also atalks WWE and Wrestlemania.

 

--We will be doing a post-Bound for Glory radio show later tonight on the site.

 

--Regarding the story by Mike Witt regarding the Shane/Stephanie McMahon dynamic on the front page of the site, we received a lot of feedback from those who have worked for and with both.  As a general rule, most, but not all, disagreed with the assessment including one person who said his reaction would be almost the opposite, a few others disagreed, and one other said he thought the assessment was spot on.

 

--Dwayne Johnson appeared in his role as "The Rock Obama," playing Barack Obama turning into The Incredible Hulk after being mad at political issues.  It was the opening segment of the show.  It was a "surprise" (well,  not if you saw it here but on the college football broadcasts plugging the show he wasn't mentioned) appearance.

 

--Besides Jim Ross on the University of Oklahoma sidelines, Mark Henry was on the Texas sidelines at yesterday's OU vs. Texas game.  Henry was very nice to all the fans when it came to signing autographs after the game. (thanks to Cory Van Kleeck)

 

--As they would have to do, CBS was running the Fedor commercials on the football broadcasts today.  Hopefully they get a new commercial because the commercial only pushes Fedor, not mentioning his opponent, nor pushing the Strikeforce brand name.  You'd never see a UFC or WWE commercial that doesn't push the brand name.

 

--Poll on Smackdown

Excellent 16.8%

Good 46.5%

Average 19.8%

Fair 7.9%

Poor 8.9%

        33.6% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Best of the recent major shows

Dragon Gate USA Enter the Dragon 31.9%

UFC 102 Nogueira vs. Couture 16.9%

WEC Henderson vs. Cerrone 16.4%

TNA No Surrender 10.1%

WWE Hell in a Cell 10.1%

WWE Breaking Point 6.3%

UFC Ultimate Fight Night 5.3%

UFC 103 Franklin vs. Belfort 2.9%

 

--Best of these Hall of Fame wrestlers

El Santo 48.4%

El Hijo del Santo 40.3%

Bert Assirati 3.1%

El Satanico 2.5%

Ray Mendoza 2.5%

Black Shadow 1.9%

El Solitario 1.3%

 

--Kyoko Kimura's double foot stomp off the 18 foot balcony at Korakuen Hall is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVM8jgMRAP4  That's pretty crazy.

 

--The new Star has a 2/3 page full color photo of Stacy Keibler at her 30th birthday party this past week. (thanks to Paul Kacprzak)  

 

--WWE announced a 1/3 date at the Charleston, WV Civic Center

 

--Angelina Love's first match since being let go by TNA will be on 11/14 against Mercedes Martinez in Basking Ridge, NJ at St. James Church 

 

--Shawn Tompkins runs his first pro class at Tapout after leaving Extreme Couture on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. for Team Tompkins (thanks to Mike Sawyer)

 

--CZW's Tournament of Death takes place on Saturday at 2 p.m. at 179 Ebenezer Church Road in Townsend, DE with Zandig vs. Nick Gage billed as for the last time, Thumbtack Jack vs. Jon Moxley, Masada vs. Brain Damage, Sami Callihan vs. Danny Havoc, Devon Moore vs. xOMGx and Greg Excellent vs. Rich Swann vs. Ryan McBride vs. Scotty Vortekz

 

--Leon Peters noted that Verizon FiOS in Staten Island has also had problems putting up new WWE On Demand material, with nothing new in two weeks.  He called to ask and they said if nothing new is up by tomorrow, to call again.

 

--Thursday night in Naucalpan:  Guizmo b Comando Negro, Eragon & Jack b Epidemia & Heavy Boy, Arlequin Amarillo & Rojo & La Rata b Exodia & Pendulo & Tetsuya Bushi, Atsuko Emoto & Kyoko Kimura & Tomokia Nakagawa b La Diabolica & Flor Metalica & Josseline, Los Oficiales b Barba Roja & Hijo del Pirata Morgan & Pirata Morgan Jr. to retain IWRG IC trios titles

 

--Today at Arena Lopez Mateos has Mascara Sagrada & Rocky Santana & Super Muneco vs. Andy Barrow & Rey Krimen & Terry Dos Mil.  Guadalajara has Hector Garza & Shocker & Mascara Dorada vs. Atlantis & Dragon Rojo & Felino.  Arena Mexico has a double main event with Strongman vs. Ultimo Guerrero plus a cage of death with the loser unmasking with Angel de Oro, Astro Boy, Flash, Pegasso, Rey Cometa, Tigre Blanco, Arkangel de la Muerte, Dr. X, Escandalo, Hooligan, Polvora and Kid Tiger.  Puebla tomorrow has Shocker & Strongman & Toscano vs. Atlantis & Mr. Niebla & Ultimo Guerrero.  Naucalpan has Los Traumas I & II & Negro Navarro vs. Black Terry & Cerebro Negro & Dr. Cerebro. 

 

--The 54th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Coliseo in Monterrey is tonight with Mesias & Elegido vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. & Silver King plus Jack Evans & Extreme Tiger & Rocky Romero vs. Teddy Hart & Sugi-san (who won't be there due to knee surgery) & Zorro (thanks to Kris Zellner)

 

--BANG from last night in Ocala, FL:  Rachael Moore won Battle Royal to become woman's champion, Melissa Coates & Claudia Reiff b Charlotte Mahoy & Rachael Moore, Shane Chung won three-way over Blain Rage and Jumbo Elvis Sharp, Johnny Magnum b Damien Steele, Damien Steele b Chaos, Johnny Romano b Walter Roberts.  Net tapings are 11/21 and 12/31

 

--Coastal Championship Wrestling from last night in Coral Springs, FL before 355 fans:  Bobby Sanford b Shane McLane, Cash Money Brothers b Bad Dog Bullock & Ace Skyfighter, Sally Boy (TNA) DDQ Blackheart, Kimberly b Betsy Ruth, J.T. Flash & J.B. Cool b Red Devil Fight Team (did they send Fedor in?), Kaotic Romeo b Dirty White Boy-DQ, Kahagas b Johnny Velvet, Scotty 2 Hotty b Dok Rivers (thanks to Dan Ackerman)

 

--Stranglehold King of the Death match tournament last night in Toronto before 125 fans:  George Terzis & Rip Impact b Mat Burns & Custom Made Man, Cherry Bomb b R.J. City, Hornet b Rico Montana, Matt Cash b Billy Skullion in falls count anywhere, Kentucky Butcher b C.P. Assassin in light tube match, Green Phantom b Nazi Destructor, Green Phantom b Matt Cash in staple gun match, Kentucky Butcher b Hornet, Green Phantom b Kentucky Butcher to win King of the Death match tournament (thanks to Alan Cajilig)

 

--Jersey All Pro Wrestling from last night in Jersey City, NJ:  Grim Reefer b Sami Callihan, Sara Del Rey b Roxanne Cotton, Devon Moore b Danny Demanto, Heavy Hitters b Azrael & B-Boy, Joe Hardway & Mo Sexton b All Money is Legal, Garden State Gods NC Necro Butcher & B.G. James, Bandido Jr. won Jersey City Rumble and title shot, Dan Maff b Bandido Jr. to keep JAPW title (thanks to Mike Omansky)

 

--Mid South Pro Wrestling on 11/14 in Booneville, AR with Poison from Booker T's promotion and VH-1 reality star Matt Riviera