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Tonight has Smackdown & ECW tapings in Columbia, SC and TNA Impact tapings in Orlando. Top matches include A.J. Styles & Daniels vs. Kevin Nash & Samoa Joe, Amazing Red vs. Homicide for the X title, British Invasion vs. Beer Money in a cage match for the tag titles and Jay Lethal & Consequences Creed vs. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley in an Ultimate X match with the winning team getting a contract to challenge for the TNA tag titles at Turning Point on 11/15.

A second Impact, for 10/29, which means probably a bunch of Halloween skits, will 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 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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-- Jim Ross was flown home today after suffering his third attack of Bell's Palsy last night. He was able to get some medication to help slow down the process yesterday and sees a neurologist tomorrow. He really wants to work the PPV Sunday. He has a blog post up discussing the issue here. Best of luck to him.

-- Nigel McGuinness is backstage at TNA in Orlando and will be debuting tonight on the show. More on this in the new issue of the Observer that comes out tonight.

-- Well look what is back to being released this December: The Jeff Hardy 3 DVD set

-- Bellator Fighting Championships announced a new deal today with Fox Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo for season 2. Starting April 8th the shows will air live on FSN, and then the following Saturday a 30-minute highlight show will air on NBC followed by a one-hour highlight show on Telemundo. There is so much MMA scheduled for 2009 that it's ridiculous.

-- As noted last night on Observer Radio, TNA is going to be doing some sort of match between Kim Couture and Tara, and that this whole thing has been in the works since the first time either of them made mention of each other.

-- Also, as reported last night, Daffney suffered a broken arm going through the barbed wire board at the PPV, which actually was the worst injury anyone suffered all night.

-- ECW tonight is headlined by William Regal beating the crap out of Zach Ryder.

-- Ghost Hunter is going to be doing a special on the Congress Theatre in Chicago, which is reportedly haunted. Gabe Sapolsky, who has run shows there, told us: "There is definitely paranormal activity in that building. I have no doubt about it."

-- South Park is doing a wrestling-themed episode, which includes animations of John Cena and Edge, which will air on October 21st in the US and October 23rd in the UK. There is a preview up here. Thanks to Mark Harris.

-- Boogeyman, who was missing for a long time and even his good friends didn't know where he was at, has been found and told people he was in Argentina "trying to find the Appalachian Plain".

-- We have a big story on the situation with Shane McMahon featuring some exclusive quotes from people close to him headlining the new issue of Figure Four Weekly, which members can read right now by clicking here. It's a new, expanded edition (25,000 words) and is free with an online subscription, or to order a print subscription for convenient home delivery you can click here.

-- The guy that Marty Jannetty replaced on Raw last night was TJ Perkins, AKA Puma, who has been working out at WWE developmental but does not have a deal.

-- Torrie Wilson has more on her health scare last week here.

-- Emerson writes: Last night on the Best Damn Sports Show Period's Top 50 Most Emotional Moments, #15 was the guy from the Mid Atlantic wrestling convention in 2005 that cried and said "It's still real to me damnit!" That guy was David Wills, a long-time subscriber who has been on our radio show.

-- GAEA Girls is being released as a two-disc DVD in the UK later this year. You can check it out by clicking here.

-- Ben Miller writes: I don't know if this is exactly news, but the local Fox channel 11 ads here in LA for Malcolm in the Middle syndicated reruns does a take off on Smackdown, including using the same font and graphics. I'm guessing they are allowed to do it since Fox owns My Network TV.

-- On Friday, Novemeber 6th, IWA East Coast will open the doors to Pumpkin Park in Milton, WV at 5:30 pm for a special meet and greet and autograph session with Terry Funk and other stars on the card. A photograph area will be setup, where you can have your picture taken with Terry Funk, print out on a color glossy 8 x 10, then have Terry autograph it for you. The cost for the printed 8x10, and autograph will be $20.00

-- BTW 13th anniversary show Friday, October 23, 2009, Newark, CA Newark Pavilion

-- Wreck MMA runs Fights for the Troops on December 12th at the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau, Quebec.

-- The Drunkcast has a show talking Lou Albano, which includes me coming on as a guest near the end, here.

-- The Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA) REUNION SHOW: Saturday, October 24, 2009, Flyer's Skate Zone, 601 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043

-- Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling from Sunday in Warren, Michigan: Eddie Venom defeated Jimmy Jacobs in a Loser Gets Fired Match, Devil Dawg beat Curtis Spade & Kwayme Davis in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match, Mo Dred pinned Toby Klein, Light Heavyweight Champion Gutter beat Creep in a non-title bout, Kid Statik pinned Light Heavyweight Champion Gutter to win the title, Vinnie & Sonny Scarboni defeated Tag Team Champions Chris McGinnis & Josh Movado to win the titles in a Losing Team Must Split Up Match, Doink The Clown beat William Watts in a Loser Says I'm A Punk Ass Bitch Match, Mr. Meaner, Josh Raymond & Jeff Brooks defeated Midwest Champion Jaimy Coxxx, Zach Gowen & TD, Xtreme Champion The DBA defeated Levi Blue and Deathdealer Tommy Starr in a Triple Threat Match. Fair amount of stips in that bad boy.