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| Updated: Friday November 20th, 2009 05:46:04 PM PST |
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| Update on Hogan to TNA, Internal reaction; Great PPV; Super J Cup; Lesnar and UFC woes |
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An update on the Hulk Hogan/TNA relationship is the lead story in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We look at the real questions related to Hogan as far as running TNA, including what has been told to wrestlers he is recruiting about competition with Vince McMahon including a start date, as well as what those in TNA know and what Spike TV is saying. We look at how history looks at this, as well as both the advantages and disadvantages of promoting pro wrestling in 2010. We look at when Hogan is likely to return, as well as the one example of Raw vs. Impact head-to-head historically and why that example changed a lot of minds about going to Mondays. We look at Hogan's income and what it will take for him to stay in TNA, thoughts from people in the company, where things stand, people who look to be safe, those who aren't, as well as the track record of Hogan since the folding of WCW, and Eric Bischoff. We look at the good and bad of the first TNA rating since Hogan, Hogan's drawing power in WCW. We also look at the level of media interest and fan interest of the announcement of Hogan coming in and comparing it with other major events in TNA history, including what two wrestlers led to significantly more fan interest based on Internet responses than Hogan, as well as their effect on long-term business. The issue is available right now to premium subscribers on the web site. You can also get the Observer mailed to your home with details below. We also have a look at the death of the Hustle promotion, the press conference talking about it, the hopes to revive it, as well as the unique list of major stars who performed for the promotion during its nearly six years of existence. We also have a review of what is one of the best PPV shows of this year, the taped Dragon Gate "Untouchable" show, with match-by-match coverage and star ratings, including what was and wasn't good on the show. We've got some updates on Survivor Series and even WrestleMania, ridiculous politics and Linda McMahon's campaign, notes on WWE PPV shows in 2010, notes on some guest hosts for Raw upcoming as well as how TNA ratings came up in WWE this past week. We look at the HHH interview with Powerslam magazine and what does and doesn't make sense, as well, some notes on the 2010 Hal of Fame, an update on Edge's return, WWE movie notes, new DVD release and awards given the promotion. We have notes on UFC's injuries and illnesses and how they affect and totally change the big show at the end of the year. We've got a detailed update on Brock Lesnar as well as a timetable of when he can possibly return, as well as what Paul Heyman was talking about regarding Lesnar turning down a movie role. We've got updates on how UFC 104 looks to have done and comparing it with UFC 102. We also have tons of new UFC fights including the next probable Kimbo Slice match, as well as the lawsuit against a current member of the cast of Ultimate Fighter regarding a wrongful death. We have an update on UFC coming to a major market in 2010 and perhaps its first stadium show. We also have more on DVR usage and how that affects Ultimate Fighter viewing this season as compared to last season. We also have a rundown of the Pro Wrestling NOAH jr. heavyweight tournament, as well as an update on KENTA, and final standings. We also run down the New Japan tag team tournament. We also have a history piece on the Super J Cup, leading to its fifth edition later this year. We look at the first four shows, including two shows that won Big Show of the Year, one of the great one-night performances in pro wrestling history, as well as how the Super J Cup led to one of today's biggest stars getting his first U.S. major league break, as well as spawning the tournament that led to the formation of today's top indie group. We also have an addendum to the Bill Miller Hall of Fame story, with a look back at the start of the Bruno Sammartino vs. Bill Miller feud and the unique angle, which included a rare pinfall loss by Sammartino in a singles match. 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. Also in this week's issue: --El Hijo del Santo talks about what is going wrong with the local Mexican promotions --Updated ratings from Mexico continuing a pattern --A look at where Raw actually beat the World Series head-to-head on Monday --Major star returns to promotion and his debut bombs --Perhaps the worst wrestling crowd ever at Arena Mexico was this past week --Sons of legends all put their masks at stake --Wrestler who in his retirement ceremony couldn't get out of his wheelchair --A company other than WWE does Groundhog Day bit show booking --New shoot angle --Lawsuit over names of characters --Update on the next Dragon Gate USA show --A look at the Dragon Gate European tour --Legends meet for the first time in upcoming tag team tournament --Scary main event for major arena --What top ten MMA heavyweight gets belt reminiscent of the world champion in the 80s and issues open challenge for it --New celebrity athlete talks about going into pro wrestling --Retirement of 90s star --An update on the affect of DVRs and the modern television business --Former wrestling star will host new TV show debuting in a few weeks --A new level of trying to work the public --Notes on Hulk Hogan's book --Hogan talks TNA --Linda Hogan talks Hulk's book --Wrestler on biggest woman's show in history gets elected to FILA wrestling Hall of Fame --Legendary wrestling announcer Dave Brown talks about his years in the sport --Former wrestler talks about health hazards from his use of steroids during his career --Notes on an MMA movie that features tons of 80s pro wrestling stars --More on color barrier being broken in the NFL by a pro wrestler --Update on Bound for Glory with matches announced and not yet announced --Notes on negotiations with Bobby Lashley when it comes to fighting --Update on Kevin Nash in TNA --Notes on TNA house shows and TV tapings over the past week including 80s WWF star coming in --Fedor files lawsuit --Strikeforce signs overseas champion --Notes on the last Dream and K-1 shows New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major story (ies) of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 18 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue. Our most requested issues in our history are: *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses) *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was said--the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night) *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks) *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks) *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them) *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial) *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant) *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history) *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik) *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically) *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era) *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan) *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth, and the rise of fall of Lex Luger) *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie) *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends) *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened) *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores) *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more) *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk) *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue) *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history) *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock Lesnar) *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed) *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books) *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan) *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley) *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling) *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez--this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas) *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett) *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA) *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company) *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame) *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido) *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows) *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas) *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame) *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling) *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior) *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas) *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas) *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage) *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas) *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby--many called this the best issue of the Observer ever) *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week) *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling--the most unreal story ever in wrestling) *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas) *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives) *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff's book and how the industry was changed forever) *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away) *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn't click) *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart) *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas) *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bam Bigelow) *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business) *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome) *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd) *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage--which many are calling one of the best issues in history) *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide) *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch) *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis) *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women's wrestling) . *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum) *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas) *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver) *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart) *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair's meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas) *August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics) *September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio) *September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner) *September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios) You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas. Rates are: For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 . If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range. We also have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods. To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter. |
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