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We're back from the U.K. and trying to catch up on everything. We're looking for your thoughts on both the UFC 105 show on Spike and TNA Turning Point PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to
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We're also looking for reports on both the WWE Raw show from Madison Square Garden with Superstars notes, dark match notes and anything not on the live TV show. Roddy Piper is guest host and the main event is Undertaker & John Cena vs. DX vs. Chris Jericho & Big Show. Tonight's show is a sellout with a $700,000 gross, which is huge for a house show in the U.S. these days. We're also looking for reports of tonight's Impact tapings in Orlando. Matches announced are Taylor Wilde vs. Hamada, Beer Money & Motor City Machine Guns vs. British Invasion & Sheik Abdul Bashir & Kiyoshi, and A.J. Styles & Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe & Daniels. Mick Foley also appears at tonight's tapings. ROH on HDNet tonight is a Bryan Danielson themed show, featuring Danielson's last TV match in the company against Roderick Strong as well as the locker room honoring Danielson at the end of the match. *Delirious vs. Chris Hero *Grizzly Redwood & Necro Butcher vs. Prince Nana & Joey Ryan in a Redwood's beard vs. Ernie Osiris' beard match *Rasche Brown vs. Darren Matthews (which is the real name of William Regal) *Bryan Danielson vs. Roderick Strong - Supposedly the sendoff at the end is great. Tomorrow will be ECW and Smackdown taped in Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center and a second night of Impact tapings in Orlando. ECW main event will be Hurricane vs. Paul Burchill with the mask vs. Paul & Katie leaving town. Smackdown main event is Chris Jericho & Big Show vs. Undertaker & Kane. There is also a live WEC show on Wednesday night on Versus that goes head-to-head with Ultimate Fighter We're also looking for reports on the WWE house shows on Thursday night in Birmingham, England, Friday night in Lyon, France and Hamburg, Germany, and Saturday night in Lyon, France. A look and analysis at the aftermath of what was the most important show of the year when it comes to impact of the future, the Strikeforce debut event on CBS, is one of our two lead stories in this week's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The issue also has the most in-depth look at the WWE business in every category, what is changing, how it is changing, behind the company's changes in the PPV model as well as the inherent problems with the direction they are headed.
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 look at what was shown, both good and bad, about non UFC MMA on network television in prime time and without Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano. We look at how Fedor Emelianenko performed in the main event spot, how CBS did in comparison with what they usually do on Saturday night, how the show did in the important demos, who they did against college football, how Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers did on the list of the most watched MMA TV matches in history, how the numbers compared with this season of Ultimate Fighter and how the audience for the CBS show differed from the UFC audience.
We also look at the best and worst cities for NBC for the show as well as how the key UFC markets did. We also have a lot of comments from Scott Coker and Dana White, an update on Emelianenko's health, how the Elite XC shows on CBS did as a comparison, the MMA show on CBS that was a disaster, how the UFC's attempt to counter the show came across, how every match on the show did as well as full coverage of the event itself.
We've got the most in-depth look at the WWE's business over the past several months.
We start with a look at the PPV business, including how much the new price increase will cost someone who orders every WWE PPV event over the course of a year, and the number will probably surprise a lot of people. We look at how the price increase affected UFC when it made the similar jump in 2008, as well as how the last WWE price increase affected buys. We look at the WWE poll as to why PPV business is down, how much money this means for WWE if numbers stay steady, exactly how much PPV has dropped in North America this year, which is a very carefully hidden number, as well as the 2010 PPV calender for WWE including a lot of notes on the schedule and the only conflict of dates with WWE so far on next year's schedule.
We look at how WWE has reacted to PPV shows that haven't drawn well.
We also look at why WWE stock has gone up over the past week, including Vince McMahon's projections for company business over the next three years.
We examine the company's business over the first nine months of 2009, both total revenue and profitability, as well as the success of the company's many cost cutting measures. We look at the plans for a new WWE TV channel and why Vince McMahon has felt it is important for the past four years. We also look at updated plans for the WWE film division, and what part of the company they expect to make huge increase next year, and why.
We look at what parts of the world company revenue is coming from by percentage, as well as more on the departures of Linda and Shane McMahon from WWE.
We then look at every category of WWE business.
We look at live events, including where the company was at its popularity peak.
We look at the merchandise business, television ratings, what is misleading about the perception of the ratings, notes on the value of the celebrity guest hosts and why even Raw ratings increases may mislead people when you look at all the other revenue streams, and why that is.
We also have a chart with the PPV numbers for 2009 and comparisons with 2008, both worldwide and in North America. We break down the PPV business over the summer, a WWE PPV this year that did worse domestically than Cyber Sunday and what concept flopped. We also look at how much SummerSlam declined in North America as well as overseas.
We look at the television rights fees, how much WWE now spends per television taping as well as how much the company now spends per PPV event.
We look at the WWE Classics on Demand business, the DVD business, the five best selling DVDs of 2009, licensing revenues, sales of Smackdown vs Raw 2009 and sales of Legends of WrestleMania. We also look at magazine sales and web business.
We also have a chart to show the total profitability (not including staffing and office) from each revenue stream and what the actual importance when it comes to the bottom line of each division is, and how greatly it has changed over the past year.
We also have more on WrestleMania ticket sales, an update on WrestleMania weekend, notes on Survivor Series, more on Shane McMahon leaving and his worth, notes on yet another three hour Raw, usage of Twitter and a lot more details on the WWE movie that was just completed involving Big Show. We also look at the former 90s pro wrestler who made it famous after he left wrestling who will play Big Show's antagonist in the movie. We also look at a British wrestler the company is interested in due to his background, and why that created a very strange scene on last week's Raw show.
We also look at Chris Jericho's TMZ play, what wrestler claims the other wrestlers are jealous of him, Linda McMahon's campaign spending, more on talk of the 2010 Hall of Fame Class for WWE including someone just arrested that came up in the talks. We have a lot more on developmental including the debut of someone who was tops in the world at their sport, and the return of an international star. We have more on Jim Ross, return of Maryse and tons of news from the European tour.
We have more on UFC being snake bit, including an update on the injury situation, the heavyweight division, Brock Lesnar and the early year UFC schedule.
We also have a look at New Japan's Sumo Hall show from last week.
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
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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
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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: --Wrestler gets a gig on a TV show
--Mexican legend arrested for drunk driving, gets mad at media for reporting it
--More on the next Dragon Gate PPV tapings
--What legend from the 70s and 80s has joined Dragon Gate and is drawing on he road
--NOAH plans for first Budokan Hall since the Misawa Memorial event
--Update on New Japan's grouping
--Update on Perry Saturn
--More on the death of Adam Firestorm
--More on the ownership of the old NWA title belt
--Update on the Hulk Hogan Australia tour
--A look at promoters projections for the tour
--What daughter of one of Ric Flair's biggest rivals is now scheduled to become his manager
--Why certain former WWE stars pulled out of the tour, and why certain people are on the tour
--Notes on Gabe Sapolsky's new promotion
--A look at Mad Dog Vachon
--Mr. Kennedy talks leaving WWE
--Former WWE star wins celebrity popularity contest
--How to own the 5,000 square foot custom made home of one of pro wrestling's all-time greats
--Update on Eddie Edwards
--Notes on the recent ROH TV tapings
--More on the Dixie Carter speech
--More on Hulk Hogan's tour including the Undertaker story
--How the book is selling
--Planned date for Hogan's debut and what two other major stars they want for that debut
--Preposterous name Hogan is claiming he is working on bringing to TNA
--More on the legal issues with Kurt Angle and Rhaka Khan
--Notes on Angle's next movie and what pro wrestler is trying to get onto the movie and what star the producers wanted
--Notes on a major TNA vs. WWE head-to-head battle coming next month
--Notes on the TNA U.K. tour
--Just how bad has TNA attendance become
--Huge sponsorship deal signed by UFC star
--Notes on ticket sales for upcoming UFC events
--Notes on the rest of the season of Ultimate Fighter
--Next major Strikeforce show and update on who is on it
--Notes on the EA Sports MMA video game
--Notes on the Strikeforce show from Fresno
--Official main event change in the biggest show of the year in Japan
--Funny reason celebrity pulls out of a fight
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
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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. --We don't have more of an update on Brock Lesnar than what is already out there. He has an intestinal issue that requires major surgery to go along with mononucleosis and there are other things wrong with him as well. Anything past that is speculation. --Stories regarding Rey Mysterio's knee injuries are legit and he's expected to be taking time off soon, which may rush through the Batista program. --I rarely say this about a PPV, but you should go out of your way to see a replay of last night's TNA PPV. It was their best show in a while. Also, if you haven't seen the Dragon Gate USA show, it's just as good if not better. --UFC announced today that Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva will headline UFC 108 on 1/2 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Basically, they were unable to find a new opponent for Cain Velasquez. --Regarding the note on the site about Tyler Black's boot having "Evolve" on it as a sign he's going to work for Gabe Sapolsky's new promotion, he's had the word "Evolve" on his boots since he started with ROH so there's nothing to read into that. Speaking of Evolve, confirmed for the new promotion are Ricochet, T.J. Perkins and Bobby Fish. --A Fight Night that you don't have to go out of your way to see, as an understatement, headlined by Mike Swick vs. Josh Burkman in a snoozer, is on Spike from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. tonight. The Ultimate Fighter from Wednesday night will be replayed at 11:30 p.m. and Countdown to UFC 106, Ortiz vs. Griffin, airs at 12:30 a.m. It's only a 30 minute countdown show. I guess most of the work done was on Lesnar and Shane Carwin so they cut the show down. It will also air Wednesday after Ultimate Fighter. --Other UFC on Spike this week tomorrow night has Unleashed from 7-9 p.m. with Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring, B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk, Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin, Joe Stevenson vs. Kenny Florian, Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva and Machida vs. Rashad Evans, plus Ultimate Knockouts at 9:30 p.m. and another Unleashed at 11 p.m. Spike replays the Couture vs. Vera UFC 105 on Wednesday night from 7-10 p.m. before Ultimate Fighter. --Ultimate Fighter preview: "Questions continue about whether Matt Mitrione will fight, prompting a visit from Dana. Kimbo battles an injury with hopes of returning as a replacement. Teammates Brendan Schaub and Jon Madsen face off in the second quarterfinal fight." Also Unleashed at 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7-9 p.m. on Friday, and a Friday night replay of UFC 89 (Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben). Saturday has Unleashed from 7-9 p.m. leading to one hour live before UFC 106 with Ben Saunders vs. Marcus Davis and Kendall Grove vs. Jake Rosholt from Las Vegas. --If you've got any questions, you can send them to the questions link on the front page and we'll try and go through them on tonight's radio show after Raw. --Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart have a press conference on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Star City in Melbourne, Australia --Brooke Hogan got negative pub in the Chicago Sun-Times today saying she was "in an utter state of hot drunken mess-ness" on Friday night when she jumped on stage at the River North's Enclave at 2 a.m. and started singing. The Chicago Red Dye reported she sang off key and nearly fell down while singing. --UFC officially announced the next Spike TV special on 1/11 from the Patriot Center in Fairfax VA with Gray Maynard vs. Nate Diaz s the main event. --Christian, Beth Phoenix, Tiffany, Natalya, David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd and Tommy Dreamer will be doing the annual Toys for Tots appearance in Stamford, CT a week from Today at 6 p.m. at Tommy K's Research Park. --Next week's Raw will be a three-hour show with Jesse Ventura as guest host with him plugging his new television show. It will be a Thanksgiving themed show, so they are doing it on Raw this year instead of Smackdown, which is probably for the better. Wrestlers from all three brands are expected to appear in Hershey. --Elijah Burke aka Pope D'Angelo Dinero signed a multi-year contract with TNA --Takanori Gomi on his web site noted he's going to meet with UFC officials this week about coming aboard. This would have been a lot bigger deal a few years ago when Gomi was one of the top ranked lightweights in the world. Gomi is looking for a rematch with B.J. Penn, who beat him in 2003. --A Los Angeles Times blog talked about how NBC Universal could a partner in WWE's plans to start a WWE Network. It's clearly just a speculatory story but NBC Universal would be a partner who could help get it distributed, which will be the biggest obstacle. --Poll on last week's Raw Excellent 5.7% Good 12.3% Average 23.4% Fair 15.9% Poor 42.7% 28.8% of those responding didn't see the show. Another bad week for the show. --Poll on last weeks' ROH TV show Excellent 45.8% Good 34.0% Average 6.9% Fair 2.8% Poor 10.4% 65.6% of those responding didn't see the show --Will the upcoming price raise affect WWE PPV numbers next year? Price doesn't matter as much as whether they do a better job of promoting matches people want to see 41.2% It will hurt significantly, it's a breaking point price raise 37.2% It will hurt a little, but not significantly, and the company will make more money from PPV 17.9% It won't hurt at all 3.7% --Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins was backstage at the TNA house show in Wayne, NJ this past weekend, as was Stephanie Bellars, the former Gorgeous George in WCW. Billy Corgan is not going to guest host Impact. Dixie Carter on her twitter talked about him texting her ideas and used the term guest booking to describe it but TNA doesn't have plans of doing guest bookers. --On the North East Wrestling show on Friday night in Waterbury, CT, the attendance was 1600, not 800 as in the report on the site. --Dwayne Johnson appears Tuesday on the Ellen DeGeneres show on NBC. He'll be plugging the movie "Planet 51" where he's one of the voices. --During last night's New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts game, when talking about Patriots guard Stephen Neal, they noted that he didn't play football in college, that he beat Brock Lesnar to win the 1999 NCAA title and won the Danny Hodge award. He was also the 1999 world champion in the super heavyweight weight class. The difference between he and Lesnar is he started football at 22, and now 27, so he was still young enough to play by the time he had a few years learning the game. (thanks to Jonathan Sarpolis and Cory Van Kleeck) --The world premiere of "Rolling Thunder," a Roller Derby documentary, will be at the Dolby Lab on Potrero St., tonight in San Francisco. A lot of the old Derby skaters will be there including Jerry Seltzer, the promoter, announcer Don Drewry, Mike Gammon, Larry Smith, Francine Cochu, Peanuts Meyer and many others. --According to those in UFC, the story going around in Tatame magazine that fighters were told last week when the whole crew was brought to Las Vegas that the lighter weight classes would be moved to UFC is "complete bullshit." --Mickie James may have injured her leg on Saturday night in Dublin, but my feeling is it wasn't serious since we heard no serious injuries on the long European tour that just ended. --Sgt. Slaughter was at the NASCAR race in Phoenix over the weekend and was shown on ABC shaking hands with the drivers (thanks to Paul Fontaine) --CZW Night of Infamy results from Philadelphia: Tyler Veritas b Drew Gulak, Adam Cole b Rich Swann, Azreal & Bandido Jr. b Zero Gravity, Greg Excellent b Ryan McBride, Drew Blood b Teddy Fine, Sami Callihan b xOMGx, Danny Havoc b Joe Gacy, Devon Moore b Scotty Vortekz, Team Macktion b Spanish Armada, H8 Club & Jon Moxley b Drake Younger & D.J. Hyde & Eddie Kingston, B-Boy b Dan Maff. Next show is Night of Infamy with a Cage of death match with Danny Havoc vs. Sami Callihan --On the TV show Top Gear on the BBC, the hosts were driving around Romania in the outbacks and kids were amazed to see a car with four wheels and started writing on it. One kid wrote I love John Cena, in the middle of nowhere in Romania (thanks to John Liddell) --Great Khali will be a special ambassador for the Special Olympics in India and an announcement is expected to be made tomorrow. --Scott Coker talks at http://www.heavy.com/post/10-questions-for-strikeforce-president-scott-co ker-1444 --There is an interview with Tito Ortiz at http://www.heavy.com/post/exclusive-tito-ortiz-video-interview-1584 --A Dana White MuscleCar is being built and a show featuring it airs on Spike on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (thanks to Steven Kowalczyk) --AIW on 11/27 in Cleveland at the West Park Party Center with Davey Richards and Mad Man Pondo --Victor Rivera at
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is looking for a DVD-R tape of the 10/30 Smackdown show --Classic Championship Wrestling on 11/21 in Marysville, PA at the Lion's Club --Empire Wrestling Federation on 11/27 in Covina, CA at the Knights of Columbus Hall --NWS on 11/20 in Holmdel, NJ at the High School Gym with Tatanka, Samu and The Patriot. They also run 11/21 in Ridgefield Park, NJ at the Knights of Columbus Hall with Tatanka as the headliner. --IWF Thanksgiving Thunder on 11/21 at 7:30 p.m. and 11/22 at 4 p.m. at the IWF Centre in West Paterson, NJ --Ed Loredo talks with J.J. Dillon at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Edward-Loredo --Angelina Love and Velvet Sky reunite for PCW's Thanksgiving Thunder on 11/21 in Midlothian, IL at the Don Preston Rec Center --Lucha Libre Mexican from last night in Los Angeles before 150 fans: Ultra Star b Moctemzuma, Sexy Chino b Thunderwolf, Mecanico & Alas de Oro b Mike Violence & Monje Maldito, Vintage Dragon b Cedric the Hitman, Loco Zandokan & Ciclon Moreliano & Sombra Infernal b Capitan Calico & Trueno & Fantasma Blanco to set up Zandokan vs. Calico to find who is really the best pirate. --Iowa's starting quarterback on Saturday against Ohio State was named James Vandenburg. He didn't have Mortis with him (thanks to Calixto Gonzales) --Review of Irv Muchnick's book is at http://www.newsreview.com.com/sacramento/content?oid-1317548 --NYWC on 11/21 at the NYWC Sportatorium in Deer Park, NY --Primal Conflict Wrestling on 11/21 in Shenandoah Junction, WV at the Jefferson County Community Center with Sonjay Dutt and Julio Dinero
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