| TUES. UPDATE: Brock health update, Diva returns, Raw live notes, TNA superstar injury, absurd sale |
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By Bryan Alvarez
Bryan Alvarez:
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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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it We're also looking for reports of tonight's 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 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. 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. -- As noted elsewhere, Dana White on his Twitter today said Brock Lesnar had just undergone minor surgery and was feeling much better, but wasn't necessarily out of the woods yet. We have a FREE edition of Wrestling Observer Radio up here with more info on the story, plus a review of Raw and a lot more news. -- Sandy Scott underwent surgery to treat pancreatic cancer yesterday. They're hopeful that they got it all out. -- Dan Wahlers on last night's Kofi/Orton brawl from a live perspective: For the Orton/Kofi brawl, a lot of people in the crowd were cheering Orton when it first started, don't know if that came across on TV or not. But by the end, after Kofi did the splash through the table off the railing spot, which was incidentally one the biggest pops I've heard at MSG in a long time, the crowd was 100% behind Kofi. He got a true genuine superstar reaction at the end. -- Lilian Garcia made a one-time return to Raw last night to sing the National Anthem.
-- One person last night noted how funny it was that they went out of their way to bury Hulk Hogan in the Iron Sheik skit, then the next thing you know they're doing a commercial to plug his new DVD -- Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair are both in Australia as of today plugging the upcoming Hulkamania tour. -- Speaking of Hogan, the Pontiac Silverdome, the site of WrestleMania III with Hogan vs. Andre, sold today for $583,000. I am not making that figure up. A half million dollars. A completely ridiculous price. So ridiculous that we should have run a fund-raiser on this site and all got together to purchase it. Where I went to elementary school, right across the street they are building a new development and all of the houses there will sell for more than the Pontiac Silverdome. And where I went to high school there is a new development across the street, right next to some horse stables, actually, which you would think would bring down the price, that are going to sell for close to double the price of the Pontiac Silverdome. -- Kurt Angle blew out his back early in the match with Desmond Wolfe last week but did not, in fact, bow to his howl, and will not be missing any action. -- WEC signed a deal today with Globosat in Brazil to air shows starting with tomorrow night's Brown vs. Aldo fight. It's a multi-year deal. -- Edge at the Kid's Choice Awards in Australia was moving around very well and even ran a bit on stage. He's still likely months away from being ready to return. -- Josh Nason writes: During RAW tonight, they updated the local ads for Manchester, NH - billing WWE Champion John Cena vs. Big Show as the main event with DX vs. Legacy on the undercard. This is a change from the Cena/Orton main event they had been promoting for a month or so. -- Marty Goldstein has a big article up here about the final months of Adam Firestorm, who committed suicide two weeks ago. -- Big Q&A with Ivan Koloff up here. -- JBL's wife Meredith Whitney looks at the stock market here. This woman knows her stuff, so if you're into personal finance I'd give it a read. -- Lance Storm has a new and entertaining Q&A up here. -- Rey Mysterio talks the Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 video game here. -- Interview with Big Show here -- Josh Koscheck here says that Dan Hardy does not deserve a title shot against GSP.
-- Who do you think won this fight
What did you think of Thursday night's Impact?
What did you think of Friday night's Smackdown?
-- Ed and company interview JJ Dillon here. -- From the promoter: HPW Returns to the 4-H Fairgrounds on Sunday November 22nd at 5PM for a Fundraiser for The Columbus, IN Firemans Cheer Fund. This is one of the biggest groups in Columbus that raises money every year to supply toys, clothes and food for the kids who need help. We are pleased to be able to help this cause. All gate money will go to the Cheer Fund and fans are asked to bring a new or used toy to help out. We invite all fans to come out and help a great cause. All Tickets for this show is $5. HPW will present 6 matches on the show.<.i> -- Chris Daniels will be on “The Busted Open” radio show at 4:30 PM ET today, which airs on Sirius channel 127 and XM 242. -- Saturday November 28, 2009 New Focus Wrestling will have a benefit show in Evansville, IN for Salvation Army's Toy and Food Drive. Price of admission is one NEW toy or 2 Canned food items. All donated Items will be given to the Salvation Army
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