|
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
We're looking for your thoughts on Wednesday night's WEC 44, 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
Several major shows this weekend, including Strikeforce Challengers Series tonight from Kansas City at 11 p.m. on Showtime, UFC 106 from Las Vegas on Saturday night and WWE Survivor Series on Sunday. We're also looking for reports from tonight and tomorrow night's Battle of Los Angeles tournament shows in Reseda, CA (as noted last night, Chris Sabin is out, first round is Kenny Omega vs. Kevin Steen, Scott Lost vs. Jerome Robinson, Austin Aries vs. Brian Kendrick, Joey Ryan vs. Colt Cabana, Brandon Gatson vs. Nick Jackson, El Generico vs. Alex Shelley, Johnny Goodtime vs. Roderick Strong and Matt Jackson vs. Human Tornado) as well as tomorrow night's Hulkamania show in Melbourne at the Rod Laver Arena which will be Hulk Hogan's first match in more than two years, and Ric Flair's first match in more than one year. Sunday is the WWE Survivor Series from Washington, DC, with John Cena vs. HHH vs. Shawn Michaels for the WWE title, Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho vs. Big Show for the World title, Rey Mysterio vs. Batista, and three 10-person elimination matches. There will be a three-hour Raw on Monday from Hershey, PA with all three brands there and Jesse Ventura as the guest host. The advertised main event is DX & Cena vs. JeriShow & Orton. Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Bridgeport, CT at the Harbor Yards with Undertaker vs. Batista vs. Punk as the announced dark match. Smackdown tonight: Matt Hardy vs. Batista Fit Finlay vs. Drew McIntyre John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler for the IC title 2/3 falls Mickie James vs. Layla Rey Mysterio vs. Tyson Kidd Undertaker & Kane vs. Chris Jericho & Big Show They also do a personal angle with Mickie James which was clearly a message at her and one that to me makes the company look real bad. Tonight's Strikeforce lineup from Kansas City Dark matches Dominic Brown (190) vs. Lucas Lopes (191.4) Rich Bouphanouvong (164 vs. Mike Chandler (166) Darryl Cobb (184) vs. Gary Gapasua (185) Nick Nolte (171--isn't he a little old to be fighting) vs. Andrew Walters (171) Brian Davidson (147) vs. Russell Patrick (144) Lee Gibson (155) vs. Joe Wilk (155.5) Live matches starting at 11 p.m. Eastern Kevin Casey (185) vs. Chad Vance (185) Rafael Feijao (205) vs. Aaron Rosa (206) Erik Apple (170.5) vs. Bobby Voelker (170) Kim Couture (136) vs. Kerry Vera (135) Tyron Woodley (171) vs. Rudy Bears (170) On Spike tonight, they have Unleashed from 7-9 p.m. with Keith Jardine vs. Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz, Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Riggs, Luke Cummo vs. Joe Stevenson, Tito Ortiz vs. Evan Tanner and Brad Imes vs. Rashad Evans. From 9 p.m. to midnight will be UFC 89, headlined by Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben and Keith Jardine vs. Brandon Vera. We're looking for your thoughts on Wednesday night's WEC show, 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've got a lead story on Brock Lesnar, what exactly happened with him over the past two weeks, the UFC heavyweight title picture, as well as a look at the new main event level matches UFC has put together over the past week in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The issue also has full coverage of UFC 105 from Manchester, TNA Turning Point, more on the death of Adam Firestorm, Raw in Madison Square Garden and much more.
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 have an update on Lesnar's condition, a look at the heavyweight division, the snake-bit UFC with so many headliners out at the same time, and updates on Shane Carwin, Quinton Jackson, Randy Couture, Cain Velasquez and more.
We also look at the Hogan effect on TNA, including several wrestling personalities that have been recruited to come in, exactly who is really in charge, as well as a look at Turning Point, one of the company's best PPV shows in years due to the Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe and A.J. Styles vs Samoa Joe vs. Daniels headline matches. We also have match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results from the show.
We also look at UFC 105, including the Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera judging, the business notes on the show, comparisons to the CBS show the week before, and how every match on the show did in ratings. We also talk about UFC in the U.K., how over Couture was with the fighters, as well as match-by-match coverage with poll results.
We also have a look at Hulk Hogan's latest autobiography, and some of his stories and what does and doesn't make sense out of them, as he talks his career, his marriage, his childhood and his future.
We also have more on the WWE's new deal with the USA Network, the WWE business on its recent European tour, future guest hosts, lots more on the Linda McMahon campaign including where she is polling in her race for next year, as well as people critical of her due to the content of wrestling, her campaign's response, as well as Superstar Billy Graham being involved in campaigning against McMahon.
We also have more notes on where things stand with a WWE Channel, as well as notes on similar channels, as well as WWE in the U.K., on television, John Cena's next movie, another top babyface injured and who in particular needs to be pushed because of it, an update on Gerald Brisco, talk of the WrestleMania main event for next year, a wrestler expected back in the next two weeks, update on Matt Cappotelli, WWE Hall of Fame, health of Jim Ross, new announcing situation, where Bryan Danielson stands with WWE, former developmental wrestler returns with a new role, house show changes, update on Edge, as well as tons of notes regarding new wrestlers in developmental including two wrestlers who competed at this year's NCAA tournament.
We also have a look at all the shows of the last week on the WWE European tour.
We've got notes on the death of Orig Williams, perhaps the most famous wrestler to come out of Wales, as well as a story on the death of Adam Firestorm, and similarities of his death with many other wrestler deaths in recent years.
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:
--Notes on the expected CMLL year-end show main event
--CMLL tour of France notes
--Rival rips on El Hijo del Santo
--Bad news for one promotion in the ratings in Mexico, as well as how Pacquiao did on free TV there compared to Lesnar and Jack Black
--Vampiro talks about his glory years
--More on Dragon Gate over WrestleMania weekend
--U.S. star headed next week to Dragon Gate tour
--Dragon Gate's final big show of the year in Japan
--Update on KENTA's knee injury and his return
--UFC star who wanted to be a pro wrestler before getting into MMA involved in New Japan angle for a match in two weeks
--Rival group star added to Super J Cup tournament
--Notes on attempt to revive FMW
--Women wrestling legends face off this week for the first time ever
--61-year-old former world kickboxing champion makes pro wrestling debut
--Perry Saturn found
--Notes on Ric Flair's wedding
--Update on Gabe Sapolsky's Evolve promotion
--Notes on RVD touring Europe
--Big crowds for independent group in U.S>
--Notes on Battle of Los Angeles
--Brooke Hogan's bad press
--80s star writing a book as well as Hall of Famer talking about doing an autobiography
--More on ROH stars getting WWE tryout and contract situation
--ROH injury updates
--Notes on ROH weekend house shows
--More on the Hogan/Flair angle getting worldwide media attention
--More on TNA's television schedule
--Thoughts on TNA going to Monday
--TNA PPV gets terrible date
--TNA doing on-line marketing
--Wrestlers in TNA signed and cut
--TNA house show and TV taping reports
--Station Casinos update
--Notes on season 11 of Ultimate Fighter
--Notes on Shane McMahon visiting UFC headquarters
--Attempts by UFC to run a show in the middle East
--Former UFC fighter has warrant out for arrest
--Match of the Year TV special
--Several new UFC matches announced including talks with a 90s legend who has never fought in UFC before
--Notes on the Fedor/Affliction lawsuit
--Updates on the next major Strikeforce show on 12/19 in San Jose
--A PPV you never heard of that recently did 850,000 buys and why
--What very dubious distinction did Manny Pacquiao pass Fred Blassie in
--Man who killed former UFC star sentenced 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. 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.
--WWE Superstars starts in the U.K. on 12/11 in a 5 p.m. time slot. While no announcement has been made, it appears WWE and Sky have renewed their deal because WWE programming is listed for January and the last contract expired at the end of the year. The WWE Tribute to the Troops special is scheduled for 2 a.m. on 12/20 for one hour in the U.K.. (thanks to Ben Kerin and Stephen Lyon) --Impact last night did a 1.1 rating. --American Wrestling Rampage drew 2,700 in Cannes, France last night: Scottie The Hottie b Joe E. Legend, Delicious Dunkie D b Pac, Portia Perez b April Hunter, Sid Vicious b Paul Tracey, Rene Dupree b Shawn Maxer in a flag match, Sabu b X-Pac, Suicide Machine & Mascarita Sagrada b Omen & Mini Omen, Rob Van Dam b Raven in a Hardcore match (thanks to Celian Varini). They run tonight in Lille, France. --Today is the 15th anniversary of one of the most unique pro wrestling shows in history, a 23 match show that lasted 10 hours and drew 32,500 fans, did seven figures in merchandising, to the Tokyo Dome with 22 women's matches, including a tournament with eight of the biggest women stars of the time period, as well as four shoot matches and a Michinoku Pro match. I was at that show and it had some great matches, but that was one long day. --Paul & Katie Lea Burchill are being advertised on upcoming Raw house shows, so that tells you where they are going. --Cryme Tyme and the Hart Dynasty have the weekend off. They were at one point talked about for the dark match at the Survivor Series.adna nd th --WrestleReunion on 1/29 to 1/31 at the LAX Hilton Hotel features Great Muta, Demolition, Stan Hansen, Austin Idol, Nick Bockwinkel, Koko Ware, DDP, Larry Zbyszko, Road Warrior Animal, Scotty 2 Hotty, Bret Hart, Terri Runnels, Tammy Sytch, Chavo Guerrero Sr., Dan Severn, Jushin Liger, Bruno Sammartino, RVD and more. There will also be an ROH show that weekend. --NBC sent out a press release today noting Steve Austin would be a guest star on "Chuck." He was filming it the last time WWE tried to bring him in last month for the 10th anniversary Smackdown taping in Boston. --Howard Stern was talking about the movie Planet 51, which opens tonight, with Dwayne Johnson as one of the voices. Stern said Johnson would soon be calling up Vince McMahon begging for his job back because his movies have been bombing. Then someone told Stern that Johnson's last movie grossed $67 million and Stern said, "Never mind, The Rock should call Vince and tell him to go fuck himself instead." (thanks to Robb Block) --What did you think of Wednesday night's Ultimate Fighter reality show Excellent 6.3% Good 52.4% Average 28.6% Fair 6.3% Poor 6.3% 34.0% of those responding didn't see the show --Who do you expect to win this match Forrest Griffin 54.0% Tito Ortiz 46.0% --Who do you expect to win the WWE title match on Sunday? John Cena 47.0% HHH 43.1% Shawn Michaels 9.9% --Who do you expect to win the World title match on Sunday? Undertaker 69.0% Chris Jericho 26.3% Big Show 4.7% --Urijah Faber and Frank Trigg will be signing autographs at Tito Ortiz's Punishment MMA store inside the Hooters Casino tomorrow from 1:30 to 3 p.m. --Tito Ortiz will have an after party at TAO at the Venetian Hotel while Anthony Johnson has an after party at Studio 54 at the MGM Grand. (thanks to Mike Sawyer) --Pro Wrestling Uncensored on 12/5 in Orlando at the Central Florida Fairgrounds with Big Vito, Jerry Lynn, Shane Douglas and 2 Cold Scorpio --Lance Storm talks about his experiences working in Japan and his match against Satoru Sayama at http://www.stormwrestling.com/111909.html --The California State Grappling championships take place on 12/5 at San Diego State University. They have men, women, and age group categories --Minowa-man in a video game trailer at http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/61322 --A story on a bakery in Rochester, MN, putting together a cake for WWE Christmas cards is at http://www.kttc.com/Global/story.asp?S=11516941 --Kid Sister said she wanted to do her debut album and call it "Koko B. Ware," because she grew up with him as her favorite wrestler, called the WWE offices for approval and offered $10,000 for the rights, and WWE told them, "We're not even discussing it, it's not up for debate." She should have just found him, since "Koko B. Ware" was originated by Jerry Jarrett, and Koko B. Ware by Bill Watts in Mid South Wrestling, neither of which trade marked it, so WWE shouldn't have any intellectual property rights to limit its use even if he's under a legends contract because he brought the name into the company as opposed to the company creating the name for him. --A couple of pro wrestling notes at http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/?toId=4670701 One is about actor Quinton Aaron, who stars in "The Blind Side," who is 6-8 and 375 pounds, talking about wanting to be a wrestler earlier in life, but not anymore. But said he'd live to be a guest hot. The other is an interview with Mark Cuban talking about being a guest host on the 12/7 Raw in Dallas. He noted doing a video with John Cena on OVW TV years ago, and growing up as a fan of Bruno Sammartino and George Steele, and said he was friends with Vince McMahon. --WSU on 12/12 in Flemington, NJ at the American Legion Hall with Mercedes Martinez vs. Awesome Kong and Jazz vs. Angel Orsini, plus So Cal Val, Nikki Roxx, Sumie Sakai, Amber O'Neal and Shelly Martinez appearing --Hoosier Pro Wrestling is doing a fund raiser on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in Columbus, IN --Insanity Pro Wrestling on Saturday night in Indianapolis at the Fountain Square Salvation Army Corp. Bring three non perishable food items or a new unopened toy and you can get in for $5 --Tuesday night in Guadalajara: Angelo & Thunder Boy b Skaxy & Titanio, In Memoria & Malefico b Nube Roja & Virgo, Hierro & Metal Blanco & Palacio Negro b Angel del Mal & Asesino Negro & Rey Trueno, Pequeno Damian 666 & Pequeno Warrior b Meteoro & Saturno, Brazo de Plata & Hector Garza b Tetsuya Naito & Yujiro --Wednesday night in Huachinango: Estrella de Fuego & Lady Apache b Mohicana & La Nazi, Fantasma Jr. & Huracan Ramirez b Dr. X & The King, Mistico & Mascara Dorada b Averno & El Terrible --AAA tapes TV tonight in Orizaba with Latin Lover & Marco Corleone & Mesias vs. Cibernetico & Joe Lider & Nicho, Dr. Wagner Jr. & Electroshock & Silver King vs. Chessman & Zorro & Teddy Hart, Elegido & Rocky Romero vs. Alex Koslov & Dark Ozz, and Estrellita & Fabi Apache & Mari Apache vs. Jennifer Blake & Rain & Sexy Star (thanks to Kris Zellner and Steve "Dr. Lucha" Sims) --There is a story on Dan Severn buying a home in Fountain Hills, AZ (he's not moving from Michigan, just buying a second home) at http://www.fhtimes.com/times/2009/111109/severn.html --CHIKARA on Sunday at the Arena in Philadelphia has Fire Ant & Soldier Ant vs. Ophidian & Amasis and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston --An angle involving Ron Bass done to build up the weekend Jeff Peterson Memorial tournament and his wrestling on the show is at http://www.studio10.tv/day/thursday/segment.aspx/118072/Outlaw_Ron_Bass --Last year's Feast or Fired match is on Time Warner's On Demand in their Events Free preview section for Final Resolution (thanks to Suju Abraham) --Tony Arellano at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
is trying to get in touch with former wrestling and Roller Derby announcer Walt Harris
|