This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

        Spike TV will be airing The Best of 2009 three hour UFC special at 7 p.m. tonight.
 
        Part one of what will be a two part feature on the death of Edward "Umaga" Fatu is one of the lead stories in this coming Monday's issue of the Observer.  The major Umaga feature will come out next week.
 
        We do look at his biggest career moment, what his plans were in wrestling going forward, WWE & TNA looking at him, and the beginnings of the Anoa'i family wrestling dynasty when he was just a child.
 
        Our major feature in the issue is a story on Hulk Hogan and TNA, including a lot of exclusive information regarding what changes Hogan has been telling people he's going to make, who is in, what the status of the big players being talked to is, a look back at the beginning of the original Monday Night Wars and how this is different.  This is probably the most complete business analysis of what did happen, what is similar, and what is different.
 
        We look at what Hogan is pitching people who are coming in, Hogan's ideas regarding changes in the television product, what famous pro wrestling feud is being talked about being revived for the last time, updates on where Rob Van Dam, Ric Flair, Ken Anderson and others stand.  We also look at both sides of the issue of TNA moving to Monday.  We look at the one head-to-head Raw vs. Nitro episode and how the audience reaction was completely different from similar situations in the Monday Night Wars.  We look at Hogan's value in 2010, both where it is there and where it is likely overrated.  We look at what TNA needs to do, top talent not available on the first night, what the non-wrestling competition will be, and the realities of Hogan's first WCW run and where he was and wasn't strong.  We look at how the situation is similar and different, comparisons of WCW then and TNA now.  We look at the different stages of TNA on Spike and more.

        The issue is available now to premium subscribers on the web site.  You can also get the Observer mailed to your home with details below.

        We also look at the Strikeforce signing of Dan Henderson, the reaction by Dana White, what matches are being talked about for him, is Henderson a draw, what led Henderson to leaving, notes on what Henderson had asked for in talks, and more.
 
        We also look at the drawing power of Kimbo Slice, where his fight stood on the all-time viewing record, the announcement of Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell as coaches of Ultimate Fighter, what other alternatives there were, the Jones vs. Hamill finish, and how every fight on the show gained and lost audience so you can see what fights people wanted to see and what fights people didn't care about.  We also have how much every fighter earned on the show.
 
        We have a lot of thoughts about the issues of concussions in pro wrestling stemming from the test results of the brain of Andrew Martin.  We have an update on the Linda McMahon campaign as well as the coverage of the campaign, looking at different articles, and the McMahon camp's going on personal attacks instead of addressing issues.
 
        We've got more on John Cena's next movie, an interesting contract story, updates on a former champion who was being talked with about returning, more on upcoming celebrity hosts, the Tribute to the Troops show, the fines for pot usage, as well as details of the weekend house shows.
 
        We also have an update on a Hall of Fame active wrestler recovering from heart surgery and look at what famous historical thing from the 70s is being copied in a storyline.
 
        We also look at the latest WWE PPV numbers, with one success and one gimmick that wasn't a success.  We look at the lessons of Bragging Rights and what is showed about certain types of angles these days, and Hell in a Cell.  
 
        We also have coverage of the record setting K-1 World Grand Prix, including what the business notes say both good and bad, why this show had less appeal in Japan than other years, the storylines and why this show came off perfect for the future.
 
        We also look at the last big show of the year for Pro Wrestling NOAH, the 30th annual Real World Tag League tournament, and CMLL's final big event of the year.
 
       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:
 
--Perros Del Mal anniversary show
 
--New Japan Tokyo Dome update
 
--New Japan's last major show of the year
 
--What legend will be going on tour doing talk shows throughout 2010
 
--Former WWE and ECW wrestler opens overseas promotion
 
--More from the Hulkamania tour and why that promoter and WWE are at major odds over what may be the biggest new business opportunity of 2010
 
--Update on the arrest of Greg Gagne's daughter Gail
 
--Notes on the best book category in the awards
 
--Notes on a pro wrestling documentary scheduled for next year
 
--A K-1 fighter does an angle with a former WWE star
 
--A 60s legend and all-time great in his country has perhaps his final match
 
--Update on Bobby Heenan
 
--Former WWF star turned promoter does a unique buildup for some upcoming shows
 
--TNA's main feud shaping up
 
--Angle injury
 
--New TNA television show notes
 
--A look at the weekend TNA house shows
 
--A look at TNA television over the next few weeks
 
--Update on Brock Lesnar
 
--A major UFC vs. WWE head-to-head battle, which involves one of the most looked forward to WWE events of the year
 
--What two major events may affect the business of this year's WrestleMania
 
--Lots of new UFC matches
 
--Updates on UFC ticket sales at upcoming shows
 
--Several fighters cut by UFC
 
--Update on the Strikeforce show in San Jose including complete TV lineup
 
--A look at Herschel Walker as he prepares for his MMA debut
 
--Fedor Emelianenko gets new exposure
 
     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.
 
 
--There is a story on the results of an examination of the brain of Andrew "Test" Martin and of concussions in wrestling and sports at http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=4724912  This is a story you should go out of your way to read.  We have a lot more on that in the issue up on the site today.

--ECW did what may have been a record low rating in its time slot, doing a 0.8 last night

--CNBC did a story on WWE's worldwide expansion, saying that Brazil and Russia are the next countries being targeted.  Andrew Whitaker of WWE said the company has never been stronger, and expects profit growth of 15-20% per year, spurred on by overseas business, over the next three years.  Not really much else of note in the story.     
 
--ESPN delivered huge due to football in the weekly cable ratings race, doing a 3.4 average in prime time.  USA was second at 2.5.  Spike and Syfy were No. 15 and No. 16 at 0.9, and that's even with the big numbers pulled by Saturday's Ultimate Fighter finals.  The two hours of Raw were No. 12 and No. 20, much lower than usual, behind football and the top USA Network dramas.  In 18-34, Ultimate Fighter finals were No. 2 and the two-hour show last Wednesday was No. 9.  With the exception of the NFL game and a Sports Center, there was nothing close to UFC in Males 18-34.  Raw didn't rank in that demo, which is rare.  In 18-49, The TUF show paced by Kimbo Slice was No. 5, while Raw was No. 8 and No. 9.
 
--Jim Cornette will be the guest later today on Wrestling Observer radio, talking about the current wrestling scene, his role in ROH, TNA, WWE and more.
 
--Frank Mir was expectedly awesome on the UFC Countdown show last night.  If he fights Brock Lesnar in a rematch, they will do the second biggest numbers in company history.  You should watch the replay.  Mir has discovered the benefits of heavy weight training and he's a new man.  Remember him laughing about Lesnar lifting weights on the UFC 100 Countdown special.  
 
--Frank Mir was on 92.3 FM in Las Vegas, and even though he's fighting Cheick Kongo on Saturday night in Memphis, most of his talk was about Brock Lesnar, who he came off as obsessed with.  He should join the Sherdog forums then.  He said he went into deep depression when he found out Lesnar was so sick he may not fight again, and couldn't train.  His trainers had to push that he better get back in the gym since he had a fight.  He said that his wife, who is a huge Randy Couture fan, after Lesnar knocked out Couture, got on his case saying, "If you would have broke his leg, this wouldn't be happening."  Mir did not say he would stand and trade with Kongo, but that he's going to take him down and submit him. (thanks to Mike Sawyer)
 
--Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James for the Women's title has been added to Sunday's PPV
 
--TNA will be putting up a Times Square billboard (those things are expensive) promoting the 1/4 special which goes up tomorrow.
 
--Although not listed on spoilers, Impact tomorrow night will include several taped vignettes where Mick Foley goes to make contact with Jeff Jarrett
 
--Roxxi is back in TNA
 
--Gran Akuma was announced for the 1/23 Dragon Gate USA show in Chicago.  Silas Young, Arik Cannon and more CHIKARA talent has been added to the bonus matches.
 
--The Los Angeles Times ran a short piece on the death of Mike LeBell, telling the old story about how his company in order to meet the newspaper deadline would call in results of the Friday night shows at 6 p.m. to the paper, which was before the shows even started.  I remember that period because when the results ran the next day, and you compared them to the actual results, you could see what guys had refused to do jobs.  
 
--The Hulkamania show from Melbourne, headlined by Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair, will be airing on Sunday night on One HD in Australia
 
--A DVD clearly worth getting, billed as the 25 greatest matches in the career of Shawn Michaels, is scheduled for a 3/9 release.  Can't wait to see that list.
 
--PWG's Kurt Russellmania on 1/30 at the LAX Hilton features The Young Bucks, Kai, Davey Richards, Great Muta, Super Crazy, Kevin Steen, Brian Kendrick, a three-way match with Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Hero vs. Roderick Strong, and Jushin Liger vs. El Generico
 
--Linda Bollea's quote on the publicity of her taking the toilet seat from the Bellaire Mansion with her to her new place in Florida, violating what Hulk said was their divorce settlement agreement:  "He knows I'm using the wooden toilet seat as a frame for his picture ever since I found out he is a serial cheater and liar.  Once he comes clean and starts to be honest, he can have it back."
 
--Hulk Hogan missed appearing on the Canadian TV show "The Surf," due to his illness last night.  He did a number of Toronto area radio shows today promoting the TNA brand.  He will be appearing tomorrow on TSN's "Off the Record" with Michael Landsberg
 
--Hogan was on the FAN in Toronto talking about the last time he was in Toronto being the match with Rock (actually he came at least once after that).  He said he doesn't plan on firing Vince Russo or putting title belts on his friends.  You can listen at http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20091209_104849_8284  He was on The Edge 102.1 pushing his book, and saying that he was not engaged.  Huh?  (thanks to Steve Khan and Darryl Roebothan)
 
--Due to an injury to Jeremy Stephens, the 1/11 UFC show in Fairfax, VA sees Stephens' original opponent, Nik Lentz, taking on Thiago Tavares
 
--Dustin Hazelett vs. Paul Daley has been added to the 1/2 show in Las Vegas.  Daley's opponent, Carlos Condit, was injured.  Condit sliced his hand open on sheet metal.  That show is beyond cursed.    
 
--The History of the World title DVD comes out Tuesday from WWE, which will include a documentary on the history of wrestling.  It also includes historical world title changes like Rogers vs. O'Connor, Kiniski vs. Dory Funk, Race vs. Terry Funk, Terry Funk vs. Jack Brisco and Dusty Rhodes vs. Harley Race  
 
--Poll on Raw
Excellent 6.6%
Good 32.0%
Average 24.6%
Fair 8.2%
Poor 28.7%
        19.5% of those responding didn't see the show.  This one did worse than I expected.
 
--Poll on the ROH TV show Monday
Excellent 60.8%
Good 11.8%
Average 5.9%
Fair 7.8%
Poor 13.7%
        However 67.1% of those responding didn't see the show.  I can't ever recall a show getting that high a percentage for being excellent.
 
--Best guest host
Jesse Ventura 37.6%
Bob Barker 23.3%
Shaquille O'Neal 15.3%
Ted DiBiase 10.8%
Mark Cuban 6.9%
Dusty Rhodes 4.1%
Ben Roethlisberger 2.0%
 
--The FILA World Grappling Championships takes place on Saturday and Sunday in Fort Lauderdale.  The finals will air at http://www.TheMat.com  Several MMA names are competing including Jeff Monson, Jacob Volkmann, Mario Rinaldi as well as Olympian and Hodge Trophy winner Ben Askren
 
--You can watch free fights on Friday night in Atlanta at Wild Bill's with an expected 3,700 others at the Fight Night, as long as you bring a new toy for the Toys for Tots program.  Last year's event was one of the biggest single day toy drives in the city of Atlanta.  Just bring an unwrapped toy to the door at Wild Bill's on Friday night, but come early.     
 
--Gabe Sapolsky promises an announcement soon that Super Evolve is coming
 
--Lance Storm talks about his remembrances of Eddie Fatu at http://www.stormwrestling.com/120809.html
 
--Hustler has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to listen to their appeal of a federal court ruling that the magazine had used photos of Nancy Benoit nude, taken more than 20 years before she was killed, for commercial, and not news value, which violated her family's right of publicity interests.  The original case filed by the Toffoloni family was thrown out in Georgia district court, which ruled the publishing of the photos had legitimate news value.  But the Court of Appeals in Atlanta reversed that decision, saying because the photos were so old, they could not be used with the idea it was part of news coverage.  Story is at http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=11160
 
--Sheamus is on the cover of the Irish Voice with a huge article.  That's a major coup for WWE (thanks to John Kelly)
 
--Titan Fighting Championships on 12/18 in Kansas City at Memorial Hall headlined by James Krause (former WEC fighter) vs. Eric Marriott   
 
--Battle at the Ballroom on 12/17 in Irvine, CA at the Marriott Grand Ballroom with both MMA and boxing matches on the same show.  The show has four boxing matches and two MMA matches.
 
--Jeff Monson vs Travis Fulton (in his 248th MMA match, not a misprint) headlines a web PPV at http://www.NESportsTV.com for $9.95 from Birmingham.
 
--Maryland Championship Wrestling is doing a party for the WWE TLC PPV on Loafer's Sports Bar and Grill in Catonsville, MD at 7 PM. on Sunday.  The company also has its annual Holiday Hell show on 12/26 in Dundalk, MD at The New Green Room
 
--Black Diamond Wrestling on 12/28 in Brilliant, OH at the North Middle School
 
--Mega Championship Wrestling on Saturday night in Elyria, OH at the Old East Carlisle Elementary School
 
--NWA MSW on Saturday night in Hinton, WV at the Summers County Memorial Building