This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
        Between unique wrestling shows, crazy promos, legal actions, more on WWE's business year in review, stories on the death of Umaga, more on the Ric Flair situation with his wife, where MMA stands on CBS as well as the next planned show, we've got two issues of the Observer coming out this week.

 

        The first issue is available right now on the web site and the second issue will be available tomorrow. 

 

        We look at the Frank Mir reaction to his own apology, and his reaction to his reaction, as well as comments by Brock Lesnar, and then the story behind Marcus Davis wishing a death of AIDS to Dan Hardy and why this stuff is more dangerous in UFC right now then if it was to happen in pro wrestling or boxing.

 

        We have more on the death of Edward "Umaga" Fatu, looking at his cause of death, his career, his getting fired by WWE and post-WWE.

 

        We also have more on the Ric Flair situation with the release of the 911 call by Rene Beems about the incident with Flair and Jacqueline Beems, the content of the call and more information on the incident.

 

        We also have a look at the situation regarding Awesome Kong and Bubba the Love Sponge, and the unique situation it has put TNA in.  We look at her claims, his responses, and more on the original incident between the two.

 

        We look at the next Strikeforce show on CBS, the Strikeforce/Dream relationship, matches planned for the company's next two major events, why this CBS special is important and if it's successful, how that impact the business going forward.  We also look at how CBS is going to cross-promote the show with one of its major prime-time series, a look at the three CBS matches, who is Shinya Aoki, as well as more on Herschel Walker, as well as obstacles put forth in the path of the company's PPV idea of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Alistair Overeem.

 

        We also have a complete rundown of the Dragon Gate USA show that plays throughout March, with notes on the show and coverage of all the matches and angles.

 

        We also have more on WWE business in 2009, including more notes on live attendance throughout the year, the drop in North American PPV vs. the drop in international PPV and why, a look at the government incentives WWE has been able to take advantage of, the growth in some revenue streams and losses in others.  We look at the profitability of every aspect of company business as well as a chart showing which revenue streams are the most and least important right now.  We also look at how much WWE spent on an average PPV in 2008 and 2009, and it's quite the eye opener. 

 

        We also have a look at comparing now to 1995, as where WWE and TNA are now leading into the new Monday Night Wars, and where WWF and WCW were leading into the first Monday Night Wars.

 

        We also have a WrestleMania update, more update on WWE changes in PPV in 2010 and why one of the weakest PPV shows of last year wasn't cut.  We also have a rundown of WWE firings over the past week, who was and wasn't expected, why and notes on all involved including some comments from people on the firings.  We look at each person's chances with TNA, a bio of Mad Dog Vachon, lots of more Hall of Fame notes, more on NXT and different ideas that were batted around and may or may not show up in future episodes.

 

        We've got more on Jim Ross' future, probably the most-watched pro wrestling match on U.S. TV of the 70s, update on guest hosts and injuries, several new wrestlers signed, new DVDs, some new angles talked about, something about NXT and finishing moves that came up, more on comments by Shad Gaspard, developmental news as well as business notes and highlights from the weekend house shows.

 

        We also have updates on the Linda McMahon senatorial campaign and how pro wrestling is being dragged more and more into the campaign.

 

        We also have a rundown of the next season of Ultimate Fighter, with a complete look at the cast, who they are, their record, what they've done and personality notes.

 

        We've got a rundown of two major Japanese events, the NOAH show at Budokan Hall and atmosphere of NOAH vs. New Japan, as well as the pro wrestling world champion vs. kickboxing world champion match and pro wrestler bench press contest held at a unique show this 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 28th 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 issues

--Hulk Hogan talks Vince McMahon

 

--Update on Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy

 

--A look back at the name TNA and where it started

 

--TNA's new U.K. deal for PPV shows and the power of the station they are on

 

--Eric Bischoff talks the recent ratings

 

--More on the Chuck Liddell nude video as well as the woman in it with him

 

--UFC sets a company event business record

 

--More on recent PPV business

 

--New TV commercial with MMA star

 

--Update on states that do not regulate MMA in the U.S.

 

--Latest Chael Sonnen comment

 

--A look at the price tag for the WEC PPV and what our poll shows about the best price point

 

--Tons of new UFC and WEC matches either signed or in the process of discussion

 

--Update on negotiations for interpromotional angle

 

--Unique look at a legend to be honored at a show in a few weeks because of what he did to screw with the ruling family that is still in power

 

--TV ratings for Mexico

 

--Complete lineup for AAA's first major show of the year including TNA star challenging for the world title

 

--New tournament taking place patterned after legendary tournaments of the past

 

--NOAH talking about big show plans for the summer

 

--New Japan instituting its Hall of Fame equivalent

 

--Hall of Famer comes out of retirement to team with son in his pro wrestling debut

 

--Different title vs. title matches signed

 

--A big promotion vs. promotion main event takes place this week

 

--Two wrestling theme songs played at Olympic closing ceremonies

 

--Two pro wrestlers get roles in upcoming major movie

 

--Wrestler arrested in sexual assault case against a 12-year-old

 

--More on the death of Ron Martinez and the attempt in 1975 to build a national wrestling promotion with one of baseball's most well-known owners

 

--A look back at Jack Brisco vs. Billy Robinson as well as the first stadium Dory Funk Jr. vs.  Jack Brisco match, when they were just in prelims

 

--The Thesz/Tragos Hall of Fame inductees for this year

 

--TV commercial featuring a former pro wrestling star banned by DirecTV

 

--Iron Sheik ruins a wedding

 

--A crazy indie lineup

 

--The next Dream show

 

--Man who drew second biggest buy rate of 2006 debuts in MMA

 

--WWE execs get huge money benefits this past week

 

        New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues can get free issues from the
last 18 years.  You can get 2 free back issues by ordering 40 or more
issues and one for 24.  Let us know which stories 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.
 
 

--UFC has signed boxer James Toney to a multi-fight contract.  FiveOuncesofPain.com reported the story earlier today and Dana White has confirmed it with us.  Toney has held boxing championships in the middleweight, super middleweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight division.  He currently holds NABO and IBA recognition as world heavyweight champion.   

 

--There is an issue going on in Vancouver regarding MMA and regulations.  Paul Lazenby, in attempting to get a promoters license, said he found out there are no regulations to promote within the city and the city is expressing grave concern about legal and financial liability, and movement has been slow.  Vancouver Athletic Commission chair Mirko Mladenovic, who supports MMA, was asked when the issues would be resolved, and was told by the city council, "About two months."   That would be enough time for UFC which has a show scheduled on 6/12 headlined by Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell, at the GM Place.  Dana White texted this afternoon, "No problem with the regs (regulations).  There is another issue that we should have handled one way or another in a week."

 

--Hulk Hogan is doing a ton of media to get ready for Monday.  He'll be on Q 104.3 FM at 7 a.m. tomorrow.  He was on Fox & Friends this morning (thanks to Jeff Sheridan and Jeff Gagliardo)

 

--Hogan on TNA:  "I had the chance to get with TNA and I saw the talent that they have, and all the stuff they are doing right there, and I had an opportunity to make history."  "I had to make a choice.  Do I want to be a statistic and do a bunch of stupid stuff, or do I want to do the right thing?"  "This opportunity came with TNA and I had a chance to feel young again, and get some spring in my step and I knew the end of the story at WWE, this is life after life for me here at TNA.  It's a new beginning for me."

 

--NXT last night did a 1.2 rating

 

--Pete Rose will guest host the final Raw before WrestleMania on 3/22

 

--Lineup for Sengoku which takes place Sunday at Sumo Hall in Tokyo and will air a week from Friday on HDNet:

Kyung Ko Kang vs Shigeki Osawa

Kiuma Kunioku vs. Leonardo Santos

Nick Denis vs. Yuji Hoshino

Yoshihiro Kiss Nakao vs. Henry Sentoryu Miller

Marlon Sandro vs. Tomonari Kaneomata

Maximo Blanco vs. Chang Hyun Kim

Diego Gonzalez vs. Akihiro Gono

Jorge Santiago vs. Mamed Khalidov for the middleweight title

 

--Tickets for the 4/17 Strikeforce show in Nashville go on sale Friday. 

 

--The Rob Simmons campaign is heavily going after Linda McMahon on the steroid issue.  He sent out another attack piece bringing up things from the government investigation, asking why Vince doesn't have to take the tests, asking who else doesn't have to, and a lot more.  We'll have more on that in the next Observer.

 

--USA won the weekly cable race by a large margin, with a 2.3 average prime time rating to 1.6 for Fox News.  Syfy was No. 16 at 0.8 and Spike was No. 22 at 0.7.  Last week's Raw episodes were the two highest rated shows on cable for the week.  In 18-34, the second hour was No. 10 and first hour not in the top ten, due to eight episodes of Family Guy dominating the weekly list.  In 18-49, however, it was No. 1 and No. 2

 

--In the U.K., TNA Impact drew 65,000 viewers in its first airing on 2/18 and 75,000 on a one hour later replay on Bravo +1.  That is more because of U.K. ratings flaws tha anything else.

 

--Some interesting ratings notes for people who wonder why MMA events are tape delayed on the West Coast.  The three-hour tape delay Olympic coverage on the West Coast did an 15.2 average rating for the 17 days, while the live coverage on the East Coast did a 14.8.  Of the ten top markets, five got it on tape delay.  The Olympic ratings were up 20% over the 2006 Winter Olympics. 

 

--ROH announced its top matches for the 4/3 Internet PPV from Charlotte with Tyler Black vs. Austin Aries vs. Roderick Strong in a three-way for the ROH title in an elimination match, Blue Demon Jr. & Misterioso vs. Super Parka & Solar, Cassandro vs. Magno, Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli and also announced Kevin Kelly will announce the show.  There is also a meet and greet with Jim Cornette, Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey, Dutch Mantell and Tommy Young 

 

--TNA Impact on Monday is being promoted on some of the Viacom billboards around Manhattan. 

 

--There is a Micro Championship Wrestling TV taping produced by Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey tonight at 5 p.m. at the Impact Zone in Orlando.  Everyone who attends is guaranteed VIP seating for the Destination X PPV.  This is not the Half Pint Brawlers, which is a rival midget wrestling federation, that has the deal to go on Spike this summer.  They don't want the Impact audience since they are asking everyone to "dress like you are going out to a club.  No need for a tie or heels, just look camera ready."  Somehow I figure the audience that wants to see a Micro Championship Wrestling TV taping on a Thursday night may not even know what dress like you are going to a club means.   

 

--The Arena in Philadelphia will be having shows on both 7/24 (Dragon Gate USA PPV taping) and 7/25 (CHIKARA Pro).  Tickets for the Dragon Gate show that night, as well as the Dragon Gate shows on 5/7 in Windsor and 5/8 in Toronto go on sale on 3/8

 

--Brother Devon talks Monday Night Wars with Brian Fritz at http://www.fanhouse.com/2010/03/02/d/  

 

--Jim Cornette will be on the FDH Lounge at 7 p.m. at http://thefdhlounge.blogspot.com/  

 

--At the Revolver Golden Gods heavy metal awards which will be taped on 4/8 in Los Angeles and air on 5/22 on VH-1 Classic, which Chris Jericho will be co-hosting, there is a category called "Most Metal Athlete" and the nominees are pro wrestlers Jericho and Josh Barnett, NFL players Mark Colombo, Cory Procter and Leonard Davis, Mike Piazza of baseball fame, skate boarder Jason Ellis and motocross rider Jolene Van Vugt 

 

--If Fedor Emelianenko was a free agent, what should UFC offer him:

The highest figure they've ever offered anyone, but has to be for three or more fights 43.8%

The same PPV percentage the top stars now receive, but has to be three or more fights 26.0%

A strong downside, and same PPV percentage as top names, and offer him a one fight deal 16.8%

Offer him more than anyone has ever received, as a one fight deal 7.6%

Offer M-1 50% of the profits to co-promote the show 5.7%

 

--Greatest pro wrestling world champion of all-time

Ric Flair 41.3%

Bret Hart 14.3%

Bruno Sammartino 12.8%

Hulk Hogan 12.4%

Lou Thesz 11.7%

El Santo 2.7%

Harley Race 2.0%

Antonio Inoki 1.9%

Dory Funk 0.6%

Jim Londos 0.3%

 

--Best current Zuffa champion

Georges St. Pierre 49.2%

Anderson Silva 23.1%

Brock Lesnar 15.4%

B.J. Penn 7.0%

Jose Aldo Jr. 2.2%

Lyoto Machida 2.2%

Brian Bowles 0.9%      

 

--Poll on Raw

Excellent 11.7%

Good 45.3%

Average 22.3%

Fair 7.7%

Poor 13.1%

        11.0% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Poll on Monday's ROH show

Excellent 31.6%

Good 42.1%

Average 7.9%

Fair 0.0%

Poor 18.4%

        72.3% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--What show are you most looking forward to in March?

WrestleMania 70.5%

UFC 110 15.9%

TNA Destination X 5.1%

UFC Versus 1 2.2%

UFC Fight Night 2.2%

Dragon Gate PPV 2.2%

WEC 1.9% 

 

--EWF on 3/13 in Muncie, IN at the Ross Community Center headlined by Tracy Smothers

 

--WAR on 3/6 at the UAW Hall in Lima, OH 

 

--Insanity Pro on 3/6 in Indianapolis at the Fountain Square Salvation Army Corp with Chuck Taylor, B-Boy, Jimmy Jacobs, Ricochet and Irish Airborne

 

--Total Wrestling Federation on 3/27 at the Colonial Theater in Sacramento

 

--NWA Fusion on Saturday night in Tampa at the North Tampa Youth Baseball Sports Complex headlined by The Sheik vs. Big Vito and Buck Quartermaine vs. Mike Sullivan, as well as the Heartbreak Express vs. New Heavenly Bodies.  New Japan's Kazuchika Okada is also on the show.

 

--C-4 Championship Wrestling on 3/13 in Ottawa at the Knights of Columbus Hall has Kevin Steen vs. Stupefied vs. Kiyoshi as the main event, plus Tyson Dux vs. El Generico

 

--CWE on 3/9 in Fort Frances, ONT at the Couchiching Rec Center headlined by Billy Gunn vs. Michael Elgin, Kushida vs. Arik Cannon plus Gangrel, Bushwhacker Luke, Kenny Omega and Keith Walker

 

--Maximum Pro on 4/10 in Markham, ONT at the Fairgrounds Livestock Building features Tommy Dreamer vs. Tyson Dux  

 

--Apocalypse Wrestling Federation on 4/25 in Whitby, ONT at 2 p.m. at the Class Act Dinner Theater

 

--World 1 Wrestling from Sunday in Jackson, NJ before 111 fans:  Cory Kastle b Sam Shields, Roxie Cotton b Allison Danger, Funky Fresh Boyz b Super Sweet & GPS, Kid America & Colby Corino b Monster C & Reiko DMF, Damian Dragon & Adam Cole b Sabian & Alex Anthony, Ryan Sawyer b Steve Corino, Chris Rockwell b Tommy Thunda, Ricky Reyes b VSK

 

--I Believe in Wrestling on 3/6 in Orlando at the Downtown Rec Center next to the Amway Arena has T.J. Perkins & Nooie Lee vs. Q.T. Marshall & Nick Fame, plus Chasyn Rance, Mister Saint Laurent and Alex Porteau

 

--ISPW on 3/27 in Freehold, NJ at the 3-2 Count Athletic Training Facility is doing a Fan Fest with Dutch Mantel, Hugh Morrus, Matt Borne, Nunzio, Tony Mamaluke, Vito, Sunny, Kevin Kelly, Crowbar, Danny Doring Samu, Judas Young, Ace Darling, Danny Inferno, Ruck Fuller, H.C. Loc, Bobby Fish, Ricky Reyes and more

 

--Hoosier Pro on 3/6 at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, IN

 

--Steeltown Pro Wrestling announced Cody Deaner as a headliner on 3/19 in Beausejour, Manitoba and Raven as a headliner on 4/17 in Selkirk, Manitoba 

 

--An article comparing members of the Milwaukee Brewers to old wrestling characters is at http://www.millerparkdrunk.com/baseball/the-brewers-are-former-stars-of-pro-wrestling/

 

--NWA MSW on Saturday night in Hinton, WV at the Summers County Memorial Building