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

- WWE announced at the Smackdown tapings last night that Undertaker will face Batista for the World Title in a cage match on next week's show. Taker's biceps injury is serious in that he'll probably be out the rest of the year following surgery (it was a complete tear), so it's pretty much a guarantee at this point that he is losing the belt. The two most obvious candidates for next champion are Batista, who is in the match, and Mr. Kennedy, who can still cash in his Money in the Bank shot at any time even though he claimed on Raw that he was waiting until WrestleMania. The plans were for Taker to have an extended title reign.

- If you didn't see it, the press release about ROH running their first PPV on July 1st is here

- The streak of high quality wrestling in WWE, tri-branded PPVs and whether any of this will have any positive effect on business headlines issue 619 of Figure Four Weekly, which has been available for members since late Tuesday night. We'll discuss all the matches on the Backlash PPV complete with star ratings, look at domestic buyrates and why this show was supposed to boost them up, examine the brand split and what the benefits are supposed to be, the problems with tri-branded shows, and more. We've also got a full rundown of the Hogan show at the FedEx Forum, including my review of the main event, whether the show should be considered a success, and some backstage notes. We've got news on Matt Cappotelli's surgery, an HBK rumor killer, Undertaker's status, how big a flop Condemned was compared to previous films, thoughts on Vince as ECW Champ, Lashley health update, an unplanned WWE title change, RVD's future, a lawsuit that could have major ramifications for WWE, Impact ratings breakdown for last week's huge show, UFC drug-testing controversy, a program you must watch, Tank Abbott returns, former WWE star charged with crime, Vinny finishes reviewing WrestleMania XIX, reviews of every major TV show including Raw, Smackdown, TNA and TUF, and TONS more! Of course, as a member you also get full access to ALL new and archived radio shows dating back to 2005, plus all the new and archived (280-plus issues) Figure Four Weekly newsletters dating back to 2001. To sign up, please click here, or PayPal users can use the Quick Buy link at the top of this page to be online within 60 seconds. Rates start at just $7.99 per month (27 cents a DAY), so it's a steal. Thanks for your support!

- Our latest FREE radio show, the May 1 Bryan & Vinny Show, can be downloaded here.

- We will have Kurt Otto, head of the IFL, on our members-only Figure Four Daily next Wednesday. If you have questions for him, feel free to post them in the Radio Show section of the BOARD.

- IFL also announced that Jeffrey M. Jagid, chairman and CEO of I.D. Systems, Inc., has been added to the company Board of Directors.

- Former WWE licensing agent BUSTED

- Rodney Mack is the guest on In Your Head Radio tonight at 8:00 PM EST. You can call in at 508-644-8503.

- Between the Ropes tonight will have Brock Lesnar and Steve Austin on as guests. The show airs from 10 PM to midnight on 740 AM The Team in Orlando, as well as online on their website.

- WWE is offering a free ticket to Virginia Tech students for this Sunday's show in Roanoke, VA. Just show up with your student ID. One ticket per ID.

- There is a Batista book coming out in October. That should sell a few hundred copies.

- Lance Storm's latest column is up here

- There is an interview with Tiffany Fallon, a former Playmate and host of IFL Battleground, here

- Steve Blackman out of the woodwork

- BIKER AL IS A GAL

- Head-to-head with Mayweather/De La Hoya

- JR's latest blog is here

- Georges St. Pierre loves his job

Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news from this site or from our newsletters, please include a link to www.f4wonline.com as opposed to "From F4W", "From Figure Four Weekly" or derivatives. Thank you!

For the most in-depth and detailed news and analysis on pro-wrestling and MMA, always turn to Figure Four Weekly Online! Become a member of F4Wonline.com and get the absolute latest insider news and commentary from WWE, TNA, UFC, PRIDE, CMLL, AAA, ROH, K-1, all the wrestling and MMA independents, Japan, and so much more, all for as little as $1.44 per week. Members get access to the COMPLETE radio show archives dating back to 2005 (Figure Four Daily, The Bryan & Vinny Show, Mike Coughlin's Five Star Radio, the Dr. Keith Lipinski Show, and The Adam & Mike Big Audio Nightmare), the Figure Four Weekly newsletter archive (260+ issues from the past five years), the entire Dragon King Wrestling History Archive, and complete access to every news article and column ever posted on the site. For your convenience, we offer secure online payments using your VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card or PayPal account. Don't miss out on the fun, sign up now!

Want full access within one minute? QUICK AND EASY $7.99 PAYPAL SIGN-UP!