Dan Henderson, right. Photo credit: sherdog.com

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UFC 82 - Pride of a Champion - Saturday March 1, 2008 - Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
1. Middleweight unification bout - UFC Middleweight Championship vs. PRIDE Welterweight Championship: Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson
2. Heath Herring vs. Cheick Kongo
3. Evan Tanner vs. Yushin Okami
4. Josh Koscheck vs. Dustin Hazelett
5. Diego Sanchez vs. David Bielkheden
6. Andrei Arlovski vs. Jake O'Brien
7. Chris Leben vs. Alessio Sakara
8. Jon Fitch vs. Chris Wilson
9. Jorge Gurgel vs. John Halverson
10. Luke Cummo vs. Luigi Fioravanti

- I have been going back and forth on a pick for the main event all week. There are too many questions we don't have answered about Anderson Silva in UFC, including how he'll do in a long fight, how he'll look on the ground if he's taken down over and over, whether Henderson, who has knocked out Wanderlei Silva, will decide to stand with him, whether he can stay out of the clinch, etc. Henderson is, if nothing else, a survivor, and no one is unstoppable. Right now I'm leaning ever so slightly towards Dan, but that could change again tomorrow. Either way, that's a big fight. Cheick Kongo needs to stay off the ground in order to win, and there is a good chance this fight isn't going to stay standing. Herring also has a power punch, nearly stopping Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira last year, which is quite the feat. Evan Tanner makes his big return after several years off and a battle with alcohol. Basically, he asked for the fight with Okami, and as we have seen on a number of different occasions whenever a guy requests a fight because he sees a hole in his opponent's game, oftentimes he's right. The card is just stacked from top-to-bottom and has the potential to be one of the great shows of the year.

- Here's the radio show schedule for the weekend. Vinny and I will be back tonight with our first of two weekend Bryan & Vinny Shows. Tonight we'll be running down Impact, Smackdown, ECW and the usual celebrity shows with Craig and Granny. Tomorrow night we're back discussing UFC. Dave Meltzer is in Cincinnati but we're going to try to do a Figure Four Daily tonight, which hopefully will be up around 9:00 PM PST, midnight EST. With Dave's schedule, this is always subject to change. It's a big weekend and should be a lot of fun.

- IFL also runs Friday night in Vegas, and for more info on the show you can click here. The show will be airing live on HDNet.

UFC won a preliminary injunction against IFL in their Randy Couture lawsuit, so not only will Randy not be able to be in attendance (he wasn't planning on being there anyway), but Team Xtreme Couture must be renamed Team Tompkins after coach Shawn Tompkins.

- Chikara King of Trios also takes place this weekend. Line-up courtesy the good doctor:

TOMORROW~!~!~! Friday February 29, 2008
New Alhambra Sports & Entertainment Center (7 Ritner Street Philadelphia, PA)
7:00pm
King of Trios 2008 - Night One (10 tournament matches)
Participating Teams For Night One
1. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET A: Las Chivas Rayadas (Chiva II, Chiva III, Chiva IV) vs. Team ROH Grads (Shane Hagadorn, Alex "Sugarfoot" Payne, Rhett Titus)
2. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET A: Team El Dorado (Mototsugu Shimuzu, Gou, Michael Nakazawa) vs. The Colony (Fire Ant, Worker Ant, Soldier Ant)
3. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET B: The Order of the Neo Solar Temple (UltraMantis Black, Hydra, Crossbones) vs. Kaiju's Sea Amigos (D.W. Cycloptopuss III, Unibouzo, Call-Me-Kevin)
4. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET C: Team Egypt (Ophidian, Mecha Mummy, Amasis-the Funky Pharaoh) vs. Mike Quackenbush, Shane Storm, Jorge 'Skayde' Rivera)
5. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match– BRACKET C: TEAM DR. KEITH~! (Brodie Lee & Jimmy Olsen & TBA) vs. Team WTF? (Cheech, Cloudy, m.c. KZ)
6. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET D: The Naptown Dragons (Drake Younger, Dustin Lee, Scotty Vortekz) vs. Team IPW:UK (Martin Stone & The Kartel: Sha Samuels & Terry Frazier)
7. KOT 2008 - Second Round Match – BRACKET A: winners Las Chivas Rauadas/Team ROH Grads vs. winners Team El Dorado/The Colony
8. KOT 2008 – Second Round Match – BRACKET B: winners Order of the Neo Solar Temple/Team Kaiju-Sea Amigos vs. BLK OUT (Eddie Kingston, Ruckus , Joker)
9. KOT 2008 – Second Round Match – BRACKET C: winners Team Dr. Keith/Team WTF? vs. winners Team Egypt/Team QuackStormSkayde
10. KOT 2008 – Second Round Match – BRACKET D: winners Naptown Dragons/Team IPW:UK vs. INCOHELIOS-The Golden Team (Helios & Incoherence (Hallowicked & Delirious))

Saturday March 1, 2008
New Alhambra Sports & Entertainment Center (7 Ritner Street Philadelphia, PA)
7:00pm
King of Trios 2008 - Night Two (10 tournament matches)
1. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET E: Team Mexico (Lince Dorado, El Pantera, Incognito) vs. Los Ice Creams (Ice Cream Jr. , El Hijo del Ice Cream, TBA)
2. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET E: Team IWS (El Generico & Super Smash Bros (Player Uno, Stupified)) vs. The F1rist Family (Arik Cannon & The Northstar Express (Darin Corbin, Ryan Cruz))
3. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET F: The Fabulous Three (Mitch Ryder, Larry Sweeney, Shayne Hawke) vs. Team Stranglehold (Tim Donst, Drew Gulak, Andy Sumner)
4. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET G: Sweet n' Sour, Inc. (Tank Toland, Bobby Dempsey & Sara Del Rey) vs. F.I.S.T. (Gran Akuma, Chuck Taylor, Icarus)
5. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET G: Soul Touchaz (Acid Jaz, Marshe Rockett, Willie 'Da Bomb' Richardson and manager C-Red) vs. Blood, Sweat & Ears (Super Xtremo, Kobra Kai, La Sombra)
6. KOT 2008 - Opening Round Match – BRACKET H: The New Southern Saints (Shaun Reed, Marcus O'Neill, Reno Diamond) vs. Team Japan (KUDO, MIYAWAKI, SUSUMU)
7. KOT 2008 - Second Round Match – BRACKET E: winner Team Mexico/Los Ice Creams vs. Team IWS/F1rist Family
8. KOT 2008 - Second Round Match – BRACKET F: winner Fabulous Three/Team Stranglehold vs. Team WWF (Demolition Ax, Demolition Smash, One Man Gang)
9. KOT 2008 - Second Round Match – BRACKET G: winner Sweet n' Sour, Inc/F.I.S.T. vs. winner Soul Touchaz /Blood, Sweat & Ears
10. KOT 2008 - Second Round Match – BRACKET H: winner The New Southern Saints/Team Japan vs. Team AZW (Action Zone Wrestling) (AkuA & The Immortals of Waipahu)

Sunday March 2, 2008
New Alhambra Sports & Entertainment Center (7 Ritner Street Philadelphia, PA)
3:30pm
King of Trios 2008 - Night Three (7 tournament matches + More!)
1. KOT 2008 - Third Round Match: BRACKET A winner vs. BRACKET B winner
2. KOT 2008 - Third Round Match: BRACKET C winner vs. BRACKET D winner
3. KOT 2008 - Third Round Match: BRACKET E winner vs. BRACKET F winner
4. KOT 2008 - Third Round Match: BRACKET G winner vs. BRACKET H winner
5. KOT 2008 – Semi-Final match
6. KOT 2008 – Semi-Final match
7. KOT 2008 – FINALS~!

- We always appreciate any first-person reports for any shows you might attend live. Thanks as always!

- Former Florida star Don Curtis suffered a massive stroke a few days ago and has been transported to a hospice facility at the Mayo Clinic. A blood clot broke loose and hit the left side of his brain, and his wife Dotty found him face down in a pool of blood. A very sad story, and the family asks for prayers.

- TNA did a 1.1 rating and 1.6 million viewers last night.

- The next ROH PPV, titled Rising Above, debuts in the US March 7th. It will not be available in Canada due to miniscule buyrates. ROH claims this may be the best PPV yet and people will be talking about Nigel McGuinness vs. Austin Aries in the ROH Title match for a long time to come. The next PPV taping is the following weekend.

- WWE.com has added an INDUSTRY NEWS area where they take stories that have appeared on other websites, including WrestleZone, and post them (with credit). It's the strangest thing I've ever seen.

- TNA is officially taping in Orlando on March 27th, 28th and 29th. The Thursday show will be live, Friday is head-to-head with ROH, and Saturday is likely an afternoon show to avoid issues with the Hall of Fame.

- Some lucha results from the past few days courtesy Kris Zellner:

February 25 – Arena Puebla
1. Toro Bill & Toro Bill Jr. beat Aguila Guerrera & Fuerza Chicana
2. King Jaguar & Lestat & The Tiger defeated Kraken & Siki Osama Jr. & Veneno
3. Diamante Negro & Euforia & Nosferatu beat Astro Boy & Maximo & Stuka Jr.
4. Hijo del Texano & Los Villanos IV y V defeated Blue Panther & Alex Koslov & Volador Jr.
5. Los Perros del Mal (Perro Aguayo Jr. & Averno & Mephisto) beat Los Guerreros del Atlantida (Atlantis & Rey Bucanero & Ultimo Guerrero) when Perrito fouled Atlantis behind the ref’s back.

February 26 – Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara
1. Thunder Boy beat Milenio
2. Idolo defeated Danger
3. Silueta beat Atena who was stretchered out after the match.
4. Casanova defeated Super Maquina
5. Destroyer beat Lider with a guitar shot.
6. Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno defeated Magnum & Super Nova
7. Damian 666 & Euforia & Hijo del Texano beat Dos Caras Jr. & Hector Garza & Ultimo Dragon when Texano fouled Garza behind the ref’s back.

February 26 – Arena Mexico
1. Los Rayo Tapatios I y II beat Sakura & Yidra
2. Astro Boy & Metalico & Tony Rivera defeated Polvora & Super Comando & Vaquero
3. Amapola & Raven Hiroka & Mima Shimoda beat Luna Magica & Marcela & Sahori
4. Alex Koslov & Mascara Purpura & La Sombra defeated Ephesto & Misterioso II & Virus
5. Los Perros del Mal (Perro Aguayo Jr. & Mr. Aguila & Damian el Terrible) beat Los Guerreros del Atlatnida (Atlantis & Rey Bucanero & Ultimo Guerrero) – Aguila demanded a shot at Bucanero’s CMLL Lt. Heavyweight Title after the match due to pinning him to win the match.

February 25 – Parque Revolucion de Culiacan
1. ?
2. ??
3. Monster Truck I & Muralla Negra & Relampago beat Doberman & Epidemia & Frank el Payaso
4. Cassandro & Pimpinela Escarlata defeated El Angel & Oriental
5. Kenzo Suzuki & Zorro beat Joe Lider & Juventud Guerrera

February 24 – Arena Neza
1. Black Danger & Black Heart beat Super Chiva & Turako
2. Los Black Birds I y II defeated Tony Cirio & Poder Boriqua
3. Chac Mool beat Chamaco Davila
4. Caligula & Messala & Ramstein defeated Los Rayo Tapatios I y II & Starman
5. Mexican National Femenil Title: Marcela beat Raven Hiroka to retain her title.
6. Relevos Increibles: Mistico & Ultimo Guerrero defeated Dr. Wagner Jr. & Olimpico

February 27 – Arena Xalapa
1. Perro Mocho & Perro Mocho Jr. beat Guerrero Infernal & Gabriel o Gabriela
2. Crazy Man & Ricky Estrada & GMC defeated Cosmos & Jaguar & Tigre Cosmico
3. Los Cachorros del Mal (Mini Mr. Aguila & Pequeno Damian 666 & Pequeno Halloween) beat Shockercito & Tzuki & Ultimo Dragoncito
4. Impacto (subbing for Mascara Purpura) & La Sombra & Valiente defeated Los Perros del Mal (Mr. Aguila & Damian 666 & Hijo del Texano) by DQ.
5. Dr. Wagner Jr. & Hector Garza beat Perro Aguayo Jr. & Damian el Terrible

- A look at the worst show I have ever attended live headlines the new 24,000-word Figure Four Weekly newsletter! Last week we wrote about what worked with Kimbo vs. Tank, and this week we'll talk about what didn't work with Bob Sapp. There are some important things to learn from both shows and we'll talk about them in depth here, plus provide a full rundown and analysis of the Strikeforce show from the Tacoma Dome. We'll also talk about how they broke records and what the good news and bad news is. That is hardly the only major story of the week. We've got a big story on WWE finances, and how in the year Chris Benoit went mad WWE not only survived but thrived, shattering their previous record for best year ever. We'll discuss all the PPVs, which shows did better and worse, what the biggest profit generators were, what TNA could learn from this about how they should and should not be promoting like WWE, how WWE Films is doing, International business this year as compared to last, how important it is for WWE to draw ratings as opposed to TNA, and tons more! We also have the complete text of a letter that Chris Benoit sent me shortly after Eddy Guerrero's death, which is a fascinating and disturbing historical look into the mind of a future killer. In WWE news we have all the latest on the WWE/MyNetworkTV deal for Smackdown that starts this fall, including what the options were, when the show might air, what we know for sure about the format, a possible battle with TNA, and more. Also, Shane McMahon has upped his presence and why, Mayweather's supposed $20 million fee for Mania, how many buys that actually equals, what the payoff probably consists of, details of the Mayweather press conference, a near riot, how it was edited for TV and what that means, Big Show's reaction, where he'll be heading, mainstream Mayweather discussion, Hall of Fame notes, Cena's newest film, a change in Georgia regarding drugs that stems from the Benoit situation, more on pills, ECW star signed and how it came about, more on Roadkill, how Orlando got WrestleMania and whether it will rain, notes on the Raw rating last week, Lindsay Lohan visits WWE, WWE offering more dividends, Heyman talks Benoit, and more. In TNA news, more on the possibility of going live WrestleMania weekend with a quote from Spike, TNA house show news and notes, former TNA girl makes network TV, Lockdown update, Impact ratings, Motor City Machine Guns to ROH and how that came about, Angle on MMA training, and more. In MMA news, we have notes on Brock Lesnar's possible next opponent and his record, Crocop talks a return to UFC, Silva's next fight and the possibility of him dropping down to 185, TUF star faces felony charges and what happened, Yahoo to stream PPVs and what the deal means for all sides, more on the Zuffa/HDNet lawsuit, fighter bio makes NY Times list, drug test failures in California, local MMA fighter dies after training, Bob Sapp talks WWE and what they wanted him to do, why he's happy he didn't sign, MMA in France upcoming, and more. In other wrestling news, an indy wrestler is dead, Mexican journalist is down on NWA Mexico, another study regarding teen wrestling fans and violent behavior, more on the Nick Hogan case, Yuji Nagata health update, all the notes on a major sex scandal in Big Japan, CMLL big shows for the foreseeable future, notes on all the ROH shows this weekend plus tons of thoughts on the "rape angle" with Larry Sweeney, Bobby Dempsey and Allison Danger. Vinny also has a review of the WSX First Season box set~! The weekly newsletter, the online version of which members can read every Tuesday (we also have a hardcopy available for a few dollars more per month), has been covering all the news in the world of pro-wrestling and MMA since 1995. It is by far the biggest weekly newsletter available on the Internet (probably on any subject), and we go into far more depth on every story than any other news source you will find anywhere online. Of course, we also have full reviews of every major TV show including Raw, Smackdown, TNA, ECW, Derby City Wrestling, and Human Weapon. 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 (320-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 February 26 Bryan & Vinny Show, can be downloaded here.

- My newest Fight Network column is here with a look at HOW AWESOME IMPACT IS. Enjoy it while you can. If you like the columns, they're about 1/25th the length of each issue of Figure Four Weekly, and we've got 300 back issues archived from 2002-today, all available 24/7 with an online membership to this site. See below for more info and ordering details.

- Rubber Guard Radio has interviews with www.ProWrestlingElite.com 's Acid and www.Betweentheropes.com 's Vito DeNucci here.

- Interview with Josh Haynes

- Nothing fake about wrestling's juicing problem

- Irv Muchnick on the real story of WrestleMania

- Article on Chris Leben and UFC

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