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We're looking for reports on tonight's Smackdown tapings and the show in general in London, Ontario with notes, attendance, angles, matches, etc. at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We're also looking for reports from the weekend house shows in Montreal and in Barrie, ONT.

Tonight is the 100th episode of the new ECW, with Colin Delaney vs. Armando Estrada to win a contract and Tommy Dreamer vs. Mike Knox in an extreme rules match announced. Plus, we get to see what kind of explanation, if any, comes regarding Mike Adamle and "The Tazz" walking out on last week's show.

Iron Ring tonight at 10:30 p.m. on BET features Sam Kinneson vs. Binky Jones for Team TI, Jose Rodriguez vs. Karaem Ellington for Team Dipset and Enrico Coco vs. Sean Jaolicoeur for Team TI. And Krazy Horse is bad and issues a warning.

This week in the Observer, in two issues, we've got a look at WWE going forward with the new angles that are being started, the HHH title win, the attempt at water cooler talk television, as well as almost an "Inside the writers room" story looking at the issue of race, Michael Hayes and the thoughts of several people who worked with him on what went down. This is a very detailed article, with a multitude of different views. It examines racism vs. ethnic promotion, racial slurs and their history in pro wrestling, how prevalent it was in WWE and even the McMahons reactions when Hayes made certain jokes. We also look at how wrestling benefits as far as bad publicity from something like this and how it would be so different if the same situation took place in another sport or major entertainment form.

We also have an update on UFC cuts, including some names that have yet to surface, including a fighter who holds wins over two of the companies current biggest stars.

We also have complete coverage of Backlash as well as several major international events that took place this past week, including the major title changes in Japan and the story behind them, and NOAH's attempt to follow in the footsteps of what was once one of the highlights of the year, the annual tag team tournament. We also look at what appears to be the early direction from Judgment Day, Backlash business, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Our story on Hayes, racial remarks in pro wrestling in general, and how it has led to a lot of upset current wrestlers at times, as well as been an issue with people working in the company. We look at how prevalent it has been, when in recent years and lesson should have been learned and why, but why it also continued. We look at the media coverage, the N word in pro wrestling. We have many different and contradictory reactions from people who had worked closely with Hayes on their view, as well as a look at division among those who have worked in WWE. We look at different angles in the past, drawing African-Americans to wrestling matches and how that aspect of wrestling is very different from the heyday of Hayes the wrestler.

We look at moves WWE has made in recent months concerning African-American wrestlers and different viewpoints on them, as well as how Mark Henry's past and a recent gimmick may figure into the story, along with how Henry is being viewed.

We also have notes from backstage at the WWE show in Atlantic City when the announcers walked off the set. It's quite an interesting story of how it went down.

We also have what would be, by far, the biggest financial risk ever taken by a major promoter in a move by Lorenzo & Frank Fertitta this past week. We look at how, as the leaders of the MMA industry, this may affect the business down the road.

We've got more business notes on the St. Pierre-Serra match, including a preliminary look at some PPV numbers, other numbers and more important, the very important point that these numbers mean.

We've also got a story on the WWE Hall of Fame and Wrestlemania 25. We look at different names that will be brought up and analyze their chances. We also look at how ownership of tape collections impact the process as well as the time line of when careers were strong and what parts of the country when talking about one of the real legends inside the business whose name has come up. We also look back at a list of those considered in the past with updated thoughts. We also look at a half-dozen names that are absolutely necessary to be inducted if the Hall of Fame is meant to be taken seriously. We also look at the history of the Hall of Fame, those in and what categories they fit into.

We also have our 2008 WWE roster directory with all the wrestlers on the current roster with real names and ages.

We also have more thoughts on the Smackdown date decision made by MyNetwork TV, as well as more on WWE business in Europe and an update on a steroid case and a police investigation and where companies names are involved.

We've got notes on the Triple Crown and IWGP title changes this past week, what the goal was for the changes that were at different ends of the spectrum, as well as other notes on both promotions' big shows.

We also have a report on the second Dream show, including why the middleweight tournament was booked the way it was, but also why even though the right people won, a monkey wrench was thrown by one of the fighters.

We also have our usual weekly features including major TV show reviews, results from the major league house shows as well as the most detailed look at television ratings including how every segment on Raw and Impact gained and lost viewers so you can see what things people were and weren't interested in.

Each usual weekly issue of the Observer ranges from 25,000 to 35,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.

Every weekly 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 industry, both 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 the issue:

--Former WWE Diva, looking completely different, working as a model

--Tentative format for upcoming PPV show and why

--Funny story on a celebrity trying to hit on a prominent WWE personality

--Next WWE star in a Playboy

--Best selling wrestling and MMA DVDs

--Update on WWE CD

--What Flair said to Regal before their last match

--Regal talks about the best young wrestlers in the game and talks about people outside the company

--A match said to be as heated as any this year and why

--More on return to wrestling of Ultimate Warrior and his attempt to open doors for a WWE return

--Major star leaves promotion and promotion puts sanctions on people wanting to work with him

--Updates on plans for TNA X World Cup including surprising major office in talks

--A few former WCW stars starting with AAA

--Another Olympian scheduled for a pro wrestling show

--Lots of major injury updates on top stars

--A look back at one of Canada's all-time legends

--Movie put together by a pro wrestler

--Brooke Hogan reality show storyline idea

--Winner of the Junior Hodge award

--Update on TV star training for pro wrestling

--More notes on TNA's future direction

--UFC's latest major casualty

--Major UFC PPV match pulled from show and why, including giving away idea for the main event for one of the last PPV shows of the year

--A look at different matches and ideas UFC was trying to put together after Chuck Liddell was injured

--Dana White talks Kimbo Slice

--How UFC tickets for future shows are selling

--Lots of new UFC matches

--UFC starts with little publicity on a major network with a prime time weekly slot

--A look at Male vs. Female viewership of several of the TV shows over the past week

--Major star leads protest match against his bosses

--A new concept for judging wrestling and bonuses tried out as a gimmick on a big show in a few weeks

--A look back at the debut of pro wrestling at the arena that has drawn likely more fans than any other over the past 50 years

--Mexico legend making a comeback

--What is old is new again, and how wrestling promotions in the past successfully marketed big matches just like UFC today

--More on the shooting of former wrestler Tom Urbanski in the incident that got so much publicity for Pacman Jones

--Update on members of wrestling families and college football

--Star shot for major magazine cover in the next few weeks

--Major promoter explains why he's backed out of doing MMA

--Top female fighter goes crazy

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 11 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 Bower, 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)

You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

Observer rates for subscribers starting with this week's issue 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 for 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 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 now 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.

--Regarding the Ashley Massaro situation, after having the web site link from the Bella Models web site on Ashley Massaro sent, with all the photos and information taken down, the only thing mistake made was they listed Massaro as based in New York. The WWE's Ashley Massaro grew up on Long Island. The one-time bikini model Ashley Massaro grew up in Las Vegas, so unless the other Massaro moved to New York, which would be quite the coincidence, the person in the Rolling Stone story regarding an FBI investigation into high priced escort services was referring to the WWE Diva. The fact nobody has retracted the story linking the WWE Diva means the WWE Massaro has provided no substantial evidence that it's not her, despite her denials.

--Not a whole lot in the WWE investors conference, other than Michael Weitz admitting the company didn't really pay Floyd Mayweather Jr. $20 million, blaming it on the media (although the source was Shane McMahon, and later Vince on Larry King, when Floyd claimed to be making $20 million, certainly didn't deny it). The company set its all-time record quarter today, and Wall Street's reaction? Stock is down just before closing more than 6% to $17.19 per share. There were a few areas of minor concern, like web site traffic down, ratings being down, Mania profits way down from last year (but that's compared to a fluke record year last year), and they are still in the movie business, but long-term almost all signs from a business standpoint are positive due to international growth. Funny remark on what they blame web trafficking being down on. Their new goal is to take web site traffic away from other sites they claimed were existing based on what they've created. The next Observer will have a very detailed look at what is up, what is down, including an estimate of what Mayweather was worth to Mania and what he cost.

--Speaking of PPV, there are MMA sites listing the Observer newsletter claiming the St. Pierre vs. Serra show did 650,000 buys. Actually, what last week's issue said is that we don't have a North American estimate yet. Based on trends, it looks to have done well in the U.S., although not at that level, and we did get Canadian numbers and it did tremendous there, but 650,000 for North America is closer to what Mania did.

--Superstar Billy Graham was hospitalized yesterday, I believe due to back problems. He is in New York doing a series of public appearances, and apparently slipped in a small bathroom at a bad hotel he was booked into, lost his balance and grabbed the sink to steady him. The sink then came off the wall and he took a fall on his bad spine. 911 ended up being called. He missed his appearances yesterday but as of last night was expected to be out of the hospital and making his appearances today.

--Sean Sherk's steroid test to clear him for the 5/24 match with B.J. Penn came back negative today. We had previously reported that result of the test in the Observer, but it was incorrect as the test had been taken but the result didn't come back until this morning.

--Sunday's Nick Diaz vs. Katsuya Inoue match on the Dream show is off. Josh Gross on the Sports Illustrated web site reported that Elite XC promoter Gary Shaw told Cesar Gracie earlier today that he was pulling Diaz off the show. Somehow, Shaw, who has Diaz under contract, with his next fight on 6/14, was never told about Diaz taking the fight in Japan

--The Fight Network in Canada and the U.K. will be airing Cristian Mijares vs. Alexander Munoz on 5/17 at 9 p.m. Eastern and Ricky Hatton vs. Juan Lazcano (only in Canada) at 3:30 p.m. on 5/24 on a show that is expected to draw 55,000 fans

--The Fight Network will also be airing the 5/31 Elite XC CBS show live in Canada

--Best TV show of the past week
Raw 29.6%
Smackdown 20.8%
ECW 2.0%
Impact 20.3%
Ultimate Fighter 16.6%
Iron Ring 1.4%
Strikeforce on NBC 2.0%
Dream on HD-Net 7.3%

--ROH has the biggest advance in company history for Saturday night's show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan featuring Nigel McGuinness vs. Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH title, Bryan Danielson vs. Naomichi Marufuji, Austin Aries & Jay Briscoe vs. Tyler Black & Jimmy Jacobs for the tag title and more

--UFC announced another new TV show called "El Octagono del UFC," which thankfully does not mean Octagon is coming to UFC. The show debuts Saturday nights at 8 p.m. on Galavision and is built around Diego Sanchez, Kenny Florian (I never knew he was Hispanic) and Roger Huerta. Huerta vs. Leonard Garcia is the debut main event.

--The BBC in the U.K. at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7384920.stm has a story on Great Khali. They are shooting a documentary on his life. The story is up to date as they note Khali performers alongside fighters like Hulk Hogan and The Rock. It noted he was world champion in 2007 "with a series of superlative performances." Yes, superlative performances is the first thing I think of to describe Khali.

--Jon Cutler on Raw last night in the Paul Burchill match is a Winnipeg wrestler. Phil Atlas of Windsor, who has worked for All Japan, worked on Heat against Snitsky (thanks to Shane Madison)

--Lacey Von Erich, Kerry's daughter, will be performing for RingDivas, Inc.

--ICWF has a free show on Saturday night in Pinellas Park, FL at Sneaky Pete's Sports Grille called Diva Mania with Payton Banks, Rhaka Khan, Malia Hosaka, Lexie Fyfe and local women wrestlers in a six-sided ring

--EWF has announced B.J. Whitmer, Danny Daniels, Trik Davis and Silas Young are entered in the 5th annual X8 tournament on 6/14 in Marion, IN at the EWF Arena

--Esoteric, a Boston hip hop artist who was on John Cena's album, released an album called "Esoteric vs. Japan: Pterodactyl Takes Tokyo" and there is a clip of a Curry Man ring introduction from Japan. This isn't Esoteric's first wrestling mention, before a 2004 album had a Dusty Rhodes promo (I think on Ric Flair) and a 2007 album had Tony Schiavone introducing the 1986 Starrcade and a Paul Ellering promo (thanks to Ray Begley)

--The James "Brewster" Thompson reference was the former judo star from San Jose State. Thompson, who is 54 or 55 years old, is currently ranked No. 6 in the U.S. in the heavyweight division. He was a world class heavyweight during the 70s and 80s

--There is a show on Saturday night at the Downtown Rec Center in Orlando, next to the Amway Arena, headlined by Larry Zbyszko & Chasyn Rance vs. The Vandalz

--50 cent's group G-Unit's new "Elephant in the Sand" tape has a track called "I'm On It Like That" where Tony Yayo raps about rap being like wrestling, both being fake. Ultimate Warrior, Andre the Giant and The Million Dollar Man were mentioned. (thanks to Jonathan D'Antoni)

--FCW tonight in New Port Richey, FL at Bourbon Street Night Club has Eric Perez & Eddie Colon vs. Stu Sanders & Drew McIntyre for the Florida tag team titles, Jake Hager vs. Heath Miller for the Florida title and Afa & Tyrone Jones vs. Kevin Thorn & Atlas DaBone

--Colt Cabana turned 28 today

--Rich Tate's Atlanta nostalgia for today
78 years ago today: Jim Londos beat future promoter Paul Jones in the main event
73 years ago: Jim Londos retained the NWA world title beating Karl Davis in two straight falls in 56 minutes
59 years ago: Elvira Snodgrass won a womens' Battle royal in the main event, which included June Byers, who would go on to become world champion, and Therese Theis, who would go on to become Mrs. Ray Stevens
48 years ago: Haystacks Calhoun beat Freddie Blassie in the main event
42 years ago: In a one-night tournament for the Southern tag team title, Enrique & Alberto Torres beat The Medics to win the title, and Southern champ Buddy Fuller went to a no contest with Louie Tillet. Years later, Tillet was immortalized in a Dusty Rhodes promo when he called him Louie Toilet
34 years ago in Augusta: Jack Brisco retained the NWA title against Mr. Wrestling II
27 years ago: Paul Jones (a different Paul Jones then the guy who faced Londos) beat Dick Slater to keep the Georgia title an Cowboy Bill Watts beat Lars Anderson, plus in a prelim, Black Atlas (Tony Atlas under a mask) beat Randy Savage
24 years ago at the Omni: King Kong Bundy & Masked Superstar beat The Road Warriors to win the National tag team title, plus Ole Anderson beat Arn Anderson and Brad Armstrong & Ron Garvin no contest The Spoiler & Ted DiBiase

--CMLL on Saturday night at Centro Banamex in Mexico City: Pequeno Olimpico & Ultimo Dragoncito b Pequeno Black Warrior & Pequeno Violencia, Dark Angel & Gaia b Princesa Sugei & Raven Hiroka, La Mascara & Sagrado & La Sombra b Escandalo & Hajime Ohara & Shigeo Okumura, Atlantis & Rey Bucanero & Ultimo Guerrero b Blue Panther & Dos Caras Jr. & Volador Jr.-DQ, Marco Corleone & Shocker & Mistico b Perro Aguayo Jr. & Damian 666 & El Terrible

--Tonight in Guadalajara has Hector Garza & Shocker vs. Lizmark Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero. Arena Mexico tonight has Blue Panther & Dos Caras Jr. & Alex Koslov vs. Atlantis & Olimpico & Ultimo Guerrero (thanks to Kris Zellner)

--Paul Heyman interviews Debbie Gibson, the 80s pop star at www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/heyman/article1130571.ece

--David Letterman last night made a wrestling joke, saying that in 1981, Prince Philip of Great Britain accidentally mistook Barbara Bush for Swede Hanson (thanks to Brian Henke)

--Maryland Championship Wrestling from Sunday in Dundalk, MD: JB & LK b Aden Chambers & Shawn Patrick, Bruiser b Danny Doring-DQ, Ghetto Mafia b Ryan McBride & Teddy Stigma and Johnny Hardwick & Zachary Shane, ODB b Kylie Pierce, Josh Daniels & Ruckus b T.J. Cannon & Bruce Maxwell, Tim Donst & Drew Gulak b Ramblin Rich & Jimmy Jannetty, Champ Champaign b Earl the Pearl, James Storm b Champ Champagne, Corporal Punishment & Balls Mahoney & Adam Flash & Danny Doring b Bruiser & Zachary Shane & Joey Matthews & Christian York. Next shows are 7/18 and 7/19 at the North Point Plaza with Iron Sheik, Bill Alfonso, Devon Storm, Danny Doring, Balls Mahoney, Ruckus, Claudio Castagnoli, Christian York and Joey Matthews

--NWS on 5/16 in Kenilworth, NJ at the Veterans Center with Blue Meanie, Julio Dinero, Matt Hyson and Danny Morrison and 5/17 in Jackson, NJ at the Central Jersey Italian-American Club Showgrounds with Lou Albano billed as his final appearance in Central New Jersey plus Matt Hyson, Julio Dinero, Blue Meanie and Nikolai Volkoff

--Mickie Knuckles, Scotty Vortekz and OMG are on Jerry Springer this week. The storyline is OMG is going off to war in Iraq (which he actually is) and wants to marry Mickie first (storyline). However, she wants a man who will put her in front of serving her country (Vortekz). (thanks to Michael Madsen)

--The Anderson Brothers Tag team tournament from last night in Charlotte: Bobby & Dillon Eaton b Cruel Connection, Ethan Cage & Jimmy Jack Funk Jr. b Ricky Morton & Charlie Dreamer, Jason Jones & Black Scorpion b Barbarian & Jake Manning-DQ, George South Sr. & Jr. b Los Medicos Atlanticos, Cage & Funk Jr. b Eatons, South Jr. & Sr b Jones & Scorpion, South Jr. & Sr. b Cage & Funk Jr. with Brad Anderson (Gene's son) as referee (thanks to Michael Carpenter)

--On a show in Racine, WI on Saturday night, Nick Agallar beat Shane McDonald via TKO and another former Bodog fighter, Carina Damm beat Lashonda Knox in 11 seconds with a knee. Early Pancrase start and one-time Japanese pro wrestling rookie of the year candidate Kiuma Kunioku beat Jay Ellis in the first round with a toe hold (thanks to Anthony Sullivan)

--Pro Wrestling Revolution on 5/17 in San Jose at Mount Pleasant High School with Mexican minis an El Hijo de Rey Misterio

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