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Today is the last day for our poll on Judgment Day, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We've got a special where if you order an Observer subscription via e-mail or credit card today, you can get this week's issue e-mailed to you today.

We're also looking for live reports from Des Moines tonight for the Smackdown tapings as well as reports from Kansas City last night for the Raw tapings as far as dark matches, heat matches and attendance. For ECW tonight, the only thing announced is Kofi Kingston vs. Shelton Benjamin.

Countdown to UFC 84 airs at 11 p.m. after ECW ends on Spike.

Iron Ring airs on BET at 10:30 p.m with D.J. Green vs. Peter Kaljevic and Jeff Ford vs Abnogo Humphrey Lil John and Floyd Mayweather are said to be all over the show. Final team selections are announced..

Click here to jump to more news.

This week's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has a lead story with a look at TNA just weeks after one of its most successful shows in history.

We've got an update on Kurt Angle's situation and his value to the promotion. We look at how TNA handled the situation on PPV with Angle's injury, as well as some things obvious from this PPV about the future of TNA PPVs and changes that should be made, that many in the company are in agreement with. We look at how the company's evolution process has worked in some ways but not in others.

We also look at what inherently creates business and where TNA is completely missing the boat on its approach to PPV. We have an early impression of the buy rate for Sacrifice, as well as things right or wrong with the show. We look at the decisions made for the main event and a first look at the Slammiversary card, as well as the apparent toning down of a major TV character.

We also have our usual PPV coverage with match-by-match rundowns with star ratings and poll results on the show.

We also have yet another look at the golden age of U.S. women's wrestling and a look back at the lives of Penny Banner and Judy Grable.

We have a detailed bio on Banner, including her marriage issues with Johnny Weaver, her unique start in the industry, where she stands historically among women wrestling and a look at the many different reasons for her dislike of the Fabulous Moolah. We look at her battle with cancer, her awards, the role she played in the 50s and 60s, and even her dating Elvis Presley.

We look at the night she was awarded the AWA women's title and what happened with that title, and what happened in 1964 that changed women's wrestling and made it so Banner was getting less and less bookings even though many considered her the top woman wrestler in the business by that point in time.

We look at her view at how the real history of women's wrestling changed to benefit a few and her thoughts on it, as well as her childhood, and her view on pro wrestling growing up which was unique among most. We look at what legendary promoter talked her into trying pro wrestling, why he worked so hard to recruit someone into the industry that didn't seem to have an interest in it.

We look at the extremes Banner took taking kayfabe, the book on her life, her most famous tag team as well as life after wrestling and her sports exploits after wrestling.

We also have a look at what, at least from a talent standpoint, is easily the No. 2 MMA promotion in the world today with a look at Dream as the successor to Pride and Hero's. We look at the working agreement with Elite XC, how the show is similar to Pride and how it is different, as well as a lot of notes as to why MMA is not even the same sport or business in Japan that it is in the U.S.

We also look at the lightweight tournament and have match-by-match coverage of this past week's show, which was one of the best MMA events in a long time.

We also have a look at the Hogan family in disarray, with Nick being sentenced to jail time and how things have all unraveled. We look at the court testimony in Nick's case and what the key aspects that doomed him and why he couldn't go to trial. We look at how John Graziano's mother did a seeming about-face regarding the Hogan family in recent months, as well as arguments by both attorneys, what Hulk Hogan said in court and Brooke Hogan lashing out after the hearing. We look at how this affects Hogan's life's work, as well as why this isn't a lock that Hogan will wind up back in the ring with WWE. We look at when the Graziano family seemed to turn on the Hogan family and things said in court on both sides.

We also have a lot more on CW dropping Smackdown including the network's first public statements and the surprising burying of what had been the network's flagship show this past week. We have more on Torrie Wilson's departure from WWE and pro wrestling; and more on Floyd Mayweather's earnings at Wrestlemania and media coverage.

We have an interesting note about changes in what talent has to be able to do to get a developmental contract, as well as even more comments by former WWE writers on the issue of racism while in the company. We have more on a recent "trade" that was supposed to happen and never did, as well as more first hand reports on the relationship between Vince McMahon and Michael Hayes. We have more on directives regarding African-American talent in the last few months made by Vince McMahon, and what major angle suggested for Mark Henry that was dropped and why, as well as who lobbied for it being dropped.

We also have all the ratings notes from the past week including segment-by-segment of the major WWE and TNA shows, so you know what was and wasn't working on television. We also have more on the Gladiators rating, and a very interesting note on what group has become the key growth audience for Smackdown. We also have ratings for every national pro wrestling and MMA show in the U.S., as well as Canada. We also have results from the major league arena events over the past week as well as major TV show reviews.

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:

--Update on Saturday Night's Main Event and future WWE specials on NBC

--More on Legends of Wrestlemania videogame

--Live report on the famous Angle vs. Lesnar backstage shoot wrestling match in Fargo, ND that has become urban legend

--Update on Jonathan Coachman, his contract, long-term, and ESPN deal

--Best selling MMA and pro wrestling DVDs

--Company executive up for a major award

--New matches added to Mexico tour

--Kennedy seems to do an about-face from last week on his suspension

--A look at WWE business and house show highlights from the past week

--Update on what has to be considered the wrestling capital of the world these days with five shows in 12 days drawing more than 16,000 fans

--Wrestler supposed to win a major match and gets injured in the middle of the match

--Famous members of 90s tag team wins the tag team title of a defunct organization before 17,000 fans this week

--Wrestler releases a CD this week

--Update on TripleMania including what WWE Mania headliner has confirmed appearing and what second former WWE champion they want to add

--What major U.S. star is talking about moving to Mexico City this summer to base operations there

--What other well known wrestler will be out of the major U.S. scene because of plans to move to Mexico City

--The unique teaming of two current world champions in a match this past week

--Kenta Kobashi's 20th anniversary show

--Upcoming NOAH title matches

--More ROH shows on the next NOAH tour

--Update on Hiroshi Tanahashi

--Update on two 90s Hall of Famers and their build for a one-time tag team

--Network show back to investigating the wrestling industry

--A look at the career of Leo Garibaldi, including two major superstars who were given their big career making breaks due to his booking

--What Leo & Gino Garibaldi will always be in wrestling history that can never change

--Update on Sabu

--Bobby Lashley talks MMA and cryptic remarks on Michael Hayes

--Lots of notes on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Wrestling show including two names talked about as coaches that are no surprise

--Iron Sheik update

--Another wrestling woman linked to Bella Models along with Ashley Massaro

--More on two former WWE wrestlers both scheduled to make debuts in MMA over the next two months

--Update on Susan Greene

--Controversy over current AWA title

--Former WWE tag champ in a movie with Saturday Night Live stars

--A look at ROH setting its all-time attendance record

--Funny reaction to Jonny Fairplay

--A look at several new angles in the promotion

--ROH expands into Canada

--Kurt Angle hosting a new television show

--Update on World X Cup and CMLL holds press conference to announce TNA involvement

--What TNA has to avoid doing to maintain CMLL relationship

--Updates on Team Mexico and Team Japan

--A look at upcoming TNA house shows and the upcoming U.K. tour

--More on the fall season of Ultimate Fighter and decision to go with Nogueira vs. Mir as the year-end heavyweight title match

--A look at the controversy, but a look at the practical business matters

--Tito Ortiz talks UFC departure and Dana White

--Exactly how much money Ortiz earned in his biggest year with UFC

--A look back at where the Ortiz-White problems started

--A look at Ortiz wanting to do his own television show

--What happened with Chris Leben and Michael Bisping's new opponent

--Major rule changes regarding MMA in California when it comes to repercussions of drug test positives

--More on UFC and Elite warring with each other

--What match is the most surprising ticket seller for MMA in years

--UFC's new target markets for 2009

--New UFC signing

--Cut fighter last week may get a reprieve

--Return of Mirko Cro Cop and Kid Yamamoto

--Major company publicly states it is looking for a buyer

--MMA business head looks at future of the industry

--Lots more on the debut of the Affliction brand as well as matches signed and matches hoped for

--De La Hoya vs. Forbes rating and what lessons it tells

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.

Current 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 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.

--Thanks to Bryan Alvarez for filling in yesterday. And I really want to thank everyone for their concern about my wife, even though to some of you this is starting to feel like a broken record. Her infection is gone so the worst is over.

--The plan was to announce a TLC match with Edge vs. Undertaker at tonight's tapings for One Night Stand. As with all WWE plans, until it happens, it hasn't happened. There is already advertising out with that match listed. (thanks to Robert Thompson)

--The Wrestlemania special on MyNetworkTV will air on 10/2 at 8 p.m. for one hour, built around Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather and edited highlights of the rest of the show.

--Want to apologize for people who sent in a lot of the indie results over the weekend. Due to Observer deadlines, computer issues and family situations we just don't have time this week to post. Also, we will post a lot more feedback on the PPVs starting again this coming weekend. Once again, we weren't able to do anything until today and it's really not current, although all ballots are tabulated for this coming Monday's issue.

--The North County Times at www.nctimes.com has an article on Oscar Juarez, who promotes Lucha Libre at the oceanside show Palace. His first show in January drew 16 fans, but he's now doing 500-700 twice a month on Sunday afternoons at 3:30 .p.m., which are very strong indie numbers. This coming Sunday they have Silver King vs. Chris Masters

--The live feed of Judgment Day had problems in the U.K., with the picture completely pixilated and the sound was going on and off during the second half of the show. You could tell what was going on but it was described as annoying. A message ran on the screen saying "We apologise (UK English) for the poor picture quality which is due to poor weather conditions in Omaha." The problem started 90 minutes into the show and Sky, which did the show on PPV instead of free TV, was inundated with calls and are willing to refund the 14.95 in pounds price for anyone who complains if you can 0844-241-0888

--For the weekend of 5/30 to 6/1, what shows are you watching
WEC & Elite XC only 20.1%
ROH & WWE PPVs only 4.7%
All four shows 4.2%
Only ROH 10.5% (I expect some feedback if you're telling the truth)
Only WWE One Night Stand 26.0%
Only WEC 3.6%
Only Elite XC 9.2%
Not all four, but will watch at least one wrestling and one MMA show that weekend 22.2%

--CBS basketball broadcaster Gus Johnson along with Frank Shamrock, Mauro Ranallo and Showtime boxing reporter Karyn Bryant will be the broadcast crew for the 5/31 Elite XC show on CBS. CNN and Headline News actually ran this story on their ticker, building it around Shamrock as "five-time UFC champion." He defended the title five times but the way most look at title reigns, he's a one-time champion. (thanks to Ed Simpson and many others)

--Spike replays the Countdown show on Thursday night after Impact, Friday night at 11 p.m. and Saturday night at 6 p.m., which on the West Coast is right before the start of the PPV. Unleashed tomorrow is listed as the first Matt Serra vs. Georges St. Pierre fight and the second Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn fight, but the matches listed of late haven't always been accurate. UFC also replays the Ken Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz final match on Friday night from 9-11 p.m.

--In the U.K., it's Body Slam week on their Biography Channel. They already aired the Andre the Giant bio yesterday. Rest of the week has Steve Austin toady, Mick Foley on Wednesday, Hulk Hogan on Thursday and The Rock on Friday (thanks to Simon Clark)

--For those in Chicago, Smackdown will air late Friday night due to a White Sox game (thanks to Rich Koz)

--Yesterday's Minneapolis Star Tribune at www.startribune.com has an article on Brock Lesnar headlining the 8/9 UFC 87 at Target Center. Tickets go on sale on Sunday. Lesnar and Coleman are coming to Las Vegas for the show this weekend. Don't know if they'll be on the PPV but will be doing promotional activities. Tickets for the show range from $600 down to $50 for the first UFC ever in that part of the country. The other match official is Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta, winner being in line for a lightweight title shot. There is a main event to be announced.

--Jerry Jarrett will be appearing at the 15th anniversary Fan Slam on 6/21 in Totowa, NJ which also include Al Snow, Tomko, Scotty 2 Hotty, Nick Dinsmore, Bill Demott, J.J. Dillon and more. For more info you can write This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

--UFC and Spike have also officially announced Spencer Fisher vs. Jeremy Stephens, Jeremy Horn vs. Dean Lister, Josh Burkman vs. Dustin Hazelett and Marvin Eastman vs. Drew McFedries for a 6/21 show at the Palms, which will also include this season's Ultimate Fighter finals as well as fights with most of the guys currently featured on the show.

--Gary Graham at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking for a VHS tape of Judgment day

--Not that this is a pro wrestling or MMA story, but the Florida state legislature has discontinued funding for steroid testing at high schools. This was a program Marc Mero was working hard on. They randomly tested only 1% of athletes. It's being phrased that they will look at the results after this school year ends and then decide whether to go forward for the 2009-10 season. They are saying without results, they didn't want to fund it a second year. Generally speaking, with the odds of being tested so small, such a program probably isn't going to get anyone to change what they were going to do and with state budgets having shortfalls, this is the kind of a program that probably won't survive cuts.

--Ric Flair was at the New Orleans Hornets game with the San Antonio Spurs last night and shown on camera. My college buddy Dave Korner said he was at a trendy sports bar in Palo Alto watching the game, which was packed. They showed various celebrities and there was no reaction. When they showed Flair, huge pop and half the bar went "Whooo!" (thanks also to Ashley Oglesby)

--A correction from two items on the site yesterday. In mentioning the death of Owen Hart, it was stated the 10th anniversary is coming. Actually Friday is the 9th anniversary. Also, for a 5/19/73 show in Philadelphia listing Bruno vs. Fred Blassie in a cage match as a title match, actually it wouldn't have been as that was during the Pedro Morales reign. (thanks to Kevin Eck)

--Tommy Rich will be inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame on 6/7 at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta. More names are expected to be added. Jim Cornette will be handling inductions. Rich faces Abdullah the Butcher, in a reprise of the 70s feud that made Rich a star in Georgia (thanks to Keith Lipinski)

--Last year's King of the Mountain match is up as a free preview on Time Warner's On Demand Channel (thanks to Suju Abraham)

--Juggalo Championship Wrestling from Saturday night in Morrison, CO before 500 fans: Kawabata won Battle royal, Jason & Leatherface b Brokeback Billy & Ryan Razin, 2 Tough Tony b Conrad Kennedy, Corporal Robinson b Kawabata

--I don't want to scoop someone else's work, as Steve Johnson is working on this for a book, but regarding why the Bruno Sammartino vs. Buddy Rogers WWWF title rematch at Roosevelt Stadium in 1963 never happened was because of a blowup with Vince McMahon Sr. and Rogers but it was not a fight over Rogers getting the belt back.

--XPW on 5/24 in Redondo Beach, CA has its reunion show with Sabu & Homeless Jimmy vs. Raven & Johnny WEbb with Terry Funk as referee plus Supreme vs. Necro Butcher in a no rope barbed wire match, Vampiro vs. Kaos, Luke Hawx vs. Jack Evans Gangstas reunited and more. Show is at Aviation Park

--Pro Wrestling Revolution on 6/7 in San Francisco at John O'Connell High School with super Parka, Hijo del Sicodelico, Gangrel and El Hijo de Rey Misterio

--For two weeks ago in Australia, Raw was No. 25 on OzTAM and Smackdown was No. 29. TNA and ECW weren't in the top 50 (thanks to Andrew Milgate)

--Chris Hero worked over the weekend in Cleveland, Queensland, Australia in the Rise of the warriors tournament, working four times before losing to Esteban Molina in the finals. The other American in the tournament was Trik Davis (thanks to Dann Lennard)

--Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the death of Frank Tunney, who was one of the most successful wrestling promoters in history. He was the uncle of Jack Tunney.

--A story at www.foxnews.com on the Hogans say Brooke's emotions are spiraling out of control and claimed Linda and Hulk appearing together at Nick's hearing was a fake public image of unit. www.tmz.com picked on Linda by showing her in short and a T-shirt to see Nick, acting like a woman in the summer in shorts makes her a slut. They bring some stuff on them and are celebrities, but I hate seeing them picked on to that degree.

--Today's Washington Post at www.washingtonpost.com has an article on the amazing reaction Great Khali has gotten as a national hero back in India. He's even dined with the president, as they push him as the first native of India to ever win the world championship.

--Today's Patriot Ledger at ww.patriotledger.com/entertainment/ has a story on the push to create a state athletic commission to regulate MMA in Massachusetts

--Daniel Puder is involved in promoting a show at the Playboy Mansion on 8/23. It's not wrestling or MMA, but just advertising lots of hot women. One of the names listed is Bobbi Billard, who was formerly signed with WWE but was injured in training in OVW.

--Ads were being run for a WWE show in White Plains on 7/27 with Edge vs. Batista plus Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston announced. Tickets go on sale 5/31 (thanks to Mike Omansky)

--The Gina Carano piece must have re-aired last night on E:60 on ESPN (thanks to Jesse Kruger)

--Guests on Inside MMA on Friday night are Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia and Ben Rothwell (thanks to Joshua Sims)

--There is a report that Ric Flair will be doing a Farewell tour starting on 6/28 for a show for NWA All-Star Wrestling in Oakwood, VA. That sounds very suspicious. It's being advertised but I will check on it.

--This week's Heyman Hustle was mentioned on a lot of Hollywood blogs, as well as Yahoo and Rolling Stone

--The 50 greatest moments in Madison Square Garden history, an Emmy winning documentary, will air every Sunday at 6 p.m. on Ion starting 6/15 for the next ten weeks. One of the episodes features Wrestlemania I. It's the same series that previously aired on MSG cable'

--Tito Ortiz was on KROQ in Los Angeles this morning, pushing his autobiography and he said 110% Saturday is his last UFC fight and talked about going to either Elite XC, Affliction or a De La Hoya group. Guess he didn't hear where De La Hoya said they weren't doing MMA after all. Ortiz did well on the show (thanks to Jeremy Rudometkin)

--Brock Lesnar was on KFAN this morning plugging ticket sales for Minneapolis

--Victoria's new business, Black Widow Customs, opens tomorrow night in Louisville and they've announced Cryme Tyme, Jimmy Wang Yang, Elijah Burke, Jesse, Festus, Lena Yada, Jillian Hall and Domino will be appearing

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