Mexico tour starts tonight

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WWE starts in Mexico tour tonight with the Raw crew at Plaza de Toros Monumental in Monterrey. We're looking for reports on the show. The show features HHH vs. JBL for the title, John Cena & Shawn Michaels vs. Umaga & Snitsky and Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy for the IC title. Also on the tour are Lillan Garcia, Mr Kennedy, Paul Burchill, Katie Lea, Charlie Haas, Lance Cade, Trevor Murdoch, Cody Rhodes, Brian Kendrick, Paul London and Bob Holly. The show has already sold out with more than 13,000 tickets sold.

They continue tomorrow night in Queretearo and Friday and Saturday nights is the No. 1 wrestling city in the world by far right now, Mexico City. There is a big war on Friday as CMLL has Perro Aguayo Jr. vs. Toscano vs. Heavy Metal in a hair match head-to-head.

UFC Unleashed is tonight at 9 p.m. Scheduled matches, and lately they sometimes have completely different shows than advertised, are Jon Fitch vs. Luigi Fiorvanti, Matt Serra vs. Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn. Ultimate Fighter is at 10 p.m. with C.B. Dollaway, probably the favorite to win it all, against Nick Klein, plus they announce the quarterfinals.

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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.

--Raw last night did a 3.2 rating

--In the cable ratings, due to the NBA playoffs, TNT at 2.4 beat USA at 1.9 for first place. Sci-Fi was up to No. 7, due to several airings of Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade, pacing the network to a 1.3 prime time average. It would be the first time in history that ECW fell below the station average for a week. Spike was no. 12 at 0.9. Raw as No. 8 and No. 9, with the top seven spots being NBA playoff games. The second hour of Raw was No. 10 in 18-34 and No. 8 in 18-49. First hour didn't crack the top ten, due to so many highly rated basketball games.

--William Regal is under consideration to host a U.K. special where the contestants for the current season of Big Brother will become Gladiators for one night.

--In the U.K. for the week ending 5/11, Raw did 69,000 viewers on the Thursday prime time, Smackdown did 46,000 on Friday and 40,000 on Saturday morning and ECW did 28,000.

--Several Smackdown preemptions on Friday. In Chicago, it's scheduled for 10:30 p.m. Friday night; Hartford is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, Rochester, NY is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday and Wilkes-Barre, PA for 8 p.m. Saturday (thanks to Emerson Witner and Mike Kuzmuk)

--TNA announced house shows on 7/18 in Tyler, TX at the Oil Palace headlined by Kurt Angle, Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, Scott Steiner, Tomko and Awesome Kong. They also announced a 7/26 house show in Florence, SC

--In promoting Slammiversary in Memphis, Kevin Nash today on the Chris Jarman Midday show issued a challenge for a basketball free throw shootout with the losers making a big donation for Project Package, a charity that collects donations for care packages for servicemen from the area. Nash was only a 50% shooter in college.

--UFC Countdown show last night did a 0.5 rating

--Poll on Raw Excellent 30.4% Good 41.9% Average 13.8% Fair 6.6% Poor 7.3% 23.7% of those responding didn't see the show. Much better reaction than usual with more than 72% thinking it was a strong show.

--For those in Europe, the TV show L'Effet Papillon that airs on Canal Plus in France, at Noon on 5/25 will air a report on pro wrestling. I was interviewed for the show and listed as guests are author Irv Muchnick, Marc Mero and Michael Benoit. The station airs on cable throughout Western Europe.

--Spike has announced a UFC Day on 5/31. What a coincidence it is that date. It starts at 11 a.m. with an Ultimate Fighter marathon until 8 p.m. From 8-9 p.m. will be Ultimate Knockouts 4. From 9-10 p.m., head to head with Elite XC on CBS, will be a Chuck Liddell documentary building to the TV debut at 11 p.m. of the Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva match of the year candidate.

--Spike will also air a Best of 2007 UFC special on Friday, 6/6

--Lou Pearlman, the boy band creator involved with Brooke Hogan's early career, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for scamming thousands of investors out of their life savings. They claim he scammed individuals out of $200 million and banks out of another $100 million. Pearlman claimed he had returned $103 million to investors.

--WWE returns to Montgomery, AL on 9/15 at the Garrett Coliseum, first show in the market in four years.

--Jonny Fairplay contacted us to say that when he was on Opie & Anthony, he never mentioned TNA and would have never closed any doors on them before the Survivor final. He aid he was there to plug ROH and so that's why he wouldn't mention TNA.

--WWE, IFL and Pro Elite all did their quarterly reports of late. The WWE report is so much more in detail. With WWE, you really can see how everything aspect of the business is doing and get any info you need to know.

--The ESPN Magazine with Kimbo Slice on the cover hit the newsstands today

--The Versus Network will air a one hour preview for Urijah Faber vs. Jens Pulver this coming Monday night at both 6 p.m. and replayed at 11 p.m. They will also push bantamweight champion Miguel Angel Torres, who defends against Yoshiro Maeda. The match itself takes place live on Versus on 6/1 from Sacramento's Arco Arena with a 9 p.m. start time (6 p.m. Pacific)

--James Irvin suffered a broken foot in training so his 6/7 match with Rashad Evans in London is out. UFC got Luiz Cane to agree to face Evans, but Greg Jackson's camp decided against taking the match, saying Evans didn't have enough time to prepare for the unorthodox southpaw fighter, so Evans is off the show. That card has been a disaster from the start. Thales Leitis vs. Nathan Marquardt has been moved up to the PPV portion of the show.

--Chuck Richmond reports that Cincinnati area Walmart stores are selling American Fighter T-shirts. The Rich Franklin shirts call him three-time world champion (actually that means he won three title matches). They also have Tim Sylvia T-shirts. Apparently Franklin shirts are flying off the rack. Sylvia shirts, not so much.

--Page six of the New York Post reported Nick Bollea is not doing well in jail. "Nick's doing really bad. He's struggling to even form a sentence. They have him in a cell by himself, isolated from the general population, because of threats. He didn't understand how awful jail really is until now."

--Jim Baker had some complaints about attending a WWA show in Framingham, MA over the weekend. He said Sabu vs. Spike Dudley was announced as the main event in a tables match but neither were there. They announced Sabu as injured and no announcement was made about Spike. In December, the last time in the market, Chris Masters was advertised and then announced as being injured. They had a 350 pound guy as Max Moon. The company champion is Danny Davis, the 80s WWF heel ref.

--There is another interview with Jesse Ventura, making the rounds to promote his book, at www.kj97.com/pages/Kactuslou.html where he rips on both Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan. He's mad McMahon didn't support his bid for the presidency.

--This year's Atlantic Grand Prix wrestling season starts on 5/30 in Baie St-Anne, New Brunswick, 5/31 at the O'Leary Community Rink in Prince Edward Island, 6/1 at the Georgetown Arena on Prince Edward Island and 6/2 in at the Cocagne Arena in New Brunswick.

--ROH has announced Jigsaw & Ruckus vs. Adam Pearce & Chris Hero and Nigel McGuinness & Go Shiozaki vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico as two of the first round matches for the tag team tournament on 6/6 in Hartford

--The ROH 7/25 debut in Toronto is expected to sellout

--Affliction held a press conference yesterday with all the top fighters on the 7/19 show there, as well as George Greenberg of FSN. FSN will broadcast a few prelim fights at 8 p.m. and the PPV starts at 9 p.m. This is the show with Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia and Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, the twin brother of the UFC heavyweight champ, is the company's latest signing. It's an interesting game because the company will lose a ton on the first show, but has put together the best lineup of any non-UFC show in the U.S. since Pride went under.

--We had it changed later in the day, but if you saw the update early listing an Oceanside show with Chris Masters vs. Silver King on Sunday, that was actually from an old article sent to us on Monday, but the match had actually taken place on 5/18 (thanks to Cory Van Kleeck)

--NWA on 6/13 in Ridgefield Park, NJ at the Knights of Columbus with Sid Vicious and Mr. Hughes

--According to an MIT project, WWE is No. 4 in the list of the top 50 video censors, which are the companies most aggressive in getting their intellectual property taken down on You tube. Top three are TV Tokyo from Japan, Viacom and Warner Brothers. (thanks to Jakey Emmert)

--Andrew McMahon is putting his collection of 80s WWF LJN figures, and "I Like to Hurt People" on ebay at http//search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZt-800_terminator

--Lucha Libre featuring Blue Demon Jr. and Vampiro as headliners will be the Orange County Fair with shows on 7/15, 7/16 and 7/17

--Chuck Liddell and Anderson Silva will be presenters for Spike's Guys Choice Awards that air on 6/22 at 10 p.m. Harrison Ford, Dave Duchovny, Steve Carrell, Jenny McCarthy, Eva Mendes, Linkin Park, Girls next Door are among those also set to appear. The show is being taped on 5/30 in Culver City, CA

--Pro Wrestling Riot on 5/24 in Port Richey, FL at the New Lakes at the Regency Park Civic Center

--Pro Wrestling Fusion on 6/7 at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierce, FL

--Jake Roberts vs. Sandman headlines on 7/26 for PWU at World Gym in Philadelphia, which also includes Chris Masters vs. Trent Acid

--JBL's wife Merideth Whitney, one of the most powerful analysts in the country (she caused a 3.6% drop in the stock market with her report on the banking crisis) said, "We belive the current credit crisis is far from over. In fact, we believe that what lies ahead will be worse than what is behind us." More wonderful news.

--NWA Oklahoma at Cain's Ballroom host a Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund show in Oklahoma City on 6/20

--Iron Sheik has been added to the list of those i the NWA Hall of Fame ceremony that takes place at the 6/7 show at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta

--CHIKARA's Young Lions tournament takes place 6/13, 6/14 and 6/15 in Hellertown, PA. You have to be 25 or younger to enter. Those announced are Lince Dorado, Pinkie Sanchez, James Ross, Pelle Primeau, Amasis, Vin Gerard, Chip Day, Alex Payne and Create-a Wrestler who will debut a new character

--Impact Zone Wrestling from last night in Tempe: Nick Fury b Dread Pirate Bernie, Mike James b Terra-X, Jacob Herzberg & Marty Murphy b Frenchy Riviera & Tony Trouser, Tommy Drake & Ryan Lynch b Lucha Reigns & Mike G, Antonio Mestre b Sergio Vega, Lawrence Tyler & John Williams (Hawaiian Lion) NC Navajo Warrior & G.Q. Gallo

--Ringside Live on Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern is doing an Owen Hart tribute shot at TheRingsideLive.com and if you have any memories of Owen Hart you can send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it before Friday night

--NAWA on Sunday at 5 p.m. in Cedartown, GA with Ricky Morton. They also run 6/5 in Rome, GA at the National Guard Armory with Tommy Rich vs. Air Paris

--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia:

65 years ago today: Freddie Blassie and Ralph Garibaldi drew in the main event

53 years ago: Don & Red McIntyre beat Dizzy Davis & Dr. Jerry Graham

39 years ago in Columbus: Lou Thesz & El Mongol beat The Assassins via DQ

34 years ago: Ann Gunkel's show featured Ron Pritchard & Assassin #2 (Jody Hamilton) going to a draw with Crusher Verdu & Mighty Yankee

34 years ago in Macon: World champion Jack Brisco beating Mr. Wrestling II plus a Battle Royal won by Andre the Giant, and Jerry Brisco beating Bobby Duncum to win the Southeastern title drew 7,500 fans

32 years ago at the Omni: Andre won a Battle Royal while Dusty Rhodes & Thunderbolt Patterson beat The Sheik & Abdullah the Butcher

29 years ago in Augusta: Dusty Rhodes & Mad Dog Vachon went to a double disqualification with Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff in a tornado match

--3K Wrestling on 6/123 at the Disco Arena in Oaks, PA features Ricky Reyes vs. Ikuto Hidaka of Zero-One plus C.W. Anderson vs. Jake Manning. The group is doing a Shinya Hashimoto Memorial tournament

--Osamu Nishimura appears on 6/1 for International Fight in Ocala, FL teaming with Ryan Mitchell and Johnny Magnum vs. Shan Chung & Blain Rage & Antonio Thomas of the Heart Throbs. Rocky Johnson will also be there

--AAA has a house show on Saturday night in Monterrey head-to-head with the soccer semifinals. To boost attendance, they've announced they will bring the big screens they bring to TV tapings and air the soccer game before starting the wrestling show.

--Abyss and Lance Hoyt appear for PCW on 5/31 in Arlington, TX

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