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We're looking for your thoughts on both tonight's TNA Slammiversary PPV and yesterday's UFC 85 PPV, 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're also looking for reports on last night's Raw house show in Redding, CA and tonight's Raw show in Stockton. We're also looking for any reports from San Jose for the Smackdown tapings at least the early part. I'll be going to the show tonight after the conclusion of the TNA PPV.

Raw will be taped tomorrow night in Oakland. TNA Impact will be taped in Orlando on Monday. Some, but not all, of the foreigners coming in for the World X Cup will be at TNA tapings tomorrow and Tuesday. There will be a Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley vs. Masato Yoshino & Naruki Doi match either Monday or Tuesday. There will also be a TNA title match with Kaz facing whomever wins tonight's main event, probably tomorrow but possibly Tuesday.

Slammiversary tonight:

*Samoa Joe vs. Robert Roode vs. Booker T vs. Christian Cage vs. Rhino in a King of the Mountain match with Kevin Nash as referee

*Kurt Angle vs. A.J. Styles

*Petey Williams vs. Kaz for the X title

*Awesome Kong will do her challenge

*LAX vs. Team 3-D for the tag titles

*Jay Lethal marries SoCal Val with George Steele, Jake Roberts, Koko Ware, Kamala and Ace Young of American Idol all scheduled

*Gail Kim & ODB & Roxxi vs. Angelina Love & Velvet Sky & Mickie Knuckles

There is more time devoted to wrestling than is normal on a TNA show tonight. Even though Angle was hurting, seemingly bad at the last TV, the plan is for he and Styles to have the Angle vs. Styles match you'd expect. I don't know about so soon after his breaking his neck again. Williams is fine and worked the house show a few nights ago. Eric Young will be there doing an angle involving something to do with Elvis being at the show. Sting is not scheduled to be at the show. At one point he was scheduled to do an interview but it wasn't listed. Abyss will be there. On the pregame show they list Abyss vs. Scott Steiner, which was scheduled but Steiner has a knee injury so Abyss won't be doing a singles match.

It was a week that completely changed the MMA industry as well as a week of major happenings in the wrestling industry and we've got full coverage in two issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter coming out next week. These issues are literally jam-packed with news on pro wrestling and MMA around the world.

One our lead stories talks about Donald Trump's entree into MMA promotion, and what it means for the future both short and long-term of the industry. We look at the keys necessary for his group to make it work and what is best and worst for the industry as a whole.

We've got a detailed report on what clicked and didn't click on the three big weekend shows, with full coverage of the matches, atmosphere and business of WWE's One Night Stand, Elite XC on CBS and WEC on Versus.

We look at what the rating was for Elite XC and what it means, including breaking it down in different categories including what matches increased viewership, how the show did i its key demos, media reaction and more. We look at the most-watched MMA matches in history and how numbers being released are misleading. We look at how the key aspect of the show, the advertising, did, as well as how this affects the future of MMA as far as profitability. We also look at a not talked about aspect of the show itself, and one that doesn't tell a very good story going forward for the promotion.

We look at time management, an amazing item about the drawing power of Kimbo Slice, and in particular the eerie coincidence about his biggest markets. There is a very interesting thing about the cities he drew well in, in that his biggest cities have something in common that have nothing to do with MMA.

We look at something the show did that is almost unheard of in television in a positive way. We also look at how the makeup of the audience was very different from UFC. We also look at what UFC did head-to-head with taped programming, all the controversies from the stoppages, to Gina Carano's weight and why much of the criticism of the show from MMA fans misses a certain huge point about the goal of the first show.

We look at Kimbo's drawing power going forward, the backstage argument with Kimbo and Brett Rogers, next show, business on this show, the reality of MMA as a television spectacle and reality of what will happen to Gina Carano. We look at how the ratings pattern for the show differed from a pro wrestling broadcast as well as how MMA has changed and what follows next.

We look at how competitors feel the UFC business model is threatened going forward.

We also have poll results from all the major weekend shows.

We have a WWE update with more on the $1 million giveaway and Vince's new battle plan. We look at reaction to Vince McMahon's Raw promo and the nature of the giveaways. We also look at updates on Undertaker and Randy Orton including updates on Undertake's current story line.

We also look at the "value" of ratings points and why this $1 million is quite a strange number. We've also got business notes on the One Night Stand PPV and early buy rate indications. We look at Orton's injury, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

We've got an update on Tito Ortiz.

We've got more on WWE business including the actual paid attendance and Wrestlemania and what Wrestlemania record they came close to setting. We look at the Floyd Mayweather affect on live ticket sales as well as a return trip to Orlando.

We look at live merchandise sales, how much WWE receives per week for producing U.S. television, as well as a look at the actual profitability of every major department for the first three months of the year so you can see the importance of house shows, merchandise, PPV, TV, 24/7, licensed products, DVDs, magazines and web site and make an interesting comparison with UFC.

We've got more on the new indictment against Dr. Phil Astin III with details on what he's accused of prescribing to numerous pro wrestlers, and the very curious questions that come out of the indictment regarding who is missing and even more, what is missing. This has details that include not only Chris and Nancy Benoit, but one of the WWE's current biggest stars and other well-known pro wrestlers.

We also have a huge update on the Hogan family situation, between reactions to the family due to the TV features, the Graziano family reaction, the divorce, the family's TV shows, Hogan's new television show and more.

We also have more from the creative side, including interesting notes about the Undertaker angle an creative. We have lots more on the situation with Ric Flair and the NWA as well as WWE's decision to nix the deal.

We have a feature on the state of the ROH promotion and its role in a more and more difficult wrestling environment. We look at the company's PPV business, the catch-22 of the company's growth, ROH vs. ECW, history, natural frustration and how the current pro wrestling landscape both helps and hurts the company.

We have a major feature on the Urijah Faber vs. Jens Pulver match, the business of the match, including just how big it was, how the fighters were paid, as well as coverage of one of the biggest non-UFC events in North American MMA history.

We also have a feature from Matt Randazzo, the author of "Ring of Hell," with more on his thoughts regarding his book and his thoughts on the industry, as well as more of my thoughts on the book.

We've got more notes on Bobby Lashley's signing with the AFL, plans for his debut.

We also have a look at the ratings for all the major pro wrestling and MMA TV shows over the past week, including segment-by-segment of the major shows so you can see what angles are working, and what angles are causing people to tune out. We also have 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 issues:

--A look at different tournament ideas being looked at for Japan

--Update and rundown of the World X Cup

--What participant is questionable and how a match will be done next week to cover for any issues

--A look at how the tournament is being put together and what dates the foreign talent will be working

--Update on the Slammiversary PPV

--Scott Steiner goes off on WWE's biggest names

--TNA wrestler graduates college

--UFC's new television show idea

--Updates on UFC shows with lots of new matches, as well as a former UFC star getting brought back

--Final business numbers for UFC 84

--Drug test results for recent UFC events

--Mirko Cro Cop's next match

--A hugely important show just a few weeks away for the future of the Japanese MMA market

--Why the son of a famous pro wrestler may have big ratings power for Japanese shows

--Fedor's manager gives details in Japan on his thoughts of a Fedor vs. Randy Couture program

--K-1 goes extreme in planning on making long-term builds for stars in a way no promotion ever has

--Best selling DVDs in pro wrestling and MMA

--Promoter and wrestler at war last week make up this week

--Hall of Fame candidate talks possible retirement at the end of this year

--Funny title story

--A major head-to-head pro wrestling showdown next week both in the same city and on PPV in its country

--Updates on the lineups for both shows

--Boxers being talked with to do pro wrestling angles

--All Japan's next big show

--Young wrestler announces retirement

--Update on the Best of the Super Junior tournament from New Japan

--An interpromotional tag team tournament announced

--Update on Cima's health

--Another 90s promotion that folded is looking at a new company starting out headed by its biggest star and using the spirit of the promotion

--1970s dream tag team being talked about being put together

--Nostalgia women's show

--Ultimate Warrior update

--Coroner rules on death of well-known local wrestling personality

--Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame notes

--Son of one of the great workers of the recent generation now training to be a wrestler

--Bill Apter and London Publishing update

--One of biggest stars of the glory days of British wrestling coming back later this year

--Lucha Libre coming to Europe

--Update on Bret Hart

--Pro wrestling fraud

--Rolling Stone magazine on Dana White and brings up the Dana vs. Vince question

--Reaction in Japan to Kimbo

--Notes on the death of Sammy Vazquez from a Texas hearing

--MMA fighter arrested

-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 Bowser, 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.

We have special rates for new subscribers starting with this week's two issues. Current subscribers should use the rates in the issue:

For the United States, it is $14 for 5 issues, $31 for 13, $57 for 25, $93 for 41 and $120 for 53. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $15.50 for 5, $35 for 13, $63 for 25. $103 for 41 and $133 for 53. 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 $18 for 5, $44 for 13, $81 for 25, $129 for 41 issues and $166 for 53 . 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.

--Since we've gotten a ton of e-mails about this, because the mediatakeout.com site reported Floyd Mayweather set to sign a $200 million contract with UFC, claiming it was from a UFC insider and would include equity in the company. Keep in mind that this same web site has broken several pro wrestling and MMA stories in the past that turned out not to have even 1% of truth to them (which doesn't mean this one is wrong, but at this point there is zero confirmation of it). The deal is Dana White is making a big announcement on Thursday so he says (and keep in mind, sometimes he's said he has an announcement coming next week and nothing happens), and Mayweather retired. Now the Mayweather to UFC rumor actually predated Mayweather's retirement announcement (not in going public, but the rumor did go around some in the MMA world). Being that there were a ton of reporters in the U.K. and many spoke to people in UFC and nobody seemed to know anything. Of course, this big surprise is also something nobody is supposed to know.

--WWE.com posted an article that Roddy Piper would announce a new protege

--The Entertainment Weekly cover story on Dwayne Johnson is at www.ew.com

--Mike Chiappetta responds to some of the negative MMA coverage coming out of the CBS show at http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24968518/site/21683474/ and Brian Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in particular. Essentially, when you've got boxing writers writing about how barbaric MMA is, I don't think they understand how much they open themselves up for ridicule. You say boxing is too brutal, you can write whatever you want about MMA. You say somebody could die in MMA, but boxing and pro wrestling are okay, you've opened yourself up to look like a fool.

--Bob Trobich wrote this to us regarding Paul Heyman's column in The Sun: "Since Paul Heyman and the truth have only a passing familiarity with one another, I always find it amusing when anyone gives his opinion on virtually any topic any copy space. It is also the height of irony that Heyman, who bankrupted one company and finds himself on the outside of the business looking in, would think he had standing to criticize any organization that is actually still in business. Seems if he, in fact, wanted to kill off he NWA, he should have tried to run it, since given his track record, that would have been a sure recipe for its death. As it is, we are still here while he trolls about for some relevance."

--Dave Anderson in today's New York Times has a column on Tom Urbanski, the paralyzed former pro wrestler, noting Adam "Pacman" Jones never mentions Urbanski, still a paraplegic. Urbanski still has no feeling below his belly button. He said he can live a life, he can drive a specially equipped fan and can train some upper body. Urbanski did pick Arvin Edwards, the suspected shooter, out of a police lineup. Jones also fingered Edwards as the trigger-man. Kathy Urbanski, his wife, said she holds the NFL and Tennessee Titans partially responsible because they never disciplined him seriously beforehand, even after multiple arrests.

--The Memphis Commercial Appeal today has a short on the TNA PPV at www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jun/08/nonstop-mayhem/

--Reader Steve Feitl has a funny column at www.mycentraljersey.com responding to all the criticism of MMA as the beginning of the end of society.

--Galavision Lucha Libre is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. today. Earlier in the week the time was scheduled for later (thanks to Dominick Valenti)

--NWA show last night in Atlanta ended up with 2,000-3,000 fans, mostly papered): Mike DiBiase b Idol Stevens to keep North American title, Iceberg won three-way over Shatter and Mikal Judas to keep Anarchy title, Tommy Rich NC Abdullah the Butcher, X-Pac & Blue Demon Jr. b Rob Conway & Carol Ouelette, Mike Quackenbush b Ricky Vega to keep the NWA Jr. title, Los Luchas won three-way over The Naturals and Karl Anderson & Joey Ryan to keep NWA tag titles, Sid Vicious b Playas Club (Davey Boy Bling & Justin Corino), Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson b Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton. For reasons we don't know, said to be inadvertent, they never mentioned Ric Flair's name. It's said Bob Trobich and David Marquez were trying to come up with a way to do it later in the sow, but couldn't figure out how to do it without making it seem less or more important than the others. (thanks to Rich Tate)

--Jim Ross on his web site compared Urijah Faber to a young Kerry Von Erich. That was funny, because every older wrestling fan always says that the first time they see him. He put over Faber, saying he had charisma galore and was exciting to watch. He said it was unfortunate someone of his size that was a world class athlete wouldn't even get a smell in pro wrestling.

--Bret Hart's book is available in paperback at www.chapters.ca and in hardcover at www.amazon.ca so you don't have to be in Canada to get it. Both will ship worldwide. The book will have a U.S. release on 10/8 and Hart will tour at that point. There is no date yet for a European release. (thanks to Marcy Engelstein, Sr. Consulting Manager)

--The Asbury Park Press at www.app.com has a story on Mick Foley. Very nice article. Both his wife and his daughter have cut their hair to use it to make wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer. He will be a celebrity barber for other people who would like to donate their pony tails. He may have his hair cut in two weeks as well. He said he recently watched a tape of the Hell in a Cell match again for the first time in years and said he would never do that again. Thank God. They noted the ten-year anniversary is in August.

--Poll on Impact
Excellent 22.6%
Good 28.2%
Average 18.5%
Fair 7.3%
Poor 23.4%
52.5% of those responding didn't see the show

--My how the mighty have fallen. Mark Kerr, formerly the No. 1 heavyweight in the world, lost to unknown Tracy Willis via guillotine choke in :45 for C-3Fights in Cocho, OK. Willis, who is deaf, is undefeated and apparently a prospect. Rick Roufas, the legendary kickboxer, beat former Bodog Fighter Roberto Martinez (thanks to Anthony Sullivan)

--There is a story about Steve Carell kissing Dwayne Johnson in the movie "Get Smart" at www.breitbart.com

--PWU on 7/26 at Boyle's World Gym in Philadelphia has Jake Roberts vs. Sandman, Chris Masters vs Trent Acid and John McChesney vs. Z-Barr for the singles title and TV title with Gary Wolfe as ref

--EWF on Saturday night in Marion, IN as the X8 tournament with Davey Richards, B.J. Whitmer, Danny Daniels, Trik Davis, Silas Young, D-Ray 3000, Osyris and Louis Linaris

--After talking about the Sports Illustrated list of highest paid athletes with Floyd Mayweather No. 4, including his $20 million Wrestlemania payoff, Kevin Blackstone on Around the Horn questioned if he really got $20 million from WWE. I know nobody else cares, but it really saddens me, not as much that they reported it because it was reported everywhere at the time, and really, the only place it was reported as fact the number was a fraud was largely the wrestling media, but at this point when they have to know they got worked, for SI not to have printed a retraction. (thanks to Steve Khan)

--The Miz and John Morrison were all over the Fresno media Friday promoting last night's Smackdown. The sports anchor on KSEE jokingly called him John "The Morrison" and The Miz asked if he was related to Mike Adamle

--Matt Morgan and Erin Toughill represented "American Gladiators" at the ESPN Magazine party on Friday night

--Pro Wrestling NOAH has released ten copies of the July 15 and September 9 Budokan Hall DVDS signed by Mitsuharu Misawa and Jun Akiyama for $45.50 at http://stores.ebay.com/Mid-Mo-Books-and-More

--The annual World League Wrestling/Pro Wrestling NOAH camp will be 9/15 to 9/19 in Eldon, MO. There will be representatives from both NOAH and WWE scouting talent. Confirmed as attending are Ryu Nakata and Ken Hirayama, business managers at NOAH, along with Takeshi Morishima and Naomichi Marufuji.

--Dawn Marie is accepting bookings for wrestling shows and appearances at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

--Jim Duggan, who is no longer on the roster as a full-time WWE wrestler, can now take indie bookings and autograph signings. For info you can contact agent Mike O'Brien at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

--Renegade Outlaw Wrestling on 6/15 in Amarillo at Nat's Ballroom

--USWO on Friday night in Nashville before 66 fans: New York Gangster b Convict, Quinton Quarisma & J.C. Crowe b Dyronic & Justin Spade, Steven b Psycho Medic, Tim Renesto b Cousin Jason X, L.T Falk & Damien Payne b Shane Smalls & Lee Cross, Andy Douglas b Mark Anthony-DQ (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)

--Brent Albright and Lance Hoyt headline on 6/20 in Tulsa at Cain's Ballroom

--Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling from last night in Berwick, Nova Scotia before 150 fans: Spiderman b Cuban Assassin (son of the famous Calgary wrestler), Phil Atlas b French Mystic, Jeff Dupre b Butcher Vachon-COR (obviously not the original Butcher Vachon), Erin Angel (U.K. wrestler) b She Nay Nay (former OVW wrestler), Wrestling Spiderman & French Mystic b Cuban Assassin & Pirate of the Caribbean, Rene Dupre b Buddy Austin (the guy who was A-1 in TNA) (thanks to Brad Dykens)

--Thursday night in Mazatlan, Mexico before 2,600 fans: Metal Blanco & Metalik b Rey Trueno & Mr. Trueno, Rayman & Maximo b El Hijo del Texano & Misterioso II, Perro Aguayo Jr. & El Terrible b Alex Koslov & Dos Caras Jr., Dr. Wagner Jr. b Fuerza Guerrera to retain the UWA heavyweight title (thanks to Steve "Dr. Lucha" Sims)

--Friday night in Ciudad Victoria: Alejandro Montana Jr. & Sadico b Iron Boy & Rayo Azteca, King Boy & Oro Negro b Loco Castillo & Ricky Machin, Dark Angel & Princesa Blanca b Amapola & Princesa Sugei, Mascarita Dorada & Tzuki b Pequeno Damian 666 & Pequeno Halloween, Astro Boy & Mistico & Sombra de Plata b Artillero & Averno & Mephisto

--Today's TV taping in Mexico City at Arena Coliseo has Blue Panther & Hector Garza & Marco Corleone vs. El Terrible & El Hijo del Texano & Villano V. Guadalajara has Dos Caras Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero for the CMLL heavyweight title. Naucalpan has Blue Demon Jr. & Hijo del Anibal & Multifacetico vs. Ricky Cruz & Hijo del Pierroth & Mascara Ano 2000. Monterrey has Chessman & La Parka vs. Electroshock & Mesias. (thanks to Kris Zellner)

--IWC from last night in Elizabeth, PA: Jason Bane b Troy Lords, Vendetta & Jimmy DeMarco b T.J. Cannon & Bruce Maxwell, Matt Cross b John McChesney, Shirley Doe & Super Hentai b Marshall & Mickey Gambino in a street fight, Dennis Gregory b Ricky Reyes, C.J. Sensation b Logan Scuillo, Jerry Lynn b Johnny Gargano, Eric Xtasy & Justin Idol b Shiima Xion & Jason Gory to win IWC tag titles. Next show is 7/5 in Ellsworth, PA which also includes a wrestlers vs. fans softball game with Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Shark Boy and Larry Sweeney (thanks to Ty Dawson)

--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia:
82 years ago today: Jim Londos beat Pete Sauer in the main event
46 years ago: Dick Steinborn & Ray Gunkel beat Kurt & Karl Von Brauner
35 years ago: Ramon Torres beat Stan Vachon in a lights out match and Mr. Wrestling II beat Cowboy Bill Watts
31 years ago in Columbus: Mr. Wrestling I & II beat Ole & Gene Anderson in a Texas death match with Paul Jones as referee
29 years ago: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff beat Wahoo McDaniel & Tommy Rich to win the Georgia tag team titles, plus Masked Superstar beat Bob Armstrong and Dusty Rhodes b Kurt Von Hess
28 years ago at the Omni: Harley Race retained the NWA title beating Mr Wrestling II, Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood kept the NWA tag titles over The Assassins, Ole & Lars Anderson beat Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff to win the Georgia tag titles, Baron Von Raschke beat Austin Idol to win the TV title and in a tournament for the Georgia Jr. title that included Terry Taylor, Eddie Gilbert, Dutch Mantel, Tony Charles and Eddy Mansfield, Kevin Sullivan beat Mansfield in the finals
22 years ago at the Omni: Ric Flair & Tully Blanchard beat Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson in a tornado match and The James Boys (Dusty Rhodes & Magnum T.A.) beat the Midnight Express before 5,000 fans

--Matt Morgan and Savio Vega headline Friday night for Division I Pro Wrestling at the Fred Lippman Multipurpose Center {plug}