NEED TO RENEW?           


Support Wrestlingobserver.com; Visit Our Advertisers
SUNDAY UPDATE: NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS; MORE ON HART/HALL OF FAME INCIDENT; CLOSED-CIRCUIT OPENS; SDOWN PDF Print E-mail
By Dave Meltzer

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
        We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's Night of Champions from WWE, 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'll have live coverage of the show on the site starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
 
        We're also looking for reports on the WWE house show on Friday night in Abilene.
 
        Raw will be live on Monday night from Oklahoma City and Smackdown will be taped with ECW on Tuesday night from the Tulsa Convention Center.
 
        Tonight's lineup:
*HHH vs. John Cena for the WWE title
*Edge vs. Batista for the World title
*Kane vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry for the ECW title
*Chris Jericho vs. ? for the IC title
*Matt Hardy vs. Chavo Guerrero for the U.S. title
*Mickie James vs. Katie Lea Burchill for the women's title
*The Miz & John Morrison vs. Fit Finlay & Hornswoggle for the WWE tag titles
*Cody Rhodes & Bob Holly vs. Ted DiBiase & ? for the World tag titles
        It appears there will be no Divas title from Smackdown match on this show.  It was originally advertised, but when Mick Foley on the feed off Smackdown that went overseas brought up the match, it was edited off the U.S. feed.  The storyline of Vickie Guerrero going to pick an opponent for Natalya wasn't talked about for this show, although the idea of creating the title is still there.  With the HHH, Edge and probably Jericho match all being long, there was no need to rush through a nine-match show.  We don't know that Jeff Hardy will be Jericho's opponent, only that Jericho vs. Hardy was the secret booked match a week ago.  With Matt moving to ECW, I can very much see the idea of Shawn Michaels costing Jericho the match and Hardy taking the title to Smackdown.  At the house shows they had used Lance Cade's interference to lead to Jericho retaining the title and they were out there doing long matches, which is often a sign of getting ready for a PPV match.  This is a show on paper that doesn't look either good or bad necessarily.  The top two matches will probably be good, and if it is Jericho vs. Hardy and they have time, they could have the best match on the show.  The prelims just look like they are there.  The Raw tag title match is probably more an angle to get over DiBiase's money gimmick.  The Smackdown tag title match is pure comedy. 

        The most in-depth coverage of the WWE draft, including the decision making process that took place in the last week, leads off two issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that will be out over the next week.  The first issue is available right now if you are a premium subscriber to this web site and comes out Tuesday otherwise.  A special issue will also come out Wednesday with more coverage, and will be available to web site subscribers within the next few days.

        We look at the Vince McMahon angle, the build to it, timing of the McMahon angle and a look back at last year's attempt to do something similar.  We also look at how this shows the difference in mentality between the different U.S. promotions and what they look at every week.

        We look at all the draft changes, including analysis of the good and bad of each move.  We look at who did and didn't know ahead of time and how this affects the PPV.  We look at WWE's new goals for Smackdown and the different reasons HHH's move was made.  We look at notes out of the meetings that led to these changes being made.  We also look at one of the key changes that is, at least tentatively, slated to include one of the main events at next year's Wrestlemania.  We look at the moves that were sure things.  We look at a wrestler who didn't move that the company is looking to repackage and look at some ideas shot down.

        We also look at how the Jim Ross thing went down in creative, on television, his reaction at first, and his later change of mind.  We look at what Ross did that seemingly guaranteed the move would be made according to those close to the decision making process.  We also look at the business reason why the move wasn't a good one. 

        We also look at the draft rating and how it compares with other draft ratings that didn't give away $1 million.  We look at the funny press release WWE sent out when the rating came out that touted the success of Million Dollar Mania and more business thoughts on the show.

        We also look at a lot of the other strange goings on in WWE over the past week.

        We've also got a look at what Lorenzo Fertitta going full-time to work in UFC may or may not mean.  We look at Fertitta's previous role and from a financial standpoint how significant and seemingly crazy this move is.  We look at Fertitta's background, why he said he made the move and look at the major differences between UFC's attempt to expand internationally and WWE's success in doing the same thing.  The story looks at Fertitta's outside business interests and when put in comparison to where UFC currently is, shows just how major a move this really is.

        We've also got coverage of the Ultimate Fighter final, with a complete rundown of the ratings, match-by-match ratings and how the ratings pattern was very different for this show than most MMA shows and what that means.  We look at some amazing stuff when it comes to ratings, as well as the future for Amir Sadollah as compared to other TUF winners, the future of Evan Tanner, C.B. Dollaway talks both about whether he tapped and what happened with Jesse Taylor that got him on the show, as well as poll results and match-by-match coverage.

        We look at what Vince McMahon has publicly said about MMA, and how privately his company reacts completely different behind-the-scenes.  We've got updates on Randy Orton, Ric Flair, the business notes from the recent Australia and New Zealand tour, how the changes in schedule at the last minute led to a main star and several key behind-the-scenes personnel missing Raw.  We look at more outside business ventures from a WWE main star, as well as a look at the departure of 21-year-veteran promoter Bob Collins from the organization.

        We have notes on McMahon getting an award, as well as business analysts predicting WWE's growth in 2008.  We have notes on a funny conclusion in a magazine article on WWE and how this is reminiscent of articles from another generation.  We have a look at the best selling pro wrestling DVDs, a guy in developmental being given a Bill Goldberg gimmick, a funny quote from a WWE wrestler about his childhood, changes in one of the top heel characters, an update on Carlito, a gimmick a new wrestler is expected to get, Shane McMahon talks about WWE's priorities in the Japanese market and business notes from the past week.

        We also have an historical look back at Japanese pro wrestling in the 70s with the death of the Great Kusatsu as well as a look back at what may have been the biggest night in the history of Japanese pro wrestling on television.

        We also have our monthly WWE & TNA business rundown, covering arena business, television and PPV and how each facet is doing as well as look at the trends.

        We have the most detailed rundown of ratings of every national wrestling and MMA show of the past week, including segment-by-segment of the major shows and Canadian numbers.  We look at the star segment once again on TNA, what did and didn't click on Raw, as well as the first Elite XC show after CBS airing on Showtime.

        We also have results from the major league arena events held around the world and the major TV show rundowns.
 
Each usual weekly issue of the Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 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:

--More on the Pro Wrestling NOAH crew going to Europe and the match of the year candidate in Coventry

--Reaction to the Convetry show

--Major TNA injury

--TNA major show copies something WCW tried in the past that was a failure

--Update on Joe vs. Nash feud

--Notes on Frank Trigg becoming a regular pro wrestler

--Rock star dating TNA woman and how it happened

--Notes on new TNA signings

--Booker T talks his current TNA tenure

--TNA weekend house show news and updates

--A look at TNA TV over the next three weeks

--Detailed update on UFC coming to New York state and what has delayed it

--Update on ticket sales to UFC events

--Buy rate updates on UFC

--More matches for the head-to-head battle on 7/19 between UFC and Affliction

--More matches talked about and falling through

--A look at a head-to-head battle last year and what that seemed to show

--Former top international star cut

--John McCarthy update on why he doesn't expect rule changes that UFC favors to happen

--A look at the next UFC PPV

--Next European show

--Updated talk about doing a major stadium event

--This week's episode of Tito vs. Dana

--Update on Brock Lesnar's training

--Jesse Taylor talks about his being kicked out of the finals

--Another legendary announcer has falling out with the major promoter and what happened

--Story behind a wrestler being immortalized in a national postage stamp

--Update on Mistico injury

--Another major turn

--Update on wrestlers leaving AAA

--Major wrestling star to marry famous model next month

--Wrestling doing a spoof on the K-1 World Grand Prix

--Legend doing an autobiography

--Two more junior heavyweight tournaments

--Update on Japanese magazine industry

--Japanese indie gets TV deal

--MMA fighters doing pro wrestling this past week

--Major national TV specials on 60s and 70s wrestling stars

--Former wrestling star gets national endorsement deal

--Funny story with Dwayne Johnson at Congress this past week

--Death of one of the U.S. greatest heavyweight wrestlers and his brief pro wrestling tenure

--Update on wrestling Hall of Fame flood

--Lots more on the Hogan family for this week including Hogan losing a deal and an update on his TV shows

--Update on Bobby Lashley doing MMA

--Update on reality show looking to use a current pro wrestler as its lead

--Network loans a promotion $3 million

--Lots more on the next CBS show for Elite XC

--Future of Phil Baroni

--Fighter on Affliction show who needs to make amends or won't be able to fight

--Update on wife of legend and son of another legend fighting over the weekend
 
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.
 
Special rates for this week only are:
 
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 or 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 $17.50 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.
 
--A few more notes on the deal last night involving Bret Hart at the Waterloo Hall of Fame banquet.  Greg Oliver posted at Wrestling Classics that no wrestlers left when Bret Hart did.  The message we got from someone there stated some did, and that many of the wrestlers after were congratulating Hart for what he did.  It was a real weird scene since Oliver was there to get an award with Steve Johnson.   As far as the motivation, it was more based on Oliver's book review for Hart's autobiography than the rankings, although Hart never had much to do with Oliver after the 2003 book came out.  Oliver's book review for Hart's book was generally positive, also.   We'll talk more about it tonight on the post-Night of Champions radio show which will be up probably around midnight Pacific time.  If you have any questions on tonight's NOC show, the incident or anything else, you can e-mail them here at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   We will have radio shows both tonight as well as late tomorrow night after Raw
 
--Get Smart with Dwayne Johnson is estimated at doing $20 million this weekend and ending the weekend at more than $77 million domestic and $83 million worldwide.  It will be the No. 3 movie of the weekend.
 
--Saturday night's UFC in Las Vegas is almost completely sold out.  They just opened up closed-circuit for the overflow at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in the Pacific Ballroom and tickets went on sale yesterday
 
--Tonight's Night of Champions in Dallas sold out in advance
 
--The Boston Herald today has a story on John Cena meeting with seven-year-old Jeremy Justus of Clayton, GA in San Antonio last week as part of the Kids With Network. 
 
--Today's San Jose Mercury at http://www.mercurynews.com/tv/ci_9735200?nclick_check=1 has a story on the Lucha Va Voom promotion which has a show in San Francisco tonight at The Fillmore
 
--The Abilene Reporter-News at http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008/jun/28/its-a-smackdown/ has a story on last night's WWE house show in the city.  Nothing much to the story.
 
--Smackdown poll
Excellent 22.9%
Good 55.9%
Average 12.7%
Fair 4.2%
Poor 4.2%
        33.7% of those responding didn't see the show.  This fared a hell of a lot better than Smackdown has in a long time in our polls
 
--Booker T's PWA from Friday night in Pasadena, TX before 300 fans:  Rockstar Robbie b Nemesis, Wrecking Crew b Kryll, Neico & Franco Valentine b Pride & Steve DeMarco, VIP & Kelly Kevin b Mexican Warriors, Gustavo Mendoza & Chaotix  b Holliers, Wrecking Crew b Mendoza & Chaotix, Neico & Valentino b VIP & Kevin, Neico & Valentino b Wrecking Crew to win PWA tag titles, LAX b Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley (thanks to Chris Marullo)
 
--Booker T and Daivari work on 7/31 in Bournemouth, England and 8/2 in Portsmouth, England for Varsity Pro Wrestling (thanks to Devin Cutting)
 
--Al Snow appears on 8/9 for International Wrestling Entertainment in Hamilton, ONT
 
--The final night of Emil Dupre's Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling tour in Berwick, Nova Scotia last night:  Wrestling Spider Man b Phil Atlas, Jeff Dupre b Cuban Assassin, Erin Angel b She Nay Nay, Spider Man & French Mystic b Cuban Assassin & Buddy Austin (former TNA wrestler A-1), Spider Man won Battle Royal.  There will be another tour running in August (thanks to Brad Dykens)
 
--AAA has TV tapings tonight in Irapuato with La Parka & Vampiro & ? vs. Electroshock & Kenzo Suzuki & Zorro, plus Chessman vs. Mesias.  It's the first major show since TripleMania.  CMLL has TV tapings at Arena Coliseo today with Atlantis defending the NWA light heavyweight title against Shocker.  Guadalajara has Blue Panther & Alex Koslov & Rayman vs. Mr. Niebla & Toscano & Rey Bucanero.  Torreon has Mistico & Negro Casas & Volador Jr. vs. Black Warrior & Villanos IV & V.  Naucalpan has Scorpio Jr. & Zumbido (jumping again unless he changed his name again) & ? vs. Fuerza Guerrera & Mascara Ano 2000 & Universo 2000. 
 
--Jersey All Pro Wrestling from last night in Jersey City before 550 fans:  Don Juan won four-way over Danny Matthews, Chris Marval, Danny Matthews and Scott McKenzie, Eddie Kingston b Danny Demanto, Nigerian Nightmares b Chase Del Monte & Chris Dickinson, Bandido Jr. b Corvis Fear-DQ, Das Ubermeoschen b Logan Brothers, Christian Cage b Jimmy Rave (best match on show), Angel Orsini b Soul Sister, Milano Collection A.T. b Azrael (Milano put on a great show), Homicide & Hernandez b Jose & Joel Maximo, Kenny Omega b Grin Reefer.  Dan Maff returned after many years away from wrestling to align with Omega.  Next show is 8/16 in Bayonne (thanks to Mike Omansky)
 
--Rubber Guard Radio has interviews with Al Snow and Rob Feinstein at www.blogtalkradio.com/RubberGuard/Radio/ 
 
--Premier Championship Wrestling from last night in Morden, Manitoba:  Chad Tatum b Chris Impact, Mike Angels b Nate Hardy, Antonio Scorpio Jr. b David Dixon, Jon Cutler b Adam Knight, Mike Angels b Chad Tatum, Jon Cutler b Antonio Scorpio Jr., Jon Cutler b Mike Angels to win tournament.  Kenny Omega vs. Cutler for the PCW title happens 7/10 in Winnipeg at Dylan's On Pembina (thanks to Andrew Shallcross)
 
--EWF from Friday night in Covina, CA:  Famous For Fearless b La Ola Del Mal, Sonny Samson b Marcus Pitsonopolous, Blackstar b Jerome Robinson, Hook Bomberry b Chris Kadillak, Espiritu Infernal b Jeremy Jaeger, Rockstar Cordova b Mikey Nicholls-DQ, Vizzion b Terex, Scorpio Sky b Ryan Taylor
 
--EWF from last night in Marion, IN:  Party Boy b Matt Lowry, Wildman Rogers b Charles Jackson, Dylan Bostic b Sami Callihan, Matt Cavins won three-way over Hank Calhoun and Dark Lion, Nate Phoenix b Andy Santos, Just Justin b Scotty 2 Hotty-DQ
 
--UCW from last night in LaFollette, TN:  J.J. Brown NC J-Mac, Rip b Justin O'Day, Henry Hoss & Moondog Chester b J.J. Brown & J-Mac, Travis Sawyer b Trooper T, John Justice b Edward Idol, Justice b Rip (thanks to Gene Restaino)
 
--Eastern Wrestling Alliance on 7/13 in Parkville, MD at Tall Cedars Hall
 
--Renegade Outlaw Wrestling from Friday night in Amarillo before 168 fans:  Violent V b SPAM, Christopher Ray b El Guapo-DQ, Shane Garrett b Jayson Zane, Kentana b Rexx Reed, Ricky Romero III b Kenny K, Mark Wilson b Gringo Loco (thanks to Chris Youngblood)
 
--More on the one year anniversary of the death of Chris Benoit at http://nationalsportsreview.com/2008/06/28/chris-benoit-one-year-later-pa rt-2/
 
--West Coast Wrestling Alliance has a free show on 7/12 at 4 p.m. at New Hope Church in Concord, CA
 
--Peach State Wrestling Alliance from Friday night in Bremen, GA before 187 fans:  Ultimate Dragon b Damien Taz, Sal Rinauro b Ace Rockwell, Mike Jackson NC El Mexicano, Little Poppa Pump b Little Mr. Kennedy, Glen Gilbertti b Lethal Luchador, Buff Bagwell b T.C. Carnage.  Next show is 7/25 with Bob Armstrong vs. Jimmy Golden plus Mike Jackson, Sal Rinauro and Bull Buchanan (thanks to Shane Noles)
 
--An interesting trivia note.  WQXI-AM 790 The Zone in Atlanta, which begins airing Bryan Alvarez's radio show tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern time, 60 years ago this week broadcasted its first Paul Jones wrestling show at the old Atlanta City Auditorium headlined by world champion Wild Bill Longson defending against Pete Managoff.  They continued to broadcast the weekly Atlanta main events on the station for many years (thanks to Rich Tate)
 
--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia:
52 years ago today:  Don McIntyre beat Danny McShain via KO in a wrestlers doing a worked boxing match
46 years ago:  Fred Blassie retained the world title beating Dick the Bruiser
40 years ago:  El Mongol beat Louie Tillet ton win the Texas Brass Knux title (on a show in Atlanta)
29 years ago:  Wahoo McDaniel kept the Georgia title beating Ivan Koloff and Dusty Rhodes beat Killer Karl Kox, while Tommy Rich beat Ole Anderson in the top matches at the City Auditorium 
27 years ago in Augusta:  Ted DiBiase beat Terry Gordy via DQ in the main event 
 

{plug}
 

Send us a news tip: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com

Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news from this site or from our newsletters, please include a link to www.wrestlingobserver.com

For the most in-depth and detailed news and analysis on pro-wrestling and MMA, always turn to Wrestlingobserver.com/Figure Four Weekly Online, the #1 website of its kind on the Internet. Members receive online access to both the Wrestling Observer and Figure Four Weekly newsletters and growing archives, Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer three times per week, the popular Bryan and Vinny Show twice per week, additional radio shows including Figure Four Daily with Alvarez, Mike Coughlin's Five Star Radio, the Dr. Keith Lipinski Show, The Adam and Mike Big Audio Nightmare, Tough Talk and the Karl Stern Wrestling History Show, the infamous BOARD, and more! Members also have full access to the thousands of hours of audio in our radio show archives which date back to 2005. For your convenience, we offer secure online payments using your VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card or PayPal account. Don't miss out on the fun, sign up now! Don't miss out on the fun, sign up now!

Want full access? QUICK AND EASY $9.99 SIGNUP!

< Prev   Next >
What did you think of Friday night's Smackdown TV show?
 
Who wins this fight?
 
If UFC runs a show on April 17 against Strikeforce, do you think it's: