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We're looking for reports from tonight's Raw brand house show in Panama City, the Smackdown/ECW show tonight in Albany, GA, and the Smackdown/ECW show tonight in Pensacola, FL to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . The four-show tour goes tonight to San Salvador, El Salvador. They get Sunday as a fly home day before the live Raw in New Orleans.

Line-up and weigh-in results for tonight's UFC PPV follow. Dave Meltzer will be doing ongoing play-by-play live from the show on the main page, and Ben Miller will also be contributing an ongoing report as well. Dave and I will be up late tonight, probably about 4 or 5 AM EST, with a full rundown and analysis of the event, plus thoughts on other news from the weekened.

* Quinton Jackson (205) vs. Forrest Griffin (205)
* Patrick Cote (185) vs. Ricardo Almeida (185)
* Joe Stevenson (155) vs. Gleison Tibau (156)
* Josh Koscheck (170) vs. Chris Lytle (170)
* Tyson Griffin (155) vs. Marcus Aurelio (155)
* Gabriel Gonzaga (249) vs. Justin McCully (236)
* Cole Miller (155) vs. Jorge Gurgel (155)
* Melvin Guillard (155) vs. Dennis Siver (155)
* Justin Buchholz (155) vs. Corey Hill (155)

The changing face of the WWE brands is the focus again of this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which is available today for premium members on the web site.

We look at the title picture and title changes over the past week and sort out what has worked, and what needs work in looking at the key changes in depth. We look at the nature of the changes and look back at how similar things have worked in the past.

We also have full coverage of the Night of Champions PPV, with match-by-match coverage with star ratings, poll results and early business notes on the show.

We also have a look at a huge potential story involving the oldest promotion in the world, its television, its announcing, the magazine industry and how it all ties together. We look at what incident has springboarded some major changes that could result in the loss of network exposure and detailing what has gone down in the past week. We look at the potential long-term ramifications as well as a new show as the promotion tries to cover its bases.

We've got a feature on Forrest Griffin and Quinton Jackson and what at one point looked to be the biggest UFC fight of the first seven months of the year and why at this point it looks like it may not be. We look at the career of each, how the Ultimate Fighter season went down, the Countdown show, the retirement stipulation, ticket sales and what has been missing, as well as how Griffin has changed his training.

We also have a look at what exactly happened with Bret Hart and the Hall of Fame ceremony over the weekend regarding his problems with Greg Oliver. We have notes from Mike Chapman, the man who put the museum and Hall of Fame idea on the map, on the incident, have several eye witness reports, Hart's rationale, as well as the controversial list of greatest Canadian wrestlers that in a sense initiated the problems as well as what Hart said caused him to do what he did. We look at the greats of Canadian wrestling. We also look at the state of the Dan Gable museum after the massive floods hit Waterloo.

We have a rundown of the roster changes and what they mean, what writers in the past have been highest of whom, including some surprising thoughts on different talent that is moving.

We also have an update on WWE long-term schedule changes, more news regarding Wrestlemania weekend, behind-the-scenes with Michael Hayes' first day back at Smackdown and what he requested to do, an update on the Jim Ross move to Smackdown and also how things were going in Houston on his first day on the new show. We've got an update on the Great American Bash PPV, as well as a major change talked about in how the HHH character will be portrayed going forward. We also look at WWE's looking for new characters, explaining both some recent pushes as well as different wrestlers from other groups that they are showing interest in bringing in. We look at the background of one wrestler they are looking at to fill a hole in the roster and a few others they have on their radar for the same hole.

We look at comparisons in viewers between the final segment on Raw with the Flair retirement and the Kimbo Slice fight on CBS. We also look at some card changes for WWE going forward.

We also have a crazy story of unprofessional behavior and insanity within the MMA industry that went public.

We've got our usual weekly rundown of not only the ratings of the major shows this past week, but what the ratings mean. We've got results from the major league arena events held over the past week as well as the major TV show reviews.

The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.

Each 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:

--Jim Ross' farewell to Raw speech

--New characters on WWE TV and their background

--Potential new character being brought to Raw

--WWE wrestler who says he wants to do a few shootfights and the reality of if that's possible

--Funny story regarding an announcer Vince recruited for the lead voice on Raw

--More on Kofi Kingston and his background

--Best selling wrestling DVDs

--Debut of new WWE signing

--Jim Ross future restaurant plans

--Weekend business notes and house show highlights

--TNA stars headed to another promotion for a megashow

--Update on major shows at Arena Mexico

--Perro Aguayo Jr. talks TNA and WWE

--Update on wrestlers leaving AAA

--Long-time group furious with each other over members lying to each other

--Americans moving to Mexico City full-time

--Huge mainstream angle in Mexico that begins build to the next major event

--New angle teases

--A wrestler expected to get a major summer push to the top

--Current WWE star involved in the top angle of an international promotion where he faces his biggest career rival

--Fire Festival tournament

--A look at the All Japan major show of the month

--Major Jr. heavyweight tournament coming

--WWE cut starts in Japan this past week

--Update on the G-1 Climax tournament

--More on Cima's future

--Latest Hogan family craziness

--Return of the Ultimate Warrior

--Another bad sign for a former major superstar

--Rock movie update

--Chris Bell talks WWE and drug problems, scapegoats, Vince McMahon and more

--A TV show based on pro wrestling in development including bringing back a 70s TV announcer in a role a the local promotion TV announcer

--The fake Stone Cold story

--One of the major executives in North America and his family ties to a pro wrestling legend

--One of the most famous actors in the country at an indie wrestling show over the weekend

--Notes on future ROH big events

--Weekend ROH rundown including new angles, why Bryan Danielson is being used the way he is, WWE 80s legend, NOAH current star and more

--TNA European tour notes

--More on Frank Trigg and pro wrestling

--Update on Victory Road PPV

--Update on Scott Steiner injury

--Update on UFC ticket sales for the next few shows

--Lots of new major UFC matches, including some surprises and why

--Lots more on the return of Jesse Taylor to UFC after very little time off

--A city Dana White has on his radar and the reason why

--Matt Riddle, who was there, talks of Jesse Taylor's night that cost him his Ultimate Fighter final spot

--K-1 show rundown

--Update on the CBS/Showtime Elite XC doubleheader with new matches, proposed matches and why certain things being talked about on the Internet are not likely to be happening as said as well as plans to build new stars

--Coverage of the Strikeforce show in San Jose, including business notes, payoffs, Strikeforce vs. WWE at HP Pavilion and the Thomson vs. Melendez fight

--Drug test changes a television fight in few weeks

--Update on what constitutes the back of the head

--Jay Larkin talks the current state of MMA

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.

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 or 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 $15.50 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.

-- In the odds, last we heard today Quinton was at -275 and Forrest was at +215. I believe on Wrestling Observer Radio Dave predicted a second-round knockout by Jackson. I don't know why but I'm predicting a five-rounder here, and the longer it goes the more it favors Forrest, who has trained like a total madman for this fight. My gut still tells me Quinton is walking out with the title, though.

-- Tons of UFC press today:

-- Rampage Jackson looks to entertain inside and outside UFC cage

-- After Long Layoff, Jackson Puts Title On Line in UFC 86

-- UFC: Quinton Jackson on the rampage for Forrest Griffin

-- UFC's Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson becomes a changed man

-- I didn't hear it, but apparently Rampage did a horrible interview on ESPN Sportscenter yesterday hyping up tonight's fight (well, not hyping up, apparently). They asked him to do his trademark howl twice and he refused, saying he was in an awful mood due to all the weight cutting, adding that the hosts were lucky to even talk to him at this point. He pretty much buried Forrest, saying he wasn't a worthy opponent and wasn't at all feared at 205, and that the only reason he was taking the fight was because he was being paid for it. Thanks to Ty Dawson.

-- Weren't we just talking about this on Wrestling Observer Radio? The new proposed weight classes for MMA per a meeting with the Association of Boxing Commissions this week:

MALE

Flyweight (Up to 105 pounds)
Super Flyweight (Over 105.1 to 115 lbs)
Bantamweight (Over 115.1 to 125 lbs)
Super Bantamweight (Over 125.1 to 135 lbs)
Featherweight (Over 135.1 to 145 lbs)
Lightweight (Over 145.1 to 155 lbs)
Super Lightweight (Over 155.1 to 165 lbs)
Welterweight (Over 165.1 to 175 lbs)
Super Welterweight (Over 175.1 to 185 lbs)
Middleweight (Over 185.1 to 195 lbs)
Super Middleweight (Over 195.1 to 205 lbs)
Light Heavyweight (Over 205.1 to 225 lbs)
Heavyweight (Over 225.1 to 265 lbs)
Super Heavyweight (Over 265.1 pounds)

FEMALE

Flyweight (95 lbs. and below)
Bantamweight (95.1-105 lbs.)
Featherweight (105.1-115 lbs.)
Lightweight (115.1-125 lbs.)
Welterweight (125.1-135 lbs.)
Middleweight (135.1-145 lbs.)
Light Heavyweight (145.1-155 lbs.)
Cruiserweight (155.1-165 lbs.)
Heavyweight (165.1-185 lbs.)
Super Heavyweight (185.1 and above)

-- We'll be talking more about this on tonight's Wrestling Observer Radio show. Suffice to say, the days of your average fan being able to remember who the champions are in every division is likely over, and all that serves to do is ensure that the belts don't mean a thing. You could argue that it's safer for the fighters in terms of weight-cutting, but I think every fighter is still going to cut to the lowest weight class he thinks he can make.

-- UFC Wired tonight has Stephan Bonnar vs. Mike Nickels, Spencer Fisher vs. Frankie Edgar, Joe Lauzon vs. Jason Reinhardt, and Alvin Robinson vs. Kenny Florian.

-- There was a tribute on Kick-FM 92.9 in Canada yesterday to Adrian Adonis, Pat Kelly and Dave McKigney (the Bearman), who all passed away in a van accident 20 years ago. There is a click here from 1981 of a CBC TV story about regional wrestling in Ontario that prominently features McKigney.

-- Next week's Smackdown in New York will be preempted to Saturday night at 8:00 PM.

-- There is a big article on GSP in the new issue of Sharp Magazine, which bills itself as Canada's magazine for men. Don't know if the article is up yet but you can browse through the magazine here.

-- Steve Sims will be our guest on Figure Four Daily this coming Wednesday talking lucha libre. You can send questions for the show to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

-- There is an interview with me up here covering various non-wrestling subjects.

-- Stellar poll results for TNA Thursday:

What did you think of Thursday night's Impact?
* Didn't see the show 40.2%
* Poor 18.4%
* Good 14.3%
* Average 11.3%
* Fair 8.6%
* Excellent 7.1%

-- Excellent, you say.

-- More info on the Dragon Gate show coming to Los Angeles in September, courtesy Daniel Short: The show is called Dragon Gate Friday LA Extreme Night. It will take place on Friday, September 5 at 8 pm at John Anson Ford Park in Bell Gardens, California. Doors will open at 7 pm. The following talent have been announced for the show so far: CIMA, Dragon Kid, Susumu Yokosuka, Ryo Saito, Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino, BxB Hulk, Shingo Takagi, Gamma, Yasushi Kanda, YAMATO, Genki Horiguchi, Hollywood Stalker Ichikawa, PAC, El Generico, The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), Dos Caras and special guest Hayabusa. CIMA will be attending the three night World Power Wrestling shows from July 15-17 in Costa Mesa, California to sell the first batch of tickets. $50 for Super Seats, $40 for Ringside, $30 for "A" Seats, $20 for "B" Seats. All remaining tickets are expected to be sold online at a later date. The address for John Anson Ford Park is 8000 Park Lane, Bell Gardens, CA. The address for the WPW shows CIMA will appear at is the Grandstands at 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA.

-- Former WCW wrestler Glacier is doing a seminar on July 19th in Wachula, FL. Cost is $35 for 4 hours, and they want to try to cap it off at 20. More info at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

-- EWF Wrestling tonight in Marion, IN at the EWF Arena. More info at EWFArena.com.

-- IWC runs tonight at the Ballfield at Ellsworth Community Park in Ellsworth, PA with Dennis Gregory vs. Delirious for the IWC Title headlining. The promotion noted that if it rains, the show will be moved just next door to the middle school.

-- There is a story on MVP here

-- Candace has an update on her clavicle here {plug}