We're looking for reports on tonight's TNA Impact tapings from Orlando at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Matches scheduled for taping tonight are Kurt Angle & Team 3-D vs. A.J. Styles & Christian Cage & Rhino in a tables elimination match; Taylor Wilde vs. Velvet Sky for the Knockouts title and Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley vs.  Robert Roode & James Storm in a Wahoo-McDaniel style strap match.

        Nothing major on TV tonight, as no UFC programming on Spike and WWE Classics on MSG is also not airing tonight.

        We'll be back with Wrestling Observer radio on the site tonight talking the latest news as well as taking questions at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

        A note for both print and on-line, that what is traditionally the biggest issue of the Observer each year, the 2008 Hall of Fame issue, which comes out in late August, will be part of the package for all new subscribers who sign up for 12 issues of the print edition or three months of the web site. 

        This coming Monday's issue has the 2008 Hall of Fame ballot as well as a look at the Chris Benoit question and who were the most popular in the 2007 election in each of the different categories.  It's the first preview of what is usually the most talked about issue of the year.

        Full details of what happened with Quinton Jackson's arrest, charges, what he was doing, as well as a report on numerous MMA arrests and problems in recent months is the lead story in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  The issue is available right now to premium members of the site.

        The story gives details of the police chase, accidents, eye witness reports, as well as notes on decisions Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and UFC now have to make and WVWD (What Vince would do).  We look at the political aspects of the decision making as well as why it's very important for Jackson to try and avoid a felony conviction because of how it could affect his career.

        We also look at other fighters with recent arrests and issues with UFC ties.

        We also have an update on MMA rules and how the Association of Boxing Commissioners has issued a statement regarding the rules they agreed to last week.  We've got more on the new committee, who the key players on the committee are, and how the commissioners are looking at having unified North American rules for the sport. 

        We have more of a look at the pros and cons of more weight classes, as well as the reactions of California and Nevada to the rules talked about at the meeting.

        We've got a complete rundown of TNA's Victory Road PPV, with poll results, business notes and a lot of questions that the people in the company were talking about after the show regarding crowd makeup.  We look at how the audience was different than expected and big surprises about the reaction, and what the belief was that they signified. 

        We look at the main event booking, early buy rate indications and match-by-match coverage.

        We've got more on the WWE announcing situation as well as a lot of news around the new Legends of Wrestlemania videogame.

        We also have the major TV show reviews from the past week as well as notes regarding The Undertaker, the original Edge/Vickie angle and where it was to go, thoughts on where Raw is headed, new TV characters, a major store uses two WWE stars in a local ad they are considering for a national push in 2009.  We've got notes on Chris Jericho talking about the difference in the locker room now from when he first came in.

        We've got more on Ric Flair, Rey Mysterio, a national TV show award a WWE star is up for, schedule changes, best selling DVDs, a major star doing a turn that hasn't been teased on TV that at least this week's new house show bookings would indicate. We've got notes on more wrestlers about to return, an update on the business from the Latin American tour last week as well as business and rundown of all the WWE house shows this past week including new main events and main eventers being tried out.

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:

--A Hall of Fame candidate honored this week for 25 years in the industry and a major show built around it as well as many things done to honor him

--Update on the TV situation in Mexico

--Challenges for what would be the perhaps the biggest match of the year in pro wrestling outside WWE

--More on TNA talent working at Arena Mexico and how they are planned to be used

--More international stars WWE has talked with and one former WCW star says he would turn down an offer

--Update on AAA's next major event

--More on AAA's running two major U.S. house shows and a taped PPV event in the U.S.

--Mexico ratings

--Former ECW star reported as coming in to book one of the world's oldest promotions

--Major area star attacked and robbed and gossip show makes fun of the wrestler and of pro wrestling because of it

--Notes on WWC's biggest show of the year featuring the Carlos Colon retirement ceremony and two current WWE stars and several recent stars as well as other international stars

--All Japan recruits star from another sport and gets some press, and why it's going to be difficult for the guy to make it

--Notes on major NOAH show including title change and what may be a prelude to a future Budokan Hall main event

--Hall of Famer files lawsuit against the company who made him famous

--Kurt Angle and A.J. Styles' matches in August in Japan

--Notes on the 2008 G-1 Climax tournament

--Notes on the destruction of the Spectrum in Philadelphia

--A look at the comeback of the Ultimate Warrior and prospects of him doing it in the U.S.

--RVD comeback

--Notes on death of former World Class manager

--Hulk Hogan in court against Linda and what happened, as well as notes on "Brooke Hogan Knows Best"

--Long-time pro wrestling personality who was a major office aid to one of the most famous Senators in modern politics

--Changes in TNA

--Matt Morgan and American Gladiators note

--Earl Hebner does a 180 on his viewpoint of the 1997 Survivor Series and his actions

--Notes on TNA power

--Frank Trigg signs for fight in Japan

--More on a celebrity TNA was wanting to push and how it fell apart

--More on Jeff Jarrett coming back to the ring

--Booker T talks about quality of life in TNA vs. WWE

--What foreign wrestlers got the most praise when appearing recently for TNA

--A.J. Styles teams with last year's Mania headliner

--A news story that may have a significant affect down the road on the economics of UFC as well as boxing

--UFC signs television deal in former MMA hotbed

--Official business numbers for the last UFC PPV show

--More notes on UFC PPV business for thus far in 2008

--What lessons the trending numbers seem to show about the value of Ultimate Fighter

--More on UFC overseas television changes

--Lots of upcoming UFC lineups and new matches

--Dana White talks about future changes when it comes to WEC and UFC

--Dream signs a fighter they hope to be the next major star

--Changes in the Elite XC promotion

--More on Donald Trump promoting Affliction

--More talk of major MMA heavyweight and a pro boxing career

--More on John McCarthy's leaving officiating

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.

 

--Some notes on the Quinton Jackson story from yesterday.  Jackson was released yesterday on bail from the Costa Mesa City Jail.  There is some confusion regarding the jail and everything that happened.  According to Sgt. Brian Glass of the Costa Mesa police department, Jackson was arrested and brought to the Orange County Jail.  He was declared medically unfit to be jailed in Orange County.  After an exam, he was brought to the Costa Mesa jail where he was medically cleared to be put in.  All the police reports are completed and have been sent to the District Attorney's office in Orange County and they will decide what, if any, charges to try and get an indictment on and how to proceed from here.

 

--Today is the 20th anniversary of the murder of Bruiser Brody in Bayamon, PR

 

--The drop in the Raw rating can be mostly, if not entirely, credited to the competition of Home Run Derby.  It has hurt Raw in the past and Monday's show was the most viewed show on ad supported cable in 2008 with a 6.4 rating, up 35% in viewers from last year.  It was the highest rated non-NFL related TV show since 2006.

 

--ECW drew another 1.4 rating last night 

 

--Add Thiago Silva vs. Lyoto Machida to the 10/18 UFC show in Birmingham, England.  It is official. 

 

--For the week ending 6/30 in the U.K., Raw on Thursday replay did 48,000 viewers and a Friday night replay did 52,000.  Smackdown did 71,000 for its highest rated.  Vintage Collection got 66,000.  Impact's number was low enough that it didn't track.  (thanks to Ian Hamilton)

 

--In the cable ratings for the week, USA was No. 1 at 2.1 with Sci-Fi at No. 16 at 1.0 and Spike falling

to No. 17 at 0.9 for prime time.  While Raw had the most viewers, when it comes to ratings the two hours from last week were No. 5 and No. 6.  The deal is WWE programming usually gets more viewers per home (ratings are judged by homes, not viewers) than most shows.  Burn Notice and In Plain Sight on USA are the tops.  Raw was No. 1 and No. 1 and No. 3 in 18-34 and No. 1 and No. 2 in 18-49

 

--Last week's second hour Raw was the third most watched sports show, if you consider it a sport, of the week behind the Olympic trials on NBC and NASCAR from Daytona on TNT.  It beat the Olympic trials in prime time on NBC on Sunday and Wimbledon on NBC.

 

--  A quick look at today's member's only content
 
* The newest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has been posted.  This is the issue that will hit mailboxes most likely Monday or Tuesday, though members can read it right now by clicking this
link:  http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/6025/
* Bryan and I did a breaking news update last night on the Quinton Jackson situation which can be accessed here:
http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/6019/105/
* Bryan has a new Figure Four Daily up featuring an interview with Alex Koslov of CMLL, who also worked the X-Cup for TNA.  Members can download this show here:
http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/6027/105/
* We will also be back late tonight with another Wrestling Observer Radio.  If you have questions for the show you can e-mail them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll get to as many as we can
 
--A man wearing a T-shirt calling himself "World's Greatest Dad," with the W in a WWE-like logo, was arrested on charges of using the Internet to arrange a sexual encounter with a minor in Lansing, MI.  Because this was a lead story on the Drudge Report, it's been covered by media outlets throughout the country.  Story is at http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/208/0716081shirts1.html (thanks to many)

 

--Urijah Faber's next WEC featherweight title defense will be 9/10 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, FL, facing Mike Brown, who is a powerful at 145.  Internet pre-sale starts Saturday and tickets go on sale to the public on Monday.

 

--Howard Stern had Donald Trump on today.  He was there to promote Affliction, and with the other interviews, well, didn't do much promoting.  They talked for 30 minutes before the show was brought up, after talking about his sex life, his daughters sex life, politics, The Apprentice and they talked less MMA than any subject brought up.  Trump's main claims were the main event has a Russian guy named Fedor (last name never said), who has never been beaten.  When Stern asked his style, Trump said everything, including inflicting death on people.  He weighs 100 pounds less than his opponent (whose name Trump never said, and he's nowhere near 100 pounds less than).  His opponent (Tim Sylvia, again ever said) was a great champion but nobody gives him a chance to win.  And in Stern's best line, Judges don't come into play in MMA because one guy just succumbs to his opponent.  Stern mentioned "FADER vs. Sylvia" on Saturday night, never said when or PPV, and said to go afflictionclothing.com for details.  (thanks to Andrew Warnica)

 

--We're looking for a regular correspondent in Tampa to cover FCW and also, when the TV airs, to start taping the shows.  The first taping is tomorrow night with Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, John Cena, Dusty Rhodes, Rocky Johnson and Kelly Kelly are appearing at their gym, which is on 4535 South Dale Mabry in Tampa.

 

--Poll on Raw

Excellent 18.2%

Good 47.7%

Average 13.6%

Fair 6.6%

Poor 13.9%

        18.2% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--I haven't seen any Affliction TV commercials although they are regularly appearing on HD-Net.  Reader Adam Jury wrote that he saw one while watching CSI on Spike, except the commercial had no sound.

 

--The reason Karen Angle was so high earlier in the week on Yahoo! searches, at one point the top five most searched for item, is because Bubba the Love Sponge has been promoting her so heavily with dirty sex tapes.  She also did photos, called into the show and did phone sex with Spice Boy, a member of Bubba's crew.  The story is they recorded it to air, but then nixed it because they were afraid Kurt would get mad even though Kurt was asked on the air beforehand and said it would be okay.  Sounds like an angle.  (thanks to Stan Kosek. Jeff Cohen, Drew Miller and many others)

 

--An update on the Freebird reunion item from Monday.  Michael Hayes, Buddy Roberts and Jimmy Garvin will all be the NWA Wrestling Legends convention in Charlotte on 8/14 to 8/17.  But Hayes is on a different schedule than the other two.  Only Hayes will be signing autographs and taking photos on 8/15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Roberts & Garvin will be signing at different times.  Hayes was moved to 10 a.m. so it wouldn't conflict with Ric Flair, who will be there also that day from 1-4 p.m.  For more info you can contact promoter Greg Price at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

--The Orlando Sentinel at http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_sportsstuff/2008/06/by-the-box-20-4.html has a story on the TNA Impact wrestling cards.  The review gave them **** saying it would be very tough to top the set, noting everyone on the roster has a card. Even Dixie Carter has a card.   

 

--FIP returns to Crystal River, FL on Saturday night at the National Guard Armory with Roderick Strong defending the FIP title against  Erick Stevens in a dog collar match, Kenny King & Jason Blade defend the tag titles in 2/3 falls against Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black, Sal Rinauro vs. Joey Ryan for the Florida Heritage title, Nigel McGuinness vs. Go Shiozaki plus Mercedes Martinez, Chasyn Rance, Black Market and more

 

--With the Great American Bash coming up on Sunday, Alfonso Castillo has a story on the history of pro wrestling at the Nassau Coliseum at http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/specialevent/wrestling/printer.htm

 

--The tabloid The Globe in the new issue has a story about Ultimate Fighters' shocking secret lives    

 

--Cung Le appears today on ESPNNews on The Host List at about 5:10 p.m. Eastern time, plugging Strikeforce on NBC

 

--Les Thatcher, Ricky Steamboat and Al Snow are doing a wrestling training camp from 8/8 to 8/10 in Charlotte.  For more info you can call 864-508-2986 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

---Presale info for the Target Center in Minneapolis for the 9/29 Raw began today.  You can go to www.ticketmaster.com using the password CMPUNK  There is an 8 ticket limit and the Internet presale goes through Friday 

 

--WWE has hired Todd Sermersheim as Director of Sponsorship Development.  He had formerly worked for Reebok.

 

--There is a Grapplers Quest submission fighting tournament on 10/18 in Wayne, NJ at William Paterson University with $15,000 in prizes and 35 title belts given out.  You can go to www.grapplers.com for more info.

 

--Kirby & T.J. Mack, Chance Prophet, Donnie Steamboat, Jeff Lewis, Caleb Konley and Joey Silvia worked as WWE extras, doing TV security and extras at the TV tapings.  Lewis was the one who wrestled Charlie Haas in a dark match at Raw. (thanks to Thomas Simpson)

 

--The Ken Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz TV match from 2006 which is among the most-watched MMA matches in history will be replayed a week from tonight on Spike.  The Andesron Silva vs. James Irvin special on Saturday night will have replay showings a week from Friday in prime time and a week from Saturday at 4 p.m. as part of 10 straight hours of UFC programming that night to combat Elite XC on CBS

--"Bigger, Stronger, Faster" is reviewed at http://citybeat.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A145627  

 

--Joel Hunt at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking for a used copy of the Bruiser Brody biography

 

--Bill Beecroft at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking for an English language book on the history of Japanese pro wrestling  

 

--All Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Hayward:  Jeckles b Chris Colioni, Timothy Thatcher b Junior Morales, Chicano Flame b Kid Omega, Rock off Love b Bad Apples, Rik Luxury b Jeckles, Mr. Wrestling #4 & Dylan Drake & Dana Lee b Oliver John & Vinny Massaro & Tito Aquino.  Next Gym Wars is 8/2 (thanks to Brad Dykens) 

 

--ACPW on 8/2 in Roseboro, NC a the Middle School with Nikita Koloff as a referee, Dennis Condrey, Andy Douglas, Chase Stevens and The Stro 

 

--Irish Whip Wrestling on 7/12 in Waterford City, Ireland:  Mad Man Manson b T-Bone, Bingo Ballance b Keith Connelly, Conor Hurley & Captain Rooney b Ballymun Bruiser & L.A. Warren, Balls Mahoney b Vic Viper & Doug Basham, Basham won gauntlet challenge, Mandrake b Mahoney to keep International title (thanks to Simon Rochford)

 

--A new promotion called Ultimate Championship Wrestling starts up in the Maritime provinces in Canada with Honky Tonk Man and Carl Ouellette a the top stars.  Shows start 7/23 in Barrington, Nova Scotia, 7/24 in Halifax, 7/25 in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, 7/26 in Charlottetown, PEI and 7/27 in Berwick NS

 

--FPWA on 7/19 in Pinellas Park, FL at the Boys & Girls Club

 

--Nick Wahlen at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking for a tape of last night's ECW show

 

--Pro Wrestling Phoenix on Saturday night in Council Bluffs, IA at the National Guard Armory featuring a 25 man Rumble

 

--Hector Lombard, the former Olympic judoka that UFC and other U.S. promotions have been wanting but haven't been able to use due to visa problems, faces Brian Ebersole, on 9/12 in Sydney, Australia at Luna Park

 

--National Wrestling Superstars on 8/1 at the Union, NJ at the Five Points Arena headlined by Tito Santana 

 

--Impact Zone Wrestling from last night in Tempe, AZ at  The Sets:  Nick DeMichael b Tyson Tyler, Steve King b Dean Radford-DQ, Pirate Bernie b 602 Wrecking Crew, Ryan Lynch b Sergio Vega, G.Q. Gallo won five-way over Lawrence Tyler, Jay Garland, Navajo Warrior and Hawaiian Lion