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        Tons of major league events tonight in the U.S.  We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's combined CBS/Showtime Elite XC show from Stockton, 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 will have live coverage of the event on the site starting at 6:15 p.m.

 

        We're also looking for reports on last night's WWE house show in Youngstown, OH, last night's TNA house show in Fayetteville, NC, as well as tonight's ROH PPV taping in Detroit, WWE Raw in Wheeling, WWE Smackdown in Poughkeepsie, WWE C team show in Cohasset, MA, TNA house show in Florence, SC and AAA house show in San Jose.  Whew.  Not only that but one of the biggest boxing matches of the year airs tonight on PPV with Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito.  We're looking for reports at 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

 

        Spike TV is running seven straight hours of UFC tonight from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.  At 7 p.m. is Unleashed with Rory Singer vs. Josh Haynes, Georges St. Pierre vs. Sean Sherk and Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin (the first meeting).  At 8 p.m., going head-to-head with Showtime, will be Ultimate Knockouts.  From 9-11:30 p.m., going head-to-head with the CBS broadcast, will be UFC 84, featuring B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk, Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida and Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine.  Dana White will be making an announcement on the show.  If anyone is watching, e-mail us regarding the announcement because I'll be in Stockton covering the Elite show.  They will be replaying UFC 84 immediately after its conclusion at 11:30 p.m., going until 2 a.m.

 

        Tonight's card (records, then weight)

 

Dark matches

Brandon Tarn (1-1, 252) vs. Drew Montgomery (4-3, 224)

Mike Cook (5-1, 232.5--main claim to fame losing to Daniel Puder on a major San Jose show) vs. Carl Seumantafa (3-0, 255.5)

 

Showtime matches (airing at 8 p.m. Eastern time--these matches are going to be aired on a slight tape delay)

Wilson Reis (4-0, 139.5) vs. Bryan Caraway (9-2, 140.5)

Rafael Feijao (6-1, 203.5) vs. Travis Galbraith (15-5, 202)

Antonio Silva (10-1, 257.5) vs. Justin Eilers (19-6-1, 218) for the  Elite XC heavyweight title

        Goal is here to showcase Reis, Feijao and Silva

 

Dark match

Jeromy Freitag (6-6, 205) vs. Anthony Ruiz (20-11, 206--just coming back from losing to Bobby Southworth at the last Strikeforce)

 

CBS matches live at 9 p.m.

Shayna Baszler (11-4, 139) vs. Cristiane Cyborg (4-0, 140)

Jake Shields (20-4-1, 169.5) vs. Nick Thompson (36-9-1, 169.5) for the Elite XC welterweight title

Nick Diaz (17-7, 159.5--made weight with a pound and a half to spare--no swimming in the Pacific this week) vs. Thomas Wildman Denny (26-16, 159)

David Tarzan Douglas (3-1, 157) vs. Marlon Mathias (5-2, 161)

Robbie Lawler (15-4, 184.5) vs. Scott Smith (15-4, 185) for the Elite XC middleweight title 

 

 

 

        WWE has shows tomorrow in Altoona, PA (Raw), White Plains (Smackdown) and Hyannis, MA (C Team) while AAA runs at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

 

        Both Raw and a one hour Saturday Night's Main Event will be taped on Monday night in Washington, DC.  As noted yesterday, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler will be announcing the Saturday Night's Main Event that airs next week on NBC, and the show will be geared toward raising awareness for the fight against Autism.  Shane McMahon and Mae Young are both scheduled to be performing in D.C. on Monday.  Smackdown & ECW will be taped on Tuesday night in Hershey, PA.

 

        TNA Impact will be taped both Monday and Tuesday night in Orlando.  They will be officially announcing the complete card for Hard Justice at the tapings.  Monday night's taping has Christian Cage & Rhino vs. James Storm & Robert Roode with the winners facing LAX at Hard Justice, Petey Williams vs. Consequences Creed in a non-title match (so if Creed wins, expect a title match on PPV), Taylor Wilde & Gail Kim vs. Angelina Love & Velvet Sky, Curry Man & Shark Boy & Jay Lethal vs. Johnny Devine & Lance Rock & Jimmy Rave.  Plus, part two of Karen Angle's interview with Kaz.

 

        Thanks to Mike Barrett and T.J. Packard for the ROH reports from Toronto and Mike Blakemore for the report from WWE in Hampton Beach, NH.

 

        We are only a few weeks away from what is traditionally the most talked about issue of the year, the 2008 Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame issue.  All subscribers for two or more sets and all on-line subscribers will be getting the issue in August.

 

        With so many major shows, one of the biggest issues of 2008, a double issue, will be out on Tuesday of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and it is currently available to on-line subscribers.

 

        The fallout of Super Saturday is the lead story as we look back at one of the biggest nights in MMA history in North America.  We look at the successes and failures in the debut of the Affliction promotion.  We've got both UFC and Affliction reaction, a look at the numbers and what the numbers mean, the background of Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski leaving UFC for Affliction.  We also have Tom Atencio's thoughts on what UFC running live called them.  We've got news on the next Affliction show and probable main event, as well as a secondary main event Atencio said is still under consideration.  We also have poll results on both shows.

 

        We also have a look at Affliction live vs. PPV, early PPV numbers, as well as how Affliction is going to have to change for the future.  We look at Fedor's future plans, an update on Fedor vs. Randy Couture.  We also have a lot more on the Affliction live gate, comparisons to the last time UFC ran the same building.

 

        We also have details on the UFC numbers for the night, how the West Coast going live affected the number, the goals of the show and the whether UFC achieved them.  We look at how every match on the UFC show did in the ratings and whether Anderson Silva has become a ratings draw or not. 

 

        We also have coverage from both shows including how much the fighters earned on each show.  We also have note of a UFC nickname that seems to indicate a collision course with Brock Lesnar.  

 

        We also have full coverage of the Great American Bash, including the thought process behind the Michaels-Jericho stoppage, the booking of he key programs, the story behind the Parking lot brawl, business notes on the show, early PPV estimates and match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

 

        We've got an update on Quinton Jackson's situation and more problems he may be facing, including what Jackson had talked about the day before that led to his problems.  We also look at what Jackson had heard about Griffin that may have affected his strategy for the fight and it turning out the way it did.

 

        We also have a lot of thoughts on ways to make WWE better stemming from a Matt Randazzo article.  We have his thoughts, as well as our own thoughts, and the viability of these changes both working and happening, including the schedule, medical coverage, work style, unionization and retirement benefits.  We also look at what we can learn from tragedies to at least try and lower their numbers in the future.

 

        We have notes in the changes planned for WWE programming and why, and whether it will pay of or not.  We also look at a long-term plan that has been changed, the future of WWE movies and productions, the next Saturday Night's Main Event and many celebrities scheduled to appear, and more on the CW decision to drop Smackdown.

 

        We also have coverage of the latest Dream event from Japan, including TV ratings, what the ratings mean, and the desperation main event they are planning for the next show that better do big numbers.  We also look at what match drew the biggest numbers, why, and what it says.  We've got more on the future of Kid Yamamoto, the September Dream show, the tournament, Eddie Alvarez, as well as match-by-match coverage.

 

        We also have notes on WWE's updating its medical staff.

 

        We look at a segment taped at a Smackdown show that didn't air involving Ric Flair, WWE merchandising revenues that go to wrestles, an interesting early note about possible viewing changes of Smackdown since the draft, best selling pro wrestling and MMA DVDs, an update on WWE developmental and the top prospects, how much Kevin Dunn and John Laurinaitis' WWE stock is worth, advertising indicates a possible turn and John Cena training.  We also have notes on a wrestler who will be doing a TV guest spot playing the role of a Roller Derby skate, the reaction in WWE to the movie, "Bigger, Stronger, Faster," an arrest at the Great American Bash, a former tag champion who is getting a look at returning and two wrestlers expected to start imminently on television.

 

        We've got the full story on the Sandman's arrest and the incident at Lou Albano's birthday party including several eyewitness accounts of what happened.

 

        We also have coverage of several major international shows from the past weekend.

 

        We also have a look at the ratings of every major pro wrestling TV show from the past few weeks, including segment-by-segment so you can see what is adding and losing viewers and who is and isn't hot.  We look at the rise of ECW, Matt Morgan as The Beast, the surprising most watched show and it isn't Raw anymore, who is watching Raw these days, how Punk's segments are doing as champion as well as Jericho-Michaels and the Smackdown wedding show.

 

        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:

 

--Update on CMLL anniversary show ideas

 

--Who Mistico wants to pattern his career around

 

--Aguayo Jr. vs. Wagner Jr. feud

 

--A potential new star in CMLL

 

--A look back at stars made in the Gran Alternativa tournament in years past

 

--Notes on TNA wrestlers working in CMLL on this week's big show

 

--Notes on a new promotion doing a European tour

 

--Update on AAA build to Verano de Escandalo

 

--Hustle Grand Prix news including stars like Bob Sapp and Rene Dupree

 

--All Japan planning major event

 

--Reality of NOAH's last Budokan Hall show and what it says

 

--A look at what will likely be, in the ring, the greatest tournament of the year

 

--New Japan major event with several title matches

 

--Plans to bring back a major faction later this year

 

--Tank Abbott returns to pro wrestling

 

--RVD and an MMA legend wrestling on the same show

 

--Legendary 80s tag team reunites for the first time in 20 years

 

--Hall of Famer announces retirement for the end of the year

 

--Latest major Dragon Gate show

 

--Notes on the latest attempt to revive one of the classic wrestling companies of the past

 

--Lance Storm talks retirement and one of his favorite matches

 

--Interesting drug testing news

 

--Death of a local legendary sportscaster brings back one of the most famous local wrestling stories of the 60s involving one of the biggest names in history

 

--A move to preserve the home of a famous wrestler as a historical monument

 

--Next class of the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame including the induction of one of the major mainstream media personalities of the 70s who started as a wrestling announcer

 

--Front office changes in TNA

 

--Update on the TNA videogame

 

--Update on the Hard Justice PPV

 

--Early trending numbers on Griffin-Jackson on PPV and a look at UFC's popularity in the U.S. vs. Canada

 

--Strongest U.S. UFC markets for per capita interest

 

--Update on UFC and IFL

 

--Champion from another promotion signs with UFC

 

--Randy Couture softens his anti-UFC stance

 

--Lots of new UFC matches added for upcoming big events

 

--Two NCAA champions set to debut in September

 

--Update on Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra

 

--Two former WWE cup of coffee guys appearing in kickboxing tournament in Hawaii

 

--Elite XC talking about a TV deal

 

--Update on Cung Le and Frank Shamrock's fighting plans

 

--Crazy situation at an MMA show

 

--Don Frye's return

 

--Wrestling legend quietly loses his first MMA fight

 

--Two of last year's best college wrestlers set to make MMA debut

 

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.

--Regarding tonight, the biggest thing is the ratings.  Spike will likely be happy with anything above a 1.0 for a taped show on a Saturday night and I think they'll beat that number.  CBS is well aware of the lack of star power and tonight is more of a show about creating new stars.  I think they are expecting between a 2.0 and 2.4 rating although nobody would say that publicly.  Anywhere in that range would be considered a good sign going forward.  They'll be doing cartwheels with anything better, although that would be difficult.  Under a 2.0 wouldn't be good because this is still CBS in prime time.  But the target numbers are the Males 18-34 and if they hit 2.0 in that demo the advertisers will be happy.  CBS usually gets 0.7 on Saturday nights in that demo.  With three events (the boxing as well which will likely be the No. 1 show with the sports bar crowd and on paper should be a hell of a match), there is a measure of audience split.  CBS will have the most viewers almost for sure, but the other two shows have the star power.

 

--Tickets sales are not strong for Stockton as plenty of seats are available and they have a home town fighter (Nick Diaz) in the main event and one of the main eventers (Scott Smith) challenging for the title is from nearby Sacramento.  I think that speaks to the fact nobody on this show is a real draw.

 

--TNA Impact on Thursday did a 1.1 rating 

 

--For the WWE house shows this weekend, the C team shows are headlined by Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy for the ECW title.  The Smackdown brand shows are headlined by Edge vs. Jeff Hardy and Big Show vs. Umaga.  The Raw shows are headlined by C.M. Punk vs. Batista and John Cena & Cryme Tyme vs. Chris Jericho & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase.  All hands are on deck with three shows as even Matt Striker, who was largely disappeared, is booked and the Smackdown shows are scheduled to have Colin Delaney working on the road.

 

--Kurt Angle didn't work the TNA house show last night in Fayetteville due to his neck being in bad shape.  He was there and did an interview.  Abyss subbed in the main event against Samoa Joe.

 

--We will be doing Observer Live most likely late tonight although I can't guarantee it.  At worst, it'll be done tomorrow morning.  We'll be covering not only the CBS & Showtime show, UFC announcement, TNA, WWE and other items.  If you've got questions for the show, probably the best thing for today is to e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it because if I'm doing the show from Stockton I won't have access to questions sent to me. 

 

--We've got a preview of tonight's show at http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news 

 

--Poll on Thursday night's Impact

Excellent 17.5%

Good 23.8%

Average 13.5%

Fair 8.7%

Poor 36.5%

        40.6% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Terry Funk, who just turned 64, will be wrestling Steve Corino in a cage match on 10/4 for 3K Wrestling Fighting Athletes at Robersonville, PA at Roanoke High School

 

--Tickets go on sale on 8/9 for WWE Unforgiven at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland   

 

--CHIKARA Pro runs 8/9 in Reading, PA at the Riverside Beneficial Association and 8/10 at the Alhambra in Philadelphia       

 

--Joel Hunt at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking at selling all his wrestling magazines and a tape of the Eddy Mansfield 20/20 show from 1985

 

--There is an article on  The Miz from the Poughkeepsie Journal building up today's show at http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID-/20080724/SPORTS/  Not much to it, just talking about liking to perform in Poughkeepsie

 

--Story on the death of former Memphis TV announcer Brian Teigland at http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jul/25/local-weatherman-brian-teigland-dies/

 

--The Oklahoman has a story on Frank Shamrock at http://news.ok.com/frank-shamrock-steps-behind-the-mic-for-elitexc/article/3274641/  I guess you can tell by the title what it's about.  He said he gets more nervous announcing than fighting.  He predicts Robbie Lawler tonight.  Even though Scott Smith fought him evenly, virtually everyone is predicting Lawler.

 

--The Sun in the U.K. on Brock Lesnar at http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/ufc/article1471016.ece including a prediction by Paul Heyman that Lesnar beats Heath Herring in two weeks.  Lesnar said he will be a much smarter fighter this time out, and figures this is a do-or-die fight for him.    

 

--Multichannel News had a story on video-on-demand, talking about WWE 24/7.  Peter Clifford, who runs the division said, "We theme each month, so we're not just slapping product on the menu."

 

--After all the pub this past week, Sandman is scheduled to work tonight in Philadelphia at Boyle's World Gym for PWU against Jake Roberts

 

--Eastern Wrestling Alliance presents  Autumn Armageddon on 9/21 in Parkville, MD at Tall Cedars Hall

 

--The Main Event Channel in Australia will be airing the K-1 World Grand Prix final 16 show on 9/27 live from Seoul, South Korea (thanks to James Stanios)

 

--Barbara Criasia, 60, the wife of former WWWF wrestler Ricky Sexton (Rick Criasia) passed away on Wednesday at home.  Sexton is still involved in the business in New England transporting rings for local shows.  The two were married for 41 years, which is one hell of an accomplishment in wrestling. (thanks to John Callahan)

 

--There is a story on indie wrestler Andy Jaxx (real name Andy Santos) coming out of retirement for one last match at http://wickedlocal.com/plymouth/sportst/x379996506/A-chance-to-say-goodbye  The story makes it out like he was a big star in TNA and some other stories that look quite questionable.

 

--The WWE's newly released 2-pack DVD with Royal Rumble & No Way Out in 2003 has the Chris Benoit matches from both shows.  My impression is that DVDs of cards with Benoit don't eliminate his matches. You can check it out here.   (thanks to Mike Rice)

 

--Mike Motley at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking for a tape or DVD of last night's AWA show on ESPN Classics

 

--Premiere Wrestling Showcase from last night in Statesville, NC:  Derek Ryze b Drew Greene, George South b Ricky Steamboat Jr. (don't know if this was his pro debut but first match I've heard, this is the same Little Ritchie from 1989 being brought to the ring for the Flair-Steamboat feud), Mike Lee b Patrick Wright, Kirby Mack b Gluteus Maximus, Zack Salvation b Jake Manning-DQ, Marcellus King b T.J. Mack, B.J. Hancock & Bryce Anthony b Caleb Konley & Brandon Phoenix-DQ.  They have a 12-man tournament tonight in York, PA (thanks to Thomas Simpson)

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