By Dave Meltzer

 

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        We're looking for reports on tonight's TNA Impact tapings from Orlando.  Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong is scheduled as one of the headliners.

 

        UFC Unleashed tonight from 9-11 p.m. on Spike has scheduled Jeremy Stephens vs. Cole Miller, Luke Cummo vs. Edilberto Crocota, Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva, Houston Alexander vs. Alessio Sakara, Rashad Evans vs. Michael Bisping and Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin (second fight, not that it's all that much different from the first).

 

        A look at what could be one of the most significant stories involving pro wrestlers themselves, which is the lawsuit filed regarding the classification of wrestlers as independent contractors is looked at as one of the lead stories in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  The issue is available now on the website for premium members.

 

        The jumbo-sized issue also looks at Brock Lesnar's second UFC fight, as well as early feedback on how the UFC 87 PPV did as well as TNA's Hard Justice.

 

        We look at the UFC show, bonuses that you may know about and bonuses that have not been talked about, the future direction of Brock Lesnar in UFC, what happened with Lesnar the day of the fight, a realistic look at Lesnar vs. Herring and what is shows, as well as business notes on the show and match-by-match coverage.

 

        We also have a feature on Mick Foley's possibly leaving WWE, where things seem to stand, a look back at Foley inking his current WWE contract and the last few years in the company.

 

        We also have a look at some highlights of the career of Killer Kowalski.

 

        We've got full coverage of TNA's Hard Justice, looking at business, booking, future direction, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

       

        We also have more on Ric Flair on the open market including Flair talking about his decision.

 

        We've got more on SummerSlam, update on changes in the WWE Board of Directors, several WWE injury updates, huge talks that are taking place this week that have huge international ramifications, a look at the wrestlers cut by WWE and various reasons as to why.  We also have a look at awards WWE is up for and what percentage of people watch Smackdown live vs. on tape.

       

        We also look at a public challenge to one of the WWE's top stars to a shootfight in his home country, a California Supreme Court ruling that affects a major provision of the WWE contracts, and a funny story of what not to do when trying to get a job with WWE. 

 

        We also look at the best selling wrestling and MMA DVDs, a new WWE signing, developmental news as well as business notes from the past week and house show highlights.

 

        We also have a look at Dana White's recent comments regarding WEC and UFC coexisting and changes that he will be making.

 

        We've got a feature on the life of Hall of Famer Alfonso Dantes, one of the major Lucha Libre stars of the 70s.  We look at his reputation in Mexico, what is most remembered about his feud with Satoru Sayama, his sons getting into wrestling, the stature of the NWA world light heavyweight title when Dantes held it, his biggest feuds, his tenure in California and what famous athlete he was named after.

 

        We look at his title history, his father and his sons as wrestlers, as well as what is considered one of the most tasteless gimmicks in history that his brother did.  We look at where the name Alfonso Dantes actually came from and some of his most famous matches.

 

        We also have a look at two more Olympic medalists who went to pro wrestling that we didn't cover in last week's issue.  This includes a look back at the early days of the Olympics and how matches were decided that will surprise almost everyone.  We also look at the one of the longest wrestling matches that ever took place.  We also have notes on the life of Pete Mehringer, an Olympic gold medalist who had a long tenure in pro wrestling, but didn't like it much.

 

        We've got our usual weekly features including a look at the ratings of all the major TV shows, as well as segment-by-segment details of Raw and Impact, as well as final numbers for the two recent network specials.  We also have results from the major league arena shows of 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:

 

--A very interesting power play going on behind the scenes

 

--Major mask vs. mask match signed for next month

 

--Arena Mexico rundown

 

--Retirement match of 70s star

 

--Numerous former WWE wrestlers on upcoming shows in Mexico

 

--Huge problems backstage in a major promotion

 

--Latest to leave while business is hot

 

--Ratings war in Mexico update

 

--G-1 Climax updates as well as TNA stars headed to Japan

 

--New promotion debuts with Hall of Famers feud

 

--Grandson of one of wrestling's biggest legends garnering news in another sport

 

--Former WCW & WWE star of 90s battled last week for his life

 

--Gathering of the Juggalos

 

--More on Kurt Angle TV pilot

 

--TNA expected to set business records

 

--Background of Taylor Wilde

 

--Dana White talks Quinton Jackson

 

--Dana White talks Affliction

 

--Fedor Emelianenko's people want to open talks with UFC

 

--White talks Roger Huerta

 

--Differences now between White and Vince McMahon

 

--Major star White is looking at signing

 

--Update on UFC November PPV

 

--Update on St. Pierre vs. Penn and timing of the fight

 

--Who UFC is having trouble finding opponents for

 

--WEC ratings and what it says

 

--UFC star in movie with 90210 star

 

--New UFC matches

 

--Promoter out of jail

 

--K-1 strange show in Hawaii

 

--Update on next Dream show

 

--What world champion wrestler was contacted about facing Kid Yamamoto

 

--Update on Affliction numbers

 

--A look at the next Affliction show

 

--Upcoming Elite XC shows and matches

 

--Elite XC business numbers   

 

        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)

 

August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

 

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 cable ratings, USA remained on top last week with a 2.1 prime time average to 1.7 for TNT.  Sci-Fi was No. 9 at 1.0 and Spike was No. 14 at 0.9.  The two hours of Raw were No. 5 and No. 7, trailing The Closer, Saving Grace, Burn Notice and NASCAR.  In 18-34, they were No. 1 and No. 5 and 18-49 were No. 1 and No. 3  

 

--The Olympics on Monday did more than 30 million viewers.  Many cable hits were hurt worse than Raw.  Raw was down 11%, while The Closer lost 18% and Saving Grace lost 28%.  However, In Plain Sight on Sunday was only down 1% against the Olympics

 

--ECW last night did a 1.2 rating

 

--Chris Jericho will host a show called "Shame 2 Fame" airing 10/29 on Fuse as a reality show with ten messed up women competing for a record deal and a video that airs on Fuse.   

 

--UFC 90 tickets for 10/25 in Chicago at the All-State Arena go on sale to Fight Club members on Friday and to the public on Monday.  Anderson Silva, Patrick Cote, Diego Sanchez and Thiago Alves, the fighters in the two main events, are being brought to Chicago for a media day on Monday and an autograph signing from 4-6 p.m. at the Woodfield Mall at the Comcast Connections Court

 

--Strikeforce debuts on 10/3 in Denver headlined by Duane "Bang" Ludwig vs. Sammy Morgan.  Ticketmaster has an Internet pre sale starting today with he password "Payback"

 

--Bobby Southworth defending the Strikeforce light heavyweight title against Renato "Babalu" Sobral has been added to the 10-fight lineup on 9/20 at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills for Strikeforce 

 

--More Brock Lesnar pub at http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2008/08/06/72167647

 

--For the U.K., for the week ending 8/3, Impact drew 57,000 viewers, Raw drew 59,000 viewers on its highest rated show, Smackdown drew 68,000 for the first airing and 46,000 for a replay, Saturday Night's Main Event drew 55,000 and 42,000 for the play (thanks to Ian Hamilton)

 

--PBS is airing a documentary called "Muhammad Ali"  Made in Miami" which debuted on Monday night and comes out on DVD this week.  It talks about Ali's early career training in Miami Beach as Cassius Clay, and shows him talking about how he learned promotions by watching Gorgeous George.  Funny story about that.  Almost everyone in wrestling believes and has believed it was Fred Blassie and not George, stemming from Ali following Blassie doing a Las Vegas radio interview where Blassie cut a promo and ended up selling the place out (ironically, for a match with George).  So when Ali met Blassie in the 70s when Blassie was assigned as his "manager" for the Inoki match, Ali freaked out, said it was him, and not George, who he copied but he got them mixed up.  Then, the next year, Ali went back to crediting watching Gorgeous George.  And yes, as Ali became the biggest draw in the sport, the sportswriters and boxing fans thought it was cheap and egotistical the way he did his promos. (thanks to Jeff Cohen)

 

--Eric Bischoff on the Scott Levy lawsuit at http://www.ericbischoff.com/blog.asp?Path=T1,0003&MaxListings  You can also get Bischoff talking about what a bad reporter I am as compared with Bob Ryder.  

 

--AWA head Dale Gagne, who suffered what was believed to have been a heart attack earlier this week, is believed to be okay, and it is now believed it was a bacterial infection that mimicked the symptons of a heart attack. (thanks to Frankie DeFalco)  

 

--Poll for Raw on Monday

Excellent 7.0%

Good 30.4%

Average 30.7%

Fair 14.0%

Poor 17.9%

        22.6% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Friday night's IGF show at Tokyo Sumo Hall has seen Rob Van Dam's match changed to a three-way with Kendo Ka Shin and Necro Butcher (thanks to Ryan Moehring)

 

--Wrestling-Online.com has teamed up with the AAA Four Diamond award winning Renaissance Houston Hotel Greenway Plaza for a $99 per night room rate for Wrestlemania weekend, which includes Smackdown live on Friday, The Hall of Fame on Saturday, Wrestlemania on Sunday and Raw on Monday.  For more info go to http://www.wrestling-online.com/promotions/wmxxv/

 

 

--The Daily Star in the U.K. has a story on C.M. Punk at http://www.dailystar.co.uk/inthering/view/47293/Punk-s-feeling-so-lucky-/

 

--Sonjay Dutt is mentioned in Blender Magazine on Asoka, the rapper, whose album Dutt appeared on earlier this year 

 

--IWE on Saturday night in Hamilton, ONT:  James Masterson b Danny Magnum, Rex Atkins & Troy Buchanan b Ray Dennim & Mark Kreiger, Nick Paradise b Chris Laplante, Marcos b Rip Impact, Flatliners b Italianos, Quinson Valentino b Scott Chase, Kwang Chang b Blackjack Phoenix, Quinson Valentino b H.C. Loc, Al Snow b Rik Matrix (thanks to Steven Ashe)

 

--Tickets are on sale for the 9/22 Raw taping in Cincinnati   

 

--The current National Enquirer has a cover story on celebrity plastic surgery noting Chyna's facial surgery and Brooke Hogan's latest boob job surgery (thanks to Paul Kacprzak)

 

--WWE has hired Frank PR to handle its U.K. public relations and PPV promotions

 

--Brent Albright defends the NWA title against Trevor Murdoch plus Sid Vicious, Blue Demon Jr., Adam Pearce, Cassandro, Ace Steel, and Rob Conway appear for the NWA show on 8/24 at 3 p.m. in San Antonio at the Freeman Coliseum (thanks to John Tovar)

 

--There was a note on Joe "Road Warrior Animal" Laurinaitis splitting from the DeBartolo Agency at http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/08/12/joe-laurinaitis-splits-with-debartolo-agency/ (thanks to Scott Ondreyko)
 

--The 2008 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup independent tournament will take place on 9/26 in Port Richey, FL at the New Lakes in Regency Park Civic Center and 9/27 in Brooksville, FL at the National Guard Armory.  The first named announced are Gran Akuma, Jigsaw, Chris Jones, and Chris Gray

 

--2CW on 8/15 in Syracuse at the Inner Harbor for a free show headlined by Slyck Wagner Brown vs. Eddie Edwards and Scotty 2 Hotty and Blue Meanie appearing 

 

--Mikey Whipwreck joins Jose & Joel Maximo on 8/23 at the Clementon Amusement Park in Clementon, NJ for a 3 p.m. show 

 

--Saturday night in Mexicali:  Killer Clown & Psycho Clown & Zombie Clown b Excalibur & Iron Boy & Luminoso, Histeria & Psicosis & Perro Russo b American Rebel & Mike Castillo & The Rocker, Chessman & Mesias & Kenzo Suzuki b Cibernetico & Gronda & Black Abyss

 

--Sunday in Monterrey:  Angel Dorado Jr. & Bam Bam & Gnostico & Guerrero Griego & Principe Guerrero & Victor o Victoria, Corazon Adicto & Golden Boy & Mercurio b Chica de Arabia & Poseidon & Rey Demonio Jr., Humberto Garza Jr. & Tigre Universitario b Difunto I & Simbolo 2000, Huracan Ramirez & Mil Mascaras & Super Nino b Astro Negro Jr. & Gerzon & Herodes (thanks to Kris Zellner)

 

--Darren Wyse and the Hungarian Barbarian will be extras for the 8/25 and 8/26 WWE tapings in Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh, as well as Kid Kattrell and Jermaine Jubilee, all from the area NCW promotion

 

--Not sure why but on 8/24, there will be a five-hour UFC marathon on Spike that will feature the second Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg fight which was one of the better fights in UFC history

 

--For TUF heel Sam "The Thief" Hoger returns at 9/19 for World Championship Fighting in Wilmington, MA after a 16 month absence.  In some cases, absence makes the heart grow fonder.  This is not one of those cases.

 

--NWA MSW on 8/16 in Princeton, WV at the Rec Center headlined by Maestro and the world's oldest wrestler, Gypsy Joe

 

--XWE on 8/17 in Fairmont, WV headlined by Chris Masters at the Epic Sound Stage  

 

--LLA on Sunday in Los Angeles:  Mike Violence b Piolin, Ultra Star & Estrella de Oro b Rey Volcan & Super Mariachi, Jaguar de Oro b War Childs, Los Chivos & Sombra Infernal DDQ Monje I & II, Black Metal & Capitan Calico b Vizzion & Dark Side

 

--ASW on 8/23 in Spring Hill, FL at 3021 US 19

 

--Impact Zone Wrestling from last night in Tempe:  Sergio Vega b Mike James, Tony Trouser b Mike G, Jack Bull & Steve King b Tyson Tyler & Tommy Drake, John Williams d Ryan Lynch, Erica D'Erico & Dread Pirate Bernie b Coach Destiny & Marty Murphy, Jay Garland b Paid Daily, G.Q. Gallo b Lawrence Tyler-DQ

 

--CHIKARA has a Lethal Lottery on 9/6 in Easton, PA at the Palmer Community Center with Eddie Kingston, Claudio Castagnoli, Mike Quackenbush, Lince Dorado, Brodie Lee, Helios,Ultimo Breakfast and Vin Gerard as the first names announced

 

--Steeltown Pro Wrestling on 8/30 in Winnipeg at the Centre for Conscious Living