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| Updated: Saturday November 7th, 2009 02:22:05 PM PST |
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| FRIDAY UPDATE: WWE legal setback, major CSAC drug-testing change, Quinton pleads, more |
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By Bryan Alvarez
Bryan Alvarez:
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Another fairly slow weekend with no major shows. We will be looking for results of the Raw house show tonight in Cedar Rapids, IA, the Raw show Saturday in Peoria, IL, the Smackdown show Saturday in Jonesboro, AR, and the Raw and Smackdown tapings on Sunday night in St. Louis. They're taping both shows in advance of Labor Day. Please send all reports to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Thanks so much in advance.
Smackdown TV tonight has:
We will have two issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter coming out next week, which includes an update on injuries and recovery of John Cena and Mistico, another star hospitalized in serious condition and a look at a number of major stars whose contracts are expiring over the next few months and the decisions each will have to make. The first of the two issues is already to site premium members and the second will be out in the next few days. We look at what happened to Cena and Mistico, surgeries and recovery. We also have more on the lawsuit against WWE regarding the independent contractor status of its wrestlers, including several interested parties thoughts on not just the merits of the case, but the financial implications to current wrestlers. With the signing of Gail Kim by TNA, we look back at her TNA run, the women's division and her first WWE run. We also have a look more than a half-dozen major stars whose contracts expire shortly, and the questions each faces in regard to where they sign. We look at an angle that would almost guarantee a major jump, whether heat over how someone left in the first place will affect them making a potential move, and the status of a couple of other free agents as both WWE and TNA try and make big roster moves for 2009. We also have a story behind Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, why the match had to be made, the entire next CBS show as well as details on the future Elite XC cards and booking for that organization going forward. We also have some early estimates on UFC PPV numbers broken down by region and hottest markets, as well as a look at UFC's 2009 expansion plans. We also have a story on Takeshi Morishima and his WWE tryout, and what went wrong from all sides, how the deal was put together and what moment it started having troubles. We have an update on the Unforgiven PPV, including a new main event that was under discussion, an update on another WWE star who will be undergoing surgery, a lot of backstage notes from television over the past two weeks, a look at the Smackdown move to My Network TV, what major networks just turned WWE down for a TV deal and the stories behind several of the uninspired debuts on recent WWE television. We also have a look back on a famous title run that only happened because the person first chosen was bad mouthed in creative by a top star, and the irony of how that story ended up. We also look at some of the strongest men in pro wrestling history, the son of a WWE producer who is now talking about doing pro wrestling after graduating college, a couple of new books being released on pro wrestling, a competition bodybuilder who just signed a WWE contract, best selling DVDs, developmental notes, as well as business notes from the past week and house show highlights. We also have a story on the life and career of Tennessee gimmick performer Roughhouse Fargo, looking back at the heyday of when Nick Gulas ran one of the largest territories in the country, and looking back at the Fabulous Fargos and the first huge drawing feud in the career of Jerry Lawler. We also have our monthly WWE & TNA business charts to see how things are going in the major categories as well as economic changes and how they affect revenue. We also look at an update on how WWE, TNA and UFC are doing when it comes to getting their television audience to purchase their monthly PPV events. We also have notes on rule changes in MMA that are going to be discussed and debated starting in a few weeks. We also have a detailed report on the WWE's biggest grossing regular house show of the year in North America, held over the weekend in Madison Square Garden. We also have our usual weekly features including the most detailed look at the television ratings, including segment-by-segment ratings for Raw and Impact, comparing the Sci-Fi airing of Raw to last year's and what it says, as well as what viewers is TNA suddenly drawing and how last week's Raw audience changed. We also have major TV show reviews, as well as results from the major league arena events around the world. 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 issues:
--Undertaker's affect on ratings --A look at the tournament that may see some of the best matches of this year --More on Konnan/TNA lawsuit --More on Sting's future --TNA No Surrender lineup --Frank Trigg's weekend fight and what former TNA star was in his corner --House show and TV taping details for TNA --Ambitious prediction of a match promoters are claiming will break the all-time MMA buy rate record and beat any WWE event in North America --Update on Brock Lesnar's next fight --News on UFC scheduling between now and the end of the year --News on WWE fighters getting major endorsement deal --Update on a top star UFC is close to signing and what match that could build to --Update on WEC and UFC changes over the next few months --What UFC fighter has changed his name and how TNA wrestling caused it --Many new UFC fights --More on K.J. Noons turning down the Nick Diaz fight and his future with Elite XC --Update on Antonio Silva's drug test failure, and his and Elite XC's reactions --Lots of Kimbo business news --TNA stars headed to Mexico and long-term plan talked about for a big stipulation match and where it stands --Promotion racked by injuries going into its biggest show of the year --New type of hair match gimmick took place this past week --70s star retires in a legends match --Update on AAA talent issues --The return of the Juventud Guerrera stories --The tease of a retirement of a Hall of Famer in a few months --All Japan building a big event --Lots of legends return for a New Japan show --Japanese Olympians and both pro wrestling and MMA --Two more top 90s stars talk retirement --Update on Ric Flair --What U.S. Olympian got into his sport because of pro wrestling --More on U.S. Olympians and MMA --Promoter talks dire straits of a do-or-die show --TV network talking seriously about starting a promotion 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.
-- It was announced today that the Connecticut State Court had dismissed WWE's bribery and anti-trust claims against JAKKS Pacific and its principals on the basis of collateral estoppel and statute of limitations grounds. WWE immediately filed an appeal. -- And speaking of legal cases, our poll, while wholly unscientific, does suggests most of our readers believe WWE is going to have trouble in their battle with Scott Levy over whether wrestlers are independent contractors (see this week's Observer and Figure Four newsletters for more).
Do you consider wrestlers:
-- William Douglas of the California State Athletic Commission confirmed on today's members-only Figure Four Daily that their contract has been accepted by the WADA-certified UCLA lab, which is big news for a number of reasons. They will now be in line for testing for human growth hormone and the threshold for failures is going to go down on everything. Marijuana, for example, is going to go from 50 ng/ml down to 15. Gonna be some unhappy fighters in that state very soon. This is a fascinating radio show for MMA fans as Douglas gives a detailed look at exactly how drug testing works, why claims of false positives and "CSAC screw-ups" are usually total BS, and much more. -- There is an article here on Quinton Jackson's plea in his reckless driving case.
-- John Capouya has written a new book about Gorgeous George that is being published by Harper Collins. John will be a guest on Figure Four Daily sometime in the next few weeks. You can check out the book, titled The Outrageous Bad-Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture, by clicking here -- Affliction revealed their NASCAR Toyota today, #00, which will be driven by Mike Skinner in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at the Auto Club Speedway. -- Pacman Jones was reinstated by the NFL today. And speaking of, boy was TNA ever full of it last night during that Consequences Creed video package. Apparently the only people on Earth who thought Pacman might be allowed to wrestle were the people at TNA. -- ROH returns to Orlando on October 11th with the first Briscoes vs. Generico & Kevin Steen match in a year. -- Lance Storm has a column up here on Ric Flair -- Next ROH PPV, New Horizons, debuts on September 26th on InDemand. Respect is Earned II will also be replaying throughout the first week of September, so check your cable guide for the best time. It's a really good show and we've got a full review in this week's members-only Figure Four newsletter. -- There is a video interview with Quinton Jackson talking his latest legal woes here. -- Ken Shamrock was on Fight Network Radio today and said he was in it to win it against Kimbo, and that he hoped a victory would put him back in the mix. He also claimed he was sick when he lost to Buzz Berry in England earlier this year. -- Todd Martin has a story on Kazuo Misaki here -- Paul Heyman has a new column here about why Vince McMahon loves John Cena -- CMLL on FSE this week has Averno vs. Mr. Niebla headlining. -- The big tease for tonight's Inside MMA show on HDNet is that Tito Ortiz will make a major announcement. -- Savio Vega has been added to the Pro Wrestling Unplugged show on September 27th in Voorhees, NJ, at Flyer's Skate Zone, teaming with the SATs. -- Thanks to Daniel Short for the following, tons of information on some major SoCal wrestling shows: * CIMA and Susumu Yokosuka will be at the ASAHI book store in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 30 from 3pm-5pm signing autographs as well as selling tickets for the show and even selling Dragon Gate goods (some of which went on sale yesterday in Japan). CIMA will also be on hand during Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's "All Star Weekend 7" on Saturday and Sunday in Reseda selling tickets while Susumu will be competing on both nights (Night One in an International Six-Man Tag Team Match with El Generico and Kevin Steen against PAC and The Young Bucks, Night Two in an International Special Attraction against CMLL star Alex Koslov.)
* Dragon Gate Friday LA Extreme Night
* While I'm at it, here's the card for both nights of PWG All Star Weekend 7, which was also updated due to injury to Scorpio Sky and inability to make contact with Jack Evans.
Night Two
-- ECCW runs August 29th at Bridgeview Hall in Surrey, BC with Scotty Mac vs. Black Dragon headlining, and Saturday the 30th at the Russian Community Center in Vancouver, BC with Ice & Cole Bishop vs. Cremator & Moondog Manson. -- Independent Wrestling Federation action returns to the Great Falls Festival this Saturday, August 30; Sunday, August 31; and Monday, September 1, 2008 at Overlook Park, 72 McBride Avenue, Paterson, NJ. -- Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling runs "SCAR WARS 2008" on Sunday September 28 (530p) at The Ritz (24300 Hoover Road bt. 9 1/2 and 10 Mile Rd.) in Warren, Michigan with Necro Butcher headlining. -- The Jamie Varner interview from Bubba the Love Sponge today can be heard here -- Good thing the man didn't work for Bill Watts -- Old white man somehow successfully posed as The Rock -- Interview with Trish Stratus about her ongoing projects is up here {plug} |
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