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        We're looking for your thoughts on last night's ROH PPV, 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   If you didn't see the show, it will be replayed tomorrow at 7 p.m. Eastern and 4 p.m. Pacific on inDemand.

 

        We're also looking for reports on yesterday's WWE house show in Innsbruck, Austria as well as the final shows on this European tour today in Paris, France and Munich, Germany.  We're also looking for reports on tonight's TNA house show in Miami, as well as the Wednesday WWE house show in Bilbao, Spain and Thursday WWE house show in Madrid, Spain.

 

        TNA has a house show on Sunday in Lakeland, FL.

 

        Raw on Monday will be in Minneapolis.  It will be an interesting show because they have to serve 3 masters.  Most important they have to get over the move to MyNetwork TV for Smackdown, even more than the No Mercy PPV two days later.  Plus, they have to get over the new 9 p.m. Tuesday night start time of ECW.

 

        An All-Star Smackdown show takes place on Tuesday in Green Bay, along with the ECW tapings.

 

        TNA also tapes Monday and Tuesday in Orlando.  The Monday show has the debut of Mick Foley, setting up his involvement in Bound for Glory, plus angles setting up the rest of the card.  Among the matches are A.J. Styles & Christian Cage & Jay Lethal vs. Team 3-D & Booker T, LAX vs. Motor City Machine Guns with the winners going into the Monsters Ball, Sheik Abdul Bashir defends the X title in a three-way against Eric Young and Jimmy Rave plus ODB vs. Angelina Love.  The show on Thursday will also include a very unique Kurt Angle/Jeff Jarrett angle playing off comments Angle made in the U.K. Sun last week.    

 

        A story with comments by myself and three ex-WWE writers on the state of the company as well as the writers discussing the problems on the writing side is one of two huge features in two issues of the Observer coming out next week.  We have both a jumbo-sized issue available today on the site, and a regular issue, which has the history of Lucha Libre, coming out later this week.

 

        The lead story talks about why the ratings are not the thing to be worried about right now, nor is pro wrestling in trouble, but how it is losing a valuable part of its audience. 

 

        We look at trying to predict the future.  We look at comments from Paul Heyman as well as two other ex-WWE writers regarding the problems with the writing process and what is missing, and get a totally different take on the same story from me.  We look at the lost audience, and how WWE acknowledges this audience and is trying to get it back, but why it's not working.  We look at cycles of popularity, the ups and down of wrestling over the past 40 years.

 

        We look at many elements missing from the product and examples in recent weeks of why this makes it so hard to build stories and create stars like in the past.  We look at how the current top stars relate to problems, when the audience was lost.

 

        We also look at Japan to see what we can learn about the decline in the product there.  We look back at ECW, when it worked and when it didn't, how Paul Heyman made stars and how things changed to where it stopped working.

 

        Our second major feature Steve "Dr. Lucha" Sims' feature on the 75-year history of pro wrestling in Mexico.  We look back to the real birth of pro wrestling in that country and how Mexican wrestling history has also been rewritten by the winners.  We look at how the original birth of Mexican wrestling has ties to the birth of Gracie Jiu Jitsu because of a common thread at the start.

 

        We look at the match between two of the most famous world champions of the era that took place in Mexico City before pro wrestling was supposedly ever even born in that country.

 

        We look at Salvador Lutteroth, the original great promoter in that country and the beginnings of EMLL, and what lucky break was probably the difference between success and failure.  We look at the first well-known promotional war in Mexico City, the first anniversary show and the introduction of what would be the trademark of Lucha Libre, the power of the mask.

 

        We look at the rise of El Santo, the story of how and why commissions got so much power in that country and the original creation of champions.  We look at the history of wrestling on television in Mexico and how it differs from the U.S.

 

        We look at the second major promotional war and its ramifications, including the most famous match in Lucha Libre history and what major things came out of that, including the creation of the current Arena Mexico.

 

        We look at the success of El Santo in the movies, as well as other Mexican wrestling stars who became movie stars, as well a the creation of the UWA and rise of Paco Alonso.

 

        We also look at UWA's heyday and how it changed pro wrestling in Mexico as well as the lightweight title match that shocked the business.  We look at the second TV created boom period, and the death that likely changed history and the balance of power.  We also look at the rise of Antonio Pena, and how he changed the industry.  We look at the heyday of AAA, and what caused the boom to end.  We also look at the creation of the current boom period.

 

        We also look at the economic situation of Elite XC and the ramifications of the next show in regard to the potential sale.

 

        We also have a look at what happened behind the scenes, at the show and the future of the Dream promotion, and with it, the status of MMA in Japan at a network level.

 

        We also look at Fedor Emelianenko being at the show, the story behind it, what the goal of the promotion was for his next match and where things now stand.  We look at the business of Dream 6 as well as a show rundown.

 

        We have a look at Ring of Honor and its current PPV show as well as where it stands right now.

 

        We also have a look at the biggest upset when it comes to a major show in many years as Villano V beat Blue Panther for his mask.  We

ave an interesting take of it, behind the scenes on the business aspect, as well as match by match coverage of the show that included TNA stars challenging for the CMLL trios title.

 

        We have a look at the Jeff Hardy situation and the questions WWE needs to be thinking about because of what happened.

 

        We also have updates on No Mercy and Bound for Glory, a significant upgrade coming with TNA, a top star talking about wanting time off, the return of Edge, the booking of WWE shows, early thoughts on the next Raw special, what young wrestler is being talked of as potentially one of the biggest star of al the newcomers.  We also have an update on Tivo and tape viewership of WWE programming and what percentage of late watches Raw on tape.  We have a look at the best selling wrestling and MMA DVDs, notes on house show business, upcoming DVD releases, Best of Starrcade and changes in the mentality when it come to angle pacing in WWE.

 

        We also have a look at the Hall of Fame wrestler who was asked by a major party to run for high public office, and why he turned it down. 

 

        We also have an look at the last Ultimate Fight Night, including an interesting look at how the demographic of the UFC viewership has changed rapidly in just the last few months. 

 

        We also look at all the UFC events between now and the end of the year, the buy rate of UFC 87, and an updated look on where UFC 88 seems to be coming in.

 

        We also have our regular weekly features including the most detailed look at TV ratings of the major shows from the past week, as well as the major TV show reviews.

 

        Details on how to get the printed Observer with both of these issues mailed to you immediately are here, or you can get them as part of a premium web site package.

 

        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 pro wrestling industry as well as the MMA industry, 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:

 

--Talks about multi-promotional shows

 

--Ideas floating around for a dream 80s match and why it can't take place

 

--NOAH wrestlers tour the U.S.

 

--Gambling on the results of worked pro wrestling matches--by the wrestlers themselves in what promotion

 

--Kenta Kobashi health update

 

--What foreign country promotion wants a star from 1982 in now because he was so big in another era

 

--A look at the Hogan TV show

 

--Early plans for the next Tokyo Dome show

 

--Japanese ideas for a wrestling World Cup

 

--ROH PPV taping notes

 

--TNA videogame sales updates

 

--Thoughts on new signing

 

--Kurt Angle talks more about TNA booking

 

--More on change in the front office

 

--Update on Anderson Silva and his UFC future

 

--Evan Tanner Memorial

 

--Chuck Liddell as a drawing card

 

--Best cities for interest in the last UFC show

 

--How the last UFC show ranked in interest with the other shows this year

 

--UFC thoughts on emulating the Wrestlemania concept

 

--Lesnar-Couture ticket sales update

 

--How Lesnar has been with UFC management

 

--Updated UFC ticket sales for the major upcoming shows

 

--What market UFC is even more strongly looking at after a public appearance does well

 

--Return of Shogun Rua

 

--Notes on next season's Ultimate Fighter

 

--WWE star at ringside but not shown at the last UFC

 

--Lots of new UFC matches between now and the end of the year

 

--Fights on Ultimate Fighter who have signed contracts with other promoters

 

--Behind K.J. Noons title being stripped

 

--New Elite XC signings

 

--Gina Carano weight news that may come back to bite the promotion

 

--New ideas for U.S. wrestling promotions floating around

 

--Update on Bischoff and Hogan's new project

 

--More on Sonny Siaki retiring to donate his kidney

 

--Ric Flair's overseas booking rate

 

--Where Flair lost a gig over his recent publicity

 

--More Jake Roberts stories

 

--History updates from the Kowalski issue

 

--A look at some new books on two Hall of Fame wrestlers coming out

 

--Update on Memphis wrestling

 

--Sales of non-WWE U.S. wrestling magazines

 

--The attendance heyday of Memphis wrestling

 

--TNA star undergoes surgery and out for several months

 

--Frank Trigg TNA update

 

--Funny backstage TNA swerve story

 

--Update on Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson

 

--Lyoto Machida next fight

 

--New TV pilot filmed by top MMA company

 

--MMA in the Olympics

 

--CW vs. MyNetwork TV

 

--Bobby Lashley MMA debut update 

 

        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)

 

September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

 

September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

 

September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

 

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.

 

 

--As noted earlier today, there appears to be nothing to the story of Brock Lesnar suffering a hamstring injury and being out of the 11/15 match with Randy Couture.  It was reported on several web sites after it was reported on by a usually very reliable poster.  Historically when injuries of this nature are reported on by reliable posters, they are more often than not true, and don't think people weren't very concerned.  Lesnar's people said nothing to the story and he's 100% fine.  Still, you are always concerned.  Several weeks out before Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva, we had gotten a report from someone very reliable that Liddell had injured his knee in training.  UFC checked on it, found out it wasn't true, and we checked with other sources close to Liddell who all denied it as well.  Then, after Liddell had beaten Silva, he told Dana White that he had torn his knee in training, so the story ended up being true but UFC didn't know and obviously, the camp told everyone the opposite.  But as far as the match being canceled, at this point there is nothing to that part of the story.

 

--Tuesday night's All-Star Smackdown lineup from Green Bay, for the first MyNetwork show:

*HHH vs. Chris Jericho vs. Matt Hardy

*Rey Mysterio & Jeff Hardy & Batista & Fit Finlay vs. JBL & MVP & Kane & The Brian Kendrick

*Santino Marella vs. Shelton Benjamin

*Michelle McCool vs. Beth Phoenix

*Carlito & Primo Colon vs. Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes

        No titles are at stake in any of these matches.  You have to figure they will balance out the Raw and Smackdown matches, maybe with each side taking two.  HHH should either win or get screwed in the main event, because he's the star of the show going forward, but don't complain if he's the focal point of the finish because that's the only logical ending.  You can split the others up however and it really doesn't matter, but I'd see DiBiase & Rhodes and Benjamin as likely winners, and the women's match could go either way.  Maybe Phoenix so that way Glamarella splits where heel interference wins one and backfires in the second.  The faces should go over in the eight-man and Jeff needs to come out the focal point.

 

--Smackdown last night did a 2.4 rating on the fast nationals for its final show on CW.

 

--Jim Ross' foreword in the Dan Hodge book coming out soon is on his web site at http://www.jrsbarbq.com  Nice stuff.  The pliers stories were legit.  

 

--Just as a note, the Show XC card last night was a very good action show.  I don't think a lot of people saw it because no big names on the show.  Wilson Reis became the first Elite XC featherweight champion winning a five-round decision over Abel Cullen in a fast-paced match that was really good if you were are into the technical ground game. 

 

--Alex Marvez has a column about Norman Smiley achieving his dream of working for WWE, but not in the way he expected, as he's coaching in Tampa at www.scrippsnews.com/node/36663

 

--Tickets for the Raw/Smackdown supershow on 12/22 in Toronto go on sale 10/25.  Prices are $60, $40, $30, $25 and $20. (thanks to Michael Carpenter)

 

--Phil Baroni got a cut that needed six stitches to close in his fight last night where he beat Olaf Alfonso in Lemoore, CA.  The injury means Baroni is out of the 10/3 Strikeforce show in Denver.  No opponent had been named for the Denver fight.

 

--A note from something mentioned on Thursday regarding the Sports Legacy Institute and the NFL players donating their brains after they pass away for examining to help learn about it.  Chris Nowinski noted to us that besides himself, both Rob Van Dam and Lance Storm have agreed that if they were to pass away early that their brains should be donated to the institute.        

 

--The next Wrestling Observer radio show will be taped tomorrow night.  If you've got any questions on pro wrestling or MMA, as we'll be doing a mailbag segment at the end, you can send to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    

 

--WWE is advertising the network move all over a few popular non-UFC affiliated MMA web sites.  Very interesting.  There are several moving billboards traveling the streets around the Los Angeles area pushing the move.  The billboards feature Maria, Undertaker, Umaga, MVP and HHH.  They are nice billboards that get your attention.  They also took out a full page ad in the back of the new National Enquirer.  (thanks to Houston Mitchell, Paul Kacprzak and others)     

 

--Poll on Impact

Excellent 22.6%

Good 29.8%

Average 21.4%

Fair 7.1%

Poor 19.0%

        44.0% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Poll on Ultimate Fighter

Excellent 11.7%

Good 40.0%

Average 21.7%

Fair 10.0%

Poor 16.7%

        51.6% of those responding didn't see the show 

 

--With the WEC's middleweight and light heavyweights moving to UFC, those championships are going to be dropped as opposed to carried forward in UFC and building to unification matches.  Not exactly major clamoring for Steve Cantrell vs. Forrest Griffin.

 

--Not a good sign.  As of yesterday, there were still front row ringside seats available, as well and first and second row in all price ranges, for the TNA show at the Lakeland, FL Civic Center tomorrow.  The show has been heavily promoted on local radio, as well as ads on Raw and Smackdown.  (thanks to Mike Rand)

 

--Results from the first night of the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup in Port Richey, FL:  Larry Sweeney b Tommy Taylor, Jaison Moore b Rhett Titus, Chasyn Rance won three-way over Icarus and Jerrelle Clark, Jon Davis b C.J. O'Doyle, Gran Akuma b Craig Classic, Sean & Phil Davis & Scott Davis b Wade Koverly & Daron Smythe & Austin Amadeus, Brad Attitude b  Nooie Lee, Sal Rinauro b Chris Gray, Francisco Ciatso & Kory Chavis & Shawn Osborne b Sideshow & Bruce Santee, Kenny King b Jigsaw, Erick Stevens b Chris Jones.

 

--Tournament concludes tonight in Brooksville, FL at the National Guard Armory with Sweeney vs. Rinauro, Moore vs. Attitude, Akuma vs. Davis and King vs. Stevens.  There will also be a 10 man War Games with Sideshow & Bruce Santee & Sedrick Strong & Joey Machete & Shawn Murphy vs. Kory Chavis & Shawn Osborne & Francisco Ciatso & Mike Shaen & Ron Niemi     

 

--Ric Flair is at Sign-a-Mania III at Buck's County Tech School in Fairless Hills, PA tonight.  For more info you can call 215-943-2475

 

--Amy Dumas' band is playing tonight in Bressiuire, France at Salle Emeraude tonight, as well as playing at the Purple Turtle in London, England on Monday and The Duchess in York, England on Tuesday

 

--15 Hours of UFC programming on Spike this coming week.  Besides Ultimate Fighter, the key events are a Friday night replay of the Fight Night show from Broomfield, CO, on 4/2 with Kenny Florian vs. Joe Lauzon, and UFC 86 with Forrest Griffin vs. Quinton Jackson, Patrick Cote vs. Ricardo Almeida (one dull match), Joe Stevenson vs. Gleison Tibau, Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Lytle and Tyson Griffin vs. Marcus Aurelio on Saturday night from 9 p.m., head-to-head with Elite on CBS

 

--For those watching football this weekend on CBS, let me know how hard they plug Sunday's Elite XC show.  It is not inconceivable that more people will watch Kimbo vs. Shamrock live next week than any MMA match in history.  That's kind of scary.

 

--NWA on Friday night in Tulsa at the Spirit Bank Event Center featuring an appearance by Ric Flair, plus Mike DiBiase vs. Brent Albright for the North American title, Sean Waltman vs. Rob Conway plus King V (formerly Big Daddy V) and Blue Demon Jr. appearing (thanks to Anthony Sullivan)

 

--The Highlanders will be in Rostraver, PA at Divito Park for an SWA show on 10/12      

 

--The movie "Alias the Champ," starring Gorgeous George, made in the early 50s, was released on DVD by Johnny Legend, which includes a George vs. Lee Grable match narrated by Dick Lane, the Southern California wrestling/Roller Derby/movie host institution who wasn't even young then.  For info scroll to Sept. 21 at www.stantheembryo.com  It should also be available on Amazon.com

 

--River City Wrestling tonight in San Antonio at the Silverado Rodeo with Hernandez of LAX and El Sicodelico Jr.

 

--The movie "Jam" will play on The Sundance Channel on 10/9 at 10 a.m. and 10/27 at 1 p.m.   Is that channel on DirecTV?

 

--Jersey All Pro Wrestling has announced these bouts for the 11th anniversary show on 12/13 in Rahway, NJ with Kenny Omega vs. Low Ki for the JAPW heavyweight title, LAX vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe for the JAPW tag titles, Grim Reefer vs. Danny Demanto and Dan Maff vs. Rhino (thanks to Mike Omansky)  

 

--EWA in Baltimore debuts on 10/4 and 10/5 in Baltimore City Cable Ch. 75 on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Harford County Cable Ch. 21 on Sundays at 10:30 p.m. 

 

--IWC on 10/11 in  Elizabeth, PA at the Court Time Sports Center headlined by Stevie Richards vs. Larry Sweeney

 

--NWS on 10/3 in Sayreville, NJ at the Knights of Columbus Hall with Raven and Ox Baker, and 10/4 in Brick, NJ at the Elks Lodge with Raven, Ox Baker and Justin Credible

 

--PWS from last night in Yonkers, NY before 200 fans:  Danny Demanto won over E.J. Risk, Justin Corino, VSK and Vicious Vin, Romeo Roselli b Kevin Matthews, Paul E. Normous b Fala, Azrieal b Mentallo, Jay Lethal & One Warrior Nation b Demolition, Demolition NC Latin American Dream & Danny Demanto, Wes Draven & Devious b Danny Duggan & Antonio Scorpio, Dynamic Sensation b Javi-Air, Devon Moore won three-way over Grim Reefer and B-Boy.  Among those at the show were Jimmy Hart and Homicide.  Jerry Lynn was scheduled but couldn't make it because his flight from connection from Raleigh to JFK Airport was delayed to where he couldn't make it in time. (thanks to Nate Stein)

 

--For UFC Wired this weekend in syndication, Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar headlines along with David Bielkheden vs. Diego Sanchez, David Heath vs. Tim Boetsch and Paul Kelly vs. Paul Taylor (thanks to Devin Cutting)   

 

--Great Championship Wrestling from Thursday night in Phenix City, AL before 125 fans:  Tex Monroe b Ron Stalker, John Bogie b Orion Bishop & Murder One-DQ, Cru Jones b J-Rod, Johnny Swinger b Bull Buchanan, Micah Taylor b Shaun Banks.  Sonny Siaki was there and did an angle.  Next show is Thursday night at the Great Skateplex with all seats $5

 

--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia:

61 years ago today:  Lou Thesz beat Jim Coffield to keep the National Wrestling Association world title

50 years ago:  Southern champ Fred Blassie went to a no contest with Angelo Poffo, the father of Randy Savage, with Frank Townsend as special ref

46 years ago in Columbus;  The Assassins drew Chief Little Eagle & Chief Crazy Horse in a world tag team title match

39 years ago:  Joe Scarpa (Jay Strongbow) beat Paul DeMarco in a boxing match

33 years ago:  Brute Bernard beat North American champion Bill Watts, but the title ended up being held up, while U.S. tag champs Dick Slater & Bob Orton Jr. beat Jerry Brisco & Mr. Wrestling II, and Georgia champ Nikolai Volkoff beat Dusty Rhodes, and Georgia tag champs Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji beat Dean Ho & Tony Garea

31 years ago in Augusta:  Georgia tag champs Pak Song & The Executioner beat Tommy Rich & Dino Bravo

30 years ago in Macon:  Mr. Wrestling II kept the Macon City title over Stan Hansen