Bryan Alvarez: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dave Meltzer: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Not a packed weekend but there is stuff going on.

There is a TNA house show in Davenport, IA tonight as well as a Mystery ShowXC event (more on that later).

Saturday has a Raw house show in Reno, NV.

Sunday has a Raw house show in San Bernadino, CA, plus TNA's biggest PPV of the year, Bound for Glory. Yes, this Sunday. Tickets are still available for the show.

Monday has Raw in Anaheim at the Honda Center, home of the Affliction debut card.

Tuesday has Smackdown and ECW in Las Vegas, just over a week prior to TNA's debut at the Joint in the Hard Rock. Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Koslov is the main event.

We're looking for reports from any of these shows to both 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!

Smackdown line-up for tonight has:

* HHH vs. Big Show for the WWE title
* Shelton Benjamin vs. R-Truth in a non-title match
* Jeff Hardy vs. MVP
* Carlito & Primo & Jesse & Festus vs. Edge Geeks & Kenny Dykstra & Ryan Braddock
* Brie Bella 1 vs. Natalya Neidhart
* Great Khali vs. Scotty Mac & Nelson Creed & Bolo

All the fallout of one of the most important weekends of the year for news, given both the future of Elite XC and the level of popularity of Smackdown were both up in the air, is discussed in the lead story of this coming Monday's jumbo-sized issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

You can read the issue right now with a premium subscription to the web site by going to the home page and clicking on a subscription. We do about 65-70 new issues annually which have roughly the material of half a regular-sized book, as well as put up a similar number of old issues covering the history of the business.

You can order a printed copy with ordering details below.

We also have an early look on how the economic problems have definitely affected one of the major promotions, and how they will likely affect others.

The story has the most detailed look at the business of the Elite show, CBS, CW Network, MyNetwork, and Smackdown. We look at where the CBS show finished, the story behind everything that went on in more detail than probably anywhere else on Saturday night. We look at who Seth Petruzelli was, how Ken Shamrock got hurt, questions asked about the injury, what Shamrock did, the whole Frank Shamrock and Seth Petruzelli situation and who made what calls to where things ended up as they did.

We look at exactly when the deal was finalized, how much money everyone got, how people live and on TV were told about it, as well as a look at the Seth Petruzelli radio comments, reactions from Elite XC officials and athletic commission officials.

We look at the ratings and future for Elite XC, as well as what lessons regarding ratings, Kimbo and Elite XC were shown on Saturday night. We look at the big questions coming out of the fight, a take on Kimbo's future and if he can draw, as well as thoughts on other fighters on the show. We've got an update on the sale of the company.

We also look at the Smackdown move to MyNetwork TV as well as compare it to other WWE television moves. We look at where they lost viewers and the big questions going forward.

We also look at Elite XC in comparison to the other major sporting events, as well as the most recent show, as well as who really added the most viewers and who those viewers were that were added.

We also have a look at the Elite audience vs. UFC audience with some things that will shock a lot of people regarding who watches the shows and the realities of the MMA audience.

We also have full coverage of the No Mercy PPV, with match-by-match coverage, poll results and star ratings.

We also have more business notes on Elite XC, coverage of the weigh-ins, match-by-match coverage including what news story from a few month ago ended up being confirmed and how much all the fighters got paid.

We also look at what celebrity got the biggest reaction of any celebrity I've ever seen at a live MMA show.

We also have a look at the escalating promotional war in Mexico with WWE involvement, including the head of WWE Mexico talking about raiding talent and the first person saying that he's going and how that affects the CMLL world heavyweight championship, and how little the Mexican promotions understand about how WWE operates.

We also have full coverage of the first Smackdown show on MyNetwork.

We also have more on aspects of WWE's philosophy in training new wrestlers and how they want to product to evolve.

We also have more on Cyber Sunday, Steve Austin, this year's voting process has the show been a success.

We've got updates on DVD sales for the four biggest WWE DVD's of the year, as well as merchandise numbers.

We talk about second-guessing the priorities on Raw and what wrestler sort of disappeared in the fallout. We've got notes on February's No Way Out PPV, why the Colons were put together, Jeff Hardy talks about his issues and what happened in Nashville at the airport, as well as comments from Vickie Guerrero and Edge.

We also have more on UFC's show in Dublin and an update on the Affliction promotion, including thoughts on exactly who and what Golden Boy may have to offer.

We also have an update on Raven's lawsuit regarding independent contractor status of WWE wrestlers. We look at Jerry McDevitt's attempt to get the suit thrown out, and what grounds in his motion he's completely avoided discussing. We look at how the famous Fed-Ex case applies here, as well.

We also look at what percentage of WWE wrestlers are expected to top one million in earnings this year and the number will probably surprise a lot of people.

We also have more on one of the biggest sports stories in Japan, the attempt to recruit gold medalist in judo, Satoshi Ishii, to MMA.

We also have full coverage of the K-1 Max World Grand Prix tournament.

We also have a feature on the buy rate of SummerSlam and how it compares with SummerSlam shows in the past, and what can be learned from it, as well as a comparison between SummerSlam and the UFC show held the week before.

We also have our usual regular weekly features including the most detailed rundown of TV ratings, including the story behind UFC's record lows, how many new viewers the DX reuniting brought in, as well as what show did a record high and what show did a record low this past week. We have results from the major league arena events around the world as well as the major television show reports.

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:

--Update on the business in Mexico

--First look at plans for a former WWE star to face a second generation Mexican legend in a hair match on the year-end spectacular

--Look at AAA's Antonio Pena Memorial show including one of the craziest angles of all-time

--Hustle looks to sign a former Olympic gold medalist

--Return of Cima

--Debut of the biggest rookie in the history of Japanese wrestling

--Update on KENTA vs. Marufuji at Budokan Hall

--Update on the 1/4 Tokyo Dome show

--Among the most famous matches in Japanese history has both members of the match forming a tag team on an upcoming big show

--What TNA stars are going to Japan in a few weeks for shows at Sumo Hall

--What DVD of matches 25 years ago or longer is about to come out

--Terrible news regarding one of the biggest stars of the 90s

--Former ECW champ talks retirement

--A new TV series based on wrestling

--Eric Bischoff talks about what it would need to get a promotion started

--Notes on the release of a movie about the life of Bruno Sammartino

--Bobby Lashley's MMA debut

--Newcomers to the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame

--Major milestone for a current world champion

--Longest world title reigns in recent years

--Why TNA stars were pulled from ROH show

--New TV deal for TNA

--Kevin Nash update

--Former world champion being talked about for a TNA appearance in a few weeks

--Upcoming TV schedule

--A look at TNA house show business

--Wrestlemania record broken by UFC

--UFC star involved in a gunpoint robbery

--One of UFC's most enduring names talks about returning

--Update on the next season of Ultimate Fighter

--Injuries and matches that have been changed, including a match being talked about on the Internet that isn't happening and never was happening

--Update on Tito Ortiz

--Elite XC's final major show of the year

--Update on Elite XC heavyweight title situation

--Next Strikeforce show in San Jose

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.

-- I'm sure this will come as a total shock to anyone who has seen him on Raw lately, but Dolph Ziggler, aka Nick Nemeth, failed a Wellness test and is out 30 days.

-- Talk about a disaster. The go-home show for the biggest TNA PPV of the year did an 0.95 rating.

-- The final Ultimate Fighter rating ended up being a 1.42 and 1.9 million viewers, which is still way, way up.

-- Seth Petruzelli was on Fight Network Radio yesterday and said that he was offered a big knockout bonus but no submission bonus going into the Kimbo fight, which I guess is the new explanation for claiming earlier in the week that he was paid to stand with him.

-- And believe it or not, it gets stupider. On Pardon the Interruption today, Michael Wilbon actually said that the fight was fixed -- for PETRUZELLI. Yes, he believes Kimbo went down to "a more phantom punch than Ali had to knock out Liston in that fight in 1965".

-- Tom Lawler, who was in Seth's corner on Saturday night, had this to say in his CBS Sportsline blog: Those of you MMA fans who watched the EliteXC show on Saturday night may have noticed me in the corner of Seth "The Silverback" Petruzelli, for what has become one of the biggest MMA stories of the year so far! I'll talk more about the Kimbo fight when I get a chance and details regarding the situation have calmed down, but let me just say that it has been a crazy turn of events!

-- Dana White has comments on the fight here. At least he didn't think it was fixed in favor of Petruzelli.

-- Today's New York Metro had a story called Slice of Humble Pie about what a fraud Kimbo turned out to be. The author concluded that Kimbo had no ground game, which meant he could "not spell figure four leglock, much less apply one". They also pretty much buried Petruzelli, never mentioning his name and calling him a nobody with pink streaks in his hair. Thanks to Jeff Sheridan.

-- TNA added Traci Brooks to the Rhino & Rhaka Khan & ODB vs. Beautiful People & Cute Kip match at Bound for Glory. She'll be special enforcer. I love that it's still billed as a KNOCKOUT BIMBO'S BRAWL even though Rhino and Kip are also involved.

-- Pat Patterson, Batista, Kelly Kelly, Umaga (who has been out on injury leave) and Primo Colon all appeared at last night's Florida Championship Wrestling TV tapings. Umaga worked his first match in months.

-- There is a mystery ShowXC event on Showtime tonight at 11:00 PM EST and PST with Dave "Pee Wee" Herman and Kerry "Meat Truck" Schall headlining. LYLE "FANCY PANTS" BEERBOHM is also fighting. I saw him during the Strikeforce show in Tacoma and he got over huge with the fans, because he does, in fact, wear fancy pants when he fights. I cannot even explain the monstrosity that was these tights, but they were awesome, and the people also chanted "BEER BONG!" at him. Jason Guida is also on the show, facing a dude known as "streaking Mamed 'Cannibal' Khalidov". This sounds like a can't-miss show.

-- For MMA fans in the Northwest area, there is a Professor Pedro Sauer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu seminar Saturday and Sunday in Mukilteo, WA at Fiedler's Martial Arts Academy. Professor Sauer is a seventh degree red and black belt under Rickson and Helio Gracie and was voted World's Most Technical Jiu Jitsu Instructor. The two day seminar runs from noon to 3:00 PM and the cost is $75 per person per day or $140 for both days. I will be there and have been training under Justin Angelos for two years, and Admin Tony will also be testing for his blue belt in the afternoon. The seminar is open to anyone, and for more information you can email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 206-407-8010 and ask for Justin. Hope to see some of you there! For more on Pedro Sauer you can click here.

The Bret Hart book on Amazon.com for those of you who haven't checked it out yet.

-- Mickey Rourke is hardcore

-- There is a story here on Taylor Wilde.

-- There is an interview with Christian here. Hope he doesn't get a $25,000 fine.

-- So far announced for Battle of Los Angeles on November 1st and 2nd at the Burbank Armory: Davey Richards, Chuck Taylor, Masato Yoshino, El Generico, Kenny Omega, Brandon Bonham and Austin Aries.

-- Smackdown pre-empts from Mike K:
Greenville, SC (WMYA): Fri. Oct. 10, 10p-12a
Birmingham, AL (WABM): Fri. Oct. 10, 10p-12a
Lafayette, LA (KLAF): Fri. Oct. 10, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
Honolulu, HI (KFVE): Sat. October 11, 5 - 7 p.m.

-- Jim Ross has new blogs up here and here.

-- Renato Babalu vs. Bobby Southworth for the latter's Strikeforce World Lightweight Title has been added to the November 21st show at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Joe Riggs also returns at 170 to face Luke Stewart, who is a black belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

-- Our latest polls:

What do you think about Dana White's decision not to boot out Junie Browning from Ultimate Fighter?
It was the wrong decision for fairness, the right one for ratings, but not okay 52.3%
It was the wrong decision for fairness but the right one for ratings so okay 22.6%
It was okay to keep him in on probation, but he needs to be out now 20%
It was the right decision and he shouldn't be kicked out 5.2%

Which of these Hall of Famers was the best wrestler
Shawn Michaels 62.1%
Roddy Piper 11.6%
Pat O'Connnor 9.1%
Pat Patterson 9.1%
John Pesek 3%
Danny McShane 2.5%
William Muldoon 1.5%
Leroy McGuirk 1%

Talk about running away with a poll.

-- Brian Elliot has the audio of the Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben conference call up here.

-- I will be appearing but probably not wrestling at the Tulalip Championship Wrestling show Saturday night at the Boys and Girls Club in Tulalip, WA. Main event has U-Gene Nick Dinsmore & Pete Storm (Buddy Wayne Wrestling School graduate) vs. Buddy Wayne & Ritchie Magnett. Chris Ryseck also defends the TCW Title against Caden Matthews with Bolo (who wrestles on Smackdown tonight as one of the three guys facing Great Khali) as the special referee.

-- Paco Alonso did an interview this week saying that the lucha boom was still ongoing (you wouldn't know that from seeing CMLL's numbers of late) and that in 2009 he planned to expand to Russia, Poland, and, get this, Czechoslovakia, which hasn't been a country in almost two decades.

-- Bobby Imperato sent us this note on a Bret Hart book signing he attended: I just got in from the Bret Hart booking signing in Boston, MA. It was held at B.U. Bookstore, and had a better crowd than I expected. I'd estimate about 250 people came to see the Hitman sign and take photos for his fans. Upon arriving, a line of over 100 wrapped around the second floor. Hart's autobiography was available for purchase at $25 bucks a pop. If you purchased the book before the signing, a note accompanied it saying you could ask for a photo, he would sign up to three items, but that belts, action figures, and other accessories were NOT recommended. I did not see if this was a problem for some, as I only saw fans with the book, magazines, DVDs, and programs that he would sign. Upon having my book signed, Bret appeared in good spirits wearing a t-shirt of him giving Owen a headlock. He took photos graciously with fans, but was very quiet and brief when answering questions. A few local newspapers were also on hand to cover the signing. Overall, I left pleased with how smooth B.U. ran the signing. I also left thankful for having the best wrestling book there is, was, and ever will be signed by the Excellence of Execution.

-- October 18th - BRET HART will be signing his Hitman book @ Borders - 5903 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, CA. starting at 2 PM. Call 510-654-1633. Thanks to Tony Hernandez.

-- Bret was apparently on Opie and Anthony today so if anyone heard it, we'd love a report.

-- Women Superstars Uncensored returns on Friday October 10 in Bergenfield, NJ and Saturday October 11 in Boonton, NJ with over 20 of the top female wrestling athletes in the world including former WWE, WCW, ECW stars Molly Holly, Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, Gorgeous George, Missy Hyatt, Bobcat, and WSU World Champion Angel Orsini. More information is available at their website. Missy will be doing MISSY'S MANOR on all the shows.

-- Jake Shield's new gym opens up Saturday in Berkeley, CA at 2438 Durant Ave. (1/2 block off Telegraph and one block from The University of California Berkeley). It will offer Gracie BJJ taught by black belt instructors.

-- PWU Dark Night 2008 on October 25th at Boyle's World Gym in Philadelphia with Pyscho Sid Vicious in the main event.

-- Eastern Wrestling Alliance runs a free show October 11th in Glen Burnie, MD at noon. For more info click here.

-- There is a BJJ & Grappling & MMA seminar for charity (St. Jude's Children's Hospital) on October 25th from noon to 7:30 PM with Jeff Monson, Marcello Monteiro, Shonie Carter, Joey Scarola and Logan Clark at the Superior High School Gymnasium in Superior, WI. More info at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

-- The October 18th Velocity Pro Event “Autumn Ambush” has been postponed to a date to be announced in November. All ticket's purchased for the October event will be honored at the November event. If anyone that has purchased tickets would like a refund, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with your request along with contact information.

-- Unhappy Smackdown fans

-- {plug}