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A relatively quiet weekend for once.

Tonight we're looking for reports on the TNA house show in Ontario, CA. The tour continues with a Saturday night show at the Anaheim Convention Center and a Sunday show in Bakersfield.

The other major weekend event is the annual Battle of Los Angeles, a 17-man tournament at the Burbank Armory with shows tomorrow and Sunday.

Both WWE crews have the weekend off. Raw returns with the three-hour tri-branded special from Tampa, with Batista vs. Chris Jericho in a cage match and DX vs. The Miz & John Morrison in what is billed as a battle of the greatest tag team of the 20th century against the greatest tag of the 21st century. Even in wrestling, that's stretching the truth way past any reasonable breaking point. Tuesday has Smackdown and ECW being taped in Orlando, with Undertaker vs. Big Show in a casket match being advertised, but that is likely a dark match.

There is also a Sengoku show tomorrow at the Saitama Super Arena headlined by Takanori Gomi vs. Sergey Golyaev and semifinals and finals of both middleweight and lightweight tournaments.

All Japan runs Monday at Tokyo Sumo Hall with Great Muta vs. Minoru Suzuki for the Triple Crown, and Naomichi Marufuji vs Shuji Kondo fr the jr. title.

Smackdown tonight has:

* Undertaker vs. CHAVO GUERRERO in a casket match
* Hardyz & Rey Misterio vs. Kane & MVP & Mark Henry
* Jimmy Yang vs. Brian Kendrick
* Colons vs. Miz & Morrison
* Michelle & Maria & Brie Bella vs. Victoria & Nalatya & Maryse

The most detailed story on Gabe Sapolsky's departure as ROH booker and where the company currently stands will be in Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also have a look at the most lucrative contract ever offered to a newcomer in the history of the business, and why the contract was offered and why it's considered a deal so big as to save a company. With coverage of major international events, two PPV shows, an article on the most watched MMA matches ever in the United States, and a bio on the late S.D. Jones as some of the features, we will have two issues out this coming week.

The first issue is already available to web site members right now and the second issue of the week will be available before Friday. You can sign up for a web site membership which includes all our audio shows and Figure Four Weekly. You can also get a print subscription to the Observer by following the instructions below.

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.

Our lead story looks at the ROH business change in depth, including changes expected in the company, the meeting of Gabe Sapolsky and the wrestlers last month when they went to talk about the problems, thoughts on why ROH has become stagnant, what possibly can be done as well as Adam Pearce's first memo to the talent and changes he talked about.

We look at how indie wrestling has changed in the past few years, different ideas and how they would turn out, who knew, wild cards regarding the company future and more on upcoming shows. We also talk about the history of Sapolsky with the company, notes on PPVs, television talks, money losses, Sapolsky's quirks and his reaction to being replaced as well as his future in pro wrestling which tells a lot about the industry today. We also look at how ROH got started.

We've got full coverage of UFC 90 from Chicago, including notes on injuries, what happened with Anderson Silva, what all-time UFC record was tied, the story behind Patrick Cote's knee injury, business notes on the show and what those business notes say about people attending UFC events today. We also have the earliest PPV numbers, as well as match-by-match rundowns as well as poll results on the show.

We also have coverage of Cyber Sunday, including the surprises in the voting and what they say about WWE television and its fan base today, as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings, and poll results on the show.

We also have similar coverage of the Antonio Pena Memorial show and what appears to be the hottest pro wrestling angle in the world right now including using a mainstream celebrity who had a connection to one of the wrestlers and the angle involving the vacating of their world title.

We also have notes on the Pro Wrestling NOAH show at Budokan Hall and reaction to the KENTA vs. Naomichi Marufuji match.

We've got a bio on S.D. Jones, with his career history, how he got into wrestling, his role in the WWWF and WWF, as well as his experience in other territories and most famous matches, as well as the time he was at first groomed for a push in WWWF.

We've got notes on Survivor Series, notes on two major lawsuits WWE is involved in, five new WWE signings and a funny story from the set of Steve Austin's movie.

We also have a major feature on the most watched MMA matches on television ever in North America, as well as the matches that added more viewers and how it compares to the biggest segment on pro wrestling TV this year.

We also have our regular features including ratings of all the national shows over the past weeks and a breakdown of who watches them, and what changes have been made in the audience on TNA and UFC of late. We also look at the weekly show that has shown tremendous ratings gain, and why that increase actually means nothing.

We also have the results from the major league arena events over the past week and the major television show reviews.

Also in the issue:

--Update on TNA Turning Point PPV

--What happened at the TNA live taping that threw off the timing of the show and killed what was supposed to be a good match

--Changes in who TNA has been using and why

--A look at the TNA business over the past week

--Notes upcoming on television from TNA

--The biggest promotional war in North America heats up big-time and where it stands with both sides claiming the other will be out of business

--A look at the ESPN E:60 piece on Brock Lesnar

--Tons more on the Lesnar vs. Couture fight including strategy, odds, comments by both men, Lesnar's peoples complaints about officiating, who people are betting on and business updates on the show

--Advances for all the major UFC events at this point

--Updates on Elite XC talent

--A major announcement from a few weeks back that is not happening

--One of pro wrestling's biggest drawing cards set to leave his promotion and going independent and his reasons

--Lots more on the history of pro wrestling in Mexico

--A look back at the affect of WCW on the pro wrestling business in Mexico during the 90s

--The rematch of the most watched match in more than 30 years and almost nobody even pays attention to it

--Two men in one of the most famous matches of the past ten years against each other form a tag team and almost nobody cares

--TNA stars and Danny Hodge head to Japan

--Tag team from rival warring companies

--Hall of Famer talks of reviving landmark promotion of the 90s

--A major one hour national TV special planned on one of pro wrestling's all-time biggest stars

--Bankruptcy of company affects several pro wrestlers

--Crazy crime involving the son of a known pro wrestler and a television star

--Mick Foley talks about going to TNA and the WWE Hall of Fame, TNA booking, announcing Smackdown, looking back on his decision not to go TNA three years ago, and a program with Kurt Angle

--What match at Bound for Glory ended with most of the participants mad at what happened and why

--Rich Franklin talks about his future

--Update on the so-called savior of Japanese MMA in prime time

--MMA star getting offers for reality show

--American Gladiator doing pro wrestling

--BBC plans MMA documentary

--WWE star will tag team with local sportscaster in a match next month

--Best selling DVDs

--Notes from WWE developmental

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.

-- Evan Bourne officially suffered a torn deltoid ligament and a dislocated ankle and has been fitted with a huge boot.

-- TNA did a 1.16 rating last night and 1.6 million viewers, which is very good.

-- Hiroshi Tanahashi will be working all three TNA house shows this weekend.

-- WWE announced today another 36 cent per share dividend for shareholders with a payout date of December 26th.

-- For those wondering about the political roundtable promoted on last night's Impact show, it's up here. The participants are Mick Foley, Booker T (speaking normal), BG James and AJ Styles. It's one hundred percent serious, no comedy, nothing. For those wondering, in the end Foley, BG and Booker all backed Obama with AJ backing McCain. Thanks to Stephen Lyon.

-- Mike Sawyer notes that in Vegas, UFC is running radio ads that say, "Get ready for the biggest show of the year!" And the show in question is UFC 92 in December. We won't know for sure until the final week, but it sure appears they've dropped the ball a bit in terms of promotion for Lesnar vs. Couture.

-- Didn't get many details, but there is a meeting/conference call in Vegas this afternoon hosted by Rich Bergeron discussing the possibility of future litigation against Xyience

-- For those keeping track, Impact last night had 31 minutes of wrestling on it. That's up eight minutes from last week.

-- Ivan Trembow has an article here discussing Scott Farrell's comments about how UFC paid him to cover their events for a period.

-- There is an interview with Urijah Faber here talking a number of subjects, including his belief that WEC will be on PPV in 2009.

-- JR has new blogs up here and here

-- There is a story here and Satoshi Ishii leaving judo for Japanese MMA.

-- Alex Marvez has a story here about the life and times of SD Jones

-- Irv Muchnick is still on the Wikipedia hacker case

-- Congratulations to Jim Cornette & his wife Stacey on their one-year anniversary.

-- Arena Mexico line-up for tonight courtesy Kris Zellner:
10/31 – Arena Mexico
1. Angel Azteca Jr. & Metalico vs. Kid Tiger & Puma King
2. Mascarita Dorada/Nino de Acero/Tzuki vs. Pequeno Black Warrior/Pequeno Violencia/Pierrothito
3. Dragon Rojo/Misterioso II/La Sombra vs. Los Perros del Mal (Mr. Aguila/Damian 666/Hijo del Texano)
4. Revancha Match: La Ola Lagunera (Black Warrior/Blue Panther/Ultimo Guerrero) vs. Los Villanos (III/IV/V)
5. Dos Caras Jr./Hector Garza/Marco Corleone vs. Atlantis/Mr. Niebla/Rey Bucanero

-- Speaking of lucha, I will be joined by Dr. Lucha Steve Sims and Cubsfan of CMLLblog.com this afternoon. The three of us will talk lucha for the first 30 minutes or so, then in the latter half of the show we'll open up the phone lines if anyone has questions. Call-in info will be available on the front page starting around 6:30 PM EST.

-- Big Vision Entertainment is looking for Spanish and French fluent speakers who are interested in trying out for wrestling announcer (play-by-play and color commentary) roles for upcoming DVDs and Television projects. Southern California residents are preferred but anyone interested should email their resume to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Latest polls:

What did you think of Wednesday night's Ultimate Fighter TV show
Didn't see the show 43.6%
Good 27.7%
Poor 10.6%
Excellent 7.4%
Average 5.3%
Fair 5.3%

Who is the best wrestler of these Hall of Famers
El Santo 29.5%
El Hijo del Santo 26.5%
Akira Hokuto 22.9%
Mildred Burke 7.8%
Lioness Asuka 6.6%
El Satanico 3%
El Solitario 2.4%
Black Shadow 1.2%

What will be the biggest PPV event in North America in 2008
Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture 40.5%
Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao 35.3%
Wrestlemania 24 24.2%

What was the best TV show of the past week
Raw 20.2%
Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling 17.7%
Ultimate Fighter 17.7%
Impact 16.1%
Smackdown 16.1%
ECW 11.3%
Strikeforce on NBC 0.8%

-- There is a preview for the GODWINS shoot interview here

-- Rubber Guard Radio has interviews with Dr. Keith Lipinski , Mike Sawyer and Bob Barnett here

-- WWA4 results: Attendance - 30. All Freebies. All Mr. Hughes Students. Johnathan Davis d. Joshua Charles, WWA4 tag titles: Miguel Rivera & Jake Diamond d. Jae-Bo & Kaiden Knight- DQ, Michael Black d. Johnathan Davis, Triangle match WWA4 Title: Bill The Butcher d. Rick King & Reece Royale. Next show on Wednesday, Nov 5th. Note : A BBC reporter was in attendance talking to a lot of wrestlers and folks about the McCain/Obama Election and wrestling. I think the person was a friend of one of the wrestlers and they were doing some "man on the street" interviews at the show. She said folks in the states could listen online as the show should air on BBC Radio One on Tuesday at 12:30 pm EST. Thanks to David Wills.

-- Monster Mash 2008 tomorrow at the The New Green Room in Dundalk, MD with Stevie Richards and Cherry

-- Victory Pro Wrestling Returns to Centereach, NY on November 1, 2008 at V.F.W. Post 4927