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        We're looking for your thoughts on last night's WEC show, 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

 

        We're also looking for reports on today's WWE shows with Raw in Milan, Italy and Smackdown in Nice, France.  Friday has Raw in Rome, Italy and Smackdown in Brussels, Belgium.  Saturday has Raw in Minhead, England and Smackdown in Luxembourg City.

 

        Impact tonight on Spike has:

*Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley & Christian Cage vs. Booker T & Robert Roode & James Storm

*Four-way ladder match:  Matt Morgan & Abyss vs. Volador Jr. & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. LAX vs. Team 3-D

*Taylor Wilde & Rhaka Khan vs. Awesome Kong & Raisha Saeed

*Consequences Creed & Jay Lethal & Eric Young vs. Sting & Kurt Angle & Kevin Nash

*Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner

        This is the go-home show for Turning Point on Sunday.

 

        We've got a huge feature in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer looking at the most successful and durable main event draws in the history of the McMahon promotions, dating back to 1955.  We list the top 54, using a ranking system based on numbers of main events and how successful they did as a big show main event draw.  We also look at some of the biggest names that aren't in either the WWE or Wrestling Observer Hall of Fames, and a look at why and whether they should be.  We look at where modern stars like John Cena and Edge rank, as well as where Undertaker, HHH and Shawn Michaels appear along with people like Hulk Hogan, Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and many others.  We'll note some major surprises who aren't even close to the top, as well as surprises who are.   We also look at the future of the WWE Hall of Fame, with probable, possible, unlikely and those who headlined who have zero chance of being in for a number of reasons.

 

        This issue is available right now to web site members. 

 

        You can sign up for a web site membership which includes more than a dozen audio shows per week, as well as 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.

 

        We also have full coverage of the 806th episode of Raw, including the top matches for Survivor Series, the McMahon family battle that seems to be impending, details on the ratings for the show, what did and didn't work, and what the highlights packages showed that made the current product look bad.  We also look at the conceptual change for the company and why what it most doesn't want to be, is probably the main reason it is still in the position it is in.

 

        We also have a look at yet another MMA promotion starting out and where ESPN stands right now when it comes to MMA.  We look at the direction of the new group, as well as where the Elite XC fighters contracts stand right now, as well as look at all the different MMA reality shows on the books for 2009.

 

        We also look at a huge story involving one of the biggest drawing cards in the modern wrestling business and why he is suddenly on the outside looking in.  It's a look at two companies where locker room issues have resulted in a top star in his prime who now may end up either being a free agent, or going with a promotion that he has expected to never work for.  It's an interesting look at wrestling elsewhere in the world and how the politics are  currently.

 

        We also have notes on this year's Tribute to the Troops show, Chris Jericho talking about the background of his feud with Shawn Michaels and how it was put together, including the reaction of Rebecca Hickenbottom to the fat lip.  We also have more on WWE's attempt to change the perception of pro wrestling.  We also have a look at the new Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 videogame and changes that have been made to reflect the perception change.  We also look at a star from the past who is being looked at to be brought back as a regular, as well as the reasons behind Super Crazy leaving the company.  We also have thoughts from people who know both him and the situation, over who is likely to become the next Chris Harris, as well as Low Ki in WWE.  We also have notes on a wrestler under contract who figures his tenure may be on borrowed time, and the face most probably wouldn't even know he was still with the company indicates it, and friends of his trying to open new doors for him.  

 

        We also have a story on the WWE's latest drug crackdown and how some wrestlers who have failed recent tests are, coincidentally, getting pushes diminished.  We also have thoughts of pot usage in pro wrestling.

       

        We also have notes on Undertaker's career on PPV, upcoming Smackdown direction, Chris Jericho talking in detail about his incident years ago with Bill Goldberg, as well as a recent WWE tag team championship team and what wrestler was originally to be on the team that was replaced.  We've also got more on Stevie Richards' new career, best selling pro wrestling and MMA DVDs, and a note about pro wrestling and its current appeal to kids as compared with last year.      

 

        We also have a look at this year's version of the oldest annual event in wrestling without a break, the All Japan Real World Tag League tournament, and its 32nd straight year-end addition, including for the first time ever, someone with less than three weeks experience, teaming with the biggest star in the promotion, Keiji Muto.

 

        We also have the story behind Chris Leben's steroid test failure. 

 

        We also have our usual weekly features with ratings from all the major television shows of the past week, as well as results from the major league arena events and major TV show reviews.

 

Also in the issue:

 

--Update on the return of Mistico

 

--What main event star starts filming a made-for-TV movie next week that bears his name

 

--Tribute show coming next month for one of the world's most successful promotions of the 70s and 80s

 

--Former Olympic silver medalist named figurehead president of a regional office

 

--Celebrity who did a wrestling angle as a heel is now uncomfortable with his portrayal and pressuring for an angle change

 

--Former TNA star expected to start with a new promotion and why it just fell through

 

--A look at the All Japan show at Sumo Hall

 

--First sign of financial issues plaguing what has been one of the most stable pro wrestling groups

 

--A look at KENTA vs. Marufuji

 

--What happened with Ric Flair and New Japan

 

--Update on a nostalgia show that will even include a famous 60s tag team returning for one night

 

--The return of the NWA to television and who will be part of it

 

--Battle of Los Angeles coverage

 

--Update on Perry Saturn

 

--Major local news story about the death of an independent wrestling promoter at the hands of local police

 

--Eric Bischoff's nest TV show project

 

--Return of Rob Van Dam

 

--Update on case where the son of an 70s star is on charges of rape and trying to disfigure an actress

 

--Newcomers to ROH

 

--Complete Turning Point lineup

 

--Story behind a new behind-the-scenes hire by TNA

 

--Story behind the letting go of Pat Kenney and Glen Gilbertti from TNA   

 

--How TNA is expected to build the Main Event Mafia

 

--A feud idea in TNA that sounds hideous

 

--More fallout of the TNA show in Las Vegas

 

--Celebrity talks about an involvement with TNA

 

--TNA weekend house show rundowns

 

--Dana White talks women in UFC

 

--Why it's probably doomed even if they do it

 

--Live matches for 12/27 show

 

--Update on injury being kept secret for one of the main eventers in an upcoming UFC show

 

--TNA signs Denis Kang

 

--Update on Josh Koscheck

 

--Schedule between now and March

 

--Randy Couture in another dispute with a business partner

 

--Notes from the training camps of Couture and Brock Lesnar

 

--Ultimate Fighter tryout notes

 

--Dana White rips on his own show

 

--New fights just signed

 

--More on Satoshi Ishii's MMA career

 

--Seth Petruzelli vs. Kimbo Slice rematch update

 

--Coverage of the last Sengoku show

 

--Tape library purchase of company out of business

 

--Former IFL fighter fighting for his life

 

--John McCarthy returning as referee

 

--Pat Miletich coming out of retirement

 

--Newspaper ties MMA into a gangland style murder in a city with the fourth most interest in MMA in North America

 

--Update on K.J. Noons

 

--U.S. Olympic hero talks about entering MMA, and we don't mean Kurt Angle

 

        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.

 

 

--WWE quarterly report came in with revenues of $108.8 million, slightly up from the same time last year, but profits for the quarter fell from $8.5 million last year to $5.3 million this year.  The profits aren't coming close to paying for the dividend.  The company announced due to the softening economy which they blamed for the decline in PPV and house show business, that they are scaling back plans for the new TV studios and Media Center from $100 million to $65 million to $75 million, and are also looking at eliminating $20 million in costs in 2009.  They blamed the Olympics for the SummerSlam decline.  In 2004, SummerSlam was also way down, actually far more than this year, so unlike a lot of excuses that don't always hold water, this one might.  There is a complete company review going on regarding where they can save money.  Wall Street wasn't happy, as the stock dropped from $13.80 to $13.15, where it remains somewhat undervalued.  Most of the positives were on the marketing side and negatives were in the traditional presentation of live events.

 

--A lot of Wrestlemania tickets have been sold today, the first day of the pre sale.  All $750 and $255 tickets are gone, as well as $40 tickets.  They aren't putting all the tickets on sale at once, releasing them at different times so they can hit publicity throughout the next several months.  There have been scalpers getting $2,500 for 5th row.  Tickets go on sale to the public on Saturday.   

 

--The last word from UFC, and this is based on what they have been hearing but not official, is that Mike Brown suffered torn rib cartilage from a knee early in the fight with Urijah Faber last night. 

 

--Do not expect to see Paulo Filho fighting in UFC or WEC for a long, long time.  There was a lot of frustration last night that they couldn't get the Donald Cerrone vs. Razor Rob McCullough fight on the TV show.  In hindsight, the best decision was the one to make Filho vs. Chael Sonnen three rounds instead of five.  The situation as it occurred with the champion not making weight had never happened and UFC/WEC had no rules in place, but with the experience, there is at least a good chance rules will be put in where if a champion doesn't make weight and he loses the fight, that the challenger would get the title.  They'd have to work out something regarding rounds, because if that was the case here, while Sonnen would have won the title, we'd have had to endure five rounds  

 

--ECW did a 0.9 rating on Tuesday.  I wouldn't worry much about that number given it was Election Night.

 

--WWE announced Board of Directors member and Chief Operating Officer Michael Sileck is leaving the company effective 12/31.  He will be replaced in both positions by Donna Goldsmith, the Executive Vice President of Consumer Products.  Goldsmith is exceedingly well regarded by people who have dealt with her. 

 

--A lot of TV directories listed WEC as starting at 6 p.m. and at least some people who have Tivo only got the second hour of the show because of it. 

 

--THQ, which is losing the WWE videogame license and gaining the UFC license, lost $115.3 million in the last quarter alone.  They announced launching a new WWE game for Asia in 2010 

 

--Don't forget that besides Smackdown tomorrow night and the usual Friday night airing of an old UFC TV card, also tomorrow night will be E! True Hollywood Story at 8 p.m. on Hulk & Brooke Hogan.  Hulk & Brooke talk about the divorce, why Hogan made the decision to leave pro wrestling (this will be a good one), his decision to do reality show, Brooke talks on why Hulk did Larry King, Brooke talks about Hulk's new girlfriend and her twin, and Hulk talks about the business of pro wrestling.  Interviewed on the show are Eric Bischoff, Bill Goldberg, Brian Knobs, Bubba the Love Sponge and the other two friends from Brooke Knows Best.

 

--MSNBC has a story at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27562254/ on the growth of UFC.  Same stuff that has been written elsewhere

 

--TNA's Traci Brooks will be a guest star on the TV show "Rent-A-Goalie" which airs at 9:30 p.m. Monday night on Showcase.  Brooks plays a new girlfriend of one of the characters as they try and put together a charity pro wrestling show.  I'm not making this up.  What happens is the best friend of the guy who Brooks plays the girlfriend of has the hots for Brooks.  Okay, I can buy that.  But then he finds out that Brooks has a penis.

 

--Paul Heyman's latest column on the problems with the WWE product are at http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/heyman/article/1900416.ece  As I suspected, he was referring to the Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins preview show on HBO as getting him hooked into the match.  As it turned out, that match ended up doing disappointing numbers on PPV, however.

 

--Poll on Monday's Raw

Excellent 13.3%

Good 21.1%

Average 25.2%

Fair 12.8%

Poor 27.5%

        20.1% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Best Wrestlers of these Hall of Famers

Ricky Steamboat 55.0%

Undertaker 26.3%

Karl Gotch 11.5%

Roddy Piper 7.2%   

 

--Ric Flair appears 11/22 in Oak Lawn IL at the Pavilion on a show called 4 Ever Flair, which also includes the pro wrestling debut of Reid Flair, facing Johnny Mac.

 

--There is a story on Bruno Sammartino being inducted into a WWWA Hall of Fame by promoter Dino Sanna tomorrow night in Lansdale, PA at http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20081106

Sammartino noted turning down all other wrestling Hall of Fames.  Sanna has been friends with Sammartino for 25 years.  It will be at Marjeanie Caterers with tickets at $45. For more info call 215-362-7184

 

--UFC fighter Hermes Franca was arrested on a DUI charge after last night's WEC show.  Franca was arrested by the Jupiter, FL police department at 2:38 a.m. by an officer who thought the fighter was under the influence.  Manager Reed Wallace told MMArated.com that he was not under the influence, but was very tired and was falling asleep at the wheel.  Wallace noted that police released him and Franca is going to Las Vegas with fighter Jeremy Stephens, who faces Rafael dos Anjos on next Saturday's UFC show.

 

--Final cable ratings for last week saw USA at No. 3 with a 2.1 prime time average behind Fox News (2.5) and ESPN (2.2).  Sci-Fi was No. 9 (1.1) and Spike was No. 19 (0.8).  ECW is now hovering around the Sci-Fi average as opposed to being one of its highest rated shows.  For the actual household rating, the two hours of Raw were No. 16 and No. 22.  Mostly news shows like O'Reilly and Hannity and Colmes as well as seven episodes of SpongeBob and Monday Night Football beat it.  With the election over, in two weeks, WWE will move up.  For the first time in a long time, neither hour of Raw was top ten in 18-34, but in 18-49, it was No. 3 and No. 8 and in 25-54, it was No. 2 (second hour behind only Monday Night Football) and No. 4.  The MyNetwork average is 0.95.

 

--Roger Huerta vs. Clay Guida and Jared Rollins vs. Jon Koppenhaver, two of the best matches of last year on UFC, air during the Spike show tomorrow night starting at 9 p.m.  If you've never seen Huerta vs. Guida, well, I'm guessing you're probably not going to watch it now since it's aired 50 times.  But it's still a great fight.

 

--UFC finalized the prelims for the 11/15 Las Vegas show as Tamdan McCrory vs. Dustin Hezelett, Aaron Riley vs. Jorge Gurgel, Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Jeremy Stephens, Mark Bocek vs. Alvin Robinson and Ryan Thomas vs. Matt Brown.

 

--ROH tomorrow night in Montreal at the Centre Jean-Claude Malepart has Nigel McGuinness vs. Go Shiozaki vs. Kevin Steen vs. El Generico for the ROH title, Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black vs. Bryan Danielson & Austin Aries, Roderick Strong vs. Davey Richards, Jerry Lynn vs. Delirious, Necro Butcher vs. Brodie Lee, Briscoes vs. Kenny Omega & Kenny King and Erick Stevens vs. Eddie Edwards 

 

--Mike V noted for those of you who want to tell the Bella Twins apart, that Nicole has a tattoo on her pelvic bone under her wait line.  Brie doesn't.  If Nicole's pants come down a little, you can notice it. 

 

--New York Wrestling Connection on 11/28 at Center Island Sports in Ronkonkoma, NY featuring Mike Mondo and Mikey Whipwreck

 

--Tuesday night in Guadalajara:  Plata b Frayle de la Muerte, Nube Roja b Evola, Egipcio b Idolo, Metatron b Exterminador, Rayman b Angel Blanco Jr., Metalik & Valiente b Malefico & Toxico, Mr. Niebla & Ultimo Guerrero b Dos Caras Jr. & Marco Corleone

 

--Upcoming shows in Tijuana are tomorrow night at Auditorio Municipal has The father and son cup tournament with Fantasma & Fantasma Jr., Rey Misterio Sr. & Hijo del Rey Misterio and Universo 2000 and Universo 2000 Jr.  The 11/28 show has Dr. Wagner Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero vs. Villanos IV & V (thanks to Kris Zellner)

 

--Division I Pro Wrestling on 12/5 in Hollywood, FL at the Fred Lippman Center featuring an Extreme Christmas tree weapons match headlined by Kevin Sullivan.   

 

--Really weird story at http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/content/printVersion/643302 which now claims Kimbo Slice threw the match with Seth Petruzelli.  The claim is that Kimbo's camp bet large amounts of money on Petruzelli at 6-1 odds.  Like any last minute huge betting of that sort wouldn't have come out immediately.  The author said the Kimbo-Petruzelli fight was a critical moment in the history of MMA, because if the match was a success, widespread popularity would have followed, but because it wasn't, MMA is still fringe.  As if.  The author then talked about going to the American Top Team gym and being impressed.  He talked about seeing Antonio Silva square off against Bobby Lashley and had quotes from Mike Brown.

 

--GSW on Saturday night in Michelstadt, Germany before 200 fans:  Chris Colen b Thumbtack Jack, Axeman & Ivan Kiev b CorVus & Emil Sitoci, Wesna b Daizee Haze, Steve Douglas b Blue Nikita, Ahmed Chaer & Crazy Sexy Mike b Zack Sabre Jr. & Martin Stone, Bad Bones b Doug Williams, Steve Douglas b Psicosis (AAA version) in 2/3 falls  (thanks to Sebastian Klussman)

 

--NWS on 11/14 in Belleville, NJ at the Knights of Columbus Hall with Nikolai Volkoff

---A benefit show on 11/9 in Lawrenceburg, IN at the American Legion features "Sons of Legends" featuring Bobo Brazil Jr. and Dick the Bruiser Jr.

 

--Shannon Rose and the Heartbreak Express will be speaking to kids on 11/12 at the Alexander Elementary School in Tampa about careers, school and family 

 

--Velocity Pro Wrestling has added Stevie Richards vs. Steve Corino to the 12/20 show at the Alhambra in Philadelphia which is the debut of the new version of the promotion as well as Josh Daniels vs. John Walters

 

--Troy Vaughn is looking for the pre sale code to get Smackdown taping tickets for the show in Lafayette, LA, that go on sale next week.  He's at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

--For the 12/8 Raw tapings in Philadelphia, the advertised dark match is Chris Jericho vs. Batista vs. John Cena for the title.

 

--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia

74 years ago today:  Orville Brown and Karl Sarpolis wrestled to a time limit draw

72 years ago:  Dirty Dick Raines beat Orville Brown

55 years ago:  Ray Villmer kpe the Southern title beating Gorgeous George via DQ

49 years ago:  Farmer Powell beat Fred Blassie via DQ in the main event of a tournament where the winner would face Verne Gagne when he came to Atlatna

44 years ago:  Southern tag champs Eddie Graham & Sammy Steamboat went to a no contest with The Masked Medics

38 years ago:  Paul DeMarco & El Mongol & Bobo Brazil beat Skandor Akbar & The Assassisn in the main event

35 years ago in Macon:  Roberto Soto & Bobo Brazil beat Cowboy Bill Watts & Bobby Duncum

31 years ago in Savannah:  U.S. champion Ricky Steamboat lost via DQ against Ric Flair

29 years ago in Macon:  Tommy Rich kept the Georgia title beating Killer Karl Kox and Tony Atlas & Stan Hansen beat Chris Markoff & Masked Sueprstar

25 years ago at the Omni:  Tommy Rich beat Ted DiBiase via DQ and National tag champs The Road Warriors went to a no contest with Dusty Rhodes & Brett Sawyer before 4,000 fans