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We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's ROH PPV (yes, there is one, and it's real good), 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'll also be doing our poll after tomorrow night's UFC 91.

We're also looking for reports on Wednesday night's Smackdown in Nottingham, England, yesterday's Smackdown in Zurich, Switzerland, tonight's Raw in Glasgow, Scotland, tonight's Smackdown in Nuremberg, Germany, Saturday night's Raw in Aberdeen, Scotland, Saturday night's Smackdown in Berlin and the final show of the tour, a Sunday Smackdown show in Dortmund, Germany. WWE returns to the U.S. with Raw and ECW on Monday from the Phillips Arena in Atlanta featuring Randy Orton vs. C.M. Punk. There is no Smackdown taping on Tuesday as the show for next Friday was already taped this past Tuesday.

We're also looking for reports on the weekend TNA house shows with Saturday night in Corinth, MS, Sunday in Huntsville and Monday in Nashville.

The UFC weigh-ins will air on both DirecTV 101 and ESPN News at 7 p.m. Eastern time live. Countdown to Lesnar vs. Couture airs at 6 p.m. Eastern time on DirecTV 101. We'll have weigh-in coverage later today on the site, and have plenty of audio up the next two days covering UFC 91, including live coverage on the site as well as a post-game show.

Smackdown tonight has:
* Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy in an extreme rules match
* Matt Hardy vs. Shelton in a champion vs. champion match
* Michelle McCool vs. Maria in their long-awaited Divas Title match
* MVP vs. Kung Fu Naki (yes)
* Carlito vs. Brian Kendrick
* The Hunter vs. Koslov contract signing

This coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter features a preview of Lesnar vs. Couture, giving a look at both men's history, background and motivations coming into the most anticipated fight of the year. We discuss each man's game plan, PPV buys strategy and many different ways the fight could go.

We also have the most in-depth coverage of the business of WWE, covering every aspect, with a lot of what is up, what is down, where cuts are being made, and looking at the reality behind the numbers. We also have notes on Wrestlemania ticket sales, how it compares with last year, as well as news on Shawn Michaels openly talking retirement, including when and who he wants to face in a big match before doing so. We talk about the various stages Michaels has gone through over the past year in that decision making.

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.

Our story on WWE business includes economic affects on the company, why WWE is still bullish on future growth and why Wall Street right now isn't. We look at the profitability now as compared to there points in the past, as well as how thus far revenue growth has been over 2007 in every different major market. We look at where funds have been depleted, and why and where the company is expecting to make massive budget cuts.

We look at revenue comparisons between the last two quarters, including some increases, but some ominous drops. We have PPV comparisons for the last quarter, as well as a look at PPV business so far this year. We look at changes in merchandise business, and one aspect of business that dropped 22% in just three months. We also look at the web site drop and why it looks significant, but may not be as bad as the numbers indicate when it comes to the bottom line.

We have a look at the future of Shawn Michaels, including what he has said publicly, as well as what is being said privately and the different things he's said over the past year. We've got notes on the business of the WWE's tour of Europe, as well as the latest major departure in WWE hierarchy and why it happened, as well as interesting notes regarding WWE and UFC. We've got more on the best selling DVDs of the year, as well as of the past week, and a lot of thoughts on the current WWE developmental program and who looks good and who doesn't. We also have notes on the business from the past week and highlights from the European tour house shows.

We've got notes on Wrestlemania ticket sales as compared with last year.

We've got full coverage of the Turning Point show, including lots more on the Scott Hall situation, why several people in the company felt it was unprofessional (and on the part of company management and not Hall), as well as poll results and match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

We also have an in-depth look at WEC, and some major thoughts I have regarding the future of the group and its biggest stars, and why major changes in the thought process should be made for the star fighters to have the most career notoriety and for the company to maximize revenue. We look at the ratings of the show, and future of WEC in 2009.

We also have an in-depth look at all the major WWE cuts over this past week, as well as UFC cuts. We've got the real reasons Fabricio Werdum was let go, and the situation is very much different than has come out publicly. We've got more on the future of Paulo Filho. We've got why someone as talented as Paul London never made it, and exactly what happened politically to end the career of Elijah Burke and Kenny Dykstra.

We have an update on the death of Elite XC, and questions raised regarding the legality of contracts being put up in auction. We also have notes on the resignation of Armando Garcia.

We've got all our usual weekly features including the most in-depth look at the ratings, including what shows were up, what shows were down, what demo saw Raw this week have an increase in, how did the Lesnar-Couture preview show do and more. We also have results from the major league arena events held over the past week, as well as the major TV show reviews.

Also in this week's issue:

--Former teenage rock idol both looking at promoting as well as already inked for a major show angle

--How the return of Mistico did at Arena Mexico

--How this affected a decision regarding a former star

--Update on Vampiro's career

--Arguably the biggest drawing card of the past five years is suddenly without work

--NOAH's Christmas tournament

--Update on next NOAH Budokan Hall show

--Probable main event for Jan. 4 New Japan Tokyo Dome show

--New Japan tag tourney news

--A look at Adam Pearce's first weekend as ROH booker

--What changes were made and how were the shows received

--A bad business sign overseas for TNA

--Update on a television vehicle for one of pro wrestling's most popular stars, including what former booker has signed on as a producer

--A look at TNA's Final Resolution PPV

--TNA upcoming TV taping news

--A staggering number of people classify themselves as UFC fans

--UFC 90 early buy rate notes and cities with the most per capita interest

--Update on Lesnar-Couture ticket sales

--Notes on a probable loser leaves town match in UFC

--Update on a UFC star arrested

--A look at upcoming UFC shows

--Update on New Year's Eve in Japan and the pro wrestling grudge match nearly 15 years in the making that will headline

--Another Olympian says he's going into MMA

--A look at the new ESPN Deportes MMA promotion and plans

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.

-- We'll have to ask about this at the press conference, but Dana White on MMA Live on ESPN this week appeared to have softened his stance on women's MMA. When talking about Gina Carano vs. Mrs. Cybrog, he made the comment that he wasn't interested in a full division (he's always said there aren't enough women out there to make it work) but he might be interested in a superfight. The interview is here and the comments are about 12 minutes before the end of the show.

-- ROH Driven debuts tonight on PPV. I haven't seen it yet but Dave has and he said it's excellent. Heard rave reviews for the main event. Line-up courtesy ROH:

1. ROH World Tag Team Title Match: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black defend vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico
2. ROH World Title Match: Nigel McGuiness defends vs. Roderick Strong
3. Tag Team Scramble Match: Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Vulture Squad vs. The YRR vs. Necro Butcher
4. Three Way Elimination Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Go Shiozaki
5. Special Challenge Match: Jerry Lynn vs. Chris Hero
6. Grudge Tag Team Match: Brent Albright & Erick Stevens vs. Sweet N Sour Inc.
7. SHIMMER Action: Sara Del Rey vs. Jessie McKay
8. Grudge Match: Austin Aries vs. Delirious

-- There is a big article about Lesnar vs. Couture in the Wall Street Journal here

-- In an update from yesterday, Dwayne Johnson has scenes he needs to shoot on Saturday that cannot be rearranged, so he will not be at the UFC show.

-- Dana White's video blog, which is always great and sometimes awesome, has a cameo by Rena Mero this week. It's up here. She picks Brock.

-- The winner of the Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson fight will likely receive a title shot. Dana said the winner gets it, but it can't take place for a long time given the BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre superfight planned for late January, and you know how those things go.

-- Here's a funny one. I got an e-mail from Affliction today plugging a brand new pair of Xtreme Couture jeans. And who is modeling the jeans? Andre Arlovski.

-- Regarding the radios that you can purchase Saturday night at the UFC show to listen to the commentators while you watch the show live in the MGM, Roy writes: Just thought I'd let you know that they were offering the same thing at the show in Birmingham in the UK, as I went and some of my friends bought them. They found them useful, but it detracted from the overall experience they thought as they enjoyed hearing the live atmosphere.

-- Cody also writes: This is not the first event where the UFC will be selling radios so attendees can listen to commentary. I purchased one at UFC 87 in Minneapolis and used it at UFC 90 in Chicago as well. This may be the first time that they offer these for a show in Vegas, though. The last UFC I went to in Vegas was UFC 84 and I didn't see them there. Thanks to Josh Bennett as well.

-- And regarding the Legends of Wrestling DVD, Stephen Gray writes: I read elsewhere this was a 3 disc set comprised of some of the 24/7 "Legends of Wrestling" round table episodes. I don't remember but I'm sure they buried Luger on an episode. Actually, if memory serves, I believe Michael Hayes loudly complains about it being a travesty Flair had to put the lug over.

-- Brian writes: I'm studying abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland this semester and was wondering how to find out if any pubs are showing UFC 91: Couture v. Lesnar? I didn't know if you could post something on the daily update. Just email me back at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

-- Tough times for the economy. Joe Calzaghe vs Roy Jones Jr. was expected to do a half million buys and ended up with less than 225,000.

-- Benefit for John Graziano

-- FCW drew about 125 last night at the FCW Arena in Florida. They're running a huge venue on Saturday in Fort Meyers with John Cena doing autographs and an in-ring appearance. Dolph Ziggler returned on the show (his suspension was up a few days ago), and Melina (who had been out with an ankle injury) and Kizarny (whose gimmick is lame) also worked. Cena will be at the FCW Arena next week and Sheamus O'Shaunessey defends the FCW Title against Joe Hennig.

-- Just a quick note that our Gina Carano contest is over and shall be announcing the winners in the next few days. I'm a bit behind with everything going on but should have a little time in Vegas to randomly choose and announce the winners. Thanks to everyone who participated! Apparently that second question was pretty hard.

-- WWA4 results from Wednesday (weekly free show at the WWA4 Building in Atlanta): Intergender Match: Mike Black d. Amy, Kaiden Knight d. Kid Mafia, WWA4 tag titles: Jake Diamond & Miguel Rivera d. Rick King & Bill the Butcher to retain belts.

-- Ric Flair is appearing at a Vanguard Championship Wrestling show in Norfolk, VA at the Masonic Temple this Saturday. Ricky Morton, Beautiful Bobby Eaton, Ragin Bull Manny Fernandez and the Barbarian will all be wrestling and Baby Doll will be in attendance as well. Also on the card are the stars of VCW including Damien Wayne, the Hall Stars, the Geordie Bulldogs and VCW Champion QSic. Tickets are available through Highspots.com. Tickets to the meet and greet with Flair and the rest of the stars are $75. Tickets to just watch the show are $25. Thanks to Matthew Elliot.

-- JR has blogs here and here, including thoughts on Lesnar vs. Couture.

-- New Sheiky insanity here

-- Ed in San Antonio will have three shows this weekend at Blogtalkradio.com, including one with Roderick Strong. I may make an appearance or two as well since I'll be in Vegas with him.

-- BWO will be in action this Saturday night November 15, 2008 at the BWO Center located in the Pioneer Club at 209 Jefferson Ave. Hasbrouck Heights NJ.07604.