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        We're looking for your thoughts on last night's UFC 91, 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 thoughts on ROH Driven II.  There is a replay airing of the show tonight at 8 p.m., the normal Sunday PPV time.  It also runs at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow. 

 

        We're also looking for reports on today's WWE Smackdown brand house show in Dortmund, Germany, which is the final show of the year, and both last night's TNA house show in Corinth, MS and tonight's show in Huntsville (A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle; Scott Steiner vs. Abyss; Beer Money vs. Eric Young & Consequences Creed).  TNA finishes its tour with a benefit show in Nashville tomorrow night.

 

        Raw is live and ECW for Tuesday will be taped at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta featuring a likely exhausted crew after 15 straight days on the road.  Hopefully not too many of them were living a dirty life.  C.M. Punk vs. Randy Orton headlines tomorrow's show.

 

        Tomorrow's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has 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.

 

 

--The aftermath of last night's show was amusing due to the massive suicides of MMA Internet fans and the apparent bitterness of WWE.  Those who don't remember history should note that they used to do the same thing when Mike Tyson was on top in boxing and drawing monster buy rates.  Hey, I personally like Randy Couture and thought he'd win, but anything can happen in a fight.  If they fought ten times, I don't think one guy today would win all ten.  In a year if they fought ten times, Lesnar may win nine or possibly ten of those times.  Just for the record, Lesnar won the first round on all three judges cards.           

--Jim Ross on his web site http://wwwjrsbarbq.com talks about his experience with Lesnar and rips on MMA purists who hold WWE against Lesnar.  He basically explained the Lesnar booking in very simple psychological terms.  Expect some fans short-circuiting in 5, 4. 3

 

2, and 1:  WWE.com in an article on Lesnar winning the title on the front page:  "Critics have noted that many of the fights on the UFC PPV ended in the first round leaving UFC producers scrambling to fill the three-hour event with content.  The dearth off hearty competition left many viewers to watch less prestigious undercard fights and only served to bolster claims that UFC pay per view events can often be a `crap shoot' in regards to filling the full three hours."'  Just wow.  They also credited Lesnar taking advantage of the encouragement of the WWE Universe and all the hard lessons he learned in WWE for his win.  They also called his win an upset, even though Lesnar was a 7-5 favorite.

 

--Bulgarian Blagio Ivanov beat Fedor Emelianenko by points today in the semifinals of the World Sambo championships in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Ivanov then beat Steffan Yoarshil of Germany in the finals.  Ivanov made huge headlines in Bulgaria with the win.

 

--The WWE Legends of Wrestling DVD will be a 3 disc set of some of the 24/7 channel Legends of Wrestling roundtable segments.  Lex Luger actually gets buried with Michael Hayes putting it over as a travesty that Ric Flair had to put him over.  And 20 years from now on the same segment, people will talk about what a travesty that Undertaker put over Great Khali. (thanks to Stephen Gray)

 

--There is a story at www.marketwatch.com/news/story/cagey-strategy-delivers-punch-ultimate/ on UFC.  The story claims Fight Nights on Spike outdraw every other sport on cable except the NFL.  That's right up there with the reporting that wrestling outdrew Monday Night Football during the boom period, which also wasn't close to the truth.  The story also claimed Yahoo was minting money with MMA coverage, saying it's profitable.  "And ever since we launched it, it has been growing like crazy.  The traffic is just eye-opening," said David Morgan, executive sports editor of Yahoo.

 

--Today's Newsday has a story on Jake Shields, saying that even though Elite XC has shut down, they aren't getting his title belts back.  "No way.  They're not getting those back.  They can try to take them."  It was a story noting that the contract auction for Elite XC contracts scheduled for tomorrow was adjourned, but nothing the fighters still don't know what their next move is.  Shields said he wants to go to UFC.

 

--Today's New York Post has a story on Randy Couture saying he wants to fight in Madison Square Garden.  They also have a story on the title change at http://www.nypost.com/seven/11162008/sports/moresports/lesnar_claims_coutures_ufc_title_139015.htm 

 

--Multi Channel News at http://www.multichannel.com/articleCA6614958.html had an article on Ultimate Fighter, calling it Spike's most successful original series.  The story noted Spike's second most  successful original series is TNA Impact.

 

--There are a ton of stories from last night's show up at http://www.yahoo.com including Kevin Iole looking at the future of the heavyweight division, me talking about the future of Couture and Lesnar, and Dave Doyle writing about Kenny Florian's promo on B.J. Penn

 

--There will be a live Raw in Winnipeg on 1/9, which will be interesting to see the reaction for Chris Jericho in the city he grew up in.

 

--WWE is back at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for a 2/13 house show.  Tickets go on sale on 12/6  

 

--Ric Flair has an autograph session at Chickie & Pete's sports bar in Philadelphia on 11/28 from 2-5 p.m.

 

--UFC is putting tickets on sale tomorrow for the 2/21 show in London at the O2 Arena.  No matches have been announced yet for the show.  It's the first time I can recall them doing a ticket on-sale without at least a main event (thanks to Andrew Crawford) 

 

--Who is the biggest active star in wrestling, boxing or MMA?

Oscar De La Hoya 24.3%

Brock Lesnar 24.0%

John Cena 10.6%

Georges St. Pierre 9.1%

Chris Jericho 7.5%

Edge 4.9%

Randy Couture 4.7%

Shawn Michaels 4.6%

Undertaker 4.2%

Chuck Liddell 3.4%

HHH 1.9%

Antonio Margarito 0.6%

          

 

--Poll on the Ultimate Fighter show from Wednesday

Excellent 14.1%

Good 39.0%

Average 23.7%

Fair 6.8%

Poor 16.4%

        39.8% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Go Shiozaki vs. Tyler Black for the FIP title headlines the 12/19 show in Melbourne, FL at the Grant Street Community Center.  They also run 12/20 in Crystal River, FL at the National Guard Armory with Chris Jones vs. Chasyn Rance for the Florida heritage title plus Shiozaki, Kenny King, Jason Blade, Roderick Strong, Erick Stevens, Damian Wayne, Rex Sterling, Jigsaw and others work the shows.

 

--The NPR Sports Show "Only A Game" did a report yesterday morning about the Killer Kowalski tribute show  (thanks to Steve Miller)

 

--The ROH web site has a special sale price for the return to Toronto if you enter the promo code "triple" you can get another 15% off tickets until Tuesday (thanks to Grant Zwarych)

 

--ECWA on 11/22 in Newark, DE at the Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club with a cage match with Brian Scotia & Mozart Fontaine vs. Logan Brothers

 

--NWA Main Event on Thanksgiving night in Nashville at the Nick Gulas Sports Arena features Brian Christopher vs. Doug Gilbert as the main event

 

--Mistico appears on 12/6 at the El Monte Expo Center for a 3 p.m. show with Mistico & Volador Jr. vs. Averno & Euforia.

 

--World Championship Fighting from last night in Wilmington, DE before 3,500 fans:  Chad Beane b Joe McGann, Dan Ferrer b Ethan Kean, James Pittner b Robbie Roberts, Jose Lopez b Wayne Harnois, Dan Bonnell b Josh Spearman, John Benoit b Bill Jones, Calvin Kattar b Bobby Dias, Stephan Stengal b Jay Fortier, Greg Rebello b Chris Canale, Dan Lauzon b Just Hammerstorm

 

--Great Canadian Wrestling from Thursday night in Oshawa, ONT before 130-140 fans:  Josh Alexander b Mike Rollins, Crazzy Steve NC Anthony Darko, Hayden Avery b King Sphinx, Asylum b Rico Montana, Brad Martin & Griswald Liverpool b Tyler Tirva & Phil Atlas, Koko Ware b R.J. City-DQ, Otis Idol b Cody Deaner-DQ (thanks to Steven Ashe)

 

--Extreme Wrestling Alliance from Friday night in Toronto before 100 fans:  Damian & Drake Styles b Super Xtremo & Angel de Guerra, Sexxy Eddy b Cody Deaner, Akira Raijin b Kwan Chang, Hornet b Mike Sydal, Phil Atlas over Crazzy Steve, Ricky Reyes, Brad Martin and Jeremy Profit, Crazzy Steve b Brad Martin, Kobra Kai b Anthony Darko, Big Daddy Hammer b R.J. City, Asylum & Matt Burns b Tyson Dux & Rico Montana

 

--FOX 13 News last night in Tampa ran a story about a family with three kids who lost their home and everything they owned in a fire.  The parents tried to console the kids by giving them tickets to Wrestlemania on the Internet for $2,600.  They noted that Wrestlemania was sold out so there was no other way to get tickets, even though it wasn't sold out.  They drove to Atlanta and the tickets were fake.  FOX 13 contacted WWE and spoke to promoter Bret Hart (known as "The Other Bret Hart") and Hart gave the family ringside seats, T-shirts and a meet and greet for the recent Raw taping in Tampa.  WWE also posted this story on their web site (thanks to Gary Bradley) 

 

--UWC on 12/6 in Pemberton, NJ at the Burlington County College for the annual Toys for Tots show.  The only admission is an unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more to be donated to Toys for Tots.  There will be a raffle at the end of the show.  Steve Corino, Don Montoya and Twiggy Ramirez appear.

 

--The Australian TV show "Can We Help," featured a segment to answer the question, "Is Pro Wrestling Fixed."  The host visited a local indie training center and asked the owner, who said, yes it was, but said it is athletic and dangerous.  The host then had a wrestling lesson and a mock match.  I wonder if it was taped for Saturday night on CMT? (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

 

--Devin Cutting was at The Zehrs store in Cambridge, ONT Friday night and saw a real collectors item--The official IFL 2009 Calendar, on sale    

 

--Jersey All Pro Wrestling from last night in Jersey City:  Dan Juan b Chris Dickinson, Garden State Gods b Best Around, Bandido Jr. b Grim Reefer, Tracy Smothers & Little Guido b LAX to win the JAPW tag titles and end a 17-month run, Da Heavy Mitters b SATs, Danny Demanto b Dan Maff, DNA b Mark & Jay Briscoe, B-Boy NC Kenny Omega.  Next card is the 11th anniversary show on 12/13 in Rahway, NJ (thanks to Mike Omansky)

 

--Pro Wrestling Riot on 12/12 in Port Richey, FL at the Regency Par Civic Center with opening rounds of both singles and tag team tournaments on a show that includes Bruce Santee, Roderick Strong, Francisco Ciatso, Jerrelle Clark, Chasyn Rance and more 

 

--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia

57 years ago today:  Gorgeous Gorge beat Al Massey in the main event

52 years ago:  Chris Tolos drew Freddie Blassie some 15 years before the famous Blassie-Tolos feud peaked in Los Angeles

46 years ago:  Ray Gunkel & Grizzly Smith & Luke Brown won the main event over Lenny Montana & Gypsy Joe & Freddie Blassie

37 years ago in Macon:  Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong beat Buddy Colt & Big Bad John

35 years ago:  Cowboy Bill Watts beat Bobo Brazil to keep the North American title and Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller beat Bobby Duncum & Stan Vachon

29 years ago:  Ole & Gene Anderson no contest Ernie Ladd & Tom Shaft and Tommy Rich beat Killer Karl Kox via DQ in a bout where Rich kept the Georgia title and Kox kept the TV title  

 

--CHIKARA Pro from last night in Framingham, MA before a sellout 125 fans:  Gran Akuma & Icarus b Robbie Ellis & Larry Sweeney, Super Smash Brothers b 2.0, Brodie Lee b Hallowicked, Mitch Ryder & Buck Hawke b Claudio Castagnoli, Equinox beat Lince Dorado in the finals for the annual Torneo Cibernetico.  The 16-man match saw Fire Ant & Worker Ant & Soldier Ant & Mike Quackenbush & Tom Donst & Equinox & Helios & Hydra beat Vin Gerard & Stigma & Lince Dorado & Osirian Portal & Ultramantis Black & Crossbones & Eddie Kingston (thanks to Jim Baker)

 

--NWA EWF from last night in San Bernardino:  Tim Lovato over Damon Divine and Devon Willis, Roger Ruiz b Chato Cortez, Johnny Starr b Brandon Parker, Matt Jackson b Jeremy Jaeger, Ryan Taylor b Shane Haste, Chris Kadillak b Peter Avalon, Nick Jackson b Joshua Michael, Famous for Fearless b Anchors Away,  Black Metal b Country Bear