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Besides Smackdown and the Spike replay of the finals of Ultimate Fighter 2 where Rashad Evans vs. Brad Imes and Joe Stevenson vs. Luke Cummo were the main events at 9 p.m., there is also the live K-1 Grand Prix finals from the Yokohama Arena tonight at 3 a.m. Eastern and midnight Pacific time on HDNet. The other big event of the weekend is the TNA Final Resolution PPV show from Orlando

We're looking for reports on the following shows:

Today: Raw's Tribute to the Troops special is being taped in Baghdad, Iraq. Smackdown also has a house show in Greenville, SC; TNA has a house show in Troy, OH and ROH has a house show in the St. Louis suburb of Collinsville, IL.

Saturday: Smackdown is in Florence, SC, TNA is in Lawrenceburg, KY and ROH is at the Vanderbilt University Gym in Nashville

Sunday: Besides TNA in Orlando, Smackdown is in North Charleston, SC

Monday: Live 3-hour Raw from Philadelphia featuring the Slammy Awards, plus John Cena vs. Edge, Batista vs. HHH, Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho, and IC title tourney semifinals with Rey Mysterio vs. Kofi Kingston and John Morrison vs. C.M. Punk. TNA also tapes in Orlando

Tuesday: Smackdown and ECW will be taped in Bridgeport, CT while TNA tapes a second night in Orlando

Wednesday: UFC does its Fight for the Troops special from Fayetteville, NC

Smackdown tonight has:
* Hurricane making his return versus MVP
* Edge vs. Kung Fu Naki in a non-title match
* Michelle vs. Maria in a non-title match
* Matt Hardy vs. Chavo in a non-title match
* HHH and Jeff Hardy in a tag gauntlet
* Undertaker vs. Big Show in a cage match which I heard was pretty good

        We have a Christmas season special good until 12/25 where you can get a free month of premium service on the web site, or a free month of print Observers if you order a three month or longer subscription for a friend who has never subscribed in the past.  You can order as many gift subscriptions as you like and get as many months free for all subscriptions.  You can order a one year subscription for a friend and get four months free for yourself.  If you are ordering a premium subscription, make sure to put your friend's e-mail address  and when you get your purchase receipt, contact Admin Tony at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and include a note in the body of the e-mail or subject line noting you've ordered a gift subscription.

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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 an article on changes in drug testing in California, with details, why pro wrestling was an impetus in the change, where pro wrestling fits into the landscape, what rules are in the process of being changed, how extensive testing will be as well as how it is expected to change again before the end of the year. We look at different reasons fighters are using steroids, what drugs are and aren't being tested for as well as other changes in how MMA is going to be regulated in California.

We also look at the interesting character California will have to determine whether to license given his background, changes in allowable content of different drugs that will be allowed, changes in fines and suspensions, and a major star who has made a decision, that if not rescinded, could not only lead to his license being revoked but the license of several other people after a threatening letter by the commission.

We also have a lot of first hand observations of the recent WWE creative process that will surprise a lot of people, particularly the role of Stephanie McMahon. We also have a new WWE signing as well as a few more wrestlers dropped.

We also have business notes from the past week and house show details.

We also have a look at the Ultimate Fighter season, the Junie Browning dilemma and bad precedent, a scenario that happened during the filming that was edited off the show because it was considered too gross for television, as well as the future of the different fighters from this season.

We also have notes on the next WWE CD, value of Wrestlemania, best selling DVDs, tons of news from WWE developmental including much talked about second generation wrestler and thoughts on the different talent including the wrestler Vince McMahon personally said he wanted brought up with a good storyline push.

We also have notes on the new contract Donna Goldsmith signed as WWE COO.

We also have coverage of the WEC show.

We've got our regular weekly features including a detailed look at the ratings of the different shows, including why Raw was up, what rating was far more impressive than it got credit for, as well as results from the major league arena events over the past week and major TV show reviews.

Also in this week's issue:

--Update on Pierroth

--Promotion attempts to get a star with a rival promotion kicked out of the country

--One of the biggest stars suspended from major events this month and why

--A red-hot promotion has a bad house with its new major angle

--Dragon Gate's big tournament

--Two Hall of Famers who were famous tag partners work against each other for the first time in years at the end of the month on a birthday special show

--All Japan tag team tournament update

--NOAH jr. title matches

--Death of a gimmick performer who once headlined a big event against Antonio Inoki, and from a famous sports family

--Inoki's latest crazy dream match

--Another promotion feels economic crunch by canceling its next major show

--Woman Hall of Famer retirement match for later this month

--Notes on the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2009 class and people who aren't in

--Update on Bret Hart

--More crazy Hogan family news

--Ric Flair honored

--Details on the death of Charles Buffong

--Perry Saturn update

--Former WWE wrestler talks about MMA debut

-- One of the most famous WWF 80s stars is scheduled for a pro boxing debut in January in his 50s

--Updates on TNA PPV

--TNA partner having bad economic problems

--Christian Cage update

--More problems financially for UFC owners

--Lorenzo Fertitta talks about the early days of owning UFC and how they got TV

--More on UFC pay vs. boxers vs. pro wrestlers

--MMA star makes list of Most Influential Women of 2008

--Updates on Couture vs. Liddell proposed match and different issues involved as well as the future for both

--Update on UFC's first 24/7 series

--Lots of new UFC upcoming matches

--More details on the major German story on UFC

--UFC star gets magazine honors in U.K.

--Details behind recent UFC cuts

--WEC's 2009 schedule notes and what country they are heavily promoting in

--Lots more on New Year's Eve including a match they wanted that would have been almost as big as Sapp vs. Akebono

--Kimbo Slice update

--Another major promoter on the verge of going broke

--Final business numbers for Hatton's last fight as well as Strikeforce

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 two episodes of Ultimate Fighter Wednesday night did a 1.28 and 1.21 respectively. For those appalled that Dana allowed Junie to stay on the show (and don't get me wrong, they've sent a terrible message to anyone who will ever appear on that show from this point forwards), his fight did a 1.29, the highest quarter of anything all night.

-- The issues between WWE and Premiere TV in Germany are apparently settled as Premiere announced that they had just secured the rights to Raw, Afterburn, ECW and Experience for another two years. Premiere had wanted the full version of Raw, not the one-hour International version, but wasn't able to get it. Raw will also be airing on Thursdays now, which is several days earlier than in the old contract. Thanks to Sebastian Klussmann

-- It appears Aaron Aguilera, who was working as the Masked Zodiac in Fukui, Japan, had an emergency appendectomy after being rushed to the hospital in great pain yesterday.

-- Good news and bad news for TNA. The good news is that last night's show did a 1.2 rating and 1.8 million viewers, which makes that program the most-watched episode of Impact in history. Bad news is that it was the go-home show and people started tuning out in the final half-hour, and the final segment was the lowest-rated on the show.

-- After last night's show, the full line-up for Sunday's TNA PPV has:
1. Sting & Booker T & Kevin Nash & Scott Steiner vs. Samoa Joe & AJ Styles & Team 3-D where if the good guys win, no matter who gets the pin, AJ Styles becomes new champion. The stipulation is so absurd that the only thing I can figure is that Joe turns on the good guys and joins the Mafia, setting up Sting joining the good guys a bit later down the road. But I am looking for logic in TNA.
2. Kurt Angle vs. Rhino where if Angle loses he has to leave TNA, with Mick Foley and another mystery person as special enforcer. They pretty much already plugged Angle vs. Jarrett for January.
3. Beer Money vs. Abyss & Matt Morgan for the tag titles
4. Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Eric Young for the X-Title
5. Awesome Kong vs. Christy Hemme for the Knockouts title
6. Feast or Fired with Motor City Machine Guns, LAX, Rock & Rave Infection, Jay Lethal, The Guru, Petey Williams, BG James, Consequences Creed, Curry Man, Cute Kip and Shark Boy. It's a pole match with four briefcases. Three of them have title shots and one has a pink slip. Why anyone would wrestle this match is beyond me. Hopefully Curry loses, gets fired, and then Chris Daniels returns.
7. Beautiful People & Sharmell vs. ODB & Taylor & Roxxi.

Between the economy, the De La Hoya fight, and the fact that Impact was the worst go-home show in forever and the biggest angle was basically hyping up a match for next month, I hereby predict there is no way this show breaks 12,000 buys.

-- Regarding Kurt Angle's enforcer, who is a former tag partner of Mick Foley, several people also noted that Mikey Whipwreck would fit the bill.

-- Dwayne Soper at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is helping Frances Coage, daughter of Bad News Allen, put together a book on her father's life. They're looking for pictures to help complete the book, and also if anyone knows whatever happened to his personal photo album. Bad News had leant it out before he passed away and they are unable to locate it.

-- Victoria of WWE had this to say about Steve Bradley: "I did hear some disturbing news today, which has me very introspective. A wrestler that I worked with when I was in Memphis Championship Wrestling passed away. He wrestled as Steve Bradley. I was his valet for most of my time in Memphis. He was only 32. As I mentioned in a previous blog, it is easy to lose touch with people in this industry. I went to Louisville, to work with Ohio Valley Wrestling. He went to Cincinnati to work with HWA. I can't sum up what kind of person Steve Bradley was in a paragraph or two. But he was good people, who went on to battle personal demons. And without having details on his passing, I can only assume that with that history, that when someone passes at 32, that in some way this contributed to his death."

-- More Stankie greatness here. This man needs his own reality show. Thanks to Kevin Miller.

-- Ivan Trembow is most upset about TUF and Junie Browning

-- There is a big article about Reid Flair's debut match here.

-- Slam also has another article up about Charles Buffong here

-- There is an article here about WWE and their trip to Iraq

-- A TWO PAGE article about Kizarny. No jizoke.

-- Michelle, Eve and Maryse are all featured in the new edition of Muscle & Fitness.

-- There are some screenshots from the WWE Legends of WrestleMania game up here, mostly featuring Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. Thanks to Rob.

-- Tomorrow night's Strikeforce on NBC show (see local listings, but it usually airs around 2:00 AM) will be a Cung Le highlight show. If you've never seen Le, this might be one you want to tape.

-- Los Perros Del Mal held a press conference Wednesday to announce their first show, which is going head-to-head with CMLL's final show of the year on December 12th. Both sides are now talking about this as if it's a war, which is interesting because CMLL has traditionally attempted to ignore the existence of AAA.

-- For those keeping track, there was 22 minutes and 10 seconds of wrestling on last night's Total Nonstop Action.

-- Showtime All-Star Wrestling (SAW) presents “The Fight Before Christmas”, Friday, December 12th at The SAWMill, located at 1214 B Louisville Highway in Millersville, TN. Belltime is 8 PM. All seats are just $8.00 and can be purchased at the door.

-- Victory Pro Wrestling Returns To Deer Park on December 6, 2008 at 41 Homer Avenue, Deer Park, NY 11729. Phone 631-667-6665

-- Velocity Pro Wrestling returns to the Alhambra Arena on December 20th, 7 West Ritner St., Philadelphia, PA.

-- Pro Wrestling Riot - Road To Gold: Part Two, Friday, December 12, 2008 - Bell Time 8:00 PM. The New Lakes in Regency Park Civic Center, 8330 Civic Drive - Port Richey, FL 34668. Roderick Strong headlines.

-- Ed in San Antonio will have his birthday radio show up tonight here