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| SUNDAY UPDATE: TNA PREVIEW, KANE DVD, SAD NIGHT, FOLEY LOVES JOB, HARDY TALKS ABOUT TITLE |
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We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's TNA Final Resolution PPV, 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 have live coverage of the show on the site starting at 8 p.m. We're also looking for reports from today's WWE Smackdown show in North Charleston, SC, (Edge vs. Undertaker, HHH vs. Kozlov)as well as last night's WWE show in Florence, SC, last night's TNA show in Lawrenceburg, KY, Friday night's WWE show in Greenville, SC and TNA show in Troy, OH at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it We're also looking for reports on the TV tapings tomorrow night. Raw will be three hours live from Philadelphia featuring the Slammy Awards ceremony plus John Cena vs. Edge, Batista vs. HHH, Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho and IC tournament semifinals with Rey Mysterio vs. Kofi Kingston and John Morrison vs. C.M. Punk. The show starts at 8 p.m. TNA also tapes Monday night in Orlando. Smackdown is taping one show in Bridgeport, CT on Tuesday, and ECW is taped on Tuesday this week because of the three-hour Raw. Tonight's lineup: *Sting defends the TNA title in an eight man tag teaming with Booker T, Kevin Nash & Scott Steiner vs. A.J. Styles & Samoa Joe & Team 3-D *Rhino vs. Kurt Angle - If Rhino wins, Angle is fired. If Angle wins, he gets Jeff Jarrett at the January Genesis PPV. Mick Foley will be the enforcer. There will be someone in Angle's corner, but the identity is a secret. As noted before, the original plan was Frank Trigg, but that was canceled. They have dropped the former world champion notation on Angle's guy, and now he's just a guy he used to team with Mick Foley. Rhino was ill this weekend but worked last night and will be wrestling tonight *Beer Money vs. Matt Morgan & Abyss for the tag titles *Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Eric Young for the X title *Awesome Kong vs. Christy Hemme for the Knockouts title *ODB & Taylor Wilde & Roxxi vs. Angelina Love & Velvet Sky & Sharmell *Feast or Fired Battle Royal. Four people get briefcases with a world title, X title and tag title shot and a fourth will have someone fired. names in are Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Homicide, Hernandez, Lance Rock, Jimmy Rave, Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Petey Williams, B.G. James, Consequences Creed, Curry Man, Cute Kip and Shark Boy. Last year when they did this match, they didn't reveal who won what briefcase until TV. Not sure if that'll be the case this year or not. Told Team 3-D is having a lot of input into the main event, so expect weapons and such and a wild match. Angle vs. Rhino should be good, but it'll be almost impossible to be at the level of Angle vs. Abyss last time. Nothing on the show stands out like you have to see it. A lot more about the strange Vince McMahon/Hulk Hogan relationship these days, including everyone involved in Hogan's show being banned, the lawsuit against Brutus Beefcake, yet at the same time Hogan was being offered a return and why and who is believed to be behind it is one of the lead stories in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue is available right now to premium members of the web site and you can order with a web site membership, which includes about 10 issues per month, usually six new ones and four or five back issues, as well as access to 15 or more radio shows per week including Wrestling Observer Radio and Figure Four Daily. You can also order a print subscription with the info below. We also have more regarding the background of the legal action regarding the Hogan Celebrity Wrestling TV show, and a history lesson about Vince McMahon and the word never. We also look at the firing of Bruce Prichard, one the company's longest tenured employees, including when he came, a look at his various roles, how he was looked upon by many and what may have brought him down along with some of his booking ideas that didn't fly. We look at his present and future. We also have an update on the Raven independent contractor lawsuit with more thoughts about it, Raven's defense response to attempts to get the case thrown out and more. We have notes on several major upcoming WWE events, as well as more on the Smackdown schedule changes and why some weeks will tape one show and other weeks will tape two. We also have some WWE creative thoughts on a top wrestler not with the company, more notes on Tomko's return, WWE losing a major TV outlet, Cena's popularity, lots more on the fallout of the Jeff Hardy angle, and a look at Mr. Kennedy and his latest talks about his steroid suspension after insisting he had been clean for years with details of how numerous wrestlers would get steroids during the period they were banned by the company and the loophole that was being used. 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. If you are doing this for a mail subscription, make sure to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 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. --Thanks to Bryan for doing the report yesterday. I was called at literally the last minute to cover the De La Hoya boxing match in Las Vegas. Bryan and I will be back late tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio on the site talking about the TNA PPV show, talk about Monday's Slammy Awards and Raw, as well as last night's boxing show which I ended up covering in Las Vegas. I've got an article in the boxing section of www.yahoo.com comparing the show as a presentation to the UFC event three weeks earlier. --It was very sad to see someone who has been so important to their sport like Oscar De La Hoya get old. The ring is unforgiving in that situation, although Manny Pacquiao is a tremendously skilled fighter. If you've got any questions regarding pro wrestling or MMA past or present we'll be going through them as well --WWE is releasing the Disturbed Life of Kane DVD on Tuesday with these matches: Mankind vs. Kane 11/9/97 Undertaker vs. Kane 3/29/98 Mania Undertaker vs. Kane Inferno match 4/26/98 Kane vs. Steve Austin first blood match for WWE title 6/28/98 X-Pac & Kane vs. Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart 4-5-99 Kane vs. X-Pac cage match 12/12/99 Kane vs. Chris Jericho Last man standing 12/10/00 Kane & Undertaker vs. Edge & Christian vs. Dudleys 2/25/01 Kane vs. HHH 5/20/01 Kane vs. Kurt Angle 3/17/02 Mania Kane vs. HHH WWE title vs. IC title 10/20/02 Kane & RVD vs. Jericho & Christian 1/6/03 Kane vs. RVD cage match 9/8/03 Kane vs. Shane McMahon last man standing 9/21/03 Kane vs. Shane McMahon 11/16/03 Kane vs. Matt Hardy 8/15/04 Kane vs. Shawn Michaels 9/12/04 Kane vs. Snitsky 1/17/05 Kane vs. Edge cage match 6/18/05 Kane vs. Edge stretcher match 7/25/05 Kane vs. Umaga 9/18/06 Undertaker & Kane vs. Booker & Finlay 12/22/06 Kane vs. Booker 2/18/07 Kane vs. Finlay Belfast Brawl 9/14/07 Kane vs. Undertaker 4/4/08 24 man Battle Royal for ECW title shot and Kane vs. Chavo for title from this year's Wrestlemania --The UK version of the Rotten Tomatoes web site has 24 reviews for The Wrestler, with 24 thumbs up (thanks to Paul Clay) --Today's New York Daily News has a short piece on Mick Foley (in the paper, not on the site) in the page 6 gossip section talking about how he feels WWE has become overly scripted and wants to share his knowledge of doing promos. He again said he's having the most fun he's had in wrestling in eight years right now. The piece listed the co-ownership of TNA like it was a shoot. --There is a new Spin Cycle on the TNA web site with an all women's panel of ODB, Rhaka Khan, SoCal Val and Christy Hemme. They talk about how HD reveals lines of faces they try to hide, the main event feud, as well as feature with Mick Foley's sun playing Jingle Belle by making farting noises with his armpit --Matt Hardy talks about being ECW champion at http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/dec/07/mooneyham/ to build up tonight's show and his match with Jack Swagger. He notes being excited about his first weekend wrestling Swagger. He also talks a lot about brother Jeff and his thoughts on Jeff getting a major title run. --The All Japan Real World Tag League tournament ends tomorrow with Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Suwama & Shuji Kondo in the finals --Poll on Friday night's Smackdown Excellent 28.9% Good 38.3% Average 13.3% Fair 7.8% Poor 11.7% 36.9% of those responding didn't see the show --Poll on Thursday's Impact Excellent 20.8% Good 20.8% Average 16.0% Fair 8.8% Poor 33.6% 38.1% of those responding didn't see the show. Worse reaction than usual for the most watched show in company history. --What did you think of TNA setting its audience record on Thursday? Rating increase is cosmetic, things are at the same level as always 31.3% Rating increase is minuscule, so nothing regarding popularity is substantially different 29.4% Short-term boost like NWO was, but they aren't building future stars 18.1% Product is on the way up due to the main event angle 13.7% Product is on the way up due to an overall improved product 7.6% --Linda McMahon will be participating in the UBS 36th annual Global Media & Communications Conference on Wednesday in New York --There is a story on WWE's overseeing physician Dr. Joseph Maroon and training at http://kdka.com/health/doctor.iron.man.2.880120.html Maroon oversees the entire WWE health program and also did both John Cena's neck surgery and Bruno Sammartino's back surgery. Sammartino credits Maroon for keeping him out of a wheelchair because his back had gotten so bad from his ring injuries --USA Today has a question in its pop culture quiz asking who Ric Flair's opponent was who beat him at Wrestlemania 24 --Marisa Tomei talks about her role in "The Wrestler" at http://www.thedailyaztec.com/tempo/1.1047160 The movie debuts in Sweden on 2/6 --Kid Kash and Chase Stevens headline for Showtime All-Star Wrestling at The SawMill in Millersville, TN on 12/12 --Bill Behrens has added James Maritato (Guido, Nunzio) and King V (formerly Big Daddy V) to the list of wrestlers he's booking indies for, as well as Short Sleeve Sampson. You can also book Amazing Red, Kenn Doane (Kenny Dykstra), Lance Cade, Rick Steiner, Shannon Moore, Alan Funk, Aaron Aguilera, Kevin Nash, Stevie Richards, Blue Meanie, Nova, Shawn Stasiak, Raven, David Taylor, Orlando Jordan Larry Zbyszko, Kenny Bolin, Elix Skipper, Chase Stevens, David Young, Cassidy Riley, Luke Hawx, John McChesney, Delirious, Daizee Haze, Ricky Reyes, and many others at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it --Frances Coage, the daughter of Badnews Allen, is looking for any fans who can help her gather photos of her father for a book being written about him. Badnews also lent his personal photo album out to someone before he died and the family doesn't know who has it, so if the person who has it can contact them, they would appreciate it. Dwayne Soper at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it can be contacted with photos and such as he's helping the project. --After the flood that damaged so much memorabilia, the Dan Gable Wrestling Museum in Waterloo, IA, will be opening to the public on 1/9, the same day as the NWCA National Dual meet in Cedar Falls. There will be an autograph show on 1/9 at 3 p.m. at the museum including gold medalists Dan Gable, Ed Banach, Ben Peterson, Bill Smith, Randy Lewis and Doug Blubaugh as well as Olympian Ben Askren. The museum also has a pro wrestling wing and a pro wrestling Hall of Fame --A funny note on the Netflix blurb for the Unforgiven DVD, mentioning names of the top stars on the show and instead of Undertaker, somebody played a joke and wrote "Mean Mark Callous," which was his WCW name in the early 90s (thanks to Gary Herman) --Andre Howard noted that on Wednesday night when watching Unleashed, how nearly everyone he saw, Arlovski (who was with the boxing people at the fight and there has been tons of talk of him trying heavyweight boxing this year), Paul Buentello, Tito Ortiz, Ken Shamrock, Renato Sobral were no longer with the company. He noted they showed several big wins by Arlovski that air right before Arlovski challenges Fedor Emelianenko for the rival Affliction promotion on 1/24 --Anderson Silva was in Surrey, BC yesterday to make up for his nonappearance when he wasn't allowed into Canada. There was a 2 1/2 hour line to see him. Reader Ed Ludwig was there and said that when they were about to take a one hour lunch break, Silva got up and told the people running the appearance, "I can't leave as these people have been lined up in the pouring rain for hours." --No CMLL on Fox Sports Espanol the next two weeks (thanks to Jeff Sheridan) --Announced for 1/18 in Lexington at Rupp Arena is Edge vs. Jeff Hardy for the title, HHH vs. Vladimir Kozlov in a street fight and Undertaker vs. Big Show in a cage match. Granted, that will change, but that's the current main stuff on the Smackdown brand for house shows along with Matt Hardy vs. Jack Swagger --There is a wrestling show, an awards night and CD release party on 1/9 in Toronto at The Factory with Derek Wylde vs Tyson Dux on top, plus Kamala from the 80s appears. They will also be giving the Ontario indie awards. --Independent Wrestling All-Stars on 12/12 and 12/13 in Miami, OK at the Rec Center featuring former ECW star Chilly Willy and Memphis star Ali Stevens. There will also be a show on 1/10 in Miami, OK at the Miami Civic Center with Bill Ash and former Portland wrestler Doug Masters --Egotistico Fantastico and Dan Paysan have been added to the 12/13 Cage of death jr. heavyweight title ladder match for CZW at the Alhambra --Championship Wrestling Experience on 1/16 in Austintown, OH at the Wedge Night Club --Chris Sabin, Petey Williams and Doug Williams work for the EWP in Hannover, Germany on 12/20 --Scott Steiner will be a guest at the New York Comicon in February (thanks to Roy Gibb) --UWC Toys for Toys from last night in Pemberton, NJ: Joe Rules b Taylor Nicole Rules and Hubie Volk, Warhed b Prisoners 08015 and 08016, Steve & Colby (12 years old now) Corino b Dave Patera & Cremator, Kid America b Greg Spitz, Section 8 & Tommy Force & Oprhan b Alex Anthony & GPS & Maverick, Ryan Sawyer & Professor Pain b Silver Bullets, Twiggy Ramriez b Dan Rageous, Don Montoya b Steve Corino when Colby turned on Steve and declared that Joe Rules is now his dad. I guess Steve liked that Sandman/Raven angle. (thanks to Chris Wilcox) --Hernandez appears 1/17 for New School Federation in Temple, TX --HPW before 220 fans last night in Columbus, IN: Fuji Brown b G.T. Vega, Average White Guy b General Lee, Ox Harley b Pastor Pain, Donny Idol & Cousin Cooter & Dylan Bostic b Loose Cannons-DQ, Shawn Cook b Tiny Tim, Tommy Ray Sands b Zodiac, Ronnie Vegas b T.J. Kemp, Mitch Ryder DDQ Flash Flanagan. Greg Valentine did a run-in on the show. Danny Basham vs. Flash Flanagan headlines on 1/3 (thanks to Jerry Wilson) --Haystacks Calhoun, one of wrestling's biggest attractions of the 60s and early 70s, passed away 19 years ago today at 55. Today is also the birthday of former WWE wrestler Curtis Hughes (44) and Tammy Sytch (36). --Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia 87 years ago today: Hall of Famer Joe Stecher beat Harry Stevens in two straight falls in Augusta 52 years ago: Bobby Weaver kept the Southern title beating Jerry Graham 46 years ago: Ray Gunkel beat Dick the Bruiser via DQ 35 years ago: Robert Fuller & The Sheik beat Cowboy Bill Watts & Luke Graham via DQ in the main event 32 years ago in Macon: Bill Dromo beat Dick Slater via DQ 29 years ago: Masked Superstar beat Tommy Rich to win the Georgia title and Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff beat Ole Anderson & Jerry Brisco to keep the Georgia tag titles, while Jack Brisco beat Austin Idol |
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