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Today is the last day for our Final Resolution poll. You can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle plus best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We're looking for reports on the WWE weekend house shows in Greenville, Florence and North Charleston and the Saturday night TNA house show in Lawrenceburg, KY.

Smackdown is taping one show in Bridgeport, CT tonight, and ECW is taped tonight as well this week because of the three-hour Raw. There is also a second Impact taping for the show airing 12/18 tonight.

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.

-- Regarding the JBL/Joey Styles story that is up at PWInsider.com, there isn't much to add to it that wasn't reported there. Basically, during the Iraq trip JBL was in full hazing mode with Joey Styles and Styles could finally take no more. There was a scuffle, a bunch of people jumped in to break it up, JBL, who had been drinking, broke free, and as he was charging Styles (yes, Joey Styles) punched him right in the face and knocked him down. JBL ended up with a cut and blackened eye which was somewhat visible under heavy make-up yesterday. About the only thing we can add is that apparently there were a number of different things that JBL did to him during the course of the tour, all of which would have set a normal person off, some of them verbal and some of them more physical. JBL spent most of Monday night by himself in the locker room, being very quiet and spending most of the time dinking around on his Blackberry. There will be more on this in tomorrow's edition of the Observer, likely including a look at other JBL-related incidents including the infamous beating of Blue Meanie at One Night Stand and incidents that led to Palmer Cannon quitting. JBL also dumped a bucket of ice on Lilian after she fell asleep on the plane, so he was in quite the mood. Or he just watched Coyote Ugly.

-- After Raw last night they announced that Great American Bash was coming to Philadelphia on July 26, 2009.

-- Artie on the Howard Stern Show today said he'd auditioned for a part in The Wrestler and went all the way to the very end before they finally gave the part to someone else. He said he was talking to his friend David Herman of MadTV awhile later and Herman told him that years back at a party in LA Artie had punched director Darren Aronofsky in the face. Artie said perhaps this was Darren's revenge after all these years. Howard said that would be quite the dark way to get back at someone and Fred said if you've ever seen one of Aronofsky's movies it would seem like something he'd do to get back at someone.

-- The next set of NWA TV tapings take place December 20th and 21 in Hollywood, CA at the Columbia Square Studios.

-- It has not resorted to name-calling on both sides. There are links here for Vadim Finklestein's promos on Dana White about how stupid he is for calling them "crazy Russians".

-- And speaking of, Roy Englebrecht and Beverly Hills Attorney Steven Bash have been awarded an M-1 Challenge Team Franchise for Southern California. The team will be called USA West. Englebrecht was the promoter of the last Affliction show.

-- Phillipe Nover, who was awarded his black belt earlier this week, will be our guest on Figure Four Daily this afternoon. It's a big week as tomorrow we'll be joined by Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake of WWF, WCW and Celebrity Championship Wrestling Fame, and Thursday will be our bi-weekly show with Lance Storm.

-- Ron Simmons is scheduled to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame today.

-- Melina has been added to a profile page at askmen.com

-- Shane writes: Best Buy (this includes their website) is selling many TNA DVDs for $5.99. Mostly, it's PPVs from the last three years, but a few bio discs (Sting, TNA's 50 Greatest Moments, Bloodiest Brawls, etc.) are on sale as well. Probably the best deal, though, is that Global Impact is included in the sale.

-- Don't forget we have a special running through Christmas: For every friend you buy a three-month subscription for, if you email your purchase receipt to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it we will add a full month to your subscription (recurring subscribers are ineligible since we cannot add to the end of infinity). If you order subs for 12 friends you will essentially get a free YEAR on the website. More info on the special is up here

-- And a great Christmas gift: Ric Flair & The Four Horsemen (2 Discs)

-- Jerry Only of the Misfits talks his time in WCW here. WCW stories are never not funny.

-- My high school does me proud

-- Patrick Lennon has a huge article here about Wanderlei Silva.

-- J-Roll Survives MVP-Style Smackdown

-- Lane Allan of of TMJ4 in Milwaukee has a story and video here about his recent tag match which featured Jerry Lawler. There are indy workers who would kill to work a tag match with Lawler.

-- Scott Hall vs. Tracy Smothers headlines the Juggalo Championship Wrestling show on December 20th at the Eagle Theatre in Pontiac, MI. There's a battle for you.

-- HP Pro Wrestling Debut Show, Kissimmee, Florida, December 2, 2008: Gus Money defeated Jerrell Clark, Demon Toro b Bobby Fonta, Dark City Fight Club b CJ O'Doyle & Mike Cruz, Dino Kiko b Dan Popper, Dyland Night b Da Bif, Scotty 2 Hotty & Afro Boy b British Lions.

-- Eddie Alvarez has an open workout and meet and greet on Thursday, Dec. 11 at noon at the City Fitness club in Philadelphia, PA.

-- Rampage Pro Wrestling on 12/7 in Warner Robins, GA in front of about 200 fans: Lance Christian b Johnny Slaughter, Cru Jones & Colt Derringer b Rob Adonis & Dustin Powers, AJ Steele b Micah Taylor, Frankie Valentine b Johnny Gayton to win Cruiserweight title, Orion Bishop b J-Rod and Sal Rinauro.

-- Bill Behrens at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is now handing bookings for Steve Corino, Al Snow and Ryan O'Reilly.

-- Dan is auctioning off a 1981 Tiger Mask action figure here

-- Longtime Carolina wrestler Mean Marc Ash underwent surgery on Nov. 13th to have a cyst removed. Ash started to experience pain and swelling in the area on Dec. 8th. He returned to the doctor today to find out he had developed an infection in that area. He expects to be back in action in early 2009.