Updated: Saturday November 7th, 2009 01:44:19 AM PST
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        Impact tonight on Spike:
*Eric Young vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir in the X division tournament
*Jay Lethal vs. Alex Shelley in the X division tournament
*Abyss vs. James Storm with Jackie on a pole (actually a beer bottle on a pole)
*Christy Hemme vs. the women pretending to be Usain Bolt's sister
*Kurt Angle vs. the former Bubba Ray Dudley
        Main event was said to be really good.  They also reveal the briefcases as in who gets fired, who gets an X division shot and who gets a TNA title shot with Curry Man, Hernandez and Homicide.  All that plus one hour of interviews.
 
        HDNet also has Adrenaline at 10 p.m. Eastern live tonight from Moline, IL:
*Pat Curran vs. Ramiro Hernandez
*Gabe Lemley vs. Dan Loman
*Mike Ciesnolevicz vs. Derrick Mehmen
*Ryan McGivern vs. Geno Roderick
*Michael Russow vs. Braden Bice
*Ben Rothwell vs. Chris Guillen
*Pat Miletich vs. Wildman Thomas Denny  
 
        Between coverage of the JBL/Joey Styles situation in Iraq, in depth, as well as the ramifications, updates on PPV numbers of Lesnar vs. Couture, De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Wrestlemania, and WWE, UFC and HBO with differing beliefs on how the economy will affect PPV in 2009, the death of Steve Bradley and coverage of traditional end of the year major shows in Mexico and Japan and a huge history piece on how UFC started and all the UFC records, we will have two issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter coming out next week.
 
        Both issues will be available today 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 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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        We look at the details of what happened with JBL and Joey Styles and what led to it from reports from those in Iraq when it happened.  We look at the varying reactions at television, JBL's background in hazing as well as a comment from one of his friends on that incident as well as other incidents well known in the past.  We look back at situations like this in the past, including when a wrestler came up short in a fight with another wrestler and it took months for Vince McMahon to be convinced to give the wrestler a planned title run.  We also look at the value structure in pro wrestling in the past regarding wrestlers and fights, including why promoters often fired wrestlers if word got out they lost a fight. 
 
        We have a look at the biggest PPV shows of 2008, including numbers UFC claims for Lesnar-Couture and how much Couture would be earning if the number was accurate.  We also figure in what major UFC record was set, as well as a comparison to the biggest WWE show in history.
 
        We have comments from Dana White, Ross Greenburg as well as a WWE look at the economy and the PPV business in 2009.  We also have my take on how it will be affected, as well as a compare and contrast attending big events from UFC, boxing and WWE.  We also look at the cities UFC 91 was hottest in, as well how wrestling does one thing when it comes to promotion better than UFC when it comes to big events.
 
        We also have updates on WWE on PPV including a show that did better than expectations and a show that did shockingly bad, as in one of the worst numbers in the history of the company.
 
        We have a history piece on the birth of UFC 15 years ago, why it was so popular at the start, how the reaction was at first when the idea came across, early rules and a look back at the first few shows.  We look at why UFC succeeded where others failed, the first truly huge UFC events on PPV, turning points for the promotion  and how it got turned around.
 
        We also look at the number of UFC fighters since its inception that have at one time or another, worked for a pro wrestling organization, as well as the number of champions who have done so.  We look at the pro wrestling connection with UFC, as well as a special feature with an all-time UFC record book, listing every champion and records in many different categories for both the fighters and business. 
 
        We've got a huge story on the life and times of Steve Bradley, the former WWE wrestler who was found dead this past week.  We look at his background, his WWE developmental tenure, why he didn't make it, what happened to him after his death and major opportunities he turned down.  We have comments from several who worked with him, as well as the Hall of Fame wrestler who flatly stated he learned more from Bradley early in his career than anyone.
 
        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 have a look at the Tokyo Sports annual awards for Japanese pro wrestling, including details on the voting for MVP, Match of the Year, Tag Team of the Year and all the regular honors.
 
        We also have a feature on the WWE Slammy Awards and the three-hour Raw, as well as notes on where WWE is going.
 
        We've got coverage of the TNA Final Resolution PPV, with match-by-match coverage with star ratings as well as poll results from the show, plus the top matches for Genesis.  We also have coverage of Pro Wrestling NOAH's last major event of the year at Budokan Hall, the K-1 World Grand Prix, the All Japan Real World Tag League tournament and AAA's Guerra de Titans shows.
 
        We also have an update on Celebrity Championship Wrestling, its future, as well as talks of a promotion coming out of it, as well as more on the firing of Bruce Prichard by WWE.  We also have WWE web site business numbers and an interesting lesson these numbers show.
 
        We also have our usual weekly features such as TV ratings rundowns, results from the major league arena events around the world and major TV show rundowns.   
 
        Also in this week's issues:
 
--Problems with a promotion and some of its biggest stars that are about to come to a head
 
--Debut of Perro Aguayo Jr's Perros Del Mal promotion and how CMLL has countered
 
--Promotion throws in the towel when it comes to its usual big year-end show
 
--Nostalgia show for one of the great promotions of the 70s and 80s bringing back the top draws of that period
 
--Update on TV ratings from Mexico with WWE vs. AAA
 
--Cibernetico talks about why he left AAA
 
--Promotion tries to get wrestlers kicked out of the country who left the promotion
 
--Angle leading to the retirement match of Abdullah the Butcher
 
--Huge mainstream woman celebrity signs to do a pro wrestling match
 
--Update on Kenta Kobashi
 
--The New Japan Tokyo Dome show including two major matches not yet announced that they are working toward
 
--Reid Flair's debut and Hulk Hogan does his first indie show
 
--Ric Flair talks about the first Starrcade
 
--Updates on Crockett stars
 
--One of the current top names in wrestling talks retirement this past week
 
--More news on the TNA videogame
 
--Mick Foley talks about his tenure in TNA
 
--TNA and WWE weekend house shows reports
 
--Notes on the next few weeks of TNA television
 
--UFC ticket sale updates
 
--UFC star signs new contract
 
--Future of TUF winners for this season
 
--New WWE TV deal
 
--Updates on top star contract negotiations
 
--What newcomer is getting rave reviews on house shows
 
--Characters in the Legends of Wrestlemania videogame
 
--Matt Hardy talks about Jeff and the title picture as well as current relationship with Edge and Lita
 
--What MVP has been told about why he's doing the losing streak
 
--Update on Big Daddy V
 
--New Japan major show news
 
--A match that would have been gigantic in the past takes place over the past week with little notice
 
--More award nominations for "The Wrestler"
 
--More on the death of Charles Buffong
 
--Movie starring two members of WWE Hall of Fame
 
--ROH weekend notes
 
--Lashley and Lesnar comparisons in MMA
 
--Original ideas for Lashley in WWE
 
--De La Hoya fans vs. MMA fans
 
--WEC payoff numbers
 
--More on Japan New Year's Eve shows
 
--Fighter risks his career in the U.S. to take Japanese date
 
--Best selling DVDs
 
--Notes on background of Kizarny
 
--Two second generation wrestlers signed by WWE
 
        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 movie "The Wrestler" was nominated for three Golden Globe awards.  Mickey Rourke is in with Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Frank Langella and Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor.  Marisa Tomei is nominated for Best Supporting Actress with Amy Adams, Penelope Cruz, Vilal Davis and Kate Winslet.  The musical score by Bruce Springsteen got a Best Original Song nomination. (thanks to Steve Wilson and Keith Lipinski) 
 
--Yoshiyuki Yoshida was released from the hospital last night after suffering a concussion.  Corey Hill suffered a broken tibia (shin) leg in one of the most gruesome UFC injuries in history (the fight is on UFC.com for free today).  He was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.  Early reports have him out 12 to 18 months.  There is a story on it at http://www.sportsline.com/mma/story/11165887 by Sam Caplan
 
--UFC fans contributed in excess of $4 million last night to the Intrepid Foundation
 
--Snitsky was released today by WWE
 
--Brock Lesnar was announced at the TV tapings last night to be appearing at the OVW show on 1/7 at the Davis Arena in Louisville (thanks to Jason Frost)
 
--Nick Bockwinkel will appear on Marty Goldstein's Great Canadian Talk Show on 92.9 KICK-FM in Winnipeg at 4:40 p.m. Central time tomorrow and www.kick.fm 
 
--ECW on Tuesday did a 1.2 rating
 
--There is a story on Edge at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/11/7708806.html  He shaved the beard because his girlfriend despised it.  He talked about growing up with Nick Cvjetkovich (Kizarny) who has just started on Smackdown and Christian possibly returning noting it would be the first time all three would be in the same company at the same time.
 
--The Miami Herald has a story on John Cena returning from Iraq at http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/other/story/808184.html  The wrestlers met with soldiers at 26 different sites over the week
 
--John duPont's bid for parole was turned down.  DuPont, now 70, was sentenced to 13 to 30 years in the murder of Olympic gold medalist David Schultz in 1996, who was Kurt Angle's mentor at the time.  duPont, who came from the duPont fortune, helped subsidize and house the top amateur wrestlers at the time and for reasons unexplained, shot and killed Schultz, who was the "big brother" figure to wrestlers of that time.
 
--British wrestler Hade Vansen is scheduled to debut on Smackdown tomorrow night or the week after
 
--Bill Goldberg will be all over TV ads for Magazines.com, appearing with wife Wanda
 
--Poll on what the top drawing match for Sunday's Armageddon is
Cena vs. Jericho 55.2%
Edge vs. HHH vs. Jeff Hardy 44.8%
 
--Can Manny Pacquiao draw 1 million buys on PPV next year
Yes with Floyd Mayweather 70.7%
Yes with Ricky Hatton 25.4%
No with either 23.0%
        Interesting because the vast majority voting last week thought he couldn't do it with Oscar, and now most think he can with Mayweather, who isn't nearly the draw Oscar is.
 
--Who will win the light heavyweight TUF final
Ryan Bader 36.0%
Vinnie Magalhaes 64.0%    
 
--In the U.K., ratings for the week ending 11/30 saw TNA Impact for that week draw 44,000 viewers, Raw did 55,000 live, 28,000 on Thursday night and 33,000 on Friday night.  Smackdown drew 94,000 on Friday and 19,000 on Saturday.  ECW drew 25,000.  Episodes of UFC Unleashed on Setanta Sports were at 10,000 viewers (thanks to Ian Hamilton)
 
--The final episode of this season's Ultimate Fighter, the second hour from last Wednesday, featuring Junie Browning's match with Efraim Escudero, a head shaving, and some incredible promo work by Dana White will air after Impact at 11 p.m. tonight.
 
--Spike TV's Video Game Awards hosted by Jack Black air on 12/14 from Culver City, CA.  Among the presenters or celebrities attending will be Rashad Evans, Forrest Griffin, Quinton Jackson, Frank Mir, Stacy Keibler, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mike Tyson and Wanderlei Silva.  
 
--Today's South Florida Sun-Sentinel at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/coconut_creek/sfl-faspmmafeat11sbdec11,0,7286348.story has an article on Bobby Lashley preparing for his MMA debut which takes place Saturday night at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.
 
--K&S Promotions has a Wrestlefest on 1/10 in Carteret, NJ at the Radisson Hotel featuring Abdullah the Butcher, Assassin Jody Hamilton, Nick Patrick, Del "Patriot" Wilkes, Ivan Koloff, Nikita Koloff, Raymond Rougeau, Ernest Miller, Sonny Onoo, Jim Neidhart, Shannon Moore, Barry Horowitz, Vader and Paul Ellering.  Also making appearances will be Dean Malenko, Jackie Moore, Francine and Kenny Dykstra in other booths.
 
--Wild Bill's fight Night on 12/19 in Atlanta has a show called "A Fight for Charity" to benefit Toys for Tots.  All fans can get free admission by donating a new toy.  For more into on where to drop o the toy go to www.FullThrottleMMA.com
 
--BANG on 12/21 at 3598 SW 74th Ave Suite A in Ocala, featuring Awesome Kong and Dory Funk both wrestling  
 
--Former White House special counsel Lanny Davis has a story talking about taking his ten-year-old to the Verizon Center last week to see Raw at http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/12/10/davis_son/
 
--LA Derby Dolls have a show Saturday night at 6 p.m. at The Doll Factory at 1910 W. Temple St.  in Los Angeles.  These shows often sellout in advance and most events have a lot of celebrities attending.  Gene Simmons will be there accompanying his daughter, who will sing the national anthem.
 
--Armando Alejandro Estrada will be appearing on Saturday in Puerto Rico for the Abdullah the Butcher retirement show.  For more info go to http://www.myspace.com/therealarmandoestrada
 
--Former All Japan star and one of the strongest men ever in pro wrestling, Doug Furnas, turned 47 today 
 
--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia
74 years ago today:  Orville Brown beat George Hill in the main event
49 years ago:  Fred Blassie beat Dick Gunkel (Dick Steinborn) to win the Southern title
44 years ago:  Mario Galento beat Fred Blassie in a cage match to keep the Georgia title
38 years ago:  The Assassins beat Bobby Shane & Doug Gilbert
35 years ago in Macon:  Fred Blassie no contest Luke Graham and Tim Woods & Mr. Wrestling II beat Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George Jr. via DQ
33 years ago in Macon:  Luke Graham & Moondog Mayne won a one-night tag team tournament over Ron Garvin & Nikolai Volkoff, Brute Bernard & The Spoiler, Mr. Wrestling II & Chief Jay Strongbow, Dean Ho & Tony Garea, Rocket Monroe & Billy Spears, Jerry Brisco & Dick Slater and  Les Thornton & Tony Charles
30 years ago in Augusta:  Masked Superstar kept the Georgia title beating Jack Brisco, while Thunderbolt Patterson beat Ole Anderson and Mr. Wrestling II beat The Spoiler
29 years ago in Macon:  Masked Superstar kept the Georgia title beating Mr. Wrestling II while Ray Candy & Tony Atlas beat Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff
 
--NWA Wrestle Birmingham on Saturday night in Graysville, LA featuring Buff Bagwell, Sonny Siaki, Dennis Condrey, Elix Skipper, Mike Jackson, Robert Fuller and The Heartbreak Express     
 
--The UFC photo book "Octagon" is being released on 12/15 at Barnes and Nobles stores
 
--Tom Wersderfer on the Philadelphia Warriors Roller Games team reunion on Saturday noting that Judy Arnold, Skip Schoen, Buddy Atkinson Jr., Dru Scott, Jim Trotter, Vinnie Gandolfo, Jeff Hart, Lynn Congleton, Crystal Pioleau, Cameron Glenn, Judy Sowinski, and Little Richard Brown were there along with Hazel Roop, at 93 years old, who started her career in 1936.  Wersderfer said Trotter, the top male babyface on the team in the early 70s, is into religion, lives in Florida, works at a Mercedes dealership.  After skating he lived in Philadelphia for a while driving a bus and a limo. 
 
--Video of Anthony Johnson sparring for his rematch with Kevin Burns is at http://dwizzlesworld.blogspot.com/2008/12/anthony-rumble-johnson-training-session.html 

 

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