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             This week's huge shock of the impending death of the longest running pro wrestling show in the history of television (and it's absolutely not Raw) is the headline story of this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

 

        We look back at the show, the reasons for the death, its heyday and fall from grace, and how it affects the future of the industry.  We look at a rival promotion that faced this same situation and still survives and a blue print for what will have to be done to change, and how it is one more step in the steep downgrade of what at one time was considered an impenetrable industry.

 

        We also have a note on the economy internationally and how both UFC and WWE are going to be substantially affected when it comes to revenue by something that has just taken place.

 

        We also have a feature looking back at the ups and downs of the life and career of Jeff Hardy in this jumbo-sized issue, including the exclusive story on the background of how he got his first WWE title run.  We talk about what the plans were, who made the call, how the call was received, current plans including what is the big blow-off plan they are, at least this week, building toward.

 

        This is an interesting look, looking back at Jeff Hardy's title quest over the past year, as to how WWE world championship booking is done, changed, as well as the thoughts on the controversial issue of Jeff winning and the message it sends to the locker room.  We look at Vince McMahon's past doctrines regarding the drug issue and the championship, where it stemmed from, and his thoughts on the issue today and where Jeff fits in.  We also have Matt Hardy's thoughts on where he and his brother stand in history, a number of firsts for Jeff Hardy as champion as well as the brothers, along with complete coverage of the Armageddon show.

 

        The issue is 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 have our usual big show coverage of Armageddon, Fight for the Troops and the Ultimate Fighter finals, with match-by-match coverage, star ratings for Armageddon, poll results and more.  We look at the Michaels angle with JBL.

 

        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.
 

        In our coverage of Fight for the Troops, we update all the injuries that happened on the show, as well as an update on the money raised by the promotion and where the money is going, celebrities involved and for both UFC shows, we have the most detailed breakdown of who watched, what matches people turned on to say and what matches they turned off, and how the audiences on Wednesday and Saturday differed.

 

        We also have an update on how the wrestling business is doing in Puerto Rico, a look back at the heyday of Puerto Rican wrestling and the career of Abdullah the Butcher, who was the focal point of the last big show of the year, including whether or not Abdullah is really retiring.

 

        We have backgrounds on Ryan Bader and Efrain Escudero, their wins in the Ultimate Fighter finals, how the show did head-to-head with De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao on HBO and other boxing shows, as well as a look at how boxing did this weekend on Showtime and Versus as compared to MMA events.  We also talk about what members of this season's cast have the best chance of sticking with UFC and those who are likely never to be seen again.

 

        We also have a feature on Bobby Lashley as an MMA fighter, talking with him about his career and goals, a look at his first fight, a detailed look at his training, as well as lots more about his pro wrestling career, who he still talks with, and his thoughts of going back at some point.

 

        We have a story behind the tag team title change at the house show, what happened to Lilian Garcia on the trip to Iraq, a lesson involving the use of Steve Austin going forward, and the firing of Snitsky. 

 

        We have a look at the life of Mike Bell, a former ECW regular, best known to people who saw the movie, "Bigger, Faster, Stronger," talking about his life, career and what exactly happened.

 

        We also have notes on perhaps the most athletic female newcomer WWE has signed in years.

 

        We also have what may be the answer to the 2009 trick question of what will be the most watched pro wrestling match of the year on television.  While not a sure thing, the most likely answer will shock you, particularly because it will involve one of three wrestling Hall of Famers who have not wrestled in more than a decade, and a look back at the career of one of the most influential wrestler/promoters who ever lived.

 

        We also have the major TV show reviews from the past week.

 

        We also have our 2008 awards ballot.

 

        We also have our detailed look at the weekly TV ratings of the major pro wrestling shows.

 

        Also in this week's issues:

--Update on the promotional war in Mexico and where Los Perros Del Mal fit in

 

--L.A. Park talks about which side he's leaning toward and why

 

--Belts with 50 years of history are now disputed and may be recalled

 

--Attempts to do nostalgia shows going forward in Mexico

 

--TNA stars working for both sides of a promotional war

 

--Hustlemania main event

 

--Dragon Gate tournament update

 

--Keiji Muto faces a female senator in the main event of All Japan's last show of the year

 

--Update on Kenta Kobashi

 

--ROH stars heading to NOAH for the new year

 

--Official announcement of what is likely to be the top drawing match at the Tokyo Dome show

 

--Pro wrestler entering world submission fighting championships in Switzerland

 

--Popular TV actor in highly rated drama show set to make a pro wrestling debut

 

--Tons of news on "The Wrestler"

 

--Mick Foley talks the movie

 

--Wrestler honored with a non-wrestling international Hall of Fame induction

 

--Bill Goldberg back on television

 

--Update on Paul London

 

--ROH booking situation updated and how things are changing

 

--Philosophical changes expected to be implemented in 2009

 

--Biggest crowd in history expected soon

 

--Updated TNA Genesis lineup

 

--Update on plans to tape Tokyo Dome show

 

--Kurt Angle in a major movie role

 

--Identity of international newcomer who is being plugged for TNA

 

--Former Undertaker rival in WWE signs with TNA and will debut shortly

 

--Update on Suicide character

 

--Lots of news on TNA videogame

 

--Dixie Carter interesting info

 

--Update on Al Snow in TNA

 

--When Lesnar vs. Couture will air on Spike TV

 

--Zuffa event draws poorly

 

--Update on ticket sales to all the upcoming UFC events 

 

--Notes on betting odds for upcoming big shows

 

--Notes on possible UFC return to Canada

 

--Fighter who was in line for title shot in a coma

 

--Olympic gold medalist says he wants to fight MMA for UFC or WEC in 2009

 

--Update on the next season of Ultimate Fighter

 

--Frank Mir complains about Junie Browning's treatment and why he wouldn't let his son watch him on TV by the end of the season

 

--Other fighters talk Browning and if it's a work or shoot

 

--Couture in movie role

 

--More new UFC fights signed and several fighters signed to new deals

 

--U.S. Olympic team wrestlers about to start in MMA, and one nearly was set to debut at the New Year's Eve show in what would have been a gigantic match, and why it fell through

 

--Update on the New Year's Eve show in Japan

 

--Update on the Affliction PPV show

 

--Final numbers for De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao

 

--Notes on the return of Pat Miletich

 

--Ken Shamrock announces taking another fight

 

--Former Olympic gold medalist who recently lost to TNA star in shoot match announces retirement

 

--Olympic bronze medalist announces debut in January

 

        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.

 

 

--Last Friday's Smackdown on MyNetwork did a 2.1 rating

 

--Lineups for ROH this weekend

Philadelphia on Friday night

Nigel McGuinness & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe

Bryan Danielson vs. Jerry Lynn

Austin Aries vs. Naomichi Marufuji

Kensuke Sasaki & Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Roderick Strong & Brent Albright

Kevin Steen & El Generico & Necro Butcher vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black & Delirious

Takeshi Morishima vs. Go Shiozaki

Erick Stevens vs. Chris Hero

Kenny Omega vs. Rhett Titus

 

Saturday night at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York

McGuinness vs. Marufuji for ROH title

Danielson vs. Morishima

Sasaki & Nakajima vs. Briscoes

Steen & Generico defend tag titles against Jacobs & Delirious

Austin Aries vs. Tyler Black

Albright & Strong & Stevens vs. Richards & Edwards & Shiozaki in a street fights

Hero vs. Lynn  vs. Necro Butcher vs. Titus

Castagnoli vs. Omega

        That New York lineup on paper looks like a show that could be some kind of awesome.

 

--There are big ads in all of Mexico's sports newspapers for Raw on Televisa with a large photo of Rey Mysterio

 

--Andy Ologun vs. Yukio Sakaguchi (Seiji's son) and Katsuyori Shibata vs. Hayato Sakurai were both added today to the New Year's Eve show at the Saitama Super Arena and on TBS in Japan.  Both matches had been rumored the past few days.

 

--The Sacramento Bee has a huge story on Sam Fatu (Tonga Kid) and his six-week old twin daughters who were born prematurely when his wife almost died at http://sacbee.com/topstories/story/1496331.html  His wife's heart stopped beating and the twins literally had minutes to live if they weren't pulled out.  The idea all three survived was considered a miracle. 

 

--Poll on Raw from Monday

Excellent 45.6%

Good 40.6%

Average 7.4%

Fair 2.3%

Poor 4.0%

        15.8% of those responding didn't see the show.  This may have been best response to a Raw show all year.

 

--Who do you think takes this fight

Forrest Griffin 58.8%

Rashad Evans 41.2%

 

--On this week's UFC 92 preview show

They should have acknowledged Fedor beating Nogueira and Jackson's arrest because it's part of each man's real story 32.1%

By not acknowledging either or both happened on the special it hurts the company credibility in the long run 27.9%

They should not have acknowledged either thing because it gets in the way of hyping the fights 40.0%

 

--The new ESPN magazine has a major story on Jeff Monson and his Anarchist political beliefs.  He noted he hasn't paid any taxes since the war in Iran started.  Not a good thing to talk about publicly. (thanks to Mark Coale)

 

--The two hours of Raw were No. 4 and No. 5 in the cable ratings behind only the Saturday night football game on the NFL Network and last Monday's game, and the Lifetime movie Undercover Christmas

 

--There is a look at the UFC videogame that comes out in May at http://ps3.ign.com/articles/940/940237p1.html

 

--FCW on 1/17 in Cudahy, CA at the Sports Center with Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. L.A. Park

 

--Yesterday was the 54th anniversary of the match where Rikidozan double crossed Masahiko Kimura in the match to determine the first Japanese heavyweight champion. 

 

--When noting that John Morrison wrestled on four different networks last week, we haven't gotten any evidence anyone else has ever done that.  however, Jonny Fairplay did note that in one week, he was on CMT's Celebrity Bullriding show, VH1's Reality Stars:  Where Are They Now; FOX Reality's FOX Reality Awards and TMZ.

 

--There is an interview with Darren Aronofsky at http://www.avclub.com/content/feature/darren_aronofsky  Apparently he doesn't know TNA exists

 

--Chris Masters headlines a show on 1/31 in Westland, MI at Skateland West.  He is also doing a seminar before the show at 6 p.m.

 

--Mistico turned 26 on Monday.  Christopher Daniels turns 37 today and Chris Hero turns 29.

 

--Not much UFC on TV next week.  The only stuff on Spike is two hours of Unleashed this coming Tuesday from 9-11 p.m.

 

--An interview with Edge plugging his DVD is up at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/22/7826131.html  He talked about helping select the matches and talked about not being able to put some of his best work on the DVD because some of it just came out on other people's DVDs.  He and Matt Striker worked together in commenting on the matches that were on it.  He noted he asked for his match with Mr. Perfect to be put on because he was a big fan of his growing up.

 

--One of the critics at The Onion listed The Wrestler as one of the ten best movies of 2008.  Another critic had Redbelt in their top ten list (thanks to Todd Gerth)

 

--The movie opens 1/5 in London at the Leicester Square.  Wrestling-Online.com has a drawing for two tickets to the grand opening and red carpet party open to residents in the U.K at http://www.wrestling-online.com/promotions/thewrestler/  You need to submit a phone number with your entree    

 

--The movie opens in Australia on 1/16 (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

 

--Top Notch Wrestling bookings at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it has available 2 Cold Scorpio, Al Snow, Andy Douglas, Axl Rotten, Balls Mahoney, The Barbarian, Bill Alfonso, Brian Knobs, Brutus Beefcake, Buff Bagwell, Chase Stevens, Corporal Kirchner, Bob Orton, Damaja, Damien Demento, Dave Hebner, Demolition, Doink the Clown, Steve Williams, Nick Dinsmore, George Steele, Brian Christopher, Greg Valentine, Jon Heidenreich, Henry Godwinn, Ivan Koloff, Jake Roberts, J.J. Dillon, Jim Mitchell, Jason Knight, Jerry Lynn, Jimmy Golden, Jimmy Hart, Jonny Fairplay, Justin Credible, Koko Ware, Lanny Poffo, Mike Mondo, Curtis Hughes, Mustafa Saeed, Gary Wolf, Warlord, Doug Somers, Rosey, Highlanders, Sabu, Sandman, Savio Vega, Stro, and Tito Santana among others.

 

--The Portland (Maine) Pirates have offered a combo ticket for a Maine Legends of Wrestling event on 12/28 and a WWE house show ticket for 12/30 for $40 total, a savings of $8.  The first is an AHL hockey game with Scotty 2 Hotty appearing

 

--There is an ECW reunion scheduled for 3/28 in Allentown, PA at the Merchants Square Outlet Mall with Raven, Shane Douglas, Francine, Sandman, Justin Credible, Mikey Whipwreck, Steve Corino, Spike Dudley, Axl Rotten, Balls Mahoney, Blue Meanie, Nova, Stevie Richards and Tammy Sytch