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        We're looking for your thoughts on last night's UFC 92, 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're also looking for reports on the Friday night Raw house show in Hershey, PA, as well as last night's Raw house show in Trenton and Smackdown house show in Greensboro, and today's Raw house show at Madison Square Garden and Smackdown house show in Raleigh.  The Madison Square Garden show was expected to sell out or come very close.

 

        Raw is live tomorrow night from Manchester, NH, featuring a four-way with Shawn Michaels vs. JBL vs. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton with the winner facing John Cena at the Royal Rumble for the World title.  The cable guides for the show also claim they will be announcing the participants in the Royal Rumble on the show.  They are also taping Tuesday's ECW TV show in Manchester.  There is also a Smackdown house show in Richmond, VA tomorrow night.

 

        Tuesday is the Smackdown tapings for both 1/2 and 1/9 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ.  Main event for show #1 is Matt & Jeff Hardy vs. Edge & Big Show.  There will also be a Raw house show in Portland, ME on Tuesday.

 

        Very late Tuesday/early Wednesday is the annual K-1 Dynamite New Year's Eve show.  The show will not air on TV in the U.S., but is considered the most important MMA show of the year in Japan.

 

        We're looking for reports on all of these shows.

 

        Also, tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern time on Versus has the Best of 2008 WEC show, with Miguel Torres vs. Yoshiro Maeda, Urijah Faber vs. Jens Pulver, Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura and Rob McCullough vs. Cowboy Donald Cerrone (first time this match has ever aired on television).  They are considered four of the best MMA matches of this year and there will be a vote after the show for WEC match of the year with the winners getting awarded at the 1/25 show in San Diego.        

 

        Our 2008 business year in review issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter will be out on Monday.  The issue has a rundown of the biggest shows of 2008, the biggest live event drawing cards and who drew the most big crowds in 2009 as well as a three-year total of the biggest draws over the past three years.

 

        We also have a complete 2008 PPV rundown of every event from wrestling, MMA and boxing in North America on PPV and how it did.  We also have a listing of the biggest money live events of the year, as well as a chart on how WWE, FEG, CMLL, AAA, NOAH and UFC all did as far as big shows in 2008 as compared with the previous two years, as well as a breakdown of the top 15 PPV events of the year and how the events broke down by promotion.

 

        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 also have a look at what UFC needs out of the 12/27 event to set the all-time annual PPV record, as well as a look at the value of both Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture to that record.  We also look at the three year totals and what they mean regarding future Hall of Fame candidates.

 

        We look at the two promotions which are clearly weakening going into 2009 and why, as well as what aspects of WWE business looks good and not so good.  We compare WWE big shows of 2008 with those in 2007 including why the big shows were up or down, as well as how the range of shows changed.  We compare PPV numbers in both years, as well as what WWE wrestler was the biggest PPV draw based on non-major show average for 2008.

 

        We also look at the big show prospects for the next year in WWE and UFC, as well as the most watched TV match of the year in Japan and the U.S.

 

        We also have an update on Wrestlemania, and how the injury to Dave Bautista impacts booking.

 

        We also have a look at a legitimate brawl that took place at the Christmas party of one of the major promotions.

 

        We've got more on the future of Pro Wrestling NOAH, which is going to have a rough 2009, with more about the loss of network TV.

 

        We also have a major story on the death of Justin Levens, including comparing and contrasting with situation with that of Chris Benoit.  ]

 

        We also have a major story on the history of pro wrestling at Texas Stadium.  We look back at all eight shows held in the stadium between 1972 and 1988, and talk about the buildup, the personalities, and the stars who appeared on all of those major events.  We look at how one of the legendary all-time rivalries in wrestling history had a chapter long before it was famous at the old Turnpike Stadium.  We look at Dory Funk Jr.'s thoughts about what was probably the biggest title defense of his four-year NWA title reign at Texas Stadium.  We look at the politics behind the Ric Flair-Kerry Von Erich title change.  We look at the Fritz Von Erich retirement show, Kerry Von Erich's rise and fall from superstardom, as well as the decline and fall of the Von Erich spectacular.

 

        We also have more on the WWE's new TV deal, an update on the Raven lawsuit, an update on Tomko and WWE, more on Jeff Hardy, the destruction of the site of a famous Wrestlemania event and an interesting note about the WWE championship belt. 

 

        We also have a look at a unique pro wrestling show held this past week, where everyone on the card except for two people were more than 50 years old, where the spectators were also old, and what happened, including showing films of some of the legendary matches.

 

        We also have our weekly rundown of the ratings in more detail than anywhere else, as well as results from the major league house shows during the week and the major TV show reviews.

 

        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.
 

 

        Also in this week's issues:

 

--A major promotion world title changes possibly due to champion leaving for WWE

 

--More tribute shows for a 70s and 80s promotion using the top stars from that period as the main eventers

 

--A major feud idea falls about over money issues

 

--A mayor promotes a wrestling show and draws one of the biggest crowds of the year

 

--Former WWE stars gets a look in a new major promotion while another is having people try and get him in

 

--Early 90s star debuts under a mask with a new name

 

--Update on high paid indie guys and whether promoters are making money with them

 

--U.S. names appearing on the big season opening shows in Puerto Rico

 

--Biggest show in Dragon Gate history

 

--What pro wrestler appears on two different networks on New Year's Eve

 

--Update on New Japan finances

 

--More talk about the New Japan Tokyo Dome show

 

--Notes on TV of the show

 

--A look at New Japan's last show of the year

 

--Multi-promotional show

 

--Sports Illustrated makes several references to wrestling and MMA

 

--Lots more on the movie "The Wrestler":

 

--Mick Foley and Ric Flair talk the movie

 

--Stars at the premiere

 

--What happened with Mickey Rourke and Ric Flair

 

--Update on Flair business

 

--Current stars TV show gets canceled

 

--New TV deal announced for a famous pro wrestler

 

--TNA stars sign new contract

 

--Update on Suicide in TNA

 

--What TNA star did an MMA match a few years ago against a person who was in one of the biggest matches of this past year

 

--New award for Georges St. Pierre

 

--Next Anderson Silva title defense

 

--Update on business of last UFC show

 

--Lots of new UFC lineups

 

--UFC changing ticket price structuring significantly and why

 

--Update on UFC injuries

 

--UFC star named Coolest Man in the country

 

--Update on next season of Ultimate Fighter

 

--Who Chuck Liddell wants to fight next

 

--Tito Ortiz talks contract

 

--Brock Lesnar talks about his UFC experience

 

--Lesnar turns down major offer

 

--Updates on the New Year's Eve show

 

--What pro wrestling Hall of Famer recruited Bob Sapp's next opponent

 

--More on Affliction pay

 

--Update on Affliction PPV

 

--Update on Gilbert Yvel and his licensing procedure

 

--More on the next Sengoku show

 

--A pro wrestler enters grappling world championships and several MMA stars medal

 

--Saturday Night Main Event DVD notes and what famous matches are on it

 

--Kofi Kingston's childhood wrestling hero

 

--More on JBL's company

 

--Best selling DVDs

 

--Main matches for next Mexico tour

 

--Update from developmental

 

--Who are considered the top people in developmental

 

--What two roles were a current WWE TV newcomer considered for in 2007 and why they fell through

 

        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.

 

 

--Coming off last night's show, Dana White said the key people (himself, Lorenzo Fertitta and Joe Silva) are going to get together and map out the key bouts from here.  A lot of matchups have been held off because of awaiting what happened with the three main events here.  The Feb. 21 show in London will be a Spike TV show instead of a PPV because of a lack of a PPV main event, as Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Stevenson will be on top.  The problem is that is going to be a tough sell in a 16,000-seat building like the O2 Arena.  They want Chuck Liddell to headline on 3/7 in Columbus, OH, but with Wanderlei Silva being knocked out as badly as he was, it's going to be touch-and-go.  Silva won't be able to fight probably for 90 days, and this show is just past the limit, so it's possible.  Shogun Rua is also a prospective opponent for Liddell provided he beats Mark Coleman on 1/17, but that's a seven week turn-around, which is also difficult.  Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir will be in the spring, most likely the April show in Montreal or the May show.  Quinton Jackson asked for a match with Forrest Griffin before getting a title shot at Rashad Evans, but that's another decision that has to be made in the next few days.

 

--If anyone that was at the ROH show last night and actually saw/heard exactly what went down with the fan and Austin Aries that led to Aries punching the fan out, let me know.  Most reports have the fan shoving Aries first and Aries responding with several hard punches, and a friend of the fan tried to get involved and was stopped by referee Paul Turner.  Was told a fan was thrown out as they were building the Briscoes vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima & Kensuke Sasaki finish, which killed the finish a little because the crowd was distracted. 

 

--RDS, a local French language sports station in Quebec, promoted a show last night where Sylvan Grenier beat Abyss to keep his NCW title while A.J. Styles won a three-way over Don Paysan and Franky the Mobster

 

--The Michelle McCool beatdown of Maria was apparently longer live in Toronto than the version that appeared on the show Saturday.

 

--Poll on the biggest match ever in Texas

Steve Austin vs. The Rock Wrestlemania 17 41.7%

Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich Texas Stadium 36.9%

Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich Christmas night Reunion Arena 1982 12.0%

Shawn Michaels vs. Sycho Sid 1997 Alamodome at Royal Rumble 3.6%

Harley Race vs. Jack Brisco 1973 NWA title change 2.1%
Kevin & Kerry Von Erich vs. Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams double hair match 2.0%
Last Stampede in Houston, Cowboy Bill Watts & Stagger Lee vs. Midnight Express 1.0%

Dory Funk Jr. vs. Fritz Von Erich NWA title match at Texas Stadium 0.6%

 

--What match from last night were you most looking forward to?

Jackson vs. Silva 48.9%

Mir vs. Nogueira 28.2%

Griffin vs. Evans 22.8%

 

What match will draw the highest ratings on New Year's Eve?

Cro Cop vs. Choi Hong-man 42.0%

Bob Sapp vs. Kinniku Mantaro 23.7%

Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Kiyoshi Tamura 21.2%

Eddie Alvarez vs. Shinya Aoki 5.2%

Alistair Overeem vs. Badr Hari 3.4%

Yukio Sakaguchi vs. Andy Ologun 3.2%

Mark Hunt vs. Jerome LeBanner 1.4%

 

--We got an e-mail saying that in Ottawa, the Rogers cable feed for last night's UFC show was unwatchable (thanks to Mike Parisien)

 

--During today's Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs game, Steve Buerelein described a Bengals tackle as a two-point takedown, and Bill Macatee said that reminded him of the WWF.  Two-point takedowns in WWF?  (thanks to Brian Henke)    

 

--Another episode of Andrei Arlovski training for a show at the "undisputed" world heavyweight title at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JRkeOAdjPE (thanks to Jeff Tillery)

 

--A funny story on Christopher Daniels and his birthday.  It had been listed everywhere as 12/24, stemming from UPW listing it on their roster page, and Wikipedia had that date and a few days ago we listed the date as well.  Daniels noted that even though that information (which is incorrect, as his birthday is 3/24) has been out for years, he never once received a birthday card nor a Happy Birthday wish for all the years this has been out--until this year.  He said this year he inundated with birthday wishes and cards.

 

--Hornswoggle returns to his home city of Oshkosh, WI on 1/16 and there is a story about it at http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081227/OSH02/812270356

 

--Lance Storm talks about Raw and the UFC PPV at http://www.stormwrestling.com/122808.html  He said he think Lesnar-Mir may do 1 million buys, which was the number a lot of people were throwing around last night as well.

 

--There is a story on last night's UFC show on the yahoo.com MMA page by Jon Baum where he compares going to his first MMA show on Saturday night going to WWF shows in the old days at the Hartford Civic Center.

 

--There is an interview with Dan Henderson at http://www.dailystar.co.uk/inthering/view/63552/Hendo-to-serve-up-for-his-fans/

 

--There is a story about Chris Jericho and Santino Marella being cheered on Raw with Jericho's comments at http://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/othersports/2008/12/27/7858396-sun.html

 

--PWG on 1/10 in Reseda, CA at American Legion Post 308 has Matt & Nick Jackson defending the tag titles against Davey Richards & Roderick Strong, Bryan Danielson vs. Scott Lost, Austin Aries vs. T.J. Perkins, El Generico vs. Chuck Taylor and the return of Bobby Quance against Joey Ryan.  Quance was of the best young wrestlers in California about five years ago before leaving wrestling to become a Navy SEAL.

 

--John Mabry sent us that he saw the Batista-MVP FYE store ad that was filmed last year where Batista beat up MVP.  Fits better this year given the plight of MVP's career.

 

--BANG has an all cage match show on New Year's Eve in Ocala, FL with Dory Funk & Johnny Magnum & Jumbo Elvis Sharp (given the nickname because he's doing Jumbo Tsuruta moves, not because he's a fat guy) vs. Shane Chung & Blain Rage & Biff Whitman in a cage match plus Claudia Reiff vs. Melissa Coates

 

--Rey Misterio & El Hijo de Rey Misterio, who have become the biggest draws on the indie scene because people think they are seeing Rey Mysterio from WWE (same mask, same contacts, same tattoos, not same ability), headline a 1/17 show in San Francisco at O'Connell High School, which also features Raisha Saeed, Michael Modest, former TNA star Rain (Payton Banks in TNA) and more.

 

--Misterio & El Hijo del Rey Mysterio also headline on 2/21 in King City, CA with Rayman at the Trerenos de la Feria de Salinas

 

--The 1/17 show in Cudahy, CA at the Sports Center has Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. L.A. Park and Shocker & Scorpio Jr. vs. Intocable & Tinieblas Jr.

 

--I'm glad they didn't write my headline department.  A few days ago on the ESPN.com web site, there was a headline story that read:  "Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin, two African-American fighters, will battle at UFC 92.  Their fans will mostly be white."  George Willis, who wrote the article, absolutely does know that Forrest Griffin isn't African-American.  The headline was corrected pretty quickly after it was put up.

 

--The opening date for The Wrestler in Australia is 1/15, not 1/16.  There was a local newspaper article with the wrong date (thanks to Greame Cameron)

 

--NWA Main Event from 12/25 in Nashville before 250+ fans:  Shawn Schultz b Shane Smalls, Steve O (not the 80s guy) & Jeff Daniels b Doug Gilbert & Scott Hayes, Larry Cooter b Chris Cain, Jeremy Justice b Arachnid, Yoshi Kwan b White Tiger, Big Bully Douglas DCOR Slade, Ben Jordan b Dante, Steven Green b Dyron Flynn-DQ

 

--NWA Prime Time on Saturday night in Columbus, GA before 210 fans, the company's biggest crowd to date:  Big Nasty b Young Tiger, Bull Buchanan b Rick Michaels & Simon Sermon & Thomas Britain-COR (doing an Exotico role), Micah & Tracy Taylor b Josh Stone & Gennie Wright, Johnny Swinger & Zero Tolerance b David Young & Chris Stevens, Bulldog Raines b Colt Derringer, Iceberg b Deathrow in a cage match.  Next show is 1/2 featuring Marty Jannetty.  Jannetty was scheduled on this show, was there, but was on crutches and his knee was swollen pretty bad.  They sold it as a parking lot attack. (thanks to Larry Goodman) 

 

--IWC on 1/24 in  Elizabeth, PA at the Court Time Sports Center featuring Ric Flair doing an autograph session 

 

--Maryland Championship Wrestling from last night in Dundalk, MD before 500 fans:  D.J. Hyde b Alex Colon, Bruiser b Greg Excellent, Best Around b Adam Carelle & Tyler Veritas, Drew Gulak b Cole Calloway, Josh Daniels b Derek Frazier, Zachary Shane & Tyler Hilton b JB & LK, Sugarmask b Christian York, Bruiser b Balls Mahoney, Cobian b Adam Flash, Best Around b Team Macktion, Sabian b Tim Donst, Ryan McBride & Teddy Stigma b Ghetto Mafia in a ladder match to win MCW tag titles (thanks to Joe Burrows)

 

--Pro Wrestling Fusion on 1/9 in Davie, FL at the PAL Center

 

--Tatsumi Fujinami turned 54 today, as did Lanny Poffo, while WWE developmental wrestler Wesley Holiday is 24.

 

--Rich Tate's Atlanta wrestling nostalgia

63 years ago today:  Wild Bill Longson kept the NWA title beating Al Massey.  Massey was a sub for former boxer George Koverly

46 years ago:  World champion Fred Blassie lost via DQ to Eddie Graham to keep the title

35 years ago:  NWA champion Jack Brisco pinned Tim Woods while Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George Jr. kept the Georgia tag titles beating Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller, and North American champ Cowboy Bill Watts beat Fred Blassie, while Jerry Lawler beat Sputnik Monroe and Bill Dromo & Mr. Wrestling II beat Afa & Sika

32 years ago in Macon:  Terry Funk went to a 60:00 draw with Mr. Wrestling II to keep the NWA title

 

--Scott Zenzen of Texas All-Star Wrestling has been hospitalized since Christmas Day with the dangerous MRSA staph infection on his left elbow.  That's a nasty issue and if you'd like to send him a get well card you can at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

--Les Thatcher will be doing a weekend training camp from 1/30 to 2/1 at the Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia.  For more info go to www.ewamaryland.com

 

--Kid Kash vs. Flash Flanagan headlines on 1/2 in Millersville, TN at the SAWMill with The Naturals and Derrick King also on the show