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| THURS. UPDATE: WHITE CENTER OF CONTROVERSY WITH REMARKS; INJURIES; WWE AND BOOKER SETTLE; MANIA |
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We're looking for your thoughts on last night's UFC Fight Night, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to
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Tonight's Impact lineup: *Jay Lethal & Consequences Creed & LAX vs. Tetsuya Naito & Yujiro & Kiyoshi & Sheik Abdul Bashir *Team 3-D vs. Main Event Mafia Security *Samoa Joe vs. Sting *Taylor Wilde vs. Madison Rayne *A.J. Styles vs. Scott Steiner Key elements of the show is he will be the babyface team captain after Samoa Joe turned it down. They also continue to evolve Mick Foley into Cactus Jack. It's a complete UFC & TNA night on Spike tonight, starting at 7 p.m. with Unleashed with Robert Emerson vs. Manny Gamburyan, Forrest Griffin vs. Quinton Jackson (2008 match of the year), Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring and B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk, followed by TNA, followed by a replay of the first episode of Ultimate Fighter at 11 p.m. We look at the goals of Wrestlemania from a business standpoint, looking at the matches and all the ways the story lines have changed in so many of them over the last month, including angles dropped, a match-by-match look at the show as well as thoughts on how well the show will do business wise. We also have notes on the future of the WWE movie division after the disappointing early returns of "12 Rounds," including a comparison to the other WWE movie releases, why the jury is still out on the project overall, success and failure of previous WWE movies as well as the WWE questionnaire regarding why the movie didn't do the business they projected. We also have our annual business year in review and historical look, looking at attendance at WWE & WCW live events annually dating back to 1992, monthly ratings comparisons for the past four years to see how every WWE show has done, PPV numbers over the past three years as well as the last two years of Impact numbers, which yield a surprise. We look at how the ratings have gone up and down, as well as how PPV has gone up and down, and most notably, several major patterns emerge. We look at annual ratings patterns and how they've changed, the future of Smackdown, a look at attendance dating back to the Hulk Hogan era and how it's completely different today, as well as some interesting notes about how the economy has and hasn't affected live show attendance. We look at angles WWE did in 2008 that worked, and others that didn't, as well as looked at the question as to whether the UFC does or doesn't affect WWE on PPV. We also look at an aspect of TNA ratings that has been ignored. We've got extensive coverage of Tazz leaving, as well as the unique demands of the job of announcing pro wrestling, more talk of the draft and goals of the draft, as well as lots more on John Cena and Dwayne Johnson, Shawn Michaels talks about the differences between last year's match with Ric Flair and this year's match with Undertaker, as well as more on Bret Hart inducting him into the Hall of Fame. We also have more on the letter Vince McMahon sent to more than 500 wrestlers who have been under WWE contract at one point in the last 25 years regarding company paid for drug rehabilitation. We have more on the release of the Legends of Wrestlemania game, more on Bill Watts in the WWE Hall of Fame, wrestling tape collections, a new movie starring a headliner in this year's WrestleMania, lots more on comments by Cena and Mr. Kennedy regarding steroids, the recruiting of someone a few years ago who never signed, why he didn't, and now he's a major MMA star, best selling DVDs, update on the WWE CD, lots of developmental news updates with even more name changes, Edge talks injuries as well as notes on the final WWE house shows before WrestleMania. The issue is available today for premium members of the web site. You can get approximately ten issues of the Observer per month, six current issues and four or five issues from the past, along with Figure Four Weekly and the Dragon King historical newsletter, as well as multiple daily radio shows as a site subscriber and you can go to the front page for information on that. You can also subscribe to the print Observer with details here. 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
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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
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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've also got notes on Pat Kenney coming forward in a lawsuit alleging he was sexually abused by a priest at his catholic high school 25 years ago, as well as the real story behind Bully Beatdown, as far as what is and isn't real, and questions about the longevity of the show. We also have a feature on a former wrestler, who was more famous in bodybuilding circles, Zabo Koszewski, who passed away last week. We also have a chart looking at every division in WWE and where the company's actual profits were the biggest in 2007 and 2008, as well as a comparison to how business changed over the last year. We've also got notes on the AAA house show tour of California this past week, from both a business standpoint as well as a look at the show. We look at the coverage in Mexico of the death of Abismo Negro and contrast it to the reaction in North America to the death of Andrew Martin. We also have our usual weekly features including ratings of all the national shows, results from the major league arena events of the past few weeks as well as the major TV reports. Also in this week's issues: --25 year veteran changes his name to honor Hall of Fame father --Current star opening a restaurant --Lots more on Juventud Guerrera and incident with Konnan --Comedy wrestler quits, takes new name, after wife complains he's doing too much comedy --International promotion set for a U.K. debut show --Final pro wrestling show after 55 years on NTV this past week --This year's Super Juniors tournament --Notes on a few ECW reunion shows --Canadian paper three-part series on deaths of wrestlers with many comments from Bret Hart --CHIKARA King of Trios tournament --Kevin Nash talks about Scott Hall not doing well --Major legends show --Lots of new ROH match ups --Dixie Carter talks Vince McMahon --Lethal Lockdown update --Notes on TNA house shows --Main event of UFC 101 now official plus a semifinal match pretty much finalized --Update on Dream --K-1's last show --Former WWE star in negotiations with Strikeforce --Strikeforce stars build up a grudge for a match that isn't happening --Attempts to get MMA sanctioned in a city with strong popularity --Dream featherweight tournament --Former WWE wrestler fights this past week with bad results 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. --Josh Thomson's broken leg suffered yesterday came while sparring with Billy Evangelista for a scheduled fight on 4/11 with Gilbert Melendez. He will be undergoing surgery tomorrow and be out of action for two or three months. --The Kids Choice Awards on Nickelodeon on Saturday night was the highest rated show last week on cable with a 4.7 rating. The two hours of Raw were No. 3 and No. 6. In 18-34 they were No. 2 and No. 8 and in 18-49 they were No. 1 and No. 3. --For last week, USA was again No. 1 in cable with a 2.4 rating to 1.8 for Fox News. Sci-Fi was No. 15 at 0.9 and Spike was No. 18 at 0.8. --There has been a ton of controversy regarding an article by Loretta Hunt at http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/some-managers-agents-lose-backstage-pass-16813 Dana White responded to the story, calling her a fucking bitch and also called a source of the story who is nameless a pussy, faggot and liar at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H03gGT_15A And GLAAD is saying White needs to apologize for those remarks at http://glaadblog.org/2009/04/01/dana-white-and-ufc-need-to-apologize/ --There are also two stories on the http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/ site including one by Alex Marvez addressing the situation, with Alex Marvez saying White made a dangerous mistake. --Former WWE writer Ranjan Chhibber wrote a story on anti-semitism in wrestling and Paul Heyman at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/03/31/8956556.html Heyman ripped on Bill Watts for anti-semitism. Colt Cabana also said that a WWE trainer once called him Kike Cabana in front of everyone. --After bad publicity and a threat of legal action regarding Booker T's convention and different people being pulled, the two sides have reached a settlement where WWE agreed to let Jimmy Hart, who is apparently back in their good graces, to do the Booker T convention after previously pulling him. --Booker T sent out a letter earlier today saying, "A few days ago I sent a letter to the wrestling world explaining my anger and remorse at how I felt the WWE handled the situation regarding their abrupt pulling of several invited guests to the Booker T Legends of Wrestling Fanfest. Within minutes of the letter being posted, we received hundreds and hundreds of e-mails showing your support of the Fanfest. It appears that the WWE got the message as well, as they have since allowed a true living legend, Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart to rejoin the Booker T Fanfest tomorrow here in Houston, Texas. This action restores my faith in the WWE and I'm grateful that they reconsidered. I want to thank everyone that has supported me and remember, if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." --Nick Bockwinkel, one of the names reported as agreeing to do the Booker T event and then pulling out to attend the WWE festivities, said that he was contacted by someone who said he worked for Booker T and asked him if he was willing to do an autograph session. Bockwinkel gave him his price, but claimed there was no agreement and then when John Laurinaitis called him and gave him an offer, which was higher, he took the date because he said he had never confirmed the Booker T appearance, gotten an airline ticket or even full contact information. --Nidia Guenard will be brought back for the Wrestlemania Battle Royal on Sunday --An article on the Wrestlemania art exhibit is at http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/04/wrestlemania_library_event.php Among those appearing at a charity auction tonight are Jerry Lawler, Vickie Guerrero, Jeff Hardy, The Bella Twins, JTG, Mr. Kennedy and Santino Marella. Marella is still pushing being in the women's Battle Royal. --Diego Nunes suffered a hand injury in training so his match with Cub Swanson on Sunday's WEC show in Chicago is off. Because of it being so late in the game, they were unable to get a replacement and Swanson won't be able to fight on the show. --Tonight's episode of CSI has a pro wrestling theme (thanks to Ernie Santilli) --Reader Ed Simpson said he got a postcard in the mail with Kenny Florian's photo with him saying that he wants to fight in his home state of Massachusetts and told people tot call Melissa at 617-259-2772 --Strikeforce officially announced its second major event on Showtime for 6/6 in St. Louis at the Scottrade Center, which is an awfully big facility for such a show, with Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields and a Strikeforce light heavyweight title match with Renato Sobral vs. Rafael Feijao. Lawler vs. Shields will be fought at a 182 pound catch weight. --The Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Wilson fight scheduled for 5/23 in Las Vegas is out as Koscheck suffered a foot injury. They are looking for a replacement. --A history of wrestling in Shelby, NC, which housed lots of 1980s TV tapings for Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling, is at http://www.shelbystar.com/news/park_38182__article.html/city_shelby.html --Brooke Hogan is selling tickets to her 21st birthday party on 5/9 at Harrah's in Atlantic City --The DVD of Never Surrender, an MMA movie that includes Georges St. Pierre, B.J. Penn, Quinton Jackson, Anderson Silva and heath Herring will be released by Lionsgate Home Entertainment on 4/28 --U.K. ratings for the week ending 3/22: Impact did 67,000 viewers. Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling did 52,000 viewers. TNA's Destination X PPV on a three-day tape delay did 44,000 viewers. Raw did 58,000 viewers live and 75,000 for the Thursday prime time replay. Smackdown did 60,000 viewers for the Friday night show,which started later than usual (thanks to Ian Hamilton) --Poll on Raw's go-home show Excellent 10.9% Good 30.1% Average 27.7% Fair 14.8% Poor 16.6% 15.9% of those responding didn't see the show --What do you think is the real Wrestlemania main event Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker 59.0% HHH vs. Randy Orton 33.1% Chris Jericho vs. Steamboat & Piper & Snuka 2.3% John Cena vs. Edge vs. Big Show 2.3% Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy 1.8% Money in the Bank ladder match 1.4% --How many UFC events do you think will beat out Wrestlemania on PPV this year? 0 12.4% (that will be difficult because there is really no chance Mania will beat UFC 94) 1 7.6% 2 13.0% 3 19.3% 4 15.1% 5 12.4% 6 6.7% 7 3.1% 8 3.6% 9 1.2% 10 7.6% Two (UFC 94 and 101) seem to be a lock. After that, it's anyone's guess. --There is a story on Rey Mysterio at http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/6353385.html He noted Sunday is his son's birthday and that he brought his kids to Houston for the show. --Inside MMA on HDNet features an interview with Brock Lesnar tomorrow night on the show that airs at 9 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Pacific, and is replayed constantly on Friday night and Saturday, talking about his thoughts on Frank Mir getting the fight postponed and his match with Randy Couture. On 4/10, they will air part two where he talks about the movie "The Wrestler," life in the WWE and his MMA future. --UFC 89 (Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben) airs 9 p.m. on Monday night on Spike going against Raw and the NCAA tournament. --On 4/11, the same day as the Strikeforce show on Showtime, as well as boxing on HBO and the debut of the documentary "The Thrilla in Manila," Spike will be doing 10 1/2 hours of UFC programming from 1:30 p.m. to midnight including UFC 94 from 9 p.m.. to midnight headlined by the Georges St. Pierre vs. B.J. Penn fight --G4TVs G4 Underground on Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern has a feature on hardcore wrestling --Eric Bischoff will be on TSN's Off the Record tomorrow at 6 p.m. Eastern. --An article about Abdullah the Butcher's billed retirement match tomorrow night in Montreal at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/03/29/8926936.html Whether it actually is his retirement match is another story. --EWF TV tapings on 4/18 in Fort Wayne at the Allen County Fairgrounds with Zach Gowen --Fight Night in the Flats on 6/6 in Cleveland at the Nautica Pavilion --Justin Black vs. Jason Riley headlines tomorrow night for NAAFS in Columbus, OH in a TV taping of MMA at the Promo West Pavilion --Tickets for the 6/20 UFC show in Las Vegas at The Pearl at the Palms, the finals of this season's Ultimate Fighter reality show, as well as a main event of Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida go on sale Saturday at Noon Pacific priced at $354, $254 and $154. --Tickets went on sale today for Mike Brown vs. Urijah Faber for the WEC featherweight title on 6/7 in Sacramento at Arco Arena. Tickets range fro $200 down to $40. The show will be live on Versus as the company decided against it being the PPV debut. --Auburn Fight Night at the Auburn, AL Arena on 4/25 features an appearance by Junie Browning and the MMA debut of Kyle Maynard, born with no elbows or knees, fighting in an amateur match which has caused a ton of controversy since Georgia would not license him to do MMA but he decided he wanted to fight, and Alabama has now commission overseeing MMA. --Amber Cummings at
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is looking for information on former pro wrestler David Novak of the tag team The Bounty Hunters --Eastern Wrestling Alliance has a free outdoor show on 4/25 at J.D. Byriders in Glen Burnie, MD --This week on WWE 24/7 airs the Smackdown show from March 29, 2001. One match was edited off the broadcast, Chris Benoit & Test vs. Kurt Angle & Eddie Guerrero. --John Berry at
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is looking for someplace near Redwood City, CA that is airing Wrestlemania --TheRingsideLive.com tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Eastern time has a Wrestlemania preview with Dave Hebner --The Globe tabloid has an article on the death of Andrew Martin (thanks to Paul Kacprzak) --Maryland Championship Wrestling has a Wrestlemania viewing party at Loafers in Pike Catonsville, MD --Michael Blum at
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is looking to get contact info for Haru Egawa, the graphic designer who did several ECW designs and items with the Funks and Sabu as he's working on developing a clothing line. --There is a Lanny Poffo autograph session on Sunday at Boston Pizza in Etobicoke, ONT from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Boston Pizza will be broadcasting Wrestlemania. If attending, please bring a nonperishable food item. --Dan Wahlers will be on Fight Network Radio with Mauro Ranallo at 3:10 p.m. tomorrow talking Wrestlemania on Sirius Ch. 98 --ISPW on 4/4 in Freehold, NJ at the 3-2 Count Athletic Training Facility with Judas Young vs. Danny Inferno in a TLC match, plus 80s heel ref Danny Davis faces Flash. Michael Modest, Danny Doring, Rick Fuller and Nunzio are also on the show. --Chris Hero vs. Frankie the Mobster headlines 4/17 in Montreal for ROH, and Hero faces Necro Butcher on the 4/18 show in Markham, ONT. The Phoenix Twins face Austin Aries & Rhett Titus on 4/24 in Dayton while Kevin Steen & El Generico face the Dark City Fight Club. Bryan Danielson vs. Jimmy Rave is announced for 4/25 in Chicago Ridge as well as Hero vs. Tyler Black. Jimmy Jacobs vs. Necro Butcher has been added to Saturday's PPV taping in Houston at 2 p.m. --CHIKARA Pro on 4/25 in Easton, PA at the Chrin Community Center with Ophidian & Amasis vs. Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw in a 2/3 fall tag title match --NWA MSW canceled its scheduled event tomorrow night in Bluefield, WV --Insanity Pro Wrestling on 4/4 in Indianapolis at the Fountain Square Salvation Army Community Center --Legends of The Ring VIII on 5/30 in Monroe, NJ at the Crowne Plaza Hotel has Sting, Eric Bischoff, Pat Patterson, Kurt Angle, Lex Luger, Konnan, Rick Martel, John Nord, Frenchy Martin, Sam Houston, Luna Vachon, Zeus, Ox Baker, Steve Keirn, Hillbilly Jim, Billy Jack Hayes and Ron Garvin appearing as well as Tony Anthony, Johnny Stamboli, Little Guido, Chuck Palumbo, Colin Delaney, Bushwhacker Luke, Kanyon, Manu, Nidia, Sean Waltman, Carlos Colon, Madison Rayne, Debra McMichael, Bob Holly, Rockin Robin, Kid Kash, Christopher Daniels, Mike McGuirk and Dick Kroll --Jack Evans turns 27 today --Former Mid South Wrestling announcer Riesor Bowden passed away eight years ago today at the age of 74. Victor Quinones, the longtime Puerto Rico promoter, passed away three years ago today at the age of 46 --The movie "Universal Soldier: The Return" starring Bill Goldberg will be released on BluRay on 4/14 --A story about Christy Hemme, Shelly Martinez, Nora Greenwald and Terri Runnels visiting troops in Afghanistan is up at http://frontierindia.com/wrestling-divas-visit-troops-in-afghanistan/246/
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