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Monday night is Raw in Columbus, OH, plus a Smackdown house show in Evansville.

Tuesday is the Smackdown & ECW tapings in Dayton.

We've got a ton of territorial history, as well as updates on a number of WWE performers and where they stand, as well as what will probably one of our best issues of the year coming out next week.

It's a two issue week, including Vince McMahon's talk with the stockholders about future company plans, WWE react to Kurt Angle's comments regarding the drug issue and rehab, and the big biography on Buddy Rose. The latter story is more than just a bio of Rose, but talks about the glory days of the Pacific Northwest, as well as a huge section on the last few years of Roy Shire's wrestling at the Cow Palace. It features some of the greatest collection of stories ever in one of our obits about a very complex individual. We also have more on a huge money match thrown in the lap of Dana White that he turned down and why, and a look back at the history of pro wrestling in the Central States.

The first issue, which comes out Monday, is already available to web site subscribers. The second issue will be available on the site tomorrow.

Coverage of McMahon's stockholder talks includes thoughts on adding yet another night of television, what moves the company is making to change the perception of the product, financial reaction to the movie 12 Rounds, thoughts about the WWE Hall of Fame, promotion of SummerSlam, types of matches McMahon said the company would no longer do, reaction to the PPV decline, what aspect of business he predicts will increase greatly next year and why, future of Smackdown, new role of ECW and international Wrestlemania are just some of the topics discussed.

We also have a look at Dana White's latest decision and whether or not it was the right decision.

We look at the Miami Herald story where WWE responded to Kurt Angle's claims that he was denied time off for rehab, WWE's response, a look at questions regarding the WWE version as well as the Angle version.

We look in depth at the heyday of Buddy Rose and the Oregon wrestling territory, what made him click, what the time was like, and why Rose's career peaked early and fell so fast. We look at his checkered life, headlines he made both in and out of the ring, landmark angles, his athletic exploits. We look at the birth of the name Playboy Buddy Rose, his first trip to Portland, and why Portland was such a great place to develop talent.

We look at the feud with Roddy Piper, Rose's big opportunity on a national basis that he turned down, and we look at the last Piper vs. Rose match. We look at his start in wrestling. We also have comments from some of his opponents, and someone who was probably his most famous fan. We talk about his first match, his participation in a famous world title change, and his role in the tumultuous end of Roy Shire's Big-Time Wrestling in California.

Along the way, we've got stories with Lonnie Mayne, Pat Patterson, Toru Tanaka, Mr. Fuji, the last episode of Big Time Wrestling and the craziest night ever of pro wrestling at the Cow Palace.

We also look at Rose's three different runs in WWF as well as the Playboy & The Pretty Boy as AWA world tag team champions.

We've also got an update on The Undertaker, his planned surgery, the future of Jeff Hardy in WWE and some reaction to his decision, more on Batista's retirement talks, what was the planned finish at Wrestlemania's main event and why it was changed.

We've also got more on the John Morrison push, a meeting Stephanie McMahon had with the wrestlers, update on Judgment Day, more on the situation with Jim Ross at Backlash and who knew what ahead of time, as well as who put together the WWE outside promotional tie-in with "The View."

In the history of Central States Wrestling, we look at the promotion and the recent history documentary that aired. We look back at Orville Brown, the formation of the NWA, who were considered as potential first champions and the build to the Brown vs. Lou Thesz match. We look at the world title changes in Kansas City, the back story behind Harley Race's first title win, and a look at some of the biggest area stars.

We've also got our regular weekly features, including major TV show reviews, results from the major league live events over the past week, as well as the most detailed look at TV ratings.

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 issue:

--A showdown between wrestlers and an athletic commissioner that looks to be unavoidable

--Why the promotion is staying out of the showdown

--Attempts to settle a civil issue between two wrestlers fall apart and why

--Update on Dragon Gate's USA show in Philadelphia

--Notes on the recent major Dragon Gate show

--Full coverage of the Global tag league tournament

--Notes behind the surprising world title change

--What unique record did the new champion set

--Update on New Japan vs. NOAH feud

--First look at the Best of the Super Juniors tournament for 2009 including wrestlers from three outside promotions

--More on Reid Fliehr arrest

--Update on Hernandez's injury

--Stipulations for the Sacrifice main event and update on the show

--More on TNA running the Palace in Auburn Hills

--Notes behind a wrestler who quit TNA, as well as restructured deals in the company

--Whose return raised some eyebrows

--Notes on Randy Couture divorce

--UFC 97 early buy rate estimates

--More on whether Chuck Liddell's career is over or not

--More on UFC's European expansion and popularity

--What feud is expected to get a big European push

--Lots of UFC injuries as well as new matches signed

--Notes on next WEC show with Mike Brown vs. Faber and ticket advance

--Notes on the 100 greatest fights in UFC history and what fights won't make the cut for political reasons

--City Council in city UFC runs major show coming soon decries UFC

--Lots of UFC cuts

--Former UFC star gets major college coaching position

--Tommy Dreamer update

--Best selling wrestling and MMA DVDs

--New WWE signing

--Swine flu saves someone's hair

--What former WWE wrestlers are forming a tag team in Japan

--Next Triple Crown title match

--Hogan divorce update

--Five pro wrestlers now in College Football Hall of Fame and latest inductee

--Flair's ROH debut

--Lots of new ROH matches and injury updates

--UFC Hall of Fame notes

--Sapp vs. Lashley update

--Don Frye's latest fight

--One of year's best submissions

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.

-- Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.

-- CM Punk vs. Umaga has officially been added to Judgment Day next weekend.

-- Dwayne Johnson was one of a ton of celebrities who were invited to the 2009 White House Correspondent's Dinner, which took place last night.

-- AAA made today's New York Times with a story on their recent California tour. You can check it out by clicking here.

-- This is even more surreal: Kizarny interviewed by NPR. The guy is certainly a worker, claiming that pro-wrestling nowadays, even in WWE, is more like the movie The Wrestler, that he hates the word "fake" because it's hardly fake when a 300-pound man punches you (?), and that he has slept in his car more nights than he has slept in his bed.

-- Mike Mooneyham has an awesome story here on one of the baddest men who ever lived, Danny Hodge. A great look at his amateur and pro career, the auto accident that nearly took his life, and what he's doing nowadays. I saw Hodge a few years back at Cauliflower Alley, and even in his 70s he was not to be messed with.

-- With the WWE tour of Mexico back on they've gone ahead and released the new main events (since the card is subject to change daily until the event takes place). For Monterrey on the 27th it's Batista vs. Orton, Cena vs. Show, Rey vs. Miz for the IC Title and more. For May 28th in Monterrey it's Batista & Cena vs. Orton & Show, Rey vs. Chavo Guerrero and more. For May 29th at Plaza de Toros it's Rey vs. Randy Orton, Batista vs. Big Show and more. And for May 30th in Mexico City at Palacio de los Deportes it's Batista vs. Orton, Rey vs. Show (my God) and more.

-- Don't forget Dave and I will be back tonight for our usual weekend edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

-- The new issue of British Esquire has an article called Death of Sumo. Also the new issue of Gay Times has a "lucha-themed cover" which you can check out here. It's Gay Times, so be ready. Thanks to Mark Coale.

-- Fans flock to latest WWE Smackdown

-- IWC's Super Indy VIII takes place May 15th at the Court Time Sports Center in Elizabeth, PA and May 16th at the White Oak Athletic Association just minutes from Court Time. Tickets are $25, $20 and $15 and they have special pricing if you order both days. After repeated no-shows in the last few weeks they have scratched Paul London from the line-up and will be replacing him with Tony Kozina.

-- Ultimate Championship Wrestling on May 9th in Nova Scotia: Eric Harris & Dave Floyd d Adrian Starr & Double XL, Hipster d Jack Spade, Maritime Menace d Lumberjack Johnson, Sexton Phoenix d Jeremy Prophet, JP Simms d Alexander Zane to win middleweight title, Titus d Garry Williams, Chris Cooke d Riddick Stone, Honky Tonk Man & Bushwhacker Luke d Nike T and Julian Moore to retain tag titles.

-- Jersey All Pro results from last night: Trent Acid d. Joe Hardway, Danny Demanto d Mo Sexton, Heavy Hitters d Hillbilly Wrecking Crew, Osirian Portal d Incoherence, Bandido Jr d Prince Mustafa Ali, Dan Maff d Necro Butcher, Archadia d Eddie Kingston to win JAPW NJ State Title, Jay Lethal d Azrieal, Homicide and Teddy Hart. The big news was that The HWC attacked Maff after his match with Necro, and who should make the save but Homicide. For those who know the history of Homicide and Dan Maff, that's a pretty big deal.

-- Ultimate NWA Alabama results 5/9 in Sheffield: Buff Bagwell d Jesse Emerison, Official Express d Adrian Hawkins & Kyle Matthews, Bullet Bob Armstrong (yes) d Cecil Pleazing, Krimsynn d EMT

-- PWS results from Kingstree, SC last night: Eric Royal b Jesse Ortega, Are$ b Jason Blackman (w/ Thomas "Boom Boom" Simpson), Derek Ryze b Malachi, Caleb Konley & Ricky Steamboat Jr. b Elite Icons (Jake Manning & PWS Champion Joey Silvia) in a 2/3 falls match. Next show is this Saturday Night, May 16th, in Sharon, SC with Scotty 2 Hotty, David Flair, and George South Sr. for an outdoor Fundraiser for the Sharon Fire Department at the Sharon Community Center.