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We're got three polls going on today. We're looking for your thoughts on all three weekend major shows, the WWE Extreme Rules PPV from New Orleans, WEC from Sacramento and Strikeforce from St. Louis. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show 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 Saturday night's WWE house show in Pensacola and Sunday night's TNA house show in Penticition, BC

Smackdown and ECW will be taped tonight in Biloxi. The only thing hinted about is Tony Atlas vs. Evan Bourne.

A look at the golden age of pro wrestling in Los Angeles, and the life and career of one of its big three stars of that era, John "Maniac" Tolos, is the feature story in today's double-issue of the Observer. We also have the most in-depth feature on this week's biggest stories, including behind-the-scenes with the firing of Mr. Kennedy, how it happened, why it happened, as well as where he looks to be headed. We also have an update on the situation with Ric Flair, WWE, ROH as well as returning to wrestle. We also look at the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, with not only Kimbo Slice appearing, but a number of former NFL players in the cast, as well as looking at the biggest house show so far this year from WWE.

The issue is available right now for web site subscribers, and you can get a mail subscription to the Observer with information below.

The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.

Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and has the most complete look at the business as a whole anywhere. The Observer is now in its 27th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling industry as well as the MMA industry, from bookers, to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest current names, both on camera, and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed as long as 20 years or more straight. They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world and an accuracy from having the most inside sources that can't be found on the web. Everyone from Wall Street to the major offices to the TV networks in U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in the business. If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. Just send your Visa or Master Card order with your name, address, phone number, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can order by faxing that information to 408-244-3402. You can also subscribe via paypal at www.paypal.com and using the This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it address or subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228.

We look back at one of the most famous wrestling angles in history, as well as one of the original megashows, before Starrcade or Wrestlemania, the 1971 Blassie vs. Tolos show at the Los Angeles Coliseum in one of our biggest history features so far this year.

We talk about the role of Blassie, the status of pro wrestling in Los Angeles when Tolos arrived, the Blassie turn, the Tolos Brothers tag team of the 50s and 60s, and how they got started. We start at the beginning of John's career in the early 50s when he was a regular on national television, the original Blassie vs. Tolos matches, and how he got started for his big run in Los Angeles.

This story features a ton of comments by Tolos and friends about his thoughts during this period, as well as the business when it was at one of its peaks. We look at pro wrestling at the Olympic Auditorium and the main players, how it was structured in those days, the origination of the idea for the Blassie vs. Tolos match at the Coliseum, as well as the original feud that preceded the Coliseum show.

We look at the famed Sicilian Stretcher match, the episode of the Steve Allen show that preceded Jerry Lawler and Andy Kaufman doing essentially the same thing, the beginning of the prominence of the United National heavyweight title in Japan and the Tolos vs. Inoki feud, as well as full details of the biggest angle ever in Los Angeles and one of the biggest in history, and the whole back story of the angle.

We look at how the post-angle television was handled, the booking for the months leading the big show, as well as a look at the first time pro wrestling was ever on closed circuit. We look at what was going on in Los Angeles regarding the angle the week before the match, as well as a look at the loaded up show.

We look at the business of the show, as well as the most famous copycats of the angle, and the regrets Tolos had with everything in looking back. We look at the babyface turn, and how Tolos' first babyface title win over Killer Kowalski wasn't planned out originally, and why it happened. We look at Tolos as a babyface champion, the era of Ernie Ladd as a monster heel in 1972, as well as Tolos' role in the California scene for the rest of the decade.

We look at his interview style, the birth of The Maniac Tolos, the heyday of the Tolos Brothers tag team in Madison Square Garden, his title match with Bruno Sammartino, the background of winning the WWWF tag team titles, a unique angle he came up with, and the heyday of pro wrestling in British Columbia.

We also look at the fall of pro wrestling in Los Angeles, and the different things that went on to kill what was once one of the hottest pro wrestling markets in the world, as well as the politics behind the Los Angeles/San Francisco booking offices and why Tolos was never a star in San Francisco.

We also look at the end of his career, the birth of The Coach character, the Tolos transition into the real world work force after nearly 35 years, his thoughts on being a manager and working for Vince McMahon and the rest of his career history.

We also have full details on what happened with Mr. Kennedy, how he got the call, where Randy Orton did and didn't fit in, the reaction to his firing, the last time a star wrestler got someone fired (and it was 14 years ago), the plane flight home from Los Angeles, the steroid talk and issues, Vince McMahon's criticism of him and his goals from here, as well as the people involved in the origination of his gimmick.

We also have an update on Ric Flair, WWE, ROH, HDNet and overseas bookings.

We also have notes on reaction to falling WWE ratings, Randy Orton losing it overseas and something that would have gotten many wrestlers fired over, wrestler unhappy with portrayal, update on Finlay's injury, update on how the different WWE TV shows are thought of, and HHH in Japan and what he said about his comeback, as well as the Japanese lineups.

Cena defends Vince as usual, lots of notes from developmental and a funny developmental story and new terminology. We also have notes on matches HHH is being advertised for and how soon, best selling DVDs, celebrity tie-ins with WWE, current WWE star who was originally chosen for Tough Enough but cut at the last minute, return of Candice Michelle, as well as coverage of this past weekend's WWE house show tour and business notes on the tour.

We also have our usual weekly features including the most detailed look at the TV ratings of the national shows, major TV show reviews and results from the major league arena events held over the past week.

Also in this week's issue:

--Former pro wrestling headliner aging badly after recent health problems

--Top Mexican star now out for the rest of the year

--Details on the Arena Mexico weekend and what main event didn't draw

--Smallest crowd of the year for a big show and what killed he crowd

--Update on TripleMania

--Perro Aguayo Jr. responds to comments Konnan said on Wrestling Observer radio

--Several WWE stars working a big show for an outside promotion next month

--Promotion dresses up someone to look like one of its biggest stars to fool the public

--Pro wrestling star tries to become a heavyweight boxer

--A look at All Japan's major show of this week, as well as its next big event

--A look at the next NOAH tour that starts this week

--Update on the Super Junior tournament

--Former WCW champion's new promotion in Japan

--Legend has to close his gym

--Return to Japan of one of its biggest foreign stars of the 90s

--The continuation of the ridiculousness that is the Hogan family

--Hogan talks about the proposed 90s match with Mike Tyson

--Dwayne Johnson's next projects

--Former 80s star hosting a national TV show this fall

--Update on Bruno Sammartino

--ECW Legends of Wrestling reunion

--50th anniversary show of Wrestling at the Chase

--Update on Mark Lewin

--Legends of Southeastern Wrestling show

--Hall of Fame pro wrestler and her exploits of trying to make it as a golfer

--Torrie Wilson's NBC show and early happenings

--Former WWE star apparently has a memorable role in an upcoming movie

--Former wrestling couple on Divorce Court TV show

--Time Warner/HD Net update

--Notes on the recent ROH TV tapings

--More new ROH matches

--Where the TNA video game stands right now

--Noes on the injury to Samoa Joe

--Complete lineup for Slammiversary

--Notes on the status of Raven, Victoria and Shane Douglas in TNA

--What match that will not air on TNA television tore the house down at the tapings

--Potential issues with TNA in its biggest market

--Update on Sarah Stock in TNA

--TNA's next overseas tour

--Notes on movie "Warrior" with Kurt Angle

--WWE personality rips on Jarrett

--The new TNA TV show, its open, and what it tells people

--The story behind Kevin Nash's weekend match

--Business notes from the live gate and PPV for UFC 98 and what it showed

--Lots of new matches signed for UFC

--Videogame sale updates and the contract and what it means for UFC

--Update on the debut in Philadelphia

--Zuffa running shows on consecutive nights this summer

--UFC fires fighter

--UFC issues with TV in the U.K.

--Dana White's latest predictions

--Brock Lesnar talks life in WWE

--Notes on the announcing at the WEC show

--Update on Satoshi Ishii

--Fighter critical of Dana White wants to make amends

--Notes on this season of Ultimate Fighter

--Minor star arrested but gets major national attention

--Next Dream event

--Background of Michael Schiavallo's announcing

--Tentative date and place for Carano vs. Cyborg

--Top matches and likely lineup for next Affliction PPV show

--Update on Sengoku

--Plans for TV show on womens' MMA

--Two fighters in a very bad way from things that happened last week

--Former WWE Diva in training makes MMA debut

--Daughter of former NWA light heavyweight champion now doing MMA

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.

-- Still no official word on the status of the WWE Title. They may not have decided. There was talk earlier this weekend of perhaps doing a tournament on Raw this coming Monday night, but they're already promised three title matches and that might be overkill with a PPV in less than three weeks and zero matches announced yet. It is, however, hard to have three title matches when one guy can't defend his title.

-- WWE: Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection. Available today.

-- Raw did a 3.61 last night with a strong second hour (3.9) and 5.4 million viewers. Smackdown was also up this week to a 1.9.

-- As noted on the front page, Batista underwent biceps surgery today and will be out of action at least four months, according to WWE.com. We've heard they may keep him out slightly longer, to around the time of Royal Rumble.

-- Vickie Guerrero legitimately quit the company and was written out of storylines last night. There will be more in the new issue of the Observer that comes out tomorrow, but this is a decision that was made about a month ago, right around the time they started calling her a pig on TV.

-- WWE COO Donna Goldsmith spoke at the Noble Financial Emerging Growth Equity Conference today and had the line of the decade when she claimed that MMA was no threat to WWE because they didn't have any real stars. "Somebody gets knocked out and they're hurt and that may be the last you ever see from them again," she said. I could write 25,000 words about that. She also claimed the last five WrestleManias all drew more than 1 million buys, which is funny since they just posted the WrestleMania 25 buyrate six days ago and it was 40,000 less than that. And looking at trending date, UFC 98, which didn't even have major current stars per UFC standards (Lyoto, Rashad and Hughes and Serra who hadn't fought in over a year) absolutely, completely slaughtered WWE's May PPV with Cena, Orton, Batista, Edge and Jeff Hardy on top. Thanks to Devin Cutting.

-- The Urijah Faber vs. Mike Brown fight, which is a must-see, replays tomorrow (Wednesday) from 5-7 Pacific and 8-10 Eastern. Make sure you set your DVR at least an hour long. Thanks to Ryan Bentz.

-- Speaking of Faber, he was undergoing surgery as we were doing this report, so we won't have a prognosis until later today or tomorrow.

-- ECW tonight has Dreamer & Christian vs. Harry Boy Smith & Tyson Kidd.

-- Countdown to UFC 99 debuts tonight on Spike TV at 11 EST and PST.

-- Almost two months after handing in his resignation, Bill Douglas ended up accepting a new offer from the California State Athletic Commission and will be returning as Assistant Executive Officer. He did this past weekend's Faber vs. Brown II fight as a favor, and his first official fight back is June 15th.

-- Jonny Fairplay vs. Michael Lohan (Lindsey's father) takes place on Celebrity Boxing 9: Survival on June 20th for the "vacant Celebrity Boxing Federation Welterweight Title".

-- JBL has a new blog on WWE.com talking about how happy his wife is since his fanny pack broke, and how Michael Hayes is the only person he's ever seen who has worn one with a suit. "And, I have to defend myself - I never wore it, I just used it to carry my valuables to the gym." He should have just gotten himself a purse and made life easier. I guess he'll join Joe Rogan in the quest to bring the fanny pack back.

-- Todd Martin has a look at the Juanito Ibarra lawsuit here

-- Dragon Gate USA line-up for the July 25th show so far has Dragon Kid vs. Masato Yoshino, CIMA & Susumu Yokosuka vs. The Young Bucks of Nick & Matt Jackson and CHIKARA Technicos (Soldier Ant, Fire Ant, TBA, TBA) vs. CHIKARA Rudos (Gran Akuma, Icarus).

-- Youshoot with Sabu is on sale starting today at kayfabecommentaries.com

-- Which of these matches do you most want to see:
Mike Brown vs. Jose Aldo Jr. 48.2%
Mike Brown vs. Urijah Faber III 47.2%
Mike Brown vs. Josh Grispi 4.6%

What was last week's best TV show?
Smackdown 36.5%
WEC 29.3%
Impact 8.5%
ROH 6.3%
Raw 5.4%
Strikeforce 5.2%
Ultimate Fighter 3.7%
ECW 2.8%
Superstars 1.5%
AAA 0.7%

Which of these matches are you most looking forward to:
Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin 31.3%
Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg 25.2%
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett 16.9%
B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian 13.4%
Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira 9.1%
Miguel Angel Torres vs. Brian Bowles 2.8%
Alistair Overeem vs. Brett Rogers 0.6%
Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez 0.0%

-- Spike Dudley and Kat have been added to MWF Night of the Champions 2009. They're billing it as "An Event For Shiloh Pepin - Help Her Get To Disabled Kids Summer Camp". Sunday, June 28th, 2009 - 590 Main St. - Melrose, MA with "Superstar" Billy Graham, Awesome Kong, ODB, John Cena Sr. and an announcement from John Bradshaw Layfield

-- Daniel Short writes: Seemingly in honor of the release of "Macho Madness: The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection", Best Buy is running a near 50% off sale on a select number of WWE DVD titles through June 20. The following titles are on sale for $12.99:
- The Best of RAW 15th Anniversary
- The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
- Edge: A Decade of Decadence
- Hell in a Cell
- The History of the Intercontinental Championship
- The Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin
- The Rock: The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment
- Starrcade: The Essential Collection
- Twist of Fate: The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story
- The Twisted, Disturbed Life of Kane
- Viva La Raza - The Legacy of Eddie Guerrero
Best Buy does carry special edition sets of some of the sets (Edge, Eddie Guerrero in particular), but the deal only applies to the regular editions.

-- This Wednesday Night Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 Court St - Evansville, Indiana. Doors Open: 6:30pm, Bell Time: 7:30pm.

-- Saturday night results from Downsouth Championship Wrestling in Springdale, Ark. A little more than 300 in attendance to see Val Venis and possibly the last independent show of Chris Masters before his return to the WWE. Big Indian Coyota beat Loose Cannon; Tejano Kid beat Fuel; Chris Masters beat Ron McClarity with the Masterlock; Jazz beat Lorelei Lee; and "The Bad Dogg" Rodney Mack submitted Val Venis with the heel hook.