We also have our weekly features with the results from the major events held around the world over the past week, as well as reviews of the major television shows.

 

        Also in this week's issue:

 

--All Japan world tag team title change

 

--Promotion working with two others to build two major shows in the next two months

 

--Update on Chyna after a weekend which saw her pass out three times in public

 

--Member of famous wrestling family arrested after fighting with his brother and police finding drugs on them

 

--Update on the Extreme Reunion promotion

 

--A look at the next several weeks of ROH television and the top matches for the next iPPV show

 

--Update on the Ric Flair situation and his future

 

--What the plans were for Flair

 

--More on the Flair going to WWE Hall of Fame

 

--Brooke Hogan coming to TNA and what that's all about

 

--TNA Sacrifice early PPV estimates

 

--Dixie Carter defends usage of Hulk Hogan

 

--More on Bobby Roode's record setting title reign, or what it?

 

--Update on Ring Ka King and the show that's now in the same time slot

 

--Details on new TNA contract signings

 

--New TNA idea on how to maximize buys of well received shows

 

--TNA star moving into acting

 

--Update on King Mo in TNA and The Four Horsemen

 

--Notes on the recent TNA house shows

 

--More on the arrest of Jon Jones and what that means as well as details of another incident

 

--Will this hurt Jones' drawing power?

 

--What will that do for his public image?

 

--How UFC on FOX did compared with baseball in the same time slot

 

--Dana White talks UFC ramping up drug testing

 

--Urijah Faber talks about his reaction to finding out Renan Barao was his opponent

 

--A look at who Renan Barao is and how his style matches up with Faber

 

--The story behind how Barao got the title shot

 

--Update on Michael McDonald

 

--Update on the health of Dana White after his suffering from Meniere's Disease

 

--Why Strikeforce's stars are not going to be in UFC and how long will this remain

 

--WWE and UFC may be losing one of their major sponsors if a bill being proposed goes through Congress

 

--Notes on UFC lobbying efforts in Congress

 

--Las Vegas police called due to threats left on Dana White's answering machine

 

--Former Ultimate Fighter announces retirement

 

--Lots more on the ratings of the last UFC show on Fuel, including some amazing stats

 

--Payoffs for the UFC on Fuel show

 

--A major role Gina Carano is up for

 

--Notes on the next UFC show on Fuel

 

--A look at a new MMA reality show that was just picked up and when it starts

 

--A look at lots of new UFC fights

 

--Fedor Emelianenko talks retirement 

 

--Bellator fighter coming back from a long coma after being stabbed in a bar fight  

 

The Most Popular Observers Ever

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories 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 spambots. 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.

 

 

--Brock Lesnar and Dana White met last night.  We don't have any details other than the meeting did not go well.  If Lesnar being at UFC is mentioned on Raw, then I'd guess it's WWE angle.  If it's not, then it's anyone's guess what the game being played is, other than there is a game being played.

 

--The last two weeks of Ultimate Fighter will be replayed tonight on Fuel from 9-11 p.m.  They will be airing the prelims from last night again at 11 p.m. tonight. 

 

--As of 3 p.m. today, UFC 146 was the second most searched for topic in the U.S. behind only Indy 500.  Dos Santos vs. Mir was No. 10, Cain Velasquez was no. 11 and Frank Mir was No. 18.  That would seem to bode well for the PPV numbers.

 

--The TLC PPV on 12/16 will be from the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, so with No Way Out coming in a few weeks, WWE is going to be promoting a strong New York presence of this year leading into WrestleMania.

 

--Natalya of WWE turned 30 today while Eric Bischoff turned 57.

 

--Shelton Benjamin & John Morrison vs. Primo & Epico was announced for the 6/30 Anniversario show of the WWC in Bayamon, PR.  Primo & Epico have in their WWE deals that they are allowed to work a few shows per year for WWC.

 

--WWE is searching for a Creative Director for the new TV network.  You need seven years of network level promotional experience and five years in producing, writing and editing of a creative team, as well as a strong background in advertising, video production and post production.

 

--The company is also looking for a Public Affairs Manager as a temporary position to join the public relations and corporate communications team.  The person would manage day-to-day activities of corporate communications and public affairs.  I have a feeling this person will be in the thick of things as Vince McMahon has wanted the company to get aggressive against the media members who write bad things about the company in relation to the Linda McMahon senatorial campaign.  There is a feeling she lost the election because of a negative image of wrestling thrown around in the campaign.  Right now they are trying to set an example with Chris Powell, who wrote a few days ago in a column that Linda McMahon made her money on violence, pornography and general raunch.  Neither Powell nor the paper have issued a retraction.  The idea is to keep local reporters from writing the kind of negative articles on wrestling, and tying McMahon to them, in this campaign.  It's not as much about a lawsuit, although nobody will say that, as a much as a scare tactic.  The story has gotten media play across the state in the past few days.

 

--As noted last night, Vitor Belfort had surgery yesterday after breaking his hand so he's out of his match with Wanderlei Silva which was scheduled for a 6/23 PPV show from Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

 

--In last night's show, when talking about a prospective new opponent for Silva, we mentioned Chris Leben, but he's out of commission right due after being suspended for painkillers by UFC.

 

--Dana White reiterated last night that there will be a more extensive PED testing program that UFC will be involved with and they are gathering up info.  The idea will be to supplement athletic commission testing.

 

--The story on Mayhem Miller's firing is said to be due to a temper tantrum he threw after his loss.

 

--The Astrodome in Houston, which was home of the 2001 WrestleMania (which many would argue was the best one ever, certainly among the best), which housed so many huge events over the decades but has basically not been used since 2008 since Reliant Stadium was built, may be turned into a multipurpose facility.

 

--Paul Heyman was in Las Vegas this week (unrelated to UFC and Brock Lesnar), shooting an interview with Mike Tyson where he talked about the problems of Jon Jones at http://www.heymanhustle.com

 

Excellent 13.2%

Good 25.0%

Average 10.5%

Fair 13.2%

Poor 38.2%

        75.6% of those responding didn't see the show

 

Excellent 22.9%

Good 50.4%

Average 10.2%

Fair 3.4%

Poor 12.7%

        44.5% of those responding didn't see the show

 

Yes 66.5%

No 33.5%

 

--UFC 146 aired throughout France today on regular TV out of Luxembourg on a French language station.  MMA is banned in France even thought the UFC is popular on TV.  It's also illegal to air on television but everyone that wants to can get the Luxembourg station that reaches throughout France.

 

--Regarding our comments about Swansea, Wales and all the huge bodybuilders from there (Rob Terry, Mason Ryan and now Steve Evans), Nabil Soussi wrote us that juiced up guys are pretty common in Swansea, saying it's like Wales' version of Jersey Shore.  The juiced up look, fake tan and bleached hair is a popular look.

 

--After the weekend tour that just ended, WWE will return to Mexico in October.

 

--The new edition of "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die," is out.  Some movies featuring wrestlers are "Some Like It Hot," (Mike Mazurki), "Goldfinger," (Harold Sakata/Tosh Togo), "Kes (Brian Glover), "Godfather," (Len Montana), "Princess Bride," (Andre the Giant) and "The Wrestler" (various wrestlers).  Of the 1001 movies, there are three Schwarenegger movies, one Stallone and no Dwayne Johnson movies. (thanks to James Stanios)

 

--UWF Turf Wars airs on PPV tonight with the SATs vs. Element & T-Mizzle (former WCW wrestler Tony Mamaluke). 

 

--Shane Helms' Highway 2 Helms podcast with Jeff Hardy from Wednesday night was No. 1 in the sports video section of iTunes.

 

--Devin Nicholson talks to Evander Holyfield at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-ea4YFXAEoA8&feature-channel&list=UL

 

--Bobby Roode and Jeremy Borash in front of Big Ben (the British landmark, not the former member of the Oakland Raiders who used to attend pro wrestling events here) at http://www.youtube.com/watch/v=SMRNM-AN_xE&feature=youtu.be

 

--NECW Stronger than Hurt on 6/6 in Bridgewater, MA features Adam Pearce vs. Colt Cabana in street fight as part of their best of seven series for the NWA title.

 

--Brooke Hogan has been doing a ton of media for TNA.  Brooke claimed that her father and mother have made peace, and said she put the two of them back together and they hadn't talked in years.  The storyline they are doing is that Dixie Carter asked Brooke, because Brooke knows wrestling forwards and back, to run her Knockouts division.  She claimed she accepted it and her father had nothing to do with the offer and didn't even know there was an offer.  She said TNA is going to become more real, taking real storylines from real lives of wrestlers and integrating that into matches.  Hey, that's the story.

 

--Spike is running commercials talking about her debut, where she tears up a Hulkamania T-shirt and they played "Real American" as she comes out.  

--More on Brooke Hogan in TNA at http://www.newsday.com/sports/tna-knickouts-talk-wrestling-1.3740091 (thanks to Daaryl Thomen)

 

--USWO from Friday night in Nashville before 100 fans:  Tim Renesto b Mike Cobbs, Josh Crow b White Tiger, Shawn Hoodrich b Big Time Sexy, Steven Green b Hot Rod Biggs, L.T. Falk b Jeff Daniels, Miss Rachel b Damien Payne, Jocephus b Ricky Morton (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)

 

--Hiromu Takahashi replaced Black Tiger (who without his mask was arrested for smuggling marijuana from Mexico into Japan which is a big deal there) in the Best of the Super Junior tournament. 

 

--A story on pro wrestling in The Congo is out http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/4od#3341158

 

--All Pro Wrestling TV show at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0zb8UTqX1U&feature=g-all-u  The next APW taping is 6/16 in Hayward, CA.

 

--Stacy Keibler will be a guest on The View on Thursday. 

 

--Friday night in Tijuana:  Dragon Chino & Helios b TG Power & Tirano, Mosco Negro & Pensamiento Negro II & Sargon b Classico & Psicomantis & Quinta Demension Jr., Angel Negro Jr. & Kanalla & Los Torres Gemelos de la Maldad b Angel Metalico & Spyder Black & Star Boy & Tony Casanova-DQ, Cinico & Viento & Zarco b Jonathan & Las Traumas I & II, Perro Aguayo Jr. & Hector Garza b Carlito Colon & Steve Pain-DQ (thanks to Kris Zellner)

 

--Matt Holliday of the St. Louis Cardinals is using Big Show's theme music when he comes to bat. (thanks to Matt Burrows)

 

--Mike Mooneyham at http://www.postandcourier.com has a story on the late Henry Marcus.  Marcus leads the Class of 2012 in the South Carolina Pro Wrestling Half of Fame.  Marcos, Mr.  Wrestling II (Johnny Walker), Burrhead Jones and the Mulkey Brothers are all to be inducted.