By Dave Meltzer | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio covering the latest news in pro wrestling and MMA, as well as taking e-mail questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

On Fuel tonight, UFC from All Angles featuring Michael Bisping airs at 7:30 p.m while UFC 140, headlined by Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida, will air at 8 p.m.  Countdown to UFC 149 airs at 12:30 a.m.


A look at WWE building the 1,000th Raw, coverage of Money in the Bank, more on WrestleMania week in New York, as well as a look at one of the most famous pro wrestlers of all-time on a worldwide basis, Indian cultural icon Dara Singh, are among the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

The issue is on the site today if you are a web site member.  We also have a new back issue on the site from 1995 featuring WWE's move into doing monthly PPV shows with the debut of the "In Your House" concept. the WWE's final show ever in the old and legendary Boston Gardens, and the death of Buffalo institution Ilio DiPaolo, as well as a look at legendary matches including Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Akira Taue in the Champion Carnival final of that year, and Antonio Inoki vs. Ric Flair before the largest crowd in pro wrestling history in Korea.  We also have all the news from WCW, ECW and WWF from that time period.

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

The Observer is now in its 29th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world.  The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling and MMA industry, from bookers to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest names on camera and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and more than 30 countries subscribe.  Many have subscribed for 20 years or longer consecutively.  They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world.  Everywhere from Wall Street to the major offices to television networks in the 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 sent your Visa or Master Card order with your name, address, phone number, card number and expiration date to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can order at www.paypal.com and use the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it address.

You can also 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 at plans and thoughts on Raw No. 1,000, including what Steve Austin is currently doing and the build for SummerSlam.

We also have full coverage of the Money in the Bank PPV, including early business indications, match-by-match coverage with star ratings as well as poll results of the show.

We also have full coverage of both the UFC show on Fuel in San Jose and the Strikeforce show in Portland from the past week.  We look at who is Chris Weidman, ratings of the show, issues regarding Weidman being marketable, as well as a rundown of the middleweight contenders picture and where Weidman stands.  We also look at Dana White's reaction to the crowd, and how the best match of the night never even aired on television.

We also have more on the Strikeforce brand, the situation with the champions, the problems with the idea of title vs. title matches against the UFC champion, as well as future Strikeforce events.

We look at WrestleMania week activities updated.

We also look at WWE's buying a stake in Tout and how it is going to be marketed, Dwayne Johnson talks a possible new film role, how much Linda McMahon has spent so far in her latest run for senate as well as notes on her campaign literature.  We also look at the departure of Kharma and a number of new people starting with WWE in developmental.  We look at the recruiting process, including the types of people they are now scouting. 

We look at the match order on PPVs, more ideas for new WWE television programming, Brock Lesnar's schedule, WWE star writing a book, the NXT tapings and who has been impressive, as well as notes on the only weekend WWE house show.

We look at the life and career of Dara Singh, including a lot of notable trivia about the most famous wrestler to a generation in India.  We go through some of his most famous matches, including his bouts with Lou Thesz, Thesz's thoughts of Singh, the reaction to his death in India, his movie career, pro wrestling in India and more.

We also have a look at one of the biggest non-WWE shows in pro wrestling of this year, AAA's TripleMania show at the new Arena Ciudad in Mexico City on 8/5.

We also look at the Association of Boxing Commissioners meeting when it comes to scoring UFC fights, including criteria changes and the arguments regarding the half-point system as well as results of fighters polls on both the half-point scoring system and on announcing scores to the fighters or to the public after every round.

We also have more on four more pro wrestlers who came from the Olympics including someone who was a major overseas drawing card for years, and others who didn't become big in pro wrestling because they started too late in life.

We also have a look at the ratings of all the major shows and complete details on how every segment of Raw and Impact this past week did.  We look at what segments gained and lost viewers.

We also have results from all the major league arena events over the past week as well as previews of all the major television shows.

Also in this week's issue:

 

--Mini star loses mask and reveals identity

 

--59th anniversary of wrestling at Arena Puebla and what main event sold out the house

 

--Well known father teams with his two sons for the first time on a major show

 

--Opening of All Japan's junior heavyweight tournament

 

--Retirement of a long-term veteran

 

--Notes on this year's Fire Festival

 

--IGF title change

 

--Dave Bautista and MMA, movies, and being a music video director

 

--Former WCW and TNA wrestler talks retirement due to injuries

 

--Former WCW star arrested this past week

 

--Tammy Sytch checks in to rehab

 

--Notes from the George Tragos/Lou Thesz pro wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony with John Layfield, Dan Severn and more, as well as the story behind Kurt Angle not being there and why there was so much heat on him, and how it was all settled

 

--Arrest of former WWE wrestler

 

--Possible career ending injury to former WWE wrestler

 

--Lawsuit filed against Ultimate Warrior

 

--Notes on Bob Backlund

 

--Pro wrestling debut of Cody Hall, Scott's son

 

--One of the greatest woman wrestlers of all-time returns to the U.S. in September

 

--Update on Archie "The Stomper" Gouldie

 

--Someone with a pro wrestling connection hired as an announcer for the upcoming Olympics

 

--Former WWE wrestlers gets TV acting role

 

--More on ROH contract situations and what went down with Kenny King

 

--When Davey Richards is expected back for ROH

 

--More on proposed angle between ROH and Gabe Sapolsky

 

--Notes on weekend ROH house show

 

--More on Hulk Hogan and his next surgery

 

--TNA PPV news

 

--Who are the mystery guys in TNA

 

--How the DirecTV impasse affects TNA

 

--Update on the Hardcore Justice PPV

 

--Bound for Glory series update

 

--More on technicalities of the series

 

--What current TNA star entered the Diva search and didn't make the top ten

 

--More notes from the UFC Fighters Summit

 

--More on Forrest Griffin getting testosterone replacement therapy

 

--Notes on the upcoming U.S. and Australia/U.K. series of Ultimate Fighter, coaches, start times, dynamics and more

 

--Lots of new UFC matches

 

--A look at how busy the UFC schedule is going forward

 

--UFC show moved

 

--Notes on the Calgary show this week

 

--Chael Sonnen and Rashad Evans talk future and possible division changes

 

--Junior Dos Santos talks his return

 

--Next Bellator TV show as well as when the new season is scheduled to start

 

--Notes on an upcoming MMA movie featuring major movie stars

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.

 
*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.

 

--Those expecting a public battle with John Cena and his ex-wife Liz, well, that's not happening.  The two have settled their divorce issues quietly and all matters have been sealed.  It only made sense that would happen.

 

--Actress Halle Berry was hospitalized after an accident on the set filming the movie "The Hive," which WWE and Troika Pictures are co-producing.  She suffered a head injury in a fight scene last night and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where the movie is being filmed.  David Otunga has a leading role in this movie.

 

--Jim Ross did a radio interview in Norman, OK today and said he would be in St. Louis for Raw on Monday. That was largely expected but wasn't official.

 

--Strikeforce's show on Saturday night on Showtime did 420,000 viewers, which, if you consider the lineup, that's really good. 

 

--For the cable ratings last week, USA was in first place with 3.08 million viewers on average in prime time for the week, beating Disney at 2.85 million.  FX was No. 5 at 1.89 million.  Syfy was No. 15 at 1.12 million.  Spike didn't crack the top 25.  The two hours of Raw last week were No. 11 and No. 15 overall.  The show didn't crack the top ten in 18-34.  The second hour was No. 8 in 18-49.