kayfabe

dgusa

viggity

TUES UPDATE: NXT on Hulu Plus update, Linda debate, Raw notes on fan run-in, Showtime talks canceled show, Rousey pic too hot for Oxygen, Shawn Michaels signing in New York, tons more



By Bryan Alvarez | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | @bryanalvarez

We're looking for your thoughts on Saturday night's UFC 152, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We're also looking for reports on these shows:

*Raw Saturday night in White Plains, NY (Big Show vs. C.M. Punk managed by Paul Heyman)

*Smackdown Saturday night in Sarnia, ONT (Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio)

*TNA Saturday night in Raleigh

*Thursday's TNA in Salem, VA

*Last night's Raw in State College, PA

We're also looking for reports on Tuesday's Smackdown will be taped from Buffalo's First Niagara Center.

THE OBSERVER LEAD STORY: THE HISTORY OF JERRY LAWLER IN MEMPHIS

The rich history of the Jerry Lawler era in Memphis wrestling is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.  The issue is currently up on the web site as well as a new issue from 1995 covering the first Ken Shamrock vs. Dan Severn UFC fight and the debut of Tank Abbott.  That issue looks back at a huge weekend where I attended UFC, AAA and WCW major events in a three-way period with notes on all the shows, as well as the build to the debut episode of Nitro.

 
        We update Lawler's health, his future wrestlers who have come back from heart attacks including one who was a major star in expanding the popularity of pro wrestling in a hotbed area within a year of suffering a heart attack.  We also look at WWE medical care, and look back at Lawler's career starting with his first major big arena headline role in his tag team with Jim White, through his multi-year world title quest, through the ups and downs of Memphis wrestling during its glory days.
 
        We look back at the Lawler vs. Fargo rivalry, Lawler's first sellouts as a singles star, the booking of Jerry Jarrett in building Lawler for his match with Jack Brisco and look back at the match.  We also look at how Jarrett and Lawler successfully were able to take the publicity from Ali vs. Inoki in 1976 and create a major box office success.  We also look at why such booking would be impossible today.  We also look back at the Lawler vs. Dundee years, the success of hair vs. hair matches, the creation of Jarrett Promotions and the end of Nick Gulas, Jimmy Hart getting into pro wrestling, Lawler's in-ring psychology and where it came from, as well as Hulk Hogan's first big box office program.
 
        We look at the story behind Lawler vs. Dundee and the most unique television pro wrestling show in history, as well as a rundown of the Andy Kaufman feud.  We look at the original match, Letterman, the classic angle in the Lawler vs. Nick Bockwinkel match, the Lawler vs. Austin Idol feud, the Curt Hennig win and the death of local Memphis wrestling.
 
        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.
 
        We also have a note on the changes in television, most notably the decline in television homes while the population increases in the U.S., why this is happening, and the most important television markets.
 
        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
 
        You can also order by paypal by sending to www.paypal.com and directing the funds to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
        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 also have a look at WWE's Night of Champions show, along with plans for Hell in a Cell, background of Cena's elbow and ankle injuries, updates on WWE announcing.  We've got a lot of notes on the show, as well as business notes, and match-by-match coverage with star ratings.
 
        We also have notes on how WWE edited Raw last week due to what happened to Jerry Lawler, but other edits taken out of the show.  We also have more of a reaction backstage when the Lawler thing happened.  Bret Hart talks his return to Montreal in a WWE ring.  He also talks Jerry Lawler and Vince McMahon.  We look at WWE removing clips from the Internet, the heated Linda McMahon senate campaign, update on Rock's schedule, indie talent getting tryouts, Eve Torres engagement, and funny "Did You Know" stuff on WWE television.  We also look at Paul Heyman's house show schedule and the role of Brad Maddox in WWE.  We also look at a recent business change, Ric Flair's daughter in WWE, former WWE star documentary on life after wrestling and business notes from the past week and WWE's house show notes.  
 
        We also run down the CMLL 79th anniversary show, regarding the oldest pro wrestling company in history and its biggest show of the year.
 
        We also look at the problems with Ring of Honor and iPPV, the company's reaction, where things screwed up, the next attempt, a better way to handle things, as well as a rundown of the Death Before Dishonor show.
 
        We also look at Pro Wrestling NOAH's major show of the month, which was the 20th anniversary of the debut of Jun Akiyama.  We look back at Akiyama highlights, as well as results from the show and where NOAH is going with its next big show.  We've also got notes on TNA talent returning to Japan to defend their tag titles.
 
         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 a look at all the major television shows.
 
Also in this week's issue:
 
--A bad sign regarding Shocker
 
--A look at AAA's last TV taping and latest interpromotional idea
 
--Dragon Gate has a Japan only PPV this week and a look at the card
 
--Updating NOAH's junior heavyweight tournament
 
--New Japan announces tag team tournament
 
--More on mentality of guys working when they are hurt
 
--Update on Tammy Sytch
 
--Former major league baseball player debuting this week
 
--Several contracts expiring in ROH
 
--Notes on next ROH TV tapings
 
--More on Impact schedule for the rest of the year
 
--Lots of news on Bound for Glory
 
--Why Jeff Hardy is getting the big push right now
 
--Devon talks leaving TNA
 
--More on Matt Morgan's return to TNA
 
--A look at the weekend TNA house shows
 
--A look at the remade UFC 153
 
--Update on Jose Aldo
 
--More fights falling apart in UFC
 
--Update on ticket sales to upcoming shows
 
--How UFC got a lucky sports break this week
 
--Update on Chael Sonnen
 
--DirecTV UFC discount package being offered
 
--Lots of new UFC fights    
 

 
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.
 
Today's News, Notes and Links

-- WWE confirmed today that the new NXT from Full Sail University will be airing on the new Hulu Plus channel.

-- The Linda McMahon debate is coming October 15th and you can watch it live online.

-- We will have Frank Shamrock on the show tomorrow talking his new book, Uncaged: My Life as a Champion MMA Fighteralt. Next week we'll have Jonathan Snowden on talking his new book, Shooters: The Toughest Men in Professional Wrestlingalt.

-- There were actually two guys that hit the ring last night during the Ryback match with Miz. (Yes, they decided they would hit the ring with Ryback in there.) They were quickly carted away.

-- Showtime's full statement on the cancellation of the broadcast for this weekend's Strikeforce event (which resulted in Zuffa pulling the plug on the show since it made no sense to run it without a broadcast partner that would have paid rights fees): "Without our headline fighter and main event or a marquee undercard, we reluctantly informed Strikeforce that we could not continue with plans for the telecast." Fighters, particularly Pat Healy who spent thousands of dollars on his camp in preparation for the fight with Gilbert Melendez that got scrapped, are furious.

-- A shot of Melendez's separated shoulder is here.

-- A shot of John Cena's surgically-repaired elbow is here.

-- Not sure if D-Von returns to Impact to defend the TV Title on Thursday's Impact, but Hulk Hogan has been tweeting that he wants him back. He'd tweeted something similar a few weeks back, then deleted it.

What did you do regarding UFC 152?
Didn't watch, wasn't interested in the card 28.5%
Didn't watch, don't watch UFC shows 27.3%
Watched via illegal stream 15.4%
Bought it, would have under any circumstance 8.1%
Watched at bar/restaurant 8.1%
Watched at a friends house 6.2%
Bought it because of Jones vs. Belfort, wouldn't have without that match 3.8%
Bought because of the long gap between PPV shows 2.3%
 
What was the best of these shows?
WWE Night of Champions 36.6%
Strikeforce Rousey vs. Kaufman 28.1%
UFC 152 15.6%
TNA No Surrender 8.5%
WWE SummerSlam 7.6%
ROH Death Before Dishonor 3.6%
 
What do you think is the biggest of these upcoming shows?
WWE Hell in a Cell 28.5%
UFC 153 27.8%
TNA Bound for Glory 27.2%
New Japan Sumo Hall 9.8%
NOAH Yokohama 3.8%
UFC on FX Miocic vs. Struve 1.6%
AAA Heroes Enmortales 1.3%
 
Who do you want to see face Jon Jones next?
Dan Henderson 44.0%
Chael Sonnen 39.6%
Lyoto Machida 5.3%
Alexander Gustafsson 4.7%
Quinton Jackson 2.8%
Rashad Evans 1.9%
Phil Davis 1.4%
Shogun Rua 0.3%

-- Chael Sonnen has taken aim at Jon Jones again. From Sonnen's Twitter: What do you think will cost more? Your hospital tab or the settlement you made with the two broads from the backseat? Oh boy.

-- Edge's appearance on the season premiere of Haven last week helped bump the show to number one among adults 25-54 in its timeslot. The show aired on Syfy immediately after Smackdown, where Edge made a surprise return. It was the best numbers in that demo in two years for the show.

-- Anthony Perosh vs. Joey Beltran has been added to UFC on FX 6 on Saturday, December 15th fromt he Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Australia.

-- Dan Henderson will be cleared to resume training next month.

-- There is a video here of Ryron and Rener Gracie breaking down the Jon Jones/Vitor Belfort armbar spot from this past Saturday night with special guest Ed O'Neill of Modern Family and Married with Children fame. O'Neill is a Gracie BJJ black belt.

-- There is a shot of Ronda Rousey that was deemed "too sexy" for Oxygen Magazine here.

-- Collector's Realm presents an autograph signing with WWE Hall of Famer SHAWN MICHAELS Sunday, December 2nd from 10am to 1pm at the Hudson Valley Marketplace 130 Salt Point Turnpike Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Autographs will be $50 Photo-Ops will be $50 A special Showstoppa VIP package is available which includes 5 autographs & 1 photo-op This VIP package is limited to only 20, and those 20 VIP guests will be the 1st 20 in line The price for this Showstoppa VIP package is $250. All tickets can be purchased now on our website www.collectorsrealm.iwarp.com and at our store. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended to avoid sellout. Collector's Realm is located at 44 Raymond Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. For information call 845-473-8697 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

-- Andre Arlovski vs. Devin Cole has been added to November 3rd World Series of Fighting debut in Las Vegas.

-- Really nice story here about Big Show visiting a local high school and giving advice to kids who might feel like they are lost.

-- Preview for this week's UFC Tonight: On this week’s “UFC Tonight,” we preview this weekend's UFC on FUEL TV card, headlined by Stefan Struve versus Stipe Miocic. Get an inside look at how Struve and Miocic are training for this heavyweight clash. Plus, Rory MacDonald on his upcoming fight against BJ Penn and big training changes that he plans to make soon. Plus much, much more. (Please note, subject to change.) In this week’s “UFC Ultimate Insider,” Glover Teixeira has waited a long time for his UFC opportunity, but he intends to make short work of every opponent on his way to the title. Plus, the Gracie brothers break down Stefan Struve’s triangle submission of Pat Barry; Joe Rogan on the Ultimate 8 Flying Knees; and Rashad Evans is wired for sound during Jones vs. Belfort.

-- During the coverage of the Tulsa-Fresno State football game this weekend, they aired some shots of a lucha-themed restaurant in downtown Tulsa, mentioned the upcoming Luchpalooza street festival, and the announcers donned lucha masks when coming back from the commercial break. Thanks to Steve.

-- IWA East Coast returns to the Kings Way Center in Nitro WV on Saturday at 8pm headlined by Matt Hardy vs Masada! Plus Necrobutcher vs BJ Whitmer for the IWA EC title, Mad Man Pondo vs Matt Tremont, Irish Airborne defend the IWA EC tag team titles and much more

-- Josh Nason notes: Because of the NFL replacement officials and the debacle at the end of the Seahawks/Packers game Monday, there is a ton of WWE references being made (and there was even an errant MMA reference made on NBC's Sunday night broadcast). My gut instinct: they'll somehow turn this into a positive claim about them trending/Monday night traffic even though they didn't do anything directly to affect the chatter.

-- SHIMMER - WOMEN ATHLETES is pleased to formally announce the addition of SHAZZA McKENZIE and RHIA O'REILLY to its October 27th & 28th weekend of events at the Berwyn Eagles Club (6309 26th Street) in Berwyn, IL! Volumes 49-52 of the SHIMMER series will be filmed during the course of that weekend. Visit http://www.shimmerwrestling.com/ for tickets.

-- Ed, Craig and Cutrer talk to Lylah Lodge of World Of Hurt here.

-- Latest TCW TV show is up here featuring the company's first-ever ladder match.

-- The CM Punk Best in the World DVD that was linked wrong yesterday is up here.

Send us a news tip: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com

Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news from this site or from our newsletters, please include a link to www.wrestlingobserver.com

For the most in-depth and detailed news and analysis on pro-wrestling and MMA, always turn to Wrestlingobserver.com/Figure Four Weekly Online, the #1 website of its kind on the Internet. Members receive online access to both the Wrestling Observer and Figure Four Weekly newsletters and growing archives, Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer three times per week, the popular Bryan and Vinny Show twice per week, additional radio shows including Figure Four Daily with Alvarez, Mike Coughlin's Five Star Radio, the Dr. Keith Lipinski Show, The Adam and Mike Big Audio Nightmare, Tough Talk and the Karl Stern Wrestling History Show, the infamous BOARD, and more! Members also have full access to the thousands of hours of audio in our radio show archives which date back to 2005. For your convenience, we offer secure online payments using your VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card or PayPal account. Don't miss out on the fun, sign up now! Don\'t miss out on the fun, sign up now!

Want full access? QUICK AND EASY $10.99 SIGNUP!

What did you think of Monday night's Raw?

 

Who was the star of Raw?

 

Which show this weekend are you more interested in?

 

Will Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman top 500,000 buys?