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FRI UPDATE: Jeremy Stephens yay or nay, huge gigantic weekend line-up, Raw response to record-low ratings, Hogan vs. media, another Hogan arrested, tons more



By Bryan Alvarez

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 tonight's UFC on FX show, 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 tonight:

*WWE Raw in Everett, WA with C.M. Punk vs. Big Show cage match, Kane & Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston & R-Truth for tag titles, Antonio Cesaro vs. Zack Ryder for U.S. title and Eve Torres vs. Kaitlyn vs. Layla for the Divas title.

*TNA in Hot Springs, AR. The only thing advertised is Austin Aries, A.J. Styles, James Storm, Tara, RVD, Bully Ray and Kurt Angle are appearing.

*Family Wrestling Entertainment iPPV from St. Patrick's Gym in Brooklyn. Top matches are Tommy Dreamer vs. Rhino, Paul London & Brian Kendrick & Jay Lethal vs. Young Bucks & Petey Williams, Angelina Love & Velvet Sky vs. Maria Kanellis & Winter, Colt Cabana vs. Mike Bennett plus Big Daddy V and Chris Masters.

One crazy weekend of shows from all over the world.

UFC today from the Target Center in Minneapolis. 5,700 tickets were sold for the show as of last night.

Facebook at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time

Mike Pierce (14-5, 171) vs. Aaron Simpson (11-3,171)

Fuel at 5 p.m. Eastern

Carlo Prater (30-11-1, 156) vs. Marcus LeVesseur (21-6, 156)

Diego Nunes (17-3, 146) vs. Bart Palaszewski (34-14, 146)

Shane Roller (11-6, 156) vs. Jacob Volkmann (14-3, 155)

Danny Castillo (14-4, 156) vs. Michael Johnson (12-6, 156)

Yves Edwards (41-18-1, 156) vs. Jeremy Stephens (20-8, 156)

FX at 8 p.m. Eastern

Justin Edwards (8-2, 170) vs. Josh Neer (33-11-1, 171)

Jussier Formiga (14-1, 126) vs. John Dodson (13-5, 126)

Jay Hieron (23-5, 170) vs. Jake Ellenberger (27-6, 170)

Antonio Silva (16-4, 266) vs. Travis Browne (13-0-1, 246)

We will have live coverage on the site starting at 4:30 p.m.

Bellator tonight on MTV 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern has the first round of the heavyweight tournament

Mark Holata (249.2) vs. Vinicius Queiroz (247)

Richard Hale (233) vs. Mike Wessel (262.2)

Brett Rogers (265.8) vs. Alexander Volkov (225.2)

Eric Prindle (264) vs. Thiago Santos (265.6)

For Saturday, we're looking for reports on these shows:

*Raw in Yakima, WA

*Smackdown in Anaheim, CA at the Honda Center with Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio last man standing, Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara vs. The Miz & Cody Rhodes and Ryback vs. Jinder Mahal

*TNA in Fort Smith, AR at the Convention Center

*ROH in Rahway, NJ at the Rec Center with Kevin Steen vs. Jay Lethal for ROH title, Davey Richards vs. Mike Mondo, Briscoes vs. Adam Cole & Eddie Edwards, Jimmy Jacobs & Steve Corino defend tag titles against Rhett Titus & B.J. Whitmer and Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas, Scott Parker & Shane Matthews vs. Bravado Brothers, Michael Elgin vs. Mike Bennett, Roderick Strong vs. Kyle O'Reilly and QT Marshall vs Bobby Fish

*Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore in Poughkeepsie at the Mid Hudson Civic Center

*One FC PPV from Singapore

*Invicta from Kansas City

The other major show is the Dave Bautista vs. Vince Lucero PPV from the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI on DirecTV PPV.

For Sunday, we're looking for reports on:

*Raw in Spokane, WA

*Smackdown in Reno

Sunday is also AAA's Heroes Enmortales from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, which includes Chessman & Abyss (as in Joseph Park escaping from being held hostage for one night only) defending the AAA tag titles against Joe Lider & Vampiro, The Antonio Pena Cup with Mesias, Zorro, Juventud Guerrera, Elegido, La Parka, Psycho Clown, Heavy Metal, Daga, Toscano and El Texano Jr; L.A. Park & Dr. Wagner Jr. & Electroshock vs. Silver Kain & Mascara Ano 2000 Jr. & Jeff Jarrett (managed by Karen Jarrett) and a cage of death with the loser losing his hair or mask with Perro Aguayo Jr., Cibernetico, Teddy Hart, Dark Ozz, Dark Cuervo, Halloween and the Original Psicosis.

Monday has Raw from Sacramento with more on Punk/Ryback and the continuation of the tag team tournament.

Monday also has a head-to-head showdown in Japan as New Japan has a PPV show from Sumo Hall in Tokyo headlined by Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki for the IWGP heavyweight title. The show is available worldwide on iPPV starting at 4 a.m. Eastern and 1 a.m. Pacific early Monday morning. Pro Wrestling NOAH has its big show at the Yokohama Prefectural Gym headlined by Takeshi Morishima vs. Jun Akiyama for the GHC heavyweight title plus TNA's Samoa Joe & Magnus defend the GHC tag titles agianst KENTA & Maybach Taniguchi, as well as a NOAH vs. Zero-One feud series of matches.

Tuesday is Smackdown and Main Event tapings in San Jose. Randy Orton vs. Big Show will be the taped main event for Main Event.

        Both WWE and UFC set record low ratings this past week for their flagship television shows.  In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, we look at what led to the low Raw numbers as well as what was the star segment of the show, how when people usually turn off Raw, they skyrocketed and what segments lost audience.  We also look at the plight of Ultimate Fighter, as well as history on Raw battling football as the season goes on.
 
        The issue will be up later today on the web site.  A new back issue from 1995 is currently on the site.
 
        We also have a look at Brock Lesnar's financial value to WWE so far, and if he's worth his massive pay.  We look at how Extreme Rules and SummerSlam did, including some very strange results that are hard to explain.  We also look at why Lesnar is likely to be offered a new contract by WWE when this one expires. 
 
        We also look at the former WWE star and Hall of Famer who had been in secret negotiations and why they fell through at present.
 
        We also have a look at the latest ESPN poll on the popularity of WWE, UFC and Boxing across every age group.  The poll is interesting because the general public perception of who is actually most interested in all three genres, and even television ratings, tell a very different story.  We also look at how boxing and wrestling's popularity have changed over the past decade and why one of the three has the best chance of increasing for reasons few have really picked up on.
 
        The poll shows a lot about where WWE may be making mistakes with their approach.  It also has Lorenzo Fertitta talking about how his sport has decreased in popularity in recent years and his reaction to it.
 
        We also look at New Japan opening up in the iPPV business on an international basis this week.  We look at how the Japanese marketplace makes iPPV more viable than the U.S. marketplace.  We also look at attempts over the years to market Japanese pro wrestling in the U.S.  We also look at the first card, with notes on all the participants and every match.
 
        We also have a full rundown of the UFC show in Nottingham, England, with background on the show, all the financial numbers, injury notes, judging and match-by-match coverage.
 
        We also have a story on the departure of Kelly from WWE, talking about the background of how it all went down, how she got started in pro wrestling to begin with, why so many people have been leaving WWE, and what is next for her.
 
        We also have a major feature looking at the 2013 WrestleMania, including directions for all the major names.  We look at why one match up where the angle was shot a long ways back is unlikely to happen.  We look at different potential usages of big names, as well as what people internally have said about Undertaker. 
 
        We also update Hell in a Cell, update Jerry Lawler and John Cena.  We also look at a former star looking at returning, the tag team tournament, what department in WWE is undergoing major changes, notes on house shows, an update on Edge and his neck surgery, Randy Orton's schedule for the next few weeks, WWE stars talk about their backgrounds, notes on another tryout camp, C.M. Punk's schedule this pat week, WWE's relationship with Full Sail University in Florida, Michael Cole's new role, update on Steve Austin, as well as business notes from WWE over the past week and details of all the weekend house shows.
 
        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.
 
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        We also have a story on Ted Boy Marino, a huge national star in the heyday of pro wrestling in Brazil.  Marino was a pro wrestler who had a level of mainstream appeal that only a handful of pro wrestlers have had within their country over the past 50 years.
 
        We also have a look at Bobby Jaggers, a star in the 70s and 80s in a number of territories, who passed away this past week.  He look at his style, his career, and his heyday in different promotions, as well as what he was best known for in pro wrestling.
 
         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:
 
--NWA historic middleweight title changes hands
 
--One of the oldest active titles returns as champion who has held the title for 37 years will defend it this week
 
--Major national star rushed to hospital with high fever and infection
 
--A look at the recent AAA TV tapings
 
--Notes on Heroes Inmortales, one of AAA's signature big evens of the year
 
--A look at the next Dragon Gate PPV show
 
--How title shot was decided
 
--Notes on next Dragon Gate USA tour shows
 
--All Japan and New Japan combine for shows in Taiwan
 
--NOAH notes on a title change and a tournament
 
--Japanese star breaks Karelin's all-time world championship record
 
--Genichiro Tenryu vows a return and a look at his probable first opponent back
 
--Update on Japan's New Year's Eve tradition and plans being made
 
--The wacky world of Inoki Genome Federation
 
--U.S. indie star wins major title in Japan
 
--First Legend Pro Wrestling show on 2013
 
--Daughter of 70s and 80s star makes name for herself in another sport
 
--Update on George & Stacy
 
--Notes on Tommy Dreamer's first House of Hardcore show
 
--Daivari talks about choking out an unruly passenger on a bus
 
--Former WWF star gets movie role next to DeNiro
 
--Australian WCW Hall of Fame notes
 
--TNA sued by longtime star
 
--Lots of notes regarding Bound for Glory
 
--Update on Aces and 8s angle
 
--Update on overseas wrestlers who will be appearing at the TNA tapings over the next few weeks
 
--UFC PPV update
 
--Notes on UFC's new hire to run European operations
 
--What the problems have been in Europe to far
 
--A look at this week's UFC show
 
--Update on Jon Jones
 
--Update on the middleweight division
 
--Why two major fights fell through this past week
 
--Lots of new fights
 
--How a UFC announcement has great impact going forward on the next few WrestleManias
 
--Shane Carwin talks his knee injury and his fight with Roy Nelson
 
--What state Dana White said he's avoiding
 
--Lots of new UFC fights
 
--Notes from Bellator's debut
 
--Notes on a triple head-to-head MMA battle this week
 
--Notes on all three shows
 
--Who is Vince Lucero, the new opponent for Bautista
 
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Today's News, Notes and Links

-- Regarding the Jeremy Stephens arrest as written about on the front page, although Dana White tweeted that nobody should listen to the media and Stephens was fighting tonight, as of 1:30 PM Pacific/4:30 PM Eastern, Stephens was still incarcerated without bail on a felony charge from another state and the Facebook prelims have been canceled. So that's a bad sign for his potential participation. He was scheduled to face Yves Edwards on the FUEL prelims.

-- John Cena tweeted that he will be at Raw Monday despite not being medically cleared to wrestle. Also at Raw, the return of Vince McMahon in the opening segment. And thus your response to a fifteen-year record-low rating last Monday. Cena is also scheduled for the Kelly and Michael show that day, so he's going to be doing a lot of traveling.

-- Story hereon Hulk Hogan threatening a lawsuit against Gawker regarding a 30-minute sex tape that they claimed was sent to them free of charge with only the request that they watch it. There is a blow-by-blow review and a one-minute edited clip up on their site right now. Hogan notes that the tape was filmed without his permission and he's very upset. Gawker, despite the threats, hasn't pulled the story.

-- TMZ also has a story hereabout Linda Bollea being arrested on suspicion of a DUI charge. Her rep claims she had one glass of champagne at a jewelry function, and because she did so on an empty stomach and was also taking medication, she blew an 0.084, just slightly above the legal limit. She was also driving on a suspended license. She's now out on $5,000 bond.

-- Dennis Hallman was cut from UFC yesterday after failing to make weight for his planned fight tonight with Thiago Tavares. Hallman is having issues at home and spoke with Dana White about them. It appears the agreement is that Hallman was paid both his show and win money to help him deal with, well, unemployment for the time being, and that if Hallman can make weight a few times on the indy MMA circuit he may be re-signed. Hallman noted that the problems at home were such that he was unfit to fight. At one point he passed out trying to make weight, and after being given a fluid IV he was way over the limit.

-- The Travis Browne vs. Bigfoot Silva epic staredown from weigh-ins yesterday is here.

-- Curt Hawkins is out for awhile, per his Twitter: Don't know why I haven't said anything. Maybe It was denial, but I wanted you all to know that I tore my PCL and Meniscus. Had to have surgery. Not sure of when my return will be but I can promise it will be a whole new look and attitude from Curt Hawkins this time around.

-- Very good interview with Edge heretalking his WWE career, Tommy Dreamer's debut House of Hardcore event, Internet rumors about his relationship with WWE, upcoming neck surgery and more.

-- Another Edge interview up here.

-- Story on former CFL/NFL player Nick Hannah's pro-wrestling debut tonight.

-- Preview herefor The Voice vs. Steven Seagal. This will be the first-ever one-hour Seagal interview in history.

-- Full World Series of Fighting line-up for November 3rd at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino. Main card airs on NBC Sports and the prelims air on Sherdog.com:
Andrei Arlovski vs. Devin Cole
Anthony Johnson vs. D.J. Linderman
Miguel Torres vs. Marlon Moraes
Gregor Gracie vs. Tyson Steele
Tyrone Spong vs. Travis Bartlett
Ronys Torres vs. Brian Cobb
Gerald Harris vs. Josh Burkman
JZ Cavalcante vs. T.J. O'Brien
David Branch vs. Dustin Jacoby
Waylon Lowe vs. Fabio Mello
Steve Carl vs. Ramico Blackmon

-- Full Bound for Glory line-up after last night has Austin Aries vs. Jeff Hardy in a battle of two dudes that Bully Ray has beaten in the last month for the TNA Title, Sting & Bully vs. Aces & Eights Mystery Members, James Storm vs. Bobby Roode with King Mo as guest referee, Daniels & Kazarian vs. Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez vs. Kurt Angle & AJ Styles for the tag titles, Al Snow vs. Jory Ryan, and Brooke vs. Tara for the Women's Title.

-- Book tour dates for Mick Foley are up on his site here. He wrote a Christmas book starring, of all people, Miz.

-- Among the attendees at CM Punk's screening of his new documentary at the Portage Theatre near Chicago were Colt Cabana, the former Lita, Cliff Compton and Marty DeRose of $5 Wrestling. They did a rib where they were about to start the film and someone had "accidentally" put HHH's "Inside Out" movie on instead. A WWE camera crew was there to film everything. Punk served milk and cookies as an ode to Andy Kaufman and also pizza from a local establishment that has created a special CM Punk pizza.

-- Matt Hardy interview herehyping up an upcoming bout with Kevin Steen, and responding to comments Steen made about his personal issues.

-- By the way, didn't get a chance to thank everyone for the positive feedback to the Bryan & Vinny Show Tuesday with the Triumph and Tragedy of World Class review. As noted a few weeks ago, we're trying to make some changes in the format of that show because, quite frankly, there is only so much you can say about a three-hour Raw after it's already been reviewed the night before. Vinny will still give his Raw and Smackdown thoughts, because he has a unique perspective, but we're also going to always review something different, whether that be a documentary, a Chikara/PWG/ROH/etc. show, WWE Classics on Demand, etc. We're always open to ideas as well. Also, very big thank you to everyone for their nice words after I got my brown belt.

-- Fun Chikara action coming up! CHIKARA: "The Zodiac Crimes" Sunday, October 7th Live at the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium in Gibsonville, NC! Tickets on Sale Right Now! Doors = 3:30 pm Belltime = 4:00 pm

-- Speaking of Chikara, you can check out a FREE King of Trios match featuring 1-2-3 Kid here.

-- Tommy Dreamer and Edge are coming to Dave and Busters this Sunday from 2PM until 5PM in Philadelphia. Order your tickets today or you can order them at the door the day of the event. Info here.

-- Pete writes: About your story yesterday on the daily update about the BS report with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold was in Mexico with Wilt Chamberlain filming the movie "Conan The Destroyer" but Andre wasnt there wrestling. He was actually in the movie. He played "Dagoth" who was the monster at the end. Andre didn't appear in the credits, but he was in the movie.

-- United States Championship Wrestling in Macclenny, FL from tonight 10/4 - Super destroyer b James Canterbury, Chasyn Rance b Tommy Bahama, Jake Slater vs Boss Hog Calhoun-DDQ, Jason the Giant b Gorilla Hanley, Santana Garrett b The Executioner. Next event 10/18 in Callahan, FL.

-- Jeff Jarrett stated today that he is ready for war this Sunday in San Luis Potosi for the Heroes Inmortales show and he is still gunning for L.A. Par-K after Par-K has embarrased his wife Karen and him in their past meetings. Jarrett said that Par-K is just like all his other countrymen as they are fat out of shape filthy people.

-- Kalery Alvarado who has been a mask maker for many luchadores over the past few years died recently due to complications from heart disease. Kalery has been around the internet lucha scene for years and seemed to be a great guy. He will be missed. Thanks to Kris Zellner.

-- Former WWE manager and ECW general manager Armando Alejandro Estradatalks candidly about Umaga and his success in WWE, sitting at home collecting a paycheck from WWE, training at Ohio Valley Wrestling, running a business of his own, Jonathan Coachman, AW, the lack of wrestling managers in the business today, the declining WWE ratings, the possibilities of working for TNA, Linda McMahon, and much more in this GERWECK.NET exclusive.

-- All 28 fighters participating in Saturday’s Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama women’s world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event at Memorial Hall will weigh in on Friday. The weigh in is open to the public, free of charge, and will stream live on InvictaFC.com.

-- East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA) LIVE! 2nd Annual ECWA K-Cup Tag Team Tournament Sat, Oct 6, 2012 Greater Newark Boys' & Girls' Club 109 Glasgow Drive, Rt. 40 & #1 Positive Place Newark, DE 19702

-- Trina Michales has locked in a three-date deal with Dragon Gate USA for the Nov 2 Everette, MA, Nov 3 Voorhees, NJ and Nov 4th Deer Park, NY shows. She'll be working with "The Scene" (Larry Dallas, Scott Reed, Caleb Konley). More info is on her twitter @trinamania

-- Ed and Cutrer review Tributesby Dave Meltzer on the show tonight

-- Ultimate Warrior appearance and signing on October 5th in Boston. As in, today.

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