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TUES UPDATE: Plenty of Punk/fan shot fallout, more Tammy Sytch drama, Hogan sex tape drama, UFC



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 today's New Japan iPPV as well as Friday night'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 for each show 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:

*Raw Sunday in Spokane, WA

*Smackdown Sunday in Reno

*Raw Saturday night in Yakima, WA

*Smackdown last night in Anaheim Saturday

*TNA Friday night in Hot Springs, AR

*TNA Saturday night in Fort Smith, AR

Today 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.
 
        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 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
 
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

-- TMZ.com has a story on the CM Punk incident last night including a very clear and very close-up video of what happened. Punk was shoved by two different fans, but the fan he hit was neither of them and didn't appear to have done anything wrong. According to the story, the man talked to police last night and didn't appear to have any significant injuries, but then later in the evening he called them back and complained of pain in his knee. Police have taken a statement and are now determining whether to investigate the matter.

The clearest video of the incident appears to be here.

WWE's official response to the incident: "During last night's Raw televised event, WWE Superstar CM Punk exited the ring into the stands as part of the show. WWE security was unfortunately not in the appropriate place at the time. Given CM Punk's persona as a 'bad guy,' fans were naturally heckling him, but unfortunately a few fans began shoving him and one struck in him in the kidney and on the back. WWE regrets that proper security measures were not in place, and CM Punk apologizes for reacting in the heat of the moment. Other than this isolated incident, WWE always provides proper security to ensure the safety of our fans and our performers."

-- Dario Teyes admitted on Twitter that he was the guy who hit Punk in the kidneys and started the entire fracas. He noted that Punk hit an innocent guy and was laughing about it, noting that he was helping to make the guy a millionaire. I've seen dumber things, but this one is way up there.

-- Well, this is an unfortunate coincidence. WWE returns to Sacramento for a Smackdown taping on January 22nd. The presale code on TicketMaster is, swear to God, SMACKFAN.

-- All wrestling all the time for TMZ today: Tammy Sytch arrested for fourth time in four weeks. It was said she was intoxicated during this arrest and that bail is set at $25,000. She had just gotten out of rehab. Speaking of unfortunate coincidences, the Sytch Youshoot from Kayfabe Commentaries came out today and the headline of the press release reads: A SNAPSHOT OF FUN, SOBER TAMMY SYTCH EMERGES ON NEW "YOUSHOOT"

-- Nearly every report we got from last night, and we've gotten many obviously based on what happened, stated that Ryback was ridiculously over with the Raw crowd.

-- Hulk Hogan's attorney has also filed a police report this morning regarding the sex tape that surfaced on Gawker.com involving Hogan and Bubba the Love Sponge's ex-wife Heather Clem. Hogan admitted the woman in the video was Heather this morning on the Howard Stern show. He claimed nobody knew who filmed it or who released the film, and said he did not believe Bubba, who gave him permission to have sex with his wife, was responsible. The story is here.

Hogan also admitted the incident happened while he was still married but estranged from Linda Bollea. Previously he had claimed that it had happened between the time of their divorce and when he met his new wife.

-- Should note that if you haven't listened yet, and if you are a subscriber I'd be stunned if that were the case, last night's Observer Radio has about an hour worth of news on everything that went down yesterday, plus Dave's epic rave of the New Japan iPPV. A really fun show.

-- Speaking of, the New Japan iPPV will be available on uStream until late Wednesday night.

-- Although Sara McMann vs. Liz Carmouche, Luke Rockhold vs. Lorenz Larkin and Daniel Cormier vs. Frank Mir have all fallen apart due to injury, and despite rumors all day yesterday about the future of Strikeforce, at the moment the November 3rd event is still going to take place.

-- DaMarques Johnson confirmed today that he has been cut by the UFC.

-- Travis Browne is out 3-4 months with a torn hamstring suffered in the early moments of his fight with Bigfoot Silva Friday night. He noted he won't need surgery.

-- UFC Countdown show for this weekend's Brazil PPV airs tonight 9 p.m. Eastern 6 p.m. Pacific on Fuel.

-- Jeremy Stephens finally had a bail price set -- $100,000. He was meeting with a judge today.

-- Bad night for ratings Friday. UFC on FX 5 ended up doing 1.1 million viewers and the prelims on FUEL averaged 44,000, both below average. Bellator's season debut did 145,000, also well below average. Smackdown's rating also dropped again this week.

-- New interview with Paul Heyman talking about how the new WWE deal was just right place, right time, here.

-- The latest DGSUA news update is available herewith deals, updates on line-ups for the early November swing, tons more.

-- Ion to HD on DirecTV, a happy day for WWE Main Event fans.

-- NWA Fusion 10 Pounds of Gold in Gloucester, VA from 9/29/12: U.S. Jay Steel d. True Talent Bobby Shields, Diamond Victor Griff d. Pat Cusick, The Mempho Mofo and Mr. Mid-Atlantic went to a 30 minute draw, Aden Chambers & Brandon Day d. A1, Larry Horsley d. Boris Dragoff, "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce d. "The Pain Train" Preston Quinn to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title with unexpected assistance from guest referee Damien Wayne.

NWA Fusion King of the Mid-Atlantic in West Point, VA on 10/6/2012: Jefferson Early d. Krotch, Victor Griff DDQ Pat Cusick, Zak Hilton d. Ryan Zane, Larry Horsley d. Big MC 123, Preston Quinn d. Butch Beauchamp, Damien Wayne d. Sanchezzz, Larry Horsley d. Zak Hilton, Da New Bloodz d. Outlaw Ink, The Mempho Mofo d. U.S. Jay Steel, Larry Horsley d. Jefferson Early to win the King of the Mid-Atlantic Tournament.

NWA Fusion returns to action Saturday October 13th, 2012 for Meltdown at King and Queen Elementary School headlined by Damien Wayne vs. Pat Cusick and The Rapture vs. Preston Quinn, Aden Chambers & Brandon Day.

-- LEGENDS OF THE RING 15 HOSTED BY WWE LEGEND HOWARD FINKEL Saturday OCTOBER 13, 2012 Doors open at 8:30 am Crowne Plaza Hotel – Monroe, New Jersey Exit 8a NJTPK www.legendsofthering.com

-- Upcoming MMA programming: On this week’s “UFC Tonight,” we preview this weekend’s UFC 153: SILVA VS. BONNAR, headlined by Anderson Silva versus Stephan Bonnar. “UFC Tonight” Analyst Kenny Florian breaks down how Bonnar can beat “The Spider.” Plus, we’ll have an injury update on Travis Browne after his loss to Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva at UFC ON FX 5. In addition, this week “UFC Tonight” welcomes the newest member of the team, Leeann Tweeden, as the show’s social media host. Tweeden has been a sportscaster, model and television host who’s worked with FOX Sports in the past and has covered everything from mainstream and extreme sports to news and entertainment.

She was part of FOX Sports Net’s “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” and was host of FOX Sports West’s “Angels Weekly” for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team. In this week’s “UFC Ultimate Insider,” see why Bonnar is not daunted by the mission at hand and why his confidence is at an all-time high going into his fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 153. Host Jon Anik sits down for a one on one interview with Georges St-Pierre in Montreal. The welterweight champ discusses the struggles he overcame in his rehab from ACL surgery and why his future is brighter than his past. Plus, we have an exclusive preview with the stars and director of “Here Comes the Boom” who explain the UFC’s unique relationship with the film. And Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar meet up for a conversation about their futures.

-- Latest TCW show is up here. They also signed an international distribution deal with Octipixx Live, a Canadian based distribution company.

-- Beyond Wrestling “All Aboard” 1:30 PM Doors, 2:00 PM Bell Time $15 Admission, All Ages Welcome. Women Superstars Uncensored “Full Steam Ahead” 6:30 PM Doors, 8:00 PM Bell Time $30 Admission. Saturday, October 13th, 2012 NYWC Sportatorium 435-13 Brook Avenue Deer Park, NY, 11729

-- This Friday, NPWS returns to the Union, NJ Elks Lodge (281 Chestnut Street, in the Five Points Section, minutes from the Parkway and Route 22), with a 7:45pm bell time. This Saturday, they run the South Brunswick, NJ High School Gym (750 Ridge Road, minutes from U.S. Routes 1 and 130), with a 7:35pm bell time.

Did you watch the New Japan PPV?
No, not interested 40.2%
Will watch later 24.0%
No, bad time slot, haven't watched replay 18.8%
Yes, watched it and liked it 17.0%
Yes, watched it and didn't like it 0.0%

What was the best of these recent shows?
WWE Night of Champions 25.7%
New Japan iPPV 25.0%
Strikeforce Rousey vs. Kaufman 18.0%
TNA no Surrender 5.5%
WWE SummerSlam 5.1%
UFC Struve vs. Miocic 4.8%
ROH Death Before Dishonor 4.8%
UFC Browne vs. Bigfoot Silva 3.3%
UFC 152 3.3%
Bautista PPV 2.9%
Invicta 1.5%

Predict the Raw rating
2.3 or less 8.9%
2.4 4.7%
2.5 7.1%
2.6 8.1%
2.7 21.3%
2.8 23.2%
2.9 14.0%
3.0 7.3%
3.1 1.8%
3.2 1.0%
3.3 0.2%
3.4 or better 2.6%

Do you think Silva vs. Bonnar tops 350,000 buys?
Yes 44.4%
No 55.6%

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