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FRI UPDATE: Giant weekend preview, UFC fighter admits drug failure, Jeremy Stephens' police report details, more on Strikeforce, Punk vs. Ryback possibility, 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 reports on tonight's WWE joint branded show in Jonesboro, AR (Sheamus vs. Big Show; C.M. Punk vs. Ryback) and tonight's PWS show in Rahway, NJ (Rikishi vs. Big Van Vader) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Slow weekend as far as big events go, but UFC does have a PPV from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and TNA has Bound for Glory, its biggest show of the year. We'll be doing radio shows both late Saturday and Sunday nights after the respective shows.

Bellator tonight on MTV 2:

Cody Bollinger (145.2) vs. Shahbulat Shamhalaev (145.6) in the first round of the featherweight tournament

Mike Richman (145.4) vs. Jeremy Spoon (146) in the first round of the featherweight tournament

Wagnney Fabiano (145.8) vs. Akop Stepanyan (146) in the first round of the featherweight tournament

Nazareno Malegarie (145.8) vs. Rad Martinez (146) in the first round of the featherweight tournament

Eddie Alvarez (155.4) vs. Patricky Pitbull Freire (154.8)

UFC 153 is Saturday night from Rio de Janeiro's HSBC Arena

Facebook fights at 7 p.m.

Reza Madadi vs. Cristiano Marcello

Chris Camozzi vs. Luiz Cane

FX fights at 8 p.m.

Renee Forte vs. Sergio Moraes

Diego Brandao vs. Joey Gambino

Gleison Tibau vs. Francisco Trinaldo

Sam Sicilia vs. Rony Jason

Main card at 10 p.m.

Demian Maia vs. Rick Story

Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado

Jon Fitch vs. Erick Silva

Glover Teixeira vs. Fabio Maldonado

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Dave Herman

Anderson Silva vs. Stephan Bonnar in a non-title three round fight at 205 pounds

ROH Glory by Honor will be on iPPV on Saturday from Mississauaga, ONT at the International Centre

Kevin Steen vs. Michael Elgin for ROH title

Adam Cole vs. Eddie Edwards for TV title

Davey Richards vs. Jay Lethal

Mike Bennett vs. Mike Mondo

Roderick Strong vs. Tadarius Thomas

We're also looking for reports on the WWE joint branded house show in Jackson, TV on Saturday night.

Sunday is headlined by Bound for Glory from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. The show will start at 7 p.m. Eastern with a one hour show on Spike that will include one mach and the PPV starts at 8 p.m.

Sting & Bully Ray vs. Aces and 8s - If Aces and 8s lose , they leave TNA, if they win they get full access

Austin Aries vs. Jeff Hardy for TNA title

Bobby Roode vs. James Storm street fight with King Mo as guest enforcer

Christopher Daniels & Kazarian vs. A.J. Styles & Kurt Angle vs. Chavo

Guerrero Jr. & Hernandez for tag titles

Samoa Joe vs. Magnus for TV title

Brooke Tessmacher vs. Tara for Knockouts title

Zema Ion vs. Rob Van Dam for X title

Al Snow vs. Joey Ryan

Raw will be Monday in Nashville. The key story is whether C.M. Punk will "pick" Ryback or John Cena as his opponent for Hell in a Cell. The decision has not been made and won't be made until Monday afternoon after an evaluation of Cena's elbow.

Smackdown will be on Tuesday in Memphis. Jerry Lawler is scheduled to appear at the show.

        A look at the Raw ratings and the WWE shakeups after the 15 year low on October 1 is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  It's an issue jammed with news, including the most detailed look at the Hulk Hogan sex tape scandal with a lot of new information, Vince McMahon's response to the ratings, the C.M. Punk incident hitting the fan in Sacramento, A look at TNA's Bound for Glory show, Steve Austin vs.C.M. Punk, the New Japan PPV show, the ROH booking change and WrestleMania 2013.
 
        Both the issue and a back issue from 1995 will be up on the site today.
 
        The lead story looks at changes made regarding bringing Vince McMahon back, what happened with Brian Gewirtz, how his role had changed, how the writing team is structured, who are the lead writers, the McMahon vs. C.M. Punk brawl, as well as the current A and B plan for Hell in a Cell.
 
        We also have a detailed look at Hogan and the sex tape.
 
        We have notes on the incident with C.M. Punk and the fan, as well as local coverage of the incident and reaction from both WWE and Punk.
 
        We've got a rundown on Bound for Glory, looking at the programs going in and the fan reaction to the major angles.
 
        We also look at one of the best PPV shows in recent years, the New Japan King of Pro Wrestling show featuring the Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki match.  We look at business numbers on the show, a very positive stat as well as another stat which isn't nearly so positive.  We've got match-by-match coverage as well as star ratings.
 
        We also have a look at the ROH booking change and update the situation with that company as it builds for Final Battle in December.  We look at the inherent problems with the promotion, the new role of Jim Cornette and the reaction to the Kevin Steen vs. Jay Lethal finish.
 
        We also look at UFC's show this past week, why two matches didn't happen, the injury that led to the main event ending fast, business notes, ratings and more.
 
        We also look at the C.M. Punk vs. Steve Austin rivalry, the taped seeming beginning of an angle, the Linda McMahon campaign, what people in Connecticut really think of pro wrestling, WWE end of the year television schedule and why they have two shows that will almost surely do record low numbers before the year is out.  We also look at Sara Del Rey in WWE, just how valuable C.M. Punk has been to WWE of late, more WWE firings and departures that have not gotten out, Chris Jericho talks his future, the latest on Ric Flair and WWE, update on WWE injuries, as well as business notes from the past week and a look at all the weekend WWE 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 look at Dave Bautista going into MMA and his fight with Vince Lucero.
 
        We also have coverage of Heroes Inmortales, AAA's latest major show featuring Jeff Jarrett and Abyss, plus a cage of death and the Antonio Pena Cup.
 
         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:
 
--Notes from Arena Mexico
 
--Son of former WWF and WCW star now in Mexico
 
--U.S. belts defended in Dragon Gate this past week
 
--What would have been a major dream match in the 90s is announced as a Hall of Fame candidate comes out of retirement at the age of 51 to face a current world champion he never faced in his heyday.
 
--All Japan creates a TV champion and notes on the tournament
 
--Next major All Japan show lineup
 
--Pro Wrestling NOAH's show that went head-to-head with the new Japan PPV with Morishima vs. Akiyama
 
--A look at the upcoming Global  League singles tournament
 
--Notes on New Japan jr. heavyweight tag team tournament
 
--Zuffa heavyweight appearing on pro wrestling show next week
 
--The latest on Tammy Sytch
 
--Adam Copeland talks about no longer being Edge
 
--When he targeted ending his career originally
 
--More on the death of  Bobby Jaggers
 
--Notes on Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore promotion debut show
 
--Target for a second show
 
--Linda Hogan's latest arrest
 
--Notes on next ROH iPPV card and direction
 
--Weekend ROH house show note
 
--King Mo situation
 
--What former TNA star is close to returning
 
--TNA house show notes
 
--How the change in a television channel could affect UFC
 
--More problems with the next Strikeforce show
 
--Why UFC is adding a new clause in all future talent contracts and what led to it
 
--Notes on the Brazil PPV
 
--Two UFC stars will be forever linked together
 
--UFC does one of its best ever television commercials
 
--Notes on UFC's year-end show
 
--Several UFC cuts
 
--Dana White talks TV numbers and what they learned from the England show
 
--Dana White cuts a promo on Spike TV
 
--Promotion's biggest star in his probable last match before leaving
 
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

-- The Des Moines Register has a story heredetailing the cops' side of the story in the Jeremy Stephens arrest. They claim that Stephens and another man, Dustin James Bachman, beat a patron up outside Fat Tony's Bar in Des Moines, going so far as to pull him by his feet out of a car as his girlfriend was trying to drive him to safety. Police claim the patron was beaten so badly in a sixty-second two-on-one assault that he stopped breathing twice and lost consciousness. Cops claimed that it was merely a coincidence that they arrested Stephens just one day before UFC on FX 5 last week.

-- Jake Shields sent out this statement today: "To my friends, fans and the UFC: Prior to my professional bout at UFC 150 in Denver, Colorado, I used a substance prohibited by Colorado Boxing Commission rules. This was a mistake that I fully regret. I have shared this issue with my family and the UFC and I have apologized to them and now I also apologize to you, the fans. I promise this will never occur again in my fighting career. I accept the Boxing Commission's decision for a six-month suspension, which will expire in February. I ask that you accept my apology. I will be back fighting soon, and hope that the fans of MMA will support me until that time." It was not mentioned what substance he failed for or any other details.

-- As noted on the front page, Strikeforce has canceled their second straight show, scheduled for November 3rd in Oklahoma City, OK. Fighters were outraged because nobody from Strikeforce/Showtime/Zuffa told them anything, they found it was canceled after reading about it on the Internet. They are claiming the next show will take place in January and that it will be stacked. Pretty much impossible to guarantee that nowadays.

-- An upset Daniel Cormier told Ariel Helwani: "I wish somebody would have told me something. This is unbelievable. I'm very upset. I just want to be informed. That's all. I don't think that's asking for too much."

-- WWE.com has a story here about the tape John Cena was wearing on his bad arm Monday night. It wasn't a brand new tattoo as some speculated. The story is here.

-- Cena has another medical evaluation Monday, and that's when they'll decide whether he'll work Hell in a Cell or whether Ryback is going to get the shot against CM Punk. I know several different possible booking scenarios were discussed over the past few days.

-- Interestingly, WWE.com did a Twitter poll asking fans who they'd like to see challenge Punk at Hell in a Cell, and a full 69% said they'd rather see THE RYBACK get the shot.

-- Cena will be honorary New York Jets team captain Sunday in their game versus the Colts.

-- I feel bad for the guy, but this is funny. Yesterday Zack Ryder opened up with this tweet: "If @WWEonYouTube doesn’t edit tomorrow’s episode, Episode 88 of Z! TLIS will blow your mind!" Hours pass. Then he tweeted this: "So @WWE rejected Episode 88 of Z! TLIS. Thus, tomorrow's episode will suck."

-- There is a new Bully Ray interview herewhere he discusses, among things, Punk hitting a fan on Raw Monday.

-- JBL offered a public apology today to the Colon family for a comment he made on Raw during the Colons' tag match, where he basically said Carlos Colon still owed him money. Apparently Carlos was very upset about that one. JBL, in apologizing, noted he was just trying to be an entertaining heel and pointed out some other things he'd said in that same vein on the show.

-- From Bones Jones on Twitter: "The more I realize how bad the fans want me to fight Sonnen the more I am beginning to disregard whether he deserves it or not." I guess he finally figured out there was a lot of money to be made and not a lot to risk.

-- Geronimo dos Santos was pulled from this Saturday's UFC 153 event in Brazil after testing positive for Hepatitis B. UFC told him that if he underwent chemotherapy and came up with a negative viral count, he'd be allowed to fight again for the organization.

-- Juventud Guerrera dislocated his collarbone on the Heroes Inmortales show last Sunday and will be out of action for at least two weeks. Thanks to Kris Zellner.

-- Tonight's MMA programming: FUEL TV telecasts two upcoming live shows around UFC 153: SILVA VS. BONNAR. Things kick off on Friday, October 12 (3:00 PM ET) with the live UFC 153 Weigh-in on FUEL TV, hosted by UFC Host Jon Anik. UFC stars Chael Sonnen and Urijah Faber join Anik, offering analysis from FUEL TV’s Los Angeles studios. Two-time MMA Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani conducts fighter interviews onsite in Brazil. FUEL TV wraps up coverage of UFC 153 Saturday late night (1:00 AM ET), with the UFC 153 Postfight Show on FUEL TV, live immediately following the Pay-Per-View. Anik leads the recap, with Faber and Sonnen’s analysis, while Helwani conducts postfight interviews.

-- Glory Sports International today announced the appointment of former Senior WWE Executive Andrew Whitaker as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Directors for Glory Sports International.

-- CZWrestling.com - CZW 'Wired TV' heads to the Vogt Recreation Center, 6700 Cottage ST in Philadelphia, PA with a 7 pm bell time to benefit The Scares for Cares Organization (ScaresThatCare.org).

-- CZWrestling.com - Saturday, October 13, CZW returns to The Flyers Skate Zone, 601 Laurel Oak RD in Voorhees, NJ with a 7:30 pm bell time!

-- Great story about Portland Wrestling and Mean Mike Miller here

-- Two Spot Monkeys preview the ROH iPPV

-- Paul Lazenby with an exclusive interview with Bas Ruttenabout Here Comes the Boom.

-- Absolutely nothing to do with wrestling or MMA, but I don't care -- GIANT EYE BALL FOUND

-- CM Punk talks fan incident from Monday

-- Latest HOOPLAwith Truth Martini.

-- Night one of a mountain empire double header sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance will take place at the Rogersville, TN National Guard Armory with a 7:45 PM Bell Time. In the main event, Josh Crawford will go one-on-one with area veteran Thorn with the PWF Title on the line. This will be the first ever one-on-one meeting between these two men.

-- Daniels and Kazarian, both comic book collectors/aficionados and recently featured in a Spider-Man comic book, will make a special appearance today and sign autographs/photo opportunities from 3pm-5:30 pm at Samurai Comics, 1051 E. Camelback Rd. in Phoenix.

-- In the opening episode of season six of PRIME Wrestling TV, newly-crowned two-time PRIME Champion Johnny Gargano addresses his fans after defeating previous champion Jimmy Jacobs at Wrestlelution 5. However, being champion again means you are once again a target. "The Embodiment of Evil" Krimson, leader of Gory & Kirst in the Dead Wrestling Society, made his intentions known quickly, but it was the actions of "The Man Beast" Rhino that truly made all of PRIME Wrestling stand up and take notice. Watch the video here.

-- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is looking for a copy of last night's Impact TV show.

-- Austin Aries interview about Sunday's PPV here

-- FUNDRAISER for the YMCA of Salem County East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA) LIVE Sat, Oct 13, 2012 YMCA III YMCA of Salem County 204 Shell Road Carney's Point, NJ 08069 PHONE: (856) 299-1493

-- SHIMMER - WOMEN ATHLETES returns to the Berwyn Eagles Club (6309 26th Street) in Berwyn, IL on Saturday & Sunday, October 27th & 28th, 2012. Bell time on Saturday, October 27th is 2pm. Volumes 49 & 50 of the SHIMMER series will be filmed on Saturday. Bell time on Sunday, October 28th is 1pm. Volumes 51 & 52 of the SHIMMER series will be filmed on Sunday.

-- 20 years ago today, Bret "Hitman" Hart defeated "Nature Boy" Ric Flair to win the World Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Thanks to Brian.

-- Rutten was on the Preston and Steve Show this morning to promote the Kevin James movie, Here Comes the Boom. The hosts asked him if he'd ever been approached to do action films. He said he was interested in Austin's part in the Expendables, but the producers really wanted Austin to do it.

-- Wrestling For a Cause presents: SeminoleMania IV: Unite & Fight! October 12th at 730pm Seminole HS Competition Gym 2701 Ridgewood Avenue Sanford, FL 407-320-5048 for information Advance tickets $10, Ringside $15, GA $15 on sale at Seminole HS & Lake Mary HS athletic offices

-- What did you think of WWE Main Event?
Excellent 20.5%
Good 38.7%
Average 19.2%
Fair 3.8%
Poor 10.3%
59.6% of those responding didn't see the show

Do you see Silva vs. Bonnar going into the second round
Yes 64.6%
No 35.4%

What are your thoughts regarding the next New Japan iPPV show?
Watched the first one, will watch the second 38.1%
Didn't watch the first one, won't watch the second, won't buy a promotion without TV 30.9%
Didn't watch the first, will watch the second due to praise of the first 19.9%
Didn't watch the first, will watch the second because Sunday morning is more convenient than Monday morning 9.9%
Watch the first, won't watch the second 1.1%

-- Lots of news of the week to be discussed on Over the Top Radio tonight here

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