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TUES UPDATE: Games and DVDs out today plus reviews, new TUF coaches, GSP talks best pound-for-pound, Goldberg on Ryback, Beth Phoenix update, 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 Sunday night's Hell in a Cell 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 the weekend TNA shows in Poplar Bluff, MO and St. Louis. Smackdown, Main event and Saturday Morning Slam will be taped tonight in Fayetteville.

THE LATEST OBSERVER: Women coming to UFC?
 
Also, everyone who subscribes this month for either the print or web site version of the newsletter will get our most talked about issue, the Hall of Fame issue that comes out in less than two weeks.  There will be six new entrants into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, voted on by those in the business, as well as reporters and historians in our annual balloting.   
 
We look at the final WrestleMania PPV numbers, among the highest in history, and the ratings from Raw on Monday, the new 15-year-low.
 
We also have an update on women in UFC and why this subject is a lot more complicated than most think due to contractual issues.  We look at what the hold up would be, examine how this may or may not effect when and if a Cris Cyborg vs. Ronda Rousey fight takes place, as well as a look at the future of Strikeforce and the UFC's relationship with Showtime.  We look at plans for the next show, the future of the brand, how soon Rousey can come to UFC is needed, Showtime ratings and Strikeforce history.
 
        We also have a huge feature on the glory days of Florida wrestling and behind the suicide death of Mike Graham.  We look first at his father, the legendary Eddie Graham, and how Graham at one time may have been the most powerful figure in the pro wrestling industry.  We look at the legend of the Graham Brothers in Madison Square Garden, Eddie Graham coming to Florida, the Eddie Graham booking philosophy, the ascension of Gordon Solie and the greatest angles in Florida history, Dusty Rhodes' babyface turn and Eddie Graham vs. The Great Malenko. 
 
        We look at the role Eddie Graham played in wrestling, his dark side, Mike Graham growing up.  We look at the background of the suicide, the death of Mike's father and son, and how it actually happened.  We look at the two different sides of Mike Graham, from his contemporaries in the 70s and those who knew him in the 90s.  We look at Mike Graham's role in the Brian Pillman/Sid Vicious encounter, as well as his role in Chris Benoit and Eddy Guerrero going to WWF.  We also look at Graham's role when it came to the booking of Bill Goldberg and why he was assigned often to Goldberg.  We look at the high school wrestling rivalry with Mike Graham and Ricky Steamboat, and how that in a way played a role in Steamboat becoming a pro wrestler.  We also look at the number of different pro wrestlers who went to high school with Mike Graham.
 
        We look at his powerlifting, feats of strength, junior heavyweight run, biggest rivals, the death of the  Florida territory, and look back at the death of Eddie Graham.
 
        We also have WrestleMania ticket notes, Mid South library notes, Chris Jericho talks about what is up with hi and WWE, Hell in a Cell lineup notes, notes on WWE tax credits, the Linda McMahon campaign, polls, and moves that she's made over the last week.  We also note the background of the A.J. storyline, holiday television schedule, DVD news, why Jack Swagger was gone, Video game news, as well as business notes from the past week and house show highlights.  
 
        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 the Dragon Gate PPV in Japan over the weekend.
 
        We've also got exclusive detailed PPV numbers for Night of Champions, and how it compares with last year, as well as WWE numbers when it comes to house shows, merchandise, DVD sales and more for the month of September.
 
         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:
 
--Several promotions working together, including two different sets of meetings over the past week
 
--Top star talked about coming to Mexico
 
--A list of some of the biggest drawing cards in the history of pro wrestling in Mexico
 
--Update on Hector Garza's battle with cancer
 
--Hall of Famer talking a full-time comeback next year when he gets back into shape
 
--Some very depressing attendance figures for Mexico
 
--All Japan big show coverage and what the next programs are
 
--Lineup for the 2012 Real World Tag League tournament
 
--Notes on the 2012 Global league tournament
 
--Super Juniors tag team tournament
 
--El Generico vs. Kota Ibushi rematch
 
--Ultimo Dragon 25th anniversary show
 
--Return to pro wrestling of Genichiro Tenryu
 
--Death of Brain Damage
 
--Update on Tammy Sytch
 
--Behind the return of Portland Wrestling and notes on the first taping
 
--Former WCW exec now working as a major player in the tennis world
 
--Former football player getting strong reviews on indie scene
 
--Update on Terry Funk and Tony Schiavone
 
--Retired wrestler comes back for one last match so his daughter can see him
 
--Sleazy story of the week
 
--Hulk Hogan, Bubba the Love Sponge and the latest sordid details
 
--More notes on TNA in the U.N.
 
--TNA wrestler opening restaurant
 
--TNA house show notes
 
--UFC 153 PPV numbers
 
--UFC closed circuit show
 
--Update on Tito Ortiz and Frank Shamrock
 
--UFC Canadian plans for next year
 
--UFC drug testing suspensions and results overturned
 
--UFC legal updates
 
--UFC fighter does grandstand play
 
--UFC manager becoming promoter
 
--UFC star opening two gyms
 
--Retirement of a former Japanese star
 
--Bellator reality show notes
 
--Eddie Alvarez update
 
--Notes on recent Bellator events
 
--Notes on Here Comes the Boom
 
--Update on the Invicta promotion
 
--World Series of Fighting notes
 
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

-- Once again, continued best wishes from everyone on this website to those deal with Sandy and the aftermath.

-- WWE '13alt is out today. The game is getting good reviews. IGN reviews the game here. It got an 8.4 score ("GREAT"). GameInformer has their review here. "After playing WWE ‘13, I’m hard pressed to think of a more enjoyable and complete wrestling game in history."

-- Also out today: Brock Lesnar's Here Comes the Pain! dvd set.

-- Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Fabricio Werdum have agreed to coach the next season of Ultimate Fighter Brazil, which begins taping in January and will air on Globo. Millions and millions of people watch this show in Brazil and they'll make instant superstars in that country with it.

-- GSP was asked to rank the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world today and he chose Frankie Edgar number one (Edgar cuts no weight and GSP felt he won the match with Benson Henderson that the judges gave to Henderson), Jon Jones number two and Anderson Silva number three. You can read the article by Lance Pugmire by clicking here.

-- You can check out @JonnyBones if you want daily photo updates of his gigantic new house.

-- Speaking of Goldberg, he spent much of yesterday tweeting about Ryback.

-- There is a promo with Beth Phoenix up on WWE.com where she says we haven't seen the last of her. She meant in life, not in WWE, as this was the company's way of writing her out of storylines. It's been known she was leaving the company for several months now.

-- Mr. USA Derrick Bateman tweeted that he'd just undergone knee surgery and would be out for awhile. He said a certain, and I quote, "SWISSMAN" dislocated his kneecap.

-- I want to try something fun and different tonight. Since I was a huge Art Bell fan growing up (you can in some ways thank Art for the radio shows on this site), tonight we're going to take a page out of his playbook and do a Halloween Eve GHOST STORIES SEGMENT on the Bryan & Vinny Show.

Vinny and I will open up the phone lines at MIDNIGHT EASTERN/9 PM PACIFIC tonight, and you are welcome to call in and tell your favorite ghost story, preferably something that happened to you or someone you know. Try to keep your story to 2-3 minutes so we can get as many in as we can. All the info on how to call will appear on the front page at MIDNIGHT EASTERN/9 PM PACIFIC and will remain up there until we stop taking calls.

We have four phone lines to dial into, so if one is busy, try another and keep trying. If the line rings so long that it disconnects, try again. We take the calls in the order received to try to be fair, but getting through is not necessarily ever easy. But it's a lot of fun, so get your stories read and prepare to call tonight!

-- Update on Doc Young for everyone. At the end of next month he'll be heading to the University of Chicago Medical Center to see a professor who specializes in Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He said this is the next best thing to going to the Mayo Clinic. He's still improving, but says it's way too slow. "I'm in the process of having all my medical records sent to him from 2008 till present, which will probably be as big as a Chicago phone book. lol." He's still looking to raise money here to help fund nasal surgery (he needs his nose rebuilt due to so many tubes going in and out of it for so long), and we all appreciate the help. GO DOC GO!

-- We have a great interview up right now with Samuray Del Sol. If for no other reason, you should listen to it to hear a guy who is PASSIONATE about pro wrestling, loves it with everyone ounce of his being, even though at one point a head injury had him virtually bedridden for two months had him thinking about retirement. He wrestles three shots for DGUSA this weekend.

-- WHO IS THE STRONGEST OF THESE HALL OF FAME CANDIDATES?
Gene & Ole Anderson 33.9%
Chief Jay Strongbow 18.3%
The Assassins 10.2%
Hans Schmidt 10.2%
John Tolos 8.9%
Red Bastien 7.0%
Pepper Gomez 2.6%
Wilbur Snyder 2.3%
June Byers 2.1%
Dick Hutton 1.7%
Kinji Shibuya 1.7%
Enrique Torres 1.3%

WHAT WAS THE BEST OF THESE SHOWS?
New Japan Kings of Pro Wrestling 30.8%
TNA Bound for Glory 18.5%
WWE Night of Champions 12.9%
UFC 153 12.0%
ROH Glory by Honor 11.2%
WWE Hell in a Cell 6.7%
UFC on Fuel Struve vs. Miocic 2.2%
TNA No Surrender 2.2%
UFC 152 1.4%
ROH Death before Dishonor 1.1%
UFC on FX Browne vs. Silva 0.8%

WHO WAS THE BEST OF THESE SECOND GENERATION WRESTLERS?
The Rock 30.4%
Terry Funk 22.5%
Curt Hennig 15.4%
Nick Bockwinkel 10.7%
Dory Funk Jr. 6.0%
Ted DiBiase 5.1%
Tully Blanchard 3.3%
Dean Malenko 3.0%
Fit Finlay 1.8%
Brian Christopher 0.9%
Greg Gagne 0.7%
Road Dogg 0.4%

WHO SHOULD PUNK FACE AT SURVIVOR SERIES?
Cena and Ryback in a three-way 49.7%
Cena 18.5%
Ryback and someone other than Cena 14.3%
Four-way 13.7%
Cena and someone else other then Ryback 3.8%

-- MetroPCS will host a live fan chat with Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White tonight at 6 p.m. PT. Participants are invited to tweet questions to #AskDana or submit questions on the MetroPCS’ Facebook’ page leading up to or during the chat. White will weigh in on his favorite for the coveted fourth spot on #TeamMetro, discuss recent news and answer questions live from participants. Fans are invited to “like” MetroPCS’ Facebook page and check out the UFC tab to participate in the action.

-- Link ‘Pirate’ Sentenced to Pay $13,000 to NBA, NFL, NHL, WWE and TNA

-- Here's a story on Mick Foley's accidental writing career.

-- Republican Senate Candidate’s Company Collected Millions In State Subsidies While Laying Off Workers

-- Devon Nicholson begins treatment that could cure his hep c.

-- CZWrestling.com - CZW continues on the road to 'Cage of Death' on Saturday, November 10 at The Flyer's Skate Zone, 601 Laurel Oak RD in Voorhees, NJ

-- Upcoming UFC shows: On this week’s UFC TONIGHT, we have an exclusive interview with UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos. UFC TONIGHT Hosts Todd Harris and Kenny Florian talk to dos Santos about Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem, Dana White, Jon Jones and more.

In this week’s UFC ULTIMATE INSIDER, Middleweight and U.S. Marine Brian Stann walks us through every harrowing detail of the mission that earned him the Silver Star and how he is helping fellow soldiers return home to the United States. Next, take an exclusive look at Carlos Condit’s preparations for his title fight with Nick Diaz, capturing the interim belt, and the immediate aftermath. Finally, watch Benson Henderson’s moves in ultra-slow motion, as the UFC’s Lightweight Champion teaches his most powerful techniques with lasting impact.

-- Latest TCW Television show with Ricky Morton and others is up here.

-- Dana White talks Brock Lesnar never returning to UFC here.

-- From the producers: Tonight starting at 8pm est at http://podcastaddict.com/ its NEW SURGE LIVE on tonight's show,in out 8:30 est half hour we will be joined by New England Championship Wrestling Sheldon Goldberg! He will talk to us about NECW as well as other things in the wrestling business including the controversy surrounding the best of 7 series between Adam Pierce and Colt Cabanna. That again starts in our 8:30 half hour. Also tonight, we find out how Rick is doing with the hurricane. Speaking of Rick at the top of our show we will be making a call to Uncle Rick's Frozen Custard in Virginia at the top of our show to see how they are doing. Also tonight we will be discussing how "dirt sheets" have impacted the business for the good and bad. All this and more on tonight's JAM PACKED episode of New Surge Live starting at 8pm est over at http://podcastaddict.com/

-- AAW: Professional Wrestling Redefined Windy City Classic VIII Saturday November 24, 2012 7:30pm 115 Bourbon Street 3359 W. 115th Street Merrionette Park, IL Doors open at 7:00pm. KEN SHAMROCK VS. SAMI CALLIHAN.

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