*R-Truth vs. Heath Slater
*Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett
Tonight on Fuel has UFC Tonight at 7 p.m., UFC 154 GSP vs. Condit Prime Time replayed at 7:30 p.m., UFC 139 featuring Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua at 8 p.m., Nick Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi at 11 p.m. and the prelims from the 10/13 show in Brazil are at midnight.
The main story is a look at the Hall of Fame and who was inducted. We've got not only a list of the ballot results but a breakdown of how the top candidates did with different groups. We also look at the near misses and background on them and a look at a number of the candidates who didn't get in, as well as a look at next year's ballot additions.
We have a look at the McMahon campaign for senate, results and the key factors at the end that caused her loss.
We've got a look at the death of 80s star Brad Armstrong of the famous Armstrong wrestling family, and his different roles in wrestling, why his full-time agree ended and notes about his death.
We also look at the booking about-face made by WWE with the change in Survivor Series. We talk about why the change was made, the new card, and more on the WWE title switch.
We've got a beginning look at the WWE financials, in particular more talk about the network, details on how the PPV shows did this year as compared with last year, why profitability is down, more on how much they are earning for the third hour of Raw, value of Brock Lesnar.
We also have notes on what percentage of WWE revenues goes to talent right now as compared with real sports. We also look at an update on what is going on in New York for WrestleMania week. We've got more on the WWE video game and future of THQ, WWE in talks for mega events outside the U.S., as well as European tour business. We have more on the background of Brad Maddox and how he got his spot and push. We also have updates on injuries and planned return dates for a number of WWE performers.
We also look at the return of Great Khali, Booker T talks his fight from a few years back with Batista, Daniel Bryan talks difficulty in getting management behind him, plus we've got all the business notes of the European tour and notes from all the events.
We also look at the debut and goals of the new World Series of Fighting promotion on its first show. We look at how the show did in ratings, the stars, the production and what it needs for financial viability.
We also look at Scott Steiner's second lawsuit against TNA, and why one of the charges involved is very serious, or the ultimate cheap shot.
Also in this week's issue:
--Notes on the last AAA TV taping
--Notes on Dragon Gate USA shows over the weekend in the U.S.
--Hall of Fame candidate and recuperation from neck surgery and what the doctors told him about his future
--A look at Pro Wrestling NOAH's next major show
--The beginnings of the 2012 World League tournament
--A preview of the New Japan iPPV this weekend
--Notes on the finals of the New Japan Super junior tag team tournament
--Update on Tetsuya Naito and his return to pro wrestling
--Upcoming CMLL/New Japan joint shows announced
--Woman star for more than 26 years announces her retirement
--Akebono vs. Onita feud continues
--Notes from the funeral of Mike Graham
--NWA title decision
--Promoter from the 80s resurfaces looking at doing a pro wrestling reality show based on starting of a new promotion
--Update on Kelly Kelly
--Full lineup and television build for ROH Final Battle
--A look at where all the ROH TV angles are going
--More on the Hogan lawsuit regarding the sex tape
--Update on the Turning Point lineup
--Future of Eric Young in TNA
--Notes on the plans for TNA television between now and the end of the year
--What former WWE wrestler tried out for TNA
--A look at TNA developmental and Jessie
--Notes on weekend TNA house shows
--UFC official talks about ramping up drug testing next year
--Preview of the UFC show this weekend
--Notes on the big matches planned for 2013 in UFC
--Notes on a directive within UFC as far as younger fighters goes
--Notes on UFC's dates for FOX this coming year
--Lots of new UFC fights
--Notes on Tough Enough for this season
--Ticket sale advances for upcoming UFC dates
--More on the Stephan Bonnar suspension
--Another UFC fighter talks retirement
--Notes on UFC video game
--Chael Sonnen building up his fight
--Notes on this season's Ultimate Fighter cast
--Eddie Alvarez contract update
--Notes on Bellator's first reality show and upcoming cards
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
Our most requested issues in our history are:
*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)
*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was said--the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)
*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)
*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)
*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)
*July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)
*February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)
*May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our
history)
*January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)
*February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)
*March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)
*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)
*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)
*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)
*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)
*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)
*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)
*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)
*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)
*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)
*February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)
*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock Lesnar)
*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)
*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)
*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)
*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)
*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)
*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez--this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)
*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)
*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)
*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)
*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)
*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)
*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)
*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)
*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)
*October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)
*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)
*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)
*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage)
*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)
*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby--many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)
*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)
*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling--the most unreal story ever in wrestling)
*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)
*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)
*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff's book and how the industry was changed forever)
*November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)
*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn't click)
*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)
*January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bigelow)
*March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)
*March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)
*March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)
*April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage--which many are calling one of the best issues in history)
*July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)
*August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)
*October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)
*November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women's wrestling) .
*December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)
*January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)
*March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)
*April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair's meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)
*August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)
* September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)
* September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)
* September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)
You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.
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
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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.
Wednesday's news update
--On a conference call, Dana White said that if GSP faces Anderson Silva, it would be either at a soccer stadium in Brazil, at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas or at Rogers Centre in Toronto. GSP first has to beat Carlos Condit on 11/17. He also said if Condit wins, they are not looking at doing Condit vs. Silva. White said the advance is now up to $3.1 million, which would be about 15,000 tickets sold for Montreal. That would be a lot of sales in the past week.
--John Layfield said he had reached a full-time deal to stay on as the color commentator on Smackdown. He'll do exclusively Smackdown unless Miz is wrestling on Main Event, in which those weeks he'll also do that show.
--WrestleMania presale code which is good starting tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. is IZODVIP
--There are reports in Chicago that C.M. Punk will not just be part of the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, but will be the Grand Marshall. The parade will air on WGN.
--Kurt Angle is alleging that someone named Wafi Wahidi and his company WbaSocial scammed him out of $34,700. He was supposed to make Angle a fitness app and Angle paid him the money to do so. He said that Wahidi has since changed his company name and moved from Los Angeles to Denver and he's going after the guy with both civil and criminal complaints.
--USA was No. 3 in prime time cable last week with 2.24 million viewers, behind Fox News at 3.06 million and ESPN at 2.65 million. FX was No. 11 at 1.41 million, Syfy was No. 14 at 1.18 million and Spike failed to crack the top 25. The three hours of Raw were No. 8, No. 10, and No. 20. Last week, Ion averaged an 0.8 in prime time and Main Event did a 0.7, but that's because of Halloween. Main Event has beaten the station average every other week.
--Tommy Lister, who was Zeus in WWF and Ze Gangsta in WCW and better known as an actor, plea bargained down to felony conspiracy in a mortgage fraud cause. He agreed to turn state's evidence. He had already pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud. The allegation is he and others used false information (including fake bank statements) to obtain mortgages on homes in Los Angeles, defaulted on the loans, which caused the lenders to lose nearly $3 million. He also withdrew over $1 million in using the homes as collateral and failed to repay those debts, so is accused of gaining $4 million via fraud.
--Today is the 60th anniversary of the biggest wrestling match in the history of Mexico, the El Santo vs. Black Shadow mask vs. mask match at Arena Coliseo in Mexico City. It was one of the highest rated television shows of that year.
--After a weak earnings report, THQ stock fell to $1.16 today. It was as high as $25.10 earlier this year. Things aren't looking good. The company is partnering with Centerview Partners to raise capital or come up with other measures to stay afloat.
--Mick Foley will be on Imus in the Morning tomorrow on the Fox Business Network and the Imus radio show. The show airs from 6-9:20 a.m. (thanks to Steve Finn)
--T.J. Grant vs. Matt Wiman has been added to the UFC on FOX show on 1/26 in Chicago. The main event, announced yesterday, is Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson for the flyweight title.
--Roddy Piper was not happy about hearing about what Linda McMahon spent: "Can spend 90 million on losing election but won't give the people that earned that money for them medical or retirement help of any kind."
--The election was not even as close as it appeared last night. As of a few hours ago, Chris Murphy was ahead 55% to 43% or more than any of the polls indicated. A key difference according to analysts in Connecticut is that women voters did not trust her. Male voters were split on whether she was intentionally misleading people in advertising, while women voters overwhelmingly believed that to be the case. So, her own ads helped do her in.
--WWE will be running on 1/19 in Stockton, CA at the Stockton Arena. Tickets go on sale on 11/23 at 10 a.m.
--USA will be a airing a WWE-themed episode of "The Soup" on 11/26 right after Raw.
--Tatame in Brazil is reporting Erick Silva will return to UFC to fight on the 2/2 show in Las Vegas.
WHAT WAS FLORIDA'S BEST FEUD?
Dusty Rhodes vs. Kevin Sullivan 22.4%
Dusty Rhodes vs. Ric Flair 21.5%
Jack Brisco vs. Dory Funk Jr. 17.2%
Dusty Rhodes vs. Terry Funk 13.1%
Funks vs. Briscos 11.4%
Dusty Rhodes vs. Pak Song 4.5%
Eddie Graham vs. Boris Malenko 3.4%
Jack Brisco vs. Paul Jones 1.1%
Tim Woods vs. Buddy Colt 0.9%
Dusty Rhodes vs. King Curtis 0.9%
Dusty Rhodes vs. Killer Karl Kox 0.2%
GREATEST CALIFORNIA TERRITORIAL FEUD?
Fred Blassie vs. John Tolos 50.5%
Pat Patterson vs. Ray Stevens 16.6%
Chavo Guerrero vs. Roddy Piper 9.4%
Ray Stevens vs. Pepper Gomez 8.7%
Fred Blassie vs. The Destroyer 6.9%
Lou Thesz vs Baron Leone 2.9%
Bob Roop vs. Kevin Sullivan 2.5%
Mil Mascaras vs. Black Gordman 2.2%
Lou Thesz vs. Leo Nomellini 0.4%
WHO WAS THE STAR OF RAW?
Daniel Bryan 25.6%
C.M. Punk 24.2%
Ryback 16.5%
John Cena 10.1%
Vickie Guerrero 9.4%
Paul Heyman 7.7%
Dolph Ziggler 5.1%
Kane 1.3%
POLL ON RAW?
Excellent 8.5%
Good 20.2%
Average 31.4%
Fair 13.5%
Poor 26.5%
24.9% of those responding didn't see the show
--The NWA sent out a release that Tokyo Monster Kahagas will defend his NWA title for the first time on 11/9 in Houston against Damien Wayne.
--GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com announced new members of their Hall of Fame: The Armstrong Family (Bob, Brad, Scott and Steve), Dick Slater, Nick Bockwinkel, Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller.
--Peach State Wrestling from Carrolton, GA from Saturday night: Ace Haven b Supernatural, Stupid the Clown b Mike Jackson, Ultimate Dragon b Joey Kidman, Shane Noles & Simon Sermon & Tommy Too Much b Rick Michaels & Stoney Hooker & Bill the Butcher, Dusty McWilliams b Antonio Garza. They started the show with a salute to Brad Armstrong. Next show is 11/24 at the VFW Fairgrounds Ballroom in Carrollton with Mike Jackson and Ricky Morton, plus a TLC match with Rich Michaels & Stoney Hooker vs. Simon Sermon & Tommy Too Much with Nobles as referee.
--Scott Steiner headlines the CWE 4th anniversary show on 1/18 in Winnipeg.
--Names listed as attending the Roller Derby Hall of Fame activities this weekend in Philadelphia, which include a ceremony and old-timers game will include Larry Lewis, Judy Arnold, Little Richard Brown, Skinny Minnie Gwen Miller, Yvonne Riggins, Cindy Ogbin, Skip Schoen, Lois Decker, Lynne Congleton, Jeff Hart, Sute Thomas, Marti Zinni, Crystal Prioleau, Carrie Brightful, Debbie Dickerson, Rhonds Hill, Tony Trujillo, Ray Robles, Dave Martinez and Gina Valladares.
--CMLL from Monday in Puebla before 3,500 fans: Black Tiger & Lestat b Fuerza Chicana & Sauron, Bengala & Soberano Jr. & Leono b Apocalipsis & Psycho & Inquisidor, El Hijo del Signo b Pegasso Extrema, Virus & Raziel & Cancerbero b Escandalo & Arkangel de la Muerte & Hooligan, Vangelis & Euforia & Misterioso Jr. b Maximo & Rey Cometa & Diamante, Tama Tonga & Mephisto & Dragon Rojo Jr. b La Sombra & Mascara Dorada & Mistico (thanks to Steve "Dr. Lucha" Sims and Kris Zellner)
--CHIKARA on 11/11 in Cleveland at Turner's Hall headlined by 3.0 & Gran Akuma & El Generico vs. Young Bucks & Bravado Brothers. Show is at 4 p.m.
--This week's weird Davey Richards story: Showtime All-Star wrestling is doing a benefit show for the Heritage Lions Club on Saturday at the Community Center in Old Hickory, TN. Among those appearing are Chase Stevens, Kyle O'Reilly and Tony Kozina. Then today they announce Vordell Walker defends their championship against Richards in the main event. A few minutes later, promoter Reno Riggins sent us a message that Richards would not be on the show. He said ten days ago, everything was good, all arrangements were made and a plane ticket was purchased for him. But today he had heard Kozina that he was working a show in the Northeast on Saturday night.
"I've heard of him pulling some sketchy moves with others in the past, so I don't know if this is more of the same case or some type of miscommunication. Can't imagine where the miscommunication was though."
--The Poughkeepsie Journal will be having a story on the House of Hardcore Wrestling Academy in the city, which is Tommy Dreamer's wrestling school.
Here's a video.
