Also in this week's issue:
--Light heavyweight champion vacates title to go after heavyweight title
--Tournament to fill the light heavyweight title
--A look at AAA's first TV taping of the year
--Notes on Dragon Gate USA iPPV shows this weekend
--Major changes in All Japan Pro Wrestling signing a number of new stars
--Notes on Kenta Kobashi's retirement match including when and where
--Lineup for NOAH's big show this week featuring a lot of New Japan stars
--New contracts signed by New Japan wrestlers
--More on contract signed by Kazuchika Okada
--New Japan owner talks plans for starting several different promotions, how he wants to emulate WWE and what is and isn't viable
--Other New Japan changes talked about for this year
--Announcement of the next Tokyo Dome show
--A look at New Japan's Fantasticmania shows including a world light heavyweight title change
--Potential Hall of Famer returns after neck surgery in a few weeks, first match back announced
--Wrestler out of action for 19 months due to vicious assault is about to return
--Return of the Voodoo Murderers heel group
--Grandson of one of Japan's most famous athletes of the last 60 years is looking to get into pro wrestling
--Notes on the Hart Legacy Wrestling show in Calgary featuring stars from the 80s to the top indie guys around today
--Super Bowl coach John Harbaugh talks Brian Pillman
--Another attempt to revive one of the regional promotions of the past starts this summer and top name coming in
--Stan Musial pro wrestling anecdote
--Extreme Rising tries to take next step with TV
--National Pro Wrestling Day update
--Houston tape collection
--Update on Superstar Billy Graham
--Waterloo Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2013 induction notes including Ric Flair and Edge
--Yet another WrestleMania weekend show added
--A look at ROH's weekend house shows
--Interesting notes on TNA going forward
--TNA false advertising of Jeff Hardy looked at
--TNA Genesis notes
--Brooke Hogan channels Hulk Hogan
--Lots of indie names in TNA's Gut Check challenge
--Notes on TNA British Boot camp TV show and Spud winning
--Early notes on Lockdown
--TNA angle shot on King Mo TV special
--Daniel Cormier and pro wrestling
--Notes on TNA's first date in Europe
--Update on the Eddie Alvarez case
--Notes on how FX and the FOX networks are changing with the creation of Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2, and how that affects UFC
--The pluses and minuses of the shift short-term and long
--Notes on this week's UFC show
--Ultimate Fighter on FOX
--First notes on the return of UFC to Stockholm and main event
--UFC 155 on PPV update
--HBO doing a feature on a UFC star
--Rashad Evans talks move to middleweight
--What UFC fighters most consistently have the most exciting fights
--UFC cuts several fighters
--Lots of new UFC matches
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.
Monday's News Update
--Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio talking Raw as well as taking e-mail questions at
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Last night's show covering the Rumble has a lot of news regarding why things were done, the direction, some new Mania matches and more.
--The plan as of last night for Elimination Chamber was to have Rock vs. C.M. Punk in a rematch as the main event. That should be put together on tonight's show unless things change.
--Chris Jericho signed a short-term deal with WWE. He's going to be on TV from now until Mania with the exception of 2/20 to 3/5 when Fozzy is part of a tour of Australia working under Metallica. He will be at the Elimination Chamber PPV. In April, Fozzy will be doing a European tour.
--The Royal Rumble led WWE to become the second most searched for term yesterday on Google, behind only the SAG Awards and ahead of Rajon Rondo. There is usually a good correlation between that and a successful PPV number.
--The referee in the Antonio Cesaro vs. Miz match last night was Darrick Moore from NXT, having his first major WWE match. (thanks to Bradley Grover)
--A note from yesterday before we corrected it. Andre the Giant passed away 20 years ago yesterday. We inadvertently had it as 30 years before it was corrected.
--The Kevin Steen vs. Jay Lethal ROH match that has been pushed for months, was announced for the 3/2 iPPV show, the company's 11th anniversary card, in Chicago Ridge, IL. Also announced were The Forever Hooligans, former IWGP jr. tag champions Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov facing Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards. Richards & Romero as a tag team held both the ROH and IWGP jr. tag titles.
--There was a story in today's New York Times on Tom Dempsey, a former NFL place kicker who still shares the all-time record for longest field goal, kicking a 63-yarder in 1970. In the story, it said that during the off season, he was a pro wrestler, saying he was a good guy, working in Southern California. I've never heard of this, but this would be in the 70s. Does anyone have any knowledge of him doing any pro wrestling?
--Dean Roll (Shark Boy) turns 38 today.
--Hard Boiled Haggerty, a former NFL player who later became an actor and was a significant pro wrestling star in the 50s and 60s, passed away at the age of 78, nine years ago today. Victor Mar, who was Black Cat in Japan and Mexico, passed away at the age of 51 seven years ago today. Victor Mar was one of the three really close friends (with Eddie Guerrero and Johnny Grunge) who died in the short period of time before Chris Benoit went crazy. (thanks to GeorgiaWrestling.com)
--This day in pro wrestling history by Brian Hoops
64 years ago today: Wild Red Berry beat Dizzy Davis in Houston to win the Texas title
18 years ago: Jerry Lawler beat Tony Anthony in Knoxville to win the Smoky Mountain Wrestling title
--This has nothing to do with wrestling, but Dallas on TNT has a two-hour season premiere tonight at 9 p.m. and repeating at 11 p.m. that I'm going to miss. I don't think this has the slightest effect on the Raw rating. I only bring this up because people have speculated it's going to hurt Raw.
--Dana White lashed out at the judge Jose Linares, who ruled against Eddie Alvarez. "The judge must not have done his homework if he's agreeing that Spike TV and FOX are the same platforms. They're so fucking far apart, it's not even funny. It's two different fucking universes." He said the ruling was ridiculous. He also warned all fighters and managers to think long and hard about negotiating their contracts with Bellator. Funny thing is, UFC has similar clauses in its own contracts.
--Hulk Hogan tweeted a photo of his daughter sitting down with a short dress and wrote "Brooke's legs," which has led to him being ripped, and VH-1 ended up putting Hogan on a list of the 6 Creepiest Father-Daughter Moments.
SHOULD JOHN MCCAARTHY HAVE DOCKED DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON A POINT FOR THE KNEE TO THE HEAD?
Yes 50.4%
No 49.6%
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF SATURDAY'S ROH TV SHOW?
Excellent 21.3%
Good 42.6%
Average 14.9%
Fair 2.1%
Poor 19.1%
63.3% of those responding didn't see the show
BEST TV SHOW OF THE PAST WEEK
UFC on FOX 32.0%
Raw 21.7%
Impact 17.6%
Smackdown 9.9%
ROH 8.5%
Main Event 2.9%
Saturday Morning Slam 2.9%
Bellator 2.6%
UFC prelims on FX 1.8%
--Millennium Wrestling on 3/9 in Melrose, MA at Memorial Hall.
--In a weird coincidence, FX aired The A-Team with Quinton Jackson at the same time FOX was airing the UFC live. (thanks to Sam Adams)
--Christopher Daniels has a cameo in a movie called "30 Nights of Paranormal Activity with The Devil Inside The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Daniels plays Bane in the movie and is on the cover of the video box. (thanks to Phil Greco)
--PNPW from yesterday in Rainier, OR: Christopher Ryseck won Battle Royal, MJ b Sunni Daze, Matt Farmer & Chris Del Sol b C.C. Poison & George Michael, Patrick Large b Chi Chi Poison, DeeVaa b Christopher Ryseck. Next show is 2/24 in Rainier, OR at the Riverside Community Center (thanks to Charles Short)
--Absolute Intense Wrestling on 3/1 in Cleveland has an all women's iPPV show at 7:30 p.m.
--Progress Wrestling from yesterday in Islington, North London, UK before a sellout 320 fans: Danny Garnell b Sitxx, Jonathan Windsor b Mike Hitchman, Nathan Cruz b Rampage Brown (former WWE developmental wrestler Monty Lynch), El Ligero b Dave Mastiff, Darrell Allen b RJ Singh, James Davis & Rob Lynch b Marty Scurll (TNA) & Zack Sabre Jr. (NOAH). Their first anniversary show is 3/31 in London at The Garage (thanks to Martin Bentley)
--Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 2/2 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds with Rob Conway returning.
--Anarchy Wrestling from 1/26 in Cornelia, GA before 100 fans: Brandon Parker & Kameron Kade & Tommy Penerelli & CB Suave b Jon & Trey Williams & Najasism & Vandal, Anthony Henry b Todd Sexton, Billy Buck b Jacoby Boykins, Slim J & Azreal b Tommy Penerelli & CB Suave, Strkynyn b Bobby Moore, Jon & Trey Williams b Joey Rhymer & BJ Hancock, Shadow Jackson & Nemesis NC Brodie Chase & Iceberg. Hardcore Hell takes place eon 3/30. (thanks to Larry Goodman)
--CMLL from last night in Guadalajara: Azteca de Oro & Meteoro b Relampago Azul & Thunder Boy, Sadico won a elimination match to become Western States welterweight champion over Virgo, Hippie, Xavier Cruz Jr., Divino, Brillante Jr., Sky Kid and Pirana, Barbaro Cavernario b Halcon de Plata to keep Western States middleweight title, El Terrible & Mephisto & Tiger b La Sombra & Rush & Maximo (thanks to Steve "Dr. Lucha" Sims)
--Stevie Richards pulled out of the 3/2 Hardcore Roadtrip ECW reunion show in London, ONT. Kid Kash will replace him. Main event is Sabu vs. 2 Cold Scorpio plus Raven, Sandman, D-Von Dudley and Scott Steiner are booked.
--Northeast indie wrestler Richie Rotten has said he is retiring from wrestling with his final match on 2/23 in Elmwood Park, NJ at the American Legion for the BWO promotion.
--Hoodslam will be on 2/1 at the Oakland, CA Metro.
--J.T. King at
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is selling two tickets for the Mania weekend Dragon Gate USA show on 4/6 in Secaucus, NJ for face value ($25 each)
--Tom DeBlass, who announced his retirement in November after being cut by UFC, was signed by Bellator and debuts in April.
--There was a story about Rick Hawn whose sponsor, HTFU, told him they would not pay him the $1,500 they sponsored him for due to his performance in the Michael Chandler fight last week. Since that time, Bellator decided to pay him the $1,500 he lost, and then after being bombarded with angry phone calls, emails and Facebook messages, the sponsor paid him $1,500. Hawn is donating the $1,500 to either an animal charity or homeless shelter.
