Also in this week's issue:
--Notes on crowning the new CMLL light heavyweight champion
--Serious injury from a botched move
--King of Flyers three-week tournament in Mexico
--International group making plans for U.S. expansion
--A look at the weekend AAA TV tapings
--Gape Sapolsky talks working with John Morrison
--A look at the last Dragon Gate USA weekend
--Notes on Reed Flair in Japan
--All Japan rookies
--NOAH newcomers
--New Japan attempts international expansion and details
--A look at New Japan's biggest show of the year
--New title contender created and probable New Japan anniversary show main event
--Upcoming iPPV notes
--90s star retirement show attracts 90s shooters
--A look at the next strange Inoki Genome Federation lineup
--Legends gathering at Japanese show
--Grandson of Rikidozan training for pro wrestling
--Notes of the debacle that was the Hart Legacy promotion show
--Notes on people who hadn't been paid
--Who in the Hart family was involved and who stayed clear of it
--What international group was hoping to work with them to bring back the old days
--Pro wrestling legend just inducted into Sports Hall of Fame
--Notes on National Pro Wrestling Day
--Who were the standout performers
--Strange backstage goings on
--A look at the life of Tito Montez
--New promotion starting next month using old WWE and TNA stars
--Notes on Crossfire Wrestling and legal issues with promoter
--Possible biggest indie show of 2013 and politics behind the show
--A territory's all-time wrestling legend who retired years ago, now making a comeback
--Former pro wrestler and two twin sons of a former pro wrestler working together to market Vodka
--Notes on the next ROH iPPV show
--A look at the ROH TV tapings and angles shot
--Who wasn't at the tapings and why
--Build for the next iPPV show
--Jeff Hardy talks TNA vs. WWE
--TNA release
--Notes on weekend TNA show
--Update on Dana White post surgery
--Thoughts on UFC rankings and the first official list
--Why they are being done and why it makes no sense to do them
--Advances for all the upcoming UFC shows
--Future of fighters on this season's Ultimate Fighter
--Issues of current UFC booking
--What happened with Dana White and Randy Couture and how Ryan Couture fits in
--New UFC matches
--More on the Bellator reality show
--Talk about format and coaches and what the winner gets
--Unique method of booking fights for the season
--Notes on Couture deal
--Bellator champion signs with different promotion
--Business notes on the first Bellator show on Spike
--Return of King Mo
--Women's boxing champ signs with Bellator
--Former WWE top level exec becomes CEO of new promotion
--Olympic gold medalist set to debut in MMA in a few weeks
--Another promotion folds
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.
Sunday's News Update
--Bryan and I will be back tonight covering the WWE Network, New Japan PPV, UFC Prime Time and more with Wrestling Observer radio. You can send in questions for the show to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
--We haven't gotten an update on this, but at last night's WWE show in Springfield, MO, Miz lost control of C.M. Punk and dropped him on his head. Punk was being checked out during the match by the trainer as he rolled to the wrong corner. He did continue to wrestle but was shaken up. According to WWE sources, all indications are that he is okay.
--Regarding the New Japan show, it's more than worth it just for the last two matches. Definitely worth going out of your way to see the main event in particular at
www.ustream.tv/channel/njpw1972 It can't compare with the Tokyo Dome show, but that's an unfair standard.
--Jerry Lawler talks about dealing with Jim Carrey on Man on the Moon at
http://goo.gl/NdnVJ (thanks to Shane Browne)
--Happy birthday to Lisa Varon (Tara in TNA) who turned 42 today.
--Today is the 10th anniversary of the death of Curt Hennig at the age of 44. Hennig was one of the most talented performers of his era. It was also 29 years ago today that David Von Erich died in Japan at the age of 25. Both died under similar circumstances, in hotel rooms far away from home. David Von Erich was one of the biggest stars in the business at the time of his death, and was in Japan to defend the United National title. Former world champion and Hall of Famer Everette Marshall was 67 when he died 40 years ago today.
--On this day in pro wrestling history by Brian Hoops
58 years ago: Buddy Rogers & The Great Scott beat Stan Holek (later Stan Neilsen and Stan Lisowski) & Big Bill Miller to win the American tag team titles in Columbus, OH
48 years ago: Johnny Valentine beat Dory Funk Sr. in Lubbock to win the North American heavyweight title
46 years ago: Pedro Morales & Ricky Romero beat Hard Boiled Haggerty & El Shereef to win the WWA tag team titles at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles
43 years ago: Jack Brisco beat fellow Hall of Famer Masa Saito in a battle of world class amateurs to win the Florida title for the first time. Great Mephisto & Dante beat Sailor Art Thomas & Thunderbolt Patterson on that same show to win the Southern tag team titles
40 years ago: Terry Funk beat Johnny Valentine at the KPLR Studios in St. Louis to win the Missouri State title. Sam Muchnick was so furious that Funk used the ring bell to Valentine's knee in front of the ref for the finish, making the ref look bad, that he ordered them to take the belt off Funk ASAP
35 years ago: Hector Guerrero pinned The Masked Canadian (Roddy Piper) to win the Americas title at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles
34 years ago: Giant Baba beat Abdullah the Butcher at the Amphitheater in Chicago to win the PWF heavyweight title
33 years ago: The Matador (Jerry Stubbs) & Mike Stallings beat Dennis Condrey & David Shults to win the Southeastern tag team titles in Knoxville
23 years ago: New Japan's first-ever legitimate sellout of the Tokyo Dome (the day after a Mike Tyson heavyweight title defense only did a half-full arena) took place with Masa Saito beating Larry Zbyszko to win the AWA title on the show. This show featured the match where Stan Hansen popped Big Van Vader's eye out, Genichiro Tenryu & Mitsuharu Misawa (as Tiger Mask) beat Riki Choshu & George Takano, and Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi beat Shinya Hashimoto & Masahiro Chono with Lou Thesz as referee. The show set what at the time was the all-time gate record at $3.2 million.
21 years ago: Kamala beat Koko B. Ware to win the USWA world title in Memphis while Brian Christopher beat Tom Prichard to win the Texas title
17 years ago: Abdullah the Butcher beat Mabel to win the Universal title in Caguas
--Gerald Brisco will be doing a talent evaluation camp as part of the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame weekend in Waterloo, IA. The camp will be on 7/12 at Noon. Each wrestler will get to work a match in front of Brisco and get an evaluation. Cost is $200, with all money going to the Dan Gable Museum and Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame. Last year's event was full within days of the announcement. You need to send a resume, photo, height, age, name of trainer and career highlights to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
It's open to both men and women.
--CHIKARA Pro results from last night in Reading, PA before 175-200 fans: Fire Ant & assailANT b Soldier Ant & DeviANT, Dasher Hatfield b Delirious, Batiri b Los Ice Creams, Jigsaw & Shard b Super Dunkerton & Icarus, Green Ant b Eddie Kingston in a non-title match, Kevin Steen & Young Bucks b 3.0 & Gran Akuma, Hallowicked b Chuck Taylor, Archibald Peck b Mr. Touchdown in a no DQ match (thanks to Annette Boyer)
--Future of Wrestling from last night in Deerfield Beach, FL: Barrington Hughes & Sin City b MDK & Shane McLane & Erik Storme, Frank Stone over Chico Adams, Spanky Perez and Vinnie Ramagucci, JoJo & Derek Drexl b COD, Giant Puma b Shawn Prime, ERA b Aaron Agony & Milo Beasley, Santana Garrett b DiDi, Chasyn Rance b Max Stardom, Johnny Vandal b Mike Cruz, Anthony Michaels & Beastly Brody b Tech Squad, Sean Allen b Kory Chavis to keep FOW title. Next show is 4/20.
--I Believe in Wrestling at 5 p.m. today at the Team Vision Dojo in Orlando with Lince Dorado, Chasyn Rance, QT Marshall, Santana Garrett and Tim Zbyszko. (thanks to Al Haft)
--Metro East Championship Wrestling from Saturday night in Wood River, IL: Joey b Mauler McDarby, Mike Sydal over Bradley Charles and Billy McNeil, Chris Logan & Evan Money & Kyle O'Reilly b Davey Richards & Tony Kozina & Mark Sterling, Matt King b Chase King, Justin Reno b Jordan McEntyre-DQ, Shane Fury b Shorty Biggs, Eric Allen b Michael Elgin (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
--NWA Southern All-Star Wrestling from Friday night in Millersville, TN with a sellout crowd of 200 fans: Chris Bomb won Cage Battle Royal, Jocephus Brody b Hammer Jack in a cage match, Justin Nation b Hot Rod Biggs in a cage match, Drew Haskins & Jeremiah Plunkett b Jon & Trey Williams and Nick Iggy & Kerry Awful to win the Southern tag team titles, Chase Owens b Kevin Weatherby to keep NWA jr. title, Chris Michaels b Vordell Walker to win International title, Kahagas b Wolfie D to retain the NWA heavyweight title (thanks to Larry Goodman)
--Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in East Carondelet, IL before 220 fans: Shorty Biggs b Brandon Gallagher, Brent Meyers b Max Archer, Kevin X b Big Texan-DQ, Alexander Rudolph b Jimmy Douglas, Dave Vaughn b Heath Hatton, Flash Flanagan b Brian James, Bull Schmidtt & Bobby D b Ron Powers & Jake Dirden, Ironman Kasa b Chas Wesson, Ricky Cruz b Gary Jackson (thanks to Larry Matysik)
--Lucha Xtreme TV from last night in Fresno: Elemento b Will. Da Beast, J.R. Kratos & Brian Tannen b Suburban Commandos, Wise Guy b Sheik Khan Abadi-COR (thanks to Jon Southerland)
--Mike Lemaire scored three wins last night at the Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles to win the Road to Glory USA middleweight tournament. Lemaire beat Evgeny Zotov via knockout at :48 of the second round; then beat Andrew Kapel via split decision after an overtime fourth round, and the knocked out Eddie Walker at 2:26 of the third round in a kickboxing tournament.
--Ring Wars Carolinas from last night in Fayetteville: Jason Steel b Kris Nemesis and Sgt.. Major Paul Logan, Lou Marconi b Cueball Carmichael, Scotty Matthews b Akbar Muhammad, Hangtyme b Petey Bangz, J-Money, Revenge, Krazyhorse and Lil Brotha, Fantasia b Persephone, Dirty Sanchez b Caprice Coleman. Next show is 3/2 in Lumberton, NC at the Indoor Flea Market.
--An episode of the old TV Series "Burke's Law" that featured Count Billy Varga, Gene LeBell and Frankie Avalon aired last night.
--Anarchy Wrestling TV tapings from last night in Cornelia, GA before 110 fans: Bu Ku Dao & Blake Wilder & Bolt Brady b Brandon Parker & Kameron Kade & Mr. B, Joey Rhymer b Bobby Moore-COR, Bo Newsome b Todd Sexton-DQ, Najasism & Vandal b Jon & Trey Williams, Strykyn b CB Suwave, Team Anarchy b Team Elite in a Mega Rumble. Next show is 2/23 with Nemesis & Shadow Jackson vs. Najasism & Vandal for the tag titles.
--In John Finnegan's keeping records of all TV and PPV matches since November 2006, when Big Show beat Kane on Smackdown Friday night, it was his 100th televised win. During that seven plus year period, the only people to have 100 TV wins were C.M. Punk, John Cena, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Kane, Jeff Hardy and Kofi Kingston. The next person down the list is Rey Mysterio, at 91.
--CWF Mid Atlantic from last night in Gibsonville, NC before 200 fans: Donnie Dollars & Mark James b Ray Kandrack & Mecha Mercenary, Chase Dakota b Matty de Nero, Roy Wilkins b Matt Smith, Lee Valiant b Xsiris, Arik Royal & Chiva Kid b Ben Tyler & Chet Serling, Ric Converse b Chris Lee, Arrick Andrews b Walter Eaton. Next show is 2/22 featuring Kevin Steen, Eddie Edwards, Roderick Strong and Adam Cole. (thanks to Brad Stutts)
--Revolution Pro from last night in Sittingbourne, England: Mark Haskins b El Ligero, Will Ospreay b Mike Hitchman, Colt Cabana over Dave Mastiff, T-Bone and Rampage Brown, Zack Sabre Jr b MK McKinnan (said to be a great match), Kris Travis & Martin Kirby b Lee & Jim Hunter, Marty Scurll b Rockstar Spud in a battle of TNA wrestlers. Next show is 3/31 in Sittingbourne with Prince Devitt and Colt Cabana. (thanks to Martin Bentley)
