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FRI. UPDATE: Weekend notes, WWE wedding, ratings changes, WWE invites Glenn Beck to Raw, White goes off, Dwayne Johnson movie notes, People Power Johnny returns, Swagger, Diaz, Liger vs. Devitt in UK, More Mania week notes



By Dave Meltzer
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        We're looking for reports on tonight's WWE Raw brand show in Doha, Qatar, the TNA show in Detroit at The Fillmore with a cage match, Jeff Hardy, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, James Storm, Velvet Sky and others, as well as yesterday's Raw show also in Doha, Qatar.  We're also looking for reports on all the Dragon Gate USA shows this weekend in the U.K. 
 
        AXS TV tonight at 10 p.m. has an XFC show by Charlotte at the Grady Cole Center headlined by Jason Hicks vs. Scott Holtzman, Corey Hill, the former UFC fighter known for the ugliest broken leg in company history, is on the show.
 
        Smackdown tonight on Syfy at 8 p.m.
Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow
Layla & Kaitlyn vs. Tamina Snuka & Aksana
Randy Orton vs. Jack Swagger
The Miz vs. Cody Rhodes
Alberto Del Rio vs. Wade Barrett non-title
 
        The big show of the weekend is UFC 157 in Anaheim, CA at the Honda Center
 
Facebook fights at 6:35 p.m.
Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Yuri Villefort
Neil Magny vs. Jon Manley
Brock Jardine vs. Kenny Robertson
 
FX fights at 8 p.m.
Caros Fodor vs. Sam Stout
Dennis Bermudez vs. Matt Grice
Michael Chiesa vs. Anton Kuivanen
Lavar Johnson vs. Brendan Schaub
 
PPV at 10 p.m.
Josh Koscheck vs. Robbie Lawler
Court McGee vs. Josh Neer
Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar
Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida
Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche for the women's bantamweight title
 
        Saturday also has the final stop of the Raw tour in Istanbul, Turkey, Smackdown runs in Waco, TX and TNA runs in Grand Rapids, MI at the DeltaPlex Arena.
 
        Sunday has a Smackdown brand house show in College Station, TX and a TNA show in Bowling Green, OH at the Stroh Center.
 
        Raw will be live on Monday from Dallas.  Brock Lesnar returns on the show which features John Cena vs. C.M. Punk with the winner faces The Rock at WrestleMania, plus Vince McMahon vs. Paul Heyman in a fight.
 
        Smackdown and Main Event are taped on Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
 
         We've got a giant news week with the Observer with two regular issues and one back issue up on the site.  The back issue, which was up on the site Tuesday, covers the original Ultimate Ultimate tournament won by Dan Severn as well as the full story behind the end of women's wrestling in WWF in 1995, Madusa being fired and showing up on Nitro and throwing the WWF women's title belt in a garbage can on television.
 
        The two issues will be combined as a double issue for print subscribers and both are now up on the site.
               
        Our lead story updates the WWE situation leading into WrestleMania.  We look at the matches planned, the match in jeopardy, and what the status is for a number of wrestlers who have had matches talked about but those matches haven't even been teased yet on television.  We look at why there isn't any pressure on booking undercard matches, as well as talk about post-WrestleMania plans.
 
        We've got more on Undertaker, Ryback, Brock Lesnar and The Shield. 
 
        We've also got full coverage of the Elimination Chamber PPV, including business notes, match-by-match coverage, poll results and star ratings.
 
        We've also got the most detailed update on the status of wrestling going forward as an Olympic sport.  We've got more on the background of how wrestling being eliminated happened, the decision-making process, the appeal process,what legendary attempt to set an all-time Olympic record in the sport is being thwarted, as well as what the U.S. wrestling community knew.
 
        We also look at the history of sports voted out being brought back, why wrestling right now should not have been cut and why it does need to heed this warning and make necessary changes.  We look at the country very strongly pushing for wrestling to be brought back.  We look at why the future doesn't look bright even if wrestling is brought back.
 
        We look at the major and minor moves that the world wrestling community has taken in the past week, who got the blame, as well as thoughts from Kurt Angle, King Mo Lawal and Ben Askren regarding how the loss of the Olympics would have affected all of their lives and their career decisions.
 
        We also look at how this affects the entire infrastructure of the sport in the U.S. in ways most people haven't figured.
 
        We also have comments from Bill Watts, a former amateur wrestler who became a pro wrestling star and later a legendary promoter, and his thoughts on the subject.
 
        We've got a major feature on WrestleMania coming to the New Orleans Superdome.  We've got how it came about, as well as exclusive first news on what the planned main event is for WrestleMania 30.  We also look at the few WWE wrestlers who have worked the Superdome before, as well as The Rock talked about his only time in the building as an athlete, which was not as a pro wrestler.
 
        We also go back to the days when the Superdome was arguably the hottest big show setting in the U.S.  We have a history of pro wrestling at the Superdome starting in 1976 when Bill Watts and Leroy McGuirk took the gamble and what lineup they used to make the first show. 
 
        We have a history of pro wrestling in the building, including the all-time biggest shows, the biggest angles leading to the shows, and the greatest matches held in the building.  We look at the story of one of the greatest matches of its era that bombed at the gate.  We also look at the Nitro events at the Superdome and a rundown of the most successful shows.
 
        We've got a feature on Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche in leading to the most important woman's MMA fight in history.  We look at the unique dynamic of the fight, women's MMA on television, live ticket sales, previous women's fights on PPV, the UFC Prime Time shows building the fight, the reaction Rousey has received, background of Liz Carmouche and more.
 
        We have a feature on the Jack Swagger arrest and how it affects WrestleMania, as well as Dana White's new stance on TRT and some UFC statistics about big guys vs. small guys that will in some cases confirm what is the general feeling and in others show the exact opposite of what people think, as well as an investigation of terms like ring rust, UFC jitters and weight cutting issues.
 
        We also have notes on The Rock's schedule, what shows he is going to be appearing at and what shows he is going to be missing.  We also look at the scheduled over the next several weeks of Chris Jericho and Brock Lesnar.  We've got a lot of news regarding how the WWE video game deal with Take 2 went down, and why it was so beneficial to THQ.  We look at who the big losers in the deal were.
 
        We also have more on Bruno Sammartino going into the Hall of Fame, who WWE wants to get to induct him, who Sammartino would pick and more.
 
        We also have notes on two other candidates for the Hall of Fame this year, and why both are unlikely to go  in the same year.  We also look at the Zeb Colter character, a WCW character that this may be similar to, R.J. Brewer talks about his gimmick being used, as well as a very interesting statistic regarding children watching WWE that is the exact opposite of what everyone thinks.
 
        We have a lot more on Tammy Sytch, as well as her apology to WWE, another WWE movie, El Generico in WWE, WWE going back to Japan, John Layfield talks the Public Enemy TV beating in the 90s, WWE injury updates, as well as new signings and people who have quietly left.
 
        We also have a rundown on UFC's weekend event on Fuel headlined by Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald.  We look at the show, the ratings, what happened with the fighters with the best records and the strange judging in spots.
 
        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
 
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        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 have a look at the ratings of all the major shows as well as details of how every segment on Raw and Impact did and what 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:
 
--Fan movement trying to spur change with Japanese wrestling on television
 
--A look at New Japan's anniversary show lineup
 
--What New Japan star has been training at the Blackhouse Gym with Anderson Silva
 
--A look at Oklahoma television icon and former pro wrestling announcer Danny Williams
 
--Story behind Ric Flair's latest TMZ publicity and his financial issues with his separation
 
--Another major show set for WrestleMania weekend
 
--Notes on TNA finishing up all its taped PPV shows of the year by the end of next month
 
--More on TNA's new German TV deal and how it really happened
 
--Hulk Hogan's criticism of Bret Hart.  Does it hold any water?
 
--A look back at where the Hogan-Hart issues started, stopped and started again
 
--A look at the weekend TNA house shows
 
--A look at ticket sales for all the upcoming UFC events
 
--Business notes for UFC 156
 
--A look at UFC as a business, profitability, revenue, what we do know and what we don't know
 
--Complete look at UFC 157
 
--Tito Ortiz representing Cyborg and her signing with Invicta.  The pros and cons of the deal
 
--What huge risk Invicta may be taking if some current negotiations are followed up on
 
--What happened with UFC and Nick Diaz
 
--Lots of new UFC fights
 
--Update on UFC's status in New York after a judge heard their case this past week
 
--What UFC can do, can't do, and prefers to do
 
--Major names talking about what fights they want
 
--More on UFC international business
 
--What big match UFC was looking at doing over Memorial Day and how it fell apart
 
--What match was scheduled for Sweden and why it's not happening there
 
--What Dana White told Cain Velasquez after Overeem lost
 
--New York Times looks at the Bellator/UFC promotional battle, what UFC wanted from Spike, what Spike wants from Bellator and more
 
--UFC developmental program to try and target a demographic
 
--Update on B.J. Penn and Frank Mir
 
--One of pro wrestling's biggest stars playing two groups against each other and where it seems to stand
 
--A major star from the 80s doing a retirement match and the unfortunate incident that made him such a big heel
 
--A look at CMLL's King of Flyers
 
--Promotion in talk with a new station
 
--Two companies that have nothing in common that are working together and why
 
--Big matches coming to Dragon Gate in Japan, England and the U.S.
 
--All-time legend returns to Japan
 
--Pro wrestler says he's going to attempt to make the Olympic team because of it being the last Olympics
 
--A look at the new AAA Canada group and why Lance Storm isn't happy about it after he was stiffed money
 
--The promotional war in Puerto Rico as well as a Puerto Rican group looking at running shows in California and New York
 
--More on Jake Roberts, DDP and Scott Hall
 
--Former pro wrestler who headlined at the Superdome and is now the star of a new TV show
 
--English language New Japan TV matches airing in Canada
 
--Former wrestler lands a role in a Showtime series
 
--Major TV situation involving ROH
 
--A look at the weekend ROH TV taping
 
--Nick Diaz's legal case is ruled on
 
        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)
 
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        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.
 
Friday's News Update
 
--Mike "The Miz" Mizanin and longtime girlfriend Maryse Ouellet got engaged I believe last night. Congratulations to them.

--Neilsen announced that they were going to start counting people whose TVs are hooked up to the Internet as TV households as well as measure TV viewership on iPads and mobile devices. 
 
--WWE got some mainstream press by announcing they were inviting Glenn Beck to Raw on Monday.  Beck ripped WWE on TheBlaze TV yesterday calling them stupid.  WWE in the press release actually wrote, "The storyline was developed to build the Mexican American character Del Rio into a hero given WWE's large Latino base, which represents 20 percent of our audience."  
 
--Notes for Fuel TV over the next two days.   The UFC weigh-ins are at 7 p.m. tonight followed by UFC 144 (Edgar vs. Henderson) at 8 p.m., a special on Benson Henderson at 11 p.m., Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard at midnight, and Edgar vs. Benson Henderson at 1 a.m.
 
--For tomorrow, Fuel airs the Countdown show at 10 p.m., the final episode of Prime Time at 10:30 a.m., FX airs the final episode of Prime Time at 11 a.m., Fuel airs the final episode of Prime Time at 4 p.m., Countdown at 6 p.m., then all three episodes of Prime Time from 6:30-8 p.m., Prelims on FX at 8 p.m., and the post-fight show is at 1 a.m.
 
--The Real Sports episode on HBO on Ronda Rousey repeats on Sunday at 11 a.m.
 
--If that isn't enough, Dana White will be going off on just about everything fans ask at 5 p.m. Eastern time today in a live Q&A at http://www.ufc.com  I can only imagine what is going to come out of this.
 
--White talked at length about Jon Fitch being cut, noting that there are going to be a ton more to come.  He categorized him as on the way down (he was once No. 1 contender, now No. 9 contender) and expensive ($66,000 base pay per fight, $66,000 win bonus).    He said he expected Fitch to go to Bellator and win the world title.
 
--However, Bjorn Rebney said they are not interested in signing Fitch.  Bellator is looking for unknown guys willing to fight for the chance to win $100,000 by winning three fights as opposed to signing name fighters for the most part. 
 
--Lots of reviews out for "Snitch," starring Dwayne Johnson, which opens tonight.  The New York Post gave it ** at http://www.nypost.com saying it was a glorified TV movie.  Time at http://entertainment.time.com said Dwayne Johnson tries hard to be liked but was more convincing as The Tooth Fairy but said Johnson couldn't save the movie.  The Huffington Post at http://www.huffingtonpost.com said it was a dramatic thriller with some violence thrown in.  They said Johnson made the most of his scenes, shedding tears on cue, but wasn't good enough to transcend weak writing.  However, http://www.usatoday.com gave the movie ***, saying Johnson is terrific, and said the movie was good in the beginning, lags in the middle, but was overall compelling. 
 
--Rotten Tomatoes listed the movie as getting 51% good reviews.
 
--John Laurinaitis returned in his role as a heel authority figure on last night's WWE show in Doha, Qatar.  John Cena beat Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston in a handicap match as the main event. 
 
--Jack Swagger is advertised for Raw on Monday, but even if he was going to be taken off the air, I would have expected him on Raw and nothing announced until Tuesday or Wednesday. 
 
--Liz Carmouche story at http://www.advocate.com/sports/ 
 
--The big Los Angeles Times story on Ronda Rousey ran today and is on the www.latimes.com site.
 
--Dana White, said Nick Diaz had some balls tweeting about being mad he was flying in coach to Montreal for press activities.  White said that both Nick & Nate Diaz had no-showed so many tapings, costing the company $50,000, that Nick was lucky they didn't send him to Montreal by Greyhound.
 
--There is an all-women's Shine iPPV tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern from Ybor City, FL at http://www.WWNLive.com.
Rain vs. Amazing Kong
Mercedes Martinez vs. Nikki Roxx
Allysin Kay & Taylor Made & April Hunter vs. Mia Yim & Tracy Taylor & Su Yung
LuFisto vs. Ivelisse Velez
Jessie Belle vs. Santana Garrett
Brittney Savage vs. Heidi Lovelace
Luscious Latasha vs. Tina San Antonio
 
--Dragon Gate USA has an iPPV on 4/6 at 8 p.m. from the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ:
Johnny Gargano vs. Shingo Takagi for the Open the Freedom Gate title
Cima & AR Fox vs. Young Bucks for the Open the United Gate tag team titles
Akira Tozawa vs. Ricochet
Sami Callihan vs. Uhaa Nation
Brian Kendrick vs. Rich Swann
Jon Davis vs. Samuray del Sol
Chuck Taylor vs. Arik Cannon vs. Jigsaw vs. Tony Nese vs. Fire Ant vs. Shane Strickland
        Plus Super Smash Brothers, Eita and The Scene appear.
 
--TNA announced a 4/6 show in Atlantic City,which is the Saturday night before WrestleMania.
 
--That Bellator show last night was something else.  One of the most explosive MMA shows you'll ever see.  In a trivia note, Taryn Terrell of TNA worked as a Bellator ring card girl last night in Salt Lake City.  I wonder if Invicta will look to do a cross promotion and hire Earl Hebner for a similar role.
 
--Jushin Liger will face Prince Devitt for Revolution Pro Wrestling on 6/15 at York Hall in London.  Rollerball Rocco, who used to wrestle Liger when he was Flying Fuji Yamada in the 80s in England, will be a special guest on the show.  (thanks to Mirror Online)
 
--Hulk Hogan is mad that C.M. Punk said Hogan had it easier than him, and then makes up stories about 300 days a year, double shots with meeting to negotiate TV deals in between and stuff when he was champion at www.fightingspiritmagazine.com
 
SHOULD JACK SWAGGER BE FIRED?
Yes 32.5%
No 67.5%
 
WHOSE DEBUT WAS THE BIGGEST IN UFC HISTORY WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC INTEREST?
Brock Lesnar 79.1%
Ronda Rousey 12.9%
Kimbo Slice 6.0%
Mirko Cro Cop 1.4%
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira 0.3%
Shogun Rua 0.3%
 
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF WEDNESDAY'S MAIN EVENT?
Excellent 13.0%
Good 28.3%
Average 15.2%
Fair 10.9%
Poor 32.6%
        69.3% of those responding didn't see the show
 
WHO DOES THE BEST PROMOS?
C.M. Punk 42.6%
Paul Heyman 25.2%
Chael Sonnen 11.1%
The Rock 10.6%
Christopher Daniels 2.6%
Kevin Steen 2.6%
Bully Ray 2.3%
Daniel Bryan 1.1%
Big Show 0.9%
Austin Aries 0.9%
 
WHO IS THE MOST CHARISMATIC?
The Rock 55.6%
C.M. Punk 11.9%
Chael Sonnen 9.7%
Brock Lesnar 5.2%
Daniel Bryan 4.3%
Shinsuke Nakamura 4.0%
Hiroshi Tanahashi 4.0%
Austin Aries 2.7%
GSP 1.4%
John Cena 0.9%
Rey Mysterio 0.4%
 
TODAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY (thanks to Brian Hoops)
70 years ago - Bobby Managoff beat Wild Bill Longson in Houston to win the National Wrestling Association world heavyweight champion
61 years ago:  Ronnie Etchison & Sandor Szabo beat Mike & Ben Sharpe in Oakland to win the world tag team titles
56 years ago:  Pepper Gomez beat El Medico in Houston to win the Texas heavyweight title
55 years ago:  Boris & Niccoli Volkoff beat Reggie & Stan Lisowski in Chicago to win the world tag team titles
53 years ago:  Don & Luke Fields beat Corsica Joe & Corsica Jean in Memphis to win the Southern tag team titles
46 years ago:  The Medics beat Terry Funk & Dan Miller to win the North American tag team titles in Lubbock
42 years ago:  Fritz Von Erich beat Toru Tanaka in Fort Worth to win the American heavyweight title
40 years ago:  Johnny Valentine & Killer Karl Krupp beat Kintaro Oki & Seiji Sakaguchi in Osaka to win the International tag team titles
39 years ago:  Harley Race beat Archie "The Stomper" Gouldie in Calgary to win the North American title
37 years ago:  Tommy Rich beat Jerry Lawler in Memphis to win the Southern heavyweight title
35 years ago:  Dean Ho & Moondog Mayne beat Black Gordman & Great Goliath in Sacramento to win the world tag team titles
35 years ago:  Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear bet The Brute & Dr. X to win the U.S. tag team titles in Baton Rouge
34 years ago:  Bob Sweetan beat Randy Alls (Randy Rose) to win the Central States title in Kansas City
32 years ago:  Ivan Koloff & Ray Stevens beat Paul Jones & Masked Superstar in Greensboro to win the world tag team titles
30 years ago:  Great Gama beat Dynamite Kid in Regina, Saskatchewan to win the World mid-heavyweight title
30 years ago:  Dick Slater beat Mike Rotundo in Columbia SC to win the NWA TV title
29 years ago:  Jumbo Tsuruta beat Nick Bockwinkel in Tokyo with Terry Funk as referee to win the AWA world title
25 years ago:  Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty beat Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson in Memphis to win the AWA world tag team titles (which had been held up; Michaels & Jannetty were heels in this feud)
20 years ago:  Moondogs Splat & Spot beat Ron & Don Harris to win the USWA tag titles in Memphis
15 years ago:  WCW SuperBrawl took place at the Cow Palace in San Francisco with Booker T beating Rick Martel to win the WCW TV title, Kevin Nash & Scott Hall (managed by a heel Dusty Rhodes) beat Rick & Steiner Steiner (managed by Ted DiBiase) for the WCW tag titles and Sting beat Hulk Hogan after Randy Savage hit Hogan with a can of spray paint to win the vacant WCW title
 
--Former WWE announcer Jack Korpela will be the announcer for John LaRocca's new Premier Wrestling promotion. 
 
--For those interested in watching the new Portland Wrestling Uncut show, you can watch it weekly at http://www.youtube.com/user/Fox12oregon?feature=watch
 
--Warrior Island will be doing a casting call for fighters at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, OH from 3/1 to 3/3.  Interviews will be done from Noon to 4 p.m. all three days.  Fighters interested should RSVP in advance to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Fighters will be required to demonstrate fighting skills and cut 60 to 120 second promos.  Experienced fighters are encouraged.  Coaches are welcome.  The show itself will put 16 fighters on an island in the Pacific Ocean.  Each week there will be fights with the loser booted from the island.  The people who make the cast itself will be determined by a fan voting.  
 
--For those attending the Ultimate Warrior signing on 4/7 (afternoon of Mania) in Secaucus, NJ, there are 20 VIP packages available for $350 which gets you at the front of the line, 1 photo with Warrior, 4 autographed terms, 1 autographed WM 6 poster and 1 T-shirt.  You can also eat dinner with Warrior for $500 on Saturday, plus get a T-shirt, a signed WM6 poster, and a photo with Warrior.  For more info go to www.legendsofthering.com
 
--There is also a new signing for Hulk Hogan.   Tickets for it will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. and only 100 tickets will be sold.  If you are interested, go to www.legendsofthering.com/hulkhogan.hmtl tomorrow at 10 a.m. Eastern as it will sell out quickly.  
 
--An interview with Loretta Hunt talking Jon Fitch, and Rousey vs. Carmouche is at http://angrymarks.com/?ArticleID=23617
 
--Scott Anderson, a host on 97.1 in Detroit was talking about tomorrow's fight saying he's a big UFC fan but has no interest in watching women fight at all.  He also mentioned being a pro wrestling fan but lost all interest in the last few years, but talks a lot about old school WWF and The Sheik era in Detroit. (thanks to Mike Malasev)
 
--This was corrected later, but the 11th anniversary of Premier Championship Wrestling in Winnipeg is on 3/16, not 3/18 as was on the site for a few hours yesterday. 
 
--Future Stars of Wrestling on Saturday at the Silverton Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas featuring Kenny King,Young Bucks, Disco Inferno, Michael Modest, Brandon Gatson and more.
 
--John Cena Sr. talks about the old days of going to wrestling at the Boston Garden and Bruno Sammartino at http://bostongardenbalcony.wordpress.com 
 
--HXC Wrestling on 4/7 in Manchester, England at the Manchester Metropolitan University. 
 
--Balls Mahoney vs. Matt Tremont is now a Philly Street fight on the 4/4 Extreme Rising show at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory.  
 
--There was a LA Times link to the 30 women athletes who looked the best in a bikini that listed pro wrestling personalities Maria Kanellis and Stacy Keibler and MMA personalities Michelle Waterson and Gina Carano (who, astonishingly, was ranked No. 2). 
 
--The AP ran a story about pro wrestler Isaac Lancaster Jr., of Fallowfield Township in Pennsylvania, 23, regarding a New Year's Eve arrest at a party.  Lancaster, described a 6-foot, 270 pounds, allegedly put a woman in a submission hold at the party and began fighting police when they arrived, and used a stun gun on him.  No, they didn't drop him backwards on the ropes.  He was arraigned yesterday and apologized, after being charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and other crimes.  Lancaster said he respects police office, said he was wrong and was drunk and doesn't remember most of it.
 

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