We also have our usual weekly features with results of the major arena shows from around the world, and the major TV show rundowns and reviews.
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Also in this week's issue:
--A look at this past week's Arena Mexico show
--More on the retirement of Tinieblas
--Mexico ratings
--Notes from this past week's AAA TV taping that included Jeff Jarrett and Abyss
--Major debut this week
--A look at Dragon Gate USA's next series of shows
--A look at a number of new Dragon Gate title matches
--All Japan vs. New Japan & Big Japan main event
--More on the New Japan tour of the Northeast
--Two major stars team up for the first time in nine years on a major show main event in August
--Shinya Hashimoto's son faces another major test
--Notes from the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame inductions
--Mark Lewin, Ivan Koloff, Destroyer and others induct people
--Notes on the debut of the new Urban Wrestling Federation on PPV
--One of the greatest wrestlers in U.S. history in the Danny Hodge era passes away
--Dory Funk Jr.'s return to St. Louis
--What happened with Terry Taylor in TNA
--Mick Foley's charity work
--TNA star whose contract expires shortly
--Desmond Wolfe talks
--Someone who was going to be brought to TNA is now on hold
--Plight of the X Division
--A look at the TNA weekend house shows
--A look at UFC in New York and the steps of how it may or may not get approval
--A look at the next UFC show
--Update on Jose Aldo Jr.
--Upcoming ticket sales for UFC events
--Update on Nick Diaz's career
--Major new sponsor headed to UFC and another close to coming
--What quote motivates Lorenzo Fertitta
--Demographic studies of UFC and what is shows about popularity on the current sports scene
--Notes on UFC's two major sponsors and how long they are committed for
--Another UFC fighter imitating Ric Flair
--The Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans feud from this week
--More on the guy Tito Ortiz bailed out and how it is giving UFC bad local publicity
--Nevada commission makes judging concession
--Dana White talks women fighting
--White compares UFC to boxing and wrestling
--Dietary change causes UFC fighter to lose 30 pounds
--Lots of upcoming UFC fights
--A look at Bellator's summer tournament
--Pacquiao vs. Mosley numbers
--Two former UFC stars arrested this past week and details
New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues can get free issues from the last 18 years. You can get 2 free back issues by ordering 40 or more
issues and one for 24. Let us know which stories 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 18 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 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
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Rates are:
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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 also 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.
--An update from yesterday. As it turned out, Frank Mir didn't suffer a broken jaw according to a tweet by his wife.
--Roy Nelson was hospitalized today and has told friends he found out he has walking pneumonia.
--Two big angles scheduled on Raw tonight.
--The final episode of Ultimate Fighter airs Wednesday. This will have the semifinals from this season with Ramsey Nijem vs. Chris Cope and Chuck O'Neal vs. Tony Ferguson. O'Neal vs. Ferguson was built up last week as a grudge match because Ferguson was an outright dick in the house and O'Neal vowed to shut him up. Interesting after all the dust clears that three of the four semifinalists (only Nijem as the exception) came from Team Lesnar.
--Nobukazu Hirai, a wrestler with All Japan who uses the ring name Super Hate, suffered a stroke after a match yesterday when he passed out after his match backstage. He was rushed into surgery after the show, which doctors said was successful. Hirai has appeared in TNA in the past.
--The National Hockey League moved Game five of the Stanley Cup playoffs frm Saturday to Friday in Vancouver. The Rogers Arena is booked Saturday for UFC 131. In 2009, a similar thing happened when Raw was booked on a Monday in Denver when the NBA playoffs were going on. In that situation, the WWE was bumped by the arena from the date and offered to move to Sunday, but Vince threw a fit, went on a tirade that got publicity, and let to one of the worst Raw shows of the year because he threw the fit. He also cost himself hundreds of thousands and displaced the entire weekend scheduled moving both Raw and Smackdown that week to Los Angeles. (thanks to Ben Miller)
--There will be a major announcement made tomorrow at Noon Eastern time on the IGN and WWE.com pages as well as the Smackdown vs. Raw facebook pages. It has to do with changes in the Smackdown vs. Raw game that will be released this year.
--Maryse on twitter said in her flight to Omaha today that her tube top slipped off when she was putting her suitcase in the overhead compartment on the airplane.
--Ultimate Warrior promises to expose Hulk Hogan in a video later this week. I guess Warrior actually watched that interview with Michael Schiavello.
--Who do you think won the fight?
Miguel Torres 55.5%
Demetrious Johnson 44.5%
--Who do you want to see against Jon Jones?
Lyoto Machida 54.8%
Rampage Jackson 45.2%
--Best TV show of the past week
Tough Enough 37.1%
Raw 14.5%
Ultimate Fighter 12.1%
Impact 8.9%
Smackdown 8.9%
UFC 130 The Prelims 7.3%
Titan Fighting Championships 5.6%
Countdown to UFC 130 3.2%
Inside MMA 0.8%
MMA Live 0.8%
Rampage Jackson In the Moment 0.8%
--WWE announced for 7/3 in Perth, Australia, a double main event of John Cena vs. R-Truth and Rey Mysterio vs. C.M. Punk.
--Awesome Wrestling Entertainment on 10/15 in Fisherville, VA at the Augusta Expo will have a wrestling show plus autograph party featuring Diamond Dallas Page, Fit Finlay, Jim Duggan, Tully Blanchard, Baby Doll, Eugene, Bobby Eaton and Gorgeous George (Randy Savage's old girlfriend, not the 40s star, because if he was there, then we'd really have a story).
--HWA from Saturday night in Hamilton, OH: James Avery b Clark Konnor, Tim Lutz b Reed Bentley, Brutally Handsome b Utterly Fabulous, Dustin Rayz b Jon Murray, Danny O'Brien & Juice Jennigs & Marcus Anthony b Lord Matthew Taylor & Chris Hall, Kaden Assad & Jeremy Madrox NC DNA, Dave Crist b Ron Mathis-DQ, Jesse Emerson & Gerome Phillips b B.J. Whitmer & Jake Crist. (thanks to Adam Sanders)
--The WSU tag team title change written about in yesterday's report actually took place on Friday night, not Saturday night. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
--Maximum Pro Wrestling in Iqualuit, ONT on Friday: Jimmy Jacobs b Jaysen Cypruss, Mike Bailey over Anthony Fiasco & Sebastian Suave, Matt Morgan b Brian Youngblood, Colt Cabana & Traci Brooks b Ashley Sixx & Gabrielle Vanderpool, Tyson Dux b Michael Elgin, Brent B b Kiyoshi
--Maximum Pro Wrestling in Iqaluit, ONT on Friday: Colt Cabana b Anthony Fiasco, Jimmy Jacobs b Michael Elgin, Traci Brooks b Gabriella Vanderpool, Brian Youngblood over Ashley Sixx and Sebastian Suave, Mike Bailey b Jaysen Cypruss, Matt Morgan b Kiyoshi, Brentt B b Tyson Dux (thanks to Steve Ashe)
--MMA fighter Jessica Penne (8-1), who was in the recent Bellator tournament, is debuting in boxing at 109 pounds facing Cindy Amador on 6/2 at the Orange County Fair & Events Center for a combined MMA and boxing show.
--M-1 Global will be streaming a show from Kiev, Russia, on 6/4 at 11 a.m. Eastern and 8 a.m. Pacific at
www.M-1Global.com headlined by Guram Gugenishvili vs. Pat Bennett
--Sean Waltman talks Randy Savage, Brian Knobs and Joanie Laurer on his facebook account. Waltman is available for bookings at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
He's also at twitter at
http://www.twitter.com/therealxpac and
www.Facebook.com/therealxpac
--Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Saturday night in Council Bluffs, IA: Buck Albright b Jeff O'Chet, Sir Bradley Charles over Darren Russell, Zach Thompson and David Clark in a ladder match, Angelus Layne b Joey Daniels, Mad Dog McDowell b Jimmy Rockwell, Abu Colossus b Shawn Mautilis, Jaysin Strife NC Tony Cortez, Sean Cruz b Supafli, Zac James & Ryan Slade b Derek Cornell & Angelus Layne, Vic Victory b Brandon Juarez, Matt Star b Preston Maxwell. Next show is 6/25 in Council Bluffs at the National Guard Armory.
--Yesterday's CMLL in Guadalajara: Divino b Templario, Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno b Drago & Leon Blanco, Exterminator & Malefico b Pegasso & Rey Cometa, Gallo & Sagrado & Sangre Azteca b Ephesto & Misterioso Jr. & Virus, Negro Casas & Mr. Niebla & Volador Jr. b Angel de Oro & El Hijo del Fantasma & Maximo
--Perros Del Mal third anniversary show from Mexico City: Drastick Boy & Keira b Dinastia & Sexy Polvora, Celestial & Cosmico b Mini Mr. Aguila & Mini Talisman, Angel & Golden Magic & Hagen & Skayde b Ek-Balam & Guerrero Negro & Madito Jr. & Samoth, Peligro & Pesadilla b Black Fire & Low Rider, Bestia 666 & Halloween & X-Fly b Tony Rivera & Turbo & Zumbi, Psycho Circus b Perro Aguayo Jr. & Damian 666 & Super Crazy in a cage match (Crazy was the last guy left in the cage and lost his hair).
--Promociones Mora from Friday night in Tijuana: Viento d Asdrubal, Angel Metalico & Colibri & Extassis b Cinico & Mr. Maldito & Zarco, WWA welterweight title tournament: Steve Pain b Great Pantera, El Hijo del Rey Misterio b Fabulous B, El Hijo del Rey Misterio b Steve Pain to win title, Angel Blanco Jr. & El Hijo del Solitario & Tommy Casanova b Dr. Wagner III & El Hijo del L.A. Park & Rayman, Blue Demon Jr. & Dr. Wagner Jr. b Carlito & L.A. Park (thanks to Kris Zellner)
--On last night's Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers game on Comcast Detroit, they were advertising UFC 131 and still had the Lesnar vs Dos Santos commercial playing.
--Ace Rockwell beat Kyle Matthews on Saturday night in Cornelia, GA to advance in the NWA North American title tournament. Finals are 6/25 in Cornelia, GA with Rockwell vs. Shaun Tempers (thanks to Bill Behrens)
--Raw was No. 43 in Pay TV in Australia last week with 63,000 viewers.
