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TUES UPDATE: Raw rating notes, what happened when show ended, why JR says he left, other backstage notes, Jeff Hardy update, TNA in theatres, tons more



By Bryan Alvarez

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We're looking for your thoughts on Sunday night's WWE Hell in a Cell PPV, as well as Saturday night's UFC on Versus show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We'll also be looking for reports for Smackdown and NXT tonight  from Biloxi. You know, if there is a show with no talent.

        Our annual Hall of Fame issue of the Observer, the most talked about issue of the year, will be coming out in a few weeks.  If you are a print subscriber and sign up for two sets you will be getting the issue.  It will be a double issue with bios of new Hall of Famers, complete voting records and a detailed story plus the updated list of Hall of Fame members.

 
        The new issue of the Observer talks about plans for the WWE network going forward.  We look at what it appears WWE wants out of the network, notes on the survey they have taken for the network, the idea of WrestleMania and the other big four shows on the network as well as a look at how those shows would have to change if they were removed from PPV.
 
        We also look at the future of PPV, the Mayweather fight and what it said about PPV today, the irony of what Vince McMahon told me about PPV many years ago and how it appears he was completely right, but he's doing it completely different.    We also look at the wrestling on TV, the success and subscriber base for WWE 24/7, money spent on WrestleMania, UFC's talk of its own network and how WWE and UFC are taking opposite approaches in a similar situation when it comes to business.
 
        The issue is available today on the site.  There is also a new back issue from 2006 up on the site this week.  If you can't find them on the front page, you can always access the latest issues of the Observer on the front page by clicking on the Archives tab at the top.  You can get a mail subscription to the Observer with information below.  The Observer has the most detailed coverage of pro wrestling around the world, as well as insider UFC coverage not available anywhere else.  We have about 14 new newsletters each month, usually six Observers, four or five Figure Four Weeklies and four or five back issues of the Observer each week.      
 
        We also look at one of WWE's biggest television partners being for sale, more on the Hell in a Cell show, WWE angle gets a lot of mainstream pub, a look at the background of Dolph Ziggler in wrestling, Vince McMahon's bad mood and the story of how it went down.  We also look at the big angle in WWE, more on the health of Rey Mysterio, HHH talks the movie business, Dana White talks at length about Vince McMahon, angle to bring Booker T back gets pitched, front office shakeups, DVD sales, web site traffic and  a big surprise in that number, best selling DVDs of this year and a surprisingly up stat for WWE business.
 
        We also have an update on both Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli when it comes to WWE.
 
        Plus we've got notes from the Rumble, an idea pitched for Vengeance, Raw ratings in Canada, future of Superstars, FCW news, Chris Jericho talks, Mick Foley non-wrestling appearances, next WWE movie, plus business notes from the past week and highlights from the weekend house shows.
 
        We also look at Jon Jones, UFC's brightest young star, with coverage of UFC 135.  We look at Jones' win over Rampage Jackson, business notes from the show, early PPV numbers, as well as Dana White's thought on certain champion vs. champion dream matches.  We also look at Josh Koscheck, Nate Diaz, Matt Hughes and the other stars of the show, along with match-by-match coverage and poll ratings.
 
        We also look at the debut of Ring of Honor on syndicated broadcast TV, mentality behind the early shows, the questions regarding the shows, good and bad and what the shows reminded me of.
 
              The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.
 
         Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and has
the most complete look at the business as a whole anywhere.  The Observer is now in its 29th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling
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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
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        We also look at the Japanese MMA scene as Dream ran a show with its biggest mainstream stars, Sakuraba, Aoki, Kawajiri, Uno, Minowa-man and the bantamweight tournament.  We look at the match-up of pro wrestlers, former UFC stars and more.
 
        We also have your scorecard for this season's Ultimate Fighter, which opened to some of the most exciting fights and finishes in the history of the show just in the first episode.  We look at the favorites, what happens with Jason Miller and Michael Bisping, and more.
 
        We also have a look at the SummerSlam buy rate, with a look at the card,  how it did compared to the past few years, and mistakes made in the promotion of the show that hurt things.  We also look at how the card compared with those of previous years.
 
        We also have ratings for all the national shows for the past week as well as how every segment did when it comes to gaining and losing
viewers on both TNA & WWE's A shows.
 
        We also have our regular weekly features with results of all the major arena events around the world, as well as all the major TV show
reviews.   
 
         Also in this week's issue:
 
--CMLL draws its largest crowd in months
 
--Ceremony to honor one of CMLL's oldest full-timers
 
--Notes on the 78th anniversary shows in both Mexico City and Guadalajara
 
--Indie tries running a 14,000 seat arena using former WWE stars vs. Mexican legends
 
--Return of Arturo Rivera
 
--Lineup for Heroes Inmortales, one of AAA's biggest shows of the year including the debut in Mexico of Sting
 
--Notes on a crazy story involving a former WWE star working in Mexico
 
--All Japan's junior heavyweight tournament ends, with standings, winner and where the title is going
 
--One of All Japan's top stars returns and is put into the top mix
 
--The latest edition of the oldest annual tradition in pro wrestling is announced
 
--NOAH building a number of title programs
 
--This week's update on Matt Hardy
 
--More on Greg Valentine no-showing the Randy Savage show
 
--Indie worker pleads no contest on sex charge
 
--Trial begins regarding the murder of an 80s wrestler that is largely forgotten about
 
--Former WCW star and a DUI charge
 
--Update on Dave Bautista and his thoughts on wrestling again
 
--Update on Bobby Heenan
 
--Another promotion gets TV in the U.K.
 
--Notes on the move on the ROH Final Battle show
 
--A look at the next few TV tapings
 
--More on the philosophy of ROH going forward
 
--Update on Ric Flair's injuries
 
--Unique promotional activity for Bound for Glory that is going to bomb and is almost a secret
 
--Complete Bound for Glory card
 
--Notes on the TV in Knoxville behind the scenes and crowd reactions
 
--More on the TNA time slot change in the U.K.
 
--More international for TNA including notes on future tours and new TV shows being produced
 
--The story behind the Kurt Angle vs. Kimbo Slice fight, how real was it, and what role Kurt Angle was called for by Dana White
 
--Notes on weekend house shows
 
--A look at the next few weeks of television
 
--The story on Spike going to war with UFC next month
 
--Dana White talks a lot of 2012 plans including markets they are going to run live shows in, and markets they are planning on taped market specific shows in
 
--The story behind the Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos match being put on TV and is it a financial winner
 
--Future of Strikeforce
 
--Future of women in UFC
 
--What all-time legend has his back against the wall in his next match and needs a win or won't be booked again in UFC
 
--Update on the San Jose UFC debut
 
--Another Golden Glory fighter returns to UFC
 
--Notes on Cris Cyborg's first fight in more than a year, when and against who
 
--What building UFC will attempt to break its all-time attendance record in
 
--Update on Vitor Belfort
 
--This week's UFC show
 
--UFC star wins a shoot tournament in another sport against people from MMA and pro wrestling
 
--Lots of new UFC matches
 
--A major contract clause that will prevent a major television move from taking place
 
--When that expected move will likely take place
 
--Bellator bantamweight tournament notes
 
--Fighter linked to three different rapes
 
--TV show is going to switch dates and go live starting very soon
 
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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
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-- Based on metered market ratings, the Indianapolis Colts vs. Tampa Bay Bucs game did an 8.01 rating, much lower than usual. Don't have a rating for the Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers baseball playoff game. Low football numbers plus coming off Hell in a Cell should mean a 3.0 or better for Raw.

-- After Raw went off the air last night, Zack Ryder came to the ring and said he'd changed his mind, he wasn't deserting HHH because this was the most over he'd ever been in his career. Hunter proceeded to pedigree him. Video is up on the front page, and Ryder also filmed the entire thing with his flip camera so it'll likely be online on his show in a few days as well. Ryder, it should be noted, is now in the top ten in terms of merchandise sales for WWE.

-- The crowd was also inexplicably chanting "YOU STILL GOT IT!" at HHH. Presumably in reference to being able to bury an entire locker room of babyfaces.

-- Jim Ross with his kayfabe excuse for walking on Raw last night: I feel I don't have to defend myself for being brought back to Raw. Why did I ever leave? Did what I thought was right. Hated it nonetheless. Love the nay Sayers who curse me re: HHH 'bringing me back.' why did I leave raw? Exactly. I love HHH but he has to make changes. I won't apologize for doing what I think is right. Getting my job back excuse doesn't flush. Why was I removed in 1st place? Child please. WWE is a cluster. Let's wrestle, ok ? I leave & I'm a bad guy? Smarten up people. You lose locker room & things have 2 b addressed. Fix it.

-- As some probably noticed given the commentary, no Vince McMahon in Michael Cole's ear last night.

-- Orton, Punk, Cena, Eve and Kelly were all not at ringside last night to walk out on Hunter, which may or may not play into the storyline.

-- Josh Nason notes: It was 28 minutes into tonight's RAW that they finally mentioned Del Rio won the title last night. That seemed like kind of a big thing to mention at the top of the show.

-- For those keeping track, Hijos del Averno kept their trios titles at the CMLL show last night, so it looks like Averno is still not on the fast track to WWE.

-- Mike Johnson reports that WWE is looking for a screenwriter to pen Marine 3. I suppose Aurora Rose Levesque is probably too busy with preschool right now.

-- The TMZ article on Jeff Hardy opting to serve his 10-day sentence starting yesterday is up here, including a new mug shot.

-- Bellator did 269,000 viewers this week, it's second highest in history.

-- Lucha Libre USA's return to television on Saturday morning in the old 10 AM cartoon slot, on the other hand, did an 0.08 rating, which is lower than several wreslers have breathed into breathalyzers in the last few months, and 64,000 viewers.

-- Smackdown also did a 2.0 rating this week, down from its near-record last week, but still pretty damn impressive. Good news for fans of Mark Henry. And the Fall Season.

-- UFC announced closed circuit showings for 137 att he Mandalay Bay South Seas Ballroom. Tickets for the closed circuit viewing party are $50 and go on sale TODAY at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, www.mandalaybay.com or the Mandalay Bay box office. Doors for the viewing party will open at 4 p.m. PT, with the preliminary fights being aired on SPIKE TV at 5 p.m. PT. At 6 p.m. PT, the live UFC 137 Pay-Per-View card will be televised.

-- A full list of theatres that will be showing Bound for Glory is up here. I don't know about the rest of the company, but at least in terms of Washington State, where I live, I have no idea why they're even bothering. It's being show in exactly one theatre, and that theatre is in Kennewick, which is way down in the southern part of the state and has a population of 70,000. Worse, location aside, UFC tried this for their PPVs and you never hear about them doing it anymore after the first few.

-- In another great TNA moment, on their website right now there are three Hulk Hogan banners. One is promoting his retirement announcement, which took place on last week's show. The next is promoting his retirement celebration, which is taking place Thursday. At least that's current. And the third promotes Sting vs. Hogan at Bound for Glory in a match.

-- From TNA:"The Immortal" Hulk Hogan has been added to the "Main Event" session of Fan Interaction. He will join "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, and "The Icon" Sting as part of the "Main Event" session. This along with the listings below will be part of what is sure to be an unforgettable weekend and all for only $199.

-- Hometown boy done good article on Bobby Roode here.

-- John Morrison's unfortunate new t-shirt is up here.

-- Mick Foley has a brand new blog up here.

-- Robert Peralta vs. Mackens Semerzier, Paul Bradley vs. Mike Pierce and Matt Lucas vs. Aaron Rosa have been added to UFC on FOX 1.

-- Bothell grad takes home gi, no-gi gold. This girl went to my high school and is sponsored by I Tap Boys.

-- Two big Chikara shows this weekend:

"Small But Mighty"
Friday evening - 10.7.2011
Live @ Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium
1813 Frank Holt Drive in Burlington, NC!
The action starts @ 7:30 pm, Doors open @ 7:00 pm!

"Klunk in Love"
Saturday evening - 10.8.2011
Live @ The Kingsport Civic Auditorium
1550 Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport, TN!
The action starts @ 7:00 pm, Doors open @ 6:30 pm!

-- Roller Derby star Alvin Mallory's funeral is Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 11 am, Colonial Chapel, 2626 High Street, Oakland, CA 94601. Off of 580 Freeway. Take the High Street exit. Next door to Walgreen's is the Chapel.

-- Hernandez and Rosita will be at the Hispanic Day Parade in New York this Sunday on the Time Warner Cable float.

-- Pete Rose talks Halls of Fame, including the WWE version, here.

-- Hmm.

-- Bob Backlund battles Jerry Lynn on Saturday November 12th for Pro Wrestling Syndicate at The Queens Elks Lodge on 82-20 Queens Blvd in Queens, NY. The event also includes Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Black Machismo, Tatanka, Madison Rayne, Becky Bayless, Christy Hemme, The Pope, Virgil, Sonjay Dutt, Zema Ion, Amazing Red, Velvet Sky, Tony Nese, Necro Butcher, The Sheik, and more.

-- AWF PRESENTS OCTOBER WRESTLEFEST, Sat 8 October, 2011 - 7pm, Parramatta RSL: Cnr Macquarie & O'connell Sts, Parramatta, NSW. Tickets: $25 available http://www.awfwrestling.com.au/item/36/AWF+October+Wrestlefest+Tickets.htm, or via Paypal from AWF Website, at the venue, or at the door on the night if not sold out

-- LEGENDS OF THE RING 13, Saturday October 8, 2011 Doors open at 8:30 am, Crowne Plaza Hotel – Monroe, New Jersey, Exit 8a NJTPK. www.legendsofthering.com

-- This Friday Night FREE SoCal Pro Wrestling Event! Escondido Sport & Fitness 130 E Lincoln Ave Escondido, CA COME SEE: Johnny Yuma, Duke, SoCal Crazy, Nick Lovin, Pulpo Dorado & MANY MORE! THIS EVENT IS FREE! www.socalprowrestling.com

-- Ed and company talk the top 50 incidents in WWE history here.

-- From the promoter: Who the real King of Hardcore is will be decided October 15 when ageless Hall of Famer Terry Funk takes on the heart-and-soul of ECW, Tommy Dreamer, for bragging rights in the explosive “AWE Wrestling: Night Of The Legends”Pay-Per-View event, live from Augusta Expo in Fishersville, Virginia. The featured match pits former WWE and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Kevin Nash, and his mystery tag-team partner against the former three-time NWA Tag Team Champions, The Rock-n-Roll Express, Ricky Morton, and Robert Gibson. The 7’ 1”, 300-plus pound Nash and the small but wily Morton have had a bitter, blood-letting feud dating back a decade. That grudge match will finally be settled once and for all on Oct. 15 in front of a live national television/Internet audience and a packed live house in Virginia. The Awesome Wrestling Entertainment (AWE) extravaganza will be available for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, AT & T and Verizon in the United States, as well as Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. The broadcast will also be available live on an Internet pay-per-view basis at www.AWEonPPV.com and www.GFL.TV.

-- What did you watch over the weekend
UFC on Versus 51.4%
WWE Hell in a Cell 43.2%
Bellator 12.2%
The biggest crossover was UFC & WWE at 17.8% compared to UFC & Bellator at 7.9% Only 2.7% watched all three shows. 25.1% didn't watch any of the three shows.

Which show was best
UFC 50.3%
WWE 21.2%
Bellator 2.0%
The rest didn't watch any of the shows

Best TV match of last week
Roode vs. Styles 36.2%
Generico vs. Lethal 31.1%
Punk vs. Del Rio 13.2%
Orton vs. Christian 12.6%
Sheamus vs. Rhodes 6.9%

Who is the best MMA fighter in the world today?
Anderson Silva 53.7%
GSP 20.7%
Jon Jones 15.7%
Cain Velasquez 3.7%
Jose Aldo Jr. 1.6%
Dominick Cruz 1.6%
Dan Henderson 1.6%
Frankie Edgar 1.0%
Alistair Overeem 0.8%
Gilbert Melendez 0.4%

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