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We're looking for your thoughts on Sunday night's TNA Destination X PPV as well as Saturday night's UFC 148 show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for both shows to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
We're also looking for reports on yesterday's WWE joint branded house show in Rio Rancho, MN, as well as the Friday night Raw show in Amarillo, the Friday night TNA show in North Charleston, SC and Saturday night's Smackdown show in Lubbock.
UFC has another show on Wednesday night at the HP Pavilion in San Jose headlined by Chris Weidman vs. Mark Munoz.
We've got an update on WrestleMania numbers and what they mean, the legacy of Fedor Emelianenko, how Silva vs. Sonnen mirrors pro wrestling interviews from 40 years ago, an update on Ring of Honor and UFC after weekend shows, details on WWE's new TV, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, and tons more on John Cena among the highlights of the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The issue will be on the site today if you are a web site member. We also have a new back issue on the site from 1995 which covers the legacy of Atsushi Onita, a shoot tournament featuring a number of pro wrestlers and Rickson Gracie, and how the international economy changed wrestling at that time.
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 or you can order at www.paypal.com and use the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it address.
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.
The legacy of Fedor Emelianenko is looked at with his announced retirement, career highlights, where he stands among the all-time greats, his skill set, biggest wins, when the chinks in his armor were first apparent and the legacy of dead promotions in his wake.
We look at the buildup of Chael Sonnen vs. Anderson Silva with the latest interviews.
We also look at the good and the bad coming out of the ROH iPPV, including how much the misfires hurt the company, the problems ROH has in drawing and why, the audience reactions, the plight of Adam Cole and Michael Elgin being elevated, Kevin Steen's attempts to turn the crowd, as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.
We also look at UFC's weekend, including judging Guida vs. Maynard, what happened after the fight, who blew a title shot, ratings and business notes from both shows, the story behind Franklin vs. Silva and the new stars in the Brazilian market. We've also got complete coverage of both shows.
We also look at the new WWE Main Event show on Ion, including where Ion stands as far as a network, WWE's return to Japan, the returns of Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio, the trend of the television business that most affects UFC and pro wrestling and where it stands, a WWE cross promotional effort, WWE video game pre sales, what major name who has been out of wrestling for eight years is at least thinking about returning for a big match, as well as Kenn Doane talks about why his WWE career faltered and a view of Doane from the outside.
We also look at new WWE hires, John Layfield's mountain climbing, update on the WWE Network, notes on how the business from May compared with last year in a number of categories, as well as sales of this year's Mania DVD compared to last year. We also look at a movie that will star one of the biggest stars in both pro wrestling and one of the biggest stars in MMA that will be filmed starting in a few weeks.
We've also got business notes from the weekend WWE shows and highlights from all the company's house shows of the week.
We also have a look at the famed Luchador Adorable Rubi, a landmark figure in the history of pro wrestling, where he came from, what American stars inspired him and his promoter, as well as his career highlights from his 70s heyday.
We also have notes on how Over the Limit did on PPV and the stipulation of John Laurinaitis' employment being at stake and if it sold PPV orders.
We also have a look at the ratings of all the major shows and complete details on how every segment of Raw and Impact this past week did. We also look at how the time slot move and going live has affected TNA numbers.
We also have reviews of all the major television shows.
-- I apologize for this being up late, we're attempting to install some new equipment which will lead to a radio show upgrade, and, as always, it's a complete disaster. Figure Four Weekly will also be delayed this week, likely not published until Friday. The Observer should be on time, and we'll have a back issue up late tonight or early tomorrow.
-- As noted on Raw, Rock and Mick Foley are both returning at Raw 1,000.
-- Photos of Ronda Rousey from the new ESPN Body Issue are up right now. These are not to be missed. She will also grace the cover of one of only six collector's issues, which is a huge deal.
-- For whatever it's worth as it regards the buyrate, the UFC Prelims this week did 1.8 million viewers, the all-time record for FX.
-- Rey Mysterio is listed as appearing on the Smackdown show in San Diego next Tuesday. It's a TV taping, but he's being billed for the dark match, which is Cena & Rey vs. Big Show & John Lauranitis. Not sure if that means he'll return to TV earlier in the evening, but that would certainly make sense.
-- The number to call if you have DirecTV and are concerned about losing Spike TV based on a contractual impasse is (800) 531-5000. If you want more information on this story beyond what is on our front page right now, click here.
-- Dixie Carter talks the TNA/DirecTV impasse here
-- As noted on the front page, Bill Apter reported today that Fit Finlay has returned to WWE.
-- July 11 is Dick Beyer's 82nd birthday.
-- Mick Foley booked to do comedian Richard Herrings Edinburgh Fringe Podcast on 8th August. This will be available on iTunes. Thanks to Al.
-- ROH announced today a tournament for the vacant tag team titles which will start on August 3rd at the TV tapings. The only team announced thus far is The Briscoes.
-- Brand new TCW show here featuring Mickie James vs. Cheerleader Melissa
-- Chris Camozzi vs. Buddy Roberts (not the Freebird) has been added to UFC 150 in Denver, CO on August 11th.
-- Jim Ross has a new blog here, talking, among things, about whether there is even a possibility of Chael Sonnen going to WWE.
-- In case you missed it, Daniel Bryan and CM Punk repeated the finish of the Silva/Sonnen match on Raw Monday night. For the record, Bryan got to play Anderson Silva. You can check the spot out here.
-- Yesterday's new Observer Radio is a FREE download off the front page right now. Check it out and spread the word. Tons of thoughts on Raw, Smackdown, my thoughts on Destination X, your questions and more.
-- In an update from yesterday on the show, Chris writes: To clear up the UFC health care thing with Dave. With the Supreme Court upholding Obamacare (mostly) all insurance companies will have to cover pre-existing conditions so that is why UFC would be announcing a change to their fighters.
-- Hometown Boy Makes Good article about Santino here.
-- WWNLive.com announced today that Shine Wrestling, the new all-women's group, would be doing their first-ever iPPV (well, and first-ever show) on July 20th from Ybor City, FL. More info on the show and how to order is up wwnlive.com
-- Glenn Robinson of Authentic Sports Management said Rashad Evans would not be dropping to middleweight.
-- Tammy Lynn Sytch (aka Sunny) will be on-hand THIS SATURDAY, JULY 14 LIVE on iPPV from The Flyers Skate Zone, 601 Laurel Oak Road in Voorhees, NJ. Pre-Show 7:30 pm, LIVE on iPPV 8 pm for 'New Heights'.
-- Belleview Pro Wrestling located at 6658 SE 110th St (C-25), Belleview, FL 34420. Cody Hall makes his debut accompanied by Scott Hall, Tim Zbyszko accompanied by Larry Zbyszko will be on the event as well as Chasyn Rance, Santana Garrett, Christina Von Eerie, and many others. Tickets start at $10. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
-- AAA matchmaker Konnan joined Mister Saint Laurent on this week's episode of MLW Radio, available right now at MLW.com. He spoke about CMLL's decision to introduce a new Mistico to replace WWE's Sin Cara. "Everyone knows who he is. It's a guy called Dragon Lee. He's a young high flyer who is actually very good and does some really wild [stuff], but isn't as polished as Mistico and he's not very well liked even though he's a face in CMLL. One of the reasons is because Mexico City mostly likes heels. Mostly everyone gets booed in Arena Mexico that are babyfaces. He's already getting booed and usually guys, whether it's the guy who took over the Psicosis gimmick or the guy that took over the La Parka gimmick, at the beginning they get a lot of heat from the people because they know they're not the original and people shout [stuff] at them. Usually guys that were clones weren't as good as the original guys and this guy isn't going to be the exception. I think that it's CMLL being desperate because nothing they're doing right now is really drawing. They don't really have any real big stars. They have a lot of good young wrestlers and some good veteran wrestlers, but they don't have those stars where you can bring them to a TV station and ask them to do an interview."
-- FCW Wrestling Live Meet and Greet Autographs with WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth July 13, 2012 Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center 75 Taylor St. Punta Gorda, Fl
-- The whole CHIKARA gang is coming to Everett, MA on Sunday afternoon, July 29th. They've got a tag team title bout, YLC tournament action and a whole lot more when they play the Everett Rec Center at 4:00 pm! More at chikarapro.com.
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