kayfabe

dgusa

viggity

TUES UPDATE: Lots of notes from Raw, AJ talks her weight, Rousey vs. Kaufman rating details, Hobbit tweeting Raw, Dana talks Chael vs. Bones, Jericho says goodbye, tons more



By Bryan Alvarez

Bryan Alvarez: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We're looking for your thoughts on SummerSlam as well as Saturday night's Strikeforce 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're looking for reports on tonight's Smackdown show from Bakersfield, with results, angles and estimated attendacne.

We're also looking for reports on Friday night's TNA show in Spencer, IA and Saturday night's TNA show in Ottumwa, IA.

For Fuel, tonight has Best of Pride at 7 p.m., TUF Brazil at 8 p.m., Overeem vs. Lesnar at 9 p.m., UFC Tonight at 10 p.m., and Ultimate Insider at 10:30 p.m.

       We've got a new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that will be up today on the web site.  The issue looks back at the out of the ring life of Red Bastien, one of pro wrestling's greatest characters and workers of the 60s and 70s, has a full recap of UFC 150 including the Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar decision, the business of the show, a look at the two big December UFC shows that have been announced and the heavyweight title picture, a huge story on this year's G-1 Climax tournament, TNA Hardcore Justice and a breakdown of a ton of recent WWE signings and backgrounds of the guys.

 
        Our lead story on Bastien talks about his in-ring trademarks, his training of Sting and Ultimate Warrior, how he had a hand in the start of Roddy Piper's career, his thoughts on Ray Stevens, story telling, Bryan Danielson, how he started his career, the car crash and more.
 
        We also look at the judging of Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar round-by-round, a look at what UFC should do with the top lightweight contenders and where Edgar should fit in, the business of the show, why people did and didn't order the show as well as match-by-match coverage.
 
        We also look at UFC's big December plans with a FOX special and the year-end PPV.  We also look at the Alistair Overeem situation, why Cain Velasquez is getting the next title shot and Overeem's television explanation of his issues.
 
        We look at Kazuchika Okada's win of the G-1 Climax tournament, Karl Anderson going to the finals, the booking of the tournament, New Japan vs. WWE in Sumo Hall this past week, how Hiroshi Tanahashi is viewed in Japan, a look at the signings of Katsuyori Shibata and Kazushi Sakuraba, how Sakuraba became such a big star in Japan and how he fell from the top, the Royce Gracie vs. Sakuraba background, as well as full coverage of Sunday's Sumo Hall G-1 finals and a history of the New Japan annual heavyweight tournament dating back to Antonio Inoki in 1974.  We also have coverage of every G-1 match of the final week of the tour.
 
        We also look at TNA's Hardcore Justice, the build to Bound for Glory, the Bound for Glory series update as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings.
 
        We also look at ROH's Boiling Point iPPV show as well as the attempts to rebuild the iPPV business after the three disasters in a row.
 
        We also have a look at the many new signings by WWE from recent tryout camps, a look at who the people are, their backgrounds, why the company is so hot on going after former college football players and more.
 
        We also look at Linda McMahon's senate race, what the current polls say after her primary win, what the other candidates say, her new strategy and how it involves wrestling, as well as notes from the McMahon family 2011 tax returns, how much the family made last year and how much tax they paid as well as charitable contributions.  We also look at the new WWE television shows, plans for hyping next year's WrestleMania, thoughts on televised Countdown shows, new major WWE executive hires, firing of Brian Jossie, What wrestler was scared to death of media last week, cutting of Sofia Cortez, C.M. Punk DVD ones, 2013 Half of Fame, and what was the third most profitable WWE movie release of the past decade and the answer will fool most.
 
        We also have notes on the meeting before Raw SummerSlam thoughts, will Shawn Michaels wrestle again, Who HHH is high on, WWE celebrity notes, more on Kharma firing, WWE/NBC contract, changes in developmental and the latest developmental tapings, DVD viewership of Raw 1,000, Ziggler talks SummerSlam and a look at the WWE's latest overseas tour with all the business numbers. 
 
        We also have Olympic games coverage of U.S. wrestling, Kyoko Hamaguchi's last stand, Kayla Harrison and more.
 
        We also have a feature on several other former Olympic athletes who went into pro wrestling over the years.
 
        The issue is up on the site today if you are a web site member.  We also have a new back issue on the site from 1995 just put up talking about the announcement that WCW would go head-to-head with WWF on Monday night's and the beginning of the Monday Night Wars.
 
        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
 
        You can also order by paypal by sending to www.paypal.com and directing the funds to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
        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 and complete details on how every segment of Raw and Impact this past week did.  We look at what segments 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:
 
--New Japan stars heading to Mexico
 
--Update on the new Mistico
 
--CMLL's tournament of champions over the next few weeks
 
--More on TripleMania and who the fans reacted to the biggest
 
--First TV after TripleMania and where the angles are going
 
--All Japan jr. title change and where it's going
 
--Pro Wrestling NOAH jr. tag title tournament, who was to win, what changed it and who is in each block
 
--Major pro wrestling wedding in Japan
 
--New Japan's next PPV show
 
--More on New Japan doing iPPV shows
 
--More on Alex Shelley's return to New Japan
 
--New Japan starts talks with an Olympic gold medalist
 
--Upcoming New Japan big matches
 
--Lots more on next year's WrestleMania week
 
--Gathering of the Juggalos report
 
--ICP threatens to sue the FBI and why
 
--More on Kamala, Wrestlers Rescue and background
 
--ROH may be facing some TV issues
 
--Davey Richards issues an apology
 
--Something to look out for in TNA
 
--C.M. Punk says something that gets under Kurt Angle's skin
 
--Who is Claire Lynch, background
 
--Brooke Hogan
 
--Eric Bischoff's new TV project
 
--Jon Jones Nike deal
 
--Catching up on a lot of UFC business
 
--More on the arrest of Mayhem Miller
 
--Cris Cyborg talks Ronda Rousey
 
--Viability of that match taking place
 
--Dana White talks middleweight division
 
--Hector Lombard explains his poor performance
 
--Anderson Silva making 174 or so
 
--Thoughts on a 115 pound weight class
 
--Josh Koscheck's problems with Javier Mendez chronicled on TV show
 
--Roy Nelson getting in Dana White's hair
 
--Update on Diego Sanchez
 
--Injury postpones Bellator featherweight title fight one more time
 
--Major Bellator signing
 
--Notes on MMA death
 
--Tim Sylvia vs. Andrei Arlovski
 
--Arrest of Frank Trigg
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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   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.
 
Today's News, Notes and Links

-- Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman on Showtime did 676,000 viewers for their fight (and keep in mind, the fight went less than a minute, so had it gone longer that number would have been much higher), and the show overall drew 529,000 viewers, the most of any Showtime event this year. They drew nearly 900,000 over the main show and replay this weekend.

-- CM Punk on Twitter said he did what he did last night for Andy Kaufman.

-- Jericho claims he'll be back. "Thanks to all of my Jerichoholics for an amazing 9 months! I have the BEST fans and I promise u haven't seen the last of Y2J! See u on tour."

-- John Cena beat Big Show in a no-DQ match after Raw went off the air last night. So I guess Big Show is still a heel.

-- In a note from last night's Observer Radio, they did in fact mention on TV during one of the video packages that HHH had his arm broken by Brock at SummerSlam.

-- Both Beth Phoenix and Kelly were shown on the graphic for the Diva's battle royal last night despite neither being not only not in the match, but not in the building.

-- It was announced that CM Punk was chosen number one in this year's PWI 500. So he can rest easy that someone thinks he's the best in the world.

-- Meriadoc Brandybuck is Raw's social media ambassador next week.

-- Dana White said today that Chael Sonnen will not get a title shot against Jon Jones if he beats Forrest Griffin this December. If he wins that fight Dana says he'll move into the top five, then he'll have to beat a few of those guys first.

-- Audio of the WWE '13 live panel is up here. We got rave reviews for Jim Ross as host.

-- Mrs. Cyborg's response to Ronda Rousey's challenge to come down to 135 (see front page for the video) is here. She says her doctor and cardiologist told her that she's too heavy and has too little bodyfat to safely cut that low.

-- The Score Fighting Series (SFS) today announced a deal which sees US-based television network AXS TV become a broadcast partner for its live MMA events. AXS TV, the largest independently owned and operated network, is the premier television destination with the best events in pop culture, biggest acts in music, and hottest breaking news and trends in entertainment. The network’s AXS TV Fights is renowned for its Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing LIVE events. The Score Fighting Series is a live MMA promotion owned and run by Score Media, which also operates theScore Television Network, a national sports specialty service providing news, information, highlights and live events to more than 6.6 million homes across Canada. The new deal will see SFS bouts broadcast as part of AXS TV Fights’ programming, beginning October 19th when the series comes to the RBC Centre in Sarnia, Ontario.

-- Brazil and the Ultimate Fighting Championship go hand-in-hand, from Brazilian Royce Gracie winning the first-ever UFC tournament to the present day where Brazilians hold three of the seven World Championship belts. FUEL TV celebrates the South American country’s place in the UFC with Brazil Week beginning Monday, August 27 and ending with an all-day marathon of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil on Sunday, September 2 that culminates with the season finale at 10:00 PM ET. Each day throughout Brazil Week, FUEL TV hosts Brazilian themed interstitials and classic UFC bouts with the country’s fighters such as Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos, and Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. In addition, FUEL TV airs a number of original spots highlighting Brazilian legends and champions including Royce Gracie, Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, dos Santos and Anderson Silva.

-- Tickets for UFC 153 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with Jose Aldo Jr. vs. Eric Koch, Vitor Belfort vs. Alan Belcher, and Glover Teixeira vs. Rampage Jackson in Rampage's last UFC fight for the time being go on sale Thursday at 7 PM Eastern.

-- Alex Shelley teams with former WWE alum AJ Kirsch to challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight tag team championships this Sunday at an indy show in California. They will face Rocky Romero and Alex Koslov for those titles THIS SUNDAY at the Butte County Fair. In addition, IWGP Intercontinental Champion will face 2008 Cauliflower Alley "Future Legend Award" winner "Old School" Oliver John. Plus New Japan Pro Wrestling star Kushida challenges for the SWF championship against "The Champion of Champions" Dave Dutra.

-- G.L.O.W.: The Story of The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling chronicles the rise and fall of the first ever all-female wrestling show through the stories of those who lived it. From the initial open-call auditions, to the grueling training with wrestling legend Mando Guerrero, to overnight success and global recognition, to the show’s sudden and unexpected cancellation in 1990, the GLOW girls recall their time on the show with a mixture of heartfelt nostalgia and tearful regret over injuries and the loss of friends. For some, the show was a brief foray into acting and a short-lived adventure on the way to a normal life. For others, their time in GLOW would impact and influence their lives for years to follow. For all of the women, working on GLOW was a unique and exciting experience that will bond them forever. A preview is here.

-- There is a new documentary on ECW in the works, and they've got a Kickstarter page attempting to raise funds up here.

-- Ed and his crew preview SummerSlam here.

-- Pete Irving, a UK MMA fighter, talks sparring with Anderson Silva and tons more in this one hour video.

-- This week on “UFC Tonight” Host Todd Harris and Analyst Kenny Florian talk exclusively with Chael Sonnen about his twitter beef with Jon Jones. Meanwhile, middleweight contender Chris Weidman calls out Anderson Silva. Anthony Pettis joins the show to give us an update on when he will fight Donald Cerrone for the number one contender spot in the lightweight division. Lastly, the guys welcome famous UFC nutritionist and creator of the Dolce Diet, Mike Dolce, in-studio to discuss his diet regime and how it works for some of the best fighters in the UFC.

-- Who would you like to see face Brock Lesnar next?
Shawn Michaels 30.7%
Undertaker 28.6%
C.M. Punk 24.9%
The Rock 14.2%
HHH 1.6%

What was the best of these recent shows?
WWE Money in the Bank 29.6%
UFC on FOX 26.1%
TNA Hardcore Justice 17.2%
Strikeforce on Saturday 13.7%
SummerSlam 9.2%
UFC 150 2.9%
UFC 149. 1.3%

What was the best of these matches?
Miesha Tate vs. Julie Kedzie 45.6%
Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner 24.1%
Donald Cerrone vs. Melvin Guillard 12.2%
Cain Velasquez vs. Bigfoot Silva 5.5%
Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz 3.8%
Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley 3.0%
Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson 3.0%
Cub Swanson vs. Ross Pearson 1.3%
Matt Riddle vs. Chris Clements 0.8%
Cezar Ferrera vs. Sergio Moraes 0.4%
Justin Lawrence vs. John Cofer 0.4%

What was the best of these PPV matches?
C.M. Punk vs. Daniel Bryan Money in the Bank 26.5%
Austin Aries vs. Bobby Roode Destination X 18.3%
Brock Lesnar vs. HHH 15.9%
Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler 8.5%
Daniels vs. Joe vs. Angle vs. Styles ladder match 7.4%
Daniels vs. Styles Destination X 7.2%
Aries vs. Roode Hardcore Justice 4.5%
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly 3.8%
Smackdown Money in the Bank match 3.2%
Kevin Steen vs. Davey Richards Best in the World 2.8%
Punk vs. Kane vs. Bryan No Way Out 1.3%
Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler No Way Out 0.6%

-- New interview with AJ Lee here. From reading the article it appears that she is now around 106 pounds. She was 10 pounds lighter when she got signed and said this was in no way attractive.

-- Story here about WWE attempting to make inroads into China.

Send us a news tip: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com

Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news from this site or from our newsletters, please include a link to www.wrestlingobserver.com

For the most in-depth and detailed news and analysis on pro-wrestling and MMA, always turn to Wrestlingobserver.com/Figure Four Weekly Online, the #1 website of its kind on the Internet. Members receive online access to both the Wrestling Observer and Figure Four Weekly newsletters and growing archives, Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer three times per week, the popular Bryan and Vinny Show twice per week, additional radio shows including Figure Four Daily with Alvarez, Mike Coughlin's Five Star Radio, the Dr. Keith Lipinski Show, The Adam and Mike Big Audio Nightmare, Tough Talk and the Karl Stern Wrestling History Show, the infamous BOARD, and more! Members also have full access to the thousands of hours of audio in our radio show archives which date back to 2005. For your convenience, we offer secure online payments using your VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card or PayPal account. Don't miss out on the fun, sign up now! Don\'t miss out on the fun, sign up now!

Want full access? QUICK AND EASY $10.99 SIGNUP!

What did you think of Friday night's Smackdown?

 

Who was most valuable to industry over the last decade?

 

What did the most damage to the industry?