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FRIDAY UPDATE: Big WWE birthday, weekend schedule, more fallout from Jones/Machida/Belfort, preposterous odds, Bound for Glory standings, WWE star interviews, tons more



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

We're looking for reports on tonight's Raw house show in Cape Girardeau, MO which is advertising C.M. Punk vs. John Cena vs. Big Show for the WWE title on top at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

With little fanfare, Bellator has a show tonight in Tunica, MS and airing at 8 p.m. on MTV 2:

Ryan Martinez (264) vs. Mike Wessel (262.4)

Matt Van Buren (205.8) vs. Mike Mucitelli (204.4)

Marcos Galvao (136) vs. Luis Nogueira (136) - winner gets a title shot at

Eduardo Dantas in November

 Attila Vegh (204.4) vs. Travis Wiuff (206) - winner gets a title shot at

Christian M'Pumbu later this year


The Titan Fighting Championships run tonight in Kansas City at Memorial Hall starting at 10 p.m. on AXS TV


Brian Davison vs. Joe Murphy

Junior Karanta vs. Matt Uhde

Braulio Estima (BJJ world champion making his debut) vs. Chris Holland (who recently beat Phil Baroni)

Anthony Johnson (who made weight at 205) vs. Esteves Jones

We're looking for reports on this show.


We're also looking for reports on the WWE house shows on Saturday with Raw in Peoria and Smackdown in Sioux Falls, SD (Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio Last Man Standing; Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler). Sunday has Raw in Rockford and Smackdown in Rochester, MN.

The live Raw will be Monday night in Milwaukee.

Smackdown will be taped on Tuesday night in Green Bay.

         Our annual SummerSlam issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is out this week, covering one of the year's biggest MMA shows, as well as a look at what has the potential to be the biggest women's fight of this era with Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg, what both have been saying and why right now, based on what they are saying, it may never happen.  We also look at the business of the Strikeforce show, ratings, what they said, and coverage of the event.  We also have notes on the new television deal to bring K-1 to Spike TV, as well as coverage of a pro wrestling show featuring one of the best matches of the year, a promotion most have never heard of that just drew more than 10,000 people to a major arena for a gimmick oriented event, the annual DDT mega show.

 
        Plus,we've got our 2012 TNA roster directory, going through the entire roster of the promotion, with real names, ages, years pro, and backgrounds in sports and entertainment.
 
        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 beginnings of what ended up as 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.
 
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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. 
 
        Our lead story looks at SummerSlam, including what was expected, not expected, where the finish of the main event came from, business of the show, booking as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
 
        We also look at plans for Night of Champions in September.
 
        We go in depth on the proposed Rousey vs. Cyborg fight, including politics behind where it can air, if it can air on PPV, whose decision that comes down to, as well as whether the match can happen or not. We've got extensive comments from both about where they stand in the argument, as well as where Rousey's career can go if the fight never takes place.
 
        We also look at the show, including Rousey's career, what the rating meant, ticket sales, the Tate vs. Kedzie fight and Tate's comments after.
 
        We also have an update on Linda McMahon's campaign and WWE feuding in words with her opponent, Chris Murphy.  We've got notes on the discovery of the original WWWF title belt and a background in 1963 of how the title first came to being.  We've got notes on the legal settlement and why the scratch logo is back on old WWF footage.  We have notes on a Punk/Austin face-to-face interview session.  We've got an update on Mark Henry's return, more on the WWE/Scooby Doo movie idea, tons more on new WWE signings and cuts, including one member of the U.S. Olympic team that is in talks.  We've got more on the roster for WWE 13, and the latest on C.M. Punk vs. AW on AW's firing.
 
        We also have notes on the WWE web site, the WWE You tube channel, Jim Ross talks origination of one of pro wrestling's mast famous gimmicks, Paul Heyman talks his WWE run, coverage of a WWE minor title change as mainstream, the next show in Madison Square Garden and A.J. talks about how she got into WWE.
 
        We also look at plans for K-1 on Spike TV as well as Spike.com for the next several months and into 2013.  We look at the lineup for the first show in Los Angeles, as well as K-1's rival as the big kickboxing league, Glory Sports.
 
        We also have coverage of the crazy DDT promotion and how it drew one of the biggest non-WWE, New Japan, AAA or UFC crowds of 2012, as well as the main event that is getting talked about as one of the year's best bouts.
 
        We also have an update of just how many homes all of the major cable providers that have pro wrestling or MMA programming are really in right now.  
 
         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:
 
--Wrestler wins a court case to give him the right to use one of the most famous names in wrestling history in a battle with a family member
 
--A look at CMLL's anniversary month and some of the big events on it
 
--A look at feuds being built up for the month
 
--Notes on the first night of the annual CMLL Champion of Champions tournament
 
--What major world champion has become a surprise entrant into the tournament
 
--How the new Mistico is drawing
 
--What the promotion is charging to get bookings with the new Mistico
 
--How much Sin Cara made at his peak as Mistico in Mexico
 
--American stars headed to Mexico for a major show
 
--A look at this past week's AAA TV taping
 
--Dragon Gate fills vacated title
 
--All Japan makes an offer for one of pro wrestling's all-time greats to be part of a legends tag team
 
--A look at All Japan's major show this week that celebrates Kaz Hayashi's 20th year as a pro wrestler
 
--Samoa Joe & Magnus return to Japan to defend their tag titles
 
--Notes on newcomers to Japan
 
--Notes on the NOAH jr. heavyweight tag team tournament
 
--Notes on the upcoming Yuji Nagata 20th year anniversary show
 
--Prince Devitt talks about New Japan in comparison to WWE and TNA
 
--The son of one of pro wrestling's biggest stars turns in his golf clubs to go to the Snake Pit
 
--Former WCW star running for mayor
 
--Dave Bautista's biggest acting role to date
 
--Former WWF star in the 80s now in jail
 
--Reality show star's death notes he did some pro wrestling
 
--Documentary on the history of ECW
 
--Return of Davey Richards to ROH and possible storyline
 
--Notes on ROH television tapings
 
--Why the Claire Lynch angle changed directions
 
--Early estimate on Hardcore Justice on PPV
 
--TNA injury notes
 
--Update on the Bound for Glory series
 
--Update on Sonjay Dutt in TNA
 
--Notes on Bound for Glory
 
--Taryn Terrell's TNA debut
 
--Notes on the new Gut Check competitor
 
--Notes on the Gail Kim wedding on television
 
--Former TNA wrestler with a big push sent to OVW
 
--TNA weekend house show notes
 
--The latest on Jon Jones vs Chael Sonnen and how likely that match is to happening
 
--Jones explains why he made the comments he did regarding Lyoto Machida and facing him again
 
--Notes handicapping Jones vs. Dan Henderson
 
--More on UFC 150 numbers
 
--Frankie Edgar's move to featherweight
 
--Thoughts on who Edgar's first opponent could be and where it could take place
 
--Dana White talks Anderson Silva vs. GSP one more time
 
--Update on the UFC lawsuit in New York, trying to be able to run events in the state
 
--Another UFC fighter arrested and being held
 
--Who will be on TRT at the next UFC event
 
--Thoughts on the UFC lightweight division with Edgar moving out
 
--UFC fighter safes a drowning person
 
--Urijah Faber talks future
 
--Jason Miller talks about the incident
 
--New UFC and Strikeforce fights
 
--UFC star training movie star in a major upcoming movie where he'll play the role of a former gold medalist
 
--Notes on the Bellator weekend show as well as a title match announced
 
--Shinya Aoki returns to action
 
--The Secretary of State in Nevada does his first, and he says his last, MMA fight
 
--A new promotion gets a U.S. TV deal
 
--More on Batista's MA debut
 
        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.
 
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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.
 Today's News, Notes and Links




-- Today is Vince McMahon's big 67th birthday.


-- Officially, UFC 151 no longer exists as the Toronto show, due to all the advertising being out already, will continue to be billed as UFC 152. Dana White said 151 will be remembered as the event that Jon Jones and Greg Jackson MURDERED.


-- We have reports of commercials for the murdered PPV airing all over the place.


-- As noted on the front page last night, at this point, four matches from the planned UFC 151 show have been moved: Kyle Noke vs. Charlie Brenneman will be on 9/22 in Toronto. Danny Castillo vs. Michae Johnson, Jacob Volkmann vs. Shane Roller and Jay Hieron vs. Jake Ellenberer will be on 10/5 in Minneapolis. Ellenberger vs. Hieron will be pushed as the co-main event behind Travis Browne vs. Antonio Silva for the show.


-- Noke does an interview heresupporting Jones' decision. He said Jones, who is a teammate, called him this morning and apologized for what happened with the cancellation of the show. Noke's theory based on reading Chael's Twitter (not the best evidence in support of any theory I would guess) is that Cheal had, in fact, been training for a lot longer than he'd lead on with the expectation that he might be called to take the fight with Jones.


-- In the preposterous odds category, Jon Jones is currently a -1300 (MINUS ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED) favorite over Vitor Belfort for the UFC 152 main event. Belfort is +750. I don't expect Belfort to win (at all), but in a fight where anything can happen, particularly since Belfort, if nothing else, has a power punch that can knock Jones out if it connects on the button, that's a ridiculous line. This will be Belfort's first light heavyweight fight in five years. Joey Odessa actually said you couldn't make the line high enough for this fight. I suppose this is his line of work and not mine, but wow. MMA Junkie noted that the last time Odessa put odds like this on a fight it was UFC 69 with GSP vs. Matt Serra, and Serra pulled off the gigantic upset there.


-- If you haven't heard it yet, we've got an exclusive interview with Chael Sonnen recorded moments after everything went down yesterday up here, and it's FREE. If you sign up, well, I did four other shows yesterday so you'll get your money's worth pretty much immediately.


-- At last night's NXT tapings they did a dream indy match with CM Punk teaming up with Seth Rollings to beat the former Kings of Wrestling, Antonio Cesaro (Claudio Castagnoli) and Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero).


-- Latest Bound for Glory Series standings after last night:


1. James Storm -- 66 points
2. Samoa Joe -- 61 points
3. Rob Van Dam -- 55 points
4. A.J. Styles -- 50 points
5. Kurt Angle -- 48 points
5. Bully Ray -- 48 points
7. Mr. Anderson -- 47 points
8. Jeff Hardy -- 42 points
9. Christopher Daniels -- 33 points
10. Magnus -- 28 points
11. Robbie E -- 12 points
12. D'Angelo Dinero -- 7 points


-- It appears Mr. Anderson and everyone from Chris Daniels on down is out of matches and thus out of the running for the final four unless someone manages to lose 10 points regularly.


-- Smackdown tonight has Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio in a number one contender's match with a surprising finish (in a good way), Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler in a non-title match, Kofi Kingston & Truth vs. Epico & Primo, Layla vs. Alicia Fox, Ryback vs. Jinder Mahal, Antonio Cesaro and more.


-- Really fun interview with Brodus Clay heretalking about how he got discovered by both Snoop Dogg (which is where he got the "Brodus" name) and WWE, both, in fact, at the same place.


-- From DGUSA: We have a new Weekly Special to help you get ready for El Generico vs. Samuray Del Sol III. The EVOLVE 14 and EVOLVE 15 iPPVs at www.WWNLive.com On Demand are 33% off and just $9.99 each until August 29th. These cards featured the first two amazing matches between El Generico and Samuray Del Sol. There hasn't been two matches like this on back-to-back nights in recent memory. Both iPPVs are already discounted so no code is needed. The best part is when you purchase you have unlimited On Demand access forever. Take advantage of this special and see some wrestling that will blow your mind as we head to Generico vs. Del Sol III on September 8th at EVOLVE 17.


-- Also: EVOLVE 17 is just two weeks away on September 8th in Voorhees. NJ. Tickets are now on sale in the DGUSA.tv Store or by calling 267-519-9744. This card will be broadcast on worldwide live iPPV with three pricing options starting at just $9.99. You can pre-order now at WWNLive.com. This is arguably the deepest EVOLVE card yet, which has created an unusual problem. EVOLVE officials can't decide on the main event! EVOLVE officials have isolated two matches that can carry the top spot on this loaded card. They are the rubber match of the El Generico vs. Samuray Del Sol series and the completely fresh match of Ricochet vs. AR Fox. The decision on what contest goes on last and is in the show title is now in your hands. EVOLVE has started this poll so you can vote on the main event. Only one match can go on last and be in the show title. The choice is yours. Here is a direct link to the poll: http://www.dgusa.tv/polls.htm. The voting will conclude this Wednesday and the winning match will be announced in a DGUSA/EVOLVE Alerts.


-- If you never saw it, the famous OVW Heartbreakers workout video is here.


-- Audio interview with our own Mike Sempervive here.


-- Stage five highlights from the Adam Pearce vs. Colt Cabana best of seven series up here.


-- Lawsuit Against Mark Burnett Companies Seeks Payment For MTV’s ‘Bully Beatdown’


-- Interview with a concussed Rey Mysteriotalking his career, the lawn dart spot in WCW with Kevin Nash, and more.


-- Canada’s Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, has announced a multi-year broadcast deal with Extreme Fighting Championship Africa, Africa’s most prominent mixed martial arts organization. Fight Network will be the official home for EFC Africa events in Canada through 2015, commencing with a broadcast of EFC Africa 8 from April 2011, the first event to have three title fights in one night. Both past and future EFC Africa events will be broadcast on Fight Network.


-- Traditional Championship Wrestling presents BASH AT THE BLUFF 2 Pine Bluff Convention Center, Pine Bluff, AR, Saturday, August 25, 2012, 6:30 PM Bell Time, VIP Meet & Greet 4:30 PM, Doors open to the public 5:30 PM


-- From RJ himself: RJ Brewer, who has been wrestling for Lucha Libre USA for the past two years and has gotten a ton of political press for bashing the U.S government on their lack of border control, is now taking aim at U.S. Senate Candidate, Connecticut Republican Linda McMahon! Brewer has been extremely critical of Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney, even saying they are two pathetic choices when it comes to running the country. Brewer says he knows and has a lot of inside facts about Linda and what went on under her watch as President and C.E.O. of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) that would make voters think twice about supporting her campaign. Owning a home on the CT/MA border and being directly affected by Linda in the senate, he has decided to take a stand. "Someone who spends 62 million dollars of her own money to win a job that pays 170k a year makes zero sense to me. All that money could have paid for great benefits for her employees." RJ Brewer has recently been featured on CNN, Fox News, front page of the LA times, Fox News, and most recently filmed a feature for ABC Nightline. He has also developed a following in the Arizona Republican World, he has become a sought after guest for speaking engagements for Russell Pearce, Author of SB 1070 as well as Sheriff Joe Arpaio. It should be interesting to see what he says about Linda running for Senate.


-- Scott Yager's Production Company is developing a show about wrestling and looking for any wrestlers (preferably independent level) who have interesting day jobs; teacher, nurse, accountant, etc. If you or anyone you know falls under this category please contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


-- On last night's Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Smashing Pumpkins performed. Billy Corgan wore a Resistance Pro shirt during his performance. Thanks to David.


-- Ed, Cutrer, Craig and company discuss WWE's list of the top 50 finishers tonight at Blogtalk Radio


-- EARL HEBNER SEMINAR Saturday August 25, 2012 Golds Gym 2485 Hope Mills rd Fayetteville NC. Warm-ups begin at 12noon. Hebner Experience starts at 1pm to 3pm. Cost is $30. Learn how to score young chicks.


-- Chris Jericho's band Fozzy will be appearing at Collector's Realm this Monday August 27th from 5:30 to 7:30pm for a CD signing to celebrate the release of "Sin & Bones". Collector's Realm is located at 44 Raymond Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. For information call 845-473-8697 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


-- The Eastern Wrestling Alliance will be returning to the Springfield Turnverin on Saturday Sept 8th at 7:30 pm. Antonio "The Promise" Thomas will be facing Alex Cypher for the EWA title.


-- Should Jon Jones have taken the fight with Chael Sonnen?
Yes 77.8%
No 22.2%


Did Jon Jones' handlers make the right call?
No, part of being champion is having to deal with situations like this 36.9%
Yes, it's silly to risk the title with no time to prepare 18.8%
No, his handlers should realize he's already not popular and this wasn't going too help, particularly when so much of his income comes from sponsors 18.6%
No, he'd have beaten Sonnen and saved the show 16.5%
Yes, doesn't matter about this, people will forget, and if he keeps winning he'll be popular enough 5.5%
Yes, no upside in beating Sonnen 3.7%


Did Dana White handle the situation well?
Yes, he was more honest than most would expect 51.3%
No, Jones is a meal ticket and even if he was mad at him or thought he screwed up, the promoter's job is to protect the rep and drawing power of his meal ticket 31.3%
Yes, White did the right thing for business 10.1%
No, I don't think he was honest 7.2%


What is the biggest show of September
UFC in Toronto 47.5%
WWE Night of Champions 35.0%
TNA No Surrender 10.7%
ROH Death Before Dishonor 6.8%

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