We also have ratings for all the national shows for the past week, who is and isn't watching and how each segment on Raw gained or lost audience. 

        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:

 

--More on the new CMLL world champion

 

--Angle being dropped and wrestlers getting new characters

 

--Identities revealed of two decade long regulars

 

--90s star resurfaces as a new member of Perros Del Mal

 

--The retirement of Abdullah the Butcher and a Japanese ceremony to take place

 

--90s star returns to All Japan to try and bring back their world title

 

--All Japan's start of the year angle involving all of their championships

 

--Notes on the new shooter trio

 

--Notes on end of the year shows in Japan

 

--Controversy over world jr. title name

 

--Notes on A-Rod and Torrie Wilson

 

--Reports on death of Hall of Famer are exaggerated

 

--More on a new movie about one of pro wrestling's biggest stars and who will and won't be involved

 

--Two of the most famous tag teams of the past 20 years face off later this month

 

--Unique pro wrestling show set for Los Angeles

 

--More on Kim Neilson on "Biggest Loser."

 

--Anniversary of the end of one of the longest running weekly TV shows in U.S. history, an it was a pro wrestling show

 

--Update on Barry Windham

 

--Update on Luke Robinson

 

--A look back at 70s star Buddy Colt

 

--Famous evangelist's father was a 60s wrestling star

 

--Notes on next ROH TV tapings and future matches

 

--Notes on the Genesis PPV

 

--TNA's Christmas house shows

 

--Test of FX as a promotional vehicle for UFC

 

--State of UFC's welterweight division

 

--Behind the return of Miguel Torres

 

--Updates on Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos

 

--Notes on ticket sales for upcoming UFC events

 

--Notes on this week's Showtime event

 

--UFC debuts in Sweden

 

--More on UFC's fastest fight arguments

 

--Notes on the UFC return to Japan and how tickets are doing

 

--Fighter retires on camera, and then says he has no recollection of it

 

--Lots of new UFC fights announced

 

--30-year-old solid level MMA fighter passes away tragically

 

--Sapp signs to face a Gracie        

 

          New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major story (ies) 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. 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)
 
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*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage)
 
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*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)
 
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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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America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

 

 

--Not only did Dana White say he was going to strip Cris Cyborg of her championship for testing positive for Stanazolol, a steroid, but that he was looking at dropping the entire 145 pound women's division.

 

--Cyborg herself released a statement today blaming a tainted dietary supplement for her test failure.  I hope she can find that tainted supplement that contains Stanazolol.

 

--Bryan and I will be back tonight covering subjects such as the Cris Cyborg test, TNA Genesis, tonight's Strikeforce show and a lot more on Wrestling Observer radio.  We'll also have another show tomorrow night after the TNA show.

 

--For those in Canada, the entire Strikeforce show including the prelims are on Superchannel starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time. (thanks to Paul Fontaine)

 

--Antonio Cesaro (Claudio Castagnoli) debuted on the road with WWE at last night's house show in Jackson, MS.  He teamed with Michael McGillicutty to lose to Mason Ryan & Alex Riley.  Ted DiBiase also worked Raw last night, but that's due to it being in Jackson.  He grew up there so whenever they run the city for Raw, they bring him there, he gets a pop, and he usually loses anyway.

 

--Maria will be appearing in the corner of Mike Bennett on tonight's ROH show.

--WWE Hall of Fame tickets go on sale on Thursday.  The event will be on 3/31 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.  The only person officially announced as being inducted is Mil Mascaras. (thanks to Michael  Carpenter) 

 

--A story on Jack Swagger building up tomorrow night's Smackdown show in San Angelo, where he talks about growing up in Perry, OK, the city's legacy as a wrestling hotbed, Danny Hodge (the city's all-time sports legend) and his playing football and wrestling at Oklahoma at http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2012/jan/05/a-modeset-man-a-confident-swagger     (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)

 

--Christopher Daniels has been pulled from the WrestleReunion event in Los Angeles because TNA has booked him for the TV taping on 1/28 in London.  He was scheduled to be there as both Christopher Daniels and Curry Man.  Frankie Kazarian and Rosita, who were never announced but were scheduled and to be announced, have also been forced to pull out.  Scott Steiner will still be at the convention as he had signed a contract to appear.  Robbie E and Brooke Tessmacher were also to be at the convention but no word on whether they have to go to the U.K. or not.  TNA is not sending a full crew to London because of the cost so a lot of wrestlers won't be on the TVs for those two weeks.  Superstar Billy Graham is scheduled to attend the convention.

 

--Final 2011 standings based on predictions Josh Nason has recorded

Todd Martin 71%

Dave Meltzer 70%

Mike Sempervive 68%

Mike Sawyer 68%

Josh Nason 68%

Oliver Copp 54%

Bryan Alvarez 53% 

 

--Should Sarah Kaufman get the womens' title shot at Miesha Tate before Ronda Rousey?

Yes, she earned it, holds a win over the champ and Rousey has never fought at 135 41.0%

Yes, Rousey isn't really a star except on the Internet so you should go with the person who earned it 14.2%

Yes, there is no real business difference and it's all about looks, and that's a bad way to decide who gets the shot 9.0%

No, this is a business and Rousey is a bigger star than Kaufman 22.6%

No, Rousey has more upside and can be groomed to be a superstar, Kaufman can't 13.2%

        That's 61.2% who think Kaufman should have gotten the shot.  Somewhat surprising because even in MMA among hardcores the feeling is it should have been Rousey because more people want to see that fight.

 

--Plans for viewing this weekend

Strikeforce 33.0%

TNA Genesis 18.0%

        Of those responding, 50.0% of those watching TNA are also watching Strikeforce.  18% of those watching Strikeforce are also watching TNA Genesis.  54.9% are not watching either show.

 

--Biggest news story of November

Junior Dos Santos beats Cain Velasquez in most watched MMA fight on TV in U.S. history 32.0%

UFC debut on Fox does a 3.1 rating, scores huge with Males 18-34, and Hispanics 28.2%

WrestleMania sells $6.3 million in tickets first weekend they are on sale 16.3%

Rock has first match in 7 1/2 years, Survivor Series does 160,000 domestic buys 15.3%

Killer Karl Kox passes away 3.8%

Dan Henderson beat Shogun Rua in classic match 3.6%

UFC sues New York 0.8%

 

--Poll on Impact

Excellent 24.5%

Good 26.5%

Average 23.5%

Fair 9.2%

Poor 16.3%

        48.4% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Phil Donahue was on Piers Morgan on Thursday night and they were talking about Muhammad Ali, who Donahue said was his all-time favorite guest.  He said that Ali used to go to wrestling at the Louisville Armory and watch Gorgeous George cut heel promos about being pretty and that was how he got his interview style.  He said Ali found himself his own wrestling announcer straight man in Howard Cosell.  He started talking about Gorgeous George, his robes, his hair, etc.  If it was Louisville, it is far more likely Ali was talking about Fred Blassie.  Most historical references to Ali learning from wrestlers, who do claim Gorgeous George, do so after Ali was already a pro boxer and fighting in Las Vegas going to a show with George vs. Blassie that sold out the same arena he didn't draw in.  Ali also claimed it was George.  Blassie, and those close to Blassie, have always insisted it was him.  When Ali met Blassie in 1976, he looked at him and said he was the guy and then a year later went back to saying it was Gorgeous George who inspired him on interviews.

 

--Brad Nessler, an ESPN announcer who is friends with Ric Flair, when talking about a Virginia Tech player who has style in a game on Tuesday said, "styling and profiling, like my friend Ric Flair."  (thanks to Paul Nucci)  

 

--Tommy Dreamer talks about being the wheelman for most of his career, his traveling partners and more in a good article at http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3426777

 

--CMLL on Monday night in Puebla:  Espiritu Maligno& Policeman & Siki Osama b Blue Center & Melinium & Stigma, Lluvia & Luna Magica & Marcela b Seductora & Tiffany & Zeuxis, Diamante & Sagrado & Sangre Azteca b Ephesto & Okumura & Vangelis, Marco Corleone & Maximo & Rush b El Terrible & Dragon Rojo Jr. & Rey Bucanero, La Mascara b Volador Jr. to retain NWA middleweight title

 

--CMLL on Tuesday in Guadalajara:  Evola & Metalik b Esfinge & Virgo, Nitrito & Pequeno Warrior b Meteoro & Ultimo Dragoncito, Fuego b Malefico, Olimpico & Psicosis b Metro & Sangre Azteca, Negro Casas & Mr. Niebla & Polvora b El Hijo del Fantasma & Maximo & Rush (thanks to Kris Zellner)

 

--WWC tonight in Bayamon, Puerto Rico at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum is the annual Euphoria tour big show featuring Ray Gonzalez vs. Gilbert, Carlito defending the Universal title against Ricky Banderas (Mesias in AAA) Blue Demon Jr. vs. Kenny Dykstra, plus Chavo Guerrero Jr. defending the Puerto Rican title.

 

--BWO on 1/21 in Elmwood Park, NJ at American Legion Post 147.  

 

--USWO from last night in Nashville:  Josh Crow b Mike Jablonski, Jason Xavier b Tim Renesto-DQ, Mike Revick b Josh Prada, Chrisjen Hayme b Damien Payne, L.T. Falk b Bully Douglas-DQ, Gary Valiant b Allen Shepard (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)

 

--EWF from last night in Covina, CA:  Valiant NC Stryde, Sugar Sweet b Mexican Warrior, Eddie Mattson b Chowder, La Familia NC A-List, Mike Maze b Freddy Bravo, Josh Dunbar b Rock Riddle (Rock Riddle, he has to be in his 60s by now), Johnny Starr b Tommy Wilson

 

--Empire Wrestling from last night in Avondale Estates, GA:  Hayden Young b Devlin Valek, Aesha & Brian Blaze DCOR Pandora & Simon Sermon, Shawn Tempers b Marko Polo-DQ, Sylar Cross & Matt Sells & Chad Silva b Ken O'Sullivan & Tommy Daniels & Phantom, Fred Yehl b Ultimate Warhorse, Shane Nars & Dany Only & Jagged Edge b Warhorse #2 & Warhorse 88 & Warhorse 300, De La Vega & Vandal b Zach Daniels & Zachary Blaine, Jay Fury b Mr. Eric, Mason b Eric Walker.  Next show is Thursday night in Atlanta at The Masquerade,.