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 and Impact over the past two weeks gained or lost audience.   We look at how the segments with Chris Jericho, Brodus Clay, and changing a tire during a wrestling show all did.

        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:

 

--One of world's top wrestlers came close to switching promotions, find out how close

 

--Hall of Famer hits 33 years for his active career and still a headliner

 

--Issues with AAA and U.S. television

 

--First AAA TV taping of 2012

 

--Update on Abdullah the Butcher in Japan

 

--ROH wrestlers headed for lengthy stint in Japan

 

--A look at the CMLL & New Japan joint shows coming next week

 

--What promoter is talking about Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor, and the rules they are looking to put it under

 

--A look at WWC's first weekend of the year and international names coming in

 

--John Morrison returns to wrestling in a few weeks 

 

--More on the Kevin Nash/Ultimate Warrior front

 

--End of wrestling at the old ECW Arena

 

--Crazy Jesse Ventura story

 

--OVW sells out, what storyline does it

 

--Former WWE wrestler looks to start doing MMA in Japan

 

--The 1975 world championship discussion

 

--Huge match coming to TV next week

 

--More ROH TV outlets

 

--ROH TV taping notes and future storylines

 

--Notes on TNA taping in London

 

--Details of the taping schedule leading to Against All Odds

 

--Current Against All Odds lineup

 

--Jesse Neal talks about his post-military trauma issues, and leaving TNA

 

--Kurt Angle says different things about going to the Olympics

 

--Angle talks problems in TNA

 

--TV show character modeled after one of the most famous pro wrestlers returns in a few weeks

 

--Abyss talks losing his mask

 

--TNA new TV deals

 

--Notes on recent TNA house shows

 

--Lots of upcoming UFC notes

 

--UFC schedule through August

 

--A look at fighter pay in UFC and Lorenzo Fertitta talks to ESPN about the subject

 

--Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey

 

--Looking at the star power of women fighters

 

--One of the great fights in history may be rematched  if one of the fighters wins his next fight

 

--A look at the next UFC show

 

--Dana White talks Brock Lesnar and WWE

 

--Notes on ticket sales to upcoming shows

 

--UFC kicks off on Fuel

 

--Update on B.J. Penn

 

--Tons of new UFC fights

 

--Story behind new MMA TV show

 

--MMA champion gets Hall of Fame induction at his college

 

--What happens in Japan after New Year's Eve show

 

--Former UFC title contender sentenced to 42 months in prison

 

--Former major woman's wrestling star faces daughter of movie legend in an MMA fight in Japan

 

          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)
 
*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)
 
*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage)
 
*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)
 
*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)
 
        You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.
 
         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.

 

 

--The movie "Haywire" with Gina Carano is killing it with critics.  Last I saw reviews were 91% positive.  It opens on Friday.

 

--In picks from last night, I went 4-1, Mike Sawyer, Mike Sempervive and Oliver Copp went 3-2 and Todd Martin and Josh Nason went 2-3.  Everyone should have been one better because everyone picked Erick Silva over Carlo Prater and that decision was an outright robbery.  At worst it should have been ruled a no contest, not a DQ.

 

--Dana White, as expected, paid Silva his win bonus.  He's going to be booked as if he won the fight.  Dana White suggested Silva appeal the fight.  Marc Ratner of UFC served as the commissioner so he would decide upon the appeal. 

 

--If you think about this, this is completely insane.  Last night Vitor Belfort went into the cage of 206 and Anthony Johnson at 211.  So why did both cut to 185, taxing their kidneys, hurting their cardio for the fight (Johnson lost because the stress of everything on his body caused him to gas out in the first round even with some mind-boggling officiating in that fight) and in one case leading to a significant health issue and making for a fight with fighters who were at less than peak shape?   

 

--Johnny Gargano was hospitalized last night after the Evolve show due to an injury but no other details are available other than he was released and is back home according to pwinsider.com  He had to be helped to the back after his match with Ricochet. 

 

--Should changes be made to rules regarding weigh-ins as they are now structured?

Yes 75.8%

No 24.2%

 

--Which of these names most belongs on the Hall of Fame ballot?

Arn Anderson 49.3%

Brian Pillman 9.8%

Booker T 9.3%

Kevin Sullivan 7.0%

Jeff Jarrett 5.0%

Diamond Dallas Page 3.9%

Koji Kanemoto 3.6%

Jim Duggan 3.4%

Kamala 3.4%

Los Misioneros de la Muerte 2.1%

Los Brazos 1.8%

Pirata Morgan 1.5%

 

--Which of these men most belongs on the Hall of Fame ballot?

Rob Van Dam 25.0%

Junkyard Dog 17.8%

Big Show 11.9%

Bill Dundee 9.4%

Honky Tonk Man 8.5%

Jerry Brisco 7.3%

George Steele 6.0%

Nikita Koloff 5.6%

Austin Idol 3.8%

Ivan Putski 1.7%

Tony Atlas 1.5%

Jos LeDuc 1.5%

 

--Which of these men most belongs on the Hall of Fame ballot?

Magnum T.A. 40.2%

Art Barr 13.5%

Angelo Mosca 12.0%

Yoshihiro Takayama 11.8%

Satoshi Kojima 10.1%

Cibernetico 4.3%

Fuerza Guerrera 3.6%

Pierroth Jr. 1.5%

Jerry Estrada 1.3%

Latin Lover 0.9%

Kato Kung Lee 0.4%

La Fiera 0.4%

 

--Poll on Smackdown

Excellent 30.0%

Good 49.4%

Average 10.0%

Fair 3.8%

Poor 6.9%

        35.5% of those responding didn't see the show 

 

--Chuck Langerman's daily wrestling trivia concerns Scott "Raven" Levy.  Levy grew up in South Florida watching Florida Championship Wrestling and wanted to be a pro wrestler.  He went to Lake Worth Community High School and graduated in 1982.  He went to school with former NBA star Otis Thorpe.  Levy by his own admission was an average athlete and attended the University of Delaware, and studied criminal justice, and planned on being a lawyer.  After reading about Larry Sharpe's Monster Factory in Sports Illustrated, he enrolled in the school in Paulsboro, NJ and started his career in the Memphis territory under the name Scotty the Body.

 

--Between Miss America and the NFL playoffs, nothing from last night's UFC show trended on Google.  I wouldn't have expected anything different. 

 

--The theme song for this year's WrestleMania is "Invincible" by Machine Gun Kelly (thanks to Cohen Morrison)

 

--The Greenwich Times in the gossip section made a mention of Vince McMahon being spotted behind the wheel of a new Bentley with dealer plates last week.

 

--Phil Mushnick ripped on Rick Santorum for his affiliation with WWE. He made fun of him for being a family values candidate while working for WWE, endorsing Linda McMahon two years ago and appearing on Don Imus.

 

--Crossfire Entertainment from last night in Nashville:  L.T. Falk b Chrisjen Hayme, Shane Williams b Shane Eden, David Young & Sigmon b Cassidy Riley & Chase Stevens, Jessicka Havoc b Allysin Kay, Wolfie D b Brian Christopher, Hammerjack b Rhino, Kid Kash b Jerry Lynn, Carlito Colon b Chris Masters, Big Bubba Perry b Arrick Andrews (thanks to Lekisha Oliver) 

--SICW from last night in East Carondelet, IL before 205 fans:  Waco b Chase King, Jamie Lytle b Tony Raze, Jeff Vernetti b Max Archer, Kevin X b Dave Vaughn-DQ, Sean Vincent d Chris Hargas, Ricky Cruz & Gary Jackson b Big Texan & Ron Powers 2/3 falls (thanks to Larry Matysik)     

 

--All Pro Wrestling from last night in Hayward:  Dylan Drake b Mickey Jay, Will Rood b Alexis Darevko, Matt Carlos b Flex Owens, Dos Perfectos b Jody Kristofferson & Dalton Frost to keep tag titles, Billy Blade b Mr. Wrestling IV, Boyce LeGrande b James Watkins-DQ, A.J. Kirsch & Eric Watts (from Tough Enough) b Corvus & Omega, Rik Luxury b Vennis DeMarco, Timothy Thatcher b Adam Thornstowe, Jody Kristofferson won Battle Royal to get a title shot, Jody Kristofferson b Jeckles to win APW Universal title.  Kris Kristofferson was in attendance at the show which ended with all the babyfaces celebrating in the ring with Jody and his family.  Flex Owens suffered a concussion and was taken to the hospital after spiking himself but is okay.  Eric Watts was in great shape as compared to Tough Enough.

 

--The Miami Herald has a story on Jeff Hardy overcoming his addiction issues.

 

--More names added to the WrestleReunion in Los Angeles 1/27 to 1/29 are Sara Underwood of G4's Attack of the Show (2007 Playboy Playmate of the Year), Ken Shamrock and Sid Vicious.  Shamrock and Dan Severn will be there together and you can take photos with both.  Davey Richards vs. Harry Smith has been added to the Saturday night show. (thanks to Daniel Short)

 

--XFC on 2/10 in Knoxville at the City Coliseum for an HDNet show headlined by Drew Fickett vs. Jamie Varner and Nicolae Cury vs. Corey Hill.