Tuesday, 10 March 2015 12:22
by David Bixenspan | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Follow @davidbix
We're looking for your thoughts on Thursday's New Japan Cup first round and Sunday's quarterfinals at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Quick Raw thought before we move on:
Anyone know where last night's show (ran for 3:17) stands as far as the longest Raw episodes? The official 185 minute runtime is long enough a time commitment each Monday night, especially with the show not being especially good as of late, but last night's 197 minute show was especially hard to digest. And then they asked everyone to switch over to WWE Network for an exclusive John Cena interview after the main show ended at 11:17 p.m. ET.
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The newest issue of Figure Four Weekly is up on the site for subscribers (subscribe here) with a look at how there's a larger meaning to the Hulk Hogan Appreciation Night banner fiasco, as well as all of the usual reviews and international news.
The Kindle edition for non-subscribers isn't up yet, but you can still get the February 6th issue, featuring a a eulogy for the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Almanac and Book of Facts (which Kappa Publishing announced it is no longer producing) as well as all of the usual reviews and international news. It's available on the American, UK/Ireland, Canadian, and Australian Amazon Kindle stores, as well as various other regional Kindle stores that I'm probably forgetting.
Also, now available for the first time on Kindle (meaning Kindle devices and anything with the Kindle app) is Fall Guys, the seminal 1937 book that has been described as being like the 1930s version of the Wrestling Observer. It was surprisingly not on Kindle already, so we put together a nice version with a full table of contents w/ chapter marks, proper formatting on everything, etc. Right now it's available from the American, Canadian, and Australian Amazon/Kindle stores OR you can also buy it from anywhere in the world on PayHip, who will provide you with both Kindle and ePub (every other e-reader) format files, and you can either sideload them to your device or have them email it to your Kindle.
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An update on the issues between Brock Lesnar and WWE, his future and more is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also have a feature looking at the records set, between fastest wins, division domination and also all-time records business wise for women set by Ronda Rousey over the weekend along with full coverage of UFC 184. We've got the most in-depth look at the Bill DeMott controversy in WWE. We also look at what went down with Rey Mysterio leaving WWE and where he is headed. We've also got an update on WrestleMania, a look at the ROH PPV as well as the Hulk Hogan ceremony in Madison Square Garden.
The new of the Wrestling Observer: Mar. 9, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Brock Lesnar update, Rey Mysterio leaves WWE for AAA, Bill DeMott allegations
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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.
Our lead story on Brock Lesnar includes what Vince McMahon has told the writing staff abut Lesnar, what exactly happened in Nashville, background of Lesnar showing up on the UFC PPV, what direction UFC would be expected to go in, Lesnar's WWE schedule, and is Mania in jeopardy.
We also look at the business notes on UFC 184, match-by-match coverage, poll results and how much the fighters earned.
We update on Rey Mysterio, including the nature of his departure from WWE, what had been planned for him for this year, what to look out for next, what he is charging for bookings, the AAA World Cup plans with Mysterio and a look of his scheduled bookings.
We also update WrestleMania.
We've got a look at ROH and the return of Samoa Joe, how long he's there, where he's headed, match-by-match coverage with star ratings, poll results, injuries and other notes on the show.
We also update on Anderson Silva's drug test situation, defense, and what to look for when it comes to punishment.
We've also got a report on the weekend Hulk Hogan night in Madison Square Garden. We look at what was said, the real story behind the banner, Hogan's biggest MSG matches, the biggest stars ever in Madison Square Garden and blow-by-blow of the ceremony. We also have full coverage of the card.
We've also got a report on the proposed Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice fight and why I hate it so much.
We've got a detailed report on the Bill DeMott situation, notes from two different complaints, reactions from a lot of people an a lot of perspective on what others there were saying at the time.
We also look at HHH & Stephanie on the WWE Board of Directors, major executive whose hiring got WWE a lot of publicity is gone quietly, More on the Hall of Fame, more on Chris Jericho's WE deal, WWE fund raiser, Talk of location for 2017 WrestleMania, Celebrities coming to Raw, WWE star inks deal with Spike, another indie star signing, final episode of the season of Total Divas, as well as notes on the weekend house shows and highlights of all the shows.
We also look at the various stations carrying pro wrestling and MMA right now and how many homes they are in.
The Observer is the world's most detailed weekly pro wrestling publication, in its 32nd year of publication, and is read by the biggest names in the pro wrestling, industry, MMA industry, sports world and on Wall Street.
We also have our regular features such as the most complete look at ratings, plus results of the major house show events each week in pro wrestling and MMA, and complete inside rundowns of all the TV shows.
Also in this week's issue:
--More on the firing of Mr. Niebla
--Update on tournament for NWA light heavyweight title
--Return of Rush
--Brian Cage gets a push in AAA
--This weekend's AAA TV taping
--Notes on both Dragon Gate big shows of the past week including a show said to be one of their best
--Current booker of Pro Wrestling NOAH
--NOAH championship direction
--Notes on Americans touring New Japan
--Zero-One's 14th anniversary show
--Former WWE performer running for public office
--First-ever match of cultural icons in two weeks
--More on the health of Angelo Mosca
--Big OMEGA show notes
--Update on Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore group
--More from WrestleMania weekend
--Major real pro wrestling event in April
--Notes on upcoming ROH shows
--Major behind the scenes change at UFC
--Bellator suing Rampage Jackson over his signing with WWE
--Behind the legalization of MMA in Victoria, Australia and the plans for the first show there
--Notes on UFC in New York
--Notes on Ultimate Fighter seasons for the U.S. and the Latin America markets
--Thoughts on how Pacquiao vs. Mayweather affects other PPVs this year
--Updates on C.M. Punk
--Notes on the next UFC show
--Jon Jones talks fight with Cain Velasquez
--More on Jones-Johnson prank on Dana White
--Roster for the next season of Ultimate Fighter and their backgrounds
--Storyline behind the next season of Ultimate Fighter
--Tons of new UFC fights made
--Notes on Bellator show at the Mohegan Sun Casino
--New Bellator fights
--Bellator star attacked at the hotel
--More on Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
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.
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.
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)a
*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 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.
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., $20 for shipping costs to Canada and $25 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.
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Tuesday Daily Update
-- WWE sent out a "WWE Fan Council" survey about NXT to select members of their mailing list. From the nature of the questions, it seems like they're trying to gauge interest in NXT running shows outside of Florida with questions ranging from the best ticket prices to whether or not fans would travel, how much NXT merchandise the NXT fans are willing to buy (both online and at shows), which indies they follow (if any), and what non-WWE wrestlers they'd like to see in NXT, with a focus on international talent. This should ramp up all of the talk from the last week about whether or not NXT is even a developmental promotion anymore.
-- WWE filing a trademark (serial number 86553544 if you want to search for it on TESS) for the Clique/Wolfpack hand gesture is getting some attention because the timing is a bit odd to say the least. I don't think they ever tried before, and the same hand gesture is used in a number of different ways throughout sports and entertainment. So the idea that some people are running with is that they're trying to shut down Bullet Club merchandise, which I guess would explain the timing. The Young Backs tweeted some comments seemingly alluding to the story:
When you're apart of the coolest most over stable in the last ten years and it doesn't belong to the Fed I'd be jealous too.
— The Young Bucks (@NickJacksonYB) March 10, 2015
.@wwe Too-Sweet-Me
— The Young Bucks (@MattJackson13) March 10, 2015
-- Here is Wiz Khalifa meeting Vince McMahon in the most awesome wrestling-related photo of the last several months:
Thanks wwe for showin the pothead some love. pic.twitter.com/rd4WqjRXyK
— Cameron (@wizkhalifa) March 10, 2015
-- Kevin Nash talks to TMZ about medical marijuana. One guess as to what his stance is.
-- UFC 185 Embedded opens with the fighters in the title matches' final preparations before leaving for Dallas. Including Joanna Jędrzejczyk taking in the Grand Canyon. Awesome.
-- The UFC 185 Countdown show is up on YouTube in the usual three parts:
Anthony Pettis vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Carla Esparza vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk
Johny Hendricks vs. Matt Brown
A lot of the same stuff that's usually on these shows, but if you have 13 minutes to spare, the Esparza-J.J. segment was really good. Jędrzejczyk sort of reminds me of Khabib Nurmagomedov: They have an uphill battle with the hard to pronounce last names and English as their second language, but they clearly get the promotional side of the sport, have tremendous personalities, and are also completely terrifying.
-- Some today in history notes for March 10th:
- 15 years ago today, in 2000, was one of the oddest nights in UFC history, UFC 24. Kevin Randleman was set to defend the heavyweight title for the first time against Pedro Rizzo and, while warming up backstage, he slipped, hit his head on a pipe, and was knocked unconscious.
- On this day in 2003, Raw featured The Hurricane's win over The Rock to end the comedy-heavy side-feud they had going for a few weeks.
- On this day in 2007, Ernie Ladd passed away after battling colon cancer for a few years. Some great Ladd videos to check out:
Ernie Ladd & Superstar Billy Graham vs. Wahoo McDaniel & Bill Watts (AWA circa 1973) - Film clips of what looks like an incredible match from what was saved, with the heels going flying for everything rhe babyfaces do.
Interview and handicap squash match (WWWF All-Star Wrestling 1/7/76) - This is pretty early in his first run in the territory and it's just awesome. Great, long promo full of some of his best lines. Note that he calls Vince McMahon (and just about everyone else) "Mr. TV Announcer" because he always hopped from territory to territory and couldn't keep track of names.
Interview Re: Andre the Giant (Leroy McGuirk's Championship Wrestling 1978) - "Andre the Dummy, you got a shot...the only shot you gonna get is right in your mouth!" Enough said.
Jay Strongbow sleeperhold angle (Georgia Championship Wrestling circa 1980) - If you haven't seen this, I won't spoil it, but this is classic.
Ernie Ladd & The Midnight Express vs. Jim Duggan & The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Houston Wrestling 1984) - Part 1 - Part 2 - Probably the last really great Ernie Ladd match. He has incredible chemistry with Ricky Morton, using every heel trick he knows to get heat as Morton sells like he's being tortured. Make sure to check out the air Ladd gets on his double leg drops with basically no knees left.
ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY (thanks to Bert Duckwall)
