FRI UPDATE: Tons of big shows: UFC has tons of TV this week, WWE inks new major deals, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, More Mania week matches, WWE Mania note, King of Indies, Foley, TNA stars talks DeMott, Network schedule

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By dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>Dave Meltzer

We’re looking for reports tonight on the WWE house show in Abbotsford, BC (Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Bad News Barrett, Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper, Kane), TNA TV tapings in Orlando (James Storm vs. Jeff Hardy cage match), NXT in Bartow, FL and ROH in Milwaukee (Jay Briscoe & Jay Lethal vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly, Samoa Joe vs. ACH, Jimmy Jacobs & B.J. Whitmer vs. Trent Baretta & Rocky Romero, Mark Briscoe vs. Beer City Bruiser, Arya Daivari vs. Roderick Strong, Will Ferrara vs. Silas Young, Matt Taven vs. Cheeseburger) at dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We’re also going to be doing weekend polls on UFC 185, the New Japan Cup finals and AAA Rey de Reyes.

New Japan World Pro Wrestling on AXS at 8 p.m. (one hour earlier than usual)

Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP title from the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2014

Impact tonight at 9 p.m. on Destination America

  • Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards vs. DJ Zema Ion & Jessie Godderz vs. Manik & Seiya Sanada for tag titles in an Ultimate X match
  • Bobby Roode vs. Eric Young last man standing
  • Drew Galloway vs. MVP
  • Magnum vs. Bram
  • Brooke Tessmacher vs. Robbie E
  • Rockstar Spud vs. Ethan Carter III hair vs. hair

Premier Boxing debuts on Spike at 9 p.m.

  • Josesito Lopez vs. Andre Berto
  • Shawn Porter vs. Erick Bone

CES MMA at 9 p.m. on AXS TV

Rick Hawn vs. Derek Loffer main event


UFC 185 from the American Airlines Center in Dallas

FIGHT PASS AT 6:30 p.m. Eastern time

  • Germaine DeRandamie vs. Larissa Pacheco
  • Joseph Duffey vs. Jake Lindsey
  • Ryan Benoit vs Sergio Pettis


FX (not FS 1) AT 8 p.m. Eastern

  • Jared Rosholt vs. Josh Copeland
  • Daron Cruickshank vs. Beneil Dariush
  • Roger Narvaez vs. Elias Theodorou
  • Ross Pearson vs. Sam Stout

PPV AT 10 p.m. Eastern

  • Henry Cejudo vs. Chris Cariaso
  • Roy Nelson vs. Alistair Overeem
  • Matt Brown vs. Johny Hendricks
  • Carla Esparza vs. Joanna Jedrejczyk for the women’s strawweight championship
  • Anthony Pettis vs. Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight title

We’re also looking for reports on Saturday from WWE in Milwaukee (John Cena, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Rusev, Bray Wyatt, Usos), WWE in Seattle (Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Bad News Barrett, Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper, Kane), TNA TV tapings in Orlando and ROH in Chicago (Jay Briscoe defends ROH title against the winner of Mark Briscoe vs. Silas Young vs. Roderick Strong vs. Matt Taven earlier in the show, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Trent Baretta & Rocky Romero, Jay Lethal vs. Cliff Compton, Samoa Joe vs. Michael Elgin, Jimmy Jacobs vs. ACH — in the Fish & O’Reilly and Lethal matches, they are non-title matches but if the challengers win, they get title shots later that night)

New Japan Cup finals from Hiroshima on New Japan World (tape delay early Sunday morning)

  • Jushin Liger & Kushida & Jay White vs. Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada
  • Satoshi Kojima & Yohei Komatsu vs. Yuji Nagata & Sho Tanaka
  • Togi Makabe vs. Hirooki Goto in New Japan Cup semifinal
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito in New Japan Cup semifinal
  • Katsuyori Shibata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Tama Tonga & Cody Hall
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Captain New Japan vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano
  • Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi
  • New Japan Cup finals

Pro Wrestling NOAH from the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo (not available live in the U.S.)

  • Hiroshi Kumano vs. Mitsuhiro Kitamiya
  • Yoshinari Ogawa & Zack Sabre Jr. & Super Crazy & Jonah Rock vs. Mohammed Yone & Katsuhiko Nakajima & Taiji Ishimori & Captain NOAH
  • Akitoshi Saito & Quiet Storm vs. Daisuke Sekimoto & Yuji Okabayashi
  • Takeshi Morishima & Maybach Taniguchi  vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Manabu Nakanishi
  • Masato Tanaka & Takashi Sugiura vs. Shelton Benjamin & Takashi Iizuka
  • Kenou & Hajime Ohara vs. Daisuke Harada & Genba Hirayanagi vs. Taka Michinoku & Taichi for GHC jr. tag titles
  • Atsushi Kotoge vs. Taichi for GHC jr. title
  • Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls for GHC tag title
  • Naomichi Marufuji vs. Minoru Suzuki for GHC heavyweight title

AAA REY DE REYES on iPPV for $10 Sunday at http://internetvluchalibreaaa.com

  • Rey Mysterio Jr. & Myzteziz vs. Perro Aguayo Jr. & Pentagon Jr.
  • Aero Star vs. Psycho Clown vs. Mesias vs El Texano Jr. in finals of Rey de Reyes tournament
  • Alberto El Patron vs. Brian Cage (as of last night this match was still scheduled even though Alberto is injured)
  • Blue Demon Jr. & Jack Evans & Angelico vs. Cibernetico & Chessman & Averno
  • Fenix vs. El Hijo del Fantasma (King Cuerno) for the AAA cruiserweight title
  • Drago & Bengala & Super Nova vs. Daga & Super Fly & El Hijo de Pirata Morgan
  • 2 other matches

Sunday also has WWE in Minneapolis (John Cena, Randy Orton, Usos, Rusev, Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins) and Portland, OR (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Daniel Bryan, Kane, Luke Harper, Bad News Barrett) as well as more TNA TV tapings in Orlando.

Raw will be Monday in Des Moines.  No Brock Lesnar this week.  TNA finishes up its tapings in Orlando.

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday in Kansas City.

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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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Bill DeMott’s resignation, what led to it happening, incidents that are claimed to have taken place and a rundown of developmental, is the headline story in the March 16 double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We also have an update on what is going on with Brock Lesnar and Vince McMahon, the WrestleMania card, more on Rampage Jackson’s Bellator contract and what was in it, Al Haymon’s attempt to bring boxing back to the mainstream and how this relates to wrestling and MMA, Coverage of the New Japan Cup and a look at PWG.

The latest issue of the observer Mar. 16, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Bill DeMott resigns from WWE, Brock Lesnar-WWE impasse continues, PWG live report

Website subscriptions, which include access to both current and older newsletters as well as every audio show in the history of the site as low as $9.99 per month!

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

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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.

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 lead story looks at Bill DeMott’s tenure as head trainer for WWE developmental.  We look at how he got started as a trainer, We look at the history of the WWE developmental program, why it was a surprise at first that DeMott was made head trainer, more on the complaints regarding DeMott, the claimed language used and how this relates to what pro wrestling was.  We look at injury issues in developmental, why cameras were put on all practices, if there was a feeling DeMott was a time bomb, and why WWE handled this the way it did.

We look at other firings in WWE caused by outside pressure, including the departure of Hulk Hogan in 1992.  We look at different things said  by different former WWE performers regarding DeMott and this situation.  We also look at talent development itself.

We up date Brock Lesnar’s contract situation and negotiations, his timing, how things that have taken place work in his favor.   We also update WrestleMania.

We look at the unique Rampage Jackson Bellator contract, where he said they breached, notes on the Bellator PPV, his guaranteed fight money and bonuses.

We also look at Connor Michalek and the WWE Hall of Fame, WWE signs book deal, Notes on this year’s SummerSlam as well as the 2016 version, Daniel Bryan talks his return, the Rumble and his Mania match, current WWE value, Pat Patterson talks career to Chris Jericho, Patterson talks the first WrestleMania and Royal Rumble creation, John Cena honored, rundown of NXT shows and activities in Ohio, as well as a look at the WWE house shows and business notes from the past week.

We also look at the attempt with the Premier Boxing Championships to take boxing mainstream, and look at the debut show on NBC.  We compare the ratings and the difference in audience makeup to that of UFC.  We look at the PBC plans for 2015, and how they compare to what Vince McMahon did in 1984 and what the UFC did in 2005.  We look at upcoming events, what the goal is, decisions, talent pay and overall economics related to the show.

We update the New Japan Cup, with the next iPPV lineup, early notes on the Invasion Attack show along with coverage of the first two events.

We also look at PWG, its changes, what has happened regarding some ROH talent, as well as a look at their last show.

We also have complete win-loss records of all TNA talent in 2014.

We also look at WWE business for January in several categories, including live attendance and television ratings.

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:

–CMLL lineup for its first major show of the year

–What CMLL is doing for fans who watch Dos Leyendas at the movie theaters

–Tournament final to crown new NWA light heavyweight champion

–Finals of the incredible partners tournament

–Update on Alberto Del Rio injury

–AAA iPPV show this week ad notes on how to order

–A look at AAA’s TV tapings this past week in Mexico City

–A look at the debut of Brian Cage in AAA

–Keiji Muto loses W-1 title belt and a look at the singles and tag titles in the promotion, plus the cruiserweight tournament

–A look at this week’s Dragon Gate iPPV show

–Early notes on the next major Dragon Gate shows

–Notes on the 2015 Champion Carnival tournament

–First real big test of the new NOAH booking

–Notes on future of New Japan World

–New Japan stars headed to U.K.

–Shoot tournament to crown a pro wrestling world champion starts in April

–Special perks for Observer readers over WrestleMania weekend

–Tons of notes on activities and shows over Mania weekend

–Update on the first New Japan PPV, how it did, as well as an update on the future of Global Force Wrestling

–Notes on Northeast Wrestling doing an indie show that did more than 2,000 fans

–A look at Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore show

–Notes on the wXw 16 Carat Gold tournament

–Major Lucha Libre stars headed to he U.K.

–70s star resurfaces after winning battle over cancer and wrestles his first match in 24 years

–Another former UFC fighter now training for pro wrestling

–Notes on the next ROH PPV show

–Notes on the ROH shows with New Japan

–More on the Samoa Joe vs. Jay Briscoe ROH title match

–The biggest threat to ROH right now

–Lineups for this week’s ROH house shows

–Matt Sydal injury notes

–A look at the next month of ROH television

–Changes in TNA television

–TNA tag team title notes

–Wrestler to debut this week with TNA

–New TNA TV contract

–Notes on this week’s UFC show 

–Thoughts on the new Johny Hendricks

–UFC to have a four hour live show on FOX

–New UFC fights

–Pay records for the last Invicta show

–More on PPV potential of Rousey vs. Cyborg

–More on Burt Watson quitting UFC

–Watson talks about his departure

–A look at UFC’s debut in The Philippines

–Next Bellator lineup featuring former star from Japan

–Renzo Gracie pleads guilty to assault charges

–Jason Miller arrested again

–Former UFC fighter tracks down robber

–Next Ben Askren fight

–Chael Sonnen returns to combat

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.

FRIDAY’S NEWS UPDATE

  • Not much of note from the UFC weigh-in.  Henry Cejudo made it with a pound to spare, living on a diet of grilled chicken breasts, water and fruit.  Johny Hendricks looked in the best shape of his career, didn’t like roided at all, just dieted and weight trained, and Joanna really stole the show with her charm.  At the weigh-ins, the women got a much bigger reaction than one would have thought, although to the local crowd, Hendricks is clearly the star of the show.
  • FS 1 has announced a ten day UFC prime time marathon. 

Monday (all times Eastern) 

7 p.m. Ronda Rousey Breaking Ground special (this was done last year)

8 p.m. UFC Unleashed women

9 p.m. Juliana Pena vs. Jessica Rakoczy

10 p.m. Best of Ronda Rousey (TV premiere)

10:30 p.m. Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche (TV premiere of the famous 2013 fight)

Tuesday

9:30 p.m. Carla Esparza vs. Rose Namajunas

Wednesday

8 p.m. UFC Tonight

9 p.m. Demetrious Johnson vs. John Moraga

10 p.m. Demetrious Johnson special (TV premiere)

10:30 p.m. Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez 1

Thursday

8 p.m. T.J. Dillashaw special

9 p.m. T.J. Dillashaw special (TV premiere)

9:30 p.m. T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao

10 p.m. Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber

Friday

9 p.m. Conor McGregor special

9:30 p.m. Top featherweight special (premier) on McGregor, Jose Aldo, Ricardo Lamas and Cub Swanson

10 p.m. Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar

The special programming continues through 3/27.

  • Inside MMA is on one hour earlier than usual tonight, at 11:30 p.m. with Steve Austin as guest along with Ryan LaFlare, Burt Watson and Johny Hendricks.
  • WWE has signed Michelle Wilson, George Barrios and Kevin Dunn, the three-leading people in the company not part of the McMahon family, to new deals that will give each of them 174,095 shares of stock (worth close to $3 million) based on if the company meets financial goals, provided they stay through July 2018.  The plan also gives all three a one-year non-compete in their contracts if they leave the company.
  • According to the Los Angeles Times, both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have agreed to constant unannounced testing by USADA for their fight, from today until fight time.  If either fighter fails a test, they agree to a four year ban from boxing.
  • UFC inked a deal with Monster Energy for all the world markets except for Brazil.  Monster Energy has also signed endorsement deals with Ronda Rousey, Anthony Pettis and Johny Hendricks.
  • Ricochet vs. Matt Cross vs. Joey Ryan has been added to the 3/27 King of Indies show at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.  There will also be an Ultimo Dragon vs. Juventud Guerrera singles match on 3/28.
  • WWE has hired a local casting agency in San Francisco looking for males to work as marching Russian soldiers on 3/29, which means WrestleMania, which looks to mean a special ring entrance for Rusev.
  • WWE has added another Canadian date in May, 5/2 in Halifax at The Forum (thanks to Steven Ashe) 
  • First round matches on the King of Indies tournament on 3/27 at 8 p.m. have:

Brian Cage vs. B-Boy

Jeff Cobb vs. Rik Luxury

Lil Cholo vs. Rey Hours

Jody Kristofferson vs. Willie Mack

Jeckles vs. Luster the Legend

Adam Thornstowe vs. Shaun Ricker

Vinny Massaro vs. Mariachi

Timothy Thatcher vs. Dylan Drake

  • AAW on 3/21 in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club has Eddie Kingston vs. Silas Young for the AAW title, Dick Justice vs. Gregory Iron in a blindfold match, Jake & Dave Crist vs. Brett Gakiya & CJ Esparza plus Chris Sabin, Johnny Gargano, Candice LaRae, Louis Lyndon, Jimmy Jacobs, Josh Alexander, Ethan Page, and more.  They also run 4/10 with Eddie Kingston, Silas Young, Samoa Joe, Tommy End, Josh Alexander, Ethan Page, Colt Cabana, ACH, Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano and more.
  • Lucha Libre on 4/12 in South Gate, CA at the American Legion Hall.
  • In an article at chicago.eater.com, Lee Varon claimed that unless he receives an offer that blows him away, he is not selling the Squared Circle restaurant, as his wife claimed on twitter.
  • TNA announced the signing of Taryn Terrell today. 
  • Mick Foley’s WrestleMania raffle to raise money for RAINN.  Pretty amazing weekend for the winner.  I should point out that people who have won this in the past absolutely rave about it.
  • An interview with Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud regarding their match tonight, Bill DeMott, and an inability to understand criticism of the company
  • WWE will present a panel discussion for the WWE Network at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the SXSW conference with George Barrios, Renee Young and Hulk Hogan.
  • WWE stock fell 43 cents a share today to $16.68.
  • ONE CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS FROM TODAY IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Adriano Moraes b Riku Shibuya via decision to retain flyweight title

Peter Davis b Rajinder Singh Meena TKO from strikes 2:41

Ann Osman b Walaa Abbas choke 2:23

Ev Ting b Cary Bullos guillotine 1:05 second round

Gianni Subba b Thanh Vu knockout :20

Kirstie Gannaway b April Osenio choke 2:50 second round

Chan Rothana b Ramon Gonzales TKO from strikes 4:48

Agilan Thani b Reant Fabriza Rainir TKO from strikes 1:21

A replay is up at www.onefc.com/livestream for $9.99

  • Live Pro Wrestling on 3/21 in Kelson, New Zealand at the Community Center.
  • Wrestling at The Venue in Carlisle, UK on 3/20.
  • Dragon Pro Wrestling on Sunday in Newport, UK at the Rodney Parade.
  • Paul London headlines for Southwest Xplosion on Saturday in El Paso at 8340 Burnham #300.
  • Vision Pro Wrestling on 3/21 in St. John, New Brunswick at the Simonds Lions Club.
  • Minnesota Independent Wrestling on 3/21 in Columbia Heights, MN at the John Murzyn Hall. 
  • Tidal Championship Wrestling on 3/22 in Leeds, UK at the Leeds University Union.
  • Scrapper Mania on 3/31 in Dublin at the Tivoli Theatre.
  • WCWF on 3/21 in Yuba City, CA at the Riverbend Elementary School.
  • Pro Evo on 3/21 in Bristol, UK at the Merchants Academy.    
  • British Wrestling Evolution on 3/21 in Loughton, UK at Lopping Hall.
  • Legacy Fighting Championships at Wild Bill’s in Duluth, GA on 3/20 live on AXS.  The show starts at 7 p.m. and the TV fights start at 9 p.m.  That means New Japan next week will also be at 8 p.m., not 9 p.m. 
  • Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 4/4 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds with Flash Flanagan and Derrick King. 

ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY INTERNATIONAL (thanks to Graeme Cameron)

1975 – Tiger Jeet Singh beat Antonio Inoki in Hiroshima to win the vacant NWF title

1976 – Hito Tojo (Great Kabuki) & Les Roberts beat Johnny Gray & Ron Miller in Melbourne to win the Austra Asian tag titles

1977 – Gran Markus beat Halcon to win the Mexican national heavyweight title

1981 – Sangre Chicana beat Tony Salazar in Monterrey to win the NWA middleweight title

1984 – Klondike Kate beat Mitzi Mueller to win the British women’s title

1986 – Jon Cortez beat Johnny Saint in Bristol to win the world lightweight title

1996 – Mal Sanders beat James Mason in Graveend to win the world middleweight title 

2005 – Naruki Doi beat Yosshino in a tournament final in Nagoya to become the first Dragon Gate Open the Brave Gate champion

2011 – Alan Stone & Jennifer Blake beat Pimpinela Escarlata & Fabi Apache in Morelia to win the AAA mixed tag titles

2011 – La Sombra beat Mephisto in Mexico City to win the NWA welterweight title

TOMORROW’S WWE NETWORK SCHEDULE (thanks to Bert Duckwall)

12:00 AM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Wrestling’s Highest Flyers collects some of the greatest aerial displays in sports entertainment history!

2:00 AM ET
WWE NXT The future is here. Witness the entertainers, the leading men and women, the Superstars of tomorrow – this is NXT!

3:00 AM ET
WWE SUPERSTARS WWE Superstars features the best of the best in matches you’ll have to see to believe. You never know what to expect – so expect everything!

4:00 AM ET
WCW MONDAY NITRO This episode of Nitro features a shocking appearance that turned the wrestling world upside down. Sting battles Scott Steiner.

6:00 AM ET
WRESTLEMANIA 25 Rey Mysterio vs JBL for Intercontinental Title. The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels. Triple H defends WWE Championship vs Randy Orton.

10:00 AM ET
WWE BEYOND THE RING Wrestling’s Highest Flyers collects some of the greatest aerial displays in sports entertainment history!

12:00 PM ET
LEGENDS HOUSE When the WWE Legends engage a ruthless enemy in a game of live action role play (LARP), their strength as a group is tested.

1:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Strangest Bedfellows of all time!

2:00 PM ET
THIS WEEK IN WWE Get caught up on all the highlights from Raw and Smackdown with This Week in WWE.

2:30 PM ET
FIRST LOOK THE ROAD IS JERICHO A first look at Jericho’s new home video! Jump in a limo and ride with Chris as he shares his favorite stories while traveling the country.

3:00 PM ET
WWE HALL OF FAME Sports Entertainment’s most legendary superstars including Edge, The Four Horsemen, and more enter the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012!

6:00 PM ET
WWE COUNTDOWN Counting down the Top Ten Strangest Bedfellows of all time!

7:00 PM ET
MONDAY NIGHT WAR A controversial group of superstars set out to better sports entertainment and would rely on one another to do so.

8:00 PM ET
WWE HALL OF FAME Sports Entertainment’s most legendary superstars including Edge, The Four Horsemen, and more enter the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012!

11:00 PM ET
WWE HALL OF FAME Sports Entertainment’s most legendary superstars including Edge, The Four Horsemen, and more enter the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012!