WED. UPDATE: Mark Coleman hospitalized, Jerry Lawler DVD not looking great, WWE CFO at Deutche Bank Conference, history, & more
by David Bixenspan | davidbix@wrestlingobserver.com | Follow @davidbix
TV tonight:
NXT at 8 p.m. ET on WWE Network features The Jersey Boys vs. The Lucha Dragons, Carmella vs. Alexa Bliss, CJ Parker vs. Alex Riley, and Tyler Breeze vs. Hideo Itami.
Lucha Underground at 8 p.m. ET on El Rey features Pentagon Jr. vs. Argenis, Angélico vs. Ivelisse with Son of Havoc as guest referee, and Johnny Mundo vs. King Cuerno in a steel cage match. You can check out the teaser video on the Lucha Underground Twitter account as well as an unlisted preview clip of the main event on El Rey’s YouTube channel.
No new UFC shoulder programming on Fox Sports 1 or Fox Sports 2 due to soccer and college basketball commitments.
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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.
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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
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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)
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*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)
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* September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)
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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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Wednesday Daily Update
— Former UFC fighter Wes Sims has started a GoFundMe crowd-funding campaign to cover expenses for his long-time coach, UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman. The link has more details, but he damaged his hip replacement, got a bad infection, and is going to be hospitalized for several weeks. The goal is to cover medical expenses, cost of living (the GoFundMe page says Coleman has no steady income), and whatever he would have made at apperances that he had to coancel.
— WrestlingDVDNews.com has been doing day by day reveals of partial match listings for WWE’s upcoming Jerry Lawler DVD/Blu-Ray set. Unfortunately, it looks like there’s not going to be anything on the set not in WWE’s existing libraries, meaning very little Memphis footage. That’ll probably open the floodgates as to why, but it’s safe to say that while there’s some good stuff in the released listings so far, it won’t really capture the essence of why Jerry Lawler is JERRY LAWLER. Well, at least we have YouTube.
— Episode 2 of UFC 185 Embedded is up. Johny Hendricks eats at his steakhouse, while, Anthony and Sergio Pettis have a special light meal prepared by their nutritionist, incudling purple sweet potato hash, which sounds delicious.
— Chris Harrington recaps WWE CFO George Barrios’ speech at the Deutche Bank Conference in Florida. Good analysis by Chris as always.
— TNA’s preview for this Friday’s Impact Wrestling, titled “There Will Be Blood,” is now up on YouTube.
— This week’s Sherdog Top 10 as run down by Patrick Wyman: The best five round fights.
— Some today in history notes for March 11th:
– 22 years ago in 1993, Sting beat Vader to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at a house show in London, England, which you can watch on DailyMotion. Vader regained the title six days later in Dublin, Ireland, and you can watch that, too. I can’t remember if either switch was acknowledged directly on WCW TV, but WCW Magazine was open about it and both wrestlers were always credited on TV with the correct number of world title reigns.
— That same day, Adolfo “Dino Bravo” Bresciano, 44, was shot dead in his home in Quebec. His murder is believed to be part of some kind of fallout from a cigarette smuggling scheme he was involved in. With three big name wrestler deaths (Bravo, Kerry Von Erich, and Andre the Giant) in a two month span, this was the first time where it started to feel like a real problem, and that became a lot more pronounced when John Studd, Art Barr, and Eddie Gilbert passed away in late 1994-early 1995. To see Bravo in happier times at his peak, check out this match vs. Abdullah the Butcher from Quebec City in 1983.
– 21 years ago in 1994, UFC 2 took place in Denver, Colorado. In a one-off experiment, the tournament was expanded to 16 fighters with the entire first round taking place before the PPV went on the air and the broadcast starting with the quarterfinals. It was also the first UFC tournament with a completely random draw, the first UFC card refereed by John McCarthy, and the first UFC event with a grappler (Gracie student Ben Perry) on commentary. In the cage, it’s probably best remembered for Patrick Smith’s 30 second destruction of Scott Morris, a self-professed ninja, which gave us the first really iconic MMA photo, a shot of Morris right after the fight that was all over UFC promotional material for a while.