MON. UPDATE: Wrestling Observer News 04/09/2012

Monday's News, Notes & Links

 

--The UFC has filed a license request for Alistair Overeem to be licensed to face Junior Dos Santos on 5/26 in Las Vegas.  The hearing will be on 4/24.  There is a lot at stake for everyone involved right now in this situation.

 

--The California State Athletic Commission today upheld the full year suspension for Cris Cyborg for testing positive for Stanazolol.  She, through her lawyer, claimed the substance she took was given to her by her coach as a weight loss aid.  One member of the commission, John Frierson, introduced a motion to cut her suspension to six months for her willingness to appear and take responsibility, but nobody would second the motion. That would have been one scary bad decision.  

 

--There is something to watch.  Brianna & Nicole Garcia, the Bella Twins in WWE, are doing an autograph show on 5/19 at Frank & Sons in the City of Industry, CA.  They are being advertised as "Brianna and Nichole, formerly The Bella Twins in WWE."  We also got word of a convention in New Jersey that has them booked although is not advertising it yet and WWE talent is not allowed at their events.  If they are not on television tonight, I'd read something into this. 

Given Nikki Bella just beat Beth Phoenix in a non-title match at Smackdown, it wouldn't seem that they would be quitting or being let go today.  There were rumors over the weekend that WWE had made some cuts but they wouldn't be announced until everything was finalized and everyone was contacted.  WWE did not confirm anything regarding the Twins.

Regarding the 5/19 autograph signing, besides the Twins, also advertised are Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, Vader, Bob Backlund, Superstar Billy Graham, Road Warrior Animal and Koko Ware.  They have another one scheduled on 6/23 with Lex Luger, George Steele, Tito Santana and Rick Steiner. (thanks to Robb Block)

 

--C.M. Punk was on a TV morning show in Washington, DC, promoting tonight's show.  When Steve Austin was brought up and him challenging Austin was talked about, he said he was above challenging Austin and that he's the champion and Austin is retired, so Austin should be challenging him.  He was clearly working while saying that. 

He did say that Rock had proved him wrong about his return and that he has a wait-and-see attitude on Brock Lesnar, saying that he already walked out once because he couldn't handle the pressure of being world champion.  That's isn't why he walked out, but Punk could be angling for a potential match there as well, and quite frankly, Lesnar should be viewed as a wait-and-see given his track record.

 

--Smackdown did 2.72 million viewers on Friday, well below the pre-Mania numbers so no boost at all from Monday's Lesnar intrigue. Ultimate Fighter did 947,000 viewers, the lowest number for a first-run episode in the history of the show.

--Randy Orton retweeted something a fan sent in saying "Everyone knows about Randy Orton past, so you offer him the movie part and then decide to drop him?"  Unlike others, Orton is pretty much immune for the usual backlash when you say something on twitter that the company isn't happy with.

 

--Rashad Evans and Jon Jones were taped together for tomorrow night's Ultimate Insider TV show that airs at 10:30 p.m. tomorrow on Fuel.  Apparently they went back and forth as you can imagine.

 

--The 5/12 Border Wars show in Toronto will be headlined by the Davey Richards vs. Kevin Steen ROH title match with the piledriver legal that they've been building up since December.  Notable the match is in Toronto, as they clearly want Steen to be the babyface on that night. The match will be on iPPV.  Kevin Kelly wrote yesterday it would be on iPPV but not Go Fight Live.  We're told that some are unhappy Kelly put that out -- not that it isn't true, but that they haven't finalized a deal for a new carrier.    

 

--Here's an update on legalization of MMA in New York. The story notes how State Sen. Joe Griffin of Rome, NY, has sponsored a bill that he hopes will pass in the senate by the end of the month.  The senate has passed it before but it always gets hung up in the Assembly.

 

What rating to you expect Raw to get tonight?

2.8 or less 1.9%

2.9 1.1%

3.0 5.6%

3.1 16.2%

3.2 22.9%

3.3 16.9%

3.4 12.8%

3.5 11.3%

3.6 3.8%

3.7 3.0%

3.8 0.8%

3.9 or more 3.8%

 

What describes most accurately your feelings right now toward Overeem vs. Dos Santos? 

Overeem should be fired right now 40.8%

I hope Overeem's second sample comes up clean so we can have the fight 25.7%

He really should be fired, but I don't want him fired because of his marketability 14.8%

He needs to be out for at least one year 8.5%

He needs to be out for longer than one year because of how everything went down 7.4%

He needs to be suspended, but am hoping the suspension is short 2.8%

 

What was the best of these shows?

WrestleMania 63.0%

ROH night two 11.6%

UFC in Japan 8.6%

Strikeforce Tate vs. Rousey 5.1%

Dragon Gate night two 3.4%

Dragon Gate night one 1.7%

TNA Victory Road 1.7%

ROH Anniversary show 1.7%

WWE Elimination Chamber 1.0%

UFC Ellenberger vs. Sanchez 1.0%

ROH night one 0.7%

TNA Against All Odds 0.3%

 

What was the best TV show of last week?

Raw 69.6%

ROH 7.3%

Smackdown 6.2%

Impact 5.8%

Prime Time Evans vs. Jones 5.4%

Ultimate Fighter 3.5%

Inside MMA 1.2%

UFC Tonight 1.2%

 

Did you like the latest ROH TV show?

Excellent 25.3%

Good 41.3%

Average 21.3%

Fair 1.3%

Poor 10.7%

        52.2% of those responding didn't see the show 

 

--More notes on a seminar and tryout for All Japan Pro Wrestling on 6/2 in Deer Park, NY at the Sportatorium.  This is a onetime event from noon to 4 p.m. that day with cardio conditioning, in-ring drills, matches, promos and ring psychology being talked about.  You will be taught Japanese style wrestling from Keiji Muto and Kai of All Japan.  Bring your attire because some people from the seminar may be asked to do a match later that night on the PWS show.  Only 50 people will be allowed.  Registration fee is $199.  For more info go to ProWrestlingSyndicateStaff@yahoo.com.

 

--The 6/2 show will feature Keiji Muto, Mil Mascaras and Vader all appearing.

 

--AAA booker Konnan and former WWE writer and MLW promoter Court Bauer are back on Radio MLW for free and Stitcher radio. In the latest show, they tell a story about Shawn Michaels not liking to lose.

 

--The funeral for pro wrestling announcer Miguel Alonso, made famous in the 70s on SIN which was syndicated around the country, and later in the 80s with WWF and 90s with WCW, will have the viewing on 4/13 from 5-7 p.m., the rosary from 7-9 p.m. and a service at 9 a.m. on 4/14 at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary at 4472 Lincoln Ave., in Cypress, CA.  For more info you can call 800-204-3131.  The public is invited. (thanks to Mike Lano)

 

--NWA Metro Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Kansas City:  Dey Osyleyz b Ice Man, ACH b Sir Bradley Charles, Kahagus b Jeremy Wyatt, Dingo b Dan Walsh, Mark Sterling b Tyler Cook, Dey Oysleyz b Mad Dog McDowell, Jeremy Wyatt b Michael Strider, Santana Garrett b  Christina Von Eerie, Adam Pearce b Matt Murphy to retain NWA title. (Pearce lost the title to Colt Cabana last night). (thanks to Al Haft)

 

--Lion Fight Muay Thai VI on 5/12 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas headlined by WBC light heavyweight champion Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus.

 

--Latest All Pro Wrestling Gym Wars TV.

 

--SoCal Pro Wrestling on 4/21 in Oceanside, CA at the Boys & Girls Club with a TLC match with Kid Caramba vs. Tommy Wilson as the main event.

 

--WSU has a DVD taping on 4/28 in Deer Park, NY at the NYWC Sportatorium with Jessicka Havoc vs. Mercedes Martinez as the main event.  There is also a mixed tag team tournament for the King & Queen of the Ring on 4/14 in Dunnellen, FL at the Knights of Columbus Hall with the NWS promotion.  Snitsky will be on that show.

 

--NWA Rampage Pro Wrestling on 4/15 at 3 p.m. at Johnny G's in Warner-Robins, GA for a TV taping.

 

--Traditional Championship Wrestling from Saturday night in Fort Smith, AR at the Convention Center before 600 fans:  Greg Anthony b X-Cal, Boink the Clown (Matt Osborne) b Les Mayne, Dexter Hardaway b Dustin Heritage, Genetic Perfection b Richie Adams & Les Mayne, Jon Michael Worthington b Sigmon, Mickie James b Cheerleader Melissa, Matt Riviera b Jeff Jett, Shane Williams b Richie Adams, Tim Storm b Killer Nikels.  Chris Cruise and Ken Resnick worked as announcers.  Bobby Eaton works as an agent for this group.  Next show is 5/5 in Pine Bluff, AR featuring Tammy Sytch, Ricky Morton, Boink and Eaton.

 

--GOUGE on 4/14 in Roxboro, NC at the National Guard Armory for a 7 p.m. show.

 

--NWS on 4/20 in Kearny, NJ at the Presbyterian Boys and Girls Club with Kevin Nash appearing as a referee.  4/27 in Manville, NJ at the VFW Hall has Fit Finlay, Danny Inferno and Mini Boogeyman.   

 

--IWA East Coast on 5/4 in Clendenin, WV headilned by Rhino vs. B.J. Whitmer plus Mad Man Pondo and Chance Prophet.

 

--Tulalip Championship Wrestling on Saturday night in Marysville, WA:  Calibur X b Ray Brooks, Kellen Raeth & Christopher Ryseck b Brickhouse Bereta & Dave Turner, Ethan HD b Exile-COR, Aaron Bolo & Damon James b Sid Sylum & Mike Santiago.  Next show is 4/14 in Marysville, WA at the Pacific Rim Restaurant  (thanks to Charles Short)