MON. UPDATE Wrestling Observer TNA drops former WWE wrestler,

--As noted earlier, John Cena has already flown from Daytona Beach to Portland tonight to be at Raw, so he won't be able to be the starter at the Daytona 500 after all, which has been delayed a couple of times so far due to rain.  Tonight is apparently too big of a show to miss.

 

--Brian Kendrick has been officially released by TNA.

 

--Nothing on Fuel today, but tomorrow's Fuel schedule is Best of Pride at 7 p.m., a replay of the prelims from Saturday's UFC at 8 p.m. and UFC Tonight at 10 p.m.

 

--During bowling's U.S. Open, whenever big pro wrestling fan Pete Weber scored a strike, they played HHH's theme music. He won the title throwing a strike on his last throw to win 215-214 in the championship game and they played the song for about three minutes.  He also started yelling at a fan who was heckling him. Weber was the oldest bowler to ever win and used to do the RVD thumbs when RVD was a big deal in wrestling. (Thanks to Garry Kamansky) 

 

--UFC has announced a press conference for Tuesday, March 6 at 11 a.m. at Radio City Music Hall in New York to promote the 5/5 show at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ.  They'll be back to doing press on how silly it is that UFC is banned in New York.  Appearing at the open to the public press conference will be Dana White, Nate Diaz, Jim Miller, Pat Barry, Lavar Johnson, Josh Koscheck, Johny Hendricks, Rousimar Palhares and Alan Belcher.  Tickets go on sale to Fight Club members on 3/7 at 10 a.m.. and the Internet newsletter presale is 10 a.m. on 3/8.  Tickets go on sale to the public on 3/9.  Tickets are priced at $250, $150, $100, $75 and $50.

 

--Go Fight Live will be doing a free online press conference on Wednesday at 9 p.m. with Davey Richards, Kyle O'Reilly, Eddie Edwards, Adam Cole and Cary Silkin to promote Saturday's iPPV show.

 

--Todd Duffee, Trevor Prangley and Baga Agaev have all signed four fight deals with Sanjay (not to be confused with Sonjay although Sonjay was likely named after Sanjay) Dutt's Super Fight League promotion which debuts on 3/11 with a James Thompson vs. Bob Sapp main event.  The promotion will be airing its shows live on YouTube and will focus on building Indian talent and being an India based promotion.    

 

--Crossfire Entertainment of Nashville has notified us there is a fraudulent ticket operation going on in the city.  They said that there have been people who printed up free tickets for their 3/17 show at the Fairgrounds in Nashville and note that there are no free tickets to the show because $2 from every ticket goes to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  Appearing on the show are Ron Simmons, Fit Finlay vs. Chavo Guerrero, Jerry Lynn vs. Kid Kash, Brian Christopher & ? vs. PG-13 plus Maria Kanellis and Mike Bennett.

 

--ROH has a TV taping at the Du Burns Arena in Baltimore on Saturday night to tape four hours of television with Jay Lethal, Maria Kanellis, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Mark & Jay Briscoe, Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin, Kevin Steen, Mike Bennett, Roderick Strong, Michael Elgin, Kyle O'Reilly, The Young Bucks, Adam Cole, Kenny King, Tommaso Ciampa and more appearing.

 

--The weigh-ins for Saturday night's Strikeforce show with Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey will be 5 p.m. local time in Columbus, OH at Convention Center Hall C.  There will be an autograph singing at 4:30 p.m. with Josh Barnett, Daniel Cormier and Gilbert Melendez. 

 

--C.M. Punk did a video Q & A talking about his travel schedule, who he hated to work with, what celebrities he'd like to punch in the face and more.

 

--Mick Foley talks about who he would be interested in facing, the Cena vs. Punk Money in the Bank match, his favorite wrestling theme music and more.

 

--Tickets for Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto on 5/5 go on sale tomorrow at $1,500, $1,250, $600, $300 and $200. You can only get two tickets at $200 with an order. With the casinos having bought most of the tickets, there are likely not a lot of tickets available.

 

--Cody Hall, Scott's 20-year-old son who featured on the E:60 piece on Scott last year, talks about getting into pro wrestling. He says he wouldn't mind being like Randy Orton, a son of wrestler who is doing good, but doesn't want to be like Ted DiBiase.

 

--The Dragon Gate trios match on the 3/31 WrestleMania weekend show in Miami Beach at the Deauville Beach Resort is official as Cima & Ricochet & Masaaki Mochizuki vs. Low Ki & BxB Hulk & Akira Tozawa.

 

--The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has a story about the All Pro Wrestling vs. Action Zone Wrestling Pacific Challenge on 3/3 in Hayward.

 

--A UFC/Tapout spoof shirt here.

 

Who should Ben Henderson defend his title against first?

Anthony Pettis 61.0%

Frankie Edgar 39.0%

 

What was the best TV show of the past week?

Raw 31.1%

Smackdown 30.2%

UFC 144 prelims 14.9%

Impact 10.4%

ROH 7.2%

Countdown to UFC 144 2.3%

Legacy Fighting Championships 1.4%

CMLL 0.9%

MMA Live 0.9%

UFC Tonight 0.5%

 

--C4 Wrestling from Saturday night in Montreal before 75 fans:  Razan b Ryan Rogan, Jae Rukin b Michael Von Payton, Twiggy b Addy Starr-DQ, Cecil Nyx & Chaz Lovely won four-team over Michael Style & Shayne Hawke, Incredible Hunks and Lucky Sabiti & HC Ryder, Darkko b Pat Skillz, Mathieu St. Jacques b Player Uno, Josh Alexander b Tyson Dux, Sebastian Suave b Buxx Belmar, Stu Grayson b Sexxy Eddy, Mike Baily & Rhino b Kevin Steen & Franky the Mobster (thanks to Dave Musgrave)

 

--IWA East Coast on 3/3 in Nitro, WV headlined by Tommy Dreamer vs. Mad Man Pondo

 

--James Te Huna talks about his fight on UFC's show on Friday night (Saturday morning in Australia). (thanks to Tim Forge)

 

--Chad Mendes, Mike Pyle, George Sotiropolous and Arianny Celeste will be appearing at EB Games in Brisbane, Australia, tomorrow from 4-6 p.m.

 

--ECWA on 3/3 in Newark, DE at the Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club headlined by Papadon vs. Johnny Silver.

 

--Adam Cole talks getting an iPPV main event on 3/4's ROH 10th anniversary show in New York.

 

--Vendetta Pro Wrestling on 3/17 in Santa Maria, CA at Lakeview Junior High School with Chris Masters, A.J. Kirsch, Gangrel, B-Boy and el Hijo de Rey Misterio.

 

--XFC announced a 4/13 show that will air live on HDNet from Jackson, TN's Oman Arena, featuring Felice Herrig vs. Patricia Vidonic as one of the main matches.

 

--KHOU in Houston ran a piece on Chaz and Tugboat Taylor's wrestling school and them doing regular matches in town, which talked about the days of Paul Boesch. They run shows every other Friday night at the VFW Hall off Highway 290 in Northwest Houston.

 

--The latest episode of School of Roc Wrestling is here.

 

--Danish Pro Wrestling from yesterday in Horreby, Denmark before 500 fans:  FNW b Rob Cage, Babyface Davies d Killer Karlsson, Kool Krede d Tito Santana (managed by Traci Brooks), Billy Gunn b D, Jenny Sjodin b Rob Cage, Chaos b Tatanka.  Brooks worked the show even though she had a broken rib and couldn't wrestle. (thanks to Martin Olsen)   

 

--Tully Blanchard appears on 3/24 at the BANG tapings in Ocala, FL.

 

--CWE on 3/8 in Winnipeg at Cowboy's Roadhouse features Ted DiBiase Sr. making an appearance, and a main event of Tommy Dreamer & Thug Crew vs. Sons of Anarchy.

Notes on John Cena tonight

Notes on John Cena tonight

from Figure Four Weekly Online 

 

John Cena will be appearing on Raw tonight.  Cena was the honorary starter of the Daytona 500, which due to weather delays, didn't take place yesterday and was postponed again this afternoon.  The race starts at 7 p.m., but Cena has left Daytona to go to Portland for the show.  A ton of the celebrities involved with the race have left due to other commitments.

UFC 144 live coverage from Saitama, Japan - Edgar vs. Henderson, Rampage vs. Bader

UFC 144 live coverage from Saitama, Japan - Edgar vs. Henderson, Rampage vs. Bader

from Figure Four Weekly Online by hsmeltzer@juno.com (Dave Meltzer)

Welcome to our live coverage of UFC 144 from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.  We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's show so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

TIEQUAN ZHANG VS. ISSEI TAMURA, FEATHERWEIGHTS
First round: Both came out swinging. Zhang countered a left hook with a right that knocked Tamura down, but both were up swinging and Tamura knocked Zhang down with a short right and is punching from the top. Tamura keeping top position. He threw some elbows. They called a standup early. Tamura landing hard punches. Zhang working for a guillotine standing but Tamura took him down from there. He kept top position until the end of the round. Zhang tried an arm triangle from the bottom but didn’t have it. Tamura’s round 10-9.
Second round: Low kicks by Zhang. Big right hand by Tamura knocked him cold. It was an overhand right to the jaw and a devastating knockout to start the show. :32
Tamura said this was a dream come true appearing on this show with so many legendary Japanese fighters.

TAKEYA MIZUGAKI VS. CHRIS CARIASO, BANTAMWEIGHTS

First round: Mizuagaki thought takedown but didn’t really commit to it. Both missing punches. Mizugaki again went for a takedown and came nowhere close. Cariaso rocked him with a flurry. Mizgauki powered a bodylock takedown. Cariaso got a uma plata but Mizugaki escaped and is back on top. Mizugaki is doing nothing from the top. Mizugaki threw a few ineffective punches late in the round. He’ll get the round, but it’s not solid and could go the other way, Mizuaki 10-9
Second round: Both throwing and Mizugaki pushed him into the fence. High kick by Cariaso, landed to the body because Cariaso is so short. Cariaso is landing the better punches early in the round. Mizugaki pushed him to the fence. Now Cariaso went for a takedown and coudln’t get it. Trading knees in clinch. Cariaso tried to throw but Mizugaki powered him down again. Mizugaki this time landed a few hard shots from the top. Nice reverse by Cariaso but Mizugaki got right up. Short elbow by Cariaso from a clinch to end the round. Mizugaki’s round, more solidly than the first so 20-18.
Third round: High kick by Cariaso landed. Mizugaki pushed him against the fence again. Mizugaki with a knee as Cariaso is going for a takedown. Mizugaki blocking the takedown even though Cariaso got a single. Cariaso with a flurry of punches and moved out of the clinch. Cariaso moved in. Cariaso threw a head kick and Mizugaki used it to take him down. Mizugaki holding Cariaso down and not doing any damage. Mizugaki kept the top until a few seconds left. Cariaso landed a good punch late. Mizugaki will probably got the round for being on top but I’d give it to Cariaso, who had the better strikes and Mizugaki did nothing from the top. Still, that’s 29-28 for Mizugaki and I don’t see Cariaso getting the decision.
Scores: All three have it 29-28 for Cariaso. Wow. Crowd is booing like crazy and Japanese crowds rarely boo decisions. I’m shocked although you can make a case for Cariaso winning one and even I had him taking three, but I didn’t think the judges would go for it considering Mizugaki took him down and held him down for much of all three rounds.

RIKI FUKUDA VS. STEVE CANTWELL,  MIDDLEWEIGHTS

First round: Fukuda took him down off an attempted kick. Fukuda throwing body punches while Cantwell is holding on. Fukuda with punches and elbows. Crowd is really behind Fukuda as he’s pounding on Cantwell. Fukuda landed solid punches from the top. Cantwell got back up. Cantwell landed a good knee from the linch. Cantwell landed a right. Cantwell landed aleft. Fukuda moving in for a takedown but Cantwell blocked it. Cantwell landed a right. Fukuda tried another takedown and Cantwell blocked it again. Cantwell with a body kick. Cantwell landed another right. Fukuda still landing low kicks. Fukuda moved in with punches. Strong right by Cantwell but an uppercut by Fukuda. Fukuda landed a right. Fukuda with a low kick. Cantwell landed a right that put Fukuda off balance a little. Cantwell with another right. High kick by Cantwell blocked and a series of kicks while Fukuda landed a right. Very good round. Crowd appreciated it. Fukuda’s round due to the takedown although Cantwell’s corner told him he stole the round. I don’t think so. 10-9 Fukuda
Second round: Fukuda with low kicks and Cantwell back with a hard low kick. Fukuda got threw with punches and got another takedown. Cantwell is working for a guillotine. Fukuda is punching the body. . Cantwell has him in trouble but Fukuda out and landingpunches. Fukuda landing punches and Cantwell is as well. Fukuda seems in better shape and landing more punches. Fukuda going for a takedown but Cantwell blocked. Cantwell landed a left hook but his arms are tired from squeezing on the guillotine. Good left by Fukuda and a body kick. Fukuda landing a lot of punches now. Fukuda with body punches. Now Fukuda landing elbows. Fukuda landing tons of punches up close. Cantwell firing back with punches. Crowd loves this fight. Fukuda continues to land the left. Cantwell back with punches but they don’t have the sting. Fukuda continued to land. Fukuda’s really nailing him with punches. Fukuda landed a kick to the groin which got Cantwell a time out to recover. Cantwell got the takedown and has Fukuda’s back as time ran out. But that’s not enough. Fukuda won the round big and should be up 20-18.
Third round: Fukuda landing low kicks. Fukuda landing kick after kick to the left leg. Fukuda landing punches. Cantwell with a nice spinning kick. Fukuda starting to land punches and Fukuda now going for a takedown and powered Cantwell to his back. Cantwell working for an armbar attempt, and then a gogoplata but didn’t come close with that. Fukuda got his back. Cantwell rolled and Fukuda moved into side control. Cantwell got up. But Cantwell is going to need a submission to win the fight. Cantwell is tired and getting hammered with punches. Cantwell is exhausted. Fukuda landing to the head and body. This is a good fight. But Cantwell is almost surely getting cut when this is over because gassing hard and losing five in a row isn’t going to do it. Fukuda landing punch after punch as Cantwell is done. Fukuda landed a body kick. Hard body kick by Fukuda. Fukuda has to win, I’ve got 30-27.
Scores: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28

KID YAMAMOTO VS. VAUGHAN LEE, BANTAMWEIGHTS

First round: Of course Kid was popular but it’s not like he got an overwhelming reaction or anything. Kid landed a hard right. Lee landed a left. Kid with a left body kick as he threw Lee out of the clinch. Kid landed a right but Lee landed a right and a right uppercut. Kid decked him with a right and now landing tons of punches and now hard punches. Yamamoto did a great job of blocking the punches. Yamamoto landed a punch but Lee landed a knee. Kid landing more punches but missed an uppercut. Lee with a flurry and hurt Kid with an uppercut. Kid took him down and Lee went for a triangle and switched to an armbar and Kid tapped out. Great groundwork by Lee here. Kid had never lost via submission in his career.

TAKANORI GOMI VS. EIJI MITSUOKA,  LIGHTWEIGHTS

First round: Gomi got a good reaction. Mitsuoka landed an uppercut. Mitsuoka landed a left but Gomi staggered him with a right. Mitsuoka landed a right jab. Mitsuoka landed a left. Mitsuoka went for a takedown but Gomi landed a knee to the body. Good knee by Gomi. Mitsuoka landed another right hook. Low kick by Mitsuoka. Gomi landed a punch and Mitsuoka landed more. Uppercut by Mitsuoka. Low kick by Gomi. Low kick by Mitsuoka. Mitsuoka back with a punch. Left by Mitsuoka. Another left and two rights landed by Mitsuoka. Gomi with a body kick and Gomi landing jabs. Mitsuoka landed a right that hurt him and Mitsuoka got his back working for a triangle from the back. 20 seconds left. Gomi is almost ready to tap. The bell saved Gomi. To me that’s a 10-8 because he was saved by the bell and seemed on the verge of going out when the horn sounded. I’m thinking the judges will go 10-9 for Mitsuoka because it was a back-and-forth round until then.
Second round: Gomi with a body kick. Mitsuoka landed good punches. Gomi thowing big punches. Gomi is landing punches now. Gomi landing punches but Mitsuoka took him down. Gomi right back up. More punches and knees by Gomi. Mitsuoka is in trouble now. Gomi landed more punches and knees and Mitsuoka ducked for a takedown. Gomi throwing body punches Gomi spun and got Mitsuoka’s back and landing tons of punches. This is close to over and now ref Leon Roberts stopped it. This was a hell of a fight. Biggest crowd explosion so far, great fight and one of their old stars won.

JOE LAUZON VS. ANTHONY PETTIS, LIGHTWEIGHTS

First round: Body kick by Pettis. Lauzon moved in with punches. Pettis landed a fwe punches right back. Awesome left high kick to the jaw that knocked Lauzon out. Shin to the jaw. There were four punches on the ground but the kick had already sealed the deal. 1:21

HATSU HIOKI VS. BART PALASZEWSKI, FEATHERWEIGHTS

First round: Hioki dropped him with a left right away. Trading low kicks. Hioki chant. Palaszewski with a low kick. Hioki landed lefts. Hioki landing kicks high to the body and a low kick. Palaszewski landing lefts. Hioki went for a single leg takedown. Palaszewski went for a guillotine as Hioki took him down but Hioki escaped. Hioki cleared to side control. Hioki pounding on Palszewski from side control. Hioki got his back and working for an armbar and he’s got it. Hioki looked tremendous in getting the move. Palaszewski escaped . Hioki is back on top but now is in Palaszewski’s guard. Crowd going crazy for Hioki. Hioki landing hard lefts and rights from the top. Hioki continues to land hard shots until the round ended. Big round for Hioki 10-9, would be easy 10-8.5 with halves but I don’t see 10-8.
Second round: Hioki with a front kick to the body. Hioki went high but blocked but then landed a left. Palaszewski landed a solid right. Right to the body by Hioki. Great high right kick to the head by Hioki. Slower round than the first. Left jab by Hioki. Palaszewski with punches and low kick by Hioki with a left and Bart with a low kick. Two more lefts by Hioki and a body kick. Bart back with a right. Hioki missed a high kick and landed the left high kick. Low kick by Hioki. Bart with a low kick. Another low kick and right to the body and another low kick by art. Bart moving in with jabs and a low kick. Hioki kicked him in the groin. Bart kicked him to the groin now. Body kick by Hioki and another. Bart in with two punches. Hioki got the takedown and got his back as time ran out. Very close round, I’ll go with Hioki and 20-18, but if you go with Bart, it’s tied, which shows a major flaw in the scoring.
Third round: Hioki ducked for a takedown but Bart blocked it. Now they are in a clinch against the fence and Hioki got a trip takedown. Hioki with a forearm and now lots of punches on the ground. He moved to side control. Hioki moved to side control. Hioki landing punches. Hioki got his back and working for a choke but Bart defending well. Hioki remains on his back, threw an elbow. Another elbow by Hioki. Hioki with a body triangle and blocking the leg. Great grappling by Hioki. Hioki continue to land on the ground. This is a totally different Hioki than the one who fought George Roop. Hioki tried a chinlock but gave it up. Time ran out. Very entertaining performance by Hioki. Should win 30-27.
Scores 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 so two judges must have given Palaszewski the second round which there is nothing wrong with
Joe Rogan is pushing that Hioki is the No. 2 featherweight in the world. After a lackluster performance against George Roop, I don’t see it at all. It was an impressive technical performance on the ground but it’s not like anyone saw Palaszewski as top ten in the division before this fight.

YUSHIN OKAMI VS. TIM BOETSCH, MIDDLEWEIGHTS

First round: Okami got what I’d call polite applause. Boetsch with a body kick. Boetsch landed a few punches but a staright left back. Nice right by Okami. Okami hurt him with a right, as Boetsch staggered backwards. Kick by Okami that was blocked. Right straight by Boetsch. Boetsch moved in with a punch. High kick by Boetsch blocked. Boetsch’s left eye starting to swell. Boetch tried a takedown but not even close. Boetsch landed a right. Left and right by Okami. Boetsch missed two punches by a lot. Great right kick to the side of Boetsch’s head. Boetsch back with two kicks to the body. Right by Okami and right back by Boetsch. Right by Okami and right by Boetsch again. High kick left blocked by Boetsch. Boetsch landed a hard right. Another good right by Boetsch. Knee by Okami left to the eye by Botech. Boetsch cut under both eyes. 10-9 Okami.
Second round: Okami landed several punches and a knee to the body. Boetsch moving in but couldn’t land. Boetsch high kick blocked. Okami pushed Boetch against the fence. Okami trying for a takedown. He had a hard time getting it and Boetsch grabbed a guillotine while he was working for the takedown. Okami got out of the guillotine and is now on top. Okami is working for an arm triangle. Okami now working for a Kimura. Now going for a straight armbar. Now he’s in full mount. Okami with lots of punches from full mount with 23 seconds left. Okami’s round, almost a 10-8, but not quite so 20-18 for Okami.
Third round: The crowd is doing "Whoos" like crazy, they’ve been doing it for much of the fight. Boetsch landed a right and a knee. He landed a hard right. Okami is running away. Okami is hurt. Boetsch landing hard uppercuts and a head kick and more hard uppercuts. Okami’s down, and he’s getting pounded, and it’s over with Boetsch winning via stoppage. Great finish.

JAKE SHIELDS VS. YOSHIHIRO AKIYAMA, WELTERWEIGHTS

First round: Shields looks easily 20 pounds heavier than at weigh-ins. He looks good, completely different from 24 hours ago. Akiyama looks close to 20 pounds heavier as well and is ripped to shreds. Well, if this was a bodybuilding contest Akiyama wins. He’s getting cheered. Akiyama asked that his ring name be Sexyama. He wasn’t booed. Shields trying to get it down. Body kick by Shields. Shields going for the takedown. Sheilds working hard for the takedown. Akiyama great job blocking the takedown. Fans gave Akiyama a hand as Jake was really in for the takedown. Shields throwing a lot of punches and shot in but Akiyama blocking. Shields did land a couple of good body kicks. Right by Shields. Akiyama landed the uppercut. Shields with a great takedown but Akiyama right back up. Shields with knees from the clinch. Shields got his back standing. Akiyama escaped. Akiyama put his mouthpiece in. Shields with a low kick and jabs. Shields tied him up and is landing pucnhes. Akiyama with a trip taekdown and another takedown, but Shields back up. Shields with a body kick. Shields landed way more, it’s weird listening to the commentary because Rogan is calling it like Akiyama is killing him and Shields is the one landed more and is the aggressor so I’ve got him taking the round 10-9.
Second round: Akiyama landed a right. Now he’s landed another right. He went for a trip but Shields out of it. Spinning backfist landed by Akiyama. Akiyama threw Shields around. Shields worked for takedown but Akiyama blocked him again. Shields landing and a body kick. Body kick by Shields. Akiyama with a kick. Shields keeps landing. Shields landing more jabs. Akiyama landed a right. Strong low kick by Akiyama. Shields has a bloody nose. Sheilds low kicks. Great hip toss takedown by Akiyama but Shields up and now working for a takedown. Shields has his back. Shields just outlanded him 20-18.
Third round: Shields continues to land. Shields with a low kick. Akiyama can’t pull the trigger and is losing a fight that is all standing that he shouldn’t be losing so badly. Shields shot in and Akiyama blocked another takedown. They are in a clinch against the fence. Akiyama with punches on the break. Akiyama chants. Shields continues to land body kicks. Shields moving in for a takedown. Shields got takedown but Akiyama back up. Shields with a takedown and has his back. Akiyama grabbed the fence twice and really should have had a penalty point called. Shields has his back with 34 seocnds left working for a choke. Shields working for a choke with seconds left and time ran out. Shields round for sure, should be 30-27.
All three have it 30-27 for Shields

CHEICK KONGO VS. MARK HUNT, HEAVYWEIGHTS

First round: Kongo staying outside with low kicks. Hunt with low kick. Hunt knocked him down with a left. Hunt dropped him with a right and it was over. Right to the side of the head and four more punches put Kongo down and one punch on the ground and it was over.

RAMPAGE JACKSON VS. RYAN BADER, LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

First round: Jackson got a huge reaction, but a lot of that was because he smartly came out to the Pride theme song. He looks huge, he’s easily 235, maybe nore. We’ll see about speed and conditioning, but he’s got the knockout power to end it. Jackson got a bigger reaction than any of the Japanese fighters. Crowd really into Jackson’s mannerisms and staredown. Bader landed a left. Low kick by Bader. Bader has him against the fence. Bader has him against the cage and kneeing the legs and throwing body shots. Bader doing a lot of moving. Bader landed a right. Big right by Bader and now going for a takedown. Bader looks to be as much trying to wear him out against the fence because he can’t take him down. Bader landed a left. Bader landing a left. Bader moved in for a takedown but didn’t get it. Bader has him against the fence. Bader landed an uppercut, and went for a guillotine. Bader with a knee. Bader again failed a takedown attempt. Jackson tried a takedown but Bader stopped it. Jackson swinging big but not landing. Bader 10-9.
Second round: Jackson missed a home run punch. Bader with a low kick. Now Jackson pushed Bader into the fence. Jackson slammed him on his head and shoulder and the slam looked bad. Bader got back up. The crowd went nuts for the slam. A kick to the body by Jackson. Jackson landed a left to the body, but Bader exploded for the takedown and is on top. Crowd booing, and they say Japanese fans don’t boo, because Bader took him down and kept him there. Hilarious. They are booing because their guy is getting hammered on the ground. Bader landing elbows. Bader doing a good job of keeping him on his back. Bader has his back now. Bader with knees to the thigh as Jackson got up. Another takedown by Bader and has his back. Right to the body by Jackson on the ground. Bader kept him down. Bader with punches and Jackson with elbows from the bottom. Bader’s round 20-18.
Third round: Bader pushed Jackson into the cage. Bader landed a left on the break. Bader shot in for takedown but Jackson blocked him. Bader landed a left. Jackson missing the home run shot Bader took him down again into side control. Bader with knees to the body. Bader now has his back. Bader took him down agian. Jackson tired. Fans booing like crazy. Bader landing punches on the ground. Bader continually pounding on him. Bader working for a Kimura. . Bader with more body shots. Once again Bader working for a Kimura. Time running low. Bader grabbed a guillotine as time ran out. Fans booed Bader for dominating Jackson. Almost a 10-8 round, but didn’t do quite the damage, so 30-27 Bader.
Scores: Bader 30-27 across the board
FRANKIE EDGAR VS. BENSON HENDERSON FOR THE UFC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE 
First round: Henderson threw a kick, Frankie caught the leg, and Henderson tried an enzuigiri but Edgar ducked it. Both guys threw kicks at the same time. Henderson with a kick to the body. Edgar threw him down but Henderson back up. Henderson threw a kick and Edgar caught the foot again. Henderson threw a kick that hit the groin. Another body kick caught and Edgar landed low kicks Edgar landed a left and Edgar keeps landing the kick. Another body kick caught. Henderon landed a left. Edgar caught another kick. Edgar took him down but Henderson right back up. Left kick to the body and knee by Henderson. Edgar threw him down again and landed a left. Extremely close round, Edgar 10-9, but almost a 10-10.
Second round: Edgar swelling from the right eye. Body kick caught and Edgar back with a body kick of his own. Body kick by Henderson caught and then both started throwing punches back and forth. Henderson landed a jab. Knee by Henderson in a clinch. Edgar landed a right to the body. Edgar landed a left jab. Henderson with a left and a knee. Edgar back with punches Edgar tried a spinning punch but missed and Henderson with a kick to the body. Edgar landed a left hook ,. Edgar took him down and went for a guilliotine. That never works on Henderson. Edgar got his back. Henderson went for a Kimura standing and Edgar pulled out. Henderson landed a left. Body kick by Henderson. Head kick landed by Henderson. Henderson landed a flurry of shots. Edgar with a takedown. Edgar landed shots on the ground. Up kick by Henderson hurt him, heel right to the face, looks like it broke his nose, and Henderson pounding on him late. Henderson’s round 19-19.
Third round: Body kick by Edgar. Edgar landed a right. Henderson trying to catch him and can’t. Right by Henderson. Back and forth punches. Edgar tried a takedown didn’t get it but landed a right. Henderson with a kick to the body. Right by Henderson. Edgar tried a takedown but couldn’t get it. Henderson with a kick to the body and Edgar with a punch. Frankie chant. Edgar with a nice right to the jaw. Edgar threw a punch, lost balance and Henderson took him down, Edgar up but Henderson took him down. Edgar back up again. Henderson landed a kick to the head as he got up. Edgar’s left eye and nose look real bad. Edgar landed a right. Edgar landed more punches. Left kick to the face by Henderson. Edgar with a takedown but Henderson back up. Crowd going crazy. This is a hell of a fight. Henderson with punches but missed on a high kick. Edgar with another takedown and Henderson back up. Henderson’s round 29-28, but again these rounds are close.
Fourth round: Edgar with a right kick that didn’t land. Henderson with a right. Now left landed. Right kick to the body landed by Henderson. Edgar landed a few shots. Attempted kick to the body by Henderson nailed the groin. Edgar landed a right and low kick. Edgar landing crisp shots. Trading more punches. Knee and a takedown by Edgar but Henderson has a guillotine. Edgar out and on top. Henderson back up. Henderson threw a side kick. Henderson landed a left elbow. Henderson with a low kick. And another low kick. Henderson with a punch and Henderson with a knee. Edgar landed a straight right. Edgar tried a takedown and Henderson with a kick with to the body and jab. Body kick by Henderson. Edgar landed a straight right. I think Henderson took the round and would be up 39-37. Edgar may need a finish but honestly who knows how this is being scored because all the rounds are tight except round two for Henderson.
Fifth round: Henderson firing up the crowd. Low kick by Edgar. Henderson kick to the body, but Edgar caught the kick and came back with kick to the body. Trading punches but Henderson’s shot landed better. Edgar tried a takedown, didn’t get it, but landed an uppercut. Great left by Edgar, best punch of the fight. Edgar with a right. Edgar took him down but Henderson up, went for Kimura standing and Edgar let go. Side kick by Henderson. Henderson landed a left and right. Edgar with a takedown but when he went for the kick as Henderson got up, Henderson blocked it. Trading shots and Henderson with a body kick. Edgar knocked him down with a right . Edgar tried to take his back but Henderson back up. Another right by Edgar. Edgar with a big left. Head kick by Henderson, left to the head by Henderson and then Edgar caught a kick but Edgar couldn’t take him down. Edgar shot for takedown, but couldn’t get it but did land a body kick. Jumping knee by Henderson. Henderson pounding on him. Edgar’s round, but again close. I’ve got 48-47 for Henderson but who knows.
Scores: 49-46, 48-47, 49-46 Henderson

Edgar was disappointed in the decision, felt he landed more shots, which he probably did, and had more takedowns, which he probably did, but Henderson did more damage overall.  Joe Rogan tried to badger him into moving down a weight class.  Either way, he's been successful at this weight, was the champion, lost a close fight that could have gone either way and hung in there five rounds in an even fight wit an aweseme fighter.

Wrestling Observer F4W SAT. UPDATE: Late UFC notes, Brock & Cena together, Jericho promo, Biography Channel piece, Rock

--Some notes for tonight.  The weigh-ins were cause for concern in two fights.  Obviously, Quinton Jackson coming in six pounds heavy and soft, and admitting an injury (although not saying what it was) may be cause for concern if the fight with Ryan Bader gets into the second round.  Bader himself sometimes fades and this to me was Jackson's fight to lose as his stand-up is much better. But if you don't have conditioning, you'd better get it done.  Jake Shields looked terribly skinny, like he did against Martin Kampmann (a fight he won but didn't look good in doing so).  Yoshihiro Akiyama is a question mark at 170 pounds, having fought at 185-193 his entire career.  But he didn't look drawn making weight.  Keep in mind there is less time for rehydration because there is six to seven hours less time between weigh-ins and fight time than usual because the show is starting at 8:30 a.m. Japanese time.

 

Akiyama and Yamamoto should be the two biggest stars to the live crowd, and both may need a win to stay in UFC.  Jackson and Hunt also have followings from Pride and K-1, and Gomi was a native star.  Fukuda was a pro wrestler who started in Riki Choshu's old promotion hence the "Riki" ring name.  Okami's nickname "Thunder" is from Jushin Liger, but it was Joe Silva, a big Jushin Liger fan, who came up with it.  Akiyama was hated when he left Japan for being a notorious cheater, but it's been a lot of years and people may have forgotten it.  I've heard two schools of thought on how he will be received, both the returning star, or as the hated guy.  I'm betting returning star. 

 

--We'll be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio covering UFC 144 as well as the latest pro wrestling news and taking e-mail questions to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com

 

--Ric Flair turns 63 today.

 

--John Cena worked last night in Los Angeles on the Raw show but isn't working the shows in Ontario, CA tonight or Salem, OR tomorrow because he's the guest starter at the Daytona 500 race.  Cena, Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar are all guest celebrities at the race.

 

--People were raving about Chris Jericho's promo at the Los Angeles show last night where he spoke in Spanish to what was a heavily Hispanic audience.  Jericho lived several years in Mexico.  A fan threw toilet paper at him and he worked the toilet paper into the promo.  Eve Torres also did a promo.  The description to me was that she had a lot of heat, but not as much as they expected and a lot of the fans didn't know she was a heel until they played the video to the live crowd from Raw.  She's had a presence living in Los Angeles for years, going to college there and dancing for the Clippers.  

 

--Justin Tuck of the New York Giants called Frankie Edgar to wish him good luck in tonight's fight.  Edgar noted that Tuck told him the entire Giants team was rooting for him.

 

--The Biography Channel did a piece on Helio Gracie that has English subtitles (it was originally a Brazilian piece) at http://www.youtube.com/watch/feature=player_embedded&v=jo6sG1UqQAs#!

 

--Journey 2:  The Mysterious Island is predicted to be No. 3 for the weekend in its third week out and gross $12.5 million. 

 

--Mick Foley is in the U.K. doing a series of comedy dates and did this interview for Sky News Radio at http://tinyurl.com/7yo125y

 

--Regarding the Forbes Magazine note on the Iron Sheik's twitter account, it should be noted that the account is a fake.  Iron Sheik does not have a twitter account.  Sheik in fact can't read or write English and here is a recent video of him saying he doesn't have a Facebook or Twitter at http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?feature=mhee

 

--Who do you expect to take this fight

Cheick Kongo 75.3%

Mark Hunt 24.7%

 

--And this one

Anthony Pettis 62.0%

Joe Lauzon 38.0%

 

--Poll on MMA Uncensored's debut episode

Excellent 19.3%

Good 24.6%

Average 10.5%

Fair 7.0%

Poor 38.6%

        65.9% of those responding didn't see the show.

 

--Poll on Impact

Excellent 22.8%

Good 45.7%

Average 18.5%

Fair 2.2%

Poor 10.9%

        50.5% of those responding didn't see the show 

 

--Rey Mysterio is in Detroit this weekend at Autorama inside the Cobo Center.  He also did this interview at http://www.wdfn.com/pages/wrestling.html

 

--Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto have a press conference on Thursday to announce their fight at the Canelo Alvarez vs. Shane Mosley fight (who will also be there) on Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.  It is open to the public.  The two bouts take place on 5/5, the same night as the next UFC event on FOX.

 

--Rampage Jackson cuts a promo on Rich Franklin for knocking him for missing weight at http://youtu.be/xxuVCImnCMY  Ariel Helwani also talks to Ryan Bader about the subject at http://youtu.be/BI_u1S859W4

 

--Somebody should hire Jerry Millen as a comedy character in wrestling where he would straight face deny the obvious.  He could go out there with his frosted hair and leather pants and be the greatest dweeb in history getting all kinds of natural heat.  He could be an all-time great heel manager.

 

--Reader Joel Kolsrud gave some pro wrestling background to Boston Celtics announcer Sean Grande.  Grande was on the staff of the Wrestling Forum newsletter in the 80s that was put out by Jon Gallagher.     

 

--The Score Fighting Championships added three matches to a 3/16 show in Hamilton, ONT at the Hamilton Place Theater with featherweights Will Romero of Brampton against Jeff Harrison of Ottawa; lightweights Alex Ricci of Woodbridge against Iraj Hadin of London, and Adam Assenza of Burlington against John Roche of Toronto.  The show is headlined by John Alessio against Ryan Healy. 

 

--A clarification regarding something that was written here a few days ago.  There is an In Your Face Wrestling show on 5/18 in Amsterdam, NY at America's Best Value Inn, the same hotel banquet room that the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame is using the next night for their 2012 induction ceremonies, the two events are not associated other than that coincidence and that the promotion booked the room because people will be in town.  But the Hall of Fame has nothing to do with the show.

 

--Fit Finlay will be appearing tomorrow in Sittingbourne, England for IPW U.K. for their No Escape 2012 show. (thanks to Anthony Sullivan)

 

--Headlocked writer/creator Mike Kingston appears today and tomorrow at the Image Comic Expo at the Oakland Convention Center in Booth 54.

 

--Former pro boxer Randy Neumann was on Neil Cavuto's FNN show Friday trying to explain why boxing has lost so much popularity:  "This is America.  We're the entitlement generation.  Guys don't want to fight anymore.  The MMA is a lot easier because they only fight five rounds and they get over very quickly so you don't really have to condition yourself.  And they've taken a lot of the action."  Okay.  (thanks to Jeff Gagliardo)   

 

--SMASHLAHOMA Pro Wrestling tonight in Miami, OK at the Miami Civic Center Gym features former Mid South Wrestling headliners Hacksaw Butch Reed and Bobby Eaton.  There is a story on Reed, who played Junior College football in Miami, OK at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M at http://www.miamiok.com/sports/article_9d8d15b6-5eae-1131-b079-0019bb2963f4.html

 

--Empire Pro Wrestling from Thursday night in Atlanta before 175 fans:  Hayden Young & Chip Day b De La Vega & Vandal, Jay Fury DCOR Iceberg, Brian Blaze & Geter b Dany Only & Phantom, Fred Hehi d Corey Hollis, Jagged Edge b Tommy Daniels, Mason b Aesha, Vordell Walker & Kyle Matthews b Jon & Trey Williams, Shane Marx b Pandora.  Davey Richards appears on the 3/23 show in Avondale Estates. (thanks to Larry Goodman)

 

--USWO from last night in Nashville before 91 fans:  Bully Douglas b Nick Iggy, L.T. Falk b Josh Crow, Mike Revick & Josh Prada b Saint & Shawn Hoodrich, Hot Rod Biggs b Jason Xavier, Chrisjen Hayme b Shane Smalls, Damien Payne b Mike Jablonski, Jocephus b Drew Haskins (thanks to Jimmie Daniel)

 

--WSU has its 5th anniversary show on 3/3 in Deer Park, NY at the Sportatorium  as an iPPV with a Hall of Fame ceremony plus Mercedes Martinez vs. Jessicka Hovok as the main event.  Scheduled to be inducted into their women's wrestling Hall of Fame are Cindy Rogers, Jana, Dixie Carter and Georgiann Makropolous.  Makropolous was a fan, newsletter writer, fan club president and really a good friend to almost everyone in wrestling from the 60s until her death.

 

--Premier Championship Wrestling from Thursday night in Winnipeg:  Adam Knight b Prince Fuego and Marty Labossier in a gauntlet match, Billy Blaze b Trent Nash, Chris Marxwell b Jay Walker, Mike Hammer b Chris Marxwell, Scott Justice b Jackie Lee, Leo London & James Beaver & Adam Knight b Kenny Omega & Chris Stevens & Antonio Scorpio Jr.  Next show is the 10th anniversary show on 3/15 at the Marquee Lounge in Winnipeg with Honky Tonk Man and Kenny Omega.  Honky Tonk Man headlined the promotion's first ever show on March 3, 2002 in Winnipeg. (thanks to Andrew Shallcross)

 

--A top five knockouts of 2011 in the Score Fighting Series at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61kalfOnv9U 

 

Ric Flair vs Johnny King

Ric Flair vs Johnny King

FRI UPDATE: Huge weekend schedule, UFC Japan, Rock in talks to play strongman, wacky new WWE t-shirts, ECW Press wrestling books off Kindle, Iron Sheik in Forbes, tons more

-- Story hereabout the Rock being in talks to play HERCULES in an upcoming film.
-- If you want kayfabe t-shirts that are actually being sold by WWE.com ("HEEL", "JOBBER", "I GOT HEAT", etc.), click here. Kind of bizarre.
-- Amazon Pulls Thousands of E-Books in Dispute. This affects a number of pro-wrestling books, including Death of WCW, which at this point is no longer available for purchase as a Kindle e-book. You can still buy it at brick-and-mortar bookstores, or you can get it through Barnes and Noble's website. A complete list of affected wrestling books is up here, and a complete list of MMA books is up here (which, interestingly, lists Death of WCW as well). A statement from ECW Press along with information about how you can still get digital copies of the books is up here.
-- Seth Rollins, the former Tyler Black, is the new FCW Heavyweight Champion after last night's TV tapings.
-- WWE.com has a phone interview herewith Shawn Michaels talking the HHH/Undertaker feud here and whether Hunter is better than Shawn. HBK is great here.
-- Austin Aries on Twitter after Impact: I guess "I'm done" is code for "I'm booking myself in another PPV main event". Yet the X-Division champ can't sniff a main event... #Shocker
-- FORBES looks at THE IRON SHEIK ON TWITTER here. The mind boggles. It's quite the wacky Twitter, that's for sure, and supposedly it's really Sheiky Baby.
-- WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio will be in Detroit signing autographs at Autorama inside Cobo Center this weekend and he phoned in to chat about meeting his many fans, when he'll be back from injury, Wrestlemania 28, Vickie Guerrero and more. Listen to it here.
-- Charly Manson update from Kris Zellner: Sobre el Ring reported earlier this week that Charly Manson was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the assault on two police officers last year.
-- For those who listened to yesterday's Dr. Lucha show, the mystery man who returned to AAA last night was, in fact, JUVENTUD GUERRERA. A juicy night had by all.
-- Dana White talks UFC in Japan here.
-- There is an article in Broadcasting and Cable about how UFC has turned to Levels Beyond's Reach Engine platform to manage its entire worldwide video production workflow. Through FUEL they are planning on expanding their original programming from 90 hours in 2011 to about 350 hours this year. THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY HOURS. Meanwhile, WWE is working on Legend's House for a Network that no longer has anything resembling a start date.
-- After the last one was hacked, the new NWA Facebook page is up here.
-- Some DGUSA notes: Ref Jason Harding, who has been with DGUSA/EVOLVE for a couple of years, has signed with WWE and is going to FCW. Tickets went on sale today for the 3/29 DGUSA show in Hollywood, FL at DGUSA.tv or 267-519-9744. This show will feature CZW death matches as a unique attraction. It is the only show CZW will be involved with on the tripleshot. Ricochet was also named today as the first member of CIMA's team for the annual WrestleMania weekend six man tag team match on 3/31 in Miami. The members of the other team are being picked by Akira Tozawa. They are doing an angle where the participants on each team are named throughout the weekend on Twitter.com/BookItGabe
-- There is a 1977 World Class booking calendar up here. Pretty cool historical document.
-- Shark Boy interview here.
-- Chris Daniels talks his latest role in TNA and more here.
-- New Jack cuts a NSFW promo on Shane Douglas here. The dude can talk.
-- UFC Champ Rich Franklin Joins Jon Anik and Ariel Helwani for UFC on FUEL weigh-ins, and Jay Glazer for the postfight shows.
-- Marius Zaromskis of DREAM and Strikeforce has signed with Bellator.
-- What are your plans for Saturday?
Watching UFC at home on PPV 18.3%
Watching UFC at home via illegal stream 15.9%
Watching at someone else's home 9.1%
Not watching because I don't like the show overall 9.8%
Not watching because of other plans 9.5%
Not watching because the main event is going on so late 5.2%
Not watching because I don't like the main event 4.9%
Not watching because I don't watch UFC PPVs 27.4%
How many buys do you expect UFC 144 to get
Less than 175,000 23.5%
176-200,000 7.5%
201-225,000 7.5%
226-250,000 17.8%
251-275,000 11.3%
276-300,000 14.8%
301-325,000 8.0%
326-350,000 2.3%
351-375,000 1.9%
More than 376,000 6.1%
Who do you expect to win this fight?
Jake Shields 74.4%
Yoshihiro Akiyama 25.6%
Who do you expect to win this fight?
Frankie Edgar 54.8%
Ben Henderson 45.2%
-- My cats are famous.
-- A new episode of MLW Radio featuring the legendary JJ Dillon is now available on www.MLW.com and iTunes by searching MLW RADIO. In part one of this two part conversation, JJ Dillon talks about how he found out he was being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, the legacy of the Four Horsemen, being on the road with Ric Flair, working with Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson behind the scenes in the WWF, bringing Jerry Jarrett to the WWF and more. JJ Dillon also offers his thoughts on Triple H, WWE's future after Vince McMahon steps down, what it was like in the company during Vince's trial, as well as his thoughts on the Stomper, growing up watching the Graham brothers at the Garden in the 1950s and more.
-- Former NWA Women's Champion Malia Hosakacomments briefly on her retirement after twenty five years in the wrestling business. Hosaka talks about changing careers, her final match, staying active in the business, what she will miss most about wrestling, opponents she didn't face, and what would have been her final match against Mickie James.
-- Ed, Craig and Cutrer talk CAR ANGLES in wrestling tonight here.

THURS. UPDATE: Interesting WWE financial news from Wrestling Observer F4W 02/24/2012

Thursday News & Links
--We'll have a complete rundown in the next Observer, but WWE took in $112.9 million and lost $8.6 million (before taxes loss was $13.1 million) during the Christmas quarter.  Last year, the numbers were $122.5 million in revenue and a $14.4 million profit.  It's the first money losing quarter in years.  If you take out network startup costs and the money being lost on movies, the profit would have been $1.8 million for the quarter, still way below Wall Street  predictions (two cents per share vs. 11 cents).

The key is that DVD sales for movies The Reunion, Bending The Rules, See No Evil, The Chaperone, Barricade and Knucklehead were far lower then expectations and what they had assumed in prior quarters so they announced a $12.2 million impairment charge.

Core business (house shows and PPV) were not down.  PPV was up due to Survivor Series, but PPV profits were down because they spent far more this year on Survivor Series than last year.  House shows were up slightly and Vince McMahon said that he considers house shows and PPVs as the real sign of whether things are connecting.

Things like toys, magazines and the web site took major hits. For the year, the company took in $483.9 million with a $24.8 million annual profit. 2010 was $477.7 million and $53.5 million in profit.

The stock didn't take much of a hit even coming in lower than Wall Street estimates, falling from $9.56 per share to $9.40.

--Dana White yesterday announced Saturday's UFC 144 as a sellout at the Saitama Super Arena.  It's not actually sold out as there are still $425 tickets left, but UFC announces a sellout when they pass 95% sold. He said the building is set up for 22,000 people.

For tomorrow's UFC weigh ins, they won't be until 11 p.m. Eastern due to them taking place in Japan. Fighters will have seven hours less to rehydrate after weighing in, which will make a difference with the people who are cutting heavily.

--Cage Warriors airs live today in Canada on The Fight Network from Kiev, Russia.  The show started at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

--Jim Ross joined Sean Grande (the Boston Celtics announcer who is a big fan and used to help write a wrestling newsletter in the 80s) announcing the second quarter of the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Boston Celtics game.  He mentioned Michael Cole a few times.  Grande brought up WrestleMania and he ran down the major matches and did a better job in promoting the matches in two minutes than WWE has done in two months. Ross said the match he was most looking forward to was C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho (thanks to Brett Silvia)

--Here's Rampage Jackson on the Cowhead radio show in Tampa.

--Conan O'Brien did a monologue joke on the Chris Brown/C.M. Punk deal, never mentioning Punk's name but just saying "a professional wrestler."  He joked that "a professional wrestler" threatened to bodyslam Brown and Brown replied, "Hey, we aren't even dating." (thanks to Greg Beitel). Here's more on this situation. CNN Headline News' Showbiz tonight also covered it.  Punk did a phone interview for the show, but there's nothing new on this since Tuesday night actually.

--Jesse Sorensen wrote on Twitter:  "Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.  I have a long road to recovery ahead, but your support means the world to me."

--What did you think of Countdown to UFC 144?
Excellent 29.3%
Good 43.9%
Average 7.3%
Fair 4.9%
Poor 14.6%
78.2% of those responding didn't see the show.

--Poll on Smackdown
Excellent 16.1%
Good 56.4%
Average 14.8%
Fair 5.9%
Poor 6.8%
21.3% of those responding didn't see the show

--How long should Nick Diaz be suspended for?
Not at all 19.9%
3 months 4.6%
6 months 17.6%
9 months 4.3%
one year 37.1%
More than one year 16.4%

--Do you think Raw will top a 3.5 rating Monday with Rock returning
Yes 35.6%
No 64.4%

--Dragon Gate announced a 3/29 show in Hollywood, FL at the German American Society as part of Mania weekend with Johnny Gargano & Chuck Taylor & Rich Swann vs. Sami Callihan & Arik Cannon & Pinkie Sanchez vs. Akira Tozawa & BxB Hulk & Uhaa Nation in a three-way.  They also announced Bobby Fish would be appearing on all three shows Mania week and the 3/30 show has Masaaki Mochizuki vs. Tozawa.

--James Durbin of American Idol is now a Be a Star spokesperson.  Durbin is friends with The Miz and Chris Jericho.

--UCW is doing a TV taping tomorrow night at 7 p.m. in Norcross, GA at the North Atlanta Trade Center for a show that will include Scott Steiner, Matt Hardy, Buff Bagwell, Luke Gallows, El Hijo de Rey Misterio, Mike Knox, Johnny Fairplay, Chase Stevens, Johnny Swinger, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson and Lance Archer.

--Legacy Fighting Championship airs on HDNet tomorrow night at 10 p.m. from Houston's Arena Theater featuring former UFC fighter Gerald Harris vs. D.J. Linderman, as well as Mike Bronzoulis vs. Eric Davila, Pat Audinwood vs. Justin Reiswerg and Jonathan Harris vs. Chidi Njokuani (Anthony's brother).

--Brittney Palmer and Rashad Evans have been added to The MMA Show Live on 5/12 and 5/13 in Birmingham, England.  they join a group that includes Jake Shields, Dan Severn, Mark Coleman, Frank Trigg, Kenny Florian, Paul Daley Brendan Schaub, Rory MacDonald, Stefan Struve, Vladimir Matyushenko, Brad Pickett, Ross Pearson, Che Mills, Ian Freeman, Tom Kong Watson, Rameau Theirry Sokoudjou, Stephen Thompson, Jorge Rivera and Keith Jardine.

--ROH is doing a ten-year anniversary sale where Ringside memberships (where you get access to the TV show on Monday) is $5.99 per month or $14.99 for three months and one year for $44.99.  That's all 25% off the regular price.

--Eastbound and Down on HBO Sunday night has a Ric Flair moment with Will Ferrell doing the Ashley Schaeffer BMW dealership character modeled after Flair. I was told by someone involved with the show that they consider it the funniest scene so far this season. Danny McBride, the star of the show, and co-creator Ben T. Best, as well as Ferrell, are all huge Flair fans, and build the character around face to face confrontations and lots of sexual innuendo, which they believe is the essence of 1980s Ric Flair.

--In a trivia note, Nobel Prize winning playwright Samuel Beckett in the 1950s remembered driving a young Andre the Giant to school as not only were they neighbors, but his home in France was built by Andre's father.

--Josh Nason talked to Nate Quarry about the debut of MMA Uncensored Live tonight.

--Sad to report the death of Bob Adonis, who wrestled in the 70s and 80s in Idaho and California.  He passed awy from throat cancer in his mid-50s.  He was a childhood friend of Ed Moretti.  He was considered by wrestlers as an awesome worker, but was too thin at the time to make it as a major promotion star.
--Sean William Scott (Stifler from American Pie) who has done two movies with Dwayne Johnson, http://blogs.thescore.com/wwe/2012/02/23/stifler-from-ameican-pie-is-on-teambringit/

--J.J. Dillon talks to Court Bauer about Vince McMahon, Ric Flair, the Hall of Fame, Jerry Jarrett, Pat Patterson and more.

--Rob Terry & Jessie Godderz of TNA won the OVW tag tam titles last night in Louisville.

--Tickets go on sale Saturday for the 5/14 WWE Raw TV show in Pittsburgh with a pre-sale password is CENAPA.

--Mecca Pro Wrestling on 3/17 in Cornwall, ONT at Murphy's Inn.

--Empire Wrestling on Friday night in Avondale Estates, GA

--Ted DiBiase Sr. appears on 3/8 in Winnipeg at Cowboy's Roadhouse

--On HBO's latest edition of Real Sports, there was a photo shown of Andrei Arlovski with Rusien Salei, the Russian hockey player that died in a major plane crash last fall (thanks to Jeremy Roop).

--GOUGE on Saturday night in Nashville, NC at the National Guard Armory with a battle royal.

--Dennis Rodman has been added to the upcoming WrestleReunion event in Miami, appearing on Sunday (thanks to Daniel Short).

--CZW has a tryout, seminar and show on Saturday in Hamilton, OH, at the Great Miami Event Center.  The tryout and seminar conducted by Drake Younger is for $30 and you can send to training@hwaonline.com. The show started at 7:30 p.m. with Chris Hall vs D.J. Hyde.

--Dory Funk Jr.'s BANG show from last week is up featuring Tully Blanchard dong a physical angle.

Son of wrestler loses legs run over by train

Son of wrestler loses legs run over by train

from Figure Four Weekly Online by hsmeltzer@juno.com (Dave Meltzer)

 

 

John Corson Jr., 29, the son of John Zandig, the longtime owner of Combat Zone Wrestling, lost both his legs when he was run over by a freight train this morning.
Corson Jr. was found on the train tracks in Camden County in New Jersey.  He had been lying on the tracks when a train hit him shortly before 11 a.m. today.  He is currently hospitalized in crticial condition.
Corson Jr.'s brother killed himself in 2010.

Thanks to Gary Shafer 

Wrestling Observer News and Notes for 02/22/2012 F4W

Wednesday News & Links
--UFC 136 (Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson) airs on Fuel tonight at 7 PM followed by UFC 68 (Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia) and UFC Tonight airs at 1 AM, followed by UFC Insider covering Ben Henderson's quest for the title at 1:30 AM.

--USA won the cable prime time ratings doing a 2.2 average for last week to 1.8 for Disney and 1.5 for TBS.  FX was No. 6 at 1.3, Syfy was No. 11 at 1.0 and Spike was No 25 at 0.7.  Raw last week was No. 12 and No. 14 overall, behind a lot of the usual stuff as well as four different specials on Whitney Houston.  The second hour of Raw was No. 7 in 18-49.   

--Regarding the New Jack fight with Brian Knobs story, this is how it was related to me. After a show last night in Largo, FL, at Gasoline Alley, Knobs came into the dressing room and was giving a lot of the wrestlers an earful about how they didn't know how to work and didn't get it. Knobs then specifically told that to New Jack, saying that New Jack didn't know how to wrestle.

New Jack then punched Knobs in the face, knocking him into the wall.  Knobs then came back and pulled New Jack to the ground, but New Jack got up from the ground a lot faster than Knobs and when Knobs was down, he kicked him in the face, knocking him out in front of everyone.  I'm sure more versions will surface from other eye witnesses in the next few days.

--The world TV premiere of the documentary "I Am Bruce Lee" will air on 3/7 from 9-11 p.m. on Spike.  It includes appearances by Kobe Bryant, Manny Pacquiao, Mickey Rourke, Jon Jones, Gina Carano, Dana White, Cung Le, Gene LeBell, Dan Inosanto, Shannon Lee, Linda Lee Caldwell and Stephan Bonnar.

--Duane "Bang" Ludwig faces Dan Hardy on the 5/26 UFC 146 show in Las Vegas according to a UFC announcement. With four straight losses, it's likely do or die for Hardy here.

--Even though WWE announced last night that the reports from Shaquille O'Neal that he would be at WrestleMania weren't true, O'Neal was on the Mike & Mike show on ESPN Radio today and again said he would be wrestling at WrestleMania.

--Dana White calls Floyd Mayweather a racist in his weekly rant.

--Stephen Quadros will be a guest tomorrow night on the debut airing of Spike's MMA Uncensored Live, which airs after Impact at 11 p.m.

--MMA Junkie reported that Strikeforce is looking at a 5/19 date in San Jose at the HP Pavilion, likely including the Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier Grand Prix finals. 

--Who are the best of the current tag team champions?
Mark & Jay Briscoe 66.2%
Samoa Joe & Magnus 10.0%
Primo & Epico 7.8%
Cima & Ricochet 6.2%
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan 5.5%
Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito 3.1%
Dark Ozz & Dark Cuervo 1.1%

--Which of these matches will draw the best?
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen 68.2%
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans 21.6%
Junior Dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem 10.2%

--Poll on Raw from Monday
Excellent 23.4%
Good 50.7%
Average 12.3%
Fair 4.9%
Poor 8.8%
9.2% of those responding didn't see the show   

--The main event for Saturday night's ROH TV is the Davey Richards vs. Jay Lethal ROH title match.

--Amazing Red & T.J. Perkins vs. Roderick Strong & Michael Elgin has been added to the 3/4 ROH show in New York at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

--Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls from Pro Wrestling NOAH, who got over great at the ROH show over the weekend in Cincinnati, will get a non-title match against whoever is the ROH tag team champions on the 3/30 show in Fort Lauderdale.

--Officials from the KSW promotion in Poland announced today that headliner IGF champion Jerome LeBanner is off their MMA show on Saturday night in Plock, Poland's Orlen Arena.  Marcin Rozalski, who was to face LeBanner, will now face Valentijn Overeem.

--CNN Headline News Showbiz Tonight at 11 p.m. will be doing a piece on the Chris Brown/C.M. Punk Twitter and TMZ war, so Punk is at least getting some gossip publicity out of this.

--The Phoenix Coyotes did a video about their WWE spinner belt that they give to the player of the game after each win.

--Here's a story on Nate Diaz and pot testing.

--In his last column, Phil Mushnick of the New York Post was critical of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appearing with Vince McMahon and endorsing WrestleMania.

--Ted DiBiase Jr. has started his new web site, announcing it here. He also has a new Facebook page.

--The new Sportsnet magazine in Canada has a three-page preview of Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey on 3/3. (thanks to Mark Coale) 

--ROH returns to Richmond, VA on 5/19 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center Hall B with Jay Lethal, Davey Richards, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin and the Brisoces.  Tickets went on sale today for Ringside Members and go on sale to the public on Friday.

--IPW from Saturday night in Auckland, New Zealand:  Dal Knox & Davey Deluxeo won tag team gauntlet over Rocker & Ant, Travis Banks & Liam Fury, and TNT & Fro Fitness, Kingi b Ben Mann, Brian St. James b A-Class, Jordan Invincible b Liger, Vinny Dunn & Reuben De Jong b Tykade & Alexander

--New Zealand WPW from Saturday night in Stokes Valley, New Zealand:  James Shaw NC Taylor Adams, Chad Howard b  Osiris, Jakob Cross b Fantastic Flea, Axl b Horseo, Nick Silver b Scravenge, Mikey Rave & Taylor Adams b Johnny Idol & James Shaw (thanks to Steve Ogilvie)

--Results from Friday night in Tijuana:  Fantatico b Angelus, Dragon Negro Jr. & Quinta Dimension b Mosco Negro & Sargon, Mascarita Sagrada & Octagoncito b Platino & Viento, Jonathan & Cinico b Mr. Maldito & X-Torm, Spyder Black & Venum Black and Kamaleon Negro & Psicomantis, Cinico b Jonathan, Tony Casanova & Las Traumas I & II b Angel Metalico & Star Boy & Zarco, Blue Demon Jr. & Rayo de Jalisco Jr. b Cien Caras Jr. & Hector Garza

--El Hijo del Santo has a show on Saturday night at Juan de la Barrera Gym in Mexico City with El Hijo del Santo & Villano IV vs. El Hijo del Solitario & Angel Blanco Jr. as the main event.

--The next show at the Auditorio in Tijuana is 3/2 with Santo & Rayman vs. Angel Blanco Jr. & El Hijo del Solitario and El Hijo del Rey Misterio I & Super Nova vs. Juventud Guerrera & Steve Pain (thanks to Kris Zellner)

--Lanny Poffo will be appearing for In Your Face Wrestling on 5/18 in Amsterdam, NY at America's Best Value Inn for a show in conjunction with the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony in the city.  Their next show is 3/17 in Ballston Spa, NY, billed at the St. Patrick's Day Massacre.

--Adam Knight and All Japan jr. champion Kenny Omega headline tomorrow night in Winnipeg for PCW's 10th anniversary show at the Marquee Lounge and Events Centre.

--PWX has a two night anniversary series with shows on 2/24 in York and 2/25 in Charlotte featuring Rhett Titus, Mark & Jay Briscoe, Roderick Strong, Cedric Alexander, Grizzly Redwood and Jake Manning.

--All Pro Wrestling TV featuring A.J. Kirsch and Eric Watts from Tough Enough.

--River City Wrestling on 3/3 in San Antonio at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

--Hernandez is now the head trainer at the River City Wrestling Gym in San Antonio.  For information, call 210-842-8398.

--UWC Championship Wrestling TV for the week.

--Ed, Craig and Cutrer talk about the best matches they ever saw live.

--Resistance Pro Wrestling from Friday night at the Excalibur in Chicago before 300 fans:  Matt Cross won three-way over Mr. 450 and Ricochet, Steven Walters b Almighty Sheik-DQ, Robert Anthony b Johnny Skyler, Suge & Epic b Dany Only & Eddie Graves, Melanie Crujse b Sassy Stephie, Jay Bradley b Chris Castro in 10 seconds, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson b Alex Castle & Matt Cage, Harry Smith b Rhino with a triangle choke.   Rhino then wanted a rematch and said he would put up his physical ECW belt he held when the original company folded against Smith's Resistance Pro Wrestling belt.  The match takes place on 3/23 in Chicago. (thanks to Keith Lipinski)

--Here's a New Jack shoot interview preview.

--Bodyslam Wrestling Organization on 3/17 in Elmwood Park, NJ at the American Legion Post 147 for a St. Patrick's Day Massacre show.

--Alex Koslov of AAA is available for bookings and appearances through Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com. Koslov is currently based in Tampa but is expected to be moving soon to Los Angeles. Koslov can speak Russian, Spanish and English.  Also available for booking is former TNA star Jesse Neal, who is currently based in Orlando, as well as Jimmy Rave.

--Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Dreamer headlines Wrestle War 2012 at the NWA Arena on 3/16 in Nashville at 1056 East Trinity Lane.  The show also features Doug Gilbert vs. Larry Zbyszko.

--Here's video of the 1979 Cow Palace Battle Royal.

TUES UPDATE Wrestling Observer F4W News and Notes 02/21/2012

Tuesday's News & Links
-- As noted on the front page, Wade Barrett suffered a partial left elbow dislocation during the battle royal of death last night on Raw. They're saying he'll be out six to eight weeks. My guess is that he will do everything in his power to make it back in time to work WrestleMania.
-- Countdown to UFC 144 in Japan airs tonight on FUEL. Hell of a job of promoting this, I might add. It's a four-hour PPV this weekend, running from 10 PM to 2 AM, with prelims airing earlier on FX. The show will air live on ESPN and ESPN HD in the UK.
-- The Epic Journey of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson [Blu-ray] is out on DVD and Blu-Ray today. "Starring The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mr. McMahon and Triple H."
-- DGUSA has added a joint show with Combat Zone Wrestling to the WrestleMania weekend festivities. It takes place March 29th in Hollywood, FL at the German American Society Clubhouse, 6401 Washington Street. DGUSA runs the majority of the show with CZW presenting two matches. They've also got shows March 30th and 31st. More info at DGUSA.tv.
-- ROH has a new DVD out here celebrating the original Summer of Punk.
-- It's back: WWE WRESTLEFEST!. Available right now for your iPhone, iPad, etc.
-- TMZ.com covers the CM Punk vs. Chris Brown Twitter war here.
-- New Jim Ross blog talking the Elimination Chamber and more here.
-- Interview with Disco Inferno talking TNA, Vince Russo, the origins of the Disco Inferno character, and more here.
-- We've got a new FREE radio interview with DDP up on the front page right now. For subscribers, today we'll have a new Bryan & Vinny show, a new Figure Four Weekly and a new back issue of the Observer. We'll also be joined by Shane Helms on Wrestling Observer Radio tomorrow.
-- I'm interviewed for this article about whether pro-wrestling will ever be an Olympic sport.
-- GQ Magazine on Ring Ka King here. Kind of a rave review, particularly when recapping a Scott Steiner rampage into the crowd.
-- Whitney from I Tap Boys talks Ronda Rousey, Team Viggity dieting, tons more here
-- What do you think is the real main event at Mania?
Cena vs. Rock 75.2%
Undertaker vs. HHH 12.4%
Punk vs. Jericho 8.9%
Bryan vs. Sheamus 3.5%
Who do you expect to win this match?
Rampage Jackson 75.4%
Ryan Bader 24.6%
Will WrestleMania this year set the all-time PPV record?
Yes 34.6%
It will be second best 12.7%
It will be third or fourth best 31.6%
Won't be top four 21.0%
When Nick Diaz's suspension is up how many times would he need for a title shot?
If GSP is champion, he should get a shot right away 16.8%
He should need one win first 32.8%
Two wins 8.8%
Three wins 2.8%
I would avoid giving him a title shot because if he wins you are asking for a big problem to happen based on his track record 38.8%
-- The Phoenix Coyotes have a Spinner belt that they give to the player they feel was the player of the game for each win. Well today they actually produced a video about it. Hopefully Vince doesn't see it, since they say "belt" a million times, and also that they use Cena's music in the piece. Check it out here.
-- WSU 5th Anniversary Show March 3rd. Don't forget, you can order the iPPV and get all the details about the show at http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Wrestling/WSU_5_Year_Anniversary_Show/1259
-- From the producer: Executive Producer of Pro Wrestling Pay Per Views is seeking play-by-play and color announcers for two separate national to air projects. Experience preferred but not necessary, will work with right candidates to produce desired sound and effect. We are looking for new faces and voices for informative and entertaining announce crew. For consideration please send resume, head shot, and DVD demo reel immediately to: Wrestling PPV, 12325 Academy Rd #303, Philadelphia, PA 19154
-- NWA WORLD CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING presents CHARRO DAYS RUMBLE in Brownsville, TX. 78520 on Sunday, Feb. 26th. In honor of the Charro Days festivities reaching their 75th anniversary, NWA will be having an event with the best wrestlers in all of Texas! The event will be located at 7th & Tyler at the Brownsville Parks & Recreation Center (old Boys and Girls Club).
-- The Colt Cabana vs. Adam Pearce feud continues.
-- IWA East Coast returns to the Kings Way Center in Nitro WV on Saturday March 3 at 7pm headlined by Tommy Dreamer vs Man Pondo. Also appearing include Chance Prophet, Matt Tremont and much more to be announced soon.
-- Worldwide Mixed Martial Arts Sports, Inc. (WMMA) confirmed today that Sean “Big Sexy” McCorkle and Brian Heden will headline its inaugural charitable event, WMMA: McCorkle vs. Heden, Fighting for a Better World. The event will take place on March 31, 2012 at the 12,500-seat Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas, and will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2).
-- HPW WRESTLING Saturday March 3RD 4-H Fairgrounds Bell 7:45pm open 6:45pm Columbus, IN

Former regional tag team star passes away

Rex King not dead

from Figure Four Weekly Online by hsmeltzer@juno.com (Dave Meltzer)

Reports of Rex King's death were premature.  According to his mother and ex-wife, he is still alive.  We apologize for this error.
The story was first reported in Puerto Rico.  King, whose also wrestled as Timothy Well of the WWF tag team Well Dunn with long-time partner Steve Doll (real name) who worked on that team as Steven Dunn, is currently living in Kentucky.
His mother, Shirley Fellows of Mulberry, FL, was contacted this morning when the reports circulated and called him and he answered the phone.  He was completely unaware of any reports of his death.

Wrestling Observer F4W News and Notes 02/20/2012

 

--Shaquille O'Neal confirmed that he would be at WrestleMania this year on Saturday night.  O'Nela aws hosting the Cartoon Network Hall Games awards and said he would be there, but didn't say if he would be wrestling Big Show.

--Tonight is the start of the WrestleMania season.  Tonight's big angle is to be an Undertaker confrontation with HHH to help build their match.  They should also be promoting Rock's return which will be on the 2/27 Raw show and a clear slate for building matches since there are no other major events left to promote, although some of tonight's show will be promoting the live Smackdown tomorrow night in Rockford.  They are advertising locally John Cena vs. Kane and C.M. Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler, but one or both could be dark matches. 

 

--For Rockford tomorrow, there is expected to be a Raw presence and C.M. Punk has been advertised locally for the show.  

 

--Bryan and I will be back with Observer radio late tonight covering Raw as well as taking e-mail questions so you can send them to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com

 

--Both C.M. Punk and Chris Jericho were doing videos after the show strongly hinting Punk vs. Jericho will be the Raw title match at Mania. 

 

--On the WWE's annual post-Mania tour of Europe, Kane is working a lot of Smackdown brand shows with Randy Orton.  The advertised title matches are C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho and Daniel Bryan against either Big Show or Sheamus and there is a Cena vs. Kane last man standing match scheduled for 4/16 in London and Bryan vs. Show in a no DQ and no count out match for the title on 4/17 in London. (thanks to Cohen Morrison)

 

--The new Dwayne Johnson WWE DVD hits the streets tomorrow.  Got a note from someone who saw a preview copy and said the documentary portion is very good.  

 

--As noted on the radio show last night, there were signs confiscated during the show, and in particular they went to remove any anti-Cena sign that would be visible on camera, as well as any signs with "Boots to Asses."  (thanks to James Kloetzke) 

 

--At the building last night they announced an 8/27 return to Milwaukee for a Raw show.

 

--There were reports of Tara being injured on the TNA Saturday night house show in Beckley, WV, but she worked last night's show in Glenville, WV.  She is great at selling her knee, probably because it really hurts given she's been working on torn ACL for almost her entire career as she never wanted to take the time off or at other times simply couldn't afford the surgery.  When you think about it, it's pretty impressive she's been able to last so long in the business not to mention maintain her look for so long with a shot right knee that probably forces her to modify a lot of her training.   We haven't gotten any reports if there is a new injury that has gotten worse that she's working through or that she just was selling great, like she did on the PPV, at the Beckley show.     

 

--GQ Magazine has a big article on Ring Ka King at http://www.gq.com/entertainment/tv/blogs/the-stream/2012/02/the-broad-brilliant-strokes-of-ring-ka-king-and-indias-wrestling-revolution.html  The article said that beyond a few WWE tours, that India has no pro wrestling history, which is far from the truth, although this generation in India as far as mainstream has no knowledge of pro wrestling.  But there have been major historical peaks there including the Lou Thesz vs. Dara Singh stadium shows. 

 

--Forbes Magazine looks at UFC Undisputed 3 at http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi2/2012/02/19/thq-delivers-knockout-with-ufc-undisputed-3-game/

 

--Jon Jones joins John Cena at the Daytona 500 on Sunday.  Cena will be starting the race.  Jones will be an honorary race official for one of the biggest races of the year which airs at 1 p.m. Sunday on FOX.  Jones will be at the diver's meetings, pre-race ceremonies and ride in an honorary race official car before the race starts.

 

--The Japanese TV commercial for UFC, designed around the fact the show starts in Saitama at 8:30 a.m. is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTwbv098Ry8      

 

--Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin was announced for the 3/31 ROH iPPV show from Fort Lauderdale.

 

--Chuck Langerman's daily wrestling trivia concerns former WCW wrestler Evan Karagias, who was also known as Evan Courageous.  Karagias graduated from Hunter Huss High School, which was not named after HHH and Bruiser Brody, in Gastonia, NC.  In high school, he was both active in school theater, and a strong enough wrestler to get a full Division I scholarship to North Carolina State.  In college he studied theater arts and political science.  Karagias had the worst win-loss record as a solo wrestler than anyone in WCW.  Karagias met wife Jennifer on the set of "All My Children," when both were doing the show, and they now have four kids together.

 

--Chuck Langerman also noted to us he is going to be taking a hiatus from his daily reports.  We thank him for all of his help and hope the hiatus is short-lived.

 

--No UFC on Fuel today.  UFC 136 (Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson) airs at 9 p.m. on Tuesday as a lead-in to the new episodes of UFC Tonight and UFC Insider.  Because they are in Japan, weigh-ins for UFC 144 in Saitama, Japan don't air until 11 p.m. on Friday night Eastern time.  The PPV on Saturday is different as Facebook fights start at 7:30 p.m., and it's only one fight.  There will be two hours on FX from 8-10 p.m. and the PPV will be seven fights and four hours.  

 

--An article on the late Eddie Gilbert, who passed away 19 years ago this week at http://wrestlingnewscenter.blogspot.com/2012/02/vince-hates-us-all-vol-9-remembering.html

 

--Dave Bautista talks to the Sun in the U.K. at http://www.thesun.co.uk/  He talked about a potential return, saying he's not closed his mind to it but he's got nothing planned and what it would take.  Plus, given who he wants to work with, it's going to be difficult (Undertaker or HHH).

 

--Poll on Saturday night's ROH TV show

Excellent 27.8%

Good 36.1%

Average 12.5%

Fair 9.7%

Poor 9.7%

        55.5% of those responding didn't see the show

 

--Best TV show of the past week

Smackdown 25.3%

UFC on Fuel 23.5%

Raw 18.4%

Impact 17.1%

ROH 12.4%

UFC Tonight 1.4%

UFC on Fuel pre and post game 0.9%

Inside MMA 0.9%

 

--An interview with Mean Gina Carano is at http://news.yahoo.com/mma-fighter-turned-action-star-gina-carano-game-164513384.html 

 

--An interview with Trish Stratus talking about how she got into wrestling, her career, her new movie, women's wrestling today and more is at http://www.sportsvibe.co.uk/articles/other/former-wwe-diva-trish-stratus-on-starring-in-bounty-hunters-movie-current-state-of-women-s-wrestling-and-yoga-15305/

--Edge will be appearing at this year's Toronto Comic Con, which is the same weekend as the WrestleReunion in Toronto.

--Jim Ross talks Chamber, and C.M. Punk's twitter feud with Chris Brown at http://www.jrsbarbq.com
 

--Chaotic Wrestling runs on Friday night in Lowell, MA at the Polish American Veterans Club.

 

--NWA Mountain State Wrestling on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Mount Hope, WV at the Old Mt. Hope High School.

 

--The drama show "Taira no Kiyomori" that we talked about with Jinsei Shinzaki on NHK airs in Los Angeles on Ch. 18.2 UTB and Cox Cable 480 in Los Angeles on 5/19 and will have English subtitles.

 

--Dan Hardy is doing a seminar on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. for $65 (or for $75 you get the seminar plus get access to a UFC PPV viewing party with Hardy and a VIP party after the show at a local night club) in Charleston, WV at Butch Hiles Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA.  for ore info you can call Hiles at 304-549-9370 or e-mail to advancedbkj@yahoo.com

 

--Tully Blanchard appears on the 3/24 BANG show in Ocala, FL called BANG A Mania, which sounds like a lot of fun. 

 

--All Pro Wrestling and the Hawaii based Action Zone Wrestling are doing the Pacific Challenge on 3/3 in Hayward, CA at the garage, a best of three series with APW Universal champion Timothy Thatcher vs. AZW champion Jeff Cobb (a 2004 Olympian in wrestling), Jeckles vs. Kaimana and A.J. Kirsch & Dylan Drake vs. Mark Anarchy & Bobby Bolt.  For more info you can go to http://www.allprowrestling.net/   

 

--Legends of the Ring 14 on 6/2 in Monroe, NJ at the Crowne Plaza Hotel features Maryse, Bobby Lashley, Matt Hardy, Don Muraco, Lance Storm, Godfather, Boogeyman, Del Wilkes, Larry Zbyszko, Judy Martin, Leilain Kai, Hugo Savinovich, Mil Mascaras, Koko Ware, Bryan Clark, Taryn "Tiffany" Terrell, Harry Del Rios, Rosita, Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake.

 

--CHIKARA on Saturday in Reading, PA at the Goodwill Beneficial Association has UltraMantis Black & Hallowicked vs. FIST and Sara Del Rey vs. Archibald Peck.

 

--Fight Now TV has signed up the Ultimate Challenge promotion in the U.K. and the two most recent shows from that promotion will air on Wednesday and Thursday night this week at 10 p.m. 

 

--NWA Rampage Pro Wrestling returns to Johnny G's in Warner-Robins, GA on Sunday at 3 p.m. with Kyle Matthews vs. Jeremy Vain.

 

--New England Fights returns for a show on 4/14 in Biddeford, ME.  They noted it's a 1,600 seat arena and expect an early sellout.

 

--Jonathan D'Antoni is moving and has a collection of Observers from mid 1996 to the present that he's looking to sell either by the year or together as a group.  He can be reached at jonathan_dantoni@yahoo.com

 

--New York Wrestling Connection from Saturday night in Deer Park, NY:  John Silver won Battle Royal, Martie Belle & Sean Bergin (local newsman doing the let's play pro wrestler gimmick) b Nikki Syx & Victor Cruz, Danny E won three-way over Francis Kipland Stevens and D.J. Pat, Tony Nese won four-way over John Silver, Papadon and Bandido Jr. in more than 30:00, Big O b Manny Martinez.  Next show is 3/10 in Long Beach, NY at the MLK Center.

 

--The pro wrestling show School of Roc:  Class Wars, inspired by Ultimate Fighter from Billy Roc's School of Roc at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvCgbdBH9IA and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtEmgniMYSM 

 

--Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Saturday night in Council Bluffs, IA:  Sir Bradley Charles b Zac James, Mad Dog McDowell b Zach Thompson, Paul Daniels b Joey Daniels-COR, Hype Gotti b David Clark, Gangrel b SM King, Sean Cruz b Jimmy Rockwell, Matty Star b Ryan Slade, Sir Bradley Charles b Matty Star, Vic Victory & Darren Russell b Preston Maxwell & Branden Juarez in a cage match.  Next show is 3/24 in Council Bluffs at the National Guard Armory