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1Issue Date (pages) (bold)	Lead Story and others of interest (bold)
2
31995 (bold)
4
5Feb. 20 (12)	WCW adds more pay-per-views to yearly lineup
6Details magazine has UFC story
7Japan 4/2 super show abandoning idea of foreign promotion’s involvement
8Gene Okerlund’s 900-line becomes an even hotter topic
9Ishingun vs. Heisei Ishingun feud heats up in Japan
10
11~~~~~
122006
13
14Feb. 6 (18)	WWE Royal Rumble 1/29 card coverage; John Cena wins WWE title from Edge
15House show trends over the years, who has PPV drawing power
16Latin Lover announces his retirement
17Black Cat passes away (career retrospect)
18Bobby Ologun image in bad shape after office outburst
19Former woman wrestler Juana Barraza suspected of 10 murders
20Emory Hale and Furacao pass away
21UFC prevails in court case vs. Worldwide Fighting Championship
22
23
24Feb. 20 (12)	Bret Hart agrees to appear at WWE Hall of Fame
25Jackie “Mr. TV” Pallo passes away (career retrospect)
26Guerrero family scheduled in angle as exploitation of Eddy’s death continues
27TNA Against All Odds 2/12 card coverage; Christian Cage wins NWA title
28Cappotelli announces he has brain cancer; WWE posts on WWE.com
29New prospective company, Wrestling Society X, debuts TV pilot for MTV
30Animal Hamaguchi named head coach of Japan womens national team
31
32Feb. 27 (12)	WWE No Way Out 2/19 card coverage; Chris Benoit wins U.S. title
33Johnny Grunge passes away (career retrospect)
34Ron Dobratz passes away; brief history
35TNA relationship with Morphoplex is over
36TNA suspends Austin Aries and Roderick Strong, others not going to be used
37Mick Foley writes more on Eddy Guerrero situation
38WWE Hall of Fame notes
39Shelton Benjamin wins IC title from Ric Flair
40
41
42
43~~~
44
45
46Issue Date (pages)	Lead Story and others of interest
47
482008
49
50Feb. 4 (18)	WWE Royal Rumble 1/27 card coverage; John Cena returns and wins
51TNA looking at major upgrades to TV
52Nevada announces implementation of random off-season steroid tests
53Bobby Lashley leaves WWE; both sides trying to keep reasons why quiet
54Preview of UFC 81; Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
55UFC amateur wrestling champions and accomplishments
56Hulk Hogan divorce petition notes
57Minoru & Prince Devitt win IWGP jr. tag team titles from Taka Michinoku & Dick Togo
58Davey Richards & Rocky Romero win ROH tag team titles in ultimate endurance match
59UFC Ultimate Fight Night 12 1/23 card coverage
60ECW head writer David Lagana fired
61Highlights of recent various Rob Van Dam interviews
62Johnny Devins wins TNA X-Division title
63
64Feb. 11 (18)	UFC 81: Breaking Point 2/2 card coverage
65-Brock Lesnar debuts
66-Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira wins interim title
67Lots of MMA rumors of going public with potential huge ramifications
68Paul Heyman resurfaces with a British project with The Sun called the “Heyman Hustle”
69More on David Lagana firing
70Governmetn of Morocco extradites former MMA star Lee Murray back to the U.K.
71Larry Zbyszko announced as the new AWA champion
72More on the Xyience bankruptcy
73
74Feb. 18 (12)	WWE announces Smackdown leaving CW Network at end of current season
75Mirko Cro Cop’s tenure in UFC officially over
76Fayette County sheriff’s office concludes investigation in Chris Benoit case
77WWE agrees to pay for drug or alcohol rehab for any wrestler under contract
78WWE cuts all ties with Ohio Valley Wrestling
79TNA Against All Odds 2/10 card coverage; Jay Lethal wins X-Division title
80Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta file milti-million dollar lawsuit over Pride purchase
81UFC sells out Montreal show instantaneously
82
83Feb. 20 (12)	WWE produces highest grossing year in its history after most successful fourth quarter
84Bill introduced in Georgia Senate regarding pro wrestling regulations
85K-1 Dream walks into the game as #2 promotion in the world
86-Mirko Cro Cop signed from UFC
87Babe Sharon, one of the original Exoticos trio, passes away in Mexico
88Judge rules against restraining order over Nancy Benoit Hustler photos
89Robbie Lawler stripped of Icon Middleweight title
90WWE announces it’s leaving Jakks Pacific for Mattel, Jakks Pacific announces deal with TNA
91WWE reposts Wellness Policy on its corporate website
92~~~~
93
94I’d expect that the Motor City Machine Guns, no matter how over they are in front of the TV audience, at the house shows, no matter how much merchandise they move, and even if they start to draw good quarters, will be dismissed from playing with the big boys, because of size, style and most importantly, because they have no WWE or 90s WCW pedigree, so those in charge see them as names that nobody except their hardcore fans know. Even A.J. Styles is on the heel side, and Fortune and Team Hogan are co-existing for a while, although there is the inevitable break-up angle and perhaps that could lead to an elevation for people like Beer Money and Kazarian. If nothing else, this angle should have more “legs” than the reintroduction of ECW.
95
96The 10/10/10 promotion was strong, and the company seemed to have a little momentum going in. The level of response we got was the same as Hardcore Justice, so one would expect this did probably double or more of the usual TNA PPV, and at a higher price as they charged $39.95 instead of $34.95. There were about 3,500 fans in the Ocean Center, but that figure was heavily papered. Still, when Daytona Beach was announced, there were a lot of skeptics, with the idea that why would fans pay high ticket prices in Daytona Beach when they can drive to Orlando and see the PPVs regularly for free. The shows appear more big time out of the Impact Zone, and the crowd itself was hot.
97
98The show had its ups and downs. I thought there was enough good to where it was a thumbs up show going into the final angle. I think a lot of people knew the angle was coming and in general terms what it would be. It was a good start, but like every angle, it all depends on the follow-up. Most reaction to the show, and it was mixed, was largely based on the angle.
99
100~~~~~
101
102After last year’s G-1 Climax tournament ended up as arguably not only the best in history, but likely the single greatest tournament in pro wrestling history, there is little to go but down.
103
104But with two weeks left, it is very possible this year’s tournament will top last year. In the first week, we’ve already had two very legitimate show of the year candidates, a dozen or so **** matches, and what are supposed to be the five biggest shows have yet to happen.
105
106While there have been injuries, with both Togi Makabe and Hiroshi Tanahashi reportedly hospitalized in recent days. Makabe was reported to have suffered a fractured jaw in his 7/26 match with Lance Archer. He had been selling the jaw dating back to his first night match with Hirooki Goto, where the storyline was Goto going for revenge since Goto legitimately broke his jaw last year in the tournament, attributed to Makabe. He had the 7/28 show off but at press time had not been pulled from any dates. Tanahashi was reportedly hospitalized with neck injuries, although they may be exaggerated for storyline purposes and he’s not at this point scheduled to miss any matches. In both storyline and reality, he took a tremendous beating in a war with Katsuyori Shibata on 7/26, with them selling neck injuries big putting ice packs on his neck and him being helped out after the loss. Two days later, he worked a match with Bad Luck Fale where he got very little offense in, and after taking the Bad Luck fall and being pinned, it was the same situation, and he was selling his neck big-time and again helped out. Tanahashi had stated he would not be missing any matches. Others are working through injuries which may be serious but there’s a different mentality there.
107
108After five shows, nobody has missed a match, and while there have been short matches for booking and education purposes, nobody is phoning it in or taking it easy.
109
110The reports are that the days off have made the tour less physically taxing than last year. Then again, the hardest part of the tour, the physically toughest matches for most, start this week, with five shows over seven days, including the highest priority shows in the major cities, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.
111
112There have been a number of key stories, including both Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito garnering wins over IWGP champion A.J. Styles. The belief is that Naito is likely to get a fall title shot during the period between G-1 and the Tokyo Dome. Shelton Benjamin got a big early push, with four straight wins before losing on 7/28 to Katsuyori Shibata, and leads the A block.
113
114Defending champion Tetsuya Naito is also 4-1, and leading the B block with his only loss to Yujiro Takahashi. Bad Luck Fale, the IC champion, scored his biggest career win, almost squashing and destroying top star Tanahashi. And Tomoaki Honma has been put in the underdog position, a unique candidate for the Best Performer Prize and bonus even though he has yet to win a match, going 0-5, and seemingly having the crowd behind him more and getting over more with each loss because he’s had nothing but killer matches.
115~~~~
116
117andy daniel dane chain wres fake ane jr saying ullshit (backlash) - steak anlogy 2014 g1 bird hemme foley
118
119~~~~
1202013
121
122There is also an inherent problem in guys working nine matches in 11 days that are all supposed to be good-to-great. Everyone does repetition. It’s impossible not to, and that’s how you establish moves. But at times this felt like too much Filet Mignon if you tried to watch most shows (I didn’t watch every show, but watched six full shows and the key matches on the other three). Watching the same two ref bumps to lead to interference in almost every Devitt match got old. If you see it once or twice a month in Tokyo or on PPV, that’s fine, but this was in almost every match. Or Toru Yano’s always undoing the padding in the turnbuckles. Thank God Takashi Iizuka wasn’t in the tournament, so he only tried to attack announcer Shimpei Nogami, something he does monthly on PPV, only twice.
123
124~~~~
125
126Wrestling Observer Newsletter
127PO Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228 ISSN10839593 October 20, 2010
128TNA BOUND FOR GLORY PPV POLL RESULTS
129
130Thumbs up 77 (47.5%)
131
132Thumbs down 56 (34.6%)
133
134In the middle 29 (17.9%)
135
136BEST MATCH POLL
137
138Sabin & Shelley vs. Generation Me 78
139
140Hardy vs. Anderson vs. Angle 45
141
142WORST MATCH POLL
143
144Tara vs. Love vs. Sky vs. Rayne 65
145
146Moore & Neal vs. Young & Jordan 28
147
148Nash & Pope & Sting vs. Joe & Jarrett 15
149
150STRIKEFORCE POLL RESULTS
151
152Thumbs up 59 (84.3%)
153
154Thumbs down 4 (05.7%)
155
156In the middle 7 (10.0%)
157
158BEST MATCH POLL
159
160~~~~
161
162he aftermath of the stroke involving Nobukazu Hirai led to a situation that forced Keiji Muto to resign as president of All Japan Pro Wrestling.
163 
164Muto, 48, announced he was leaving his post as president, but would continue his career as a wrestler (at this stage Muto works a very limited schedule due to his knee problems), and would still have an office position as one of the company’s Board of Directors. Another member of the Board, Masayuki Uchida, who is not a wrestler was announced as the new president by Muto in a 6/7 press conference.
165
166~~~~
167
168Probably the most talked about WWE DVD release of this year is the Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels set that comes out at the end of the month.
169 
170The DVD is based on a long sit-down interview conducted over the summer in Stamford, CT, edited down to two hours, with Jim Ross asking the questions, facing Hart and Michaels, who are sitting together, dressed casually, talking about mostly their WWF careers. There is almost no talk except in passing on Michaels and Hart pre-WWF except for an early video feature on their childhoods and breaking in. There is no talk on Michaels since retirement, but obviously there is talk of Hart post-WWE in passing, a quick discussion of his two years in WCW down to a few sentences (“A painful experience. I was very disappointed to go there with the lack of brilliance everywhere.”), and his stroke and the deaths of many of his friends (his parents not mentioned, but Owen Hart, Rick Rude, Davey Boy Smith, Brian Pillman and Curt Hennig were referenced).
171
172~~~
173
174Wrestling Observer Newsletter
175
176PO Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228 ISSN1083-9593 January 28, 2002
177
178WWF ROYAL RUMBLE
179
180Thumbs up 373 (94.0%)
181
182Thumbs down 1 (00.3%)
183
184In the middle 23 (05.8%)
185
186 
187
188BEST MATCH POLL
189
190Chris Jericho vs. Rock 195
191
192Royal Rumble 129
193
194Ric Flair vs. Vince McMahon 26
195
196 
197
198WORST MATCH POLL
199
200Trish Stratus vs. Jazz 157
201
202Dudleys vs. Tazz & Spike Dudley 56
203
204William Regal vs. Edge 45
205
206Royal Rumble 15
207
208Ric Flair vs. Vince McMahon 14
209
210 
211
212Based on phone calls, fax messages and e-mails to the Observer as of Tuesday, 1/22.
213
214 
215
216New Japan Pro Wrestling was thrown into absolute chaos this past week, leaving the balance of power in Japanese wrestling in question when 2001 Wrestler of the Year Keiji Muto, IWGP junior heavyweight champion Tokimitsu Ishizawa (Kendo Ka Shin) and Satoshi Kojima all gave their notice and, along with five other front office employees, will be headed to attempt to rise All Japan Pro Wrestling from near ashes.
217
218~~~~~
219
220NWA TNA: We had a significant increase in responses to the TNA
221PPV on I /22. with 37 thumbs up (52.9%), 20 down (28.6%)., and I 3 in the
222middle (18.6%). The
223
224~~
225the shows is down. It would also theorcticaJ:y enable more talent to be pushed
226as main event quality, but that was the 1hcory beliind brand extension and look
227at what resulted. Ultimately, if the numhc•s fall off, that question will be
228answered and things would be brought back Lo how they were . .................................................................... In a 45-year pro wrestling career, The Sheik experienced the highest
229o f highs and lowest of lows that pro wrestling could offer.
230
231~~~~
232
233WWE ROY AL RUMBLE
234Thumbs up
235Thumbs down
236In the middle
237BEST MATCH POLL
238Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit
239No other match received even one vote
240WORST MATCH POLL
241HHH vs. Scott Steiner
242Torrie Wilson vs. Dawn Marie
243
244295 (66.6%)
24544 (09.9%)
246104 (23.5%)
247427
248214
249190
250
251Based on phone calls, letters and fax messages to the Observer as of
252Tuesday, 1/22.
253The WWE went back to plans for a Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon
254match at Wrestlemania, as well as set the stage for the return of Steve Austin at
255the 2/23 No Way Out PPV in angles this week.
256
257
258~~~
259
260Based on phone calls, letters and fax messages to the Observer as of Tuesday, 11/4. Statistical margin of error: +-100%
261 
262The official cause of death of Brian Pillman will apparently be listed as a heart attack due to natural causes. At press time, the Hennepin County Medical Examiners Office had not released an official press statement on Pillman, but family sources said such a statement would be released later in the week.