Lesnar and upcoming UFC major events; Hogan/TNA updates; Hogan book review; Shane McMahon update

Dragon Gate's final big show of the year in Japan 61-year-old former world kickboxing champion makes pro wrestling debut Notes on season 11 of Ultimate Fighter August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch) women's wrestling) .

Ben Miller talks Jose Aldo

Brazillians have had trouble drawing in North America at the level of other elite MMA fighters. Lyoto Machida’s first title defense drawing just 475,000 buys – the lowest figure for a light heavyweight championship match since Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell III in February, 2006 – was th...

Rundown of Lesnar and upcoming UFC mains; More on Hogan's role in TNA; Shane McMahon; Hogan book

We've got a lead story on Brock Lesnar, what exactly happened with him over the past two weeks, the UFC heavyweight title picture, as well as a look at the new main event level matches UFC has put together over the past week in this coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Nov. 18 Figure Four Daily: Brock update, Hogan vs. Flair, Dolph Failure Report, big UFC matches, etc

Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez returns today to talk all the news in pro-wrestling and MMA! We'll talk the latest on Brock Lesnar, his illness and recovery, plans for the UFC Heavyweight Title, several major matches announced for early 2010 including Rua vs. Machida II, Spike ratin...

TUES. UPDATE: Brock health update, Diva returns, Raw live notes, TNA superstar injury, absurd sale

The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world. Josh Koscheck here says that Dan Hardy does not deserve a title shot against GSP. Who do you think won this fight Randy Couture 59.5% Brandon Vera 40.5%

Nov. 16 Observer Radio: Dave, Bryan and Vinny on great TNA PPV, plus news on Brock, Shane O'Mac, UFC

It's the Sunday night edition of Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer. Show opens with Bryan & Vinny recapping the TNA PPV from Sunday night, the best TNA the company has produced in a loooooooong time, with in-depth results from all the matches. Then Dave Meltz...

Weekend TNA & UFC show feeback

Thumbs up Worst match: Couture-Vera Very good show overall. Joe Rogan embarrassed himself, however, with his rant against the judging in the main event. This was no Hamill-Bisping or even Shogun-Machida. It was a fight that was even at 1-1 in rounds wrong guy. Mike Jenkinson

WWE business in every category, changes in WWE PPV business; More on Hogan in TNA

Update on Eddie Edwards Notes on the rest of the season of Ultimate Fighter Next major Strikeforce show and update on who is on it Notes on the Strikeforce show from Fresno Official main event change in the biggest show of the year in Japan

SUNDAY NOTES: Huge UFC news, Lesnar, Shane McMahon, new WWE announcer?, TNA PPV, tons more

Dave and I will be up late tonight with a weekend edition of Wrestling Observer Radio covering this show, last night's UFC, and more on the Brock Lesnar and Shane McMahon stories from yesterday. James writes: There is an article in the Saturday`s Sydney Morning Herald newspaper in Austral...

Nov. 15 UFC 105 recap show plus news on Lesnar, Shane McMahon, Nogueira, more

It's the post-UFC 105 recap show! I'm flying solo tonight, but will discuss the huge UFC news posted on the front page earlier today, including Brock's status, what people close to him are saying about his problems, more on Nogueira and his removal from UFC 108, thoughts on Shane McMahon t...

FRI. UPDATE: UFC notes, TNA stealing lame concept, ratings, Smackdown, Flair update, biggest fights

Alex Marvez has a big interview with Samoa Joe up here which includes his thoughts on a number of subjects including Hulk Hogan heading to TNA. He's not overly concerned. He also plugs the PPV Sunday. Dutch Mantell is the new booker for Showtime All-Star Wrestling.

WED. NOTES: Nature Boy gets married (really), watch Fedor vs. Rogers, Linda out, UFC prelims free

ECW did a 1.0 this week. Friday, 13 November, 8:00pm All Star Wrestling "Tribute to Adam Firestorm" Chief Joe Mathias Centre 100 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, BC Funds will be raised to benefit Adam's family amid a fun night of pro wrestling action.

Nov. 10 Figure Four Daily: News on UFC 106, Quinton v Rashad, Strikeforce, CBS, Hogan tour, Raw, etc

Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez returns today with THE NEWS! Konnan will be on sometime later today or tomorrow, but for now a quick update on the top news stories, including a new main event for UFC 106, why Quinton vs. Rashad isn't looking good right now, tons of notes on the Fedor ratin...

Nov. 10 Observer Radio: Raw with Hatton, Survivor Series, Dana on Strikeforce, Fedor, ratings, more

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns tonight to talk all the news in pro-wrestling and MMA! We'll open with thoughts on Raw is Ricky Hatton, the good and bad of the build towards Survivor Series, DX vs. Cena, and more. Also on the docket: Fedor and Strikeforce...

Podcast: TUE. UPDATE: Fedor final numbers, Noble retires, ECW main event move, Hogan tour line-up, Raw jobber

We also have a rundown of the Pro Wrestling NOAH jr. heavyweight tournament, as well as an update on KENTA, and final standings. We also run down the New Japan tag team tournament. Audio interview with Edge and Eve up here. Thanks to Terri Bay.

Latest on Hogan/Bischoff in TNA; Promotion dies; History of J Cup;TNA star negotiates with MMA group

What top ten MMA heavyweight gets belt reminiscent of the world champion in the 80s and issues open challenge for it Former wrestling star will host new TV show debuting in a few weeks Notes on an MMA movie that features tons of 80s pro wrestling stars Strikeforce signs overseas champion

COUGHLIN: An angry, vulgar rant about what Fedor represents

Here's how this will go (some of it has already started). The ratings come out. They aren't that great, but they're not the worst ratings of all time (thank you Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler - forever setting the bar low). However, it's Fedor, so this is automatically spun as the biggest posit...

Reaction to Strikeforce & Dragon Gate

I loved the opener, a very quick fight for two giant guys. I loved the mix of striking and grappling. The second fight was just about as good as the first, and Gegard looked like a killer out there, even if Sokoudjou won the first round. KO: Fedor Best Fight: Fedor vs Rogers

Nov. 6 Figure Four Daily: Dixie's speech shoot or work, TNA rating and reaction, turmoil within, WWE

Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez returns today with a packed news show. We'll talk the weekend schedule with tons of MMA and great pro-wrestling to be found, then talk the big story of the day, Dixie Carter's weird speech to the locker room that we all got to see on Impact. We'll talk the rea...

FRI UPDATE: Huge weekend, Hogan on his TNA role, Fedor hype, Mania tix, DGUSA PPV, WWE raising price

For those without CBS, Strikeforce will be airing the show live on PPV for $5.99 on the website. What will do the biggest PPV number between now and the end of the year? Pacquiao vs. Cotto 53.1% Ortiz vs. Griffin 30.6% WWE Survivor Series 9.7% Penn vs. Sanchez 6.5%

COUGHLIN: Strikeforce preview, Fedor the Liar

It's fear that drives a fighter to get better. They fear encountering a situation they're unprepared for and so they train and they train and they train. But at what point does a fighter stop having fear? For Fedor, what's left? He beat arguably the greatest heavyweight striker in MMA histor...

Update on Hogan/TNA situation, good and bad points, limitations; UFC scrambles to sign new mains

wrestling and MMA shows on television over the past week. August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling) August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch) women's wrestling) . and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

Letters on Albano, UFC judging, Raw, Robinson

JUDGING Hey Dave- I was reading through the Observer today and specifically the Machida/Shogun coverage. I didn't really feel like discussing it last weekend because people were so vehement about it and I wasn't vehement at all so it just felt awkward. Watching it from a suite Saturday nig...

James Swift talks Fedor Emelianenko

Rogers isn’t just looking to defeat a top-ranked fighter; no, his very ambition is to destroy the sport’s sacrosanct champion, to slay the man that is the MMA equivalent to Zeus. Rogers’ aspiration isn’t a mere “W”; his is a quest to commit mixed-martial-arts deicide.

Opinion: Brent Wilson talks MMA judging and why ten point must system isn't the problem

Miller is absolutely right, in most cases a late takedown does not result in effective grappling or striking but is just a last ditch effort to try to appeal to the judges and score points. The problem with that being scored has nothing to do with the ten point must system, if either Machida or...

Ben Miller talks MMA judging

BIG MOMENTS IN SCORING HISTORY Quick, what were the big moments in the Velazquez vs. Rothwell fight? The takedowns, right? That was an easy one because it was so one-sided. The biggest moment in Shogun vs. Machida occurred near the end of the third round.

Podcast: FREE TODAY! News on Nigel, Ross, MMA on NBC, interview with Pat Tanaka on WWF, ECW, AWA, tons more

Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez returns today with a special FREE edition of the show! We'll open with news on Jim Ross, Nigel McGuinness, another MMA group getting network TV, and more. Then we're joined by Pat Tanaka to talk briefly about his career in the AWA, WWF, WCW and ECW, with th...

Inside MMA TV report

“Did Joe Warren tap?” Chuck Liddell was voted off of “Dancing with the Stars” this week. (Thank God he’s off that show.) “King” Mo Lawal was signed by Strikeforce, and will still be able to continue fighting in Japan. “MMA Junkie/Inside MMA Poll”

BIGGEST NAMES OF 2009; WWE CHANGING PPV BUSNESS; FUTURE OF BOOKER T; PREVIEW OF MONDAY'S OBSERVER

names in the pro wrestling industry as well as the MMA industry, from night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined women's wrestling) . *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at

Ben Miller wants Penn vs. Aoki (and won't get it)

There are, of course, reasons beyond competition to make this fight happen, both for B.J. Penn and Dana White. Aoki is popular in Japan, which could allow Penn to graft on and become an eastern sensation as well. White has stated that running a stadium show in Hawaii is a goal, and a popular Japan...

TUES. UPDATE: LOU ALBANO HEALTH UPDATE, RAW NOTES, TRADES, LAWLER RACE, UFC YEAR-END SHOW, RATINGS

We also have our usual weekly features such as the results of the biggest matches of the week and rundown of the major television shows. The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world. TNA did a 1.0 rating this week.

MON. UPDATE: 60 Minutes piece; Raw tonight; MMA Awards TV show; WWE star ready to return; Spike UFC

The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world. August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch) women's wrestling) . and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

Punk's heat, WWE panics over TUF rating, Hell in Cell breakdown -- new F4W preview and ordering info

Matt Hardy in the doghouse Kimbo talks a rematch with Seth Petruzelli and gets pissed UFC fighter gets off easy in drunked police chase Boxing defends boxing after Mayweather fight beats UFC WWE, TNA, UFC ratings TNA PPV price changes TNA TV shows dropped

Symbolic end of 3 major eras, plus head-to-head PPVs, Lashley MMA future; Legend retires

We also have updates on the Strikeforce show on CBS. We also look at the announced retirement of the person who was a major pioneer in Japanese MMA. IWGP heavyweight title change Legends and Japanese headliner at a training camp this week

Joe Babinsack looks at Kimbo vs. Roy Nelson

Two minutes into what is likely the most watched Mixed Martial Arts program on cable TV, and I’ve seen more characterization in a fighter than what I’ve seen in professional wrestling in the last five years. Punches to the top of the skull again.

Letters on Raw, Kimbo vs. Roy Nelson, Rock promo, John McCarthy, K-1

That was the lamest fight I have ever seen. I mean, stoppage for lame hits to the top of the head? In all honesty, I would be laughing if someone threw punches like that to the top of my head. Dana said it best when it is like his daughter hitting him on top of the head. Ok, Kimbo just sat there and did no...

LOTS OF HEAD-TO-HEAD BATTLES COMING; BOUND FOR GLORY BOUTS; LASHLEY MMA; ATLANTA HISTORY; RETIREMENT

August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling) September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling) July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling--the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

Podcast: FREE TODAY: Sept. 30 Bryan & Vinny Show! Raw, Smackdown, SummerSlam 98, shout-outs, songs, more

It's the FREE bi-weekly edition of the Bryan & Vinny Show~! We've got a fun one this week as besides Raw and Smackdown we'll also review a few of the top matches from SummerSlam 98, including Owen Hart vs. Ken Shamrock in a fake MMA cage fight and Rock vs. HHH in a ladder match that was pivotal...

Podcast: FREE TODAY! Sept. 22 Observer Radio: Raw Report, Cedric, TNA tapings, NFL legend to TNA, your calls

It's the FREE bi-weekly episode of Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer! Lots to tackle tonight including a full recap of Raw with Cedric the Entertainer, a look at next week's show and the Hell in the Cell PPV, the TNA tapings from Monday night, Herchel Walker goin...

COUGHLIN: UFC 103 Preview

Belfort would get up, winning 6 of his next 7, with the only loss being a close decision to Chuck Liddell, a fight in which Belfort did not quit and did not falter, he was simply beaten by a better man. Along the way, he even managed to capture the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Granted, his...

Podcast: THURS. UPDATE: Ratings, New PPV match, Hogan announces names for new promotion, Flair song,Cornette

Samoa Joe vs. Matt Morgan Faber talks about going to UFC August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling) September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling) August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

UFC 106 Battle of the Giants official

With the world heavyweight title already on the line, the world’s MMA leader has bolstered the UFC 106 card with the addition of the longest reigning light heavyweight champion in its history, as former 205-pound boss Tito Ortiz (fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif.) makes his retur...

Opinion: Inside MMA TV report with Tim Sylvia and Tito Ortiz

“Dana White vs. Tito Ortiz” “UFC 102” “MMA Worldwide” “Controversial fighter in M-1” Which of the recently returned UFC fighters will have the most success? Brock Lesnar or Shane Carwin? Unanimously picks Brock. Tito puts over how Brock gets better with each fight.

Podcast: FREE TODAY! August 25 Observer Radio: Post-Raw, Mayweather, Vince is 64, WEC canceled, your calls

It's the bi-weekly FREE edition of Wrestling Observer Radio! Dave Meltzer and I are back tonight to recap Monday night's Raw show from Las Vegas, with thoughts on Vince's birthday, Mayweather, the Breaking Point PPV so far, and more! We'll also talk Mayweather's legal woes, a major Sept...

THE LATEST ANGLE STORY; FALLOUT OF HISTORICAL MMA MATCH; POTENTIAL ISSUE FACING WWE TV SHOW IN FALL

Ben Miller talks Strikeforce/Carano

THREE STRIKES By Ben Miller Showtime’s highest-profile MMA production since its consummation with Strikeforce gave the world a compelling show and plenty to talk about. It’s all too much for one topic, so let’s divide this space into thirds. Now That’s Pro Wrestling Somewhere, Chyna is j...

More TNA & Strikeforce feedback

Hi Dave Hard Justice 2009 Thumbs Up: Best Match: Steiner/Booker Vs Team 3-D Worst Match: Knockout Title Match Hey Dave, Overall it was a good show, despite some questionable booking decisions and a big company decision I am livid about. Steel Asylum Match- A fantastic way to start the show....

Opinion: Inside MMA TV report

Opinion: COUGHLIN: MMA "Rankings"

“The Half-Guarded Truth”By: Mike CoughlinMichaelCoughlin@f4wonline.com“Rankings? We Don't Need No Stinking Rankings”Time and again, an organization/website/random dude with a computer will release their MMA rankings. They all use the same format, with one being the top dog and t...

Opinion: Inside MMA TV report with Ken Shamrock, Fedor, Josh Barnett and Dave Meltzer

THURS. UPDATE: TV RATINGS, OUT OF RING INJURIES/SURGERY UPDATES; STEAMBOAT,REFFING,FRIENDS, WWE PPV

WED UPDATE: RAW RATING, UFC 100 SPECIAL, 100 IN UK, UFC STATS, LAWLER UPDATE, HOGAN TALKS TNA, WWE

TUESDAY UPDATE: UFC 100 MUST-SEE SHOW, EDGE SURGERY, PPV NAME CHANGE, WWE STAR TALKS MAYOR RUN, MORE

Opinion: Ultimate Fighter TV report, plus the latest in MMA and boxing

Opinion: Inside MMA TV report

Inside MMA report by Steve Te Tai (tetai@inbox.com)Originally aired May 1 at 9pm EST on HDNETKenny Rice “New American” Bas Rutten with guest panelists: UFC’s Diego Sanchez Ryan Bader, and female Muay Thai World Champion, Germain De Randamie.Diego credits learning from his experiences...

Strikeforce feedback

A definite thumbs up for last night's fights. Best fight: Benji Radach vs. Scott SmithWorst: Cyborg vs. Akano, just for being allowed to happen in the first place First, the dislikes. I was disappointed that they allowed Cyborg vs.Akano to happen with such a huge weight discrepancy. Cyborg mus...

MON. UPDATE: MANIA FALLOUT; TV TONIGHT; JBL UPDATE; ROURKE; DIVAS; CELEBS; FLAIR

THURS. UPDATE: WHITE CENTER OF CONTROVERSY WITH REMARKS; INJURIES; WWE AND BOOKER SETTLE; MANIA

Mike Coughlin reviews Total MMA

The Half-Guarded Truth" By: Mike Coughlin MichaelCoughlin@f4wonline.com PLEASE help fight cancer!!! (http://main.acsevents.org/goto/coughlin) A review of Total MMA Wrestlemania 3 didn't have 93,000 people in attendance and neither did the August 2002 Pride/K1 mega show. Total MM...

LIFE AND TIMES OF ANDREW "TEST" MARTIN; BEHIND MANIA CREATIVE ISSUES; DETAILS ON ...

Opinion: Mike Coughlin on the month in MMA

The Half-Guarded Truth" By: Mike Coughlin MichaelCoughlin@f4wonline.com CounterStrikeMMA.com (http://www.Counterstrikemma.com) PLEASE help fight cancer!!! (http://main.acsevents.org/goto/coughlin) For the week of 02/08/09 The month that was. If you're a fight fan, you really c...

FRIDAY UPDATE: VINCE ON ROURKE; HOGAN VS. FLAIR; WRESTLING LEGEND'S NEXT MMA BOUT; WEEKEND PREVIEW

Joe Babinsack reviews B.J. Penn's "Book of Knowledge"

The Book of Knowledge BJ Penn, with Erick Krauss, Glen Cordoza Victory Belt Publishing http://victorybelt.com/books/bj-penn-the-book-of-knowledge $34.95 Reviewed by Joe Babinsack The Hype Machine is chugging on all cylinders, and certainly doesn’t need me, but I wanted to chime i...

Opinion: Jan. 20 Tough Talk MMA Show: Tons of UFC news and notes, Dana getting sonned, Chuck vs. Shogun, more

Tough Talk returns with a big review of the UFC 93 weekend, including the look on Phil Baroni's face when he saw Oliver Copp at the hotel (and vice versa), the near-incident at the kebab place in Dublin, Frank Mir memorial beards, what it's like playing the upcoming UFC videogame by THQ, who...

Opinion: Feedback to UFC 93 and ROH Rising Above

Dave, Thumbs up Best Match: Franklin v Hendo Worst Match: Belcher vs Kang It is quite astonishing to think that Rua has gone in a couple of years from a guy that had a reasonable case to be thought of as the best fighter in the world to someone who I would not currently rank as a top then LWH. Rua is s...

Opinion: Kerndall Shields looks at the book Total MMA by Jonathan Snowden

Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting is, without question, thedefinitive history of mixed martial arts. Author Jonathan Snowdencharts the two distinct historical paths that lead us to modern MMA,the first from Brazil, the second from Japan. He traces Mitsuyo Maeda's travels around th...

Opinion: Jeuron Dove talks about the return of John Cena

By Jeuron Dovedove_jeuron0307@hotmail.com (mailto:dove_jeuron0307@hotmail.com) Hello fans. I would like to start out by congratulating Brock Lesnar on his historic win over Randy Couture for the UFC heavyweight title. I’m not the biggest MMA fan and I normally skim through all the MMA...

Opinion: Inside MMA TV report with Randy Couture talking about Brock Lesnar

By Phil Adams Tonight's guests are Randy Couture, Mike Swick, and Mask. First is a review of UFC 90. Notably, highlights from the show were shown, although the decisive moments of the fights are shown only in still photos. Bas had no idea of what Silva was doing in his fight. Mike trains with Josh...

Opinion: Inside MMA TV report

By Phil Adams Tonight's guests are Renzo Gracie, Mo Lawal (sans the slave girls) and Martin Rooney (author of Training for Warriors ) The top story of the night is the folding of Elite XC. Jeremy Lappan refused comment to Inside MMA. Gary Shaw only said that he will do his talking in the courtro...

THE SCANDAL THAT MAY CHANGE MMA HISTORY; TNA AFTER BOUND FOR GLORY; NOTES ON 4 STARS RETURNS

MONDAY UPDATE: 3 HOUR RAW MAIN; UFC LIVE SPECIAL; WRESTLERS ON ESPN FEATURE; PENN TRIES A FIRST

HOW TNA CAN MAKE MAIN ANGLE MORE EFFECTIVE; BEHIND ELITE SCANDAL; RETURN OF 4 TOP STARS

SUNDAY UPDATE: FLAIR CONSIDERS WRESTLING AGAIN; EDITS FROM UFC SHOW; BILL GOLDBERG ON SPIKE

Opinion: Frank Trigg talks about doing pro wrestling and pro wrestling future

Courtesy: www.MondayNightMayhem.com Former TNA superstar/color-commentator MMA fighter, Frank Trigg, was a special guest on this past week's special weekend edition (10/10/08) of Monday Night Mayhem, hosted by The Big Mosh, Blade, WrestleView.com's editor-in-chief, Adam Martin....

Podcast: FREE TODAY: July 14 Wrestling Observer Radio~!

It's our bi-weekly FREE edition of Wrestling Observer Radio! Join Dave Meltzer and I as we discuss last night's Raw, Great American Bash, Jesse Ventura, MMA rules in California, and more. We've also got a dip into the mailbag with questions about Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, wrestling his...