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Thank You, Axl Rotten (And R.I.P.)

Friday, September 28, 2007

WWE Presents The Smackdown! Live At The Hammond Civic Center In Indiana

Courtesy of Finditt:

Atlanta, GA 9/28/2007 7:59 PM GMT

WWE, the popular sports entertainment league, is currently on tour and taking their wrestling battles live in Hammond Indiana on Saturday, September 29, 2007.

In addition to Indiana WWE is also set to go live in Dayton, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan.

The live WWE battle in Indiana will include SmackDown! superstars Ric Flair, Undertaker, Matt Hardy, Batista and more.

WWE SmackDown is a Friday night professional wrestling television program for World Wrestling Entertainment and is currently the only television broadcast for the SmackDown! brand. The SmackDown! stars usually perform four shows in a week.

For WWE Tour venues, times and dates visit: http://www.findittmusic.com/Events.aspx

befound@finditt.com

Watch Dan Lauzon Vs. Wayne Harnois FREE At WCFighting.com!

Courtesy of World Championship Fighting:

As a thank you to all of the fans in attendance at the inaugural World Championship Fighting event we'd like you to have a chance to re-live some of the excitement of that action packed night by viewing Dan Lauzon vs. Wayne Harnois for FREE at WCFighting.com. For those of you who were unable to attend the show, consider this a teaser of the action coming out on DVD in the near future. You won't want to miss our next show because we will most likely sell out of tickets even faster than our first show! Go to www.WCFighting.com to watch the fight!

In one of the most anticipated fights of the night, UFC veteran Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon came out like a ball of lighting landing a ferocious right hand which sent Wayne Harnois crashing to the canvas. Lauzon quickly followed up with punches to the head of his opponent to earn a 14 second TKO victory. After the stoppage Lauzon climbed the ropes and performed a high intensity back flip which further excited the crowd.

In the night’s co-main event, Bobby McMasters and Bobby Dias put on what was easily the fight of the night. The first two rounds saw an absolute grappling clinic from both fighters with each fighter reversing each other and constantly going for submissions. After two rounds of fighting, the bout was ruled a draw and therefore went to a third and deciding overtime round. The overtime round was once again very close until McMasters landed a crushing left hand which ended the night for Dias.

The nights full results are below:

Greg Sterns def. Mike Deleo by decision.
Mike Curtis def. Seth Davis by decision.
Ronnie Wuest def. Jesse Petersoon by TKO.
Dan Bonnell def. Geo Sontay by decision.
Greg Croteau def. Jim Gonzales by decision.
Adrian Fulk def. Jonas Fernandez by arm bar.
Dan Lauzon def. Wayne Harnois by TKO.
Belleton Frederic def. Jerry Spiegel by head kick KO.
Jason Dolloff def. Charlie Thomas by TKO.
Jamie Campbell def. Steven Stengal by TKO.
Bobby McMasters def. Bobby Dias by KO.
Joe Cushman def. Aguilano Brandao by decision.

Based on the success of the promotion's first event, the WCF looks forward to putting on four shows in 2008. World Championship Fighting would like to thank our fighter's sponsors: Flex Appeal, Align Health, CryoGel, American Fighter, and Hostile Fight Gear.

For more info contact: WCFinfo@comcast.net

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Just A Personal Note Of Congratulations ...

... to Dan Severn, whom, on September 22, defeated Mark "The Bear" Smith, giving him (I assume) Titans Of The Pentagon heavyweight title (Severn's eighteenth pro wrestling or mixed-martial-arts belt).

Severn, if you don't know, was very influential on the beginnings of my career.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

WWE®: Flexing Its Muscle

Courtesy of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.:

STAMFORD, Conn.--September 26, 2007--World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., the global leader in sports entertainment, has announced a new global organization. Shane McMahon, Executive Vice President, Global Media, is expanding WWE’s operations into London, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Toronto and Sydney in an effort to tap into WWE’s strong worldwide appeal.

The regional office in London will be led by Andrew Whitaker as the President of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Carl DeMarco will continue to focus on expansion through the Toronto office as the President of Canada, Latin America and China. Jonathan Sully will establish WWE’s headquarters in Sydney, Australia, as the President of Asia Pacific.

“Whitaker, DeMarco and Sully will oversee integrated sales, marketing and digital initiatives as well as focus on new and emerging markets. This new structure will allow us to more quickly exploit business opportunities and leverage the strength of the WWE brand,” said McMahon.

WWE showcases its unique cast of characters in more than 130 countries, putting smiles on faces worldwide.

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark of WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.

Contacts
World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.
Media:
Gary Davis, 203-353-5066
or
Investors:
Michael Weitz, 203-352-8642

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

BUTTERBEAN, UFC STARS TO COMPETE AT “CAPITOL PUNISHMENT’,THE COLUMBUS DEBUT OF FIGHTFEST

Courtesy of Fightfest:



Eric “Butterbean” Esch will fight in the main event of Fightfest’s first trip to Columbus on Sept. 29 at Battelle Hall. Fightfest, a full-contact cage-fighting promotion, has already presented shows in Youngstown, Cleveland, Canton, Indiana and Texas. Columbus has already established itself as a hotbed of mixed martial arts with a huge crowd for the UFC pay-per-view in March. Now, Fightfest will expand its empire to the center of the Buckeye State at its “Capitol Punishment” event.Butterbean (10-4-1) is the No. 10-ranked superheavyweight in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA).

The Alabama native will take on Daryl Wise (4-0), who trains at Higher Power MMA in Lancaster.Adam DiSabato (3-1), an All-American wrestler at The Ohio State University, will also compete. DiSabato, a two-time Pan Am Games gold medalist, will battle Phillip Tomblin (8-3), who also trains at Higher Power.

UFC veteran Josh Shockman (10-1) of Nashville will slug it out with Columbus heavyweight Jason Riley (6-0).Another UFC veteran, heavyweight Wes Sims (18-10-1), will represent Columbus’ Hammer House gym when he goes up against Michigan’s Wally Kienbaum.Sean Salmon (11-4) is yet another UFC veteran who will fight at Capitol Punishment.

Salmon is a state champion wrestler from Worthington Kilbourne High School. He went on to become an NCAA qualifier at Ohio State. Salmon has had Billy Vaughan (3-1) is a two-time All-American wrestler from Columbus de Sales High School. He will battle in the 145-pound division against Leon Tyree. A host of other Columbus fighters will compete on the show, including Dave Lama, Andrew McCoy, Andy Volenick, Randy Barnett, Josh Miller, Esteban Lutz, Matt Russell and Nico Nocero. Fightfest airs three times a week on Direct TV, Dish Network and SportsTime Ohio. Tickets for “Capitol Punishment” are on sale now at ticketmaster.com and the Battelle Hall box office.

IFL, MyNetworkTV Present First-Ever Live MMA Fight On Prime Time Broadcast Television

Courtesy of the International Fight League:

IFL World Grand Prix semi-finals in Chicago on Saturday, November 3

NEW YORK, September 25, 2007 – The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s number one team-based professional mixed martial arts league, and broadcast partner MyNetworkTV announced that they will present live the World Grand Prix semi-finals from the Sears Centre in Chicago on Saturday, November 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT/MT). This is the first time a Mixed Martial arts fight will be carried live in prime time on broadcast television.

In making the announcement Gareb Shamus, IFL CEO and co-founder stated, “This is a historic announcement for the sport and another step forward for our brand, our world class athletes and our fans and business partners. MyNetworkTV has been a great partner for us, and we are very excited to again bring the sport live on prime time and expose the new stars of MMA to the widest audience possible.”

Greg Meidel, president of MyNetworkTV added, “We are excited to showcase this event and give viewers the opportunity to see MMA action unfold live on broadcast television.”

The semifinals will feature multiple fights including two long-awaited rematches: Undefeated lightweight Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki (London, Ontario) meeting Bart “Bartimus” Palaszewski (Chicago) and undefeated heavyweight Ben “The North Star” Rothwell (Milwaukee, WI) meeting Roy “Big Country” Nelson (Las Vegas).

MyNetworkTV is a prime time general entertainment broadcast television network, reaching over 97% of the country. Targeted to Adults 18-49, MyNetworkTV provides its affiliates 12 hours of diverse programming Monday through Saturday. For more information, please visit www.mynetworktv.com.

International Fight League™ (IFL) is the world’s number one professional mixed martial arts sports league. IFL has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv.

Note from Ric: 'Bout fucking time!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Lineup Taking Shape For Next Edition Of 'ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series'

Still feeling lazy, but figured I'd make mention of this:

'ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series'
Chumash Casino
Santa Ynez, California
Friday, October 26, 2007
Prelims stream on proelite.com @ 9:30 PM ET
Live broadcast on Showtime @ 11 PM ET

Current Card
* (Main Event) Lightweights: Javier Vazquez vs. JC Pennington
* Light Heavyweights: Aaron Rosa vs. Jared Hamman

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Card Announced For November 17 Event

Courtesy of WWWA's Main Office:

The World Wide Wrestling Alliance will be in Berwick, PA on Sat, November 17th, with a 7:30 bell time.

Berwick Area Middle School
1100 Fowler Ave
Berwick, PA 18603

The event will benefit the Berwick Area Little League and the Berwick Area High School Baseball team.

Here is the card:

Main Event
"SYCHO" SID VICIOUS VS. DEMETRIUS ARION

World Title Match
"The War Machine" RHINO VS. WWWA CHAMPION, KAGE

Tag Team Title Match
THE PACK VS. CHAMPIONS, YKUSHI & KEN ANDREWS

High Impact Title Match
RODNEY X VS. ROB DREAM CATCHER VS. CHAMPION, ARKHAM

US Title Match
SHATTER VS. CHAMPION, "THE BEAST" GLEN OSBOURNE

IC Title Match
WOLFMAN VS. CHAMPION, RAVAGE

Ladies Match
CINDY ROGERS VS. TINA MARINO

SPECIAL MATCH
ARMAGEDDON VS. WWF Hall of Famer, NIKOLAI VOLKOFF

That's 5 WWWA Titles on the line

Tickets are $15 for ringside, and $12 for general admission.
Tickets should be on sale the 1st week of October.
Full sale locations will be posted shortly.
Check the WWWA Web site for the locations

**Matches subject to change**

Before the event there will be an autograph session from 6 - 7 PM with the wrestlers. You will need to purchase a ticket to the card to attend the autograph signing.

9/22 GCW Report

Courtesy of Larry Goodman:

Great Championship Wrestling ran their final build up to the Fred Ward Memorial, GCW’s annual tribute to the man that promoted wrestling in Columbus for over 30 years.

It wouldn’t be GCW without some form of controversy, the latest being whether or not GCW had obtained permission to use Ward’s name. According to head honcho Diane Hewes, the Ward family has no problem with GCW honoring Ward. A company official contacted the family, and they have been invited to attend the show.

Saturday night’s show drew 115 to the Gr8 Sk8 Plex in Phenix City, Alabama, which is just across the river from Columbus. It was a solid show. They announced most all of the matches for the big show at the beginning of the month, and spent the last few shows heating up the issues. The crowd was cooking more than two weeks ago, but that still isn’t saying much.

(1) Vordell Walker & Randall Johnson beat Frankie Valentine & Tex Monroe in 9:20. What has gotten into Vordell? He’s doing this thingyy heel bit weird gay overtones. Whatever is up with Walker, his presence was the singular most interesting thing about the match. Probably not the intended effect, but compared to the other guys, Walker was on an entirely different level as worker. Walker said Monroe was FIPing it up against Johnson. Walker tagged in like he was God’s gift to Phenix City. Walker gave Monroe a wrestling lesson. Walker used a chokebreaker ala Tank from NWA Anarchy. Monroe did a springboard moonsault legdrop that sounds way better than it looked. Valentine went to town with the hot tag. Valentine pulled the ropes down to dump Walker. But Johnson seized on the opening to pin Valentine with a first-rate version of the Celtic Cross.

Commissioner Bo Oates addressed his problems with Scrappy McGowan. Oates said they were the only two that had direct links to Ward. Oates said McGowan was disrespecting his father, his son (referee Jeff), and the Ward legacy. “You sold out to a guy in a skirt.” Oates proposed a tag match for the Ward Memorial with the commissionership of GCW on the line: McGowan & Cru Jones vs. Oates & John Bogie.

The new GCW Heavyweight Champion, Johnny Swinger came out to badger Oates into revealing the identity of his mystery opponent. Funny stuff from Swinger here. Swinger whined about the unfairness of it all. Swinger wanted to know why some mystery guy was getting a shot after he had to beat 19 guys in a battle royal to earn his shot. Swinger said he wasn’t some semi-pro from Kentucky, he was a genuine superstar. Swinger said Oates gave Scotty Beach tons of time to prepare for a title defense. He accused Oates of having a vendetta against him. Swinger said his opponent better be some guy like Jonathan Davis or Amien Rios that he could beat in one minute. Swinger said the only way he was losing the belt was if O.J. stole it. Swinger was threatening to drop Oates with his finisher when the theme from Rocky played. Swinger said he wasn’t sweating Rocky Balboa. It was GCW owner Diane Hewes that appeared on the ramp. Hewes said she signed the match with the mystery opponent, and it was somebody the fans had been hot to see for a long time.

Out came Sonny Siaki. Hardly any pop at all. But that’s the norm here. I’m guessing a lot of folks weren’t familiar with him, since the last time he worked for GCW, they were still operating out of Columbus. Siaki has grown out his hair since Deep South as part of the shift to babyface. Siaki was born to play a cool heel. What GCW sorely lacks a bonafide, homegrown, white-meat babyface.

(2) John Bogie beat Orion Bishop (with Wicked Nemesis) in 8:23. Bogie goes over clean to avenge a painful DQ win last week. Not one of you better matches. Bogie busts his ass, but his offense just doesn’t cut it. Bishop doesn’t look like much, but he hit a couple of stunningly good moves. Nemesis is a harmless nincompoop pretending at being an evil heel. Bogie hit a push up dropkick to spark an opening flurry. Bishop chickened out. Bishop took over with a fallaway slam. Bishop hit a sweet pumphandle suplex for a near fall. Bishop got frustrated by Bogie’s intestinal fortitude. Bishop got too cocky for his own good. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen the Bogie hot comeback. Bogie won with the quebrada that he always manages to overshoot.

(3) Chris Stevens beat DeathRow after interference by A. J. Steele in 6:33. Death is billed from “The Institute for the Criminally Insane.” He’s got the look and size for the gimmick, and he’s been moving up in class. Stevens got a genuine babyface pop, and those are hard to come by in Phenix City. Death used headbutts to the trapezius muscles. That was different. Key spot was Stevens missing a dive off the middle rope. Death zeroed on the shoulder. A series of flying shoulder blocks by Stevens barely scored a two count. Death applied a sleeper. Steele came to ringside and told ref Randy Ray that Death was choking Stevens. Stevens refused to go to la la land. The finish saw Steele snap Death’s neck off the top rope to make him a sitting duck for Stevens’ neckbreaker. Good execution. Death and Steele screwed each other is similar fashion last week, so the finish made sense. I just wish the opponent had been someone other than Stevens. To me, Stevens is a top babyface who shouldn’t need outside interference to beat a midcard heel.

(4) A. J. Steele beat Thug Rowe in 6:30. Rowe looks like Michael Vick disguised as Mustafah Saed, New Jack’s partner back in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. A fan suggested Rowe could get away with doing a Chihuahua fight in a bathtub. These are two big guys. Back and forth match. Steele took the fight to Rowe. He tried to cut Steele off with an elbow drop, but Steele outsmarted him. GCW could use more smarts on the babyface side. Steele hit a swinging side slam for a near fall. Rowe responded with a DDT for a near fall. Midair collision of beefy bodyblocks here. Steele crashed an burned on a high crossbody. You think he would have learned. Rowe wisely choked off Steele’s air supply. Both down on a double flying lariat. Steele capped off his comeback with a fireman’s carry dropped into a uranage for the pin.

Ring announcer Billy Roper directed our attention to the big screen for a promo by the former GCW Heavyweight Champion, Scotty Beach. Would somebody please teach this guy how to cut a babyface promo? Beach said he would back on his way after winning the weasel suit match at the Ward Memorial.

Next, we saw a video footage of Bull Buchanan being interviewed by Roper. Buchanan said he was waiting out the 30 days (due to the restraining order) to get his hands on Swinger in the cage at the Ward Memorial. Buchanan said he never liked his former partner, and he was sure the feeling was mutual. Buchanan said he intended to win the GCW “World Championship” and defend it in Japan during his October tour with NOAH.

(5) Shaun Banks & Cru Jones (with Quentin Michaels) beat Bull Buchanan & Scotty Beach in 19:10. Best match of the show. It actually had heat. Presuming that Bad Company beats Naturals at Fred Ward, Banks and Jones are the natural top challengers. They make an awesome heel tag team. Beach definitely turned his intensity dial to the right after losing the heavyweight title. They told the story of that Buchanan and Beach weren’t necessarily on the same page. Banks and Jones brought a red dress to the ring. Beach and Banks wrestled. Good looking stuff. The heels tried to isolate Beach, but Buchanan tagged himself in. Beach wasn’t happy about it. Banks begged for his life. His facial expressions are tremendous, and he sold like he was going die. Just when it appeared Beach and Bull were going to work together, Jones chop blocked Buchanan’s knee to turn the tide. Banks and Jones went all out on Buchanan’s knee. Nice series of hope spots here. At one point, Jones pulled Beach off the apron so there was nobody for Buchanan to tag. Hot tag. Beach gave Jones the Beach Balls. It was time for the moment of truth. Banks escaped a double team. Buchanan pulled up to avoid kicking his partner. They double punched Banks, but Jones surprised Beach with a roll up.

Postmatch beatdown on Beach. Banks hit a Rude Awakening, and they started to put the dress on him. Buchanan came to the rescue. Beach wheeled around to face Michaels, and he got the hell out of there.

(6) Sonny Siaki beat Johnny Swinger (with Quentin Michaels) via countout. Swinger retained the GCW Heavyweight Title (16:56). Siaki got a stronger pop than the first time. It was if the people woke up to the fact that this guy has star presence. Unfortunately, the crowd was relatively dead once the bell rang. Nothing wrong with the work or psychology. Swinger did everything in his power to get Siaki over as a babyface. The early part of the match saw Siaki do the Samoan head-like-a-rock. Siaki worked on Swinger’s arm until it was hanging limp. Swinger’s desperation led to face biting and groin stomping. Brief “Sonny” chant here. Michaels got involved. Swinger hit a Russian legsweep, and Siaki rolled shoulder just before the three count. Swinger tried a headbutt. Not a good idea. Swinger was bouncing around like crazy for Siaki’s comeback. Siaki mounted the ropes and rained down the 10 punches. Swinger kicked out at two. Swinger ran away from Siaki’s finisher.

As Swinger finished taking the ten count, out came Buchanan to block his path. Swinger invited Buchanan to violate the restraining order. Buchanan restrained himself, but Siaki kicked Swinger’s ass. Swinger ended up running out the front door. Siaki said it felt good to be back in GCW. He said GCW was going back to being the #1 promotion in the South. Buchanan was gimpy from the pounding to his knee. He ordered the cameraman to get a close up of his ugly mug. “Johnny Swinger, I’m not afraid to get a few scars. Can you say the same thing?”

NOTES: The card for the Fred Ward Memorial on September 29 is as follows: Swinger (c) vs. Buchanan inside the six sides of steel for the GCW Title, Naturals (c) vs. Bad Company (Stevens & David Young) in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the GCW Tag Titles, Death Row vs. Steele in an Electric Chair match, Johnson vs. Valentine in a hair match, Banks vs. Beach in a Weasel Suit match, Scrappy McGowan & Jones vs. Oates & Bogie with the commissionership of GCW on the line, and Ring Inspector Chuck vs. Bogie in a Bouncing Boxer’s match…GCW’s television show starts on East Alabama cable channel 7 in an 11am Saturday time slot. It will be a 30 minute show hosted by Michaels & Roper…Diane Hewes said the company is actively planning to run shows in other venues. An announcement about their first show outside Phenix City should be coming shortly.

LPW Report By Oliver Newman

Leicester Pro Wrestling
Date: Friday 21st September 2007
Time: 8:00pm
Attendance: 50
Price: Adults £5, Kids £3
Location: Minworth Social Club, Robinson‘s Way, Sutton Coldfield.

AJ Kid Irish is your host for this evening

John Bull vs. Gangsta

The Firm enters (Jay Icon/LGT/The Bouncer/The Boss), The Boss takes the microphone “As a result of not beating Jay Icon (Fans chant “Gay Icon”) here is the newest member of the firm corporate John Bull”. AJ “With 5 of you, you could be a Spice Girls tribute band” then quickly exits the ring. Gangsta makes his way to the ring, the fans cheer. The bell rings Bull attempts to tie-up but Gangsta is too quick, he evades the tie-up on two separate occasions. Bull finally gets a hold of Gangsta but not for long as Gangsta forces him back into the corner and quickly hits Bull with a super kick to the back of the head, sending Bull to the outside. Bull re-enters the ring, Gangsta hits a kick to the stomach and a swinging DDT which sends Bull to the outside once more. As Gangsta attempts to capitalize The Bouncer trips him up. Bull seeing the momentum has shifted quickly hit’s a big power slam, and a big splash for a two count. LGT distracts the referee (this allows Bull to choke Gangsta), when Bull is done choking The Bouncer takes over.

Bull locks Gangsta in the camel clutch, the fans rally behind Gangsta. As Gangsta looks to be fading he finds some energy and fights back with a barrage of punches and a knee to the head. With Bull in the corner Gangsta hits with a step up kick, Bull quickly returns though with a vicious clothesline! Bull follows up with a suplex and a big splash but only manages a two count. First rope splash by Bull 1,2 Gangsta is able to get his shoulder up, Bull attempts a second rope splash and misses. Fans rally behind Gangsta once more as the ref counts both men out, he manages to get to 7 before Gangsta nips up. Gangsta hits Bull with a clothesline, shoulder block and a step up kick in quick succession. Bull hits Gangsta with a spear for the 1,2 and 3.

Winner: John Bull

Match Time: 7 minutes
Thoughts:

This was a good big man vs. little man match, Gangsta against all odds (mainly The Firm’s interference) almost pulled out the win but Bull’s strength advantage told in the end as he was able to gain the victory.

The Metal Militia (Axel Adams & Pure Xtasy) vs. Tucker & Poison

Militia attack Tucker and Poison from behind, Tucker takes a spill to the outside. Xtasy locks Poison in a full nelson, Axel attempts to punch Poison, Poison moves out of the way and Adams almost hits his tag partner. Poison stamps on Adams’s toes and tags in Tucker. Tucker hits an Arm drag, Japanese arm drag, kick to the back and a dropkick to Adams’s face in quick succession. Tucker tags in Poison who goes to work on Adams’s arm with a wristlock, twisting it in different directions before tagging Tucker in once more. Tucker takes Adams to the mat and hit’s a knee drop to the arm, he then takes the arm and hit’s a variation of the dragon screw, as Tucker is setting up another attack Xtasy grabs him and drops him neck first on the top rope. Adams tags in Xtasy and they quickly hit a double clothesline on Tucker, Adams chokes Tucker and then distracts the referee (by taunting Poison) allowing Xtasy to do the same. Adams pins Tucker but only manages a two count (Militia complain about a slow count).

Adams tags in Xtasy, they continue to isolate Poison whilst trading tags back and forth. Nonchalant cover by Adams gains a two count, Poison tags in Tucker. Fans chant “Tucker”, Tucker hit’s a double cross body block on the Militia, Tucker tags in Poison whilst Xtasy tags in Adams. Poison hit’s a double noggin knocker on the Militia, Tucker out of nowhere hits Poison with an enzuguri and leaves ringside! Seemingly come back to his senses he returns only to get downed with Poison’s TKO (Poison leaves ringside), the Militia take advantage of the situation quickly hitting the D.O.A. for the 1, 2 and 3.

Winners: The Metal Militia

Match Time: 11 minutes

Thoughts:

First time seeing Tucker, I was impressed. Pretty solid tag match, Tucker turning on Poison came out of nowhere, I hadn’t noticed any bad feeling between the two.

British Iron Man Championship Match

NO DQ

LGT w/The Firm vs. Jekkel ©

LGT enters with The Firm but decides to go it alone (sending The Firm to the back) LGT stretches as Jekkel waits in the ring. Jekkel charges at LGT, LGT quickly exit’s the ring. LGT returns, walking straight up to Jekkel before spitting in his face, and then runs away. Jekkel catches up him with a couple of shoulder blocks and a power slam, LGT retreats once again (this time Jekkel follows). LGT attempts an Irish whip but Jekkel reverses sending LGT head first into the steel ring post. Jekkel asks if anyone has a shoe! A fan gladly obliges (Jekkel hits LGT with said shoe to the head). The two wrestlers continue brawling until they leave the room, moments later they are back. LGT rams Jekkel’s head in an ice bucket. Both men return to the ring, LGT hit’s a chop block on Jekkel (as he is entering the ring). LGT then focuses his entire offence on Jekkel’s legs grounding the big man.

LGT chokes Jekkel with his boot and hands and then leaves the ring in search of a weapon. He comes back with a steel chair, LGT throws the chair at Jekkel (Jekkel catches it and throws it directly into LGT’s face). LGT hides behind the referee, so much for non interference (The Boss & Corporate John Bull make their way to ringside), LGT takes the chair and aims for Jekkel but hits Bull in the head, Jekkel quickly follows up with the Jekkel driver for the 1, 2 and 3.

Match Time: 6 minutes

Winner and still British Iron Man Champion: Jekkel

Thoughts:

Decent match, Jekkel’s power vs. LGT’s brains and The Firm’s interference. LGT almost had it won but Jekkel’s power allowed him to pull out the win and retain his British Iron Man Championship.

Jay Icon w/The Firm vs. Ronin w/Mini Ronin

The fans chant “Gay Icon” towards Jay, “I’m Jay Icon” shouts Icon. Mini Ronin takes the microphone “Ronin is so fast that when he turns off a light he is in bed before it goes dark”. Icon attacks Ronin from the start (to little affect) sensing this Icon backs away, Ronin follows and hits Icon with clubs to the neck and back. Ronin Irish whips Icon and follows up with a big splash in the corner. Icon’s down but Ronin isn’t finished, big elbow and power slam on Icon, Ronin locks in an armbar but The Firm help Icon to the ropes. Ronin slaps on a full nelson changing into a half nelson/chinlock, Icon rams Ronin back into the corner following up with elbows to the face and attempted punch which Ronin catches and locks in the chinlock once more. Ronin hits his patented swinging rock bottom 1,2 no the firm interfere again!

They ram Ronin groin first into the steel post, Icon repeatedly stamps on Ronin’s legs and then distracts the referee allowing The Firm to continue their attack, Icon pins Ronin 1, 2! “Ronin” chants from the fans, Icon continues his assault to the legs of Ronin, Figure four leg lock by Icon, Bouncer pulls on Icon’s arms to give leverage. Ronin is able to use his strength to reverse the pressure onto Icon (Icon is able to get to the ropes). Ronin fires back with two chops to the throat, repeated stomps and a kick to the back of Icon’s legs. The Boss distracts the ref allowing LGT to hit a low blow, Mini Ronin hits Icon with the Singapore cane, Ronin hits the big splash 1, 2 and 3.

Match Time: 10 minutes

Winner: Ronin

Thoughts:

Good big man vs. little man match, Ronin’s weight advantage was the difference in this match despite Icon’s sound offence to Ronin’s legs and interference from The Firm.

Handicap Match

Mad Mike vs. Carnage & Aphrodite w/?

Mad Mike takes the microphone “I’d be pissed off if I was Irish” toward AJ “Run along and find your pot of gold” “Mad Mike” chants from the crowd. Mike and Aphrodite start the match, Mike attempts to tie up but Aphrodite ducks out. Mike has Aphrodite in a waist lock then changes into a headlock Aphrodite grabs the ropes and tags in Carnage. Kick to the stomach, back chop and choke on the ropes allows Carnage to change the momentum of the match. Mike fights back, with Carnage down in the corner Mike hits his patented dropkick to the groin, Carnage struggles back towards his corner to make a tag to Aphrodite. Mike stops Carnage in his tracks with an atomic drop and an Manhattan drop in quick succession. Carnage relieves the pressure with a club to Mike’s neck followed by a pump handle slam allowing him to make the tag to Aphrodite. Aphrodite hits an elbow drop and tags back out to Carnage. Carnage nonchalantly covers Mike (Mike’s foot is on the ropes) so the ref breaks up the count. Chants of “Benoit” are directed towards Carnage.

Carnage tags back out to Aphrodite, Mike attempts a kick Aphrodite catches it and reverses into a leg lock, Mike tries to reverse the pressure by any means necessary (pulling Aphrodite’s hair at one point) to no avail. Mike makes it back to his feet and while looking at Carnage delivers a huge power slam on Aphrodite, a Russian leg sweep follows but as the pinfall is being made Carnage pushes Mike off. “Mike” chants from the crowd, Aphrodite makes the tag. Mike gets a second wind hitting a running clothesline on Carnage and a belly to back suplex on Aphrodite, before nailing a back body drop on Carnage’s & Aphrodite’s second at ringside. Fans chant “She’s a he she” at Aphrodite as the match breaks down, Mike springboards of a ringside chair to hit Carnage with a dropkick to the face. Carnage returns to the ring and quickly tags in Aphrodite, Aphrodite slaps Mike across the face and lands a running leg drop for a two count, Mike reverses into a two count of his own.

Aphrodite makes the tag, Mike runs at Carnage and with a clothesline sends himself and Carnage over the top rope to the floor. Mike climbs from a chair to a wooden ledge, running and connecting with a double axe handle to Carnage, he attempts to do the same once more. This time Carnage catches Mike and rams him back first into the steel ring post. Carnage rolls Mike into the ring and tags in Aphrodite, she poses for the crowd, Mike regains some composure and attempts a power slam, Carnage grabs Mike’s legs allowing Aphrodite to fall on top of Mike and gain the 1, 2 and 3!

Match Time: 13 minutes

Winners: Aphrodite & Carnage

Aftermath:

Carnage isn’t done though and lands with a second rope slingshot body splash to the fallen Mike, Carnage and Aphrodite make their way to the back. Mike follows and brings Carnage back to the ring quickly locking on a crossface to Carnage which makes him immediately tap out. Some of the crowd chant “You’ve killed Benoit” Mike takes the microphone “Me and You Carnage last man standing at Shard End” Carnage accepts.

Thoughts:

Good match between two of the premier LPW wrestlers, Aphrodite looked decent in the limited time she spent in the ring. Mike being pinned by Aphrodite was a huge shock!

Dante Corinthian Vandal vs. Silverado

Vandal while posing for the crowd hits his head on the ceiling, Silverado enters to “Silverado” chants from the LPW fans. Both men lock up in the centre ring Vandal drops down and trips Silverado, Arm drag and a dropkick in quick succession by Silverado in return. Silverado poses for the crowd, Vandal attempts a sneak attack from behind but gets hit with an elbow, after a delayed reaction he falls to the canvas (this elicits laughter from the crowd). Vandal returns with a European uppercut and a big boot sending Silverado to the outside. Vandal Irish whips Silverado, Silverado reverses and Vandal runs shoulder first into the steel ring post. Back in the ring Vandal downs Silverado with a series of power moves (power slam, backbreaker and sideslam in seamless fashion). Fans clap for Silverado, Silverado responds with a head scissors to Vandal, attempting a spear but Vandal is unmoved. Vandal points to the crowd, Silverado slaps him on the back of the head. Silverado attempts a sunset flip but instead of the pin Silverado pulls Vandal’s trousers down!

Fans laugh hysterically but Vandal’s anger allows him to turn the match, clubs to the neck and back (Vandal pulls his trousers back up) are quickly followed up by a release German suplex. Vandal measures Silverado and hit’s a number of short arm clotheslines with the last one flipping Silverado! 1, 2 but Vandal pulls Silverado up off the canvas “Silverado” chants once more, Vandal locks Silverado in the cobra clutch submission and repeatedly drops Silverado’s head onto his knee, with the cobra clutch still locked in the ref checks the arm, it drops three times and the match is over!     

Match Time: 7 minutes

Winner: Dante Corinthian Vandal

Aftermath:

Vandal whips Silverado into the turnbuckle upside down, and poses for the crowd. Once again hilariously he bangs his head on the ceiling! Vandal picks Silverado up and hit’s a big boot. Fans clap for Silverado.

Thoughts:

Pretty good back and forth match for a short while, Dante’s embarrassment was the turning point of the match, his anger fuelled him towards victory.

LPW Championship Match

Derice Coffee v The Bouncer w/The Firm ©

AJ Kid Irish asks a fan at ringside “What’s better English or Irish” to which the fan responds “English” which causes the fans to laugh. LGT and Jay Icon enter the ring they want to do the introductions of The Bouncer “Entering is the Phoenix City Champion and LPW Champion The Bouncer, accompanied by the greatest manager ever The Boss!” “Coming from the 1988 Olympics, Jamaica‘s No1 Bobsledder” Derice Coffee. Both men lock up, Bouncer gets the advantage and dumps Coffee to the outside although The Firm is on that side of the ring they strangely decline to interfere in the match, Coffee decides to attack them all and returns to the ring. Coffee hits with a shoulder block but bounces directly off The Bouncer. Coffee follows up with a dropkick and an arm drag with better success. “Make some noise” Coffee asks the crowd, they gladly oblige. Coffee runs towards the ropes, LGT trips him and LGT and Icon attack Coffee as Bull distracts the referee. Bouncer responds with a punch to Coffee’s head and a backbreaker for a two count.

Bouncer follows up with a kick to each of the different pressure points on Coffee’s body. “Coffee” chants from the crowd, Bouncer quickly hit’s a knee to the head and with his knee exposed another knee to Coffee’s head. Bouncer Irish whips Coffee into the ropes and locks in the sleeper hold, Coffee looks like he is fading, but suddenly springs to life with a wheelbarrow into a bulldog “Baldy” chants from the LPW fans directed at The Bouncer (Bouncer puts on a cap!) Coffee attempts a high cross body but Bouncer catches him and dumps him to the outside (on top of The Firm), The Firm ram Coffee back first into the ring post and throw Coffee back in the ring. Bouncer hits with a neck breaker as The Firm taunt the crowd. Leg snap by Bouncer, Coffee struggles to his feet and is met with a fireman’s carry onto Bouncer’s knees for a two count. Coffee is back on his feet once more and with a series of quick punches downs the Bouncer, Coffee ascends the turnbuckle and in the process knocks a light bulb and the lights in Minworth Social club go completely out!

The Firm sense the opportunity to once again interfere, this time Coffee is wise to the situation and trips each member as they enter. With all of The Firm in position Coffee sits down and directs a bobsled run! Although difficult to see, the fans who did laugh hysterically once more. The lights come back on, the LPW Championship is in the ring, Coffee annoyed at the constant interference looks like he is going to take matters into his own hands (as he picks up the Title belt) The Firm distract the referee once more, Coffee and Bouncer throw the title at each other and fain injury and when the ref turns around threw the title at him! With the referee distracted once more Bouncer hits Coffee with the Phoenix City Championship, 1,2 and 3! Fans clap for Coffee as he leaves and chant “Gay Icon” towards Jay Icon.

Match Time: 11 minutes

Winner and still LPW Champion: The Bouncer

Thoughts:

This match had it all from interference, good wrestling, a bobsled run in a wrestling ring is something I never thought I would see! The lights going out and back on again added to the drama, trading the title back and forth while faining injury elicited a lot of laughter from the crowd.

Overall Thoughts:

Pretty solid show from top to bottom, there wasn’t anything that you would say wow that was great, but the wrestling was of a good standard, the comedy was tremendous and all in all it was a fun show.

Next Show:

Friday 19th October 2007
Shard End Social Club,
Brookbank Avenue,
Birmingham
West Midlands
B34 7RN

Card thus far…..

Last Man Standing

Mad Mike vs. Carnage

If you would like to contact me: www.myspace.com/brummieol

Oliver Newman

Chikara Makes Its Return To South Philly With Torneo Cibernetico

Courtesy of Combat Hooligans'Art Shimko:

Chikara
"Cibernetico & Robin"
September 22, 2007
New Alhambra Arena
Philadelphia, PA

Chikara makes its return to South Philly with Torneo Cibernetico

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Pennsylvania-based Chikara Pro Wrestling returned to Philadelphia's New Alhambra Arena on Saturday night.

What made this show unique was the main event which was the promotion's annual Torneo Cibernetico, a match inspired by lucha libre pitting two eight-man teams against each other where there can be only one winner following eliminations via pinfall, submission or knockout. Seeing that only one wrestler can win the Cibernetico for their team, members of one team remaining after the elimination of the opposing team must face each other until there is a winner.

Besides the main event there other matches as well as the evening began with two prelim matches which weren't announced on the card so one can assume these were "dark matches" although they'll most likely make it on the DVD release.

Brodie Lee and Mike Stevens opened the show with a short yet fun match, Lee was in control for most of the match and kicked Stevens in the face for the pinfall. Brodie was over and the crowd would remain hot pretty much the entire show.

The lovely Daizee Haze defeated Candice LaRae when she held the ropes for a pinfall. LaRae was Human Tornado's former valet in PWG and not only received "Tornado" chants from a small yet vocal portion of the crowd but also "Crossface" chants referring to Tornado put her in a crossface at PWG's Battle Of Los Angeles show a few weeks ago. LaRae didn't take too kindly to those chants. Match was okay, LaRae either needs some more polishing or just had an off-night.

Delirious & Hallowicked defeated Ultramantis Black & Hydra after Hydra took a vicious superkick from Hallowicked and was pinned. Great match that began with some comedy and featured lots of great spots and ring work from both teams. Delirious & Hallowicked scored three points with this win and can challenge Team F.I.S.T. for the Campeonatos de Parejas.

In a student vs. teacher match we had Mike Quakenbush defeat Tim Donst [who does an amateur wrestler-type gimmick] via the Chikara Special submission. Donst was over with most of the crowd as he tried to outwrestle Quack who was countering every move and putting Donst in various submissions, lots of good mat wrestling and reversal of moves from both men. At one point Donst hit a killer swinging neckbreaker on Quack.

Next we had a great tag match as Cheech & Cloudy defeated Jimmy & Colin Olsen [The Olsen Twins] with a Shining Wizard following a powerbomb. The Olsens worked hard double-teaming Cloudy a good portion of the match, Colin hit a great tope out the ring hitting a tornado DDT on Cheech.

Super Xtremo defeated Kris Chambers with a hurancanrana for the pinfall, match was okay, both men worked hard but following the tag match it may have taken the wind out of the crowd a bit.

The next match was interesting as The Osirian Portal [Ophidian and a Pharaoh] defeated Shane Storm & Jigsaw in what I thought was a surprise finish. Ophidian,who reminds me of Cobra Commander except with an actual snake mask, got the Cobra Clutch on Storm for the victory. This match was surreal to say the least, Storm and Jigsaw didn't know what to make of this bunch, crowd was definitely into it so that's always a good thing. A little more seasoning and the Portal will certainly fit in with the Chikara world.

Another somewhat surprising win was The Colony [Soldier Ant, Worker Ant & Fire Ant] defeating BLK OUT [Eddie Kingston, Joker & Sabian]. BLK OUT was dominant from the beginning and looked as if they'd get the win but The Colony came back and put up a good fight. Another fun match that had the crowd cheering like crazy for the Colony.

TORNEO CIBERNETICO:

Teams:
Tecnico Squad:
Lince Dorado [captain]
Chiva III
El Hijo del Ice Cream
Chiva IV
Ice Cream, Jr.
Equinox
Magno
Incognito

Rudo Squad:
Chuck Taylor
Larry Sweeney
Icarus
Gran Akuma
Shayne Hawke
Chris Hero
Claudio Castagnoli
Mitch Ryder [captain]

Lots of action alone in this match, the rudos took the early lead as Equinox took the first elimination from Chris Hero followed by Chiva III pinned by Gran Akuma.

Larry Sweeney then got eliminated by Incognito, Ice Cream Jr. was eliminated by Gran Akuma who was then pinned by Magno.

The odd were even 5-5 as El Hijo del Ice Cream pinned Icarus, El Hijo was then eliminated by the awesome Shayne Hawke who also pinned Chiva IV.

Magno spoiled Hawke's victories when he eliminated Hawke, rudos up 4-3. Magno was eliminated by Hero. Lince Dorado pinned Chuck Taylor, Claudio Castagnoli eliminated Incognito, Mitch Ryder eliminated Lince Dorado.

The finals came down to three members of the rudo team with Ryder, Hero and Claudio. Hero and Claudio had issues with each other the whole match and in return Claudio put Hero in the Chikara Special, Hero tapped and was eliminated followed by Claudio hitting the Riccola Bomb on Ryder to win the Torneo Cibernetico.

A great night of wrestling, I always enjoy Chikara's product and was happy to finally see a Torneo Cibernetico in person. Definitely pick up the DVD when it's released.

Chikara returns to Philadelphia on November 18th for their season finale.

Diego Sanchez On Possible Move To Lightweight

Diego Sanchez, after last night's loss to Jon Fitch: "I'm contemplating, in my mind, whether I'm gonna drop to fifty-five or not, 'cuz I really am a smaller welterweight..."

Video link

Note: As an affiliate of Zuffa, LLC, this footage is being used with their permission.

Programming Alert: Some Dude Receives His Blue Belt From The Gracies

Robert Rey of 'Dr. 90210'
E!
Monday, September 24 @ 10 PM ET; Tuesday, September 25 @ 1 AM ET; Wednesday, September 26 @ 9 PM ET; Thursday, September 27 @ 11 AM ET; Friday, September 28 @ 8 PM ET

I'll be watching RAW, so I won't see this, which is also my excuse for missing the subsequent replays (even the one which runs against SmackDown).

PRESS RELEASE NYWC OCT13 BENEFIT SHOW FOR EVELYNN BIONDO

Courtesy of the New York Wrestling Connection:


LITTLE EVELYNN NEEDS YOUR HELP

In late June of this year, Evelynn Marie Biondo, an 11-week-old infant girl, was violently abused and irreparably damaged by her father, Joshua Cohen, in an incident that has left many Long Islanders stunned and truly saddened. Evelynn, who has amazingly overcome the life-threatening effects of "Shaken Baby Syndrome," is still facing an extremely difficult road. She will need to overcome extensive neurological damage that has led to low muscle tone and retinal hemorrhages, and some loss of vision.

The New York Wrestling Connection is happy to be a part of her recovery effort, as we will present a tremendous wrestling show with the singular purpose of raising money for her ongoing treatment, and to help ease the burden on her mother, Alicia. All proceeds -- every last penny -- will be donated to Evelynn's cause.

"Evening for Evelynn" will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at William Floyd High School, 240 Mastic Beach Road, Mastic Beach, NY. Starting at 7:00 PM, tickets are only $10 each and will be worth every cent as the stars of the NYWC give their all with baby Evelynn on their minds!

More information about this show will be posted soon. In the meantime, learn more about Evelynn and her journey toward recovery at www.evelynnmariebiondo.com.

From Ric: On a personal note, I'm not a big fan of kids, but what this father did is fucking disgusting. Hope you are raped on a daily basis in prison, Joshua.

Lauzon And McMasters Shine In WCF Debut

Courtesy of World Championship Fighting:

World Championship Fighting’s inaugural event was a HUGE success and the crowd was buzzing all the way to the parking lot after the show. In what was an incredibly stacked fight card, the crowd saw just about everything you could ever hope to see at a Mixed Martial Arts event. The night was full of highlight reel knockouts, technical grappling displays, submission attempts and all out slugfests. The crowd, a sellout 2200 fans, was anxious to see a great night of MMA action and was treated to just that.

In one of the most anticipated fights of the night, UFC veteran Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon came out like a ball of lighting landing a ferocious right hand which sent Wayne Harnois crashing to the canvas. Lauzon quickly followed up with punches to the head of his opponent to earn a 14 second TKO victory. After the stoppage Lauzon climbed the ropes and performed a high intensity back flip which further excited the crowd.

In the night’s co-main event, Bobby McMasters and Bobby Dias put on what was easily the fight of the night. The first two rounds saw an absolute grappling clinic from both fighters with each fighter reversing each other and constantly going for submissions. After two rounds of fighting, the bout was ruled a draw and therefore went to a third and deciding overtime round. The overtime round was once again very close until McMasters landed a crushing left hand which ended the night for Dias. The nights full results are below:

Greg Sterns def. Mike Deleo by decision.
Mike Curtis def. Seth Davis by decision.
Ronnie Wuest def. Jesse Petersoon by TKO.
Dan Bonnell def. Geo Sontay by decision.
Greg Croteau def. Jim Gonzales by decision.
Adrian Fulk def. Jonas Fernandez by arm bar.
Dan Lauzon def. Wayne Harnois by TKO.
Belleton Frederic def. Jerry Spiegel by head kick KO.
Jason Dolloff def. Charlie Thomas by TKO.
Jamie Campbell def. Steven Stengal by TKO.
Bobby McMasters def. Bobby Dias by KO.
Joe Cushman def. Aguilano Brandao by decision.

Based on the success of the promotion's first event, the WCF looks forward to putting on four shows in 2008. World Championship Fighting would like to thank our fighter's sponsors: Flex Appeal, Align Health, CryoGel, American Fighter, and Hostile Fight Gear.

For more info contact:
WCFinfo@comcast.net

Friday, September 21, 2007

International Fight League Names Jay Larkin President And Chief Operating Officer

Courtesy of the International Fight League:

Former Showtime Executive Joins the World’s Number One Team-based Mixed Martial Arts League

NEW YORK, September 21, 2007 – The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s number one team-based professional mixed martial arts league, today announced that longtime television executive, event producer and boxing industry icon Jay Larkin has been named to the newly-created position of President and Chief Operating Officer. Larkin will report directly to IFL CEO Gareb Shamus and will oversee all the day-to-day operational details of the IFL.

“Jay has been very helpful advising us in our first year and we are elated that he will be joining us in a larger full-time role as we enter our second full season,” said Gareb Shamus, IFL co-founder and CEO. “Jay’s experience in the television, live event promotion, international television, entertainment industry and corporate business worlds will be a huge plus not only to the IFL, but to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts both now and into the future.”

“I am very pleased to be able to join the IFL,” Larkin said. “Mixed Martial Arts is quickly becoming a mainstream sport with virtually limitless growth potential as the fan demographic continues to expand. The IFL is perfectly positioned to take MMA to the next level and capitalize on the opportunities.”

Larkin spent over 20 years at media giant Showtime, rising to become one of the most powerful deal makers in sports and entertainment during his storied career. He began at Showtime in 1984, and helped create countless entertainment specials involving stars ranging from Dave Chappelle, Britney Spears, The Spice Girls and Jay-Z to legends like Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones among others for the network and pay per view.

During that time, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native also oversaw the channel’s entrance into boxing, beginning in 1986 with Marvelous Marvin Hagler's middleweight title defense against John Mugabi, thus creating the powerhouse Showtime Championship Boxing. He negotiated the deals and was the executive producer of some of boxing’s most legendary matchups of the last quarter century, including numerous Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Julio Cesar Chavez fights. Larkin also was one of the key negotiators for what was the biggest money fight in history, the 2002 heavyweight championship bout between Lennox Lewis and Tyson that happened because of a landmark deal between Showtime (Tyson's network) and rival HBO (Lewis' network).

Just before leaving Showtime, Larkin put together Ricky Hatton vs. Kostya Tszyu and Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy, two career-changing events for both Hatton and Calzaghe. Just prior to joining the IFL, he completed negotiations for the upcoming blockbuster match of Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler for HBO and Sports Network.

His multi-faceted career includes an extensive background in live theater. Larkin attended the Boston Conservatory of Music; the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and received a degree in theater and directing from C.W. Post College of Long Island University. He has been nominated for a primetime Emmy Award, a Tony Award and is a recipient of the prestigious boxing industry Taub Award for excellence in broadcasting journalism from the Boxing Writers Association of America.

About the IFL

International Fight League™ (IFL) is the world’s number one professional mixed martial arts sports league. IFL has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv.

Fighters Make Weight For WCF Event

Courtesy of World Championship Fighting:

Weigh-ins for World Championship Fighting were held tonight and all fighters who weighed in, made weight. All fights are on and we look forward to a great night of action. The whole city is buzzing with excitement for the largest Mixed Martial Arts event to ever hit the Boston area, and tickets are going fast. Click the image below to view the official weigh-in gallery. Tickets will be available online at wcfighting.com until 2:00PM Eastern Time and then available at the Aleppo Shriners Box office at 5:30PM. The official weigh-in gallery can be found at wcfighting.com.

WHERE: Aleppo Shriners Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA 01887

WHEN: Friday, September 21, 2007. Doors open at 6:30PM, Fights start at 8:00 PM

Main Event: UFC Veteran Dan Lauzon vs. Wayne Harnois
Mike Deleo vs. Greg Sterns
Bobby Dias vs. Bobby McMasters
Seth Davis vs. Mike Curtis
Jason Doloff vs Charlie Thomas
Jim Gonzales vs. Greg Croteau
Jamie Campbell vs. Steve Stengal
Jonas Fernandez vs. Adrian Fulk
Aguilano Brandao vs. Joe Cushman
Belleton Frederic vs. Jerry Spiegel
Dan Bonnell vs. Geo Sontay
Ronnie Wuest vs. Jesse Peterson
*Fight card subject to change.*

Special Guests expected in Attendance: UFC Fighters: Marcus “The Irish Handgrenade” Davis; Kenny “KenFlo” Florian; Drew “The Master” Fickett; Sean “The Gladiator” Gannon; Jorge "El Conquistador" Rivera; Muay Thai Coach Mark DellaGrotte “The Ultimate Fighter 4“; Boxing Coach Peter Welsh “The Ultimate Fighter 2.”

Ticket Prices: $35, $45, $65, $100, $250

Tickets available for purchase by calling: (800) 595-4849 Or Online at www.WCFighting.com.

Sponsors include: TESTA CORP, CheapBoxing.com, Two Guys Smoke shop, Flex Appeal, Sheraton Hotels, 180 Fitness, Survival Athletics, Tapout, Team Sityodtong, MassMMA.com, GNP, CombatCorner.com, Fenway.Mobi

CONTACT:
Rick Caldwell
Cell: (978) 804-1565, Email: RCaldwellmma@yahoo.com

Thursday, September 20, 2007

WWE Presents RAW At Wembley Arena With Ric Flair, John Cena And Umaga Headlining

Courtesy of Finditt:

Atlanta, GA 9/20/2007 8:00 PM GMT
WWE, the popular sports entertainment league, is currently on tour and taking their wrestling battles live in London at the Wembley Arena on October 16, 2007.

In addition to London, WWE Live is set to go live in Belfast Ireland at the Odyssey Arena and Glasgow Braehead Arena in Glasgow Scotland.

In addition to Ric Flair, John Cena, and Umaga other legendary wrestlers on the tour will include Edge, Randy Orton, Carlito, Jeff Hardy, Johnny Nitro and more.

WWE Raw is a Monday night professional television wrestling program and is the primary broadcast of the RAW brand.

For WWE Tour concert locations, times and dates visit: http://events.finditt.com/Events_view.aspx?Eventid=509

befound@finditt.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Another Episode Of 'Sitting In The Front Row' Is In The Books (I'm A Big Boy!)

In my lifelong commitment to ride the coattails of hip, young talent, I break new ground, as for the first time, I demonstrate my ability (well, ability may be a strong word) to host a podcast by myself.

Joining me for a casual, lighthearted, forty-five-minute discussion is Koa-Marie, a late-riser, current trainee at OVW, and WWE hopeful.

We talk about Koa's resemblance to Beulah McGillicutty (well, at least, I think she bears a resemblance) and other wrestlers, the origin of her first name, and how she nearly once got arrested in Hawaii.

She gives free plugs to All-American Wrestling, Derek St. Holmes, and KUBED Fight Gear.

A technical error (yeah, that's what it was) results in her being cutoff before she can officially say good-bye, but that's okay, because it just gives me a built-in excuse to book her as a return guest.

If you're too lazy to click the link on the right (like me), click here to listen.

Teams Go For The Rings In IFL World Championship Finals On "IFL Battleground"

Courtesy of the International Fight League:

Defending Champion Silverbacks Go For Third Straight Crown Against New York Pitbulls

NEW YORK, September 19, 2007- For the past seven months, “IFL Battleground” viewers have followed the 12 teams from the International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s number one professional mixed martial arts league, through the regular season and the 2007 World Championship semifinals. This Monday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT/MT), the program chronicles the highly-anticipated finals matchup between Renzo Gracie’s New York Pitbulls and Pat Miletich’s defending champion Quad Cities Silverbacks. “IFL Battleground” airs every Monday night, with a replay on Saturday, on MyNetworkTV.

IFL stars such as Ben Rothwell and Bart Palaszewski of the Silverbacks and Fabio Leopoldo and Delson Heleno of the Pitbulls are among the competitors who have been featured throughout the year and who will be competing for their respective teams. The event features five bouts, from lightweight to heavyweight, with the team winning three or more taking the Championship rings.

The Pitbulls, undefeated during the regular season, defeated the Tokyo Sabres, 3-2, to advance to the finals. The Silverbacks, who won both the 2006 Legends Championship and World Team Championship, topped the No. 1-seeded Los Angeles Anacondas to qualify for the finals. The Silverbacks defeated the Pitbulls, 3-2, in Moline, Ill., in September 2006 in the only other matchup between the teams.

Matchups and personalities featured in the episode include:

Deividas Taurosevicius (Lithuania), who has worked his way into the starter position for the Pitbulls, challenges Palaszewski (Wonder Lake, Ill.) in the lightweight division.

Heleno (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), a Capoeira and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu master with the descriptive nickname of “Pe de Chumbo,” -- or “leadfoot” -- for his devastating kicks, takes on Jake Ellenberger (Omaha, Neb.), filling in for injured star Rory Markham at welterweight for the Silverbacks.

Middleweight Leopoldo (Sao Paolo, Brazil) returns after suffering a shoulder injury in the last regular season bout for a rematch with the Silverbacks’ Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa), a civilian Army engineer who also missed his team’s semifinal bout, but for a different reason – the newlywed McGivern was on his honeymoon.

Another rematch is on tap as Pitbulls’ light heavyweight Andre Gusmao (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) puts his strong striking and ground skills to use against Mike Ciesnolevicz (Williamstown, Pa.), whom Gusmao defeated by second-round TKO in 2006.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez (Staten Island, N.Y.) makes his IFL debut, substituting for injured Pitbulls heavyweight Bryan Vetell against undefeated IFL star Ben “The North Star” Rothwell (Milwaukee, Wis.).

Viewers can find their local MyNetworkTV affiliate at http://www.mynetworktv.com/stations.php.

About the IFL

International Fight League™ (IFL) is the world’s first professional mixed martial arts sports league. IFL has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv.

Fan Falls To Death At Site Of Last Night's SmackDown Taping

Shortly after the conclusion of last night's SmackDown taping at Atlanta's Philips Arena, a spectator fell from a walking ramp and was killed.

Authorities have not released the victim's name, but have said no charges will be filed in the accident, which occurred just before 12 AM ET.

I know it's extremely tasteless of me to somehow relate this incident to the quality of the show, but ...

Preliminary Hearing Waved In Fraud Case, Which Involves WWE

Kresten Ericksen is set to go before a grand jury, after Tuesday's decision to forgo a preliminary hearing, and will remain free, but under the supervision of the probation department.

Ericksen, in case you've forgotten, is a city councilor in Ogdensburg, New York, and accused of (among other improprieties) forging a WWE official's signature on an eight-thousand-dollar receipt, in the wake of a fundraiser for the Ogdensburg Free Academy.

Authorities have only been able to account for about half of the missing money.

More updates to come.

"Kudos" Of The Day Go To ...

Tonganoxie (Kansas) Mirror's Eric Sorrentino, for this garbage. Give me a fucking break!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Tonight's Episode Of 'ECW On Sci Fi' Is In The Books

The lowdown from Atlanta's Philips Arena:

- Just for the record, tonight's show was taped, because they needed the extra time for SmackDown's season premiere.

- Elijah Burke, Kevin Thorn, Tommy Dreamer, and Stevie Richards argued over which of them should get a shot at the ECW title. I didn't care, but for some reason, Armando Estrada did and placed those men in a 'Fatal Fourway,' with the loser of the fall being eliminated from a weekly series to determine CM Punk's challenger at 'No Mercy.'

- Shock of shocks: Richards is out, after being pinned by Burke and Thorn. Even I popped for some of the action (particularly in the last five, or so, minutes).

- Burke ran into, then bragged to, Punk. Punk insulted Burke. If you think you want specifics, trust me, you don't.

- The Miz introduced Extreme Exposé, so they could do whatever it is they do. Layla sure has a nice ass.

- Miz and EE stayed at ringside to watch Balls Mahoney defeat (just when I thought it couldn't get any worse than Miz) Mike Knox. Spinebuster-looking-thingy, pin. After his victory, Mahoney asked Kelly Kelly for a date. Before she could answer, Kelly was ushered away, leading Mahoney to take that as a, "Yes." Tazz actually said, "Yes is no. No is yes." It must thrill young girls' parents to hear those words uttered in such a context.

- Lots of Big-Daddy-V and Matt Striker, as they prepared for the main event and The Boogeyman.

- BDV (accompanied by Striker) defeated Boogeyman. Not much more than a squash, with Boogey probably bumping more in five-minutes than he has in his career. Not sure (nor do I really care) if this was designed as a burial, or if they're just that determined to build BDV as a threat for Punk's title.

If you missed the show, I wouldn't go out of my way to catch it. If you saw it, sorry.

Weigh-In Results: Tomorrow's 'UFC Fight Night'

In the future, I'll just include the official weights in my 'Quick Picks' posts:

Jonathan Goulet - 169
Dustin Hazelett - 170

Thiago Alves - 171
Kuniyoshi Hironaka - 170

Gray Maynard - 154
Joe Veres - 156

Leonard Garcia - 155
Cole Miller - 155

Edilberto Crocota - 170
Luke Cummo - 169

Nate Quarry - 186
Pete Sell - 184

Junior Assuncao - 155
Nate Diaz - 155

Chris Leben - 185
Terry Martin - 186

Kenny Florian - 155
Din Thomas - 156

The Return Of Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon

Fresh off of a TKO win over James Meals in June, Dan "The Upgrade" Lauzon returns to MMA action Friday September 21st 2007 at the Aleppo Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington Massachusetts for World Championship Fighting. Lauzon, the youngest fighter to have ever competed in the UFC, headlines the World Championship Fighting event in front of his hometown fans as he squares off against Wayne Harnois. Harnois, coming off of a win by armbar submission last month, has the perfect platform to make his mark in the Mixed Martial Arts world with a win over a UFC veteran. For Lauzon, this is an opportunity to showcase his skills in front of the hometown crowd and work his way back into the extremely deep UFC lightweight division. With Dan's older brother Joe having enjoyed the exposure of being on the UFC's flagship program The Ultimate Fighter, Dan is looking to make his own mark in the sport and an impressive win over Harnois Friday night could do just that.

WHERE: Aleppo Shriners Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA 01887

WHEN: Friday, September 21, 2007. Doors open at 6:30PM, Fights start at 8:00 PM

Main Event: UFC Veteran Dan Lauzon vs. Wayne Harnois
Mike Deleo vs. Greg Sterns
Bobby Dias vs. Bobby McMasters
Sean Ratcliffe vs. Nick Tzimas
Seth Davis vs. Mike Curtis
Jason Doloff vs Charlie Thomas
Jim Gonzales vs. Greg Croteau
Jamie Campbell vs. Steve Stengal
Jonas Fernandez vs. Adrian Fulk
Aguilano Brandao vs. Joe Cushman
Belleton Frederic vs. Jerry Spiegel
Dan Bonnell vs. Geo Sontay
Ronnie Wuest vs. Jesse Peterson
*Fight card subject to change.*

Special Guests expected in Attendance: UFC Fighters: Marcus“The Irish Handgrenade” Davis; Kenny “KenFlo” Florian; Drew “The Master” Fickett; Sean “The Gladiator” Gannon; Jorge "El Conquistador" Rivera; Muay Thai Coach Mark DellaGrotte “The Ultimate Fighter 4“; Boxing Coach Peter Welsh “The Ultimate Fighter 2.”

Ticket Prices: $35, $45, $65, $100, $250

Tickets available for purchase by calling: (800) 595-4849 Or Online at www.WCFighting.com.

Sponsors include: TESTA CORP, CheapBoxing.com, Two Guys Smoke shop, Flex Appeal, Sheraton Hotels, 180 Fitness, Survival Athletics, Tapout, Team Sityodtong, MassMMA.com, GNP, CombatCorner.com, Fenway.Mobi

CONTACT:
Rick Caldwell
Cell: (978) 804-1565, Email: RCaldwellmma@yahoo.com

Ric's Quick Picks: 'UFC Fight Night' (Tomorrow Night, 9 PM ET, Spike TV)

Just what the title says:

Dark Matches
* Welterweights: Jonathan Goulet vs. Dustin Hazelett - Goulet.
* Welterweights: Thiago Alves vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka - Tough to call, but going with Alves.
* Lightweights: Gray Maynard vs. Joe Veres - Veres.
* Lightweights: Leonard Garcia vs. Cole Miller - Miller.
* Welterweights: Luke Cummo vs. Edilberto Crocota - Cummo.

Main Card
* Middleweights: Pete Sell vs. Nate Quarry - Sell (Quarry's gonna be too rusty).
* Lightweights: Nate Diaz vs. Junior Assuncao - Diaz.
* Middleweights: Chris Leben vs. Terry Martin - Martin.
* Lightweights: Kenny Florian vs. Din Thomas - Another tough one, but going with Florian.

Notes
* If you're interested in how well the Combat Hooligans fare, click here.
* See you at about 11 PM ET, with my recap of the show.

Updated Lineup For WWE's 'No Mercy'

'WWE: No Mercy'

Allstate Arena
Chicago, Illinois
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Live pay-per-view begins at 8 PM ET

Current Card

* WWE title: John Cena vs. Randy Orton - 'Last-Man-Standing'
* World title: Batista vs. The Great Khali - 'Punjab-Prison'
* Triple H vs. Umaga

Has Randy Orton Recently Attempted Suicide?

That's the claim, according to Irvin Muchnick., who's treading into some very serious waters with the statement. I don't know whether or not he's correct, but something like that, if challenged, is going to need some substantial corroboration.

Programming Alert: Tonight's Episode Of HBO's 'Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel'

The much-talked-about (both in and out of the industry) segment on pro wrestling airs at 10 PM ET, and many will breathe a sigh of relief, as its nothing more than interviews with Marcus Bagwell and Del Wilkes (easy targets, even if what they're saying has any relevance) added to the piece they did in 2003.

Official Tagline & Updated Lineup For UFC 78

UFC 78: 'Validation'

Prudential Center
Newark, New Jersey
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Live pay-per-view begins at 10 PM ET

Current Card

* Lightweights: BJ Penn vs. ???
* Welterweights: Karo Parisyan vs. ???
* Lightweights: Joe Lauzon vs. Jason Reinhardt
* Lightweights: Spencer Fisher vs. Frank Edgar
* Middleweights: Ed Herman vs. Dave Terrell

Monday, September 17, 2007

Tonight's Episode Of 'WWE RAW' Is In The Books

The lowdown from Nashville, Tennessee's Sommet Center:

- John Cena, feeling "fabulous" (I get it), thanked his decrepit father (for making him proud), Randy Orton (for being stupid), and Jonathan Coachman (for giving Orton a rematch at 'No Mercy'). Let's see if Cena's so happy on October 8. Cena was rambling on and on, so Coach finally interrupted him and made my evening by saying he'd signed Orton to face the older, balder, fatter Cena (because Sr. was desperate enough to do anything it took to save his son's title). Life is good!

- Intercontinental title: Jeff Hardy defeated Shelton Benjamin. Not bad, but no reason for me to care, so I didn't pay complete attention. Remember when Benjamin was cool? Well, neither do I, but he was on his way there. 'Swanton Bomb' pin. In a classy move and possibly another sign of maturity (ie: haircut), Hardy gave his sleeve (or whatever the fuck you'd call it) to an excited youngster.

- This year's Diva Search seems to feature scantily clad women. Tonight: Naomi, we hardly knew ye. Tomorrow (on wwe.com): Diva limbo.

- Coachman joined Mr. McMahon and Hornswoggle in the back of a limo. The plan is set (whatever that means). Highlights featured Hornswoggle eating Lucky Charms and strapped in a car seat. See, this is never gonna get old.

- Cena tried to talk his Dad out of facing Orton, but that kick must've really fucked up the old man, because he refused to back out.

- Santino Marella tried to reach Maria, but she sent Jillian Hall to the door. Here's what I picked up from the segment: Chicks dig Steve Austin and 'The Condemned.' Everyone and their Mom (well, in Marella's case, their weird uncle) is going to make fun of Britney Spears, and I never again wanna hear Marella talk about masturbating.

- Hornswoggle separated himself from McMahon and Coachman, had McMahon's office made up in an Irish motif (including a "unicorn"), then fled from Coach.

- Tomorrow night's main event: The Boogeyman vs. Big-Daddy-V.

- Flag match: Jim Duggan (America) defeated Daivari (Iran). This wasn't much better than the last few segments, so my mind kind of wandered. Duggan may or may not (I don't care) have injured himself in retrieving the American flag. Daivari's physique continues to shrink, but not nearly at the rate it grew.

- Cody Rhodes wanted to take that idiot's place, but Coachman denied the request. Cena entered the picture and demanded said match be canceled Coach said Cena could control his Dad's fate. If Cena wins his upcoming match, his Dad is free. We all know, that ain't gonna happen.

- McMahon went to the ring, where he was joined by his other disappointing offspring, although as with Shane, McMahon acted proud to see the little twit. Ed and Alice Koskey (I get it) attempted to adopt Hornswoggle, but Horny attacked the couple and foiled McMahon's plan. After McMahon told his "child" to get away from him, Triple-H (speaking of annoying relatives) revealed himself to be the office-decorating culprit and made a bunch of crummy jokes (pretty difficult in this environment, but he somehow pulled it off), which the crowd ate up. After tiring of those antics, McMahon introduced HHH's opponents, who were Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch. What in the fuck has happened to the past thirty-minutes of this show?! Actually, what in the fuck has happened to this product?! Scratch that, what in the fuck has happened to the world?! When did this become funny?

- Handicap match: HHH defeated Cade & Murdoch. Cade was spinebusted and pinned. Carlito decided to get an up-close-and-personal look at the action, and later join Cade and Murdoch in a post-match attack, but Paul London and Brian Kendrick made the save. "Stone Cold" gave the kids a further rub by hitting each of them with a 'Pedigree.' What a guy!

- Hall & Melina defeated Candice Michelle & Mickie James. James' new hair color and style sure looks familiar ... Anyway, Michelle hit Hall with the 'Candywrapper,' then scored the pin. Beth Phoenix was at ringside, and just stood and stoically watched the bout, until presenting a victorious Michelle with the Women's title. I'm very impressed with the progression of Phoenix' persona (and her theme music rocks).

- More promoting of 'The Condemend,' which is coincidentally hitting store shelves on Tuesday. Remember, chicks dig it!

- McMahon and Coachman thought they'd rid themselves of Hornswoggle, but he was actually hiding in the trunk of McMahon's limo, which left the building. Coach is getting married, I guess. Good for him. I'm guessing there will be a lot of drinking among members of WWE's creative team.

- Next Monday's main event: Cage match - HHH vs. Carlito.

- Cena defeated Marella - DQ. The match was barely underway, when Orton attacked, prompting the decision. Orton and Marella then handcuffed Cena to the bottom rope, and Coachman revealed how he'd forgotten pinfall or submission stips applied to Cena's victory (meaning Cena hadn't saved his Dad). Awwwwwwww.

- Orton defeated Mummy - DQ. Orton was just getting started (hell of a sell-job by the Mumster, by the way), when Rhodes' interference prompted the decision. That's okay, because Rhodes and the old man still took a beating. Cena ended up unscrewing one of the turnbuckles, but was too late to save Sr. from an 'RKO.' Yay, son! The program ended with a Cena-Orton staredown, serenaded by a lovely chant of, "You can't wrestle!," which couldn't have been aimed at Orton.

I can excuse the lack of wrestling and logic, but not the abundance of "humor," nor the lack of Orton punting old men.

Programming Alert: 'Countdown To UFC 76: Knockout'

Premiere: Tuesday (morning), September 18 @ 12:30 AM ET

Replays: Thursday, September 20 & Friday, September 21 @ 11 PM ET, and Saturday, September 22 @ 6 PM ET

Station: Spike TV

Preview For Tonight's Edition Of 'WWE RAW'

Host: Nashville, Tennessee's Sommet Center.

What to expect?: Not much, according to what I've heard.

- John Cena, fresh from robbing Randy Orton of the WWE title, and Bryan Hrina and I of our (late) birthday present, will open the show. I'd better not see that fucking old man of his. Well, not unless Orton's punting the fuck out of him.

- Shelton Benjamin challenges for Jeff Hardy's Intercontinental title. Charlie whom?

- Speaking of things I'd rather not see, they're teasing more in the ongoing sagas of Mr. McMahon and Hornswoggle, and Candice Michelle and Beth Phoenix. I guess we'll also hear something about the Diva Search, since the first elimination is coming at 10 PM ET.

If you don't hear more from me before the start of the show, look for my review, which should be posted at about 11:10 PM ET.

SUN Announces ART OF WAR 4 "MISSISSIPPI MAYHEM" - Fight Card

Courtesy of SUN Sports & Entertainment Inc.:

DALLAS, TX--Sep 17, 2007 -- SUN Sports & Entertainment Inc. (Other OTC:SSPE.PK - News) announces the line-up for the next professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card for ART OF WAR 4 "MISSISSIPPI MAYHEM" to be held on Saturday, October 27th 2007 in Tunica, Mississippi at Harrah's Grand Casino Tunica.

SUN's new Vice President of Fighter Relations and Media, Clyde Gentry III, who oversees all fight cards, stated, "I've been in the MMA Industry for quite a while, and this is the perfect time to jump back in. It is an intriguing challenge to match fights for different size cards, from the big pay-per-view events to the smaller venues. It's an exciting time to be in the sport right now and I know I can make a difference because SUN will be around for a long time and we're growing."

Coming off the recent pay-per-view success of ART OF WAR 3 Team USA vs. Team BRAZIL, which garnered the esteemed Platinum 4-Star Award from Tain'd Entertainment, ART OF WAR 4 makes its way to the Deep South in a special event to showcase the hottest new MMA talent.

In the main event, Mississippi favorite MATT "WAR MACHINE" THOMAS takes on MIKE "JUGGERNAUT" WESSEL in a heavyweight slugfest. Thomas trains out of Mullen's Kickboxing and Karate in Memphis, Tennessee and sports a 5-3 record. Wessel is the current strength and conditioning coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks and currently holds a 2-1 record as pro and an undefeated 6-0 amateur record.

In the co-main event, undefeated super heavyweights collide as SHANE CARWIN (6-0, 6'4", 280 lbs.) faces off against REX RICHARDS (4-0, 6'5", 290 lbs.). Carwin is a two-time All-American Division II wrestling champion who arguably has the best physique in MMA. Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Carwin is Ron "H20" Waterman's sparring partner and recently smashed Rick "Bad Boy" Slaton in just 60 seconds at "Ring of Fire" to punctuate his undefeated record. Richards is a former NFL professional football player for the Indianapolis Colts who gave up the gridiron for the steel cage. Both men are known for power, strength and hard punches. This match promises to be one of the most intense super heavyweight battles in recent memory as both men are physical specimens and at the end of the day... there can only be one winner.

Modern Combatives Army instructor ANDREW CHAPPELLE (5-5) returns after a two-year hiatus to take on Memphis native ADRIANO "NASAL" PEREIRA in a 155-pound match. Chappelle has spent his time on the sidelines sharpening his tools while preparing America's best, but now he's ready to show the world he still has what it takes to be a top contender. Pereira is arguably the best grappler in the Deep South. As a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Murilo Bustamante and the Brazilian Top Team, "Nasal" will test his 5-3 record and aims for a submission win in front of his hometown crowd.

Former UFC veteran RON FAIRCLOTH brings over 30 bouts of experience to the table in a 205-pound bout against local superstar CHRIS HAWK, who will be making his professional debut. Hawk, who is 4-1 as an amateur, hopes to shock the world with an upset using his years of experience while training at Mullen's Kickboxing and Karate. Faircloth is a cagey submission specialist who carries a six-fight winning streak. Will experience overcome youth or will the Hawk put himself on the map with a surprise win in his inaugural match?

Arkansas native DJ WATKINS recently made the evening news with a "flying armbar" and brings an unblemished 4-0 professional record to ART OF WAR. In a middleweight affair, he will face hard-hitting Indiana powerhouse KYLE GIBBONS (5-2).

Little Rock, Arkansas police officer MARK WIGGINS (2-0) won't be able to enforce the law in the circular cage, but he will be looking for a knockout or submission over Modern Combatives Army student KEITH BACH (2-1) from Georgia in a 135-pound contest.

Mississippi's very own DAVID HULETT (3-3) will look to improve his record in a welterweight showdown against Memphis native DAVID "BUFF" BROWN (5-2).

Undefeated amateur ANDY "THE STUNNER" UHRICH (all 6 wins by KO) looks to make his pro debut a successful one against Mississippi native CHRIS "2 CRUEL" GATES (8-3) in a 185-pound bout that will open the show.

"With the local talent we have on the card, get your tickets early because this show will sell out quickly," says Gentry. "We want to make a big splash in Mississippi and we plan on coming back." All bouts are sanctioned by the Mississippi Athletic Commission.

Tickets for ART OF WAR 4 are priced from $25 to $100 plus special (Cage Side VIP Packages). Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at the Grand Tunica Box Office 901.525.1515. For more up to date fight info, please visit www.artofwarLIVE.com.

About SUN:

SUN is a Professional Sports & Entertainment Production Company. SUN is a Certified and Licensed Combat Sports Promoter and produces World Class Mixed Martial Arts Events. The properties of SUN Sports & Entertainment (www.SUNorganization.com), Art of War LIVE (www.artofwarLIVE.com) International Fighters Association (www.IFApro.com), USA National Team - Team USA MMA (www.teamUSAmma.com) and UNDERGROUND Cage Fighting (www.undergroundcagefighting.com), are pending trademarks.

About Grand Casino Tunica:

Grand Casino Tunica is the largest casino resort between Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The resort was voted "Best Overall Casino Hotel" by Casino Player magazine in 2006. The Grand Casino Tunica offers 24-hour gaming action in the largest casino between Las Vegas and Atlantic City, 140,000 square feet of exciting gaming in four uniquely themed gaming areas. There's something for everybody -- high-payout slots, table games, a non-smoking gaming area, and Total Rewards® casino loyalty program offering members the flexibility they want and the recognition they deserve. For more information on the Grand Casino Tunica, please visit: www.GrandTunica.com.

Safe Harbor Statement -- This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approvals for anticipated actions. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to or implied by such statements. In addition, actual or future results may differ materially from those anticipated depending on a variety of factors, including continued maintenance of favorable license arrangements, success of market research identifying new product opportunities, successful introduction of new products, continued product innovation, sales and earnings growth, ability to attract and retain key personnel, and general economic conditions affecting consumer spending. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SUN Sports & Entertainment Inc. does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law.

Contact:

SUN Contact:
Clyde Gentry, III
Tel: 972.392.1414 X 116
cgentry@sunorganization.com

Grand Casino Tunica Contact:
Jocelyn Agnellini
Tel: 662-357-5697
jagnellini@harrahs.com

Wanna See An Example Of Journalism At Its Finest? ...

Money-quote (which has since been edited, probably after so many pointed out the article's blatant errors) courtesy of today's edition of Albany, New York's Times Union:

"Pro wrestlers: Kurt Angle (suspended); Randy Orton (suspended); Chris Benoit (deceased); Eddie Guerrero (deceased); Adam Copeland (suspended); Shane Helms (suspended); Oscar Gutierrez (Rey Mysterio) (suspended); Charlie Haas (suspended); Robert Huffman (suspended); Simon Dean (suspended); Santino Marella (suspended); John Morrison (suspended); William Regal (suspended); Chris Masters (suspended); Chavo Guerrero (suspended); Kenneth Anderson (suspended); David Bautista (suspended); Shoichi Funaki (suspended)"

Coming Soon: Waylon Mercy II?

According to an article in today's edition of The Beacon (which actually focuses on the popularity of professional wrestling and mixed-martial-arts among FIU athletes), Andy Leavine, cousin of Dan Spivey, hopes to one day become a pro wrestler.

The paper makes mention of how Leavine's blonde, shoulder-length hairstyle resembles that of Hulk Hogan, but fails to note that Spivey once had the same (Hogan-inspired) look.

I don't know what FIU is, nor do I want to learn, but if you do, or would otherwise like to see the story for yourself, click here.

World Championship Fighting® Presents The Ultimate in Mixed Martial Arts Fighting! LIVE 16 Pro Bouts



WHERE: Aleppo Shriners Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA 01887

WHEN: Friday, September 21, 2007. Doors open at 6:30PM, Fights start at 8:00 PM

Joseph Cavallaro and Associates' World Championship Fighting® invites you to a night of MMA excitement featuring 16 action packed fights on one card.

Scheduled fights include:

Main Event: UFC Veteran Dan Lauzon vs. Wayne Harnois
Mike Deleo vs. Greg Sterns
Bobby Dias vs. Bobby McMasters
Sean Ratcliffe vs. Nick Tzimas
Seth Davis vs. Mike Curtis
Jason Doloff vs Charlie Thomas
Jim Gonzales vs. Greg Croteau
Jamie Campbell vs. Steve Stengal
Jonas Fernandez vs. Adrian Fulk
Aguilano Brandao vs. Joe Cushman
Belleton Frederic vs. Jerry Spiegel
Dan Bonnell vs. Geo Sontay
Ronnie Wuest vs. Jesse Peterson

*Fight card subject to change.*



Special Guests expected in Attendance:
UFC Fighters: Marcus"The Irish Handgrenade"Davis; Kenny "KenFlo" Florian; Drew "The Master" Fickett; Sean "The Gladiator" Gannon; Jorge "El Conquistador" Rivera; Muay Thai Coach Mark DellaGrotte"The Ultimate Fighter 4"; Boxing Coach Peter Welsh "The Ultimate Fighter 2."

Ticket Prices: $35, $45, $65, $100, $250

Tickets available for purchase by calling: (800) 595-4849 Or Online at www.WCFighting.com.

Sponsors include: TESTA CORP, CheapBoxing.com, Two Guys Smoke shop, Flex Appeal, Sheraton Hotels, 180 Fitness, Survival Athletics, Tapout, Team Sityodtong, MassMMA.com, GNP, CombatCorner.com, Fenway.Mobi

CONTACT:
Rick Caldwell
Cell: (978) 804-1565
RCaldwellmma@yahoo.com

For additional information on this event, contact Joe Cavallaro at Joe.Cavallaro@comcast.net

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Florida Championship Wrestling 9/15 Results

Courtesy of Alan J. Wojcik:

The new WWE Developmental Territory; Florida Championship Wrestling, held an event on September 15th at the Jewish Community Center, 9841 Scenic Drive in Port Richey, FL. Thanks go out to Ker’s Winghouse for stopping by with items for the audience. The evening began with Steve “Gator” Keirn letting the fans know what they were going to see tonight and some history of wrestling in the Tampa Bay area.

(1) “The Professional” Mike Mondo defeated Chris Gray.

In the opening moments Mondo tried to control the bout but Gray took over with a headlock takeover and kept Mondo off balance with a flying head scissor takeover. Mondo got to his feet and with a handful of hair backed Gray to a corner where he hit a kneelift. Mondo took over with a headlock and some punches that the referee didn’t see due to some maneuvering. But Gray fought back with two bodyslams and a headlock takeover for two. Mondo got an overhand wristlock applied but Gray fought out and hit several European style forearms but couldn’t avoid a cross armbreaker that got two. Mondo went for the submission with a front facelock but opted for a stepover armbar but couldn’t get Gray to give up. Mondo went up to the second rope but instead of landing a move, he landed face first on Gray’s boot. Gray went on the offense with a furious attack but his speed came back to an end when a corner splash only met the corner buckles. Mondo snuck in and rolled up Gray for the victory, not too sure if he used the tights for leverage.

(2) Egotistical Fantastica and Johnny Curtis defeated “The Human Massacre” Keith Walker and “Bad Seed” Shawn Osborne.

Early on it was obvious that Walker and Osborne were going to bend the rules at any cost, using hair pulls and other trickery. But they couldn’t combat the double team work of Curtis and Fantastica who worked over Osborne’s wrist. Walker tagged in but walked right into an armdrag from Fantastica and a spinning head scissor. Curtis and Fantastica kept Walker isolated until some clever maneuvering sent Curtis into the ropes and a forearm to the back from Osborne. Walker and Osborne taunted the fans and Fantastica as they beat down Curtis for several minutes. But no matter what they hit Curtis with he refused to be pinned nor would he submit. Osborne made an error and missed a corner splash and it allowed Curtis to tag in Fantastica who avoided a Walker spear which leveled Osborne who was easy to pin.

(3) “The Natural” Nick Nemeth defeated Hade Vanson.

Nemeth tried to control the match with arm bars and some trash talk but he seemed a bit off kilter when Vanson locked in a spinning toe hold. Nemeth screamed in pain and crawled to the ropes for a break. Nemeth decided to change his attack by stalling for time and avoiding Vanson. That didn’t work and Vanson hit several forearms to the jaw that sent Nemeth to a corner. Vanson went after him and got kneed in the jaw. Nemeth went right to the injury with a neckvise submission but slid into a head scissor with some help from the ropes as the referee was asking Vanson if he wanted to give. Vanson was able to fight out of the hold and get to his feet, only to be hit in the gut with a knee. As the referee checked on Vanson, Nemeth went to the corner and removed a turnbuckle pad. As the referee went to fix it Vanson got a small package pin without a count. Nemeth got two after sending Vanson into the corner chest first, sucking all of Vanson’s wind out with it. Vanson fought out of a chinlock even as Nemeth raked the eyes. Nemeth went for a running boot but Vanson caught it and leveled Nemeth with several chest chops and a running knee to the face. But when it looked good for Vanson, Nemeth’s old Spirit Squad partner Mike Mondo came out and distracted Vanson long enough for Nemeth to get the pinfall via a small package.

(4) G-Rilla and Jake Hager defeated Kofi Kingston and Steve Taylor.

Taylor and Kingston kept Hager on the defensive working on destroying his left arm. Hager fought off the pain and raked Taylor ’s eyes but Taylor whipped him to a corner. Taylor went for a suplex but Hager drove him into the corner where G-Rilla was waiting to attack. Kingston tried to come in and aide his partner but got sent out by the referee who didn’t see G-Rilla and Hager’s double team assault. Taylor survived and tagged in Kingston who also got backed into the wrong corner where G-Rilla pounced on him with a fury. G-Rilla used his near 300 pound frame to toss Kingston from one corner to the other and nearly broke a jaw with a legdrop. Kingston fell to the canvas after getting hit with a posterior first corner splash. Kingston countered a backdrop into sunset flip but G-Rilla sat out and landed on Kingston ’s chest. Hager tagged in and locked in abdominal stretch with some help from G-Rilla on the ring apron. Kingston fought back and out of a G-Rilla slam, hitting a spinning heel kick to the head. This allowed Taylor to tag in and go on the attack hitting Hager with a fireman’s carry into a forward roll but G-Rilla broke up the pin. All four men got in but it was Kingston and Taylor who hit double top rope cross bodyblocks. But the referee tossed Kingston to the apron since he was not the legal man. As this occurred G-Rilla and Hager hit a double team neckbreaker to get the win.

(5) “Stampede Kid” TJ Wilson defeated Heath Miller and Ted Hart.

While Hart and Miller were thinking up stuff to do, Wilson hit both of them with a dropkick and went on the attack. That was stopped when Miller hooked his arms and Hart punched Wilson in the jaw. Hart hit Wilson with a neckbreaker and Miller laid the boots in as the referee tried to get them to stop as Wilson crawled to the ropes. They hit Wilson with a suplex but instead of going for the pin, they decided to taunt the crowd. The double team work kept going with a corner clothesline and suplex as Wilson was trying to recover from the assault. Next they took turns distracting the referee so the other could choke Wilson in the corner. Wilson got some senses back and avoided Miller’s shoulder tackle that met the steel ring post. But Miller recovered and leveraged Wilson to the floor where Hart followed out with a moonsault and some shots to Miller who he felt should have put Wilson away. Hart tossed Wilson back in the ring and went to work on him but a backdrop went wrong and Wilson landed on his feet, allowing him to hit a Northern Lights suplex for two. Wilson dropped Hart on the top rope but hart blocked the move and headbutted Wilson back into the ring where he hit a front twisted senton but Miller grabbed him and sent him to the floor, crashing into the ring steps. Wilson hit a sling shot elbow drop but Hart got back in the ring and sent him to a corner. But Hart walked into a Miller spinebuster for two. Miller went up top but Hart brought him off with a slam. Hart decided to go up again and hit a top rope Acecrusher but Wilson hit a Dragon Sleeper into a slingshot sit out power bomb. He didn’t forget about Miller who was hit with a springboard tornado DDT. Wilson locked Miller into a Cloverleaf but Hart locked Wilson in a Dragon Sleeper. Miller recovered and hit Hart with an enziguri but his rope legdrop move backfired and he was pinned by Wilson.

(6) With special referee FCW Diva Victoria, Bella Twins (Bri and Nicole) defeated Krissy Vaine and Nattie Neidhart.

If you were in attendance good luck trying to tell the Bella’s apart in their matching “Cadillac” Williams tops. They also kept Neidhart and Vaine confused with a high speed offense that Neidhart stopped with a knee to the back when Vaine tossed a Bella into the ropes. Neidhart and Vaine used their experience to maneuver the Bella twin around keeping Victoria blocked from seeing illegal activity. They kept the twins apart but nearly got pinned when their cockiness backfired. It did backfire on Neidhart and the twins made the tag, but Neidhart collided with a twin who fell to the floor. Vaine and Neidhart were busy talking to Victoria and no one in the ring saw the twins switch on the floor. It led to Neidhart being rolled into an inside cradle for the upset victory.

(7) The Giant Titan defeated Doink the Clown.

Referee Buck Quartermaine had his hands full with the shenanigans of Doink, while Titan had trouble keeping Doink from stepping on his feet. Titan went for a slam but Doink slid off only to be elbowed in the ribs. Titan went for an elbow but Doink moved. But he didn’t get far as Titan hit a sideslam and was backed into a corner where Titan hit an elbow before tossing Doink to the floor. Titan grabbed Doink in a double handed choke and smashed him into the ring post, but missed a punch that hit the post as Doink slid back in the ring. Titan came back in the ring and hit a corner clothesline but his corner splash met Doink’s boot bottoms. Doink climbed on top and locked in a sleeper but Titan fell back into a corner breaking the hold. Titan went for a corner splash but hit the top of the ring post instead. Doink hit a top rope sitout drop but even a top rope bodyblock couldn’t keep Titan down. Titan fired back with a chokeslam that shook the ring and the wind out of Doink who was pinned.

(8) FCW Southern champion Harry Smith defeated former WCW/WWE champion World Cruiserweight champion Billy Kidman (w/FCW Diva Lacey Von Erich.)

This was a classic battle of youth vs. experience and early on Smith controlled the match with speed and sending Kidman to the floor to regroup. Smith had enough and followed Kidman out but got a boot to his ribs. Kidman went to whip Smith into a row of chairs but he was reversed and the fans went running to safety. Smith dragged Kidman to the ring and hit a standing suplex just like dad used to for two. Smith went for a move but Kidman used some leverage and drove Smith shoulder first into the ring post and the assault began as Kidman went to work driving his knee into the shoulder joint. Kidman used a variety of armlocks trying to wear down Smith but they were to no avail. Kidman switched strategy and locked Smith in a sleeper. Smith fought to his feet and hit a Saito suplex that briefly took the out of both men. Smith got to his feet first and went on the attack but his power bomb was countered by Kidman into a facebuster. Kidman went up for the Shooting Star Press but Smith caught him. Kidman came off the top and got a pinfall but Kidman used the ropes. But Commissioner Steve Keirn saw it and ordered a re-start to the match. The match didn’t last much longer as Kidman fought off a Smith sunset flip with help from Lacey. The referee saw it and ordered Von Erich down from the apron. When she refused referee Quartermaine kicked her hands sending Kidman to the mat where his shoulders were counted down.

(9) G-Rilla won a battle royal to name a new number one contender to face Harry Smith for the championship on September 25th. In the match were: Ted Hart, Johnny Curtis, Hade Vanson, TJ Wilson, Keith Walker, Heath Miller, The Giant Titan, Shawn Osborne, Billy Kidman, G-Rilla, Egotistical Fantastica, Mike Mondo, Nick Nemeth, Jake Hager, Steve Taylor, Kofi Kingston and Chris Gray. The final three were Kidman, Hart and G-Rilla. Hart eliminated Kidman with a clothesline but G-Rilla eliminated Hart with a backdrop.

FCW will return to the Jewish Community Center on Saturday October 13th.

On Tuesday September 25th at 8:30pm Bourbon Street Night Club will be hosting a charity event for the SPCA called "Wrestling for Whiskers". This event is being setup by S.O.S. (Save our Sandbar Foundation). Doors open at 6:30pm all proceeds go to the Pasco Humane Society. The show starts at 8:30pm . There will be food fun and a great atmosphere to help us give to this honorable charity.

Bourbon Street Located 4331 US HWY 19, New Port Richey Florida 34652. For further info on 9/25 event please check out www.clubbourbonstreet.com For information on FCW, please follow the link to a story on TBO.com: http://pasco.tbo.com/pasco/MGBY2ZBLB6F.html