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

Friday, November 30, 2007

WEC Preview Show For Dec. 12 Event To Air On Dec. 5

Courtesy of World Extreme Cagefighting:

THREE TITLE FIGHTS HEADLINE VERSUS’ FOURTH LIVE
WORLD EXTREME CAGEFIGHTING® (WEC™) EVENT
DECEMBER 12 AT 9 P.M. ET

Fight Card Features Urijah Faber As He Defends His Featherweight Title and WEC Debut of Former UFC® Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver

WEC Preview Show for Dec. 12 Event to air on Dec. 5

STAMFORD, CONN. (November 29, 2007)—VERSUS, the network that celebrates real competition in all its forms and the cable television home of World Extreme Cagefighting® (WEC™), today announced details of the network’s fourth live event on December 12. With three world titles on the line as well as the return of a true mixed martial arts legend, this WEC event is not only the biggest and best show of the year, it’s the greatest card in the history of the organization. The fights will air live on VERSUS Wednesday, December 12, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and will originate from The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event will be presented in HD where available.

The telecast’s main event will feature WEC Featherweight Champion “The California Kid” Urjiah Faber (19-1) defending his title against Jeff “Big Frog” Curran (28-8-1), a UFC® and PRIDE® veteran. “The Rhino” Doug Marshall (6-2) will defend his Light Heavyweight title against Cuban fighter Ariel Gandulla (4-0); Paulo Filho (15-0) puts his undefeated record on the line to defend his WEC Middleweight crown against Chael Sonnen (19-8-1); and former UFC® Lightweight Champion Jens “Lil’ Evil” Pulver (7-0) will make his WEC debut at 145 lbs. against rising star Cub Swanson.

The fight on December 12 is the first fight after VERSUS and WEC announced an extension of the partnership to bring 15 additional live WEC events and 20 WEC WrekCAGE episodes—a show that features a mix of the top matches from WEC events never before seen on television and VERSUS’ best live events—to the network.

“Three great title fights on the card, led by one of the most popular MMA fighters in Urijah Faber, coupled with the WEC debut of UFC star Jens Pulver is a great way to kick off our recently extended partnership,” said Marc Fein, Senior Vice President of Programming and Production for VERSUS. “Viewership has increased with each fight since the WEC’s first event on VERSUS and we are confident that this tremendous line-up of fights will continue that trend.”

To kick start the WEC’s year-end spectacular on December 12 a little early, the network will air WEC Outside the Cage™, on Dec. 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. WEC Outside the Cage will include interviews, fight clips and behind the scenes footage to preview the WEC live event on Dec. 12.

VERSUS (VERSUS.com) celebrates real competition in all its forms. Now in more than 74 million homes, the network is the national cable home of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Stanley Cup Playoffs as well as best-in-class events such as The Tour de France, Davis Cup Tennis, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Professional Boxing. The network also offers collegiate sports featuring nationally-ranked teams from top conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West. VERSUS features the best field sports programming on television and is a destination for sports fans, athletes and sportsmen to find exclusive, competitive events that audiences can't find elsewhere. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

Florida Championship Wrestling Tomorrow Night In Port Richey, FL

Courtesy of Alan J. Wojcik:

Saturday December 1st Florida Championship Wrestling returns to the Jewish Community Center, 9841 Scenic Drive in Port Richey. Belltime is 8pm with 7pm opening of doors. Tickets are only $10 and will benefit the Salvation Army. If you are wondering what is FCW, it is a place for the future superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment to hone their craft before joining one of the three WWE brands. You can find all about the promotion by logging onto www.fcwwrestling.com

After his heinous actions on Tuesday night in his match with Kofi Kingston, FCW Southern Heavyweight champion Afa Jr. will face his toughest test. He will go one on one with "the Stampede Kid" TJ Wilson, but not in a normal match as the championship match will be contested under LADDER MATCH rules!! There are no pinfalls, submissions, countouts or DQ because the ONLY way to win is climb the ladder and retrieve the title belt.

Other matches will involve FCW Superstars like: "the Natural" Nick Nemeth (w/Big Rob), the 7FT Giant Titan, "the Professional" Mike Mondo, Ted DiBiase Jr., Jake Hager, Johnny Curtis, Rycklon, Bryan Kelly, Hade Vansen, Billy Kidman, "Handsome" Heath Miller, "Super Fan" Chet Douglas, "Carnival Freak" Sinn Bowdee, Kevin Kiley, "Bad Seed" Shawn Osborne, Sheamus, Steve Lewington, the British Lions (Chris Gray & Tommy Taylor), Robert Anthony and G-Rilla. Plus come out and see the lovely FCW Divas Lacey Von Erich, Nattie Neidhart, Victoria Crawford and the Bella Twins (Nicole & Brianna). You never know who will stop in from Raw, Smackdown or ECW so be there TOMORROW NIGHT!!

RIP: Ella May Phillips

In today's issue of The Columbus Dispatch, there's an obituary for eighty-two-year-old Ella May Phillips, said to have once been a pro wrestler.

I don't know anything about Phillips, but I'm hoping one of you may be able to help.

In the meantime, condolences to Phillips' family and close friends.

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 11/30/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

Bryan Green passed along the following message: “Krissa is still in the hospital and improving constantly. Today is the first day she has been able to stand up. Tomorrow they are going to get her to walk. Her physical therapy has started as well. Juanita wants to thank the many people who have sent their prayers to her and her family. It means more to her then words can describe.”

Judge Russell Vineyard on Thursday denied motions filed by the defense to suppress evidence seized on locations linked to Dr. Phil C. Astin III. He cited there was sufficient probable cause for investigators to have sought and acquired all six search warrants that had been utilized to gain access to his office and home, among other unspecified locations.

Great Championship Wrestling will be in Macon, GA, tonight at the Bloomfield Recreation Center, starting at 7:30 PM. Call (334) 297-2223 for more info.

Alternative Pro Wrestling is back in Royston, GA, tonight at the Royston Gym, with matches getting underway at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 680-3234 for more info. Advertised: J.T. Talent versus Adrian Hawkins in a cage; Kyle Matthews & Jeremy Vain versus Shadow Jackson & a mystery partner; and the Original Franchise versus Billy Buck & Chris King for the tag titles.

Georgia Wrestling Federation will be in Summerville, GA, tonight at the GWF Arena, with action beginning at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 936-2901 for more info.

NOTES

Birthdays today include Tom Zenk (49), Jushin Liger (43), and Christian Cage (34), as well as Bart Sawyer, whose age we are unclear on at this time.

NOSTALGIA

1932: George Zaharias defeated Dick Daviscourt two falls to one in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1934: Glenn Cowan defeated Bob Anderson in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoter Jason Thompson.

1945: Al Massey defeated Marvin Jones in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1960: A main event barbed-wire fence match between Roy Nelson, managed by ‘Sir’ Reginald Gable, and Chief Little Eagle was ruled a no contest at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Barbara Baker defeated Penny Banner to win the Women’s Southern Title. Banner had been billed as champion since November 25, 1960.

1962: Ray Gunkel, Rito Carreon & Chief Little Eagle defeated Freddie Blassie, Lenny Montana & Gypsy Joe in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre.

1964: Greg Peterson, Pepe Gomez & Sputnik Monroe defeated Chris Averoff, Billy Strong & Mario Galento in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1965: A title match between US Junior Heavyweight Champion Don Carson and Billy Hines was ruled a no contest at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. It is unclear to us as to how Don Carson came to be recognized as US Junior Heavyweight Champion. The last reference we have shows Bob Boyer defeating Mario Galento to win the title on November 2, 1965, in Macon. Also, Dale Lewis defeated Choo-Choo Lynn in a lumberjack match.

1971: Bob Armstrong, Bill Dromo & George Scott and Bill White & the Assassins wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1976: Bill Dromo defeated Dick Slater in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Dromo replaced Robert Fuller in the match with Slater, as Fuller substituted for Bob Armstrong to defeat the Mongolian Stomper, managed by J.J. Dillon, by disqualification in the semi-main event.

1979: NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race and Tommy Rich wrestled to a draw in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Race had been the reigning champion since he defeated Giant Baba on November 7, 1979, in Amagasaki, Japan. Also, in the semi-main event, Ole Anderson defeated Ivan Koloff. Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Austin Idol & the Masked Superstar to win the Georgia Tag Team Title. Idol & the Superstar had been the reigning champions since they defeated the Briscos in the final round of a tournament on November 22, 1979, in Atlanta. Ray Candy defeated Killer Karl Kox to win the Georgia Television Title. Kox had been the reigning champion since he defeated Stan Hansen on November 3, 1979, in Atlanta.

1980: Tony Atlas defeated Assassin #1 (Jody Hamilton) to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta. Atlas had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dennis Condrey on October 24, 1980, in Atlanta. Also, the Freebirds defeated Steve Keirn, Robert Fuller & Stan Frazier in the main event. Keirn substituted for Austin Idol in the match.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Update On Death Of Dave Sheldon

Still very little in the way of details, but according to the medical examiner's office of Tarrant County (Texas), Dave Sheldon died of natural causes and, at the time of his recent passing, was fifty-four-years old. Some sources had Sheldon listed at forty-three-years old.

Welcome To The "Fraternity Of Professional Wrestling."

At the age of 14, my father set me down and talked to me about the "Fraternity of Professional Wrestling."

He said, "the wrestling has given our family a good living and it is up to you to protect this business. If you decide you want to make a living as a professional wrestler you will have to fight for this business."

Dad Said, "As you move on into the wrestling business and learn more about the wrestling business, you may think you and the members of the "Fraternity of Professional Wrestling," are unique or as per the language of our business, "Smart."

However there are many "Professional Fraternities" in life who believe that they are the "With-it or Smart," group. Attorneys, Doctors, Airline Employees, Construction Workers, Teachers, The Media, Electricians, Government Workers, Race Car Drivers, Baseball Players to name a few, all feel a closeness within their own Fraternity. In what ever vernacular that is indigenous to their business, they consider themselves, "Smart."

Now on www.dory-funk.com, The second production from the Funking Conservatory, a World Championship match featuring, Shane Chung (Champion) vs Blain Rage (Challenger).

Support the Troops 22, XXStravaganza comes to the Funking Conservatory in Ocala, Florida Monday December 31st. Doors open at 6:00pm, Showtime is 7:00pm.

Tickets are $15 purchased in advance and $20 at the door. For advance tickets to !BANG! TV, go by Devon Self Storage in Ocala, or Slimm Construction in Belleview or you may purchase tickets online at www.dory-funk.com.

You can also purchase tickets online at our website.

Also available on our website, Quadruple Disk Christmas Special DVD includes the Dory Funk Method of Professional plus 10 wrestling matches featuring world famous superstars.

Dory Funk Jr. - Coach of the Funking Conservatory - www.dory-funk.com.

Spike TV's Ultimate Fighter Ben Saunders Reaches His Peak With Supreme Protein Bars

Courtesy of Supreme Protein Inc.:

Ben Saunders, the Ultimate Fighter nicknamed "Berserk," believes he has what it takes to be the last man standing in Spike TV's Ultimate Fighter 6: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra. All he needs is total dedication, his grueling training regimen, and lots of Supreme Protein bars, his favorite super-anabolic snack.

Manasquan, N (November 28, 2007) -- With the quarterfinal round of The Ultimate Fighter 6: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra (Wednesdays, Spike TV) fast approaching, Ben Sanders will not be denied. Sixteen fighters answered the bell. Now only five remain. At stake is one trip to the big time in the UFC.

As Ben Saunders prepares to take on Tommy Speer for the fourth and final slot in the quarterfinal round, he knows his odds are still long. But this is a man who suffered a broken jaw in round one of a Combat Fighting Championship against Kenny Stevens and went on to win the three-round decision. Quitting never crossed his mind. Fighters fight on. Only losers quit. They wired up Ben Saunders' jaw after he won the fight and he just kept on training.

Fortunately, Ben's never been in better shape. He trains like a madman every day. He eats consistently throughout the day and micromanages every morsel he consumes. Only the best will do. In fact, when it comes to bridging gaps in his precision-targeted, ultra-anabolic meal regimen, only one snack meets his high standards. The Supreme Protein bar.

"I literally use my food money in order to buy supplements," Saunders says. "So when I say the Supreme Protein bar really enhances my training and fight preparation, that really means something. This is my livelihood here. No other bar can compare to Supreme Protein when it comes to sheer high-quality whey isolate content. The fact that it tastes so great is a real bonus, too. Other bars used to be a chore to eat. But the Supreme Protein bar is a real treat that helps me build rock-hard muscle and stay lean. I wouldn't eat anything else."

When Saunders isn't fighting, training or taping Spike TV's hit Ultimate Fighter reality series, he's watching and learning from the pros who have gone before him. "I see the UFC guys ahead of me, the kind of dedication they bring to the sport. I watch how they train, how they eat. In fact, I noticed that Frank Edgar (the UFC lightweight title contender who recently improved his record to 8-0-0) is big on the Supreme Protein bar, too. That doesn't surprise me. I've been telling my friends, family, students, and acquaintances about Supreme Protein. You want to be the best, you gotta feed the beast. The Supreme Protein bar is all quality nutrition no fillers."

How does Saunders see the finale of Ultimate Fighter shaping up? Any predictions?

"Oh, I'll be there at the end," the battle-hardened fighter says. "There's no quit in me. You can lay money on that."

Contact Information
Kelly Conklin
Supreme Protein Inc.
http://supremeprotein.com/
888-739-9881

ProElite Partners With IMG Media

Courtesy of ProElite, Inc.:

Exclusive Distribution Agreement Opens ProElite's Mixed Martial Arts Brands, World-Class Fighters to Millions of Fans Globally

LOS ANGELES--Nov. 29, 2007--ProElite, Inc. (Pink Sheets:PELE), a sports, entertainment and media company dedicated to producing world-class mixed martial arts (MMA) events, today announced it will partner with IMG Media, a division of New York-based IMG, to exclusively distribute ProElite's program library, as well as future event programming to IMG Media's worldwide audience.

Under the terms of the deal, IMG will help utilize ProElite's vast live and archived MMA video content offerings, including live television rights to future events as well as over 800 hours of fight footage from ProElite-branded promotions such as EliteXC, King of the Cage, Icon Sport, Rumble World Entertainment, UK-based Cage Rage, South Korean-based SpiritMC, and Grapplers Quest.

In addition to distributing video content internationally, IMG will also assist ProElite in securing international sponsorship as well as serve as a production partner to develop certain MMA-related content.

"Mixed-martial arts is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic sports around, and IMG Media is excited to work with a market leader like ProElite to bring the company's world-class programming and related content to an international audience," said Chris Albrecht, President, IMG Global Media.

Under specific terms of the exclusive deal, IMG will also be granted international DVD distribution rights and serve ProElite as a media consultant for branding as well as for packaging, positioning, and marketing events and programming.

"Combining IMG Media's 40 years of expertise in global rights management across a variety of media, television, radio, mobile and broadband, with ProElite's growing global audience and expansive roster of mixed-martial arts events, makes this collaboration a win-win proposition for both organizations," said Michel Masquelier, Executive Vice President, Global Distribution, IMG Media.

ProElite believes the strategic partnership will allow the company to continue to grow the sport of MMA and gain acceptance globally. IMG's extensive distribution reach puts the ProElite brand in a position to be seen by millions of MMA fans worldwide.

"Through our recent acquisitions, ProElite now has a foothold in North America, Europe, and Asia," said ProElite CEO Douglas DeLuca. "Our new relationship with IMG will not only allow us to increase our market penetration in our existing territories but also allow us to expand our footprint into every continent by as soon as mid-2008. MMA is one of the few sports in existence that has a global appeal and ProElite is well on its way to building a global powerhouse through its live events and the ProElite.com social networking community."

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About ProElite, Inc. (www.proeliteinc.com)

ProElite, Inc. delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem, all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite's live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world's top fighters (elitexc.com). ProElite's interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of mixed martial arts enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com - Empowering the Fight Community(TM).

About IMG

IMG is the world's premier sports, entertainment and media enterprise. Operating in 30 countries, IMG's diverse businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic sports and action sports. IMG Academies are the world's largest and most advanced multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class sports training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year.

IMG's media and entertainment operations include content production subsidiaries Darlow Smithson Productions, Tiger Aspect Productions and Tigress. Globally, IMG produces and distributes more than 11,000 hours of sports, documentary, drama, comedy, entertainment, popular factual and children's content annually. IMG also represents the broadcast rights to many of the world's premier sporting events and has the world's largest sports archive with more than 250,000 hours of footage.

Forstmann Little & Co. purchased IMG in 2004.

More information about IMG is available at www.imgworld.com.

CONTACT:
ProElite Inc.
PondelWilkinson Inc.
Evan Pondel/David Stankunas
310-279-5980
epondel@pondel.com
dstankunas@pondel.com
or
IMG
Jim Gallagher
212-774-4419
jim.gallagher@imgworld.com
Brian Weiss
212-774-6782
brian.weiss@imgworld.com

Samuel L. Jackson To Host Spike TV's 2007 'Video Game Awards'

Courtesy of Spike TV:

'VGA's' to Feature Exclusive World Premieres Including Borderlands, Gran Turismo(TM) 5 Prologue, Halo 3 DLC Map Pack, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and TNA iMPACT!

Criss Angel, Kurt Angle, Tia Carrere, Tony Hawk, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, Matt Leinart, Zachary Levi, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, Dave Navarro, Steve-O, Tila Tequila And Many Others To Appear At The 5th Anniversary Event Premiering Sunday, December 9 At 9:00 PM

Spike 'Video Game Awards' Mobile Channel To Launch Cross Carrier

NEW YORK, Nov. 29 -- Spike TV has tapped Samuel L. Jackson, one of Hollywood's most dynamic movie stars and a familiar face to the "Video Game Awards," as host of the franchises 5th annual extravaganza.

This marks the third straight year with Jackson at the helm. Spike TV's 2007 "Video Game Awards" tapes Friday, December 7 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and will premiere Sunday, December 9 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

This year, viewers will be privy to mind blowing, never-before-seen world premieres of some of the most anticipated releases to date.

Borderlands (2K), Gran Turismo(TM) 5 Prologue (Sony Computer Entertainment America), Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Ubisoft) and TNA iMPACT! (Midway) will all be unveiled. The night will also feature a first look at the new DLC Halo 3 Maps from Microsoft Game Studios.

Talent includes some of the industry's hottest celebrities, sports stars, comedians and a bevy of sexy women. The night will feature award presentations and appearances by magician Criss Angel, "TNA" wrestling stars Kurt and Karen Angle, actress Tia Carrere, "Chuck" stars Joshua Gomez and Zachary Levi, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, former NFL star Rocket Ismail, UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and "Ultimate Fighter 1" champ Forrest Griffin, legendary boxing promoter Don King, MTV reality couple Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, NFL quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Matt Leinart, rock star Dave Navarro, "Jackass" Steve-O, comedian Patton Oswalt, comedian and Comedy Central star Brian Posehn, MTV's Tila Tequila, actor Anton Yelchin and many more will be announced shortly. In addition, the world's leading video game concert series, Video Games Live, will make their national television debut.

The official sponsors of Spike TV's 2007 "Video Game Awards" are Burger King(R), GameStop(TM), Mountain Dew, Stride(R) Gum, Tag(TM), U.S. Air Force and Verizon Wireless.

Spike TV will launch a "Video Game Awards" mobile channel cross carrier on December 3rd. The mobile "VGA" winners will be announced on the red carpet at the event and will air on Spike mobile beginning December 10th and run all week.

Nominees for Spike TV's 2007 "Video Game Awards" were determined by the VGA Advisory Council, made up of a group of the most well-respected experts in the industry who, for the first time in history, will also determine the show's winners. Games released between November 16, 2006 and December 1, 2007 were eligible for nomination. Fan voting, however, will not be left out as the winner in the Most Addictive Game category will be solely determined by the fans. To vote for this award, go to http://www.vga.spiketv.com -- through Saturday, December 8.

Spike TV's 2007 "Video Game Awards" pays tribute to the outstanding achievements of games, designers, animation, breakthrough technology, music and performances of the past year in the industry. The awards also provide a glimpse at the future of gaming, including exclusive sneak peeks and world premiere footage of some of the most anticipated games of 2007 and beyond.

Albie Hecht, Oscar(R)-nominated producer and co-creator of the "Kids' Choice" and "Video Game Awards," and Casey Patterson, senior vice president, event production & talent development for Spike TV will serve as executive producers of Spike TV's 2007 "Video Game Awards." Greg Sills is supervising producer, Alicia Portugal is producer and Scott Fishman is executive in charge of production.

Spike TV is available in 96.1 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

Rob Zombie's 'Halloween' To Sponsor HDNet Fights 'Reckless Abandon'

Courtesy of HDNet Fights:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2007

Saturday, December 15...American Airlines Center

DALLAS, TEXAS---Mark Cuban's HDNet FIGHTS has inked a promotional deal with Rob Zombie's HALLOWEEN UNRATED to sponsor "RECKLESS ABANDON," scheduled for December 15th at Dallas' American Airlines Center. The ten-bout mixed-martial-arts event will feature two of the sports top middleweights, Frank Trigg and Jason "Mayhem" Miller, in separate co-main event fights.

Each fan attending the event will receive Zombie's HALLOWEEN UNRATED on DVD. HALLOWEEN is scheduled to be released on DVD to the public on December 18th.

For HDNet Fights CEO, Andrew Simon, the match-up with Zombie's HALLOWEEN was a natural fit. "A lot of our fight fans are HALLOWEEN fans as well," Simon pointed out. "For our customers to be able to come to the Fights and also receive a movie, valued at $30, is just an added bonus to the fun that they will be having on December 15th."

Tickets for RECKLESS ABANDON are priced at $25, $50, $100 and $300 (Cageside Club). Cageside Club seating includes: Seating in first 4 rows, Platinum Parking, Pre-Fight Dinner/Meet & Greet, Complimentary T-Shirt and program. Tickets are on sale at the American Airlines Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster Outlets, including www.ticketmaster.com and by phone at 214-373-8000.

In an inter-promotional battle that experts are predicting will be a candidate for "Fight of the Year" - IFL standout Tim Kennedy (8-1) steps into the cage to fight HDNet Fights superstar Miller (19-5). The two fought as part of an Extreme Challenge eight-man middleweight tournament in February of 2003. Kennedy won a unanimous decision en route to winning the tournament. Mayhem seeks redemption and will undoubtedly fight with reckless abandon!

Trigg (15-6), a veteran of both UFC and Pride, will be taking on Edwin Dewees (43-10) in a 3-round clash of top middleweights.

Also slated for action on the card will be one of the world's top lightweights, Yves Edwards (29-13-1, Houston). Edwards will be taking on Alonzo Martinez (20-8). UFC veteran Pete Spratt and exciting newcomer Nissen Osterneck are also scheduled to appear on the fight card.

Release: BSE Xtreme Xmas 2007

Courtesy of Blood, Sweat and Ears:

BSE: Xtreme Xmas '07
Sunday December 9th 2007
Raxx Entertainment Complex - Brampton, ON
Showtime 4pm

Peace on Earth. Good will towards men. Silent Nights. Holy Nights. Save that for Christmas Day. On Sunday December 9th, Blood Sweat and Ears presents Xtreme Xmas 2007 at Raxx Entertainment Complex in Brampton, Ontario. Opponents will be decked in the halls, hung up on the top rope, and a red nose won't belong to Rudolph. BSE closes out 2007 with an event that will heat up the night and bring Xmas cheers from the fans.

The BSE Suicide Six-Pack Champion, Franky the Mobster, puts his belt on the line against James Champagne, Kris Chambers, Vane, Pierre Shadows, and "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. This will be the second time the TNA star will have a shot at the Suicide Six-Pack Belt. The first time was back on September 10th, when the inaugural match took place for the belt. Now, more than a year later, Christopher Daniels has another chance to claim BSE gold inside the squared circle. Some may ask why Kelly "Au Naturelle" Couture is not in the main event for the title. Kelly does have six months to use her option to enter into a Suicide Six-Pack title match, and has opted out for this event. When reached for comment, Kelly said "Rest assured, my fans will see me in the ring, fighting for the Six-Pack Championship in 2008. And I will become the first female champion in Blood Sweat and Ears."

Another clock that has been ticking since nearly the beginning of BSE's time, is counting down the final days 'til the final meeting between Don Paysan and Ash. Don Paysan won the Adrenaline Cup on July 29th 2007 in Brampton, Ontario, after entering the finals of the tournament disguised as TigerStar (who was injured following his semi-final match). Ash, thoroughly enraged by those actions, enlisted the services of "Bloodthirsty" Bob Kapur on October 28th at BSE Devil's Night. Together, their plan is to sue Blood Sweat and Ears for physical and emotional damages for the actions that lead to the loss of his Adrenaline Cup and Suicide Six-Pack belt. Ash has gone as far to put his own career on the line against Don Paysan, in exchange for his Adrenaline Cup. To add fuel to the fire, the match has been announced as a Last Man Standing contest. The only way to win is to deliver such a beating to your opponent, that they cannot get up after the count of 10. Ash claims this is the denouement in the story of their near two-year clash.

After a victory over the former tag team champions, the Suicide Kids, The All-Starters have managed to impress the right people and earned a title match against Tyson Dux and El Tornado. Although some would argue that perhaps the All-Starters rubbed someone the wrong way, and this is their punishment. Being fed to the lions. Every team that Tyson Dux & El Tornado have faced in the past, have suffered injuries and needed medical attention after the encounter. The All-Starters are young and strong, but they will need to bring their A-game and thensome if they are to survive in the ring against T'n'T at Xtreme Xmas.

Also in action, you will see Big Brian Youngblood, Anton Arakis, Kelly "Au Naturelle" Couture, Sebastian Suave, Mike Alias, Bat Martinez, Vlad the Penetrator and more!!

BSE is accepting non-perishable food donations for the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Keep checking back to www.bloodsweatandears.com for more info.

Tickets are $15 GA
Showtime: 4pm

Raxx Entertainment Complex
370 Main Street (Hwy 10)
Kingspoint Plaza
Brampton, Ontario

For more information contact:
Arda Ocal
arda.ocal@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 11/28/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

David Sheldon, perhaps most known throughout his career as the Angel of Death, passed away over the weekend at his home in Bedford, TX. The exact date and cause are not known at this time, but he was 43. He also was one of the many Black Scorpions, as well as a partner to Jack Victory as part of the Russian Assassins team for WCW.

Ultimate Christian Wrestling returns to Canton, GA, on December 8 at the National Guard Armory, with matches getting underway at 8:00 PM. Admission is free of charge. Call (770) 713-6367 for more info. Advertised: Glacier, Colt Derringer, Justin Dirt, Dustin Powers, Kyle Matthews, Adrian Hawkins, Todd Zane, War Daddy, Billy Jack, Alex Phoenix, Enigma, Bruce Biggins, and Rob Adonis are scheduled to appear.

Total Championship Wrestling returns to Douglasville, GA, on December 8 at the National Guard Armory, with matches starting at 8:00 PM. Call (770) 836-0084 or (404) 682-8794 for more info. Advertised: Brian Alexander versus Billy Knight; Jess Wade versus Taz; Josh Storm & Josh Stone versus Cody Gun & Terrible T; and Fantasy versus Stephanie Starr. Also scheduled to appear is Pretty Boy Floyd.

NOTES

Happy birthday to Rob Conway, who turns 33 today.

NOSTALGIA

1941: Count Von Zuppi defeated Steve Brody two falls to one in the main event at the Augusta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Abe Simon.

1955: Billy Blassie & Eduardo Perez defeated Andre Drapp & Red McIntyre in two straight falls in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney.

1958: In this program for this Atlanta card Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones, of which we have no documented results, Ray Gunkel & Chief Little Eagle were International Tag Team Champions, though it is unclear as to how they came to be recognized as such. The last reference we have shows Freddie Blassie & Bob Shipp defeating Gunkel & Nick Roberts to win the title on October 10, 1958, in Atlanta.

1961: Jerry Graham, Sky Hi Krueger & the Assassin defeated Doug Adkins, Jack Bence & Choo-Choo Lynn in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1962: A main event match between Lenny Montana and Chief Little Eagle was ruled a no contest at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1967: Bobby Shane defeated Louie Tillet in a main event Texas death match at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1969: Doug Gilbert defeated Paul DeMarco, managed by Homer O’Dell to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. DeMarco had been the reigning champion since he defeated Joe Scarpa on October 3, 1969, in Atlanta. Also, the Assassins defeated Sam Sheppard & George Strickland in the semi-main event. Sheppard, of course, was the former doctor who had been accused of murdering his wife Marilyn in 1954, inspiring the film and television series, the Fugitive.

1970: On the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral, Homer O’Dell, who managed Buddy Colt, told Capral that he was filing an appeal to uphold the decision in which Colt lost the Georgia Heavyweight Title to Ray Gunkel on November 27, 1970.

1972: Bob Armstrong won a $2,000 battle royal at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also participating were Tojo Yamamoto, Doug Gilbert, Hiro Matsuda, Jack Evans, Derrell Cochran, Roy Lee Welch, Bepo Mongol, Don Curtis, Geto Mongol, Jerry Jarrett, Eddie Graham, Buddy Colt, and Carlos Montez. Frank Dalton and Tony Russo had been scheduled for the battle royal, but failed to appear. Colt was being billed as the Southern Heavyweight Champion. It was announced that Ward had held up the Macon Tag Team Title due to an unruly match on November 21, 1972, between champions Tommy Seigler & Argentina Apollo and the Hollywood Blonds. Of course, in reality, he was declaring the title vacant as all four men had unexpectedly defected to the All-South Wrestling Alliance since that card.

1972: Tommy Seigler, Dick Steinborn, Roberto Soto & Argentina Apollo defeated Ox Baker, Assassin #2 & the Hollywood Blonds in the main event at the Savannah Civic Center for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Aaron Newman. Newman had been promoting for Georgia Championship Wrestling prior to this card since the 1950s, and would change his allegiance back shortly after this event.

1977: Bugsy McGraw & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen by disqualification in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. McGraw had been billed as a mystery partner.

1981: A main event match between Michael Hayes and Austin Idol ended in a double disqualification at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1985: Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair by disqualification in a title match at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day for Jim Crockett Promotions. Flair had been the reigning champion since he defeated Kerry Von Erich on May 24, 1984, in Yokosuka, Japan. Because of the disqualification, Flair retained the title. Also, Jimmy Valiant & Miss Atlanta Lively (Ron Garvin) defeated the Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) in a street fight match. Ole & Arn Anderson defeated Billy Jack Haynes & Wahoo McDaniel, and Manny Fernandez defeated Abdullah the Butcher in a Mexican death match. Billy Graham won an arm wrestling contest when the Barbarian was disqualified. In other matches, Pez Whatley defeated Mike Graham and Thunderfoot defeated the Italian Stallion. This was part of a dual venue Starrcade, which also took place in Greensboro, NC, with only the Atlanta portion listed here. It was reported that 16,000 were in attendance for this card, with a reported 18,000 in Greensboro. The events were also broadcast live on closed circuit television.

1991: Lex Luger defeated Rick Steiner to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Title at the Omni Auditorium on Thanksgiving Day in Atlanta for World Championship Wrestling. Luger had been the reigning champion since he defeated Barry Windham on July 14, 1991, in Baltimore, MD. Also, WCW World Tag Team Champions Ricky Steamboat & Dustin Rhodes and Bobby Eaton & Arn Anderson wrestled to a draw. Steamboat & Rhodes had been the reigning champions since they defeated the Enforcers (Larry Zbyszko & Arn Anderson) on November 19, 1991, in Savannah, GA. Sting defeated US Heavyweight Champion Rick Rude by disqualification. Rude had been the reigning champion since he defeated Sting on November 19, 1991, in Savannah. Because of the disqualification, Rude retained the title.

Florida Championship Wrestling 11/27 Results!

Courtesy of Alan J. Wojcik:

(1) Johnny Curtis defeated Tommy Taylor.
(2) Derick Linkin (w/the Bella Twins) defeated Ichiban (w/Mr. Yamamoto).
(3) G-Rilla, Kevin Kiley & “Super Fan” Chet Douglas defeated Jake Hager, “Bad Seed” Shawn Osborne & “Carnival Freak” Sinn Bowdee.
(4) Steve Lewington defeated Sheamus.
(5) Rycklon & “Rapid” Robert Anthony defeated Ted DiBiase Jr. & “the Natural” Nick Nemeth (w/Big Rob).
(6) Billy Kidman defeated Hade Vansen (w/ “Handsome” Heath Miller) via DQ.
(7) Kofi Kingston defeated FCW Southern Heavyweight champion Afa Jr. via DQ.

After taking the week off with WWE Smackdown visiting Tampa, Florida Championship Wrestling resumed it’s standing Tuesday night date at Bourbon Street Night Club, 4331 US 19N in New Port Richey.

(1) Johnny Curtis defeated Tommy Taylor.

Things began with some sportsmanship and chain wrestling but that ended when Taylor looked like he was going to break clean, but punched and then poked Curtis in the eye and attacked the left knee. Taylor went to work dissecting Curtis’ left knee with a variety of holds but couldn’t get the submission. In fact Curtis kicked out of a hold and it sent Taylor into a corner chest first. The two men traded two count pin attempts but Curtis got a forward roll that Taylor couldn’t kick out of.

(2) Derick Linkin (w/the Bella Twins) defeated Ichiban (w/Mr. Yamamoto).

Yamamoto addressed the crowd in Japanese and then took out some ceremonial salt to bless the surroundings as Linkin paced in the corner. Ichiban had some trouble in the opening minutes as Linkin kept taking him down to the mat with armdrags and hiptosses. That ended when Ichiban hit a chop to the throat but all that did was tick Linkin off. The referee backed Linkin out of a corner and this allowed Ichiban to pick up some of salt residue that he used to rub into Linkin’s eyes. Ichiban used a variety of holds; legal and illegal, to wear Linkin down as the Bella’s got the crowd cheering for Linkin. Things went bad for Ichiban when he missed a rope move as Linkin was nowhere to be found. This allowed Linkin to get a second wind with a series of moves as Yamamoto argued the referee’s count was fast. Ichiban went for a savate kick but Linkin blocked it and won with a Rude Awakening.

“Handsome” Heath Miller made his way to the ring for his weekly Happy Hour session where he talks all about…well himself. Actually he did have a guest Hade Vansen who talked about working in America for FCW. Vansen spent several moments mocking American customs and kept saying the venue smelled like a farm. The topic then went to their female conquests before Miller’s opponent from two weeks ago Billy Kidman was addressed. Miller began throwing insults at Kidman who had enough and came to the ring to confront Miller. Kidman reminded the people and Miller that he did win two weeks ago, but he needed help to do it. To shut the duo up, Kidman issued a challenge to both men to face him in the ring. Vansen accepted saying, “Anything Heath can do, Hade can do better!”

(3) G-Rilla, Kevin Kiley & “Super Fan” Chet Douglas defeated Jake Hager, “Bad Seed” Shawn Osborne & “Carnival Freak” Sinn Bowdee.

G-Rilla and Osborne began the match with some trash talking before actually locking up but Osborne opted to let Hager start for his team. Both men went to lock up but opted to strut their wares for the ringside fans. When they did lock up G-Rilla controlled it with power moves before bringing in Douglas who was pumped up as usual. But Hager countered out of a headlock and tagged in Bowdee who ran right into an armlock that allowed Kiley to tag in for his team. But Kiley was too occupied with getting his hands on Osborne and it cost him as a distraction allowed Osborne to trip up Kiley from the floor. That one move allowed Osborne and pals to beat down Kiley for several minutes using legal and illegal holds, using Kiley’s partners as a way to get the referee away from the violence. But G-Rilla saved Kiley from a Bowdee corner splash and it allowed Douglas to tag in and bring the pain including Hogan legdrop but all six men got involved with Hager, Bowdee and Osborne getting corner splashed by G-Rilla. Douglas finished the match off by hitting Osborne with the Stone Cold Stunner and celebrating with the fans.

(4) Steve Lewington defeated Sheamus.

This all-British Isle affair was hard hitting from the opening bell with both men trying to get control quick. Lewington went to work on Sheamus’ left arm before being victim to a test of strength. Lewington fought up from his knees and hit Sheamus with a dropkick but he got hit with a kick to the stomach. Sheamus went for a move but Lewington countered into a head scissor for two. Sheamus went to the apron to grab his battle axe but ended up hitting Lewington with a Hot Shot. This allowed Sheamus to attack Lewington’s massive neck with a vise submission hold and a chokes using the ropes for leverage. Lewington fought back with forearms to the Irishman’s face and back suplex for two. Lewington’s second rope flying elbow also got two and a half with the fans thinking the match was over. But it continued as Sheamus tried to get the win with a spinning battle axe shot but Lewington ducked and won with what looked like a belly to belly suplex.

(5) Rycklon & “Rapid” Robert Anthony defeated Ted DiBiase Jr. & “the Natural” Nick Nemeth (w/Big Rob).

After claming he was the reason a certain famous couple was getting divorced, Nemeth hid behind his bodyguard when his opponents hit the ring. Actually he did decide to wrestle but if you call running from Anthony on every lock up attempt wrestling, then that’s what Nemeth did. When he did lock up with Anthony and Rycklon, Nemeth screamed his head off in pain from armlocks. Nemeth was able to get some distance and tag in DiBiase who was slammed to the mat by Rycklon. Rycklon went for the win by press slamming his partner into DiBiase for a two count. But the offense ended as Anthony got too close to his opponent’s corner and he was decked with punches. Nemeth and DiBiase made several well timed tags wearing down Anthony but couldn’t get the pin or submission. They used anything legal and illegal they could but it wasn’t enough as Nemeth missed a top rope leg drop. This allowed Anthony to hit a back cracker as DiBiase and Rycklon bailed on the floor. Chris Gray tried to save Nemeth from tapping out to a Texas Cloverleaf but Bryan Kelly came out and attacked Gray. Nemeth fought out of the hold as the referee was occupied with the fighting on the floor. Nemeth went to confront Kelly for interfering in his match and got tattooed with a punch loaded with brass knuckles that allowed Anthony to get the pinfall for his team.

(6) Billy Kidman defeated Hade Vansen (w/ “Handsome” Heath Miller) via DQ.

Before the bell even rang Miller tried to trip up Kidman which caused the referee to eject Miller from ringside. Whatever plan Vansen might have had went out the window and he had to make it up on the fly as Kidman kept Vansen on the mat with chain wrestling holds. Vansen bailed to the floor for a new plan but Kidman went up top only to be too slow as Vansen caught him and dropkicked him to the floor. Vansen went to work on Kidman’s back sending him into the ring apron and the sound booth wall before returning to the ring. Vansen kept on the back and added several shots to the neck for good measure as he talked the Queen’s English to his opponent. Kidman fought out of a chinlock but missed a second rope body block which allowed Vansen to hit an Exploder for two. Vansen went back to the chinlock but Kidman fought to his feet once more. This time Vansen was backed into a corner and rolled forward allowing Kidman to hit an enziguri but he couldn’t follow with a cover. Both men laid in the chest chops but Kidman hit an atomic drop and a lariat for two. But Vansen fought back with a running knee and a lariat of his own for two. Kidman countered out of a hold into a gusbuster but got two. The referee went to check on Vansen and this allowed Heath Miller a chance to come back in and hit Kidman with a DDT. Vansen got two and the referee argued with Miller for being at ringside. This caused trouble for all parties as Kidman ducked a move and Vansen crashed into Miller. Kidman went to win with the Shooting Star Press but Miller tripped him on the top causing the referee to call for the DQ. Miller got in the ring and attacked Kidman with some help from Vansen but that was broken up by Johnny Curtis who had a chair to even up the sides. But Miller and Vansen thought better and decided to fight another day.

(7) Kofi Kingston defeated FCW Southern Heavyweight champion Afa Jr. via DQ.

Afa’s mind must have been elsewhere because Kingston kicked his ass around the ring in the opening minutes of the match. But that ended when a ten punch count in the corner was countered by Afa with a modified snake eyes. Afa proceeded to attack Kingston’s neck with a series of moves that got him several two counts. Afa went for a power bomb but Kingston blocked it, so Afa switched and went for a neck nerve hold. But Kingston fought out only to be picked up for the power bomb once more or so Afa thought as Kingston countered into a backdrop. Kingston fought back with punches and kicks trying to wear the champion down, even hitting his finishing double legdrop to the chest but Afa fought out. Afa countered a cross body block and got two even using the tights. This caused Afa to slide out of the ring and pick up the title belt, singaling he had enough of the Jamaican but it was all a ruse as Afa tossed a chair into the ring. Kingston went to pick it up and the referee stopped him. As the referee went to put the chair on the floor, Afa hit Kingston with the title belt causing the DQ from the referee. But Afa wasn’t finished bringing folding chairs and a ten foot ladder into the ring. Afa laid Kingston on the chairs and climbed up top ready to land. But TJ Wilson came out to defend his friend. Afa came down and confronted Wilson about the interference. Wilson said that if Afa wanted to play with ladders he challenged Afa to a ladder match this Saturday night for the FCW Southern championship!

Don’t forget FCW will be holding a show this Saturday night at the Jewish Community Center, 9841 Scenic Drive in Port Richey. Tickets are $10 and funds raised will go to the Salvation Army. Belltime in 8pm.

Remember each and every Tuesday you can see the future of wrestling, Florida Championship Wrestling, the developmental territory of WWE. Log onto www.fcwwrestling.com for more information.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

VH1 Teams Up With Dr. Drew For 'Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew,' A Series Depicting The Process Of Overcoming Addiction

Courtesy of VH1:

VH1 and Dr. Drew Pinsky Will Open Up The Inner World Of Rehab As They Help Nine Celebrities Through The Process Of Getting Clean And Sober

The Series Will Premiere on VH1 on January 10, 2008 at 10pm With Eight One-Hour Episodes

NEW YORK, Nov. 27 -- VH1 has partnered with Dr. Drew for the reality series "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." The project, consisting of eight one-hour episodes, is slated to premiere on January 10, 2008 at 10pm*.

This series will follow the real-life experiences of Brigitte Nielsen, Chyna, Daniel Baldwin, Jeff Conaway, Jessica Sierra, Jaimee Foxworth, Seth "Shifty" Binzer, Mary Carey, and Ricco Rodriguez as they undergo detoxification and treatment at a center in the Los Angeles area. While these celebrity patients may be accustomed to receiving special treatment in their everyday lives, they were in for a major surprise when they entered this no- frills treatment facility. Dr. Drew was aided in the process by his experienced and trusted staff of counselors, including registered nurses and other addiction experts.

In a television first, the highly respected Dr. Drew, a practicing MD and assistant clinical professor at KECK USC School of Medicine, will give viewers an unflinching look at exactly how the rehab process works and what it feels like for participants. Dr. Drew hopes to use his celebrity patients to humanize the process and show viewers that treatment is a viable way to break the cycle of addiction. "The road to sobriety is not easy and rehabilitation and the recovery process are not to be taken lightly," said Dr. Drew Pinsky. "My goal is to lift the veil and help my patients, as well as viewers, understand that if not taken seriously, addiction is a disease that will kill you."

"This project will reveal that true rehabilitation is grueling work and takes an ongoing commitment. At the same time, we hope to demystify the process and encourage people with substance issues to explore rehab as a viable option," said Michael Hirschorn, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Production, VH1. "There is no one better than Dr. Drew to deal with this topic honestly while assisting people who truly need his expertise and guidance."

All but one of the patients completed an intensive 21-day round-the-clock program with both group and one-on-one therapies. After they completed the program, the patients were given the opportunity to continue their treatment in a sober living facility or treatment center for at least three months at VH1's expense.

While most people know Dr. Drew as the host of the syndicated radio show Loveline and the MTV show of the same name, Dr. Drew is a medical doctor on staff at Huntington Hospital, a board certified addictionologist and medical director of the chemical dependency unit at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, where he has been treating addicts for over 20 years. Although he is an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the KECK USC School of Medicine, he is not a psychologist or psychiatrist. His book, Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Together Again (Harper-Collins,) is all about what treating addicts is like from a caretaker's perspective. Dr. Drew co-authored the first academic study on celebrities and narcissism. The study was published in the Journal of Research in Personality (Elsevier) in September 2006, and is the first systematic, empirical scholarly study of celebrity personality.

"Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" is executive produced by John Irwin and Damian Sullivan for Irwin Entertainment. Dr. Drew Pinsky and Howard Lapides are also executive producing. Michael Hirschorn, Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes, and Noah Pollack are executive producers for VH1.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

*All times ET/PT

CONTACT: Scott Acord, +1-310-752-8075, Scott.Acord@VH1staff.com, or Lori
Bogin, +1-212-846-7131, Lori.Bogin@vh1staff.com, both of VH1

Note from Ric: I am sooooo watching this!

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 11/27/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

Our own Larry Goodman is scheduled to discuss the pending regulations by the GAEC on tonight’s Trash Talking Radio show.

There are reports circulating, at this time unconfirmed by our sources, that David Sheldon (a/k/a the Angel of Death) has been found dead in his home in Texas.

We received the following message from Bobby Simmons: “Juanita just called and said after new x-rays today surgery will not be required on the shoulder, nor the arm. The right shoulder according to the doctor has set itself, and amazingly the left arm has as well and will no longer need a pin inserted. They are going to put a soft cast on the arm. Juanita says Krissa is getting stronger each hour.”

Great Championship Wrestling will be in Macon, GA, on November 30 at the Bloomfield Recreation Center, starting at 7:30 PM. Call (334) 297-2223 for more info.

GCW will also be in Phenix City, AL, tonight at the GR8 SK8plex, starting at 7:30 PM. Call (334) 297-2223 for more info. Advertised: Johnny Swinger versus Deathrow; David Young versus Cru Jones; and Scotty Beach & Sonny Siaki versus the Hooligans.

Georgia Wrestling Promotions has added Chris Masters to its lineup for Cartersville, GA, on January 19 at the Cartersville Civic Center, with a bell time of 8:00 PM. Call (770) 296-5290 for more info. Advertised: Gangrel versus Tank. Also scheduled to appear are Rob Conway (w/ Nigel Sherrod), Chad Parham, Ace Rockwell, the Hellbillies, VIP (w/ Ace Heffner), Leatherface, Big Head Hansen, D.L. Norris, Danny Horne, and Jamar Acid. Masters, Conway, and Gangrel will sign autographs beginning at 7:00 PM.

Georgia Wrestling Federation results from Summerville, GA, on November 23: Chad Stevens over Josh Frost; Jay Bird over Tommy Rocker; Talon Williams over Brian Rivers; Mike Jackson over Stupid by disqualification; Frankie Valentine & Josh Storm over Chris Lightning & Josh Stone; the Savage & the Professor over the 69 Boyz (Chris Pain & Silas Quaz); Enigma over Body Drop; Marshall Law & Adrian Lynn over Adam Blood & Chris Ganzer and G Smooth & Da Jag in a three-way tag; Will Morgan over Chip Hazard by disqualification; and K.T. Hamill and Korrupt went to a draw.

NOTES

Today will be the second time in about a week that we ask you to celebrate the 59th birthday of Afa from the Samoans. We had inadvertently noted his birthday as being several days earlier than it actually is.

NOSTALGIA

1934: Paul Jones defeated Chief Chewacki in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1935: Pedro Torres defeated Joe Wolfe in the main event at Supreme Circle Hall in Albany for promoter Frank Bettis. The stranglehold was the only move barred during the match.

1936: Karl Davis defeated Dorv Roche in the main event at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer.

1942: Angelo Cistoldi defeated Dorv Roche in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charles Rentrop.

1949: It was announced that Lou Thesz was now recognized as the holder of the NWA World Heavyweight Title for the National Wrestling Alliance, thus ending the lineage of the National Wrestling Association as recognized by the National Boxing Association.

1953: Mike Paidousis, Donn Lewin & Red McIntyre defeated Bob Shipp, Jack Dillon & Karl Kowalski in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1959: Trotsky the Bear defeated Freddie Blassie in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1962: A main event match between Choo-Choo Lynn and the Russian Crusher was ruled a no contest at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: Bob Morrow & Killer Kosti defeated Southeastern Tag Team Champions Luke Graham & Al Galento by disqualification in a title match at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for promoter Fred Ward. Ward was not affiliated with the Atlanta office of Georgia Championship Wrestling at this time. Graham & Galento had been the reigning champions since they defeated Morrow & Lonnie Brown (Dutch Savage) in a tournament final on November 6, 1963, in Columbus. Because of the disqualification, Graham & Galento retained the title.

1964: Mario Galento defeated Freddie Blassie to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Galento had been the reigning champion since he defeated Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta.

1965: Dutch Savage defeated Don Carson in the main event in Carrollton for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

1965: Dale Lewis defeated Mike Paidousis, substituting for Derrell Cochran, in the main event at the Franklin Drive Arena in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell.

1970: Ray Gunkel defeated Buddy Colt, managed by Homer O’Dell, to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Colt had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Nick Bockwinkel on September 4, 1970, in Atlanta.

1973: Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr., defeated Pat O’Connor & Tim Woods to retain the Macon Tag Team Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Shane & George, Jr., had been the reigning champions since they defeated Tim Woods & Mr. Wrestling #2 on November 6, 1973, in Macon. Also, Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Bill Watts by disqualification in a title match. Watts had been the reigning champion since he defeated Wrestling #2 on November 2, 1973, in Atlanta. Because of the disqualification, Watts retained the title. The Super Infernos, managed by J.C. Dykes, defeated Bob Armstrong & Roberto Soto to win the Southeastern Tag Team Title. It is unclear at this time how Armstrong & Soto came to be recognized as champions. The last reference we have shows the Infernos defending the title against Soto & Tom Jones on October 9, 1973, in Macon.

1975: Abdullah the Butcher defeated the Sheik, managed by Eddie Creatchman, in a main event cage match on Thanksgiving Day at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. There was no referee for the match. Also, the Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart and risking his mask, defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title. Wrestling #2 had been the reigning champion since he defeated Nikolai Volkoff, also managed by Hart, on October 3, 1975, in Atlanta. Also of note, in a match that was likely either very good or very bad, Ernie Ladd & Bobo Brazil defeated Harley Race & Ox Baker.

1978: A main event match between Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen and Tommy Rich (billed as a mystery partner) & Thunderbolt Patterson was ruled a no contest at the William Bell Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harbin.

1979: Tommy Rich defeated Austin Idol to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The Masked Superstar charged the ring following the match, hitting Rich in the head with the title belt, and was promptly fined $1,000. Rich had been the reigning champion since he defeated Killer Karl Kox on October 26, 1979, in Atlanta.

1980: Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts defeated Robert Fuller & Stan Frazier to win the National Tag Team Title in the final round of a one-night tournament on Thanksgiving Day at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Other teams included in the tournament were the Samoans, Jerry Roberts (Jacques Rougeau) & Steve O, Joyce Grable & Judy Martin (yes, you read this correctly), Ole & Gene Anderson, Kevin Sullivan & Austin Idol, Jack & Jerry Brisco, and Steve Keirn & Terry Taylor. There was also a trophy and it was reported that the purse was $20,000. Also, a title match between NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race and Tony Atlas was ruled a no contest. Bob Armstrong defeated Mr. Saito in the other match on the card.

1983: Brett & Buzz Sawyer defeated the Road Warriors to win the National Tag Team Title at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, OH, for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. This was the first in a series of matches and title changes that lasted throughout the week on the northern tour, with the title change not acknowledged until a December 4, 1983, match in Atlanta.

1986: Ric Flair defeated Nikita Koloff to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day for Jim Crockett Promotions. Flair had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dusty Rhodes on August 9, 1986, in St. Louis, MO. Also, Central States Heavyweight Champion Sam Houston defeated Bill Dundee by disqualification in a title match. Houston had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dundee in the finals of a tournament on November 16, 1986, in St. Louis, MO. Ivan Koloff & Krusher Khrushchev defeated the Kansas Jayhawks (Bobby Jaggers & Dutch Mantell) to retain the US Tag Team Title. Koloff & Khrushchev had been the reigning champions since they defeated the Jayhawks on September 28, 1986, in Atlanta. The Road Warriors defeated the Midnight Express in a scaffold match. Bubba Rogers defeated Ron Garvin, and a match between Brad Armstrong and Jimmy Garvin went to a draw. This was part of a dual venue Starrcade, which also took place in Greensboro, NC, with only the Atlanta portion listed here. It was reported that 14,000 were in attendance for this card, with a reported 16,000 in Greensboro. The events were also broadcast live on closed circuit television.

1994: The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa Saed) defeated the Rock & Roll Express in the main event at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta for Smoky Mountain Wrestling. It was reported that 650 were in attendance for this card.

1998: Dallas Page defeated Brian Adams, substituting for Bret Hart, in the main event at the Richmond County Civic Center in Augusta for World Championship Wrestling.

2004: Jason Cross defeated US Junior Heavyweight Champion Disco Inferno and Nigel McGuinness in a three-way title match at the GCW Sports Arena in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Jerry Oates. Also, A.J. & Damien Steele defeated David Young & Sonny Siaki to retain the GCW Tag Team Title. Christie Ricci defeated Vanessa Harding to retain the Women’s International Title.

2004: Adam Windsor defeated Dory Funk, Jr., to win the South Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Rainwater Conference Center in Valdosta for Spinebuster Championship Wrestling promoter Jody Peterman.

Bodog Fight Returns to Russia

Courtesy of Bodog TV Press:

For Immediate Release
November 27, 2007

With the sold-out success of Bodog Fight: Clash of the Nations, a return to Russia was inevitable for Calvin Ayre's hard-hitting mixed martial arts promotion.

Following last April's incredible live event at the ICE Palace in St. Petersburg, Bodog Fight presents Bodog Fight: Russia vs. USA Friday, November 30 at the MegaSport Ice Arena in Moscow.

While Bodog Fight: Clash of the Nations marked the historic homecoming of Russian Red Devil teammates Fedor and Aleks Emelianenko, Bodog Fight Russia vs. USA features the remarkable return of legendary Russian fighter, Oleg Taktarov.

It's been nearly ten years since "The Russian Bear" last fought in competitive MMA, although the fighter-turned-actor did go five rounds with Dolph Lundgren (who played Ivan Drago in "Rocky IV") for a celebrity boxing show in Russia this past summer.

Now, the former KGB martial arts instructor, who has fought Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock, Renzo Gracie and David "Tank" Abbott among others, wants to make his MMA comeback on home soil.

The 38-year-old Taktarov (14-5-2) will fight 37-year-old John Marsh (7-6), whose biggest win came against Wesley "Cabbage" Correira in May 2004.

"I've been training with some sambo guys in New York," says Taktarov.

"I'm trying to refresh my memory and practice my old tricks with proper resistance. I feel good right now, like I did when I was in my prime. I've never taken drugs or steroids and my body is in great shape. I am looking forward to this fight and am very thankful to Bodog Fight for this opportunity."

The fight card is as follows:

FIGHT #1: Alexander Kokoev vs Sultan Tikhaev, (Middleweight)
FIGHT #2: Ivan Anikanov vs Besiki Gerenava (Light Heavyweight)
FIGHT #3: Stanislav Shushko vs Telman Shariphov (Heavyweight)
FIGHT #4: James Binky Jones vs Vladimir Zenin (Lightweight)
FIGHT #5: Dan Evensen vs Konstantine Gluhov (Heavyweight)
FIGHT #6: Jessica Aguilar vs Julia Berezekova (Women's 125lb)
FIGHT #7: Eric Pele vs Akhmet Sultanov (Heavyweight)
FIGHT #8: Zulu vs Vladimir Kuchenko (Heavyweight)
FIGHT #9: Diego Visotzky vs Alexander Shlemenko (Middleweight)
FIGHT #10: Emyr Bussade vs Andrei Semenov (Middleweight)
FIGHT #11: John Marsh vs Oleg Taktarov (Heavyweight)

Can't get enough hard-hitting MMA action?

Bodog Fight: The Vault offers up new hard-hitting webisodes every Tuesday and Saturday on Bodog TV's multi-award winning website, bodoglife.net/fight. These never-before-seen fights are commercial free, fully downloadable and iPod-ready, featuring a previously unaired bout from the Bodog Fight archives.

Still can't get enough?

Bodog Fight: The Complete First Series is now available on DVD. The four-disk set comes packed with more than ten hours of non-stop action and a ton of extra features, including fighter commentary, new behind the scenes footage and six never-before-seen fights. Plus, get a bonus limited edition CD featuring tracks from Bodog Music artists. Available now at better retailers everywhere and online at bodoglife.net/store.

About Bodog Fight

Since its inception in 2006, Bodog Fight has become one of the heavy-hitters in the world of mixed martial arts. Created by billionaire entertainment mogul and longtime MMA enthusiast, Calvin Ayre, Bodog Television's Bodog Fight series offers viewers a unique combination of action and allure from exotic locations throughout the world. Bodog Fight can be viewed online at bodoglife.net, along with other Bodog Television programs including: a poker lifestyle and reality show, Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker, and an international million-dollar band search competition, Bodog Battle. For more information, contact Media Relations at 1-866-892-3371, or fightpr@bodoglife.net. BODOG is a registered trademark.

Funk's Corner - New Beta Software Program For !BANG! TV

The Funking Conservatory has acquired a new "Beta" software program from a new innovative technology company in Japan.

The new software allows the Funking Conservatory to bring you the finest quality in sound and video on the Internet.

Our new software program combined with our new climate controlled 8000 square foot sound stage and training facility in Ocala, Florida along with some of the finest talent in training enable !BANG! TV to bring to the viewer arena atmosphere on the Internet.

Our latest !BANG! TV presentation (25 minutes) is now up featuring last Sunday's Funking Conservatory Tag Team Championship Match, Johnny Magnum and Will Power vs Elvis Sharp and Flyin' Ryan "Air" Mitchell with Sandii Skye. Elvis Sharp is seconded by The "Pop Tarts" Kim Dakota and Vikki Von.

This is a two segment 25 minute production with the new Hanabanishii beta software. We hope you enjoy the increase in sound and video quality now on www.dory-funk.com. Look for WrestleFeast Results.

Dory Funk Jr. - Coach of the Funking Conservatory

A Holiday Present That Packs A Nice Punch: Three MMA Events From Around The World Streamed Live At ProElite.com

Courtesy of ProElite, Inc.:

Buy Two, Get One Free

LOS ANGELES--Nov. 27, 2007--Looking for a holiday gift that packs a nice punch without hurting your wallet?

During the month of December, three top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events will be streamed live on pay-per-view at ProElite.com, the world's premier MMA social networking and entertainment Web site.

It all begins live from London December 1 when EliteXC presents "Cage Rage 24: Feel the Pain" featuring Murilo "Ninja" Rua versus Xavier "Professor X" Foupa Pokam. The excitement then crosses the Atlantic and heads to Sao Paulo, Brazil December 6 for "Fury Fight Championships 5," bringing four top fighters together all vying for the 183-pound tourney title. In need of a little Aloha spirit? Then join us live from Honolulu, Hawaii December 15 when EliteXC presents "ICON Sport Fearless" featuring "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler against Hawaii's own Kala Kolohe Hose.

"There are few gifts out there that provide stellar entertainment and great value, and this is one gift for MMA fans that offers the best of both worlds," said Kelly Perdew, president of ProElite.com. "We are bringing together some of the best MMA fighters around the globe and giving fans a front row seat to all of the action lending credence to our ongoing global strategy to build MMA as the next great sport."

"Fans deserve to be able to watch three full MMA events for significantly less than the cost of our competitor's pay-per-view programming. And we are featuring every single fight on the card, not just the main event," Perdew added.

"This probably is the most inexpensive way to visit Brazil in the middle of December and watch some of the greatest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters go head-to-head in the same cage," said Gilberto Faria, international director and partner of Giant Sport Entertainment, the producer of Fury Fight Championships (FFC) in Brazil. "Visit ProElite.com and be a part of the first Brazilian MMA event ever to be shown transcontinental!"

MMA fans can either purchase each event for $12.95 or all three for $24.95 by visiting www.proelite.com/mma.

About ProElite, Inc. (www.proeliteinc.com)

ProElite, Inc. delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem, all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite's live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world's top fighters (elitexc.com). ProElite's interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of mixed martial arts enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com - Empowering the Fight Community(TM).

CONTACT: for ProElite, Inc.
PondelWilkinson Inc.
Evan Pondel/David Stankunas, 310-279-5980
epondel@pondel.com
dstankunas@pondel.com

Monday, November 26, 2007

Tagline & Updated Lineup For UFC 81

I'm still being lazy, so, here ya go:

UFC 81: 'Breaking Point.'
Mandalay Bay Events Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Live pay-per-view begins @ 10 PM ET

Current Card
* Heavyweight title?: Tim Sylvia vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
* Heavyweights: Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
* Lightweights: Tyson Griffin vs. Gleison Tibau
* Middleweights: Nate Marquardt vs. Thales Leites
* Middleweights: Alan Belcher vs. Ricardo Almeida

Funk's Corner - Last Night's !BANG! TV Taping Results

Before a standing room crowd at the Funking Conservatory Wrestling School in Ocala, Florida:

Dory Funk Jr. presented the New Funking Conservatory Women's Championship Belt to be defended in the second match by the champion, "The Claw," Claudia Reiff.

For the European Championship, Elvis Sharp defeated Johnny Romano with the Texas Cloverleaf.

For the New Women's Championship, The Claw defeated Vicki Von with a Cradle.

The Claw defeated Kim Dakota with a Japanese Arm Bar. Winner and still champion, "The Claw," Claudia Reiff.

For the Funking Conservatory's World Championship Belt, Shane Chung, with his protégé Pistol Peyton, won over Blain Rage when Blain Rage was disqualified for outside interference by his protégé, Damien and the Pop Tarts.

Funking Conservatory Tag Team Championship match. Flyin' Ryan, "Air Mitchell" with Sandii Skye and Elvis Sharp won over Johnny Magnum and Will Power when Will Power had an abdominal stretch on Elvis Sharp and Flyin' Ryan hit Will right on the chin with a well placed super kick.

The next !BANG! TV, Taping, XXStravaganza comes to the Funking Conservatory Monday December 31st. XXStravaganza will be our largest and most exciting show of the year.

Dory Funk Jr. - Coach of the Funking Conservatory - www.dory-funk.com

Attention, You!: A Message From Shonie Carter

Shonie Carter (in my market, a guest member of security on tomorrow's repeat episode of 'Jerry Springer') has something to say, so, listen up.

The man, frankly, kix ass!

SHAWN STASIAK: DETERMINED DVD REVIEW

By Steve Rockamaniac of MainEventRadio.com

Shawn Stasiak: Determined is the new documentary out from Howard Feintuch’s MuscularGalore.com which is a website/company that promotes physical and mental well being through having a vision for your life and using the bodybuilding lifestyle to achieve it. Which may make you wonder, as it did I, why they would be putting out a documentary about Former WWE and WCW superstar Shawn Stasiak. Sure Wrestlers are often regarded as larger than life muscle bound guys, but I had to question as to whether this DVD was being put out for fans of Stasiak and pro wrestling in general, or for those who follow the bodybuilding life that want an inspirational story to encourage them in their training. Well after checking the documentary out myself I can tell you this DVD has something to offer to all of the above.

The documentary has over a 3 hour run time and can basically be divided into two parts, one being Shawn’s life in pro wrestling, and two being the mental and physical training lifestyle he likes to live.

Beginning with the Wrestling portion, Stasiak starts by looking back on his childhood, growing up the son of the famous Stan “The Man” Hansen. What ensues is almost a trip through his childhood as Shawn visits the famous sites he would tag along with his father too such as the Dallas Sportatorium or the arena where Portland Wrestling once ran (which is now a renovated church, and not too appreciative of it’s wrestling past) But anyways you get to hear some real interesting stories here, and interviews with Skandor Akbar, Kevin Von Erich and Hansen’s one time tag team partner Johnny Mantell are also included. What I really found cool here was actual footage of Hansen wrestling a match thrown in here and there as well as true home movies featuring Hansen fooling around with Shawn.

Next they begin to look at what was the first step in Shawn’s career, and that is making the Division 1 wrestling team at Boise State University. A hilarious story on how he got onto the team is told by his former coach Mike Davies that reminds me a lot of some indy wrestling guys who try to make it to the big time. Shawn also tells the story of how he had 10 pro matches on Portland Wrestling’s local shows completely untrained, and used that footage along with some sting like facepaint to get himself a gig at the local new s station filming child safety promos for holidays such as Halloween, Again the beauty of this is you get to see the actual footage of Shawn as the character “Phobia”. You also get to hear from the actual anchor he worked with at the station as well.

Next up is his journey to the WWF, as he signed a developmental deal and began training for the next 10 months with the likes of Edge, Christian and Kurt Angle. He then explains how he moved on to Memphis and feuding with Jerry Lawler and how it became frustrating that he wasn’t getting his shot to debut on TV. Until “Meat” came along, which when you watch the documentary can tell that he hated the name, but tells an interesting story on how he believed that the delays in his actual debut was a sign as he ended up debuting on his late Father’s birthday.

We then get coverage of his firing from the WWF in 1999 due to the “Tape Recorder Incident”, One thing I disliked about this Documentary is that a lot of times Shawn glosses over things almost assuming everything is known, this was only one case amongst many, a text screen had to explain things many times in the film, Basically for those who don’t recall, Stasiak was caught tape recording conversations of Steve Blackman and British Bulldogg during a tour here in Montreal in 1999, it got him fired, and to this day Stasiak seems somewhat bitter about the incident, but refused to name names in the film as to who it was, especially because one has passed on and the other isn’t wrestling all that much anymore, although Stasiak challenges him to a UFC fight and then apologizes about being bitter. It seems like he still has a hard time letting that go, and with just cause as it didn’t seem like that big of a deal to begin with.

From there his WCW career is covered, the rough times he endured trying to get in there, training at the powerplant and eventually running with WCW until the buyout by the WWE. He offers thoughts on his biggest moments in the company and the final Nitro broadcast, as well as being bought out by the WWE to return “home” as he put it.

Although his return home didn’t work out too well as we hear about how he was informed of his release via a 1am phone call, Shawn does take time to explain how the “Planet Stasiak” gimmick could of worked and made him a big star, which I appreciated cause I never really got the gimmick. Contemplated if his release was political based and whether moving to the SD brand would of helped, but reveals that the night he got his release he made the decision that he was going to persue a career in chiropracting.

Shawn then offers advice on making a career change, shows where and how he got his degree and treats a patient for us all to see, An interesting part here is when Stasiak shows his own X-rays and points out the damage wrestling will do to your neck and spine, which nowadays is a hot topic.

You then get to see Shawn back in the wrestling ring as he participates at a Indy show for PCW in Dallas Texas, This is a very cool part as you get to see a ton of the backstage stuff and his full match that night with Mace Malone. Shawn also explains why he keeps coming back to wrestling and the things he would like to achieve and proposed a very interesting storyline idea for him with Shane McMahon, and also explains why he would like to be challenged in the UFC and how much respect he has for the MMA world.

This brings you up to the 2:11 mark, which is where the DVD switches gears, first you get a full workout session with Stasiak, I must admit he’s pretty hardcore when it comes to the workout, this is interesting only if your into bodybuilding otherwise you may find yourself skipping through the 20 minute workout.

At 2:34, Stasiak pays visit to Rob Van Damn where they have a half hour long conversation on Channeling Positive Energy, and making changes in your life to allow you to live life to the fullest, there is some interesting content here that may even help yourself change your look out on something in your life.

Despite some of it’s vagueness, I really enjoyed Shawn Stasiak: Determined, It has the right balance of wrestling information to bodybuilding and motivational speaking information, and I’d recommend it to those wrestling fans who enjoy the shoot type of documentaries, And when I say Vagueness, don’t get me wrong there is still a lot to learn about Stasiak and his life in pro wrestling on this DVD, much of which you may have never known before depending on intensely you followed his career.

Shawn Stasiak : Determined is available via Howard Feintuch’s WWW.MUSCULARGALORE.COM web store, which also has Wrestling action figures and is promising a Marty Janetty documentary sometime this winter which I certainly will be keeping my eye out for.

Previous Reviews Can Be Seen at www.maineventradio.com/reviews Or Directly for
TNA Year One: http://www.maineventradio.com/SteveColumns/Reviews/TNA-YearOne.htm

Cougar Club Featuring Joanie Laurer: http://www.maineventradio.com/SteveColumns/Reviews/cougar.htm

Headlocked: A Pro Wrestling Comic : http://www.maineventradio.com/SteveColumns/Reviews/headlock.htm

Instant Classic: The Best of Christian Cage DVD: http://www.maineventradio.com/SteveColumns/Reviews/christian.htm

Alan Wojcik Reviews History Of TNA Year 1 DVD

Courtesy of Alan J. Wojcik:

I have remained quiet about TNA Wrestling since there was an internal decision to not allow my laptop in the Impact Zone. But I am not ashamed to say I covered TNA from the initial PPV in Huntsville, Alabama when Cheex broke the ring nearly destroying the initial PPV until this past summer. Unlike most people covering TNA then and now, I was at every event from June 19th to the September 2002 when they went dark trying to find new financing. I even reviewed Jerry Jarrett’s the Story of the Development of NWA- TNA: A New Concept in Pay-Per-View Programming in 2004. So being a “TNA expert” I was excited and intrigued to see what TNA DVD producer Bill Banks would create to remember the days of the Flying Elvises and the Cage Dancers, in the DVD release The History of TNA: Year 1.

Let’s talk about the good stuff before I talk about the bad. TNA does their best to keep an accurate timeline from the shutdown of WCW in March, 2001 that left Jeff Jarrett with lots of free time to a boat trip with Bob Ryder and Jerry Jarrett. Along the way Banks lets the talent do the talking including Jarrett, AJ Styles, “Prime Time” Elix Skipper, “Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels, BG James, “Wildcat” Chris Harris, “Tennessee Cowboy” James Storm, Raven, referees Andrew Thomas and Rudy Charles, TV announcers Mike Tenay, Don West and Jeremy Borash plus Dixie Carter whose family saved TNA from shutting down in September 2002. The DVD is broken down into named chapters: Summer of No Worries, The Genesis of TNA, June 19, 2002: the 1st Show, Will TNA last, the Carter Family, Rise of the X Division, the Tag Teams, The Asylum, Raven vs. Jarrett and Looking Back at Year One including video flashbacks between chapters. The best part of the special features is a segment on the legendary Curt Hennig who worked for TNA around the time of his passing.

Now for the bad and there is lots of bad. TNA co-founder Jerry Jarrett is virtually absent with only two or three mentionings in the initial chapters by Jeff and Ryder and that is a shame because anyone who read Jerry’s book knows he is eloquent. Jerry’s book goes where this DVD does not such as having to abandon the taping of two PPV’s in one night and taking the PPV’s on the road plus how the weekly concept was born. I remember going to the initial events in at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium (home of Slammiversary 2007) and it was weird to go from the 8,000 seat Auditorium to the 800 seat Tennessee State Fairgrounds but the people talking on the DVD make it like that was a positive. Ron Killings winning the NWA World championship is covered but Killings must not have been under contract to do interviews. The Jay Haussmann-PPV lawsuit is mentioned but not spoken about fully and probably for legal reasons (Haussmann was feeding the Jarrett’s false PPV numbers while he was a 3rd party contracted WWE employee) as is the bankruptcy and federal lawsuit against initial financial backers Health South. There is no mention of how the NWA came into the fold or where the TNA name came from and that would have been interesting to know. Everyone talks about the great job Ron and Don Harris did rebuilding the ring after Cheex destroyed it but why can’t we hear from them for two minutes? The tag team segment of the DVD ignores the Hot Shots (Chase Stevens & Cassidy Reilly) or Rick Vaughn/Rick Santel (Black Shirt Security) and the others who help make AMW into the number one team in the promotion. Finally there is no talk about or with Vince Russo being the creator of the Sports Entertainment Xtreme clique or dressing the then NWA World Tag Team champions; Mike & Todd Shane as walking penises called the Johnson’s or the Rainbow Express or the Dupps and the much hated Dupp Cup. Jerry Jarrett covers that in his book including his sometimes outright hatred of Russo and his ideas.

The four matches on this DVD are all good but if you own the Best of AJ Styles, Best of America’s Most Wanted, Best of Raven and Best of the TNA Title matches you aren’t seeing anything new. Same goes for the June, 2002 tryout match between Storm and Harris which is edited down for this DVD. Also in the extras are visitors to the Asylum and the original TV spot that aired in Nashville for the July 3rd show (anyone remember Puppet and Teo the midget wrestlers.)

You can log onto www.tnawrestling.com to purchase the DVD or visit your local retailers.

IFL, Alfred Haber Distribution Announce Addition Of ITV In The UK As Broadcast Partner

Courtesy of the International Fight League:

ITV4 begins carrying “IFL Battleground” on Saturday night

NEW YORK, November 26, 2007 – The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s number one team-based professional mixed martial arts league, and Alfred Haber Distribution (AHDI) today announced that ITV4 has begun carrying IFL programming on Saturday nights. It is the IFL’s second European broadcast partner, joining TV4 in Sweden.

“The United Kingdom is a growing market for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, and we think that our programming, which is different from the cage fighting that has been the norm, will have a much greater mainstream appeal,” said IFL CEO Jay Larkin. “We are very pleased to be able to join the ITV lineup.”

ITV joins an ever-growing international TV lineup for IFL programming, which includes MyNetworkTV and FSN in the United States, MBC in the Middle East, Star TV in Asia, CanWest Global and Fox Sports Canada in Canada, EGO in Israel and Armed Forces Television worldwide. Additional TV partners are expected to be announced shortly.

About Alfred Haber Distribution, Inc.

ALFRED HABER, INC. and ALFRED HABER DISTRIBUTION, INC., established 39 years ago, together form the world's largest distributor of U.S. Network (CBS, ABC, NBC and FOX) reality, music and event specials, and are major independent distributors of reality and documentary series, mini-series and made-for-television motion pictures for the U.S. and the international television marketplace. More information is available at www.alfredhaber.com.

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.

FREE Vale Tudo Fights LIVE!

Courtesy of RioHeroes.com:

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, November 26, 2007 - Growing up in the favelas of San Paulo, Flavio Alvaro earned the nickname "Sobrevivente" a Portuguese word that means "Survivor," because he channeled his adversity through the disciplines of Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. Indeed, Alvaro has endured triumph and loss in his effort to get to the top of the RioHeroes summit..

The last time we saw Alvaro in action he was on a roll, defending his Middleweight Belt in RioHeroes 8. The Sobrevivente had won seven fights in a row dating back to RioHeroes 1, when Pedro "Stone Hands" Santos viciously yanked the title away in a brutalizing final bout.

This November 27, at 7 P.M., Alvaro will get his chance for revenge against Santos at the world's only true Vale Tudo league. RioHeroes will once again present the live broadcast for free to all its loyal fans, as well as newcomers to the world of Vale Tudo fighting.

The battle for the RioHeroes Middleweight title is going to be an all out grudge match. Alvaro will have his hands full early as he battles the street brawler, Luke Macarena, in the first qualifier. "Macarena poses a potential risk for Flavio if he were to catch him with a wild swing," noted RioHeroes President Jason Atkins. "But I expect the wisdom and experience of Alvaro to stand strong against the Macarena's street style fighting."

In the fourth qualifier, Santos starts his title defense against Rafael Motta, another Vale Tudo warrior with a chip on his shoulder. Motta is a one of Brazil's top master submission fighters who recently has been dominating other fighters all around Sao Paulo. Motta is determined to beat the current champ on his way to a possible RioHeroes 5 finals rematch against Alvaro. Standing in the way of the Alvaro-Santos-Motta rivalry are Egidio Amaro and Welsi Mello, squaring off in the second qualifying match, and Fagner Mastodonte versus Wagner Pinho in the third qualifier of the evening.

Who will win the RioHeroes 12 tournament is not known, but one thing is certain. Everyone will be put to the test of skill, strength, and stamina as the seven fights are battled out.

About RioHeroes.com

RioHeroes.com is an entertainment web-site that showcases Vale Tudo fighting in its purest form. Broadcasting live from a steel cage deep in Brazil, RioHeroes fighters compete without gloves, rounds or time limits in no-holds barred action. The league embraces the highest levels of honor and integrity common among all Vale Tudo masters.

RioHeroes.com
1700 S. Dixie Hwy
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
support@toughsportslive.com

Our telephone:
USA: 1-888-347-2066 Ext.2
International: +1-561-347-2066 Ext.2

Our websites:
www.rioheroes.com
www.girlsandguns.com
www.toughsportslive.com

Sometimes A Wrestling Show Just NEEDS To Be Fun! This Is One Of Those Times…By Oliver Newman

Company: Extreme 2 Wrestling
Date: Friday 23rd November 2007
Time: 7:30pm
Attendance: 27 (Including Spud and Dave Moralez)
Price: £5
Location: Quarry Bank Community Centre, Sheffield Street, Quarry Bank, West Midlands DY5 2AA.

Kris Godsize welcomes the crowd to E2W.

“The Mad Man From Japan” Wedow Wonchow Vs Geraden (w/ Corri)

Lock up with Wonchow transitioning into the headlock on Geraden, Geraden reverses out and rakes Wonchow’s head on the ropes. Geraden follows up with a suplex on Wonchow as Corri distracts the referee handing Geraden the whip (she carried to the ring). Wonchow steals the whip and whips Corri’s ass and throws whip back at Geraden! Corri believes Geraden whipped her and chases him around the ring, Geraden runs into Wonchow who suplexes him and manages to get the 3 count.

Match Time: 4 minutes
Winner: “The Mad Man From Japan” Wedow Wonchow

My Thoughts:
WOW! That was a blink and you might miss it match. Geraden showed he is more than a good wrestler, because of his working on a good character also. Wonchow was hilarious as was the match, nice sequence with who whipped Corri but a suplex ending a match made Geraden look pretty weak.

LGT vs. The Bouncer

LGT ducks out of The Bouncer’s lock up attempts, and heads to the back. The crowd breaks out with a chant of “Chicken” LGT barely makes it back to the ring before the 10 count (returning on 9). After breaking the count LGT takes a seat at ringside, Bouncer has seen enough and follows before throwing LGT back in. LGT punches Bouncer and then begs off as Bouncer looks to extract revenge. LGT was playing possum though and quickly throws Bouncer into the steel ring post. LGT stands on both of Bouncer’s hands, Bouncer returns with a low blow, knocking both men down as the fans clap. Bouncer follows up with a power slam and a leg drop for a two count, Bouncer kicks LGT square in the face! Before attempting the F-5, LGT skilfully reverses looking for a stunner but Bouncer rolls through into a pin for the 1, 2 and 3.

Match Time: 11 minutes
Winner: The Bouncer

My Thoughts:
That was a good match. LGT played the coward role well, and the fans were firmly behind The Bouncer with everything he did. This transpired into a good wrestling match as both men looked like they were one big move away from the win, in this case a skilful pin by The Bouncer ended the match.

3-Some (Dan Ryder/Danny Devine w/ Miss Ryder) vs. The Dutt-Lee Boyz (Nik Dutt/Chandler Scott Lee)

Ryder and Dutt lock up with Ryder easily able to push Dutt down, before tagging out to Devine whilst Dutt tags CSL. Devine puts an Apple in his mouth but drops it as the bigger CSL enters, CSL pushes Devine off after a lock up. Picking up the Apple before bowling it into both Devine and Ryders crotches! CSL Irish whips Devine and with a follow up splash Devine and Ryder end up a compromising position. The fans chant “3D, 3D” CSL hits Devine with an elbow drop. Ryder grabs CSL’s hair pulling him down to the mat. Ryder then attacks Dutt on the outside, Miss Ryder distracts CSL long enough for Devine to roll him up and with his feet on the ropes, manages to pick up the pinfall.

Post-Match:
Dutt chases Ryder back into the ring and then he and CSL hit the 3D as the fans go crazy! Following up with one to Devine for good measure, Whaaaaaaaaatsup follows as the fans cheer.

Match Time: 15 minutes
Winner: 3-Some

My Thoughts:
That was a good old school tag team match! What happens when you take two of the best wrestlers in the UK and give them good characters? MONEY for whichever promotion decide to book them of course, that is how I would sum up 3-Some. Dutt and Lee worked well as a team and 3-Some bring antics and good wrestling skill to any match they are in, this produced a good match which the E2W fans enjoyed.

INTERMISSION

Jay Icon (with Aphrodite) vs. ‘The Rock’ Ashton Maivia

Moralez fains throwing a cup of tea at Icon, Icon gets scared and cowers away. “Gay Icon” chant starts up, followed by a “She’s a he/she” chant directed at Aphrodite. Headlock by Icon, who quickly follows with punches, Ashton fights back with punches and a spit punch sends Icon over the top rope to the floor. Ashton follows and quickly whips Icon into the crowd, Icon returns by whipping Ashton into a wall! Ashton connects with a spine-buster before taking off his elbow pad for the people’s elbow, which he hits but can only get a two count. Ashton attempts a rock bottom but Icon cleverly reverses into a Stunner for the 1, 2 and 3. The fans chant “Gay Icon” and “She’s a crack whore”, LGT spits Beer in Icon’s face. Icon challenges LGT to go outside, LGT walks out the door. Icon changes his mind and walks to the back. The fans chant “Rocky” as Ashton returns to his feet.

Match Time: 7 minutes
Winner: Jay Icon

My Thoughts:
That was a good match! Back and forth contest which could have gone either way, Ashton’s ‘Rock’ mannerisms were spot on and added a lot to the match, Icon put forth a good performance in his own right and with that combination, a good match transpired. The ending was much like that of Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock from Wrestlemania 15 and it worked well.

Tucker vs. Psycho

Duelling chants of “Psycho/Tucker” start this match, Tucker nips up after being knocked down by Psycho. Tucker shoulder blocks Psycho down and then they mirror each others moves with none of them connecting because they are being done at the same exact time! Stand off between the two competitors as the fans clap, Psycho follows up with a Power-slam. The two wrestlers then shake hands but Tucker uses this as opportunity to put Psycho in a headlock. Psycho connects with a suplex on Tucker but Tucker rolls through and almost steals the win (two count only), kick by Tucker who follows up with a springboard but Psycho expertly catches him in an arm-bar and somersaults over into a pin for the 1, 2 and 3.

Match Time: 6 minutes
Winner: Psycho

My Thoughts:
Good back and forth match for the time allowed. Tucker plays the cocky but skilful wrestler well, Psycho had the hometown support and at times that allowed him to control the match. I have never seen a finish to a match like a somersault from an armbar into a pinfall, that was AMAZING!

Dr X vs. British Born Steele

Pre-match
Dr X leaves and runs around the ring, before touching his toes. When the match seems scheduled to go ahead, BBS does the same as both men traded off warm up exercises.

Match:
Lock up which BBS reverses out into a wristlock and then the two competitors trade wristlocks. BBS ends the sequence by dropkicking X and with a follow up DDT manages a two count. X rakes BBS’s eyes and kicks him in the head before quickly following up with a chop for a two count. X blocks the turnbuckle and connects with the dreaded stomp, BBS fights back with forearms and chops. A snap-mere follows with kicks to the chest of X. X tells the crowd that he has had enough of beating BBS’s ass and challenges him to a dance off! He hilariously asks for the music guy “Put some Michael Jackson on!” The crowd cheer for X and clap and cheer for BBS, as they are X attacks BBS from behind. A “B,B,B,B,B,S” chant starts up! BBS fights out with forearms as the fans clap, X returns with a knee to the face and a lariat for a close near fall. BBS regains his composure and from out of nowhere hits an RKO for the 1, 2 and 3.

Post-Match:
The fans cheer and chant “BBS, BBS” and “One more match” X takes the microphone “This ring, same place, some time. BBS vs. Dr X 2”

Match Time: 15 minutes
Winner: British Born Steele

My Thoughts:
That was a good main event, and a good way to end the show! Dr X and BBS brought Comedy and good Wrestling to the main event of the evening, trading holds in the early going, before X’s cheating turned the match. The dance-off is always fun to see and added more hilarity to the match, the ending sequence was well done with both men mere seconds away from ending the match before BBS’s RKO did just that!

Overall Thoughts:
Wonchow is as crazy as his name seems, Geraden is working on a good character. LGT and Bouncer wrestled a competitive match, 3-Some vs. Dutt-Lee Boyz was a good old school tag match. Icon vs. Ashton was a good comedy/wrestling match. Psycho vs. Tucker was good while it lasted with a wicked finish! Dr X vs. BBS was laugh out loud funny for the entire time it took place! A good match in its own right with great crowd interaction, dance-off and good wrestling. E2W does have it’s problems though, the ring was pretty much like a double sized bed! 20 people paying to watch a show is pretty ludicrous as well, pure Wrestling fans would have despised this show, causal Wrestling fans would have found another reason to laugh at Pro Wrestling but for the people looking for a good night out at a fun wrestling show this was superb and for entertainment I haven’t laughed so much being at a Wrestling show in my entire 16 years as a fan!

Match of the Night:
Dr X vs. British Born Steele

For more information on E2W check out their website http://www.e2wrestling.bravehost.com/index.html or http://www.myspace.com/e2wrestling

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