Hulkmania Hits The Water

Courtesy of FLW Outdoors:

Hulk Hogan, Charismatic Pro Wrestling Star and 'American Gladiators' Co-Host Teams Up with the World's Largest Professional Fishing Tournament Organization FLW Outdoors(R) and FLW Fantasy Fishing(TM)

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 4 -- Hulk Hogan, one of the most charismatic icons of popular culture and co-host of the new wildly popular NBC-TV show, "American Gladiators," has teamed up with FLW Outdoors to become the celebrity spokesperson of its world renown professional angler fishing tournaments and its new FLW Fantasy Fishing game in 2008, the largest and richest fantasy sports game in the world.

Fans the world over have followed Hogan from his beginnings as the world's biggest pro wrestling star to his induction into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame, to his many movie and television roles, including his most recent success as the co-host in the over-the-top reality TV show hit, "American Gladiators." The show ranked No. 2 in prime time in the January 14 Nielsen ratings with 10.7 million viewers, according to a report in the New York Times.

A giant in the sports and entertainment industry, the 6'5" Hogan wrestled in the American Wrestling Association before being cast as "Thunderlips" in Rocky III. Later, his professional wrestling prowess and big personality helped propel not only the WWE, but the sport of wrestling as it is known today. He has won the WWE title numerous times and continues to awe fans as an actor and entertainer around the world.

"With Hulk Hogan on board, professional and recreational fishing is ready to experience unprecedented growth," says Irwin Jacobs, chairman of FLW Outdoors. "Just as we've built the largest professional angling tournament organization in the world over the past 13 years, and now with the introduction of the largest and richest fantasy sports game in the world, FLW Outdoors' new Fantasy Fishing will be making millions of sports fans worldwide aware of FLW Fantasy Fishing similar to what Hogan did in the world of professional wresting from a cult following into mainstream entertainment. He is the perfect person to represent FLW Outdoors' new $7.3 million fantasy fishing game."

Hogan will take center stage in a variety of venues for FLW Outdoors including a two-day personal appearance at this year's first Wal-Mart FLW tournament being held at Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Fla. on February 28-March 3, 2008. Additionally, the Hulk will be hosting multiple podcasts covering the tournaments; writing a blog and various articles for the FLW Fantasy Fishing Web site FantasyFishing.com; making several personal appearances in 2008 on behalf of FLW Outdoors as well as many other activities across all media.

In 2008, FLW Outdoors, the largest professional fishing tournament organization in the world, will be conducting 240 professional angling tournaments, including the six prestigious Wal-Mart FLW tournament events and the world's largest single professional cash prize tournament event in the world, the Forrest Wood Championship Cup, where the professional angler winner will take home $1 million in cash.

FLW Fantasy Fishing is offering anyone who plays the game the opportunity to participate in being part of winning $7.3 million in cash and prizes without going fishing and in the comfort of their own home. Participants can play FLW Fantasy Fishing for free by logging onto FantasyFishing.com to enter for their chance to land the catch of a lifetime. There is $6.7 million in cash being offered to FLW's Fantasy Fishing participants, plus an additional $600,000 in valuable prizes including Ranger boats, a Chevy SUV, Yamaha and BRP ATV's and personal watercrafts, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in Wal-Mart and Sam's Club shopping gift cards, tens of thousands of dollars of BP free gasoline gift cards plus a whole lot more -- all guaranteed to be awarded to the winners of the FLW Fantasy Fishing game in 2008.

Fans can follow the action along with Hogan as the fantasy-fishing season kicks off February 28, 2008 in conjunction with the Wal-Mart FLW tournament on Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Fla., and culminates August 14-17, 2008 with the world's single largest and richest professional fishing tournament the Forrest Wood Championship Cup in Columbia, S.C. Consisting of seven events, FLW Fantasy Fishing mirrors the Wal-Mart FLW Tour schedule in 2008 that includes six regular season tournaments and the Forrest Wood Championship Cup tournament.

FLW Fantasy Fishing participants will play the game by earning points based on their fantasy fishing team of ten anglers' placement finishes for each one of the seven FLW tournaments throughout the Wal-Mart FLW Tour in 2008. Each one of the six regular season tournaments will award $100,000 to the participant with the most points in each one of the six individual tournaments plus an additional $100,000 will go to the participant with the most points in the Forrest Wood Championship Cup. The $1 million cash grand prize will be awarded to the individual who accumulates the most points over all six regular season tournaments and the Forrest Wood Championship Cup Tournament.

For more information on Fantasy Fishing, please visit FantasyFishing.com and for information on FLW Outdoors, visit FLWOutdoors.com.

About FLW Outdoors(R)

bFLW Outdoors(R) is named after the legendary founder of Ranger(R) Boats, Forrest L. Wood, and it conducts the following tournament circuits:

-- Wal-Mart(TM) FLW Tour(R)
-- Wal-Mart(TM) FLW(R) Series
-- StrenTM Series
-- Wal-Mart(TM) Bass Fishing League
-- Ranger(R) Owners Tournament Championship SeriesTM
-- Wal-Mart(TM) FLW(R) Walleye Tour
-- Wal-Mart FLW(R) Walleye League
-- Wal-Mart FLW(R) Kingfish Tour
-- Wal-Mart FLW(R) Kingfish Series
-- Wal-Mart FLW(R) Redfish Series
-- Wal-Mart FLW(R) Striper Series

These circuits offer combined purses to the professional angler participants of nearly $43 million in cash through 240 professional tournament events in 2008.

Wal-Mart and many of America's largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world's leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Walmart.com.

For additional information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, browse FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.

Funking Conservatory Press Release - All Japan Pro Wrestling Releases Final Match For Dory Funk Jr.

Courtesy of Dory Funk Jr.:

Today, Osamu Nishimura announced the final match of Dory Funk Jr.

March 1(Sat), 2008---5:00PM Ryogoku Sumo Hall, Tokyo (Pay Per View)

Dory Funk, Jr.'s Final match: Dory Funk, Jr. & Osamu Nishimura VS Genichiro Tenryu & Masanobu Fuchi

Triple Crown Heavyweight title match: Kensuke Sasaki VS Satoshi Kojima

World Junior Heavyweight title match: Katsuhiko Nakajima VS Silver King

Funking Conservatory Florida Champion and one half of the Tag Team Champions, Flyin' Ryan "Air" Mitchell has signed a contract to wrestle for All Japan Pro Wrestling and will be traveling with Dory and Marti Funk to appear on Dory's Sayonara tour.

For training information and schedules and ticket information to the next !BANG! TV Taping call 352-895-4658 or visit www.dory-funk.com.

Owned Entertainment Announces Casting Of MMA Fighters Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua And Murilo ‘Ninja’ Rua In The MMA Movie ‘Owned’

Courtesy of Owned Entertainment, Inc.:

AUSTIN, Texas -- 02/04/2008 -- Owned Entertainment, Inc. announced today that Mixed Martial Arts and UFC fighter Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and his brother, former EliteXC Champion Murilo ‘Ninja’ Rua, have been cast in the MMA movie ‘Owned.’ Mr. Hergott and Mr. Alfio comment; “We are thrilled to be able to bring the brothers exciting fighting style to the big screen. Their characters will be involved in a number of fast paced and realistic action sequences.”

About Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Murilo ‘Ninja’ Rua

Mauricio Milani "Shogun" Rua is a mixed martial arts fighter, and the winner of the PRIDE Fighting Championships' 2005 Middleweight (205lb) Grand Prix. He holds notable wins over Ricardo Arona, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Quinton Jackson, Alistair Overeem, and Kazuhiro Nakamura and is known for his aggressive fighting style and excellent versatility. He currently fights in the UFC where his next opponent will be Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell.

Murilo "Ninja" Rua is a mixed martial artist from the world renowned Chute Boxe Academy. He currently fights in EliteXC. He is known for his well-rounded fighting skills, in particular Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rua is a veteran of PRIDE Fighting Championships, where he once enjoyed a reputation as one of the strongest middleweights in the world. "Ninja" fights at 185 pounds, but has also fought at 205 pounds and heavyweight. He is the former Elite XC middleweight champion.

About ‘Owned’

‘Owned' is an exciting action thriller set in the world of MMA. We will be looking for a combination of talented actors and MMA fighters for the movie. Recently announced fighters for the movie include Dean Lister, Jason Mayhem Miller and Cung Le. For more information on the ‘Owned’ movie visit mmamovie.com, ownedentertainment.com and the official ‘Owned’ myspace at http://www.myspace.com/ownedentertainmentinc.

About Owned Entertainment

Owned Entertainment, Inc. has emerged as a player in the area of independent film production and distribution, once monopolized by the major film studios. The company engages in investing, producing, and distributing full-length feature films as well as TV projects, video games and other entertainment entities. Along with its controlling equity interest in 'All That I Need,' released in theatres December 2005 and released on DVD February 2006, there are several other projects in the making, including: 'The Other Side' and 'Descendant,' written by Damir Catic and Eric Alfio, the action thriller set in the world of Mixed Martial Arts 'Owned' by James Hergott, 'Brothers' by Tarquin Gotch (whose credits include 'Home Alone,' 'Curly Sue,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off') and the Reno 911-type comedic take-off on the popular 'The Ultimate Fighter' TV show entitled 'Fight House.' Our mission at Owned Entertainment, Inc. is to produce high quality and highly enjoyable feature films that will be widely distributed in the mainstream media markets. The corporate offices for Owned Entertainment, Inc. are in Austin, Texas with additional offices in Southern California. Owned Entertainment, Inc. has recently announced adding an Interactive Entertainment division to focus on video game development.

CONTACT:

Owned Entertainment, Inc.
James Hergott, President
512-284-7888
james@ownedentertainment.com
info@ownedentertainment.com
www.ownedentertainment.com

The Fight Network Adds More Star Power To The Senior Management Team

Courtesy of The Fight Network:

TORONTO, Feb. 4 - The Fight Network announces the appointment of Patrick Michaud as Chief Financial Officer, and Paul Laberge as Chief Operating Officer, completing the management reorganization which began with the company's change of leadership in September 2007.

"Our goal is to make The Fight Network a global media brand," said George Burger, President and CEO. "With the addition of Patrick and Paul, we have the skills, leadership and experience the company needs to achieve that goal."

Mr. Michaud brings more than 30 years of accounting and financial management expertise to The Fight Network. Most recently, Mr. Michaud was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Score Media where he was responsible for all financial affairs of the publicly traded media company. Mr. Michaud has extensive experience in public and private equity financing, leading the recapitalization of Score Media and the restructuring of its business units, and was key to restoring the business to profitability. In his new position, Mr. Michaud will oversee the network's day-to-day financial operations including financial reporting, capitalization strategy and debt/equity financings, and taxation, and will provide strategic financial management and guidance to help the growing network.

As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Laberge will oversee the company's day-to-day operations and lead the implementation of the company's multiplatform international growth strategy. Mr. Laberge has a thorough understanding of the Canadian specialty television market and experience expanding media businesses internationally. He spent nine years at Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. and its affiliated companies, most recently as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & General Counsel at Motion Picture Distribution LP ("MPD"). At MPD, he was responsible for corporate acquisitions, financings, executing MPD's ambitious international growth objectives and the development of its digital strategy.

ABOUT THE FIGHT NETWORK

The Fight Network is a multi-platform, international sports and entertainment company, providing its content to fight fans on digital television, pay-per-view, VOD, radio, mobile and online. The Fight Network is the global leader in presenting and covering all combat sports, including Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Boxing, Wrestling and Kickboxing and theme-related entertainment, through its 24/7 dedication to the sports. The Fight Network Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TFN Global Inc., whose corporate headquarters are located in Toronto, Canada. Visit www.thefightnetwork.com.

UFC® INVADES CANADA FOR THE FIRST TIME

Courtesy of the Ultimate Fighting Championship:

OVER 13,000 TICKETS SOLD FIRST DAY VIA UFC® FIGHT CLUB™ PRESALE

UFC 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2
Saturday, April 19, 2008 Live from the Bell Centre

Montreal, Quebec (CANADA) – 02/04/2008 – Dana White, President of The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) organization, today announced during a live press conference held in Montreal that the UFC will bring its first ever event to Canada in April when Quebec’s own Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, the Interim UFC Welterweight Champion, attempts to become the undisputed champion in a rematch with reigning titleholder Matt “The Terror” Serra at UFC 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2. White also announced the full lineup of fights for the April 19 UFC 83 card, which will take place live from Montreal’s Bell Centre on Saturday, April 19, 2008.

“More than 13,000 tickets were sold for UFC 83 in the first 24 hours of the UFC® Fight Club™ presale,” said White. “I’m excited to say that this event is almost a complete sellout in just one day – today we expect the event to sell out completely.

“We are so excited to bring this fight to Canada, and what better main event is there than Matt Serra vs. Georges St-Pierre 2,” said White. “This is going to be an incredible rematch – Matt Serra is a unique individual, no one gave him a chance against Georges St-Pierre the first time, but he knocked him out in the first round and took his title. St-Pierre showed why he is a future Hall of Famer by coming back and winning the rubber match against Matt Hughes in impressive fashion last December to take the interim championship. These are two guys with a lot of pride who want to make it clear to everyone who the real UFC World Welterweight champion is.”

“We are pleased to host the first UFC event in Canada. We are convinced that the quality of the event will thrill Quebecers who will witness home-province fighters Georges St-Pierre and Patrick Côté showcasing their courage and skills at the Bell Centre,” said Pierre Boivin, President of Gillett Entertainment Group.

Tickets for UFC 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2 are priced at $550, $400, $225, $150, $100 and $50 and are available at the Bell Centre Box Office, and a limited number of tickets remain available.

UFC® Fight Club™ members have the opportunity now to purchase tickets to this event via the website www.ufc.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Wednesday, Feb. 6 starting at 12pm EST. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through www.ufc.com. If any tickets remain following these two presales, they will be made available to the general public on Friday.

UFC 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2 is available live on pay-per-view at 10pm EST/7pm PST on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.95 for standard definition or high-definition broadcasts (where available).

Fighting out of Long Island, NY, Matt Serra (16-4) shocked the world a year ago by defeating St-Pierre by first round knockout for the UFC Welterweight Championship. Ever since then, many have speculated on the outcome of a rematch between the two. Serra was set to take on fellow The Ultimate Fighter Season 6 coach Matt Hughes in a fight on Dec. 29, but he suffered a herniated disc in his back during training and had to pull out of the fight. Now fully recovered, Serra is ready to head to Canada and defend his crown against the man he took it from at UFC 69.

“I’m actually excited to go to Canada and fight St-Pierre in his hometown,” said Serra. “I think this puts more pressure on him than it does me. I know he’s going to come at me hard, but I’m ready for that and I’m preparing for a great fight. I know that’s what I would do if a guy knocked me out like that. But I plan on staying the champ and taking my belt back home to Long Island.”

St-Pierre (15-2), fighting out Montreal, Quebec, Canada, became the UFC welterweight champion at UFC 65 when he stopped Matt Hughes in the second round. After losing his belt to Serra in April of 2007, St-Pierre rebounded in spectacular fashion, defeating Josh Koscheck at UFC 74 by a three round unanimous decision, and submitting Hughes in their rubber match for the 170 pound interim title at UFC 79. Now the former champion looks to regain the welterweight crown in his home province and prove to his fans and his country that he is the best 170 pound fighter in the world.

“I am at the same point as I was last year when I fought Matt Serra, except this time I am fighting as the contender not the champion,” said St-Pierre. “It’s a dream come true to have this historic UFC event in Canada, I’ve waited my whole life for this opportunity, and especially fighting for – and winning – the world title in front of my people.”

St-Pierre continued, “I see this fight not as revenge but as redemption. I know I can do better than I did last time, and for me for sure it is going to be redemption.”

White also announced the entire UFC 83 lineup, which is stacked with a former world champion, a host of contenders and rising stars, and some of Canada’s finest mixed martial artists.

Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (24-3) begins on his road back to the 185-pound title when he takes on The Ultimate Fighter season 4 winner, Travis Lutter (12-4), a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt who has upset on his mind.

British superstar Michael “The Count” Bisping (15-1), the winner of season 3 of The Ultimate Fighter and one of the game’s top young competitors, will make his middleweight debut on April 19 against well-rounded Florida battler ‘Chainsaw’ Charles McCarthy (10-4).

Surrey, British Columbia’s finest, middleweight Kalib Starnes (10-3-1), will return home to fight for the first time in over two years when he takes on hard-hitting contender Nate ‘Rock’ Quarry (15-2) in a three round contest.

The Ultimate Fighter season six winner Mac Danzig (18-4-1) has entered the UFC with a bang since his stint on the reality show in 2007, but grappling wizard Mark Bocek (5-1), hailing from Woodbridge, Ontario, has no plans on losing in front of Canadian fans in their lightweight bout on April 19th.

In an All-Canada battle sure to thrill fight fans, middleweight contenders Jason ‘The Athlete’ MacDonald (20-9) of Edmonton, Alberta, and Joe Doerksen (39-11) of Winnipeg, Manitoba revisit their four round war from 2005, and this time, Doerksen will look to be the one to emerge victorious.

Also on the UFC 83 card, London, Ontario’s own ‘Hands of Stone,’ Sam Stout (14-3-1), returns to action in a lightweight bout against Louisiana veteran Rich ‘No Love’ Clementi (38-12-1), and middleweight Ed ‘Short Fuse’ Herman (16-4) takes on unbeaten Brazilian Demian Maia (7-0).

And don’t think that Georges St-Pierre is the only Quebec native representing his hometown at the Bell Centre, as Victoriaville welterweight Jonathan Goulet (21-9, 1 no contest) takes on Kuniyoshi Hironaka (11-4), and Quebec City’s highly-regarded middleweight contender Patrick ‘The Predator’ Cote (13-4) puts his three fight UFC winning streak on the line against an opponent to be announced shortly.

For more information about UFC 83 or any upcoming UFC event, visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship

The Ultimate Fighting Championship® is the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN Entertainment, Shaw Pay-Per-View, Bell ExpressVU, and Viewers Choice, and commercially through Joe Hand Promotions. In addition to its North American distribution, UFC programming is distributed in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com or www.ufcespanol.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa™, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.

FCW Update On Tuesday's Bourbon St Show!!

Courtesy of Alan J. Wojcik:

Florida Championship Wrestling
Tuesday February 5th
Bourbon Street Night Club
4331 US 19N in New Port Richey
8:30pm Bell with $7 admission
www.fcwwrestling.com

*MAIN EVENT*
6 MAN, 4 CORNER ELIMINATION! A COIN TOSS WILL DETERMINE WHO BEGINS THE MATCH. 2 START, THE REMAINING MEN STAND IN THE CORNERS AND CAN BE TAGGED IN. ONCE A MAN SUBMITS OR IS PINNED, HE MUST RETURN TO THE DRESSING ROOM!
These are the six superstars involved: 7 FOOT TITAN, Jake Hagar, “Carnival Freak” Sinn Bowdee, “South City Thriller” Hade Vansen, FCW Southern Heavyweight champion Ted DiBiase Jr. and “Bad Seed” Shawn Osborne

***Round One of a Two Week Tournament, winner to face WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison & the Miz at the 2/15 Florida State Event!!***

**The “Puerto Rican Nightmare” Eric Perez & Eddie Colon vs. Robert Anthony & Johnny Curtis

**“Handsome” Heath Miller & Steve Lewington vs. Bryan Kelly & Rycklon

“Thee Superstar” Chris Gray vs. TJ Wilson

Big Rob vs. Mighty Mikey

*DIVA GRUDGE MATCH!*
Nattie Neidhart vs. Victoria

Afa vs. G-Rilla

“The Natural” Nic Nemeth & “The Campus Legend” Brad Allen vs. Brandon Groom & Tommy Taylor

PLUS HANDOSME HEATH’S HAPPY HOUR” WILL FEATURE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Remember each Tuesday night you can see FCW live at Bourbon Street Night Club.

Coming to the 2008 Florida State Fair, well you better on Friday February 15th to see FCW live at 6 & 8PM in the Entertainment Hall. Be there early because before and after the events you can meet the wrestlers for photos and autographs. WWE Hall of Fame member “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes plus WWE tag team champions John Morrison & The Miz are going to be in attendance, more names will be announced later.

FCW will return to the Jewish Community Center on Saturday February 23rd with an 8pm belltime.

Be looking for information on our TV tapings to begin on Thursday February 28th in Tampa.

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 02/04/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Total Nonstop Action will be taping for iMPACT! at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, on February 11-12. Admission for tapings is free. Call (407) 224-6000 for more info. (Rich Tate)

Results from the Southern States Championship Wrestling show in Enigma, GA, on February 2: Samantha Steel & The Soviet defeated Top Flight in 6:22; A Man Named Rouge defeated Tommy of Top Flight in 7:17; Jelena scored the second and third falls to win the SSCW Women's Title from Samantha Steel in 5:11; JT Taylor defeated "Big Nasty" Bryan Fury in 7:47; “Dynamite” Scotty Biggs defeated Maddog Miller in 10: 23; SSCW Tag Team Title Match: The New Radical Nation ("Hardcore" Brooks Rogers & Unknown Soldier) defeated the Gangsta Nation (G-Smooth & E-Dogg) in 12:31; and SSCW Heavyweight Championship: “Mr. Saturday Night” Jarrod Michaels defeated SSCW Heritage Champion “Rock n Roll” Chris Turner with interference by Rouge in 13:14. Attendance: 130-140 (Thomas Bugg)

Seventy-five people filed into the Frank Thomas Rec Center with Great Championship Wrestling back in Macon, GA, to watch the following: "The Beach Boy" Scotty Beach defeated "The Wrestling Hybrid" Orion Bishop (w/Wicked Nemesis). One-half of the GCW tag team champions, Tex Monroe got a victory over Randall Johnson. In a GCW Interstate Title match, Zero Tolerance (w/Quentin Michaels) defeated AJ Steele (w/The Intern) by countout. Steele is still the Interstate champion. Former tag team champions battled in next match as the original Bad Company, "Mr. #1" Sonny Siaki and "The Messiah of the Spinebuster" David Young (yes, he competed with a broken arm) defeated Hot Like Lava (w/Quentin Michaels). In the main event for the GCW Heavyweight title match, Bull Buchanan defeated Johnny Swinger (w/Quentin Michaels) by DQ after Zero Tolerance interfered in the match. Swinger is still the champion. (Brian Slack)

United Wrestling Federation results from E.E. Smith Middle School in Kenansville, NC, on February 2: Petey Williams over Kirby Mack; T.J. Mack & Velvet Sky over Charlie Dreamer & Daffney; Scotty Too Hotty over Joey Silva; Kevin Nash over Robert Roode; and Abyss over C.W. Anderson and James Storm in a three-way match. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

Jerkin' the Curtain, hosted by Trent Van Drisse, will feature Ron and Rodney West on its show tonight at 11:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

Trash Talking Radio, hosted by Mike Trash, will feature K.J. Hellfire, Ray Alexander, and Tommy Hawk on its show on February 5 at 7:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

Wrestling Weekly, hosted by Doc Young and Les Thatcher, will feature Lacey Von Erich on its show on February 5 at 8:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Chris Sabin, who turns 26 today.

‘Whipper’ Billy Watson suffered a fatal heart attack on this day in 1990. He was 74.

On this day in 1998, Pedro Martinez passed away at 82.

NOSTALGIA

1935: Dobie Osborne defeated Cowboy Luttrall in the main event at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter Jack Browning.

1936: Danno O’Mahoney defeated Dorv Roche to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

1938: Red Ryan defeated Babe Zaharias by disqualification in the main event at the Warren Arena in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer.

1938: Jack Ross defeated Raoul Lopez to win the Southern Lightweight Title at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter L.A. Roche.

1955: Jerry Graham defeated Dizzy Davis in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1964: Billy & Bad Boy Hines defeated Greg Peterson & Little Abner in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for promoter Fred Ward. Ward was not affiliated with Georgia Championship Wrestling at this time.

1966: Al Costello & Louie Tillet defeated the Mysterious Medics to win the World Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. This was the final match of a tournament that began on January 28, 1966, in an effort to determine new champions. The program for this card features an advertisement for Al Means Ford, located at 1665 Scott Boulevard in Decatur, with a photo of a crowned Freddie Blassie saying, “No other dealer can beat my deal … They wouldn’t dare!” It was announced that Paul Jones was negotiating with Gene Kiniski, Tarzan Tyler, and Dick the Bruiser for some future dates.

1969: Dale Lewis defeated Hans Schmidt by disqualification to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Bob Armstrong in the semi-main event. Jack Crawford managed Lewis & Sakaguchi.

1972: Dick Steinborn defeated Nick Bockwinkel by disqualification to win a one-night round robin tournament that also included Buddy Colt at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The tournament was to determine the challenger to wrestle the Georgia Heavyweight Champion on a future card. It is unclear exactly when this title match took place, as we have not yet found documentation of a title match close to this date with Steinborn as the challenger. Pat & Mike Kelly participated in an autograph session for fans. Charlie Smith was credited as being a referee for this card. It was announced that Haystacks Calhoun and Assassin #2 would be wrestling in Atlanta on February 11, 1972, and that Koa Tiki would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

1975: Ron Garvin, managed by Jimmy Garvin, & Roger Kirby, managed by Bearcat Wright, defeated Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden to win the Macon Tag Team Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. We do not have documented results for the remainder of this card, but Buddy Colt, also managed by Wright, versus Andre the Giant was advertised as the main event, and the semi-main event was to be Danny Little Bear versus Assassin #2, managed by Rock Hunter. Bob Orton, Jr., was scheduled to defend the US Junior Heavyweight Title against Ricky Gibson, and Joyce Grable & Vicky Williams were to defend the Women’s World Tag Team Title against Donna Christianello & Paula Kaye.

1977: Dick Slater and Mr. Wrestling #1 wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Harley Race in a semi-main event Texas death match, and Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole & Gene Anderson by disqualification in a handicap match. Also, Abdullah the Butcher defeated Dean Ho, while Black Atlas defeated Bill Howard. The French Angel, managed by J.J. Dillon, defeated Randy Colley. Bob Backlund and Raymond Rougeau wrestled to a draw in the opener.

1978: Bob Armstrong defeated Abdullah the Butcher to retain the Georgia Television Title at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The semi-main event featuring Dick Slater & Tony Atlas versus Ole Anderson & Ric Flair ended in a double disqualification.

1979: Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ole Anderson to retain the Macon Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Andre the Giant & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Stan Hansen & the Masked Superstar in the semi-main event.

1979: Mr. Wrestling #2 & Andre the Giant defeated Stan Hansen & the Masked Superstar in the main event at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ole Anderson in the semi-main event, and Tommy Rich defeated Luke Graham by disqualification.

1980: Mr. Wrestling #2 & Andre the Giant defeated Toru Tanaka, Killer Khan & the Great Mephisto in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Kevin Sullivan defeated Austin Idol in a semi-main event Texas death match. Also, Tommy Rich defeated Ivan Koloff, and Lars Anderson defeated Alexis Smirnoff. Rock Hunter managed Koloff and Smirnoff. Steve Travis defeated Dutch Mantell in the opener.

1981: Andre the Giant defeated Michael Hayes in the main event at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts defeated Ted DiBiase & Stan Frazier by countout in the semi-main event. In other matches, Tony Atlas defeated Kevin Sullivan, and Steve O defeated Bobby Eaton by disqualification.

1983: Butch Reed defeated Buzz Sawyer in the main event at the Porterdale Memorial Gymnasium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Tito Santana and the Super Destroyer wrestled to a draw in the semi-main event. The Moondogs, managed by J.J. Dillon, defeated Johnny Rich & Brad Armstrong, and the Iron Sheik defeated Joe Lightfoot in the opener.

2001: Kurt Angle defeated Chris Jericho in the main event at the Columbus Civic Center for the World Wrestling Federation. Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Perry Saturn & Eddie Guerrero in the semi-main event. Also, Chris Benoit defeated X-Pac.

McGivern To Replace Kennedy In IFL Middleweight Title Bout At Orleans Arena In Las Vegas

Courtesy of the International Fight League:

Kennedy Called to Military Duty; McGivern To Battle Horwich for 185-lb. Crown; Four Other Bouts Finalized On Eight-Fight Card on Feb. 29

NEW YORK and LAS VEGAS, February 4, 2008 – Miletich Fighting Academy middleweight standout Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa), recognized as one of the most improved, up-and-coming athletes in the International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), will fight for the 185-lb. title against current champion Matt “Suave” Horwich (Portland, Ore.), one of three championship matchups at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, February 29. McGivern replaces Tim Kennedy (Fayetteville, N.C.), an active U.S. Military member who has been called into duty.

Four other bouts have also now been finalized on the eight-bout card, including three featuring Xtreme Couture vs. Mario Sperry’s World Class Fight Center camps. Benji Radach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) will compete for Xtreme Couture in a middleweight bout against Leopoldo Serao (Brazil), Lew Polley (Coconut Creek, Fla.) will battle Alexandre Ferreira at 205 lbs., and Santino Defranco will take on Rafael Dias in a featherweight contest. The Lion's Den’s Pat Healy (St. Louis) will take on Team Quest’s Jake Ellenberger (Omaha, Neb.) in a matchup that may determine a future title bout at 170 lbs. (Team Xtreme Couture’s Jay Hieron of Las Vegas holds the belt at present).

“While it is disappointing to us and to Tim that he will be unable to compete due to his military obligations, we are excited and fortunate that a fighter of Ryan McGivern’s caliber is available to step in,” said Bas Rutten, IFL Vice President, Fighter Relations. “Ryan has been a great success story and his all-around style should make for an entertaining matchup with Matt Horwich.”

As previously announced, two other IFL titleholders will place their belts on the line as Roy Nelson (Las Vegas), who knocked out Antoine Jaoude (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) to win the heavyweight crown, will take on IFL newcomer Fabiano Scherner (Portland, Ore./Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), who trains with Lindland at Team Quest. Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.), whose lightweight victory over Chris Horodecki (London, Ontario) raised eyebrows in the entire MMA community, makes the first defense of his lightweight belt against John Gunderson (Medford, Ore.), who competes for Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den.

Matt Lindland’s Team Quest will take on Lion’s Den in three bouts in the other camp matchup.

Tickets are available at www.orleansarena.com, all Coast Casino box offices, The Galleria at Sunset, by calling 702-284-7777 or by visiting www.ifl.tv.

IFL Las Vegas
Friday, February 29, 2008

Preliminary Bout
145 lbs.: Ian Loveland (Portland, Ore.) (0-2 IFL, 8-7 overall MMA) vs. Dennis Davis (Las Vegas) (0-0, 13-6)

Team Xtreme Couture vs. World Class MMA (Mario Sperry)
145 lbs.: Santino Defranco (0-0, 10-3) vs. Rafael Dias (0-0, 8-3-1)
185 lbs.: Benji Radach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) (5-1, 17-4) vs. Leopoldo Serao (0-0, 11-6)
205 lbs.: Lew Polley (Coconut Creek, Fla.) (0-0, 6-0) vs. Alexandre Ferreira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (0-0, 15-5)

Team Quest (Matt Lindland) vs. Lions Den (Ken Shamrock)
170 lbs.: Jake Ellenberger (2-2, 16-3) vs. Pat Healy (St. Louis) (2-1, 18-12)
*155 lbs.: **Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.) (5-2, 18-9-1) vs. John Gunderson (Medford, Ore.) (2-2, 15-5)
*265 lbs.: **Roy Nelson (Las Vegas) (4-1, 11-2) vs. Fabiano Scherner (Portland, Ore.) (0-0, 7-5)

Championship Bout
*185 lbs.: Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) (5-4, 11-5) vs. **Matt Horwich (Portland, Ore.) (6-3, 21-9-1)

*Championship Bout
**Current Titleholder

About the IFL

International Fight League™ (IFL) has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv.

Issues With Both DVD's On World Class Championship Wrestling

Courtesy of Wacko Bob:

I just saw both DVDs World Class Championship Wrestling. And I have to say they both are great DVDs. But! I have to say that they both could have been better at the same time too. Now, to explain why I have issue with these DVD is not to say that I not like them. Because I did like them both! But, there is things that just do not add up rite too. And the deal with only putting over a few guys and only a few years of what was the best of times for wrestling in Texas was also not rite in my eyes and in the eyes of others as well.

Too get it going from here! They bring up southwest sports in late 1981-early 82. I do believe all of that since the days of watching Legends of Wold Class Championship Wrestling on syndication and later ESPN. This was pre syndication years on TV and only shortly before they would syndicate too. But it was the start to WCCW and later WCWA. With both Fritz Von Erich and his sons wrestling it was all good. And With Fritz retiring after his match with King Kong Bundy, Wold Class was really on the rise. The Freebirds would come in and names like Bugsy McGraw, Wild Bill Irwin and The Great Kabuki all coming in along with Gary Hart who was also the booker at that time you saw nothing but good things to come with World Class. So I do believe all that on both DVDs. However even though they were not world wide at that point should Fitz Von Erich have won over a younger wrestler that was gonna be a superstar? Now even though we all know the story of Bret Hart and the surviver series of 1997. We all also know that Bret Hart was leaving WWE after that match. And that was shown all over the world and regardless of it being Bret Hart's home town Bret Hart needed to lose. I feel the same way here with Fritz retiring that he needed to get the next generation over. Because his kids were the big stars and they would have taken care of Bundy. But this was also only feud in Texas and maybe a few other states too, and was not world wide. But this was also the starting point to World Class Championship Wrestling and its hight that it would start to see. Everything still worked out and World Class was up and running.

The thing that would ultimately put the company over was when the Freebirds would turn on the Von Erich's while Micheal Hayes was guest referee for Kerry's match with NWA Wold Champion Ric Flair. That to me was one of the best angles ever written in World Class other then the Chris Adams turn to heel later on in 1984. So I do agree there with what they say on both DVDs there as well. Plus lets factor in the fact that you also had Devastation Inc. coming in with Kamala, Chris Adams, Jimmy Garvin with Sunshine and The Iceman King Parsons. Wold Class started to go sky high from then on. And along with The Freebirds, Kabuki, King Kong Bundy, Wild Bill Irwin, and Kerry, Kevin, and David Von Erich all on the roster, nothing in World Class could be deemed to be wrong. But there were issues!

In 1983 Gary Hart left because of a money dispute and Ken Mantel came in as the new booker. Now story lines ended because Gary Hart was also on camera as well. It all worked out in the end but there something people should know. Gary Hart had a great re pure with talent and could have gotten them to follow him. But Gary Hart did convince talent including The Freebirds to stay with Fritz in Texas. Now when Ken Mantell who was the person in question with talent became a favorite to most of the top talent there. And Wold Class went on from there.

An issue people mite not know about that happened. There was also stories about David leaving Texas to wrestle in Florida for some time because him and his father were at ends because of issues that neither could agree on. I honestly believe this to be true. And David did come home to Texas in the end too. I do believe that it was to make a mends with Fritz and also because David was someone who was at the top of his game in wrestling and Fritz would trust his son to stay around if he was on top.

Now they would tell you on both DVDs how hot The Freebirds and Von Erich's were as the best on there own and in there program against one another. Now thats true! And yes I do agree with that! I however think they go too far with that too! Because I think Jimmy Garvin and Chris Adams were just as great in there program and to some extent just as popular as both The Freebirds and Von Erich's were. And I think Chis Adam and Gino Hernandez together as heels did just as well against the Von Erich's as The Freebirds did. They really don't get that respect to that level like they did. And I really don't know why! Because as much as they deny it on both DVDs they did still make a lot of money in 1985 as they did in 1982, 83, and 84 after the death of David Von Erich and Kerry's big world title victory on May the 6th in 1984. So I really have my issues there where that goes. Theres also the issue of Kerry's title NWA World title win too and how it was not respected like he would have wanted it to be. A lot of hype was surrounded David being the next World Champion, and even though Kerry would get most of the title shots against Ric Flair and always be called the Uncrowned World Champion it would be easy to understand since kerry was almost at the same level that David was at even though David had it over Kerry with Mic skills. But Kerry had the look over David! I think to many people(mainly promoters) saw Kerry's win only because it was to honor David and did not mean anything to a lot of people within the buisness.

In 1985 World Class was hotter then ever. But with Gary Hart agreeing to come back and work both in front of the camera behind the scenes with Ken Mantell you had to know something was going on. As a researched it Ken Mantel was out for himself in the eyes of Fritz Von Erich and now Gary Hart. He had his personal agenda with talent he favored and with money too. He has been put on record by the Von Erich's and others within World Class and with Bill Watts the UWF as well that he was ripping them off with money. So Gary was there more to counter act anything that mite happen with Ken Mantell and what he wanted to do as a personal thing for himself. But the talent roster was still just as good as it was if previous year even after the loss of David Von Erich at the beginning of 1984. And they do talk about that on at least one of the DVDs! And even after David, death, and stars like King Kong Bundy Jimmy Garvin, and The Freebirds Kamala and Devastation Inc. gone. they made up for it with the hottest new stars as well. With wrestlers like Gino Hernandez, One Man Gang, Killer Tim Brooks, The Midnight Express, The Fantastics, and later on with a Blond Bombshell name Missy Hyatt who was a Deva before there was any Deva's in wrestling. And she was ahead of her time if you saw her and the attitude she portrayed when you saw her on TV. Missy Hyatt and Sunshine would in my eyes perfected the catfight in wrestling way before with time as well. And I honestly thought did it better then Sunshine with Precious because of the way Missy Hyatt by Herself was really ahead of her time as a Deva 10-15 years too soon. But The Hero's of World Class Championship Wrestling DVD did not even recognize her and WWE's DVD The Triumph And Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling never mentioned her and only showed her on in reference to the women that they utilized for only a few seconds. I also feel the could have been better with Baby Doll as well since she herself was ahead of her time and was there for the best times of world class. And lets face it she was Chyna before Chyna was cool, and I then she deserved to be recognized too even though she was there for a short time. The talent does get recognized though in 1985. and even though the David Von Erich Memorial Parade Of Champions did not draw as much in Texas Stadium as last year, there Cotton Bowl Extravaganza show would draw over thirty thousand people and be the success story of that year.

One issue I got is on both DVDs and that had to do with the change of story on both David Von Erich and Gino Hernandez's death. as both DVDs would tell a different story more so with Gino Hernandez and David Von Erich. The do Mention the drug problems Gino had but they make you believe he was murdered on one DVD, and that he mixed cocaine with water on the other. And on the extras in the Hero's DVD they got Wade Keller with one of his shows with one of his columnist Bruce Mitchell insists that David Von Erich was an over dose of drugs. They believe Dave Meltzer got the story rite that a wrester on the seen was flushing drugs down the toilet. Well last I remember was that the 2 guys there were Bruiser Brody and Wild Bill Irwin. Now Irwin was on the WWE DVD on World Class. And he does stress that it was not drug related. And if he was the one who was there and Bruiser Brody was too, and Bruiser Brody is no longer with us. So the Smark Marks need to get over themselves and for once try to tell the truth with things in wrestling. There was an autopsy report that they also wanna claim does not exist. Well unless Dave Meltzer, Wade Keller, and Bruce Mitchell prove other wise they need to shot up because they were not there and they were not the ones to receive the information on cause of death with David Von Erich. And I thought that it was in bad taste to have that on the second DVD of Hero's of World Class Championship Wrestling.

Now I will admit that 1986 was more the start of the downfall of World Class. Because now Gino Hernandez had passed away and like David Von Erich was a huge loss for them. And they also left the sanctioning of the NWA to now become the World Class Wrestling Association. Rick Rude who was the American Champion would now be seen as there World Champion. And even though Rick Rude was good and becoming a star there he still was not Ric Flair or even close to the level that Ric Flair was. It was also bad to not have a big tournament to decide a World Champion there so it would show more meaning. They would also make the Texas title there secondary title mainly because Fritz was loyal to Texas only. And he needed a TV title or keep the American title instead because he really needed to follow his TV if he wanted to be known as more then a regional promotion. Fritz did not care and thought Texas was big enough for him, his kids and his promotion. This would hurt World Class but not as bad as what would come next. Booker Ken Mantell would leave the promotion to join Bill Watts and the UWF. He would also take a majority of the talent that made World Class too. Iceman King Parsons, Chris Adams, The Freebirds, Jack Victory, Missy Hyatt, John Tatum, One Man Gang, The Missing Link, The Fantastics and Sunshine would all go with Ken Mantell. And even though guys like Bruiser Brody, Brian Adias Matt Born and Buzz Sawyer would stay around it was not enough with the talent they would need to get to draw the money they were use to drawing. Not many people in wrestling would talk about this issue being something that did hurt World Class. And to me this is point to where it was the real beginning of the end for World Class. Kerry Von Erich getting into a motorcycle accident and losing part of his foot and not returning to the ring for over a year would honestly be the final nail in the coffin that same year. Since Kerry Von Erich was the one everything was built around. And even though Kevin and mike were still around it was not enough to make up for losses they would see. They would start some new talent that was there before all this would happen too. And even though Steve Simpson was one of those guys that was pushed before all the talent left his name was not out there enough to help things at the state World Class would be in 1987. Plus Steve Simpson would be into a tag team with brother Shaun Simpson. Bruce Mitchell would slam the Simpson brothers and that can be heard on the second DVD of extras on Hero's dvd. And there reason seem to be because they had long hair more then anything else. Now I will admit Shaun Simpson was not good at all and had nothing to compare to his brother Steve. Even though they were a decent tag team Steve to me was held down because of it. Because Steve Simpson was good and had a body and was getting popular. But I will admit he was not enough to help things out. Another thing that Bruce Mitchell would say is how he and fans would want to see a Bruiser Brody just kick there ass. Now heres a news flash for Bruce Mitchell and Wade Keller. Steve Simpson did not look like a girl was as a good singles wrestler. He also was not the only one with long hair and ling hair like that was the style of that time too. And one more fact is Steve Simpson worked with Bruiser Brody in matches and Brody was also the booker at that time too. So the two smarks are wrong there too. Mike Von Erich would also commit suicide leaving yet another void to fill void.

Now there something people need to understand here. If Fritz insisted Texas was big enough for him and his kids and he would not go outside of Texas. Then why were they only mainly in Dallas and Fort Worth only when Bill Watts was all over Texas and would even go into Fort Worth and Dallas too on top of that. Plus they would out draw World Class too. And Bill Watts was known for states other then Texas as far as Mid South went before becoming the UWF.

In the end of 1987 into 1988 World class would have there backs against the wall. Ken Mantell would return as the booker and also minority owner. Kerry Von Erich would return to the ring and Iceman King Parsons, Chris Adams The Freebirds minus Micheal Hayes(and Hayes would show up later not as a freebird) would all return. But it was all to little to late by that time. Gary Hart would leave again for good this time and Al Perez would go with him and go to the NWA too. Plus the Von Erich's were not showing up for events and not caring by this time too. Busier Brody who worked in World Class was also stabbed to death. And Brody was the last of any one World Class had left that could draw too. And with Kerry Von Erich left holding the bag as the WCWA Champion and Kerry was becoming a rotten goods too. And with a failed attempted with the AWA of a joint show to unify the AWA and World Class titles The Von Erich's and World Class was unable to pay out money that Ken Mantell keeping in his pocket. And World Class was over when Jerry Jarrett bought the promotion in 1989.

Was too much made for Fritz's kid only? Should Fritz have spread wealth more with others then he did? Or did World Class just live out its time? Its really too close to call! But World Class did leave a mark in the history of wrestling that will never be forgotten and always talked about.

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 02/03/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Beginning with our debut show on February 16 at 11:00 AM ET, Georgia Wrestling History brings you Peach State Pandemonium, where we discuss the past, present, and the future in and around our state, as well as a little bit more. I, along with recurring co-hosts Larry Goodman, Tim Dix, and Crimson Mask, will bring you the latest news, keep you up-to-date on future events, and speak to legends, upcoming stars, and people in between. Stay tuned for more details. (Rich Tate)

WMAZ TV out of Macon, GA, has posted a story about the pending regulations being proposed by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission. Click here for the story. (Rich Tate)

Southern All-Star Wrestling drew 140 for their first Saturday night show in Columbia at Freddie's Auction House. That number is considerably better than what NWA Main event had been drawing over the last 6 months of their run. Shane Morton beat Void; Shawn Reed beat Tatsu; Arrick Andrews beat Jason James; Chris Cain beat Chris Eckos; and LAST MAN STANDING: Boogie Woogie Boy (with Miss Boogie) beat Hammerjack (with Paul Adams). During Boogie's post match celebration, Adams hit Boogie from behind with a chair and went after Miss Boogie. When Boogie made it back up and went to her aid, Hammerjack nailed him from behind. Hammerjack & Adams worked him over until Arrick Andrews chased them off. (Larry Goodman)

KAPOW wrestling was in Lenoir City, TN, Saturday night before a standing room only crowd of 350 fans and here are the results: Rip O' Kelly d Buggy Boy Blue in a body slam challenge; Devon Hart d Issac Cain to win the KFW heavyweight title; Shane "The King" Williams d Teddy Tender to keep the UCW heavyweight title; Death Row Inmates (Willie B. Badd & Jason Maxx) d The Encore (Tyler Sutton & Justin O'Day); Donovan Daniels d Mr. Wrestling #3 by DQ when referee Dr. Tom Young caught 3 with a pair of brass kunxs he took from Daniels while the ref was knocked out; In a match that brought the house down Samoa Joe d Robbie Race with the Musclebuster of the top rope. The match was thought to be over when Daniels ran in and attacked Race for the DQ but Joe asked the ref to restart the match and Race agreed to it. Post match saw both men shake hands in a sign of mutual respect. Joe gave a 110% effort in the ring; and In an 8 man tag team match Team Middle East (Jaheed Al-Jazeera, The Ayatolah, Edward Idol & Buggy boy Blue) d Team USA (Trooper T, Travis Sawyer, Matt Cruise & Wayne Adkins). Both Sawyer and Cruise walked out on there team during the match. Post match saw Team Middle East staple there middle eastern flag to the chest of Trooper T. Overall this was a great show and the crowd was hot all night. Joe took pictures with fans at intermission for 10 bucks a picture and the line was so long that intermission went well over its originally allotted time. KAPOW will be back in Lenoir City on March 22. (Gene Restaino)

United States Wrestling Organization results from Nashville, TN, on February 1: Attendance 139 (highest to date in Stadium Inn era); Lee Cross b Dyronic (w/Lisa Fayzon) and Rob C and Damien Payne (w/Fetish) in a 4-way when Fayzon turned on Dyronic, powdering him, then announced Cross as her new client; Steven Green b Super Delirious Black Ninja; J-5 & Tim Renesto (w/Charming Charles) b New York Gangster & Justin Spade when J-5 pinned Spade; Mark Anthony (w/Charming Charles) b Tracy Smothers after using Charles' cane while ref Mark Owen was distracted; Petey Wright b JC Crowe and Shawn Hoodrich in a 3-way when Wright pinned Crowe; Mitch Ryder b Steve O; USWO Tag Team Champions Quinton Quarisma & Jay Phoenix b LT Falk & Cousin Jason X by reverse decision in a "scientific" match when ref Nick White saw a chain on Falk after he rolled up Phoenix for a pin; and USWO Champion Kid Kash b Chris Michaels when Mitch Ryder came out and offered Michaels a chain, but Michaels refused and argued with Ryder which allowed Kash to schoolboy him for the pin. Ryder and Michaels attacked Kash post-match, setting up a 3-way for the title next week. Also Quarisma/Phoenix vs LT Falk/Cousin Jason X will be a 2/3 falls rematch. Jeff "The Crippler" Daniels stopped by for a while. A woman who knew Tracy Smothers and Tony Falk came by towards the end of the show saying she had been to Millersville to see Tommy Rich and they had a packed house as well. Smothers said he was going overseas so he wouldn't be back for a while. (Larry Goodman, courtesy of Jimmie Daniels)

Total Nonstop Action will be in Greenville, SC, on February 10 at the Bi-Lo Center for the Against All Odds PPV. The live broadcast begins at 8:00 PM. Tickets are available at the box office and through Ticketmaster. Call (864) 233-2525 for more info. Advertised: Kurt Angle will defend the TNA World Heavyweight Title against Christian Cage; A.J. Styles & Tomko defend the TNA World Tag Team Title against Bob Armstrong & B.G. James; Awesome Kong defends the TNA Women’s Title against O.D.B.; Traci Brooks versus Payton Banks; Booker T versus Robert Roode; Johnny Devine and Team 3D (Brother Ray & Brother Devon) versus Jay Lethal & the Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley); and James Storm versus Eric Young. (Rich Tate)

Southern All-Star Wrestling returns to Freddie's Auction House in Columbia, TN, on Saturday, February 16th with Boogie Woogie Boy versus Rick Santel, Hammerjack versus Arrick Andrews, and a rematch between Chris Eckos and Chris Cain. Also, Anita Page, Shawn Reed, and Void will be appearing. (Larry Goodman)

NOTES

Jerkin' the Curtain, hosted by Trent Van Drisse, will feature Ron and Rodney West on its show on February 4 at 11:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday today to Haku (49) and Marty Jannetty (48).

NOSTALGIA

1927: Jim Browning defeated Dick Daviscourt in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter John Contos. Paul Jones defeated Pete Sauer (Ray Steele) in two straight falls in the opener. It was reported that 4,000 were in attendance for this card.

1931: Paul Jones defeated Ghafoor Khan in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. It was reported that 3,500 were in attendance for this card. It was announced that ladies would get in for $1 admission.

1937: Buddy Knox defeated Tuffy Cleet two falls to one in the main event at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter Bill Metzger.

1939: We do not have results for this match, but Jack McAdams was scheduled to defend the Southern Light Heavyweight Title against Sammy Miller at the Warren Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1945: Bill Longson defeated Chief Saunooke to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1956: Chief Big Heart defeated Freddie Blassie in a main event Indian strap match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Roger Mackay & Jackie Nichols defeated Paul DeGaulle & Jack O’Brien top retain the World Tag Team Title in the semi-main event.

1958: We do not have results for this match, but the Mighty Yankee (Roger Mackay) was scheduled to defend the Southern Heavyweight Title against Ray Gunkel at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Robert ‘Bibber’ McCoy.

1960: Freddie Blassie defeated Chief Little Eagle in a main event Texas death match at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1961: A main event title match between AWA World Heavyweight Champion Dick the Bruiser and Yukon Eric was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Bruiser had been the reigning US Heavyweight Champion as recognized by the Detroit, MI, office, but had lost it to Bobo Brazil on January 28, 1961, in Detroit. For some reason it was being called the AWA World Heavyweight Title here, and the Bruiser was being billed as such. He would later defend it here during an actual later reign as title claimant.

1964: Chief Little Eagle defeated Corsica Joe in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1967: Enrique & Ramon Torres defeated Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon to win the World Tag Team Title in a loser leaves match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Lars & Gene Anderson defeated Nick Kozak & Bobby Hart in the semi-main event.

1970: Paul DeMarco and El Mongol wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Alberto & Ramon Torres defeated Chati Yokuchi & Fuji in the semi-main event.

1973: Tarzan Tyler, managed by Jack Crawford, defeated Jim McKinney & Pedro Columbo at the WTCG Studios in Atlanta for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. The match was initially a tag team bout that included Norvel Austin, also managed by Crawford, teaming with Tyler. However, Austin refused to enter the ring, and Crawford slapped him. Once the mayhem had calmed, Austin returned to join Capral, ripping up the management contract between them.

1973: Sputnik Monroe defeated Jerry Oates to advance in a match in the tournament for the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Another tournament match between Mr. Wrestling #2 and the Zodiac (Bob Orton, Sr.) was ruled a no contest. The match first had Wrestling #2 being declared the winner, and then the Zodiac, only to be ruled a no contest later. During the match, both men collided with referee Eddie Smith, knocking him unconscious to the mat. Backup referee Billy Hines ran to the ring, and as he entered, Wrestling #2 was covering the Zodiac while Hines counted the pinfall. As Hines was holding Wrestling #2’s hand in the air, the Zodiac rushed him from behind with a surprise attack. Smith began to come out of his daze and saw the Zodiac covering Wrestling #2, and counted the pinfall for the Zodiac. Fans left the arena without having a clear picture as to who actually won the match. A rematch was later scheduled, and took place on February 10, 1973. These were the semi-finals of a sixteen-man ongoing tournament to determine a new champion for the vacant title.

1975: We do not have results for this match, but Rocky Johnson was scheduled to defend the Georgia Heavyweight Title against Assassin #2, managed by Rock Hunter, at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Hunter was scheduled to wrestle Mr. Wrestling #2 in a main event cage match. The advertised semi-main event was a handicap match with Andre the Giant versus Roger Kirby & Buddy Colt, managed by Bearcat Wright.

1976: Bob Armstrong & Dick Slater defeated Abdullah the Butcher & the Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, by disqualification in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Ken Mantell defeated Skandor Akbar in the semi-main event, and Mike Graham defeated Moondog Mayne. Also, Les Thornton defeated Randy Alls (Savage).

1977: The Hollywood Blonds (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) defeated Rick McGraw & Red Bastien to retain the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman. Greg Valentine & Mr. X, substituting for Ric Flair, defeated Paul Jones & Rufus R. Jones in the main event.

1978: Dick Slater & Dusty Rhodes defeated Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen in a main event Texas bullrope match at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Bill Watts defeated Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Rock Hunter, in the semi-main event, and Tony Atlas defeated Ric Flair. Also, Bob Armstrong & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Stan Hansen & Ox Baker.

1980: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Masked Superstar to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Wrestling #2 also defeated Killer Khan, the Superstar & the Great Mephisto in a handicap match earlier on the card. Dusty Rhodes defeated Terry Funk in a semi-main event Texas death match. Also, Kevin Sullivan defeated Austin Idol in a Boston street fight match. A title match between Georgia Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff, managed by Rock Hunter, and Ole & Lars Anderson ended in a double disqualification. In other matches, Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Mephisto, defeated Tony Atlas, and Toru Tanaka defeated Tommy Rich. Steve Travis and Dutch Mantell wrestled to a draw in the opener.

1983: Ric Flair defeated Paul Orndorff to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Hara Arena in Dayton, OH, for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Ivan Koloff, Ole Anderson & Buzz Sawyer defeated Stan Hansen, Tommy Rich & Butch Reed in the semi-main event. Also, Bruiser Brody defeated Brad Armstrong, while Tito Santana and the Super Destroyer wrestled to a draw. Johnny Rich defeated Chick Donovan in the opener.

1985: Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for the World Wrestling Federation. John Studd and Andre the Giant wrestled to a draw in the semi-main event. Also, Roddy Piper defeated Tito Santana by countout, and Paul Orndorff defeated George Wells. David Sammartino defeated David Shults, and Tony Atlas defeated Moondog Rex. In addition, Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Moondog Spot, while Les Thornton defeated Rick McGraw in the opener.

1985: Ric Flair defeated Wahoo McDaniel in the main event at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman. Tully Blanchard and Magnum T.A. wrestled to a draw in the semi-main event. In other matches, Denny Brown defeated Sam Houston, and the Coyote defeated Frank Lang in the opener.

Southern All Star Wrestling Episode 30

Courtesy of Larry Goodman:

Airdate February 2, 2008 on Comcast 74 in Nashville
Taped on January 4, 2008 at the SAW Arena in Millersville, Tn

Southern All Star Wrestling is now available for internet viewing at
Courtesy of The Superstation TV.

Right to the opening montage. The video recap of highlights from the previous week was conspicuous by its absence.

Jack Johnson and Michael St. John opened the show from ringside. He’s back this week and the fans love him, former WWE Superstar Ugene. Tribal Nation is also in the house. We will see highlights from the steel cage match between Hammerjack and “Boogie Woogie Boy” Gary Valiant. SAW starts NOW!

(1) Rick Santel beat Chris Cane in 3:24. Johnson said Santel did charity work and was an all around nice guy. Cane punched Santel in the stomach and started talking smack. Cane got near falls with a leg lariat, a kick to the kidneys, and a standing dropkick. Santel ducked a haymaker and decked Cane to start his comeback. The fans weren’t all that excited by it. Santel used a flying forearm and a T-bone suplex to soften up his vertically challenged opponent. Cane ducked under Santel’s mad charge into the corner and rolled him up. Cane griped to referee Ricky Bell about the count and fell prey to the Santel Slam (starts like an exploder suplex and ends like a TKO).

TONIGHT! TONIGHT! TONIGHT! February 2: The Last Stop in Columbia at Morton’s Auction House. Arrick Andrews vs. Rick Santel (with Paul Adams) and in the main event Hammerjack vs. Valiant (with Miss Boogie) in a Last Man Standing Match.

(2) Ugene beat Vic the Bruiser (with Kory Williams) in 7:40. Homicidal Tendencies were wearing Indian headdresses to mock Tribal Nation. Tendencies proceeded to mock Ugene, who proceeded to take control. Johnson said Ugene had special person strength. Ugene landed a series of Tojo Yamamoto chops and donned the headdress. St. John said he was doing his best Wahoo McDaniel (I’m thinking Wahoo was rolling in his grave.) Wiliams distracted Ugene and it was time to punish the retard. Vic put Ugene on the canvas with a Koko Butt that knocked his own self for a loop. Ugene used doggy style headbutts and gave Vic the fire hydrant treatment. Ugene busted out the Iron Claw. Ugene spied Williams wearing his super-special person cape, and got into a tug of war. Vick jumped him. Cut to a shot of Williams wearing the cape doing the James Brown “Good foot.” The crowd got behind Ugene. He hulked up, hit a Rockbottom and finished Vic with the People’s Elbow.

Ugene no sold a postmatch attack by Williams and made a superman comeback. Tendencies doubled up on him and set up a tandem clothesline, but Ugene slid out of the ring to safety. Tendencies were furious about being outsmarted.

NWA Top Rope returns Lebanon on February 9 at the Wilson County Fairgrounds with a 7:30 bell time. See all the stars of SAW including Kid Kash, Ugene, Andrews, Hammerjack, Boogie Woogie Boy, Tribal Nation and the Bomb Squad.

Plug for the New Year’s Brawl 2000 & Hate DVD now available at www.southernwrestling.net.

Visionaries of Wrestling returns to Millersville tonight (February 2).

(3) Chris Bomb beat Big Rig Bully in 5:02. Bully took a sky high backdrop right out of the box. Bully was a bumping machine. But Bomb telegraphed a backdrop, and Bully delivered an elbow to the base of the neck. Bully blew snot on Bomb and kicked a field goal with his midsection. The trash talking by Bully was non-stop. St. John brought up the time he challenged “Goofy” Alabama Governor Bob Riley to get in the ring. St. John knew he could beat a Disney character. Bully hit a picture perfect leg lariat and paused to admire his work before making the cover. Johnson said Bully’ winless record in SAW was not a true reflection of his ability. Bully whipped Bomb into the corner charged like an out of control 18 wheeler. Nobody home and a first face shot into the turnbuckle. Roll up for 1-2-3.

Cut to a Hammerjack promo.

Gary Valiant, you see, I’ve beat your brains out. I’ve put you in the hospital. I’ve tried to break your neck. I’ve embarrassed you in front of your friends, your family, your wife, your children, and nothing seems to be stop you…We’ve had cage matches, chain matches, we’ve done this over and over, and the powers that be said this is going to stop February 2. You’re not coming back. This is the end of your career, Gary, I promise you. You’re going to find you can’t turn your back on Hammerjack. This is the last time.

(4) Indian Nation (Indian Outlaw & Lennox Lightfoot) beat Law & Order (Jason James & Lawrence Lane) via DQ in 8:13. St. John compared Nation to the great Indian teams of the 50s and 60s. Lane’s blistering chops didn’t phase Outlaw. Johnson said he was used to those Indian burns. This was total domination by Nation. They tore up Lane’s arm. In an amazing show of power (cough) James whipped Outlaw over the top rope, and L & O started getting heat on him. Tendencies came out to the desk to run their mouths. They accused the promotion of bringing Ugene in to make them look like fools, and the fake ce-gar Indians were going to suffer for it.

Tonto never had dreadlocks, did he?

Lightfoot made a blind tag and hit a double tomahawk chop off the top on L & O. Nation smoked Lane with a double dropkick. Tendencies had seen enough. They hit the ring for a DQ beatdown, but Nation made their own ring clearing save. Williams went ballistic and started throwing everything he could find into the ring. Nation picked up the plunder, and an enraged Vic moaned about their use of weapons.

I’m sick of you stinking Indians. Why don’t you go back to where you belong? Why don’t you go back to your reservation? Go back to selling slurpees. Go back to 7-11. I don’t give a damn where you go, but get out of SAW, before we hurt ya’.

The closing seconds of the Hammerjack/Valiant steel cage match aired. A battered and bleeding Boogie Woogie Boy won it with a small package. Big pop for the surprise finish. Johnson said it was the most brutal, violent match in SAW history and neither man was going to be the same for a long, long time. Hammerjack brought the sledgehammer into the cage. Santel grabbed the sledge and was threatening to use it on Hammerjack, when he wheeled around and jabbed it into Valiant’s knee. Santel ordered Hammerjack to lock the door, cuffed Boogie and started pounding lumps on him with a crazed look in his eyes. Johnson said he was a nut case. Valiant took a hellish beating while handcuffed to the cage. No key. It was panic city. Reno Riggins tried to scale the cage, but Santel used the sledge to keep him at bay. Ugene picked the lock to bring the carnage to an end. Not wanting to get bludgeoned, SAW officials were cautious about ordered the heels out of the cage. St. John predicted suspensions. Cut to a close up of Santel having his 15 seconds of evil triumph.

It’s the Millersville Madhouse for sure.

Closing Thoughts: Storywise, Santel’s heel turn was well-crafted and geared for maximum outrage. No foreshadowing here. This was a Judas like betrayal, set up in the previous episode when Santel came to Valiant’s rescue and then later prevented an injured Valiant from making a bad decision. Johnson’s reference to Santel’s charity work was the icing on the cake. As for the turn hit itself, Santel was a complete dick. Valiant looked like death. Santel/Cane was the best wrestling on the show, along with Big Rig’s performance. This was the first time I had seen Bomb wrestle. I’m guessing Bully made him look about as good as he can look. Cane is deceivingly athletic and has great ups for a little guy. This show may have been also signaled a turn of sorts for Homicidal Tendencies. They had been running roughshod over SAW since gaining the tag titles, while playing the role of cool heels that didn’t appear to take the whole thing very seriously. Tendencies were past due for the dose of comeuppance dished out during this hour, and their threats to up the violence and evilness was right on the money. The Indians have definitely upped their intensity. I don’t ever want to see a babyface holding a janitor’s broom though. Nation switched things up and had Outlaw taking the heat. He did a good selling for his smaller opponents. I guess they got all the mileage possible out of ridiculing Sharped Dress Man last week, so now he’s just plain old Lawrence Lane. Ugene’s gimmick is not the kind of thing that’s going to wear well over the long haul. It will be interested to see what direction they take with him. St. John was tons on commentary than last week, and there was a better mesh between him and Johnson. A pretty OK show this week.

DVD REVIEW: OUTSIDE THE ROPES PRESENTS... "LIFE IN THE FAST LANE"

Courtesy of Steve Rockamaniac:

With steroids and drug abuse being the hot topic in professional wrestling nowadays, its no surprise that we are also hearing more and more about the grueling lives that pro wrestlers have to endure when it comes to being on the road for 300 plus days a year.

“Life in the Fast Lane” is the new documentary from Outside The Ropes which is being distributed nationally by Big Vision Entertainment. It promises to depict “The real life of pro wrestlers on the road as told by the stars themselves. The DVD boasts a long list of over 20 wrestling legends and superstars, including the likes of Roddy Piper, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Dusty Rhodes and Jake Roberts, It also features the stars who have succumbed to the wrestling life such as Eddy Guerrero and Chris Candido. But how is all this possible? I mean not since Beyond The Mat has such a long list of stars been featured together in a single production. However through the magic of video editing and the immense 15 year archive of RF Video footage, all these legends and more come together to tell the story of a wrestler on the road.

Although the DVD’s back cover claims “these are candid moments never before captured for the public to witness” that is for the most part not true, ”Life on the Fast Lane” is a compilation of clips from different shoot interviews that RF Video has done over the years, specifically edited to show the stars talking of their roughest and most enjoyable days on the road.

The easy way to sum up this DVD for you the fan is to ask if you enjoy hearing some of your favourite wrestlers road stories. Whether it be a serious one, a goofy one, or a recalling of a good rib, on “Life in the fast lane” you will get mini story and mini story from wrestlers of the past 30 years.

Usually when we interview a star here on The Main Event, we ask the question of whether they have a good road story to tell, so I’d be a hypocrite to say that I didn’t enjoy the content of the DVD, But looking beyond the content I think the major flaw of this documentary is that there is basically no direction, its a lot of randomness packed into a hour and a half main feature and a hour of deleted scenes. What I mean by that is there Is no similar storyline followed, like all drug related stories in one chapter, then all rib related stories in another, it just bounces back and forth.

That being said if you have not been one who has watched every single shoot interview that RF Video has put out over the years and want to laugh it up hearing some of the best road stories these guys have to offer then Life in the Fast Lane is worth the look.

Some funny stories include Ric The Model Martel getting naked on a road trip and being left on the side of the road, Chris Candido/Tammy Sytch/and the Sandman partying in Dallas one night and not remembering how all three ended up with the same strip club outfits on the next day, and how Davey Boy Smith worked a car rental place into giving him a refund and free future rentals after he and the boys had beat up their rental van while touring in Toronto.

Some serious stories include Matt Hardy finding out Lita was cheating on him with Edge, Don Muraco being informed of Eddie Gilberts 1983 car crash, and Eddie Guerrero realizing that his alcoholic lifestyle was destroying his life.

There are also some bonus matches included on the DVD such as The Sandman vs Jake The Snake Roberts, Super Crazy vs Tajiri, Eddie Guerrero vs Low Ki and a editon of Pipers Pit featuring Kevin Von Erich as the guest.

“Outside the ropes presents: Life in the fast lane” is available now on DVD from Big Vision Entertainmen for the low price of 14.98$. For more information on this and other Big Vision DVD’s head over to www.bvdvd.com, And check out all of our other DVD reviews at www.maineventradio.com/reviews.htm

SUN Acquires Assets Of International Fighting Organization And Steele Cage Promotions

Courtesy of SUN Sports & Entertainment Inc.:

DALLAS, TX--(February 1, 2008) - SUN Sports and Entertainment Inc., (PINKSHEETS: SSPE) announced today that the Company has acquired International Fighting Organization (IFO) Assets including the Production and Broadcast Film Library of its events promoted by Steele Cage Promotions.

SUN CEO CJ Comu, stated, "We are delighted to be able to acquire the assets of the International Fighting Organization, the MMA Sanctioning Body in the State of Nevada. We are also delighted to be able to acquire all the Raw Footage and Finished Broadcast Production of the IFO events promoted by Steele Cage Promotions, which we plan on distributing globally. We feel that the Film Inventory will be a great compliment to the 'Art of War' Film Inventory which will provide more available product to networks and distributors world-wide." SUN is planning on producing a number of MMA Events in Nevada this year and looks forward to bringing its brand of exciting and high energy MMA to the thousands of fans growing across the country and producing live events in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Reno and Laughlin, NV.

Steve Oshins, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the IFO, stated, "I have met with the team at SUN and am delighted to be able to arrive at this decision and complete this transaction. I feel that the SUN organization and their experience best represent the interests of what our team have worked hard to establish in MMA. I am also delighted about my new role as a member of the Advisory Board of SUN Sports & Entertainment and having the opportunity to be involved in the growth of the sport." SUN plans to continue to work with the executive team of the IFO as they evaluate upcoming dates and events in the State of Nevada and other markets across the USA.

This acquisition signals the continued growth of SUN as a leader in the world of MMA. Adding to their portfolio of MMA Properties include: "Art of War," "Underground Cage Fighting," "Team USA MMA," "GI's Vs. Pro's" and now the "IFO and Steele Cage Promotions." These properties make SUN one of the fastest growing MMA brands in the Industry.

SUN was recently showcased at the National Association of Television Program Executives Trade Show in Las Vegas (www.natpe.org) where the "Art of War" Film Library was presented to delegates from around the world through SUN Media Partner, American Television Distribution (www.americantvd.com/artofwar). The Company is negotiating with various international groups for the distribution of its library and is looking forward to signing and announcing of upcoming contracts.

ABOUT SUN:

SUN is a Professional Sports & Entertainment Production Company. SUN is a Certified and Licensed Combat Sports Promoter and produces World Class Mixed Martial Arts Events. The properties of SUN Sports & Entertainment (www.SUNorganization.com), "Art of War" LIVE (www.artofwarLIVE.com), International Fighters Association (www.IFApro.com), USA Men's National Team (www.teamUSAmma.com) and UNDERGROUND Cage Fighting (www.undergroundcagefighting.com) are pending TM. Sports Radio Event Network, Inc., is a wholly owned company of SUN.

ABOUT IFO/STEELE CAGE PROMOTIONS:

International Fighting Organization is an MMA Sanctioning Body in the State of Nevada that has worked in conjunction with Steele Cage Promotions, its sister company, to produce four MMA Events in 2007 in Las Vegas at various Hotel/Casinos. The joint website of the two companies is www.steelecage.com.

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

For Further Information:
SUN Contact
AJ Soliz
Director of Media and Events
Tel: 972.392.1414 X 104
asoliz@sunorganization.com

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 02/01/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Alternative Pro Wrestling will hold a tournament tonight at the Royston Gym to determine the first North Georgia Heavyweight Champion. First round match-ups are Jeremy Vain versus Justin Dirt; Chris King versus Dustin Powers; Aaron Lee versus Chase Darkness; and Don Matthews versus Seth Delay. The semis will feature the Vain-Dirt winner against the King-Powers winner, with Lee or Darkness against Matthews or Delay, leading to the final round. Other matches include J.T. Talent and Jacob Ashworth versus Bo Newsome and Slim J. If Newsome and J win, Newsome gets a shot at Talent’s Southern States Heavyweight Title at a later date. Also, the Friday Night Franchise of Ryan Michaels and Matt Sells will be in attendance. Bell time is 8 PM. (Larry Goodman)

The United Wrestling Federation will be in Wilson, NC, tonight at the Bill Ellis Convention Center with action starting at 7:30 PM. Advertised: Kevin Nash versus Robert Roode; Awesome Kong versus Velvet Sky, with special referee Daffney; Caleb Konley versus Scotty Too Hotty; James Storm versus Petey Williams; Charlie Dreamer versus Abyss; Jake Manning & Joey Silva versus Team Macktion. (Rich Tate)

Down South Hardcore Wrestling returns to Darien’s Multiplex with Swift Retribution on February 2 at 7:00 PM. The Multiplex is at 230 Blount Crossing Road. There will be a ladder match for the DSHW Heavyweight Title featuring Cameron Valentine versus Morbid Angel. The DSHW Light Heavyweight Title will be on the line with Sebastian Troy versus Dallas Riley. Gangsta Nation, Teddy Baddstreet, Sinn, Ryan Savage, and Frizza are also scheduled. (Thomas Bugg)

NWA Anarchy returns to the NWA Arena in Cornelia, GA, on February 2 for a television taping. It will be essentially the same card that was cancelled on January 19 due to the winter storm. In hour number one, Jeff Lewis squares off with Slim J, with the winner earning a title shot in hour number two against Anarchy Heavyweight Champion Shatter (w/ Jeff G. Bailey). Also on the card: the Devil's Rejects defend the Anarchy Tag Team Title against the Awesome Attraction; Jimmy Rave versus Sal Rinauro; Melissa Coates versus Brodie Chase; Todd Sexton versus Adrian Hawkins; Iceberg versus the Regular Guys in a handicap match; and in 8-man action, the Hollywood Brunettes & Talent & Money versus Billy Buck, Chris King & New Wave. Nemesis, Mikal Judas, Jeremy Vain, Rob Adonis, Don Matthews, and Jerry Palmer will all be there as well. 8:00 PM bell time. (Larry Goodman)

The Georgia Pro Wrestling Association will be in Albany, GA, at the Wayne Frier Homes on 3006 Sylvester Road on February 2 as a part of their 5th annual $750,000 blowout, midnight madness sale. There will be carnival rides, D.J. Philgood, and many other activities that day. Bell time is 8:00. Main Event: The Masked Nightmare versus "The Golden Boy" Chick Donovan. GPWA Heavyweight Champion "Insane" Mike Pain will defend the title against the AWA World-1 Southern champ Francisco Ciatso. GPWA Tag Team Champions K.I. Elite ("Mean" Mike Stratus and "The Real Deal" Jake Slater) versus the Hotshots (J-Rod and Frankie Valentine). "Platinum Playboy" Preston Paradise (also of K.I. Elite) versus Bulldog Raines. (Thomas Bugg)

KAPOW will be in Lenoir City, TN, Saturday night at the National Guard Armory with a bell time of 7:30 pm for World War Lenoir. The main event will have Robbie Race going against Samoa Joe from TNA Wrestling. Also Mr. Wrestling #3 will go against Donovan Daniels. The will be a 8-man tag match with team Middle east headed up by KAPOW owner Jaheed Al-Jazerra against team USA headed by Trooper T. Also, The Death Row Inmates & UCW heavyweight champion Shane Williams will be on the card. In addition, former ECW & NWA world heavyweight champion Steve Corino will be holding a wrestling seminar that day beginning at 3 pm. Cost is $25.00 and is open to workers and non-workers. (Gene Restaino)

Kingdom Championship Wrestling will be in Eastman, GA, on February 22 at the Eastman-Dodge Recreation Center. Admission is free, and the event gets underway at 8:00 PM. Advertised: Q-Ball versus the Georgia Bulldog for the KCW National Heavyweight Title; Frankie Valentine & Colt Derringer versus Rob Adonis & Josh Stone; Chick Donovan versus the Nightmare; and Power House versus the Eliminator. There will be a ten-man battle royal. Thunderbolt Patterson is also scheduled to appear. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

Click Perspectives on Wrestling for Richard Berger’s updated Perspectives on Wrestling.

Click here for a recap of the January 30 edition of In Your Head, featuring Scotty Too Hotty. (Neal Jones)

Amy ‘Lita’ Dumas’ band, the Luchagors, will be playing at the Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta, GA, tonight. Check your local directories or the band’s site for more info. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Charlie Smith, who turns 78 today.

Perhaps known best as one of the Medics, Luis Hernandez died on this day in 1972.

NOSTALGIA

1918: Strangler Lewis, managed by Billy Sandow, defeated Ivan Linow in two straight falls in just under one hundred minutes at the Liberty Theatre in Savannah for promoter Max Bauman.

1934: Al Stecher defeated Ripper Reeves in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoter John Bollas. It was reported that 1,500 were in attendance for this card. It was also reported that this was John Bollas’ debut as a promoter.

1934: A main event title match between Southern Light Heavyweight Champion Hugh Winn and Son Almand was ruled a no contest at the Lakewood Heights Arena in Atlanta for promoter Frank Bettis.

1935: Jack Ross and Jim Hesslyn wrestled to a one-hour draw in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1937: John Mauldin defeated Jack McAdams in the main event at the Spring Street Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1946: Herb & Jack Welch and Jack LaRue & Vic Emanuel wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1952: Argentina Rocca defeated Art Nelson in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Lou Newman defeated Kola Kwariani in the semi-main event.

1957: Don McIntyre defeated Jerry Graham in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Mark & Donn Lewin defeated Tom Drake & Chief Big Heart in the semi-main event.

1961: Tiny Evans defeated Skull Murphy by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Bill Dromo & Chief Little Eagle defeated Danny Miller & Gypsy Joe in the semi-main event.

1963: Eddie Graham defeated Freddie Blassie to win the World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. Graham was declared the winner of his match when Blassie was unable to continue the match. Graham’s plane from Florida had been forced to land in Birmingham, AL, as Atlanta was experiencing bad weather, and he had to endure a three-hour taxi ride to Atlanta. Blassie later complained that his ribs were hindering him and the title should not have been allowed to change hands, but his complaints did not change the decision. However, Graham agreed to a return match on February 8, 1963.

1966: Louie Tillet & Bad Boy Hines defeated the Mysterious Medics by disqualification in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Donna Christianello & Lord Littlebrook defeated Judy Grable & Frenchy Lamont.

1972: El Mongol defeated Assassin #1 to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Rocket & Flash Monroe defeated Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong to retain the Macon Tag Team Title.

1974: Tim Woods defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 by disqualification in a main event coal miner’s glove match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Jerry Lawler, managed by Gary Hart, defeated Roberto Soto in a semi-main event loser leaves match. Ron & Terry Garvin, managed by Jimmy Garvin, defeated Ricky Gibson & Rufus R. Jones by disqualification to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. Bobby Duncum, also managed by Hart, and Bob Armstrong wrestled to a draw. In other matches, Robert Fuller defeated Jimmy Garvin, and Lou Thesz and Ali Vaziri (Iron Sheik) wrestled to a draw in the opener.

1977: Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Dick Slater by disqualification in a title match at the Warner Robins Civic Center for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole Anderson in the semi-main event.

1979: We do not have results for this card, but Wahoo McDaniel versus the Masked Superstar was the advertised main event at the Rome Memorial Gymnasium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. The scheduled semi-main event was to be Tommy Rich & Andre the Giant versus Luke Graham & King Kong Mosca.

1981: The Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts) defeated Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase in the main event at the Mid-South Auditorium in Griffin for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 in the semi-main event. Also, Tony Atlas defeated Kevin Sullivan, and Jos LeDuc defeated Bill Dromo. Dick Slater, who won a battle royal on this card, defeated Terry Gordy, and Bobby Eaton defeated Charlie Cook in the opener.

1981: Dick Slater defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, by disqualification in the main event at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) defeated Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase in the semi-main event. In addition, Tony Atlas defeated Kevin Sullivan, and Steve O defeated Ole Anderson by disqualification. Steve Keirn defeated Bobby Eaton in the opener.

1982: The Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer defeated Leroy Brown & Big Red to retain the National Tag Team Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Also, Tommy Rich defeated Ron Bass to retain the National Heavyweight Title in the semi-main event. A title match between NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Les Thornton and Brad Armstrong ended in a double countout. Bob Armstrong & Jimmy Garvin and Kevin Sullivan & Buzz Sawyer wrestled to a draw. Ricky Harris (Black Bart) defeated Tommy Rogers, substituting for El Gran Apollo, in the opener.

1987: Ric Flair and Barry Windham wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Jim Crockett Promotions. The Road Warriors defeated Rick Rude & Manny Fernandez by disqualification in the semi-main event, and Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff defeated Ivan Koloff & Vladimir Petrov. Also, Robert Gibson & Ron Garvin defeated the Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton). Tully Blanchard defeated Wahoo McDaniel, while Arn Anderson defeated Brad Armstrong, and Bob Armstrong defeated Jimmy Garvin. Bill Dundee defeated Dutch Mantell in the opener. It was reported that 4,500 were in attendance for this card.