Saturday, January 05, 2008

Tune in Monday at 10 a.m, to Cheap Heat Radio!

RassleResults: TFW Tupelo, MS 1.04.08 - Grymes wins the title!!

Chris Chaos defeated Dirty Sanchez.

Devon Raynes defeated JR Mauler.

The Pink Panty Posse (Brian SoFine, Ryan SoFine, & Andy2Dandy) defeated Kid J, Chazz, & Cyrus with help from Devon Raynes.

J-Kid defeated Parental Advisory (Studd & Tony) by DQ in a handicap match.

"The Future" Chris Styles, Casanova Kid, & Fusion defeated The Freakshow (Lil Devil, Chop Top the Clown, & Vinnie the Blade).

In a no DQ match, "Prime Time" Nick Grymes defeated Max Steele in a no DQ match to become the new TFW Champion.

Neil Taylor & Dustin Starr w/Tony Watts defeated Chris Kilgore & his mystery partner, who turned out to be Chris Rocker, when Rocker turned on Kilgore. This was a loser leaves town match, so Chris Kilgore is gone from TFW.

----125 in attendance from about 75 last week with a gate close to $625. It looks like the “Loser Leave Town” match drew some numbers and maybe Starr??…Starr is done – this was just a two week stint…Grymes has held the Light Heavyweight Title here, but I would consider this his first major title victory…Heels beat up Kilgore and TFW announcer “Axeman” Randall Lewis after the main event – please tell me your guys were stiff!! LOL

Credit: Randall Lewis

RassleBits: Shenanigans, Prentice, "Sheet" People and Tracy Smothers

----RRO nominee for Columnist of the Year Trent Van Drisse sent the following today to RRO offices on the story I wrote last night about the Columbia, TN show.

“Yes, this show drew 296 paid, and you asked what they did to draw it, but the answer you gave yourself simply isn't accurate Brian. This show was run by Freddie Morton and Kevin Thomason, and this is how they drew a crowd. Both Morton and Thomason are well known in Columbia, and they both get out and work the town. 120 tickets were pre-sold in block to different businesses. Instead of 10 bucks, the businesses paid 8 bucks a ticket to buy them in block form. There was another 80 tickets pre-sold to individuals, probably mostly people Thomason and Morton knew, at least casually. So of the 296 sold, 200 were sold before the event began, and had nothing to do with the TV show really. Did TV help at all? Maybe a little bit, but not in the way you were suggesting. They also took out ads in the Columbia newspaper, and postered too I'm guessing, so who's to say what drew those final 96 fans? A combo of things no doubt. Now I will say this, they asked on the mic during the show how many people have been watching the TV, and it got a good pop, but that's hardly scientific either.”

----Thanks to Trent as it seems like the guys are real good promoters, but the crowd did not have to do 100% with the TV show. Trent’s board has been posting some interesting stuff for the new year. I thought this would be the place to repost some of it and link other stuff.

----Bert Prentice signed a long term lease with the Nashville Fairgrounds to run live events on Tuesday nights beginning January 15th, this also included Thanksgiving Night and Christmas Night 2008. The first card lists The Naturals vs. Shawn Shultz & a Surprise Guest, Matt Boyce vs. Shane Williams, Idol Stevens vs. Teddy Tender, LT Falk defending the NWA-X title against Eric Wayne, Steve O vs. Lani Kealoha and Keith Knox vs. Christian Jacobs. Ticket prices are listed as $8 ringside, $7.50 general.

----It will be interesting to see how good this works. I hope the best for them as they got a really good crew. Tuesday nights if different and I have always thought in the right town that might be a good night to work shows. Especially if you could use Monday Night RAW local advertising to promo the shows.

----Void also started a good post with various people commenting on “sheet” people and the perception of them. I have had to deal with this kind of thing for years. It was actually the main reason I had heat with Jerry Lawler for so long was comments I made in a Wrestling Observer Newsletter Yearbook. CLICK HERE to read it.

----Tracy Smothers also seems to be in bad health and this have a story about him on the board also. CLICK HERE to read it. Best wishes to him from RRO.

RassleResults: USWO Nashville, TN 1.04.08

Damien Payne b Justin Spade

Tim Renesto (w/Charming Charles) b JD Fluffy

New York Gangster b Lee Cross

Mark Anthony (w/Charming Charles) b Steve O

USWO Tag Champs Jay Phoenix & Quinton Quarisma b Eric Star & Jeremy Travis when Phoenix pinned Travis.

Shane Smalls b Rob C and LT Falk and Damien Payne in a 4-way elimination match when Smalls pinned Rob C (after the 4 survived a 15 man battle royal) to win the vacant USWO Jr. Championship

Kid Kash b Chris Michaels to win the USWO Championship (Anthony Cervantes was the special ref)

----110 paid with a gate in the $1,200 range…Cervantes had been the ref when Kash lost this belt back in September, and only slightly seemed to favor Michaels, but made a fast count on a schoolboy as Michaels was talking to the crowd. Kash defends next week against Mitch Ryder…Steve O was making his debut with USWO, but crowd was really into this match. Post-match saw Steve O get handcuffed to the bottom rope and set to be beaten down by Anthony, but a plus-sized female fan ran up to ringside and tried to stop it. It took about 5-6 people to restrain her as she kept reaching in the ring and stuff so that the heels really couldn't beat down like they wanted…Michael Jablonski came out on crutches and limped in the ring to chase off the heels, challenging Anthony to a loser leaves USWO match next week despite having a bum knee...The USWO/ATL show last Saturday drew 116, which was the high for a Saturday.

Credit: Jimmie Daniel

RassleResults: LAW Rector, AR 1.04.07

Brandon Espinosa over Pierre Abernathy
Idol Bane over Stan Lee
Arnez over Rockin' Randy & Evan Galistico to retain LAW Tag Titles
"The Baron" Malkavain over Dell Tucker
"The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony over Derrick King

----60 paid with a crowd around 80 and gate around $300…Show opened with Jeff O'Dell announcing that next week would be the 2007 LAW Awards. Jeff said that just to show everyone that it’s on the up and up, he hired an outside research company to find the results. TGB came out and said that he and Jeff worked out a lot of their problems last week and that he finally understood what Jeff was doing. TGB said Jeff made him realize who he was, that he was The Best of the Best, the man who held the LAW title for almost 6 months, he was Jeff's Handpicked LAW Champion and he promised from this day forth that he would act like it…Pierre Abernathy is a European sympathizer and came out first to acknowledge that he hated the US because of people like in Rector, Ark. Brandon came out and said that this is America were free speech is upheld but there are consequences for your words and his words got him a match with Espinosa…Bane low blowed Stan Lee behind the ref's back to earn the 1,2,3 but after the match he went to give him “The Ghost of Andy Kaufman” [cradle piledriver] but DK made the save. Jeff came out and told Derrick that he and Idol would happen just not tonight and that TGB has requested DK's presence in the ring later for redemption in the pie in the eye match… Announcer, Tony Anderson made an announcement about Psycho being injured and how LAW didn't know the extent of his injuries or the future of the tag titles but we will keep everyone informed. Jeff then came out and said that he forgot to tell him but he had actually promised Rockin' Randy a tag title match with a partner of his choosing before Psycho's injury. So Arnez would be forced to either forfeit or wrestle a handicap match…"The Baron" hit Tucker with The Demon Wings for the finish and after the match tried to bite Tucker before Slim Pickens came to the rescue…In the main event, the referee got knocked down leading to DK superkicking TGB but with no ref to make the count. Idol came out and gave DK “The Ghost of Andy Kaufman” allowing TGB to make the pin and get the win. Idol on the mic afterwards told Derrick that if he wanted a match then he's got it next week and after he destroys him he just might change the name to “The Ghost of Derrick King”!!!

RassleResults: Championship Wrestling Jackson, TN 12.29.07

Rude defeated The Gladiator.

Doug Gilbert over Stan Lee

Little Extreme over Lil Devil

Tim Grind with Matt Foley over Derrick King

Kevin White and Sue Young with Garry White beat defeated Bill Dundee and George B

----203 paid with 230 in the building and a gate over $1,600…. In the main event, George B put his hair on the line against Garry White's hair. George B who is infamous in Jackson for wearing pink clothes and wearing the long pony tail got his hair cut by state Representative Gary Denton.
…I apologize for the delay in these results as my source was slow and I forgot to post them yesterday. This looks to have been the last big show of the year drawing the biggest crowd of last weekend.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Christmas Shenanigans

----I have been so busy with the Yearbook that I have forgotten about correcting a few things and commenting on the Christmas shows.

----When promoters and wrestlers send in figures to this site, then not only do I expect the correct numbers, but the other workers and promoters that read this site expect it. I posted some results on 12.24.07 of Renegade Pro Wrestling’s Christmas show in Metropolis, IL. The original posting stated the following..” 297 in the building with 137 paid. Gate was $1635. Concessions were $985…” After talking to several guys on the show and a few others calling, I found out that the figure sent in was a work. I gave Tojo Yamamoto JR – the promoter - the opportunity to correct the figures and he sent me the real ones. It seems that Tojo is promoting against another guy that ran a show the night before this show – Frank Summers. I guess they felt they had to make their show “look better”. The post has been corrected with the legit figures.

----I am a mark for gates and crowd numbers. It comes from the fact that I was a promoter and it is a BUSINESS. The reason a promoter would want to give a correct number?? What if you told a guy that he would be working “off the gate” and my site was posting 200 were coming to the shows on a regular basis, but when he got there – there was only 20 people. He would be pissed and it would make the promoter look bad.

----Kenny Valiant looked to have drawn over 200 on Christmas night with a gate over $2,000. The main causality of the night was Psycho’s hand. I got to look at photos of the cut and damn I bet that hurt!! It looked like a table tried to cut his fingers off. I am being told those “classic” Psycho vs Candyman bouts are about to end. The whole state of Mississippi thanks you Kenny. LOL

----Beau James sent results from their big Christmas show. He noted how over Jimmy Valiant was on the show. It was suggested that maybe it was because of 24/7. I bet it doesn’t hurt, but every time I have been at a show that he appeared he was over.

----RRO correspondent Larry Goodman reported that SAW seem to be the big winner on Christmas night drawing 296 paying $2,720!! As noted it was one of the biggest crowds in years in that town. What did they do to draw that kind of crowd?? They gave the fans something they wanted to see with decent TV and storylines. Columbia is soft spot for me, as it was the site of my first ever match!!

----Finally, the RPW report also featured a statement that Suicidal Youth and TW Justice were ban from the building. Apparently that was to get some of the real heat off of them for all the hardcore stuff. TW commented when told he was ban from the building, “If they ban me, I am not coming back!” LOL Please read that again – that is for shoot!

A Piece of my Mind-Jan 4th, 2007 by "The Big Cheese" Sal Corrente


It was announced this week that Dory Funk Jr will be going to Japan for a final tour. I have crossed paths with Dory Funk several times over the years. I know that the first several times that I did I went totally unnoticed as he was a legend in our business and I was a young guy trying to make my way in the business.

The first time I actually spoke to Dory Funk Jr. was a strange situation. I was on AOL Instant Messenger talking to my friend B.Brian Blair of The Killer Bees. It was late at night I should have realized that something was wrong when the typing was coming back so fast. I eventually saw a message come over saying that Brian was getting off line and to call him at a certain phone number. Well I called the number and found that I had woken up Dory Funk Jr in the middle of the night. He seemed good natured about it and one day I had the chance to tell him about it he just laughed it off with a big smile.

That is Dory Funk Jr. I have never known him to be anything else but the most even tempered man you could imagine. I found out later that it was not Brian typing those messages it was a guy named Mark Nulty who does some ring announcing in Florida and is a wrestling encyclopedia. We used Mark as the ring announcer for WrestleReunion 1 in Tampa. He did a fine job and has a tremendous amount of wrestling knowledge.

I did want to confirm the rumors of Dory's Farewell Tour to Japan before posting this article. So I sent an email off to Dory and his wife Marti. As always, you can count on a very fast reply from Marti, which is always appreciated in this business. I was wondering would this be Dory’s final tour of Japan or would it be his last match period? It does sound like, at this point, it is his last match.

I am so glad that I was able to get Dory and Terry to team up for WrestleReunion 1 and challenge for the NWA Tag Team Titles in Tampa. It was a long road making sure that we had the tam team champions at WR1 but we did have them. At the time it was America’s Most Wanted (James Storm and Chris Harris) these guys were so respectful and so thrilled to be with all the legends. They were proud to be in the ring with The Funks. I did not know them at all before they got there, but when they left they had my respect. I still have no understanding as to why they were broken up as a team. It was a major mistake on TNA’ part if you ask me. I have no understanding why WWE didn’t grab these guys and let them run with the belts for awhile.

It was not easy to get The Funks in a position to team up together. If you are a hardcore wrestling fan you know that there have not been many situations where they have teamed up in the last fifteen years. It was my idea to give people things they couldn’t see on every Indy show. So I tracked down Terry Funk and called Marti Funk, who handles the business end for Dory and has for many years. I can say that I am a guy who thinks things out before I approach the legends and with WR1. That was done all the way down the line. I can say with a smile that the only manager I dealt with over the years that protected her client more was the manager of Jim Nabors of The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. fame. I am like anyone else I want things my way but I can also respect tough but fair negotiators who are actually doing their job. In the case of Jim Nabors manager she was tenacious and firm but not fair at all. In the case of Marti Funk sooner or later we were able to come to conclusions we could both live with.

When it came to WrestleReunion 2, I had another idea that I felt the fans would love to see. I love using the Midnight Express on my shows but in keeping with the "give them something different" motto I like using them in six man tags or eight man tag matches. I know we have had the last chance to see Jim Cornette in the ring but if and when the time comes again I will look to Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane to get back in the ring again hopefully they would all agree. So when I had the idea for WrestleReunion 2 I had to call the man that I knew would be the hardest to convince my long time friend Mick Foley. It was no problem getting Mick at WrestleReunion1 to sign autographs etc but I was no going to ask him to get back in the ring for an Indy show. Even though after the first WrestleReunion was deemed so special I knew that it was still going to be a hard sell. I also know that Mick didn’t like turning me down for requests and rarely did it but I just wasn’t sure about this one.

I called Mick and, as expected, as soon as he figured out the road I was going down he started to beg off. I said Mick "what if I had something really special for you?". He said "well if it was really special then maybe I will consider it". I laid out the plan for him and he said let me talk to Terry and get back to you. Well he called back in a few days and said "I talked to Terry we are going to do this for you". I was thrilled to have both Funks back in the ring again with “The Hardcore Legend” Mick Foley.

I had also gotten Tully Blanchard back in the wrestling business for WrestleReunion. In the months after that Tully started taking other bookings again and I heard that he had at least one thirty minute match against Dory Funk Jr somewhere in lower Georgia. I heard it was some match. I am sorry that I missed it. But I did talk to Tully about it. As it turned out I guess it was a good thing that I gave him a lot of time to get back into shape.

I have visited Dory’s old wrestling school in Ocala, Fl. I understand they have a new location now which I have not had the chance to visit yet. I have been told by Rob Russen that the new facility is a really nice place. In my visit to the old facility with wrestling journalist Bill Apter, Rob Russen and Missy Hyatt, I watched Dory in action with a much younger student and what really stood out to me was that it was crystal clear that Dory could take the guy at any time. I remember telling Marti people on the other side of town can see that even at Dory’s age that he has to carry these guys. If you ever have the chance to get up close to Dory Funk Jr the size of his arms is mind boggling to me I remember when they advertised just a few years ago that Dory would challenge Jeff Jarrett for the NWA Title I asked several people in the business the same question. "If the business was a shoot do you think anyone would bet that Jeff could hold on to the title if Dory wanted it?" All I got in reply was a bunch of "hell no’s" or people laughing at me. I am sorry that I never booked myself to work against Dory. He is another guy like Gorgeous Gary Royal who could take someone as limited as The Big Cheese and make him look like a pro.

All great things come to an end. It was inevitable that the careers of Dory Funk Jr and Terry Funk would come to an end. When was the last time that pro wrestling didn't have a member of the Funk family as an active competitor? As one door closes others open and I am sure that Dory will stay involved in the business for as long as he is able. You really don't think about guys like Dory Funk Jr retiring he I can't imagine him ever becoming sedentary or just hanging around. I am sure that we will continue to see him at conventions and at his wrestling school passing along a wealth the wealth knowledge that he has absorbed over the years. Even though all that information is in his head. I struggle thinking that anyone person could possibly absorb it all into their heads. Best of luck to you Dory. Enjoy your tour to Japan and remember the word "retirement" doesn’t really do much to stop a guy like me from asking you to put on the tights "one" more time. If you dont believe me ask Bob Orton Jr, Tully Blanchard, Playboy Buddy Rose, "Sweet" Stan Lane and others I still might come calling one day. As soon as my schedule allows I will stop by your school and I recommend that anyone else that has the chance do the same. You can meet in person the most unassuming, non-egotistical NWA Champion that there ever was and probably ever will be. Isn't it funny in life that generally the legitimate tough guys are generally the quiet ones and most of the bully's are the ones that cant hold their own if push came to shove.

I wont be writing about anything else for this article because when a legend like Dory Funk Jr retires there is no bigger news to write about unless there is some tragedy going on. Thank goodness there is no new tragedy in our business to start off the year.

The picture for this article came from the same show at the Meadowlands Arena that the Ric Flair and Dory Funk Jr picture came from that I used in an earlier article. This picture shows Dory Funk Jr and former AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel

This has been a piece of my mind

by "The Big Cheese" Sal Corrente

Why I Love Pro Wrestling by Gene Jackson

I've gotten a lot of criticism over the last few monthes that my 'cheap heat' columns are too negative. Now there may be some truth to that but what do you expect? It's called 'Cheap Heat' for a reason. However I've decided in light of that I wanted to maybe write a series of more positive columns, which I've entitled "Why I love Pro Wrestling." Basically these columns are gonna be stories of how I came to be such a huge mark for wrestling. Be it, favorite angles, favorite wrestlers, shows I attended, and all sorts of other stuff. Some people may like it, some may hate it. Read a bit, if it's not your thing, just pass on these. I'll still be writing the Cheap Heat columns as well. So without further ado, let's get started.

As I've stated many times before, my father got me started watching wrestling when I was VERY young. Even then I still only watched it just when I happened to catch it on tv. It wasn't untill I was about 9 years old when my friend James Atkinson would come to school talking about Continental Wrestling and telling me stories about the Bullet, The Nightmares, and the Richs that I started watching it every week religiously. I watched every minute of wrestling I could find WWF, AWA, World Class, and NWA (which would later become WCW) but I loved Continental and Memphis the best. Wrestling was pretty popular then (late '85/'86) and most of the kids at my school watched it. At recess all the guys would go to the practice field and "wrestle". It was funny cause everyone would pick a wrestler to be and you'd have people fighting over who was gonna be Hulk Hogan, and the rest would be Junk Yard Dog, Andre the Giant, or Roddy Piper. Then you'd have me and James picking Jerry "the King" Lawler and "Bullet" Bob Armstrong, and the other kids would be like "who?" Over time we took to liking the heels, of course we didn't know to call them heels, we were just "bad guys". We would pick to be Austin Idol and Tommy Rich, even going as far as after the infamous "posting" of Jerry Lawler angle to pushing James Steel down on the playground and "posting" him on the swing set pole. We almost got suspended for that one but ended up only getting a paddling and having to apologize (hey, at least he didn't come back and throw a fireball at us)


Wrestling was a huge part of my life as long as I can remember, I never cared about any other "sports" so I watched it all the time and bought every magazine I could get my hands on. My mother said I was "obsessed" with it, I can't tell you how many times I was told, "the world doesn't revolve around that stupid wrestling." I would plan my saturdays around it. She would get so mad cause she'd want me to go somewhere but there would be such a small window of opportunity. On Saturday alone you had. The saturday morning Crockett NWA show at 7:05am, then at 9am you had WWF Wrestling Challenge on the New York station WWOR or whatever, then at 11am you had Memphis on channel 5. You had a window from 12:30 to 4pm then WWF Superstars would come on the local sindicated station. Then at 5:05pm you had World Championship Wrestling til 7:05pm. Then at 10pm Continental Wrestling on the Columbus station. Not to mention the occasional WWF Saturday Night's Main Event. During the week you had either AWA or World Class on ESPN everyday at 3pm when you get home from school which was awesome. On Monday nights at 8pm there was WWF Prime Time Wrestling, AWA on ESPN on Friday nights, as well as an NWA show on Sunday after noons. So there was plenty of wrestling to be had and I watched it all.


The first live show I ever went to was in Columbus, MS. It was a Continental show and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. All the babyfaces would sit out at the gimmick tables before the shows and at intermission and you could buy pictures and ask them dumb shit and they would sit and answer your mark questions. I pretty much knew it was fake but wasn't convinced til one night leaving the show we saw Tom Prichard and Scott Armstrong together at the gas station after just having a "grudge match" three miles down the road at the Lavendar Coliseum. Thank God it wasn't Bill Watts territory or they'd been fired, lol. But I still loved it just the same. As I've also mentioned numerous times, I was always a huge mark for the Nightmares and the one match that I always remember more than any other that I saw live there in Columbus was during their feud after Ken turned on Danny Davis in '88. They had a match where the first person to throw a punch lost. It was a great concept cause there was all this heat after the bloody turn, then re-turn by Wayne and then he goes on tv and says he wants to wrestle Danny, not fight him and demands a match where the first person to throw a punch loses. Great psychology to the match with Wayne just antaganizing the hell out of Davis trying to get him to punch him, while meanwhile Ken is sneaking in punches behind the refs back throughout the match. Wayne insults him and slaps him and does everything he can til at the end Davis snaps and just beats the hell out of Wayne, but the beauty of it is, the crowd is happy cause they seen Davis beat the crap out of Ken Wayne, which is what they paid to see BUT Wayne wins the match cause Davis punched him, so now they have a rematch the next month (which I think was a first blood match) so you've somewhat given the crowd what they want, but you still have somewhere to go with the angle, cause he didn't win, and that folks is great booking.

In the next column we start talking about some more of my all time favorite angles throughout the years. Check back soon.

GENE

Poll Results and New Poll!!

POLL RESULTS!!

----Jerry Lawler vs Andy Kaufman from Aug 05, 1982 was voted by the visitors of RRO as the Most Important Match in Memphis Wrestling history. I do consider it an important match as it brought Memphis Wrestling a lot of publicity. Andy Kaufman also was priceless in the role. The second most important match losing by only 6% was the Lawler vs Curt Hennig when Lawler won the belt. I consider this an important match, but no where near the Kaufman match. I think the wait for Lawler to win a real world title was too long and when he won it, either it did not mean nothing or “the chase” was over.

Sputnik vs Billy Wicks 6%
Lawler vs Armstrong 0%
Lawler vs Dundee 9%
Lawler vs Kaufman 42%
Lawler vs Idol – cage 5%
Lawler vs Hennig 38%

NEW POLL!!

----The nominees for the awards are always going to bring some kind of controversy. I have read in various spots and I have talked to people that felt some of the talent is this area got looked over. So, I bring to you the new poll question of the week?? Which of the following SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED???

http://www.hollywoodjimmy.com/ as site??
“Axeman” Randall Lewis as columnist??
Tatt2 as Horizon Star??
Jon Michael for Best Damn Performer??
Robbie Douglas for Rookie of the year??
“Southern Saints” as Best Damn Tag Team??
TFW for Promotion of the Year??
Corey Maclin as Announcer of The Year??
“Rhythm & Blues” as Gimmick??

Thursday, January 03, 2008

The Ratings: Last Two Weeks of 2007

----Memphis Wrestling finishes the year with two horrible ratings. The 12.22.07 show finished overall with a 1.9 [31,563 viewers] and this past Saturday’s show did a very disappointing 1.7 [28,541 viewers] for their second annual “Best of” show. Last year’s rating of the last two shows was an average of 3.8 [63,089 viewers], which was double of this year.

----The 12.23.07 show opened at a 1.5, then climbed 11,000 viewers up to the third quarter. They then drop over 7,000 viewers in the last quarter. Nothing really can be said good about this show. The “What Was Memphis Watching” number [highest rated program in the wrestling time slot] was only 11% less than last week, but as an average this Memphis show drew 41% less than average.

-DK/Dotson –interview
-Lawler – interview
-Lawler/Tatt2 vs DK/Dotson
1st Quarter 1.5 [25,352 viewers]

-“Opening the Vault”
-Brian C – interview
-Brian C vs Crime/Lexx [start]
2cnd Quarter 2.0 [34,082 viewers] [+8730 viewers]

-Brian C vs Crime/Lexx [finish]
-TK2 “freestyle” Christmas rap
-TK2 beat Gladiator/Pokerface [start]
3rd Quarter 2.2 [37,104 viewers] [+3,022 viewers]

-TK2 beat Gladiator/Pokerface [finish]
-Faces sing Christmas songs
4th Quarter 1.8 [29,717 viewers] [-7387 viewers]

12 Week Average: 3.2 [53,067 viewers]
12 week low – 1.9 [31,395 viewers] 12.22.07
12 week high – 4.0 [66,484 viewers] 11.17.07
From start to finish: [+4365 viewers]

What was Memphis watching??
News Channel 3/CSI Miami 7.43 [124,742 viewers]

----The 12.29.07 show that aired this past weekend was their second annual “Best of” show and it bombed. I think it had to do with the horrible show that aired last year. This show opened with a 2.1 rating, but continue to lose over 14,000 viewers until the last quarter where they grabbed 6,000 back. This show was the second lowest rated show of the year only following the 5.05.07 show, which scored only 1,679 less viewers than this show. The “What Was Memphis Watching” number [highest rated program in the wrestling time slot] was up 21% from last week, so it should mean that Memphis Wrestling would be up; right?? This show was actually 44% below average.

-Intro
-“dead or alive” video
-“Sam’s Town” clips
1st Quarter 2.1 [35,593 viewers]

-Maclin/Koko clips
-Hogan clips [start]
2cnd quarter 1.8 [29,717 viewers] [-5876 viewers]

-Hogan clips [finish]
-Lawler interview
-Maclin/Hart playing pool
-Lawler vs Rotten
3rd quarter 1.3 [21,322 viewers][-8395 viewers]

-Brian C/Midnight Express
-A Salute to Fallen Superstars
4th Quarter 1.6 [27,366 viewers][+6044 viewers]

12 Week Average: 3.1 [51,402 viewers]
12 week low – 1.7 [28,541 viewers] 9.29.07
12 week high – 4.0 [66,484 viewers] 11.17.07
From start to finish: [-8227 viewers]

What is Memphis watching?? 9.3 [156,725 viewers]

----What will these ratings mean to the new Classic format shows?? Not sure, as there might be a section of fans wanting to know what they are going to air. Others may just think it is going to be old stuff like “Opening The Vault” and it has not done good numbers. Overall I don’t see the numbers staying at the 3.1 average.

Shows of The Weekend 1.05 to 1.06.08

----U-Gene will be in SAW in Millersville, TN, so that would be the top show in that area. TLCW starts out the year with an angle they are running with DK and Flash just turned last weekend. NBW is coming off their big show, so it will be interesting to see what they got planned. Dustin Starr returns to TFW tomorrow night to tag with Neil Taylor vs Chris Kilgore/Mystery opponent with the stip being Taylor or Kilgore leaving town if their team loses.

TALENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE - PLEASE CONTACT ME IF SOMEONE SHOULD BE ADDED TO YOUR SHOW!! IF I MISSED YOUR SHOW, PLEASE CONTACT ME!!

----FRIDAY NIGHT Night for USWO @ Stadium Inn in Nashville, TN… LT Falk, Mark Anthony, Chris Michaels, Michael Jablonski, Anthony Cevantes, Quinton Quarisma, Gigolo Jay Phoenix, Xavier Mustafa, Shawn Hoodridge, Tim Renesto, New York Gangster, Damien Payne, Kevin Dunn, Petey Wright, JC Crowe, and more.

----FRIDAY NIGHT Night for SAW in Millersville, TN U-GENE [Nick Dinsmore], Gary Valiant [w/Miss Boogie],Hammerjack, Arrick Andrews, Big Rig Bully, Sean Casey [w/Samantha], Chris Bomb, J-5, Indian Outlaw, Mason Raige, Nore Havoc, Hammerjack, Kory Williams, Vic the Bruiser and more.

----FRIDAY NIGHT Night in Osceola, AR for MCW with MCW Champion Frankie Tucker, TW Justice, The Medic, Jackhammer, Bad Luck Lucky, The Hambone Express, Tank, Pimptacular, White Lightning, Tojo Yamamoto Jr, Suicidal Youth, Kilo. Mr. Excitement, Hillybilly Nate and more.

----FRIDAY NIGHT night for LAW Rector, AR Derrick King, Flash Flanagan, Slim Pickens, Tommy Redneck, Stan Lee, Psycho, Arnez, Dell Tucker,Idol Bane, Jeff O’Dell, “The Golden Boy” Greg Anthony and many more.

----FRIDAY NIGHT night for The Future of Wrestling has a show at the TFW Arena on No. Eason Blvd. (Auburn Rd.) in Tupelo, MS with Max Steele,Nick Grymes, Josh Matthews, Neil Taylor, Shawn Reed, Chris Styles, Anita Page, "Bad Attitude" Tony Dabbs, LSD, Chris Chaos, T-Byrd, The New Age Cowboys ("Southern Thunder" Chris Kilgore & "Son of the South Josh Holly), Devon Raynes, Crazy-n-Sexy (J-Kid & Curly Moe), Bless, Chazz, Chop Top the Clown, Uncle Vinnie the Blade, Hunter Montgomery Jackson, and much more. Tickets are $5. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 8:00.

----Saturday night in Ripley, TN with TLCW Washington ST, TGB Greg Anthony, Flash Flanagan, Derrick King, Tatt2, Tim Grind, Albino Rhino, Tommy Redneck, Dell Tucker,Ike Tucker, Brian Steele, Shannon Lee, Allan Steele,. “Black Label Society” [Void/Robbie Douglas/AJ Bradley], “Naughty By Nature” [Pokerface/Rude],Sue Young and much more!!!

----Saturday night New Blood Wrestling @ Country Nights 1901 Saint John Ave - Bell time 8:00 PM in Dyersburg, TN Kilo, Mark Justice, Tim Edwards, Tank, Dustin Starr, Jeremy Moore, Gaylon Ray, Motley Cruz, 187, Psycho, Arnez, Pappy,John "Biscuit" Roberts, and more.

----Saturday night TIWF @ True Force Arena 256 Gill Street Jackson, TN at 7:00 PM in Danny B Goode, Big Jim Business, Way Cool, PK Ripper , Steven Rampage, Big Boy BOB, Lawman Williams, Ravishing Randy, Wildside, Johnny Thunder, Punisher Dre Black.....All tickets only $5.00

---- Saturday Night ASWF - At The Valiant Arena 201 Hwy 67 N Tuckerman Ar. (870) 349-2050 Belltime 7pm. Tickets: All Seats $6 Brian Edwards, “Prime Time Playboys” [Zane Richards/Tommy Wayne], Acid,Scott Fury, Austin Lane, Nikki Lane,Cody Murdoch, Jamie Jay, Chuck Fears, Seth Sabor, Wild Bill,”American Degenerates” [X-Kaliber/Morgan Lane], San Francisco Treat with Rottn Randy and more.

RassleResults: TIWF Jackson, TN 12.29.07

Ravishing Randy def. Steven Rampage in a farce of a match. Basically Rampage laid down for Randy so that he could keep the TIWF TV Title so randy won with the finger poke of doom.

Chico Mendoza def. Big Boy Bob

Wykid def. Steven Rampage

J Smooth vs. Dre' Black ended in a no contest when The Kingpin and Iron Jake Johnson interfered. This resulted in an impromptu match between the four.

J Smooth/ Dre' Black def. Kingpin/Jake Johnson

WayCool vs. Danny B. Goode double countout

TIWF Regional Heavyweight title match
Black Scorpian def. Lawman Williams ( Champ) by DQ. Title didn't change hands.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

FLASHBACK - 09.16.90

----Here is one of big stories that helped get the original fanzine RASSLIN RIOT of the ground was this interview that I did with Bobby Jaggars. It was major important at the time, because no one had talked about Bruiser Brody being murdered that was actually there when it happened. Portions of the interview appeared in the weekly Wrestling Observer Newsletter and my subscriptions tripled. I plan to post this in probably three parts.

----CLICK HERE for 3 more pages of the interview.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Happy New Year!!!

----I would like to say Happy New Year to everyone!! It is going to be slow here at RRO offices today with the staff taking the day off. Everyone will be returning tomorrow with their regularly scheduled columns, news items and just things to piss you off!! Tell your family and friends about the site and tell them to vote!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Southern All-Star Wrestling TV Report - Episode 26

Airdate December 22, 2007
Taped November 30, 2007 at the SAW Arena in Millersville, Tn

LAST WEEK…Mason Raige defeated Rig Brown with the Rack of Raige…Gary Valiant was “astin” Hammerjack for a match in Columbia…Lennox Lightfoot upset Kory Williams but Homicidal Tendencies then mocked his Indian heritage by painting his face with make up…Arrick Andrews overcame Paul Adams’ interference to pin Nore Havoc with the Dragon’s Curse and win the SAW Television Title Tournament.

Cut to Jack Johnson and Hot Rod Biggs at ringside with Andrews and 2/3 of the SAW BOD, Freddie Morton and Mike Sircy. Morton pimped for the Christmas Night show in Columbia with James Storm on the card along with all the stars from SAW (The promotion’s first attempt at running a show away from their home base). They were joined by Adams and Havoc. Sircy made a point of congratulating Andrews. Adams demanded a TV Title rematch for today. Sircy said that ain’t happening. “We do different business here in SAW.” Sircy said the BOD had decided that each week, a name would be drawn out of the hat to determine the number one contender and Andrews would defend his title. Adams said luck was on his side.

You know, I won an autographed Bucky Dent lithograph when he was in the third grade at Immaculate Conception School Penny Social, and in fourth grade, I won a Tonka truck with all kinds of barnyard animals in it, Sircy. I’ve been lucky all of my life.

Sircy asked Adams if that’s how he won the tickets to the Hanna Montana concert, but he fumbled the line. Sircy drew the name of A. M. Vision out of the hat. Adams said it was rigged but he felt pretty luck about next week.

SAW starts NOW! The opening montage rolls...

(1) Arrick Andrews defeated A. M. Vision in his first defense of the SAW Television Title in 4:40. As Andrew and Vision locked up in a test of strength, Biggs said the names-in-the-hat gimmick smelled like a conspiracy cooked up by the BOD. Johnson swore it was legit. Andrews hit a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Biggs did the hard sell for Christmas night in Columbia. Andrews continued to dominate until missing huge on a guillotine legdrop. Vision tied Andrews up in the ropes and gave him a beating. Vision was looking for a back bodydrop when Andrews reversed him with a backslide for the three count.

At the desk, Vision said that was two in a row, and it didn’t happen often, so Andrews should enjoy it while it lasted. Vision challenged Andrews to a 2 out of 3 falls match on Christmas night in Columbia at the National Guard Armory.

“New Year’s 2000 and Hate” on January 4 at the SAW Arena in Millersville: “Boogie Woogie Boy” Gary Valiant vs. Hammerjack in a cage, former WWE superstar “Ugene” Nick Dinsmore.

(2) Damian Adams beat Big Rig Brown in 4:40. Big babyface pop for Adams. The commentary made a deal out of Adams working Puerto Rico. Brown ran away from Adams bicycle kick. Brown did comedy bumps. He took a face first Flair. After 10 shots into the top turnbuckle, Brown added two more unassisted shots that Biggs attributed to “the momentum.” Brown dropped an elbow to the base of the neck and did a Fargo strut. Brown got serious with a sweet leg lariat for a near fall. Brown hit a textbook vertical suplex and set up for a superkick. Adams dodged it. Moments later, it was lights out with the bicycle kick.

NWA Top Rope returns to Lebanon at the Wilson County Fairgrounds on January 5 with Ugene vs. Kid Kash, Homicidal Tendencies vs. the Bomb Squad in a Tennessee Street Fight (fan brings the weapons), Boogie Woogie Boy (with Miss Boogie) vs. Hammerjack.

(3) Indian Nation (Lennox Lightfoot & Indian Outlaw) vs. Homicidal Tendencies (Kory Williams & Vic the Bruiser) ended as a double pin with the titles held up (10:40). Tendencies had feathers from Lightfoot’s head dress stuck in their dorags. Indian Nation hit the ring with fire in their eyes and laid a beating on Tendencies, who wanted out. Tendencies started walking towards the curtain, but Morton came out to block their path. It got physical to the point Morton picked up a chair to drive Tendencies back to the ring. Nation handed Tendencies their collective asses for the first five minutes. Tendencies got heat on Lightfoot and kept referee Ricky Bell out of position every time Lightfoot got a hope spot. They duped Outlaw and made the no tag switch. Williams jabbed a feather into Lightfoot’s eye. Williams applied his version of the Indian Deathlock and gave Lightfoot the Pork Chops. Hot tag and Tendencies were bouncing around for Outlaw. Bell got bumped and Senior Official Kurt Herron ran out to check on him. Finish saw Williams pin Lightfoot with a neckbreaker, while Outlaw simultaneously pinned Vic with a chokeslam. Bell raised Outlaw’s hand. Herron raised Williams’ hand. Tendencies left with the belts. Morton tried to sort out the “mass chaos.”

Things are just nuts here, Jack…The holidays drive you crazy, and this is proof positive.
Depression sets in sometimes sure, Hot Rod, but we can talk about that later in private.

Valiant was once again Biggs’ guest in the Shop Talk segment. Biggs asked Valiant if he was going to accept Hammerjack’s challenge for a chain match. Boogie asked Biggs if had ever seen Valiant back down from anybody or anything. “Hammerjack, I accept your challenge. Come Christmas night, Boogie is going to drag you from pillar to post.”

Morton said they would settle the confusion surrounding the tag team situation at Christmas Clash – winner takes all.

(4) Ric Santel beat Hammerjack (with Charming Charles) when Hammerjack was DQed at 7:01 for using the piledriver. Biggs said after what they had done to Boogie, he was distancing himself anyway possible from Hammerjack and Charles. Santel took control with a tight side headlock. When Santel opened up on offense, Charles jumped up on the apron to distract. Santel ducked and Hammerjack almost nailed Charles. Santel cinched in the side headlock. The good times came to an abrupt halt, as Hammerjack flung Santel into the corner by the throat and leveled him with a clothesline. Biggs admitted to using some pretty despicable tactics himself, but you had to draw the line between the competition that exists in wrestling and the hatred between Valiant and Hammerjack. Hammerjack cut off a rally with a poke to the eyes and hit a quick sideslam for a near fall. Some wicked brawling left Santel down and almost out. Hammerjack with a kneelift and a lazy cover for two. Biggs said Valiant was going to get his hands on Charles to give him what was coming to him. Hammerjack hit a Michinoku driver for another two count. Johnson said Charles was one of those guys that could go through life getting away with evil. “It makes you question things.” Biggs said Ebenezer Scrooge couldn’t hold a candle to those guys. Santel made the big comeback and hit a impressive T-bone suplex, but Hammerjack rolled a shoulder. Charles hooked Santel’s leg with the cane to distract. Hammerjack hit the piledriver for the DQ. Hammerjack and Charles glared at Biggs from the ring.

Charles cut a promo for the chain match again referencing the Dickens classic. He said Valiant was going out of the Armory in a body bag.

Hammerjack accused Biggs of dogging him. Biggs said he was just saying what was right. Hammerjack slapped him. Biggs took his jacket off. Johnson reminded Biggs that he was on an announcer’s contract. Hammerjack jumped him from behind, bashed his head into the desk, and raked his forehead with the chain. Biggs was busted open. “Oh my God, they’ve tore him all to pieces. This is crazyness.” Hammerjack dragged Biggs into the ring and continued to beat on him. Biggs was a quivering mess with the blood splattering all over his white dress shirt. Hammerjack had Biggs set up for the dreaded piledriver when Valiant made the save.

Charles got on the mic. “Christmas night, Gary Valiant. Jingle bells all the way, pal!” Hammerjack promised to end Valiant’s career right there in Columbia.

Cut to the ring, where Valiant was begging for help and Biggs was unconscious with his head resting on the bottom rope.

It’s a bloody mess all around this area. We need a Haz Mat team to clean this place up…That is why you have to think twice about every confronting wrestlers. It’s not stuff for kids…Look at that. Hot Rod Biggs. Hot Rod Biggs busted wide open.

CLOSING THOUGHTS: Pretty compelling stuff as a go-home show for Christmas night in Columbia. They built up three matches and capped off the main event build with the huge blood angle at the end. The ironic thing is that despite the great promos, Morton didn’t have Charles booked for Columbia, and he ended up parting ways with SAW under less than friendly circumstances. Adams took credit for scripting Charles’ promos and also took the blame for doing so, knowing that Charles wasn’t booked. Adams said he figured Charles and Morton would work things out and Charles would be added. In any case, Christmas Clash was a success as they drew almost 300 paid, the biggest crowd in Columbia in quite some time. This show was all story. Biggs was strong in his role, constantly adding fuel to fire in growing hatred of Hammerjack. He looked like he was ready to die in the ring at the end. As is obvious from all the quotes, I enjoy Johnson’s work. I dreamt that Bert Prentice and Joe Pedicino took over as the SAW announce team and woke up in a cold sweat. There was no good wrestling to speak of, although I did enjoy Hammerjack’s brawling. The match that had potential (Andrews/Vision) only got five minutes, while Tendencies/Nation got double that amount to expose just how green the Indians (cough) are. Adams came across as the most natural and most over babyface they have. I’m assuming they can’t really push him due to limited availability. I agree with TVD that they can do something with Brown. He showed that he has some skills to go with the comedy, but the truck driver gimmick leaves me cold. The opening segment was hilarious. While drawing the number one contenders out of a hat does get Andrews over as a champion that will take on all comers, it’s hard to figure why a BOD would endorse that method. But hey, it’s pro wrestling and the story with Havoc looks like fun.

10 TO VOTE - POLLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VOTING!!

----Award Polls are up and running. I worked on this late last night and then again this morning. I think all of them are functional. There were four of them this morning that were not working properly, so you might want to go back and vote for Horizon, Best Damn Tag, Best Damn Performer and Tag Team now, if you voted last night. CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!!

----These polls are set up similar to what we did last year. One vote per computer. Is there a way to “cheat” the system?? As with anything, yes there is a way, but it is a lot of trouble and if you are trying to cheat to win one of these awards, then yes, I will disqualify you. I have one post per award, so I am able to track the IPs per poll. You may change your IP, but if you keep voting from the same computer, then I will STILL be able to track you. For those that know a lot or nothing about computers, the main jest of this is – if there are many votes from one location, then that person will be disqualified. I really expect 120 to 200 people voting [a little bit more than normal polls], so if one poll is showing much more votes, then I will be able to track you and DQ you. The results of the polls you may be able to see at anytime, but they may not be the REAL results, as I have the final say in all awards and you may be DQ’ed, but you will not know until the results are released.

----10 TO VOTE means there are 10 days only to vote for the awards. Please get those votes in!! I also encourage web sites and myspace.com account holders to display my special Voting Icons. CLICK HERE to see the ones I have available. Save any of them and use them!!

Monday, December 31, 2007

RassleResults: TFW Tupelo, MS 12.28.07 - Starr Debuts!!

Chris Chaos defeated Dirty Sanchez.

Devon Raynes won a 3-way match over Cassanova Kid & Chazz.

Max Steele defeated Vinnie the Blade by DQ when Nick Grymes interfered and attacked Steele.

The Pink Flamingos (Brian & Ryan SoFine) defeated Danger Zone ("Hot Rod" John Ellison & "Dangerous" David Cox).

Parental Advisory ("The Studd" Scott Porteau & "Bad Attitude" Tony Dabbs) beat Crazy-N-Sexy (Curly Moe & J-Kid) to become the new TFW Tag Team Champions. Studd & Tony are now "14 time Tag Team Champions."

"Prime Time" Nick Grymes defeated "The Future" Chris Styles by DQ when Max Steele attacked Grimes. Max & Chris beat Grimes senseless.

Chris Kilgore defeated Neil "The Real Deal" Taylor w/Tony Watts by DQ when Dustin Starr interfered.

The card this Friday night at TFW will include a tag team match, Neil Taylor & Dustin Starr vs. Chris Kilgore & a mystery partner of Chris' choosing. This is a LOSER LEAVE TOWN MATCH. If Neil & Dustin lose, Neil is gone from TFW. If Chris Kilgore & his partner lose, Chris is gone from TFW.

Credit: "Axeman" Randall Lewis

RassleResults: ASWF Tuckerman, AR 12.29.07


The show opened with the announcement of a new commissioner of ASWF. The new commissioner was named as Brian Edwards! The crowd erupted with boos! Brian Edwards said that his first order of business was to make an ASWF Tag Team Title Match to begin immediately!

ASWF Tag Team Championship: “American Degenerates” [Morgan Lane/X Kaliber] defeated the “Prime Tyme Playboys” [Zane Richards/Tommy Wayne] by DQ after Mac Daddy attacked the Degenerates and locked X Kaliber inside of the steel cage in one corner of the building. While the three tried to end Morgan Lane's career, Johnny Harper chased them off with a steel chair. Brian Edwards made the match for next week as a six man tag match.

Second match began with Scott Fury stating that he had turned over a new leaf since he ended Acid's career and dropped that weight he was carrying. Scott was then challenged by Nino Loco. Fury defeated Loco by pinfall.

Next up Jamie Jay came out and apologized for the remarks he made towards San Fransisco Treat's lifestyle. Treat then attacked Jamie with the help of Ray Ray. ASWF X Division Champion Chuck Fears [pictured] made the save to set up a tag match later.

Third match saw Seth Sabor pull off the biggest upset of his career by pinning Justin “The Juice” Smart following and inverted swinging neckbreaker.

Next was the "Dance Off" Battle Royal. Several wrestlers, referees, security members, and camera workers were involved and Shakedown played YMCA by the Village People. Shakedown eliminated people in the dance off portion by who did the dance the best. After only four people were left, the match turned into an over the top battle royal. Judgment eliminated Nikki Lane, Shakedown, and referee Brian Stapleton to win the contest.

The next match saw Wild Bill with Demon X defeat Loose Cannon.

In the semi, Chuck Fears and Jamie Jay defeated Ray Ray and San Francisco Treat.

In the main event, ASWF Champion continued his "No Name" challenge by defeating Allen Storm by pinfall to retain his title. Afterwards, Seth Sabor went out to help Allen to the back when he accidentally ran into Austin Lane. Lane then attacked Sabor and slapped him across the face while Sabor was down.

----170+ paid with over 200 in the building and a gate close to $1000…Next week ASWF announced that there will be a two ring battle royal to bring in the new year!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

RassleResults: SAW Millersville, TN 12.28.07

----Shane Eden beat Chris Cane…Tribal Nation(Lennox Lightfoot & Indian Outlaw) beat The Southern Saints(Shawn Reed & Josh Matthews) w/Anita Page…Homicidal Tendencies(Kory Williams & Vic the Bruiser) beat The Bomb Squad(Terrance James & Chris Bomb) w/Cocky Cody in a Millersville street fight…Arrick Andrews beat Big Rig Bully…

----55 to 60 in the building…Big Bully Douglas with Paul Adams jumped in during the Andrews vs Rig match. This was Douglas' first appearance on a non-promoted Bert Prentice in the area in over a decade...This group has also talked to Christian Jacobs about coming in...RRO Columnist of The Year nominee Trent Van Drisse had a run in with some of the guys on the show about something he posted on his message board. Trent wrote, “They took another intermission, and during this Kory Williams called me out to the parking lot, and then he and Vic the Bruiser yelled and cussed at me for 15 to 20 minutes over me posting the story about Sean Casey and Samantha, the one where she was on trial for rape. They said I crossed the line, and had no right to post it, and that I should not post anything that happens in wrestlers personal lives, and that happened in Cincinnati, not around here, and nobody around here knew about it, and Casey must have wanted it that way.” I have been yelled at and cussed also about stuff I posted. Not a good feeling. I have to be on Trent’s side here as all this info about Samantha was posted on the net and it was not as if Trent “broke” the story. If it is public knowledge and if there are charges filed or pending, then I think you have the “ok” to post…You can read the full results and story by clicking here on RRO Site of The Year nominee Mid-Southern Wrestling Message Board….Trent also didn’t have good things to say about the “Southern Saints”, “Some say the Saints have good matches, but between here and the times I saw them at the USWO, they've never shown me anything. Matthews looks real young, I was told he's 17.”

RassleResults: USWO Nashville, TN 12.28.07

Justin Spade b JC Crowe

LT Falk b Damien Payne

New York Gangster b Shane Smalls

USWO Tag Champs Jay Phoenix & Quinton Quarisma b LT Falk & Cousin Jason X when Quarisma pinned Jason

Michael Jablonski & JD Fluffy b Mark Anthony & Tim Renesto (w/Charming Charles) by DQ when ref Nick White saw Anthony and Charles using Charles' cane on Fluffy outside the ring

USWO Champion Chris Michaels b Kid Kash by DQ when ref Mark Owen spotted a foreign object (that Michaels had been using) on Kash as he pinned Michaels

----114 in the crowd with a gate around $1,200. This group seems to continue to outdraw the SAW group.

Credit: Jimmie Daniel

RassleResults: TLCW Ripley, TN 12.29.07 - Flash Turns Heel!!

The night started out with action between Chris Lexx and new TLCW Superstar Slim "The Bulldog" Pickens. After the match, Lexx instantly began beating down Pickens for a for a few moments to the happiness of his "manager" Ms. Vanna [Sue Young] until Shannon Lee made the save.

In the second contest, Rockin Randy fell once again to Idol Bane in a non-title contest. Rockin Randy was visibly upset at this loss to Idol Bane that only means that Bane is one step closer to a title match.

The Crime fell to Ike Tucker in the third contest of the night that shows Ike Tucker Brian Steele was at ringside.

Dell Tucker came out and announced it was time for the "Future Showcase" starring him, "The Future" Dell Tucker. He announced that his guest on the show this week would be...him! At this time, “The Golden Boy” Greg Anthony came out and got into a verbal altercation with Dell, telling him that his "Golden Circle" was better. A challenge was then laid out, a "Talk Show War" would happen next week. TGB would have a guest and Dell Tucker would have a guest, the biggest "coup", the biggest guest would be the winner and ultimate show of the talk shows on TLCW.

Naughty By Nature def. The Posse in a non-title match – both teams were faces. PKO hit the Ghetto Blaster and Rude got the pinfall victory. nXn asked the Posse to come back to the ring and they all raised their hands.

They ran an angle were Scotty C went to the ring and made mention of the internet rumors that Derrick King was done with TLCW, so he asked him to come out and explain what was going on. Derrick King seemed to be backing up these rumors, talking about who he has been in the business over 14 years and now has a son, that now might be the best...enter Idol Bane. Before we could get the answer from Derrick, Idol decided to come in. He started to berated Derrick, telling him needed to leave and that he was the newest star of TLCW. He then spit in Derrick King's face. As the crowd chanted for a super kick, Derrick simply left the ring, not fighting back. What is going on with Derrick King?

Albino Rhino def. Lil Tim

Scotty C once again made his way to the ring and announced he had another interview scheduled. Out came Commissioner Mark Tipton who was ready to make his announcement on the main event of the night. He announced that Too Kool 2 would take on Alan Steel and FLASH FLANAGAN. The crowd couldn't believe this and neither could Alan Steel who took no time making his way to the ring. As he berated Tipton, Flash AND “Too Kool 2” [Tim Grind/Flex] made their way to the ring and made fun of the fact that Alan had to tag with him and Flash even went as far to call Mark Tipton a dumbass for making the match, would do the match and warned Alan if he crossed the line one time, it would be 3 against 1.

"The Baron" Malkavain beat Seth Knight

In the Main Event of the Evening, Flash Flanagan turned heel in a big shocker as Too Kool 2 def. Flash Flanagan and Alan Steel as Tim Grind got the roll up on Flash. Alan decided to attack Flex from behind. At this point, Flash grabbed his kendo stick and nailed TIM GRIND! Flash and Alan beat down Too Kool 2 with the help of two pairs of handcuffs brought down by Ms. Vanna, Flash's new manager. TLCW Owner Tim Cummings made his way out to try and stop it and had his head busted open by Flash. Mark Tipton came to the announcers' desk and stated if Flash didn't stop, he would fine and suspend him. Flash didn't care, stating he was champion. After a few more shots from Flash on his downed foes, Mark fined and suspended him.

----Dustin Starr was backstage for a bit and was told they were not going to use him. It makes you wonder what happens when TLCW starts to run Dyersburg?? Will Starr stay at NBW or shift back over to TLCW??

Credit: Photo by KC

Nominees Have Been Posted!!

----Nominees have been posted. Hit the link to the right to go to the RRO AWARDS RACE 2007 BLOG. Comments are welcome under all the nominations. Voting will start on January 1, 2008!!

RassleResults: NBW Dyersburg, TN 12.29.07 "New Blood Eve 2007"

The show started off with the Riot Squad (Mark Justice, Jimmy Tidwell & Tank) in the ring talking about how last week, Rob Justice got suspended and that Tank didn’t have a partner for tonight and that his match was coming up in just a little while and that he needed to go find a partner. Tank left the ring. Tidwell and Mark then called out Commissioner Allen Walker. Tidwell told Walker that Mark's lost last week to Rocker would not go down in the record books because Dustin Starr was not the assigned referee and had no business even being in the building let alone involved in the title match and they was there to get Mark's belt back. Walker told Tidwell & Mark that Dustin Starr IS on the NBW roster as a wrestler and referee if need be so the decision stands.

Mark told Walker that in his contract, it states he gets an automatic rematch and he is there to cash in on that clause tonight. Walker told Mark and Tidwell that Rocker is the NBW Champion and that it will be Rocker vs Flex for the title in the Main Event and that he didn’t have a spot for Mark tonight and proceeded to tell him that he basically had the night off. Mark and Tidwell left the ring pissed and the show was officially started.

High Risk Elimination Match - Winner to face Motley Cruz for a title shot later tonight.
"Southern Outlaw" Kilo vs The Sicilian Kid vs J.Weezy vs Sgt. Savage vs "Hot Boy" John Roberts vs Buckwheat.........the match came down to Weezy, Kilo & Roberts. Roberts came off the top of the cage with a crossbody onto Kilo. Weezy backdropped Roberts, who landed on Kilo's shoulders. Roberts went for a frankensteiner but Kilo caught him with a "Styles Clash" and both Kilo and Weezy eliminated Roberts. Kilo and Weezy then fought thru the door as Roberts was exiting and the match was stopped and said to be sorted out by commissioner Walker.

The Asylum (Arnez & Pappy) entered the ring bringing numerous weapons including a pair a shears, various signs, a log chain and a kendo stick. The came Jimmy Tidwell and 1/2 of the NBW tag-team champions Tank. Tidwell then called out Tanks partner for the night.....X-Treme Justice. The Riot Squad defeated The Asylum after Tank handcuffed Arnez to the cage in a crucifixion manner and double teamed Pappy. Arnez broke one of the cuffs and Tank blasted him with a metal sign before they exited the cage door. Everyone but Justice bled very well.

Crazy Train defeated "Real Deal" Tim Edwards in a "Stairway 2 Stardom" ladder match, retrieving a briefcase that guaranteed him a heavyweight title match whenever he wishes. There was some serious bumps in this match with Crazy Train getting thrown almost thru the cage at one point, Crazy Train being on the top rope, walking to the middle then jumping off face first onto the top of the ladder, Edwards nailing a pair of vicious looking elbows onto Crazy Trains back, who was lying on top of a ladder.

NBW High Risk Champion Motley Cruz came out next. Motley was supposed to face Gaylon Ray but he was nowhere to be found. Allen Walker then informed Motley that he would be facing not one, but two opponents for his belt tonight. Motley Cruz retained the High Risk title after defeating J.Weezy and Kilo in what was probably the most brutal match of the night. There was any kind of weapon you could find. Signs, thumbtacks, kendo sticks, a trash can and a cheese grater. Motley ran the cheese grater across Weezy’s head several times juicing him the hard way. Motley ran Kilo into the cage back first several times and worked his back thru out the entire match. Kilo was for shoot injured after this match and had to be carried to the locker room.

Jimmy Tidwell defeated "Upset Kid" Jeremy Moore after special enforcer for the match, "Superman" Jason Reed stopped the count on Tidwell and turned on Moore. The crowd went dead silent when Reed turned. After a very hard chairshot by Reed on Moore, Reed placed Tidwell onto Moore and made the count.

Dustin "5" Starr came to the ring next as the special referee for the heavyweight title match. Newly declared champion Chris "Fabulous" Rocker came to the ring to a tremendous ovation. Flex's music started playing when all of a sudden, Jimmy Tidwell and Mark Justice came out from the curtain. Tidwell told Allen Walker and the fans that thanks to the Riot Squad, Flex had a little accident and could no longer compete in the title match tonight. Walker had no choice but to make a rematch between Rocker & Justice as the Main Event.

“The Enforcer" Mark Justice defeated Chris "Fabulous" Rocker to become the new NBW Heavyweight Champion. The finish of the match saw Rocker set up for his superkick and Mark pulled Dustin in front of him and Dustin took the kick instead. Tank & X-Treme Justice ran out to the ring. Justice tried to climb over the top but was met by Rocker who after a few fists, was knocked back down to the floor. Tank tried to tear at the door of the cage, but it was padlocked. Jimmy Tidwell slipped in a gimmick to Mark who nailed Rocker as Dustin was getting to his feet. Dustin saw Tank & Justice at ringside and wondered what was going on, but was forced to make the 3 count anyway.

After the bell, Mark told Dustin to give him his belt back. Dustin gave it to him alright, but not the way Mark wanted it. Dustin blasted Mark Justice with his newly won championship busting him open in the process. Tank & X-Treme was forced to leave also, so Dustin could exit the ring. Dustin left with the heavyweight title so the new champion if now left without a belt...again.

----102 paying with a gate around $800 with almost 130 in the building…I was told that Jeremy Moore, Chris Rocker and Dustin Starr got big babyface pops…I am assuming Flex was ask by TLCW to not work the show. He worked the main event of TLCW and they are planning to have “Too Kool 2” as a main focus of their TLCW Dyersburg shows… Most heat was probably between the Riot Squad and Jason Reed after he turned. From the fans being 9 out of 10 on the loudness meter to almost nothing when Reed turned. Silent heat is good…I am being told that Gaylon Ray no showed due to having to work his shoot job and then one story I am getting is that has possible legal charges against him. He was at the building and prepared to work, but then told Jeremy he had to go to work…”X-Treme” Justice is Rob Justice under a hood. He was suspended last week and he was scheduled in the match vs Aslyum. Doesn’t seem like this was thought out much??...Psycho was backstage, but did not work due to a hand injury suffered on Christmas night vs Candyman in a Hardcore match…Promos were shot for the upcoming TV show after their matches.

Memphis Wrestling TV Report 12.29.07 - Best of 2007

----Corey Maclin and Jimmy Hart open the show in front of a big Christmas tree at Maclin’s house. They promise a “best of” 2007.

----A video aired featuring Jerry Lawler, Andy Kaufman, Corey Maclin, Jimmy Hart, Bill
Dundee, Brian Christopher, Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, Tommy Rich, Eddie Gilbert, Lance Russell, Dave Brown, Dutch Mantell, Jerry Jarrett, Jeff Jarrett, The Fabs, Eddie Marlin, Austin Idol, Midnight Express with Jim Cornette, Jimmy Valiant, Jackie Fargo and more to the song “Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi.

----Hart/Maclin return in front of the fireplace. Maclin’s daughter Carman comes on the screen. Interview filmed at Grizzlies game of Lawler/Hart. “Sam’s Town” footage airs of Lawler vs Chris Masters. Derrick King tried to help Masters, but Lawler pins Masters. Boogyman clip is also shown.

----Maclin & Hart return sitting on a couch and chair with Maclin ordering Japanese food. Maclin interview from Grizzles game and clips of Koko Ware vs The Grizz. Koko comes out. Koko vs Grizz from “Sam’s Town”. Clip of Koko turning babyface shaking Maclin’s hand. Maclin gives his Dad a new car and the Assassins jump them and beat up the car.

----Japanese food is delivered. Corey’s wife brings Hart a grilled cheese. Hulk Hogan interview from Wal Mart airs with Brooke Hogan. Hogan on the phone talking to Jerry Lawler, Corey Maclin and Jimmy Hart about contract. Footage of Lawler pulling out of the Hogan vs Lawler match. Hogan interview and Paul Wight go face to face at press conference. Hulk Hogan comes out at FedEx Forum.

----Lawler interview from his house with a “Superman” Christmas tree. That was very cool. Lawler says that the next two months will be “Opening the Vault” segments of footage not shown on TV since it aired. That might be interesting.

----Maclin/Hart return in the game room playing pool with Maclins’ sons. Footage of Redbirds Autozone Park show with Lawler vs Johnny Rotten aired next.

----Maclin/Hart return outside of Maclin’s house. Brian Christopher footage of his return to Memphis Wrestling airs next. “Midnight Express” [Dennis Condry/Bobby Eaton] with Jim Cornette vs “Too Kool 2” [Tim Grind/Flex].

----Maclin/Hart return back inside in front of a Christmas tree. They then air the video “A Salute To Memphis Wrestling’s Fallen Superstars” that they aired a few weeks back is played next.

NOTES

----Not as bad of a show as last year. They still could have had more clips of current stuff. Hart was a good edition instead of just Maclin alone.