A Piece of my Mind Feb 23,2008 by "The Big Cheese" Sal Corrente

I have heard rumors that TNA has reached out to legendary Basketball coach Bobby Knight to make an appearance for them. I have been told this was a six figure offer. I can only hope that this was not true. In my heart I believe it is true but ultimately I hope it is not.



We also have a scenario where the WWE has reached out to Floyd Mayweather for Wrestlemania. I don’t understand the point of the whole thing. I think wrestling fans make themselves real clear ... they aren’t interested in outsiders making one shot appearances at major events. I am sure there have been some exceptions to the rule over the years. I do not think there have been enough exceptions to continue this approach.





In the Bobby Knight scenario TNA seems to be following the Vince McMahon concept of pay big money for someone that you believe will get you main stream media coverage. It should be clear to everyone that TNA is far from a household name. I can see Dixie Carter having a desire for everyone to know her company name. The concept of branding is not a new thing. In most homes wrestling means WWE. The brand has been presented to people all over the world for many years. I would venture many people still are still unaware TNA exists. I would say TNA has already made some attempts in this area and it did nothing to help them as near as I can tell Pacman Jones is a good example. If I was Dixie Carter I would save my money or spend it in other areas before creating a national spotlight on my company. I have stated in this column before that the problems in TNA are not inside the six sided ring they are but, instead, behind the scenes. The management of TNA should send Bobby Knight a thank you note for turning down their offer. At this time Dixie Carter’s Company is not ready for a national spotlight to shine on TNA. Do you remember years ago your mother saying always be sure you have on clean underwear?You never know what may happen to you and you don’t want to be caught with dirty underwear. Well I for one do believe that TNA still has a few soil spots in their underwear. When you walk the red carpet you can either be praised highly or ridiculed forever. This is not a put down it is an observation. In the near future it will become a put down. At TNA they have to start paving the way for future success.



It was recently announced that WWE and Jakks Pacific have parted ways. I have been involved in some negotiations with Jakks Pacific and I have not been thrilled with how they conduct business. It was also announced that TNA will take WWE’s place with Jakks. I do think that unless TNA really comes on strong Jakks will not be producing wrestling dolls of current stars for very long once their TNA deal starts in two thousand and ten.. I have a hard time believing that Jakks will be able to maintain the same level of sales with a bunch of quality wrestlers who don’t have the proper exposure to sell dolls in large numbers.



Can TNA think outside the box to get some of the talented young people that they have exposure? I hold out little hope for most of the scenarios because Dixie appears to be odd person out in a TNA power struggle that will probably lead TNA out of business one day.





In the Floyd Mayweather WWE scenario what is WWE trying to accomplish? You have a great boxer in Floyd Mayweather. He is a very small man and you put him in against The Big Show. The Big Show ends up with a broken nose after a couple of punches. That one situation alone shows how punches are pulled in wrestling.



I don’t see Mayweather being a good thing for the WWE. I have not seen the main stream media really grab hold of Mayweather’s participation. When you reach out to one of these stars to get involved in an event it can only serve two purposes. The first would be for increased exposure. The second would be to attract the casual fan. I realize that Floyd Mayweather was a part of Dancing with the Stars but I don’t think that he really took a huge step forward popularity wise because of the show. He did an admirable job on the show but I think his personality is not one that would let America embrace him



. Hey Vince if you want someone to appear at Wrestlemania that got a huge boost from appearing on Dancing with the Stars, why not try Stacey Keibler and pay her like she is a real celebrity. It was just a thought but I believe the WWE ego would have a hard time reaching out to Keibler. Isn’t it funny how once Stacey got into the real world of entertainment and heard how real stars are treated she didn’t give WWE the time of day anymore.



The picture with this article is from WrestleReunion 2 in Valley Forge Pa. The first match was Brad Armstrong and his father Bullet Bob Armstrong vs. “The Magnificent Muraco” and his son Joe. I had know Don Muraco for many years I believe he wanted to stay retired but for the chance to team up with his young son Joe who was being trained by my teacher, Afa Anoai, at The Wild Samoan Pro Wrestling Training Center he agreed. Bullet Bob and Don had many battles in the seventies that I believe carried over into the eighties. I felt this would also encourage Don to appear and he did with basically no questions asked.

RassleResults: USWO Nashville, TN 1.22.08

Gordon opens the show by bringing out USWO Champion Kid Kash, who says he cannot wrestle tonight due to having to catch a plane to get to a family emergency. Chris Michaels comes out and they do a mutual respect deal where Michaels offers to step in and take on Mitch Ryder in Kash's place later tonight. Kash agrees and allows Michaels to defend his belt as well, promising a real title shot next week if he wins. (Well, that's the way I interpreted it.)

New York Gangster b Shane Smalls

Damien Payne & Lee Cross (w/Fetish & The Diva Lisa Fayzon) b White Tiger & Dyronic when Payne pinned Tiger

USWO Jr. Champion Petey Wright b Zack Storm after a restart that occurred due to Storm using the ropes to pin Wright

Steve O b Tim Renesto(w/Charming Charles)

Portia Perez b Hailey Hatred

Mark Anthony (w/Charming Charles) b Bushranger Kelly. Post-match, Anthony wrapped a chair around Kelly's head and went to stomp it. USWO Promoter Tony Falk made the save but got attacked by Anthony. In the melee, Michael Jablonski appeared for the first time since losing a loser leave USWO match, coming through a side door but was held back by security. Falk promised Jablonski would be reinstated by next Friday.

LT Falk & Cousin Jason X & Steven Green vs Quinton Quarisma & Jay Phoenix & JC Crowe when USWO Tag Champions Falk & Jason got stereo pins on Quarisma & Phoenix

Chris Michaels b Mitch Ryder

----126 in the crowd with a gate over $1,200...Announced for next week were Kash defending (presumably vs Michaels), Anthony vs Jablonski, and a Renesto-Steve O rematch. They are having a 7th Anniversary show on 3/7 with names to be formally announced next week.

Credit: Jimmie Daniel

POB Return to MCW!!

----“POB” Ron Rage/Sid Vicious with their sidekick Buzzkiller defeated Tojo Yamamoto JR/Paco to win the MCW Tag Team Titles last night in Osceola, AR. I was told 300 to 350 people were in arena, which would be a gate close to $2,100. They set up an angle afterwards with “East Coast Bad Boys” [Serpent/Eazy Money] and looks like they will be working them in a program.

----Rage/Vicious returned last week to set up the match for last night. They are doing the complete POB gimmick with leather chaps and biker gear. Rage has been out of wrestling for about 8 month nursing a bad back and Sid has been doing stuff up north. I was told that Rage is feeling better than ever and I look forward to seeing how good this run does for MCW.

Saints vs TEAM JAPAN!!!

Here's the official press release from CHIKARA concerning The Southern Saints vs. TEAM JAPAN for King of Trios, Night 2:

"If there's one thing we pride ourselves on with these ridiculously large, complex tournaments that we keep convincing ourselves to put on each year, its that these tournaments provide unknowns and rising stars with the opportunity to become overnight sensation through show-stealing performances. Just three years ago, an unknown duo from Japan composed of MIYAWAKI and Yoshiaki Yago were announced for TWGP 2006 to little or no fanfare. Some even wondered if we were wasting our money (Us? Waste money?) by bringing them stateside to compete. Well, those doubts were quickly dispersed as the duo proved themselves not only as world class competitors, but also CHIKARMY favorites, and now, three years later, a tournament tradition. Being flanked this year by the returning KUDO, and the debuting SUSUMU, MIYAWAKI will captain his squad in round one against The Southern Saints, a team that is in search of just the kind of breakout performance that the Japanese contingent has enjoyed in preceding years. Captained by the returning Shawn Reed, he will be joined by the debuting Marcus O'Neil and Reno Diamond in a battle of style, culture, and ultimately, supremacy, as both teams look take their star to the next level. Will Team CAPS LOCK be able to repeat their finals appearance of last year? Or will the South rise again and make another march on the Northern territory that is CHIKARA and KING OF TRIOS?"

Arena Report: RWL Newbern, TN 1.22.08

----Not a huge crowd to see the debut of Rebellion Wrestling League, but overall it was a fun time. I was told by one of the promoters that in reality this show was a “soft” opening similar to what casinos do. They wanted to work out all the kinks making sure the music, the lights and all worked ok. Next week with have tons more advertising, they should have a bigger crowd for their “Grand Opening”.

----John “Biscuit” Roberts beat Gaylon Ray & Shannon Lee in a triple threat match. There was very little psychology, but the moves did not look bad. At one point Gaylon Ray did a standing moonsault that looked good. Roberts pinned Ray after a “Buttermilk Biscuit” bomb. [*]

----Weasel beat “The Baron” Malkavain. Not a lot of psychology here either. Weasel has a good entrance with the American flag and “Coming to America”. No reaction to him, because no one knows him in this area. Before the match, Malkavain was in the corner hanging like a bat in the tree of woe. Malkavain finished Weasel off with the “Nail in the Coffin”, but instead of pinning him, he tried to bite Weasel – Weasel rolled him up for the win. [*1/2]

----Stan Lee beat “Southern Saint” Shawn Reed in a decent bout. This was not as good as I was expecting, but it was the first time they have ever worked each other. Reed was the first of the night to work the crowd. I didn’t think Stan was going to give Shawn anything at first. LOL Shawn put the heat on him with Lee coming out and them building for a few false finishes. Lee did a sweet flying side kick..well..the second one was good. Lee hit an Octopus slam [that is what I am calling it] for the finish after Reed missed a knee drop from the second rope. [**1/2]

----“3G” Eric Wayne/Kid Nikels beat “The Posse” [Lil Chris/Simon Reed] in the best bout of the night. Some real fun hold for hold matwork with Wayne/Chris. They worked real tight with Wayne coming out of an armbar on the mat to moving up Chris’ legs to his head. Hard to explain, but it was fun to watch. Heat was on Chris with hot tag to Simon. Simon shitcanned Wayne and they went to finish off Nikels. Kid jump outside the ring and went towards the dressing room with Simon following. Wayne rolled up Chris for the pin. [**3/4]

----PK Ripper beat Overkill. The least said about this bout the better. No psychology with a bunch of spots and a few really blotched spots. Crowd was sitting on their hands – no reaction for the spot monkeys. PK’s finisher looked good, but other than that, this bout was bad. [DUD]

----Chris O’Neal beat Jason Reed with JD Rage. Not as good as expected. Both guys seem to be off and a little rusty. Both guys are much better than this bout. O’Neal did a dive on Rage/Reed at one point. They did a few sloppy spots that including the ref catching Reed’s foot and a screwed up tornado DDT. The second try on the DDT looked real good. O’Neal won with a roll up. Rage/Reed jumped him after the match and Weasel made the save. [**]

----30 to 40 in the crowd…Shannon Lee had new gear. It looked better than the orange…Nikels worked the “strong style” during heat on Chris including some stiff looking kicks. He didn’t do his big boot though…Blaylock the Blazer was in attendance and Anita Paige. I had the pleasure of finally meeting Shawn Reed and Paige. Paige was giving me hell about the photo I used in Yearbook 2007. It is on page 125 guys! LOL…RRO Announcer of the Year 2007 Michael Ward did commentary with Just Joe. He did a good job. I can only take Joe in small doses and he did good playing off of him…The RWL arena has lots of potential. They need more chairs, but have bleacher seating. They could probably pack close to 200 with more chairs and such. The arena looks “cool” and is over with me…I like the PK Ripper gimmick and I think the guy can do some pretty impressive moves. Overkill also does some good moves. But, that match was what is WRONG with indy wrestling. You got to put the “drama” in the bout to build for the fans to actually care about you…Shawn Reed talked about being real excited about going to Philly again for the CHIKARA Trio tournament. Team Japan that they are working in the first round is known to be just a little stiff. It should be fun.

The Thompson Perspective 2.23.08 By Brian Thompson

I was about 10 or 11-years-old at the time. While channel surfing one afternoon just after school, I discovered a wrestling program on ESPN.

The show was the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF). As a wrestling fan, this was exciting. Unfortunately, due to my youth, I missed a lot of first run action of the AWA, Memphis, etc. This was a chance to see something other than the WWF or WCW.

I began following this GWF organization.

It wasn’t the greatest, but it wasn’t the worst. It had some decent stuff to follow and sink your teeth into.

I was intrigued by one individual who was a teenager at the time. His name was Brandon Baxter. He had long, blonde hair and would do various “fan reports” style segments.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I would in later years.

Let’s fast forward to late 1995. Bert Prentice is running his Ozark Mountain Wrestling (OMW) promotion in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. After mostly touring in NEA, he decides to give the Bootheel of Missouri a try. In December 1995, a card was set featuring Tommy “Wildfire” Rich against Bill “Superstar” Dundee. This event was held at the National Guard Armory in Dexter, MO.

Prentice ended up running several more shows from January thru June 1995 in Dexter. He even had a title change on a summer show at the Dexter Armory.

Anyway, let me tie all of this together. As a young 14-year-old boy going to these Dexter shows, I remember telling my mother that I should talk to Prentice about getting involved.

My remark went something like, “In the GWF, they let Brandon Baxter do a fan thing when he was really young. Why couldn’t I do it for OMW?”

I never had the nerve to make such a request of Bert. Looking back, maybe I’m glad I was too shy, but anyway it just goes to show that Brandon had an influence on me then.

As you all know, or should know, Brandon went on to do much more than simply host “fan” segments. He became involved in many aspects of the wrestling business from actively competing to managing to booking and the list goes on and on.

I first met Brandon in person in February 2001, when I was getting a tryout for Memphis Championship Wrestling (MCW). I was ring announcing in either Ripley or Covington, TN. Brandon was in the ring perfecting his heel persona. I remember him saying, “what is this goofball still doing in the ring,” which was directed solely at yours truly. While that comment is something that was a part of his heel character, it is something I would remember and use 3 ½ years later.

Let’s fast forward some more. It’s now the spring of 2002. I’m a student at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. Brandon is now working for KISS FM. I see him at an ASU function and re-introduce myself. To my surprise he remembered me from our brief association in MCW/Power Pro. We talk and I inform him of my pending partnership that led to the formation of LAW.

We end up talking relatively often as Brandon was doing live remotes and such around Jonesboro. He ends up helping us with an LAW show or two as far as pushing them on the air and helping us record audio tracks for radio spots.

Then, in 2004, we had the chance to work a fun program for the ASWF in Clover Bend, AR. We did a deal where Brandon needed a partner for a tag match against Austin Lane and Heartbreaker. He called for Bobby Eaton. The “Midnight Express” music plays but out comes . . . yours truly.

Brandon says he needs a partner and I’m not Eaton. I reply with Bobby is not contracted to wrestle tonight. Brandon responds with the fact that I, as Bobby’s agent/manager, can make it happen. I come back with the fact that I don’t WANT Bobby to wrestle as his partner. Then I bring up the fact that when I started my career, Brandon wouldn’t give me the time of day. (Remember the 2001 incident now???).
We go back and forth for a bit with Bobby coming out and agreeing to team with him to my disapproval.

During the match, we set up a scenario where I turn on Brandon. This leads to an after-match situation that leads to Bobby grabbing me by the collar. Brandon is directly behind him telling him to punch me. Bobby throws a punch . . . and hits Brandon. The people were shocked. It was great heat. It’s like someone hit them in the stomach. We left Brandon in the ring, with no mic work to kill the heat, and left the building. I guarantee you that people there that night would have hurt me if they could get within arm’s reach of me.

Unfortunately, ASWF never capitalized on the deal and we pretty much left it there.
Brandon has become one of the most popular figures in Jonesboro and the entire listening area of his station. He has worked hard to make his way up the radio business ladder. I’m personally proud of him for all he has accomplished outside the wrestling business.

Some people have a hard time moving on and doing something else when their full-time wrestling career is over. Brandon has not only moved on, but he has become very good at what he does.

However, he still has a little bit of that wrestling bug. In the last 5 years, he’s made sporadic appearances like the one at Clover Bend. He’ll usually do five or six shows a year, some years more and some less.

That is why it truly disgusts me when people take advantage on the guy. The promotion he gives on KISS FM is priceless. As a former radio sales account executive, I know that radio advertising is not cheap. It can be cost effective is used properly. Brandon knows how to deliver the goods when it comes to using the radio to push a local benefit. Go back on this site and research the shows he was involved with heavily in Walnut Ridge and Paragould. Great houses for this day and age.

When editing the RasslinRiotOnline Yearbook 2007, I came across a couple of stories where guys alleged to have Brandon coming in for a show. One time in particular a show was booked in Harrisburg, AR at the town’s National Guard Armory. Brandon plugged this show on the air. Then it was discovered that the Armory was NEVER BOOKED! Are you kidding me?

It’s one thing to pay a deposit and then something happen at an Armory, such as a deployment or whatever. But to never OFFICIALLY BOOK the building is unacceptable. Again, folks I know this personally. Such a thing hurt us, during my LAW days, in Dexter, MO, when we announced a card before officially having the building sealed. When we went to book it, the building was already gone. We were screwed and we screwed the fans.

Back to my point. The Harrisburg deal simply made Brandon look like an idiot. Why do this to such a good ambassador for our business? He has made promotions that would draw 100 people at best draw 300-900 at various times.

I often tell Brian Tramel about what I think is wrong with the wrestling business. Well, one of the big things wrong is how a guy like Brandon is taken advantage of. Remember, this guy worked at a much higher level than most of us can imagine around here. GWF was on NATIONAL TV. Power Pro was successful on WMC TV-5.

He’s worked with the biggest names in the sport and is respected by them. God forbid, us little peons in the Mid-South show respect for him. But, who am I fooling? We can only expect so much from today’s wrestling business right? And again we wonder why we draw less than 50 people per week don’t we?

(Brian Thompson may be reached by e-mail at bptbookings@yahoo.com. Don’t forget to tune in this Tuesday night from 7 – 8:30 p.m. for a special Cheap Heat Radio featuring Brian Tramel and Brian Thompson.)

RCW DEBUTS NEXT WEEK!

A new wrestling promotion, Revolutionary Championship Wrestling, will debut in Marmaduke, Arkansas next Saturday March 1st at the Community Center. Bell time is 7:30 and tickets are $5 with kids 5 and under admitted free. RCW already has 5 shows scheduled running one show a month from now until July including a "BIG" 4Th of July Outdoors Celebration with a lot of surprises.

Their 1st show will be a 1 night tournament to crown the 1st RCW Heavyweight Champion.


Already scheduled to appear are BoneCrusher w/ Foxy, The Hambones, Tank, T.W. Justice, "Badstreet Boy" Ryan Lee, Suicidal Youth, Farmer Billy Hills, Hamhock, Mr. Excitement, The Missouri Mauler and expect more the night of the event.


RCW is going to see how things progress with their first few shows and if everything goes well, they will be running every other week starting in August.

RCW has also been in talks with a few legends about coming in so be on the lookout for those announcement when news becomes available.


Full results from the show will be posted here after the event.

“Cheap Heat Radio” presents “Shooting the Shiznit” with Brian Thompson & Brian Tramel!!

----I wanted to give everyone a “head’s up” that on Tuesday at 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Brian Thompson and I will be doing a special edition of “Cheap Heat Radio”. It will just be a discussion about wrestling in general mainly covering some of the top stories of the past month. Anyone that would like to e-mail some questions and such, then send them along to me brian_tramel@yahoo.com. You are also encouraged to call in and ask whatever you want or comment on our discussion. I will also be making an announcement of the next book that will be published by www.rronews.com that Brian and I will be working on again together.

"Coach's Corner" - "All Aboard The Crazy Train!!"

----The “buzz” this week from regular callers to the offices of RRO is that NBW outdrew TLCW this past weekend. Is it because TLCW fans are going to NBW?? Nah. Did they really out draw them?? The best I can figure out is that both companies were probably about 10 customers apart and NBW did have the edge. This would have been the first time aside from a big show that NBW beat TLCW in a weekly crowd. What does it mean for TLCW?? Crowds have not been up to par for the last few months and they will need to do something to get a shoot in the arm. NBW may be “turning the corner” in having a bigger weekly average, but as I have said in the past – time only tells when it comes to that and we can’t base everything on one week. Something I never made note of in the summer was that NBW unlike all the other promotions in the area lost very little fans. They saw a decrease of maybe 10 fans at the most. The group that is HOT right now is the ASWF show, which is drawing in the 200 range almost every week.

----I will have to retract my statements about Crazy Train being a “short term” champion. I got the chance to watch 95% of the Mark Justice vs Crazy Train NBW title change this week via video tape. Train has improved a lot and his bumping was totally on cue. I remember thinking “what a goof” when I first saw his gimmick, but he is over and is learning his craft. The match [***1/2] had all the hope spots, false finishes and drama you would want in a title change. The fans popped really loud for the finish and Train’s reaction was perfect. Can Train have matches with other people at this caliber?? Probably not unless it is someone like Mark Justice. I think Train will make a good champion in the vein of him taking a beating, build a good finish and then out of nowhere he wins every time.

----Since it seems like I am stuck on talking about NBW, then I want to comment on something that I just hated about the Train vs Justice match. NBW is not the only one at fault here, because wrestling in general screws up this stuff all the time. When Jimmy Tidwell, Rob Justice and Jason Matthews jumped Mark after the bout, who made the save?? Crazy Train and Jeremy Moore?? Should they have?? No way. Justice has been pushed as a mega heel here and there is no way they should consider saving him. This needs to be a few weeks down the line. Memphis use to do this perfect in they would do interviews like, “I know no one likes me, but I need to ask for you to be my partner..” The “common enemy” angle and it worked. This should all play out in that Justice does not trust anyone – babys or heels – for a while in NBW. In a few weeks, have a babyface need a partner and come out and ask Mark to be his partner.

----The Randy Hales interview was a great piece of work done by Gene Jackson. Hales was just totally honest and that made the interview. He wanted people to know that Memphis Wrestling was really hot in the 70s also and many people forget about that. I think the main reason of that is that the “journalists” that cover the business right now are fans of the 80’s stuff like the Fabs, Bill Dundee and Jerry Lawler. I started watching wrestling in 1978, so most of my childhood memories are of the 80s stuff. The 70’s 2 out of 3 Falls – “Hair vs Hair” Al Greene vs Jackie Fargo bout was mentioned and the booking on that bout was just genius. Fargo the babyface wins the first fall. Greene comes back to win the second fall. So, Fargo wins the third fall and everyone goes home happy; right?? NO!! Greene won two straight falls and they shaved the head of the Jackie Fargo!! Isn’t it weird how a lot of babyfaces lost in hair matches in Memphis??

----Hales also made comments about Jerry and Jeff Jarrett. Jerry Jarrett had already went into promoting when I started watching it and wrestled very little, but I have went back to watch some of his bouts. I was not a fan of his work. Never thought much of it. But, he is a perfect case to go back to look at the reasoning of him getting over. As Hales said, it was that soft spoken babyface interview along with the fact that Jerry had the “look” before anyone knew what the “look” was. Blonde good looking babyface made money. Jeff, on the other hand, has always worked very hard to be a good worker. He has been criticized by many for his WWE and TNA work, but I have always considered him an above average worker. During a wrestling convention in Memphis as us marks were making the weekly rounds with the boys, it featured three Billy Travis/Jeff Jarrett vs Pat Tanaka/Paul Diamond bouts. Talking with Jeff that weekend he was determined to improve after each night and would come to us smarks to ask us what we thought. This is coming from a guy that could have just been a horrible worker and still been a “hero” on Memphis Wrestling.

VOICE YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE FRIDAY EDITION OF COACH'S CORNER!!

SITE NEWS!!

----I would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the site. Sometime in the last two weeks we went over the 1.25 million mark on hits. Thanks to everyone for their continued support. At this steady rate, we could hit the 2 million mark sometime before the end of 2008. Not too shabby for a little web site based Memphis Wrestling. Thanks again!

----The book has made another small move in the www.lulu.com “Best Sellers List”. Yearbook 2008 has moved from 9,935 to 7,203 this week. Thanks to all for buying!! Remember I will be at RWL tonight in Newbern, TN!!

One Night Only - This Saturday Night at NBW in Dyersburg, TN

----I got word last night that on Saturday night during the “Book Tour” that I will be involved in an angle for a “one time shot” at NBW. I would like to thank NBW cast and crew for this in advance, because after it unfolds it actually means a lot to me personally to be involved in it. I am sworn to kayfabe, but if you were a fan or worker for Chaotic Championship Wrestling you will enjoy it. All I can say is that it involves a former CCW Mid-Southern Champion tagging with a former CCW Mid-Southern Tag Team Champion managed by a MSWA Manager of the Year. Come out and have fun on the “Book Tour 2008”!!!

Matt Riviera featured on Little Rock TV station

Matt Riviera, who books talent for the Arkansas based Mid-South Wrestling promotion, was featured earlier this week on Little Rock TV station KATV Channel 7.

Riviera is no stranger to fans in this area as he appeared on a couple of All Star Wrestling Federation (ASWF) cards in Tuckerman early last year and also promotes cards in Russellville, AR and Little Rock, AR under the Mid South banner.

He was also one of the wrestling dignitaries in attendance at the "Nightmare" Ken Wayne School of Professional Wrestling's Graduation Match between Eric Wayne & Kid Nikels on Feb. 10.

Congratulations to Matt on the great exposure for not only himself, but wrestling in this region!

Below is a link to the text story. On that page, to the right, you can find a video of the TV version of the segment.

CLICK HERE to read the article!!

VOICE YOUR OPINION ON THE KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD!!

Shows for The Weekend: 1.22 to 1.23.08

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 for Rebellion Wrestling League in Newbern, TN with “the Posse” [Simon Reed/Lil Chris], Eric Wayne, Kid Nikels, Derrick King, Stan Lee, Bishop, PK Ripper, Overkill, Weasel, “The Baron” Malkavain, JD Rage, Jason Reed and Chris O’Neal. BOOK TOUR STOP!!

----Friday night for USWO @ Stadium Inn in Nashville, TN…PGWA Champion Nikki Roxx will defend her title against Portia Perez 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 for SAW in Millersville, TN 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 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 for LAW in Rector, AR Flash Flanagan, Slim Pickens, Tommy Redneck, Psycho, Arnez, Dell Tucker,Idol Bane, Jeff O’Dell, “The Golden Boy” Greg Anthony. Pappy and many more.

----Friday 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 for USWO/ATL in Nashville, TN at the Stadium Inn with Kid Dynamite, Dyronic, Chris Norte, Kevin Dunn, JD Fluffy, The Nazi Terror, Damien Payne, Lee Cross, New York Gangster, Tommy Capone, Boy, Richard Lowe, Homo Hillbilly Quincy, Xavier Mustafa, Shawn Hoodridge and more.

----Saturday night for RWA in Jonesboro, AR at the King’s Sportatorium with Jazz, Rodney Mack, Prince Tavian, Deadly Dale, Medieval, San Francisco Treat, Loose Cannon, Rottn Randy, Ali Stevens, Chazz Wesson, Cameron Cage and more.

----Saturday night for JWS in Booneville, MS with David Cox, Damion Rage, Dustin Burcham, Robert Rose, AC Styles, Dalton Storm, Chris Stevens, Izzy Rotten, Fusion, Brett Michaels, Psycho, Justin Rhodes, Chris Fontaine, Casanova Kid, Dirty Sanchez, Neil Taylor, Bonecrusher, Buzz Harley and more.

----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 with APW hosted by the White County Police Dept. for Special Olympics @ White County Fairgrounds in Searcy, AR with tickets @ $5 featuring Chris Stryker, Johnny Hawk, Casino Kid, “Malibu” Matt Boyce, Justice Halo, Mark Wolfe, “Danger Zone” [John Ellison/Dave Cox], “3G” Eric Wayne, Kid Nikels, Gregory King, Eric Slade and 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,Jeremy Moore, Motley Cruz, 187, Arnez, Tommy Redneck and more. BOOK STORE STOP!!

---- Saturday Night ASWF - At The Valiant Arena 201 Hwy 67 N Tuckerman Ar. (870) 349-2050 Belltime 7pm. Tickets: All Seats $6 Traci Brooks, Dirty Little Dave, “West Coast Mafia” [California Dream/Big Al], Scott Fury, Austin Lane, Nikki Lane,Cody Murdoch, , Chuck Fears, Seth Sabor, Wild Bill,”American Degenerates” [X-Kaliber/Morgan Lane], 1 Cody Only [formerly Cody Daniels], Tommy Wayne, Casino Kid, Johnny Harper, Tim Hanson, Mac Daddy, Demon X and more.

"Coach's Corner": "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades.."

----When I usually come back from a few shows back to back, then I am frustrated about the talent that I seen and how no one follows the basic psychology of a match. I am happy to say that during my first three days of the “Book Tour” the talent stuck to the basics and put on decent bouts. I also got the opportunity to witness some guys that I consider to be the “future” of our business. “Rockin” Randy took the RRO Most Improved Award this year. I see him as the “leader” of sorts of the next generation of these guys. They may never be “big” stars in the WWE or TNA, but they are the next “crop” of good workers coming behind the guys like the class of guys that included Jon Michael, Stan Lee, Greg Anthony, Jason Reed, Simon Reed, Christian Jacobs, Seth Knight and Dustin Starr.

----Slim “Bulldog” Pickens is still just a kid and has some growing to do. He will probably have a spurt of growth and be a decent size man. He knows basic psychology and works hard every time I see him. His punches need work. He never needs to be a heel, because..well…he has a baby face. He had two [***] bouts during the weekend, which is something you expect out of the vets. Keep your eye on him – some real good booking and this kid is over.

----Dell “The Future” Tucker is a more than a solid worker and improves almost every time I see him. He knows all the basic psychology and works hard to have a good match. What I write here might make some of you laugh or smile and it is just a suggestion, but Tucker would benefit from changing his look. It would also set him aside from the other talent in this area. His heel gimmick should include the MVP suit look [covering all the tattoos], sunglasses and maybe a long robe. He has forever been called just “Tucker” by some, so I would have him change his name as part of the gimmick – Dell Future.

----Kid Nikels left a lasting impression on me. I will try to follow his career as the years go by, as he might be the ONE of this crew that actually gets a bigger break. He is a guy that from day one no one thought he would make it as a professional wrestler. That instills something inside of you – a desire to improve and achieve more than a normal person. Think about some of the most successful people in the world?? One of the things they always says is..”everyone told me I would never succeed..” He has good size along with some great facial expression and just pure knowledge of working hold for hold and wrestling.

----Eric Wayne has some of the same characteristics as Nikels in work ethic and learning. He has the most potential of this crew at being the best all around worker and wrestler. I see Wayne getting the chance to work ROH and possibly Japan in the future. Will he ever be a big star in the US?? He might at the level of say Bryan Danielson, which is not bad. He has a “leg up” than most of the guys – he is a third generation worker and that will sometimes have doors open that would not have opened. It might sometimes hinder him though – expect too much from him. Some of you reading this are too young to know this, but not only is Eric the son of a worker, but he is the son of a VERY GOOD worker.

----“The Baron” Malkanvain has one major advantage over this crew – he has a great gimmick. The vampire gimmick was MADE for this guy. He has very pale skin along with the blond hair and the contacts – he is scary. He has an amateur background and that is always a plus. I have been told one should be a good worker before worrying about a gimmick, but this kid has to do the opposite. I have actually not seen him have good matches up to par with anyone in this crew. This past weekend, he was just working the gimmick. Other times I seen him work, he was trying to do too much. He can only improve with weekly workouts with the TLCW crew.

----Your top tier of workers in this area is guys like Derrick King, Flash Flanagan, Alan Steele, Pokerface and Rude. The next class of guys to come along was Jon Michael, Stan Lee, Greg Anthony, Jason Reed, Simon Reed, Christian Jacobs, Seth Knight and Dustin Starr. I hope as time goes by, I look for the bottom tier of guys like “Rockin” Randy, Eric Wayne, Dell Tucker, “The Baron” Malkanvain, Kid Nikels and Slim Pickens to be in the same breath as the other good workers in this area.

DID I FORGET SOMEONE?? VOICE YOUR OPINION ON THE KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD!!

FLASHBACK - Eddie Gilbert

----The flashback today is just something I thought about after watching the Eddie Gilbert clips. Gilbert was one of my favorite workers of all time. I remember hearing stories of him booking matches as a kid by writing stuff down in the notebook. I did similar things as a kid and stuff like along with him having so much passion for the business made me a mark for him. I never really “knew” Eddie Gilbert. I only met him twice. Once at a convention and a time before in the dressing room after a match in Jonesboro, AR. For some strange reason are paths never crossed that much. It seems like at times when I was allowed in the Memphis dressing rooms, then Eddie was gone and at times that the promotion was pissed at me, Eddie was working it.

----The first time I met him was after a match in Jonesboro, AR and to this day that was one of the best times I can say I ever had at a show. The building was packed!! I am guessing this was 1988, which would have made it around the time that Missy and Eddie had got married. Eddie had showed up on TV that day and then they worked Jonesboro that night. I learned a very valued lesson that night from Eddie Marlin. Marlin said, “If you give wrestling fans what they want, they will come out.” There was a truck pull, a carnival and some kind of concert in Jonesboro that night – wrestling drew 1,200 screaming crazy fans into that building. The monthly average had been from 100-200 and this was a big house. It was probably close to a $6,000 house. I can remember seeing Eddie Marlin and Randy Hales running around as they say, “like chickens with their heads cut off..”

----Eddie Gilbert started the night coming out with Missy. They interfered in a couple of matches during the show and when the main event of him vs Jerry Lawler started, the crowd was hot!! Gilbert even had a good section of fans cheering for him, which was surprising. Nothing much else I can remember about that match other than every time either Lawler or Gilbert would do a move – the whole place would pop. Gilbert bladed and I assume Lawler probably won.

----After the match, I made my way to meet Gilbert. I ran into Missy first and told her who I was and that we both had some mutual friends in the business. She was holding medical tape and she was a nervous wreck. She told me that Eddie was still bleeding real badly and it was hard to stop it because of his blood pressure. I waited for a few more minutes and just made my way in. I told him thanks for the match and shook his hand. I stood around more minutes and Missy returned. Eddie told Missy that Lawler had got a little stiff on him, because he had a cheering section. I then left him be. I have a photo somewhere I took that night with Missy holding that white tape.

----When Eddie died, I got a call from a friend that was close in wrestling and she called by others. Doug Gilbert had not been told yet and they had decided to let him wrestle [wherever he was] first and tell him after the match. I was sad and pissed at the same time. In my mind, Eddie Gilbert would be the next “King of Memphis” and forever be part of Memphis Wrestling. At that moment I knew, there would NEVER be anyone to take Lawler’s place.

----Below is my favorite Eddie Gilbert angle of all time. The Watts flag angle is probably my second favorite one that Gene posted yesterday. I also posted a photo of the “New Fabs” [Tommy Rich/Eddie Gilbert].

The Ratings: Memphis Wrestling TV 1.16.08

----This past Saturday’s show did a very low rating with an overall rating of 1.9 [31,660 viewers]. The show opened with almost 32,000 viewers and then up about 8% for the second quarter. From that point the viewers just kept turning off the show as this finished with 1,999 less viewers than they started with. The only good point of this is that not A LOT of people turned off the show, so the ones that did turn it on had some interest in it. Overall I thought it was a good show as it showed clips of the big Coliseum show.

----The “What was Memphis watching?” number had over 140,000 viewers watching News Channel 3/CSI Miami. I also noticed that Memphis Wrestling DID NOT beat any of the shows on the networks including Saturday Night Live, MAD TV and a “Popcorn Theater” showing of “Conspiracy Theory”. Also take note that the 12 week average number keeps going down with a 2.6 [44,135 viewers].

-Maclin/Lawler on the phone
-Ford family news pieces
-Kid Kash vs Jamie Dundee [start]
1st Quarter 1.9 [31,826 viewers]

-Kid Kash vs Jamie Dundee [finish]
-Battle Royal
2cnd quarter 2.1 [34,492 viewers] [+2666 viewers]

-Lawler/Hart vs Kamala/Maclin
-Kamala/Hart/Lawler – int
3rd Quarter 1.8 [30,160 viewers] [-4332 viewers]

-Maclin/Fords int
- Mordecai vs King Mabel
-Lawler/Maclin on phone
4th Quarter 1.8 [29,827 viewers] [-333 viewers]

12 Week Average: 2.6 [44,135 viewers]
12 week low – 1.9 [31,395 viewers] 12.22.07
12 Week High 3.5 [58,762 viewers] 1.12.08
From start to finish: [-1999 viewers]

What was Memphis watching? 8.6 [143,927 viewers]

NEW POLL!!

----Gene Jackson e-mailed me and wanted me to add this poll to the site. Gene ia interested in knowing which "Cheap Heat Radio" shows you like the most??

Interviews (i.e. Jamie Dundee, DK, Randy Hales etc)

Discussions (i.e. "Old School vs New School", IWA DS: Closing Discussion)

----I would like to thank Randy Hales and Gene Jackson for a great interview. As Gene said, it has become the highest downloaded interview and it has only been available for two days!!

----I have also decided to keep the KAYFABE BOARD, because it seems that is what a lot of people wanted me to do. So you can also CLICK HERE and voice your opinion on our board.

Need Feedback for Cheap Heat Radio

First off, a very sincere "thank you" to anyone who listens to Cheap Heat Radio. Whether you've listened once, every week, or just when someone you like is on it is appreciated. The show has been far more successful than I imagined it would be, the numbers have gotten better and better and I really do get a lot of email from people who like the show and it means a lot when people take the time to send me emails and myspace messages to tell me that.

Now, here's the thing. I would like some more feedback, honest feedback. I wanna know what you like, what you don't like, what I need more of, and what I need less of. Just looking for honest opinions, good or bad. You can email them to me or you can post it on the RRO or Mid Southern Message board (I don't care about any of the bullshit posted over at the "bathroom wall") but I'd really like to know what direction to take the show in. The main reason I'm posting this is because the show has been going in a different direction than what I originally intended. When I started it I didn't intend to just do straight interviews with a particular guest every week, I wanted to do that semi-regularly with the other shows being discussions of different topics concerning wrestlers and wrestling fans in the southeast. (notice, I didn't just say 'Memphis area' but the southeast, I have a lot of listeners in the Alabama and Mississippi area who have been emailing me saying they like the show but there's too much focus on the Memphis area, and that tends to be true). Two of my favorite shows I've done, and what I want to do more of are shows like the "New School vs. Old School" show, and the recent "IWA Deep South Discussion" show w/ Smooth, Insane Lane, and Freak Show. Now, don't get me wrong, I like doing the interview shows and those get the most downloads it seems but I think people will get burnt out listening to one person's opinion about things week in and week out. I think it would be better to maybe do two interviews a month, and the other two shows be discussion of wrestling topics with guests I book as well as listeners and workers calling in with their opinions on that subject. These shows are tricky though cause the first one we did, and some of the ones I hear on other people's shows can turn into a clusterfuck of people talking over each other and it can be hard to tell who is saying what and when. So this is where I need everyone's help. Am I right to go with that, or do you want me to keep with the regular interviews. Here's the other thing, what topics would you like to hear discussed, please send in your ideas or post them on the message board. I have some in mind but I want the show to be what folks wanna hear, I do this to entertain everyone who listens, not myself so I'd love to know what you'd like to hear discussed or what you'd like to discuss. You don't have to be a "worker" to be on the show, if your a fan who is passionate about the business and want to get on and talk, contact me and we'll see what we can come up with.

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this, to contact me about any of the topics above, my email address is genejackson@charter.net or the myspace page for the show is www.mypace.com/genejackson95

Any changes I make will be after the current schedule is complete which is as follows:

Feb. 25- 10am- Guest: United Wrestling League's Michael St. John

Mar. 3- 10am- Guest: "Fabulous" Chris Rocker

Mar. 7- 10am- Guest: Bull Buchanan

Mar. 10- 10am- Guest: "Above Average" Mike Sanders

Mar. 17- 10am- Guest: Scott Bowden

Also, if you haven't yet check out Cheap Heat Radio's most downloaded show ever with Randy Hales, and check out Part 2 coming soon.

Memphis Wrestling TV Report 1.16.08 - Rerun Season Continues

----Corey Maclin opens the show talking with Jerry Lawler on the phone again this week. He also shows clips with The Fords. Lawler says he will be in Savannah, TN tagging with Bill Dundee. He says they won, but they actually lost. LOL Maclin was just as giddy this week over talking to Lawler on the phone. I think he is going to be the next president of the Jerry Lawler fan club.

----News clips from the 7.10.04 Mid-South Coliseum show with The Fords jumping in the ring. This all got lots of publicity, but man did it look horrible when all those guys jumped in the ring.

----XWF Cruiserweight Title Match from 7.10.04 show – Kid Kash vs “The Convict” Jamie Dundee. They show the entrances, then going to a spot where Kash had Dundee in a figure four leglock. After some action outside the ring and a small comeback on Kash, Dundee using his handcuffs on Kash for the DQ. Shock/Jimmy Hart interfere and beat up Dundee after the match.

----Battle Royal clips with Lawler/Brian Christopher winning two new cars aired next with them eliminating Robert Gibson/Todd Morton.

----Main Event of Lawler/Jimmy Hart vs Kamala/Maclin clips are shown. Kamala turned on Maclin. All the heels were beating up Maclin, when The Fords jumped in. This was really bad.

----Lawler/Hart/Kamala interview airs. Lawler talks about how unbelievable it was that The Fords jumped in the ring. Maclin with The Fords is interviewed next.

----Interview with a mark on the street as Maclin starts to talk about Throw Back II. This was bad. Mordecai vs King Mabel clips are shown next. This was a total brawl and didn’t look that bad. Mable wins the bout.

----Maclin ends the show talking to Lawler. Lawler talks about Kroger grocery store. Lawler says he is going to be there live next week. Maclin had a big grin on his face.

NOTES

----Jamie Dundee talked about this match on one of his appearances on RRO’s “Cheap Heat Radio” where he was talking about the guys in the back really didn’t like “The Convict” gimmick. He also said that Maclin tried to pay him less than what he was going to pay his dad, but then Lawler stepped in and said, “Pay the guy.”… The best thing in the battle royal was Alan Steele’s hair. OMG!! That hair was so over. LOL…The build up for this show was real good, but the actual show looked horrible!!...If they continue to do these shows – the next big show is with Terry Funk!!

----If you want to read the original report, then CLICK HERE.

Remembering "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert

I know it's a day late and I did mention it during the interview last night but I wanted to point out to anyone who didn't realize it that yesterday (Feb. 18th) was the 13th Anniversary of the passing of a Legend, "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert. So I thought today it would be nice to post a few videos to reflect back on one of the greatest heels in the history of wrestling. Check these out. GENE


One of his last USWA promos in 1994, "I am the USWA"




Eddie's last match ever in Memphis June 1994...taking on Jerry Lawler




The infamous Flag angle from Bill Watt's UWF (another variation on Gilbert's favorite angle that he used numerous times throughout his career. Played to perfection here.




Any worker out there that wants to learn how to be a heel, go to youtube and search for "Eddie Gilbert, there's plenty to check out.

Rebellion Wrestling League Set To Debut Friday Night!!

----This is considered the brainchild of Simon Reed of “The Posse” as the new Rebellion Wrestling League opens its doors officially this coming Friday night in Newbern, TN. I made a stop there a couple of weeks back on my way to Ripley, TN and sold a few books. The place was not completed, but a lot of hard work had been put in the building to have a nice arena. Jason Reed and Chris O’Neal have also been instrumental in getting the building and get this new promotion established. PK Ripper was busy the day I was there working with setting up video cameras, lighting and sound. He will return to wrestling this Friday night after his long stint with TIWF ended abruptly a few weeks back.

----I talked with Simon Reed today and he said to expect the following and maybe more on the debut show -- “The Posse” [Simon Reed/Lil Chris], Eric Wayne, Kid Nikels, Derrick King, Stan Lee, Bishop, PK Ripper, Overkill, Weasel, “The Baron” Malkavain, JD Rage, Jason Reed and Chris O’Neal. And as noted on the site the “Book Tour” makes another stop at the debut.

----The backdrop of this promotion running weekly shows is how this is going to effect the other Friday night shows in area particularly LAW. LAW runs on Friday nights also and uses some of the Dyersburg area talent. Will the talent find it much easier to work Newbern, TN [just outside of Dyersburg] whether than go all the way to Rector, AR to work LAW?? Will the RWL have any effect on NBW’s weekly Saturday shows?? As always, only time will tell and that is what keeps us reporting & dirt digging here at RRO.

RassleResults: JWS Boonville, MS 1.16.08 - "Asylum" Wins Tag Team Titles

Damion Rage w/Dustin Burcham over Slammer & Danny Morris in a 3-way dance.

Josh Matthews defeated Brandon Barbwire.

Revolution (Cyrus & Chazz)w/Nathan Lee defeated Dalton Storm & Dirty Sanchez.

JWS Champion Buzz Harley defeated "Dangerous" David Cox to retain.

PHAT Foundation (Justin Rhodes & Chris Fontaine) w/Paul Rhodes defeated "Prime Time" Nick Grymes & Izzy Rotten by DQ.

Next was a 3-way match to crown a new #1 contender for the JWS Cruiserweight Championship, J-Kid vs. LSD vs. Jay Webster. Winner was J-Kid.

Bonecrusher & Cassanova Kid defeated Kross & Brody Hawk by DQ when Hawk used a kendo stick on Bonecrusher.

Next was a 3-way match to determine a new #1 contender for the JWS heavyweight championship, Chris Austin w/Nathan Lee vs. Neil Taylor w/Tony Watts vs. Blade. Winner was Chris Austin.

Main event was The Asylum (Psycho & Pappy) vs. JWS Tag Team Champions, Testosterone (Brett Michaels & Fusion). This was a wild match which was eventually won by The Asylum. New Tag Team Champions are Psycho & Pappy.

Attendance was approx. 75. Fans were treated to nine matches.

Credit: Randall Lewis

RassleResults: TFW Tupelo, MS 1.15.08

Before the show started, TFW Promoter Denise Blaylock announced that “Axeman” Randall Lewis had been appointed new TFW General Manager, replacing Joey Lynn. Out came “Parental Advisory” [Scott Porteau/Tony Dabbs/Joey Lynn] to run their mouths, saying that since Chris Styles is out recovering from his surgery, there were no #1 contenders for the TFW tag team belts, so PA did not have to defend them since Josh Matthews did not have a partner. Lewis told them would be defending the belts later in the show against Josh and any partner he chose. PA not happy....

The opener was an elimination match for #1 contender for the TFW Light Heavyweight Championship: Chris Chaos vs. LSD vs. Dirty Sanchez vs. Damion Rage vs. Curly Mo.
Winner was Curly Mo.
Order of elimination:
Rage by Sanchez
LSD by Sanchez
Chaos by Curly Mo
Sanchez by Curly Mo

“The Freakshow” [Chop, Vinnie, & Lil' Devil] defeated Chazz/J-Kid/Kid-J.

Neil Taylor w/Tony Watts defeated Tatt2 (Neil used a chain).

Josh Matthews came to the ring without a partner to defend the tag team belts against “Parental Advisory” [Stud & Tony] w/Joey Lynn. So we have a 2-on-1 handicap match. Josh put up a good fight, but the odds were not in his favor, and it looked like PA was going to walk away with the belts. The lights went out, and when they came back on a masked man, dressed all in black, came out and entered the ring carrying one of the belts. He took off the mask and it was DC, who quickly evened the odds by hitting Stud & Tony with the belt while the referee was distracted. Winners and new TFW Tag Team Champions are DC & Josh Matthews.

"Extreme" Brett Michaels, Anton Leveigh, & Tysin Starr defeated The Pink Flamingos (Brian & Ryan SoFine & Andy2Dandy).

The main event was a non-title match, TFW Champion Max Steele vs. Devon Raynes. Steel was the winner.

Approx. 125 in attendance, and they were treated to a good show.

Credit: Randall Lewis

Listen to the C.H.R. Interview with Randy Hales NOW!!

If you didn't listen to the Randy Hales interview live, check it out here, now! This actually will be Part 1 of the interview as we will be scheduling a Part 2 very soon to cover Power Pro Wrestling in depth from start to finish. Check out Part 1 as Randy discusses all sorts of topics in depth. Randy held nothing back and told the whole story and was open and honest about every topic that was presented to him. We talked at length about how he got into the business, the differences between working under Jerry Lawler and Jerry Jarrett, memories of the late "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert, giving "Superstar" Bill Dundee his due, WWF's involvement with the USWA, the USWA/Smoky Mtn. Angle, life on the road and it's downside, and tons more. Plus, popular topics like the infamous Doug Gilbert shoot on live tv, and Randy gives his analysis of Corey Maclin as a wrestling promoter. This interview is jam packed, if you want to hear from a guy who truly has a passion for the wrestling business and is talking about it as such, not just breezing through questions for a pay day, check out this interview!

RassleResults: ASWF Tuckerman, AR 1.16.08 - Traci Brooks Beats Nikki Lane!!

----Tag Team Tournament – “American DeGenerates” [Morgan Lane/X-Kalibur] beat “The Leprechauns” in a total squash match…Lil Devil by DQ over Kid J, when Sarge O’Reilly jumped in – Casino Kid made the save to set up match later…Tim Hanson beat “Franchise Player” Mike Anthony…Malibu Matt/Chuck Fears beat by DQ Cody Murdoch/Wild Bill with Demon X…ASWF X-Division Title – “Last Man Standing” Match: “Mr. Pyro” Ray Ray beat Tommy Wayne to retain the belt…Lil Devil/Sarge O’Reilly beat Casino Kid/Kid J…ASWF Title Match: Austin Lane beat Justin “The Juice” Smart to retain the ASWF Title…Traci Brooks beat Nikki Lane

----230 paid with a gate close to $1,380 with 250 in the building…Judgment was announced as the new commish…Malibu Matt was working alone, because he didn’t have anyone to tag with. Fears came in for the hot tag and then Demon X jumped in for the DQ…Ray Ray hit a flipping stunner out of the corner on a chair for the win in his match. They fought all over the arena. Both guys juiced…Scotty Fury came out and tried to blind someone in the crowd, but Seth Sabre stopped him. I love that!! Fury is a heel dammit!!...Chuck Fears came before the ASWF Title Match to remind everyone he is the #1 Contender…Finish of Smart/Lane bout had Austin hit the “Ride of your Life”, but Smart kicked out and hits a blockbuster on Lane, but Lane kicks out. Lane rolls Smart up with feet on the ropes for win. Fears got in the ring and when Lane turned around they went face to face. I was told this was the best match on the show…Finish of the main had Nikki going to use a chair on Brooks, but Smart’s gf came from the crowd to grab the chair as Brooks rolled Lane up for the win.

Photo Credit: Lee South

Site News!!

I am in the process of doing some upgrading to the site. It could take a few days. It might be best to bookmark - http://rasslinriotnews.blogspot.com, so you can keep up with all the news.

RassleResults: TLCW Ripley, TN 1.16.08

Slim Pickens vs. Cody Melton ended in a no contest when Baron Malkavain attacked both wrestlers.

Albino Rhino beat Drew Donovan

Reggie B. Fine beat Shannon Lee

Chris Lexx/Dell Tucker beat “The Posse” [Simon Reed/Lil Chris]

Baron Malkavain beat Dynamite Seth Knight

Alex Krisis beat Flash Flannagan (Non-Title Match)

“Hot Topic” [Derrick King/Stan Lee] beat “Black Label Society” [AJ Bradley/Robbie Douglas] by Disqualification so BLS retain Tag Titles.

----125 in the crowd with a gate close to $750…The Slim Pickens vs. Cody Melton match was to have crowned a new Cruiserweight Champion, but Malkavain interfered. It looks like they will be adding him to the mix in the angle for the belt…Last week, Alex Krisis agreed to let Flash hand pick the referee for the match if Flash would put the title on the line. Senior Referee Bill Rush stepped in to officiate because Flash's choice, William Gibson, was not at the show. After the match, the referee attempted to award the TLCW Championship Belt to Krisis. Flash grabbed the belt, and claimed the match was a non-title match because he did not get his choice for referee. Commissioner Mark Tipton agreed, but because Krisis had specifically agreed to the referee stipulation, Flash would keep the title. However, The Commissioner ruled that next week Krisis will be given a return match with the Title on the line.

RassleResults: NBW Dyersburg, TN 1.16.08 - New Tag Champions and New NBW Champion!!

John Roberts beat The Sicilian Kid

Tim Edwards beat Arnez

“Southern Pride” (Kilo & Redneck) beat The Riot Squad ( Rob Justice & Jason Mathews) for the NBW tag team titles.
After Rob and Mathews were beateated by Southern Pride... Mark Justice came out telling them they couldn’t hold on to the titles. Jimmy Tidwell told them we would take care of Riot Squad business in the back not in front of the crowd.

Motley Cruz beat Jeremy Moore

Crazy Train beat Mark Justice for the NBW Heavyweight Title
After Mark lost to Crazy Train Rob and Mathews came out telling Mark that he couldn’t hold on to a title either. Jimmy Tidwell again got on the mic and tells The Riot Squad that we will take care of business in the back. Mark agrees and starts to the back only to be jumped from behind by Rob and Mathews. Crazy Train and Jeremy Moore made the save.

----120-130 paid with a gate close to $650. 140+ in the building…Next week The Riot Squad vs The Riot Squad (Mark) if he can find a partner vs (Rob Justice and Jason Mathews)…I was really surprised to the see the “hot shot” angle of turning Mark Justice, but that might have been the only way to turn him. I was told it got a huge pop…Crazy Train winning the belt got a big pop also and to the surprise of many I think this will be good for him as a short term champion…Good question here though – why would Moore and Train save Mark with all the stuff he has done to them?? Answer – they wouldn’t!!

RassleResults: TIWF Trenton, TN 1.16.08

The Outlaw def. Dr Doom

Dazzling Dixie/ Dre Black def. X3 (Steven Rampage and Jake Johnson) Johnson was then jumped by orders from Big Jim Business and kicked out of X-3. Big Boy Leroy was introduced as the newest member of X3.

Samoan Kingpin Raja def. Big Boy Leroy and Buckwild Bill ( Triple Threat Match) via DQ after Leroy used a chair on Raja.

Wildside def. Danny B Goode afterwards an impromptu TV Title match where Ravishing Randy pinned Danny B to retain TV Title.

Bobby Butcherman Smith/ Hardknocks Hooligan defeated Tank Turner/Gaylon Ray after Bobby pinned Tank.

Big Boy Bob def. Lawman Williams in a Texas Bullrope Match to become New TIWF Regional Heavyweight Champion


----Crowd was in the 140 range with a gate around $700…They will be every Saturday night at the Showplex Arena in Trenton, TN. beginning 3-1-08!...I have heard some bad things in the past about Danny B not wanting to do jobs, but hell he put over Ravishing Randy here.

Randy Hales on C.H.R. this Monday night!!!

www.rrronews.com presents

"Cheap Heat Radio" EXCLUSIVE Interview w/Randy Hales Monday Feb. 18th at 6:30pm central

Tune in to C.H.R. Monday Feb. 18th at a special time, 6:30pm central as we will be joined by longtime Memphis Wrestling star Randy Hales.

Randy completely removed himself from the business in 2001 and has had little to no contact with anyone involved with wrestling in 7 years! This will be the first and possilbly the only interview Randy has done or will do since leaving the wrestling business and he has a lot to talk about and he says he has no intentions of ever returning to wrestling and will hold nothing back in this exclusive interview with any questions he is asked. Because of time constraints, there will be no phone calls taken during this interview, but if you have a question you would like to submit for the interview you can email the host at
genejackson@charter.net

Be sure you check out this interview, listen live or you can hear it
anytime afterwards by clicking on the "Cheap Heat Radio" logo on www.rronews.com or at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cheapheat

Heartland Championship Wrestling - HCW. 2.16.08 - DUQUOIN, ILL

AT THE EAGLES CLUB.

"Playboy" Paul Rose w/ Mr. GQ defeated Average Joe & Tony Flood in a squash match.

Davey Boy Sloan & Cody Ray Strong defeated "Playboy" Paul Rose & Chris Patrick in a tournament final to become the new HCW Tag-Team Champions.

Black Ice defeated Mr. GQ by DQ when Mathew Schoyler III interfered

Freakazoid Floyd defeated Soultrain.

Farmer Billy Hills & "Badstreet Boy" Ryan Lee defeated The Missouri Wrecking Crew (Tank & Bonecrusher) w/ Foxy Lady when Farmer pinned Bonecrusher.

"Stylish" Curt Styles defeated Backwoods Billy to retain the HCW Lightweight title.

Moondog defeated Mephisto

"Canadian" Mike Slade defeated Alex Kline by DQ to retain the HCW Heavuweight title.

NOTES: 115 paid with a gate close to $575.
This was a bar and liquor was served.
Most Over faces was Farmer & Lee. They got a huge reaction.
Mo. Wrecking Crew almost instigated a riot with some drunk fans.
Mephisto actually had an older gentleman probably in his 60's get in the ring and charge at him before his match started. Mephisto was tossing soap and toothbrushes to the fans telling them what good hygene was. I guess thats what you get when you mix liquor and wrestling...lol. Liquid Courage. Croud was easy to pop. Overall a good show.

RWA featured in Jonesboro, AR newspaper

Today's edition of the Jonesboro Sun newspaper features a lengthy article on the Frank Martin promotion - Royal Wrestling Alliance (RWA).
The article features comments from Martin as well as Rodney Mack.
It can be found in the "Living" section of the newspaper, which is Section C for this particular edition.
The article is entitled, "Let's get ready to rumble!: Pro wrestling training offered in Jonesboro."
Congrats to Martin, Mack and crew for getting such great coverage. The Sun has a solid circulation of 23,000 plus so a lot of eyes are going to see the article. It is also a large piece, covering the entire front page of its section and more than half of the back page for the second part of the story. There are also five color photos to go along with the piece.

Jerkin' The Curtain SAW Roundtable w/Reno Riggins, Paul Adams & Larry Goodman Mon. Feb 18th @ 10 PM‏ CST

Tomorrow night, Monday, Feb, 18th at 10 PM CST, Jerkin' The Curtain radio will be a SAW roundtable discussion with Reno Riggins, Paul Adams, Larry Goodman, myself and ????. I expect this to be a rather lively and interesting show. All things SAW, TV and live show wise, are up for discussion. We'll take live callers at (347) 945-5503, and e-mail questions at tvd65@hotmail.com . Check it out Monday night. Trent Van Drisse

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TVD