A Piece of My Mind by "The Big Cheese" Sal Corrente

This was an interesting week of reflection for me. It was on June 2nd that two men I knew from early in my career, Classie Freddie Blassie and Sylvester “The Junkyard Dog” Ritter, passed away. In the case of Blassie I got along with him well but we weren’t all that close. He was always funny to be around and we were very cordial. In the case of the JYD we got along real well and did some stuff together. I can remember when Vince McMahon called Afa Anoai for help in locating JYD. I was with Afa as he was calling around until he got the number. When JYD finally got to the WWF we got to know him quickly and real well. At some point he left and moved on and we used him on Indy shows and I took him to Bermuda with us. I remember one time doing a finish with Hercules and JYD and they were tied up in the ropes. I knew it wasn’t looking good but I positioned myself best I could and counted. Well Pedro Morales was the agent that night he really laid into me. It really got stupid after a while then JYD stopped Pedro and said "it wasn’t the kid’s fault it was ours". It was really a coward move on Pedro’s part but that’s the way many people are. I was living in North Carolina when JYD was killed in that car accident. I didn’t attend the wake which was in Wadesboro, NC . I will always remember JYD. I know many of my friends will too. One story stays with me always after The Samoans got done working a program with JYD and Jerry “Mr.Olympia” Stubbs. I was discussing the program with Afa and he told me that I have never heard an ovation like when The Junkyard Dog walks into the Louisiana Superdome.

In the case of Blassie, he was clearly a star. Everything about the way he presented himself was old Hollywood. He didn’t speak much and clearly wasn’t the most trusting guy in the world. He was a great manager and no doubt one of the great all time heels when he wrestled. In those days the greatest manager trio of all time was alive and well in the WWF. It was Capt. Lou Albano, Ernie “The Grand Wizard” Roth and Classie Freddie Blassie. It was priceless just to watch these guys interact among each other. In a bit of irony both of my sisters live only a few miles from where Blassie lived in Hartsdale, NY. I don’t have many great Blassie stories but I did drive him and The Iron Sheik to a show one time in Brooklyn. It was at the height of the Sgt. Slaughter and Iron Sheik feud. It was tough getting those guys in and out of there. They had major, major heat and supposedly weren’t to go on last so we could make a quick escape. But Arnold Skaaland, the agent for the night, put them on last anyway. It was bery tough getting them out of the parking lot but we did it.

It was many years ago that I became friends with a guy that I met indirectly through The Wild Samoans. I was asked to go pick up The Freebirds, who were red hot at the time, at the New Haven Airport. The Freebirds, Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts, got off the plane with a real big guy. I had no idea who it was but it wasn’t Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy. I had no idea who the other guy was but I took him with us to the arena. He was a great guy and we all got along well. That night I took The Freebirds back to Afa’s house on Shepard Ave in Hamden Ct. We had a big meal and a great time. All of that after I got Michael his tights just before they went on and faced The Moondogs “Rex and Spot” in the final match of the night. The airline had left his bag behind on purpose due to weight issues with the plane. I had to go back to the airport and get the bags. I remember Michael saying that he would go in the ring Bad Street Style (blue jeans). At the time I had never seen that in the WWF before. I remember wondering how Jay Strongbow would have handled that. It was an interesting start for a guy who is still a part of the WWE to this day.

It wasn’t until a short time later that I saw a real familiar face in Madison Square Garden and I yelled out to the guy and he said “Hey man how are you Hillbilly Jim here”. I said "oh ok" and I went along with it. Harley Davidson the wrestler that debuted in New Haven seemed to have become Hillbilly Jim the fan. I was the only non worker who knew him so we got to hang out a little since he couldn’t be around the wrestlers anyway. As with so many instances in this business you meet guys and then you don’t see them for years. It was great seeing Jim again recently. He hadn’t changed not one bit at all. We had a great day and this time will keep in touch. It is great to see a success story from one of the boys. He had a great run and did well with his money. He retired at a young age and now has his radio show on the Sirius network. We hear so many negative stories that it’s nice to know of the successes out there.

This picture is of me and Hillbilly Jim after meeting over twenty years after our first meeting.

This has been a piece of my mind

RassleResults: USWO Nashville, TN 6.05.09

80 attended
Saint b James Duncan by DQ when Damien Payne & Josh Crowe interfered
Psycho Medic & Travis Starr b Lee Cross & Dyron Flynn
Shane Eden b Josh Crowe by DQ when Payne interfered
Jason Xavier b Bryan Casey to win the USWO Jr. Championship
Chrisjen Hayme b Drew Haskins
LT Falk b Damien Payne in a fans lumberjack match
USWO Champion Manslaughter b Kevin Dunn
Chase Stevens b Rick Santel

Credit: Jimmie Daniel

----I had the chance to see some stuff that LT Falk [photo above] did for MLW this past week. He is a really good solid worker - probably a better worker than his dad.

Memphis Wrestling TV Report 5.30.09

----So we have last week's show report right before this week's show airs. LOL Well, we just can't find a regular correspond to do the reports and I have to steal them from D-Rock. Any takers?? I should have ratings for this show sometime before the weekend or first thing next week.

Corey Maclin and "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart kicked off the show by welcoming everyone to the special FREE Memphis Wrestling event that was a part of the Block Party for Peace. This week's show will feature all of the action that took place on Saturday, May 23rd, at the Super K-Mart on Austin Peay Highway. Corey announced the terrific lineup of talent scheduled for the show, that will feature the following matches: "Mr. Personalities" Derrick King vs "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware, Johnny Dotson vs Tatt2, "The New Nature Boy" Kevin White with Su Yung vs "Grandmasta Sexay" Brian Christopher, and in the Main Event, it will be someone coming in from parts unknown, wearing a mask, with a special referee facing Jerry "The King" Lawler.

Opening Match-"The Birdman" Koko B. Ware in action against "Mr. Personalities" Derrick King-Derrick jumped Koko from behind to start the match. Then, things spilled on the outside. Derrick spent a little time jawing with the fans at ringside. Back in the ring, Koko mounted a comeback and put Derrick away with a bulldog out of the corner. "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware is your winner at 4:52. Following the match, Koko added insult to injury, by sending Derrick flying over the top-rope to the outside. On the outside, Koko delivered a body slam on the pavement and grabbed a chair from a fan. Then, "The Birdman" blasted Derrick with the chair and focused in on the fallen King with a cold, dark stare. There was a jam packed crowd at this event. At one point, Jimmy Hart said it looked like it was five or six thousand people out there. Also, during the match, Corey talked with Tennessee State Representative, Barbara Cooper, from the Millington District.

Second Match from the Block Party for Peace-Johnny Dotson vs Tatt2-During this match, Corey spoke with County Trustee, Paul Matilla and Antonio "2 Shay" Parkinson. Tatt2 was flying all over the place until Dotson grounded him as he leveled Tatt2 with a clothesline in mid-air as he was flying towards him. Tatt2 would roll out of the way from a Dotson frog splash. Tatt2 caught Johnny with a 619. Dotson reversed a backslide attempt from Tatt2, but Tatt2 wrapped him up in a small package to get the win. Dotson would jump Tatt2 from behind, following the match, as he was celebrating. Derrick King ran out to assist Dotson with his attack on Tatt2. Derrick would nail Tatt2 with two super kicks before "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware saved Tatt2.

More action from Raleigh-Frayser, featuring "The New Nature Boy" Kevin White, managed by Su Yung, taking on "Grandmasta Sexay" Brian Christopher. During this match, Corey spoke with Bret Thompson, local rapper, Skinny, and Norma Lester, who is running for county commission, District 2, Position 3. In the ring, Brian's head got busted open. Kevin keyed in on Brian's wound, by biting his head. Kevin also hit Brian with a chain. When Kevin attempted a piledriver, Brian escaped by striking Kevin below the belt with a low blow. Su Yung jumped on the apron to grab Brian, but Brian caught her. As he held her, Kevin tried a sneak attack, but was caught with a Christopher super kick. Later, Brian launched Su into the ring and bashed both Kevin and her heads together. While Kevin was down, Brian delivered the hip-hop drop to get the win.

Corey introduced local radio personality, Thaddeus Matthews, from KWAM 990 that can be heard on weekdays between 4-7PM. For more information, check out www.thaddeusmatthews.com. Thaddeus said he had been a wrestling fan all his life and was kidding with Jimmy Hart about how he thought he was "The Mouth of the South". "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware came out and told Thaddeus that he didn't belong in the wrestling business and he should go back to where he came from. This escalated into a heated altercation and an entertaining little scuffle, with Koko pushing Thaddeus, while saying, "You got that red suit on! Come on! I'm gonna kick your red butt! You tried to run Mayor Herenton out of town and you tried to run the Fords out of town! I'll be damned, you gonna run The Birdman out of town! You understand that I oughta kick your Kentucky butt!" Thaddeus fired back, saying, "You call yourself The Birdman? You better get ready to fly!" Corey Maclin and Jimmy Hart was trying to control the situation by getting in between the two. Then, an enraged Koko added, "I tell you right now. If you want to step into professional wrestling, in my backyard, you gonna have to pay some damn dues! Cause negro, you know what? I will beat the black off of you!"

"Superstar" Bill Dundee made his way over to speak with Corey and Jimmy. Dundee was rockin' a Corey Maclin for Shelby County Clerk PMG shirt. Bill said that Lawler and him have wrestled each other four hundred times with both being tied with two hundred wins a piece. This next match between the two will be the rubber match. I guess Dundee didn't wanna wear the mask.

Main Event from the Raleigh-Frayser Block Party for Peace-"Superstar" Bill Dundee vs Jerry "The King" Lawler in what Jimmy Hart referred to as, "A Monday night memory on a Saturday afternoon." Corey and Jimmy spoke with PMG's Sam Ware and Antonio "2 Shay" Parkinson, during the match. At the beginning of the contest, "The King" and "The Superstar" tried to size up one another. Referee Kellen called every match. There was no special guest referee for the main event. Dundee would gain the upper hand by choking Lawler with a chain. Referee Kellen found the chain in Dundee's hand and disqualified "The Superstar", awarding the match to Jerry "The King" Lawler.

After the match, Lawler spoke with Corey and Jimmy. Jerry said Corey was an honest man and that's what we need in a Shelby County Court Clerk, so he's got his vote. Lawler continued, by adding, "I don't care if I've wrestled Dundee four hundred times or four thousand times, I don't ever get tired of beating his little Australian butt, in that ring!" Lawler is ready and willing to wrestle Dundee, anytime. Dundee stormed in and said he was now two ahead. Lawler disagreed, stating that he was the one that was one up. Dundee claimed that he learned the little trick with the chain from Jerry Lawler when he came here in 1975. He said that Lawler won ten years worth of matches by using a chain, just like that one. Lawler responded, "All I can tell you is I may have, but at least I was smart enough to not get caught!" Dundee told Corey, anytime he wants it, tell him and he will be there. Dundee asked Jimmy Hart if he needed him as a manager, would he jump on board and help him with Lawler. Jimmy Hart said he loved "The Superstar" and "The King" both, but he's a rent-a-manager, that goes to the highest bidder. Dundee said he was going to save his pennies and asked how much money he was going to charge Corey for wearing a Corey Maclin shirt. Bill told Jimmy to make the decision and he would split it with him, later, as the show ended.

Credit: D-Rock @ www.wrestlingnewscenter.com

RassleResults: N.E.W. West Memphis, AR 06.05.2009

Here are the results from last night's New Experience Wrestling (N.E.W.) event at the "Nightmare" Ken Wayne School of Professional Wrestling in West Memphis, AR.

- "Golden Boy" Greg Anthony defeated Shawn Reed
- "All That" Alan Steele defeated Justin "The Juice" Smart
- United States Junior Heavyweight Champion Dustin Ring defeated "Golden Boy" Greg Anthony to retain the championship.

RassleNotes: Around 25 in the crowd...The United States Junior Heavyweight Title match was originally set to be "3G" Eric Wayne challenging Ring. "Nightmare" Ken Wayne told Eric that due to his recent disrespectful actions, his shot would not be taking place. A match earlier in the evening between "Golden Boy" and Shawn Reed was deemed a top contenders' match due to the fact that Anthony and Reed were both only one win shy of qualifying for the initial U.S. Junior Title tourney. Anthony won that match, thus getting the shot. As customary in N.E.W., all title matches have two referees - one in the ring and one on the floor. Chuck Poe was in attendance; however, senior official Downtown Bruno was out for the week. Bobby Eaton was appointed as referee on the floor for the match. Also, Kid Nikels came out during the match to continue the TGB/Nikels feud. TGB at one point tossed Ring onto Nikels, who was sitting in a chair at ringside. This, of course, caused Nikels to try to get into the ring...N.E.W. returns to West Memphis next Friday at 8 p.m.

Samoa Joe for BIG ASWF show!!

----I just got word that along with the other guys on the show, Samoa Joe and Scott Steiner have been added to the June 27th ASWF Batesville, AR show. Along with them will be Buff Bagwell, Rick Steiner, Midgets, Bill Dundee, Jerry Lawler, Brian Christopher and Jimmy Hart.

Flashback and 2009!!

----Ok everyone remember the photo below from last week?? Well here it is again along with one taken last Saturday night!!

Happy Birthday!! "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony

----Seth Knight wanted me to remind everyone that it is TGB's birthday today!! Happy Birthday to TGB from all the other staff members of RRO and all your friends. That is a very young TGB on the right!! Happy Birthday!!

RassleResults: RWA Jonesboro, AR 5.30.09

Lucky and Kid Crazy VS The Allen Bros. Winner
The Mexican Asassin VS Soul Train Jones. Winner Soul Train Jones by DQ
Irish Dragons VS The Asylum. Winner Asylum
Dynasty Mike Anthony VS Poker Face in a Respect match. Winner Poker Face
Dynasty Reno Diamond VS J.D. Kerry. Street Match. Winner J.D. Kerry.
Heavyweight Championship Match. Rage Champion VS Cujo. Winner No Contest.

The show started the way it always does with Biscuit coming out and telling the fans who was on the card for the evening. Then it was time for the introduction of Big Money Inc. Frank "Big Money" Martin and the TV Champion The Mexican Assassin and the RWA Heavyweight Champion Rage escorted by Dangerous Dominique and Raven came to the ring. Martin told the crowd he had some business to take care of first and called out the Playa'z. The Playa'z shook hands with everyone and Martin told them he knew that they got the contracts that were sent to them and they had plenty of time to look them over. All Big Money Inc needed was a simple yes or no.

Southside took the mic and told Martin that the contract was good and all they had to say is there was no way they would join a group with a piece of Sh@t running it. With an illegal alien as champion and a broke down redneck as champion. They went on to insult the ladies and told Martin they told him the only reason they were there was because of Rodney and they were loyal to Rodney. Martin took the mic from them and told them they weren’t loyal to anyone, " if I throw a piece of chicken down between you guys you would beat the hell out of each other for it". But that's ok George and Weezy I knew you wouldn’t take my offer so I already bought someone for just this reason. So next week you boys will defend your titles. I will give you a hint of who you will face. I love the color of Gold everyone knows that. So if it takes all night long all the way till Midnight the tag team titles will be in Money Inc so think about that while you are driving your broke down Cadillac home and think about that while you stop for your cheap 40 ounce and fried chicken. Now get out of my ring and go to the back.

Martin then called out Cujo for the segment of Money Talks. Cujo was not sure about being out in the ring with everyone but did set down. Martin did not ask him any questions he told him that he was the big dog in the dog pound and Rodney has never givin him his shot, nor does he respect him or treat him right. Cujo just got up and started to walk off. Martin stopped him by telling him that it was him that paid his light bill when it was getting turned off 2 weeks ago. I was the one who fixed the car that his wife and kid was in broke down on the road last week. I was the one who sent all the food to your house Cujo. I am opening the door for you to join Big Money Inc. You don't have to give me an answer just think about it. Cujo walked off.

Cannon’s music and out he came for his match with The Mexican Assassin. Dr Randy was with him and as he got into the ring Martin stopped him and told him that if he thought he was getting another shot at the title he was crazy. There is no way that I am going to let you a broke down fat, balding, old, toothless old man represent my company, Martin said. Take your old @ss back to the dressing room. It appeared to really hurt Cannon's feelings and the fans were very mad about this. After Cannon went back threw the curtain Soul Train Jones music hit and Soul Train came out to the ring. Soul Train called Martin a piece of trash and could not believe he would talk to Cannon like that. But I have beat your TV Champion and I am not old and broke down so I want a shot at the Title, Soul Train Said. Martin got the mic and started laughing at Soul Train, do you really think you deserve a shot at the TV Champ, are you serious? Fine you want it you got it and when we are done with you we will hang you from the rafters and put a spot light on you and spin you around and use you as a mirror ball.

Lucky and Kid Krazy took on the Allen Bros. This was a really good match and both teams were quick and ready to fight. You can always count on Kid Krazy to be just that Krazy and Lucky was right there with him. At one point the both came flying out of the ring between the ropes and Lucky did not get caught and went head first into the wood railing. Before the railing he would have went head first into the fans... Dynasty ran in on the match because of the feud with Lucky and Reno so this was a no contest.

The second match saw The Mexican Assassin and Soul Train Jones. Soul Train used his power and speed to keep the Assassin off balance but the Assassin who is the veteran in this match stayed on Soul Train but once got the upper hand the rest of Big Money Inc hit the ring to make the save and then the Dogg Pound hit the ring. The winner of the match was Soul Train by DQ but the title stayed with the Mexican Assassin.

The third match had the Irish Dragons taking on the Asylum. Last week the Asylum left the Dragons and the Playa'z laying in the ring with some big shots and signs and everything else. I think the Asylum made a statement last week that the Playa'z were not the only team that could beat up people. Well this week the Asylum matched up with a smaller quicker team in the Dragons. Acid was missing and Logan Fury and Scot Fury teamed up. Both teams showed they could wrestle and fight. The Dragons did their best to keep the Asylum isolated from each other and work on just one of them. One move that stood out among the rest was a spine buster pappy hit on Logan. He whipped Logan into the ropes and hit a spine buster that had the crowd stunned at the quickness it was amazing considering the size of pappy. The finish saw Scot over throw a chain to Logan while the ref was down. Psycho caught it and used it and the Asylum got the win.

The fourth match was a Respect Match. The winner had to put their opponent in a submission hold and make them say I respect you. Poker Face was taking on Mike Anthony from Dynasty. Of course Blaylok was at ringside along with Reno Diamond making the match kind a one sided. But in the end it was Poker getting Mike Anthony down and making him yell I respect you.

The Fifth math was a Street match between Reno Diamond and J.D. Kerry. These two went at it all over the place and hit big moves everywhere. J.D. is one of the best up and coming stars and Reno, well Reno is one of the best period. They put on a great match and J.D. hit a frog splash to get the win.

Main Event: RWA Title Match: Rage vs Cujo. Big Money inc came to the ring and Big Money took the mic and told Cujo that he could have the night off and have his pay. Just stay in the back and don't come out when they play your music. You can have the night off with pay it's that simple. The Dogg Pound Music played and the longer it played it seemed maybe Cujo took the night off. Cujo hit the ring hard and hit several big moves. big Money kept asking Cujo what are you doing? Rage sent Cujo out of the ring and Big Money whispered in his ear for the second straight week. This time Cujo got up and grabbed Martin but let him go. Cujo got back into the ring and Rage got back on Cujo, at one point Rage could be heard yelling,"I don't want to do this Frank!" Cujo fought back and hit the 747 finisher. Big Money jumped up on the ring apron showing Cujo money again, Rage got up and Mike Austin and The Mexican Assassin were behind Cujo when he turned around. The Dogg Pound hit the ring fighting with Big Money inc. Soul Train, Rodney Mack, The Playa'z hit the ring and in the middle of it Cujo just walked away. Cujo seems confused about whom to side with.

6 good matches and 150+ in the arena. This week is a tv shoot for the group.

Credit: RWAreporter

----“Midnight Gold” [“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton/”The Golden Boy” Greg Anthony] with Brian Thompson debut for RWA this week. I guess most people probably guessed that if you read the interview above.

Hub City Fitness Quest!!

Tank Benefit!!

----I have already got tons of response and almost too much for me to answer everyone, so....contact either of the guys below and they will book you on the show.

-Jeremy Moore 7313450126

-Crazy Train aka OZ 5737247035

Harley Race at RPW!!!

----Another "Show of the Weekend" with Harley Race at RPW - 1409 E 5th St in Metropolis, IL Friday night!! All Tickets are $10 with under 5 years old FREE. Doors open at 5:00 PM with show starting at 7:00 PM

"Tank" Tim Robertson Benefit Show!!

----The show is being put together by Crazy Train and Jeremy Moore at NBW Arena on June 14, 2009 - next Sunday afternoon!! Please if you are interested in working the show or would like to contribute ANYTHING to the funeral expenses of Tank, then contact me at brian_tramel@yahoo.com and I will send you in the right direction. RRO will be there. If you are a fan of wrestling - please come and help the Tank family!!

Shows for the Weekend 6.05 to 6.07.09

----CLICK HERE for the regular schedule of shows. Below is a big show for XOW in Mississippi this weekend.

RassleResults: NBW Results Wrapup Newbern, TN 5.23 and 5.30.09

5 23 09

Redman def the Kid

Seth Knight def Derrick King

Tigerface def Biscuit

Tommy Redneck def Brandon Barbwire to win the High Risk title

Mark Justice def Crazy Train

Jeremy Moore def Syn and Stunner to win the tag titles

Crowd was around 110, good show


5 30 09

Show opened with Moore coming to the ring saying last week he did what he said and rid NBW of a big problem, he then said all week he has been looking for a tag partner, this brought out Tim Davis. Davis said Moore didn't win the match by himself last week and maybe he should be the champ. Out comes Ricky Hayes who was motioning to Tim that maybe he should be champ. This brings out Jimmy Tidwell who said that he hates Ricky but has never seen him take a backseat to anyone until now. He offered Ricky a spot as his enforcer and then told Moore that tonight he had a surprise for him.

Kilo def redneck in a non-title match after Redneck tried to cheat and Jon Roberts stopped him leading to a superkick from Kilo.

Hardcore Yow def Kid Psycho and Triple C

Rockin Randy def Jon Roberts after Redneck caused the loss and turned on Roberts leading to AJ Ray saving Biscuit.

Seth knight def “East Coast Bad Boy” C Money. After the match Knight hit C Money with a chair and was going to use it again when Derrick King made the save.

Ricky Andrews def Mark Justice by dq after a mystery man jumped in from the crowd to help Mark.

Jason Reed def Jeremy Moore after a roll up while Moore was distracted by Ricky Hayes turning on Tidwell

Great show with around 75 or so in the crowd

This week

Moore vs Reed with Hayes as the ref

Randy and Redneck vs Biscuit and AJ Ray

Crazy Train and John Michael return

----The first show as booked “on the fly”, because XOW & Sarge had walked out…The dressing room doubled over at DCW and it looks like AJ Ray and Jason Reed are the first casualties jumping to NBW. ..C Money would be a good regular and could give over big as a baby…Who was the “mystery man” that helped Justice?? Didn’t they just do this angle with someone out of the crowd introducing Andrews??...Hardcore Yow is aka Phoenix X w/o his mask.

RassleResults: All Pro Productions Batesville, MS 5.30.09

Xander Raines defeated The Ant

JD McKay defeated Logan Creed

VIP & Danny B Good defeated Sammy Hall & Johnny Morton

Jerry "The King" Lawler defeated Cameron Valentine W/ Hollywood Jimmy (Big T was Special Referee)

JD McKay, The Giant Hillbilly, Xander Raines, won over Logan Creed, The Ant & Candy Man.

Photo and results: www.wrestlingnewscenter.com

Here come the haters..... by Gene Jackson

Something I absolutely hate about the wrestling business is the fact it seems no one can ever be happy for anyone else who gets the chance to do something they wish they could do. It's amazing to me how the same "workers" who run out and buy a ticket every time WWE or TNA comes to town who either sat in the audience last night or sat at home in front of their television watching Dustin Starr wrestle on WWE television for ECW will then go online the next day to places like "the bathroom wall" and criticize Dustin for doing something they'd give anything to do.

Now don't get me wrong not EVERYONE is like that. I've seen on twitter and a few other places where guys have congratulated Dustin on getting the spot on TV last night. However it's mostly negative stuff from bitter ass people who will never amount to anything in the business. Most of the guys who are talkin' shit about Starr "jobbing" for Zack Ryder don't realize that more people saw Dustin Starr wrestle that one match last night than if you added up all the people who will ever see them wrestle on their little show where they are the "Star".

Of course BT reports it and immediatly people start calling him a "kiss ass" (and I'll get the same thing once this is read) but what's he supposed to do, act like it didn't happen. Jump on the bandwagon of the others who somehow think being the champion of your own promotion whose audience is made up of friends and family is somehow more impressive than being a "jobber" for the biggest wrestling company in the world. Come on, whether you like Dustin Starr personally or not, whether you agree with his antics and internet postings you still have to give him his due. He got there and you didn't, if you don't like it how bout instead of bitching about on a message board under a fake name, go do something to get yourself noticed, do something that earns YOU an opportunity to be seen. Go somewhere and be seen by someone who has some connections to help you get somewhere, that's the way businesss works...notice I didn't say THE business, that's ALL business. That's how things work.

If doing jobs on TV is so detrimental to one's career how come Gary Nations is still bragging about jobbing on WCW television, SIXTEEN YEARS LATER??? According to him that led him to being able to sell out arenas all over the World and to this day he's still a daily topic of discussion on your little bathroom wall.

I know this whole column is in vein, it's not just wrestling it's human nature that most folk's are jealous and root for other people to fail but it really just comes off pathetic when reading this shit on the internet. Congrats to Kid Nickels and Eric Wayne for being on camera as well on RAW.

In all seriousness though, think about this...for you folks who defend Mississippi Rasslin' over at the 'bathroom wall'. Dustin Starr, Lord Humongous, Lady Vixen, and Chris Rocker's wife are the most 'over' people on your board because good or bad they get talked about the most.......when's the last time ANY of them WORKED in MISSISSIPPI?.....there's something to that.....figure it out.....

Mama Says It Beees That Way Sometimes "Kid Nikels - The Next Big Star?" by “Downtown” Bruno Lauer

Hello cyber-world ,it’s me again, Downtown “good looking” Bruno.

This time around I am here to talk about my friend, Kid Nikels - one of the first graduates of the “Nightmare” Ken Wayne School of Professional Wrestling and one of the stars of New Experience Wrestling. I actually had the honor and privilege of refereeing Kid’s first professional match, which was, ironically, vs Eric Wayne. [ I talked about him last time] I can honestly tell you that in 30 plus years in the business, I have never seen anybody come so far so fast as Kid Nikels.

When I first met him, he had a white boy afro. He was tall and gangly and was definitely tentative in the ring. Fast forward to 2008 - when N.E.W. first began and I was honored to be brought in as the senior official and one of the first bouts on the card was Kid Nikels. This was a new and improved version of 2008(AND '09). He was still tall(duh),but now bald like a N.E.W. version of “Stone Cold” – he was a lot more muscular and less gangly! Oh, but to me, the biggest and most impressive change was the confidence and ring presence that had came to the kid. He actually seems like a 10 or more year veteran now. He is very comfortable and at home in the ring and I’ve never seen him blow up either.

I would have to say that years ago, when I was managing in different territories all over the country - Kid would have been a top attraction in any or every one of them. I could picture him main eventing against Rufus or Pork Chop in Kansas City, Lawler or Dundee in Memphis, Dusty or Jack Brisco in Tampa, the Von Erichs in Dallas, Carlos in Puerto Rico,JYD in Bill Watts’ backyard, Dutch or The Bullet in alabama,etc…and I would have loved to manage him back, as we say, in the day! Well, those main events will never happen, for obvious reasons, but what about Kid Nikels vs Shawn Michaels? Or maybe Kid Nikels vs John Cena? Like Chief Gillespie said in the movie Heat of the Night..."dont you bet against it!"

----“Downtown” Bruno Lauer is a legend in Memphis Wrestling. He surprised everyone last year winning RRO Referee of the Year 2008 from his work at NEW. He appears bi-weekly with his non controversial column. Lauer had his biography published last year “Wrestling with The Truth” and can be purchased at www.crowbarpress.com. Lauer is also currently employed by the WWE.

Photo Credit: Donna Partee - Bruno and Kid

Dustin Starr on ECW Video!!

----This really went up quick!! It was spotted by the RRO myspace page!! Thanks Chad!!

The Golden Circle: "TANK" by Greg Anthony

I'm still reeling from the passing of Tank. I myself am an only child that is why I feel many of the wrestlers are like brothers. Tank and I weren't best friends but we both loved wrestling. He didn't love wrestling because he thought it would bring him fame and fortune, he loved wrestling because it brought him happiness. That is something many can learn from him.

I hate when someone passes away and no matter what kind of life they lead people sing their praises. I look at each death with one question "Is the world a better place because they aren't in it?" The world is NOT a better place because of Tank's death. Not a better place for his family, not a better place for our wrestling community and not a better place for me.

Tank and I didn't agree on everything but I liked him. Creatively I needed Tank, his size made him a unique commodity for any show. In New Blood Wrestling, Tank wanted to use the old King Kong Bundy 5-count gimmick. So I came up with The Triple 5 Challenge. He could beat any opponent in under 5 minutes with a 5-count and if he didn't his opposition won $5,000. I really like that one but unfortunately it wasn't given the time to mature and if I'm not mistaken, I think he used it again this year in NBW. I also used him for a few weeks in Lethal Attitude Wrestling leading up to the $10,000 Royale Challenge. A 20 man battle royal whose ending was centered around "The One Man Wrecking Crew" Tank.

I would like to give my deepest sympathies to Tank's family and closest friends. I know you are missing him in a way many of us can't fathom. I urge anyone who has wrestling footage of Tank to give it to his wife. So his children can one day enjoy seeing what Tank enjoyed doing. Tim "Tank" Robertson will never be forgotten, I promise because he was as good as gold.

----Greg Anthony is a regular on the local area circuit. He won RRO Booker of the Year 2008 and is listed in the top 4 of the RRO Top 10 2008. Greg is currently working as booker of NEW and can be seen tagging with legend Bobby Eaton and Brian Thompson as “Midnight Gold”.

Others to be Seen On Smackdown!!

----Eric Wayne, Dan Matthews [Ken Wayne student] and Kid Nikels can all be seen in cameos on Smackdown this coming Friday. Wayne was featured during a Kahli segment, Dan during a Jericho segment and Nikels was a paparazzi when Melina came out. Kid/Wayne also worked out this afternoon with the WWE guys again.

----I also noticed during ECW today a www.hollywoodjimmy.com sign!! So, I am assuming you will probably see that on Smackdown. Good job guys!!