Post by michaelporter on Aug 23, 2005 18:17:48 GMT -5
Michael Porter's WrestleBeat (8-23-05)
Hey there again, Wrestling Fans! And welcome to another edition of WrestleBeat. I've got a lot of news and notes from the World of Professional Wrestling. So, let's get right to business.
First off...I would like to THANK each and every one of you who have e-mailed to me your best wishes, and to let me know that you are praying for me!
It's AMAZING to me that SO many people that I have never even met, from all around the world, have sent me e-mails, some private messages on Message and Forum Boards on various websites, and EVEN some snail-mail! I've received e-mail from England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, all over Europe, and even from a few of our servicemen and women serving in Iraq, who read WrestleBeat over there during their off-time! I LOVE YOU ALL and COME HOME SOON AND SAFE! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
Anyway...as I said in my last edition of WrestleBeat, it has been discovered that I have a blockage in the left side of my heart. I will be seeing a Heart Specialist...Cardiologist, Dr. Nicholas J. Capos Jr. on Tuesday Sept. 6th for a series of tests to determine the severity of the blockage and the course of treatment...be it through medication or surgery. But, I just wanted to send out my most sincere THANKS to those of you who have expressed your concerns for this humble country boy! It warms my heart to no end! THANK YOU AGAIN!
Alright...I returned once again on Thursday for to the Dave Logasa in the Morning show on Country 103.1 KKCY in the Marysville/Yuba City, CA. area for another edition of Michael Porter's WrestleShoot.
Due to the fact that I had to put in two straight 11 hour-plus days at Cuts Fitness for Men in Yuba City, I had to do a remote broadcast via telephone of WrestleShoot this week with Dave, as I was hard at work at "Cuts".
This time I gave my predictions for a few of the MAIN matches for this Sunday's WWE Summer Slam PPV.
The following...in short, were MY predictions:
In the WWE Championship Match, I predicted that John Cena would retain over Chris Jericho.
In the Icon vs. Legend Match, I said that I thought it could go either way...Shawn Michaels OR Hulk Hogan.
For the World Heavyweight Championship, I feel that Batista would prevail over JBL and retain.
In the match for the United States Championship, I predicted that Chris Benoit would capture the Title from Orlando Jordan.
And I predicted that The Undertaker would once again dispatch Randy Orton, as the Legend would defeat the Legend Killer.
I also reported that The American Dream Dusty Rhodes has signed a WWE Legends contract which will enable WWE to use his likeness on DVD's and books in the future. Dave asked if Rhodes wasn't too old to wrestle, and I told him that the Dream would be part of the creative team and booking committee, and that he had done also with WCW and TNA.
Then I reported on Matthew McGrory, the deep-voiced 7-foot-6-inch actor who moved from appearances on Howard Stern's radio show to a high-profile role as a gentle giant in the movie "Big Fish," had passed away at the age of just 32.
McGrory died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, and had been working on his current movie, a biopic of wrestler-turned-actor Andre the Giant called "Andre: Heart of a Giant" on and off for six months. The big man died of apparent natural causes, police said.
He played a human Sasquatch in 2001's "Bubble Boy," an alien in "Men In Black II" (2002) and Tiny in the Rob Zombie horror movies "House of 1000 Corpses" (2003) and its sequel released this year, "The Devil's Rejects."
Then Dave Logasa's side-kick Briggs Moor chimed in with "I hope that you survived the beat-down I gave you at the Tomato Festival in Yuba City LAST Saturday". I decided to "play" along with him and told him that I was a FAST healer, and that I wanted a "RE-MATCH" anytime...any place...the parking lot, at Cuts Fitness for Men in Yuba City, where I work, or even at the studios of KKCY! And...I STILL want Dave Logasa to call the action...LIVE on Country 103.1 KKCY. Then I once again...just like LAST week, called Briggs a "pencil-necked geek" just like my old pal, the late, GREAT Classie Freddie Blassie!
And that was it for my WrestleShoot Report for August 18th.
I'll return again next Thursday and EVERY Thursday at either 8:10am or 8:15am on the Dave Logasa in the Morning show on Country 103.1 KKCY Marysville/Yuba City.
For more on KKCY go to www.kkcy.com .
I received this from EWF and my good friend, Jesse Hernandez:
"With more then 200 screaming fans the EWF brought down the roof with another exciting event at Knights of Columbus Hall in Covina.
Match 1) "Mistrust" Rudy Luna and Dan the Man Kobrick defeated the K.I.D.D. and the young Luchador "El Dorado."
Match 2) Bino Gambino defeated Mad Max Martin.
Match 3) Vizzion defeated Joey Harder.
Match 4) Nitro 2 Go defeated Bruiser Dave.
Match 5) Syrus defeated "Iceman" (formerly known as Iceman John Black)
Match 6) Jason king defeated Bino Gambino, as Bino answered challenge made to anyone in the back, since J. T. Scarface no showed for match.
Match 7) Los Chivos defeated Mad Dog Joe Kimball and Plague, now known as War Machine.
Highly recommend purchasing this video as all the matches were GREAT!
The EWF would like to invite everyone to Samoan Flag Day Celebration that will be held on August 26th from 10:00 AM to midnight with wrestling starting at 7:00 PM at Victory Park 415 E. 192nd Street * City of Carson. Event will feature Rikishi - Tonga Kid - Black Pearl - Other great top wrestling stars. You will also see EWF superstars Bino Gambino, the K.I.D.D. Syrus, Hurricane Havana, and Mr. Nitro 2 Go.
EWF wrestlers have been invited to help out on the MDA telethon on Monday Sept. 5th at KCET studios.
On September 22 the EWF will be performing at San Francisco's Treasure Island Naval Base, a private event for Job Corps members.
The EWF will return to Knights of Columbus Hall in Covina on Friday Sept. 23 / 8:00 PM start."
I received these results of WCWA at the WCWA Arena in Pleasant Hill, CA. on Saturday August 20th from Jason Vega:
Quick Results:
WCWA Tag Team Tournament:
The Bad Apples beat Apollo Green & The Big Kahuna Lance Bermuda to eliminate them.
Chance Calloway & D.J. Rizz beat Devil Mountain to advance.
Rik Luxury & Steel beat 7-footer Paul Isadora & El Hijo de Chupacabra.
In non-Tournament matches:
El Flaco Loco beat Sir Samurai.
Alexis Schmirnoff Jr. beat U.S. Steele by DQ.
WCWA Pacific Rim Ring of Fire Title: Jason Vega beat Bonzai Bruce Bukaki.
WCWA/Devil Mountain Titles: Helfyre beat Eric West to win both titles.
The next event at the WCAW Arena in Pleasant Hill is Saturday Night Sept. 3rd.
And now...on to the national news:
These stories come from WrestlingObserver.com:
The Undertaker DVD will be released today, Tuesday Aug. 23rd. It features matches with two matches Hogan, Yokozuna, Diesel, three matches with Mankind, one with Bret Hart, two matches with Shawn Michaels, three with Kane, plus one with Steve Austin, HHH, Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Vince McMahon (thanks to Mike Perry).
Police this morning (Tuesday) raided the home of former WCW wrestler Norris Harrison Jr. (Hard Body Harrison) at 8 a.m. No charges have been filed but it's been all over the Atlanta news today. The warrant stated they were investigating involuntary servitude and human trafficking, which basically means a prostitution type investigation. Harrison has two homes next door to each other and eight women living in the two homes. In August, he was accused by police in Smyrna, GA of holding women against their will after getting them out of jail, and forcing them into prostitution to repay their debts.
From a WWE official standpoint, there was a trade of Stacy Keibler and Christy Hemme to Smackdown in exchange for Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle. There is likely a reason for this, as it was clearly done with no planning in advance.
Smackdown will undergo a name change to "Friday Night Smackdown" when it moves.
From Dave Meltzer reports this tragic story:
The Combat Zone Wrestling web site has reported that Christopher Bauman Jr., who wrestled for the group as $hris $ash, passed away last night after being involved in a motorcycle accident near his home in South New Jersey.
Here is the OFFICIAL Press Release for the HUGE WrestleReunion Convention coming up THIS week-end:
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ONLY A FEW DAYS UNTIL BIGGEST WRESTLING CONVENTION/CARD OF THE YEAR!
WRESTLEREUNION 2 PRESENTS A DINNER HONORING BRUNO SAMMARTINO PLUS MICK FOLEY'S ONE MAN SHOW- "MICK AT NIGHT"- ON FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2005.
WRESTLEREUNION 2 BRINGS WHO'S WHO OF PRO WRESTLING STARS TO VALLEY FORGE, PA. CONVENTION CENTER AUG. 26-28.
UNPRECEDENTED WEEKEND WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY BRUNO SAMMARTINO, AUTOGRAPH & Q&A SESSIONS, 10-MATCH LIVE CARD, STARS OF YESTERYEAR, TODAY AND TOMORROW; A WRESTLING FAN'S DREAM!
WrestleReunion2, the world's finest and most comprehensive show featuring the top professional wrestlers of the last 40 years, will set up its ring, autograph and photo booths, and serve up a tribute dinner to honor Bruno Sammartino, "The Living Legend of Wrestling," on Friday, Aug. 26, Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28 at the Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia, PA.
Co-presented by wrestling guru Bill Apter and three-time WCW World Champion Diamond Dallas Page, WrestleReunion 2 will give wrestling fans the opportunity to meet one-on-one with some 50 wrestlers, secure autographs, take photographs, enjoy special events and attend Q & A sessions. Many are veterans who thrilled fans for years and appeared regularly at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Madison Square Garden in New York, Capital Center in Landover and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island.
WrestleReunion 2 weekend begins on Friday at 7:00 p.m. with a dinner at the convention center saluting Bruno Sammartino, 70. Speakers will include Jimmy Hart, Bill Apter, Diamond Dallas Page, J.J. Dillon, Mick Foley, The Dudleys and Domenic Denucci. A separate ticket is required to attend this event. Tickets at $99 must be purchased in advance at www.WrestleReunion.com .
At 10:30 p.m., spend an evening with Mick Foley aka Mr. Socko, one of the true greats of our era and one of the all-time great storytellers as he performs his entertaining one-man show, "Mick at Night". Foley recalls episodes and incidents from his incredible career in a unique one man show to be taped for DVD and possible television comedy special release. This unique event will take place in Lily Langtree's Las Vegas style showroom within the hotel and seating is limited. Tickets are just $25 and are available on line or at the door.
On Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., wrestling fans will get up close and personal with the wrestlers who have brought them so much joy and excitement over the years; meeting, talking and being photographed with the athletes.
At 8 p.m. on Saturday, fans will love the 10-match card that WrestleReunion founder Sal Corrente and promoter Rob Russen have put together to spotlight wrestling greats of the past, present and future. The main event could set the stage for the settling of a 25-year grudge between Sammartino and his former protege, Larry Zbyszko. If Zbyszko defeats Diamond Dallas Page in the main event, he will get five minutes in the ring with Sammartino.
The other main event, a Six-Man Tag Team Match, will feature the return to the ring of "The Hardcore Legend" Mick Foley and the two Funk Brothers (Terry and Dory, Jr.), with Bobby "The Brain" Hennan in their corner, vs. Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey) and "Sweet" Stan Lane.
In a Tag Team Match between current superstars, Matt Hardy and Rhino will face the Dudleys, Bubba Ray and D-Von. In a Mixed Tag Team Match, former WWF Lady's Champion Wendi Richter, George South, Jr. and The Patriot will challenge Amy Love, D.C. Drake and "Gorgeous" Gary Royal.
An Eight-Man Elimination Tag Team Match will feature team captain "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Missing Link, D-Lo Brown, Dr. Tom Prichard vs. team captain "The King of Old School" Steve Corino, Andrew Martin (formerly known as Test), The Original Evil Clown and The Masked Superstar.
In a Father and Son Tag Team Match, Don and Joe Muraco vs. Bob and Brad Armstrong.; IWA Heavyweight Champion Greg "The Hammer" Valentine will defend his title against the very popular Tito Santana; in a Special Legends Match/Russian Chain Match, former WWF Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff, accompanied by Nikolai Volkoff, goes head-to-head with Domenic DiNucci.
In a Four Corners Tag Team Match, the Samoan Island Tribe (Samu and Alofa) with Sika, the Wild Samoan, vs. the Fantastics vs. the Backseat Boyz vs. the Thunderfoots.
Returning to the ring for the first time after a bout with cancer, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams goes against King Kaluha.
Nick Bockwinkel, former AWA World Champion, will serve as acting commissioner.
Bret "The Hitman" Hart will be in a special in-ring interview segment with Jimmy Hart and Bill Apter.
The referees are penis Whoerle, Tiger Hattori, Billy Caputo and John Finegan.
Tickets to the matches are part of VIP Package or $75 for matches alone. Seating is extremely limited. Act now to insure you have a seat for this incredible card.
Tickets are on sale now at www.WrestleReunion.com . Weekend VIP tickets are $149.99 for all autograph sessions, all Q&A sessions and the 10-match card. Single day passes are $75 per day and include all autograph and Q&A sessions on the day of purchase. Tickets for the convention, matches and Foley performance will be on sale at the door. For additional information call 941-358-6825."
DAMN...I wish that I could be there!
Tim Brown gives us this update on The Dudley Boyz and a rejected screw-job at Summer Slam involving Kevin Nash:
The Wrestling Observer newsletter reports that Bubba and D-Von Dudley are both asking $5,000 each for indy bookings, which would be a $10,000 fee to book The Dudley Boys for a show. With a price like that, it’s unlikely that they will be working much outside of TNA or Japan. However, even then, $10,000 a night is quite a stretch.
Ring Of Honor wrestling has expressed interest in making Spike Dudley a regular there, but won’t likely be willing to pay his high booking fee, which is said to be around $2,500 per night.
Kevin Nash has been telling friends that WWE called him to work the SummerSlam PPV. Apparently they wanted him to run in and do a screw job angle during the main event, allowing Michaels to win. Nash ended up turning down the idea, which surprised a lot of people since he would have been paid much more than what TNA was paying him, mainly just to put over Jeff Jarrett.
The fact that at one point in time, Hogan was supposed to be screwed and lose to Shawn at SummerSlam, just goes to show how much confusion there was surrounding the finish of the match right up until the last minute.
On Monday Night RAW, John Cena defeated Chris Jericho in a "You're Fired" Match. RAW G.M. Eric Bischoff "fired" Jericho, and had him carried out of the ring by "security. This will allow Jericho to make his upcoming FOZZY tour, before his WWE return...probably to SMACKDOWN.
And finally, the following comes from WWE.com:
"Bret Hart was back at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, Tuesday.
In a second-floor office, Hart sat quietly in front of a small television monitor, taking notes on a yellow legal pad while sifting through tons of old WWE footage for the soon-to-be released DVD chronicling Hart’s career.
“So far it’s going really well,” Hart said. “I have a good team of guys working with me getting all the best clips together. The next two days will be real tight as we try and get everything right.”
Hart also appreciates the buzz his name still generates. His meeting with Vince McMahon earlier this month triggered an incredible reaction from wrestling fans.
“I appreciate that nobody has forgotten me,” Hart said. “The whole reason for the DVD is so they don’t forget and have something to remember me by.” Hart also made it clear that the DVD will not only serve as a testament to his legendary career, but indirectly pay homage to many of the late WWE Superstars he was able to work with during his time at the company.
“I hope this DVD will do justice to some of great guys I worked with and had matches with,” Hart said. “I have lot of great memories with a lot of different people, some of which aren’t around anymore. This is my way of (remembering) the guys that died and show that they’re still a part of my story.”
Well, that does it for another edition of WrestleBeat. I'll be back next time with more news and notes from the World of Professional Wrestling.
So, until next time, KEEP BOTH FEET ON THE MAT AND YOUR PUNCHES ABOVE THE BELT! Later, Michael
(contact Michael Porter by e-mail at kmichaelporter@yahoo.com or by snail-mail at P.O. Box 5282 Marysville, CA. 95901-8521)
Hey there again, Wrestling Fans! And welcome to another edition of WrestleBeat. I've got a lot of news and notes from the World of Professional Wrestling. So, let's get right to business.
First off...I would like to THANK each and every one of you who have e-mailed to me your best wishes, and to let me know that you are praying for me!
It's AMAZING to me that SO many people that I have never even met, from all around the world, have sent me e-mails, some private messages on Message and Forum Boards on various websites, and EVEN some snail-mail! I've received e-mail from England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, all over Europe, and even from a few of our servicemen and women serving in Iraq, who read WrestleBeat over there during their off-time! I LOVE YOU ALL and COME HOME SOON AND SAFE! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
Anyway...as I said in my last edition of WrestleBeat, it has been discovered that I have a blockage in the left side of my heart. I will be seeing a Heart Specialist...Cardiologist, Dr. Nicholas J. Capos Jr. on Tuesday Sept. 6th for a series of tests to determine the severity of the blockage and the course of treatment...be it through medication or surgery. But, I just wanted to send out my most sincere THANKS to those of you who have expressed your concerns for this humble country boy! It warms my heart to no end! THANK YOU AGAIN!
Alright...I returned once again on Thursday for to the Dave Logasa in the Morning show on Country 103.1 KKCY in the Marysville/Yuba City, CA. area for another edition of Michael Porter's WrestleShoot.
Due to the fact that I had to put in two straight 11 hour-plus days at Cuts Fitness for Men in Yuba City, I had to do a remote broadcast via telephone of WrestleShoot this week with Dave, as I was hard at work at "Cuts".
This time I gave my predictions for a few of the MAIN matches for this Sunday's WWE Summer Slam PPV.
The following...in short, were MY predictions:
In the WWE Championship Match, I predicted that John Cena would retain over Chris Jericho.
In the Icon vs. Legend Match, I said that I thought it could go either way...Shawn Michaels OR Hulk Hogan.
For the World Heavyweight Championship, I feel that Batista would prevail over JBL and retain.
In the match for the United States Championship, I predicted that Chris Benoit would capture the Title from Orlando Jordan.
And I predicted that The Undertaker would once again dispatch Randy Orton, as the Legend would defeat the Legend Killer.
I also reported that The American Dream Dusty Rhodes has signed a WWE Legends contract which will enable WWE to use his likeness on DVD's and books in the future. Dave asked if Rhodes wasn't too old to wrestle, and I told him that the Dream would be part of the creative team and booking committee, and that he had done also with WCW and TNA.
Then I reported on Matthew McGrory, the deep-voiced 7-foot-6-inch actor who moved from appearances on Howard Stern's radio show to a high-profile role as a gentle giant in the movie "Big Fish," had passed away at the age of just 32.
McGrory died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, and had been working on his current movie, a biopic of wrestler-turned-actor Andre the Giant called "Andre: Heart of a Giant" on and off for six months. The big man died of apparent natural causes, police said.
He played a human Sasquatch in 2001's "Bubble Boy," an alien in "Men In Black II" (2002) and Tiny in the Rob Zombie horror movies "House of 1000 Corpses" (2003) and its sequel released this year, "The Devil's Rejects."
Then Dave Logasa's side-kick Briggs Moor chimed in with "I hope that you survived the beat-down I gave you at the Tomato Festival in Yuba City LAST Saturday". I decided to "play" along with him and told him that I was a FAST healer, and that I wanted a "RE-MATCH" anytime...any place...the parking lot, at Cuts Fitness for Men in Yuba City, where I work, or even at the studios of KKCY! And...I STILL want Dave Logasa to call the action...LIVE on Country 103.1 KKCY. Then I once again...just like LAST week, called Briggs a "pencil-necked geek" just like my old pal, the late, GREAT Classie Freddie Blassie!
And that was it for my WrestleShoot Report for August 18th.
I'll return again next Thursday and EVERY Thursday at either 8:10am or 8:15am on the Dave Logasa in the Morning show on Country 103.1 KKCY Marysville/Yuba City.
For more on KKCY go to www.kkcy.com .
I received this from EWF and my good friend, Jesse Hernandez:
"With more then 200 screaming fans the EWF brought down the roof with another exciting event at Knights of Columbus Hall in Covina.
Match 1) "Mistrust" Rudy Luna and Dan the Man Kobrick defeated the K.I.D.D. and the young Luchador "El Dorado."
Match 2) Bino Gambino defeated Mad Max Martin.
Match 3) Vizzion defeated Joey Harder.
Match 4) Nitro 2 Go defeated Bruiser Dave.
Match 5) Syrus defeated "Iceman" (formerly known as Iceman John Black)
Match 6) Jason king defeated Bino Gambino, as Bino answered challenge made to anyone in the back, since J. T. Scarface no showed for match.
Match 7) Los Chivos defeated Mad Dog Joe Kimball and Plague, now known as War Machine.
Highly recommend purchasing this video as all the matches were GREAT!
The EWF would like to invite everyone to Samoan Flag Day Celebration that will be held on August 26th from 10:00 AM to midnight with wrestling starting at 7:00 PM at Victory Park 415 E. 192nd Street * City of Carson. Event will feature Rikishi - Tonga Kid - Black Pearl - Other great top wrestling stars. You will also see EWF superstars Bino Gambino, the K.I.D.D. Syrus, Hurricane Havana, and Mr. Nitro 2 Go.
EWF wrestlers have been invited to help out on the MDA telethon on Monday Sept. 5th at KCET studios.
On September 22 the EWF will be performing at San Francisco's Treasure Island Naval Base, a private event for Job Corps members.
The EWF will return to Knights of Columbus Hall in Covina on Friday Sept. 23 / 8:00 PM start."
I received these results of WCWA at the WCWA Arena in Pleasant Hill, CA. on Saturday August 20th from Jason Vega:
Quick Results:
WCWA Tag Team Tournament:
The Bad Apples beat Apollo Green & The Big Kahuna Lance Bermuda to eliminate them.
Chance Calloway & D.J. Rizz beat Devil Mountain to advance.
Rik Luxury & Steel beat 7-footer Paul Isadora & El Hijo de Chupacabra.
In non-Tournament matches:
El Flaco Loco beat Sir Samurai.
Alexis Schmirnoff Jr. beat U.S. Steele by DQ.
WCWA Pacific Rim Ring of Fire Title: Jason Vega beat Bonzai Bruce Bukaki.
WCWA/Devil Mountain Titles: Helfyre beat Eric West to win both titles.
The next event at the WCAW Arena in Pleasant Hill is Saturday Night Sept. 3rd.
And now...on to the national news:
These stories come from WrestlingObserver.com:
The Undertaker DVD will be released today, Tuesday Aug. 23rd. It features matches with two matches Hogan, Yokozuna, Diesel, three matches with Mankind, one with Bret Hart, two matches with Shawn Michaels, three with Kane, plus one with Steve Austin, HHH, Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Vince McMahon (thanks to Mike Perry).
Police this morning (Tuesday) raided the home of former WCW wrestler Norris Harrison Jr. (Hard Body Harrison) at 8 a.m. No charges have been filed but it's been all over the Atlanta news today. The warrant stated they were investigating involuntary servitude and human trafficking, which basically means a prostitution type investigation. Harrison has two homes next door to each other and eight women living in the two homes. In August, he was accused by police in Smyrna, GA of holding women against their will after getting them out of jail, and forcing them into prostitution to repay their debts.
From a WWE official standpoint, there was a trade of Stacy Keibler and Christy Hemme to Smackdown in exchange for Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle. There is likely a reason for this, as it was clearly done with no planning in advance.
Smackdown will undergo a name change to "Friday Night Smackdown" when it moves.
From Dave Meltzer reports this tragic story:
The Combat Zone Wrestling web site has reported that Christopher Bauman Jr., who wrestled for the group as $hris $ash, passed away last night after being involved in a motorcycle accident near his home in South New Jersey.
Here is the OFFICIAL Press Release for the HUGE WrestleReunion Convention coming up THIS week-end:
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ONLY A FEW DAYS UNTIL BIGGEST WRESTLING CONVENTION/CARD OF THE YEAR!
WRESTLEREUNION 2 PRESENTS A DINNER HONORING BRUNO SAMMARTINO PLUS MICK FOLEY'S ONE MAN SHOW- "MICK AT NIGHT"- ON FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2005.
WRESTLEREUNION 2 BRINGS WHO'S WHO OF PRO WRESTLING STARS TO VALLEY FORGE, PA. CONVENTION CENTER AUG. 26-28.
UNPRECEDENTED WEEKEND WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY BRUNO SAMMARTINO, AUTOGRAPH & Q&A SESSIONS, 10-MATCH LIVE CARD, STARS OF YESTERYEAR, TODAY AND TOMORROW; A WRESTLING FAN'S DREAM!
WrestleReunion2, the world's finest and most comprehensive show featuring the top professional wrestlers of the last 40 years, will set up its ring, autograph and photo booths, and serve up a tribute dinner to honor Bruno Sammartino, "The Living Legend of Wrestling," on Friday, Aug. 26, Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28 at the Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia, PA.
Co-presented by wrestling guru Bill Apter and three-time WCW World Champion Diamond Dallas Page, WrestleReunion 2 will give wrestling fans the opportunity to meet one-on-one with some 50 wrestlers, secure autographs, take photographs, enjoy special events and attend Q & A sessions. Many are veterans who thrilled fans for years and appeared regularly at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Madison Square Garden in New York, Capital Center in Landover and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island.
WrestleReunion 2 weekend begins on Friday at 7:00 p.m. with a dinner at the convention center saluting Bruno Sammartino, 70. Speakers will include Jimmy Hart, Bill Apter, Diamond Dallas Page, J.J. Dillon, Mick Foley, The Dudleys and Domenic Denucci. A separate ticket is required to attend this event. Tickets at $99 must be purchased in advance at www.WrestleReunion.com .
At 10:30 p.m., spend an evening with Mick Foley aka Mr. Socko, one of the true greats of our era and one of the all-time great storytellers as he performs his entertaining one-man show, "Mick at Night". Foley recalls episodes and incidents from his incredible career in a unique one man show to be taped for DVD and possible television comedy special release. This unique event will take place in Lily Langtree's Las Vegas style showroom within the hotel and seating is limited. Tickets are just $25 and are available on line or at the door.
On Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., wrestling fans will get up close and personal with the wrestlers who have brought them so much joy and excitement over the years; meeting, talking and being photographed with the athletes.
At 8 p.m. on Saturday, fans will love the 10-match card that WrestleReunion founder Sal Corrente and promoter Rob Russen have put together to spotlight wrestling greats of the past, present and future. The main event could set the stage for the settling of a 25-year grudge between Sammartino and his former protege, Larry Zbyszko. If Zbyszko defeats Diamond Dallas Page in the main event, he will get five minutes in the ring with Sammartino.
The other main event, a Six-Man Tag Team Match, will feature the return to the ring of "The Hardcore Legend" Mick Foley and the two Funk Brothers (Terry and Dory, Jr.), with Bobby "The Brain" Hennan in their corner, vs. Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey) and "Sweet" Stan Lane.
In a Tag Team Match between current superstars, Matt Hardy and Rhino will face the Dudleys, Bubba Ray and D-Von. In a Mixed Tag Team Match, former WWF Lady's Champion Wendi Richter, George South, Jr. and The Patriot will challenge Amy Love, D.C. Drake and "Gorgeous" Gary Royal.
An Eight-Man Elimination Tag Team Match will feature team captain "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Missing Link, D-Lo Brown, Dr. Tom Prichard vs. team captain "The King of Old School" Steve Corino, Andrew Martin (formerly known as Test), The Original Evil Clown and The Masked Superstar.
In a Father and Son Tag Team Match, Don and Joe Muraco vs. Bob and Brad Armstrong.; IWA Heavyweight Champion Greg "The Hammer" Valentine will defend his title against the very popular Tito Santana; in a Special Legends Match/Russian Chain Match, former WWF Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff, accompanied by Nikolai Volkoff, goes head-to-head with Domenic DiNucci.
In a Four Corners Tag Team Match, the Samoan Island Tribe (Samu and Alofa) with Sika, the Wild Samoan, vs. the Fantastics vs. the Backseat Boyz vs. the Thunderfoots.
Returning to the ring for the first time after a bout with cancer, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams goes against King Kaluha.
Nick Bockwinkel, former AWA World Champion, will serve as acting commissioner.
Bret "The Hitman" Hart will be in a special in-ring interview segment with Jimmy Hart and Bill Apter.
The referees are penis Whoerle, Tiger Hattori, Billy Caputo and John Finegan.
Tickets to the matches are part of VIP Package or $75 for matches alone. Seating is extremely limited. Act now to insure you have a seat for this incredible card.
Tickets are on sale now at www.WrestleReunion.com . Weekend VIP tickets are $149.99 for all autograph sessions, all Q&A sessions and the 10-match card. Single day passes are $75 per day and include all autograph and Q&A sessions on the day of purchase. Tickets for the convention, matches and Foley performance will be on sale at the door. For additional information call 941-358-6825."
DAMN...I wish that I could be there!
Tim Brown gives us this update on The Dudley Boyz and a rejected screw-job at Summer Slam involving Kevin Nash:
The Wrestling Observer newsletter reports that Bubba and D-Von Dudley are both asking $5,000 each for indy bookings, which would be a $10,000 fee to book The Dudley Boys for a show. With a price like that, it’s unlikely that they will be working much outside of TNA or Japan. However, even then, $10,000 a night is quite a stretch.
Ring Of Honor wrestling has expressed interest in making Spike Dudley a regular there, but won’t likely be willing to pay his high booking fee, which is said to be around $2,500 per night.
Kevin Nash has been telling friends that WWE called him to work the SummerSlam PPV. Apparently they wanted him to run in and do a screw job angle during the main event, allowing Michaels to win. Nash ended up turning down the idea, which surprised a lot of people since he would have been paid much more than what TNA was paying him, mainly just to put over Jeff Jarrett.
The fact that at one point in time, Hogan was supposed to be screwed and lose to Shawn at SummerSlam, just goes to show how much confusion there was surrounding the finish of the match right up until the last minute.
On Monday Night RAW, John Cena defeated Chris Jericho in a "You're Fired" Match. RAW G.M. Eric Bischoff "fired" Jericho, and had him carried out of the ring by "security. This will allow Jericho to make his upcoming FOZZY tour, before his WWE return...probably to SMACKDOWN.
And finally, the following comes from WWE.com:
"Bret Hart was back at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, Tuesday.
In a second-floor office, Hart sat quietly in front of a small television monitor, taking notes on a yellow legal pad while sifting through tons of old WWE footage for the soon-to-be released DVD chronicling Hart’s career.
“So far it’s going really well,” Hart said. “I have a good team of guys working with me getting all the best clips together. The next two days will be real tight as we try and get everything right.”
Hart also appreciates the buzz his name still generates. His meeting with Vince McMahon earlier this month triggered an incredible reaction from wrestling fans.
“I appreciate that nobody has forgotten me,” Hart said. “The whole reason for the DVD is so they don’t forget and have something to remember me by.” Hart also made it clear that the DVD will not only serve as a testament to his legendary career, but indirectly pay homage to many of the late WWE Superstars he was able to work with during his time at the company.
“I hope this DVD will do justice to some of great guys I worked with and had matches with,” Hart said. “I have lot of great memories with a lot of different people, some of which aren’t around anymore. This is my way of (remembering) the guys that died and show that they’re still a part of my story.”
Well, that does it for another edition of WrestleBeat. I'll be back next time with more news and notes from the World of Professional Wrestling.
So, until next time, KEEP BOTH FEET ON THE MAT AND YOUR PUNCHES ABOVE THE BELT! Later, Michael
(contact Michael Porter by e-mail at kmichaelporter@yahoo.com or by snail-mail at P.O. Box 5282 Marysville, CA. 95901-8521)