Ringside Report

YouShoot Live!!!: Dixie Carter DVD review

September 4, 2010 By Johnny North 1 Comment

Dixie Carter, President of TNA Wrestling, performed an act Vincent Kennedy McMahon Jr. does not have the testicular fortitude to do—Q & A for 90 minutes with the rabid and borderline insane wrestling community.

The entire interview session is one of the latest YouShoot DVDs from Kayfabe Commentaries and Legends of the Ring. They have also produced shoot interviews with former World Wrestling Entertainment diva Maria, Sabu, Hardcore Holly and others.

Carter answers a barrage of questions on the direction of TNA, the influence of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff in the company, why Vince Russo is the head of creative, drug testing, her thoughts on WWE’s product and much much more. The major questions hardcore and casual fans would want to ask Carter are all included.

Wrestling fans, some in their own over-the-top gimmicks, ask questions either in person, in video or through questions asked by the host Sean Oliver. It’s neat that the questions come in exactly how were sent in with all the spelling mistakes and long-winded sentences. Certain fans get special treatment as they get to ask a lot of questions, so many that you wonder how many people actually sent in questions. Some of the fans are rude, most are polite and give Carter respect for her contributions to the wrestling business.

One of the highlights of the interview is when former TNA employee Jim Cornette gets to ask Carter a question. After threatening to kill Russo for real, one can only imagine what Cornette asked his former employer.

Throughout the interview, Carter comes off as sophisticated, polite, and that she truly cares about her company and the wrestlers in it. She does get sidetracked in answering some of the questions since some are double-barrelled and even triple barrelled, but she definitely answers the questions fans want to know about TNA.

Oliver comes off with a personality similar to WWE announcer Michael Cole, in the sense that he is professional in his job, but takes shots at fans or wrestling personalities when he feels it’s necessary. It’s a gimmick that can be very annoying or can help give some life to a bland or awkward moment.

This DVD is highly recommended for fans that want to know a little bit more about TNA Wrestling and the reasoning behind a lot of the decisions they’ve made lately. Do not expect Carter to bash or ridicule one of her ex or current employees, that’s not her style. Expect to be entertained for a little over an hour with her serious yet calm approach to uncensored and outrageous questioning.

YouShoot Live!!!: Dixie Carter

Kayfabe Commentaries & Legends of the Ring

Released in August 2010

$20.00

Run time of 90 minutes

For more information on the DVD click here

Mr. Anderson, Val Venis, The Pope D'Angelo Dinero coming to Montreal this Sunday

May 31, 2010 By Johnny North Leave a Comment

The Productions CRW presents ADRENALINE II
Sunday June 6, 2010
Doors open: 1 p.m. Gala: 2 p.m.

Tickets- First row- Sold out, second row- 20$, General- 15$
2905 rue baldwin, close to Honore Beaugrand metro

luttecrw.com

Meet and Greet
With Mr. Anderson, Val Venis et The Pope D’Angelo Dinero. Starts at 12:15 p.m. Photos are $5.

Suppose to be Matt Morgan, but due to late breaking change, Mr. Anderson will be replacing Matt Morgan.

Also scheduled–

Val Venis VS. Sexxxy Eddy

Sylvain Grenier VS. Pat Skills

Montreal Wrestling League Diva Pillowfight Battle Royal

For tickets: luttecrw@hotmail.com or 514-250-4443

BREAKING NEWS–Jeremy Prophet competing on Smackdown this Friday

May 19, 2010 By Johnny North Leave a Comment

The roller coaster week continues for Jeremy Prophet following his first official World Wrestling Entertainment match for the Smackdown brand that will take place this Friday on the Score at 8 p.m. Prophet competed against former WWE superstars The Genius Lanny Poffo and Scott Steiner at an independent show before getting a match-up against WWE’s newest tag team on Smackdown Vance Archer and Curt Hawkins. Following his tryout with Florida Championship Wrestling last December and a tryout with Total Non-Stop Action a few weeks ago, WWE finally brought him in for another match during their tour of Canada.

Gorgeous George created pop culture – book review

May 10, 2010 By Johnny North Leave a Comment

How many people can say they were Muhammad Ali’s role model growing up? Most would never expect that he would say a professional wrestler.

Gorgeous George Wagner, born in 1915, who also inspired Bob Dylan, by giving him “the look.” The late James Brown said, “After I saw him and the special flamboyance he added to his matches, that helped create the James Brown you see onstage.”

In John Capouya’s Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad Boy Wrestler who Created American Pop Culture, the first-ever biography on the legendary professional wrestler, we learn how George transformed from a high school drop-out to one of the first-ever television actors, who touched a frightened and hero-seeking audience in the United States in the 1930s and ‘60s.

George was an anti-hero-the first-ever snobby blonde, cowardly wrestler.
While people looked for a hero, they enjoyed watching George get beat up every week. Wrestling was easier to market since TV technology was not yet advanced enough to keep up with the speed of baseball or football and boxing was unpredictable. At the time, wrestling was more profitable than Major League Baseball on TV. Bob Hope even joined in on George’s celebrity status on more than one occasion.

So many wrestlers have copied his persona or made slight variations of it. From Ric Flair to Hulk Hogan, (a photo of Hogan in a toupee is featured in the book) there have been many household names that took many of the antics George first introduced.

Even today, former World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho showcases mannerisms similar to “The Human Orchid.” Copycats in name and gimmick were around when George was competing, thanks to greedy promoter Jack Pfefer, who tried to make as much money off George without paying him.

Although the self-proclaimed “Toast of the Coast” died the day after Christmas in 1963, Capouya is able to put together a lot of details on George’s life thanks to his first wife Betty-—who is over 93 years old—his second wife, wrestlers, files from George’s arch nemesis Pfefer, and many more.
George is pictured as a kind and gentle soul outside of the ring, but inside the ring he has no problem calling his opponents “chink” or threatening to kill one of his opponents for messing up his “gorgeous hair.”

Stardom took a toll on George. He became an unsuccessful gambler and an abusive alcoholic. It is believed he had a girlfriend in almost every state. Eventually Betty got fed up. George went on to brood until he found a stripper who looked similar to Betty. His second divorce was blamed on spousal abuse.

Capouya’s extensive work on George is not limited to the fact that some issues with his life remain unknown. Unlike a lot of World Wrestling Entertainment propaganda books that stretch or hide the truth to protect the WWE, Capouya is not afraid to admit that some of what he has been told may not be completely accurate considering he is dealing with a sport of fakery.

This book is a great history lesson for wrestling fans wanting to know about one of the first true gimmicks and one of the true innovators of sports entertainment. It is filled with wrestling terminology, but enough explanations are provided. Chapters on Ali and Brown’s backgrounds seem unnecessary, but Capouya argues that without George there would be no Madonna, Liberace, Jesse Ventura, Dennis Rodman and the like. But that’s something only readers can decide after reading this unique biography.

Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad Boy Wrestler who Created American Pop Culture
John Capuyo
Harper Collins
304 pp
$27.95

click here to order the book

Monday Night Wars return! TNA iMPACT! on 9-11pm starting March 8th on Spike TV

February 15, 2010 By Johnny North Leave a Comment

“TNA iMPACT!” ON SPIKE TV MOVES TO MONDAY NIGHTS BEGINNING MARCH 8

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s Flagship Series Will Air Live Every Other Week From Universal Studios In Orlando, Fl.

New York, NY, February 15, 2010 – “TNA iMPACT!,” Spike TV’s highly-rated two-hour weekly series, is moving from Thursday nights to Monday nights beginning Monday, March 8 (9:00-11:00pm ET/PT), it was announced today by TNA President Dixie Carter and legendary pop culture icon Hulk Hogan at a press conference at the “TNA iMPACT! Zone” at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. “TNA iMPACT!” will air live on March 8, with subsequent telecasts live every other week. The series features many of the biggest names in wrestling including Hogan, Ric Flair, Mick Foley and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, as well as the hottest young talent in the industry: TNA World Heavyweight Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe and “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan. The first ever Monday live “TNA iMPACT” broadcast on Spike TV, ran as a three-hour special head-to-head against WWE RAW on Monday, January 4, 2010, and drew a franchise-record 2.2 million viewers. Two wrestling companies have not broadcast head-to-head weekly since the “Monday Night Wars” in the late 1990’s between WWE and WCW. “On January 4 wrestling fans showed us they’re ready for a new professional wrestling alternative on Monday nights, and we’re answering that call. Bringing ‘iMPACT!’ to Mondays is our most exciting move yet in a year that’s already been filled with huge milestones for TNA” said Carter. “Monday nights are now officially the best night of the week to be a fan of professional wrestling,” Hogan said. “My mantra has been ‘change is coming’ since partnering with Dixie Carter and TNA Wrestling. This change is great for the business and all fans of professional wrestling will benefit because of it.” “TNA iMPACT! has emerged as one of cable’s top performers with young men, said Spike TV President Kevin Kay. “With NFL Football off the television schedule and with “TNA iMPACT’s” expanding roster of top wrestling talent, we see this as an opportunity to tap into the millions of wrestling fans on Monday nights.” Since its founding in 2002, Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling has become the world’s fastest growing professional wrestling company, currently airing in over 120 countries worldwide.

TNA AGAINST ALL ODDS 2010 RESULTS AJ Styles slays Joe

February 14, 2010 By Johnny North Leave a Comment

The PPV starts off live from the Impact Zone as the Nature Boy Ric “I’ll say anything for a paycheck” Flair comes out and does his “Woooos”. No wait he doesn’t because he is mad that Samoa Joe tried to kill him and now Eric Bischoff is the ref in the main event. Flair says he’s a “GOD” around here. Flair storms off looking for Bischoff.

8 Card Stud First Round Match

The Pope VS. Desmond Wolfe

Pope chants to start. Chain wrestling leads to Wolfe using his strength advantage, but Pope fights back. Wolfe throws Pope outside. Tower of London attempt reversed by Pope. Wolfe works over an arm of Pope. Pope makes a comeback and gets a few nearfalls, but Wolfe catches Dinero on the top rope and he goes for the tower of London, but Dinero fights it off. Pope nails a neckbreaker off the ropes followed by double knees to the back and a three count to advance in the tournament.

Winner- The Pope

Flair walks into Bischoff’s office. Flair says Bischoff thinks he’s God, but the only Wrestling God in TNA is Flair. Bischoff says that Flair is pissed off because his boy is in a match with Samoa Joe and a ref that he can’t buy. Flair says he doesn’t need to buy the ref because Styles has Flair and that’s all he needs. Bischoff says he’s going to call it down the middle.

Hernandez and Matt Morgan, the next two men to go into battle in the 8 Card Stud Tournament. Hernandez says they’re facing each other by luck of the draw, and they’re making the most of this opportunity. Morgan says they’re going to be the tag champs for a long time, but how could they not jump at the opportunity for a World Title match. Morgan says they want to have a match for bragging rights to see who’s better.

8 Card Stud First Round Match
Matt Morgan VS. Hernandez

Matt Morgan is a big guy. Matt Morgan, he’s a big guy. Hernandez, he’s the partner of a big guy Matt Morgan. Matt Morgan he’s a big guy. Both give each other props before the match, Wu-Tang respect. Two locks up followed by another fist pound respect moment. Morgan with a headlock and tackle attempts back and forth. Morgan tries for a Carbon footprint, but dodged. Hernandez tries for a Border Toss but Morgan gets out of it. Morgan with the series of elbows in the corner to take down Hernandez. Morgan hits a couple of short arm clotheslines but he still can’t keep Hernandez down. Hernandez is fired up, he hits a series of clotheslines, a big splash, and a spinebuster, but he can’t keep Morgan down for three. Hernandez hurts his shoulder taking a fall to the outside, Morgan brings Hernandez back in for a quick rollup for the three count.

Winner- Matt Morgan

Christy Hemme with Kurt Angle. Angle says he has to apologize to Hogan. He says since Hogan arrived in TNA, he doubted his agenda, but he proved himself to Angle on Thursday when he saved him from The Band, he says he’ll never doubt Hogan again. He says he’s going to mow through the Tournament, and become the World Title Contender and that starts with Ken Anderson.

8 Card Stud First Round Match
Mr. Anderson VS. Kurt Angle

The crowd is solidly behind Angle. Anderson catches Angle with a kick, but Angle shrugs it off, and on the next attempt, goes for the ankle lock. Anderson is able to make it to the ropes though. Angle out wrestles Anderson for a while until Angle hits a ring post. Anderson takes a chain around Angle’s neck and busts him open with it. Angle comes back with a couple of German suplexes and an Angle Slam attempt but Anderson nails the Green Bay Plunge for a two count. Angle gets an Angle Slam for a two count. Angle locks in the ankle lock, but Anderson is able to kick him off. Angle charges Anderson, but he ends up running head first into an exposed turnbuckle. Anderson hits the Mic Check. and gets the three count. Anderson gives Angle his medals and spits in Angle’s face.

Winner- Mr. Anderson

Bischoff is backstage with Abyss and Mick Foley. Bischoff says he’s responsible to put on the best card he can and he needs to ensure no games. Foley says that’s not going to be a problem, but how do he and Abyss know Bischoff isn’t going to be unfair when it comes to their match. Bischoff says that it will be a No DQ match. He says if no one uses a barbed wire bat Abyss’ mask will be gone.

8 Card Stud First Round No DQ Match
Abyss VS. Mick Foley

Abyss locks in a head lock, but Foley with a big shoulder block. Foley goes for the bat but Abyss knocks him down and kicks it away. Abyss picks up the bat and the crowd wants him to use it but he throws it down. Foley slaps him in the face. He does it again and three more times before hitting a couple of forearms. Abyss responds with a couple of forearms that send Foley to the floor. Foley grabs a chair hits Abyss. Back in the ring and Foley grabs the bat, but Abyss gets his foot up and knocks Foley away. Foley pounds on Abyss in the corner, hitting a series of forearms. Foley hits a running knee, and goes for a bag in the corner with lots of thumbtacks. Foley pounds on Abyss and Abyss teases falling in the tacks. Abyss catches him in chokeslam position, taking him away from the tacks before slamming him down. Abyss gets a two count. Abyss takes Socko away from Foley, and he puts it on, but Foley with a double arm DDT. Foley taking off his shoe and gets another sock, dual mandible claws. Foley lets go of the hold before the referee can drop Abyss’ hand three times. Foley grabs the bat, but when he goes for Abyss, he walks right into a black hole slam into the tacks. Abyss gets the three count.

Winner- Abyss

Christy Hemme with the Nasty Boys. Knobs says they’ve been friends with Hogan for years and Hogan called them up and told them to show all the tag teams in TNA how it’s done. Saggs says the Nasty Boys aren’t bottom feeders, they go right to the top. Saggs says if they can’t beat 3D, why are they even there?

Team 3D VS. Nasty Boys

Everyone is just brawling to start. Eventually it becomes a tradition tag match. Nasty Boys are the heels with pokes to the eyes and using their armpit spot. Nasty Boys look blown up barely five minutes in. D-Von gets low bridged and the Nasties worked down D-Von for a while. Ray loses his cool and that allows for a Nasties double team. D-Von ducks a charging Knobs and clotheslines Sags. D-Von makes the tag to Ray who comes in and cleans house. 3D hit the Wassup headbutt on Knobs, and follow it up with a 3D on Saggs. Jimmy Hart shows up there and gives Knobs a foreign object. Knobs hits Ray, reverses the pin, and the referee counts to three.

Winner- The Nasty Boys

Bischoff with Samoa Joe. Joe says the most important thing is for a company to have a champion it can believe in and AJ Styles is not the man. Bischoff says he and Flair have more history than he cares to discuss and he doesn’t want to see Flair’s boy with the championship, but he feels like he has to call it down the middle. Joe says if Bischoff takes care of Flair, he’ll take care of AJ. Bischoff says Joe needs to keep control, take care of AJ and he’ll take care of everything else.

8 Card Stud Second Round Match
D’Angelo Dinero VS. Matt Morgan

Pope gets a bigger pop, but Matt Morgan is a big guy. Lock up and Matt Morgan is a big guy. Lock up again and Matt Morgan is a big guy. Pope tries for some kicks but Matt Morgan is a big guy. Pope tossed over the top rope because Matt Morgan is a big guy. Pope slammed into the ring apron due to Matt Morgan being a big guy. Matt Morgan hits a big splash because Matt Morgan is a big guy. Big bear hug by Matt Morgan and he can do that because he is a big guy. Pope fights back with strikes but a fallaway slam happens and you why? That’s right. Matt Morgan is a big guy. Pope slaps Morgan, but Matt Morgan is a big guy. Pope drop toe hold Morgan into ropes and tries for the Coronation but Morgan a big guy with a big line and that was Matt Morgan, he’s a big guy. Morgan tries for Carbon footprint but Pope dodges and nails the double knees in the corner. Pope gets the three count.

Winner- The Pope

JB with Mr. Anderson. Anderson says he destroyed Angle. Anderson says that he beat Abyss at Genesis and he’s going to go all the way tonight and grab the title shot then the title at Lockdown. He says he’s the guy they call Mr. Anderson… Anderson.

8 Card Stud Second Round Match
Mr. Anderson VS. Abyss

Anderson doesn’t introduce himself this time. Anderson ducks a lock up and hits a couple of kicks, chops and punches, but when he tries to whip Abyss, he ends up finding himself being whipped. Anderson calls for a test of strength, but he slaps Abyss instead. Abyss hits Anderson with a couple of big right hands, and a splash in the corner before following up with a side slam, but it’s only good for a two count. Abyss tries for the shock treatment, and even with Anderson ripping the mask, he hits it, but only two. Anderson messes with Abyss’ mask, blinding Abyss and almost causing him to chokeslam the referee. Anderson kicks the back of Abyss’ leg, hits the mic check, and pins Abyss.

Winner- Mr. Anderson

Christy Hemme with AJ Styles. AJ says Hemme wanted to be his Valentine. Hemme looks unimpressed. Styles says he’s beat Joe before and he’ll beat him again. Styles talks about how expensive his earring is. Flair says he feels better because he knows Bischoff will call the match down the middle.

Hogan says he knows what Bischoff is up to. 15 years of animosity, Eric needs to let it go. Bischoff says it’s over. Hogan says the talent has to depend on him and Bischoff, so it’s up to Eric to call it down the middle, even if he doesn’t want to. Bischoff says dammit.

TNA World Heavyweight Title Match
Samoa Joe VS. AJ Styles w/ Ric Flair
Special Referee: Eric Bischoff

Styles is in a robe like one of Flair’s signature robes only with a hood. Flair says AJ is Stylin’ and Profilin’. Styles locks in a headlock and takes Joe down to his knees. Joe fights out and rocks AJ with a tackle. Joe beats on AJ in the corner with a series of jabs and kicks. Joe takes AJ off his feet with a big chop. Dragon screw from AJ. Flair screams the knee. AJ continues to work over Joe’s leg, stomping away at the ankle. Styles tries for the figure four, but Joe kicks him off and to the outside. AJ looks under the ring, and instead he pulls up some of the ringside padding. Joe and Styles trade blows, Styles with a beautiful dropkick. AJ puts Joe on the top turnbuckle and he goes up trying for a hurricarana. Joe comes off with a leaping leg lariat, for a two count. Styles clips Joe’s knee from behind, and he goes to work on the knee with a trio of elbow drops. Styles hits a couple of chops but when he charges Joe, Joe backdrops him to the outside. Joe works over AJ in the corner with a couple of strikes. AJ ends up on the apron, but he comes back in with a springboard forearm. Styles teases the Styles clash but Joe reverses into the rear naked choke. Joe places AJ on the top turnbuckle and he sets up the musclebuster but Bischoff is distracted with Flair. Bischoff clocks Flair on the floor. Joe pulls Bischoff in the ring and they argue. Joe turns around into the Pele kick from Styles. Styles Clash and a very slow count from Bischoff still results in a three count.

Winner- AJ Styles

8 Card Stud Finals

The Pope VS. Mr. Anderson

Pope’s music hits and he does not come out. Anderson’s music hits, and he makes his way to the ring. The referee rings the bell and Anderson tells him to count. The referee starts the ten count. Pope finally crawls out at 7 but Anderson charges down the ramp with a big clothesline. Anderson breaks the count again and beats on the Pope some more on the ring apron. Pope catches Anderson with a slap. Pope and Anderson fight down to the floor and both men finally make it into the ring. Anderson comes back with a big clothesline and calls for a microphone. He says the crowd is one mic check away from a winner. Anderson hits the mic check but only gets two. Anderson flips out! hits a Green Bay Plunge roll, goes to the top and tries for a swanton bomb, but Pope moves out of the way. Pope dodges Anderson and nails double knees to the back. Pope pins Anderson for the three count to end the PPV.

Winner- D’Angelo Dinero

Review- Rope Opera: How WCW Killed Vince Russo by Vince Russo

February 5, 2010 By Johnny North Leave a Comment

Vince Russo is a man of many titles in professional wrestling—head writer, the man who destroyed World Championship Wrestling, reborn Christian and the man who wrote David Arquette to win a wrestling World Title.

He is without question the most controversial non-wrestler to ever appear in pro wrestling. In his second autobiography, Rope Opera: How WCW Killed Vince Russo, Russo takes the reader on journey back to his state of mind during the final days of WCW and his arrival in Spike TV’s Total Non-Stop Action wrestling federation.

Much like his first book, Russo is open and honest on what happened behind the scenes and off-camera, but does not go out of his way to bury people and expose how many of them are true cut throats in the wrestling business. However, this does not stop him from letting out his frustration on Triple H refusing to lose to D-Lo Brown, how Bill Goldberg acted like a spoiled brat when he refused to put over Scott Steiner and how “incompetent” Stephanie McMahon is as the head of creative in World Wrestling Entertainment. Throughout his memoirs, Russo openly states how Vince McMahon is a greedy selfish person who only sees people for their money value and how he never wants to be like the man he slaved for in order to build the Attitude Era in WWE.

Short memories or criticisms on quirks in everyday life pop up randomly, but for the most part Russo keeps the book focused on his newly found beliefs on God and how he was dying as a person in almost every way possible thanks to the horrors of working in Atlanta. Wrestling fans finally get Russo’s side of Bash of The Beach 2000 all in one chapter and how he did make a difference as the ratings went up with him in charge. Becoming a wrestling character took a brutal toll on Russo as injuries started to affect not only his physical state but mental as well.

The dark cloud that Russo gained in WCW carried over into TNA with him. Bitter and frustrated over pretty much anything that bloggers or the nonsense that came out of former head of creative for TNA Jerry Jarrett, father of Jeff Jarrett. Russo remembers an interview with TNA announcer Mike Tenay and could not believe how angry and hateful he was. His on and off friendship with TNA founder Jeff Jarrett is one that even Russo questions as the book comes to an end. Trust and faith in his colleagues is tested many times over for Russo, to the point that he wonders if you can really trust anyone in the wrestling business since the majority are all trying to protect their “spot” and will bury anyone in their way.

A break from TNA and a 21-month break from writing the book, has Russo energized and looking forward to his life. His faith in the Lord keeps him strong until getting rehired with TNA. The book ends on a bit of cliffhanger as Jeff Jarrett lied to Dixie Carter, but the lie is never revealed. Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff just arrive in TNA as he went to press with the book, leaving his future in question still to this day.

The New Yawker who loved to tell a story told it despite criticizing the head of management, the wrestling talent and even though it cost him a job in WWE and possibly again in TNA. The book is completely Russo’s perspective—not some propaganda or hollow memories through ghost writing.

Do not expect a book that is in chronological order, Russo knows that the majority of readers are going to be wrestling fans, but the wrestling is at times buried in his childhood or with his family. Reading his first book Forgiven is almost a must to understand how his relationship with the McMahons went sour. For those that are turned off by religion, you will be turned off by this book. Love him for his contributions or hate him for his “Crash TV”, Russo changed the wrestling business twice because like the book he dared to be different.

Rope Opera: How WCW Killed Vince Russo

Vince Russo

255 pp.

ECW Press

$22.95

March 1, 2010

REVIEW:Bret Hart's "My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling"

January 25, 2010 By Johnny North Leave a Comment

Bret “The Hitman” Hart, one of the greatest Canadian icons ever to set foot in a professional wrestling ring, came out with a biography/personal memoir that delivers what die-hard wrestling fans have wanted since he retired in 2000.

Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling is a 573-page (with a name index for wrestlers included at the end) emotional ride beginning with Hart’s tough time growing up in a poor family with 11 siblings and ending with Hart trying to come to terms with his near-fatal stroke and the death of his brother Owen.

Hart writes on his childhood dealing with an abusive father, schoolyard bullies and the pain of having multiple siblings. Hart is also open about the controversies of his wrestling career—his limited steroid use, his many sexual affairs while married and how his friendly relationship with wrestler Shawn Hickenbottom, aka Shawn Michaels, went sour when HBK’s clique decided they were going to kill the wrestling industry.

Wrestling fans who enjoyed the documentary Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows and Bret Hart’s DVD (Bret “Hitman” Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be.) set released by Hart and World Wrestling Entertainment will not have to worry about reading old, tired Hitman stories. If his early life, working for his dad’s Stampede wrestling federation and his time in Japan weren’t enough, Hart recounts, in great detail, the Survivor Series “screwjob” that happened 12 years ago in Montreal. Hart is still bitter in the book compared to how he felt recently on Monday Night Raw. He also describes his entire WWE run and how he felt about each talent he worked with, how terribly the World Championship Wrestling management misused him and the time WCW wrestler Bill Goldberg kicked him so hard he had to retire.

At times it seems as though Hart should go into more detail, such as regarding his supposed affair with WWE diva Sunny or his thoughts on Extreme Championship Wrestling talent besides Sabu and a lot of his WCW run. However, Hart leaves nothing out about his bizarre relationship with WWE promoter Vince McMahon, his dislike for Ric Flair’s nonstop non-use of psychology and telling the immortal Hulk Hogan “you can go fuck yourself” after he refused to lose to Hart at SummerSlam 1993.

Non-wrestling fans too will be intrigued by the wild stories of Hart’s trips to wrestling shows and their aftermaths. Getting stoned regularly at strip clubs, his brother Smith’s reckless driving, a near fatal adventure in Puerto Rico and the shenanigans Owen was famous for keeps the humour alive in a book filled with tragedies.

By the end of the book, most of the people he talks about have either died or are no longer a part of his life. The wrestling business has taken much more from Hart than just his pride.

Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling

Book Review My Life Outside the Ring

December 17, 2009 By Johnny North Leave a Comment

On his way to becoming an icon in professional wrestling and Hollywood, Hulk Hogan first had to pass an initiation test—giving a blowjob to homosexual wrestler and Montreal native Pat Patterson.
He refused the blowjob, but since he had 24-inch biceps and a massive amount of charisma, he still became one of the biggest household names in the 1980s.
In his latest autobiography, My Life Outside the Ring, Hogan along with writer Mark Dagostino retells the horror he lived everyday in his marriage. Hogan also mentions many key moments in his wrestling career—winning his first World Wrestling Federation championship despite Bob Backlund ratting him out for smoking pot is one of the many intriguing tales of Hogan’s rise to stardom.

Introduction
Hogan, born name Terry Gene Bollea, starts off his memoirs in 2007 where he contemplated shooting himself with a handgun he bought when he was drunk. To understand how he got to that state, he takes us back to the beginning of his life.

Part 1: Growing Up
Chapter 1: From the Beginning
Although by 18 years old, Hogan was already bald and 250 pounds, he was far from that when he was a kid. He had a fat head and was bullied by his peers. His parents were always there for him, but his brother Allan was always getting into trouble. This chapter shows a side of Hogan many have never heard of before.

Chapter 2: Finding Faith
Hogan telling kids to say their prayers was not completely for show as he did find God before Hulkamania starting running wild. This chapter ends off with Hogan watching wrestling for the first time and looking up to Dusty Rhodes, Superstar Billy Graham and many more in Florida Championship Wrestling.

Chapter 3: Working Out
No secrets on the Hogan work out regime, but he does admit he started slow and not on steroids right away. The gym was vital towards his dream of becoming a wrestler, although his music career at the time was also important.

Chapter 4: Fighting My Way In
Quitting his music career, Hogan tries to become a wrestler but ends up with a broken leg as wrestlers did not want him around. Nothing would stop Hogan though as he had his first wrestling match, although it was more real than most wrestling seen on TV today.

Chapter 5: Backing Away
Four months in to wrestling Hogan quit as he did not become a big star… yet. He decides to open up a gym and starts using steroids to gain his Greek God like-figure. Marijuana also becomes a permanent drug of choice for Hogan.

Part II: Wrestling Mania
Chapter 6: On the Road
With his new juiced up body, Hogan was able to wrestle all the time. The travel for $900 a week is not enough for him. Hogan brings on a friend to help, but that does not stop him from leaving wrestling again.

Chapter 7: Just When I Thought I Was Out…
Vince McMahon Sr. brings Hogan back into wrestling yet again. Hogan succeeds as a bad guy, while he fails at being in love. Hogan reveals the first time he bodyslammed Andre The Giant was not at WrestleMania III. In a gym, Hogan goes one-on-one with Sylvester Stallone in a real fight to prove that he should be in Rocky III.

Chapter 8: Hulking Up
Rocky III cost Hogan his job with McMahon, but McMahon’s son Vince Jr. brought him back to start Hulkamania. Hogan meets Linda Claridge for the first time. She is always happy and smiling. Her demeanour soon changes once they get married.

Chapter 9: Livin’ the High Life
Hogan is wrestling all the time, partying all the time, smoking pot and drinking all the time. Cocaine is introduced into his life for the first time. Linda can make all of Hogan’s coke disappear in one night. His brother’s death makes him stop doing coke, but not pot, beer and steroids.

Chapter 10: The Perfect Family
When their daughter Brooke was born they both stop doing drugs. Hogan even stopped doing steroids. However, for their son Nick, Hogan did not know Linda stopped using her birth control pills. “We were going to plan this so I wouldn’t take a shot of steroids. So I wouldn’t smoke a joint,” he told her. Her reply was “Oh, well, I thought we agreed.” This was the start of Linda breaking Hogan’s trust. Linda almost died giving birth to Nick.

Part III: Trials and Tribulations
Chapter 11: Pain
Hogan provides some of his best storytelling when explaining how he worked in a wrestling ring and how some of the injuries in his career still hurt him today. Hogan continues on how he gave Linda everything out of blind love as she continues to complain about everything—even the way the wind blows.

Chapter 12: Behind Closed Doors
An incident in a hotel room occurred between Hogan and Kate Kennedy, but due to signing confidentiality agreements no details are given on what really happened. Kennedy, who managed the merchandise at Hogan’s Pastamania restaurant, claims he sexual assaulted her. Regret is easily noticeable in Hogan’s writing, but Hogan many times states that he did not cheat on his wife… yet.

Chapter 13: Something New
The difference in parenting starts to play a factor in Hogan’s marriage as Linda has her own ideas for her kids. When she flips out on the guy who made N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys, Linda ends up hurting Brooke’s music career. She hurts both her kid’s futures by telling them they do not need school. Hogan actually believed at this point that a reality show on TV might keep his family together. Linda’s drinking was out of control leading to constant swearing—calling Brooke a “cunt” for no reason and almost every night telling Hogan “Fuck you Terry” and not in a good way.

Chapter 14: Season of Change
Hogan finally admits to an affair, this time with someone brought in to help Brooke with her music career. The Kennedy incident does not seem like it was sex due to Hogan’s honesty on his real affair. Linda was slowly packing up her stuff and moving away behind Hogan’s back. Linda disappeared and did not comeback for days. Every time Hogan saw her it was just swearing and divorce threats. Hogan lost the reality show because of Linda.

Part IV: The Unraveling
Chapter 15: Cruel Summer
Nick has his horrible car crash that puts his friend in a coma. Hogan grieves like never before. Nick’s friend actually was living with the Hogans. However, the boy’s family wanted to take advantage of the situation and get lots of money off of Hogan.

Chapter 16: The Vigil
Lots of detail on how Hogan was always around Nick’s friend. Gives the sense that Hogan is making himself look amazing before the huge lawsuit hits him. Hogan is destroyed when Linda files for divorce.

Chapter 17: The Downward Spiral
This is easily the darkest and most heartfelt chapter in the whole book. Hogan unleashes his feelings on how he was broken and his world was completely destroyed. The book is now caught up to his drunk moment with the gun. Eric Bischoff and calls for Laila Ali keep Hogan from pulling the trigger.

Part V: Turning The Page
Chapter 18: A Secret Revealed
Reading The Secret gives Hogan some new energy to live again. He finds a girlfriend that does not know he is one of the biggest entertainment stars of all-time. Her lack of knowledge on Hogan actually makes it easier as she accepts Hogan for the human being he is instead of the millions of dollars he can give her.

Chapter 19: Coincidence or Fate?
Nick goes to jail and Hogan ends up worried about his son 24/7 as Nick gets put in a mental ward. Hogan does everything he can to help Nick no matter the lack of food or sleep Hogan loses. Hogan clearly makes sure the reader knows his devotion to his son compared to his wife who upsets the whole family with going out with a 19-year-old. Hogan realizes his mouth gets him in trouble as police tapes reveal a dark side of the Hulkster. However, Hogan makes another mistake as he uses an O.J. Simpson reference when talking about his wife. With help from his new lifestyle choices, Hogan blocks out all the negative energy.

Chapter 20: Revelations
The book is building towards a horrible ending for Hogan, but he actually turns it around as he ends his dispute with his wife with a hilarious showdown with her boyfriend. Hogan says no to Vince Jr. about returning and ruining his legacy. Hogan ends up enjoying life with his son free from prison.

You do not need to be a wrestling fan to truly enjoy this great but short book. Hogan has lived an incredible life filled with gut-wrenching, unpredictable and outrageous moments in and out of the ring. The book is mainly about his failed marriage, but the wrestling world and entertainment world that Hogan lives in is too exciting to ignore. Hogan admits he is a bit of hypocrite since he did drugs when he told kids to take their vitamins, say their prays and drink their milk. Hogan’s honesty is what makes the book far more real over any propaganda book that World Wrestling Entertainment releases.

My Life Outside the Ring

By Hulk Hogan with Mark Dagostino

October, 2009

320 pp.

St. Martin’s Press

Available Thru Ringside Report

TNA Impact Results- Dec. 10, 2009

December 12, 2009 By Johnny North Leave a Comment

TNA is going head to head with RAW in 2010 as TNA will be on Spike TV Monday nights. Impact starts off this week with Kevin Nash agreeing to giving Mick Foley a sitdown with Hulk Hogan if Nash gets to be in control this week. Foley says yes. Nash wants to look at security tapes. Nash heads to the ring with Eric Young. Nash says its all of British Invasion against Chris Sabin. Scott Steiner and a mystery partner against Mr. StrikeForce Bobby Lashley and Kristal. Tara against ODB in a Trailer Park match, both have to drink a six pack before the match. A street fight where the person who gets pinned starts the match alone for five minutes on PPV. Lacey Von Erich VS. Velvet Sky in a mud wrestling match. Someone will face AJ Styles for the title tonight.

Mick Foley is in Nashville. Foley does a hilarious segment where he talks to the writers about talking to Dixie and he wants them to write a segment where he talks to her. Foley wants Jarrett but no one has seen Jarrett.

The British Invasion VS. Chris Sabin
Sabin is able to fight off Doug Williams for a while until Magnus comes and attacks Sabin from behind. Sabin keeps fighting and sends Williams and Magnus to the floor but Rob Terry nails a shoulder tackle on Sabin. British Invasion toy with Sabin with double team moves and have him beat but refuse to go for the cover. Sabin throws both Williams and Magnus into the turnbuckles, hits them both with dropkicks and rolls up Rob Terry for the three count.
Winner- Chris Sabin

Christy Hemme interviews Scott Steiner who still believes the Main Event Mafia exists. Steiner shows a t-shirt with Kristal’s face on it, he says he will beat up their baby if he gets in the way. Mick Foley still searches for Jarrett but fails.

Scott Steiner & Awesome Kong VS. The Lashley Family
Steiner poses as Lashley comes attacking with punches and a slam. Steiner tries to use his power but Lashley is too much. Kong trips Bobby but Kong hits Steiner by accident. Bobby hits an exploder suplex and his wife accidently tags in. Kong beats down on Kristal. Kong to the top but Steiner with a three count before that happens and does push ups on Kristal.
Winners- Scott Steiner & Kong

Samoa Joe talks about his depush from the main event scene. Joe says its a conspiracy to keep him down. Beer Money tells Joe they understand him. They say Feast or Fired at Final Resolution is worth the risk to get another shot at glory. Beautiful People upset over mud wrestling, Nash says that the match is ratings. Madison is the ref. Lacey doesn’t understand what ratings are. The other two understand that she is stupid. Tara backstage drinking, she would drink more to get at ODB. Tara walks away clearly drunk. Eric Young talks about wrestling Hamada for the TNA Global Title. He dedicates this to friend Nash and that he is taking Hamada very seriously.

Eric Young VS. Hamada TNA Global Title Match
Young plays with Hamada for a bit until Hamada nails some head butts and a spin kick. Hamada with a slam and tries a moonsault but misses. Young with a quick pin with feet on the ropes for the three count.

Winner- Eric Young to retain TNA Global Title

Beautiful People in their mud wrestling attire. They tease some nipples slipping out and perhaps even some wrestling moves. They talk about kissing in the mud. Meanwhile Foley has found Jarrett. ODB is seen drinking.

Tara VS. ODB Trailer Park Match

Insane hardcore between the two. Tara uses a wheelbarrow and ODB spits her drink in Tara’s face. ODB wraps Tara in police tape. ODB whips Tara into a ladder. They try to fight but they are too drunk to hit each other right. They try top rope moves but are too drunk to do them. ODB nails an X-Factor on a chair for the three count.
Winner- ODB

Foley confronts Jarrett. Jarrett says he has been living in hell and told Foley to leave him alone. Foley says they have history and Double J cannot leave. Jarrett says Double J can’t but the real Jarrett can after what SHE has done. Jarrett wants more booze as we go to commercials.

Rhino and Team 3D and Jesse Neal VS. Hernadez and Suicide and Matt Morgan

Neal comes out with Dinero’s jacket and they say Dinero cannot make it. Matt Morgan starts off with Rhino. Matt Morgan is a big guy. Morgan does the elbow in the corner combo. Matt Morgan is a big guy. Devon tagged in and Morgan fights back with punches. Matt Morgan is a big guy. Suicide tagged in. Suicide gets worked over most of the match by all the heels until Hernadez comes in. Match eventually breaks down into everyone hitting a big move. Heels win out since they have more guys as Neal nails a spear on Hernadez for the win.

Winners- Team 3D and Jesse Neal and Rhino

Velvet Sky VS. Lacey Von Erich Mud Wrestling Match
They roll in the mud, Madison looks like she is laughing at them. Velvet does a couple of take downs and gets a three count.
Winner- Velvet Sky

Mick Foley continues to talk to Jeff Jarrett where they play with reality a bit and the whole Jeff Jarrett sleeping with Kurt Angle’s ex-wife behind his back stuff. Foley talks about his problems with Dixie Carter first and then Jarrett reminds him who made TNA and now everyone forgot about him. Foley says that it’s Jarrett’s fault. Jarrett says that’s bullshit. Foley says he doesn’t like how Jarrett is now and how he needs to keep fighting for his two girls. Jarrett tells him that he has THREE GIRLS now.

AJ Styles VS. Desmond Wolfe- TNA World Title Match

Kurt Angle comes down to the commentary table and does not comment on the Jarrett situation. Wolfe comes out the better wrestler at first but Styles fights back with speed and a big dropkick. Wolfe continues to work an arm of Styles for pretty much the whole match. Wolfe looks like he is going to win but Daniels comes out and distracts Wolfe. Styles with a quick rollup for a three count. Daniels says it’s his title and then Wolfe and Daniels start brawling.
Winner- AJ Styles

Foley and Jarrett talking again. Jarrett is worried about what Kurt Angle will do to him. Foley says they have to worry about Dixie Carter. Foley says there is no TNA without Jarrett and Jarrett wants to know the plan. Foley wants him in the Impact Zone next week, Jarrett agrees.

Interview with Kevin Nash now in Podcast Section

August 16, 2009 By Dave Leave a Comment

Ringside Report’s interview wth Kevin Nash is now available for download in our Podcast Section.

Kevin Nash has won championships everywhere he’s been and currently wrestles for TNA. In this interview he talks about his Big Sexy World Tour search for a ring valet, the various factions he’s wrestled with and his match with Mick Foley at TNA Hard Justice.

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