Wrestling

In the south, Ric Flair stood above all others in the spotlight and cast a long shadow behind him. In that shadow existed many great wrestlers who never got as much of the glory and praise they should have. One of those men was "The Enforcer," Arn Anderson. This man had the skills and charisma to be at the top of a promotion; instead he was the Slider to Flair's Iceman. Anderson was a hoss before we had the proper terminology to describe what was occurring with him in the ring. He was an absolute presence in the ring and brought with him a physicality that just exuded power and aggression. Instead of coasting on his power and strength, though, he maintained a level of consistent technical proficiency that very few in the business have achieved. A spinebuster from Arn Anderson is one of the greatest sights in professional wrestling. He was capable of working a variety of match styles that provided a great work-rate, excellent psychology, and pure entertainment. Anderson and his long time partner, Tully Blanchard, took tag team psychology to highs it had never been before and provided a blueprint for all other teams on how to craft a compelling tag team wrestling match. In singles action, Anderson was capable of balancing out his offense and selling so that even in victory, his opponent came out the other side looking better than before. When Arn Anderson had the stick, you just knew that someone was in for a beatdown. Anderson's style (influenced by Nick Bockwinkel) was a calm demeanor that put across the seriousness of the proceedings. He was not one to raise his voice and lose control of his emotions. This created an aura of a man who had been in many scraps before who wasn't going to let his next victim get under his skin. Anderson exemplified complete calm under duress. He is often pigeonholed as just a tag team wrestler, which is part of the reason why he is here on this list. Even though Anderson was at the top of tag team wrestling during one of its greatest eras, he was so much more than that. He was an amazing professional wrestler regardless of the match type and scenario. In a world without Ric Flair, it is quite possible that Anderson would have reigned supreme over NWA/WCW for many years. I'll just let the man's work speak for itself:

It's time once again to update you Cagesiders on the turbulent life of Tamara Sytch, best known for her WWF stint from 1995-1998 as arguably the company's first Diva Sunny. She first hit the headlines last autumn after being arrested five times for domestic violence and repeated violations of a restraining order. Sytch initially managed to avoid jail by entering WWE sponsored rehab. However, she wasn't so lucky when she violated her boyfriend's protective order again just a few weeks after she got out of rehabilitation and was given a short prison sentence. In between all her legal troubles and rehabilitation stint, Sytch managed to upset WWE with a tall story on a new Kayfabe Commentaries shoot interview about how the promotion switched her from the best possible treatment facility to the cheapest joint that they could find as soon as Linda McMahon was defeated in her second U.S. Senate election on Nov. 6th, 2012. WWE disputed her claims that they had treated her unfairly and announced that they would no longer fund any of her further rehab needs. Now, according to TMZ, Sytch is finally a free woman again after serving in full her 114 day jail sentence, but that's not all. Apparently, she had contracted the human papillomavirus (HPV) before entering prison, which she discovered whilst doing time that it had developed into cervical cancer. Just two weeks ago, Sytch is supposed to have had a hysterectomy and has already been declared cancer free. If true, then it's a terrible situation for her to deal with on top of everything else and she truly deserves our sympathy. Unfortunately, Sytch has become the girl who cried wolf once too often and it's hard to believe anything that she says now. Her latest plans are to publish an autobiography that she penned whilst locked up and to move to New Mexico where she can make a fresh start. At least there she will be far enough away from her ex-boyfriend Damien Darling that she shouldn't get arrested days after she was released from prison again.

11:36 AM (7 hours ago) to me ONE NIGHT ONLY! Shawn Michaels coming to Waynesboro, Va., on Aug. 31. Tickets to the Shawn Michaels Experience: Click here. Shawn Michaels will be making a rare East Coast fan meet-and-greet appearance for on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Louis Spilman Auditorium in Waynesboro, Va. Fans can take part in one of two ways – through the VIP Meet and Greet and the Fan Q&A. “We wanted to give fans every chance they could to be able to be a part of this special day,” said Chris Graham, the president of Top Rope Pro Wrestling, which is co-hosting the event with Michaels. Tickets for the Fan Q&A are just $25, Graham noted, “and that means for $25, you can ask Shawn anything. The Montreal Screwjob, WrestleMania main events, DX, even his days back in AWA.” “This is just a neat opportunity for fans,” Graham said. Starting at $125, fans can take part in the Meet and Greet with Michaels that gets you entry into the Fan Q&A and photo opportunities with Michaels. A limited number of VIP Passes are available at $175 with guaranteed Row 1-5 seating and a spot in the front of the line for the Meet and Greet. The event is still three months away, but fans from across the country have been snatching up the VIP Passes and are now moving into the Superstar-level tickets. “Look, we’re big fans, too. This is without a doubt the biggest meet and greet that we’ll ever do. Shawn does so few of these type events. We’re privileged to have this opportunity to be a part of this show, and we encourage fans to get their tickets now, because they’re not going to be around for much longer,” Graham said. More information on the show is available online atwww.TopRopeProWrestling.com.

To celebrate the recent launch of Blood Red Turns Dollar Green Vol. 2 - and in an effort to get as many wrestling fans as possible reading the Mick Foley endorsed novels - Blood Red Turns Dollar Green Vol. 1 is going free for one week. To you, the F4/WO reader. FOR FREE!! That's right, get the first novel in full for your eReader, iPad, Kindle etc for absolutely nothing. Just head on over to www.paulobrien.info/observer to get your free copy. But don't forget your coupon: bloodredobserver This coupon gets you the first novel at a 100% discount. At checkout, type in your coupon and click 'check.' And that's it. Free book. See what made an independent novel, written by an Irish playwright, become the #1 wrestling book on Amazon US and UK. Come and find out why the WWE Hardcore Legend has only ever officially endorsed two books outside his own - both written by Paul O'Brien - both Blood Red Turns Dollar Green Vols 1 & 2. And when you're done, please feel free to check out the second book in the proposed trilogy, Blood Red Turns Dollar Green Volume 2.

A look at how decisions from television executives changed the entire history of pro wrestling over the last 30 years is the lead story in this week's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, that is on the web site today.           The issue goes back to 2001, when wrestling changed with the death of WCW and ECW, and trace the rise and fall of both companies.  We look at the planned angle in 2001 that would have ended up with Nitro every week on Monday nights on the USA Network and how it was supposed to open, why the obvious angle didn't happen, and how abruptly everything changed and why.           We also look at all the plans for that year that dropped, the most successful non-WrestleMania PPV that WWE ever did, the death of WCW, the time WCW came close to dying a decade earlier and why it didn't, the history of pro wrestling on TBS, what led to Vince McMahon's association with Ted Turner and why feelings ended up bitter, the decisions that led to the death of Mid South Wrestling, ECW and WCW going down the tubes and more.           We also look at what contract WWF signed that killed their chances to greatly expand their TV network, the real story behind Vince McMahon's backing of ECW, the strange goings on regarding the sale of WCW to Vince McMahon, how much Vince McMahon paid for WCW, what it was a WWE decision that is the reason TNA is still in business and thoughts on what if ECW could have continued.           We also have a look at the life and career of Mick McManus, the all-time greatest villain in British wrestling.             We also have a look at the Extreme Rules PPV, with background notes on the show, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.           We also look at HHH's angle, WrestleMania the next few years, Dwayne Johnson surgery notes, as well as Gina Carano talking about Rock, another writer gets fired, Lesnar's next program, repackaging of Joe Hennig, WWE donates to Sports Legacy Institute, WWE announcing, why the Colons aren't on TV, Linda McMahon at WWE headquarters, and more.           We also look at Bruno Sammartion Day in Pittsburgh, the brunette dancer with Fandango as well as business notes.           We also look at the situation with Nick Diaz, all the allegations against Bryan Caraway, why Diaz was fined, looking at suspensions of UFC fighters and more.           We also look in depth at the recent WWE hirings and firigns.  We look at who has signed, their backgrounds, who has been let go, and notes on why certain people were hired and fired.           We also have coverage of the UFC show over the weekend, the Vitor Belfort controversy, the ratings and match-by-match coverage.           We also have coverage of the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.             The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.         The Observer is now in its 29th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world.  The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling and MMA industry, from bookers to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest names on camera and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and more than 30 countries subscribe.  Many have subscribed for 20 years or longer consecutively.  They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world.  Everywhere from Wall Street to the major offices to television networks in the U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in the business.        If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choic

By Dave Meltzerdave@wrestlingobserver.com           Main Event tonight on Ion: Alberto Del Rio vs. Big E Langston Usos vs. Drew McIntyre & Jinder Mahal         If you're wondering about the Wade Barrett title defense against Sin Cara that was set up by Sin Cara's win last week, well, plans change.           A look at how decisions from television executives changed the entire history of pro wrestling over the last 30 years is the lead story in this week's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, that is on the web site today.           The issue goes back to 2001, when wrestling changed with the death of WCW and ECW, and trace the rise and fall of both companies.  We look at the planned angle in 2001 that would have ended up with Nitro every week on Monday nights on the USA Network and how it was supposed to open, why the obvious angle didn't happen, and how abruptly everything changed and why.           We also look at all the plans for that year that dropped, the most successful non-WrestleMania PPV that WWE ever did, the death of WCW, the time WCW came close to dying a decade earlier and why it didn't, the history of pro wrestling on TBS, what led to Vince McMahon's association with Ted Turner and why feelings ended up bitter, the decisions that led to the death of Mid South Wrestling, ECW and WCW going down the tubes and more.           We also look at what contract WWF signed that killed their chances to greatly expand their TV network, the real story behind Vince McMahon's backing of ECW, the strange goings on regarding the sale of WCW to Vince McMahon, how much Vince McMahon paid for WCW, what it was a WWE decision that is the reason TNA is still in business and thoughts on what if ECW could have continued.           We also have a look at the life and career of Mick McManus, the all-time greatest villain in British wrestling.             We also have a look at the Extreme Rules PPV, with background notes on the show, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.           We also look at HHH's angle, WrestleMania the next few years, Dwayne Johnson surgery notes, as well as Gina Carano talking about Rock, another writer gets fired, Lesnar's next program, repackaging of Joe Hennig, WWE donates to Sports Legacy Institute, WWE announcing, why the Colons aren't on TV, Linda McMahon at WWE headquarters, and more.           We also look at Bruno Sammartion Day in Pittsburgh, the brunette dancer with Fandango as well as business notes.           We also look at the situation with Nick Diaz, all the allegations against Bryan Caraway, why Diaz was fined, looking at suspensions of UFC fighters and more.           We also look in depth at the recent WWE hirings and firigns.  We look at who has signed, their backgrounds, who has been let go, and notes on why certain people were hired and fired.           We also have coverage of the UFC show over the weekend, the Vitor Belfort controversy, the ratings and match-by-match coverage.           We also have coverage of the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.             The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.         The Observer is now in its 29th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world.  The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling and MMA industry, from bookers to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest names on camera and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and more than 30 countries subscribe.  Many have subscribed for 20 years or longer consecutively.  They get the most detailed and insid

WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley was recently interviewed by RingSideCollectibles.com, and he spoke on a number of topics including his new Mattel WWE Figure, his promo with Ryback on Raw and more. Below is the interview in its entirety:

So this is a real thing and you need to watch it right now.

The follow release was sent in by TopRopeWrestling.com: Shawn Michaels will be making a rare East Coast fan meet-and-greet appearance for on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 at the Louis Spilman Auditorium in Waynesboro, VA. Fans can take part in one of two ways – through the VIP Meet and Greet and the Fan Q&A. “We wanted to give fans every chance they could to be able to be a part of this special day,” said Chris Graham, the president of Top Rope Pro Wrestling, which is co-hosting the event with Michaels. Tickets for the Fan Q&A are just $25, Graham noted, “and that means for $25, you can ask Shawn anything. The Montreal Screwjob, WrestleMania main events, DX, even his days back in AWA.” “This is just a neat opportunity for fans,” Graham said. Starting at $125, fans can take part in the Meet and Greet with Michaels that gets you entry into the Fan Q&A and photo opportunities with Michaels. A limited numberof VIP Passes are available at $175 with guaranteed Row 1-5 seating and a spot in the front of the line for the Meet and Greet. The event is still three months away, but fans from across the country have been snatching up the VIP Passes and are now moving into the Superstar-level tickets. “Look, we’re big fans, too. This is without a doubt the biggest meet and greet that we’ll ever do. Shawn does so few of these type events. We’re privileged to have this opportunity to be a part of this show, and we encourage fans to get theirticketsnow, because they’re not going to be around for much longer,” Graham said. The post Shawn Michaels appearance announced for August 31, 2013 in Waynesboro, VA appeared first on Online World of Wrestling.