Wrestling

By Chris Aiken | lariatrope@live.com | @lariatrope Airdate: May 22, 2013 WWE Main Event from Omaha opened with Ricardo Rodriguez introducing Alberto Del Rio. The entrance of Big E Langston followed along with highlights from Raw of Langston beating Del Rio in a match. During Langston’s entrance with chalk in his hands, Big E clapped his hands together several times and powder went flying around. Lebron James does a similar gimmick and it works for him but Langston just looked as if he inhaled a bunch of chalk. Plus, Lebron is way more over. The advertised match between Wade Barrett and Sin Care got no mention and never took place. Apparently, plans change. Alberto Del Rio beat Big E Langston. In the opening moments, Langton overpowered Del Rio after blocking a suplex. Big E whipped Alberto into a corner a few times and began to work him over. Del Rio fought back with a kick and ducked when Langston charged towards him. Big E went over the top rope to the floor then Del Rio hit a tope. AJ screamed at Del Rio as he tried to get back in the ring. The distraction allowed Langston to knock Del Rio off the apron and send him crashing into the barricade before a commercial break. After the break, Big E had Alberto grounded and, when Del Rio tried to mount a comeback, Langston caught him as he dove off the top rope and he delivered three backbreakers. Once again, Del Rio tried to start a comeback but he missed a splash in the corner and Langston worked him over more. Alberto tried a sunset flip but Big E broke up the attempt. Langston charged into the corner and caught a boot from Del Rio before taking a tornado DDT. At ringside, Ricardo led the crowd in clapping for Alberto. Big E cut off the comeback of Del Rio but missed a charge in the corner and hit the ring post shoulder first. Moments later, Langston hit a belly-to-belly suplex and took down the strap on his gear to set up his finisher. Del Rio caught Langston and tried to apply the armbar but Langton blocked it. Del Rio blocked the “big ending” finisher and used an enzuigiri from behind and rolled up Langston for the pin. Following the match, a recap aired highlighting the feud between Ryback and John Cena. The video package put over Ryback as a strong monster heel and would help establish the ambulance gimmick for an angle later on in this episode. Jimmy & Jey Uso beat Drew McIntyre & Jinder Mahal (plus Ryback kidnapped Heath Slater). The match started at a slower pace than most of the secondary matches on this show usually do but the match started about halfway through the show instead of being in the final segment. The Usos used some double team moves and the action went back-and-forth until 3MB began to get heat on one of the Usos. After nailing a spin kick, the Usos got the hot tag and the fresh brother ran wild on 3MB. After Jey Uso went to the top rope, McIntyre distracted him and Mahal crotched him on the turnbuckle. 3MB got heat on Jey until a hot tag was made. After Jimmy hit the Rikishi (butt) splash in the corner, sirens sounded and an ambulance appeared. Ryback came out of the ambulance, marched down to ringside, attacked Heath Slater and threw him in the back of the ambulance. So he kidnapped Slater on national television and, if he is not renting the services of the ambulance, apparently committed grand theft auto beforehand. Nevertheless, the Usos used a splash off the top on to McIntyre and got the pin. Afterwards, highlights aired of the closing angle from Raw where Triple H collapsed during his match with Curtis Axel. In an “update” on the condition of Triple H, Michael Cole said he suffered from post-concussion syndrome that he attributed to the sledgehammer shot at Extreme Rules.

By Chris Aiken | lariatrope@live.com | @lariatrope Airdate: May 22, 2013 WWE Main Event from Omaha opened with Ricardo Rodriguez introducing Alberto Del Rio. The entrance of Big E Langston followed along with highlights from Raw of Langston beating Del Rio in a match. During Langston’s entrance with chalk in his hands, Big E clapped his hands together several times and powder went flying around. Lebron James does a similar gimmick and it works for him but Langston just looked as if he inhaled a bunch of chalk. Plus, Lebron is way more over. The advertised match between Wade Barrett and Sin Care got no mention and never took place. Apparently, plans change. Alberto Del Rio beat Big E Langston. In the opening moments, Langton overpowered Del Rio after blocking a suplex. Big E whipped Alberto into a corner a few times and began to work him over. Del Rio fought back with a kick and ducked when Langston charged towards him. Big E went over the top rope to the floor then Del Rio hit a tope. AJ screamed at Del Rio as he tried to get back in the ring. The distraction allowed Langston to knock Del Rio off the apron and send him crashing into the barricade before a commercial break. After the break, Big E had Alberto grounded and, when Del Rio tried to mount a comeback, Langston caught him as he dove off the top rope and he delivered three backbreakers. Once again, Del Rio tried to start a comeback but he missed a splash in the corner and Langston worked him over more. Alberto tried a sunset flip but Big E broke up the attempt. Langston charged into the corner and caught a boot from Del Rio before taking a tornado DDT. At ringside, Ricardo led the crowd in clapping for Alberto. Big E cut off the comeback of Del Rio but missed a charge in the corner and hit the ring post shoulder first. Moments later, Langston hit a belly-to-belly suplex and took down the strap on his gear to set up his finisher. Del Rio caught Langston and tried to apply the armbar but Langton blocked it. Del Rio blocked the “big ending” finisher and used an enzuigiri from behind and rolled up Langston for the pin. Following the match, a recap aired highlighting the feud between Ryback and John Cena. The video package put over Ryback as a strong monster heel and would help establish the ambulance gimmick for an angle later on in this episode. Jimmy & Jey Uso beat Drew McIntyre & Jinder Mahal (plus Ryback kidnapped Heath Slater). The match started at a slower pace than most of the secondary matches on this show usually do but the match started about halfway through the show instead of being in the final segment. The Usos used some double team moves and the action went back-and-forth until 3MB began to get heat on one of the Usos. After nailing a spin kick, the Usos got the hot tag and the fresh brother ran wild on 3MB. After Jey Uso went to the top rope, McIntyre distracted him and Mahal crotched him on the turnbuckle. 3MB got heat on Jey until a hot tag was made. After Jimmy hit the Rikishi (butt) splash in the corner, sirens sounded and an ambulance appeared. Ryback came out of the ambulance, marched down to ringside, attacked Heath Slater and threw him in the back of the ambulance. So he kidnapped Slater on national television and, if he is not renting the services of the ambulance, apparently committed grand theft auto beforehand. Nevertheless, the Usos used a splash off the top on to McIntyre and got the pin. Afterwards, highlights aired of the closing angle from Raw where Triple H collapsed during his match with Curtis Axel. In an “update” on the condition of Triple H, Michael Cole said he suffered from post-concussion syndrome that he attributed to the sledgehammer shot at Extreme Rules.

By Chris Aiken | lariatrope@live.com | @lariatrope Airdate: May 22, 2013 WWE Main Event from Omaha opened with Ricardo Rodriguez introducing Alberto Del Rio. The entrance of Big E Langston followed along with highlights from Raw of Langston beating Del Rio in a match. During Langston’s entrance with chalk in his hands, Big E clapped his hands together several times and powder went flying around. Lebron James does a similar gimmick and it works for him but Langston just looked as if he inhaled a bunch of chalk. Plus, Lebron is way more over. The advertised match between Wade Barrett and Sin Care got no mention and never took place. Apparently, plans change. Alberto Del Rio beat Big E Langston. In the opening moments, Langton overpowered Del Rio after blocking a suplex. Big E whipped Alberto into a corner a few times and began to work him over. Del Rio fought back with a kick and ducked when Langston charged towards him. Big E went over the top rope to the floor then Del Rio hit a tope. AJ screamed at Del Rio as he tried to get back in the ring. The distraction allowed Langston to knock Del Rio off the apron and send him crashing into the barricade before a commercial break. After the break, Big E had Alberto grounded and, when Del Rio tried to mount a comeback, Langston caught him as he dove off the top rope and he delivered three backbreakers. Once again, Del Rio tried to start a comeback but he missed a splash in the corner and Langston worked him over more. Alberto tried a sunset flip but Big E broke up the attempt. Langston charged into the corner and caught a boot from Del Rio before taking a tornado DDT. At ringside, Ricardo led the crowd in clapping for Alberto. Big E cut off the comeback of Del Rio but missed a charge in the corner and hit the ring post shoulder first. Moments later, Langston hit a belly-to-belly suplex and took down the strap on his gear to set up his finisher. Del Rio caught Langston and tried to apply the armbar but Langton blocked it. Del Rio blocked the “big ending” finisher and used an enzuigiri from behind and rolled up Langston for the pin. Following the match, a recap aired highlighting the feud between Ryback and John Cena. The video package put over Ryback as a strong monster heel and would help establish the ambulance gimmick for an angle later on in this episode. Jimmy & Jey Uso beat Drew McIntyre & Jinder Mahal (plus Ryback kidnapped Heath Slater). The match started at a slower pace than most of the secondary matches on this show usually do but the match started about halfway through the show instead of being in the final segment. The Usos used some double team moves and the action went back-and-forth until 3MB began to get heat on one of the Usos. After nailing a spin kick, the Usos got the hot tag and the fresh brother ran wild on 3MB. After Jey Uso went to the top rope, McIntyre distracted him and Mahal crotched him on the turnbuckle. 3MB got heat on Jey until a hot tag was made. After Jimmy hit the Rikishi (butt) splash in the corner, sirens sounded and an ambulance appeared. Ryback came out of the ambulance, marched down to ringside, attacked Heath Slater and threw him in the back of the ambulance. So he kidnapped Slater on national television and, if he is not renting the services of the ambulance, apparently committed grand theft auto beforehand. Nevertheless, the Usos used a splash off the top on to McIntyre and got the pin. Afterwards, highlights aired of the closing angle from Raw where Triple H collapsed during his match with Curtis Axel. In an “update” on the condition of Triple H, Michael Cole said he suffered from post-concussion syndrome that he attributed to the sledgehammer shot at Extreme Rules.

By Chris Aiken | lariatrope@live.com | @lariatrope Airdate: May 22, 2013 WWE Main Event from Omaha opened with Ricardo Rodriguez introducing Alberto Del Rio. The entrance of Big E Langston followed along with highlights from Raw of Langston beating Del Rio in a match. During Langston’s entrance with chalk in his hands, Big E clapped his hands together several times and powder went flying around. Lebron James does a similar gimmick and it works for him but Langston just looked as if he inhaled a bunch of chalk. Plus, Lebron is way more over. The advertised match between Wade Barrett and Sin Care got no mention and never took place. Apparently, plans change. Alberto Del Rio beat Big E Langston. In the opening moments, Langton overpowered Del Rio after blocking a suplex. Big E whipped Alberto into a corner a few times and began to work him over. Del Rio fought back with a kick and ducked when Langston charged towards him. Big E went over the top rope to the floor then Del Rio hit a tope. AJ screamed at Del Rio as he tried to get back in the ring. The distraction allowed Langston to knock Del Rio off the apron and send him crashing into the barricade before a commercial break. After the break, Big E had Alberto grounded and, when Del Rio tried to mount a comeback, Langston caught him as he dove off the top rope and he delivered three backbreakers. Once again, Del Rio tried to start a comeback but he missed a splash in the corner and Langston worked him over more. Alberto tried a sunset flip but Big E broke up the attempt. Langston charged into the corner and caught a boot from Del Rio before taking a tornado DDT. At ringside, Ricardo led the crowd in clapping for Alberto. Big E cut off the comeback of Del Rio but missed a charge in the corner and hit the ring post shoulder first. Moments later, Langston hit a belly-to-belly suplex and took down the strap on his gear to set up his finisher. Del Rio caught Langston and tried to apply the armbar but Langton blocked it. Del Rio blocked the “big ending” finisher and used an enzuigiri from behind and rolled up Langston for the pin. Following the match, a recap aired highlighting the feud between Ryback and John Cena. The video package put over Ryback as a strong monster heel and would help establish the ambulance gimmick for an angle later on in this episode. Jimmy & Jey Uso beat Drew McIntyre & Jinder Mahal (plus Ryback kidnapped Heath Slater). The match started at a slower pace than most of the secondary matches on this show usually do but the match started about halfway through the show instead of being in the final segment. The Usos used some double team moves and the action went back-and-forth until 3MB began to get heat on one of the Usos. After nailing a spin kick, the Usos got the hot tag and the fresh brother ran wild on 3MB. After Jey Uso went to the top rope, McIntyre distracted him and Mahal crotched him on the turnbuckle. 3MB got heat on Jey until a hot tag was made. After Jimmy hit the Rikishi (butt) splash in the corner, sirens sounded and an ambulance appeared. Ryback came out of the ambulance, marched down to ringside, attacked Heath Slater and threw him in the back of the ambulance. So he kidnapped Slater on national television and, if he is not renting the services of the ambulance, apparently committed grand theft auto beforehand. Nevertheless, the Usos used a splash off the top on to McIntyre and got the pin. Afterwards, highlights aired of the closing angle from Raw where Triple H collapsed during his match with Curtis Axel. In an “update” on the condition of Triple H, Michael Cole said he suffered from post-concussion syndrome that he attributed to the sledgehammer shot at Extreme Rules.

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