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It seems theres never a year when a wrestler doesnt die.Too many great wreslters have died prematurely:Mr PefectOwen HartBritish BulldogBig BossmanEddie GuerreroCrash HollyPlus the ones you mentioned.And thats just a small portion of the total number that have died....sad indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.MMA
WWE Hall Of Famer "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd Passes Away
The News Star out of Monroe, Louisiana is reporting that WWE Hall of Famer "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd has passed away. Ladd had been battling colon cancer, which spread to his stomach and bones for the past three plus years. Due to knee problems, he'd largely been confined to a wheelchair. Here is their story:
Ernie Ladd, NFL Hall of Fame football player and wrestler, has died
By Nick Deriso
Ernie Ladd, who rose to fame as a football player but made his name nationally as a wrestler, died overnight, according to family members.
Ladd, 68, had battled cancer — first in his colon, then later in his stomach and bones — since 2004. Born Nov. 28, 1938, in Rayville, but raised in Orange, Texas, he worked through his final years as a pastor in the Louisiana town of Franklin.
Funeral arrangements were still pending today, according to Roslyn Ladd, his wife of more than 45 years.
Selected 15th in the American Football League draft by San Diego out of Grambling College, Ladd appeared in three of that now-defunct league's championship games, winning the 1963 title.
"We were like a family," Ladd told The News-Star in May 2005. "We were one of the first integrated teams, with black players and white players as roommates."
He had entered professional football as a heralded 1960 first-team all-league defensive college lineman under former Grambling coach Eddie Robinson. There, Ladd helped GSU to its first-ever Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.
At 6-9 and 315 pounds, he was arguably the biggest GSU star to ever play for Robinson, who remains the all-time winningest football coach in Division I history.
"The first year he was here, he taught me a lesson," Robinson once said. "He told me how good he was. Sure, I'd say. Then he hurt somebody. I'd feel sorry for the people he was tackling."
Elected to four straight AFL All-Star Games from 1962-1965, he later played with the Houston Oilers and the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. While with the Chiefs, he reunited with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Junious "Buck" Buchanan, another Grambling product, and was on the roster for both of Kansas City's Super Bowl appearances.
Ladd began wrestling as a sideline during his rookie AFL season, and found the payday and fame so alluring that eventually he gave up pro football. It was there that he picked up a nickname that would remain with him for life: "Big Cat."
Ladd's storylines resonated during wrestling's earliest flowering as a national attraction, not to mention signature moves that included the "guillotine drop" and a boot to the face. Rivalries with Andre the Giant and Dusty Rhodes helped shape wrestling's 1970s persona.
Today, he's the only person in both the American Football League and World Wrestling Federation halls of fame. Ladd is also a 1994 inductee into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and joined the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2004.
Ladd's knees were so damaged — his first surgery came while still in college — that in his final years, he walked down long staircases backward. But Ladd's boundless spirit was unbowed by his body's failures, as he displayed a touch of humor even after that cancer diagnosis.
"The doctor told me I had three-to-six months to live," Ladd said in 2005, then at the mid-way point in his nearly four year battle with the disease. "I told him Dr. Jesus has the verdict on me."
Ladd was a father of four and grandfather to over a dozen more.
prowrestling.com
Alan J. Wojcik of www.alanwojcik.com sent in this report:
These are LIVE SPOILERS from TNA's Spike TV tapings on the road to the Lockdown PPV to be held in St. Louis, Missouri. TNA Management representative Jim Cornette promises a major announcement about Lockdown and the future of TNA during hour one as the Six Sides of Steel was waiting for us as we walked into the Impact Zone. Before we entered the Impact Zone, Bill Banks and Brother Runt were walking through the lines outside interviewing fans and taking photos with children. For people who like her, we were denied a $o Cal Val appearance on Impact hour number one. No backstage interviews were shown during the first hour however Kahagas blessed us with his presence. The same cannot be said for Ricky Romeo who injured his knee in the LAX/3D brawl last night.
Hour one results:
Jim Cornette opened the show inside the Six Sides of Steel to announce the main event for Lockdown, a 10 man match in Lethal Lockdown rules. He brought out the team captains: NWA World Heavyweight champion "the Instant Classic" Christian Cage and Kurt Angle. Cornette said they would be able to choose their 4 men between now and the PPV. Cage tried to protest Cornette's ruling but the TNA theme music played drowning him out.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles came into the Impact Zone. He had a brace on his neck and left ankle and used a crutch to get down to the ring. He asked the fans and Rhino was the way he looked what he wanted. He said doctors told him his body would never be the same. Styles claimed he wouldn't have wished this result for Rhino. When Styles told the fans he was unable to wrestle tonight the fans chanted "Thank You Rhino." Styles wanted Rhino to come to the ring and call Styles' wife telling him what happened. Styles' wish was answered and "the War Machine" Rhino came to the ring. Rhino said what made Styles think he hadn't already called or did he want to be knocked out on more time. Styles said he understood Rhino was trying to help him and he wanted the war to be over. Rhino asked the fans what they wanted and of course the blood thirsty fans said they wanted more. Styles said he understood the fight between Rhino and Christian Cage. Rhino said it was over and shook hands with Styles. Styles went to deck the crutch but Rhino caught it. Too bad he didn't catch Styles' boot that kicked Rhino's crotch into the cage. Styles attacked Rhino but Rhino fought back sending Styles into the cage face first. Just when Rhino got control, Christian Cage hit the ring and then Rhino with a crutch to the neck. Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe hit the ring and Styles hit the bricks. Cage knew what was going to happen so he scaled the fencing and got out.
The TNA crew took the cage down in what had to be record time and Jeremy Borash came out with Kevin Nash and his new friend Sonjay Dutt. Nash said Dutt was six weeks of the gas; take that for what you will. It looked like we were going to get "Macho Man" Jay Lethal. Nash and Borash said they would donate $1,000 dollars each to Coaches vs Cancer if Lethal came out. Lethal refused to come out to the ring and his friends. Nash said he produced a song for him to come to the ring with. Lethal finally came out and seemed confused by the new music which seemed "Macho Man" inspired.
(1) In a three way match, Jay Lethal defeated Jerry Lynn and Kaz of Serotonin (Frankie "the Future" Kazarian)
Kaz jumped Lethal but Lynn rolled him up for two. Just when it looked like Lethal and Lynn were going to work together Lynn got decked by Lethal. Both men took turns trying to beat up Kaz and Lynn got two after a suplex like move. Kaz rolled Lynn up for two but Lethal tried to attack so Kaz hit him with a Northern Lights suplex as he had Lynn pinned. Lethal missed an enziguri and Lynn rolled him up for two. With Lynn down Lethal hit Kaz with a move and got the pin. Sorry I am not sure the name of the move. I am sure that after the match "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels charged the ring and laid all three men out with a baseball bat.
(2) Alex Shelley and NWA World Tag Team champions Latin American Xchange ("Notorious 187" Homicide and Hotstuff Hernandez w/Konnan & Machete) defeated Team 3D (Brothers Ray, Devon and Runt w/ Johnny Rodz).
Being from Detroit, Shelley embraced his thug style and dressed accordingly. Konnan joined Mike Tenay and Don West on commentary during this match. Shelley was going to begin against Devon but smartly tagged in Hernandez. But Devon was ready to fight and hit a Thesz press to throw some right hand punches. Ray tagged but ducked too early for an attempted backdrop and Hernandez kicked him in the shoulder. LAX went to work on a wrapped up left elbow and Ray could only scream in pain. Homicide got too close and was hit with a sidewalk slam. That allowed Runt to tag in and fair well but the fighting went to the floor where Shelley hit Runt with a DVD onto the ring apron. Homicide hit Runt with a chair and then sent him back him back to the ring where Hernandez hit the choke into a throw that sent Runt clear across the ring. All three men hit top rope splashes on Runt but Devon broke up the pin attempt. An LAX double team move backfired and Runt tagged out to Devon who cleared the ring of LAX members. All hell broke out once more and 3D hit Shelley with the Wassup package shot. With LAX out on the floor 3D called for the tables as Machete distracted the referee. 3D hit Shelley with the 3D but Rudy Charles was too busy with Machete and Rodz. As Devon called for the referee to get in the ring, Hernandez slid in from behind and rolled up Devon for the pin. Konnan said LAX had beaten 3D in every match TNA put them in next they were going to take 3D's legacy. TNA officials had to come out to assist Shelley to the locker room after taking the 3D through the table.
NWA World Heavyweight champion "the Instant Classic" Christian Cage and "the Phenomenal" AJ Styles made their way into the Impact Zone. Cage introduced the third member of his team, Abyss. This was weird since Styles and Cage were Abyss' opponents at the previous two Lockdown PPV's. I guess Sting felt the same way as he came down to the ringside area. Sting said Abyss was his own team and Abyss was tired of being led around. Sting said the future was there for Abyss' taking. Cage and Sting began a power struggle over Abyss when Jim Cornette came out. Cornette said next week Styles and Cage would face Sting and Abyss. Sting said why wait let's do it right now and charged the ring but Styles and Cage bailed.
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Hour two results:
(1) "War Machine" Rhino, Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle defeated Serotonin members Kaz, Havok and Martyr (Frankie "the Future" Kazarian, "Hotshot" Johnny Devine and "Maverick" Matt Bentley.)
Martyr lost blonde coloring in his hair but kept the face paint. Martyr began against Rhino and didn't fair well. Angle tagged in and so did Kaz who got hit with a German suplex. Joe tagged in and Kaz tagged in Havok who got hit with a powerslam and several right hand punches. All three members of Serotonin got in to fight but it was Martyr who fell to the Muscle Buster.
Team 3D made their way to the ring carrying some luggage. They wasted no time in asking LAX to come to the ring and their request was granted. Ray was wearing a shirt in tribute to Road Warrior Hawk AKA Mike Hegstrand. Ray admitted LAX had their number in recent matches and played as dirty as 3D would have ten years ago. Ray talked about LAX wanting 3D's legacy which isn't taken its earned. 3D was going to give them a chance to earn the legacy. In the luggage were the WWE World Tag Team titles, the WCW World Tag team titles and the ECW World Tag Team titles. At Lockdown 3D said they were all in legacy vs. tag team titles. Before 3D left the ring Konnan was rolled out by Machete. Konnan used crutches to enter the ring and face 3D. Konnan said the titles in the ring meant nothing and called his team the TNA Tag Team champions. Konnan wanted an electrified cage match for Lockdown; I think 3D accepted the offer.
(2) The Austin Starr defeated "Showtime" Eric Young.
The fans were behind Young even as Starr attacked at the bell. Starr hit Young with a corner whip and a dropkick to the face followed by dropping young on the top rope for a back rake. Robert Roode and Ms. Brooks made their way out to watch as Starr missed his elbow drop. Young got on fire as he tossed Starr from one side of the ring to the other. As Brooks got Andrew Thomas' attention Roode hit Young in the back and set up Starr who won with the brainbuster. After the bell Petey Williams came and got in the face of his former Team Canada partner. Young and Williams were going to shake hands when Roode pulled Young to the floor and then the locker room.
(3) Jerry Lynn and "Tennessee Cowboy" James Storm (w/ "the Pride of Tennessee" Jacqueline Moore) was ruled a no contest.
Storm and Moore came out for the match but Lynn didn't come out when his music played. A referee came out and said Jerry Lynn was apparently injured. Storm got the mic saying his two favorite things were drinking beer and beating people up. He was out of beer so he wanted someone to fight him and his request was answered by "Wildcat" Chris Harris. But Gail Kim came out and stopped Harris from getting in the ring. Moore taunted Kim who jumped in and fought Moore as Harris chased Storm to the locker room.
(4) NWA World Heavyweight champion "the Instant Classic" Christian Cage and "the Phenomenal" AJ Styles defeated Abyss and Sting.
Dave Penzer called this the "Hell Freezes Over" match and I am sure we all agreed with that sentiment. The team of Sting and Abyss never really got on track as Styles and Cage kept Sting isolated from his partner for several minutes. Cage missed a top rope headbutt and this allowed Sting the time needed to tag Abyss as Styles also tagged in. Abyss was in full control of the match as he hit Styles with Shock Treatment but Cage stopped the pin. Styles saved Cage from Shock Treatment but they missed the blind tag and Sting hit a top rope bodyblock on both men. Father James Mitchell came down to ringside with a woman who I am guessing is the mother of Abyss. This left Abyss confused and he ended up following Mitchell and Mom down the rampway. Styles and Cage kept double teaming Sting but all it did was get sting fired up as he hit both men with the Stinger Splash. Sting locked Styles in the Scorpion Death Lock but Cage got the referee's attention and "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner came out. Steiner leveled Sting with his trusty pipe and placed Styles on top of Sting for the pinfall.
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Xplosion matches taped:
(1) "Macho Man" Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt defeated World X Division champion "the Future" Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley when Lethal hit Shelley wit ha top rope elbow drop like you know who used to do.
(2) The Austin Starr and Robert Roode (w/Ms. Brooks) defeated Senshi and Lance Hoyt when Ms. Brooks got the referee's attention and Starr hit Hoyt in his package as he was getting ready to hit Roode with a chokeslam. Roode hit Hoyt with a DDT to win.
TNA will be taping three episodes on March 26th before heading on the road.
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Matches announced for TNA Lockdown PPV:
***In a Lethal Lockdown match, NWA World Heavyweight champion "the Instant Classic" Christian Cage, "the Phenomenal" AJ Styles, "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner and ?? vs. Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, War Machine" Rhino and ??
*** In an electrified cage match, NWA World Tag Team champions Latin American Xchange ("Notorious 187" Homicide and Hotstuff Hernandez w/Konnan & Machete) vs. Team 3D (Ray and Devon)
*** "Wildcat" Chris Harris (w/Gail Kim) vs. "Tennessee Cowboy" James Storm (w/"the Pride of Tennessee" Jacqueline Moore) (guessing on way things looked)
Last night's RAW was funny..........
If I was Melina, I would've whooped Ashley's(or whatever her name is) ass......
What's up with the wack story line between John Cena and Shawn Michaels....
The Rock was runnin' his mouth as usual........
And Donald Trump vs. Vince McMahon......... they let Donald Trump get his cheap shot...........LMAO
Stone Cold Steve Austin.........FUNNY AS HELL...... "You gotta problem wit' bald people???".......LMAO
Rock was on RAW? Whaaat!! RAW was pretty cool, I think WWE's making a comeback -rating- wise with the Donald angle, and having Wrestlemania around the corner is always good for a ratings boost. Cena/HBK have a good angle going, I think. It's kinda anti-HBK/Stone Cold at WM 14. Here you have the young gun already with the title, and the old man wanting his last glory shine. Austin IS funny as fuck and people who never knew about ECW in like 1995 didn't know this until like 2002 when Austin turned goofy. I like this Austin best. His vest was badass too, I wanna cop that shit.
I watched lockdown today. It was good but it seemed like every match ended bad, when sting put abyss in the coffin he barely touched him and abyss got in, dunno wat happened in the steiner/angle match it looked like they fucked up though or steiner did. then the last match, what the fuck was that? no replay to? did he even have him covered for the start of the 3 count?
it was funny to see the rock and stone cold on raw. that donald trump seems strange.
What's up with Snitsky's new look? Is he supposed to be Kane, version 2? I haven't watched much of ECW lately, how's that New Breed vs. Originals storyline been going?
I saw that MTV decided to air the remianing episodes of Wrestling Society X tonight. They aired a bunch of episodes late tonight, all in a row. Great way for people to see them, late on a Tuesday night.
as for the new breeb vs originals thing....elijah burke is still trying to get cm punk to join them....obviously he is reluctant to do so....other than that ecw is failing miserbaly as much as i like lashley i just cant get into the show...maybe if it was 2 hours like raw and sdQuote:
Originally Posted by check two
man i knew samoa joe would lose. I hope he wins the title one day.
he will, but when he wins it i don't think it will change hand for a very long time and that is boring so i hope its not to soon.
“Golden Boy” Arnold Skaaland, a WWE Hall of Famer and a member of the WWE family for over a half-century, passed away Tuesday at the age of 82, with his wife, Betty, by his side.
Arnie was involved in virtually every aspect of sports-entertainment, from grappling to managing to promoting. During the era of the World Wide Wrestling Federation, Skaaland was a stockholder of Capitol Wrestling Corporation, and a producer of live events at the Westchester County Center.
As a wrestler, Skaaland was fearless, taking on much larger men and always giving them a fight. In 1967, he and Spiros Arion won the now-defunct WWE United States Tag Team Championship. He also served as the referee for the famous 1962 match in Japan between “Classy” Freddie Blassie and Rikidozan.
Another generation of fans may remember Skaaland as a manager. He regularly accompanied Bruno Sammartino to the ring during his reigns as WWWF Champion, and later led Bob Backlund to the same title. Perhaps Skaaland’s most controversial moment occurred while managing Backlund; on Dec. 23, 1983, he threw in the towel for Backlund after the Iron Sheik trapped the titlist in the camel clutch – ending the clean-living kingpin’s long reign as WWE Champion.
Skaaland was a legend in all facets of sports-entertainment, and in 1994, he became a member of the first full class inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
prowrestling.com
i disagree he will lose it. i think he should hold the belt for 3 ppv's. tna needs to build more stars. who will christain face in the next next tna ppv. I m hoping its not joe unless he wins. I dont see scott steiner as a face, a tomko vs christain title bout would suck ass. if it has to be angle then so be it. christain as a heel champ is a great idea. I just hope tna dont give the title back to jarrett. but i admit I tna is missing jeff jarrett.
I conducted an interview with mike quakenbush via email it can be viewed at my at my live journal here is the link http://webconn.livejournal.com/6592.html please check it out .
I also have an Steve Corino up at this link http://webconn.livejournal.com/2006/10/02/
Snakes,
Are you a wrestling columnist?
The ECW Originals vs. New Breed storyline will be blown off at WrestleMania. The ECW Originals are expected to lose the eight-man match. There are going to be no plans for the group after WrestleMania and some of them could be phased out of ECW all together.
With the exception of Rob Van Dam, since the ball is in his court in regards to whether he stays or goes, it's unlikely that any of the ECW Originals will have a TV role by the end of the summer. However, Dreamer will likely be kept on as a talent providing that he doesn't get his old office job back since Mike Bucci isn't in good standing with a number of people. He's the one who took over Dreamer's job as talent relations liason to developmental. Bucci was also the office fall guy for the mess at the Arnold Classic convention a few weeks ago. Dreamer is also good friends with Shane McMahon so the feeling is he's going to have a spot. As far as Sabu and Sandman are concerned, they are currently on the bubble.
The feeling right now is negative to anyone with an ECW background because the brand flopped and the justification is that those guys weren't big enough stars. There are currently no plans for ECW-only house shows.
prowrestling.com