~~~~~THE TBL NEWSLETTER~~~~~
Volume 3, Issue 13
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Official Newsletter of:
The Balrog’s Lair
“Still an Internet Original!”
And
W.O.W Revolution
“It’s What You’ve Been Waiting For”
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Charge
Okay, so I had some problems.
Sorry it’s taken so long to get a new newsletter out to all of you. I’ve been busy and we’ve had a bit of a vacation for our columnists. Some are still on vacation but will be back next week, I’m sure. This is what you get when it’s a hobby and no one gets paid.
But we are back today and, although this will be a shorter than normal newsletter, I’m hoping you all enjoy the news we have for you. Oh, and I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
I’m gathering all the news you see here from a new website that I think all of you will like too – Salty Ham. Seeing as how it’s my new website, I hope you’ll check it out sometime. And as always, The Balrog’s Lair and W.O.W Revolution are there for ALL your wrestling needs.
I’ll be back with some plugs later. Enjoy!
Roland G
Editor-in-Chief
rolandg77@sbcglobal.net
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Austin’s Book Sales and WWE Ranked for Violent Toys
Steve Austin’s new book, The Stone Cold Truth, turned up #9 on the New York Times Best Seller Non-Fiction list yesterday. It will probably move up to #8 next week. There are rumors of Austin penning another book in the future.
CNN recently ranked WWE’s action figures as one of the “dirty dozen” toys, their annual list of the most violent toys for kids.
Source: 1wrestling.com
Return for Mideon?
Dennis Knight, also known as Mideon, has been telling friends that he is set to return to WWE and will take part in the rumored Kane vs. Undertaker feud. This is only a rumor and should be taken as such.
Source: PW Torch
Concern Over Cena Turn
There is concern in the WWE with the obvious face turn for John Cena. Many see a similarity with him and Eddy Guerrero, who lost a lot of his popularity when WWE did a similar turn with him.
Some feel that Cena’s face turn should have been more gradual, like Steve Austin and The Rock. Michael Hayes was pushing for this angle last week, but his idea of allowing Cena to give the F-U to Benoit was edited out of a recent episode of SmackDown.
Source: Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter
Mysterio Held Down. Politics?
Some people backstage are confused over how the WWE has been using Rey Mysterio. Mysterio was a big merchandise seller this year and has quickly become a fan favorite. One rumor for the sudden de-push is that Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar have used their political power to keep Mysterio down, and that Angle and Lesnar have become more “dominant” towards their roles on Smackdown.
Source: Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter
Former NWA Champ Dick Hutton Passes Away
Former NWA Champion Richard “Dick” Hutton died this week. He was 80. Hutton held the NWA title during the 50s and was one of wrestling’s top heavyweights of his time. Hutton was hand picked by Lou Thesz to be his replacement as NWA Champion in 1957.
Source: Wrestling Observer
Possible Reason Behind Release of Goldust
It was reported last week that Dustin Runnels, aka Goldust, will be released from his contract when it runs out in January 2004.
Some are saying that the real reason for WWE’s release of Goldust is that he is too injury prone, and, creatively, there wasn’t much that the writers could do with him.
Although many knew that management was going to release him, some still find it odd that the WWE went public with the information.
Source: PWTorch.com
More Cena Rumors
Vince McMahon is said to be personally overseeing the John Cena character as he feels Cena is a pet project. Some rumors in the back say that Cena may recieve a major belt soon – and his feud with The Big Show points to a US Title run. There is also some talk that Cena will be picked to win The Royal Rumble in January, meaning he would be a participant in the main event at Wrestlemania XX.
Of course, these are rumors and should be taken as such.
Source: Wrestling 365
Hart Mansion For Sale
The Hart Family have officially put thair father’s mansion in Calgary, Alberta Canada up for sale last week. Stu Hart, who passed away on 10/16, first bought the 22-room in 1951 for just $25,000.
It can now be purchased for $2 Million.
Source: 1wrestling.com
Goldberg A Team Player?
News is coming out about Goldberg becoming more of a “team player” backstage. He is trying to fit in bettert with the rest of the boys. Much of the WWE locker room was upset when Goldberg signed, feeling he would be a locker room cancer, but maybe his WCW ways are behind him.
Source: Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter
Royal Rumble News – Brand vs. Brand
The current plan is to have the first ever RAW vs. Smackdown meeting be at the Royal Rumble this January. The Rumble match itself is planned to include both brands with the winner getting a title shot at their respective champion.
There is a plan to have Wrestlemania also feature brand vs. brand matches, the rumors being Kane vs. The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Future Plans for WWE Title
The plan right now is for Brock Lesnar’s next major program to be with Hardcore Holly. That program will likely run through January and take place completely on TV since Smackdown doesn’t have a PPV until the Royal Rumble in January. As for the Rumble, WWE is considering a Brock Lesnar vs. Chris Benoit match.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
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THE TWO SHEDS REVIEW
By: Julian Radbourne
E-mail: twosheds316@aol.com
Website: www.twoshedsreview.vze.com
Lowestoft. Gem of the Suffolk coast. Known these days, for the most part, as the hometown of The Darkness, the biggest rock band in Britain right now. But twice a year, the World Association of Wrestling comes to town.
The Lowestoft shows are special to me not just because they are all great shows, but because it was here, two years ago, that I began my association with WAW. Saturday, December 15th, 2001 was my first night on the job as WAW’s chief reporter.
So as we come up to the second anniversary of this momentus occasion, I thought I’d take a look back at my five personal favourite matches I’ve seen over the past two years in Lowestoft. These are listed in chronological order, and not in order of preference.
1) “ROWDY” RICKY KNIGHT v THE ZEBRA KID, December 2001
This was the first time I had seen these two go at it in a singles match, and being fought under TLC rules, it was a truly brutal affair between two of the toughest men in the business. If there had been a kitchen sink anywhere around they would have used it as each men gave everything they had before the Zebra Kid came out on top, with a little help from Steve Quintain.
2) “FLYING” PHIL POWERS v PAUL TYRELL, May 2002
This was a classic match between two men who knew each other inside out, and was one of my favourite WAW matches of 2002. This was the proverbial knock-down/drag-out affair, the likes of which we very rarely see on television these days. Two evenly matched men, with Powers taking great delight in insulting the locals, so much so that one particular gentleman spent the entire evening questioning Powers’s parentage. After what seemed like an eternity of action, Tyrell won after a top-rope head-scissors.
3) P.N. NEUZ v “THE WILDCAT” ROBBIE BROOKSIDE, May 2002
This was a match for the WAW World Title pitting the British wrestling legend against the former WCW star. A mismatch in terms of wrestling styles, with Neuz’s sheer power proving to be too much for the much-smaller Brookside, with Brookside fighting back well, tying the big man up with pure wrestling skill. Neither man could get the upper-hand, and eventually the frustration showed as both men assaulted the referee, who had no choice but to rule the bout a no-contest. As the bell sounded neither men refused to back down, and as the fight continued, several wrestlers ran from the backstage area to try and break things up. Bodies went flying everywhere before Neuz and Brookside calmed down.
4) “THE TATTOOED WARRIOR” STEVE QUINTAIN v “THE TERMINATOR” SANDY SCOTT, December 2002
This match had a great deal riding on it’s outcome. Quintain and Scott had been feuding in Lowestoft for a year, and with lumberjacks surrounding the ring, both men put their careers on the line, and a shocking outcome almost cost the local hero his career.
The match was pretty even throughout, with the lumberjacks threatening to intervene on many occasions. However, as Quintain went for what looked like it would be the deciding pin, none other than Dan “The Man”, Quintain’s own nephew and one of the lumberjacks, broke up the pin. All hell broke loose. The referee took a hit as both sets of lumberjacks brawled in and out of the ring. When he eventually came to, he ruled the bout a no-contest, meaning that both men left the arena with their careers intact.
5) “ROWDY” RICKY KNIGHT v JAKE “THE SNAKE” ROBERTS, May 2003
This was another bruising and brutal encounter involving the Rowdy Man as he finally got the chance to go one-on-one with the WWF legend. With the Sweet Saraya in his corner, Knight dominated the contest from the beginning as the cowardly duo used every trick in the book However, Roberts showed a great deal of guts and pride, never giving up, which frustrated Knight and Saraya, so much so that they called for help from the Pitbulls. After the four-on-one attack the match was declared a no-contest, and a battered Roberts had to be helped from the ring.
Choosing just five matches from all of those I’ve seen proved to be a difficult choice, but I’m sure that those of you who travel to Lowestoft for each show will remember these gems.
Julian Radbourne is WAW’s chief reporter and regarded as one of the Internet’s leading wrestling writers. You can read Julian’s articles by logging onto www.twoshedsreview.vze.com
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Retreat
Hey, I know it’s not exactly the longest newsletter we’ve ever had, but let’s be thankful for it in this season of giving thanks.
Been to TBL lately? If you haven’t, you’re missing out. Some the very best in wrestling opinions, commentary, news, and discussion is going on. We would hate for you to miss it. Just this week alone we’ve seen Eddie bust out with a new News & Analysis for you to enjoy. Trevor returned with a solid Figure Four Leg Lock. A must read. Chris Vining was back with his canary-like thoughts in Delusions of Randomness. And, as always, I provided much joy with both RAW Rage and SmackDown Rage.
Yes sir, The Balrog’s Lair and W.O.W Revolution are your stops for the best in the latest wrestling news and information. Go there RIGHT NOW!
Gobble, Gobble.
Roland G
rolandg77@sbcglobal.net
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