The Undertaker: Dead Man Walking
Originally published on March 7, 2005
Written by Kirsty Quested

Author of The Best There Is, Was, and Ever Will Be, The King of Harts, and HBK Going the Distance

On November 23rd 1990, at Survivor Series, the collective intake of breath was audible throughout the arena, throughout living rooms across the world. Chills ran down spines as the gong sounded, followed by the mournful but sinister sound of the funeral dirge. Out of the shadows came a fearful presence – huge, brooding, and implacable. As the behemoth took his first measured steps towards the ring, fans worldwide caught a glimpse of the deathly pale face, the dark eyes shadowed by the brim of his hat. This was no colorful cartoon-like gimmick. As he reached the ring, the world was introduced to a man who would leave his indelible imprint on the world of professional wrestling in ways no other performer has, or ever will. The man from the dark side – The Undertaker.

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Host Alan Wojcik is joined weekly by Spug & Mase along with national contributors like Scott Fishman & Jim Varsallone of the Miami Herald, Phil Strum of the Poughkeepsie Journal, Graham Cawthon of the History of the WWE website, Anthony Castellano of Newsday (NY), Kevin K. Scott, Sarah & Ari Daigen of “In This Very Ring” & Lekisha Oliver of Examiner.com.   

Topics up for discussion include: a complete recap of Monday Night RAW & Friday Night SmackDown!, WWE champion CM Punk’s visit to San Diego Comic Con and AAW in Berwyn, Illinois, TNA Impact Wrestling news and notes as the promotion heads to the Hardcore Justice PPV  plus news regarding events across America. 

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Manager’s Corner: “Classy” Freddie Blassie
Originally published on September 16, 2003
Written by Kenneth Coker

He was a man who kept giving. He was a man despised by many fans in the United States and overseas for his “Classy” Freddie Blassie character. Yet, when the curtain went down, Freddie Blassie, real name, Fred Blassman, was one of the most charitable men to ever step into a wrestling arena.

Freddie Blassie began his wrestling career at the ripe age of 17. Blassie, the son of blue collar working class parents, worked two jobs at this point in his life, serving as a butcher, while feeding his wrestling obsession during the evening.

During World War II, Blassie made the ultimate sacrifice, and gave of himself. Putting his life on the line, as part of what Tom Brokaw has called “The Greatest Generation” during that conflict.

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The Short Bus: Second Chance
By Jerrod Sullivan

What happens to someone when that individual commits a work violation? A couple of results, they are warned about the issue or the individual involved is dismissed from their duties. If the individual is warned about the issue, they have the opportunity to resolve the problem. Other the hand, if their dismissed, the employer may be losing a valued employee. Also, remember the employer choice is determined by the degree of issues that brought on the violation.

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If you missed the Tuesday July 19th edition of the Online World of Wrestling Radio with host Alan Wojcik plus weekly contributors Mase & Spug, here are the highlights:

Go Directly to Download Section

***Our 1st 100% free to the listener’s interview was with NWA National Heavyweight champion Chance Prophet who took questions regarding the NWA Board of Directors stripping the Sheik of the World Heavyweight championship, his shot at the championship on July 31st at the Ohio State Fair, the similarities in his in-ring persona and TNA star Sting, what he feels the role of the NWA World champion is and much more. Log onto www.nwawrestling.com to see the entire lineup. A video commercial for the NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MAIN EVENT can also be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abje-ivqaG0 You can follow Chance on Twitter @ChanceProphet 

***Interview #2 was with an old friend to the show, “Mr. Gay Philadelphia” Johnny Kashmere who joined us to remember his late partner Michael Verdi AKA Trent Acid, a biography he has been asked to write plus off-wrestling topics including the Dark Knight Rises teaser trailer, legalized same-sex marriage in New York and a new podcast being created for www.phillygaycalander.com. Be sure to follow Johnny on Twitter @JohnnyKashmere

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If you missed the Tuesday July 12th edition of the Online World of Wrestling Radio with host Alan Wojcik plus weekly contributors Jackie Fiest & Spug, here are the highlights:

Our 1st 100% free to the listener’s interview was with the creators of the newly released documentary “Card Subject to Change”, director Tim Disbrow & producer James Soubasis. Both gentlemen took questions on the genesis of the film, selection process of the films main subjects, what got dropped on the cutting room floor, Tim working as his own director of photography and the memories of the late Trent “Michael Verdi” Acid. For film information log onto www.cardsubjecttochange.com 

Interview #2 was with a star of the film and a legend in his own right, Kevin Sullivan who took questions on why he said yes to the film, the stars of today who draw money like John Cena, CM Punk & the Miz, the creation of Goldberg in WCW, why the WCW War Games match lost its luster (question from our contributor Brian Shields), the creation of his “Prince of Darkness” persona in Championship Wrestling from Florida, why he sold Froggy’s Fitness, the legacy he has created in the business, his Boston Red Sox and much more. 

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Dragon Gate USA is preparing to sign the first matches for its next live events on September 9th in Indianapolis, September 10th in Chicago and September 11th in Milwaukee (tickets for all three events now on sale in the DGUSA.tv Store or by calling 267-519-9744). Now is a good time to take a quickie look at the state of the DGUSA roster signed at this point for September:
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My First Student of Professional Wrestling
By Dory Funk Jr.

Jumbo Tsuruta is the only wrestler ever outside the family to master the spinning toe hold, and is the only one who can throw the same fore arm smash every bit as hard as I do. His moves were so perfect that we did a special slow motion production of his three best suplexes, belly to belly, German suplex, and double arm suplex to use as an open for the television show in the Amarillo Territory.

Jumbo Tsuruta was sent to Amarillo by All Japan Pro-Wrestling President Giant Baba to train for professional wrestling. Jumbo was my first student. Even though his time in Amarillo was short, Tsuruta made many friends who never forgot his kindness.. He learned everything by just doing it. He told me his English was not so good and he really didn’t want to do interviews. I told him, you must do interviews, you are going to be interviewed and the announcer is going to ask you about your opponent, “You must say something.”

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If you missed the Tuesday July 5th edition of the Online World of Wrestling Radio with host Alan Wojcik plus weekly contributors Kevin Scott & Spug, here are the highlights:

Download:  www.clickwrestle.com/podcasts/owwradio

Our 100% free to the listener’s interview was with the one and only “Notorious 187” Homicide who spoke on several topics including: his ROH iPPV match with Rhino and the injury that occurred in the ring, being the 1st person to appear on two different PPV events on the same day, his feelings on the NY Yankees 2011 season so far, his visits to new Yankee Stadium & Fenway Park, his thoughts on being labeled a hardcore brawler, recalling his feuds with Colt Cabana & Steve Corino, being friends with Steve’s son Colby, his own view on CM Punk’s current WWE storyline, the new Mexican America gimmick in Impact Wrestling, the internet backlash towards the Urban Wrestling Federation’s debut, how he would end the NBA lockout & much more. Log onto www.ROHwrestling.com or www.urbanwrestlingfederation.com for information on both promotions. 

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Dear TNA Wrestling

Back in 2004, I witnessed one of your Wednesday night pay-per-view promo after a pay-per-view. While watching the promo, I saw several familiar faces from Sting, Jeff Jarrett, and numerous others. Curious about the event, I pleaded with my parents, so I may order the next pay-per-view. April 28, 2004, I saw a decent show with some interesting established characters, and a strong direction for the talent. Once upon time ago, I didn’t have a capable understand of wrestling terminology, but I knew what I liked. After that pay-per-view, I ordered every TNA Wednesday pay-per-view. It was costly ordering those events, but $10 a pay-per-view wasn’t a erroneous deal. In the next few months, the direction of the company changed from the world title, to the X-division title. The X-division was young, gifted, and had highlight worthy talent.

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