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Friday, August 27, 2010

Another One Goes Down

In my posting last nite, I talked about Stampede Wrestling and how I loved going to Exhibition Auditorium in the early 80's. It prompted an e-mail exchange with a good friend of mine today---a friend that I didn't know at the time used to go to the Tuesday night performances as well. We got talking about how many of the wrestlers--Davey Boy Smith, Brian Pillman, Chris Benoit, etc. etc. --have died and how others have basically treated their body like a car wreck. We wondered who might be next. In an eerie coincidence, we got our answer as a couple of hours later he texted me just as I was starting the Sportscage saying Luna Vachon had died. There is no cause of death as of writing this. One needs to read Bret Hart's book just to see what these guys do to themselves. "The Wrestler" does not exaggerate what these guys do on a night to night basis. They may entertain many, and they may get some good coin for it when hitting the big time, but is it really worth it? It makes me wonder just why the guys at High Impact Wrestling and other small time outfits do what they do.
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Try as they might, the BC Lions just couldn't keep up with Calgary. I didn't see a lot of the game, but it just looked as if Calgary was one step ahead. I did see the freak injury that BC's Darius Passmore sustained. That corrugated cardboard can do some damage. When will someone come out and say those signs should be removed from the field area. You can bet its coming.
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If the Riders don't beat the Eskimos by at least 14, I will be disappointed.
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Graham DeLaet did not make the cut at the Barclays so his rookie season on the PGA tour is over as he will not advance to next week's event. All in all, it was a great first year for the Weyburn product. I would say he has a better chance than Mike Weir or Stephen Ames at being the next Canadian to win a PGA event.
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I could care less where Ilya Kovalchuk plays next year.
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WHL camps are starting up and SJHL camps are right around the corner. Hockey time has arrived.
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The Notre Dame Hounds have a new assistant coach. You can check that story out by going here
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I'm guessing the Oilers need to find a goalie after Nikolai Khabibulin is found guilty of drunk driving. He could be spending 30 days in jail. Is this solid enough ground to void his big contract and set him free. It could give Edmonton a chance to go out and perhaps
sign a yet un-signed Antti Niemi or maybe trade for someone like a Josh Harding.
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UFC 118 is tonight. I am hoping Frankie Edgar destroys BJ Penn. Alas, I don't think that will happen. I am interested to see how James Toney performs against Randy Couture. If Toney wins, will this open MMA up to other boxers?
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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

DeLaet's season isn't over Mitch...after the Fed Ex Playoffs, there's the Fall Season. He'll have several tournaments to move up the rankings and get inside the top 125 to retain his tour card for 2011.
That Star Phoenix article was dead wrong. Horrible journalism. Some people need to do their homework!!

Anonymous said...

Here's hoping Toney wins. I wouldn't go across the street for an MMA event, but love boxing.

Anonymous said...

RIP Luna. I always thought when Vince started pushing the womens division that Luna was the only real wrestler on the roster.

She recently had her home burn down and she lost all her possesions including all of her wrestling memorabilia. She was living with her mom, who found her dead. Sad.

KC

Anonymous said...

We went to High Impact Wrestling on Saturday, and why they do what they do is a good question. For those who are not aware. A ticket is $10 in advance, and $13 at the door. They can get 200 people in. Tailormade Todd Meyers vs Chad Plum Loco in a Steel Cage Match. That match was the 5th one on the card. To host that they set up a ring in the parking lot with flood lights. People from the neighbourhood could watch that one for free. I guessed there were 300 that watched that match in total.

Tailormade wore the "Crimson Mask", and he was bleeding profusely. It was gushing out. He climbed the top rope, then he went to the top of the cage. He looked exactly like Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka in 1983 vs Don "The Rock" Muraco. He leaped off that cage, and I guess was 18 ft in the air,and splashed Loco. The crowd popped like you would not have believed.

My guess, was how much do you think he got paid from a $2000 gate? Not much, but these guys do it for the crowd and to entertain. I've read every wrestling autobiography, and have watched it for 30 years. These guys do it because it's about the fans, and getting them to feel something. Todd retired after 15 years, and thanked the fans for letting him entertain them. Brett Hart explains all this in his book. It is a true artform, and I am grateful these guys are putting on the show they do.

Obama