The "Human Orchid!" "The Toast Of The Coast," Gorgeous George Inducted Into WWE Hall Of Fame!

Moments ago (as I write this) Gorgeous George, one of the true creators of the modern Pro Wrestling landscape, was inducted by ex-wife Betty Wagner into the WWE HOF. The first wrestling match I ever saw, back when I was only recently graduated from wearing diapers, was George vs an opponent (I don't remember his name).

Even at that early age, the Gorgeous One, preceded by Betty who sprayed the ring with perfumed water, tossing "Georgie Pins" to the women in the crowd who scrambled to get them, wearing robes that looked more like something my Mother, rather than my father would wear,made an unforgettable impression on my young mind.

He challenged sexual stereotypes, as well as cultural values, and marketing techniques. Wife Betty, who played the role of his valet, richly deserved her moment in the spotlight. She not only sewed his costumes, she was the originator of many of his angles. Unfortunately, as so many entertainers have, George found the pressures of fame and celebrity more than he could bear without the aid of alcohol, and other vices.

In the end those pressures destoyed his marriage, consumed his fortune, and led to his death at the all too early age of forty-eight. There is a legend that when we die, and stand before the throne of judgment, our Guardian Angel will lean over the Book of our deeds, and surreptiously erase the record of our failings.

I would like to believe that whether a Guardian Angel, or the passage of enough time, the fall from grace that took George Wagner from the heights to a lonely death in a Hollywood flophouse, has faded and we can at last appreciate the genius of this wrestling pioneer.

Price of Glory's New Owner Revealed!

Coldwater, Michigan was once again the site for an exciting night of independent professional wrestling on March 21, at the Michigan Sports Camp.
Match #1) Noah Lott, accompnied by Tag partner Dollar, faced Idol Heinze, 1/2 of the current Tag Champions. This was a good warm-up match:Heinze's heel tactics got the crowd of fifty engaged, and aroused.

Lott beat his foe, after some torment, with a dropkick, and DDT combination.

next up was winless (in POG) Ryan Epic vs the much heavier Jonny Lawless, who proved that size does matter by using a cradle suplex to keep Epic's streak going. The Ring announcer then said the new owner would now come out to address the fans.

The crowd erupted in boos when Jimmy "The Hype" Shalwin, and his "Believers" came out! That however proved to be a red herring, the new owner proved to be:(drum roll please!) Johnny Dynamo, one of the original stars of the promotion. He asked all the wrestlers to come out of the locker room for some announcements.

After talking about his intention to restore POG to glory, he got down to specifics.
First off, he changed the main event to a six man tag match pitting Shalwin, Musso, and forced convert Louis Linden would face Jack Verville, Dollar, and the Beast himself: Dan Severn. he also added the stipulation that if either POG champ Jimmy Shalwin, or new (thanks to Shalwin forcing "believer" Max Morrison to hand over the belt)chaotic champ--Louis Linden were pinned, or submitted, in the match, the title would go to the wrestler scoring the win.

As you might expect, this did not sit well with the Shalwin Camp! In another move, Dynamo told Epic that he had to win a match soon or be ejected from POG!
This "talk" segment went on a little too long for my taste, but the fans did not seem to mind. It did set up some story lines, and provide a little backstory, and those were positives!

Next up, Jamie Eternal faced "Bry 2 Fly" who claimed to be one of the Backstreet Boys(no) who started by singing one of his "hits." This was a performance in the style of WWE's Jillian Hall. It was mercifully cut short be Eternal, who squashed him rather quickly.

Mike Musso then came to the ring to try his luck against "Michigan's only masked monster." He fared better than his singing predcessor, but in the end, Eternal proved too much for him, picking up the nod with a cradle pin. Now came intermission.

After the break, Hardcore Harry faced Mister Nifty in a spirited match. Harry picked up the win with a back slide.

Next was SI, from Defiance, Ohio, squaring off with Sean Tyler. Tyler gained the win with a cobra sleeper/camel clutch (RIP Eddie Farhat).
Now it was time for the main event, and my first chance to see Dan Severn in some time!

All six men saw action, eventually Severn chased Max Morrison to the back. "Chill" Jack Verville eventually scored the win over Louis Linden to gain the Chaotic Title!
The fans were delighted, but I have a hunch this controversial match didn't resolve any issues, and more surprizes lie ahead!

Congratulations to Dan Severn, who is being honored with the "Lou Thesz Award" at the Cauliflwer Alley Club's 60th convention in Las Vegas, in April! This is an awrd given to an individual who has distinguished himself in amateur, and professional, wrestling (in Severn's case, mixed martial arts as well). It is a richly deserved honor for a true superstar!

Ring Of Honor Show Dazzles Dearborn

March 19, found ROH putting on a show in the same building (Ford Community and Performing Arts Building), and at the same time as the Dearborn Symphony was holding it's Spring Concert. which is why my wife and I got a somewhat dazed look from a well coiffed woman when we asked "is this the line for Ring of Honor?" After recovering, she directed us to the right line just down the hall.

Once inside the proper venue, we saw the Bravado brothers celebrating a win in a dark match (definition:a match, or matches, held before the start of the 'official' card.) In the next dark match Bobbey Dempsey defeated Eddie Venom. Dempsey won with a fireman's carry turned into a variant of a piledriver.

A spokesman from Fight network came out and told us that were filming the show, and encouraged the crowd to "get rowdy!" That was a little like asking a roomful of nuns to pray--unneccessary. The crowd of about 1,000 was already redhot, and ready for some excitement, pounding on the barriers and chanting "R-O-H"

Rhett Titus squared off against "Skull Crusher" Rashe Brown, after an exchange of chest chops, Titus went into his bump-and-grind routine. The crowd began chanting "you're a virgin!" at him. This was followed by chants of "hep-a-ti-tis," which further enraged Rhett. But to no avail, as he was disposed of handily by the powerful Brown with an over the shoulders back breaker/face buster combination.

Next up: Tyson Dux vs Kenny King, although King was the heel, he had his fair share of the crowd's backing. They were delighted when he used a handful of tights to get the win. By this time the crowd was chanting and counter chanting at almost everything.

Kevin Steen & Steve Corino faced Player Dos and Pee Wee next. Dos was hurled from the ring who then subjected Pee Wee to an extended beatdown before Dos recovered enough to rescue him. The match was an extended series of high spots, and extended action, culminating in victory for Steen and Corino, when Steen used a cradle pile driver to finish off the unfortunate Pee Wee.

Last match of first half was former champ, Austin Aries against former TNA star Petey Williams. The crowd was evenly split between the two. Aries went for the cheap heat by calling us all a bunch of losers who had cashed in bottles and cans to get enough money to buy our tickets. The crowd answered back with a chant of "wheres your title?" at him.

Williams was greeted with "you got fired!" from the crowd alluding to his departure from TNA. The action itself was spirited, with lots of near falls, and high spots, and then seemed to fall apart somewhat. It felt like the combatants got confused momentarily about how it all was supposed to end. then they got it back together and Austin got the win.

After the break, Colt Cabana and El Generico took on "The House of Truth." For some reason, Cabana decided to heckle my wife, calling her grandma, and then called me grandpa (possibly because we were older than 90% of the crowd!)when the heels tried to join in Cabana and Generico blasted them. The match itself featured lots of low brow comedy, which helped lower the level of intensity in the house. Cabana's team picked up the win and he came over to us and hugged Sally.

next up was a classic "scientific" match up between Kenny Omega and Roderick Strong, that included some first rate (and increasingly rare) mat work. It was a lot of fun to watch, and was filled with believable near falls, and kept the issue of winner in doubt until the end, when Strong got the pin.

The main event which pitted The American Wolves, and Chris Hero, against the Tag Champions, the Briscoe brothers, and World champion Tyler Black, was simply the best tag match I have ever seen. It lasted over thirty minutes and drew repeated chants of "this is awesome!" from the crowd. The action was spectacular both in and out of the ring.

When tthe Briscoes and Black finally scored the win, the crowd was both hoarse, and emotionally spent!

Ring Of Honor returns to Dearborn in November.

Gorgeous George To Be Inducted Into WWE Hall of Fame

Pro Wrestling Torch reported today that Gorgeous George (Wagner) will be inducted in to the WWE Hall of Fame during Wrestlemania week events. This is overdue recognition for one of pro-wrestling's most important figures.

George revolutionized the sport with his marcelled hair and gender bending persona. Coming along with the rise of television, he transformed a sport that took itself much too seriously into sports entertainment.

Along the way he made (and lost) a fortune. He fell prey to his own demons. The saddest image in wrestling may be that of an ill, broke, and dispirited Gorgeous George sitting on a stool as his signature locks were shaved away.

It was 1962 in Los Angeles, and George had lost a "hair vs mask" match with the "Destroyer," (Dick Beyer under the mask). A few weeks later George would be dead, in a flophouse. His story faded into obscurity until the publication of a biography last year.

Now he will have his moment of triumph. I would like to believe that the burly, blond wrestler who had women scrambling to get one of his "Georgy Pins," is tossing a few to the angels applauding his long delayed moment of triumph.

TLC Fatal Fourway Tag Battle steals the Show In Adrian!

Sunday, March 14, saw another exciting card presented at Adrian's Hope Center. About forty fans witnessed the following action:
Before the main card two dark matches were presented. First up was a Battle Royal, featuring: Matt Dragon vs Noah Lott vs Black Magic vs Jay taylor vs mel Zero. Taylor won.

Second dark match saw "The Prince of Pop," david Andrew beat A. J. Puente witj a "Butt bomb" off the second rope.

Main Show opened with Danyael vs Marion Fontaine, Fontaine won with a flying body press.

Next up: Mild mannered Matt interviewed "Team Reckless." They began to threaten Matt, when, suddenly Onyx made the save. he then took Team Reckless on in a handcap match. This was total squash. Onyx crushed both opponents in about three minutes.

Third bout was highlight of the night--the "Fatal fourway, Tables/Ladders/and Chairs match" for the newly minted Tag Title belts. The Hollow souls vs Kosher club vs Dixie Muscle vs Jack Verville & Mister Nifty. This was a wild and wooly affair with action in the ring, and all over the ringside area.

By the time it was all over four tables had been smashed; severl chairs broken, two ladders were brought into the action as weapons, and also to reach the belts suspended over the ring, and Jack Verville was a bloody mess! He also, with parner Nifty, was a new tag team Champion.

After intermission"

Keith Creme (with Maximillion Morrison) defeated "Gutter" (with Cindy-a length of down spout) Creme won with a body press.

Jeff Brooks, 2009 Michigan wrestler of the year, took on Lennox Lightfoot, ultimately winning with a spinning neckbreaker.

In the main event, VIP Champ, Jimmy "The Hype" Shalwin put his title on the line against Michigan's masked monster: Jamie Eternal, and the leader of the Life Power Church--Jake Omen, in a "Triple Threat match.

Of course, Omen's allies the "Hollow Souls" attempted to interfere. They were quickly driven off by Shalwin, and Eternal, and a spirited contest ensued after both Shalwin, and, Eternal whomped Omen. But the heelish Omen had the last laugh, winning the title due to interference by Dollar who slipped him the title belt which he promptly used to flatten Shalwin and pick up the win and the title.

Ending was kind of flat. Heels should have been celebrating and gloating, but instead just slunk off.

No date was anounced for next show.

WWA Card in Toledo Features Three Title bouts

It was a night of title bouts, on March 7 at Somerset Hall in Toledo, Ohio as 125, or so, fans were treated to a njght of action. Not all of it was satisfying. The night began with Manua Soya,defending the "Pacific Rim" title against challenger Phil Atlas. After a slow start, the two put on a lively match featuring solid aerial work by Atlas, and power moves by the champion, who took the win with a devastating suplex and press.

Match number two was a handicap bout pitting Robbie Rotten and Brandon Edward against the 420lb Baba Toombe, who was led to the ring by "Jungle Jane." Pator Pain, and Buck Lawless. Baba, a new version of Kamala, The Ugandan Giant (of WWF, and Memphis fame in the '80's) made short work of his foes. he made a bloody mess of Robbie rotten in the process!

Next up was a "challenge match": Boomer, the regularly featured interviewer, who was flattened by Pain on the last card, got a bout with his 100 lb heavier nemesis, with a special stipulation: Pain wrestled with one hand tied behind his back.

In spite of interfernce by Buck Lawless, Boomer won with a version of the "brain buster." There wss a glitch, the cord holding the Pastor's hand behind his back broke, requiring Pain to hold his hand behind his back (rven though half of the crowd was aware that the cord was broken. None-the-less, the fans went to the intermission in a happy mood.

Second half of the show started with Tag Champs, Andy Chene and Crimson defending against Toledo's own CIA (Denzel Titan and Black Velvet, with Mgr Rick Sticks). The champs were accompanied by Dr. Graham who once again seemed shocked when Crimson resorted to "dirty" tactics! The CIA regained their titles when one of the CIA hit a code Breaker for the victory.

In the chaotic aftermath Chene, and Crimson engaged in a wild brawl, and Graham was knocked to the mat. More is sure to follow on future cards!

In bout number five, the popular "D-Ray 3,000" faced Buck Lawless(with Pastor Pain). The pair had a spirited match, won by Lawless when "The Sharp Dressed Man" interfered on Lawless' behalf. It was kind of hard to follow the in-ring action as Pastor Pain's over the top interaction with the fans drew focus away from the action.

The main event was a title defense by Bobo Brazil, Jr. against Sebastian Rose (with the ubiquitous Pator Pain) in a "street fight" match in street clothes. Whoever stripped his opponent down to his wrestling trunks first, would gain the nod!

After various bits of chicanery by all participants, Brazil stripped his foe down to his trunks for the win. Let me be blunt--I hated this match! When WWE puts its Divas in bouts like this I feel embarrassed for them! To put a title on the line in such a silly event takes away that title's credibility.

At best it should have been a non-title bout buried in the middle of the card. Every promotion is entitled to a miscue. Now and then. Lets hope Graham and his cohorts learn from this (in my opinion) mistake.

Next show: April 11.

Price of Glory Card Rocks Coldwater!

An enthusias himtic crowd of 50 fans were treated to a wild night of action at The Michigan Sports Camp presntation of "Moment of Truth. The evening featured a four man "chaotic tournament," and a title defense by P.O.G. champ, Jimmy "The Hype" Shalwin.

The opener featured Louis Linden squaring off against Mr. Nifty, who was accompanied by "The Believers," Mike Musso, and Russ Jones. After ten minutes of spirited action, Linden won with a Moonsault and Press, but that wasn't the end! All three of the heels confronted Linden and tried to recruit him to join the "Believers."

He declined to "drink the Koolaid,"--I'm not using a metaphor! Mr. Nifty and his associates had a jar of Koolaid.

Next up was the first match of the Chaotic Tournament, Jack "Chill" Verville, faced Jonny Lawless in a "submissions count anywhere" match. After spirited action, in and out of the ring, Verville gained the nod by forcing Lawless to tap-out with a choke.

Before the next bout Hardcore Harry, the Chaotic Champion, was interviewed and asked whether he would accept the challenge of "Hardcore Harley." He quickly agreed to a match on the next P.O.G. card.

The 3rd bout of the evening saw A. J. "Pace" Picante face Sean Tyler( I think that was his name, I couldn't quite catch it over the crowd noise!)Tyler won, but both men stayed in character, told a story, and got the crowd involved!

Last match of the first half of the show was match number two of the Chaotic Tourney. Champion Hardcore Harry lost his title to Max "Gameboy" Morrison in a Hardcore match after "The Believers" forced him to drink the Koolaid (seriously).

After the intermission, $Dollar$, and Noah Lott faced off against "The Believers," in a "Number One Contenders Match." Dollar and Lott won with a "Noah's Arc, and a moonsault and body press by dollar. Both Musso, and Jones of The Believers got in plenty of offense in a losing effort.

In the final bout of the Chaotic Tourny, Morrison defeated Jack verville in a "Power Glove" match, in which the glove played no role at all! Though the Koolaid once again did.

In a very good face vs face match, Keith Creme won over Ryan Epic in an "old school" scientific match which featured lots of chain wrestling.

The main event saw Jimmy "The Hype" Shalwin put the P.O.G. title on the line against Jamie Eternal. Shalwin was, of course, accompanied to the ring by the "Belivers," who were soon ordered to the back by the referee.

The match itself was a kind of plodding affair (or as my wife described it: a "bitch slap" contest!). Shalwin's comedic touch helped, but the styles of these two did not make for much excitement. Max Morrison snuck the Koolaid to Shalwin, who spewed some into Eternal's face, but apparently swallowed some himself, as he collapsed outside the ring. This gave Eternal the win--but not the title! Anybody besides me see a rematch coming up?

Next P.O.G. Card: March 21st "Resurection"