By Todd LeFurgey, Official Lounge Janitor

The Lounge Weekend (TLW) for August 26 – 28, 2005


Hi everybody. The Lounge is still recovering from the big Summerslam PPV last weekend but they’re back and ready for another great weekend of wrestling columns, TV recaps, and Indy events. Before we begin, however, I have to give props to everybody who sent me their Summerslam predictions last week. There was one reader who e-mailed me and was 100% right in his predictions. That reader was Matt (no last name given). Congrats, Matt. Well done.

Ahem.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls…TLW is proud to present an all-new weekly feature, The Lounge Spotlight! Each and every week I will spotlight one of the Lounge Dwellers to help you get to know them a little bit better. Why? Because TLW is all about the Lounge, baby!! So, without further adu, Lounge Spotlight #1 goes to…


Eric Nelson!!!

- Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in the year of Reagan (1980) on the date he was first elected president (November 4th) in the town of tire-yard fires and figure-eight races…Fort Dodge, Iowa. I have since denounced both, and I decree (whenever people pay attention) my love of anti-neoconservative sentiment and my new hometown of Cedar Falls, Iowa. The hometown will change once again when this journalist wannabe starts graduate school in August 2006 at the University of Iowa. Two million people here and I’m the guy with pride in my state (OK, shout-out to iowawriter on the VIP Message Board, as well).

- What column(s) do you write?

I write the recap of WWE Experience (the original home of Todd Grisham!) every Sunday my VCR works. I also pen Jumping To Conclusions every Tuesday an idea strikes me. I certainly was stricken more often at the start of my writing gig a little over a year ago (July 2004) but hey, they can’t all be gems, so I sometimes just don’t run with it if it isn’t that gem-like.

-How long have you been reading/writing for PWTorch.com?

After receiving my trial copy of the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter in the mail in February 1996, I was hooked and have been a subscriber ever since. Thanks to a handful of previous Guest Editorials, a chance meeting with Wade Keller at the April 23, 2004 Ring of Honor show in St. Paul, Minn., and through a short e-mail exchange, I was offered the chance to review the brand new WWE Experience show in May 2004. I haven’t looked back since…only forward.

-How did you first discover pro wrestling and who were your early favorites?

Cable television was not available in my childhood neighborhood for years, so my first taste of pro wrestling came in the form of WWF’s All Star Wrestling on the USA Network at my grandmother’s house. At the ripe old age of 3, I was rooting on favorites such as Hulk Hogan, the Junkyard Dog, and Tito Santana. I vividly remember running around the living room shouting “Arriba!”

-What is your favorite match of all time?

There is no other match I pull of my video shelf more often than Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair’s WWF Title match from WrestleMania VIII. Blending wrestling skills and ability with great drama and a much more believable real-life issue than, oh, say sex with a dead body or unwilling marriage made iron-clad via a wrestling match, this match clicked on all cylinders. From the interference of Mr. Perfect to Flair’s blood to the pop Savage received when he won to Elizabeth’s kicking Flair’s ass after the match, I consider this match as near perfection (for my tastes) as any.

-What wrestling do you watch today?

If time and money were not factors, one could rest assured I would own most Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, IWA-Mid South, and St. Louis, Memphis, and World Class/UWF DVD’s made to go along with I some 600 videotapes of WWF/E, WCW, ECW, and other assorted leagues from days gone by. As it stands, I watch Raw every week, Heat most weeks, Velocity some weeks, Smackdown on weeks I don’t fall asleep 20 minutes in, and have watched a few episodes of TNA Impact since its Internet debut and has forked over $20 for ROH DVD’s every few months.

-Favorite musical artist(s)/group(s)?

My mistress is wrestling; my love is music. I use the cop-out “I listen to everything!” excuse with a smile on my face, but my favorite groups are easy to come by. It all started in 1982 with Huey Lewis & the News’s “Do You Believe In Love,” officially making the ‘80s group my all-time favorite. More recent favorites: Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio, Fountains of Wayne, Ultimate Fakebook, and Atmosphere.

- Favorite movie(s)?

If I can’t find the time to watch all the wrestling I wish I could, the idea that I have a large pool of viewed movies from which to choose a favorite is preposterous. However, the ones that I love I’ve seen numerous times including Pulp Fiction, Black Belt Jones, High Fidelity, any Christopher Guest mockumentary, and most recently Wedding Crashers.

-Favorite all-time TV show(s)?

If you’re on your toes, you can catch me making a Simpsons reference at least once a day. I can tell you the cast of Saturday Night Live for any season. The Cosby Show is the first sitcom I (very fondly) remember. The Golden Girls is an extremely underrated sitcom, in my opinion. Once exposed to Nick at Nite, I found the beauty in Get Smart and the Dick Van Dyke Show.

- Favorite current TV show(s)?

Currently, I try to catch Stella on Comedy Central as often as possible (although their DVD release from two years ago is tons funnier…and more gross). When I’m lucky, I catch The Daily Show and Real Time with Bill Maher for his preferred spin on the news. After spending a couple of months in Austin, Texas, this latest season of The Real World would be my “guilty pleasure”…if I had any shame.

- Your dream vehicle?

While not a big car guy, I am more than happy with a car that gets me from Point A to Point B with little to no trouble. A cheap Kia wouldn’t hurt, though.

- Favorite vacation spot(s)?

Also not much of a vacationer, I prefer a good road trip to wrestling shows in Minneapolis or Kansas City, or concerts in Lawrence, Ks., and the plan is to hit up Chicago (my kind of town) for WrestleMania 22. Save a seat for me!

- Final words?

Don’t be afraid to think, to learn, and to challenge (once you’re thought and learned). When it comes to wrestling, I try to write columns that get the ol’ brain churning. In regards to the outside world, I might watch Bill Maher and Jon Stewart, but I watch Bill O’Reilly and read Cal Thomas just as often, because I want to hear every side. I value education -- and educated people -- because knowledge breeds progress, and spinning out tires when gas prices are this high is counterproductive. Oh, and if someone doesn’t figure out what to do with Shelton Benjamin but damn quick, I’m going to pull my hair out. Rectangular Intercontinental Title belt forever!


Friday, August 26, 2005

Madavi back in the hizzy. If it's Friday, it's time for the Submission Position.

IWC runs in McKeesport, Pennsylvania at The Palisades. The show features Shirley Doe vs. Steve Corino for the IWC title, Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles, Sebastian Dark & Hentai vs. Tracy Smothers & Chris Hamrick in a tag team ladder match, John McChesney vs. James Keenan, Glenn Spectre vs. Chad Collyer, Shiima Xion vs. Nigel McGuinness, plus the Gamino Brothers, Troy Lords, J Rocc, Jason Gory, and Kudo. Bell time is 7:30pm.

Pro Wrestling Warfare runs in Sanford, Florida at the Sanford Civic Center. The show features Bruce Steele vs. Ron Neimi vs. Onyx, Tom “Reckless Youth” Carter vs. Roderick Strong, plus Delerious, Mikey Batts, Vordell Walker, Jerelle Clarke, Altar Boy Luke, and Sedrick Strong. Bell time is 8:00pm.

NWA Central States runs in Lawrence, Kansas at the Community Building. The show features Raven defending the NWA title against Michael Strider, Mark Sterling vs. Ginger Gordon vs. Krow, Brett Young vs. Jaysin Strife, Darrien Sanders vs. Jeremy Wyatt, plus Mason Hunter. Bell time is 8:00pm.

Grand Prix Wrestling runs in Petit Rocher, New Brunswick. The show features “Wildman” Gary Williams, Duke MacIsaac, Spiderman, Cuban Assassin, Ryan Storm, and Jeff Dupre.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

In Saturday's "Last Call with Mallory," Mallory Mahling will have a recap of "The Ultimate Fighter 2", plus a recap of Hulk Daddy and Hulk Mama taking on city hall, and a look at Tank Abbott and this weekend's PRIDE pay-per-view.

ROH runs in Buffalo, New York at the Amherst Pepsi Center. The show will feature James Gibson vs. Colt Cabana for the ROH title, Samoa Joe vs. Nigel McGuinness for the Pure Title, A.J.Styles vs. CIMA, Christopher Daniels vs. Shingo Takagi, Homicide vs. Spanky, Austin Aries & Roderick Strong vs. Jimmy Rave & Alex Shelley, Jimmy Jacobs vs Chad Collyer vs. Kevin Steen vs. El Generico in a Four Corner Survival match, and Ricky Reyes vs. Puma. Bell time is 7:30pm.

Pro Wrestling Warfare runs in St. Petersburg, Florida at VFW Post #6827. The show features Tom “Reckless Youth” Carter vs. Sedrick Strong, The Market Crasher vs. Cuban Assassin & Navy SEAL, plus Chaos. Bell time is 8:00pm

NWA Universal runs in Muskogee, Oklahoma at the Muskogee Civic Center. The show features Charlie Haas, Traci Brooks, and Jessica James. Bell time is 8:00pm.

New York Wrestling Connection runs in Deer Park, New York at the Community Center. The show features Jerry Lynn vs. Rob Eckos, Dan Barry & Ken Scampi vs. Quiet Storm & Josh Daniels, plus an appearance by Raven. Bell time is 8:00pm.

Northern Impact Wrestling runs in White Bear Lake, Minnesota at Doc’s Landing sports bar. The show features the INvasion, Bret O’Brian, Venom, Tu-Gloccs, the Boss, the Real Deal, Rain, and Spiderbaby. Bell time is 4:30pm.

EWF runs in Marion, Indiana at the EWF Arena. The show features The SiKness vs. Jake Schreiner, Rastakhan vs. Matt Shock, Hypnosis vs. Fallen Dragon, plus Anarchy, Team Zorin, and Wildman Rogers. Bell time is 7:00pm.

Grand Prix Wrestling runs in New Carlisle, Quebec. The show features “Wildman” Gary Williams, Duke MacIsaac, Spiderman, Cuban Assassin, Ryan Storm, and Jeff Dupre.

Mainstream Wrestling Entertainment runs in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia at the grand opening of Bill & Lee’s Pizza. The show will feature Trash Canyon, Jason Holiday, Roman Kable, Komatose, Kyle Kruze, and CN Power. Bell time is 2:00pm.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

WWE Experience review: "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!" You hear it shouted all the time on commercials for monster truck races and Christmas Mass. Well, shout it out loud, because Sunday is the day for the WWE Experience! Todd Grisham sashays around New York City, talkin' 'bout what's happenin' in World Wrestling Entertainment, for the sake of you, the WWE fan. However, if you're not able to catch the actual show, Eric Nelson reviews it at PWTorch.com for you, the Eric Nelson fan. So shout, shout, let it all out... WWE Experience is one thing you can't do without. Come on, I'm talking to you!

In this week's Daydream Believer, Mike Roe will make more obscure references that no one gets while analyzing and dissecting the world of wrestling.

Sunday Night Heat this week will be absolutely scintillating. Trust me on this one loyal readers as it will not disappoint. It would be great to give an actual preview but I don't like reading spoilers for Heat anymore so we are all in the dark on the actual matches. If I had to guess, I say, Viscera, Todd Grisham and the Heartthrobs will be on the broadcast. Stop by and see if I am right.

UCW runs in Asheville, North Carolina at the Asheville Civic Center. The show will feature Lex Luger, Scott Steiner, Buff Bagwell, nWo Sting, the Shooter, and Rick Steiner. Bell time is 5pm.

NWA Universal runs in Tulsa, Oklahoma at Bell’s Amusement Park. The show will feature Charlie Haas, Traci Brooks, Jessica James, and Slam Shady. Bell time is 2:30pm.

Grand Prix Wrestling runs in Borden, Prince Edward Island. The show features “Wildman” Gary Williams, Duke MacIsaac, Spiderman, Cuban Assassin, Ryan Storm, and Jeff Dupre.

***

Whew!! Got all that? Good. Have I missed anybody? Anything you want to mention or discuss? I want to hear from you. Give me a shout at Todd_LeFurgey@yahoo.ca. Thanks for clicking the link that brought you here. L8r!